JP2010162711A - Fluid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid injection device capable of restraining ink from being used uselessly in cleaning. <P>SOLUTION: This fluid injection device includes a fluid injection head 3 for injecting a fluid from an plurality of injection nozzles 47 to a target, a mode selection means for selecting any of a plurality of printing modes, a fluid detecting means 7 for detecting an injection situation of the fluid in the injection nozzle 47 in response to the printing mode selected by the mode selection means, and a cleaning means for cleaning the cleaning head 3, based on a detection result from the fluid detecting means 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus.

  As a fluid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink (fluid) onto a recording medium from an ejection port of a recording head (ejection head) is known. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, the ejection speed and ejection amount of ink from the ejection port change with the passage of time, and the ejection state (ejection state) of the ink changes. For this reason, in order to maintain the discharge speed and discharge amount of the ink within a desired range, the recording head is regularly cleaned.

  Inside the recording head, bubbles grow or the viscosity of the ink increases with the passage of time, so that the discharge speed and discharge amount of ink exceed desired values, resulting in discharge failure. Therefore, an ink jet recording apparatus that cleans nozzles by periodically performing a suction operation using a capping device is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-219567 A

  However, when such a cleaning is performed, when a single capping device is used for the recording head, the ink is sucked from nozzles that do not require cleaning, and the ink is consumed wastefully. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a fluid ejecting apparatus capable of suppressing wasteful ink consumption during cleaning.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid from a plurality of ejecting nozzles to a target, a mode selecting unit that selects one of a plurality of printing modes, and the mode. Fluid detection means for detecting the fluid ejection state at the ejection nozzle according to the printing mode selected by the selection means, and cleaning means for cleaning the fluid ejection head based on the detection result of the fluid detection means. And. In the fluid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the cleaning unit includes a cap member that abuts on the fluid ejecting head so as to cover the entire area in the formation region of the ejecting nozzle. In the fluid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the printing mode includes a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode.

  According to the present invention, for example, when the monochrome printing mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the fluid detection unit does not detect the ejection nozzle used in the color printing mode by the fluid detection unit, or by the fluid detection unit. Reduce detection frequency. Therefore, when an ejection failure occurs in the ejection nozzle used only in the color printing mode, cleaning can be prevented from being executed when the monochrome printing mode is selected. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that the fluid is discharged from the ejection nozzle that does not require cleaning, and the fluid is wasted. Moreover, the detection time by the fluid detection means can be shortened.

Further, in the fluid ejecting apparatus, the fluid detecting unit detects at least one of the frequency of detecting the ejection state and the ejection nozzle to be detected according to the printing mode selected by the mode selecting unit. It is preferable to change these.
According to this configuration, since it is possible to change the frequency of detecting the ejection state according to the printing mode and the ejection nozzle to be detected, it is possible to perform optimum cleaning according to the printing mode. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of fluid consumed unnecessarily during cleaning.
Furthermore, when the monochrome printing mode is selected by the mode selection unit, it is preferable that the fluid detection unit reduce the frequency of detection or not detect the ejection nozzle used in the color printing mode. .
Thus, by reducing the frequency of detection by the fluid detection means, it is possible to prevent the color ink that is not used when the monochrome printing mode is selected from being consumed by cleaning. In addition, since no detection is performed for the ejection nozzles used only in the color printing mode, ejection defects are detected only in the ejection nozzles used in the color printing mode, and ejection failures are detected in the ejection nozzles used in the monochrome printing mode. In such a case, it is possible to prevent a problem that the fluid is wasted due to the cleaning performed on all the ejection nozzles when no occurrence occurs.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the fluid detecting unit determines a processing parameter when the cleaning unit performs cleaning on the fluid ejecting head based on a detection result of the fluid detecting unit. .
According to this configuration, since the processing parameter of the cleaning unit is determined based on the detection result of the fluid detection unit, it is possible to perform optimum cleaning on the ejection head.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view showing a schematic configuration of a printer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a recording head. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating the configuration of a recording head. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main part configuration around a recording head. It is a schematic diagram explaining the principle which an induced voltage produces by electrostatic induction. It is a figure which shows an example of the waveform of the detection signal output from an ink drop sensor. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer. It is a figure explaining the structure of an ejection pulse. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a cleaning process. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the cleaning process following FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a cleaning process following FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the cleaning process following FIG. 11.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fluid ejecting apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as printer 1) is illustrated as the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The printer 1 includes a carriage 4 on which a sub tank 2 and a recording head 3 are mounted, and a printer body 5. The printer main body 5 includes a carriage moving mechanism 65 (see FIG. 7) for reciprocating the carriage 4, a paper feeding mechanism 66 (see FIG. 7) for conveying a recording paper (target) (not shown), and a recording head (ejection head). 3) a capping mechanism 14 used for the cleaning process 3 and an ink cartridge 6 storing ink to be supplied to the recording head 3 are provided.

  The printer 1 also includes an ink droplet sensor (fluid detection means) 7 that can detect the ink droplet D ejected from the recording head 3 (see FIGS. 4 and 7). The ink droplet sensor (fluid detection means) 7 charges the ink droplet D ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 3, and uses a voltage change based on electrostatic induction when the charged ink droplet D flies as a detection signal. By outputting, it is configured so that the ink discharge state of the nozzle can be grasped. The details of the ink droplet sensor 7 will be described later.

The carriage moving mechanism 65 is connected to a guide shaft 8 extending in the width direction of the printer body 5 shown in FIG. 1, a pulse motor 9, and a rotation shaft of the pulse motor 9, and is driven to rotate by the pulse motor 9. The drive pulley 10 and the drive pulley 10 are spanned between the idle pulley 11 provided on the opposite side of the printer body 5 in the width direction, and between the drive pulley 10 and the idle pulley 11 to the carriage 4. And a connected timing belt 12.
The carriage 4 is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 8 by driving the pulse motor 9. The paper feed mechanism 66 includes a paper feed motor and a paper feed roller (not shown) that is rotationally driven by the paper feed motor. The paper feed mechanism 66 is linked to a recording (printing / printing) operation of the recording paper. It is designed to send out sequentially.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the recording head in the printer, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part illustrating the configuration of the recording head. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a main part configuration around the recording head 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 3 in this embodiment includes an introduction needle unit 17, a head case 18, a flow path unit 19, and an actuator unit 20 as main components.
Two ink introduction needles 22 are mounted side by side on the upper surface of the introduction needle unit 17 with the filter 21 interposed. The sub tanks 2 are respectively attached to these ink introduction needles 22. An ink introduction path 23 corresponding to each ink introduction needle 22 is formed inside the introduction needle unit 17.
The upper end of the ink introduction path 23 communicates with the ink introduction needle 22 via the filter 21, and the lower end communicates with the case flow path 25 formed inside the head case 18 via the packing 24.
In this embodiment, since four types of ink are used, four subtanks 2 are provided. However, the present invention is naturally applied to a configuration using five or more types of ink. Is.

The sub tank 2 is molded from a resin material such as polypropylene. The sub-tank 2 is formed with a recess that becomes the ink chamber 27, and the ink chamber 27 is partitioned by attaching a transparent elastic sheet 26 to the opening surface of the recess.
In addition, a needle connection portion 28 into which the ink introduction needle 22 is inserted projects downward from the lower portion of the sub tank 2. The ink chamber 27 in the sub-tank 2 has a shallow mortar shape, and an opening on the upstream side of the connection channel 29 communicating with the needle connection portion 28 is located slightly below the vertical center on the side surface. The tank part filter 30 which filters the ink L is attached to this upstream side opening. A seal member 31 into which the ink introduction needle 22 is liquid-tightly fitted is fitted in the internal space of the needle connection portion 28.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-tank 2 is formed with an extending portion 32 having a communication groove portion 32 ′ communicating with the ink chamber 27, and an ink inlet 33 projects from the upper surface of the extending portion 32. It is installed. An ink supply tube 34 that supplies ink L stored in the ink cartridge 6 is connected to the ink inlet 33. Accordingly, the ink L that has passed through the ink supply tube 34 flows into the ink chamber 27 from the ink inlet 33 through the communication groove 32 ′. The printer 1 according to this embodiment includes four ink cartridges 6, and each is connected to the corresponding sub tank 2 via the ink supply tube 34. Each of the ink cartridges 6 stores inks of four colors, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

  The elastic sheet 26 shown in FIG. 2 can be deformed into a direction in which the ink chamber 27 is contracted and a direction in which the ink chamber 27 is expanded. The pressure variation of the ink L is absorbed by the damper function due to the deformation of the elastic sheet 26. That is, the sub tank 2 functions as a pressure damper by the action of the elastic sheet 26. Accordingly, the ink L is supplied to the recording head 3 side in a state where the pressure fluctuation is absorbed in the sub tank 2.

The head case 18 is a synthetic resin hollow box-like member. The flow path unit 19 is joined to the lower end surface of the head case 18, and the actuator unit 20 is accommodated in the accommodating space 37 formed therein. The introduction needle unit 17 is attached in a state where the packing 24 is interposed on the upper end surface opposite to the side.
A case channel 25 is provided inside the head case 18 so as to penetrate the height direction. The upper end of the case flow path 25 communicates with the ink introduction path 23 of the introduction needle unit 17 via the packing 24.
Further, the lower end of the case channel 25 communicates with the common ink chamber 44 in the channel unit 19. Therefore, the ink L introduced from the ink introduction needle 22 is supplied to the common ink chamber 44 side through the ink introduction path 23 and the case flow path 25.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator unit 20 housed in the housing space 37 of the head case 18 has a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 38 arranged in a comb-like shape and the piezoelectric vibrators 38 joined to each other. And a flexible cable 40 as a wiring member for supplying a drive signal from the printer main body side to the piezoelectric vibrator 38. Each piezoelectric vibrator 38 has a fixed end portion bonded to the fixed plate 39 and a free end portion protruding outward from the tip surface of the fixed plate 39. That is, each piezoelectric vibrator 38 is mounted on the fixed plate 39 in a so-called cantilever state.

  The fixing plate 39 that supports each piezoelectric vibrator 38 is made of stainless steel having a thickness of about 1 mm, for example. The actuator unit 20 is housed and fixed in the housing space 37 by bonding the back surface of the fixed plate 39 to the inner wall surface of the case that defines the housing space 37.

The flow path unit 19 is manufactured by joining and integrating with a bonding agent in a state in which flow path unit constituting members including a vibration plate (sealing plate) 41, a flow path substrate 42, and a nozzle substrate 43 are laminated. A member that forms a series of ink flow paths (liquid flow paths) from the common ink chamber 44 to the nozzle 47 through the ink supply port 45 and the pressure chamber 46. The pressure chamber 46 is formed as an elongated chamber in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the nozzles 47 are arranged (nozzle row direction).
The common ink chamber 44 communicates with the case flow path 25 and is a chamber into which ink L is introduced from the ink introduction needle 22 side.
The ink L introduced into the common ink chamber 44 is distributed and supplied to the pressure chambers 46 through the ink supply ports 45.

  The nozzle substrate 43 disposed at the bottom of the flow path unit 19 is a thin metal plate material in which a plurality of nozzles 47 are opened in a row at a pitch (for example, 180 dpi) corresponding to the dot formation density. The nozzle substrate 43 of the present embodiment is made of a stainless steel plate, and in this embodiment, the nozzles 47 are arranged in two rows corresponding to each sub-tank 2 (e.g., a total of 8 rows). Has been. One nozzle row is composed of 180 nozzles 47, for example. A flow path substrate 42 disposed between the nozzle substrate 43 and the vibration plate 41 is a flow path portion that becomes an ink flow path, specifically, a common ink chamber 44, an ink supply port 45, and an empty space that becomes a pressure chamber 46. It is a plate-like member in which a section is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the flow path substrate 42 is produced by subjecting a silicon wafer, which is a crystalline base material, to anisotropic etching. The vibration plate 41 is a double-structured composite plate material in which an elastic film is laminated on a metal support plate such as stainless steel. The part corresponding to the pressure chamber 46 of the vibration plate 41 is formed with an island portion 48 to which the tip surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 38 is joined by removing the support plate in an annular shape by etching or the like. Functions as a diaphragm. That is, the diaphragm 41 is configured such that the elastic film around the island portion 48 is elastically deformed in accordance with the operation of the piezoelectric vibrator 38. The vibration plate 41 also seals one opening surface of the flow path substrate 42 and functions as a compliance portion 49. As for the portion corresponding to the compliance portion 49, the support plate is removed by etching or the like in the same manner as the diaphragm portion to make only the elastic film.

  In the recording head 3, when a drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 38 through the flexible cable 40, the piezoelectric vibrator 38 expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the element, and accordingly, the island portion 48 enters the pressure chamber 46. Move in the direction of approaching or separating. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 46 changes, and the pressure fluctuation occurs in the ink L in the pressure chamber 46. The ink droplet D is ejected from the nozzle 47 by this pressure fluctuation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ink cartridge 6 includes a case member 51 formed in a hollow box shape and an ink pack 52 formed of a plastic material, and ink is contained in a storage chamber in the case member 51. The pack 52 is accommodated.
The ink cartridge 6 communicates with one end of the ink supply tube 34 and is configured to supply the ink L in the ink pack 52 to the recording head 3 side due to a water head difference from the nozzle opening surface 43a of the recording head 3. Has been. Specifically, the relative positional relationship between the ink cartridge 6 and the recording head 3 in the weight direction is set so that a slight negative pressure is applied to the meniscus of the nozzle 47.
Then, ink L is supplied to the pressure chamber 46 by the pressure change caused by driving the piezoelectric vibrator 38, and the ink droplet D is ejected from the pressure chamber 46 as described above.

  The capping mechanism (cleaning means) 14 includes a cap member 15 and a suction pump 16 as shown in FIG. The cap member 15 is constituted by a member obtained by molding an elastic material such as rubber into a tray shape, and is disposed at the home position. The cap member 15 is in contact with the nozzle substrate 43 in a state of covering the nozzle formation region of the recording head 3. The home position is a place where the carriage 4 is located when the cleaning process is performed on the recording head 3, which is set in an end area within the moving range of the carriage 4 and outside the recording area.

  When the recording head 3 is cleaned, the carriage 4 is positioned at the home position, and the cap member 15 is in contact with the surface of the nozzle substrate 43 (that is, the nozzle opening surface 43a) of the recording head 3 and sealed. I do. In this embodiment, the cleaning process includes a so-called suction process that maintains or recovers the ejection characteristics of the head by forcibly discharging ink from each nozzle 47 of the recording head 3.

  More specifically, during the cleaning process (suction process), the suction pump 16 is operated in a sealed state to depressurize the inside of the cap member 15 (sealing empty part), and the ink L in the recording head 3 is ejected from the nozzles. 47 is forcibly discharged as ink droplets. At this time, ink droplets are discharged from all the nozzles 47 of the recording head 3.

  The cleaning process includes a detection step for detecting the ink ejection status at each nozzle 47, a parameter determination step for determining a cleaning parameter (suction operation parameter) during cleaning of the recording head 3 based on the detection result, and this process. And a cleaning step of performing cleaning (suction operation) on the recording head 3 based on the parameters.

  By the way, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment can perform processing based on a plurality of print modes. The print mode includes a color print mode and a monochrome print mode.

  The color printing mode is a mode for performing color printing by using four colors of ink as described above. The monochrome printing mode is a mode in which printing is performed using only black ink.

  In the detection step and the parameter determination step, the ink droplet sensor 7 is used. The printer 1 is configured to perform a cleaning process as shown in a flow to be described later when a defective nozzle (hereinafter also referred to as a defective nozzle) is detected in the detection step. The detection step and the parameter determination step are, for example, the frequency at which the detection step is performed and the target nozzles at which the detection step is performed according to the print mode selected by the control device 58 (see FIG. 7) functioning as mode selection means described later. Is to change.

  For example, when used for business purposes such as document creation, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment performs printing in the monochrome printing mode. Specifically, the user sets the monochrome print mode from a driver utility screen (not shown) so that the control device 58 selects the monochrome print mode.

  When the monochrome printing mode is selected, the ink droplet sensor 7 does not perform detection for the nozzle row corresponding to the color ink (that is, the nozzle 47 used in the color printing mode).

  As a result, clogging is detected in the nozzles 47 corresponding to the color inks that are not used in the monochrome printing mode, and when the nozzles 47 corresponding to the black ink are not clogged, the cleaning is executed, so that the color is Inconveniences such as wasteful consumption of ink are prevented. Furthermore, the time for the detection step by the ink droplet sensor 7 can be shortened.

  Further, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment improves the print quality by performing a cleaning process at a predetermined timing (automatic cleaning process). The predetermined timing includes, for example, when the printer 1 is turned on, before the printing process is started, when a preset time has elapsed, when ink is initially filled, or after the ink cartridge 6 is replaced. Here, the cleaning process in the present embodiment includes a manual cleaning process that is executed based on a user instruction in addition to the auto cleaning process that is automatically executed at a predetermined timing as described above.

(Ink drop sensor 7)
The ink droplet sensor 7 shown in FIG. 4 is disposed so as to face the nozzle opening surface 43a of the recording head 3 with a predetermined gap, and has a detection unit 78 to which ink ejected from the nozzle 47 is supplied. The detection device 76 that can detect the ink discharge state at each nozzle 47 by outputting a detection waveform corresponding to the ink discharged from the nozzle 47, and the ink based on the detection waveform output from the detection device 76 And a processing device 82 for acquiring information related to the weight of the machine. The processing device 82 has a function of determining parameters of the cleaning processing based on the detection result of the detection device 76, as will be described in detail later.

  The detection device 76 includes a voltage applicator 75 that applies a voltage between the detection unit 78 and the nozzle opening surface 43 a of the recording head 3, and a voltage detector 81 that detects the voltage of the detection unit 78. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 78 of the detection device 76 is provided inside the cap member 15 arranged at the home position as described above.

  The cap member 15 is a tray-like member having an open upper surface, and is made of an elastic member such as an elastomer. An ink absorber 77 and an electrode member 79 are disposed inside the cap member 15. The electrode member 79 is formed of a metal mesh member such as stainless steel. The detection unit 78 is formed by the upper surface of the electrode member 79. The detection unit 78 is disposed at a position lower than the upper end surface of the cap member 15.

  The ink absorber 77 is formed of a sponge-like member capable of holding (absorbing) the ink L, a porous member, or the like. In the present embodiment, the ink absorber 77 is formed of a nonwoven fabric such as felt. For example, during non-recording, the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 77 moisturizes the space formed by the contact between the nozzle opening surface 43a and the cap member 15 and suppresses drying of the ink in the nozzle 47. It is possible.

  The ink droplet D that has landed on the detection unit 78 passes through the gap between the grid-like electrode members 79 and is held (absorbed) by the ink absorber 77 disposed on the lower side. Note that the electrode member 79 may not be a mesh member as long as the ink droplet D can pass therethrough. When there is no ink absorber 77, the electrode member 79 is held by a rib provided so as to extend from the bottom surface of the cap member 15. As described above, a tube (not shown) is connected to the bottom of the cap member 15, and the ink droplet D of the ink absorber 77 is sucked by the suction pump 16 through the tube and discharged to the outside. It has become.

  The voltage applicator 75 includes an electronic circuit capable of applying a voltage between the ejection surface (nozzle opening surface 43 a) of the nozzle substrate 43 of the recording head 3 and the detection unit (upper surface) 78 of the electrode member 79. In the present embodiment, the voltage applicator 75 electrically connects the electrode member 79 and the nozzle substrate 43 via a DC power source and a resistance element so that the electrode member 79 is a positive electrode and the nozzle substrate 43 is a negative electrode. Connecting.

  As described above, the nozzle substrate 43 is formed of a plate material such as stainless steel, the electrode member 79 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, and each of the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 has conductivity. That is, the voltage applicator 75 can apply a voltage between the nozzle opening surface 43 a and the detection unit 78.

  The voltage detector 81 integrates and outputs the voltage signal of the electrode member 79, an inverting amplifier circuit that inverts and amplifies the signal output from the integration circuit, and a signal output from the inverting amplifier circuit. A / D conversion circuit for A / D converting and outputting.

  In the present embodiment, the detection device 76 applies an electric field between the nozzle opening surface 43 a and the detection unit 78, and a voltage value time based on electrostatic induction when ink moves from the nozzle 47 to the detection unit 78. The change is output to the processing device 82 as a detected waveform. The processing device 82 can perform arithmetic processing on the output of the detection device 76, and can acquire information on the weight of the ink based on the detection waveform output from the detection device 76.

  Here, the principle of the ink droplet sensor 7, that is, the principle of generating an induced voltage by electrostatic induction will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle that an induced voltage is generated by electrostatic induction. FIG. 5A shows a state immediately after the ink droplet D is ejected, and FIG. The state which landed on the test | inspection area | region 74 of the cap member 15 is shown. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a waveform of a detection signal (for one drop of ink) output from the ink drop sensor 7. In a state where a voltage is applied between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79, the piezoelectric vibrator 38 is driven using the ejection pulse DP, and the ink droplet D is ejected from any one nozzle 47.

At this time, since the nozzle substrate 43 is a negative electrode, as shown in FIG. 5A, a part of the negative charge of the nozzle substrate 43 moves to the ink droplet D, and the discharged ink droplet D becomes negative. Charge. Then, as the ink droplet D approaches the detection unit 78 of the cap member 15, positive charges increase on the surface of the electrode member 79 due to electrostatic induction.
Thereby, the voltage between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 becomes higher than the initial voltage value in the state where the ink droplet D is not ejected due to the induced voltage generated by electrostatic induction.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the ink droplet D lands on the electrode member 79, the positive charge of the electrode member 79 is neutralized by the negative charge of the ink droplet D. For this reason, the voltage between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 is lower than the initial voltage value.
Thereafter, the voltage between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 returns to the initial voltage value.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the detection waveform output from the ink droplet sensor 7 is a waveform that once rises, then falls to below the initial voltage value, and then returns to the original voltage value.
In this way, the ink drop sensor 7 detects a change in voltage when the ink drop D is ejected from each nozzle 47.

  However, when the ink droplet D is thickened, for example, even when the same ejection pulse DP is used, the ejection amount (liquid amount) decreases compared to the normal time. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the amplitude A of the detection signal (detection waveform Z) output from the ink droplet sensor 7 is the amplitude of the detection signal at the normal time (ideal waveform Z0: broken line in FIG. 6). It becomes smaller than A0 (amplitude difference ΔA). In addition, the time from when the ejection pulse DP is applied until the ink droplet D is separated from the nozzle substrate 43 is also delayed compared to the normal time (the timing at which the voltage rises is shifted by the time difference ΔT).

  Accordingly, by comparing the amplitude A of the detection waveform Z output from the ink droplet sensor 7 and the voltage rise timing with those of the ideal waveform Z0 (detection of ΔA and ΔT), ink in each nozzle 47 of the recording head 3 is detected. A thickened state of L can be obtained. Further, in a state where the ink is thickened, the ink cannot be ejected from the nozzle 47 favorably, resulting in a defective nozzle. In this state, no ink is ejected, so no waveform is detected. That is, as described above, the ink droplet sensor 7 can detect the ink ejection status (determining whether or not it is a defective nozzle) at each nozzle 47. Further, the ink drop sensor 7 is configured such that the processing device 82 determines a cleaning parameter after the detection. In the present embodiment, the driving condition of the suction pump 16 during the suction operation as the cleaning process is used as a cleaning parameter.

  With the above configuration, in the printer 1, the cleaning parameter determined by the detection device 76 and the processing device 82 of the ink droplet sensor 7 is held in the storage device 60. Therefore, the printer 1 performs cleaning on the recording head 3 by driving the suction pump 16 based on the cleaning parameter called from the storage device 60 (that is, based on the detection result of the ink droplet sensor 7). It has become. Therefore, the printer 1 can forcibly discharge the ink L and air bubbles thickened from the nozzles 47 of the recording head 3 into the cap member 15 to recover the ejection characteristics of the recording head 3. .

  By using such an ink droplet sensor 7, it is possible to accurately grasp the ink ejection status as to whether or not ink can be ejected satisfactorily for each nozzle 47. Therefore, it is possible to determine a processing parameter at the time of cleaning based on a highly accurate detection result, and it is possible to prevent a problem that fluid is sucked more than necessary from the ejection nozzle at the time of cleaning.

  In the above description, the example in which the thickened ink is detected by the ink droplet sensor 7 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when ink containing bubbles is ejected from the nozzle 47, a waveform different from that when ejecting normal ink is output. Therefore, the ink droplet sensor 7 can detect the nozzle 47 from which ink containing bubbles is ejected as a defective nozzle. In addition, the waveform is not detected when the thickened state is poor and the ink is clogged in the nozzle 47 and the ink is not ejected from the nozzle 47 during the inspection. Therefore, the ink droplet sensor 7 can also detect such a defective nozzle 47.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 1, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of ejection pulses. The printer 1 in the present embodiment includes a control device 58 that controls the operation of the entire printer 1. Connected to the control device 58 are an input device 59 for inputting various information relating to the operation of the printer 1, a storage device 60 storing various information relating to the operation of the printer 1, and a measuring device 61 capable of measuring time. Has been.

  The control device 58 functions as a mode selection unit that selects one of the color printing mode and the monochrome printing mode described above. For example, the control device 58 can select a print mode that reflects the setting by the user.

  Further, the paper feed mechanism 66, the carriage moving mechanism 65, the capping mechanism 14, the ink droplet sensor 7 (the voltage detector 81, the processing device 82) and the like described above are connected to the control device 58.

  The printer 1 also includes a drive signal generator 62 that generates a drive signal to be input to the piezoelectric vibrator 38. The drive signal generator 62 is connected to the control device 58.

  The drive signal generator 62 receives data indicating the amount of change in the voltage value of the ejection pulse input to the piezoelectric vibrator 38 of the recording head 3 and a timing signal that defines the timing for changing the voltage of the ejection pulse. The drive signal generator 62 generates a drive signal including, for example, the ejection pulse DP shown in FIG. 8 based on the input data and timing signal.

  In FIG. 8, the ejection pulse DP includes a first charging element PE1 that raises the potential with a predetermined gradient from the reference potential VM to the highest potential VH, a first hold element PE2 that maintains the highest potential VH for a certain time, and a highest potential VH. Discharge element PE3 that lowers the potential from the lowest potential VL to the lowest potential VL with a predetermined gradient, a second hold element PE4 that maintains the lowest potential VL for a short time, and a second charging element PE5 that restores the potential from the lowest potential VL to the reference potential VM. Including. The drive voltage VD, which is the potential difference between the highest potential VH and the lowest potential VL, of the ejection pulse DP is set so that the amount of ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 47 matches the design value. The ejection pulse DP shown in FIG. 8 is an example, and various waveforms can be used.

  When the ejection pulse DP is input to the piezoelectric vibrator 38 from the drive signal generator 62, an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 47. When the first charging element PE1 is supplied, the piezoelectric vibrator 38 contracts and the pressure chamber 46 expands. After the expansion state of the pressure chamber 46 is maintained for a short time, the discharge element PE3 is supplied and the piezoelectric vibrator 38 is rapidly expanded. Along with this, the volume of the pressure chamber 46 contracts to a reference volume (the volume of the pressure chamber 46 when the reference potential VE is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 38) or less, and the meniscus exposed to the nozzle 47 suddenly moves outward. Pressure. As a result, a predetermined amount of ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 47. After that, the second hold element PE4 and the second charging element PE5 are sequentially supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 38, and the pressure chamber 46 becomes the reference volume so as to converge the meniscus vibration accompanying the ejection of the ink droplets in a short time. Return.

  Next, a cleaning method for the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that the cleaning method for the printer 1 of the present embodiment is based on the premise that the cleaning process is executed a plurality of times.

Hereinafter, the cleaning process will be specifically described.
First, a cleaning process preparation process using the ink droplet sensor 7 will be described with reference to FIG. In this preparation step, the cap member 15 is lowered by an elevating mechanism (not shown), the recording head 3 is positioned above the cap member 15, and the nozzle opening surface 43a of the recording head 3 and the electrode member 79 are in a non-contact state. Thus, the ink droplet sensor 7 is set in a standby state (step S1). When the ink drop sensor 7 is not driven (when not used), the normal print processing state is restored (step S2).

  Subsequently, the control device 58 detects an elapsed time from the previous cleaning (CL). Further, it is determined whether or not the previous cleaning is manual cleaning (step S3). At this time, when one hour (1 h) or more has passed since the previous cleaning process, or when the user selects manual cleaning, the auto cleaning counter (hereinafter referred to as an ACL counter) is reset to 0 (zero). (Step S4). Here, the ACL counter corresponds to the number of cleanings performed based on the ink droplet sensor 7. Manual cleaning is a cleaning operation that is forcibly executed at a timing designated by the user. Manual cleaning can improve printing defects that cannot be satisfactorily detected by the ink drop sensor 7 and are caused by ink flight bending or the like.

  If the ACL counter is 3 or more, the printer 1 is left for a predetermined time without making an error determination. As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of continuous auto cleanings performed based on the detection of the ink droplet sensor 7 within a predetermined time (within 1 hour) is limited to three. As described above, when auto-cleaning is continuously performed three times within one hour, there is a possibility that air bubbles in the nozzle 47 are the cause. Therefore, by leaving the recording head 3 left, the bubbles in the nozzle 47 can be stabilized and the ejection characteristics of the recording head 3 can be recovered. In this way, by limiting the number of continuous automatic cleanings within a predetermined time, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of ink during inspection by the ink droplet sensor 7. On the other hand, when the ACL counter is smaller than 3, flushing before starting printing (preliminary flushing process) is performed (step S5, step S6, step S7).

  The pre-printing flushing is performed before the inspection step by the ink droplet sensor 7, for example, by discharging ink having increased viscosity from the inside of the nozzle 47 so that the inspection executed later can be performed satisfactorily. In this flushing operation, when an error is output to the control device 58, the process returns to the beginning of the cleaning flow (step S9). On the other hand, if no error is output to the control device 58, the temperature of the recording head 3 is detected by a thermistor (not shown), and the temperature data is stored in the storage device 60 (step S10). Here, the temperature of the recording head 3 affects the viscosity of the ink ejected from the nozzles 47. Therefore, it is used to change a cleaning parameter, which will be described later, according to the viscosity of the ink. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the suction force of the suction pump 16 during the suction operation is finely adjusted based on the head temperature stored in the storage device 60 as described above.

  Here, when the cleaning process is called when the ink is initially filled or when the printer 1 is turned on, all nozzles are targeted regardless of whether the monochrome printing mode or the color printing mode is selected. Inspection by the ink droplet sensor 7 is performed (step S11).

  This cleaning process is not called when the ink is initially filled or when the printer 1 is turned on (for example, when a preset time has elapsed), and the monochrome printing mode is selected by the control device 58. If so, a detection step based on the flow shown in FIG. 11 is performed. On the other hand, when the monochrome print mode is not selected (that is, when the color print mode is selected), the ink droplet sensor 7 is inspected for all nozzles (step S12).

  Next, the inspection process in the ink droplet sensor 7 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The flow shown in FIG. 10 includes a detection step when the color printing mode is selected in the cleaning process, and a detection step when the cleaning process is called from when the printer 1 is turned on when the ink is initially filled. Corresponding. Further, the flow shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the detection step when the monochrome printing mode is selected in the cleaning process.

  First, the detection step shown in FIG. 10 will be described. First, a nozzle row counter (= 1) is set (step S13). This nozzle array counter corresponds to the nozzle array of the recording head 3, and is incremented (added by +1) as the inspection for each nozzle array is completed, as will be described later.

  Next, a voltage is applied between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 by the voltage applicator 75. That is, the ink droplet sensor 7 is turned on (step S14). At this time, for example, when the voltage is not satisfactorily applied and an error is output (step S15), the voltage application between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 is stopped, and the ink discharge state is restored (step S16, step S16). S17).

  On the other hand, if the voltage is satisfactorily applied, the ink droplet sensor 7 performs an inspection for each nozzle 47 in all nozzle rows (step S18). The inspection is performed as described with reference to FIG. If the inspection is interrupted, the process proceeds to step S16 and step S17, the voltage application between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 is stopped, and the ink discharge state is restored. Further, after the inspection for each nozzle row is completed, it is determined whether or not the nozzle row counter described above corresponds to the number of nozzle rows (eight rows). If the nozzle row counter is less than 8, the nozzle row counter is incremented (step S21), the process returns to step S18, and the other nozzle rows are similarly inspected. Then, the flow from step S16 to step S19 is repeated until the inspection for all nozzle rows is completed. After all the nozzle rows are inspected, voltage application between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 is stopped (step S22). With the above flow, the detection steps for all the nozzles 47 formed on the nozzle substrate 43 are completed. At this time, the storage device 60 of the ink droplet sensor 7 records data such as the number and position of defective nozzles.

Next, the detection step when the monochrome printing mode is selected will be described with reference to FIG. If the monochrome printing mode is selected, the nozzle row counter (= 4) is set (step S22). The recording head 3 has a total of two nozzle rows corresponding to black ink among all the nozzle rows (total 8 rows).
This nozzle row counter (= 4) means a case where detection is performed on one of the nozzle rows corresponding to black ink among all the nozzle rows (total 8 rows) of the recording head 3.

  Next, a voltage is applied between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 by the voltage applicator 75. That is, the ink droplet sensor 7 is turned on (step S23). At this time, for example, when the voltage is not satisfactorily applied and an error is output (step S24), the voltage application between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 is stopped and the ink discharge state is restored (step S25, step S25). S26).

On the other hand, when the voltage is satisfactorily applied, the ink droplet sensor 7 performs an inspection on each nozzle 47 of the nozzle row L5 corresponding to black ink (step S27). The inspection is performed as described with reference to FIG. If the inspection is interrupted, the process proceeds to step S25 and step S26, the voltage application between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 is stopped, and the ink discharge state is restored. Further, after the detection for one of the nozzle rows corresponding to the black ink is completed, the numerical value of the nozzle row counter is confirmed (step S29). When the numerical value of the nozzle row counter is not 5, that is, when the detection for all nozzle rows (two rows) corresponding to black ink is not completed, the nozzle row counter is incremented to set the nozzle row counter to 5 ( Step S31). And it returns to step S27 again and the same test | inspection is performed with respect to the other nozzle row corresponding to black ink. In this way, the inspection by the ink droplet sensor 7 is performed only for all the nozzle rows (two rows in total) corresponding to the black ink. After the inspection for the predetermined nozzle row is completed, the voltage application between the nozzle substrate 43 and the electrode member 79 is stopped (step S30).
With the above flow, the detection step in each nozzle 47 of all nozzle rows (total) corresponding to black ink among the nozzle rows formed on the nozzle substrate 43 is completed. At this time, the storage device 60 of the ink droplet sensor 7 records data such as the number and position of defective nozzles in all nozzle rows corresponding to black ink.

  Next, a parameter determination step for determining a cleaning process parameter based on the detection result of the ink droplet sensor 7 and a cleaning step for executing the cleaning process based on this parameter will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. .

  After the detection step is completed, the timer of the ink droplet sensor 7 is first reset and the timer is started (START). Then, the sensor detection number counter is incremented (step S32). This sensor detection number counter is for managing the number of activations of the ink droplet sensor 7, and is incremented by 1 each time the detection step is performed.

  In this embodiment, since the auto cleaning (ACL) function is used (ON state), the process proceeds to the next flow. When the auto cleaning (ACL) function is not used, the process is terminated and the printable state is returned (steps S33 and S34).

Subsequently, cleaning parameters are set. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the strength during the suction operation is determined as a cleaning parameter according to the number of nozzles (defective nozzles) that have been removed (step S35).
For example, when the number of missing nozzles is 0 to 2 and the missing nozzles are two adjacent nozzles, the first cleaning parameter CL1 is set (steps S36 and S39). The first cleaning parameter CL1 is for driving the suction pump 16 with a general suction force. In addition, when there are two missing nozzles, when there is one missing nozzle, and when there is no defective nozzle (zero), in this embodiment, these are allowed, and in principle, a parameter determination step is performed. If not, the cleaning step is stopped to return to the printable state (step S38). For this reason, since the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is used for business purposes (document creation) as described above, it is displayed even in the case of one missing nozzle or two missing nozzles that are not adjacent. There is no serious loss of quality, so there is no problem. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the cleaning process is prevented from being performed more than necessary by a defective nozzle that does not cause a problem in actual use.

  Incidentally, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment can perform manual cleaning at a timing desired by the user (see step S3). Therefore, when the detection step by the ink droplet sensor 7 is called from manual cleaning by the user, the first cleaning parameter CL1 is set even when two adjacent nozzles are missing. (Step S37, Step S39).

  Printing defects (for example, ink flight bends) due to thinning or alignment failure are difficult to detect by the ink droplet sensor 7, and although there are no defective nozzles in appearance, printing defects may occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the number of defective nozzles is from zero to about two that are not adjacent, if the user selects manual cleaning, the cleaning is forcibly executed in step S29 as described above. This makes it possible to eliminate printing defects caused by thinning and alignment defects.

  When there are 3 to 10 defective nozzles, the second cleaning parameter CL2 is set (step S40). The second cleaning parameter CL2 drives the suction pump 16 so as to obtain a stronger suction force than the first cleaning parameter CL1.

  If the number of defective nozzles is 11 to 100, the third cleaning parameter CL3 is set (step S41). This third cleaning parameter CL3 corresponds to choke cleaning. In the choke cleaning, the valve on the upstream side of the ink flow path is closed (choke state), and suction is performed from the nozzle side by a suction pump. Then, the inside of the recording head 3 is set to a negative pressure to expand the bubbles, and in this state, the valve is opened to discharge the bubbles. Thereby, powerful cleaning can be performed.

  If the number of defective nozzles is 101 or more, the fourth cleaning parameter CL4 is set (step S42). The fourth cleaning parameter CL4 corresponds to two-stage cleaning in which the chalk cleaning is performed in two stages. As described above, in this embodiment, the cleaning parameter is determined based on the detection result of the detection step of the ink droplet sensor 7. This cleaning parameter is held in the storage device 60. In this embodiment, since the purpose is to recover the ink ejection characteristics of the recording head 3 by one cleaning, the cleaning parameters CL1 to CL4 are set to have a larger ink suction amount than the number of defective nozzles.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the ACL counter is 3 or more. If the ACL counter is 3 or more, the auto cleaning failure counter is incremented and the result is stored in the storage device 60. Then, similarly to step S5 in FIG. 7, the printer 1 is left for a predetermined time without making an error determination and waits for the ejection characteristics of the recording head 3 to recover (step S43, step S44, step S45).

  After the ACL counter is determined, a pre-cleaning determination is performed (step S46). This determination is made as to whether or not the ink amount necessary for the cleaning operation (suction operation) remains in the ink cartridge 6 when performing the cleaning process based on the cleaning parameters CL1 to CL4. If an error is output in this pre-cleaning determination, the cleaning operation is stopped (steps S47 and S48). Examples of outputting an error include that the waste liquid of the ink collected in the cap member 15 is over capacity, the ink cartridge 6 is defective, and the ink is finished.

  On the other hand, if no error is output in the above determination, a cleaning process is performed on the recording head 3 (steps S47 and S49). At this time, the control device 58 executes a cleaning operation based on any of the cleaning parameters CL1 to CL4 held in the storage device 60. Specifically, the control device 58 sets the suction force of the suction pump 16 according to the cleaning parameter and executes the suction operation.

  In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the ACL counter is incremented after the cleaning process is completed (step S50). Then, the process returns to step S10 as shown in FIG. At this time, after 30 seconds have elapsed from the end of cleaning (step S51), step S10 is repeated. In this way, the process proceeds to step S10 after 30 seconds have elapsed from the end of cleaning, whereby the cleaning success rate can be greatly improved, and specifically, the cleaning operation can be executed with a probability of 90% or more.

  In the present embodiment, in each cleaning process, the detection step is performed again after the cleaning step, and the parameter determination step and the cleaning step are repeated according to the detection result. Specifically, the above-described inspection step is executed after cleaning, and when no defective nozzle is detected, the cleaning process ends. When the cleaning process fails, the detection step, parameter determination step, and cleaning step are repeated in order. Thereby, the reliability is improved by determining whether or not failure in cleaning is possible. Note that, after the above-described suction operation, a wiping process may be performed on the surface of the nozzle substrate 43 (that is, the nozzle opening surface 43a).

  As described above, according to the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, when the control device 58 (mode selection unit) selects the monochrome printing mode, the ink droplet sensor 7 corresponds to the nozzle 47 used in the color printing mode. The detection step is not performed. Therefore, when the monochrome printing mode is selected, it is possible to prevent the cleaning process from being executed by detecting the ejection failure of the nozzle 47 used in the color printing mode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that ink other than black ink that is not used in the monochrome printing mode is wasted. Moreover, the time of the detection step by the ink droplet sensor 7 can be shortened. As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is optimal for a printer in which the monochrome printing mode is selected as needed for the purpose of document printing or the like for business use.

  In the above embodiment, various limitations are given as preferred specific examples of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Is possible.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the ink drop sensor 7 does not detect the nozzle 47 used in the color printing mode when the control device 58 selects the monochrome printing mode has been described. In some cases, the frequency of detection by the ink droplet sensor 7 may be reduced. In this case, for example, the user can set the detection frequency by the ink droplet sensor 7 in three stages (standard, less, less) from a driver utility screen (not shown). In the case of detection frequency (standard), detection by the ink droplet sensor 7 is performed every hour. In the case of detection frequency (low), detection by the ink droplet sensor 7 is performed every 2 to 4 hours. In the case of detection frequency (less), detection by the ink droplet sensor 7 is performed only when the printer 1 is powered on.

  By reducing the frequency of detection by the ink droplet sensor 7 in this way, the opportunity for cleaning is reduced, and color ink that is not used when the monochrome print mode is selected can be prevented from being consumed by the cleaning. Therefore, the amount of color ink consumed when the monochrome print mode is selected can be suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the case where the control device 58 selects the monochrome printing mode by setting the monochrome printing mode from the driver utility screen (not shown) has been described. For example, the detection by the ink droplet sensor 7 before the printing is started. In the printer 1 that needs to perform steps, the control device 58 may select a print mode based on print data input from the outside.
In this case, the control device 58 determines whether the process performed by the printer 1 is monochrome printing or color printing from print data input from the outside. The control device 58 selects the monochrome print mode when the input print data is monochrome data. On the other hand, the control device 58 selects the color print mode when the input print data is color data.

  Further, the control device 58 may determine the print quality required for the print data input from the outside. Print quality includes draft printing and high-definition printing. Draft printing is used when test printing is performed, and is sufficient if a minimum print quality is obtained. In addition, high-definition printing requires high definition such as a photograph.

  Specifically, if the control device 58 determines that the input print data is draft print, and the missing nozzle detected by the ink drop sensor 7 is relatively light (for example, about 10). The cleaning process may not be performed, or the actual cleaning parameter (second cleaning parameter CL2) may be changed to the one lower level (first cleaning parameter CL1) to lower the cleaning level. This is because draft printing is test printing as described above, so that some missing dots are acceptable. In this way, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of ink due to the cleaning being performed when print quality is not required.

In the above-described embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer (recording apparatus). However, the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. It is also possible to embody the present invention in a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a fluid.
For example, a liquid material injection device for injecting a liquid material in the form of dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays, and biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic substance used in the above, or a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette.
In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, or a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects gel.
In any one of these liquid ejecting apparatuses, the present invention is applied if there is a possibility that the ejected liquid (liquid or fluid) may increase the viscosity due to, for example, drying or the like and cause a discharge failure. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (fluid ejection device), 3 ... Ejection head (fluid ejection head), 7 ... Ink drop sensor (fluid detection means), 14 ... Cleaning means, 47 ... Nozzle (ejection nozzle), 58 ... Control device (mode selection) Means), CL1, CL2, CL3, CL4... Cleaning parameters (processing parameters)

Claims (6)

A fluid ejection head that ejects fluid from a plurality of ejection nozzles to a target;
Mode selection means for selecting one of a plurality of print modes;
Fluid detection means for detecting the state of ejection of the fluid at the ejection nozzle according to the print mode selected by the mode selection means;
Cleaning means for cleaning the fluid ejection head based on the detection result of the fluid detection means;
A fluid ejecting apparatus comprising:   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit includes a cap member that abuts on the fluid ejecting head so as to cover an entire region of the ejection nozzle formation region.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing mode includes a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode.   The fluid detection unit changes at least one of the frequency of detecting the ejection state and the ejection nozzle to be detected according to the print mode selected by the mode selection unit. The fluid ejection device according to claim 3.   When the monochrome printing mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the fluid detection unit reduces the frequency of detection or does not perform detection for the ejection nozzle used in the color printing mode. The fluid ejection device according to claim 4.   6. The fluid detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the fluid detection unit determines a processing parameter when the cleaning unit performs cleaning on the fluid ejection head based on a detection result of the fluid detection unit. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1.

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