JP2008132658A - Liquid droplet delivery apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress generation of cross-talk and deterioration of the quality of an image even when liquid droplets are delivered from a plurality of ejectors whose liquid feeding flow paths are common. <P>SOLUTION: Image data are developed and a position where liquid droplets are approximately simultaneously switched is extracted by a plurality of the ejectors arranged in the same branch (100). Whether the number of the ejectors in which approximately simultaneously delivered liquid droplets are switched in the same branch is larger than the threshold value or not is judged (102). When it is larger than the threshold value, based on the number of the ejectors in which the liquid droplets are simultaneously switched in the same branch, the amount of the cross-talk is estimated (103). Then, in accordance with the estimated amount of the cross-talk, the image shown by the image data is corrected so as to extend and contract in the paper sending direction, and the number of the ejectors in which the timing of switching large droplets to small droplets is approximately the same is made smaller than the threshold value (104), and based on the corrected image data, printing processing is performed (106). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a droplet discharge device, and more particularly to a droplet discharge device that discharges droplets from a plurality of ejectors having a common droplet supply path.

  Conventionally, there is a demand for a recording head equipped with more ejectors for faster printing. On the other hand, in order to reduce the size, it is required to reduce the size of the recording head, and a matrix type ink jet recording head in which more ejectors are arranged in a small area is known.

  In this matrix type ink jet recording head, in order to arrange a plurality of ejectors in as small an area as possible, it is necessary to narrow the width of a tributary that is a common ink supply path for supplying ink to each ejector.

  However, this tributary width greatly contributes to the damper ability to reduce crosstalk that occurs when ink is ejected from the ejector. If the tributary width is narrowed to reduce the size, crosstalk occurs. The image quality will deteriorate.

In order to prevent the occurrence of crosstalk, there is known an ink jet print head driving method in which a piezoelectric element is divided into a plurality of blocks and time-division driving is performed (Patent Document 1). This method prevents a voltage drop that depends on the number of piezoelectric elements that are simultaneously driven as crosstalk on the electric circuit.
JP-A-5-84902

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when time-division driving is performed in one-pass printing, it is necessary to shift several dots to prevent the occurrence of crosstalk, which causes gaps and streak image quality defects. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. Even when liquid droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejectors having a common liquid supply channel, the occurrence of crosstalk is suppressed, and image quality is improved. An object of the present invention is to provide a droplet discharge device capable of suppressing deterioration.

  In order to achieve the above object, a droplet discharge device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a pressure chamber filled with a discharge liquid, a nozzle provided in the pressure chamber and discharging a droplet, and the A plurality of ejectors each including a piezoelectric element that discharges a droplet from the nozzle by changing the pressure in the pressure chamber, and a droplet discharge having a liquid supply channel that commonly supplies a discharge liquid to each of the plurality of ejectors. A liquid droplet ejection control means for controlling the liquid droplet ejection head to eject liquid droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data; and a liquid droplet ejection from the plurality of ejectors by the liquid droplet ejection control means. Determining means for determining whether or not crosstalk occurs when the ejectors interfere with each other, and when the determination means determines that the crosstalk occurs. When the droplet discharge control means discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, the discharge frequency for discharging the droplets is made lower than the discharge frequency when the crosstalk occurs. And a frequency lowering means.

  According to the droplet discharge device of the first invention, when the determination unit causes the droplet discharge control unit to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors, whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other. Determine whether.

  When the determination unit determines that crosstalk occurs, the frequency reduction unit discharges droplets when the droplet discharge control unit discharges droplets from a plurality of ejectors based on the image data. Is lower than the discharge frequency when crosstalk occurs.

  Accordingly, when it is determined that crosstalk occurs, even if droplets are discharged from a plurality of ejectors having a common liquid supply channel by reducing the discharge frequency for discharging the droplets, Can be suppressed, and deterioration of image quality can be suppressed.

  Here, the crosstalk means that when the droplets ejected from a plurality of ejectors having a common liquid supply channel are switched at almost the same time, the ejectors fluidly interfere with each other. This is a phenomenon that affects the droplet speed and droplet volume of the ejected droplets. Note that the crosstalk increases as the difference in the size of the switching droplets increases. In addition, depending on the design of the recording head, this may occur even when switching from non-ejection to ejection and from ejection to non-ejection, so there is a possibility that this may occur even in a recording head that ejects only one type of liquid droplet.

  The droplet discharge device according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes detection means for detecting a position where crosstalk occurs, and the frequency reduction means controls droplet discharge when the determination means determines that crosstalk occurs. When the droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors to the position detected by the detection unit based on the image data, the ejection frequency for ejecting the droplets is lower than the ejection frequency when the crosstalk occurs. be able to. As a result, when droplets are ejected to a position where crosstalk occurs, the ejection frequency is lowered, so that printing can be performed efficiently.

  The droplet discharge device according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes a predicting unit that predicts the degree of occurrence of crosstalk, and the frequency reducing unit is configured to detect droplets when the determination unit determines that crosstalk occurs. When discharging droplets from a plurality of ejectors based on the image data by the discharge control means, the discharge frequency for discharging the droplets is determined according to the degree of occurrence of the crosstalk predicted by the prediction means. It can be made lower than the discharge frequency when this occurs. Thereby, since the discharge frequency is lowered according to the degree of occurrence of crosstalk, the occurrence of crosstalk can be reliably suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a droplet discharge device, comprising: a pressure chamber filled with a discharge liquid; a nozzle provided in the pressure chamber; and a pressure of the pressure chamber being changed. A plurality of ejectors each including a piezoelectric element that ejects droplets of a plurality of types according to the pressure from the nozzle; and a liquid supply channel that supplies a discharge liquid to each of the plurality of ejectors in common. A droplet discharge control unit that controls the droplet discharge head to discharge any of the plurality of types of droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data; and Determining means for determining whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other when droplets are discharged from the plurality of ejectors by the droplet discharge control means; and When it is determined that a loss talk occurs, when the droplet discharge control unit discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, the pressure changes according to the size of the droplets to be discharged; In this way, it is configured to include drive waveform control means for changing the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element in order to eject the droplet.

  According to the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the second invention, whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other when the liquid droplet ejection control unit ejects liquid droplets from the plurality of ejectors by the determination unit. Determine whether.

  When the determination unit determines that crosstalk occurs, when the droplet discharge control unit causes the droplet discharge control unit to discharge droplets from a plurality of ejectors based on the image data, the size of the droplet to be discharged is determined. The drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element is changed in order to discharge the droplet so that the pressure changes according to the change.

  Therefore, by changing the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element in order to eject a droplet so that the pressure changes according to the size of the ejected droplet when it is determined that crosstalk will occur. Even when liquid droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejectors having a common liquid supply flow path, the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed and image quality deterioration can be suppressed.

  The droplet discharge device according to the second aspect of the present invention further includes detection means for detecting a position where crosstalk occurs, and the drive waveform control means discharges droplets when the determination means determines that crosstalk occurs. When the droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors to the positions detected by the detection unit based on the image data by the control unit, the droplets are changed so that the pressure changes according to the size of the droplets to be ejected. It is possible to change the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element in order to discharge. As a result, when a droplet is ejected to a position where crosstalk occurs, the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element to eject the droplet so that the pressure changes according to the size of the ejected droplet Therefore, the occurrence of crosstalk can be reliably suppressed.

  The droplet discharge device according to the second aspect of the present invention further includes a predicting unit that predicts the degree of occurrence of crosstalk, and the drive waveform control unit discharges droplets when the determination unit determines that crosstalk occurs. When discharging droplets from a plurality of ejectors based on the image data by the control unit, the pressure corresponding to the size of the droplet to be discharged depends on the degree of occurrence of the crosstalk predicted by the prediction unit. The drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element in order to eject droplets can be changed so as to change. Thereby, in order to change the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element in order to eject the droplets so that the pressure changes according to the size of the droplets to be ejected according to the degree of occurrence of crosstalk, The occurrence of crosstalk can be reliably suppressed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a droplet discharge device, comprising: a pressure chamber filled with a discharge liquid; a nozzle provided in the pressure chamber; A plurality of ejectors each including a piezoelectric element that ejects liquid droplets from the nozzle, a liquid droplet ejection head having a liquid supply channel that supplies a common ejection liquid to each of the plurality of ejectors, and cooling the ejection liquid Cooling means for controlling the liquid droplet ejection head to eject liquid droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on image data, and the plurality of ejectors by the liquid droplet ejection control means And determining means for determining whether or not crosstalk occurs when the ejectors interfere with each other when the liquid droplets are ejected from the ejector, and determining that the crosstalk is generated by the determining means. In this case, when droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data by the droplet ejection control means, the temperature of the ejection liquid is made lower than the temperature at which the crosstalk occurs. And cooling control means for cooling the discharged liquid by the cooling means.

  According to the droplet discharge device of the third invention, when the determination unit causes the droplet discharge control unit to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors, whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other. Determine whether.

  When the determination unit determines that crosstalk occurs, when the droplet discharge control unit discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, the cooling control unit causes the temperature of the discharged liquid to crosstalk. The discharged liquid is cooled by the cooling means so as to be lower than the temperature at which this occurs.

  Therefore, when it is determined that crosstalk will occur, the liquid droplets are discharged from a plurality of ejectors having a common liquid supply flow path by cooling the liquid discharge so that the temperature of the liquid discharge decreases. However, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of crosstalk and suppress the deterioration of image quality.

  The droplet discharge device according to a third aspect of the present invention further includes detection means for detecting a position where crosstalk occurs, and the cooling control means controls droplet discharge when the determination means determines that crosstalk occurs. The cooling means so that the temperature of the ejected liquid is lower than the temperature at which crosstalk occurs when the liquid droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors to the positions detected by the detecting means based on the image data. Thus, the discharged liquid can be cooled. As a result, when the liquid droplets are ejected to a position where the crosstalk occurs, the ejection liquid is cooled so that the temperature of the ejection liquid is lowered, so that the occurrence of crosstalk can be reliably suppressed.

  The droplet discharge device according to the third aspect of the present invention further includes a predicting unit that predicts the degree of occurrence of crosstalk, and the cooling control unit detects a droplet when the determination unit determines that crosstalk occurs. When discharging droplets from a plurality of ejectors based on image data by the discharge control means, the crosstalk predicted by the prediction means is set so that the temperature of the discharge liquid is lower than the temperature at which crosstalk occurs. The discharged liquid can be cooled by the cooling means in accordance with the degree of occurrence of this. As a result, when discharging droplets from a plurality of ejectors, the discharge liquid is cooled according to the degree of occurrence of crosstalk so that the temperature of the discharge liquid is lowered. be able to.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a droplet discharge device, comprising: a pressure chamber filled with a discharge liquid; a nozzle provided in the pressure chamber; A plurality of ejectors each including a piezoelectric element that ejects droplets from the nozzle; a droplet ejection head having a liquid supply channel that commonly supplies ejection liquid to each of the plurality of ejectors; and based on image data A droplet discharge control means for controlling the droplet discharge head so as to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors; and when the droplet discharge control means discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors, Determining means for determining whether or not crosstalk in which ejectors interfere with each other, and the size of a droplet to be ejected when the determining means determines that the crosstalk is to occur The image data is corrected so that the number of the ejectors switched within a predetermined time is equal to or less than a predetermined number, and droplets are discharged from the plurality of ejectors based on the corrected image data by the droplet discharge control means. Image correction means for causing the image to be corrected.

  According to the droplet discharge device of the fourth invention, whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other when the determination unit causes the droplet discharge control unit to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors. Determine whether.

  If the determination unit determines that crosstalk occurs, the image correction unit corrects the image data so that the number of ejected droplets is switched within a predetermined time. Then, the droplet discharge control means discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the corrected image data.

  Therefore, when it is determined that crosstalk occurs, the liquid supply flow is corrected by correcting the image data so that the number of ejected droplets is switched within a predetermined time. Even when droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejectors having a common path, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of crosstalk and suppress the deterioration of image quality.

  The image correction means according to the fourth aspect of the invention corrects the image indicated by the image data by expanding or contracting so that the number of ejectors that change the size of the ejected droplets within a predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined number. be able to. As a result, the ejector corresponding to each pixel indicated by the image data is changed, and the number of ejectors in which the size of the ejected droplet is switched within a predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined number, thereby suppressing the occurrence of crosstalk. it can.

  In addition, the image correction means according to the fourth invention shifts and corrects the image indicated by the image data so that the number of ejectors whose ejected droplet size changes within a predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined number. Can do. As a result, the ejector corresponding to each pixel indicated by the image data is changed, and the number of ejectors in which the size of the ejected droplet is switched within a predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined number, thereby suppressing the occurrence of crosstalk. it can.

  In addition, the image correction means according to the fourth aspect of the present invention provides the size of the droplet in the image indicated by the image data so that the number of ejectors in which the size of the ejected droplet switches within a predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined number. It is possible to correct a pixel value of a pixel at a position where the position is switched or a pixel immediately before the position is switched. As a result, the position where the size of the droplet changes is changed, and the number of ejectors where the size of the ejected droplet changes within a predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined number, so that the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed.

  The determination means measures, based on the image data, the number of ejectors in which the size of the droplets ejected within a predetermined time is switched in a plurality of ejectors to which the ejected liquid is commonly supplied from the liquid supply channel. It is possible to determine whether or not crosstalk occurs when droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control unit based on the number measured by the measurement unit.

  The droplet discharge device further includes a reading unit that reads an image printed on a recording sheet, and the determination unit causes the droplet discharge control unit to discharge droplets from a plurality of ejectors based on the image data. Then, the recording sheet is printed, the image printed on the recording sheet is read by the reading unit, and the droplet discharge control unit discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image read by the reading unit. Sometimes it can be determined whether or not crosstalk occurs.

  In addition, when the droplet discharge device causes the droplet discharge control unit to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, the displacement of the meniscus of any one of the plurality of ejectors is changed. The apparatus further includes a meniscus measurement unit for measuring, and the determination unit detects crosstalk when droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control unit based on the displacement of the meniscus measured by the meniscus measurement unit. It can be determined whether or not it occurs.

  The droplet discharge head described above can have a recording paper width. As a result, even when the droplet discharge head cannot perform multi-scanning, the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the droplet discharge device of the present invention, when it is determined that crosstalk occurs, the discharge frequency is decreased, the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element is changed, the discharge liquid is cooled, and the image is displayed. By performing one of the data corrections, even when droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejectors having a common liquid supply flow path, the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed and image quality deterioration can be suppressed. The effect of is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes an ink jet head array 14 that ejects ink droplets onto a recording paper P. Within the inkjet head array 14, four long inkjet recording heads 12 corresponding to four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided in the transport direction. The full-color image can be recorded. Further, the inkjet recording head 12 has a so-called FWA (Full Width Array) on the length in which the effective recording area is equal to or larger than the width of the recording paper P (the length in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction).

  A paper feed tray 76 is detachably provided at the bottom of the ink jet recording apparatus 10, and recording paper P is loaded on the paper feed tray 76, and a pick-up roll 78 is placed on the uppermost recording paper P. Are in contact. The recording paper P is fed one by one from the paper feed tray 76 to the downstream side in the transport direction by the pick-up roll 78, and is fed below the inkjet head array 14 by the transport rolls 80 and 82 disposed in order along the transport path. Paper.

  Further, an endless conveyance belt 84 is disposed below the inkjet head array 14, and the conveyance belt 84 is stretched around a drive roll 86 and a driven roll 88. The driven roll 88 is grounded.

  Further, on the upstream side of the position where the recording paper P contacts the conveyance belt 84, a charging roll 92 to which a DC power supply device 90 for supplying DC power is connected is disposed. The charging roll 92 is driven while sandwiching the conveyance belt 84 with the driven roll 88, and is movable between a contact position that contacts the conveyance belt 84 and a separation position that is separated from the conveyance belt 84. At the contact position, a predetermined potential difference is generated between the driven roll 88 and the ground, so that the transport belt 84 is discharged and given an electric charge.

  Further, on the upstream side of the charging roll 92, a static elimination roll 94 for neutralizing the charge charged on the transport belt 84 is provided.

  A plurality of discharge roll pairs 96 constituting a discharge path for the recording paper P are provided on the downstream side of the inkjet head array 14, and a discharge tray 98 is provided at the end of the discharge path formed by the discharge roll pairs 96. Is provided.

  Further, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 is provided with a control unit 62 as a droplet discharge control unit including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control unit 62 drives the inkjet head array 14 and various rolls. The entire inkjet recording apparatus 10 including a plurality of motors (not shown) is controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet recording head 12 includes a main flow 26 disposed along a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction indicated by an arrow a, and a tributary 24 as a liquid supply channel branched from the main flow 26. And an ejector 22 connected to the tributary 24. The direction of the tributary 4 is substantially parallel to the paper transport direction a. A plurality of ejectors 22 are connected to the branch 24 so that ink is supplied in common. As shown in FIG. 3, the ejector 22 includes a pressure chamber 56, a nozzle 58, an ink supply port 52 that connects the pressure chamber 56 and the tributary 24, and a piezoelectric element 60.

  A part of the wall surface of the pressure chamber 56 is composed of a diaphragm 56A, and the diaphragm 56A is provided with a piezoelectric element 60. The piezoelectric element 60 deforms and vibrates the diaphragm 56A, thereby changing the pressure in the pressure chamber 56. Occurs. That is, ink filled in the pressure chamber 56 is ejected from the nozzle 58 as ink droplets due to a pressure change generated by the vibration of the piezoelectric element 60. Also, ink droplets (large droplets, small droplets) of a plurality of types corresponding to the pressure change are ejected from the nozzle 58.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, general operations of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 will be described. When printing processing is performed by the inkjet recording apparatus 10, based on the input image data, the ejector 22 of the inkjet recording head 12 generates a drive waveform corresponding to the size of the ink droplet ejected to the corresponding dot, A pressure change is generated in the pressure chamber 56 by being applied to the piezoelectric element 60 of each ejector 22, and an ink droplet having a size corresponding to the pressure change is ejected from the nozzle 58 of the ejector 22.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the positions of the nozzles 58 of the adjacent ejectors 22 in the same tributary 24 projected in the direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction is the maximum resolution in the horizontal direction. The distance between the positions of the adjacent nozzles 58 projected in the paper feed direction is, for example, a distance corresponding to a maximum resolution of 10 dots in the paper feed direction.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, when the ink droplets ejected almost simultaneously are switched from a large droplet to a small droplet by a plurality of ejectors 22 provided in the same tributary 24, crosstalk occurs at the position where the droplet is switched to a small droplet. As a result, white spots, landing deviation, drop diameter variation, and the like occur. Here, “substantially simultaneous” means being within a time range of ½ of the maximum drive frequency of the inkjet recording head 12 within a predetermined time. Note that, depending on the design of the ink jet recording head, the time range of almost the same time changes, so that the time range is not limited to ½ of the maximum drive frequency.

  Next, the contents of the print processing routine executed by the control unit 62 of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 100, image data is developed, and positions at which droplet types are switched almost simultaneously are extracted by a plurality of ejectors 22 arranged in the same tributary 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, 1, 2, 3,... Corresponding to alphabetical addresses A to O corresponding to the position of the nozzle 58 of the ejector 22 and the dot position in the paper feed direction in the image data. It is possible to extract the position at which the droplet types of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 58 of the ejector 22 arranged in the same tributary 24 are switched almost simultaneously.

  In step 102, the greater the number of adjacent ejectors 22 that are driven simultaneously, the greater the degree of occurrence of crosstalk. Therefore, an ejector that can switch ink droplets ejected from large droplets to small droplets in the same tributary 24 almost simultaneously. It is determined whether the number 22 is greater than the threshold value. Here, the threshold value may be determined based on the design value of the inkjet recording head 12 and the shipping inspection result. As a condition where crosstalk is not allowed, the number of allowable simultaneous switching ejectors is obtained in advance, and this value is set as the threshold value. And it is sufficient.

  If it is below the threshold value in step 102 above, it is determined that crosstalk does not occur, and the process proceeds to step 106 where printing processing is performed based on the image data. Is determined that crosstalk occurs, and in step 103, the cross indicates the degree of occurrence of crosstalk based on the number of ejectors 22 that switch the droplet types discharged from the large droplet to the small droplet almost simultaneously in the same tributary 24. Predict the amount of talk.

  In step 104, the image indicated by the image data is corrected so as to expand and contract in the paper feed direction according to the predicted crosstalk amount.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the timing T at which the ink droplets are ejected by each ejector 22 is expressed by a number, at T = 31, the ink droplets ejected from all the ejectors 22 simultaneously change from a large droplet to a small droplet. In the case of switching image data, the effect of crosstalk occurs around T = 31 to 34. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the image indicated by the image data is corrected so as to be expanded or contracted in the paper feed direction. The number of ejectors 22 at which the timing of switching to droplets is almost the same is set to a threshold value or less.

  In step 106, a printing process is performed based on the image data corrected in step 104, and the printing process routine is terminated.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment, when it is determined that crosstalk occurs, the number of ejectors whose ink droplet sizes are switched almost simultaneously is the threshold. By correcting the image data so that the value is less than or equal to the value, even when ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejectors having a common tributary, the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed and image quality deterioration can be suppressed. it can.

  In addition, by expanding and contracting the image data, the ejector corresponding to each pixel indicated by the image data is changed, and the number of ejectors in which the sizes of the ejected ink droplets are switched almost simultaneously becomes less than the threshold value. Occurrence can be suppressed.

  Further, the present invention is effective for an ink jet recording head configured to perform one-pass printing with FWA, and can suppress occurrence of crosstalk even when multi-scan cannot be performed.

  In addition, the width of the tributary is narrowed for downsizing, and even if the damper performance is at a level where crosstalk occurs, by correcting the image data, the occurrence of crosstalk is suppressed and the deterioration of image quality is suppressed. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where correction is performed so that the image indicated by the image data is expanded or contracted has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and correction is performed so that the image indicated by the image data is expanded. Thus, the number of ejectors at which the timing of switching from a large drop to a small drop is almost the same may be set to a threshold value or less.

  In addition, in the common tributary, the case where the number of ejectors that are almost simultaneously switched from a large drop to a small drop is measured and the presence or absence of crosstalk is determined has been described as an example. Whether or not crosstalk has occurred may be determined based on the number of ejectors whose switching timings are substantially the same.

  Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the image indicated by the image data is corrected by shifting by a predetermined pixel.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, when the print processing routine is executed and the number of ejectors 22 for switching the droplet type from the large droplet to the small droplet almost simultaneously in the same tributary 24 is larger than the threshold value. Is determined that crosstalk will occur, predicts the amount of crosstalk, and corrects the image indicated by the image data by shifting it by a predetermined pixel in the direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction according to the predicted amount of crosstalk. .

  For example, in the image data shown in FIG. 8 described above, the influence of crosstalk occurs around T = 31 to 34. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the image data is shifted by one pixel in the direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction. And the number of ejectors 22 at which the timing of switching from a large drop to a small drop is almost the same is made equal to or less than a threshold value.

  In this way, by correcting the image indicated by the image data by shifting, the ejector corresponding to each pixel indicated by the image data is changed, and the number of ejectors in which the sizes of the ejected ink droplets are switched almost simultaneously is equal to or less than the threshold value. Therefore, occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed, and deterioration of image quality can be suppressed. In particular, the invention according to the present embodiment is effective in the case of line drawing or solid printing for one branch stream.

  Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the pixel value of a pixel at a predetermined position of an image indicated by image data is corrected to correct the droplet type of the predetermined pixel.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment, when the number of ejectors 22 that execute the print processing routine and switch the droplet types to be ejected almost simultaneously in the same tributary 24 is larger than the threshold value, The pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the position at which the droplet types ejected from the ejectors 22 greater than the threshold value in the same tributary 24 are switched from large droplets to small droplets at the same time or just before the switching is determined as the occurrence of talk. To correct the droplet type to be discharged.

  For example, in the image data shown in FIG. 8 described above, all ejectors 22 are simultaneously switched from large droplets to small droplets at T = 31, and the influence of crosstalk occurs around T = 31 to 34. Therefore, as shown in FIG. In addition, the pixel value of the pixel at the position immediately before switching (T = 30) of the ejector 22 at which the droplet type is switched simultaneously in the same tributary 24 is changed from the pixel value at which the large droplet is discharged to the pixel value at which the small droplet is discharged. The timing for switching from a large droplet to a small droplet is changed, and the number of ejectors 22 at which the timing for switching from a large droplet to a small droplet is almost the same is set to be equal to or less than a threshold value.

  In this way, by correcting the pixel value of the pixel at the position immediately before switching at least one of the ejectors whose droplet types are switched almost simultaneously in the same tributary, the ejector corresponding to the corrected pixel is corrected by correcting the droplet type. The timing at which the size of the ink droplet changes changes, and the number of ejectors at which the size of the ejected ink droplet changes almost at the same time is less than or equal to the threshold value, so that the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the pixel value of the pixel immediately before the drop type is changed is corrected to correct the drop type and the timing at which the drop type is changed is described as an example. However, the drop type is changed. The pixel value of the pixel at the position may be corrected to correct the droplet type, and the timing at which the droplet type is switched may be delayed.

  In addition, by combining the image data correction methods of the first to third embodiments, the number of ejectors in which the sizes of the ejected ink droplets are switched almost simultaneously is less than or equal to the threshold value. In addition, the image data may be corrected.

  Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the paper feed speed is lowered and the discharge frequency is lowered at the crosstalk occurrence position.

  A print processing routine according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the process similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, in step 100, the input image data is developed to extract a position for switching from a large drop to a small drop almost simultaneously, and in step 102, a drop type is changed from a large drop to a small drop almost simultaneously in the same tributary 24. It is determined whether the number of ejectors 22 to be switched is greater than a threshold value. If it is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, it is determined that crosstalk does not occur, and the process proceeds to step 408. On the other hand, if it is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that crosstalk occurs. With reference to the prediction table, the crosstalk occurrence position and the crosstalk amount are predicted for the input image data. The crosstalk amount prediction table includes items of “number of simultaneously switching nozzles”, “nozzle position”, “droplet type to be switched”, “generated crosstalk amount”, and “occurrence position”, and is extracted in step 100. The “number of generated crosstalk” and “occurrence position” corresponding to the “number of simultaneously switching nozzles”, “nozzle position”, and “droplet type to be switched” are obtained.

  In step 402, based on the crosstalk occurrence position and the amount of crosstalk predicted in step 400, the paper feed speed deceleration start position and deceleration end position are calculated.

  For example, if the number of simultaneous switching ejectors is 30 and switching from a large droplet to a small droplet at time t = t0, if the amount of crosstalk is determined to be “strong” during three stages, Thus, a timing ts = t0 + ta representing the deceleration start position and a timing te = t0 + tb representing the deceleration end position are calculated.

  In step 404, a deceleration level corresponding to the crosstalk amount is selected. In step 406, a discharge frequency corresponding to the selected deceleration level is selected. In step 408, a printing process is performed based on the image data. Then, the print processing routine ends. In this printing process, the paper feed speed of the recording paper is reduced to a selected deceleration level (for example, 1/2 of the normal paper feed speed) from the deceleration start position calculated in step 402 to the deceleration end position. At the same time, the conveyance belt 84 is controlled, and the ink jet recording head 12 is caused to eject ink droplets by reducing the selected ejection frequency (for example, ½ of the normal ejection frequency). Preferably, during the printing process, it is determined whether or not there is a corresponding portion at the N line destination. If there is a corresponding portion at the N line destination, the ejection frequency and the paper feed speed are synchronized stepwise or continuously. Then, after exceeding the corresponding position, the normal discharge frequency and the paper feed speed are similarly returned stepwise or continuously.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the higher the ejection frequency, the greater the ink flow rate in the tributary and the more likely to generate crosstalk. In this case, by reducing the paper feed speed and reducing the ejection frequency for ejecting ink droplets, crosstalk can be generated even when ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of ejectors having a common tributary. And deterioration of image quality can be suppressed.

  Further, since the ejection frequency is lowered only when ink droplets are ejected to a position where crosstalk occurs, printing can be performed efficiently.

  Further, since the discharge frequency is lowered according to the amount of crosstalk, the occurrence of crosstalk can be reliably suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, referring to the crosstalk amount prediction table, “the amount of generated crosstalk” and “occurrence” corresponding to “the number of simultaneously switching nozzles”, “nozzle positions”, and “droplet types to be switched”. The case of obtaining the “position” has been described as an example, but “ink temperature (viscosity)”, “number of simultaneous switching tributaries” and the like are added as items of the crosstalk amount prediction table, and “ink temperature (viscosity)” and “ You may make it obtain | require "the amount of generated crosstalk" and "generation position" corresponding to the number of simultaneous switching branches.

  Moreover, although the case where the crosstalk amount is obtained with reference to the crosstalk amount prediction table has been described as an example, as shown in FIG. 13, the nozzle An that is in a certain tributary is changed to An that is simultaneously switched in the vicinity. The crosstalk amount may be predicted by a theoretical formula or an empirical formula based on the total index 2 · l1 + 2 · l2 + 2 · l3 +. In addition, it is more preferable to add temperature, tributary position, frequency, and drop volume to the above index.

  In addition, when the inkjet recording head is configured to be movable in the scanning direction, the paper feed speed and the carriage feed speed may be slowed, and the discharge frequency may be lowered to suppress the occurrence of crosstalk. .

  Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the drive voltage of the ejector is changed at the crosstalk occurrence position.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, when the number of the ejectors 22 that execute the print processing routine and switch the droplet type from the large droplet to the small droplet almost simultaneously in the same tributary 24 is larger than the threshold value. First, it is determined that crosstalk occurs, and the crosstalk generation position and the crosstalk amount are predicted for the image data with reference to the crosstalk amount prediction table.

  Then, the drive voltage applied to the ejector is determined so as to change the pressure in the pressure chamber 56 in accordance with the size of the ink droplet to be ejected, in accordance with the predicted amount of crosstalk. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, at a position where crosstalk where the density is high occurs, it is determined that the drive voltage of the ejector is lowered according to the amount of crosstalk, and at a position where crosstalk where the density becomes low is generated, It is determined to increase the drive voltage of the ejector according to the amount of crosstalk.

  In the printing process based on the image data, the drive waveform is changed from the normal drive waveform to the drive voltage determined from the normal drive waveform at the crosstalk occurrence position, the ejector is applied, and the ink droplets are ejected from the inkjet recording head 12. .

  As described above, when it is determined that crosstalk occurs, the tributary flow is changed by changing the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element of the ejector so that the pressure changes according to the size of the ejected ink droplet. Even when ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of common ejectors, the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed and deterioration in image quality can be suppressed.

  In addition, when ejecting ink droplets at a position where crosstalk occurs, the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element of the ejector is changed so that the pressure changes according to the size of the ejected ink droplet. The occurrence of talk can be reliably suppressed.

  In addition, since the drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element of the ejector is changed so that the pressure changes according to the size of the ink droplet to be ejected according to the amount of crosstalk, the occurrence of crosstalk is reliably suppressed. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the drive voltage is changed so as to change the pressure according to the size of the ink droplet to be ejected has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the drive waveform is not limited thereto. By changing the pulse width, the pressure may be changed according to the size of the ejected ink droplet.

  Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a Peltier element for cooling the ink in the ejector is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the inkjet recording head 512 of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment has a Peltier element 514 for cooling the ink in the ejector 22 and a temperature in the vicinity of the ejector 22. Temperature sensor 516 and a good heat conduction member 518 made of copper for transmitting cooling heat of the Peltier element 514 to each ejector 22 are provided.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, when the number of the ejectors 22 that execute the print processing routine and switch the droplet types almost simultaneously in the same tributary 24 is larger than the threshold value, the normal temperature It is determined that crosstalk occurs, and the crosstalk generation position and the crosstalk amount are predicted for the image data with reference to the crosstalk amount prediction table.

  In the printing process based on the image data, the Peltier element 514 is driven in advance according to the amount of crosstalk so that the ink in the ejector 22 has a temperature at which crosstalk does not occur at the position where the crosstalk occurs. Ink in the ejector 22 is cooled, and ink droplets are ejected from the ejector 22 onto the recording paper P while the ink is cooled at the position where the crosstalk occurs. The temperature at which crosstalk does not occur is experimentally determined in advance for each crosstalk amount. When ink is cooled, the temperature at which crosstalk does not occur based on the temperature sensor 516 and the crosstalk amount. It cools with the Peltier element 514 so that it may become.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, the higher the temperature of the ink in the ejector and the lower the ink viscosity, the more easily the influence at the time of ink ejection propagates through the tributary. Since it is easy for talk to occur, when it is determined that cross talk will occur, the ink droplets from multiple ejectors with common tributaries are cooled by cooling the ink with a Peltier element so that the temperature of the ink in the ejector decreases. Even when the ink is discharged, the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed and the deterioration of the image quality can be suppressed.

  Also, if it is determined that crosstalk will occur, crosstalk will occur because the Peltier element cools the ink so that the temperature of the ink in the ejector will drop when ejecting ink droplets to the crosstalk position. Can be reliably suppressed.

  In addition, when it is determined that crosstalk will occur, when ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejectors, the ink is cooled according to the amount of crosstalk so that the temperature of the ink in the ejector is lowered. Can be reliably suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the Peltier element is driven so as to lower the temperature of the ink in the ejector when the ink droplet is ejected to the crosstalk occurrence position has been described as an example. In this case, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes equal to or higher than the specified temperature, the Peltier element may be driven to cool the ink in the ejector. In this case, for the specified temperature, a temperature at which crosstalk does not occur is experimentally obtained in advance, and the obtained temperature may be set as the specified temperature.

  Further, during the printing process, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor rises above the specified temperature, the printing operation may be stopped and returned to within the specified temperature, and then the printing operation may be resumed. Alternatively, a temperature increase may be detected and the printing operation may be delayed so as not to exceed the specified temperature.

  Further, the case where the ink in the ejector is cooled so as to decrease to a temperature at which crosstalk does not occur has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when ejecting ink droplets to the position where crosstalk occurs The ink may be cooled by a Peltier element so that the temperature of the ink is lower than usual.

  If it is determined that crosstalk will occur, the correction of image data in the first to third embodiments described above, the decrease in paper feed speed and the ejection in the fourth embodiment described above. The occurrence of crosstalk may be suppressed by combining frequency reduction, changing the drive voltage of the ejector of the fifth embodiment, and cooling the ink in the ejector of the sixth embodiment. .

  Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a seventh embodiment will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the seventh embodiment, the first embodiment is provided with a scanner that reads an image printed on a recording sheet, and detects the occurrence position and the amount of crosstalk based on the image read by the scanner. It is different from the form.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the ink jet recording apparatus 710 according to the seventh embodiment reads an image printed on the recording paper P above the transport belt 84 and downstream of the ink jet head array 14. A scanner 712 is provided.

  Next, a print processing routine according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the process similar to 1st Embodiment and 4th Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, in step 100, the image data is developed to extract a position for switching from a substantially large drop to a small drop, and in step 102, the number of ejectors 22 that switch drop types almost simultaneously in the same tributary is as follows. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the threshold value. If it is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that crosstalk does not occur, and the process proceeds to step 408. On the other hand, if it is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that crosstalk occurs, With reference to the prediction table, the occurrence position of crosstalk in the image indicated by the image data is predicted.

  In step 752, based on the image data, print processing is performed for crosstalk detection. In step 754, the image of the crosstalk occurrence position predicted in step 750 is scanned from the printed recording paper P. Read by 712.

  In the next step 756, the crosstalk occurrence position and the amount of crosstalk are detected based on the image read in step 754. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a change in density is detected as shown in FIG. 19 for an image obtained by scanning a position where the ink droplets discharged from all the ejectors 22 of the tributary 24 are switched from a large droplet to a small droplet as shown in FIG. A portion where the density change exceeds an allowable value is detected as a crosstalk occurrence position, and a crosstalk amount is detected based on the detected density change at the crosstalk occurrence position.

  In step 758, it is determined whether there is a position detected as a crosstalk occurrence position. If there is no position detected as a crosstalk occurrence position, the process proceeds to step 408. If there is a position detected as the occurrence position, a deceleration start position and a deceleration end position of the paper feed speed are calculated in step 402 based on the detected crosstalk generation position and crosstalk amount. In step 404, a deceleration level corresponding to the crosstalk amount is selected. In step 406, a discharge frequency corresponding to the selected deceleration level is selected. In step 408, a printing process is performed based on the image data. Then, the print processing routine ends. In this printing process, the paper feed speed of the recording paper is decelerated to the selected deceleration level and reduced to the selected ejection frequency from the deceleration start position calculated in step 402 to the deceleration end position. Ink droplets are ejected from the head 12.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the seventh embodiment, the crosstalk occurrence position and the crosstalk amount are detected based on the density change of the image read from the printed recording paper. Thus, the crosstalk occurrence position and the amount of crosstalk can be detected with high accuracy.

  Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to an eighth embodiment will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the eighth embodiment, the occurrence of crosstalk occurs based on the fact that a dummy ejector is provided in the tributary other than the ejector actually used for printing, and the meniscus fluctuation amount of the nozzle of the dummy ejector. This is different from the first embodiment in that presence / absence is determined.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the inkjet recording head 812 of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the eighth embodiment is provided with a dummy ejector (not shown) at the end of the tributary 24, and the nozzle 858 of the dummy ejector is monitored. Nozzle for. Note that this dummy ejector may be configured such that an actual printing operation cannot be performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21, a laser displacement meter 820 capable of measuring the meniscus displacement is installed in front of the monitoring nozzle 858. A laser Doppler displacement meter may be installed instead of the laser displacement meter.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the eighth embodiment, during the printing process based on the image data, the meniscus position of the changing monitoring nozzle 858 is monitored by the laser displacement meter 820 as shown in FIG. When the fluctuation amount exceeds a predetermined allowable value, it is determined that crosstalk occurs, and the crosstalk amount is predicted according to the meniscus fluctuation amount. As for the allowable value, the fluctuation amount of the meniscus when crosstalk occurs is experimentally determined in advance, and the calculated value may be set as the allowable value.

  Then, the determination result of the presence / absence of crosstalk and the amount of crosstalk are fed back to the printing process, and when it is determined that crosstalk occurs, the drive voltage applied to the ejector is determined according to the amount of crosstalk. The drive waveform is changed from the drive waveform to the drive waveform determined to be the drive voltage, applied to the ejector, and ink droplets are ejected from the inkjet recording head 12.

  As described above, since the crosstalk generation position and the crosstalk amount are detected based on the meniscus fluctuation amount measured for the nozzle of the dummy ejector, the crosstalk generation position and the crosstalk amount can be detected with high accuracy. it can.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the driving voltage is changed according to the crosstalk amount based on the meniscus fluctuation amount has been described as an example, but the reverberation suppression point is determined according to the meniscus fluctuation amount and is determined. The drive waveform may be changed to a reverberation suppression point and the ejector may be applied.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink jet recording head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the ejector which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of nozzles in the ink jet recording head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an image figure for demonstrating the position where crosstalk generate | occur | produces. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the printing process routine in the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure for demonstrating the process which expand | deploys image data and extracts the position which switches a seed type simultaneously with the ejector in one branch. It is an image figure for demonstrating a mode that the ink droplet was discharged based on the image data in which crosstalk generate | occur | produces. It is an image figure for demonstrating a mode that the ink droplet was discharged based on the corrected image data. It is an image figure for demonstrating a mode that the ink droplet was discharged based on the corrected image data. It is an image figure for demonstrating a mode that the ink droplet was discharged based on the corrected image data. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the printing process routine in the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other method of estimating the amount of crosstalk in the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure for demonstrating the process which changes the drive voltage of an ejector in the printing process routine of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a bottom view which shows the structure of the inkjet recording head which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the printing process routine in the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the image read from the recording paper printed by the printing process for crosstalk detection. It is a graph which shows the density change of the image read from the recording paper. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the inkjet recording head which concerns on the 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the inkjet recording head and laser displacement meter which concern on the 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows a mode that the meniscus fluctuation amount of the nozzle for a monitor is measured with a laser displacement meter.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,710 Inkjet recording device 12, 512, 812 Inkjet recording head 14 Inkjet head array 22 Ejector 24 Tributary 26 Main stream 52 Ink supply port 56 Pressure chamber 58, 858 Nozzle 60 Piezoelectric element 62 Control part 84 Conveying belt 514 Peltier element 516 Temperature sensor 712 Scanner 820 Laser displacement meter P Recording paper

Claims (17)

A pressure chamber filled with a discharge liquid; a nozzle provided in the pressure chamber; a nozzle for discharging a droplet; and a piezoelectric element for changing the pressure in the pressure chamber to discharge the droplet from the nozzle. A plurality of ejectors provided, and a liquid droplet ejection head having a liquid supply channel for commonly supplying ejection liquid to each of the plurality of ejectors;
A droplet discharge control means for controlling the droplet discharge head to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on image data;
A determination unit that determines whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other when droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control unit;
When it is determined by the determination means that the crosstalk occurs, when the droplet discharge control means discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, the discharge frequency for discharging the droplets is set. , A frequency lowering means for lowering the discharge frequency when the crosstalk occurs,
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus including: It further comprises detection means for detecting a position where the crosstalk occurs,
The frequency lowering unit, when it is determined by the determining unit that the crosstalk occurs, from the plurality of ejectors to positions detected by the detecting unit based on the image data by the droplet discharge control unit. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the liquid droplets are ejected, the ejection frequency for ejecting the liquid droplets is lower than the ejection frequency when the crosstalk occurs. Predicting means for predicting the degree of occurrence of the crosstalk;
The frequency lowering unit, when the determination unit determines that the crosstalk occurs, when the droplet discharge control unit discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data. The droplet discharge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a discharge frequency at which the droplet is discharged is lower than a discharge frequency at which the crosstalk is generated in accordance with a degree of occurrence of the crosstalk predicted by the prediction unit. apparatus. A pressure chamber filled with a discharge liquid, a nozzle provided in the pressure chamber, a liquid discharge nozzle, and a plurality of types of liquids corresponding to the pressure by changing the pressure in the pressure chamber A plurality of ejectors each including a piezoelectric element that ejects droplets from the nozzle; and a droplet ejection head having a liquid supply channel that commonly supplies ejection liquid to each of the plurality of ejectors;
A droplet discharge control means for controlling the droplet discharge head so as to discharge any of the plurality of types of droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on image data;
A determination unit that determines whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other when droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control unit;
When it is determined by the determining means that the crosstalk occurs, when the droplet discharge control means discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, it depends on the size of the droplet to be discharged. Driving waveform control means for changing a driving waveform applied to the piezoelectric element in order to discharge the droplet so as to change the pressure;
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus including: It further comprises detection means for detecting a position where the crosstalk occurs,
When the determination unit determines that the crosstalk occurs, the drive waveform control unit detects the plurality of ejectors at positions detected by the detection unit based on the image data by the droplet discharge control unit. The drive waveform applied to the piezoelectric element to eject the droplet is changed so that the pressure changes according to the size of the ejected droplet when the droplet is ejected from the nozzle. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus described. Predicting means for predicting the degree of occurrence of the crosstalk;
The drive waveform control means, when the determination means determines that the crosstalk occurs, when the droplet discharge control means causes the droplets to be discharged from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, Depending on the degree of occurrence of the crosstalk predicted by the prediction means, the pressure is applied to the piezoelectric element so as to change the pressure according to the size of the liquid droplet to be discharged. The droplet discharge device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a driving waveform to be changed is changed. A pressure chamber filled with a discharge liquid; a nozzle provided in the pressure chamber; a nozzle for discharging a droplet; and a piezoelectric element for changing the pressure in the pressure chamber to discharge the droplet from the nozzle. A plurality of ejectors provided, and a liquid droplet ejection head having a liquid supply channel for commonly supplying ejection liquid to each of the plurality of ejectors;
Cooling means for cooling the discharged liquid;
A droplet discharge control means for controlling the droplet discharge head to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on image data;
A determination unit that determines whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other when droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control unit;
When it is determined that the crosstalk is generated by the determination unit, when the droplet discharge control unit discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, the temperature of the discharge liquid is the crosstalk. Cooling control means for cooling the discharged liquid by the cooling means so as to be lower than the temperature at which
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus including: It further comprises detection means for detecting a position where the crosstalk occurs,
When it is determined that the crosstalk is generated by the determination unit, the cooling control unit is configured to move the plurality of ejectors to positions detected by the detection unit based on the image data by the droplet discharge control unit. The droplet discharge device according to claim 7, wherein when the droplet is discharged, the discharge liquid is cooled by the cooling unit so that a temperature of the discharge liquid is lower than a temperature when the crosstalk occurs. Predicting means for predicting the degree of occurrence of the crosstalk;
The cooling control means, when it is determined by the determination means that the crosstalk is generated, when the droplet discharge control means discharges droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data. The discharged liquid is cooled by the cooling means according to the degree of occurrence of the crosstalk predicted by the prediction means so that the temperature of the liquid is lower than the temperature at which the crosstalk occurs. 9. A droplet discharge device according to 7 or 8. A pressure chamber filled with a discharge liquid; a nozzle provided in the pressure chamber; a nozzle for discharging a droplet; and a piezoelectric element for changing the pressure in the pressure chamber to discharge the droplet from the nozzle. A plurality of ejectors provided, and a liquid droplet ejection head having a liquid supply channel for commonly supplying ejection liquid to each of the plurality of ejectors;
A droplet discharge control means for controlling the droplet discharge head to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on image data;
A determination unit that determines whether or not crosstalk occurs in which the ejectors interfere with each other when droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control unit;
When it is determined by the determination means that the crosstalk occurs, the image data is corrected so that the number of ejectors in which the size of the ejected droplets changes within a predetermined time is equal to or less than a predetermined number, Image correcting means for discharging droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data corrected by the droplet discharge control means;
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus including:   The image correction means corrects an image indicated by the image data by expanding or contracting so that the number of ejectors whose size of ejected droplets changes within a predetermined time is equal to or less than a predetermined number. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus described.   The droplet according to claim 10, wherein the image correcting unit shifts and corrects an image indicated by the image data so that the number of ejectors in which the size of the ejected droplet is switched within a predetermined time is equal to or less than a predetermined number. Discharge device.   The image correction unit is configured to detect a position at which the droplet size changes in the image indicated by the image data so that the number of ejectors at which the size of the ejected droplet changes within a predetermined time is equal to or less than a predetermined number. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pixel value of a pixel or a pixel at a position immediately before switching is corrected.   The determination unit measures, based on the image data, the number of ejectors in which the size of droplets ejected within a predetermined time is switched in a plurality of ejectors to which ejected liquid is commonly supplied from the liquid supply channel. And determining whether or not crosstalk occurs when droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control unit based on the number measured by the measuring unit. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 1. It further comprises reading means for reading the image printed on the recording paper,
The determination unit causes the droplet discharge control unit to discharge droplets from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data, prints a recording sheet, and causes the reading unit to read an image printed on the recording sheet. And determining whether or not crosstalk occurs when droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control unit based on an image read by the reading unit. The droplet discharge device according to claim 13. The liquid droplet ejection control means further comprises meniscus measurement means for measuring the displacement of the meniscus of any one of the plurality of ejectors when the liquid droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors based on the image data. And
The determination means determines whether or not crosstalk occurs when droplets are ejected from the plurality of ejectors by the droplet ejection control means based on the displacement of the meniscus measured by the meniscus measurement means. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the droplet discharge device is determined.   The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid droplet ejection head has a recording paper width.

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