JP2005254708A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet printer capable of predicting the appropriate timing of replacing a head. <P>SOLUTION: The inkjet printer measures parameter information 81 relating the life of the head such as elapsed time from loading the head, the total quantity of an ink ejected and the frequency of cleaning, compares the values of the parameters with threshold information 82. A warning generation means 83 issues a warning concerning the replacement of the head when the thresholds are exceeded. When the head is actually replaced, a threshold change means 87 changes the thresholds to the parameter values when replaced. Consequently a warning issued on the basis of the thresholds can be made to be more approximate to the head replacement timing at every time when replacement is repeated. Therefore this can increase an operator's convenience in replacing the head, and accurate head stock management and cost reductions can be realized by predicting the head replacement timing from the threshold of the elapsed time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet printer that clearly indicates a head replacement time by a warning display.

  In recent years, with the popularization of inkjet printers, a part of maintenance work has been transferred to users. Under these circumstances, it is becoming more common for an operator to replace the head portion that discharges ink with an inkjet printer. At this time, the initial setting associated with the head replacement is automatically performed by the ink jet printer, and the burden on the user is reduced (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the head replacement time differs depending on the type of ink used, and is greatly affected by the usage status of the inkjet printer, that is, the usage frequency, usage status, etc., so it is difficult for the manufacturer to specify the replacement timing. Yes, the decision is often left to the user.

In this case, the user determines whether or not the head needs to be replaced from the status of the print image of the ink jet printer formed on the recording medium, and replaces the head. This judgment is generally the same depending on the user, but the time period leading to this judgment varies greatly depending on the use situation.
JP-A-11-115217, (first page, FIG. 5 (representative drawing))

  However, according to the above background art, the user cannot recognize the proper replacement time of the head portion. That is, since the replacement time of the head is determined based on the state of the print image on the recording medium, it is difficult for the user who does not record and grasp the use state in detail to properly determine the replacement time.

In particular, it is not preferable for the user or the administrator that the head replacement time has not yet been determined, because it leads to having a spare inventory of heads more than necessary.
For these reasons, it is important how to realize an ink jet printer capable of predicting an appropriate head replacement time.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the background art, and an object thereof is to provide an ink jet printer capable of predicting an appropriate head replacement time.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an ink jet printer according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a head for ejecting ink, and parameters of usage conditions over time from when the head is mounted. A measuring means for measuring, comparing whether the value of the parameter exceeds a threshold value, a warning generating means for issuing a warning for prompting replacement of the head when the value of the parameter exceeds the threshold value, and an operator Threshold changing means for changing the threshold to a new new threshold based on the parameter value and the threshold comparison information each time the head is exchanged is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, ink is ejected by the head, the parameter of the continuous use situation from when the head is mounted is measured by the measuring means, and the parameter value exceeds the threshold value by the warning generating means. When the value of this parameter exceeds the threshold value, a warning is given to prompt head replacement.Each time the operator replaces the head, the threshold value changing means changes the parameter value to the threshold value comparison information. Based on this, the threshold value is changed to a new new threshold value.

  In addition, in the ink jet printer according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the warning generating unit includes a plurality of the parameters and the plurality of threshold values corresponding to the parameters exist, the warning generation unit is configured based on the plurality of the comparisons. And determining means for determining whether or not to issue the warning.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the warning generation means determines whether or not to issue a warning based on a plurality of comparisons by the determination means when there are a plurality of parameters and there are a plurality of threshold values corresponding to each parameter. Determine.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer, the determination unit includes a determination table including a plurality of selection information of the parameters to be determined.

In the invention according to claim 3, the determination means includes a plurality of selection information of parameters to be determined in the determination table.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer, the warning generation unit includes an operation unit that selects the selection information from the determination table.

In the invention according to claim 4, the warning generation means selects the selection information from the determination table by the operation means.
In the ink jet printer according to claim 5, when the determination unit includes a plurality of parameters selected by the selection information, the operation unit is used to perform the comparison between the parameters. A logical operation is designated, and the determination is performed based on the logical operation.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the determining means designates a logical operation for the comparison result between the parameters by the operating means, and makes a determination based on the logical operation.
Further, in the ink jet printer according to the invention described in claim 6, when the replacement is performed before the warning is issued, the threshold value changing unit sets all the parameter values as the new threshold value. Features.

In the invention described in claim 6, the threshold value changing means sets the values of all parameters as new threshold values.
Further, in the ink jet printer according to claim 7, when the replacement is performed after the threshold changing unit issues the warning, a parameter value exceeding the threshold is set as the new threshold. It is characterized by that.

In the invention described in claim 7, the threshold value changing means sets a parameter value exceeding the threshold value as a new threshold value.
An ink jet printer according to an eighth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the parameter includes an elapsed time since the head was mounted.

In the invention according to the eighth aspect, the parameter includes an elapsed time since the head was mounted.
The ink jet printer according to claim 9 is characterized in that the measuring means includes a timer for measuring the elapsed time.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the measuring means measures the elapsed time from when the head is mounted by means of a timer.
The ink jet printer according to the invention of claim 10 is characterized in that the parameter includes a total ejection amount of the ink from when the head is mounted.

In the tenth aspect of the present invention, the parameter includes the total amount of ink ejected since the head was mounted.
An ink jet printer according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that the measuring means includes a calculating means for calculating the total ejection amount from integration of image information for controlling the ejection.

In the invention described in claim 11, the measuring means calculates the total injection amount from the integration of the image information for controlling the discharge by the calculating means.
The ink jet printer according to the invention described in claim 12 is characterized in that the parameter includes the number of times the head has been cleaned since the head was mounted.

In the twelfth aspect of the invention, the parameter includes the number of head cleanings since the head was mounted.
An ink jet printer according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the measuring means includes a cleaning means for the head for counting the number of times of cleaning.

In the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the measuring means counts the number of cleanings by the head cleaning means.
The ink jet printer according to claim 14 includes the measuring means, the warning generating means, and the threshold value changing means for each head when the ink jet printer has a plurality of heads. Features.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the ink jet printer includes a measuring unit, a warning generating unit, and a threshold value changing unit for each of the plurality of heads.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink is ejected by the head, the parameter of the continuous use state from the time of mounting the head is measured by the measuring unit, and the warning generating unit A comparison is made as to whether or not the parameter value exceeds the threshold value. When the parameter value exceeds the threshold value, a warning is given to prompt the head to be replaced. Since the threshold value is changed to a new new threshold value based on the comparison information between the value and the threshold value, the warning generated based on the threshold value may be approximated to the actual head replacement time every time the head is replaced. It is possible to measure the convenience of the operator for head replacement, predict the head replacement time with a high approximation, and accurately manage head inventory and reduce expenses. Kill.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the warning generation means issues a warning based on a plurality of comparisons by the determination means when there are a plurality of parameters and there are a plurality of threshold values corresponding to each parameter. Since it is determined whether or not, a plurality of parameters are taken into consideration, and an accurate warning reflecting various usage situations of the user can be issued.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the determination means includes a plurality of selection information of parameters to be determined in the determination table, all combinations of the plurality of parameters are set in the selection information. Thus, a warning can be issued from the comparison result using different parameters.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the warning generation means selects the selection information from the determination table by the operation means, the operator selects the optimum combination of different parameters according to the use situation, The head replacement time and the time when the warning is generated can be matched with high approximation.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the determination means is selected because the operation means designates a logical operation for the comparison result between the parameters and performs the determination based on the logical operation. It is possible to generate a warning using parameters more flexibly.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the threshold value changing means sets all the parameter values to the new threshold value. Therefore, if there is no change in the usage status, the next time the head is replaced, the same time. A warning can be issued.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the threshold value changing means sets the parameter value exceeding the threshold value to the new threshold value, if there is no change in the use status, the value is almost the same at the next head replacement. A warning can be issued at the time.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the parameter includes the elapsed time from when the head is mounted, a warning can be issued based on the elapsed time.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the measuring means measures the elapsed time from the time of mounting the head by the timer, the elapsed time is automatically measured.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the parameter includes the total ejection amount of ink since the head is mounted, a warning can be issued based on the total ejection amount of ink.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the measuring means calculates the total ejection amount from the integration of the image information for controlling the ejection by the calculating means, so that it is possible to accurately calculate the ink usage without actually measuring it. A total injection amount can be obtained.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the parameter includes the number of head cleanings since the head is mounted, a warning can be issued based on the number of cleanings.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, since the measuring means counts the number of cleanings by the head cleaning means, the number of cleanings can be easily obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 14, since the ink jet printer has the measurement means, warning generation means, and threshold value changing means for each of the plurality of heads, A warning can be issued in the vicinity of the individual head replacement time.

The best mode for carrying out an ink jet printer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.
First, FIG. 2 shows a mechanical configuration of the inkjet printer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration of the inkjet printer 10 with the carriage unit 2 as the center. The ink jet printer 10 includes a carriage unit 2, a support bar 3, a drive belt 4, a main scanning motor 41, rollers 6 a and 6 b, and a recording medium 1. The recording medium 1 is made of a recording paper or the like on which image information is recorded, and is moved in the sub-scanning direction that is the transport direction. The support bar 3 is a metal bar that faces the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction, and is arranged so that the carriage unit 2 can move in the main scanning direction. The carriage unit 2 is fixed to the drive belt 4, and the drive belt 4 wound around the rollers 6 a and 6 b is moved by driving of the main scanning motor 41. As a result, the carriage unit 2 moves in the main scanning direction on the support bar 3 and prints on the recording medium 1.

  The carriage unit 2 is detachably mounted with cartridges 1K, 1C, 1M, and 1Y containing black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y inks. A head for each of 1K, 1C, 1M, and 1Y (not shown) is present at the lower end of the carriage unit 2, and recording that exists at the lower end of the carriage unit 2 from nozzles that are a plurality of ink ejection ports of each head. Ink is ejected onto the medium 1.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged views of the lower end portion of the head 21d attached to the carriage 1 and connected to the cartridges 1K, 1C, 1M, and 1Y and the cartridge 1Y. FIG. 3A shows the head 21d present at the lower end of the cartridge 1Y mounted on the carriage unit 2. FIG. Here, the head 21d has a plurality of nozzles arranged in a line in the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. From this nozzle, ink in the cartridge 1Y shown in FIG. 3A is simultaneously ejected, and a row of ink droplets arranged in the sub-scanning direction is recorded on the recording medium 1. The cartridges 1K, 1C, 1M, and the heads 21a to 21c corresponding to these cartridges (not shown) have the same structure and are juxtaposed in the main scanning direction of the carriage unit 2.

  Further, the heads 21a to 21d and the cartridges 1K to 1Y of the carriage unit 2 can be individually replaced, and are replaced when the heads 21a to 21d are deteriorated or the ink in the cartridges 1K to Y is exhausted. The 3 and 4, it is assumed that the carriages 2 include the heads 21a to 21d and the cartridges 1K to Y containing ink. However, the cartridges 1K to 1Y are fixedly arranged outside the carriage unit 2, and the head 21a is formed by a tube or the like. It is also possible to supply ink to .about.d.

  Here, the heads 21a to 21d have a life determined by the number of times of use, the type of ink to be used or the period of use. When the heads 21a to 21d reach the end of their lifetime, ink ejection becomes worse, and image information printed on the recording medium 1 deteriorates. The operator replaces the heads 21a to 21d based on the deterioration of the printed image information. Note that this lifetime largely depends on the usage status of the inkjet printer 10 on the user side, and it is difficult for the manufacturer side to estimate specific numerical values.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the inkjet printer 10. The inkjet printer 10 includes an interface controller 61, an image memory 64, a transfer unit 71, a carriage unit 2, a control unit 80, a main scanning motor 41, a sub-scanning motor 42, an operation panel 30, a cleaning unit 66, a calculating unit 40 and a timer 25. Including. The inkjet printer 10 is connected to the host computer 50 and acquires image information to be recorded.

The interface controller 61 serves as input means for capturing image information from the host computer 50 connected via a communication line.
The image memory 64 temporarily stores image information acquired via the interface controller 61. This image information is a part of the original image information of the host computer 50 and includes the minimum necessary image information for printing by the carriage unit 2 described later. The image information is formed for each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

  The carriage unit 2 prints image information in the image memory 64 on the recording medium 1. Here, the carriage unit 2 includes heads 21a to 21d, mounting sensors 24a to 24d, head drive control circuits 23a to 23d, a drive circuit 22, and an encoder sensor 26. The heads 21a to 21d are respectively a black ink (K) discharge head 21a, a cyan ink (C) discharge head 21b, a magenta ink (M) discharge head 21c, and a yellow ink (Y) discharge head. 21d and juxtaposed in the main scanning direction as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, each head has, for example, 512 nozzles that eject ink, which are arranged in a line in the sub-scanning direction.

  The heads 21a to 21d eject the inks of the cartridges 1K, 1C, 1M, and 1Y onto the recording medium 1 as ink droplets. As the heads 21a to 21d, for example, share mode type piezo heads are used.

  The drive circuit 22 drives the heads 21a to 21d and generates a drive waveform for ejecting ink droplets. This drive waveform is synchronized with the latch signal of the image information generated by the transfer means 71, and is generated for each latch signal.

  Further, mounting sensors 24a to 24d for detecting the mounting of the heads 21a to 21d are mounted on the carriage unit 2. The mounting sensors 24a to 24d are electrical on / off sensors, and transmit mounting signals, for example, on signals, to the timer 25 when the heads 21a to 21d are mounted.

  The head drive control circuits 23a to 23d control ejection timing of ink droplets for each of the heads a to d based on image information from the image memory 64. In the head drive control circuits 23a to 23d, a driver for driving the piezo head exists for each channel, and drives the piezo head based on the drive waveform from the drive circuit 22.

  The encoder sensor 26 is present on the carriage unit 2 and reads, for example, a black mark engraved with a predetermined interval in the main scanning direction of the support bar 3. Thereby, the position of the carriage unit 2 in the main scanning direction is accurately grasped, and the ink ejection timing is made accurate.

  The transfer unit 71 transfers partial image information recorded by one ejection from a plurality of nozzles of each head from the image memory 64 to the head drive control circuits 23a to 23d. The transfer means 71 includes a timing generation circuit and a memory control circuit. The timing generation circuit obtains an accurate position of the carriage unit 2 from the outputs of the home position sensor and encoder sensor 26 (not shown), and the memory control circuit uses this position information to address the partial image information required for each head. Ask for. Then, the memory control circuit reads out from the image memory 64 and transfers it to the head drive control circuits 23a to 23d using the address of the partial image information.

The main scanning motor 41 is a motor that moves the carriage unit 2 in the main scanning direction shown in FIG. The sub-scanning motor 42 is a motor that transports the recording medium 1 in the sub-scanning direction.
The control unit 80 includes a CPU 60 and a memory 65, and controls the transfer unit 71 along with the control of the main scanning motor 41 and the sub scanning motor 42, and controls the ejection of ink onto the recording medium 1. In addition, the head replacement time described later is estimated and a warning is generated based on this estimation.

The operation panel 30 serves as an operation means, and includes an LCD, a keyboard, and the like, and inputs or displays printing conditions.
The cleaning unit 66 cleans the heads 21a to 21d. In this cleaning, for example, by adhering to the nozzles of the heads 21a to 21d at the home position or wiping them with a material such as rubber or a plate, the deposits that disturb the ejection of ink from the nozzles are removed. . In addition, the cleaning unit 66 records the number of times of cleaning since mounting for each of the heads 21a to 21d according to mounting signals from mounting sensors 24a to 24d (not shown), and transmits them to the control unit 80 every predetermined time.

  The timer 25 is a counter that measures the elapsed time since the mounting of each of the heads 21a to 21d. The timer 25 starts counting based on mounting signals from the mounting sensors 24a to 24d, and counts based on non-mounting signals from the mounting sensors 24a to 24d. finish. The count value is transmitted to the control unit 80 every predetermined time.

  The calculating means 40 uses the image information stored in the image memory 64 to integrate the pixel values of each color of C, M, Y, and K from when each head 21a-d is mounted. Since the integrated value of the pixel values is proportional to the total ejection amount of ink, the total ejection amount is obtained using a proportional count determined experimentally. The calculating means 40 and the mounting sensors 24a to 24d are connected by a communication line (not shown).

  The cleaning unit 66, the timer 25, and the calculation unit 40 described above serve as measurement units, measure the number of cleanings since the mounting, the elapsed time, and the total ejection amount of ink, and transmit them to the control unit 80.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit 80. The control unit 80 includes parameter information 81, threshold information 82, warning generating means 83 and threshold changing means 87. The warning generation unit 83 further includes a comparison unit 85, a determination table 84, and a determination unit 86.

  The parameter information 81 is the number of cleanings, the total ejection amount of ink, and the elapsed time from the mounting of each head 21a to d received from the cleaning unit 66, the calculation unit 40, and the timer 25. These data are read and updated every predetermined time.

  The threshold value information 82 is a threshold value of the parameter information 81 used as a reference when issuing a warning described later. Here, the threshold information 82 includes a count threshold representing the cleaning count threshold, a total ejection amount threshold representing the total ink ejection amount threshold, and an elapsed time threshold representing the elapsed time threshold since the head was mounted. The threshold information 82 is updated from a value set as an initial value to a new new threshold every time the head is replaced by a threshold changing unit 87 described later.

  Based on the parameter information 81 and the threshold information 82, the warning generation unit 83 issues a warning when it is time to replace any of the heads 21a to 21d. This warning is displayed on the operation panel 30 and prompts the operator to replace the head.

  The comparison unit 85 compares values for each parameter of the parameter information 81 and the threshold information 82, and determines whether or not the value of the parameter information 81 exceeds the value of the threshold information 82 as binary information for each parameter, for example, Output as 1⇔0 information.

The determination table 84 includes a plurality of selection information indicating which parameter is used to determine whether or not to issue a warning based on the comparison information output from the comparison unit 85. The determination table 84, the parameter information 81 is the number of times of cleaning as shown in FIG. 1, when made from three total injection amount and the elapsed time of the ink, selection information comprising 2 ³ combinations of are present, these Any one of the combinations is selected from the operation panel 30 by the operator.

  The determination unit 86 determines whether to output a warning from the comparison information output from the comparison unit 85 and the selection information in the determination table 84 selected by the operator. Here, when a plurality of parameters are selected based on the selection information, the determination means 86 is based on the designation from the operation panel 30 by the operator, and the mutual logical relationship in determining the parameter warning output, that is, logical product or logical sum. Is set. For example, when the number of cleanings and the elapsed time are selected by the selection information, an AND operation that issues a warning when the cleaning number and the elapsed time both exceed the threshold value, or either one of the cleaning number or the elapsed time sets the threshold value. An OR operation that issues a warning when exceeding is specified. In addition, a combination of AND operation and OR operation can be designated for a plurality of parameters of selection information.

  The threshold value changing unit 87 updates the threshold value information 82 based on the attachment / detachment information from the mounting sensors 24a to 24d. In this update, the parameter value included in the selection information selected in the determination table 84 is updated. In this update, following the head non-mounting information from the mounting sensors 24a to 24d accompanying the head replacement, a different updating method is selected based on whether or not a warning is output and further based on a specified logical operation.

  Next, the operation of the control unit 80 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the control unit 80. First, the operator sets an initial threshold value in the threshold information 82 (step S501). This initial threshold value may be set in advance at the time of factory shipment or the like. In the example of FIG. 1, the threshold value for the number of times of cleaning leading to head replacement, the total ejection amount threshold value for the total ejection amount of ink, and the mounting. An empirically known approximate value of the elapsed time threshold of the head from time is set.

  Thereafter, the operator attaches the heads 21a to 21d to the ink jet printer 10 (step S502). Note that this mounting may be initially performed at the time of factory shipment. When the printer is mounted at the time of shipment from the factory, the inkjet printer 10 is delivered to the user, and the measurement is started at the same time as the operator turns on the power. This measurement is performed after the cleaning unit 66, the calculation unit 40, and the timer 25 are mounted. The number of cleanings, the total ejection amount of ink, and the elapsed time of the head.

  Thereafter, the control unit 80 performs printing in accordance with an instruction from the operator (step S503). Further, the head is appropriately cleaned during this printing. Then, a warning generation process is performed every time a predetermined time has elapsed (step S504).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the warning generation process of the control unit 80. First, the control unit 80 reads the parameter information 81, the number of cleanings, the total ejection amount of ink, and the elapsed time from the cleaning unit 66, the calculation unit 40, and the timer 25, and updates data (steps S601 to 603).

  Thereafter, the control unit 80 compares the parameter information 81 and the threshold information 82 by the comparison unit 85 (step S604). Here, the number of cleanings, the total ejection amount of ink, and the elapsed time are respectively compared with the count threshold, the total ejection amount threshold, and the elapsed time threshold. Then, the control unit 80 determines whether each parameter value exceeds a threshold value (step S605). Here, if there is even one parameter that exceeds the threshold value (Yes in step S605), the control unit 80 selects whether the parameter is a parameter to be determined from the comparison with the selection information by the determination unit 86. (Step S606).

  Thereafter, the determination unit 86 of the control unit 80 determines whether or not the selected parameter outputs a warning as a result of the logical operation (step S607). If a warning is output in this determination (Yes at step S607), the determination unit 86 outputs a warning to the operation panel 30 (step S608). In addition, when there is no parameter exceeding the threshold value (No at Step S605) and when no warning is output as a result of the logical operation (No at Step S607), the control unit 80 performs parameter selection and Step at Step S606. The warning generation process is terminated without outputting the warning in S608.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the operator refers to the image information printed on the recording medium 1, and determines whether or not to replace the head based on the presence or absence of deterioration of the printed image information (step S505). If the printed image information is not deteriorated (No at step S505), the operator proceeds to step S503 and repeats the printing and warning generation processing until the printed image information is deteriorated.

  Then, when the printed image information is deteriorated, the operator replaces the head (Yes at Step S505) and removes the head from the carriage unit 2 (Step S506). Here, when the head is removed from the carriage unit 2, the threshold value changing means 87 of the control unit 80 detects head non-mounting signals from the mounting sensors 24a to 24d, and performs threshold value changing processing (step 507).

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart showing the operation of the threshold value changing means 87. First, the threshold value changing unit 87 determines whether a head replacement warning is output (step S701). If no warning is output (No in step S701), the parameter exceeding the threshold does not exist and the threshold is too high, so the parameters selected in step S606 of the warning generation process existing in the parameter information 81 are not displayed. The value is read into the threshold information 82 as a new new threshold (step S704). FIG. 8A schematically shows the state at the time of head replacement when the selected parameters are the elapsed time from the head mounting, the number of cleanings, and the total ejection amount. In FIG. 8A, the horizontal axis indicates the count value of the parameter information 81 from the time of mounting, and the vertical axis indicates the selected parameter. The elapsed time, the number of cleanings, and the total injection amount of the parameter information 81 have values lower than the respective threshold values, and are not in a state of issuing a warning. Therefore, by setting the count value of the parameter information 81 as a new new threshold value, a warning can be issued at an approximate time at the next head replacement.

  Further, when a warning is output (Yes in step S701), the threshold value changing unit 87 obtains a difference between the parameter value exceeding the threshold value and the corresponding threshold value because there is a parameter exceeding the threshold value (step S702). The difference is added to the threshold value, and is read as a new new threshold value in the threshold value information 82 (step S703). FIG. 8B schematically shows the state at the time of head replacement when the selected parameters are the elapsed time from the head mounting and the number of times of cleaning, and the elapsed time and the number of times of cleaning are specified by OR logic which is a logical sum. Illustrated. Here, since the elapsed time and the number of cleanings are designated by a logical sum, a warning is issued when any one of the elapsed time or the number of cleanings exceeds a threshold value. In the example of FIG. 8B, the case where the elapsed time exceeds the threshold is illustrated. In the example of FIG. 8B, the difference exceeding the threshold value of the elapsed time is added to the threshold value to obtain a new new threshold value.

  FIG. 8C schematically shows the state at the time of head replacement when the selected parameters are the elapsed time from the head mounting and the number of times of cleaning, and the elapsed time and the number of times of cleaning are designated by AND logic which is a logical product. It is illustrative. Here, since the elapsed time and the number of cleanings are designated by a logical product, a warning is issued when both the elapsed time and the number of cleanings exceed the threshold value. In the example of FIG. 8C, the elapsed time and the number of cleanings both exceed the threshold value, and the difference exceeding the threshold of the elapsed time and the cleaning number is added to the threshold value to become a new new threshold value.

  The selection information of the determination table 84 selected and designated by the operator from the operation panel 30, that is, the selected parameter and the relationship of the logical operation between these parameters are determined by the operator in consideration of the usage situation. In other words, these selections and designations are selected and designated optimally so that the head replacement time and the warning generation time are substantially the same.

  As the usage situation that the operator considers, for example, the amount of printing may be large or small. In the case of a user with a large amount of printing, the total amount of ink ejected and the number of cleanings are naturally increased, which is considered to be a dominant factor that determines head replacement. In this case, the selection information with the total ejection amount of ink or the number of cleanings as a selected parameter is selected from the determination table 84, and the logical product or logical sum thereof is designated, so that the head replacement time can be promptly determined. Can be matched with the warning occurrence time.

  On the other hand, in the case of a user with a small print amount, the elapsed time from the mounting of the head is considered to be a dominant factor that determines head replacement. In this case, the selection information including the elapsed time is selected from the determination table 84, and the logical product or the logical sum thereof is designated, so that the head replacement time can be quickly matched with the warning generation time.

  Further, the usage situation that the operator considers can be whether the inkjet printer 10 is in the initial stage of installation or not. In the initial stage of the introduction of the inkjet printer 10, it is often difficult for an operator to grasp the usage status. By specifying the logical product between the parameters of the selected selection information, more parameters are taken into consideration and are quickly displayed. In addition, the head replacement time can be matched with the warning generation time.

  On the other hand, when the ink jet printer 10 is not in the initial stage of introduction, the threshold value of the parameter of the selected selection information almost coincides with the head replacement time. Therefore, by specifying the logical sum between the parameters, it is more reliable and safer. A head replacement warning can be generated at certain times.

  Returning to FIG. 5, after the threshold value changing process is performed by the threshold value changing unit 87, the control unit 80 checks whether or not a spare head exists (step S <b> 508), and if a spare head exists (step S <b> 508). (Yes), the process proceeds to step S502, the head is mounted, and the printing and warning generation processing is repeated. In addition, when there is no spare head (Yes at Step S508), the control unit 80 ends this processing once and waits for the head to arrive.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, parameters directly related to the head life such as the elapsed time from the mounting of the head, the total ejection amount of ink, and the number of cleanings are measured, and these parameters are compared with a threshold value. When the head is exceeded, a warning for head replacement is issued, and when the head is actually replaced, the threshold value is changed to the parameter value at the time of replacement. The head replacement time can be approximated, and the convenience of the operator regarding the head replacement can be measured, and the head replacement time can be predicted from the threshold of the elapsed time to accurately manage the inventory of the head and reduce the cost.

  In the present embodiment, the parameter information 81, the threshold information 82, the warning generating unit 83, and the threshold changing unit 87 are described as being one each for simplicity, but the parameter information 81 for each of the heads 21a to 21d, By providing the threshold information 82, the warning generating unit 83, and the threshold changing unit 87, it is possible to issue a warning of a more accurate head replacement time. At this time, it is preferable to provide the cleaning means 66, the calculating means 40, and the timer 25 for each of the heads 21a to 21d.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the control part concerning embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mechanical whole structure of an inkjet printer. It is a figure which shows the structure of the head part concerning embodiment. It is a figure which shows the electrical structure of an inkjet printer. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part concerning embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the warning generation process concerning embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the threshold value change process concerning embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the relationship between the parameter value at the time of head replacement | exchange concerning embodiment, and a threshold value.

Explanation of symbols

1K to Y Cartridge 1 Recording medium 2 Carriage portion 3 Support rod 4 Driving belt 6a to b Roller 10 Inkjet printer 21a to d Head 22 Driving circuit 23a to d Head driving control circuit 24a to d Mounting sensor 25 Timer 26 Encoder sensor 30 Operation panel 40 Calculation means 41 Main scanning motor 42 Sub scanning motor 50 Host computer 61 Interface controller 64 Image memory 65 Memory 66 Cleaning means 71 Transfer means 80 Control section 81 Parameter information 82 Threshold information 83 Warning generating means 84 Determination table 85 Comparison means 86 Determination means 87 Threshold change means

Claims (14)

A head for ejecting ink;
Measuring means for measuring parameters of the usage situation over time from the time of mounting the head;
A warning generating means for comparing whether the value of the parameter exceeds a threshold value and issuing a warning for prompting replacement of the head when the value of the parameter exceeds the threshold value;
A threshold value changing means for changing the threshold value to a new new threshold value based on the parameter value and the threshold value comparison information every time the operator replaces the head;
An ink jet printer comprising:   The warning generation unit includes a determination unit that determines whether to issue the warning based on the plurality of the comparisons when the parameter includes a plurality of parameters and the plurality of threshold values corresponding to the parameters exist. The inkjet printer according to claim 1.   The inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit includes a determination table including a plurality of selection information of parameters to be determined.   The inkjet printer according to claim 3, wherein the warning generation unit includes an operation unit that selects the selection information from the determination table.   The determination means designates a logical operation on the result of the comparison between the parameters using the operation means when there are a plurality of parameters selected by the selection information, and performs the determination based on the logical operation. The inkjet printer according to claim 4, wherein the inkjet printer is performed.   6. The threshold value changing unit according to claim 1, wherein when the replacement is performed before the warning is issued, all the parameter values are set as the new threshold value. Inkjet printer.   6. The threshold value changing unit according to claim 1, wherein when the replacement is performed after the warning is issued, a parameter value exceeding the threshold value is set as the new threshold value. The inkjet printer described in 1.   The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the parameter includes an elapsed time since the head was mounted.   The ink jet printer according to claim 8, wherein the measuring unit includes a timer that measures the elapsed time.   The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the parameter includes a total ejection amount of the ink from when the head is mounted.   The ink jet printer according to claim 10, wherein the measuring unit includes a calculating unit that calculates the total ejection amount based on integration of image information for controlling the ejection.   12. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the parameter includes a number of times the head is cleaned since the head is mounted.   The inkjet printer according to claim 12, wherein the measuring unit includes a cleaning unit for the head that counts the number of cleanings. 14. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein when the inkjet printer includes a plurality of heads, the inkjet printer includes the measurement unit, the warning generation unit, and the threshold value changing unit for each of the heads. Inkjet printer.

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