JP2017109479A - Liquid discharge device and adjustment chart creation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid discharge device capable of acquiring a droplet discharge characteristic at a low cost without using a scanner.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a control section which drives a liquid discharge head 6 with a nozzle array by a drive waveform and creates an adjustment chart on a recording medium P. The control section forms a reference pattern 110 formed along the direction of the nozzle array by driving many nozzles and adjustment patterns 111 and 112 formed along the direction of the nozzle array by driving a smaller number of nozzles than the driving number of the nozzles when forming the reference pattern 110 to be adjacent to each other as the adjustment chart on the recording medium P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for ejecting liquid and an adjustment chart creation method.

  An apparatus, such as an ink jet recording apparatus, that discharges liquid from a nozzle as a droplet by increasing the pressure of a liquid chamber that stores liquid such as ink, and records information on a recording medium. It has been known. The apparatus includes a liquid discharge head having discharge ports (nozzles) for discharging liquid.

  The liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are arranged so as to be adjacent in a predetermined arrangement. When the timing of ejecting liquid from one nozzle included in a plurality of nozzles included in the liquid ejection head and the timing of ejecting liquid from another nozzle arranged in the vicinity of the one nozzle overlap, The discharge amount and discharge speed of the liquid at the nozzle change. That is, the characteristic of the driving operation for executing the liquid discharge from one nozzle changes due to the influence of the liquid discharge operation at other nozzles arranged in the vicinity. In this way, the characteristics (liquid ejection characteristics such as the liquid ejection amount and ejection speed) related to the liquid ejection operation of one nozzle are affected by the liquid ejection operation of other nozzles arranged in the vicinity. Is called “cross talk”.

  When crosstalk occurs in the ink jet recording apparatus, density unevenness due to droplets (ink droplets) adhering to the recording medium, unevenness, and the like occur. Such density unevenness and uneven stripes cause the quality of information recorded on the recording medium to deteriorate. That is, the print quality is lowered.

  Therefore, in order to suppress the influence of crosstalk, liquid discharge characteristics that change according to the number of nozzles to be driven are acquired from the adjustment chart, and the waveform of the drive voltage (drive waveform) used for driving the nozzles is acquired. Techniques for correcting based on characteristics are known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)

  With the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the liquid ejection characteristics cannot be acquired unless the created adjustment chart is read by a scanner. Therefore, a mechanism such as a scanner for reading the adjustment chart is required. Therefore, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to a device that discharges a liquid that is configured only by a plotter. In order to make it possible to apply the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, by installing equipment such as a scanner in a device that discharges liquid, the manufacturing cost of the device becomes expensive.

  Further, in a device for discharging a liquid provided with a serial head, liquid discharge unevenness that causes density unevenness and unevenness may occur due to periodic vibration generated when the serial head is moved in the main scanning direction. . In this case, it is difficult to distinguish from liquid discharge unevenness due to crosstalk, and it is difficult to recognize separately from discharge unevenness due to vibration during movement of the serial head. Therefore, even if the liquid discharge characteristic is acquired from the adjustment chart in order to suppress the influence of the crosstalk in the apparatus for discharging the liquid provided with the serial head, there is a problem in accurately suppressing the crosstalk.

  In addition, in a device that discharges liquid with a line head, liquid discharge unevenness that causes density unevenness and unevenness occurs due to vibration accompanying conveyance of a recording medium that receives liquid discharged from the nozzle of the line head. There is. In this case, it is difficult to distinguish from liquid discharge unevenness due to crosstalk, and it is difficult to distinguish and distinguish from liquid discharge unevenness due to vibration accompanying the conveyance of the recording medium. Therefore, even in a device that discharges liquid having a line head, there is a problem in accurately suppressing crosstalk even if the liquid discharge characteristics are acquired from the adjustment chart in order to suppress the influence of crosstalk.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to obtain droplet discharge characteristics at a low cost.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that drives a liquid ejection head including a nozzle row with a drive waveform to create an adjustment chart on a recording medium, and the control unit includes the adjustment As a chart, a reference pattern formed along the direction of the nozzle row by driving all or part of the plurality of nozzles constituting the nozzle row, and the number of nozzles driven when forming the reference pattern An apparatus for ejecting liquid, wherein an adjustment pattern formed along the direction of the nozzle row is formed on the recording medium adjacently by driving a different number of the nozzles.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to acquire droplet discharge characteristics at low cost.

It is a top view which shows the structure of the serial head to which this invention is applied. It is a top view which shows the structure of the line head to which this invention is applied. It is a control block diagram of the control apparatus with which the apparatus which discharges the liquid which concerns on embodiment is equipped. It is a figure which shows typically the nozzle arrangement | positioning of the liquid discharge head with which the apparatus which discharges the liquid which concerns on embodiment is equipped. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the number of drive nozzles known conventionally, a liquid discharge speed, and a liquid discharge amount. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the movement distance to the main scanning direction of the serial head known conventionally, and the shift | offset | difference of the printing position by a guide rod. It is a figure which shows an example of the adjustment chart preparation method using the serial head which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the concept of the magnification correction of the drive waveform applied to a liquid discharge head. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the correction control part which concerns on embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the abolition direction of the apparatus which discharges the liquid provided with the conventionally known line head, and the shift | offset | difference of the printing position by an eccentric roller. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the adjustment chart preparation method using the line head which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the adjustment chart preparation method using the line head which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the adjustment chart preparation method using the line head which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of the adjustment chart preparation method using the line head which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 5th example of the adjustment chart preparation method using the line head which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 6th example of the adjustment chart preparation method using the line head which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows embodiment of the adjustment chart preparation method which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a recording head applied to an apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a serial head which is an example of a recording head.

<Configuration example of serial head>
The serial head shown in FIG. 1 is for color printing, and a liquid ejection head 6 is mounted on a carriage 5. Here, the liquid discharge head 6 includes liquid discharge heads 6y, 6m, 6c, and 6k that individually discharge four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) of liquids. In the following description, the liquid discharge heads 6y, 6m, 6c, and 6k of each color mounted on the carriage 5 are collectively referred to as “liquid discharge head 6”. The carriage 5 is connected to a timing belt 11 that is wound around a gear 9 and a pressure roller 10. The timing belt 11 is an endless belt. When the gear 9 is rotationally driven by the main scanning motor 8, the carriage 5 moves as the timing belt 11 moves. Therefore, the carriage 5 is configured to reciprocate in a certain direction (the direction of arrow A) along the guide rod 12 by the main scanning motor 8. The direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 is referred to as “main scanning direction”. The movement of the carriage 5 along the guide rod in the main scanning direction is called “scanning operation”.

  The position of the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction is detected by reading a linear scale 40 provided along the main scanning direction of the carriage 5 by a linear encoder 41 provided on the carriage 5.

  When the apparatus for discharging the liquid is activated, the main scanning motor 8 is driven to rotate, and the sheet-like recording medium P such as recording paper is driven by the paper feeding motor together with the scanning operation in which the carriage 5 moves in the main scanning direction. The sheet is conveyed from the sheet feeding unit to the platen 22 by the conveyed roller. Hereinafter, in the description of the embodiment, the scan operation when creating the adjustment chart may be performed a plurality of times. Details thereof will be described later.

  The conveyance direction of the recording medium P is the direction of arrow B in FIG. The direction of this arrow B is called “sub-scanning direction”. The rotational position of the transport roller is detected based on an output signal of a rotary encoder provided on the transport roller. The formation of the print pattern on the recording medium P is performed by controlling the operation of the liquid ejection head 6 by the control device.

<Example of line head configuration>
Next, the configuration of a line head, which is another example of a recording head applied to an apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.

  The line head shown in FIG. 2 includes an adjustment plate 20, a liquid discharge head 6 arranged on the adjustment plate 20, a drive control board 18 that controls driving of the liquid discharge head 6, and the liquid discharge head 6 and drive control. A flat cable 19 for connecting the substrate 18 is provided as a main configuration. Also in the line head, liquid discharge heads 6y, 6m, 6c, and 6k that individually discharge liquids of four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged in a line with respect to the entire print width for the recording medium P. ing.

  The adjustment plate 20 is used to arrange and fix a plurality of liquid discharge heads 6 arranged with high accuracy. The drive control board 18 is a rigid board on which a circuit for generating a drive waveform signal and an image data signal for driving a liquid discharge piezoelectric element included in the liquid discharge head 6 is mounted. The flat cable 19 is for electrically connecting the drive control board 18 and the liquid discharge head 6.

  The piezoelectric element included in the liquid ejection head 6 is driven in accordance with a drive waveform signal or an image data signal transmitted from the drive control board 18. In response to the driving of the piezoelectric element, pressure is applied to the liquid chamber that stores liquid (ink) in the liquid discharge head 6. With this pressure, the liquid is discharged toward the recording medium P.

  In the liquid discharge head 6, nozzles that are discharge ports for discharging liquid are arranged, and a nozzle surface is formed. The nozzle surface is supported with a predetermined gap between it and the platen 22 (see FIG. 1) that supports the recording medium P. The nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head 6 is driven and controlled to eject ink of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) according to the conveyance speed of the recording medium P. As a result, a color image is formed on the recording medium P.

<Functional blocks according to this embodiment>
Next, the functional configuration of the head controller that controls the operation of the liquid ejection head 6 applied in the embodiment of the apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 300 according to the form of the head control unit includes a main control unit 310, an external I / F (Interface) 311, a head drive control unit 312, a main scan drive unit 313, A scanning drive unit 314, a paper feed drive unit 315, and a paper discharge drive unit 316 are included.

  The main control unit 310 controls the overall operation of the apparatus for ejecting liquid, and forms an adjustment chart for executing the adjustment chart creation method and corrects the magnification of the drive voltage used for driving the liquid ejection head 6. Control related control. The external I / F 311 is interposed between the main control unit 310 and the host side, and transmits and receives various data and various signals.

  The head drive control unit 312 includes a head data generation array conversion ASIC for driving and controlling the liquid ejection head 6. The main scanning drive unit 313 controls rotation driving of the main scanning motor 8. The sub-scanning drive unit 314 controls the rotational driving of the sub-scanning motor 131. The paper feed drive unit 315 controls the drive of the paper feed motor 49. The paper discharge drive unit 316 controls driving of a paper discharge motor 79 that drives each roller provided in the paper discharge unit.

  The control unit 300 drives a recovery system driving unit for rotating and driving a maintenance / recovery motor included in the liquid discharge device, a solenoid driving unit for driving various solenoids, and an electromagnetic clutch. A clutch drive unit is also provided.

  The main control unit 310 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 301, a read only memory (ROM) 302, a random access memory (RAM) 303, a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) 304, and an ASIC (injective memory). (Field Programmable Gate Array) 306.

  The CPU 301 reads a program stored in the ROM 302 and other fixed data, and executes various arithmetic processes necessary for controlling the liquid ejection head 6 by the control unit 300, as will be described later. The ROM 302 is a storage unit that stores a control program executed by the CPU 301 and other fixed data including an inspection chart. A RAM 303 is a storage unit that temporarily stores a work area when the CPU 301 executes a control program, print image data formed by the control program, and the like.

  The NVRAM 304 is a non-volatile memory for holding data while the power supply of the device that discharges liquid is shut off. The ASIC 305 is a custom IC for image processing that performs various signal processing and rearrangement on image data. The FPGA 360 is a signal processing unit that processes input / output signals for controlling the entire apparatus that ejects liquid.

  The main control unit 310 receives an output signal of the linear encoder 41 that detects the position of the carriage 5 and an output signal of the rotary encoder 138 that detects the rotational position of the conveyance roller that conveys the recording medium P in the sub-scanning direction. . The main control unit 310 reciprocates the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction by driving and controlling the main scanning motor 8 based on the output signal of the linear encoder 41. In addition, the main control unit 310 moves the recording medium P via the conveyance roller by drivingly controlling the sub-scanning motor 131 based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 138.

  The main control unit 310 also includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad provided on the main body of the apparatus that ejects liquid, a print start key, and various displays that display the operating state of the apparatus that ejects liquid. An operation / display unit 327 is connected. The main control unit 310 takes key inputs output from the operation / display unit 327 and outputs display information to the operation / display unit 327.

  Further, when there is an adjustment request from the operation / display unit 327, the main control unit 310 performs a process of driving the liquid ejection head 6 via the head drive control unit 312 to form an adjustment chart on the recording medium P. . Further, after the adjustment chart is formed, when there is a correction request from the operation / display unit 327, control is performed to correct the magnification of the drive voltage so as to eliminate printing deviation due to crosstalk. The input operation of the operation / display unit 327 is performed by the user.

  The main control unit 310 is also input with detection signals from various sensors provided in each unit of the apparatus that ejects liquid (not shown). Thereby, the control part 300 can control the drive of the whole apparatus which discharges a liquid.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the liquid discharge head 6 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid ejection head 6 includes two nozzle rows, an A row and a B row. The A row nozzle row and the B row nozzle row each have nozzles of 1ch (channel) to 192ch. Each nozzle is individually driven and corresponds to an ejection port that ejects liquid. Further, the nozzle row A and the nozzle row B are arranged at positions slightly shifted in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P.

  The relationship between the liquid discharge head 6 and the conveyance direction of the recording medium P illustrated in FIG. 4 is that of the serial head described in FIG. Therefore, the liquid discharge head 6 is arranged so that the nozzle rows are parallel to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P. In the case of a line head, the liquid discharge head 6 is arranged so that the nozzle row is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5, in the liquid discharge head 6, the number of drive nozzles, the liquid discharge amount Mj of the liquid discharged from the drive nozzle, and the liquid discharge speed Vj of the liquid discharged from the drive nozzle The relationship will be described. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the number of drive nozzles, and the vertical axis represents the liquid discharge amount Mj and the liquid discharge speed Vj.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid discharge speed (Vj) and the liquid discharge amount (Mj) change approximately proportionally according to the number of nozzles to be driven. Depending on the number of drive nozzles, the manner of occurrence of overshoot and undershoot of the drive waveform differs. Overshoot and undershoot affect the voltage amplitude in the drive waveform. As the voltage amplitude in the drive waveform increases, the liquid discharge speed (Vj) increases and the liquid discharge amount (Mj) increases. Therefore, crosstalk occurs in which the liquid discharge speed (Vj) and the liquid discharge amount (Mj) are affected by the number of drive nozzles.

  As described above, the degree of crosstalk changes according to the number of drive nozzles. Therefore, the change in the number of drive nozzles causes variations in the ink discharge speed (Vj) and the ink discharge amount (Mj), resulting in density unevenness and printing. Deviation will occur. That is, the quality of the print image changes depending on the number of drive nozzles, and the print image quality may deteriorate depending on the case.

  By the way, the density unevenness of the image may occur due to causes other than crosstalk. Therefore, in order to correct the crosstalk accurately, it is necessary to reliably separate the density unevenness of the image caused by the crosstalk from the density unevenness of the image due to other causes.

  In an apparatus for discharging a liquid provided with a serial head, liquid discharge unevenness that causes density unevenness and unevenness may occur due to periodic vibration generated when the serial head is moved in the main scanning direction. In this case, it is difficult to distinguish from liquid discharge unevenness due to crosstalk, and it is difficult to recognize separately from discharge unevenness due to vibration during movement of the serial head. Therefore, in order to suppress the influence of the crosstalk in the apparatus for discharging the liquid provided with the serial head, it is difficult to suppress the crosstalk accurately even if the liquid discharge characteristics are obtained using a simple adjustment chart. It is.

  In addition, in a device that discharges liquid with a line head, liquid discharge unevenness that causes density unevenness and unevenness occurs due to vibration accompanying conveyance of a recording medium that receives liquid discharged from the nozzle of the line head. There is. In this case, it is difficult to distinguish from liquid discharge unevenness due to crosstalk, and it is difficult to distinguish and distinguish from liquid discharge unevenness due to vibration accompanying the conveyance of the recording medium. Therefore, even in a device that discharges liquid with a line head, in order to suppress the influence of crosstalk, even if liquid discharge characteristics are acquired using a simple adjustment chart, crosstalk is accurately suppressed. It is difficult.

  The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present embodiment forms an adjustment chart that can separate image density unevenness caused by crosstalk and image density unevenness caused by other causes as described above. be able to. In addition, the liquid ejection characteristics acquired based on the adjustment chart can be corrected with high accuracy. Hereinafter, the liquid discharge head 6 is applied to a serial head in the liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment (see FIG. 1) and the liquid discharge head 6 is applied to a line head (see FIG. 2). The principle of an adjustment chart that can accurately identify factors that cause a decrease in print image quality such as density unevenness will be described.

<Serial head>
In the apparatus for ejecting liquid having a serial head, the cause of the uneven density of the image is the liquid ejection head when the carriage 5 is mainly scanned along the guide rod 12 in the main scanning direction, except for crosstalk. 6 position shift. The cause of the displacement of the liquid discharge head 6 is the formation accuracy and attachment accuracy of the guide rod 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the positional deviation (blur amount) of the liquid ejection head 6 due to the accuracy of the guide rod 12 changes gently with respect to the scanning distance of the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction. Therefore, in the case of a serial head, if an adjustment chart is created in a range where the moving distance of the liquid ejection head in the main scanning direction is short, an adjustment chart reflecting the density unevenness of the image caused by crosstalk can be acquired. . In other words, it is possible to create an adjustment chart in which image density unevenness due to causes other than crosstalk is reliably separated.

<For line head>
The cause of the uneven density of the image in the apparatus for ejecting the liquid provided with the line head is mainly the deviation of the feeding speed of the recording medium P except for the crosstalk. The cause of the deviation in the feeding speed of the recording medium P is the eccentricity of the roller that conveys the recording medium P. As shown in FIG. 10B, the amount of eccentricity of the maximum roller M3 in the roller for conveying the recording medium P in the apparatus for ejecting liquid having a line head is about 560 mm. The speed fluctuation of the recording medium P due to the eccentricity of the roller system is gradual as the degree of change with respect to the feeding direction of the recording medium P, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the case of a line head, if an adjustment chart is created in a range where the distance in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P is short, a chart reflecting density unevenness of an image caused by crosstalk can be acquired. In other words, it is possible to create an adjustment chart in which image density unevenness due to causes other than crosstalk is reliably separated.

  As described above, in an apparatus for ejecting liquid, in order to obtain an adjustment chart reflecting image density unevenness due to crosstalk, the movement distance of the liquid ejection head 6 in the main scanning direction or the conveyance of the recording medium P is obtained. An adjustment chart may be created at a short distance. By using this adjustment chart, it is possible to obtain an adjustment chart that can reliably isolate the cause of density unevenness.

<Adjustment chart>
Next, the adjustment chart 100 created in the apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present embodiment will be described. An adjustment chart 100 described below is an example of an adjustment chart formed by a serial head. The adjustment chart 100 is created by printing on the recording medium P so as to form a reference pattern 110, a first adjustment pattern 111, and a second adjustment pattern 112. FIG. 7A is an example showing an overall image of the adjustment chart 100. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view in which the front end portion in the main scanning direction of the adjustment chart 100 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, a plurality of patterns from the leading end side (the base point side when main scanning is started) of the liquid ejection head 6 in the serial head toward the rear end side in the main scanning direction. Are formed adjacent to each other. Adjacent patterns are formed without gaps. The dimension of each pattern in the main scanning direction is, for example, about 100 mm. Further, the dimension in the sub-scanning direction of each pattern changes according to the number of nozzles to be driven when forming the pattern.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the adjustment chart 100 is arranged such that the first adjustment pattern 111 and the second adjustment pattern 112 are sandwiched between the reference patterns 110.

  The reference pattern 110 is a pattern formed by driving the nozzles (see FIG. 4) for 192 ch included in the liquid ejection head 6.

  The first adjustment pattern 111 and the second adjustment pattern 112 are patterns formed by driving a different number of nozzles from the reference pattern 110. For example, the first adjustment pattern 111 is a pattern formed by driving nozzles for 40 channels selected from nozzles for 192 channels. The second adjustment pattern 112 is a pattern formed by driving 100 ch nozzles selected from 192 ch nozzles.

  In other words, the adjustment chart 100 is different from the reference pattern 110 formed by simultaneously driving all of the plurality of nozzles constituting the nozzle row and the number of nozzles driven when forming the reference pattern. The first adjustment pattern 111 and the second adjustment pattern 112 are formed by driving the nozzle. As shown in FIG. 7A, the reference pattern 110 and the adjustment patterns (the first adjustment pattern 111 and the second adjustment pattern 112) are repeatedly printed in a predetermined order. That is, the adjustment chart 100 is created by repeatedly forming a plurality of patterns to be formed with different numbers of simultaneous driving of nozzles in a predetermined order. The drive waveforms used when forming these patterns are corrected using different drive waveform magnifications.

  As shown in FIG. 7, no blank space is created between the reference pattern 110 and each adjustment pattern. By forming the reference pattern 110 and each adjustment pattern in this way, it becomes easier to compare the reference pattern 110 and each adjustment pattern. Further, the end of the reference pattern 110 and the end of each adjustment pattern are formed close to the left end or the right end of the print width of the recording medium P. By doing so, it becomes possible to correct the drive waveform with an image closer to the actual machine.

  Note that the user can operate the operation / display unit 327 to input the above-described reference pattern 110, the width of each adjustment pattern, the number of drive nozzles, the drive waveform magnification, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the reference pattern 110 is formed by driving nozzles for 192 channels. However, since the density of the reference pattern 110 varies depending on the density desired by the user, the reference pattern 110 may be formed with the number of drive nozzles less than 192 ch.

  In actual printing, the influence of the crosstalk becomes large at the connecting portion of the liquid discharge head 6. Therefore, the first adjustment pattern 111 may be formed with an arbitrary number of drive nozzles smaller than 40 ch, and the second adjustment pattern 112 may be formed with an arbitrary number of drive nozzles smaller than 100 ch. In addition, the kind of adjustment pattern is not limited to two types, You may form arbitrary types.

  In order to create an adjustment chart for facilitating the separation between the density unevenness of the print image caused by crosstalk and the density unevenness of the print image due to other causes, the position of the liquid ejection head 6 can be used for a serial head. It is desirable to carry out at a position in the main scanning direction (see FIG. 6) where the deviation is small. Further, in the case of a line head, it is desirable to carry out at the position in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P (see FIG. 10) with little fluctuation in the conveyance speed of the recording medium P.

<Crosstalk correction method>
Next, a method for correcting crosstalk will be described. Crosstalk can be corrected by changing the magnification of the voltage amplitude of the drive waveform applied to the liquid ejection head 6. As shown in FIG. 8, the correction of the drive waveform magnification is performed by maintaining the intermediate potential of the drive waveform and changing the other by using a predetermined magnification for the correction. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, when the drive waveform magnification is “1”, as will be described later, the numerical value used in the correction of the drive waveform is “drive waveform magnification 0%”. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, when the drive waveform magnification is “1.2”, as will be described later, the numerical value used for correcting the drive waveform is “drive waveform magnification 20%”. Although not illustrated in FIG. 8, “drive waveform magnification of 10%” corresponds to the case where the drive waveform magnification is “1.1”.

  In creating an adjustment chart described later, the original drive waveform table stored in the ROM 302 (see FIG. 3) or the like is read, and the desired drive waveform magnification is used for values other than the intermediate potential as described above. Perform multiplication. As a result, the voltage amplitude of the drive waveform can be corrected, and crosstalk can be suppressed.

<Adjustment chart creation section>
Next, a functional configuration of an adjustment chart creating unit having a function of executing the adjustment chart creating method according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the FPGA 360 that implements the functions of the adjustment chart creation unit. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the FPGA 360 includes an image data output unit 405, a pixel count unit 403, a drive waveform correction value calculation unit 404, and a drive waveform correction unit 402.

  The image data output unit 405 holds image data ejected in the next cycle. The pixel count unit 403 that has received the image data information from the image data output unit 405 outputs the number of drive nozzles in the next cycle. The drive waveform correction value calculation unit 404 that has received the number of drive nozzles from the pixel count unit 403 outputs a drive waveform magnification correction value. The relationship between the number of drive nozzles and the drive waveform magnification correction value can be obtained by the user determining a desired adjustment amount based on an adjustment chart (see FIG. 7) generated on the recording medium P.

  The drive waveform correction unit 402 that has received the correction value from the drive waveform correction value calculation unit 404 performs magnification correction of the drive waveform. The drive waveform is based on a drive waveform table stored in the ROM 302. The magnification correction is performed by multiplying the drive waveform read from the drive waveform table 401 by the drive waveform magnification correction value. In this case, the flat portion called the intermediate potential is not corrected, and the other portions are multiplied. The drive waveform table may be stored in a storage unit such as a RAM built in the FPGA 360. In this case, the drive waveform table stored in the FPGA 360 can be selected and read and corrected using the magnification value.

  The drive waveform table is a data table that stores drive waveforms that differ for each temperature.

<Embodiment of Adjustment Chart Creation Method>
Next, an embodiment of an adjustment chart creation method according to the present invention will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The adjustment chart creation method according to the present embodiment is a creation method of the adjustment chart 100 that is formed by using the liquid ejection apparatus already described.

  First, a drive waveform with a drive waveform magnification of 0% is applied to the 192 ch nozzles provided in the liquid ejection head 6, and printing is performed on the recording medium P so as to form the reference pattern 110 (S 1701). Note that the drive waveform magnification when forming the reference pattern 110 is fixed at 0%.

  Next, a drive waveform with an arbitrarily set drive waveform magnification is applied to the nozzles for 40 ch selected from the nozzles for 192 ch included in the liquid ejection head 6 to form the first adjustment pattern 111. In this manner, printing is performed on the recording medium P (S1702). The drive waveform magnification here is “0%” which is an initial setting value.

  Next, a drive waveform with a drive waveform magnification of 0% is applied to the nozzles for 192 channels included in the liquid discharge head 6 and the reference pattern 110 is printed on the recording medium P (S1703).

  Next, a drive waveform with an arbitrarily set drive waveform magnification is applied to 100 ch nozzles selected from the 192 ch nozzles included in the liquid ejection head 6 to form the second adjustment pattern 112. In this manner, printing is performed on the recording medium P (S1704). The drive waveform magnification here is “0%” which is an initial setting value.

  Next, a drive waveform with a drive waveform magnification of 0% is applied to the 192 ch nozzles provided in the liquid ejection head 6, and the reference pattern 110 is printed on the recording medium P (S 1705).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the necessary amount of adjustment chart 100 has been created (S1706). If the necessary amount of creation has been completed, the adjustment chart 100 is complete (S1706: No). If creation of the necessary amount has not been completed (S1706: Yes), the drive waveform magnification is changed (S1707), and the process returns to S1702.

  Subsequently, a drive waveform multiplied by 10% of the drive waveform magnification changed in S1707 is applied to the nozzles for 40 channels selected from the nozzles for 192 channels included in the liquid discharge head 6, and the first adjustment pattern is applied. Printing is performed on the recording medium P so as to form 111 (S1702).

  Subsequently, a drive waveform with a drive waveform magnification of 0% is applied to the nozzles for 192 ch included in the liquid discharge head 6, and the reference pattern 110 is printed on the recording medium P (S 1703).

  Subsequently, the second adjustment is performed by applying the drive waveform multiplied by the drive waveform magnification 10% changed in S1707 to the nozzles for 100 ch selected from the nozzles for 192 ch included in the liquid discharge head 6. Printing is performed on the recording medium P so as to form the pattern 112 (S1704).

  Subsequently, a drive waveform with a drive waveform magnification of 0% is applied to the nozzles for 192ch included in the liquid ejection head 6, and the reference pattern 110 is printed on the recording medium P (S1705).

  As described above, in the method of creating the adjustment chart 100 according to this embodiment, the drive waveform magnification when forming the reference pattern 110 is fixed at 0%, and the first adjustment pattern 111 and the second adjustment pattern 112 are formed. The drive waveform magnification at that time is changed to 0%, 10%, and so on. The first adjustment pattern 111 and the second adjustment pattern 112 are formed in such a manner as to be sandwiched between the reference patterns 110, thereby improving the visibility of density unevenness.

  Various examples of the adjustment chart 100 described below can be formed by applying the creation method described above. The following is applicable and can be created in the ejection device and the adjustment chart creation method of the liquid according to the present invention. In the adjustment chart 100 of each example, there are various variations in the formation position of the reference pattern 110, the first adjustment pattern 111, and the second adjustment pattern 112, and the arrangement order thereof. Variations in the formation position, order, and arrangement of these patterns are realized by the control unit 300 (see FIG. 3) controlling the operation of the liquid ejection head 6 and the like.

<First example of adjustment chart>
Hereinafter, an example of the adjustment chart 100 that is executed by the apparatus for discharging liquid according to the present invention and created by the adjustment chart creation method will be further described. The first example of the adjustment chart 100 described below is applicable regardless of whether the liquid ejection head 6 is a serial head or a line head.

  Here, the relationship between the scanning operation of the liquid ejection head 6 and the method of creating the adjustment chart 100 will be described. As already described, in the case of a serial head, the liquid discharge head 6 prints an image or the like on the recording medium P by discharging liquid while performing a scanning operation. The movement range of the liquid ejection head 6 in one scanning operation of the serial head is a range corresponding to the front end portion to the rear end portion of the movement range of the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction. That is, the drive of the liquid ejection head 6 from the front end portion to the rear end portion of the carriage 5 corresponds to one scan (see FIG. 7). The liquid discharge head 6 in the case of a line head is not a scanning operation like a serial head, but one time of movement of the recording medium P (movement in the sub-scanning direction) corresponds to one scan.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the first example of the adjustment chart 100 is such that the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage for the nozzles for 192 channels included in the liquid discharge head 6 is fixed at 0%, and the reference pattern in one scan of the liquid discharge head 6 110 is formed. Subsequent to the reference pattern 110, the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage for the nozzles for 40ch arbitrarily selected from the nozzles for 192ch included in the liquid ejection head 6 is changed to 0%, 10%, 20%, and so on. A first adjustment pattern 111 is formed. Further, following the reference pattern 110, the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage for the nozzles for 100 ch arbitrarily selected from the nozzles for 192 ch provided in the liquid ejection head 6 is changed to 0%, 10%, and 20%. Thus, the second adjustment pattern 112 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the reference pattern 110, the first adjustment pattern 111, and the second adjustment pattern 112 are formed in the order of formation of the reference pattern 110, the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 0%, A reference pattern 110 is formed, and a second adjustment pattern 112 having a drive waveform magnification of 0% is formed. Subsequently, the reference pattern 110 is formed, the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 10% is formed, the reference pattern 110 is formed, and the second adjustment pattern 112 having a drive waveform magnification of 10% is formed. Subsequently, the reference pattern 110 is formed, the first adjustment pattern 111 with a drive waveform magnification of 20% is formed, the reference pattern 110 is formed, and the second adjustment pattern 112 with a drive waveform magnification of 20% is formed.

  As described above, in the adjustment chart 100 according to the present embodiment, the reference waveform 110 is formed with the drive waveform magnification fixed at 0% in the above order, and the drive waveform magnification is changed from 0% to 20%. In this case, the first adjustment pattern 111 and the second adjustment pattern 112 are formed.

  When the adjustment chart 100 is created by such a method, it is possible to obtain the adjustment chart 100 that allows the user to easily visually confirm the magnification at which the reference pattern 110 and the density of each adjustment pattern are the same or closest. Therefore, it is easy for the user to appropriately select a preferred magnification. For example, 10% can be selected as the magnification when the number of drive nozzles is 100 ch, and 20% can be selected as the magnification when the number of drive nozzles is 40 ch. Accordingly, the drive characteristics of the liquid ejection head 6 can be acquired without using an adjustment chart reading mechanism such as a scanner, and adverse effects due to crosstalk can be suppressed with high accuracy.

<Second example of adjustment chart>
Next, a second example of the adjustment chart 100 will be described. The adjustment chart 100 shown in the second example is applicable when the type of the liquid ejection head 6 is a serial head.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the first scan, the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage for the nozzles for 192 channels included in the liquid ejection head 6 is set to 0%, and the reference pattern 110 is directed from the front end to the rear end in the main scanning direction. Form. After the reference pattern 110 is formed, the recording medium P is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the first adjustment pattern 111, the second adjustment pattern 112, and the third adjustment pattern 113 are formed in the second scan. The first adjustment pattern 111 is formed while changing the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage to 0%, 10%, and 20% for the nozzles for 40 ch arbitrarily selected from the nozzles for 192 ch included in the liquid ejection head 6. To do. The second adjustment pattern 112 is formed while changing the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage for the nozzle for 70 ch arbitrarily selected from the nozzles for 192 ch included in the liquid discharge head 6 to 0%, 10%, and 20%. To do. The third adjustment pattern 113 is formed while changing the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage for the nozzles for 100 ch arbitrarily selected from the nozzles for 192 ch included in the liquid ejection head 6 to 0%, 10%, and 20%. To do.

  In the adjustment chart 100 according to the second example, after the reference pattern 110 is formed in the first scan, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch in the sub-scanning direction, and then the reference pattern 110 is transferred. Each adjustment pattern can be formed so as to be adjacent to each other. The first adjustment pattern 111, the second adjustment pattern 112, and the third adjustment pattern 113 are formed while changing the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage to 0%, 10%, and 20%.

  In the case of a serial head, since the guide rod 12 is fixed, even if another adjustment pattern is continuously formed adjacent to one adjustment pattern in the same main scanning direction, the blurring in the carriage 5 is the same. Therefore, according to the adjustment chart 100 according to the second example, it is possible to separate image density unevenness due to crosstalk and image density unevenness due to causes other than crosstalk. Further, the adjustment chart 100 according to the second example does not need to be formed in such a manner that the reference pattern 110 is sandwiched between the adjustment patterns. Therefore, the adjustment chart 100 may be formed short in the main scanning direction.

<Third example of adjustment chart>
Next, a third example of the adjustment chart 100 will be described. The adjustment chart 100 shown in the third example is applicable when the type of the liquid ejection head 6 is a serial head.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the first scan, the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage for the nozzles for 192 channels included in the liquid ejection head 6 is set to 0%, and the reference pattern 110 is directed from the front end to the rear end in the main scanning direction. Form. After the reference pattern 110 is formed, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch.

  Thereafter, in the second scan, the first adjustment pattern 111, the second adjustment pattern 112, and the third adjustment pattern 113 are formed so as to be arranged in the main scanning direction.

  Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch. Subsequently, the reference pattern 110 is formed in the third scan. After the reference pattern 110 is formed, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch.

  Thereafter, in the fourth scan, the first adjustment pattern 111, the second adjustment pattern 112, and the third adjustment pattern 113 are formed so as to be arranged in the main scanning direction.

  Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch. Subsequently, the reference pattern 110 is formed in the fifth scan. After the reference pattern 110 is formed, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch. Subsequently, an adjustment pattern is formed in the sixth scan.

  In the adjustment chart 100 according to the third example, after the reference pattern 110 is formed in the first scan, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch in the sub-scanning direction. A first adjustment pattern 111, a second adjustment pattern 112, and a third adjustment pattern 113 are formed so as to be adjacent to the reference pattern 110. Thereafter, similarly, the recording medium P is conveyed to form the reference pattern 110 in the third scan, the adjustment patterns in the fourth scan, the reference pattern 110 in the fifth scan, and the adjustment patterns in the sixth scan while repeating. When forming each adjustment pattern, the first adjustment pattern, the second adjustment pattern, and the third adjustment pattern are formed while changing the drive waveform magnification applied to the drive voltage to 0%, 10%, and 20%.

  According to the adjustment chart 100 according to the third example, the length in the main scanning direction can be shortened, and blurring due to the accuracy of the mechanism portion configured by the guide rod 12 and the carriage 5 can be suppressed.

<Fourth example of adjustment chart>
Next, a fourth example of the adjustment chart 100 will be described. The adjustment chart 100 shown in the fourth example is also applicable when the type of the liquid ejection head 6 is a serial head.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the first scan, the reference pattern 110 is formed by setting the drive waveform magnification of the drive voltage for the nozzles for 192 channels included in the liquid ejection head 6 to 0%. Thereafter, the first adjustment pattern 111 is formed by driving the nozzles for 40 channels adjacent to the reference pattern 110 in the main scanning direction at the first scan at a drive waveform magnification of 0%. Thereafter, a reference pattern 110 is formed following the first adjustment pattern 111 in the first scan, and the nozzles for 100 channels are driven at a drive waveform magnification of 0%, similarly to the reference pattern 110 in the first scan. An adjustment pattern 112 is formed.

  Thereafter, the reference pattern 110 is formed at a drive waveform magnification of 0% in the first scan following the second adjustment pattern 112, and then the first adjustment pattern 111 is formed at a drive waveform magnification of 10% in the first scan. Subsequently, the reference pattern 110 is formed at a drive waveform magnification of 0%, and subsequently, the second adjustment pattern 112 is formed at a drive waveform magnification of 10%. Subsequently, the reference pattern 110 is formed at a drive waveform magnification of 0%, the first adjustment pattern 111 is formed at a drive waveform magnification of 20%, and the reference pattern 110 is formed at a drive waveform magnification of 0%. The second adjustment pattern 112 is formed at a waveform magnification of 20%.

  The adjustment chart according to the fourth example includes, in the first scan, a first adjustment pattern 111 and a second adjustment pattern 112 with a drive waveform magnification of 0%, a first adjustment pattern 111 and a second adjustment pattern 112 with a drive waveform magnification of 10%, A first adjustment pattern 111 and a second adjustment pattern 112 having a drive waveform magnification of 20% are formed so as to be sandwiched between the reference pattern 110 and the reference pattern 110 in the main scanning direction.

  Further, the adjustment chart 100 according to the fourth example conveys the recording medium P by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 40ch, and the first adjustment pattern 111 with a drive waveform magnification of 0% is set to 1 in the second scan thereafter. It is formed so as to be adjacent to the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 0% at the scan line. Further, in the second scan, the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 10% is formed so as to be adjacent to the first adjustment pattern having a drive waveform magnification of 10% in the first scan. Further, in the second scan, the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 20% is formed adjacent to the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 20% in the first scan.

  The adjustment chart according to the fourth example further conveys the recording medium P by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 40ch, and in the subsequent third scan, the first adjustment pattern with a drive waveform magnification of 0% is scanned by 2 scans. The eye is formed so as to be adjacent to the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 0%. Further, in the third scan, the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 10% is formed so as to be adjacent to the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 10% in the second scan. Further, in the second scan, the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 20% is formed adjacent to the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 20% in the second scan.

  The adjustment chart 100 according to the fourth example can widen the region of the first adjustment pattern 111 formed using the selected 40 ch of the 192 ch nozzles included in the liquid ejection head 6. As a result, even in the adjustment chart 100 in the low-ch driving, which tends to be difficult to visually recognize with a narrow print range, visibility can be improved by repeating a plurality of scans to expand the print range. .

<Fifth example of adjustment chart>
Next, a fifth example of the adjustment chart 100 will be described. The adjustment chart 100 shown in the fifth example is applicable when the type of the liquid ejection head 6 is a serial head.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the first scan, the nozzles for 192 channels included in the liquid ejection head 6 are driven at a driving waveform magnification of 0% to form the reference pattern 110 from the front end to the rear end in the main scanning direction. Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch. Subsequently, in the second scan, a first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 10% is formed adjacent to the reference pattern 110 formed in the first scan. Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch, and in the third scan, the reference pattern 110 having a drive waveform magnification of 0% is adjacent to the first adjustment pattern 111 formed in the second scan. Let it form. Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch, and in the fourth scan, the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 20% is adjacent to the reference pattern 110 formed in the third scan. Let it form. Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch, and in the fifth scan, the reference pattern 110 having a drive waveform magnification of 0% is adjacent to the first adjustment pattern 111 formed in the fourth scan. Let it form.

  The adjustment chart 100 according to the fifth example is such that the first adjustment pattern 111 formed using the selected 40 ch of the 192 ch nozzles included in the liquid ejection head 6 is sandwiched between the reference patterns 110 in the sub-scanning direction. Is formed. As a result, the density difference from the reference pattern 110 by the first adjustment pattern 111 that is likely to be difficult to visually recognize because the printing range is narrow, and the visibility of color unevenness and unevenness are improved.

  In the serial head, since the guide rod 12 is fixed, even if another adjustment pattern is continuously formed adjacent to one adjustment pattern in the same main scanning direction, the blur in the carriage 5 is the same. Therefore, by using the adjustment chart according to the fifth example, it is possible to separate image density unevenness due to crosstalk and image density unevenness due to causes other than crosstalk.

<Sixth example of adjustment chart>
Next, a sixth example of the adjustment chart 100 will be described. The adjustment chart 100 shown in the sixth example is also applicable when the liquid ejection head 6 is a serial head.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the first scan, the nozzles for 192 channels included in the liquid ejection head 6 are set to drive waveform magnification 0%, and the reference pattern 110 is formed from the front end to the rear end in the main scanning direction.

  Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch, and the first adjustment pattern 111 having a drive waveform magnification of 0%, a drive waveform magnification of 10%, and a drive waveform magnification of 20% is obtained in the second scan. It is formed adjacent to the reference pattern 110 for the first scan. Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 40ch, and the reference pattern 110 having a drive waveform magnification of 0% is adjacent to the first adjustment pattern 111 formed in the second scan in the third scan. Let it form. Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 192ch, and the second adjustment pattern 112 having a drive waveform magnification of 0%, a drive waveform magnification of 10%, and a drive waveform magnification of 20% is obtained at the fourth scan. It is formed adjacent to the reference pattern 110 formed in the third scan. Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed by an amount corresponding to the width of the nozzle row of 100ch, and the reference pattern 110 having a drive waveform magnification of 0% is adjacent to the second adjustment pattern 112 formed in the fourth scan in the fifth scan. Let it form.

  The adjustment chart 100 according to the sixth example is formed by sandwiching the first adjustment pattern 111 formed using the selected 40 ch of the 192 ch nozzles included in the liquid ejection head 6 with the reference pattern 110. As a result, the density difference between the first adjustment pattern 111 and the reference pattern 110, which is likely to be difficult to visually recognize because the print range is narrow, and the visibility of color unevenness and uneven stripes are improved.

  Further, since the guide rod 12 is fixed to the serial head, even if another adjustment pattern is continuously formed adjacent to one adjustment pattern in the same main scanning direction, the blur in the carriage 5 is the same. . Therefore, according to the adjustment chart according to the sixth example, it is possible to separate image density unevenness due to crosstalk and image density unevenness due to causes other than crosstalk.

  Furthermore, according to the adjustment chart 100 according to the sixth example, the first adjustment pattern 111 and the second adjustment pattern 112 formed between the reference patterns 110 are driven waveform magnifications in the second scan and the fourth scan, respectively. Are changed to 0%, 10%, and 20% so that they are sequentially arranged in the main scanning direction. As a result, the adjustment chart 100 can be formed short in the main scanning direction.

5 Carriage 6 Liquid discharge head 360 FPGA
401 drive waveform table 402 drive waveform correction unit 403 pixel count unit 404 drive waveform correction value calculation unit 405 image data output unit

JP 2009-241564 A

Claims (8)

A controller that drives a liquid ejection head including a nozzle array with a drive waveform to create an adjustment chart on a recording medium;
The control unit forms, as the adjustment chart, a reference pattern formed along the direction of the nozzle row by driving all or some of the plurality of nozzles constituting the nozzle row, and the reference pattern. The liquid is characterized in that an adjustment pattern formed along the direction of the nozzle row is formed on the recording medium adjacently by driving a number of nozzles different from the number of nozzles driven at the time. A device that discharges.   The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a width of the reference pattern and a width of the adjustment pattern according to a user input operation.   2. The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein the control unit forms an end portion of the reference pattern and the adjustment pattern so as to approach a left end or a right end of a print width of the recording medium.   The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the density of the reference pattern according to a user's input operation.   The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a magnification of the drive waveform according to a user input operation.   The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, further comprising: a serial head as the liquid ejection head, wherein the control unit forms the reference pattern in a first scan and forms the adjustment pattern in a second scan. Device to do.   A serial head is provided as the liquid ejection head, and the control unit forms the reference pattern at odd-numbered scans, and forms the adjustment pattern by changing the magnification of the drive waveform at each even-numbered scan. The apparatus for discharging the liquid according to claim 1. An adjustment chart creating method for creating an adjustment chart composed of a plurality of patterns on a recording medium by using liquid ejected from a nozzle of a liquid ejection head driven by a drive waveform corrected with a predetermined drive waveform magnification,
A reference pattern is formed by driving a predetermined number of nozzles along the nozzle arrangement direction in a nozzle row in which a plurality of the nozzles are arranged,
Forming a first adjustment pattern at a position adjacent to the reference pattern by driving a number of nozzles different from the number of drive nozzles in the reference pattern;
Forming a second adjustment pattern at a position adjacent to the first adjustment pattern by driving the number of nozzles different from the number of drive nozzles in the reference pattern and the number of drive nozzles in the first adjustment pattern;
Forming another reference pattern at a position adjacent to the second adjustment pattern by driving the predetermined number of nozzles;
An adjustment chart creation method characterized by the above.