JP2006168150A - Inkjet recording device, inkjet recording device management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recording device which maintains the quality of image recording in good condition and prevents useless consumption of inks during maintenance by automatically generating the appropriate timing of execution of maintenance of a recording head, and a inkjet recording device management system. <P>SOLUTION: The inkjet recording device 1 has a recording head 4 to record images by discharging an ink I from nozzles 12 to a recording medium P, a nozzle discharge condition sensing device 13 to sense the discharge condition of the nozzles 12 by normally sensing discharge or nondischarge of the ink I from the nozzles 12, cleaning devices 10 and 11 to clean the recording head 4, a storage means 20 to save the history of the result of sensing of nozzle discharge conditions and the time of image recording made during the sensing of the nozzle discharge conditions and a timing control means 23 to generate a time interval until the next sensing is performed as to the nozzle discharge conditions on the basis of the history. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus management system, and more particularly to an inkjet recording apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus management system having a recording head maintenance mechanism.

  The ink jet recording apparatus has a recording head for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from a nozzle to the recording medium. In recent years, since the nozzle diameter of the recording head has been miniaturized, foreign matter in the ink, pigment components such as pigments aggregate and clog the nozzle, or the ink can solidify near the nozzle hole. There may be a so-called ejection failure in which ink cannot be ejected or the ink ejection direction is bent and ink cannot be ejected normally.

  Therefore, a maintenance mechanism equipped with a cleaning device such as a suction cap for sucking out ink in the nozzles and removing foreign matters etc., and a cleaning device such as a blade or sponge for wiping off the solidified ink on the nozzle surface of the recording head. (See, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  However, maintenance of the recording head takes a certain amount of time, and since image recording and maintenance cannot be performed at the same time, maintenance becomes an obstacle to image recording and tends to reduce productivity. For this reason, conventionally, development has been made from the viewpoint of image recording timing at which maintenance of the recording head is performed.

For example, the maintenance of the recording head is performed in parallel with the data processing before image recording (see Patent Document 3), or a means for determining the time at which the maintenance process should be performed is provided as a means separate from the printer. A maintenance operation is automatically performed when the time to be executed is reached (refer to Patent Document 4), and it is necessary to predict whether or not maintenance will be required at the next use by referring to the history of image recording. In this case, an inkjet recording apparatus (see Patent Document 5) that performs maintenance before starting image recording has been proposed.
JP 2003-191492 A JP 2003-300313 A JP 2000-163225 A JP 2001-239724 A JP 11-129487 A

  However, in the ink jet recording apparatuses described in Patent Documents 3 to 5, only the efficiency of image recording and the circumstances on the ink jet recording apparatus side are concerned, regardless of individual differences of the recording heads or changes in the ink ejection state depending on the use environment. Therefore, the execution timing of the maintenance of the recording head is determined.

  Therefore, for example, although no ink ejection failure has occurred. Although the ink in the nozzles is sucked unnecessarily to waste the ink, and conversely, the nozzles are defective and the recording head should be maintained for a certain period of time. Since no time has elapsed, the maintenance is not performed and the quality of image recording may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, the present invention can automatically generate an appropriate timing for executing the maintenance of the recording head to maintain a good image recording quality and at the same time prevent unnecessary consumption of ink during the maintenance. An object is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording apparatus management system.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 is provided:
A recording head for recording an image by ejecting ink from a nozzle to a recording medium;
A nozzle discharge state detection device that detects whether or not ink is normally discharged from the nozzles and detects the discharge state of the nozzles;
A cleaning device for cleaning the recording head;
Storage means for storing a history of the result of the nozzle discharge state detection and the time of image recording performed between the nozzle discharge state detection;
Timing control means for generating a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed based on the history.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink jet recording apparatus detects whether or not the ink is normally ejected from the nozzles of the recording head by the nozzle ejection state detection device, and this time, the previous time, the previous time or the like Until the timing control means detects the next nozzle discharge state based on the history of the discharge state detection result and the history of the time of image recording performed between the nozzle discharge state detection and the next nozzle discharge state detection Generate a time interval of.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the timing control means detects the next time when a nozzle that does not normally eject ink is detected as a result of the nozzle ejection state detection. Maintain or shorten the time interval until the nozzle ejection status is detected, and if no nozzle that does not eject ink normally is detected, extend the time interval until the next nozzle ejection status detection to generate the time interval. It is comprised so that it may do.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the timing control means shortens the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed if a nozzle that has caused a discharge failure is detected in the current nozzle discharge state detection. At least, the time interval is extended if nozzle discharge failure is not detected in the current nozzle discharge state detection.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the timing control unit is configured such that a total of time during which image recording is performed during the nozzle discharge state detection is a predetermined threshold value. If it is longer, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is maintained or shortened. If the total time of image recording during the nozzle discharge state detection is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the next time interval is detected. The time interval until the nozzle discharge state is detected is extended to generate the time interval.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the timing control means performs the next nozzle discharge state detection when a long-time image recording is performed between the nozzle discharge state detection and the next nozzle discharge state detection. The time interval is shortened and maintained at least, and the time interval is extended when the image recording performed is a short time.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the timing control means has a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed. If the nozzle discharge state detection is performed before the start, or if image recording is performed exceeding a preset allowable time, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is reset. It is comprised as follows.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the timing control means is configured so that when the power is turned on by the setting of the ink jet recording apparatus even before the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed, When automatic maintenance is performed, maintenance such as detection of the nozzle discharge state is performed manually by the operator, or when image recording is performed exceeding the allowable time before the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed Resets the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the history can be viewed, acquired, and deleted. And

  According to the invention described in claim 5, the ink jet recording apparatus browses, acquires, or deletes the history of the result of the nozzle discharge state detection and the history of the time of image recording performed during the nozzle discharge state detection. can do.

An ink jet recording apparatus management system according to claim 6,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An information processing apparatus connected via a communication means capable of bidirectional communication with the inkjet recording apparatus;
The information processing apparatus is configured to be able to view, acquire, and delete the history in the ink jet recording apparatus.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, the ink jet recording apparatus management system is a communication unit capable of bidirectional communication between the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus browses and acquires the history of the result of nozzle discharge state detection of the ink jet recording apparatus and the history of the time of image recording performed during nozzle discharge state detection. Can be erased.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink jet recording apparatus detects whether or not the ink is normally ejected from the nozzles of the recording head by the nozzle ejection state detection device, and this time, the previous time, the previous time or the like Until the timing control means detects the next nozzle discharge state based on the history of the discharge state detection result and the history of the time of image recording performed between the nozzle discharge state detection and the next nozzle discharge state detection Generate a time interval of.

  Therefore, it is possible to correct the maintenance execution timing to an appropriate timing according to the ejection state of the recording head itself, and if the recording head is less likely to cause nozzle ejection defects based on the history. By extending the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection, unnecessary ink consumption during maintenance can be prevented. In addition, if the recording head is likely to cause nozzle ejection defects, the time interval is further shortened to prevent deterioration in image recording quality due to the absence of necessary maintenance and to maintain good image quality. It becomes possible.

  Even when the recording head discharge condition is good and the maintenance time interval is extended, if the image recording is performed for a long time within the time interval, the recording head nozzle may cause a discharge failure. However, in consideration of the history of the image recording time as described above, if the image recording is performed for a long time, the maintenance time interval is further shortened. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of degradation in image quality due to the occurrence of image quality and maintain good image quality. Also, if the time during which image recording is performed is short, it is possible to suppress unnecessary ink consumption during maintenance by extending the maintenance time interval.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine the execution timing of the maintenance of the print head according to the individual difference of the print head itself and the change of the ink ejection state depending on the use environment, and the execution timing is automatically set appropriately. It is possible to set a proper timing.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the timing control means shortens the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed if a nozzle that has caused a discharge failure is detected in the current nozzle discharge state detection. At least, the time interval is extended if nozzle discharge failure is not detected in the current nozzle discharge state detection. As a result, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge status detection is extended or the nozzle discharge failure occurs even though the nozzle discharge failure may occur and maintenance may be required more frequently. It is possible to prevent the time interval from being shortened despite the fact that no unnecessary ink consumption should be avoided during maintenance, and the effect of the invention according to claim 1 can be more accurately achieved. Can be demonstrated.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the timing control means is configured to detect dust or mist in the air when image recording is performed for a long time between the nozzle discharge state detection and the next nozzle discharge state detection. Since a discharge failure is likely to occur, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is shortened and maintained at least, and the time interval is extended when the image recording performed is a short time. For this reason, if there is a high possibility that defective printing has occurred due to long-time image recording, maintenance is performed more frequently to prevent degradation of image quality, and only short-time image recording is performed. If there is a low possibility that an ejection failure has occurred, the maintenance time interval can be lengthened to suppress unnecessary ink consumption during maintenance, and the effects of the inventions described in the above claims can be more effective. Can be demonstrated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the timing control means is configured so that when the power is turned on by the setting of the ink jet recording apparatus even before the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed, When automatic maintenance is performed, maintenance is performed manually by the operator such as detecting the nozzle discharge status, or when image recording is performed exceeding the allowable time before the next nozzle discharge status detection scheduled time Resets the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed.

  Therefore, in addition to the effects of the inventions described in the above claims, the time until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed again when the inkjet recording apparatus performs maintenance of the recording head automatically or by the operator. Measurement of the interval can be started, and it is possible to avoid unnecessary maintenance by keeping the time interval without resetting the time interval.

  In addition, if image recording is performed for a long time exceeding the allowable time until the next nozzle discharge state detection scheduled time, there is a high possibility that nozzle discharge failure will occur. If the nozzle discharge state is forcibly detected without waiting for the arrival of the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection at that time, even if a discharge failure occurs, the effect can be avoided early. It is possible to start measurement of the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed again, avoiding unnecessary maintenance by keeping the time interval without resetting the time interval. can do.

  According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention, an ink jet recording apparatus, or an ink jet recording apparatus management system configured by connecting the ink jet recording apparatus and the information processing apparatus via communication means capable of bidirectional communication. Then, it is possible to view, acquire, or delete the history of the result of detecting the nozzle discharge state of the ink jet recording apparatus and the history of the time of image recording performed during the detection of the nozzle discharge state. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the inventions described in the above-mentioned claims, the ejection state of each recording head can be checked by the ink jet recording apparatus or the information processing apparatus, and it is possible to make an accurate determination such as repair or replacement. Further, it becomes possible to delete the history that is no longer necessary and efficiently manage the information about the recording head.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an inkjet recording apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus management system according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a main configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. A serial head type ink jet printer is used for the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and continuous paper is used for the recording medium P. However, the present invention includes, for example, a line head type ink jet recording apparatus, The present invention is also applied to the case where the recording medium P is a printing paper or a long fabric separated from each other.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 1 has a bar-shaped guide rail 2 extending in the horizontal direction. The guide rail 2 is driven by a driving device (not shown) along the guide rail 2 in the main scanning direction, that is, an arrow X in the figure. A carriage 3 that is reciprocally movable in a direction is supported.

  A plurality of recording heads 4 are mounted on the carriage 3, and the recording heads 4 scan the recording medium P in accordance with the reciprocation of the carriage 3 along the guide rail 2 in the main scanning direction. Yes. The discharge surface 5 of the recording head 4 is provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that discharge ink to the lower recording medium P, and image recording is performed by discharging ink from the nozzles to the recording medium P. It is like that.

  Each of the plurality of recording heads 4 is provided corresponding to each color ink of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), for example. An ink tank (not shown) for holding the ink is connected to each of the recording heads 4 via a supply pipe (not shown).

  The light irradiation device may be mounted on the carriage 3 or attached so as to reciprocate together with the carriage 3 so that the ink that has landed on the recording medium P is irradiated with light and cured.

  Below the guide rail 2, a flat platen 6 that supports the recording medium P from the back side so as to be separated from the recording head 4 by a certain distance is disposed so as to extend in the horizontal direction. On the near side and the far side of the platen 6, conveyance rollers (not shown) that convey the recording medium P in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, that is, the arrow Y direction in the drawing, are arranged. Note that the recording medium P can be transported by placing the recording medium P on a transport belt that is driven by a transport roller.

  In addition, one side of the platen 6 in the main scanning direction is a home position 7 where each recording head 4 is positioned during standby, temporary stop, or the like. The home position 7 includes an ejection surface of each recording head 4. 5 and a plurality of moisturizing caps 8 that cover the nozzle portion and maintain the moisturizing state of the nozzles are provided.

  A maintenance unit 9 that performs maintenance of the recording head 4 is provided on the other side of the platen 6 in the main scanning direction. The maintenance unit 9 is provided with a cleaning device for cleaning the recording head 4 such as a flexible blade 10 extending upward and a suction cap 11 which can be brought into contact with and separated from the ejection surface 5 of the recording head 4. It has been.

  The blade 10 rubs the discharge surface 5 of the recording head 4 by moving the maintenance unit 9 in the horizontal direction while in contact with the discharge surface 5 of the recording head 4 or moving the recording head 4 in the main scanning direction. In this configuration, ink, dust and the like adhering to the ejection surface 5 are removed. The suction cap 11 is connected to a suction pump (not shown). The suction cap 11 is in close contact with the discharge surface 5 of the recording head 4 and sucks the air in the internal space between the suction cap 11 and the discharge surface 5 with the suction pump. The ink in the nozzles of the head 4 is configured to be sucked.

  Further, in the maintenance unit 9 or in the vicinity thereof, a nozzle discharge state detection for detecting whether or not the ink I is normally discharged from the nozzles 12 of the recording head 4 as shown in FIG. A device 13 is provided.

  The nozzle discharge state detection device 13 is configured such that a light emitting element 14 mainly composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a laser, a light receiving element 15 composed of an optical sensor such as a photodiode or a phototransistor, and ink I are normally ejected. The discharge determination means 16 for determining whether or not the ink is discharged and the ink receiver 17 for receiving the discharged ink I below, the nozzle array formed on the discharge surface 5 and the light emitting element 14 toward the light receiving element 15. It arrange | positions so that an optical path may become parallel.

  The nozzle discharge state detection device 13 discharges an output waveform from the light receiving element 15 generated when the ink I discharged from the nozzle 12 of the recording head 4 moving upward along the guide rail 2 blocks the optical path. 16, and if an output waveform indicating that the optical path is blocked from the light receiving element 15 is observed after a predetermined time since the ejection signal is sent to the nozzle 12, the ink I is ejected normally from the nozzle 12. If an output waveform indicating that the optical path is blocked from the light receiving element 15 is not observed after a predetermined time even though an ejection signal is sent to the nozzle 12, the ink I is received from the nozzle 12. By determining that the ink is not normally discharged, it is configured to detect whether or not the ink I is normally discharged from the nozzle 12.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. The control unit 18 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is configured by connecting a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output interface, and the like through a BUS. The control unit 18 mainly includes a storage unit 20, a recording control unit 21, a maintenance control unit 22, a timing control unit 23 and the like connected to the main control unit 19.

  The main control means 19 controls the overall operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 1, such as controlling the recording operation, maintenance operation, etc. of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 by controlling the recording control means 21, the maintenance control means 22, the timing control means 23, etc. Is configured to do. The main control means 19 stores information transmitted from each control means in the storage means 20, reads necessary information from the storage means 20, and transmits it to each control means.

  In addition, a timer 24 is connected to the main control means 19, and the main control means 19 sets a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed in the timer 24, and constantly monitors the timer 24, When it is determined that the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed, the maintenance control unit 22 is instructed to perform maintenance of the recording head 4. At the same time, the main control means 19 resets the timer 24, and when the time interval from the timing control means 23 until the new next nozzle discharge state detection is transmitted, the main control means 19 stores it. And is set in the timer 24.

  Note that the timer 24 stops without being reset when the power of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is turned off, and continues the timer operation when the power is turned on.

  The storage means 20 is configured to store a history of the result of nozzle discharge state detection by the nozzle discharge state detection device 13 and the time of image recording performed between the nozzle discharge state detection. The storage unit 20 stores an initial set value of the maintenance time interval, and further stores a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection generated by the timing control unit 23 is performed. It has become.

  The recording control means 21 is based on an instruction from the main control means 19, and the driving device 25 is composed of a driving motor or the like that discharges the ink I from the recording head 4 and moves the carriage 3 back and forth along the guide rail 2. In addition, the operation of the conveyance drive device 26 including a drive motor that rotationally drives the conveyance roller is controlled, and the image recording operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is controlled.

  Further, the recording control means 21 is configured to transmit information on the time required for image recording to the main control means 19 for each image recording. The main control unit 19 saves the image recording time information transmitted from the recording control unit 21 in the storage unit 20 and transmits the time information to the timing control unit 23 for each image recording. Yes.

  The maintenance control unit 22 is configured to control the operations of the maintenance unit 9 and the nozzle discharge state detection device 13 described above based on a maintenance instruction from the main control unit 19.

  In the present embodiment, the maintenance control unit 22 drives the nozzle discharge state detection device 13 to detect the nozzle discharge state of the recording head 4, and the nozzle 12 that does not normally discharge the ink I, that is, discharge failure occurs. When a nozzle 12 is detected, a cleaning device such as a blade 10 or a suction cap 11 is activated to clean the recording head 4.

  The maintenance control unit 22 is configured to transmit the result of nozzle discharge state detection by the nozzle discharge state detection device 13 to the main control unit 19. The main control means 19 stores the result of nozzle discharge state detection transmitted from the maintenance control means 22 in the storage means 20 and at the same time notifies the timing control means 23 of the end of maintenance.

  The maintenance control means 22 waits until the operation state ends when the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is in an operation state such as performing an image recording operation or inputting image data for image recording. The nozzle discharge state detection and the like are performed when the operation state is completed.

  The timing control means 23 is provided with a timing generation unit 27 and a timing change unit 28.

  When the nozzle 12 that does not normally discharge ink I is detected as a result of the nozzle discharge state detection by the nozzle discharge state detection device 13, the timing generation unit 27 sets a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed. If the nozzle 12 that is maintained or shortened and does not normally discharge the ink I is not detected, the time until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed so as to extend the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed. It is configured to generate a time interval.

  Specifically, for example, the timing generation unit 27 includes a first table that associates the result of nozzle discharge state detection with the extension and reduction of the time interval as shown in FIG. When a maintenance end notification is sent from the main control means 19, the nozzle discharge state detection result and the history such as the image recording time are read from the storage means 20 via the main control means 19, and the first table is read out. Based on this, a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is generated is generated.

  In the present embodiment, the timing generation unit 27 generates a time interval with 1 pt in the first table shown in FIG. 4 and the second table shown in FIG. Further, the numerical values for the extension and reduction of each column of the first table and the number of previous nozzle discharge state detections are appropriately set depending on the characteristics of the recording head 4 and the like. For example, if the nozzle diameter of the recording head 4 is large, it is difficult for ejection failure to occur. In this case, the time width for extending or shortening the time interval may be increased by setting 1 pt to 2 minutes or 3 minutes. When the nozzle diameter is small, ejection failure is likely to occur. Therefore, 1 pt may be 30 seconds, and the time width of the extended or shortened time interval may be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the timing generation unit 27 simultaneously performs the time interval at which the recording head 4 performs image recording from the previous nozzle discharge state detection to the current nozzle discharge state detection. If the sum of the values is longer than a predetermined threshold, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is maintained or shortened. If it is shorter than the predetermined threshold, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed. The time interval is generated to extend the time.

  Specifically, for example, the timing generation unit 27 includes a second table that associates the total image recording time with the extension and reduction of the time interval as shown in FIG. In response to the maintenance end notification transmitted from the main control unit 19, the history such as the image recording time read out from the recording unit 20 is read out, the total is calculated, and the total is calculated based on the second table. Thus, a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is generated.

  In the second table shown in FIG. 5, the predetermined threshold in the total image recording time is set to, for example, the time interval 30 between the nozzle discharge state detection of that time and the previous nozzle discharge state detection. When the image recording time is shorter than 30% of the time interval, the “short” row of the second table is referred to, and when the image recording time is longer than 70% of the time interval, the “long” row is referred to. In other cases, the "middle" line is referenced. The values of these threshold values in the second table, the numerical values for the extension and shortening of each column, and the number of previous nozzle discharge state detections are appropriately set according to the characteristics of the recording head 4 and the like. Similarly to the above, also in this case, for example, if the nozzle diameter of the recording head 4 is large, it becomes difficult for ejection failure to occur. In this case, 1 pt is 2 minutes or 3 minutes, and the time interval is extended or shortened. The width may be increased, and when the nozzle diameter is small, ejection failure is likely to occur. Therefore, the time width for extending or shortening the time interval may be reduced by setting 1 pt to 30 seconds.

  As described above, the timing generation unit of the timing control unit 23 is based on the first table and the second table based on the result of the nozzle discharge state detection and the total time of image recording between the nozzle discharge state detection. By combining the generated time intervals, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is generated. Further, the timing generation unit 27 is configured to transmit the generated time interval value until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed to the main control unit 19 and store it in the storage unit 20.

  The timing changing unit 28 of the timing control unit 23 resets the timer 24 when the nozzle discharge state detection is automatically or manually performed before the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed. The time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is changed. Further, the timing changing unit 28 resets the timer 24 even when the image recording is performed after the preset allowable time in the image recording after the previous maintenance of the recording head 4. It is configured.

  Specifically, the timing changing unit 28 is, for example, when automatic maintenance of the recording head 4 is performed when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is turned on, or when maintenance is performed manually while the recording head 4 is waiting. As described above, when the nozzle discharge state detection is performed before the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state is detected, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is reached. In response to the maintenance end signal and image recording end signal transmitted from the main control means 19, the timer 24 is reset, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is read out from the storage means 20, and the timer 24 is reset. The time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is set is changed.

  In addition, the timing changing unit 28 monitors the image recording time for each image recording transmitted from the main control unit 19, and an allowable time in which the total of the image recording times after the previous nozzle discharge state detection is set is set in advance. If it is performed over the time, even before the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed, the recording is forcibly recorded in the maintenance control means 22 via the main control means 19 at that time. While performing maintenance such as nozzle discharge state detection of the head 4, the timer 24 is reset, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed is read from the storage means 20, set to the timer 24 again, and the next time The time interval until the nozzle discharge state is detected is changed.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 18 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is provided with a display unit having a monitor (not shown), an input unit having a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like. The history of the nozzle discharge state detection result stored in the storage unit 20 and the time when the image recording was performed between the nozzle discharge state detections is read out and displayed on the display unit in response to an instruction from the display unit to view and acquire the history. And can be erased.

  In the present embodiment, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is connected to an information processing apparatus 30 such as a computer via a network via an interface 29 as shown in FIG. 31 is formed.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus management system 31, the main control means 19 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 reads the history from the storage means 20 periodically or in response to a request from the information processing apparatus 30, and transmits it to the information processing apparatus 30. The information processing apparatus 30 is configured to store the transmitted history in a storage device 32 such as a hard disk. In addition, the information processing apparatus 30 is provided with display means including a monitor (not shown) and input means including a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like. The information processing apparatus 30 stores the storage device 32 in accordance with an instruction from the input means. The history stored in the memory can be read out and displayed on the display means so that the history can be browsed, acquired and deleted.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 and the ink jet recording apparatus management system 31 of this embodiment will be described.

  In the recording unit 20 of the control unit 18 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1, an initial setting value such as 60 minutes is stored as an initial setting value of the maintenance time interval at the time of shipment from the factory. Unless the initial setting value is input again, the initial setting value becomes the first “time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection”.

  The recording head 4 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is moved to the home position 7 when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is stopped, and the ejection surface 5 and the nozzle portion of each recording head 4 are covered with a moisture retention cap 8.

  The main control means 19 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 reads the time interval from the storage means 20 until the next nozzle discharge state detection, that is, in this case, reads the initial set value and sets the time in the timer 24. If the power of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is turned off before the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed, the timer 24 stops at that time without being reset, and the power is turned on again. If this is done, the timer operation continues.

  The main control means 19 transmits the signal to the timing control means 23 in response to the image recording start signal, and the recording head P is supported from the back side by the platen 6 via the recording control means 21. The ink I is ejected from the nozzle 12 while the recording head 4 is scanned in the main scanning direction with respect to the recording medium P, and the ink I is landed on the recording medium P. When the scanning of the recording head 4 in one direction is completed, the transport roller transports the recording medium P by a predetermined amount in the sub scanning direction and stops it, and the recording head 4 scans the main scanning direction in the direction opposite to the previous direction. Ink I is discharged. By repeating this operation, an image is recorded on the recording medium P.

  When the image recording is completed, the recording control means 21 transmits information on the time required for the image recording for each image recording to the main control means 19, and the main control means 19 stores the information on the image recording time in the storage means 20. At the same time, the time information is transmitted to the timing control means 23 for each image recording.

  The timing changing unit 28 of the timing control unit 23 monitors the image recording time for each image recording transmitted from the main control unit 19. If the total image recording time after the previous nozzle discharge state detection exceeds a preset allowable time of 120 minutes, for example, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection ( For example, even before 140 minutes), the main control unit 19 is forced to perform maintenance such as detection of the nozzle discharge state of the recording head 4 at that time. At the same time, the timing changing unit 28 resets the timer 24, reads out the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection stored in the storage unit 20, and sets it again in the timer 24.

  Some ink jet recording apparatuses 1 are set so as to automatically detect the nozzle discharge state when the power is turned on. However, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 may be set automatically or manually when the recording head 4 is on standby. In the case where the maintenance is performed, the timing changing unit 28 resets the timer 24 even before the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed in the same manner as described above. The time interval until the nozzle discharge state is detected is changed.

  The main control unit 19 monitors the timer 24 including the case where the resetting of the timer 24 is performed, and determines that the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection has elapsed, the recording control unit The recording head 4 is moved above the maintenance unit 9 via 21 to instruct the maintenance control means 22 to maintain the recording head 4.

  The maintenance control unit 22 is in an operating state such as the inkjet recording apparatus 1 performing an image recording operation or inputting image data for image recording in response to a maintenance instruction from the main control unit 19. When the operation state is completed, the nozzle discharge state detection device 13 is used to detect whether there is a nozzle 12 that does not normally discharge the ink I among the nozzles 12 of the recording head 4. When the nozzle 12 causing the ejection failure is not detected, the maintenance control unit 22 transmits “none” as a result of the nozzle ejection state detection to the main control unit 19 and ends the maintenance.

  Further, when the nozzle 12 causing the ejection failure is detected, the maintenance control unit 22 cleans the blade 10 and the suction cap 11 with respect to the recording head 4 to which the nozzle 12 causing the ejection failure belongs. Cleaning is performed, and “Yes” is transmitted to the main control means 19 as a result of nozzle discharge state detection, and the maintenance is completed. The nozzle discharge state may be detected again after cleaning by the cleaning device.

  When the main control unit 19 receives the result of the nozzle discharge state detection from the maintenance control unit 22, the main control unit 19 stores the result in the storage unit 20 and simultaneously transmits a maintenance end notification to the timing control unit 23.

  When the timing generation unit 27 of the timing control unit 23 receives the notification of the end of maintenance from the main control unit 19, the timing generation unit 27 reads the nozzle discharge state detection result and the image recording time history from the storage unit 20 via the main control unit 19. First, a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is generated based on the first table.

  For example, it is assumed that the history of the nozzle discharge state detection result is as shown in Table 1 below.

  In this case, the points assigned to each history are allocated as shown in Table 2 below based on the first table.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the time interval is generated with 1 pt as 1 minute, the current time interval is 80 minutes until the next nozzle discharge state detection based on the first table. Then the sum of these points in the current time interval + 20 + 8-6 + 4-2 = + 24 pt (1)
That is, 24 minutes is added to become 104 minutes.

  As described above, when a nozzle having a discharge failure is not detected in the current nozzle discharge state detection, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is extended.

  On the other hand, as shown in Table 3 below, even when all the nozzle discharge state detection results up to the previous time are “none”, if a nozzle that has caused a discharge failure this time is detected, the total of points is − 20 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 = ± 0 pt, and the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is maintained without being extended. In this case, the time interval is not shortened immediately, but there is a possibility that the nozzle discharge state detection time interval must be immediately shortened just by detecting a nozzle ejection failure this time. There is an effect of preventing unnecessary maintenance.

  Further, when a nozzle that has caused a discharge failure is detected in the subsequent nozzle discharge state detection, the history is as shown in Table 4 below, and the total of points is −20−8 + 6 + 4 + 2 = −16 pt, Compared to the current time interval, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is shortened.

  As described above, when a nozzle having a discharge failure is detected in the current nozzle discharge state detection, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is shortened and at least maintained.

  Next, the maintenance generation unit 27 reads the history such as the image recording time read from the storage unit 20 and generates a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed based on the second table.

  For example, it is assumed that the history of image recording time corresponding to the history of the nozzle discharge state detection results shown in Table 1 is as shown in the middle column of Table 5 below.

In this case, the points assigned to each history are allocated as shown in the lower column of the table based on the second table. As described above, if 1 pt is 1 minute, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection based on the second table is assumed to be the current time interval if the current time interval is 80 minutes. Points + 10 + 1 = + 11pt (2)
That is, 11 minutes is added to 91 minutes.

  As described above, when the total time of image recording from the previous nozzle ejection state detection to the current nozzle ejection state detection is shorter than a predetermined threshold, that is, in this case, the recording time is “short”. In this case, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is extended, and as can be seen from the second table, image recording is performed between the previous nozzle discharge state detection and the current nozzle discharge state detection. When the total of the performed times is longer than a predetermined threshold, that is, when the recording time is “long”, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is shortened and at least maintained.

  The timing generator 27 adds +35 minutes, which is the sum of the points based on the first table shown in the equation (1) and the points based on the second table shown in the equation (2) to the current time. The time interval (in this case, 115 minutes) added to the interval (for example, 80 minutes) is transmitted to the main control means 19 as the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection, and stored in the storage means 20. At the same time, the main control means 19 sets the 115 minutes in the timer 24.

  The main control means 19 repeats the above-described operation of setting the time interval until the newly generated next nozzle discharge state detection is performed in the timer 24 and monitoring the timer 24 based on this time interval.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 1 and the ink jet recording apparatus management system 31 of the present embodiment, nozzles and recording are performed based on the history of the nozzle discharge state detection results according to the first table shown in FIG. A time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is automatically generated according to the current state of the head.

  In this way, for example, as in the present embodiment, when a nozzle discharge failure is not detected, the nozzle discharge state detection time interval is extended to reduce the frequency of nozzle discharge state detection, and during maintenance, the nozzle By cleaning only the recording head in which the ejection failure has occurred, it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of ink by suppressing ink consumption to a necessary amount. In addition, when a nozzle discharge failure is detected, the time interval for detecting the nozzle discharge state can be shortened so that maintenance such as nozzle discharge state detection can be performed more frequently. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the image recording quality due to the absence of the image and to keep the image quality good.

  Further, the lengthening or shortening of the time interval for detecting the nozzle discharge state is not determined only by one detection of the nozzle discharge state, but is generated with reference to the history. For this reason, for example, if the recording head is in the nozzle discharge state detection history and the discharge failure state of the nozzle is moderately followed and the discharge state is good, the maintenance time interval is further extended, and the nozzle discharge state is detected by the nozzle discharge state detection. Even if a defect is detected, the degree of shortening the time interval for detecting the nozzle discharge state can be reduced. On the other hand, if the recording head frequently detects nozzle discharge failure status in the nozzle discharge state detection history, the maintenance time interval can be further shortened.

  In the present embodiment, not only the history of the nozzle discharge state detection results but also the time history of image recording performed during the nozzle discharge state detection is taken into account, based on the second table shown in FIG. A time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is generated. As described above, even when the discharge state of the recording head is good and the maintenance time interval is extended, if a long-time image recording is performed within the time interval, the nozzle of the recording head will fail to discharge. Is more likely to occur. Therefore, in consideration of the history of image recording time in this way, when long-time image recording is performed, the maintenance time interval is further shortened, so that an image caused by nozzle ejection failure occurs. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of quality degradation and maintain good image quality. Conversely, if the time during which image recording is performed is short, it is possible to suppress unnecessary ink consumption during maintenance by further extending the maintenance time interval.

  Furthermore, when the inkjet recording apparatus 1 automatically performs maintenance of the recording head or when the operator manually performs maintenance, for example, the maintenance time interval generated as described above comes 10 minutes later. If maintenance is performed again, it is useless and ink is consumed unnecessarily. Therefore, when the maintenance is automatically or manually performed as in the present embodiment, the above situation can be avoided by resetting the timer 24 and starting the time interval measurement again.

  Further, when the maintenance time interval is extended, if a long-time image recording is performed and the allowable time is exceeded, there is a high possibility that a nozzle ejection failure will occur. Therefore, even when the nozzle discharge state is good and the maintenance time interval is extended, if the image recording is performed exceeding the allowable time, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is reached. By resetting the timer 24 and forcibly detecting the nozzle discharge state before the operation, even if a nozzle discharge failure occurs, the influence can be avoided at an early stage.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically set the timing for executing the maintenance of the recording head to an appropriate timing. However, when the time interval for detecting the nozzle discharge state becomes too short, for example, When the time interval becomes 0 or minus, the recording head is not suitable for the ink jet recording apparatus or the working environment, and therefore, repair and replacement are promoted.

  In this embodiment, since the history can be browsed and acquired by the information processing apparatus 30 connected to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 through the inkjet recording apparatus 1 or system, the ejection state of the nozzles is checked for each recording head. This makes it possible to make an accurate determination regarding repair or replacement. In addition, the history that has become unnecessary can be deleted, and information about the recording head can be efficiently managed.

  According to the present invention, if the number of times that the nozzle discharge failure is not detected in the nozzle discharge state detection is large, the time interval until the nozzle discharge state detection in time is extended, and thus productivity may be improved.

  6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the execution timing of the nozzle discharge state detection. FIG. 6A shows a conventional example in the case of this embodiment, and FIG. The black circles in the figure indicate the timing at which the nozzle discharge state detection is performed.

First, in the conventional inkjet recording apparatus, when the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is set to 60 minutes and the time interval does not increase or decrease, and the nozzle discharge state detection requires 5 minutes, When the state in which the nozzle discharge failure is not detected continues, as shown in FIG. 6B, the nozzle discharge state detection is performed 24 times after 24 hours (that is, 1440 minutes) have elapsed since the start of the inkjet recording apparatus. The time when production was done is
Production time = 1440-5 × 24 = 1320 minutes.

On the other hand, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, similarly, when the initial value of the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is set to 60 minutes and the nozzle discharge state detection requires 5 minutes, the nozzle discharge In the case where the state where no defect is detected continues, in FIG.
+ 20 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 = + 40pt
That is, since the time interval is extended by 40 minutes, the nozzle discharge state detection is performed seven times when 24 hours (that is, 1440 minutes) have elapsed since the start of the ink jet recording apparatus, as shown in FIG. The time when production took place
Production time = 1440-5 × 7 = 1405 minutes.

That is, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment is compared with the case of the conventional inkjet recording apparatus.
1405/1320 × 100% = 106.4%
In other words, there is a possibility that the productivity may be improved by 6% or more, and if the nozzle discharge state detection does not detect the nozzle discharge failure, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is extended. Productivity is improved.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the nozzle discharge state detection apparatus of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the inkjet recording device of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the 1st table which matches the result of nozzle discharge state detection of this embodiment, and the part for extension and shortening of a time interval. It is a figure explaining the 2nd table which matches the total image recording time of this embodiment, and the extension part and shortening part of a time interval. It is a figure explaining that productivity may improve when the inkjet recording device of this embodiment is used, (A) is the case of this embodiment, (B) shows the prior art example as a comparison. .

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 4 Recording head 10 Blade 11 Suction cap 12 Nozzle 13 Nozzle discharge state detection device 20 Storage means 23 Timing control means 24 Timer 31 Inkjet recording apparatus management system I Ink P Recording medium

Claims (6)

A recording head for recording an image by ejecting ink from a nozzle to a recording medium;
A nozzle discharge state detection device that detects whether or not ink is normally discharged from the nozzles and detects the discharge state of the nozzles;
A cleaning device for cleaning the recording head;
Storage means for storing a history of the result of the nozzle discharge state detection and the time of image recording performed between the nozzle discharge state detection;
An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a timing control unit that generates a time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed based on the history.   The timing control means maintains or shortens the time interval until the next nozzle ejection state detection when a nozzle that does not normally eject ink is detected as a result of the nozzle ejection state detection, and normalizes the ink. 2. The inkjet recording according to claim 1, wherein when a nozzle that does not eject is not detected, the time interval until the next nozzle ejection state detection is extended to generate the time interval. apparatus.   The timing control means maintains or shortens the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection when the total time of image recording during the nozzle discharge state detection is longer than a predetermined threshold, When the total time of image recording during the nozzle discharge state detection is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is extended to generate the time interval. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is provided.   In the timing control unit, when the nozzle discharge state detection is performed before the time interval until the next nozzle discharge state detection is performed, or the image recording is performed exceeding a preset allowable time. 4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time interval until the next detection of the nozzle discharge state is reset. 5. .   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the history is configured to be browsed, acquired, and deleted. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An information processing apparatus connected via a communication means capable of bidirectional communication with the inkjet recording apparatus;
The ink jet recording apparatus management system, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to be able to browse, acquire, and delete the history in the ink jet recording apparatus.

Images