JP2003291362A - Printer and method for replenishing ink thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replenish ink in an appropriate time without applying a load to a printer body. <P>SOLUTION: The number of liquid drops of the ink discharged from a printing head 20 is measured for each color, and an ink consumption amount of each color is calculated. It is detected whether or not the ink consumption amount reaches a set threshold 25 (step S2). When at least one color ink reaches the set threshold 25, replenishing all color inks is started by driving a pump mechanism 17 including a pump 17b, a capping mechanism 15, and the like. While the pump mechanism 17 and an auxiliary ink tank 16 are connected to an ink tank 10 (steps S4-S7), a sum of ink consumption amounts of ink tanks is calculated (step S8). A value obtained by multiplying the sum by a safety factor α for absorbing an error of a counter 61 is set as a total ink consumption amount to be sucked (step S9). Moreover, a suction time necessary for sucking the total ink consumption amount at a suction velocity of the pump mechanism 17 is calculated (step S10). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to a method for replenishing ink used for printing the printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet printers print by ejecting ink droplets onto a medium such as paper. FIG. 11 shows a perspective view (partially transparent view) of an example of such a conventional inkjet printer. A paper feed tray 102 is provided at the rear of the printer body 101, and a plurality of paper sheets 103 can be stacked. The paper 103 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in the printer body 101 by the paper feed roller 105 connected to the paper feed motor 104 arranged in the printer body 101. A part of the belt 107 is fixed to the carriage 109 having the printing mechanism, and the belt 1
The carriage motor 106 connected to 07 is provided so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet 103, that is, a direction indicated by an arrow B. After printing is performed on the paper 103 conveyed onto the platen 108 by the printing mechanism, the paper 103 is further downstream, the printer main body 101
The sheets are conveyed to the outside and stacked on the discharge trays 111 and 112.

In such an ink jet printer, since the ink in the ink tank 110 placed on the carriage 109 is used for printing, it is necessary to replace the ink tank 110 when the ink runs out. It is possible to increase the number of printable sheets by increasing the capacity of the ink tank 110.
To increase the size and weight of the printer, the carriage motor 106 that operates the increased size ink tank 110 and the printer body 10 are used.
This leads to an increase in the size of the device 1 itself, which has been a cause of hindering space saving.

In order to solve such a problem, the ink tank 110 on the carriage 109 is made as small as possible, and an auxiliary ink tank for accommodating the ink is arranged separately in the printer main body 101, and the auxiliary ink is supplied as necessary. Inkjet printers have been devised that replenish ink from the tank to the ink tank 110.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view (a partial perspective view) showing such an ink jet printer. Printer body 1
An auxiliary ink tank 116 is arranged outside the printing area in 01 and the area of the platen 108. At the time of ink replenishment, the carriage 109 moves to the auxiliary ink tank 116 portion, and the auxiliary ink tank 116 rises in the direction of arrow a to connect to the ink tank 110 and replenish ink.

The ink replenishment timing is determined by a method of measuring the ink water level by an optical sensor when the ink level reaches a specified height, or by providing a mechanism for counting the ink consumption of each color. There is a method of performing the method when the threshold value is reached, but since an optical sensor and the like hinders space saving, a method of counting the ink consumption amount in a limited space is often adopted.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing an example of the replenishing method. Inside the ink tank 110, a bag 118 for accommodating ink and a spring 129 that acts in the direction of expanding the bag 118 (arrow b in the figure) are arranged. A bag 121 for storing ink is also stored in the auxiliary ink tank 116, but this is not particularly biased by a spring or the like. When replenishing ink, these two bags 11
8 and 121 are connected and performed. Ink tank 110
The ink in the bag 121 of the auxiliary ink tank 116 is sucked up by the spring force of the spring 129 acting on the bag 118 (arrow c in the figure). Then, the bag in the ink tank 110 is filled with a certain amount of ink, and the ink replenishment is completed.

However, since it takes time to replenish ink by the spring force, a forced ink suction method using a pump or the like has been devised as another replenishment method.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view (a partial perspective view) showing such an ink jet printer. Printer body 1
An auxiliary ink tank 116 is arranged outside the printing area in 01 and the area of the platen 108. When ink is replenished, the carriage 109 moves to the area where the auxiliary ink tank 116 is arranged, and the auxiliary ink tank 116 is indicated by the arrow a.
Direction, the pump mechanism 119 provided above is lowered in the direction of arrow d and connected to the suction port 117 provided on the upper surface of the ink tank 110 to connect the ink of the auxiliary ink tank 116. Is forcibly sucked and replenished into the ink tank 110.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing an example of the replenishing method. A sponge 125 for holding ink is stored in the ink tank 110. When the air in the ink tank 110 is sucked in the direction of arrow e by the pump mechanism 119 having the pump 120, the auxiliary ink tank 1
The ink in 16 is replenished in the ink tank 110 (arrow f in the figure). When the ink is replenished and the ink exceeds the holding force of the sponge 125 and overflows to the upper surface 125a of the sponge 125, the sponge upper surface 125
The float valve 123 disposed in a floats and the pump mechanism 1
The flow path to 19 is cut off. Float valve 123 in all colors
Since ink replenishment will end when this channel is blocked,
The operating time of the pump 120 is determined in advance with a margin.

[0011]

However, when the ink in the auxiliary ink tank is sucked by the pump mechanism, for example, only one certain color has reached the threshold value and the other ink is not used at all, and each color is not used. In the former case, the suction time is fixed, although there is a considerable difference in the total amount of ink to be sucked when all inks reach the threshold value almost at the same time. It was supposed that the suction would be continued even after the ink replenishment was completed, thus wasting time. At that time,
Even after the completion of ink replenishment, the pump mechanism is still in a state of excessive suction, which imposes an excessive load on the float valve and the like, which may affect the performance of the printer itself.

Therefore, the present invention solves these problems and provides a printer and a printer ink replenishing method that can replenish ink at an appropriate time without imposing a load on the printer body. It is intended.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a printer of the present invention ejects ink onto a print medium on a carriage provided so as to be movable relative to the print medium. And a printing mechanism section for performing printing, and ink tanks for the number of colors for supplying a plurality of colors of ink to the printing mechanism section are mounted, and from the auxiliary ink tanks arranged in the printer main body to the respective ink tanks. A printer having an ink replenishing means for replenishing ink and a measuring means for measuring an ink consumption amount of each color discharged and consumed from the printing mechanism section, wherein at least one of the ink consumption amounts of the respective ink tanks Ink replenishment means for activating the ink replenishment means for all the ink tanks mounted on the carriage when one of them reaches a predetermined threshold value. Control means, an ink consumption amount calculation means for calculating a total value of the respective ink consumption amounts in the respective ink tanks, and a replenishment for setting a total ink amount to be replenished in all the ink tanks based on the total value. It is characterized by comprising an ink amount setting means and a drive condition setting means for setting a drive condition of the ink replenishing means capable of replenishing the total ink amount.

In the printer of the present invention as described above, when the ink replenishment control means has reached a predetermined threshold value for at least one of the ink consumption amounts in the respective ink tanks, all of the carriages mounted on the carriage. When activating the ink replenishing means for the ink tanks, the ink consumption calculating means should calculate the total value of the ink consumptions of the respective ink tanks, and further, the replenishment ink amount setting means should replenish all the ink tanks. The total ink amount is set based on the total value of the respective ink consumption amounts, and then the drive condition setting unit sets the drive condition of the ink replenishing unit capable of replenishing the total ink amount. That is, the printer of the present invention is
Since the driving condition of the ink replenishing means is set according to the required amount of ink to be replenished to each ink tank, the ink replenishing means is not driven more than necessary, thus shortening the time required for ink replenishment, or The load on the replenishing means can be reduced.

Further, in the printer of the present invention, the drive condition setting means can replenish the total ink amount by the ink replenishing means having a mechanism for connecting / disconnecting the auxiliary ink tank to / from the ink tank having a negative pressure inside. The connection time between the ink tank and the holding ink tank may be calculated and the connection time may be set as the driving condition.

In the printer of the present invention, the measuring means is
The ink consumption amount may be calculated by counting the number of ink droplets ejected from the printing mechanism unit, or the measuring unit subtracts the ink consumption amount from the capacity of the ink tank to determine the ink consumption amount in each ink tank. The remaining ink amount may be calculated.

In the printer of the present invention, a printing mechanism section for ejecting ink onto the printing medium to perform printing on a carriage provided so as to be movable relative to the printing medium, and the printing mechanism. Ink replenishment means for replenishing ink to each of the ink tanks from auxiliary ink tanks arranged in the printer main body, and the printing mechanism section. Measuring means for measuring the ink consumption amount of each color discharged and consumed from the ink replenishing means, the auxiliary ink tank provided separately connectable to each ink tank, and the ink In a printer having a suction pump unit that generates a negative pressure in the tank, at least one of the ink consumption amounts in the ink tanks has a predetermined threshold value. When it reaches, ink replenishment control means for operating the ink replenishment means for all the ink tanks mounted on the carriage, and ink for calculating a total value of the respective ink consumption amounts in the respective ink tanks Consumption amount calculation means, replenishment ink amount setting means for setting the total ink amount to be replenished in all the ink tanks based on the total value, and driving of the ink replenishing means capable of replenishing the total ink amount A driving condition setting means for setting conditions.

In the printer of the present invention as described above, when the ink replenishment control means has reached a predetermined threshold value for at least one of the ink consumption amounts in the respective ink tanks, all of the carriages mounted on the carriage. When the ink replenishing means, that is, the suction pump section is operated for the ink tank, the ink consumption amount calculating means calculates the total value of each ink consumption amount in each ink tank, and further, the replenishment ink amount setting means all After setting the total amount of ink to be replenished to the ink tank based on the total value of the respective ink consumption amounts, the drive condition setting unit sets the drive condition of the suction pump section of the ink replenishing unit that can replenish the total ink amount. To do. That is, in the printer of the present invention, the drive condition of the ink replenishing means is set according to the required amount of ink to be replenished to each ink tank. The required time can be shortened or the load on the suction pump unit can be reduced.

Further, the printer of the present invention has means for disconnecting the connection between the suction pump and the ink tank regardless of the operation of the suction pump when the ink is replenished to the specified amount in the ink tank by the ink replenishing means. It may be one.

In the printer of the present invention, the drive condition setting means may calculate the drive time of the suction pump capable of replenishing the total ink amount and set the drive time as the drive condition. The driving condition setting means may calculate the operating speed of the suction pump capable of replenishing the total amount of ink and set the operating speed as the driving condition, or the driving condition setting means may It is also possible to calculate the operating speed of the suction pump capable of supplementing the ink amount and set the operating pressure as the drive condition.

Further, in the printer of the present invention, the measuring means may count the number of ink droplets ejected from the printing mechanism section to calculate the ink consumption amount, or the measuring means may be an ink tank. The remaining ink amount in each ink tank may be calculated by subtracting the ink consumption amount from the capacity.

The ink replenishing method for a printer of the present invention comprises a printing mechanism section for ejecting ink onto the print medium to perform printing on a carriage provided so as to be movable relative to the print medium. Mounting ink tanks for the number of colors for supplying a plurality of colors of ink to the printing mechanism section,
Ink for a printer having ink replenishing means for replenishing ink to each of the ink tanks from an auxiliary ink tank arranged in the printer body, and measuring means for measuring the ink consumption amount of each color discharged and consumed from the printing mechanism section In the replenishment method, a determination step of determining whether at least one of the ink consumption amounts has reached a predetermined threshold value, and in the determination step, at least one of the ink consumption amounts has reached the threshold value. If it is determined that, the step of operating the ink replenishing means for all the ink tanks mounted on the carriage, and the step of calculating the total value of the ink consumption of each ink tank, Setting a total ink amount to be replenished in all the ink tanks based on the total value, and replenishing the total ink amount Characterized in that it comprises a step of setting a possible driving conditions of the ink supplement means.

The ink replenishing method for a printer of the present invention as described above determines whether at least one of the ink consumption amounts reaches a predetermined threshold value, and at least one of the ink consumption amounts becomes the threshold value. When it is determined that the total amount of ink has been reached, the total value of the ink consumption in each ink tank is calculated, and the total amount of ink to be replenished in all the ink tanks is set based on this total value. The drive condition of the refillable ink replenishing means is set, and the ink replenishing means is operated for all the ink tanks mounted on the carriage. That is, in the ink replenishing method of the present invention, the driving condition of the ink replenishing means is set according to the required amount of ink to be replenished to each ink tank, so that the ink replenishing means is not operated more than necessary, and therefore,
It is possible to shorten the time required for ink replenishment or reduce the load on the ink replenishing means.

Further, in the ink replenishing method of the printer of the present invention, a step of setting the connection time of the ink replenishing means having a mechanism for connecting / disconnecting the auxiliary ink tank to / from the ink tank having a negative pressure as a driving condition. In addition, the ink replenishing method for the printer of the present invention sets the driving time, the suction operation speed, or the suction pressure of the suction pump unit that generates a negative pressure in the ink tank as the driving condition. May include a step of

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view (partially transparent view) of an inkjet printer according to the present embodiment. Also, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink replenishment control unit that controls ink replenishment in the inkjet printer of the present embodiment.

A paper feed tray 2 is provided at the rear of the printer body 1 so that a plurality of paper sheets 3 can be stacked. The paper 3 is conveyed in the printer body 1 in the direction of arrow A by a paper feed roller 5 driven by a paper feed motor 4 arranged in the printer body 1. Print head 2
Carriage 9 equipped with a printing mechanism including 0 (see FIG. 2)
A part of the belt 7 is fixed and is provided so as to be reciprocally movable by a carriage motor 6 connected to the belt 7 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the paper 3, that is, a direction indicated by an arrow B. After printing is performed on the sheet 3 conveyed on the platen 8 by the printing mechanism, the sheet 3 is conveyed to the outside of the printer body 1 further downstream, and the sheet discharge trays 11 and 12 are discharged.
Loaded on.

The print head 20 is provided with an element substrate in which ejection energy generating elements such as a plurality of electrothermal converters are arranged, a plurality of fine ejection openings and a plurality of liquid flow passage grooves communicating with them. It has a top plate, and is manufactured by combining and joining the element substrate and the grooved top plate in a state where each ejection energy generating element and each liquid flow path groove are accurately aligned.
Then, by inputting electrical energy to each ejection energy generating element, the ejection energy generating element is brought into contact with each ejection energy generating element.
The ink supplied from the ink tank 10 undergoes a state change accompanied by a sharp volume change (generation of bubbles), the ink is ejected from an ejection port by an action force based on the state change of the ink, and the ejected ink is ejected. It is configured to adhere to the sheet 3 to form an image.

A capping mechanism 15 is provided outside the area of the platen 8 which is a printing area in the printer body 1 to prevent the print head 20 for ejecting ink of the printing mechanism from drying except when printing. . Outside the same printing area, an auxiliary ink tank 16 for supplying ink to the ink tank 10 mounted on the carriage 9 can be connected to the lower surface of the ink tank 10 and can be connected to the upper surface of the ink tank 10. Each pump mechanism 17 is arranged. In each of these mechanisms, the capping mechanism 15 and the auxiliary ink tank 16 move in the direction of arrow C, and the pump mechanism 17 moves in the direction of arrow D when ink is replenished.

Next, the structure of the ink replenishment controller 60 will be described.

The ink replenishment controller 60 includes the print head 20.
A counter 61 that measures the number of ink droplets ejected from each color for each color and calculates the ink consumption amount for each color;
A total ink consumption amount calculation unit 62 that calculates the sum of the ink consumption amounts of the respective colors measured by the counter 61 and calculates the total ink consumption amount of all the ink tanks, and a threshold value in which the ink consumption amount of at least one color is set. 25 (refer to FIG. 4), it is determined whether the ink has been replenished,
A value obtained by multiplying the ink replenishment control means 63 for controlling the driving of the pump 17b, the connection of the pump mechanism 17, the separation and drive, the connection of the capping mechanism 15, the separation, etc. and the safety coefficient α for absorbing the error of the counter 61 is used. A replenishment ink amount setting means 64 which is set as a total ink amount to be replenished, and a suction time required for sucking the total ink amount to be sucked set by the replenishment ink amount setting means 64 at the suction speed of the pump mechanism 17 are set. Calculate and calculate this suction time
The suction time setting means 65 is set as the driving condition of No. 7.

The counter 61 not only calculates the amount of ink consumed from the measured number of ink droplets and the volume of each droplet, but also the ink consumption calculated as described above from the capacity of the ink tank. It is also possible to calculate the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank by subtracting the amount.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the correlation among the pump 17b, the pump mechanism 17, the ink tank 10, the carriage 9, the capping mechanism 15 and the auxiliary ink tank 16 described above. A sponge 23 for impregnating and holding the ink is housed inside the ink tank 10.
The ink in the sponge 23 is filtered from the supply opening 10a of the ink tank 10 to the filter 21 provided on the carriage 9.
Is supplied to the print head 20 through this print head 2
Printing is performed by discharging from 0 in a droplet state. When printing is not performed, as described above, the capping mechanism 1
5 presses the print head 20 so as to seal it, and prevents the print head 20 from drying.

When replenishing the ink in the ink tank 10, the opening 16a of the auxiliary ink tank 16 is pressed against the replenishing opening 10b provided in the ink tank 10 through the opening 9a of the carriage 9, and the ink tank 10 is refilled.
The pump mechanism 17 in the upper opening 10c provided on the upper surface of the
The opening 17a of is pressed. At this time, the capping mechanism 15 also closes the print head 20,
The ink tank 10 is driven by the pump 17b of the pump mechanism 17.
When the air inside is sucked in the direction of arrow E, the ink in the auxiliary ink tank 16 is replenished in the ink tank 10. When the replenished ink exceeds the holding force of the sponge 23 and overflows to the upper surface 23a of the sponge, the float valve 22 arranged on the upper surface 23a of the sponge floats,
The upper opening 10c of the ink tank 10 is closed and the flow path to the pump mechanism 17 is cut off, whereby the ink is not sucked even when the pump 17b is operating, and the ink replenishment is completed. After that, excess ink is discharged from the print head 20, and a negative pressure is generated by the sponge 23. Figure
The ink tank 10 and the auxiliary ink tank 16 shown in FIG. 2 are prepared for ink colors required for printing, and here, black (BK), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) are prepared. The embodiment will be described with respect to four colors, but if the types of ink increase, the same kind of ink will increase accordingly.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the ink replenishment timing and the ink replenishment method of the printer of this embodiment.
Is the flowchart. The threshold value 25 in FIG. 4 may be based on the number of droplets measured by the counter 61 itself, the ink consumption amount, or the ink remaining amount, but in the present embodiment, it is set based on the ink consumption amount. Value.

Each step of ink replenishment of this embodiment will be described below.

The following flow will be described from the time when printing is started after the previous ink replenishing operation is completed.

First, the previous ink replenishing operation is completed and printing is restarted (step S1).

As described above, the ink is ejected in the form of droplets from the print head 20, and the number of the droplets is measured for each color by the counter 61, and the ink consumption amount for each color is calculated based on this measurement value. To do. Then, the ink replenishment control unit 63 determines whether or not the ink consumption amount has reached the set threshold value 25 (step S2). If the ink consumption amount does not reach the set threshold value 25, printing is continued, but at least one color ink is set as the threshold value 25.
When it reaches, the ink replenishment control means 63 drives the pump mechanism 17, the capping mechanism 15 and the like to start the ink replenishment.

Here, ink replenishment is not limited to one color which has reached the threshold value 25, but all colors are replenished.
Further, the threshold value 25 is set so that a necessary ink amount remains when solid printing is performed on the entire area of the paper 3 with at least one color. As a result, even if the threshold value 25 is reached during printing, printing can be completed at least for the paper that is being printed. Therefore,
Even if the ink needs to be replenished, if the printing is still in progress, the printing is continued and completed (step S3).

After printing is completed, the carriage 9 is moved to the ink replenishment position where the auxiliary ink tank 16 and the pump mechanism 17 are provided (step S4).

Next, the print head 20 mounted on the carriage 9 is capped and sealed by the capping mechanism 15 (step S5). Furthermore, the ink tank 10
The replenishing opening 10b of the ink tank 10 and the opening 16a of the auxiliary ink tank 16 are connected (step S6), and then the upper opening 10c of the ink tank 10 and the opening 17a of the pump mechanism 17 are connected (step S7). . By connecting the auxiliary ink tank 16 before the pump mechanism 17, it is possible to expect the ink suction due to the absorption force of the sponge 23 in the ink tank 10 to be small.

In parallel with the connection operation in steps S4 to S7, the total ink consumption is calculated.

First, the ink consumption amount calculating means 62
The total sum of the ink consumption amounts of the respective ink tanks calculated by the counter 61 is calculated (step S8).

Next, as described above, the supplementary ink amount setting means 64 sets a value obtained by multiplying the safety coefficient α to absorb the error of the counter 61 as the total ink consumption amount to be sucked (step S9). Then, the suction time setting unit 65 calculates the suction time required for sucking the total ink consumption amount at the suction speed of the pump mechanism 17, that is, the pump 17b, and sets it as the drive condition of the pump mechanism 17 (step S10). .

Then, based on the actual operation time of the pump 17b calculated by the suction time setting means 65 in step S10, the ink replenishment control means 63 actually causes the pump 17b to operate.
Is operated to replenish the ink in the ink tank 10 (step S11). As a result, the pump 17b is operated for a minimum time commensurate with the total ink consumption, and the time required for ink replenishment (= pump operating time) is shortened as compared with the case where the pump 17b is operated for a fixed time. Become.

After operating the pump 17b for the actual operation time calculated in step S10, the pump 17b is stopped (step S12).

After the pump 17b is stopped, the pump mechanism 17 is separated from the ink tank 10 (step S13), the auxiliary ink tank 16 is separated from the ink tank 10 (step S14), and finally the counter 61 is reset (step S15). ) And completes all ink replenishment operations.

In the present embodiment, the example in which the operation time of the pump 17b is set to replenish the ink has been described, but the time for connecting the auxiliary ink tank 16 to the ink tank 10 is set and the ink is supplied. It may be configured to replenish.

As described above, according to the printer of this embodiment and the ink replenishing method for the printer, the ink consumption amount of at least one ink tank 10 is the threshold value 25.
At this point, the total amount of ink consumed in all the ink tanks 10 is calculated, and the pump 17b is driven for the suction time required for sucking the total amount of ink consumed to replenish the ink. The time required for ink replenishment can be shortened as compared with the case where the time pump 17b is operated. Further, by shortening this time, it is possible to avoid an over-suction state, and thus to reduce overload on the float valve 22 and the like. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows an ink tank 1 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of 0.

The basic operation is the same as that shown in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, the porous film 26 is provided in the ink tank 10 in the middle of the flow path with the pump mechanism 17. Has been. The porous film 26 has a structure that allows air to pass through inside but does not allow liquid such as ink to pass through.
As an alternative to the float valve 22 of the first embodiment,
The ink functions as a valve that raises the ink and contacts the porous film 26, and at the same time blocks the flow path. Further, it is assumed that the suction speed of the pump 17b of this embodiment is variable and the operating time is set to a predetermined time. It is assumed that the predetermined time is set to be equal to the suction time when the pump mechanism 17 sucks with the maximum capacity when all the ink is exhausted. In the description of the present embodiment, the same parts or components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the reference numerals used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the porous film 26 at rest and when sucking ink. Since the porous membrane 26 is a membrane, it has a planar shape as shown in FIG. 7 (a) when it is at rest, but as shown in FIG. 7 (b) when the pump 17b is operating and sucking. Pump mechanism 1
It is deformed by being pulled to the 7 side. This deformation is caused by the porous film 26.
Although not large when the air is passing through the inside, when the ink comes into contact with the porous film 26, the air in the flow path 27 is sucked, that is, becomes a vacuum. In addition, the deformation of the porous film 26 becomes even greater. In order to minimize this deformation, the operating time of the pump 17b is shortened as shown in the first embodiment,
That is, one method is to shorten the operating time of the pump 17b after the ink comes into contact with the porous film 26, but another method will be described here.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the timing and method of ink replenishment in this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ink replenishment control unit for controlling ink replenishment in the ink jet printer of this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the ink replenishment timing and replenishment method in the present embodiment.

The ink replenishment controller 60 has a counter 61.
The ink consumption amount calculation means 62, the ink replenishment control means 63, and the replenishment ink amount setting means 64 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment. Instead of the suction time setting means 65 shown by 2, the suction speed setting means 75 calculates the suction speed of the pump 17b and the suction pressure setting means 75 calculates the suction pressure of the pump 17b.
The suction speed setting means 75 determines the actual suction speed of the pump 17b required to suck the amount of ink to be sucked in the above-mentioned predetermined time. The ink replenishment controller 60 of this embodiment may be configured to have only one of the suction speed setting unit 75 and the suction pressure setting unit 75.

The following flow will be described from the time when printing is started after the previous ink replenishing operation is completed.

First, the previous ink replenishing operation is completed and printing is restarted (step S21).

The ink is ejected in the form of droplets from the print head 20, and the number of the droplets is measured for each color by the counter 61, and the ink consumption amount for each color is calculated based on this measurement value. Then, it is determined whether or not the ink consumption amount has reached the set threshold value 25, the ink replenishment control means 6
It is determined by 3 (step S22). If the ink consumption amount does not reach the set threshold value 25, printing is continued, but if at least one color ink reaches the set threshold value 25, the ink replenishment control means 63 causes the pump mechanism including the pump 17b. The ink replenishment is started by driving 17, the capping mechanism 15 and the like.

If printing is in progress, printing is continued,
Complete (step S23).

After the printing is completed, the carriage 9 is moved to the ink replenishing position where the auxiliary ink tank 16 and the pump mechanism 17 are provided (step S24).

Next, the print head 20 mounted on the carriage 9 is capped and sealed by the capping mechanism 15 (step S25). In addition, the ink tank 1
The replenishment opening 10b of 0 and the opening 16a of the auxiliary ink tank 16 are connected (step S26), and the upper opening 10c of the ink tank 10 and the opening 17a of the pump mechanism 17 are connected (step S27). . By connecting the auxiliary ink tank 16 before the pump mechanism 17, it is possible to expect the ink suction due to the absorption force of the sponge 23 in the ink tank 10 to be small.

In parallel with the connection operation in steps S24 to S27, the total ink consumption amount is calculated.

First, the ink consumption amount calculating means 62
The total sum of the ink consumption amounts of the respective ink tanks calculated by the counter 61 is calculated (step S28).

Next, the replenishment ink amount setting means 64
A value obtained by multiplying the safety coefficient α in order to absorb the error of the counter 61 is set as the total ink consumption amount to be sucked (step S29). Next, the suction speed setting unit 75 calculates the suction speed required for the pump 17b to suck the total ink consumption amount in a certain time, and sets it as the driving condition of the pump 17b (step S30).

Then, the suction speed setting means 75 actually operates the pump 17b at the actual suction speed of the pump 17b calculated in step S30 to replenish the ink in the ink tank 10 (step S31). By performing the suction speed control in this manner, for example, only one color is consumed and the threshold value 25
However, when the total ink consumption is small because the other colors are not used at all, the ink suction speed can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of air passing through the porous film 26 per unit time is also reduced, so that the load applied to the porous film 26 is reduced and unnecessary deformation of the porous film 26 is suppressed.

After the pump 17b is operated for a predetermined time at the suction speed calculated in step S31, the pump 17b is stopped (step S32).

After the pump 17b is stopped, the pump mechanism 17 is separated from the ink tank 10 (step S33), the auxiliary ink tank 16 is separated from the ink tank 10 (step S34), and finally the counter 61 is reset (step S35). ) And completes all ink replenishment operations.

Here, an example in which the suction speed of the pump 17b is calculated by the suction speed setting means 75 and the ink replenishment is based on this suction speed has been described. However, as described above, the suction speed is variable. Pump 17 of Embodiment
In other words, b can be said to be variable because the suction pressure, which has a large effect on the deformation of the porous membrane 26, is variable. Therefore, for example, a sensor for measuring the suction pressure and the suction pressure setting means 75 drive the pump 17b. The condition may be changed. In this case, for example, only one color is consumed and reaches the threshold value 25, but the other colors are not used at all, so that the ink suction pressure can be lowered when the total ink consumption amount is small. The pressure applied to the porous film 26 is low, the load applied to the porous film 26 is reduced, and unnecessary deformation of the porous film 26 is suppressed.

As described above, according to the printer of the present embodiment and the ink replenishing method for the printer, the ink consumption amount of at least one ink tank 10 is the threshold value 25.
At this point, the total ink consumption amount in all the ink tanks 10 is calculated, and the pump 17b is driven for a certain period of time at the suction speed required to suck the total ink consumption amount to replenish the ink, The required time can be shortened as compared with the case where it is necessary to operate the pump for a fixed time and perform the ink replenishment without depending on the excessive ink consumption. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, since the suction speed or the suction pressure is controlled, it is possible to suppress the destruction or deterioration of the porous film 26 by applying an excessive load to the porous film 26.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The ink replenishment control means determines the total amount of ink to be replenished in all the ink tanks based on the total value of the respective ink consumption amounts when at least one of the ink consumption amounts in each ink tank reaches a predetermined threshold value. Is set to set the driving conditions of the ink replenishing means capable of replenishing the total amount of ink, and the ink replenishing means is operated for all ink tanks to perform ink replenishment. Therefore, since the driving condition of the ink replenishing means is set according to the required amount of ink to be replenished to each ink tank, the ink replenishing means is not driven more than necessary, thus shortening the time required for ink replenishment, Alternatively, the load on the ink replenishing means can be reduced, and various problems such as destruction and deterioration of the device including the ink tank can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially transparent perspective view of an inkjet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink replenishment control unit that controls ink replenishment in the inkjet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an ink supply unit of the inkjet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an ink replenishment method for the inkjet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart regarding ink replenishment in the inkjet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an ink supply unit of an inkjet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view explaining the behavior of a porous film.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an ink replenishment method using a porous film of an inkjet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink replenishment control unit for controlling ink replenishment in the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart regarding ink replenishment in the inkjet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional printer.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional printer in which a spring bag is mounted on an ink tank as an ink replenishing mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ink replenishment method for replenishing ink with a spring bag.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional printer having an ink replenishment mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ink replenishment method for replenishing ink with a pump.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Printer body 2 paper tray 3 sheets 4 motor 5 roller 6 Carriage motor 7 belt 8 Platen 9 carriage 9a opening 10 ink tank 10a Supply opening 10c Upper opening 10b Refill opening 11 Output tray 15 Capping mechanism 16 Auxiliary ink tank 16a opening 17 Pump mechanism 17a opening 17b pump 20 print head 21 Filter 22 float valve 23 Sponge 23a upper surface 25 threshold 26 Porous membrane 27 channels 60 Ink replenishment controller 61 counter 62 ink consumption amount calculation means 63 Ink replenishment control means 64 Replenishment ink amount setting means 65 Suction time setting means 75 Suction speed setting means 76 Suction pressure setting means α safety factor

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A printing mechanism section for ejecting ink onto the printing medium to perform printing on a carriage provided so as to be movable relative to the printing medium, and a plurality of colors for the printing mechanism section. Ink replenishment means for replenishing ink to each of the ink tanks from an auxiliary ink tank arranged in the printer main body, and an ink replenishing means for ejecting from the printing mechanism part are consumed. A printer having a measuring unit that measures the ink consumption amount of each color of each color, and is mounted on the carriage when at least one of the ink consumption amounts of the ink tanks reaches a predetermined threshold value. An ink replenishment control unit that operates the ink replenishment unit for all the ink tanks; Ink consumption amount calculation means for calculating a total value, replenishment ink amount setting means for setting a total ink amount to be replenished in all the ink tanks based on the total value, and replenishment of the total ink amount is possible A driving condition setting unit that sets a driving condition of the ink replenishing unit. 2. The total ink amount can be replenished by the ink replenishing means having a mechanism for connecting / disconnecting the auxiliary ink tank to / from the ink tank having a negative pressure inside the drive condition setting means. The printer according to claim 1, wherein a connection time between the ink tank and the held ink tank is calculated, and the connection time is set as the driving condition. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit counts the number of ink droplets ejected from the printing mechanism unit to calculate the ink consumption amount. 4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the measuring unit calculates the remaining amount of ink in each of the ink tanks by subtracting the ink consumption amount from the capacity of the ink tank. 5. A printing mechanism section for ejecting ink to the printing medium to perform printing on a carriage provided so as to be movable relative to the printing medium, and a plurality of colors for the printing mechanism section. Ink replenishment means for replenishing ink to each of the ink tanks from an auxiliary ink tank arranged in the printer main body, and an ink replenishing means for ejecting from the printing mechanism part are consumed. Measuring means for measuring the ink consumption of each color, and the ink replenishing means is provided in the ink tank and the auxiliary ink tank provided so as to be individually connectable to each ink tank. In a printer having a suction pump unit that generates pressure, at least one of the ink consumption amounts in the ink tanks reaches a predetermined threshold value, and An ink replenishment control unit that operates the ink replenishment unit for all the ink tanks mounted on the carriage; an ink consumption amount calculation unit that calculates a total value of the respective ink consumption amounts in the respective ink tanks; Replenishment ink amount setting means for setting the total ink amount to be replenished to all the ink tanks based on the total value, and driving conditions for setting the driving conditions of the ink replenishing means capable of replenishing the total ink amount A printer having a setting means. 6. A means for cutting off the connection between the suction pump and the ink tank regardless of the operation of the suction pump when the ink is replenished to a specified amount in the ink tank by the ink replenishing means. The printer according to Item 5. 7. The drive condition setting means calculates a drive time of the suction pump capable of replenishing the total ink amount,
The printer according to claim 4, wherein the drive time is set as the drive condition. 8. The drive condition setting means calculates an operating speed of the suction pump capable of replenishing the total ink amount,
The printer according to claim 4, wherein the operating speed is set as the driving condition. 9. The drive condition setting means calculates an operating speed of the suction pump capable of replenishing the total ink amount,
The printer according to claim 4, wherein the operating pressure is set as the driving condition. 10. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the measuring unit counts the number of ink droplets ejected from the printing mechanism unit to calculate the ink consumption amount. 11. The printer according to claim 10, wherein the measuring unit calculates the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank by subtracting the ink consumption amount from the capacity of the ink tank. 12. A printing mechanism section for ejecting ink onto the printing medium to perform printing on a carriage provided so as to be movable relative to the printing medium, and a plurality of colors for the printing mechanism section. Ink replenishment means for replenishing ink to each of the ink tanks from an auxiliary ink tank arranged in the printer main body, and an ink replenishing means for ejecting from the printing mechanism part are consumed. An ink replenishing method for a printer having a measuring unit for measuring the ink consumption of each color, and a determining step of determining whether at least one of the ink consumptions has reached a predetermined threshold value; In the step, if it is determined that at least one of the ink consumption amounts reaches the threshold value, all the ink tanks mounted on the carriage On the other hand, a step of operating the ink replenishing means, a step of calculating a total value of the respective ink consumption amounts in the respective ink tanks, a total ink amount to be replenished in all the ink tanks based on the total value An ink replenishing method for a printer, comprising: a setting step; and a step of setting a driving condition of the ink replenishing means capable of replenishing the total ink amount. 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of setting the connection time of the ink replenishing means having a mechanism for connecting / disconnecting the auxiliary ink tank to / from the ink tank having a negative pressure inside as the driving condition. How to refill the printer's ink. 14. The ink replenishing method for a printer according to claim 12, further comprising the step of setting, as the driving condition, a driving time of a suction pump section that generates a negative pressure in the ink tank. 15. The ink replenishing method for a printer according to claim 12, further comprising the step of setting an operating speed of a suction pump section that generates a negative pressure in the ink tank as the driving condition. 16. The ink replenishing method for a printer according to claim 12, further comprising the step of setting a suction pressure of a suction pump section that generates a negative pressure in the ink tank as the driving condition.