JP3405309B2 - Actuator device, inkjet recording device, and recording medium storing program for driving them - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an actuator device driven by a drive signal and an ink jet recording device represented by an ink jet printer, and a recording medium storing a program for driving them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An actuator device driven by using a drive signal is applied to various purposes. For example, in an ink jet recording head used in an ink jet recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer which is one form of an actuator device that is driven by using a drive signal, for example, a cavity (pressure chamber) is expanded / deformed by deformation of a piezoelectric vibrator.
It is known that the ink is ejected from the nozzle opening by contracting and expanding / contracting the cavity.

This type of recording head has a resolution of, for example, 7
Since it is extremely high at 20 dpi or 1440 dpi, very high processing accuracy in the unit of μm is required.

In this recording head, the deviation from the reference length of the free end portion of the piezoelectric vibrator due to mounting error,
Due to the processing accuracy of the piezoelectric vibrator and the cavity, the ejection characteristics of the ink droplets vary among the recording heads. Therefore, the optimum driving voltage is set for each recording head to correct the variation and uniform the ejection characteristics of the ink droplets. As a result, the quality of the recording head is stabilized and the yield is improved.

Further, as a drive signal generating device for driving an ink jet head which is one form of an actuator, a drive signal capable of programmatically generating a drive signal having a different drive signal according to environmental temperature can be used to correct a variation for each print head. The signal generator is Japanese Patent No. 2940.
No. 542.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an actuator device capable of driving an actuator using various drive signals with a suitable drive signal. To do.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an actuator device having high flexibility, which allows flexible setting of a drive signal even when the characteristics of the actuator device vary.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the production yield of the ink jet recording apparatus, which is possessed by the ink jet recording apparatus which requires accurate and precise driving of the actuator, is improved.

[0009]

In order to solve such problems, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is
A piezoelectric vibrator that is deformed by a drive signal, a pressure chamber that is expanded and contracted by the deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator, and a recording head that includes a nozzle opening that communicates with the pressure chamber, and a drive signal generation unit that generates the drive signal. In the ink jet recording apparatus, which includes: and expands and contracts the pressure chamber by applying the drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator, and ejects an ink droplet from the nozzle opening, the drive signal is in an expanded state. A discharge element that contracts the pressure chamber to discharge an ink droplet, a second hold element that holds the contracted state of the pressure chamber, and the pressure chamber that is held in the contracted state by the second hold element are brought to a steady state. A damping element for expanding and returning is added, and the sum of the application time of the discharge element and the application time of the second hold element is adjusted to the natural vibration cycle of the pressure chamber. An identification information storage unit that stores unique information that is a unique value of the recording head set for each one or a plurality of elements of the drive signal, the drive signal generation unit The identification information stored in the identification information storage means is referred to, and a drive signal including the element set by the identification information is generated. An inkjet recording apparatus of the present application includes a piezoelectric vibrator that is deformed by a drive signal, a pressure chamber that is expanded and contracted by the deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator, and a recording head that includes a nozzle opening that communicates with the pressure chamber, and the drive unit. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a drive signal generating unit that generates a signal, expanding and contracting the pressure chamber by applying the drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator, and ejecting an ink droplet from the nozzle opening. The drive signal holds the contracted state by the ejection element that contracts the expanded pressure chamber to eject an ink droplet, the second hold element that holds the contracted state of the pressure chamber, and the second hold element. A damping element for expanding and returning the pressure chamber to a steady state, and is set for any one or a plurality of elements of the drive signal. Identification information storage means for storing unique information which is a unique value of the recording head is provided, and the drive signal generation means refers to the identification information stored in the identification information storage means and is set by the identification information. It is characterized in that a drive signal including elements is generated. Further, ejection time information storage means for holding a plurality of types of ejection application time information defining the application time of the ejection element in association with ejection time identification information, and ejection for storing ejection time identification information set for each print head Time identification information storage means is provided, and the drive signal generation means refers to the ejection time identification information stored in the ejection time identification information storage means, and determines the ejection element of the application time defined by the ejection time identification information. It is characterized in that a drive signal including the drive signal is generated. Further, contraction holding time information storage means for holding plural kinds of contraction holding time information defining the application time of the second hold element in association with contraction holding time identification information, and contraction holding time identification set for each recording head. Contraction holding time identification information storage means for storing information is provided, the drive signal generating means refers to the contraction holding time identification information stored in the contraction holding time identification information storage means, and the contraction holding time identification information And generating a drive signal including a second hold element having an application time defined by Further, a damping voltage information storage unit that holds a plurality of types of damping voltage information that defines the potential difference from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential in association with the damping voltage identification information, and the damping voltage set for each recording head. A damping voltage identification information storage means for storing identification information is provided, and the drive signal generating means refers to the damping voltage identification information stored in the damping voltage identification information storage means to identify the damping voltage identification information. It is characterized in that a drive signal set to a potential difference defined by information is generated. Further, it is characterized in that the potential difference from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential can be changed. Further, the drive signal is a drive signal for continuously ejecting ink drops of the same weight a plurality of times within the same drive cycle. More preferably, the characteristic information is information including a characteristic vibration period of the piezoelectric vibrator. Further, the characteristic information is information including a characteristic vibration period of the pressure chamber. Further, the characteristic information is information including a characteristic vibration period of the meniscus. Further, the characteristic information is information including both the characteristic vibration period of the piezoelectric vibrator and the characteristic vibration period of the pressure chamber. Further, the characteristic information is information including information corresponding to harmonics or subharmonics of the characteristic vibration period. More preferably, the drive signal generator is programmable to generate a waveform. The computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is realized by a computer system including at least one computer, and the computer system comprises:
The program for driving the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 12 is recorded. The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention includes an instruction for controlling a second program operating on a computer system including at least one computer, and is executed by the computer system to execute the second program. It is characterized in that a program for controlling an inkjet recording device is recorded in the computer system by controlling the program.

Further, contraction holding time information storage means for holding plural kinds of contraction holding time information defining contraction holding element application time in association with contraction holding time identification information,
A contraction holding time identification information storage unit for storing contraction holding time identification information set for each recording head is provided, and the drive signal generating unit refers to the contraction holding time identification information stored in the contraction holding time identification information storage unit. However, a drive signal including a second hold element having an application time defined by the contraction holding time identification information is generated.

Further, it is characterized in that the potential difference from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential can be changed.

Further, a damping voltage information storage means for holding a plurality of types of damping voltage information defining the potential difference from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential in association with the damping voltage identification information, and a damping voltage set for each recording head. A damping voltage identification information storage means for storing the damping voltage identification information is provided, and the drive signal generating means refers to the damping voltage identification information stored in the damping voltage identification information storage means, and the damping voltage identification information is stored. It is characterized in that a drive signal set to a potential difference defined by is generated.

Further, the drive signal is a drive signal for continuously ejecting ink droplets of the same weight a plurality of times within the same drive cycle.

A piezoelectric vibrator which is deformed by a drive signal, a pressure chamber which is expanded and contracted by the deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator, a recording head including a nozzle opening which communicates with the pressure chamber, and a drive signal An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a drive signal generating means for generating the pressure chamber to expand / contract the pressure chamber by applying the drive signal to the pressure generating element to eject an ink droplet from the nozzle opening. Includes an ejection element that expands and contracts the volume of the pressure chamber from an expansion potential to a contraction potential, contracts the expanded pressure chamber to eject ink droplets, and a pressure element that holds the contraction potential. A contraction hold element that holds the contracted state and a pressure chamber that changes from the contraction potential to an intermediate potential and that is kept in the contracted state by the contraction hold element are brought to a steady state. A damping element for restoring the tension is included, and unique information, which is a unique value of the recording head, is assigned to one or more of the elements of the drive signal, and the unique information of the recording head is stored. And an identification information storage section for generating a drive signal including an element defined by the identification information, with reference to the identification information stored in the identification information storage section. .

More preferably, the characteristic information is information including a characteristic vibration period of the piezoelectric vibrator.

Further, the characteristic information is information including a characteristic vibration period of the cavity.

Further, the characteristic information is information including a characteristic vibration period of the meniscus.

Further, the characteristic information is information including both the characteristic vibration period of the piezoelectric vibrator and the characteristic vibration period of the cavity.

More preferably, the characteristic information is information including information corresponding to the harmonics or subharmonics of the natural vibration period described above.

More preferably, the driving signal generator is programmable to form a waveform.

Further, the program is realized by a computer system including at least one computer for driving the ink jet recording apparatus, and records a program necessary for causing the computer system to generate a drive signal of the ink jet recording apparatus. The computer-readable recording medium described above is also covered by this case.

The present application further relates to an actuator device having an actuator operable by a drive signal,
Any of the elements of the drive signal, or a plurality of elements are assigned unique information of the constituents of the actuator device, and an identification information storage section for storing the unique information is provided. The actuator device is characterized in that the drive signal is formed as much as possible, the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit is referenced, and the drive signal is driven by a drive signal including an element defined by the identification information. .

Further, the actuator device is driven by a drive signal generated by assigning unique information, which is a unique value of the recording head, to any one or a plurality of elements of the drive signal. It is characterized by

Further, the characteristic information is a characteristic vibration period of a component forming the actuator device.

Further, the characteristic information is a characteristic vibration period of the constituents of the actuator.

Further, the characteristic information is a characteristic vibration period of the actuator.

Further, the characteristic information is information including information corresponding to the harmonics or sub-harmonics of the natural vibration period described above.

Furthermore, in order to drive the actuator, it is realized by a computer system including at least one computer, and a computer readable recording program recorded for causing the computer system to generate a drive signal of the actuator device. Recording media are also covered by this case.

Also included is an instruction for controlling a second program operating on a computer system including at least one computer, which is executed by the computer system to control the second program, A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for driving the actuator described above in the computer system is recorded is also a subject of protection in the present case.

Further, a computer reading is realized by a computer system including at least one computer, and the computer system stores a program for driving the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Possible recording media are also covered by this case.

Also included is an instruction to control a second program operating on a computer system including at least one computer, which is executed by the computer system to control the second program, A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for driving the inkjet recording apparatus jet according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is recorded in the computer system is also a subject of protection of the present case.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking an inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer), which is a typical inkjet recording device, as an example. As shown in FIG. 1A, the printer is roughly composed of a printer controller 1 and a print engine 2.

The printer controller 1 includes an external interface 3 (hereinafter referred to as an external I / F 3), a RAM 4 for temporarily storing various data, a control ROM 5 for storing control programs and the like, a CPU and the like. The control unit 6, the oscillation circuit 7 that generates a clock signal, the drive signal generation circuit 9 that generates a drive signal (COM) to be supplied to the recording head 8, and the development based on the drive signal and print data. And an internal interface 10 (hereinafter, referred to as an internal I / F 10) for supplying the dot pattern data (bitmap data) and the like to the print engine 2.

The external I / F 3 receives print data including, for example, a character code, a graphic function, image data, etc. from a host computer (not shown) or the like. Further, a busy signal (BUSY) and an acknowledge signal (ACK) are output to the host computer or the like through this external I / F 3.

The RAM 4 functions as a reception buffer 4A, an intermediate buffer 4B, an output buffer 4C, and a work memory (not shown). The reception buffer 4A temporarily stores the print data received via the external I / F 3, the intermediate buffer 4B stores the intermediate code data converted by the control unit 6, and the output buffer 4C stores the dot pattern data. Remember. The dot pattern data is composed of print data obtained by decoding (translating) the gradation data.

The control ROM 5 stores font data, graphic functions, etc. in addition to a control program (control routine) for performing various data processing.

In addition to performing various controls, the control unit 6 reads the print data in the reception buffer 4A and stores the intermediate code data obtained by converting the print data in the intermediate buffer 4B. Further, the intermediate code data read from the intermediate buffer 4B is analyzed, and it is developed into dot pattern data with reference to the font data and graphic function stored in the control ROM 5. Then, the control unit 6 stores the dot pattern data in the output buffer 4C after performing necessary decoration processing.

When one line of dot pattern data which can be printed by the main scanning of the print head 8 is obtained, this one line of dot pattern data is output from the output buffer 4C to the internal I / F 10. Are sequentially output to the recording head 8. When one line of dot pattern data is output from the output buffer 4C, the expanded intermediate code data is erased from the intermediate buffer 4B, and expansion processing is performed on the next intermediate code data.

As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the drive signal generation circuit 9 stores the ROM 11 storing the waveform pattern information etc. constituting the drive signal and the ID number (described later) set for each recording head 8. EEPROM 12 and EEPROM
Based on the ID number stored in M12, the waveform pattern information stored in the ROM 11 is referred to, and the recording head 8
Signal generator 13 for generating a series of drive signals suitable for
It is configured to include and.

The drive signal (COM) generated by the drive signal generator 13 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The expansion element 16 that increases the potential from m to the expansion potential VPS with a constant voltage gradient, the first hold element 17 that holds the expansion potential VPS, and the expansion potential VPS to the contraction potential VLS.
A discharge element 18 that lowers the potential with a constant voltage gradient to
A pulse signal 21 (21A, 21B) composed of a second hold element (contraction hold element) 19 that holds the contraction potential VLS and a damping element 20 that raises the potential from the contraction potential VLS to the intermediate potential Vm with a constant voltage gradient. , 21C) are connected in series to form a signal.

The ROM 11 functions as the ejection time information storage means, the contraction holding time information storage means, the damping time information storage means, the damping voltage information storage means, the driving voltage information storage means, and the waveform pattern information in the present invention. As
Application time pwd1 of ejection element 18 (ejection application time information)
, The application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19 (contraction holding time information), the application time pwc2 of the damping element 20 (vibration damping time information), and the potential difference VcN from the contraction potential VLS to the intermediate potential Vm (damping voltage). Information) and drive voltage VHN
Information of items including (driving voltage information) is stored. Further, the information of each item is composed of a plurality of types of application time and a plurality of types of potential difference information, and each numerical information is held in a state of being associated with an ID number. That is, one piece of information is held with one ID number.

Further, the EEPROM 12 functions as the ejection time identification information storage means, the contraction retention time identification information storage means, the damping time identification information storage means, the damping voltage identification information storage means, and the driving voltage identification information storage means in the present invention. Then
An ID number for the ejection element 18 (ejection time identification information), an ID number for the second hold element 19 (contraction holding time identification information), an ID number for the vibration damping element 20 (vibration time identification information), For the ID number for the potential difference VcN (damping voltage identification information) and the ID number for the drive voltage VHN (drive voltage identification information), set values for each recording head 8 are stored.

The drive signal generating section 13 functions as drive signal generating means in the present invention, and is an EEPROM.
These IDs are referred to by referring to the ID numbers for the ejection element 18 and the second hold element 19 stored in the table 12.
Generate a drive signal defined by a number.

The information stored in the ROM 11 and the EEPROM 12 and the drive signal will be described later in detail.

The print engine 2 has a paper feed mechanism 23.
The carriage mechanism 24 and the recording head 8 are included.

As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed mechanism 23 is composed of a paper feed motor 25, a paper feed roller 26, etc., and a recording paper (a kind of recording medium) 27 is interlocked with the recording operation by the recording head 8. And send them out sequentially. That is, the paper feeding mechanism 23 moves the recording paper 27 in the recording paper feeding direction which is the sub-scanning direction.

The carriage mechanism 24 is mounted on the carriage 31 on which the recording head 8 and the ink cartridge 29 can be mounted and is movably attached to the guide member 30, and the driving pulley 32 and the driven pulley 33. A pulse motor 3 for rotating the drive pulley 32 and the timing belt 34 connected to the carriage 31.
5 and.

In the carriage mechanism 24, the operation of the pulse motor 35 causes the carriage 31 to reciprocate along the width direction of the recording paper 27. That is, the recording head 8 mounted on the carriage 31 is moved along the main scanning direction.

Next, the recording head 8 will be described. In the recording head 8 illustrated in FIG. 3, a comb-shaped piezoelectric vibrator 40 is inserted from one opening into a storage chamber 39 of a box-shaped case 38 made of plastic, for example, and a comb-shaped tip 40a is formed.
To the other opening, and the flow path unit 41 is joined to the surface (lower surface) of the case 38 on the opening side, and the comb tooth-shaped tips 40a are abutted and fixed to predetermined portions of the flow path unit 41, respectively. It is roughly configured.

In the piezoelectric vibrator 40, a plate-shaped vibrator plate in which the common internal electrodes 43 and the individual internal electrodes 44 are alternately laminated with the piezoelectric body 42 sandwiched therebetween is cut into a comb-tooth shape corresponding to the dot formation density. The base end side portion is joined to the fixing member 45 so as to be in a cantilevered state.
Is joined to the wall of the storage chamber 39. Then, by applying a potential difference between the common internal electrode 43 and the individual internal electrode 44, the free end portion of each piezoelectric vibrator 40, that is, the portion protruding outward from the overlapping end with the fixing member 45, is formed in the stacking direction. It expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the oscillator, which is orthogonal to.

The flow path unit 41 is constructed by laminating a nozzle plate 48 and an elastic plate 49 on both sides with a flow path forming plate 47 interposed therebetween.

The flow path forming plate 47 communicates with a plurality of nozzle openings 50 formed in the nozzle plate 48, and a plurality of cavities (pressure chambers) arranged in a row with pressure chamber partitions.
51 is a plate member in which an elongated common ink chamber 53 is formed in which a plurality of ink supply portions 52 that communicate with 51 and at least one end of each cavity 51 communicate with each other. In this embodiment, a long and narrow common ink chamber 53 is formed by etching a silicon wafer, and cavities 51 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the common ink chamber 53 in accordance with the pitch of the nozzle openings 50. A groove-shaped ink supply unit 52 is formed between the common ink chamber 53 and the common ink chamber 53. The ink supply unit 52 is connected to one end of the cavity 51, and the nozzle opening 50 is located near the end on the opposite side of the ink supply unit 52. Further, the common ink chamber 53 is a chamber for supplying the ink stored in the ink cartridge 29 to the cavity 51, and the ink supply pipe 54 is provided at substantially the center in the longitudinal direction.

The elastic plate 49 is laminated on the other surface of the flow path forming plate 47 opposite to the nozzle plate 48, and a polymer film such as PPS is laminated on the stainless plate 55 as the elastic film 56. It has a double structure. Then, the stainless plate 55 of the portion corresponding to the cavity 51
Is etched to form an island portion 57 for abutting and fixing the piezoelectric vibrator 40.

In the recording head 8 having the above structure, the island portion 57 is pressed toward the nozzle plate 48 by extending the piezoelectric oscillator 40 in the oscillator longitudinal direction, and the elastic film 56 around the island portion 57 is removed. It deforms and the cavity 51 contracts. When the piezoelectric oscillator 40 is contracted in the oscillator longitudinal direction, the elasticity of the elastic film 56 expands the cavity 51. Then, by controlling the expansion / contraction of the cavity 51, an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle opening 50.

The vibration system in the recording head 8 can be represented by the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the symbol M is the inertance [Kg / m ⁴ ] which is the mass of the medium per unit length, Ma is the inertance in the piezoelectric vibrator 40, Mn is the inertance in the nozzle opening 50, and Ms is the ink supply unit. The inertance at 52. The symbol R is the resistance [N · s / m ⁵ ] which is the internal loss of the medium, Rn is the resistance at the nozzle opening 50, and Rs is the ink supply part 52.
Resistance in. The symbol C is the compliance [m ⁵ / N] which is the volume change per unit pressure, Cc is the compliance in the cavity (pressure chamber) 51, Ca is the compliance in the piezoelectric vibrator 40, Cn is the compliance in the nozzle opening 50. is there. The symbol P is the pressure generated by the piezoelectric vibrator 40 over time, in other words, the voltage pulse applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40 is converted into an equivalent pressure.

The equivalent circuit of the piezoelectric vibrator system is shown in FIG.
The piezoelectric vibrator 4 can be represented as shown in FIG.
It is known that the natural vibration period Ta of 0 can be calculated by the following equation (1). The natural vibration period Ta calculated based on the equation (1), that is, the theoretical value was 4 μs in the recording head 8 of the present embodiment.

Ta = 2π√ (Ma · Ca) (1) Similarly, an equivalent circuit relating to the ink in the cavity 51 can be expressed as shown in FIG. 5 (b). It is known that the natural vibration period Tc can be calculated by the following equation (2). The natural vibration period Tc calculated based on the equation (2), that is, the theoretical value, was 8.5 μs in the recording head 8 of this embodiment.

Tc = 2π√ [[(Mn × Ms) / (Mn + Ms)] × Cc] (2) Furthermore, an equivalent circuit relating to the meniscus of the nozzle opening 50 is shown in FIG. 5C. It is known from the figure that the natural vibration period Tm of the meniscus can be calculated by the following equation (3). Here, the meniscus is
The free surface of the ink exposed at the nozzle opening 50.

Tm = 2π√ [(Mn + Ms) Cn] (3) Then, in the recording head 8 of the present embodiment, Ta <Tc <
The relationship of Tm is established, and the natural vibration period Tm of the meniscus is about 10 times the natural vibration period Tc of the cavity 51.

Next, the electrical structure of the recording head 8 and the control for ejecting ink droplets will be described.

This recording head 8 is, as shown in FIG.
Shift register 60, latch circuit 61, level shifter 6
2, the switch 63, the piezoelectric vibrator 40, and the like.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, these shift registers 6
0, latch circuit 61, level shifter 62, switch 63
And the piezoelectric vibrator 40 respectively include shift register elements 60A to 60A provided for each nozzle opening 50 of the recording head 8.
60N, latch elements 61A to 61N, level shifter elements 62A to 62N, switch elements 63A to 63N, and piezoelectric vibrators 40A to 40N.

In order to eject ink droplets from the recording head 8, the control unit 6 synchronizes with the clock signal (CK) from the oscillation circuit 7 as shown in FIG.
I) is serially transmitted from the output buffer 4C and sequentially set in the shift register elements 60A to 60N. The print data for all nozzle openings 50 is the shift register element 6
If it is set to 0A to 60N, the control unit 6 causes the latch circuit 61, that is, the latch element 61, at a predetermined timing.
A latch signal (LAT) is output to A to 61N. By this latch signal, the latch elements 61A to 61N latch the print data set in the shift register elements 60A to 60N. The latched print data is supplied to the level shifter 62 which is a voltage amplifier, that is, the level shifter elements 62A to 62N.

When the print data is, for example, "1", the level shifter elements 62A to 62N boost the print data up to a voltage value that can drive the switch 63, for example, several tens of volts. Then, the boosted print data is applied to the switch 63, that is, the switch elements 63A to 63N, and the switch elements 63A to 63N are brought into a connected state by the print data. The print data is, for example, "0".
In the case of, the corresponding level shifter elements 62A to 62A
N does not boost. Then, each switch element 63A to
63N has a drive signal (CO
When M) is applied and the switch elements 63A to 63N are brought into a connected state, a drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrators 40A to 40N connected to the switch elements 63A to 63N.

As described above, the drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40 corresponding to the nozzle opening 50 in which the print data "1" is set. Then, the piezoelectric vibrator 40 expands and contracts in the vibrator longitudinal direction in response to the drive signal, and expands and contracts the cavity 51. Ink drops are ejected from the nozzle openings 50 as the cavities 51 expand and contract.

On the other hand, since the drive signal is not supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40 corresponding to the nozzle opening 50 in which the print data "0" is set, the volume of the cavity 51 is maintained in a steady state and the ink droplet is not ejected. .

Therefore, the print data "1" is set for the nozzle openings 50 for recording dots, and the print data "0" is set for the nozzle openings 50 for which dots are not recorded, whereby each nozzle opening 50 is set. It is possible to control whether or not ink droplets are ejected for each.

Next, the above-mentioned drive signal will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drive signals of the present embodiment are the first pulse 21A, the second pulse 21B, and the third pulse 21A.
The pulse 21C is composed of a series of connected signals. Then, these first pulse 21A and second pulse 2
By applying 1B and the third pulse 21C to the piezoelectric vibrator 40, ink droplets of the same weight are ejected from the nozzle opening 50 three times in succession to form normal dots on the recording paper 27.
Form on top.

These first pulse 21A and second pulse 2
Since 1B and the third pulse 21C have the same waveform, the first pulse 21A will be described here.

This first pulse 21A holds the expansion potential VPS and the expansion element 16 for expanding the potential of the normal cavity 51 (pressure chamber) by increasing the potential from the intermediate potential Vm to the expansion potential VPS with a constant voltage gradient. And the first hold element 17 for maintaining the expanded state of the cavity 51, and the expansion potential V
The discharge element 18 that lowers the potential at a constant voltage gradient from PS to the contraction potential VLS to contract the expanded cavity 51 to eject ink droplets and the contraction potential VLS to maintain the contracted state of the cavity 51. The second hold element (contraction hold element) 19 and the potential increase from the contraction potential VLS to the intermediate potential Vm with a constant voltage gradient, and the cavity 51 kept in the contracted state by the second hold element 19 is expanded and restored to the normal state. It is composed of a damping element 20.

When the expansion element 16 is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40, the normal piezoelectric vibrator 40 contracts in the longitudinal direction of the vibrator and expands the volume of the cavity 51. When the application of the expansion element 16 is finished and the first hold element 17 is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40, the contracted state of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 is maintained, and accordingly, the expanded state of the cavity 51 is also maintained. When the ejection element 18 is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40 after the application of the first hold element 17 is completed, the piezoelectric vibrator 40 in the contracted state rapidly expands in the longitudinal direction of the vibrator and contracts the volume of the cavity 51. . With this contraction, the ink pressure in the cavity 51 rapidly increases, and the nozzle opening 5
Ink droplets are ejected from 0. After the application of the ejection element 18 is completed and the second hold element 19 is applied, the damping element 2
When 0 is applied, the piezoelectric vibrator 40 in the expanded state contracts in the vibrator longitudinal direction and becomes the normal length. Along with this, the cavity 51 that was in the contracted state expands and returns to the normal state. Due to the expansion and return of the cavity 51, the ink pressure in the cavity 51 is reduced, and the vibration of the meniscus, which tends to vibrate greatly by the application of the ejection element 18, is reduced.

In this embodiment, the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18 and the application time p of the second hold element 19 are set.
The added value of wh2 is adjusted to the natural vibration period Tc of the cavity (pressure chamber) 51.

The application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18 and the application time pwc2 of the vibration damping element 20 are both the piezoelectric vibrator 4
It is adjusted to the natural vibration period Ta of 0.

Here, the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18
The reason why the added value of the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19 is adjusted to the natural vibration period Tc will be described.

The piezoelectric vibrator 40 contracted by the application of the expansion element 16 and the first hold element 17 expands by the application of the ejection element 18. The expansion of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 causes the expanded cavity 51 to contract rapidly, and the meniscus also vibrates greatly. At this time, the vibration of the meniscus is strongly influenced by the contraction of the cavity 51.
The vibration cycle is the natural vibration cycle Tc of the cavity 51.

With the start of application of the discharge element 18, large vibration due to the natural vibration period Tc starts, and the expansion element 16
And the cavity 5 is applied by the application of the first hold element 17.
The meniscus pulled in 1 moves in the ink ejection direction. Then, the meniscus vibrating in the natural vibration period Tc reverses its movement direction after a lapse of time Tc / 2 from the start of movement in the ink ejection direction, and moves in the pull-in direction. After that, after a lapse of time Tc, the movement direction is reversed again, and the meniscus tries to move in the ink ejection direction.

Here, the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18
Since the added value of the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19 is adjusted to the natural vibration period Tc, the damping element 20 is applied after the time Tc has elapsed from the start of application of the ejection element 18. Since the piezoelectric vibrator 40 contracts and the cavity 51 expands with the application of the vibration damping element 20, the cavity 5 expands.
A negative pressure is created inside 1 to reduce the moving force of the meniscus that is about to move in the ink ejection direction. Therefore, the vibration of the meniscus can be suppressed.

Thus, the application time pw of the ejection element 18 is
By adjusting the added value of d1 and the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19 to the natural vibration period Tc, the vibration of the meniscus can be effectively suppressed.

Next, the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18 and the application time pwc2 of the vibration damping element 20 are calculated as follows.
The reason for matching with the natural vibration period Ta will be described.

First, the application time pwd1 and the application time pw
When c2 is set to be shorter than the natural vibration period Ta, the piezoelectric vibrator 40 changes in voltage of the ejection element 18 and the vibration damping element 20.
The phenomenon that the expansion and contraction of can not catch up occurs. That is,
The expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 does not follow the voltage changes of the ejection element 18 and the damping element 20. For this reason,
The expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 becomes unstable, and the cavity 51
It becomes difficult to control the expansion and contraction of the. as a result,
Ink ejection becomes unstable.

On the other hand, the application time pwd1 is set to the natural vibration period T
If it is set to be longer than a, the flight speed of the ink droplets may decrease or the amount of the ink droplets may become smaller than the regular amount. Then, due to the decrease in the flight speed of the ink droplets, the landing position of the ink droplets deviates from the normal position, which causes the deterioration of the image quality of the recorded image. Further, even when the amount of ink droplets becomes small, the quality of the recorded image also deteriorates. Further, when the application time pwc2 is set to be longer than the natural vibration period Ta, the expansion speed of the cavity 51 becomes slow and the damping effect becomes weak. Further, since the time required for the pulse signal also becomes long, the time required for forming one dot becomes long accordingly, and the recording speed is lowered.

From the above, the application time pwd1 and the application time p
By adjusting wc2 to the natural vibration cycle Ta, the expansion and contraction control of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 can be reliably performed. As a result, the required flight speed of the ink droplet can be secured, and the recording speed can be maintained at a high speed.

By the way, since the piezoelectric vibrator 40, the flow path unit 41, and the like are minute parts in the unit of mm and are minutely processed in the unit of μm, the characteristics of the recording heads 8 vary. .

For example, the length of the free end portion of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 protruding from the overlapping end of the fixing member 45 varies from recording head 8 to recording head 8 due to a very slight positional deviation at the time of joining. The vibration cycle Ta is different. Further, the natural vibration period Tc varies among the recording heads 8 due to the dimensional tolerance of the cavity 51 based on the processing accuracy.

In the present embodiment, such a recording head 8
The variation of each is represented by the drive voltage VHN (potential difference from the expansion potential VPS to the contraction potential VLS) in the drive signal, the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18, the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19, and the application time pwc2 of the damping element 20. ,
The correction is performed by changing the potential difference VcN from the contraction potential VLS to the intermediate potential Vm.

The variation correction will be described below.

FIG. 9 shows the ROM 11 of the drive signal generation circuit 9.
9A is a diagram illustrating a part of the waveform pattern information stored in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9A illustrates an ID number (ejection time identification information) corresponding to the application time pwd1 (ejection application time information) of the ejection element 18. FIG. 9 (b) shows the second hold element 19
I corresponding to the application time pwh2 (contraction hold time information) of
It is a figure explaining D number (contraction holding time identification information).

First, referring to these figures, the discharge element 1
The correction of the application time pwd1 of 8 and the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19 will be described.

Regarding the application time pwd1 of the discharge element 18,
In the present embodiment, 0.1 from 3.5 μs to 4.5 μs
It is configured so that it can be set in μs steps. An ID number “0” is given to the theoretical value of 4 μs, and an ID number “1” is given to the shortest application time of 3.5 μs. After that, I is applied in ascending order of application time.
D number is given and the longest application time is 4.5
An ID number “B” is given to μs.

Similarly, regarding the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19, in the present embodiment, from 3.1 μs to 6.
It is configured so that it can be set in steps of 0.2 μs up to 1 μs. An ID number "0" is given to the theoretical value of 4.5 μs, which is the shortest application time.
The ID number “1” is given to 1 μs. After that, the ID numbers are given in ascending order of the application time, and the longest application time of 6.1 μs is given the ID number “10”.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the added value of the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18 and the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19 is adjusted to the natural vibration period Tc of the cavity 51. The application time pwd1 of 18 is adjusted to the natural vibration period Ta of the piezoelectric vibrator 40. The theoretical value of the natural vibration period Tc is 8.
It is 5 μs, and the theoretical value of the natural vibration period Ta is 4 μs.

Therefore, when the measured natural vibration cycle Ta and the measured natural vibration cycle Tc are the theoretical values of the recording head 8, the ID number corresponding to the first hold element 17 is "0", and the second hold element is The ID number corresponding to 19 is set to “0”, and these ID numbers are set to the drive signal generation circuit 9
EEPROM 12 (ejection time identification information storage means and contraction retention time identification information storage means). Then, the drive signal generation unit 13 (drive signal generation means) is EEPRO.
Referring to the ID number stored in M12, the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18 is set to 4 μs, and the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19 is set to 4.5 μs,
A drive signal (COM) is generated in which the added value of the application time pwd1 and the application time pwh2 is set to 8.5 μs which is the theoretical value of the natural vibration period Tc.

The natural vibration period Ta was measured by observing the vibration state of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 using a laser displacement meter. Further, the natural vibration period Ta can be measured by measuring the counter electromotive force generated when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40. The actual vibration period Tc is measured by adding a sinusoidal input signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 40,
The behavior of the meniscus at the nozzle opening 50 at that time was observed by using a stroboscope that emits light in synchronization with the input. That is, the natural vibration period Tc was measured by applying an input signal while changing the frequency and confirming that the ink meniscus vibrates greatly at a specific frequency. It can also be measured by observing the residual vibration of the ink meniscus after ink ejection by normal driving.

On the other hand, the measured natural vibration period Ta is 4.2 μs which is deviated from the theoretical value, and the measured natural vibration period T is
When c is 8.5 μs which is the theoretical value, the ID number corresponding to the ejection element 18 is set to “8”. Also, the second
The ID number of the hold element 19 is the ID number “7” corresponding to the time 4.3 μs obtained by subtracting the measured value 4.2 μs of the natural vibration period Ta from the measured value 8.5 μs of the natural vibration period Tc. These ID numbers are stored in the EEPROM 12 of the drive signal generation circuit 9.

Then, the drive signal generator 13 causes the EEPR
The ejection element 18 is referred to by referring to the ID number stored in the OM 12.
The application time pwd1 of 4.2 μs
A drive signal is generated with the application time pwh2 of the hold element 19 set to 4.3 μs.

Further, in the case where the actually measured natural vibration period Ta is 3.5 μs, which greatly deviates from the theoretical value, and the actually measured natural vibration period Tc is 9.5 μs, which is also outside the theoretical value, The ID number corresponding to the ejection element 18 is "1", and the ID number of the second hold element 19 is "1".
By setting it to "0", the drive signal having the optimum waveform can be supplied to the recording head 8.

Further, in the above example, the measured natural vibration period T
Both a and the measured natural vibration period Tc are within the range described in FIG. 9 (pwd = 3.5 μs to 4.5 μs, pwh2 =
Although the examples of 3.1 to 6.1) are shown, it is clear that the present invention can be realized by appropriately adjusting the table corresponding to FIG. 9 when the eigenvalue to be assigned deviates from this range. .

As described above, the added value of the application time pwd1 and the application time pwh2 is calculated as the natural vibration period T of the cavity 51.
By adjusting to c, even if the natural vibration cycle Tc varies for each recording head 8, an optimum drive signal can be given to the natural vibration cycle Tc, and the vibration of the meniscus can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the application time pw
By correcting d1 according to the natural vibration cycle Ta of the piezoelectric vibrator 40, the expansion and contraction control of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 can be reliably performed even if the natural vibration cycle Ta varies.

Therefore, the recording head 8 which has been conventionally treated as a defective product can be mounted on the product as a non-defective product, and the yield of the recording head 8 can be further improved, and the recording head 8 can be further improved. It is possible to reduce the cost of the printer, and eventually the cost of the printer.

The above is the application time p of the ejection element 18.
Although the setting of wd1 and the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19 has been described, other items, that is, the drive voltage VHN in the drive signal and the application time pwc of the damping element 20.
2. The potential difference VcN from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential can be similarly corrected.

For example, the application time pwc2 of the damping element 20
With respect to, the ID number (contraction holding time identification information) is set in the same manner as the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18, and the application time pwc2 is adjusted to the natural vibration period Ta of the piezoelectric vibrator 40. Then, the application time p of the damping element 20
By adjusting wc2 to the natural vibration cycle Ta, even if the natural vibration cycle Ta varies for each recording head 8,
The expansion and contraction control of the piezoelectric vibrator 40 at the time of damping the meniscus can be reliably performed. As a result, the allowable range of the recording head 8 that can be mounted on the product as a non-defective product can be widened, and the yield of the recording head 8 can be further improved.

Regarding the drive voltage VHN, the drive signal (first pulse 21A, second pulse 21B, third pulse 21C) is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40 at a reference temperature (for example, 25 ° C.) while changing the drive voltage VHN. The weight of the ink droplet ejected by applying the drive signal is measured. Then, the voltage value at which the actually measured ink droplet amount matches the reference ink droplet amount (for example, 40 ng) is set by the ID number (driving voltage identification information).

By thus configuring the drive voltage VHN so that it can be changed, the amount of ink droplets that fluctuate among the recording heads 8 can be made uniform.

Potential difference VcN from contraction potential to intermediate potential
In this embodiment, the voltage value of a predetermined ratio of the drive voltage VHN is set as the potential difference VcN based on the drive voltage VHN. Therefore, the information of the potential difference VcN (damping voltage information) is a ratio to the drive voltage VHN. For example, the theoretical value is 25% of the driving voltage (that is, V
cN = “25”) and set the ID to “25”.
The number "0" is given. Then, the ratio to the drive voltage VHN is stored in the ROM 11 in 1% steps so that it can be changed from 15% to 50%, for example, and a different ID number is assigned to each ratio.

Then, by ejecting ink droplets while changing the potential difference VcN and observing the residual vibration of the ink meniscus after ink ejection, the damping state of the meniscus is observed. Then, the potential difference VcN having the most damping effect,
That is, the ID number (damping voltage identification information) of the potential difference VcN having a high damping effect is stored in the EEPROM 12.

As described above, when the potential difference VcN from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential (potential difference from the application start potential to the application end potential of the vibration damping element 20) can be changed according to the attenuation of the meniscus vibration, The degree of expansion of the cavity 51 with the application of the element 20 can be adjusted. That is, by making the potential difference VcN larger than the reference potential difference VcN, the expansion degree of the cavity 51 can be made larger than the reference expansion rate.
Is smaller than the reference potential difference VcN, the cavity 5
The expansion degree of 1 can be made smaller than the reference expansion rate.

Therefore, immediately after the ink droplet is ejected, the potential difference VcN is used as the reference potential difference Vc for the recording head 8 whose meniscus vibrates more than the reference recording head 8.
It is set to be larger than N to increase the expansion rate of the cavity 51, and conversely, the potential difference VcN is set smaller than the reference potential difference VcN for the recording head 8 whose meniscus vibration is smaller than the reference recording head 8. By reducing the expansion rate of the cavity 51, the meniscus vibration state of each recording head 8 can be made uniform.

As a result, the recording head 8 having the characteristic that the meniscus vibrates greatly immediately after the ink droplets are ejected.
Even in this case, vibration of the meniscus can be suppressed in a short time. Therefore, even with such a recording head 8, the ejection operation based on the next drive pulse (for example, the second pulse 21B) can be stably performed, and the recording head 8 can be mounted on the product as a non-defective product. The range can be further expanded.

As described above, in the printer according to the present embodiment, regarding the drive signal (COM) applied to the recording head 8, the drive voltage VHN, the application time pwd1 of the ejection element 18, the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19, and the vibration damping. Application time pwc2 of element 20, potential difference V from contraction potential to intermediate potential
Since each item of cN is configured to be changeable, it is possible to correct the ejection characteristics of the ink droplets that vary for each recording head 8, and to make the characteristics uniform.

Then, the application time pw of this ejection element 18
Since d1, the application time pwh2 of the second hold element 19, the application time pwc2 of the damping element 20, and the potential difference VcN from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential are also changeable, the conventional correction using only the drive voltage VHN The recording head 8 that has been treated as a defective product can also be mounted on the product as a good product, and the yield of the recording head 8 can be further improved.

Therefore, the cost of the recording head 8 is reduced,
As a result, the cost of the printer can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the drive voltage VH
N, application time pwd1 of ejection element 18, application time pwh2 of second hold element 19, application time p of damping element 20
wc2, with respect to each item of the potential difference VcN from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential, a plurality of values (information) are stored in the ROM 11 in association with the ID number, and based on the ID number of each recording head 8 set in the EEPROM 12. Since the value suitable for the recording head 8 is selected, the optimum drive signal can be applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 40 only by storing the ID number in the EEPROM 12 during shipping adjustment of the printer. Therefore, the correction work for each recording head 8 can be easily performed.

The drive signal described above may be generated by a method using pulse width modulation, or the programmable drive signal generation method described in Japanese Patent No. 2940542 may be applied. Further, the drive signal generation method is not limited to these.

Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to the embodiment of the ink jet type recording apparatus as the actuator device, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a drive signal in which the natural period of an energy generation unit that constitutes an actuator device is assigned as a part of a drive signal element is programmable, and the actuator is driven by using the drive signal to drive the actuator appropriately. You can Further, even if there is a variation in the natural period of the actuator, an actuator that is originally out of the standard can be used as a practical actuator device by applying the drive signal according to the present invention, and as a result, the yield of the actuator device is improved. be able to. Examples of actuators to which the present invention can be applied include piezoelectric fans and VTRs.
Head, ultrasonic motor, impact printer head,
Etc. are possible. Details are described in, for example, “Applications of Piezoelectric Ceramics” by Gakudonsha, so detailed description will be omitted here.

In the above description, the natural period dominant to the actuator driving is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an integer fraction and an integral multiple of the natural frequency that produces the dominant natural period. It is obvious that the same effect can be obtained by setting each element or element group of the drive signal in (subharmonics and harmonics).

In the above-disclosed invention, a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer system to generate a drive signal including each of the above elements is also a subject of protection of the present case.

Further, when each of the above elements is realized by a program such as an OS operating on a computer system, a recording medium recording a program including various commands for controlling the program such as the OS is also a subject of protection of the present case. Become.

In this embodiment, the piezoelectric vibrator 40 is arranged so that the piezoelectric body 42 and the internal electrode 4 are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the expansion / contraction direction of the vibrator.
An example in which a comb-shaped vibrator of a so-called longitudinal vibration mode in which 3 and 44 are laminated is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the piezoelectric body 42 and the internal electrodes 43 and 44 are arranged in the expansion and contraction direction of the vibrator. It can also be applied to the laminated piezoelectric vibrator 40 of so-called flexural vibration mode.

[0118]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

The present invention can provide an actuator device capable of driving an actuator using various drive signals with a suitable drive signal.

Further, it is possible to provide an actuator device having high flexibility in which the drive signal can be flexibly set even when the characteristics of the actuator device vary.

In addition, the manufacturing yield of various actuator devices can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet printer, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a drive signal generation circuit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an internal mechanism of an inkjet printer.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a recording head.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit for explaining a vibration system in a recording head.

5A and 5B are equivalent circuits of a recording head, where FIG. 5A is an equivalent circuit of a piezoelectric vibrator system, FIG. 5B is an equivalent circuit related to ink in a cavity, and FIG. 5C is an equivalent circuit related to a meniscus of a nozzle opening. Is.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a recording head.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a drive signal in the recording head.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating drive signals in a recording head.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a part of waveform pattern information,
(A) is a figure explaining the ID number corresponding to the application time of a discharge element, (b) is a figure explaining the ID number corresponding to the application time of a 2nd hold element.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Printer controller 2 print engine 3 External interface 4 RAM 5 Control ROM 6 control unit 7 Oscillation circuit 8 recording head 9 Drive signal generation circuit 10 Internal interface 11 ROM of drive signal generation circuit 12 EEPROM of drive signal generation circuit 13 Drive signal generator 16 Expansion element 17 First hold element 18 Discharge element 19 Second hold element 20 damping element 21 pulse signal 23 Paper feed mechanism 24 Carriage mechanism 25 Paper feed motor 26 Paper feed roller 27 Recording paper 29 ink cartridges 30 Guide member 31 carriage 32 drive pulley 33 Driven pulley 34 Timing belt 35 pulse motor 38 cases 39 storage room 40 Piezoelectric vibrator 41 Channel unit 42 Piezoelectric body 43 Common internal electrode 44 individual internal electrodes 45 Fixing member 47 flow path forming plate 48 nozzle plate 49 elastic plate 50 nozzle opening 51 cavity 52 Ink supply section 53 common ink chamber 54 ink supply pipe 55 stainless steel plate 56 Elastic membrane 57 Island 60 shift register 61 Latch circuit 62 level shifter 63 switch 201 recording medium 202 reading device

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-9-52360 (JP, A) JP-A-10-329313 (JP, A) JP-A-11-20203 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/01 B41J 2/045 B41J 2/055 H01L 41/09

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. A piezoelectric vibrator that is deformed by a drive signal, a pressure chamber that is expanded and contracted by the deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator,
And a recording head including a nozzle opening communicating with the pressure chamber, and drive signal generating means for generating the drive signal, and the pressure chamber is expanded / contracted by applying the drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator. In the ink jet recording apparatus that ejects an ink droplet from the nozzle opening, the drive signal holds an ejection element that contracts the expanded pressure chamber to eject the ink droplet and a contracted state of the pressure chamber. And a damping element for expanding and returning the pressure chamber held in a contracted state by the second holding element to a steady state, the application time of the ejection element and the application of the second holding element. The added value of time is adjusted to the natural vibration period of the pressure chamber, and the fixed value of the recording head is set for each one or a plurality of elements of the drive signal. An identification information storage means for storing unique information that is a value of the drive signal generation means, the drive signal generation means refers to the identification information stored in the identification information storage means, and a drive signal including an element set by the identification information. An ink jet recording apparatus, which is characterized in that: 2. A piezoelectric vibrator which is deformed by a drive signal, a pressure chamber which is expanded and contracted by the deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator,
And a recording head including a nozzle opening communicating with the pressure chamber, and drive signal generating means for generating the drive signal, and the pressure chamber is expanded / contracted by applying the drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator. In the ink jet recording apparatus that ejects an ink droplet from the nozzle opening, the drive signal holds an ejection element that contracts the expanded pressure chamber to eject the ink droplet and a contracted state of the pressure chamber. And a damping element for expanding and returning the pressure chamber held in a contracted state by the second holding element to a steady state. Any one or a plurality of elements of the drive signal Identification information storage means for storing unique information which is a unique value of the recording head set for each element is provided, and the drive signal generation means is provided in the identification information storage means. Referring to 憶 identification information, an ink jet recording apparatus characterized by generating a drive signal including the set elements by the identifying information. 3. Ejection time information storage means for holding a plurality of types of ejection application time information defining the application time of the ejection element in association with ejection time identification information, and ejection time identification information set for each recording head. Discharge time identification information storage means for storing is provided, the drive signal generating means, by referring to the discharge time identification information stored in the discharge time identification information storage means, of the application time defined by the discharge time identification information The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a drive signal including an ejection element is generated. 4. Shrinkage holding time information storage means for holding a plurality of types of shrinkage holding time information defining the application time of the second hold element in association with shrinkage holding time identification information, and shrinkage set for each print head. A contraction holding time identification information storage unit for storing holding time identification information is provided, and the drive signal generating unit refers to the contraction holding time identification information stored in the contraction holding time identification information storage unit to store the contraction holding time. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a drive signal including a second hold element having an application time defined by time identification information is generated. 5. A damping voltage information storage means for holding a plurality of types of damping voltage information defining the potential difference from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential in association with the damping voltage identification information, and the damping voltage information storage means set for each recording head. And a damping voltage identification information storage means for storing damping voltage identification information, wherein the drive signal generating means refers to the damping voltage identification information stored in the damping voltage identification information storage means, and The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a drive signal set to a potential difference defined by the swing voltage identification information is generated. 6. The configuration according to claim 5, wherein the potential difference from the contraction potential to the intermediate potential can be changed.
The ink jet recording apparatus according to item 1. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive signal is a drive signal for continuously ejecting ink droplets of the same weight a plurality of times within the same drive cycle. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is information including a unique vibration period of the piezoelectric vibrator. 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is information including a unique vibration period of the pressure chamber. 10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is information including a natural vibration period of a meniscus. 11. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific information is information including both a specific vibration cycle of a piezoelectric vibrator and a natural vibration cycle of the pressure chamber. 12. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the unique information is information including information corresponding to the harmonics or subharmonics of the natural vibration period according to any one of claims 8 to 11. 13. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive signal generator generates a waveform in a programmable manner. 14. A computer reading which is realized by a computer system including at least one computer and which records a program for driving the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 in the computer system. Possible recording medium. 15. Instructions are included for controlling a second program running on a computer system including at least one computer, the instructions being executed by the computer system to control the second program, Claims 1 to 1 in the computer system
2. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for driving the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of 2 is recorded.