JP2003127408A - Ink jet printer and its ink supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet printer and an ink supply method which reduce deterioration of a recording liquid and the power consumption amount. SOLUTION: The ink jet printer is provided with a recording head for discharging high-viscosity ink which becomes low in the viscosity in accordance with a temperature rise, a main ink tank for storing the high-viscosity ink, a sub-tank for temporarily storing the high-viscosity ink in a process of supplying the high-viscosity ink from the main tank to the recording head, an ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting an ink remaining amount of the high-viscosity ink remaining in the sub-tank and a heating means for heating the high-viscosity ink of the main tank, for each color used for printing. Moreover, the ink jet printer is provided with a temperature control means for controlling the heating means. The temperature control means detects the ink remaining amount of each sub-tank from the detected result of the ink remaining amount detecting means, and controls the heating means to heat the high-viscosity ink of the main tank corresponding to each sub tank on the basis of the ink remaining amount of each sub tank.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printer and an ink supply method using a high viscosity ink as a recording liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to stably supply a recording liquid to a conventional ink jet printer, once the recording liquid is supplied from an ink tank containing the recording liquid to a discharge port of a recording head for discharging the recording liquid. Some of them are provided with an ink storage section for storing the recording liquid. Further, when a high viscosity ink is used as the recording liquid, there is an advantage that a printed image is less likely to bleed and clear printing can be performed.

However, when the high-viscosity ink is ejected from the recording head, clear printing cannot be performed unless the viscosity is low. In particular, if the recording head uses a piezo element, stable ejection cannot be performed unless the viscosity is low. Further, even when the high-viscosity ink is supplied from the ink tank to the ink storage portion, if the high-viscosity ink remains high, stable supply may not be achieved. Typically,
The high-viscosity ink has a characteristic that the viscosity decreases as the temperature rises. That is, in order to prevent the above-mentioned problems, a heating means (for example, a heater) is provided in the ink tank and the ink storage portion, and if the temperature of the high-viscosity ink is raised, the viscosity is lowered, and clear printing and stable printing are performed. Supply is possible.

[0004]

However, in an ink jet printer capable of color printing, a recording head is provided for each color, and accordingly, an ink storage section and an ink tank are also provided for each color. Normally, at the time of printing, each color is rarely consumed in the same manner, and each color is more often consumed in a dispersed manner. Therefore, if each ink tank is similarly heated by the heating means, various problems will occur. For example,
If each ink tank is heated so as to deal with the high-viscosity ink that consumes a large amount, the high-viscosity ink that consumes a small amount may be heated more than necessary and deteriorate. Moreover, since the heating is performed more than necessary, the power consumption may increase. On the contrary, if each ink tank is heated so as to correspond to the high-viscosity ink that consumes less, the high-viscosity ink that consumes much more is not sufficiently reduced in viscosity, It takes a long time to supply the ink to the ink storage unit, which may increase the time required for printing.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printer and an ink supply method which reduce deterioration of a recording liquid and power consumption by heating an ink tank in accordance with the consumption of ink in each ink storage portion. With the goal.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A recording head that ejects high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases as the temperature rises, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and a process that supplies the high-viscosity ink from the ink tank to the ejection port of the recording head. An ink storage unit that stores high-viscosity ink, an ink remaining amount detection unit that detects the ink remaining amount of the high-viscosity ink remaining in the ink storage unit, and a heating unit that heats the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank are A plurality of viscous inks are provided according to the ink color, and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means is provided, and the temperature control means determines the remaining ink amount of each of the ink storage portions based on the detection result of the remaining ink amount detecting means. The heating is performed so that the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to each ink storage portion is heated based on the remaining ink amount in each ink storage portion. It is characterized by controlling the stage.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature control means heats the high-viscosity ink in the ink tanks corresponding to the respective ink accommodating portions on the basis of the remaining ink amount in the ink accommodating portions. Since the means is controlled, the high-viscosity ink stored in each ink tank can be heated according to the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage portion. That is, since it is possible to prevent each ink tank from being similarly heated, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the high-viscosity ink and increase in power consumption that occur due to excessive heating. Further, with such a configuration, the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage unit with a small remaining ink amount is higher than the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the other ink storage unit with a large remaining ink amount. Since the ink is heated, the viscosity of the high-viscosity ink that is supplied in a large amount can be lowered as much as necessary. In this way, the viscosity of high-viscosity ink can be reduced as much as necessary, so even when a large amount of high-viscosity ink is supplied from the ink tank to the ink storage unit, the time for supplying the high-viscosity ink can be shortened and printing can be performed. This time can be shortened.

The high viscosity ink is preferably a liquid having a viscosity of 50 to 3000 mPaS at 30 ° C. It is more preferably 50 to 1000 mPaS, and even more preferably 100 to 500 mPaS.
If it is 50 mPaS or less, bleeding is likely to occur and clear printing cannot be performed. At 3000 mPaS or higher, the smoothness of image quality is lost. Furthermore, the viscosity at 60 ° C is 3 to 30 mP.
It is preferably an aS liquid. If it is less than 3 mPaS, a problem may occur in high-speed injection.
If it exceeds PaS, the injection property may deteriorate. Further, particularly when ejected from a recording head including a piezo element, a liquid having a viscosity of 3 to 30 mPaS is preferable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a recording head that ejects high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and an ejection port of the recording head from the ink tank. In the process of supplying the high-viscosity ink up to, the ink storage unit that temporarily stores the high-viscosity ink, the remaining ink amount detection unit that detects the remaining ink amount of the high-viscosity ink that remains in the ink storage unit, and the height of the ink tank A plurality of heating means for heating the viscous ink are provided according to the ink color of the high-viscosity ink, and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means is provided, and the temperature control means is the detection result of the ink remaining amount detection means. Detects the remaining amount of ink in each ink storage unit, and when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage unit is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the ink remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. To start heating the high viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the click receiving portion, and wherein the controller controls the heating means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the temperature control means starts heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink containing portion in which the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount. Since the heating means is controlled, the heating of each ink tank can be started when the consumption amount of the high-viscosity ink in each ink storage portion reaches a predetermined amount or more. That is, since it is possible to prevent each ink tank from being similarly heated, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the high-viscosity ink and increase in power consumption that occur due to excessive heating. Further, with such a configuration, the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage portion with large consumption consumes more heat than the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage portion with low consumption. Since the start of the ink is accelerated, the heating time is increased accordingly, and the viscosity of the high-viscosity ink can be lowered as much as necessary. In this way, the viscosity of high-viscosity ink can be reduced as much as necessary, so even when a large amount of high-viscosity ink is supplied from the ink tank to the ink storage unit, the time for supplying the high-viscosity ink can be shortened and printing can be performed. This time can be shortened.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the first or second aspect, the temperature control means has an ink remaining amount of the ink storage portion is 1/3 or less of a capacity of the ink storage portion. When it becomes, the heating means is controlled so as to start heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage portion in which the remaining ink amount is 1/3 or less. I am trying.

According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 or 2.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a recording head that ejects high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and an ejection port of the recording head from the ink tank. In the process of supplying the high-viscosity ink up to, a plurality of ink storage units for temporarily storing the high-viscosity ink and heating means for heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank are provided in accordance with the ink color of the high-viscosity ink, An ink consumption amount calculation means for calculating the consumption amount of high-viscosity ink for each color and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means are provided, and the temperature control means is for each color calculated by the ink consumption amount calculation means. The heating means is controlled based on the consumption amount of the high-viscosity ink.

According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 2.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the high-viscosity ink includes a UV ink that is cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. It has a feature.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the high viscosity ink is cured by UV (Ultr)
aViolet) ink is included, the same effect as the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 can be obtained even when UV ink is used. As described above, when the UV ink is used for printing, the UV ink is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays after the printing, so that the printed image cannot be easily erased for a long time, and the quality of the printed image by the inkjet printer can be improved. it can. Furthermore, when the high-viscosity UV ink is obtained by adding a thickening agent to the UV ink, even if the recording medium is not a recording medium having good ink absorption (for example, paper), the recording medium does not absorb ink or absorbs ink. Printing can be performed even on a recording medium having low property.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a recording head that ejects high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and an ejection port of the recording head from the ink tank. In the process of supplying the high-viscosity ink up to, the ink storage unit that temporarily stores the high-viscosity ink, the remaining ink amount detection unit that detects the remaining ink amount of the high-viscosity ink that remains in the ink storage unit, and the height of the ink tank An ink supply method for an inkjet printer, comprising a plurality of heating means for heating the viscous ink according to the ink color of the high-viscosity ink, and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means, wherein the temperature control means comprises: The amount of ink remaining in each of the ink storage portions is detected based on the detection result of the remaining ink amount detection means, and the amount of remaining ink in the ink storage portion for each color is compared. The high viscosity ink in the ink tank to heat preferentially corresponding to the ink storage portion small ink remaining amount, is characterized by controlling the heating means.

According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a recording head that ejects high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and an ejection port of the recording head from the ink tank. In the process of supplying the high-viscosity ink up to, the ink storage unit that temporarily stores the high-viscosity ink, the remaining ink amount detection unit that detects the remaining ink amount of the high-viscosity ink that remains in the ink storage unit, and the height of the ink tank An ink supply method for an inkjet printer, comprising a plurality of heating means for heating the viscous ink according to the ink color of the high-viscosity ink, and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means, wherein the temperature control means comprises: The remaining ink amount in each of the ink storage portions is detected based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection means, and the remaining ink amount in the ink storage portion falls below a predetermined amount. If the, so the remaining ink amount starts to heat the high viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage portion when the predetermined condition is characterized by controlling the heating means.

According to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention of claim 2.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a recording head that ejects high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and a high viscosity from the ink tank to the recording head. In the process of supplying the ink, an ink storage unit that temporarily stores the high-viscosity ink and a heating unit that heats the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank are provided.
A plurality of high-viscosity inks are provided according to the ink color,
In an ink supply method for an inkjet printer, which includes an ink consumption amount calculation unit that calculates the consumption amount of high-viscosity ink for each color and a temperature control unit that controls the heating unit, the temperature control unit includes the ink consumption amount calculation unit. The heating means is controlled to preferentially heat the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the color having a large consumption amount based on the consumption amount of the high-viscosity ink for each color calculated by I am trying.

According to the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 4.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings of FIGS.

The ink jet printer 1 exemplified in the first embodiment has a lower viscosity as the temperature rises,
High-viscosity UV ink (hereinafter referred to as ink) that is cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays is ejected onto a recording medium to perform printing. As shown in FIG. 1, the main configuration of the ink jet printer 1 includes a conveyance unit (not shown) that conveys a sheet-shaped recording medium 2 forward during printing, and a recording head 3 that ejects ink onto the recording medium 2. , A sub tank (ink storage portion) 9 for supplying ink to the recording head 3.
A carriage 4 on which the recording heads 3 and sub tanks 9 for a plurality of colors are mounted, a main tank (ink tank) 11 for supplying ink to the sub tanks 9, and a maintenance unit 5 for maintaining the recording heads 3.
And the carriage 4 for printing or maintenance.
Guide rail 6 for guiding the horizontal direction (arrow A)
And a home position 7 that is a standby position for the carriage 4, and a control unit 30 (FIG. 2) that controls these units.

At the time of printing, the conveying means conveys the recording medium 2 on the printing area D in synchronism with the operation of the carriage 4, and upon completion of printing, the recording medium 2 is
The sheet is conveyed downward from the print area D (arrow B).

The recording head 3 is provided with a heater that heats the ink supplied from the sub-tank 9 so as to stably eject the ink from the ejection port to reduce the viscosity of the ink. The recording head 3 has ink colors (Y: yellow, LY: light yellow, M: magenta, LM: light magenta, C: cyan, LC: light cyan, K: black, LK: of inks used in the inkjet printer 1. A plurality of light blacks are provided.

The sub tank 9 temporarily stores ink when the ink is supplied from the main tank 11 to the ejection port of the recording head 3, and is integrally provided on each recording head 3. There is. As shown in FIG. 2, the sub-tank 9 has a sub-tank ink remaining amount sensor (ink remaining amount detecting means) 9a for detecting the remaining amount of ink remaining in the sub-tank 9 and the temperature of the ink inside the sub-tank 9. A sub-tank temperature sensor 9b is provided, and a sub-tank heater 9c that heats the ink in the sub-tank 9 to reduce its viscosity is provided in order to stably supply the ink in the sub-tank 9 to the recording head 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an opening 10 for supplying ink into the sub tank 9 is provided on the upper portion of the sub tank 9. The opening 10 may be opened at the time of supplying the ink, and may be configured to be always open or may be configured to be closed with a lid at the time of printing.

The carriage 4 repeats reciprocating movement along the horizontal direction (arrow A) by the guide of the guide rail 6.
The recording head 3 and the sub tank 9 are moved along the printing surface of the recording medium 2 in the printing area D. A UV light source 15 that irradiates ultraviolet rays to cure the ink ejected from the recording head 3 is provided on the side portion of the carriage 4.

The main tank 11 is provided at one end of the path along which the carriage 4 reciprocates. A plurality of main tanks 11 are provided according to each color of ink stored in each sub tank 9. This main tank 11
Is a supply unit 1 for supplying ink to the sub tank 9.
2 is provided so as to project downward. When the ink is supplied, the supply unit 12 and the opening 10 of the sub tank 9 are connected or face each other, so that the main tank 1
Ink can be made to flow from 1 to the sub tank 9 by its own weight (arrow c), and ink can be supplied. The main tank 11 is provided with an ink regulating portion that prevents the ink from dripping at the time other than when the ink is being supplied. The ink regulating portion opens the supplying portion 12 only when the ink is supplied, for example. In other cases, it is an opening / closing member that closes the supply unit 12. And, as shown in FIG.
Main tank ink remaining amount sensor 11a for detecting the remaining amount of ink remaining in the main tank, main tank temperature sensor 11b for detecting the temperature of the ink in the main tank 11, and main tank heater (heating means) for heating the ink in the main tank 11. : For example, a heater) 11c. Although the main tank 11 is divided for each color in this embodiment, the main tanks 11 may be integrated.

The sub tank ink remaining amount sensor 9a and the main tank ink remaining amount sensor 11a may be of any type as long as they detect the remaining amount of ink in the tank. For example, by irradiating the liquid surface of the ink with light. One that detects the amount of ink remaining by detecting the reflected light with an optical sensor and the response speed, one that detects the remaining amount of ink by applying electricity to the ink and its conductive state, and the remaining amount of ink by the weight of the tank. There are things to detect.

The sub-tank heater 9c and the main tank heater 11c may be of any type as long as they heat the ink in the tank to reduce the viscosity. For example, by heating the tank, the internal ink is also heated. Alternatively, the ink may be heated directly inside the tank.

As shown in FIG. 1, the maintenance unit 5 covers a nozzle surface of the recording head 3 having a discharge port, and a suction cap 13 for sucking ink from the discharge port.
It is provided with a blade portion 14 for wiping off the ink remaining on the nozzle surface of the recording head 3 after the suction of the ink by the suction cap 13 and a blade cleaner portion (not shown) for cleaning the blade portion.

The home position 7 is provided at the other end of the path along which the carriage 4 reciprocates. Moisturizing caps 8 for moisturizing the nozzle surface of the recording head 3 are provided at the home position 7 in the same number as the recording head 3, and the nozzle surface of the recording head 3 is covered and sealed while the carriage 4 is on standby. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 includes an interface 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, and an R.
AM (Random Access Memory) 33, CPU (Central
Processing Unit) 34 and the like, and controls various devices connected to the interface 31 in accordance with control programs and control data written in the ROM 32.

The interface 31 has a display section 17 for displaying an error and the state of each section, a sub tank ink remaining amount sensor 9a, a sub tank temperature sensor 9b,
The sub tank heater 9c, the main tank ink remaining amount sensor 11a, the main tank temperature sensor 11b, the main tank heater 11c, etc. are electrically connected.

Various data for ink supply, various control programs and control data relating to the operation of each section of the ink jet printer, etc. are written in the ROM 32. The various data in the ink supply means the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 9 that serves as a reference for starting heating of the main tank 11 (a predetermined amount a: 1/3 of the capacity of the sub tank 9, for example).
In order to stably supply the ink remaining in the main tank (predetermined amount c) and the ink stored in the main tank 11 to the sub-tank 9 as a reference for the replacement time of the main tank 11, the ink is kept as low as necessary. The ink temperature to be made viscous (predetermined temperature t), the ink remaining amount in the subtank 9 (predetermined amount b) that serves as a reference for ink supply to the subtank 9, and the like. In order to make the viscosity of the ink sufficiently low, it is necessary to secure a heating time until ink supply to some extent. Therefore, the predetermined amount a is set to a value larger than the predetermined amount b.

The RAM 33 can store a plurality of data input only while power is being supplied, and a storage area for storing various data such as image data to be printed and a CPU.
A work area by 34 is provided.

The CPU 34 reads out a program designated from the various programs stored in the ROM 32 from the R program.
It is developed in the work area in the AM 33, and various processes according to the program are executed according to the input signal from each sensor.

The control unit 30 controls the entire operation of the ink jet printer 1. Here, the control procedure performed when the ink is supplied from the main tank 11 to the sub tank 9 will be described with reference to FIG. Explain.

When printing is started, ink detection is also started, and the remaining ink amount in each sub tank 9 is detected based on the detection result of the sub tank ink remaining amount sensor 9a. (Step S1) If all the remaining ink amounts in the plurality of sub-tanks 9 are equal to or more than the predetermined amount a, printing is continued as it is until the ink remaining amount in at least one sub-tank 9 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount a. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount of at least one sub tank 9 becomes less than the predetermined amount a,
Control goes to step S2.

In step S2, the main tank 11 that supplies ink to the sub-tank 9 that has become less than the predetermined amount a is detected based on the detection result of the main tank ink remaining amount sensor 11a corresponding to the sub-tank 9 that has become less than the predetermined amount a. The remaining ink amount is detected, and if the remaining ink amount is less than the predetermined amount c, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of ink in the main tank 11 is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount c, step S
Go to 4.

In step S3, the printing is stopped, and the display unit 17 displays a message indicating that the main tank 11 is replaced or the main tank 11 is replenished with ink when the amount becomes a predetermined amount c or less. And after replacement or replenishment,
When the amount of ink in the main tank 11 becomes the printable value or more, printing is restarted.

In step S4, the main tank heater 11c of the main tank corresponding to the sub-tank that has become less than the predetermined amount a is controlled to start heating the main tank 11, and the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the ink temperature of the main tank 11 that supplies ink to the sub tank 9 that has become less than the predetermined amount a is detected based on the detection result of the main tank temperature sensor 11b. And this main tank 11
If the ink temperature is less than the predetermined temperature t, step S4
And the main tank heater 11c is controlled to raise the ink temperature until the ink temperature becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature t. On the other hand, when the ink temperature of the main tank 11 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature t, the process proceeds to step S6 to maintain the ink temperature of the main tank heater 11c.
Is controlled, and the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the remaining amount of ink remaining in the sub tank 9 is detected based on the detection result of the sub tank ink remaining amount sensor 9a. Then, when the ink remaining amount of the sub tank 9 is equal to or more than the predetermined amount b, the process proceeds to step S6, and the printing is continued until the ink remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount b. Until the remaining amount of ink becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount b, the process from step S1 to step S7 is performed in the other sub tanks 9 as well, and the heating of the other main tanks 11 is started. It has been decided whether or not. On the other hand, the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 9 is a predetermined amount b.
When it becomes less than, it moves to step S8.

In step S8, the printing is once interrupted, the carriage 4 is moved so that the opening 10 of each sub-tank 9 and the supply unit 12 of each main tank 11 are connected or opposed to each other, and then printing can be performed again, which is preferable. Supplies from the main tank 11 to the sub tank 9 only enough ink to fill the sub tank. Then, after the supply, printing is restarted and the process proceeds to step S1.

As described above, according to the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the control section (temperature control means) 30
The main tank heater 11c is controlled so as to start heating the main tank 11 that supplies ink to the sub tank 9 in which the remaining amount of ink has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount a. When the consumption amount of is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, heating of each main tank 11 can be started. That is, each main tank 11
It is possible to prevent each of the inks from being heated in the same manner.
It is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption. With such a configuration, the ink in the main tank 11 corresponding to the sub-tank 9 that consumes a large amount of ink starts to be heated earlier than the ink in the May tank 11 that corresponds to the sub-tank 9 that consumes a small amount of other ink. In addition, the heating time is increased accordingly, and the viscosity of the ink can be lowered as much as necessary. As described above, since the viscosity of the ink can be reduced as much as necessary, even when a large amount of ink is supplied from the main tank 11 to the sub tank 9, the time for supplying the ink can be shortened and the time required for printing can be shortened. You can

Further, since the high viscosity UV ink is used as the recording liquid in the ink jet printer of this embodiment, the high viscosity UV ink is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays after printing, and the printed image is printed for a long period of time. It can be made hard to disappear, and can exhibit excellent weather resistance even when the printed matter is placed outdoors. That is, it is possible to improve the quality of the printed image by the inkjet printer. Furthermore, if the high-viscosity UV ink is used, the recording medium does not have to have good ink absorbability (for example, paper), but does not have ink absorbability or has low ink absorbability. Printing can be performed.
Here, a recording medium having no ink absorbability or a recording medium having low ink absorbability means a recording medium formed of a material having no ink absorbability or a material having low ink absorbability, or a material having no ink absorbability. For example, it is a recording medium having a surface layer (printing layer) made of a material having low ink absorbability. Examples of the material having no ink absorptivity or the material having a low ink absorptivity include various plastics and metals.

In the first embodiment, the high-viscosity UV ink is described as an example of the recording liquid, but the recording liquid used is not limited to this, and the UV ink is not limited to this. Alternatively, high viscosity ink may be used. Also,
In the first embodiment, the sub-tank 9 integrally provided with the recording head 3 is illustrated as the ink storage portion, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the carriage 4 is provided separately from the recording head 3. It may be a sub-tank mounted in this state or a pool of ink in the recording head 3.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The parts other than the parts peculiar to the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Then, in the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, when the control unit 30 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 9 is below a predetermined amount,
In order to start heating the ink in the main tank 11 corresponding to the sub tank 9, the main tank heater 1
Although the configuration for controlling 1c is illustrated, in the second embodiment, the control unit 30 compares the ink amounts remaining in the sub-tanks 9 of the respective colors to correspond to the sub-tank 9 having a small remaining ink amount. The main tank heater 11c is controlled to preferentially heat the ink in the main tank 11.

More specifically, when the printing is started, the control section 30 starts detecting the ink, and based on the detection result of the sub tank ink remaining amount sensor 9a, the remaining amount of the ink remaining in each sub tank 9. To detect. (Step S1
01) If all the remaining ink amounts in the plurality of sub-tanks 9 are equal to or greater than the predetermined amount a, printing is continued until the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount a. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount of at least one sub tank 9 becomes less than the predetermined amount a,
Control goes to step S102.

In step S102, the ink remaining amount of the main tank 11 that supplies ink to each sub tank 9 is detected, and if this ink remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount c, the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of ink in the main tank 11 is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount c, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S103, the printing is stopped, and the display unit 17 is caused to display that the main tank 11 which has become the predetermined amount c or less is replaced or ink is replenished to the main tank 11. Then, after the replacement or the replenishment, if the ink amount in the main tank 11 becomes the printable value or more, the printing is restarted.

In step S104, the remaining ink amount in each sub-tank 9 is compared based on the detection result of the sub-tank remaining ink amount sensor 9a in each sub-tank 9.
Move to 105.

In step S105, step S104
Based on the remaining ink amount of each sub-tank 9 compared with the above, the heating temperature of each main tank heater 11c is set so that the main tank 11 that supplies ink to the sub-tank 9 with a small remaining amount of ink is heated with a larger amount of heat. After setting, the process proceeds to step S106. In addition, although the amount of heat is changed by making a difference in the heating temperature of each main tank heater 11c here, it is not limited to this and may make a difference in the heating time of each main tank heater 11c.

In step S106, each main tank 1
Each main tank heater 11c is controlled so that the 1 heater 11c becomes the heating temperature set in step S105, and the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, the ink temperature of each main tank 11 is detected based on the detection result of each main tank temperature sensor 11b. Then, when the ink temperature of each main tank 11 is lower than the predetermined temperature t, the process proceeds to step S106, and the ink temperature is maintained as it is at the predetermined temperature t.
Until the above, the main tank heaters 11c are controlled to raise the ink temperature. On the other hand, each main tank 1
When the ink temperature of 1 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature t, the process proceeds to step S108, the main tank heater 11c is controlled so as to maintain the ink temperature, and the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, the sub tank 9 is detected based on the detection result of the sub tank ink remaining amount sensor 9a.
Detect the remaining amount of ink remaining in. And the sub tank 9
If the remaining ink amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount b, step S10
Then, the process proceeds to 8, and the printing is continued until the remaining ink amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount b. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount in the sub tank 9 becomes less than the predetermined amount b, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the printing is temporarily stopped, and the opening 10 of each sub tank 9 and each main tank 11 are stopped.
After the carriage 4 is moved so as to be connected to or opposed to the supply unit 12, the ink that can be printed again is supplied from the main tank 11 to the sub tank 9. Then, after the supply, printing is restarted and the process proceeds to step S1.

As described above, according to the ink jet printer of the second embodiment, the control unit (temperature control means) 3
The main tank heater 11c is controlled so that 0 compares the ink amounts remaining in the sub tanks 9 of the respective colors and preferentially heats the main tank 11 that supplies ink to the sub tanks 9 having a small remaining ink amount. Therefore, each main tank 11 can be heated according to the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 9. That is, since it is possible to prevent each main tank 11 from being similarly heated, it is possible to suppress deterioration of ink and increase in power consumption caused by heating more than necessary. Further, with such a configuration, the ink in the main tank 11 corresponding to the sub-tank 9 having a small remaining amount is heated more than the ink in the main tank 11 corresponding to another sub-tank having a large remaining amount, and the ink is supplied. Even with a large amount of ink, the viscosity can be lowered as much as necessary. As described above, since the viscosity of the ink can be reduced as much as necessary, even when a large amount of ink is supplied from the main tank 11 to the sub tank 9, the time for supplying the ink can be shortened and the time required for printing can be shortened. You can

[Third Embodiment] A third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The parts other than the parts specific to the third embodiment are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the first or second embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first and second embodiments, the amount of ink remaining in the sub tank 9 is detected, and the degree of heating of the main tank 11 is determined based on the detection result. In the third embodiment, the consumption amount of each color is calculated, and the degree of heating of the main tank 11 of each color is determined based on the calculation result.

More specifically, the control section 30 has a function of an ink consumption amount calculating means for calculating the ink consumption amount. As a method of calculating the ink consumption amount of the ink consumption amount calculation means, for example, there is a method of calculating the ink consumption amount of each color from the image data stored in the RAM 33.

When the printing is started, the control unit 30 calculates the ink consumption amount for each color based on the image data to be printed (step S201), and step S20.
Move to 2.

In step S202, the remaining amount of ink remaining in the main tank 11 that supplies ink to each sub-tank 9 is detected, and if the remaining amount of ink is less than the predetermined amount c,
Control goes to step S203. On the other hand, the main tank 11
If the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount c, step S20
Go to 4.

In step S203, the printing is stopped, and the display unit 17 is caused to display that the main tank 11 which has become the predetermined amount c or less is replaced or ink is replenished to the main tank 11. Then, after the replacement or the replenishment, if the ink amount in the main tank 11 becomes the printable value or more, the printing is restarted.

In step S204, step S201
Based on the ink consumption of each color calculated in step 1, the heating temperature of each main tank 11 is set so as to preferentially heat the main tank 11 that stores the ink of the most consumed color,
Control goes to step S205.

In step S205, each main tank 1
The main tank heaters 11c are controlled so that 1 becomes the heating temperature set in step S204, and step S2
Move to 06.

In step S206, the ink temperature of each main tank 11 is detected based on the detection result of each main tank temperature sensor 11b. Then, if the ink temperature of each main tank 11 is lower than the predetermined temperature t, the process proceeds to step S205, and the ink temperature is maintained as it is at the predetermined temperature t.
Until the above, the main tank heaters 11c are controlled to raise the ink temperature. On the other hand, each main tank 1
When the ink temperature of 1 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature t, the process proceeds to step S207, the main tank heater 11c is controlled so as to maintain the ink temperature, and the process proceeds to step S208.

In step S208, the sub tank 9 is detected based on the detection result of the sub tank ink remaining amount sensor 9a.
Detect the remaining amount of ink remaining in. And the sub tank 9
If the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount b, step S20
The process proceeds to 7 and printing is continued until the remaining amount of ink becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount b. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount in the sub tank 9 becomes less than the predetermined amount b, the process proceeds to step S209.

In step S209, the printing is temporarily stopped, and the openings 10 of the sub-tanks 9 and the main tanks 11 are formed.
After the carriage 4 is moved so as to be connected to or opposed to the supply unit 12, the ink that can be printed again is supplied from the main tank 11 to the sub tank 9. Then, after the supply, printing is restarted and the process proceeds to step S1.

As described above, according to the ink jet printer of the third embodiment, the degree of heating of each main tank 11 is determined by calculating the ink usage amount. Similarly, it is possible to prevent 11 from being heated, and it is possible to suppress deterioration of ink and increase in power consumption caused by heating more than necessary.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplifications in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

[0075]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the high-viscosity ink contained in each ink tank can be heated according to the amount of ink remaining in the ink container. That is, since it is possible to prevent each ink tank from being similarly heated, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the high-viscosity ink and increase in power consumption that occur due to excessive heating. Also,
The high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage unit with a small remaining amount of ink is heated more than the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage unit with a large remaining amount of ink, and thus the supply amount is large. Even high-viscosity ink can be made as low in viscosity as necessary. in this way,
Since the viscosity of high-viscosity ink can be reduced as much as necessary, even when a large amount of high-viscosity ink is supplied from the ink tank to the ink storage section, the time to supply high-viscosity ink can be shortened and the printing time can be shortened. can do.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the heating of each ink tank can be started when the consumption amount of the high-viscosity ink in each ink storage portion exceeds a predetermined amount. That is, since it is possible to prevent each ink tank from being similarly heated, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the high-viscosity ink and increase in power consumption that occur due to excessive heating. Further, with such a configuration, the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage portion with large consumption consumes more heat than the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage portion with low consumption. Since the start of the ink is accelerated, the heating time is increased accordingly, and the viscosity of the high-viscosity ink can be lowered as much as necessary. In this way, the viscosity of high-viscosity ink can be reduced as much as necessary, so even when a large amount of high-viscosity ink is supplied from the ink tank to the ink storage unit, the time for supplying the high-viscosity ink can be shortened and printing can be performed. This time can be shortened.

According to the invention described in claim 5, even when the UV ink is used, the same effect as that of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4 can be obtained. As described above, when the UV ink is used for printing, the UV ink is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays after the printing, so that the printed image cannot be easily erased for a long time, and the quality of the printed image by the inkjet printer can be improved. it can. Furthermore, high viscosity UV with thickening agent added to UV ink
If ink is used, printing can be performed even if the recording medium does not have good ink absorbability (for example, paper), but does not have ink absorbability or has low ink absorbency. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an inkjet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main control block diagram of a control unit included in the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for supplying ink from a main tank to a sub tank provided in the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an ink supply procedure from a main tank to a sub tank provided in the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an ink supply procedure from a main tank to a sub tank provided in an inkjet printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer 3 Recording head 9 Sub tank (ink storage part) 9a Sub tank Ink remaining amount sensor (ink remaining amount detection means) 11 Main tank (ink tank) 11c Main tank heater (heating means) 30 Control section (temperature control means, Ink consumption calculation means)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording head that discharges high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and supplies high-viscosity ink from the ink tank to the discharge port of the recording head. In the process of storing, a high-viscosity ink is temporarily stored, an ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the high-viscosity ink remaining in the ink storing part, and a heating for heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank. And a plurality of means according to the ink color of the high-viscosity ink, and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means, wherein the temperature control means is configured to detect each of the ink storage units according to the detection result of the remaining ink amount detection means. Detecting the remaining amount of ink and heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to each of the ink storage units based on the amount of remaining ink in each of the ink storage units. Sea urchin, an inkjet printer, wherein the controller controls the heating means. 2. A recording head that discharges high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases as temperature rises, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and supplies high-viscosity ink from the ink tank to the discharge port of the recording head. In the process of storing, a high-viscosity ink is temporarily stored, an ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the high-viscosity ink remaining in the ink storing part, and a heating for heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank. And a plurality of means according to the ink color of the high-viscosity ink, and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means, wherein the temperature control means is configured to detect each of the ink storage units according to the detection result of the remaining ink amount detection means. When the remaining amount of ink is detected and the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage unit is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the ink storage unit corresponding to the remaining amount of ink is less than or equal to the predetermined amount. To start heating the high viscosity ink in the ink tank, an ink jet printer, wherein the controller controls the heating means. 3. The ink jet printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature control means, when the ink remaining amount in the ink containing portion is 1/3 or less of the capacity of the ink containing portion, An ink jet printer characterized in that the heating means is controlled so as to start heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink storage portion in which the remaining amount of ink has become 1/3 or less. 4. A recording head that discharges high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with increasing temperature, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and supplies high-viscosity ink from the ink tank to the discharge port of the recording head. In the process, a plurality of ink storage portions for temporarily storing high-viscosity ink and a plurality of heating means for heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank are provided in accordance with the ink color of the high-viscosity ink, and the high-viscosity ink for each color is provided. An ink consumption amount calculation unit for calculating the consumption amount of the ink, and a temperature control unit for controlling the heating unit, wherein the temperature control unit is the consumption amount of the high-viscosity ink for each color calculated by the ink consumption amount calculation unit. On the basis of,
An ink jet printer characterized by controlling the heating means. 5. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the high-viscosity ink includes a UV ink that is cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. 6. A recording head that ejects high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and supplies high-viscosity ink from the ink tank to the ejection port of the recording head. In the process of storing, a high-viscosity ink is temporarily stored, an ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the high-viscosity ink remaining in the ink storing part, and a heating for heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank. And a plurality of means according to the ink color of the high-viscosity ink and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means, wherein the temperature control means is the remaining ink amount detection means. The remaining ink amount in each of the ink storage portions is detected based on the detection result of 1. The high viscosity ink in the ink tank to heat preferentially to have corresponding to the ink containing portion, ink supply and wherein the controller controls the heating means. 7. A recording head that discharges high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and supplies high-viscosity ink from the ink tank to the discharge port of the recording head. In the process of, the ink containing portion for containing the high viscosity ink, the ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the ink remaining amount of the high viscosity ink remaining in the ink containing portion, and the heating for heating the high viscosity ink in the ink tank A plurality of means according to the ink color of the high-viscosity ink and a temperature control means for controlling the heating means, wherein the temperature control means detects the remaining ink amount detection means. Based on the result, the amount of ink remaining in each ink storage unit is detected, and when the amount of remaining ink in the ink storage unit falls below a predetermined amount, the ink It amounts to start heating the high viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to the ink containing portion becomes less than a predetermined amount, the ink supply and wherein the controller controls the heating means. 8. A recording head that ejects high-viscosity ink whose viscosity decreases with temperature rise, an ink tank that stores the high-viscosity ink, and a process of supplying the high-viscosity ink from the ink tank to the recording head. A plurality of ink storage units for temporarily storing high-viscosity ink and heating means for heating the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank are provided according to the ink color of the high-viscosity ink, and the consumption amount of the high-viscosity ink for each color In an ink supply method for an inkjet printer, which includes an ink consumption amount calculation unit for calculating the ink consumption amount and a temperature control unit for controlling the heating unit, the temperature control unit has a high viscosity for each color calculated by the ink consumption amount calculation unit. Based on ink consumption
An ink supply method characterized in that the heating means is controlled so as to preferentially heat the high-viscosity ink in the ink tank corresponding to a color that consumes a large amount.