Inkjet recording apparatus and recording method

An inkjet recording apparatus, comprising:

• a recording head of an inkjet type having a liquid ejection surface where a plurality of nozzles which eject liquid are arranged, a supply port which supplies the liquid to an internal flow channel connected to the plurality of nozzles, and an outlet port which is connected to the supply port via the internal flow channel and through which the liquid in the internal flow channel is expelled;
• a first liquid chamber which is connected to the supply port of the recording head via a first external flow channel;
• a second liquid chamber which is connected to the outlet port of the recording head via a second external flow channel;
• a liquid buffer chamber which stores the liquid supplied from a liquid supply source;
• a first connecting flow channel which connects the first liquid chamber to the liquid buffer chamber;
• a second connecting flow channel which connects the second liquid chamber to the liquid buffer chamber;
• 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 liquid movement device which moves the liquid between the first liquid chamber, the second liquid chamber and the liquid buffer chamber;
• a pressure control device which controls the liquid movement device in accordance with determination results of the first pressure determination device and the second pressure determination device in such a manner that interiors of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber respectively assume prescribed pressures, and
• a filter provided in the first connecting flow channel,
• wherein the pressure control device controls the liquid movement device so as to adjust the internal pressures of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber in such a manner that a prescribed pressure differential between the internal pressures of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber is produced and a prescribed back pressure is applied to the liquid inside the plurality of nozzles of the recording head;
• one end of the second connecting flow channel is connected to the second liquid chamber and another end of the second connecting flow channel is branched into a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel;
• the first branch flow channel is connected to the first connecting flow channel on a side closer to the liquid buffer chamber than the filter;
• the second branch flow channel is connected to the first connecting flow channel on a side closer to the first liquid chamber than the filter;
• a first check valve which permits a flow of the liquid only in a direction from the second liquid chamber toward the first connecting flow channel is provided in the first branch flow channel;
• and
• a second check valve which permits a flow of the liquid only in a direction from the first connecting flow channel toward the second liquid chamber is provided in the second branch flow channel.