Recording apparatus and method for controlling the same

Abstract

To perform recording with a specific ink in a normal manner even after recording which does not use the specific ink is continuously performed.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a recording head which includes discharge ports and pressure chambers to be filled with inks for each of multiple ink types and discharges the inks from the discharge ports to perform recording operation; and circulation means which may circulate the inks for each ink type. The recording device includes: determination means which determines a cumulative time at which a first ink type is circulated by the circulation means in the recording operation in which the first ink type is used and a second ink type different from the first ink type is not used; and control means which controls the circulation means based on the cumulative time determined by the determination means so that at least the second ink type of the multiple ink types is circulated by the circulation means when the cumulative time exceeds a predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that circulates ink through a printhead and a circulation path that includes the printhead, and a method for controlling the printing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In inkjet printing, the volatile components in the ink evaporate from the nozzles of the print head, causing an increase in the viscosity of the ink near the nozzles. One known solution to this problem is to circulate the ink supplied to the print head in a circulation path. However, by circulating the ink, fresh ink is always supplied to the ink nozzles, which causes moisture to evaporate from the nozzles, gradually increasing the ink concentration in the entire circulation path and causing the ink to become concentrated.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes a technology that, in a circulation configuration in which ink is circulated by color, circulates only black ink and does not circulate color inks when printing in monochrome mode, thereby avoiding concentration of color inks. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-121784 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The timing for circulation of each ink may not be appropriate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A recording apparatus according to the present invention has a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink, and a plurality of pressure chambers filled with ink ejected from the ejection ports, the plurality of ejection ports including a first ejection port for ejecting a first ink, and a second ejection port for ejecting a second ink different from the first ink, the plurality of pressure chambers including a first pressure chamber filled with ink ejected from the first ejection port, and a second pressure chamber filled with ink ejected from the second ejection port, a first circulation means for circulating ink in a flow path including the first pressure chamber, and a second circulation means for circulating ink in a flow path including the second pressure chamber, wherein a timing at which the second circulation means starts circulating the second ink after completion of recording is different from a timing at which the first circulation means starts circulating the first ink, when recording in a mode using the second ink is performed after recording in a mode using the first ink and not using the second ink, starting circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means between the end of recording in the mode using the first ink and not using the second ink and the start of recording in the mode using the second ink, The circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means is performed in parallel with the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means. During the subsequent recording in the mode using the second ink, the second ink is circulated by the second circulation means in parallel with the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means. The present invention is characterized by the above. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, It is important to properly time the circulation of each ink. can. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the recording device in a standby state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a control configuration diagram of the recording apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the recording device in a recording state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the recording apparatus in a maintenance state. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing the configuration of a maintenance unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flow path configuration of an ink circulation system. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an ejection port and a pressure chamber. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating ink concentration. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a process for cycling through all colors according to a cycling time. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 illustrates the UI of a printer driver and a printing apparatus. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a table showing the correspondence between circulation time and wait time. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing a process for cycling through all colors according to a cycling time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 (hereinafter, recording apparatus 1) used in this embodiment. In the figure, the x direction indicates the horizontal direction, the y direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) indicates the direction in which ejection ports are arranged in a recording head 8 (described later), and the z direction indicates the vertical direction.

[0010] The recording device 1 is a multifunction device equipped with a print unit 2 and a scanner unit 3, and various processes related to recording and reading operations can be executed by the print unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 individually or in conjunction with each other. The scanner unit 3 is equipped with an ADF (automatic document feeder) and an FBS (flatbed scanner), and can read documents automatically fed by the ADF and read (scan) documents placed on the platen of the FBS by a user. Note that although this embodiment is a multifunction device equipped with both the print unit 2 and the scanner unit 3, it may be configured not to include the scanner unit 3. FIG. 1 shows the recording device 1 in a standby state in which neither recording nor reading operations are being performed.

[0011] In the printing section 2, a first cassette 5A and a second cassette 5B for accommodating recording media (cut sheets) S are removably installed at the bottom vertically below the housing 4. The first cassette 5A accommodates relatively small recording media up to A4 size, while the second cassette 5B accommodates relatively large recording media up to A3 size, stacked flat. A first feeding unit 6A is provided near the first cassette 5A for separating and feeding the accommodated recording media one by one. Similarly, a second feeding unit 6B is provided near the second cassette 5B. When a recording operation is performed, the recording media S is selectively fed from one of the cassettes.

[0012] The transport roller 7, discharge roller 12, pinch roller 7a, spur 7b, guide 18, inner guide 19, and flapper 11 constitute a transport mechanism for guiding the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The transport rollers 7 are disposed upstream and downstream of the recording head 8, and are drive rollers driven by a transport motor (not shown). The pinch roller 7a is a driven roller that nips the recording medium S together with the transport roller 7 and rotates. The discharge roller 12 is disposed downstream of the transport roller 7, and is a drive roller driven by a transport motor (not shown). The spur 7b, together with the transport roller 7 and the discharge roller 12 disposed downstream of the recording head 8, pinches and transports the recording medium S.

[0013] The guide 18 is provided on the transport path of the recording medium S and guides the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The inner guide 19 is a member extending in the y direction, has a curved side, and guides the recording medium S along the side. The flapper 11 is a member for switching the direction in which the recording medium S is transported during double-sided recording operation. The discharge tray 13 is a tray for stacking and holding the recording medium S discharged by the discharge roller 12 after the recording operation is completed.

[0014] The recording head 8 of this embodiment is a full-line type color inkjet recording head, and multiple ejection ports that eject ink according to recording data are arranged in the y direction in FIG. 1 in a width corresponding to the recording medium S. That is, the recording head 8 is configured to be able to eject ink of multiple ink types. In this embodiment, the recording head 8 is configured to be able to eject ink of multiple colors. When the recording head 8 is in the standby position, the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 faces vertically downward as shown in FIG. 1 and is capped by the cap unit 10. When performing a recording operation, the orientation of the recording head 8 is changed by the print controller 202 described later so that the ejection port surface 8a faces the platen 9. The platen 9 is configured of a flat plate extending in the y direction, and supports the recording medium S on which the recording operation is performed by the recording head 8 from the rear. The movement of the recording head 8 from the standby position to the recording position will be described in detail later.

[0015] The ink tank unit 14 stores each of the four colors of ink to be supplied to the recording head 8. The ink supply unit 15 is provided in the middle of a flow path connecting the ink tank unit 14 and the recording head 8, and adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the ink in the recording head 8 to appropriate ranges. In this embodiment, a circulation type ink supply system is adopted, and the ink supply unit 15 adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 8 and the flow rate of the ink collected from the recording head 8 to appropriate ranges.

[0016] The maintenance unit 16 includes a cap unit 10 and a wiping unit 17, and operates these at a predetermined timing to perform a maintenance operation on the recording head 8. The maintenance operation will be described in detail later.

[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the recording apparatus 1. The control configuration mainly comprises a print engine unit 200 that controls the print section 2, a scanner engine unit 300 that controls the scanner section 3, and a controller unit 100 that controls the entire recording apparatus 1. A print controller 202 controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 according to instructions from a main controller 101 of the controller unit 100. Various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit 300 are controlled by the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100. The control configuration will be described in detail below.

[0018] In the controller unit 100, a main controller 101 constituted by a CPU controls the entire recording device 1 using a RAM 106 as a work area in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 107. For example, when a print job is input from a host device 400 via a host I / F 102 or a wireless I / F 103, an image processing unit 108 performs predetermined image processing on the received image data in accordance with instructions from the main controller 101. The main controller 101 then transmits the processed image data to a print engine unit 200 via a print engine I / F 105.

[0019] The recording device 1 may obtain image data from the host device 400 via wireless communication or wired communication, or may obtain image data from an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the recording device 1. The communication method used for wireless communication or wired communication is not limited. For example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used as a communication method used for wireless communication. Also, USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like can be used as a communication method used for wired communication. Also, for example, when a read command is input from the host device 400, the main controller 101 transmits the command to the scanner unit 3 via the scanner engine I / F 109.

[0020] The operation panel 104 is a mechanism for a user to perform input and output to the recording device 1. The user can instruct operations such as copying and scanning, set the print mode, and recognize information about the recording device 1 via the operation panel 104.

[0021] In the print engine unit 200, a print controller 202 constituted by a CPU controls various mechanisms of the print section 2 according to programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 203, using a RAM 204 as a work area. When various commands and image data are received via a controller I / F 201, the print controller 202 temporarily stores them in the RAM 204. The print controller 202 causes an image processing controller 205 to convert the stored image data into print data so that the print head 8 can use it for a printing operation. When the print data is generated, the print controller 202 causes the print head 8 to execute a printing operation based on the print data via a head I / F 206. At this time, the print controller 202 drives the feed units 6A and 6B, the conveyance roller 7, the discharge roller 12, and the flapper 11 shown in FIG. 1 via a conveyance control section 207 to convey the recording medium S. According to an instruction from the print controller 202, the recording head 8 executes a recording operation in conjunction with the conveyance operation of the recording medium S, and print processing is performed.

[0022] The head carriage control unit 208 changes the orientation and position of the recording head 8 depending on the operating state, such as the maintenance state and recording state, of the recording device 1. The ink supply control unit 209 controls the ink supply unit 15 so that the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 8 falls within an appropriate range. The maintenance control unit 210 controls the operations of the cap unit 10 and the wiping unit 17 in the maintenance unit 16 when performing a maintenance operation on the recording head 8.

[0023] In the scanner engine unit 300, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 302 using the RAM 106 as a work area according to the program and various parameters stored in the ROM 107. This controls various mechanisms of the scanner unit 3. For example, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller 302 via the controller I / F 301, so that a document placed on the ADF by a user is conveyed via the conveyance control unit 304 and read by the sensor 305. The scanner controller 302 then stores the read image data in the RAM 303. The print controller 202 can convert the image data acquired as described above into print data, thereby causing the print head 8 to perform a print operation based on the image data read by the scanner controller 302.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows the recording apparatus 1 in a recording state. Compared to the standby state shown in Fig. 1, the cap unit 10 is spaced away from the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8, and the ejection port surface 8a faces the platen 9. In this embodiment, the plane of the platen 9 is inclined at about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 in the recording position is also inclined at about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction so that the distance from the platen 9 is maintained constant.

[0025] When the recording head 8 moves from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to the recording position shown in FIG. 3, the print controller 202 uses the maintenance control unit 210 to lower the cap unit 10 to the retracted position shown in FIG. 3. This separates the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 from the cap member 10a. Thereafter, the print controller 202 uses the head carriage control unit 208 to rotate the recording head 8 by 45 degrees while adjusting the vertical height of the recording head 8, so that the ejection port surface 8a faces the platen 9. When the recording operation is completed and the recording head 8 moves from the recording position to the standby position, the print controller 202 performs the above steps in reverse.

[0026] Next, a description will be given of the transport path of the recording medium S in the printing section 2. When a recording command is input, the print controller 202 first uses the maintenance control section 210 and the head carriage control section 208 to move the recording head 8 to the recording position shown in Fig. 3. Then, the print controller 202 uses the transport control section 207 to drive either the first feeding unit 6A or the second feeding unit 6B in accordance with the recording command, and feeds the recording medium S.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the recording device 1 in a maintenance state. When moving the recording head 8 from the standby position shown in Fig. 1 to the maintenance position shown in Fig. 4, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 upward in the vertical direction and moves the cap unit 10 downward in the vertical direction. Then, the print controller 202 moves the wiping unit 17 from the retracted position to the right in Fig. 4. After that, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 downward in the vertical direction to a maintenance position where maintenance operation is possible.

[0028] On the other hand, when the recording head 8 moves from the recording position shown in Fig. 3 to the maintenance position shown in Fig. 4, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically upward while rotating it 45 degrees. Then, the print controller 202 moves the wiping unit 17 from the retracted position to the right. After that, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically downward to a maintenance position where the maintenance operation by the maintenance unit 16 can be performed.

[0029] FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the maintenance unit 16 is in a standby position, and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the maintenance unit 16 is in a maintenance position. FIG. 5(a) corresponds to FIG. 1, and FIG. 5(b) corresponds to FIG. 4. When the recording head 8 is in the standby position, the maintenance unit 16 is in the standby position shown in FIG. 5(a), the cap unit 10 moves vertically upward, and the wiping unit 17 is stored inside the maintenance unit 16. The cap unit 10 has a box-shaped cap member 10a extending in the y direction, and by bringing this into close contact with the discharge port surface 8a of the recording head 8, it is possible to suppress evaporation of ink from the discharge port. In addition, the cap unit 10 also has a function of collecting ink discharged by preliminary discharge or the like into the cap member 10a, and sucking the collected ink into a suction pump (not shown).

[0030] 5(b), the cap unit 10 has moved vertically downward, and the wiping unit 17 has been pulled out from the maintenance unit 16. The wiping unit 17 includes two wiper units: a blade wiper unit 171 and a vacuum wiper unit 172.

[0031] In the blade wiper unit 171, a blade wiper 171a for wiping the ejection port surface 8a along the x direction is arranged in the y direction by a length corresponding to the arrangement area of ​​the ejection ports. When performing a wiping operation using the blade wiper unit 171, the wiping unit 17 moves the blade wiper unit 171 in the x direction with the recording head 8 positioned at a height that allows it to abut against the blade wiper 171a. With this movement, ink and the like adhering to the ejection port surface 8a is wiped off by the blade wiper 171a.

[0032] A wet wiper cleaner 16a is disposed at the entrance of the maintenance unit 16 when the blade wiper 171a is stored, for removing ink adhering to the blade wiper 171a and applying wet liquid to the blade wiper 171a. Every time the blade wiper 171a is stored in the maintenance unit 16, the wet wiper cleaner 16a removes adhering matter and applies wet liquid to the blade wiper 171a. When the ejection port surface 8a is wiped next time, the wet liquid is transferred to the ejection port surface 8a, improving the slipperiness between the ejection port surface 8a and the blade wiper 171a.

[0033] On the other hand, the vacuum wiper unit 172 has a flat plate 172a having an opening extending in the y direction, a carriage 172b movable in the y direction within the opening, and a vacuum wiper 172c mounted on the carriage 172b. The vacuum wiper 172c is arranged so that it can wipe the ejection port surface 8a in the y direction as the carriage 172b moves. A suction port connected to a suction pump (not shown) is formed at the tip of the vacuum wiper 172c. Therefore, when the carriage 172b is moved in the y direction while the suction pump is operated, the ink and the like adhering to the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 is sucked into the suction port while being wiped by the vacuum wiper 172c. At this time, the positioning pins 172d provided on both ends of the flat plate 172a and the opening are used to align the ejection port surface 8a with respect to the vacuum wiper 172c.

[0034] In this embodiment, a first wiping process in which the wiping operation is performed by the blade wiper unit 171 and not by the vacuum wiper unit 172, and a second wiping process in which both wiping processes are performed in sequence can be performed. When performing the first wiping process, the print controller 202 first pulls out the wiping unit 17 from the maintenance unit 16 in a state in which the recording head 8 is retracted vertically upward from the maintenance position in FIG. 4. Then, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically downward to a position where it can abut against the blade wiper 171a, and then moves the wiping unit 17 into the maintenance unit 16. By this movement, ink and the like adhering to the ejection port surface 8a are wiped off by the blade wiper 171a. That is, the blade wiper 171a wipes the ejection port surface 8a when it moves into the maintenance unit 16 from the position where it is pulled out from the maintenance unit 16.

[0035] When the blade wiper unit 171 is stored, the print controller 202 then moves the cap unit 10 vertically upward to bring the cap member 10a into close contact with the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8. Then, the print controller 202 drives the recording head 8 in this state to perform preliminary ejection, and sucks the ink collected in the cap member 10a with the suction pump.

[0036] On the other hand, when performing the second wiping process, the print controller 202 first slides and pulls out the wiping unit 17 from the maintenance unit 16 while the recording head 8 is retracted vertically above the maintenance position in FIG. 4. Then, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically downward to a position where it can abut against the blade wiper 171a, and then moves the wiping unit 17 into the maintenance unit 16. This allows the blade wiper 171a to perform a wiping operation on the discharge port surface 8a. Next, the print controller 202 slides and pulls out the wiping unit 17 from the maintenance unit 16 to a predetermined position while the recording head 8 is retracted vertically above the maintenance position in FIG. 4 again. Next, the print controller 202 uses the flat plate 172a and the positioning pin 172d to position the discharge port surface 8a and the vacuum wiper unit 172 while lowering the recording head 8 to the wiping position shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter, the print controller 202 executes the wiping operation by the above-mentioned vacuum wiper unit 172. The print controller 202 retracts the recording head 8 vertically upward and stores the wiping unit 17, and then performs the preliminary ejection into the cap member by the cap unit 10 and the suction operation of the collected ink, similar to the first wiping process.

[0037] [Ink supply unit] FIG. 6 is a diagram including an ink supply unit 15 employed in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment. The flow path configuration of the ink circulation system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The ink supply unit 15 supplies ink supplied from the ink tank unit 14 to the recording head 8 (head unit). In reality, such a configuration is prepared for each of a plurality of types of ink. In this embodiment, such a configuration is prepared for each ink color. That is, while FIG. 6 shows a configuration for one color of ink, in reality, such a configuration is prepared for each ink color. The ink supply unit 15 is basically controlled by the ink supply control unit 209 shown in FIG. 2. Each configuration of the ink supply unit 15 will be described below.

[0038] The ink mainly circulates between the subtank 151 and the recording head 8. In the recording head 8, an ink ejection operation is performed based on image data, and ink that is not ejected is collected back into the subtank 151.

[0039] The subtank 151, which contains a predetermined amount of ink, is connected to a supply flow path C2 for supplying ink to the recording head 8 and a recovery flow path C4 for recovering ink from the recording head 8. In other words, the subtank 151, the supply flow path C2, the recording head 8, and the recovery flow path C4 constitute a circulation flow path through which the ink circulates, and are also part of a circulation route through which the ink circulates. The subtank 151 is also connected to a flow path C0 through which air flows.

[0040] The subtank 151 is provided with a liquid level detection means 151a consisting of multiple electrode pins. The ink supply control unit 209 can grasp the ink level, i.e., the amount of ink remaining in the subtank 151, by detecting the presence or absence of a conductive current between these multiple pins. The pressure reduction pump P0 (intra-tank pressure reduction pump) is a negative pressure generating source for reducing the pressure inside the subtank 151. The atmosphere release valve V0 is a valve for switching whether or not the inside of the subtank 151 is connected to the atmosphere.

[0041] The main tank 141 is a tank that contains ink to be supplied to the sub tank 151. The main tank 141 is detachable from the recording apparatus body. A tank supply valve V1 for switching the connection between the sub tank 151 and the main tank 141 is provided in the middle of a tank connection flow path C1 that connects the sub tank 151 and the main tank 141.

[0042] When the ink level detection means 151a detects that the ink in the subtank 151 is less than a predetermined amount, the ink supply control unit 209 closes the atmosphere release valve V0, the supply valve V2, the recovery valve V4, and the head replacement valve V5. The ink supply control unit 209 also opens the tank supply valve V1. In this state, the ink supply control unit 209 operates the pressure reduction pump P0. This creates a negative pressure inside the subtank 151, and ink is supplied from the main tank 141 to the subtank 151. When the ink level detection means 151a detects that the ink in the subtank 151 has exceeded a predetermined amount, the ink supply control unit 209 closes the tank supply valve V1 and stops the pressure reduction pump P0.

[0043] The supply flow path C2 is a flow path for supplying ink from the sub tank 151 to the recording head 8, and a supply pump P1 and a supply valve V2 are arranged along the way. During a recording operation, the supply pump P1 is driven with the supply valve V2 open, so that ink can be circulated in the circulation path while being supplied to the recording head 8. The amount of ink ejected per unit time by the recording head 8 varies according to image data. The flow rate of the supply pump P1 is determined so as to be able to handle the case where the recording head 8 performs an ejection operation that consumes the maximum amount of ink per unit time.

[0044] The relief flow path C3 is upstream of the supply valve V2 and is a flow path that connects the upstream and downstream sides of the supply pump P1. A relief valve V3, which is a differential pressure valve, is disposed in the middle of the relief flow path C3. The relief valve is spring-biased, not opened and closed by a drive mechanism, and is configured to open when a predetermined pressure is reached. For example, when the ink supply amount per unit time from the supply pump P1 is greater than the total value of the discharge amount per unit time of the recording head 8 and the flow rate (amount of ink drawn) per unit time of the recovery pump P2, the relief valve V3 opens according to the pressure acting on itself. This forms a circulating flow path consisting of a part of the supply flow path C2 and the relief flow path C3. By providing the configuration of the relief flow path C3, the ink supply amount to the recording head 8 is adjusted according to the ink consumption amount in the recording head 8, and the pressure in the circulation path can be stabilized regardless of the image data.

[0045] The recovery flow path C4 is a flow path for recovering ink from the recording head 8 to the subtank 151, and a recovery pump P2 and a recovery valve V4 are arranged along the way. When circulating ink in the circulation path, the recovery pump P2 serves as a negative pressure generating source to suck ink from the recording head 8. By driving the recovery pump P2, an appropriate pressure difference is generated between the IN flow path 80b and the OUT flow path 80c in the recording head 8, and ink can be circulated between the IN flow path 80b and the OUT flow path 80c.

[0046] The recovery valve V4 is also a valve for preventing backflow when no printing operation is being performed, i.e., when no ink is circulating in the circulation path. In the circulation path of this embodiment, the subtank 151 is disposed vertically above the recording head 8 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, when the supply pump P1 and the recovery pump P2 are not driven, there is a risk that ink will flow back from the subtank 151 to the recording head 8 due to the head difference between the subtank 151 and the recording head 8. To prevent such backflow, in this embodiment, the recovery valve V4 is provided in the recovery flow path C4.

[0047] In addition, the supply valve V2 also functions as a valve to prevent the supply of ink from the subtank 151 to the print head 8 when no printing operation is being performed, i.e., when ink is not circulating in the circulation path.

[0048] The head replacement flow path C5 is a flow path that connects the supply flow path C2 and the air chamber (space that does not contain ink) of the subtank 151, and a head replacement valve V5 is disposed midway through the flow path. One end of the head replacement flow path C5 is connected to the upstream of the recording head 8 in the supply flow path C2 and connected to the downstream side of the supply valve V2. The other end of the head replacement flow path C5 is connected to the upper part of the subtank 151 and communicates with the air chamber inside the subtank 151. The head replacement flow path C5 is used when extracting ink from the recording head 8 in use, such as when replacing the recording head 8 or when transporting the recording device 1. The head replacement valve V5 is controlled by the ink supply control unit 209 so as to be closed except when filling the recording head 8 with ink and when recovering ink from the recording head 8.

[0049] Next, the flow path configuration in the recording head 8 will be described. The ink supplied to the recording head 8 from the supply flow path C2 passes through a filter 83, and is then supplied to a first negative pressure control unit 81 and a second negative pressure control unit 82. The first negative pressure control unit 81 has a control pressure set to a weak negative pressure (negative pressure with a small pressure difference from atmospheric pressure). The second negative pressure control unit 82 has a control pressure set to a strong negative pressure (negative pressure with a large pressure difference from atmospheric pressure). The pressures in the first negative pressure control unit 81 and the second negative pressure control unit 82 are generated within an appropriate range by driving the recovery pump P2.

[0050] In the ink ejection section 80, a plurality of recording element substrates 80a, each having a plurality of ejection ports arranged therein, are arranged to form a long ejection port array. A common supply flow path 80b (IN flow path) for guiding ink supplied from the first negative pressure control unit 81 and a common recovery flow path 80c (OUT flow path) for guiding ink supplied from the second negative pressure control unit 82 also extend in the arrangement direction of the recording element substrates 80a. Furthermore, in each recording element substrate 80a, an individual supply flow path connected to the common supply flow path 80b and an individual recovery flow path connected to the common recovery flow path 80c are formed. Therefore, in each recording element substrate 80a, a flow of ink is generated in which ink flows in from the common supply flow path 80b, which has a relatively weak negative pressure, and flows out to the common recovery flow path 80c, which has a relatively strong negative pressure. In the path between the individual supply flow paths and the individual recovery flow paths, a pressure chamber is provided which is connected to each ejection port and is filled with ink, and ink flows even in ejection ports and pressure chambers which are not performing printing. When an ejection operation is performed on the recording element substrate 80a, a portion of the ink moving from the common supply flow path 80b to the common recovery flow path 80c is consumed by being ejected from the ejection port, but the ink that is not ejected moves to the recovery flow path C4 via the common recovery flow path 80c.

[0051] Fig. 7(a) is a schematic plan view of an enlarged portion of the recording element substrate 80a, and Fig. 7(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the cross-sectional line VIIb-VIIb in Fig. 7(a). The recording element substrate 80a is provided with pressure chambers 1005 filled with ink and ejection ports 1006 for ejecting ink. In the pressure chambers 1005, recording elements 1004 are provided at positions facing the ejection ports 1006. In addition, the recording element substrate 80a is provided with a plurality of individual supply flow paths 1008 connected to the common supply flow path 80b and individual recovery flow paths 1009 connected to the common recovery flow path 80c, each for each ejection port 1006.

[0052] With the above-mentioned configuration, in the recording element substrate 80a, a flow of ink is generated in which the ink flows in from the common supply flow path 80b, which has a relatively weak negative pressure (high absolute pressure value), and flows out to the common recovery flow path 80c, which has a relatively strong negative pressure (low absolute pressure value). More specifically, the ink flows in the order of the common supply flow path 80b → individual supply flow path 1008 → pressure chamber 1005 → individual recovery flow path 1009 → common recovery flow path 80c. When ink is ejected by the recording element 1004, a part of the ink moving from the common supply flow path 80b to the common recovery flow path 80c is ejected from the ejection port 1006 and discharged to the outside of the recording head 8. On the other hand, the ink not ejected from the ejection port 1006 is ejected to the recovery flow path C4 via the common recovery flow path 80c.

[0053] When performing a recording operation with the above configuration, the ink supply control unit 209 closes the tank supply valve V1 and the head replacement valve V5, opens the atmosphere release valve V0, the supply valve V2, and the recovery valve V4, and drives the supply pump P1 and the recovery pump P2. This establishes a circulation path from the subtank 151 to the supply flow path C2 to the recording head 8 to the recovery flow path C4 to the subtank 151. When the amount of ink supplied per unit time from the supply pump P1 is greater than the sum of the amount of ink discharged per unit time from the recording head 8 and the flow rate per unit time in the recovery pump P2, ink flows from the supply flow path C2 to the relief flow path C3. This adjusts the flow rate of ink flowing from the supply flow path C2 to the recording head 8.

[0054] When no printing operation is being performed, the ink supply control unit 209 stops the supply pump P1 and the recovery pump P2, and closes the atmosphere release valve V0, the supply valve V2, and the recovery valve V4. This stops the flow of ink in the print head 8, and also suppresses backflow due to the head difference between the subtank 151 and the print head 8. Closing the atmosphere release valve V0 also suppresses ink leakage from the subtank 151 and ink evaporation.

[0055] When recovering ink from the recording head 8, the ink supply control unit 209 closes the atmosphere release valve V0, the tank supply valve V1, the supply valve V2, and the recovery valve V4, opens the head replacement valve V5, and drives the pressure reducing pump P0. This creates a negative pressure state inside the subtank 151, and the ink in the recording head 8 is recovered to the subtank 151 via the head replacement flow path C5. In this way, the head replacement valve V5 is closed during normal recording operations and standby, and is opened when recovering ink from the recording head 8. The head replacement valve V5 is also opened when filling the head replacement flow path C5 with ink to fill the recording head 8.

[0056] This embodiment has a circulation mode in which only black ink is circulated, and a circulation mode in which all color inks are circulated. In the circulation mode in which only black ink is circulated, the color inks (cyan, magenta, yellow) are not circulated, and control is performed so that only black ink is circulated through the above circulation path. On the other hand, in the circulation mode in which all colors are circulated, control is performed so that all color inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) are circulated through the above circulation path.

[0057] [Explanation of ink concentration due to ink circulation] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the ejection port 1006 of the recording element substrate 80a in FIG. 7(b) in an enlarged manner. The phenomenon of ink concentration due to ink circulation will be described with reference to FIG. 8. All three figures of FIG. 8, (a), (b), and (c), show the same ejection port 1006, and are arranged so that the state changes over time from FIG. 8(a) to (c). FIG. 8(a) shows ink before water evaporation flows from the upstream of the ejection port 1006, passes near the ejection port 1006, and flows downstream of the ejection port 1006. When ink passes through the ejection port 1006, the ink surface, which is the meniscus of the ejection port 1006, is exposed to the atmosphere, and the ink closer to the ink surface exposed to the atmosphere has more water evaporated. The ink from which water has evaporated circulates again, and the ink from which water has evaporated and the ink from which water has not evaporated are mixed in the circulation path.

[0058] Fig. 8(b) shows that the ink upstream of the ejection port 1006 flows in a state where some of the water has evaporated due to a mixture of ink from which the water has evaporated and ink from which the water has not evaporated in Fig. 8(a). When this ink from which some of the water has evaporated passes through the ejection port 1006, the ink surface is exposed to the atmosphere again, and water evaporates from the ink in the vicinity of the ink surface exposed to the atmosphere.

[0059] FIG. 8C shows a state in which repeated evaporation of water from the ejection port 1006 causes the ink to evaporate, increasing the ink concentration throughout the entire circulation path and concentrating the ink. For this reason, in order to prevent ink concentration in the circulation path, it is desirable not to circulate ink colors that are not used in printing. For example, in this embodiment, when the printing setting is the monochrome mode, black K ink is used, and color inks (cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y) are not used. For this reason, in a circulation mode in which black ink for printing in monochrome mode is circulated, in order to prevent color ink concentration in the circulation path, color inks, which are ink types other than black ink type, are not circulated.

[0060] On the other hand, if the ink is not circulated, the ink in the vicinity of the ejection orifices 1006 evaporates over time and becomes more viscous. Viscous ink can cause ejection defects. Viscous ink in the vicinity of the ejection orifices 1006 can be removed by circulating the ink. For this reason, for example, if color inks have not been circulated because printing has been performed in monochrome mode, it is desirable to circulate the color inks before printing using color inks.

[0061] [flowchart] In this embodiment, when printing using color inks after a circulation mode in which color inks are not circulated has been performed for a predetermined period of time, the color inks are circulated before the printing operation is performed.

[0062] The details of this series of processes will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 9. Note that the symbol "S" in the description of each process indicates a step in the flowchart.

[0063] In S901, the print controller 202 acquires a job and starts printing based on the acquired job. The acquired job includes information for determining whether printing is to be performed in a monochrome mode using black ink or in a color mode using black ink and color ink. If printing is to be performed in a monochrome mode based on the acquired job, printing is performed in a circulation mode in which only black ink is circulated, and if printing is to be performed in a color mode, printing is performed in an all-color circulation mode in which all color inks are circulated.

[0064] Here, the setting information indicating whether to use the monochrome mode or the color mode is indicated by the user via a PC driver, for example. Fig. 10(a) is a driver screen displayed on the user's PC. As shown in Fig. 10(a), when "black and white mode" is selected via the driver, the print controller 202 sets the printing to be performed in the monochrome mode based on the acquired job information. When this setting is made, printing is performed in a circulation mode in which only black ink is circulated.

[0065] On the other hand, when "Auto / Color Mode" is selected via the driver, the print controller 202 sets the printing in color mode from the acquired job information. When this setting is made, printing is performed in the all-color circulation mode.

[0066] Fig. 10(b) is a diagram showing the UI of the operation panel 104 of the recording device 1. Even when black-and-white copying is selected by the user via the UI shown in Fig. 10(b), the print controller 202 sets the recording to be performed in monochrome mode based on the acquired job information. When this setting is made, recording is performed in a circulation mode in which only black ink is circulated. Also, for a job to print a fax, the print controller 202 sets the recording to be performed in monochrome mode. When this setting is made, recording is performed in a circulation mode in which only black ink is circulated.

[0067] In S902, the print controller 202 determines whether printing based on the acquired job is completed. If completed, the process proceeds to S903.

[0068] In S903, the print controller 202 determines whether the printing performed in S901 was performed in a circulation mode in which only black ink circulates. In monochrome mode printing, black ink is used, and color inks are not used. In this case, the only ink circulating during monochrome mode printing is black ink. Therefore, if the printing based on the job performed in S901 was performed in monochrome mode, it is determined that the printing was performed in the circulation mode in which only black ink circulates, and the process proceeds to S904.

[0069] If the mode is not the circulation mode in which only black ink is circulated, for example, if printing is in the color mode in which all colors are circulated, the process proceeds to S905.

[0070] In S904, the print controller 202 acquires the ink circulation time based on the immediately preceding job in S901. The recording device 1 is provided with a timer as a measuring means for counting the ink circulation time, and the print controller 202 uses the timer to record the ink circulation time for each job. In addition, the RAM 204 stores the cumulative time Tksum during which only black ink has been continuously circulating.

[0071] The print controller 202 acquires the cumulative time Tksum during which only black ink is continuously circulating, and adds to the cumulative time Tksum the circulation time of the ink performed based on the immediately preceding job of S901. In this way, the cumulative time Tksum during which only black ink is continuously circulating is updated, and the updated cumulative time Tksum is stored in the RAM 204.

[0072] In the circulation mode in which only black ink is circulating, the color inks are not circulating. Therefore, by determining the time during which only black ink is circulating, it is possible to determine the accumulated time during which no color ink is circulating. Note that, as will be described later, when color inks are circulated, the accumulated time Tksum during which only black ink is continuously circulating is reset.

[0073] In S905, the print controller 202 checks whether the next job to be processed is waiting, and if there is a waiting job, it determines that there is a next job. If it is determined that there is no next job, the process proceeds to S915. In S915, the print controller 202 ends the circulation of ink and ends the process. Here, the print controller 202 may reset the cumulative time Tksum to 0.

[0074] If the next job is waiting (YES in S905), the process proceeds to S906.

[0075] In S906, the print controller 202 determines whether the previous job acquired in S901 is a job in which only black ink is circulated, and whether the waiting job is a job in which all colors are circulated. For example, when recording in color mode, all colors of ink (cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, black K) are used, so a job that performs recording in color mode is a job that circulates all colors. Similarly, when recording in monochrome mode, only black K ink is used, so a job that performs recording in monochrome mode is a job that circulates only black ink. Therefore, if the previous job is a job in which recording in monochrome mode is performed, and the next job is a job in which recording in color mode is performed, the determination result is YES.

[0076] If the determination in S906 is YES, the circulation mode will be changed. Therefore, in S907, the print controller 202 temporarily stops the current circulation of ink in order to change the circulation mode.

[0077] In this embodiment, the ink is circulated for each color, but the pumps that circulate the inks of each color are driven by a common motor. Therefore, when changing from a circulation mode in which only black ink circulates to a circulation mode in which all colors circulate, the circulation mode is changed by changing the drive of the motor. Therefore, when changing the circulation mode, the ink circulation is temporarily stopped in order to change the drive of the motor.

[0078] Therefore, in cases where there is no need to stop the current circulation mode in order to switch circulation modes, such as when a separate motor is provided for each circulation mode, the process of S907 may be omitted.

[0079] In S908, the print controller 202 starts a cycle of all colors for printing in the color mode.

[0080] In S909, the print controller 202 acquires Tksum, which indicates the accumulated time during which only black ink has circulated, from the RAM 204, and determines whether the accumulated time Tksum is equal to or less than a predetermined time. In this embodiment, the predetermined time is 300 seconds, and so the print controller 202 determines whether the accumulated time Tksum during which only black ink has circulated is equal to or less than 300 seconds. Here, the predetermined time of 300 seconds is merely an example and is not limited to this time.

[0081] If the cumulative time Tksum exceeds 300 seconds (S909: NO), in S910 the print controller 202 makes the recording device 1 wait for a certain period of time. Specifically, the print controller 202 refers to the table shown in Fig. 11 to determine a wait time Tx corresponding to the cumulative time Tksum, and makes the recording device wait for Tx seconds.

[0082] "Wait" refers to maintaining a state in which ink circulation is taking place without printing operations being performed. Normally, printing starts immediately after the ink circulation operation for printing is performed, but in this case, after the circulation operation is started, ink circulation is performed for Tx seconds according to the table in Figure 11 before printing starts. In this way, by extending the time from when the circulation of all colors begins to when the printing operation starts, the ink circulation of all colors is performed without printing operations being performed. This makes it possible to recover thickened ink near the color ink nozzles that was not circulated in the black ink circulation mode.

[0083] In order to prevent the color inks in the circulation path from concentrating, color inks are not generally circulated during printing in monochrome mode in which only black ink circulates. Therefore, the cumulative time Tksum in the circulation mode in which only black ink circulates is equal to the cumulative time in which color inks are not circulating. The longer the cumulative time in which color inks are not circulating, the more thickened ink has progressed near the color ink ejection ports. For this reason, as a preparation for printing in color mode, an all-color circulation is performed in which the color inks are preliminarily circulated for a certain period of time according to the cumulative time Tksum in which black ink has circulated.

[0084] It should be noted that the table in FIG. 11 is merely an example, and other tables in which the cumulative time Tksum and the wait time Tx correspond to each other may be used. Generally, as shown in FIG. 11, the table is such that the wait time Tx, which indicates the time for all colors to circulate before printing, becomes longer as the cumulative time Tksum for which black ink is circulated becomes longer. As described above, a long circulation time for black ink means a long cumulative time for which color inks are not circulating. The longer the time that ink in the circulation path is not circulating, the more the ink in the vicinity of the ejection orifices thickens. For this reason, in order to eliminate ink that has thickened by circulating the ink for a long time, the wait time Tx is set to become longer as the cumulative time Tksum becomes longer.

[0085] 11 is stored in advance in the ROM 203, and the print controller 202 can refer to the table at any time. Instead of using the table, the wait time Tx may be determined using a formula into which the cumulative time Tksum is substituted.

[0086] After the recording device 1 waits for Tx seconds in S910, or if the cumulative time Tksum is 300 seconds or less (YES in S909), the process proceeds to S911.

[0087] In S911, the print controller 202 resets the cumulative time Tksum and stores it as 0. That is, in the next job, all of the ink will be circulated, so the cumulative time Tksum is reset.

[0088] On the other hand, if the job acquired immediately before in S901 is a job related to a circulation mode in which only black ink is circulated, and the circulation mode included in the waiting job is not a circulation mode in which all colors are circulated (NO in S906), the process proceeds to S912.

[0089] In S912, the print controller 202 determines whether the job performed in S901 immediately before is a job in which all colors are circulated and whether the waiting job is a job in which only black ink is circulated. For example, if the immediately before job is a job in which printing is performed in color mode and the next job is a job in which printing is performed in monochrome mode, the determination result is YES.

[0090] If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to S913. In the process of S913, the circulation is stopped to change the circulation mode, similarly to the process of S907.

[0091] In S914, the print controller 202 starts circulating black ink for printing with black ink. Here, the circulation mode of the previous job is all-color circulation, so there is no ink that has not been circulated in the previous job. Therefore, there is no wait time, and the process returns to S901 to start printing.

[0092] On the other hand, if S912 is NO, the color of the circulating ink will not change between the job processed in S901 immediately before and the next waiting job, and since there is no need to recover the thickened ink near the ejection orifices, the process returns to S901 and printing is started again.

[0093] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if a job in which color ink is not circulated, such as printing in monochrome mode, is performed for a certain period of time, it is possible to recover thickened ink near the color ink ejection ports before printing using the color ink. Therefore, by not circulating ink that is not used in the printing operation, it is possible to prevent ink concentration and prevent ejection defects caused by non-circulated ink.

[0094] Second Embodiment In addition to the process described in the first embodiment, this embodiment performs all-color circulation after a job that does not circulate color ink is completed for a predetermined period of time. By performing all-color circulation at the time when a printing operation is completed, maintenance (preliminary circulation operation described in the first embodiment) for recovering the color ink orifices at the time of job acquisition can be eliminated, even if the next job is a job for printing in color mode.

[0095] The present embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Portions not specifically mentioned have the same configuration and processing as the first embodiment. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of this embodiment.

[0096] The processes in S1201 to S1204 are the same as those in S901 to S904, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the processes in S1206 to S1214 are the same as those in S906 to S914, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0097] In S1205, the print controller 202 checks whether a job is waiting, and if there is a waiting job, determines that there is a next job. If it is determined that there is no next job, the process proceeds to S1215.

[0098] The subsequent processes of S1215 to S1220 are processes for performing all-color circulation in advance in preparation for the case where the next job acquired by the print controller 202 is a color mode job, even if there is no waiting job. That is, there is a case where a series of jobs for circulating black ink is completed and there is no next waiting job (NO in S1205). In this case, since no printing is performed, the print controller 202 stops the circulation of the ink (S1215). At this time, if the cumulative time Tksum for which the black ink has circulated exceeds a predetermined value (NO in S1216), the print controller 202 performs all-color circulation without performing a printing operation according to the cumulative time Tksum for which the black ink has circulated (S1217). By performing all-color circulation in advance in this way, the thickened ink near the color ink orifices is removed. Therefore, even if the next job acquired by the print controller 202 is a job for printing in color mode, it is possible to eliminate the need for processing for maintaining the orifices for ejecting color inks.

[0099] As for the individual processes, S1216 is the same as S909, S1217 is the same as S908, S1218 is the same as S910, and S1220 is the same as S911, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] If the cumulative time Tksum is 300 seconds or less in S1216, the process is terminated; however, the print controller 202 may reset the cumulative time Tksum to 0 and terminate the process.

[0101] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to recover viscous ink near the color ink ejection orifices in preparation for the case where the next job acquired by the print controller 202 is a job for recording in color mode. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for maintenance to restore the color ink ejection orifices when acquiring the next job.

[0102] <Other embodiments> In the embodiment described above, the print controller 202 performs a series of processes, but the main controller 101 may perform the processes.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the ink colors used in the recording device 1 have been described as black ink K and color inks (cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y), but the ink colors are not limited to this example. For example, there may be multiple types of black ink K (K1, K2), and the color inks may include K1 ink. The above-described embodiment is also applicable to a recording device that is equipped with multiple inks and operates in a first mode using a first ink and a second mode using multiple inks including the first ink.

[0104] In the embodiment described above, only black ink circulates during printing in the monochrome mode. Therefore, the time of printing operation in the monochrome mode can be considered to be equivalent to the time during which only black ink circulates, so the print controller 202 may determine the cumulative time Tksum based on the time of printing in the monochrome mode.

[0105] In the above-described embodiment, the predetermined time or wait time Tx is determined based on the cumulative time Tksum that the black ink has circulated. Alternatively, the cumulative time that the color ink has not circulated may be measured, and the cumulative time may be used to determine the predetermined time or wait time Tx in the above-described embodiment.

[0106] In the embodiment described above, the circulation mode has two modes, a black ink circulation mode and an all-color circulation mode, but a circulation mode for each ink type may also be provided. In that case, the ink circulation performed to recover the thickened ink near the ejection orifices may be a mode in which only the color inks excluding the black ink are circulated, rather than a circulation of all colors.

[0107] Alternatively, the print controller 202 may measure the non-circulating time for each ink type and determine the cumulative non-circulating time for each ink type. When each cumulative time exceeds a predetermined time and printing is to be performed using that ink type, that ink type may be selected as the target ink to be circulated before the printing operation based on the cumulative non-circulating time for that ink type, and the target ink may be circulated. For example, in S904, the print controller 202 manages the cumulative time that ink types have not been circulated for each ink type. Also, the determination in S906 is to determine whether or not there is an ink type that has not been circulated in the previous job among the ink types that will be circulated by processing a waiting job.

[0108] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Recording device 8. Recording Head 1005 Pressure Chamber 1006 Discharge port 202 Print Controller

Claims

1. A plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink; a plurality of pressure chambers filled with ink to be ejected from the ejection ports; having the plurality of ejection ports include a first ejection port that ejects a first ink and a second ejection port that ejects a second ink different from the first ink, the plurality of pressure chambers include a first pressure chamber filled with ink to be ejected from the first ejection port, and a second pressure chamber filled with ink to be ejected from the second ejection port, a first circulation unit that circulates ink in a flow path including the first pressure chamber; a second circulation means for circulating the ink in the flow path including the second pressure chamber; a start timing of circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means after completion of recording is different from a start timing of circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means; When recording in a mode using the second ink is performed after recording in a mode using the first ink and not using the second ink, circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means is started between the end of recording in the mode using the first ink and not using the second ink and the start of recording in the mode using the second ink, and the circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means is performed in parallel with the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means, and even during recording in the mode using the second ink that is started thereafter, the circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means is performed in parallel with the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means. A recording apparatus comprising:

2. the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means is started before the recording is completed, After the recording is completed, the second ink is circulated by the second circulation means, and the second ink is circulated by the second circulation means and the first ink is circulated by the first circulation means in parallel.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,

3. the pressure chamber is a space in which the ejection port faces an energy generating element that generates energy for ejecting ink, When the energy generating element is driven, the ink in the pressure chamber is ejected from the ejection port.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

4. a first supply flow path and a first recovery flow path through which the first ink flows, and a second supply flow path and a second recovery flow path through which the second ink flows, When the first circulation means is driven, ink flows from the first supply flow path through the first pressure chamber and into the first recovery flow path, and the ink that has passed through the first recovery flow path flows again through the first supply flow path, When the second circulation means is driven, ink flows from the second supply flow path through the second pressure chamber and into the second recovery flow path, and the ink that has passed through the second recovery flow path flows again through the second supply flow path.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

5. the recording head includes the first ejection port, the first pressure chamber, the first supply flow path, and the first recovery flow path; a first flow path for supplying ink from a tank that stores the first ink to the recording head; The first circulation means circulates the ink in the flow passage including the first flow passage.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4.

6. a third flow path through which the first ink discharged from the recording head flows; The ink that has passed through the third flow path flows again through the first flow path.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

7. the recording head includes the second ejection port, the second pressure chamber, the second supply flow path, and the second recovery flow path; a second flow path for supplying ink from a tank that stores the second ink to the recording head; 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second circulation unit circulates the ink in a flow path including the second flow path.

8. a fourth flow path through which the second ink discharged from the recording head flows; The ink that has passed through the fourth flow path flows again through the second flow path.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The first circulation means and the second circulation means are pumps.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

10. When an image is recorded using the first ink, the first circulation means starts circulating the first ink.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,

11. When an image is recorded using the second ink, the second circulation means starts circulating the second ink.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,

12. While an image is being recorded using the first ink and not using the second ink, the second circulating means does not circulate the second ink.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

13. The first circulation means starts circulating the first ink earlier than the second circulation means starts circulating the second ink.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

14. when an image is recorded using the first ink, the first circulation means starts circulating the first ink, The second circulation means starts circulating the second ink after the recording of the image using the first ink is completed.

14. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,

15. When the second ink circulation by the second circulation means starts, the first ink circulation by the first circulation means continues.

15. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,

16. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ink is a black ink.

17. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second ink is a color ink.

18. A plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink; a plurality of pressure chambers filled with ink to be ejected from the ejection port; the plurality of ejection ports include a first ejection port that ejects a first ink and a second ejection port that ejects a second ink different from the first ink, the plurality of pressure chambers include a first pressure chamber filled with ink to be ejected from the first ejection port, and a second pressure chamber filled with ink to be ejected from the second ejection port, a first circulation unit that circulates ink in a flow path including the first pressure chamber; a second circulation unit that circulates ink in a flow path including the second pressure chamber, controlling a start timing of circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means after completion of recording so as to be different from a start timing of circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means; The method includes a control step of starting circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means between the end of recording in the mode using the first ink and not using the second ink and the start of recording in the mode using the second ink, so that the circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means is performed in parallel with the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means, and also during recording in the mode using the second ink that is started thereafter, the circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means is performed in parallel with the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means. A control method comprising:

19. the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means is started before the recording is completed, In the control step, By starting the circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means after the completion of the recording, the circulation of the second ink by the second circulation means and the circulation of the first ink by the first circulation means are performed in parallel.

20. The method of claim 18.

20. The control step includes a step of causing the first circulation means to start circulating the first ink when an image is recorded using the first ink.

20. The control method according to claim 18 or 19.

21. The control step includes: When an image is recorded using the second ink, the method includes a step of causing the second circulation means to start circulating the second ink.

21. The control method according to any one of claims 18 to 20.

22. The control step includes: The method includes a step of not circulating the second ink by the second circulation means while an image is being recorded using the first ink and not using the second ink.

22. The control method according to any one of claims 18 to 21.

23. The control step includes: The method includes a step of causing the first circulation means to start circulating the first ink earlier than the second circulation means starts circulating the second ink.

23. The control method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

24. In the control step, when an image is recorded using the first ink, the first circulation means is caused to start circulating the first ink; After the recording of the image using the first ink is completed, the second circulation means is caused to start circulating the second ink.

24. The control method according to any one of claims 18 to 23.

25. In the control step, When the second circulating means starts circulating the second ink, the first circulating means continues circulating the first ink.

25. The control method according to any one of claims 18 to 24.

Images