JPH10109431A - Ink jet type recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To check the discharging characteristics of a recording head in charging irrespective of the reciprocatingly moving action between an ink cartridge and a sub-tank so as to improve print quality. SOLUTION: In respectively response to two ink feeding states that a first process for supplying ink from an ink cartridge 6 through a recording head 8 to a sub-tank 10 and a second process for back-flowing the ink from the sub-tank 10 through the recording heat 8 to the ink cartridge 6, a driving voltage pulse adjusting means 53 adjusts a driving voltage pulse condition for feeding to the recording head 8 optimally.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing method in which an ink jet recording head and a sub-tank are mounted on a carriage, and ink is supplied to the sub-tank and the recording head via a flow path from an ink cartridge installed in a box. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for performing the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus is equipped with an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets by a pressure generating means on a carriage and performs printing while receiving ink supply from an ink cartridge. In addition, an ink cartridge is also mounted on a carriage, and the structure is simplified.

On the other hand, with the improvement of the performance of the ink jet recording head, the dot density has increased dramatically,
Efforts have been made to minimize bleeding on recording media in order to enable color printing with natural colors and to further improve print quality.

As one of the means, there has been proposed a method in which an emulsion or sugar is contained in ink to form an ink droplet on a recording medium.

[0005] In such an ink having a film forming property, there is a high possibility that the flow of the ink to the recording head is obstructed by a porous material which is inevitably required for the on-cartridge type cartridge. A separate ink supply system has been proposed in which a sub-tank is mounted on an ink cartridge, while ink is pumped up from an ink cartridge mounted on a box and supplied to the recording head via the sub-tank.

For example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-43785, a carriage is equipped with a recording head and a sub tank, the sub tank and the main tank are connected by a tube, new ink is pumped into the sub tank, and recording is performed from the sub tank. It is configured to supply ink to the head.

According to this, not only can ink be directly supplied to the recording head, but also there is an advantage that the weight of the entire carriage can be reduced and the period of high-speed printing and ink replenishment can be extended. However, on the other hand, there is a problem that bubbles generated in the sub-tank due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage enter the recording head and hinder the ejection of ink.

In order to solve such a problem, it has been proposed to circulate ink by connecting a recording head, a subtank and an ink cartridge endlessly. However, since two flow paths are required between the print head and the ink cartridge, a flow path for the forward path and a flow path for the return path, there is a problem that the flow path structure becomes complicated.

[0009] In order to solve such a problem, the present applicant has established two common ink chambers communicating with both sides of the pressure generating chamber, and an ink supply port connected to the outside of each common ink chamber. An ink jet type recording head and a sub-tank are mounted on a carriage, and an ink cartridge is provided outside the carriage, and ink supply means for intermittently pressure-feeding the ink of the ink cartridge to the recording head is provided. An ink jet recording apparatus has been proposed in which ink is reciprocated between an ink cartridge and a sub tank in such a manner.

[0010]

According to this, it is possible to prevent the formation of a film in the recording head and the increase in the viscosity of the ink in the sub tank as much as possible without complicating the structure.
However, in order to reciprocate the ink between the ink cartridge and the sub-tank such that the recording head is used as a relay point, a first step of passing the recording head and refilling the ink from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank is performed. The quasi-static pressure in the pressure generating chamber of the recording head fluctuates frequently at the time of switching from the second step in which the ink flows back to the ink cartridge via the recording head. For this reason, the ejection characteristics such as the ink droplet speed and the amount of ink droplets ejected from the recording head frequently fluctuate, and the print quality on the recording medium deteriorates, such as uneven density or color difference in color printing. There was a problem that.

[0011]

According to the present invention, two common ink chambers communicating with both sides of a pressure generating chamber are provided in order to solve such a problem. An ink-jet recording head having an ink supply port into which ink flows, and a sub-tank mounted on a carriage; an ink cartridge communicating with the ink-jet recording head via a flow path outside the carriage; and the ink cartridge. A first step of refilling the sub-tank with ink from the ink cartridge through the recording head in an ink-jet recording apparatus provided with ink supply means for pressure-feeding the ink to the ink-jet recording head; Through the recording head and into the ink cartridge. An ink supply control means for controlling the switching of the ink supply means from the second step of reversely flowing ink, and adjusting a drive voltage pulse supplied to the recording head based on an ink supply control signal from the ink supply control means. And a driving voltage pulse adjusting means.

[0012]

The frequent pressure of the pressure generating chamber caused by the operation of reciprocating the ink between the ink cartridge and the sub-tank by adjusting the drive voltage pulse supplied to the recording head in accordance with the reciprocating operation of the ink. The fluctuation is automatically corrected to suppress the influence of the pressure fluctuation on the ejection characteristics of the recording head.

[0013]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
The carriage is supported by guide members 2 and 3 and is configured to reciprocate in parallel with a rotation shaft 5 of a platen 4 described later. The carriage 1 is provided with a recording head 8 that is directly connected to an ink cartridge 6 provided on a box by an ink tube 7, and a sub tank 10 that is connected to the recording head 8 by a tube 9 and stores ink. Further, in the non-printing area, a capping unit that contacts and seals the recording head 8 and a discharge ink tank 17 that stores ink discharged from the recording head 8 are provided.

Reference numeral 4 denotes the above-mentioned platen, which holds the recording paper taken out of the paper feed tray 11 by the pickup roller 12 on the surface with a claw member 13 and receives ink droplets from the recording head 8 with the recording paper to form dots. The ink is discharged to the paper discharge port 14 while drying the ink by a built-in heater.

Reference numeral 6 denotes the above-described ink cartridge.
An ink supply needle is inserted by a lever 15 which can be operated from the outside of the ink cartridge 8, and ink can be supplied to the recording head 8 via an ink tube 7 which is a flow path connected to the needle. Reference numeral 19 in the drawing indicates an exhaust fan.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 show one embodiment of the above-mentioned ink jet recording head 8, respectively. In the drawings, reference numeral 20 denotes a nozzle plate, and a plurality of nozzle openings 21. Are provided, and serve as a member for sealing one surface of a spacer 22 described later. 22
Are spacers, and adjacent nozzle openings 21, 21, 21
Partitions 23, 23, 23 # are formed at regular intervals so as to separate ‥‥, and the nozzle openings 21, 21, 21 # are separated.
The pressure generating chambers 24, 24, 24 # communicate with the nozzle plate, and one surface is sealed with a nozzle plate, and the other surface is sealed with a vibration plate 25.

On both sides of the pressure generating chambers 24, 24, 24 #, a common ink chamber 26, as shown in FIGS.
27 is provided so as to communicate with the pressure generating chamber 24, and the pressure generating chambers 24, 2
4, 24}, the other common ink can be moved.

The common ink chambers 26 and 27 have
As shown in FIG. 1, a first ink supply port 30 connected to the ink cartridge 6 via the ink tube 7 and a second ink supply port 31 connected to the sub tank 10 are formed.

Returning to FIG. 2, reference numeral 28 in the figure denotes a piezoelectric element which is formed by laminating an electrode and a piezoelectric vibration material on a sandwich so as to generate vibration in a longitudinal vibration mode. , The same number as the nozzle openings 21, 21, 21 、, the tip of which is in contact with the diaphragm 25, and the other end of which is
It is fixed to. The piezoelectric element 28 is extended by a drive voltage pulse based on a print signal, and ejects ink droplets from the nozzle openings 21.

FIG. 6 shows an outline of an ink supply system of the above-mentioned ink jet type recording apparatus, in which the first ink supply port 30 of the recording head 8 mounted on the carriage 1 is shown.
Are stored in the ink bag 41 accommodated in the ink cartridge 6 by the ink tube 7 and also in the carriage 1.
Is connected to the second ink supply port 31 of the recording head 8.

With such a configuration, in a state where the nozzle opening 21 is sealed by a capping means or the like, in this embodiment, the ink bag 41 is pressed by the ink supply means that pressurizes the airtight space 44 of the cartridge 6 with air from the air pump 42. Is compressed, and ink flows into the first supply port 30 of the recording head 8 via the ink tube 7.

The ink flows from one common ink chamber 26 through the pressure generating chamber 24 and flows into the other common ink chamber 27. The ink that has flowed into the common ink chamber 27 passes through the second ink supply port 31 and flows into the sub tank 10.

In this process, air bubbles remaining in the common ink chambers 26 and 27 and the pressure generation chamber 24 and the nozzle opening 2
The ink whose density has increased near 1 is discharged to the sub-tank 10 and the nozzle opening 21 and the pressure generating chamber 24 are washed with new ink from the ink cartridge 6.

When the ink in the sub-tank 10 is replenished and the pressure in the space in the sub-tank 10 increases, only air is released from the air vent valve 47 to the atmosphere. When the sub-tank 10 is filled with a predetermined amount of ink, a signal is output from an ink full sensor 45 described later, the air pump 42 stops, and the air vent valve 47 closes.

Thereafter, the ink in the sub-tank 10 flows into the recording head 8 due to the head difference based on the height difference between the carriage 1 and the cartridge 6, and further flows back to the ink cartridge 6.

The backflow to the ink cartridge 6 proceeds,
When the amount of ink in the sub-tank 10 decreases, a signal is output from an ink empty sensor 46 described later. As a result, the air pump 42 operates to pump the ink from the ink cartridge 6, and the same process as described above is repeated.

As described above, the reciprocating circulation between the sub tank 10 and the ink cartridge 6 via the recording head 8 is repeated, and the pressure generating chamber 24, the common ink chambers 26 and 27, and the nozzle openings 21 of the recording head 8 are filled with new ink. And maintain the viscosity of the ink at a uniform value.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the sub-tank of the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus. In the drawing, reference numeral 60 denotes a base, and a sealing portion 65 for welding an opening of a bag 70 described later. , A rib 61, a rib 62, and a third rib 63 extending on an extension of a connection port 64 communicating with the second ink supply port 31 of the recording head 8, are integrally formed by injection molding of a polymer material or the like. It is configured.

The above-described air vent valve 47 is disposed above the sealing portion 65. The third rib 63 has one end opened to the connection port 64 and the other end opened to the front end. A hole 63a is formed.

Numeral 70 denotes a bag-like rectangular polymer film,
3 sides 70a, 70 other than the upper opening by bending at the center line
b, 70c are formed by welding. And the bag 70
The sealing portion 65 is fitted into an opening formed on another side of the sealing member 65 and is welded to the periphery of the sealing portion 65 to be fixed to the base 60 so as to secure airtightness.

In this embodiment, when the ink is pressure-fed from the ink cartridge 6, the ink is pushed out of the bag 70 through the connection port 64. The bag 70 expands with the inflow of the ink, and when a predetermined amount of ink is filled, a response piece (not shown) moves largely outward in response to the expansion of the bag 70, and the ink full sensor 45 Is output to stop the ink supply.

After that, the ink in the bag 70 flows into the recording head 8 from the lower end of the through hole 63b formed in the third rib 63 due to the head difference based on the height difference between the carriage 1 and the cartridge 6. Further, it flows backward to the ink cartridge 6. When the backflow proceeds and the ink in the bag 70 approaches the specified ink empty amount, the bag 70
Along with the shapes of 1, 62 and 63, it is depressed into a triangular shape having an upper portion as a base. The ink empty sensor 46 composed of a light amount detector detects a passing light amount that rapidly increases due to close contact of the lower region of the bag body 70 as an ink empty and outputs a signal. As a result, the air pump 42 operates to pump the ink from the ink cartridge 6, and the same process as described above is repeated.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the waveform of the driving voltage pulse supplied to the recording head 8 is made variable in response to the operation of reciprocating the ink between the ink cartridge 6 and the sub tank 10. A configuration for adjusting the drive voltage pulse will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes an ink supply means.
Based on an ink supply control signal from an ink supply control unit 51 described later, the airtight space 44 of the cartridge 6 is pressurized with air from an air pump 42 to supply ink to the recording head 8 and the sub-tank 10. .

Reference numeral 51 denotes the aforementioned ink supply control means, which is an ink full sensor 45 and an ink empty sensor 46.
The ink supply control signal is output to the ink supply means 50 in accordance with the state of the amount of ink in the sub tank 10 detected from the above. At the same time, it is configured to output an ink supply control signal to a drive voltage pulse adjusting unit 53 described later.

Reference numeral 52 denotes drive voltage pulse storage means.
A first step in which the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 6 to the sub-tank 10 via the recording head 8 by the ink supply means 50, and a second step in which the ink flows back from the sub-tank 10 into the ink cartridge 6 via the recording head 8. For the two ink supply states, it is configured to store data that defines the optimum driving voltage pulse conditions that have been investigated and determined in advance and that are necessary to obtain an optimum printing result.

Reference numeral 53 denotes the above-described drive voltage pulse adjusting means which reads out the optimum drive voltage pulse conditions from the drive voltage pulse storage means 52 based on the ink supply control signal input from the ink supply control means 51, and The pulse condition is set so as to be an output of the recording head drive circuit 54.

Reference numeral 55 in the figure denotes a print control means for controlling the recording head drive circuit 54 based on a print signal from an external device.

Next, the ejection characteristics of the ink droplets of the device configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the remaining amount of ink in the sub-tank and the weight of the ink droplets ejected. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a waveform of a driving voltage pulse applied to the recording head.

First, irrespective of the ink reciprocating operation between the ink cartridge 6 and the sub-tank 10, when the driving voltage pulse is constant as shown in FIG. The relationship between the ink drop weights is as shown in FIG. The first pumping ink from the ink cartridge 6 to the sub-tank
In the process, the ink is smoothly supplied to the pressure generating chamber 24 by the pressurization from the air pump 42. When the ink amount in the sub tank 10 reaches the ink full set value, a signal is output from the ink full sensor 45, the air pump 42 is stopped, and the ink pressure feed is stopped. At this time, the pressure applied to the pressure generating chamber 24 decreases by an amount corresponding to the pressure caused by the ink pressure feeding, and the ejection characteristics of the recording head 8 change, so that the ink droplet weight decreases. In the second step in which the ink pressure feed is stopped, the ink in the sub-tank 10 is partially discharged as ink droplets from the recording head 8, and the remaining is the head difference based on the height difference between the carriage 1 and the ink cartridge 6. Thus, the ink flows backward to the ink cartridge 6. As the amount of ink in the sub-tank 10 approaches the ink empty set value, the ink supply capacity from the sub-tank 10 decreases, and the ink drop weight further decreases. When the ink amount in the sub tank 10 reaches the ink empty set value, a signal is output from the ink empty sensor 46,
The ink pump is started by operating the air pump 42. At this time, the pressure applied to the pressure generating chamber 24 increases by an amount corresponding to the pressure caused by the ink pressure feeding, and the ejection characteristics of the recording head 8 change, so that the ink droplet weight increases. When the ink reciprocating operation between the ink cartridge 6 and the sub tank 10 is performed as described above,
An ink drop weight difference occurs between the first step and the second step.

The drive voltage is varied in accordance with the ink reciprocating operation between the ink cartridge 6 and the sub-tank 10 as shown in FIG. 10B in the first step and as shown in FIG. 10C in the second step. In this case, the relationship between the remaining amount of ink in the sub-tank 10 and the weight of the ejected ink droplets is as shown in FIG. 9B. Therefore, in the present invention, the drive voltage pulse adjusting means 53 sets the drive voltage in the first step in which the weight of the ink droplet is likely to appear to be lower than (a) in FIG.
In the second step, on the contrary, the weight of the ink droplet is hard to come out,
The driving voltage is set to (c) higher than (a) in FIG. Thereby, the ink cartridge 6 and the sub tank 1
Irrespective of the ink reciprocating operation between zero, the difference between the ink droplet weights in the first step and the second step becomes small.

In this embodiment, the drive voltage pulse adjusting means 53 makes the drive voltage variable for the recording head drive circuit 54 so that the ink amount of the unit ink droplet in the first step and the second step is reduced. Adjustments were made to be approximately constant. Apart from this, by making the pulse length of the driving voltage pulse variable for the recording head driving circuit 54, the ink amount of the unit ink droplet in the first step and the second step is adjusted so as to be substantially constant. Depending on the pulse, it is also possible to adjust so that the ink droplet speed of the ejected ink droplets in the first step and the second step becomes substantially constant.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment conforms to the above-described configuration, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank
And the drive voltage pulse adjusting means 53 sets the drive voltage pulse in accordance with the two parameters of the remaining ink value and the ink supply control signal from the ink supply control means 51.

Reference numeral 80 denotes an ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the ink remaining amount in the sub tank 10. In the second step of returning the ink to the ink cartridge 6 from the sub tank 10 via the recording head 8 in the second embodiment, the ink remaining amount detecting means 80 of the present embodiment detects the ink full state by the ink full sensor 45, and will be described later. Based on the counting of the number of pulse signals for ejecting ink droplets from the pulse signal counting means 81, the amount of ink consumed by ejection of ink droplets is calculated by calculation. Further, the ink remaining amount detecting means 80 naturally detects the ink full state based on the time elapsed from the detection of the ink full time measured by the time measuring means 82 described later, and then transfers the ink from the sub tank 10 to the ink cartridge 6 after detecting the ink full state. Calculate the amount of ink flowing backward. The remaining amount of ink in the sub-tank 10 is obtained as a value obtained by subtracting the amount of ink consumed by the ejection of ink droplets and the amount of ink flowing back to the ink cartridge 6 from the amount of ink remaining in advance that is known in advance.

Conversely, the ink supply means 50 causes the sub-tank 1 from the ink cartridge 6 via the recording head 8.
In the first step of refilling the ink with zero, the pressure-feeding ink amount per unit time from the ink cartridge 6 to the sub-tank 10 which has been checked in advance,
Based on the time elapsed from the start of the ink pressure feeding measured by the step 2, the total amount of ink fed to the recording head 8 and the sub tank 10 after the start of the ink pressure feeding is obtained. The remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 10 is determined by subtracting the amount of ink consumed by the ejection of ink droplets from the sum of the total amount of ink that has been pumped and the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 10 at the start of ink pressure feeding. Determined by means 80.

The ink remaining amount detecting means 80 of this embodiment is different from a method of mechanically or electrically detecting the ink remaining amount,
It has a feature that the remaining amount of ink can be accurately detected with a simple configuration. Also, compared to the first embodiment, the sub tank 10
It is characterized in that the ink empty can be detected without the ink empty sensor 46.

Numeral 81 denotes a pulse signal counting means for counting the number of pulse signals for ejecting ink droplets with respect to the signal from the printing control means 55 and passing this count to the ink remaining amount detecting means 80.

Numeral 82 denotes a time counting means, which resets the previous time data every time the ink supply control signal changes based on a signal from the ink supply control means 51, and the time elapsed since the start of the ink pressure feeding or the time elapsed. A timer means provided in the main body of the recording apparatus, for measuring either the time elapsed since the ink full state of the sub tank 10 is detected,
Further, it is configured to acquire time data input from the host device and calculate the mounting duration time.

In this embodiment, the drive voltage pulse storage means 52 stores two parameters, namely, two ink supply states, a first step and a second step, which are clarified by the ink supply control signal, and two parameters, that is, the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 10. On the other hand, it stores data defining the optimum drive voltage pulse conditions that have been investigated and determined in advance.

The drive voltage pulse adjusting means 53 determines an optimum drive voltage pulse condition based on the ink supply control signal input from the ink supply control means 51 and the remaining amount of ink in the subtank 10 input from the ink remaining amount detecting means 80. Is read from the drive voltage pulse storage means 52, and this drive voltage pulse condition is set so as to be an output of the recording head drive circuit 54.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first
As compared with the embodiment, since the influence of the remaining amount of ink in the sub-tank 10 on the ejection characteristics of the recording head 8 as well as the ink supply state can be corrected, the uniformity can be obtained regardless of the remaining amount of ink in the sub-tank 10. This has the effect that ejection characteristics can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, detection data of the ambient atmosphere temperature is input to the drive voltage pulse adjusting means 53 in comparison with the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the temperature of the ink viscosity is changed. The difference is that the drive voltage pulse is further adjusted in consideration of the dependence.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the present embodiment applied to the first embodiment. The temperature data measured by the temperature sensor 90 as the temperature detecting means is converted to an AD converter 91.
Is taken into the drive voltage pulse adjusting means 53 via

In the drive voltage pulse adjusting means 53, based on the ink supply control signal from the ink supply control means 51 and the temperature data inputted from the temperature sensor 90, the drive voltage pulse adjusting means 52 checks and stores the data in advance. To read the drive voltage pulse condition, the drive voltage pulse condition is set in the print head drive circuit 54 in consideration of the ambient temperature around the printing apparatus.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Driving according to two ink supply states, a first step of refilling the ink from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank through the recording head and a second step of flowing the ink back from the sub-tank to the ink cartridge via the recording head Since the voltage pulse adjusting means variably adjusts the driving voltage pulse conditions supplied to the recording head, frequent pressure fluctuations in the pressure generating chamber caused by the operation of reciprocating the ink between the ink cartridge and the sub-tank are described. The influence on the ink droplet ejection characteristics is automatically corrected, and the fluctuation of the ejection characteristics of the recording head is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to realize an ink-jet recording apparatus of an ink circulation system which does not cause deterioration in print quality on a recording medium such as density unevenness or color difference shift in color printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an ink jet type recording head used in the above-mentioned apparatus by a cross-sectional structure in a horizontal direction.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording head used in the above-described apparatus, in which a nozzle plate is removed and the relationship with a nozzle opening is shown.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording head used in the above-described apparatus, in a structure of a longitudinal section taken along an axis passing through a nozzle opening.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing one embodiment of a spacer for forming a common ink chamber in the ink jet recording head used in the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of an ink supply system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing one embodiment of a sub tank of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between the remaining amount of ink in a sub tank and the weight of ink droplets of ejected ink droplets.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a waveform of a driving voltage pulse applied to a recording head.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage 6 Ink cartridge 8 Recording head 10 Sub tank 45 Ink full sensor 50 Ink supply means 51 Ink supply control means 52 Driving voltage pulse storage means 53 Driving voltage pulse adjustment means 54 Recording head drive circuit 55 Printing control means 80 Ink remaining amount detection means 81 pulse signal counting means 82 clocking means

Claims (6)

[Claims] An ink jet type recording head and a sub-tank having two common ink chambers communicating with both sides of a pressure generating chamber, and ink supply ports into which ink flows from the outside into each of the common ink chambers. An ink cartridge mounted on a carriage and communicating with the ink jet recording head via a flow path outside the carriage, and an ink supply means for pressure-feeding the ink of the ink cartridge to the ink jet recording head are provided. In the ink jet recording apparatus, a first step of refilling the sub-tank with ink from the ink cartridge by passing the recording head, and a second step of flowing ink back to the ink cartridge from the sub-tank via the recording head Control for the ink supply means. Ink jet recording comprising: an ink supply control unit; and a drive voltage pulse adjustment unit that adjusts a drive voltage pulse supplied to the recording head based on an ink supply control signal from the ink supply control unit. apparatus. 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the sub-tank has an ink remaining amount detecting unit for detecting an ink remaining amount in the sub-tank, and the driving voltage pulse adjusting unit includes an ink remaining amount detected by the ink remaining amount detecting unit and the ink remaining amount. 2. A driving voltage pulse to be supplied to the recording head according to an ink supply control signal from a supply control unit.
The ink-jet recording apparatus as described in the above. 3. The sub-tank includes a flexible film in at least a part thereof, and the ink remaining amount detecting unit includes a response piece that responds to expansion of the flexible film at a position where ink is full. In addition to detecting the ink full state by detecting the movement, the ink remaining amount in the sub-tank is determined based on the counting of the number of pulse signals for discharging the ink droplets after the end of the first step and the timing data after the end of the first step. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the state is detected. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature detecting means for detecting a surrounding ambient temperature, wherein said driving voltage pulse adjusting means responds to the ambient temperature detected by said temperature detecting means. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein a driving voltage pulse supplied to the recording head is further adjusted. 5. The driving voltage pulse adjusting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first step and the second step are configured such that an ink amount of a unit ink droplet ejected from the recording head is substantially constant.
5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving voltage pulse is adjusted. 6. The driving voltage pulse adjusting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first step and the second step are configured such that an ink droplet speed of an ink droplet ejected from the recording head is substantially constant.
5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving voltage pulse is adjusted.