Liquid dispensing device, its control method and program

Abstract

This reduces image quality degradation in a configuration that reuses the liquid dispensed from the nozzle. [Solution] The printer includes a head having a liquid channel including a nozzle, a recess for receiving ink ejected from the nozzle, and a recovery channel connecting the recess and the liquid channel. If the liquid delivery time required to deliver a predetermined amount of ink to the liquid channel via the recovery channel exceeds the first liquid delivery time T1 (S1:YES), the printer sets the waiting time to a second waiting time W2 (>W1) (S4), or sets the number of scanning operations for a unit area of ​​paper to "B (>A)" and supplies a first drive signal to the actuator to eject ink droplets of a volume smaller than the second drive signal (S6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection device including a head and a receiving portion, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a liquid ejection device including a head and a receiving portion, an inkjet printer is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which, in an inkjet printer, waste ink discharged from a nozzle of an inkjet head to a nozzle cap is returned to an ink tank via a switching valve and reused.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The composition of recycled ink and unused ink is likely to be different. For example, recycled ink is likely to have a higher viscosity and a larger foreign matter content than unused ink. Therefore, in the technique of Patent Document 1, ink may not flow smoothly from the nozzle cap to the inkjet head, and the supply of ink to the head may not be in time for ejection. In this case, rubbing or the like may occur in the image, and the image quality may deteriorate.

[0005] Also, for example, in a configuration in which a filter is disposed in a flow path connecting the nozzle cap and the ink tank, when the ink is continuously recycled, the amount of foreign matter deposited on the filter increases. Also in this case, it becomes difficult for the ink to flow smoothly from the nozzle cap to the inkjet head. As a result, the supply of ink to the head may not be in time for ejection, causing rubbing or the like in the image and deteriorating the image quality.

[0006] Furthermore, if recording is not performed for a predetermined period of time, for example, the flow of ink within the print head may become stagnant, leading to an increase in ink viscosity and the settling of foreign matter. In this case as well, the supply of ink to the print head may not keep up with the ejection, potentially causing smudging and other issues in the image, resulting in a deterioration of image quality.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a liquid dispensing device, a control method therefor, and a program that can reduce image quality degradation in a configuration in which liquid dispensed from a nozzle is reused. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The liquid dispensing device according to this disclosure comprises a head having a liquid channel including a nozzle, a receiving section for receiving liquid discharged from the nozzle, a recovery channel connecting the receiving section and the liquid channel, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is capable of performing a recovery step of sending liquid from the receiving section to the liquid channel via the recovery channel, a first determination step of determining whether the liquid delivery time required to send a predetermined amount of liquid to the liquid channel via the recovery channel exceeds a first liquid delivery time, and a recording step of dispensing liquid from the nozzle to a recording medium to record an image on the recording medium, wherein if the first determination step determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, the control unit is capable of performing a first control in the recording step, which sets the recording time for a unit area of ​​the recording medium to be longer than the recording time when the first determination step determines that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, a second control, which sets the amount of liquid discharged for a unit area of ​​the recording medium to be less than the amount discharged when the first determination step determines that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, or both of the first and second controls.

[0009] The control method according to this disclosure is a control method for a liquid discharge device comprising: a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle; a receiving section for receiving liquid discharged from the nozzle; and a recovery flow path connecting the receiving section and the liquid flow path, wherein the control method is capable of performing: a recovery step of sending liquid from the receiving section to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path; a first determination step of determining whether the liquid delivery time required to send a predetermined amount of liquid to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path exceeds a first liquid delivery time; and a recording step of discharging liquid from the nozzle to a recording medium to record an image on the recording medium, wherein if the liquid delivery time is determined to exceed the first liquid delivery time in the first determination step, the control method is characterized by performing: a first control in the recording step, which sets the recording time for a unit area of ​​the recording medium to be longer than the recording time when the liquid delivery time is determined not to exceed the first liquid delivery time in the first determination step; a second control, which sets the amount of liquid discharged for a unit area of ​​the recording medium to be less than the amount discharged when the liquid delivery time is determined not to exceed the first liquid delivery time in the first determination step; or both of the first and second controls.

[0010] The program relating to this disclosure is characterized in that, when the first determination means determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, the recording means performs a first control, which sets the recording time for a unit area of ​​the recording medium to be longer than the recording time when the first determination means determines that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, a second control, which sets the amount of liquid discharged for a unit area of ​​the recording medium to be less than the amount discharged when the first determination means determines that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, or both of the first and second controls. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, when the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, the recording time per unit area of ​​the recording medium becomes longer and / or the amount of liquid discharged per unit area of ​​the recording medium becomes smaller compared to when the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time. As a result, even when the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, the supply of liquid to the head is timely with the discharge, so that smudges and other issues do not occur in the image, and deterioration of image quality can be reduced. In other words, according to this disclosure, deterioration of image quality can be reduced in a configuration in which the liquid discharged from the nozzle is reused. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a printer 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the print head 10 included in the printer 100. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of printer 100. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of printer 100. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the recording setting program executed by the CPU 91 of printer 100. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the information initialization program executed by the CPU 91 of printer 100. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] First, with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the overall configuration of the printer 100 according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described. In the following description, the z direction is the vertical direction, and the x and y directions are the horizontal directions. Both the x and y directions are perpendicular to the z direction. The x direction is perpendicular to the y direction.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 100 comprises a head 10, a carriage 19, a scanning mechanism 30, a cap 60, and a control device 90. The carriage 19 holds the head 10. The scanning mechanism 30 moves the carriage 19 in the x-direction. These components are located within the housing 100a of the printer 100.

[0015] The printer 100 further includes a storage unit 50v capable of storing the ink cartridge 50 and a storage unit 70v capable of storing the waste ink tank 70 within the housing 100a. The ink cartridge 50 includes an ink cartridge 50C for storing cyan ink, an ink cartridge 50M for storing magenta ink, an ink cartridge 50Y for storing yellow ink, and an ink cartridge 50K for storing black ink. The ink cartridge 50 is detachable from the storage unit 50v. The storage unit 50v may be configured to store one integrated ink cartridge 50 formed by combining four ink cartridges 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K. Alternatively, the storage unit 50v may be configured to separately store the four ink cartridges 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K included in one ink cartridge 50. The waste ink tank 70 is detachable from the storage unit 70v. The ink cartridge 50 corresponds to the "liquid storage unit" of the present disclosure. The waste ink tank 70 corresponds to the "waste liquid storage unit" of the present disclosure.

[0016] The head 10 includes a buffer unit 11 and a flow path unit 12.

[0017] The buffer unit 11 includes a buffer unit 11C for storing cyan ink, a buffer unit 11M for storing magenta ink, a buffer unit 11Y for storing yellow ink, and a buffer unit 11K for storing black ink.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path unit 12 has a common flow path 12a and a plurality of individual flow paths 12b communicating with the common flow path 12a. The common flow path 12a and the individual flow paths 12b of the flow path unit 12 and the flow paths of the buffer unit 11 correspond to the "liquid flow path" of the present disclosure.

[0019] The common flow path 12a is provided for each color and communicates with the corresponding buffer unit 11 (see FIG. 1). Each individual flow path 12b is a flow path that extends from the outlet of the common flow path 12a through the pressure chamber 12p to the nozzle 12n, and has a nozzle 12n at the other end opposite to one end communicating with the common flow path 12a.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface 12x of the flow path unit 12 has a plurality of nozzles 12n. The plurality of nozzles 12n form a nozzle row. The nozzle row includes a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles 12nC for discharging cyan ink are arranged, a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles 12nM for discharging magenta ink are arranged, a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles 12nY for discharging yellow ink are arranged, and a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles 12nK for discharging black ink are arranged.

[0021] Any one of the four-color inks is an example of the "first liquid" of the present disclosure, and any one of the other four-color inks is an example of the "second liquid" of the present disclosure. For example, cyan ink corresponds to the "first liquid" of the present disclosure, and magenta ink corresponds to the "second liquid" of the present disclosure. In this case, the buffer unit 11C for storing cyan ink, the common flow path 12a and the individual flow path 12b communicating with the buffer unit 11C correspond to the "first liquid flow path" of the present disclosure. The buffer unit 11M for storing magenta ink, the common flow path 12a and the individual flow path 12b communicating with the buffer unit 11M correspond to the "second liquid flow path" of the present disclosure. The nozzle 12nC corresponds to the "first nozzle" of the present disclosure, and the nozzle 12nM corresponds to the "second nozzle" of the present disclosure.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the head 10 further includes an actuator unit 13 disposed on the flow path unit 12.

[0023] The actuator unit 13 includes a diaphragm 13a, a piezoelectric layer 13b, and individual electrodes 13c. The diaphragm 13a is a metal member positioned on the upper surface of the flow channel unit 12 to cover a plurality of pressure chambers 12p. The piezoelectric layer 13b is positioned on the upper surface of the diaphragm 13a. Multiple individual electrodes 13c are positioned on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 13b. Each of the plurality of individual electrodes 13c faces one of the pressure chambers 12p.

[0024] The diaphragm 13a and the multiple individual electrodes 13c are electrically connected to the driver IC 14. The driver IC 14 maintains the potential of the diaphragm 13a at ground potential, while changing the potential of the individual electrodes 13c between ground potential and drive potential. Specifically, the driver IC 14 generates a drive signal based on the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN received from the control device 90 (see Figure 4), and supplies the drive signal to the individual electrodes 13c via the signal line 14s. As a result, the potential of the individual electrodes 13c changes between drive potential and ground potential. At this time, the actuator 13x, which is sandwiched between the individual electrodes 13c and the pressure chamber 12p in the diaphragm 13a and piezoelectric layer 13b, deforms, changing the volume of the pressure chamber 12p. As a result, pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber 12p, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 12n. An actuator 13x is provided for each individual electrode 13c, i.e., for each nozzle 12n. The actuator 13x is independently deformable in response to the potential supplied to the individual electrodes 13c. The actuator 13x, in response to the drive signal, provides energy to the ink in the individual flow path 12b of the head 10 to eject the ink from the nozzle 12n.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the scanning mechanism 30 includes two guide members 31 and 32 extending in the x-direction, and a scanning motor 30m (see Figure 4). When the scanning motor 30m is driven by the control device 90, the carriage 19 and the head 10 move in the x-direction along the guide members 31 and 32.

[0026] The printer 100 also includes a transport mechanism 40 within the housing 100a for transporting the paper S in the y-direction, as shown in Figure 3.

[0027] The transport mechanism 40 includes two pairs of rollers 41 and 42, and a transport motor 40m (see Figure 4). The head 10 and carriage 19 are positioned between the roller pair 41 and the roller pair 42 in the y-direction. When the transport motor 40m is driven under the control of the control device 90, the roller pairs 41 and 42 rotate while gripping the paper S, and the paper S is transported in the y-direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the cap 60 is positioned outside the paper transport area of ​​the transport mechanism 40 and at one end in the x-direction of the movable area of ​​the head 10 of the scanning mechanism 30.

[0029] The cap 60 has a plurality of recesses 61. The recesses 61 include a recess 61C for receiving cyan ink ejected from nozzle 12nC, a recess 61M for receiving magenta ink ejected from nozzle 12nM, a recess 61Y for receiving yellow ink ejected from nozzle 12nY, and a recess 61K for receiving black ink ejected from nozzle 12nK. The recesses 61 correspond to the “receiving portion” of this disclosure. When the head 10 is positioned above the cap 60, the recess 61C overlaps with nozzle 12nC in the z direction, the recess 61M overlaps with nozzle 12nM in the z direction, the recess 61Y overlaps with nozzle 12nY in the z direction, and the recess 61K overlaps with nozzle 12nK in the z direction. If the cyan ink corresponds to the “first liquid” of this disclosure and the magenta ink corresponds to the “second liquid” of this disclosure, then the recess 61C corresponds to the “first receiving portion” of this disclosure and the recess 61M corresponds to the “second receiving portion” of this disclosure.

[0030] The cap 60 is movable in the z direction by the drive of the cap lifting motor 60m (see Figure 4). When the head 10 is positioned above the cap 60, the cap lifting motor 60m is driven by the control device 90, and the cap 60 moves upward, causing the cap 60 to contact the lower surface 12x of the flow path unit 12 of the head 10. At this time, a sealed space is formed between the cap 60 and the head 10, and all the nozzles 12n of the head 10 are covered by the cap 60. This state is called the capping state. On the other hand, the state in which the cap 60 is separated from the head 10 and does not cover the nozzles 12n, that is, the state in which a sealed space is not formed between the cap 60 and the head 10, is called the uncapping state.

[0031] Next, referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the flow paths connecting the print head 10, cap 60, ink cartridge 50, and waste ink tank 70 to each other will be described.

[0032] The print head 10 and the ink cartridge 50 are connected to each other via a tube 21. The tube 21 includes a tube 21C connecting the buffer unit 11C and the ink cartridge 50C, a tube 21M connecting the buffer unit 11M and the ink cartridge 50M, a tube 21Y connecting the buffer unit 11Y and the ink cartridge 50Y, and a tube 21K connecting the buffer unit 11K and the ink cartridge 50K.

[0033] The recess 61 of the cap 60 is connected to the ink cartridge 50 via tubes 22 and 23, and to the waste ink tank 70 via tubes 22 and 24.

[0034] Tube 22 includes tube 22C connected to recess 61C, tube 22M connected to recess 61M, tube 22Y connected to recess 61Y, and tube 22K connected to recess 61K. Tube 22 has one end connected to recess 61 and the other end connected to switching valve 82. A suction pump 81 is provided in the middle of tube 22 between the one end and the other.

[0035] The suction pump 81 includes a suction pump 81C located in the middle of tube 22C, a suction pump 81M located in the middle of tube 22M, a suction pump 81Y located in the middle of tube 22Y, and a suction pump 81K located in the middle of tube 22K.

[0036] The switching valve 82 includes a switching valve 82C provided at the other end of tube 22C, a switching valve 82M provided at the other end of tube 22M, a switching valve 82Y provided at the other end of tube 22Y, and a switching valve 82K provided at the other end of tube 22K.

[0037] Tube 23 has one end connected to the switching valve 82 and the other end connected to the ink cartridge 50. Tube 23 includes tube 23C connecting switching valve 82C and ink cartridge 50C, tube 23M connecting switching valve 82M and ink cartridge 50M, tube 23Y connecting switching valve 82Y and ink cartridge 50Y, and tube 23K connecting switching valve 82K and ink cartridge 50K.

[0038] Tube 24 is connected to the waste ink tank 70 by the convergence of the portions extending from each of the switching valves 82C, 82M, 82Y, and 82K. In other words, tube 24 has four ends that connect to each of the switching valves 82C, 82M, 82Y, and 82K, and one other end that connects to the waste ink tank 70.

[0039] Tubes 22, 23, and 21 constitute the “recovery channel” of this disclosure, connecting the recess 61 of the cap 60 to the buffer unit 11 of the head 10. When cyan ink corresponds to the “first liquid” of this disclosure and magenta ink corresponds to the “second liquid” of this disclosure, tubes 22C, 23C, and 21C correspond to the “first recovery channel” of this disclosure, and tubes 22M, 23M, and 21M correspond to the “second recovery channel” of this disclosure. The ink cartridge 50 is placed in the recovery channel and constitutes the recovery channel.

[0040] The tubes 22 and 24 constitute the “discharge channel” of this disclosure, connecting the recess 61 of the cap 60 to the waste ink tank 70.

[0041] The switching valve 82 can selectively take on a recovery position and a discharge position that connects tube 22 and tube 24 to each other, under the control of the control device 90. The recovery position is the position of the switching valve 82 that connects tube 22 and tube 23 to each other. The discharge position is the position of the switching valve 82 that connects tube 22 and tube 24 to each other. In this way, the switching valve 82 can select either a recovery path or a discharge path as the flow path for ink from the recess 61 of the cap 60.

[0042] In the capped state, when the suction pump 81 is driven by the control device 90, the sealed space between the cap 60 and the head 10 is depressurized. As a result, ink is forcibly discharged from the nozzle 12n. This forced discharge of ink from the nozzle 12n is called "purging". The ink discharged by purging is received in the recess 61 of the cap 60. If the switching valve 82 is in the recovery position and the recovery path is selected, the ink received in the recess 61 is sent to the buffer unit 11 of the head 10 via tubes 22, 23, ink cartridge 50 and tube 21. Alternatively, if the switching valve 82 is in the discharge position and the discharge path is selected, the ink received in the recess 61 is sent to the waste ink tank 70 via tubes 22 and 24.

[0043] The control device 90 is capable of performing a "purge step" in which ink is ejected from the nozzle 12n into the recess 61. The control device 90 can also selectively perform a "recovery step" and a "discharge step". In the "recovery step", the control device 90 causes the switching valve 82 to select a recovery path and sends ink from the recess 61 to the buffer unit 11 of the head 10 via the recovery path. In the "discharge step", the control device 90 causes the switching valve 82 to select a discharge path and sends ink from the recess 61 to the waste ink tank 70 via the discharge path.

[0044] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the configuration of the control device 90 will be described.

[0045] The control device 90 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, and an ASIC 94. Of these, the CPU 91 and the ASIC 94 correspond to the "control unit" in this disclosure. The RAM 93 corresponds to the "storage unit" in this disclosure.

[0046] ROM92 stores programs and data for the CPU91 and ASIC94 to perform various control functions. RAM93 temporarily stores data used by the CPU91 and ASIC94 when executing programs. The control unit90 is connected to an external device150 for communication. The external device150 is, for example, a PC.

[0047] The CPU 91 executes various programs and steps via the ASIC 94 based on data received from the external device 150 or the input unit 4 of the printer 100. The input unit 4 is, for example, a mouse or keyboard. The above steps include a recording step in which an image is recorded on the paper S by ejecting ink from the nozzle 12n onto the paper S based on recorded data received from the external device 150 or the like.

[0048] In the recording step, the ASIC94, in accordance with the command of the CPU91, drives the driver IC14, scanning motor 30m, and transport motor 40m based on the recording data received from an external device 150, etc., to alternately perform transport and scanning operations. The transport operation is the operation of transporting a predetermined amount of paper S in the y direction by the transport mechanism 40. The scanning operation is the operation of moving the head 10 in the x direction by the scanning mechanism 30 while ejecting ink from the nozzle 12n based on a signal output from the driver IC14. The y direction corresponds to the "first direction" of this disclosure, and the x direction corresponds to the "second direction" of this disclosure. Of the scanning operations, the operation of moving the head 10 in the x direction by the scanning mechanism 30 is an operation that moves the head 10 and the paper S relative to each other, and corresponds to the "movement operation" of this disclosure. The scanning mechanism 30 corresponds to the "movement mechanism" of this disclosure. By performing the transport operation and scanning operation alternately, ink dots are formed on the paper S, and an image is recorded.

[0049] ASIC94 includes an output circuit 94a and a transfer circuit 94b.

[0050] The output circuit 94a generates a waveform signal FIRE and a selection signal SIN, and outputs these signals to the transfer circuit 94b at each recording cycle. The recording cycle is the time required for the paper S to move relative to the head 10 by a unit distance corresponding to the resolution of the image recorded on the paper S. The recording cycle is the time from when one ink droplet is ejected until the next ink droplet is ejected when ink droplets are ejected continuously from the nozzle 12n.

[0051] The waveform signal FIRE is a serial signal consisting of four waveform data points arranged in series. Each of the four waveform data points corresponds to the volume of the ink droplet ejected from nozzle 12n in one recording cycle: "zero," "small," "medium," and "large." An ink droplet volume of "zero" indicates that no ink droplet is ejected from nozzle 12n.

[0052] The selection signal SIN is a serial signal containing selection data for selecting one of the four waveform data types mentioned above. The selection signal SIN is generated based on the recorded data for each actuator 13x and for each recording period.

[0053] The transfer circuit 94b transfers the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN received from the output circuit 94a to the driver IC 14. The transfer circuit 94b incorporates multiple LVDS drivers. These multiple LVDS drivers include those that transfer the waveform signal FIRE as a pulsed differential signal to the driver IC 14, and those that transfer the selection signal SIN as a pulsed differential signal to the driver IC 14.

[0054] ASIC94 controls the driver IC14 during the recording step. The driver IC14 generates a drive signal based on the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN. The driver IC14 supplies the generated drive signal to the individual electrodes 13c via the signal line 14s.

[0055] The drive signal includes a drive signal that does not eject an ink droplet from the nozzle 12n, a drive signal that ejects a "small" ink droplet from the nozzle 12n, a drive signal that ejects a "medium" ink droplet from the nozzle 12n, and a drive signal that ejects a "large" ink droplet from the nozzle 12n. For example, the drive signal that ejects a "small" ink droplet corresponds to the "first drive signal" of this disclosure, and the drive signal that ejects a "medium" ink droplet corresponds to the "second drive signal" of this disclosure. Alternatively, the drive signal that ejects a "medium" ink droplet corresponds to the "first drive signal" of this disclosure, and the drive signal that ejects a "large" ink droplet corresponds to the "second drive signal" of this disclosure.

[0056] The second drive signal has a higher drive potential than the first drive signal. The drive potential of the first drive signal is the first voltage V1, and the drive potential of the second drive signal is the second voltage V2 (>V1). The second drive signal may have a longer pulse width per recording period than the first drive signal. The second drive signal may have more pulses per recording period than the first drive signal.

[0057] During the recording step, the ASIC94 selectively supplies the four types of drive signals from the driver IC14 to the individual electrodes 13c. As a result, ink droplets of a volume selected from the four volumes—zero, small, medium, and large—are ejected from each of the multiple nozzles 12n.

[0058] Next, referring to Figure 5, the recording setting program executed by CPU 91 will be described.

[0059] The recording setup program is executed before the recording step is performed. For example, the recording setup program may be run periodically while the printer 100 is powered on.

[0060] In the recording setting program, the CPU 91 first determines whether the ink delivery time exceeds the first ink delivery time T1 (S1: first determination step). The ink delivery time is the time required to deliver a predetermined amount of ink to the common flow path 12a and individual flow paths 12b, which are ink flow paths within the head 10, via the recovery flow path.

[0061] For example, the CPU 91 may determine that the ink delivery time exceeds the first ink delivery time T1 (S1:YES) if 1) the amount of purge exceeds a predetermined amount, 2) the number of times the purge step is executed exceeds a predetermined number, or if both 1) and 2) are met. The amount of purge is the amount of ink discharged from the nozzle 12n during the purge step, and is determined by the product of the amount of ink discharged per purge step and the number of times the purge step is executed. In case 1) or 2), the total amount of ink flowing through the circulation circuit from the head 10 back to the head via the cap 60 and the recovery channel, i.e., the circulation amount, is large, and there is a high possibility that the ink composition has changed. In other words, in case 1) or 2), the ink is likely to have a higher viscosity or a higher content of foreign matter compared to new ink. Also, in a configuration in which a filter (not shown) is placed in the recovery channel, in case 1) or 2), there is a high possibility that the amount of foreign matter accumulated on the filter is greater than a predetermined amount. Due to changes in ink composition or foreign matter on the filter, the ink may not flow smoothly in the recovery channel, and the ink delivery time may be prolonged.

[0062] The CPU91 may determine that the ink delivery time exceeds the first ink delivery time T1 (S1:YES) if requirement 3) the number of recorded pages or the amount of ink used exceeds a threshold. The number of recorded pages is the number of pages of paper S on which recording was performed in the recording step. The amount of ink used is the amount of ink used in the recording step, and is calculated by the product of the volume of one ink droplet ejected from the nozzle 12n and the number of ink droplets. Under the condition that the number of recorded pages and the amount of ink used are proportional to the circulation amount, if 3) is met, the circulation amount is large, and as with 1) or 2), there is a high possibility that the ink composition has changed or that the amount of foreign matter accumulated on the filter is greater than a predetermined amount. Therefore, the ink may not flow smoothly in the recovery channel, and the ink delivery time may be prolonged.

[0063] The CPU 91 may determine that the ink delivery time exceeds the first ink delivery time T1 (S1:YES) if 4) the time during which the recording step is not performed exceeds a predetermined time, 5) the number of pages recorded or ink usage per unit time is below a threshold, or if both 4) and 5) are met. If 4) or 5) is met, it is highly likely that the flow of ink in the head 10 is stagnant, causing an increase in ink viscosity or the settling of foreign matter in the ink. In this case, the ink may not flow smoothly in the recovery channel communicating with the head 10, and the ink delivery time may be prolonged.

[0064] If the CPU determines that the ink delivery time does not exceed the first ink delivery time T1 (S1: NO), the CPU 91 sets in the recording step that "A (A is a natural number of 1 or more)" scanning operations be performed on a unit area of ​​the paper S between the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more)th transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S2). The unit area is a part of the paper S, a rectangular area extending in the x direction within the movable area of ​​the head 10 by the scanning mechanism 30. The CPU 91 also sets in the recording step that the (m+1)th scanning operation be started after the first waiting time W1 has elapsed from the time the (m)th scanning operation is completed, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S2). Furthermore, the CPU 91 sets in the recording step that a second drive signal should be used, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S2). The second drive signal is a drive signal to eject ink droplets of a predetermined standard volume from the nozzle 12n based on the recorded data.

[0065] If the CPU determines that the fluid delivery time exceeds the first fluid delivery time T1 (S1: YES), the CPU 91 determines whether the fluid delivery time exceeds the second fluid delivery time T2 (S3: Second determination step). The second fluid delivery time T2 is longer than the first fluid delivery time T1 (T2 > T1).

[0066] For example, in S3, CPU91 may determine that the fluid delivery time exceeds the second fluid delivery time T2 (S3:YES) if any of the above 1) to 5) is met.

[0067] Note that the thresholds for items 1) to 5) in S3 are different from the thresholds for items 1) to 5) in S1. For example, the predetermined amount in item 1) in S3 is greater than the predetermined amount in item 1) in S1. The predetermined number of times in item 2) in S3 is greater than the predetermined number of times in item 2) in S1. The threshold for item 3) in S3 is greater than the threshold for item 3) in S1. The predetermined time in item 4) in S3 is longer than the predetermined time in item 4) in S1. The threshold for item 5) in S3 is smaller than the threshold for item 5) in S1.

[0068] If the CPU determines that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the second liquid delivery time T2 (S3: NO), the CPU 91 sets in the recording step that "A" scan operations will be performed on a unit area of ​​the paper S between the nth transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S4). The CPU 91 also sets in the recording step that the (m+1)th scan operation will start after the second waiting time W2 has elapsed from the time the mth scan operation is completed, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S4). The second waiting time W2 is longer than the first waiting time W1. Furthermore, the CPU 91 sets in the recording step that a second drive signal will be used, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S4).

[0069] If the CPU determines that the fluid delivery time exceeds the second fluid delivery time T2 (S3: YES), the CPU 91 determines whether the fluid delivery time exceeds the third fluid delivery time T3 (S5: Third determination step). The third fluid delivery time T3 is longer than the second fluid delivery time T2 (T3 > T2).

[0070] For example, in S5, CPU91 may determine that the fluid delivery time exceeds the third fluid delivery time T3 (S5:YES) if any of the above 1) to 5) is met.

[0071] Note that the thresholds for items 1) to 5) in S5 are different from the thresholds for items 1) to 5) in S3. For example, the predetermined amount in item 1) in S5 is greater than the predetermined amount in item 1) in S3. The predetermined number of times in item 2) in S5 is greater than the predetermined number of times in item 2) in S3. The threshold for item 3) in S5 is greater than the threshold for item 3) in S3. The predetermined time in item 4) in S5 is longer than the predetermined time in item 4) in S3. The threshold for item 5) in S5 is smaller than the threshold for item 5) in S3.

[0072] If the CPU determines that the ink delivery time does not exceed the third ink delivery time T3 (S5:NO), the CPU 91 sets in the recording step that "B (where B is a natural number greater than A)" scanning operations be performed on a unit area of ​​the paper S between the nth transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S6). The CPU 91 also sets in the recording step that the (m+1)th scanning operation be started after the first waiting time W1 has elapsed from the time the mth scanning operation is completed, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S6). Furthermore, the CPU 91 sets in the recording step that a first drive signal should be used, and stores this setting information in the RAM 93 (S6). The first drive signal is a drive signal that ejects ink droplets of a smaller volume than the second drive signal.

[0073] If the CPU determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the third liquid delivery time T3 (S5: YES), the CPU 91 executes the discharge step (S7).

[0074] In the discharge step, the CPU 91 positions the switching valve 82 in the discharge position and drives the suction pump 81. As a result, the ink discharged from the nozzle 12n and received in the recess 61 is sent to the waste ink tank 70 via the tubes 22 and 24.

[0075] After S7, the CPU 91 issues an error notification via the output unit 5 (see Figure 4) (S8). The error notification is, for example, a notification prompting the replacement of the ink cartridge 50. The output unit 5 is, for example, a display or a speaker.

[0076] After S2, S4, S6, or S8, the CPU 91 terminates the recording setting program.

[0077] In the recording step after the recording setting program has finished, the drive of the driver IC 14, the scanning motor 30m, and the transport motor 40m is controlled based on the information set in the recording setting program.

[0078] For example, if the CPU 91 sets the number of scanning operations to "A=1" in S2 or S4, in the recording step, between the nth transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation, it drives the scanning motor 30m and the driver IC 14 with the transport motor 40m stopped to perform one scanning operation. In one scanning operation, the head 10 moves from one direction to the other in the x-direction, ejecting ink droplets from multiple nozzles 12n according to the second drive signal. In this way, one scanning operation is performed on a unit area of ​​the paper S.

[0079] For example, if the CPU 91 sets the number of scanning operations to "B=2" in S6, in the recording step, between the nth transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation, the transport motor 40m is stopped, and the scanning motor 30m and driver IC 14 are driven to perform two scanning operations. In the first of the two scanning operations, the head 10 moves from one direction to the other in the x-direction, ejecting ink droplets from multiple nozzles 12n in accordance with the first drive signal. In the second of the two scanning operations, the head 10 moves from the other direction to the one direction in the x-direction, ejecting ink droplets from multiple nozzles 12n in accordance with the first drive signal. In this way, two scanning operations are performed on a unit area of ​​the paper S.

[0080] In the recording step after the setting information of S2 or S6 has been stored in RAM93, CPU91 controls the scanning motor 30m so that the next scanning operation starts after a first waiting time W1 has elapsed from the time each scanning operation has finished.

[0081] In the recording step after the S4 setting information is stored in the RAM 93, the CPU 91 controls the scanning motor 30m so that the next scanning operation starts after the second waiting time W2 (>W1) has elapsed from the time each scanning operation has finished.

[0082] Setting the waiting time in S4 to a second waiting time W2 (>W1) and executing the recording step corresponds to the "first control" in this disclosure. The longer the waiting time, the longer the recording time per unit area of ​​the paper S.

[0083] Setting the number of scanning operations per unit area of ​​the paper S to "B(>A)" in S6 and executing the recording step corresponds to the "first control" in this disclosure. The more scanning operations per unit area of ​​the paper S there are, the longer the recording time per unit area of ​​the paper S becomes.

[0084] Setting the supply of the first drive signal in S6 and executing the recording step corresponds to the "second control" in this disclosure. The smaller the volume of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle 12n, the smaller the amount of ink ejected per unit area of ​​the paper S.

[0085] The CPU 91 executes a recording setting program for each ink color. Specifically, the RAM 93 stores information that serves as the criteria for S1, S3, and S5 for each ink color. The information that serves as the criteria for S1, S3, and S5 includes the purge amount, the number of times the purge step is executed, the amount of ink used, etc. (the "first information" and "second information" in this disclosure). The CPU 91 makes decisions for S1, S3, S5, etc. for each ink color based on the information stored in the RAM 93 and stores setting information related to the recording step (S2, S4, or S6) in the RAM 93. In the recording step, the CPU 91 executes control based on the setting information related to the ink of the color used in the recording step, i.e., the color to be ejected onto the paper S.

[0086] For example, if only black ink is used in the recording step, control may be performed based on the setting information related to the black ink. The setting information related to the black ink is the setting information S2, S4, or S6 set in the recording setting program based on the information related to the black ink.

[0087] For example, if cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks are used in the recording step, control may be performed based on any of the setting information for each ink color. The setting information for each ink color refers to the S2, S4, or S6 setting information set in the recording setting program based on the information for each ink color. If any of the recording setting programs executed based on the information for each ink color have set the S6 information, control may be performed based on the S6 setting information. If none of the recording setting programs executed based on the information for each ink color have set the S6 information, but some have set the S4 information, control may be performed based on the S4 setting information. If none of the recording setting programs executed based on the information for each ink color have set the S4 or S6 information, and all have set the S2 information, control may be performed based on the S2 setting information.

[0088] The recording setting program and recording step can also be applied to a configuration in which a head 10 is provided for each ink color: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In this configuration, when each color of ink is used in the recording step, control may be performed for each head 10 based on the setting information set in S2, S4, or S6 of the recording setting program. In this case, the waiting time and the number of scanning operations per unit area of ​​the paper S may differ for each head 10.

[0089] Next, referring to Figure 6, the information initialization program executed by CPU 91 will be described.

[0090] The information initialization program may be executed repeatedly while the printer 100 is powered on.

[0091] In the information initialization program, the CPU 91 first determines whether or not the ink cartridge 50 in the storage unit 50v has been replaced based on a signal from the sensor 50s (see Figure 4) located in the storage unit 50v (S21: fourth determination step). The sensor 50s outputs an ON signal when there is an ink cartridge 50 in the storage unit 50v, and an OFF signal when there is no ink cartridge 50 in the storage unit 50v.

[0092] If the CPU 91 determines that the ink cartridge 50 in the storage unit 50v has been replaced (S21: YES), the CPU 91 initializes the information that serves as the basis for the decisions in S1, S3, and S5 (S22: Initialization step). The information that serves as the basis for the decisions in S1, S3, and S5 includes the amount of purge, the number of times the purge step has been executed, the amount of ink used, etc. (the "first information" and "second information" in this disclosure).

[0093] After S22, or if it is determined that the ink cartridge 50 in the storage compartment 50v has not been replaced (S21: NO), the CPU 91 terminates the information initialization program.

[0094] Furthermore, if the storage unit 50v houses a single ink cartridge 50 which is composed of four ink cartridges 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K, the CPU 91 may initialize the information related to all the ink colors in S22.

[0095] When the storage unit 50v individually stores four ink cartridges 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K, the CPU 91 may execute an information initialization program for each color ink. In this case, in S21, the CPU 91 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 50 of a given color has been replaced based on signals from sensors 50s (see Figure 4) provided for each of the four ink cartridges 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K. In S22, the CPU 91 may initialize the information related to the ink of that color.

[0096] As described above, according to this embodiment, if the liquid delivery time required to deliver a predetermined amount of ink to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path exceeds the first liquid delivery time T1 (S1: YES), the printer 100 sets the waiting time to the second waiting time W2 (>W1) (S4), or sets the number of scanning operations for a unit area of ​​the paper S to "B (>A)" and supplies a first drive signal to the actuator 13x to eject ink droplets of a volume smaller than the second drive signal (S6). By setting the waiting time to the second waiting time W2 (>W1) in S4, or by setting the number of scanning operations for a unit area of ​​the paper S to "B (>A)" in S6, the recording time for a unit area of ​​the paper S becomes longer. By setting the actuator 13x to supply a first drive signal to eject ink droplets of a volume smaller than the second drive signal in S6, the amount of ink ejected for a unit area of ​​the paper S becomes smaller. As a result, even if the ink delivery time exceeds the first ink delivery time T1, the supply of ink to the head 10 is timely enough for ejection, preventing smudging and reducing image degradation. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce image degradation in a configuration in which ink ejected from nozzle 12n is reused.

[0097] If the CPU 91 determines that the ink delivery time exceeds the first ink delivery time T1 (S1: YES), it sets the waiting time to the second waiting time W2 (>W1) (S4). In this case, ink can be supplied to the head 10 during the relatively long second waiting time W2, and the supply of ink to the head 10 is timely enough for ejection.

[0098] If the CPU 91 determines that the ink delivery time exceeds the first ink delivery time T1 (S1: YES), it sets the number of scanning operations for a unit area of ​​the paper S to "B (> A)" (S6). In this case, since the number of scanning operations for a unit area of ​​the paper S is relatively large, the amount of ink that needs to be supplied to the head 10 in one scanning operation can be reduced. As a result, the ink supply to the head 10 keeps up with the ejection.

[0099] If the CPU 91 determines that the ink delivery time exceeds the first ink delivery time T1 (S1: YES), it sets the CPU 91 to use the first drive signal, which ejects ink droplets of a smaller volume than the second drive signal (S6). In this case, since the volume of ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 12n is relatively small, the amount of ink ejected per unit area of ​​the paper S can be reduced. This ensures that the ink supply to the head 10 keeps pace with the ejection.

[0100] If the ink delivery time exceeds the second ink delivery time T2 (S3:YES), and control (S4) is executed to increase the waiting time so that the ink supply to the head 10 can keep up with the ejection, the waiting time becomes too long, and recording takes a long time. Therefore, in this embodiment, if it is determined that the ink delivery time exceeds the second ink delivery time T2 (S3:YES), control (S6) is executed to increase the number of scanning operations per unit area of ​​the paper S, rather than control (S4) to increase the waiting time. This avoids the problem of recording taking a long time that can occur when the waiting time is long, and enables high-speed recording. On the other hand, if the ink delivery time does not exceed the second ink delivery time (S3:NO), control (S4) to increase the waiting time takes less time to record and enables high-speed recording than control (S6) to increase the number of scanning operations per unit area of ​​the paper S. Therefore, in this embodiment, S4 is executed.

[0101] If the ink delivery time exceeds the second ink delivery time T2 (S3:YES), and control (S4) is executed to increase the waiting time so that the ink supply to the head 10 can keep up with the ejection, the waiting time becomes too long, and recording takes a long time. Therefore, in this embodiment, if it is determined that the ink delivery time exceeds the second ink delivery time T2 (S3:YES), control using the first drive signal (S6) is executed instead of control to increase the waiting time (S4). This avoids the problem of recording taking a long time that can occur when the waiting time is long, and enables high-speed recording. On the other hand, if the ink delivery time does not exceed the second ink delivery time (S3:NO), even if control to increase the waiting time (S4) is executed, recording does not take much time, and the problem of low image density that can occur when the first drive signal is used is avoided. For this reason, S4 is executed in this embodiment.

[0102] If the ink delivery time exceeds the third ink delivery time T3 (S5:YES), the discharge step (S7) is performed, and ink is discharged from the recess 61 to the waste ink tank 70. This prevents ink with a changed composition from flowing from the recess 61 to the head 10, thereby reducing the deterioration of recording quality during the recording step.

[0103] If the ink cartridge 50 is replaced (S21: YES), a new ink cartridge 50, i.e., an ink cartridge 50 containing fresh ink, is placed in the storage unit 50v, and it is presumed that the fresh ink is supplied to the head 10 via the recovery channel. In this case, the CPU 91 initializes information to determine whether the ink supply time exceeds the ink supply times T1, T2, and T3 (S22). This allows the determinations in S1, S3, and S5 to be performed appropriately.

[0104] The CPU 91 determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the liquid delivery time T1, T2, T3 if 1) the purge amount, i.e., the amount of ink ejected in the purge step, exceeds a predetermined amount, 2) the number of times the purge step is performed exceeds a predetermined number, or if both 1) and 2) are met. In this case, the determinations in S1, S3, and S5 can be performed appropriately.

[0105] For each ink color, information that serves as the criteria for S1, S3, and S5, namely the purge amount, the number of times the purge step is executed, and the amount of ink used, is stored in RAM93. In the recording step, CPU91 executes control corresponding to the recording setting program executed based on the information related to the ink used in the recording step. This enables rational control in the recording step according to the status of the ink being used.

[0106] <Variation> While preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope of the claims.

[0107] In the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 50 is placed in the recovery channel, but the ink cartridge 50 does not necessarily have to be placed in the recovery channel.

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, if it is determined that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time T1 (S1:YES) and that the liquid delivery time exceeds the second liquid delivery time T2 (S3:YES) and is less than or equal to the third liquid delivery time T3 (S5:NO), the CPU 91 sets the number of scanning operations for a unit area of ​​the paper S to "B (>A)" in S6 and sets that the first drive signal will be used in the recording step. In the recording step after the setting information from S6 is stored in the RAM 93, the CPU 91 executes both the "first control" and the "second control". However, it is not limited to this, and the CPU 91 may execute only one of the "first control" or the "second control".

[0109] In the above embodiment, if the CPU determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time T1 (S1:YES), the CPU 91 performs a second determination step (S3) to determine whether the liquid delivery time exceeds the second liquid delivery time T2. However, S3 may be omitted. In this case, if the CPU 91 determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time T1 (S1:YES), it may proceed to S4 or S6.

[0110] In the above embodiment, if the CPU determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the second liquid delivery time T2 (S3:YES), the CPU 91 performs a third determination step (S5) to determine whether the liquid delivery time exceeds the third liquid delivery time T3. However, S5 may be omitted. In this case, if the CPU 91 determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the second liquid delivery time T2 (S3:YES), it may proceed to S6.

[0111] In the embodiments described above, the scanning mechanism 30 is exemplified as the "movement mechanism" of this disclosure, and the operation of moving the head 10 in the x direction by the scanning mechanism 30 is exemplified as the "movement operation" of this disclosure, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the transport mechanism 40 may correspond to the "movement mechanism" of this disclosure, and the transport operation may correspond to the "movement operation" of this disclosure. In this case as well, if it is determined that the ink transport time exceeds the first ink transport time T1 (S1: YES), the waiting time between the nth transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation is set to the second waiting time W2 (>W1) (S4), so that ink can be supplied to the head 10 during the relatively long second waiting time W2, and the supply of ink to the head 10 can keep up with the ejection. In this case, the unit area may be a combination of an area where recording is performed by the head 10 after the nth transport operation and an area where recording is performed by the head 10 after the (n+1)th transport operation. The head 10 may be, for example, the line head of a line head type printer. The nth transport operation and the mth scanning operation are examples of the "Xth movement operation" in this disclosure. The (n+1)th transport operation and the (m+1)th scanning operation are examples of the "X+1th movement operation" in this disclosure.

[0112] Regarding the supply of a first drive signal to the actuator during the recording step, in the above embodiment, in recording setting program S6, the CPU 91 sets whether to use the first drive signal during the recording step and stores this setting information in RAM 93, but is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 91 may convert the received recording data in the recording step in a way that reduces the density value. In this case as well, during the recording step, the amount of ink ejected per unit area of ​​the paper S is reduced, and the supply of ink to the head 10 is able to keep up with the ejection.

[0113] The heads in the above-described embodiments eject different types of liquids, specifically inks of different colors, but are not limited to these. For example, the heads may eject only liquids of the same type, such as inks of the same color.

[0114] Instead of housing an ink cartridge 50, which is an ink tank that can be attached and detached by the user to the housing 100a, the housing section 50v may house an ink tank that is not normally attached and detached by the user to the housing 100a.

[0115] The liquid discharged from the nozzle is not limited to ink; it may also be a liquid other than ink, such as a processing solution that causes components in the ink to coagulate or precipitate.

[0116] The actuator is not limited to a piezoelectric type using a piezoelectric element, but may also be a thermal type using a heating element, an electrostatic type using electrostatic force, or the like.

[0117] The recording medium is not limited to paper; for example, it may be cloth, a resin material, or the like.

[0118] This disclosure is not limited to printers, but is also applicable to facsimile machines, copiers, multifunction devices, etc. Furthermore, this disclosure is also applicable to liquid dispensing devices used for purposes other than image recording, such as liquid dispensing devices that dispense conductive liquid onto a substrate to form conductive patterns.

[0119] The program disclosed herein can be distributed by recording it on removable recording media such as flexible disks or fixed recording media such as hard disks, and can also be distributed via communication lines.

[0120] The conditions used in the determinations of S1, S3, and S5 of the recording setting program may include, in addition to at least one of the above 1) to 5), or instead of the above 1) to 5), any condition indicating an increase in the fluid delivery time. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0121] 10 heads 12a Common channel (liquid channel) 12b Individual channel (liquid channel) 12n nozzle 13x Actuators 30 Scanning mechanism (movement mechanism) 40 Conveying mechanism 50 Ink Cartridges (Liquid Storage Section) 50V power supply 60 caps 61 Recess (receiving part) 70. Waste ink tank (waste liquid storage section) 91 CPU (Control Unit) 93 RAM (memory section) 94 ASIC (Control Unit) 100 Printers (Liquid Dispensing Devices)

Claims

1. A head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle, A receiving section for receiving the liquid discharged from the nozzle, A recovery channel connecting the receiving portion and the liquid flow path, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, A recovery step of sending liquid from the receiving portion to the liquid channel via the recovery channel, A first determination step of determining whether the liquid delivery time required to deliver a predetermined amount of liquid to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path exceeds a first liquid delivery time, The recording step can be performed by discharging liquid from the nozzle onto the recording medium to record an image onto the recording medium. If, in the first determination step, it is determined that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, then in the recording step, A first control that makes the recording time for a unit area of ​​the recording medium longer than the recording time when it is determined in the first determination step that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time. A second control, which reduces the amount of liquid discharged per unit area of ​​the recording medium to less than the amount discharged when it is determined in the first determination step that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, or Both the first control and the second control A liquid dispensing device characterized by performing the following.

2. The system further includes a moving mechanism that performs a movement operation to move the head and the recording medium relative to each other. The control unit, In the recording step, the moving mechanism is made to perform the moving operation multiple times, and after a waiting period has elapsed since the completion of the X (X is a natural number of 1 or more)th moving operation, the X+1th moving operation is made to start. If, in the first determination step, it is determined that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, then in the recording step, the waiting time is set as the first waiting time. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if it is determined in the first determination step that the liquid dispensing time exceeds the first liquid dispensing time, the first control is executed in the recording step by setting the waiting time to a second waiting time that is longer than the first waiting time.

3. A transport mechanism that performs a transport operation to transport a predetermined amount of recording media in a first direction, The scanning mechanism further comprises moving the head in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The control unit, In the recording step, the transport operation by the transport mechanism and the scanning operation by the scanning mechanism, which moves the head while discharging liquid from the nozzle, are performed alternately. If, in the first determination step, it is determined that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, then in the recording step, A (A is a natural number of 1 or more) scan operations are performed between the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more)th transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if it is determined in the first determination step that the liquid dispensing time exceeds the first liquid dispensing time, the first control is performed in the recording step by causing the scanning operation to be executed B (where B is a natural number greater than A) times between the nth transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation.

4. The head further comprises an actuator that, in response to a drive signal, provides energy to the liquid in the liquid flow path to discharge the liquid from the nozzle. The drive signal includes a first drive signal that causes a first volume of droplet to be ejected from the nozzle, and a second drive signal that causes a second volume of droplet larger than the first volume to be ejected from the nozzle. The control unit, In the recording step, the first drive signal and the second drive signal are selectively supplied to the actuator to cause liquid to be discharged from the nozzle. If, in the first determination step, it is determined that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, then in the recording step, the second drive signal is supplied to the actuator. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if it is determined in the first determination step that the liquid dispensing time exceeds the first liquid dispensing time, the second control is executed in the recording step by supplying a first drive signal to the actuator.

5. The control unit, In the recording step, after a waiting period has elapsed since the completion of the m (where m is a natural number of 1 or more)th scanning operation, the m+1th scanning operation is started. If, in the first determination step, it is determined that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, then in the recording step, the waiting time is set as the first waiting time. If the first determination step determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, a second determination step can be further performed to determine whether the liquid delivery time exceeds a second liquid delivery time that is longer than the first liquid delivery time. If, in the second determination step, it is determined that the liquid delivery time exceeds the second liquid delivery time, then in the recording step, the first control is executed by performing the scanning operation B times between the nth transport operation and the (n+1)th transport operation. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, if it is determined in the second determination step that the liquid dispensing time does not exceed the second liquid dispensing time, the first control is executed in the recording step by setting the waiting time to a second waiting time that is longer than the first waiting time.

6. The system further includes a moving mechanism that performs a movement operation to move the head and the recording medium relative to each other. The control unit, In the recording step, the moving mechanism is made to perform the moving operation multiple times, and after a waiting period has elapsed since the completion of the X (X is a natural number of 1 or more)th moving operation, the X+1th moving operation is made to start. If, in the first determination step, it is determined that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time, then in the recording step, the waiting time is set as the first waiting time. If the first determination step determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, a second determination step can be further performed to determine whether the liquid delivery time exceeds a second liquid delivery time that is longer than the first liquid delivery time. If, in the second determination step, it is determined that the liquid delivery time exceeds the second liquid delivery time, then in the recording step, the second control is executed by supplying the first drive signal to the actuator. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, if it is determined in the second determination step that the liquid dispensing time does not exceed the second liquid dispensing time, the first control is executed in the recording step by setting the waiting time to a second waiting time that is longer than the first waiting time.

7. waste liquid storage section, The system further comprises a discharge channel connecting the receiving section and the waste liquid storage section, The control unit, A discharge step in which liquid is sent from the receiving section to the waste liquid storage section via the discharge channel, If the second determination step determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the second liquid delivery time, a third determination step can be further performed, which determines whether the liquid delivery time exceeds a third liquid delivery time that is longer than the second liquid delivery time. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, in the third determination step, if it is determined that the liquid dispensing time exceeds the third liquid dispensing time, the discharge step is executed.

8. The collection channel further comprises a storage section capable of accommodating a liquid storage section, The control unit, A fourth determination step to determine whether the liquid storage section within the storage section has been replaced, If it is determined in the fourth determination step that the liquid storage unit has been replaced, the initialization step initializes information for determining whether the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time in the first determination step, The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that it is capable of performing the following.

9. The control unit, A purging step can be performed in which liquid is discharged from the nozzle to the receiving portion. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the first determination step, it is determined that the liquid dispensing time exceeds the first liquid dispensing time if: 1) the amount of liquid discharged in the purge step exceeds a predetermined amount; 2) the number of times the purge step is performed exceeds a predetermined number of times; or both 1) and 2) are met.

10. The liquid flow path includes a first liquid flow path through which a first liquid flows, and a second liquid flow path through which a second liquid different from the first liquid flows. The nozzle includes a first nozzle included in the first liquid flow path and a second nozzle included in the second liquid flow path. The receiving portion includes a first receiving portion for receiving the first liquid discharged from the first nozzle, and a second receiving portion for receiving the second liquid discharged from the second nozzle. The recovery channel includes a first recovery channel connecting the first receiving portion and the first liquid channel, and a second recovery channel connecting the second receiving portion and the second liquid channel. The system further includes a storage unit that stores first information relating to the first liquid for determining whether the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time in the first determination step, and second information relating to the second liquid for determining whether the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time in the first determination step. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit performs a control corresponding to the first determination step performed based on the first information and second information stored in the storage unit, which pertain to the liquid to be dispensed onto the recording medium in the recording step.

11. A control method for a liquid dispensing device comprising: a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle; a receiving section for receiving the liquid discharged from the nozzle; and a recovery channel connecting the receiving section and the liquid flow path, A recovery step of sending liquid from the receiving portion to the liquid channel via the recovery channel, A first determination step of determining whether the liquid delivery time required to deliver a predetermined amount of liquid to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path exceeds a first liquid delivery time, The recording step can be performed by discharging liquid from the nozzle onto the recording medium to record an image onto the recording medium. A control method characterized by performing, in the first determination step, if it is determined that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, a first control in the recording step, which makes the recording time for a unit area of ​​the recording medium longer than the recording time when it is determined in the first determination step that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time; a second control in the recording step, which makes the amount of liquid discharged for a unit area of ​​the recording medium less than the amount of liquid discharged when it is determined in the first determination step that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time; or both of the first and second controls.

12. A control unit used in a liquid dispensing device comprising a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle, a receiving section for receiving the liquid discharged from the nozzle, and a recovery channel connecting the receiving section and the liquid flow path, A recovery means that sends liquid from the receiving portion to the liquid channel via the recovery channel, A first determination means for determining whether the liquid delivery time required to deliver a predetermined amount of liquid to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path exceeds a first liquid delivery time, and The nozzle discharges liquid onto the recording medium, thereby functioning as a recording means for recording images onto the recording medium. A program characterized in that, if the first determination means determines that the liquid delivery time exceeds the first liquid delivery time, the recording means performs a first control, which makes the recording time for a unit area of ​​the recording medium longer than the recording time when the first determination means determines that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time; a second control, which makes the amount of liquid discharged for a unit area of ​​the recording medium less than the amount of liquid discharged when the first determination means determines that the liquid delivery time does not exceed the first liquid delivery time; or both of the first and second controls.

Images