| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more enhance nozzle inspection accuracy in a nozzle inspection device, a liquid discharge apparatus and a nozzle inspection method. SOLUTION: A potential difference is made between the nozzle plate 27 of a print head 24 and a cap 41. Among electrodes 52a to 52d disposed so as to be insulated from one another in the four inspection areas 42a to 42d provided in the cap 41, a differential amplifier circuit 55a is connected to the two adjacent electrodes 52a and 52b, and a differential amplifier circuit 55b is connected to the two adjacent electrodes 52c and 52d. In addition, voltage detection circuits 56a and 56b are connected to the output sides of the differential amplifier circuits 55a and 55b. When a nozzle is inspected, the print head 24 is controlled so that an ink drop is discharged into a cap 41 from the nozzle 23. Among the electrodes 52a to 52d, a difference between a voltage signal from the electrode from which an ink drop was discharged and a voltage signal from an electrode from which an ink drop was not discharged is acquired. Then, the acquired voltage signal Vout and a threshold Vref is compared, thereby determining whether an ink drop is normally discharged from the nozzle 23. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT |
