JP2014198384A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recording device in which where trouble occurs can be grasped in detail even when a detection signal indicating rotation of a transportation roller cannot be acquired.SOLUTION: A control part 135 normally rotates a transportation roller 76 for a time t1 and confirms generation of a pulse signal by a read header 37 of a rotary encoder 32 and a signal of a sensor 153. The control part 135 gives notice that trouble occurs to the rotary encoder 32 when the generation of the pulse signal by the read header 37 of the rotary encoder 32 cannot be confirmed and the signal of the sensor 153 can be confirmed, and gives notice that trouble occurs to the transportation motor 76 when the generation of the pulse signal by the read header 37 of the rotary encoder 32 cannot be confirmed and the signal of the sensor 153 cannot be confirmed either.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an inkjet recording apparatus that includes a conveyance roller that conveys a sheet, a recording head that records an image by ejecting ink from a nozzle to the sheet, and a cap that protects the nozzle.

  Also, some conventional ink jet recording apparatuses discharge bubbles remaining inside the nozzles by driving the pump with a cap communicating with the pump covering the nozzles. As an ink jet recording apparatus provided with such a mechanism, for example, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the pump is driven by a paper feed motor that drives a conveyance roller. The apparatus controls the driving of the pump based on the output of the encoder that detects the rotational position of the paper feed motor. Then, whether or not the pump drive operation is normal is determined based on the presence or absence of a feedback signal based on the position signal from the encoder when the pump is driven. Here, when the pump drive operation is not normal, the device displays a pump drive error on the display means.

JP 2002-79660 A

  When a failure occurs in the operation of the device, it is required to grasp the failure location in more detail. However, the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 cannot grasp in detail the cause of a failure in which the drive operation of the pump is not normal. This is because the feedback signal described in Patent Document 1 may output the same signal if there is a failure in the encoder or the motor that is the detection target of the encoder. If it is determined in advance by the device which fault condition the device is in, it is possible to reduce the labor required for the return operation of the device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of grasping in detail a location where a failure has occurred even when a detection signal indicating the rotation of a transport roller cannot be acquired. .

  (1) In the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention, the conveyance motor that can rotate forward and reverse, the conveyance roller that conveys the sheet in the conveyance direction, and the conveyance roller are rotated by the normal rotation of the conveyance motor. A first detection unit that outputs a first signal indicating that, a recording unit that records an image on a sheet by ejecting ink from nozzles formed on the nozzle surface, a separation position that is separated from the nozzle surface, and the nozzle surface A cap that can be moved between the covering positions covering the ink, a pump that discharges ink from the nozzles via the cap located at the covering position by reverse rotation of the transport motor, and a contact position that contacts the nozzle surface And a wiper that moves between a non-contact position that does not contact the nozzle surface and wipes ink on the nozzle surface when the nozzle surface is in the contact position, and a forward rotation of the transport motor. A switching mechanism that moves the wiper between the contact position and the non-contact position by being driven, and a second detection unit that outputs a second signal when the switching mechanism is driven and the wiper moves. And a controller for controlling the rotation of the transport motor. The control unit confirms whether or not a signal is output from the first detection unit and the second detection unit by rotating the transport motor forward by the amount of rotation necessary for the wiper to move. And when the first signal is not confirmed in the confirmation process and the second signal is confirmed, the first detection unit is informed that a failure has occurred. In the confirmation process, the first signal and And a notification process for notifying that a failure has occurred in the transport motor when the second signal is not confirmed.

  In this configuration, the transport roller is rotated by the forward rotation of the transport motor, and at the same time, the switching mechanism moves the wiper between the contact position and the non-contact position. That is, during normal operation, the first detection unit and the second detection unit each output a signal when the motor is rotated forward. On the other hand, when a signal is not output from the first detection unit and a signal is output from the second detection unit, it can be determined that the motor is rotating and a failure has occurred in the first detection unit. In addition, when no signal is output from either the first detection unit or the second detection unit, it is unlikely that a failure has occurred in each of the first detection unit and the second detection unit. Can be determined to have occurred. The control unit can make the above-described determination in the notification process, and perform appropriate notification corresponding to the failure state.

  (2) The inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a first driving state in which the rotational driving force of the transport motor is transmitted to the switching mechanism and the pump, and a first driving state in which the rotational driving force is not transmitted to the switching mechanism and the pump. A drive switching mechanism that changes state to a two-drive state and a carriage motor that can rotate forward and backward may be further provided. The recording unit moves from one end to the other end in the main scanning direction intersecting the transport direction when the carriage motor rotates in one of forward rotation and reverse rotation, and the carriage motor moves in the other direction of forward rotation and reverse rotation. And a recording head having the nozzle surface and mounted on the carriage, and the drive switching mechanism is arranged in the main scanning direction. The drive switching mechanism is disposed in an end region of the one end portion, changes the drive switching mechanism from the second drive state to the first drive state when the carriage comes into contact with the carriage, and moves away from the carriage. A contact member that changes the state from the first driving state to the second driving state may be provided.

  (3) In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, when the transport motor rotates in the forward direction when the drive switching mechanism is in the first drive state, the movement of the carriage located in the end region is within a predetermined distance. A lock mechanism capable of changing the state between a locked state to be regulated and an unlocked state in which the carriage can be moved between the one end and the other end, and a third signal indicating the amount of movement of the carriage is output. And a third detector. The control unit applies a voltage for rotating at least one of the forward and reverse rotations of the carriage motor to the carriage motor when the ink jet recording apparatus is turned on, and outputs the third output from the third detection unit. The confirmation process is executed when the carriage movement amount indicated by the signal is shorter than the predetermined distance.

  In a state where the carriage is locked in the end region by the lock mechanism, even if a voltage for rotating the carriage motor in one of the forward rotation and the reverse rotation is applied to the carriage motor, the carriage is not at the end of one end in the main scanning direction. Since it is not possible to move away from the partial area, the carriage movement amount becomes smaller than the threshold value. In this configuration, the confirmation process is executed only when the carriage is locked in the end region, that is, when the drive switching mechanism is in the first drive state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the confirmation process from being executed in a situation where the drive switching mechanism is in the second drive state and the rotational driving force of the transport motor is not transmitted to the switching mechanism.

  The switching mechanism may change the state to a state in which the pump and the cap communicate with each other and a state in which the gap between the cap and the pump is blocked by the forward rotation of the transport motor.

  (4) The switching mechanism includes a cylindrical main body formed with a port communicating with the pump and the cap, a rotating body that rotates inside the main body, and opens and closes the port according to a rotation phase; May be provided.

  According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to grasp in detail the location where a failure has occurred even when a detection signal indicating the rotation of the transport roller cannot be acquired.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the periphery of the recording unit 24. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the purge mechanism 44. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional connection between the control unit 135 and each unit. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the gear switching mechanism 170. (A) shows the first drive state, and (B) shows the second drive state. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the communication state between the ports in each state of the atmosphere switching mechanism 59. (A) is a CO suction state, (B) is an image recording state, (C) is an atmosphere communication state, and (D) is a sectional view showing a locked state. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the connection between each port and each part in the atmosphere switching mechanism 59. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the rotation phase of the rotator 148 and the state of each part in the atmosphere switching mechanism 59. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the control unit 135 when the MFP 10 is powered on.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a multifunction machine 10 (an example of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to the state in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed (the state in FIG. 1), and the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the front side as the front side (front side). A left-right direction 9 is defined when the machine 10 is viewed from the front side (front side).

  A multifunction machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printer unit 11 of an ink jet recording system at a lower part. The multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function, a printer function, and a copy function.

[Configuration of Printer Unit 11]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit 11 includes a casing (housing) 14 having an opening formed on the front surface. A feed tray 78 (FIG. 2) is inserted and removed from the front opening of the printer unit 11 toward the inside of the casing 14. The feed tray 78 can be inserted into and removed from the front opening 8 in the front-rear direction 8 from the front opening, and can support the sheets 21 of various sizes. A discharge tray 79 is formed above the feed tray 78. The sheet 21 on which the image is recorded is discharged to a discharge tray 79. A liquid crystal display panel 12 for displaying various types of information necessary for the operation of the multifunction device 10 is provided above the opening.

  Next, the configuration of the printer unit 11 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. In addition to the feed tray 78, the printer unit 11 feeds the paper 21 from the feed tray 78, and discharges ink onto the paper 21 fed by the feed unit 15 to record an image. An ink jet recording type recording unit 24 is provided.

[Conveyance path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, a conveyance path 65 is formed inside the printer unit 11 so as to extend downstream from the feeding tray 78 in the conveyance direction of the recording unit 24. The conveyance path 65 includes a curved path 65 </ b> A formed between the leading end (rear end) of the feeding tray 78 and the recording section 24, and a straight path formed between the recording section 24 and the discharge tray 79. And 65B. Part of the curved path 65 </ b> A is formed by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19. The straight path 65 </ b> B is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the recording unit 24, and a part thereof is formed by the lower guide member 183 and the upper guide member 184.

[Feeding unit 15]
The feeding unit 15 includes a feeding roller 25, a feeding arm 26, and a feeding drive transmission mechanism 27. The feeding roller 25 is disposed on the upper side of the feeding tray 78. The feed roller 25 feeds the paper 21 accommodated in the feed tray 78 to the curved path 65 </ b> A, and is rotatably supported at the tip of the feed arm 26. The feed roller 25 is rotated by the rotational force of the transport motor 76 being transmitted via the drive transmission mechanism 140 (FIG. 5) and the feed drive transmission mechanism 27. The feed drive transmission mechanism 27 is disposed in the feed arm 26. The feeding arm 26 rotates about the base shaft 28 as a rotation center axis, and the feeding roller 25 can be pressed against the upper surface of the paper 21 supported by the feeding tray 78 by the rotation of the feeding arm 26.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is disposed above the feeding tray 78. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the recording unit 24 includes a carriage 31 that mounts the recording head 30 and moves back and forth in the left-right direction 9 (an example of the main scanning direction of the present invention). The carriage 31 is moved by the driving force transmitted from the carriage motor 311 (FIG. 5). The recording head 30 is supplied with each color ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) from the ink cartridge through the ink tube. The carriage 31 moves in sliding contact with guide rails 35 and 36 extending in the left-right direction 9. As a result, the recording head 30 is scanned with respect to the sheet 21, and ink is ejected toward the sheet 21 supported by the platen 34 provided below the recording unit 24 to perform image recording. The left end of the movement range of the carriage 31 is an example of one end of the present invention, and the right end is an example of the other end of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 30 is provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 70 for ejecting ink are formed on a nozzle surface 48 which is the lower surface of the recording head 30. The nozzle 70 is provided for each color ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk). The nozzles 70 corresponding to the CMYBk color inks are aligned in a line along the front-rear direction 8, and the nozzles 70 corresponding to the color inks are aligned in the left-right direction 9.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an encoder strip 154 is provided on the guide rail 36 along the left-right direction 9. A read head 155 that reads the encoder strip 154 is mounted on the carriage 31. The read head 155 sends a pulse signal (an example of a third signal of the present invention) indicating the amount of movement relative to the encoder strip 154 to the control unit 135. These encoder strip 154 and read head 155 constitute a linear encoder 141.

[First conveyance roller 60 and second conveyance roller 62]
As shown in FIG. 2, a first transport roller 60 (an example of the transport roller of the present invention) and a pinch roller 61 are provided above the feed tray 78. The first conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 sandwich the sheet 21 that has been conveyed through the curved path 65 </ b> A and send it to the platen 34. A second transport roller 62 and a spur roller 63 are provided on the downstream side of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction. The second transport roller 62 and the spur roller 63 sandwich the recorded paper 21 and transport it toward the discharge tray 79 side. The first transport roller 60 is rotated by a rotational driving force transmitted from the transport motor 76 via the drive transmission mechanism 140. The second transport roller 62 rotates when the rotational driving force of the first transport roller 60 is transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first conveyance roller 60 is provided with a rotary encoder 32 (an example of a first detection unit of the present invention). The rotary encoder 32 includes an encoder disk 33 that is provided coaxially with the first transport roller 60 and rotates with the first transport roller 60, and a read head 37 that reads the encoder disk 33. The read head 37 sends a pulse signal (an example of the first signal of the present invention) indicating the amount of rotation of the first transport roller 60 to the control unit 135.

[Maintenance unit 80]
As shown in FIG. 3, a maintenance unit 80 is disposed in a region where the sheets 21 on both sides in the left-right direction 9 of the platen 34 do not pass, that is, in the vicinity of the right end in the reciprocating movement range of the carriage 31. The maintenance unit 80 includes a purge mechanism 44 (FIG. 4), a waste liquid tank 142 (FIG. 8), and the like.

  The purge mechanism 44 shown in FIG. 4 performs a purge operation described later. By the purge operation, bubbles and foreign matters are sucked and removed together with ink from the nozzles 70 and the like of the recording head 30. The purge mechanism 44 includes a cap 46 that covers the nozzle 70 of the recording head 30, a pump 143 (FIGS. 5 and 8) that is connected to the cap 46 and performs suction, and a lift-up for bringing the cap 46 into and out of contact with the nozzle surface 48. The mechanism 55, the waste liquid tank 142 (FIG. 8) into which ink or the like sucked by the pump 143 flows, and the carriage 31 are locked at the capping position at the right end of the movement range (the position overlapping the maintenance unit 80 in FIG. 3). And a wiper blade 56 (an example of the wiper according to the present invention) that wipes the nozzle surface 48.

  The cap 46 is in close contact with the nozzle surface 48 (FIG. 2) by the lift-up mechanism 55 to form a space between the nozzle surface 48 and cover the nozzle 70. When the cap 46 and the nozzle surface 48 are in close contact with each other, two spaces are formed according to the color ink (CMY) nozzle 70 and the black ink (Bk) nozzle 70. The cap 46 includes a CO cap 144 (FIG. 8) that covers the color ink nozzles 70 and a BK cap 145 (FIG. 8) that covers the black ink nozzles 70. An air inlet is provided at the bottom of each space of the CO cap 144 and the BK cap 145. Further, each intake port is connected to a port of an atmospheric switching mechanism 59 described later via a tube 163 (FIG. 8).

  The pump 143 includes a casing having an inner wall surface and a roller that rolls along the inner wall surface. A pump tube 82 is disposed between the roller and the inner wall surface. Then, by driving the roller, the pump tube 82 is handled, and the ink in the pump tube 82 is pushed out to the waste liquid tank 142. The pump 143 operates by transmitting the driving force of the transport motor 76 to the rollers via the drive transmission mechanism 140.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the lift-up mechanism 55 includes a pair of left and right isometric links 64. By rotating the isometric link 64, the holder 90 moves in parallel and moves between the position shown in FIG. 4A and the position shown in FIG. The holder 90 includes a contact lever 91 that protrudes vertically upward. When the carriage 31 moves to the capping position, the holder 90 moves to the position shown in FIG. 4B by pressing the contact lever 91 in the right direction. The cap 46 comes into close contact with the nozzle surface 48 when the holder 90 moves to the position shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the position of the cap 46 shown in FIG. 4B is referred to as a covering position. When the carriage 31 moves to the left from the capping position, the carriage 31 is separated from the contact lever 91, and the holder 90 is moved to the position shown in FIG. As a result, the cap 46 is separated from the nozzle surface 48. Hereinafter, the position of the cap 46 shown in FIG.

  The lock mechanism 146 is for locking the carriage 31 at the capping position. When the carriage 31 is locked by the lock mechanism 146, the cap 46 stops at the covering position in order to maintain the state where the carriage 31 presses the contact lever 91. The locking mechanism 146 has a locking portion that is movable between a position where the carriage 31 is locked (hereinafter referred to as a locking position) and a position where the carriage 31 is not locked (hereinafter referred to as a non-locking position). I have. The locking portion moves between the two positions when the driving force of the transport motor 76 is transmitted via the drive transmission mechanism 140. When the carriage 31 is locked, the locking portion limits, for example, that the cap 46 is positioned at the covering position within a range where it is not released.

  The wiper blade 56 is fitted into the wiper holder 68 and is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract with respect to the wiper holder 68. The wiper blade 56 is made of rubber. The wiper blade 56 moves in and out of the wiper holder 68 when the driving force of the transport motor 76 is transmitted through the drive transmission mechanism 140. In the state of FIGS. 4A and 4B housed in the wiper holder 68, the wiper blade 56 is spaced downward from the nozzle surface 48 of the recording head 30 (hereinafter referred to as a non-contact position). .) Further, the wiper blade 56 abuts on the nozzle surface 48 by projecting upward from the wiper holder 68 (hereinafter referred to as a contact position). When the carriage 31 moves in the left-right direction 9 in a state where the wiper blade 56 is in contact with the nozzle surface 48, the wiper blade 56 wipes off ink adhering to the nozzle surface 48. The wiper blade 56 moves between an abutting position and a non-abutting position when the rotational driving force of the transport motor 76 is transmitted through an atmosphere switching mechanism 59 described later. That is, the wiper blade 56 moves up and down as the atmosphere switching mechanism 59 is driven.

[Drive transmission mechanism 140]
The drive transmission mechanism 140 shown in FIG. 5 is composed of a planetary gear or the like, and uses the rotational driving force of the transport motor 76 as the first transport roller 60, the pump 143, the lock mechanism 146, the feed roller 25, and the atmosphere switching mechanism. 59 and the wiper blade 56. The drive transmission mechanism 140 includes a gear switching mechanism 170 (FIG. 6) for switching the transmission destination of the rotational driving force of the transport motor 76.

  A gear switching mechanism 170 (an example of the drive switching mechanism of the present invention) shown in FIG. 6 is provided in an end region E1 (FIG. 3) on the rear side of the maintenance unit 80. The gear switching mechanism 170 includes a moving gear 171 that is rotated by a rotational driving force transmitted from the conveyance motor 76, four driving gears 172 </ b> A to 172 </ b> D that can mesh with the moving gear 171, and a pressing force that is coaxially attached to the moving gear 171. A holding portion 173 for holding a member 175 and a switching lever 176 (an example of a contact member of the present invention) is provided.

  The moving gear 171 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 174. The moving gear 171 is movable along the axial direction (left-right direction 9) of the support shaft 174. A pressing member 175 that slides on the support shaft 174 is provided on the right side of the moving gear 171. As shown in FIG. 3, the switching lever 176 of the pressing member 175 protrudes upward through the holding portion 173 to the movement path of the carriage 31.

  The drive gears 172A to 172D are attached side by side on the same axis along the left-right direction 9 below the support shaft 174. The pressing member 175 is biased to the left by a spring. The carriage 31 contacts the switching lever 176 when moving to the right side. When the carriage 31 pushes the switching lever 176 to the right, the pressing member 175 slides to the right. The moving gear 171 is biased to the right side by a biasing force that is weaker than the biasing force to the left that the pressing member 175 receives. Therefore, when the pressing member 175 is slid to the right side, the moving gear 171 is also moved to the right side. The moving gear 171 meshes with one of driving gears 172A to 172D that are different from each other according to the position where the pressing member 175 slides. For example, when the carriage 31 is in the capping position and the nozzle 70 is covered with the cap 46, the moving gear 171 meshes with the drive gear 172D located on the rightmost side as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this is referred to as a first driving state.)

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the carriage 31 is not in contact with the switching lever 176 and the switching lever 176 is positioned on the leftmost side, the moving gear 171 pushed to the left by the pressing member 175 is And meshes with the drive gear 172A (hereinafter referred to as the second drive state).

  The transport motor 76 can rotate forward and backward. The drive gears 172A to 172D transmit the forward and reverse rotational driving forces transmitted from the transport motor 76 via the moving gear 171 to different mechanisms. Table 1 shows details of drive transmission in the first drive state and the second drive state. The case where the moving gear 171 meshes with the drive gears 172B and 172C is omitted because it is not necessary for describing the present invention.

  As shown in Table 1, in the first drive state, the rotational driving force of the transport motor 76 is transmitted to the first transport roller 60, the lock mechanism 146, the atmosphere switching mechanism 59, the pump 143, and the wiper blade 56. The first transport roller 60 rotates forward by the forward rotation of the transport motor 76, and reversely rotates by the reverse rotation of the transport motor 76. Further, only the forward rotational driving force of the transport motor 76 is transmitted to the lock mechanism 146, the atmosphere switching mechanism 59, and the wiper blade 56. The locking portion of the lock mechanism 146 moves between the locking position and the non-locking position by the forward rotation of the transport motor 76. The atmosphere switching mechanism 59 switches the communication state between ports, which will be described later, to a different state by the forward rotation of the transport motor 76. Further, as the atmospheric air switching mechanism 59 is driven, the wiper blade 56 is transmitted between the contact position and the non-contact position by the forward rotation of the transport motor 76 being transmitted. Further, the pump 143 is driven by the reverse rotation of the transport motor 76.

  On the other hand, in the second drive state, the rotational driving force of the carry motor 76 is transmitted to the first carry roller 60 and the feed roller 25. The first transport roller 60 rotates forward by the forward rotation of the transport motor 76. At this time, the first transport roller 60 rotates in a direction to transport the paper 21 downstream in the transport direction. Further, the first transport roller 60 rotates in reverse by the reverse rotation of the transport motor 76. In addition, only the reverse rotational driving force of the conveyance motor 76 is transmitted to the feeding roller 25. The feeding roller 25 rotates in the direction in which the paper 21 is fed to the conveyance path 65 by the reverse rotational driving force of the conveyance motor 76.

[Atmosphere switching mechanism 59]
7 includes a generally cylindrical cylinder 147 (an example of a main body of the present invention) and a generally cylindrical rotator 148 that is rotated by a conveyance motor 76 inside the cylinder 147. Yes. A CO port 156, a BK port 157, an atmosphere communication port 158, and an exhaust port 160 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 147. A pump connection port 159 is formed on the bottom surface of the cylinder 147. On the outer peripheral surface of the rotator 148, rubber ribs 149 and grooves 150 are stretched in a predetermined pattern. The rib 149 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 147 and slides on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 147 as the rotating body 148 rotates. In a portion where the rib 149 is not formed, a gap is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 147 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 148. A plurality of ports communicate with each other inside the atmosphere switching mechanism 59 through this gap. As the rotating body 148 rotates, the arrangement of the ribs 149 and the grooves 150 with respect to each port changes, so that the communication state between the ports is switched.

  As shown by a broken line in FIG. 7A, a detected member 151 that rotates integrally with the rotating body 148 is provided on the bottom surface of the rotating body 148. The detected member 151 is provided with a plurality of convex portions 152 protruding outward in the radial direction. The convex portions 152 are separated from each other by a predetermined rotation angle of the rotating body 148. The sensor 153 repeats contact and non-contact with the convex portion 152 according to the rotation of the rotating body 148. The sensor 153 generates a signal when contacting the convex portion 152, and sends this signal to the control unit 135. Here, the detected member 151 and the sensor 153 are examples of the second detection unit of the present invention. A signal when the sensor 153 comes into contact with the convex portion 152 is an example of the second signal of the present invention. The sensor 153 is configured to contact the convex portion 152 and generate a signal when the wiper blade 56 moves (moves to either the contact position or the non-contact position).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the CO port 156 communicates with the intake port at the bottom of the CO cap 144 by a tube 163. The BK port 157 communicates with the air inlet at the bottom of the BK cap 145 through the tube 163. The pump connection port 159 communicates with the waste liquid tank 142 via the tube 163 and the pump 143. The atmosphere communication port 158 communicates with the waste liquid tank 142 and at the same time communicates with the atmosphere. The exhaust port 160 is omitted because it is not necessary for explaining the present invention.

  Depending on the rotational phase of the rotator 148, the CO port 156 and the BK port 157 communicate with the pump connection port 159, respectively. For example, in the CO suction state (FIG. 7A), one of the grooves 150 is at a position facing the CO port 156. The grooves 150 are respectively formed in the rotary bodies 148 along the top and bottom (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 7), and each groove 150 reaches a pump connection port 159 formed on the bottom surface of the cylinder 147. That is, in the CO suction state, the CO port 156 communicates with the pump connection port 159 via the groove 150. When the pump 143 is driven in this state, the space between the CO cap 144 at the covering position and the nozzle surface 48 is brought into a negative pressure state. As a result, ink, bubbles, and foreign matter existing in the color ink (CMY) nozzle 70 and the nozzle surface 48 are sucked into the pump 143 and sent to the waste liquid tank 142. This operation is called a purge operation, and is an operation for maintaining a state in which ink is normally ejected from the nozzle 70.

  Although not shown in FIG. 7, the pump 143 is similarly driven at a position where one of the grooves 150 faces the BK port 157, so that the space between the BK cap 145 and the nozzle surface 48 is negative pressure. State. As a result, the ink, bubbles, and foreign matter existing in the black ink (Bk) nozzle 70 and the nozzle surface 48 are sucked toward the pump 143 and sent to the waste liquid tank 142.

  Further, the CO port 156 and the BK port 157 communicate with the atmospheric communication port 158 according to the rotational phase of the rotating body 148. For example, in the atmosphere communication state (FIG. 7C), the CO port 156, the BK port 157, and the atmosphere communication port 158 are not blocked by the rib 149, and are communicated with each other, that is, the BK cap. 145 or the space between the CO cap 144 and the nozzle surface 48 communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication port 158, respectively.

  Each position (locking position and non-locking position) of the locking portion of the lock mechanism 146 and each position (contact position and non-contact position) of the wiper blade 56 change as the rotating body 148 rotates. The correspondence between the rotational phase of the rotator 148 and the positions of the lock mechanism 146 and the wiper blade 56 is shown in FIG. The rotational phases A, B, C, and D correspond to the states of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D, respectively. The rotational phase B (corresponding to FIG. 7B) is called an image recording state, and is a state when the printer unit 11 performs image recording. Further, the rotational phase D (corresponding to FIG. 7D) is called a locked state, and is a state when the lock mechanism 146 locks the carriage 31 at the capping position. The rotational phase E will be described later.

  When the control unit 135 is on standby for generation of an image recording job (hereinafter referred to as a standby state), the carriage 31 is in the capping position. Further, the atmosphere switching mechanism 59 is in the locked state of the rotational phase D. When image recording is performed, the control unit 135 rotates the rotator 148 in one direction (clockwise in FIG. 7), and changes the rotation phase of the rotator 148 from the rotation phase D (locked state) to the rotation phase B (image). Recording state). As a result, the locking portion of the lock mechanism 146 moves from the locking position to the non-locking position, and the carriage 31 becomes movable for image recording. At this time, the wiper blade 56 is completely accommodated in the wiper holder 68 and is in a non-contact position. After the image recording is completed, the control unit 135 moves the carriage 31 to the capping position again, and then rotates the rotating body 148 in one direction, and rotates the rotating phase of the rotating body 148 from the rotation phase B (image recording state). Phase D (locked state) is assumed.

[Control unit 135]
A control unit 135 shown in FIG. 5 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10. The control unit 135 is configured as a microcomputer mainly including a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, ASIC, and the like.

  The ROM stores programs for the CPU to control various operations of the multifunction machine 10. The RAM is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data and signals used when the CPU executes the program, or as a data processing work area. The EEPROM stores settings and flags that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a conveyance motor 76, a carriage motor 311, read heads 37 and 155, a recording head 30, a sensor 153, and the liquid crystal display panel 12 are connected to the control unit 135. The control unit 135 controls the rotation of the transport motor 76 and the carriage motor 311. Further, signals from the read heads 37 and 155 and the sensor 153 are sent to the control unit 135.

  The control unit 135 calculates the amount of rotation of the first transport roller 60 based on the number of pulse signals generated from the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32. Further, the control unit 135 conveys the paper 21 to the target position by continuing the rotation of the conveyance motor 76 until the number of pulse signals generated from the read head 37 reaches the target value.

  The control unit 135 controls the movement of the carriage 31 based on the number of pulse signals generated from the read head 155 of the linear encoder 141. Further, the control unit 135 moves the carriage 31 to the target position by continuing the rotation of the carriage motor 311 until the number of pulse signals generated from the read head 155 reaches the target value.

  The sensor 153 is a contact type switch. When the sensor 153 comes into contact with the convex portion 152, the sensor 153 sends a signal to the control unit 135. On the other hand, when the sensor 153 is not in contact with the convex portion 152, the sensor 153 stops generating the signal. The control unit 135 detects the rotation amount and the rotation phase of the rotating body 148 in the atmosphere switching mechanism 59 based on the number of times the signal is generated and the generation time.

  Various image data for causing the liquid crystal display panel 12 to perform display are transmitted from the control unit 135 to the liquid crystal display panel 12. The liquid crystal display panel 12 receives image data from the control unit 135 and displays various types of information indicating the state of the multifunction machine 10.

[Protection of nozzle 70 when power is cut off]
When the user performs an operation to shut off the power supply of the multifunction machine 10, the control unit 135 moves the carriage 31 to the capping position and sets the rotating body 148 of the atmosphere switching mechanism 59 to the rotation phase D (locked state). That is, the carriage 31 is locked at the capping position while the power of the multifunction machine 10 is shut off. This is to protect the nozzles 70 of the recording head 30 while image recording is not performed.

  Therefore, if the power supply of the multifunction device 10 is normally cut off during the previous use, the carriage 31 is locked at the capping position when the power is turned on next time. Further, since the carriage 31 is in the capping position, the gear switching mechanism 170 of the drive transmission mechanism 140 is in the first drive state.

[Processing flow of control unit 135 at power-on]
The control unit 135 executes processing for confirming that the conveyance motor 76 normally rotates and that the pulse signal is normally generated from the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32 when the multifunction device 10 is turned on. Details of the processing will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the control unit 135 confirms that the carriage 31 is locked at the capping position. This means that when the carriage 31 is at a position other than the capping position, the gear switching mechanism 170 is in a driving state other than the first driving state, and the rotating body 148 cannot be rotated. Therefore, the control unit 135 applies a voltage for moving the carriage 31 leftward and rightward to the carriage motor 311 (step S10, hereinafter abbreviated as S10). Then, the control unit 135 confirms that the number of pulse signals generated from the read head 155 of the linear encoder 141 is within the range of the threshold value xb (S11). Since the movement of the carriage 31 is limited within a range where the cap 46 is not released from being positioned at the covering position, the pulse signal may be confirmed by the carriage 31 moving within the range. Therefore, a value corresponding to a distance longer than the range where the carriage 31 is restricted from moving is set as the threshold value xb.

  In order to confirm that the carriage 31 is locked at the capping position, it is only necessary to confirm that the carriage 31 cannot move leftward (direction away from the capping position). Only the carriage motor 311 may be applied.

  After confirming that the carriage 31 is locked at the capping position, the control unit 135 applies a voltage for causing the transport motor 76 to rotate forward (S12). And the control part 135 counts the time after applying a voltage, and stops the application of a voltage at the timing when the time t1 passed. The time t1 is a time necessary for the rotational phase of the rotator 148 to change from the rotational phase D shown in FIG. 9 to the rotational phase E. As a result, the wiper blade 56 moves from the non-contact position to the contact position, and the sensor 153 generates a signal. Further, as the first transport roller 60 rotates, the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32 generates a pulse signal. The processes in steps S12 and S13 are an example of the confirmation process of the present invention. The time t1 may be a time necessary for the rotational phase of the rotating body 148 to change from the rotational phase E to the rotational phase A at least. When the rotating body 148 changes from the rotation phase E to the rotation phase A, the wiper blade 56 moves from the contact position to the non-contact position.

  Since the carriage 31 is in the capping position, the gear switching mechanism 170 is in the first drive state. In other words, the application of the voltage described above causes the first transport roller 60 to rotate forward and the rotating body 148 of the atmosphere switching mechanism 59 to rotate. That is, during normal operation, the control unit 135 can confirm the pulse signal from the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32 and the signal from the sensor 153, respectively.

  When the pulse signal from the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32 can be confirmed (S13: Yes), the control unit 135 shifts to the standby state described above (S14). When the pulse signal by the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32 cannot be confirmed (S13: No), the control unit 135 confirms the signal of the sensor 153 (S15). When the control unit 135 can confirm the signal of the sensor 153 (S15: Yes), the control unit 135 notifies the user that there is an abnormality in the rotary encoder 32 (S16). When the control unit 135 can confirm the signal of the sensor 153 (S15: Yes), the rotating body 148 of the atmosphere switching mechanism 59 has rotated. Therefore, since there is no abnormality in the transport motor 76, the reason why the control unit 135 cannot confirm the pulse signal by the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32 is an abnormality of the rotary encoder 32. Examples of the abnormality of the rotary encoder 32 include a case where the connector of the read head 37 is disconnected from the control unit 135 and the encoder disk 33 is stained with ink or the like.

  The notification in step S16 is performed by a character string displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 12 or the display screen of the external device. The external device is, for example, a personal computer connected to the control unit 130 via a predetermined interface. In addition to the character string, a picture or icon indicating the content of the abnormality may be displayed. Or abnormality may be alert | reported by the sound effect and audio | voice output from a speaker.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 135 cannot confirm the signal of the sensor 153 (S15: No), the control unit 135 notifies the user that the conveyance motor 76 is abnormal (S17). The notification in step S17 is the same as the notification method in step S16. When the control unit 135 cannot confirm the signal of the sensor 153 (S15: No), the rotating body 148 of the atmosphere switching mechanism 59 does not rotate. That is, the reason why the control unit 135 cannot confirm both the pulse signal from the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32 and the signal from the optical sensor 153 is that the transport motor 76 is not driven. The reason why the transport motor 76 is not driven is that the connector of the transport motor 76 is disconnected from the control unit 135 or that the motor driver for driving the transport motor 76 in the control unit 135 is abnormal. can give. In addition, the process of step S16, S17 is an example of the alerting | reporting process of this invention.

[Effects of Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, when the transport motor 76 is rotated forward in a state in which the gear switching mechanism 170 is in the first drive state during normal operation, the control unit 135 performs a pulse signal from the read head 37 of the rotary encoder 32, And the signal of the sensor 153 can be confirmed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the control unit 135 cannot confirm the pulse signal of the rotary encoder 32, the control unit 135 causes an abnormality in the rotary encoder 32 depending on whether the signal of the optical sensor 153 can be confirmed. It is possible to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the conveyance motor 76. And detailed alerting | reporting can be performed with respect to a user. In addition, it is possible for the maintenance person in charge of the multifunction machine 10 to check the display of the notification, thereby shortening the time required for the restoration work of the multifunction machine 10.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 135 confirms that the carriage 31 is locked at the capping position, that is, the gear switching mechanism 170 is in the first drive state, and then corrects the transport motor 76. Apply rotating voltage. When the gear switching mechanism 170 is in a driving state other than the first driving state, since the rotating body 148 does not rotate even during normal operation, the control unit 135 cannot check the signal of the optical sensor 153. In the present embodiment, when the gear switching mechanism 170 is in a driving state other than the first driving state, it is possible to prevent the process from step S13 and subsequent steps from being performed, and erroneous notification to the user.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the gear switching mechanism 170 does not necessarily have to switch the driving state by the method described above. For example, the first drive state and the second drive state may be switched by the control unit 135 driving a drive switching motor or the like.

  Further, the configuration of the detected member 151 and the sensor 153 is an example, and any configuration may be used as long as it can detect the appearance of the wiper blade 56. For example, the sensor 153 may be an optical sensor that detects the appearance of the wiper blade 56.

  Further, the processing of the flowchart described above does not necessarily need to be executed when the multifunction machine 10 is turned on, and may be executed whenever the carriage 31 is locked at the capping position. Moreover, the process shown in the flowchart mentioned above is an example, and if the same function is implement | achieved, the detail of an algorithm will be determined arbitrarily.

  Moreover, the above-mentioned embodiment is only an example of the form which implements this invention. That is, the present invention may be implemented in various forms that do not exceed the gist of the present invention.

9: Left-right direction (main scanning direction)
10: Multifunction machine (inkjet recording device)
21 ... Paper (sheet)
24... Recording unit 30... Recording head 32... Rotary encoder (first detection unit)
46 ... Cap 48 ... Nozzle surface 56 ... Wiper blade (wiper)
60 ... 1st conveyance roller (conveyance roller)
76 ... Conveyance motor 135 ... Control unit 141 ... Linear encoder (third detection unit)
143 ... Pump 146 ... Lock mechanism 147 ... Cylinder (main body)
151 ... Detected member (second detection unit)
153 ... Sensor (second detector)
170 ... Gear switching mechanism (drive switching mechanism)
176... Switching lever (contact member)

Claims (5)

A transport motor capable of forward and reverse rotation;
A transport roller for transporting the sheet in the transport direction by forward rotation of the transport motor;
A first detector that outputs a first signal indicating that the transport roller is rotating;
A recording unit for recording an image on a sheet by ejecting ink from nozzles formed on a nozzle surface;
A cap that is movable between a separation position that is separated from the nozzle surface and a covering position that covers the nozzle surface;
A pump for discharging ink from the nozzles through the cap located at the covering position by reverse rotation of the transport motor;
A wiper that moves between a contact position that contacts the nozzle surface and a non-contact position that does not contact the nozzle surface, and wipes ink on the nozzle surface when in the contact position;
A switching mechanism for moving the wiper between the contact position and the non-contact position by being driven by the forward rotation of the transport motor;
A second detector that outputs a second signal when the switching mechanism is driven to move the wiper;
A control unit for controlling the rotation of the conveyance motor,
The control unit
Confirmation processing for confirming whether or not signals are output from the first detection unit and the second detection unit by rotating the transport motor forward by an amount necessary for the wiper to move,
When the first signal is not confirmed and the second signal is confirmed in the confirmation process, the first detection unit is notified that a failure has occurred. In the confirmation process, the first signal and the second signal are notified. An ink jet recording apparatus that executes notification processing for notifying that a failure has occurred in the transport motor when a signal is not confirmed. A drive switching mechanism that changes state to a first drive state in which the rotational drive force of the transport motor is transmitted to the switching mechanism and the pump; and a second drive state in which the rotational drive force is not transmitted to the switch mechanism and the pump;
A carriage motor capable of forward and reverse rotation, and
The recording unit moves from one end to the other end in the main scanning direction intersecting the transport direction when the carriage motor rotates in one of forward rotation and reverse rotation, and the carriage motor moves in the other direction of forward rotation and reverse rotation. A carriage that moves from the other end toward the one end when rotated in rotation, and a recording head that has the nozzle surface and is mounted on the carriage,
The drive switching mechanism is disposed in an end region at one end in the main scanning direction, and the drive switching mechanism is changed from the second drive state to the first drive state by contacting the carriage, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a contact member that changes the drive switching mechanism from the first drive state to the second drive state when the carriage is separated. When the transport motor rotates in the forward direction when the drive switching mechanism is in the first drive state, a lock state that restricts movement of the carriage located in the end region within a predetermined distance, the one end, and the other end A lock mechanism capable of changing the state to an unlocked state in which the carriage can be moved between
A third detector for outputting a third signal indicating the amount of movement of the carriage,
The control unit applies a voltage for rotating at least one of the forward and reverse rotations of the carriage motor to the carriage motor when the ink jet recording apparatus is turned on, and outputs the third output from the third detection unit. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the confirmation process is executed when a movement amount of the carriage indicated by the signal is shorter than the predetermined distance.   4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism changes in a state in which the pump and the cap communicate with each other and a state in which the gap between the cap and the pump is blocked by forward rotation of the transport motor. . The switching mechanism includes a cylindrical main body formed with a port communicating with the pump and the cap, and a rotating body that rotates inside the main body and opens and closes the port according to a rotation phase. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1.

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