JP2004122424A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recorder in which useless ink consumption is prevented when an ink cartridge is replaced. <P>SOLUTION: When ink end or ink near end of any one of ink cartridges 51, 52, 53 and 54 is detected, a residual quantity of ink judging means 69 previously judges whether an ink cartridge becoming ink end or ink near end is present or not after an ink cartridge replacing operation including operation of a suction means 22 is performed following to replacement of that ink cartridge. An ink quantity managing means 67 displays ink end or ink near end simultaneously with an ink cartridge previously judged to be ink end or ink near end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from nozzle holes of a recording head and attaching the ink to a recording medium, and more particularly to a technique for replacing an ink cartridge of the recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recording devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimile devices connected to a computer or the like are configured to form an image on a recording medium such as paper or a thin plastic sheet based on image information. , Ink jet type, wire dot type, thermal type, laser beam type, pen plot type, etc.
[0003]
Among them, a recording head used in an ink-jet type recording apparatus utilizes bubbles generated by film boiling formed by thermal energy applied by an electrothermal energy converter, and pressure changes generated by contraction of the bubbles. The recording is performed by changing the volume of the ink chamber by using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element to eject the ink to the recording medium and ejecting the ink to the recording medium. Some are configured to do so.
[0004]
The ink used for recording in such an ink jet recording apparatus is supplied to the recording head from an ink cartridge containing a certain amount in a container small enough for the apparatus, and the ink in the ink cartridge is depleted. Need to be replaced when.
[0005]
In the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, when checking the ink consumption, it is performed only for one ink cartridge, and when the ink cartridge is the ink end or the ink near end, the ink end or the ink near end is displayed immediately. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-181045 (page 3-8, FIG. 9)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when replacing the ink cartridge of the ink jet recording apparatus, it is necessary to manage the amount of ink in the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge can be replaced while consuming as much ink as possible.
[0008]
The operation of consuming the ink in the ink cartridge includes, in addition to a process of performing recording by discharging ink from the recording head, a process of filling the recording head with ink, and preventing clogging due to evaporation of the ink solvent. There is a process for forcibly sucking and discharging ink from the recording head. The amount of ink consumed by these processes is counted and the amount of remaining ink is managed.
[0009]
When the ink cartridge is emptied due to ink consumption due to recording processing and processing related to print head maintenance, if the ink amount management unit detects a decrease in the remaining amount of ink, a display device on the ink jet recording apparatus or an ink jet type The display of the computer to which the recording apparatus is connected indicates that the ink cartridge needs to be replaced, and notifies the user. When the user who knows that the ink cartridge needs to be replaced is replaced, the ink jet recording apparatus performs an ink cartridge replacement operation so that the corresponding ink cartridge can be used.
[0010]
The ink cartridge replacement operation involves discharging the air mixed from the connection between the ink cartridge and the recording head from the nozzle hole of the recording head using a suction pump, drawing out the ink from the ink cartridge using the suction pump, and recording. The operation includes filling the flow path of the head and stabilizing the back pressure in the ink cartridge by extracting ink from the ink cartridge. Some of these operations are automatically started by closing the lid of the ink cartridge replacement opening after replacing the ink cartridge, and others are started by a user's button operation.
[0011]
However, by performing the ink cartridge replacement operation, not only the ink in the replaced ink cartridge but also the ink cartridge having a remaining amount that can withstand the recording process is uniformly sucked.
[0012]
Further, there is a possibility that an ink cartridge may be emptied due to ink suction during the ink cartridge replacement operation. In this case, a replacement request is issued for the newly emptied ink cartridge, but the replacement of the ink cartridge causes an ink cartridge replacement operation to be performed again, and ink is drawn from other than the replaced ink cartridge. Become. As a result, even though the ink cartridge is supposed to be new, a large amount of ink may be consumed before the start of the recording process because the ink cartridge replacement operation is repeatedly performed.
[0013]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that prevents unnecessary ink consumption when replacing an ink cartridge.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention detects the remaining amount of ink in another ink cartridge before issuing an ink cartridge replacement request when one ink cartridge has reached the ink end or the ink near end. Then, by performing the ink cartridge replacement operation, it is detected whether there is a new ink cartridge that becomes the ink end or the ink near end, and if such an ink cartridge is detected, the ink cartridge is also replaced with the ink cartridge. It is configured to issue an exchange request.
[0015]
According to the present invention, an ink jet recording apparatus in which unnecessary ink consumption is prevented can be obtained.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets in accordance with recording data, an ink cartridge that supplies ink to the recording head, a suction unit that suctions ink from the recording head, A suction control unit for controlling a suction process by the suction unit; an ink amount management unit for managing an ink amount of the ink cartridge; an ink consumption storage unit for storing data from the ink amount management unit; and an ink amount management unit. An ink remaining amount determining unit that determines whether the ink amount of the ink cartridge remains sufficient for future recording processing based on the managed data. When detecting either the ink end or the ink near end of a cartridge, replace the ink cartridge. After performing the ink cartridge replacement operation including the suction operation by the pulling unit, the ink remaining amount determination unit detects in advance whether there is a new ink end or ink near end ink cartridge, and is determined to be the ink end or ink near end first. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by displaying an ink end or an ink near end at the same time as an ink cartridge that has been detected, wherein when an ink end or an ink near end of a certain ink cartridge is detected, the ink cartridge is replaced. After the ink cartridge replacement operation including the suction operation of the ink cartridge is performed, it is detected in advance whether there is a new ink cartridge that becomes the ink end or the ink near end, and the ink cartridge that is determined to be the ink end or the ink near end first is detected. Has an effect of di simultaneously with ink end or ink near end is displayed.
[0017]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein information from the ink remaining amount determining means is displayed on the ink jet recording apparatus main body. The information from the means is displayed on the ink jet recording apparatus main body.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the ink amount management means displays information from the ink remaining amount determination means on an external device connected to the ink jet recording apparatus. The ink jet recording apparatus has an effect that information from the ink remaining amount determining means is displayed on an external device such as a computer to which the ink jet recording apparatus is connected.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 4 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ink consumption storage means is provided on the ink jet recording apparatus main body side. This has the effect that the data can be stored in the ink jet recording apparatus main body.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 5 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ink consumption amount storage means is provided on the ink cartridge side. Has the effect of being able to be stored in
[0021]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023]
The inkjet recording apparatus includes a nozzle (not shown) for discharging black ink, a nozzle (not shown) for discharging yellow ink, a nozzle (not shown) for discharging magenta ink, and And a recording head 1 having nozzles (not shown) for discharging cyan ink, a black ink cartridge 51, a yellow ink cartridge 52, a magenta ink cartridge 53, and a cyan ink cartridge 54, respectively. , And discharges ink toward a recording sheet 41 as a recording medium, thereby performing monochromatic or color recording on the recording sheet 41.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 31 denotes a carriage that supports the recording head 1, and reference numeral 2 denotes a cleaning unit that cleans each nozzle formed on the recording head 1. The carriage 31 is provided with switches 35, 36, 37, and 38 that are turned on and off when the ink cartridges 51, 52, 53, and 54 are attached and detached, respectively.
[0025]
The carriage 31 is reciprocated by the scanning mechanism 3 in the scanning direction (X direction shown in FIG. 1). The carriage 31 reciprocates the recording head 1 in the scanning direction. The scanning mechanism 3 includes a carriage shaft 32 that guides the carriage 31, a carriage drive motor 33 that is a drive source for reciprocating the carriage 31, and a carriage drive belt 34 that conveys the carriage 31.
[0026]
The carriage shaft 32 is disposed so that the axis is parallel to the scanning direction, and the carriage 31 is extrapolated. For this reason, the carriage 31 is guided by the carriage shaft 32 and moves along the carriage shaft 32.
[0027]
The carriage driving belt 34 is stretched between a driving pulley 34a and a driven pulley 34b that are arranged apart from each other in the scanning direction.
[0028]
The carriage drive motor 33 is provided on one side in the scanning direction, and a drive side pulley 34a is attached to a rotation shaft thereof. When the carriage drive motor 33 is driven to rotate, the drive pulley 34a rotates, and the carriage drive belt 34 is driven between the drive pulley 34a and the driven pulley 34b with the rotation of the drive pulley 34a. .
[0029]
The carriage 31 has an engagement portion 31 a that engages with the carriage drive belt 34. When the carriage drive belt 34 is driven, the engaging portion 31a is transported by the carriage drive belt 34. Therefore, the carriage 31 reciprocates in the scanning direction by rotating the rotation shaft of the carriage drive motor 33 in the forward or reverse rotation direction.
[0030]
Note that the position of the carriage 31 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure is a home position where the carriage 31 is located during standby.
[0031]
The recording paper 41 is transported by the transport mechanism 4 in a transport direction orthogonal to the scanning direction (Y direction shown in FIG. 1).
[0032]
The transport mechanism 4 includes a transport motor 42 that is a driving source for transporting the recording paper 41, and a transport roller 43 and a pressing roller 44 that sandwich and transport the recording paper 41.
[0033]
The transport roller 43 is disposed so that its rotation axis is parallel to the scanning direction, and is connected to the rotation axis of the transport motor 42 via a plurality of gears 45. For this reason, the transport roller 43 is rotated around its axis by the rotation of the rotation shaft of the transport motor 42.
[0034]
The pressing roller 44 is disposed to face the transport roller 43 and presses the recording paper 41 toward the transport roller 43. Therefore, if the transport motor 42 is driven to rotate, the recording paper 41 sandwiched between the transport roller 43 and the pressing roller 44 is transported in the transport direction.
[0035]
Note that rotation detection boards 33a and 42a are attached to the rotation shafts of the carriage drive motor 33 and the transport motor 42, respectively. Rotation angle detection sensors 33b and 42b for detecting rotation angles of the rotation detection boards 33a and 42a are provided opposite to the rotation detection boards 33a and 42a. The carriage drive motor 33 and the transport motor 42 are rotated by an electric circuit (not shown) based on the rotation angles of the rotation axes of the carriage drive motor 33 and the transport motor 42 detected by the rotation angle detection sensors 33b and 42b, respectively. Is performed. The position of the carriage 31 and the position of the recording paper 41 are controlled by controlling the rotation of the carriage drive motor 33 and the conveyance motor 42, respectively.
[0036]
The cleaning unit 2 is disposed on the home position side of the carriage 31, which is the other side in the scanning direction.
[0037]
The cleaning unit 2 communicates with a cap 21 that is in close contact with the recording head 1 so as to cover the outer openings of all the nozzles of the recording head 1, and a closed space 21 a that is formed when the cap 21 is in close contact with the recording head 1. Suction means 22 provided.
[0038]
The cap 21 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and an upright wall is formed around the cap 21. When the cap 21 comes into close contact with the recording head 1, the outer openings of all the nozzles formed on the recording head 1 are covered. The cap 21 is formed of an elastic body such as rubber so that the closed space 21a formed by the cap 21 and the ink jet head is sealed when the cap 21 is in close contact with the recording head 1.
[0039]
The cap 21 is configured to be movable in the Z direction by the cam 23 and a drive motor 24 that rotates the cam 23. As a result, the position of the cap 21 is changed between the close contact position where the cap 21 is in close contact with the recording head 1 located at the home position and the retracted position where the cap 21 is retracted from the recording head 1.
[0040]
Further, one end of an ink discharge tube 25 is connected to the cap 21 so as to communicate with the closed space 21a. The ink discharge tube 25 temporarily extends from the cap 21 in a direction substantially the same as the scanning direction of the carriage 31, and the other end is connected to a waste ink container 26.
[0041]
The suction means 22 is provided at a position midway in the ink discharge tube 25. When the suction means 22 is operated, a force (suction force) toward the outside of the recording head 1 (ink ejection direction) acts on the ink or ink mass near the nozzle covered by the cap 21, and Is removed from the vicinity of the nozzle. The sucked ink and the like are discharged to the waste ink container 26 through the ink discharge tube 25.
[0042]
The suction means 22 is driven by a pump motor 28 which is a dedicated driving source.
[0043]
Further, a wiper 27 formed of an elastic body such as rubber for wiping an outer surface (nozzle surface) of a wall portion where the nozzle of the recording head 1 is formed is disposed adjacent to the cap 21. The wiper 27 is configured to be movable in the Z direction separately from the cap 21 by a cam (not shown) and a drive motor 24 that is a drive source for moving the cap 21 in the Z direction. As a result, the wiper 27 changes its position between the compression position where it is pressed against the nozzle surface of the recording head 1 and the retracted position where it is retracted from the recording head 1.
[0044]
When the carriage 31 is moved in the scanning direction with the wiper 27 pressed against the nozzle surface of the recording head 1, the wiper 27 moves relatively to the nozzle surface and the nozzle surface is wiped.
[0045]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0046]
In FIG. 2, a recording control unit 61 creates bitmap data based on recording data from a host (not shown), and controls a head driving unit 62 based on the bitmap data. The head driving unit 62 generates a drive signal to the recording head 1 under the control of the recording control unit 61, and causes the recording head 1 to eject ink droplets.
[0047]
The ink cartridge attachment / detachment detecting means 63 detects attachment / detachment of each of the ink cartridges 51 to 54 based on a signal change of each of the switches 35 to 38 arranged on the carriage 31.
[0048]
The suction driving unit 64 performs a suction operation. The suction control unit 65 keeps the recording head 1 sealed with the cap 21 when a signal is input from an externally operable maintenance switch 66 or when the ink cartridges 51 to 54 are newly installed. A signal is output to the suction driving means 64 to operate the suction means 22 in a predetermined mode.
[0049]
The ink amount management unit 67 calls up the ink consumption amount stored in the ink consumption amount storage unit 68 described later when the power is turned on, and counts the ink amount when a recording operation or a preliminary ejection operation is performed. When the suction control unit 65 outputs a suction command to the suction driving unit 64, the suction amount is added in advance to calculate the consumed ink amount. On the other hand, when the power-off is detected, the ink amount management unit 67 stores the calculated ink consumption in the ink consumption storage unit 68. In addition, when the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection unit 63 detects replacement of the ink cartridges 51 to 54, the ink amount management unit 67 clears the calculation result (ink consumption amount).
[0050]
The ink remaining amount determining means 69 calculates a difference between the amount of ink contained in each of the ink cartridges 51 to 54 and the ink consumption calculated by the ink amount managing means 67, and this difference is determined stepwise. A signal is output to the display means 70 each time the level falls below a plurality of levels. The display means 70 is a display device provided in the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus or an external device such as a computer to which the ink jet recording apparatus is connected.
[0051]
Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0052]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overall operation of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the power switch is turned on (power ON), first, an initialization process (step S101) is executed, and a standby state (step S102) is entered. This standby state is a state in which the carriage 31 is positioned at the home position, and the cap 21 is moved to the close contact position so as to cover the outer opening of the nozzle surface.
[0054]
Next, based on a signal from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detecting means 63, it is detected whether or not the ink cartridges (I / C) 51 to 54 have been replaced (step S103). An exchange process (step S104) is performed.
[0055]
On the other hand, if the maintenance switch 66 is pressed (ON) in a state where the ink cartridges 51 to 54 have not been replaced or the replacement of the ink cartridges 51 to 54 has been completed (step S105), the maintenance process (step S105) is performed. Step S106) is executed.
[0056]
Then, in a state where the maintenance processing is no longer necessary, input of the recording data is waited (step S107), and the above-described steps S102 to S107 are repeated until the recording data is input. The recording process (step S108) is started.
[0057]
Finally, when the operation is completed and the power switch is turned off (power OFF), the ink consumption is stored in the ink consumption storage unit 68 (step S109), and the operation is stopped.
[0058]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the initialization process (step S101) of FIG.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 4, the operation of the initialization process in step S101 in FIG. 3 is as follows. First, the data of the ink consumption stored in the ink consumption storage unit 68 is read (step S110), The initialization of the position of the carriage 31 and the paper feed (step S111) is executed.
[0060]
Then, when the recording preparation is completed, the presence or absence of the ink cartridges 51 to 54 is detected based on the signal from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 63 (step S112). (Step S113), and waits for the mounting of the ink cartridges 51 to 54.
[0061]
On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the ink cartridges 51 to 54 are properly mounted, the confirmation processing of the ink consumption (step S114) is executed.
[0062]
In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, the recording head 1 is filled with an initial filling liquid in order to maintain the same conditions as during use during the distribution process, thereby preventing drying and entry of dust. . Therefore, prior to the start of use from a new state, an initial filling process of completely removing the initial filling liquid filled in the recording head 1 and replacing it with ink is required. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the initial filling process.
[0063]
In the initial filling process, first, the first suction amount discharged by the first suction is added to the ink consumption storage unit 68 in advance (step S115), and the first suction (step S116) is performed when the addition is completed. Execute.
[0064]
Subsequently, the second suction amount discharged by the second suction is added to the ink consumption storage unit 68 in advance (step S117), and the second suction (step S118) is executed when the addition is completed.
[0065]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the ink cartridge replacement process (step S104) of FIG.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the ink cartridge replacement process, the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detecting means 63 removes any of the old ink cartridges 51 to 54 attached to the carriage 31 and attaches a new ink cartridge. Is detected, the ink amount management means 67 resets the ink consumption corresponding to the replaced ink cartridge, which is stored in the ink consumption storage means 68 (step S119). Thereafter, the ink amount management unit 67 adds the suction amount necessary to draw the ink in the replaced ink cartridge into the recording head 1 to the ink consumption amount storage unit 68 (step S120), and the addition ends. At this stage, the suction processing by the suction control unit 65 (step S121) is executed.
[0067]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the maintenance process (step S106) of FIG.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 7, in the maintenance process, the remaining amount of the ink is confirmed by the ink amount confirmation process (step S122), and the remaining amount of the ink does not reach the ink end or the ink near end even if the suction operation is performed by the maintenance process. For example, the ink amount management means 67 adds the ink amount to be suctioned to the ink consumption amount storage means 68 in advance (step S123), and then executes the suction processing (step S124) by the suction control means 65. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount becomes the ink end or the ink near end due to the suction operation performed by the maintenance process, the display unit 70 displays the ink replacement (step S125).
[0069]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the recording process (step S108) of FIG.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 8, in the recording process, the ink amount management unit 67 sets the recording mode to the type of nozzle (ink) on the recording head 1 used for recording, and the recording and pre-ejection of the In step S126, the amount of ink discharged per dot is checked (step S126), and the amount of ink discharged per dot is set in the ink consumption storage unit 68 (step S127). Then, the ink amount management unit 67 adds the ink consumption amount by the preliminary ejection performed before recording to the ink consumption amount storage unit 68 in advance (step S128), and then performs the preliminary ejection (step S129).
[0071]
When printing is started by the printing control unit 61 (step S130), the ink amount management unit 67 counts the number of dots printed in one pass (step S131), and determines the amount of ink consumed for printing in one pass. Is added to the ink consumption storage unit 68 (step S132), and the printing control unit 61 executes printing for one pass (step S133).
[0072]
Here, if it is determined that the printing operation continues for a predetermined time or reaches the predetermined time in the middle of the printing operation for the next one pass (step S134), the ink amount management unit 67 performs the preliminary ejection. The consumed ink amount is added to the ink consumption storage unit 68 (step S135), and the carriage 31 is moved to the maintenance position to perform the preliminary ejection (step S136).
[0073]
If there is print data after preliminary ejection (step S137), the above-described steps S130 to S137 are repeatedly executed.
[0074]
When all the recording processes are completed, the ink amount management unit 67 adds the ink amount consumed in the preliminary ejection to the ink consumption storage unit 68 in advance (step S138), and performs the preliminary ejection (step S139).
[0075]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the details of the ink consumption amount confirmation processing (steps S114 and S122) in FIGS. 4 and 7.
[0076]
In the ink consumption check processing, the ink management unit 67 compares the remaining amount of ink with a predetermined ink end determination reference level (step S140). It is determined whether there is an ink cartridge that will be out of ink after the end of the ink cartridge replacement process shown in FIG.
[0077]
Here, in step S142, the ink cartridge determined not to be out of ink has a larger amount of ink than the ink end after the ink cartridge replacement process shown in FIG. It is compared with an ink near-end determination criterion that is determined to be an ink end beforehand, and it is determined whether the ink is near the ink end.
[0078]
On the other hand, the ink cartridges that are not determined to be ink end in step S140 are also compared with the ink near end determination reference in step S143. In addition to the ink cartridge determined to be near-end, it is determined whether there is an ink cartridge that becomes an ink end or an ink near-end after the end of the ink cartridge replacement process illustrated in FIG.
[0079]
As described above, the result determined through the process of steps S140 to S143 is displayed on the display unit 70 as the ink end or the ink near end (step S144).
[0080]
(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the ink consumption storage means 68 is provided in the ink jet recording apparatus main body. However, the ink consumption storage means 68 may be provided in the ink cartridges 51 to 54. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an ink cartridge replacement process of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. Steps S220 to S221 are the same as steps S120 to S121 in FIG. 6, and thus description thereof will be omitted.
[0081]
In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, since the ink consumption storage means 68 is mounted on each of the ink cartridges 51 to 54, the ink consumption storage means 68 stores individual information of each ink cartridge. ing. Therefore, step S119 in the flowchart of FIG. 6, that is, the operation of resetting the ink consumption amount storage unit 68 provided on the ink jet recording apparatus is not required.
[0082]
【The invention's effect】
The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention detects the remaining amount of ink in another ink cartridge before issuing an ink cartridge replacement request when one of the ink cartridges becomes an ink end or an ink near end. By performing the operation, it is detected whether there is an ink cartridge that becomes a new ink end or an ink near end, and if such an ink cartridge is detected, an ink cartridge replacement request is also issued to the ink cartridge. With this configuration, wasteful ink consumption can be prevented, and the number of ink cartridge replacement operations can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of an initialization process in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of an initial filling process;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of an ink cartridge replacement process in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a maintenance process in FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of a recording process in FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of an ink consumption confirmation process in FIGS. 4 and 7;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an ink cartridge replacement process of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Recording head
2 Cleaning means
3 Scanning mechanism
4 Transport mechanism
21 cap
22 Suction means
24 Drive motor
28 Pump motor
31 carriage
35, 36, 37, 38 switch
41 Recording paper
51, 52, 53, 54 ink cartridge
61 Recording control means
62 Head Driving Means
63 Ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means
64 suction drive means
65 Suction control means
66 Maintenance switch
67 Ink amount management means
68 Ink consumption storage means
69 Ink remaining amount determining means
70 display means

Claims (5)

An ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets corresponding to the recording data,
An ink cartridge for supplying ink to the recording head,
Suction means for sucking ink from the recording head;
Suction control means for controlling a suction process by the suction means,
Ink amount management means for managing the ink amount of the ink cartridge,
An ink consumption amount storage unit that stores data from the ink amount management unit;
An ink remaining amount determining unit that determines whether the amount of ink in the ink cartridge remains enough to withstand future recording processing based on data managed by the ink amount managing unit,
An ink cartridge including a suction operation by the suction unit after exchanging the ink cartridge when the ink remaining amount determining unit detects any ink end or ink near end of the ink cartridge; After the replacement operation is performed, the ink remaining amount determining unit detects in advance whether there is an ink cartridge that becomes a new ink end or an ink near end, and simultaneously performs the ink end or the ink near or the ink near end. An ink jet recording apparatus for displaying an ink near end. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink amount managing means displays information from said ink remaining amount determining means on an ink jet recording apparatus main body. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink amount managing means displays information from said ink remaining amount determining means on an external device connected to the ink jet recording apparatus. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink consumption storage means is provided on the ink jet recording apparatus main body side. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink consumption storage means is provided on an ink cartridge side.

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