JP2018051862A - Inkjet printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet printing device that can lengthen a period of time required for waste ink in a waste fluid tank to reach a limit amount without being restricted by the kind of waste ink.SOLUTION: An inkjet printing device 1, equipped with a cleaning portion 4 for performing cleaning processing, and a waste fluid tank 51 for storing waste ink collected through the cleaning processing, comprises: a determining portion 72 that determines whether or not amounts of waste ink stored in the waste fluid tank are above warning level; and a cleaning control portion 74 that when the amounts of the waste ink are above the warning level, controls the cleaning portion 4 so that the cleaning processing in which the amounts of waste ink to be collected into the waste fluid tank are suppressed is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet printing apparatus including a cleaning unit that performs a cleaning process on an inkjet head unit, and a waste liquid tank that stores waste ink collected by the cleaning process.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an inkjet printing apparatus includes a cleaning unit that periodically performs a cleaning process on an inkjet head unit in order to maintain a normal ejection state of the inkjet head unit. The cleaning process includes a purge process for forcibly discharging ink from the ink discharge surface of the ink jet head section in which a plurality of nozzles are formed, and a wipe for wiping dust and the like adhering to the ink discharge surface together with the discharged ink with a wiper blade. Including processing.

  In addition, the waste ink is discharged by the cleaning process. Waste ink discharged by the cleaning process is stored in a dedicated waste liquid tank. Then, when the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank reaches the limit amount (full), it is discarded by maintenance personnel or the like.

  Further, if the waste ink is continuously added after the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank reaches the limit amount, the waste ink may not be stored and ink leakage may occur. Therefore, when the waste ink reaches the limit amount, the ink jet printing apparatus is configured to be in a print impossible state until the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank is discarded.

  Here, when the waste liquid tank reaches the limit value, the printing disabled state is caused, which is a cause of reducing the productivity of the ink jet printing apparatus. In view of this, an ink jet printing apparatus has also been proposed in which the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank is overheated and dried to reduce the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank, thereby extending the period during which the waste liquid tank reaches the limit value. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-121229 A

  However, the ink jet printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is highly effective in reducing waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank if it is waste ink having a low boiling point such as water-based ink, but it is like oil-based ink. If the waste ink has a high boiling point, the effect is low, and there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain the effect of extending the period until the waste liquid tank reaches the limit value.

  As described above, in the printing apparatus according to the related art, since the type of waste ink is limited, such as being limited to waste ink having a low boiling point, the waste liquid tank reaches a limit value without being limited by the type of waste ink. Means for extending the period until the end were desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation, and provides an ink jet printing apparatus capable of extending the period until the waste liquid tank reaches a limit amount without being limited to the type of waste ink. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of an ink jet printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a cleaning unit that performs a cleaning process on an ink jet head unit, and a waste liquid tank that stores waste ink recovered by the cleaning process. A determination unit that determines whether or not the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank is equal to or greater than a warning amount that is a predetermined amount smaller than a limit amount that can be stored in the waste liquid tank; A cleaning control unit that controls the cleaning unit so as to execute the cleaning process in which the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank is suppressed when the amount of waste ink becomes equal to or greater than the warning amount. is there.

  A second feature of the ink jet printing apparatus according to the present invention is related to the above feature, wherein when the cleaning control unit controls the cleaning unit, the frequency of execution of the cleaning process, and the ink jet head unit in the cleaning process. The cleaning unit is controlled to execute the cleaning process while suppressing at least one of the purge pressure for discharging the waste ink.

  A third feature of the ink jet printing apparatus according to the present invention is related to the above feature, wherein the cleaning control unit sets the number of printed sheets set as an execution condition for executing the cleaning process when the execution frequency of the cleaning process is suppressed. And changing at least one of the power-off period.

  A fourth feature of the ink jet printing apparatus according to the present invention is related to the above feature, wherein the waste recovered in the waste liquid tank when the amount of the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank exceeds the warning amount. A reception processing unit that receives from the user whether or not to perform the cleaning process with the ink amount suppressed is further provided, and the cleaning control unit suppresses the waste ink amount when the waste ink amount becomes equal to or greater than the warning amount. When the cleaning process is received from the user, the cleaning unit is controlled to execute the cleaning process with the amount of waste ink suppressed.

  According to the first feature of the inkjet printing apparatus according to the present invention, the determination unit determines whether or not the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank is equal to or greater than a warning amount that is a predetermined amount smaller than the limit amount. In addition, when the amount of waste ink becomes greater than the warning amount, the cleaning control unit controls the cleaning unit to execute a cleaning process that suppresses the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank.

  According to such an ink jet printing apparatus, when the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank exceeds a warning amount that is a predetermined amount smaller than the limit amount, that is, when the amount of waste ink reaches the warning amount, it is collected. It is possible to execute a cleaning process with a reduced amount of waste ink. As a result, the rate of increase in the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank can be suppressed before the waste ink amount reaches the limit amount and printing becomes impossible, so the period until the limit amount is reached is extended. can do.

  Further, since the type of waste ink is not particularly limited, the period until the waste liquid tank reaches the limit value can be extended without being limited by the type of waste ink. Furthermore, since the disposal cycle of the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank can be extended, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity of the ink jet printing apparatus.

  In the ink jet printing apparatus according to the first feature, for example, when the cleaning control unit controls the cleaning unit, the cleaning process execution frequency, and the purge pressure for discharging the waste ink from the ink jet head unit in the cleaning process, It is also possible to control the cleaning unit so that at least one of the above is suppressed and the cleaning process is executed (second feature of the present invention). Thereby, since the pace of increase in the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank can be suppressed, the period until the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank reaches the limit amount can be extended.

  In the ink jet printing apparatus according to the first feature, for example, when the cleaning control unit suppresses the execution frequency of the cleaning process, the number of printed sheets set as an execution condition for executing the cleaning process and the power shut-off period are set. At least one of them may be changed (third feature of the present invention). In this way, by changing the number of printed sheets and the power-off period set as execution conditions for executing the cleaning process, the period until the waste liquid tank reaches the limit amount can be extended.

  Further, in the ink jet printing apparatus according to the first feature, when the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank becomes greater than a warning amount, a cleaning process is executed that suppresses the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank. A reception processing unit that receives whether or not from the user, the cleaning control unit when the waste ink amount is equal to or greater than a warning amount, and when receiving from the user to perform a cleaning process that suppresses the waste ink amount, The cleaning unit may be controlled to execute a cleaning process that suppresses the amount of waste ink (a fourth feature of the present invention). Accordingly, in the inkjet printing apparatus, the user can select a cleaning process that suppresses the amount of waste ink and a cleaning process that does not suppress the amount of waste ink. Can be improved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an inkjet printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is a side view for demonstrating the detection method of the ink amount by the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a side view for demonstrating the detection method of the ink amount by the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (C) It is a side view for demonstrating the detection method of the ink amount by the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a figure which shows an example of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an ink jet printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further, the embodiments shown below exemplify devices and the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention is to arrange the components and the like as follows. Not specific. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of inkjet printing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper, lower, left, and right directions in FIG.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a transport unit 2, an inkjet head unit 3, a cleaning unit 4, and a waste liquid unit 5.

  The transport unit 2 includes a transport belt 21 provided to face the inkjet head unit 3, a drive roller 22 that drives the transport belt 21 to circulate, and driven rollers 23, 24, and 25 that are driven by the drive roller 22.

  The conveying belt 21 is stretched over the driving roller 22 and the driven rollers 23, 24, and 25, and moves endlessly by driving of the driving roller 22 during printing, and is supplied from a paper supply stand (not shown) provided on the left side. Hold and transport.

  The transport unit 2 includes a printing position for performing a paper transport process during printing by a vertical motor (not shown), a retreat position for lowering the print position and moving the cleaning unit 4 thereon, and a cleaning unit 4. At the same time, it is configured to be movable between a cleaning position that rises above the retracted position and causes the cleaning unit 4 to perform cleaning of the inkjet head unit 3.

  The movement of the transport unit 2 to the retracted position is performed to move the cleaning unit 4 between the transport unit 2 and the inkjet head unit 3 when the inkjet head unit 3 is cleaned. In the example of FIG. 1, the transport unit 2 is disposed at the cleaning position.

  The inkjet head unit 3 has line-type ink heads 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d having nozzle rows, and prints an image by ejecting ink onto a sheet conveyed by the conveyance belt 21.

  Each of the ink heads 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d ejects black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks. Each of the ink heads 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d has the same physical structure, although the ink color to be ejected is different.

  Each of the ink heads 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d is provided with an ink chamber that accommodates ink, and a piezo element is disposed in the ink chamber. Then, based on the supplied drive signal, a drive voltage for ejecting ink is applied to the piezo element, thereby ejecting ink of each color. As a result, an image of each color ink is formed with a resolution of, for example, 300 (dpi).

  The cleaning unit 4 performs a cleaning process on the inkjet head unit 3. The cleaning process is a process for cleaning the ink ejection surfaces of the ink heads 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d provided in the inkjet head unit 3. The cleaning process includes a purge process and a wipe process.

  In the purge process, a predetermined purge pressure is applied to the inkjet head unit 3 to discharge the waste ink inside the inkjet head unit 3 from the nozzle rows of the ink heads 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d of the inkjet head unit 3. Let At this time, the ink discharged from the nozzle row becomes droplets and stays as purge ink droplets on the nozzle surface without leaving the nozzle surface.

  In the wiping process, a wiper (not shown) is moved after the purge process, and the ink staying on the nozzle surfaces of the ink heads 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is wiped off.

  In the cleaning process, a flushing process for ejecting a fixed amount of ink from the nozzle rows of the ink heads 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d may be executed after the wipe process.

  The cleaning unit 4 is disposed at a home position (storage position) indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1 during printing. The home position (storage position) is below the right side of the transport unit 2. When the cleaning unit 4 performs cleaning, the cleaning unit 4 is developed on the transport unit 2 and moved upward together with the transport unit 2 after the transport unit 2 has moved to the lower retracted position in FIG. It is moved to the cleaning position indicated by the solid line. The cleaning position is between the transport unit 2 and the inkjet head unit 3.

  The cleaning unit 4 moves between a home position and a cleaning position by driving a moving motor (not shown).

  The waste liquid part 5 is for collecting and storing waste ink. The waste liquid unit 5 includes a tank tray 51, a recovery pump 52, a waste liquid tank 53, and a detection sensor 54.

  The tank tray 51 is for arranging the waste liquid tank 53.

  The recovery pump 52 sucks / recovers the waste ink recovered by the cleaning unit 4 and conveys it to the waste liquid tank 53. The recovery pump 52 is driven by the control of the control unit 7 (see FIG. 3) during the cleaning process of the inkjet head unit 3.

  The waste liquid tank 53 is disposed on the tank tray 51 and can be attached to and detached from the tank tray 51. The waste liquid tank 53 stores the waste ink collected by the cleaning process.

  The waste liquid tank 53 is connected to the cleaning unit 4 via a recovery pump 52 and a recovery pipe 52a. The waste liquid tank 53 stores the waste ink transported from the cleaning unit 4 when the recovery pump 52 is driven. Note that the waste liquid tank 53 is configured to be inclined about the shaft 53a according to the amount of waste ink stored (see FIG. 2).

  The detection sensor 54 transmits a detection signal corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 to the control unit 7. Specifically, the detection sensor 54 includes a first sensor 54a and a second sensor 54b.

  The first sensor 54a and the second sensor 54b are optical sensors composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The first sensor 54 a and the second sensor 54 b output an “ON signal” or “OFF signal” according to the light reception result of the irradiation light applied to the shielding plate 55 provided at the end of the waste liquid tank 53.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining a method of detecting the ink amount by the detection sensor 54. Specifically, FIG. 2A shows, for example, a state where the waste liquid tank 53 is empty, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 is a warning amount. FIG. 2C shows a state where the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 is the limit amount (full).

  Here, the warning amount is a waste ink amount that is smaller by a predetermined amount than the limit amount that can be accommodated in the waste liquid tank 53, and is defined in advance. The predetermined amount may be, for example, 10% of the limit amount.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the waste liquid tank 53 is empty, the first sensor 54a outputs a detection signal indicating "ON", and the second sensor 54b is detection indicating "OFF". Output a signal. Thereby, it can be detected that the waste liquid tank 53 is installed in addition to the empty state of the waste liquid tank 53.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 reaches a warning amount, the first sensor 54a and the second sensor 54b are both detection signals indicating "ON". Is output. Thereby, it can be detected that the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 is a warning amount.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, when the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 reaches the limit amount, the first sensor 54a outputs a detection signal indicating “OFF”, and the second sensor 54b. Outputs a detection signal indicating "ON". Thereby, it can be detected that the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 is the limit amount.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. The ink jet printing apparatus 1 includes an operation panel unit 6 and a control unit 7 in addition to the transport unit 2, the ink jet head unit 3, the cleaning unit 4, and the waste liquid unit 5 shown in FIG.

  The operation panel unit 6 accepts user input operations and displays various types of information. The operation panel unit 6 includes an input unit having operation buttons and a touch panel for a user to perform various input operations, and a display unit (all not shown) including a liquid crystal panel that displays various types of information. .

  The control unit 7 controls the operation of the entire inkjet printing apparatus 1. The control unit 7 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, hard disk, and the like. The control unit 7 implements various control processes by the CPU that has read the control program.

  The control unit 7 includes a detection signal acquisition unit 71, a determination unit 72, a reception processing unit 73, a cleaning control unit 74, and a storage unit 76.

  The detection signal acquisition unit 71 acquires a detection signal transmitted from the detection sensor 54.

  Based on the detection signal acquired by the detection signal acquisition unit 71, the determination unit 72 determines whether or not the amount of waste ink is equal to or greater than a warning amount.

  For example, when the detection signals of the first sensor 54a and the second sensor 54b acquired by the detection signal acquisition unit 71 indicate “ON”, the determination unit 72 determines that the waste ink amount is a warning amount. The determination unit 72 limits the amount of waste ink when the detection signal of the first sensor 54a acquired by the detection signal acquisition unit 71 indicates “OFF” and the detection signal of the second sensor 54b indicates “ON”. It is determined that the amount.

  The reception processing unit 73 suppresses the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank when the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank exceeds the warning amount, that is, when the waste ink amount reaches the warning amount. Whether or not to execute the cleaning process is received from the user. Specifically, the reception processing unit 73 receives, from the user, mode instruction data instructing which of the suppression mode and the normal mode should be set when the amount of waste ink becomes greater than the warning amount.

  Here, the suppression mode and the normal mode define the operation content of the cleaning process. The suppression mode is a mode for executing a cleaning process in which the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank 53 is suppressed. The normal mode is a mode in which the cleaning process is executed without suppressing the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank 53.

  The cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 to execute the cleaning process when the execution condition for executing the cleaning process is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the execution condition for executing the cleaning process is set according to the number of printed sheets.

  In addition, the cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 to execute the cleaning process in either the suppression mode or the normal mode based on the mode instruction data.

  For example, the cleaning control unit 74 performs cleaning in the suppression mode when the waste ink amount is greater than the warning amount and the reception processing unit 73 receives from the user that the cleaning process is performed in the suppression mode in which the waste ink amount is suppressed. The cleaning unit 4 is controlled to execute the process. When the cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 in the suppression mode, the cleaning control unit 74 suppresses both the execution frequency of the cleaning process and the purge pressure for discharging the waste ink from the inkjet head unit 3 in the cleaning process. The cleaning unit 4 is controlled to execute the process.

  The execution frequency is defined by the number of prints set as the execution condition of the cleaning process. The purge pressure is a pressure for discharging the waste ink from the inkjet head unit 3 in the barge process included in the cleaning process.

  Here, FIG. 4A shows an execution condition table in which the normal mode and the suppression mode are associated with the number of prints set as the execution condition.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the execution condition in the normal mode is that the number of printed sheets is set to “1000” so that the cleaning process is executed every “1000” printed by the inkjet printing apparatus 1. It is set.

  On the other hand, the execution condition in the suppression mode is set to “3000 sheets” so that the cleaning process is executed for every “3,000 sheets” printed by the inkjet printer 1. Thus, the number of printed sheets set as the execution condition defines the execution frequency of the cleaning process. In the suppression mode, the number of printed sheets set as the execution condition is set so as to suppress the execution frequency of the cleaning process. As a result, the frequency of performing the cleaning process is suppressed, so that the amount of waste ink collected is suppressed.

  FIG. 4B shows a purge pressure table in which the normal mode and the suppression mode are associated with the purge pressure (pressurizing pressure) of the barge process performed in the cleaning process.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the purge pressure in the normal mode is set to “strong purge” with a strong purge pressure so as to surely remove the waste ink from the inside of the inkjet head unit 3.

  On the other hand, the purge pressure in the suppression mode is set to “weak purge”, which is lower than the “strong purge”. Thus, the purge pressure in the suppression mode is set so as to suppress the purge pressure for discharging the waste ink from the inkjet head unit 3 in the cleaning process. Thereby, the amount of waste ink collected per cleaning process is suppressed.

  The tables shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B are stored in the storage unit 76 in advance. The cleaning control unit 74 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 76 and controls the cleaning unit 4 to execute the cleaning process in either the suppression mode or the normal mode.

  The print control unit 75 executes various processes for printing an image on a sheet in the inkjet printing apparatus 1. Specifically, the print control unit 75 controls the operations of the transport unit 2 and the inkjet head unit 3 to print an image on a sheet.

  The storage unit 76 is configured by a device such as a hard disk. The storage unit 76 stores various information used for processing of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. Information stored in the storage unit 76 is referred to by each unit in the control unit 7. For example, the storage unit 76 stores a table shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and various screen data displayed on the operation panel unit 6.

<Operation of Inkjet Printing Apparatus 1>
Next, the operation of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 will be described. Specifically, an operation when the inkjet printing apparatus 1 executes the cleaning process will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the inkjet printing apparatus 1.

  In the following operations, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 will be described by taking as an example a case where the normal mode is set in advance. Specifically, it is assumed that the number of printed sheets is set to “1000” as the execution condition for executing the cleaning process, and the barge pressure of the purge process executed in the cleaning process is set to “strong purge”.

  In step S10, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the cleaning control unit 74 satisfies an execution condition for the cleaning process. Specifically, the cleaning control unit 74 determines whether or not the number of printed sheets printed by the inkjet printing apparatus 1 satisfies “1000 sheets” of the number of printed sheets set as the execution condition. If the print control unit 75 does not satisfy the cleaning process execution condition (step S10 “No”), the operation of step S10 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the cleaning control unit 74 determines in step S11 that the cleaning process execution condition is satisfied (step S10 “Yes”), the detection signal acquisition unit 71 acquires the detection signal from the detection sensor 54.

  In step S <b> 12, the determination unit 72 determines whether the amount of waste ink is equal to or greater than the limit amount that can be stored in the waste liquid tank, based on the detection signal acquired by the detection signal acquisition unit 71. Specifically, the determination unit 72 determines whether or not the detection signal of the first sensor 54a acquired by the detection signal acquisition unit 71 indicates “OFF” and the detection signal of the second sensor 54b indicates “ON”. Determine.

  In step S13, when the determination unit 72 determines that the amount of waste ink is equal to or greater than the limit amount that can be stored in the waste liquid tank (step S12 “Yes”), a notification screen indicating that the amount of waste ink has reached the limit amount. Is displayed on the operation panel unit 6 to notify the user.

  In step S <b> 14, the print control unit 75 sets the print disabled state in which the printing process is not performed in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 until the waste ink in the waste liquid tank 53 is discarded.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 72 determines in step S15 that the amount of waste ink is not greater than or equal to the limit amount that can be stored in the waste liquid tank (step S12 “No”), the determination unit 72 is based on the detection signal acquired by the detection signal acquisition unit 71. Then, it is determined whether or not the waste ink amount is equal to or greater than a warning amount. Specifically, the determination unit 72 determines whether or not the detection signals of the first sensor 54a and the second sensor 54b acquired by the detection signal acquisition unit 71 are both “ON”.

  In step S16, when the determination unit 72 determines that the amount of waste ink is not greater than the warning amount (step S15 “No”), the cleaning control unit 74 sets the normal mode. Here, since it is already in the normal mode, the cleaning control unit 74 does not perform any particular operation.

  In step S17, the cleaning control unit 74 performs a cleaning process in the normal mode. Specifically, the cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 to execute a cleaning process including a purge process for collecting waste ink with a purge pressure “strong purge”. In the following, the operation of step S10 is performed based on “1000 sheets” of the number of printed sheets set as the execution condition of the normal mode.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 72 determines in step S18 that the amount of waste ink is equal to or greater than the warning amount (step S15 “Yes”), the reception processing unit 73 predicts a period until the amount of waste ink reaches the limit amount. To do.

  Specifically, the reception processing unit 73 is based on the warning amount V1 of the waste ink and the period T1 from the time when the waste liquid tank 53 is mounted to the time (current) when the waste ink amount becomes the warning amount V1. The increase rate S1 (= V1 / T1) of waste ink is calculated.

  Then, the reception processing unit 73 determines a period T2 (= ΔV / S1) until the limit amount V2 is reached based on the predetermined amount ΔV that is the difference between the warning amount V1 and the limit amount V2 and the increase rate S1 of the waste ink. ) Is calculated. Then, the reception processing unit 73 displays the calculated period T2 on the operation panel unit 6.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 19, the reception processing unit 73 displays a mode selection screen on the operation panel unit 6. At this time, the reception processing unit 73 may display a mode selection screen including the calculated period T2 on the operation panel unit 6.

  Here, the mode selection screen is a screen for allowing the user to select which of the normal mode and the suppression mode should be set. After displaying the mode selection screen, the operation panel unit 6 receives mode instruction data indicating the input normal mode or suppression mode when the user inputs either the normal mode or the suppression mode. Send to.

  In step S <b> 20, the reception processing unit 73 receives the mode instruction data transmitted from the operation panel unit 6.

  In step S21, the cleaning control unit 74 determines whether the mode instruction data received by the reception processing unit 73 indicates the normal mode or the suppression mode. When the mode instruction data indicates the normal mode (step S20 “normal mode”), the cleaning control unit 74 performs the operation of step S16.

  On the other hand, in step S22, when the mode instruction data indicates the suppression mode (step S20 “suppression mode”), the cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 to execute the cleaning process in the suppression mode. Specifically, the cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 to execute the cleaning process while suppressing both the execution frequency of the cleaning process and the purge pressure applied to the inkjet head unit 3 in the cleaning process.

  In addition, the cleaning control unit changes the number of printed sheets set as an execution condition for executing the cleaning process when the execution frequency of the cleaning process is suppressed in the suppression mode.

  Specifically, the cleaning control unit 74 refers to the execution condition table stored in the storage unit 76 and specifies “3000 sheets” of the number of printed sheets stored in association with the suppression mode. Then, the cleaning control unit 74 changes “1000 sheets”, which is currently set as the execution condition, to “3000 sheets”.

  Subsequently, the cleaning control unit 74 refers to the purge pressure table stored in the storage unit 76 and specifies the “weak purge” of the purge pressure stored in association with the suppression mode. Then, the cleaning control unit 74 changes the “strong purge” of the purge pressure currently set as the purge pressure of the purge process of the cleaning process to “weak purge”.

  In step S22, the cleaning control unit 74 performs a cleaning process in the suppression mode. Specifically, the cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 to execute a cleaning process including a purge process in which the purge pressure is set to “weak purge”. In the following, the operation of step S10 is performed based on “3000 sheets” of the number of printed sheets set as the execution condition of the suppression mode.

<Action and effect>
As described above, in the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit 72 determines whether or not the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 is equal to or greater than a warning amount. When the amount of waste ink is equal to or greater than the warning amount, the reception processing unit 73 receives mode instruction data for instructing whether to set the suppression mode or the normal mode from the user, and the cleaning control unit 74 sets the mode. Based on the instruction data, the cleaning unit 4 is controlled to execute the cleaning process in either the suppression mode or the normal mode.

  Specifically, when controlling the cleaning unit 4 in the suppression mode, the cleaning control unit 74 suppresses both the execution frequency of the cleaning process and the purge pressure for discharging the waste ink from the inkjet head unit 3 in the cleaning process. Then, the cleaning unit 4 is controlled to execute the cleaning process. Here, when suppressing the execution frequency of the cleaning process by the suppression mode, the cleaning control unit 74 changes the number of prints set as an execution condition for executing the cleaning process from “1000 sheets” to “3000 sheets”.

  According to the ink jet printing apparatus 1, when the amount of waste ink becomes equal to or greater than the warning amount, it is possible to select a suppression mode in which a cleaning process that suppresses the amount of recovered waste ink is executed.

  As a result, the rate of increase in the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank can be suppressed before the waste ink amount reaches the limit amount and printing becomes impossible, so the period until the limit amount is reached is extended. can do. Furthermore, since the disposal cycle of the waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank 53 can be extended, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity of the inkjet printing apparatus 1.

  Further, since the type of waste ink is not particularly limited, the period until the waste liquid tank reaches the limit value can be extended without being limited by the type of waste ink.

  Further, in the inkjet printing apparatus 1, when the amount of waste ink exceeds the warning amount, it is also possible to select a normal mode that does not suppress the amount of waste ink. Can be improved.

  In the first embodiment described above, the operation of the reception processing unit 73 in steps S18 to S21 is not necessarily required. For example, when the determination unit 72 determines that the amount of waste ink is equal to or greater than the warning amount (step S15 “Yes”), the process proceeds to step S22, and the cleaning control unit 74 performs cleaning so as to execute the cleaning process in the suppression mode. The unit 4 may be controlled. That is, the cleaning control unit 74 may control the cleaning unit 4 so as to execute a cleaning process in which the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank is suppressed when the amount of waste ink becomes greater than a warning amount.

  According to the inkjet printing apparatus 1, when the amount of waste ink exceeds the warning amount, that is, when the amount of waste ink reaches the warning amount, the waste ink that is collected without receiving an instruction from the user. A cleaning process with a reduced amount can be executed. As a result, the pace of increase in the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank can be more reliably suppressed, and the period until the limit amount is reached can be more reliably extended.

[Modification 1]
Next, Modification 1 of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described by focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

  Here, in the first embodiment described above, the number of printed sheets is defined as an execution condition. However, in the first modification, the power cutoff period is defined as an execution condition.

  In the first modification, the cleaning control unit 74 is configured to change the power cutoff period set as the execution condition when the execution frequency of the cleaning process is suppressed in the suppression mode. The power cutoff period is a period during which the power of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is shut off (OFF).

  Here, FIG. 6 shows an execution condition table in which each mode of the normal mode and the suppression mode is associated with the power cutoff period set as the execution condition. The execution condition table shown in FIG. 6 is stored in advance in the storage unit 76.

  In the first modification, in step S22 (see FIG. 5) described above, the cleaning control unit 74 operates as follows.

  Specifically, in step S <b> 22, the cleaning control unit 74 refers to the execution condition table stored in the storage unit 76 and specifies “6 hours” of the power-off period stored in association with the suppression mode. Then, the cleaning control unit 74 changes “4 hours” of the power-off period currently set as the execution condition to “6 hours”.

  In step S22, the cleaning control unit 74 changes the “strong purge” of the purge pressure currently set as the purge pressure of the purge process of the cleaning process to “weak purge” in the first implementation described above. It is the same as the form.

  As described above, in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to Modification 1, when the cleaning control unit 74 suppresses the execution frequency of the cleaning process in the suppression mode, it changes the power cutoff period set as the execution condition. Thereby, the period until the waste liquid tank reaches the limit amount can be extended.

[Other Embodiments of the Present Invention]
Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification.

  For example, in the first embodiment described above, when the cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 in the suppression mode, the cleaning process is performed by suppressing both the execution frequency of the cleaning process and the purge pressure. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the suppression mode, the cleaning control unit 74 may suppress only the execution frequency of the cleaning process or may suppress only the purge pressure. That is, the cleaning control unit 74 may control the cleaning unit 4 so as to execute the cleaning process while suppressing at least one of the execution frequency of the cleaning process and the purge pressure in the suppression mode.

  Further, for example, in the first modification described above, the cleaning control unit 74 is configured to change the power-off period set as the execution condition when suppressing the execution frequency of the cleaning process. You may change both with a power-off period. That is, the cleaning control unit 74 may be configured to change at least one of the number of printed sheets set as an execution condition and the power-off period when the frequency of cleaning processing is suppressed by the suppression mode.

  Further, for example, in the first modification described above, the cleaning control unit 74 is configured to change the power cutoff period set as the execution condition and further suppress the purge pressure, but only the power cutoff period is set. It may be changed. That is, when the cleaning control unit 74 controls the cleaning unit 4 in the suppression mode, the cleaning control unit 74 may suppress only the execution frequency of the cleaning process.

  The number of printed sheets “1000” and “3000” shown in the execution condition table of FIG. 4A is an example, and is not particularly limited. An appropriate number of prints can be set.

  As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer 2 ... Conveying part 3 ... Inkjet head part 4 ... Cleaning part 5 ... Waste liquid part 6 ... Operation panel part 7 ... Control part 51 ... Tank tray 52 ... Collection pump 53 ... Waste liquid tank 54 ... Detection sensor 55 ... Shielding Plate 71 ... Detection signal acquisition unit 72 ... Determination unit 73 ... Reception processing unit 73 ... Mode instruction data reception processing unit 74 ... Cleaning control unit 75 ... Print control unit 76 ... Storage unit

Claims (4)

An inkjet printing apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit that performs a cleaning process on an inkjet head unit; and a waste liquid tank that stores the waste ink recovered by the cleaning process,
A determination unit that determines whether the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank is equal to or greater than a warning amount that is a predetermined amount smaller than a limit amount that can be stored in the waste liquid tank;
A cleaning control unit that controls the cleaning unit to execute the cleaning process in which the amount of the waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank is suppressed when the amount of the waste ink becomes equal to or greater than the warning amount. An inkjet printer characterized by the above. When the cleaning control unit controls the cleaning unit, the cleaning control unit suppresses at least one of an execution frequency of the cleaning process and a purge pressure at which the waste ink is ejected from the inkjet head unit in the cleaning process. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is controlled to execute a process. The said cleaning control part changes at least one of the number of printed sheets set as an execution condition which performs the said cleaning process, and a power supply cutoff period, when suppressing the execution frequency of the said cleaning process. The inkjet printing apparatus as described. When the amount of waste ink stored in the waste liquid tank becomes greater than the warning amount, an acceptance is received from a user as to whether or not to execute the cleaning process with the amount of waste ink collected in the waste liquid tank suppressed. A processing unit;
The cleaning control unit that suppresses the waste ink amount when the waste control unit receives from the user that the waste ink amount becomes equal to or greater than the warning amount and performs the cleaning process that suppresses the waste ink amount. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is controlled so as to execute the following.

Images