JPH11129498A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an ink jet recorder in which a high quality printing can be ensured even when a user switches the kind of ink to be used. SOLUTION: When an ink cartridge containing a pigment based ink or a dye based ink is mounted on an ink cartridge mounting section in an ink jet printer, an ink kind signal output means 600 comprising microswitches 601, 602 delivers a signal indicative of the ink being switched to a head drive control section 210. The head drive control section 210 controls a head drive circuit 220 to generate a drive signal PH of head drive conditions corresponding to the kind of ink to be used this time among a plurality of head drive conditions stored in a lookup table 290.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer or an ink jet plotter. For more information,
The present invention relates to a technique for enabling a type of ink to be used in an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet head used in an ink jet recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer or an ink jet plotter uses a heating element to induce a change in the volume of ink to discharge ink droplets, or communicates with an ink nozzle. A type in which ink droplets are ejected by changing the volume of an ink chamber to be ejected is known.

In the latter case, a vibrating plate which is elastically deformable in an out-of-plane direction is formed on a part of a peripheral wall which defines an ink chamber, and the vibrating plate is vibrated through a piezo element to thereby form an ink chamber. An ink droplet is ejected from an ink nozzle communicating with the chamber. Here, a trapezoidal drive signal is applied to the piezoelectric element, and the suction and discharge of ink are performed by a change in the volume of the ink chamber.

For example, among ink jet printers which employ a so-called "pushing" method, after a diaphragm is displaced in a direction in which the volume of an ink chamber increases, the ink meniscus stops at an ink nozzle opening. By displacing the diaphragm in the direction in which the volume of the ink chamber decreases, ink droplets are ejected from the ink nozzles.

[0005] The driving signal for this purpose is, for example,
As shown in FIG. 13A, in the period t11, the diaphragm is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the ink chamber increases, and in the period t12, this state is maintained and the state of the ink is reduced.
In the period t13, the diaphragm is displaced in the direction in which the volume of the ink chamber decreases so that the ink droplets are ejected from the ink nozzles. This state is maintained in the period t14. The diaphragm is displaced to divide the ink at the ink nozzle opening, and thereafter, the period t16
Then, this state is maintained.

As described above, in the ink jet printer, the degree of increasing or decreasing the volume of the ink chamber is controlled by the voltage (peak level) of the drive signal, and the speed of increasing or decreasing the volume of the ink chamber is controlled by the speed of the drive signal. High quality printing is performed by discharging ink while controlling the voltage gradients during the rising and falling periods. Head drive conditions for defining such drive signals are stored in a ROM or the like.

[0007]

Here, the ink jet printer can mechanically use either pigment-based ink or dye-based ink, but these inks do not always have the same viscosity and the like. Therefore, if the head is driven under the same conditions, high-quality printing cannot be performed. For this reason, in a conventional ink jet printer, only one of the pigment-based ink and the dye-based ink is used, and only the head driving conditions suitable for the ink are stored in the ROM. Therefore, in a conventional ink jet printer, changing the ink type requires RO
Since M needs to be exchanged, the user has to rely on a service person and cannot do it himself.

However, as the use of ink jet printers is expanding, it is desired to perform printing utilizing the properties of pigment inks and dye inks. There is an increasing demand to easily switch between the ink jet printer and the dye system, but there is a problem that such a demand cannot be met by a conventional ink jet printer.

[0009] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide:
An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in which an ink jet recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer or an ink jet plotter can perform high-quality printing even when a user himself or herself switches ink types.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, a drive signal is supplied to an ink cartridge mounting section to which an ink cartridge is attached and detached, and an ink jet head. A head drive circuit for discharging ink held by the ink cartridge mounted on the ink cartridge from the inkjet head, and an ink for outputting a signal corresponding to the type of ink held by the ink cartridge mounted on the ink cartridge mounted portion A lookup table in which a plurality of head driving conditions corresponding to the types of ink are stored, and the lookup table is stored in the lookup table based on an output result from the ink type signal output section. In the head driving conditions, the ink Generating a driving signal of the head driving condition where the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridges mounting portion corresponds to the type of ink held in the head drive circuit, and having a control means for output.

In the present invention, even if an ink cartridge holding different inks is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion, a signal corresponding to the output is output by the ink type signal output means. The head drive circuit generates and outputs a drive signal of a head drive condition corresponding to the type of ink held by the ink cartridge currently mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section among the plurality of head drive conditions stored in the head drive circuit. . Therefore, there is no need to call a serviceman to replace the ROM in which the head drive conditions are stored when switching the ink type, and the user can switch the ink type only by switching the ink type by himself / herself. Since it can be driven, high-quality printing can be performed.

In the present invention, for example, an ink cartridge holding a pigment-based ink or an ink cartridge holding a dye-based ink is used as the ink cartridge. With this configuration, the properties of the pigment-based ink (for example, the property of good weather resistance) and the properties of the dye-based ink (for example, the property of good color reproducibility) can be obtained in one inkjet recording apparatus. Making the most of printing.

In the present invention, the ink type signal output means automatically detects the type of ink held in the ink cartridge and responds to the change by automatically changing the form of the ink cartridge depending on the type of ink held. It is preferable to include an ink cartridge type detection unit that automatically outputs a signal. With this configuration, the user simply mounts the ink cartridge on the ink cartridge mounting portion, and the ink cartridge type detecting means automatically detects the type of ink held by the ink cartridge and automatically outputs a signal corresponding thereto. , The driving condition of the head is automatically set to the optimum condition.

The ink type signal output means may include an ink type external input means for outputting a signal corresponding to the type of ink held by the ink cartridge based on a result specified by an external operation. In this case, after the user mounts the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge mounting section, the user only needs to perform the corresponding operation using the ink type external input means, and drives the head under the optimal conditions according to the type of ink. can do.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, an ink jet printer (ink jet recording apparatus) to which the present invention is applied.
Will be described.

[Overall Configuration of Inkjet Printer] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied. The overall structure of the ink jet printer 310 of this example is a general structure, and the platen roll 30 which is a component of a conveying unit for conveying the recording paper 105 is used.
0, the inkjet head 10 facing the platen roll 300, a carriage 302 for reciprocating the inkjet head 10 in a row direction (main scanning direction) which is the axial direction of the platen roll 300, and An ink cartridge 500 that supplies ink via an ink tube 306 is provided. Reference numeral 303 denotes a pump, which is used when the ink ejection failure or the like occurs in the inkjet head 10.
04, used for sucking ink through the waste ink collection tube 308 and collecting it in the waste ink reservoir 305.

[Structure of Inkjet Head] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ink jet head 10, and FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line AA in FIG.

The ink jet head 10 of this embodiment is of a type in which the volume of an ink chamber communicating with a nozzle is changed by using a piezoelectric element or the like to discharge ink droplets.
Further, a type in which the volume of the ink chamber communicated with the nozzle is changed by vibrating the vibration plate using the electrostatic force generated between the electrodes to discharge the ink droplets may be adopted. Further, in this example, an edge eject type in which ink droplets are ejected from a nozzle hole provided at an end of the substrate is used, but a face eject type in which ink droplets are ejected from a nozzle hole provided on the upper surface of the substrate may be used.

The structure of the ink jet head 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The inkjet head 10 of the present example has a laminated structure in which three substrates 1, 2, and 3 are overlapped. The intermediate substrate 2 is, for example, a silicon substrate, and has a plurality of nozzle grooves formed at equal intervals in parallel from one end on the surface of the substrate 2 so as to form a plurality of ink nozzles 4. A concave portion communicating with the bottom wall to form an ink chamber 6 functioning as a diaphragm 5, a narrow groove for an ink inlet to form an orifice 7 provided at the rear of the concave portion, And a recess that forms a common ink cavity 8 for supplying ink to each ink chamber 6. A piezoelectric element (not shown) having a pair of electrodes is formed below the diaphragm 5. The pitch of the ink nozzles 4 is about 2 mm, and the width thereof is about 40 μm. On the upper surface of the intermediate substrate 2, a common electrode 17 is formed.

The upper substrate 1 bonded to the upper surface of the intermediate substrate 2 is made of, for example, glass or plastic. By bonding the upper substrate 1, the plurality of ink nozzles 4, discharge ports 6, orifices 7, and An ink cavity 8 is formed. An ink supply port 14 communicating with the ink cavity 8 is formed in the upper substrate 1. The ink supply port 14 is connected to the connection pipe 16 and the tube 30.
6 and connected to the ink cartridge 500 (see FIG. 1).

Lower substrate 3 bonded to the lower surface of intermediate substrate 2
Is made of, for example, glass or plastic, and individual electrodes 3 are provided at respective positions on the surface corresponding to the respective diaphragms 5.
1 is formed. The individual electrode 31 has a lead portion 32 and a terminal portion 33. Further, the entirety of the electrode 31 and the lead portion 32 except for the terminal portion 33 is covered with an insulating film 34. A lead wire (not shown) is bonded to each terminal section 33.

In the ink-jet head 10 constructed by overlapping the substrates as described above, a head drive circuit driver 220 is further connected between the common electrode 17 formed on the intermediate substrate 2 and the terminal 33 of each individual electrode 31. ing. The ink 11 is supplied from the ink cartridge 500 to the inside of the intermediate substrate 2 through the ink supply port 14, and fills the ink cavity 8, the ejection port 6, and the like. The electrode 31
The distance between the diaphragm and the diaphragm 5 is maintained at about 1 μm. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 13 denotes an ink droplet ejected from the nozzle hole 4.

The head drive circuit 2
20, the driving signal PH (trapezoidal driving pulse) is applied to deflect the diaphragm 5 downward.
When the drive signal PH applied to 1 is turned off, the diaphragm 5 returns to the original position. By this return operation, the internal pressure of the ink chamber 6 rises sharply, and the ink droplets 13 are ejected from the nozzle holes 4 toward the recording paper 105. When the diaphragm 5 bends downward, the ink 11 is supplied from the ink cavity 8 to the ink chamber 6 via the orifice 7.

[Configuration of Control System] FIG. 4 shows a control system of the ink jet printer of this embodiment. The circuit part which forms the center of this control system can be constituted by, for example, a one-chip microcomputer. In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a printer control circuit. This printer control circuit 201
Has an internal bus 2 including an address bus and a data bus.
RAM 205, ROM 2
06 and character generator ROM (CG-R
OM) 207 is connected. In the ROM 206,
A control program is stored in advance, and a drive control operation of the inkjet head 10 described below is executed based on a control program called and activated from the control program. The RAM 205 is used as a working area in drive control. In the CG-ROM 207, dot patterns corresponding to input characters are developed.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a head drive control unit, which is connected to the printer control circuit 20 via the internal bus 209.
Under the control of 1, various signals and the like are output to the head drive circuit 220.

The head drive circuit 20 generates a drive signal PH corresponding to the signal input from the head drive control section 210, and outputs the individual electrodes 31 and the common electrode 1 to be driven.
7 to discharge ink droplets from the corresponding nozzle holes 14.

The printer control circuit 201 has a carriage motor drive control circuit 23 via an internal bus 231.
2 are connected. Carriage motor drive control circuit 2
32 drives a carriage motor (not shown) for reciprocating a carriage 302 carrying the inkjet head 10 via a motor driver 233, and drives the inkjet head 10 in a row direction indicated by an arrow 234 in the figure. To move. Also, the printer control circuit 2
01 is connected to a transport motor drive control circuit 242 via an internal bus 241. The transport motor drive control circuit 242 drives a transport motor (not shown) via a motor driver 243 to transport the recording paper 302 along the platen roller 300 in a transport direction indicated by an arrow 244 in the figure.

[Structure around the head mounting portion] In the ink jet printer thus configured, the ink cartridge 500 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion 400 in the form shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing an ink cartridge 500A holding a pigment-based ink and how the ink cartridge 500A is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 400, respectively. FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing an ink cartridge 500B holding a dye-based ink and how the ink cartridge 500B is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 400, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, in an ink cartridge 500A holding pigment-based ink, the pigment-based ink is stored in a cartridge case 502A in a state of being filled in a bag-shaped plastic container 501A. The cartridge case 502A has a box-like shape including a lower case 503A, an upper case 504A, and a pressing plate 505A, and a front portion 508A of the lower case 503A includes:
An opening 507A is provided in which the neck 506A of the plastic container 501A is positioned.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 5
When mounting 00A on the ink cartridge mounting portion 400, the upper plate portion 401 is flipped up as shown by an arrow E, and then, as shown by an arrow D, the ink cartridge 500A is mounted while being guided by the bottom plate portion 402. . At this time,
The ink cartridge 500 </ b> A pushes the flap 403 to the back of the ink cartridge mounting unit 400. Here, two micro switches 601 and 602 are arranged on the left and right in the back part of the ink cartridge mounting section 400. On the other hand, the end of the front surface 508A of the lower case 503A of the ink cartridge 500A has a wall corresponding to the microswitch 602 of the two microswitches 601 and 602, while the microswitch 601 has The corresponding portion is a notch 509A. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 500A is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 400, the microswitch 601 does not operate but the microswitch 602 operates.

As shown in FIG. 7, in an ink cartridge 500B holding dye-based ink, the dye-based ink is stored in a cartridge case 502B in a state of being filled in a bag-shaped plastic container 501B. The cartridge case 502B has a lower case 5 similar to the ink cartridge 500A holding the pigment-based ink (see FIG. 5).
The lower case 503B has an opening 507B in which the neck 506B of the plastic container 501B is positioned on the front surface 508B of the lower case 503B.

As shown in FIG. 8, the ink cartridge 5
When the ink cartridge 50B is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting unit 400, the ink cartridge 50 holding the pigment-based ink
Similar to 0A (see FIG. 6), the upper plate 401 is flipped up as shown by an arrow E, and then, as shown by an arrow D, the ink cartridge 500B is mounted while being guided by the bottom plate 402. At this time, the ink cartridge 500B pushes back the flap 403, and the ink cartridge mounting portion 40
It is pushed all the way to 0. Here, the end of the front portion 508B of the lower case 503B of the ink cartridge 500B corresponds to the micro switch 602 while the portion corresponding to the micro switch 601 of the two micro switches 601 and 602 is a wall surface. The portion is a notch 509B. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 500B is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 400, the microswitch 602 does not operate but the microswitch 601 operates.

Accordingly, two micro switches 601,
As shown in FIG. 9, reference numeral 602 denotes two types of ink cartridges 5 as ink cartridge type detection means 600.
00A and 500B, which ink cartridge 500A or 500B is mounted, and detects the ink type signal output means.
00, the ink cartridge 500 (500
A, 500B) outputs a signal (5V signal / pigment cartridge signal SA or dye cartridge signal SB supplied via resistors R1, R2) corresponding to the type of ink held by the ink cartridge.

[Configuration of Head Drive Control Unit] As shown in FIG. 4, such a signal output (pigment cartridge signal SA or dye cartridge signal SB) is input to the head drive control unit 210. As will be described, the head drive control unit 210 includes the ink cartridge 500 mounted on the ink cartridge mounting unit 400.
Generates and outputs a drive signal PH of a head drive condition corresponding to the type of ink held by the head drive circuit 220.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the head drive control section 210 and the head drive circuit 220 in the control system of the ink jet printer of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the head drive control unit 2
Reference numeral 10 denotes a head drive control unit of a conventional inkjet printer, such as a shift register or a latch circuit for converting print data input as a serial signal into print data corresponding to the number of ink nozzles. In addition to the circuit (not shown), a plurality of head driving conditions (pigment-based ink driving) corresponding to the types of inks held by the ink cartridges 500 that may be mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 400 are provided. A lookup 290 storing the condition A and the dye-based ink driving condition B) is provided. The pigment-based ink driving condition A and the dye-based ink driving condition B stored here are head driving conditions for performing printing under optimum conditions in consideration of the viscosity of each ink type and the like.

Based on the head driving conditions A and B, the head driving control section 210
, The charge pulses CHG and KC1 and the discharge pulses ND1, ND2, and MD are output at a predetermined timing and with a predetermined pulse width. The charge pulses CHG, KC1 and the discharge pulses ND1, ND2, MD are generated by the drive signal P generated and output by the head drive circuit 220 as described later.
This defines the trapezoidal waveform of H.

The head drive control section 210 also outputs signals DATA, CLK, STB bar, and CLR bar such as serial transfer data and clock to the head drive circuit 220.

Note that the power supply V
Although H, VCC, Vk, and ground GND are shown as being input, the power supply Vk of these power supplies defines the peak level of the drive signal PH, and the head drive control unit 210 Signal DA input from
The TA, CLK, STB bar, and CLR bar provide an appropriate power supply in the range of 0 V to 40 V in the head drive circuit 220 so that the peak level of the drive signal PH is always optimal according to the type of head and the temperature of the head. Generated by

The power supplies VM, Vk, VRF and VCC have capacitors C101 and C10 for noise removal.
2, C110, C109, C103, C104, C10
6, C105 and C107 are connected between the ground GND.

[Structure of Head Driving Circuit] FIG. 11 shows a head driving circuit 220 which generates trapezoidal reference pulses.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a reference pulse generator that outputs.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the head drive circuit 220 includes a power supply generation section 220A for generating a power supply Vk based on signals DATA, CLK, STB bar, and CLR bar input from the head drive control section 210. And the power supply Vk generated by the power generation unit 220A and the charging pulses CHG and KC input from the head drive control unit 210.
1, a reference signal generation circuit 220B that generates and outputs a trapezoidal reference signal PS based on the discharge pulses ND1, ND2, and MD, and a drive that performs current amplification on the reference signal PS output from the reference signal generation circuit 220B. And a current amplifier 210C that outputs the signal PH. Among these circuit parts, the power supply generation unit 220A and the reference signal generation circuit 220B are configured in one IC.

Such a head drive circuit 220 sends a signal from the head drive control unit 210 to the reference signal generation unit 300 as shown in FIG.
2, a charging pulse PC having a pulse width that determines the rising period T1 of the trapezoidal waveform pulse, and a charging pulse P having a pulse width that determines the falling period T2 of the trapezoidal waveform pulse.
The outline of the case where D is supplied will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

11 and 12, when a charge pulse PC is applied from the head drive control section 210 to the reference signal generation circuit 220B, the transistors Q1, Q4, Q
5, Q6 and Q7 are turned on, and the reference signal generation circuit 220B
From the power supply Vk to the capacitor C through the transistor Q7.
2 is charged. The charging voltage rises almost linearly during the charging pulse with a gradient determined by a time constant determined by the impedance between the collector and the emitter of the transistor Q7 and the capacitance of the capacitor C2. Thereafter, during the rest period of the charging pulse, the transistor Q6 is off, so that a flat period in which the voltage of the capacitor C1 is constant continues.

Next, when a discharge pulse is applied, the transistors Q2, Q3, Q10, Q11, Q8, Q9 are turned on, and the voltage of the capacitor C2 is discharged through the transistor Q9. The discharge voltage of the capacitor C2 rises almost linearly during a discharge pulse with a gradient determined by a time constant determined by the capacitance of the capacitor C2 and the impedance between the CE of the transistor Q9. In this manner, a trapezoidal voltage pulse including the substantially linear rising period T1, the flat peak level period T3, and the substantially linear falling period T2 is generated and output. In addition,
The reference signal generator 220B includes various resistors R1 to R12 that define the base voltage of each transistor and the like.

The current amplifying section 220C uses a DC constant voltage Vcc of about 42 V as a current supply source, and is connected to the reference signal PS output from the reference signal generating circuit 220B by push-pull connection with collector resistors R128 and R129. The current is amplified by the power transistors Q12 and Q13 and output as a drive signal PH. This drive signal PH is also subjected to noise removal by the resistor R130 and the capacitor C111, as can be seen from FIG.

[Description of Reference Signal PS and Drive Signal PH] FIGS. 13A and 13B are waveforms of the drive signal PH formed by the head drive control section 210 and the head drive circuit 220 when the pigment ink is used. FIG. 4 is a diagram and a waveform diagram of a drive signal PH when a dye ink is used. FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a look-up table 290 formed in the head drive control unit to generate the drive signal PH shown in FIG.

In the ink jet printer of this embodiment, the reference signal generation circuit 220B of the head drive circuit 220
Then, in order to generate the trapezoidal waveform drive signal PH shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the head drive control unit 210 sends charge pulses CHG and KC1 as the charge pulse PC to the reference signal generation circuit 220B. Are supplied, and discharge pulses ND1, ND2, and MD are output at predetermined timings as the discharge pulse PD. Here, the charging pulse CH
The timing at which G, KC1, and the discharge pulses ND1, ND2, and MD are output is determined based on the pigment-based ink driving condition A and the dye-based ink so that printing can be performed under optimum conditions in consideration of the viscosity of each ink type. It is timer data (see FIG. 14) stored in the lookup table 290 as the driving condition B.

Therefore, since the ink cartridge 500A holding the pigment-based ink is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 400, the ink cartridge type detecting means 60
When the pigment cartridge signal SA is output from the micro switch 602 of 0 to the head drive control unit 210, the head drive control unit 210 checks the head drive conditions (pigment-based ink drive conditions A) stored in the lookup table 290.
/ See FIG. ), The charging signal CHG and the discharging signals MD and ND1 are output at predetermined timing.

As a result, the head drive circuit 220
As shown in FIG. 3 (A), during the period t11, the diaphragm 5 is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the ink chamber increases over 11.8 μs (during the period of the discharge pulse MD). After maintaining the ink state for 2.0 μs, the state of the ink is settled.
During the period G), the diaphragm 8 is displaced in the direction in which the volume of the ink chamber 6 decreases so that ink droplets are ejected from the ink nozzles 4, and this state is maintained for 7.0 μs in the period t14. In the period t15, the diaphragm 5 is displaced in the direction in which the volume of the ink chamber 6 increases over 10.0 μs (during the period of the discharge pulse ND1) to divide the ink at the opening of the ink nozzle 4, and thereafter, In the period t16, this state becomes 3
Hold for 4.6 μs.

On the other hand, since the ink cartridge 500B holding the dye-based ink is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 400 instead of the ink cartridge 500A holding the pigment-based ink, the microswitch of the ink cartridge type detecting means 600 When the dye cartridge signal SB is output from 601 to the head drive control unit 210, the head drive control unit 210 reads the head drive conditions stored in the lookup table 290 (dye-based ink drive conditions B / see FIG. 14). , The charging signal CHG and the discharging signals MD, MD, ND at predetermined timings.
1, ND2 is output.

As a result, during the period t21, the diaphragm 5 is displaced in the direction in which the volume of the ink chamber 6 decreases over a period of 5.6 μs (during the period of the charging pulse KC1).
Then, after maintaining this state for 25.6 μs to reduce the state of the ink, in the period t23, the diaphragm 5 moves in the direction in which the volume of the ink chamber 6 increases over 6.3 μs (during the discharge pulse ND1). Is displaced, during the period t24, this state is maintained for 3.0 μs to reduce the state of the ink, and then during the period t25 for 2.0 μs (the charging pulse CHG
During this period, the diaphragm 5 is displaced in the direction in which the volume of the ink chamber 6 decreases so that ink droplets are ejected from the ink nozzles 4, and thereafter, in a period t26, this state is changed to 8.0 μm.
Then, during a period t27, the diaphragm 5 is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the ink chamber 6 increases over a period of 15.0 μs (during the period of the discharge pulse ND2), and ink is discharged from the opening of the ink nozzle 4. After that, in the period t28, this state is maintained for 3.9 μs.

[Effects of this Embodiment] As described above, in this embodiment, the ink cartridge 500 holding different inks is used.
Even if the (ink cartridges 500A, 500B) are mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 400, the two micro switches 601 and 602 are used to determine whether the ink cartridge 500 holding pigment ink or dye ink is mounted. The detected ink cartridge type detecting means 600 detects and outputs the detection result as a pigment cartridge signal SA and a dye cartridge signal SB.

As a result, the head drive control unit 210 determines whether the current ink cartridge loading condition among the plurality of head drive conditions (pigment-based ink drive condition A and dye-based ink drive condition B) stored in the look-up table 290. The head drive circuit 220 generates and outputs a drive signal PH of a head drive condition corresponding to the type of ink held by the ink cartridge 500 mounted on the unit 400.
Therefore, even if the user himself or herself switches the type of ink, the head can always be driven under conditions suitable for the type of ink, so that high-quality printing can be performed. Therefore, in one ink-jet printer, the head can be driven under conditions suitable for the type of the ink, so that the properties of the pigment-based ink (for example, the property of good weather resistance) and the properties of the dye-based ink (For example, printing utilizing the property of good color reproducibility) can be performed.

The ink type signal output means 600 is
Since the form (shape) of the ink cartridge differs depending on the type of ink held, that is, since the notches 590A and 590B are formed at different positions, the type of ink held by the ink cartridge 500 is automatically detected. And automatically outputs the corresponding signal. Therefore, the user can use the predetermined ink cartridge 5
It is convenient that the head driving condition is automatically set to the optimum condition only by mounting the “00” on the ink cartridge mounting section 400.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the ink type signal output means 600 has a configuration in which the position of the notch of the ink cartridge 500 is different depending on the type of ink held. May be represented by the difference in the form of the ink cartridge 500, the presence or absence of the notch and the shape of the other portion may be different.

In place of the method in which the ink type signal output means 600 automatically detects the difference between the ink types (ink cartridges 500), the user can determine which type of ink (ink cartridge 500) has been switched. Is input via a switch (ink type external input means),
An ink type signal output unit that outputs the pigment cartridge signal SA or the dye cartridge signal SB described in the above embodiment to the head drive control unit 210 based on the input result may be configured. In such a configuration, the user mounts the ink cartridge 500 on the ink cartridge mounting section 400 and then simply performs a corresponding operation with a switch (ink type external input means) to obtain an optimal ink type according to the type of ink. The head can be driven under various conditions. Moreover, in this case, there is an advantage that a common ink cartridge 500 can be used between different types of ink.

Further, in the above embodiment, the pigment type ink and the dye type ink have been described as the types of ink.
The present invention may be applied to a case where inks having the same system but different viscosities are used.

[0060]

As described above, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, even if an ink cartridge holding a different ink is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section, the ink type signal output means outputs a signal corresponding thereto. Since the output is output, the head drive control means causes the head drive circuit to generate and output a drive signal of an optimum head drive condition among a plurality of head drive conditions stored in the lookup table. Therefore, even if the user himself or herself switches the type of ink, the head can be driven under conditions suitable for the type of ink, so that high-quality printing can be performed. Thus, in one ink jet recording apparatus, printing utilizing the property of the pigment ink (for example, good weather resistance) and the property of the dye ink (for example, good color reproducibility), etc. Can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an inkjet printer to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an inkjet head mounted on the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrows AA in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control system of the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge holding a pigment-based ink in the inkjet printer of FIG. 1;

6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 5 is mounted on an ink cartridge mounting section.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge holding dye-based ink in the ink jet printer of FIG.

8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 7 is mounted on an ink cartridge mounting portion.

9 is an explanatory diagram of an ink type signal output unit that detects the type of ink (ink cartridge) in the ink jet printer of FIG. 1 and outputs a signal indicating the detection result.

10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a head drive control unit and a head drive circuit in the control system of the inkjet printer of FIG. 1;

11 is a circuit diagram of a reference signal generation unit that generates and outputs a trapezoidal reference signal of the head drive circuit illustrated in FIG. 10;

12 is an explanatory diagram of a trapezoidal reference signal generated by the reference signal generation unit shown in FIG.

13A and 13B are waveform diagrams of a drive signal PH when using pigment ink and a waveform diagram of a drive signal PH when using dye ink, which are formed by a head drive control unit and a head drive circuit, respectively. It is.

14 is an explanatory diagram of a look-up table formed in a head drive control unit to generate the drive signal PH shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 inkjet head 210 head drive control unit 220 head drive circuit 220A power supply generation unit 220B reference signal generation circuit 220C current amplification unit 290 look-up table 310 inkjet printer 400 ink cartridge mounting unit 500, 500A, 500B ink cartridge 509A, 509B Notch 600 Ink type signal output means 601 and 602 Micro switch PC Charge pulse PD Discharge pulse PS Reference signal PH Drive signal SA Pigment cartridge signal SB Dye cartridge signal

Claims (4)

[Claims] An ink cartridge mounting portion to which an ink cartridge is attached and detached; and a head for supplying a drive signal to an ink jet head and discharging ink held by the ink cartridge mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion from the ink jet head. A drive circuit; an ink type signal output unit that outputs a signal corresponding to the type of ink held by the ink cartridge mounted on the ink cartridge mounting unit; and a plurality of head drive conditions corresponding to the type of ink. A look-up table, and based on an output result from the ink type signal output means, among the head drive conditions stored in the look-up table, the ink cartridge mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section is held. Ink type An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a head drive control unit that generates and outputs a drive signal of a corresponding head drive condition to the head drive circuit. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least two types of ink cartridges are used, including an ink cartridge holding a pigment-based ink and an ink cartridge holding a dye-based ink. Inkjet recording device. 3. The ink type signal output means according to claim 1, wherein the ink type signal output means automatically detects the type of ink held by the ink cartridge when the form of the ink cartridge differs depending on the type of ink held. And an ink cartridge type detecting means for automatically outputting a signal corresponding thereto. 4. The ink type external input means according to claim 1, wherein said ink type signal output means outputs a signal corresponding to the type of ink held in said ink cartridge based on a result specified by an external operation. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: