JP3528592B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a recording head that moves in the width direction of a recording sheet, and prints an image on the recording sheet by ejecting ink droplets toward the recording sheet based on print data. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for preventing clogging of nozzle openings of a recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since the development of personal computers has made it relatively easy to execute graphic processing, there is a demand for a recording apparatus capable of outputting a hard copy of, for example, a color image displayed on a display with high quality. In order to meet such a demand, a recording apparatus equipped with an ink jet recording head is provided. This ink jet recording apparatus has relatively low noise during printing and can form small dots with high density, and is therefore used in many printings including color printing.

Such an ink jet recording apparatus is
An ink jet type recording head which receives supply of ink from the ink storage means and a paper feeding means for moving the recording sheet relative to the recording head are provided, and ink is applied to the recording sheet while moving the recording head in response to a print signal. Recording is performed by ejecting droplets to form dots. And black, yellow, cyan,
By providing a recording head capable of ejecting magenta ink, not only text printing with black ink but also full color printing is possible by changing the ejection ratio of each ink.

In such an ink jet type recording head, since the ink pressurized in the pressure generating chamber is ejected from the nozzle as an ink droplet onto the recording paper to perform printing, the ink viscosity resulting from the evaporation of the solvent from the nozzle opening is used. Rise of
There is a problem in that the nozzle openings are clogged due to the solidification of ink, the adhesion of dust, the inclusion of bubbles, and the like, resulting in defective printing.

For this reason, the ink jet recording apparatus is usually provided with a capping device for sealing the nozzle openings of the recording head during non-printing, and a cleaning member for cleaning the nozzle plate if necessary. This capping device not only functions as a lid for preventing the ink in the nozzle opening from drying, but also when the nozzle opening is clogged, the nozzle plate is sealed by a cap member and the suction pump The negative pressure also sucks ink from the nozzle openings to eliminate clogging of the nozzle openings.

The forcible discharge of ink for eliminating the clogging of the recording head is usually called a cleaning operation, and when printing is restarted after a long pause, the user also clogs the recording head. This process is executed when the cleaning switch is pressed to eliminate the problem, and is a process that involves wiping operation with a cleaning member made of an elastic plate such as rubber after ejecting ink droplets.

Further, the recording head has a function of applying a drive signal not related to printing to eject ink droplets, which is usually called a flushing operation. In this flushing operation, when the printing operation is continued for a certain period of time, the recording head is evacuated to the capping means in the non-printing area, and a drive signal is applied to the actuator (piezoelectric vibrator) provided in the recording head to perform the capping. Ink droplets are forcibly ejected from all nozzle openings toward.

However, if such measures are taken, the printing operation is interrupted, the printing speed is lowered, and ink is consumed. Therefore, the piezoelectric vibrator provided in the pressure generating chamber in the nozzle opening is connected to the ink. A technique has been proposed in which a meniscus near the nozzle opening is minutely vibrated to prevent clogging of the nozzle opening by applying a driving signal that is small enough not to eject droplets (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-123476). JP-A-57-61576, U.S. Pat. No. 43.
50989).

By vibrating the meniscus near the nozzle opening in this manner, the ink thickened by the air passing through the nozzle opening can be exchanged with the ink in the pressure generating chamber whose viscosity is kept relatively low. it can. Therefore, the increase in the viscosity of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening is suppressed, and the straightness of ink ejection can be ensured.

[0010]

Although it is desirable that the minute vibration is applied to the meniscus just before the printing operation is performed, the piezoelectric vibrator is provided immediately before the printing operation is started. It is desirable to stop the application of the minute drive signal to, and then to give a predetermined interval time to allow the printing operation to be performed after the residual vibration is attenuated.

FIG. 15 shows the output timing of the minute drive signal and the print signal corresponding to the movement of the carriage. As shown in FIG. 15, the carriage receives a command signal and increases the speed from a stopped state to start printing in a state where a constant speed region is reached. In this case, a minute driving signal is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator for a predetermined time in the acceleration traveling area B from the stopped state A of the carriage to a constant speed, and after the supply of the minute driving signal is stopped, the minute driving signal is kept constant. The interval time TIN is provided to attenuate the residual vibration. And
In the subsequent constant-speed traveling area C of the carriage, the recording head is controlled so as to receive a print signal and perform printing.

In this case, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus of this type, the time Ta for giving a minute driving signal to the piezoelectric vibrator and the interval time TIN are controlled so that they are always necessary and sufficient constant times. ing. However, in particular, it is desirable to shorten the interval time TIN as long as there is no problem, and it is possible to further increase the throughput by sequentially shortening it according to the printing conditions.

According to the present invention, the time required as the interval time includes the ink discharge amount, the capping leaving time,
Alternatively, the present invention has been made by paying attention to the point that it changes according to the printing environment temperature and the like, and an object thereof is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of improving the throughput while ensuring the quality of initial printing. is there.

[0014]

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention made to achieve the above-mentioned object is formed by a nozzle plate having a nozzle opening and a vibrating plate which is deformed by displacement of an actuator. An ink jet recording head having a pressure generating chamber, a trapezoidal first drive signal for ejecting an ink droplet from the nozzle opening, and a meniscus formed on the nozzle opening to an extent that ink droplets are not ejected from the nozzle opening. Drive signal generating means for generating a trapezoidal second drive signal, and supplying the second drive signal to the recording head in the acceleration traveling region of the carriage before the recording head starts printing, and then the carriage. Stops the supply of the second drive signal in the constant-speed traveling region in which the vehicle travels at a constant speed to allow an interval time, A control unit for supplying the first drive signal to the recording head to execute printing after the lapse of the interval time is provided, and the control unit variably controls the interval time according to the operating condition of the recording apparatus. Is configured as follows.

In this case, the control means is configured to variably control the interval time according to the weight of the ink discharge droplet in the first printing of each print line .

The control means is also configured to variably control the interval time according to the capping leaving time. In this case, it is more preferable that the interval time is variably controlled according to the cumulative number of print shots in addition to the capping leaving time.
Further, the control means is also configured to variably control the interval time according to the printing environment temperature.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, the control means shortens the interval time when the weight of the ink discharge droplet in the first printing of each print line is large,
The interval time is variably controlled with a correlation that lengthens the interval time when the weight of ink droplets is small, and the interval time is long when the capping leaving time is long and the interval time is short when the capping leaving time is short. The interval time is variably controlled with a correlation that shortens the interval, and the interval time is variably controlled with a correlation that shortens the interval time when the printing environment temperature is high and shortens the interval time when the printing environment temperature is low. Done

Further, the control means controls the time from the supply start timing of the second drive signal to the supply start timing of the first drive signal to be constant, and the second drive is performed based on the necessary interval time. It is configured to change the signal supply stop timing. Further, the control means controls the time from the supply start timing of the second drive signal to the supply stop timing of the second drive signal to be constant, and supplies the second drive signal based on a necessary interval time. In some cases, the start timing and the supply stop timing of the second drive signal may be changed.

In addition to this, the trapezoidal second drive signal supplied to the recording head in the acceleration traveling region of the carriage before the recording head starts printing, preferably during the period from the start of the supply to the stop of the supply. The frequency is controlled so as to gradually decrease.

Further, the trapezoidal second drive signal supplied to the recording head in the acceleration traveling area of the carriage before the recording head starts printing has a voltage value gradually increasing from the supply start to the supply stop. it is also desirable to control so as to reduce the.

Further, the trapezoidal second drive signal supplied to the recording head in the acceleration traveling region of the carriage before the recording head starts printing, the rising voltage of the trapezoidal drive signal from the start of supply to the stop of supply. It is also desirable to control so that the gradient gradually decreases.

According to the ink jet type recording apparatus constructed as described above, the second drive signal is supplied to the recording head in the acceleration traveling area of the carriage before the recording head starts printing. As a result, the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening is vibrated to the extent that ink droplets are not ejected from the nozzle opening, and the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening can be replaced with the ink in the pressure generating chamber. Therefore, the thickening of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening is suppressed, and the straightness of the ink ejection can be ensured, so that the quality of the initial printing can be sufficiently ensured.

Then, the controller controls the interval time after the suspension of the second drive signal according to the weight of the ink droplets ejected in the first printing, the cumulative number of printing shots, or the printing environment temperature. Is variably controlled. As a result, printing of each print line (one pass) is started with the minimum interval time required for damping the residual vibration by the second drive signal.

Since this operation is repeatedly executed in each print line, as a result, it is possible to sufficiently secure the print quality and increase the throughput.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an ink-jet type recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a printing mechanism portion of an ink jet type recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a carriage, which is connected to a pulse motor 3 via a timing belt 2. The recording sheet 5 is connected and guided by the guide member 4 to reciprocate in the paper width direction of the recording sheet 5.

An ink jet recording head 6, which will be described later, is attached to the surface of the carriage 1 facing the recording paper 5, that is, the lower surface in this embodiment. The ink jet type recording head 6 receives ink supply from an ink cartridge 7 mounted on the upper portion of the carriage 1, ejects ink droplets on the recording paper 5 in accordance with the movement of the carriage 1, forms dots, and records. Print images and characters on paper.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a capping device, which is provided in the non-printing area and seals the nozzle opening of the recording head 6 during the suspension of printing, while in the flushing operation performed during the printing operation, It receives ink droplets from the recording head 6. Reference numeral 9 in the drawing denotes a cleaning member made of an elastic plate such as rubber, which moves on the movement path of the recording head 6 during the cleaning operation to come into contact with the face plate of the recording head 6 and The surface is cleaned.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the recording head 6. In the figure, reference numeral 10 is a first cover plate, which is composed of a thin plate of zirconia with a thickness of about 10 μm, on the surface of which a pressure generation described later is generated. The drive electrode 12 is formed so as to face the chamber 11. A piezoelectric vibrating plate 13 made of PZT or the like is formed on the surface of the drive electrode 12.

The pressure generating chamber 11 contracts and expands in response to the flexural vibration of the piezoelectric vibrating plate 13 to eject an ink droplet from the nozzle opening 14, and also to eject the ink in the common ink chamber 16 via the ink supply port 15. Suction.

The spacer 17 has a thickness suitable for forming the pressure generating chamber 11, for example, 150 μm of zirconia (Z).
rO ₂ ), a ceramic plate such as rO ₂ ) is provided with through holes, and both surfaces are sealed by a second lid body 18 and a first lid body 10, which will be described later. Is forming.

The second lid 18 also discharges the ink in the pressure generating chamber 11 toward the nozzle opening 14 and the communication hole 19 for connecting the ink supply port 15 and the pressure generating chamber 11 to the ceramic plate such as zirconia. The ink ejection port 20 is formed to be fixed to the other surface of the spacer 17.

Each of these members 10, 17 and 18 is assembled in the actuator unit 21 without using an adhesive by molding a clay-like ceramic material into a predetermined shape and stacking and firing it. .

Reference numeral 22 is a substrate for forming an ink supply port,
This is made of metal or ceramics such as non-rusting steel having ink resistance so that it can also serve as a fixed substrate of the actuator unit 21 and can also be provided with a connecting member with an ink cartridge.

The ink supply port forming substrate 22 is provided with an ink supply port 15 for connecting a common ink chamber 16 and a pressure generation chamber 11 which will be described later to one end side of the pressure generation chamber 11 side, and the pressure generation chamber. A communication hole 23 that connects the nozzle opening 14 and the ink discharge port 20 of the actuator unit 21 is provided on the other end side of the nozzle 11.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a common ink chamber forming substrate, which is a common ink chamber for a plate material having a corrosion resistance such as stainless steel having a thickness suitable for forming the common ink chamber 16, for example, 150 μm. A through hole corresponding to the shape of 16 and a communication hole 26 that connects the nozzle opening 14 of the nozzle plate 25 and the ink discharge port 20 are formed.

The ink supply port forming substrate 22, the common ink chamber forming substrate 24, and the nozzle plate 25 are assembled in the flow path unit 27 by adhesive layers S, S made of a heat-welding film, an adhesive agent or the like between them. Has been. A recording head is configured by fixing the actuator unit 21 to the surface of the ink supply port forming substrate 22 of the flow path unit 27 with an adhesive.

With such a structure, when the piezoelectric vibrator 13 is charged and the piezoelectric vibrator 13 bends, the pressure generating chamber 11 contracts. As a result, the ink in the pressure generating chamber 11 is pressurized and ejected as an ink droplet from the nozzle opening 14 to form a dot on the recording paper.

When the electric charge of the piezoelectric vibrator 13 is discharged after the lapse of a predetermined time, the piezoelectric vibrator 13 returns to the original state. As a result, the pressure generating chamber 11 expands, the ink in the common ink chamber 16 flows into the pressure generating chamber 11 via the ink supply port 15, and the ink for the next printing is supplied to the pressure generating chamber 11. It

On the other hand, when the piezoelectric vibrator 13 is charged with a minute voltage such that ink droplets are not discharged to the piezoelectric vibrator 13 and the piezoelectric vibrator 13 is flexed by a small amount, the pressure generating chamber 11 also slightly contracts. As a result, the meniscus in the vicinity of the nozzle opening 14 is extruded in a minute amount toward the nozzle opening 14 side.

Then, when the electric charge of the piezoelectric vibrator 13 is discharged and returned to the original state, the pressure generating chamber 11 expands by a small amount and the meniscus pushed out to the nozzle opening side is pulled back to the pressure generating chamber 11 side. .

As described above, when the piezoelectric vibrator 13 is slightly deflected at the same period as the printing timing or is returned to the original state, the meniscus near the nozzle opening also vibrates by a small amount and the vicinity of the nozzle opening is vibrated. The ink is replaced with the ink in the pressure generating chamber 11, and the increase in viscosity of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening is suppressed, and it is possible to secure the straightness of the ink ejection.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a control device for driving the recording head 6 described above. Reference numeral 30 in the drawing denotes a control unit which receives a print command signal and print data from the host and controls a drive signal generation circuit 31, a head drive circuit 32, and a carriage drive circuit 33, which will be described later, to execute a printing operation. The second drive signal for minutely vibrating the meniscus described above and an interval time described later are controlled.

The drive signal generation circuit 31 includes a nozzle opening 11
Is configured to generate a trapezoidal first drive signal (FIG. 4A) having a voltage value V1 necessary for ejecting an ink droplet. The duration T1 of the first drive signal is the natural vibration period Tc of the pressure generating chamber 13, that is, the inertance of the nozzle opening 11 is Ln, the inertance of the ink supply port is Li, and the compliance of the diaphragm is C.
v, where ink compliance is Cink: Tc = 2π√ [(Cv + Cink) × Ln × Li] /
It is set to match the value represented by (Ln + Li). As a result, the displacement of the piezoelectric vibrator 13 can be effectively converted into the movement of the meniscus.

The head drive circuit 32 receives the first drive signal (FIG. 4) from the drive signal generation circuit 31 corresponding to the print data.
(A)) is selectively applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 13 and the voltage V of about 50% of the first drive signal is applied in a state where the carriage travels in the acceleration region at the start of printing one line.
It is configured to apply the second drive signal having 2 (FIG. 4B).

The micro-vibration storage means 35 connected to the control means 30 stores the voltage value of the second drive signal and data for adjusting the rising slope thereof in accordance with the temperature and the like. The print timer 36 counts the duration of the print operation, is activated by the start of the print operation, and is reset by the flushing operation.

The print amount counter 37 connected to the control means 30 counts the number of dots printed during printing to detect the ink consumption amount. Reference numeral 38 in the figure denotes a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature around the recording head.

Next, FIG. 5 shows the above-mentioned drive signal generation circuit 31.
It shows a concrete example of. Reference numeral 40 in the figure denotes a one-shot multivibrator which receives a timing signal from the control means 30 at a terminal 39 and outputs a pulse signal having a constant width. Positive and negative signals are output from the terminals.

The base of an NPN transistor 41 is connected to the non-inverting output terminal of the one-shot multivibrator 40, and the base of a PNP transistor 42 is connected to the collector of this NPN transistor 41. The emitter of the transistor 42 is the charging resistor 46.
Is connected to the DC power source VH via the, and the collector of the transistor 42 is connected to the other end of the capacitor 43 whose one end is connected to the reference potential (ground). Further, a PN is provided between the base and the emitter of the transistor 42.
The collector and base of the P-type transistor 44 are connected, and the emitter of this transistor 44 is connected to the DC power supply VH. Thereby, the multi-vibrator 40
When the timing signal is input to the terminal 39 of the capacitor 39, the capacitor 53 is charged with the constant current Ir.

The base of an NPN transistor 48 is connected to the inverting output terminal of the one sailboat multivibrator 40. The collector of the NPN transistor 48 has one end connected to a reference potential (ground) of the capacitor 43. It is connected to the other end. The emitter of the transistor 48 is connected to the reference potential via the discharge resistor 47. Further, the collector and the base of the NPN transistor 45 are connected between the base and the emitter of the transistor 48, and the emitter of the transistor 45 is connected to the reference potential. As a result, when the timing signal supplied to the terminal 39 of the multivibrator 40 is switched, the capacitor 53 is discharged with the constant current If.

The charging / discharging terminal of the capacitor 43 has a pair of NPN-type and PNP-type transistors 4
9, 50 and 50 are connected to a complementary current amplifier circuit, and the common emitters of these transistors 49 and 50 are connected to the output terminal 5.
Make up one. Therefore, the terminal voltage of the capacitor 43 is current-amplified and brought to the output terminal 51.

Assuming that the base-emitter voltage of the transistor 44 is VBE44 and the resistance value of the charging resistor 46 is Rr, the charging current Ir to the capacitor 43 is Ir = VBE.
44 / Rr, and the capacitance of the capacitor 43 becomes C0
Then, the rising time Tr of the charging voltage is Tr = C0 × VH / Ir.

On the other hand, the discharge current If from the capacitor 43
Is the base-emitter voltage of the transistor 45
45, if the resistance value of the discharging resistor 47 is Rf, If = VBE45 / Rr, and the fall time Tf of the discharge voltage from the capacitor 43 is Tf = C0 * VH / If.

As a result, the terminal voltage of the capacitor 43 is
As shown in FIG. 4A, the trapezoidal waveform has a region that rises at a constant gradient α, a saturation region that holds a constant value, and a region that falls at a constant gradient β. , 50, the current is amplified and output from the terminal 51 to each of the piezoelectric vibrators 13, 13, 13 ... As a drive signal.

On the other hand, each of the piezoelectric vibrators 13, 13, 13
...... are switching transistors T, T,
T ... are connected in series. The bases of the switching transistors T, T, T ... Are connected to the head drive circuit 32.

Here, the head drive circuit 32 is controlled by the control means 3
It is configured so as to be able to receive a short-time positive pulse signal (FIG. 4C) synchronized with the timing signal from 0, whereby each switching transistor T, T,
T ... is turned on for a short time. Therefore, when the switching transistors T, T, T ...
Trapezoidal wave voltage from drive signal generation circuit 31 (Fig. 4 (a))
Due to this, all the piezoelectric vibrators 13, 13, 13 are charged, but during the charging, the positive pulse signal shown in FIG. 4C falls and the switching transistors T, T, T ...
… Is turned off. Therefore, each of the piezoelectric vibrators 13, 13, 13 has a voltage determined by the charging time T3 up to this point.
The charging to …… ends.

By controlling the charging time of the piezoelectric vibrator 13 in this manner, a trapezoidal second drive signal as shown in FIG. 4B can be generated. In this case, the voltage value V2 of the second drive signal is set to about 50% of the first voltage value V1, and the rising slope α and the falling slope β and the duration T2 thereof are both the first drive signal. It is made almost the same as the signal.

Since the voltage V2 of the second drive signal is approximately 50% of the voltage V1 of the first drive signal (FIG. 4A) for ejecting ink droplets, the nozzle opening 14 Flexural vibration is generated in the piezoelectric vibrator 13 with an amplitude that does not cause the ink droplets to fly, and the pressure generating chamber 11 is contracted and expanded slightly to give a minute vibration to the meniscus near the nozzle opening 14.

Since the cycle T2 is the same as the first drive signal for ejecting ink droplets, it coincides with the natural vibration cycle Tc of the pressure generating chamber 11, and the displacement is as small as possible. The meniscus can be efficiently vibrated in minute amounts.

On the other hand, when a print signal is input from the control means 30, the drive signal generating circuit 31 causes the transistors 42, 4
8 is turned on / off to output a trapezoidal voltage, that is, a first drive signal. The switching transistors T, T, T, ... Connected to the piezoelectric vibrator 13 which is the target of dot formation are turned on by a signal from the head drive circuit 32, so that the piezoelectric vibrator 13 is the first Will be charged up to the voltage VH by the drive signal.

As a result, the drive signal generated by the drive signal generation circuit 31 flows into the piezoelectric vibrator 13 and charges the piezoelectric vibrator 13 with a constant current. As a result, the piezoelectric vibrators 13, 13, 13 that should eject ink drops for printing ...
Bends toward the pressure generating chamber 11 side to contract the pressure generating chamber 11, so that an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle opening 14.

Then, due to the fall of the first drive signal,
The piezoelectric vibrators 13, 13, 13 ... Discharge to return to the original state, the pressure generating chamber 11 expands, and the common ink chamber 16
Ink flows into the pressure generating chamber 11.

FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) show generation timings corresponding to the movement of the carriage of the first drive signal and the second drive signal obtained as described above.

In response to a command from the control means 30, the carriage is started from the stopped state A by the carriage drive circuit 33. The supply of the second drive signal is started immediately before the carriage starts to travel, includes the accelerated travel area B of the carriage, and the supply of the second drive signal is stopped immediately after the carriage reaches the constant speed travel area C. Then, the interval time TIN determined by the variable control operation described later.
After that, printing is performed by the first drive signal.

[0064] control shown in these, FIG. 6 (a), claim
6 shows an embodiment described in 6 , and the control means 30
Is the first from the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal.
The time to reach the drive signal supply start timing t2 is controlled to be constant, and the supply stop timing t3 of the second drive signal is controlled based on the required interval time TIN.

[0065] The control shown in FIG. 6 (b), according to claim 7
The control means 30 shown in FIG.
From the timing t1 when the supply of the second drive signal starts
Of the drive signal supply stop timing t3 is controlled to be constant, and the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal and the supply stop timing t3 of the second drive signal are respectively set based on the required interval time TIN. Control to change.

In both the control modes shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the interval time TIN is mainly generated by the control means 30 as follows. That is, the control means 30 receives the data of the ink weight of the first ejected droplet of the print line from the host computer, and obtains the necessary interval time TIN from the table shown in FIG.

In this table, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that a large dot,
It is divided into medium dots and small dots. The ink weight of the ejected droplets is 20-40 ng for large dots, the ink weight of the ejected droplets for 10-15 ng is medium dots, and the ink weight for ejected droplets is 2-6 ng for small dots. I am trying.

The interval time TIN required for damping the residual vibration due to the second drive signal is 3 to 10 ms and 10 to 1 for the large, medium, and small dots, respectively.
Times of 5 ms and 15 to 20 ms are described. The control means 30 uses the table built in the print timer 36 as shown in FIG.
Is read, and the second time is read based on this interval time TIN.
The drive signal generation section is calculated.

That is, in the case of executing the control shown in FIG. 6A, the read interval time TIN
Based on the predetermined supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal and the supply start timing t2 of the first drive signal, the supply stop timing t of the second drive signal is determined.
3 is calculated, and the drive signal generation circuit 31 and the head drive circuit 3 are calculated.
2 and a control signal to be given to the carriage drive circuit 33.

Therefore, the drive signal generation circuit 31 and the head drive circuit 32 receive the command from the control means 30 and generate the second drive signal at the timing of t1 in FIG. Supply to 13, 13, 13 ...

As a result, the second drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 13 of each print head 6, and the meniscus formed in the vicinity of the nozzle opening is slightly vibrated by the second drive signal to generate the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening. Suppresses thickening. Then, after the second drive signal continues until time t3 in FIG. 6A, the supply of the second drive signal is stopped.

After the interval time TIN read in the table shown in FIG. 7 has elapsed, the drive signal generation circuit 31 generates the first drive signal at the timing of t2,
The head drive circuit 32 drives the piezoelectric vibrators 13, 13, 13, ... That should eject ink droplets for printing, to start printing.

Although the above is based on the control timing shown in FIG. 6A, the following processing is performed in the control mode corresponding to FIG. 6B. That is, when the control means 30 receives the data of the ink weight of the first ejected droplet of the print line from the host computer, the necessary interval time TIN is calculated from the table shown in FIG. Ask for. Then, based on the read interval time TIN and the predetermined generation time of the second drive signal, the time of the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal and the supply stop timing t3 of the second drive signal are set. The calculation is performed to generate a control signal to be given to the drive signal generation circuit 31, the head drive circuit 32, and the carriage drive circuit 33.

Therefore, the drive signal generation circuit 31 and the head drive circuit 32 receive the command from the control means 30 and generate the second drive signal at the timing of t1 in FIG. Supply to 13, 13, 13 ... As a result, similarly to the above, the second drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 13 of each print head 6, and the meniscus formed in the vicinity of the nozzle opening is slightly vibrated by the second drive signal to cause ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening. Suppresses the thickening of. Then, after the second drive signal continues until time t3 in FIG. 6B, the supply of the second drive signal is stopped.

After the interval time TIN read out in the table shown in FIG. 7 has elapsed, the drive signal generation circuit 31 generates the first drive signal, and the head drive circuit 32 releases ink droplets for printing. Piezoelectric vibrator 1 to be output
3, 3, 13, ... Are driven to start printing.

In the above description, the print timer 36 stores the table for reading the interval time corresponding to the ink weight of the first ejected droplet on the print line, but instead of the above table. , The interval time corresponding to the ink weight of the first ejected droplet may be calculated.

Next, FIGS. 8 and 9 show other requirements for determining the interval time TIN. This is such that the interval time is variably controlled in a stepwise or stepwise manner according to the capping leaving time, that is, the time when the operating power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the surface of the nozzle plate 25 of the ink jet recording head is subjected to eutectoid plating 25a, and the eutectoid plating 25a is adapted to improve the water repellency. . However, when the power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off and the head is capped, the ink IK oozes out from the nozzle openings 14 on the nozzle eutectoid surface of the head and thickens or solidifies to reduce the water repellency. I have a problem.

As a result, the flight straightness of the ejected ink is deteriorated and the printing quality is degraded. This becomes more remarkable as the capping leaving time is longer. On the other hand, when ink ejection is continued, the nozzle opening 14
The ink that oozes out is redissolved and the water repellency is restored.

Therefore, it is preferable to control the interval time TIN according to the capping leaving time, and it is more preferable to control the number of ink shots and control the interval time TIN according to this shot number. .

FIG. 9 shows the form of the management table constructed from the above viewpoints, and this management table is stored in the minute vibration storage means 35. That is,
This table describes the relationship of the interval time TIN corresponding to the capping leaving time, and has a two-dimensional structure that describes the relationship of the interval time TIN corresponding to the number of ink shots.

The table shown in FIG. 9 exemplifies a case where the ink weight of the discharged droplet is, for example, a large dot, and when the ink weight of the discharged droplet is a medium dot or a small dot,
It is desirable to create a similar table accordingly and access each.

Print control when the table shown in FIG. 9 is used will be described below. The control means 30 reads the capping leaving time and the number of ink shots managed by the printing amount counter 37, and first obtains the interval time TIN corresponding to the capping leaving time from the table shown in FIG. In this case, the number of print shots is read from "0 to 100,000 shots" in the initial state. The print amount counter 37 counts the number of print shots, and the read position in the table is sequentially changed according to the count value.

The control means 30 uses the interval time TIN obtained as described above to drive the first drive signal, the interval time TIN, and the second drive signal as shown in FIG. 6 (a) or 6 (b). Generates signal generation timing.

The operation controlled by this is the same as the control by the interval time TIN obtained corresponding to the ink weight of the ejected droplet shown in FIG. 7, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

The table shown in FIG. 9 is extremely simplified for convenience of explanation. By describing the relationship of the interval time TIN by the two-dimensionally configured capping leaving time and the number of ink shots in more detail, the ideal control from stepwise control as shown in FIG. Can be realized.

Further, instead of the table shown in FIG. 9, the optimum interval time TIN may be calculated by using the capping leaving time and the number of ink shots as parameters.

Next, FIG. 10 shows another requirement for determining the interval time TIN. This is the optimum interval time TIN depending on the printing environment temperature.
Is to seek.

That is, the viscosity of the printing ink changes greatly depending on the printing environment temperature, and the attenuation characteristic of the residual vibration after the microvibration of the meniscus also changes depending on the printing environment temperature. Therefore, it is preferable to control the interval time TIN according to the printing environment temperature.

FIG. 10 shows the form of the management table constructed from the above viewpoints, and this management table is stored in the microvibration storage means 35. That is, this table describes the relationship of the interval time TIN corresponding to the printing environment temperature as shown in the figure.

The print control using the table shown in FIG. 10 will be described below. The control unit 30 reads the print environment temperature from the temperature detection unit 38, which is disposed near the print head and uses, for example, a thermistor (not shown). Then, the control means 30 obtains the interval time TIN by referring to the management table shown in FIG. 10 constructed in the micro vibration storage means 35 based on the printing environment temperature.

The control means 30 uses the interval time TIN obtained as described above to output the first drive signal, the interval time TIN, and the second drive signal as shown in FIG. 6 (a) or 6 (b). Generates signal generation timing.

The operation controlled by this is the same as the control by the interval time TIN obtained corresponding to the ink weight of the ejected droplet shown in FIG. 7, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

The table shown in FIG. 10 is extremely simplified for convenience of explanation. By describing the relationship of the interval time TIN corresponding to the temperature in more detail, it is possible to realize ideal control close to stepless. Further, instead of the table shown in FIG. 10, the optimum interval time T using temperature as a parameter is set.
It may be obtained by processing IN.

The above is the setting of the interval time according to the ink weight of the ejected droplet, the setting of the interval time according to the capping leaving time and the number of ink shots, and the setting of the interval time according to the printing environment temperature. Although three embodiments in which control is performed independently have been described, it is preferable to mutually utilize these three elements to set the interval time.

In order to realize such control, a table of several dimensions including each element is constructed, and the table is simultaneously accessed by three elements to read the optimum interval time.

Next, FIG. 11 examines the voltage waveform of the second drive signal which gives the meniscus a slight vibration. As shown in FIG. 11A, the second drive signal is supplied to the recording head in the accelerated traveling area of the carriage. In this case, the waveform is shown in FIG.
A region that rises with a constant gradient α as shown in (b),
A trapezoidal waveform having a region that holds a constant value and a region that descends at a constant gradient β is used.

However, this voltage waveform changes from the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal to the supply stop timing t.
It is possible to effectively suppress the residual vibration by giving the following changes during the period up to 3, and it is possible to further shorten the interval time by using this means together.

That is, the first means is from the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal to the supply stop timing t.
In order to reach 3, the frequency of the second drive signal is controlled so as to be gradually lowered. This is, for example, 2 at the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal.
A frequency signal of 8.8 KHz is applied, and the frequency is continuously swept so that a frequency signal of, for example, 1 KHz is finally applied between the supply start timing t1 and the supply stop timing t3.

The second means is to control the voltage V2 of the second drive signal to gradually decrease from the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal to the supply stop timing t3. This is because at the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal, the voltage waveform of V2, which is approximately ½ of the first drive signal V1, is applied as described above, and during the period from the supply start timing t1 to the supply stop timing t3. Finally, for example, the value of V2 is set to "0"
It is what This can be realized by controlling so that the width of the charging time T3 shown in FIG. 4 (c) is gradually decreased.

The third means controls the rising gradient α of the second drive signal to gradually decrease from the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal to the supply stop timing t3. is there. This is as shown in FIG. 11 at the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal.
As shown by the solid line in (b), the rising slope α is controlled so as to finally become the rising slope α ′ shown by the broken line, for example, between the supply start timing t1 and the supply stop timing t3. Is.

FIG. 12 shows a circuit configuration for realizing this. Note that FIG. 12 shows a modification of the drive signal generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 5, and the same portions are denoted by the same symbols. And a part thereof is omitted in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 12, a field effect transistor (FET) 91 as a voltage-dependent variable impedance is inserted between the charging resistor 46 and the DC power source VH. The control means 30 applies a control voltage to the gate of the FET 91.

At the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal, the control means 30 applies a bias voltage to the gate of the FET 91 so that the impedance between the drain and the source of the FET 91 becomes substantially "0". As a result, the capacitor 43 is charged by the charging resistor 46. Therefore, in this state, the rising slope of the second drive signal becomes α as shown by the solid line in FIG.

Then, between the supply start timing t1 of the second drive signal and the supply stop timing t3,
By gradually applying a gate voltage to the gate of the FET 91 in which the impedance between the drain and the source thereof increases, the charging time constant of the capacitor 43 gradually increases, and finally the broken line in FIG. The rising gradient α'is controlled so as to be the same.

The above-mentioned first to third means can be used alone or in combination as appropriate. By utilizing these means, it is possible to effectively suppress the residual vibration due to the second drive signal and further shorten the interval time.

Note that FIG. 13 shows the nozzle plate of the recording head. As shown in FIG. 13, the nozzle opening row B for ejecting black ink, the nozzle opening row C for ejecting cyan ink, and the magenta ink are shown. For the recording heads 60 and 61, each of which has a nozzle opening row M for ejection and a nozzle opening row Y for ejecting yellow ink, which are independently driven, the nozzle opening row B,
C, M, and Y are divided into a plurality of groups including a first group 62 and a second group 63, and a timing of supplying the second drive signal is set to a time difference ΔT1 between the groups 62 and 63. Is desirable.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a recording head using a longitudinal vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator to which the present invention can be applied. In the drawing, reference numeral 71 is a vibration plate, and the piezoelectric vibrator. The flow path unit 75 is made of a thin plate that comes into contact with the tip of the elastic member 72 and elastically deforms, and is fluid-tightly fixed to the nozzle plate 74 with the flow path forming plate 73 interposed therebetween.

Reference numeral 76 denotes a base, which is provided with a housing chamber 77 for housing the piezoelectric vibrator 72 in a vibrating manner, and an opening 78 for supporting the flow path unit 75. The flow path unit 75 is fixed so as to come into contact with the island portion 71a to form a recording head.

With such a configuration, when the piezoelectric vibrator 72 is charged and contracts, the pressure generating chamber 83 expands, whereby the ink in the common ink chambers 80, 80 passes through the ink supply ports 81, 81. Flow into the pressure generating chamber 83.

When the electric charges of the piezoelectric vibrator 72 are discharged and the piezoelectric vibrator 72 returns to the original state after a predetermined time has passed,
The pressure generating chamber 83 contracts and the ink in the pressure generating chamber 83 is compressed and ejected as an ink droplet from the nozzle opening 82 to form a dot on the recording paper.

Then, a second drive signal to the extent that ink droplets are not ejected is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 72 to apply the piezoelectric vibrator 72.
When a small amount is contracted, the pressure generating chamber 83 also slightly expands, so that the meniscus in the vicinity of the nozzle opening 82 is generated.
It is drawn to the 3rd side. Then, when the piezoelectric vibrator 72 is returned to the original state, the pressure generating chamber 83 contracts and the meniscus is slightly pushed back to the nozzle opening 82 side.

When the piezoelectric vibrator 72 is expanded or contracted by a small amount by the second drive signal as described above, the meniscus near the nozzle opening 82 also vibrates by a small amount. The ink in the chamber 83 is replaced to suppress the increase in viscosity of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening, and the straightness of ink ejection can be ensured.

[0114]

As is apparent from the above description, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, a minute vibration is applied to the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening by the second drive signal at the time of printing, and after the interval time is given. Printing is executed by the first drive signal. In this case, the interval time is controlled so as to be sequentially set according to the ink weight of the discharged droplet, the capping leaving time, the number of ink shots, the printing environment temperature, and the like. Since this control is repeatedly executed in each print line, as a result, it is possible to sufficiently secure the print quality and increase the throughput.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an inkjet recording head used in the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit mounted on the recording apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing first and second drive signals applied to a piezoelectric vibrator of a recording head.

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram showing an example of a drive signal generation circuit.

FIG. 6 is a generation timing diagram of first and second drive signals applied to the piezoelectric vibrator of the recording head.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a first form of a table for setting an interval time.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing a nozzle opening portion of the recording head.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a second form of a table for setting an interval time.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a third form of the table for setting the interval time.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process of generating a second drive signal for suppressing residual vibration and a voltage waveform thereof.

12 is a connection diagram showing an example of a drive signal generation circuit that generates a second drive signal shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an arrangement form of nozzle openings of a recording head to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of another recording head to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 15 is a generation timing diagram of a drive signal applied to a recording head of a conventional apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 carriage 3 pulse motor 5 recording paper 6 Inkjet recording head 8 capping device 9 Cleaning device 10 vibration version 11 Pressure generation chamber 13 Piezoelectric vibrator 14 nozzle opening 21 actuator unit 25 nozzle plate 30 control means 31 Drive signal generation circuit 32 head drive circuit 33 Carriage drive circuit 35 Micro vibration storage means 36 Print timer 37 Print quantity counter 38 Temperature detecting means B Acceleration area C constant speed running area

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. A nozzle plate having a nozzle opening,
Formed with a diaphragm that deforms due to actuator displacement
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber
And a first drive for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening.
Motion signal and to the extent that ink drops are not ejected from the nozzle openings
The second that vibrates the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal, and
The carriage in the acceleration area before the printer starts printing.
Then, the second drive signal is supplied to the recording head,
Second in the constant-speed traveling area in which the carriage travels at a constant speed
Stop the drive signal supply of the
And the first time after the interval time elapses.
Control to supply drive signal to recording head to execute printing
And means are provided, The control means controls the ink in the first print of each print line.
Variable control of the interval time according to the weight of the ejected droplet
Ink jet, characterized by being configured to
Recording device. 2. A nozzle plate having nozzle openings,
Formed with a diaphragm that deforms due to actuator displacement
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber
And a first drive for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening.
Motion signal and to the extent that ink drops are not ejected from the nozzle openings
The second that vibrates the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal, and
The carriage in the acceleration area before the printer starts printing.
Then, the second drive signal is supplied to the recording head,
Second in the constant-speed traveling area in which the carriage travels at a constant speed
Stop the drive signal supply of the
And the first time after the interval time elapses.
Control to supply drive signal to recording head to execute printing
And means are provided, The control means sets the flag according to the capping leaving time.
It is configured to variably control the interval time.
And an inkjet recording device. 3. The control means controls the capping leaving time.
In addition to the above interval depending on the cumulative number of print shots
It is characterized in that it is configured to variably control the time.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2. 4. A nozzle plate having nozzle openings,
Formed with a diaphragm that deforms due to actuator displacement
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber
And a first drive for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening.
Motion signal and to the extent that ink drops are not ejected from the nozzle openings
The second that vibrates the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal, and
The carriage in the acceleration area before the printer starts printing.
Then, the second drive signal is supplied to the recording head,
Second in the constant-speed traveling area in which the carriage travels at a constant speed
Stop the drive signal supply of the
And the first time after the interval time elapses.
Control to supply drive signal to recording head to execute printing
And means are provided, The control means controls the interface according to the print environment temperature.
Is configured to variably control the time
Inkjet recording device. 5. A nozzle plate having nozzle openings,
Formed with a diaphragm that deforms due to actuator displacement
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber
And a first drive for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening.
Motion signal and to the extent that ink drops are not ejected from the nozzle openings
The second that vibrates the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal, and
The carriage in the acceleration area before the printer starts printing.
Then, the second drive signal is supplied to the recording head,
Second in the constant-speed traveling area in which the carriage travels at a constant speed
Stop the drive signal supply of the
And the first time after the interval time elapses.
Control to supply drive signal to recording head to execute printing
And means are provided, The control means controls the ink in the first print of each print line.
If the weight of the ejected droplet is large, shorten the interval time
If the weight of ink droplets is small, the interval
Allows interval time with correlation that lengthens time
Variable control and long capping time In case of
Long interval time, short capping time
In some cases, there is a correlation that shortens the interval time.
Variably controls the interval time, and the printing environment temperature
If the temperature is high, increase the interval time
When the degree is low, the correlation that shortens the interval time
Characterized by variable control of the interval time
Inkjet recording device. 6. The control means supplies a second drive signal.
Start supplying the first drive signal from the start timing
Control the time to reach the
Change the timing to stop the supply of the second drive signal based on
Claim 1 thru | or Claim characterized by having comprised so that it might be comprised.
6. The inkjet recording device according to any one of 5. 7. The control means supplies the second drive signal.
Stop supplying the second drive signal from the start timing
Control the time to reach the
Based on the second drive signal supply start timing and the second
Change the timing to stop the drive signal supply.
6. The structure according to claim 1 or 5, wherein
The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims. 8. A carry before the recording head starts printing.
First supplied to the recording head in the acceleration traveling area
The drive signal of 2 is supplied from the start of supply to the stop of supply.
It is characterized in that the frequency of is controlled to gradually decrease
The ink according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
Jet type recording device. 9. A carry before the recording head starts printing.
Table supplied to the recording head in the acceleration drive area
The second drive signal of the shape is from supply start to supply stop
In the meantime, the voltage value is controlled so that it gradually decreases.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
Inkjet recording device. 10. A recording head before the recording head starts printing.
Supplied to the recording head in the accelerated traveling area of the ridge
The trapezoidal second drive signal changes from supply start to supply stop.
The rising voltage gradient gradually decreases during
It is controlled by the following.
The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims. 11. A nozzle plate having nozzle openings.
And the diaphragm that is deformed by the displacement of the actuator
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber formed
And a first ejecting ink droplet from the nozzle opening.
Drive signal and the extent to which ink drops are not ejected from the nozzle openings
To vibrate the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening in the second
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal of
Acceleration travel area of the carriage before the head starts printing
At the recording head, the second drive signal is supplied to
The carriage is moving at a constant speed.
Stop the supply of the drive signal of 2 and have an interval time
And the first time after the interval time elapses.
The drive control signal is supplied to the recording head to execute printing.
And means are provided, The control means controls the input according to operating conditions of the recording apparatus.
Variable control of the turban time and second drive signal
From the supply start timing of the first drive signal
The time to reach the imming is controlled to be constant and the interval
The timing to stop the supply of the second drive signal based on the time
Ink jet characterized by being configured to change
Recording device. 12. A nozzle plate having nozzle openings.
And the diaphragm that is deformed by the displacement of the actuator
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber formed
And a first ejecting ink droplet from the nozzle opening.
Drive signal and the extent to which ink drops are not ejected from the nozzle openings
To vibrate the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening in the second
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal of
Acceleration travel area of the carriage before the head starts printing
At the recording head, the second drive signal is supplied to
The carriage is moving at a constant speed.
Stop the supply of the drive signal of 2 and have an interval time
And the first time after the interval time elapses.
The drive control signal is supplied to the recording head to execute printing.
And means are provided, The control means controls the input according to operating conditions of the recording apparatus.
Variable control of the turban time and second drive signal
From the supply start timing of the second drive signal
Imming The time to reach the
Based on the time, the supply start timing of the second drive signal and
Change the supply stop timing of the second drive signal respectively
Inkjet type characterized by being configured to
Recording device. 13. A nozzle plate having nozzle openings.
And the diaphragm that is deformed by the displacement of the actuator
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber formed
And a trapezoid that ejects ink droplets from the nozzle opening
Of the first drive signal of
Vibrate the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening
Drive signal generation for generating a trapezoidal second drive signal
Means and a carriage before the recording head starts printing.
The second drive signal is recorded in the acceleration traveling area of
Constant-speed running in which the carriage is driven at a constant speed.
In the row region, the supply of the second drive signal is stopped and the interface
The interval time,
After the lapse of time, the first drive signal is supplied to the recording head to print.
And a control means for executing the character, The control means controls the input according to operating conditions of the recording apparatus.
It is configured to variably control the turban time.
Acceleration of the carriage before the recording head starts printing
Trapezoidal second drive supplied to the recording head in the area
The signal has its frequency from start to stop.
Is controlled so that
Inkjet recording device. 14. A nozzle plate having nozzle openings.
And the diaphragm that is deformed by the displacement of the actuator
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber formed
And a trapezoid that ejects ink droplets from the nozzle opening
Of the first drive signal of
Vibrate the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening
Drive signal generation for generating a trapezoidal second drive signal
Means and a carriage before the recording head starts printing.
The second drive signal is recorded in the acceleration traveling area of
Constant-speed running in which the carriage is driven at a constant speed.
In the row region, the supply of the second drive signal is stopped and the interface
The interval time,
After the lapse of time, the first drive signal is supplied to the recording head to print.
And a control means for executing the character, The control means controls the input according to operating conditions of the recording apparatus.
It is configured to variably control the turban time.
Acceleration of the carriage before the recording head starts printing
Trapezoidal second drive supplied to the recording head in the area
The signal is the voltage value from the start to the end of supply.
Is controlled so that
Inkjet recording device. 15. A nozzle plate having nozzle openings.
And the diaphragm that is deformed by the displacement of the actuator
Inkjet recording head with a pressure generating chamber formed
And a trapezoid that ejects ink droplets from the nozzle opening
Of the first drive signal of
Vibrate the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening
Drive signal generation for generating a trapezoidal second drive signal
Means and a carriage before the recording head starts printing.
The second drive signal is recorded in the acceleration traveling area of
Constant-speed running in which the carriage is driven at a constant speed.
In the row region, the supply of the second drive signal is stopped and the interface
The interval time,
After the lapse of time, the first drive signal is supplied to the recording head to print.
And a control means for executing the character, The control means controls the input according to operating conditions of the recording apparatus.
It is configured to variably control the turban time.
Acceleration of the carriage before the recording head starts printing
Trapezoidal second drive supplied to the recording head in the area
The signal has its rising edge from the start of supply to the stop of supply.
The voltage gradient is controlled so that it gradually decreases.
Characteristic inkjet recording device.