JP2013111916A - Inkjet recording device, and inkjet recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain more accurate time for replacement of an absorber or a maintenance cartridge.SOLUTION: This inkjet recording device includes: a recording head that discharges ink for recording; a preliminary discharge means to cause the recording head to perform preliminary discharge; a counting means to count the number of discharges of ink preliminarily discharged by the recording head; and a correction means to correct a count value counted by the counting means in accordance with the time elapsed from the previous ink discharge of the recording head.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording method for performing recording using a recording head having a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink.

  In an ink jet recording type recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets, a plurality of fine ejection openings and liquid passages communicating with them (hereinafter referred to as nozzles) are formed. The recording head used is used.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, bubbles or dust may be mixed into the ink in the liquid passage from the ejection port, or the ink may be thickened or fixed due to evaporation of the solvent contained in the ink. In this case, the ejection performance of the recording head is significantly reduced. That is, a landing error of ejected ink droplets, non-ejection of ink droplets, and the like occur in the recording head.

  In order to avoid such a drop in the discharge performance of the recording head, a process of discharging the thickened ink or solidified ink generated in the nozzle and refreshing the ink in the nozzle is performed. In the following description, this process is referred to as a discharge recovery process.

  As one form of means for performing the discharge recovery process, the ink discharge energy generating element provided in the nozzle is driven in a state where the cap is opposed to the discharge port forming surface, and the discharge port forming surface of the recording head is moved from the nozzle. An example is one that ejects ink onto a cap that can be covered. In this embodiment, the ink in the nozzle is refreshed (new ink is supplied) by ejecting thickened ink in the nozzle or ink containing bubbles and dust. Therefore, the discharge state can be improved by performing the discharge recovery process. This operation is also referred to as a preliminary discharge operation.

  In addition, in order to prevent image adverse effects due to ink thickening and pigment receding due to evaporation of moisture in the vicinity of the nozzle outlet during each scan, a small amount is placed in the preliminary outlet while accelerating the carriage immediately after the start of each carriage scan. Means for performing a preliminary discharge operation are also known. This is referred to as pre-discharge casting.

  The ink discharged by this preliminary discharge operation is collected by a cap or a preliminary discharge port provided in the non-printing area. These caps or preliminary discharge ports are directly connected to waste ink collecting means such as a maintenance cartridge, and there is means for finally collecting by these collecting means. Moreover, an absorber is installed on the preliminary discharge port, and there is means for absorbing by the absorber. In any means, there is a limit to the ability to collect waste ink. If the cartridge is continuously used beyond the limit, there is a possibility that the waste ink that cannot be collected in the case of the maintenance cartridge leaks out of the apparatus. As a result, in the case of the absorber, the ink that lands on the dried and accumulated ink rebounds, and the inside of the ink jet recording apparatus may be contaminated.

  Therefore, a method has been proposed in which the number of pre-discharge operations is counted, and when the number of pre-discharges counted exceeds a limit number that exceeds the preset absorption capacity of the absorber, the time to replace the absorber is proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). By exchanging the absorber in accordance with the notification of the replacement time, it is possible to suppress the splash of the liquid that occurs in the main body at the time of preliminary discharge due to a decrease in the absorption capacity of the absorber. As a result, contamination inside the main body can be prevented. Such a method for notifying the replacement time is used not only for the absorber but also for notifying the replacement time of the maintenance cartridge.

JP 2006-27058 A

  By the way, in the conventional replacement time notification method, when the amount of waste ink collected by the absorber and the maintenance cartridge is calculated, the number of performed preliminary ejections is counted as it is.

  However, in actuality, ink is not actually ejected in the first and second ejection operations after a certain period of time has elapsed since the previous ejection, and even if ink is ejected, the ejection amount may be reduced. is there. In such a case, the amount of waste ink actually collected by the absorber or the maintenance cartridge is smaller than the amount of ink calculated based on the number of preliminary ejections performed.

  For this reason, in the prior art, the amount of waste ink is counted more than the amount of ink actually collected, and there is a possibility that the replacement is notified before the absorber or the maintenance cartridge reaches the actual life.

  The objective of this invention is providing the inkjet recording device and inkjet recording method which solve the said subject.

The inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention is
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink; a preliminary ejecting unit that causes the recording head to perform preliminary ejection; and a counting unit that counts the number of inks ejected preliminarily to the recording head. There,
And a correction unit that corrects the count value counted by the counting unit in accordance with an elapsed time from the previous ink ejection of the recording head.

Moreover, the inkjet recording method of the present invention comprises:
An inkjet recording method for recording using a recording head for recording by discharging ink,
Processing for causing the recording head to perform preliminary ejection;
A process of counting the number of ink ejections preliminarily ejected to the recording head;
A process of correcting the counted value according to the elapsed time from the previous ink ejection of the recording head is performed.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a more accurate replacement time for the absorber and the maintenance cartridge.

It is the top view which looked at the ink-jet recording device in one embodiment of the present invention from the upper side. It is sectional drawing which looked at the inkjet recording device in one Embodiment of this invention from the side. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system (control means) mounted on the recording apparatus main body of the inkjet recording apparatus in the present embodiment. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a preliminary ejection number counting method in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow preliminary discharge difference coefficient (alpha) used in Example 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a preliminary ejection number counting method according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the sink preliminary discharge weighting coefficient (beta) used in Example 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a preliminary ejection number counting method in Embodiment 3. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a preliminary ejection number counting method in Embodiment 4. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a preliminary ejection number counting method in Embodiment 5. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a preliminary ejection number counting method in Embodiment 6.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Example 1
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.

  Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a recording apparatus main body 1 having various mechanisms including a conveyance system unit (not shown) for recording paper (recording medium). An ink jet recording apparatus is constituted by the recording apparatus main body 1 and a control system (described later) mounted on the recording apparatus main body 1.

  Note that the recording apparatus in the present embodiment intermittently transports the recording medium in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction) by the transport system unit, and moves the recording head 3 in the X direction (main scanning direction) intersecting the Y direction. It is a serial type recording apparatus that performs recording while performing the above. Further, the recording apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which the size in the X direction is increased so that recording can be performed on a relatively large recording medium (for example, A1 size).

  A plurality of (two in this embodiment) recording heads 3 are mounted on the carriage 2 shown in FIG. 1 and reciprocate in the X direction together with the recording heads 3. That is, the carriage 2 is supported so as to be movable along a guide shaft 4 disposed along the X direction, and is fixed to an endless belt 5 that moves substantially parallel to the guide shaft 4. The endless belt 5 reciprocates by the driving force of a carriage motor (CR motor), thereby reciprocating the carriage 2 in the X direction (main scanning direction).

  In addition, in each recording head 3 of the present embodiment, 1280 ejection openings are arranged at a density of 1200 dpi (dots / inch) in the sub-scanning direction. Further, energy generating elements that generate ejection energy for ejecting ink from ejection ports are arranged in each liquid path of the recording head 3. In this embodiment, an electrothermal converter that heats the ink locally to cause film boiling and ejects the ink by the pressure is used as the energy generating element. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an electromechanical conversion element can also be used. In the following description, the discharge port and the liquid path are collectively referred to as a nozzle.

  Each of the recording heads mounted on the carriage 2 is supplied with ink containing six different color materials. In the present embodiment, in addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, a total of six colors of ink are added, including light cyan and light magenta inks used to reduce the granularity of the image to be formed. Each is supplied to the head 3.

  Moreover, the encoder film 6 and the wiping mechanism 9 shown in FIG. The recovery processing device 7, the suction recovery mechanism 7A, the preliminary ejection ink storage units 8A and 8B, and the borderless ink storage units 12B and 12C will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording apparatus main body 1 is provided with a recovery processing device 7 for keeping the ink ejection performance from each ejection port of the recording head 3 in a good state. The recovery processing device 7 is held and fixed at a predetermined position of the recording apparatus main body 1 and includes suction recovery mechanisms 7A and 7B, which will be described later, and a wiping mechanism 9. The suction recovery mechanisms 7A and 7B perform a suction recovery process that is a form of the recovery process.

  Here, the suction recovery process is a process of replacing the ink in the nozzle with ink in a state suitable for ejection by forcibly sucking ink from a plurality of nozzles formed in the recording head. Specifically, in the suction recovery mechanisms 7A and 7B, the discharge port forming surface is covered with a cap, a negative pressure is generated in the cap by a pump communicating with the cap, and the ink is forced from the discharge port by the negative pressure. Suck. Each of the suction recovery mechanisms 7A and 7B performs suction recovery processing on the three inks of the recording head 3, respectively. The waste ink that is forcibly sucked flows into the maintenance cartridge 10 that is a waste ink collecting means for storing the waste ink.

  Another form of recovery processing is preliminary ejection. In this preliminary ejection, the recording head 3 that also operates as preliminary ejection means performs ink ejection that does not contribute to the recording operation to the preliminary ejection ink storage portions 8A and 8B provided outside the recording area. This is a process for keeping the ink in each nozzle in a state suitable for ejection. This preliminary discharge is performed mainly at the start of the recording operation (immediately after the start of scanning) or at the end of the recording operation. Further, it may be performed at predetermined intervals during the recording operation.

  Ink mist generated during image formation is diffused inside the main body. By this diffusion, it adheres to the image and is collected into the ink mist storage unit 11 in order not to deteriorate the image quality or to adhere to an in-machine sensor or the like to cause a malfunction. Further, when a borderless image is formed, the borderless image is formed by printing slightly outside the media area. The ink printed outside the media area flows into the borderless ink storage portions 12A, 12B, and 12C.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system (control means) mounted on the recording apparatus main body 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the main control unit 100 includes a CPU 101 that executes processing operations such as calculation, control, discrimination, and setting, and a ROM 102 that stores a control program to be executed by the CPU 101. The main control unit 100 further includes a buffer for storing binary print data representing ink ejection / non-ejection, a RAM 103 used as a work area for processing by the CPU 101, an input / output port 104, and the like. The RAM 103 also stores various parameters used when calculating waste ink, which will be described later.

  The input / output port 104 includes drive circuits 105, 106, 107, and 109 such as the transport motor (LF motor) 112, the carriage motor (CR motor) 113, the recording head 3, and the recovery processing device 7 in the transport unit described above. It is connected. The input / output port 104 is connected to a head temperature sensor (head temperature detecting means) 114 for detecting the temperature of the recording head and an encoder sensor 110 fixed to the carriage 2. Further, sensors such as a temperature / humidity sensor 115 for detecting temperature and humidity, which are the usage environment of the recording apparatus main body 1, are connected to the input / output port 104. The main control unit 100 is connected to the host computer 116 via the interface circuit 111 using the input / output port 104.

  The recovery processing counter 117 counts the amount of ink when the recovery processing device 7 forcibly discharges ink from the recording head 3.

  The preliminary ejection counter 118 is a counting unit that counts the number of preliminary ejection ejections performed during recording before or at the end of recording.

  The borderless ink counter 119 counts the amount of ink recorded outside the media area when performing borderless printing.

  The ink mist counter 120 counts the amount of ink mist generated during recording.

  Next, a recording operation and a waste ink counter method executed by the ink jet recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described. First, the outline of the recording operation will be described.

  When recording data is received from the host computer 116 via the interface circuit 111, the recording data is developed in the buffer of the RAM 103. When a recording operation is instructed, a transport unit (not shown) operates to transport the recording medium to a position facing the recording head 3. Here, the carriage 2 moves in the main scanning direction (X direction) along the guide shaft 4. As the carriage 2 moves, ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 3 and an image for one band is recorded on the recording paper.

  Thereafter, the recording unit conveys the recording medium by one band in a direction orthogonal to the carriage 2 (sub-scanning direction).

  By repeating the above operation, a predetermined image is formed on the recording medium.

  The position of the carriage 2 is detected by the main control unit 100 counting pulse signals output from the encoder sensor 110 as the carriage 2 moves. That is, the encoder sensor 110 outputs a pulse signal to the main control unit 100 by detecting the detection units formed at regular intervals on the encoder film 6 (see FIG. 1) arranged along the main scanning direction. The main control unit 100 detects the position of the carriage 2 by counting the pulse signals. The carriage 2 is moved to the home position and other positions based on a signal from the encoder sensor 110.

  Next, the preliminary discharge counting method executed by this embodiment will be described.

  The preliminary ejection counter 118 shown in FIG. 3 counts the number of ejections of waste ink generated by the preliminary ejection operation performed on the preliminary ejection ink storage unit 8A before image formation in order to form a good image. Further, after the recording is completed, a preliminary ejection operation is performed in order to prevent inks of different colors accumulated in the ink ejection ports of the recording head 3 from entering the nozzles. Further, during recording, a preliminary ejection operation is performed on the preliminary ejection ink storage portions 8A and 8B in order to improve ejection failure caused by drying of ink on the surface of the ink ejection port. Waste ink generated by all these preliminary ejection operations flows into the preliminary ejection ink storage portions 8A and 8B, and is then collected by the maintenance cartridge 10. The preliminary ejection counter 118 counts the number of preliminary ejections. Normally, the number of preliminary ejections is counted as it is.

  However, in the preliminary flow discharge, if a certain amount of time has passed since the previous scanning discharge, it is affected by non-discharge and a decrease in the discharge amount. Therefore, the amount of waste ink that is actually collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 is smaller than the amount of ink calculated based on the number of preliminary ejections performed. Therefore, in such a case, the number of preliminary ejection operations is counted according to the following procedure.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the preliminary ejection number counting method in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the preliminary flow ejection difference coefficient α used in the first embodiment. The association between the elapsed time from the previous ejection shown in FIG. 5 and the difference coefficient α is set in advance in the RAM 103 shown in FIG.

  First, when the scanning of the carriage is started, the preliminary discharge count by the preliminary discharge counter 118 is started (step 201). Here, it is determined whether or not 1.0 second (hereinafter, “second” is referred to as “s”) has passed since the discharge of 16 or more shots in the previous scan (step 202).

  If 1.0 s or more has elapsed since the discharge of 16 or more shots in the previous scan, the difference coefficient α is set to α = 8 based on the association shown in FIG. 5 (step 203). On the other hand, if the elapsed time from 16 or more discharges in the previous scan is less than 1.0 s, it is determined whether 0.5 s or more have elapsed since the 16 or more discharges in the previous scan (step 204).

  If 0.5 s or more has elapsed since the discharge of 16 or more shots in the previous scan, the difference coefficient α is set to α = 4 based on the association shown in FIG. 5 (step 205). On the other hand, if the elapsed time from 16 or more ejections in the previous scan is less than 0.5 s, the difference coefficient α is set to α = 0 based on the association shown in FIG. 5 (step 206).

  Then, a value obtained by subtracting the difference coefficient α from the preliminary discharge execution value is set as the preliminary discharge count value for calculating the amount of waste ink collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 (the correction means corrects the count value) (step). 207). That is, in the case where 16 discharge pre-discharges are performed, 8 shots when the elapsed time from 16 or more discharges in the previous scan is 1.0 s or more, 12 shots when 0.5 s or more and less than 1.0 s, If it is less than 0.5 s, it is counted that 16 preliminary discharges have been performed.

  When the preliminary ejection count value is determined, this is converted into a waste ink amount (step 208), and is added to the waste ink amount collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 by a suction recovery operation or the like. Then, it is determined whether or not the amount of waste ink collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 exceeds a preset threshold value (step 209).

  When the amount of waste ink collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 exceeds the threshold value, the component replacement notification means provided in the inkjet recording apparatus notifies the replacement of the maintenance cartridge 10 (step 210). This notification is given to a person who uses the recording apparatus main body 1 and may be a display to that effect, lighting or blinking of a lamp, sound output, etc. As long as the user can recognize it. On the other hand, if the amount of waste ink collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 does not exceed the threshold value, the preliminary ejection count is finished (step 211), and the process proceeds to the next scanning or operation or the operation is finished.

  The value of the difference coefficient α shown here, the break of the elapsed time from the ejection in the previous scan (here, 0.5 s and 1.0 s), the number of ejections in the previous scan considered (here, 16) and the preliminary The discharge execution value is arbitrary, and may be any value as long as it is the same method. In addition, here, the division of the elapsed time from the ejection in the previous scan is divided into three steps (less than 0.5 s, 0.5 s to less than 1.0 s, 1.0 s or more), but this is two steps. It may also be four or more stages.

In step 208, the preliminary ejection count value is converted into the waste ink amount. However, the waste ink amount collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 is summed up, for example, the waste ink amount collected by the suction recovery means is converted into the count value. Any method can be used as long as it can be counted. Further, the series of operations from step 201 to step 211 may be per scan, per page, or per job. Instruction for replacing the maintenance cartridge 10 in step 210 May be after scanning, after page printing, or after the job.
(Example 2)
Example 2 is an embodiment in which the preliminary discharge count value is determined by multiplying the preliminary discharge execution value by the weighting coefficient β in Example 1. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the preliminary discharge count value is determined by multiplying the preliminary discharge execution value by a weighting coefficient instead of subtracting the difference coefficient α from the preliminary discharge execution value.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the preliminary ejection number counting method in the second embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are used for the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a preliminary flow ejection weighting coefficient β used in the second embodiment. The association between the elapsed time from the previous ejection and the weighting coefficient β shown in FIG. 7 is set in advance in the RAM 103 shown in FIG.

  First, when the scanning of the carriage is started, the preliminary discharge count by the preliminary discharge counter 118 is started (step 201). Here, it is determined whether 1.0 s or more has elapsed since the discharge of 16 or more shots in the previous scan (step 202).

  If 1.0 s or more has elapsed since the discharge of 16 or more shots in the previous scan, the weighting coefficient β is set to β = 0.5 based on the association shown in FIG. 7 (step 203 ′). On the other hand, if the elapsed time from 16 or more discharges in the previous scan is less than 1.0 s, it is determined whether 0.5 s or more have elapsed since the 16 or more discharges in the previous scan (step 204).

  If 0.5 s or more has elapsed since the discharge of 16 or more shots in the previous scan, the weighting coefficient β is set to β = 0.75 based on the association shown in FIG. 7 (step 205 ′). On the other hand, when the elapsed time from 16 or more ejections in the previous scan is less than 0.5 s, the weighting coefficient β is set to β = 1 based on the association shown in FIG. 7 (step 206 ′).

  Then, as a preliminary discharge count value for calculating the amount of waste ink collected by the maintenance cartridge 10, a value obtained by multiplying the preliminary discharge execution value by the weighting coefficient β is set (the correction means corrects the count value) (step). 207 ′). That is, in the case where 16 discharge pre-discharges are performed, 8 shots when the elapsed time from 16 or more discharges in the previous scan is 1.0 s or more, 12 shots when 0.5 s or more and less than 1.0 s, If it is less than 0.5 s, it is counted that 16 preliminary discharges have been performed. When the preliminary ejection count value is determined, this is converted into a waste ink amount (step 208), and is added to the waste ink amount collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 by a suction recovery operation or the like.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the amount of waste ink collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 exceeds a preset threshold value (step 209).

  When the amount of waste ink collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 exceeds the threshold value, the component replacement notification means provided in the inkjet recording apparatus notifies the replacement of the maintenance cartridge 10 (step 210). This notification is given to a person who uses the recording apparatus main body 1 and may be a display to that effect, lighting or blinking of a lamp, output of sound, etc. Anything can be recognized by the user. On the other hand, if the amount of waste ink collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 does not exceed the threshold value, the preliminary ejection count is finished (step 211), and the process proceeds to the next scanning or operation or the operation is finished.

  The value of the weighting coefficient β shown here, the break of the elapsed time from the ejection in the previous scan (here, 0.5 s and 1.0 s), the number of ejections in the previous scan to be considered (16 in this case), and the preliminary The discharge execution value is arbitrary, and may be any value as long as it is the same method. When the elapsed time from the previous ejection is longer than a predetermined threshold (here, 0.5 s or more), the value of the weighting coefficient β is set to a small value by setting it to less than 1. Can do. Further, here, the interval of the elapsed time from the ejection in the previous scan is divided into three stages (less than 0.5 s, 0.5 s or more and less than 1.0 s, and 1.0 s or more). It does not matter if there are four or more stages.

  In step 208, the preliminary ejection count value is converted into the waste ink amount. However, the waste ink amount collected by the maintenance cartridge 10 is summed up, for example, the waste ink amount collected by the suction recovery means is converted into the count value. Any method can be used as long as it can be counted.

Further, the series of operations from step 201 to step 211 may be per scan, per page, or per job. Instruction for replacing the maintenance cartridge 10 in step 210 May be after scanning, after page printing, or after the job.
(Example 3)
Example 3 is an embodiment in which the ink consumption amount display is performed using the preliminary ejection count in Example 1. Since it is the same as the first embodiment except that the ink consumption amount display is performed instead of performing the replacement determination of the maintenance cartridge 10, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the preliminary ejection number counting method in the third embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. Further, the flow preliminary discharge differential coefficient α used here is the one shown in FIG.

  When the preliminary ejection count value is determined, this is converted into an ink consumption amount (step 308), and added to the ink amount consumed in the recording operation, the suction recovery operation, and the like. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not recording data remains (step 309).

  If it is determined that the recording has been completed, the preliminary ejection count is terminated (step 310), and the ink amount consumed in the series of recording operations or recovery operations is displayed on a display or the like as consumption amount display means (step 311). . At this time, the determined preliminary discharge count value may be displayed.

Here, in step 308, the preliminary ejection count value is converted into the ink consumption amount, but the consumed ink amount is summed and counted, for example, the ink amount consumed by the suction recovery means is converted into the count value. Any method can be used as long as it can be used.
Example 4
Example 4 is an embodiment in the case where the ink consumption amount display is performed using the preliminary ejection count in Example 2. Since it is the same as the second embodiment except that the ink consumption amount display is performed instead of performing the replacement determination of the maintenance cartridge 10, only the parts different from the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the preliminary ejection number counting method in the fourth embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are used for the same processes as those in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. Further, the flow preliminary discharge weighting coefficient β used here is the one shown in FIG.

  When the preliminary ejection count value is determined, this is converted into an ink consumption amount (step 308), and added to the ink amount consumed in the recording operation, the suction recovery operation, and the like. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not recording data remains (step 309).

  If it is determined that the recording has been completed, the preliminary ejection count is terminated (step 310), and the ink amount consumed in the series of recording operations or recovery operations is displayed on a display or the like as consumption amount display means (step 311). . At this time, the determined preliminary discharge count value may be displayed.

Here, in step 308, the preliminary ejection count value is converted into the ink consumption amount, but the consumed ink amount is summed and counted, for example, the ink amount consumed by the suction recovery means is converted into the count value. Any method can be used as long as it can be used.
(Example 5)
The fifth embodiment is an embodiment in the case where the remaining amount of the ink tank is detected using the preliminary ejection count in the first embodiment.

  Instead of performing the replacement determination of the maintenance cartridge 10, the ink remaining amount detecting means provided in the ink jet recording apparatus detects the remaining amount of the ink tank as the ink storing means for storing the ink to be used. Since it is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the preliminary ejection number counting method in the fifth embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. Further, the flow preliminary discharge differential coefficient α used here is the one shown in FIG.

  When the preliminary ejection count value is determined, it is converted into an ink consumption amount (step 408), and is added to the ink amount consumed in the recording operation, the suction recovery operation, and the like. Subsequently, the ink amount consumed in the current recording is subtracted from the ink remaining amount of each color ink tank stored before the recording operation, and this is newly stored as the ink remaining amount after the recording is completed.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of ink after the end of recording is below a predetermined threshold value (step 409).

  If the remaining amount of ink is below the threshold, the ink storage means replacement notification means provided in the ink jet recording apparatus notifies the corresponding ink tank replacement (step 410). This notification method may be the same as that described in step 210. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount is not less than the threshold value, the preliminary ejection count is finished (411), and the process proceeds to the next scanning or operation or the operation is finished.

  Here, in step 408, the preliminary ejection count value is converted into the ink consumption amount. However, the consumed ink amount can be counted by adding the ink amount consumed by the suction recovery means or the like to the count value. Any method can be used as long as it is possible.

The series of operations from step 401 to step 411 may be per scan, per page, or per job, and the ink tank replacement instruction in step 410 is the scan end. It may be after, after page recording is finished, or after the job is finished. However, care must be taken so that the heater is not blown when ink runs out in the middle of a page or job.
(Example 6)
The sixth embodiment is an embodiment in the case where the remaining amount of the ink tank is detected using the preliminary ejection count in the second embodiment. Since this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment except that the remaining amount of the ink tank is detected instead of performing the replacement determination of the maintenance cartridge 10, only the portions different from the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the preliminary ejection number counting method in the sixth embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same processes as those in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. Further, the flow preliminary discharge weighting coefficient β used here is the one shown in FIG.

  When the preliminary ejection count value is determined, it is converted into an ink consumption amount (step 408), and is added to the ink amount consumed in the recording operation, the suction recovery operation, and the like. Subsequently, the ink amount consumed in the current recording is subtracted from the ink remaining amount of each color ink tank stored before the recording operation, and this is newly stored as the ink remaining amount after the recording is completed.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of ink after the end of recording is below a predetermined threshold value (step 409).

  If the remaining amount of ink is below the threshold, the ink storage means replacement notification means provided in the ink jet recording apparatus notifies the corresponding ink tank replacement (step 410). This notification method may be the same as that described in step 210. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount is not less than the threshold value, the preliminary ejection count is finished (411), and the process proceeds to the next scanning or operation or the operation is finished.

  Here, in step 408, the preliminary ejection count value is converted into the ink consumption amount. However, the consumed ink amount can be counted by adding the ink amount consumed by the suction recovery means or the like to the count value. Any method can be used as long as it is possible. The series of operations from step 401 to step 411 may be per scan, per page, or per job, and the ink tank replacement instruction in step 410 is the scan end. It may be after, after page recording is finished, or after the job is finished. However, care must be taken so that the heater is not blown when ink runs out in the middle of a page or job.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the discharge amount of the preliminary discharge is counted with a value close to the amount of waste ink actually collected by the absorber or the maintenance cartridge using the discharge history of the preliminary discharge. Therefore, there is no more counting too much, and there is no need to instruct replacement before the waste ink is full. Thereby, extension of the lifetime of an absorber or a maintenance cartridge can be expected. In addition, since it is counted by a value closer to the actually consumed ink amount, high accuracy such as ink consumption display and remaining ink level detection can be expected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording apparatus main body 2 Carriage 3 Recording head 4 Guide shaft 5 Endless belt 6 Encoder film 7 Recovery processing apparatus 7A, 7B Suction recovery mechanism 8A, 8B Preliminary discharge ink storage part 9 Wiping mechanism 10 Maintenance cartridge 11 Ink mist storage part 12A, 12B , 12C Borderless ink storage unit 100 Main control unit 101 CPU
102 POM
103 RAM
104 I / O Port 105 LF Motor Drive Circuit 106 CR Motor Drive Circuit 107 Recording Head Drive Circuit 109 Recovery Control Processing Device Drive Circuit 110 Encoder Sensor 111 Interface Circuit 112 LF Motor 113 CR Motor 114 Head Temperature Sensor 115 Temperature Humidity Sensor 116 Host computer 117 Recovery processing counter 118 Preliminary discharge counter 119 Borderless ink counter 120 Ink mist counter

Claims (10)

In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink; a preliminary ejecting unit that causes the recording head to perform preliminary ejection; and a counting unit that counts the number of inks ejected preliminarily to the recording head. ,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a correcting unit that corrects a count value counted by the counting unit in accordance with an elapsed time from the previous ink ejection of the recording head.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the elapsed time from the previous ejection is longer than a predetermined threshold, the correction unit sets a value smaller than the number of preliminary ejection actually performed as the count value. .   3. The correction unit according to claim 2, wherein when the elapsed time from the previous ejection is longer than a predetermined threshold, a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the number of preliminary ejection actually performed is used as the count value. Inkjet recording apparatus.   3. The correction unit according to claim 2, wherein when the elapsed time from the previous ejection is longer than a predetermined threshold, a value obtained by multiplying the number of preliminary ejection actually performed by a weighting coefficient less than 1 is used as the count value. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 1.   5. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preliminary ejection unit performs the preliminary ejection outside the recording area immediately after the start of each scan. Waste ink collecting means for collecting ink ejected by the preliminary ejection;
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a component replacement notification unit that notifies the replacement of the waste ink recovery unit when the count value counted by the counting unit exceeds a preset threshold value. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to item 1. Ink consumption display means for displaying the amount of consumed ink is provided,
6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink consumption amount display unit displays a value counted by the counting unit. Ink storage means for storing ink to be used;
Ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink storing means;
Ink storage means replacement notification means for notifying the replacement of the ink storage means,
The ink remaining amount detecting means performs ink remaining amount detection based on the value counted by the counting means,
6. The ink storage means replacement notification means notifies the replacement of the ink storage means when the value detected by the ink remaining amount detection means falls below a preset threshold value. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above. An inkjet recording method for recording using a recording head for recording by discharging ink,
Processing for causing the recording head to perform preliminary ejection;
A process of counting the number of ink ejections preliminarily ejected to the recording head;
An ink jet recording method that performs a process of correcting the counted value according to an elapsed time from the previous ink ejection of the recording head.   10. The ink jet recording according to claim 9, wherein in the correction process, when the elapsed time from the previous ejection is longer than a predetermined time, a value smaller than the number of preliminary ejection actually performed is used as the count value. Method.

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