JP2005193522A - Inkjet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that when ink tanks of different kinds of inks are not compatible with one another, the number of kinds of the ink tanks is increased along with the improvement of the inks. <P>SOLUTION: A memory device for storing identification information is provided on an ink tank. A recorder reads the stored memory content and stores the loaded history of the ink tanks such as an ink tank having the memory device mounted thereon and an ink tank having a device storing a content different from the recorded content of the memory device or a device having different identification information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that is equipped with a replaceable ink tank and configured to perform a recovery operation of a recording head.

  Conventionally, ink droplets are ejected from a recording head having a plurality of ejection openings by using mechanically or thermally generated energy. In an ink jet recording apparatus, printing is performed on an ink tank containing ink and a printing medium. And a recording apparatus main body provided with a recording head. Here, the ink tank is replaceably attached to the recording apparatus, and when the ink tank is attached to the recording apparatus main body, the recovery operation of the recording head is executed.

  In recent years, a storage element storing information such as the ink type in the ink tank, the remaining amount of ink, and the expiration date of use is provided in the ink tank. Ink jet recording apparatuses and ink tanks having means for executing printing conditions and recovery conditions optimum for the ink by detecting the ink have been proposed, and some functions have already been implemented.

Information relating to such ink includes information that allows an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with an ink tank, a recording head that actually ejects ink, and ink stored in the ink tank to be used under optimum conditions. And is provided in the ink tank. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a storage element capable of recording information related to ink is provided in an ink cartridge, and a control unit can control printing means by sending and receiving information provided from the storage element. Yes.
JP 11-320914 A

  In recent years, printers have become faster and higher in image quality in a short period of time, and the inks required to satisfy the printing performance have been required to have highly adjusted components and composition ratios. It was.

  For example, pigments that have been used as dyes in the past to increase the weather resistance can be converted to pigments, or in the case of multicolor printing, inks of each color can react, and fixing can be promoted to increase the speed. This is a case where a resin component is added.

  When using ink components and composition ratios that have changed with the evolution of printer performance, the printer will function without problems when used alone in a printer, but the ink performance can be derived. If different inks are used in a mixed manner, such as using different inks on the printer, the different inks will be mixed together, possibly causing the ink to agglomerate or solidify in the head, or stick on the nozzle face surface. There is a case.

  For this reason, in order to prevent different types of ink from being mixed in the same head portion, it may be necessary to newly create an ink that is incompatible with other ink tanks so as not to be compatible with other ink tanks.

  However, when trying to expand the shape-incompatible ink tank to many printer models, new shape ink tanks will be on the market with the evolution of each year, and customers will be confused about the selection of the type, or sold There is a problem that the consumables required by the customer cannot be obtained immediately due to a shortage of consumables storage places in the store.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points. When the compatibility of the ink tank shape is lost for each different type of ink, the types of ink tanks increase as the ink types improve. An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that solves the problems that occur.

  The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus provided in an ink tank for containing ink used for recording, and capable of reading the storage contents stored in the identification information storage element. A storage means is provided for storing a mounting history of an ink tank provided and an ink tank provided with an element stored differently from the recorded contents of the storage element or an element with different identification information.

  An ink jet recording apparatus provided in an ink tank for storing ink used for recording and capable of reading storage contents stored in an identification information storage element, the ink tank provided with the storage element, and a storage Storage means for storing a mounting history of an ink tank without a calendar (including an ink tank in which the storage element is not mounted because the product version is old) is provided.

  In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a recovery unit for a recording head that ejects ink, and when the ink tank is replaced, a recovery condition control unit that controls a recovery condition executed by the recovery unit based on the mounting history. It is characterized by comprising.

  Further, the recovery condition is an ink suction amount from the recording head, an ink suction pressure, an ink suction time, a preliminary ejection amount of the recording head, or a number of wipings of the recording head.

  Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising an ink tank mounting detecting means capable of automatically or manually inputting whether or not the ink tank is mounted.

  In more detail, the present invention can solve the above problems by the following configuration.

  (1) An ink jet recording apparatus provided in an ink tank that contains ink used for recording and capable of reading storage contents stored in an identification information storage element, the ink tank provided with the storage element; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores a mounting history of an ink tank provided with an element stored differently from the recording content of the storage element or an element with different identification information.

  (2) An ink jet recording apparatus provided in an ink tank that contains ink used for recording, and capable of reading the storage content stored in the identification information storage element, the ink tank provided with the storage element; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising storage means for storing a mounting history of an ink tank having no memory calendar.

  (3) The ink jet recording apparatus includes a recovery unit for a recording head that ejects ink, and when the ink tank is replaced, a recovery condition control that controls a recovery condition executed by the recovery unit based on the mounting history. The inkjet recording apparatus according to (1) or (2), further comprising: means.

  (4) The recovery condition is an ink suction amount from the recording head, an ink suction pressure, an ink suction time, a recording head preliminary discharge amount, or a recording head wiping count. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of 1) to (3).

  (5) The ink jet recording apparatus includes any one of the above (1) to (4), characterized in that the ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink tank mounting detecting unit capable of automatically or manually inputting whether the ink tank is mounted or not mounted. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 1.

  According to the present invention, it is detected whether the ink changed with the evolution of the printer performance is an appropriate tank in which the same ink is used on the same printer, or an inappropriate one in which different ink is used on the same printer. It is possible to prevent the ink from agglomerating and solidifying in the head and sticking on the nozzle face surface.

  In addition, since the installation history of ink tanks is stored on the same printer for both the appropriate ink tank and the inappropriate ink tank, it is possible to perform an appropriate recovery operation when a new ink tank is installed. Become.

  Specifically, by controlling the recovery operation based on the mounting history of the ink tank, it is possible to prevent different types of ink from being mixed and remaining in the recording head, thereby preventing ink sticking and color change. .

  New shape ink tanks can be prevented from reaching the market more than necessary, and customers can get the consumables they need quickly due to the confusion of their choice and the lack of consumables storage in the store. The problem that becomes impossible can be avoided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 15 denotes a recording head, which is reciprocated by a driving belt 7 that transmits the driving force of the driving motor 6. An ink tank 2 is attached to the recording head 5. The recording head 15 is recovered by the suction recovery pump 7 and the wiper blade 8.

  FIG. 2A is an external view of an ink tank that is replaceably attached to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. The ink tank 2 is roughly constituted by an ink storage unit 23, a latch lever 25 when attached to the ink jet recording apparatus, and a storage element 21 for storing various information. Here, the memory element 21 is a nonvolatile memory in which information is stored even when the power is turned off, and is an electrically rewritable EEPROM or dielectric memory. FIG. 2B is an external view showing a state in which the ink tank of FIG. Here, the storage element 21 is electrically connected to a contact 28 provided on the recording head.

  3 and 4 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  3 and 4, the CPU 10 executes various control procedures. The ROM 11 stores various control procedures and data. The storage device 12 is a semiconductor memory, such as an EEPROM or a flash memory that can electrically rewrite information. Even when the power supply of the inkjet recording apparatus main body 1 itself is cut off, the data stored in the storage device 12 is retained. In this embodiment, the storage device 12 stores ink tank identification information and ink tank mounting history. The ink tank mounting detection device 17 is a device that detects whether or not an ink tank is mounted, and uses an optical sensor or a mechanical detection method.

  3 and 4, the CPU 10 controls the recovery device 13, the transport device 14, and the recording head 15. Further, in the present embodiment, an element in which the storage element storing the identification information of the ink stored in the container has been stored differently from the information on the ink installed in the printer from the beginning, or the element Ink tanks (or ink tanks without a memory calendar) 20 (FIG. 3) and ink tanks 22 (FIG. 4) provided with storage elements 21 are mixed in the recording head 15 of the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1. The case where it is attached is described. Here, the ink tank 20 and the ink tank 22 can be attached to the recording head 12 in a replaceable manner.

  The signal transmission line 16 transmits identification information stored in the storage element 21 provided in the ink tank 22 to the CPU 10. The CPU 10 determines whether the identification information is the same ink tank that has been used from the beginning (is appropriate), and stores the identification information in the storage device 12 of the inkjet recording apparatus main body 1 as an ink tank mounting history. And stored with the result. An ink tank provided with an element (identification information is different) in which information of a version different from the ink used from the beginning is stored (or an ink tank without an ink storage calendar of ink used from the beginning or its element is not provided. When the ink tank) 20 is attached, the ink tank attachment is transmitted to the CPU 10, and the fact is stored in the storage device 12 of the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 as an ink tank attachment history.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of control in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The outline of control will be described with reference to FIG.

  The ink jet recording apparatus mounts the ink tank in step S101. In step S102, the ink tank mounting detection device determines whether the ink tank is normally mounted. If no ink tank attachment is detected, the ink tank is not attached in step S103.

  When it is detected in step S102 that an ink tank is mounted, the process proceeds to step S104, and identification information that the ink tank has is detected. If the identification information is not detected here, it is determined that an incorrect ink tank of a version different from the ink used from the beginning is attached, and the attachment history of the inappropriate ink tank is stored in the storage device of the ink jet recording apparatus in step S106. Remember. In step S112, a recovery operation designated to suck more ink than usual is executed to prevent a state in which different types of ink remain mixed.

  When the identification information is detected in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105, and it is determined whether the identification information is appropriate. If the detected identification information is appropriate, the identification information indicating that it is appropriate is stored in the storage device of the ink jet recording apparatus main body as an ink tank mounting history in step S107.

  If it is determined that the identification information detected in step S105 is inappropriate, the process proceeds to step S106, and the improper ink tank mounting history is stored in the storage device of the ink jet recording apparatus. In step S112, a recovery operation different from the normal recovery operation is executed to prevent different types of ink from being mixed.

  If an appropriate ink tank installation as an ink used from the beginning in step S107 is stored in the storage device of the ink jet recording apparatus main body, the process proceeds to step S108 to determine whether the ink tank installation is the initial installation. To do. This is performed by detecting the history of identification information stored in the storage device of the ink jet recording apparatus main body. If the ink tank mounting is the initial mounting, an initial recovery operation for initial mounting is executed in step S109.

  If it is determined in step S108 that it is not initially mounted, it is determined in step S110 whether the previously installed ink tank is a proper product from the history of identification information. Here, if the previous mounting is an appropriate product, the recovery operation is executed in step S111 under the recovery conditions that are performed at the time of normal ink tank replacement. If it is determined in step S110 that the previously installed ink tank is a different version of the non-appropriate product from the ink used from the beginning, the recovery designated to suck more ink than usual in step S112. Execute the action to prevent a situation where different types of ink remain mixed.

  FIG. 6 shows the recovery operation of the recording head in the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a case where the ink suction amount is controlled as a recovery means for the regular head will be described. Here, the ink is sucked from the ink flow path 23 in the recording head by the suction recovery pump 7 that sucks the ink.

  FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an ink flow path immediately after the tank is installed when different types of ink tanks are installed when the ink tank is replaced. In this state, two different types of ink 24 and ink 25 are mixed.

  The suction pump is driven to suck ink from the ink flow path. If the suction amount is insufficient, the ink remains mixed as shown in FIG. 6B. As a result, there is a concern that the ink sticks or the color of the printed matter changes when ink is ejected and printing is performed in this state. Therefore, in this embodiment, by controlling the ink suction amount, as shown in FIG. 6C, the ink is sucked so that the ink 24 does not remain in the ink flow path, and different inks remain mixed. Prevent state.

  Next, another embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a case where identification information and an improper ink tank mounting history are stored in a storage device provided in the recording head is shown.

  7 and 8, the CPU 10 executes various control procedures. The ROM 11 stores various control procedures and data. The ink tank mounting detection device 17 is a device that detects whether or not an ink tank is mounted, and uses an optical sensor or a mechanical detection method.

  3 and 4, the CPU 10 controls the recovery device 13, the transport device 14, and the recording head 15. Further, in the present embodiment, an element in which the storage element storing the identification information of the ink stored in the container has been stored differently from the information on the ink installed in the printer from the beginning, or the element An ink tank (or an ink tank without a memory calendar) 20 (FIG. 3) not provided with the ink tank and an ink tank 22 (FIG. 4) provided with the memory element 21 are mounted on the recording head 15 of the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1. . Here, the ink tank 20 and the ink tank 22 can be attached to the recording head 12 in a replaceable manner.

  The recording head 15 is provided with a storage device 18. The storage device 18 is a semiconductor memory, such as an EEPROM or a flash memory that can electrically rewrite information. Even when the power supply of the inkjet recording apparatus main body 1 itself is cut off, the data stored in the storage device 18 is retained. In this embodiment, the storage device 12 stores ink tank identification information and ink tank mounting history.

  The signal transmission line 16 transmits identification information stored in the storage element 21 provided in the ink tank 22 to the CPU 10. The identification information is determined by the CPU 10 as to whether the information is appropriate, and is stored together with the result as an ink tank mounting history in the storage device 18 provided in the recording head. An ink tank provided with an element (identification information is different) in which information of a version different from the ink used from the beginning is stored (or an ink tank without an ink storage calendar of ink used from the beginning or its element is not provided. When the ink tank) 20 is mounted, the improper ink tank mounting is transmitted to the CPU 10, and the fact is stored as an ink tank mounting history in the storage device 18 provided in the recording head.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of control in an ink jet recording apparatus which is another embodiment of the present invention. The outline of control will be described with reference to FIG.

  The ink jet recording apparatus mounts an ink tank in step S201. In step S202, the ink tank mounting detection device determines whether the ink tank is normally mounted. If no ink tank attachment is detected, the ink tank is not attached in step S203.

  If it is detected in step S202 that the ink tank is mounted, the process proceeds to step S204, and identification information that the ink tank has is detected. If the identification information is not detected here, it is determined that the improper ink tank is mounted, and the mounting history of the improper ink tank is stored in the storage device provided in the recording head in step S206. In step S212, a recovery operation is executed under a recovery condition that sucks more ink than usual, thereby preventing a state in which different types of ink remain mixed.

  If the identification information is detected in step S204, the process proceeds to step S205, and it is determined whether the identification information is appropriate. If the detected identification information is appropriate, in step S207, the identification information is stored as an ink tank mounting history in a storage device provided in the recording head.

  If it is determined that the identification information detected in step S205 is inappropriate, the process proceeds to step S206, and the mounting history of the inappropriate ink tank is stored in the storage device provided in the recording head. In step S212, a recovery operation is executed under a recovery condition that sucks more ink than usual, thereby preventing a state in which different types of ink remain mixed.

  If proper ink tank attachment is detected in step S207, the ink is stored in a storage device provided in the recording head, and the process proceeds to step S208 to determine whether or not the ink tank attachment is initial attachment. . This is performed by detecting a history of identification information stored in a storage device provided in the recording head. If the ink tank mounting is the initial mounting, an initial recovery operation for initial mounting is executed in step S209.

  If it is determined in step S208 that the ink cartridge is not initially mounted, it is determined in step S210 whether the previously installed ink tank is an appropriate product from the identification information history. Here, if the previous mounting was an appropriate product, a recovery operation set to be performed at the time of normal ink tank replacement is executed in step S211. If it is determined in step S210 that the previously installed ink tank is an improper product, in step S212, a recovery operation is performed under a recovery condition that sucks more ink than usual, and different types of ink are collected. Prevent mixed conditions.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the ink suction operation is performed by changing the suction amount as the recovery operation. In addition, the ink suction pressure, the ink suction time, the preliminary discharge amount of the recording head, or the recording is performed. This may be performed by changing the number of head wiping operations.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the ink tank mounting / non-mounting is automatically performed by the ink tank mounting detection device provided in the ink jet recording device main body, but this is provided in the ink jet recording device main body. It may be performed manually by the user with a button or switch. Alternatively, the user may issue an instruction from a host computer connected to the ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. (A) is an external view of an ink tank that is replaceably attached to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, and (b) is an external view showing a state in which the ink tank of (a) is attached to a recording head. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment according to an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment according to an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing control of the first embodiment according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the recovery means of 1st Example which concerns on the inkjet recording device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 2nd Example which concerns on the inkjet recording device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 2nd Example which concerns on the inkjet recording device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows control of 2nd Example which concerns on the inkjet recording device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device main body 2 Ink tank 3 Conveying mechanism 4 Paper discharge direction 5 Drive motor 6 Drive belt 7 Suction recovery pump 8 Wiper blade 9 Recording medium 10 CPU
11 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Storage apparatus 13 Recovery apparatus 14 Conveyance apparatus 15 Recording head 16 Signal transmission line 17 Ink tank mounting detection apparatus 18 Storage apparatus provided in recording head 20 Ink tank (without storage element)
21 Memory element 22 Ink tank (with memory element)
23 Ink flow path 24 Ink 25 Ink 26 Ink container 27 Latch lever 28 Contact

Claims (5)

  An ink jet recording apparatus provided in an ink tank for storing ink used for recording and capable of reading storage contents stored in an identification information storage element, the ink tank provided with the storage element, and the storage element An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: storage means for storing a mounting history of an ink tank provided with an element stored differently from the recorded content or an element having different identification information.   An ink jet recording apparatus capable of reading storage contents stored in an identification information storage element provided in an ink tank containing ink used for recording, wherein the ink tank provided with the storage element and a memory calendar An ink jet recording apparatus comprising storage means for storing a mounting history of no ink tank.   The inkjet recording apparatus includes recovery means for a recording head that ejects ink, and includes recovery condition control means for controlling a recovery condition executed by the recovery means based on the mounting history when the ink tank is replaced. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is provided.   4. The recovery condition is an ink suction amount from the recording head, an ink suction pressure, an ink suction time, a preliminary ejection amount of the recording head, or the number of wiping times of the recording head. Any one of the inkjet recording apparatuses.   5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ink tank mounting detection unit that can automatically or manually input mounting or non-mounting of the ink tank. 6. .

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