JPS5987175A - Deflection control ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deviation of print position due to the bias of the axis of ink injection by a method in which a charge code correcting amount to correct the bias of the ink injection axis is detected and charge code is corrected. CONSTITUTION:When setting a deflection amount, a deflection voltage power source circuit 42 is turned on by a micro-computer 45, and charge code S to be arrested by a gutter at standard gain and the standard gain code are set in a print charge voltage generator 40. While increasing charge code for every time line of a 10msec timer, reference is made to the output Pokb of the charge detection circuit 43b to obtain a charge code at which the output Pokb becomes 1. From difference in relation to charge code at a time when ink injection is normal, the corrected amount of flying orbit due to the bias of the ink injection axis is obtained and added to standard charge code. While increasing the gain, a gain code where the output of the charge detection circuit 43a becomes zeroed is obtained and set for recording. The deviation of print position due to the bias of the ink injection axis can thus be prevented, and furthermore, the deviation of whole print position at deflected stage can be corrected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Technical Field] The present invention jets vibrated ink from a nozzle, selectively charges the jetted ink at a position where it separates into ink particles using a charging electrode, and transforms the charged ink particles into The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device in which ink particles are deflected by a deflection electrode and collided with a predetermined position on a sheet of paper, and particularly relates to adjusting the amount of deflection of ink particles.

(2) Prior Art In this type of infusier 1-recording, ink continuously ejected from a nozzle is separated into ink particles of a predetermined size during flight, so-called particleization. This particle formation is performed by applying regular high frequency vibrations to the pressurized ink within the ink ejecting head. As a means for applying vibration, a plate-shaped or cylindrical electrostrictive vibrator is generally used. When each ink particle is selectively charged with a predetermined charge according to recorded data, and the ink particles are passed through a predetermined deflection electric field, the ink particles are charged depending on the presence or absence of charge or the level of charge. The flight trajectory is deflected, and each ink particle moves to a predetermined position on the recording medium or to an ink receiver (gutter) for collection depending on the recording data.
A predetermined recording is performed by colliding with the object. The principle of charging in inkjet technology is based on the fact that the ink is broken at predetermined intervals with a charge generated at the tip of the ink due to electrostatic induction in the electric field generated by the charging electrode, leaving a charge on the separated ink. are doing.

In this type of inkjet recording, the distance from the ink jetting nozzle to the recording paper is relatively long, and therefore the ink pressure remains constant even though the ink particles ejected from the nozzle and turned into particles are affected by a charging electric field and a deflection electric field. It is set high so that it reaches the recording paper on a stable flight trajectory. In addition, in order to regularly generate ink particles with a predetermined particle size and to make them take a predetermined deflection trajectory accurately, ink viscosity, ink pressure, vibration pressure, charge amount, deflection electric field, etc. must be stabilized. , and must be precisely controlled. Also,
If the charging voltage (pulse) is not applied accurately at the timing when the ejected ink separates into ink particles, the ink particles will not be properly charged and the amount of deflection will not be stable.

Conventionally, prior to recording charge control, ink pressure and/or ink viscosity is stabilized to a constant level, phase search is performed to determine the application timing of charging voltage pulses, and ink particles charged in a predetermined charging step are made to follow a predetermined trajectory. The deflection adjustment is being made to In phase search, a charge detection circuit consisting mainly of an amplifier, an integrator, and a comparator is connected to a non-contact or contact type charge detection electrode, and a short charging voltage pulse is applied to the charge electrode for a predetermined period of time. The phase of the charging voltage pulse with respect to ink droplet separation is sequentially shifted each time. When the charge detection circuit issues a signal indicating "charge", the phase of the charging voltage pulse at that time is determined as the appropriate charging phase. After that, the amount of deflection is adjusted and printing is performed.

In adjusting the amount of deflection, collisions of charged ink particles are detected with a contact or non-contact charge detection electrode whose one end is aligned with a predetermined deflection trajectory, and charged ink particles are detected by a predetermined step charging voltage. The charging voltage gain, ink pressure, and/or deflection voltage is adjusted toward or slightly away from the end of the charge sensing electrode.

For example, a plate-shaped charge detection electrode is placed at the home position with its upper edge aligned with the flight trajectory of the charged ink particles with the maximum deflection, and the ink particles charged based on the maximum charge voltage code are placed at the two ends of the charge detection circuit. The charging voltage amplification gain, ink pressure, and/or deflection voltage are adjusted so as to collide with the edge (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 55-48882).

According to this, the mechanical settings related to the flight characteristics of ink particles, such as the ink jet direction, ink pressure, and ink viscosity, are positive ((If c is set to the desired value, as described above, By aligning the flight of ink particles with a single deflection position,
Virtually all deflection steps can be aligned in the flight of the ink droplets.

However, if the ink ejection axis (direction of flight of straight ink particles) deviates from the expected value, even if one point (for example, the maximum deflection printing position) is adjusted and positioned at the 1u1 position, the other points , especially at the minimum deflection printing position and the low deflection printing position close to it. In recording with three nozzles, such a shift actually causes image disturbance, but it is relatively hard to notice as image disturbance. However, in color printing or split printing, in which overlapping printing or split printing is performed using ink ejected from multiple nozzles, the printing position deviation differs for each nozzle, so
Image distortion is noticeable.

Now, as shown in Figure 13a (a plan view of the recording paper viewed from the nozzle), the desired ink ejection axis (flying level of straight ink particles) is set to A, and the gutter that captures non-printing ink particles is set. The highest capture level of the ink droplet is designated as G, the flying level of ink particles at the lowest deflection step of all printing recording steps (the first step when recording one line width with 32 dots) is designated as B, and the highest deflection step (32nd step) is designated as B. )'s flight level is C. Let us consider the case where printing is performed between levels B and C at 32 dots 1-.

In Figure 13a, (i) shows the normal (intended) injection direction, (11) shows the situation where the injection direction is shifted downward, and (iii) shows the case where the injection direction shifts upward. shows. In case (i), with the conventional deflection adjustment described above,
By adjusting the flight direction of the maximum deflection step (32) to the desired value, the flight direction from the minimum deflection step (1) to the (31st)
Adjustments can be made virtually without any deviation up to the step. However, in case i), in the conventional deflection adjustment described above, even if the flight direction of the maximum deflection step (32) is adjusted to the desired value, the minimum deflection step (1) and the low deflection steps close to it are 1.3 As shown by ■ in figure a, it shifts downward from the intended position. In addition, in the case of (ij, i), in the conventional deflection adjustment described above, the maximum deflection step (3
Even if the flight direction in step 2) is adjusted to the desired value, the minimum deflection step (1) and the low deflection steps close to it are 9'' away from the desired position, as shown by ■ in FIG. 13a.

(1) Purpose The first object of the present invention is to prevent misalignment of printed records, and the second object is to substantially prevent misalignment of all deflection steps.

``Configuration'' In order to achieve the second objective, the present invention uses a charge detection electrode to detect a charge code correction value necessary to correct the deviation of the ink ejection axis, and deflects this code correction value. Addition to the predetermined charge code assigned to the amount step
w, and calculate the charging voltage ko1 to be assigned to each deflection stage during printing and recording.

In the simplest embodiment of the invention, the gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles is electrically conductive and serves as a charge detection electrode, to which a charge detection circuit is connected to connect the charge cord to a predetermined low level. Increasing the deflection charge code sequentially,
Ink particles reach the top edge of the gutter (either by hitting the gutter just past the top edge, or by hitting the gutter just past the top edge)
2) is detected, and from this detected value, a charge code correction value required to correct the deviation of the ink ejection axis is determined, and a charge code for each deflection stage is set.

Accordingly, there is no need to separately provide a charge detection electrode for adjusting the amount of deflection, the structure is simple, and the correction process is also simple.

In another simple embodiment of the invention, a charged sensing electrode is positioned to detect an ink droplet that has dislodged a gutter that captures a non-imprinted ink droplet, and the ink droplet is positioned to detect an ink droplet that has dislodged from a gutter that captures a non-imprinted ink droplet. Detect the charge code when the ink passes (passes over the gutter at JL without shifting the upper edge), calculate the charge code required to correct the shift of the ink ejection axis from this detected value, and calculate the correction value for each deflection stage. Set the charge code for

Even in the chairs of these two embodiments, the printing position deviation due to the deviation of the ink ejection axis is eliminated.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, printing position deviation is affected not only by the deviation of the ink ejection axis but also by the ink flying speed, viscosity, etc.
+ru.

In the two embodiments of the present invention described above, the charge code correction amount for correcting the deviation ΔΩ of the ink ejection axis is determined, and the entire ink flight trajectory is shifted to Δa by this correction amount. There is very little misalignment in the printing position of the columns.

Therefore, in order to further reduce the positional deviation, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles is made conductive and serves as a charge detection electrode, and the gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles is removed. Another charge detection electrode is placed at a position to detect the ink droplets, and the charge code is sequentially increased from a predetermined low-level deflection charge code until the ink droplets reach the upper edge of the gutter (just barely touch the upper edge). Detect the charge code when it hits the gutter (or pass over the gutter without touching the top edge), and calculate the charge code correction value required to correct the ink ejection axis and It from this detected value. Set the charge code of the deflection stage,
At is set by detecting a charging voltage amplification gain that causes ink particles charged with a charging code of a predetermined deflection stage to reach the upper edge of the charge detection electrode, which is separate from the gutter.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a charged detection electrode is placed at a position to detect ink droplets that are dislodged from a gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles, such that the ink droplets pass over the upper edge of the gutter ( Detect the charge code when the ink passes over the gutter due to misalignment of the upper edge. From this detected value, calculate the charge code correction value required to correct the misalignment of the ink ejection axis and set the charge code for each deflection stage. , it is set by detecting the charging voltage amplification gain that causes ink particles charged with the charging code of a predetermined deflection stage to reach the two edges of the charging detection electrode.

According to these two preferred embodiments, the charge code correction corrects the printing position deviation due to the ink ejection axis deviation,
In addition, since the charging voltage amplification gain is set to accurately fly the 1B ink particles of a predetermined deflection stage to a predetermined position, the positional deviation of each deflection stage is precisely adjusted, and printing positioning is becomes extremely accurate.

FIG. 1a shows an intadiene 1 embodying the invention in one embodiment.
- The main mechanical parts of the printer are shown, and a side view thereof is shown in FIG. 1b. In these drawings, two guide bars 17+ are parallel to the axis 16 of the platen 5 with recording paper 14 attached
y172 is placed and these guide bars 1.7
1,172, a carriage 18 is mounted so as to be able to reciprocate along the sides. The carriage 18 is driven to the right from the home position shown in the figure by a main scanning drive system (not shown) via a wire 19 fixed to it, and is reversed at a position outside the width of the paper on the right and driven to the left. be done.

A head assembly support base 2° is pivotally attached to the carriage 18, and an adjustment mechanism (not shown) allows the carriage 1
8. The rotation position can be adjusted by sliding on the top surface. A helad base 21 is pivotally attached to the head assembly support base IO, and is adjusted by an adjustment mechanism (not shown).
The rotational position can be adjusted A2 along the vertical plane of the base 2o. An ink ejecting head 1 having a cylindrical electrostrictive vibrator fixed to a metal pipe is fixed to the head base 21 . A nozzle plate 1- having an ink jet orifice is fixed to the tip of the metal pipe.

The head assembly support base includes a charged electrode plate 2. Shield electrode plate 3. Deflection electrodes 41+ 42 and shield electrode plate 6
is fixed to the carriage 18, and a conductive gutter 5 for capturing non-imprinted ink particles is fixed to the carriage 18.

The end surface of the shield electrode unit 6 facing the recording paper 14 is a curved surface centered on the axis of the platen shaft 16, as shown in FIG. 1b, so that each part of the end surface is equidistant from the surface of the recording paper. It has become. Figures 1a and 1b
The configuration of the ink supply system of the inkjet printer shown in the figure is shown in FIG. 2, and the configuration of the electrical control system is shown in FIG. 3. Second
In the figure, ink in an ink tank 28 is sucked into a pump 26 through a filter 24 and is pumped to an accumulator 4. In the accumulator 4, pressure fluctuations due to suction and discharge of the pump 26 are absorbed.

For constant pressure ink, use a solenoid valve 8. The ink is supplied to the ink jet head 1 through the filter 25 and the heater 7. head 1
Smell C is produced by applying constant frequency pressure fluctuations to the ink by constant frequency excitation of an electrostrictive vibrator.

As a result, the ink ejected from the nozzle of the ink ejecting head 1 separates into ink particles at a predetermined distance from the nozzle. A charging electrode 9 (fixed to the charging electrode plate 2) is disposed at a position before this point, and at the time of separation, a charge tlti
When a charging voltage is applied to 9, the ink particles are charged to a polarity opposite to the polarity of the charging voltage. The charged ink particles are deflected by the deflection electric field between the deflection electrodes 41 and 42, and collide with the recording paper 14 when the head 1 is at the recording position, and head toward the gutter 22 when the head is at the home position.

Uncharged ink particles are directed toward the gutter 5 both when the head is in the recording position and when the head is in the home position. In other words, the filter 25 surrounded by the two-dot chain line
~ The gutter 5 is mounted on the scanning carriage 18,
Gutter 22 is positioned to capture charged ink particles when carriage 18 is in the home position. When the carriage 18 is in the home position,
The flight line of the ejected ink particles deviates from the edge of the recording paper 14,
Charged ink particles are captured in gutter 22. The ink in the gutter 5 is sucked by the pump 27 and returned to the ink tank 28, and the ink in the gutter 22 returns to the ink tank 28 by its own weight. When ink ejection is stopped, first the pump 26 and the heater 7 are deenergized, then the solenoid of the solenoid valve 8 is deenergized, and then the pump 27 is deenergized. The solenoid valve 8 disconnects the accumulator 4 and the filter 25 and communicates the ink tank 28 and the filter 25 by deenergizing the solenoid. Inside the gutter 22, there is a plate-shaped charge detection electrode 13 that is insulated and supported.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an electrical system for controlling printing and recording. In this embodiment, a charge detection circuit 43b is connected to the conductive gutter 5 (first charge detection electrode), and a charge detection circuit 43a is connected to the charge detection electrode 13 (second charge detection electrode) at the home position.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the charge detection circuit 43b shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the electrode 5 and the charge detection circuit 431
) between the core wire of the shielded wire 29 that connects the ground and the insulation resistance R between the electrode 5 and the ground due to ink stains on the gutter 5.
In order to prevent instability in charge detection due to variations in g,
A voltage conversion resistor R having Ω is connected to a resistor Rc=]00 which is smaller than Rg. A charge detection circuit 43 is connected to the core wire of the shield wire 29 . This circuit 4
3. High input impedance field effect type 1 transistor F1Σ, operational amplifier OP1, bypass filter IIPF, and DC smoothing integration circuit1. It consists of GR and comparator COM. This charge detection circuit 4
3b produces a low level rOJ output when the gutter 5 is impacted by charged ink particles.

Charge detection circuit 43a also has exactly the same configuration as 43b. Note that one side of the charge detection circuit is omitted and the electrode 5 is connected using a relay or the like.
and 13 may be selectively connected to the charge detection circuit.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the phase setting circuit 44, and FIG. 6 shows the electrical signals of each part of the circuit 44. A 1.6 MHz clock pulse Op is applied to the phase setting circuit 44, and this is counted by the counter COI. Each pitch I-A, -D (A-1st
The A bit of digits to D-4th digit) is applied to the shift register SR of the serial-in parallel output 1- as a shift activation pulse, and the D pin 1- is applied as an input signal. As a result, pulses with a pulse width of D whose phase is shifted by A cycle appear sequentially at the output terminals 0 to 7 of the shift 1 register SR, and one of the pulses is outputted from the data selector DS as the excitation pulse Vp of the electrostrictive resonator. It is applied to the excitation voltage generator 39.

Output bit 1- of B-D of counter C○1 is decoder DE
The output pulses of the first output terminal O and the fifth output terminal 4 of the decoder DIE are respectively applied to the frequency divider FDI and the T flip-flop FF. The Q output of the T flip-flop FF is applied to the applied charging voltage generator 40 as a charging timing signal Cp. 1/16 with frequency divider FDI
The pulse, which is frequency-divided and shaped into the output pulse width of the output terminal 0 of the decoder DE by the an)-gate hAN2, is applied to the search charge voltage generator 41 as a phase search charge signal pulse Pp. As shown in FIG. 6, the charge signal p p is 1
(After 3 consecutive pulses, there is a pause period of 16 pulses, which is intermittent at a cycle of 120 μsec. On the other hand, the impression charging timing signal CP is continuous and pulses, and the pulse I) P. 8 times the pulse width (high level "1"
).

In this embodiment, the phases of both the phase search charge signal pulse PP and the impression charge timing pulse CP are fixed, and the phase of the electrostrictive vibrator excitation pulse ■P is sent to the data selector DS to the run 1 of the counter CO2. The shift is changed to shift 1 or to shift 1 depending on which of the shift register outputs 0 to 7 is output according to C. In other words, the charging voltage pulse phase is fixed and the ink droplet separation phase is shifted to shift 1.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the amplification gain adjustment section 40b, which is half of the printing charge voltage generator 40 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the gain adjustment section 40b of the printing charging voltage generator 40 is configured to control the charging voltage code generating section 40a for the other half during printing and recording.
(Fig. 8), the charging voltage code 5ca (multiple values corresponding to the number of deflection stages) is received in synchronization with the pulse Pp.
A converter DAI input and gate group ANC
When adjusting the deflection amount, in order to form a charge pattern in the same way as when searching for a phase, the dividing period F
, ANDGATE AN3. AN4. It is equipped with an or game 1-○R1 and an inverter INI.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to adjust the deflection amount even when adjusting the charged voltage amplification gain, the resistors R1 to Rm and transistors (for selective connection) for gain setting are used.

Latch LA2 for holding gain instruction code. It is provided with a decoder DEI for converting the gain indication code 1 to a signal for indicating conduction 1 - transistor, an operational amplifier ○P A 5, and an output transistor TR.

Referring to FIG. 8, the charged coat generating section 4.0a is
Address counter 40 that determines the R, OM read address
1. Output timing of readout data from the ROM 402 which stores the standard charging voltage code FVcs (Cpi, i = 132) from the 1st step to the 32nd step, the deflection distortion due to the charging pattern, the code for correcting the charge amount distortion, etc. Circuit 403 to game 1 that determines . mark f(Q
, an addition circuit 40 that adds a correction value code and a distortion correction code to be added as deflection amount adjustment to the charging voltage codes Vc and s.
4. , I driver], a latch 405 latches the charging voltage code CPil during charging, an output code Cpj+ of the latch 405 during recording charging, and a charging code Sec given by the microcomputer 45 during deflection amount adjustment to the gain adjustment unit 401) -tj data selector 406. Decoder 407. Serial-in/parallel-out shift register 408° register 4 that stores 8-bit picture number 3
Multiplexer 409.08 outputs 8 pins 1- by 1 pin. It consists of a latch 411 that latches the deflection amount correction code (lower 4 pitches 1- of Scc) and a latch 4]0 that latches the upper 11 pitches 1- of the addition output.

Figure 1:3b shows the address classification of R and OM memory data.

From the ROM 402, the address counter 401 sequentially reads the charge distortion correction value and the standard charge code Vcs from 2 to 85 in the first step, and the gate 403 determines whether or not to add them while making them correspond to the image signal (print data). Control with. The image signal is sent to the shift register 408 sequentially to shift 1 using a signal Cp synchronized with the print cycle, and during that time, the value of the shift register is sequentially sent to the multiplexer 409 8 times using a tarok pulse CLK 2 of 8 times the number of cycles of CP. is read out, and written in -.
Then, the latch 410 adds only the necessary correction coat. When the addition is completed eight times, a latch 405 latches the corrected charge code. At the same time, reset the latch 410 to 1-
Prepare for the next addition. Reset (- signal is obtained by decoding the address code with decoder 407. Latch 4
Data selector 4 at the next addition after 10 is reset.
11, the correction code from the microcomputer 45 is applied to the adder circuit 404 instead of the output of the latch 410. This allows steps from the 1st step to the 32nd step.
The charge code of the step, which has been subjected to distortion correction and deflection amount correction, is connected to the cheetah selector 406 via the latch 405.
k to the gain adjustment section 40b.

Next, referring to FIG. 9a, in this embodiment, the pump monitoring circuit 36 is used as ink pressure setting means. That is, the ink pressure is changed by the pump buoy ζ1 circuit 36 to adjust the flying speed of the ink particles, so that the flying speed of the ink is adjusted to a constant value.

Since the pump 26 is of a reciprocating type that drives the plunger reciprocally by energizing the solenoid with alternating current, the pump 26 is of a reciprocating type, so that
The discharge pressure of the pump 26 is changed by changing the solenoid energizing voltage level. In circuit 36, the output voltage level of the sine wave oscillator ○SC? ? It is adjusted by operational amplifier OP2 and then goes to the output amplifier.
Obtain a solenoid energizing voltage of 6. The gain of the operational amplifier OP2 is determined by the conductivity of the transistor Tr.If the value of the gain code GCC applied to the 6D/A converter A2 is large, the conductivity of the transistor Tr is high, and the gain of OF2 is small. The discharge pressure (that is, the ink pressure) of the pump 26 is low, and when the value of the gain code Gcc is small, the conductivity of the 1st helang stago r is low, and the gain of OF2 is large, so the discharge pressure of the pump 26 is high.

FIG. 9b shows the configuration of the microcomputer unit h45 used as the electronic control device in this embodiment. The microcomputer unit 45 includes a pulse generator 451.
Microprocessor (microcomputer) 452.
Programmable ROM (PROM) 453, 454, whose memory can be erased and written with ultraviolet rays. R, AM455-458 with input/output port and timer. Programmable interactive controller 459. It consists of a program counter 460 and an address latch 461. , RAMs 455 to 458 contain ink ejection control 9
Phase search system 1. Deflection amount adjustment control.

Sensor signal lines, control signal lines, and data lines necessary for all inkjet printer controls such as recording charge control, carriage drive control, and paper feed control are connected via interfaces such as amplifiers and inverters.

Then, program data for executing the inkjet printer control is written into the PROMs 453 and 454.

Figure 10 shows the control outline (main flow) of inkjet printer control based on the program data.
Figure 1 shows the details (subflow) of phase search control, and
Figure X2 shows details (subflow) of the deflection claw adjustment control.

First, an overview of inkjet printer control will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the power is turned on, the microcomputers 1 to 45 (hereinafter referred to as microcomputers 45 and 45) read the beginning of the control program and initialize the input/output ports.
Set the printer stop timing status (ink ejection stop, deflection voltage cutoff). Next, the carriage 18 is positioned at the home position (the position where the head 1 faces the gutter 22). Next, the status fm of the ink supply system is determined by referring to the signals from the sensors of each part, and if there is an abnormality, the status corresponding to the abnormality is displayed and the abnormality is repaired. If it is normal or becomes normal, By energizing the electromagnetic on-off valve 8, the accumulator 4-
The filters 25 are connected to each other, and the pump driver 36's D/
The standard gain code Gcc is output set to the A converter DA2 to drive the pump 26, the pump driver 35 is instructed to drive the pump 27, and the heater driver 38 is instructed to control the ink temperature. Then, the 1 sec timer is turned on, and then the 30 sec timer is turned on, and the ink pressure adjustment setting is started.

When the 1 sec timer times out, Antoge = 1
~462 (see Figure 9) between 1 and 6 MHz
Outputs the tarokk pulse ○p to the phase setting circuit 44.
- to do. As a result, the excitation voltage generator 39 is excited [''
The ivy pulse Vp is applied, the electrostrictive vibrator of the head 1 vibrates, and pressure vibration is applied to the ink within the head 1. The ink ejected from the head 1 is thereby divided into ink particles, which fly and collide with the gutter 5.

When the 3Qsec termer times out, the ink pressure is stabilized at a predetermined pressure that causes the ink particles to spread at a predetermined speed, and the microcomputer 45 performs phase search, then sets the deflection amount, and then performs recording control. Proceed 3. When the recording is finished,
Stops ink jetting and waits for an interjet instruction to be input.

Furthermore, when entering the recording control, the microcomputer 45 turns on the 80 sec timer, and when the timer expires, the microcomputer 45 turns on the 80 sec timer.
When reaches a predetermined limit, proceed to phase search, then proceed to deflection amount setting, and when these are completed, 80 se
The c timer is turned on to return to recording control, and when the 80 sec timer time has elapsed, phase search and deflection amount setting are performed.

Next, the phase detection η1 control will be explained with reference to FIG.

When proceeding to the phase search, the microcomputer 45 positions the carriage 18 at the Baum position and closes the switch SW to the charging electrode 9-search charging voltage generator 41 connection side. Do not turn on the deflection voltage power supply. There, wait until the time of 1.0IIISOC has elapsed. Search for SW Charge voltage generation) 1''i4
By connecting to the 1st side, the search charge pulse Pp (6th
A search charge pulse which is amplified by the reference voltage (see figure) is applied to the electrode 9. In other words, 10μS intermittent with 320μSQC cycle
QC cycle phase search charge pulse search charge voltage generator 4
1 is applied to the charging electrode 9 via the switch SW.

On the other hand, the count code of counter C○2 is ro on the gold plate.
00'', the pulse at the output terminal O of the register SR is applied as an excitation pulse vp to the excitation voltage generator 39, and the period and phase of this VP (1
]The ink particles are separated according to the phase corresponding to the phase relative to P). If the separation of the ink particles matches the timing of the pulse Y)P, the ink particles will be negatively charged, and since no deflection voltage is applied, they will travel straight and collide with the gutter 5.

In other words, the ink particles separated at the period of the pulse l)p are
The charged ink particles collide with the gutter 5, creating a charging pattern with a period of 320 μSQC in which 16 consecutive particles are negatively charged and the next 16 particles are uncharged. Therefore, in this case, the potential of the gutter 5 causes potential fluctuations similar to the charging pattern. However, the stray capacitance and resistance R of the shield wire 29
Due to the time constant, the base potential of FET of the charge detection circuit/13b changes in a sinusoidal or envelope-like potential with a period of 320 μSec! l! Jlk arises. Such a sine wave voltage is I? It is inverted by I: and T, further inverted and amplified by an operational amplifier ○P1, and applied to a bypass filter H1) at a positive level. Bypass filter HP F
blocks noise that is less than 320 μsec in period. Integrating circuit IGR converts the sine wave with a period of 320 μsec to S+
The Z is smoothed and the DC current is stabilized at a constant level. This DC voltage is compared with a reference voltage by the comparator COM, and when the DC voltage is higher than the reference voltage, that is, when the ink particles are charged, the output of the comparator COM becomes a low level "0", and the ink particles When Pokb is uncharged or incompletely charged, the output Pokb of comparator COM is at a high level "1". The output Pokb of this comparator COM is
5 and is applied to the digit 4 [AND gate ΔN of the 1 setting circuit 44].

In summary, if the ink droplet separation phase matches the pulse Pp, the ink droplet will be charged, but if it does not match, the ink droplet will not be charged. If the ink particles are charged, the output Pokb of the charge detection circuit 43b becomes a low level "0", but if the ink particles are not charged, it remains at a high level "1". After 10 m5ec has elapsed, the microcomputer 45 refers to the detection output Pokb of the charge detection circuit 43b, and when Pokb is at a low level "0", it searches to find that the RIL phase of the ink particles is appropriate with respect to the phase of the charge voltage Parno. Therefore, clear the counters and flags and proceed to setting the deflection amount. However, when Pokb is at a high level "1", the separation phase of the ink particles is out of phase with respect to the position H of the search charging voltage pulse, and proper charging is not performed. counter) 1 count 1-
Pc1kl pulse is applied to the phase setting circuit 44. In the phase setting circuit 44, when a Pdkl pulse is applied, the counter CO2 increases by one count, and
The phase of the particulate excitation pulse Vp is delayed by 1 step.
be done. That is, the power counter C2 counts up by one, and the output VP of the data selector TDS changes from the pulse at the output terminal i of the shift 1 register SR to the pulse at the output terminal i+1.

The naori counter C○2 counts back, and if the ink jetting is normal, it sends the pulses from the output terminals θ to 7 of the register SR to the shifter 1 as vp to the excitation voltage generator 39.
During one cycle (8 phase shifts 1), the ink particles become charged and the output Pokb of the comparator COM becomes rOJ.

When the microcomputer 45 gives a Pdkl pulse to the circuit 44,
] Set the Om5ec timer to 10+++ seconds
Wait for the time to pass. When 1.0ITlsec has passed,
Pokb is referred to, and if Pokb is "0", the process proceeds to setting the deflection amount, but if it is [1j, the shift counter is incremented by one count, and a Pdkl pulse is given to the phase setting circuit 44. omsecm5ec timer. In this way, the microcomputer 45 detects the output Pokb of the charge detection circuit 43b.
Power run 1 hair amplifier pulse Pdk is applied to the phase setting circuit 44 until Pdk reaches the low level "0". When the number of shifts) to) on the shift counter reaches 8, it means that proper charging was not performed in any of the ink particle bone mW phase shifts 1 to 1 of one cycle. ) up by 1 count.

Then, the microcomputer 45 performs a phase search for the next cital in the same manner as described above.

If proper charging is not performed in the next cycle, the microcomputer 45 further increments the number of times counter and performs a phase search for the next cycle. Therefore, the content of the number counter is 8 ink droplet separation phase shifts l~ to 1
Indicates the number of execution cycles.

In this embodiment, if P okb does not become "0" (charging suitable) even after 10 cycles of phase search, it is determined that there is no ink ejection error, an ink ejection error flag is set, the number counter is cleared, and a 60 sec timer is activated. Turn it on and proceed to the main flow (Fig. 10) to stop ink ejection.

When stopping ink ejection, the microcomputer 45 controls the pump 26
and 27 are stopped, the electromagnetic on-off valve 8 is turned off (accumulator 4 - ink tank 28 connected), and the heater driver 3 is turned off.
8 is turned off, and Antogame-1-4G 2 is turned off.

That is, the microcomputer 45 stops ink ejection and cuts off the charging voltage and excitation voltage. After that, wait for 60 seconds to elapse. After 60 seconds, the microcomputer 45
The process proceeds after the initialization of the main flow (FIG. 10), and then enters the phase search (FIG. 11) again through the main flow.

In the next phase search, 10 cycles of phase search will be performed.
If okb does not reach the low level "O", the microcontroller 45
Since the ink ejection abnormality flag is set, the abnormality display is made to cell 1, the ink ejection flag is reset to 1~, the number of times counter is cleared, and the process proceeds to stop ink ejection. Since the ink jetting abnormality flag is not set when the ink jetting is stopped this time, the microcomputer 45 stops ink jetting and continues to display the abnormality until an jetting instruction is input. In this state,
When an ink ejection instruction is given manually by the operator, the microcomputer 45 resets the abnormality display to reset 1 and proceeds to the initialization of the main flow.

When Pokb becomes a low level "0" during the second ink ejection and phase search, it means that the ink ejection has become normal and the appropriate charge has been set. Clear the flag and proceed to setting the deflection amount.

Next, the deflection amount setting will be explained with reference to FIG.

When proceeding to the deflection amount setting, the microcomputer 45 instructs the deflection voltage power supply circuit 42 to turn on the deflection voltage, and outputs the charge code 5cc1, which is captured by the gutter 5 even if the charged ink particles are deflected at the standard gain, as the charge code Scc. Sera 1 to capo-1 is given to data selector 406, and data selector 406 is instructed to output code Scc. Next, the standard gain code is output as gain code Sgc to gain adjustment section 40b, and its latch LA2 is Latch.

Further, the goo 1-signal DGc given to the gain adjustment section 40b
As low level rOJ, AN2 is turned on and AN4 is turned off to Antogame-1. Then, a recording (charging instruction) level [1] is given as an image signal to shift 1 to register 408. This means that the charge deflection is set. Then] set the 0m5ec timer (Progera 11 timer) to Sera 1
Heshi, wait for that time-out. When the tie 11 is exceeded, the output Pokb of the charge detection circuit 431J is referred to, and if it is "0" indicating the collision of the charged ink droplet P with the gutter 5, the charge "-1 to See" is changed to the smallest unit from the previous value. Updated the value to 35cc2, which was increased by 1, and also changed the loms
Set the ec timer to 1 and then 1 again when the time is over)
See okb. After that, I couldn't control this guy until Pokb-rlJ yelled.

When Pokb = r I J, 5cc21 is stored in the charge code 1 at that time, and from this charge code 5cc2, the charge code Sen, which causes the ink particles to come off the upper edge of the gutter 5, is subtracted in the same way when the inter-injection is normal. value, that is, the correction value ΔS of the flight trajectory due to the deviation of the ink ejection axis
2 (SCC2-Sco), store it in memory, and convert this ΔS to the standard 7 of the 32nd step ("J charge code S32
Set the charge code added to (Cp32) to be output to the data selector '+06, set the 10m5ec timer to 1-, and wait for time-out.

When the tie 11 is over, the output Poka of the charge detection circuit 4.3a is referred to, and if it is rOJ indicating the collision of ink particles to the charge detection electrode 13, the gain SεC is set to a value d larger than the previous value. Set the 10m5ec timer to 1-1, and when the timer times out, P
See oka. Repeat this below, Poka=
11. J (the ink particles touched the two edges of the electrode 13), this time the gain call lQsgc was updated to one smaller than the previous value by the minimum unit, and the value was 10m5 again.
Set the ec timer to Sera 1 and wait for timeout. When the time has elapsed, Poka is referred to again, and if it is MJ, Sgc is updated to a smaller value by one minimum unit and waits for a timer of 10m5ec. The same applies below. Then, when Poka = "OJ" (the ink particles collide with the upper edge of the electrode 13), the gain code Sgc at that time is sent directly to the latch LA2 of the gain adjustment section to the cell 1.

Then, the data selector 411 receives 5ec-Δ5=(SCC
28CO) to the output cell. Next, the data selector 406 registers and the cell 1 is set to the mode in which the output of the latch 405 is output.
-C, return to the main routine shown in FIG. 10 and proceed to recording control.

Therefore, during recording control, the deflection amount correction amount is ΔS and J
Standard charge code Vc read out in deflection amount step
s (Cpi, i = 1 to 32).

As a result, the charge correction star that compensates for the deviation of the ink ejection axis is set, and the charge gain that prints the charged ink roller Z in the 32nd step at a predetermined position is set. . Since the misalignment of the ink ejection axis is compensated for, the gain adjustment at one point (32nd step) produces a 1-node adjustment result that is equivalent to the adjustment of all the deflection stages. Print position shift is prevented.

In addition, there are 16 consecutive ink particles (], 6071 sec
), 8 of them are charged one after another, and the next 16 consecutive ones (
I G O/1s (3C) is uncharged 3204se
This becomes a charging pattern with c as one period. Note that during phase search, a charging voltage (1) (corresponding to P) is applied so as to charge 16 consecutive 1' particles, but when adjusting the deflection claw, a charging voltage synchronized with the pulse Cp is applied. Note that Cp is 1/2 the frequency of pp, and one ink droplet is generated per pulse pp.

In this way, even when adjusting the amount of deflection, charging is performed using a charging pattern in which one cycle is 320 μsec.

When the above-mentioned ink ejection setting control, phase search control and deflection amount setting control are successfully completed, the microcomputer 45 proceeds to recording control. In this recording control, since DQo=rlJ is set, AND gate AN4 is open and AN2 is closed in the printing charge voltage generator 40, and the image signal is "1" which instructs recording. For a while, or game 1~ORI
The recording charge signal Cp appears as it is at the output terminal of. Ant game 1 when the image signal is rOJ which instructs non-recording.
-Pulse Cp is cut off at A N 4 fic or game 1-
○The output rOJ of RI closes the AND gate group ANC. In this recording charge control, the microcomputer 45 always controls /l! [As mentioned above, turn on the 80 sec timer, and when it times out, when the recording reaches a predetermined break [; recording charge control is interrupted and the process proceeds to the next step after the initialization of the main flow shown in Fig. 10]. , executes status check of each part, phase search control and deflection iA setting control,
When these are completed normally, the 80 sec timer is turned on again to return to recording control, and when the 80 sec timer times out, the above-mentioned process is executed, and this process is repeated thereafter.

In the embodiment described above, the phase of the charging voltage pulse is fixed, and the phase in front of the ink droplet is shifted by 1 to perform a phase search to properly charge the ink droplet. However, the phase of the ink droplet may be fixed and the phase of the charging voltage pulse may be shifted to 1 to properly charge the ink droplet.

Furthermore, the conductive gutter is used as a normal gutter and the charge detection circuit 4.3 b is omitted, and the fact that the low deflection charged ink particles come off the gutter 5 means that the ink particles collide with the charge detection electrode and the charge detection circuit 43 It may be detected when the output Poka of a changes from "1" to "o".

Further, it is also effective to simplify the structure by omitting the charge detection electrode 13 and the charge detection circuit 43a and only correcting the deviation of the ink ejection axis.

∎Effects As explained in 2, according to the present invention, since the charge code is corrected by detecting the charge code correction value that corrects the misalignment of the ink ejection axis, the printing position error caused by the misalignment of the ink ejection axis is avoided. is prevented. Furthermore, by adjusting the gain, it is possible to accurately correct the printing position deviation of the entire deflection stage.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1a is a perspective view showing the main parts of a mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1b is a side view. FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing an overview of the ink supply system and ink circulation system of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical system of the same embodiment. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charge detection circuit 43b shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the phase setting circuit 44 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gain adjustment section 40b of the printing charging voltage generator 40 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing charging voltage generator 40 shown in FIG. A block diagram showing the configuration of the charge code generating section 40a of the generator 40, FIG. 9a is the pump driver 36 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9b is a block diagram showing the configuration of the microcomputer 221 to 45 shown in FIG. Fig. 10 shows an outline of the printer control operation of the microcomputer 221-45 shown in Figs. 3 and 9b to the printer control operation flowchart 1. Fig. 11 shows the outline of the printer control operation shown in Figs. Microcomputer Unisol l-4
Flowchart 1 to 11 showing the search control operation in the 5th place,
FIG. 12 is a flowchart i~ showing the deflection amount setting control operation of 45 in the microcomputer Unino 1. FIG. 138 is a plan view viewed from the ink jet nozzle in the direction of the recording paper, and FIG. 131 is a sectional view showing the address classification of the data written in the ROM 402 shown in FIG. 1: Ink jet head 2: Charged electrode plate 3: Shield electrode plate 41, 4. ,: Deflection electrode 5 nigator (first electrode means) 6: Shield electrode plate 7: Heater 8: Electromagnetic switching valve 9: Charge electrode 11: Ink particle flight trajectory 13: Charge detection electrode (second electrode means) 14: Record a paper 15 Nibraten 16: Axis 171.1
72 Ni guide par 18: Carriage 19: Wire
20: Henodo assembly support base 21: Henodo base
22 nigata 23:6
24: Filter 25: Filter 26: Ink pressure pump 27: Ink recovery pump 28:
Ink tjl+129=shielded wire 40 a: Charge code generation section 40b: Amplification gain adjustment section Patent applicant Ricoh Co., Ltd. - 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. Uchi 2 I-Ito left 111j- Big 11 Do (Voluntary) Commissioner of the Patent Office Wakasugi Wanu Tono 1, Incident Display 1980 4. Umakai Territory No. 197942
No. 2, Title of the Invention Deflection Control Infusiera 1-TLR Device: 3. Relationship with the case of the person who did the special R'l appearance!
Tokyo 111-ku Nakamagome 1-3-6 Name
(674) Ricoh Co., Ltd. Representative - 11 people Hii Samurai 4, Agent 104 Telephone 0354:386945
Part 1 of the Second Explanation and Drawings 7' to 6. Contents of Amendment (1) Clause (6) of the claims will be deleted and the entire text will be corrected as follows. ``2. Claims (1) An ink jetting head comprising an ink jetting nozzle and a vibrator that applies regular pressure vibrations to the ink communicating with the ink jetting nozzle; a pressurizing pump that supplies pressurized ink to the ink jetting head. a charged electrode that applies a charging electric field to the ink jetted from the nozzle; and a deflection electrode that applies a deflection electric field to the charged ink particles;
~In the recording device; Charge detection electrode means for detecting charged ink particles; Connected to the charge detection electrode means to detect charged ink particles. A charge detection circuit that generates an electrical signal indicating non-detection; detects the detection of a charged ink particle by the charge detection electrode means and the charge detection circuit, reads non-detection, and increases the charge code to detect when the charged ink particle reaches the upper edge of the gutter. A deflection control infusier i recording device comprising: an electronic control device that detects a charge code, determines a charge code correction value, and sets a charge code to be assigned to each deflection stage based on the correction value. (2) The electronic control device sets the charging voltage code of each deflection stage by adding or subtracting the correction amount to a predetermined charging voltage code of each deflection stage. Control interjet recording device. (3) The charge detection electrode means described in item 1 above is a conductive gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles. +i Claims No. (1)
Deflection Control Infusiera 1 to Recording Apparatus as described in Section 1 or Section (2). (4) The charge detection electrode means is an electrode separate from the gutter and arranged at a position to detect ink particles that have come off the edge of the gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles. (1) Deflection control inkjet recording device of Item 1 ((5) The charged single-power output means includes a conductive gutter that captures non-printing ink particles and an ink particle that has come off the edge of the gutter. 1.1 "Deflection control ink transfer recording device according to claim (1)," which is an electrode separate from the gutter and arranged at a detection position. (2) Meiiro 1 Delete "r (lower 4 bits of Scc)" in line 16 of page 21 and "4 binary bits of" in line 17 of the same page. (3) Attach Figure 8. Correct the figure. 7. Attached catalog drawing for class 1F...1 page

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) An ink ejection head equipped with an ink ejection nozzle and a vibration r that applies periodic pressure vibrations to the ink communicating with the ink ejection nozzle; a pressure pump that supplies pressurized ink to the ink ejection head; ink ejected from the nozzle In a deflection control inkjet recording device comprising: a charging electrode that applies a charging electric field to charged ink particles; and a deflection electrode that applies a deflection electric field to charged ink particles; A charge detection circuit that generates an electric signal indicating detection or non-detection of an ink particle; The charge detection electrode means and the charge detection circuit read the detection or non-detection of a charged ink particle, and increase the charge code so that the charged ink particle reaches the top of the gutter. A recording device for a deflection control infusiera 1, comprising: an electronic control device that detects a charge code when reaching the edge, obtains a charge code correction value, and sets a charge code to be assigned to each deflection stage based on this correction value. (2) The electronic control device sets the charging voltage code of each deflection stage by adding or subtracting the correction amount to a predetermined charging voltage code of each deflection stage. Inkjet recording device. (3) A deflection-controlled inkgenolographic recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the charge detection electrode means is a conductive gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles. (4) The charge detection electrode means is an electrode separate from the gutter and arranged at a position to detect ink particles that have come off the edge of the gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles. The deflection control inkjet recording device according to item (1). (5) The charge detection electrode means is an electrically conductive gutter that captures non-imprinted ink particles and an electrode that is separate from the gutter and is disposed at a position to detect ink particles that have come off the edge of the gutter. The deflection control inkjet recording bag [rl. (6) The electronic control device detects the charging voltage amplification gain that causes the ink particles charged with the charging code of the predetermined deflection stage to reach the edge of the electrode separate from the gutter, and uses it during recording printing. The deflection control inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the gain is set as a gain.