JP2009113412A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of times to interrupt a printing operation, required for a single replacement of an ink tank, in an inkjet printer having a plurality of the same kinds of ink tanks. <P>SOLUTION: The plurality of the same kinds of ink tanks are positively made empty at the same time by adjusting the ink use rate thereof. That is, the ink use rate is shifted so that the remaining ink amounts in the plurality of the same kinds of loaded ink tanks become equal to one another. Consequently, the plurality of the same kinds of loaded ink tanks can be replaced at the same time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention
In an inkjet printer configured to be able to install a plurality of the same ink tanks,
The present invention relates to a function for emptying the same and plural mounted ink tanks as much as possible.

In an inkjet printer configured to mount multiple identical ink tanks,
Among the same ink tanks, when one ink tank becomes empty, the ink tank is configured to be used in place of the other ink tank (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 3),
Among the same ink tanks, when one ink tank is emptied, a configuration in which a printing operation is continued only by supply from the other ink tank (Patent Document 2),
Among the same ink tanks, a configuration in which the ink tanks that are always mounted at the same position are switched and supplied so as to be empty first (Patent Document 3),
Etc. have been proposed.

Looking back at the prior art,
Patent Document 1 discloses the following configuration.

The recording agent cartridge can be installed interchangeably,
A plurality of recording agent cartridges are mounted, and the plurality of recording agent cartridges are filled with the same recording agent, and each of the detected recording agent remaining in each of the plurality of recording agent cartridges is detected. A cartridge selecting means for selecting a recording agent cartridge to be used from a plurality of recording agent cartridges according to the remaining amount of the recording agent;
In a preferred embodiment,
When the cartridge selection means preferentially selects the recording agent cartridge with the smallest remaining amount of recording agent, and the remaining amount of the recording agent in the selected recording agent cartridge becomes zero or small during printing, the recording agent cartridge to be used Is switched to another recording agent cartridge to continue printing.

In another preferred embodiment,
The cartridge selection unit selects a recording agent cartridge having a relatively large amount of remaining recording agent in accordance with the printing amount. More specifically, the cartridge selecting means selects a recording agent cartridge having a recording agent remaining amount larger than the recording agent usage amount estimated to be used for printing at that time.

  Patent Document 2 discloses the following configuration.

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets from a print head to form dots, and a first nozzle array for ejecting ink and the first nozzle array A print head having a second nozzle array arranged in a staggered manner and capable of receiving supply of ink of the same color as that of the first nozzle array independently of the first nozzle array; One or more having a first ink tank for storing ink to be supplied to the first nozzle row and a second ink tank for storing ink to be supplied to the second nozzle row A cartridge mounting portion that can mount the ink cartridge, an ink remaining amount measuring portion that measures the remaining amount of ink in each of the first ink tank and the second ink tank, and an ink in the first ink tank. Depending on the amount of ink remaining click remaining between said second ink tank, characterized by comprising an ink tank selection section that selects an ink tank to be used for formation of an ink dot.

  In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the ink tank used for forming the ink dots is selected according to the remaining amount of ink in each of the plurality of ink tanks containing the same color ink. If ink remains in one of these, ink dots can be formed using a nozzle row that receives ink supply from the remaining ink tank. That is, the ink in the two ink tanks containing the same color ink can be used efficiently.

  In the printing apparatus, the ink tank selection unit may determine that at least one of the remaining amount of ink in the first ink tank and the remaining amount of ink in the second ink tank is less than a predetermined threshold value. The other ink tank is preferably selected as an ink tank used for forming ink dots.

  In this configuration, it is possible to easily select an ink tank to be used for forming ink dots by determining whether or not the remaining amount of ink in each of the two ink tanks is less than a predetermined threshold value. .

  In the printing apparatus, the ink tank selection unit sets the ink tank with the larger ink amount to the ink dot according to the ink remaining amount in the first ink tank and the ink remaining amount in the second ink tank. It is preferable to select an ink tank to be used for forming the ink.

  By so doing, printing can be performed using the ink in both ink tanks evenly, so that one side of one of the ink tanks can be suppressed.

  In the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the ink tank selection unit selects an ink tank to be used for forming ink dots each time the printing apparatus receives an instruction to start printing.

  In this way, it is possible to easily switch the nozzle row used for forming the ink dots each time printing is started.

  In the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the ink tank selection unit selects an ink tank to be used for forming ink dots each time printing of a new page is started.

  In this way, the ink tank used for forming the ink dots can be switched for each page even during printing.

  In the printing apparatus, the ink is preferably a black ink.

  This is because black and white text and line drawings can be printed at high speed using two nozzle arrays.

  In the printing apparatus, the ink tank selection unit may perform the first ink tank of the first ink tank when performing relatively high-speed black-and-white printing using both the first ink tank and the second ink tank. When it is determined that at least one of the remaining amount of ink and the remaining amount of ink in the second ink tank is less than a predetermined threshold value, relatively low-speed monochrome printing using only the other ink tank is performed. It is preferable to switch.

  In this way, when high-speed black-and-white printing is performed, even when the remaining amount of ink in one ink tank decreases, the nozzle that receives ink supply from the ink tank on the side where the remaining ink amount is sufficient You can continue printing using the column.

  In the printing apparatus, the ink tank selection unit calculates a non-use period of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row that are not used, and the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row. When the non-use period of at least one of the nozzle rows is longer than a predetermined period, the ink tank is selected so that the nozzle row having the longer non-use period is included in the nozzle row used for forming ink dots. It is preferable to carry out.

  When the non-use period becomes longer, the viscosity inside the nozzle tends to increase and clogging tends to occur. With this configuration, such clogging can be suppressed.

  In the printing apparatus, the ink tank selection unit is used when at least one of the nozzle row and the additional nozzle row is not used in printing immediately before the selection. It is preferable to select the ink tank so that the nozzle row which has not been included is included in the nozzle row used for forming the ink dots.

  By doing so, the non-use period of the nozzle row can be further shortened, so that clogging caused by an increase in the viscosity inside the nozzle can be further suppressed.

  In the printing apparatus, any one of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row can be supplied with the liquid agent from a tank containing a liquid agent other than ink, and the ink tank The selecting unit selects a tank that stores the liquid agent to be supplied to the one nozzle row as an ink tank to be used for applying the liquid agent, and also stores ink to be supplied to the other nozzle row. Preferably, the tank is selected as an ink tank used for forming ink dots.

  In the printing apparatus, any one of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row can be supplied with the ink from a tank that stores ink other than ink. The ink tank selection unit selects a tank for storing ink to be supplied to the one nozzle row as an ink tank used for forming the ink dots, and stores ink to be supplied to the other nozzle row. The ink tank to be used is preferably selected as the ink tank used for forming the ink dots.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image quality due to erroneous ejection of liquid other than ink as ink, and to use other liquid or ink.

  Patent Document 3 discloses the following configuration.

  An ink jet printer in which a plurality of ink tanks communicate with one recording head so that ink can be supplied, and ink is supplied from one of the plurality of ink tanks to the recording head. An ink jet printer comprising: an ink supply control unit that controls ink supply to the recording head so that an ink tank that is always arranged at the same place among the plurality of ink tanks is first out of ink. is there.

  The plurality of ink tanks communicate with each other so that ink can be circulated, and the ink supply control means has the ink remaining in the ink tank controlled to run out of ink first, and the other ink tanks are full. If not, the ink jet printer is controlled to supply ink from the ink tank that has been controlled to run out of ink first to the other ink tank.

  The plurality of ink tanks are arranged in a vertical direction, and the ink tank that is controlled so as to run out of ink first is arranged at an uppermost part of the ink jet printer.

  Between the recording head and the plurality of ink tanks, there is provided an intermediate tank for temporarily storing ink supplied from any one of the plurality of ink tanks, and the remaining amount of ink in the intermediate tank is reduced. Detection means for detecting is provided, and the ink supply control means detects ink out of the ink tank based on a detection result of the detection means.

Patent Documents 1 to 3 referred to above are shown below.
JP 2001-328257 A JP 2003-1842 A JP 2005-96227 A

In any of the above prior art,
Install the same multiple ink tanks,
In an inkjet printer configured to use these simultaneously,
No particular attention is paid to actively replacing multiple identical ink tanks simultaneously.

When multiple identical ink tanks are empty at different times, the user
Every time an ink tank is empty,
(1) Stop printing and
(2) Prepare a replacement ink tank that has sufficient remaining capacity,
(3) Depending on the printer, set the ink tank to a special state that can be replaced.
(4) Pull out the empty ink tank,
(5) Install the replacement ink tank prepared earlier,
(6) Some printers perform some necessary operations after ink tank replacement work,
(7) Restart the printing operation.
It is necessary to work up to 7 processes.

  That is, the man-hours required for the replacement increase in proportion to the number of installed ink tanks.

As a result, in spite of being one of the important objectives of the printer to provide the printed matter to the user quickly, the ink tank replacement work is interrupted in small pieces, and the printing efficiency is lowered. You ’re going
There is a problem.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems,
Install the same multiple ink tanks,
In an inkjet printer configured to use these simultaneously,
We propose a method to control the remaining amount so that multiple identical ink tanks are emptied simultaneously.

The amount of ink when the ink tank is full
INKremain_full
The remaining ink level of each of the same type of ink tanks (1, 2, ..., n).
INKremain (1),
INKremain (2),
.....
INKremain (n)
And the difference in ink level between each ink tank
INKremain_diff (1,2), (Remaining difference between tank 1 and tank 2)
INKremain_diff (2,3), (Difference in remaining amount between tank 2 and tank 3)
.....
INKremain_diff (n-1, n) (Remaining difference between tank (n-1) and tank n)
The difference between the remaining ink levels is 0
INKremain_diff (1,2)
= INKremain_diff (2,3),
.....
= INKremain_diff (n-1, n)
= 0
The usage ratio of each ink tank (1, 2 ..... n) is determined so that.

  A detection means for detecting the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank (1, 2 ..... n) is prepared.

When deciding the usage ratio of each ink tank (1, 2 ..... n),
Conversion rules for ink remaining amount difference and usage rate are created in advance.

As a conversion rule,
・ A method of calculating the ink usage ratio with a linear function from the difference in the remaining ink amount,
Linear function: y = ax + b
y: Ink usage ratio
x: Difference in ink level
a: Coefficient (straight line)
b: Coefficient (y-axis intercept)
・ Prepare a conversion table from ink level difference to ink usage rate in advance.
Method of obtaining ink usage ratio using the conversion table
Conversion table: y = table (x)
xy
0.0-0.5
0.1 to 0.55
0.2-0.6
0.4 to 0.65
0.8-0.7
y: Ink usage ratio
x: The difference in ink remaining amount is used.

  What is necessary is just to determine a usage rate according to said conversion rule in an order from the one with much ink remaining amount.

The realization method when using ink according to the obtained usage rate is
When one ink tank is independently connected to one print head, a method of masking when transferring image data to the head,
A method of adjusting a ratio of connection time by a switching mechanism when a plurality of ink tanks are integrated and connected to one print head and ink is supplied by switching;
Is used.

Since the number of ink tanks that can be replaced simultaneously when replacing ink tanks can be increased,
(1) The convenience of using the printer by reducing the number of interruptions of printing work associated with ink tank replacement and shortening the interruption time;
This has the economic effect of improving the productivity of printed matter.

Example 1
The present embodiment realizes the present invention by the simplest method.

That is,
In an inkjet printer having a configuration in which two ink tanks of the same type are mounted at the same time, the replacement time of the same type of ink tank is as close as possible to the same period.

Prior to a detailed description of this example,
A conceptual and basic configuration of a conventional general serial printer is shown in FIG.

  A side view of the configuration of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG.

Two Bk ink tanks are installed,
Each has a mechanism to supply ink to different Bk head chips,
The input Bk image is distributed by the image distributor into images to two heads,
FIG. 3 shows a conceptual and basic configuration of a serial printer configured to be sent to each Bk head.

  FIG. 4 shows the state of ink consumption in the conventional serial printer configured as shown in FIG.

  It turns out that it decreases almost evenly.

Now,
A basic configuration of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  The basic configuration of the serial printer is almost the same as the conventional example.

The difference is
At least for the Bk ink tank, it has some remaining ink level detection means,
The image distribution means is provided for each Bk ink tank.

  FIG. 6 shows the state of ink consumption in the serial printer of this embodiment configured as shown in FIG.

  Along with the operation of the device, the remaining ink levels of the two BK ink tanks gradually approach each other and approach a state where there is no difference in remaining amount.

  Image distribution to the two Bk heads is performed as follows.

The amount of ink when the ink tank is full
INKremain_full
Ink tanks (1, 2) of the same type
INKremain (1),
INKremain (2),
And the difference in ink level between each ink tank
INKremain_diff (1,2), (ink tank 1 and ink tank 2)
The difference in remaining amount of ink is 0.
INKremain_diff (1,2) = 0
The usage ratio of each ink tank (1, 2) is determined so that

  Detection means for detecting the ink remaining amount in each ink tank (1, 2) is prepared.

When determining the usage ratio of each ink tank (1,2)
・ A method of calculating the ink usage ratio with a linear function from the difference in remaining ink amount
Linear function: y = ax + b
y: Ink usage ratio (0 to 1)
x: Ink remaining amount difference (0 tank-1 tank)
a: Coefficient (straight line)
b: Coefficient (y-axis intercept)
Is used. Here, the coefficient a and the coefficient b are determined in advance as a = 0.6, b = 0.5, and the like.

The usage ratio y of the Bk1 ink tank is
y = 0.6x + 0.5
The ratio of Bk2 ink tank used is
1-y
It is obtained by.

  The image distribution means can be realized by a masking method.

  That is, two mask patterns complementary to each other are prepared for the number of distribution ratios, and a mask pattern for transferring image data to the head is selected according to the obtained usage ratio. Since the image information masked at the respective usage ratios is sent to the Bk1 head and the Bk2 head, the ink is consumed at the desired usage ratio.

  As described above, if the ink usage ratio is distributed according to the ink remaining amount, the difference in the remaining amount in the vicinity where the ink remaining amount becomes empty can be brought closer, but due to individual differences in the ink tank, Difference in the remaining amount of ink remains, and as a result, they are not completely emptied at the same time.

  In addition, as a configuration of the ink remaining amount detection mechanism, a mechanism for monitoring the ink remaining amount as needed and a mechanism for specially detecting that the ink remaining amount is empty may be used in combination. In this case, the time when the ink remaining amount value monitored from time to time is 0 may not always coincide with the detection time when the no-ink detection mechanism is 0.

  Therefore, if the difference in the remaining amount of the same type ink tank is less than a predetermined value, it is determined that all the same type ink tanks are empty on the condition that all the same type ink tanks are empty. By adding logic, it is possible to increase the number of scenes where the ink tank, which is the original purpose, is replaced at the same time.

  The determination logic is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and will be described below.

  FIG. 7 shows the state of individual ink tanks.

  The “individual ink tank” is hereinafter abbreviated as “individual tank”.

  FIG. 8 shows the remaining ink level of the same kind of ink tank group.

  The “ink remaining amount in the same kind of ink tank group” is hereinafter abbreviated as “same ink remaining amount”.

  The state of the individual tank operates as follows.

  1. The individual tank is generated when a “tank installation” event occurs, and transitions to state 00.

    The “tank installation” event is transmitted from the tank presence / absence detection means.

2. In state 00, when an “ink present” event is received, the process proceeds to state 01.
In state 00, when an “no ink” event is received, the process proceeds to state 02.

    The “ink present” event is transmitted from the ink remaining amount detecting means.

    The “no ink” event is transmitted from the ink remaining amount detecting means.

  3. When the state 01 is entered, an “ink present (tank ID)” event is transmitted to the same kind of ink remaining amount.

    The tank ID is identification information for each individual tank.

    When a “no ink” event is received in state 01, the process proceeds to state 02.

    When a “tank removal” event is received in the state 01, the process proceeds to the state 03.

    The “tank removal” event is transmitted from the tank presence detection means.

  4). When the state 02 is entered, a “tank empty (tank ID)” event is transmitted to the same kind of ink remaining amount.

    When a “tank removal” event is received in the state 02, the process proceeds to the state 03.

  5). When the state is shifted to the state 03, a “tank empty (tank ID)” event is transmitted to the same kind of ink remaining amount.

  The state of the same kind of remaining ink amount operates as follows.

  1. When a “tank empty (tank ID)” event is received in the state 01, the state 11 is entered.

2. When entering state 11,
The difference in the remaining amount of ink in all the same kind of ink tank groups is less than a predetermined value, and
If all similar ink tank groups are empty,
Send an “no ink” event to yourself.

If the difference in ink level in the same kind of ink tank exceeds the specified value,
“Tank empty (tank ID)” event is transmitted to the outside.

In state 11, when a “tank empty (tank ID)” event is received,
Again, the state 11 is entered.

    When a “no ink” event is received in state 11, the process proceeds to state 12.

    In state 11, when an “ink present (tank ID)” event is received, the flow proceeds to state 10.

  3. When the state 12 is entered, “tank empty (all tanks)” is transmitted to the outside.

    The external here is another object instance or an external domain.

For example, if the same type of ink remaining at the sender belongs to the printer engine system,
The foreign domain can be a printer controller.

    In state 12, when an “ink present (tank ID)” event is received, the flow proceeds to state 10.

(Example 2)
This example
In an inkjet printer having a configuration in which three ink tanks of the same type are mounted simultaneously,
Empty the same type of ink tank at the same time.

  A basic configuration of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  The basic configuration of the serial printer is almost the same as the conventional example except that the number of ink tanks and the number of head chips are different.

The difference is
At least for the Bk ink tank, it has some remaining ink level detection means,
The image distribution means is provided for each Bk ink tank.

  FIG. 10 shows the state of ink consumption in the serial printer of this embodiment configured as shown in FIG. As the device operates, the remaining ink levels of the three BK ink tanks gradually approach and approach a state where there is no difference in remaining amount.

  Image distribution to the three Bk heads is performed as follows.

The amount of ink when the ink tank is full
INKremain_full
Ink tanks (1, 2) of the same type
INKremain (1),
INKremain (2),
INKremain (3),
And the difference in ink level between each ink tank
INKremain_diff (1,2), (ink tank 1 and ink tank 2)
INKremain_diff (1,3), (ink tank 2 and ink tank 3)
The difference in remaining amount of ink is all zero.
INKremain_diff (1,2)
= INKremain_diff (2,3)
= 0
The usage ratio of each ink tank (1, 2, 3) is determined so that

  A detection means for detecting the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank (1, 2, 3) is prepared.

In determining the usage ratio of each ink tank (1,2,3)
・ Prepare a conversion table T from ink difference to ink usage ratio in advance.
Method of obtaining ink usage ratio using the conversion table
Conversion table T: Y = table (X)
XY
0.0 to 0.333
0.1-0.4
0.2-0.5
0.3-0.6
0.4 to 0.7
0.5-0.8
Y: Ink usage ratio
X: Use the remaining ink level.

  The usage ratio is determined in descending order of the remaining amount of ink in the three Bk ink tanks.

  The three Bk ink tanks are designated as Bkmax, Bkmid, and Bkmin, respectively, in descending order of ink remaining amount.

First,
Applying the difference in ink remaining between Bkmax ink tank and Bkmid ink tank to the conversion table T above,
Use ratio Ymax of Bkmax ink tank can be obtained.

next,
Applying the difference in ink remaining between Bkmid ink tank and Bkmin ink tank to the above conversion table T,
The usage rate Ymid of the Bkmid ink tank can be obtained.

Finally,
By subtracting Ymax and Ymid from the total use ratio 1, Ymin is obtained.

  The image distribution means can be realized by a masking method as in the first embodiment.

  That is, three mask patterns complementary to each other are prepared for the number of distribution ratios, and a mask pattern for transferring image data to the head is selected according to the obtained usage ratio. Since the image information masked at each usage rate is sent to the Bk1 head, Bk2 head, and Bk3 head, ink is consumed at a desired usage rate.

here,
A method for equalizing the replacement time intervals of the same type of ink tank in an inkjet printer was proposed.
In general, there is a possibility that it can be applied to a device having a plurality of consumables of the same type.

Basics (top view) of serial scan inkjet printer. Basics (side view) of serial scan inkjet printer. Serial scan inkjet printer with two Bk ink tanks. An example in which two ink tanks of the same type are mounted and ink is consumed evenly. A serial-scan inkjet printer with two Bk ink tanks to make the ink tank replacement time even. An example in which two ink tanks of the same type are mounted and the ink remaining amount approaches the target remaining amount difference. The state of the individual ink tank. Status of ink remaining in the same kind of ink tank group. A serial-scan inkjet printer with three Bk ink tanks to make the ink tank replacement time even. An example in which three ink tanks of the same type are mounted, and the ink remaining amount approaches the target remaining amount difference.

Claims (1)

Multiple ink tanks of the same type can be installed.
Each of the ink tanks has means for detecting the remaining amount of ink,
The same number of print heads as the ink tanks that are supplied in pairs to the ink tanks;
An image distribution ratio calculating means for calculating an ink use amount distribution ratio to the print head from an ink remaining amount value of the ink tank;
A distribution transfer means for distributing and transferring the print image at a ratio obtained by the image distribution ratio calculation means;
In calculating the ink usage amount distribution ratio in an inkjet printer having
When the ink tanks are arranged in descending order of the remaining amount of ink,
Use a distribution method that distributes so that the difference in the remaining amount of ink in all adjacent ink tanks approaches 0,
In distributing so that the difference in the remaining amount of ink in all the adjacent ink tanks approaches 0,
Let n be the quantity of the ink tank,
Ink remaining amount R1 between the ink tank having the largest ink remaining amount and the ink tank having the second largest ink remaining amount,
R2 is the ink remaining amount between the ink tank having the second largest amount of ink and the ink tank having the third largest amount of ink.
Let Rm be the ink remaining amount between the ink tank with the m-th most ink remaining amount and the ink tank with the (m + 1) -th most ink remaining amount,
R (n−1), the ink remaining amount of the ink tank with the (n−1) -th largest ink remaining amount and the ink tank with the smallest ink remaining amount,
And when
In the ink tank with the most remaining amount,
When R1> 0, the ink usage rate is greater than 1 / n. When R1 = 0, the ink usage rate is equal to 1 / n.
In the case of R1 <0, the ink usage rate is less than 1 / n,
Print, and use ratio of this ink tank as U1,
For the mth ink tank that has the least remaining amount,
When Rm> 0, the ink usage rate is greater than 1 / n. When Rm = 0, the ink usage rate is equal to 1 / n.
In the case of Rm <0, the ink usage rate is less than 1 / n,
Print, use the ink tank as Um,
In the ink tank with the least remaining amount,
1- (U1 + U2 .... + Um .... + U (n-1))
An ink jet printer characterized by a distribution method for printing.

Images