JP2008062429A - Inkjet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet type recording apparatus which can simply select a proper maintenance motion in response to the using environment of the recording apparatus, or the handling by a user at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: This inkjet recording apparatus is constituted in such a manner that one or more frequency settings for automatic maintenance motions for the head can be selected from a plurality of alternatives. One of the maintenance motions is made into a periodical maintenance motion which is executed in response to an elapsed time or an ink discharging number of times at least from the execution of the previous maintenance motion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a control technique for an ink discharge process performed in a maintenance operation for recovering an ink droplet ejection function from a recording head in a serial scanning ink jet recording apparatus capable of high image quality recording.

  The recording head in the ink jet recording apparatus performs printing by ejecting ink onto the recording paper as ink droplets from the nozzle opening, so that the ink viscosity increases due to evaporation of the ink solvent (for example, water) from the nozzle opening, There is a problem in that normal ink ejection is impaired due to solidification of ink, adhesion of dust, and mixing of air bubbles, resulting in poor printing.

  For this reason, this type of recording apparatus includes a capping unit for sealing the nozzle formation surface of the recording head during non-printing, and a wiping unit for wiping and cleaning the nozzle formation surface of the recording head as necessary. I have. The capping unit not only functions as a lid for preventing the ink in the nozzle opening of the recording head from drying out during the pause of the recording apparatus, but also forms a nozzle by the capping unit when the nozzle opening is clogged. It also serves as a maintenance function that seals the surface and removes clogging of the nozzle openings by sucking and discharging ink from the nozzle openings by the negative pressure from the suction pump.

  Forcible ink suction and discharge processing to eliminate clogging of the recording head is called a cleaning operation, and is automatically executed when printing is resumed after a long pause of the recording apparatus, for example. To be made. This is called regular cleaning. In addition to the regular cleaning, it is also executed when the user recognizes a printing defect and operates a cleaning switch, which is called manual cleaning.

  Further, even when the ink cartridge is replaced, the ink suction / discharge process is automatically executed from the recording head, thereby recovering the meniscus of ink destroyed at the nozzle opening of the recording head due to an impact accompanying the cartridge replacement. To be made. This is called tank replacement cleaning.

  There is also a maintenance means that applies a drive signal unrelated to printing to the recording head and ejects ink droplets idly. This is called preliminary ejection, and there is an opportunity for ink droplet ejection during, for example, a printing operation. This is performed at regular intervals for the purpose of preventing clogging due to thickening of ink at a small nozzle opening. In addition, the preliminary ejection is performed as a means for recovering irregular meniscus in the vicinity of the nozzle opening of the recording head due to a wiping operation associated with the cleaning operation.

  By the way, the phenomenon that causes the above-described printing failure varies to some extent depending on the surrounding environment in which the apparatus is placed and the use situation of the user. For example, when the ink is used in a high humidity environment, the water evaporation of the ink is slow and difficult to thicken. In addition, there is a case where the user who uses the recording apparatus without pausing for a long time does not need to perform the regular cleaning.

  Therefore, it is possible to select a first mode in which a maintenance operation is automatically executed as regular cleaning for sucking and discharging ink from the recording head, and a second mode in which the maintenance operation is prohibited from being automatically executed. An ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). In an apparatus such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operation mode of the recording head maintenance process is changed according to the installation environment of the recording apparatus or the way the user handles the ink cartridge when it is replaced.

Also proposed is an ink jet recording apparatus configured to automatically perform an appropriate maintenance operation according to the viscosity of the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzle opening, which varies depending on the power supply stop period and the absolute humidity of the usage environment. (For example, see Patent Document 2 below.) The apparatus shown in Patent Document 2 includes a power supply stop period determination unit, an absolute humidity determination unit, and an operation determination unit that determines an operation mode based on the determination result, and performs a maintenance operation more suitable for the use environment. Can be executed.
JP 2003-182052 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-225214

  However, in the apparatus as shown in Patent Document 1, when the user performs the maintenance process by himself / herself, the maintenance operation is automatically executed by changing to the first mode when executing the maintenance process. It is necessary to make it. In addition, even if the user performs a maintenance operation based on his / her own judgment, the user cannot accurately grasp the degree of ink drying, and the degree of ink drying and the selected maintenance operation tend to be unbalanced. In many cases, the maintenance operation does not sufficiently recover the clogging, or the maintenance operation is performed more than necessary, so that the ink is wasted.

  In addition, in the apparatus shown in Patent Document 2, the cost of the recording apparatus itself is increased by equipment such as a power supply stop period determination unit, an absolute humidity determination unit, and an operation determination unit that determines an operation mode based on the determination result. Therefore, it is not suitable for an inexpensive device.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus configured so that a user can easily select an appropriate maintenance operation according to the usage environment of the recording apparatus or the user's handling at a low cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention wipes the ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets by a drive signal based on the printing data and performs printing on the recording paper, and the nozzle formation surface of the recording head. Wiping means for cleaning, preliminary ejection means for idly ejecting ink droplets by applying a drive signal unrelated to printing to the recording head, and capping means for sealing the nozzle formation surface of the recording head A suction means for sucking and discharging ink from the recording head by applying a negative pressure to the internal space of the capping means, and setting one or more frequency settings for the automatic maintenance operation of the recording head from a plurality of options It is characterized in that it is configured to be selectable.

  In this case, one of the maintenance operations is a periodic maintenance operation that is preferably performed in accordance with at least the elapsed time or the number of ink ejections from the previous execution of the maintenance operation, and the threshold of the elapsed time or the number of ink ejections is It is set according to the option and is automatically executed according to the previous option.

  It is preferable that the periodic maintenance operation includes any one of the suction operation, the wiping operation, the preliminary discharge operation, the capping operation, or a series of operations.

  The plurality of options are preferably configured to be selectable according to the frequency of use by the user. Alternatively, it is preferable that the plurality of options are configured to be selectable according to the user's usage environment temperature. Alternatively, it is preferable that the plurality of options are configured to be selectable according to the user's use environment humidity level.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the plurality of options be configured so that at least one of the user's usage frequency, the user's usage environment temperature, and the user's usage environment humidity can be selected.

  The plurality of option operations are preferably executed on a utility of a printer driver installed in the host computer.

  On the other hand, it is desirable to provide notification means for urging the user that there is a possibility that the user will not be ejected during printing when one having a low frequency of the regular maintenance operation is selected from the plurality of options. In addition, it is desirable to provide a notification means for urging the user that the number of ink tank replacement is large when one having a high frequency of the regular maintenance operation is selected from the plurality of options.

  In this case, it is preferable that the notification unit is constructed on a utility of a printer driver installed in the host computer, and the message is made on a display connected to the host computer.

  According to the present invention, the user himself / herself selects the operating environment of the recording apparatus or the user's handling method of the recording apparatus, and is set to perform an appropriate maintenance operation. Since there is no need for determination means, the ink jet recording apparatus can be provided at low cost. In addition, depending on the user's choices, it is possible to suppress the consumption of ink associated with the maintenance process and reduce the running cost as compared with the conventional recording apparatus in which the maintenance process is automatically executed. Become.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus applied in the present embodiment in a state where an exterior portion is removed and an internal mechanism is exposed. The recording apparatus main body in the present embodiment includes a paper feed unit, a paper transport unit, a paper discharge unit, a carriage unit, a cleaning unit, an exterior unit, and the like. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of each unit will be described in sequence.

  The paper feed unit has a mechanism for separating the recording media stacked on the pressure plate M2010 one by one and feeding them to the platen M3040 side. The paper transport unit includes a roller pair including a transport roller M3060 that sandwiches and transports the fed recording medium toward a recording area by the recording head, and a pinch roller M3070 provided opposite to the transport roller M3060, and a driving source of the transport roller M3060. A transfer motor E0002 and the like. The paper discharge unit includes a paper discharge roller M3110 for discharging the recording medium from the recording area, and a plurality of spur rollers cooperating therewith.

  The carriage unit includes a carriage M4000 for mounting a recording head. The carriage M4000 is supported by a guide shaft M4020 and a guide rail M1011. The guide shaft M4020 is in the recording medium conveyance direction (Y direction). The carriage M4000 is guided and supported so as to reciprocate and scan in the perpendicular direction. The carriage M4000 is driven via a timing belt M4041 by a carriage motor E0001 attached to the chassis M1010.

  When an image is formed on the recording medium in the above configuration, the recording position in the row direction of the image is positioned by conveying a recording medium by a pair of rollers including a conveyance roller M3060 and a pinch roller M3070. Further, with respect to the position in the column direction of the image, the carriage M4000 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the carriage motor E0001, and the recording head is arranged at the target image forming position. The positioned recording head ejects ink to the recording medium in accordance with a signal from the electric control board E0014. Although the detailed configuration of the recording head will be described later, in the recording apparatus of this embodiment, the recording medium is moved in the row direction by the main scanning in which the carriage M4000 moves in the column direction while performing the recording by the recording head, and the conveyance roller M3060. An image is formed on a recording medium by alternately repeating the transported sub-scanning.

  The cleaning unit includes a pump M5000 for cleaning the recording head, a suction recovery unit including a cap M5010 for suppressing drying of the recording head, and a wiping unit including a blade M5020 for wiping the discharge surface of the recording head. It is configured.

  A dedicated cleaning motor E0003 is disposed in the cleaning unit. The cleaning motor E0003 is provided with a one-way clutch (not shown). The pump is operated by rotation in one direction, and the rotation of the cap M5010, that is, the operation of opening and closing the ejection surface of the recording head is performed by rotation in the other direction. The movement of the blade M5020, that is, the operation of wiping the ejection surface of the recording head can be continuously performed.

  The pump roller has a form of a tube pump configured to generate a negative pressure by squeezing an ink discharge tube connected to the cap M5010. That is, when the pump M5000 is operated with the cap M5010 in close contact with the ejection surface of the recording head, ink or the like is sucked from the recording head via the ink ejection port.

  In the inner part of the cap M5010, an absorber is provided to reduce ink remaining on the ejection surface of the recording head after suction. Further, in order to remove the ink remaining in the cap M5010 after the suction and prevent the remaining ink from being fixed and the following adverse effects, the pump M5000 is operated with the cap M5010 opened, that is, with the cap M5010 opened to the atmosphere. Thus, the remaining ink in the cap M5010 is sucked. The ink sucked by the pump M5000 becomes waste ink, and is absorbed by a waste ink absorber (not shown) provided at an appropriate site such as the bottom or back of the apparatus and held there.

  When the cap M5010 descends, that is, when the cap M5010 is detached from the ejection surface of the recording head, the blade M5020 moves perpendicularly to the scanning direction of the carriage M4000 using the space just below the ejection surface opened thereby, and wipes the ejection surface of the recording head. To do. A plurality of blades M5020 are provided, one for wiping the vicinity of the nozzles of the recording head H1001 and the other for wiping the entire ejection surface. Then, when the carriage M4000 moves to the innermost position, the ink adhered to the blade M5020 itself can be removed by contacting the blade cleaner M5060.

  Next, the control system in this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for schematically explaining the overall configuration of the control system in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The recording apparatus applied in the present embodiment is mainly configured by a carriage substrate (CRPCB) E0013, a main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) E0014, a power supply unit E0015, a front panel E0106, and the like.

  Here, the power supply unit E0015 is connected to the main PCB E0014 and supplies various driving powers.

  The carriage substrate E0013 is a printed circuit board unit mounted on the carriage M4000, and functions as an interface for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the recording head H1001 through the head connector E0101. Further, a change in the positional relationship between the encoder scale E0005 and the encoder sensor E0004 is detected based on a pulse signal output from the encoder sensor E0004 as the carriage M4000 moves, and the output signal is further transmitted to a flexible flat cable (CRFFC). Output to the main PCB E0014 through E0012. The carriage substrate E0013 is provided with a temperature sensor such as a thermistor for detecting the ambient temperature and a required optical sensor. Information obtained by these sensors (OnCR) E0102 is output to the main PCB E0014 through a flexible flat cable (CRFFC) E0012 together with head temperature information from a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the recording head cartridge H1000.

  The main PCB E0014 is a printed circuit board unit that controls the drive of each unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. On the substrate, the main PCB E0014 is a control unit that performs various controls including suction recovery operation control described with reference to FIG. And a ROM storing a program executed by the CPU. The main PCB E0014 includes a paper edge detection sensor (PE sensor) E0007, an automatic sheet feeder (ASF) sensor E0009, a cover sensor E0022, and a host interface (host I / F) E0017. Also, a carriage motor E0001 as a drive source for main scanning the carriage M4000, an LF motor E0002 as a drive source for transporting the recording medium, a motor E0003 as a drive source for the recovery operation of the recording head H1001, and the recording medium It is connected to various motors such as an ASF motor E0105 serving as a driving source for paper feeding operation and controls driving of each function. Furthermore, while receiving various sensor signals E0104 indicating the mounting and operating states of various optional units such as an ink empty sensor, media (paper) discrimination sensor, carriage position (height) sensor, LF encoder sensor, and PG sensor, An option control signal E0108 is output in order to perform drive control of various option units. The main PCB E0014 is connected to the CRFFC E0012, the power supply unit E0015, and the front panel E0106, and has an interface for exchanging information by the panel signal E0107.

  The front panel E0106 is a unit provided on the front surface of the recording apparatus main body for the convenience of user operation, and is a device used for connection with a resume key E0019, LED E0020, power key E0018, and peripheral devices such as a digital camera. I / F E0100.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the main board E1004.

  In the figure, E1102 is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). This is connected to the ROM E1004 through the control bus E1014, and performs various controls according to the program stored in the ROM E1004. For example, the sensor signal E0104 related to various sensors and the multi-sensor signal E4003 related to the multi-sensor E3000 are transmitted and received. In addition, the output state from the encoder signal E1020, the power key E0018 on the front panel E0106, the resume key E0019 and the flat pass key E3004 is detected. In addition, E1102 performs various logical operations, condition determination, and the like according to the connection and data input state of the host I / F E0017 and the device I / F E0100 on the front panel, and controls each component. I control the drive control.

  E1103 is a driver reset circuit. This generates a CR motor drive signal E1037, an LF motor drive signal E1035, an AP motor drive signal E4001 and a PR motor drive signal E4002 in accordance with the motor control signal E1106 from the ASIC E1102, and drives each motor. Further, the driver / reset circuit E1103 has a power supply circuit, and supplies necessary power to each part such as the main board E0014, the carriage board E0013, and the front panel E0106. Further, a decrease in power supply voltage is detected, and a reset signal E1015 is generated and initialized.

  E1010 is a power supply control circuit that controls power supply to each sensor having a light emitting element in accordance with a power supply control signal E1024 from the ASIC E1102.

  The host I / F E0017 transmits a host I / F signal E1028 from the ASIC E1102 to a host I / F cable E1029 connected to the outside, and transmits a signal from the cable E1029 to the ASIC E1102.

  On the other hand, power is supplied from the power supply unit E0015. The supplied power is supplied to each part inside and outside the main board E0014 after voltage conversion as necessary. A power supply unit control signal E4000 from the ASIC E1102 is connected to the power supply unit E0015, and controls a low power consumption mode and the like of the recording apparatus main body.

  The ASIC E1102 is a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit with an arithmetic processing unit, and outputs the motor control signal E1106, the power supply control signal E1024, the power supply unit control signal E4000, and the like described above. Then, signals are exchanged with the host I / F E0017, and signals are exchanged with the device I / F E0100 on the front panel through the panel signal E0107. Further, the state is detected by each sensor such as a PE sensor and an ASF sensor through a sensor signal E0104. Further, the multi-sensor E3000 is controlled through the multi-sensor signal E4003 and the state is detected. Further, the state of the panel signal E0107 is detected, the driving of the panel signal E0107 is controlled, and the LED E0020 on the front panel blinks.

  Further, the ASIC E1102 detects the state of the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 to generate a timing signal, and controls the recording operation by interfacing with the recording head H1001 using the head control signal E1021. Here, the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is an output signal of the encoder sensor E0004 inputted through the CRFFC E0012. The head control signal E1021 is connected to the carriage substrate E0013 through the flexible flat cable E0012. Then, the information is supplied to the recording head H1001 via the head drive voltage modulation circuit E3001 and the head connector E0101, and various information from the recording head H1001 is transmitted to the ASIC E1102. Among these, the head temperature information for each ejection unit is amplified by the head temperature detection circuit E3002 on the main substrate, and then input to the ASIC E1102 to be used for various control determinations.

  In the figure, E3007 is a DRAM, which is used as a data buffer for recording, a data buffer received from the host computer, etc., and also as a work area necessary for various control operations.

(First embodiment)
Next, a first embodiment relating to the characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the screen configuration of the recording apparatus having the above-described configuration so that the user can set the frequency of the regular maintenance operation. The screen configuration on which the user can set the automatic maintenance frequency is displayed on the display and is constructed on the driver utility. In the screen configuration, the automatic maintenance frequency displayed in the lower column can be selected.

  When “None 1” is selected, periodic cleaning is prohibited. When “less 2”, “standard 3”, “somewhat more 4”, and “more 5” are selected, regular cleaning is set according to the tables shown in FIGS. Here, in the periodic cleaning mode that is set when “less 2” or “more 5” is selected, the periodic cleaning operation shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 described later is performed, and In the periodic cleaning mode set when “None 1” is selected, the execution of the periodic cleaning shown in FIG. 9 is prohibited.

  FIG. 5 to FIG. 9 illustrate an operation routine that is performed when “less 2” to “more 5” is selected and the recording apparatus is set to the regular cleaning mode described above. First, FIG. 5 shows an operation for selecting a maintenance process performed when a print signal reaches the recording apparatus. When a printing signal comes to the recording device, in step S501, the final suction time recorded by the ASIC E1102 is compared with the time sent together with the printing signal, and the maintenance executed by referring to the maintenance operation selection table. A process is selected. FIG. 7 shows an example of the maintenance operation selection table used at this time. That is, the horizontal axis in FIG. 7 indicates the periodic maintenance frequency determined by the user, and the vertical axis indicates the elapsed time from the last suction time, and the maintenance operation to be performed and its processing mode are described in a matrix format. Yes.

  When executing the maintenance process in the recording head, any one of the preliminary ejection operation, the cleaning operation, and the strong cleaning operation can be employed as shown in FIG. The maintenance process by the preliminary ejection operation is employed when the degree of increase in the viscosity of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening in the recording head is relatively slight. The maintenance process by the cleaning operation is employed when the degree of increase in the viscosity of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle openings in the recording head has relatively advanced. Further, the strong cleaning operation is employed when the viscosity increase of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening, which seems to be difficult to recover by the cleaning operation, is very advanced. As described above, depending on the viscosity increase of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening, the maintenance process can be selectively used and recovered efficiently.

  In step S502 in FIG. 5, it is determined whether to select either preliminary discharge or regular cleaning based on the result of referring to the maintenance operation selection table. As a result, when it is determined that the specified time has been exceeded (Yes), the process proceeds to step S503, and the regular cleaning operation shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

  After execution of the regular cleaning operation in step S503, the process proceeds to step S505, and the last suction time is recorded in the ASIC E1102. In addition, the discharge number is reset to zero. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that the specified time has not been exceeded (No), the process proceeds to step S504, and a predetermined number of preliminary ejection operations are performed.

  FIG. 6 shows an operation for selecting maintenance processing performed when printing is completed. When printing is completed, in step S601, the number of discharges recorded by the ASIC E1102 is called, and the maintenance process to be executed is selected by referring to the maintenance operation selection table. FIG. 8 shows an example of the maintenance operation selection table used at this time. That is, the horizontal axis in FIG. 8 indicates the periodic maintenance frequency determined by the user, and the vertical axis indicates the number of ejections, and the maintenance operation to be executed and its processing mode are described in a matrix format.

  When performing the maintenance process in the recording head, either a wiping operation or a cleaning operation can be employed as shown in FIG. The maintenance process by wiping operation is to prevent or eliminate the occurrence of printing defects due to the adhesion of foreign matter such as fine ink droplets (hereinafter referred to as mist) or paper dust generated by ink ejection near the nozzle opening in the recording head. Adopted. In addition, the maintenance process by the cleaning operation is employed in order to prevent and eliminate the occurrence of printing defects due to bubbles accumulated in the recording head due to ink ejection.

  In step S602 in FIG. 6, it is determined whether to select wiping or regular cleaning based on the result of referring to the maintenance operation selection table. As a result, when it is determined that the specified number of shots has been exceeded (Yes), the process proceeds to step S603, where it is determined whether the specified number of shots has reached the specified number of cleaning operations. As a result, when it is determined that the specified number of shots has reached the specified number of cleaning operations (Yes), the process proceeds to step S604, and the periodic cleaning operation shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

  After execution of the cleaning operation in step S604, the process proceeds to step S606, and the last suction time is recorded in the ASIC E1102. In addition, the discharge number is reset to zero. On the other hand, when it is determined that the specified number of shots has not reached the specified number of cleaning operations (No), the process proceeds to step S605, and a wiping operation is executed. After execution of the wiping operation in step S605, the process proceeds to step S607, and the ejection number is reset to zero on the ASIC E1102.

  If it is determined in step S502 that the specified time has not been exceeded (No), the process proceeds to return.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a processing routine performed in the periodic cleaning operation in step S503 in FIG. 5 and step S604 in FIG. As described in the configuration of the cleaning unit, when the pump M5000 is operated in a state where the cap M5010 is in close contact with the ejection surface of the recording head, ink is sucked from the recording head through the ink ejection port (step S901). ).

  In order to remove the ink remaining in the cap M5010 after the suction and prevent the remaining ink from sticking and the subsequent harmful effects, the pump M5000 is operated with the cap M5010 opened, that is, with the cap M5010 opened to the atmosphere. The remaining ink in the cap M5010 is sucked (step S902).

  When the cap M5010 is lowered, that is, separated from the ejection surface of the recording head, the blade M5020 moves perpendicularly to the scanning direction of the carriage M4000 using the space just below the ejection surface released thereby, and wipes the ejection surface of the recording head. (Step S903). Next, preliminary ejection for wiping is executed, and an operation for adjusting the ink meniscus at the nozzle opening is performed (step S904).

  If a plurality of colors are sucked at the same time in step S901, color mixing tends to occur. Therefore, the empty suction performed in step S902 is simultaneously performed while performing preliminary discharge for eliminating the color mixing (step S905).

  The blade M5020 moves again perpendicular to the scanning direction of the carriage M4000, and wipes the ejection surface of the recording head (step S906). The final preliminary ejection for wiping is executed, and an operation for adjusting the meniscus of the ink at the nozzle openings is performed, thereby completing a series of cleaning operations (step S907).

  The sequence shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 is executed when “less 2” or “more 5” is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 4, however, “none 1” is selected. In the regular cleaning mode set in this case, execution of the regular cleaning shown in FIG. 9 is prohibited.

Here, on the screen shown in FIG. 4, when “None 1” or “Small 2” with a low frequency of the regular maintenance operation is selected from the plurality of options, the user may not be ejected during printing. A warning message is issued to encourage you to have sex. (See Figure 10)
On the other hand, when “slightly high 4” or “highly 5” having a high frequency of the regular maintenance operation is selected from the plurality of options, a caution message is issued to urge the user that the number of ink tank replacement is large. Made.

  The above caution message is configured to be displayed on the display on the utility of the printer driver installed in the host computer. Therefore, the user confirms the message, and is set so that the user himself / herself performs an appropriate maintenance operation suitable for the usage environment of the recording apparatus or the user's handling of the recording apparatus.

  In the screen configuration shown in FIG. 4, the frequency at which the periodic cleaning is automatically executed differs depending on the option of the automatic maintenance frequency. For example, the user's usage environment humidity is high or low on the screen. Alternatively, it is also effective to configure so that each of the usage environment temperatures can be set individually. One or more of the user's usage environment humidity level and the usage environment temperature level may be selected.

  When the user's operating environment humidity is “high”, the ink is evaporated slowly and hardly thickens when used in a high humidity environment. Therefore, the maintenance frequency is preferably the same as “low”. On the other hand, when the user's operating environment humidity is “low”, moisture evaporation is fast and the viscosity is likely to increase in a low humidity environment, so the maintenance frequency is preferably “high”.

  In the embodiment described above, the caution message is displayed to the user, and the automatic cleaning is selected based on the display on the display connected to the host computer. This display can also be configured to use a display arranged in the recording device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a mechanism unit of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a control system in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the main board | substrate in FIG. It is the screen block diagram which showed an example of the mode selection screen displayed on the display connected to the host computer. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a recording head maintenance process selection operation that is performed when printing is started. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a recording head maintenance process selection operation performed when printing is finished. It is the table block diagram which showed an example of the maintenance operation | movement selection table used for the control routine shown in FIG. It is a table block diagram which showed an example of the maintenance operation | movement selection table used for the control routine shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a cleaning sequence showing a regular cleaning operation of a recording head. It is the screen block diagram which showed an example of the warning message display screen with respect to a user.

Explanation of symbols

M2010 pressure plate M3040 platen M3060 transport roller M3070 pinch roller M3110 paper discharge roller M4000 carriage M4020 guide shaft M4041 timing belt M5000 pump (tube pump)
M5010 Cap unit M5020 Blade M5060 Blade cleaner E0001 Carriage motor E0002 LF motor E0003 PG motor E0005 Encoder scale E0009 ASF sensor E0013 Carriage board E0014 Main board E0105 ASF motor

Claims (11)

An ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets by a drive signal based on the printing data and performs printing on the recording paper; a wiping means that wipes and cleans the nozzle forming surface of the recording head; and printing on the recording head A preliminary ejection unit that idles ink droplets by applying a drive signal unrelated to the capping unit, a capping unit that can seal the nozzle formation surface of the recording head, and a negative pressure in the internal space of the capping unit. A suction means for sucking and discharging ink from the recording head by acting;
An inkjet recording apparatus, wherein the frequency setting of the automatic maintenance operation of the recording head can be selected from a plurality of options.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the maintenance operations is a periodic maintenance operation that is executed in accordance with at least an elapsed time from the execution of the previous maintenance operation or the number of ink ejections.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elapsed time or the threshold value of the number of ink ejections is set by the option and is automatically executed according to the option in the previous period.   2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the periodic maintenance operation is any one of the suction operation, the wiping operation, the preliminary discharge operation, and the capping operation, or a series of operations.   5. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of options are configured to be selectable according to a user's usage frequency. 6.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of options are configured to be selectable according to a user's use environment temperature level.   5. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of options are configured to be selectable according to a user's use environment humidity level. 6.   The plurality of options are configured so that at least one of a plurality of options can be selected from a user's usage frequency level, a user's usage environment temperature level, and a user's usage environment humidity level. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4.   The plurality of option operations are configured to be executed on a utility of a printer driver installed in a host computer, and when one having a low periodic maintenance operation frequency is selected from the plurality of options, The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an informing unit that urges that there is a possibility that the ink is not ejected during printing.   The plurality of option operations are configured to be executed on a utility of a printer driver installed in a host computer, and when one having a high frequency of periodic maintenance operations is selected from the plurality of options, 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that prompts that the number of ink tank replacement is large.   The plurality of option operations are configured to be executed on a utility of a printer driver installed in a host computer, and when one having a low periodic maintenance operation frequency is selected from the plurality of options, Informing means for urging that there is a possibility that the ink is not ejected during printing is also provided, and when one having a high frequency of the regular maintenance operation is selected from the plurality of options, the user is encouraged to exchange a large number of ink tanks. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit.

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