METHOD FOR DRIVING LIQUID DROPLET EJECTION HEAD

Abstract

 Provided is a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head including a nozzle for ejecting a liquid droplet, a pressure generation chamber capable of storing liquid therein and communicating with the nozzle, and a pressure application unit that changes an internal pressure by increasing or reducing a volume in the pressure generation chamber, the method including: a first step of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit for preferably preventing satellites (landing of liquid droplets separated from main droplets); a second step of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit and ejecting liquid in the pressure generation chamber from the nozzle after the first step; and a third step of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit after a lapse of 0.4 to 1.55 AL (AL is 1/2 of an acoustic resonance period of the pressure generation chamber) from the second step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid droplets from a nozzle, and more particularly, to a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head that can satisfactorily prevent satellites (landing of liquid droplets separated from main droplets).

Background Art

[0002] Like an inkjet recording head that forms an image using minute ink droplets, a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid droplets from a nozzle ejects the liquid droplets from the nozzle by applying pressure to a pressure generation chamber, and causes the liquid droplets to land on a recording medium.

[0003] In the liquid droplet ejection head, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 10, a drive pulse having a rectangular wave illustrated in Fig. 11 is applied to piezoelectric elements S, S forming partition walls on both sides of a pressure generation chamber A. This drive waveform is a drive waveform (hereinafter, referred to as a "DRR waveform") of the Draw-Release-Reinforce (DRR) method including a rectangular wave. By the first rise of the drive pulse (first step P1), the piezoelectric elements S, S are deformed outward from each other, and the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is increased. As a result, a negative pressure is generated in the ink in the pressure generation chamber A, and the ink flows in the pressure generation chamber A. At the same time, the pressure starts to increase from both ends of the pressure generation chamber A, an acoustic wave is transmitted toward the center of the pressure generation chamber A, then the acoustic wave reaches the opposite end, and the pressure in the pressure generation chamber A becomes positive.

[0004] After a lapse of a predetermined time from the first rise of the drive pulse, when the drive pulse is lowered so as to deform the piezoelectric elements S, S in opposite directions to each other through the potential 0 (second step P2), the piezoelectric elements S, S reduce the volume of the pressure generation chamber A from an increased position through a neutral position. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 10(a), a positive pressure is generated in the pressure generation chamber A. As a result, a meniscus in the nozzle 3 due to a part of the ink filling the pressure generation chamber A moves in a direction of being pushed out from the nozzle 3, and an ink column 100 is ejected from the nozzle 3.

[0005] After this state is maintained for a predetermined time, as illustrated in Fig. 11, when the potential is raised and returned to 0 (third step P3), the piezoelectric elements S, S return from the reduction position to the neutral position, and the volume of the pressure generation chamber increases, so that the meniscus is drawn in and the rear end of the ejected ink column 100 is drawn back. Therefore, as illustrated in Fig. 10(b), the ink column 100 separates from the meniscus and flies as a liquid droplet 101.

[0006] Conventionally, the time (between the second step P2 and the third step P3) for reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber A and maintaining the state where the ink column 100 is ejected from the nozzle 3 is generally set to 2 AL, but as illustrated in Fig. 11, Patent Literature 1 describes setting the time to 3.5 to 4.4 AL. Note that "AL" is 1/2 of the acoustic resonance period of the pressure generation chamber.

[0007] In the inkjet recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, high frequency driving is enabled by setting the time for maintaining the state in which the ink column 100 is ejected after the second step P2 to 3.5 to 4.4 AL.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Literature 1: JP 4432426 B2

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0009] In the conventional inkjet recording apparatus as described above, in a case where a liquid droplet separated from a main droplet called a satellite occurs at the time of ink ejection, the liquid droplet lands on a recording medium, which causes deterioration in image quality. In order to reliably prevent image quality deterioration, it is required to preferably prevent satellites in an inkjet recording apparatus.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head capable of preferably preventing a satellite (landing of a liquid droplet separated from a main droplet).

[0011] Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the description below.

Solution to Problem

[0012] The above problem is solved by the following inventions.

[0013] 

1. A method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head including a nozzle for ejecting a liquid droplet, a pressure generation chamber capable of storing liquid therein and communicating with the nozzle, and a pressure application unit that changes an internal pressure by increasing or reducing a volume in the pressure generation chamber,

the method including:

a first step of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit;

a second step of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit and ejecting liquid in the pressure generation chamber from the nozzle after the first step; and

a third step of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit after a lapse of 0.4 to 1.55 AL (AL is 1/2 of an acoustic resonance period of the pressure generation chamber) from the second step.

2. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to 1, in which a step interval from the second step to the third step is 0.4 to 1.1 AL.

3. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to 1, in which a step interval from the second step to the third step is 0.4 to 0.9 AL.

4. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to 1, 2, or 3, in which a step interval from the first step to the second step is 0.7 to 1.3 AL.

5. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 4, further including:

a fourth step of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit after a lapse of 2.75 to 3.25 AL from the second step to cancel vibration in the pressure generation chamber; and

a fifth step of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit to cancel the vibration in the pressure generation chamber after a lapse of 0.75 to 1.25 AL from the fourth step.

6. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 5, in which the volume of the pressure generation chamber when reduced in the second step is smaller than a volume before the pressure generation chamber is increased in the first step, and the volume of the pressure generation chamber when increased in the third step is substantially the same as the volume before the pressure generation chamber is increased in the first step.

7. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 6, in which the pressure application unit is driven so that the volume in the pressure generation chamber is changed by applying a voltage, and is configured to apply different pressures to the pressure generation chamber by applying different voltages, and when a voltage applied to the pressure application unit in the first step is V1(V), a voltage applied to the pressure application unit in the second step is V2(V), and a voltage applied to the pressure application unit in the third step is V3(V), V2 < V3 < V1 is satisfied.

8. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 7, in which the pressure application unit is a piezoelectric element.

9. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to 8, in which the piezoelectric element is deformed in a shear mode by applying an electric field.

10. A method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head, the method including: when ejecting a plurality of droplets continuously, performing final ejection of the droplets by the method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 9.

11. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 10, further including a pre-step of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit before the first step.

12. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 11, in which a drive waveform applied to the pressure application unit for changing the volume in the pressure generation chamber is a rectangular wave.

13. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 11, in which a drive waveform applied to the pressure application unit for changing the volume in the pressure generation chamber is a triangular wave.

14. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of 1 to 13, in which the liquid is ink.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head capable of preferably preventing a satellite (landing of a liquid droplet separated from a main droplet).

Brief Description of Drawings

[0015] 

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an aspect of a liquid droplet ejection head to which the present invention is applied.

Figs. 2(a) to 2(c) are cross-sectional views illustrating operation of the liquid droplet ejection head.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a drive waveform for achieving a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of a first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a change in ejection pressure according to the method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of the first embodiment.

Figs. 5(A) to 5(E) are diagrams illustrating a meniscus and a state of liquid droplet ejection in a nozzle by the method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of the first embodiment, and Figs. 5(a) to 5(e) are diagrams illustrating a meniscus and a state of liquid droplet ejection in a nozzle by a method for driving a conventional liquid droplet ejection head.

Fig. 6 is a graph illustrating a reverberation extrusion pressure generated by the drive waveform illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a drive waveform for achieving a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of a second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a drive waveform for achieving a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of a third embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between a liquid droplet velocity and a satellite length as an example of the present invention.

Figs. 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory views illustrating a state of liquid droplet ejection by a conventional driving method.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a drive waveform in a conventional driving method.

Description of Embodiments

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [First Embodiment]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an aspect of a liquid droplet ejection head to which the present invention is applied.

Figs. 2(a) to 2(c) are cross-sectional views illustrating operation of the liquid droplet ejection head.

[0018] As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to the present invention can be applied to any type of liquid droplet ejection head as long as the liquid droplet ejection head includes a nozzle 3 for ejecting liquid droplets, a pressure generation chamber A capable of storing liquid therein and communicating with the nozzle 3, and a pressure application unit that changes an internal pressure of the pressure generation chamber A, and the liquid filled in the pressure generation chamber may be any liquid.

[0019] In the description below, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a shearing mode type inkjet recording head H including a piezoelectric element S serving as a pressure application unit that changes an internal force by increasing or reducing a volume in the pressure generation chamber A, the liquid droplet ejection head H using ink as liquid filled in the pressure generation chamber A, the liquid droplet ejection head H being deformed in a shearing mode (shear mode) by application of an electric field by the piezoelectric element S.

[0020] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the liquid droplet ejection head H is configured such that a nozzle plate 1 is attached to a front end surface of a channel substrate 2 and a manifold member 4 is attached to a rear end surface of the channel substrate 2. The nozzle plate 1 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 3 for ejecting ink droplets.

[0021] As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the channel substrate 2 is provided with a plurality of pressure generation chambers A. A plurality of pressure generation chambers A are arranged in parallel via piezoelectric elements S serving as partition walls. By alternately arranging the pressure generation chambers A and the piezoelectric elements S in parallel, one piezoelectric element S is shared by the pressure generation chambers A on both sides thereof.

[0022] One end of each pressure generation chamber A in the longitudinal direction communicates with the nozzle 3. The liquid droplet ejection head H of the present embodiment is a liquid droplet ejection head that performs so-called "independent driving" in which an ejection channel communicating with the nozzle 3 and a dummy channel (also referred to as a non-ejection channel) in which the nozzle 3 is not provided are alternately arranged in parallel as the pressure generation chamber A. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and a liquid droplet ejection head that performs so-called "three-cycle driving" in which all ink channels are divided into three groups and adjacent ink channels are controlled in a time division manner may be used.

[0023] The piezoelectric element S includes an upper wall S1 and a lower wall S2 made of piezoelectric materials with polarization directions opposite to each other. The piezoelectric material is not particularly limited, and for example, lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or the like can be used.

[0024] A manifold 41, which is an internal space, is formed in the manifold member 4 attached to the rear end surface of the channel substrate 2. The other end in the longitudinal direction of each pressure generation chamber A communicates with the manifold 41. The manifold 41 communicates with an ink tank (not illustrated) by an ink tube 42.

[0025] The ink supplied from the ink tank is supplied from the manifold 41 to each pressure generation chamber A. Each pressure generation chamber A forms a flow path connecting the manifold 41 and the nozzle 3. Each pressure generation chamber A forms an individual flow path corresponding to each nozzle 3. A meniscus made of ink is formed in the nozzle 3.

[0026] Electrodes Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 are formed on the surface of the piezoelectric element S constituting each pressure generation chamber A. Each of the electrodes Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 is connected to a drive signal generation unit 50 that supplies a drive signal for driving the piezoelectric element S to eject the ink in the pressure generation chamber A.

[0027] In Fig. 2, arrows attached to the piezoelectric element S indicate polarization directions of the upper wall S1 and the lower wall S2. As described above, the upper wall S1 and the lower wall S2 made of the piezoelectric material can be arranged so that polarization directions thereof are opposite to each other. The piezoelectric element S is driven to change the volume in the pressure generation chamber A by applying a voltage, and is configured to apply different pressures to the pressure generation chamber A by applying different voltages.

[0028] When no drive signal is applied to any of the electrodes Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, as illustrated in Fig. 2(a), none of the piezoelectric elements S is deformed. In this state, when the electrodes Q1 and Q4 on the side far from the pressure generation chamber A are grounded and a drive signal (+V) is applied to the electrodes Q2, Q3 facing the inside of the pressure generation chamber A, an electric field in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the piezoelectric elements S, S is generated, and as illustrated in Fig. 2(b), the piezoelectric elements S, S are deformed toward the outside of the pressure generation chamber A by causing displacement deformation on the joint surfaces of the upper wall S1 and the lower wall S2. By this deformation, the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is increased, a negative pressure is generated in the pressure generation chamber A, and the ink flows into the pressure generation chamber A from the manifold 41.

[0029] When the potentials of the electrodes Q2, Q3 are returned from this state to 0, the piezoelectric elements S, S return from an expansion position illustrated in Fig. 2(b) to a neutral position illustrated in Fig. 2(a), and pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure generation chamber A.

[0030] In this state, when a drive signal (-V) is applied to the electrodes Q2, Q3 facing the inside of the pressure generation chamber A, an electric field in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the piezoelectric elements S, S is generated, and as illustrated in Fig. 2(c), the piezoelectric elements S, S are deformed toward the inside of the pressure generation chamber A. By this deformation, the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is reduced, a positive pressure is generated in the pressure generation chamber A, and the ink is ejected from the nozzle 3 corresponding to the pressure generation chamber A. By such a series of operations of the piezoelectric elements S, S based on the drive signal, the ink droplets are separated from the meniscus in the nozzle 3 communicating with the pressure generation chamber A, and the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 3.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a drive waveform for achieving a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of a first embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a change in ejection pressure according to the method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of the first embodiment.

[0033] Figs. 5(A) to 5(E) are diagrams illustrating a meniscus and a state of liquid droplet ejection in a nozzle by the method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of the first embodiment, and Figs. 5(a) to 5(e) are diagrams illustrating a meniscus and a state of liquid droplet ejection in a nozzle by a method for driving a conventional liquid droplet ejection head.

(First step P1)

[0034] In the drive waveform in this embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 3(P1), the first rising pulse is applied as a first step P1 in the initial state of the recording head H illustrated in Fig. 2(a). In the first step P1, for example, the electrodes Q1, Q4 on the side far from the pressure generation chamber A are connected to the ground, a +V potential is applied to the electrodes Q2, Q3 on the side close to the pressure generation chamber A, and the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is increased by the piezoelectric elements S, S.

[0035] At this time, an electric field in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the piezoelectric elements S, S constituting the partition walls on both sides of the pressure generation chamber A is generated. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 2(b), the piezoelectric elements S, S are deformed outward, and the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is increased (Draw). Due to the increase in volume of the pressure generation chamber A, the ink is introduced into the pressure generation chamber A.

[0036] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the pressure in the pressure generation chamber A is repeatedly inverted in a 1 AL period at a step interval at which the drive waveform does not change. Therefore, when this step interval is continued by 1 AL, the drawn meniscus M returns to a tip end surface (hereinafter, the tip end surface of the nozzle 3 on the liquid droplet ejection side is referred to as a "return position" of the meniscus M) on the liquid droplet ejection side in the nozzle 3, and the pressure of the ink is inverted to a positive pressure as illustrated in Fig. 5(A). When the increased pressure generation chamber A is returned to the original neutral state (Release) at this timing, a high pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure generation chamber A. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the ink pressure in the nozzle 3 changes slightly behind the change in the drive waveform, and the change in the meniscus M further slightly delays.

[0037] As described above, note that "AL" is 1/2 of the acoustic resonance period of the pressure generation chamber. This AL is obtained as a time when the flying speed of the ink droplet is maximized when the speed of the ink droplet ejected by applying a voltage pulse of a rectangular wave to the piezoelectric element S is measured, the voltage value of the rectangular wave is made constant, and the step interval of the rectangular wave is changed. The step interval is defined as from 10% of the start of the rise or fall of the voltage to the start of the next step.

[0038] In this embodiment, a rectangular wave is used, and the rectangular wave has a waveform in which both a rise time and a fall time between 10% and 90% of the voltage are preferably within 1/2 and more preferably within 1/4 of AL. In the present invention, a triangular wave may be used without being limited to a rectangular wave. In the case of using a triangular wave, it is sufficient that, in the waveform, the pressure fluctuation in the pressure generation chamber is similar to that in the case of using a rectangular wave.

(Second Step P2)

[0039] After the first step, as illustrated in Figs. 2(c) and 3(P2), a falling pulse (-V) is applied as a second step P2. In the second step P2, the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is reduced by the piezoelectric elements S, S, and the liquid in the pressure generation chamber A is ejected from the nozzle.

[0040] The step interval from the first step P1 to the second step P2 is preferably 0.7 to 1.3 AL. This is because when the negative pressure wave due to the volume increase of the pressure generation chamber A applied in the first step P1 is inverted by 1 AL to become a positive pressure wave, the positive pressure wave due to the volume reduction in the second step P2 is added thereto, and the ink ejection pressure increases.

[0041] By this second step P2, the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is reduced, and as illustrated in Fig. 4, a higher pressure is applied to the ink (Reinforce), and as illustrated in Fig. 5(B), the ink column 10 is ejected from the nozzle 3.

[0042] In the present specification, the "ink column" refers to an ink in a state in which the tip is ejected from the nozzle 3 but the rear end is connected to the meniscus in the nozzle 3 and is not yet separated from the meniscus, and the "liquid droplet" refers to an ink in a state in which the rear end of the ink column is completely separated from the meniscus in the nozzle 3.

(Third step P3)

[0043] After the step interval of 0.4 to 1.55 AL has elapsed from the second step P2, the piezoelectric elements S, S are returned to the neutral positions as the third step P3 as illustrated in Figs. 2(a) and 3(P3). In the third step P3, the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is increased from the reduced state by the piezoelectric element S.

[0044] The vibration (reverberation vibration) in the pressure generation chamber A is amplified by the third step P3. Note that reverberation vibration is most amplified when the step interval from the second step P2 to the third step P3 is set to 1AL.

[0045] When 1AL has elapsed from the second step P2, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the pressure of the ink is reversed to become a negative pressure, so that a constriction occurs at the base of the ejected ink column 10 as illustrated in Fig. 5(C). When another 0.5 AL elapses, the negative pressure is maximized and the meniscus M is drawn to the deepest position in the direction opposite to the nozzle 3, and the meniscus M appears clearly.

[0046] When 0.5 AL further elapses, the pressure is reversed to become a positive pressure, and the meniscus M moves toward the return position. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5(D), since the reverberation is larger than the conventional drive waveform by the third step P3, the meniscus M is pushed out from the nozzle 3 together with the constricted portion by reverberation extrusion.

[0047] When the time further elapses, the meniscus M returns to the return position as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5(E). The meniscus M drawn deep into the nozzle 3 rapidly starts to move toward the return position due to combination of the capillary force of the ink and the positive ink pressure. When the meniscus M returns to the return position, the ink column 10 is not yet separated from the meniscus M, and its tail portion 10b is connected to the meniscus M.

[0048] As the meniscus M retreats from the nozzle 3 in the direction opposite to the liquid droplet ejection direction, the ink column 10 ejected from the nozzle 3 in the second step P2 is separated from the meniscus M and ejected from the nozzle 3 as a liquid droplet. At this time, the distance from the tip of the liquid droplet to the tail portion 10b separated from the meniscus M is shorter than that of the conventional drive waveform, and thereby, satellites (landing of liquid droplets separated from a main droplet) can be preferably prevented.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the third step P3 is performed after the step interval of 0.4 to 1.55 AL has elapsed from the second step P2 using the DRR waveform, and the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is increased by the third step P3 to amplify the vibration (reverberation vibration) in the pressure generation chamber A. The present inventor has confirmed that it is effective for preventing satellites to promote disconnection of liquid droplets by performing drawing (third step P3) so as to apply a pressure of a phase that amplifies vibration (reverberation vibration) in the pressure generation chamber after extrusion (second step P2) after drawing (first step P1) of the ink.

[0050] The step interval from the second step P2 to the third step P3 is preferably 0.4 to 1.1 AL. Also in this case, reverberation vibration is amplified as compared with the conventional drive waveform, disconnection of liquid droplets is promoted, and satellites can be preferably prevented.

[0051] The step interval from the second step P2 to the third step P3 is preferably 0.4 to 0.9 AL. Also in this case, reverberation vibration is amplified as compared with the conventional drive waveform, disconnection of liquid droplets is promoted, and satellites can be preferably prevented.

[0052] In the above description, it is preferable that a volume U1 of the pressure generation chamber A when increased in the first step P1 is larger than the volume before the pressure generation chamber A is increased in the first step P1, a volume U2 of the pressure generation chamber A when reduced in the second step P2 is smaller than the volume before the pressure generation chamber A is increased in the first step, and a volume U3 of the pressure generation chamber A when increased in the third step is substantially the same as the volume before the pressure generation chamber A is increased in the first step.

[0053] As illustrated in Fig. 3, when a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element S before the first step P1 is V3(V), a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element S in the first step P1 is V1(V), a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element S in the second step P2 is V2(V), and a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element S in the third step P3 is V3(V), V2 < V3 < V1 is preferably satisfied. Thus, volume U2 < volume U3 < volume U1 is satisfied. Note that the voltage V3 in the initial state is not limited to 0, and each of the voltages VI, V2, V3 is a voltage of a difference.

(Prevention of satellites)

[0054] As described above, according to the drive waveform of the embodiment, satellites can be preferably prevented by amplifying the reverberation vibration. Hereinafter, this effect will be described in comparison with a conventional drive waveform.

[0055] In the conventional drive waveform, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5(a) to 5(c), the pressure fluctuation and the behavior of the ink in the pressure generation chamber A from the first step P1 to the second step P2 are similar to those in the above-described embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5(A) to 5(C).

[0056] After 1.5 AL elapses from the second step P2, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5(C), and 5(c), the negative pressure is maximized, the meniscus M is drawn to the deepest position in the direction opposite to the nozzle 3, and the meniscus M clearly appears.

[0057] When 0.5 AL further elapses (the step interval of 2 AL elapses from the second step P2), in the conventional drive waveform, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5(d), the pressure is reversed to become positive pressure, and the meniscus M moves toward the return position. At this time, as the third step P3 of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber A, the partition wall S is returned to the neutral position, and the volume of the pressure generation chamber A is increased from the reduced state so far. By the third step P3, the vibration (reverberation vibration) in the pressure generation chamber A is canceled, and the meniscus M returns to the return position.

[0058] When the meniscus M returns to the return position, the ink column 10 is not yet separated from the meniscus M, and its tail portion 10b is connected to the meniscus M. In the conventional drive waveform, as illustrated in Fig. 5(e), the ink column 10 ejected from the nozzle 3 is separated from the meniscus M and ejected from the nozzle 3 as a liquid droplet.

[0059] At this time, the distance from the tip of the liquid droplet to the tail portion 10b separated from the meniscus M is longer than the drive waveform of the above-described embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5(E), and satellites are not sufficiently prevented. In the drive waveform of the embodiment, since the disconnection of the liquid droplet is promoted, the distance from the tip portion of the liquid droplet to the tail portion 10b is short, and satellites are preferably prevented.

[0060] Fig. 6 is a graph illustrating a reverberation extrusion pressure generated by the drive waveform illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0061] In the drive waveform of the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 6, between the step interval (horizontal axis) from the second step P2 to the third step P3 and the extrusion pressure (vertical axis) due to reverberation with respect to the meniscus M after the third step P3, there is a relationship that the extrusion pressure becomes positive pressure when the step interval is 0.4 to 1.55 AL, and the extrusion pressure becomes maximum when the step interval is 1 AL.

[0062] Even when the step interval from the second step P2 to the third step P3 is set to 0.4 to 1.1 AL or 0.4 to 0.9 AL, the reverberation vibration is sufficiently amplified to promote the disconnection of the liquid droplets and preferably prevent satellites.

[Second Embodiment]

[0063] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a drive waveform for achieving a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of a second embodiment.

[0064] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the drive waveform of this embodiment is obtained by adding a canceling waveform for canceling reverberation vibration after the third step P3. The canceling waveform includes a fourth step P4 of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber A by the piezoelectric element S after 2.75 to 3.25 AL elapses from the second step P2, and a fifth step P5 of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber A by the piezoelectric element S and returning the volume after 0.75 to 1.25 AL elapses from the fourth step P4.

[0065] The voltage applied to the piezoelectric element S in the fourth step P4 is preferably equal to the voltage V2 applied in the second step P2. The voltage applied to the piezoelectric element S in the fifth step P5 is preferably equal to the voltage V3 (initial potential) applied in the third step P3.

[0066] With this canceling waveform, vibration (reverberation vibration) in the pressure generation chamber A is canceled, and the next liquid droplet ejection can be preferably performed.

[0067] In a case where the same pixel is formed by performing liquid droplet ejection following the previous liquid droplet ejection, it is preferable to perform a pre-step Pp of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber A by the piezoelectric element S before the first step P1. The step interval from the pre-step Pp to the first step P1 is, for example, 0.3 AL. The voltage applied to the piezoelectric element S in the pre-step Pp is preferably equal to the voltage V2 applied in the second step P2.

[0068] By adding the pre-step Pp, the flying speed of the liquid droplet ejected in the second step P2 can be increased, and the landing position deviation from the previous ejected liquid droplet can be prevented.

[Third Embodiment]

[0069] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a drive waveform for achieving a method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head of a third embodiment.

[0070] As illustrated in Fig. 8, the drive waveform of this embodiment is a drive waveform in a case where a plurality of droplets are continuously ejected. The last ejection of the plurality of droplets is performed using the drive waveform of the above-described embodiment.

[0071] The ejection of the first droplet is a waveform in which two liquid droplets are continuously ejected, and the liquid droplets are coalesced in the air and then landed. The ejection of the second droplet and the third droplet is a conventional DRR waveform. The ejection of the fourth droplet is the drive waveform of the first and second embodiments described above. The numerical values in Fig. 8 indicate the step interval as a coefficient of AL.

[0072] As described above, by performing the last ejection when the ejection of the plurality of droplets is continuously performed using the drive waveform of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to preferably prevent satellites that occur in the last ejection, which is particularly problematic.

[Ink]

[0073] In each of the embodiments described above, the liquid to be ejected is ink, but the liquid is not limited to the ink, and the capillary permeation rate of the liquid is expressed as {2 · (capillary radius) · (surface tension) · cos (contact angle)}/{8 · (viscosity) · (pipe length)}. The capillary permeation rate is greatly affected by the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid. For example, when comparing a liquid having a surface tension of 40 dyne/cm and a viscosity of 2 cp with a liquid having a surface tension of 28 dyne/cm and a viscosity of 10 cp, the capillary permeation rate of the latter liquid decreases to 1/10 of that of the former liquid at the same capillary radius and the same tube length.

[0074] Therefore, the timing of returning the meniscus M to the return position differs due to the difference in liquid viscosity, the return of the meniscus M is delayed in a liquid having a high viscosity, and conversely, the return of the meniscus M is accelerated in a liquid having a low viscosity. Similarly, the timing of returning the meniscus M to the return position differs due to the difference in surface tension of the liquid, the return of the meniscus M is delayed in a liquid having a low surface tension, and conversely, the return of the meniscus M is accelerated in a liquid having a high surface tension.

[0075] When the timing of returning the meniscus M to the return position is different due to the difference in liquid viscosity and surface tension as described above, it is assumed that the third step P3 is performed when 0.4 to 1.55 AL elapses from the second step P2, and then the meniscus M substantially returns to the return position earlier or later. If the return of the meniscus M to the return position is earlier or later, there is a possibility that the meniscus M cannot be pushed out well by reverberant vibration.

[0076] Therefore, the driving method of the present invention exhibits a remarkable effect when the viscosity of the ejected liquid is 5 cp or more and 15 cp or less and the surface tension of the liquid is 20 dyne/cm or more and 30 dyne/cm or less.

[Regarding Embodiments]

[0077] In each of the above embodiments, the pressure application unit includes the piezoelectric element S. The driving method of the present invention is preferable in that the timing of lowering the pressure in the pressure generation chamber can be easily controlled in a case where the pressure application unit includes the piezoelectric element S as described above.

[0078] In each embodiment, a drive waveform of a rectangular wave is applied to the piezoelectric element. The use of the rectangular wave is preferable because the start timing of the third step P3 can be easily set at the timing when the meniscus M returns to the return position, a strong negative pressure is generated in the third step P3, and the liquid droplets can be easily separated.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the piezoelectric element S of a shear mode type that deforms in a shear mode by applying an electric field is used as the pressure application unit. In the shear mode type piezoelectric element, the drive waveform of the rectangular wave illustrated in Fig. 3 can be more effectively used, the drive voltage is lowered, and more efficient driving can be performed, which is preferable. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a piezoelectric element of another form such as a single-plate type piezoelectric actuator or a vertical vibration type laminated piezoelectric element may be used as the piezoelectric element. Other pressure application unit such as an electromechanical transducer using electrostatic force or magnetic force, or an electrothermal transducer for applying pressure using a boiling phenomenon may be used.

[0080] In the above description, the inkjet recording head for performing image recording is used as the liquid droplet ejection head, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be similarly applied as long as it includes a nozzle for ejecting liquid droplets, a pressure generation chamber communicating with the nozzle, and a pressure application unit for changing the pressure in the pressure generation chamber.

Examples

[0081] Fig. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between a liquid droplet velocity and a satellite length as an example of the present invention.

[0082] A shear mode recording head with a nozzle pitch of 180 dpi and an emission liquid droplet amount of 14 p1 was used, the step interval from the first step P1 to the second step P2 was set to 1 AL in a DRR waveform, and as illustrated in Fig. 9, the step interval from the second step P2 to the third step P3 was set to (1) 0.5 AL, (2) 2 AL, and (3) 4 AL, so that liquid droplets were ejected. The relationship between the liquid droplet velocity (m/s) (horizontal axis) and the satellite length (mm) (vertical axis) at that time was checked.

[0083] As illustrated in Fig. 9, in (1) (Example in which the step interval from the second step P2 to the third step P3 was set to 0.5 AL), satellite generation was not observed until the liquid droplet velocity reached 6.0 m/s. (2) (Comparative Example in which the step interval from the second step P2 to the third step P3 was set to 2 AL), satellite generation was observed when the liquid droplet velocity exceeded 5.0 m/s. (3) (Comparative Example in which the step interval from the second step P2 to the third step P3 was set to 4 AL), satellite generation was not observed until the liquid droplet velocity reached 6.0 m/s, but the length of satellite generated at the liquid droplet velocity exceeding 6.0 m/s was longer than (1). In (1), when the liquid droplet velocity exceeded 6.0 m/s, a satellite is generated, but the length thereof is suppressed to be shorter than (3).

Reference Signs List

[0084] 

1

Nozzle plate

2

Channel substrate

3

Nozzle

4

Manifold member

41

Manifold

42

Ink tube

10

Ink column

10b

Tail portion

50 H

Recording head

A

Pressure generation chamber

S

Piezoelectric element (partition wall)

Q1

Electrode

Q2

Electrode

Q3

Electrode

Q4

Electrode

M

Meniscus

P1

First step

P2

Second step

P3

Third step

Claims

1. A method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head including a nozzle for ejecting a liquid droplet, a pressure generation chamber capable of storing liquid therein and communicating with the nozzle, and a pressure application unit that changes an internal pressure by increasing or reducing a volume in the pressure generation chamber,
the method comprising:

a first step of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit;

a second step of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit and ejecting liquid in the pressure generation chamber from the nozzle after the first step; and

a third step of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit after a lapse of 0.4 to 1.55 AL (AL is 1/2 of an acoustic resonance period of the pressure generation chamber) from the second step.

2. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to claim 1, wherein a step interval from the second step to the third step is 0.4 to 1.1 AL.

3. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to claim 1, wherein a step interval from the second step to the third step is 0.4 to 0.9 AL.

4. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein a step interval from the first step to the second step is 0.7 to 1.3 AL.

5. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

a fourth step of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit after a lapse of 2.75 to 3.25 AL from the second step to cancel vibration in the pressure generation chamber; and

a fifth step of increasing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit to cancel the vibration in the pressure generation chamber after a lapse of 0.75 to 1.25 AL from the fourth step.

6. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims of 1 to 5, wherein the volume of the pressure generation chamber when reduced in the second step is smaller than a volume before the pressure generation chamber is increased in the first step, and the volume of the pressure generation chamber when increased in the third step is substantially the same as the volume before the pressure generation chamber is increased in the first step.

7. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pressure application unit is driven so that the volume in the pressure generation chamber is changed by applying a voltage, and is configured to apply different pressures to the pressure generation chamber by applying different voltages, and when a voltage applied to the pressure application unit in the first step is V1(V), a voltage applied to the pressure application unit in the second step is V2(V), and a voltage applied to the pressure application unit in the third step is V3(V), V2 < V3 < V1 is satisfied.

8. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressure application unit is a piezoelectric element.

9. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric element is deformed in a shear mode by applying an electric field.

10. A method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head, the method comprising, when ejecting a plurality of droplets continuously, performing final ejection of the droplets by the method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a pre-step of reducing the volume of the pressure generation chamber by the pressure application unit before the first step.

12. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a drive waveform applied to the pressure application unit for changing the volume in the pressure generation chamber is a rectangular wave.

13. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a drive waveform applied to the pressure application unit for changing the volume in the pressure generation chamber is a triangular wave.

14. The method for driving a liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the liquid is ink.

Drawing