JP2013039685A - Inkjet recording apparatus and method for determining timing of replacing component - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recording apparatus suppressed of quality degradation of recorded images due to ink mist without adding special configuration to the inkjet recording apparatus, and to provide a method for determining the timing of replacing components of the inkjet recording apparatus.SOLUTION: The inkjet recording apparatus has a counting means for counting numbers of ink discharge. Also the recorder has a decision means of a factor of ink mist adhering degree to decide the factor of ink mist adhering degree based on the distance between the discharge port-forming surface and recording medium, and the type of the recording medium; and further has a second calculation means to calculate a current accumulated discharge count value by calculating discharge count value obtained by multiplying ink discharge numbers and the factor of ink mist adhering degree, and adding the discharge count value to the accumulated discharge count numbers until preceding recording process. Then, upon comparison of current accumulated discharge count value with predetermined threshold concerning the accumulated discharge count value, the recorder has a determining means to determine whether the current accumulated discharge count value is more than the threshold concerning the accumulated discharge count value.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording head, and a component replacement timing determination method that determines the replacement timing of components of the inkjet recording apparatus.

  Various techniques have been proposed for minimizing the influence of ink mist generated when recording is performed by an ink jet recording apparatus. In Patent Document 1, in an encoder including an LED capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors, an inkjet recording apparatus that switches the color of an LED to be used based on the counted dot count value of the number of ink ejected. Is disclosed. By switching the color of the LED based on the dot count value, even if ink mist adheres to the light emitting portion, light can be emitted by light of a color that is not absorbed by the attached ink mist. This suppresses a decrease in encoder performance due to ink mist adhesion, and suppresses a decrease in recorded image quality.

JP 2007-055050 A

  However, the above-described method requires a configuration in which the encoder sensor has LEDs that emit a plurality of colors, which increases the cost of manufacturing the ink jet recording apparatus.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus in which the deterioration of the quality of a recorded image due to ink mist is suppressed without adding a special configuration to the ink jet recording apparatus, and the component replacement timing of the ink jet recording apparatus. The purpose is to provide a judgment method.

  The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium from an ejection port of a recording head, and ejecting ink from the recording head in one recording process. Based on the counting means for counting the number of ink ejections performed, at least the distance between the surface of the recording head where the ejection openings are formed and the recording medium, and the type of the recording medium, the amount of ink from the recording head The first ink mist generation is determined according to the ease of ink mist generation when ejection is performed, and is higher when ink mist is more likely to occur than when ink mist is less likely to occur. A first determining means for determining a coefficient; the number of ink ejections counted by the counting means; and a first ink determined by the first determining means. A first calculating means for calculating a discharge count value obtained by multiplying the cumist generation coefficient, and the discharge calculated by the first calculating means for each recording process until the previous recording process; First storage means for storing the cumulative discharge count value up to the previous time obtained by accumulating the count value, and the cumulative discharge count value up to the previous time stored by the first storage means A second calculation unit that calculates the current cumulative discharge count value by adding the discharge count value calculated by the calculation unit; the current cumulative discharge count value calculated by the second calculation unit; and It is compared with a threshold value relating to a predetermined cumulative discharge count value, and it is determined whether or not the current cumulative discharge count value is equal to or greater than a threshold value relating to the cumulative discharge count value. And having a means.

  According to the present invention, since the degree of ink mist adhesion can be predicted more accurately, it is possible to more appropriately replace components in the ink jet recording apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the quality of the recorded image and to reduce the operating cost of the ink jet recording apparatus.

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart showing a control flow when a component replacement determination is performed by a component replacement time determination method by the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is the flowchart shown about the control flow at the time of determination of component replacement | exchange by the component replacement time determination method by the inkjet recording device which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a so-called serial scan type ink jet recording apparatus that records an image for each line by scanning the recording head 2 in a direction crossing the recording medium feeding direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes a carriage 3 on which the recording head 2 can be mounted. The ink jet recording apparatus 100 can perform recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium from an ejection port of the mounted recording head 2. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 slidably supports the carriage 3 on which the optical sensor 25 used for the detection operation is mounted by the guide shaft 4. A carriage motor 5 (motor not shown) to which a pulley is attached is arranged at one end of the movement range of the carriage 3. An idle pulley 6 is disposed at the other end. A timing belt 7 is wound around the carriage motor 5 and the idle pulley 6. The carriage 3 and the timing belt 7 are connected.

  In order to prevent the carriage 3 from rotating about the guide shaft 4, a support member 8 is installed so as to extend in parallel with the guide shaft 4. The carriage 3 is slidably supported by the support member 8 as well as the guide shaft 4.

  The recording head 2 is provided with a plurality of recording elements. Connected to the recording head 2 is a flexible cable (hereinafter referred to as FFC) 11 for supplying a driving signal from an electric substrate (not shown) to the recording element. The FFC 11 has an elongated and thin film shape, and a conductor pattern for transmitting a drive signal is formed inside or on the surface. The FFC 11 can be bent with the movement of the carriage 3 and has flexibility so that the center position of the bending moves.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100, an ink tank (not shown) is disposed outside the carriage. A tube 12 is arranged between the recording head 2 and the ink tank of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 so that the ink in the ink tank is supplied to the recording head 1. The tube 12 is flexible with the movement of the carriage 3 so that the center position of the bending is moved.

  The connecting member 10 including the FFC 11 and the tube 12 is connected between the carriage 3 and the fixing portion 9 of the recording apparatus main body. In addition, an encoder film 24 is disposed in the recording apparatus main body of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 so as to extend in parallel with the guide shaft. The encoder film 24 of this embodiment is for optically obtaining position information of the carriage 3. The encoder film 24 is arranged along the main scanning direction, and the sensor 22 attached to the carriage 3 reads information on the encoder film 24.

  When the position of the carriage 3 is detected by an optical method as in this embodiment, there is a type in which a scale having a predetermined interval is provided on the encoder film 24 and the scale is optically read by the sensor 22. . Then, there are some that measure the position and the moving amount of the carriage 3 by counting the read scales. The scales are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals between portions that transmit light and portions that do not transmit light. The sensor 22 includes a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light. When the sensor 22 detects the light reflected from the light emitted from the sensor 22 without passing through the encoder film 24, the number of scales is counted. When recording is performed by a serial scan type inkjet recording apparatus, it is necessary to detect the position and movement amount of the carriage and the conveyance amount of the recording medium and control the recording operation. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the optical encoder film 24 and the sensor 22 are used to detect the movement amount of the carriage and the conveyance amount of the recording medium. In the present embodiment, as the sensor 22 used for reading the encoder film 24, an infrared light LED is employed for the light emitting portion, and a photodiode is employed for the light receiving portion. In the present embodiment, the method of reading information by the optical method when reading the information of the encoder film 24 by the sensor 22 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As a method of detecting the position of the carriage, there is a method of detecting by a magnetic method. Further, as long as it is possible to detect the position of the carriage 3, it may be detected by other methods.

  With the above-described configuration, the carriage 3 reciprocates in the arrow A direction (main scanning direction) while reading position information by the encoder film 24 and the sensor 22.

  The recording medium 1 is transported in a direction (arrow B direction: sub-scanning direction) perpendicular to the carriage 3 by a transport motor (not shown).

  During the recording operation, the recording head 2 mounted on the carriage 3 performs one recording scan on the recording medium 1 conveyed to a predetermined position by a conveyance roller (not shown). That is, the recording head 2 ejects ink toward the recording medium 1 at an appropriate timing according to the recording data while the carriage 3 moves in the A direction. When the recording for one scan is completed, the transport roller transports the recording medium 1 in the B direction by a predetermined amount, and the area of the recording medium 1 to be recorded for the next scanning is arranged corresponding to the recording head. By repeating such a recording operation and a conveying operation alternately, an image is formed on the recording medium 1 step by step.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration in the ink jet recording apparatus 100 employed in the present embodiment. The CPU 300 controls the entire recording apparatus in addition to various arithmetic processes according to control programs, parameters, and various tables stored in the ROM 301. The RAM 302 is used as a work area at that time.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 100 is connected to a host computer 303. Image data sent from a host computer 303 connected to the outside of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 is input to the CPU 300 via an interface (not shown). The CPU 300 converts the received image data into color recording data that can be recorded by the ink jet recording apparatus, that is, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black recording data in this embodiment. When the image data is converted into recording data for each color, it is stored in the print buffer 304. The recording data stored in the print buffer 304 is a binary signal indicating whether each ink color records a dot for each pixel (1) or not (0). By counting only the recording data (1) for recording among these recording data, the number of ink ejections from the recording head can be obtained for each ink color. The CPU 300 adds the number of ejections of each color thus obtained for each ink color to the past cumulative number stored in the EEPROM 305 and overwrites the EEPROM 305 as a new cumulative number of ejections. In this way, a dot count value that is the cumulative number of ink ejections from the recording head is acquired for each recording head.

  The conveyance motor driver 306 drives a conveyance motor 309 serving as a drive source when conveying the recording medium in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 300. In addition, the carriage motor driver 307 drives the carriage motor 5 serving as a driving source for moving the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 300. Further, the head driver 308 drives the recording head 2 according to the recording data stored in the print buffer 304.

  Hereinafter, a method for determining the part replacement time for determining the replacement time of parts such as the encoder film 24 in the present embodiment will be described.

  When ink is ejected from a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus and recording is performed, when ink is ejected from the ejection port toward the recording medium or when the ejected ink lands on the recording medium, Fine ink mist may be generated. If this ink mist adheres excessively to each component of the ink jet recording apparatus, recording will be affected. In particular, when ink mist adheres to a measuring device, the numerical value cannot be accurately read by the measuring device, and a normal recording operation may not be performed. In the present embodiment, a case where ink mist adheres to the encoder film 24 will be described.

  If a certain amount of ink mist adheres to the encoder film 24, the sensor 22 cannot read the scale of the encoder film 24. In such a case, it is determined that the life of the encoder film 24 has been reached, and the encoder film 24 is replaced. The reason why the performance of the encoder film 24 is deteriorated due to the ink mist is that the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the sensor 22 is absorbed by the ink mist adhering to the encoder film 24 so that the reflected light cannot be recognized correctly. .

  As described above, if the recording operation is performed in a state where the ink mist is adhered to the encoder film 24 in an allowable amount or more, the recording operation may be performed in a state where the position of the carriage 3 is erroneously detected. In this case, since the position of the carriage 3 cannot be correctly grasped, there is a possibility that the quality of a recorded image obtained by recording is deteriorated.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the amount of ink mist attached is predicted by dot count, and the encoder film 24 is replaced according to the predicted amount of ink mist attached to the encoder film 24.

  The ease with which the ink mist generated during the recording operation adheres to the encoder film 24 varies depending on the type of the recording medium used and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium.

  The amount of ink mist adhering to the encoder film 24 differs depending on the paper type of the recording medium, because the ink absorbability varies depending on the paper type, so that the ink is not absorbed by the recording medium when the ink lands on the recording medium. This is because the amount of mist changes. For this reason, in a recording medium with high ink absorbability, when the ink lands on the recording medium, the amount of ink penetrating into the recording medium increases, and the amount of ink mist generated is relatively small. On the other hand, in the case of a recording medium with low absorbency, when ink lands on the recording medium, the ink bounces back without being absorbed by the recording medium, and the amount of ink mist that floats between the recording head and the recording medium is compared. Many. Therefore, when plain paper with relatively low ink absorbency is used, ink mist is likely to occur, and when glossy paper with relatively high ink absorbency is used, ink mist is unlikely to occur.

  Further, when the distance between the papers, that is, the distance between the head face surface on which the ejection port of the recording head is formed and the paper surface of the recording medium is increased, ink mist is likely to occur. This is because a turbulent flow is likely to occur between the head face surface and the recording medium when the distance between the head face surface of the recording head (the surface on which the ejection openings are formed) and the recording medium is relatively large. It depends. When a turbulent flow occurs between the head face surface of the recording head and the recording medium, the fine ink droplets that bounce when ink is ejected and the ink droplets that bounce when the ink lands are blown up by the air, This is because the amount of ink mist increases. For this reason, the amount of ink mist adhering to the encoder film 24 is smaller as the inter-paper distance is smaller, and the amount of ink mist adhering to the encoder film 24 is larger as the inter-paper distance is larger.

  In the present embodiment, in consideration of the conditions that affect the amount of ink attached to the encoder film 24 in this way, the recording is performed according to the combination of the inter-paper distance during the recording operation and the paper type in the recording medium. Correction is made to the cumulative number of ejections for each head.

  The EEPROM 305 stores an adhesion coefficient conversion table B for correcting the counted cumulative ejection number along with the cumulative ejection number from time to time.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for determining the replacement of the encoder film 24 by comparing the cumulative count value M obtained by counting the number of ink ejections with a threshold value. When image data is input in S1, the flow proceeds to S2. In S2, ink is ejected after the carriage motor 5 is driven to move the recording head 2 in the horizontal direction.

  When the recording head 2 reaches a predetermined recording position on the recording medium, ejection data is sent from the print buffer 304 to the head driver 308, and the ejection data is transferred to the recording head 2 when the ejection data is equal to the number of nozzles. The ejection data transferred to the recording head 2 is temporarily stored in the recording head 2, and recording is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head to the recording medium in accordance with an ejection control signal from the head driver 308. When recording is performed, S2 ends and the flow proceeds to S3. In S3, the number of ink ejections by the recording head in the recording process is determined and acquired for each recording head of each ink color in S2, and the flow proceeds to S4. As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes a counting unit that counts the number of ink ejected from the recording head 2 in one recording process. In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 functions as a counting unit. In S4, an ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 indicating the degree of ease of ink mist adhesion to the encoder film 24 is determined from parameters obtained when the recording paper is fed.

  Here, when the recording medium is fed, the paper type is detected by the inkjet recording apparatus 100 and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium is detected. When the recording medium is fed, paper type selection information is input from the host computer 303. At the same time, the carriage motor 5 is driven, and the carriage automatically moves up and down. At this time, the inter-paper distance is measured by the optical sensor 25 as the carriage moves up and down. When the signal sent from the optical sensor 25 is reflected and read by the optical sensor 25 and the measured value of the inter-paper distance is measured, the measured value of the inter-paper distance is sent from the optical sensor 25 to the CPU 300. The CPU 300 stores the measured value of the inter-sheet distance and the paper type data input from the host computer 303 in the EEPROM 305.

  In S4, an ink mist adhesion coefficient (first ink mist generation coefficient) C1 is determined with reference to a table of the inter-paper distance and paper type built in the EEPROM 305. At this time, the paper type of the recording medium stored in the EEPROM 305 and the measured value between the papers by the optical sensor 24 are read out. By referring to the table from the paper type of these recording media and the measured value between the papers, the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 suitable for the state is selected. Here, the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 is determined for each paper type in consideration of the ease with which the ink mist adheres to the encoder film 24 corresponding to the distance between the papers. A coefficient for multiplying the discharge count. Specifically, when recording is performed in an environment where ink mist is likely to occur, a relatively high value of the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 is used so that the ejection count value becomes large. In this way, the replacement time of the encoder film 24 is advanced. In addition, when recording is performed in an environment where ink mist is unlikely to occur, a relatively low value of the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 is used so that the discharge count value becomes small. In this way, the replacement time of the encoder film 24 is delayed. When the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 is determined, the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 in a predetermined environment is set to 1. When the ink mist adheres more easily than this, a value larger than 1 is set as the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1. It may be determined. Further, when it is difficult for the ink mist to adhere to a predetermined environment (when the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 is 1), a value smaller than 1 may be set as the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1.

  As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 determines the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 based on at least the distance between the surface of the recording head where the ejection opening is formed and the recording medium, and the type of the recording medium. The ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 is determined according to the ease with which ink mist is generated when ink is ejected from the recording head 2. The ink mist is generated when ink mist is more likely to occur. It is higher than when it is difficult to do. As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes the ink mist adhesion coefficient determining means (first determination means) for determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1. In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 functions as an ink mist adhesion coefficient determining unit.

  Next, the flow proceeds to S5, and the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 determined in S4 is multiplied by the discharge count number N1 in the current printing process. Then, the number of ejections multiplied by the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 in the current recording process is stored in the EEPROM 305 as the ejection count value N2. As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes the discharge count value calculation unit (first calculation unit) that calculates the discharge count value N2. The discharge count value calculation means obtains the discharge count value N2 by multiplying the number of ink discharges and the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1. In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 functions as a discharge count value calculation unit.

  When the flow advances to S6, the CPU 300 adds the discharge count value N2 acquired in this way to the accumulated count value M stored in the EEPROM 305 up to the previous recording process already acquired. As a result, the cumulative count value M up to the previous time and the discharge count value N2 in the current printing process are added, and the new cumulative count value M calculated as a result is overwritten on the EEPROM 305. As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 stores the first cumulative discharge count value obtained by accumulating the discharge count value for each recording step until the previous recording step (first storage step). Storage means). Then, the current cumulative discharge count value is calculated by adding the discharge count value N2 to the previous cumulative discharge count value stored by the storage unit. The ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes cumulative discharge count value calculation means (second calculation means) that calculates the current cumulative discharge count value. In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 functions as a cumulative discharge count value calculation unit. Here, a single recording process refers to a process during which an image of a predetermined area is recorded. The accumulated discharge count value obtained up to the previous recording process is obtained by accumulating the discharge count value obtained for each recording process.

  Next, when a cumulative count value M that takes into account the current recording process is newly determined, the process proceeds to S7, where the CPU 300 reads a determination threshold value recorded in advance in the EEPROM 305 and compares it with the cumulative count value M. To do. Here, the determination threshold is a reference cumulative count value corresponding to the life of the encoder film 24. The lifetime of the encoder film 24 is an accumulated count value that makes it impossible to perform a normal recording operation due to ink mist adhering to the encoder film 24. While the ink jet recording apparatus 100 is being used, ink mist continues to adhere to the encoder film 24, and the amount of ink mist attached exceeds the allowable amount. When the amount of ink mist adhering to the encoder film 24 reaches the end of the life of the encoder film 24, information cannot be read accurately from the encoder film 24. Since the sensor 22 cannot read accurate information from the encoder film 24, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 cannot perform a normal recording operation. At this time, the encoder film 24 is replaced. As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the current cumulative discharge count value M is equal to or greater than the threshold value regarding the cumulative discharge count value. At this time, the determination unit compares the current cumulative discharge count value M with a predetermined threshold value related to the cumulative discharge count value, so that the current cumulative discharge count value M is equal to or greater than the threshold value related to the cumulative discharge count value. Determine if there is. In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not the current cumulative discharge count value M is greater than or equal to a threshold related to the cumulative discharge count value.

  If the cumulative count value M is less than the threshold value as a result of the comparison in S7, it is determined that the amount of ink mist attached has not reached the lifetime of the encoder film 24 and normal recording can be performed. At that time, the flow proceeds to S8, and when the recording operation is not completed, the flow proceeds to S1 and the image data is input again. When the recording operation is finished in S8, the flow proceeds to S10, the new cumulative count value M obtained in the current recording process is stored in the EEPROM 305, and the recording is finished.

  On the other hand, if the new cumulative count value M is greater than or equal to the threshold value in S7, it is determined that the amount of ink mist attached has reached the end of the life of the encoder film 24 and normal recording operation is not possible. At this time, the flow proceeds to S9, the recording operation is stopped, and then the encoder film 24 is replaced. At this time, the user is notified that the encoder film 24 has reached the end of its life. The process for determining the replacement of the encoder film 24 is thus completed. As described above, in the part replacement timing determination method of the present embodiment, when the current cumulative discharge count value M is equal to or greater than the threshold value regarding the cumulative discharge count value, the part replacement step for replacing parts is performed. Have.

  Note that after notifying the user of the life of the encoder film 24 in S9, for example, an inquiry to a service may be recommended, or replacement of the encoder film 24 may be recommended to the user. Then, after the exchange of the encoder film 24 is executed, the accumulated count value M stored in the EEPROM 305 is reset.

  The determination flow for detecting the replacement time of the encoder film 24 is performed for each recording head that discharges ink of each color.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ejection count value N2 obtained by multiplying the ejection count number N1 in the printing process obtained from the input image data by the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 is obtained. Then, a new cumulative count value M obtained by adding the ejection count value N2 obtained in the current printing process to the cumulative count value M so far is used to determine the life of the encoder film 24 in the ink mist adhesion amount. Compared to threshold. Thereby, since the adhesion degree of the ink mist to the encoder film 24 can be predicted more accurately, a more appropriate replacement time of the encoder film 24 can be obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the recording operation from being performed in a state where the ink mist is excessively adhered, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the quality of the recorded image obtained by the recording operation. In addition, the encoder film 24 is unnecessarily replaced many times by replacing the encoder film 24 excessively early although the amount of ink mist attached has not yet reached the end of the life of the encoder film 24. Can be suppressed. Therefore, the operating cost of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 can be kept low.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the replacement time of the encoder film 24 is determined has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to determine the replacement timing of parts other than the encoder film in the ink jet recording apparatus.

  The present invention can also be applied to a full-line type recording apparatus that uses a recording head that extends over the entire width of the recording medium as an ink jet recording apparatus.

(Second embodiment)
Next, determination of the replacement time of the encoder film 24 in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. In addition, about the part comprised similarly to said 1st embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected in a figure, description is abbreviate | omitted, and only a different part is demonstrated.

  In the first embodiment, the ejection count number in the recording process obtained from the image data is multiplied by the ink mist adhesion coefficient, and the ejection count value obtained thereby is added to the accumulated count value, and the obtained new accumulated count is obtained. The value and the judgment threshold were compared. On the other hand, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the determination threshold is multiplied by the ink mist adhesion coefficient. In this way, it is possible to determine the replacement timing of the component by multiplying the determination threshold by the ink mist adhesion coefficient and comparing it with the cumulative number of ejections.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for determining the replacement timing of components of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. When image data is input in S11, the number of ejections corresponding to the image data is determined, and the flow proceeds to S12. In S12, recording is performed according to the image data in S11. At this time, the image data is converted into ink ejection data for each recording head and transferred to each recording head 2. Then, ink is ejected onto the recording medium in accordance with the ejection data and the ejection control signal from the head driver 308 to perform recording (S12), and the process proceeds to S13. In S13, the number of individual ejections for each recording head in S12 is acquired as a count value N1, and the process proceeds to S14. In S14, the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 is determined from the parameters obtained when the recording paper is fed. The acquisition of the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 is the same as the ink mist adhesion coefficient C1 of the first embodiment.

  Next, in S15, the determination threshold H1 stored in advance is multiplied by the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 acquired in S14 to acquire the determination threshold H2. When multiplying the determination threshold value H1 by the ink mist adhesion coefficient, the ink mist adhesion degree is set so that the determination threshold value is decreased under conditions where mist is likely to adhere, and the determination threshold value is increased under conditions where mist is difficult to adhere. A coefficient C2 is provided. When the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 is determined, the ink mist adhesion coefficient in a predetermined environment is set to 1. When the ink mist adheres more easily than this, a value smaller than 1 is applied, and the ink mist adheres more than this. When it is difficult, a value larger than 1 may be set. Here, the determination threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether or not an allowable amount of ink mist has adhered to the encoder film 24 and the encoder film 24 has reached the end of life with respect to the ink mist adhesion amount. A judgment threshold value obtained by multiplying the judgment threshold value H1 stored in advance by the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 is set as the judgment threshold value H2, and is stored in the EEPROM 305.

  As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a storage unit that stores the cumulative ink discharge number up to the previous time in which the ink discharge number is accumulated for each recording process until the previous recording step. Then, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 calculates a current cumulative ink discharge number by adding the current ink discharge number to the previous cumulative ink discharge number stored in the storage unit (first calculation unit). have. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 determines the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 based on at least the distance between the surface of the recording head where the ejection opening is formed and the recording medium, and the type of the recording medium. The ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 is determined according to the ease with which ink mist is generated when ink is ejected from the recording head 2, and the ink mist is generated when ink mist is less likely to occur. It is a higher value than when it is easy to do. As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes the ink mist adhesion coefficient determining means (deciding means) for determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2. In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 functions as an ink mist adhesion coefficient determining unit.

  Next, when the determination threshold value H2 obtained by multiplying the previously acquired determination threshold value H1 by the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 is obtained, the flow proceeds to S16, and the CPU 300 determines the cumulative number of ejection times recorded in advance in the EEPROM 305. read out. Then, the total number of ejections is compared with the determination threshold value H2. As a result of the comparison in S16, when the cumulative number of ejections is less than the determination threshold value H2, it is determined that the life of the encoder film 24 has not been reached with respect to the amount of ink mist attached. Therefore, it is determined that the ink jet recording apparatus can perform normal recording, and the flow proceeds to S17. When the recording operation is not completed in S17, the flow proceeds to S11, and the image data is input again and the recording operation is performed. When the recording operation is completed in S17, the flow proceeds to S19, the cumulative count value of the ink ejection number and the determination threshold value H2 are stored in the EEPROM 305, and the recording is ended. At the next recording time, the determination threshold value H2 stored in the EEPROM 305 is read and used as the determination threshold value H1 obtained in advance.

  As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes a storage unit (second storage unit) that stores the determination threshold value H1 (a threshold value related to the cumulative ink discharge number used in the previous recording process) that is acquired in advance. Yes. In addition, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 calculates the determination threshold value H2 (threshold value regarding the current cumulative ink discharge number) by multiplying the determination threshold value H1 (threshold value regarding the cumulative ink discharge number) and the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2. Means (second calculation means). In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 functions as a threshold value calculation unit. Then, there is a determination unit that compares the cumulative ink discharge number with a determination threshold value H2 (threshold value regarding the current cumulative ink discharge number) and determines whether the cumulative ink discharge number is equal to or greater than the determination threshold value H2.

  On the other hand, if the cumulative count value of the number of ink ejections is greater than or equal to the determination threshold value H2 in S16, it is determined that the life relating to the ink mist adhesion of the encoder film 24 has been reached. In this case, it is determined that the normal recording operation by the ink jet recording apparatus is not possible, and the process proceeds to S18 to stop the recording operation and notify the user to that effect.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 is multiplied by the determination threshold for each recording process, the determination threshold changes for each recording process. For example, when recording is continued in an environment where ink mist is likely to occur for each recording process, the determination threshold is repeatedly multiplied by the ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 so that the determination threshold decreases each time. Therefore, if recording is continued in a state where ink mist is likely to adhere, the determination threshold value will continue to decrease accordingly, and the lifetime related to ink mist adhesion on the encoder film 24 will be reached with a small cumulative count value. Accordingly, the encoder film 24 is exchanged at an earlier timing. On the other hand, if recording is continued in a situation where it is difficult for ink mist to adhere to each recording step, the determination threshold is repeatedly multiplied by an ink mist adhesion coefficient C2 that increases the determination threshold. Accordingly, the determination threshold value continues to increase, and the encoder film 24 is replaced at a later timing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when determining the replacement time of a part, the recording value is not calculated by multiplying the ink discharge count value by a coefficient and considering the degree of ink mist adhesion, but by multiplying the determination threshold by the coefficient. In this case, the degree of ink mist adhesion for each environment may be considered.

(Third embodiment)
Next, determination of the replacement time of the encoder film 24 in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part comprised similarly to said 1st embodiment and 2nd embodiment, and only a different part is demonstrated.

  In the present embodiment, the following parameters for ink types are referred to when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient.

  The amount of ink mist generated during the recording operation also varies depending on the type of ink used during the recording operation. Accordingly, the ease with which the ink mist adheres to the encoder film 24 also varies depending on the type of ink to be ejected. There are two types of inks: dye inks and pigment inks.

  The dye ink is an aqueous dye ink composition in which a dye is dissolved in water as a colorant. As dye inks, various water-soluble dyes are dissolved in water or a mixed solvent of a water-soluble organic solvent, and those to which various additives are added as required are mainly used at present. The aqueous dye ink composition has a portion that is relatively insufficient in terms of water resistance, light resistance, and the like.

  Pigment inks (water-based pigment inks and non-water-based pigment inks) have better water resistance and light resistance than dyes as colorants. However, among pigment inks, water-based pigment inks have a considerably low viscosity, and when used in an ink jet recording apparatus, mists and small droplets may be generated when ejected from a recording head. In addition, since the vapor pressure of water occupying most of the composition is quite high, the moisture tends to dry, and clogging may occur around the discharge port of the recording head. Among pigment inks, the performance of a non-aqueous pigment ink varies considerably depending on the type of organic solvent used as an ink solvent. For example, when an ink using a propylene glycol solvent as the ink solvent is used, the temperature dependency of the viscosity is low and the viscosity is higher than water, so that the ink may be misted when the ink is ejected. Nor. Since the ink has a considerably lower vapor pressure than water, the moisture is difficult to dry, and the probability of clogging around the ejection port of the recording head is considerably reduced. However, even if the ink is difficult to dry, since the surface tension is low, the ink is quickly absorbed by the paper fibers on the paper surface, so that ink mist hardly occurs.

  Thus, the ease of ink mist generation varies depending on the type of ink used during recording (dye ink, pigment ink (aqueous pigment ink, non-aqueous pigment ink)). Accordingly, the ease with which the ink mist adheres to the encoder film 24 also differs. Therefore, in this embodiment, when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient described above, the ease of occurrence of ink mist depending on the ink type is also taken into consideration. In the present embodiment, an ink mist adhesion coefficient determined in advance based on the paper type and the inter-paper distance is corrected in consideration of the ink type. That is, it has an ink mist adhesion coefficient determining means (second determining means) for determining an ink mist adhesion coefficient based on the type of ink ejected from the ejection port of the recording head 2. In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 functions as an ink mist adhesion coefficient determining unit. In the present embodiment, the ink mist adhesion coefficient determined in advance based on the paper type and the inter-paper distance is multiplied by the ink mist adhesion coefficient (second ink mist generation coefficient) in consideration of the ink type. A predetermined ink mist generation coefficient is corrected. As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes a correction unit (first correction unit) that corrects a predetermined ink mist generation coefficient.

  As in the first embodiment, when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient to be multiplied by the discharge count, the value of the discharge count is increased when a kind of ink that is likely to generate ink mist is used. A relatively high value is used. Thus, when recording is performed in an environment where ink mist is likely to occur, the ink mist adhesion coefficient is determined so as to advance the replacement time of the encoder film 24. Further, in the first embodiment, when a kind of ink that does not easily generate ink mist is used, a relatively low numerical value is used so that the numerical value of the ejection count becomes small. When recording is performed in an environment where ink mist is unlikely to occur, the ink mist adhesion coefficient is determined so as to delay the replacement time of the encoder film 24. As described above, also in the present embodiment, the ink mist adhesion coefficient is determined according to the ease with which ink mist is generated when ink is ejected from the recording head 2. The ink mist adhesion coefficient at this time is a higher value when ink mist is more likely to occur than when ink mist is less likely to occur.

  On the other hand, when the ink mist adhesion coefficient to be multiplied by the determination threshold is determined as in the second embodiment, the value of the determination threshold is small when a kind of ink that easily generates ink mist is used. A relatively low numerical value is used. In the second embodiment, when a type of ink that is unlikely to generate ink mist is used, a relatively high numerical value is used so that the numerical value of the determination threshold is large.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 100 can adjust the replacement time of the encoder film 24 by determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient according to the type of ink.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, determination of the replacement time of the encoder film 24 in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part comprised similarly to said 1st embodiment thru | or 3rd embodiment, and only a different part is demonstrated.

  In this embodiment, when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient, a parameter for the ink color is referred to.

  The amount of ink mist generated varies depending on the color of ink ejected for recording. Therefore, when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient, the ink mist adhesion coefficient may be determined in consideration of the difference in the amount of ink mist generated for each ink color. Since the ink mist adhesion coefficient is determined in consideration of the difference in the amount of ink generated for each ink color, a more appropriate replacement time for the encoder film 24 can be obtained. In the present embodiment, the ink mist adhesion coefficient determined in advance based on the paper type and the inter-paper distance is corrected in consideration of the ink color. That is, it has an ink mist adhesion coefficient determining means (third determining means) for determining an ink mist adhesion coefficient based on the color of the ink ejected from the ejection port of the recording head 2. The CPU 300 functions as an ink mist adhesion coefficient determination unit. In the present embodiment, the ink mist adhesion coefficient determined in advance based on the paper type and the inter-paper distance is multiplied by the ink mist adhesion coefficient (third ink mist generation coefficient) in consideration of the ink color. Thus, a predetermined ink mist generation coefficient is corrected. As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes a correction unit (second correction unit) that corrects a predetermined ink mist generation coefficient.

  As in the first embodiment, when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient to be multiplied by the discharge count number, the value of the discharge count number is increased when ink with a color that is likely to generate ink mist is used. A relatively high value is used. In the first embodiment, when ink of a color that hardly generates ink mist is used, a relatively low numerical value is used so that the numerical value of the ejection count is small.

  On the other hand, when the ink mist adhesion coefficient to be multiplied by the determination threshold is determined as in the second embodiment, the value of the determination threshold is small when ink with a color that is likely to generate ink mist is used. A relatively low numerical value is used. In the second embodiment, when ink of a color that hardly generates ink mist is used, a relatively high numerical value is used so that the numerical value of the determination threshold value is increased.

  Thus, when recording is performed in an environment where ink mist is likely to occur, the ink mist adhesion coefficient is determined so as to advance the replacement time of the encoder film 24. When recording is performed in an environment where ink mist is unlikely to occur, the ink mist adhesion coefficient is determined so as to delay the replacement time of the encoder film 24.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, determination of the replacement time of the encoder film 24 in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part comprised similarly to said 1st embodiment thru | or 4th embodiment, and only a different part is demonstrated.

  In the present embodiment, when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient, reference is made to environmental parameters such as the ambient temperature and humidity of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 during the recording operation.

  The amount of ink mist generated during the recording operation is also affected by the ambient temperature and humidity of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 during the recording operation. Accordingly, the amount of ink mist adhering to the encoder film 24 is similarly affected by the ambient temperature and humidity of the inkjet recording apparatus 100. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the temperature and humidity around the inkjet recording apparatus 100 are taken into account when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient.

  In this embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting temperature and humidity around the apparatus. The EEPROM 305 stores an ink mist adhesion coefficient conversion table in which the ink mist adhesion coefficient for each environment corresponding to the surrounding environment is input.

  When determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient, the CPU 300 acquires the temperature and humidity around the ink jet recording apparatus 100 by the detection means for detecting the temperature and humidity attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 100. Next, the CPU 300 determines an appropriate ink mist adhesion coefficient from the acquired temperature and humidity by referring to the ink mist adhesion coefficient conversion table stored in the EEPROM 305. Specifically, the ink mist is more likely to be generated as the temperature is lower, and the ink mist is more likely to be generated as the humidity is higher. In the present embodiment, the ink mist adhesion coefficient determined in advance based on the paper type and the inter-paper distance is corrected in consideration of the ambient temperature and humidity. That is, it has an ink mist adhesion coefficient determining means (fourth determining means) for determining an ink mist adhesion coefficient based on the ambient temperature and humidity of the recording head 2. The CPU 300 functions as an ink mist adhesion coefficient determination unit. In the present embodiment, the ink mist adhesion coefficient determined in advance based on the paper type and the inter-paper distance is multiplied by the ink mist adhesion coefficient (fourth ink mist generation coefficient) in consideration of the ambient temperature and humidity. As a result, a predetermined ink mist adhesion coefficient is corrected. As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes a correcting unit (third correcting unit) that corrects a predetermined ink mist adhesion coefficient.

  As in the first embodiment, when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient to be multiplied by the discharge count number, the numerical value of the discharge count number is increased when the temperature and humidity are likely to generate ink mist. A relatively high number is used. In the first embodiment, when the temperature and humidity are such that ink mist is unlikely to occur, a relatively low numerical value is used so that the numerical value of the ejection count becomes small.

  On the other hand, when determining the ink mist adhesion coefficient to be multiplied by the determination threshold as in the second embodiment, if the temperature and humidity are likely to generate ink mist, the numerical value of the determination threshold is reduced. A relatively low value is used. In the second embodiment, when the temperature and humidity are such that ink mist is unlikely to occur, a relatively high numerical value is used so that the numerical value of the determination threshold is large.

  Thus, when recording is performed in an environment where ink mist is likely to occur, the ink mist adhesion coefficient is determined so as to advance the replacement time of the encoder film 24. When recording is performed in an environment where ink mist is unlikely to occur, the ink mist adhesion coefficient is determined so as to delay the replacement time of the encoder film 24.

  In the present specification, “recording” is used not only for forming significant information such as characters and graphics but also for any case. It also represents the case where images, patterns, patterns, etc. are widely formed on a recording medium, or the recording medium is processed, regardless of whether it is manifested so that it can be perceived by human eyes. And

  The “recording device” includes a device having a printing function such as a printer, a printer multifunction device, a copying machine, and a facsimile device, and a manufacturing device that manufactures an article using an ink jet technique.

  “Recording medium” means not only paper used in general recording apparatuses but also a wide range of materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. Shall.

  Furthermore, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) should be interpreted widely as in the definition of “recording”. By being applied on the recording medium, it can be used for formation of images, patterns, patterns, etc., processing of the recording medium, or ink processing (for example, solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium). It shall represent a liquid.

2 Recording Head 24 Encoder Film 100 Inkjet Recording Device 300 CPU

Claims (6)

An inkjet recording apparatus capable of performing recording by discharging ink to a recording medium from an ejection port of a recording head,
A counting means for counting the number of ink ejected from the recording head in one recording process;
The occurrence of ink mist when ink is ejected from the recording head based on at least the distance between the surface of the recording head where the ejection opening is formed and the type of recording medium. First determination means for determining a first ink mist generation coefficient that is determined according to the ease of operation, and that is a higher value when ink mist is more likely to occur than when ink mist is less likely to occur;
First calculating means for calculating an ejection count value obtained by multiplying the number of ink ejections counted by the counting means and the first ink mist generation coefficient determined by the first determining means;
A first storage for storing the cumulative discharge count value up to the previous time obtained by accumulating the discharge count value calculated by the first calculation means for each recording step until the previous recording step. Means,
A second cumulative discharge count value calculated by adding the discharge count value calculated by the first calculation means to the previous cumulative discharge count value stored by the first storage means. A calculation means;
The current cumulative discharge count value calculated by the second calculation means is compared with a threshold value related to a predetermined cumulative discharge count value, and the current cumulative discharge count value is a threshold value related to the cumulative discharge count value. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the above is true. Based on the type of ink ejected from the ejection port of the recording head, it is determined according to the ease of occurrence of ink mist when ink is ejected from the recording head, and ink mist is generated. Second determining means for determining a second ink mist generation coefficient that is a higher numerical value when it is easier than when ink mist is less likely to occur;
The first correction means for correcting the first ink mist generation coefficient by multiplying the first ink mist generation coefficient by the second ink mist generation coefficient. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 1. Based on the color of the ink ejected from the ejection port of the recording head, it is determined according to the ease of occurrence of ink mist when the ink is ejected from the recording head, and ink mist is generated. Third determining means for determining a third ink mist generation coefficient, which is a higher numerical value when it is easier to generate ink mist than when it is difficult to generate ink mist;
2. A second correction unit that corrects the first ink mist generation coefficient by multiplying the first ink mist generation coefficient by the third ink mist generation coefficient. Or the inkjet recording apparatus according to 2; Based on the ambient temperature and humidity of the recording head, it is determined according to the ease of ink mist generation when ink is ejected from the recording head, and when ink mist is more likely to occur. Fourth determining means for determining a fourth ink mist generation coefficient that is a higher numerical value than when ink mist hardly occurs;
2. A third correction unit that corrects the first ink mist generation coefficient by multiplying the first ink mist generation coefficient by the fourth ink mist generation coefficient. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3. An inkjet recording apparatus capable of recording by discharging ink from a recording head,
A counting means for counting the number of ink ejected from the recording head in one recording process;
A first storage means for storing the cumulative number of ink ejections up to the previous time in which the number of ink ejections counted by the counting means is accumulated for each recording process up to the previous recording process;
First calculation means for calculating the current cumulative ink discharge number by adding the ink discharge number counted by the counting means to the previous cumulative ink discharge number stored in the first storage means; ,
Second storage means for storing a threshold value relating to the cumulative number of ink discharges used in the previous recording step;
The occurrence of ink mist when ink is ejected from the recording head based on at least the distance between the surface of the recording head where the ejection opening is formed and the type of recording medium. Determining means for determining an ink mist generation coefficient that is determined according to easiness and is higher when ink mist is less likely to occur than when ink mist is likely to occur;
A threshold value relating to the current cumulative ink discharge number is calculated by multiplying the threshold value related to the cumulative ink discharge number stored by the second storage means and the second ink mist generation coefficient determined by the determination means. Two calculating means;
The cumulative ink discharge number calculated by the first calculation means is compared with the threshold value related to the current cumulative ink discharge number calculated by the second calculation means, and the cumulative ink discharge number is the current ink discharge number. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not a threshold value relating to a cumulative ink discharge number is greater than or equal to a threshold value. A method for determining the replacement time of components in an ink jet recording apparatus capable of recording by discharging ink from a discharge port of a recording head to a recording medium,
Count the number of ink ejections from which the ink was ejected from the recording head in one recording process,
The occurrence of ink mist when ink is ejected from the recording head based on at least the distance between the surface of the recording head where the ejection opening is formed and the type of recording medium. A first ink mist generation coefficient that is determined in accordance with ease and is higher when ink mist is more likely to occur than when ink mist is less likely to occur;
Calculating a discharge count value obtained by multiplying the counted number of ink discharges and the determined first ink mist generation coefficient;
The calculated discharge count value is added to the previous cumulative discharge count value obtained by accumulating the calculated discharge count value for each recording step until the previous recording step. To calculate the current cumulative discharge count value,
The calculated current cumulative discharge count value is compared with a predetermined threshold value related to the cumulative discharge count value, and whether or not the current cumulative discharge count value is equal to or greater than the threshold value related to the cumulative discharge count value. Judgment
As a result of the determination, if the current cumulative discharge count value is greater than or equal to a threshold value related to the cumulative discharge count value, it is determined that the component replacement time is reached.

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