JP2001219558A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: Provided is an ink jet recording apparatus that can perform optimal driving for each recording block even with one drive signal generation circuit. A drive signal generation circuit includes drive pulses DP1 and DP3 whose waveforms are optimized for a black block,
Drive pulse DP with optimized waveform for color block
2 and a drive signal COM that connects DP4 in series. The shift register, the latch circuit, the decoder, the level shifter, and the switch circuit appropriately select a drive pulse from the drive signal COM and supply the selected drive pulse to the piezoelectric vibrator of the corresponding recording block.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording head capable of discharging ink droplets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet recording apparatuses, such as ink jet printers and ink jet plotters, for recording an image or the like on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head are known.

Some of the above-described print heads include a plurality of nozzle rows and eject ink of a different color for each nozzle row, that is, a print head configured for each nozzle row. In addition, a black nozzle row for discharging black ink and a color nozzle row for discharging color ink are provided. The color nozzle row is divided into a plurality of nozzle blocks, and a different chromatic ink is discharged for each nozzle block. There is something. In this configuration, there are two recording blocks, a recording block corresponding to the black nozzle row and a recording block corresponding to the color nozzle row. Further, a vibrator unit may be provided corresponding to a black nozzle row, provided corresponding to each nozzle block forming a color nozzle row, and a recording block may be configured for each color. In any of the recording heads, the recording block includes a vibrator unit, and drives the vibrator unit by a drive signal generated by a drive signal generation circuit.

In such a recording head, there is a case where it is desired to set a waveform of a driving pulse for each recording block (that is, a transducer unit). For example, when there are variations in the ejection characteristics of ink droplets between recording units, if drive pulses having the same waveform are used, the variation will cause the amount of ink droplets to vary from one recording block to another. Therefore, if an optimal drive pulse is used for each recording block, the ink amount of each recording block can be made uniform.

[0005] The same applies to the case where the amount of ink required to fill the solid is different for each type of ink. For example,
The highly permeable ink suitably used for the color ink quickly penetrates the recording paper, and thus easily spreads in the radial direction of the dot. On the other hand, a low-permeability ink that is preferably used as a black ink, that is, an ink using an ink whose permeability to recording paper is lower than that of a high-permeability ink, has a larger diameter of ink droplets than the high-permeability ink. Difficult to spread. Therefore, the drive pulse of the recording block that discharges the low-permeability ink and the drive pulse of the recording block that discharges the high-permeability ink are set such that the ink amount of the low-permeability ink is larger than the ink amount of the high-permeability ink. When the drive pulse is set, the solid can be filled with any ink without any gap.

[0006]

By the way, only one kind of drive signal can be generated from one drive signal generation circuit. Therefore, when a drive pulse having a different waveform is used for each recording block as described above, a plurality of drive signal generation circuits are prepared, and different drive signals are generated from each drive signal generation circuit. However, in this case, the device becomes complicated and large in size due to the increase in the number of drive signal generation circuits, which leads to an increase in the price of the device, which is not preferable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an ink jet recording apparatus capable of optimal driving for each recording block even with a single drive signal generation circuit. With the goal.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above object. According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of recording blocks each including a pressure generating element are provided. A print head, a drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal in which drive pulses are connected in series, and a drive pulse supply means for supplying the drive pulse to the pressure generating element, wherein the type of ink is set for each print block. In an ink jet type recording apparatus that performs ejection by driving, a driving signal generating unit generates a driving signal in which a plurality of types of driving pulses whose waveforms are optimized for each recording block are connected in series, and a driving pulse supplying unit generates the driving signal from the driving signal. An ink jet recording apparatus wherein a driving pulse is selected and supplied to a pressure generating element of a corresponding recording block.

Here, the "recording block" means a unit group having the same ejection characteristics. For example, in a recording head in which a piezoelectric vibrator unit is provided for each nozzle row, a recording block is formed for each nozzle row, one nozzle row is divided into a plurality of nozzle blocks, and a piezoelectric vibrator is provided for each nozzle block. In a print head provided with a unit, a print block is formed for each nozzle block.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet type recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the recording head includes a plurality of nozzle rows, and the recording blocks are formed in nozzle row units. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the recording head has at least one nozzle row divided into a plurality of nozzle blocks, and the recording blocks are configured in nozzle block units. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to item 1.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the driving signal generating means generates a driving signal including a plurality of types of driving pulses whose waveforms are determined so that the amount of ink ejected from each recording block becomes uniform. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the drive signal generating means generates a drive signal comprising a plurality of types of drive pulses whose waveforms are determined so as to have an optimum ink amount for ink ejected from each recording block. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus generates the image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the driving signal generating means generates a driving signal in which a plurality of types of driving pulses are mixed in one printing cycle. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the driving signal generating means generates a driving signal in which the type of the driving pulse is switched every printing cycle. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to (1).

According to another aspect of the present invention, the drive pulse supply means includes translation means for generating pulse selection information by translating print data, and selects a drive pulse from a drive signal based on the pulse selection information. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein table information indicating a relationship between the print data and the pulse selection information is rewritable. It is an expression recording device.

According to a tenth aspect, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the pressure generating element is constituted by a piezoelectric vibrator.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer which is a typical ink jet recording apparatus.

The illustrated ink jet printer 1 (hereinafter referred to as the printer 1) includes a cartridge holder 3 capable of holding an ink cartridge 2 and a carriage 5 having a recording head 4. This carriage 5
The head scanning mechanism reciprocates along the guide member 7 by a head scanning mechanism.

The head scanning mechanism includes a pulse motor 8 provided at one of the left and right ends of the housing 6, a driving pulley 9 connected to the rotation shaft of the pulse motor 8, and a free pulley provided at the other left and right sides of the housing 6. 10 and drive pulley 9
And a idler pulley 10 and a timing belt 11 connected to the carriage 5, a control unit 46 (see FIG. 4) for controlling the rotation of the pulse motor 8, and the like. That is, the head scanning mechanism operates the pulse motor 8 to move the recording head 4 in the width direction of the recording paper 12 which is a kind of print recording medium (that is, in the width direction).
(The main scanning direction). Also, the printer 1
A paper feed mechanism for feeding the recording paper 12 in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction is provided. This paper feed mechanism includes a paper feed motor 13, a platen 14, and the like.
The recording paper 12 is sequentially sent out in conjunction with the main scanning of the recording head 4.

The recording head 4 is mounted on a surface (lower surface) of the carriage 5 facing the recording paper 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 4 has a flow path unit 22 joined to a front end surface of a box-shaped case 21, and a vibrator unit 23 housed inside the case 21. In this case, a pressure fluctuation is generated in the pressure chamber 24 to discharge the ink droplet from the nozzle opening 25.

The case 21 has a housing chamber 26 for housing the vibrator unit 23 therein, and is formed of, for example, a resin material. The storage chamber 26 extends from the opening on the side of the joint surface with the flow path unit 22 to the opposite surface.

The flow path unit 22 includes a nozzle plate 28 on one surface of a flow path forming substrate 27 and a diaphragm 2 on the other surface.
9 are joined.

The flow path forming substrate 27 is formed of, for example, a silicon wafer, is divided into a predetermined pattern by etching the silicon wafer, a plurality of pressure chambers 24 communicating with each nozzle opening 25, and a common ink. A plurality of ink supply paths 31 and the like that communicate the chamber 30, the common ink chamber 30, and each of the pressure chambers 24 are appropriately formed. The common ink chamber 30 is provided with a connection port connected to the ink supply pipe 32, and the ink stored in the ink cartridge 2 is supplied to the common ink chamber 30 through the ink supply pipe 32.

In the nozzle plate 28, a plurality of nozzle openings 25 are formed in rows at a pitch corresponding to the dot formation density. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the recording head 4 according to the present embodiment has two nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzle openings 25 are arranged in a row along the sub-scanning direction and arranged in parallel in the main scanning direction. are doing. One nozzle row (the right nozzle row in FIG. 3) is configured as a divided nozzle row equally divided into a plurality of nozzle blocks in the sub-scanning direction, and the other nozzle row (also the left nozzle row). Are configured as undivided single-color nozzle arrays.

The single color nozzle row is composed of a single nozzle block (first nozzle block NB1) and is configured as a black nozzle row Ns for discharging black ink. Accordingly, black ink is supplied to the common ink chamber 30BK corresponding to the black nozzle row Ns.
In this manner, by configuring the single-color nozzle row as the black nozzle row Ns, the printing time can be reduced when printing document data or the like.

The above-mentioned divided nozzle row includes three nozzle blocks NB2 to NB4, and a color nozzle row N for discharging different chromatic inks from each nozzle block.
d. That is, the divided nozzle row is the second nozzle block NB located on the most upstream side in the paper feed direction.
2, a third nozzle block NB3 adjacent to the downstream side of the second nozzle block NB2, and a fourth nozzle block NB4 located at the most downstream side. The second nozzle block NB2 is used as a yellow block for discharging yellow ink, the third nozzle block NB3 is used as a magenta block for discharging magenta ink, and the fourth nozzle block NB4 is used as a cyan block for discharging cyan ink. use. Therefore, the divided nozzle array discharges three colors of ink of yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink.

A common ink chamber 30 corresponding to the divided nozzle row is provided for each nozzle block, and a corresponding chromatic color ink is supplied to each common ink chamber 30. That is, the yellow ink stored in the color ink cartridge 2 is supplied to the second common ink chamber 30Y corresponding to the second nozzle block NB2, and similarly to the third common ink chamber 30M corresponding to the third nozzle block NB3. Is supplied with magenta ink, and the fourth nozzle block NB
The cyan ink is supplied to the fourth common ink chamber 30C corresponding to No. 4.

The diaphragm 29 is made of PPS on the stainless steel plate 33.
It has a double structure in which elastic films 34 such as films are laminated, and a stainless plate 33 is etched in a portion corresponding to each pressure chamber 24 in a ring shape, and an island portion 37 is formed in the ring.

The vibrator unit 23 includes a piezoelectric vibrator 35 which is a kind of pressure generating element, and a fixed member 36 to which the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is joined. The piezoelectric vibrator 35 is formed by forming slits at a predetermined pitch corresponding to each of the pressure chambers 24 of the channel unit 22 on a single plate-shaped piezoelectric body in which piezoelectric bodies and electrode layers are alternately stacked. It is composed of teeth. The fixing member 36 is fixed to the base end of the comb-shaped vibrator.

In this embodiment, one transducer unit 23 is provided corresponding to one nozzle row. That is, the vibrator unit 23 for the black nozzle row Ns,
A vibrator unit 23 for the color nozzle row Nd is provided. The vibrator unit 23 for the black nozzle row Ns and a part of the corresponding flow path unit 22 constitute a recording block for black (hereinafter, referred to as a black block), and a recording block for the color nozzle row Nd. The vibrator unit 23 and a part of the corresponding channel unit 22 constitute a recording block for color (hereinafter, referred to as a color block).

Each of the vibrator units 23 is inserted into the housing chamber 26 of the case 21 with the front end of the piezoelectric vibrator 35 facing the opening, and the fixing member 36 is fixed to the inner wall of the housing chamber 26. Will be accommodated. In this housed state, each end of the piezoelectric vibrator 35 abuts and is joined to the corresponding island portion 37 of the vibration plate 29. Each piezoelectric vibrator 35 provides a potential difference between opposing electrodes,
The pressure chamber 24 expands and contracts in the element longitudinal direction orthogonal to the laminating direction.
Is displaced. That is, in the recording head 4, by extending the piezoelectric vibrator 35 in the element longitudinal direction, the island portion 37 is
8, the elastic film 34 around the island portion 37 is pressed.
Is deformed, and the pressure chamber 24 contracts. Also, the piezoelectric vibrator 3
When 5 is contracted in the element longitudinal direction, the pressure chamber 24 expands due to the displacement of the elastic film 34. The expansion of the pressure chamber 24
A pressure change occurs in the ink filled in the pressure chamber 24 due to the contraction, and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle opening 25 of the flow path unit 22.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 1 includes a printer controller 41 and a print engine 42.

A printer controller 41 is an interface 43 (hereinafter, referred to as an external I / F 43) for receiving print data and the like from a not-shown host computer or the like.
A RAM 44 for storing various data; a ROM 45 for storing various data processing routines;
A control unit 46 composed of a PU or the like; an oscillation circuit 47 for generating a clock signal (CK); a drive signal generation circuit 48 for generating a drive signal (COM) to be supplied to the print head 4; print data (SI) and drive Print engine 4 for signals etc.
2 (hereinafter referred to as an internal I / F 49).

The drive signal generation circuit 48 is one type of drive signal generation means in the present invention, and converts the drive pulses DP1 and DP3 for the black block and the drive pulses DP2 and DP4 for the color block (see FIG. 6) to a constant value. A series of drive signals arranged at a plurality of time intervals are repeatedly generated in print cycle units. That is, a drive signal including a plurality of types of drive pulses whose waveforms are optimized for each recording block is generated.
This drive signal will be described later.

The external I / F 43 receives, for example, any one of character code, graphic function, and image data or print data including a plurality of data from a host computer or the like. In addition, the external I / F 43
Is a busy signal (BUS) to the host computer.
Y) and an acknowledgment signal (ACK).

The RAM 44 is used as a reception buffer, an intermediate buffer, an output buffer, a work memory (not shown), and the like. An external I / O
The print data from the host computer received by F43 is temporarily stored. In the intermediate buffer, the control unit 46
The intermediate code data converted into the intermediate code is stored. Print data serially transmitted to the recording head 4 is developed in the output buffer. The ROM 45 stores various control routines executed by the control unit 46, font data and graphic functions, various procedures, and the like.

The control section 46 functions as data expanding means, and expands print data into print data. That is, the print data in the reception buffer is read and converted into an intermediate code, and the intermediate code data is stored in the intermediate buffer.
Then, the intermediate code data read from the intermediate buffer is analyzed, and the intermediate code data is expanded into a plurality of bits of print data (SI) with reference to font data, graphic functions, and the like in the ROM 45. The print data in the present embodiment is composed of 2-bit data as described later. The developed print data is stored in an output buffer, and when print data corresponding to one line of the recording head 4 is obtained, the print data for one line is converted into an internal I / O.
The data is serially transmitted to the recording head 4 via F49. When one line of print data is transmitted from the output buffer, the contents of the intermediate buffer are deleted, and the conversion for the next intermediate code is performed.

The control section 46 also constitutes a part of timing signal generating means, and sends a latch signal (LAT) and a channel signal (CH) to the recording head 4 through the internal I / F 49.
Supply. These latch signals and channel signals are
Drive pulses DP1 to DP constituting a drive signal (COM)
4 specifies the supply start timing.

The print engine 42 includes electric drive systems 51 and 52 for the recording head 4, a pulse motor 8 for moving the carriage 5, a paper feed motor 13, and the like.

The electric drive systems 51 and 52 of the recording head 4
It is provided for each recording block. That is, the black block electric drive system 51 and the color block electric drive system 5
2 are provided.

First, the electric drive system 5 for the black block
1 will be described. The electric drive system 51 includes a shift register including a first shift register 53 and a second shift register 54, a latch circuit including a first latch circuit 55 and a second latch circuit 56, a decoder 57, and a control logic 58. , Level shifter 59 and switch circuit 60
And a piezoelectric vibrator 61. In addition,
Regarding the piezoelectric vibrator 35, here, a different reference numeral is attached to distinguish the piezoelectric vibrator 61 of the black block from the piezoelectric vibrator 70 of the color block. Among them, the shift registers 53 and 54, the latch circuits 55 and 56, the decoder 57, the level shifter 59, and the switch circuit 60
It functions as a drive pulse supply unit in the present invention, and as described later, a drive pulse DP from a drive signal COM.
1 to DP4 are appropriately selected, and the selected drive pulse is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 61 of the corresponding recording block.

Each shift register 53, 54, each latch circuit 55, 56, decoder 57, switch circuit 6
0 and a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 61 are provided corresponding to the respective nozzle openings 25 of the recording head 4. For example, as shown in FIG.
3N, second shift registers 54A to 54N, first latch circuits 55A to 55N, and second latch circuits 56A to 56N.
N, decoders 57A to 57N, and switch circuit 60A
To 60N and piezoelectric vibrators 61A to 61N. Although the level shifter 59 is omitted in FIG. 5, a plurality of the level shifters 59 are provided similarly.

The electric drive system 52 of the color block has the same configuration as the electric drive system 51 of the black block except that the control logic 58 is not provided. That is, the electric drive system 52 includes a shift register including a first shift register 63 and a second shift register 64, and a first latch circuit 65.
A second latch circuit 66, a decoder 67, a level shifter 68, a switch circuit 69,
The piezoelectric vibrator 70 is provided. Therefore, also in the electric drive system 52, the shift registers 63, 6
4. The latch circuits 65 and 66, the decoder 67, the level shifter 68, and the switch circuit 69 function as drive pulse supply means in the present invention. Further, each of the shift registers 63 and 64, each of the latch circuits 65 and 66, the decoder 67, the level shifter 68, the switch circuit 69, and the piezoelectric vibrator 70 is provided in a plurality corresponding to each of the nozzle openings 25 of the recording head 4. Provided.

The recording head 4 ejects ink droplets based on print data from the printer controller 41.

That is, the print data (SI) from the printer controller 41 is synchronized with the clock signal (CK) from the oscillation circuit 47 and transmitted from the internal I / F 49 to the first shift registers 53 and 63 and the second shift register 54. , 64 serially transmitted. This print data is 2-bit data as described above, and is configured as print control information indicating recording or non-recording of the first half dot and the second half dot in one printing cycle TA. The upper bit (H) of the print data is assigned to the first half dot to indicate recording or non-recording of the first half dot, and the lower bit (L) is assigned to the second half dot to indicate recording or non-recording of the latter half dot. ing. For example, print data (00) means that neither the first half dot nor the second half dot is recorded, print data (10) means that only the first half dot is recorded,
The print data (01) means that only the latter half dot is recorded, and the print data (11) means that the former half dot and the latter half dot are continuously recorded.

This print data is set for each nozzle opening 25. Then, the data of the lower bits (L) for all the nozzle openings 25 are stored in the first shift register 53,
63, and the data of the upper bits (H) for all the nozzle openings 25.
Is input to

First latch circuits 55 and 65 are electrically connected to first shift registers 53 and 63, and second latch circuits 56 and 66 are electrically connected to second shift registers 54 and 64. . And the printer controller 4
When the latch signal (LAT) from 1 is input to each latch circuit, the first latch circuits 55 and 65 latch the lower bit data of the print data, and the second latch circuits 56 and 66
Latches the upper bit data of the print data.

The set of the first shift register and the first latch circuit and the set of the second shift register and the second latch circuit which operate as described above each constitute a memory circuit, and are inputted to the decoders 57 and 67. The print data before printing is temporarily stored.

The print data latched by each latch circuit is input to the decoders 57 and 67. This decoder 5
Reference numerals 7 and 67 function as a translation unit, and translate pulse data of 2 bits to generate pulse selection information. The decoders 57 and 67 of the present embodiment include a waveform selection table in which table information indicating the relationship between print data and selected drive pulses DP1 to DP4 is stored. Then, pulse selection information is generated based on the waveform selection table.
This waveform selection table is configured so that it can be set individually for each recording block (that is, nozzle row). In the present embodiment, different table information is used for the decoder 57 for the black block and the decoder 67 for the color block. The pulse selection information includes the drive signal (C
OM) are composed of a plurality of bits, each bit corresponding to each drive signal. Then, the supply or non-supply of the drive pulse to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 is selected according to the content of each bit (for example, (0), (1)). The drive pulse supply control will be described later.

The timing signals from the control logic 58 are also input to the decoders 57 and 67. The control logic 58 functions as a timing signal generator together with the controller 46, and generates a timing signal based on a latch signal (LAT) and a channel signal (CH). That is, the control logic 58 generates a timing signal every time a latch signal or a channel signal is received, as shown in FIG.

The pulse selection information translated by the decoders 57 and 67 is input to the level shifters 59 and 68 each time the timing specified by the timing signal arrives in order from the upper bits. For example, the print cycle TA
At the first timing (at the start of T1), the data of the most significant bit of the pulse selection information is the level shifter 59,
68, the second timing (at the start of T2)
In, the data of the second bit in the pulse selection information is input to the level shifters 59 and 68. The level shifters 59 and 68 function as voltage amplifiers, and output an electric signal boosted to a voltage capable of driving the switch circuits 60 and 69, for example, a voltage of about several tens of volts when the pulse selection information is (1). I do. The pulse selection information (1) boosted by the level shifters 59 and 68 is supplied to switch circuits 60 and 69 functioning as switch means. The drive signal (COM) from the drive signal generation circuit 48 is supplied to the input side of this switch circuit, and the switch circuit 6
The piezoelectric vibrator 35 (61, 70) is connected to the output side of 0, 69.

The pulse selection information is transmitted to the switch circuits 60 and 6
9 controls the selective supply of the drive pulses DP1 to DP4 to the piezoelectric vibrator 35. For example, during a period in which the pulse selection information applied to the switch circuits 60 and 69 is (1), the switch circuits 60 and 69 are connected and a drive pulse is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35. The potential level of the piezoelectric vibrator 35 changes.
On the other hand, while the pulse selection information applied to the switch circuits 60 and 69 is (0), the level shifters 59 and 68 do not output an electric signal for operating the switch circuits 60 and 69. For this reason, the switch circuits 60 and 69 are cut off, and no drive pulse is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35.

Next, the drive signal (COM) generated by the drive signal generation circuit 48 will be described. The drive signal generation circuit 48 according to the present embodiment generates a series of drive signals in which four drive pulses DP1 to DP4 are arranged in the print cycle TA. As shown in FIG. 6, this drive signal is applied during a period T1.
(That is, generated in the period T1), the second drive pulse DP2 disposed in the period T2 after the period T1, and the period T3 after the period T2. The signal includes a third drive pulse DP3 and a fourth drive pulse DP4 arranged in a period T4 after the period T3, and is a signal repeatedly generated in the printing cycle TA.

Of these four drive pulses, the first drive pulse DP1 and the third drive pulse DP3 are black block drive pulses and have the same waveform. Further, the second drive pulse DP2 and the fourth drive pulse D
P4 is a drive pulse for the color block, and has the same waveform shape. Therefore, the drive signal generation circuit 4
Reference numeral 8 denotes a drive signal COM in which a plurality of types of drive pulses are mixed in one printing cycle, more specifically, a drive signal COM in which drive pulses for black blocks and drive pulses for color blocks are alternately arranged. .

The first driving pulse DP1 and the third driving pulse DP3 are a charging element P1 for increasing the potential from the intermediate potential VM along the gradient θ1 to the maximum potential VH, and a first hold for maintaining the maximum potential VH. An element P2, an ejection element P3 for decreasing the potential from the maximum potential VH to the minimum potential VL along the steep gradient θ2 in a very short time, and a minimum potential V
It comprises a second hold element P4 for maintaining L and a damping element P5 for increasing the potential from the lowest potential VL to the intermediate potential VM along the gradient θ3.

The second driving pulse DP2 and the fourth driving pulse DP4 are composed of a charging element P6 for increasing the potential from the intermediate potential VM to the second maximum potential VH 'along the gradient θ1', and the maximum potential VH , A discharge element P8 for decreasing the potential from the maximum potential VH 'to the minimum potential VL along the steep gradient θ2' in a very short time, and a second hold for maintaining the minimum potential VL. Element P
9 and the intermediate potential V along the gradient θ3 ′ from the lowest potential VL.
And a damping element P10 for raising the potential to M.

When any one of these drive pulses DP1 to DP4 is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35, an ink droplet is ejected as follows. That is, when the charging element P1 or P6 is supplied, the volume of the pressure chamber 24 expands from the intermediate volume, which is the reference volume, to the maximum volume. Next, when the ejection elements P3 and P8 are supplied, the pressure chamber 24 rapidly contracts to the minimum volume. The contracted state of the pressure chamber 24 is maintained over a period during which the second hold elements P4 and P9 are supplied. Due to the rapid contraction of the pressure chamber 24 and the maintenance of the contracted state, the ink pressure in the pressure chamber 24 rapidly increases, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle opening 25. Thereafter, the damping element P5 or P10 is supplied, and the pressure chamber 24 is expanded and returned to the intermediate volume so as to converge the vibration of the meniscus in a short time.

In the present embodiment, the first drive pulse DP1 and the third drive pulse DP3 and the second drive pulse DP2 and the fourth drive pulse DP4 are basically set to the same shape. The peak value, that is, the potential difference (drive voltage) from the lowest potential to the highest potential is individually set in order to make the amounts of ink droplets ejected from the blocks (black block and color block) uniform. Specifically, the peak value Vh of the first drive pulse DP1 and the third drive pulse DP3 is set to be larger than the peak value Vh ′ of the second drive pulse DP2 and the fourth drive pulse DP4.

Next, based on FIG. 6, each drive pulse DP
A recording operation for selectively supplying 1 to DP4 to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 will be described.

In the printer 1, two dots (pixels) can be recorded in the recording area corresponding to one printing cycle TA in the main scanning direction. In the present embodiment, for the black block, the front dots can be recorded by supplying the first drive pulse DP1, and the rear dots can be recorded by supplying the third drive pulse DP3. Similarly, for the color block, the front dot can be recorded by supplying the second drive pulse DP2, and the fourth drive pulse DP4
To supply the rear dot.

More specifically, the control section 46 (data developing means) develops print data from a host computer or the like into print data consisting of 2-bit gradation information, and shift registers 53 and 54 of the recording head 44. , 63,64
Serial transmission. For example, the control unit 46 converts the print data into non-print print data (control information 00), front dot print data (control information 10), rear dot print data (control information 01), or front and rear dot print data. Expands to print data (control information 11). After the print data is set in the shift register, it is latched by the latch circuits 55, 56, 65, and 66 at the timing of the latch signal.

The decoders 57 and 67 (translation means) translate the print data latched by the latch circuit to generate 4-bit pulse selection information corresponding to each of the drive pulses DP1 to DP4. That is, the decoder 57 of the black block
Generates the pulse selection information (0000) by translating the non-printing print data (00) and translates the pulse selection information (100) by translating the print data (10) of the front dot.
0) is generated, the pulse selection information (0010) is generated by translating the print data (01) of the rear side dot, and the pulse selection information (1010) is generated by translating the print data (11) of the front and rear dots. Generate. On the other hand, the color block decoder 67 generates pulse selection information (0000) by translating the non-printing print data (00), and translates the pulse selection information (0100) by translating the front dot print data (10). ) Is generated and the pulse selection information (0001) is translated by translating the print data (01) of the rear dot.
Is generated, and the pulse selection information (0101) is generated by translating the print data (11) of the front and rear dots.

Each bit of the pulse selection information corresponds to each of the drive pulses DP1 to DP4. That is, the most significant bit of the pulse selection information corresponds to the first drive pulse DP1, the second bit corresponds to the second drive pulse DP2,
The third bit corresponds to the third drive pulse DP3, and the least significant bit corresponds to the fourth drive pulse DP4. When the most significant bit of the pulse selection information is (1), the period from the start of the period T1, which is the generation timing of the first timing signal, to the start of the period T2, which is the generation timing of the second timing signal. The switch circuits 60 and 69 are connected for a period of time. When the second bit is (1), the switch circuits 60 and 69 are in the connected state from the start of the period T2 to the start of the period T3, which is the generation timing of the third timing signal. . When the third bit is (1), the switch circuit 6 is switched from the start of the period T3 to the start of the period T4, which is the generation timing of the fourth timing signal.
0 and 69 are connected. Similarly, when the least significant bit is (1), the switch circuits 60 and 69 are connected from the start of the period T4 to the start of the period T1 in the next printing cycle TA.

Therefore, the print data (10) for the front dot
Based on the corresponding piezoelectric vibrator 61 of the black block
Is supplied with the first drive pulse DP1, and the corresponding piezoelectric vibrator 70 of the color block is supplied with the second drive pulse DP2. Similarly, print data (01) of the rear dot
, The black block piezoelectric vibrator 61 has a third
The driving pulse DP3 is supplied, and the fourth driving pulse DP4 is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 70 of the color block. Further, the first drive pulse DP1 is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 61 of the black block based on the print data (11) of the front and rear dots.
And the third drive pulse DP3, and the second drive pulse DP2 and the fourth drive pulse DP4 are supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 of the color block.

As a result, the front dot is recorded in the first half of the recording area corresponding to one printing cycle TA based on the print data of the front dot. Also, based on the print data of the rear dot, the rear dot is recorded in the second half of the recording area corresponding to one printing cycle TA. Similarly, a front dot and a rear dot are continuously recorded in the recording area corresponding to the print data of the front and rear dots.

As described above, during the recording operation, the driving pulses DP1 and DP3 optimized for the black block among the driving pulses DP1 to DP4 constituting the driving signal COM are applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 61 of the black block. Supplied selectively. Similarly, among the driving pulses DP1 to DP4, the driving pulses DP2 and DP4 optimized for the color block are selectively supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 70 of the color block. Therefore, even one drive signal generation circuit 48 that can generate only one type of drive signal can be driven under different conditions for each recording block depending on how the drive pulses DP1 to DP4 are set. Therefore, each recording block can be driven under optimal conditions, and the amount of ink droplets ejected from each recording block can be made uniform. As a result, a high-quality image can be recorded even with a simple apparatus configuration, and an inexpensive and high-performance printer 1 can be configured.

Although the drive pulses DP1 to DP4 in the above-described embodiment have been set to have a waveform shape so as to make the amounts of ink droplets between the recording blocks uniform, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the optimum amount of ink differs depending on the type of ink, the waveform may be determined so that the amount of ink is optimum for the ink ejected from each recording block.

As specific examples, black ink ejected from a black block and chromatic inks (yellow, magenta, cyan) ejected from a color block include:
Inks that have different permeability may be used. Generally, a pigment-based ink is a low-permeability ink having a lower permeability to the recording paper 12 than a high-permeability ink represented by a dye-based ink. Therefore, the amount of ink required to fill the solid is greater for black ink than for chromatic ink. Therefore, when a pigment-based ink is used as the black ink and a dye-based ink is used as the chromatic color ink, the driving pulses DP1 and DP3 supplied to the piezoelectric vibrators 61 of the black block are not affected by the piezoelectric vibration of the color block. Drive pulses DP2 and DP4 supplied to the child 70
Drive pulse DP so that the amount of ink droplets is larger than
Set the waveforms of 1 to DP4. With this configuration,
A plurality of types of ink having different required ink amounts can be ejected in a state adjusted to an optimum ink amount. Therefore, printing can be performed with an optimum amount of ink for each ink without excess or deficiency, and a high-quality image can be printed.

In the above-described embodiment, a series of drive signals C in which a drive pulse for a black block and a drive pulse for a color block are mixed within one printing cycle TA.
OM is generated, and a necessary drive pulse is supplied from the drive signal COM to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 (61, 70).
The present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example,
The drive signal generation circuit 48 may generate a drive signal in which the type of the drive pulse is switched for each printing cycle. Hereinafter, a second embodiment configured as described above will be described.

In the second embodiment, the recording head 4
And head scanning mechanism, and electrical configuration 5 of printer 1
The components 1, 52, etc., have the same configuration as the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the drive signal COM generated by the drive signal generation circuit 48 and the manner in which drive pulses are supplied to the piezoelectric vibrators 61 and 70 from the drive signal.

First, the drive signal generated by the drive signal generation circuit 48 will be described. The drive signal generation circuit 48 in the present embodiment generates a series of drive signals COM in which black block waveform portions and color block waveform portions are alternately arranged for each printing cycle TA.

That is, as shown in FIG.
OM is the first waveform optimized for black block.
The driving pulse DP11 to the third driving pulse DP13 and the fourth driving pulse DP whose waveform is optimized for the color block
This is a series of signals sequentially connecting the fourteenth to sixth drive pulses DP16, and these first to sixth drive pulses DP1 to DP6 are repeatedly generated. The first drive pulse DP11 to the third drive pulse DP13 form a waveform portion for a black block, and the fourth drive pulse DP14
The sixth to sixth drive pulses DP16 form a waveform portion for a color block. Further, the first drive pulses DP11 to DP11
The third drive pulse DP13 is arranged at regular intervals in the printing cycle TA, and similarly, the fourth to sixth drive pulses DP14 to DP16 are arranged at regular intervals in the next printing cycle TA. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the printing cycle in which the first to third driving pulses DP11 to DP13 are arranged is the first printing cycle TA1, and the fourth to sixth driving pulses DP14 to DP16 are arranged. The printing cycle is referred to as a second printing cycle TA2.

The waveform portion for the black block corresponds to the period T
The first driving pulse DP11 disposed in the period 1, the second driving pulse DP12 disposed in the period T2, and the third driving pulse DP13 disposed in the period T3. Similarly,
The waveform portion for the color block has a period T3 after the period T3.
4, a fourth drive pulse DP14 arranged in the period T5, a fifth drive pulse DP15 arranged in the period T5, and a sixth drive pulse DP16 arranged in the period T6.

Of these drive pulses, the first to third drive pulses DP11 to DP1 for the black block are used.
3 has the same waveform shape. That is, these drive pulses DP11 to DP13 are a charging element P11 that increases the potential from the intermediate potential VM along the gradient θ11 to the maximum potential VH1, a first hold element P12 that maintains the maximum potential VH1, and a maximum potential VH1. , A discharge element P13 that decreases the potential in a very short time to a minimum potential VL along a steep gradient θ12, a second hold element P14 that maintains the minimum potential VL, and a gradient θ13 from the minimum potential VL.
Damping element P that raises the potential to intermediate potential VM along
15.

The fourth to sixth drive pulses DP14 to DP16 for the color block are also set to have the same waveform. That is, these drive pulses DP
14 to DP16 are charging elements P16 that increase the potential from the intermediate potential VM to the maximum potential VH2 along the gradient θ14.
And a first hold element P for maintaining this maximum potential VH2.
17 and the discharge element P that decreases the potential from the maximum potential VH2 to the minimum potential VL along the steep gradient θ15 in a very short time.
18 and the second hold element P1 for maintaining the lowest potential VL.
9 and the intermediate potential V along the gradient θ16 from the lowest potential VL.
And a damping element P20 for raising the potential to M.

From this description, it is apparent that the drive pulses DP11 to DP
13 and the driving pulses DP14 to DP16,
Although the basic waveform shape is the same, the peak value (drive voltage) and the potential gradient are different. That is, the lowest voltage is common to each drive pulse, but the drive pulses DP11 to DP13 are set to the potential VH1 and the drive pulses DP14 to DP16 are set to VH2 lower than the potential VH1 with respect to the maximum potential. When the potential gradients of the ejection elements are compared with each other, the potential gradient θ12 of the ejection element P13 is steeper than the potential gradient θ15 of the ejection element P18. Therefore, the drive pulses DP11 to DP13 can eject more ink droplets than the drive pulses DP14 to DP16.

In this embodiment, the waveform of the drive pulse is set according to the type of ink. That is, the black ink discharged from the black block is a pigment-based ink (a type of low-permeability ink), and the chromatic color ink discharged from the color block is a dye-based ink (a type of high-permeability ink). The maximum potential and the like are set in accordance with, and the amount of the black ink droplet is made larger than the amount of the chromatic color ink droplet.

Next, control for selectively supplying the driving pulses DP11 to DP16 to the piezoelectric vibrator 35 will be described.

In this embodiment, gradation recording is performed. That is, by increasing or decreasing the number of drive pulses supplied to the piezoelectric vibrators 61 and 70, printing is performed with dots of different sizes. For example, by supplying one drive pulse, an ink droplet is ejected once to record a small dot, and by supplying two drive pulses, an ink droplet is ejected twice to record a medium dot. By supplying three drive pulses, ink droplets are ejected three times to print a large dot.

More specifically, the control section 46 (data expanding means) expands print data from a host computer or the like into print data composed of 2-bit gradation information.
For example, the control unit 46 converts the print data into non-print print data (gradation information 00), small dot print data (gradation information 01), medium dot print data (gradation information 10), or large print data. This is developed into dot print data (gradation information 11). Then, the developed print data is serially transmitted to the recording head 4. Here, the print data of the black block and the print data of the color block are continuously transmitted. The transmitted print data is set in the shift registers 53, 54, 63, and 64 of the recording head 4 and then latched at the timing of the latch signal, specifically, at the start timing of the first print cycle TA1. 56,6
Latched at 5,66.

The decoders 57 and 67 (translation means) translate the print data latched by the latch circuit to generate 6-bit pulse selection information corresponding to each of the drive pulses DP11 to DP16. That is, the decoder 5 of the black block
7 generates pulse selection information (000000) by translating non-printing print data (00) and translates pulse selection information (1) by translating small dot print data (01).
00000) and print data of medium dot (10)
Is translated to generate pulse selection information (110000), and the large dot print data (11) is translated to generate pulse selection information (111000). Similarly,
The color block decoder 67 translates the non-printing print data (00) into the pulse selection information (00000).
0) is generated, and the pulse selection information (000100) is generated by translating the small dot print data (01), and the pulse selection information (000110) is generated by translating the medium dot print data (10). Then, by translating the large dot print data (11), the pulse selection information (0001
11) is generated.

Each bit of the pulse selection information corresponds to each of the drive pulses DP11 to DP16. That is, the most significant bit of the pulse selection information is the first drive pulse DP1
1, the second bit is the second drive pulse DP12
, And in the same manner, the least significant bit corresponds to the sixth drive pulse DP16. Then, when the most significant bit of the pulse selection information is (1), 2 bits from the start of the period T1, which is the generation timing of the first timing signal,
Period T2, which is the generation timing of the second timing signal
The switch circuit is in a connected state until the start of the operation. When the second bit is (1), the switch circuit is in a connected state from the start of the period T2 to the start of the period T3, which is the generation timing of the third timing signal. In the case where the least significant bit is (1), the switch circuit is in the connected state from the start of the period T6 to the start of the period T1 in the next printing cycle TA1. Become.

Therefore, based on the small dot print data (01), the first drive pulse DP11 is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 61 of the black block, and the fourth drive pulse DP14 is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 70 of the color block. Is done. Similarly, based on the print data (10) of the medium dot, the first drive pulse DP1 is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 61 of the black block.
The first and second drive pulses DP12 are supplied, and the fourth and fifth drive pulses DP14 and DP15 are supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 70 of the color block. Further, based on the large dot print data (11), the first drive pulse DP11 to the third drive pulse DP13 are continuously supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 61 of the black block, and the fourth drive pulse DP13 is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 70 of the color block. The driving pulse DP14 to the sixth driving pulse DP16 are continuously supplied.

As a result, a predetermined amount of ink droplet is ejected once from the nozzle opening 25 corresponding to the print data of the small dot, and the recording area corresponding to the print cycle TA1 or TA2 is
Small dots are recorded. In addition, ink droplets are continuously ejected twice from the nozzle openings 25 in accordance with the print data of the medium dots, and medium dots are recorded in the recording area by the two ink droplets. Similarly, ink droplets are continuously ejected three times from the nozzle openings 25 in accordance with the print data of large dots, and large dots are recorded in the recording area by the three ink droplets.

In the present embodiment, since a waveform portion for each recording block is generated every other printing cycle, ink droplets cannot be ejected during a period in which a waveform for another recording block is being generated. . For example, a black block can be recorded during the printing cycle TA1, but cannot be recorded during the printing cycle TA2. on the other hand,
The color block can be recorded during the printing cycle TA2, but cannot be recorded during the printing cycle TA1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a recording mode called a so-called full overlap is employed. The full overlap mode is a recording mode in which one line is filled by a plurality of main scans.

The full overlap mode will be described with reference to FIG. Here, for ease of explanation,
A case where the final image shown in FIG. 8E is recorded in an area of 2 rows × 6 columns will be described. Here, FIG.
Indicates an area where each recording block can be recorded in an odd pass (odd number of main scans), a dotted circle indicates a dot which can be recorded in a black block, and a dotted triangle indicates a dot which can be recorded in a color block. The dots are shown. FIG. 8B shows an area where each recording block can be recorded in the even-numbered pass, where a dotted circle indicates a dot that can be recorded in a black block and a dotted triangle indicates a dot that can be recorded in a color block. Indicates a dot.

In this example, first, FIG.
The dot indicated by a shaded circle and a triangle is recorded in. In the first pass, the black block can record the first, third, and fifth columns, and the color block has the second, fourth, and sixth columns.
Columns can be recorded. Therefore, in the first pass, the black block records dots in the area of 1 row and 1 column, the area of 2 rows and 1 column, and the area of 1 row and 3 columns. On the other hand, the color block has an area of one row and four columns, one row and six columns.
Dots are recorded in the column area and the area of 2 rows and 6 columns.
When the printing of the first pass is completed, the recording paper 12 is transported in the paper feed direction by a predetermined amount defined by the nozzle pitch, and after the recording paper 12 is transported, the printing of the second pass is performed.

In the second pass, dots indicated by hatched circles and triangles in FIG. 8D are recorded. In the second pass, the black block can record the second, fourth, and sixth columns, and the color block can record the first, third, and fifth columns. For this reason, the black block
In the second pass, an area of 1 row and 2 columns, an area of 2 rows and 2 columns,
Then, dots are recorded in an area of one row and four columns. On the other hand, the color block records dots in an area of 1 row and 3 columns, an area of 1 row and 5 columns, and an area of 2 rows and 6 columns. When the second pass is completed, the final image shown in FIG. 8E is obtained.

In the full overlap mode, since the paper feeding operation is performed during each pass, one line can be recorded by ink droplets ejected from different nozzle openings 25. For this reason, it is possible to make inconspicuous variations between the nozzle openings 25 such as a large amount of ink and a small amount of ink, and it is possible to prevent streaky color unevenness such as so-called banding.

In each recording block, a usable waveform portion is generated for each printing cycle. In other words, a pause printing cycle is interposed between operable printing cycles. Therefore, a sufficient pause time can be secured between the end of the previous recording operation and the start of the next recording operation. Accordingly, the next recording operation can be performed after the vibration of the meniscus (the free surface of the ink exposed to the nozzle opening 25) due to the previous recording operation is sufficiently converged, and the minute ink such as a so-called ink mist or satellite can be performed. Bleeding of the ink due to the above can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, a decoder (translation means) for translating print data based on table information is used, but the table information may be configured to be rewritable. When table information is configured to be rewritable,
As in the printer of the first embodiment and the printer of the second embodiment, it is easy to deal with printers 1 having different specifications.
That is, a plurality of types of printers 1 can be manufactured by relatively simple operations such as setting change of the drive signal generation circuit 48 and rewriting of table information.

In the above-described first embodiment, the drive signal COM in which the drive pulses DP1 and DP3 for the black block and the drive pulses DP2 and DP4 for the color block are alternately arranged (generated) is exemplified. Pulses can be arranged for each recording block. For example, the configuration may be such that a drive pulse for a black block is arranged in the first half of the printing cycle TA and a drive pulse for a color block is arranged in the second half.

Further, the recording block has two nozzle rows, one of which is a black nozzle row Ns, the other is a color nozzle row Nd, and the recording block is constituted by a nozzle row unit. It is not something to be done. For example, a recording head 4 provided with a nozzle row for each color
In, a recording block may be configured for each nozzle row. Although the color nozzle row Nd includes three nozzle blocks NB2 to NB4, a recording block may be configured in each nozzle block unit. For example, one recording block may be configured to correspond to a yellow block, one recording block may be configured to correspond to a magenta block, and one recording block may be configured to correspond to a cyan block.

Further, instead of the decoders 57 and 67, the print data may be constituted by a selection signal indicating supply or non-supply of the drive pulse. In this case, print data is generated for each drive pulse, and the print data set in the shift register is latched each time each drive pulse is supplied. Further, an output enable signal for restricting the supply of the driving pulse may be used, and the driving signal may be supplied to the recording block side where the output enable signal is at the H level. Then, when the decoders 57 and 67 are used as in the above embodiments,
It is sufficient to send the print data every printing cycle (every two printing cycles in the second embodiment), and since the data amount of the printing data is as small as 2 to 3 bits per one nozzle opening 25, it corresponds to a high driving frequency. It is suitable for speeding up the recording operation.

The pressure generating element that causes the pressure fluctuation in the pressure chamber 24 is not limited to the illustrated piezoelectric vibrator 35, but may be a heating element, a magnetostrictive element, or the like.

[0099]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, the drive signal generation unit generates a drive signal in which a plurality of types of drive pulses whose waveforms are optimized for each recording block are connected in series, and the drive pulse supply unit selects a drive pulse from the drive signals, and Therefore, a corresponding drive pulse is supplied to each recording block. Therefore, even a single drive signal generation circuit that can generate only one type of drive signal can be driven under different conditions for each recording block depending on how the drive pulse is set. Therefore, each recording block can be driven under optimal conditions, and the amount of ink droplets ejected from each recording block can be made uniform. As a result, a high-quality image can be recorded even with a simple apparatus configuration, and an inexpensive and high-performance recording apparatus can be provided.

When a drive signal is generated by the drive signal generating means by connecting a plurality of types of drive pulses whose waveforms are determined so that the amount of ink ejected from each recording block becomes uniform, each recording block is generated. The amount of ink ejected from the blocks can be made uniform, and a high-quality image can be recorded.

Further, if the drive signal composed of a plurality of types of drive pulses whose waveforms are determined so as to have an optimum ink amount for the ink ejected from each recording block is generated by the drive signal generation means, Even if a plurality of types of inks that require different amounts of ink are discharged from one recording head due to the difference between the recording heads, recording can be performed with the optimum amount of ink for each ink.

Further, by providing a translation means for generating pulse selection information by translating the print data in the drive pulse supply means, and selecting a drive pulse from a drive signal based on the pulse selection information, the recording head can The amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced, and the speed of the recording operation can be increased.

Further, if table information indicating the relationship between print data and pulse selection information is configured to be rewritable, a plurality of types of recording apparatuses having different specifications can be easily manufactured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of a recording head.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a nozzle array.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electric drive system of the recording head.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a drive signal and a timing signal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a drive signal and a timing signal according to a second embodiment.

FIGS. 8A to 8E are schematic diagrams illustrating a recording operation in a full overlap mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink-jet printer 2 Ink cartridge 3 Cartridge holder part 4 Recording head 5 Carriage 6 Housing 7 Guide member 8 Pulse motor 9 Drive pulley 10 Idle pulley 11 Timing belt 12 Recording paper 13 Paper feed motor 14 Platen 21 Case 22 Flow path unit 23 Vibrator unit 24 Pressure chamber 25 Nozzle opening 26 Storage chamber 27 Flow path forming substrate 28 Nozzle plate 29 Vibrating plate 30 Common ink chamber 31 Ink supply path 32 Ink supply pipe 33 Stainless steel plate 34 Elastic film 35 Piezoelectric vibrator 36 Fixing member 37 Island unit 41 Printer controller 42 Print engine 43 Interface 44 RAM 45 ROM 46 Control unit 47 Oscillation circuit 48 Drive signal generation circuit 49 Interface 51 Bra Electric drive system of black block 52 Electric drive system of color block 53 First shift register of black block 54 Second shift register of black block 55 First latch circuit of black block 56 Second latch circuit of black block 57 Decoder of black block 58 control logic 59 black block level shifter 60 black block switch 61 black block piezoelectric vibrator 63 color block first shift register 64 color block second shift register 65 color block first latch circuit 66 color block second Latch circuit 67 Color block decoder 68 Color block level shifter 69 Color block switch 70 Color block piezoelectric vibrator

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A recording head having a plurality of recording blocks each including a pressure generating element, a driving signal generating means for generating a driving signal in which driving pulses are connected in series, and supplying a driving pulse to the pressure generating element. An ink jet recording apparatus that sets a type of ink for each recording block and discharges the same, wherein the driving signal generation unit outputs a plurality of types of driving pulses whose waveforms are optimized for each recording block. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein a series of connected drive signals are generated, and a drive pulse supply unit selects a drive pulse from the drive signals and supplies the drive pulse to a pressure generating element of a corresponding print block. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head includes a plurality of nozzle rows, and the recording blocks are configured in units of nozzle rows. 3. The ink jet type recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head includes at least one nozzle row divided into a plurality of nozzle blocks, and the recording blocks are configured in nozzle block units. apparatus. 4. The driving signal generating unit according to claim 1, wherein the driving signal generating unit generates a driving signal including a plurality of types of driving pulses whose waveforms are determined so that the amount of ink ejected from each recording block becomes uniform. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the driving signal generating unit generates a driving signal including a plurality of types of driving pulses whose waveforms are determined so as to have an optimal amount of ink ejected from each recording block. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The ink-jet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive signal generation unit generates a drive signal in which a plurality of types of drive pulses are mixed in one printing cycle. Expression recording device. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drive signal generating means generates a drive signal in which a type of a drive pulse is switched for each printing cycle. . 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving pulse supply unit includes a translating unit that generates pulse selection information by translating print data, and selects a driving pulse from a driving signal based on the pulse selection information. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein table information indicating a relationship between said print data and pulse selection information is rewritable. 10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure generating element is constituted by a piezoelectric vibrator.