JP3664223B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium while receiving ink supplied from a replaceable ink cartridge and discharging ink droplets from nozzle openings.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, an inkjet recording apparatus supplies a drive signal corresponding to print data to a piezoelectric vibrator, a heating means, etc., pressurizes ink with energy generated by the piezoelectric vibrator, a heating means, etc., and drops ink droplets from nozzle openings. A recording head to be ejected and an ink cartridge containing ink for supplying ink to the recording head are provided.
Such an ink cartridge is configured in a very similar shape between the recording apparatuses, and an electrically rewritable semiconductor storage means is provided in order to prevent a consumer from accidentally mounting a cartridge for a different model. In addition to the serial number, the remaining amount of ink or the amount of ink consumed by the recording device is used to cope with changes in the version of the ink amount per drop due to the data for determining the compatible model in addition to the serial number and improving the ink quality. And the amount of ink in the ink cartridge can be managed accurately.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there is a recording apparatus of a type that manages the ink amount of the ink cartridge by attaching the recording head to the carriage in a semi-fixed state and calculating the ink consumption amount from the printing amount or the suction amount at the time of maintenance by replacing the ink cartridge. Thus, if the data regarding the ink amount stored in the ink cartridge is lost, the ink end cannot be detected.
If ink is consumed by printing or cleaning in such a state, the recording head becomes idle, or a large amount of air flows into the recording head, making printing impossible.
In order to discharge a large amount of air that has flowed into the recording head, an operation of passing an extremely large amount of ink through the recording head and discharging the air by the ink flow is required, resulting in a large amount of ink consumption.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reliably managing the remaining amount of ink in an ink cartridge.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, an ink jet recording head, storage means for storing at least identification data for specifying the ink cartridge, and data relating to the ink remaining amount are attached, and the ink jet recording head is provided with an ink. In the ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink cartridge for supplying the ink and a control means for controlling the ink jet recording head in response to print data, the storage means is configured by electrically rewritable nonvolatile storage means, and Cartridge data storage means for storing a plurality of ink cartridge identification data and ink remaining amount data; and the control means is mounted when the ink cartridge is replaced or when power is turned on. Ink cartridge The identification data stored in the storage means, the cartridge data storing means and comparing the plurality of identification data stored in, there is a match with the identification data, and data match relating to the ink remaining amount In addition, when the ink remaining amount defined by the data related to the ink remaining amount stored in the storage means is larger than the data related to the ink remaining amount stored in the cartridge data storage means, the data regarding the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge data SL憶means is adapted to correct the data relating to the ink remaining amount of the storage means.
[0005]
[Action]
Even if the data related to the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage means attached to the ink cartridge is lost, the data related to the remaining amount of ink stored in the recording device is transferred to the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is replaced or when the power is turned on. This prevents ink consumption in the ink empty state.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, details of the present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus includes a case cover 1 that can be opened and closed and a case 3 that includes a case main body 2. The case main body 2 is formed with a window 5 for separating the ink cartridge replacement area at a position away from the printing area 4.
[0007]
The window 5 is formed in such a size that the upper surface of only one of the two ink cartridges 6 and 7 mounted on the carriage 11 is exposed, and the main body case 2 is exposed when the case cover 1 is closed. In addition to the power switch P, the ink cartridge replacement command switch IC, the black head cleaning command switch BC, and the color head cleaning command switch CC, the operation panel 8 is provided with a line feed, a reset switch, etc. Also, ink end indicators BE and CE for black and color ink cartridges 6 and 7 are arranged.
[0008]
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention with respect to a printing mechanism. A carriage 11 connected to a drive motor 10 via a timing belt 9 has a black color which will be described later on the upper surface. An ink cartridge 6 containing ink and a holder 12 for storing a color ink cartridge 7 containing color ink are formed, and a recording head 13 for receiving ink supply from the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is provided on the lower surface. Yes.
[0009]
The carriage 11 is connected to a control device 15 to be described later via a flexible cable 14 so as to supply a print signal to the recording head 13 and to communicate with storage means of the ink cartridges 6 and 7. Yes.
[0010]
In the non-printing area, the cleaning blade 16 for cleaning the recording head 13 and the recording head 13 are sealed to prevent ink from drying, and the supply of negative pressure from the pump unit 17 eliminates clogging. Capping means 18 is provided. Reference numeral 19 in the figure denotes a paper feed motor that drives the paper feed roller 20 and the pump unit 17.
[0011]
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the black ink cartridge 6 and the color ink cartridge 7. The ink is contained in the containers 31 and 41 and the upper surfaces are sealed by the lids 32 and 42. The ink is stored in a state of being impregnated in the porous body filled in the containers 31 and 42.
In the bottom surfaces of the containers 31 and 41, ink supply ports 33 and 43 that are airtightly engaged with the ink supply needles 21 and 22 when formed in the holder 12 of the carriage 11 are formed. The circuit board 50 is fixed.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the circuit board 50 has contacts 24 (FIG. 5) formed on the cartridge holder 12 of the recording apparatus on the surface side when attached to the ink cartridges 6 and 7. The electrodes 51 and 52 that form contacts with the semiconductor memory means 53 are formed, and the semiconductor memory means 53 is accessible on the back surface.
[0013]
The semiconductor storage means 53 is composed of an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory. The serial number for specifying the cartridge, the amount of ink contained in the cartridge, the type names of the cartridges 6 and 7, etc. are shipped from the factory. An area for storing the number of times the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are mounted and the amount of ink used after being mounted on the recording apparatus, that is, the amount of ink used is reserved.
[0014]
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the control device 15 described above. A CPU 60, a RAM 61, and a ROM 62 constitute a microcomputer, which is connected to a host via an interface 64. The RAM 61 functions as a work memory for the CPU 61 and includes an area for temporarily storing the data of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 read by the reading / writing means 65. The ROM 62 stores a control program and also a work memory. Is provided with an area for storing the data of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 stored therein.
[0015]
The ink cartridge detection means 66 is in a conductive state of two contacts that are conducted through the electrodes 51 formed on the circuit board 50 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7, that is, when the ink cartridges are mounted, a conduction path is formed. In the case of no attachment, the presence / absence of attachment is detected based on the fact that it is open.
[0016]
In the apparatus configured as described above, the head driving means 67 outputs a driving signal to the recording head 13 based on the print data from the host to eject ink droplets, and the ink droplet ejection recovery operation is commanded by the cleaning switch. In such a case, the pump drive means 68 operates the pump unit 17 to forcibly discharge ink from the recording head 13.
[0017]
Reference numeral 69 in the figure denotes a power shut-off means for supplying power after the power switch P of the operation panel 8 is operated until the completion processing of the apparatus is completed, and then cutting off the power of the commercial power source.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the user issues an ink cartridge replacement command by operating the ink cartridge replacement command switch IC on the panel 8 in order to replace the ink cartridges 6 and 7 (step A), the carriage 11 moves to the ink cartridge replacement position (step RO). ). In this process, the presence / absence of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is detected (step C). If no ink cartridge exists, an error is displayed and the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are awaited (step d).
[0019]
When the installation of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 can be confirmed, the carriage 11 moves to the home position (Step E), and the number of times of attachment stored in the semiconductor storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is incremented and updated. (Step F) ((1), (4) in FIG. 8A).
[0020]
When the serial numbers stored in the semiconductor storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are compared with the serial numbers of the ink cartridges installed in the past stored in the ROM 62, and the serial numbers match ( Step G), it is determined that the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are remounted, and the ink usage amount stored in the semiconductor storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 and the ink usage amount stored in the ROM 62 are determined. In comparison, if the amount of ink used in the ROM 62 is larger (step H), the amount of ink used in the ROM 62 is transferred to the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 and rewritten (step (b)). (3), (4))).
[0021]
If the ink remaining amount is detected and it is confirmed that the ink end is detected immediately before executing the above step (G), the ink end is displayed and the following steps (G) to (W) are performed. If canceled, only necessary data can be stored without rewriting unnecessary data in the ROM 62. As a result, it is possible to efficiently store data necessary for managing the remaining amount of ink with as little capacity as possible.
[0022]
In this way, at the stage of correcting the amount of ink used stored in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 and other data as necessary according to the data of the ROM 62, the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is stored. The serial number and ink usage amount are transferred to the RAM 61 and ROM 62 (step No.) ((1) to (4) in FIG. 8A). The ROM 62 discards the oldest data A (FIG. 8B) and stores data D related to the ink cartridges 6 and 7 transferred via the RAM 61.
[0023]
Then, it is detected whether or not the amount of ink used so far is an amount suitable for the subsequent ink filling operation (step), and if the ink end is caused by the filling operation, the ink end is set. Displayed to prompt the user to replace the ink cartridges 6 and 7 (step A).
[0024]
On the other hand, if a printable amount remains even when ink is consumed in the ink filling operation, an exchange sequence is started (step W).
[0025]
In the replacement sequence, the carriage 11 is moved to the capping position, the recording head 13 is sealed by the capping means 18, and the suction force and suction time of the pump unit 17 are controlled by the pump driving means 68, so that the mounted recording head is installed. The ink is forcibly discharged at a suction pressure and time suitable for the ink conditions such as the number of nozzles and nozzle diameter of 13 and the ink properties such as the ink viscosity of the ink cartridges 6 and 7, and at the time of initial mounting, the recording head When the delivery liquid filled in 13 is replaced or when the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are replaced, the recording head 13 is filled with ink while discharging the air bubbles and the like that have entered the recording head 13 together with the ink. To do. When the ink filling of the recording head 13 is completed in this way, printing becomes possible.
[0026]
In the above embodiment, the data stored in the semiconductor storage means 53 of the ink cartridge is checked when the ink cartridge is replaced. However, it may be checked when the power is turned on.
In other words, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, when the power is turned on (step B), the presence or absence of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is detected (step B), and if no ink cartridge exists, an error display is displayed. Then, the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are awaited (Step C).
[0027]
When the mounting of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 can be confirmed, the serial number stored in the semiconductor storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 and the serial number of the ink cartridge mounted in the past stored in the ROM 62 are obtained. If the serial numbers match (step D), the usage amount stored in the semiconductor storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is compared with the ink usage amount stored in the ROM 62. When the amount of ink used in the ROM 62 is larger (Step E), the amount of ink used in the ROM 62 is transferred to the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 and rewritten (Step F) (see FIG. 8A). 3 ▼, ▲ 4 ▼).
[0028]
If the ink remaining amount is detected and the ink end is confirmed immediately before the execution of step (d), the ink end is displayed and the subsequent steps (d) to (n) are performed. If canceled, only necessary data can be stored without rewriting unnecessary data in the ROM 62. As a result, it is possible to efficiently store data necessary for managing the remaining amount of ink with as little capacity as possible.
[0029]
In this way, at the stage where the amount of ink used stored in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 and other data as necessary are corrected by the data of the ROM 62, the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is corrected. The serial number and ink usage are transferred to the RAM 61 and ROM 62 (step 1) ((1) to (4) in FIG. 8A). The ROM 62 discards the oldest data A (FIG. 8B) and stores data D related to the ink cartridges 6 and 7 transferred via the RAM 61.
[0030]
Then, it is detected whether or not the amount of ink used so far is an amount suitable for the subsequent ink filling operation (step H). If the ink end is caused by the filling operation, the ink end is set. Displayed to prompt the user to replace the ink cartridges 6 and 7 (stepping).
[0031]
On the other hand, if a printable amount remains even when ink is consumed in the ink filling operation, the above-described replacement sequence is started (step No).
[0032]
According to this embodiment, even when the ink cartridge is replaced with the power off, the ink usage of the installed ink cartridge is automatically corrected to a normal value when the power is turned on. The ink amount of the cartridge can be accurately managed.
[0033]
In the above-described embodiment, the amount of ink used after being installed in the recording apparatus (ink usage amount) is stored. However, since the amount of ink stored in the cartridge at the time of factory shipment is constant, Obviously, the same effect is obtained even if the ink remaining amount of the cartridge is stored.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to maintain the reliability of the data regarding the remaining amount of ink in the semiconductor storage means of the cartridge with relatively weak protection, and the empty ink cartridge can be mounted. Ink consumption can be prevented and a large amount of air can be prevented from flowing into the recording head.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a printing mechanism of the apparatus.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an embodiment of an ink cartridge for black ink and color ink respectively used in the apparatus.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the front and back structures of a circuit board mounted on the same ink cartridge. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a black ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of replacing the ink cartridge among the operations of the apparatus.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically showing the flow of data relating to the remaining amount of ink in the same apparatus as described above.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the data check operation of the storage means of the ink cartridge when the power is turned on, among the operations of the apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Carriage 6, 7 Ink cartridge 11 Carriage 13 Recording head 15 Control device 17 Pump unit 50 Circuit board 51, 52 Electrode 53 Semiconductor memory means P Power switch IC Ink cartridge replacement command switch

Claims (2)

An ink jet recording head, storage means for storing at least identification data for identifying the ink cartridge, and data relating to the remaining amount of ink are attached, an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head, and the print cartridge corresponding to the print data In an inkjet recording apparatus provided with a control means for controlling the inkjet recording head,
The storage means is constituted by electrically rewritable nonvolatile storage means, and further comprises cartridge data storage means for storing a plurality of data relating to the identification data of the ink cartridge and the ink remaining amount, and the control means further comprises the ink Identification data stored in the storage means of the currently installed ink cartridge when the cartridge is replaced or turned on, and a plurality of identification data stored in the cartridge data storage means The data corresponding to the identification data exists, the data related to the ink remaining amount does not match, and the ink remaining amount defined by the data related to the ink remaining amount stored in the storage means is more From data relating to the remaining amount of ink stored in the cartridge data storage means If large, the ink jet recording apparatus for modifying the data relating to the ink remaining amount of the storage means by the data relating to the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge data storing means.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge data storage unit includes a rewritable nonvolatile storage unit.

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