CN101590738A - Fluid ejection apparatus - Google Patents
Fluid ejection apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- CN101590738A CN101590738A CNA200910141327XA CN200910141327A CN101590738A CN 101590738 A CN101590738 A CN 101590738A CN A200910141327X A CNA200910141327X A CN A200910141327XA CN 200910141327 A CN200910141327 A CN 200910141327A CN 101590738 A CN101590738 A CN 101590738A
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a kind of fluid ejection apparatus.Be provided at the technology of removing the bubble that becomes the nozzle ejection failure cause in the fluid ejection apparatus that sprays fluid.Ink-jet printer (100) exerts pressure from nozzle (15) ejection ink droplet for balancing gate pit (13) by piezoelectric element (17).The control part (50) of ink-jet printer (100) produces driving pulse (300), and described driving pulse (300) is used for to be blended into the bubble in the balancing gate pit (13) and to carry out flushing in order to remove.Driving pulse (300) comprising: is used for piezoelectric element (17) is passed first segment pulse (Pwc) of contraction state from initial base state, and second segment pulse (Pwd) that is used for piezoelectric element (17) is passed base state.The width of second segment pulse (Pwd) is below 0.5 times of helmholtz resonance cycle (Tc) that the ink (400) in the balancing gate pit (13) produces.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to from the fluid ejection apparatus of nozzle ejection fluid.
Background technology
Ink-jet printer is by printing to paper ejection (injection) ink droplet from nozzle.In such ink-jet printer, exist owing to as inferior reason ink droplet takes place shoots out condition of poor: ink is because natural evaporation and multiviscosisty cements in nozzle opening portion, perhaps makes black indoor pressure variation by the bubble absorption etc. because bubble is blended into be used for filling ink black indoor.
Up to the present, in order to proceed the ejection of ink droplet well, and proposed various with safeguard the relevant technology (patent documentation 1 etc.) of handling.For example, in patent documentation 1, produce negative pressure by pump, and spray to the indoor sky that carries out ink droplet of exerting pressure of China ink, thereby the removal of carrying out multiviscosisty ink and bubble is handled by components of stres with cap temporarily sealing nozzle.
Patent documentation 1: the Japanese documentation spy opens the 2007-136989 communique;
Patent documentation 2: the Japanese documentation spy opens clear 59-131464 communique.
But,, be used to discharge the power that bubble moves owing to can't fully exert pressure to wait, so be difficult to remove fully bubble for the bubble (for example, diameter is the bubble of tens μ m) of minute diameter even carrying out under the situation that above-mentioned maintenance handles.Such problem is not limited to ink-jet printer, all may take place in the fluid ejection apparatus of the fluid of other beyond spraying ink (comprise liquid, be dispersed with the liquid body of the particle of functional material).Before this, also such problem was not carried out research fully.
Summary of the invention
The object of the present invention is to provide a kind of technology of in the fluid ejection apparatus that sprays fluid, removing the bubble of the ejection failure reason that becomes nozzle.
The present invention finishes at least a portion in addressing the above problem, and can realize with following mode or application examples.
[application examples 1]
A kind of fluid ejection apparatus is used to spray fluid, comprising:
Fill the balancing gate pit of described fluid;
Be out of shape the components of stres that the volume in the described balancing gate pit is changed by the wall that makes described balancing gate pit;
Be communicated with and be used to spray the nozzle of described fluid with described balancing gate pit; And
Generation is used to control the control part of the driving pulse of described components of stres,
Wherein, described control part can produce and be used for the maintenance driving pulse that sprays described fluid from described balancing gate pit and spray bubble simultaneously,
Described maintenance comprises first segment pulse and second segment pulse with driving pulse, described first segment pulse makes described balancing gate pit expand and develop to swelling state by driving described components of stres, described second segment pulse makes described balancing gate pit shrink from described swelling state
The width of described second segment pulse is set to below 0.5 times of helmholtz resonance cycle of the described fluid that is filled in the described balancing gate pit.
According to described fluid ejection apparatus, when washing, can utilize helmholtz resonance further to increase the pressure that components of stres imposes on the fluid in the balancing gate pit.So, can further increase the power that produces by pressure wave of the fluid that acts in the balancing gate pit, can increase the disappearance speed of bubble, and bubble can be sprayed with fluid.Therefore, can remove bubble in the balancing gate pit that becomes the nozzle ejection failure cause reliably.Represent that in this manual primary real number value is that significant digits are made as 1 behind the decimal point, and the value to having carried out below second behind the decimal point rounding up.
[application examples 2]
As application examples 1 described fluid ejection apparatus, wherein,
The width of described second segment pulse is set to more than 0.5 times of the natural period of oscillation of described components of stres.
According to this fluid ejection apparatus, the pressure that is applied to the fluid in the balancing gate pit and the intrinsic vibration of components of stres are resonated, thereby can remove the bubble in the balancing gate pit more reliably.
[application examples 3]
As application examples 1 or 2 described fluid ejection apparatus, wherein,
Described maintenance also is included in the intermediate pulse part that the described swelling state that makes described balancing gate pit between first and second segment pulses keeps preset time with driving pulse,
The width of described intermediate pulse part is set to more than 0.7 times of helmholtz resonance cycle of described fluid.
According to this fluid ejection apparatus, adjust the width of intermediate pulse part, cooperate with the helmholtz resonance cycle of fluid in the balancing gate pit, can exert pressure according to the fluid of second segment pulse in the balancing gate pit in the timing that can produce bigger pressure.Therefore, can remove bubble in the balancing gate pit more reliably.
[application examples 4]
As application examples 3 described fluid ejection apparatus, wherein,
The width of described intermediate pulse part also is set to helmholtz resonance below the cycle.
According to this fluid ejection apparatus, the recovery rate of nozzle can be improved, and the flight stability of the fluid of ejection can be improved, can suppress to be ejected the increase of the amount of the fluid that consumes owing to recovery for nozzle.
[application examples 5]
As each the described fluid ejection apparatus in the application examples 1 to 4, wherein,
Injection is as the ink of described fluid.
According to this fluid ejection apparatus,,, therefore can suppress to lose a little or the ink obstruction owing to also can easily remove bubble even produced in the ink in the balancing gate pit under the situation of bubble.
The present invention can accomplished in various ways, for example can with at the maintaining method of the obstruction of the nozzle in the fluid ejection apparatus and implement the fluid ejection apparatus of this method, the modes such as ink-jet printer that possess this method or device realize.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the concise and to the point figure of structure that the ink-jet printer of first embodiment is shown;
(A) of Fig. 2 and (B) be the concise and to the point profile of structure that the printing head is shown;
Fig. 3 is the concise and to the point figure that the electric structure of printing head is shown;
Fig. 4 is the concise and to the point profile that the structure of printing head when carry out to safeguard handling and cap portion is shown;
Fig. 5 is the flow chart that the processing sequence of bubble removal flushing is shown;
Fig. 6 is the curve map that is illustrated in the driving pulse that control part produces in the bubble removal flushing;
(A)～(C) of Fig. 7 is the schematic diagram that is used for illustrating the bubble removal principle of bubble removal flushing;
(A) of Fig. 8 and (B) be to be used to illustrate the curve map of preferred width of first segment pulse and the table of expression experimental result;
Fig. 9 is the curve map that is used to illustrate according to the nozzle recovery rate difference of the width of second segment pulse;
(A) of Figure 10 and (B) be width and the ejection speed of ink droplet and the curve map of the relation between the ink ejection amount that second segment pulse is shown;
(A) of Figure 11 and (B) illustrate respectively second segment pulse width and the ejection ink droplet speed and the curve map of the relation between the ink ejection amount and the curve map that the relation between the second segment pulse width and the nozzle recovery rate is shown;
(A)～(C) of Figure 12 is to based on the restorative evaluation of the nozzle of bubble removal pulse and to the table of the evaluation of the flight stability of the ink droplet in the sky spray;
(A)～(C) of Figure 13 is the image of hit condition that the ink droplet of the flight stability that is used to estimate ink droplet is shown;
Figure 14 is the concise and to the point figure of structure that the ink-jet printer of second embodiment is shown;
Figure 15 is the concise and to the point profile of the structure of printing head that second embodiment is shown, cap portion, scraping plate part;
Figure 16 is used to illustrate that the ink that is undertaken by cap portion attracts the schematic diagram of action;
Figure 17 is the schematic diagram that is used to illustrate the cleaning treatment of the nozzle face of being undertaken by scraping plate part;
Figure 18 is the flow chart that the processing sequence that the initial filling of second embodiment handles is shown;
Figure 19 is illustrated in to carry out initial curve map of filling the air pressure change in the cap closure space in the processing procedure;
Figure 20 is the curve map that illustrates when carrying out the colour mixture driving pulse that control part produces when preventing to wash;
Figure 21 is the concise and to the point figure of structure that the ink-jet printer of the 3rd embodiment is shown;
Figure 22 is the flow chart that the processing sequence when the ink-jet printer of the 3rd embodiment is carried out printing is shown;
Figure 23 is the flow chart of processing sequence that the timing cleaning treatment of the 4th embodiment is shown;
Figure 24 is the curve map that is illustrated in regularly the air pressure change in the cap closure space in the execution of cleaning treatment;
Figure 25 is the concise and to the point figure of structure that the ink-jet printer of the 5th embodiment is shown;
Figure 26 is the flow chart that the processing sequence of manual cleaning treatment is shown;
Figure 27 is the curve map that is illustrated in the air pressure change in the cap closure space in the execution of manual cleaning treatment;
Figure 28 is the flow chart that the processing sequence when the ink-jet printer of the 6th embodiment is carried out printing is shown.
The specific embodiment
Next, adopt following order that embodiments of the present invention are described based on embodiment.
A. first embodiment:
B. second embodiment;
C. the 3rd embodiment:
D. the 4th embodiment:
E. the 5th embodiment:
F. the 6th embodiment:
G. variation:
A. first embodiment:
Fig. 1 is the concise and to the point figure that illustrates as the structure of the ink-jet printer of one embodiment of the invention.This ink-jet printer 100 is to spray the ink jet type printing equipment that versicolor ink droplet forms image on paper according to the printed data that sends from the outside.This ink-jet printer 100 comprises: printing head 10, a drive division 20, sheet conveying portion 30, cap portion 40, control part 50.
It is the logic circuit at center that control part 50 is constituted as with the microcomputer, comprises central processing unit (not diagram) and storage device (not diagram) etc.Control part 50 is connected with above-mentioned printing head 10 grades via holding wire, and the action of ink-jet printer 100 is controlled.
(A) of Fig. 2 is the in-built concise and to the point profile that the ejection mechanism of the ink droplet that prints head 10 is shown.(A) of Fig. 2 illustrates near the situation of the nozzle arbitrarily 15 of the printing head 10 when arrow Y direction shown in Figure 1 is observed.Printing head 10 has shared black chamber 12 and the balancing gate pit 13 as the inner space of filling ink at every kind of ink color.
The top of shared black chamber 12 is equipped with any among print cartridge 11C, 11M, 11Y, the 11K, and flows into ink from this print cartridge.Shared black chamber 12 is communicated with balancing gate pit 13 by ink flow path 14.The ink that is filled in the shared black chamber 12 13 flows out via ink flow path feed pressure chambers 13 14 or from the balancing gate pit.That is to say, shared black chamber 12 for balancing gate pit 13 as the buffer zone of ink and bring into play function.
On the bottom surface of balancing gate pit 13, be set up in parallel a plurality of nozzles 15 that are useful on the ejection ink along the carriage direction (arrow Y direction) of paper.Below, the bottom surface of printing head 10 is called " nozzle face 15p ".Each nozzle 15 is set to have from the balancing gate pit the small through hole of 13 conical in shape that reduce successively towards nozzle face 15p diameter.
In balancing gate pit 13 with each nozzle 15 subtend be provided with oscillating plate 16 and piezoelectric element 17.Oscillating plate 16 is to have with the heavy section of piezoelectric element 17 butts and at the plate-shaped member of this heavy section periphery rubber-like thinner wall section, and heavy section vibrates according to the flexible of piezoelectric element 17.The heavy section of oscillating plate 16 and the differentiation of thinner wall section have been omitted in the drawings.
(B) of Fig. 2 is the in-built concise and to the point profile that illustrates with the dissimilar printing head 10A of illustrated printing head in (A) of Fig. 2 10.In the printing head 10A of Fig. 2 (B), shared black chamber 12 and balancing gate pit 13 than and be arranged on downside (gravity direction) towards paper, and be communicated with balancing gate pit 13 by the ink flow path 14a of black chamber side.Balancing gate pit 13 compares with the balancing gate pit 13 of the printing head 10 of Fig. 2 (A) and forms big and its highly lower space of expansion on x direction of principal axis and y direction of principal axis.The balancing gate pit 13 of printing head 10A is communicated with the nozzle 15 that is arranged on the gravity direction downside via the ink flow path 14b of nozzle side.
The face (end face) of the gravity direction upside of the balancing gate pit 13 of printing head 10A is made of oscillating plate 16A.On the surface of the gravity direction upside of oscillating plate 16A, the piezoelectric element 17A that fixed configurations has shared top electrode 17a, drive electrode 17b, shared bottom electrode 17c stacked.The shared top electrode 17a of this piezoelectric element 17A and shared bottom electrode 17c irrespectively are adjusted to fixing current potential with the driving signal that is provided, and drive electrode 17b changes current potential according to the driving signal that is provided.When making when producing potential difference between these electrodes,, thereby can make oscillating plate 16A to the direction bending that makes balancing gate pit 13 produce negative pressure because each electrode produces distortion to the difference of the dilatability of horizontal direction on the whole at piezoelectric element 17A according to driving signal.
The printing head 10 of type of the piezoelectric element with longitudinal vibration mode 17, for example, also go for the printing head 10A etc. of the type of the piezoelectric element 17A that (B) as Fig. 2 illustrate with lateral vibration mode.In the present embodiment, ink-jet printer 100 describes as the printer of the printing head 10 of (A) with Fig. 2.
Fig. 3 is the block diagram that the electric structure of printing head 10 is shown.Printing head 10 comprises: a plurality of shift register 51A～51Ns corresponding with the number of nozzle 15, a plurality of latch cicuit 52A～52N, a plurality of level translator 53A～53N, a plurality of on-off circuit 54A～54N.
Synchronously be input to shift register 51A～51N by control part 50 (Fig. 1) according to printed data printing signal SI that generates and the clock signal clk that comes self-oscillating circuit (not having diagram).Here, printing signal SI is the signal that each nozzle 15 of expression could spray ink droplet.Printing signal SI and latch signal LAT synchronously are latched circuit 52A～52N and latch.The printing signal SI that is latched by level translator 53A～53N be amplified to can driving switch circuit 54A～54N voltage, and this voltage offered on-off circuit 54A～54N.
At the driving signal COM of the input side of on-off circuit 54A～54N input from control part 50, and outlet side is connected with piezoelectric element 17A～17N.Here, driving signal COM is the signal that applies voltage that expression imposes on each piezoelectric element 17A～17N.The piezoelectric element 17 that is arranged on each nozzle 15 illustrated in piezoelectric element 17A～17N and Fig. 2 (A) is identical, in order to represent to have added symbol A～N with each component corresponding relation on label.
On-off circuit 54A～54N switches providing of driving signal COM according to printing signal SI according to each piezoelectric element 17A～17N respectively.For example, when ink-jet printer 100 was carried out printing, on-off circuit 54A～54N was providing driving signal COM when printing signal SI is " 1 ", cut off driving signal COM when printing signal SI is " 0 ".Thus, be provided that piezoelectric element that drives signal COM among piezoelectric element 17A～17N and driven, thereby ink droplet is from nozzle 15 ejections of correspondence.
But, when carrying out the initial filling of ink from print cartridge or when continue carrying out printing treatment, exist bubble to be blended into situation in the ink of balancing gate pit 13.And occur the so-called point (De ツ ト order け) of losing sometimes, that is: change owing to above-mentioned bubble absorbs by the pressure in the piezoelectric element applied pressure chambers 13 17, thereby a part of nozzle can't suitably spray ink droplet.In addition, thus take place sometimes because ink natural evaporation and spray nozzle clogging situation that the multiviscosisty cementation causes nozzle 15 to stop up.Therefore, in ink-jet printer 100, except when carrying out printing treatment, also carry out for ink droplet can be handled from the various maintenances that nozzle is ejected reliably.
As safeguard handling, for example there is the sky that carries out ink from nozzle 15 to spray the processing of the what is called flushing that the ink of bubble or multiviscosisty is ejected from nozzle 15 with ink droplet.Here, " empty spray " be meant for ink droplet original purposes (i.e. printing) in addition purpose and the ejection carried out.When carrying out this flushing, control part 50 makes printing head 10 move to maintenance position MP (Fig. 1).
Fig. 4 observes in order to safeguard along the arrow Y direction of Fig. 1 to handle and the figure of ink-jet printer 100 will print head 10 and move to maintenance position MP the time.In Fig. 4,, omitted the inscape of printing head 10 and cap portion 40 ink-jet printer 100 in addition for the ease of illustrating.
The central portion of the bottom surface of lid 41 is provided with through hole 41h, and ink is discharged pipe arrangement 42 and is connected to through hole 41h.Ink is discharged pipe arrangement 42 and is provided with pump 43, can attract the useless China ink of accumulation in the lid 41.Useless China ink is directed into via ink discharge pipe arrangement 42 and is used to give up the black useless black handling part (not shown) of handling.Driving mechanism 45 is the parts that are used for making lid 41 risings when using pump 43 to attract ink and are close to nozzle face 15p.When flushing, lid 41 is maintained at the state that leaves from nozzle face 15p.
Fig. 5 is the flow chart that illustrates as the step of the bubble removal of one embodiment of the present of invention flushing.Here, " bubble removal flushing " be meant in flushing to be the flushing of purpose to remove bubble especially.
In step S10, control part 50 makes each nozzle 15 carry out the sky spray of 2000 ink droplets continuously.Sky spray step that below will this continuous ink droplet is called " flushing group continuously ".Control part 50 is being provided with predetermined intermittence (for example about 1 second) afterwards in step S20, continue to carry out once more in step S30 continuous flushing group.Here, intermittently reason being set in step S20 is the ink that causes for the continuous flushing group that makes by previous step and the vibration convergence of balancing gate pit 13.In this ink-jet printer 100, by carrying out little shaking with the degree that ink droplet can not be ejected, and make the vibration convergence of ink and balancing gate pit 13 at this intermittent phase chien shih piezoelectric element 17.Thus, can carry out ensuing continuous flushing group effectively.Below, in bubble removal flushing, that repeats pre-determined number arbitrarily comprises continuous flushing group and step intermittently.
But, control part 50 in order to carry out above-mentioned step to the output of printing head 10 with carry out signals different when printing, make nozzle 15 empty ink droplets.Below, the signal of control part 50 outputs describes when washing carrying out bubble removal.
Fig. 6 is the curve map that the driving signal of control part 50 outputs when carrying out the bubble removal flushing is shown.The longitudinal axis of this curve map is represented voltage, and transverse axis is represented the time.The driving signal COMf of this bubble removal flushing usefulness comprises two driving pulses 300,301, and described two drive pulse signals the 300, the 301st roughly are trapezoidal pulse signal.
First driving pulse 300 is to be used for making the driving signal of each nozzle 15 execution in the sky spray of the ink droplet of the continuous flushing group (Fig. 5: step S10, S30) of bubble removal flushing.Below, this first driving pulse 300 is called " bubble removal driving pulse 300 ".On the other hand, second driving pulse 301 is to be used for making piezoelectric element 17 carry out little driving signal that shakes in step at intermittence (step S20, S40).Below, this second driving pulse 301 is called " vibration driving pulse 301 ".
Bubble removal driving pulse 300 comprises: the first segment pulse Pwc, the second segment pulse Pwd and the intermediate pulse part Pwh between first segment pulse and the second segment pulse Pwc, Pwd.At the first segment pulse Pwc, from t
0The time be carved into t
1The magnitude of voltage of piezoelectric element 17 is increased to Vh from base state (magnitude of voltage is 0) with fixed ratio constantly, and piezoelectric element 17 shrinks.At intermediate pulse part Pwh, from t
1The time be carved into t
2The magnitude of voltage of piezoelectric element 17 remains Vh always constantly.At the second segment pulse Pwd, from t
2The time be carved into t
3The magnitude of voltage of piezoelectric element 17 turns back to base state with fixing ratio from Vh constantly, and piezoelectric element 17 is expanded.The width of each segment pulse Pwc, Pwh, Pwd is described later.
Vibration similarly comprises three segment pulse Pwc, Pwd, Pwh with driving pulse 301 and bubble removal driving pulse 300.Specifically, use in the driving pulse 301, in vibration from t
4The time be carved into t
5Part constantly is the first segment pulse Pwc, from t
5The time be carved into t
6Part constantly is intermediate pulse part Pwh, from t
6The time be carved into t
7Part constantly is the second segment pulse Pwd.This vibration with driving pulse 301 in the magnitude of voltage of piezoelectric element 17 in the first segment pulse Pwc, be increased to Vh2 with fixed ratio.This magnitude of voltage Vh2 is the value littler than the magnitude of voltage Vh of bubble removal driving pulse 300, is that ink can be from the magnitude of voltage of the degree of nozzle 15 ejection.Vibration also can be different with the width of each segment pulse Pwc, Pwh of bubble removal driving pulse 300, Pwd with the width of each segment pulse Pwc, Pwh of driving pulse 301, Pwd.
When carrying out the bubble removal flushing, control part 50 will intersect the driving signal COMf that repeats to form continuously with the fixing cycle mutually by above-mentioned two driving pulses 300,301 replaces the on-off circuit 54A～54N (Fig. 3) that drives signal COM and export to printing head 10.In addition, the signal (" flush signal SIf ") that control part 50 is provided for carrying out the bubble removal flushing via shift register 51A～51N, latch cicuit 52A～52N and level translator 53A～53N to on-off circuit 54A～54N, the printing signal SI of output when printing to replace carrying out.
On-off circuit 54A～54N switches the driving signal COM that offers piezoelectric element 17A～17N according to this flush signal Sif.According to this change action, the piezoelectric element 17 of half (being called " the first piezoelectric element group ") upward only is provided bubble removal driving pulse 300 with the fixed cycle, and the piezoelectric element 17 (being called " the second piezoelectric element group ") of remaining half upward only is provided vibration driving pulse 301 with the fixed cycle.In addition, the kind of the driving pulse that offers the first piezoelectric element group and the second piezoelectric element group is respectively switched in the sky of 2000 times in continuous flushing group of every execution spray back.That is to say that the first piezoelectric element group and the second piezoelectric element group are alternately carried out continuous flushing group and step at intermittence respectively mutually.In continuous flushing group, provide the frequency of bubble removal driving pulse 300 to be preferably 1KHz～5KHz.
(A)～(C) of Fig. 7 is the schematic diagram of the action of schematically illustrated printing head 10 based on driving pulse 300.(A)～(C) of Fig. 7 amplifies the balancing gate pit 13 that shows in the printing head 10 shown in (A) of Fig. 2, and omitted the diagram to piezoelectric element 17 and shared black chamber 12.
(A) of Fig. 7 illustrates and receives (t before the bubble removal driving pulse 300
0Constantly) the state of balancing gate pit 13.In balancing gate pit 13, be filled with ink 400, sneaked into bubble 500 in the ink 400.Bubble 500 has the tendency in the zone relative with ink flow path 14 of the upside of the gravity direction that is trapped in balancing gate pit 13.
(B) of Fig. 7 illustrates the t of Fig. 6
0The time be carved into t
2The state of balancing gate pit 13 constantly.In a single day piezoelectric element 17 receives t
0The time be carved into t
1The first segment pulse Pwc constantly just shrinks along with the increase that applies voltage.So shown in Fig. 7 (B), oscillating plate 16 produces negative pressure to the outside of balancing gate pit 13 (direction of arrow) bending to the ink in the balancing gate pit 13 400.The meniscus 401 that produce at nozzle 15 this moment increases crooked degree to the direction identical with oscillating plate 16.And, from t
1The time be carved into t
2Constantly, oscillating plate 16 keeps crooked.At this t
0The time be carved into t
2Constantly, along with the pressure in the balancing gate pit 13 reduces, the diameter of bubble 500 increases.
Fig. 7 (C) is illustrated in t
2The time be carved into t
3The state of balancing gate pit 13 constantly.The magnitude of voltage that is applied on the piezoelectric element 17 according to the second segment pulse Pwd of bubble removal driving pulse 300 returns basic value (Fig. 6), and piezoelectric element 17 is also owing to base state is returned in expansion.That is to say that oscillating plate 16 returns smooth state from the state of bending.Thus, the ink 400 in the balancing gate pit 13 is subjected to 16 applied pressures of oscillating plate and sprays from nozzle 15.At this moment, bubble 500 is the close gradually nozzle 15 along with the ejection of ink also, and finally is discharged to the outside from nozzle 15.Generation according to a plurality of bubble removal driving pulses 300 has been shown, the track that bubble 500 moves to nozzle 15 in (C) of Fig. 7.
At this, as explanation among (B) of Fig. 7, according to this bubble removal driving pulse 300, can be from t
0The time be carved into t
1The diameter of bubble 500 is increased,, can apply bigger power from 16 pairs of bubbles 500 of oscillating plate along with the increase of diameter.Therefore, according to this bubble removal driving pulse 300, even for example the bubble of minute diameter also can easily make its ejection.
But, from explanation up to the present, also can understand: by the pressure that reduces balancing gate pit 13 diameter of bubble 500 is increased as far as possible, can more reliably bubble 500 ejections be removed.Therefore, the width of the first segment pulse Pwc (Fig. 6) of bubble removal driving pulse 300 is preferably below 1/2 of Helmholtz (Helmholtz) resonance cycle Tc of the ink 400 in the balancing gate pit 13.Here, " helmholtz resonance period T c " is meant the natural period of oscillation when propagating in the ink 400 of vibration wave in balancing gate pit 13 that the increase and decrease owing to the volume of balancing gate pit 13 produces, and is the value that is determined by the shape of balancing gate pit 13, ink flow path 14 and nozzle 15.
(A) of Fig. 8 is the curve map that the situation that ink vibrates according to helmholtz resonance period T c is shown.Can understand in theory: if from t
0Constantly begin to helmholtz resonance period T c about 1/2 during the pressure of balancing gate pit 13 is reduced, then the vibration of ink 400 is just maximum.Therefore, be below 1/2 of Helmholtz (Helmholtz) resonance cycle Tc of the ink 400 in the balancing gate pit 13 by the width that makes the first segment pulse Pwc, can make balancing gate pit 13 produce bigger negative pressure, and can increase the diameter of bubble 500.
(B) of Fig. 8 is the table that is illustrated in the experimental result of the ejection state of investigation when the width that changes the first segment pulse Pwc is carried out the bubble removal flushing in the printing head of helmholtz resonance period T c=6 μ s." ◎ " in the table is illustrated in and carries out after the bubble removal flushing bubble in the most nozzle and be removed and do not detect the situation of losing a little." zero " in the table is illustrated in and carries out after the bubble removal flushing bubble being arranged and a little situation having taken place to lose so that the probability below 30% is residual in a nozzle at least.In addition, a little situation has taken place to lose with the probability 50% below in " △ " expression, and " * " represents so that situation a little to have taken place to lose greater than 50% probability.
As the table shows, the width of the first segment pulse Pwc is preferably below 0.4 times of helmholtz resonance period T c, especially preferably less than helmholtz resonance period T c 1/3 or be below 0.3 times.The width that the first segment pulse Pwc has been described in (A) of Fig. 8 is below 1/2 of helmholtz resonance period T c, this error is appreciated that it is because following reason causes: because the eigentone (aftermentioned) that bubble had, the timing of change postpones the diameter of bubble along with piezoelectric element 17 resonance taking place.The width of the first segment pulse Pwc is short more good more, but in fact consider for the driving pulse of piezoelectric element 17 follow performance etc., particularly preferably be and be set at about 1.5 μ s.
Width (the t of Fig. 6 of the second segment pulse Pwd of bubble removal driving pulse 300
2The time be carved into t
3Also the same below 1/2 of helmholtz resonance period T c that is preferably constantly) with the first segment pulse Pwc.Its reason will be described below.Usually, about the disappearance speed of the bubble in the fluid, known have following formula (1) to set up.
The disappearance speed of bubble
Here, P is the pressure in the balancing gate pit, and S is the surface area of bubble, and k is a constant.
This formula (1) is if the disappearance speed of bubble is for maximum when the identical then pressure in the fluid of surface area of expression bubble is changed to maximum.That is to say, be changed to maximum, can make the disappearance speed maximum of bubble 500, thereby can remove bubble 500 more effectively by the pressure that makes the ink 400 in the second segment pulse Pwd.Therefore, in the present embodiment,, make the pressure of ink 400 be changed to maximum so that the vibration of ink 400 is exerted pressure to ink 400 for the time width below 1/2 maximum, helmholtz resonance period T c.
In addition, the width of the second segment pulse Pwd is preferably more than 0.5 times of natural period of oscillation Ta of piezoelectric element 17.This is because by adopting such width, can begin to exert pressure to ink 400 in the timing of resonating with the intrinsic vibration of piezoelectric element 17, and can make ink 400 produce bigger pressure.The width of the second segment pulse Pwd is the same short more good more with the width of the first segment pulse Pwc, and that considers piezoelectric element 17 follows performance etc., particularly preferably is to be set at about 1.5 μ s.
Fig. 9 is the curve map of experimental result that the difference of the recovery rate that is used to illustrate the nozzle that the difference owing to the second segment pulse Pwd causes is shown.Here, " recovery rate of nozzle " be meant at since ink obstruction etc. taken place the nozzle number of fault carry out safeguard handle after the shared ratio of nozzle number of recovery.In this experiment, all nozzles 15 of printing head 10 are made as the ink blocked state, and be that the bubble removal driving pulse 300 below 1/2 of helmholtz resonance period T c is carried out empty spray by width on this basis, and the recovery rate of gaging nozzle with the second segment pulse Pwd.Specifically, provide two kinds of bubble removal driving pulses 300 that the second segment pulse Pwd are set at 1.5 μ s and 2.7 μ s with the frequency of 2kHz and the frequency of 4kHz respectively, and measurement provides the recovery rate of the nozzle of number of times corresponding to it.It is identical with the width of the second segment pulse Pwd that the width of the first segment pulse Pwc is set at, and intermediate pulse part Pwh is 3.0 μ s.From this curve map, also can know: set the second segment pulse Pwd short more, can nozzle be recovered with few sky spray number of times more.
As mentioned above, the ink 400 in the balancing gate pit 13 begins pressurization if cooperate the vibration of this ink 400 by piezoelectric element 17 owing to the first segment pulse Pwc produces helmholtz resonance, just can produce bigger pressure.Therefore, the width of preferred intermediate pulse part Pwh is also set according to helmholtz resonance period T c.Specifically, the time band (t that preferably has the tendency of increase in the vibration of the ink 400 shown in the curve map of Fig. 8 (A)
aConstantly～t
bConstantly) pressurize, particularly preferably in more near t
bPressurize in the time of constantly.More particularly, consider the width of the first segment pulse Pwc, the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh preferably is set at least than 1/2 of helmholtz resonance period T c big width, particularly preferably is the width more than 0.7 times of setting helmholtz resonance period T c for.
(A) of (A) of Figure 10, (B) and Figure 11 is the speed Vm of the ejection ink droplet when having investigated the sky spray of carrying out ink droplet when respectively different three kinds of printing head 10A, 10B, 10C being changed the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh and the experimental result of ink ejection amount IW.Figure 10 (A) expression helmholtz resonance period T c is the experimental result of 6.8 printing head 10A, Figure 10 (B) expression helmholtz resonance period T c is the experimental result of 6.5 printing head 10B, and (A) expression helmholtz resonance period T c of Figure 11 is the experimental result of 6.3 printing head 10C.Printing head 10A, 10B are the types with structure of explanation in (A) of Fig. 2, and printing head 10C is the type with structure of explanation in (B) of Fig. 2.Offering first segment pulse of the bubble removal driving pulse 300 that respectively prints head 10A, 10B, 10C and the width of the second segment pulse Pwc, Pwd is 1.5 μ s.
From these curves as can be seen: along with the increase of the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh, ejection speed Vm of ink droplet and ink ejection amount IW repeat increase and decrease with the cycle of almost fixed, and the width in this cycle is almost consistent with the periodic width of separately helmholtz resonance period T c.The timing of the initial trough of these curves (about 5 μ s) has departed from helmholtz resonance period T c, and this is to consider because the width of the first segment pulse Pwc is 1/2 a value less than helmholtz resonance period T c.These curves illustrate: if begin 13 pressurizations to the balancing gate pit with the timing that cooperates with helmholtz resonance period T c as described above, then make ink produce bigger pressure, thereby can increase the speed Vm and the ink ejection amount IW of ejection ink droplet.
(B) of Figure 11 is the curve map that the relation between the recovery rate R of the width of the intermediate pulse part Pwh that obtains by the experiment of having used above-mentioned printing head 10C and nozzle is shown.Shown in these curves, the curve of nozzle recovery rate R has the part that the speed Vm with ink droplet increases in the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh is about the scope of 4.0～5.0 μ s.But nozzle recovery rate R arrives maximum quickly than the speed Vm of ink droplet, has the trend that reduces afterwards.Therefore, the width the when width of intermediate pulse part Pwh is maximum less than the speed Vm of ink droplet preferably is preferably at least less than the value of helmholtz resonance period T c.
In addition, if the curve of each ink ejection amount IW of (A), (B) and Figure 11 of concern Figure 10 (A) just can be known: ink ejection amount IW increases and decreases with the fixing cycle along with the increase of the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh, and has the trend of increase on the whole.Because the quantity of ink that is consumed in safeguard handling is few more good more, so the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh can suppress the value of consumed ink amount when preferably can keep the recovery rate of nozzle.Therefore, even in the situation of considering ink ejection amount IW, the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh also is preferably less than the value of helmholtz resonance period T c.
(A)～(C) of Figure 12 be expression when to above-mentioned respectively print head 10A, 10B, the table of the evaluation result of maintenance effects during 10C the provides bubble removal driving pulse 300 different with above-mentioned the same intermediate pulse part Pwh width.That is to say, be to carry out the evaluation of flight stability of restorative and ink droplet of nozzle and the result who carries out comprehensive evaluation based on this evaluation result according to each intermediate pulse part Pwh width.
Here, " nozzle restorative " be meant that recovery rate according to nozzle determines, to the evaluation of the recovery effects of nozzle.In Figure 12 (A)～(C) table, be respectively at 100%～90% o'clock with " ◎ " expression at recovery rate, represented with " * " less than 50% o'clock with " △ " expression in 70%～50% o'clock with " zero " expression in 90%～70% o'clock.In this is estimated, with similarly illustrated in fig. 9, the recovery rate of gaging nozzle on the basis that all nozzles is made as all the ink blocked state.
In addition, " flight stability of ink droplet " is meant the straight ahead of flight path of ink droplet of ejection or the hitting property of ink droplet hit hit location of ejection.In the sky spray of safeguarding the ink of handling, the flight stability of ink droplet is good more just preferred more.Its reason is: the flight stability of ink droplet is good more, just can suppress the pollution of the printing head that caused by mist (ミ ス ト) etc. better, and described mist is along with ink droplet that departs from predetermined hit location or empty spray and produce.
The flight stability of ink droplet is estimated by following method.That is, provide bubble removal driving pulse 300 simultaneously, spray ink droplet at interval continuously with regular time to the printing sheets that transports with fixing speed for a plurality of nozzles 15 that are arranged in row.Consequently, can observe the ordered state of the ink droplet that hits printing sheets.
(A)～(C) of Figure 13 is the image that the printing sheets that ink droplet hit of the ejection that obtains according to said method is shown.In the image of Figure 13 (A), hitting on vestige equally spaced is arranged in almost straight line according to each nozzle along the carriage direction of printing sheets respectively of each ink droplet be can't see on printing sheets and adhered to unnecessary mist.In the image of Figure 13 (B), to compare with the image of Figure 13 (A), the part of hitting in the vestige of ink droplet has broken away from row, can see the mist that adheres near the central authorities of printing sheets.In the image of Figure 13 (C), to compare with the image of Figure 13 (B), bending has further taken place in the vestige that hits of ink droplet, can see the mist that adheres on the whole at printing sheets.In the table of Figure 12 (A)～(C), the hit results of the ink droplet shown in the image of general as Figure 13 (A)～(C) is represented with " zero ", " △ ", " * " respectively.
In the comprehensive evaluation result shown in the table of Figure 12 (A)～(C), the flight stability of restorative being evaluated as " ◎ " of nozzle and ink droplet be evaluated as " zero " time, be evaluated as " ◎ ".In addition, when the evaluation of the flight stability of the restorative evaluation of nozzle and ink droplet all is " zero ", be evaluated as " zero ".The flight stability of restorative being evaluated as " △ " of nozzle and ink droplet be evaluated as " zero " time, be evaluated as " △ ".From this comprehensive evaluation result as can be known, preferably the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh is specifically carried out following setting.That is, the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh is the value in 0.65 times to 1.00 times the scope of helmholtz resonance period T c preferably, more preferably the value in 0.72 times to 0.95 times the scope.And the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh particularly preferably is the value in 0.72 times to 0.90 times the scope of helmholtz resonance period T c.These explain deputy real number value behind the decimal point is value to having carried out below the 3rd behind the decimal point rounding up.
As mentioned above, if set each segment pulse Pwc, Pwh of bubble removal driving pulse 300, the width of Pwd according to helmholtz resonance period T c, just can improve the restorative of nozzle and improve the flight stability of carrying out the empty ink droplet that sprays, can suppress to print head thus and pollute.In addition, can be suppressed at the increase of safeguarding the consumed ink amount in handling.As also finding out, even heteroid printing head of explanation or printing head with other kinds class formation also can access the effect identical with above-mentioned effect among Fig. 2 (A) and (B) from the experimental result of Figure 10～Figure 12.
In the present embodiment, making the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh for each continuous flushing group (the step S10 of Fig. 5, S30 etc.) is different values.More specifically, make the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh of the bubble removal driving pulse 300 that in step S30, produces littler than the width of the intermediate pulse part Pwh of the bubble removal driving pulse 300 that in step S10, produces, after this too, shorten at each continuous flushing group.That is to say, mean: when repeating these continuous flushing groups, diminish at every turn as the diameter of the bubble of removing object.Thus, the bubble removal flushing can be carried out the removal of bubble more reliably.The width of intermediate pulse part Pwh preferably changes in the value more than 1/2 times of helmholtz resonance period T c and the scope less than helmholtz resonance period T c.
Utilizing bubble removal driving pulse 300 to carry out in the ink-jet printer 100 of bubble removals flushing like this, the diameter that is present in the small bubble in the balancing gate pit 13 is being increased and from nozzle 15 ejections.In addition, owing to generate the bubble removal driving pulse 300 corresponding successively, therefore can carry out bubble removal more effectively with the bubble of different-diameter.
B. second embodiment:
Figure 14 is the concise and to the point figure that illustrates as the structure of the ink-jet printer 100A of second embodiment of the invention.Figure 14 is except being provided with the scraping plate part 60 between sheet conveying portion 30 and cap portion 40, and other and Fig. 1 are much at one.
Figure 15 is the concise and to the point figure that the ink-jet printer 100 when printing head 10 moves to maintenance position MP in order to safeguard processing is observed from the arrow Y direction of Figure 14.Figure 15 except having increased scraping plate part 60 other and Fig. 2 (A) much at one.Scraping plate part 60 has the scraping blade 61 that is made of rubber or barras.Scraping blade 61 can move at above-below direction by driving mechanism 65.
The end face 41e that Figure 16 illustrates by the lid 41 of cap portion 40 contacts the state that is in cap portion 40 sealed-in nozzles 15 with the nozzle face 15p of printing head 10.Cap portion 40 comes to attract ink (ink attracts to handle) from nozzle 15 and make the space that is covered by lid 41 become negative pressure by make pump 43 work under this state.Below, will be called " cap closure space CS " by the space of these lid 41 sealings.
(A)～(B) of Figure 17 is used to illustrate that the wiping of the nozzle face 15p that is undertaken by scraping plate part 60 handles the schematic diagram of (wiping).Nozzle face 15p exists because the situation that the ink of multiviscosisty is made dirty attached to nozzle opening portion.In addition, when carrying out above-mentioned ink attraction processing, exist by contact China ink with the end face 41e of lid 41 dirty attached to the first-class situation of nozzle face 15p.If the performance of the accumulation of the stain on nozzle face 15p printing head 10 will worsen.Therefore, handle the cleaning of carrying out nozzle face 15p by the wiping of scraping plate part 60.
The top ends 61e that (A) of Figure 17 illustrates scraping blade 61 (uses arrow diagramming) and moves to the state with nozzle face 15p equal height upward.At this moment, the lid 41 of cap portion 40 does not contact with nozzle face 15p.(B) of Figure 17 illustrates the state that printing head 10 moves to the arrow directions X under scraping blade 61 and nozzle face 15p state of contact.As mentioned above, can on nozzle face 15p, clean, and wipe stain on the nozzle face 15p off by the top ends 61e that makes scraping blade 61.
Figure 18 is the flow chart that the treatment step of initial filling processing is shown.Here, " initial fill handle " be meant when print cartridge 11C, 11M at least filling being installed in printing head 10, among 11Y, the 11K any exchange, to the shared black chamber 12 that is connected with this print cartridge and the processing of balancing gate pit's 13 filling inks.The exchange of print cartridge and initial fill that to handle be to carry out in that printing head 10 is moved under the state of maintenance position MP.
In step S110～step S120, carry out in ink attraction illustrated in fig. 16 and handle.Balancing gate pit 13 becomes the state of having filled ink in this step.At this moment, cap portion 40 is in the state that attracts the ink that from nozzle 15 that is attached with.
Afterwards, remove the negative pressure state of cap closure space CS (Figure 16), and in step S130, make cap portion 40 move to initial position to make nozzle 15 be in open state.In step S140, carry out the wiping processing of nozzle face, in step S150, make pump 43 work discharge pipe arrangement 42 via ink and discharge attached to the useless China ink in the cap portion 40 by scraping plate part 60.Below, will be called " first fills processing " by the processing that a series of step of step S110～step S150 is carried out.
In step S160～step S200, repeat to fill the identical processing of processing (second fills processing) with first.And, in following step S210～step S240, also carry out with first filling and handle and the identical processing of the second filling processing, but the traffic attraction that is produced by pump 43 at this moment can be in a ratio of trace with the traffic attraction in the preceding step.The filling processing of step S210～step S240 is called " trace is filled and handled " especially.
Figure 19 is illustrated in this initial pressure time history plot of filling cap closure space CS (Figure 16) in the processing.Why carrying out repeatedly such ink and attract to handle, is to carry out the filling of ink more reliably in order to reduce the bubble in sneaking into from shared black chamber 12 to the ink fill area of balancing gate pit 13.But, even also exist like this bubble to sneak into situation in the balancing gate pit 13.
Therefore, in step S250 (Figure 18), utilize the driving pulse 300 (Fig. 6) that in first embodiment, illustrates to carry out bubble removal flushing (Fig. 3).Thus, remove the bubble in the balancing gate pit 13 more reliably, and suppress nozzle 15 and lose a little.
In step S260, further carry out the colour mixture different and prevent flushing with the bubble removal flushing among the step S250.Here, " colour mixture prevents flushing " described.Carrying out above-mentioned ink when attracting to handle, in the CS of cap closure space, having pressure and rise near the atmospheric pressure time band Cft (Figure 19) from negative pressure state.At this moment, in cap closure space CS (Figure 16), thus, there is the situation that is blended into nozzle 15 with the ink of the ink different colours of ejection in the situation that exists ink that mist occurs becoming to return to the direction of nozzle face 15p.In addition, in wiping was handled, as nozzle face 15p during by scraping blade 61 wipings, the ink that has different colours was blended into the situation of nozzle 15.It is the flushing action of carrying out for the ink that sprays the different colours that is blended into nozzle 15 as described above that colour mixture prevents to wash.
Figure 20 illustrates when carrying out the colour mixture driving pulse that 50 pairs of piezoelectric elements of control part 17 produce when preventing to wash.This driving pulse 310 is different with the driving pulse 300 (Fig. 6) in the bubble removal flushing, is purpose with a large amount of ink of ejection when carrying out an ink injection.
Driving pulse 310 comprises: make voltage from the first segment pulse (t of basic voltage with the ratio rising of almost fixed
20Constantly～t
21Second segment pulse (the t of the voltage that constantly), is maintained fixed within the predetermined time
21Constantly～t
22Constantly).In addition, driving pulse 310 also comprises: make voltage be reduced to the 3rd segment pulse (t of negative voltage with the ratio of almost fixed
22Constantly～t
23The 4th segment pulse (t of the negative voltage that constantly), is maintained fixed within the predetermined time
23Constantly～t
24Constantly) and make voltage be increased to the 5th segment pulse (t of basic voltage with the ratio of almost fixed
24Constantly～t
25Constantly).That is to say, this driving pulse 310 comprise produce positive voltage first like trapezoidal pulse 311 and produce negative voltage second like trapezoidal pulse 312.
This driving pulse 310 is by comprising second like trapezoidal pulse 312, can be suppressed on the ink face of nozzle 15 and produce excessive vibration, and can carry out the ejection of ink at short notice continuously.For example, prevent that in this colour mixture control part 50 can be with the frequency about about 50kHZ (corresponding to t in the flushing
20Constantly～t
26Constantly be the frequency in cycle) repeatedly produce this driving pulse 310 continuously.
As mentioned above, this initial filling in the processing, colour mixture prevents to wash (the step S260 of Figure 18) and carries out bubble removal flushing (step S250) before.Because colour mixture prevents to wash preferably the ejection of carrying out ink droplets from all nozzles 15, therefore wash the generation that suppresses to lose a little by carrying out bubble removal in the step in front, prevent to wash thereby can carry out colour mixture effectively.
C. the 3rd embodiment
Figure 21 is the concise and to the point profile that illustrates as the structure of the part of the ink-jet printer 100B of third embodiment of the invention.Figure 21 is used to detect from the ink-jet test section 70 of the ejection of the ink of nozzle 15 except being provided with, and other part and Figure 14 are much at one.Ink-jet test section 70 receives output signal from the sensor that is arranged in the cap portion 40, and testing result is sent to control part 50.
Ink-jet test section 70 for example also can be the parts of the ejection of electro-detection ink.Specifically, when printing head 10 is positioned at maintenance position MP, under state charged between the lid 41 that makes nozzle face 15p and cap portion 40, carry out the ejection of ink, and detect by the variation of sensor to the quantity of electric charge.If the quantity of ink that is ejected reduces,, thereby can judge this moment and taken place to lose a little because the variation of the quantity of electric charge is littler than predetermined value.Ink-jet test section 70 can detect the ink droplet that is ejected by optical pickocff, also can detect with other method.
Figure 22 is the flow chart that the processing sequence of control part 50 when carrying out printing is shown.Control part 50 in case receive printed data from outer computer etc. with print command, just drives according to printed data in step S310 and prints head 10, a drive division 20, sheet conveying portion 30 and carry out printing treatment in step S300.
On the other hand, in step S330, when ink-jet test section 70 has detected (step S330) when losing, control part 50 is carried out bubble removals flushings (step S340).The bubble removal flushing is carried out (Fig. 3, Fig. 6) in the same manner with the processing that illustrates in first embodiment.
After carrying out the bubble removal flushing, control part 50 is carried out the detection of nozzle once more and is handled (step S320), the performance recovery of checking ink-jet printer 100B.Control part 50 repeats bubble removal flushing (S340) and loses a little up to elimination.
According to this ink-jet printer 100B, owing to detect under the situation of losing a little when carrying out printing, execution is used to eliminate the bubble removal flushing of losing a little, therefore can improve printing quality.
D. the 4th embodiment:
Figure 23 illustrates the ink-jet printer of fourth embodiment of the invention at the flow chart of carrying out the order of safeguarding the timing cleaning treatment in handling." regularly cleaning treatment " is meant when ink-jet printer is not carried out printing treatment, and control part is regularly carried out is used to recover the nozzle cleaning processing of the performance of nozzle.The formation of the ink-jet printer of the 4th embodiment is identical with the ink-jet printer 100B (Figure 21) of the 3rd embodiment.
It is identical that each step of the step S410 of Figure 23～step S450 and illustrated in fig. 18 first is filled processing (step S110～step S150).In addition, execution is filled with the trace of Figure 18 and is handled (step S210～step S240) same processing in each step of following step S460～step S490.But compare with the initial filling processing of Figure 18, the pull up time that is produced by pump 43 is different with traffic attraction.
Figure 24 is illustrated in the pressure time history plot in the CS of cap closure space in this timing cleaning treatment.Figure 24 is except few one of the part that becomes negative pressure owing to the attraction of pump 43 action, and other part and Figure 19 are much at one.
In this timing cleaning treatment, also identical with the initial filling processing of second embodiment, prevent flushing (step S510) before in colour mixture, carry out bubble removal flushing (step S500).Therefore, identical with second embodiment, can carry out colour mixture effectively and prevent flushing.
As mentioned above, by carrying out the timing cleaning treatment of the 4th embodiment, can suppress losing a little and the ink obstruction of nozzle 15 effectively, thereby can improve the printing quality of ink-jet printer.
E. the 5th embodiment:
Figure 25 is the concise and to the point figure that illustrates as the structure of the ink-jet printer 100C of fifth embodiment of the invention.Figure 25 is except having user's operating portion 80, and other parts and Figure 21 are much at one.
User's operating portion 80 for example is arranged on the main body of ink-jet printer 100C as touch panel or operation push-button.The user can send the fill order of processing via this user's operating portion 80 to the control part 50 of ink-jet printer 100C.
Figure 26 is the flow chart that is illustrated in the order of the manual cleaning treatment in the maintenance processing of carrying out among the ink-jet printer 100C." manually cleaning treatment " is meant when ink-jet printer 100C does not carry out printing treatment, and the indication that control part 50 is assigned via user's operating portion 80 according to the user is carried out is used to recover the cleaning treatment of the performance of nozzle.
In step 610～step S650 of Figure 26, carry out with first of Figure 18 and fill the identical processing of each step of handling (step S110～step S150).In following step S660～step 700, repeat with step S610～step S650 in identical processing.Carry out among step S710～step S740 and processing that step S610～step S640 is identical.That is, in this manual cleaning treatment, carry out three inks continuously and attract to handle.But, in this manual cleaning treatment, whenever carrying out reducing the ink traffic attraction when ink attracts to handle gradually.
Figure 27 is illustrated near the pressure time history plot the nozzle 15 in the manual cleaning treatment.Figure 27 is except the level difference of negative pressure when carrying out ink attraction processing, and other part is almost identical with Figure 19.As mentioned above, while carry out repeatedly ink attraction processing, can suppress to be used in the quantity of ink of cleaning treatment, and can carry out the cleaning treatment of nozzle effectively by reducing the ink traffic attraction.
After carrying out three inks and attracting to handle, the initial filling of control part 50 and second embodiment is handled (Figure 18) and is similarly carried out bubble removal before preventing flushing and wash (step S750～step S760) carrying out colour mixture.That is, even in this manual cleaning treatment, also can wash the generation that suppresses to lose a little by bubble removal, and can carry out effectively colour mixture prevent the flushing.
In ink-jet printer 100C, the cleaning treatment that requires to carry out nozzle arbitrarily by according to the user can improve its printing quality thus.
F. the 6th embodiment:
The flow chart of the processing sequence of control part when Figure 28 is the ink-jet printer execution printing that illustrates as sixth embodiment of the invention.Figure 28 is except having appended step S305 and step S313～step S315, and the processing sequence (Figure 22) of the control part 50 when other part is printed with the execution that illustrates in the 3rd embodiment is identical.The structure of the ink-jet printer of the 6th embodiment is identical with the ink-jet printer 100B (Figure 21) of the 3rd embodiment.
Because the processing sequence when carrying out printing according to this must be carried out the bubble removal flushing in predetermined timing, therefore can reduce the possibility of losing a little, and can improve printing quality.
G. variation:
The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described or embodiment, can implement in every way in the scope that does not break away from its aim, for example can adopt following distortion.
G1. variation 1:
In the above-described embodiments, though ink-jet printer is illustrated, the present invention also goes for spraying the fluid ejection apparatus of other fluid (liquid).
G2. variation 2:
In the above-described embodiment, in step make piezoelectric element 17 little shake with driving pulse 301 at the intermittence of bubble removal flushing by vibration, but vibration can be the driving pulse with other shapes with driving pulse 301, also can be omitted.
G3. variation 3:
In the above-described embodiment, though the continuous flushing group of conduct has been carried out the sky spray (Fig. 3) of 2000 ink droplets, the sky spray of ink droplet also can be carried out number of times arbitrarily.In addition, in each continuous flushing group,, also can produce with the different cycles though produced bubble removal driving pulse 300 continuously with the identical cycle.
G4. variation 4:
In the above-described embodiment, though each continuous flushing group has been changed the width of the intermediate pulse part Pwh of bubble removal driving pulse 300 (Fig. 6), also can repeat continuous flushing group with same widths.
G5. variation 5:
In the above-described embodiment, each continuous flushing group is to be made of a plurality of bubble removal driving pulses 300 with identical waveform, but also can comprise at least a portion waveform different driving pulse mutually.For example, each continuous flushing group also can comprise different bubble removal driving pulse 300 of the different bubble removal driving pulse 300 of the width of intermediate pulse part Pwh or magnitude of voltage Vh etc. when comprising bubble removal driving pulse 300.
G6. variation 6:
In the 3rd above-mentioned embodiment,, carried out bubble removal flushing (the step S330 of Figure 22～step S340), but the maintenance that also can carry out other when carrying out the bubble removal flushing is handled when ink-jet test section 70 has detected when losing.For example, also can continue to carry out colour mixture and prevent flushing.
G7. variation 7:
In the 5th above-mentioned embodiment, user's operating portion 80 has been arranged on the main body of ink-jet printer 100C, but also can by with outer computer that ink-jet printer 100C is connected on the program carried out realize.
G8. variation 8:
The second segment pulse Pwd is set to more than 0.5 times of natural period of piezoelectric element 17 in the above-described embodiment, but the second segment pulse Pwd also can be set at 0.5 times less than natural period of piezoelectric element 17.But, if the structure of the foregoing description can be removed the bubble of balancing gate pit 13 more effectively.
G9. variation 9:
Bubble removal driving pulse 300 has intermediate pulse part Pwh in the above-described embodiment, but can omit intermediate pulse part Pwh, also can be set at 0.7 times of weak point than helmholtz resonance period T c.In addition, intermediate pulse part Pwh also can be set at longer than helmholtz resonance period T c.But, if the structure of the foregoing description can be removed the bubble of balancing gate pit 13 more effectively.
Claims (6)
1. a fluid ejection apparatus is used to spray fluid, comprising:
Fill the balancing gate pit of described fluid;
Be out of shape the components of stres that the volume in the described balancing gate pit is changed by the wall that makes described balancing gate pit;
Be communicated with and be used to spray the nozzle of described fluid with described balancing gate pit; And
Generation is used to control the control part of the driving pulse of described components of stres,
Wherein, described control part can produce and be used for the maintenance driving pulse that sprays described fluid from described balancing gate pit and spray bubble simultaneously,
Described maintenance comprises first segment pulse and second segment pulse with driving pulse, described first segment pulse makes described balancing gate pit expand and develop to swelling state by driving described components of stres, described second segment pulse makes described balancing gate pit shrink from described swelling state
The width of described second segment pulse is set to below 0.5 times of helmholtz resonance cycle of the described fluid that is filled in the described balancing gate pit.
2. fluid ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
The width of described second segment pulse is set to more than 0.5 times of the natural period of oscillation of described components of stres.
3. fluid ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein,
Described maintenance also comprises that with driving pulse the described swelling state that makes described balancing gate pit keeps the intermediate pulse part of preset time between first and second segment pulses,
The width of described intermediate pulse part is set to more than 0.7 times of helmholtz resonance cycle of described fluid.
4. fluid ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein,
The width of described intermediate pulse part also is set to helmholtz resonance below the cycle.
5. as each the described fluid ejection apparatus in the claim 1 to 4, wherein,
Injection is as the ink of described fluid.
6. purging method, described purging method is carried out in fluid ejection apparatus, is used for carrying out from described nozzle the sky spray of described fluid,
Described fluid ejection apparatus comprises:
Fill the balancing gate pit of described fluid;
Be out of shape the components of stres that the volume in the described balancing gate pit is changed by the wall that makes described balancing gate pit; And
Be communicated with and be used to spray the nozzle of described fluid with described balancing gate pit,
The flushing that may further comprise the steps is carried out in described purging method:
(a) by driving the step that described components of stres makes the expansion of described balancing gate pit and develops to swelling state; And
(b) by being shunk from described swelling state, described balancing gate pit makes the step of described fluid from described nozzle ejection,
Wherein, the needed time of described step (b) is set to below 0.5 times of helmholtz resonance cycle of the described fluid that is filled in the described balancing gate pit.
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| JP2008143690 | 2008-05-30 | ||
| JP2008143690 | 2008-05-30 | ||
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| CNA200910141327XA Pending CN101590738A (en) | 2008-05-30 | 2009-05-31 | Fluid ejection apparatus |
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| CN110816067A (en) * | 2018-08-09 | 2020-02-21 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Liquid ejecting apparatus |
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| CN102139575B (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2013-12-11 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Maintenance method for liquid ejecting apparatus |
| CN102555474A (en) * | 2010-10-01 | 2012-07-11 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Liquid ejecting apparatus |
| CN109397881A (en) * | 2017-08-17 | 2019-03-01 | 施乐公司 | For restoring the method and system of faulty spray head |
| CN109397881B (en) * | 2017-08-17 | 2021-06-25 | 施乐公司 | Method and system for restoring a malfunctioning spray head |
| CN110816067A (en) * | 2018-08-09 | 2020-02-21 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Liquid ejecting apparatus |
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