EP0738602A2 - Tintenstrahlkopf - Google Patents

Tintenstrahlkopf Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0738602A2
EP0738602A2 EP96106318A EP96106318A EP0738602A2 EP 0738602 A2 EP0738602 A2 EP 0738602A2 EP 96106318 A EP96106318 A EP 96106318A EP 96106318 A EP96106318 A EP 96106318A EP 0738602 A2 EP0738602 A2 EP 0738602A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
pressure generating
print head
ink
ink jet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96106318A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0738602A3 (de
EP0738602B1 (de
Inventor
Koji Morikoshi
Tsuyoshi Kitahara
Kaoru Momose
Noriaki Okazawa
Masahiko Yoshida
Kazunaga Suzuki
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0738602A2 publication Critical patent/EP0738602A2/de
Publication of EP0738602A3 publication Critical patent/EP0738602A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0738602B1 publication Critical patent/EP0738602B1/de
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04541—Specific driving circuit
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04553—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits detecting ambient temperature
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04581—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04588—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits using a specific waveform
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04591—Width of the driving signal being adjusted
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04593—Dot-size modulation by changing the size of the drop

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ink jet print head having an actuator which consists of a longitudinal vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator.
  • a high speed drive actuator for an ink jet print head expands and compresses a pressure generating chamber to suck in ink and to form ink droplets.
  • the actuator is constructed with a piezoelectric vibrator having a longitudinal vibration mode, which is expandable in its axial direction and has a structure consisting of piezoelectric sheet-like members and conductive sheet-like members, alternately layered one on another.
  • a part of the pressure generating chamber is formed with an elastic plate, and the chamber communicates with a nozzle hole associated therewith.
  • the former When the longitudinal vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator is compared with a piezoelectric vibrator of the type in which the surface thereof is bent for vibration, the former has a smaller contact area where it contacts with the pressure generating chamber than the latter, and may be driven at higher speed than the latter. Accordingly, the former is capable of performing the printing operation at a high speed and at high resolution.
  • the longitudinal vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator may be driven at high speed, the attenuation rate of the residual vibration is small. As a result, a large vibration is left after an ink droplet is shot forth.
  • the residual vibration affects the behavior of the meniscus.
  • the position of the meniscus is indefinite when the next ink droplet is jet out. More particularly, the direction of the flying path of the ink droplet varies and the meniscus overshoots the nozzle hole, thereby causing ink mist. The result is deterioration of the print quality.
  • the present invention has been designed to overcome the problems noted above.
  • the object is solved by the ink jet print head according to independent claims 1, 5 and 8.
  • An aspect of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing device which is driven at high speed while being free from the generation of ink mist and the bending of the flying path of the ink droplet.
  • a second aspect of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing device which is capable of changing dot size while maintaining print quality.
  • a third aspect of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing device which is driven at a preset drive frequency independently of the specifications of the print head and ambient temperature, and which is free from the generation of ink mist and the bending of a flying path of the ink droplet.
  • the present invention comprises: an ink jet print head having pressure generating chambers each including a nozzle hole and each communicating with a common ink chamber, which has a Helmholtz resonance frequency of period TH, through an ink supplying path, and a piezoelectric vibrator for expanding and compressing said pressure generating chamber; and drive signal generating means for generating a first signal to expand said pressure generating chambers, a second signal to compress said pressure generating chamber being in an expanded state to compel said pressure generating chamber to shoot forth an ink droplet through said nozzle hole, and a third signal to expand said pressure generating chamber by a volume smaller than the volume expanded by said first signal when the vibration of the meniscus generated after the shooting of an ink droplet moves to the nozzle hole.
  • the pressure generating chamber receives the third signal to minutely expand the pressure generating chamber to effectively attenuate the vibration of the meniscus, and to stay the meniscus at a position suitable for jetting out the next ink droplet.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an ink jet print head used in an ink jet printing device according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an ink jet printing device according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a control signal generating circuit in the ink jet printing device according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a drive signal generating circuit in the ink jet printing device according to the present invention.
  • Figs. 5(a) to 5(h) are waveforms showing an operation of the ink jet printing device.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the parameters defining a drive signal.
  • Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate the behavior of a meniscus in connection with a drive signal.
  • Figs. 8(a) to 8(f) illustrate the behavior of a meniscus when a ratio of a second drive signal to the full drive voltage is varied.
  • Figs. 9(a) to 9(f) show waveforms for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs. 10(a) and 10(b) illustrate the behavior of a meniscus from an instant that an expansion of the pressure generating chamber starts until an ink droplet is shot forth.
  • Fig. 11 illustrates the variations of a flying speed and an amount of an ink droplet to a ratio of the discharging voltage to a minimum charging voltage.
  • Figs. 12(a) to 12(c) show a Helmholtz resonance frequency and the returning times of the meniscus after jetting out an ink droplet.
  • Fig. 13 illustrates the relationship between ambient temperature and the period of a Helmholtz resonance frequency.
  • Fig. 14 illustrates the relationship between ambient temperature and the timing of applying a third signal.
  • Fig. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 16 illustrates an embodiment of a drive signal generating circuit.
  • Figs. 17(a) to 17(f) illustrate a set of waveforms showing an operation of the drive signal generating circuit.
  • Figs. 18(a) to 18(c) illustrate a set of waveforms showing an operation of the drive signal generating circuit in one print cycle.
  • Fig. 19 illustrates an ink jet printing device to which the drive signal generating circuit shown in Fig. 16 is well adaptable.
  • Fig. 20 is a sectional view showing an additional embodiment of the print head to which a drive technique of the invention is applied.
  • Figs. 21(a) to 21(f) illustrate a set of waveforms for explaining a controlling method used when the drive signal generating circuit shown in Fig. 16 is used for driving the print head.
  • Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a method of applying print data.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an example of an ink jet print head used in the present invention.
  • reference numeral 1 designates a nozzle plate; 7, a flow-path forming plate; and 8, an elastic plate.
  • An ink flow path unit 11 is formed by tightly closing both sides of the flow-path forming plate 7 by the nozzle plate 1 and the elastic plate 8.
  • the ink flow path unit 11 includes the pressure generating chambers 3, the common ink chambers 4, and the ink supplying paths 5 connecting those chambers.
  • the ink flow path unit 11 shoots forth ink droplets and sucks in ink when piezoelectric vibrators 9 extend and contract.
  • Each piezoelectric vibrator 9 is a longitudinal vibration mode vibrator having piezoelectric and conductive members, arranged in parallel and extended in the longitudinal direction, which are alternately layered. The top of the piezoelectric vibrator is brought into contact with the elastic plate 8 partly defining the pressure generating chamber 3, while the bottom is fastened to a base 10.
  • Ci the fluid compliance of the pressure generating chamber 3, caused by ink compression
  • Cv the solid compliance of the members forming the pressure generating chamber 3, such as the elastic plate 8 and the nozzle plate 1
  • Mn the innertance of the nozzle hole 2
  • Ms is the innertance of the ink supplying path 5.
  • the solid compliance Cv of the pressure generating chamber 3 is equal to a static coefficient of strain of the pressure generating chamber 3 when a unit of pressure is applied to the pressure generating chamber 3.
  • the Helmholtz resonance frequency FH of a pressure generating chamber 3 the dimensions of which are 0.5 to 2 mm in length, 0.1 to 0.2 mm in width, and 0.05 to 0.3 mm in depth is 50 kHz to 200 kHz.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a drive circuit for driving the ink jet print head.
  • a control signal generating circuit 20 includes input terminals 21 and 22 and output terminals 23, 24 and 25.
  • the control signal generating circuit 20 receives at the input terminals 21 and 22 a print signal and a timing signal from an external device for generating print data, and outputs a shift clock signal, a print signal and a latch signal at the output terminals 23, 24 and 25.
  • a drive signal generating circuit 26 receives a timing signal from the external device by way of terminal 22, and generates drive signals for transmission to the piezoelectric vibrators 9.
  • a group of flip-flops F1 forms a latch circuit.
  • Another group of flip-flops F2 forms a shift register.
  • the flip-flops F2 produce print signals corresponding to the piezoelectric vibrators 9, respectively.
  • the print signals are latched by the flip-flops F1, respectively. Then, those signals are selectively applied to switching transistors 30 through OR gates 28.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates the control signal generating circuit 20.
  • a counter 31 is initialized at the leading edge of a timing signal (Fig. 5(a)) received at the terminal 22, counts a clock signal received from an oscillator circuit 33 until its count reaches the number of piezoelectric vibrators 9 that are connected to the output terminal 29 of the drive signal generating circuit 26, outputs a carry signal in LOW level, and stops the counting operation.
  • the carry signal from the counter 31 is applied to an AND gate which in turn ANDs the carry signal and a clock signal coming from the oscillator circuit 33, and outputs the result as a shift clock signal to the terminal 23.
  • a memory 34 receives print data from terminal 21 and stores it therein.
  • the print data consists of the number of bits that is equal to the number of piezoelectric vibrators 9.
  • the memory 34 serially outputs the print data bit by bit to the terminal 24 in synchronism with a signal from the AND gate.
  • Print signals (Fig. 5(g)), serially output from terminal 24, become select signals for the switching transistors 30 in the next printing cycle.
  • the select signals are latched in the flip-flops F1 of the shift register by a shift clock signal (Fig. 5(h)) output from terminal 23.
  • a latch signal is output from a latch signal generating circuit 35 at the trailing edge of the carry signal.
  • the latch signal is output when a drive signal to be output is kept at a medium potential VM.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the drive signal generating circuit 26.
  • the drive circuit 26 further includes a transistor Q2 for a charging operation, a transistor Q3 for a discharging operation, and a transistor Q6 for a second charging operation.
  • the transistors are turned on and off at the leading edges and the trailing edges of the output pulses of the one-shot multivibrators M1, M2 and M3.
  • the one-shot multivibrator M1 of the timing control circuit 36 produces a pulse signal (Fig. 5(b)) of the pulse width PW1 (Tc1 + Th1), preset in the one-shot multivibrator M1.
  • a transistor Q1 is turned on, so that a capacitor C, that was charged under the medium potential VM in an initial state, is charged by a constant current Ic1, determined by the transistor Q2 and a resistor R1.
  • the voltage across the capacitor C reaches a voltage VH of a power source. At this time, the charging operation automatically stops, and subsequently the capacitor is kept at this voltage until it is discharged.
  • the drive signal varies, as shown in Fig. 5(e), such that it rises from the medium potential VM to the voltage VH at a fixed gradient, the voltage VH is maintained for a fixed period Thl of time, and falls to the voltage VL at a fixed gradient, the voltage VL is maintained for a fixed period Th2 of time, and rises to the medium potential VM.
  • the longitudinal vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator 9 is used as the actuator for expanding/compressing the pressure generating chamber 3.
  • a duration of the residual vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator 9, which follows the shooting of the ink droplet is longer than the period TH of the Helmholtz resonance frequency, as described above. Accordingly, the meniscus is adversely affected by the residual vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator 9.
  • the discharge time constant Td when the extension of the piezoelectric vibrator 9 is made to shoot forth the ink droplet, and the charge time constant Tc2 when the pressure generating chamber 3 is minutely expanded are each selected to be equal to the period of the natural vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator 9.
  • the Helmholtz resonance frequency TH, the charging time constant Tcl, and the discharging time constant Td are selected so as to satisfy the following relations: 0.5Th ⁇ Tc1 ⁇ 2TH, preferably Tc1 ⁇ Td ⁇ Ta, preferably Td ⁇ TH, and Tc2 ⁇ Ta, preferably Tc2 ⁇ TH.
  • V1 is a potential difference between a discharge voltage, i.e., a constant voltage set up after the charging operation ends, and a potential when the discharging operation ends
  • V2 is a potential difference between a potential when the discharging operation ends and the medium potential VM.
  • the control signal generating circuit 20 transfers select signals for selecting the switching transistors 30 to the flip-flops F1 in the preceding printing cycle, and the flip-flops F1 latch the received select signals during a period when all of the piezoelectric vibrators 9 are being charged to the medium potential VM. Thereafter, a timing signal is applied, the drive signal shown in Fig. 5(e) increases from the medium potential VM to the voltage VH, to charge the piezoelectric vibrator. During charging, the piezoelectric vibrator 9 contracts at a fixed rate to expand the pressure generating chamber 3.
  • the drive signal increases again from the potential VL to the medium potential VM.
  • the piezoelectric vibrator 9 is charged again, and the pressure generating chamber 3 is minutely expanded.
  • the meniscus that reversed its course to the nozzle hole is once again pulled to the pressure ganerating chamber 3.
  • the meniscus loses its kinetic energy and its vibration is rapidly attenuated.
  • the timing of applying the third signal ((3) in Fig. 7) is preferably set such that Td + th2 ⁇ TII x n (n is an integer equal to or larger than 1).
  • a relative magnitude of the minute expansion of the pressure generating chamber 3, a ratio R2/1 of the charging voltage V2 by the third signal (3) and the discharging voltage V1 to shoot forth the ink droplet, is preferably 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably 0.2 to 0.4.
  • a time Tr1 shown in Fig. 8(a)
  • a time Tr1 of free vibration of the meniscus, which is generated after the ink droplet is shot forth, to return to a position suitable for jetting out the next ink droplet, (a position near to the opening of the nozzle hole) is very short.
  • the meniscus greatly projects from the opening of the nozzle hole (as indicated by cross hatching in Fig. 8(a)). Accordingly, ink mist generated by the kinetic energy of the meniscus tends to occur.
  • the ratio R2/1 is set at approximately 0.1 on the basis of the above results, the meniscus vibrating in free vibration mode is pulled to the pressure generating chamber as shown in Fig. 8(b). Accordingly, the kinetic energy of the meniscus is reduced, the generation of ink mist is prevented, and a time tr2 for the meniscus to return to the position for the next ink droplet is reduced.
  • the voltage ratio R2/1 of the drive signal is set in the range from 0.1 to 0.5, preferably 0.2 to 0.4, a high frequency response of 10 kHz or higher is obtained.
  • ink mist generation can be prevented and the printing speed can be improved.
  • the meniscus in the nozzle hole 2 is pulled to the pressure generating chamber at a speed proportional to an expanding rate of the pressure generating chamber 3, and reverses its course at the position where it is pulled in the extreme and returns to the nozzle hole 2 while vibrating. This phenomenon is shown in Figs. 10(a) and 10(b).
  • Figs. 10(a) and 10(b) there is graphically illustrated a relationship of a drive signal to expand the pressure generating chamber 3 by contracting the piezoelectric vibrator 9 and a quantity of the movement of the meniscus pulled at that time.
  • a solid line indicates a motion of the meniscus when the voltage of the drive signal is increased from a medium potential VM1 to the voltage VH
  • a one dot chain line indicates a motion of the meniscus when the drive signal voltage is increased from a voltage VM2 higher than the voltage VM1, to the voltage VH.
  • the amount of the movement of the pulled meniscus after a preset time T1 elapses from the start of the expansion of the pressure generating chamber 3 is proportional to the amount of an expansion of the pressure generating chamber 3. Therefore, if the pressure generating chamber 3 is compressed at a fixed timing, the meniaci are located at positions indicated by distances D1 and D2 at a time point where an ink droplet is shot forth.
  • the dot size can be adjusted by varying the medium potential of the drive signal and accordingly the amount of the ink of the droplet.
  • FIG. 9(a)-9(f) Another embodiment of the present invention, designed so as to be able to adjust the size of dots to be formed on a recording medium by actively utilizing the above phenomenon, is shown in Figs. 9(a)-9(f).
  • This embodiment uses a drive means having substantially the same functions as those already mentioned referring to Figs. 2 to 4.
  • the one-shot multivibrator M3 in the timing control circuit 36 has additionally an adjusting function to variably set the time constant thereof by an external signal in order that a host device can adjust the pulse width of the output signal of the multivibrator.
  • the expansion of the pressure generating chamber 3 starts. After a time period T1 elapses from the start of the chamber expansion, the pressure generating chamber 3 is compressed to shoot forth an ink droplet.
  • T1 a time period
  • the one-shot multivibrator M3 operates to increase the voltage of the drive signal from the voltage VL to the medium potential and to minutely expand the pressure generating chamber 3.
  • the pulse width of the output signal of the one-shot multivibrator M3 is adjusted to determine the size of a dot to be printed in the next printing cycle.
  • the voltage of the medium potential VM is proportional to the pulse width of the output signal of the one-shot multivibrator M3. Accordingly, by controlling the pulse width of the output signal of the one-shot multivibrator M3 by a signal from the host device, the medium potential in the producing of the next ink droplet, i.e., a charge start voltage of the piezoelectric vibrator 9, is adjusted to voltages VH1 and VH2, and consequently the size of a dot to be printed on a recording medium can be changed as desired.
  • Fig. 11 graphically shows variations of the weight and the flying speed of an ink droplet when the medium potential VM is varied, specifically a ratio R2/1 of the medium potential VM to the voltage V1 to shoot forth an ink droplet is varied in the range from 0.18 to 0.33.
  • the variation of the flying speed of the ink droplet is extremely small; that is, the flying speed increased approximately 1.06 times, in the range from 7.5 m/s to 8.0 m/s.
  • the flying speed takes a substantially fixed value irrespective of the medium potential VM.
  • the variation of the amount of ink of the droplet is large.
  • the amount of ink increased 1.2 times, in the range from 0.046 to 0.056.
  • the size of the dot to be printed on the print paper can be controlled as desired without varying the landing position of the ink droplet and generating ink mist, when the ratio R2/1 is adjusted by varying the pulse width PW3 of the output signal of the one-shot multivibrator M3.
  • a third embodiment of the invention which actively utilizes the timing control circuit 36 so as to keep the print quality satisfactory irrespective of the specifications of the print head and variations of ambient temperature, will be described.
  • the meniscus in the nozzle hole 2 vibrates as shown in Fig. 7(a).
  • the frequency of the vibration of the meniscus is determined by the frequency FH of the Helmholtz resonance.
  • the frequency FH depends on the tolerances in manufacturing the print heads and the physical properties of ink.
  • the Helmholtz resonance frequency of the print heads is frequently different for every lot.
  • This problem can be solved by conforming the pulse width PW2 of the output signal of the timing adjusting means, e.g., the one-shot multivibrator M2 in the present embodiment, in the control unit assembled into the printing device, to the Helmholtz resonance frequency of each print head.
  • the pressure generating chamber can be minutely expanded always at the optimum timing in such a simple manner that a time point of applying the third signal is properly adjusted for every print head by the pulse width PW2 of the output signal of the one-shot multivibrator M2. Even if the print heads are not uniform in the Helmholtz resonance frequency FH, the print heads may be driven at the same drive frequency without deteriorating the print quality.
  • the time T2 from an instant that the discharging operation starts to jet an ink droplet until the third signal (signal (3) in Fig. 7) is applied is adjusted in accordance with ambient temperature.
  • the pressure generating chamber 3 may be expanded again at a time point where the kinetic energy of the meniscus going to the nozzle hole may be effectively attenuated. Accordingly, the generation of ink mist can reliably be prevented irrespective of ambient temperature.
  • Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of the invention which is capable of adjusting the time of applying the third signal in accordance with ambient temperature.
  • a signal output from a temperature detecting means 38 is input to the one-shot multivibrator M2 in the timing control circuit 36, to thereby control the pulse width PW2 of the pulse signal output from the one-shot multivibrator M2.
  • the embodiment is capable of adjusting the time of starting a minute expansion of the pressure generating chamber 3 in accordance with ambient temperature, in response to a signal output from the temperature detecting means 38. Accordingly, the kinetic energy of the meniscus is attenuated with certainty irrespective of a variation of ambient temperature, and hence a stable jetting of the ink droplet is attained.
  • the piezoelectric vibrators 9, not involved in the printing operation minutely expand and compress the pressure generating chambers 3 to such an extent as not to jet ink droplets.
  • the minute vibration causes an agitation of the ink in a region near the nozzle hole and the ink in the pressure generating chamber, which minimizes the increase of viscosity of the ink in the nozzle hole 2, and hence elongates the time up to the clogging of the nozzle hole with ink.
  • Fig. 16 shows another embodiment of the drive signal generating circuit 26.
  • a constant current circuit 40 is made up of transistors Q111, Q112 and Q113, and resistors R111 to R117.
  • a capacitor C101 is charged by the current I1.
  • a second constant current circuit 41 is made up of transistors Q121 to Q123, and resistors R121 to R127.
  • the second constant current circuit 41 like the first constant current circuit 40, receives an input signal at the input terminal IN102 and feeds a fixed charging current to the capacitor C101.
  • a third constant current circuit 42 is made up of transistors Q131 and Q132, and resistors R131 to R135.
  • the third constant current circuit is a constant current circuit of the sink type which operates in response to a signal of high level, which is received at the input terminal IN103 of the constant current circuit.
  • the capacitor C101 is discharged through the resistor R131.
  • a fourth constant current circuit 43 is made up of transistors Q141 and Q142, and resistors R141 to R145. Like the third constant current circuit 42, the fourth constant current circuit 43 is a constant current circuit of the sink type. Thus, the capacitor C101 is charged and discharged by the currents of the first to fourth constant current circuits. A voltage across the capacitor C101 is applied to a current buffer 44 composed of transistors Q101 to Q104, and is output at the terminal OUT101 thereof in the form of a drive signal. The drive signal is applied to the piezoelectric vibrators 9.
  • a signal that keeps a high level for a preset period t1 of time is input to the input terminal IN101.
  • the constant current circuit 40 feeds the current I1 to the capacitor C101.
  • the capacitor C101 is charged and a voltage at the output terminal OUT101 is increased to the medium potential VM with time, and a first signal is output.
  • the signal at the input terminal IN101 goes low, the charging of the capacitor C101 is stopped, and subsequently the output voltage is kept at the medium potential VM.
  • the device operation enters a print phase. Then, a signal of high level is applied to the input terminal IN102 for time t2, longer than a time necessary for the voltage across the capacitor C101 to increase from the medium potential VM to the power source voltage VH. Accordingly, the voltage of the drive signal is increased from the medium potential VM to a voltage approximate to the power source voltage VH, and subsequently the voltage approximate to the power source voltage VH is sustained. As a result, the pressure generating chamber 3 is expanded by a volume corresponding to a potential difference between the medium potential VM and the power source voltage VH.
  • a signal of high level is input to the input terminal IN103 for time t3, longer than a time necessary for the voltage across the capacitor C101 to drop to about 0 V. Accordingly, the drive signal is decreased to about 0 V, and a third signal is generated.
  • the high level signal of time t1 is input to the input terminal IN101. Then, the voltage of the drive signal is increased up to the medium potential VM, and a third signal is generated. By the third signal, the pressure generating chamber 3 is minutely expanded, and the meniscus is pulled to the pressure generating chamber.
  • the first, second and third signals are output every print signal.
  • a signal of high level is applied to the input terminal IN104 for time t4, longer than a time necessary for the voltage across the capacitor C101 to drop to 0 V.
  • the voltage of the drive signal drops to about 0 V. Since the voltage drop minutely compresses the pressure generating chamber 3, the fourth constant current circuit 43 is designed to have such a time constant as to fail to shoot forth ink. The voltage gently drops.
  • Figs. 18(a)-18(c) show timing charts of a printing operation of the ink jet printing device, which uses the drive signal generating circuit just described.
  • the print preparation phase as referred to above, during the period that the drive voltage rises from 0 V to the medium potential VM, an all-output-on signal is rendered high, so that all of the bidirectional switching transistors 30' (Fig. 19) are turned on.
  • the medium potential VM is applied to all of the piezoelectric vibrators 9 to charge the vibrators up to the medium potential VM.
  • the drive signal is applied to specific piezoelectric vibrators 9 through the bidirectional switching transistors 30', which were selectively rendered conductive by print data 1 to n , to thereby charge these vibrators.
  • the piezoelectric vibrators 9, not selected, are not charged and remain at the medium potential VM.
  • the all-output-on signal is turned on at least one time during a period that the drive signal is kept at the medium potential VM.
  • the all-output-on signal By turning on the all-output-on signal in this manner, those piezoelectric vibrators which have not been driven for a long time, resulting in a decrease from the medium potential VM because of discharge, are charged again to increase the reduced medium potential. That is, each piezoelectric vibrator is refreshed.
  • Rates of change of the voltage variations of the first signal that increases from the medium potential VM to the voltage VH, the second signal that decreases from the voltage VH to 0 V, and the third signal that increases from about 0 V to the medium potential VM, can be set individually. Accordingly, the drive signal may be more properly set so as to conform to the characteristics of the print heads.
  • the signal generating circuit for generating the signals to be input to the input terminals IN101 to IN104 is not referred to. It is readily seen, however, that the signal generating circuit may be constructed with one-shot multivibrators connected in a cascade fashion as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the invention is applied to an ink jet printing device which jets out ink droplets when the pressure generating chamber is expanded and contracted in response to the charging and discharging of the piezoelectric vibrator. It is evident that the invention may be applied to a print head using a piezoelectric vibrator 54 as shown in Fig. 20.
  • the piezoelectric vibrator 54 consists of piezoelectric sheet-like members 51 and electrode sheet-like members 52 and 53, alternately layered one on another in the vibration direction, as shown in Fig. 20.
  • the piezoelectric vibrator 54 is expanded when charged and compressed when discharged.
  • signals are input to the input terminals IN101 to IN104 at the timings as shown in Figs. 21(a)-21(f).
  • control data is serially transferred to the switching transistors 30 for driving the piezoelectric vibrators.
  • a circuit arrangement as shown in Fig. 22 may be used.
  • the drive signals are output to the piezoelectric vibrators by directly inputting print data and the all-output-on signal to the control gates of the switching transistors 30, and the serial-parallel converting means, for example, so that the shift register is not used.
  • the timings of outputting the signals are controlled by the one-shot multivibrators. It is apparent, however, that any other suitable timing control means, for example, a microcomputer, may be used for the same purpose.
  • the present invention includes drive signal generating means for generating a first signal to expand the pressure generating chambers, a second signal to compress the pressure generating chamber being in an expanded state to compel the pressure generating chamber to shoot forth an ink droplet through the nozzle hole, and a third aignal to expand the pressure generating chamber by a volume smaller than the volume expanded by the first signal when the vibration of the meniscus generated after the shooting of an ink droplet moves to the nozzle hole. Therefore, the meniscus going to the nozzle hole for jetting out the ink droplet is pulled back by the expansion of the pressure generating chamber, to thereby effectively attenuate the vibration of the meniscus. Accordingly, the generation of ink mist caused by the kinetic energy of the meniscus can be prevented. The meniscus for jetting out the next ink droplet is stayed at a proper position, so that the flying of the ink droplet is stabilized.

Landscapes

  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
EP19960106318 1995-04-21 1996-04-22 Tintenstrahlkopf Expired - Lifetime EP0738602B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP97239/95 1995-04-21
JP97240/95 1995-04-21
JP9724095 1995-04-21
JP9723995 1995-04-21
JP166970/95 1995-06-08
JP166971/95 1995-06-08
JP16697195 1995-06-08
JP16697095 1995-06-08
JP16696995 1995-06-08
JP166969/95 1995-06-08
JP11038496A JPH0952360A (ja) 1995-04-21 1996-04-05 インクジェット式記録装置
JP110384/96 1996-04-05

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0738602A2 true EP0738602A2 (de) 1996-10-23
EP0738602A3 EP0738602A3 (de) 1997-06-11
EP0738602B1 EP0738602B1 (de) 1999-03-24

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JP (1) JPH0952360A (de)
DE (1) DE69601823T2 (de)

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EP0864425A1 (de) * 1997-03-12 1998-09-16 Seiko Epson Corporation Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Antreiben eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes
EP0841164A4 (de) * 1996-04-10 1999-11-10 Seiko Epson Corp Verfahren zum betreiben eines tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopfes
EP0963845A1 (de) * 1998-06-10 1999-12-15 Seiko Epson Corporation Tintenstrahldruckkopfantrieb
EP0899103A3 (de) * 1997-08-19 2000-03-01 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlapparat und Tintenstrahlvorrichtung
EP0919382A3 (de) * 1997-11-28 2000-03-22 Sony Corporation Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Antreiben eines Aufzeichnungskopfes für einen Tintenstrahldrucker
EP1055517A2 (de) * 1999-05-28 2000-11-29 Seiko Epson Corporation Verfahren zum Steuern eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
EP1023997A3 (de) * 1999-01-29 2001-02-07 Seiko Epson Corporation Antriebeinrichtung und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
EP1093916A2 (de) * 1999-10-21 2001-04-25 Seiko Epson Corporation Tintenstrahldruckvorrichtung
EP1270224A3 (de) * 2001-06-25 2003-08-27 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsapparat
US7073878B2 (en) 2002-09-30 2006-07-11 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid ejecting apparatus and controlling unit of liquid ejecting apparatus
CN103946025A (zh) * 2011-11-18 2014-07-23 株式会社御牧工程 喷墨记录装置
GB2530977A (en) * 2014-09-10 2016-04-13 Xaar Technology Ltd Printhead having driver circuit
US9738067B2 (en) 2015-12-11 2017-08-22 Roland Dg Corporation Liquid injection device and inkjet recording device including the same
US10350882B2 (en) 2015-12-11 2019-07-16 Roland Dg Corporation Liquid ejection device and inkjet recording including the same

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JP3427923B2 (ja) * 1999-01-28 2003-07-22 富士ゼロックス株式会社 インクジェット記録ヘッドの駆動方法及びインクジェット記録装置
JP2001150672A (ja) 1999-01-29 2001-06-05 Seiko Epson Corp インクジェット式記録装置、及び、インクジェット式記録ヘッドの駆動方法
US6478395B2 (en) 1999-12-01 2002-11-12 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid jetting apparatus
JP4039038B2 (ja) * 2001-11-07 2008-01-30 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット式記録装置、及び、記録ヘッドの駆動方法
JP2003237060A (ja) 2002-02-20 2003-08-26 Seiko Epson Corp デバイスの製造装置及び製造方法、デバイスの製造装置の駆動方法
JP2004314612A (ja) * 2003-03-28 2004-11-11 Kyocera Corp 圧電インクジェットヘッドの駆動方法
JP2005014431A (ja) 2003-06-26 2005-01-20 Ricoh Co Ltd 画像形成装置
JP4682524B2 (ja) * 2004-03-15 2011-05-11 リコープリンティングシステムズ株式会社 インクジェット塗布装置
JP4700375B2 (ja) * 2005-03-04 2011-06-15 東芝テック株式会社 インクジェットヘッド駆動方法及びインクジェット記録装置
JP4853022B2 (ja) * 2005-12-28 2012-01-11 セイコーエプソン株式会社 液体噴射装置
JP2014128964A (ja) 2012-11-29 2014-07-10 Ricoh Co Ltd 画像形成装置、画像形成方法及び画像形成プログラム
JP6473868B2 (ja) * 2014-06-27 2019-02-27 株式会社 東京ウエルズ 圧電アクチュエータの駆動方法および駆動回路
JP2017001240A (ja) * 2015-06-08 2017-01-05 東芝テック株式会社 インクジェットヘッド及びインクジェット記録装置
WO2021260751A1 (ja) * 2020-06-22 2021-12-30 コニカミノルタ株式会社 インクジェットヘッドの駆動制御方法及びインクジェット記録装置

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Cited By (20)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0841164A4 (de) * 1996-04-10 1999-11-10 Seiko Epson Corp Verfahren zum betreiben eines tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopfes
EP0864425A1 (de) * 1997-03-12 1998-09-16 Seiko Epson Corporation Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Antreiben eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes
EP0899103A3 (de) * 1997-08-19 2000-03-01 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlapparat und Tintenstrahlvorrichtung
US6120120A (en) * 1997-08-19 2000-09-19 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet apparatus and ink jet recorder
EP0919382A3 (de) * 1997-11-28 2000-03-22 Sony Corporation Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Antreiben eines Aufzeichnungskopfes für einen Tintenstrahldrucker
EP0963845A1 (de) * 1998-06-10 1999-12-15 Seiko Epson Corporation Tintenstrahldruckkopfantrieb
EP1093917A1 (de) * 1998-06-10 2001-04-25 Seiko Epson Corporation Tintenstrahldruckkopfantrieb
EP1023997A3 (de) * 1999-01-29 2001-02-07 Seiko Epson Corporation Antriebeinrichtung und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
EP1055517A2 (de) * 1999-05-28 2000-11-29 Seiko Epson Corporation Verfahren zum Steuern eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
EP1055517A3 (de) * 1999-05-28 2002-10-16 Seiko Epson Corporation Verfahren zum Steuern eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
EP1093916A3 (de) * 1999-10-21 2001-11-21 Seiko Epson Corporation Tintenstrahldruckvorrichtung
EP1093916A2 (de) * 1999-10-21 2001-04-25 Seiko Epson Corporation Tintenstrahldruckvorrichtung
EP1270224A3 (de) * 2001-06-25 2003-08-27 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsapparat
US6840595B2 (en) 2001-06-25 2005-01-11 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet recording apparatus
US7073878B2 (en) 2002-09-30 2006-07-11 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid ejecting apparatus and controlling unit of liquid ejecting apparatus
CN103946025A (zh) * 2011-11-18 2014-07-23 株式会社御牧工程 喷墨记录装置
CN103946025B (zh) * 2011-11-18 2016-01-06 株式会社御牧工程 喷墨记录装置
GB2530977A (en) * 2014-09-10 2016-04-13 Xaar Technology Ltd Printhead having driver circuit
US9738067B2 (en) 2015-12-11 2017-08-22 Roland Dg Corporation Liquid injection device and inkjet recording device including the same
US10350882B2 (en) 2015-12-11 2019-07-16 Roland Dg Corporation Liquid ejection device and inkjet recording including the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0738602A3 (de) 1997-06-11
EP0738602B1 (de) 1999-03-24
DE69601823T2 (de) 1999-11-25
DE69601823D1 (de) 1999-04-29
JPH0952360A (ja) 1997-02-25

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