JP2731012B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having a plurality of discharge ports, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus having a function such as a facsimile, a copying machine, a printer, and the like, and the functions thereof. The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus used as an output device such as a multifunction peripheral or a workstation.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of this type of apparatus, an image read from an original using an image reading apparatus is converted into a digital signal, and after performing data processing, an electric signal is input to an inkjet head. A discharge energy generator that generates discharge energy used to discharge ink (recording liquid) from a discharge port generates discharge energy, and the ink is discharged from an inkjet head onto a recording material, thereby forming an image. There are devices that form

Further, there is known an apparatus which inputs an electric signal having information based on character data or communication data to an ink jet head to perform desired recording.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such an apparatus, the force (for ejecting ink to the ejected ink liquid) due to variations in characteristics due to the process of manufacturing the inkjet head or variations in characteristics due to the material forming the inkjet head, etc. (Discharge power). When the ejection power is small, there is a problem that non-ejection is likely to occur when the viscosity of the ink increases due to standing or the like.

In addition, if the ejection power is significantly different among a plurality of ejection ports, there is a problem that the print quality varies. In particular, as a number of ejection ports are provided over the width of the recording member, so-called full multi-type ink jet recording heads, the ink ejection state from all the ejection ports can be controlled only by controlling the manufacturing accuracy of the ink jet recording head. The reality is that doing so is quite difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problems and solves various problems caused by variations in ink ejection power.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides an inkjet recording head having a plurality of ejection ports and a plurality of ejection energy generating means corresponding to the plurality of ejection ports, Detecting means for detecting whether or not ink has been ejected from the ejection ports, and driving while changing the driving conditions of the plurality of ejection energy generating means, and driving each of the plurality of ejection energy generating means during a recording operation. Setting means for setting conditions based on driving conditions when the detection means detects that ink has been ejected from ejection ports corresponding to the ejection energy generation means.

[Operation] According to the present invention, detecting means for detecting whether or not ink has been ejected from an ejection port of an ink jet recording head having a plurality of ejection ports and a plurality of ejection energy generating means corresponding thereto, The driving condition of the ejection energy generating means is changed and the driving is performed, and the driving condition at the time of each printing operation is determined when the detecting means detects that the ink is ejected from the corresponding ejection port. By providing the setting means for setting based on the driving conditions, it is possible to minimize the variation in the ejection stability for each ejection port, and further to eliminate the variation.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1Bk, 1y, 1m, 1c are black,
This is a bubble jet type recording head corresponding to yellow, magenta, and cyan ink colors, uses a heating resistor as a built-in ejection energy generator, and utilizes heat energy generated when the heating resistor is energized to form a recording medium. The ink droplets are ejected from the ejection ports by air bubbles generated in the block 2, and are fixed to the block 2. Each recording head is
4736 discharge ports are arranged at a density of 400 dpi. Further, a reading head 51 for detecting ejection / non-ejection ejection port numbers is also fixed to the block 2.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a capping unit, for example, in a standby mode.
At the time of non-recording, the block 2 is pulled up to the position A indicated by a dashed line in the figure, thereby capping the unit 3 so as to face the unit. Further, the capping unit 3 serves as a tray for waste ink fed from a recovery pump and an ink supply system (not shown) at the time of circulation recovery and extruded from the discharge port. The waste ink is guided to a waste ink tank (not shown).

Reference numeral 4 denotes an endless charging suction belt which is disposed opposite to each of the recording heads 1Bk, 1y, 1m, and 1c at a predetermined interval to convey a recording sheet, and 5 denotes each recording head via the charging suction belt 4. It is a back platen that is disposed to face the other side.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a paper feed cassette which contains recording sheets 7 such as plain paper and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 8 denotes a pickup roller which feeds out and feeds only one uppermost recording sheet 7. Reference numeral 9 denotes a transport roller for transporting the recording sheet 7 sent out from the pickup roller 8 to a transport path 10, and reference numeral 11 denotes a transport roller disposed on the exit side of the transport path 10.

Reference numerals 13 and 14 denote heaters and fans for drying and fixing the ink droplets adhered to the recording sheet 7 by recording with hot air, 15 a discharge roller for discharging the fixed recording sheet 7 out of the apparatus, and 16 a discharged recording sheet. 7 is a tray for sequentially stocking 7.

Next, the operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

First, the recording operation will be described. When a recording start operation is performed, a recording sheet 7 of a designated size is sent out of the paper feed cassette 6 by the pickup roller 8. The fed recording sheet 7 is transported by the transport rollers 9 and
By 11, it is rotated in a pre-charged state, and is placed on the charging / adsorbing belt 4 having a planar shape by the back platen 5. The head of recording sheet 7 is head 1
In conjunction with the arrival at the lower portions of c, 1m, 1y, and 1Bk, the energy generator of each recording head is driven via a drive circuit (not shown) according to the image data. By this driving, ink droplets corresponding to the image information are ejected from the ejection ports onto the surface of the recording sheet 7 to perform recording.

If the recording sheet 7 has poor hygroscopicity, the droplets adhering to the surface do not dry and are rubbed to cause printing stains.
Forcible drying is performed by 13 and the fan 14 to fix. The recording sheet 7 on which the fixing has been completed is discharged to a tray 16 by a discharge roller 15.

As described above, a color image is formed by supplying a recording signal corresponding to each of the recording heads corresponding to the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks.

Next, the ejection principle of the ink jet recording head used in the apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

The recording head applied to the ink jet recording apparatus includes:
In general, there are provided a fine liquid discharge port (orifice), a liquid flow path, an energy action section provided in a part of the liquid flow path, and energy generation means for generating liquid forming energy to act on the liquid in the action section. I have.

As an energy generating means for generating such energy, a recording method using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element or the like, an electromagnetic wave such as a laser is irradiated, and absorbed by a liquid there to generate heat. There are a recording method using an energy generating means for discharging and flying a droplet by the action of the heat generation, and a recording method using an energy generating means for discharging the liquid by heating the liquid with an electrothermal converter.

Among them, a recording head used in an ink jet recording method in which a liquid is discharged by thermal energy has a high density of liquid discharge ports (orifices) for discharging a recording droplet to form a flying droplet. Therefore, it is possible to record at a high resolution. In addition, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating means can be easily made compact as a recording head as a whole,
In addition, it is possible to make full use of the advantages of IC technology and micro-machining technology, which have been making remarkable advances in technology in the field of semiconductors, and that it is easy to make them longer and more planar (two-dimensional). For example, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording head that can be easily formed into multiple discharge ports / high-density mounting, has high productivity in a large amount, and has a low manufacturing cost.

In general, an ink jet recording head manufactured through a semiconductor manufacturing process using an electrothermal converter as an energy generating means is provided with a liquid flow path corresponding to each discharge port, and the liquid flow path is provided for each of the liquid flow paths. An electrothermal converter is provided as means for applying thermal energy to the liquid filling the flow path and discharging the liquid from the corresponding orifice to form flying droplets. The liquid is supplied from a common liquid chamber communicating with the path.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the above-described ink jet recording head. The recording head passes through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc.
Electrothermal transducer 103, electrode 104, liquid path wall 105 formed on 2
The top plate 106 is configured.

The recording liquid 112 is supplied from a liquid storage chamber (not shown) through a liquid supply pipe 107 into a common liquid chamber 108 of the recording head 101. In the figure, reference numeral 109 denotes a liquid supply pipe connector. The liquid 112 supplied into the common liquid chamber 108 is in a liquid path by capillary action.
The liquid is supplied to the inside of the liquid channel 110, and is stably held by forming a meniscus at the discharge port surface at the tip of the liquid path. Here, when electricity is supplied to the electrothermal converter 103, the liquid on the electrothermal converter surface is heated, and a bubbling phenomenon occurs.

With the above-described configuration, a multi-ejection port ink jet recording head is formed with a high-density ejection port arrangement such as an ejection port density of 400 dpi.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the multi-layered long recording head and ink supply means. In the figure, 1
Is the recording head, 52 is a common liquid chamber in the recording head 1, 53
Reference numeral denotes a discharge port (orifice) for liquid discharge arranged on the recording liquid discharge surface.

The number of the ejection ports 53 shown in this figure is arranged over the entire recordable width of the target recording material, and the heat is provided in the liquid path (not shown) through each of the ejection ports 53. By selectively driving the element, the recording liquid is discharged,
Recording can be performed without the main scanning of the head itself.

Reference numeral 55 denotes a recording liquid supply tank for supplying the recording liquid to the recording head 1; 56, a main tank for replenishing the recording tank 55 with the recording liquid; The liquid is supplied to the liquid chamber 52. Further, at the time of replenishing the recording liquid, it is possible to replenish the recording tank from the main tank 56 to the supply tank 55 by the recovery pump 59 via the one-way replenishment rectifying valve 58.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a rectifying valve for recovering traffic on the other hand, which is used at the time of a recovery operation performed to recover the discharge function of the recording head 1, 61 denotes a circulation pipe in which the recovery rectifying valve 10 is interposed, and 62 denotes a circulating pipe. The solenoid valve 63 interposed in the first supply pipe 57 described above;
Is an air vent valve for the supply tank.

In the recording head 1 and the recording liquid supply system and the recovery system configured as described above, the electromagnetic valve 62 is kept open when recording is performed, and the recording liquid is discharged from the supply tank 55 by its own weight. The liquid is supplied to the common liquid chamber 52 and guided from the liquid chamber 52 to the discharge port 53 via a liquid path (not shown).

Further, at the time of a recovery operation performed for cooling the recording head 1 that is unnecessarily heated together with the removal of bubbles remaining in the common liquid chamber 52 and the supply system, the recovery pump 59 is driven to circulate the recording liquid. The recording liquid can be sent to the common liquid chamber 52 by 61, and at the same time, the recording head can be driven to push bubbles together with the ink from the orifice. The recording liquid can be returned from the common liquid chamber 52 to the supply tank 55 by the first supply pipe 57 and circulated. .

Further, at the time of initial filling of the liquid path and the like, the recording liquid is pressure-fed to the common liquid chamber 52 via the circulation pipe 61 by the pump 59 with the electromagnetic valve 62 closed, and the recording liquid is discharged from the discharge port 53 together with the discharge of bubbles. Can be done.

Each of the multiple outlets has an outlet a, an outlet b,
Table 1 shows the difference between the characteristics of each of the discharge ports named discharge ports c, d, and so on.

Ink under constant conditions (viscosity 3cp
) And driving at a constant voltage (about 25 V) and a constant pulse width (4.5 μs, 5.0 μs, ... 7.0 μs)
The difference shown in Table 1 appears due to the difference in the discharge characteristics of each discharge port. The discharge port a requires the largest energy for discharging, and requires a voltage application time of 6.5 μs or more. On the other hand, the energy required for the discharge port d to be discharged is the minimum of the four discharge ports, and it is sufficient that the voltage application time is 5.0 μs or more.

In determining the driving condition of the ejection energy generator, it is necessary to satisfy both the condition that the ink is stably ejected and the condition that the failure rate is as small as possible.

First, the condition for stable ejection is that the printing environment changes,
This is a condition for guaranteeing ejection even when a factor that hinders ejection of ink, such as an increase in non-printing time and an increase in ink viscosity, becomes large. That is, it is a condition under which a large ejection power can be obtained.

As a scale for measuring the magnitude of the ejection power, FIG. 4 shows the maximum ink viscosity that can be ejected and the relationship with the voltage application time. 5.0μ at ejection port d when ink viscosity is 3cp
s or more of the voltage is applied, and the ink is discharged at the discharge port a.
Discharge is performed with a voltage application time of 6.5 μs or more. As can be seen from this figure, when the ink viscosity is 7 cp,
discharge at a voltage application time of s or more, 8.0 μs at discharge port a
Discharge is performed during the above voltage application time.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the small failure rate can be represented by the number of pulses applied until a failure occurs.
There is a relationship that if the voltage application time is extended, the number of pulses until a failure occurs decreases. As can be seen from this figure, to ensure the number of pulses over 10 ⁸ pulses required for practical use and has the following discharge port d at 6.5μs the voltage application time, it should be less than or equal to the discharge port a in 8.0μs .

The voltage application time that can satisfy the conditions that the maximum ink viscosity that can be ejected is 7 cp or more and the number of pulses that can be ejected is 10 ⁸ or more is 6.5 μs at the ejection port d,
The discharge port a has a length of 8.0 μs, which is different between the two.

In the present invention, a difference in the ejection characteristics of each ejection port is detected, and the driving conditions are independently changed for each heating element corresponding to each ejection port according to the detection result.

The actual correction algorithm increases the pulse width from 4.5 μs to 7.0 μ7 s in 0.5 μs increments, as shown in FIG.
Discharge ports are classified for each pulse width at which discharge is started, and discharge ports having similar discharge characteristics are stored as the same discharge port group,
An appropriate pulse width is set for each ejection port group.

This process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the initial value of the pulse width
Let T _PW be 4.5 μs. Next, in step S2, conditions for discharging ink are initialized. Here, the ejection condition initialization includes performing a so-called recovery operation, and setting conditions relating to ejection, such as a drive voltage and a regulated temperature, to predetermined conditions.

Next, in step S3, the pulse width is set to T _PW . In step S4, the discharge port No.
Is recorded, and in step S5, it is measured whether or not ink is ejected from ejection ports other than the ejection port that was not ejected last time. Note that the voltage application time, that is, the pulse width is 4.5
Since the measurement is started from μs, in the case of the pulse width of 4.5 μs, there is no ejection port which was not ejected last time. And
In step S6, the ejection of ink in the pulse width 4.5μs is to store the discharge port No. of the measured discharge opening as the outlet groups T _PW.

In step S7, the T _PW increased 0.5 .mu.s, repeats the same measurement. In step S8, the process proceeds to step S9 when the T _PW is determined to have exceeded the 7.0Myuesu, outlet group
Set an appropriate pulse width for each T _PW .

With respect to the ejection ports a, b, c, and d shown in Table 1, the ejection port a is included in the ejection port group that ejects the ink in the voltage application time of 6.5 μs, and the ejection port b is the voltage application time of 6.0 μs.
The ejection port c is included in the ejection port group ejecting at
The discharge port group is included in the discharge port group that discharges at 5.5 μs, and the discharge port d is included in the discharge port group that discharges at a voltage application time of 5.0 μs.

7 to 10 show examples of the recording pattern. Each ejection port number is shown in a circle, and a heating element corresponding to the ejection port is driven. When ink is ejected, the circle is surrounded by a solid line circle. When the heating element is driven but ink is not ejected, a circle with a dotted line is shown. It is enclosed in. The number of the discharge port that does not drive the corresponding heating element is not described.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the device was driven with a voltage application time of 4.5 μs, and all the discharge ports did not discharge.

FIG. 8 shows the case of driving with a voltage application time of 5.0 μs. Ink was ejected from ejection ports No. 1, 3, 6,..., 4735, and these ejection port numbers were classified as ejection port group 5.0.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the heating element is driven with a voltage application time of 5.5 μs, and ink is ejected from ejection ports No. 2, 8,.
These discharge port numbers were classified as discharge port group 5.5.

FIG. 10 shows a case where the heating element is driven at 6.0 μs. Ink is ejected from ejection ports No. 4, 5, 7,..., 4736, and these ejection port numbers are classified as ejection ports 6.0. 6.0μs
Ink was ejected from all the ejection ports when driven.

As described above, the applied pulse width for each of the classified ejection port groups depends on the required stable ejection property and durability, and the relationship between the voltage application time and various characteristics as shown in FIGS. Is determined from For example, it is driven by pulse width multiplied by the discharge (referred to as PW _th) pulse width starts discharging in the initial conditions in 1.2 approximately constant value.

In order to detect the ejection or non-ejection number of the pattern as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the read head 51 shown in FIG. 1, for example, amorphous silicon containing hydrogen in the semiconductor layer is used. A reading system using a long image sensor for one line is used. As the long image sensor, a CCD using a single crystal semiconductor or a plurality of charge accumulation type sensors may be arranged.

The recording head used in the present embodiment is a head that can set a pulse width independently for each ejection port. In the present embodiment, the increment when setting the pulse width is 0.5 μs, but is not limited to this.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 11 shows an apparatus configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. No.
In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the present embodiment, a different fluid from the recording ink stored in the main tank 56, for example, an ink having a higher viscosity than the recording ink and having the maximum viscosity desired to be ejected as a recording device is stored in the second tank 66. It is stored. Further, the flow path is switched by the flow path switching means 65 between the ink and the recording ink stored in the main tank 56, and a configuration having a switching means in the same mode as the initial filling operation described in FIG. 3 is adopted.

FIG. 12 shows the algorithm of the second embodiment of the present invention. Although the correction algorithm in this embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 6, the set pulse width of each ejection port group is different from that of the fluid (here, the viscosity stored in the second tank 66 separate from the recording ink). Is different from the minimum pulse width for discharging 7 cp). That is, step
In the processing of S11 to S21, steps S12 and S
21 has been added to the algorithm shown in FIG.

However, in this embodiment, not only the pulse width is made the same as described above, but also a predetermined constant may be multiplied to determine an appropriate set pulse width.

Embodiment 3 In the first embodiment, in order to detect a variation in the ejection power of each ejection port, ink is ejected from the ejection port, and the ink is actually recorded on a recording material. A method using a means of optically reading the image by using is adopted. However, the detection method is not limited to this method, and without conducting recording on a recording material, for example, a large number of conductors are arranged separately from each other in opposition to a recording head, and conduction by ink between them is used. A method of arranging a droplet detection sensor and detecting ejection / non-ejection of ink by this sensor may be adopted.

(Others) The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a valve jet system among ink jet recording systems. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

As for the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the electrothermal transducer to generate thermal energy, thereby causing the recording head to emit heat energy. This is effective because a film in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the driving signal can be formed one by one by causing film boiling on the heat acting surface. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. U.S. Pat. No. 44
Those described in JP-A-63359 and JP-A-4345262 are suitable. Further, when the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to a combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head. In addition, even with a serial type, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body, or a replaceable print head that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body or supplied with ink from the apparatus main body when attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a chip-type recording head or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is further integrally provided so as to be freely recordable.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

Regarding the type or number of print heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to one provided for single color ink, a plurality of print heads are provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different print colors and densities. May be used.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention may be used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, or a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. It may be something.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, an ink jet recording head having a plurality of ejection ports and a plurality of ejection energy generating means corresponding to the plurality of ejection ports, and ink is ejected from the ejection ports. A driving unit that changes the driving condition of the plurality of ejection energy generating units and drives the plurality of ejection energy generating units. Setting means for setting based on driving conditions when the detection means detects that ink is ejected from the ejection port corresponding to each of the means. Also, it is possible to achieve both stable ejection and durability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a recording apparatus for implementing the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording head of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a supply recovery system of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the stable ejection performance and the voltage application time due to the nozzle variation. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the durability and the voltage application time due to the nozzle variation. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an algorithm of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 7 to 10 are diagrams showing an example of a discharge / non-discharge detection pattern in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a supply system of a second embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an algorithm of a second embodiment of the present invention. 1,1Bk, 1y, 1m, 1c, 101 ... Recording head, 2 ... Block, 3 ... Capping unit, 4 ... Charging and suction belt, 5 ... Back platen, 6 ... Paper cassette, 7 ... Recording sheet, 8 ... Pickup roller, 9,11 ... Convey roller, 10 ... Convey path, 13 ... Heater, 14 ... Fan, 15 ... Discharge roller, 16 ... Tray, 51 ... Read head, 52,108 Common liquid chamber, 53 Orifice, 54 Recording liquid discharge surface, 55 Recording liquid supply tank, 56 Main tank, 57 First supply pipe, 58 Refill rectifying valve 59 Recovery pump, 60 Recovery rectifying valve, 61 Circulating pipe, 62 Solenoid valve, 63 Air vent valve, 65 Flow switching means, 66 Second tank, 102 Substrate, 103 Electrothermal transducer, 104 Electrode 105 Nozzle wall, 106 Top plate 107 Liquid supply tube 108 Common liquid chamber 109 ...... connectors, 110 ...... nozzle, 111 ...... orifice surface, 112 ...... recording liquid.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An ink jet recording head having a plurality of discharge ports and a plurality of discharge energy generating means corresponding to the plurality of discharge ports; a detection means for detecting whether or not ink has been discharged from the discharge ports; Driving is performed by changing the driving conditions of the plurality of ejection energy generating means, and the driving conditions of each of the plurality of ejection energy generating means during the printing operation are set such that ink is ejected from the ejection port corresponding to each of the ejection energy generating means. Setting means for setting based on a driving condition when the detection is detected by the detection means. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means is an optical sensor. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said optical sensor comprises hydrogenated amorphous silicon. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said optical sensor is selected from a CCD or a charge storage type optical sensor. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means sets a pulse width for driving said discharge energy generating means.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.