JP2019155854A - Ink supply device, inkjet recording device, and ink supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ink supply device which can calculate an accurate ink residual amount, and to provide an inkjet recording device and an ink supply method.SOLUTION: An ink supply device 100 includes a first tank 110, a second tank 120, an ink supply part, a detection part 121 and a determination part. The first tank 110 stores an ink. The second tank 120 stores the ink. The ink supply part supplies the ink from the first tank 110 to the second tank 120. The detection part 121 detects the ink in the second tank 120. The determination part determines whether the ink is stored in the first tank 110 based on a detection result of the detection part 121.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink supply apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus, and an ink supply method.

  Conventionally, a droplet ejecting apparatus that can detect the amount of ink in an ink cartridge is known. As such a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus, the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a replaceable ink tank, a sub tank, a first ink detecting unit, a second ink detecting unit, and a determination unit. . The determination unit determines that the liquid in the ink tank is empty based on detection results of the first ink detection unit and the second ink detection unit.

JP 2008-302590 A

  However, the droplet ejecting device described in Patent Document 1 needs to include two detection units in order to determine that the liquid in the ink tank is empty, and the manufacturing cost is high.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an ink supply apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus, and an ink supply method that have a simple structure for detecting ink and that are superior in cost. .

  The ink supply device according to the present invention includes a first tank, a second tank, an ink supply unit, a detection unit, and a determination unit. The first tank stores ink. The second tank stores the ink. The ink supply unit supplies the ink from the first tank to the second tank. The detection unit detects the ink in the second tank. The determination unit determines presence or absence of ink in the first tank based on a detection result of the detection unit.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes an ink supply device.

  An ink supply method executed by the ink supply apparatus according to the present invention includes an ink supply unit that supplies ink from a first tank to a second tank, and includes a detection step and a determination step. The ink supply unit supplies the ink from the first tank to the second tank. The detecting step detects ink in the second tank. In the determination step, the presence or absence of ink in the first tank is determined based on the detection result of the detection step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ink supply device, an ink jet recording device, and an ink supply method that have a simple structure for detecting ink and that are superior in cost.

It is a figure which shows an inkjet recording device provided with the ink supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the ink supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the ink supply apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the process which the control part of an ink supply apparatus performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is not repeated.

  First, the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 including an ink supply apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 2, a paper storage unit 5, a transport unit 6, a recording unit 7, an ink supply device 100, a discharge device 8, a control unit 9, and a storage unit 10.

  The operation panel 2 receives a job instruction from the user for the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The operation panel 2 includes a notification unit and a plurality of operation keys. When the operation panel 2 receives an instruction from the user, the operation panel 2 transmits a signal indicating the instruction from the user to the control unit 9. The notification unit includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display (Organic Electro Luminescence Display).

  The sheet storage unit 5 includes a plurality of cassettes 51. Specifically, the sheet storage unit 5 includes a plurality of cassettes 51 that store the sheets P. The paper P fed from the cassette 51 is transported to the transport unit 6.

  The transport unit 6 transports the paper P so as to pass below the recording unit 7. The transport unit 6 transports the paper P that has passed under the recording unit 7 to the discharge device 8.

  The recording unit 7 forms an image on the paper P by ejecting ink. The recording unit 7 includes a head housing 71 and four line heads 72. The head housing 71 supports four line heads 72. Each of the four line heads 72 ejects the corresponding color ink.

  A line head 72 that discharges yellow ink is indicated as a line head 72Y. A line head 72 that discharges magenta ink is indicated as a line head 72M. The line head 72 that discharges cyan ink is indicated as a line head 72C. The line head 72 that discharges black ink is indicated as a line head 72K.

  The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording unit 7. Four ink supply devices 100 are provided. The first ink supply device 100Y supplies ink to the line head 72Y. The second ink supply device 100M supplies ink to the line head 72M. The third ink supply device 100C supplies ink to the line head 72C. The fourth ink supply device 100K supplies ink to the line head 72K.

  The discharge device 8 includes a discharge tray 81. The discharge device 8 discharges the paper P to the outside of the main body housing. The paper P discharged to the outside of the main body casing is placed on the discharge tray 81.

  The control unit 9 is configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 9 controls the operation of each unit of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 by executing a control program. The control unit 9 includes an integrated circuit for image formation processing. An integrated circuit for image formation processing is configured by, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The storage unit 10 stores data. The storage unit 10 includes a storage device and a semiconductor memory. The storage device is configured by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and / or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The semiconductor memory includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 10 stores a control program.

  The storage unit 10 stores ink amount data. The ink amount data includes sending amount data, ejection amount data, maximum capacity data, and remaining amount data. The delivery amount data includes the amount of ink ejected by image recording and the amount of ink ejected by cleaning. The ejection amount data includes the ejection amount of ink per pixel and the ejection amount of ink ejected by the cleaning operation. The maximum capacity data indicates the maximum capacity of ink in the ink tank. The remaining amount data indicates the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank.

  Next, the ink supply device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the ink supply device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply device 100 includes an ink tank 110, a sub tank 120, a syringe pump 130, a supply pump 150, a first pipe 161, a second pipe 162, a third pipe 163, A first valve 162a and a second valve 163a are provided. The ink supply device 100 operates according to instructions from the control unit 9.

  The ink tank 110 stores ink. The ink tank 110 corresponds to an example of “first tank”. The ink in the ink tank 110 includes ink ejected by image recording and ink ejected by cleaning. The ink tank 110 is provided for each ink color type. Specifically, the ink tank 110 stores an ink tank that stores yellow ink, an ink tank that stores magenta ink, an ink tank that stores cyan ink, and a black ink. Including an ink tank. Each of the plurality of ink tanks 110 is connected to a sub tank 120 of the same color type via a pipe. Further, the ink tank 110 is replaced when the ink runs out.

  The ink tank 110 may have an ink remaining amount storage device. The remaining amount storage device stores transmission amount data, maximum capacity data, and remaining amount data.

  The sub tank 120 stores ink. The sub tank 120 corresponds to an example of a “second tank”. The sub tank 120 stores the ink supplied from the ink tank 110. The sub tank 120 is provided for each ink color type. The sub tank 120 is connected to a syringe pump 130 of the same color type via a pipe. The sub tank 120 includes a float 122 and a detection unit 121. The detection unit 121 is, for example, a “Hall IC”. The float 122 moves up and down in the sub tank 120 as the ink level in the sub tank 120 rises and falls. The float 122 includes a magnet holder and a magnet 122a. The magnet holder holds the magnet 122a. The magnet 122a generates a magnetic force. The sub tank 120 includes a through hole (not shown). The through hole communicates with the atmosphere. The through hole is provided above the ink level in the sub tank 120.

  The detection unit 121 detects the presence or absence of ink in the sub tank 120. The detection unit 121 is provided on the outer wall of the sub tank 120. The detection unit 121 is provided at a predetermined height on the outer wall of the sub tank 120. The detection unit 121 is switched between an ON state and an OFF state by the magnetic force of the magnet 122a. The ON state is a state in which the detection unit 121 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 122a. The OFF state is a state where the detection unit 121 does not detect the magnetic force of the magnet 122a.

  The detection unit 121 outputs a signal to the control unit 9 when detecting the magnetic force of the magnet 122a. Specifically, when ink is supplied to the sub-tank 120 and the magnet 122a of the float 122 rises to the height at which the detection unit 121 is provided, the detection unit 121 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 122a and controls the signal. Output to 9. As a result, the detection unit 121 can detect that there is ink in the sub tank 120.

  The detection unit 121 does not output a signal to the control unit 9 when the magnetic force of the magnet 122a is not detected. Specifically, when the ink in the sub tank 120 is sent out by the syringe pump 130 and the magnet 122a of the float 122 descends below the height at which the detection unit 121 is provided, the detection unit 121 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 122a. The signal is not output to the control unit 9. As a result, the detection unit 121 can detect that there is no ink in the sub tank 120.

  The syringe pump 130 discharges the ink stored in the sub tank 120 to the third pipe 163. The syringe pump 130 has a cylinder and a piston. The syringe pump 130 is provided for each ink color type. The syringe pump 130 is connected to the line head 72 of the same color type via a pipe.

  The cylinder stores the ink in the sub tank 120. The cylinder includes a cylindrical portion, a lid portion, and a bottom portion. An inlet and an outlet are formed at the bottom of the cylinder.

  The piston moves in the cylinder. The piston is formed in a cylindrical shape. A part of the piston is inserted into the cylinder. The piston moves from the bottom of the cylinder to the lid in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 9.

  When the piston moves to the lid side, ink flows from the sub tank 120 into the cylinder via the second pipe 162 and the inflow port. The lid side indicates the direction in which the cylinder is separated from the bottom of the piston. When the piston moves to the bottom side, ink flows out from the cylinder to the recording unit 7 via the outflow port and the third pipe 163. The bottom side indicates the direction in which the cylinder is close to the bottom of the piston.

  The supply pump 150 supplies the ink stored in the ink tank 110 to the sub tank 120. The supply pump 150 is provided for each color type of ink. The supply pump 150 supplies ink until the detection unit 121 is turned on in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 9. The supply pump 150 corresponds to an example of an “ink supply unit”.

  The first pipe 161 connects the ink tank 110 and the sub tank 120. A supply pump 150 is disposed in the first pipe 161. The second pipe 162 connects the sub tank 120 and the syringe pump 130. A first valve 162 a is disposed in the second pipe 162. The third pipe 163 connects the syringe pump 130 and the recording unit 7. A second valve 163 a is disposed in the third pipe 163.

  The first valve 162a controls ink inflow and outflow by opening and closing the valve. The first valve 162a is opened and closed according to an instruction from the control unit 9. Specifically, the first valve 162a is changed from the open state to the closed state immediately before the movement of the piston toward the bottom side is started, and immediately after the movement of the piston to the bottom side is completed, the first valve 162a is changed from the closed state to the open state. The That is, the first valve 162a is closed while the piston is moving to the bottom side, and the first valve 162a is opened during the other periods.

  The second valve 163a controls inflow and outflow of ink by opening and closing the valve. The second valve 163a is opened and closed according to an instruction from the control unit 9. Specifically, the second valve 163a is changed from the open state to the closed state immediately before the movement of the piston to the lid portion side, and immediately after the movement of the piston to the lid portion side is completed, the second valve 163a is changed from the closed state to the open state. To be. That is, the second valve 163a is closed during the period in which the piston is moving toward the lid. In other periods, the second valve 163a is opened. When the second valve 163a is in the open state, the first valve 162a is in the closed state. When the second valve 163a is closed, the first valve 162a is opened.

  Next, the control unit 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the ink supply apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 9 is connected to the recording unit 7, the storage unit 10, the detection unit 121, the syringe pump 130, and the supply pump 150. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 9 includes a calculation unit 91 and a determination unit 92. Specifically, the processor of the control unit 9 executes a computer program stored in the storage device of the storage unit 10 and functions as the calculation unit 91 and the determination unit 92.

  The calculation unit 91 calculates the amount of ink. Specifically, the calculation unit 91 calculates the amount of ink in the sub tank 120 and the amount of ink in the ink tank 110. More specifically, the calculation unit 91 calculates a delivery amount that is the amount of ink delivered from the sub tank 120. The calculation unit 91 calculates the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110.

  When calculating the delivery amount, the calculation unit 91 calculates the total amount of the amount of ink ejected by image recording and the amount of ink ejected by cleaning. Specifically, when calculating the ink ejected by image recording, the calculation unit 91 is based on the ink ejection amount per pixel stored in the storage unit 10 and the number of pixels of the recorded image. The amount of ink ejected during image recording is calculated. Further, when calculating the amount of ink ejected by cleaning, the calculation unit 91 calculates the amount of ink ejected by cleaning based on the ejection amount of ink ejected by the cleaning operation and the number of cleaning operations. Is calculated.

  When the detection unit 121 detects ink, the calculation unit 91 may start calculating the delivery amount. If the detection unit 121 does not detect ink, the calculation unit 91 may stop calculating the delivery amount. The calculation unit 91 calculates the transmission amount until the detection unit 121 changes from the ON state to the OFF state. The calculation result of the calculation unit 91 is stored in the storage unit 10 as transmission amount data.

  When calculating the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110, the calculation unit 91 calculates the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110 based on the delivery amount. Specifically, the calculation unit 91 subtracts the sending amount from the remaining amount data of the ink tank 110 stored in the storage unit 10 every time image recording and cleaning operations are performed. As a result, the calculation unit 91 can calculate the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110. The remaining amount of ink calculated by the calculation unit 91 is stored in the storage unit 10 and the remaining amount storage device as remaining amount data.

  The calculation unit 91 calculates the amount of ink for each of the ink tanks 110 for each color type.

  The determination unit 92 determines the presence or absence of ink in the sub tank 120 based on the detection result of the detection unit 121. Specifically, the determination unit 92 acquires the detection result from the detection unit 121. When the detection unit 121 is in the ON state, the determination unit 92 determines that there is ink in the sub tank 120. When the detection unit 121 is in the OFF state, the determination unit 92 determines that there is no ink in the sub tank 120. As a result, the determination unit 92 can determine the presence or absence of ink in the sub tank 120.

  Further, the determination unit 92 determines that there is no ink in the ink tank 110 when the detection unit 121 does not detect the ink in the sub tank 120 for a predetermined time. That is, when the detection unit 121 remains off for a predetermined time, the determination unit 92 determines that there is no ink in the ink tank 110. The ink in the ink tank 110 is supplied to the sub tank 120 by the supply pump 150 until the detection unit 121 changes from the OFF state to the ON state. For this reason, if the OFF state of the detection unit 121 continues for a predetermined time, the determination unit 92 can determine that there is no ink in the ink tank 110. As a result, even if there is no sensor for detecting ink in the ink tank 110, it can be determined from the detection result of the detection unit 121 provided in the sub tank 120 that there is no ink in the ink tank 110. Further, since the presence or absence of ink in the ink tank 110 can be determined by only one detection unit 121, the structure for detecting ink is simplified, which is advantageous in terms of cost. In addition, since the ink tank 110 to be replaced does not have a sensor for detecting ink, the cost associated with the ink tank 110 is superior.

  Further, the determination unit 92 determines whether or not the ink supply device 100 has failed based on the detection result of the detection unit 121 and the calculation result of the calculation unit 91. Specifically, the determination unit 92 determines whether or not the supply pump 150 of the ink supply apparatus 100 has failed. In addition, the determination unit 92 determines whether or not the detection unit 121 of the ink supply device 100 has failed.

  The determination as to whether or not the supply pump 150 has failed is executed when the determination unit 92 determines that there is no ink in the ink tank 110. Specifically, when the determination unit 92 determines that there is no ink in the ink tank 110, the determination unit 92 acquires the remaining amount data of the ink tank 110 and the maximum capacity data of the ink tank 110 from the storage unit 10. The determination unit 92 determines whether the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110 is greater than a predetermined ratio of the maximum capacity of the ink tank 110. The predetermined ratio is 5% of the maximum capacity of the ink tank 110, for example. Further, the predetermined ratio can be set between 5% and 20% of the maximum capacity of the ink tank 110, for example.

  When the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110 is greater than a predetermined percentage of the maximum capacity of the ink tank 110, the supply pump 150 has failed. Further, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110 is not greater than a predetermined ratio of the maximum capacity of the ink tank 110, the ink tank 110 is empty. The determination unit 92 can determine the presence or absence of ink in the ink tank 110 and the failure of the supply pump 150 with a simple structure. Moreover, since a simple structure can be adopted, it is advantageous in terms of cost.

  The determination of whether or not the detection unit 121 is out of order is executed after the detection unit 121 detects ink. Specifically, the detection unit 121 detects that there is ink in the sub tank 120. The calculation unit 91 calculates the transmission amount. The determination unit 92 acquires the transmission amount data calculated by the calculation unit 91 from the storage unit 10. The determination unit 92 determines whether or not the delivery amount is larger than a predetermined ink amount. The predetermined ink amount is, for example, the amount of ink supplied to the sub tank 120. When the delivery amount is larger than the amount of ink supplied to the sub tank 120, the determination unit 92 determines that the detection unit 121 is out of order. The determination unit 92 can determine a failure of the detection unit 121 with a simple structure. Moreover, since a simple structure can be adopted, it is advantageous in terms of cost.

  Next, the flow of processing executed by the control unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the control unit 9. As shown in FIG. 4, the process executed by the control unit 9 includes steps S1 to S19.

  In step S1, the detection unit 121 is turned on. Specifically, the detection unit 121 detects ink in the sub tank 120. That is, the sub tank 120 has ink.

  In step S3, the control unit 9 controls the storage unit 10 so that the storage unit 10 stores the delivery amount.

  In step S5, the determination unit 92 determines whether or not the delivery amount is larger than a predetermined ink amount. If the delivery amount is greater than the predetermined ink amount (Yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S19. If the delivery amount is not greater than the predetermined ink amount (No in step S5), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the detection unit 121 enters an OFF state. Specifically, the detection unit 121 does not detect ink in the sub tank 120. That is, there is no ink in the sub tank 120.

  In step S <b> 9, the control unit 9 controls the supply pump 150 so that the supply pump 150 supplies ink to the sub tank 120.

  In step S11, the determination unit 92 determines whether or not the OFF state of the detection unit 121 continues for a predetermined time. If the detection unit 121 remains off for a predetermined time (No in step S11), the process ends. If the detection unit 121 remains in the OFF state for a predetermined time (Yes in step S11), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S <b> 13, the determination unit 92 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110 is greater than a predetermined ratio of the maximum capacity of the ink tank 110. If the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110 is not greater than the predetermined ratio of the maximum capacity of the ink tank 110 (No in step S13), the process proceeds to step S17. If the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 110 is greater than a predetermined ratio of the maximum capacity of the ink tank 110 (Yes in step S13), the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the determination unit 92 determines that the supply pump 150 has failed.

  In step S17, the determination unit 92 determines that the ink tank 110 is empty.

  In step S19, the determination unit 92 determines that the detection unit 121 is out of order.

  In this specification, step S7 corresponds to an example of “detection step”. Step S19 corresponds to an example of “determination step”.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 4). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings schematically show each component as a main component, and the thickness, length, number, interval, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are actual for convenience of drawing. Is different. Further, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without departing from the configuration of the present invention. Is possible.

  The present invention can be used in the fields of an ink supply apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus, and an ink supply method.

1 Inkjet recording device 91 Calculation unit 92 Determination unit 100 Ink supply device 110 Ink tank (first tank)
120 Sub tank (second tank)
121 Detection unit 150 Supply pump (ink supply unit)

Claims (8)

A first tank for storing ink;
A second tank for storing the ink;
An ink supply unit for supplying the ink from the first tank to the second tank;
A detection unit for detecting the ink in the second tank;
An ink supply apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines presence or absence of ink in the first tank based on a detection result of the detection unit.   The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that there is no ink in the first tank when the detection unit does not detect ink in the second tank.   The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that there is no ink in the first tank when the detection unit does not detect ink in the second tank for a predetermined time. A calculation unit for calculating the amount of ink;
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the ink supply device is out of order based on a detection result of the detection unit and a calculation result of the calculation unit. The ink supply device according to 1. The calculating unit calculates a remaining amount of ink in the first tank;
The ink supply device according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the ink supply unit is out of order based on a detection result of the detection unit and a calculation result of the calculation unit. The calculating unit calculates the amount of ink delivered from the second tank;
The ink supply device according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines whether the detection unit is out of order based on a detection result of the detection unit and a calculation result of the calculation unit. .   An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the ink supply apparatus according to claim 1. An ink supply method executed by an ink supply device,
An ink supply unit for supplying ink from the first tank to the second tank;
The ink supply method includes:
A detecting step for detecting ink in the second tank;
A determination step of determining the presence or absence of ink in the first tank based on a detection result of the detection step.

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