JP2004009685A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent, in a recorder using pigment ink, the ink in an ink cartridge from having a concentration gradient due to the precipitation of pigment particles to avoid nonuniformity in a recorded image, and to prevent the pigment particles from being concentrated or depositing. <P>SOLUTION: A passage for circulating the ink in the ink cartridge is provided in an ink feeding path for periodically circulating and stirring the ink. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As a method of recording on paper or the like using liquid ink, an ink jet method of flying an ink droplet and recording on a recording medium is known. The ink jet system has advantages such as high speed, low noise, easy colorization, no fixing mechanism, low running cost, and the like, and is rapidly spreading as a recording means for various uses.
[0003]
On the other hand, water-based inks are frequently used as inks for ink-jet recording apparatuses because of their price, safety, and ease of handling. However, a dye is usually used as a coloring material in an aqueous ink, and due to its properties, there is a drawback that the weather resistance is weak. Specifically, the ink oozes out when wet with water, and when used outdoors such as posters, sunlight or atmospheric gases (ozone, NO _X , SO _X ), The image fades significantly. As a solution to this problem, a pigment ink using a pigment as a coloring material is effective.
[0004]
However, when the pigment ink is used, the pigment particles precipitate due to being left for a long period of time, and an ink concentration gradient occurs inside the ink storage unit.
[0005]
As a result, problems such as a change in the color of the output material and a blocking of the head filter by the aggregated particles occur. Therefore, it is necessary to always make the ink density uniform.
[0006]
In a conventional ink jet recording apparatus using a pigment ink, for example, there is an ink jet recording apparatus in which an agitating means is provided in an ink tank to generate a swirl to make the ink concentration uniform.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional stirring method, the size and the size of the apparatus are increased, while the flow velocity difference inside the ink tank is large, and there is a possibility that a portion that is not stirred may occur.
[0008]
Further, in the conventional method in which a flow path for performing internal circulation of the ink cartridge is provided, for example, in the case of a recording apparatus having a plurality of line heads capable of performing color recording at high speed and a plurality of independent ink tanks corresponding to these heads, In addition to the limitations described above, the cross section of the supply port of the ink tank is small due to the consistency with the flow path (tube diameter) connecting each part. When ink is sent into such a flow path at a large flow rate, the ink flow at the outlet collides with the liquid level in the ink tank, causing a large fluctuation in the liquid level, and bubbles are generated, and the air communication port of the ink tank is formed. There is a risk of blocking.
[0009]
Furthermore, if the meniscus is maintained by the head difference between the liquid level of the ink tank and the head ejection port, it is necessary to wait for the printing operation until the shaking subsides and the bubbles disappear, and as a result, the first print speed after ink supply Decreases.
[0010]
In general, when supplying ink to the ink tank (first ink storage section), it is necessary to suppress the flow rate so that the ink from the supply port flows along the inner wall of the ink tank so as not to cause such adverse effects. preferable.
[0011]
However, if the internal circulation of the ink cartridge is performed at this flow rate, the time not involved in recording becomes longer, not only the overall recording speed is reduced, but also the agitation for sufficiently eliminating the density gradient inside the ink cartridge is not performed. Will occur.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has implemented the following means in view of the conventional problems described above.
[0013]
A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a first ink storage unit that replenishes the recording head with ink, and a replaceable second ink supply unit that supplies ink to the first ink storage unit. In a recording apparatus having an ink storage section,
A first flow path connecting the second ink storage section and the first ink storage section, a second flow path branched from the first flow path and connected to a second ink storage section, Switching means for enabling either one of the first and second flow paths.
Recording device.
[0014]
A recording apparatus, wherein when the first flow path is made effective by the switching means, ink is supplied from the second storage section to the first storage section.
[0015]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is circulated from the second storage section to the second storage section when the switching section enables the second flow path.
[0016]
A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a first ink storage unit that replenishes the recording head with ink, and a replaceable second ink supply unit that supplies ink to the first ink storage unit. In a recording apparatus having a capping mechanism for capping the ink storage unit and the recording head,
A first flow path connecting the second ink storage section and the first ink storage section, a second flow path branched from the first flow path and connected to a second ink storage section, A pump mechanism having a third flow path branched from one flow path and connected to the capping mechanism, and a switching means for enabling at least one of the first, second, and third flow paths. Recording device.
[0017]
A recording apparatus, wherein when the first flow path is made effective by the switching means, ink is supplied from the second storage section to the first storage section.
[0018]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is circulated from the second storage section to the second storage section when the switching section enables the second flow path.
[0019]
Recovering ink from the capping mechanism to the first storage section when the first flow path and the third flow path are made effective by the switching means.
Recording device.
[0020]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for selectively controlling a flow rate of the second flow path when the switching means makes the second flow path effective.
[0021]
The recording device, wherein the control means is a plurality of pumps.
[0022]
A plurality of recording heads that eject ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a first ink storage unit that replenishes the plurality of recording heads with ink, and an exchange that supplies ink to the first ink storage unit In a recording apparatus having a possible second ink storage section and a capping mechanism for capping the recording head,
A first flow path connecting the second ink storage section and the first ink storage section, a second flow path branched from the first flow path and connected to a second ink storage section, A pump mechanism having a third flow path branched from one flow path and connected to the capping mechanism, and a switching means for enabling at least one of the first, second, and third flow paths. Recording device.
[0023]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is circulated from the second storage section to the second storage section when the switching section enables the second flow path.
[0024]
A recording apparatus, comprising: a plurality of operation modes for circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section when the second flow path is enabled by the switching section.
[0025]
When it is determined that a first predetermined time or more has elapsed from the previous circulation operation, a first operation mode for circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section is selected. Recording device.
[0026]
When it is determined that a second predetermined time has elapsed from the previous circulation operation, a second operation mode for circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section is selected. Recording device.
[0027]
A recording apparatus which does not execute the operation of circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section when it is determined that the first predetermined time has not elapsed from the previous circulation operation.
[0028]
The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the second storage section is replaced, the second operation mode in which ink is circulated from the second storage section to the second storage section is selected.
[0029]
When the second storage section is replaced, a third operation mode for circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section is selected.
[0030]
A recording apparatus having a plurality of the third operation modes.
[0031]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0032]
FIG. 1 shows an ink path of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
[0033]
When the ink cartridge 110 is accommodated in the designated accommodating portion, the needles 111 and 112 provided on the apparatus main body side penetrate the inside of the ink cartridge 110 to form a flow path of the ink 130 inside.
[0034]
Although the details will be described later, the general flow of the ink is as follows.
[0035]
It is temporarily buffered in the sub tank 118 via the supply / suction pump 100, the tube 108 and the like via the needle 112 and the tube 106.
[0036]
Then, the ink is sent to the common liquid chamber 121 of the recording head 120 through the pressure pump 113, the tube 116, etc., and selectively ejects ink from each ink nozzle (not shown) on the nozzle surface 125 to the recording medium at the time of image recording. Let it.
[0037]
At the time of standby other than the printing operation, the entire nozzle surface 125 of the printing head 120 is sealed by the cap 124 inside the capping mechanism 123. The recording head 120 needs a cleaning operation so that each ink nozzle is in a healthy state during recording.
[0038]
In the cleaning operation, the ink in the common liquid chamber 121 of the recording head 120 is pressurized, and a relatively large amount of ink is forcibly pushed out from each ink nozzle to make each nozzle sound.
[0039]
Thereafter, the nozzle surface 125 is wiped by a wiper blade (not shown) to make the nozzle surface clear, and the recording operation is prepared. During the cleaning operation, a relatively large amount of ink that has been forcibly pushed out from the ink reservoir 126 in the capping mechanism 123 passes through the filter 127 and the tube 109, and further passes through the tube 108 by the operation of the supply / suction pump 100, and the sub-tank Return to 118.
[0040]
In this embodiment of the present invention, the ink used for the recovery and cleaning operations of the recording head is returned to the sub tank without being wasted and recycled.
[0041]
Both the recording and standby states are shown in the state of FIG. 1, but even if no pump is operated, the ink used for the recording naturally flows from the subtank 118 to the recording head 120 via the tube 116 due to the capillary phenomenon. Replenished.
[0042]
Next, the operation of eliminating the concentration gradient of the ink 130 inside the ink cartridge 110, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
First, the supply valve solenoid 132 is turned on, and the supply valve 104 is shifted to the position shown in FIG.
[0044]
Subsequently, the pump motor and the supply clutch are driven to start the operation of the supply / suction pump. Here, the diaphragm piston method used for each pump will be described with reference to FIG.
[0045]
The piston 602 moves up and down in synchronization with the rotation of the cam incorporated in the pump motor shaft 601. When the piston 602 moves downward, the pressure in the cylinder is reduced, so the umbrella valve 603 is opened, and ink is sucked into the cylinder from the main chamber 605 side.
[0046]
Next, when the piston 602 starts to rise from the lowest point, the inside of the cylinder is pressurized, so that the valve 603 on the main chamber 605 side is closed and the umbrella type valve 604 on the sub chamber 606 side is opened, and ink flows from the cylinder to the sub chamber. It is pushed into the chamber 606.
[0047]
These two states are repeated, and the ink moves from the main chamber 605 side to the sub chamber 606 side. Returning to FIG. 2 again, when the supply valve 104 keeps the position of FIG. 2, the ink 130 in the ink cartridge 110 passes through the needle 112, the tube 106, and the valve 101 by the reciprocating operation of the piston inside the supply / suction pump 100. The ink is sucked by the cylinder, returns to the ink cartridge 110 through the valve 103, the tube 107, and the needle 111 at the time of pushing, and the ink 130 is circulated and stirred.
[0048]
When the pigment ink is used, there is a concern that the color of the recorded matter differs depending on the recording timing due to the density gradient caused by the precipitation of the coloring material inside the ink cartridge 110. In the present invention, the concentration gradient of the ink 130 inside the ink cartridge 110 is improved by the circulation stirring operation shown in FIG.
[0049]
Next, an operation of supplying (supplying) ink from the ink cartridge 110 to the sub-tank 118 will be described with reference to FIG. After detecting the level of the ink detection sensor 131 inside the sub tank 118, if it is determined that replenishment is necessary, the operation starts.
[0050]
When supplying ink from the ink cartridge 110 to the sub-tank 118, first, the supply valve solenoid 132 and the suction valve solenoid 133 are both turned on, so that the supply valve 104 and the suction valve 105 are shifted to the positions shown in FIG.
[0051]
Subsequently, the pump motor and the supply clutch are driven to start the operation of the supply / suction pump. Then, when the piston is in the suction direction, ink is sucked into the cylinder from the ink cartridge 110 through the needle 112, the tube 106, and the valve 101, and when pushed out, the ink sucked into the cylinder is passed through the valve 102 and the tube 108. It is supplied into the sub tank 118.
[0052]
FIG. 4 shows how the ink moves during the recovery and cleaning operations of the recording head 120.
[0053]
First, the suction valve solenoid 133 is turned on to shift the suction valve 105 to the position shown in FIG. 4, and then the pump motor and the supply clutch are driven to start the operation of the supply / suction pump 100.
[0054]
Then, when the piston is in the suction direction, ink is sucked into the cylinder from the ink reservoir 126 in the capping mechanism 123 via the filter 127, the tube 109, and the valve 101. On the other hand, when the piston is in the pushing direction, the valve 102 tube 108 is removed from the cylinder. It is pushed out to the sub tank via.
[0055]
Shortly after the start of the above operation, the valve 128 is closed, and then the pressure clutch is also driven. Then, the operation of the pressurizing pump 113 is started, and the ink 129 in the sub tank 118 is pushed out to the common liquid chamber 121 of the recording head 120 through the valves 114 and 115 and the tube 116.
[0056]
Since the valve 128 is closed in advance, the pressurized ink is forcibly pushed out from the discharge nozzle of the recording head 120. At this time, each nozzle returns to a healthy state, and thereafter, the wiper blade (not shown) ) To wipe the entire nozzle surface 126 to prepare for the next recording.
[0057]
On the other hand, a relatively large amount of ink that has been forcibly pushed out from each discharge nozzle tends to temporarily accumulate in the ink reservoir 126. However, as described above, the supply / suction pump 100 is operating at this time. Is collected and recycled in the sub tank 118 through the path of the filter 127, the tube 109, the valve 101, the valve 102, and the tube 108.
[0058]
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
[0059]
Among the supply / suction pumps described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the operation of FIG. 2 particularly for improving the ink concentration gradient in the ink cartridge, it is considered that it is desirable to rapidly perform the circulation / stirring operation. As a method, there is a control of the number of revolutions of the supply / suction pump by switching the drive voltage and the drive current of the pump motor, but as another means, the first and second supply as shown in FIG. -The second supply / suction pump is selectively operated in order to execute circulation / stirring at a higher speed by providing a suction pump.
[0060]
In order to eliminate the concentration gradient caused by the sedimentation of the coloring material inside the ink cartridge, it is more preferable to selectively drive the second supply / suction pump and reduce the flow path resistance by increasing the inner diameters of the tubes 106 and 107. The effect can be expected.
[0061]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
[0062]
In the recording apparatus 700, for example, a label paper 701 wound in a roll shape is supplied to a main body, and is conveyed at a constant speed by a conveyance belt 705. The leading end of each label is detected by a Top Of Form (TOF) sensor 704, and the recording operation is completed when the label passes below the recording head 120 based on the detected position.
[0063]
The recording head 120 includes, for example, a recording head (black) 120K, a (cyan) 120C, a (light cyan) 120LC, a (magenta) 120M, a (light magenta) 120LM, and a recording head (yellow) 120Y for a total of six colors. Record. Each recording head has a recording width corresponding to the maximum width of the recording medium 701 to be used.
[0064]
In the lower part of the recording apparatus 700, ink cartridges 110K to 110Y corresponding to the respective recording heads 120K to 120Y, sub tanks 118K to 118Y, and the like are provided.
[0065]
The ink cartridges 110K to 110Y can be replaced for each color.
[0066]
FIG. 8 shows a connection diagram between the host PC and the recording device 700.
[0067]
The data recorded on the label or the like created by the host PC 800 is sent to the recording device 700 via the interface cable 801, and is recorded on continuous label paper supplied from the roll paper supply unit 701.
[0068]
The recording device 700 also includes a display for displaying an operation state and an alarm, and an operation panel having operation keys for replacing paper.
[0069]
FIG. 9 shows an electrical block diagram of the recording device 700.
[0070]
The recording data transmitted from the host computer (800) is received by the interface controller 902. The interface controller also receives and analyzes a command for specifying a recording medium to be recorded, for example, the number, type, size, and the like of labels.
[0071]
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901 is an arithmetic processing unit that includes command analysis and controls the entire recording apparatus 700 such as reception of recording data, recording operation, and handling of a recording medium.
[0072]
After analyzing the received command, the CPU 901 develops a bitmap of the image data of each color component of the print data in the image memory 904 and draws the image data.
[0073]
As an operation process before recording, the CPU 901 mutually drives a capping motor (not shown) and a head motor (not shown) via an output port, a motor driving unit 910, and moves the recording head 120 from the capping position to the recording position. Let it.
[0074]
Almost at the same time, the transport unit is driven by a paper feed motor 911 for feeding the label paper 701 as a recording medium and a transport motor 912, and the label paper 701 is continuously transported.
[0075]
A leading edge detection (TOF) sensor 704 detects the leading edge of the label to determine the recording timing of the label paper 701 conveyed at a constant speed.
[0076]
In synchronization with the conveyance, the CPU 901 sequentially reads the image data of the corresponding color from the image memory 904, transfers the data to the corresponding print head 120 via the print head control circuit 909, and performs color printing.
[0077]
The operation of the CPU 901 is executed based on the processing program stored in the program ROM 903 and controls the entire apparatus. Such a program is, for example, a program corresponding to a procedure shown in a flowchart described later. A work RAM 905 is used as a work memory.
[0078]
The operation of the supply / suction pump 100 according to the present invention controls the pump motor 911 and the supply clutch 915 via the motor drive unit 910 and the drive circuit 914 when the CPU 901 operates the input / output port 908.
[0079]
To operate the pressure pump 113, which is another pump, the pump motor and the pressure clutch 916 are similarly driven.
[0080]
The drive of the supply valve solenoid 132 and the suction valve solenoid 133 according to the present invention is also controlled by operating the input / output port 908 by the CPU 901.
[0081]
Next, an operation flow relating to characteristic control of the present invention will be described.
[0082]
When the CPU 901 executes the control program stored in the program ROM 903, the following operation flow proceeds.
[0083]
First, FIG. 10 shows a control flow relating to the homogenization of the density of the ink 130 in the ink cartridge 110 corresponding to FIG.
[0084]
The execution of the ink concentration homogenization operation is performed in advance when ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 110 to the sub tank 118.
[0085]
When the concentration homogenization operation is started, first, the supply valve solenoid 132 is turned on (S1001), and then the supply / suction pump 100 is driven by the operations of the pump motor 911 and the supply clutch 915 (S1002). With these settings, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the ink 130 in the ink cartridge 110 starts stirring (circulating).
[0086]
When the operation is continued for a predetermined time (S1003), the supply / suction pump is stopped (S1004), and then the supply valve solenoid is also turned off (S1005), and the process ends.
[0087]
When the above operation is completed, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 110 to the sub tank 118 (corresponding to FIG. 3) according to the flow shown in FIG.
[0088]
When supplying ink, first, both the supply valve solenoid 132 and the suction valve solenoid 133 are turned on (S1101, S1102). Next, when driving of the supply / suction pump 100 is started (S1103), ink supply from the ink cartridge 110 to the sub tank 118 is started. The output value of the ink detection sensor 131 is read, and when the sub tank is full (Y in S1104), the supply suction pump 100 is stopped (S1105), and then both the supply valve solenoid and the suction valve solenoid are turned off (S1106, S1107). The ink supply ends.
[0089]
If a predetermined time has elapsed (Y in S1108) while the sub-tank cannot be detected as full (N in S1104), a replenishment from the ink cartridge has not been performed, and a warning of "ink empty" is issued (S1109). Prompt for replacement and end.
[0090]
Next, FIG. 12 shows an operation flow corresponding to the recovery and cleaning operations of the recording head 120 described in FIG.
[0091]
First, the suction valve solenoid 133 is turned on (S1201), and then the supply / suction pump 100 starts to be driven (S1202). By doing so, the operation of collecting ink from the ink reservoir 126 of the capping mechanism 123 to the sub tank 118 via the filter 127, the tube 109, and the supply / suction pump 100 starts.
[0092]
Subsequently, the valve 128 between the recording head and the sub tank is closed (S1203), and the pressure pump 113 is operated by operating the pressure clutch 915 (S1204).
[0093]
Then, the inside of the common liquid chamber 121 of the recording head 120 is pressurized, ink is forcibly pushed out from each ejection nozzle, and each ejection nozzle is soundened.
[0094]
A relatively large amount of ink is pushed out into the ink pool 126, but there is no problem since the operation of collecting has already started.
[0095]
When the pressurization recovery for a predetermined time is completed (S1205), the pressurizing pump is stopped (S1206), and the valve 128 is opened (S1207). Subsequently, the nozzle surface 125 of the recording head 120 is wiped with a wiper blade (not shown) (S1208), and after continuing the ink recovery operation from the ink reservoir 126 for a predetermined time (S1209), the supply / suction pump is stopped (S1210). The valve solenoid is turned off (S1211), and the recovery and cleaning operation ends.
[0096]
It is determined whether the recovery and cleaning operations of the recording head 120 are performed when the power is turned on or before the recording operation.
[0097]
The criterion is, for example, whether 24 hours or more have elapsed since the previous recovery and cleaning operation, and if 24 hours or more have elapsed, the determination is made.
[0098]
Next, FIG. 13 shows an operation determination flow relating to density homogenization by circulation of the ink 130 inside the ink cartridge 110, which is a characteristic operation of the present invention.
[0099]
The operation determination flow is executed when the power is turned on or before the recording operation.
[0100]
First, the CPU 901 determines whether any of the ink cartridges (110K to 110Y) has been replaced with a new one. If a new one exists (Y in S1301), the second operation mode of the ink circulation is designated. Writing to the work RAM 905 is completed.
[0101]
The determination as to whether the ink cartridge has been replaced may be made by simply checking whether the cover of the cartridge storage portion has been opened once.
[0102]
Further, there may be a plurality of types of the second operation mode of the ink circulation depending on which color is replaced among the replaced ink cartridges 110K to 110Y. This is because the physical properties differ depending on the coloring material.
If the ink cartridge has not been replaced (N in S1301) and, for example, 48 hours or more have passed since the previous stirring operation (Y in S1302), the second operation mode of the ink circulation is designated (S1306), and Writing is completed.
[0103]
For example, 48 hours have not passed since the previous stirring operation (N in S1302), but if 8 hours have passed (S1303), the first operation mode of ink circulation is designated (S1304), and writing to the work RAM 905 is completed.
For example, if it is within 8 hours from the previous stirring operation (N in S1303), the necessity of the ink circulation operation is designated, and the operation mode set value in the work RAM 905 is cleared (S1305).
),finish.
[0104]
In the first operation mode, the operation time of the ink circulation is set to, for example, 20 seconds, and in the second operation mode, the operation time is set to 40 seconds, and stored in the program ROM 903.
[0105]
The ink circulating operation may be a method of circulating not only the ink 130 inside the ink cartridge 110 but also the ink inside the sub tank 118.
[0106]
Next, another embodiment relating to the determination of the execution of the ink circulation / stirring operation is shown in FIG.
[0107]
Here, when any of the ink colors is replaced with a new cartridge (Y in S1301), the third operation mode of the ink circulation is designated (S1307), and the writing to the work RAM 905 is completed.
[0108]
Assuming that the first operation mode is set to 20 seconds and the second operation mode is set to 40 seconds, the third operation mode is set to, for example, 100 seconds in advance.
[0109]
Further, since the color of the ink replaced with a new ink cartridge can be identified in advance, in the third mode of ink circulation, the operation time of circulation can be changed depending on the ink color.
[0110]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in a recording apparatus using pigment ink, sedimentation of pigment particles in the ink cartridge is eliminated by periodic circulation. In addition, the uniformity of recording and the reliability of recording operation are improved by providing a special circulation mode when replacing the cartridge, providing a circulation mode for each ink color, or changing the circulation mode according to the capacity of the cartridge. it can.
[0111]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink supply recovery system of a recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink operation (flow) at the time of ink circulation / stirring according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an ink supply operation from a cartridge to a sub-tank according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an ink operation (flow) during a recovery operation and a cleaning operation of the recording head.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a plurality of supply / suction pumps of the present invention are provided.
FIG. 6 is a view showing the operation principle of a diaphragm piston type pump mechanism.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a connection diagram of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention and a host PC.
FIG. 9 is an electrical block diagram of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart relating to ink density homogenization according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart relating to ink supply according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart relating to recovery and cleaning of a recording head according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart relating to determination of execution of an ink circulation and agitation operation according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an operation flowchart of another embodiment of the ink circulation and agitation operation execution determination according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Supply / suction pump
101 valve
102 valves
103 valve
104 Supply valve
105 Suction valve
106 tubes
107 tubes
108 tubes
109 tubes
110 ink cartridge
111 Needle 1
112 Needle 2
113 Pressure pump
114 valves
115 valves
116 tubes
118 sub tank
120 recording head
121 Common liquid chamber
122 Filter
123 Capping mechanism
124 cap
125 Nozzle surface
126 Ink pool
127 Filter
128 valves
129 ink (in sub tank)
130 Ink (in the ink cartridge)
131 Ink detection sensor
132 Supply valve solenoid
133 Suction valve solenoid
134 Atmospheric communication port
601 camshaft
602 piston
603 Umbrella type valve
604 umbrella type valve
605 Main room
606 Sub-room
700 recording device
701 Recording medium (label paper)
702 label
703 transport roller
704 Top Of Form Sensor
705 conveyor belt
800 Host PC
801 interface cable
802 Operation panel
901 CPU (central processing unit)
902 interface controller
903 Program ROM
904 image memory
905 Work RAM
906 EEPROM
907 AD converter
908 I / O (input / output port)
909 Printhead control circuit
910 Motor drive unit
911 Pump motor
912 Paper feed motor
913 Transport motor
914 drive circuit
915 Supply clutch
916 pressure clutch

Claims (18)

A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a first ink storage unit that replenishes the recording head with ink, and a replaceable second ink supply unit that supplies ink to the first ink storage unit. In a recording apparatus having an ink storage section,
A first flow path connecting the second ink storage section and the first ink storage section, a second flow path branched from the first flow path and connected to a second ink storage section, 1. A recording apparatus, comprising: a switching unit that makes any one of the first and second flow paths effective. Supplying the ink from the second storage section to the first storage section when the first flow path is enabled by the switching means.
The recording device according to claim 1. And circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section when the switching section enables the second flow path.
The recording device according to claim 1. A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a first ink storage unit that replenishes the recording head with ink, and a replaceable second ink supply unit that supplies ink to the first ink storage unit. In a recording apparatus having a capping mechanism for capping the ink storage unit and the recording head,
A first flow path connecting the second ink storage section and the first ink storage section, a second flow path branched from the first flow path and connected to a second ink storage section, A pump mechanism having a third flow path branched from one flow path and connected to the capping mechanism, and a switching means for enabling at least one of the first, second, and third flow paths. Recording device. Supplying the ink from the second storage section to the first storage section when the first flow path is enabled by the switching means.
The recording device according to claim 4. And circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section when the switching section enables the second flow path.
The recording device according to claim 4. Recovering ink from the capping mechanism to the first storage section when the first flow path and the third flow path are made effective by the switching means.
The recording device according to claim 4. When the switching means enables the second flow path, the control means selectively controls the flow rate of the second flow path,
The recording device according to claim 4. The control means is a plurality of pumps,
The recording device according to claim 4. A plurality of recording heads that eject ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a first ink storage unit that replenishes the plurality of recording heads with ink, and an exchange that supplies ink to the first ink storage unit In a recording apparatus having a possible second ink storage section and a capping mechanism for capping the recording head,
A first flow path connecting the second ink storage section and the first ink storage section, a second flow path branched from the first flow path and connected to a second ink storage section, A pump mechanism having a third flow path branched from one flow path and connected to the capping mechanism, and a switching means for enabling at least one of the first, second, and third flow paths. Recording device. And circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section when the switching section enables the second flow path.
The recording device according to claim 10. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of operation modes for circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section when the second flow path is enabled by the switching unit. 13. Recording device. When it is determined that a first predetermined time or more has elapsed from the previous circulation operation, a first operation mode for circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section is selected. The recording device according to claim 10. When it is determined that a second predetermined time has elapsed from the previous circulation operation, a second operation mode for circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section is selected. 14. The recording device according to claim 10. 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein when it is determined that the first predetermined time has not elapsed from the previous circulation operation, the operation of circulating ink from the second storage unit to the second storage unit is not performed. The recording device according to claim 1. 16. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the second storage unit is replaced, the second operation mode in which ink is circulated from the second storage unit to the second storage unit is selected. Recording device. When the second storage section is replaced, a third operation mode for circulating ink from the second storage section to the second storage section is selected.
The recording device according to claim 10. It has a plurality of the third operation modes,
The recording device according to claim 17.

Images