JP2009160827A - Minute oscillation pulse setting method and liquid delivering apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a minute oscillation pulse setting method in which a liquid is prevented from being delivered erroneously from a nozzle opening at the time of controlling minute oscillation and also a stirring effect of the liquid can be fully obtained, and to provide a liquid delivering apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The setting method passes through a delivered ink amount measuring process for measuring the delivered amount of ink delivered from the nozzle opening by setting a driving voltage of a minute oscillation pulse to an inspection voltage, a pulse width ink delivered characteristic acquiring process for acquiring a pulse width liquid delivered characteristic from each measured result obtained by executing the delivered ink amount measuring process by a plurality of the number of times while making a pulse width different, an optimum pulse width acquiring process for acquiring an optimum pulse width on the basis of the pulse width ink delivered characteristic, a pulse width characteristic acquiring process for obtaining a pulse width characteristic from each measured result when each process is carried out by a plurality of different inspection voltages, and a minute oscillation pulse setting process of setting the driving voltage of a range in which the liquid is refrained from ejection as a minute oscillation driving voltage, and setting the pulse width corresponding to the minute oscillation driving voltage as a minute oscillation pulse width. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fine vibration pulse setting method applied to a liquid ejection apparatus such as an ink jet printer and a liquid ejection apparatus, and in particular, a fine vibration pulse setting information capable of optimizing setting information of the fine vibration pulse. The present invention relates to a vibration pulse setting method and a liquid ejection apparatus.

  The liquid ejection apparatus is an apparatus that includes an ejection head and ejects various liquids from the ejection head. As a typical example of this liquid ejection apparatus, for example, an ink jet recording head as an ejection head (hereinafter simply referred to as a recording head) is provided. An image recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) that performs recording by ejecting and landing ink to form dots can be given. In recent years, this liquid ejecting apparatus is applied not only to an image recording apparatus but also to various manufacturing apparatuses such as a display manufacturing apparatus.

  In this type of liquid ejection device, since the liquid is exposed to the outside air at the nozzle opening, the liquid may thicken due to evaporation of the solvent component contained in the liquid. In order to suppress such thickening of the liquid, in this type of liquid ejection device, fine vibration control is performed to give a pressure fluctuation to the liquid in the pressure generation chamber to such an extent that the liquid is not ejected from the nozzle opening (for example, Patent Document 1). By this fine vibration control, the free surface (hereinafter referred to as meniscus) of the liquid exposed at the nozzle opening is vibrated finely, and the liquid near the nozzle opening is stirred to prevent thickening. Such fine vibration control of the meniscus is performed by applying a trapezoidal fine vibration pulse whose drive voltage is suppressed lower than the discharge pulse for discharging the liquid to the pressure generating means.

JP 2004-330524 A

  FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the configuration of the micro vibration pulse included in the drive signal. In this example, a micro head used in an ejection head that employs an electrostatic actuator configured to elastically deform an elastic surface that partitions a pressure generation chamber by electrostatic force generated between opposing electrodes to eject liquid from a nozzle opening. A vibration pulse is shown. The fine vibration pulse VP includes a fine vibration expansion element pc for expanding the pressure generation chamber from the reference volume to the fine vibration expansion volume, a fine vibration hold element ph for maintaining the pressure generation chamber at the fine vibration expansion volume, and a pressure generation chamber. It comprises a fine vibration contraction element pd that contracts from a fine vibration expansion volume to a reference volume. The minute vibration expansion element pc is a waveform element that increases the potential with a predetermined gradient that does not cause liquid to be discharged from the reference potential Vb slightly higher than the ground potential GND to the minute vibration potential Vh. Further, the fine vibration hold element ph becomes a constant waveform element at the fine vibration potential Vh, and the fine vibration contraction element pd becomes a waveform element that lowers the potential with a predetermined gradient from the fine vibration potential Vh to the reference potential Vb.

  Regarding the setting information of the micro-vibration pulse, the drive voltage (potential difference from the ground potential GND to the micro-vibration potential Vh. Hereinafter, the micro-vibration drive voltage) is a ratio to the ejection pulse (for example, 2/3 or less) and the ejection pulse. The optimum value was set for each head in relation to the pulse width. On the other hand, the generation time width of the waveform element in the micro vibration pulse, that is, the time width Pwc of the micro vibration expansion element pc, the time width Pwd of the micro vibration contraction element pd, and the start end of the micro vibration expansion element pc from the start end of the micro vibration expansion element pc. The time width up to kPw (corresponding to the pulse width in the present invention) and the like have been fixed to a uniform fixed value for all the heads.

  However, the setting information of the micro-vibration pulse as described above, in particular, the configuration in which the pulse width is fixed, for example, the dimensional tolerance of the flow path inside the head, the fluctuation of the viscosity of the liquid, and the pressure vibration due to the oscillation of the discharge head. Due to changes in various conditions such as fluctuations, there was a possibility that liquid was accidentally ejected from the nozzle during micro-vibration. On the other hand, for the same reason, there is a possibility that the effect of fine vibration for stirring the liquid cannot be obtained sufficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent liquid from being accidentally discharged from the nozzle opening during fine vibration control, and to obtain a sufficient liquid stirring effect. An object of the present invention is to provide a fine vibration pulse setting method and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can perform the above operation.

The fine vibration pulse setting method of the present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-mentioned object. The pressure fluctuation is generated in the pressure generating chamber by driving the pressure generating means by applying a driving signal, and the pressure fluctuation A discharge head that can discharge liquid from the nozzle opening, a fine vibration expansion element that expands the pressure generation chamber, and a fine vibration contraction element that contracts the expanded pressure generation chamber, so that the liquid is not discharged to the nozzle opening. A drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal including a fine vibration pulse for finely vibrating an exposed meniscus, and a fine vibration pulse setting method for a liquid ejection apparatus comprising:
Discharge liquid amount measurement in which the drive voltage of the fine vibration pulse is set to an inspection voltage capable of discharging liquid from the nozzle opening, and the amount of liquid discharged from the nozzle opening is measured by applying the fine vibration pulse to the pressure generating means Process,
From each measurement result obtained by performing the discharge liquid amount measurement step a plurality of times with different pulse widths from the start point of the microvibration expansion element to the start point of the microvibration contraction element, the relationship between the discharge liquid amount and the pulse width A pulse width-discharge liquid amount characteristic acquisition step of acquiring a pulse width-discharge liquid amount characteristic,
Based on the pulse width-discharge liquid amount characteristic, an optimal pulse width acquisition step of acquiring, as an optimal pulse width, a pulse width at which the maximum amount of discharge liquid is obtained;
From each measurement result obtained by executing the discharge liquid amount measurement step, the pulse width-discharge liquid amount characteristic acquisition step, and the optimal pulse width acquisition step with a plurality of different inspection voltages, the optimum pulse width for the drive voltage is calculated. A voltage-pulse width characteristic obtaining step for obtaining a voltage-pulse width characteristic indicating a relationship;
A fine vibration pulse setting in which a drive voltage in a range where liquid is not discharged from the nozzle opening is set as a fine vibration drive voltage, and a pulse width corresponding to the fine vibration drive voltage is set as a fine vibration pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristic. And setting a micro-vibration pulse through the steps.

  According to the above configuration, the drive voltage in the range where liquid is not discharged from the nozzle opening is set as the fine vibration drive voltage, and the pulse width corresponding to the fine vibration drive voltage is set as the fine vibration pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the setting value of the fine vibration pulse for each discharge head, and thereby stirring the liquid by the fine vibration control while preventing the liquid from being accidentally discharged from the nozzle opening during the fine vibration control. A sufficient effect can be obtained.

  In the fine vibration pulse setting step, the drive voltage and the pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristic are set, and the fine vibration pulse is applied to the pressure generating means to verify whether or not the liquid is discharged from the nozzle opening. Based on the verification result, it is desirable to set a driving voltage at which liquid is not discharged from the nozzle opening as the micro-vibration driving voltage.

  Furthermore, in the fine vibration pulse setting step, the fine vibration drive voltage can be set to 2/3 or less of the discharge drive voltage of the discharge pulse for discharging the liquid.

Further, the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention causes a pressure fluctuation in the pressure generation chamber by driving the pressure generating means by applying a drive signal, and an ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from the nozzle opening by the pressure fluctuation;
A fine vibration expansion element for expanding the pressure generation chamber and a fine vibration contraction element for contracting the expanded pressure generation chamber, and a fine vibration pulse for finely vibrating the meniscus exposed to the nozzle opening to the extent that liquid is not discharged. Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal including:
A liquid ejection device comprising:
An information storage means for storing fine vibration pulse setting information and voltage-pulse width characteristics obtained by the fine vibration pulse setting method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The drive signal generating means generates a fine vibration pulse set to a fine vibration drive voltage and a pulse width based on fine vibration pulse setting information stored in the information storage means.

  According to the above configuration, the drive voltage in the range where liquid is not discharged from the nozzle opening is set as the fine vibration drive voltage, and the pulse width corresponding to the fine vibration drive voltage is set as the fine vibration pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the setting value of the fine vibration pulse for each discharge head, and thereby stirring the liquid by the fine vibration control while preventing the liquid from being accidentally discharged from the nozzle opening during the fine vibration control. A sufficient effect can be obtained.

Further, in the above configuration, temperature detection means for detecting an environmental temperature in the usage environment of the liquid ejection device;
The fine vibration driving voltage and pulse width of the fine vibration pulse are corrected based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, the fine vibration pulse setting information stored in the information storage means, and the voltage-pulse width characteristic. It is desirable to employ a configuration including vibration pulse correcting means.

  According to the above configuration, the environment in which the liquid ejection apparatus is used is corrected by correcting the micro-vibration driving voltage and pulse width of the micro-vibration pulse based on the environmental temperature, micro-vibration pulse setting information, and voltage-pulse width characteristics. Even when the temperature changes, the parameter of the fine vibration pulse can be set to a more appropriate value in accordance with the change in temperature. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid from being discharged during the fine vibration control, and to ensure the liquid stirring effect, regardless of the change in the environmental temperature.

  Further, in the above configuration, the pressure generating means includes: a flexible electrode provided on one surface of the pressure generating chamber; and a fixed electrode disposed to face the flexible electrode with a space therebetween. And having a pressure fluctuation in the pressure generating chamber by applying a drive signal between the electrodes and bending the flexible electrode by electrostatic force generated between them. It is suitable for.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments described below, various limitations are made as preferred specific examples of the present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description unless otherwise specified. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the following, an ink jet printer (hereinafter abbreviated as a printer) shown in FIG. 1 is exemplified as the liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a printer 1 according to the present invention. The printer 1 includes a frame 1 'constituting a part of the outer shell, and a platen 3 disposed in the frame 1', and drives a paper feed motor in the paper feed mechanism 8 (see FIG. 4). The recording paper (a kind of recording medium or discharge target: not shown) is conveyed onto the platen 3 by a paper feed roller (none of which is shown) rotated by the above. A guide rod 4 is installed in the frame 1 ′ in parallel with the platen 3, and the guide rod 4 is a carriage that houses an ink jet recording head 2 (a type of ejection head, hereinafter referred to as a recording head). 5 is slidably supported. The carriage 5 is mounted on a timing belt 11 installed between a driving pulley 10a that is rotated by driving of a carriage moving motor 9 and an idler pulley 10b that is provided on the opposite side of the frame 1 'from the driving pulley 10a. It is connected. The carriage 5 is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction along the guide rod 4 by driving the carriage movement motor 9. That is, the carriage moving motor 7 (see FIG. 4) is constituted by the carriage moving motor 9, the driving pulley 10a, the idle pulley 10b, and the timing belt 11.

  The carriage movement motor 9 functions as a drive source in the carriage movement mechanism 7, and for example, a pulse motor or a DC motor is used. The carriage movement motor 9 is controlled in its rotation speed, rotation direction, and the like by a control unit 35 (see FIG. 4) that functions as a control means. When the carriage movement motor 9 rotates, the drive pulley 10 a and the timing belt 11 rotate, and the carriage 5 moves along the guide rod 4. That is, the recording head 2 mounted on the carriage 4 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction under the control of the control unit 35. The scanning position of the carriage 5 can be grasped by a linear encoder (not shown) that outputs encoder pulses corresponding to the scanning position as position information in the main scanning direction.

  An ink cartridge 6 (a kind of liquid storage member) is detachably mounted on one side of the frame 1 '. In the present embodiment, a total of four ink cartridges 6 are provided. The ink cartridge 6 is connected to an air pump 13 via an air tube 12, and air from the air pump 13 is supplied into each ink cartridge 6. Ink is supplied (pressure-fed) to the recording head 2 side through the ink supply tube 14 by the pressurization of the ink cartridge 6 by the air. The ink supply tube 14 is a flexible hollow member made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as silicone, and an ink flow path corresponding to each ink cartridge 6 is formed inside the ink supply tube 14. ing.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the recording head 2 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the recording head 2 in the longitudinal direction of the pressure generating chamber. In the recording head 2, a nozzle forming substrate 16 made of silicon is disposed on one surface of a flow path forming substrate 15 made of silicon, and an electrode substrate 17 made of glass is disposed on the other surface of the flow path forming substrate 15. Then, a three-layer structure is formed by laminating and joining the members with an adhesive.

  The nozzle forming substrate 16 is a plate material in which a plurality of nozzle openings 16n are opened in a row at a pitch (for example, 180 dpi) corresponding to the dot formation density. The flow path forming substrate 15 is subjected to anisotropic etching from its surface to form a groove portion that becomes an ink flow path, and the opening portion of the groove portion is blocked by the nozzle forming substrate 16. A plurality of pressure generating chambers 19 provided corresponding to the respective nozzle openings 16n, a common ink chamber 20 (common liquid chamber) into which ink common to each pressure generating chamber is introduced, and the common ink chamber 20 and each pressure generating chamber A series of ink flow paths composed of an ink supply path 21 communicating with 19 is defined.

  In the flow path forming substrate 15, an ink introduction port 22 penetrating in the thickness direction of the substrate is formed at the bottom surface of the groove portion that becomes the common ink chamber 20. In addition, a thin portion 23 that functions as an elastic surface that can be elastically displaced in the head stacking direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) is formed on the bottom surface (one surface) of the groove portion that becomes each pressure generating chamber 19. A common electrode terminal 18 is formed on the flow path forming substrate 15, and the flow path forming substrate 15 has conductivity. Therefore, the thin portion 23 corresponds to the common electrode (corresponding to the flexible electrode in the present invention). ) Also works.

  The electrode substrate 17 is made of, for example, borosilicate glass. This borosilicate glass has a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of silicon. For this reason, separation between the head constituent members due to temperature changes is difficult to occur. On the surface of the electrode substrate 17 that is bonded to the flow path forming substrate 15, a recessed portion 24 that is shallowly etched in a tray shape corresponds to each pressure generating chamber 19 at a position facing the thin portion 23 of the pressure generating chamber 19. Is formed. Individual electrodes 25 formed by laminating thin films such as indium tin oxide (ITO) are laid on the bottom surface of the recess 24. Each individual electrode 25 includes a segment electrode 25a extending corresponding to each pressure generating chamber 19 and an electrode terminal portion 25b exposed to the outside. When the electrode substrate 17 is bonded to the flow path forming substrate 15, the thin portion 23 of each pressure generating chamber 19 and the segment electrode 25 a of each individual electrode 25 face each other in a state where a narrow gap is formed.

  The electrode substrate 17 is formed with an ink introduction path 17 ′ penetrating in the substrate thickness direction. The ink introduction path 17 ′ is connected to the ink introduction port 22 in a joined state with the flow path forming substrate 15. It comes to communicate. Through the ink introduction path 17 ′ and the ink introduction port 22, for example, ink from the ink cartridge 6 provided on the printer main body side is introduced into the common ink chamber 20. The ink in the common ink chamber 20 is distributed and supplied to each pressure generating chamber 19 through an ink supply path 21 branched from the common ink chamber 20.

  A drive voltage (drive signal) from the printer controller 29 (see FIG. 4) is applied between the common electrode terminal 18 of the flow path forming substrate 15 and the individual electrode 25 of the electrode substrate 17. When the drive voltage changes to the + side from the reference potential (or ground potential), an electrostatic force is generated between the thin portion 23 functioning as a flexible electrode and the individual electrode 25, and the electrostatic force causes the thin portion to be thin. The portion 23 is elastically deformed and bent toward the individual electrode 25, and is adsorbed on the surface of the segment electrode 25a. As a result, the volume of the pressure generation chamber 19 increases, and ink flows into the pressure generation chamber 19 from the common ink chamber 20 side through the ink supply path 21. When the driving voltage suddenly changes to the negative side (ground potential side) and the electrostatic force sharply decreases, the thin portion 23 is separated from the surface of the segment electrode 26a by the elastic force and is displaced to the pressure generating chamber 19 side. . As a result, the volume of the pressure generating chamber 19 decreases rapidly. As a result, a pressure fluctuation occurs in the ink in the pressure generating chamber 19, and the ink is ejected (jetted) from the nozzle opening 16n due to the pressure fluctuation. That is, the thin portion 23, the common electrode terminal 18, the individual electrode 25, and the thin portion 23 function as a pressure generation source 26 (pressure generation means in the present invention).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer 1. The printer 1 in the present embodiment is schematically configured by a printer controller 29 and a print engine 30. The printer controller 29 stores an external interface (external I / F) 31 to which print data from an external device such as a host computer is input, a RAM 32 for storing various data, a control program for various controls, and the like. A ROM 33, a nonvolatile storage element 34 such as an EEPROM or a flash ROM, a control unit 35 that performs overall control of each unit according to a control program stored in the ROM 33, an oscillation circuit 36 that generates a clock signal, A drive signal generation circuit 37 (a kind of drive signal generation means) that generates a drive signal to be supplied to the recording head 2 and dot pattern data and drive signals obtained by developing print data for each dot are recorded on the recording head 2. And an internal interface (internal I / F) 38 for outputting the data.

  The print engine 30 includes a recording head 2, a carriage moving mechanism 7, and a paper feeding mechanism 8. The print engine 30 is provided with a temperature detection circuit 39 including a thermistor and an A / D converter. The temperature detection circuit 39 functions as temperature detection means in the present invention, detects the environmental temperature around the printer 1 (particularly around the recording head), and outputs a signal having a magnitude proportional to the detected temperature to the control unit 35. Is configured to do.

The drive signal generation circuit 37 generates a drive signal COM having a predetermined waveform.
5A and 5B are waveform diagrams for explaining the configuration of the drive signal in the present embodiment. FIG. 5A shows the ejection drive signal COM1, and FIG. 5B shows the micro-vibration waveform drive signal COM2.
The ejection drive signal COM1 illustrated in FIG. 5A includes a first ejection pulse DP1 and a second ejection pulse DP2. These ejection pulses DP1 and DP2 have the same waveform, and the drive voltage (ejection drive voltage) DV is set to a value that allows ink to be ejected from the nozzle openings 16n. Then, the drive signal generation circuit 37 repeatedly generates the ejection pulses DP1 and DP2 every unit period T.

  The discharge pulse includes an expansion element Pc for expanding the pressure generation chamber 19 from the reference volume to the maximum expansion volume, a hold element Ph for maintaining the pressure generation chamber 19 at the maximum expansion volume for a short time, and the pressure generation chamber 19 from the maximum expansion volume. And a contraction element Pd that contracts to a reference volume. In the present embodiment, the expansion element Pc is a waveform element that increases the potential with a predetermined gradient that does not cause ink to be ejected from the reference potential Vb slightly higher than the ground potential GND to the ejection potential VH. The hold element Ph is a waveform element that is constant at the discharge potential VH, and the contraction element Pd is a waveform element that lowers the potential from the discharge potential VH to the reference potential Vb with a steeper slope than the expansion element Pc.

  On the other hand, the fine vibration drive signal COM2 illustrated in FIG. 5B includes the first fine vibration pulse VP1 and the second fine vibration pulse VP2 within the unit period T. These fine vibration pulses VP include a fine vibration expansion element pc for expanding the pressure generation chamber 19 from the reference volume to the fine vibration expansion volume, a fine vibration hold element ph for maintaining the pressure generation chamber 19 at the fine vibration expansion volume, The generation chamber 19 is composed of a fine vibration contraction element pd that contracts the generation chamber 19 from the fine vibration expansion volume to the reference volume. The fine vibration expansion element pc is a waveform element that raises the potential with a predetermined gradient that does not cause ink to be ejected from the reference potential Vb to the fine vibration potential Vh. The fine vibration hold element ph is a constant waveform element at the fine vibration potential Vh, and the fine vibration contraction element pd is a waveform element that lowers the potential with a predetermined gradient that does not cause ink to be ejected from the fine vibration potential Vh to the reference potential Vb. Become.

  When such a fine vibration pulse is supplied to the pressure source 26, the meniscus vibrates as follows. That is, the thin-walled portion 23 is elastically deformed and bent toward the individual electrode 25 by the supply of the minute vibration expansion element pc, and the pressure generating chamber 19 expands. The expansion of the pressure generating chamber 19 reduces the ink pressure, and the meniscus exposed to the nozzle opening 16n is drawn into the pressure generating chamber 19 side. Next, the fine vibration hold element ph is supplied, and the meniscus freely vibrates over the supply period. Thereafter, the fine vibration contraction element pd is supplied, and the thin portion 23 is displaced to the pressure generating chamber 19 side. As a result, the pressure generating chamber 19 contracts, the ink pressure increases, and the meniscus moves in the ejection direction. In this way, the meniscus moves to the pressure generating chamber 19 side or the discharge side by supplying the fine vibration pulse, so that the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening 16n can be agitated to suppress the increase in viscosity.

  Next, the setting information (parameters) of the fine vibration pulse, particularly, the fine vibration potential kV and the time width (pulse width) kPw from the start end of the fine vibration expansion element pc to the start end of the fine vibration contraction element pd are set. explain.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining setting processing of setting information of the fine vibration pulse. This fine vibration pulse setting process is performed in the manufacturing process of the printer 1.
First, in step S1, a discharge ink amount measurement step (corresponding to a discharge liquid amount measurement step in the present invention) is performed. In this ejection ink amount measurement step, the drive voltage of the fine vibration pulse (fine vibration drive voltage) is set to an inspection voltage (for example, a drive voltage comparable to the discharge pulse) that can eject ink from the nozzle opening 16n. A vibration pulse is applied to the pressure source 26 to measure the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle openings 16n (ejection liquid amount). In this discharge ink amount measurement step, the micro vibration pulse set to the inspection voltage is repeatedly supplied to the pressure generation source 26 a predetermined number of times. As a result, ink is ejected from the nozzle openings 16n by the number corresponding to the number of supplied fine vibration pulses. Then, the total weight of the ejected ink is measured with an electronic balance or the like, and the weight per ink drop is calculated based on the measurement result and the number of supplied fine vibration pulses.

  The ejected ink amount measurement step (step S1) is performed a plurality of times with different pulse widths from the start end of the microvibration expansion element pc to the start end of the microvibration contraction element pd. In step S2, it is determined whether or not the discharge ink amount measurement process has been executed a plurality of times with different pulse widths. If not, the process returns to step S1 to discharge again with different pulse widths. An ink amount measurement step is performed. If it is determined in step S2 that the discharge ink amount measurement process has been executed a plurality of times with different pulse widths, the process proceeds to step S3, and the discharge ink amount corresponding to the pulse width is determined from the measurement results of the plurality of discharge ink amount measurement processes. The pulse width-discharged ink amount characteristic acquisition step for acquiring the pulse width-discharged ink amount characteristic indicating the relationship is performed.

  FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating an example of a pulse width-discharged ink amount characteristic. In this example, the horizontal axis is the pulse width of the micro-vibration pulse (the time width (μs) from the start end of the micro-vibration expansion element pc to the start end of the micro-vibration contraction element pd), and the vertical axis is the ejected ink amount (ink weight (ink weight ( ng / shot)). As shown in the figure, it can be seen that the amount of ejected ink varies by changing the pulse width while keeping the drive voltage constant at a predetermined inspection voltage. In step S4, based on this pulse width-discharged liquid amount characteristic, an optimal pulse width acquisition step is performed in which the pulse width that provides the largest amount of ejected ink is acquired as the optimal pulse width.

  Subsequently, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the processes of steps S1 to S4 have been executed a plurality of times (at least twice or more) with different inspection voltages. Steps S4 to S4 are performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the processes in steps S1 to S4 have been executed a plurality of times, the process proceeds to step S6, and a voltage-pulse indicating the relationship of the optimum pulse width to the drive voltage based on the measurement results thus far. A voltage-pulse width characteristic acquisition step for obtaining the width characteristic is performed.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of voltage-pulse width characteristics. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the drive voltage (V), and the vertical axis represents the pulse width (μs). In this example, the above measurement is performed at 3 points of inspection voltages of 22.5 (V), 24.5 (V), and 26.5 (V), and the optimum pulse width corresponding to each voltage is obtained. The characteristics shown in the figure were obtained. Thus, the drive voltage and the optimum pulse width are in an inversely proportional relationship. The correlation line of characteristics in this example is obtained as follows, where X is the driving voltage and Y is the optimum pulse width.
Y = −0.24X + 13.23 (1)
The information about the above formula (1) is stored in the nonvolatile storage element 34 of the printer controller 29 as voltage-pulse width characteristic information. That is, the nonvolatile storage element 34 functions as information storage means in the present invention.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S7, in which the fine vibration pulse is set to the driving voltage and the optimum pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristic, and the fine vibration pulse is applied to the pressure generating source 26, thereby causing the fine vibration pulse from the nozzle opening 16n. The presence or absence of ink ejection is verified. First, for example, the drive voltage of the micro-vibration pulse is set to the lowest value among the above inspection voltages, and verification of the presence or absence of ejection is started. In step S8, it is determined whether or not ink ejection is confirmed from the nozzle opening 16n. If ink ejection is confirmed, the drive voltage of the micro vibration pulse is reduced by, for example, several volts, and the voltage-pulse Based on the width characteristic, the pulse width corresponding to the lowered drive voltage is set, and the verification process in step S7 is executed again.

  If it is determined in step S8 that ink ejection has not been confirmed from the nozzle opening 16n, the process proceeds to step S9, and a drive voltage in a range where ink is not ejected from the nozzle opening 16n is set as a micro-vibration driving voltage. A fine vibration pulse setting step of setting a pulse width corresponding to the fine vibration drive voltage as the fine vibration pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristic is performed.

  Here, regarding the micro-vibration driving voltage and micro-vibration pulse width set in the micro-vibration pulse setting step, values set in the micro-vibration pulse at the time when ink ejection is no longer confirmed in step S7 can be adopted. The driving voltage at this time can be taken as the micro-vibration driving voltage of the micro-vibration pulse (the ink is not ejected and the stirring effect at the time of micro-vibration is obtained). Equivalent to the highest value. Therefore, depending on changes in environmental conditions (temperature change or pressure change), ink may be accidentally ejected from the nozzle openings 16n during fine vibration control. For this reason, in the micro-vibration pulse setting process in the present embodiment, in consideration of such circumstances, each value is determined as follows without adopting the value at the time point.

Specifically, first, the driving voltage set in the micro-vibration pulse when ejection is no longer confirmed is set as a temporary micro-vibration driving voltage kV ′. Further, the effective range of voltage values that can be taken as the fine vibration drive voltage of the fine vibration pulse is R, and the fine vibration drive voltage kV to be actually set is obtained by the following equation (2).
kV = kV′−R × 0.5 (2)
For example, when the provisional micro-vibration driving voltage kV ′ is 20 (V) and the effective range R of the voltage value is 5 V, the micro-vibration driving voltage kV is kV = 20−5 × 0.5 = 17.5 (V )
Note that the effective range of the micro-vibration driving voltage is grasped in advance by verifying the presence or absence of ejection at various voltages using the ejection head (worst head) with the upper and lower tolerances of the flow path dimensions inside the head at the design stage. Is. Then, by subtracting 1/2 of the effective range from the temporary fine vibration drive voltage kV ′, the fine vibration drive voltage kV is made close to the center value of the effective range.

When the fine vibration drive voltage kV is obtained as described above, the optimum pulse width corresponding to this fine vibration drive voltage kV is adopted as the fine vibration pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristic.
Through the above steps, the fine vibration drive voltage kV and the fine vibration pulse width kPw of the fine vibration pulse are set. For other setting information (such as the time width of the minute vibration expansion element pc and the minute vibration contraction element pd), a predetermined value is adopted. The setting information of the fine vibration pulse is stored in information storage means such as the nonvolatile storage element 34 and is appropriately read out by the control unit 35 during the fine vibration control in the printer 1. The fine vibration pulse set to the vibration drive voltage kV and the fine vibration pulse width kPw is generated. As a result, the setting value of the fine vibration pulse can be optimized for each recording head 2 (or printer 1), thereby preventing ink from being accidentally ejected from the nozzle openings 16n during the fine vibration control. It is possible to sufficiently obtain the ink stirring effect by the fine vibration control.

  Here, in order to more reliably prevent ink ejection during the fine vibration control and to ensure the ink stirring effect, the setting information of the fine vibration pulse (the fine vibration pulse setting) according to the ambient temperature around the printer. It is desirable to correct the fine vibration drive voltage kV and the fine vibration pulse width kPw). That is, the control unit 35 functions as a fine vibration pulse correction unit in the present invention, acquires the environmental temperature from the temperature detection circuit 39, and corrects the fine vibration drive voltage kV according to the acquired environmental temperature. The correction formula used at this time is predetermined for each recording head.

  Next, the control unit 35 obtains an optimum pulse width corresponding to the corrected micro-vibration driving voltage kV based on the voltage-pulse width characteristic information stored in the non-volatile memory element 34, and obtains the optimum pulse width. Reset as kPw.

  As described above, by correcting the fine vibration drive voltage kV and the fine vibration pulse width kPw of the fine vibration pulse in the fine vibration pulse setting information according to the environmental temperature, the environmental temperature when the printer 1 is used is changed. Even in this case, the fine vibration control can be performed by the fine vibration pulse set to appropriate setting information according to the change in temperature. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent ink ejection during the fine vibration control and to ensure the ink stirring effect more reliably regardless of changes in the environmental temperature.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible based on description of a claim.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the fine vibration pulse setting step, the drive voltage set to the fine vibration pulse at the time when ejection is no longer confirmed is defined as the temporary fine vibration drive voltage kV ′, Although the example which calculates | requires the vibration drive voltage kV was shown, it is not restricted to this. For example, the fine vibration driving voltage may be set based on the ejection driving voltage of the ejection pulse for ejecting ink. For example, the fine vibration driving voltage kV may be set to 2/3 or less of the ejection driving voltage.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, as a pressure generation means, the flexible electrode (thin part 23) provided in one surface of the pressure generation chamber 19 and the opposing arrangement | positioning at intervals with respect to the said flexible electrode are arrange | positioned. Pressure generation configured to cause a pressure fluctuation in the pressure generation chamber 19 by bending the flexible electrode by electrostatic force generated between the fixed electrodes (individual electrodes 25). Although the source 26 is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to various pressure generating means such as a piezoelectric element as long as the same driving signal (microvibration pulse) is used for driving. can do.

  The present invention can also be applied to liquid ejecting apparatuses other than the printer. For example, the present invention can be applied to a display manufacturing apparatus, an electrode manufacturing apparatus, a chip manufacturing apparatus, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a printer. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a recording head. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the pressure generation chamber of the recording head. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer. FIG. It is a wave form diagram explaining the structure of a drive signal. It is a flowchart explaining the setting process of the setting information of a micro vibration pulse. 6 is a graph illustrating an example of a pulse width-discharged ink amount characteristic. It is a graph which shows an example of a voltage-pulse width characteristic. It is a wave form diagram explaining the structure of a micro vibration pulse.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 2 ... Recording head, 5 ... Carriage, 6 ... Ink cartridge, 7 ... Carriage moving mechanism, 8 ... Paper feed mechanism, 14 ... Ink supply tube, 15 ... Flow path formation board | substrate, 16 ... Nozzle formation board | substrate, 16n DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Nozzle opening, 17 ... Electrode board | substrate, 19 ... Pressure generating chamber, 23 ... Thin part, 25 ... Individual electrode, 26 ... Pressure generation source, 29 ... Printer controller, 30 ... Print engine, 34 ... Nonvolatile memory element, 35 ... Control unit 37... Drive signal generation circuit 39 39 temperature detection circuit

Claims (6)

A pressure fluctuation is generated in the pressure generating chamber by driving the pressure generating means by applying a drive signal, and the fine vibration expansion element expands the pressure generating chamber. And a drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal including a fine vibration pulse for finely vibrating the meniscus exposed to the nozzle opening to such an extent that the liquid is not discharged so as to contract the expanded pressure generating chamber. A fine vibration pulse setting method for a liquid ejection device comprising:
Discharge liquid amount measurement in which the drive voltage of the fine vibration pulse is set to an inspection voltage capable of discharging liquid from the nozzle opening, and the amount of liquid discharged from the nozzle opening is measured by applying the fine vibration pulse to the pressure generating means Process,
From each measurement result obtained by performing the discharge liquid amount measurement step a plurality of times with different pulse widths from the start point of the microvibration expansion element to the start point of the microvibration contraction element, the relationship between the discharge liquid amount and the pulse width A pulse width-discharge liquid amount characteristic acquisition step of acquiring a pulse width-discharge liquid amount characteristic,
Based on the pulse width-discharge liquid amount characteristic, an optimal pulse width acquisition step of acquiring, as an optimal pulse width, a pulse width at which the maximum amount of discharge liquid is obtained;
From each measurement result obtained by executing the discharge liquid amount measurement step, the pulse width-discharge liquid amount characteristic acquisition step, and the optimal pulse width acquisition step with a plurality of different inspection voltages, the optimum pulse width for the drive voltage is calculated. A voltage-pulse width characteristic obtaining step for obtaining a voltage-pulse width characteristic indicating a relationship;
A fine vibration pulse setting in which a drive voltage in a range where liquid is not discharged from the nozzle opening is set as a fine vibration drive voltage, and a pulse width corresponding to the fine vibration drive voltage is set as a fine vibration pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristic. A fine vibration pulse setting method comprising: setting a fine vibration pulse through a process.   In the fine vibration pulse setting step, the drive voltage and the pulse width based on the voltage-pulse width characteristic are set, and the fine vibration pulse is applied to the pressure generating means to verify whether or not the liquid is discharged from the nozzle opening. 2. The fine vibration pulse setting method according to claim 1, wherein a drive voltage at which liquid is not discharged from the nozzle opening is set as a fine vibration drive voltage based on the verification result.   2. The fine vibration pulse setting method according to claim 1, wherein, in the fine vibration pulse setting step, the fine vibration drive voltage is set to 2/3 or less of an ejection drive voltage of an ejection pulse for ejecting a liquid. . An ejection head capable of causing pressure fluctuation in the pressure generating chamber by driving the pressure generating means by applying a drive signal, and ejecting liquid from the nozzle opening by the pressure fluctuation;
A fine vibration expansion element for expanding the pressure generation chamber and a fine vibration contraction element for contracting the expanded pressure generation chamber, and a fine vibration pulse for finely vibrating the meniscus exposed to the nozzle opening to the extent that liquid is not discharged. Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal including:
A liquid ejection device comprising:
An information storage means for storing fine vibration pulse setting information and voltage-pulse width characteristics obtained by the fine vibration pulse setting method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive signal generating unit generates a micro vibration pulse having a micro vibration drive voltage and a pulse width based on the micro vibration pulse setting information stored in the information storage unit. Temperature detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature in the usage environment of the liquid ejection device;
The fine vibration driving voltage and pulse width of the fine vibration pulse are corrected based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, the fine vibration pulse setting information stored in the information storage means, and the voltage-pulse width characteristic. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a vibration pulse correction unit.   The pressure generating means includes a flexible electrode provided on one surface of the pressure generating chamber, and a fixed electrode disposed to face the flexible electrode with a space therebetween. A pressure fluctuation is generated in the pressure generating chamber by applying a drive signal to the electrode and bending the flexible electrode by an electrostatic force generated between them. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4 or 5.

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