JP2001071469A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent inconveniences generated by the disappearance of data for the residual ink amount in a storage means attached to an ink cartridge. SOLUTION: In an ink jet recording device, a data for the residual ink amount stored in a storage means such as an existing ink cartridge 6 set just after the introduction of a power source or the replacement of a cartridge is compared with a data for the residual ink amount just before the turning off a power source for the foregoing cycle or before the replacement of the ink cartridge stored in a storage means formed of a RAM 61 and a ROM 62 storing the cartridge data of a recording device main body, and the data for the residual ink amount of a semiconductor storage means of the ink cartridge 6 or the like is modified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for printing on a recording medium while receiving ink from a replaceable ink cartridge and discharging ink droplets from nozzle openings.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an ink jet recording apparatus supplies a driving signal corresponding to print data to a piezoelectric vibrator or a heating means, and pressurizes ink by energy generated by the piezoelectric vibrator or the heating means to form a nozzle. The recording head includes a recording head that ejects ink droplets from the opening, and an ink cartridge that contains ink for supplying ink to the recording head. Such an ink cartridge is configured in a very similar shape between the recording devices, and is provided with an electrically rewritable semiconductor storage means in order to prevent a consumer from accidentally mounting a device for a different model. In addition to this, in addition to the serial number, the data for determining the compatible model and the amount of ink remaining or the amount of ink consumed by the recording device for the purpose of responding to changes in the amount of ink per drop due to ink quality improvement etc. Is stored so that the ink amount of the ink cartridge can be accurately managed.

[0003]

However, the recording head is attached to the carriage in a semi-fixed state, and the ink consumption is calculated from the printing amount and the suction amount at the time of maintenance by replacing the ink cartridge. In a recording apparatus that manages the amount of ink, if data on the amount of ink 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 will be in an idling state, or a large amount of air will flow into the recording head, making printing impossible.
To discharge a large amount of air that has flowed into the recording head,
An operation of discharging a very large amount of ink through the recording head and discharging air by the ink flow is required, which causes a problem that a large amount of ink is consumed. 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]

In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, an ink jet recording head, storage means for storing at least identification data for specifying an ink cartridge, and data relating to the remaining amount of ink are provided. In an ink jet recording apparatus provided with an ink cartridge attached to supply ink to the ink jet recording head and control means for controlling the recording head in accordance with print data, the storage means has an electrically rewritable storage. And cartridge data storage means for storing identification data of the ink cartridge and data relating to the remaining amount of ink, and wherein the control means is mounted immediately after power-on or immediately after replacement of the ink cartridge. The memory of the ink cartridge The data on the remaining amount of ink stored in the cartridge data storage unit and the data on the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge installed immediately before the last power-off or before the replacement of the ink cartridge are stored in the cartridge data storage unit. In comparison, data relating to the remaining amount of ink in the storage means of the ink cartridge is corrected.

[0005]

Even if the data relating to the remaining amount of ink in the storage means attached to the ink cartridge is lost, the data relating to the remaining amount of ink stored in the main body of the recording apparatus is stored in the ink cartridge when the power is turned on or when the ink cartridge is replaced. Transfer to prevent ink consumption in the ink empty state.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, which is configured by housing a printing mechanism described later in a case 3 including an openable and closable case cover 1 and a case main body 2,
A window 5 is formed in the case body 2 at a position distant from the printing area 4 to partition the ink cartridge replacement area.

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 entirely exposed, and when the case cover 1 is closed, the window 5 of the main body case 2 is closed. An operation panel 8 is provided in the exposed area. In addition to a power switch P, an ink cartridge replacement command switch IC, a black head cleaning command switch BC, a color head cleaning command switch CC, a line feed and reset switch are provided. Etc., and black and color ink cartridges 6,
7 ink end indicators BE and CE are arranged.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention with respect to a printing mechanism, and a carriage 11 connected to a drive motor 10 via a timing belt 9 has an upper surface. An ink cartridge 6 containing black ink, which will be described later, and a holder 12 containing a color ink cartridge 7 containing color ink.
Are formed, and the lower surface of each ink cartridge 6, 7
Is provided with a recording head 13 that receives supply of ink from the printer.

The carriage 11 is connected to a control device 15 described later via a flexible cable 14,
A print signal is supplied to the recording head 13 and communication with the storage means of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is enabled.

In the non-printing area, a cleaning blade 16 for cleaning the recording head 13 and the recording head 1 are provided.
A capping means 18 is provided for sealing 3 to prevent the ink from drying and for receiving a negative pressure from the pump unit 17 to eliminate clogging. The reference numeral 19 in the figure denotes a paper feed roller 20 and the pump unit 1.
7 shows a paper feed motor for driving the motor 7.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the black ink cartridge 6 and the color ink cartridge 7 in which ink is stored in containers 31 and 41 and the upper surface is covered with a lid 3.
2 and 42 are sealed. The ink is stored in the container
The porous body filled in 42 is housed in a state of being impregnated. On the bottom surfaces of the containers 31 and 41, ink supply ports 33 and 43 are formed, which are airtightly engaged with the ink supply needles 21 and 22 when mounted on the holder 12 of the carriage 11,
A circuit board 50 is fixed to one side surface of the containers 31 and 41.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the circuit board 50 has a cartridge holder 12 of the recording device on the side which becomes the surface when the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are mounted.
The electrodes 51 and 52 for forming a contact with the contact 24 (FIG. 5) are formed, and a semiconductor storage means 53 is mounted on the back surface so as to be accessible.

The semiconductor storage means 53 is constituted by an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory, in which a serial number for identifying the cartridge, the type name of the cartridge 6, 7 and the like are written in advance at the time of shipment from the factory. An area for storing the number of times the ink cartridges 6 and 7 have been mounted and the amount of ink used after the ink cartridge has been mounted on the recording apparatus, that is, the amount of used ink, is secured.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the control device 15 described above, and includes a CPU 60, a RAM 61, and a ROM 6.
2 constitutes a microcomputer, which is connected to a host via an interface 64. R
AM61 functions as a work memory of CPU61,
An area for temporarily storing data of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 read by the reading / writing means 65;
The OM 62 has a plurality of, in this embodiment, three areas for storing data of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 stored in the work memory as necessary, in addition to storing a control program.

The ink cartridge detecting means 66 is in a conductive state of two contacts which are conducted through the relatively large electrode 51 of the circuit board 50 of each of the ink cartridges 6 and 7, that is, a conducting path when mounted. Is formed, and if not mounted, the presence / absence of mounting is detected based on the fact that it is open.

In the apparatus configured as described above, a driving signal is output to the recording head 13 by the head driving means 67 based on the print data from the host to eject ink droplets.
When an ink droplet ejection recovery operation is commanded by the cleaning switch, the pump unit 17 is operated by the pump driving means 68 to forcibly discharge ink from the recording head 13.

Reference numeral 69 in the figure denotes a power supply shut-off means for supplying power from the time when the power switch P of the operation panel 8 is operated to the time when the end processing of the apparatus is completed, and thereafter cutting off the power of the commercial power supply. .

Next, the operation of the above-configured apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the power switch P is operated and the power is turned on (step
B) The ink usage of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 evacuated to the ROM 62 when the power was last turned off is read out to the RAM 61 (in FIG. 8A), and the ink usage from the storage unit 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is read. The data is read (in FIG. 8A), and both are compared.

As a result of the comparison, if they match (step b), the amount of ink used in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is transferred to the RAM 61 (step c).
(In FIG. 8A). Further, as necessary, other data stored in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7, for example, data for specifying the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are also transferred.

At the stage when the used amount of ink is stored in the RAM 61 of the printing apparatus main body, it is detected whether or not the used amount of ink until now is enough to leave an amount suitable for subsequent printing (step d). If so, the ink end is displayed to prompt the user to replace the ink cartridges 6 and 7 (step E).

On the other hand, if the remaining amount of ink is an amount suitable for printing, the presence or absence of an ink cartridge replacement flag is detected (step f), and if the ink cartridges 6 and 7 have been replaced and turned on, Executes the exchange sequence (step).

If the result of comparison with the amount of ink used stored in the ROM 62 shows that they do not match (step
B) If the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are replaced or removed during the power-off period, and then mounted on another recording apparatus, and after the printing is executed by this recording apparatus, the ink cartridges are re-mounted. Judge, ink cartridges 6 and 7
The number of attachments is incremented (step) and stored in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7.

The serial numbers of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are compared with the serial numbers of the previously mounted ink cartridges 6 and 7 stored in the ROM 62. If the serial numbers match (step), When it is determined that the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are to be remounted, the amount of ink used in the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is compared with the amount of ink stored in the ROM 62. If the amount of ink used in the ROM 62 is larger, Is (step n), R
The amount of ink used in the OM 62 is transferred to the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 for rewriting (stepping) (in FIG. 8A).

If the remaining amount of ink is detected and it is confirmed that the ink is exhausted immediately before the execution of the step (i), the ink end is displayed and the subsequent steps (i) to (i) are executed. G), only the necessary data can be stored without rewriting the 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 small a capacity as possible.

In this way, when the amount of ink stored in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 and other data are modified as necessary, the ink cartridges 6, 7 Is transferred to the RAM 61 and the ROM 62 (step e). ROM62
Stores the data D relating to the ink cartridges 6 and 7 transferred via the RAM 61 while discarding the oldest data A (FIG. 8B).

Since the serial numbers are different, it is determined that the ink cartridges 6 and 7 have been replaced, and the replacement flag is turned on (step W). Further, it is detected whether or not the amount of ink used so far is sufficient to leave an amount suitable for subsequent printing (step d). If the ink is used up, the ink end is displayed and the ink cartridge is displayed to the user. Encourage the exchange of 6 and 7 (Step E).

On the other hand, if the remaining amount of ink is an amount suitable for printing, the presence or absence of the ink cartridge replacement flag is detected (step f). If the ink cartridge is replaced and turned on, the replacement is performed. Execute the sequence (step).

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 the suction time of the pump unit 17 are controlled by the pump driving means 68 so as to be mounted. The ink is forcibly ejected at a suction pressure and time suitable for the structural conditions such as the number of nozzles and the nozzle diameter of the recording head 13 and the ink properties such as the ink viscosity of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 at the time of initial mounting. The transfer liquid filled in the recording head 13 and, in the case of replacement, the recording head 13 while discharging air bubbles and the like which have entered the recording head 13 due to attachment and detachment of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 to the recording head 13 together with the ink. Fill with ink. When the recording head 13 is completely filled with the ink in this manner, printing can be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the data stored in the semiconductor storage means 53 of the ink cartridge is checked when the power is turned on. However, the data may be checked when the ink cartridge is replaced. . That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the ink cartridge replacement command switch IC is operated and an ink cartridge replacement command is issued (step a), the ink usage of the ink cartridges 6, 7 evacuated to the ROM 62 before replacement is reduced. The data is read into the RAM 61 (in FIG. 8A), and the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is read.
The data of the amount of ink used is read from (in FIG. 8A), and the two are compared.

As a result of the comparison, if they match (step b), the number of attachments of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 in the semiconductor storage means 53 of the ink cartridge is incremented and stored in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 ( Step c), the amount of ink used in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is transferred to the RAM 61 (step d) (in FIG. 8A). If necessary, other data stored in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6, 7 such as the ink cartridges 6, 7,
Also, data for specifying is transferred.

At the stage when the used amount of ink is stored in the RAM 61 of the printing apparatus main body, it is detected whether or not the used amount of ink until now is enough to leave an amount suitable for subsequent printing (step E). If so, the ink end is displayed and the user is prompted to replace the ink cartridges 6 and 7 (step f).

If the ink remaining amount is suitable for printing, the presence or absence of an ink cartridge replacement flag is detected (step). If the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are replaced and turned on, Execute the exchange sequence (Step).

On the other hand, if the result of comparison with the amount of ink used stored in the ROM 62 shows that they do not match (step b), the number of attachments of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is incremented and the storage means of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is increased. 5
3 (Step Re).

The serial numbers of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are compared with the serial numbers of the previously mounted ink cartridges 6 and 7 stored in the ROM 62. If the serial numbers match (step nu), When it is determined that the ink cartridges 6 and 7 are to be remounted, the amount of ink used in the ink cartridges 6 and 7 is compared with the amount of ink stored in the ROM 62. If the amount of ink used in the ROM 62 is larger, Is (steple), R
The amount of ink used in the OM 62 is transferred to the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 for rewriting (stepping) (in FIG. 8A).

If the remaining amount of ink is detected and it is confirmed that the ink is exhausted immediately before the execution of the step (i), the ink end is displayed and the following steps (nu) to (nu) are performed. H), only the necessary data can be stored without rewriting the 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 small a capacity as possible.

In this manner, when the amount of ink stored in the storage means 53 of the ink cartridges 6 and 7 and other data are corrected as necessary, the ink cartridges 6, 7 Is transferred to the RAM 61 and the ROM 62 (step w). ROM62
Stores the data D relating to the ink cartridges 6 and 7 transferred via the RAM 61 while discarding the oldest data A (FIG. 8B).

Since the serial numbers are different, it is determined that the ink cartridges 6 and 7 have been replaced, and the replacement flag is turned on (step f). Further, it is detected whether or not the amount of ink used so far is sufficient to leave an amount suitable for subsequent printing (step E). If the ink is used up, the ink end is displayed and the user is notified of the ink cartridge. Encourage the exchange of 6 and 7 (step f).

On the other hand, if the remaining amount of ink is an amount suitable for printing, the presence or absence of an ink cartridge replacement flag is detected (step). Execute the exchange sequence (step).

According to this embodiment, even if the same ink cartridge is removed once, the ink is consumed by another recording apparatus, and the ink cartridge is attached to the original recording apparatus again, the remaining ink amount can be accurately managed. can do.

In the above-described embodiment, the amount of ink used (amount of ink used) after mounting on the recording apparatus is stored, but the amount of ink contained in the cartridge at the time of shipment from the factory is constant. Therefore, it is apparent that the same operation is achieved even when the remaining ink amount of the cartridge is stored.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, immediately after the power is turned on or immediately after the ink cartridge is replaced, the data relating to the remaining ink amount stored in the storage means of the currently mounted ink cartridge and the recording data are recorded. The data stored in the cartridge data storage unit of the apparatus main body is compared with the data on the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge installed immediately before the last power-off or before the replacement of the ink cartridge. Since the data relating to the amount is corrected, the reliability of the data relating to the remaining amount of ink in the semiconductor storage means of the cartridge having relatively weak protection can be maintained, and the ink with the empty ink cartridge attached can be maintained. Prevent consumption of large amounts of air to the print head by Can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a printing mechanism of the above device.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an embodiment of an ink cartridge for black ink and an ink cartridge for color ink, respectively, used in the above apparatus.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the front and back structures of a circuit board mounted on the same ink cartridge, respectively.

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 one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of checking data in the storage means of the ink cartridge when the power is turned on, among the operations of the above apparatus.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically showing the flow of data relating to the remaining amount of ink in the same device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of replacing the ink cartridge among the operations of the above apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION 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 storage means P Power switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Tojo 3-5-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Toshihisa Saruta 3-5-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko-Epson Incorporated F term (reference) 2C056 EA22 EB06 EB20 EB29 EB44 EB56 EB59 EC26 EC28 KC21 KC30

Claims (6)

[Claims] An ink jet recording head, storage means for storing at least identification data for specifying an ink cartridge, and data relating to the remaining amount of ink,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head; and control means for controlling the recording head in accordance with print data, wherein the storage means comprises an electrically rewritable storage means. And cartridge data storage means for storing identification data of the ink cartridge and data relating to the remaining amount of ink, and the control means further comprises: The data on the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage means of the cartridge and the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge stored in the cartridge data storage means immediately before the last power-off or before the replacement of the ink cartridge. Quantity data and An ink jet recording apparatus for comparing and correcting data on the remaining amount of ink in the storage means of the ink cartridge. 2. If the data on the remaining amount of ink does not match as a result of the comparison, the identification data of the ink cartridge in the storage means is compared with the identification data stored in the ink cartridge data storage means. 2. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the values match, the data on the remaining amount of ink in the storage unit is updated with the data on the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge data storage unit. 3. As a result of comparison of the data regarding the remaining amount of ink, if the data do not match, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is determined. Comparing the identification data stored in the ink cartridge data storage means, and when the identification data matches, the data on the remaining ink quantity of the semiconductor storage means is obtained from the data on the remaining ink quantity of the ink cartridge data storage means. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is updated. 4. If the data on the remaining amount of ink does not match as a result of the comparison, the identification data of the ink cartridge in the storage means is compared with the identification data stored in the ink cartridge data storage means. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the data match, the data relating to the remaining amount of ink is corrected by the data having the smaller remaining amount of ink. 5. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge data storage means includes a rewritable storage means. 6. An ink jet recording head, and storage means for storing at least identification data for specifying an ink cartridge and data relating to the remaining amount of ink are provided.
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head; and control means for controlling the recording head in accordance with print data, wherein at least identification data stored in a storage means of the ink cartridge. And an ink jet recording apparatus having cartridge data storage means for storing data relating to the remaining amount of ink while sequentially updating the latest plurality of data.