Recording device and control method

Abstract

To control a concentration adjusting operation by more accurately estimating concentration of liquid.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus includes: moving means for relatively moving a print medium and ejection means for ejecting a liquid onto the print medium; and control means for acquiring information related to flow velocity of air on an ejection port surface of the ejection means and for controlling adjustment operation of adjusting concentration of a solid component of the liquid based on the acquired information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] When an ejection head that ejects liquid such as ink does not eject the liquid for a long period of time, the volatile components in the liquid evaporate from the ejection ports, causing the liquid to concentrate, and the concentration of solid components such as pigments increases. An increase in the liquid concentration can cause ejection defects. Therefore, a technique is known that ejects the liquid from the ejection head when it is estimated that the concentration has increased (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-8513 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since the amount of liquid consumed increases when liquid is discharged from the ejection head, there is a demand for reducing the amount of liquid consumed that is not used for printing. To achieve this, it is necessary to more accurately estimate the concentration of the liquid.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for more accurately estimating the concentration of a liquid and controlling the concentration adjustment operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium; a control means for acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means, and controlling an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information; A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, The height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection port surface of the ejection means is changeable, The information specifies the type of recording mode selected. and information specifying the height Including fruit , The control means setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low. A recording device is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for more accurately estimating the concentration of a liquid and controlling the concentration adjustment operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a transport unit of the recording apparatus of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a discharge head, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a heater board. [Figure 4] (A) is a cross-sectional view of the discharge head, and (B) is an explanatory diagram of the circulation unit. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of changing the height of the ejection head. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of capping of the ejection head. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by a control unit. [Figure 9] 1A is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of setting the evaporation rate. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by a control unit. [Figure 11] 10(A) to 10(C) are diagrams showing examples of data used in processing. [Figure 12] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of intermediate waiting positions, and (C) is a diagram showing an example of evaporation rate settings. [Figure 13] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a portion where a recording medium is present on a conveying belt, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of setting the evaporation rate, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of calculating the evaporation amount. [Figure 14] 10A is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the transport unit, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing another example of setting the evaporation rate. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of setting the evaporation rate. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of application to a serial type recording device. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of an ink discharge portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment <Configuration of recording device> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The recording apparatus 1 is an apparatus that records an image by ejecting liquid ink onto a recording medium 100. In the figure, arrows X, Y, and Z indicate directions that intersect with each other, and the X direction and Y direction are horizontal directions that are perpendicular to each other. The Z direction is the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction indicate the overall length direction, depth direction, and height direction of the recording apparatus 1, respectively.

[0011] "Recording" not only includes the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also includes the formation of images, patterns, designs, etc. on a recording medium, whether meaningful or insignificant, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether it is manifested in a way that can be perceived visually by humans. In addition, although sheet-like paper is assumed as the "recording medium" in this embodiment, it may also be cloth, plastic film, etc.

[0012] The recording apparatus 1 includes a feeding device 14, an image forming device 15, and a collection device 18. The feeding device 14 is a device that feeds recording media 100 to the image forming device 15. The feeding device 14 includes a stacking section 14a on which a plurality of recording media 100 before recording is stacked, and a transport mechanism 14b. In the present embodiment, a plurality of stacking sections 14a are provided, and a transport mechanism 14b is provided for each stacking section 14a. The transport mechanism 14b includes a pair of rollers that sandwich and transport the recording media 100.

[0013] The recovery device 18 is a device that recovers recorded recording media 100 that are discharged from the image forming device 15. The recovery device 18 includes a stacking section 18a on which a plurality of recording media 100, which are recorded products, are stacked, and a transport mechanism 18b. The transport mechanism 18b includes a pair of rollers that sandwich and transport the recording media 100.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 15 includes a transport unit 17 that transports the recording medium 100 in the X direction, a plurality of ejection heads 11a to 11g that eject liquid onto the recording medium 100, and lifting units 13a to 13g that raise and lower the ejection heads 11a to 11g. When the ejection heads 11a to 11g are referred to collectively or when there is no need to distinguish between the individual ejection heads 11a to 11g, they will be simply referred to as ejection heads 11. Similarly, when the lifting units 13a to 13g are referred to collectively or when there is no need to distinguish between the individual lifting units 13a to 13g, they will be simply referred to as lifting unit 13.

[0015] In addition to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 is also referred to. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the transport unit 17. The transport unit 17 is an example of a moving mechanism that moves the ejection head 11 and the recording medium 100 relative to each other, and in this case, the relative movement between the two is achieved by moving the recording medium 100 relative to the stationary ejection head 11. The transport unit 17 is comprised of an endless transport belt 17 a and conveyor belt 17 a The conveyor belt 17a includes a plurality of rollers 17b that move the conveyor belt 17a, and a suction device 17c. The rollers 17b are rotated around an axis in the Y direction by a drive source (e.g., a motor) not shown. The rotation of the rollers 17b causes the conveyor belt 17a to move cyclically in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG.

[0016] The conveyor belt 17a can be made of a material such as resin or metal. The conveyor belt 17a is a conveyor medium for the recording medium 100, and travels in the X direction with the recording medium 100 placed on it in a portion of its travel section (referred to as the conveying section or the recording section). The conveyor belt 17a faces the lower surface of the ejection head 11 (the ejection opening surface 110 shown in FIG. 5(A) and the like, which will be described later) in the transport section.

[0017] Conveyor belt 17 a The suction device 17c is provided with, for example, an electric fan, and suctions the conveyor belt 17 in the conveying section. a The suction device 17c is located below the conveyor belt 17 and generates an airflow that flows from above to downstream in the Z direction. a Air is sucked through the numerous holes H. As a result, the recording medium 100 is held by the conveyor belt 17 in the conveying section. a The recording medium 100 is conveyed while being sucked by the air, thereby stabilizing the conveying behavior of the recording medium 100. The suction air pressure can be, for example, -500 Pa. The conveying speed can be, for example, 0.7 m / s.

[0018] In this embodiment, the recording medium 100 is conveyed by suction using air suction, but it may also be conveyed by suction using static electricity. Also, a unit having a function of drying or cooling the recording medium 100 may be added to the conveying unit 17.

[0019] The ejection head 11 is a recording head that ejects ink onto the recording medium 100 to record an image. The ejection head 11 is a full-line type head that is extended in the width direction (Y direction) of the recording medium 100, and has liquid ejection ports arranged across a range that covers the width of the maximum size recording medium 100 that can be used. medium 100 is shown as an example of a width Wa. The effective length (for example, 368 mm) of the ejection opening array of the ejection head 11 is accommodated within the width Wb (for example, 380 mm) of the conveyor belt 17a.

[0020] The ejection heads 11a to 11g are arranged from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium 100. The ejection heads 11a to 11g eject different types of ink. For example, the ejection heads 11a to 11c eject three types of ink, orange ink, green ink, and violet ink, in that order. These three types of ink are sometimes called special color inks. The ejection heads 11d to 11g eject four types of ink, black ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink, in that order. These four types of ink are sometimes called basic color inks. Note that the type and number of inks and the order of ejection in the transport direction of the recording medium 100 (the arrangement order of the ejection heads 11a to 11g) are not limited to these.

[0021] The configuration of the ejection head 11 will be described with reference to Figures 3(A) and 3(B). Figure 3(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the ejection head 11, and Figure 3(B) is an explanatory diagram of the heater boards. As shown in Figure 3(A), the ejection head 11 is provided with, as an example, 17 heater boards (printing element substrates) HB0 to HB16. Figure 3(B) shows an example of the configuration of heater board HB0, and the other heater boards HB1 to HB16 have a similar configuration.

[0022] The heater board HB0 has an ejection port array in which multiple ejection ports OP are aligned in the Y direction. The ejection port arrays are spaced apart in the X direction and are formed in multiple rows (four rows in the example shown). The heater board HB0 also has a temperature sensor SR and a sub-heater SH, which is a heating element. When a voltage is applied to the sub-heater SH, the sub-heater SH generates heat and heats the substrate of the heater board HB0, and the heated substrate heats the ink near the substrate. By adjusting the temperature of the ink in advance using the sub-heater SH, it is possible to eject ink efficiently when ejecting ink. Heater board The HB0 is divided into 4 x 4 = 16 sections, and one sub-heater SH is provided in each section, which makes it possible to heat the heater board HB0 in sections.

[0023] The temperature sensor SR is a sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater board HB0. In this embodiment, the ink temperature can be set to a desired temperature by controlling the application of drive pulses to the sub-heater SH based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor SR during and before printing.

[0024] 3A, the heater boards HB0 to HB16 are arranged in a staggered pattern so that the ends of the nozzle rows of adjacent heater boards overlap in the X direction. The lower surface of each ejection head 11 forms an ejection port surface 110 on which such an ejection port row is formed. Note that the ejection head 11 does not have to be configured with multiple heater boards HB0 to HB16, and may instead be configured with a single heater board having a long ejection port row in the Y direction.

[0025] 4A is an XZ cross-sectional view of the periphery of one ejection orifice OP. The ejection orifice OP communicates with an individual flow path 113 for each ejection orifice OP, and the individual flow path 113 is provided with a printing element 114 for each ejection orifice OP. This printing element 114 is, for example, an electro-thermal conversion element, and generates thermal energy when a drive pulse is applied. The generated thermal energy causes ink to bubble, and the ink is ejected from the corresponding ejection orifice OP. Note that the printing element 114 may be an electro-thermal conversion element, or alternatively, a piezoelectric element, an electrostatic element, or a MEMS element.

[0026] Ink flows in the individual flow paths 113 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4(A). In this embodiment, ink is circulated and supplied to the ejection head 11. Fig. 4(B) is an explanatory diagram of a circulation unit 12 that circulates ink.

[0027] The recording device 1 includes a main tank 16, a sub-tank 120, and a circulation unit 12 for each ejection head 11. The main tank 16 and the sub-tank 120 are liquid containers that contain the ink to be ejected by the corresponding ejection head 11. For example, the main tank 16 and the sub-tank 120 that correspond to the ejection head 11a contain orange ink. When the pump P0 is driven, ink is supplied from the main tank 16 to the sub-tank 120. When a predetermined amount of ink has been supplied from the main tank 16 to the sub-tank 120, the ink supply is stopped, and ink is supplied again when the remaining ink in the sub-tank 120 becomes low, for example.

[0028] The circulation unit 12 includes pumps P1 and P2 and a pressure regulator 121. The pump P1 pumps ink from the sub-tank 120 to the pressure regulator 121 via a pipe 122. The pressure regulator 121 applies a pressure difference to the supplied ink and sends it to the ejection head 11. Ink on the relatively high pressure side is sent via a pipe 123, and ink on the low pressure side is sent via a pipe 124.

[0029] The ejection head 11 has common flow paths 111 and 112. The common flow path 111 is connected to a pipe 123 and is supplied with high-pressure ink. One end of the common flow path 112 is connected to a pipe 124 and is supplied with low-pressure ink. Each individual flow path 113 is connected between the common flow path 111 and the common flow path 112. Ink flows from the common flow path 111 through the individual flow paths 113 to the common flow path 112.

[0030] The other end of the common flow path 112 is connected to a pipe 125. The pump P2 pumps ink from the common flow path 112 to the subtank 120 via pipes 125 and 126. In this way, ink is circulated between the subtank 120 and the ejection head 11.

[0031] The lifting unit 13 will be described with reference to Figure 1 and Figures 5(A) to 5(C). Figures 5(A) to 5(C) are diagrams showing examples of changing the height of the discharge head 11.

[0032] The lifting unit 13 moves the recording medium 100 from the surface of the recording medium 100 to the ejection opening surface of the ejection head 11 in the transport section of the transport belt 17a. 110 In this embodiment, the ejection head 11 is raised and lowered to change the height from the surface of the recording medium 100 to the ejection opening surface of the ejection head 11. 110 However, the height may be changed by raising or lowering the transport unit 17.

[0033] A lifting unit 13 is provided for each discharge head 11, and the position of each discharge head 11 in the Z direction can be changed for each discharge head. For example, the lifting unit 13a lifts and lowers the discharge head 11a to change its position in the Z direction. In this embodiment, each discharge head 11 can be lifted and lowered individually, but multiple discharge heads 11 may be lifted and lowered by a single lifting unit 13. In this case, the positions of the multiple discharge heads 11 lifted and lowered by a single lifting unit 13 in the Z direction are changed in common. The lifting unit 13 includes, for example, a drive source such as a motor, and an operating mechanism that moves the discharge heads 11 using the driving force of the drive source. The operating mechanism is, for example, a ball screw mechanism, a belt transmission mechanism, a link mechanism, or the like.

[0034] During a recording operation, each ejection head 11 is positioned at a height H1 or a height H2 relative to the recording medium 100. Height H1 is the height at which ink is ejected during recording, and the ejection head 11 used to record an image is positioned at this height H1 (called the recording position). 110 There is a minute gap (of the order of a few millimeters) between the recording medium 100 and the surface of the recording medium 100. Height H2 is the height when not recording (when on standby), and the ejection head 11 not used to record an image is positioned at this height H2 (for example, a few centimeters) (called the standby position). The relationship is H2>H1.

[0035] In this embodiment, the user can select from a number of different print modes. Three print modes are available: a first mode that uses only basic colors, a second mode that uses all colors including spot colors, and a third mode that uses only black ink.

[0036] Figure 5(A) shows the arrangement of the ejection heads 11 during printing operations when the first mode is selected. The ejection heads 11d to 11g that eject the primary color inks are positioned at the printing positions, and the ejection heads 11a to 11c that eject the special color inks are positioned at the standby positions. Figure 5(B) shows the arrangement of the ejection heads 11 during printing operations when the second mode is selected. All of the ejection heads 11a to 11g are positioned at the printing positions. Figure 5(C) shows the arrangement of the ejection heads 11 during printing operations when the third mode is selected. Only the ejection head 11g that ejects black ink is positioned at the printing position.

[0037] While waiting for a recording job to be executed, the ejection heads 11 may be moved to a retracted position and capped. FIG. 6 shows an example of this. The ejection opening faces of the ejection heads 11 are 110 are capped with a cap member 10. During capping, each ejection head 11 is moved to a retracted position by a lifting unit 13. The retracted position is a position higher than height H2. The standby position may be the same position as the retracted position.

[0038] The cap member 10 is moved by a moving mechanism (not shown) to the ejection port surface as shown in FIG. 110 The capping position that covers the nozzle surface 110 The cap member 10 is moved between the retracted position where it does not cover the nozzles OP and the retracted position where it does not cover the nozzles OP. Capping prevents the liquid components of the ink from evaporating from the nozzles OP while the nozzles are waiting to be executed. When a recording command is received, the cap member 10 moves from the capping position to the retracted position, and the capping state is released. Then, the lifting unit 13 is driven to lower the nozzle head 11 to the recording position or the standby position. Then, the transport unit 17 starts transporting the recording medium 100. An image is recorded on the recording medium 100 by synchronizing the timing of the recording medium 100 passing under the nozzle head 11 with the timing of the ink ejection. Once the image recording is completed, the nozzle head 11 is raised to the retracted position again and capped.

[0039] The ejection head 11 may be retracted and capped to perform an ejection performance recovery operation. As an example, a suction recovery operation may be performed in which ink is sucked from the ejection orifices OP of the ejection head 11. FIG. 6 shows an example in which ink is sucked from the ejection orifices OP of the ejection head 11 via the cap member 10 and piping using the pump P3, and then discharged into a waste liquid tank. In addition to this suction recovery operation, a preliminary ejection operation may also be used as an ejection performance recovery operation. In the preliminary ejection operation, ink is ejected from the ejection orifices OP of the ejection head 11. The destination of the ejection is, for example, the cap member 10.

[0040] <Control unit> 7 is a block diagram of the control unit 2 of the recording device 1. The control unit 2 includes a printer control unit 20 that controls the recording process. The printer control unit 20 includes a CPU 21 that controls the entire recording device 1, and a ROM 22 and RAM 23 for storing control programs executed by the CPU 21 and various data. An integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: ASIC) 24 incorporates a network controller, a serial IF controller, a head data generation controller, a motor controller, etc. The head control unit 25 generates final ejection data and drive voltages for ejection by the ejection head 11, and controls the elevation of the ejection head 11, etc.

[0041] The control unit 2 also includes a communication unit 26 that receives print jobs including print data from an external print server or an external PC, an operation control unit 27 that controls an operation panel that accepts user input, and a recording medium transport control unit 28 that controls the transport of the recording medium 100. The control unit 2 also includes a concentration control unit 29 that controls an adjustment operation to adjust the concentration of solid components in the ink circulated by the circulation unit 12. Each control unit includes at least one processor and at least one storage device that stores a program executed by the processor. The storage device is, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0042] <Adjusting the concentration of circulating ink> The ink in the ejection head 11 increases in concentration as volatile components evaporate from the ejection orifices OP. Solid components include, for example, colorants (pigments) and resins. An increase in the concentration of solid components can cause ejection defects. Therefore, an adjustment operation is performed to adjust the concentration of circulating ink for each type of ink. In this embodiment, the adjustment operation is an operation to discharge ink from the ejection head 11. The concentration of solid components in circulating ink varies, and the concentration is often high for the ink in the ejection head 11. Discharging ink from the ejection head 11 can reduce the concentration of solid components in circulating ink. The operation to discharge ink from the ejection head 11 may involve discharging ink from the ejection head 11, or may involve suction via the cap member 10 using the pump P3 illustrated in FIG. 6. The adjustment operation may also include an operation to drive the pump P0 to refill ink from the main tank 16 to the subtank 120, in addition to discharging ink from the ejection head 11. The circulating ink with a high concentration of solid components can be diluted with ink from the main tank 16.

[0043] When ink inside the ejection head 11 is discharged by the adjustment operation, the amount of waste ink increases. It is desirable to suppress unnecessary ink consumption as much as possible. To achieve this, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of estimating the concentration of solid components. The evaporation rate of volatile components is affected by various factors, but as in this embodiment, the ejection head 11 and the recording medium 100 In devices that involve relative movement with the discharge port surface, 110 An air current is generated above the nozzle opening. The speed of this air flow is also thought to affect the evaporation rate; a fast flow rate increases the evaporation rate, and a slow flow rate decreases the evaporation rate. In addition, in a configuration in which the recording medium 100 is sucked and conveyed by the suction device 17c, as in this embodiment, the influence of the air current is strong. Therefore, in this embodiment, 110 The adjustment operation is performed taking the flow velocity of the ink into consideration, thereby enabling more accurate estimation of the ink density and controlling the density adjustment operation.

[0044] An example of processing by the control unit 2 related to the operation of adjusting the concentration of solid components will be described below. In this embodiment, the concentration of solid components is estimated, and adjustment operations are performed based on the estimation results. These processes can be performed at predetermined timings based on the passage of time, the amount of printing jobs executed, the amount of ink ejected, etc. In the following example, these processes are performed each time a printing job is executed.

[0045] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for estimating the concentration of solid components, which is executed by the concentration adjustment unit 29. The concentration of solid components is estimated for each type of ink (that is, for each ejection head), and here, pigments are assumed to be the solid components.

[0046] In step S1, it is determined whether or not there is an execution command for a recording job (recording command). If there is no recording command, the process ends. If there is a recording command, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the current concentration estimate value (previous estimation result value) N x Load the concentration estimate N x is stored in the storage device of the density adjustment unit 29, for example, and is updated based on the estimation result of the process in FIG. 8. Note that FIG. 11(A) shows the density estimation value N x The initial value of N ref This is an example of setting the initial value N ref is the pigment concentration in the fresh ink, and is stored in the storage device of the concentration adjustment unit 29, for example.

[0047] In step S3, it is determined whether the printing operation has ended. If it is determined that the printing operation has ended, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the evaporation amount V and the consumed ink amount (cumulative value) I are calculated. n , and circulating ink amount J n The amount of circulating ink J is obtained. n is the initial value of the amount of ink in the circulation path, and is set in advance based on the specifications of the circulation path. Figure 11(B) shows an example.

[0048] Ink consumption I nis the cumulative value of the amount of ink ejected in the printing operations up to now, and is mainly affected by the printing operation content of each printing job. The amount of ink ejected in a printing operation is calculated, for example, from the count value of the number of pixels in the printed image corresponding to the type of ink. For example, it can be calculated by multiplying the count value by the ejection amount of one ejection (for example, 2.0 [ng]). The amount of ink consumed in the current printing operation I c Plus, I n+1 I n+1 =I n +I c , and is calculated as follows.

[0049] The evaporation rate V of ink at the ejection port OP is set, and the evaporation rate is estimated from the set evaporation rate. FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing an example of this calculation. In step S11, information on the recording mode selected for the current recording job from among the first to third recording modes is acquired. The selection information for the recording mode is, for example, included in the recording job, or is input by the user on the operation panel, and is managed by the printer control unit 20.

[0050] In step S12, the evaporation rate Vr is referenced and set based on the print mode information acquired in step S11. The evaporation rate Vr is set according to the height of the ejection head 11. FIG. 9B shows an example. During a printing operation, when the ejection head 11 is in the printing position (for height H1), the evaporation rate of ink from the ejection orifices OP of the ejection head 11 is set to 16 ng / s. When the ejection head 11 is in the standby position (for height H2), the evaporation rate of ink from the ejection orifices OP of the ejection head 11 is set to 7.4 ng / s. The lower the height of the ejection head 11, that is, the closer the distance between the print medium 100 and the ejection orifices OP, the higher the evaporation rate. This is because the closer the distance, the stronger the airflow generated by the transport of the print medium 100. This value is measured in advance through experiments, etc., and the information in FIG. 9B is stored, for example, in a storage device of the density adjustment unit 29.

[0051] As described above, in this embodiment, the position of the ejection head 11 is determined according to the selection of the first to third recording modes. Therefore, the evaporation rate can be set according to the information on the recording mode acquired in S11 and the type of ink to be processed. In other words, the selection information on the first to third recording modes is an example of information that specifies the type of the selected recording mode, and is also used to determine the position of the ejection port surface. 110 This is an example of information relating to the flow speed of the air above. The selection information of the first to third recording modes is also information specifying the heights H1 to H3 of the ejection head 11.

[0052] For example, when the first mode is selected, the ejection heads 11d-11g that eject the primary color inks are positioned at the printing position, and the ejection heads 11a-11c that eject the special color inks are positioned at the standby position. When the type of ink to be processed is black ink, the corresponding ejection head 11g is positioned at the printing position, so the evaporation rate is set to 16 ng / s. On the other hand, when the type of ink to be processed is orange ink, the corresponding ejection head 11a is positioned at the standby position, so the evaporation rate is set to 7.4 ng / s.

[0053] 9A, in step S13, the recording time T is calculated. The recording time T is the time from when the ejection head 11 receives a recording command, descends from the retracted position (capping position) to height H1 or H2, and then when the recording operation ends and the ejection head 11 rises back to the retracted position. This recording time T can be calculated by measuring.

[0054] In step S14, the evaporation amount V is calculated. The evaporation amount V is expressed as follows: V = Vr × T × N Here, N is the number of outlets OP. For example, if each of the heater boards HB0 to HB16 has 2048 outlets OP in 512 x 4 rows, the total number of outlets OP per outlet head 11 is 34816. The evaporation amount is estimated from the above.

[0055] Returning to FIG. 8, in step S5, the updated pigment concentration value N is calculated based on the value obtained in step S4. x+1 is calculated. This value is N x+1 ={N x ×(J n -I n )} / (J n -I n+1 -V) It is calculated as follows.

[0056] In step S6, the concentration estimate N x , Ink consumption I n But the value N x+1 , I n+1 The process is now complete. In this way, the estimated concentration value N x By updating the value, the pigment concentration of the ink in the circulation path can be managed.

[0057] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process related to the execution of the adjusting operation, which is a concentration determination process executed by the concentration adjuster 29 following the process of FIG. 8. In step S21, the concentration estimated value N x is a predetermined upper limit N max It is determined whether the upper limit N (predetermined density) is exceeded. max An example of the upper limit value N max is set for each type of ink and is stored in a storage device of the density adjustment unit 29, for example.

[0058] Returning to Figure 10, the concentration estimate N x is the upper limit N max If it does not exceed the density, the process ends, and if it does exceed the density, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, an adjustment operation is performed. As described above, the adjustment operation includes the operation of discharging ink from the ejection head 11. At that time, the density estimated value N x The higher the value, the more ink may be discharged. The discharge amount may be increased by increasing the amount discharged in one cycle or by increasing the number of discharges. In step S23, the ink consumption amount I is increased by the amount of ink discharged in step S22. n This completes the process.

[0059] In this manner, in this embodiment, Mouth surface 110 Since the evaporation rate of ink from the ejection openings OP is set taking into account the influence of the air currents above, the accuracy of estimating the concentration of solid components can be improved compared to a process in which the evaporation rate is set uniformly. As a result, unnecessary ink discharge during the adjustment operation can be prevented, and the amount of ink consumed can be reduced.

[0060] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, two types of positions of the ejection head 11 relative to the recording medium 100 during a recording operation were exemplified: a recording position (height H1) and a standby position (height H2), but three or more types may be used. Figures 12(A) and 12(B) show three examples. In this example, an intermediate standby position (height H3) is set as the position of the ejection head 11 relative to the recording medium 100 during a recording operation, with the relationship height H1 < height H3 < height H2. The intermediate standby position allows for a shorter movement time to the recording position than the standby position.

[0061] Fig. 12(A) shows an example of the position of each ejection head 11 when the first mode is selected as the recording mode. The ejection heads 11d to 11g that eject the base color inks are positioned at the recording position, and the ejection heads 11a to 11c that eject the special color inks are positioned at the intermediate standby position. The configuration of Fig. 5(A) and the configuration of Fig. 12(A) may be selected.

[0062] 12(B) shows an example of the positions of the ejection heads 11 when the third mode is selected as the printing mode. Only the ejection head 11g that ejects black ink is in the printing position, and the other ejection heads 11a to 11f are in the intermediate standby positions.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the position of the ejection head 11 is changed for each recording job, but the position of the ejection head 11 may also be changed for each page. In this embodiment, an intermediate standby position is set, and by having the ejection head 11 scheduled to be used for a later page wait at the intermediate standby position, the time it takes for that ejection head 11 to rise and fall can be reduced. Specifically, when the recording data is referenced across multiple pages and it is determined that each ejection head 11 will not be used for a certain period of time, the height of the ejection head 11 is individually switched during the execution of the recording job.

[0064] FIG. 12(C) shows an example of the evaporation speed setting for each position. The intermediate standby position (height H3) has a larger discharge port surface area than the standby position (height H2). 110 Since the intermediate standby position (height H3) is close to the recording medium 100, the airflow received by the discharge port OP is strong. Therefore, the evaporation speed at the intermediate standby position (height H3) is an intermediate value between the recording position (height H1) and the standby position (height H2).

[0065] In this embodiment, when the process of FIG. 9A is executed, the evaporation amount V may be calculated for each page.

[0066] Third Embodiment In this embodiment, a method for calculating the evaporation amount will be described, taking into consideration the airflow that changes depending on whether or not the recording medium 100 is present. a The number and positions of the holes H are different. Therefore, there are holes H that are exposed to the ejection openings OP and holes H that are blocked by the recording medium 100, and the ejection openings OP that are affected by the air sucked into the holes H are different.

[0067] FIG. 13(A) is an explanatory diagram. a 1 is a top view of the conveyor belt 17a, and for simplicity's sake, only one ejection head 11 is shown. The conveyor belt 17a has a width Wb, and the recording medium 100 has a width Wa. In the Y direction, the conveyor belt 17a has a width Wc (= (Wa + Wb) / 2) that is not covered by the recording medium 100.

[0068] During the recording operation, the discharge openings OP of the discharge head 11 are positioned opposite the conveyor belt 17a and the recording medium 100. As a result of the verification by the inventors, it was found that the recording medium 100 was a It was found that there is a difference in the airflow that the discharge opening OP receives between the covered area (the area within width Wa) and the uncovered area (the area outside width Wa (the area with width Wc)). That is, in the area within the width that is covered by the recording medium 100, there is only an airflow generated by the transport of the recording medium 100. However, in the area outside the width that is not covered by the recording medium 100, there is an airflow generated by the suction of the suction device 17c in addition to the airflow generated by the movement of the transport belt 17a. For this reason, a stronger airflow acts on the discharge opening OP in the latter area than in the former area.

[0069] This change in airflow due to the presence or absence of the recording medium 100 is not limited to the Y direction, but is similar in the X direction as well. The airflow is relatively stronger in the page gap Lc between the preceding recording medium 100 and the succeeding recording medium 100 compared to the section La corresponding to the entire length of the recording medium 100. In other words, the outlet OP located at the width Wc is not always covered by the recording medium 100 during the recording operation. On the other hand, the outlet OP located at the width Wa alternates between the section La where the recording medium 100 is located and the page gap Lc.

[0070] The evaporation rate of ink from the ejection openings OP changes depending on the difference and change in these air currents. For this reason, by calculating the evaporation amount for each ejection opening separately for the period when it is covered by the recording medium 100 and the period when it is not covered, and then adding these up, it is possible to calculate a more accurate total evaporation amount.

[0071] 13B is a diagram showing an example of setting the evaporation rate in this embodiment. The set value of the evaporation rate differs depending on the heights H1 and H2 of the ejection head 11 as well as the presence or absence of the recording medium 100, and the evaporation rate is lower when the recording medium 100 is present than when it is not. The information on the size of the recording medium 100 is an example of information that specifies the width of the recording medium 100, and is also an example of the information on the ejection opening surface of the ejection head 11. 110An example of the calculation process of the evaporation amount by the concentration adjusting unit 29 will be described.

[0072] When a recording command is received, the size information of the recording medium 100 (width Wa, total length La )but The total length La of the conveyed recording medium 100 is accumulated for the number of sheets conveyed during the recording operation. The accumulated value is defined as La(sum). The accumulated value La(sum) is divided by the conveyance speed of the recording medium 100 to calculate the time Ta.

[0073] Of the outlets OP of the ejection head 11 located at the recording position (height H1), the evaporation amount Va from the outlet OP located at the position of width Wa is given by Va = [evaporation rate 9.6 x Ta + evaporation rate 16.0 x (recording time T - Ta)] x number of outlets. The evaporation amount Vc from the outlet OP located at the position of width Wc can be calculated using this formula with Ta = 0. The evaporation amount for the entire ejection head 11 is calculated as evaporation amount = Va + Vc. The evaporation amount for the ejection head 11 located at the standby position (height H2) can also be calculated in a similar manner by changing the evaporation rate value.

[0074] In this example, the amount of evaporation is calculated by dividing the outlets OP into the number of outlets facing an area of ​​width Wa and the number of outlets facing an area of ​​width Wc depending on whether or not there is a recording medium 100. However, area division is not limited to an outlet unit, and it may also be a heater board unit. When dividing areas by heater board, in order to prevent the evaporation rate from being calculated as being underestimated, the amount of evaporation may be calculated assuming that all of the outlets on that heater board are not covered by the recording medium. Figure 13(C) shows an example of area division by heater board. Recording medium 100 The heater boards that have one or more ejection ports that are not covered with the heater board are HB0 to HB3 and HB13 to HB16. The evaporation amounts of these heater boards are calculated assuming Ta=0.

[0075] <Fourth embodiment> In the above embodiment, a conveyor belt-type conveying mechanism is exemplified as the conveying unit 17, but a roller-type conveying mechanism may also be used. FIG. 14(A) is a schematic diagram showing one such example. For simplicity of explanation, only one ejection head 11 is shown. A roller pair 17d is disposed upstream of the ejection head 11 in the conveying direction of the recording medium 100, and a roller pair 17e is disposed downstream. The roller pair 17d conveys the recording medium 100 by rotating while sandwiching the recording medium 100. Similarly, the roller pair 17e also conveys the recording medium 100 by rotating while sandwiching the recording medium 100.

[0076] In such a roller type conveying mechanism, the suction device 17c is not provided. 110 In this case, the airflow is relatively weaker in areas where there is no recording medium 100 (areas not facing the recording medium 100) than in areas where there is the recording medium 100 (areas facing the recording medium 100). The extent of these areas varies depending on the size (width) of the recording medium 100.

[0077] FIG. 14(B) is a diagram showing an example of setting the evaporation rate in this embodiment. The set value of the evaporation rate differs depending on the heights H1 and H2 of the ejection head 11 as well as the presence or absence of a recording medium 100. The relationship is reversed from the example in FIG. 13(B), and the evaporation rate of the ejection ports OP within the width of the recording medium 100 is higher than that of the ejection ports OP outside the width. Furthermore, for the ejection ports OP outside the width of the recording medium 100, there is no difference in evaporation rate depending on the heights H1 and H2. These are characteristics of the evaporation rate in the roller method. The calculation process of the evaporation amount by the concentration adjustment unit 29 is the same as in the third embodiment, and can be calculated in the same way by changing the value of the evaporation rate.

[0078] Fifth Embodiment When setting the evaporation rate, Mouth surface 110 15 shows an example of setting the evaporation rate in this embodiment, which specifies the evaporation rate for the position of the ejection head 11 (heights H1 and H2), as well as for the head temperature and environmental humidity conditions.

[0079] Head warming is an operation that keeps the ejection head 11 warm by driving the sub-heater SH of the ejection head 11, and can be switched between two levels, ON and OFF, depending on the print mode. When head warming is ON, the detection results of the temperature sensor SR are monitored and the temperature of the ejection head 11 is maintained at, for example, 40°C. When it is OFF, it is maintained at, for example, 20°C, depending on the temperature of the ink supplied. Since the evaporation rate increases as the temperature increases, even in the setting example of Figure 15, the evaporation rate is relatively high when it is ON and relatively low when it is OFF.

[0080] The head heat retention ON / OFF can be switched depending on whether the ejection head 11 is used or not depending on the recording mode shown in the first embodiment. For example, when the first mode is selected, the head heat retention is turned ON for the ejection heads 11d to 11g used for recording, and turned OFF for the ejection heads 11a to 11c not used for recording. The head heat retention ON / OFF information or recording mode selection information is an example of temperature information of the ejection head 11.

[0081] As another example of switching the head heat retention ON / OFF, the presence or absence of the recording medium 100 as described in the third and fourth embodiments may be used as a criterion. For example, head heat retention may be set to ON for the outlets OP positioned opposite the recording medium 100, and set to OFF for the outlets OP not positioned opposite the recording medium 100. The evaporation amount may be calculated by calculating the evaporation amount of the outlets OP with head heat retention ON and the evaporation amount of the outlets OP with head heat retention OFF, and then adding up the evaporation amounts for all the outlets.

[0082] Ambient humidity refers to the humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the recording device 1. The ambient humidity can be detected by a humidity sensor (not shown) provided in the recording device 1. The lower the humidity, the higher the evaporation rate. The detection result of the humidity sensor is obtained as humidity information, and the evaporation rate can be set according to the example in FIG. 15. In the illustrated example, the threshold is set to 0.01 (kg ambient air / kg dry air) so that the evaporation rate varies. However, the threshold may be a different value.

[0083] In this way, the discharge port surface 110 By setting the evaporation rate by combining not only the airflow above but also the head temperature and humidity conditions, the ink concentration state can be estimated with greater accuracy.

[0084] Sixth Embodiment In the first to fifth embodiments, a full-line head was used as the ejection head 11, but the present invention can also be applied to a serial-type recording device. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing one example. Multiple ejection heads 11' are mounted on a carriage CR, and the carriage CR is reciprocated by a scanning mechanism DR in a direction across the recording medium 100 (Y direction).

[0085] The scanning mechanism DR is, for example, a belt transmission mechanism, and includes a pair of pulleys spaced apart in the Y direction, an endless belt wound around the pair of pulleys, and a motor that rotates the pulleys. The carriage CR is fixed to the endless belt, and the carriage CR is moved by driving the motor to run the endless belt. The scanning mechanism DR is an example of a movement mechanism that moves the ejection head 11' and the recording medium 100 relative to each other.

[0086] In the example of Figure 16, the recording medium 100 is transported by a roller-type transport mechanism, as in the fourth embodiment. However, a transport belt-type transport mechanism, as in the first embodiment, may also be used. An image is recorded by alternately repeating a transport operation (intermittent transport operation) in which each pair of rollers 17d, 17e transports the recording medium 100 a predetermined amount in the X direction and a recording scan while transport is stopped. A recording scan is an operation in which ink is ejected from the ejection head 11' while moving the carriage CR on which the ejection head 11' is mounted.

[0087] In such a serial system configuration, the scanning speed of the ejection head 11' also becomes a factor in changing the airflow on the ejection orifice surface, and the higher the scanning speed, the higher the evaporation rate of ink at the ejection orifice OP. In other words, the scanning speed affects the evaporation rate. Figure 16(B) is a diagram showing an example of setting the evaporation rate in this embodiment. Here, the evaporation rate is set by combining the height and scanning speed.

[0088] Heights H11 to H13 indicate the position of the ejection head 11' in the Z direction relative to the recording medium 100, and all of them are recording positions corresponding to height H1 in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, there are three types of recording positions, and the ejection heads 11' are not raised and lowered individually, but all of them are raised and lowered together. The lifting mechanism may be provided in, for example, the scanning mechanism DR. Heights H11 to H13 may be, for example, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.5 mm, respectively. The higher the height, the slower the ink evaporation rate from the ejection openings OP.

[0089] The heights H11 to H13 and the scanning speed are switched depending on the selected recording mode. In this embodiment, the recording mode is assumed to be a combination of the type of recording medium 100 (three types: photo paper, plain paper, and envelope) and the recording quality (fast, standard). The user can select the recording mode.

[0090] The heights H11 to H13 depend on the type of recording medium 100, and the scanning speed depends on the quality of the recording medium. The selection information of the type of recording medium 100 and the quality of the recording medium is displayed on the ejection port surface. 110 The information relating to the air flow velocity above is an example of information, and the information for selecting the print quality is an example of information for specifying the scanning speed.

[0091] The evaporation amount is calculated by multiplying the evaporation rate in Figure 16(B) by the printing time and integrating the result. The printing time per scan is calculated by dividing the width in the Y direction by the scanning speed, and the printing time per page is calculated by integrating this value over the number of scans.

[0092] In the example of FIG. 16(B), the evaporation rate is set by the heights H11 to H13, but the height of the discharge head 11 may be fixed, in which case the evaporation rate is set based on the scanning speed.

[0093] Seventh Embodiment In the first to sixth embodiments, the discharge of ink from the ejection heads 11, 11' has been exemplified as an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components in the ink circulated by the circulation unit 12. However, ink may be discharged from another location in the ink circulation path. FIG. 17 shows one such example. In the example shown in the figure, a pump P4 is provided in the pipe 125 between the ejection head 11 and the pump P2 to discharge ink into a waste tank. The pump P4 can discharge concentrated ink at a position downstream of the ejection head 11 in the flow direction of the circulating ink flow.

[0094] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0095] <Summary of the embodiment> The above-described embodiments disclose at least the following recording apparatus and recording method.

[0096] Item 1. a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium; and a control means for acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means, and controlling an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information. A recording device characterized by:

[0097] Item 2. The recording device according to item 1, A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, the information includes information specifying the type of recording mode selected; A recording device characterized by:

[0098] Item 3. The recording device according to item 1 or 2, The height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection port surface of the ejection means is changeable, the information includes information specifying the height; A recording device characterized by:

[0099] Item 4. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 3, the moving means is a transport means for transporting the recording medium, the information includes information specifying a width of the recording medium; A recording device characterized by:

[0100] Item 5. Item 4. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 4, the moving means is a scanning means for moving the discharge means back and forth in a direction across the recording medium, the information includes information specifying a scanning speed of the discharge means; A recording device characterized by:

[0101] Item 6. Item 3. The recording device according to item 3, The control means setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low. A recording device characterized by:

[0102] Item 7. Item 4. The recording device according to item 4, A plurality of ejection ports are provided on the ejection port surface, the conveying means conveys the recording medium while adsorbing it to a conveying medium by suction of air; The control means setting an evaporation rate for each ejection port based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; The evaporation rate of the ejection openings located within the width of the recording medium is set lower than the evaporation rate of the ejection openings located outside the width of the recording medium. A recording device characterized by:

[0103] Item 8. Item 4. The recording device according to item 4, A plurality of ejection ports are provided on the ejection port surface, the conveying means conveys the recording medium by rotation of a roller; The control means setting an evaporation rate for each ejection port based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; The evaporation rate of the ejection openings located outside the width of the recording medium is set lower than the evaporation rate of the ejection openings located within the width of the recording medium. A recording device characterized by:

[0104] Item 9. Item 3. The recording device according to item 3, The control means acquires humidity information, setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information and the humidity information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low; When the humidity indicated by the humidity information is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the humidity is low. A recording device characterized by:

[0105] Item 10. Item 3. The recording device according to item 3, The control means acquires temperature information of the discharge means, setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information and the temperature information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low; When the temperature indicated by the temperature information is low, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the temperature is high. A recording device characterized by:

[0106] Item 11. The recording device according to any one of items 6 to 10, The control means Estimating the amount of evaporation when a recording job is executed; estimating the concentration based on the estimated evaporation amount and the recording operation content of the recording job; performing the adjustment operation when the estimated concentration exceeds a threshold value; A recording device characterized by:

[0107] Item 12. Item 3. The recording device according to item 3, A plurality of discharge means are provided, The height can be changed for each discharge means, the height is set to a first height during recording and a second height during non-recording, the second height is greater than the first height; A recording device characterized by:

[0108] Item 13. Item 13. The recording device according to item 12, the control unit controls the change in height, and controls the change in height for each ejection unit during execution of the recording job based on the recording job. A recording device characterized by:

[0109] Item 14. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 13, a circulation means for circulating the liquid between a liquid containing means for containing the liquid and the discharge means; A recording device characterized by:

[0110] Item 15. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 14, the adjusting operation includes an operation of discharging the liquid from the discharge means. A recording device characterized by:

[0111] Item 16. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 14, the adjusting operation includes an operation of discharging the liquid from the discharging means. A recording device characterized by:

[0112] Item 17. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 14, the adjusting operation includes an operation of sucking the liquid from the discharge means. A recording device characterized by:

[0113] Item 18. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 17, the ejection means is a full-line type ejection head; A recording device characterized by:

[0114] Item 19. Item 3. The recording device according to item 3, Elevating means for raising and lowering the discharge means is provided. A recording device characterized by:

[0115] Item 20. A control method for a recording device having a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium, the method comprising: acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means; and controlling an adjusting operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information. A control method comprising:

[0116] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1 recording device, 2 control unit, 11 ejection head

Claims

1. a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium; a control means for acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means, and controlling an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information; A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, The height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection port surface of the ejection means is changeable, the information includes information specifying the type of selected recording mode and information specifying the height, The control means setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low. A recording device characterized by:

2. a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium; a control means for acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means, and controlling an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information; A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, the moving means is a transport means for transporting the recording medium, the information includes information specifying the type of recording mode selected and information specifying the width of the recording medium; A plurality of ejection ports are provided on the ejection port surface, the conveying means conveys the recording medium while adsorbing it to a conveying medium by suction of air; The control means setting an evaporation rate for each ejection port based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; The evaporation rate of the ejection openings located within the width of the recording medium is set lower than the evaporation rate of the ejection openings located outside the width of the recording medium. A recording device characterized by:

3. a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium; a control means for acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means, and controlling an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information; A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, the moving means is a transport means for transporting the recording medium, the information includes information specifying the type of recording mode selected and information specifying the width of the recording medium; A plurality of ejection ports are provided on the ejection port surface, the conveying means conveys the recording medium by rotation of a roller; The control means setting an evaporation rate for each ejection port based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; The evaporation rate of the ejection openings located outside the width of the recording medium is set lower than the evaporation rate of the ejection openings located within the width of the recording medium. A recording device characterized by:

4. a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium; a control means for acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means, and controlling an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information; A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, The height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection port surface of the ejection means is changeable, the information includes information specifying the type of selected recording mode and information specifying the height, The control means acquires humidity information, setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information and the humidity information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low; When the humidity indicated by the humidity information is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the humidity is low. A recording device characterized by:

5. a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium; a control means for acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means, and controlling an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information; A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, The height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection port surface of the ejection means is changeable, the information includes information specifying the type of selected recording mode and information specifying the height, The control means acquires temperature information of the discharge means, setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information and the temperature information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low; When the temperature indicated by the temperature information is low, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the temperature is high. A recording device characterized by:

6. a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a plurality of ejection means for ejecting liquid onto the recording medium; a control means for acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means, and controlling an adjustment operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information; A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, a height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection opening surface of the ejection means can be changed for each of the ejection means; the information includes information specifying the type of selected recording mode and information specifying the height, the height is set to a first height during recording and a second height during non-recording, the second height is greater than the first height; the control unit controls the change in height, and controls the change in height for each ejection unit during execution of the recording job based on the recording job. A recording device characterized by:

7. 6. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein: The control means Estimating the amount of evaporation when a recording job is executed; estimating the concentration based on the estimated evaporation amount and the recording operation content of the recording job; performing the adjustment operation when the estimated concentration exceeds a threshold value; A recording device characterized by:

8. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, a circulation means for circulating the liquid between a liquid containing means for containing the liquid and the discharge means; A recording device characterized by:

9. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the adjusting operation includes an operation of discharging the liquid from the discharge means. A recording device characterized by:

10. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the adjusting operation includes an operation of discharging the liquid from the discharging means. A recording device characterized by:

11. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the adjusting operation includes an operation of sucking the liquid from the discharge means. A recording device characterized by:

12. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the ejection means is a full-line type ejection head; A recording device characterized by:

13. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Elevating means for raising and lowering the discharge means is provided. A recording device characterized by:

14. A control method for a recording device having a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium, the method comprising: acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means; a control step of controlling an adjusting operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information, The height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection port surface of the ejection means is changeable, the information includes information specifying the type of selected recording mode and information specifying the height, In the control step, setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low. A control method comprising:

15. A control method for a recording device having a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium, the method comprising: acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means; a control step of controlling an adjusting operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information, A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, the moving means is a transport means for transporting the recording medium, the information includes information specifying the type of recording mode selected and information specifying the width of the recording medium; A plurality of ejection ports are provided on the ejection port surface, the conveying means conveys the recording medium while adsorbing it to a conveying medium by suction of air; In the control step, setting an evaporation rate for each ejection port based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; The evaporation rate of the ejection openings located within the width of the recording medium is set lower than the evaporation rate of the ejection openings located outside the width of the recording medium. A control method comprising:

16. A control method for a recording device having a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium, the method comprising: acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means; a control step of controlling an adjusting operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information, A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, the moving means is a transport means for transporting the recording medium, the information includes information specifying the type of recording mode selected and information specifying the width of the recording medium; A plurality of ejection ports are provided on the ejection port surface, the conveying means conveys the recording medium by rotation of a roller; In the control step, setting an evaporation rate for each ejection port based on the acquired information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; The evaporation rate of the ejection openings located outside the width of the recording medium is set lower than the evaporation rate of the ejection openings located within the width of the recording medium. A control method comprising:

17. A control method for a recording device having a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium, the method comprising: acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means; a control step of controlling an adjusting operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information, A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, The height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection port surface of the ejection means is changeable, the information includes information specifying the type of selected recording mode and information specifying the height, In the control step, humidity information is acquired, setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information and the humidity information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low; When the humidity indicated by the humidity information is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the humidity is low. A control method comprising:

18. A control method for a recording device having a moving means for relatively moving a recording medium and a discharging means for discharging a liquid onto the recording medium, the method comprising: acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means; a control step of controlling an adjusting operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information, A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, The height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection port surface of the ejection means is changeable, the information includes information specifying the type of selected recording mode and information specifying the height, In the control step, temperature information of the discharge means is acquired, setting an evaporation rate based on the acquired information and the temperature information, estimating an evaporation amount of the liquid from the ejection port surface based on the set evaporation rate, and controlling the adjustment operation based on the estimated evaporation amount; When the height is high, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the height is low; When the temperature indicated by the temperature information is low, the evaporation rate is set lower than when the temperature is high. A control method comprising:

19. A control method for a recording device having a moving unit that relatively moves a recording medium and a plurality of ejection units that eject liquid onto the recording medium, the method comprising: acquiring information relating to the flow velocity of air on the discharge port surface of the discharge means; a control step of controlling an adjusting operation for adjusting the concentration of solid components of the liquid based on the acquired information, A recording mode can be selected from a plurality of recording modes, a height from the surface of the recording medium to the ejection opening surface of the ejection means can be changed for each of the ejection means; the information includes information specifying the type of selected recording mode and information specifying the height, the height is set to a first height during recording and a second height during non-recording, the second height is greater than the first height; In the control step, the change in height is controlled, and the change in height is controlled for each ejection unit during execution of the recording job based on the recording job. A control method comprising:

Images