Patent ID: 8727519
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An inkjet printing apparatus that prints an image by using a print head able to eject ink, supplied from an ink tank via an ink supply line, from an ejection port, comprising: an estimator configured to individually estimate air bubble penetration volumes due to air bubbles penetrating into the ink supply line, the estimator estimating the air bubble penetration volumes based on a plurality of penetration factors by which air bubbles penetrate into the ink supply line; and a suction discharge unit configured to suction out and discharge an air bubble inside the print head and/or inside the ink supply line by causing negative pressure to be exerted on the ejection port from the outside, when the sum of air bubble penetration volumes individually estimated for the plurality of penetration factors becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined volume, wherein the estimator estimates the air bubble penetration volumes according to at least two penetration factors from among a first penetration factor by which an air bubble penetrates into the ink supply line in accordance with an elapsed time since a last suction discharge operation, a second penetration factor by which an air bubble penetrates into the ink supply line when installing the ink tank with respect to the ink supply line, and a third penetration factor by which an air bubble is formed inside the ink supply line due to separating out of gas dissolved in ink.