Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To keep a wasteful exhaust of a liquid as low as possible in a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A printer performs a checkup derive (S201, S202 : YES) when time becomes predetermined on a standby time. The printer stores flag information which indicates that an abnormal nozzle is present (S206) when a judgement signal outputted on a checkup drive standby time indicates that the abnormal nozzle is present (S205 : YES). Further, the printer performs flashing that is a part of recovery action (S208). And, afterwards, the printer suction purge that is the portion excluding an above-mentioned part of the recovery action is performed in the case where the flag information is stored when its the power supply turns on.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from a nozzle. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from nozzles, Patent Document 1 describes a printer that ejects ink from nozzles to record on paper. In the printer of Patent Document 1, when a preset time comes, etc., a maintenance operation is performed that includes purging, which forcibly expels ink from the head by driving a pump to apply pressure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-61673 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printer of Patent Document 1, as described above, a maintenance operation is performed at a preset time. However, if there is a long period of time between the time and when the printer starts recording on paper, the ink in the head may thicken during this period, and it may become necessary to perform a maintenance operation again just before recording on paper. In this case, the ink discharged by the maintenance operation performed at the time ends up being wasted.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device capable of minimizing the wasteful discharge of liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, and a liquid ejection head that is driven for inspection to check whether the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in ejecting liquid. a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal indicating whether the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle; The device includes a recovery means for performing a recovery operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle, a storage unit, and a control device, and the control device causes the inspection drive to be performed when a first signal is received, and stores flag information in the storage unit indicating that the recovery operation needs to be performed when the determination signal transmitted from the signal output unit indicates that an abnormal nozzle is present. and causing the recovery means to perform a part of the recovery operation. When a second signal different from the first signal is received, if the flag information is stored in the storage unit, the recovery operation is performed by the recovery means based on the flag information. The remaining part excluding the above part Have them carry out the procedure. A liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a nozzle that ejects liquid, a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when the liquid ejection head is caused to perform an inspection drive for checking whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in ejecting liquid, recovery means that performs a recovery operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle, a memory unit, a temperature signal output unit that outputs a temperature signal indicating a temperature, and a control device, wherein the control device performs the inspection drive when it receives a first signal, and when the determination signal transmitted from the signal output unit indicates a temperature in the nozzle, the control device When the signal indicates the presence of an abnormal nozzle, flag information indicating the need to perform the recovery operation is stored in the memory unit, and when a second signal different from the first signal is received and the flag information is stored in the memory unit, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation based on the flag information, and after the inspection drive is performed when the temperature indicated by the temperature signal is within a first temperature range, when the temperature indicated by the temperature signal switches from a temperature within the first temperature range to a temperature within a second temperature range different from the first temperature range, the inspection drive is performed again. In addition, a liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a nozzle that ejects liquid, a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when the liquid ejection head is caused to perform an inspection drive to check whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in liquid ejection, a recovery means that performs a recovery operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle, a memory unit, a clock unit that outputs a time signal indicating the time, and a control device, wherein the control device executes an inspection process for causing the inspection drive to be performed when it receives, as a first signal, the time signal indicating that it is a predetermined time transmitted from the clock unit, and if the determination signal transmitted from the signal output unit indicates the presence of the abnormal nozzle, stores flag information in the memory unit indicating that the recovery operation needs to be performed, and when it receives a second signal different from the first signal, if the flag information is stored in the memory unit, causes the recovery means to perform the recovery operation based on the flag information, and when the power is turned on, if the inspection drive was not performed at the last predetermined time before the power was turned on, executes the inspection process. Furthermore, a liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a nozzle that ejects liquid, a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when the liquid ejection head is caused to perform an inspection drive to check whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in ejecting liquid, recovery means that performs a recovery operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle, a memory unit, a clock unit that outputs a time signal indicating the time, and a control device, wherein the control device executes an inspection process for causing the inspection drive to be performed when the control device receives, as a first signal, the time signal indicating that it is a predetermined time transmitted from the clock unit, When the determination signal transmitted from the signal output unit indicates the presence of an abnormal nozzle, flag information indicating the need to perform the recovery operation is stored in the memory unit, and when an ejection instruction signal is received as a second signal separate from the first signal, instructing the liquid ejection head to eject liquid from the multiple nozzles toward the ejection medium, if the flag information is stored in the memory unit, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation based on the flag information, and if the inspection drive was not performed at the last specified time before the ejection instruction signal was received, the inspection process is executed. Effect of the Invention

[0007] When the first signal is received, the inspection drive is performed, and when the judgment signal indicates that an abnormal nozzle exists, unlike the present invention, if a recovery operation is immediately performed, if the period between receiving the first signal and receiving the second signal is long, there is a risk that the liquid in the liquid ejection head will thicken during this period. In this case, it is necessary to perform the recovery operation again when the second signal is received, and as a result, the discharge of liquid by the recovery operation performed when the first signal is received will be wasted.

[0008] In the present invention, when a first signal is received, a test drive is performed, and if the determination signal indicates that an abnormal nozzle exists, flag information is stored. Then, when a second signal is received, if the flag information is stored, a recovery operation is performed. This prevents unnecessary discharge of liquid as described above, even if there is a long period between receiving the first signal and receiving the second signal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining detection electrodes disposed in a cap, and the connection relationship between the detection electrodes and a high-voltage power supply circuit and a determination circuit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the change in voltage value of the detection electrode when ink is ejected from the nozzle, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the change in voltage value of the detection electrode when ink is not ejected from the nozzle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13A is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when power is supplied to at least the control device and the clock unit, and FIG. 13B is a diagram for explaining stored temperature range information. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of process A in FIG. 5(a). [Figure 7] 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of process B in FIG. 5(a). [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing a process flow during recording. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 5(a) of Modification 1. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 5(a) of Modification 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

[0011] <Overall printer configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 (the "liquid ejection device" of the present invention) according to this embodiment includes a carriage 2, a subtank 3, an inkjet head 4 (the "liquid ejection head" of the present invention), a platen 5, transport rollers 6 and 7, a maintenance unit 8, etc.

[0012] The carriage 2 is supported by two guide rails 11, 12 extending in the scanning direction. The carriage 2 is connected to a carriage motor 86 (see FIG. 4) via a belt (not shown) or the like, and when the carriage motor 86 is driven, the carriage 2 moves in the scanning direction along the guide rails 11, 12. In the following description, the right and left sides of the scanning direction are defined as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] The subtank 3 is mounted on the carriage 2. Here, the printer 1 is equipped with a cartridge holder 13, in which four ink cartridges 14 are removably attached. The four ink cartridges 14 are aligned in the scanning direction, and from the one arranged on the right side in the scanning direction, they store black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks ("liquid" of the present invention). The subtank 3 is connected to the four ink cartridges 14 attached to the cartridge holder 13 via four tubes 15. In this way, the four colors of ink are supplied from the four ink cartridges 14 to the subtank 3.

[0014] The inkjet head 4 is mounted on the carriage 2 and connected to the lower end of the subtank 3. The inkjet head 4 is supplied with the four colors of ink from the subtank 3. The inkjet head 4 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 formed on its lower surface, a nozzle face 4a. More specifically, the nozzles 10 are arranged in a transport direction perpendicular to the scanning direction to form a nozzle row 9, and on the nozzle face 4a, four nozzle rows 9 are lined up in the scanning direction. From the nozzles 10, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected starting from the nozzle row 9 on the right side of the scanning direction.

[0015] The platen 5 is disposed below the inkjet head 4 and faces the multiple nozzles 10. The platen 5 extends over the entire length of the recording paper P (the "ejection receiving medium" of the present invention) in the scanning direction and supports the recording paper P from below. The transport roller 6 is disposed upstream of the inkjet head 4 and the platen 5 in the transport direction. The transport roller 7 is disposed downstream of the inkjet head 4 and the platen 5 in the transport direction. The transport rollers 6 and 7 are connected to a transport motor 87 (see FIG. 4) via gears and the like (not shown). When the transport motor 87 is driven, the transport rollers 6 and 7 rotate and the recording paper P is transported in the transport direction.

[0016] The maintenance unit 8 includes a cap 71, a suction pump 72, and a waste liquid tank 73. The cap 71 is disposed to the right of the platen 5 in the scanning direction. When the carriage 2 is positioned at a maintenance position to the right of the platen 5 in the scanning direction, the multiple nozzles 10 face the cap 71.

[0017] The cap 71 can be raised and lowered by a cap lifting mechanism 88 (see FIG. 4). When the carriage 2 is positioned at the maintenance position so that the plurality of nozzles 10 and the cap 71 face each other, the cap 71 is raised by the cap lifting mechanism 88, whereby the upper end of the cap 71 comes into close contact with the nozzle surface 4a, and the plurality of nozzles 10 are covered by the cap 71. Note that the cap 71 is not limited to covering the plurality of nozzles 10 by coming into close contact with the nozzle surface 4a. The cap 71 may cover the plurality of nozzles 10 by coming into close contact with a frame (not shown) or the like that is arranged around the nozzle surface 4a of the inkjet head 4, for example.

[0018] The suction pump 72 is a tube pump or the like, and is connected to the cap 71 and the waste liquid tank 73. In the maintenance unit 8, when the suction pump 72 is driven with the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the cap 71 as described above, it is possible to perform a so-called suction purge, in which ink is discharged from inside the inkjet head 4 through the plurality of nozzles 10. The ink discharged by the suction purge is stored in the waste liquid tank 73.

[0019] In this embodiment, it is possible to selectively perform one of a number of types of suction purge with different ink discharge amounts. The ink discharge amount differs between the multiple types of suction purge due to, for example, at least one of the driving time of the suction pump 72 and the rotation speed of the suction pump 72 being different.

[0020] For convenience, the cap 71 covers all the nozzles 10 together, and ink in the inkjet head 4 is discharged from all the nozzles 10 during suction purge. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cap 71 may have a portion covering the nozzles 10 constituting the rightmost nozzle row 9 that ejects black ink and a portion covering the nozzles 10 constituting the three leftmost nozzle rows 9 that eject color inks (yellow, cyan, and magenta inks), and either the black ink or the color ink in the inkjet head 4 may be selectively discharged during suction purge. Alternatively, for example, the cap 71 may be provided for each nozzle row 9, and ink may be discharged from the nozzles 10 for each nozzle row 9 separately during suction purge.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, a detection electrode 76 having a rectangular planar shape is disposed within the cap 71. The detection electrode 76 is connected to a high-voltage power supply circuit 77 via a resistor 79. A predetermined positive potential (for example, about 600 V) is applied to the detection electrode 76 by the high-voltage power supply circuit 77 during a determination drive, which will be described later. Meanwhile, the inkjet head 4 is held at the ground potential. This generates a predetermined potential difference between the inkjet head 4 and the detection electrode 76. A determination circuit 78 is connected to the detection electrode 76. The determination circuit 78 compares the potential of the signal output from the detection electrode 76 with a threshold value Vt, and outputs a signal according to the result.

[0022] More specifically, since a potential difference occurs between the inkjet head 4 and the detection electrode 76, the ink ejected from the nozzle 10 is charged. When the carriage 2 is positioned at the maintenance position and ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 toward the detection electrode 76, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the charged ink approaches the detection electrode 76, and the potential of the detection electrode 76 drops from the potential Va when the inkjet head 4 is not driven until the ink lands on the detection electrode 76, and reaches a potential Vb lower than the potential Va. Then, after the charged ink lands on the detection electrode 76, the potential of the detection electrode 76 gradually rises and returns to the potential Va. That is, the potential of the detection electrode 76 changes during the drive period Td of the inkjet head 4.

[0023] On the other hand, when ink is not being ejected from the nozzle 10, as shown in FIG. 3(b), during the driving period Td of the inkjet head 4, the potential of the detection electrode 76 hardly changes from the potential Va. Therefore, a threshold value Vt (Va < Vt < Vb) is set in the determination circuit 78 to distinguish between them. Then, during the driving period Td of the inkjet head 4, the determination circuit 78 compares the maximum potential of the voltage signal output from the detection electrode 76 with the threshold value Vt and outputs a determination signal according to the determination result. In the present embodiment, the combination of the detection electrode 76, the high-voltage power supply circuit 77, the resistor 79, and the determination circuit 78 corresponds to the "signal output unit" of the present invention. And this signal output unit outputs a determination signal according to whether the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle from which ink is not ejected.

[0024] Also, here, a positive potential is applied to the detection electrode 76 by the high-voltage power supply circuit 77, but a negative potential (for example, about -600 V) may be applied to the detection electrode 76 by the high-voltage power supply circuit 77. In this case, conversely to the above, with the carriage 2 positioned at the maintenance position, when ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 toward the detection electrode 76, the charged ink approaches the detection electrode 76, and the potential of the detection electrode 76 rises from the potential Va until the ink lands on the detection electrode 76. After the ink lands on the detection electrode 76, the potential of the detection electrode 76 gradually decreases and returns to the potential Va.

[0025] <Electrical Configuration of Printer> Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 1 includes a control device 80. The control device 80 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 81, a read only memory (ROM) 82, a random access memory (RAM) 83, a flash memory 84, and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 85. The control device 80 controls the operations of a carriage motor 86, an inkjet head 4, a conveying motor 87, a cap lifting mechanism 88, a suction pump 72, a high voltage power supply circuit 77, a driver IC 89, and the like. In this embodiment, the control device 80 controls the driver IC 89 to control the inkjet head 4. A determination signal is also input to the control device 80 from a determination circuit 78.

[0026] In addition to the components described above, the printer 1 also includes a display unit 69, an operation unit 70, a clock unit 68, a temperature sensor 67, and a battery 66. The display unit 69 is, for example, a liquid crystal display provided on the housing of the printer 1. The control device 80 controls the display unit 69 to display information necessary for the operation of the printer 1. The operation unit 70 is, for example, buttons provided on the housing of the printer 1, a touch panel provided on the display unit 69, etc. A user can input signals to the control device 80 by operating the operation unit 70.

[0027] In this embodiment, the operation unit 70 includes a power switch (not shown). The user can turn the printer 1 on and off by operating the power switch. When the user operates the power switch on the operation unit 70 to turn on the printer 1, the operation unit 70 outputs a power-on signal (the "second signal" of the present invention) indicating that the printer 1 has been turned on, and the control device 80 receives this power-on signal.

[0028] The clock unit 68 keeps time, and the control device 80 receives a time signal indicating the time (a "first signal" of the present invention) from the clock unit 68. The temperature sensor 67 detects, for example, the temperature of the inkjet head 4. The control device 80 receives a temperature signal indicating the temperature from the temperature sensor 67.

[0029] The battery 66 is connected to at least the control device 80 and the clock unit 68. Power is supplied to the printer 1 from an outlet (not shown), and at this time the battery 66 is charged. When the printer 1 is unplugged, power is supplied from the battery 66 to at least the control device 80 and the clock unit 68.

[0030] The control device 80 may be one in which only the CPU 81 performs various processes, one in which only the ASIC 85 performs various processes, or one in which the CPU 81 and the ASIC 85 work together to perform various processes. The control device 80 may be one in which one CPU 81 performs processes independently, or one in which multiple CPUs 81 share the processes. The control device 80 may be one in which one ASIC 85 performs processes independently, or one in which multiple ASICs 85 share the processes.

[0031] <Standby control> Next, the control by the control device 80 in the printer 1 during standby when no recording is being performed on the recording paper P will be described. During standby, the control device 80 in the printer 1 performs processing according to the flow in Fig. 5(a). Here, the flow in Fig. 5(a) is, for example, performed when the printer 1 is first plugged in and power supply to the printer 1 is started, and continues thereafter as long as power is being supplied to the control device 80 and clock unit 68 from the outlet or battery 66.

[0032] Describing the flow of Fig. 5(a) in more detail, the control device 80 indicates that the time signal received from the clock unit 68 is not the predetermined time (S101: NO), and the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 is the same as the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when the inspection drive described later was last performed (S102: NO). While not receiving the power-on signal (S103: NO), it waits.

[0033] Here, in the flash memory 84, for example, information on temperature ranges 1 to 4 as shown in Fig. 5(b) is stored. T1, T2, and T3 in Fig. 5(b) are in the magnitude relationship of T1 < T2 < T3. Also, the control device 80 stores the information on the temperature T indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when causing the inspection drive described later to be performed in the flash memory 84. The control device 80 makes the determination of S102 based on the temperature T indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67, the information on the temperature range of Fig. 5(b) stored in the flash memory 84, and the temperature T stored during the inspection drive.

[0034] Note that in this embodiment, among the temperature ranges shown in Fig. 5(b), the temperature range including the temperature T indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when causing the inspection drive described later to be performed corresponds to the "first temperature range" of the present invention. Also, in this embodiment, then, when the temperature T indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 becomes a temperature included in a temperature range different from the above first temperature range, the said different temperature range corresponds to the "second temperature range" of the present invention.

[0035] And when the time signal received from the clock unit 68 indicates that it is the predetermined time (S101: YES), the control device 80 executes process A (S102). Note that in this embodiment, the time signal indicating that it is the predetermined time corresponds to the "first signal" of the present invention.

[0036] Also, when the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 becomes different from the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when the test driving described later was last performed (S102: YES), the control device 80 executes process A (S102). Also, when a power-on signal is received (S103: YES), the control device 80 executes process B (S104).

[0037] <Process A> Next, the process A will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, in the process A, the control device 80 first executes an inspection process (S201). In the inspection process, the control device 80 transmits a drive signal to the driver IC 89 to perform an inspection drive for driving the inkjet head 4 so as to eject ink from each of the multiple nozzles 10 in order.

[0038] Next, the control device 80 judges whether or not the inspection drive has actually been performed by the inspection process of S201 (S202). Here, the case where the inspection drive is actually performed by the inspection process is, for example, when the power outlet is plugged in and the inkjet head 4 can be driven for inspection by the power supplied from the power outlet. On the other hand, the case where the inspection drive is not actually performed by the inspection process is, for example, when the power outlet is unplugged and the inkjet head 4 cannot be driven for inspection.

[0039] If the inspection drive was not actually performed by the inspection process (S202: NO), the flow returns to FIG. 5(a). If the inspection drive was actually performed by the inspection process (S202: YES), the control device 80 updates the inspection history information (S203). More specifically, the flash memory 84 stores the inspection history information, which is information on the time when the inspection drive was last performed. In S203, the control device 80 updates the information on the time when the inspection drive was last performed, which is stored in the flash memory 84, based on the time signal from the clock unit 68.

[0040] Next, the control device 80 resets the variable C to 0 (S204). The variable C corresponds to the number of sheets of recording paper P on which recording has been performed since the last test drive was performed.

[0041] Next, if the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive indicates that there is no abnormal nozzle (S205: NO), the process returns to the flow of Fig. 5(a). On the other hand, if the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive indicates that there is an abnormal nozzle (S205: YES), the control device 80 stores flag information indicating the presence of an abnormal nozzle in the flash memory 84 (S206).

[0042] Next, the control device 80 stores type information indicating the type of suction purge to be performed in the flash memory 84 (S207). Explaining the process in detail, in S207, the control device 80 stores in the flash memory 84 as the type information information information on the suction purge that discharges more ink the greater the number of nozzles 10 that are indicated to be abnormal by the determination signals output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive.

[0043] Next, the control device 80 executes a flushing process (S208), and the flow returns to the flow of Fig. 5(a). In the flushing process, the control device 80 controls the driver IC 89 to cause the inkjet head 4 to perform flushing to discharge ink from the nozzles 10. At this time, the control device 80 may cause ink to be discharged only from the abnormal nozzle, or may cause ink to be discharged from all the nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4 including the abnormal nozzle.

[0044] <Process B> Next, a description will be given of process B. As shown in Fig. 7, in process B, first, based on the above-mentioned test history information, it is determined whether or not test driving was performed at the last predetermined time before the power was turned on (S301).

[0045] If the test drive was performed at the last predetermined time before the power was turned on (S301: YES), the control device 80 then determines whether or not the above flag information is stored in the flash memory 84 (S302).

[0046] If the flag information is not stored in the flash memory 84 (S302: NO), the process returns to the flow of FIG. 5(a). If the flag information is stored in the flash memory 84 (S302: YES), the control device 80 determines the type of suction purge based on the type information (S303) and executes the purge process (S304). In the purge process of S304, the control device 80 causes the suction purge determined in S303 to be performed. After the purge process of S304 is completed, the control device 80 erases the flag information stored in the flash memory 84 (S305) and returns to the flow of FIG. 5(a).

[0047] If the test drive was not performed at the last predetermined time before the power was turned on (S301: NO), the control device 80 then executes the same test process as S201 (S306), updates the test history information as in S203 and S204 (S307), and resets the variable C to 0 (S308). Here, process B is a process that is performed when the power is turned on, that is, a process that is performed while power is being supplied from the outlet. Therefore, when the test process of S306 is executed, the inkjet head 4 is driven for the test.

[0048] Next, if the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive performed by the test process of S304 indicates that there are no abnormal nozzles (S309: NO), the control device 80 returns to the flow of Figure 5 (a).

[0049] If the determination signal indicates that there is an abnormal nozzle (S309: YES), the control device 80 then determines the type of suction purge to perform based on the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive performed by the test process of S304 (S310). In S310, the control device 80 determines the suction purge to perform to have a larger amount of ink discharged the more the number of nozzles 10 indicated by the determination signal to be abnormal increases.

[0050] Next, the control device 80 executes the same flushing process as in S208 (S311), and executes the purging process (S312). In the purging process in S312, the control device 80 causes the suction purge determined in S310 to be executed. After the purging process in S312 is completed, the flow returns to that in FIG. 5(a).

[0051] In this embodiment, the inkjet head 4 that performs flushing and the maintenance unit 8 that performs suction purging correspond to the "recovery means" of the present invention. In this embodiment, the combination of flushing and suction purging corresponds to the "recovery operation" of the present invention, of which flushing corresponds to "a part of the recovery operation" of the present invention, and suction purging corresponds to "the remaining part of the recovery operation excluding a part" of the present invention.

[0052] <Recording control> Next, a description will be given of control when the printer 1 records on the recording paper P. When the printer 1 receives a recording command (the "ejection command" of the present invention) instructing to record on the recording paper P, the control device 80 performs processing according to the flow of FIG.

[0053] 8 in more detail, the control device 80 first executes a paper feed process (S401). In the paper feed process, the control device 80 controls a paper feed mechanism (not shown) and a conveying motor 87 to cause the paper feed mechanism to supply the recording paper P, and causes the conveying rollers 6 and 7 to convey the recording paper P to a position where an area of ​​the recording paper P on which an image is to be recorded in the first recording pass faces the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4.

[0054] Next, the control device 80 executes a recording pass process (S402). In the recording pass process, the control device 80 controls the carriage motor 86 to move the carriage 2 in the scanning direction, while controlling the driver IC 89 to drive the multiple drive elements 22a, thereby causing the inkjet head 4 to perform a recording pass in which ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 10 toward the recording paper P.

[0055] Next, if recording on one sheet of recording paper P is not completed (S403: NO), the control device 80 executes a conveying process (S404) and returns to S402. In the conveying process, the control device 80 controls the conveying motor 87 to make the conveying rollers 6 and 7 convey the recording paper P a predetermined distance.

[0056] If the recording of an image on one sheet of recording paper P is complete (S403: YES), the control device 80 executes a paper discharge process (S405) and increments the value of the variable C by 1 (S406). In the paper discharge process of S405, the control device 80 controls the conveying motor 87 to cause the conveying rollers 6 and 7 to discharge the recording paper P on which recording has been completed.

[0057] Then, if there is recording data to be recorded on the next recording paper P (S407: YES), the process returns to S401. If there is no recording data (S407: NO), and if the value of the variable C is less than the predetermined value Ct (S408: NO), the process ends.

[0058] If the value of the variable C is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Ct (S408: YES), the control device 80 executes the processes of S409 to S415, which are similar to S306 to S312, and ends the process.

[0059] <Effects> Consider a case where, when a time signal indicating that it is the specified time is received, a test drive is performed, and if the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive indicates that an abnormal nozzle exists, a recovery operation is immediately performed, unlike the present invention. In this case, if there is a long period between receiving the time signal indicating that it is the specified time and receiving the power-on signal, there is a risk that the ink in the inkjet head 4 will thicken during this period. In this case, it is necessary to perform a recovery operation again when the power-on signal is received, and as a result, the discharge of ink by the recovery operation performed when the time signal indicating that it is the specified time is received will be wasted.

[0060] In contrast, in this embodiment, when a time signal indicating that a specified time has arrived is received, a test drive is performed, and if the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive indicates that an abnormal nozzle exists, flag information is stored. Then, when a power-on signal is subsequently received, a recovery operation is performed if the flag information has been stored. As a result, even if there is a long period between receiving the time signal indicating that a specified time has arrived and receiving the power-on signal, the ink is not wasted as described above.

[0061] Furthermore, when performing the test drive at a specified time, it is desirable to perform the drive at night, for example, when the user is unlikely to use the printer 1. However, even small sounds can be loud at night, so performing the recovery process immediately after the test drive can result in noise. Therefore, the recovery process is not performed immediately after the test drive, but is performed when the power-on signal is received when the user uses the printer 1, thereby solving the noise problem.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a time signal indicating a predetermined time is received, the inspection drive is performed, and information on the type of suction purge is stored based on the judgment signal output from the judgment circuit 78 during the inspection drive. Then, when a power-on signal is received thereafter, if the flag information has been stored, the stored suction purge is performed. This makes it possible to perform an appropriate suction purge depending on the number of abnormal nozzles, etc.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a time signal indicating that a specified time has arrived is received, an inspection drive is performed, and if the judgment signal output from the judgment circuit 78 during the inspection drive indicates that an abnormal nozzle is present, flushing, which is part of the recovery operation, is performed. Then, when a power-on signal is subsequently received, suction purging, which is the remaining part of the recovery operation excluding the above-mentioned part, is performed. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for the recovery operation to be performed when a power-on signal is received.

[0064] Furthermore, as described above, if the predetermined time is set during a period such as nighttime, the user may perceive even a small sound as noise. If purging, which drives the suction pump 72, and flushing, which does not drive the suction pump 72, are performed as recovery operations, the purging, which drives the suction pump 72, produces a louder sound than the flushing, which does not drive the suction pump 72. Therefore, only flushing is performed at the predetermined time (immediately after driving for inspection). This makes it less likely that the user will perceive the noise.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, since the inspection drive is performed at a predetermined time, it is possible to perform the inspection drive at a time when the user does not use the printer 1 as often as possible. Examples of times when the user does not use the printer 1 as often as possible include nighttime, lunch breaks, and early morning. The user may also set the predetermined time according to the usage cycle.

[0066] Furthermore, when recording on a large number of sheets of recording paper P, paper dust generated from the recording paper P may accumulate inside the nozzle 10, causing the nozzle to become abnormal. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the number of sheets of recording paper P recorded by the inkjet head 4 since the last test drive reaches a predetermined number (when C≧Ct), the test drive is performed again. This makes it possible to accurately identify abnormal nozzles.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the number of sheets of recording paper P on which recording has been performed by the inkjet head 4 reaches a predetermined number during recording on a plurality of sheets of recording paper P, the test drive is performed again after recording on all of the sheets of recording paper P is completed. This makes it possible to prevent recording from being interrupted even when the number of sheets of recording paper P on which recording has been performed by the inkjet head 4 reaches a predetermined number during recording on a plurality of sheets of recording paper P.

[0068] Furthermore, when the temperature of the inkjet head 4 changes significantly, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle 10 may change, which may change the state of whether the nozzle is abnormal or not. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 becomes different from the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when the test drive was last performed, the test drive is performed again. This makes it possible to accurately identify the abnormal nozzle.

[0069] Also, if the printer 1 is unplugged when the specified time arrives and power is being supplied from the battery 66 to the control device 80, the inspection process is executed but the inspection drive is not performed. Furthermore, if the battery 66 is out of battery power, the inspection process is not executed even when the specified time arrives, and naturally the inspection drive is not performed either.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a power-on signal is received, if the test drive was not performed at the last specified time before the power-on signal was received, the test drive is performed, which makes it possible to identify abnormal nozzles and perform the necessary recovery operations.

[0071] <Modification> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0072] In the above embodiment, when the control device 80 receives a power-on signal during standby, the control device 80 executes the process B, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0073] In variant example 1, as shown in FIG. 9, the control device 80 waits while the time signal received from the clock unit 68 does not indicate that it is the specified time (S101: NO), the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 is the same as the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when the test drive described below was last performed (S102: NO), and a recording command is not received (S501: NO).

[0074] Then, as in the above-described embodiment, when the time signal received from the clock unit 68 indicates that it is a predetermined time (S101: YES), and when the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 becomes a temperature range different from the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when the test drive described below was last performed (S102: YES), the control device 80 executes process A (S104).

[0075] On the other hand, when a recording command is received (S501: YES), if the received recording command is the first recording command received after the process A including the inspection process is executed by receiving a time signal indicating that it is the specified time (S502: YES), the same process B as in the above embodiment is executed (S105), and then the recording process is executed (S503). Also, if the received recording command is not the first recording command received after the process A including the inspection process is executed by receiving a time signal indicating that it is the specified time (S502: NO), the recording process is executed without executing the process B (S503). The recording process in S503 is the same process as S401 to S415 in the above embodiment.

[0076] In the first modification, as in the above embodiment, the time signal indicating that it is the predetermined time corresponds to the "first signal" of the present invention. Also, in the first modification, after the process A including the inspection process is executed upon reception of the time signal indicating that it is the predetermined time, the first recording command received corresponds to the "second signal" of the present invention.

[0077] In variant example 1, suction purging is performed immediately before recording on the recording paper P, so that ink is not wasted even if there is a long period between receiving a time signal indicating that the specified time has arrived and receiving a recording command.

[0078] Also, if the printer 1 is unplugged when the specified time arrives and power is being supplied from the battery 66 to the control device 80, the inspection process is executed but the inspection drive is not performed. Furthermore, if the battery 66 is out of battery power, the inspection process is not executed even when the specified time arrives, and naturally the inspection drive is not performed either.

[0079] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a print command is received, if the test drive has not been performed at the last specified time before the print command is received, the test drive is performed, thereby making it possible to identify abnormal nozzles.

[0080] In variant example 2, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device 80 does not receive a power-on signal (S601: NO), the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 is the same as the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when the test drive described below was last performed (S102: NO), and is in standby while no recording command is received (S501: NO).

[0081] Then, when a power-on signal is received (S601: YES) and when the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 becomes a different temperature range from the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when the test drive described below was last performed (S102: YES), the control device 80 executes process A (S104). On the other hand, when a recording command is received (S501: YES), the processes of S502, S105, and S503 are executed as in the first modification.

[0082] In the second modification, even if there is a long period between the reception of a power-on signal and the reception of a recording command, ink is not discharged unnecessarily.

[0083] In the second modification, the power-on signal corresponds to the "first signal" of the present invention. Also, in the second modification, similarly to the first modification, after the process A including the inspection process is executed upon reception of the time signal indicating that it is the predetermined time, the first received recording command corresponds to the "second signal" of the present invention.

[0084] In addition, in the first and second modifications, the control device 80 executes process A, including an inspection process, in response to receiving a first signal (a time signal indicating that it is a predetermined time in the first modification, and a power-on signal in the second modification), and then executes process B when the control device 80 receives the first recording command, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the printer 1 may be capable of selectively recording in low image quality or high image quality, and process B may be executed when the control device 80 receives the first recording command instructing the control device 80 to record in high image quality after executing process A, including an inspection process, in response to a first signal.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the process A is executed even when the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 becomes different from the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 when the last test drive was performed, but this is not limited to this. The process A may not be executed when the temperature range including the temperature indicated by the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 67 changes.

[0086] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when recording on multiple sheets of recording paper P, the test drive is performed after recording on all of the recording paper P is completed and the number of sheets of recording paper P that have been recorded on since the last test drive was performed reaches a predetermined number (when C≧Ct), but this is not limited to this.

[0087] For example, when C≧Ct occurs during recording on a plurality of sheets of recording paper P, the recording may be interrupted and a test drive may be performed.

[0088] Alternatively, it is not necessary to perform the test drive based on the number of sheets of recording paper P on which recording has been performed since the last test drive was performed.

[0089] In the above embodiment, when the judgment signal output from the judgment circuit 78 during the inspection drive performed at the specified time indicates that there is an abnormal nozzle, flushing is performed as part of the recovery operation. After that, when the power is turned on, suction purging is performed as the remaining part of the recovery operation excluding the above part. However, this is not limited to this.

[0090] For example, the recovery operation may be suction purging, and when the judgment signal output from the judgment circuit 78 during the inspection drive performed at a predetermined time indicates that an abnormal nozzle exists, part of the suction purging may be performed as part of the recovery operation. Furthermore, when the power is turned on after that, the remaining part of the recovery operation excluding the part described above may be the remaining part of the suction purging.

[0091] Alternatively, the recovery operation may be flushing, and when the judgment signal output from the judgment circuit 78 during the test drive performed at a specified time indicates that there is an abnormal nozzle, part of the flushing may be performed as part of the recovery operation. Furthermore, when the power is turned on thereafter, the remaining part of the flushing may be performed as the remaining part of the recovery operation excluding the part described above.

[0092] Furthermore, it is not limited to performing part of the recovery operation when the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive performed at the specified time indicates that an abnormal nozzle exists. For example, when the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the test drive performed at the specified time indicates that an abnormal nozzle exists, part of the recovery operation may not be performed, and then when the power is turned on, all of the recovery operation may be performed.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, information on the type of suction purge is stored in flash memory 84 and the type of suction purge is determined based on the determination signal output from determination circuit 78 during inspection drive, but this is not limiting. For example, if the determination signal output from determination circuit 78 during inspection drive indicates the presence of an abnormal nozzle, a uniform suction purge may be performed in the subsequent purge process.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment and modified example 1, if the driving for inspection is not performed when process A including the inspection process is executed in response to reception of a time signal indicating that it is a predetermined time, then the inspection process is executed in process B executed when a power-on signal is received. In modified example 2, if the driving for inspection is not performed when process A including the inspection process is executed in response to reception of a power-on signal, then the inspection process is executed in process B executed when a recording command is received. However, this is not limited to the above.

[0095] If the inspection drive is not performed when the inspection process is executed in response to receiving a first signal (a time signal indicating that it is a specified time in the above-described embodiment and variant 1, or a power-on signal in variant 2), then the inspection process does not have to be executed when a second signal (a power-on signal in the above-described embodiment and variant 1, or a recording command in variant 2) is received. In this case, since no flag information is stored in flash memory 84 when the second signal is received, no recovery operation is performed.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the inspection drive is performed for all the nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the inspection drive may be performed for only some of the nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4, such as every other nozzle 10 in each nozzle row 9, and the remaining nozzles 10 may be determined to be abnormal or not based on the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection drive.

[0097] Furthermore, the control device 80 stores information indicating the type of suction purge to be performed in the flash memory 84 as type information, but is not limited to this. For example, information that can determine the type of suction purge, such as the number of abnormal nozzles and information on the positions of the abnormal nozzles, may be stored as type information.

[0098] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the judgment circuit 78 outputs a signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is abnormal, depending on the potential of the detection electrode 76 when ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 toward the detection electrode 76, but this is not limited to the above.

[0099] For example, a detection electrode extending in the vertical direction may be disposed, and a determination circuit may output a signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is abnormal depending on the potential of the detection electrode when ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 so as to pass through a region facing the detection electrode. Alternatively, an optical sensor (the "signal output unit" of the present invention) may be provided to detect ink ejected from the nozzle 10, and the optical sensor may output a signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is abnormal.

[0100] Alternatively, for example, as described in Patent Gazette No. 4929699, a voltage detection circuit (the "signal output section" of the present invention) that detects the change in voltage when ink is ejected from the nozzles can be connected to a plate on which the nozzles of the inkjet head are formed, and a signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is abnormal can be output from the voltage detection circuit to the control device 80.

[0101] Alternatively, for example, the substrate of the inkjet head may be provided with a temperature detection element (the "signal output unit" of the present invention) as described in Japanese Patent No. 6231759. Then, after applying a first applied voltage to drive the heater for ejecting ink, a second applied voltage is applied to drive the heater so that ink is not ejected, and a signal is output in accordance with whether the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle or not based on the change in temperature detected by the temperature detection element during the period from when the second applied voltage is applied until a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0102] In the above example, the nozzle 10 from which ink is not ejected is determined to be an abnormal nozzle, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a signal output unit may be provided that outputs a signal depending on whether the direction of ink ejection from the nozzle 10 is normal or not, and a nozzle 10 with an abnormality in the ejection direction may be determined to be an abnormal nozzle based on the signal from this signal output unit.

[0103] In the above example, the purging process is performed by suction purging, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pressure pump may be provided in the middle of the tube 15 that connects the subtank 3 and the ink cartridge 14. Alternatively, the printer may be provided with a pressure pump connected to the ink cartridge. Then, with the nozzles 10 covered with the caps 71, the pressure pump may be driven to pressurize the ink in the inkjet head 4 and discharge the ink from the inkjet head 4 through the nozzles 10, thereby performing a so-called pressure purging.

[0104] Furthermore, in the purging process, both suction by the suction pump 72 and pressurization by the pressure pump may be performed.

[0105] In the above, an example has been described in which the present invention is applied to a printer equipped with a so-called serial head that ejects ink from multiple nozzles while moving in the scanning direction together with the carriage, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a printer equipped with a so-called line head that extends across the entire length of the recording paper P in the scanning direction.

[0106] In the above, an example of applying the present invention to a printer that ejects ink from nozzles to perform recording on recording paper P has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to printers that record images on recording media other than recording paper, such as T-shirts, sheets for outdoor advertising, cases for mobile terminals such as smartphones, cardboard, and resin members. The present invention can also be applied to liquid ejection devices that eject liquids other than ink, such as liquid resins and metals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1. Printer 4 Inkjet head 8 Maintenance Unit 10 Nozzles 67 Temperature Sensor 68 Clock section 72 Suction Pump 78 Judgment circuit 80 Control device 84 Flash Memory

Claims

1. a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when the liquid ejection head is driven for inspection to confirm whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in ejecting liquid; A recovery means for performing a recovery operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle; A storage unit; A control device, The control device includes: when a first signal is received, the inspection drive is performed, and when the determination signal transmitted from the signal output unit indicates that an abnormal nozzle is present, flag information indicating that the recovery operation needs to be performed is stored in the storage unit, and the recovery means is caused to perform a part of the recovery operation; A liquid ejection device characterized in that when a second signal different from the first signal is received, if the flag information is stored in the memory unit, the recovery means is caused to perform the remaining part of the recovery operation excluding the part based on the flag information.

2. The recovery means includes: The liquid ejection head includes: a pump connectable to the liquid ejection head; The control device includes: As a part of the recovery operation, flushing is performed on the liquid ejection head to discharge liquid from the nozzles; 2. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining part of the recovery operation includes driving the pump to perform purging to discharge the liquid in the liquid ejection head from the nozzles.

3. a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when the liquid ejection head is driven for inspection to confirm whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in ejecting liquid; A recovery means for performing a recovery operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle; A storage unit; a temperature signal output unit that outputs a temperature signal indicating a temperature; A control device, The control device includes: when a first signal is received, the inspection drive is performed, and when the determination signal transmitted from the signal output unit indicates that the abnormal nozzle is present, flag information indicating that the recovery operation needs to be performed is stored in the storage unit; when a second signal different from the first signal is received and the flag information is stored in the storage unit, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation based on the flag information; A liquid ejection device characterized in that the inspection drive is performed when the temperature indicated by the temperature signal is within a first temperature range, and then the inspection drive is performed again when the temperature indicated by the temperature signal switches from a temperature within the first temperature range to a temperature within a second temperature range that is different from the first temperature range.

4. a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when the liquid ejection head is driven for inspection to confirm whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in ejecting liquid; A recovery means for performing a recovery operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle; A storage unit; A clock unit that outputs a time signal indicating the time; A control device, The control device includes: when the time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived and transmitted from the clock unit is received as a first signal, an inspection process is executed to perform the inspection drive, and when the determination signal transmitted from the signal output unit indicates that an abnormal nozzle is present, flag information indicating that the recovery operation needs to be performed is stored in the storage unit; when a second signal different from the first signal is received and the flag information is stored in the storage unit, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation based on the flag information; A liquid ejection device characterized in that, when the power is turned on, if the test drive was not performed at the last predetermined time before the power was turned on, the test process is executed.

5. a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal indicating whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when the liquid ejection head is driven for inspection to confirm whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in ejecting liquid; A recovery means for performing a recovery operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle; A storage unit; A clock unit that outputs a time signal indicating the time; A control device, The control device includes: when the time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived and transmitted from the clock unit is received as a first signal, an inspection process is executed to perform the inspection drive, and when the determination signal transmitted from the signal output unit indicates that an abnormal nozzle is present, flag information indicating that the recovery operation needs to be performed is stored in the storage unit; when receiving an ejection instruction signal that instructs the liquid ejection head to eject liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward an ejection receiving medium as a second signal different from the first signal, when the flag information is stored in the storage unit, causing the recovery means to perform the recovery operation based on the flag information; The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection process is executed when the inspection drive has not been performed at the last predetermined time before the ejection instruction signal is received.

6. 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal is an ejection instruction signal that instructs the liquid ejection head to eject liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward an ejection receiving medium.

7. 7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6, wherein the second signal is the ejection instruction signal that is received for the first time after the first signal is received.

8. 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal is a power-on signal indicating that the power supply has been turned on.

9. A clock unit that outputs a time signal indicating the time, 9. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the first signal is a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived.

10. 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the first signal is a power-on signal indicating that the power supply has been turned on.

11. The control device includes: A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 and 8 to 10, characterized in that the inspection drive is performed again after the number of ejection receiving media onto which liquid has been ejected by the liquid ejection head since the last inspection drive is performed reaches a predetermined number.

12. The control device includes: A liquid ejection device as described in claim 11, characterized in that, while the liquid ejection head is ejecting liquid from the multiple nozzles toward each of the multiple ejection receiving media in sequence, if the number of ejection receiving media onto which the liquid has been ejected by the liquid ejection head since the last time the inspection drive was performed reaches the predetermined number, the inspection drive is performed after the ejection of liquid onto the multiple ejection receiving media is completed.

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