JP2002316426A - Ink jet recorder and its ink excitation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink excitation control method in which problems incident to use of an ink containing a dye susceptible to sedimentation, e.g. a pigment ink, can be eliminated. SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 7 is held in a cartridge holder 21 carried on a carriage 1 and an exciting means, i.e., a piezoelectric element 24, is fixed to the rear surface of a cover 23 covering the upper opening of the cartridge holder 21. An oscillation generated from the piezoelectric element 24 is transmitted through a resilient member 25 to the ink cartridge 7 and ink stored in the cartridge can be imparted with oscillation and stirred. When the idle time of the recorder exceeds a specified time, a drive signal is fed to the piezoelectric element 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus which is suitable for, for example, using an ink in which an ink dye is likely to settle, and an ink excitation control method in the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an ink jet type recording apparatus of a serial printing type has a recording head which is mounted on a carriage and moves in the width direction of a recording sheet, and moves the recording sheet in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head. The recording head is ejected from the recording head based on the print data to perform recording on the recording paper.

In a recording apparatus of this type mainly used for home use, an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a recording head is formed on a carriage in order to reduce the size and simplify the configuration of the apparatus. A configuration is adopted in which the cartridge holder is detachably attached to the mounted cartridge holder. On the other hand, for example, in a recording apparatus of this type provided for office use or business use, it is necessary to provide a large-capacity ink cartridge to cope with a large amount of printing. A configuration in which the cartridge holder is mounted on a cartridge holder arranged on the side is adopted. Then, the ink is supplied from the cartridge holder on the main body side to the sub-tank mounted on the carriage via the ink supply tube, and the ink is supplied from the sub-tank toward the recording head.

[0004]

In recent years, with the diversification of printing, pigment-dispersed inks (hereinafter, referred to as inks) have been proposed.
Pigment ink). In the pigment ink, a pigment is used as a pigment, and the pigment is dispersed in an ink solvent. Although this pigment ink has the characteristic of vivid color development, if left unattended, the pigment will settle out in the solvent.

For this reason, when the printing apparatus is idle for a relatively long period, the ink in the ink cartridge has a low pigment concentration on the upper side of the cartridge and the lower side of the cartridge due to the sedimentation of the pigment. In this case, density unevenness such as an increase in pigment density occurs. For this reason, for example, in a recording apparatus using an on-carriage type ink cartridge removably mounted on a carriage, an image of a darker color than usual is recorded at the beginning of printing,
Thereafter, there is a problem that the color of the image becomes lighter as the ink is consumed.

Further, in a recording apparatus using an off-carriage type ink cartridge in which the ink cartridge is detachably mounted on the main body side of the recording apparatus, an image of a color lighter than usual is recorded at the beginning of printing, and thereafter, However, there is a problem that the color of an image becomes darker with consumption of ink. In extreme cases, the pigment is condensed due to sedimentation of the pigment and the particle diameter increases, and the condensed pigment clogs the filter member reaching the recording head or forms a complex ink flow path formed in the recording head. And a problem of clogging the portion occurs. This leads to a problem that the ejection of ink droplets from the recording head is disabled. Further, the sedimentation and condensation of the pigment described above also occur in a sub-tank mounted on a carriage in a recording apparatus using an off-carriage type ink cartridge, for example.

[0007] In particular, in the case of a resin-dispersed ink in which pigment particles are dispersed by adsorbing a resin on the pigment surface, if condensation occurs, the adsorbed layers of the pigment particles become entangled with each other, making it difficult to "rattle". The problem described above occurs, and the degree of occurrence of the above-mentioned trouble becomes remarkable. On the other hand, a surface-treated pigment ink has been proposed as another pigment ink dispersion form. In this surface-treated pigment ink, the pigment particles are subjected to a surface treatment using physical or chemical means to change the surface properties, thereby improving the dispersibility. However, in any case, after a relatively long pause of the printing apparatus, it is inevitable that density unevenness occurs in the ink.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. For example, a pigment ink is used, and a pigment generated in an ink cartridge or an ink flow path of a recording apparatus after a long pause period has elapsed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of the above-described troubles due to the sedimentation effect of the ink jet recording apparatus and an ink excitation control method in the apparatus.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention has an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a recording head, which can be detachably mounted on a cartridge holder. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising excitation means configured to vibrate and stir the ink stored in the ink cartridge or the ink introduced into the recording apparatus. A timer is provided for measuring the pause time, and when the measured value of the timer exceeds a predetermined value, the exciting unit is driven.

In this case, a print timer for measuring an elapsed time from the end of the previous printing operation is preferably used as the timing means. Preferably, the timer further includes a maintenance timer for measuring an elapsed time from the previous execution of the printhead maintenance operation. When the measured value of the print timer exceeds a predetermined value, the excitation is performed. When the means is driven and the suction operation of the recording head is executed, and the measured value of the print timer does not reach a predetermined value, the flushing operation or the suction operation of the recording head is performed according to the measured time of the maintenance timer. Is configured to be executed.

And an information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder. The information acquisition unit acquires information on the ink cartridge stored in the ink cartridge acquired by the information acquisition unit. Is desirably configured to change the value of.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, it is determined whether or not the value measured by the timing means has exceeded a predetermined value, when the operation power is turned on, the recording device receives a print command. Or when the recording device receives a cleaning command.

On the other hand, an ink excitation control method according to the present invention is configured such that an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a recording head can be removably mounted on a cartridge holder, and the ink stored in the ink cartridge is Or an ink excitation control method in an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with an excitation means capable of giving vibration to the ink introduced into the recording apparatus and stirring the ink, and measuring the pause time of the recording apparatus by a timer, A determining step of determining whether or not the value measured by the timing means has exceeded a predetermined value, and driving the excitation means when it is determined in the determining step that the value measured by the timing means has exceeded the predetermined value. A driving step, and a reset step of resetting a value measured by the timing means. It is made to run.

In this case, a print timer for measuring the elapsed time from the end of the previous printing operation and a maintenance timer for measuring the elapsed time after the previous execution of the maintenance operation of the recording head are preferably used as the timing means. If it is determined in the determining step that the measured value of the print timer has exceeded a predetermined value, an operation mode in which the excitation means is driven and the suction operation of the recording head is performed is selected, and the determination is performed. In the step, when it is determined that the measured value of the print timer has not reached the predetermined value, the flushing operation or the suction operation of the recording head is performed according to the measured time of the maintenance timer with reference to the measured time of the maintenance timer. Is selected.

[0015] In addition, preferably, the information acquisition step for acquiring information on the ink cartridge mounted in the cartridge holder, and the predetermined type is performed in accordance with the type of ink stored in the ink cartridge acquired in the information acquisition step. And a changing step of changing the value of.

According to the recording apparatus employing the above-described ink excitation control method, there is provided a timer means represented by a print timer for measuring the pause time of the recording apparatus, and when the measured value of the timer means exceeds a predetermined value. , The excitation means is driven. Thus, the ink in which the pigment component has settled in the stationary state is agitated by driving the excitation means. Therefore, when the printing apparatus is operated after the elapse of a long rest period, unevenness in printing density due to the sedimentation of the pigment generated in the ink cartridge or the printing apparatus occurs, and ink droplet ejection failure due to condensation of the pigment. Etc. can be effectively prevented.

Further, information on the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder is obtained by the information obtaining means, and the type of ink stored in the ink cartridge is determined. On the basis of this determination result, when using ink in which the ink pigment is likely to settle,
The criterion of the elapsed time for determining whether to drive the excitation means is reduced. Therefore, when the ink in which the ink dye is likely to settle is used, the driving of the excitation unit is performed in a relatively short period of time when the printing apparatus is stopped.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention and an ink excitation control method in the apparatus will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage, and the carriage 1 is a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2.
Through the guide member 4 so as to reciprocate in the axial direction of the platen 5. A recording head, which will be described later, is mounted on a surface (lower side surface) of the carriage 1 facing the recording paper 6, and a cartridge holder is formed above the recording head, and a black ink cartridge 7 for supplying ink to the recording head is provided. , And a color ink cartridge 8 are detachably mounted.

In the drawing, reference numeral 9 denotes capping means arranged in a non-printing area (home position). The capping means 9 rises when the recording head moves directly upward, and the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is moved. Is configured to be able to be sealed. A suction pump (tube pump) for applying a negative pressure to the internal space of the capping unit 9 is provided below the capping unit 9.
10 are arranged.

The capping means 9 functions as a lid for preventing the drying of the nozzle openings of the recording head during the idle period of the recording apparatus, and also applies a driving signal irrelevant to printing to the recording head to apply ink droplets. Functioning as an ink receiver at the time of a flushing operation for causing the ink to be ejected idly, and by applying a negative pressure from the suction pump 10 to the recording head,
It also functions as a cleaning means for sucking and discharging ink from each nozzle opening of the recording head.

A wiping member 11 made of an elastic plate such as rubber is arranged adjacent to the printing area side of the capping means 9 so as to be movable in a horizontal direction.
If necessary, the recording head is moved to the moving path, and for example, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head after the ink is sucked by the capping unit 9 can be wiped.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a cartridge holder arranged on the carriage 1 and an ink cartridge loaded in the cartridge holder. The cartridge holder 21 is provided with a holder case 22 having an opening that is open at the top and having an opening through which an ink cartridge can be attached and detached. The holder case 22 is disposed in the carriage 1.

A lid 23 is provided at one end of the carriage 1 to open and close the upper opening of the holder case 22 via a hinge mechanism 1a. This lid 23
Of the carriage 1 is formed in a U-shape, and a hook portion 23 engaged with an engaging portion 1b formed on the front end side of the carriage 1 is formed.
a is formed, and the lid 23 is configured to be able to maintain the closed state of the cartridge holder by the engagement of the two. As a result, the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder 21 can be held.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the black ink cartridge 7 is mounted. The color ink cartridge 8 includes, for example, yellow, magenta,
Although it differs from the black ink cartridge 7 in that independent ink storage chambers that can store the respective cyan inks are provided in parallel, the respective configurations described later are substantially the same.

The back surface of the lid 23, that is,
At a position facing the ink cartridge 7 mounted on the cartridge holder 21, a piezo element 24 as an excitation unit is attached. The piezo element 24 is covered by an elastic member 25. This elastic member 25
When the lid 23 is closed, it is slightly deformed by being joined to the upper surface of the ink cartridge 7 mounted on the cartridge holder 21, and acts to push down the cartridge 7 toward the lower bottom of the holder 21.

As is well known, ink is stored in the cartridge 7, and an ink supply port 7a is formed at the back of its lower bottom. On the other hand, the holder case 22
A hollow ink supply needle 26 communicating with the recording head is arranged in an upright state at the lower bottom portion, and is arranged in the ink supply port 7a formed at the lower bottom portion of the cartridge when the cartridge 7 is mounted. The ink supply needle 26 is relatively joined via an annular packing member (not shown).

Thus, the ink in the cartridge 7 can be led out via the ink supply needle 26. Then, ink is supplied from the ink supply needle 26 to the recording head 13 arranged at the lower bottom of the carriage 1,
Ink droplets are ejected based on print data applied to the recording head 13.

In the recording apparatus having the above-described configuration, an exciting unit represented by a piezo element 24 is disposed at a position facing the ink cartridge side in the openable and closable lid 23 disposed in the cartridge holder. When the is closed, the vibration generated by the piezo element 24 can be given to the ink cartridge via the elastic member 25 joined to the upper surface of the cartridge 7. Thus, by appropriately supplying a drive signal to the piezo element 24, vibration can be applied to the attached ink cartridge.

Therefore, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 7 can be agitated by applying vibration to the ink. For example, when an ink cartridge using a pigment ink is used, the ink is settled by the sedimentation action of the pigment generated in the ink cartridge. It is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of printing density unevenness and the occurrence of ink droplet ejection failure due to condensation of pigment.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a first piezo element 24a and a second piezo element 24b as excitation means are arranged on the lower bottom portion of the holder case 22 in which the ink cartridge 7 is mounted and on the side wall portion orthogonal thereto. ing. Then, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the respective piezo elements 24a and 24b are covered with elastic members 25a and 25b.

According to this configuration, the ink cartridge 7
When the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder, the lower bottom portion and the side wall portion of the ink cartridge 7
The elastic members are brought into contact with each other so as to slightly deform the respective elastic members. And each piezo element 24
By appropriately providing a drive signal to each of the ink cartridges a and 24b, vibrations can be applied to the mounted ink cartridge in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively.

Accordingly, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 7 can be agitated by applying vibration to the ink. For example, when an ink cartridge using pigment ink is used, the ink is settled by the sedimentation action of the pigment generated in the ink cartridge. It is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of printing density unevenness and the occurrence of ink droplet ejection failure due to condensation of pigment.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an ink cartridge. The ink cartridge shown in FIG. 4 is also of the on-carriage type similar to the ink cartridge shown in FIGS.
In the ink cartridge 7, a piezo element that vibrates in response to a drive signal supplied from the recording apparatus while being mounted on the cartridge holder, and can vibrate and stir the ink stored therein. 24 are arranged.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the piezo element 24 is arranged at the lower bottom of the ink cartridge 7, especially at a position close to the ink supply port 7a. A pair of electrodes 28 project from the lower bottom surface of the piezo element 24, and the electrodes 28 are arranged so as to penetrate the lower bottom portion of the ink cartridge 7 and be exposed to the outside. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder, the power supply electrode is arranged on the cartridge holder side so as to be in contact with the pair of electrodes 28, thereby driving the piezoelectric element 24 arranged in the ink cartridge. A signal can be provided.

According to the ink cartridge having this configuration, the ink stored in the ink cartridge is
Vibration can be directly given by the piezo element 24 to stir. By disposing the piezo element 24 at the lower bottom in the ink cartridge 7 as in the embodiment, it is possible to effectively eliminate the sedimentation effect of the pigment. In particular, the piezo element 24 is connected to the ink supply port 7a. By arranging the ink cartridges at close positions, it is possible to effectively impart an agitating action to the ink drawn out from the ink cartridge toward the recording head.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the present invention. This figure 5
Is an on-carriage type as in the configuration shown in FIG. In this embodiment, an annular piezo element 24 is used as the excitation means. The annular piezo element 24 is connected to the ink outlet 7.
It is arranged so as to surround a. That is, the ink in the ink cartridge is sent toward the ink outlet 7a through the central opening of the annular piezo element 24.

A pair of electrodes 28 receiving power supply from the cartridge holder side are arranged at the same positions as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and a power supply is provided between the pair of electrodes 28 and the piezo element 24. They are connected by electric wires 29.
According to the ink cartridge having this configuration, the pigment component of the ink that is about to settle near the ink supply port 7a of the ink cartridge can be effectively agitated, and the occurrence of unevenness in the concentration of the ink led out toward the recording head can be prevented. Can be suppressed.

Next, a third embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the present invention shown in FIG. 6 is directed to an off-carriage type ink cartridge. The off-carriage type ink cartridge is mounted on an ink cartridge (not shown) arranged on the main body side of the recording apparatus, and ink is supplied to a recording head mounted on the carriage via an ink supply tube. An ink cartridge 31 of this embodiment includes an ink pack 32 generally formed of a flexible material in which ink is sealed.
The ink supply unit 33 is formed at one end of the ink pack, and the ink supply unit 33 is attached to a part of an outer case 34 surrounding the ink pack.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which one side surface of the outer case 34 is cut off, and the piezo element 24 as the excitation means is disposed between the ink pack 32 and the outer case 34. In this embodiment, the piezo element 24 is attached to a substantially central portion of the inner surface of the outer case 34. The electrode 28 that receives the drive signal for the piezo element 24 is
Are disposed on the end surface of the outer case 33 to which the outer case 33 is attached. Further, a drive signal is supplied to the piezo element 24 from the electrode 28 via a feeder line 29 disposed along the inner side surface of the outer case 34.

According to the ink cartridge having this configuration, by mounting the ink supply unit 33 on the cartridge holder disposed on the main body side of the recording apparatus, the ink supply unit 33 passes through the ink supply needle (not shown) disposed on the cartridge holder side. Ink is derived. At the same time, the electrode 28 disposed on the end face of the case 34 to which the ink supply unit 33 is attached comes into contact with the power supply electrode on the holder side to receive a drive signal from the recording apparatus.

Accordingly, by appropriately applying a drive signal to the piezo element 24 via the electrode 28, the piezo element 24 can apply vibration to the center of the ink pack 32. Accordingly, the pigment component of the ink to be settled in the ink pack 32 can be agitated, and the occurrence of uneven density of the ink led out toward the recording head can be effectively suppressed.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the present invention, which is also directed to an off-carriage type ink cartridge. This ink cartridge 31
In the above, between the ink pack 32 and the outer case 34, a plurality of excitation means 24
Are arranged at an interval from one end to the other end of the ink pack to which is attached.

In this embodiment, a pair of upper and lower piezoelectric elements 24 are disposed at one end of the ink pack to which the ink supply section 33 is attached, and a pair of upper and lower B elements are disposed at the center. A piezo element 24 is disposed on the other end side, and a pair of piezo elements 24 shown as a pair of C are disposed vertically on the other end side. Then, by selectively supplying a drive signal to the electrode 28 disposed on the end face of the outer case 34 to which the ink supply unit 33 is attached, each piezo element 24 of A, B, and C is independently driven. It is configured to be able to.

According to this configuration, for example, a mode in which all the sets A, B, and C are driven, a mode in which each set A and B are driven in accordance with the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack,
A mode in which only the pair of A and A is driven can be selected.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control means of a printing apparatus which can execute the ink excitation control method according to the present invention. Reference numeral 41 shown in FIG. 8 is a host computer.
Print data and the like are supplied to the print control means 42 on the recording device side. The print control means 42 generates bitmap data based on the print data transferred from the host computer, and generates a drive signal by the head drive means 43 based on the bitmap data.
And a function of ejecting ink droplets from the recording head 13 mounted on the printer. The head driving unit 43 is configured to output a flushing control signal for a flushing operation to the recording head 13 in addition to a drive signal based on print data.

Further, a control signal is sent from the printing control means 42 to the carriage driving means 44, and the driving signal is supplied to the carriage motor 2 in the execution of the printing operation, so that the carriage control signal is transmitted to the carriage driving means 44. 1 acts to reciprocate. In addition, during the flushing operation, control is performed so that the recording head mounted on the carriage 1 faces directly above the capping means. The print control unit 42 is configured to exchange control signals with the printer maintenance control unit 45. The printer maintenance control means 45 is configured to exchange control signals with the printer maintenance information storage means 46.
Further, a command signal from the cleaning command detecting means 47 is supplied to the printer maintenance control means 45.

On the other hand, the printer maintenance control means 45 is configured to transmit and receive a control signal to and from the sequence control means 48.
9 and the actuator driving means 50 can be supplied with a control signal. The actuator driving means 50 supplies a driving signal to the piezo element 24 constituting the excitation means by its operation, and directly agitates the ink cartridge or the ink in the ink cartridge.

The cleaning sequence control means 4
9, the control signal can be supplied to the carriage driving means 44 and the pump driving means 51, and the control signal can also be supplied to the actuator driving means 50 according to the cleaning sequence. It is configured as follows. Further, the printer maintenance control unit 45 is configured to exchange information signals with the cartridge information storage unit 52.

The cartridge information storage means 52 is a semiconductor storage element mounted on, for example, an ink cartridge and storing information such as the type of ink stored in the ink cartridge. Although this semiconductor storage element is not shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, by mounting each ink cartridge in a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus,
Via electrical contacts located on the cartridge holder side,
It works so that information is exchanged with the printer maintenance control means 45. The information such as the type of ink obtained from the cartridge information storage unit 52 is as follows:
It is stored in the printer maintenance information storage means 46.

The cartridge information storage means 52
Is not necessarily a semiconductor storage element, for example, by providing a pattern of concavo-convex on a part of an outer case of an ink cartridge, when mounted on a cartridge holder, stored in the cartridge on the recording device side. It may be configured to be able to read information such as the type of ink used.

FIG. 9 illustrates a maintenance mode including a flushing operation or a recording head suction operation performed by the control means shown in FIG. 8, and a control mode for executing an excitation operation together with the suction operation under predetermined conditions. It is. Here, a time measuring means for measuring the pause time of the recording device is used. As this timing means, a print timer for measuring the elapsed time from the end of the previous printing operation is used. Basically, the time (TPR) measured by the print timer is a predetermined value "X". If it exceeds, the maintenance operation C is performed.

In the maintenance operation C, as shown in the lower section of FIG. 9, a drive signal is applied to the piezo element 24 to execute an ink excitation operation and a recording head suction operation. Is controlled as follows. Thereby, the ink stored in the ink cartridge,
Alternatively, the ink stored in, for example, the sub tank in the printing apparatus can be vibrated to be stirred, and after the stirring operation, the suction operation of the print head is executed.

In addition, the time counting means further includes a maintenance timer for measuring an elapsed time from the previous execution of the print head maintenance operation, and when the measured value of the print timer does not reach a predetermined value "X". , The maintenance operation A or the maintenance operation B is executed according to the measurement time (TMA) of the maintenance timer. The maintenance operation A includes:
The case where the measured value of the maintenance timer is equal to or less than “Y” is selected, and the flushing operation is executed as shown in the lower column of FIG. In the maintenance operation B, when the measured value of the maintenance timer is “Y”
, And the suction operation of the recording head is executed. The value of “X” in the above-mentioned measurement time (TPR) is set to six months as an example, and the value of “Y” in the above-mentioned measurement time (TMA) is set to one month as an example.

Here, the measurement time (TPR) by the print timer and the measurement time (TMA) by the maintenance timer as the time counting means are used in the printer maintenance control means 45, and the sequence is sent from the printer maintenance control means 45. Control means 4
By transmitting a control signal to the control unit 8, the control mode shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

The control mode shown in FIG. 9 is executed when the operating power is turned on, when the printing apparatus receives a print command, or when the printing apparatus receives a cleaning command. Is made. Hereinafter, the control sequence according to each case will be described.

First, FIG. 10 shows a control sequence performed when the operation power of the printing apparatus is turned on. That is, when the operation power of the printing apparatus is turned on, the initialization operation of the printing apparatus is executed as shown in step S11. In the initialization operation, for example, a check that each ink cartridge is mounted and other basic checks are performed. Then, in step S12, the printer maintenance control unit 45 refers to the measurement time (TPR) by the print timer. Here, when it is determined that the measured value exceeds “X” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S13, and the maintenance operation C is performed.

The maintenance operation C is accompanied by the excitation operation as described above. The excitation operation is performed by transmitting a control signal from the printer maintenance control unit 45 to the sequence control unit 48, thereby activating the actuator driving unit 50, whereby the driving signal is supplied to the piezo element 24. Be executed.
Then, the suction operation of the recording head is performed. In performing this suction operation, the cleaning sequence control means 4
9, the carriage 1 is moved to the home position by the operation of the carriage control means 44,
The recording head 13 is sealed by the capping means 9.

Then, when the suction pump 10 starts the suction operation by the operation of the pump driving means 51, the ink can be sucked and discharged from the recording head. continue,
In step S14, the measurement time (TPR) by the print timer and the measurement time (TMA) by the maintenance timer are reset and the apparatus enters a standby state.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the measurement time (TPR) by the print timer has not reached "X" (No), step S15
Proceed to the time measured by the maintenance timer (TMA)
Is referred to. Here, when it is determined that the time measured by the maintenance timer (TMA) exceeds “Y” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S16, and the maintenance operation B is performed. That is, in this state, the excitation operation is unnecessary, and the suction operation of the recording head (in other words, the cleaning operation) is executed to recover the printing function of the recording head, thereby guaranteeing the normal operation of the recording apparatus. Will be done.

In step S15 described above,
The measurement time (TMA) by the maintenance timer is “Y”
If it is determined that the maintenance operation A has not been reached (No), the process proceeds to step S17, where the maintenance operation A is selected, and the flushing operation is performed. That is, in this state, the suction operation of the recording head is not required, and the normal operation of the recording apparatus is guaranteed by executing the flushing operation. Then, step S16 or step S1
After the execution of step 7, the process proceeds to step S14, where the measurement time (TPR) by the print timer and the measurement time (TMA) by the maintenance timer are reset, and the apparatus enters a standby state.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a control sequence performed when the printing apparatus receives a print command.
The control sequence shown in FIG. 11 is basically substantially the same as the control sequence shown in FIG. That is, steps S21, S22, and steps S26 to S28 are the same as the control modes of steps S12, S13, and steps S15 to S17 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, each of steps S22, S27, S28
In step S23 following step S23, the measurement time (TMA) measured by the maintenance timer is reset.
The printing operation shown in FIG. Then, with the end of the printing operation, the measurement time (TPR) by the print timer is reset in step S25, and the printer enters a standby state.

Next, FIG. 12 shows an example of a control sequence performed when the printing apparatus receives a cleaning command. In the control sequence shown in FIG. 12, when a command for the cleaning operation is issued, the maintenance operation is selected according to the print amount after the previous cleaning operation. That is, in the sequence shown in FIG. 12, it is determined whether the user has operated the cleaning operation button unconsciously or unintentionally, or whether the user has issued a cleaning operation command after checking the printing state. An optimal maintenance operation according to each state is performed, and when a cleaning instruction is received, waste of ink caused by uniformly performing a suction operation can be suppressed.

First, when a cleaning command is received, in step S31, for example, a print history stored in the print control means 42 is referred to, and printing of one or more passes has been performed since the operation power of the recording apparatus was turned on. It is determined whether or not this has been done. In this step, if it is determined that one or more passes have not been printed (No), the process proceeds to step S38, and maintenance A is executed. In this case, the fact that the cleaning command is received in a state where printing for one or more passes is not performed after the operation power supply of the recording apparatus is turned on may mean that the user has operated the cleaning operation button unconsciously or unconsciously.
Therefore, in this case, the maintenance operation A including only the flushing operation without the suction operation is performed.

If it is determined in step S31 that one or more passes have been printed (Yes), the flow moves to step S32 to determine whether or not one or more passes have been printed since the previous cleaning operation. Is done. If it is determined that one or more passes have not been printed (No), the process proceeds to step S38 as described above, and the maintenance operation A is executed. Receiving the cleaning command in a state where printing for one or more passes has not been performed since the previous cleaning operation in this way may mean that the user has operated the cleaning operation button unconsciously or unconsciously. Therefore, the maintenance operation A is performed to avoid waste of ink.

On the other hand, in step S32, one or more passes of printing have been performed since the previous cleaning operation (Ye).
If determined to be s), it is determined in step S33 whether or not the print amount after the previous cleaning operation is 5 pages or less. Here, when it is determined that the number of printed pages after the previous cleaning operation is performed is 5 or less (Yes), it is assumed that the user has recognized that the printing state is defective and has issued a cleaning instruction. You can see. Therefore, in this case,
The process proceeds to step S35, where the maintenance operation C is performed as strong maintenance. As a result, the above-described excitation operation and the operation of sucking ink from the recording head are performed.

If it is determined in step S33 that the number of printed pages after the previous cleaning operation is not less than 5 pages (No), and the user again inputs a cleaning command, the previous cleaning operation is performed. , Although the printing status was restored,
It is determined that the cleaning operation has become necessary due to the occurrence of a new defect, and step S34 and step S34 are performed.
A determination is made based on 35 combinations. Steps S34 and S35 are the same as the combination of steps S12 and S15 shown in FIG.

Then, step S34 and step S
35, steps S36 and S3
7, the maintenance operation of one of S38 is performed. Steps S36, S37 and S38 are the same as steps S13, S16 and S1 described with reference to FIG.
7 is the same maintenance operation. Then, after execution of any of the maintenance operations in steps S36, S37, and S38, the process proceeds to step S39, where the measurement time (TPR) by the print timer and the measurement time (TMA) by the maintenance timer are reset.
It goes into a standby state.

FIG. 13 shows a control sequence performed when information such as the type of ink is acquired from the ink cartridge mounted on the recording apparatus. That is, in step S41, it is determined whether or not the information content obtained from the ink cartridge is ink in which a pigment is likely to settle, such as pigment ink. If it is determined that the ink is not easily settled (No), a standby state is set.

If it is determined in step S41 that the ink is easily settled (Yes), step S41 is executed.
42 is executed. In this step S42, the maintenance sequence is changed, and the value of "X" shown in FIG. 9 is changed to "X '", and the value of "Y" is changed to "Y'". Here, the value of "X '" is three months as an example, and the value of "Y'" is two weeks as an example.
That is, each parameter is set to a shorter time. Then, after the change of the maintenance sequence, the excitation operation in step S43 is executed, and after the execution of the excitation operation, the measurement time (TMA) of the maintenance timer is reset in step S44, and the system enters a standby state.

By performing the above-described step S42, in the control sequences shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 described above, when the ink cartridge in which sedimentable ink is stored is mounted, the excitation operation and the The control mode is changed so that the print head suction operation or the print head suction operation is executed. Therefore, when an ink using a pigment ink as the ink pigment is used, the ink is agitated after a relatively short period of time, and uneven density due to sedimentation of the pigment occurs. And the occurrence of printing defects due to the condensation of pigments can be prevented beforehand.

In the arrangements shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the piezo element as the excitation means is used to excite the outer case of the ink cartridge or to stir the ink contained in the ink cartridge. Has been made. However, the present invention can also be applied to a recording apparatus in which a sub-tank is arranged on a carriage and in which the ink in the sub-tank is agitated by an excitation unit.

Although the present invention is effective in solving the problems when using pigment-dispersed inks,
It is a matter of course that the same operation and effect can be obtained even when an ink other than pigment is used as the ink dye and an ink in which the ink dye is liable to settle is used.

[0074]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus employing the ink excitation control method according to the present invention, the count value of the time counting means for counting the pause time of the recording apparatus is a predetermined value. In the case of exceeding, since the excitation means which can vibrate and agitate the ink to drive the ink is driven, it is possible to effectively solve the problem which occurs when using the ink in which the ink pigment easily sediments. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part showing a first embodiment of the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a second embodiment of the recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part showing a first embodiment of an on-carriage type ink cartridge used in the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part showing a second embodiment of an on-carriage type ink cartridge used in the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part showing a first embodiment of an off-carriage type ink cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part showing a second embodiment of an off-carriage type ink cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control unit of a printing apparatus capable of executing the ink excitation control method according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing operating conditions of an excitation operation performed by the control unit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control sequence performed when the operation power of the printing apparatus is turned on.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control sequence performed when the printing apparatus receives a print command.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control sequence performed when the printing apparatus receives a cleaning command.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a control sequence performed when information such as the type of ink is acquired from an ink cartridge mounted on a recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage 2 Carriage motor 6 Recording paper 7 Black ink cartridge 8 Color ink cartridge 13 Recording head 21 Cartridge holder 22 Holder case 24, 24a, 24b Exciting means (piezo element) 25, 25a, 25b Elastic member 31 Ink cartridge 32 Ink pack 33 Ink supply port 34 Outer case 41 Host computer 42 Print control means 43 Head drive means 44 Carriage drive means 45 Printer maintenance control means 46 Printer maintenance information storage means 47 Cleaning command detection means 48 Sequence control means 49 Cleaning sequence control means 50 Actuator drive means 51 pump drive means 52 cartridge information storage means

Claims (8)

[Claims] An ink cartridge for supplying ink to a recording head is configured to be removably mountable in a cartridge holder. The ink cartridge stores ink in the ink cartridge or ink introduced into a recording apparatus. What is claimed is: 1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising excitation means capable of imparting vibration and stirring, comprising: a time measuring means for measuring a pause time of the recording apparatus, wherein a value measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined value. At
An ink jet recording apparatus configured to drive the excitation unit. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a print timer for measuring an elapsed time from the end of a previous printing operation is used as said timing means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a maintenance timer for measuring an elapsed time from a previous execution of the maintenance operation of the print head as the time measuring means, wherein when the measured value of the print timer exceeds a predetermined value, When the excitation means is driven and the suction operation of the print head is executed, and the measured value of the print timer does not reach a predetermined value, the flushing operation or the suction of the print head is performed according to the measured time of the maintenance timer. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the operation is performed.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 4. An information acquisition unit for acquiring information on an ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires information on the ink cartridge stored in the ink cartridge acquired by the information acquisition unit. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the value of (i) is changed. 5. A determination as to whether a value measured by the time counting means has exceeded a predetermined value is determined when an operation power supply is turned on, when the recording apparatus receives a print command, or when the recording apparatus is cleaned. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be executed when a command is received. 6. An ink cartridge for supplying ink to a recording head is configured to be removably mountable in a cartridge holder, and is configured to receive ink stored in the ink cartridge or ink introduced into a recording apparatus. What is claimed is: 1. An ink excitation control method for an ink jet type recording apparatus, comprising: an excitation unit capable of providing vibration and stirring, wherein a pause time of the recording device is measured by a timer unit.
A determining step of determining whether or not the value measured by the time counting means has exceeded a predetermined value; and, when it is determined in the determining step that the value measured by the time counting means has exceeded a predetermined value, driving the excitation means. And a resetting step of resetting the value measured by the timing unit. 7. A print timer for measuring an elapsed time from the end of a previous printing operation, and a maintenance timer for measuring an elapsed time after a previous execution of a printhead maintenance operation are used as the time counting means. In the determination step, when it is determined that the measured value of the print timer has exceeded a predetermined value, an operation mode in which the excitation unit is driven and the suction operation of the recording head is performed is selected, and in the determination step, When it is determined that the measured value of the print timer has not reached the predetermined value, the flushing operation or the suction operation of the recording head is executed according to the measured time of the maintenance timer with reference to the measured time of the maintenance timer. 7. An operation mode is selected.
3. An ink excitation control method in the ink jet recording apparatus according to 1. 8. An information acquisition step of acquiring information on an ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder, and the predetermined value is set in accordance with a type of ink stored in the ink cartridge acquired in the information acquisition step. 8. The ink excitation control method in the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the changing step of changing is further executed.