JP3844186B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink droplets from nozzle openings, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus that prevents thickening of ink at nozzle openings.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Inkjet recording devices such as inkjet printers and inkjet plotters move the recording head along the main scanning direction and move the recording paper (a type of print recording medium) along the sub-scanning direction. Then, by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle openings of the recording head, images (characters) are recorded on the recording paper. The ink droplets are ejected, for example, by expanding and contracting a pressure generating chamber that communicates with the nozzle opening.
[0003]
Incidentally, since the ink is exposed to air at the nozzle opening portion of the recording head, the ink solvent (for example, water) gradually evaporates. The evaporation of the ink solvent increases the ink viscosity at the nozzle opening, thereby deteriorating the image quality of the recorded image. That is, when the ink viscosity of the portion increases, the ejected ink droplets can fly in a direction deviating from the normal direction.
[0004]
For this reason, in the ink jet recording apparatus, measures are taken to prevent the ink from thickening at the nozzle opening. One countermeasure against this thickening is agitation of ink by slight vibration of the meniscus. Here, the meniscus is the free surface of the ink exposed at the nozzle opening.
[0005]
In this agitation of the ink, the meniscus is alternately moved in the ink droplet ejection direction and the drawing direction opposite to the ejection direction so that the ink droplets are not ejected. This movement of the meniscus is also performed by expanding and contracting the pressure generating chamber. By causing the meniscus to vibrate slightly, the ink at the nozzle opening is agitated, so that thickening of the ink is prevented.
[0006]
This ink agitation is performed in conjunction with the recording operation. For example, it is performed during the acceleration period immediately after the start of main scanning of the carriage on which the recording head is mounted or during the recording period of one line (that is, during printing). In the agitation during the acceleration period, a fine vibration drive signal (fine vibration control signal) for finely vibrating the meniscus is supplied to the recording head, and the meniscus of all nozzle openings is finely vibrated. In the agitation during printing, a fine vibration pulse is generated from an ejection drive signal for ejecting ink droplets, and the generated fine vibration pulse is supplied to the recording head. As a result, the ink is stirred for the nozzle openings that do not eject ink droplets.
[0007]
In Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-21507, the ink meniscus of the nozzle opening is slightly vibrated from an appropriate timing immediately before ejecting ink droplets to a predetermined time or an appropriate timing immediately before ejecting ink droplets. It is described.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The micro-vibration driving signal supplied to the recording head in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus is constant regardless of the characteristics and type of ink. For this reason, for example, when a fine vibration drive signal is set in accordance with ink that tends to thicken, the fine vibration caused by the fine vibration drive signal causes wettability at the nozzle opening for ejecting ink that does not thicken easily and flows easily. Detrimental effects such as bending may occur.
[0009]
In particular, a highly cohesive ink such as a pigment-based ink and a low-cohesive ink such as a dye-based ink can differ greatly in the degree of thickening within a nozzle opening. An ink jet recording apparatus that can use both of them has not been developed yet. The pigment-based ink is composed of, for example, a pigment, a dispersant, a solvent, and an additive, and is particularly excellent in ultraviolet resistance.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing fine vibration control corresponding to ink characteristics and types, in particular, cohesiveness of the ink to the recording medium. The purpose is to provide.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention generates a fine vibration control signal based on a recording head having a nozzle opening, a fine vibration means for finely vibrating the ink in the nozzle opening portion, and a cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle opening to the recording medium. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a fine vibration control signal generating means for performing fine vibration control means for driving the fine vibration means based on the fine vibration control signal.
[0012]
According to the present invention, the fine vibration control signal generating means generates the fine vibration control signal based on the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle openings to the recording medium, and the fine vibration means based on the fine vibration control signal. Therefore, the fine vibration control based on the aggregation property of the ink on the recording medium can be performed.
[0013]
For example, the fine vibration control signal generating means can generate a first fine vibration control signal for highly cohesive ink and a second fine vibration control signal for low cohesive ink, respectively. In this case, the fine vibration control for the highly cohesive ink and the fine vibration control for the low cohesive ink can be effectively performed independently of each other.
[0014]
Alternatively, the fine vibration control signal generating means includes a first fine vibration control signal for pigment-based ink (an example of highly cohesive ink) and a second fine vibration control for a dye-based ink (an example of highly cohesive ink). Each signal can be generated. In this case, the fine vibration control for the pigment-based ink and the fine vibration control for the dye-based ink can be effectively performed independently of each other.
[0015]
In general, for the sake of convenience in signal generation, the first fine vibration control signal may be composed of a continuous first pulse waveform, and the second fine vibration control signal may be composed of a continuous second pulse waveform. preferable.
[0016]
The present inventor has found that the first pulse waveform and the second pulse waveform are suitable for the relationship between the fine vibration control signal and the aggregation property of the ink on the recording medium as follows.
[0017]
For example, the preferable condition is that the hold voltage value of the first pulse waveform is smaller than the hold voltage value of the second pulse waveform.
[0018]
Alternatively, it is preferable that the voltage hold time of the first pulse waveform is shorter than the hold voltage time of the second pulse waveform.
[0019]
Alternatively, it is a preferable condition that the slope of the rising portion of the first pulse waveform is gentler than the slope of the rising portion of the second pulse waveform.
[0020]
Alternatively, it is a preferable condition that the number of first pulse waveforms is smaller than the number of second pulse waveforms.
[0021]
Alternatively, it is preferable that the repetition frequency of the first pulse waveform is smaller than the repetition frequency of the second pulse waveform.
[0022]
In addition, it is preferable that the fine vibration control signal generating means outputs a fine vibration mode signal based on the fine vibration signal generating means for generating a common fine vibration signal and the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle openings to the recording medium. A fine vibration mode signal generating means for generating, and a signal merging unit for generating a fine vibration control signal based on the common fine vibration signal and the fine vibration mode signal. In this case, since a common common vibration signal can be used, the control process can be easily realized.
[0023]
Alternatively, preferably, the recording head has a plurality of nozzle openings, and the fine vibration means finely vibrates the ink in the nozzle opening portion for each selected nozzle opening. The generating means generates a fine vibration signal generating means for generating a common fine vibration signal based on the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle openings to the recording medium, and generates a fine vibration mode signal for each of the selected nozzle openings. And a signal merging unit for generating a fine vibration control signal based on the common fine vibration signal and the fine vibration mode signal. In this case, the fine vibration mode signal generated for each selected nozzle opening can be set based on another standard regardless of the aggregation property of the ink on the recording medium. can do.
[0024]
The fine vibration control for each selected nozzle opening is described in detail, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-295385.
[0025]
In the above case, it is preferable that the signal fusion unit generates a fine vibration control signal by ANDing the common fine vibration signal and the fine vibration mode signal. In this case, signal processing is easy.
[0026]
Further, for convenience of signal processing, the common micro-vibration signal is a periodic signal having a predetermined waveform, and the micro-vibration mode signal has a predetermined rectangular pulse train and a period having the same cycle as the common micro-vibration signal. Preferably it is a signal.
[0027]
Preferably, an input unit for inputting information relating to the aggregation property of the ink on the recording medium is connected to the fine vibration control signal generating means.
[0028]
The input unit is installed in an ink container installation unit in which an ink container having an ink chamber for storing ink and a storage unit for storing information on the aggregation property of the ink on the recording medium is installed, and in the ink container installation unit. And an information reading unit that reads information stored in the storage unit of the ink container. In this case, based on the information stored in the storage unit of the ink container, it is possible to automatically read information related to the aggregation property of the ink on the recording medium.
[0029]
However, the input unit may be configured by an interface device such as a keyboard, and the user may manually input information regarding the aggregation property of the ink onto the recording medium.
[0030]
The fine vibration control signal generating means for generating a fine vibration control signal based on the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle opening to the recording medium, and the fine vibration means is driven based on the fine vibration control signal. The fine vibration control means can be realized by a computer system.
[0031]
Further, a computer-readable recording medium that records a program for causing the computer system to realize each means is also a subject of protection in this case.
[0032]
Here, the recording medium includes not only a floppy disk or the like that can be recognized as a single unit, but also a network that propagates various signals.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an ink jet printer, and includes a printer controller 1 and a print engine 2.
[0034]
The printer controller 1 includes an external interface (external I / F) 3, a RAM 4 that temporarily stores various data, a ROM 5 that stores a control program, a control unit 6 that includes a CPU, a clock, and the like. An oscillation circuit 7 that generates a signal, a drive signal generator 9 that generates a drive signal to be supplied to the recording head 8, a dot pattern data (bitmap data) developed based on the drive signal and print data, and the like And an internal interface (internal I / F) 10 for transmitting to the print engine 2.
[0035]
The external I / F 3 receives, for example, print data composed of character codes, graphic functions, image data, and the like from a host computer (not shown). Further, a vichy signal (BUSY) and an acknowledge signal (ACK) are output to the host computer or the like through the external I / F 3.
[0036]
Further, the external I / F 3 of the present embodiment is an interface such as a keyboard as an input unit for inputting information relating to the cohesiveness of the ink used in the present embodiment to the recording paper 18 (recording medium). It is connected to the device 100.
[0037]
The RAM 4 includes a reception buffer 4A, an intermediate buffer 4B, an output buffer 4C, and a work memory (not shown). The reception buffer 4A temporarily stores print data received via the external I / F 3, the intermediate buffer 4B stores intermediate code data converted by the control unit 6, and the output buffer 4C Store dot pattern data. Here, the dot pattern data is print data obtained by decoding (translating) intermediate code data (for example, gradation data).
[0038]
The ROM 5 stores font data, graphic functions, and the like in addition to a control program (control routine) for performing various data processing.
[0039]
The control unit 6 performs various controls according to the control program stored in the ROM 5. For example, the print data in the reception buffer 4A is read and the print data is converted into intermediate code data, and the intermediate code data is stored in the intermediate buffer 4B. Further, the control unit 6 analyzes the intermediate code data read from the intermediate buffer 4B, and develops (decodes) it into dot pattern data with reference to font data, graphic functions, and the like stored in the ROM 5. The control unit 6 stores the dot pattern data in the output buffer 4C after performing the necessary decoration processing.
[0040]
If dot pattern data for one line that can be recorded is obtained by one main scan of the recording head 8, the dot pattern data for one line is sequentially transferred from the output buffer 4C through the internal I / F 10 to the recording head 8. Is output. When dot pattern data for one line is output from the output buffer 4C, the developed intermediate code data is erased from the intermediate buffer 4B, and the development process for the next intermediate code data is performed.
[0041]
The drive signal generator 9 according to the present embodiment generates an ejection drive signal (including an in-print fine vibration control signal) used for fine vibration of the meniscus 52 (see FIG. 5B) during recording and printing. A main signal generating unit 11 for generating, a fine signal generating unit 12 for generating a non-printing common micro-vibration signal used for micro-vibration of the non-printing meniscus 52 (see FIG. 5B), and a main signal A selection unit 13 that receives the ejection drive signal from the generation unit 11 and the non-printing common micro-vibration signal from the micro-vibration signal generation unit 12 and outputs the ejection driving signal or the non-printing common micro-vibration signal to the internal I / F 10; , Including.
[0042]
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the ejection drive signal has a waveform 61t having a waveform 61t that rises from a reference voltage to a predetermined voltage and then temporarily drops below the reference voltage, rises again to the predetermined voltage, and then falls below the reference voltage again. 61, a second waveform portion 62 having a trapezoidal waveform 62t returning from the reference voltage by a predetermined voltage, and a trapezoidal waveform 63t returning by a voltage larger than the trapezoidal waveform 62t of the second waveform portion 61. The third waveform portion 63 having the first waveform portion 61 and the fourth waveform portion 64 having a waveform 64t having a voltage that rises a predetermined voltage higher than the reference voltage and then returns after the voltage has dropped substantially the same as the lowest voltage of the first waveform portion 61 are connected in series. It is constituted by the periodic signal.
[0043]
On the other hand, the non-printing common micro-vibration signal is usually composed of the same signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a trapezoidal pulse 201 (medium trapezoidal pulse) whose potential switches between the lowest potential and the intermediate potential. The trapezoidal pulse 202 (large trapezoidal pulse) whose potential is switched between the minimum potential and the maximum potential is constituted by a periodic signal that is alternately connected in series at substantially equal intervals.
[0044]
The drive signal generation unit 9 can be configured by a logic circuit, or can be configured by a control circuit configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
[0045]
The print engine 2 includes a paper feed mechanism 16, a carriage mechanism 17, and a recording head 8.
[0046]
The paper feed mechanism 16 includes a paper feed motor, a paper feed roller, and the like. As shown in FIG. 4A, the recording paper 18 (a kind of print recording medium) is linked to the recording operation of the recording head 8. And send them out sequentially. That is, the paper feeding mechanism 16 moves the recording paper 18 in the recording paper feeding direction that is the sub-scanning direction.
[0047]
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the carriage mechanism 17 is movably attached to the guide member 20 and can be mounted with the recording head 8 and the ink cartridge 19, and the drive pulley 22 and the driven mechanism. A timing belt 24 spanned between the pulley 23 and connected to the carriage 21, a pulse motor 25 for rotating the driving pulley 22, and a printer housing in a state parallel to the recording paper width direction (along the main scanning direction). A linear encoder 27 installed on the body 26 and a slit detector 29 attached to the carriage 21 and capable of detecting a plurality of slits 28 of the linear encoder 27 are provided.
[0048]
The linear encoder 27 of the present embodiment is a transparent thin plate member, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the slits 28 are formed at a pitch of 360 dpi. The slit detector 29 can be configured by, for example, a photo interrupter.
[0049]
According to such a carriage mechanism 17, the carriage 21 reciprocates along the width direction (main scanning direction) of the recording paper 18 by the operation of the pulse motor 25. Thereby, the recording head 8 mounted on the carriage 21 moves along the main scanning direction. This movement of the carriage 21 is performed starting from the reference position on the home position side. Here, the home position is a position where the carriage 21 is on standby when the power is not turned on or when a state in which recording is not performed takes a long time. In the present embodiment, a home position is provided at the right end in FIG.
[0050]
At the home position, a capping mechanism 30 for preventing ink solvent from evaporating in a nozzle opening 51 (described later) of the recording head 8 is provided.
[0051]
On the other hand, the reference position is set to a position slightly to the left of the home position. Specifically, a reference position is set between the right edge of the recording paper 18 and the capping mechanism 30.
[0052]
When the carriage 21 moves, the slit detector 29 moves with the carriage 21. Along with this movement, the slit detector 29 sequentially detects the plurality of slits 28 of the linear encoder 27 and outputs a pulsed detection signal corresponding to the pitch of the slits 28. Based on the detection signal from the slit detector 29, the controller 6 recognizes the position of the recording head 8.
[0053]
Specifically, the control unit 6 resets the count value of the position counter in a state where the carriage 21 is positioned at the reference position, and the rising pulse (detection) from the slit detector 29 output as the carriage 21 moves. Signal) and the position counter is incremented every time a pulse is received. Thus, the count value of the position counter becomes head position information indicating the position of the carriage 21, that is, the scanning position of the recording head 8. Here, the position counter can be provided, for example, in a work memory (not shown) of the RAM 4, but the counter may be provided separately.
[0054]
Accordingly, the linear encoder 27 and the slit detector 29 function as scanning position information output means, that is, output information (detection signal) relating to the position of the recording head 8 with the main scanning of the carriage 21 (recording head 8). . Further, the control unit 6 and the position counter (RAM 4) function as scanning position holding means, that is, after the count value (head position information) of the position counter is updated based on the detection signal from the slit detector 29. Holds the updated count value.
[0055]
Next, the recording head will be described. As shown in FIG. 5A, the exemplified recording head 8 is schematically constituted by an actuator unit 33 and a flow path unit 34. Further, the illustrated recording head 8 uses a piezoelectric vibrator 35 in a flexural vibration mode as a pressure generating element.
[0056]
Here, the piezoelectric vibrator 35 in the flexural vibration mode contracts by charging, deforms the pressure generating chamber 36 so as to reduce its volume, expands by the discharge, and causes the pressure generating chamber 36 to have its volume. It is to be deformed so as to increase.
[0057]
The actuator unit 33 includes a first lid member 37, a spacer member 38, a second lid member 39, a piezoelectric vibrator 35, and the like. The flow path unit 34 includes an ink supply port forming substrate 40, an ink chamber forming substrate 41, a nozzle plate 42, and the like. The recording head 8 is configured by integrating the actuator unit 33 and the flow path unit 34 with the adhesive layer 43. The adhesive layer 43 can be composed of a heat welding film, an appropriate adhesive, or the like.
[0058]
The first lid member 37 is generally a ceramic thin plate having elasticity, and in the present embodiment, the first lid member 37 has a thickness of about 6 micrometers of zirconia (ZrO ₂ ). A common electrode 44 of the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is formed on the back surface (upper surface) of the first lid member 37, and the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is laminated on the common electrode 44. A driving electrode 45 of the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is provided on the back surface (upper surface) of the piezoelectric vibrator 35.
[0059]
The spacer member 38 is a ceramic plate having a through hole that becomes the pressure generating chamber 36, and in this case, the spacer member 38 is made of plate-like zirconia having a thickness of about 100 micrometers.
[0060]
The second lid member 39 has a through hole as the supply side communication hole 46 on the left side in FIG. 5A, and a ceramic material having a through hole as the first nozzle communication hole 47 on the right side in FIG. It is. The second lid member 39 is made of, for example, plate-like zirconia.
[0061]
A first lid member 37 is disposed on the back surface (upper surface) of the spacer member 38, and a second lid member 39 is disposed on the front surface (lower surface). That is, the spacer member 38 is sandwiched between the first lid member 37 and the second lid member 39. The first lid member 37, the second lid member 39, and the spacer member 38 are formed in an integrated manner by laminating and firing a clay-like ceramic material into a predetermined shape. Is done.
[0062]
The ink supply port forming substrate 40 is a plate-like member having a through hole as the ink supply port 48 on the left side and a through hole as the first nozzle communication hole 47 on the right side. The ink chamber forming substrate 41 is a plate-like member having a through hole as the ink chamber 49 and a through hole as the second nozzle communication hole 50 on the right side. The nozzle plate 42 is a thin plate-like member in which a large number (for example, 48) of nozzle openings 51 are opened on the right side along the sub-scanning direction, and may be formed of, for example, a stainless steel plate. The nozzle openings 51 are opened at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the dot formation density.
[0063]
A nozzle plate 42 is disposed on the front side (lower surface side) of the ink chamber forming substrate 41, and an ink supply port forming substrate 40 is disposed on the rear surface side (upper surface side). Adhesive layers 43 are provided between the ink chamber forming substrate 41 and the nozzle plate 42 and between the ink chamber forming substrate 41 and the ink supply port forming substrate 40, respectively. As a result, the ink supply port is formed. The substrate 40, the ink chamber forming substrate 41, and the nozzle plate 42 are integrated to form the flow path unit 34.
[0064]
In the recording head 8 having such a configuration, the ink chamber 49 of the flow path unit 34 and the supply side communication hole 46 of the actuator unit 33 communicate with each other through the ink supply port 48. Further, the supply side communication hole 46 and the first nozzle communication hole 47 communicate with each other through the pressure generation chamber 36. Further, the nozzle opening 51 and the first nozzle communication hole 47 communicate with each other through the second nozzle communication hole 50. Thereby, a series of ink flow paths from the ink chamber 49 to the nozzle opening 51 through the pressure generation chamber 36 is formed. The ink from the ink cartridge 19 is supplied to the ink chamber 49 through an ink supply passage (not shown). In the present embodiment, all the inks supplied to the nozzle openings 51 are common. Information on the cohesiveness of the ink onto the recording paper 18 is input by the interface device 100 as described above.
[0065]
By changing the volume of the pressure generating chamber 36, ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzle openings 51. Specifically, when the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is charged, the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is contracted in a direction orthogonal to the electric field, the first lid member 37 is deformed, and the pressure is accompanied by the deformation of the first lid member 37. The generation chamber 36 contracts. On the other hand, when the charged piezoelectric vibrator 35 is discharged, the piezoelectric vibrator 35 expands in a direction orthogonal to the electric field, and the first lid member 37 is deformed in the return direction to expand the pressure generating chamber 36. When the pressure generating chamber 36 is once expanded and then contracted rapidly, the ink pressure in the pressure generating chamber 36 rapidly increases, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 51 as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. Discharged.
[0066]
In addition, by expanding and contracting the pressure generating chamber 36 to such an extent that no ink droplets are ejected, the ink in the opening portion of the nozzle opening 51 can be stirred, and an increase in the viscosity of the ink in that portion can be prevented. That is, when the pressure generating chamber 36 is expanded and contracted to such an extent that no ink droplets are ejected, the meniscus 52 (the free surface of the ink exposed at the nozzle openings 51), as shown in FIG. Thus, the ink moves alternately in the downward direction, which is the upward direction, and the upward direction, which is the ink drawing-in direction, and slightly vibrates. As a result, the ink in the nozzle opening portion can be agitated.
[0067]
Next, the electrical configuration of the recording head 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording head 8 includes a shift register 55, a latch circuit 56, a level shifter 57, a switch 58, and a piezoelectric vibrator 35 that are electrically connected in order. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the shift register 55, the latch circuit 56, the level shifter 57, the switch 58, and the piezoelectric vibrator 35 are respectively provided with shift register elements 55 </ b> A to 55 </ b> A provided for each nozzle opening 51 of the recording head 8. 55N, latch elements 56A to 56N, level shifter elements 57A to 57N, switch elements 58A to 58N, and piezoelectric vibrators 35A to 35N.
[0068]
In addition, information regarding the aggregation property of ink input to the recording paper 18 input from the interface device 100 is sent to the mode bit signal generation unit 200. The mode bit signal generation unit 200 generates a mode bit signal corresponding to the ink based on the ink information. In this case, the mode bit signal consists of 2-bit digital data of either “01” or “10”, and highly cohesive ink such as pigment-based ink and low cohesive ink such as dye-based ink. Two mode commands corresponding to are realized.
[0069]
The shift register 55, the latch circuit 56, the level shifter 57, the switch 58, the mode bit signal generation unit 200, and the control unit 6 function as a fine vibration control signal generation unit, that is, a non-printing common fine signal from the fine vibration signal generation unit 12. A fine vibration control signal obtained by fusing a vibration signal and a fine vibration mode signal (described later) based on the mode bit signal is supplied to the recording head 8 (piezoelectric vibrator 35), or fine vibration control in printing is performed from the ejection drive signal. A signal is generated and supplied to the recording head 8.
[0070]
Further, the shift register 55, the latch circuit 56, the level shifter 57, the switch 58, and the control unit 6 function as drive pulse supply means, that is, generate a drive pulse from the ejection drive signal from the drive signal generation unit 9, and print head Eight piezoelectric vibrators 35 are supplied.
[0071]
Next, control when ejecting ink droplets will be described.
[0072]
First, a case where the meniscus 52 is slightly vibrated by the non-printing common fine vibration signal from the fine vibration signal generator 12 to stir the ink will be described.
[0073]
In this case, the control unit 6 causes the higher-order bit data of the mode bit signal from the mode bit signal generation unit 200 to be serially transmitted from the output buffer 4C in synchronization with the clock signal (CK) from the oscillation circuit 7 as appropriate. Are sequentially set in the shift register elements 55A to 55N. If the bit data for all the nozzle openings 51 is set in the shift register elements 55A to 55N, the control unit 6 sends the latch signal (LAT) to the latch circuit 56, that is, the latch elements 56A to 56N at a predetermined timing. ) Is output. In response to the latch signal, the latch elements 56A to 56N latch the bit data set in the shift register elements 55A to 55N. The latched bit data is supplied to a level shifter 57 that is a voltage amplifier, that is, each level shifter element 57A to 57N.
[0074]
Each level shifter element 57A to 57N (fine vibration mode signal generating means) boosts the bit data to a voltage value that can drive the switch 58, for example, several tens of volts when the bit data is "1", for example. A fine vibration mode signal is used (see FIG. 3). The boosted micro-vibration mode signal is applied to the switch 58, that is, the switch elements 58A to 58N (signal fusion unit). The switch elements 58A to 58N are connected by the fine vibration mode signal. On the other hand, when the bit data is “0”, for example, the corresponding level shifter elements 57A to 57N do not boost.
[0075]
A non-printing common fine vibration signal from the fine vibration signal generator 12 is applied to each of the switch elements 58A to 58N. When the switch elements 58A to 58N are connected, the non-printing common fine vibration signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrators 35A to 35N connected to the switch elements 58A to 58N.
[0076]
If the non-printing common micro-vibration signal is applied based on the upper bit data, then the control unit 6 serially transmits the lower bit data and sets it in the shift register elements 55A to 55N. When the bit data is set in the shift register elements 55A to 55N, the latched signal is applied to latch the set bit data, and the non-printing common fine vibration signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrators 35A to 35N. Let
[0077]
When the fine vibration control signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35, the pressure generating chamber 36 is slightly expanded / contracted, and the discharge side near the opening edge of the nozzle opening 51 as described with reference to FIG. The meniscus 52 slightly vibrates between a position (shown by a dotted line in the figure) and a drawing side position (shown by a solid line in the figure) closer to the pressure generating chamber 36 than the discharge side position. That is, the ink in the nozzle opening is agitated.
[0078]
As described above, in the illustrated printer, whether or not to supply the non-printing common fine vibration signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 can be controlled by the mode bit signal. That is, the fine vibration control signal generated by ANDing the rectangular pulse fine vibration mode signal obtained by latching and boosting the bit data “1” of the mode bit signal and the non-printing common fine vibration signal is the piezoelectric vibration. It is supplied to the child 35. When the bit data of the mode bit signal is “0”, the supply of the non-printing common fine vibration signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is cut off. When the bit data is “0”, the piezoelectric vibrator 35 holds the previous charge (potential).
[0079]
Therefore, by dividing the common micro-vibration signal in the time axis direction and setting each bit of the bit data of the mode bit signal corresponding to the divided portion, a plurality of micro-vibration control signals can be selectively selected from the common micro-vibration signal. The generated fine vibration control signal can be supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35. Thereby, by generating the fine vibration mode signal corresponding to the ink to be used, a sufficient ink stirring effect can be obtained, and the occurrence of adverse effects such as wet bending of the nozzle opening can be avoided.
[0080]
In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the common micro-vibration signal includes a trapezoidal pulse 201 in which the potential switches between the lowest potential and the intermediate potential, and a trapezoid in which the potential switches between the lowest potential and the maximum potential. And a periodic signal in which the pulses 202 are alternately connected in series. As the mode bit signal, “01” or “10” is generated according to the aggregation property of the ink onto the recording paper 18.
[0081]
Thereby, the fine vibration control signal (first fine vibration control signal) for highly cohesive ink is composed of a continuous first pulse waveform (pulse 201), and the fine vibration control signal for low cohesive ink (pulse 201). The second fine vibration control signal) is constituted by a continuous second pulse waveform (pulse 202). At this time, the hold voltage value of the first pulse waveform is smaller than the hold voltage value of the second pulse waveform.
[0082]
Details of the first pulse waveform (pulse 201) and the second pulse waveform (pulse 202) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the hold voltage value of the first pulse waveform is about 25% of the hold voltage value of the discharge waveform pulse, which will be described later, and the hold voltage value of the second pulse waveform. Is about 50%. The first pulse waveform and the second pulse waveform both have a rise time of 15 μs, a voltage hold time of 10 μs, and a fall time of 5 μs.
[0083]
Thereby, an appropriate fine vibration control signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 according to the cohesiveness of the ink, and necessary and sufficient fine vibration control outside printing can be performed.
[0084]
Of course, the waveform of the common micro-vibration signal (number of trapezoidal pulses 201 and 202, each waveform, interval, etc.) and the number of bits of the mode bit signal corresponding to the cohesiveness of ink (the number of patterns of the micro-vibration mode signal) are The present invention is not limited to the embodiment and is appropriately determined.
[0085]
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the inventor of the present invention also has a case where the voltage hold time of the first pulse waveform is shorter than the hold voltage time of the second pulse waveform. It was confirmed that necessary and sufficient control of fine vibration outside printing can be performed. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the hold voltage value of the first pulse waveform and the second pulse waveform is about 50%, the rise time is 15 μs, the fall time is 5 μs, The voltage hold time of the pulse waveform was 2 μs, and the voltage hold time of the second pulse waveform was 10 μs.
[0086]
Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the inventor of the present invention has a gentle slope of the rising portion of the first pulse waveform with respect to the slope of the rising portion of the second pulse waveform. In some cases, it was confirmed that necessary and sufficient fine vibration control outside printing could be performed. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the hold voltage value of the first pulse waveform and the second pulse waveform is about 50%, the voltage hold time is 10 μs, the fall time is 5 μs, The rise time of one pulse waveform was 30 μs, and the rise time of the second pulse waveform was 15 μs.
[0087]
Next, a procedure for applying a drive pulse to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 will be described. In the following description, a case where each print data constituting the dot pattern data (corresponding to one dot data) is composed of 4 bits will be described.
[0088]
In this case, the control unit 6 serially transmits the most significant bit data of the print data (SI) to the clock signal (CK) from the oscillation circuit 7 and transmits it serially from the output buffer 4C. The elements 55A to 55N are sequentially set. When the print data for all the nozzle openings 51 is set in the shift register elements 55A to 55N, the control unit 6 sends the latch signal (LAT) to the latch circuit 56, that is, the latch elements 56A to 56N at a predetermined timing. ) Is output. In response to the latch signal, the latch elements 56A to 56N latch the print data set in the shift register elements 55A to 55N. The latched print data is supplied to a level shifter 57 that is a voltage amplifier, that is, each of the level shifter elements 57A to 57N.
[0089]
Each level shifter element 57A to 57N (main mode signal generating means) boosts the print data to a voltage value that can drive the switch 58, for example, several tens of volts when the print data is "1", for example. A mode signal is used (see FIG. 2). The boosted main mode signal is applied to the switch 58, that is, the switch elements 58A to 58N. The switch elements 58A to 58N are connected by the main mode signal. On the other hand, when the print data is “0”, for example, the corresponding level shifter elements 57A to 57N do not boost.
[0090]
A discharge drive signal (COM) from the main signal generator 11 is applied to each switch element 58A to 58N. When the switch elements 58A to 58N are in the connected state, the ejection drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrators 35A to 35N connected to the switch elements 58A to 58N.
[0091]
If the ejection drive signal is applied based on the most significant bit data, then the control unit 6 serially transmits 1 bit lower data and sets the data in the shift register elements 55A to 55N. When data is set in the shift register elements 55A to 55N, a latch signal is applied to latch the set data and supply ejection drive signals to the piezoelectric vibrators 35A to 35N. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated until the least significant bit while shifting the print data bit by bit to the least significant bit.
[0092]
As described above, in the illustrated printer, whether or not to supply the ejection drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 can be controlled by the print data. That is, a drive pulse signal generated by ANDing the rectangular pulse main mode signal obtained by latching and boosting the bit “1” of the print data and the ejection drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35. When the bit of the print data is “0”, the supply of the ejection drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is cut off. When the bit of the print data is set to “0”, the piezoelectric vibrator 35 holds the previous charge (potential).
[0093]
Therefore, by dividing the ejection drive signal in the time axis direction and setting each bit of the print data corresponding to the divided portion, a plurality of drive pulses and a plurality of prints can be made from one ejection drive signal. Inside A fine vibration signal can be selectively generated, and the generated drive pulse or printing Inside A fine vibration signal can be supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35. As a result, the meniscus 52 is vibrated with an appropriate strength during printing to obtain a sufficient ink agitation effect without adverse effects such as wetting and bending, or a plurality of drive pulses having different ink droplet amounts (that is, dot diameters). The piezoelectric vibrator 35 of the recording head 8 can be supplied.
[0094]
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the ejection drive signal is divided into a first waveform portion 61, a second waveform portion 62, a third waveform portion 63, and a fourth waveform portion 64, and the first waveform portion 61 drives small dots. A pulse is generated, a medium dot drive pulse is generated by the fourth waveform section 64, a large dot drive pulse is generated by combining the first waveform section 61 and the fourth waveform section 64, and a second waveform section (pulse section). 62 generates a fine coagulation control signal for highly cohesive ink, and generates a fine coagulation control signal for low cohesion ink using a third waveform section (pulse section) 63. .
[0095]
Here, the small dot drive pulse is a drive pulse for ejecting ink droplets capable of forming small dots, and the medium dot drive pulse is a drive pulse for ejecting ink droplets capable of forming medium dots, and is driven by large dots. The pulse is a drive pulse for ejecting ink droplets that can form large dots. Each in-printing fine vibration control signal is a drive pulse that causes the meniscus 52 to vibrate slightly for the nozzle openings 51 that do not eject ink droplets.
[0096]
Then, when any of the fine vibration signals in the print is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35, the pressure generating chamber 36 is slightly expanded / contracted, and as described with reference to FIG. The meniscus 52 vibrates slightly between a nearby discharge side position (indicated by a dotted line in the figure) and a drawing side position (indicated by a solid line in the figure) closer to the pressure generating chamber 36 than the discharge side position. That is, the ink in the nozzle opening is agitated.
[0097]
In this example, the print data is composed of 4-bit data D1, D2, D3, and D4. By setting each data to D1 = 1, D2 = 0, D3 = 0, and D4 = 0, a small dot drive pulse is generated. And by setting each data to D1 = 0, D2 = 0, D3 = 0 and D4 = 1, a medium dot drive pulse is generated, and each data is D1 = 1, D2 = 0, D3 = 0, D4. By setting = 1, a large dot drive pulse is generated, and by setting each data to D1 = 0, D2 = 1, D3 = 0, D4 = 0, a fine vibration pulse in the print for highly cohesive ink is generated. By generating and setting each data to D1 = 0, D2 = 0, D3 = 1, and D4 = 0, a fine vibration pulse in printing for low-aggregating ink is generated. If each data is set to D1 = 0, D2 = 0, D3 = 0, and D4 = 0, even the fine vibration control in printing is not performed.
[0098]
Here, the intermediate 2-bit data D2 and D3 of the print data may use a mode bit signal. For example, when the most significant and least significant 2 bits D1 and D4 of the print data are both 0, the upper and lower bit data of the mode bit signal are input to D2 and D3, and the most significant and least significant 2 bits D1 of the print data. When at least one of D4 is not 0, by inputting 0 to both D2 and D3, it is possible to generate the same drive pulse and in-print fine vibration pulse as described above. In this case, since the substantial print data is 2 bits of D1 and D4, the process can be simplified and speeded up.
[0099]
However, the number of print data bits and print Inside The waveform, type, and the like of the micro vibration pulse can be appropriately selected. Print Inside The number of types of micro-vibration pulses is preferably the same as the number of types of mode bit signals in non-printing micro-vibration control, but need not be the same.
[0100]
Next, a recording operation of the printer having the above configuration will be described. In this printer, in order to prevent the ink from thickening, the meniscus 52 is appropriately slightly vibrated in conjunction with one main scan (one line of recording operation) of the recording head 8. Specifically, the meniscus 52 is slightly vibrated during the acceleration period of the recording head 8 (carriage 21), immediately before the start of recording, and during the recording operation.
[0101]
In the following description, as shown in FIG. 10, a case will be described in which an image 18X is recorded in an area on the recording paper 18 opposite to the home position HP side, that is, the latter half of one line.
[0102]
Here, FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining recording (printing) for one line. FIG. 10 also shows the recording paper 18 and shows the correspondence between the recording position of the recording head 8 and time. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the dot pattern development process, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the dot pattern recording process and the position information acquisition process performed by interrupting the dot pattern recording process.
[0103]
This recording operation is roughly divided into a dot pattern development process for generating one line of dot pattern data from the intermediate code data and a dot pattern recording process for recording on the recording paper 18 based on the developed dot pattern data. The
[0104]
Hereinafter, each of these processes will be described.
[0105]
In the dot pattern development process shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 6 first functions as dot pattern data generation means, and generates dot pattern data for one line. That is, the intermediate code data stored in the intermediate buffer 4B is read (S1), and the read intermediate code data is developed into dot pattern data based on the font data and graphic functions of the ROM 5 (S2). The pattern data is stored in the output buffer 4C (S3). This development operation is repeatedly executed until a dot pattern for one line is stored (S4).
[0106]
If dot pattern data for one line is stored in the output buffer 4C (S4), the control unit 6 functions as a recording start position information setting unit, and recording start position information indicating the recording start position in the print range of one line. Is set (S5). The recording start position is a position at which the first ink droplet is ejected in the main scanning direction. In the example of FIG. 10, the recording start position is indicated by reference numeral P1.
[0107]
Note that the recording start position information in the present embodiment is set corresponding to the count value corresponding to the slit 28 of the linear encoder 27, that is, the count value of the pulse PS output from the slit detector 29.
[0108]
Subsequently, the control unit 6 transfers the developed dot pattern data to the recording head 8 (S6). In response to the transfer of the dot pattern data, an image recording operation for one line is started, and the recording head 8 is main-scanned. In conjunction with this main scanning, fine vibration control is performed in which the meniscus 52 is finely vibrated to stir the ink. It should be noted that the control unit 6 functions as a fine vibration control means when executing the fine vibration control.
[0109]
As the dot pattern data is transferred, the control unit 6 performs a dot pattern recording process. In this dot pattern recording process, the controller 6 first functions as a non-printing fine vibration control means (a kind of fine vibration control means), and causes the ink to be agitated (fine vibration) during the acceleration period of the carriage 21. That is, triggered by the transfer of the dot pattern data, the control unit 6 supplies the non-printing common fine vibration signal from the fine vibration signal generating unit 12 to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 of the recording head 8.
[0110]
In this process, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the control unit 6 starts supplying the non-printing common fine vibration signal (S11, t0), and then starts scanning the recording head 8 (S12, t1). . Further, for example, at the timing immediately before the recording head 8 is switched from the acceleration state to the constant speed state, the supply of the non-printing common fine vibration signal is stopped (S13, t2).
[0111]
In this series of processing, the control unit 6 first outputs a control signal to the selection unit 13 so that the non-printing common fine vibration signal from the fine vibration signal generating unit 12 can be supplied. Then, by setting each bit data of the mode bit signal in the shift register 55 and supplying a latch signal, a fine vibration control signal corresponding to the cohesiveness of the ink onto the recording paper 18 is generated, and is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35. Supplied (see FIG. 3). Thereafter, the controller 6 scans the recording head 8 by supplying an operation pulse to the pulse motor 25 and moving the carriage 21 along the main scanning direction. When the timing for stopping the fine vibration signal outside printing is reached, the fine vibration signal outside printing is stopped by stopping the supply of the common fine vibration signal outside printing from the fine vibration signal generator 12. The stop timing of the non-printing fine vibration control signal may be set as a timing when a predetermined number of first pulse waveforms or second pulse waveforms of the non-printing fine vibration control signal are supplied.
[0112]
By the way, when the recording head 8 is scanned, the slit detector 29 provided in the carriage 21 detects the slit 28 of the linear encoder 27 along with this scanning, and detects a pulse-like detection signal (denoted by symbol PS in FIG. 10). Signal). The control unit 6 monitors the detection signal and executes position information acquisition processing triggered by reception of the detection signal. This position information acquisition process is a process executed by interrupting the dot pattern recording process, and is a process for counting up (+1) the position counter as shown in FIG. 12B (S21). Specifically, based on the detection signal from the slit detector 29, the count value of the position counter as head position information is incremented by one and updated. When the position counter is counted up, the process returns to the dot pattern recording process. The count value of the position counter is reset when scanning of one line of the recording head 8 is stopped or when the recording head 8 returns to the reference position.
[0113]
If the supply of the non-printing common micro-vibration signal is stopped, the control unit 6 can output a control signal to the selection unit 13 of the drive signal generation unit 9 and supply the ejection drive signal from the main signal generation unit 11. (S14).
[0114]
If the discharge drive signal can be supplied, the control unit 6 functions as a recording start timing determination unit and determines whether or not the recording start timing has arrived (S15). In the present embodiment, the control unit 6 monitors the count value of the position counter, and determines that the recording start timing has arrived when the count value reaches the count value corresponding to the recording start position P1 ( t4).
[0115]
If it is determined that the recording start timing has arrived, the control unit 6 supplies an ejection driving signal to record an image on the recording paper 18 (S16). In this case, as described in FIG. 2, based on the dot pattern data, the small dot drive pulse, the medium dot drive pulse, the large dot drive pulse, each print Inside Any one of the fine vibration pulses is supplied to each of the piezoelectric vibrators 35A to 35N. By supplying these drive pulses, ink droplets that can form small dots, medium dots, or large dots are ejected from each nozzle opening 51.
[0116]
Further, with respect to the nozzle opening 51 that does not eject ink droplets, the fine vibration signal in the print corresponding to the cohesiveness of the ink to the recording paper 18 is supplied, so that the meniscus 52 is slightly vibrated, and the nozzle opening portion The ink is agitated.
[0117]
By such control, ink droplets are ejected in a state where the ink viscosity has returned to the normal viscosity due to the slight vibration of the meniscus 52 performed immediately before. For this reason, the first ink droplet ejected in one row can be accurately caused to fly in a predetermined direction. Therefore, even when the amount of ink droplets to be discharged is reduced and the ink viscosity is likely to increase, it is possible to effectively prevent image quality deterioration at the recording start portion.
[0118]
In particular, when large format recording paper is used, the ink viscosity is likely to increase because the ink droplets are not ejected for a relatively long time. However, even in such a case, by adopting the above-described control, it is possible to reliably prevent deterioration of image quality at the recording start portion.
[0119]
When the recording operation for one line is completed, the pulse motor 25 is stopped (S17). Thereafter, the recording head 8 is moved to the home position HP side and positioned at the reference position. Thereafter, the same recording operation is repeated for the next line.
[0120]
In the above-described embodiment, the recording head 8 using the so-called flexural vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator 35 is exemplified. However, instead of the recording head 8, the recording head using the longitudinal vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator 73 is used. 70 may be used.
[0121]
As shown in FIG. 13, in the recording head 70 in the longitudinal vibration mode, a comb-like piezoelectric vibrator 73 is inserted from one opening into a storage chamber 72 of a box-like case 71 made of plastic, for example. Comb-shaped tip 73a faces the other opening. The flow path unit 74 is joined to the surface (lower surface) of the case 71 on the other opening side, and the comb-shaped tip portions 73a are in contact with and fixed to predetermined portions of the flow path unit 74, respectively.
[0122]
The piezoelectric vibrator 73 is configured by cutting a plate-like vibrator plate in which common internal electrodes 73c and individual internal electrodes 73d are alternately stacked with a piezoelectric body 73b interposed therebetween, and cutting them into comb teeth corresponding to the dot formation density. It is. Then, by applying a potential difference between the common internal electrode 73c and the individual internal electrode 73d, each piezoelectric vibrator 73 expands and contracts in the vibrator longitudinal direction orthogonal to the stacking direction.
[0123]
The channel unit 74 is configured by laminating a nozzle plate 76 and an elastic plate 77 on both sides with a channel forming plate 75 interposed therebetween.
[0124]
The flow path forming plate 75 communicates with a plurality of nozzle openings 80 provided in the nozzle plate 76, and is arranged at least at one end of each pressure generating chamber 81. This is a plate material on which a plurality of ink supply portions 82 communicating with each other and an elongated common ink chamber 83 communicating with all the ink supply portions 82 are formed. For example, an elongated common ink chamber 83 is formed by etching a silicon wafer, and pressure generating chambers 81 are formed in accordance with the pitch of the nozzle openings 80 along the longitudinal direction of the common ink chamber 83. A groove-shaped ink supply part 82 can be formed between the ink 81 and the common ink chamber 83. In this case, the ink supply unit 82 is connected to one end of the pressure generating chamber 81, and the nozzle opening 80 is disposed in the vicinity of the end opposite to the ink supply unit 82. The common ink chamber 83 is a chamber for supplying the ink stored in the ink cartridge to the pressure generating chamber 81, and an ink supply pipe 84 communicates with the substantial center in the longitudinal direction.
[0125]
The elastic plate 77 is laminated on the surface of the flow path forming plate 75 opposite to the nozzle plate 76, and a double structure in which a polymer film such as PPS is laminated on the lower surface side of the stainless steel plate 87 as an elastic film 88. It is. Then, an island portion 89 for abutting and fixing the piezoelectric vibrator 73 is formed by etching a portion of the stainless steel plate 87 corresponding to the pressure generating chamber 81.
[0126]
In the recording head 70 having the above configuration, by extending the piezoelectric vibrator 73 in the longitudinal direction of the vibrator, the island portion 89 is pressed toward the nozzle plate 76, and the elastic film 88 around the island portion 89 is deformed. The pressure generating chamber 81 contracts. When the piezoelectric vibrator 73 is contracted in the longitudinal direction from the contracted state of the pressure generating chamber 81, the pressure generating chamber 81 expands due to the elasticity of the elastic film 88. By causing the pressure generating chamber 81 to expand once and then contract, the ink pressure in the pressure generating chamber 81 increases, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 80.
[0127]
Even in such a recording head 70, the meniscus can be finely vibrated by expanding and contracting the piezoelectric vibrator 73 to such an extent that ink droplets are not ejected, and the ink in the nozzle opening portion can be agitated.
[0128]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 6 functioning as the fine vibration control means supplies the drive signals generated by the drive signal generation unit 9 (the main signal generation unit 11 and the fine vibration signal generation unit 12) to the recording head 8. Although supplied, the fine vibration control means is not limited to this configuration.
[0129]
In the above-described embodiment, the recording start position information setting unit sets the recording start position of the recording head 8 based on the dot pattern data, but the data for setting the recording start position is not limited to this. For example, the recording start position may be set based on print data (corresponding to one type of recording data) from the host computer, or may be set based on intermediate data (corresponding to one type of recording data).
[0130]
In the above description, the printer including the recording head 8 that expands and contracts the pressure generating chamber 36 using the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is exemplified. However, the present invention generates bubbles in the pressure generating chamber. It can also be applied to a printer or plotter having a so-called bubble jet type recording head that discharges ink droplets from nozzle openings by changing the size of the nozzle.
[0131]
Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 shows a non-printing common fine vibration signal generated by the fine vibration signal generating unit 12 of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment and a fine vibration control signal generated based on the non-printing common fine vibration signal. FIG.
[0132]
The micro-vibration signal generator 12 of the present embodiment is based on the cohesiveness of the ink input to the recording paper 18 input from the interface device 100, and the first common micro-vibration signal and the low cohesiveness in the case of high cohesion. The second common micro-vibration signal in the case can be switched and generated.
[0133]
In this example, as shown in FIG. 14, the first common micro-vibration signal has a trapezoidal pulse 203 in which the potential is switched between the lowest potential and the intermediate potential, and the potential is switched between the lowest potential and the maximum potential. A trapezoidal pulse 204 is composed of periodic signals alternately connected in series.
[0134]
Similarly, the second common micro-vibration signal includes a trapezoidal pulse 205 in which the potential is switched between the lowest potential and the intermediate potential, and a trapezoidal pulse 206 in which the potential is switched between the lowest potential and the maximum potential. It consists of periodic signals connected in series alternately. Each of the trapezoidal pulses 203 to 206 is generally composed of different waveforms. For example, the pulse 203 and the pulse 205 may have pulse waveforms as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). At this time, the pulse 204 and the pulse 206 may be pulses formed by amplifying the amplitude (voltage) of the pulse 203 and the pulse 205 at a predetermined ratio, respectively.
[0135]
Alternatively, the pulse 203 and the pulse 205 may have a pulse waveform as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. At this time, the pulse 204 and the pulse 206 may be pulses formed by amplifying the amplitude (voltage) of the pulse 203 and the pulse 205 at a predetermined ratio, respectively.
[0136]
Alternatively, the pulse 203 and the pulse 205 may have a pulse waveform as shown in FIG. 9 (a) and FIG. 9 (b). At this time, the pulse 204 and the pulse 206 may be pulses formed by amplifying the amplitude (voltage) of the pulse 203 and the pulse 205 at a predetermined ratio, respectively.
[0137]
The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment considers the case where there are a plurality of types of ink supplied to each nozzle opening 51, such as in the case of multicolor printing, and the mode bit signal is, for example, It is generated for each degree of ink thickening. That is, for example, the mode bit signal is set to “10” when the nozzle opening is frequently used and the ink thickening is not much concerned, for example, when the nozzle opening is used less frequently and the ink thickening is more concerned. The mode bit signal can be set to “01” (see FIG. 14).
[0138]
Similarly, a mode bit signal is generated for each degree of ink thickening of the nozzle openings for the bit data of 2 bits D2 and D3 in the center of the print data. That is, for example, when the nozzle opening is used frequently and the ink thickening is not much concerned, the bit data of D2 and D3 is set to “10”, for example, the nozzle opening is used less frequently and the ink thickening is more concerned. It is possible to set the bit data of D2 and D3 to “01”.
[0139]
Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0140]
According to the present embodiment, a suitable common fine vibration signal is selected based on the agglomeration property of the ink on the recording paper 18, and a mode corresponding to the degree of ink thickening caused by the state of each nozzle opening and the like. By using the bit signal, it is possible to perform fine vibration control outside printing in consideration of both the aggregation property of the ink on the recording paper and the degree of thickening of the ink at each nozzle opening. Similarly, based on the bit data D2 and D3, fine vibration control in printing can be performed in consideration of both the aggregation property of the ink on the recording paper and the degree of thickening of the ink at each nozzle opening.
[0141]
Further, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment can be combined with the contents of the inventions of Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-86443, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-86889, and Japanese Patent Application No. 11-295385. The contents described in each of these specifications are incorporated herein by this reference.
[0142]
Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment does not have the mode bit signal generation unit 200.
[0143]
As shown in FIG. 16, the fine vibration signal generator 12 of the present embodiment, based on the cohesiveness of the ink input from the interface device 100 to the recording paper 18, has a first common fine signal in the case of high cohesiveness. The vibration signal and the second common fine vibration signal in the case of low cohesion can be switched and generated.
[0144]
In this example, as shown in FIG. 16, the first common micro-vibration signal is constituted by a periodic signal in which trapezoidal pulses 301 whose potential is switched between the minimum potential and the maximum potential are connected in series.
[0145]
Similarly, the second common micro-vibration signal is constituted by a periodic signal in which trapezoidal pulses 302 whose potential is switched between the minimum potential and the maximum potential are connected in series.
[0146]
Each of the trapezoidal pulses 301 and 302 is generally composed of different waveforms. For example, the pulse 301 and the pulse 302 may have pulse waveforms as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).
[0147]
Alternatively, the pulse 301 and the pulse 302 may have pulse waveforms as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
[0148]
In other words, the pulse 301 and the pulse 302 may have a pulse waveform as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b).
[0149]
Since the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment does not have the mode bit signal generator 200, the non-printing common fine vibration signal is directly used as the fine vibration control signal. (Even when the mode bit signal generator 200 is provided, the same mode is obtained when the signal “1” is always output.)
On the other hand, the main signal generator 11 according to the present embodiment is based on the cohesiveness of the ink input from the interface device 100 to the recording paper 18, as shown in FIGS. The first ejection drive signal (see FIG. 17) and the second ejection drive signal for low cohesive ink (see FIG. 18) can be switched and generated.
[0150]
In this case, the first ejection drive signal is divided in the time axis direction, and each bit of the print data is set corresponding to the divided portion, so that a plurality of drive pulses and highly cohesive ink are generated from one first ejection drive signal. In-print fine vibration signal can be selectively generated, and the generated drive pulse or in-print fine vibration signal can be supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35. As a result, the meniscus 52 is vibrated with an appropriate strength during printing to obtain a sufficient ink agitation effect without adverse effects such as wetting and bending, or a plurality of drive pulses having different ink droplet amounts (that is, dot diameters). The piezoelectric vibrator 35 of the recording head 8 can be supplied.
[0151]
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the first ejection drive signal is divided into a first waveform portion 361, a second waveform portion 362, and a third waveform portion 363, and the first waveform portion 361 generates a small dot drive pulse. The third waveform unit 363 generates a medium dot drive pulse, the first waveform unit 361 and the third waveform unit 363 are combined to generate a large dot drive pulse, and the second waveform unit (pulse unit) 362 performs high aggregation. A fine vibration control signal for printing is generated for specific ink.
[0152]
On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the second ejection drive signal is divided into a first waveform portion 361 ′, a second waveform portion 362 ′, and a third waveform portion 363 ′, and small dot drive is performed by the first waveform portion 361 ′. The first waveform unit 361 ′ and the third waveform unit 363 ′ are combined to generate a large dot drive pulse, and the second waveform unit ( A fine in-printing vibration control signal for low cohesive ink is generated by the pulse portion 362 ′.
[0153]
In this case, the first waveform section 361 and the first waveform section 361 ′ are substantially the same as the first waveform section 61 in the first embodiment, and the third waveform section 363 and the third waveform section 363 ′ are The second waveform section 362 is substantially the same as the fourth waveform section 64 in the first embodiment, the second waveform section 362 is substantially the same as the second waveform section 62 in the first embodiment, and the second waveform section 362 ′. Is substantially the same as the third waveform section 63 in the first embodiment.
[0154]
Here, the small dot drive pulse is a drive pulse for ejecting ink droplets capable of forming small dots, and the medium dot drive pulse is a drive pulse for ejecting ink droplets capable of forming medium dots, and is driven by large dots. The pulse is a drive pulse for ejecting ink droplets that can form large dots. Each in-printing fine vibration control signal is a drive pulse that causes the meniscus 52 to vibrate slightly for the nozzle openings 51 that do not eject ink droplets.
[0155]
Then, when any of the fine vibration signals in the print is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35, the pressure generating chamber 36 is slightly expanded / contracted, and as described with reference to FIG. The meniscus 52 vibrates slightly between a nearby discharge side position (indicated by a dotted line in the figure) and a drawing side position (indicated by a solid line in the figure) closer to the pressure generating chamber 36 than the discharge side position. That is, the ink in the nozzle opening is agitated.
[0156]
In the example shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the print data is composed of 3-bit data D1, D2, and D3, and the small dot drive pulse is generated by setting each data to D1 = 1, D2 = 0, and D3 = 0. Generate a medium dot drive pulse by setting each data to D1 = 0, D2 = 0, D3 = 1, and set each data to D1 = 1, D2 = 0, D3 = 1. A dot drive pulse is generated, and each data is set to D1 = 0, D2 = 1, and D3 = 0 to generate a fine vibration pulse in printing. If each data is set to D1 = 0, D2 = 0, and D3 = 0, even the fine vibration control in printing is not performed.
[0157]
Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0158]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to further shorten the cycle of the fine vibration signal in printing or the ejection drive signal.
[0159]
In the above-described three embodiments, the waveform of the pulse waveform included in each fine vibration control signal differs according to the aggregation property of the ink on the recording paper.
[0160]
However, even if the pulse waveform is the same, the applicant of the present application reduced the number of pulse waveforms (first pulse waveform) of the fine vibration control signal (first fine vibration control signal) for highly cohesive ink with low aggregation. By reducing the number of pulse waveforms (second pulse waveform) of the fine vibration control signal (second fine vibration control signal) for the photosensitive ink less than the number of occurrences, substantially the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained. It was confirmed. At this time, the common pulse waveform has a hold voltage value of about 50% with respect to the ejection drive pulse, a rise time of 15 μs, a voltage hold time of 10 μs, and a fall time of 5 μs. There were 250 shots and the number of second pulse waveforms was 500.
[0161]
Further, the applicant of the present application sets the repetition frequency of the pulse waveform (first pulse waveform) of the fine vibration control signal (first fine vibration control signal) for highly cohesive ink even if the pulse waveform is the same as the low aggregation property. By making the frequency smaller than the repetition frequency of the pulse waveform (second pulse waveform) of the ink fine vibration control signal (second fine vibration control signal), it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as in each of the above embodiments. confirmed. At this time, the common pulse waveform has a hold voltage value of about 50% of the ejection drive pulse, a rise time of 15 μs, a voltage hold time of 10 μs, and a fall time of 5 μs, and the repetition frequency of the first pulse waveform Was 7.2 kHz, and the repetition frequency of the second pulse waveform was 14.4 kHz.
[0162]
For the formation of each pulse waveform, it is preferable to use the method described in Japanese Patent No. 2940542. The contents described in the patent specification are incorporated herein by this reference.
[0163]
Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the carriage 21 (see FIG. 4A) of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, a black ink cartridge 101 (ink container) and a three-color ink cartridge 102 (ink) are used instead of the single cartridge 19. Container) are placed independently of each other.
[0164]
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the black ink cartridge 101. As shown in FIG. 19, the black ink cartridge 101 has an ink chamber 101a for storing black ink, and connects the ink chamber 101a and the ink communication path 117a of the black ink recording head 117 (see FIG. 22). A possible ink supply port 126 is provided on the bottom surface 125. Further, the bottom surface 125 is provided with semiconductor storage means 127 (storage unit) which is an electrically rewritable memory device. An electrical contact 133 for accessing the semiconductor memory means 127 is also provided on the bottom surface 125.
[0165]
In this case, the semiconductor storage unit 127 stores information related to the cohesiveness of the ink stored in the ink chamber 101 a of the black ink cartridge 101 with respect to the recording paper 18. In the ink chamber 101a, black dye ink or pigment ink is accommodated in a form infiltrated into the foam material.
[0166]
On the other hand, FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the color ink cartridge 102. As shown in FIG. 20, the color ink cartridge 102 has ink chambers 102a, 102b, and 102c that individually accommodate yellow, magenta, and cyan inks as color inks. The ink chambers 102a, 102b, Ink supply ports 129 to 131 that can connect the ink communication path 118 a of the color ink recording head 118 (see FIG. 22) are provided on the bottom surface 128. In addition, the bottom surface 128 is provided with semiconductor storage means 132 (storage unit) which is an electrically rewritable memory device. An electrical contact 134 for accessing the semiconductor storage means 132 is also provided on the bottom surface 128.
[0167]
In this case, the semiconductor storage unit 132 stores information related to the cohesiveness of the ink stored in the ink chambers 102 a to 102 c of the color ink cartridge 102 with respect to the recording paper 18. In each of the ink chambers 102a to 102c, dye ink or pigment ink of each color is accommodated in a mode of permeating into the foam material.
[0168]
FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a head holder 135 (ink container installing portion) to which the cartridges 101 and 102 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 are mounted. As shown in FIG. 21, the head holder 135 is provided with electrical contacts 136 and 137 that can make electrical contact with the electrical contacts 133 and 134 of the cartridges 101 and 102. These electrical contacts 136 and 137 are connected to information reading sections 138 and 139 for reading information stored in the semiconductor storage means 127 and 132, respectively. The information reading units 138 and 139 are connected to an external I / F 3 (see FIG. 1) of the recording apparatus main body by a flexible cable 140.
[0169]
The semiconductor storage means 127 and 132 may be read-only storage means that cannot be written. Alternatively, when these are writable storage means, the information reading units 138 and 139 may have a writing function for the semiconductor recording means 127 and 132.
[0170]
FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram around the information reading units 138 and 139. As shown in FIG. 22, press switches 143 and 144 are provided at positions where the ink cartridges 101 and 102 of the carriage 21 face each other. The push switches 143 and 144 are connected to the ink cartridge replacement determination unit 142 so as to determine whether or not the ink cartridges 101 and 102 have been replaced.
[0171]
When the ink cartridge replacement determination unit 142 determines that the black ink cartridge 101 has been replaced, the control unit 6 according to the present embodiment, the information stored in the semiconductor storage unit 127 of the new black ink cartridge 101, that is, Information relating to the cohesiveness of the black ink contained in the ink cartridge 101 to the recording paper 18 is acquired via the information reading unit 138.
[0172]
Then, based on the cohesiveness of the ink acquired from the information reading unit 138 to the recording paper 18, the fine vibration signal generating unit 12 is the first common fine vibration signal in the case of high cohesion and the first in the case of low cohesion. 2 common micro-vibration signals can be switched and generated.
[0173]
Similarly, when the ink cartridge replacement determination unit 142 determines that the color ink cartridge 102 has been replaced, the control unit 6 according to the present embodiment stores information stored in the semiconductor storage unit 132 of the new color ink cartridge 102, That is, information on the aggregation property of each ink contained in the ink cartridge 102 onto the recording paper 18 is acquired via the information reading unit 139.
[0174]
Then, based on the cohesiveness of the ink acquired from the information reading unit 138 to the recording paper 18, the fine vibration signal generating unit 12 is the first common fine vibration signal in the case of high cohesion and the first in the case of low cohesion. 2 common micro-vibration signals can be switched and generated.
[0175]
Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0176]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically read information relating to the cohesiveness of ink stored in the semiconductor storage units 127 and 132 of the ink cartridges 101 and 102 to the recording medium.
[0177]
Note that a DAC circuit described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-1001 can be used for generating the ejection drive signal and / or the fine vibration control signal. In this case, information about the aggregation property of the ink on the recording medium and information for generating other ejection drive signals and the like are input to the DAC circuit via various lines including the network. The information is preferably recorded on an appropriate recording medium connected to the line.
[0178]
In a normal ink jet recording apparatus, when different types of ink are used for the same recording head, it is necessary to clean the recording head. If it is practically impossible to clean the recording head, for example, the ink type is specified at the time of purchase (or at the time of shipment) of the apparatus, and the user has to take a usage mode in which only the ink type is used. Absent. However, even in such a case, the store side (or manufacturer side) can cope with various inks selected by the user with one type of ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. Therefore, the cost of the entire apparatus can be suppressed.
[0179]
As described above, the printer controller 1 is configured by a computer system. However, a computer-readable recording medium that records a program for causing the computer system to realize the above-described elements is also a protection target of this case.
[0180]
Furthermore, when each of the above-described elements is realized by a program such as an OS that operates on a computer system, a recording medium that records a program including various instructions for controlling the program such as the OS is also a protection target of the present case. .
[0181]
Here, the recording medium includes not only a floppy disk or the like that can be recognized as a single unit, but also a network that propagates various signals.
[0182]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the fine vibration control signal generating means generates the fine vibration control signal based on the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle openings to the recording medium, and the fine vibration control signal is generated. Since the fine vibration means is driven based on the above, fine vibration control based on the cohesiveness of the ink to the recording medium can be performed.
[0183]
In particular, when the fine vibration control signal generating means can generate the first fine vibration control signal for highly cohesive ink and the second fine vibration control signal for low cohesive ink, respectively, The fine vibration control for the neutral ink and the fine vibration control for the low cohesive ink can be effectively performed independently of each other.
[0184]
Alternatively, the fine vibration control signal generating means includes a first fine vibration control signal for pigment-based ink (an example of highly cohesive ink) and a second fine vibration control for a dye-based ink (an example of highly cohesive ink). When the signals can be generated, the fine vibration control for the pigment-based ink and the fine vibration control for the dye-based ink can be effectively performed independently of each other.
[0185]
A fine vibration signal generating means for generating a common fine vibration signal and a fine vibration mode for generating a fine vibration mode signal based on the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle opening to the recording medium. In the case of having a signal generating unit and a signal fusion unit that generates a fine vibration control signal based on the common fine vibration signal and the fine vibration mode signal, the common common vibration signal can be used. Therefore, the control process can be easily realized.
[0186]
Alternatively, the recording head has a plurality of nozzle openings, and the fine vibration means finely vibrates the ink in the nozzle opening portion for each selected nozzle opening. A fine vibration signal generating means for generating a common fine vibration signal based on the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle openings to the recording medium, and a fine vibration signal for generating a fine vibration mode signal for each of the selected nozzle openings. In the case of having a mode signal generating means and a signal merging unit for generating a fine vibration control signal based on the common fine vibration signal and the fine vibration mode signal, it is generated for each selected nozzle opening. Since the fine vibration mode signal can be set under different conditions regardless of the agglomeration property of the ink on the recording medium, finer fine vibration control can be performed.
[0187]
Further, when the signal merging unit generates the fine vibration control signal by ANDing the common fine vibration signal and the fine vibration mode signal, signal processing is easy.
[0188]
In addition, an ink container is provided in which an input unit to which information on the cohesiveness of the ink to the recording medium is input includes an ink chamber that stores the ink and a storage unit that stores information on the cohesiveness of the ink to the recording medium. And an information reading unit that reads information stored in the storage unit of the ink container installed in the ink container installation unit, based on the information stored in the storage unit of the ink container, It is possible to automatically read information relating to the cohesiveness of the ink onto the recording medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an ejection drive signal and a drive pulse generated based on the ejection drive signal.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a fine vibration control signal.
4 is a perspective view of the ink jet printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the structure of a recording head, in which FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion A in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the recording head.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing in detail a first pulse waveform and a second pulse waveform of a fine vibration control signal.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing in detail another example of the first pulse waveform and the second pulse waveform.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing in detail another example of the first pulse waveform and the second pulse waveform.
FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating a recording operation for one row.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating dot pattern development processing.
12A is a flowchart for explaining dot pattern recording processing, and FIG. 12B is a flowchart for explaining position information acquisition processing;
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a recording head using a piezoelectric vibrator in a longitudinal vibration mode.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the fine vibration control signal.
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a fine vibration control signal according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a first ejection driving signal and a driving pulse generated based on the first ejection driving signal.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a second ejection drive signal and a drive pulse generated based on the second ejection drive signal.
FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a black ink cartridge.
FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a three-color ink cartridge.
FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a holder to which an ink cartridge is mounted.
FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of the periphery of the information reading unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printer controller
2 Print engine
3 External interface
4 RAM
5 ROM
6 Control unit
7 Oscillator circuit
8 Recording head
9 Drive signal generator
9a Main signal determination unit
9b Micro-vibration signal determination unit
10 Internal interface
11 Main signal generator
12 Micro-vibration signal generator
13 Selector
16 Paper feed mechanism
17 Carriage mechanism
18 Recording paper
19 Ink cartridge
20 Guide member
21 Carriage
22 Drive pulley
23 Driven pulley
24 Timing belt
25 pulse motor
26 Printer housing
27 Linear encoder
28 slits
29 Slit detector
30 Capping mechanism
33 Actuator unit
34 Channel unit
35 Piezoelectric vibrator
36 Pressure generation chamber
37 First lid member
38 Spacer member
39 Second lid member
40 Ink supply port forming substrate
41 Ink chamber forming substrate
42 Nozzle plate
43 Adhesive layer
44 Common electrode
45 Drive electrode
46 Supply side communication hole
47 1st nozzle communication hole
48 Ink supply port
49 Ink chamber
50 Second nozzle communication hole
51 Nozzle opening
52 Meniscus
55 Shift register
56 Latch circuit
57 Level Shifter
58 switch
61 First waveform section
62 Second waveform section
63 Third waveform section
64 Fourth waveform section
61t-64t waveform
70 Recording head
71 cases
72 storage room
73 Piezoelectric Ginger
73a Comb-shaped tip
74 Channel unit
75 Channel formation plate
76 Nozzle plate
77 Elastic plate
80 nozzle opening
81 Pressure generation chamber
82 Ink supply unit
83 Common ink chamber
84 Ink supply tube
87 Stainless steel plate
88 Elastic membrane
89 Island Club
100 interface equipment
101 Black ink cartridge
102 Color ink cartridge
117 Black ink recording head
117a Ink communication path
118 Color ink recording head
118a Ink communication path
127, 132 Semiconductor memory means
133, 134 Electrical contact
135 Head holder
138, 139 Information reading unit
140 Flexible cable
142 Ink cartridge replacement determination unit
143, 144 Press switch
200 Mode bit signal generator
201 Middle trapezoidal pulse
202 Large trapezoidal pulse
203 Middle trapezoidal pulse
204 Large trapezoidal pulse
205 Middle trapezoidal pulse
206 Large trapezoidal pulse
301 Trapezoidal pulse
302 Trapezoidal pulse
361, 361 ′ first waveform section
362, 362 ′ second waveform section
363, 363 'third waveform section

Claims (7)

A recording head having a nozzle opening;
Fine vibration means for finely vibrating the ink in the nozzle opening,
Based on the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle openings to the recording medium, the first common microvibration signal for the highly cohesive ink or the second common microvibration signal for the low cohesive ink is generated. Vibration signal generating means;
A fine vibration mode signal generating means for generating a fine vibration mode signal corresponding to the degree of thickening of the ink supplied to the nozzle opening;
A signal fusion unit that generates a fine vibration control signal configured by ANDing the first common fine vibration signal or the second common fine vibration signal and the fine vibration mode signal;
A control main body for driving the fine vibration means based on the fine vibration control signal;
With
Each of the first common micro-vibration signal and the second common micro-vibration signal is a periodic signal having two or more different predetermined pulse waveforms,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the fine vibration mode signal is a periodic signal having a predetermined rectangular pulse train and having the same period as the first common fine vibration signal and the second common fine vibration signal. A recording head having a nozzle opening;
Fine vibration means for finely vibrating the ink in the nozzle opening,
A fine signal generating means for generating a first common fine vibration signal for pigment-based ink or a second common fine vibration signal for dye-based ink based on the cohesiveness of the ink supplied to the nozzle opening to the recording medium When,
A fine vibration mode signal generating means for generating a fine vibration mode signal corresponding to the degree of thickening of the ink supplied to the nozzle opening;
A signal fusion unit that generates a fine vibration control signal configured by ANDing the first common fine vibration signal or the second common fine vibration signal and the fine vibration mode signal;
A control main body for driving the fine vibration means based on the fine vibration control signal;
With
Each of the first common micro-vibration signal and the second common micro-vibration signal is a periodic signal having two or more different predetermined pulse waveforms,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the fine vibration mode signal is a periodic signal having a predetermined rectangular pulse train and having the same period as the first common fine vibration signal and the second common fine vibration signal. The voltage hold time of each of the two or more predetermined pulse waveforms included in the first common micro-vibration signal is shorter than the voltage hold time of each of the two or more predetermined pulse waveforms included in the second common micro-vibration signal. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is provided. The slope of each rising portion of the two or more predetermined pulse waveforms included in the first common micro-vibration signal is inclined with respect to the slope of each rising portion of the two or more predetermined pulse waveforms included in the second common micro-vibration signal. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is gentle. The recording head has a plurality of nozzle openings,
The fine vibration means finely vibrates the ink in the nozzle opening portion for each selected nozzle opening.
5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fine vibration mode signal generating means generates a fine vibration mode signal for each selected nozzle opening. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an input unit to which information relating to the aggregation property of the ink to the recording medium is input is connected to a fine vibration control signal generating unit. The input part is
An ink container installation unit in which an ink container having an ink chamber containing ink, and a storage unit that stores information on aggregability of ink on a recording medium is installed;
An information reading unit for reading information stored in the storage unit of the ink container installed in the ink container installation unit;
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

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