JP2008087226A - Printing apparatus, printing method, and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce furthermore fluctuation of a load generated when a printing head is moved. <P>SOLUTION: In a printer 20, a supplementary needle 23 of a first ink storing part 22 arranged at a home position and storing ink capable of printing a number of (for example, several hundreds sheets of) recording papers S is arranged on a printing head 34 and is movable in the scanning direction, and is connected to a receiving opening 32 of a second ink storing part 30 storing the ink printable a small number of (for example, a sheet of) the recording paper S and can supplement the ink from the first ink storing part 22 to the second ink storing part 30. Then, printing processing is performed while the ink is supplemented from the first ink storing part 22 to the second ink storing part 30. Thus, in the printer 20, it is unnecessary to always connect a pipe and to feed the ink to the printing head 34, and there is no resistance caused by the pipe. In addition, it is unnecessary to store printable volume of ink number of the recording paper S in the storing part carried on the printing head 34 to be able to decrease the weight of the printing head 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printing apparatus, ink is ejected from an ink cartridge fixed to the apparatus casing to a print head that moves in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper via a tube, and then ejected onto the recording paper. One that performs printing processing has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As a printing apparatus, an apparatus in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a print head moving in the main scanning direction and ink is ejected from the print head to form an image has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-159469 A JP-A-7-125226

  However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the degree of bending of the tube connected to the ink cartridge and the print head varies depending on the position of the print head, printing is performed when the print head is moved in the main scanning direction. The load on the head sometimes fluctuated. Further, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, since the weight of the ink cartridge differs greatly between when the ink is full and when the ink is nearly empty, printing when the print head is moved in the main scanning direction is performed. There was a problem that the load applied to the head fluctuated.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program that can reduce load fluctuations that occur when a print head moves.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A first print recording liquid storage unit disposed in the apparatus housing and having replenishment means capable of discharging the print recording liquid to the outside at a predetermined replenishment position;
The print head is movable in a predetermined scanning direction and is disposed in a print head capable of discharging a print recording liquid onto a print medium, and has a smaller volume than the first print recording liquid storage section. A receiving part that can be connected to and disconnected from the replenishing means, and contains the printing recording liquid replenished from the first printing recording liquid storage part via the receiving part and is stored in the print head. A second printing recording liquid storage unit connected to be able to supply the liquid;
It is equipped with.

  In this printing apparatus, the replenishing means provided in the first print recording liquid storage section that is disposed in the apparatus housing and stores the print recording liquid is disposed in the print head having a smaller volume than the first print recording liquid storage section. The print recording liquid can be replenished from the first print recording liquid container to the second print recording liquid container by being connected to or disconnected from the receiving part of the second print recording liquid container moving in the scanning direction at a predetermined replenishment position. It is. That is, the volume of the second print recording liquid container disposed in the moving print head is smaller than that of the first print recording liquid container that replenishes the print recording liquid. In addition, the second printing recording liquid storage unit can accept and receive the printing recording liquid because the receiving unit of the second printing recording liquid storage unit can be connected to and disconnected from the replenishing means of the first printing recording liquid storage unit. In this way, for example, it is not necessary to store a print recording liquid in an amount capable of printing a large number of print media in the housing portion on the apparatus housing side, and connect a pipe or the like from the housing portion to the print head at all times. The applied pipe does not apply force to the print head. In addition, it is not necessary to store an amount of print recording liquid capable of printing a large number of print media in the storage unit mounted on the print head, and the weight of the print head can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce load fluctuations that occur when the print head moves. The first printing recording liquid storage unit can store printing recording liquid that can be discharged onto several hundreds of the printing media, and the second printing recording liquid storage unit can discharge onto several printing media. The printing recording liquid may be stored.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the second print recording liquid storage unit may be formed so as to be capable of storing the amount of the print recording liquid capable of printing at least one page of the print medium. By so doing, it is possible to print a single print medium without replenishing the print recording liquid into the second print recording liquid container, and therefore it is possible to smoothly execute the printing process.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the first print recording liquid storage unit is disposed as a replenishment position at a standby position where the print head waits without discharging the print recording liquid onto the print medium. It may be a thing. In this way, since the replenishing means of the first printing recording liquid storage unit can be connected to the receiving unit when the print head is waiting, it is relatively easy to replenish the printing recording liquid.

  The first print recording liquid storage unit may be detachably disposed at the predetermined replenishment position. If it carries out like this, the printing recording liquid of a 1st printing recording liquid storage part can be replenished by replacing | exchanging a 1st printing recording liquid storage part. Alternatively, the first print recording liquid storage unit may have an injection part capable of injecting the print recording liquid from the outside. If it carries out like this, a printing recording liquid can be replenished to a 1st printing recording liquid storage part via an injection | pouring part from the outside. The first printing recording liquid storage unit may be disposed at a position outside a printable area of the printing medium as the replenishment position. By so doing, it is possible to perform discharge of the printing recording liquid onto the printing medium and replenishment of the printing recording liquid into the second printing recording liquid storage unit in different areas.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print head moving means capable of moving the print head in a scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the print medium, and the first print recording liquid storage unit at the predetermined replenishment timing include the second print recording. Control means for moving the second print recording liquid storage part to the print head moving means to a replenishment position where the print recording liquid can be supplied to the liquid storage part, and causing the replenishment means to discharge the print recording liquid to the receiving part; , May be provided. If it carries out like this, a 2nd printing recording liquid storage part will be moved to a replenishment position with a predetermined replenishment timing, and the process which replenishes a printing recording liquid from a 1st printing recording liquid storage part to a 1st printing recording liquid storage part will be performed automatically. be able to.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention provided with a control unit, the control unit grasps a tendency of the amount of the printing recording liquid discharged to the printing medium, and based on the grasped tendency, from the first printing recording liquid storage unit, A replenishment amount for replenishing the print recording liquid to the second print recording liquid storage unit is set, and the replenishing means accepts the replenishment means so that the set replenishment amount of the print recording liquid is replenished to the second print recording liquid storage unit. The printing recording liquid may be ejected to the part. In this way, since the replenishment amount of the print recording liquid set based on the tendency of the amount of the print recording liquid discharged to the print medium is replenished to the second print recording liquid container, an appropriate amount of the print recording liquid is supplied to the second medium. It can be stored in the print recording liquid storage section.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit grasps an average discharge amount per unit area of the print medium when grasping a tendency of the amount of the printing recording liquid ejected to the print medium, and per grasped unit area. The replenishment amount may be set based on the average discharge amount and the area of the print medium on which printing is performed. In this way, since the average discharge amount per unit area of the print medium is used as the tendency of the amount of the print recording liquid discharged to the print medium, the amount of the print recording liquid that can ensure relatively stable printing is used for the second print recording. It can be accommodated in the liquid accommodating portion. Further, for example, the weight of the second print recording liquid container is further reduced as compared with the case where the amount of the print recording liquid capable of discharging the print recording liquid over the entire surface of the print medium is supplemented to the second print recording liquid container. be able to.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit grasps the maximum discharge amount per sheet of the print medium when grasping the tendency of the print recording liquid amount discharged to the print medium, and the grasped maximum discharge amount. The replenishment amount may be set based on the above. In this way, since the maximum discharge amount is used as the tendency of the amount of print recording liquid discharged to the print medium, an amount of print recording liquid that can ensure more reliable printing can be stored in the second print recording liquid storage unit. it can.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit may perform the predetermined replenishment timing at least one of a print head flushing process, a print head cleaning process, a print medium feeding process, and a paper ejection process. The replenishing unit may cause the replenishing means to discharge the print recording liquid to the receiving unit so as to replenish the print recording liquid from the first print recording liquid storage unit to the second print recording liquid storage unit. In this way, since the print recording liquid is replenished in parallel with any one of these processes, that is, any process in which the print head does not discharge the print recording liquid to the print medium, Processing time can be shortened.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit may detect the first print recording liquid when the remaining amount of print recording liquid in the second print recording liquid storage unit falls below a predetermined replenishment remaining amount as the predetermined replenishment timing. The print recording liquid may be replenished from the storage unit to the second print recording liquid storage unit. In this way, it is possible to suppress the remaining amount of the printing recording liquid in the second printing recording liquid storage unit from being further lower than the replenishment remaining amount.

The printing method of the present invention includes:
A first print recording liquid storage unit disposed in the apparatus housing and having replenishment means capable of discharging the print recording liquid to the outside at a predetermined replenishment position; The print head is movable in a predetermined scanning direction and is disposed in a print head capable of discharging a print recording liquid onto a print medium, and has a smaller volume than the first print recording liquid storage section. A receiving part that can be connected to and disconnected from the replenishing means, and contains the printing recording liquid replenished from the first printing recording liquid storage part via the receiving part and is stored in the print head. Printing using a printing apparatus comprising: a second printing recording liquid storage unit connected so as to be able to supply liquid; and a print head moving unit capable of moving the print head in a scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the printing medium A method,
At a predetermined replenishment timing, the first print recording liquid container moves the second print recording liquid container to the print head moving means to a replenishment position where the print recording liquid can be replenished to the second print recording liquid container. Letting the replenishing means discharge the printing recording liquid to the receiving part;
Is included.

  In this printing method, at a predetermined replenishment timing, the first printing recording liquid container moves the printing recording liquid container to a refilling position where the printing recording liquid can be replenished to the second printing recording liquid container, and the replenishing means moves to the receiving part. The printing recording liquid is discharged. Here, the volume of the second print recording liquid container disposed in the moving print head is smaller than that of the first print recording liquid container that replenishes the print recording liquid. In addition, the second printing recording liquid container can receive and accept the printing recording liquid because the receiving part of the second printing recording liquid container can be connected to and disconnected from the replenishing means of the first printing recording liquid container at a predetermined refilling position. Is possible. In this way, for example, it is not necessary to store a print recording liquid in an amount capable of printing a large number of print media in the housing portion on the apparatus housing side, and connect a pipe or the like from the housing portion to the print head at all times. The applied pipe does not apply force to the print head. In addition, it is not necessary to store an amount of print recording liquid capable of printing a large number of print media in the storage unit mounted on the print head, and the weight of the print head can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce load fluctuations that occur when the print head moves. In this printing method, various aspects of the above-described printing apparatus may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described printing apparatus may be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the printing method described above. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the printing method described above is executed, so that the same effect as this printing method can be obtained. .

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the printer 20 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating schematic configurations of a first ink storage unit 22, a second ink storage unit 30, and an external ink cartridge 80. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the printer information 75 a stored in the flash memory 75. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 20 of the present embodiment includes a printer mechanism 20 a that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet S that is transported from the back to the front in the drawing on the platen 44, and the recording sheet S. A capping device 41 formed at one end (home position) of the platen 44 outside the printable area, a paper feed roller 47 driven by the drive motor 42 to transport the recording paper S in the transport direction, and various information are displayed. In addition, an operation panel 78 through which a user can input various instructions and a controller 70 that controls the entire printer 20 are provided. In the present embodiment, the print medium is described as “recording paper S”, but it is not intended to specify the material, and includes other materials such as a film in addition to paper.

  The printer mechanism 20a can individually store each color ink of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and can replenish the stored ink of each color to the second ink storage unit 30. The first ink storage unit 22 and the second ink storage unit 30 that reciprocates left and right in the drawing along the guide 48 by the carriage belt 43a and receives the replenishment from the first ink storage unit 22 and individually stores the ink of each color. And a print head 34 that is disposed below the second ink storage unit 30 and applies pressure to each ink supplied from the second ink storage unit 30 to eject the ink from the nozzles 33. In this specification, yellow ink may be referred to as “Y”, magenta ink as “M”, cyan ink as “C”, and black ink as “K”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first ink storage unit 22 is disposed above (home position) a capping device 41 (see FIG. 1) where the print head 34 stands by other than during printing. The first ink storage portion 22 has a fixed portion 28 having a bearing portion 29a and a bearing portion 29b, which restrict the movement of the first ink storage portion 22 in the vertical direction, formed on the upper end side and the lower end side, respectively. Has been. The first ink storage unit 22 has support shafts 51 a and 51 b fixed at two upper and lower portions of the mechanical frame 40 inserted into the bearing portions 29 a and 29 b, and can be moved up and down as the control motor 52 is driven. 40. The first ink storage unit 22 is formed with a primary tank 21 that can store a large number (for example, several hundreds) of ink of each color that can be printed on a recording sheet that is scheduled to be printed by the printer 20. Yes. The upper surface 22a of the primary tank 21 is provided with an injection port 25 through which each color ink can be injected. The injection port 25 is provided with a packing 25a for preventing leakage at the time of ink injection and a cover member 25b for covering the injection port 25 and preventing entry of foreign matters other than at the time of ink injection. In addition, a liquid level sensor 26 that outputs a signal to the outside via a connection plate 27 is disposed above the inside of the primary tank 21 when the ink level comes into contact therewith. Below the primary tank 21, there are provided a replenishing needle 23 for replenishing ink contained in the primary tank 21 by connecting to the second ink containing portion 30, and a replenishing piezoelectric element 24 for discharging ink from the replenishing needle 23. It has been.

  The second ink storage unit 30 includes a carriage belt 43a installed between a carriage motor 43b (see FIG. 1) attached to the right side of the mechanical frame 40 and a driven roller 43c attached to the left side of the mechanical frame 40. It moves as it is driven by the motor 43b. The second ink storage unit 30 stores ink of each color with the maximum amount of ink that can be ejected on the entire surface of one page of the recording paper S having the maximum area in the recording paper scheduled to be printed by the printer 20. A secondary tank 31 is formed. That is, the secondary tank 31 is formed with a smaller capacity than the primary tank 21. The printer 20 is configured to print on three types of recording paper, A4 size, postcard size, and photo size, as a recording paper, and one A4 size recording paper having the largest area is printed. A secondary tank 31 is formed so as to be able to store an ink amount of possible ink. On the upper surface of the secondary tank 31, there is provided a receiving port 32 into which the replenishing needle 23 of the first ink storage unit 22 is inserted and ink can be replenished. Inside the receiving port 32, a packing 31a is provided for preventing leakage of ink when ink is replenished and preventing entry of foreign matter from outside except when ink is replenished. Further, a liquid level sensor 36 that outputs a signal when in contact with ink is provided above the inside of the secondary tank 31. As shown in FIG. 1, a linear encoder 45 that detects the position of the second ink container 30 (the position of the print head 34) is disposed on the back surface of the second ink container 30. The position of the second ink storage unit 30 can be managed using the type encoder 45.

  A print head 34 that discharges ink supplied from the secondary tank 31 from the nozzles 33 is disposed below the secondary tank 31. The print head 34 ejects ink of each color from the nozzle 23 provided on the lower surface thereof by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. The print head 34 may employ a method in which ink is pressurized by bubbles generated by applying a voltage to a heating resistor (for example, a heater) to heat the ink.

  The capping device 41 is used when the print head 34 is sealed to prevent the print head 34 from drying, and a negative pressure is applied by a suction pump (not shown) to forcibly suck out ink in the print head 34. It is used for executing a cleaning process and for executing a so-called flushing process for forcibly ejecting ink droplets irrespective of printing. The ink ejected by the cleaning process or the flushing process is stored as a waste liquid in a waste liquid tank (not shown).

  The operation panel 78 is a device for a user to input various instructions to the printer 20, and a display unit configured by a liquid crystal panel that displays a color image such as characters, figures, or symbols according to the various instructions. An operation unit 78b for inputting various operations such as 78a and cursor keys and determination keys is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 70 is provided on a main board attached to the back surface of the mechanical frame 40 and is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 72, and includes a ROM 73 that stores various processing programs, A RAM 74 for storing and storing data, a flash memory 75 capable of writing and erasing data, an interface (I / F) 76 for exchanging information with an external device, and an input / output port (not shown) And. The ROM 73 stores a print processing routine and a secondary tank ink replenishment processing routine, which will be described later. The RAM 74 is provided with a print buffer area, and print data sent from the user PC 10 is temporarily stored in the print buffer area. Printer information 75 a is stored in the flash memory 75. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer information 75a includes the remaining amount of ink in the primary tank 21 and the secondary tank 31, the integrated value of the ink discharge amount up to the previous time, the integrated value of the print area subjected to the previous printing process, The average ink discharge amount per unit area obtained by dividing the integrated value of the ink discharge amount by the integrated value of the print area, and the maximum amount of ink consumed by printing one sheet of recording paper in the previous printing process Information about each ink, such as a past maximum ink ejection value of a certain recording sheet, is included. A signal from the second ink container 30, for example, a signal from the liquid level sensor 36 or a signal from the operation panel 78, is input to the controller 70 via an input port (not shown) and also output from the user PC 10. A print job or the like is input via the I / F 76. Further, the controller 70 outputs a control signal to the print head 34, a control signal to the drive motor 42, a control signal to the capping device 41, a drive signal to the carriage motor 43b, a signal to the operation panel 78, and the like (not shown). In addition to being output via the port, print status information to the user PC 10 is output via the I / F 76.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the external ink cartridge 80 supplies ink of each color to the first ink storage unit 22 and is a cartridge that can be removed from the printer 20. The external ink cartridge 80 is provided in the first ink storage unit 22, a supply needle 81 that is inserted into the injection port 25 and injects ink, a supply pump 82 that supplies the stored ink to the supply needle 81 for each color, and the like. A connection member 83 that is connected to the connection plate 27 so that a signal for each color from the liquid level sensor 26 can be input, a warning lamp 84 that notifies the user that the ink has run out, and supply of ink to the primary tank 21 is started. A supply button 85 that is pressed at that time and a cartridge controller 88 that controls the entire external ink cartridge 80 are provided. When the connection bottom surface 80 a of the external ink cartridge 80 is placed on the top surface 22 a of the first ink storage unit 22, the supply needle 81 is inserted into the injection port 25 and the connection member 83 is connected to the connection plate 27. It has become. Further, the external ink cartridge 80 is formed so as to be able to store an ink amount that can be supplied to the first ink storage unit 22 several times (for example, five times). A signal from the liquid level sensor 26 of the first ink container 22 and a signal from the supply button 85 are input to the cartridge controller 88 via an input port (not shown) through the connection plate 27 and the connection member 83. The cartridge controller 88 outputs a drive signal to the supply pump 82, a lighting signal to the warning lamp 84, and the like via an output port (not shown). Here, the warning lamp 84 notifies the user that the ink has run out, but a display panel may be provided to display a message using characters or the like.

  Next, the print processing operation of the printer 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing routine executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the ROM 73 and executed by the CPU 72 when print data transmitted from the user PC 10 or the like is received. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 first determines the ink of each color stored in the secondary tank 31 based on the average ink discharge amount per unit area included in the printer information 75a and the area of the recording paper S to be printed. A target replenishment ink amount is set (step S100). FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for setting the target replenishment ink amount. This target replenishment ink amount is the minimum ink amount that should be secured when printing one recording sheet S of the size to be printed, and is the maximum ink amount that should be accommodated in the secondary tank 31 before the printing process is executed. Equivalent to. This target replenishment ink amount is an average discharge amount per sheet obtained by multiplying the average ink discharge amount per unit area, which is a value obtained by past printing processing, and the area of the recording paper S to be printed. To a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin (for example, 20% of the obtained average discharge amount). In FIG. 5, the target replenishment ink amount of each color ink is shown as the same value for convenience of explanation, but it may be different for each color. Here, the target replenishment ink amount is set to a value when the initial value of the entire recording paper S is solidly applied, and after a predetermined number of copies have passed, per unit area obtained from past printing results. The average ink discharge amount is set to be set. As described above, in the printer 20, by reducing the weight of the secondary tank 31 without always filling the secondary tank 31, the load on the carriage motor 43b is reduced and a margin is provided for the amount of ink to be replenished. This prevents the ink from running out during printing of one sheet of recording paper S.

  Next, the CPU 72 executes a secondary tank ink replenishment process for replenishing ink from the primary tank 21 to the secondary tank 31 so that the set target refill ink amount of ink is stored in the secondary tank 31 (step S110). ), A paper feed process for transporting the recording paper S to a predetermined paper feed position is executed (step S120). Here, the secondary tank ink replenishment process and the paper feed process are performed in parallel. Details of the secondary tank ink replenishment process will be described later. The paper feed process is a process of transporting the recording paper S placed on a paper feed tray (not shown) to a printable area on the platen 44 by driving and rotating a paper feed roller and a paper feed roller 47 (not shown) by the drive motor 42. . Next, the CPU 72 determines whether or not both the secondary tank ink replenishment process and the paper feed process have been completed (step S130). If both processes have not been completed, the CPU 72 waits for both processes to be completed. . On the other hand, when it is determined that both processes have been completed, the CPU 72 moves the print head 34 to a position where ink is ejected by the carriage motor 43b and ejects ink from the nozzle 33 based on the print data (step S140). It is determined whether printing for the current pass is completed (step S150). Here, “pass” means an operation in which the print head 34 moves once from one end to the other end of the recording paper S in FIG. When it is determined that printing of the current pass has not been completed, the CPU 72 performs the process of step S140. When it is determined that printing of the current pass has been completed, the CPU 72 determines the ink ejection amount in the completed pass. Calculation is performed based on a drive waveform of a piezoelectric element (not shown) (step S160), and it is determined whether there is a next pass to be printed (step S170).

  When it is determined in step S170 that there is a next pass to be printed, the CPU 72 executes a conveyance process for rotating the paper feed roller 47 and conveying the recording paper S by a predetermined amount (step S180), and the processes after step S140. Execute. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no next pass to be printed, the CPU 72 considers that the printing of this page has been completed, executes the paper discharge process (step S190), and executes the secondary tank ink replenishment process. Ink is supplied to the secondary tank 31 (step S200). The paper discharge process is a process of rotating the paper feed roller 47 and a paper discharge roller (not shown) to discharge the recording paper S to a paper discharge tray (not shown). Here, the paper discharge process and the secondary tank ink replenishment process are performed in parallel.

  Subsequently, the CPU 72 determines whether or not there is a next page to be printed (step S210). When it is determined that there is a next page to be printed, it is determined whether or not the paper discharge process is finished. (Step S220). When it is determined that the paper discharge process has not ended, the CPU 72 waits for the paper discharge process to end. When it is determined that the paper discharge process has ended, the CPU 72 executes steps S120 to S220. That is, after the paper discharge process is finished, the paper feed process is executed in step S120, and whether or not the secondary tank ink replenishment process and the paper feed process executed in parallel with the paper discharge process in step S130 is finished. Determination is made, printing of each pass is executed (steps S140 to S180), paper discharge processing and secondary tank ink replenishment processing are executed (steps S190 and S200). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S210 that there is no next page to be printed, the CPU 72 determines whether both the paper discharge process and the secondary tank ink replenishment process have been completed (step S230). When it is determined that the process has not ended, the process waits for both processes to end. On the other hand, when it is determined that both processes are completed, the CPU 72 obtains the remaining ink amount in the secondary tank 31 based on the ink discharge amount obtained in step S160, and determines the remaining ink amount in the secondary tank 31 and the print head 34. The numerical values included in the printer information 75a such as the integrated value of the ink discharge amount, the integrated value of the print area, the average ink discharge amount per unit area, and the maximum ink discharge value are updated (step S240). Exit. In this way, the printer 20 replenishes ink from the primary tank 21 to the secondary tank 31 every time one page is printed, and prints while grasping the tendency of the ink amount necessary for printing one page from the ink discharge amount. Process it.

  Next, the secondary tank ink replenishment process will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a secondary tank ink replenishment processing routine stored in the ROM 73 and executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 first determines each color of the secondary tank 31 based on the target replenishment ink amount set in step S100 of the print processing routine and the remaining ink amount of the secondary tank 31 included in the printer information 75a. An ink replenishment amount is set (step S300). Here, a value obtained by subtracting the remaining ink amount from the target replenishment ink amount is set as the ink replenishment amount. If the size of the recording sheet S is changed, the subtracted value may become a negative value (see “M” in FIG. 5). In this case, the value 0 is set as the ink replenishment amount. .

  Next, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the set replenishment amount of ink is stored in the primary tank 21 based on the ink remaining amount stored in the printer information 75a (step S310). When it is determined that the set replenishment amount of ink is not contained in the primary tank 21, the CPU 72 displays a message to that effect on the display unit 78a (step S320), and the ink is supplied to the primary tank 21. Wait for Here, the supply of ink to the primary tank 21 will be described. When the message displayed on the display unit 78a is confirmed, the user sets the external ink cartridge 80 on the top of the first ink storage unit 22 (see FIG. 2). Then, the supply needle 81 is inserted into the injection port 25 and the connection member 83 is connected to the connection plate 27. When the supply button 85 is pressed by the user, the cartridge controller 88 drives the supply pump 82 to supply the ink stored in the external ink cartridge 80 to the primary tank 21 through the supply needle 81 and the injection port 25. To do. When the ink level reaches the liquid level sensor 26, a signal is output from the liquid level sensor 26. When this signal is input via the connection plate 27 and the connection member 83, the cartridge controller 88 inputs the signal. It is considered that the ink is full, and the driving of the corresponding supply pump 82 is stopped. Here, it is assumed that the cartridge controller 88 performs the above processing for each color ink. Note that the cartridge controller 88 turns on the warning lamp 84 when it is determined that the ink stored in the external ink cartridge 80 is empty based on a signal from a sensor (not shown).

  When it is determined in step S310 that the replenishment amount of ink is stored in the primary tank 21, the CPU 72 moves the print head 34 to the replenishment position (step S330). Here, after the carriage motor 43 b is driven so that the print head 34 is at the home position directly below the primary tank 21, the first ink storage unit 22 moves downward and the replenishing needle 23 is inserted into the receiving port 32. The control motor 52 is driven. Subsequently, the CPU 72 executes ink replenishment processing for driving the replenishment piezoelectric element 24 so that the set replenishment amount of ink is replenished to the secondary tank 31 (step S340), and whether ink replenishment is completed. It is determined whether or not (step S350). Whether or not the replenishment of ink has been completed is determined by setting a driving time during which a set replenishment amount of ink is ejected from the replenishing needle 23, and whether or not this driving time has elapsed since the start of ink replenishment. Can be done based on. Further, when the CPU 72 inputs a signal from the liquid level sensor 36 output when the ink liquid level comes into contact with the liquid level sensor 36, it can be determined that the replenishment of ink has been completed. When the ink replenishment is not completed, the CPU 72 continues the ink replenishment process. When it is determined that the ink replenishment is completed, the remaining amount of ink in each color in the primary tank 21 is changed from the previous remaining ink amount to the current time. It is obtained by subtracting the set replenishment amount, updated to this obtained value (step S360), and this routine is terminated. In this way, ink is replenished from the primary tank 21 to the secondary tank 31.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The first ink storage unit 22 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first printing recording liquid storage unit of the present invention, the replenishing needle 23 and the replenishing piezoelectric element 24 correspond to the replenishing means, and the second ink storage unit 30 is the second. It corresponds to the print recording liquid storage part, the receiving port 32 corresponds to the receiving part, the carriage motor 43b corresponds to the print head moving means, and the controller 70 corresponds to the control means. The mechanical frame 40 corresponds to the apparatus housing, the ink corresponds to the printing recording liquid, the recording paper S corresponds to the printing medium, and the home position corresponds to the predetermined replenishment position and the standby position. In the present embodiment, an example of the printing method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the printer 20.

  According to the printer 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, the replenishing needle 23 of the first ink storage unit 22 that is disposed at the home position of the mechanical frame 40 and stores ink is larger in volume than the first ink storage unit 22. Ink can be replenished from the first ink containing portion 22 to the second ink containing portion 30 by being connected to or disconnected from the small receiving port 32 of the second ink containing portion 30 that is arranged in the print head 34 and moves in the scanning direction. It is. That is, the second ink storage unit 30 disposed in the moving print head 34 has a smaller volume than the first ink storage unit 22 that replenishes ink. In addition, the second ink container 30 can receive and receive ink because the receiving port 32 of the second ink container 30 can be connected to and disconnected from the replenishing needle 23 and the replenishing piezoelectric element 24 of the first ink container 22. is there. As described above, in the printer 20, for example, it is necessary to store an amount of ink that can print a large number of recording sheets S in the storage unit on the mechanical frame 40 side, and supply pipes and the like from the storage unit to the print head 34 at all times. In addition, no force is applied to the print head 34 by the connected pipe. In addition, it is not necessary to store an amount of ink capable of printing a large number of recording sheets S in a storage unit mounted on the print head 34, and the weight of the print head 34 can be reduced. Therefore, load fluctuations that occur when the print head 34 moves can be further reduced. For this reason, it is possible to secure a stable movement speed of the print head 34, and it is possible to improve the print quality.

  Further, since the second ink storage unit 30 is formed so as to be able to store at least the amount of ink that can be printed on one page of the recording paper S, one page is not supplied to the second ink storage unit 30. The recording sheet S can be printed, and the printing process can be executed smoothly. Further, since the first ink storage unit 22 is disposed at the home position outside the printable area of the recording paper S, the replenishing needle 23 can be connected to the receiving port 32 when the print head 34 is waiting. Thus, it is relatively easy to replenish ink, and ink ejection to the recording paper S and ink replenishment to the second ink storage unit 30 can be performed in different regions. Furthermore, the first ink storage part 22 may have an injection part capable of injecting ink from the outside. In this way, the ink can be replenished to the first ink storage unit 22 from the outside via the injection unit. Then, the controller 70 can automatically move the second ink storage unit 30 to the home position at a predetermined replenishment timing and replenish ink from the first ink storage unit 22 to the second ink storage unit 30. Further, as the tendency of the amount of ink ejected onto the recording paper S, the average ejection amount per unit area of the recording paper S is grasped, and the grasped average ejection amount per unit area and the area of the recording paper S to be printed are Since the replenishment amount is set based on the recording medium S, an amount of ink that can ensure a relatively stable printing can be stored in the second ink storage unit 30 using the average discharge amount per unit area of the recording paper S. . Further, for example, the weight of the second ink storage unit 30 can be further reduced as compared with the case where the second ink storage unit 30 is supplemented with an amount of ink that can be ejected onto the entire surface of the recording paper S. Further, as the replenishment timing, when the recording paper S is fed and discharged, the ink is replenished from the first ink containing portion 22 to the second ink containing portion 30, that is, the print head 34 does not discharge ink onto the recording paper S. Since the ink replenishment process is performed in parallel with the process, the processing time required for the entire printing process can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, as the tendency of the amount of ink discharged to the recording paper S, the average discharge amount per unit area of the recording paper S is grasped, and this grasped average discharge amount per unit area and printing for printing are performed. Although the replenishment amount is set based on the area of the paper S, the maximum discharge amount per sheet of the recording paper S included in the printer information 75a shown in FIG. A value obtained by adding a margin (for example, 20% of the maximum discharge amount) may be set as the replenishment amount. In this way, since the maximum discharge amount is used as the tendency of the ink amount discharged onto the recording paper S, an amount of ink that can ensure more reliable printing can be stored in the second ink storage unit 30. Alternatively, the replenishment amount may be set by setting the maximum ink amount that can be accommodated in the secondary tank 31 as the target replenishment ink amount so that the secondary tank 31 is always full. Even in this case, since the ink amount corresponding to one page is accommodated in the secondary tank 31, it is possible to further reduce the load fluctuation that occurs when the print head 34 moves.

  In the above-described embodiment, the replenishment timing of the secondary tank 31 is set at the time of feeding and discharging the recording paper S. However, the replenishment timing of the secondary tank 31 is set at the time of flushing processing of the print head 34 or cleaning of the print head 34. It may be during processing. Even in this case, since the ink replenishment process is performed in parallel with the process in which the print head 34 does not eject ink onto the recording paper S, the processing time required for the entire printing process can be reduced.

  Alternatively, when the remaining ink level in the second ink storage unit 30 falls below a predetermined required replenishment level (for example, 10% of the maximum ink amount that can be stored) as the predetermined refill timing, The ink storage unit 30 may be replenished with ink. In this way, it is possible to suppress the remaining amount of ink in the second ink storage unit 30 from being further lower than the replenishment remaining amount.

  In the above-described embodiment, the primary tank 21 is disposed on the mechanical frame 40 and cannot be removed. However, the primary tank 21 may be configured as an ink cartridge that is detachable from the first ink storage unit 22. . At this time, the inlet 25 and the connection plate 27 are omitted, and the external ink cartridge 80 is not used. In this way, the ink in the first ink storage unit 22 can be replenished by replacing the first ink storage unit 22.

  In the above-described embodiment, ink is replenished from the primary tank 21 to the secondary tank 31 by driving the replenishing piezoelectric element 24, but a discharge pump (for example, a handling pump) is used instead of the replenishing piezoelectric element 24. It may be used. Also, the external ink cartridge 80 may use a piezoelectric element instead of the supply pump 82.

  In the above-described embodiment, the secondary tank 31 contains an amount of ink that can print one page, and the secondary tank 31 is replenished each time the recording paper S of one page is printed. 31 may store an amount of ink capable of printing a plurality of pages (for example, 2 pages or 4 pages), and the secondary tank 31 may be replenished with ink when the recording paper S of the plurality of pages is printed. At this time, the secondary tank 31 is formed in a volume capable of storing a quantity of ink capable of printing a plurality of pages, and the target replenishment ink quantity is set to a quantity capable of printing a plurality of pages. Or it is good also as what replenishes for every pass. At this time, the remaining amount of ink in the secondary tank 31 may be determined for each pass, and if it is determined that there is not enough ink remaining in the next pass, the secondary tank 31 may be replenished with ink. . Even in this case, it is possible to further reduce the load fluctuation that occurs when the print head 34 moves.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first ink storage unit 22 is moved up and down to insert the replenishment needle 23 into the receiving port 32. However, the second ink storage unit 30 is moved up and down to move the replenishment needle 23 to the receiving port 32. It is good also as what is inserted in. At this time, a platen gap adjusting mechanism is provided that can adjust the distance (platen gap) between the platen 44 and the print head 34 based on the thickness of the recording paper by moving the second ink storage unit 30 up and down. An adjustment mechanism may be used. In this way, the replenishing needle 23 can be inserted into the receiving port 32 with relative ease. Alternatively, in the above-described embodiment, the first ink container 22 moves downward and the replenishment needle 23 is inserted into the receiving port 32, but the receiving port of the secondary tank 31 is the back surface of the secondary tank 31. And the replenishing needle of the first ink storage unit 22 is provided toward the front of the first ink storage unit 22, the first ink storage unit 22 is moved horizontally, and the replenishment needle is inserted into the receiving port. It may be replenished. In this way, it is possible to relatively easily prevent foreign substances from entering the receiving port 32 from above. The receiving port 32 may be provided on the side surface, front surface, or bottom surface of the secondary tank 31, and the replenishing needle 23 may be inserted into the receiving port.

  In the embodiment described above, the first ink storage unit 22 having the primary tank 21 is disposed at the home position as the replenishment position, and ink is supplied from the first ink storage unit 22 to the second ink storage unit 30. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the first ink storage portion 122 is fixed to the rear portion of the mechanical frame 40, and a replenishment portion 122a for replenishing ink to the second ink storage portion 30 is provided at the home position as a replenishment position. A tube 126 may be connected to the first ink storage unit 122 and the replenishment unit 122a to replenish ink from the first ink storage unit 122 to the second ink storage unit 30. Specifically, the replenishing portion 122 a is formed in a volume smaller than that of the first ink storage portion 122, and the replenishing needle 23 that can connect / disconnect the receiving port 32 and the ink from the replenishing needle 123 via the tube 126. And a replenishment pump 124 for discharging. The replenishing portion 122a can be moved up and down by a control motor (not shown), and moves downward so that the replenishing needle 123 is inserted into the receiving port 32 when ink is replenished. Retreat upward so as not to contact the housing part 30. Even in this case, it is possible to further reduce the load fluctuation that occurs when the print head 34 moves. In addition, since the first ink storage unit 122 having a large volume can be disposed at a place other than the home position, the use space can be made more efficient. Further, the replenishing needle 123 can be connected to or disconnected from the receiving port 32 with a small force. Here, a single replenishment section 122a is provided on the home position side, but the first ink storage section 122 is connected by a tube on the opposite side of the home position from the printable area of the recording paper S. Another replenishing unit may be provided. In this way, the print head 34 can be moved even when the print head 34 is positioned on the opposite side of the home position, for example, when performing bidirectional printing in which ink is ejected onto the recording paper S when the print head 34 moves forward and backward. Ink can be replenished without moving.

  In the above-described embodiment, the integrated value from the initial value is used as the tendency of the ink discharge amount. However, the integrated value of the past predetermined number of sheets (for example, 10 sheets), that is, the trend of the latest ink discharge amount is stored. In addition, this may be used as a tendency of the ink discharge amount. In this way, the amount of ink to be replenished can be determined based on the latest printing tendency. The integrated value of the ink discharge amount may be obtained for each size of the recording paper S.

  In the above-described embodiment, the full-color ink jet printer 20 adopting the ink jet method is used. However, a multifunction printer equipped with a scanner may be used, or a complex printing apparatus such as a FAX machine or a copier may be used. Further, it may be in the form of a printing method or in the form of a program that executes the printing method.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printer 20 of the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing the outline of structures, such as a 1st, 2nd ink accommodating part. 6 is an explanatory diagram of printer information 75a stored in a flash memory 75. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing routine. It is a conceptual diagram which sets the target replenishment ink amount. It is a flowchart showing an example of a secondary tank ink replenishment processing routine. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of another printer 120. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  10 User PC, 20, 120 Printer, 20a Printer mechanism, 21 Primary tank, 22, 122 First ink storage part, 22a Top surface, 23 Replenishing needle, 24 Refilling piezoelectric element, 25 Inlet, 25a Packing, 25b Lid member, 26 Liquid level sensor, 27 Connection plate, 28 Fixed part, 29a, 29b Bearing part, 30 Second ink storage part, 31 Secondary tank, 31a Packing, 32 Receptor, 33 Nozzle, 34 Print head, 36 Liquid level sensor, 40 mechanical frame, 41 capping device, 42 drive motor, 43a carriage belt, 43b carriage motor, 43c driven roller, 44 platen, 45 linear encoder, 47 paper feed roller, 48 guide, 51a, 51b support shaft, 52 control motor, 70 controller, 72 CP 73 ROM, 74 RAM, 75 flash memory, 75a printer information, 76 interface (I / F), 78 operation panel, 78a display unit, 78b operation unit, 80 external ink cartridge, 80a connection bottom, 81 supply needle, 82 supply Pump, 83 connecting member, 84 warning lamp, 85 supply button, 88 cartridge controller, 122a replenishing unit, 124 replenishing pump, S recording paper.

Claims (11)

A first print recording liquid storage unit disposed in the apparatus housing and having replenishment means capable of discharging the print recording liquid to the outside at a predetermined replenishment position;
The print head is movable in a predetermined scanning direction and is disposed in a print head capable of discharging a print recording liquid onto a print medium, and has a smaller volume than the first print recording liquid storage section. A receiving part that can be connected to and disconnected from the replenishing means, and contains the printing recording liquid replenished from the first printing recording liquid storage part via the receiving part and is stored in the print head. A second printing recording liquid storage unit connected to be able to supply the liquid;
Printing device with   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second printing recording liquid storage unit is formed so as to be capable of storing a liquid amount of the printing recording liquid capable of printing at least one page of a printing medium.   The first print recording liquid storage unit is disposed at a standby position where the print head waits without discharging the print recording liquid onto the print medium as the replenishment position. The printing apparatus as described. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A print head moving means capable of moving the print head in a scanning direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the print medium;
At a predetermined replenishment timing, the first print recording liquid container moves the second print recording liquid container to the print head moving means to a replenishment position where the print recording liquid can be replenished to the second print recording liquid container. Control means for causing the replenishing means to discharge the printing recording liquid to the receiving portion;
Printing device with   The control means grasps a tendency of the amount of printing recording liquid discharged to the printing medium, and the printing recording liquid is transferred from the first printing recording liquid container to the second printing recording liquid container based on the grasped tendency. A replenishment amount for replenishing the liquid is set, and the replenishing means discharges the print recording liquid to the receiving unit so that the set replenishment amount of the print recording liquid is replenished to the second print recording liquid storage unit. 5. The printing apparatus according to 4.   The control means grasps the average discharge amount per unit area of the print medium and grasps the average discharge amount per unit area and the printing when grasping the tendency of the print recording liquid amount discharged to the print medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the replenishment amount is set based on an area of a print medium to be performed.   The control means, when grasping the tendency of the amount of the printing recording liquid ejected to the print medium, grasps the maximum discharge amount per sheet of the print medium, and determines the replenishment amount based on the grasped maximum discharge amount. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus is set.   The control means includes the first print recording liquid storage unit at least one of a print head flushing process, a print head cleaning process, a print medium feeding process, and a paper ejection process as the predetermined replenishment timing. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the replenishing unit discharges the print recording liquid to the receiving unit so as to replenish the print recording liquid into the second print recording liquid storage unit.   When the remaining amount of print recording liquid in the second print recording liquid storage unit falls below a predetermined required replenishment remaining amount as the predetermined replenishment timing, the control unit performs the second printing from the first print recording liquid storage unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing recording liquid is supplied to a recording liquid storage unit. A first print recording liquid storage unit disposed in the apparatus housing and having replenishment means capable of discharging the print recording liquid to the outside at a predetermined replenishment position; The print head is movable in a predetermined scanning direction and is disposed in a print head capable of discharging a print recording liquid onto a print medium, and has a smaller volume than the first print recording liquid storage section. A receiving part that can be connected to and disconnected from the replenishing means, and contains the printing recording liquid replenished from the first printing recording liquid storage part via the receiving part and is stored in the print head. Printing using a printing apparatus comprising: a second printing recording liquid storage unit connected so as to be able to supply liquid; and a print head moving unit capable of moving the print head in a scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the printing medium A method,
At a predetermined replenishment timing, the first print recording liquid container moves the second print recording liquid container to the print head moving means to a replenishment position where the print recording liquid can be replenished to the second print recording liquid container. Letting the replenishing means discharge the printing recording liquid to the receiving part;
Including printing method.   A program for causing one or more computers to execute each step of the printing method according to claim 10.

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