Patent ID: 6174038
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A drive method for an ink jet printer comprising a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink drops, a plurality of pressure generators each disposed corresponding to a respective one of said plurality of nozzles for pressurizing ink in said nozzles, and a carriage for transporting said nozzles relative to a printing medium for printing, said drive method comprising the steps of:generating a reference signal having a single frequency;applying to each of said plurality of pressure generators in synchronism with the reference signal one of the following:a first electric pulse having a first amplitude enabling ink drop ejecting, anda second electric pulse having a second amplitude lower than the first amplitude of the first electric pulse for mobilizing ink inside said nozzles;performing a printing process whereby the first electric pulse is selectively applied to at least a select one of the plurality of pressure generators according to recording content; andperforming a nozzle recovery process whereby the second electric pulse is applied to at least one of the plurality of pressure generators a plurality of times, and the first electric pulse is then applied to the at least one of the plurality of pressure generators, for preventing nozzle clogging.