Liquid jetting apparatus

US 6,715,852 B2
Filed: 03/27/2001
Issued: 04/06/2004
Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
Status: Expired due to Fees

First Claim

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1. A liquid jetting apparatus comprising;

a head member having a nozzle, a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in the nozzle to minutely vibrate, a serial-signal generating unit that can generate a serial periodical signal, a mode-signal generating unit that can generate a mode signal depending on the liquid supplied to the nozzle, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the serial periodical signal and the mode signal.

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Abstract

The liquid jetting apparatus includes a head member having a nozzle, and a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in the nozzle to minutely vibrate. A serial-signal generating unit can generate a serial periodical signal. A mode-signal generating unit can generate a mode signal depending on the liquid supplied to the nozzle. A micro-vibrating controlling unit can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the serial periodical signal and the mode signal.

Citations

67 Claims

1. A liquid jetting apparatus comprising;
- a head member having a nozzle, a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in the nozzle to minutely vibrate, a serial-signal generating unit that can generate a serial periodical signal, a mode-signal generating unit that can generate a mode signal depending on the liquid supplied to the nozzle, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the serial periodical signal and the mode signal.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- - 2. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
3. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate a micro-vibrating mode signal depending on a rate of increasing viscosity of the liquid supplied to the nozzle.
4. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate a micro-vibrating mode signal depending on temperature of the liquid supplied to the nozzle.
5. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating controlling unit has;
  
  a signal fusing part that can generate a micro-vibrating operating signal being an AND signal of the common micro-vibrating signal and the micro-vibrating mode signal, and a main controlling part that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate based on the micro-vibrating operating signal.
6. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:
- the common micro-vibrating signal is a periodical signal of a period including a predetermined waveform, and the micro-vibrating mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the common micro-vibrating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.
7. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:
- the common micro-vibrating signal is a periodical signal of a period including a middle trapezoidal pulse and a large trapezoidal pulse, which appear at substantially regular intervals.
8. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-signal generating unit has;
  
  a temperature-detecting part that can detect temperature of the head member, a signal-determining part that can determine an amplitude and a waveform of the common micro-vibrating signal, based on the temperature of the head member detected by the temperature-detecting part, and a signal-generating part that can generate the common micro-vibrating signal determined by the signal-determining part.
9. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
- the serial-signal generating unit is a main-signal generating unit that can generate a jetting-operating signal being a serial periodical signal, the mode-signal generating unit is a main-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle, a pressure-changing unit that can change a pressure of the liquid in the nozzle is provided, a signal fusing part that can generate an operating-pulse signal being an AND signal of the jetting-operating signal and the main mode signal is provided, a main controlling part that can cause the pressure-changing unit to operate based on the operating-pulse signal is provided, the jetting-operating signal is a periodical signal of a period including at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations and at least one waveform for jetting a drop of the liquid, and the main mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the jetting-operating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.
10. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:
- the main-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate a micro-vibrating mode signal depending on a rate of increasing viscosity of the liquid supplied to the nozzle.
11. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:
- the main-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate a micro-vibrating mode signal depending on temperature of the liquid supplied to the nozzle.
12. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:
- the at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing the mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations include a middle trapezoidal pulse and a large trapezoidal pulse.
13. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:
- the main-signal generating unit has;
  
  a temperature-detecting part that can detect temperature of the head member, a signal-determining part that can determine an amplitude and a waveform of the jetting-operating signal, based on the temperature of the head member detected by the temperature-detecting part, and a signal-generating part that can generate the jetting-operating signal determined by the signal-determining part.
14. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes, a pressure-changing unit that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class, a main-signal generating unit that can generate a jetting-operating signal, a main-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, a signal fusing part that can generate respective operating-pulse signals being AND signals of the jetting-operating signal and the respective main mode signals, and a main controlling part that can cause the pressure-changing unit to operate based on the respective operating-pulse signals, the jetting-operating signal is a periodical signal of a period including at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations and at least one waveform for jetting a drop of the liquid, and each main mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the jetting-operating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.
15. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:
- at least one of the classes includes a plurality of nozzles, and liquid in the nozzles of the at least one of the classes has a rate of increasing viscosity.
16. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:
- at least one of the classes includes a plurality of nozzles, and liquid in the nozzles of the at least one of the classes is a same kind.
17. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:
- the at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing the mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations include a middle trapezoidal pulse and a large trapezoidal pulse.
18. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:
- the main-signal generating unit has;
  
  a temperature-detecting part that can detect temperature of the head member, a signal-determining part that can determine an amplitude and a waveform of the jetting-operating signal, based on the temperature of the head member detected by the temperature-detecting part, and a signal-generating part that can generate the jetting-operating signal determined by the signal-determining part.
19. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
- the liquid is ink, and the head member is a recording head.

20. A liquid jetting apparatus comprising:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes, a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class to minutely vibrate and that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class to minutely vibrate, a micro-vibrating-signal generating unit that can generate a common micro-vibrating signal, a micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the common micro-vibrating signal and the respective micro-vibrating mode signals.
- View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- - 21. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:
22. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate the respective micro-vibrating mode signal depending on respective temperatures of liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the respective classes.
23. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:
- at least one of the classes includes a plurality of nozzles, and liquid in the nozzles of the at least one of the classes has a rate of increasing viscosity.
24. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:
- at least one of the classes includes a plurality of nozzles, and liquid in the nozzles of the at least one of the classes is a same kind.
25. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating controlling unit has;
  
  a signal fusing part that can generate respective micro-vibrating operating signals being AND signals of the common micro-vibrating signal and the respective micro-vibrating mode signals, and a main controlling part that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate based on the respective micro-vibrating operating signals.
26. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 25, wherein:
- the common micro-vibrating signal is a periodical signal of a period including a predetermined waveform, and each micro-vibrating mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the common micro-vibrating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.
27. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 26, wherein:
- the common micro-vibrating signal is a periodical signal of a period including a middle trapezoidal pulse and a large trapezoidal pulse, which appear at substantially regular intervals.
28. A liquid jetting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-signal generating unit has;
  
  a temperature-detecting part that can detect temperature of the head member, a signal-determining part that can determine an amplitude and a waveform of the common micro-vibrating signal, based on the temperature of the head member detected by the temperature-detecting part, and a signal-generating part that can generate the common micro-vibrating signal determined by the signal-determining part.

29. A controlling unit for controlling a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head having a nozzle; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in the nozzle to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a serial-signal generating unit that can generate a serial periodical signal, a mode-signal generating unit that can generate a mode signal depending on the liquid supplied to the nozzle, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the serial periodical signal and the mode signal.
- View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
- - 30. A controlling unit according to claim 29, wherein:
31. A controlling unit according to claim 30, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate a micro-vibrating mode signal depending on a rate of increasing viscosity of the liquid supplied to the nozzle.
32. A controlling unit according to claim 30, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate a micro-vibrating mode signal depending on temperature of the liquid supplied to the nozzle.
33. A controlling unit according to claim 30, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating controlling unit has;
  
  a signal fusing part that can generate a micro-vibrating operating signal being an AND signal of the common micro-vibrating signal and the micro-vibrating mode signal, and a main controlling part that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate based on the micro-vibrating operating signal.
34. A controlling unit according to claim 33, wherein:
- the common micro-vibrating signal is a periodical signal of a period including a predetermined waveform, and the micro-vibrating mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the common micro-vibrating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.
35. A controlling unit according to claim 34, wherein:
- the common micro-vibrating signal is a periodical signal of a period including a middle trapezoidal pulse and a large trapezoidal pulse, which appear at substantially regular intervals.
36. A controlling unit according to claim 29, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-signal generating unit has;
  
  a temperature-detecting part that can detect temperature of the head member, a signal-determining part that can determine an amplitude and a waveform of the common micro-vibrating signal, based on the temperature of the head member detected by the temperature-detecting part, and a signal-generating part that can generate the common micro-vibrating signal determined by the signal-determining part.
37. A controlling unit according to claim 29, wherein:
- the serial-signal generating unit is a main-signal generating unit that can generate a jetting-operating signal being a serial periodical signal, the mode-signal generating unit is a main-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle, a signal fusing part that can generate an operating-pulse signal being an AND signal of the jetting-operating signal and the main mode signal is provided, a main controlling part that can cause a pressure-changing unit included in the liquid jetting apparatus, which can change a pressure of the liquid in the nozzle, to operate based on the operating-pulse signal is provided, the jetting-operating signal is a periodical signal of a period including at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations and at least one waveform for jetting a drop of the liquid, and the main mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the jetting-operating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.
38. A controlling unit according to claim 37, wherein:
- the main-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate a micro-vibrating mode signal depending on a rate of increasing viscosity of the liquid supplied to the nozzle.
39. A controlling unit according to claim 37, wherein:
- the main-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate a micro-vibrating mode signal depending on temperature of the liquid supplied to the nozzle.
40. A controlling unit according to claim 37, wherein:
- the at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing the mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations include a middle trapezoidal pulse and a large trapezoidal pulse.
41. A controlling unit according to claim 37, wherein:
- the main-signal generating unit has;
  
  a temperature-detecting part that can detect temperature of the head member, a signal-determining part that can determine an amplitude and a waveform of the jetting-operating signal, based on the temperature of the head member detected by the temperature-detecting part, and a signal-generating part that can generate the jetting-operating signal determined by the signal-determining part.
42. A controlling unit according to claim 30, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-signal generating unit has;
  
  a temperature-detecting part that can detect temperature of the head member, a signal-determining part that can determine an amplitude and a waveform of the common micro-vibrating signal, based on the temperature of the head member detected by the temperature-detecting part, and a signal-generating part that can generate the common micro-vibrating signal determined by the signal-determining part.

43. A controlling unit for controlling a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class to minutely vibrate and that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a micro-vibrating-signal generating unit that can generate a common micro-vibrating signal, a micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the common micro-vibrating signal and the respective micro-vibrating mode signals.
- View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
- - 44. A controlling unit according to claim 43, wherein:
45. A controlling unit according to claim 43, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit is adapted to generate the respective micro-vibrating mode signal depending on respective temperatures of liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the respective classes.
46. A controlling unit according to claim 43, wherein:
- at least one of the classes includes a plurality of nozzles, and liquid in the nozzles of the at least one of the classes has a rate of increasing viscosity.
47. A controlling unit according to claim 43, wherein:
- at least one of the classes includes a plurality of nozzles, and liquid in the nozzles of the at least one of the classes is a same kind.
48. A controlling unit according to claim 43, wherein:
- the micro-vibrating controlling unit has;
  
  a signal fusing part that can generate respective micro-vibrating operating signals being AND signals of the common micro-vibrating signal and the respective micro-vibrating mode signals, and a main controlling part that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate based on the respective micro-vibrating operating signals.
49. A controlling unit according to claim 48, wherein:
- the common micro-vibrating signal is a periodical signal of a period including a predetermined waveform, and each micro-vibrating mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the common micro-vibrating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.
50. A controlling unit according to claim 49, wherein:
- the common micro-vibrating signal is a periodical signal of a period including a middle trapezoidal pulse and a large trapezoidal pulse, which appear at substantially regular intervals.

51. A controlling unit for controlling a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a pressure-changing unit that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a main-signal generating unit that can generate a jetting-operating signal, a main-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, a signal fusing part that can generate respective operating-pulse signals being AND signals of the jetting-operating signal and the respective main mode signals, and a main controlling part that can cause the pressure-changing unit to operate based on the respective operating-pulse signals, wherein the jetting-operating signal is a periodical signal of a period including at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations and at least one waveform for jetting a drop of the liquid, and each main mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the jetting-operating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.
- View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55)
- - 52. A controlling unit according to claim 51, wherein:
53. A controlling unit according to claim 51, wherein:
- at least one of the classes includes a plurality of nozzles, and liquid in the nozzles of the at least one of the classes is a same kind.
54. A controlling unit according to claim 51, wherein:
- the at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing the mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations include a middle trapezoidal pulse and a large trapezoidal pulse.
55. A controlling unit according to claim 51, wherein:
- the main-signal generating unit has;
  
  a temperature-detecting part that can detect temperature of the head member, a signal-determining part that can determine an amplitude and a waveform of the jetting-operating signal, based on the temperature of the head member detected by the temperature-detecting part, and a signal-generating part that can generate the jetting-operating signal determined by the signal-determining part.

56. A storage unit capable of being read by a computer, storing a programfor materializing a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head having a nozzle; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in the nozzle to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a serial-signal generating unit that can generate a serial periodical signal, a mode-signal generating unit that can generate a mode signal depending on the liquid supplied to the nozzle, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the serial periodical signal and the mode signal.

57. A storage unit capable of being read by a computer, storing a programfor materializing a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class to minutely vibrate and that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a micro-vibrating-signal generating unit that can generate a common micro-vibrating signal, a micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the common micro-vibrating signal and the respective micro-vibrating mode signals.

58. A storage unit capable of being read by a computer, storing a programfor materializing a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a pressure-changing unit that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a main-signal generating unit that can generate a jetting-operating signal, a main-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, a signal fusing part that can generate respective operating-pulse signals being AND signals of the jetting-operating signal and the respective main mode signals, and a main controlling part that can cause the pressure-changing unit to operate based on the respective operating-pulse signals, wherein the jetting-operating signal is a periodical signal of a period including at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations and at least one waveform for jetting a drop of the liquid, and each main mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the jetting-operating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.

59. A storage unit capable of being read by a computer, storing a program including a command for controlling a second program executed by a computer system including a computer,the program is executed by the computer system to control the second program to materialize a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head having a nozzle; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in the nozzle to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a serial-signal generating unit that can generate a serial periodical signal, a mode-signal generating unit that can generate a mode signal depending on the liquid supplied to the nozzle, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the serial periodical signal and the mode signal.

60. A storage unit capable of being read by a computer, storing a program including a command for controlling a second program executed by a computer system including a computer,the program is executed by the computer system to control the second program to materialize a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class to minutely vibrate and that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a micro-vibrating-signal generating unit that can generate a common micro-vibrating signal, a micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the common micro-vibrating signal and the respective micro-vibrating mode signals.

61. A storage unit capable of being read by a computer, storing a program including a command for controlling a second program executed by a computer system including a computer,the program is executed by the computer system to control the second program to materialize a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a pressure-changing unit that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a main-signal generating unit that can generate a jetting-operating signal, a main-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, a signal fusing part that can generate respective operating-pulse signals being AND signals of the jetting-operating signal and the respective main mode signals, and a main controlling part that can cause the pressure-changing unit to operate based on the respective operating-pulse signals, wherein the jetting-operating signal is a periodical signal of a period including at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations and at least one waveform for jetting a drop of the liquid, and each main mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the jetting-operating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.

62. A program for materializing a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head having a nozzle; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in the nozzle to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a serial-signal generating unit that can generate a serial periodical signal, a mode-signal generating unit that can generate a mode signal depending on the liquid supplied to the nozzle, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the serial periodical signal and the mode signal.

63. A program for materializing a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class to minutely vibrate and that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a micro-vibrating-signal generating unit that can generate a common micro-vibrating signal, a micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the common micro-vibrating signal and the respective micro-vibrating mode signals.

64. A program for materializing a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a pressure-changing unit that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a main-signal generating unit that can generate a jetting-operating signal, a main-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, a signal fusing part that can generate respective operating-pulse signals being AND signals of the jetting-operating signal and the respective main mode signals, and a main controlling part that can cause the pressure-changing unit to operate based on the respective operating-pulse signals, wherein the jetting-operating signal is a periodical signal of a period including at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations and at least one waveform for jetting a drop of the liquid, and each main mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the jetting-operating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.

65. A program including a command for controlling a second program executed by a computer system including a computer,the program is executed by the computer system to control the second program to materialize a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head having a nozzle; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in the nozzle to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a serial-signal generating unit that can generate a serial periodical signal, a mode-signal generating unit that can generate a mode signal depending on the liquid supplied to the nozzle, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the serial periodical signal and the mode signal.

66. A program including a command for controlling a second program executed by a computer system including a computer,the program is executed by the computer system to control the second program to materialize a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a micro-vibrating unit that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class to minutely vibrate and that can cause liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class to minutely vibrate;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a micro-vibrating-signal generating unit that can generate a common micro-vibrating signal, a micro-vibrating-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second micro-vibrating mode signal depending on the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, and a micro-vibrating controlling unit that can cause the micro-vibrating unit to operate, based on the common micro-vibrating signal and the respective micro-vibrating mode signals.

67. A program including a command for controlling a second program executed by a computer system including a computer,the program is executed by the computer system to control the second program to materialize a controlling unit that can control a liquid jetting apparatus including:
- a head member having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles being classified into at least first and second classes; and
  
  a pressure-changing unit that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can change a pressure of liquid in a nozzle or nozzles of the second class;
  
  the controlling unit comprising;
  
  a main-signal generating unit that can generate a jetting-operating signal, a main-mode-signal generating unit that can generate a first main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the first class and that can generate a second main mode signal depending on jetting data and the liquid supplied to the nozzle or nozzles of the second class, a signal fusing part that can generate respective operating-pulse signals being AND signals of the jetting-operating signal and the respective main mode signals, and a main controlling part that can cause the pressure-changing unit to operate based on the respective operating-pulse signals, wherein the jetting-operating signal is a periodical signal of a period including at least two trapezoidal pulses for performing mid-jetting micro-vibrating operations and at least one waveform for jetting a drop of the liquid, and each main mode signal is a periodical signal of a same period as the jetting-operating signal including a or more predetermined rectangular pulses.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Current Assignee
Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
Inventors
Yonekubo, Shuji
Primary Examiner(s)
Meier, Stephen D.
Assistant Examiner(s)
Dudding, Alfred E

Application Number

US09/817,755
Publication Number

US 20020012017A1
Time in Patent Office

1,106 Days
Field of Search

347/9, 347/10, 347/11
US Class Current

347/10
CPC Class Codes

B41J 2/04551   using several operating modes

B41J 2/04563   detecting head temperature;...

B41J 2/04581   controlling heads based on ...

B41J 2/04588   using a specific waveform

B41J 2/04593   Dot-size modulation by chan...

B41J 2/04596   Non-ejecting pulses

Liquid jetting apparatus

First Claim

1 Assignment

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Accused Products

Abstract

Citations

67 Claims

Specification

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Liquid jetting apparatus

First Claim

1 Assignment

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

Citations

67 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links