JP2002046270A - Ink jet head and ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recorder comprising an actuator having a thin film piezoelectric element and ejecting ink through piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element in which a plurality of ink drops are ejected from the same nozzle in one print period and combined into one ink drop before hitting a recording sheet. SOLUTION: A drive pulse group containing an initial pulse P1, a first following pulse P2 and a second following pulse P3 is fed to an actuator in one print period. Time intervals t1, t2 and t3 of the pulses are set to satisfy a relation t1<=t2<=t3<=t0, where t0 is the natural period of the actuator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ink jet head and an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-81012, during one printing cycle for forming one dot on recording paper, a plurality of inks are supplied from the same nozzle of an ink jet head. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects droplets and forms one dot by using a plurality of ink droplets.

An ink jet recording apparatus of this type has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle by the piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric element. An ink jet head having an actuator for applying pressure to ink in the pressure chamber, a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive signal to the actuator, and a relative moving unit for relatively moving the ink jet head and the recording paper are provided.
When the ink jet head and the recording paper are relatively moving by the relative moving means, the driving signal supplying means supplies a driving signal including one or more driving pulses during one printing cycle. The actuator operates in response to the drive signal, and ejects one or more ink droplets from the nozzle. The ejected ink droplet lands on the recording paper to form an ink dot. At this time, the plurality of ink droplets ejected by the supply of the plurality of drive pulses land on the recording paper in the order of ejection to form one ink dot.
When a large number of such ink dots are collected on a recording sheet, a predetermined image is formed on the recording sheet. Then, by adjusting the number of ink droplets ejected during one printing cycle, the density and size of the dots are adjusted, so-called multi-tone printing is performed.

However, when performing high-speed printing, a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle land at mutually displaced positions on the recording paper because the moving speed of the relative movement between the ink jet head and the recording paper is high. Easier to do. As a result, the ink dots become elliptical, and the printing quality is likely to deteriorate. Therefore, high-speed printing has been difficult with the above-described apparatus.

Therefore, for example, US Pat. No. 5,285,2
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 15 and Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 7-108568, the ejection speed of ink droplets ejected later is made faster than the ejection speed of ink droplets ejected first, so that ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle are ejected. It has been proposed that two ink droplets are united before landing on a recording paper to form one ink droplet before landing.

By the way, it is not possible to combine a plurality of ink droplets before landing by simply supplying a number of drive pulses corresponding to the number of ejected ink droplets without any ingenuity in the method of supplying the drive signal. . Therefore, the above-mentioned 7-10
In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 8568 and the like, the ejection speed of ink droplets can be changed by changing the inclination angle of the trailing edge of the drive pulse.

[0007]

However, supplying a drive signal including a plurality of drive pulses having different trailing edge inclination angles to the actuator causes a complicated drive signal supply means and an increase in cost. Had become. From such a background, a new technique for combining a plurality of ink droplets before landing by a driving signal having a simple waveform has been desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above point, and an object of the present invention is to combine a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle with a simple drive signal and then apply the combined ink droplets to a recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet head and an ink jet recording apparatus for landing.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention focuses on the fact that the closer the interval between drive pulses supplied to an actuator is to the natural period of the actuator, the faster the ink ejection speed is. The interval between the drive pulses is gradually approached to a time equal to or substantially equal to the natural period of the actuator.

More specifically, an ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator that applies pressure to ink in the pressure chamber by an effect, and a drive signal supply unit that supplies a drive voltage signal to a piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A plurality of drive pulses are supplied so that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator.

The natural period of the actuator referred to here is the natural period of the entire vibration system including the acoustic element (specifically, ink).

Thus, a plurality of driving pulses are supplied to the piezoelectric element of the actuator within one printing cycle, and a plurality of ink droplets are ejected from the same nozzle. Here, since the time interval between the plurality of drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, the discharge speed of the plurality of ink droplets discharged from the nozzle gradually increases. Therefore, the ink droplet ejected later has a higher ejection speed than the ink droplet ejected earlier, the ink droplet ejected later catches up with the ink droplet ejected earlier, and both ink droplets are recorded. Combine before landing on the medium. As a result, the plurality of ink droplets are united into one ink droplet before landing on the recording medium, and a good single dot is formed on the recording medium.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator. The pulses are supplied so that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and the time interval between the last drive pulses becomes equal to the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber, and a negative pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber;
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential drop waveform that drops from a reference potential between a predetermined negative potential and a positive potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform that maintains the negative potential,
An initial drive pulse comprising a potential rising waveform rising from the negative potential to the positive potential, a positive potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the positive potential, and a potential falling from the positive potential to the negative potential One or two or more subsequent driving pulses each including a falling waveform, a negative voltage potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the negative voltage potential, and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative voltage potential to the positive voltage potential. The time interval between the last drive pulses is supplied so that the time interval between the drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and the time interval between the last drive pulses becomes equal to the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator. The pulses are supplied such that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and the time interval between the last drive pulses is shifted from the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber, and a negative pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber;
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential drop waveform that drops from a reference potential between a predetermined negative potential and a positive potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform that maintains the negative potential,
An initial drive pulse comprising a potential rising waveform rising from the negative potential to the positive potential, a positive potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the positive potential, and a potential falling from the positive potential to the negative potential One or two or more subsequent driving pulses each including a falling waveform, a negative voltage potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the negative voltage potential, and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative voltage potential to the positive voltage potential. The time interval between the driving pulses is supplied so as to gradually approach the natural period of the actuator, and to shift the time interval between the last drive pulses from the natural period.

The positive potential of the initial drive pulse and the positive potential of each subsequent drive pulse may be equal, and the negative potential of the initial drive pulse may be equal to the negative potential of each subsequent drive pulse. .

The time T1 from the start of the potential drop of the potential drop waveform of the initial drive pulse in one printing cycle to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform of the last subsequent drive pulse is T1 with respect to the minimum printing cycle T2. /T2≦0.5 may be set.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined reference within a predetermined print cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises from a potential to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, a positive pressure potential maintenance waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a predetermined voltage from the positive pressure potential. Three or more rectangular drive pulses having a potential drop waveform falling to the reference potential are generated by gradually increasing the time interval between these drive pulses to the natural period of the actuator. Kicking manner, and the time interval between the last drive pulse and supplies to be equal to the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined reference within a predetermined print cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises from a potential to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, a positive pressure potential maintenance waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a predetermined voltage from the positive pressure potential. Three or more rectangular drive pulses having a potential drop waveform falling to the reference potential are generated by gradually increasing the time interval between these drive pulses to the natural period of the actuator. Kicking manner, and the time interval between the last drive pulse and supplies so as to shift from the natural period.

The positive potential and the reference potential of the rectangular drive pulse may be equal to each other.

The time T1 between the start of the potential rise of the first drive pulse in one printing cycle and the start of the potential rise of the last drive pulse is T1 / T2 ≦ T1 for the minimum printing cycle T2.
It may be set to 0.5.

The drive signal supply means may supply a plurality of drive pulses so that the time interval between the last drive pulses is slightly longer than the natural period of the actuator.

The thickness of the piezoelectric element is 0.5 μm to 5 μm
May be set to.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above ink jet heads, and relative moving means for relatively moving the ink jet head and the recording medium when the ink jet head discharges ink. Things.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of drive pulses are supplied to the actuator, and the time interval between the pulses is gradually increased by the predetermined period slightly longer than the natural period or the natural period of the actuator. , It is possible to eject a plurality of ink droplets so that the ejection speed gradually increases. Therefore, a plurality of ink droplets can be united before landing on the recording medium and land on the recording medium as one ink droplet. Therefore, a good single dot can be formed on a recording medium by a plurality of ink droplets. As a result, printing quality and printing speed can be improved.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. The ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet head 1 supported and fixed on a carriage 16. A carriage motor 2 not shown in FIG.
8 (see FIG. 6).
Thereby, the inkjet head 1 and the carriage 16 are guided by a carriage shaft 17 extending in the main scanning direction (X direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and reciprocate in that direction. The carriage 16, the carriage shaft 17, and the carriage motor 28 constitute a relative moving unit that relatively moves the inkjet head 1 and the recording paper 41.

The recording paper 41 is sandwiched between two transport rollers 42 that are driven to rotate by a transport motor 26 (not shown in FIG. 1) (see FIG. 6).
Further, the sheet is conveyed by the respective conveying rollers 42 in a sub-scanning direction (Y direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the ink-jet head 1 includes a head body 40 having a plurality of pressure chambers 4 for accommodating ink and a plurality of nozzles 2 communicating with the respective pressure chambers 4. It has a plurality of actuators 10 that apply pressure to the ink in each pressure chamber 4 to eject ink droplets from each nozzle 2. The actuator 10 uses a so-called flexural vibration type piezoelectric element 13 as described later, and ejects ink droplets from the nozzle 2 by a pressure change in the pressure chamber 4 due to the contraction and expansion of the pressure chamber 4. The pressure chamber 4 is filled with ink.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure chambers 4 are formed in the ink jet head 1 in a long groove shape so as to extend in the main scanning direction X, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the sub scanning direction. ing. At one end of the pressure chamber 4 (the right end in FIG. 2), the nozzles 2 are provided on the lower surface of the ink jet head 1 so as to open at predetermined intervals in the sub-scanning direction Y. One end of an ink supply path 5 is connected to the other end (the left end in FIG. 2) of the pressure chamber 4, and the other end of each ink supply path 5 is
Ink supply chamber 3 provided to extend in sub scanning direction Y
It is connected to the.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink jet head 1 has a nozzle plate 6 on which the nozzles 2 are formed.
, A partition wall 7 for partitioning the pressure chamber 4 and the ink supply path 5, and an actuator 10 are sequentially laminated. The nozzle plate 6 is made of a 20 μm thick polyimide plate, and the partition wall 7 is made of a 280 μm thick stainless steel laminate plate.

As shown in exaggerated manner in FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuator 10 has a diaphragm 11 provided in the pressure chamber 4.
And a thin-film piezoelectric element 13 for vibrating the diaphragm 11 and an individual electrode 14 are sequentially laminated. The vibration plate 11 is made of a chrome plate having a thickness of 2 μm, and also has a function as a common electrode for applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element 13 together with the individual electrodes 14. The piezoelectric element 13 is provided corresponding to the pressure chamber 4 and has a thickness of 3 μm PZT.
(Lead zirconate titanate). The individual electrode 14 is made of a platinum plate having a thickness of 0.1 μm, and the entire thickness of the actuator 10 is about 5 μm. An insulating plate 15 made of polyimide is provided between the piezoelectric element 13 and the individual electrode 14 adjacent to each other.

Next, referring to the block diagram of FIG.
The control circuit 20 of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described.
The control circuit 20 includes a main control unit 21 composed of a CPU, and a ROM 22 storing routines for various data processing.
A RAM 23 for storing various data; driver circuits 25 and 27 for driving and controlling a transport motor 26 and a carriage motor 28; and a motor control circuit 2
4, a data receiving circuit 29 for receiving print data, a drive signal generating circuit 30, and a selecting circuit 31.
The actuator 10 is connected to the selection circuit 31. The drive signal generation circuit 30 generates a drive signal having a plurality of drive pulses within one printing cycle. Selection circuit 31
When the inkjet head 1 is moving in the main scanning direction X together with the carriage 16, one or more drive pulses included in the drive signal are transmitted to the actuator 10.
To selectively input. The drive signal generating circuit 30 and the selection circuit 31 constitute a drive signal supply unit 32 that supplies a predetermined drive signal to the actuator 10.

Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described. First, when the data receiving circuit 29 receives image data, the main control unit 21 controls the transport motor 26 and the carriage motor 28 via the motor control circuit 24 and the driver circuits 25 and 27 based on the processing routine stored in the ROM 22. Each of them is controlled, and the drive signal generation circuit 30 generates a drive signal having a plurality of drive pulses. Further, the main control section 21 outputs information of a drive pulse to be selected to the selection circuit 31 based on the image data. Then, the selection circuit 31 selects one or more predetermined driving pulses from the plurality of driving pulses based on the information and supplies the selected driving pulses to the actuator 10. As a result, one or more ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzles 2 of the inkjet head 1 within one printing cycle.

Next, as an example, an operation when three ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 2 within one printing cycle will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. The drive signal supplied to the actuator 10 within one printing cycle T2 includes three trapezoidal waveform pulses P1 to P3, that is, an initial pulse P1, a first subsequent pulse P2, and a second subsequent pulse P3. Each of the pulses P1 to P3 is a drive signal for ejecting ink droplets by causing the actuator 10 to perform a push-pull operation (a so-called pull-push operation).

As shown in FIG. 7, the initial pulse P1 is composed of a potential drop waveform S1 that falls from the reference potential V0 to the minimum potential V1 for driving the actuator 10 to the side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber 4, and a minimum potential V1. A minimum potential maintaining waveform S2 for maintaining V1 and a maximum potential V2 for driving the actuator 10 to the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber 4 from the minimum potential V1.
And a potential rising waveform S3 rising to The first subsequent pulse P2 includes a maximum potential maintaining waveform S4 for maintaining the maximum potential V2 and a maximum potential V1 to a minimum potential V1.
, A minimum potential maintaining waveform S6 that maintains the minimum potential V1, and a potential rising waveform S7 that increases from the minimum potential V1 to the maximum potential V2. The second succeeding pulse P3 includes a maximum potential maintenance waveform S8 for maintaining the maximum potential V2, a potential drop waveform S9 falling from the maximum potential V2 to the minimum potential V1, and a minimum potential V
1 and a minimum potential V1
And a potential rising waveform S11 that rises from the maximum potential V2 to the maximum potential V2. After the second subsequent pulse P3, a maximum potential maintaining waveform S12 for maintaining the maximum potential V2, a potential drop waveform S13 falling from the maximum potential V2 to the reference potential V0, and a reference potential maintaining waveform S for maintaining the reference potential V0
14 and so on. Note that the reference potential V0 and the minimum potential V
1 and the maximum potential V2 are preferably about -100 V to about 100 V. For example, the minimum potential V1, the reference potential V0,
The maximum potential V2 may be 0 V, 20 V, and 50 V, respectively.

The drive pulse included in the present drive signal is long so that the time interval between the pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator 10. Note that the natural period here is the natural period of the entire vibration system including the influence of the ink in the pressure chamber 4, and is described in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,697,1.
It is represented by the reciprocal of the Helmholtz natural vibration frequency f described in the specification of No. 93. Specifically, the initial pulse P1
The first time t1 from the start of the potential drop of the potential drop waveform S1 to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform S3, and the potential rise waveform S7 from the start of the potential maintenance of the maximum potential sustain waveform S4 in the first subsequent pulse P2. The second time t2 until the end of the potential rise and the potential rise waveform S1 from the start of the potential maintenance of the maximum potential maintenance waveform S8 in the second subsequent pulse P3
The third time t3 until the end of the potential rise of 1 is defined as t1 ≦ t2 <t3 with respect to the natural period t0 of the actuator 10.
≦ t0 is set. For example, if the natural period of the actuator 10 is 8 μs, t1, t2,
t3 can be set to 5.5 μs, 7 μs, and 8 μs, respectively.

The pulse width of each of the pulses P1 to P3 is set to be equal to or less than the natural period of the actuator 10. Also,
In general, in the thin-film piezoelectric element 13 having a long natural cycle, the effect of the maintenance time (peak hold time) of the maximum potential or the minimum potential of the pulse on the ejection speed of the ink droplet is small.
Therefore, the peak hold time can be shortened so that the fall time of the potential drop waveform and the rise time of the potential rise waveform of the pulses P1 to P3 are relatively long. In the present embodiment, the potential maintenance time (peak hold time) of each of the potential maintenance waveforms S2, S4, S6, S8, S10, and S12 of the pulses P1 to P3 is set to be 1/4 or less of the natural period of the actuator 10. ing.

In order to sufficiently stabilize the ink in the pressure chambers 4 and the nozzles 2 between the end of the ink ejection in one printing cycle and the start of the ink ejection in the next printing cycle, a second subsequent pulse is applied. The supplied waveforms S12 to S14 are set to a sufficient length. Specifically, the initial pulse P
The time T1 from the start of the potential drop of the first potential drop waveform S1 to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform S11 of the second subsequent pulse P3 is set to be equal to or less than half of the minimum printing cycle T2. That is, T1 / T2 ≦ 0.5, for example, T1 = 20.5 μs and T2 = 50 μs. The time T1 may be set in a range in which the ink can be ejected favorably, and is particularly preferably equal to or longer than the natural period or equal to or longer than (T2) / 8 (that is, ８ ≦ T1 / T2).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the time intervals t1, t2, and t3 between the pulses are gradually increased.
FIG. 7 (a)
As shown in the figure, the first pulse ejected by the initial pulse P1
The ink droplet Q1, the second ink droplet Q2 ejected by the first subsequent pulse P2, and the third ink droplet Q3 ejected by the second subsequent pulse P3 are ejected such that the speed increases stepwise. In other words, the first ink drop Q1, the second
Assuming that the ejection speeds of the ink droplet Q2 and the third ink droplet Q3 are v1, v2, and v3, respectively, v1 ≦ v2 <v3.
Note that the ejection speed v3 of the third ink droplet Q3 is such that after the first ink droplet Q1 and the second ink droplet Q2 are merged into a first merged ink droplet Q12, the third ink droplet Q3 is changed to the first merged ink droplet. The ejection speed v12 of the first combined ink droplet Q12 may be set to be higher than that of the first combined ink droplet Q12 so as to further combine with the droplet Q12. Or, for example, as in the case of v1 = v2,
The third ink droplet Q3 and the second ink droplet Q2 are united to form the second ink droplet Q2.
The second combined ink droplet may be set so as to be further combined with the first ink droplet Q1 after becoming the combined ink droplet. Thereby, the first, second and third ink droplets Q1 to Q
No. 3 is united before landing on the recording paper 41 to form one ink droplet Q123 and land on the recording paper 41 to form a single dot.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time intervals t1 to t3 of the pulses P1 to P3 are changed so as to gradually approach the natural period of the actuator 10, so that a plurality of ink droplets The discharge speed can be gradually increased. Therefore, the first to third ink droplets Q1 to Q1
Q3 can be combined before landing, so that good ink dots can be formed on the recording paper 41 even when the carriage speed of the inkjet head 1 is high. Therefore, multi-tone recording can be performed at high speed.

The time intervals t1 to P3 of the pulses P1 to P3
Since t3 was gradually lengthened, they
The entire time interval T1 = t1 + t2 + t3 can be shortened as compared with the case where the period becomes gradually shorter so as to approach the natural period of zero. Therefore, the printing speed is improved.

Further, since the peak hold time of the pulses P1 to P3 is short, the fall time and the rise time of the potential can be lengthened correspondingly, and the rise time and the fall time of the potential can be sufficiently secured. it can. Therefore, stable ink droplets without extra dots can be ejected, and high quality printing can be obtained.

Further, from the second succeeding pulse P3 which is the last pulse in one printing cycle to the initial pulse P1 of the next printing cycle.
Pulsation and meniscus vibration of the ink in the pressure chamber 4 and the nozzle 2 after the ejection of the third ink droplet Q3 occurs until the first ink droplet Q1 of the next printing cycle is ejected. , Sufficiently reduce. Therefore, the first ink drop Q1
When the ink is ejected, the ink in the pressure chamber 4 and the nozzle 2 is sufficiently settled. Therefore, the first ink droplet Q1 can be stably ejected.

In order to suppress the vibration of the actuator 10 and further stabilize the ink, as shown in FIG.
The slope of the potential drop waveform S13 after the second succeeding pulse P3 may be made gentler, and the potential drop waveform S1 of the initial pulse of the next printing cycle may be continued after the potential drop waveform S13.

<Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 2, a plurality of rectangular pulses are supplied to the actuator 10 within one printing cycle.

As shown in FIG. 10, the driving pulse group according to the present embodiment includes first to third rectangular pulses P1 'to P3' in one printing cycle. First to third pulses P1 '
Although the waveforms of P1 to P3 ′ may be different from each other, in the present embodiment, the first to third pulses P1 ′ to P3 ′ are configured by rectangular pulses having the same waveform. That is, first to first
The pulse heights and pulse widths of the third pulses P1 'to P3' are equal. The reference potential V0 and the maximum potential V2 are −
A potential of about 100 V to 100 V is preferable. For example, the reference potential V0 can be 0 V and the maximum potential V2 can be 50 V. By setting the reference potential V0 and the maximum potential V2 in this manner, it is not necessary to generate a drive signal in the drive signal generation circuit 30 in advance, and the selection circuit 31 is turned on between the reference potential V0 and the maximum potential V2. A drive pulse can be generated only by turning ON / OFF. That is, the drive pulse can be generated only by the switching operation (ON / OFF) of the selection circuit 31. Therefore, the drive signal generation circuit 30 can be omitted, and the control circuit 2
0 can be simplified.

A first time t1 from the end of the potential rise of the first pulse P1 'to the end of the potential rise of the second pulse P2'
And a second time t2 from the end of the potential rise of the second pulse P2 ′ to the end of the potential rise of the third pulse P3 ′, with respect to the natural period t0 of the actuator 10, t1 <t2 ≦
It is set to t0. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the first to third ink droplets Q1 to Q3 can be ejected stepwise so as to increase the ejection speed.
Q3 can be combined before landing on the recording paper 41.

At the start of the potential rise of the first pulse P1 'and the third
The time T1 between the start of the potential rise of the pulse P3 'and the printing cycle T2 is set to T1 / T2≤0.5. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the next first ink droplet Q
At the time of ejection of 1, the ink in the pressure chamber 4 and the nozzle 2 is sufficiently settled, so that the first ink droplet Q1 can be ejected stably.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the driving pulse group is constituted by only rectangular pulses, the driving pulse group can be easily formed. This is because a rectangular pulse can be formed more easily than a trapezoidal pulse. Therefore, the waveform of the drive signal can be simplified. Further, as described above, since the rectangular pulse can be formed only by the ON / OFF operation of the selection circuit 31, the drive signal generation circuit 30 can be omitted.

<Embodiment 3> By the way, the viscosity of the ink,
Depending on the volume of the pressure chamber 4, the rigidity of the actuator 10, or the interval between the drive pulses, the influence of the vibration of the actuator 10 or the meniscus vibration of the ink due to the previous drive pulse remains, and the actuator 10 may be affected by the subsequent drive pulse. Operation may be affected. The present inventor has found that when the influence of the preceding drive pulse is relatively large, the time interval between the drive pulses that maximizes the ejection speed of the ink droplet is actually slightly longer than the natural period. I found it. That is, it has been found that the time interval between the drive pulses that maximizes the ejection speed of the ink droplet may deviate from the time equal to the natural period. The third embodiment takes into account the influence of such a previous drive pulse and takes the first embodiment into consideration.
It has been improved.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the time interval for maximizing the ejection speed of the ink droplet is tm, the first time t1, the second time t2, and the third time t3 are set as t1 ≦ t1.
t2 <t0 <t3 ≦ tm was set.

The time interval tm is a time dependent on the viscosity of the ink, the rigidity of the actuator 10, and the like.
It can be specified by an experiment or the like.

<Embodiment 1> In Embodiment 1, the pulse width of the drive pulse is gradually increased by the natural period t of the actuator 10.
It is designed to approach half the time of zero or almost half the time. As shown in FIG. 11, the drive signal according to the present embodiment includes the first to fourth pulses P11 within one printing cycle.
To P14 and an auxiliary pulse P15. The first to fourth pulses P11 to P14 are driving pulses for discharging ink droplets. On the other hand, the auxiliary pulse P15 is not a drive pulse for ejecting ink droplets, but the first to fourth pulses P1 so that the damping vibration of the actuator 10 in the previous printing cycle does not affect the subsequent printing cycle.
This is for suppressing the residual vibration of the actuator and the ink meniscus vibration due to 1 to P14.

The pulse width of the drive pulse may be defined by the time from the falling half-value point to the rising half-value point or the time from the falling start point to the rising end point. It was the time to the starting point of the rise. The pulse width of the first pulse P11 is t11, the pulse width of the second pulse P12 is t12, the pulse width of the third pulse P13 is t13, and the fourth pulse P14 is
Is t14, the natural period of the actuator 10 is t0, and the pulse width that maximizes the ink droplet ejection speed is tn.
Then, in the present embodiment, 0.5 × t0 <tn, and t11 to t14 are t11 <t12 <t13 <t14.
<Tn. The time tn depends on the viscosity of the ink, the rigidity of the actuator 10, and the like, but can be specified by an experiment or the like. For example,
When the natural period t0 of the actuator is 8 μs, t1
Each of 1, t12, t13, and t14 is 3.5 μs,
μs, 4.5 μs, and 5.5 μs. If the influence of the preceding drive pulse on the subsequent drive pulse can be neglected, the pulse width for maximizing the ink ejection speed is half the time of the natural period (= 0.5 × t).
0), t11 <t12 <t
13 <t14 <0.5 × t0.

By supplying such a drive signal to the actuator 10, the first to fourth ink droplets are sequentially ejected so as to increase in ejection speed, and coalesce before landing on the recording paper 41. Lands as one ink drop.

The drive pulse is not limited to a trapezoidal pulse, but may be a rectangular pulse as in the second embodiment. The rectangular pulse turns on the selection circuit 31
Since it can be easily generated by the / OFF operation, the drive signal generation circuit 30 can be omitted and the configuration of the control circuit 20 can be simplified as in the second embodiment.

<Other Embodiments> Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, a piezoelectric element, and the piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the element; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined printing cycle. In this case, a plurality of drive pulses are supplied while elongating the time interval between these drive pulses so as to gradually approach the natural period of the actuator.

As a result, similarly to the above, the time interval between the plurality of drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, so that the discharge speed of the plurality of ink droplets discharged from the nozzle gradually increases. Therefore, a plurality of ink droplets are united to form one ink droplet and then land on the recording medium, thereby forming a good single dot on the recording medium. Also,
Since the time interval of the drive pulse gradually increases so as to approach the natural period of the actuator, the entire time interval of the drive pulse becomes shorter as compared with the case where the time interval gradually decreases so as to approach the natural period. Therefore, one printing cycle can be shortened, and higher-speed printing can be performed.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber, and a negative pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber;
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential drop waveform falling from a reference potential between a predetermined negative potential and a positive potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform for maintaining the negative potential, and An initial drive pulse composed of a potential rising waveform rising to a positive pressure potential, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform for maintaining a positive pressure potential, a potential drop waveform falling from the positive pressure potential to a negative pressure potential, and a negative potential And one or more subsequent drive pulses consisting of a negative-voltage potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the following and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative-pressure potential to the positive-pressure potential, the time interval between these drive pulses is gradually increased by the actuator Closer to the natural period of While such long is obtained by the supplying.

As a result, a so-called pull-push type ink discharge is performed in which the actuator is once driven to the reduced pressure side and then driven to the pressurized side to discharge the ink.
A plurality of ink droplets are ejected within one printing cycle. Since the time interval between the drive pulses gradually increases so as to approach the natural period of the actuator, the plurality of ink droplets are united before landing on the recording medium and land on the recording medium as one ink droplet. Therefore, good single dots are formed on the recording medium. In addition, high-speed printing becomes possible.

The drive signal supply means is configured to sequentially supply at least an initial drive pulse, a first subsequent drive pulse, and a second subsequent drive pulse within one printing cycle, and the potential of the potential drop waveform of the initial drive pulse is provided. The first time t1 from the start of the fall to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform, and the second time t1 from the start of the potential maintenance of the positive pressure potential maintenance waveform to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform in the first subsequent drive pulse. The time t2 and the third time t3 from the start of the potential maintenance of the positive pressure potential maintenance waveform to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform in the second subsequent drive pulse are defined as t1 ≦ t2 <t3 ≦ t0 may be set.

Thus, the first ink droplet ejected by the initial drive pulse, the second ink droplet ejected by the first subsequent drive pulse, and the third ink droplet ejected by the second subsequent drive pulse Before they land on the recording medium, forming a single dot on the recording medium. As a result, a good single dot is formed on the recording medium, and high-speed printing can be performed.

The positive potential of the initial drive pulse and the positive potential of each subsequent drive pulse may be equal, and the negative potential of the initial drive pulse and the negative potential of each subsequent drive pulse may be equal. .

As a result, a plurality of driving pulses are formed by three levels of potentials, that is, a predetermined positive potential, a reference potential, and a negative potential. Therefore, formation of the driving pulse becomes easy.

The time T1 from the start of the potential drop of the potential drop waveform of the initial drive pulse in one print cycle to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform of the last subsequent drive pulse is T1 with respect to the minimum print cycle T2. /T2≦0.5 is preferably set.

As a result, a sufficient time for the ink in the pressure chamber to settle is secured between the supply of the last subsequent drive pulse and the supply of the initial drive pulse in the next printing cycle. . Therefore, the ejection of the ink is stabilized.

By the way, in an actuator having a relatively long natural period, the effect of the waveform maintenance time of the potential maintenance waveform of the drive pulse on the ink ejection speed is relatively small. Therefore, by shortening the potential maintaining waveform, the potential rising waveform or the potential falling waveform can be lengthened accordingly.

Therefore, the pulse width of each drive pulse is set to be equal to or less than the natural period of the actuator, and the waveform maintaining time of the potential maintaining waveform of each drive pulse is set to be equal to or less than 1/4 of the natural period of the actuator. Is preferred.

As a result, the rising time of the potential rising waveform or the falling time of the potential falling waveform is sufficiently ensured, and stable ink discharge without extra dots is performed. The waveform maintaining time may be zero. That is, the waveform maintaining time may be 0 to 1/4 times the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined reference within a predetermined print cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises from a potential to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a predetermined reference from the positive pressure potential. Three or more rectangular drive pulses composed of a potential drop waveform that drops to a potential, the time interval between these drive pulses is gradually made closer to the natural period of the actuator. While such long is obtained by the supplying.

As a result, three or more rectangular drive pulses are supplied to the actuator within one printing cycle, and three or more ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles so that the ejection speed gradually increases. As a result, these ink droplets coalesce before landing on the recording medium, and land as a single ink droplet on the recording medium. Therefore, good single dots are formed on the recording medium, and high-speed printing is possible.

The drive signal supply means is configured to sequentially supply at least the first, second, and third rectangular drive pulses within one printing cycle, and the drive signal supply means starts from the end of the potential rise of the first drive pulse. The first time t1 from the end of the potential rise of the second drive pulse and the second time t2 from the end of the rise of the potential of the second drive pulse to the end of the rise of the potential of the third drive pulse are unique to the actuator. For the period t0, t1 <t2 ≦ t0 may be set.

Thus, the first ink droplet ejected by the first drive pulse, the second ink droplet ejected by the second drive pulse, and the third ink droplet ejected by the third drive pulse are: Before they land on the recording medium, they coalesce to form a single dot on the recording medium.

The positive pressure potential and the reference potential of the rectangular drive pulse may be equal to each other. Thus, since the drive pulse is formed by only two potentials, the formation of the drive pulse becomes easy.

The time T1 between the start of the potential rise of the first drive pulse in one printing cycle and the start of the potential rise of the last drive pulse is T1 / T2 ≦ T1 for the minimum printing cycle T2.
Preferably, it is set to 0.5.

Thus, a sufficient time for the ink in the pressure chamber to settle is secured between the supply of the last drive pulse and the supply of the first drive pulse in the next printing cycle. . Therefore, the ejection of the ink is stabilized.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit includes a plurality of drive pulses within one predetermined printing cycle. The time interval between the driving pulses is set to be shorter than the natural period of the actuator so that the ink droplet ejected later has a higher ejection speed than the ink droplet ejected earlier. Is gradually increased so as to approach a slightly longer predetermined time.

When a plurality of drive pulses are continuously supplied in a short time, the influence of the vibration of the actuator or the pulsation of the ink by the previous drive pulse remains, and the operation of the actuator by the subsequent drive pulse is affected. May have an effect. As a result, the ink ejection speed may be faster when the time interval between the drive pulses is made to coincide with a predetermined time slightly longer than the natural period of the actuator, rather than the natural period of the actuator. So, in such a case,
By gradually increasing the time interval between the drive pulses so as to approach a predetermined time slightly longer than the natural period as described above, the ejection speed of the ink droplets can be increased in the order of ejection, and the ink droplets can be increased. Can be combined before landing.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit includes a plurality of drive pulses within one predetermined printing cycle. The driving pulse has a pulse width half the natural period of the actuator so that the ink droplet ejected later has a higher ejection speed than the ink droplet ejected earlier. Are supplied in such an order that the time gradually approaches or almost half of the time.

Thus, a plurality of drive pulses are supplied to the piezoelectric element of the actuator within one printing cycle, and a plurality of ink droplets are ejected from the same nozzle. Here, since the pulse width of the drive pulse gradually approaches half or almost half of the natural period of the actuator, the ejection speed of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles gradually increases in the order of ejection. Therefore, the ink droplets ejected later catch up with the ink droplets ejected earlier, and the ink droplets unite before landing on the recording medium. As a result, the plurality of ink droplets are united into one ink droplet before landing on the recording medium, and a good single dot is formed on the recording medium.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber, and a negative pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber;
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential drop waveform falling from a reference potential between a predetermined negative potential and a positive potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform for maintaining the negative potential, and An initial drive pulse composed of a potential rising waveform rising to a positive pressure potential, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform for maintaining a positive pressure potential, a potential drop waveform falling from the positive pressure potential to a negative pressure potential, and a negative potential , And one or more subsequent drive pulses composed of a potential rise waveform rising from the negative potential to a positive potential, and the drive pulse is provided Ink droplets ejected from As discharge speed becomes faster than the ink droplets ejected, but the pulse width was to be supplied in the order as gradually approaches half the time or nearly half the time of the natural period of the actuator.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element.
An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber by the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element, a predetermined reference potential,
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a negative voltage potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side for reducing the pressure in the pressure chamber; Within a cycle, it consists of a potential drop waveform that falls from the reference potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform that maintains the negative potential, and a potential rise waveform that rises from the negative potential to the reference potential. The drive pulse is configured to supply three or more drive pulses, and the drive pulse has a pulse width such that the ink droplets ejected later have a higher ejection speed than the ink droplets ejected earlier. Are supplied in such an order that they gradually approach half or almost half of the natural period of.

As a result, ink is discharged in a so-called pull-push method, and a plurality of ink droplets are discharged within one printing cycle. Since the pulse width of the drive pulse gradually approaches half or almost half of the natural period of the actuator, the plurality of ink droplets are united before landing, and land on a recording medium after forming one ink droplet.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined reference within a predetermined print cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises from a potential to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a reference voltage based on the positive pressure potential. And supplying three or more rectangular drive pulses each having a potential drop waveform falling to a potential. Are supplied in such an order that the pulse width gradually approaches half or almost half of the natural period of the actuator so that the ejection speed becomes faster than the ink droplet ejected first. It is.

As a result, three or more rectangular drive pulses are supplied to the actuator within one printing cycle, and three or more ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles so that the ejection speed gradually increases. As a result, these ink droplets coalesce before landing on the recording medium, and land as a single ink droplet on the recording medium.

The driving pulses are preferably supplied in such an order that the pulse width gradually increases.

As a result, the pulse width of the drive pulse gradually increases so as to approach half or almost half the period of the natural period, so that the pulse width of the drive pulse gradually decreases as approaching them. The total width time is reduced. Therefore, one printing cycle can be shortened, and higher-speed printing can be performed.

In the ink jet head, the thickness of the piezoelectric element may be set to 0.5 μm to 5 μm. Thus, even when the piezoelectric element is thinned,
The plurality of ink droplets land on the recording medium after being united, and a good single dot is formed on the recording medium.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the above ink jet head and relative moving means for moving the ink jet head and the recording medium relative to each other when the ink is ejected from the ink jet head. is there.

As a result, a high-speed and high-quality recording apparatus can be obtained in which a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle can be combined before landing on a recording medium.

By gradually increasing the time interval of the driving pulse, the time of one printing cycle can be shortened, and the printing speed can be increased.

Further, since a plurality of drive pulses are supplied to the actuator and the pulse width thereof is made to gradually approach half or almost half of the natural period of the actuator, a plurality of ink droplets are supplied. Can be discharged such that the discharge speed gradually increases. Therefore, a plurality of ink droplets can be united and landed on a recording medium as one ink droplet, so that print quality and print speed can be improved.

At this time, by gradually increasing the pulse width of the driving pulse, the time of one printing cycle can be shortened, and the printing speed can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the inkjet head.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view near an actuator.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing ejection of ink droplets,
(B) is a waveform diagram of the drive signal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram of a drive signal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram of a modified example of a drive signal.

FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram of a drive signal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram of a drive signal according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet head 2 Nozzle 4 Pressure chamber 10 Actuator 11 Vibration plate 13 Piezoelectric element 14 Individual electrode 32 Drive signal supply means 40 Head main body 41 Recording paper P1 Initial pulse P2 First succeeding pulse P3 Second succeeding pulse

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 1, 2001 (2001.11.
1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

Patent application title: INK JET HEAD AND INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS

[Claims]

16. The inkjet head according to any one of claims 1 to 15, ink jet head thickness of the piezoelectric element is set to 0.5 m to 5 m.

An ink jet head according to any one of 17. The method of claim 1-16, ink jet when the ink ejection of the inkjet head, and a relative moving means for relatively moving the recording medium with the ink jet head Expression recording device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ink jet head and an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-81012, during one printing cycle for forming one dot on recording paper, a plurality of inks are supplied from the same nozzle of an ink jet head. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects droplets and forms one dot by using a plurality of ink droplets.

An ink jet recording apparatus of this type has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle by the piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric element. An ink jet head having an actuator for applying pressure to ink in the pressure chamber, a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive signal to the actuator, and a relative moving unit for relatively moving the ink jet head and the recording paper are provided.
When the ink jet head and the recording paper are relatively moving by the relative moving means, the driving signal supplying means supplies a driving signal including one or more driving pulses during one printing cycle. The actuator operates in response to the drive signal, and ejects one or more ink droplets from the nozzle. The ejected ink droplet lands on the recording paper to form an ink dot. At this time, the plurality of ink droplets ejected by the supply of the plurality of drive pulses land on the recording paper in the order of ejection to form one ink dot.
When a large number of such ink dots are collected on a recording sheet, a predetermined image is formed on the recording sheet. Then, by adjusting the number of ink droplets ejected during one printing cycle, the density and size of the dots are adjusted, so-called multi-tone printing is performed.

However, when performing high-speed printing, a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle land at mutually displaced positions on the recording paper because the moving speed of the relative movement between the ink jet head and the recording paper is high. Easier to do. As a result, the ink dots become elliptical, and the printing quality is likely to deteriorate. Therefore, high-speed printing has been difficult with the above-described apparatus.

Therefore, for example, US Pat. No. 5,285,2
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 15 and Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 7-108568, the ejection speed of ink droplets ejected later is made faster than the ejection speed of ink droplets ejected first, so that ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle are ejected. It has been proposed that two ink droplets are united before landing on a recording paper to form one ink droplet before landing.

By the way, it is not possible to combine a plurality of ink droplets before landing by simply supplying a number of drive pulses corresponding to the number of ejected ink droplets without any ingenuity in the method of supplying the drive signal. . Therefore, the above-mentioned 7-10
In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 8568 and the like, the ejection speed of ink droplets can be changed by changing the inclination angle of the trailing edge of the drive pulse.

[0007]

However, supplying a drive signal including a plurality of drive pulses having different trailing edge inclination angles to the actuator causes a complicated drive signal supply means and an increase in cost. Had become. From such a background, a new technique for combining a plurality of ink droplets before landing by a driving signal having a simple waveform has been desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above point, and an object of the present invention is to combine a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle with a simple drive signal and then apply the combined ink droplets to a recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet head and an ink jet recording apparatus for landing.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention focuses on the fact that the closer the interval between drive pulses supplied to an actuator is to the natural period of the actuator, the faster the ink ejection speed is. The interval between the drive pulses is gradually approached to a time equal to or substantially equal to the natural period of the actuator.

More specifically, an ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator that applies pressure to ink in the pressure chamber by an effect, and a drive signal supply unit that supplies a drive voltage signal to a piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A plurality of drive pulses are supplied so that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator.

The natural period of the actuator referred to here is the natural period of the entire vibration system including the acoustic element (specifically, ink).

Thus, a plurality of driving pulses are supplied to the piezoelectric element of the actuator within one printing cycle, and a plurality of ink droplets are ejected from the same nozzle. Here, since the time interval between the plurality of drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, the discharge speed of the plurality of ink droplets discharged from the nozzle gradually increases. Therefore, the ink droplet ejected later has a higher ejection speed than the ink droplet ejected earlier, the ink droplet ejected later catches up with the ink droplet ejected earlier, and both ink droplets are recorded. Combine before landing on the medium. As a result, the plurality of ink droplets are united into one ink droplet before landing on the recording medium, and a good single dot is formed on the recording medium.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator. The pulses are supplied so that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and the time interval between the last drive pulses becomes equal to the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber, and a negative pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber;
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential drop waveform that drops from a reference potential between a predetermined negative potential and a positive potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform that maintains the negative potential,
An initial drive pulse comprising a potential rising waveform rising from the negative potential to the positive potential, a positive potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the positive potential, and a potential falling from the positive potential to the negative potential One or two or more subsequent driving pulses each including a falling waveform, a negative voltage potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the negative voltage potential, and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative voltage potential to the positive voltage potential. The time interval between the last drive pulses is supplied so that the time interval between the drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and the time interval between the last drive pulses becomes equal to the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator. The pulses are supplied such that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and the time interval between the last drive pulses is shifted from the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber, and a negative pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber;
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential drop waveform that drops from a reference potential between a predetermined negative potential and a positive potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform that maintains the negative potential,
An initial drive pulse comprising a potential rising waveform rising from the negative potential to the positive potential, a positive potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the positive potential, and a potential falling from the positive potential to the negative potential One or two or more subsequent driving pulses each including a falling waveform, a negative voltage potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the negative voltage potential, and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative voltage potential to the positive voltage potential. The time interval between the driving pulses is supplied so as to gradually approach the natural period of the actuator, and to shift the time interval between the last drive pulses from the natural period.

The positive potential of the initial drive pulse and the positive potential of each subsequent drive pulse may be equal, and the negative potential of the initial drive pulse may be equal to the negative potential of each subsequent drive pulse. .

The time T1 from the start of the potential drop of the potential drop waveform of the initial drive pulse in one printing cycle to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform of the last subsequent drive pulse is T1 with respect to the minimum printing cycle T2. /T2≦0.5 may be set.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined reference within a predetermined print cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises from a potential to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, a positive pressure potential maintenance waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a predetermined voltage from the positive pressure potential. Three or more rectangular drive pulses having a potential drop waveform falling to the reference potential are generated by gradually increasing the time interval between these drive pulses to the natural period of the actuator. Kicking manner, and the time interval between the last drive pulse and supplies to be equal to the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined reference within a predetermined print cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises from a potential to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, a positive pressure potential maintenance waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a predetermined voltage from the positive pressure potential. Three or more rectangular drive pulses having a potential drop waveform falling to the reference potential are generated by gradually increasing the time interval between these drive pulses to the natural period of the actuator. Kicking manner, and the time interval between the last drive pulse and supplies so as to shift from the natural period.

The positive potential and the reference potential of the rectangular drive pulse may be equal to each other.

The time T1 between the start of the potential rise of the first drive pulse in one printing cycle and the start of the potential rise of the last drive pulse is T1 / T2 ≦ T1 for the minimum printing cycle T2.
It may be set to 0.5.

The drive signal supply means may supply a plurality of drive pulses so that the time interval between the last drive pulses is slightly longer than the natural period of the actuator.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention
Is a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber.
A head body having a piezoelectric element formed therein, and a piezoelectric element.
Pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by the piezoelectric effect of the electric element.
Actuator that imparts pressure, and the pressure of the actuator
Drive signal supply means for supplying a drive voltage signal to the element.
The driving signal supply means is provided within a predetermined one printing cycle.
In addition, a plurality of driving pulses are used to set the time interval between these driving pulses.
Gradually approach the natural period of the actuator.
It was decided to supply it for a long time.

Thus, a plurality of drive pulse times
Since the interval gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator,
The ejection speed of a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the nozzle is
Be faster each time. Therefore, multiple ink drops are united into one
Ink droplets, land on the recording medium, and
Good single dots are formed. At the time of drive pulse
The interval gradually increases so as to approach the natural period of the actuator.
So that it gradually becomes shorter to approach the natural period.
The entire time interval of the drive pulse is shorter than
It becomes. Therefore, it is necessary to shorten one printing cycle.
Printing at a higher speed.

Another inkjet head according to the present invention
Is a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber.
A head body having a piezoelectric element formed therein, and a piezoelectric element.
Pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by the piezoelectric effect of the electric element.
Actuator that imparts pressure, and the pressure of the actuator
Drive signal supply means for supplying a drive voltage signal to the element.
The driving signal supply means is provided within a predetermined one printing cycle.
To the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber from a predetermined reference potential.
Rise to the positive pressure potential to drive the actuator
Potential rising waveform and positive pressure potential maintenance for maintaining the positive pressure potential
The waveform and the voltage falling from the positive pressure potential to a predetermined reference potential.
Three or more rectangular drive pulses consisting of
Gradually increase the time interval between these drive pulses.
Supply while increasing the length to approach the natural period of the
It is said that.

With this, the actuator can be operated within one printing cycle.
Three or more rectangular drive pulses are supplied to the eta,
So that the ejection speed of three or more ink drops gradually increases from
Is discharged. As a result, these ink droplets
Before landing, they coalesce and become a single ink droplet
To land. Therefore, a good single dot is formed on the recording medium.
And high-speed printing becomes possible.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention
Is a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber.
A head body having a piezoelectric element formed therein, and a piezoelectric element.
Pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by the piezoelectric effect of the electric element.
Actuator that imparts pressure, and the pressure of the actuator
Drive signal supply means for supplying a drive voltage signal to the element.
The driving signal supply means is provided within a predetermined printing cycle.
The drive is configured to supply a plurality of drive pulses,
The time interval between the pulses is
Has a faster ejection speed than the ink droplet ejected first.
As shown in the above,
It is gradually getting longer so as to approach the fixed time
Things.

A plurality of driving pulses are continuously generated during a short time.
When supplied, the actuator will be
The effects of vibration or ink pulsation remain, and
May affect the operation of the actuator.
You. As a result, the time interval between drive pulses is actuated.
Rather than matching the natural period of the
It is better to match the slightly longer predetermined time to the ink ejection speed.
May be faster. So, in such a case,
As described above, the time interval between drive pulses is
Gradually to approach the specified time slightly longer than the period
By increasing the ejection speed of the ink droplets
Can combine them before landing them
be able to.

The thickness of the piezoelectric element is 0.5 μm to 5 μm
May be set to.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above ink jet heads, and relative moving means for relatively moving the ink jet head and the recording medium when the ink jet head discharges ink. Things.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of drive pulses are supplied to the actuator, and the time interval between the pulses is gradually increased by the predetermined period slightly longer than the natural period or the natural period of the actuator. , It is possible to eject a plurality of ink droplets so that the ejection speed gradually increases. Therefore, a plurality of ink droplets can be united before landing on the recording medium and land on the recording medium as one ink droplet. Therefore, a good single dot can be formed on a recording medium by a plurality of ink droplets. As a result, printing quality and printing speed can be improved.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. The ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet head 1 supported and fixed on a carriage 16. A carriage motor 2 not shown in FIG.
8 (see FIG. 6).
Thereby, the inkjet head 1 and the carriage 16 are guided by a carriage shaft 17 extending in the main scanning direction (X direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and reciprocate in that direction. The carriage 16, the carriage shaft 17, and the carriage motor 28 constitute a relative moving unit that relatively moves the inkjet head 1 and the recording paper 41.

The recording paper 41 is sandwiched between two transport rollers 42 that are driven to rotate by a transport motor 26 (not shown in FIG. 1) (see FIG. 6).
Further, the sheet is conveyed by the respective conveying rollers 42 in a sub-scanning direction (Y direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the ink-jet head 1 includes a head body 40 having a plurality of pressure chambers 4 for accommodating ink and a plurality of nozzles 2 communicating with the respective pressure chambers 4. It has a plurality of actuators 10 that apply pressure to the ink in each pressure chamber 4 to eject ink droplets from each nozzle 2. The actuator 10 uses a so-called flexural vibration type piezoelectric element 13 as described later, and ejects ink droplets from the nozzle 2 by a pressure change in the pressure chamber 4 due to the contraction and expansion of the pressure chamber 4. The pressure chamber 4 is filled with ink.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure chambers 4 are formed in the ink jet head 1 in a long groove shape so as to extend in the main scanning direction X, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the sub scanning direction. ing. At one end of the pressure chamber 4 (the right end in FIG. 2), the nozzles 2 are provided on the lower surface of the ink jet head 1 so as to open at predetermined intervals in the sub-scanning direction Y. One end of an ink supply path 5 is connected to the other end (the left end in FIG. 2) of the pressure chamber 4, and the other end of each ink supply path 5 is
Ink supply chamber 3 provided to extend in sub scanning direction Y
It is connected to the.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink jet head 1 has a nozzle plate 6 on which the nozzles 2 are formed.
, A partition wall 7 for partitioning the pressure chamber 4 and the ink supply path 5, and an actuator 10 are sequentially laminated. The nozzle plate 6 is made of a 20 μm thick polyimide plate, and the partition wall 7 is made of a 280 μm thick stainless steel laminate plate.

As shown in exaggerated manner in FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuator 10 includes a diaphragm 11 provided in the pressure chamber 4.
And a thin-film piezoelectric element 13 for vibrating the diaphragm 11 and an individual electrode 14 are sequentially laminated. The vibration plate 11 is made of a chrome plate having a thickness of 2 μm, and also has a function as a common electrode for applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element 13 together with the individual electrodes 14. The piezoelectric element 13 is provided corresponding to the pressure chamber 4 and has a thickness of 3 μm PZT.
(Lead zirconate titanate). The individual electrode 14 is made of a platinum plate having a thickness of 0.1 μm, and the entire thickness of the actuator 10 is about 5 μm. An insulating plate 15 made of polyimide is provided between the piezoelectric element 13 and the individual electrode 14 adjacent to each other.

Next, referring to the block diagram of FIG.
The control circuit 20 of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described.
The control circuit 20 includes a main control unit 21 composed of a CPU, and a ROM 22 storing routines for various data processing.
A RAM 23 for storing various data; driver circuits 25 and 27 for driving and controlling a transport motor 26 and a carriage motor 28; and a motor control circuit 2
4, a data receiving circuit 29 for receiving print data, a drive signal generating circuit 30, and a selecting circuit 31.
The actuator 10 is connected to the selection circuit 31. The drive signal generation circuit 30 generates a drive signal having a plurality of drive pulses within one printing cycle. Selection circuit 31
When the inkjet head 1 is moving in the main scanning direction X together with the carriage 16, one or more drive pulses included in the drive signal are transmitted to the actuator 10.
To selectively input. The drive signal generating circuit 30 and the selection circuit 31 constitute a drive signal supply unit 32 that supplies a predetermined drive signal to the actuator 10.

Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described. First, when the data receiving circuit 29 receives image data, the main control unit 21 controls the transport motor 26 and the carriage motor 28 via the motor control circuit 24 and the driver circuits 25 and 27 based on the processing routine stored in the ROM 22. Each of them is controlled, and the drive signal generation circuit 30 generates a drive signal having a plurality of drive pulses. Further, the main control section 21 outputs information of a drive pulse to be selected to the selection circuit 31 based on the image data. Then, the selection circuit 31 selects one or more predetermined driving pulses from the plurality of driving pulses based on the information and supplies the selected driving pulses to the actuator 10. As a result, one or more ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzles 2 of the inkjet head 1 within one printing cycle.

Next, as an example, the operation when three ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 2 within one printing cycle will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. The drive signal supplied to the actuator 10 within one printing cycle T2 includes three trapezoidal waveform pulses P1 to P3, that is, an initial pulse P1, a first subsequent pulse P2, and a second subsequent pulse P3. Each of the pulses P1 to P3 is a drive signal for ejecting ink droplets by causing the actuator 10 to perform a push-pull operation (a so-called pull-push operation).

As shown in FIG. 7, the initial pulse P1 is composed of a potential drop waveform S1 that falls from the reference potential V0 to the minimum potential V1 for driving the actuator 10 to the side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber 4, and a minimum potential P1. A minimum potential maintaining waveform S2 for maintaining V1 and a maximum potential V2 for driving the actuator 10 to the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber 4 from the minimum potential V1.
And a potential rising waveform S3 rising to The first subsequent pulse P2 includes a maximum potential maintaining waveform S4 for maintaining the maximum potential V2 and a maximum potential V1 to a minimum potential V1.
, A minimum potential maintaining waveform S6 that maintains the minimum potential V1, and a potential rising waveform S7 that increases from the minimum potential V1 to the maximum potential V2. The second succeeding pulse P3 includes a maximum potential maintenance waveform S8 for maintaining the maximum potential V2, a potential drop waveform S9 falling from the maximum potential V2 to the minimum potential V1, and a minimum potential V
1 and a minimum potential V1
And a potential rising waveform S11 that rises from the maximum potential V2 to the maximum potential V2. After the second subsequent pulse P3, a maximum potential maintaining waveform S12 for maintaining the maximum potential V2, a potential drop waveform S13 falling from the maximum potential V2 to the reference potential V0, and a reference potential maintaining waveform S for maintaining the reference potential V0
14 and so on. Note that the reference potential V0 and the minimum potential V
1 and the maximum potential V2 are preferably about -100 V to about 100 V. For example, the minimum potential V1, the reference potential V0,
The maximum potential V2 may be 0 V, 20 V, and 50 V, respectively.

The drive pulse included in the present drive signal is long so that the time interval between the pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator 10. Note that the natural period here is the natural period of the entire vibration system including the influence of the ink in the pressure chamber 4, and is described in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,697,1.
It is represented by the reciprocal of the Helmholtz natural vibration frequency f described in the specification of No. 93. Specifically, the initial pulse P1
The first time t1 from the start of the potential drop of the potential drop waveform S1 to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform S3, and the potential rise waveform S7 from the start of the potential maintenance of the maximum potential sustain waveform S4 in the first subsequent pulse P2. The second time t2 until the end of the potential rise and the potential rise waveform S1 from the start of the potential maintenance of the maximum potential maintenance waveform S8 in the second subsequent pulse P3
The third time t3 until the end of the potential rise of 1 is defined as t1 ≦ t2 <t3 with respect to the natural period t0 of the actuator 10.
≦ t0 is set. For example, if the natural period of the actuator 10 is 8 μs, t1, t2,
t3 can be set to 5.5 μs, 7 μs, and 8 μs, respectively.

The pulse width of each of the pulses P1 to P3 is set to be equal to or less than the natural period of the actuator 10. Also,
In general, in the thin-film piezoelectric element 13 having a long natural cycle, the effect of the maintenance time (peak hold time) of the maximum potential or the minimum potential of the pulse on the ejection speed of the ink droplet is small.
Therefore, the peak hold time can be shortened so that the fall time of the potential drop waveform and the rise time of the potential rise waveform of the pulses P1 to P3 are relatively long. In the present embodiment, the potential maintenance time (peak hold time) of each of the potential maintenance waveforms S2, S4, S6, S8, S10, and S12 of the pulses P1 to P3 is set to be 1/4 or less of the natural period of the actuator 10. ing.

In order to sufficiently stabilize the ink in the pressure chamber 4 and the nozzle 2 between the end of the ink ejection in one printing cycle and the start of the ink ejection in the next printing cycle, a second subsequent pulse is applied. The supplied waveforms S12 to S14 are set to a sufficient length. Specifically, the initial pulse P
The time T1 from the start of the potential drop of the first potential drop waveform S1 to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform S11 of the second subsequent pulse P3 is set to be equal to or less than half of the minimum printing cycle T2. That is, T1 / T2 ≦ 0.5, for example, T1 = 20.5 μs and T2 = 50 μs. The time T1 may be set in a range in which the ink can be ejected favorably, and is particularly preferably equal to or longer than the natural period or equal to or longer than (T2) / 8 (that is, ８ ≦ T1 / T2).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time intervals t1, t2, and t3 between the pulses gradually increase.
FIG. 7 (a)
As shown in the figure, the first pulse ejected by the initial pulse P1
The ink droplet Q1, the second ink droplet Q2 ejected by the first subsequent pulse P2, and the third ink droplet Q3 ejected by the second subsequent pulse P3 are ejected such that the speed increases stepwise. In other words, the first ink drop Q1, the second
Assuming that the ejection speeds of the ink droplet Q2 and the third ink droplet Q3 are v1, v2, and v3, respectively, v1 ≦ v2 <v3.
Note that the ejection speed v3 of the third ink droplet Q3 is such that after the first ink droplet Q1 and the second ink droplet Q2 are merged into a first merged ink droplet Q12, the third ink droplet Q3 is changed to the first merged ink droplet. The ejection speed v12 of the first combined ink droplet Q12 may be set to be higher than that of the first combined ink droplet Q12 so as to further combine with the droplet Q12. Or, for example, as in the case of v1 = v2,
The third ink droplet Q3 and the second ink droplet Q2 are united to form the second ink droplet Q2.
The second combined ink droplet may be set so as to be further combined with the first ink droplet Q1 after becoming the combined ink droplet. Thereby, the first, second and third ink droplets Q1 to Q
No. 3 is united before landing on the recording paper 41 to form one ink droplet Q123 and land on the recording paper 41 to form a single dot.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time intervals t1 to t3 of the pulses P1 to P3 are changed so as to gradually approach the natural period of the actuator 10, so that a plurality of ink droplets The discharge speed can be gradually increased. Therefore, the first to third ink droplets Q1 to Q1
Q3 can be combined before landing, so that good ink dots can be formed on the recording paper 41 even when the carriage speed of the inkjet head 1 is high. Therefore, multi-tone recording can be performed at high speed.

The time intervals t1 to P3 of the pulses P1 to P3
Since t3 was gradually lengthened, they
The entire time interval T1 = t1 + t2 + t3 can be shortened as compared with the case where the period becomes gradually shorter so as to approach the natural period of zero. Therefore, the printing speed is improved.

Further, since the peak hold time of the pulses P1 to P3 is short, the fall time and the rise time of the potential can be lengthened accordingly, and the rise time and the fall time of the potential can be sufficiently secured. it can. Therefore, stable ink droplets without extra dots can be ejected, and high quality printing can be obtained.

Further, from the second succeeding pulse P3 which is the last pulse in one printing cycle to the initial pulse P1 of the next printing cycle.
Pulsation and meniscus vibration of the ink in the pressure chamber 4 and the nozzle 2 after the ejection of the third ink droplet Q3 occurs until the first ink droplet Q1 of the next printing cycle is ejected. , Sufficiently reduce. Therefore, the first ink drop Q1
When the ink is ejected, the ink in the pressure chamber 4 and the nozzle 2 is sufficiently settled. Therefore, the first ink droplet Q1 can be stably ejected.

In order to further stabilize the ink by suppressing the vibration of the actuator 10, as shown in FIG.
The slope of the potential drop waveform S13 after the second succeeding pulse P3 may be made gentler, and the potential drop waveform S1 of the initial pulse of the next printing cycle may be continued after the potential drop waveform S13.

<Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 2, a plurality of rectangular pulses are supplied to the actuator 10 within one printing cycle.

As shown in FIG. 10, the driving pulse group according to the present embodiment includes first to third rectangular pulses P1 'to P3' in one printing cycle. First to third pulses P1 '
Although the waveforms of P1 to P3 ′ may be different from each other, in the present embodiment, the first to third pulses P1 ′ to P3 ′ are configured by rectangular pulses having the same waveform. That is, first to first
The pulse heights and pulse widths of the third pulses P1 'to P3' are equal. The reference potential V0 and the maximum potential V2 are −
A potential of about 100 V to 100 V is preferable. For example, the reference potential V0 can be 0 V and the maximum potential V2 can be 50 V. By setting the reference potential V0 and the maximum potential V2 in this manner, it is not necessary to generate a drive signal in the drive signal generation circuit 30 in advance, and the selection circuit 31 is turned on between the reference potential V0 and the maximum potential V2. A drive pulse can be generated only by turning ON / OFF. That is, the drive pulse can be generated only by the switching operation (ON / OFF) of the selection circuit 31. Therefore, the drive signal generation circuit 30 can be omitted, and the control circuit 2
0 can be simplified.

The first time t1 from the end of the potential rise of the first pulse P1 'to the end of the potential rise of the second pulse P2'
And a second time t2 from the end of the potential rise of the second pulse P2 ′ to the end of the potential rise of the third pulse P3 ′, with respect to the natural period t0 of the actuator 10, t1 <t2 ≦
It is set to t0. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the first to third ink droplets Q1 to Q3 can be ejected stepwise so as to increase the ejection speed.
Q3 can be combined before landing on the recording paper 41.

At the start of the potential rise of the first pulse P1 'and the third
The time T1 between the start of the potential rise of the pulse P3 'and the printing cycle T2 is set to T1 / T2≤0.5. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the next first ink droplet Q
At the time of ejection of 1, the ink in the pressure chamber 4 and the nozzle 2 is sufficiently settled, so that the first ink droplet Q1 can be ejected stably.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the driving pulse group is constituted by only rectangular pulses, so that the driving pulse group can be easily formed. This is because a rectangular pulse can be formed more easily than a trapezoidal pulse. Therefore, the waveform of the drive signal can be simplified. Further, as described above, since the rectangular pulse can be formed only by the ON / OFF operation of the selection circuit 31, the drive signal generation circuit 30 can be omitted.

<Embodiment 3> By the way, the viscosity of the ink,
Depending on the volume of the pressure chamber 4, the rigidity of the actuator 10, or the interval between the drive pulses, the influence of the vibration of the actuator 10 or the meniscus vibration of the ink due to the previous drive pulse remains, and the actuator 10 may be affected by the subsequent drive pulse. Operation may be affected. The present inventor has found that when the influence of the preceding drive pulse is relatively large, the time interval between the drive pulses that maximizes the ejection speed of the ink droplet is actually slightly longer than the natural period. I found it. That is, it has been found that the time interval between the drive pulses that maximizes the ejection speed of the ink droplet may deviate from the time equal to the natural period. The third embodiment takes into account the influence of such a previous drive pulse and takes the first embodiment into consideration.
It has been improved.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the time interval for maximizing the ejection speed of the ink droplet is tm, the first time t1, the second time t2, and the third time t3 are defined as t1 ≦ t1.
t2 <t0 <t3 ≦ tm was set.

The time interval tm is a time dependent on the viscosity of the ink, the rigidity of the actuator 10, and the like.
It can be specified by an experiment or the like.

<Embodiment 1> In Embodiment 1, the pulse width of the drive pulse is gradually increased by the natural period t of the actuator 10.
It is designed to approach half the time of zero or almost half the time. As shown in FIG. 11, the drive signal according to the present embodiment includes the first to fourth pulses P11 within one printing cycle.
To P14 and an auxiliary pulse P15. The first to fourth pulses P11 to P14 are driving pulses for discharging ink droplets. On the other hand, the auxiliary pulse P15 is not a drive pulse for ejecting ink droplets, but the first to fourth pulses P1 so that the damping vibration of the actuator 10 in the previous printing cycle does not affect the subsequent printing cycle.
This is for suppressing the residual vibration of the actuator and the ink meniscus vibration due to 1 to P14.

The pulse width of the drive pulse may be defined by the time from the falling half-value point to the rising half-value point, or the time from the falling start point to the rising end point. It was the time to the starting point of the rise. The pulse width of the first pulse P11 is t11, the pulse width of the second pulse P12 is t12, the pulse width of the third pulse P13 is t13, and the fourth pulse P14 is
Is t14, the natural period of the actuator 10 is t0, and the pulse width that maximizes the ink droplet ejection speed is tn.
Then, in the present embodiment, 0.5 × t0 <tn, and t11 to t14 are t11 <t12 <t13 <t14.
<Tn. The time tn depends on the viscosity of the ink, the rigidity of the actuator 10, and the like, but can be specified by an experiment or the like. For example,
When the natural period t0 of the actuator is 8 μs, t1
Each of 1, t12, t13, and t14 is 3.5 μs,
μs, 4.5 μs, and 5.5 μs. If the influence of the preceding drive pulse on the subsequent drive pulse can be neglected, the pulse width for maximizing the ink ejection speed is half the time of the natural period (= 0.5 × t).
0), t11 <t12 <t
13 <t14 <0.5 × t0.

By supplying such a drive signal to the actuator 10, the first to fourth ink droplets are sequentially ejected so as to increase in ejection speed, and coalesce before landing on the recording paper 41. Lands as one ink drop.

The drive pulse is not limited to a trapezoidal pulse, but may be a rectangular pulse as in the second embodiment. The rectangular pulse turns on the selection circuit 31
Since it can be easily generated by the / OFF operation, the drive signal generation circuit 30 can be omitted and the configuration of the control circuit 20 can be simplified as in the second embodiment.

<Other Embodiments> Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head main body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the element; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined printing cycle. In this case, a plurality of drive pulses are supplied while elongating the time interval between these drive pulses so as to gradually approach the natural period of the actuator.

Thus, similarly to the above, the time interval between the plurality of drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, so that the discharge speed of the plurality of ink droplets discharged from the nozzle gradually increases. Therefore, a plurality of ink droplets are united to form one ink droplet and then land on the recording medium, thereby forming a good single dot on the recording medium. Also,
Since the time interval of the drive pulse gradually increases so as to approach the natural period of the actuator, the entire time interval of the drive pulse becomes shorter as compared with the case where the time interval gradually decreases so as to approach the natural period. Therefore, one printing cycle can be shortened, and higher-speed printing can be performed.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for accommodating ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber, and a negative pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber;
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential drop waveform falling from a reference potential between a predetermined negative potential and a positive potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform for maintaining the negative potential, and An initial drive pulse composed of a potential rising waveform rising to a positive pressure potential, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform for maintaining a positive pressure potential, a potential drop waveform falling from the positive pressure potential to a negative pressure potential, and a negative potential And one or more subsequent drive pulses consisting of a negative-voltage potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the following and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative-pressure potential to the positive-pressure potential, the time interval between these drive pulses is gradually increased by the actuator Closer to the natural period of While such long is obtained by the supplying.

As a result, a so-called pull-push type ink discharge is performed, in which the actuator is once driven to the reduced pressure side and then driven to the pressurized side to discharge ink.
A plurality of ink droplets are ejected within one printing cycle. Since the time interval between the drive pulses gradually increases so as to approach the natural period of the actuator, the plurality of ink droplets are united before landing on the recording medium and land on the recording medium as one ink droplet. Therefore, good single dots are formed on the recording medium. In addition, high-speed printing becomes possible.

The drive signal supply means is configured to sequentially supply at least an initial drive pulse, a first subsequent drive pulse, and a second subsequent drive pulse within one printing cycle, and the potential of the potential drop waveform of the initial drive pulse is provided. The first time t1 from the start of the fall to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform, and the second time t1 from the start of the potential maintenance of the positive pressure potential maintenance waveform to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform in the first subsequent drive pulse. The time t2 and the third time t3 from the start of the potential maintenance of the positive pressure potential maintenance waveform to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform in the second subsequent drive pulse are defined as t1 ≦ t2 <t3 ≦ t0 may be set.

Thus, the first ink droplet ejected by the initial drive pulse, the second ink droplet ejected by the first subsequent drive pulse, and the third ink droplet ejected by the second subsequent drive pulse Before they land on the recording medium, forming a single dot on the recording medium. As a result, a good single dot is formed on the recording medium, and high-speed printing can be performed.

The positive potential of the initial drive pulse and the positive potential of each subsequent drive pulse may be equal, and the negative potential of the initial drive pulse and the negative potential of each subsequent drive pulse may be equal. .

As a result, a plurality of drive pulses are formed by three levels of potentials, namely, a predetermined positive potential, a reference potential, and a negative potential. Therefore, formation of the driving pulse becomes easy.

The time T1 from the start of the potential drop of the potential drop waveform of the initial drive pulse in one printing cycle to the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform of the last subsequent drive pulse is T1 with respect to the minimum printing cycle T2. /T2≦0.5 is preferably set.

As a result, a sufficient time for the ink in the pressure chamber to settle is secured between the supply of the last subsequent drive pulse and the supply of the initial drive pulse in the next printing cycle. . Therefore, the ejection of the ink is stabilized.

By the way, in an actuator having a relatively long natural period, the effect of the waveform maintenance time of the potential maintenance waveform of the drive pulse on the ink ejection speed is relatively small. Therefore, by shortening the potential maintaining waveform, the potential rising waveform or the potential falling waveform can be lengthened accordingly.

Therefore, the pulse width of each drive pulse is set to be equal to or less than the natural period of the actuator, and the waveform maintaining time of the potential maintaining waveform of each drive pulse is set to be equal to or less than 1/4 of the natural period of the actuator. Is preferred.

As a result, the rising time of the potential rising waveform or the falling time of the potential falling waveform is sufficiently ensured, and stable ink discharge without extra dots is performed. The waveform maintaining time may be zero. That is, the waveform maintaining time may be 0 to 1/4 times the natural period.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined reference within a predetermined print cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises from a potential to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a predetermined reference from the positive pressure potential. Three or more rectangular drive pulses composed of a potential drop waveform that drops to a potential, the time interval between these drive pulses is gradually made closer to the natural period of the actuator. While such long is obtained by the supplying.

As a result, three or more rectangular drive pulses are supplied to the actuator within one printing cycle, and three or more ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles so that the ejection speed gradually increases. As a result, these ink droplets coalesce before landing on the recording medium, and land as a single ink droplet on the recording medium. Therefore, good single dots are formed on the recording medium, and high-speed printing is possible.

The drive signal supply means is configured to sequentially supply at least the first, second, and third rectangular drive pulses within one printing cycle, and the drive signal supply means starts the potential rise of the first drive pulse from the end. The first time t1 from the end of the potential rise of the second drive pulse and the second time t2 from the end of the rise of the potential of the second drive pulse to the end of the rise of the potential of the third drive pulse are unique to the actuator. For the period t0, t1 <t2 ≦ t0 may be set.

Accordingly, the first ink droplet ejected by the first drive pulse, the second ink droplet ejected by the second drive pulse, and the third ink droplet ejected by the third drive pulse are: Before they land on the recording medium, they coalesce to form a single dot on the recording medium.

The positive pressure potential and the reference potential of the rectangular drive pulse may be equal to each other. Thus, since the drive pulse is formed by only two potentials, the formation of the drive pulse becomes easy.

The time T1 between the start of the potential rise of the first drive pulse in one printing cycle and the start of the potential rise of the last drive pulse is T1 / T2 ≦ T1 with respect to the minimum printing cycle T2.
Preferably, it is set to 0.5.

As a result, a sufficient time for the ink in the pressure chamber to settle is secured between the supply of the last drive pulse and the supply of the first drive pulse in the next printing cycle. . Therefore, the ejection of the ink is stabilized.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit includes a plurality of drive pulses within one predetermined printing cycle. The time interval between the driving pulses is set to be shorter than the natural period of the actuator so that the ink droplet ejected later has a higher ejection speed than the ink droplet ejected earlier. Is gradually increased so as to approach a slightly longer predetermined time.

When a plurality of drive pulses are continuously supplied in a short period of time, the influence of the vibration of the actuator or the pulsation of the ink by the previous drive pulse remains, and the operation of the actuator by the subsequent drive pulse is not affected. May have an effect. As a result, the ink ejection speed may be faster when the time interval between the drive pulses is made to coincide with a predetermined time slightly longer than the natural period of the actuator, rather than the natural period of the actuator. So, in such a case,
By gradually increasing the time interval between the drive pulses so as to approach a predetermined time slightly longer than the natural period as described above, the ejection speed of the ink droplets can be increased in the order of ejection, and the ink droplets can be increased. Can be combined before landing.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit includes a plurality of drive pulses within one predetermined printing cycle. The driving pulse has a pulse width half the natural period of the actuator so that the ink droplet ejected later has a higher ejection speed than the ink droplet ejected earlier. Are supplied in such an order that the time gradually approaches or almost half of the time.

Thus, a plurality of driving pulses are supplied to the piezoelectric element of the actuator within one printing cycle, and a plurality of ink droplets are ejected from the same nozzle. Here, since the pulse width of the drive pulse gradually approaches half or almost half of the natural period of the actuator, the ejection speed of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles gradually increases in the order of ejection. Therefore, the ink droplets ejected later catch up with the ink droplets ejected earlier, and the ink droplets unite before landing on the recording medium. As a result, the plurality of ink droplets are united into one ink droplet before landing on the recording medium, and a good single dot is formed on the recording medium.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber, and a negative pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber;
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, wherein the drive signal supply unit is provided within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential drop waveform falling from a reference potential between a predetermined negative potential and a positive potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform for maintaining the negative potential, and An initial drive pulse composed of a potential rising waveform rising to a positive pressure potential, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform for maintaining a positive pressure potential, a potential drop waveform falling from the positive pressure potential to a negative pressure potential, and a negative potential , And one or more subsequent drive pulses composed of a potential rise waveform rising from the negative potential to a positive potential, and the drive pulse is provided Ink droplets ejected from As discharge speed becomes faster than the ink droplets ejected, but the pulse width was to be supplied in the order as gradually approaches half the time or nearly half the time of the natural period of the actuator.

Further, another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element.
An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber by the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element, a predetermined reference potential,
A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal including a negative voltage potential for driving the actuator to the piezoelectric element on a side for reducing the pressure in the pressure chamber; Within a cycle, it consists of a potential drop waveform that falls from the reference potential to the negative potential, a negative potential maintenance waveform that maintains the negative potential, and a potential rise waveform that rises from the negative potential to the reference potential. The drive pulse is configured to supply three or more drive pulses, and the drive pulse has a pulse width such that the ink droplets ejected later have a higher ejection speed than the ink droplets ejected earlier. Are supplied in such an order that they gradually approach half or almost half of the natural period of.

As a result, ink is discharged in a so-called pull-push (pull-push) mode, and a plurality of ink droplets are discharged within one printing cycle. Since the pulse width of the drive pulse gradually approaches half or almost half of the natural period of the actuator, the plurality of ink droplets are united before landing, and land on a recording medium after forming one ink droplet.

Another ink jet head according to the present invention has a head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element. An actuator for applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber; and a drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply unit has a predetermined reference within a predetermined print cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises from a potential to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator to a side that pressurizes the pressure chamber, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a reference voltage based on the positive pressure potential. And supplying three or more rectangular drive pulses each having a potential drop waveform falling to a potential. Are supplied in such an order that the pulse width gradually approaches half or almost half of the natural period of the actuator so that the ejection speed becomes faster than the ink droplet ejected first. It is.

As a result, three or more rectangular drive pulses are supplied to the actuator within one printing cycle, and three or more ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles so that the ejection speed gradually increases. As a result, these ink droplets coalesce before landing on the recording medium, and land as a single ink droplet on the recording medium.

It is preferable that the driving pulses are supplied in such an order that the pulse width gradually increases.

As a result, the pulse width of the drive pulse gradually increases so as to approach half or almost half the period of the natural period, so that the pulse width of the drive pulse gradually decreases as approaching them. The total width time is reduced. Therefore, one printing cycle can be shortened, and higher-speed printing can be performed.

In the ink jet head, the thickness of the piezoelectric element may be set to 0.5 μm to 5 μm. Thus, even when the piezoelectric element is thinned,
The plurality of ink droplets land on the recording medium after being united, and a good single dot is formed on the recording medium.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the above ink jet head and relative moving means for moving the ink jet head and the recording medium relative to each other when the ink jet head discharges ink. is there.

As a result, a high-speed and high-quality recording apparatus capable of combining a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle before landing on the recording medium is obtained.

By gradually increasing the time interval of the driving pulse, the time of one printing cycle can be shortened, and the printing speed can be increased.

Also, since a plurality of drive pulses are supplied to the actuator and the pulse width thereof is made to gradually approach half or almost half of the natural period of the actuator, a plurality of ink droplets are supplied. Can be discharged such that the discharge speed gradually increases. Therefore, a plurality of ink droplets can be united and landed on a recording medium as one ink droplet, so that print quality and print speed can be improved.

At this time, by gradually increasing the pulse width of the driving pulse, the time of one printing cycle can be shortened, and the printing speed can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the inkjet head.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view near an actuator.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing ejection of ink droplets,
(B) is a waveform diagram of the drive signal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram of a drive signal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram of a modified example of a drive signal.

FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram of a drive signal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram of a drive signal according to the first embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1 Inkjet head 2 Nozzle 4 Pressure chamber 10 Actuator 11 Vibration plate 13 Piezoelectric element 14 Individual electrode 32 Drive signal supply means 40 Head body 41 Recording paper P1 Initial pulse P2 First subsequent pulse P3 Second subsequent pulse

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A head body in which a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element, and a pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element. And a drive signal supply means for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply means outputs a plurality of drive pulses within a predetermined printing cycle in a time period between these drive pulses. An ink jet head for supplying the space so as to gradually approach the natural period of the actuator. 2. A head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element, and a pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element. And a drive signal supply means for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply means outputs a plurality of drive pulses within a predetermined printing cycle in a time period between these drive pulses. An ink jet head for supplying an interval so as to gradually approach the natural period of the actuator and to make the time interval between the last drive pulses equal to the natural period. 3. A head body in which a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element, and a pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element. An actuator that drives the actuator on the side that depressurizes the pressure chamber, and a positive voltage potential that drives the actuator on the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber. And a drive signal supply means for supplying the drive signal supply means to the drive signal supply means, wherein the drive signal supply means falls from a reference potential between a predetermined negative pressure potential and a positive pressure potential to the negative pressure potential within a predetermined printing cycle. An initial drive pulse including a potential drop waveform, a negative voltage potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the negative voltage potential, and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative voltage potential to the positive voltage potential; Pressure potential Holding waveform, a potential drop waveform falling from the positive potential to a negative potential, a negative potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the negative potential, and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative potential to the positive potential And one or more subsequent drive pulses consisting of: the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaching the natural period of the actuator, and the time interval between the last drive pulses is equal to the natural period. An inkjet head that supplies the ink. 4. A head body in which a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element, and a pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element. And a drive signal supply means for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply means outputs a plurality of drive pulses within a predetermined printing cycle in a time period between these drive pulses. An ink jet head for supplying an interval so as to gradually approach a natural cycle of the actuator and to shift a time interval between last driving pulses from the natural cycle. 5. A head body in which a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element, and a pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element. An actuator that drives the actuator on the side that depressurizes the pressure chamber, and a positive voltage potential that drives the actuator on the side that pressurizes the pressure chamber. And a drive signal supply means for supplying the drive signal supply means to the drive signal supply means, wherein the drive signal supply means falls from a reference potential between a predetermined negative pressure potential and a positive pressure potential to the negative pressure potential within a predetermined printing cycle. An initial drive pulse including a potential drop waveform, a negative voltage potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the negative voltage potential, and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative voltage potential to the positive voltage potential; Pressure potential Holding waveform, a potential drop waveform falling from the positive potential to a negative potential, a negative potential maintaining waveform for maintaining the negative potential, and a potential rising waveform rising from the negative potential to the positive potential And one or two or more subsequent drive pulses, such that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and the time interval between the last drive pulses is shifted from the natural period. Supply inkjet head. 6. The ink jet head according to claim 3, wherein the positive pressure potential of the initial drive pulse is equal to the positive pressure potential of each of the subsequent drive pulses, and the negative pressure potential of the initial drive pulse is equal to the negative pressure potential of each of the subsequent drive pulses. Ink jet heads each having the same negative pressure potential as the subsequent drive pulse. 7. The ink-jet head according to claim 3, wherein a potential drop waveform of an initial drive pulse in one printing cycle from the start of potential drop to the last subsequent drive pulse. The time T1 until the end of the potential rise of the potential rise waveform is set to T1 / T2 ≦ 0.5 with respect to the minimum printing cycle T2. 8. A head body in which a pressure chamber for containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element, and a pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element. And a drive signal supply means for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply means pressurizes the pressure chamber from a predetermined reference potential within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a potential drop that falls from the positive pressure potential to a predetermined reference potential. Three or more rectangular drive pulses each having a waveform are formed so that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and between the last drive pulse. An ink jet head for supplying the ink so that the time interval is equal to the natural period. 9. A head body in which a pressure chamber containing ink and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber are formed, and a piezoelectric element, and a pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element. And a drive signal supply means for supplying a drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, wherein the drive signal supply means pressurizes the pressure chamber from a predetermined reference potential within a predetermined printing cycle. A potential rising waveform that rises to a positive pressure potential for driving the actuator, a positive pressure potential maintaining waveform that maintains the positive pressure potential, and a potential drop that falls from the positive pressure potential to a predetermined reference potential. Three or more rectangular drive pulses each having a waveform are formed so that the time interval between these drive pulses gradually approaches the natural period of the actuator, and between the last drive pulse. An ink jet head for supplying the time interval of the above from the above-mentioned natural period. 10. The ink jet head according to claim 8, wherein the positive drive potential and the reference potential of the rectangular drive pulse are equal to each other. 11. The ink jet head according to claim 8, wherein a time when a potential rise of a first drive pulse starts and a time when a potential rise of a last drive pulse starts in one printing cycle is changed. The time T1 between
An ink jet head that is set so that T1 / T2 ≦ 0.5 with respect to the minimum printing cycle T2. 12. The ink-jet head according to claim 4, wherein the drive signal supply unit sets the time interval between the last drive pulses to be slightly longer than the natural period of the actuator. An inkjet head that supplies a plurality of drive pulses so that 13. The ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric element is set to 0.5 μm to 5 μm. 14. An inkjet comprising: the inkjet head according to claim 1; and a relative moving unit that relatively moves the inkjet head and a recording medium when the inkjet head discharges ink. Expression recording device.