Patent ID: 9505228
Filing Date: 2016-11-29
CPC Classification: B41J

Claim Text:
1. An ink jet recording apparatus for printing an image using a pigment ink in which a pigment is contained and which an average particle size of the pigment measured by laser diffraction type particle distribution measurement is from 0.4 μm to 6.5 μm, a difference between the average particle size and a particle size of the pigment in 50% integrated value is within a range of ±5%, and a particle size of the pigment in 90% integrated value is double or less the particle size in 50% integrated value, comprising: an actuator which is formed by a piezoelectric material and includes a plurality of side walls and grooves each of which is formed between two of the adjacent walls and functions as a pressure chamber that accommodates the pigment ink and which changes volume of the pressure chamber; an ink tank which accommodates the pigment ink; a nozzle plate which includes a nozzle opening to the pressure chamber and having a diameter of 20 μm to 40 μm which is sized such that a ratio of the particle size in 50% integrated value to the diameter of the nozzle is from 0.01 to 0.325; an ink supply unit which supplies the pigment ink to the pressure chamber; an ink supply path which includes an end connected to the ink tank and an end connected to the ink supply unit; a discharging unit which collects the pigment ink from the pressure chamber; an ink collecting path which includes an end connected to the ink tank and an end connected to the discharging unit; and a circulating unit which includes a pump disposed on a circulating path and circulates the pigment ink in the circulation path, the circulation path including the ink tank, the ink supply path, the ink collecting path, the ink supply unit, the pressure chamber, and the discharging unit.