JP2005104089A - Liquid jet apparatus and its driving method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately add up and count each of the storage capacities of a plurality of waste liquid storage means for storing a waste liquid derived from each liquid, by using a reduced number of parameters, in a liquid jet apparatus for jetting a plurality of liquids from a liquid jet head. <P>SOLUTION: In a printer 11, ink, which is ejected from a recording head without the medium of paper, is led into both first and second waste liquid tanks via a cap of a cleaning mechanism, and stored as the waste liquid. The ink is led into the first waste tank alone via a flushing box, and stored as the waste liquid. A CPU 51 splits waste liquid ejection amount data Z of a waste liquid ejection amount storage part 57 in two, and adds flushing accumulated data α of a flushing storage part 59, so as to acquire first predicted data serving as a predicted value of the accumulated amount of the waste liquid which is stored in the first waste liquid tank. The CPU 51 splits the waste liquid ejection amount data Z in two, so as to acquire second predicted data serving as a predicted value of the accumulated amount of the waste liquid which is stored in the second waste liquid tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus and a driving method thereof.

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target, a printer that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head onto a recording medium has been known. In such a printer, the ink viscosity increases due to evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzle opening of the recording head, the nozzle is clogged, and dust may adhere to the nozzle opening. In addition, bubbles may be mixed into the nozzle as the cartridge is exchanged, etc., and printing may not be performed satisfactorily due to these phenomena.

  Therefore, in order to recover from these phenomena, a so-called cleaning operation has been conventionally performed in which ink is sucked out from the nozzles of the recording head, thereby eliminating clogging, dust adhesion, air bubble contamination, etc. in the nozzles of the recording head. Was known to do.

  Specifically, this cleaning operation is performed using a cleaning mechanism provided in the printer. The cleaning mechanism includes a cap, an ink discharge path communicating with the cap, and an ink discharge path in the ink discharge path. And a pump provided on the way. Then, after the nozzle of the recording head is covered with a cap, the pump is driven to reduce the pressure in the cap via the ink discharge path. As a result, ink is sucked out from the nozzles of the recording head, and clogging and the like in the nozzles are eliminated.

  By the way, in recent years, some of the above-described printers eject reactive ink from a recording head in addition to normal color ink in order to improve color developability and glossiness of a printed image. Specifically, this reactive ink is composed of a clear ink or the like, and improves color developability and glossiness by aggregating reaction with the color ink on the recording medium.

  Therefore, in the printer as described above, there is a possibility that the color ink and the reactive ink cause an agglomeration reaction in the cap or the like by performing the above-described cleaning operation, thereby reducing the function of the cleaning mechanism. Therefore, it has been considered that such a printer is provided with a cleaning mechanism as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707.

  Specifically, the cleaning mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes two units including a cap, an ink discharge path, and a pump. As a result, during the cleaning operation, the color ink can be sucked using one unit, and the reactive ink can be sucked using the other unit. As a result, the color ink and the reactive ink are prevented from mixing in the cap or the like, and the ink is prevented from causing an agglomeration reaction inside the cleaning mechanism.

  By the way, when the cleaning mechanism as shown in Patent Document 1 is adopted, the waste liquids of the color ink and the reactive ink generated by the cleaning operation are separated from each other in order to prevent agglomeration reaction. As a waste liquid tank. However, there was a limit to the capacity of this waste liquid tank. Accordingly, there is a possibility that the waste liquid exceeding the capacity is stored, and the waste liquid overflows from the waste liquid tank and the inside of the printer is contaminated.

  In view of this, the printer in Patent Document 1 is provided with a counter that counts the amount of waste liquid discharged to each waste liquid tank in consideration of a large amount of ink sucked and a small amount of ink. Then, when the count value by the counter reaches a predetermined threshold value of each waste liquid tank, it is determined that the capacity of the waste liquid tank is full.

As described above, in the printer of Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not the capacity of each waste liquid tank is full, and overflow of the waste liquid in the waste liquid tank is effectively prevented.
JP 2000-153622 A

  By the way, in the above-described printer, the ink of the recording head may increase in viscosity during printing, or the ink may be mixed by a cleaning operation. Accordingly, in order to prevent these phenomena, it has been known to perform a so-called flushing operation in which ink is ejected by applying a drive signal unrelated to ejection for printing to the recording head.

  Ink discharged by such flushing is also led to each waste liquid tank as waste ink. Therefore, in the printer described in Patent Document 1, in order to more accurately determine the capacity of the waste liquid tank, each counter counts the amount of waste ink in consideration of the amount of waste ink discharged by flushing. There was a need.

  However, the waste ink discharged by the flushing is discharged to both of the two waste liquid tanks corresponding to the color ink and the reactive ink depending on the place where the flushing is performed, or one of the waste liquids. In some cases, it was discharged only to the tank. Therefore, in such a case, in order to accurately and cumulatively count the capacity of each waste liquid tank by the above-described counter, many parameters are required. As a result, there is a possibility that an expensive data storage device having a large data storage capacity may be required, which may cause an increase in cost.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a plurality of liquids from a liquid ejecting head, each storage capacity of a plurality of waste liquid storage units that store a waste liquid of each liquid It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus and a driving method thereof capable of accurately counting and integrating the above with a small number of parameters.

The present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target, a waste liquid storing unit that stores the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target as waste liquid, and the waste liquid that is stored in the waste liquid storing unit. The waste liquid storage means includes at least first and second waste liquid storage means, and the waste liquid discharge means at least removes the waste liquid from the first and second waste liquid storage means. And a second waste liquid discharging means for guiding the waste liquid only to the first waste liquid storage means, and is guided by the first waste liquid discharging means. First waste liquid amount storage means for storing first waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid, and second waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the second waste liquid discharge means are recorded. Second waste liquid amount storage means, first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means, the first waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data A first waste liquid storage amount acquisition unit that acquires the waste liquid amount based on the waste liquid amount data;

  According to the present invention, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target is guided to at least both the first and second waste liquid storage means by the first waste liquid discharge means and stored as waste liquid. It was to so. Further, the liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid storage means by the second waste liquid discharge means and stored as waste liquid. The first waste liquid storage amount acquisition means stores first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means in the first waste liquid amount storage means. Based on the first waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data stored in the second waste liquid amount storage means, it is obtained.

  Accordingly, the first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid introduced to the first waste liquid storage means is obtained by calculation using the first waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data. Therefore, there is no need to provide storage means for storing the first cumulative amount data itself. As a result, even if the liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a plurality of waste liquid storage means, the accumulated amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage means can be accurately integrated and counted with a small number of parameters. In addition, the necessary storage capacity in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced, and an increase in cost due to an increase in the storage capacity can be prevented.

  In this liquid ejecting apparatus, a second waste liquid storage amount that acquires second cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid guided to the second waste liquid storage unit based on the first waste liquid amount data. An acquisition means was provided.

  According to this, the second waste liquid storage amount acquisition means stores the second cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of waste liquid guided to the second waste liquid storage means in the first waste liquid amount storage means. It was made to acquire based on the 1st waste liquid amount data currently performed.

  Therefore, the second accumulated amount data representing the accumulated amount of the waste liquid guided to the second waste liquid storing means is obtained by the calculation using the first waste liquid amount data. There is no need to provide storage means for storing the cumulative amount data itself. As a result, even if the liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a plurality of waste liquid storage means, the accumulated amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage means can be accurately integrated and counted with a small number of parameters. In addition, the necessary storage capacity in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced, and an increase in cost due to an increase in the storage capacity can be prevented.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first waste liquid discharging unit includes a cap that covers the liquid ejecting head, a first communication path that guides the internal space of the cap to the first waste liquid storing unit, and the internal space. Is a cleaning mechanism including a second communication path that guides the second waste liquid storage means to the second waste liquid storage means, and a decompression means that depressurizes the internal space. The second waste liquid discharge means ejects from the liquid ejecting head. A flushing box that guides the liquid to the first waste liquid storage unit, wherein the first waste liquid storage amount acquisition unit bisects the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the first waste liquid amount data, and The first cumulative amount data is obtained by adding the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the second waste liquid amount data.

  According to this, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target passes through the first and second communication paths via the cap of the cleaning mechanism, and passes through the first and second waste liquid storage means. It was led to both and stored as waste liquid. Further, the liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid storage means via the flushing box and stored as waste liquid. Then, the first waste liquid storage amount acquisition means bisects the total amount of waste liquid represented by the first waste liquid amount data, and adds the total amount of waste liquid represented by the second waste liquid amount data. The cumulative amount data of was acquired.

  Therefore, the first accumulated amount data representing the accumulated amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storing means can be acquired more accurately. That is, in the liquid ejecting apparatus in which the waste liquid is guided to the first and second waste liquid storage means by the cleaning mechanism and the flushing box, the waste liquid discharged through the flushing box is only in the first waste liquid storage means. Since it is not guided, an unbalance occurs in the amount of waste liquid stored in the first and second waste liquid storage means. However, in the present invention, the first cumulative amount data is acquired in consideration of this imbalance, and even if a plurality of waste liquid storage means are provided, the accumulated storage of waste liquid in the waste liquid storage means. The quantity can be accurately counted with a small number of parameters. In addition, the necessary storage capacity in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced, and an increase in cost due to an increase in the storage capacity can be prevented.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first waste liquid discharging unit includes a cap that covers the liquid ejecting head, a first communication path that guides the internal space of the cap to the first waste liquid storing unit, and the internal space. Is a cleaning mechanism including a second communication path that guides the second waste liquid storage means to the second waste liquid storage means, and a decompression means that depressurizes the internal space. The second waste liquid discharge means ejects from the liquid ejecting head. A flushing box that guides the discharged liquid to the first waste liquid storage means, wherein the second waste liquid storage amount acquisition means bisects the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the first waste liquid amount data. 2 is a means for acquiring accumulated amount data.

  According to this, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target passes through the first and second communication paths via the cap of the cleaning mechanism, and passes through the first and second waste liquid storage means. It was led to both and stored as waste liquid. Further, the liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid storage means via the flushing box and stored as waste liquid. Then, the second waste liquid storage amount acquisition means divides the total amount of waste liquid represented by the first waste liquid amount data into two to acquire the second cumulative amount data.

  Accordingly, the second accumulated amount data representing the accumulated amount of the waste liquid guided to the second waste liquid storing means is obtained more accurately. That is, in the liquid ejecting apparatus in which the waste liquid is guided to the first and second waste liquid storage means by the cleaning mechanism and the flushing box, the waste liquid discharged through the flushing box is only in the first waste liquid storage means. Since it is not guided, an unbalance occurs in the amount of waste liquid stored in the first and second waste liquid storage means. However, in the present invention, the second cumulative amount data is acquired in consideration of this imbalance, and even if a plurality of waste liquid storage means are provided, the waste liquid storage in the waste liquid storage means is stored. The quantity can be accurately counted with a small number of parameters. In addition, the necessary storage capacity in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced, and an increase in cost due to an increase in the storage capacity can be prevented.

  The present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target, a waste liquid storing unit that stores the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target as waste liquid, and the waste liquid that is stored in the waste liquid storing unit. The waste liquid storage means includes at least first and second waste liquid storage means, and the waste liquid discharge means at least removes the waste liquid from the first and second waste liquid storage means. A first waste liquid discharging means for guiding both of the waste liquid storage means and a second waste liquid discharging means for guiding the waste liquid only to the first waste liquid storage means, the first and second waste liquid discharging means. A third waste liquid amount storage means for storing third waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the second waste liquid amount, and a second waste liquid amount representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the second waste liquid discharge means. De Second waste liquid amount storage means for storing data, first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means, the third waste liquid amount data, and the And a third waste liquid storage amount acquisition unit that acquires the second waste liquid amount based on the second waste liquid amount data.

  According to the present invention, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target is guided to at least both the first and second waste liquid storage means by the first waste liquid discharge means and stored as waste liquid. It was to so. Further, the liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid storage means by the second waste liquid discharge means and stored as waste liquid. The first waste liquid storage amount acquisition means stores first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means in the third waste liquid amount storage means. Based on the third waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data stored in the second waste liquid amount storage means, it is obtained.

  Accordingly, the first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid introduced to the first waste liquid storage means can be obtained by calculation using the third waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data. Therefore, there is no need to provide storage means for storing the first cumulative amount data itself. As a result, even if the liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a plurality of waste liquid storage means, the accumulated amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage means can be accurately integrated and counted with a small number of parameters. In addition, the necessary storage capacity in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced, and an increase in cost due to an increase in the storage capacity can be prevented.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first waste liquid discharging unit includes a cap that covers the liquid ejecting head, a first communication path that guides the internal space of the cap to the first waste liquid storing unit, and the internal space. Is a cleaning mechanism including a second communication path that guides the second waste liquid storage means to the second waste liquid storage means, and a decompression means that depressurizes the internal space. The second waste liquid discharge means ejects from the liquid ejecting head. A flushing box that guides the liquid to the first waste liquid storage means, wherein the third waste liquid storage amount acquisition means adds the second waste liquid to the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the third waste liquid amount data. The first cumulative amount data is obtained by adding the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the amount data and then bisecting it.

  According to this, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target passes through the first and second communication paths via the cap of the cleaning mechanism, and passes through the first and second waste liquid storage means. It was led to both and stored as waste liquid. Further, the liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid storage means via the flushing box and stored as waste liquid. Then, the third waste liquid storage amount acquisition means divides the total amount of waste liquid represented by the second waste liquid amount data into the total amount of waste liquid represented by the third waste liquid amount data, and then bisects the first waste liquid. The cumulative amount data of was acquired.

  Therefore, the first accumulated amount data representing the accumulated amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storing means can be acquired more accurately. That is, in the liquid ejecting apparatus in which the waste liquid is guided to the first and second waste liquid storage means by the cleaning mechanism and the flushing box, the waste liquid discharged through the flushing box is only in the first waste liquid storage means. Since it is not guided, an unbalance occurs in the amount of waste liquid stored in the first and second waste liquid storage means. However, in the present invention, the first cumulative amount data is acquired in consideration of this imbalance, and even if a plurality of waste liquid storage means are provided, the accumulated storage of waste liquid in the waste liquid storage means. The quantity can be accurately counted with a small number of parameters. In addition, the necessary storage capacity in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced, and an increase in cost due to an increase in the storage capacity can be prevented.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, threshold storage means for storing threshold data representing a threshold of the waste liquid storage amount of the first waste liquid storage means, and comparison means for comparing the threshold data with the first cumulative amount data. And display means for displaying an image based on the image data based on the comparison result of the comparison means.

  According to this, the first cumulative amount data and the threshold value data of the threshold value storage means are compared by the comparison means, and an image based on the image data is displayed by the display means based on the comparison result.

  Therefore, since the image is not displayed on the display unit based on the comparison result between the first cumulative amount data and the threshold data, is the waste liquid storage amount in the first waste liquid storage unit exceeding the threshold value? Whether or not the user of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be easily notified. As a result, the user or the like can effectively prevent the overflow of the waste liquid in the first waste liquid storage means by limiting the drive of the liquid ejecting apparatus based on the image on the display means. It becomes like this.

  The present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target, a waste liquid storing unit that stores the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target as waste liquid, and the waste liquid that is stored in the waste liquid storing unit. In the method of driving a liquid ejecting apparatus including the waste liquid discharging means, the waste liquid storing means includes at least first and second waste liquid storing means, and the waste liquid discharging means includes at least the waste liquid as the first liquid. A first waste liquid discharging means that leads to both the first and second waste liquid storage means, and a second waste liquid discharge means that guides the waste liquid only to the first waste liquid storage means, and the liquid ejecting apparatus includes: First waste liquid amount storage means for storing first waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the first waste liquid discharge means, and all of the waste liquid guided by the second waste liquid discharge means Second waste liquid amount storage means for storing second waste liquid amount data representing the threshold, and threshold storage means for storing threshold data representing a threshold value of the waste liquid storage amount of the first waste liquid storage means, First cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means is converted into the first waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid by the first waste liquid storage amount acquisition means. A step of obtaining based on the amount data, a step of comparing the threshold data and the first cumulative amount data by the comparison means, and a display means for displaying an image based on the image data based on the comparison result of the comparison means And a step of displaying.

  According to the present invention, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target is guided to at least both the first and second waste liquid storage means by the first waste liquid discharge means and stored as waste liquid. It was to so. Further, the liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid storage means by the second waste liquid discharge means and stored as waste liquid. The first waste liquid storage amount acquisition means stores first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means in the first waste liquid amount storage means. Based on the first waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data stored in the second waste liquid amount storage means, it is obtained. Further, the first cumulative amount data is compared with the threshold value data of the threshold value storage means by the comparison means, and an image based on the image data is displayed by the display means based on the comparison result.

  Accordingly, the first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid introduced to the first waste liquid storage means is obtained by calculation using the first waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data. Therefore, there is no need to provide storage means for storing the first cumulative amount data itself. As a result, even if the liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a plurality of waste liquid storage means, the accumulated amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage means can be accurately integrated and counted with a small number of parameters. In addition, the necessary storage capacity in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced, and an increase in cost due to an increase in the storage capacity can be prevented.

Further, since the image is not displayed on the display unit based on the comparison result between the first cumulative amount data and the threshold value data, the amount of waste liquid stored in the first waste liquid storage unit is determined by the liquid ejecting apparatus. Users can be notified. As a result, the user or the like can effectively prevent the overflow of the waste liquid in the first waste liquid storage means by restricting the driving of the liquid ejecting apparatus based on the image on the display means. become able to.

  The present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target, a waste liquid storing unit that stores the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target as waste liquid, and the waste liquid that is stored in the waste liquid storing unit. In the method of driving a liquid ejecting apparatus including the waste liquid discharging means, the waste liquid storing means includes at least first and second waste liquid storing means, and the waste liquid discharging means includes at least the waste liquid as the first liquid. A first waste liquid discharging means that leads to both the first and second waste liquid storage means, and a second waste liquid discharge means that guides the waste liquid only to the first waste liquid storage means, and the liquid ejecting apparatus includes: Third waste liquid amount storage means for storing third waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the first and second waste liquid discharge means, and the above-mentioned lead guided by the second waste liquid discharge means Second waste liquid amount storage means for storing second waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of liquid, and threshold storage means for storing threshold data representing a threshold value of the waste liquid storage amount of the first waste liquid storage means. And the first accumulated amount data representing the accumulated amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means is obtained by the third waste liquid storage amount acquisition means by the third waste liquid amount acquisition means. 2 based on the waste liquid amount data, the step of comparing the threshold data and the first cumulative amount data by the comparison means, and the image based on the image data based on the comparison result of the comparison means Displaying with a display means.

  According to the present invention, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target is guided to at least both the first and second waste liquid storage means by the first waste liquid discharge means and stored as waste liquid. It was to so. Further, the liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid storage means by the second waste liquid discharge means and stored as waste liquid. The first waste liquid storage amount acquisition means stores first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means in the third waste liquid amount storage means. Based on the third waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data stored in the second waste liquid amount storage means, it is obtained. Further, the first cumulative amount data is compared with the threshold value data of the threshold value storage means by the comparison means, and an image based on the image data is displayed by the display means based on the comparison result.

  Accordingly, the first cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid introduced to the first waste liquid storage means can be obtained by calculation using the third waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data. Therefore, there is no need to provide storage means for storing the first cumulative amount data itself. As a result, even if the liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a plurality of waste liquid storage means, the accumulated amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage means can be accurately integrated and counted with a small number of parameters. In addition, the necessary storage capacity in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced, and an increase in cost due to an increase in the storage capacity can be prevented.

  Further, since the image is not displayed on the display unit based on the comparison result between the first cumulative amount data and the threshold value data, the amount of waste liquid stored in the first waste liquid storage unit is determined by the liquid ejecting apparatus. Users can be notified. As a result, the user or the like can effectively prevent the overflow of the waste liquid in the first waste liquid storage means by restricting the driving of the liquid ejecting apparatus based on the image on the display means. become able to.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to this embodiment includes a frame 12, a guide member 14, a carriage 15, a recording head 20 as a liquid ejecting head, a color ink cartridge 21, a reactive ink cartridge 22, a platen. 23, a waste liquid tank 25, and a cleaning mechanism 27 as a first waste liquid discharge means.

  The frame 12 covers the entire apparatus of the printer 11. The guide member 14 is constructed along the longitudinal direction of the frame 12. The carriage 15 is inserted and supported so as to be movable with respect to the guide member 14. The carriage 15 is connected to a carriage motor 29 via a timing belt 28, and is reciprocated along the direction along the guide member 14, that is, along the main scanning direction X, by driving the carriage motor 29.

  The recording head 20 is mounted below the carriage 15, and as shown in FIG. 2, a nozzle forming surface 20a is formed on the lower surface thereof. In the present embodiment, the nozzle forming surface 20a includes four nozzle rows 31a to 31d in the left half portion shown in FIG. 2, and one nozzle portion in the right half portion shown in FIG. A nozzle row 31e is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color ink cartridge 21 and the reactive ink cartridge 22 store color ink (not shown) constituting the liquid and reactive ink (not shown) constituting the liquid, respectively. It is mounted side by side at the top. Then, when a piezoelectric element (not shown) is driven in the recording head 20, color ink and reaction ink are supplied from the cartridges 21 and 22 to the recording head 20.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the color ink supplied from the color ink cartridge 21 is an ink droplet via the nozzle rows 31 a to 31 d on the nozzle formation surface 20 a of the recording head 20. And is discharged. On the other hand, the reactive ink supplied from the reactive ink cartridge 22 is ejected as ink droplets via the nozzle row 31e on the nozzle forming surface 20a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the platen 23 is a support base that supports the paper P as a target. The platen 23 is installed so as to be parallel to the guide member 14 with respect to the frame 12, and faces the recording head 20. Further, on the platen 23, the paper P is fed along the sub-scanning direction Y (see FIG. 1) by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). It faces the recording head 20.

  When the piezoelectric element is driven based on print data while the carriage 15 is reciprocatingly moved along the guide member 14 with the carriage 15 facing the paper P, ink droplets are applied from the recording head 20 to the paper P. Is discharged and printing is performed. In the present embodiment, after ink droplets are ejected from the color ink, the reactive ink is ejected onto the ink droplets from the color ink attached on the paper P. The reactive ink adheres to the color ink, thereby causing an agglomeration reaction with the color ink on the paper P, thereby improving the color developability and glossiness of the color ink. As a result, an image with improved color developability and glossiness is printed on the paper P.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the platen 23 has a second waste liquid discharge formed in the left end portion shown in FIG. A flushing box 23a is formed as a means.

The waste liquid tank 25 is located below the platen 23, and the first waste liquid tank 25a as the first waste liquid storage means on the left side shown in FIG. 3 and the second waste liquid storage means on the right side shown in FIG. As a second waste liquid tank 25b. The first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b are each formed in a box shape whose upper surface is open, and when the platen 23 is projected downward, the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a. , 25b so that the entire projected portion can be included. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of waste liquid absorbers 31 made of a porous material are stacked inside each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b.

  Further, in the present embodiment, only the first waste liquid tank 25a is positioned so as to be able to include the projected portion by the upper surface opening at the position where the flushing box 23a of the platen 23 is projected downward. Yes. Then, when a drive signal unrelated to printing is applied to the recording head 20 with the carriage 15 moved to 80 digits, color ink and clear ink are forcibly discharged from the recording head 20 and discharged. The discharged ink is discharged as waste liquid through the flushing box 23a to the first waste liquid tank 25a. As a result, ink thickening and color mixing in the vicinity of the nozzles of the recording head 20 are eliminated, and a so-called flushing operation can be performed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cleaning mechanism 27 is provided at the right end portion of the printer 11 shown in FIG. 3, that is, in a non-printing area (home position). As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning mechanism 27 includes a cap 32, suction tubes 33 and 34 serving as first and second communication passages constituting suction means connected to the cap 32, and the same suction. And a suction pump 36 as decompression means provided in the middle of the tubes 33 and 34.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cap 32 includes a substantially rectangular bottom surface 38 and an outer peripheral wall 41 formed in a square frame shape standing along the outer periphery of the bottom surface 38. It is formed in a substantially box shape. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the size of the bottom surface 38 is slightly smaller than the nozzle forming surface 20a (see FIG. 2) of the recording head 20. Further, the cap 32 includes a dividing wall 43 erected so as to be along the sub-scanning direction Y at the center of the bottom surface 38.

  In the present embodiment, the dividing wall 43 is provided at an intermediate position in the main scanning direction X in the cap 32, and the dividing wall 43 allows the bottom surface 38 and the outer peripheral wall 41 of the cap 32 to be provided. The space formed by is divided into two. That is, the cap 32 is formed with the first box part 45 and the second box part 47 by the bottom face 38, the outer peripheral wall 41, and the dividing wall 43. The first box part 45 and the second box part 47 have substantially the same volume, and the upper side is open to the atmosphere.

  In addition, seven substantially cylindrical support members 49 project from the bottom surfaces 38 of the box portions 45 and 47, respectively. Each box body 45, 47 accommodates an ink absorbing sheet (not shown). The ink absorbing sheet is inserted into the box body 45, 47 through the support 49. It is fixed inside.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cap 32 configured as described above has a bottom surface 38 (see FIG. 4) that is connected to the nozzle forming surface 20a by a known lifting means (not shown) with the opened side up. It is attached to the frame 12 so as to be movable up and down in parallel. Then, when the carriage 15 moves to the home position, the cap 32 moves upward to come into contact with the nozzle forming surface 20a (see FIG. 2) provided on the recording head 20 of the carriage 15. ing.

When the cap 32 and the nozzle forming surface 20a come into contact with each other, in this embodiment, the nozzle rows 31a to 31d (see FIG. 2) of the nozzle forming surface 20a are covered by the first box body 45, and the nozzle row 31e (see FIG. 2) is covered by the second box part 47.

  The suction tubes 33 and 34 are both made of a flexible material such as silicon rubber. One end of one suction tube 33 is connected to the first box body 45 of the cap 32, and the other end is located in the first waste liquid tank 25a. One end of the other suction tube 34 is connected to the second box body 47, and the other end is positioned in the second waste liquid tank 25b.

  Therefore, the insides of the first and second box bodies 45 and 47 of the cap 32 and the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b are individually connected via the suction tubes 33 and 34, respectively. Yes.

  The suction pump 36 is provided in the middle of the flow path of the suction tubes 33 and 34, and is driven by driving means (not shown) to depressurize various fluids such as air and ink upstream of the suction tubes 33 and 34. It is possible to make it. Accordingly, when the suction pump 36 is driven in a state where the nozzle forming surface 20a (see FIG. 2) of the recording head 20 is sealed by the cap 32, the fluid in the space formed by the recording head 20 and the cap 32 is decompressed. It has become so.

  As a result, the color ink and the reactive ink are sucked from the nozzle rows 31a to 31e on the nozzle forming surface 20a of the recording head 20, respectively. Among the sucked inks, the color ink is discharged to the first waste liquid tank 25a via the first box body 45 and the suction tube 33. In addition, among the sucked inks, the reactive ink is discharged to the second waste liquid tank 25b through the second box part 47 and the suction tube 34.

  As described above, a so-called cleaning operation is performed, and the color ink and the reactive ink are respectively supplied to the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b via the separate box portions 45 and 47 and the suction tubes 33 and 34, respectively. Led. In the cap 32, the suction tubes 33 and 34, the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, and the like, the color ink and the reaction ink are prevented from being mixed. As a result, the aggregation reaction between the color ink and the reactive ink can be prevented from occurring, and the function of the cleaning mechanism 27 can be prevented from being deteriorated. As described above, the ink droplet ejection capability of the recording head 20 is recovered.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 11 configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 5 is an electrical block circuit diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the printer 11 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 11 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, an allowable absorption amount storage unit 55 as a threshold storage unit, a waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 as a first waste liquid amount storage unit, and a second waste liquid amount. A flushing storage unit 59 is provided as storage means. These are connected by a bus 61. In the present embodiment, the CPU 51 corresponds to a first waste liquid storage amount acquisition unit, a second waste liquid storage amount acquisition unit, and a comparison unit.

  The CPU 51 is connected to the menu button 62a via the bus 61, and inputs various operation signals from the menu button 62a. In the present embodiment, the menu button 62a is provided on the frame 12 (see FIG. 1) of the printer 11. When the menu button 62 a is operated by a user or the like, various operation signals for starting printing in the printer 11 are input to the CPU 51.

  The CPU 51 is connected to a display 62b as display means via the bus 61, and outputs data for displaying various images on the display 62b. In the present embodiment, the display 62b is provided on the frame 12 of the printer 11 like the menu button 62a.

  Further, the CPU 51 is connected to the paper feed motor 68, the carriage motor 29, the cap lifting / lowering motor 71, and the suction pump motor 73 via the first to fourth motor drive circuits 63 to 66, and a drive for driving and controlling them. Output a control signal. The paper feed motor 68 is a motor for feeding the paper P (see FIG. 1) along the sub-scanning direction Y in the printer 11.

  The cap lifting / lowering motor 71 is a motor for moving the cap 32 (see FIG. 3) up and down to abut against or separate from the recording head 20. Further, the suction pump motor 73 is a motor for driving the suction pump 36 to depressurize the upstream side of the suction tubes 33 and 34. Further, the CPU 51 is connected to the recording head 20 via the head driving circuit 75 and outputs a drive control signal for controlling the recording head 20.

  The CPU 51 is connected to an allowable absorption amount storage unit 55. In the allowable absorption amount storage unit 55, as shown in FIG. 6, tank type data and allowable absorption amount data as threshold data are associated with each other. Is remembered. Specifically, the tank type data is data for identifying the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b (see FIG. 3). The allowable absorption amount data is data representing the amount of waste liquid that can be absorbed in each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, for example, data such as “200 g”. In the present embodiment, the allowable absorption amount data corresponding to the respective waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b are expressed as data Xa and data Xb, respectively.

  In this embodiment, the data constituted by these tank type data and allowable absorption amount data is data stored in advance in the manufacturing stage of the printer 11.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 51 is connected to a waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57, and the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 stores waste liquid discharge amount data Z as first waste liquid amount data. ing. In the present embodiment, the waste liquid discharge amount data Z is the cumulative total of the waste liquid discharged to the respective waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b through the cap 32 when the CPU 51 executes a process according to a cleaning program described later. This is data to represent the value. That is, the waste liquid discharge amount data Z is data such as “87 g”. The waste liquid discharge amount data Z is appropriately updated and stored as the CPU 51 performs processing according to a determination program described later.

  Further, the CPU 51 is connected to the flushing storage unit 59, and the flushing storage unit 59 stores flushing accumulated data α as second waste liquid amount data. The flushing accumulated data α represents a cumulative value of the total amount of waste liquid discharged to the first waste liquid tank 25a through the flushing box 23a when the CPU 51 executes processing according to a flushing program described later. It is data for. That is, the flushing accumulated data α is data such as “24 g”. The flushing accumulated data α is appropriately updated and stored by the CPU 51 performing a process according to a flushing program described later.

The CPU 51 operates in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 52 and stores the calculation processing results and the like in the primary RAM 53. Specifically, the ROM 52 includes a cleaning program, a flushing program, a determination program, and other various programs.

  The cleaning program is a program for the CPU 51 to drive the carriage motor 29 via the second motor drive circuit 64 based on an input signal from the menu button 62a and move the carriage 15 to the home position. . In the cleaning program, when the CPU 51 moves the carriage 15 to the home position, the cap raising / lowering motor 71 is driven via the third motor drive circuit 65, and the nozzle 32 of the recording head 20 is formed by the cap 32. Is a program for sealing.

  Further, the cleaning program is a program for driving the suction pump motor 73 via the fourth motor driving circuit 66 when the CPU 51 seals the nozzle forming surface 20 a of the recording head 20 with the cap 32. As a result, the suction pump 36 is driven, the color ink and the reaction ink are sucked from the recording head 20 via the suction tubes 33 and 34, and discharged as the waste liquids to the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b. The In the present embodiment, the total amount of waste liquid discharged to the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b by the one-time driving of the suction pump motor 73 is represented by the cleaning data CL. It is assumed that the driving amount of the suction pump motor 73 is determined so that the amount is substantially equal to the amount. Specifically, in this embodiment, the cleaning data CL is data stored in advance in the ROM 52 or the like at the time of production of the printer 11, for example, “3 g”.

  The cleaning program is a program for driving the cap lifting / lowering motor 71 via the third motor driving circuit 65 when the CPU 51 drives the suction pump motor 73 by a predetermined driving amount. As a result, the cap 32 and the recording head 20 are separated from each other.

  Therefore, when there is an input of a signal from the menu button 62a, the CPU 51 starts processing of the cleaning program, drives the carriage motor 29 via the second motor drive circuit 64, and moves the carriage 15 to the home position. Move. Further, the CPU 51 drives the cap lifting / lowering motor 71 via the third motor driving circuit 65 and seals the nozzle discharge ports of the recording head 20 with the cap 32.

  Further, the CPU 51 drives the suction pump motor 73 via the fourth motor drive circuit 66. Then, the CPU 51 drives the cap lifting / lowering motor 71 via the third motor driving circuit 65, separates the cap 32 and the recording head 20, and ends the processing of the cleaning program.

  The flushing program is a program that is periodically executed during printing of the printer 11 or the like, and is executed as necessary after the processing of the cleaning program is completed. The CPU 51 causes the second motor driving circuit 64 to be executed. This is a program for driving the carriage motor 29 to move the carriage 15 to 80 digits. In addition, when the CPU 51 moves the carriage 15 to 80 digits, the flushing program drives the recording head 20 via the head driving circuit 75, and the color ink and the reactive ink from the recording head 20 to the flushing box 23a. It is a program for discharging.

In this embodiment, the total amount of waste liquid discharged to the first waste liquid tank 25a through the flushing box 23a by the drive of the recording head 20 at this time is represented by the flushing data FL. It is assumed that the drive amount of the recording head 20 is determined so as to be approximately equal to the amount to be performed. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the flushing data FL is data stored in advance in the ROM 52 or the like when the printer 11 is produced, for example, “2g”.

  In addition, when the CPU 51 drives the recording head 20 with a predetermined driving amount, the flushing program calculates the flushing accumulated data α in the flushing storage unit 59 according to the following equation (1), and the flushing storage unit 59 This is a program for storing updates.

Flushing cumulative data α
= Flushing accumulated data α + Flushing data FL (1)
Accordingly, when the CPU 51 starts processing of the flushing program, first, the carriage motor 29 is driven via the second motor drive circuit 64 to move the carriage 15 to 80 digits. In addition, when the carriage 15 is moved to 80 digits, the CPU 51 drives the recording head 20 via the head driving circuit 75, and discharges color ink and reaction ink from the recording head 20 to the flushing box 23a.

  In addition, when the CPU 51 drives the recording head 20 with a predetermined drive amount, the flushing accumulated data α in the flushing storage unit 59 is calculated according to the above equation (1), and is updated and stored in the flushing storage unit 59.

  The determination program is a program that is executed by the CPU 51 after completing the process according to the cleaning program, and the CPU 51 calculates waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 according to the following equation (2): This is a program for updating and storing the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57.

Waste liquid discharge data Z
= Waste liquid discharge amount data Z + cleaning data CL (2)
In addition, when the CPU 51 updates and stores the waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57, the determination program stores the waste liquid discharged to the first waste liquid tank 25a according to the following equation (3). This is a program for calculating first predicted data PD1 as first cumulative amount data, which represents a predicted value of the cumulative amount.

First prediction data PD1
= Waste liquid discharge amount data Z / 2 + flushing cumulative data α (3)
That is, in the present embodiment, the waste liquid discharge amount data which is the total amount of waste liquid discharged by the cleaning operation performed so far is used as the predicted value of the cumulative amount of waste liquid stored in the first waste liquid tank 25a. The calculation is made assuming that the amount is half the amount of Z plus the cumulative flushing data α.

  Further, when the CPU 51 causes the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 to update and store the waste liquid discharge amount data Z, the determination program stores the waste liquid discharged to the second waste liquid tank 25b according to the following equation (4). This is a program for calculating second predicted data PD2 as second accumulated amount data, which represents a predicted value of the accumulated amount.

Second prediction data PD2 = waste liquid discharge amount data Z / 2 (4)
That is, in the present embodiment, the predicted value of the accumulated amount of waste liquid stored in the second waste liquid tank 25b is calculated as being half the amount of waste liquid discharge amount data Z.

  When the CPU 51 calculates the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 in accordance with the above formulas (3) and (4), first, the first prediction data PD1 is the allowable absorption amount. This is a program for determining whether or not the data Xa in the storage unit 55 is exceeded. Then, the determination program is a program for the CPU 51 to determine whether or not the second predicted data PD2 exceeds the data Xb of the allowable absorption amount storage unit 55.

  When the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 exceeds the data Xa or the second prediction data PD2 exceeds the data Xb, the determination program determines that the first prediction data PD1 exceeds the data Xb based on the image data G. This is a program for displaying an error image on the display 62b. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the image data G is stored in the ROM 52 and stored in the manufacturing stage of the printer 11. In the present embodiment, an error image is displayed on the display 62b based on the image data G, so that a sentence such as “the waste liquid tank is full” is displayed.

  Therefore, when the process according to the cleaning program is completed, the CPU 51 calculates the waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 according to the above equation (2) and updates and stores it according to the determination program. Further, the CPU 51 calculates the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 according to the above formulas (3) and (4). Further, the CPU 51 determines whether the first predicted data PD1 exceeds the data Xa in the allowable absorption amount storage unit 55 and whether the second predicted data PD2 exceeds the data Xb.

  If the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 exceeds the data Xa or the second prediction data PD2 exceeds the data Xb, an error is displayed on the display 62b based on the image data G. Display an image. On the other hand, when the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 is less than or equal to the data Xa and the second prediction data PD2 is less than or equal to the data Xb, the CPU 51 ends the process of the determination program.

Next, the operation of the printer 11 in the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
First, an operation when the printer 11 performs the cleaning operation will be described. When the user operates the menu button 62a or the like, the CPU 51 drives the carriage motor 29 via the second motor drive circuit 64 according to the cleaning program, and moves the carriage 15 to the home position. The CPU 51 also drives the cap lifting motor 71 via the third motor driving circuit 65 and seals the nozzle discharge ports of the recording head 20 with the cap 32.

  Further, the CPU 51 drives the suction pump motor 73 via the fourth motor drive circuit 66. Then, the CPU 51 drives the cap lifting / lowering motor 71 via the third motor driving circuit 65, separates the cap 32 and the recording head 20, and ends the processing of the cleaning program.

  As described above, the color ink and the reactive ink are sucked from the recording head 20, and ink thickening or clogging in the recording head 20 is recovered. At this time, the total amount of the color ink to be sucked and the reactive ink is equal to the amount represented by the cleaning data CL, for example, “3 g”.

The sucked ink is discharged as waste liquid to the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b through the cap 32 and the suction tubes 33 and 34. At this time, the waste liquid from the color ink is discharged to the first waste liquid tank 25a, and the waste liquid from the reaction ink is discharged to the second waste liquid tank 25b through separate paths. Therefore, in this cleaning operation, the aggregation reaction between the color ink and the reactive ink is prevented.

  Next, the operation when the printer 11 performs the flushing operation will be described. When a predetermined time elapses during the printing of the printer 11 or the processing of the cleaning program ends, the CPU 51 first drives the carriage motor 29 via the second motor drive circuit 64 according to the flushing program. The carriage 15 is moved to 80 digits. In addition, when the carriage 15 is moved to 80 digits, the CPU 51 drives the recording head 20 via the head driving circuit 75, and discharges color ink and reaction ink from the recording head 20 to the flushing box 23a. This eliminates ink thickening and color mixing in the vicinity of the nozzles of the recording head 20.

  In addition, when the CPU 51 drives the recording head 20 with a predetermined drive amount, the flushing accumulated data α in the flushing storage unit 59 is calculated according to the above equation (1), and is updated and stored in the flushing storage unit 59. As a result, the flushing storage unit 59 is updated with the accumulated flushing data α every time the flushing program is executed. The accumulated amount of waste liquid discharged to the first waste liquid tank 25a by the flushing so far can be grasped by the accumulated flushing data α.

  Next, the operation when the printer 11 performs processing according to the determination program will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, when the CPU 51 finishes executing the cleaning program (step S11), according to the determination program, the CPU 51 calculates waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 according to the above equation (2), Update storage is performed (step S12).

  Further, the CPU 51 calculates the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 according to the above formulas (3) and (4). Furthermore, the CPU 51 determines whether the first predicted data PD1 exceeds the data Xa in the allowable absorption amount storage unit 55 and whether the second predicted data PD2 exceeds the data Xb (Steps S13 and S14). ).

  When the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 exceeds the data Xa or the second prediction data PD2 exceeds the data Xb (YES in step S13 or step S14), the image data G Based on the above, an error image is displayed on the display 62b (step S15). On the other hand, when the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 is equal to or less than the data Xa and the second prediction data PD2 is equal to or less than the data Xb (NO in step S13 and step S14), the CPU 51 ends the process of the determination program. To do.

  As described above, in the printer 11 according to the present embodiment, the predicted value of the accumulated amount of the waste liquid discharged to the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b up to the present is the above formulas (3) and (4). Thus, the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 are obtained. In the equations (3) and (4), the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 are stored in the waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b for the waste liquid discharged by the cleaning operation. The calculation was made assuming that half of each was discharged.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of waste liquid discharged by the cleaning operation is not stored for each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, but is calculated from the waste liquid discharge amount data Z. As a result, the number of parameters stored in the printer 11 can be reduced as compared with the case where the amount of waste liquid is stored for each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b.

  Further, since the waste liquid discharged by the flushing is discharged only to the first waste liquid tank 25a, in the formula (3), only the first predicted data PD1 among the predicted data PD1 and PD2 is the accumulated flushing data. α was added. Therefore, the unbalance of the amount of waste liquid discharged to the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b caused by flushing can be accurately integrated. As a result, the cumulative discharge amount of the waste liquid discharged to each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b can be accurately integrated with a small number of parameters.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the first embodiment, the ink discharged from the recording head 20 without passing through the paper P passes through the suction tubes 33 and 34 via the cap 32 of the cleaning mechanism 27 and passes through the first and second inks. It was led to both the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b and stored as waste liquid. Further, the ink is guided only to the first waste liquid tank 25a via the flushing box 23a and stored as waste liquid. Then, the CPU 51 divides the waste liquid discharge amount data Z into two, and adds the flushing cumulative data α, whereby the first prediction data that is a predicted value of the cumulative amount of waste liquid stored in the first waste liquid tank 25a. PD1 was obtained.

  Accordingly, the first prediction data PD1 is acquired more accurately. That is, as in this embodiment, in the printer 11 in which the waste liquid is guided to the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b by the cleaning mechanism 27 and the flushing box 23a, the waste liquid is discharged through the flushing box 23a. The waste liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid tank 25a. Accordingly, an imbalance occurs in the amount of waste liquid stored in the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b.

  However, in the present embodiment, the first prediction data PD1 is acquired in consideration of this imbalance, and even if the plurality of waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b are provided, the respective waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b are provided. Accumulated counting of the amount of accumulated waste liquid for each waste can be accurately performed with a small number of parameters. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide storage means for accurately storing the amount of waste liquid stored in each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, and the storage capacity required for storing parameters in the printer 11 can be reduced. An increase in cost due to an increase in storage capacity can be prevented.

  (2) In the first embodiment, the CPU 51 divides the waste liquid discharge amount data Z into two, whereby the second prediction that is the predicted value of the accumulated amount of the waste liquid stored in the second waste liquid tank 25b. Data PD2 was obtained. Accordingly, the second prediction data PD2 is acquired in consideration of the unbalance of the amount of waste liquid stored in the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, and includes a plurality of waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b. Even in this case, the accumulated storage amount of the waste liquid for each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b can be accurately integrated and counted with a small number of parameters. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide storage means for accurately storing the amount of waste liquid stored in each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, and the storage capacity required for storing parameters in the printer 11 can be reduced. An increase in cost due to an increase in storage capacity can be prevented.

(3) In the first embodiment, the CPU 51 performs the first and second prediction data PD.
1, PD2 and data Xa, Xb in the allowable absorption amount storage unit 55 are compared, and an image based on the image data G is displayed on the display 62b based on the comparison result.

  Accordingly, since the image is not displayed on the display 62b based on the comparison result between the first and second prediction data PD1, PD2 and the data Xa, Xb, the first and second waste liquids are displayed. Whether or not the amount of waste liquid stored in the tanks 25a and 25b exceeds the threshold value can be easily notified to the user of the printer 11 and the like. As a result, the user or the like can effectively prevent the overflow of the waste liquid in the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b by limiting the drive of the printer 11 based on the image on the display 62b. Can be.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the second embodiment has a configuration in which the determination program of the first embodiment is only changed, and thus detailed description of the same parts is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the determination program is a program that is executed when the CPU 51 ends the process according to the cleaning program or the flushing program described in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the CPU 51 corresponds to a third waste liquid storage amount acquisition unit and a comparison unit.

  Then, when the determination program is executed after the cleaning program, the waste liquid as the third waste liquid amount data of the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 as the third waste liquid amount storage means according to the above equation (2). This is a program for calculating the discharge amount data Z and updating and storing it in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57.

  The determination program, when executed after the flushing program, calculates the waste liquid discharge amount data Z according to the following equation (5), and updates and stores it in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57. is there.

Waste liquid discharge data Z
= Waste liquid discharge data Z + flushing data FL (5)
Further, the determination program is a program for causing the CPU 51 to calculate the first predicted data PD1 according to the following equation (6) when the waste liquid discharge amount data Z of the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 is updated and stored. .

First prediction data PD1
= Waste liquid discharge amount data Z / 2 + flushing cumulative data α / 2 (6)
That is, in the present embodiment, the estimated value of the accumulated amount of waste liquid stored in the first waste liquid tank 25a is the total amount of waste liquid discharged by the cleaning operation and the flushing operation performed so far. The calculation is made on the assumption that the amount is half of the discharge amount data Z and half of the flushing accumulated data α. Note that the calculation can be performed in the same manner by adding the flushing accumulated data α to the waste liquid discharge amount data Z and then dividing it into two.

  Further, the determination program is a program for causing the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 to update the waste liquid discharge amount data Z and calculating the second predicted data PD2 according to the following equation (7) when the CPU 51 updates and stores the waste liquid discharge amount data Z.

Second prediction data PD2
= Waste liquid discharge amount data Z / 2-Flushing cumulative data α / 2 (7)
That is, in the present embodiment, the estimated value of the accumulated amount of waste liquid stored in the second waste liquid tank 25b is the total amount of waste liquid discharged by the cleaning operation and the flushing operation performed so far. Calculation is made assuming that the amount is half of the discharge amount data Z minus half of the flushing accumulated data α. The calculation can be performed in the same manner by subtracting the flushing accumulated data α from the waste liquid discharge amount data Z and then dividing it into two.

  When the CPU 51 calculates the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 in accordance with the above formulas (6) and (7), first, the first prediction data PD1 is the allowable absorption amount. This is a program for determining whether or not the data Xa in the storage unit 55 is exceeded. Then, the determination program is a program for the CPU 51 to determine whether or not the second predicted data PD2 exceeds the data Xb of the allowable absorption amount storage unit 55.

  When the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 exceeds the data Xa or the second prediction data PD2 exceeds the data Xb, the determination program performs the same as in the first embodiment. And a program for displaying an error image on the display 62b based on the image data G.

  Therefore, when the process according to the cleaning program is completed, the CPU 51 calculates the waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 according to the above equation (2) and updates and stores it according to the determination program. When the CPU 51 finishes the process according to the flushing program, the CPU 51 calculates and updates the waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 according to the above equation (5) according to the determination program.

  Then, when the CPU 51 updates and stores the waste liquid discharge amount data Z, the CPU 51 calculates the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 according to the above formulas (6) and (7). Further, the CPU 51 determines whether the first predicted data PD1 exceeds the data Xa in the allowable absorption amount storage unit 55 and whether the second predicted data PD2 exceeds the data Xb.

  If the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 exceeds the data Xa or the second prediction data PD2 exceeds the data Xb, an error is displayed on the display 62b based on the image data G. Display an image. On the other hand, when the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 is less than or equal to the data Xa and the second prediction data PD2 is less than or equal to the data Xb, the CPU 51 ends the process of the determination program.

  Next, the operation of the printer 11 in the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. Since the operation when the printer 11 performs the cleaning operation and the operation when the flushing operation is performed are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted, and the printer 11 performs processing according to the determination program. Only the operation at the time of performing will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the CPU 51 performs the cleaning program process (YES in step S21), the waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 is calculated according to the above equation (2) according to the determination program. Then, it is updated and stored (step S22).

Further, when the CPU 51 performs the flushing program process (YES in step S23), the waste liquid discharge amount data Z in the waste liquid discharge amount storage unit 57 is calculated according to the above equation (5) and updated and stored according to the determination program. (Step S24).

  And CPU51 will calculate 1st and 2nd prediction data PD1, PD2 according to said Formula (6), (7), after complete | finishing the process of said step S21-step S24. Further, the CPU 51 determines whether the first predicted data PD1 exceeds the data Xa of the allowable absorption amount storage unit 55 and whether the second predicted data PD2 exceeds the data Xb (Steps S25 and S26). ).

  When the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 exceeds the data Xa or the second prediction data PD2 exceeds the data Xb (YES in step S25 or step S26), the image data G Based on the above, an error image is displayed on the display 62b (step S27).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 51 determines that the first prediction data PD1 is equal to or less than the data Xa and the second prediction data PD2 is equal to or less than the data Xb (NO in step S25 and step S26), the processing of the determination program ends. To do.

  As described above, in the printer 11 according to the present embodiment, the predicted value of the accumulated amount of the waste liquid discharged to the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b up to the present is expressed by the above formulas (6) and (7). Thus, the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 are obtained. In the equations (6) and (7), the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2 use waste liquid discharge amount data Z representing the total amount of waste liquid discharged by the cleaning operation and the flushing operation. It was calculated.

  Therefore, also in this embodiment, the amount of waste liquid discharged by the cleaning operation is not stored for each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, but is calculated from the waste liquid discharge amount data Z. As a result, the number of parameters to be stored can be reduced as compared with the case of storing the amount of waste liquid for each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b.

  Since the waste liquid discharged by the flushing is discharged only to the first waste liquid tank 25a, the actual waste liquid is stored in each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b by simply halving the waste liquid discharge amount data Z. May be different from the amount. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the respective prediction data PD1 and PD2 are obtained in the above formulas (6) and (7), by adding or subtracting half the amount of the flushing accumulated data α, It was made to approach the amount of waste liquid stored.

  Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the unbalance of the amount of waste liquid discharged to the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b caused by flushing can be accurately integrated. As a result, the cumulative discharge amount of the waste liquid discharged to each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b can be accurately integrated with a small number of parameters.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effect (3) described in the first embodiment, the following effect can be obtained.
(4) In the second embodiment, the ink discharged from the recording head 20 without passing through the paper P passes through the suction tubes 33 and 34 via the cap 32 of the cleaning mechanism 27 and passes through the first and second inks. It was led to both the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b and stored as waste liquid. Further, the ink is guided only to the first waste liquid tank 25a via the flushing box 23a and stored as waste liquid. Then, the CPU 51 divides the waste liquid discharge amount data Z into the waste liquid discharge amount data Z and divides it into two minutes, whereby the first prediction data that is the predicted value of the waste liquid accumulated in the first waste liquid tank 25a. PD1 was obtained.

  Accordingly, the first prediction data PD1 is acquired more accurately. That is, as in this embodiment, in the printer 11 in which the waste liquid is guided to the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b by the cleaning mechanism 27 and the flushing box 23a, the waste liquid is discharged through the flushing box 23a. The waste liquid is guided only to the first waste liquid tank 25a. Accordingly, an imbalance occurs in the amount of waste liquid stored in the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b.

  However, in the present embodiment, the first prediction data PD1 is acquired in consideration of this imbalance, and even if the plurality of waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b are provided, the respective waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b are provided. Accumulated counting of the amount of accumulated waste liquid for each waste can be accurately performed with a small number of parameters. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide storage means for accurately storing the amount of waste liquid stored in each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, and the storage capacity required for storing parameters in the printer 11 can be reduced. An increase in cost due to an increase in storage capacity can be prevented.

  (5) In the first embodiment, the CPU 51 subtracts the flushing accumulated data α from the waste liquid discharge amount data Z and then divides it into 2 minutes, thereby accumulating the accumulated amount of the waste liquid stored in the second waste liquid tank 25b. The second predicted data PD2 that is the predicted value of is obtained. Accordingly, the second prediction data PD2 is acquired in consideration of the unbalance of the amount of waste liquid stored in the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, and includes a plurality of waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b. Even in this case, the accumulated storage amount of the waste liquid for each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b can be accurately integrated and counted with a small number of parameters. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide storage means for accurately storing the amount of waste liquid stored in each of the waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b, and the storage capacity required for storing parameters in the printer 11 can be reduced. An increase in cost due to an increase in storage capacity can be prevented.

In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.
In the first and second embodiments described above, the printer 11 is embodied to have two waste liquid tanks, the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b. You may make it materialize this to the thing provided with the 3 or more waste liquid tank. Even in such a case, as in the first and second embodiments, the waste liquid discharge amount data Z and the flushing accumulation data α are used to calculate the accumulation of the waste liquid for each waste liquid tank. To predict the amount of storage available.

  In the first and second embodiments, the printer 11 is embodied to have the flushing box 23a that guides the ink ejected from the recording head 20 only to the first waste liquid tank 25a. . This may be embodied in the printer 11 having a flushing box that guides the ink ejected from the recording head 20 to the second waste liquid tank 25b.

  In such a case, the above equations (4), (5), (6), and (7) are used to calculate the amount of waste liquid between the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a and 25b. Change the formula to take into account imbalance.

In the first and second embodiments, the CPU 51 sends the first and second predicted data PD1 and PD2 via the cleaning mechanism 27 and the flushing box 23a to the first and second waste liquid tanks 25a, It was updated based on the amount of waste liquid discharged to 25b. In consideration of this, ink discharged from the recording head 20 without passing through the paper P, for example, ink discarded into the platen 23 by borderless printing, the CPU 51 determines the first and second prediction data PD1. , PD2 may be updated.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the determination program calculates the first and second prediction data PD1 and PD2, whether or not each prediction data PD1 and PD2 exceeds the data Xa and Xb. It was made to be a program for discriminating.

  This is because the determination program only calculates the first and second prediction data PD1, PD2, and does not determine whether the first and second prediction data PD1, PD2 exceed the data Xa, Xb. Such a program may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the first and second box portions 45 and 47 of the cap 32 correspond to the combination of the color ink and the reactive ink, respectively, but correspond to combinations of other ink types. It is good also as what to do. For example, the first box 45 may correspond to pigment-based ink, and the second box 47 may correspond to dye-based ink.

  In the embodiment described above, the printer 11 (including a printing apparatus such as a fax machine or a copier) that ejects ink has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus. This may be embodied in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid. For example, as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL display, and a surface emitting display, or a living body used for biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects organic matter or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer according to the first embodiment. Similarly, a bottom view of the carriage. Similarly, the principal part sectional drawing of a printer. Similarly, the perspective view of a cap. Similarly, the electrical block circuit diagram of a printer. Similarly, the conceptual diagram of the memory content of the allowable absorption amount storage unit. Similarly, the flowchart for demonstrating an effect | action. The flowchart for demonstrating the effect | action in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  G: Image data, P: Paper as target, PD1: First prediction data as first cumulative amount data, PD2: Second prediction data as second cumulative amount data, Z: First waste liquid Waste liquid discharge amount data Z as volume data and third waste liquid amount data, α... Flushing accumulated data as second waste liquid amount data, 11... Printer as liquid ejecting apparatus, 20... Recording head as liquid ejecting head, 23a ... Flushing box as second waste liquid discharge means, 25a ... First waste liquid tank as first waste liquid storage means, 25b ... Second waste liquid tank as second waste liquid storage means, 27 ... First Cleaning mechanism as waste liquid discharging means, 32... Cap, 33, 34... Suction tube as first and second communication paths, 36... Suction pump as decompression means, 51 First waste liquid storage amount acquisition means, second waste liquid storage amount acquisition means, third waste liquid storage amount acquisition means, CPU as comparison means, 55... Allowable absorption amount storage section as threshold storage means, 57. A waste liquid discharge amount storage unit as a waste liquid amount storage unit and a third waste liquid amount storage unit, 59... A flushing storage unit as a second waste liquid amount storage unit, 62 b... A display as a display unit.

Claims (9)

A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid onto the target, a waste liquid storing means for storing the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target as a waste liquid, and a waste liquid discharge for guiding the waste liquid to the waste liquid storing means A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
The waste liquid storage means includes at least first and second waste liquid storage means,
The waste liquid discharge means includes at least a first waste liquid discharge means that guides the waste liquid to both the first and second waste liquid storage means, and a second waste liquid that guides the waste liquid only to the first waste liquid storage means. A discharge means,
First waste liquid amount storage means for storing first waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the first waste liquid discharge means;
Second waste liquid amount storage means for storing second waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the second waste liquid discharge means;
First cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means is acquired based on the first waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: 1 waste liquid storage amount obtaining means. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
A second waste liquid storage amount acquisition unit configured to acquire second cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid guided to the second waste liquid storage unit based on the first waste liquid amount data; A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The first waste liquid discharging means includes a cap that covers the liquid ejecting head, a first communication path that leads the internal space of the cap to the first waste liquid storage means, and the internal space that is used as the second waste liquid. A cleaning mechanism comprising a second communication path leading to the storage means, and a decompression means for decompressing the internal space;
The second waste liquid discharging means is a flushing box for guiding the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head to the first waste liquid storing means;
The first waste liquid storage amount acquisition means bisects the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the first waste liquid amount data, and adds the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the second waste liquid amount data. The liquid ejecting apparatus is means for obtaining the first cumulative amount data. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2,
The first waste liquid discharging means includes a cap that covers the liquid ejecting head, a first communication path that leads the internal space of the cap to the first waste liquid storage means, and the internal space that is used as the second waste liquid. A cleaning mechanism comprising a second communication path leading to the storage means, and a decompression means for decompressing the internal space;
The second waste liquid discharging means is a flushing box for guiding the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head to the first waste liquid storing means;
The second waste liquid storage amount acquisition means is means for acquiring the second cumulative amount data by dividing the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the first waste liquid amount data into two. apparatus. A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid onto the target, a waste liquid storing means for storing the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target as a waste liquid, and a waste liquid discharge for guiding the waste liquid to the waste liquid storing means A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
The waste liquid storage means includes at least first and second waste liquid storage means,
The waste liquid discharge means includes at least a first waste liquid discharge means that guides the waste liquid to both the first and second waste liquid storage means, and a second waste liquid that guides the waste liquid only to the first waste liquid storage means. A discharge means,
Third waste liquid amount storage means for storing third waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the first and second waste liquid discharge means;
Second waste liquid amount storage means for storing second waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the second waste liquid discharge means;
First cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means is acquired based on the third waste liquid amount data and the second waste liquid amount data. 3. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: 3 waste liquid storage amount obtaining means. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5,
The first waste liquid discharging means includes a cap that covers the liquid ejecting head, a first communication path that leads the internal space of the cap to the first waste liquid storage means, and the internal space that is used as the second waste liquid. A cleaning mechanism comprising a second communication path leading to the storage means, and a decompression means for decompressing the internal space;
The second waste liquid discharging means is a flushing box for guiding the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head to the first waste liquid storing means;
The third waste liquid storage amount acquisition means bisects the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the second waste liquid amount data after adding the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the second waste liquid amount data to the total amount of the waste liquid represented by the third waste liquid amount data. A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is means for obtaining the first cumulative amount data. In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Threshold storage means for storing threshold data representing a threshold of the waste liquid storage amount of the first waste liquid storage means;
Comparison means for comparing the threshold data with the first cumulative amount data;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a display unit configured to display an image based on image data based on a comparison result of the comparison unit. A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid onto the target, a waste liquid storing means for storing the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target as a waste liquid, and a waste liquid discharge for guiding the waste liquid to the waste liquid storing means In a method for driving a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
The waste liquid storage means includes at least first and second waste liquid storage means,
The waste liquid discharge means includes at least a first waste liquid discharge means that guides the waste liquid to both the first and second waste liquid storage means, and a second waste liquid that guides the waste liquid only to the first waste liquid storage means. A discharge means,
The liquid ejecting apparatus includes:
First waste liquid amount storage means for storing first waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the first waste liquid discharge means;
Second waste liquid amount storage means for storing second waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the second waste liquid discharge means;
Threshold storage means for storing threshold data representing a threshold of the waste liquid storage amount of the first waste liquid storage means;
First cumulative amount data representing the cumulative amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage unit is converted into the first waste liquid amount data and the second waste amount by the first waste liquid storage amount acquisition unit. Obtaining based on waste liquid amount data, comparing the threshold value data and the first cumulative amount data with a comparison means,
And a step of displaying an image based on image data by a display unit based on a comparison result of the comparison unit. A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid onto the target, a waste liquid storing means for storing the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the target as a waste liquid, and a waste liquid discharge for guiding the waste liquid to the waste liquid storing means In a method for driving a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
The waste liquid storage means includes at least first and second waste liquid storage means,
The waste liquid discharge means includes at least a first waste liquid discharge means that guides the waste liquid to both the first and second waste liquid storage means, and a second waste liquid that guides the waste liquid only to the first waste liquid storage means. A discharge means,
The liquid ejecting apparatus includes:
Third waste liquid amount storage means for storing third waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the first and second waste liquid discharge means;
Second waste liquid amount storage means for storing second waste liquid amount data representing the total amount of the waste liquid guided by the second waste liquid discharge means;
Threshold storage means for storing threshold data representing a threshold of the waste liquid storage amount of the first waste liquid storage means;
The first accumulated amount data representing the accumulated amount of the waste liquid guided to the first waste liquid storage means is converted into the third waste liquid amount data and the second waste data by the third waste liquid storage amount acquisition means. Obtaining based on waste liquid amount data, comparing the threshold value data and the first cumulative amount data with a comparison means,
And a step of displaying an image based on image data by a display unit based on a comparison result of the comparison unit.

Images