JPH10305571A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To represent a gradation accurately by oozing out a fixed quantity of medium from a fixed quantity medium nozzle toward a jetting medium nozzle and then jetting a jetting medium from the jetting medium nozzle thereby jetting the fixed quantity medium and the jetting medium while mixing. SOLUTION: Driving voltage of first and second multilayer piezoelectric elements 43, 44 is raised in two stages and the second time rising of driving voltage is synchronized with the timing at which the liquid level of a fixed quantity medium 45 and a jetting medium 49 is reset to the open end of nozzles 53, 54 thus generating a pressure in the direction for sucking the fixed quantity medium 45 and the jetting medium 49 to the corresponding nozzle 53, 54. Consequently, the speed at which the fixed quantity medium 45 and the jetting medium 49 return back to the forward end of the corresponding nozzle 53, 54 is braked appropriately thus preventing the fixed quantity medium 45 and the jetting medium 49 from leaking through the open end of the nozzles 53, 54. According to the arrangement, accurate quantity of the fixed quantity medium 45 and the jetting medium 49 can be mixed depending on the gradation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer for mixing and discharging a fixed amount medium and a discharge medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a printer device capable of performing accurate gradation expression by controlling at least a pressure applied to one of a quantitative medium and a discharge medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, documents such as desktop publishing have been actively used in offices and the like. Recently, not only characters and figures but also color images such as photographs have been developed. There has been an increasing demand for outputting natural images together with characters and figures. For this reason, it is required to print a high-quality natural image, and gradation expression by halftone display is important.

A so-called on-demand type in which ink droplets are ejected from nozzles only when necessary at the time of printing in accordance with a control signal corresponding to a recording signal and adhered to a recording material such as paper or film to perform recording. In recent years, the printer device is rapidly spreading because it is suitable for miniaturization and cost reduction.

As described above, various methods have been proposed for discharging ink droplets from nozzles.
A method using a piezo element or a method using a heating element is generally used. The former is a method in which pressure is applied to ink to discharge it by deformation of a piezo element. The latter is a method in which the ink in the nozzle is heated and vaporized by the heating element, and the ink is ejected at the pressure of bubbles generated.

Various methods have been proposed as methods for simulating the above-described gray scale display by halftone display with an on-demand type printer apparatus which discharges the above-described ink droplets. That is, the first method is to control the size of a droplet to be ejected by changing the voltage or pulse width of a voltage pulse applied to a piezo element or a heating element, and to express gradation by changing the diameter of a print dot. Can be

However, in the first method, if the voltage or pulse width applied to the piezo element or the heating element is too low, the ink will not be ejected, so that the minimum droplet diameter is limited. It has the disadvantage of being very difficult to express, especially at low concentrations. Therefore,
It is unsatisfactory to print out natural images.

As a second method, one pixel is constituted by a matrix of, for example, 4 × 4 dots without changing the dot diameter, and image processing such as a so-called dither method or an error diffusion method is performed in units of the matrix. There is a method for performing gradation expression.

However, also in the second method, when one pixel is constituted by a 4 × 4 matrix, a density of 17 gradations can be expressed. For example, the dot density is the same as that of the first method. When printed, the resolution is reduced to 1/4, and the roughness is conspicuous, which is also unsatisfactory for printing out a natural image.

To solve the problem of the conventional on-demand type printer in principle, the present inventors have proposed, for example, JP-A-5-201024 and JP-A-7-1995.
As described in JP-A-195682, ink and a diluting liquid as a transparent solvent are mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio immediately before ejection to form diluted ink, and this diluted ink is immediately ejected from a nozzle to adhere to a recording material. A printer device that performs recording by causing the printer device to perform recording has been proposed. Hereinafter, among such methods, the ink is used as a measurement medium, the diluent is used as a discharge medium, and the ink as a measurement medium is mixed with a diluent as a discharge medium to obtain diluted ink, and the discharge medium is discharged. A method of performing recording by using a carrier jet method is described. However, in the above-described printer apparatus, there is no problem even if the diluting liquid is used as the measurement medium and the ink is used as the ejection medium.

In such a printer of the carrier jet system, the mixed solution discharged by changing the mixing ratio of the ink and the diluent by changing the amount of the quantitative medium, which is either the ink or the diluent. , It is possible to change the density for each dot to be printed, and to print out a natural image with abundant halftones without deteriorating the resolution.

As the above-described two-liquid mixing type printer, for example, there is a so-called internal mixing type printer as described below. The printer apparatus has at least a discharge medium pressure chamber filled with a discharge medium, a discharge medium nozzle communicating with the discharge medium pressure chamber, a fixed medium pressure chamber into which a fixed medium is introduced, and a connection portion connecting the fixed medium pressure chamber and the discharge medium nozzle. The measurement medium in the measurement medium pressure chamber is mixed with the ejection medium in the ejection medium nozzle through the connection portion, and the measurement medium is mixed with the ejection medium inside the ejection medium nozzle to form a mixed solution. It is configured to discharge.

However, in the above-mentioned internal mixing type printer, the quantitation medium is liable to diffuse into the ejection medium in the ejection medium nozzle during the operation standby time when the quantitation medium and the ejection medium are not mixed. During the mixing / discharging operation for mixing the discharge medium and the discharge medium, there is a problem that a phenomenon that the discharge medium unnecessarily flows into the connection portion side or the quantitative medium unnecessarily flows into the discharge medium side easily occurs.

As described above, when the diffusion between the quantitation medium and the ejection medium occurs, the ejection medium, for example, the diluent gradually becomes colored, or the quantitation medium, for example, the ink becomes thin, and the ejection medium, for example, becomes thin. It affects the density of mixed droplets, and it is difficult to obtain an accurate density gradation.

Further, the unnecessary inflow as described above is caused, for example, by the fact that the diluting liquid is generated by the pressure when the mixed solution having a very low concentration is continuously discharged using the measuring medium as the ink and the discharging medium as the diluting liquid. This is caused by the ink gradually entering the ejection medium nozzle side due to the pressure when the mixed solution having a high concentration is continuously ejected toward the connection portion for supplying the ink, or conversely, when the mixed solution having a high concentration is continuously ejected. When such an unnecessary inflow occurs, in the former case, a mixed liquid solution having a lower concentration is discharged when an attempt is made to discharge a mixed solution having the next higher concentration. When trying to discharge a mixed solution having a low concentration, a mixed solution having a high concentration is discharged, and it is difficult to obtain an accurate concentration gradation.

For this reason, in a conventional printer, a one-way valve manufactured by electroforming or the like is provided at a boundary between a connection portion for supplying a fixed amount medium and a discharge medium nozzle. In this case, the diffusion of the medium and the ejection medium is prevented, and the mutual inflow of the liquid during the mixing and ejection operation is prevented.

However, the one-way valve as described above completely shuts off the gap between the quantitation medium and the ejection medium at the time of standby for ejection, and completely prevents the quantitation medium and the ejection medium from flowing into each other unnecessarily during the mixed ejection operation. This is not always easy, and it is difficult to perform accurate density gradation. Furthermore, if such a one-way valve is formed, an increase in manufacturing cost is inevitable, and productivity is impaired.

Therefore, a so-called external mixing type printer device as described below has been proposed. This printer device has a fixed-medium pressure chamber into which the fixed medium is introduced, and a discharge-medium pressure chamber into which the discharged medium is introduced, and communicates with the fixed-medium nozzle and the fixed-medium pressure chamber communicating with the fixed-medium pressure chamber. And discharge medium nozzles which are open to be adjacent to each other. Then, the fixed amount medium is pushed from the fixed amount medium nozzle toward the discharge medium nozzle through the nozzle opening surface, and is brought into contact with the discharge medium filled near the tip of the discharge medium nozzle to form a mixed solution. Is discharged from a discharge medium nozzle to discharge the fixed amount medium and the discharge medium as a mixed solution outside.

[0018] According to this configuration, since the metering medium nozzle and the discharge medium nozzle are separately formed, the metering medium and the discharge medium do not diffuse during the standby time of the discharge. Inflow is also prevented.

[0019]

As described above, in a printer apparatus that mixes and discharges a quantitation medium, for example, an ink, and a discharge medium, for example, a diluent, a gradation corresponding to image data is accurately expressed. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately control the mixing ratio between the ink and the diluting liquid.

According to the external mixing type printer device as described above, the ink and the diluent can be separated in a state where the ink and the diluent are not mixed, that is, in a discharge standby state.

However, when the liquid surface of the discharge medium returns to the opening end of the discharge medium nozzle after the mixed discharge, the external mixing type printer apparatus overflows from the nozzle and flows into the fixed medium nozzle. Alternatively, there has been a problem that the liquid surface of the quantitative medium overflows from the quantitative medium nozzle and flows into the discharge medium nozzle due to the reaction of the quantitative operation after the mixed discharge.

When the ink and the diluent flow into each other as described above, the mixing ratio of the ink and the diluent in the next dot is affected, and it becomes impossible to accurately express the gradation. It becomes difficult to form.

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed in view of the conventional situation, and prevents mutual interference between the quantitation medium and the ejection medium after the mixed ejection, so that an accurate amount of the quantification medium corresponding to the gradation can be obtained. And the discharge medium can be mixed,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer device that enables accurate gradation expression.

[0024]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printer apparatus having a discharge medium pressure chamber filled with a discharge medium and a fixed medium pressure chamber filled with a fixed medium. A discharge medium nozzle communicating with the discharge medium pressure chamber and a measurement medium nozzle communicating with the measurement medium pressure chamber are opened to be adjacent to each other, and the measurement medium bleeds from the measurement medium nozzle toward the discharge medium nozzle. After letting out
A print head that discharges a discharge medium from a discharge medium nozzle to mix and discharge a fixed amount medium and a discharge medium.

In particular, the printer device according to the present invention is characterized in that after the quantitation medium is discharged from the quantification medium nozzle, the liquid level of the quantification medium returns to the opening end of the quantification medium nozzle.
It is characterized in that pressure is applied to the quantification medium in a direction in which the liquid level of the quantification medium is drawn inside the quantification medium nozzle.

According to the printer device of the present invention having the above-described configuration, after the quantitation medium is ejected, the quantitation medium is returned to the opening end of the quantification medium nozzle until the liquid level of the quantitation medium returns to the opening end. By applying pressure to the quantitation medium in a direction to draw the liquid level of the medium into the inside of the quantification medium nozzle, the liquid surface of the quantification medium overflows from the quantification medium nozzle due to the reaction of the quantification operation and flows into the ejection medium nozzle after mixing and discharging. That is, an accurate amount of the quantifying medium according to the gradation is mixed into the ejection medium.

In particular, the printer device according to the present invention is characterized in that the discharge medium is discharged from the discharge medium nozzle until the liquid surface of the discharge medium returns to the opening end of the discharge medium nozzle. A pressure is applied to the ejection medium in a direction in which the liquid surface is drawn into the inside of the ejection medium nozzle.

According to the printer apparatus of the present invention having the above-described structure, after the ejection medium is ejected, the ejection level is maintained until the liquid level of the ejection medium returns to the opening end of the ejection medium nozzle. By applying pressure to the discharge medium in the direction of drawing the liquid level of the medium into the discharge medium nozzle, it is possible to prevent the liquid level of the discharge medium from overflowing from the discharge medium nozzle and flowing into the fixed quantity medium nozzle after mixed discharge. The correct amount of the ejection medium according to the gradation is mixed with the measurement medium.

Therefore, according to the printer device of the present invention, it is possible to mix an accurate amount of the quantitative medium and the discharge medium in accordance with the gradation.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition,
Here, a so-called carrier jet type printer device using ink as a quantification medium and using a diluent as a discharge medium will be described.

The printer device to which the present invention is applied is a so-called serial type printer device, and as shown in FIG.
And a print head unit 3 for recording on the print paper 1
It is mainly composed of

At this time, the printing paper 1 is
The paper is pressed and held on the drum 2 by a paper pressure roller 4 provided in parallel to the axial direction. A feed screw 5 is provided near the outer periphery of the drum 2 in parallel with the axial direction of the drum 2. The feed head 5 holds the print head unit 3. That is, the print head unit 3 is moved in the axial direction of the drum 2 by the rotation of the feed screw 5 as shown by an arrow M in the drawing.

On the other hand, the drum 2 has a pulley 6, a belt 7,
It is rotationally driven by a motor 9 via a pulley 8 as shown by an arrow m in the figure. Further, the rotation of the feed screw 5 and the motor 9 and the print head unit 3 are driven and controlled by a head drive, a head feed control, and a drum rotation control 10 based on print data and a control signal 11.

In the above configuration, when the print head unit 3 moves and performs printing for one line, the drum 2 is rotated by one line to perform the next printing. When the head 3 moves and prints, there is a case of one direction and a case of a reciprocating direction.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing and control system in such a printer. The printer is controlled by a control unit 20 shown in FIG.
The control unit 20 includes a signal processing control circuit 22, a first driver 23, a second driver 24, a memory 25, a correction circuit 26, and a control driving unit 27. The signal processing control circuit 22 includes a CPU or a DSP (Digital
1 Signal Processor).

The first driver 23 and the second driver 24 are provided in accordance with the number of fixed-medium nozzles and the number of discharge-medium nozzles, respectively. First driver 23
Is for driving and controlling a first laminated piezo element, which will be described later, which is a first pressure control means provided for pushing out a fixed amount medium from a fixed amount medium nozzle.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a second pressure control means provided for discharging the discharge medium from the discharge medium nozzle to drive and control a second laminated piezo element described later. Note that one of the quantitative side and the discharge side is ink, and the other is diluent.

Each of the first driver 23 and the second driver 24 is controlled by a serial / parallel conversion circuit and a timing control circuit, which will be described later, provided in the signal processing control circuit 22. And drive control of the second pressure control means.

The signal inputs 21 such as print data, operation unit signals, and external control signals are input to a signal processing control circuit 22 of the control unit 20. The signal processing control circuit 22 arranges the signals in the printing order. Print head 2 together with an ejection signal via first and second drivers 23 and 24
8 to drive and control the print head 28. The printing order differs depending on the configuration of the print head 28 and the printing unit.
There is also a relationship with the input order of the print data.
Record once in 5 and remove.

When the number of nozzles in the multi-head is very large, an IC is mounted on the print head 28 to reduce the number of wires connected to the print head 28.
Further, a correction circuit 26 is connected to the signal processing control circuit 22, and performs γ correction, color correction in the case of color, and variation correction of each head. The correction circuit 26 stores predetermined correction data in a ROM (read only m).
In general, the information is stored in a map format, and is extracted according to external conditions such as a nozzle number, a temperature, and an input signal.

As mentioned above, the signal processing control circuit 22
Generally, the PU or DSP configuration is processed by software, and the processed signal is sent to the control drive unit 27. The control drive unit 27 controls the drive, synchronization, head cleaning, supply and discharge of print paper, and the like of a motor that rotationally drives the drum and the feed screw. Needless to say, the signals include operation unit signals and external control signals other than print data.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a drive circuit of the print head. That is, digital halftone data is supplied from another block, and sent to the first driver 23 and the second driver 24 by the serial / parallel conversion circuit 31. When the digital halftone data supplied from the serial / parallel conversion circuit 31 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, the quantitative and the ejection are not performed. When the print timing comes, a print trigger is output from another block, the timing control circuit 32 detects it, and sends a fixed-quantity part control signal and a discharge control signal to the first driver 23 and the second driver 24 at predetermined timing. Output.

Next, a print head of a printer device applied to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the print head of the printer according to the present embodiment mainly includes a nozzle plate 41, a vibration plate 42, and pressure generating means. Here, a first stacked piezo element 43 and a second stacked piezo element 44 are used as pressure control means.

The nozzle plate 41 is made of resin. And, in the nozzle plate 41,
A first concave portion 46 forming a fixed-medium liquid chamber into which a fixed-medium 45 as ink is supplied, and a second concave portion 47 forming a fixed-medium pressure chamber filled with the fixed-medium 45 are formed by a diaphragm 42. It is formed so as to open toward the main surface 41a on the side, and connects the side surface side of the first concave portion 46 and the side surface side of the second concave portion 47 to form a through hole in a substantially in-plane direction. A first supply path 48 is formed.

Further, a third concave portion 50 forming a discharge medium liquid chamber to which the discharge medium 49 which is a diluting liquid is supplied, and a fourth concave portion forming a discharge medium pressure chamber filled with the discharge medium 49 are provided.
Is formed so as to open toward the main surface 41a on the diaphragm 42 side. Then, the side surfaces of the third concave portion 50 and the side surfaces of the fourth concave portion 51 are connected,
Second supply path 52 formed as a through hole in a substantially in-plane direction
Are formed.

Further, the nozzle plate 41 is formed obliquely with respect to the thickness direction of the nozzle plate 41 from the bottom surface side of the second concave portion 47 to the main surface 41b opposite to the diaphragm 42 side. The fixed-medium nozzle 53, which is a through hole to be formed, and the diaphragm 42
Plate 4 toward the main surface 41b opposite to the side
1 and a discharge medium nozzle 54 which is a through hole formed in the thickness direction.

Accordingly, by disposing the diaphragm 42 on one main surface 41a side of the nozzle plate 41 so as to cover each of the concave portions, the space between the first concave portion 46 and the diaphragm 42 becomes a fixed medium. A liquid chamber 55 is formed, and a space sandwiched between the second concave portion 47 and the diaphragm 42 becomes a fixed-medium pressure chamber 56,
As shown in FIG. 5, the fixed-medium liquid chamber 55, the first supply path 48, the fixed-medium pressure chamber 56, and the fixed-medium nozzle 53 are formed as a continuous space.

Here, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state where the first stacked piezoelectric element 43 is arranged on the quantitative medium side and a state where the nozzle plate 41 on the discharge medium side is viewed from the one main surface 41a side. .

The space between the third concave portion 50 and the vibration plate 42 becomes a discharge medium liquid chamber 57, and the fourth concave portion 5
1 and the vibration plate 42 form a discharge medium pressure chamber 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, the discharge medium liquid chamber 57, the second supply path 52, the discharge medium pressure chamber 58, and the discharge medium nozzle 54 are formed as a continuous space.

In the vibration plate 42, as shown in FIG. 4, an annular concave portion 59 is formed at the outer peripheral edge at a position corresponding to the fixed-medium pressure chamber 56, and the discharge medium pressure chamber 58 is formed.
An annular concave portion 60 is also formed at the outer peripheral edge portion at a position corresponding to. Accordingly, when the diaphragm 42 is viewed from above, the projection 61 is formed at a position corresponding to the quantitative medium pressure chamber 56 as shown on the quantitative side in FIG. 5, and the first stacked piezoelectric element is formed thereon. 43 will be arranged. This is the same on the ejection side. As shown in FIG. 4, the projection 62 is formed inside the recess 60, and the second stacked piezo element 44 is disposed thereon. Become.

In the print head 3 of the printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied, the quantitative medium nozzles 53 are formed obliquely to the thickness direction of the nozzle plate 41 as described above, and the discharge medium nozzles 54 are formed as described above. The main surface 4 is formed in the thickness direction of the nozzle plate 41.
The quantitative medium nozzle 53 is formed so as to approach the discharge medium nozzle 54 toward the side 1b. These openings are adjacent to each other on one main surface 41b serving as a nozzle opening surface. The angle formed between the center lines of the quantitative medium nozzle 53 and the discharge medium nozzle 54 is 30 °.

It should be noted that the quantitative medium nozzle 53 is indicated by A in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6 which is a cross-sectional view cut at the position indicated by −A ′, one main surface 41 b is viewed from the bottom side of the fixed-medium pressure chamber 56.
A first tapered nozzle portion 63 that is gradually narrowed toward the side, and is formed continuously with this tip,
It is formed by the first nozzle portion 64 which is a virtual nozzle.

The ejection medium nozzle 54 is located at B in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7 which is a cross-sectional view cut at the position indicated by −B ′, one main surface 41 b is viewed from the bottom side of the fixed-medium pressure chamber 58.
A second tapered nozzle portion 65 that is gradually narrowed toward the side, and is formed continuously at this tip,
It is formed by a second nozzle portion 66 which is a virtual nozzle.

As described above, the first tapered nozzle portion 63
And by providing the second tapered nozzle portion 65,
In the quantitative medium nozzle 53 and the discharge medium nozzle 54,
The flow path resistance is reduced, and a smooth liquid flow is realized. In particular, the effect of preventing the bubbles from remaining when the ink and the thinning liquid are first filled is great.

The quantitation medium 45, which is ink, is filled from a quantification medium tank (not shown) into the quantification medium nozzle 53 via the quantification medium liquid chamber 55, the first supply path 48, and the quantification medium pressure chamber 56.

On the other hand, the discharge medium 49, which is a diluent, is filled into the discharge medium nozzle 54 from a discharge medium tank (not shown) via the discharge medium liquid chamber 57, the second supply path 52, and the discharge medium pressure chamber 58.

Further, in the print head 3 of the printer device of this embodiment, the liquid repellent treatment is applied to the one principal surface 41b of the nozzle plate 41 which is the nozzle opening surface.
This prevents the liquid around the quantitation medium nozzle 53 and the ejection medium nozzle 54 from being wetted by the ink or diluent, thereby improving the stability of ejection of the droplets and the accuracy of the ejection direction.

In the print head 3 of the printer of the present embodiment, the opening of the quantitative medium nozzle 53 is particularly shaped to have a cutout on the side of the discharge medium nozzle 54.

In other words, the shape of the opening of the quantitation medium nozzle 53 is smaller than the shortest distance between the center of the circumscribed circle contacting the opening of the quantification medium nozzle 53 and the edge of the opening of the discharge medium nozzle 54. The shape is such that the shortest distance between the center of the inscribed circle contacting the portion and the edge of the opening of the discharge medium nozzle 54 is large.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the shape of the opening of the second nozzle 66 of the discharge medium nozzle 54 is circular, and the shape of the opening of the first nozzle 64 of the quantitative medium nozzle 53 is It has a partially eclipsed shape. That is, in such a shape, between the center O1 of the circumscribed circle 67 indicated by a one-dot chain line in contact with the opening of the first nozzle portion 64, which is the opening of the quantitative medium nozzle 53, and the opening of the discharge medium nozzle 54. Is the shortest distance between the center O2 of the inscribed circle 68 indicated by a broken line in the drawing and in contact with the opening of the first nozzle portion 64, which is the opening of the quantitative medium nozzle 53, and the opening of the discharge medium nozzle 54. d2 is larger.

In other words, in the printer device to which the present invention is applied, the shape of the opening of the quantitation medium nozzle 53 is set so that the shape of the opening of the quantification medium nozzle 53 is closest to the centroid of the opening of the quantification medium nozzle 53. The shape has an edge on the side of the ejection medium nozzle 54 that opens adjacently.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the shape of the opening of the first nozzle portion 64 of the quantitative medium nozzle 53 is a partially eclipsed shape. The opening edge O4 closest to the centroid O3 of the opening shape of the first nozzle portion 64 is located on the side of the second nozzle portion 66 serving as the opening portion of the discharge medium nozzle 54.

Here, it is preferable that the shape of the opening is a shape in which a part of a point-symmetric shape is cut away. In addition,
Examples of the point-symmetric shape include a circle and a polygon, and examples of the notch include an arc and a shape having a corner.

In the above examples, the shape of the opening of the discharge medium nozzle 54 is circular. However, the shape is not particularly limited to a circle, and may be a rectangle, a polygon, or the like.

Here, only one set of the fixed quantity medium nozzle 53 and the discharge medium nozzle 54 is shown in the figure, but the printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied has 16 sets of these sets. Quantitative medium nozzles 53 and discharge medium nozzles 54 are arranged adjacent to each other.

In the above-described printer of the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a laminated piezo element is used as the pressure generating means. However, in the printer to which the present invention is applied, a so-called single-plate piezo element or a heating element is used. Other pressure generating means such as an element and a magnetostrictive element can be used.

The printing can be performed by the printer of this embodiment as follows. In the present example and the comparative example, the discharge cycle is 1 msec (frequency 1 kHz).
During this period, the quantitative mixing of the quantitative medium and the discharge of the mixed droplets are performed. The maximum driving voltage of the first multilayer piezoelectric element 43 is set to 10 V, and the maximum driving voltage of the second multilayer piezoelectric element 44 is set to 15 V.

To perform printing, the above operation may be repeated. However, in order to express density gradation, it is necessary to change the ink density for each dot. Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 10, the amplitude (voltage) of the drive pulse of the first multilayer piezoelectric element 43 at the time of quantification was 10 V, for example, 4 V, and the amount of ink quantified. , The density gradation may be expressed by forming low density dots.

In this example, a so-called laminated piezo element is used as the first laminated piezo element 43 and the second laminated piezo element 44, and the direction in which the piezoelectric element expands by applying a voltage is used. Of the one using displacement in the so-called d33 direction and the one using displacement in the contracting direction (so-called d31 direction), the latter is used.

Here, a description will be given with reference to the timing chart of application of the driving voltage shown in FIG. That is, FIG.
As shown in the drive voltage application timing chart, first, at the time indicated by (A) in FIG. 10, the drive voltage of the first multilayer piezoelectric element 43 is set to 10 V, and the drive of the second multilayer piezoelectric element 44 is driven. Assuming that the voltage is 15 V, a positive voltage is applied. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the driving voltage of the first stacked piezo element 43 and the driving voltage of the second stacked piezo element 44.

At this time, as schematically shown in FIG.
The metering medium nozzle 53 is filled with the metering medium 45 up to the tip, forming an outwardly curved liquid surface (hereinafter, referred to as meniscus), and the ejection medium nozzle 54 is also filled with the ejection medium 49 up to the tip. As a result, a meniscus is formed and the apparatus enters a standby state. At this time, the first multilayer piezo element 43 and the second multilayer piezo element 44 are deformed by the application of the driving voltage, and the portions of the diaphragm that are in contact with them are lifted, and The volumes of the pressure chamber 56 and the ejection medium pressure chamber 58 are increased. In the print head of the printer of the present embodiment, since the quantitation medium nozzle 53 and the ejection medium nozzle 54 are separately provided, the quantitation medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 do not come into contact with each other. There is no mixing.

Next, from the time indicated by (B) in FIG.
The drive voltage of the first stacked piezo element 43 is gradually reduced to 0V until 0 μsec later, as shown in FIG. 10C. Then, the first laminated piezo element 43 is deformed and presses a portion in contact with the vibration plate 42, and the volume of the fixed-medium pressure chamber 56 is reduced. Therefore, between the time point indicated by (B) in FIG. 10 and the time point indicated by (C) in the figure, as shown schematically in FIG.
The measuring medium 45 is extruded from 3. In this embodiment, since the quantitative medium nozzle 53 is formed so as to gradually approach the discharge medium nozzle 54, the quantitative medium 45 is extruded toward the discharge medium nozzle 54.

Then, from the time point indicated by (C) in FIG.
This state is maintained until a time point indicated by (D) in FIG. 10 after 50 μsec. Then, (D) in FIG.
At the time point indicated by, as shown in FIG. 13, the quantitation medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 come into contact with each other and are connected by surface tension.

Subsequently, from the point indicated by (D) in FIG.
The drive voltage of the first stacked piezo element 43 is gradually increased until a time point shown by (H) in FIG. 10 after 80 μsec. Then, the first multilayer piezo element 4
3 is deformed again, the volume of the measurement medium pressure chamber 56 increases, and the measurement medium 45 starts to be drawn into the measurement medium nozzle 53.

Then, from the time point indicated by (E) in FIG. 10 which is later than the time point indicated by (D) in FIG.
During 5 μsec until the point indicated by (F) during 0, the drive voltage of the second stacked piezo element 44 is reduced from 15V to 0V. Then, the second stacked piezo element 44 is deformed and presses the vibrating plate 42 in contact therewith, so that the volume of the ejection medium pressure chamber 58 is reduced. As a result, at the time indicated by (F) in FIG. 10, as schematically shown in FIG. 14, the ejection medium 49 starts to be pushed out from the ejection medium nozzle 54, and a part of the quantitative medium 45 in contact therewith. Begins to be extruded together. However, the drive voltage of the second stacked piezo element 44 shown in (E) to (F) in FIG.
The timing at which the ejection medium 49 is pushed out from the ejection medium nozzle 54 by lowering the ejection medium 49 can be appropriately set so as to be later than the time indicated by (C) in FIG.

Further, from the point indicated by (F) in FIG.
The drive pressure of the second stacked piezo element 44 is maintained until 12 μsec until the point indicated by (G) in FIG. Then, during this time, as shown in FIG.
The ejection medium 49 includes the ejection medium nozzle 5 together with the quantitative medium 45.
4 is further extruded.

At this time, since the drive voltage of the first multilayer piezo element 43 continues to rise,
Is drawn into the fixed amount medium nozzle 53 so as to leave a portion in contact with the discharge medium 49.

Next, from the point indicated by (G) in FIG.
Before the time point shown by (I) in FIG. 10 after 0 μsec,
The drive voltage of the second stacked piezo element 44 is gradually increased. Then, the second stacked piezo element 44 starts to deform again, and the volume of the ejection medium pressure chamber 58 increases.

Then, from the point indicated by (D) in FIG.
0 μsec later, from the time point indicated by (H) in FIG.
The driving voltage of the first stacked piezo element 43 is maintained at a certain constant voltage of 10 V or less. At a time point indicated by (H1) in FIG. 10 approximately 20 μsec after the time point indicated by (H) in FIG. 10, constriction between the mixed solution and the ejection medium 49 starts to occur as shown in FIG.

Then, at the time indicated by (H1) in FIG.
At the time point (H2) in FIG. 10 between the time point indicated by (I) in FIG. 10 and 70 μsec after (H) in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG.
4 completely discharges.

Next, from the time indicated by (I) in FIG.
Between 0 μsec and the time indicated by (L) in FIG.
The drive voltage of the second stacked piezo element 44 is kept at a certain value of 15 V or less.

Further, FIG. 1 slightly after (I) in FIG.
The drive voltage applied to the fixed-medium-side pressure control means (the first piezo element 43) from the time point indicated by (J) in FIG. 0 to the time point indicated by (K) in FIG. 10 after 30 μsec. And changing the inclination from (D) to
(H), the inclination of the drive voltage of the first multilayer piezo element 43 is made smaller than that of the first multilayer piezo element 4.
3 is increased to 10V.

As described above, by changing the drive voltage applied to the pressure control means on the quantification medium side to reduce the inclination, the liquid level of the quantification medium 45 is reduced.
Until it returns to the opening end portion of No. 3, pressure is applied once in the direction of drawing the liquid level into the inside of the fixed quantity medium nozzle 53. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the quantitation medium 45 is gradually filled into the quantification medium nozzle 53 by the capillary force, and the liquid surface is curved outward from the opening end of the quantification medium nozzle 53. As a result, it does not swell up and stably exists at the opening end.

At this point, as shown in FIG. 18, the mixed solution 69 continues to fly in a substantially spherical shape toward a recording material (not shown). Is made.

Then, from the point indicated by (K) in FIG.
The driving voltage of the first stacked piezo element 43 is maintained at 10 V.

Next, from the time point indicated by (L) in FIG.
The drive voltage applied to the pressure control means (the second stacked piezo element 44) on the ejection medium side is changed until the time indicated by (M) in FIG. The inclination of the driving voltage of the second multilayer piezoelectric element 44 between (G) and (I) in the drawing is made smaller than the second
The driving voltage of the stacked piezo element 44 is increased to 15V.

As described above, by changing the drive voltage applied to the pressure control means on the ejection medium side to reduce the inclination, the liquid level of the ejection medium 49 is reduced.
Until the liquid returns to the opening end of No. 4, pressure is applied once in the direction of drawing the liquid level into the inside of the discharge medium nozzle 54. As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, the discharge medium 49 is gradually filled into the discharge medium nozzle 54 by the capillary force, and the liquid surface curves outward from the opening end of the discharge medium nozzle 54. As a result, it does not swell up and stably exists at the opening end.

Then, from the point indicated by (M) in FIG.
The drive voltage of the second stacked piezo element 44 is kept at 15 V. At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the liquid levels of the quantitation medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 are in a standby state similar to FIG. 11 at the opening ends of the quantification medium nozzle 53 and the ejection medium nozzle 54, respectively.

As described above, in this example, as shown in FIG. 10, the rising of the drive voltage of the first and second multilayer piezoelectric elements 43 and 44 is divided into two stages, and the first and second multilayer piezoelectric elements 43 and 44 are divided into two stages. By synchronizing the second rising of the drive voltage of the piezo elements 43 and 44 with the timing at which the liquid levels of the quantitation medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 return to the nozzle opening end, respectively, the quantitation medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 are A pressure is generated in the direction of drawing into the corresponding nozzle. And, by this, the quantification medium 45 and the ejection medium 49
However, an appropriate brake is applied to the speed of returning to the corresponding nozzle tip, thereby preventing the fixed amount medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 from leaking from the nozzle opening end.

According to the printer apparatus of the present invention based on the driving voltage application timing chart configured as described above, after the quantitative medium 45 is discharged from the quantitative medium nozzle 53, the liquid level of the quantitative medium 45 is determined. Before returning to the opening end of the medium nozzle 53, the liquid level of the measurement medium 45 is drawn in the direction of drawing the liquid level of the measurement medium 45 inside the measurement medium nozzle 53.
To prevent the quantitation medium 45 from overflowing from the quantification medium nozzle 53 and flowing into the ejection medium nozzle 54 due to the reaction of the quantification operation.

According to the printer apparatus of the present invention based on the drive voltage application timing chart configured as described above, after the discharge medium 49 is discharged from the discharge medium nozzle 54, the liquid level of the discharge medium 49 is increased. Is the discharge medium nozzle 54
By applying pressure to the discharge medium 49 in a direction to draw the liquid surface of the discharge medium 49 into the discharge medium nozzle 54 before returning to the opening end of the discharge medium 49, the discharge medium 49 overflows from the discharge medium nozzle 54. And is prevented from flowing out into the metering medium nozzle 53.

Therefore, it is possible to avoid unnecessary mixing of the fixed quantity medium 45 and the discharge medium 49 after the mixed discharge, and it is possible to mix the correct quantity of the fixed quantity medium 45 and the discharge medium 49 according to the gradation. , And accurate gradation expression is realized.

Further, the printer device to which the present invention is applied is:
A pressure control unit that is driven by applying a voltage to control a pressure applied to the quantification medium 45;
Is discharged, the voltage applied to the pressure control means is changed so that pressure is applied to the quantification medium 45 in a direction of drawing the liquid level of the quantification medium 45 into the inside of the quantification medium nozzle 53.

Further, the printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied is driven by applying a voltage,
Pressure control means for controlling the pressure applied to the discharge medium 49, after the discharge medium 49 is discharged, so that the pressure is applied to the discharge medium 45 in the direction of drawing the liquid surface of the discharge medium 49 inside the discharge medium nozzle 54, The voltage applied to the pressure control means is changed.

As described above, by changing the voltage applied to the pressure control means, the quantitative medium 45 after the ejection is discharged.
And unnecessary mixing of the ejection medium 49 with each other can be avoided.

In this example, in order to more effectively avoid unnecessary mixing of the quantitation medium 45 and the ejection medium 49, the drive voltages of both the quantitation medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 are changed. Although the pressures in the fixed-medium pressure chamber 56 and the ejection medium pressure chamber 58 are controlled, only the voltage applied to the pressure control means on the medium side where mixing is significant may be changed.

In this example, the second rise of the drive voltage of the first and second stacked piezo elements 43 and 44 is caused by the liquid surfaces of the quantitative medium 45 and the discharge medium 4 at the end of the nozzle opening, respectively. By synchronizing with the return timing, a pressure is generated in a direction to draw the fixed amount medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 into the nozzle.

The drive voltage and the accompanying drive waveform do not necessarily completely synchronize the rise of the drive voltage with the timing at which the liquid levels of the quantitative medium 45 and the discharge medium 49 return to the nozzle opening end. Good. That is,
As shown in FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, during the process of raising the drive voltage and returning to the original voltage, the rising slope, timing, and waveform shape By adjusting the number of times, as a result, an appropriate pressure is generated in a direction in which the quantitative medium 45 and the discharge medium 49 are drawn into the nozzle, and the liquid level of the medium is prevented from overflowing,
It is possible to stop at the nozzle tip.

The driving waveform shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the rise of the drive waveform may be divided into three stages, that is, the drive voltage may be stopped in two stages instead of once, and the drive voltage may be increased in three stages.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, the rising slope of the drive waveform is switched, that is, the drive voltage is returned to the original voltage by continuously decreasing twice without stopping. . As described above, during the process of returning the drive voltage to the original voltage, the drive voltage may be reduced a plurality of times without going through the stop phase.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, the flat portion of the drive waveform may be eliminated, that is, the step of holding the drive voltage after ejecting the medium may not be performed.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the rise of the drive waveform is made a curve, that is, the drive voltage is adjusted so that the drive waveform of the drive voltage forms an arbitrary curve, and the liquid level of the medium is changed to the nozzle. Leakage may be controlled.

Here, the driving waveform shown in FIG.
It is a drive waveform when using displacement in a direction. When such a displacement in the d33 direction is used, FIGS.
6, FIG. 27, FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, by reversing the positive and negative displacements of the driving waveform, the same driving as in FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23 and FIG. .

As a comparative example of a printer device to which the present invention was applied, a printer device based on a drive voltage application timing chart shown in FIG. 30 was used.

The drive voltage application timing chart in this comparative example shows that the liquid level returns to the opening end of the quantitative medium nozzle 53 after the quantitative medium 45 is discharged.
Between the time points (R) to (V) in FIG. 30, the gradient of the drive voltage of the first multilayer piezoelectric element 43 is made constant,
It returns to the original 10V.

The drive voltage application timing chart is similar to FIG. 30 (U) to (V) in FIG. 30 in which the liquid surface is returned to the opening end of the discharge nozzle after the discharge medium 49 is discharged. In the time period shown in ()), the gradient of the drive voltage of the second multilayer piezo element 44 is kept constant, and the original 1
It returns to 5V.

The drive voltages of the first stacked piezo element 43 other than those shown above are shown in FIG.
The drive voltage of the second stacked piezo element 44 between the time point (R) and the time points (V) to (X) in FIG.
The drive voltage was applied between the time points (O) to (U) in 0 and the steps after (W) in FIG. 30 in the same manner as in the present example of FIG.

In particular, from the point indicated by (V) in FIG.
During the time point indicated by (W) in FIG. 30, the quantitation medium 45 is gradually filled into the quantification medium nozzle 53 by capillary force, and at the time point indicated by (W) in FIG. As shown, the filling is performed up to the tip of the metering medium nozzle 53. However, at the time indicated by (W) in FIG. 30, the tip of the quantitative medium 45 slightly vibrates to form a swell, as schematically shown in FIG.

Further, at the time point shown by (X) in FIG. 30 after the time point shown by (W) in FIG. 30, as shown in FIG. It is filled in the discharge medium nozzle 54,
The tip vibrates slightly due to inertia to form a swell.

Furthermore, it is later than the time point indicated by (X) in FIG. 30 and 10 minutes after the time point indicated by (P) in FIG.
At the time indicated by (Y) in FIG. 30 after 00 μsec, as schematically shown in FIG. 33, the vibration of the ejection medium 49 also stops and returns to the standby state.

In this series of operations, the swelling of the quantitation medium 45 or the ejection medium 49 at the time of the refilling operation is accelerated by the ejection medium nozzle 54 or the quantification medium nozzle 5.
There was a case where it flowed into 3.

FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 are schematic diagrams for explaining the driving waveform, the pressure applied to the medium pressure chamber, and the liquid level position of the medium in the present example and the comparative example configured as described above. 34 and 35 are schematic diagrams for conceptually illustrating the time on the horizontal axis, the driving waveform on the vertical axis, the pressure applied to the medium pressure chamber, and the position of the medium liquid level.

For example, the position of the medium liquid level shown in FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 is actually determined by the acoustic capacity and inner ance in the stacked piezo elements 43 and 44, the fixed medium pressure chamber 56, the discharge medium pressure chamber 58 and the like. Although the micro-vibration is slightly vibrated up and down around the position of the liquid surface shown in the figure, this micro-vibration is not displayed here, and only the average meniscus position is shown.

Also, as to the pressure on the medium shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, there is a small pressure fluctuation due to the acoustic capacity and the inner ance, as described above. Here, this pressure fluctuation is ignored. And only the average pressure is shown.

Here, the medium is a quantitative medium 4
5 and the ejection medium 49 may be used.

As shown in FIG. 34, in this example, the slope of the drive waveform associated with the drive voltage during the period from t ₁ to t ₂ from when the medium is discharged until the liquid level of the medium returns to the end of the nozzle opening. However, the pressure applied to the medium pressure chamber is generated in the direction of drawing the liquid level into the inside of the nozzle. For this reason, it can be seen that even if the liquid level returns to the nozzle opening end, no outward swelling is formed. Therefore, unnecessary mixing after the quantitation medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 are ejected is avoided, and an accurate amount of the quantification medium 45 and the ejection medium 49 corresponding to the gradation are mixed, and accurate gradation expression is performed. Is realized.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 35, in the comparative example,
After the medium is ejected, the slope of the drive waveform according to the drive voltage is constant before the liquid level returns to the nozzle opening end, and when the liquid level returns to the nozzle opening end, ,
It can be seen that an outward swell (meniscus) is formed. Therefore, there has been a problem that the quantitation medium 45 flows from the quantification medium nozzle to the ejection medium, and the ejection medium 49 flows from the ejection medium nozzle to the quantification medium.

For example, as shown in FIG.
5 flows into the discharge medium nozzle 54, as shown in FIG. 37, the discharge medium 49 flows into the measurement medium nozzle 53, and as shown in FIG. 38, the measurement medium 45 and the discharge medium 49 This is a problem of mixing in the nozzle.

The inks used in this example and the comparative example include the following.

<Composition> C.I. I. Acid Blue 98 8% by weight N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 10% by weight Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether 10% by weight Surfactant 0.01% by weight Water 71.99% by weight <Physical properties> Viscosity 2 [cp], Surface tension 30 [Dyne / cm]
(At 20 ° C.) On the other hand, examples of the diluent include the following.

<Composition> Isopropyl alcohol 7% by weight Diethylene glycol 23% by weight Water 70% by weight <Physical properties> Viscosity 2.2 [cp], Surface tension 40 [dyne / c]
m] (at 20 ° C.) Here, an example in which cyan is used as the dye has been described, but it goes without saying that other colors can be used. As the recording material, plain paper, commercially available inkjet print paper, and the like can be used.

Also, the quantitative medium nozzle 5 of the print head
3 and the size of the opening of the discharge medium nozzle 54 need to be determined in consideration of the volume of the quantitative medium to be measured and the volume of the mixed solution to be discharged. For example, as shown in FIG. The opening of the second nozzle 66 serving as the opening of 54 is circular with a diameter of 36 [μm], and the opening of the first nozzle 64 serving as the opening of the quantitative medium nozzle 53 is
The circular second nozzle portion 66 side having a diameter of 18 [μm] is cut out so that the depth from the notch edge to the bottom becomes 14 [μm], and from the opening edge of the second nozzle portion 66. The partial eclipse shape may be such that the distance to the notch apex is 5 [μm]. The interval between the quantitative medium nozzle 53 and the discharge medium nozzle 54 may be set to 20 [μm] or less, preferably 10 [μm] or less, and more preferably 5 [μm] or less.

If the distance is too long, the drive voltage of the first stacked piezo element 43 must be increased in order for the quantitative medium 45 to reach the discharge medium nozzle 54. If the drive voltage is too high, The quantitation medium 45 is not extruded toward the ejection medium nozzle 54 but is ejected from the quantification medium nozzle 53, which causes a problem that mixing with the ejection medium 57 is not performed well.

The fixed medium pressure chamber 56 and the discharge medium pressure chamber 58 have a width of 0.4 [mm] and a length of 0.9.
[Mm], having a substantially elliptical shape and a depth of 0.1 [mm].
The thickness of the portion where 9, 60 is formed is about 6 μm.

In the above-described printer of the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a laminated piezo element is used as the pressure generating means. However, in the printer to which the present invention is applied, a so-called single-plate piezo element or a heating element is used. It is also possible to use other pressure generating means such as a magnetostrictive element, and it is also possible to use another type of pressure generating means on the metering side and the discharge side.

In the printer of the present invention,
It is possible to apply the examples described above in combination, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above example, an example of a serial type printer has been described, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a line type or a drum rotary type printer.

The line type printer has a configuration as shown in FIG. In FIG. 39,
Corresponding portions to those of the serial type printer shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and illustration of portions showing a control mechanism will be omitted.

This line type printer device is provided with a line head 90 having a large number of print heads (not shown) arranged in a line and fixed in the axial direction of the drum 2. In this line type printer device, the line head 90 simultaneously prints one line, and when the printing of one line is completed, the drum 2 is rotated by one line in the direction indicated by the arrow m in the figure. Then, the next line is printed. In this case, a method of printing all the lines at once, dividing the data into a plurality of blocks, or alternately printing every other line can be considered.

One drum rotary type printer device is shown in FIG.
0. In FIG. 40, parts corresponding to those of the serial type printer shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and illustration of a part showing a control mechanism will be omitted. In this printer device, when the drum 2 rotates, ink is ejected from the print head unit 91 in synchronization with the rotation,
An image is formed on the print paper 1. When the drum 2 makes one rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow m in the figure and completes one line of printing on the printing paper 1 in the circumferential direction, the feed screw 5 rotates to move the print head unit 91 by the arrow M 'in the figure. The print head is moved by one pitch in the direction shown, and the next row is printed. In this case, drum 2
And the feed screw 5 are simultaneously rotated to gradually move the print head unit 91 while printing. In the case of a multi-nozzle head or a configuration in which the same place is printed several times, spiral printing is performed while simultaneously rotating the drum 2 and the feed screw 5 in conjunction.

As described above, ink was used as the quantitative medium 45 to which the present invention was applied. Examples of the dye used in the ink include a water-soluble dye, and examples of the water-soluble dye include a water-soluble anionic dye (a water-soluble direct dye and a water-soluble acidic paint) and a water-soluble cationic dye.

The water-soluble anionic dyes have a monoazo group, a disazo group, an anthraquinone skeleton, a triphenylmethane skeleton or the like as a chromophore, and have one to three anions such as a sulfonic acid group or a carboxyl group in the molecule. Those having an acidic water-soluble group can be used.

Examples of the water-soluble direct dye of the water-soluble anionic dye include C.I. I. Direct yellow 1, 8 and magenta direct dyes such as C.I. I. Direct Red 1, 2 and the like and cyan direct dyes such as C.I. I. Direct Blue 1, 2 and the like, and black direct dyes such as C.I. I. Direct Black 17, 19 and the like.

Examples of the water-soluble acid dye of the water-soluble anionic dye include C.I.
I. Acid Yellow 1, 3 and magenta acid dyes such as C.I. I. Acid Red 1, 6 and the like, and cyan acid dyes such as C.I. I. Acid Blue 1, 7 and the like, and black acid dyes such as C.I. I. Acid Black 1, 2 and the like.

As the water-soluble cationic dye, an azo dye having an amine salt or a quaternary ammonium group, a triphenylmethane dye, an azine dye, an oxazine dye, a thiazine dye and the like can be used. For example, C.I. I. Basic Yellow 1, 2 and the like, and magenta, C.I. I. Basic Red 1, 2 etc.
C. I. Basic Bio Red 7, 10 or cyan, C.I. I. Basic Blue 1, 3 and the like, and black as C.I. I. Basic Black 2, 8 and the like. Particularly preferably, C.I. I. Basic Yellow 21, 36, 67, 73 etc. are good.

The diluent used as the discharge medium 49 to which the present invention is applied may be a mixture of water and a water-soluble organic solvent. Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include aliphatic monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols and derivatives thereof.

Examples of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol include lower alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and propyl alcohol. Preferably, ethyl alcohol and i-propyl alcohol are good. This monohydric alcohol can be used for adjusting the surface tension and the like, and improves the permeability to recording media such as plain paper and special paper, the dot forming property, and the drying property of a printed image.

Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include alkylene glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycerol, and polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol.

Further, polyhydric alcohol derivatives include:
Examples include the lower alkyl ethers of the above-mentioned polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and the lower carboxylic acid esters of the above-mentioned polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol diacetate. These polyhydric alcohols and derivatives thereof have effects such as preventing clogging of nozzles of a printer device.

In addition to the above water-soluble organic solvents, mono, di,
Alcohol amines such as triethanolamine, amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide,
Ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone and ethers such as dioxane may be added.

The above-mentioned diluent may contain various surfactants, pH adjusters, fungicides and the like.

The ink used in the present invention can use the above-mentioned water-soluble organic solvent in addition to the above-mentioned dye and water.

[0142]

As described above in detail, according to the printer of the present invention, after the quantitation medium is ejected from the quantification medium nozzle, the liquid level of the quantification medium reaches the opening end of the quantification medium nozzle. By applying pressure to the quantification medium in a direction to draw the liquid level of the quantification medium into the quantification medium nozzle before returning, it is possible to prevent the quantitation medium from flowing from the quantification medium nozzle to the ejection medium.

Further, according to the printer device of the present invention, after the ejection medium is ejected from the ejection medium nozzle, the ejection medium is returned until the liquid surface of the ejection medium returns to the opening end of the ejection medium nozzle. By applying pressure to the discharge medium in a direction in which the liquid surface of the discharge medium is drawn into the inside of the discharge medium nozzle, it is possible to prevent the discharge medium from flowing from the discharge medium nozzle to the fixed amount medium.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the quantitative medium and the discharge medium from being unnecessarily mixed after the mixed medium and the discharge medium are ejected, and it is possible to use a precise amount of the quantitative medium and the discharge medium according to the gradation. Mixing is possible, accurate gradation expression is possible, and a high-quality recorded image is realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a main part schematically showing an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing and control system of an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a drive circuit of a print head as an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a main part showing a print head of an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a main part showing a print head of an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing the vicinity of a quantitative medium nozzle of a print head of an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing the vicinity of a discharge medium nozzle of a print head of an example of a printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a main part showing the vicinity of a discharge medium nozzle and a fixed amount medium nozzle of a print head as an example of a printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a main part showing the vicinity of a discharge medium nozzle and a fixed amount medium nozzle of a print head as an example of a printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a chart showing application timing of a drive voltage applied to a pressure control unit of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing an operation when printing is performed by an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied, and schematically showing a standby state.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing an operation when printing is performed by an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied, in which an amount medium is extruded.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing an operation when printing is performed by an example of a printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in which the metering medium and the ejection medium are brought into contact with each other and combined; FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing a state in which printing is performed by an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied, in the order of operation, in which a quantitative medium and a discharge medium start being pushed out. is there.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing an operation when printing is performed by an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied, in which the quantitative medium and the ejection medium are further extruded. is there.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an operation in printing in an example of a printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in the order of operation, and schematically showing a state in which constriction starts to occur between the mixed solution and the ejection medium. It is a schematic perspective view.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing an operation when printing is performed by an example of a printer device to which the present invention is applied, and schematically showing a state in which a mixed solution is discharged.

FIG. 18 is a view showing an operation in the order of operation when printing is performed by an example of a printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in which the mixed solution continues to fly, and further, the refilling of the fixed medium into the nozzle is completed; It is a principal part schematic perspective view which shows a mode that the liquid level of a quantification medium is in a stable state typically.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an operation in a case where printing is performed by an example of a printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in the order of operation. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a main part schematically showing a state in which the liquid levels of the quantitation medium and the ejection medium have both returned to a standby state.

FIG. 20 is a chart showing an example of a driving waveform of a pressure control unit of the printer device to which the invention is applied.

FIG. 21 is a chart showing another example of the driving waveform of the pressure control means of the printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 22 is a chart showing still another example of the drive waveform of the pressure control means of the printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 23 is a chart showing still another example of the drive waveform of the pressure control means of the printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 24 is a chart showing still another example of the drive waveform of the pressure control means of the printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 25 shows a waveform obtained by reversing the positive and negative sides,
7 is a chart showing an example of a driving waveform for realizing the driving waveform shown in FIG.

FIG. 26 shows a waveform obtained by reversing the positive / negative waveform.
3 is a chart showing an example of a driving waveform for realizing the driving waveform shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 shows a waveform obtained by reversing the sign of FIG.
3 is a chart showing an example of a drive waveform for realizing the drive waveform shown in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a waveform obtained by reversing the sign of FIG.
4 is a chart showing an example of a drive waveform for realizing the drive waveform shown in FIG.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a waveform obtained by reversing the sign of FIG.
5 is a chart showing an example of a driving waveform for realizing the driving waveform shown in FIG.

FIG. 30 is a chart showing the timing of applying a drive voltage to be applied to the pressure control means of the printer device of the comparative example.

FIG. 31 shows a part of the operation when printing is performed by the printer device of the comparative example in the order of operation, in which the mixed solution continues to fly, and the liquid level of the quantitative medium is changed from the opening end of the quantitative medium nozzle. It is a principal part schematic perspective view which shows the mode that it is raised outside.

FIG. 32 shows a part of an operation when printing is performed by the printer device of the comparative example in the order of operation, and schematically shows a state in which the liquid level of the ejection medium rises outward from the opening end of the ejection medium nozzle. It is a principal part schematic perspective view shown typically.

FIG. 33 shows a part of an operation when printing is performed by the printer device of the comparative example in the order of operation, and shows a state in which the liquid levels of the quantitative medium and the ejection medium both become stable and return to the standby state. It is a principal part schematic perspective view which shows typically.

FIG. 34 is a chart showing a drive waveform applied to the pressure control means of the present embodiment, a pressure applied to the medium, and a liquid level position of the medium.

FIG. 35 is a chart showing a drive waveform applied to a pressure control unit of a comparative example, a pressure applied to a medium, and a liquid level position of the medium.

FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing an example of a problem in the printer device of the comparative example.

FIG. 37 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing another example of the problem in the printer device of the comparative example.

FIG. 38 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing still another example of the problem in the printer device of the comparative example.

FIG. 39 is a schematic perspective view of a main part schematically showing another example of a liquid jet recording apparatus in which a printer device to which the present invention is applied is mounted.

FIG. 40 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part schematically showing still another example of a liquid jet recording apparatus in which a printer device to which the present invention is applied is mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

43 1st laminated piezo element, 44 2nd laminated piezo element, 45 metering medium, 49 discharging medium, 53 metering medium nozzle, 54 discharging medium nozzle, 56 metering medium pressure chamber, 58 discharging medium pressure chamber

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A discharge medium pressure chamber filled with a discharge medium and a measurement medium pressure chamber filled with a measurement medium, and a discharge medium nozzle communicating with the discharge medium pressure chamber and a communication with the measurement medium pressure chamber. And the quantitation medium nozzles are opened adjacent to each other, and after the quantitation medium oozes from the quantification medium nozzle toward the ejection medium nozzle, the ejection medium is ejected from the ejection medium nozzle and the quantitation medium is ejected. In a printer apparatus having a print head that mixes and discharges a discharge medium, after the quantitative medium is discharged from the quantitative medium nozzle, the liquid level of the quantitative medium returns to the opening end of the quantitative medium nozzle. A printer device, wherein a pressure is applied to a fixed amount medium in a direction in which a liquid level of the medium is drawn inside a fixed amount medium nozzle. 2. A pressure control means driven by applying a voltage to control a pressure applied to the quantification medium, and after the quantitation medium is ejected from a quantification medium nozzle, a liquid level of the quantification medium is determined. 2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage applied to the pressure control means is changed so that a pressure is applied to the fixed amount medium in a direction in which the medium is drawn into the medium nozzle. 3. A discharge medium nozzle having a discharge medium pressure chamber filled with a discharge medium and a measurement medium pressure chamber filled with a measurement medium, and a discharge medium nozzle communicating with the discharge medium pressure chamber and communicating with the measurement medium pressure chamber. And the quantitation medium nozzles are opened adjacent to each other, and after the quantitation medium oozes from the quantification medium nozzle toward the ejection medium nozzle, the ejection medium is ejected from the ejection medium nozzle and the quantitation medium is ejected. In a printer apparatus having a print head for mixing and discharging a discharge medium, after the discharge medium is discharged from the discharge medium nozzle, the discharge is performed until the liquid surface of the discharge medium returns to the opening end of the discharge medium nozzle. A printer device, wherein pressure is applied to a discharge medium in a direction in which a liquid level of the medium is drawn inside a discharge medium nozzle. 4. A pressure control means which is driven by applying a voltage to control a pressure applied to the discharge medium, and discharges a liquid surface of the discharge medium after the discharge medium is discharged from a discharge medium nozzle. 4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the voltage applied to the pressure control means is changed so that pressure is applied to the ejection medium in a direction in which the ejection medium is drawn into the inside of the medium nozzle.