JP2015116725A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device capable of quickly supplying liquid from a second liquid storage body when the liquid cannot be supplied to a recording head from a first liquid storage body.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: a recording head ejecting ink onto a sheet; and a large capacity storage body and a reserve tank storing the ink supplied to the recording head. Further, in the recording device, an ink supply source with respect to the recording head is switched from the large capacity storage body to the reserve tank (step S28) in the case where an ink residual amount of the large capacity storage body is less than a second residual amount (step S23: YES).

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a kind of recording apparatus, an ink jet printer that performs recording (printing) by ejecting ink supplied from an ink container that contains ink from a recording head onto a recording medium is known. In such printers, in order to continue the recording operation after the ink is supplied from the ink container to the recording head until it is replaced with a new ink container, the ink container is used. There is one in which a reserve tank for storing ink to be replenished to the body is attached to the ink container (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-54950 A

  By the way, in the printer as described above, when there is no more ink to be supplied to the recording head in the ink container, it is necessary to replenish the ink container with the ink stored in the spare tank. There is a problem that the recording operation cannot be performed until the recording is performed.

  The above-described problem is not limited to the above-described ink jet printer, and is generally a common problem in recording apparatuses including a recording head that ejects liquid supplied from a liquid container that stores liquid. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that can quickly supply liquid from the second liquid container when liquid cannot be supplied from the first liquid container to the recording head.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A recording apparatus that solves the above-described problem is capable of storing more than a recording head that ejects liquid onto a recording medium, a first liquid container that stores the liquid supplied to the recording head, and the first liquid container. A second liquid container that contains the liquid to be supplied to the recording head, and the remaining amount of the liquid in the first liquid container is less than a prescribed remaining amount, The state is changed from the state in which the first liquid container supplies the liquid to the recording head to the state in which the second liquid container supplies the liquid to the recording head.

  According to the above configuration, when the remaining amount of the liquid in the first liquid container is equal to or greater than the specified remaining amount, the recording head ejects the liquid supplied from the first liquid container. Then, when the remaining amount of liquid in the first liquid container becomes less than the specified remaining amount, the liquid supply source for the recording head is switched from the first liquid container to the second liquid container. For this reason, when the remaining amount of liquid in the first liquid container is less than the specified remaining amount, the recording head ejects the liquid supplied from the second liquid container.

  Thus, according to the above configuration, compared to the configuration in which the liquid is replenished from the second liquid container to the first liquid container when the remaining liquid amount of the first liquid container becomes less than the specified remaining amount, Since the operation for replenishment is not necessary, the supply of liquid is less likely to be interrupted when the liquid supply source is switched to the recording head. Therefore, when the liquid cannot be supplied from the first liquid container to the recording head, the liquid can be quickly supplied from the second liquid container.

  The recording apparatus supports a liquid flow path for supplying the liquid from the first liquid container to the recording head, the recording head and the second liquid container, and a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the recording medium. And a carriage that reciprocates.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid is ejected onto the recording medium from the recording head supported by the carriage that reciprocates in the direction intersecting the transport direction. Here, when the liquid is supplied to the recording head via the liquid flow path without providing the second liquid container on the carriage, the liquid in the first liquid container is used to quickly switch the liquid supply source. During the period until the remaining amount becomes less than the specified remaining amount, it is necessary to maintain the liquid channel connecting the second liquid container and the recording head in a state filled with the liquid. In this case, there is a possibility that the composition of the liquid changes in the liquid channel during the period until the remaining amount of liquid in the first liquid container becomes less than the specified remaining amount. In the above configuration, since the recording head and the second liquid container are supported by the carriage, such a problem can be made difficult to occur.

  In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the recording head can eject a plurality of types of liquid, and a plurality of the first liquid container and the second liquid container are provided according to the type of the liquid. .

  According to the above configuration, when the liquid stored in any one of the first liquid containers cannot be supplied to the recording head, the same type of liquid stored in the first liquid container is used. Can be quickly supplied from the second liquid container.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid stored in the second liquid container is black ink.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to stably perform a recording operation using black ink which is generally used frequently.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid stored in the second liquid container is a liquid that is darker than the liquid stored in the first liquid container.
According to the above configuration, when the user of the recording apparatus visually recognizes the recording medium on which the liquid is ejected, the liquid supply source for the recording head is switched to the second liquid container from the first liquid container. Can be recognized.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the multifunction machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an internal configuration of the recording apparatus and the ink storage apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink supply system of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an initial filling process routine that is executed when a large-capacity ink container is mounted. The flowchart explaining the processing routine performed when performing recording operation. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine that is executed when a large-capacity ink container is replaced during a recording operation. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine for determining ink to be used for a printing operation in a first mode. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine for determining ink used for a printing operation in a second mode. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine for determining ink to be used for a printing operation in a third mode. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine for determining a timing for ending a recording operation in a fourth mode. Schematic which shows a part of ink supply system of the recording device of 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the multifunctional machine of a modification. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the multifunctional machine of a modification, and the internal structure of an ink accommodating apparatus.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a recording apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment is an ink jet printer that performs recording (printing) by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a recording medium such as paper.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 11 contains a recording device 12 that performs a recording operation by ejecting ink, a reading device 13 that reads information recorded on a document G, and ink that is supplied to the recording device 12. And an automatic document feeder 15 that sequentially feeds a plurality of stacked documents G to the reading device 13. The reading device 13 is disposed on the recording device 12, and the automatic document feeder 15 is disposed on the reading device 13. The ink storage device 14 is arranged on one side (left side) of the recording device 12 in the left-right direction. On the front surface of the multifunction device 11, an operation unit 16 that is operated when a user inputs information to the multifunction device 11 and a display unit 17 that displays various types of information of the multifunction device 11 are provided. The display unit 17 is a liquid crystal display, for example. Further, the recording device 12 may be a recording device having a reading device 13 or the like therein.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink storage device 14 includes a plurality of large-capacity ink containers 21 that store ink, and a storage case 22 that stores the large-capacity ink containers 21. In the present embodiment, the large-capacity ink container 21 corresponds to an example of a first liquid container. The storage case 22 has a rectangular box shape with a bottom in the front-rear direction having an opening 23 for storing the large-capacity ink container 21 at the upper end, and includes a lid 24 that opens and closes the opening 23.

  In the storage case 22, four large-capacity ink containers 21 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. That is, the storage case 22 has a large-capacity ink container 21B for storing black ink, a large-capacity ink container 21C for storing cyan ink, and a large-capacity ink container for storing magenta ink from the front side toward the rear side. A large-capacity ink container 21Y that stores 21M and yellow ink is sequentially stored. Further, the storage case 22 is detachably attached to the left side surface of the recording device 12 so that the height thereof is aligned with the height of the reading device 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording apparatus 12 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body case 31 that is long in the left-right direction. A support base 32 that supports a sheet P as an example of a recording medium is provided at the center of the main body case 31. Further, a carriage 33 that can reciprocate in the left-right direction intersecting with the conveyance direction (front direction) of the paper P is provided above the support base 32.

  The carriage 33 supports a recording head 35 on which a plurality of nozzles 34 (see FIG. 3) for ejecting ink are formed, and a reserve tank 36 that can store less ink than the large-capacity ink container 21. Yes. Here, the recording head 35 is supported by the carriage 33 so that the nozzle 34 faces the support base 32. The recording head 35 is capable of ejecting the above-described inks of a plurality of colors (black, cyan, magenta, yellow ink) from the nozzles 34. On the other hand, only one spare tank 36 is provided corresponding to the large-capacity ink container 21B, and the spare tank 36 contains black ink. Here, the reserve tank 36 contains black ink that is darker than the black ink contained in the black large-capacity ink container 21. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the reserve tank 36 corresponds to an example of the second liquid container. The recording head 35 performs recording (printing) on the paper P by ejecting ink onto the paper P conveyed on the support base 32 when the carriage 33 moves in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet feeding cassette 41 that can store a plurality of sheets P in a stacked state is provided below the recording device 12. The main body case 31 is detachably mounted via the. The paper P in the paper feed cassette 41 is fed from the rear side onto the support base 32 while being reversed one by one by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). Then, the paper P that has been recorded on the support base 32 is sequentially discharged from a paper discharge port 43 constituted by an area above the paper feed cassette 41 in the paper feed cassette loading port 42. Note that a paper discharge tray 44 that supports the paper P sequentially discharged from the paper discharge port 43 is provided on the upper side of the paper feed cassette 41 so as to be extendable in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording apparatus 12 is provided at a left end portion in the main body case 31 on a holder case 51 having a rectangular box shape with an opening on the front side, and a bottom wall (rear wall) in the holder case 51. And a plurality of (four in this embodiment) connecting portions 52 arranged in the left-right direction.

  The other end side of the connection tube 53 whose one end side is connected to the large-capacity ink container 21 is connected to the distal end portion of the connection portion 52, while one end side is connected to the recording head 35 at the base end portion of the connection portion 52. The other end side of the supply tube 54 to be connected is connected. Here, the supply tube 54 and the connection tube 53 are made of a flexible material. The supply tube 54 is provided with a pump 55 (see FIG. 3) that pumps ink to the recording head 35 side. Thus, the ink supplied from the large-capacity ink container 21 of the ink storage device 14 to the connection portion 52 via the connection tube 53 is supplied to the recording head 35 via the supply tube 54. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the supply tube 54 corresponds to an example of a liquid channel.

Next, the ink supply system of the recording apparatus 12 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, illustration of a part of the configuration is omitted for easy understanding of the explanation.
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink supply system includes the large-capacity ink container 21 (21B, 21C, 21M, 21Y), the spare tank 36, the connection tube 53, and the supply tube 54 (54B, 54C, 54M, 54Y). It has. The ink supply system includes a pump 55 that pumps the ink in the supply tube 54 toward the recording head 35, and a supply flow path 56B that connects the supply tube 54 and the nozzles 34 (34B, 34C, 34M, 34Y). 56C, 56M, and 56Y. Further, the ink supply system uses a large-capacity ink container 21 </ b> B as a preliminary supply flow path 57 that connects the preliminary tank 36 and the nozzle 34 </ b> B, and an ink supply source for the nozzle 34 </ b> B of the recording head 35. And a switching valve 58 for switching between them.

  The large-capacity ink container 21 includes ink level sensors SL1, SL2, SL3, and SL4 that can detect whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 is less than the first remaining amount. Ink end sensors SE1, SE2, SE3, and SE4 that can detect whether the amount is less than the second remaining amount (the specified remaining amount) less than the first remaining amount are provided. As an example, it is assumed that the first remaining amount is “10%” of the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the large-capacity ink container 21, and the large-capacity ink container 21 when the second remaining amount is less than the second remaining amount. , It is assumed that the remaining amount of ink is such that ink cannot be supplied to the recording head 35. That is, the second remaining amount is a value close to “0 (zero)” or “0 (zero)”. The ink level sensors SL1 to SL4 and the ink end sensors SE1 to SE4 may be optical sensors or other sensors. The storage case 22 to which the large-capacity ink container 21 is attached is provided with a connection detection sensor (not shown) that detects whether or not the large-capacity ink container 21 is attached.

  The reserve tank 36 includes an ink level sensor SL5 that can detect whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is less than the third remaining amount, and the number of remaining ink in the reserve tank 36 that is smaller than the third remaining amount. There is provided an ink end sensor SE5 that can detect whether or not the remaining amount is less than four. As an example, it is assumed that the third remaining amount is “10%” of the maximum amount of ink that can be accommodated in the spare tank 36, and when the fourth remaining amount is less than the fourth remaining amount, the spare tank 36 transfers the recording head 35. It is assumed that the ink remaining amount is such that ink cannot be supplied. That is, the fourth remaining amount is a value close to “0 (zero)” or “0 (zero)”.

  The pump 55 pumps the ink in the individual supply tubes 54B, 54C, 54M, 54Y to the recording head 35 side. The supply channels 56B, 56C, 56M, and 56Y adjust the ink supplied from the supply tube 54 (54B, 54C, 54M, and 54Y) to an appropriate liquid pressure (negative pressure), and use the ink for the recording head 35. To the nozzles 34 (34B, 34C, 34M, 34Y). As described above, in the present embodiment, ink for the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35 is formed by the large-capacity ink container 21B, the supply tube 54B, the supply flow path 56B, the spare tank 36, the spare supply flow path 57, and the switching valve 58. It can also be said that the supply paths are formed in parallel.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the electrical configuration of the control unit according to the ink supply system will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the recording apparatus 12 includes a control unit 60 that performs overall control of the entire apparatus. The ink level sensors SL1 to SL4 and ink end sensors SE1 to SE4 of the large-capacity ink container 21 and the ink level sensor SL5 and ink end sensor SE5 of the spare tank 36 are connected to the input side interface of the control unit 60. . Further, the recording head 35, the pump 55, and the switching valve 58 are connected to the output side interface of the control unit 60. Then, the control unit 60 controls the recording head 35, the pump 55, and the switching valve 58 based on the detection results of the ink level sensors SL1 to SL5 and the ink end sensors SE1 to SE5.

  Next, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, when the large-capacity ink container 21 is mounted on the storage case 22, in order to determine whether the mounted large-capacity ink container 21 is appropriate, A processing routine executed by the control unit 60 will be described. That is, this processing routine is a processing routine that is executed after the large-capacity ink container 21 is removed from the storage case 22. In the following description, this processing routine is also referred to as an “initial filling processing routine”.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the large-capacity ink container 21 is attached to the storage case 22 based on the detection result of a connection detection sensor (not shown) (step S11). When the large-capacity ink container 21 is not attached to the storage case 22 (step S11: NO), the control unit 60 moves the process to step S11 and executes the process of step S11 again. Here, when the large-capacity ink container 21 is not attached to the storage case 22 (step S11: NO), for example, the large yellow ink container is attached to the storage case 22 where the black large-capacity ink container 21B is attached. A case where the large-capacity ink container 21 that does not correspond to the mounting position of the storage case 22 is mounted, such as when the capacitive ink container 21Y is mounted, may be included. In this case, the display unit 17 may display that the large-capacity ink container 21 attached to the storage case 22 is incorrect.

  On the other hand, when the large-capacity ink container 21 is attached to the storage case 22 (step S11: YES), the control unit 60 supplies the ink stored in the newly-installed large-capacity ink container 21 to the supply tube 54. The initial filling is performed by supplying the supply flow paths 56B, 56C, 56M, and 56Y (step S12). The initial filling is performed by driving the pump 55 corresponding to the newly mounted large-capacity ink container 21 and pumping the ink stored in the large-capacity ink container 21 toward the recording head 35.

  Subsequently, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 is less than the first remaining amount based on the detection results of the ink level sensors SL1 to SL4 (step S13). When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 is greater than or equal to the first remaining amount (step S13: NO), that is, when the remaining ink amount in the newly mounted large-capacity ink container 21 is sufficient, the control unit 60 terminates the process once. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 is less than the first remaining amount (step S13: YES), the control unit 60 stores the large-capacity ink based on the detection results of the ink end sensors SE1 to SE4. It is determined whether the ink remaining amount of the body 21 is less than the second remaining amount (step S14).

  When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount (step S14: NO), that is, the newly mounted large-capacity ink container 21 has insufficient ink remaining on the sheet P. If it is not so that recording cannot be performed, the control unit 60 causes the display unit 17 to display that the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 is small (step S15). Thereafter, the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 is less than the second remaining amount (step S14: YES), that is, the remaining ink amount in the newly mounted large-capacity ink container 21 is recorded on the paper P. If there is not enough to do so, the control unit 60 causes the display unit 17 to display a message for prompting the replacement of the large-capacity ink container 21 (step S16). Then, the control part 60 transfers the process to previous step S11.

Thus, according to the processing routine shown in FIG. 4, the recording operation is not started when an inappropriate large-capacity ink container 21 is newly installed, such as when there is no remaining ink.
Next, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 60 executes to determine whether the ink supply source for the nozzle 34 </ b> B of the recording head 35 is the large-capacity ink container 21 </ b> B or the reserve tank 36 </ b> B. A processing routine to be performed will be described. This processing routine is a processing routine that is repeatedly performed in a recording operation using black ink. Therefore, this processing routine may be executed between a print job and the next print job, may be executed between passes in a print job, or may be executed every arbitrarily set period. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 60 detects the state of the switching valve 58 to determine whether or not the ink supply source for the nozzles 34B of the recording head 35 is the large-capacity ink container 21B (step). S21). When the ink supply source is not the large-capacity ink container 21B (step S21: NO), that is, when the ink supply source is the spare tank 36, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S29 described later. On the other hand, when the ink supply source is the large-capacity ink container 21B (step S21: YES), the controller 60 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is based on the detection result of the ink level sensor SL1. It is determined whether it is less than one remaining amount (step S22).

  When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is greater than or equal to the first remaining amount (step S22: NO), that is, when the remaining ink amount in the large-capacity ink container 21B is sufficient, the control unit 60 performs the processing. Is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is less than the first remaining amount (step S22: YES), the controller 60 determines the large-capacity ink container 21B based on the detection result of the ink end sensor SE1. It is determined whether the remaining ink amount is less than the second remaining amount (step S23). When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount (step S23: NO), that is, the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is not sufficient, but recording on the paper P cannot be performed. If not, the control unit 60 displays on the display unit 17 that the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is small (step S24), and once ends the process. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is less than the second remaining amount (step S23: YES), that is, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B cannot be recorded on the paper P, The control unit 60 causes the display unit 17 to display a message for prompting replacement of the large capacity ink container 21B (step S25).

  Subsequently, the control unit 60 determines whether or not a replacement instruction for the large-capacity ink container 21B has been received from the user (step S26). When a replacement instruction for the large-capacity ink container 21B is received (step S26: YES), the control unit 60 executes a replacement processing routine for the large-capacity ink container 21B (step S27), and then ends this processing routine once. To do. In step S26, if there is no explicit replacement instruction from the user, the replacement process (step S27) of the large-capacity ink container 21B is not executed so as not to stop the recording operation on the paper P.

  On the other hand, when the replacement instruction for the large-capacity ink container 21B is not received from the user in the previous step S26 (step S26: NO), the control unit 60 switches the switching valve 58 to thereby change the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35. Is switched from the large-capacity ink container 21B to the spare tank 36 (step S28). If the user does not receive an instruction to replace the large-capacity ink container 21B, not only when the user gives an explicit instruction not to replace, but also from the user to the operation unit 16 for a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds). ) It may include the case where there is no instruction. That is, when there is no instruction from the user, the ink supply source is switched to the spare tank 36 when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B becomes less than the second remaining amount (specified remaining amount). .

  Then, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the spare tank 36 is less than the third remaining amount based on the detection result of the ink level sensor SL5 (step S29). If the ink remaining amount in the spare tank 36 is equal to or greater than the third remaining amount (step S29: NO), that is, if the ink remaining amount in the spare tank 36 is sufficient, the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is less than the third remaining amount (step S29: YES), the control unit 60 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is the first based on the detection result of the ink end sensor SE5. It is determined whether it is less than 4 remaining (step S30).

  If the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is equal to or greater than the fourth remaining amount (step S30: NO), that is, if the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is not sufficient, but the recording cannot be performed on the paper P, the control unit 60 displays on the display unit 17 that the remaining amount of ink in the spare tank 36 is small (step S31), and the process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is less than the fourth remaining amount (step S30: YES), that is, when the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is not large enough to be recorded on the paper P, the control unit 60 displays The part 17 is displayed to alert the replacement of the spare tank 36 (step S32). Then, the control unit 60 stops the recording operation on the paper P and performs a recording operation prohibition process so that the recording operation is not performed even when there is a new recording instruction (step S33). Exit. Note that the recording operation prohibition process in step S33 is a process that is executed when both the large-capacity ink container 21B that stores black ink and the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 are exhausted. In this case, since there is no ink ejected from the nozzles 34B of the recording head 35, the recording operation using black ink is prohibited.

  In the processing routine shown in FIG. 5, only when the determination in step S23 is affirmative for the first time (step S23: YES), the user has an opportunity to select whether or not to replace the large-capacity ink container 21B (step S23). S26) is given, but the opportunity to select may be given sequentially in the processing routine shown in FIG. That is, when there is no remaining amount of ink in the large capacity ink container 21B, the user may be able to replace the large capacity ink container 21B at an arbitrary timing.

  Next, the replacement processing routine for the large-capacity ink container 21B in step S27 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This processing routine is also a processing routine executed when the user replaces the large-capacity ink container 21B regardless of the processing routine shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the large-capacity ink container 21B has been removed from the storage case 22 based on the detection result of a connection detection sensor (not shown) (Step S41). When the large-capacity ink container 21B is not removed from the storage case 22 (step S41: NO), the control unit 60 moves the process to step S41 and executes the process of step S41 again. On the other hand, when the large-capacity ink container 21B is removed from the storage case 22 (step S41: YES), the control unit 60 executes an initial filling process routine shown in FIG. 4 (step S42).

  Subsequently, the control unit 60 switches the switching valve 58 to switch the ink supply source for the nozzles 34B of the recording head 35 from the spare tank 36 to the large-capacity ink container 21B (step S43). Then, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the spare tank 36 is less than the third remaining amount based on the detection result of the ink level sensor SL5 (step S44). When the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is equal to or greater than the third remaining amount (step S44: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is less than the third remaining amount (step S44: YES), the control unit 60 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is the first based on the detection result of the ink end sensor SE5. It is determined whether the remaining amount is less than 4 (step S45).

  If the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is equal to or greater than the fourth remaining amount (step S45: NO), the control unit 60 causes the display unit 17 to display that the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is small (step S46). ), The process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the spare tank 36 is less than the fourth remaining amount (step S45: YES), the control unit 60 displays on the display unit 17 a message to urge replacement of the spare tank 36 (step S47). The process is temporarily terminated. In the above processing routine, in step S47, ink is being supplied from the large-capacity ink container 21B to the nozzles 34B of the recording head 35, so there is no ink remaining in the reserve tank 36. However, the recording operation prohibition process is not performed as in step S33 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the ink stored in which container is used when the ink used for the recording operation runs out in the recording mode different from the recording mode shown in FIG. 5. A processing routine executed to determine whether to continue the recording operation will be described. Here, each processing routine is a processing routine that is executed together with the recording operation when the recording operation is performed in each recording mode. As the recording mode, a first mode, a second mode, a third mode, and a fourth mode are prepared. The first mode is a mode in which a recording operation is performed using cyan, magenta, and yellow ink. The second mode is a mode in which a recording operation is performed using black ink. The third mode is a mode in which a recording operation is performed using black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink. The fourth mode is a mode in which the recording operation is performed using the black ink stored in the spare tank 36. Further, in the following description, it is assumed that the description is focused on portions that are different from the recording mode shown in FIG. 5, and descriptions of overlapping portions are omitted or simplified.

  First, a processing routine executed together with the first mode, which is a recording operation using cyan, magenta, and yellow ink, will be described. The first mode is a recording mode that allows the ink color used for the recording operation to be changed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 60 determines whether the remaining ink level of any one of the large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y of cyan, magenta, and yellow is based on the detection results of the ink end sensors SE2 to SE4. It is determined whether the remaining amount is less than 2 (step S111). When the remaining amount of ink in all the large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y of cyan, magenta, and yellow is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount (step S111: NO), the control unit 60 temporarily ends the process. On the other hand, when the remaining ink amount of any of the large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y is less than the second remaining amount (step S111: YES), the control unit 60 determines that the remaining ink amount is the second remaining amount. The recording operation using the ink stored in the large-capacity ink container that has become less than the above is switched to the recording operation using the black ink (step S112). As an example, when there is no ink remaining in the yellow large-capacity ink container 21Y, the information that the yellow dots included in the raster format recording data (print data) input to the recording device 12 is ejected, The control unit 60 regards the information as ejecting black dots. In this case, the control unit 60 may display on the display unit 17 that the recording operation using yellow ink has been switched to the recording operation using black ink.

  Subsequently, based on the detection result of the ink end sensor SE1, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the black large-capacity ink container 21B is less than the second remaining amount (step S113). When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount (step S113: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the black large-capacity ink container 21B is less than the second remaining amount (step S113: YES), the control unit 60 switches the switching valve 58 to thereby change the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35. The ink supply source is switched from the large-capacity ink container 21B to the spare tank 36 (step S114).

  Then, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the spare tank 36 is less than the fourth remaining amount based on the detection result of the ink end sensor SE5 (step S115). When the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is equal to or greater than the fourth remaining amount (step S115: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount in the reserve tank 36 is less than the fourth remaining amount (step S115: YES), the control unit 60 performs a recording operation prohibition process (step S116), and thereafter ends the present processing routine. Thus, in the first mode, the ink color used for the recording operation is not changed except when the remaining amount of ink in the black large-capacity ink container 21B runs out and the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 runs out. The recording operation is continued.

  Next, a processing routine executed together with the second mode that is a recording operation using black ink will be described. Note that the second mode is a recording mode that does not allow the ink color used for the recording operation to be changed from the black ink, but the black ink generated here is a mixture of color inks and black ink. included.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the black large-capacity ink container 21B is less than the second remaining amount based on the detection result of the ink end sensor SE1 (see FIG. 8). Step S121). If the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount (step S121: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the black large-capacity ink container 21B is less than the second remaining amount (step S121: YES), the control unit 60 performs the recording operation using black ink with cyan, magenta, and yellow ink. The recording operation to be used is switched (step S122). Specifically, when the remaining amount of ink in the black large-capacity ink container 21B is exhausted, information indicating that black dots are ejected in the raster format recording data (printing data) input to the recording device 12 is displayed. 60 is regarded as information that the dots of cyan, magenta, and yellow are ejected. That is, cyan dots, magenta dots, and yellow dots are ejected in the same position on the paper P, thereby forming black dots.

  Subsequently, based on the detection results of the ink end sensors SE <b> 2 to SE <b> 4, the control unit 60 determines that the remaining amount of any one of the cyan, magenta, and yellow large-capacity ink containers 21 </ b> C, 21 </ b> M, 21 </ b> Y is less than the second remaining amount. It is determined whether or not (step S123). When the remaining amount of ink in all the large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y of cyan, magenta, and yellow is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount (step S123: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount of any of the large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y is less than the second remaining amount (step S123: YES), the control unit 60 switches the switching valve 58, The ink supply source for the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35 is switched from the large-capacity ink container 21B to the spare tank 36 (step S124).

  In the case where the remaining amount of any of the cyan, magenta, and yellow large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y is less than the second remaining amount (step S123: YES), the cyan, magenta, and yellow dots are used. This is a case where black dots cannot be formed by jetting the ink onto the paper P. That is, for example, when the remaining amount of ink in the cyan large-capacity ink container 21C runs out, red dots can be formed by ejecting magenta / yellow dots superimposed on the same position on the paper P. However, it becomes impossible to form black dots.

  Further, in step S124, when the ink supply source for the nozzle 34B is switched to the spare tank 36, the control unit 60 indicates that the black dots in the raster format recording data (print data) are ejected. You just have to process it according to the data.

  Then, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the spare tank 36 is less than the fourth remaining amount based on the detection result of the ink end sensor SE5 (step S125). When the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is equal to or greater than the fourth remaining amount (step S125: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount in the reserve tank 36 is less than the fourth remaining amount (step S125: YES), the control unit 60 performs a recording operation prohibiting process (step S126), and thereafter ends the present processing routine. Thus, in the second mode, the black ink is used except when the remaining amount of the cyan, magenta, or yellow large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y is exhausted and the remaining amount of ink in the spare tank 36 is exhausted. The recording operation to be used is continued.

  Next, a processing routine that is executed together with the third mode that is a recording operation using black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink will be described. The third mode is a recording mode that allows the ink color used for the recording operation to be changed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 60 determines that the remaining amount of ink in all the large-capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, and 21Y is less than the second remaining amount based on the detection results of the ink end sensors SE1 to SE4. It is determined whether or not there is (step S131). When the remaining amount of ink in all large-capacity ink containers 21 is not less than the second remaining amount (step S131: NO), that is, when there is at least one large-capacity ink container 21 in which the remaining ink amount remains, The controller 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 used for the recording operation is less than the second remaining amount (step S132). In step S132, for example, when the recording operation using black ink is performed, the remaining amount of ink in the black large-capacity ink container 21B is determined, and when the recording operation using cyan ink is performed. The remaining amount of ink in the cyan large-capacity ink container 21C is determined. Further, when a recording operation using the ink of the plurality of large-capacity ink containers 21 is performed, the remaining amount of ink of the plurality of large-capacity ink containers 21 is determined. When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 used for the recording operation is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount (step S132: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 used for the recording operation is less than the second remaining amount (step S132: YES), the control unit 60 determines that the remaining amount of ink is less than the second remaining amount. The recording operation using the ink stored in the capacitive ink container 21 is switched to the recording operation using another color ink (step S133). For example, when a recording operation using black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink is performed, if the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21M of magenta runs out, the recording operation using magenta ink is performed with black, cyan, and ink. The recording operation is switched to one of the yellow inks. Here, when the remaining amount of any one of the cyan, magenta, and yellow (color ink) large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y runs out, the recording operation is performed using other color inks that have the remaining amount of ink. It may be switched with priority, or may be switched with priority over the recording operation using black ink. It is assumed that the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 that stores the ink used in the switched recording operation is equal to or greater than the second remaining amount. When the ink used for the printing operation is switched, the control unit 60 once ends the process.

  In the previous step S131, when the remaining amount of ink in all the large-capacity ink containers 21 is less than the second remaining amount (step S131: YES), the control unit 60 determines which one is accommodated in the large-capacity ink container 21. The recording operation using the ink is switched to the recording operation using the black ink stored in the spare tank 36 (step S134). That is, the control unit 60 switches the switching valve 58 to switch the ink supply source for the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35 from the large-capacity ink container 21B to the spare tank 36. Here, if the recording operation using cyan, magenta, and yellow ink is performed before proceeding to step S134, the ink color used for the recording operation is changed from cyan, magenta, yellow ink to black by performing step S134. Switching to ink changes the ink color used for the recording operation. On the other hand, if the recording operation using the black ink is performed before proceeding to step S134, the ink color used for the recording operation is not switched from the black ink even if step S134 is performed.

  Then, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the spare tank 36 is less than the fourth remaining amount based on the detection result of the ink end sensor SE5 (step S135). When the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is equal to or greater than the fourth remaining amount (step S135: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount in the reserve tank 36 is less than the fourth remaining amount (step S135: YES), the control unit 60 performs a recording operation prohibition process (step S136), and thereafter ends the present processing routine. In this way, in the third mode, even if the ink color used for the recording operation is changed, all the ink stored in the large-capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, 21Y and the spare tank 36 is used. The recording operation is continued.

Next, a processing routine executed together with the fourth mode, which is a recording operation using ink stored in the reserve tank 36, will be described.
As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is less than the third remaining amount based on the detection result of the ink level sensor SL5 (step S141). When the remaining amount of ink in the reserve tank 36 is equal to or greater than the third remaining amount (step S141: NO), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount in the reserve tank 36 is less than the third remaining amount (step S141: YES), the control unit 60 performs a recording operation prohibiting process (step S142), and thereafter ends the present processing routine. Thus, in the fourth mode, even if the remaining amount of ink stored in the reserve tank 36 is equal to or greater than the fourth remaining amount, the recording operation is limited when the remaining ink amount is less than the third remaining amount.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus 12 of this embodiment will be described.
When a recording operation using black ink is performed in the recording apparatus 12, the ink supplied from the large-capacity ink container 21 </ b> B is directed toward the paper P from the nozzle 34 </ b> B of the recording head 35 provided in the reciprocating carriage 33. Is injected. When the recording operation is continued and the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B runs out, the ink supply source for the nozzle 34B is switched from the large-capacity ink container 21B to the spare tank 36 so that the recording operation is performed. Will continue. In this case, since the ink that is darker than the ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is ejected, the user can visually observe the recorded paper P, and the ink supply source can be a spare tank 36 for the user. It is recognized that it has been switched to.

  In the second mode, when the recording operation is continued and the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B runs out, the color inks in the large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y are ejected in an overlapping manner. The black recording operation continues.

  Further, in the first mode and the third mode, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 runs out when performing the recording operation using any color ink, the recording operation using the ink is performed. The recording operation is switched to the recording operation using the ink of the other large-capacity ink container 21 in which the remaining amount of ink remains. Thereby, although the ink color used for the recording operation changes, the recording operation is continued.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount, the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35 ejects ink supplied from the large-capacity ink container 21B. When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B becomes less than the second remaining amount, the ink supply source for the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35 is switched from the large-capacity ink container 21B to the spare tank 36. For this reason, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B is less than the second remaining amount, the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35 ejects the ink supplied from the spare tank 36.

  Therefore, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 is less than the second remaining amount, the replenishment is performed as compared with the case where the large-capacity ink container 21 is replenished with ink from the spare tank 36. No period is required. Accordingly, with the switching of the ink supply source for the recording head 35, the ink supply is less likely to be interrupted, and the ink is easily supplied continuously to the nozzles 34B of the recording head 35. Therefore, when it becomes impossible to supply ink from the large-capacity ink container 21 to the recording head 35, the switching valve 58 can be switched to quickly supply ink from the spare tank 36.

  (2) In the case where ink is supplied to the recording head 35 via the supply tube without the auxiliary tank 36 being supported by the carriage 33, the following problems occur in order to quickly switch the ink supply source to the auxiliary tank 36. May occur. That is, since it is necessary to maintain the supply tube connecting the reserve tank 36 and the recording head 35 with the ink until the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21B runs out, the supply is performed during the same period. There is a possibility that the composition of the ink changes in the tube. In this regard, in the above-described embodiment, the recording head 35 and the auxiliary tank 36 are connected on the carriage 33 by the supply flow path 56B that is shorter than the supply tube 54, so that the above problem can be prevented.

  (3) When the user of the recording apparatus 12 visually recognizes the paper P on which ink has been ejected, the ink supply source for the nozzle 34B of the recording head 35 has been switched to the spare tank 36 from the large-capacity ink container 21B. Can be recognized.

  (4) When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 and the spare tank 36 decreases, this is displayed on the display unit 17, so that the large-capacity ink container 21 is displayed before the user runs out of remaining ink. In addition, replacement of the spare tank 36 can be urged.

  (5) Since the large-capacity ink container 21 is not supported by the carriage 33, even if the large-capacity ink container 21 is enlarged, an increase in load when the carriage 33 reciprocates can be suppressed. On the other hand, the spare tank 36 is supported by the carriage 33. Only one spare tank 36 is provided corresponding to the black large-capacity ink container 21B, and the size of the spare tank 36 is the same as that of the large-capacity ink container 21. Since the comparison is small, an increase in load when the carriage 33 reciprocates can be suppressed.

  (6) In the first mode and the third mode, when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 runs out, the recording operation can be continued even if the ink color used for the recording operation changes. it can.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a recording apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. The printing apparatus according to the second embodiment is greatly different from the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of spare tanks 36 corresponding to the large-capacity ink container 21. For this reason, in description of 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the member which is common in 1st Embodiment, and the description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted. Therefore, in the ink supply system of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11, illustration of the configuration of the large-capacity ink container 21, the connection tube 53, and the pump 55 shown in FIG. 3 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the ink supply system of the second embodiment is black, cyan, magenta, yellow so as to correspond to the large-capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, 21Y of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Spare tanks 36B, 36C, 36M, and 36Y. Further, the ink supply system includes preliminary supply flow paths 57B, 57C, 57M, and 57Y that connect the preliminary tanks 36B, 36C, 36M, and 36Y and the nozzles 34B, 34C, 34M, and 34Y. Further, the ink supply system uses large-capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, 21Y as ink supply sources for the nozzles 34B, 34C, 34M, 34Y of the recording head 35, or reserve tanks 36B, 36C, 36M, 36Y. Switching valves 58B, 58C, 58M, and 58Y for switching whether to perform or not are provided.

  The spare tank 36 includes ink level sensors SL5, SL6, SL7, and SL8 that can detect whether or not the ink remaining amount in the spare tank 36 is less than the third remaining amount, and the ink remaining amount in the spare tank 36 is third. Ink end sensors SE5, SE6, SE7, and SE8 are provided that can detect whether the remaining amount is less than the fourth remaining amount that is less than the remaining amount. The spare tanks 36B, 36C, 36M, and 36Y store ink that is darker than the ink stored in the large-capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, and 21Y.

  In this respect, in this embodiment, the large-capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, and 21Y correspond to an example of the first ink container, and the spare tanks 36B, 36C, 36M, and 36Y are examples of the second ink container. It corresponds to.

  The recording apparatus according to the second embodiment determines whether the ink supply source for the nozzles 34 of the recording head 35 is the large-capacity ink container 21 or the spare tank 36 in accordance with the flowcharts shown in FIGS. decide. That is, the control unit 60 may execute a processing routine for each of the large-capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, and 21Y and for each of the spare tanks 36B, 36C, 36M, and 36Y according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. .

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus 12 of this embodiment will be described.
When the recording device 12 performs a recording operation using black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink, the large-capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, and 21Y are provided to the nozzles 34B, 34C, 34M, and 34Y of the recording head 35. Ink is supplied from. When the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 runs out, the ink supply source for the nozzle 34 that ejects the ink is switched to the spare tank 36. For example, when there is no ink remaining in the cyan large-capacity ink container 21C, the ink supply source for the nozzle 34C that ejects cyan ink is switched to the cyan reserve tank 36C. Similarly, when the remaining amount of ink in the yellow large-capacity ink container 21Y runs out, the ink supply source for the nozzle 34Y that ejects yellow ink is switched to the yellow spare tank 36Y. In this way, when the remaining amount of ink in the cyan large-capacity ink container 21C runs out, switching of the recording operation using cyan ink to the recording operation using other color inks is suppressed, and the yellow large-capacity ink container is suppressed. When the remaining amount of 21Y ink is exhausted, the recording operation using yellow ink is suppressed from being switched to the recording operation using another color ink.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (5) of the first embodiment.
(7) When the ink remaining in any of the large-capacity ink containers 21 is no longer supplied to the nozzles 34 of the recording head 35, the ink is stored in the large-capacity ink container 21. Ink of the same color as the ink can be quickly supplied from the reserve tank 36. That is, even when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 runs out, the recording operation can be continued without changing the ink color used for the recording operation.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as shown below.
The ink storage device 14 may be disposed on one side in the front-rear direction of the recording device 12 instead of being disposed on one side in the left-right direction of the recording device 12, or may be disposed on the lower side in the vertical direction of the recording device 12. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the ink storage device 14 may be arranged as ink storage devices 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B on both sides in the left-right direction of the recording device 12. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the ink storage device 14A disposed on one side of the recording device 12 in the left-right direction stores the black large-capacity ink storage body 21B and stores the ink stored on the other side. The apparatus 14B may store cyan, magenta, and yellow large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y. Further, the ink storage device 14B may store a large-capacity ink storage body of other ink such as white, light cyan, or light magenta. Further, two large-capacity ink containers 21 of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are stored in the ink storage device 14A on one side, and the other two large-capacity inks are stored in the ink storage device 14B on the other side. The body 21 may be stored.

  The ink capacity of the large capacity ink containers 21B, 21C, 21M, and 21Y may not be equal, and in the second embodiment, the ink capacity of the spare tanks 36B, 36C, 36M, and 36Y may not be equal. . For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the black large-capacity ink container 21B, which is expected to be used frequently, may contain more ink than the large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y. . Further, the large-capacity ink containers 21C, 21M, and 21Y that store color inks may be ink cartridges that store the same amount of ink as the spare tank 36.

  The large-capacity ink container 21 may be an exchangeable ink container that replaces the large-capacity ink container 21, or a refill-type ink container that replenishes the large-capacity ink container 21 with the amount of ink used. It may be a body. The same applies to the spare tank 36.

  The large-capacity ink container 21 may be an ink pack in which ink is stored in a pack-type container, an ink tank in which ink is stored in a hard tank such as a resin, or an ink cartridge. .

The large-capacity ink container 21 may be housed inside the multifunction machine 11. In this case, the storage case 22 may not be provided.
The ink stored in the reserve tank 36 may be an ink having more solvent components than the ink stored in the large-capacity ink container 21. In other words, since the ink stored in the reserve tank 36 is used after the ink remaining in the large-capacity ink container 21 is exhausted, it may be an ink that takes into account changes in the solvent volatilization amount and ink composition. .

  The ink stored in the reserve tank 36 does not have to be darker than the ink stored in the large-capacity ink container 21. For example, the ink stored in the reserve tank 36 may be the same ink as the ink stored in the large-capacity ink container 21. Further, the ink stored in the large-capacity ink container 21 may be darker than the ink stored in the spare tank 36.

  The ink level sensors SL1 to SL8 may not be provided. In this case, it is impossible to display on the display unit 17 that the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 and the reserve tank 36 is reduced, but other effects than the effect (4) of the first embodiment are obtained. be able to.

  The ink level sensors SL1 to SL8 and the ink end sensors SE1 to SE8 may be integrated sensors. In this case, such a sensor has a resolution that can separate at least the first remaining amount and the second remaining amount or the third remaining amount and the fourth remaining amount with respect to the remaining ink amounts of the large-capacity ink container 21 and the reserve tank 36. It is desirable to have. As an example, a configuration in which the remaining amount of ink is detected by measuring the mass of the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 and the reserve tank 36 may be employed.

  For example, the information regarding the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 and the reserve tank 36 in steps S24, S25, S31, and S32 may be continuously displayed on the display unit 17 or when the corresponding step is executed. You may display only. In the case where the display is continued on the display unit 17, it is desirable that the timing for ending the display be the timing at which the large-capacity ink container 21 and the spare tank 36 are replaced.

  The first remaining amount and the second remaining amount in the large-capacity ink container 21, and the third remaining amount and the fourth remaining amount in the spare tank 36 may be arbitrarily set. Further, the first remaining amount, the second remaining amount, the third remaining amount, and the fourth remaining amount may be different for each color of ink to be stored.

  -A recording operation using black ink is not performed by ejecting color ink on paper P, but a mixing chamber for mixing the color ink is provided in the recording head 35 and supplied from the mixing chamber. A recording operation using black ink may be performed by ejecting the mixed ink.

  -Not only when the remaining amount of ink in the large-capacity ink container 21 runs out, but also in the large-capacity ink container 21, the connection tube 53, and the supply tube 54, etc., so that ink can be supplied even if the remaining ink amount is sufficient. When there is no more ink, the ink supply source for the recording head 35 may be switched to the spare tank 36. In this case, it is desirable to provide a sensor that detects the occurrence of such clogging.

In the above embodiment, the recording device 12 is embodied as a serial printer. However, the recording device 12 may be a line printer or a page printer.
In the above embodiment, the recording apparatus 12 may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink. Note that the state of the liquid ejected as a minute amount of liquid droplets from the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a granular shape, a tear shape, and a thread-like shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ). Further, not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a substance in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or a metal particle are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent is included. Typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks.

  Specific examples of the liquid ejecting apparatus include, for example, liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, surface emitting displays, and materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of color filters in the form of dispersion or dissolution. There is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid as a sample that is used as a precision pipette, a printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects the liquid onto the substrate. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali in order to etch a substrate or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Multifunction machine, 12 ... Recording device, 14, 14A, 14B ... Ink storage device, 21 (21B, 21C, 21M, 21Y) ... Large capacity ink storage body (an example of a 1st liquid storage body), 33 ... Carriage, 34 (34B, 34C, 34M, 34Y) ... nozzle, 35 ... recording head, 36 (36B, 36C, 36M, 36Y) ... spare tank (an example of the second liquid container), 54 (54B, 54C, 54M, 54Y) ) ... Supply tube (an example of a liquid flow path), 56 (56B, 56C, 56M, 56Y) ... Supply flow path, 57 (57B, 57C, 57M, 57Y) ... Preliminary supply flow path, 58 ... Switching valve (58B, 58C, 58M, 58Y), 60 ... control unit, P ... paper (an example of a recording medium), SL1-SL8 ... ink level sensor, SE1-SE8 ... ink end sensor.

Claims (5)

A recording head for ejecting liquid onto the recording medium;
A first liquid container for containing the liquid to be supplied to the recording head;
A second liquid container that contains less liquid than the first liquid container and that contains the liquid supplied to the recording head;
When the remaining amount of the liquid in the first liquid container becomes less than a specified remaining amount, the second liquid container starts the recording from the state where the first liquid container supplies the liquid to the recording head. The recording apparatus is switched to a state in which the liquid is supplied to the head. A liquid flow path for supplying the liquid from the first liquid container to the recording head;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a carriage that supports the recording head and the second liquid container and reciprocates in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the recording medium. The recording head can eject a plurality of types of liquids,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the first liquid container and the second liquid container are provided according to a type of the liquid.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid stored in the second liquid container is black ink.   5. The liquid stored in the second liquid container is a liquid that is darker than the liquid stored in the first liquid container. 6. The recording device described.