Method for driving a liquid dispensing device and liquid dispensing device

Abstract

Reduces poor print quality and wasted power. [Solution] A liquid discharge head comprising a nozzle for discharging liquid, an individual channel communicating with the nozzle and supplying liquid to the nozzle while discharging any liquid not discharged from the nozzle, and a drive element that drives the liquid in the individual channel to cause pressure fluctuations in response to a supplied drive signal, a circulation control unit that controls a circulation operation for circulating the liquid in the individual channel, and a printing condition information acquisition unit that acquires printing condition information relating to the printing conditions of the liquid discharged from the nozzle onto a recording medium, wherein the circulation control unit controls the flow velocity of the liquid in the individual channel based on the printing condition information.

Claims

1. A liquid discharge head comprising: a nozzle for discharging liquid; an individual channel communicating with the nozzle and supplying liquid to the nozzle while discharging any liquid not discharged from the nozzle; and a drive element that drives the liquid in the individual channel to generate pressure fluctuations in response to a supplied drive signal; A circulation control unit controls the circulation operation that circulates the liquid in the individual flow channels, A printing condition information acquisition unit acquires printing condition information relating to the printing conditions of the liquid discharged from the nozzle onto the recording medium, A method for driving a liquid discharge device, comprising: The circulation control unit controls the flow rate of the liquid in the individual flow channels based on the printing condition information. A method for driving a liquid dispensing device, characterized by the following:

2. The printing condition information includes distance information indicating the distance between the nozzle surface through which the nozzle opens and the recording medium to which the liquid ejected from the nozzle lands. A method for driving a liquid dispensing device according to feature 1.

3. When the distance information indicates a first distance, the circulation control unit controls the flow velocity of the liquid in the individual flow path to the first flow velocity. If the distance information indicates a second distance that is longer than the first distance, the circulation control unit controls the flow velocity of the liquid in the individual flow path to a second flow velocity that is faster than the first flow velocity. The method for driving a liquid dispensing device according to feature 2.

4. The drive signal includes a micro-vibration pulse that causes pressure fluctuations in the liquid within the individual flow path to the extent that no liquid is discharged from the nozzle. The micro-vibration pulse has a first pulse shape that causes a first pressure fluctuation in the liquid within the individual flow path when the distance information indicates the first distance. The micro-vibration pulse has a second pulse shape that, when the distance information indicates the second distance, generates a second pressure fluctuation in the liquid within the individual channel that is larger than the first pressure fluctuation. The method for driving a liquid dispensing device according to feature 3.

5. If the distance information indicates a third distance or greater, which is longer than the second distance, the circulation control unit controls the flow velocity of the liquid in the individual flow path to a third flow velocity that is faster than the second flow velocity. The method for driving a liquid dispensing device according to feature 3.

6. The printing condition information includes media information relating to the type of recording medium to which the liquid ejected from the nozzle lands. A method for driving a liquid dispensing device according to feature 1.

7. The aforementioned printing condition information is image quality information relating to the print quality of the liquid discharged from the nozzle onto the recording medium. When the image quality information indicates a first image quality, the circulation control unit controls the flow velocity of the liquid in the individual flow path to the first flow velocity. If the image quality information indicates a second image quality that is of higher quality than the first image quality, the circulation control unit controls the flow velocity of the liquid in the individual flow path to a second flow velocity that is faster than the first flow velocity. A method for driving a liquid dispensing device according to feature 1.

8. The drive signal includes a micro-vibration pulse that causes pressure fluctuations in the liquid within the individual flow path to the extent that no liquid is discharged from the nozzle. Based on the printing condition information, the micro-vibration pulses are corrected so that the pressure fluctuations generated in the liquid within the individual flow channels are changed. A method for driving a liquid dispensing device according to feature 1.

9. A liquid discharge head comprising: a nozzle for discharging liquid; an individual channel communicating with the nozzle and supplying liquid to the nozzle while discharging any liquid not discharged from the nozzle; and a drive element that drives the liquid in the individual channel to generate pressure fluctuations in response to a supplied drive signal; A circulation control unit controls the circulation operation that circulates the liquid in the individual flow channels, A printing condition information acquisition unit acquires printing condition information relating to the printing conditions of the liquid discharged from the nozzle onto the recording medium, Equipped with, The circulation control unit controls the flow rate of the liquid in the individual flow channels based on the printing condition information. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

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