JPH06328695A - Ink jet recording apparatus, method and recorded matter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a good image of high gradation reduced in grainy feel by forming an image on a recording medium by mist-like ink and substantially non-mist like ink using a plurality of inks different in density. CONSTITUTION:A carriage 13 loaded with two cartridges is subjected to scanning motion on rails 14. A dark ink head 122 is arranged so that the distance (b) between the head and a recording medium is set to 1mm and a light ink head 123 is arranged so that the distance between the head and the recording medium (a) is set to 5mm. By increasing the distance between the recording head and the recording medium, the flight time of an ink droplet becomes long and a main ink droplet is divided and the dispersed ink droplets generate mists showing an expanse. When the distance between the recording head and the recording medium is increased, the dispersion of mist droplets is increased and the dot diameter of each mist is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium, and more specifically, an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording head for ejecting dark and light ink, an ink jet recording method and a recorded matter. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional digital copying machine, printer, facsimile, or other apparatus for forming a binary image, when an original with light and shade such as a photograph, print or painting is reproduced, the bright portion The crushing was noticeable and there was a grainy feeling due to the dots. In addition, according to the conventional multi-valued light and shade recording method using light and dark ink, even if the number of values is changed from two to three, the gradation property of the bright part is particularly improved, the graininess due to dots is reduced, and the image quality is improved. It becomes possible to do. This is because the noise feeling of a single dot is eliminated by hitting the ink having a low density on the bright portion.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned method, the dot diameters of the dark ink and the light ink are designed to be the same, and even if the light ink is used, the granularity of dots in the bright areas of the image becomes conspicuous. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet recording method, and a recorded matter which can reduce graininess in a bright portion of an image and can record an output image of high gradation. The purpose is to

[0005]

The present invention for achieving the above object is an ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium using an ink ejecting means capable of ejecting a plurality of inks having different densities. At least one of the ink ejecting means is capable of forming a mist-like ink.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording method for forming an image by adhering a plurality of inks having different densities to a recording medium, wherein a mist-like ink and a substantially non-mist-like ink are attached to the recording medium. An ink jet recording method is provided, which comprises forming an image.

Further, according to the present invention, an image is formed on a recording medium by using a mist-like ink and a substantially non-mist-like ink which is a recorded matter recorded by using a plurality of inks having different densities. A recorded matter characterized by the above is provided.

[0008]

According to the present invention, an image is formed on a recording medium with a mist-like ink and a substantially non-mist-like ink using a plurality of inks having different densities. As a result, the graininess is reduced and a good image with high gradation is formed.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram of a density integrated cartridge according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 11 is a light ink cartridge and 12 is a dark ink cartridge. Carriage 1 equipped with these two cartridges
While being supported by rails 14 while 3 is scanningly moving to the right in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, ink is ejected from the cartridge to form an image. Therefore, in the case of the first embodiment, the ink ejection order is light ink → dark ink. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the density head and the recording medium in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the dark ink head 122 has a recording head-recording medium distance b of 1 mm, while the light ink head 123 has a recording head-recording medium distance a of 5 mm. As the distance between the recording head and the recording medium increases, the flight time of the ink droplets increases, the main ink droplets split, and the dispersed ink droplets spread and generate a mist-like mist. As shown in FIG. 8, as the distance between the recording head and the recording medium increases, the dispersion of mist droplets increases and the dot diameter of mist decreases. 10 and 11 are schematic views showing the structure of the recording head. In FIG. 10, the recording head 100 is provided with an electrothermal converter 102 for ejecting ink, and an ink droplet 103 is ejected from the ejection port 101.
On the other hand, in the recording head 110 shown in FIG. 11, the diameter of the ejection port 111 is made smaller, the electrothermal converter 112 is made larger, and the ejection power is made larger than that of the conventional recording head 100 shown in FIG. As shown, the size of the main ink droplet 113 can be reduced, the number of ink droplets following it can be increased and dispersed, and the mist can be generated more effectively. Although the ejection power depends on the structure of the recording head, it is 1.2 to 10% compared to the conventional recording head.
It is better to use 1.8 times the power. Furthermore, since the viscosity of the light ink is lower than that of the dark ink, the main ink droplets are likely to be split, and when the distance between the recording head and the recording medium is the same as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the ink density is The lower the mist, the smaller the dot diameter. FIG. 9 is a graph showing this relationship. Further, in FIG. 7, by appropriately combining the above-described configurations and configuring the dark ink recording head and the light ink recording head to have different configurations, the dark ink that often records characters, thin lines, etc. can maintain its sharpness. Yes, and when expressing gradation with light ink that produces mist,
It was possible to obtain a printed matter in which the granularity of the bright portion of the image was reduced by the dots dispersed very small and smooth gradation reproduction was performed.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a diagram of a concentrated medium-light integrated cartridge according to the second embodiment. In the figure, 21 is a cartridge for light ink, 22 is a cartridge for medium ink,
Reference numeral 23 is a dark ink cartridge. While the carriage 24 carrying these three cartridges is supported by the rails 14, the carriage 24 scans rightward in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing to eject ink from the cartridges to form an image. Therefore, in the case of the second embodiment, the firing order is light ink → medium ink → dark ink. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the dark / medium light head and the recording medium in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the thick head 132 has a recording head-recording medium distance b of 1 mm.
On the other hand, in the medium head 133 and the light head 134, the distance a between the recording head and the recording medium was set to 5 mm.

With the above arrangement, the dark ink, which often records characters, fine lines, etc., can maintain its sharpness, and the light ink, which causes mist, can be expressed in gradation.
The very small dispersed dots improve the graininess of the bright image area, and when the gradation is expressed with medium ink, the small dispersed dots reduce the graininess of the bright image area to the dark image area, resulting in smooth gradation. It was possible to obtain a reproduced record.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a view of a cartridge of integrated density and shade in this embodiment. In the figure, 31 is a cartridge for light ink, 32 is a cartridge for dark ink, 3
Reference numeral 3 is a dark ink cartridge. While the carriage 34 carrying these three cartridges is supported by the rails 14, ink is ejected from the cartridges while performing a scanning movement in the right direction of the main scanning directions shown by the arrows in the figure to form an image. Therefore, in the case of the third embodiment, the ejection order is light ink → dark ink. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the dark / medium light head and the recording medium in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the thick head 142
The recording head-recording medium distance b was set to 1 mm, while the dark head 143 and the light head 144 were set to 5 mm.

With the above-described structure, the dark ink, which often records characters, fine lines, etc., can maintain its sharpness, and the light ink that causes mist can be expressed in gradation.
The very small dispersed dots improve the graininess of the bright area of the image, and in the case of dark ink that causes mist, the small dispersed dots reduce the graininess from the halftone to the dark area, and the entire image is reduced. It was possible to obtain a recorded product in which smooth gradation reproduction was achieved.

A cartridge (recording head) in which separate cartridges (recording heads) are not integrated, and ejection port arrays corresponding to respective dark and light inks are formed on the same ejection port forming surface in the same cartridge (recording head) ) Is used, the discharge port forming surface is stepped as in the previous embodiment,
The same effect can be obtained by changing the distance between the ink ejection port array of the recording head and the recording medium depending on the dark and light ejection ports.

(Embodiment 4) As a method of controlling the ejection amount of an ink jet recording head, a PWM (pulse width modulation) ejection amount control method has been conventionally proposed.

Next, the PWM discharge amount control method will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining divided pulses. In the figure, Vop is the drive voltage, P
1 is the pulse width of the first pulse (hereinafter referred to as the pre-pulse) of the plurality of divided heat pulses, P2 is the interval time, and P3 is the pulse width of the second pulse (hereinafter referred to as the main pulse). T1, T2, T3 are P1,
The time for determining P2 and P3 is shown. The drive voltage Vop is one of the values that indicates the electric energy required for the electrothermal converter provided in the ink flow path to generate thermal energy, and its value is the area, resistance value, film structure of the electrothermal converter. And the structure of the ink flow path.

The PWM ejection amount control of the fourth embodiment can also be referred to as a pre-pulse width modulation driving method. When ejecting one ink droplet, pulses are sequentially applied in the widths of P1, P2 and P3, and the recording head temperature and The width of the pre-pulse is modulated according to the ink temperature. The pre-pulse is a pulse mainly for controlling the ink temperature in the liquid path, and plays an important role in controlling the ejection amount. The preheat pulse width is preferably set to a value that does not cause a bubbling phenomenon in the ink due to the energy generated by the electrothermal converter when it is applied. The interval time secures a time for transmitting the energy of the prepulse to the ink in the ink liquid path. The main pulse is for causing bubbling in the ink in the liquid passage to eject the ink from the ejection port, and its width is the area of the electrothermal converter, the resistance value,
It is preferable to determine it according to the film structure or the structure of the ink flow path.

FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the prepulse width and the ejection amount. This figure is a diagram showing the pre-pulse dependence of the ejection amount. In the figure, V0 indicates the ejection amount when P1 = 0, and this value is determined by the structure of the head.

As shown by the curve a in FIG. 16, the ejection amount Vd linearly increases from 0 to P1LMT when the pulse width P1 increases with an increase in the pulse width P1 of the pre-pulse.
In the range where the pulse width is larger than P1LMT, the change loses the linearity and becomes saturated at the pulse width P1MAX and becomes maximum.

Thus, the range up to the pulse width P1LMT in which the change of the discharge amount Vd with respect to the change of the pulse width P1 is linear is effective as a range in which the discharge amount can be easily controlled by changing the pulse width P1. is there.

When the pulse width is larger than P1MAX, the ejection amount Vd is smaller than VMAX. This phenomenon is such that when a pre-pulse having a pulse width in the above range is applied, minute bubbles are formed on the electrothermal converter, the next main pulse is applied before the bubbles disappear, and the minute bubbles form the main pulse. Disturbing the bubbling due to, the discharge amount becomes small. This area is referred to as a pre-foaming area, and it is difficult to control the ejection amount by the pre-pulse in this area. If the slope of the straight line in the range from P1 = 0 to P1LMT shown in FIG. 16 is defined as a prepulse dependence coefficient, then Kp = ΔVdp / ΔP1 and this coefficient Kp is determined by the head structure / driving condition ink physical properties, etc., regardless of temperature. Curves b and c in FIG.
Shows the case of other recording heads, and it can be seen that the ejection characteristics change when the recording heads are different.

On the other hand, another factor that determines the ejection amount of the ink jet recording head is the ink temperature of the ejection portion (the temperature of the recording head may be a substitute). FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the temperature dependence of the discharge amount. As indicated by the curve a in the figure, the ejection amount Vd increases linearly with the increase in the temperature TH of the recording head. If the slope of this straight line is defined as a temperature dependence coefficient, then KT = ΔVdT / ΔTH. This coefficient KT is determined by the structure of the head, the physical properties of the ink, etc., regardless of the driving conditions. Also in FIG. 17, curves b and c show cases of other recording heads.

The relationship shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is shown in FIG. 18 as an actual control diagram. In the figure, T0 is a heat retention temperature of the recording head, and when the ink temperature of the ejection portion is a temperature lower than T0, the recording head is heated by a sub heater (not shown). Therefore, the ejection amount control according to the ink temperature is performed at T0 or higher. The temperature range shown as the PWM region in FIG. 18 is a temperature range in which the ejection amount can be stabilized, and shows the relationship between the ink temperature of the ejection unit and the ejection amount when the prepulse is changed in 11 steps. Even if the ink temperature of the ejection portion changes, the ejection amount can be controlled in the range of ΔV with respect to the target ejection amount Vd0 by changing the prepulse width for each width ΔT in accordance with the ink temperature. However, this PWM discharge amount control method also cannot stabilize the discharge amount in a temperature range equal to or higher than the upper limit temperature TL at which PWM control is possible.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the PW described above is used.
By applying the pre-pulse by the M discharge amount control method, the ink around the electrothermal converter is warmed to the extent that it does not foam, and when the main pulse is applied, the thermal conductivity from the electrothermal converter to the ink is improved, and the ink Vaporization (foaming) speed increases. In addition, the pre-pulse raises the ink temperature to lower the viscosity, and the resistance at the time of subsequent bubble generation is also reduced. Therefore, a large bubble can be generated, the ejection power can be increased, and the ejection amount can be stabilized by adjusting the pre-pulse width. As described in the above embodiment, by combining the configuration in which the ejection port is made smaller, the electrothermal converter is made larger, and the ejection power is made larger than that of the conventional recording head, and the present PWM ejection amount control method is combined, it is possible to achieve more stable operation. This has the effect of easily generating effective mist-shaped dots.

Further, it is possible to change the control content of the PWM according to the content of the image to control the mist state.

The present invention is particularly effective in an ink jet recording head and a recording apparatus for recording by forming flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording systems.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. , It is effective because it generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter and causes film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, resulting in the formation of bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis. Is. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be immediately and appropriately grown and contracted, so that liquid (ink) ejection with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, further excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. A configuration using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 or US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which the heat acting portion is arranged in the bending region, may be used.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670 discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the opening corresponds to the ejection portion.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be increased by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either of the structure satisfying the requirement or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, by being mounted on the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording It is also effective to perform stable recording.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or below and softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned. In the inkjet method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form.

In addition, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. In some cases, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to a recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or one that has already started to solidify when it reaches a recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in the state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recess or through hole of the porous sheet. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

Further, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the one provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of the information processing equipment such as the word processor and the computer as described above, it is combined with a reader or the like. It may be in the form of a copying machine or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus having a function as a word processor, personal computer, facsimile apparatus, copying apparatus, electronic typewriter or the like. In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, which includes a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / O ports, and outputs control signals and data signals to each unit.
Control is performed by inputting control signals and data signals from each section. A display unit 202 displays various menus, document information, image data read by the image reader 207, and the like on this display screen. A transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel 203 is provided on the display unit 202. By pressing the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like, it is possible to perform item input, coordinate position input, and the like on the display unit 202.

Reference numeral 204 is an FM (Frequency Mo)
In the sound source unit, music information created by a music editor or the like is stored as digital data in the memory unit 210 or the external storage device 212, and FM modulation is performed by reading from the memory or the like. The electric signal from the FM sound source unit 204 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 205. The printer unit 206 is a word processor,
The recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied as an output terminal of a personal computer, a facsimile apparatus, a copying apparatus, an electronic typewriter, or the like.

An image reader unit 207 photoelectrically reads original data and inputs it, which is provided in the middle of the original conveying path and reads various originals in addition to facsimile originals and copy originals. 208 is an image reader unit or 2
A facsimile transmission / reception unit that transmits the original data read in 07 by facsimile and receives and decodes the transmitted facsimile signal, and has an interface function with the outside. A telephone unit 209 has various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function. A memory unit 210 includes a ROM for storing a system program, a manager program, other application programs, etc., a character font, a dictionary, etc., an application program loaded from an external storage device 212, character information, and a video RAM.

Reference numeral 211 is a keyboard unit for inputting document information and various commands. An external storage device 212 has a floppy disk, a hard disk, or the like as a storage medium.
The external storage device 212 stores character information, music or voice information, user application programs, and the like.

FIG. 20 is an external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. In the figure, 301 is a flat panel display using liquid crystal or the like, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information, and the like. A touch panel is installed on the display 301, and by pressing the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like, coordinate input and item designation input can be performed. 302 is a handset used when the device functions as a telephone.

The keyboard 303 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord, and various character information and various data can be input. Also, this keyboard 303
Is provided with various function keys 304 and the like. Reference numeral 305 is a floppy disk insertion port.

Reference numeral 307 denotes a paper placing portion on which an original read by the image reader 207 is placed, and the read original is discharged from the rear portion of the apparatus. When receiving a facsimile, the data is recorded by the printer 307.

The display 301 may be a CRT, but a flat panel such as a liquid crystal display using ferroelectric liquid crystal is preferable. This is because in addition to being small and thin, it is possible to reduce the weight. When the information processing device functions as a personal computer or a word processor,
In FIG. 19, various types of information input from the keyboard unit 211 are processed by the control unit 201 according to a predetermined program and output as an image to the printer unit 206. When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, the facsimile information input from the facsimile transmission / reception unit 208 via the communication line is received by the control unit 201 according to a predetermined program, and output to the printer unit 206 as a received image.

In the case of functioning as a copying machine, a document is read by the image reader unit 207, and the read document data is transferred to the printer unit 206 via the control unit 201.
Is output as a copy image to. In addition, when functioning as a transmitter of a facsimile apparatus, the image reader unit 207
The document data read by is subjected to transmission processing by the control unit 201 according to a predetermined program, and then transmitted to the communication line via the facsimile transmission / reception unit 208.
The information processing apparatus described above may be an integrated type in which a printer is built in the main body as shown in FIG. 21, and in this case, it becomes possible to further enhance the portability. In the figure, the parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 20 are designated by the corresponding reference numerals.

By applying the recording apparatus of the present invention to the multifunctional information processing apparatus described above, a high-quality recorded image can be obtained, so that the function of the information processing apparatus is further improved.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce graininess and form an excellent image with high gradation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the vicinity of a carriage of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the vicinity of a carriage of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the vicinity of a carriage of a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing mist-shaped light ink dots.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing mist-shaped medium ink dots.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing mist-like dark ink dots.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing dots of dark ink.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a distance between an ink ejection port of a recording head and a recording medium and dispersion of mist droplets of ejected ink.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between ink density and mist dot diameter.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of ink ejection by nozzles of a conventional recording head.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of ink ejection by nozzles of a recording head that generates mist.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a density head and a recording medium.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the dark / medium / light head and a recording medium.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a grayscale head and a recording medium.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a divided pulse width modulation driving method.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the prepulse dependency of the ejection amount.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing temperature dependence of discharge amount.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram relating to discharge amount control.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus.

FIG. 20 is an external view of an information processing device.

FIG. 21 is an external view showing another example of the information processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 21, 31 Cartridge for light ink that generates mist 22 Cartridge for medium ink that generates mist 32 Cartridge for dark ink that generates mist 12, 23, 33 Cartridge for dark ink 13, 24, 34 Carriage equipped with the cartridge 101, 111 Ejection ports 102, 112 Electrothermal converters 103, 113 Main droplets 121 of ejected ink 121, 131, 141 Recording media 122, 132, 142 Dark heads 123, 134, 144 Light heads that generate mist 133 Mist is generated Medium head 143 Thick head with mist

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical display location B41M 5/00 A 8808-2H E 8808-2H B41J 3/04 103 X (72) Inventor Hiromitsu Hirabayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Sugimoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Canon Inc. (72) Inventor, Miyuki Matsubara Ota, Tokyo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshio Kashino 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium by using an ink ejecting means capable of ejecting a plurality of inks having different densities, wherein at least one of the ink ejecting means comprises: An inkjet recording apparatus capable of forming a mist-like ink. 2. A distance a between the recording medium and an ink ejection port of an ink ejection unit that ejects low-concentration ink among the ink ejection units, and an ink ejection port of the ink ejection unit that ejects high-concentration ink. The distance b to the recording medium is a>
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relationship b is satisfied. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein among the ink ejecting means, the ink ejecting means that ejects low-concentration ink can form a mist-like ink. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an ink ejecting unit that ejects high-concentration ink and that does not substantially form mist-like ink. 5. The ink ejecting means is means for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims. 6. The ink ejecting means causes a state change in the ink by thermal energy applied by the thermal energy converter, and causes the ink to be ejected from an ejection port based on the state change. The inkjet recording device described. 7. An image forming apparatus comprising the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 and a document image reading unit. 8. An image forming apparatus comprising the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 and a transmission and / or reception unit for image information. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a document image reading unit. 10. An image forming apparatus comprising the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 and a recording signal input unit. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the recording signal input means is a keyboard. 12. An inkjet recording method for forming an image by adhering a plurality of inks having different densities to a recording medium, wherein an image is formed by adhering a mist-like ink and a substantially non-mist-like ink to the recording medium. An ink jet recording method, which comprises forming. 13. A recorded matter recorded using a plurality of inks having different densities, wherein an image is formed on a recording medium by a mist-like ink and a substantially non-mist-like ink. Recorded material.