JP2005306013A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the quantity of an ink discharged by restraining a wasteful discharge of an ink in a suction recovery process after an ink tank is replaced, and cut running costs and reduce the size of a device body. <P>SOLUTION: The inkjet recording device has a plurality of ink tanks that can be independently replaced and controls the quantity of an ink sucked by changing operating conditions for a suction recovery action in accordance with an ink tank replaced when the suction recovery action to suck an ink from a plurality of discharge opening arrays performed after the ink tank is replaced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that records by discharging ink from a recording unit to a recording material.

  A recording apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a read image formation, or a recording apparatus used as an output apparatus such as a composite electronic device or a workstation including a computer or a word processor, An image, characters, symbols, and the like are recorded (printed) on a recording material (recording medium) such as a plastic thin plate. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, recording is performed by ejecting ink from a fine ejection port of a recording head as a recording unit. Thickening phenomenon, dye concentration increase or sticking occurs.

  Also, when bubbles are trapped in the recording head or bubbles are generated in the recording head when the removable ink tank is replaced, if the bubbles stay in the ink flow path of the recording head, ink ejection failure May occur. In order to avoid such inconveniences such as deterioration of ink properties and generation of bubbles, the ejection port of the recording head is sealed with a cap, and the inside of the cap is decompressed by a pump as suction means provided in the recording apparatus. Thus, a suction recovery means for sucking out bubbles together with ink from the discharge port is used.

  A tube pump or a piston pump is used as the pump. The tube pump applies negative pressure generated using the restoring force of the tube squeezed by the roller in the cap. By changing the squeezing amount, the suction amount is changed and the squeezing speed is changed. Can change the strength of negative pressure. The piston pump generates a negative pressure in the decompression chamber communicated with the cap by moving the piston in the cylinder, and when the piston moves to the suction hole, the decompression chamber communicates with the cap and is negatively introduced into the cap. Pressure is introduced. In this piston pump, a large negative pressure can be applied instantaneously. However, in general, the amount of suction in one stroke is mechanically determined, and therefore it is necessary to repeat the stroke in order to increase the amount of suction without changing the mechanism.

In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs color recording and gradation recording, a recording head having a plurality of ejection port arrays for ejecting different inks is used. In the configuration of a recording head having a plurality of ejection port arrays, a plurality of independent ink tanks for supplying ink to each ejection port array are mounted individually and replaceably. When such an ink tank is replaced, bubbles may be taken into the ink flow path of the recording head from the connection portion or the like. Since such bubbles cause a hindrance to normal ink ejection, when the ink tank is replaced, a suction recovery process is performed after the replacement to discharge the bubbles together with the ink from the ejection port.
JP-A-3-5159

  However, in the suction recovery processing of a recording head having a plurality of ejection port arrays as in color recording, color ink is suctioned from the cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) ejection port arrays. Since the suction is performed by capping the three ejection port arrays for color ink with a single color cap, the suction is based on the worst ink among the three inks of cyan, magenta and yellow. Since recovery conditions were set, there were the following technical problems.

  That is, in the suction operation after replacing the ink tank, assuming the worst condition that bubbles are taken into the ink flow path at the time of ink tank replacement, it is assumed that all the ink in the ink flow path is replaced with air. The amount may be set to approximately the same as the ink flow path volume. The ink channel volume (ink suction amount) in this case is set with reference to the ink channel (for example, the yellow ink channel) having the largest volume among the three color inks. Therefore, the condition of the suction operation is set to the maximum suction amount of the yellow ink flow path volume × 3 (for three colors).

  For this reason, when the yellow ink tank is replaced, an appropriate suction amount is obtained. However, when the cyan or magenta ink tank is replaced, the suction amount becomes more than necessary and wasteful ink is discharged. become. As a result, the number of recordable recording materials decreases. In addition, the increase in the ink discharge amount increases the cost of the processing member for collecting and holding the waste ink, and the size of the processing member increases the size of the apparatus main body. In addition, when light-colored ink or the like is added to improve image quality, the configuration in which these ejection port arrays are integrally capped further increases the difference in the flow volume of each ink, resulting in wasteful ink discharge. Further increase.

  Also, when a plurality of discharge port arrays with different discharge port diameters are sucked through an integral cap, the suction amount is set based on the worst condition, so the discharge port diameter is small and the channel resistance is large. The suction conditions are set based on the discharge port array. In this case as well, an appropriate suction amount is obtained when the ink tank of the ink having a small ejection port diameter is replaced, but when the ink tank of the ink having a large ejection port diameter is replaced, the suction amount becomes more than necessary. Wasted ink is discharged.

  In addition, when a plurality of ejection port arrays with different ink compositions are sucked through an integral cap, the suction amount is set based on the worst condition, so the flow resistance such as ink viscosity resistance The suction condition is set based on the ink having the worst condition that affects the ink. Also in this case, when the ink tank of the ink having a large flow resistance (viscosity resistance or the like) is replaced, an appropriate suction amount is obtained, but when the ink tank of the ink having a low flow resistance is replaced, The suction amount is more than necessary, and wasteful ink is discharged.

  Similarly, conditions that affect flow path resistance, such as ink viscosity resistance, even when a plurality of ejection port arrays in which dye ink ejection port arrays and pigment ink ejection port arrays are mixed are sucked through an integral cap The suction conditions are set based on the worst ink. That is, the suction conditions are set based on the pigment ink having a high ink viscosity resistance. Therefore, in this case as well, an appropriate suction amount is obtained when the pigment ink tank is replaced. However, when the dye ink tank is replaced, the suction amount becomes more than necessary and wasteful ink is discharged. It will be discharged.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reducing the amount of discharged ink in the suction recovery process after ink tank replacement. That is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus that records on a recording material by ejecting ink supplied from a plurality of detachable ink tanks from recording means having a plurality of ejection port arrays. A cap for capping the discharge port array, a negative pressure generating means connected to the cap and generating a negative pressure in the cap, and a detection for detecting an exchanged ink tank among the plurality of ink tanks And changing the operating conditions of the suction recovery operation after replacing the ink tank according to the replaced ink tank.

  According to the present invention, since the operation condition of the suction recovery operation is changed according to the replaced ink tank, it is possible to reduce the amount of discharged ink during the suction recovery process after the ink tank replacement.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage drive mechanism for reciprocating a carriage 15 on which a recording head 10 serving as a recording unit is mounted in a double arrow X direction, and a transport mechanism for transporting a recording material S such as recording paper. And a recovery device 50 for maintaining and recovering the ink ejection performance of the recording head 10.

  In FIG. 1, the carriage drive mechanism reciprocates a carriage 15 on which the recording head 10 is mounted in the main scanning direction (double arrow X direction). The carriage driving mechanism includes a guide shaft 31 that guides the movement of the carriage 15, a timing belt 34 that is stretched over the motor pulley 32 and the driven pulley 33, and a carriage motor 35 that rotates the motor pulley 32. The carriage 15 can be reciprocated along the guide shaft 31 via the timing belt 34 by driving the carriage motor 35.

  The carriage 15 is connected to a part of a timing belt 34 that transmits the driving force of the carriage motor 35, and is guided and supported so as to be slidable along the guide shaft 31 in the double arrow X direction. Are driven to reciprocate along the guide shaft 31 by forward and reverse rotation. An encoder strip 38 that indicates an absolute position in the moving direction of the carriage 15 (in the direction of the double arrow X) is stretched over the apparatus body. On the other hand, an encoder sensor (not shown) for detecting the encoder strip 38 is mounted on the rear surface of the carriage 15. The position (speed) of the recording head 10 is detected by reading the code bar of the encoder strip 38 with the encoder sensor, and the reference position (home position, etc.) of the recording head can be detected even during the recording operation. The image can be recorded on the recording material S with high accuracy.

  The transport mechanism transports the recording material S in an arrow Y direction (sub-scanning direction) that intersects (for example, intersects with) the main scanning direction. The transport mechanism includes a pair of transport rollers 36, a pair of paper discharge rollers 37 disposed downstream of the transport rollers 36 in the transport direction, and a transport motor (not shown) that drives the transport rollers 36. . The transport roller 36 and the paper discharge roller 37 are synchronously driven to transport the recording material S in the arrow Y direction. The recording head 10 is positioned and mounted on the carriage 15.

  The illustrated recording head 10 is for recording a color image, and as shown in FIG. 2, there are six discharges corresponding to black, light cyan ink, light magenta ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink. An outlet row 1 (1B, 1ZC, 1ZM, 1C, 1M, 1Y) is provided. These ejection port arrays 1 are formed on the ejection port surface facing the recording material S of the recording head 10. Six ink tanks 2 (ink tanks 2B, 2ZC, 2ZM, 2C, 2M, 2Y) corresponding to the six ejection port arrays 1 are detachably mounted on the recording head 10. In the following description, when these are provided for each of a plurality of different inks, such as these ejection port arrays and ink tanks, B for black ink and ZC for light cyan ink, as necessary. These are distinguished by attaching ZM for light magenta ink, C for cyan ink, M for magenta ink, and Y for yellow ink.

  As the plurality of ejection port arrays 1 provided in the recording head 10, for example, each ejection port is provided with an electrothermal converter, and the electrothermal transducer is driven to generate heat, thereby causing the ink in the ejection port to boil. In addition, an ink that discharges ink from the discharge port using the energy generated by the film boiling is used. The recording head 10 performs recording by selectively ejecting ink droplets from ejection ports by applying a pulse voltage corresponding to an image signal. An ink tank 2 of ink corresponding to each of the ejection port arrays 1 is replaceably mounted on the recording head 10. The recording means 10 and the carriage 15 have a required electrical connection by appropriately bringing their joint surfaces into contact with each other. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, the recording head 10 is driven based on the image signal while controlling the movement (main scanning) of the carriage 15 and the recording material S is conveyed, whereby recording on the recording material is performed. Is done.

  In FIG. 1, the recovery device 50 is disposed at a predetermined position within the moving range of the carriage 15 and out of the recording area. In the illustrated recovery device 50, when recording is not performed, each ejection port array 1 is covered with a cap 13 to prevent ink evaporation from the ejection ports and to protect the ejection surface on which the ejection port array is formed. A capping mechanism, a suction recovery mechanism for sucking ink from each ejection port array by operating the suction pump 14 in a state where each ejection port array is capped and generating negative pressure in the cap inner space, and a recording head with a wiper 39 A recovery processing mechanism including a wiping mechanism for wiping and cleaning the discharge port surface is provided. The cap 13 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material that can be in close contact with the discharge port surface to ensure sealing, and the wiper 39 is formed of an elastic material such as a plate-like rubber, both of which are discharge ports of the recording head 10. It is provided so as to be movable so as to contact and separate from the surface.

  Therefore, an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a recording unit having a plurality of ejection port arrays and a plurality of ink tanks for supplying ink to each ejection port array, which can be independently replaced. In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from the discharge port array to a recording material, at least one cap for capping the plurality of discharge port arrays, and negative pressure generating means connected to the cap And an ink tank replacement detecting means for individually detecting the replacement of each of the plurality of ink tanks, and after the ink tank replacement, using the cap and the negative pressure generating means from the plurality of ejection port arrays. When performing the suction recovery operation for sucking ink, the operation condition of the suction recovery operation is changed according to the replaced ink tank. It is. Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on examples.

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the suction recovery means according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the recording head and the ink tank in FIG. 2 and 3, the recording head 10 includes a black ink ejection port array 1B, a light cyan ink ejection port array 1ZC, a light magenta ink ejection port array 1ZM, a cyan ink ejection port array 1C, and magenta ink. An ejection port array 1M and a yellow ink ejection port array 1Y are configured. In the recording head 10, ink flow paths 3 communicating with the respective ejection port arrays are formed independently. An ink flow path 3B for black ink, an ink flow path 3ZC for light cyan ink, an ink flow path 3ZM for light magenta ink, an ink flow path 3C for cyan ink, an ink flow path 3M for magenta ink, and an ink flow path 3Y for yellow ink. It is formed separately. Filters 4B, 4ZC, 4ZM, 4C, 4M, and 4Y for preventing dust from entering the ink flow path are provided at the most upstream position of each ink flow path.

  An ink tank 2 for supplying ink to each ejection port array 1 through each ink flow path 3 is mounted on the recording head 10 so as to be independently replaceable. That is, the six ink tanks of the black ink tank 2B, the light cyan ink tank 2ZC, the light magenta ink tank 2ZM, the cyan ink tank 2C, the magenta ink tank 2M, and the yellow ink tank 2Y are independent of the recording head 10. It is attached to be exchangeable. Each ink tank 2 is provided with an ink absorber 5 (5B, 5ZC, 5ZM, 5C, 5M, 5Y) for holding ink in the ink tank 2 at a predetermined pressure. When the ink tank 2 is mounted, the ink absorber 5 comes into contact with the filter 4 provided at the inlet of the ink flow path 3 of the recording head 1, thereby causing the ink in the ink tank 2 to flow with respect to the ink flow path 3. Can be supplied.

  Each ink tank 2 can be replaced by removing it in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3 when removing it, and inserting it in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3 when installing. The replacement of the ink tank is detected by detection means (not shown). This detection means is configured to individually detect which ink tank has been replaced. In this case, the ink tank replacement is detected by using a reflection or transmission type optical sensor for each ink tank, a method for detecting the operation of the mechanical lever with the optical sensor, or an electrical contact. Thus, it can be performed using a desired detection method such as a method of electrical detection.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the suction recovery means of the recording head 10 will be described. In FIG. 2, a cap 13 is provided that can move in a direction in which the discharge port surface of the recording head 10 is in close contact with and away from the discharge port surface, and seals each of the discharge port arrays 1 by close contact. In this embodiment, one cap 13 is configured so that all of the six discharge port arrays 1 can be sealed simultaneously. The inside of the cap 13 is connected through a tube 8 to a suction pump 14 as a negative pressure generating means. A waste ink processing member 12 is connected to the downstream side of the suction pump 14 via a tube 11.

  Bubbles may be generated in the ink flow path 3 of the recording head 10 during a recording operation or the like, and bubbles may be taken into the ink flow path 3 when the ink tank is replaced. Bubbles may be generated in the path 3. Therefore, a suction recovery operation is performed to discharge the bubbles in the ink flow path 3. In this suction recovery operation, the ink is forcibly discharged from each ejection port array 1 by operating the suction pump 14 in a state where each ejection port array 1 is sealed with the cap 13. Thereby, bubbles generated in the ink flow path 3 are discharged together with the ink, and the bubbles in the ink flow path 3 can be removed.

  Next, the channel volume of each ink channel 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the length of each ink flow path 3 is not the same, and the length of each ink flow path and the size of the flow path volume are 2ZM <2C <2ZC <2M <2B <2Y. Yes. It is assumed that bubbles are taken into the ink flow path 3 when the ink tank 2 is replaced. Therefore, in order to remove the bubbles in the ink flow path 3 and fill the ink flow path 3 with the ink substantially filled, it is only necessary to suck the ink of approximately the same amount as the ink flow path volume. Become. In this case, when the yellow ink tank 2Y corresponding to the ink flow path 3Y having the maximum flow path volume is replaced, an ink amount that is six times the flow path volume of the ink flow path 3Y may be discharged by suction.

  Further, when the light magenta ink tank 2ZM corresponding to the ink flow path 3ZM having the minimum flow path volume is replaced, an ink amount that is six times the flow path volume of the ink flow path 3ZM may be discharged by suction. Similarly, in the replacement of other ink tanks 2, the suction amount may be set individually according to the channel volume of the corresponding ink channel. Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus and the suction recovery method to which the present invention is applied, ink is sucked from the plurality of ejection port arrays 1 using the cap 13 and the suction pump 14 after the ink tank replacement in order to satisfy such a condition. At this time, the operation condition of the suction operation is changed according to the replaced ink tank. In particular, in this embodiment, the operation condition is changed according to the volume of the ink flow path corresponding to the replaced ink tank. Configured as follows.

  This operating condition is performed, for example, by changing the amount of ink sucked from the ejection port array 1. In addition, since there is a difference in ink flow resistance depending on the structure of the ink flow path and the properties of the ink, not only the suction amount is changed, but also the operation such as negative pressure generation time, MAX negative pressure value, number of negative pressure generation, etc. It is preferable to set optimum suction conditions for each ink tank 2 after the ink tank replacement by changing the setting of the conditions. Such setting of the operating condition can be changed by changing the volume change amount of the pump, controlling the negative pressure value of the negative pressure generating means 14, or the negative pressure operating time of the negative pressure generating means 14, and the maximum negative pressure value. Or it can carry out by the method of changing the frequency | count of negative pressure generation | occurrence | production. According to the configuration described above, efficient recovery operation can be performed without wasteful ink discharge, and the amount of discharged ink during ink tank replacement suction can be reduced. Therefore, the running cost can be reduced, and the apparatus main body can be made compact by reducing the cost of the waste ink processing member and reducing the size of the waste ink processing member.

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the suction recovery means according to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the six ejection port arrays 1 that eject different inks are sealed by the integral cap 13 to perform suction recovery has been described, but the four ejection ports of the recording head 10 as illustrated in FIG. The row 1 may be configured to perform suction recovery using two caps 13 and two suction pumps 14.

  In FIG. 4, a cap 13a caps a black ink ejection port array 1B, and a cap 13b caps a plurality of color ink ejection port arrays 1C, 1M, 1Y. The suction of black ink from the ejection port array 1B is performed by the suction pump 14a through the cap 13a, and the suction of color ink from the ejection port arrays 1C, 1M, 1Y is performed by the suction pump 14b through the cap 13b. The suction pump 14a is connected to the cap 13a and the waste ink processing member 12 through the tubes 8a and 11a, and the suction pump 14b is connected to the cap 13b and the waste ink processing member 12 through the tubes 8b and 11b.

  A black ink tank 2B, a cyan ink tank 2C, a magenta ink tank 2M, and a yellow ink tank 2Y are mounted on the recording head 10 so as to be independently replaceable, and pass through corresponding ink flow paths 3B, 3C, 3M, and 3Y. Ink is supplied to the corresponding ejection port array. When the yellow ink tank 2Y corresponding to the ink flow path 3Y having the largest flow path volume among the plurality of color ink tanks is replaced, the flow volume of the ink flow path 3Y is the same as in the first embodiment. (Flow path volume) × 3 times the amount of ink may be sucked and discharged. When the cyan ink tank 2C corresponding to the ink flow path 3C having the minimum flow path volume is replaced, an ink amount that is 3 times the flow volume of the ink flow path 3C may be sucked and discharged.

  Also in this embodiment, in order to satisfy such a condition, when the ink is sucked from the plurality of color ink ejection port arrays 1 after the color ink tank is replaced, the ink flow path corresponding to the replaced ink tank is changed. The suction operation condition is changed according to the volume. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the above points and has substantially the same configuration in the other points. Corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Also in this embodiment, since a difference occurs in the ink flow resistance due to the structure of the ink flow path and the properties of the ink, not only the setting of the suction amount is changed, but also the negative pressure generation time, the MAX negative pressure value, the negative pressure value, It is preferable to set an optimum suction operation condition for each ink tank after changing the ink tank by changing the operating conditions such as the number of times of pressure generation.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the recovery means 50 of this embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the recovery means 50 of FIG. 9 and 10, the recovery means 50 includes a cap 13 that is mounted to be movable up and down along the guide 102 a of the base 102 to cover the discharge port surface of the recording head 10, and the discharge port surface of the recording head 10. A wiper 39 that is mounted so as to be able to reciprocate along the guide 102b, and a lock means 105 that latches the carriage 15 so that the carriage 15 does not move inadvertently while capping the discharge port surface. I have.

  The cap 13, the wiper 39 and the locking means 105 are operated in such a way that the driving force of the motor 106 is transmitted by the gear trains 107, 108 and 109, and the motor 106 is only rotated in one direction via the one-way clutch gear 110. This is done by rotating the main cam 111. That is, the main cam 111 is formed with a plurality of cams in the longitudinal direction. The rotation of the main cam 111 is converted into the rotation of the lock means 105 by one cam, and the main cam 111 is converted by another one cam and a rack and pinion. The rotation of the main cam 111 is converted into the vertical movement of the cap 13 by another one cam and lever 114.

  The illustrated cap 13 has a two-chamber integrated structure, and the tubes 8 a and 8 b are connected to the two chambers, respectively. Each tube 8 a and 8 b is an arcuate guide surface formed on a part of the base 102. These constitute a tube pump as a suction means. The discharged ink sucked from the discharge port of the recording head 10 is discharged from the other ends 11a and 11b of the tube.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the structure of the roller holding means 115 of the tube pump. Inside the base 102, roller holding means 115 having the same axis as the center of the arcuate guide surface of the base 102 is rotatably disposed. A total of four rollers 117 arranged in the circumferential direction and arranged in parallel in the axial direction corresponding to the two tubes 8a and 8b are rotatably supported on the roller holding means 115. The drive of the motor 106 is transmitted to the pump gear 116 disposed at one end of the roller holding means 115 via the gear 107, and the roller holding means 115 is rotated to suck the tubes 8a and 8b while crushing the tubes 8a and 8b. Configured to generate force.

  In this embodiment, the roller 117 is configured to be able to suck ink by pressing the tubes 8a and 8b by rotating in one direction. That is, when the motor 106 rotates in the direction of arrow A, the tube pump operates. At that time, the one-way clutch gear 110 idles and the main cam 111 does not rotate, and the cap 13, the wiper 39, and the locking means 105 remain stopped. is there. On the other hand, when the motor 106 rotates in the reverse direction, the cap 13, the wiper 39, and the locking means 105 operate at a predetermined timing. At that time, the roller 117 releases the pressing of the tubes 8a and 8b, and the tube pump does not operate.

  Next, the configuration of the tube pump will be described in detail. In FIG. 11 showing the structure of the roller holding means 115, each roller 117 is held by a guide groove 119 of a roller holder 118, and the roller holder 118 can swing with respect to the rotating plate 120 around a support shaft 120 a. It is attached. The swingable roller holder 118 is biased in one direction by a spring 121. That is, the roller 117 presses the tubes 8a and 8b with this spring biasing force. In a position not facing the tubes 8 a and 8 b, the roller holder 118 is held at a position where the stopper claw 118 a is engaged with a part of the rotating plate 120. In the present embodiment, four sets including the roller 117 and the roller holder 118 are configured, and by mounting these sets on the rotating plate 120, each of the tubes 8a and 8b can be pressed by two rollers. It is configured.

  In the above configuration, a configuration for changing the ink suction amount will be described. First, as a first method, the amount of ink sucked can be changed by changing the distance at which the tube 8 is pressed by the roller 117. When increasing the ink suction amount, the operating rotation angle of the pump is increased, and the distance for crushing the tube 8 of the roller 117 is lengthened. On the other hand, when the ink suction amount is reduced, the operation rotation angle of the pump is reduced, and the distance for crushing the tube 8 of the roller 117 is shortened.

  As a second method, the ink suction amount can be changed by changing the number of pump suctions. By setting a suction mode in which the pump operation is performed only once and a suction mode in which the pump operation is performed a plurality of times, the suction amount can be selectively changed. As a third method, the amount of ink sucked can be changed by causing the atmospheric communication valve to slightly leak during the suction operation and changing the negative pressure.

  Further, as a fourth method, when the suction pump is operated, the roller 117 is stopped, and the ink is sucked from the ejection port of the recording head 10, the capping state is maintained until the pressure is completely reduced, and before the pressure is reduced. The suction amount can be changed depending on whether the capping state is released or the atmosphere is communicated via the atmosphere communication valve. As a fifth method, the ink suction amount can be changed by changing the rotation speed of the suction pump.

  Furthermore, the ink suction amount can be changed by appropriately combining the first to fifth methods.

  FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the suction recovery means according to the third embodiment. In the first and second embodiments, the case where each discharge port array 1 is configured with discharge ports having the same diameter has been described. However, the diameters of the discharge ports configuring each discharge port array may be different. In an ink jet recording apparatus, the darker ink tends to have a more noticeable graininess. Therefore, in order to set a smaller dot diameter, the diameter of the ejection port may be varied depending on the type of ink. In this embodiment, the discharge port arrays of cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink correspond to the discharge port diameters of the black ink discharge port array 1B, the light cyan ink discharge port array 1ZC, and the light magenta ink discharge port array 1ZM. The discharge port diameters of 1C, 1M, and 1Y are set small.

  When the suction recovery operation is performed on the recording head 10 having a plurality of discharge port arrays having different discharge port diameters as described above, even if the same negative pressure is applied through the cap 13, there is a difference in the suction amount due to the difference in the discharge port diameters. May occur. In other words, in an ejection port array having a small ejection port diameter, the ink flow resistance increases, and the amount of discharged ink tends to decrease with respect to a larger ejection port diameter. In the configuration of FIG. 5, the length of the ink flow path and the volume of the ink flow path are symmetric, and 3C = 3ZM <3M = 3ZC <3Y = 3B. Since the ink flow paths 3C and 3ZM have the same flow path length and flow volume, if the discharge port diameters of the discharge port arrays 1C and 1ZM are the same, the suction amount and the suction operation conditions when replacing the ink tank are The same is good. However, in this embodiment, since the discharge port diameters of the discharge port arrays 1C and 1ZM are different, it is necessary to increase the suction amount of cyan ink having a small discharge port diameter relative to the suction amount of light magenta ink having a large discharge port diameter.

  Similarly, it is necessary to increase the suction amount of magenta ink with respect to the suction amount of light cyan ink, and it is necessary to increase the suction amount of yellow ink with respect to the suction amount of black ink. Also in this embodiment, since a difference occurs in the ink flow resistance due to the difference in the ejection port diameter, not only the setting of the suction amount is changed, but also the operation such as the negative pressure generation time, the MAX negative pressure value, the number of negative pressure generations, etc. It is preferable to set optimum suction conditions for each ink tank after changing the ink tank by changing the conditions. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the above points, but has substantially the same configuration in other points, and corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when the diameters of the ejection ports constituting each ejection port array are different, it is possible to reduce the amount of discharged ink and eliminate unnecessary ink consumption when performing suction recovery when replacing the ink tank. In addition to reducing the running cost, the cost of the waste ink processing member can be reduced, and the apparatus main body can be made compact by reducing the size of the waste ink processing member.

  FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the suction recovery means according to the fourth embodiment. In the above-described third embodiment, the case where the ejection port diameters of the ejection port arrays are different from each other has been described. However, the ejection port arrays that eject the same ink may include a plurality of ejection port arrays having different ejection port diameters. That is, the same ink may be ejected from a plurality of ejection port arrays having different diameters, and this embodiment relates to such an ink jet recording apparatus.

  In FIG. 6, black ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink discharge port arrays 1B, 1C, and 1M are respectively a large-diameter discharge port array composed of large-diameter discharge ports and a small-diameter discharge port array composed of small-diameter discharge ports. It is composed of a row of outlets. On the other hand, the light cyan ink, light magenta ink, and yellow ink discharge port arrays 1ZC, 1ZM, and 1Y are each composed of two large-diameter discharge port arrays each composed of a large-diameter discharge port. When the suction recovery operation is performed on the recording head 10 having such a discharge port array, even if the same negative pressure is applied, a difference in suction amount may occur due to a difference in the discharge port diameter. That is, the ink flow resistance increases in the small-diameter ejection port array, and the amount of discharged ink tends to be smaller than that in the large-diameter ejection port array.

  In the present embodiment, as in the case of FIG. 5, the length of the ink flow path and the flow volume are symmetrical, and there is a relationship of 3C = 3ZM <3M = 3ZC <3Y = 3B. However, in the present embodiment, in the ink flow paths 3C and 3ZM, the discharge port diameters of the corresponding two discharge port arrays are not the same, and therefore the suction amount of the light magenta ink ZM having two large-diameter discharge port arrays Therefore, it is necessary to increase the suction amount of the cyan ink C having two discharge port arrays with different sizes. Similarly, it is necessary to increase the suction amount of the magenta ink M with respect to the suction amount of the light cyan ink ZC, and it is necessary to increase the suction amount of the black ink B with respect to the suction amount of the yellow ink Y.

  The present embodiment is different from the first or third embodiment in the points described above, but has substantially the same configuration in other points. Also in this embodiment, since a difference occurs in the ink flow resistance due to the difference in the ejection port diameter, not only the suction amount is changed, but also the operating conditions such as the negative pressure generation time, the MAX negative pressure value, the number of negative pressure generations, etc. By changing the above, it is preferable to set the suction operation when replacing the ink tank to an optimum sequence for each ink tank. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even in a configuration in which there are ejection port arrays with different diameters in the same ink ejection port array, it is possible to perform an efficient recovery operation without wasteful ink discharge, and the running cost. And reducing the cost of the waste ink processing member and downsizing the waste ink processing member.

  FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the suction recovery means according to the fifth embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, the suction amount and the suction operation conditions are changed for each corresponding ejection port array in accordance with the length and volume of the ink flow path 3 of the recording head 10. Even if they are the same, the ink suction amount may vary depending on the ink composition. This is because there is a difference in flow resistance due to a difference in viscosity resistance or the like due to a difference in ink composition. In this case, the present embodiment is characterized in that the operating condition of the suction recovery operation is changed according to the replaced ink tank.

  An embodiment in which the composition of the ink ejected from each ejection port array is different will be described below with reference to FIG. Also in this embodiment, as in the case of FIG. 5, the length of the ink flow path and the flow volume are symmetrical in the drawing, and there is a relationship of 3C = 3ZM <3M = 3ZC <3Y = 3B. That is, the length and volume of the ink flow path 3 and the discharge port diameter of the corresponding discharge port array are cyan ink C and light magenta ink ZM, magenta ink M and cyan ink C, and yellow ink Y and black ink B. And the same. Accordingly, these same ones may have the same suction operation conditions if the ink composition is the same, but if the ink composition is different, the suction amount of the ink ejection port array having a high viscosity resistance is set. There is a need to do more. That is, since a difference occurs in the viscosity resistance of the ink, control is performed so as to change the suction recovery operating condition according to the ink color of the replaced ink tank.

  In this embodiment, not only the suction amount is set, but also the operation conditions such as the negative pressure generation time, the MAX negative pressure value, and the number of negative pressure generations are changed, so that the optimum suction operation conditions can be set for each ink tank. It is preferable to set. According to the present embodiment, even when the composition of the ink ejected from the ejection port array is different, it is possible to perform wasteful ink discharge and perform an efficient recovery operation, reducing running costs and waste ink. The apparatus body can be made compact by reducing the cost of the processing member and reducing the size of the waste ink processing member.

  FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the suction recovery means according to the sixth embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, it is assumed that the ink ejected from each ejection port array is dye ink. However, the plurality of ejection port arrays sealed by the same cap 13 include the ejection port arrays for dye ink. And pigment ink ejection port arrays may be mixed. In such a case, the ink suction amount may vary depending on whether the ink is dye ink or pigment ink. This is because the pigment ink generally tends to have a higher ink viscosity resistance than the dye ink, so that a difference in suction amount occurs due to a difference in viscosity resistance or the like.

  This embodiment is characterized in that the suction recovery operating condition is changed depending on whether the ink in the replaced ink tank is dye ink or pigment ink. In FIG. 8, black ink B is a pigment ink, and the other color inks ZC, ZM, C, M, and Y are dye inks. Since pigment ink tends to have higher viscosity resistance than dye ink, if the volume of the ink flow path and the diameter of the discharge port are the same between the black ink and the color ink, when the black ink tank is replaced It is necessary to increase the amount of suction than when the color ink tank is replaced.

  Also in this embodiment, not only the suction amount is set, but also the optimum suction operation conditions after the ink tank replacement are changed by changing the operation conditions such as the negative pressure generation time, the MAX negative pressure value, and the number of negative pressure generations. It is preferable to set. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when pigment ink and dye ink are mixed, it is possible to perform an efficient recovery operation without wasteful ink discharge, reducing running costs and eliminating waste. The apparatus body can be made compact by reducing the cost of the ink processing member and reducing the size of the waste ink processing member.

  In the first to sixth embodiments described above, the case where the number of replaced ink tanks is one has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to a case where a plurality of ink tanks are replaced simultaneously. It is possible to achieve the same effect. In this case, the suction operation corresponding to the ink tank is performed on the basis of the ink tank that is performed under the highest operating condition among the plurality of replaced ink tanks. According to this embodiment, even when a plurality of ink tanks are replaced at the same time, it is possible to perform an efficient recovery operation without wasteful ink discharge, reducing running costs, and cost of waste ink processing members. It is possible to realize downsizing of the apparatus main body due to down and downsizing of the waste ink processing member.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the suction operation condition after replacement is set for each ink tank depending on the difference in each element such as the ink flow path volume, the discharge port diameter, the ink composition, or the ink type. These elements may be used alone or in combination of two or more elements. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the number of independently replaceable ink tanks is four and the case where the number is six is exemplified. However, the number of ink tanks is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Can be applied to two or more ink tanks, and can be applied to a plurality of ink tanks, such as when special ink tanks such as red ink, blue ink, green ink, and gray ink are added. The present invention can be applied to any case and has the same effect. Note that as the number of ink tanks increases, generally the difference in the length of the ink flow path and the volume of the flow path becomes larger, so the effect of implementing the present invention becomes greater. In addition, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where all the inks used are pigment inks, and the same effects can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the serial recording type inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording while moving the recording head relative to the recording material has been described as an example. The present invention can be similarly applied to a line recording type ink jet recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning using a line type recording head of a length that covers a part, and can achieve the same effect. is there. Further, the present invention is an inkjet recording apparatus that records using a plurality of ejection port arrays, a recording apparatus that uses one recording head, a color recording apparatus that uses a plurality of recording heads that record with different color inks, Alternatively, the present invention can be similarly applied to a gradation recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads that record at the same color and at different densities, and also a recording apparatus that combines these, and can achieve the same effect. It is.

  The present invention can also be applied to a case where the ink jet recording apparatus uses a recording means that uses an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. In particular, the ink is ejected using thermal energy. In the ink jet recording apparatus using the recording means of the above system, an excellent effect is brought about. This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of suction recovery means according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording unit and an ink tank in FIG. 2. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the suction recovery means which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the suction recovery means based on Example 3. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the suction recovery means which concerns on Example 4. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the suction recovery means based on Example 5. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the suction recovery means which concerns on Example 6. FIG. It is a perspective view of the suction recovery means of Example 2. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the suction recovery means of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the roller holding means of a tube pump.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ejection port row 2 Ink tank 3 Ink flow path 4 Filter 5 Ink absorber 8, 11 Tube 10 Recording means (recording head)
12 Waste ink processing member 13 Cap 14 Negative pressure generating means (suction pump)
15 Carriage 31 Guide shaft 32 Drive pulley 33 Driven pulley 34 Timing belt 35 Carriage motor 36, 37 Conveying roller 38 Encoder strip 39 Wiper

Claims (8)

In an ink jet recording apparatus that records on a recording material by discharging ink supplied from a plurality of detachable ink tanks from a recording unit having a plurality of discharge port arrays,
A cap for capping the discharge port array;
Negative pressure generating means connected to the cap for generating a negative pressure in the cap;
Detecting means for detecting a replaced ink tank among the plurality of ink tanks;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: changing an operating condition of the suction recovery operation after replacing the ink tank according to the replaced ink tank.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink suction amount is changed by controlling a negative pressure value of the negative pressure generating means according to the replaced ink tank.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure operating time, the maximum negative pressure value, or the number of negative pressure generation times of the negative pressure generating means is changed according to the replaced ink tank.   A plurality of independent ink flow paths from each ejection port array to the corresponding ink tank are provided, and the operation condition of the suction recovery operation is changed according to the volume of the ink flow path corresponding to the replaced ink tank. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   It has a plurality of discharge port arrays formed of a plurality of discharge ports of different diameters, and the operating condition of the suction recovery operation is changed according to the diameter of the discharge port of the discharge port array corresponding to the replaced ink tank The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating condition of the suction recovery operation is changed according to the ink color of the replaced ink tank.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation condition of the suction recovery operation is changed according to whether the replaced ink tank is a dye ink or a pigment ink. 8. When two or more ink tanks are replaced at the same time, the suction recovery operation is performed based on the higher operating condition of the suction recovery operation corresponding to the replaced ink tank. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above.

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