Patent ID: 8366224
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An inkjet recording apparatus, comprising: a tank inside which liquid is stored; a first flow channel through which the liquid inside the tank is supplied to an inkjet head; a first liquid chamber which is provided at an intermediate point of the first flow channel and which temporarily holds the liquid supplied from the tank; a second flow channel through which the ink circulated inside the inkjet head is returned to at least one of the tank and the first flow channel; a second liquid chamber which is provided at an intermediate point of the second flow channel and which temporarily holds the liquid recovered from the inkjet head; a first liquid movement device which is provided at the intermediate point of the first flow channel; a second liquid movement device which is provided at the intermediate point of the second flow channel; a first pressure determination device which determines an internal pressure of the first liquid chamber; a second pressure determination device which determines an internal pressure of the second liquid chamber; a pressure control device which sets respective target pressures for the first and second liquid chambers in such a manner that while a prescribed back pressure is applied to the liquid inside nozzles of the inkjet head, a prescribed pressure differential is provided between the first and second liquid chambers, and which controls pressures in the first and second liquid chambers by respectively controlling the first and second liquid movement devices, in accordance with determination results of the first and second pressure determination devices, in such a manner that the internal pressures of the first and second liquid chambers respectively remain at the target pressures; a circulation path through which the liquid inside the first liquid chamber is circulated without passing through the inkjet head; a deaeration device which is provided at an intermediate point of the circulation path and which removes dissolved gas in the liquid, wherein the circulation path is provided with at least one of a third liquid movement device and the first and second liquid movement devices; and a third flow channel of which one end is connected to the first liquid chamber and the other end is connected to the second liquid chamber, wherein the circulation path includes the third flow channel.