EP3127704B1 - Inkjet head driving method and inkjet printing apparatus - Google Patents

Inkjet head driving method and inkjet printing apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3127704B1
EP3127704B1 EP15774244.6A EP15774244A EP3127704B1 EP 3127704 B1 EP3127704 B1 EP 3127704B1 EP 15774244 A EP15774244 A EP 15774244A EP 3127704 B1 EP3127704 B1 EP 3127704B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pulse
driving signal
contraction
droplet
expansion
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EP15774244.6A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3127704A4 (en
EP3127704A1 (en
Inventor
Akiko KIZAWA
Ryohei Kobayashi
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Konica Minolta Inc
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Konica Minolta Inc
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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/015Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04581Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/015Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04573Timing; Delays
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/015Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04588Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits using a specific waveform
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/015Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04593Dot-size modulation by changing the size of the drop
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/015Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04595Dot-size modulation by changing the number of drops per dot
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2202/00Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/06Heads merging droplets coming from the same nozzle
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2202/00Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/10Finger type piezoelectric elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for driving an inkjet head and an inkjet recording apparatus and more particularly to a method for driving an inkjet head and an inkjet recording apparatus capable of stable formation in a short driving cycle when large droplets are ejected.
  • gradation expression is made by changing a size of a dot diameter of one pixel.
  • a method for changing the dot diameter for gradation expression a method of changing a number of droplets ejected from the same nozzle in 1 pixel cycle, a method of changing a driving signal in accordance with a dot size and the like are known.
  • the former method of changing the dot diameter has an advantage that the gradation can be expressed easily only by changing the number of driving signals to be applied within the 1 pixel cycle.
  • the number of driving signals is increased in order to form a large dot, a pixel cycle becomes longer, and there is a problem in high-frequency driving.
  • an idea to enable stable formation of large droplets in a shorter driving cycle is in demand.
  • Patent Document 1 describes that, when at least two droplets which are ejected consecutively at different speeds from the same nozzle are to be ejected, the droplet at a slower speed is ejected earlier than the droplet at a faster speed and is made to adhere by overlapping each other in one pixel so as to form one pixel.
  • Patent Document 2 describes that, a driving signal made of a rectangular wave, for sequentially generating a first pulse for expanding a capacity of a pressure chamber, a second pulse for contracting the capacity of the pressure chamber, a third pulse for expanding the capacity of the pressure chamber, and a fourth pulse for contracting the capacity of the pressure chamber is applied.
  • the third pulse has a pulse width shorter than that of the first pulse
  • the fourth pulse has a pulse width shorter than that of the second pulse.
  • a time difference between a pulse width center of the first pulse and the pulse width center of the third pulse as 1AL, a time difference between the pulse width center of the second pulse and the pulse width center of the fourth pulse as 1AL, a ratio of the pulse width of the first pulse to the pulse width of the third pulse, and the ratio of the pulse width of the second pulse and the pulse width of the fourth pulse in accordance with a damping rate of remaining oscillation of ink in the pressure chamber a pressure wave generated by the first pulse and the second pulse is cancelled by the third pulse and the fourth pulse.
  • Patent Document 3 describes that, assuming time during which the pressure wave propagates one way in an ink channel is T, a pulse width of a first injection pulse signal applied first is 0.35T to 0.65T, a pulse width of the injection pulse signals applied the second time and after is substantially T, and a time interval between the first injection pulse signal and the subsequent injection pulse signal is T, the droplet by the second injection pulse signal is injected from the nozzle before the droplet injected from the nozzle by the first injection pulse signal leaves the nozzle.
  • an actuator wall is deformed, the capacity of the ink channel increases, the actuator wall returns to a state before the deformation after certain time has elapsed, and a pressure is applied to the ink so that the ink droplet is injected, and a large droplet in which the droplet ejected by the second injection pulse signal catches up with the droplet ejected by the first injection pulse signal and both are integrated is ejected.
  • the inventor paid attention to a technology of forming a large droplet by causing the same nozzle to eject a plurality of droplets and by joining them during flying immediately after the ejection in order to have as large droplets as possible efficiently ejected from the nozzle.
  • this method as compared with a case where one large droplet with the same droplet amount is ejected from the nozzle, the large droplet can be ejected while a droplet speed is suppressed, and impact position adjustment on the media is not made cumbersome.
  • the satellite refers to a small droplet (airborne droplet) secondarily formed behind the droplet (main droplet) ejected from the nozzle and might incur drop of an image quality.
  • Patent Document 3 discloses the technology for forming a large droplet by joining the plurality of droplets during flying but according to confirmation by the inventor, it was not sufficient from the viewpoint of suppression of occurrence of the satellites.
  • the present invention has an object to provide a method for driving an inkjet head and an inkjet recording apparatus which can form stable large droplets efficiently in a short driving cycle and can record images with high quality by suppressing occurrence of satellites.
  • JP2001301207 discloses a method of driving an inkjet head comprising a series of expansion and contraction pulses, with a pause between the first contraction pulse and the second expansion pulse.
  • US 2011 292 108 A discloses a method for driving an inkjet head comprising a series of expansion and contraction pulses. Between two consecutive pulses a pause is provided at ground potential, either to eject the ink or to suppress vibration of the ink.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic constitution diagram illustrating an example of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
  • a conveying mechanism 2 sandwiches a media 7 made of paper, plastic sheets, cloth and or the like by a pair of conveying rollers 22 and conveys it by rotation of a conveying roller 21 by a conveying motor 23 in a Y-direction (sub scan direction)in the figure.
  • An inkjet head (hereinafter referred to simply as a head) 3 is provided between the conveying roller 21 and the pair of conveying rollers 22.
  • the head 3 is mounted on a carriage 5 so that a nozzle surface side is faced with a recording surface 71 of the media 7 and is electrically connected to a driving control unit 8 constituting driving control means in the present invention through a flexible cable 6.
  • the carriage 5 is provided capable of reciprocating movement in an X-X' direction (main scan direction) in the figure substantially orthogonal to the sub scan direction by driving means, not shown, along guide rails 4 extended over a width direction of the media 7.
  • the head 3 moves the recording surface 71 of the media 7 in the main scan direction with the reciprocating movement of the carriage 5, ejects a droplet from a nozzle in the course of this movement in accordance with image data and records an inkjet image.
  • Fig. 2 is a view illustrating an example of the head 3, in which Fig. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an appearance by a section and Fig. 2B is a sectional view when seen from a side surface.
  • reference numeral 30 denotes a channel substrate.
  • a large number of narrow-groove shaped channels 31 and partition walls 32 are juxtaposed alternately.
  • a cover substrate 33 is provided so as to close an upper part of all the channels 31.
  • a nozzle plate 34 is joined to end surfaces of the channel substrate 30 and the cover substrate 33.
  • One end of each of the channels 31 communicates with an outside through a nozzle 341 formed in this nozzle plate 34.
  • each of the channels 31 is formed so as to be a gradually shallow groove with respect to the channel substrate 30.
  • a common channel 331 common to each of the channels 31 is formed, and this common channel 331 communicates with each of the channels 31.
  • the common channel 331 is closed by a plate 35.
  • an ink supply port 351 is formed in the plate 35. Through this ink supply port 351, ink is supplied from an ink supply pipe 352 into the common channel 331 and each of the channels 31.
  • the partition wall 32 is made of a piezoelectric element such as PZT or the like which is electro-mechanical converting means.
  • this partition wall 32 those formed of the piezoelectric element in which an upper wall portion 321 and a lower wall portion 322 are subjected to polarization treatment in directions opposite to each other are exemplified.
  • a portion formed by the piezoelectric element in the partition wall 32 may be only the upper wall portion 321, for example. Since the partition walls 32 and the channels 31 are alternately juxtaposed, one partition wall 32 is shared by the adjacent channels 31 and 31 on both sides.
  • a driving electrode (not shown in Figs. 2 ) is formed from wall surfaces to bottom surfaces of both partition walls 32 and 32, respectively.
  • a driving signal at a predetermined voltage is applied from the driving control unit 8 to the two driving electrodes arranged by sandwiching the partition wall 32, the partition wall 32 is sheared and deformed at a joint surface between the upper wall portion 321 and the lower wall portion 322 as a boundary. If the adjacent two partition walls 32 and 32 are sheared/deformed in directions opposite to each other, a capacity of the channel 31 sandwiched by the partition walls 32 and 32 is expanded or contracted, and a pressure wave is generated inside. As a result, a pressure for ejection is applied to the ink in the channel 31.
  • This head 3 is a shear-mode head for ejecting the ink in the channel 31 from the nozzle 341 by shear deformation of the partition wall 32 and is a preferable mode in the present invention.
  • the shear-mode head can efficiently eject the droplet by using a rectangular wave which will be described later as the driving signal.
  • the channel 31 surrounded by the channel substrate 30, the partition wall 32, the cover substrate 33, and the nozzle plate 34 is an example of a pressure chamber in the present invention
  • the partition wall 32 and the driving electrode on the surface thereof are an example of the pressure generator in the present invention.
  • the driving control unit 8 generates the driving signal for ejecting the droplet from the nozzle 341.
  • the generated driving signal is output to the head 3 and is applied to each of the driving electrodes formed on the partition wall 32.
  • Fig. 3 is a view for explaining the first embodiment of the first driving signal in the present invention as the driving signal generated in the driving control unit 8.
  • a first driving signal PA1 is a driving signal for causing at least two droplets to be ejected from the same nozzle 341 and to be joined during flying immediately after the ejection so as to form a large droplet.
  • This first driving signal PA1 has a first expansion pulse Pa1 for expanding a capacity of the channel 31 and contracting it after certain time, a first contraction pulse Pa2 for contracting the capacity of the channel 31 and expanding it after certain time, a second expansion pulse Pa3 for expanding the capacity of the channel 31 and contracting it after certain time, and a second contraction pulse Pa4 for contracting the capacity of the channel 31 and expanding it after certain time in this order.
  • the first expansion pulse Pa1 of the first driving signal PA1 illustrated in this embodiment is a pulse which rises from a reference potential and falls to the reference potential after certain time.
  • the first contraction pulse Pa2 is a pulse which falls from the reference potential and rises to the reference potential after certain time.
  • the second expansion pulse Pa3 is a pulse which rises from the reference potential and falls to the reference potential after certain time.
  • the second contraction pulse Pa4 is a pulse which falls from the reference potential and rises to the reference potential after certain time.
  • the reference potential is assumed to be 0 potential, but that is not particularly limiting.
  • the first driving signal PA1 is constituted by the expansion pulses which rise from the reference potential and fall to the reference potential after certain time and the contraction pulses which fall from the reference potential and rise to the reference potential after certain time, the driving voltage can be kept lower than the case where a single electrode pulse is used, and a circuit load and power consumption can be suppressed.
  • the first contraction pulse Pa2 consecutively falls without a pause period from a terminal end of falling of the first expansion pulse Pa1.
  • the second expansion pulse Pa3 consecutively rises without a pause period from a terminal end of rising of the first contraction pulse Pa2.
  • the second contraction pulse Pa4 consecutively falls without a pause period from a terminal end of falling of the second expansion pulse Pa3.
  • the first droplet is ejected from the nozzle 341, and by applying the second expansion pulse Pa3 and the second contraction pulse Pa4 immediately after that, the second droplet is ejected from the same nozzle 341.
  • the ejected droplets are joined immediately after the ejection and form a large droplet and then, land onto the media 7.
  • a pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 is set to 0.4 AL or more and 2.0 AL or less.
  • the pulse width PWA1 falls under 0.4 AL, the droplet amount pushed out of the nozzle 341 by the first expansion pulse Pa1 runs short, which makes formation of a large droplet difficult.
  • the pulse width PWA1 exceeds 2.0 AL, driving efficiency deteriorates and moreover, a driving cycle becomes longer, which makes driving in a short cycle difficult.
  • the at least two droplets ejected from the same nozzle 341 by application of the first driving signal may be in a partially connected state or may be separated from each other as long as they are joined during flying immediately after the ejection and form a large droplet.
  • a pulse width PWA2 of the first contraction pulse Pa2 is preferably set to 0.4 AL or more and 0.7 AL or less, and 0.5 AL is the most preferable.
  • a pulse width PWA3 of the second expansion pulse Pa3 is preferably set to 0.8 AL or more and 1.2 AL or less, and 1 AL is the most preferable.
  • a pulse width PWA4 of the second contraction pulse Pa4 is preferably set to 1.8 AL or more and 2.2 AL or less, and 2 AL is the most preferable.
  • AL is abbreviation of Acoustic Length and means 1/2 of an acoustic resonant period of a pressure wave in the channel 31.
  • AL is acquired as a pulse width with which a flying speed of a droplet becomes the maximum when the pulse width of a rectangular wave is changed with a voltage value of the rectangular wave made constant by measuring the flying speed of the droplet ejected when the driving signal with the rectangular wave is applied to the driving electrode.
  • the pulse is a rectangular wave of a constant-voltage wave crest value and assuming that 0 V is 0%, a wave crest value voltage is 100%, and the pulse width is defined as time from rising 10% from the voltage 0 V to falling 10% from the wave crest value voltage.
  • the rectangular wave refers to a waveform in which both rising time and falling time between 10% and 90% of the voltage are within 1/2 or preferably within 1/4 of AL.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a part of a section when the head 3 is cut in a direction orthogonal to a length direction of the channel 31.
  • the droplet is ejected from a channel 31B at a center in Fig. 4 .
  • Fig. 5 a conceptual diagram of the droplet ejected when the first driving signal PA1 is applied is illustrated in Fig. 5 .
  • the first expansion pulse Pa1 is maintained at 0.4 AL or more and 2.0 AL or less and then, application of the first expansion pulse Pa1 is finished.
  • the capacity of the channel 31B is contracted from the expanded state, and the partition walls 32B and 32C return to the neutral state illustrated in Fig. 4A .
  • the capacity of the channel 31B immediately enters the contracted state illustrated in Fig. 4C .
  • the pressure is applied to the ink in the channel 31B, and the ink is pushed out of the nozzle 341 and ejected as the first droplet.
  • the capacity of the channel 31B is expanded from the contracted state, and the partition walls 32B and 32C return to the neutral state illustrated in Fig. 4A . Then, by consecutively applying the second expansion pulse Pa3 without a pause period, the capacity of the channel 31B immediately enters an expanded state illustrated in Fig. 4B , and the negative pressure is generated in the channel 31. Thus, a speed of the previously ejected first droplet is suppressed. Moreover, the ink flows in again by the negative pressure generated in the channel 31B.
  • the capacity of the channel 31B is contracted from the expanded state, and the partition walls 32B and 32C return to the neutral state illustrated in Fig. 4A . Then, by consecutively applying the second contraction pulse Pa4 without a pause period, the capacity of the channel 31B immediately enters the contracted state illustrated in Fig. 4C . At this time, a large pressure is applied to the ink in the channel 31B, and the ink is further pushed out consecutively to the first droplet ejected by the first expansion pulse Pa1 and the first contraction pulse Pa2, and the pushed-out ink is torn off and the second droplet at a large droplet speed is ejected.
  • a second droplet 102 at the larger droplet speed by the second expansion pulse Pa3 and the second contraction pulse Pa4 is formed.
  • a droplet 100 at the beginning of ejection has a form in which the first droplet 101 and the second droplet 102 are connected, but since an ejection speed of the second droplet 102 is sufficiently larger than that of the first droplet 101, they are joined during flying immediately after the ejection and form one larger droplet 100.
  • this droplet 100 Since the first droplet 101 at a smaller droplet speed and the second droplet 102 at the larger speed are joined, this droplet 100 has a droplet speed slower than the case where a single large droplet with the same droplet amount is ejected from the nozzle 341.
  • this droplet 100 has a slow droplet speed, a satellite amount is suppressed as compared with the case where the single droplet with the same droplet amount is ejected from the nozzle 341. That is, the satellite is generated in general when a tail formed so as to extend to the rear accompanying the ejected main droplet is separated from the main droplet. The faster the droplet speed is, the longer this tail becomes, and separation at a position away from the main droplet becomes easier. If the tail is separated at the position away from the main droplet, an impact position of the satellite is also separated largely from the main droplet, which causes a drop of the image quality.
  • the droplet can be ejected at a low speed even with a larger droplet amount, a length of the tail accompanying the droplet 100 (main droplet) can be shortened, and the satellite can be separated at a position in the vicinity of the main droplet. Therefore, an influence by the satellite can be suppressed while the large droplet 100 is ejected. Thus, the problem that the satellite when the droplet 100 is ejected lowers the image quality is not caused.
  • the droplet speed in the present invention is calculated by recognizing the droplet on an image by a droplet observing device and by obtaining elapsed time from the ejection and a position coordinate where the droplet is present at that time. Specifically, it is calculated from a distance for which the droplet flies for 50 ⁇ s from a position away from the nozzle surface by 500 ⁇ m.
  • the elapsed time from the ejection can be calculated by synchronizing an ejection signal of the inkjet head with strobe for observation.
  • the position coordinate of the droplet can be calculated by image processing of a flying image.
  • the pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 in the first driving signal PA1 is set to 0.4 AL or more and 0.7 AL or less or more preferably to 1.3 AL or more and 1.8 AL or less.
  • the first driving signal PA1 is preferably a rectangular wave.
  • the first expansion pulse Pa1, the first contraction pulse Pa2, the second expansion pulse Pa3, and the second contraction pulse Pa4 constituting the first driving signal PA1 are constituted by a rectangular wave as illustrated in Fig. 3 .
  • the shear-mode head 3 can generate a pressure wave with a phase aligned to application of the driving signal made of a rectangular wave, the droplet can be efficiently ejected and moreover, the driving voltage can be kept lower.
  • a voltage is applied to the head 3 at all times regardless of ejection or non-ejection, and the low driving voltage is important in suppression of heat generation of the head 3 and stable ejection of the droplet.
  • circuit configuration can be simplified as compared with use of a trapezoidal wave having an inclined wave.
  • a voltage value of the first expansion pulse Pa1 and a voltage value of the second expansion pulse Pa3 are equal and a voltage value of the first contraction pulse Pa2 and a voltage value of the second contraction pulse Pa4 are equal. Since at least two power supplies are sufficient, the number of power supplies can be reduced. As a result, circuit configuration of the driving control unit 8 can be simplified.
  • Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the second embodiment of the first driving signal in the present invention as a driving signal generated in the driving control unit 8.
  • the first driving signal PA2 is a driving signal which causes at least two droplets to be ejected from the same nozzle 341 similarly to the first driving signal PA1 and joinied during flying immediately after ejection so as to form a large droplet.
  • This first driving signal PA2 has the first expansion pulse Pa1 for expanding a capacity of the channel 31 and contracting it after certain time, the first contraction pulse Pa2 for contracting the capacity of the channel 31 and expanding it after certain time, the second expansion pulse Pa3 for expanding the capacity of the channel 31 and contracting it after certain time, the second contraction pulse Pa4 for contracting the capacity of the channel 31 and expanding it after certain time, and a third contraction pulse Pa5 for contracting the capacity of the channel 31 and expanding it after certain time in this order.
  • Constitution of the waveform of the first driving signal PA2 illustrated in this embodiment is different from the first driving signal PA1 only in a point that the third contraction pulse Pa5 is added at an interval from the end of application of the second contraction pulse Pa4.
  • This third contraction pulse Pa5 is a pulse which falls from the reference potential and rises to the reference potential after certain time.
  • the reference potential is set to 0 potential here, too, but this is not particularly limiting.
  • the pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 is set to 0.4 AL or more and 2.0 AL or less.
  • the second expansion pulse Pa3 and the second contraction pulse Pa4 are applied so that the second droplet is ejected.
  • the pulse width PWA4 of the second contraction pulse Pa4 is set to 0.3 AL or more and 0.7 AL or less
  • the pulse width PWA5 of the third contraction pulse Pa5 is set to 0.8 AL or more and 1.2 AL or less, and it is set such that the third contraction pulse Pa5 is applied at an interval of 0.3 AL or more and 0.7 AL or less from the end of application of the second contraction pulse Pa4, that is, after a pause period PWA6.
  • tearing-off of the tail accompanying the main droplet can be promoted, whereby the influence of the satellite can be further reduced.
  • the pressure wave resonant oscillation in the channel 31 can be also effectively canceled by the third contraction pulse Pa5.
  • the pulse width PWA4 of the second contraction pulse Pa4 is most preferably 0.5 AL
  • the pulse width PWA5 of the third contraction pulse Pa5 is most preferably 1 AL
  • the third contraction pulse Pa5 is most preferably applied at an interval of 0.5 AL from the end of application of the second contraction pulse Pa4.
  • the pulse width PWA2 of the first contraction pulse Pa2 and the pulse width PWA3 of the second expansion pulse Pa3 are preferably made similar to the first contraction pulse Pa2 and the second expansion pulse Pa3 in the first driving signal PA1.
  • a large pressure is applied to the ink in the channel 31B, and the ink is further ejected consecutively to the ink ejected by the first expansion pulse Pa1 and the first contraction pulse Pa2, and the large droplet 100 made of the first droplet 101 and the second droplet 102 is ejected similarly to Fig. 5 .
  • the capacity of the channel 31B is expanded from the contracted state, and the partition walls 32B and 32C return to the neutral state illustrated in Fig. 4A .
  • the ink meniscus is withdrawn by the negative pressure generated in the channel 31 relatively earlier.
  • the tail of the ejected ink droplet is torn off earlier, and the tail accompanying the ejected droplet 100 (main droplet) becomes short. Therefore, the influence of the satellite can be further reduced as compared with the case of the first driving signal PA1.
  • the pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 is preferably set to 0.4 AL or more and 0.7 AL or less or to 1.3 AL or more and 1.8 AL or less.
  • the first driving signal PA2 is also preferably a rectangular wave for the reason similar to the first driving signal PA1.
  • the first expansion pulse Pa1, the first contraction pulse Pa2, the second expansion pulse Pa3, the second contraction pulse Pa4, and the third contraction pulse Pa5 constituting the first driving signal PA2 are also constituted by a rectangular wave as illustrated in Fig. 6 .
  • the voltage value of the first expansion pulse Pa1 and the voltage value of the second expansion pulse Pa3 are equal and the voltage value of the first contraction pulse Pa2, the voltage value of the second contraction pulse Pa4, and the voltagevalue of the third contraction pulse Pa5 are equal for the reason similar to the first driving signal PA1.
  • a second driving signal PB for ejecting a droplet at a relatively higher speed and smaller than the droplet 100 by the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 is joined with the aforementioned first driving signal PA1 or PA2, N pieces (N is an integer not less than 0) of the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 and the second driving signal PB at least at the end are applied within the 1 pixel cycle, and the number N is changed in accordance with image data.
  • the 1 pixel cycle means a time interval for forming each pixel by a dot by causing the droplet to be ejected from the nozzle 341 to land onto the media 7.
  • Fig. 7 is a view for explaining the second driving signal in the present invention as the driving signal generated in the driving control unit 8.
  • the second driving signal PB illustrated in Fig. 7 is a preferable example in the present invention and does not limit to those illustrated.
  • the second driving signal PB has an expansion pulse Pb1 for expanding the capacity of the channel 31 and contracting it after certain time and a contraction pulse Pb2 for contracting the capacity of the channel 31 and expanding it after certain time in this order.
  • the expansion pulse Pb1 of the second driving signal PB illustrated in this embodiment is a pulse which rises from the reference potential and falls to the reference potential after certain time.
  • the contraction pulse Pb2 is a pulse which falls from the reference potential and rises to the reference potential after certain time.
  • the reference potential is assumed to be 0 potential, but that is not particularly limiting.
  • a pause period PWB3 during which the reference potential is maintained for a certain period is provided between a terminal end of falling of the expansion pulse Pb1 and a start end of falling of the contraction pulse Pb2. This is provided in order to avoid that the droplet speed becomes too fast since the capacity of the channel 31 is rapidly changed from the expanded state by the expansion pulse Pb1 to the contracted state by the contraction pulse Pb2 due to a relation with the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 and to avoid that the droplet amount of the ejected droplet becomes too large.
  • this pause period PWB3 is preferably provided in the second driving signal PB.
  • the expansion pulse Pb1 and the contraction pulse Pb2 constituting the second driving signal PB is also preferably a rectangular wave as illustrated for the reason similar to the first driving signal PA1 or PA2.
  • a pulse width PWB1 of the expansion pulse Pb1 is 0.8 AL or more and 1.2 AL or less and a pulse width PWB2 of the contraction pulse Pb2 is 1.8 AL or more and 2.2 AL or less.
  • the droplet can be ejected efficiently. If the pause period PWB3 is too long, the ejection efficiency is largely lowered and thus, it is preferably adjusted to 1/4 AL or less.
  • Figs. 4 a conceptual diagram of the droplet ejected when the second driving signal PB is applied is illustrated in Figs. 8 .
  • the partition walls 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D are in the neutral state without deformation.
  • the driving electrodes 36A and 36C are grounded and the expansion pulse Pb1 in the second driving signal PB is applied to the driving electrode 36B, an electric field is generated in a direction orthogonal to a polarization direction of the piezoelectric elements constituting the partition walls 32B and 32C.
  • the partition walls 32B and 32C are bent and deformed outward from each other as illustrated in Fig. 4B , and the capacity of the channel 31B is expanded (Draw).
  • the negative pressure is generated in the channel 31B, and the ink flows thereinto.
  • the inside of the channel 31B is changed to a positive pressure. If the application of the expansion pulse Pb1 is finished and the potential is returned to the reference potential at this timing, the capacity of the channel 31B sandwiched by the partition walls 32B and 32C is contracted from the expanded state. As a result, the partition walls 32B and 32C return to the neutral state illustrated in Fig. 4A (Release). At this time, a large pressure is applied to the ink in the channel 31B, and the ink is moved to a direction in which the ink is pushed out of the nozzle 341.
  • the partition walls 32B and 32C are bent and deformed inward to each other as illustrated in Fig. 4C , and the capacity of the channel 31B is contracted (Reinforce).
  • the pressure is further applied to the ink in the channel 31B, and the ink having been moved in the direction of being pushed out of the nozzle 341 is further pushed out.
  • the pushed-out ink is torn off, and a single droplet 200 is ejected as illustrated in Fig. 8 .
  • This droplet 200 is a small droplet with a droplet amount smaller than that of the droplet 100 by the aforementioned first driving signal PA1 or PA2.
  • this droplet 200 is ejected, satellites do not occur or is suppressed to an extremely small amount if any.
  • the contracted state by the contraction pulse Pb2 is returned to the original when the pressure in the channel 31 changes to positive after 1.8 A or more and 2.2 AL or less have elapsed.
  • the capacity of the channel 31B is expanded from the contracted state, and the partition walls 32B and 32C return to the neutral state in Fig. 4A .
  • Fig. 9 illustrates an example of a method for driving when the gradation expression is to be made by joining the first driving signal PA1 and the second driving signal PB described above.
  • the Level 0 is a case where the driving signal is not applied at all.
  • the first driving signal PA2 can be also joined with the second driving signal PB similarly to the first driving signal PA1 for making the gradation expression which will be described below.
  • Each driving signal group expressing gradation from Level 1 to Level 5 can be stored in association with each gradation in advance in the driving control unit 8.
  • the driving control unit 8 selects desired gradation in accordance with the image data, calls the driving signal group corresponding to that and then, applies the driving signal group to the head 3.
  • the gradation expression when the gradation expression is to be made in the present invention, by applying the second driving signal PB at least at the end of the 1 pixel cycle T except Level 0, the number of droplets ejected from the same nozzle 341 is changed.
  • the gradation can be expressed by changing the number N in an integer not less than 0 of the first driving signals PA1 to be applied so as to form the pixel by dots made of the droplets on the media 7. If a plurality of the droplets is ejected from the same nozzle 341 within the 1 pixel cycle T, the pixel can be formed on the media 7 by dots made of the droplets joined into one by joining the plurality of the droplets during flying. Moreover, the pixel can be also formed by dots made of a collection of a plurality of the dots by causing the plurality of the droplets to land on the media 7 while overlapping each other.
  • the first driving signal PA1 is a driving signal for ejecting the droplet 100 relatively larger than the droplet 200 by the second driving signal PB.
  • the first driving signal PA1 is a driving signal for ejecting the droplet 100 relatively larger than the droplet 200 by the second driving signal PB.
  • a large dot is mainly formed, which contributes to expression of dark gradation.
  • the droplet 100 has a relatively lower speed than that of the droplet 200, and the generated satellite is caught by the droplet ejected later within the same pixel cycle T. Therefore, the satellite does not make a problem of such a degree to lower the image quality.
  • the droplet 100 has a droplet amount larger than that of the droplet 200 and makes a large droplet. However, since a first droplet 101 at a small droplet speed and a second droplet 102 at a large droplet speed join each other, the droplet speed becomes lower than the case where one large droplet with the same droplet amount is ejected from the nozzle 341. According to this embodiment, the droplet 100 has a speed lower than that of the droplet 200.
  • the droplet speed of the droplet 200 is preferably adjusted to be smaller than the droplet speed of the second droplet 102 of the droplet 100.
  • a satellite amount of the droplet 100 depends on the droplet speed of the second droplet 102, and by adjusting the droplet speed of the droplet 200 to be smaller than the droplet speed of the second droplet 102 of the droplet 100, the satellite amount of the droplet 200 can be suppressed.
  • the satellite of the preceding droplet is caught by the droplet ejected later within the same pixel cycle T and thus, from the viewpoint of the image quality, the satellite accompanying the droplet ejected at the end within the 1 pixel cycle T makes a problem.
  • the second driving signal PB is surely applied at the end within the 1 pixel cycle T, and since the droplet 200 relatively smaller than the droplet 100 by the first driving signal PA1 is ejected and as a result, the satellite is not generated or suppressed.
  • reference character TA denotes a driving cycle of the first driving signal PA1 within the 1 pixel cycle T
  • reference character TB denotes a driving cycle of the second driving signal PB within the 1 pixel cycle T.
  • An example is illustrated in which the first driving signal PA1 is applied with a predetermined pause period T1 before the subsequent driving signal, and a predetermined pause period T2 is given from the end of application of the single second driving signal PB applied at the end to the start of the subsequent 1 pixel cycle T.
  • the pause period T1 is preferably 2AL or less, and from the viewpoint of suppressing the influence of the remaining oscillation after the droplet ejection and stabilizing the subsequent droplet ejection, the pause period T2 is preferably 1.5 AL or more.
  • the single second driving signal PB is surely applied at least at the end within the 1 pixel cycle T except Level 0. Therefore, application of one or more second driving signals PB before the second driving signal PB applied at the end within the 1 pixel cycle is not limited at all.
  • the second driving signal PB might be applied at the beginning within the 1 pixel cycle T, but impact performances are preferably improved by setting the pause period PWB3 of the second driving signal PB longer than the pause period PWB3 of the second driving signal PB applied at the end so that the speed of the droplet ejected at the beginning is slower than that of the droplet ejected at the end.
  • the number N of the first driving signal PA1 may only be an integer not less than 0 and is not limited to the illustrated number but in any gradation, the second driving signal PB is surely applied at the end of the 1 pixel cycle T. Thus, whichever gradation is to be expressed, the second driving signal PB is applied. In any gradation in which the droplet is ejected, the second driving signal PB applied at the end is, as illustrated in the figure, applied so as to be at the same timing within the 1 pixel cycle T.
  • This second driving signal PB is preferably a driving signal for forming a smallest droplet in the plurality of the driving signals arranged in a time series within the 1 pixel cycle T. As a result, the effect of suppressing the satellite can be further improved.
  • the second driving signal PB is preferably a driving signal for forming a smallest droplet and also a droplet at a fast droplet speed in the plurality of the driving signals arranged in a time series within the 1 pixel cycle T from the viewpoint of the satellite suppressing effect and the effect of suppressing the impact position deviation.
  • the droplet 100 with 10 pl is ejected by the first driving signal PA1
  • the droplet 200 with 6 pl is ejected by the second driving signal PB.
  • Level 1 6 pl
  • Level 2 16 pl
  • Level 3 26 pl
  • Level 4 36 pl
  • a large droplet can be ejected also by using a driving signal made of a DRR (Draw-Release-Reinforce) waveform similar to the second driving signal PB and by extending its pulse width.
  • a driving signal made of a DRR (Draw-Release-Reinforce) waveform similar to the second driving signal PB and by extending its pulse width.
  • DRR Digital-Release-Reinforce
  • the droplet 100 can be ejected at a relatively low speed in a short cycle and thus, more droplets can be ejected in limited time within the 1 pixel cycle T. Therefore, by changing the number N of the first driving signal PA1 in accordance with the image data, wide gradation expression can be realized from the minimum gradation to the maximum gradation.
  • a diameter of the droplet 200 ejected by the second driving signal PB is preferably smaller than a diameter of the nozzle 341.
  • the diameter of the nozzle is assumed to refer to a diameter of an opening at a tip end of the nozzle in an ejection direction when its shape is circular and if it is not circular, a diameter of a circle obtained by replacing the opening with a circle with the same area.
  • the diameter of the droplet is assumed to refer to a diameter when the droplet is spherical and if it is not spherical, a diameter of a ball obtained by replacing the droplet with a ball with the same volume.
  • the diameter of the droplet 100 ejected by the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 is preferably larger than the diameter of the nozzle 341.
  • the gradation can be expressed by forming a dot as large as possible on the media 7.
  • the diameter of the droplet 100 ejected by the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 is a diameter in a state where the first droplet 101 and the second droplet 102 are joined and form a single large droplet.
  • the diameter of the droplet 200 ejected by the second driving signal PB is preferably smaller than the diameter of the nozzle 341 and the diameter of the droplet 100 ejected by the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 is preferably larger than the diameter of the nozzle 341.
  • the droplet amount of the droplet ejected by the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 is MA
  • the droplet amount of the droplet ejected by the second driving signal PB is MB
  • it is preferably MA ⁇ MB x 1.5.
  • the both adjacent channels 31 and 31 cannot perform ejection.
  • an independent driving type head in which the ejection channel for ejecting the droplet and a dummy channel not ejecting the droplet are arranged alternately is provided. If the head 3 is this independent driving type head, since it is likely that the ejection channel performs ejection in the whole pixel cycle T, the pixel cycles T for forming pixels continue in some cases.
  • the respective expansion pulses (the first expansion pulse Pa1, the second expansion pulse Pa3, the expansion pulse Pb1) of the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 and the second driving signal PB applied to the driving electrode of the channel 31 corresponding to the same nozzle 341 have constant wave crests
  • the respective contraction pulses (the first contraction pulse Pa2, the second contraction pulse Pa4, the second contraction pulse Pa5, the contraction pulse Pb2) of the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 and the second driving signal PB applied to the driving electrode of the channel 31 corresponding to the same nozzle 341 have constant wave crests as illustrated in Fig. 9 . Since the voltage value of +Von and the voltage value of -Voff of each of the driving signal PA1 or PA2 and PB can be made constant, constitution of the driving control unit 8 can be further simplified.
  • the droplet 100 ejected by each of the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 may be the same speed or may be different speeds.
  • the three droplets 100 consecutively ejected within the 1 pixel cycle T fly at a constant speed. Then, when the last droplet 200 by the second driving signal PB is ejected, since the droplet 200 flies at a speed faster than the droplet 100 ejected immediately before that, it catches up with the droplet 100 and joins. Since the joined droplet flies at a speed further faster than that of the droplet 100 immediately before that, the joined droplet further catches up and joins with the droplet 100 immediately before that so that all the droplets 100 and 200 are joined together during flying. As a result, the pixel made of the dot D by the single droplet illustrated in Fig. 10B is formed on the media 7.
  • the droplet speed of the droplet 100 can be adjusted by the pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1. Therefore, if the droplet speed of each of the droplets 100 is to be made different, it can be realized by adjusting the pulse width PWA1 of this first expansion pulse Pa1 within the range of 0.4 AL or more and 2.0 AL or less.
  • the first driving signal PA1 is preferably applied in the order from the shorter pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 within the 1 pixel cycle T.
  • the three droplets 100 consecutively ejected within the 1 pixel cycle T join during flying and form the joined droplet, and when the droplet 200 catches up with the joined droplet and joins it at last, all the droplets 100 and 200 are joined during flying.
  • the dot D by the single droplet illustrated in Fig. 11B is formed on the media 7.
  • the first driving signal PA1 can be applied in the order from the longer pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 of the first driving signal PA1, that is, in the order from the faster droplet speed within the 1 pixel cycle T.
  • the pixel made of one dot D in which a plurality of the dots are overlapped on the media 7 as illustrated in Fig. 12B is formed. This is because energy of the droplet 200 ejected at last in an early stage after ejection is lost.
  • the dot D as illustrated in this Fig. 12B does not have an influence in an application of gaining a painted amount by using only the large dots as in the case of recording a solid image.
  • the image quality is not largely affected in the case of the gradation expression, either, but there is a concern that the impact position might be slightly shifted each time the droplet amount is different.
  • the droplet speed is changed depending on the timing when each of the ejected droplets is joined, and the shift of the impact position at every gradation makes a problem in some cases.
  • the droplet 100 ejected by the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 and the droplet 200 ejected by the second driving signal PB are joined during flying, the energy of the droplet 200 is lost, which affects the droplet speed. Therefore, there is a concern that the impact positions are slightly different between the case of ejection only of the single droplet 200 and the case of ejection of a plurality of the droplets 100 other than the droplet 200.
  • the droplet speed of the droplet 100 by the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 is VA
  • its droplet amount is MA
  • the droplet speed of the droplet 200 by the second driving signal PB is VB
  • its droplet amount is MB
  • an influence at joining depends on a ratio of motion amount between a large droplet and a small droplet (MB x VB) / (MA x VA)
  • an influence on the impact depends on a gap to the media 7 (distance between the nozzle surface of the head 3 and the media 7) L.
  • the number N of the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 increases to N ⁇ 3
  • the number of final joining times tends to increase, and the problem of the impact position shift becomes more remarkable than the other cases.
  • the droplet 200 by the second driving signal PB applied to the end of the 1 pixel cycle T and the droplet 100 by the first driving signal PA1 or PA2 applied immediately before that do not form a joined droplet at least up to a position away from the nozzle by (L x MB x VB)/(MA x VA). That is, the droplet 100 and the droplet 200 are joined after crossing the position away from the nozzle by (L x MB x VB)/(MA x VA) or land onto the media 7 so as to overlap each other.
  • a signal having the expansion pulse of +Von and the contraction pulse of -Voff is used as each of the driving signals but this is not limiting. Since deformation of the partition wall 32 is caused by a voltage difference between the two driving electrodes provided so as to sandwich the partition wall 32, if ejection is to be made by the first driving signal PA1 from the channel 31B illustrated in Fig. 4 , as illustrated in Fig. 13A , by applying the first expansion pulse Pa1 and the second expansion pulse Pa3 of +Von to the driving electrode 36B in the channel 31B which is an ejection channel and by applying the first contraction pulse Pa2 of +Voff to the driving electrodes 36A and 36C of the adjacent channels 31A and 31C, the driving can be performed similarly.
  • the driving can be performed similarly.
  • the driving can be performed similarly.
  • each driving signal can be configured only by a positive voltage, the constitution of the driving control unit 8 can be simplified.
  • a head capable of shear deformation of the partition wall 32 between the adjacent channels 31 and 31 is exemplified as the head 3, but the upper wall or the lower wall of the channel may be made pressure generator constituted by the piezoelectric element such as PZT so as to shear/deform this upper wall or the lower wall.
  • the inkjet head in the present invention is not limited to the shear-mode at all.
  • the inkjet head may be of such a type that a wall surface of the pressure chamber is formed by a diaphragm, this diaphragm is oscillated by pressure generator constituted by the piezoelectric element such as PZT so as to apply a pressure for ejecting the ink in the pressure chamber.
  • UV curable ink was used at 40°C. Viscosity of the ink at this time was 0.01 Pa ⁇ s.
  • the first driving signal PA1 of a rectangular wave illustrated in Fig. 3 was used as the first driving signal, and the droplet amount of a droplet ejected when the pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 was changed from 0.2 AL to 2 AL as illustrated in a graph in Fig. 14 , respectively, was measured.
  • a large droplet of approximately 10 ng or more could be ejected.
  • the pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 falls under 0.4 AL, a large droplet in which two droplets made of a first droplet and a second droplet are joined could not be formed.
  • Example 1 An occurrence situation of the satellite of each droplet ejected in Example 1 was observed.
  • the occurrence situation of the satellite was evaluated such that a separation distance from the main droplet at the position having flown from the nozzle by 1.0 mm to the satellite was measured, and the length was evaluated on the basis of the following standard. The longer the separation distance is, the farther the impact position of the satellite is shifted from the main droplet, which lowers the image quality. The result is shown in Table 1.
  • PWA1 width Satellite evaluation result 0.2 AL ⁇ 0.4 AL ⁇ 0.6 AL ⁇ 0.8 AL ⁇ 1.0 AL ⁇ 1.2 AL ⁇ 1.4 AL ⁇ 1.6 AL ⁇ 1.8 AL ⁇ 2.0 AL ⁇
  • the speed change was expressed in % of a shift of the speed of each droplet with respect to a reference speed (6 m/s) .
  • the result is shown in Table 2.
  • the pulse width PWA1 of the first expansion pulse Pa1 is 0.4 AL and more and 0.7 AL or less or 1.3 AL or more and 1.8 AL or less, speed fluctuation in continuous driving was suppressed.

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JP6680129B2 (ja) * 2016-07-27 2020-04-15 コニカミノルタ株式会社 インクジェット記録装置及びインクジェット記録方法
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WO2020099945A1 (en) * 2018-11-15 2020-05-22 Landa Corporation Ltd. Pulse waveforms for ink jet printing
JP7355561B2 (ja) 2019-09-04 2023-10-03 東芝テック株式会社 液体吐出ヘッド及び液体吐出装置
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JP7382793B2 (ja) 2019-11-01 2023-11-17 エスアイアイ・プリンテック株式会社 液体噴射ヘッドおよび液体噴射記録装置
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JP6497383B2 (ja) 2019-04-10
EP3127704A1 (en) 2017-02-08

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