JP2024041296A - Device that discharges liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a liquid ejection device that can reuse recovered liquid while preventing ejection failures and without complicating the device's mechanism. [Solution] A liquid ejection device that includes a liquid ejection head 11 that ejects black liquid, a liquid cartridge 20, a fixed waste liquid tank 8 that stores waste liquid 2, a waste liquid storage cartridge 32 that has an evaporation prevention member 33 inside and stores the waste liquid 2, a replacement waste liquid tank 31 that stores the waste liquid 2 that is not supplied to the head tank 11b, and a control unit 50, the control unit 50 stores information on the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 due to maintenance and the elapsed time since maintenance was performed, and controls the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to be sent to the waste liquid storage cartridge 32 when the amount of waste liquid 2 stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 exceeds a predetermined amount and the elapsed time since maintenance is performed is within a predetermined time. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for discharging liquid.

In an inkjet recording device, which is an example of a device that ejects a liquid, ink remaining in the nozzle or on the nozzle surface of a liquid ejection head is collected into a waste liquid tank by empty ejection or suction. ing.

Conventionally, ink discharged into a waste liquid tank was disposed of as is. There was a problem that disposal led to environmental burden. In addition, there was a problem in that the user had to replace the tank for collecting waste liquid, which added to the cost burden.
To address this problem, a technique has been proposed for reusing collected waste ink (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus including means for supplying ink collected by a collection means to a reuse ink recording head as reuse ink.

In a device that reuses waste ink, if waste ink whose viscosity has increased over time is supplied to a liquid ejection head, there is a risk of ink clogging resulting in ejection failure or device failure.
On the other hand, if a means for adjusting the viscosity of waste ink is provided, the device will become larger and the mechanism will become more complicated, which may make it difficult to reduce costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for discharging a liquid that can reuse the collected liquid without complicating the mechanism of the device and preventing the occurrence of discharge failures.

In order to solve the above problems, a device for ejecting liquid according to the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects at least a black liquid, a liquid cartridge that supplies liquid to the liquid ejecting head, and maintenance of the liquid ejecting head. a fixed waste liquid tank that stores waste liquid discharged from the maintenance part; and a fixed waste liquid tank that supplies the waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank to a head tank of the liquid discharge head that discharges black liquid. A waste liquid storage cartridge disposed on the path and provided with an evaporation prevention member therein and containing the waste liquid, a replacement waste liquid tank accommodating the waste liquid not supplied to the head tank, and a control unit, the control unit comprising: The unit stores information on the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank due to maintenance and the elapsed time since the maintenance was performed, and when the amount of the waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank exceeds a predetermined amount and since the maintenance was performed. When the elapsed time of is within a predetermined time, the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank is controlled to be sent to the waste liquid storage cartridge.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a device for discharging liquid that can reuse the collected liquid without complicating the mechanism of the device and preventing the occurrence of discharge failures.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of main parts of a device for discharging liquid according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of main parts of a device for discharging liquid according to the present embodiment. This is an example of a parameter table. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device for discharging liquid according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control mechanism included in the device for discharging liquid according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A device for discharging liquid according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and may be modified within the scope of those skilled in the art, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. These are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they exhibit the functions and effects of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of main parts of an embodiment of a device for discharging liquid according to the present invention.
The apparatus for discharging liquid according to the present embodiment includes a liquid discharging head 11, a liquid cartridge 20 that supplies liquid to the liquid discharging head 11, a maintenance section that performs maintenance of the liquid discharging head 11, and a waste liquid discharged from the maintenance section. a fixed waste liquid tank 8 for storing the waste liquid, and a waste liquid storage cartridge that is disposed on a path that supplies the waste liquid 2 stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the liquid ejection head 11, has an evaporation prevention member 30a inside, and stores the waste liquid. 30, an exchange waste liquid tank 31 that accommodates waste liquid that is not supplied to the head tank 11b, and a control unit 50.

The apparatus for ejecting liquid shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, an inkjet recording apparatus, and the liquid ejecting head includes a plurality of head tanks 11b, and black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), Yellow (Y) ink is ejected.

The liquid cartridge supplies ink of a corresponding color to the liquid ejection head 11. In FIG. 1, only the black liquid cartridge 20 is shown. Note that the liquid cartridge 20 is removable.

The device for ejecting liquid according to the present embodiment includes at least a liquid ejection head 11 that ejects black (Bk) liquid, a head tank 11b, and a liquid cartridge 20 that supplies black (Bk) liquid. The presence or absence and types of head tanks 11b and liquid cartridges of other colors can be selected as appropriate.
The liquid in the liquid cartridge 20 or waste liquid is sent to the head tank 11b via the pump P1.
The waste liquid is supplied to the head tank 11b of the liquid ejection head from which black (Bk) liquid is ejected by switching the flow path by the valve V1.

The maintenance section 10 (see FIG. 5) includes a wiper 12, a suction cap 14, a moisturizing cap 16, and the like, and performs operations to maintain normal ejection from the liquid ejection head 11. In FIG. 1, only the suction cap 14 is shown.
The suction cap 14 is a cap member equipped with a suction mechanism for suctioning liquid from the nozzle surface 11a when maintaining the liquid ejection head 11.

When the suction cap 14 performs a suction operation, it comes into contact with the nozzle surface 11a of at least one of the liquid ejection heads 11 to cover the nozzle hole. In an embodiment including a plurality of head tanks 11 and nozzle surfaces 11a, the suction cap 14 sequentially contacts all the nozzle surfaces 11a. Alternatively, a mode may be adopted in which a plurality of suction caps 14 are provided corresponding to a plurality of nozzle surfaces 11a.

A suction pump P2 is connected to the side of the suction cap 14 opposite to the nozzle surface 11a via a tube 5.
The suction pump P2 is driven with the suction cap 14 attached to the nozzle surface 11a. As a result, the suction pump P2 sucks the ink remaining inside the nozzle and on the nozzle surface 11a, and the sucked ink (waste liquid) passes through the connected tube 5 and reaches the fixed waste liquid tank 8. is stored in

Note that the sucked ink (waste liquid) contains foreign matter such as dust attached to the nozzle surface 11a, etc., so a filter member is installed upstream of the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to filter the waste liquid discharged from the maintenance section. It is preferable to include F.

The fixed waste liquid tank 8 is equipped with stirring means 81 for stirring the stored waste liquid.
In an embodiment including a liquid ejection head 11 that ejects ink of a plurality of colors in addition to black, the waste liquid discharged from the maintenance section includes a mixture of black liquid and liquid of other colors. By providing the stirring means 81 inside the fixed waste liquid tank 8, the liquids of each color are stirred and the color as a whole becomes close to black. Further, by stirring the liquid using the stirring means 81, the increase in viscosity of the stored liquid can be delayed, and the freshness of the liquid can be maintained.

The stirring means 81 may be, for example, a stirring screw. Examples of the stirring screw include one in which blade-like members such as twisted blades are attached at predetermined intervals to a rotating shaft extending in the longitudinal direction of the fixed waste liquid tank 8. The waste liquid is stirred by the rotation of the vane-like member.
The drive mechanism of the stirring means 81 includes, for example, a motor connected to a rotating shaft, a transmission, and the like.

The drive mechanism of the stirring means 81 includes, for example, a motor connected to a rotating shaft, a transmission, and the like. The drive mechanism of the stirring means 81 can be shared, for example, with the drive mechanism of the adjacent suction pump P2. This makes it possible to save space and reduce costs of the device.

Furthermore, the inside of the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is provided with an inclined part 82 having a slope that becomes lower toward the discharge port through which the waste liquid 2 is discharged. Preferably, the inclined portions 82 are formed in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction.

The fixed waste liquid tank 8 is provided with an inclined portion 82 therein, so that the waste liquid 2 can be reliably sent to the discharge port. Furthermore, by collecting air above the discharge port, it is possible to prevent air from being mixed into the waste liquid 2 to be discharged.

Further, the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is provided with a detection means 83 for detecting the amount of stored waste liquid. The detection means 83 may detect characteristics of the waste liquid in addition to the amount of the waste liquid. The characteristics of the waste liquid 2 include, for example, viscosity, concentration, pH, etc., and can be appropriately selected as necessary.

Further, the device for discharging liquid according to the present embodiment includes a valve V2 that switches the connection of the fixed waste liquid tank 8 between the waste liquid storage cartridge 30 and the replacement waste liquid tank 31, the fixed waste liquid tank 8, and the waste liquid storage cartridge. 30 or a replacement waste liquid tank 31.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main parts of FIG. 1 and an example of movement of the waste liquid 2. As shown in FIG.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a tube 3 forms a flow path from the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the valve V2, a tube 6 forms a flow path from the valve V2 to the waste liquid storage cartridge 30, and a tube from the valve V2 to the replacement waste liquid tank 31 is shown. A tube 5 forming a flow path and a tube 7 forming a flow path from the waste liquid storage cartridge 30 to the liquid ejection head are schematically shown.
Pump P3 is capable of transporting the waste liquid in these tubes (tube 3, tube 5, tube 6) in forward and reverse directions.

The device for discharging liquid according to this embodiment includes a control section 50. The control unit 50 stores information on the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 due to maintenance and the elapsed time since the maintenance was performed, and the control unit 50 stores information about the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 due to maintenance and the amount of waste liquid 2 stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 exceeds a predetermined amount. When the elapsed time from implementation is within a predetermined time, the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is controlled to be sent to the waste liquid storage cartridge 30.

In this embodiment, deterioration due to increased viscosity of waste fluid is determined based on the time elapsed since maintenance was performed. That is, it is determined whether the waste liquid 2 generated due to maintenance and stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is to be reused or discarded based on the elapsed time.
Waste liquid whose elapsed time since maintenance has exceeded a predetermined time is selected to be disposed of as unsuitable for reuse, and after being sent to the exchange waste liquid tank 31, it is stored in the exchange waste liquid tank 31 and disposed of. be done.

On the other hand, waste liquid to be reused is sent to the waste liquid storage cartridge 30. The waste liquid storage cartridge 30 containing waste liquid to its full capacity can be removed and stored. The stored waste liquid storage cartridge 30 can be used, for example, as a recycled cartridge for supplying liquid to the black (Bk) liquid ejection head 11.

As for the basic operation of the liquid ejecting device of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first, waste liquid (waste ink) discharged from the liquid ejection head 11 due to maintenance is sent to the fixed waste liquid tank 8. Information about the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 and the elapsed time since the maintenance was performed is recorded in the control unit 50. When it is determined that the quality (viscosity) of the waste liquid is within a reusable range based on the recorded elapsed time, the valve V2 is switched and the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is transferred to the waste liquid storage cartridge 30 by the pump P3. Send liquid.

For example, the parameter table shown in FIG. 3 is referred to for the amount of waste liquid and the elapsed time, which are the criteria for determining whether the waste liquid can be reused.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a parameter table.
In the liquid ejecting device of this embodiment, multiple types of maintenance (maintenances A to C) are performed. Since the amount of waste fluid generated differs for each maintenance, the magnitude of the amount of waste fluid generated is represented by a score (count), which is stored by the control unit 50.
For example, in maintenance A, the generated waste liquid amount score (count) is 2 for each color head tank. For example, if the head tank to be maintained has four colors, the waste liquid amount score is 8.
Similarly, the waste liquid amount score (count) for maintenance B is 4, and the waste liquid amount score for maintenance C is 10.

Furthermore, the elapsed time after maintenance, which is a criterion for determining whether or not the quality (viscosity) of waste liquid can be reused, also differs for each maintenance.
For example, in maintenance A, the elapsed time after the maintenance is performed is two days, and waste liquid that has exceeded two days is determined to be unsuitable for reuse. Similarly, the reference elapsed time for maintenance B is 4 days, and the reference elapsed time for maintenance C is 10 days.

Depending on the type of maintenance performed, the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is calculated based on the stored waste liquid amount score, and whether or not the calculated amount of waste liquid exceeds a predetermined amount set in advance. is judged. When the amount of waste liquid exceeds a predetermined amount and the elapsed time since maintenance is performed is within a predetermined time, the control unit 50 controls the valve V2 and the pump P3, and the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is transferred to the waste liquid storage cartridge. Sent to 30.

The control unit 50 calculates the driving time T1 of the pump P3 necessary for feeding the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 based on the amount of waste liquid stored and calculated according to the type of maintenance.
Then, when sending the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the waste liquid storage cartridge 30, the driving time T2 of the pump P3 is set to be less than the calculated driving time T1.
If the drive time T2 is made longer than T1, there is a risk that air will be sent into the waste liquid storage cartridge 30. If the air in the waste liquid storage cartridge 30 is sent to the liquid ejection head, it may cause ejection failure or failure, so it is preferable that the drive time T2 be shorter than T1.

On the other hand, when sending the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the exchange waste liquid tank 31, the drive time T3 of the pump P3 is set to be longer than the calculated drive time T1.
If the driving time T3 is shorter than T1, there is a possibility that waste liquid to be discarded as unsuitable for reuse remains in the fixed waste liquid tank 8. In order to prevent the remaining low-quality waste liquid from being mixed with the newly stored waste liquid, it is preferable that the driving time T3 be longer than T1.

That is, T1 is the driving time of the pump P3 required to send the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8, and the driving time of the pump P3 to send the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the waste liquid storage cartridge 30 is T1. When T2 is the drive time of the pump P3 for sending the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the exchange waste liquid tank 31, it is preferable that the relationship T3>T1>T2 is satisfied.
The driving time T1 is a calculated value. Moreover, the "driving time" corresponds to the liquid feeding time.

The control unit 50 determines whether or not to reuse the waste liquid based on the elapsed time since the maintenance was performed. At this time, the elapsed time serving as the judgment criterion is the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank The waste liquid in the liquid sending tube (tube 3 and tube 6) that constitutes the flow path between the fixed waste liquid tank 8 and the waste liquid storage cartridge 30 is different.
Since the evaporation rate of the contained waste liquid is different between the inside of the fixed waste liquid tank 8 and the inside of the tube, it is preferable to provide separate tables such as the parameter table shown in FIG. 3, for example.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the reference time for the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 varies depending on the type of maintenance, but the waste liquid in the liquid feeding tube starts from after the liquid feeding has stopped (after the pump P3 has stopped). A certain elapsed time is set.
By using such judgment criteria, the effectiveness of reusing waste liquid can be improved.

For example, if the stop time of pump P3 exceeds 30 days, it is preferable that the waste liquid in the liquid feeding tube is not reused but discarded.
In this case, after 30 days have elapsed, the pump P3 is operated in the opposite direction, and the waste liquid in the tube 6 is sent in the directions of arrows R1 and R2 in FIG. 2, and returned to the fixed waste liquid tank 8. Next, the valve V2 is switched so that the waste liquid is sent from the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the replacement waste liquid tank 31, the pump P3 is operated in the forward direction, and the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is sent in the direction of arrow R3 in FIG. .

At this time, it is preferable to send the entire amount of the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the replacement waste liquid tank 31. In order to send all of the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 to the replacement waste liquid tank 31, the driving time of the pump P3 is equal to the driving time in which the pump P3 is operated in the opposite direction to return the waste liquid in the tube 6 to the fixed waste liquid tank 8. It is preferable to make it longer than .

In addition, even if air is present in the tube 6, in order to prevent air from being sent into the waste liquid storage cartridge 30, a similar operation is performed to discharge the air until the tube 6 is filled with waste liquid. It is preferable to do this.

That is, if air and/or waste liquid that has passed a predetermined time is present in the tube 6 that constitutes the flow path between the fixed waste liquid tank 8 and the waste liquid storage cartridge 30, air and/or waste liquid that has passed a predetermined time An operation is performed to send the waste liquid to the replacement waste liquid tank 31.

Note that if the device has not been used for a long period of time, it is preferable to discard a portion of the waste liquid generated due to maintenance, regardless of the criteria in the parameter table of FIG. 3, regardless of the elapsed time after maintenance. Since the waste liquid generated at the beginning of maintenance contains waste liquid that has thickened due to long-term storage, for example, the initial waste liquid is sent to the replacement waste liquid tank 31, and then the valve V2 is switched, and the waste liquid generated after the middle stage of maintenance is sent to the waste liquid tank 31. Preferably, it is sent to the storage cartridge 30.

The waste liquid storage cartridge 30 is equipped with an ID chip 34 that stores information about the time and amount of waste liquid stored.
The control unit 50 can determine whether or not to reuse the waste liquid based on the information read from the ID chip 34 at the time of storage of the waste liquid.

If more than a predetermined time has elapsed after the liquid is sent to the waste liquid storage cartridge 30, there is a possibility that the quality is not suitable for reuse. Therefore, the elapsed time is calculated from the information read from the ID chip 34 when the waste liquid was stored, and if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, an alarm indicating that reuse is not possible can be issued on the display section of the device. preferable. As a result, waste liquid that has increased in viscosity over time is supplied to the liquid ejection head, and it is possible to prevent ejection failure or device failure due to ink clogging.

Further, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the waste liquid stored in the ID chip 34 was stored, the waste liquid in the waste liquid storage cartridge 30 is sent in the direction of the arrow R1 and the direction of the arrow R2 in FIG. It is returned to the tank 8, and the waste liquid 2 in the fixed waste liquid tank 8 is sent in the direction of arrow R3, and then sent to the replacement waste liquid tank.

With the above configuration, the device for discharging liquid according to the present embodiment can reuse the collected liquid without increasing the size or cost of the device. Further, the collected liquid can be reused without complicating the mechanism of the device and while preventing the occurrence of ejection failure.

An example of an inkjet recording device as a device for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a device equipped with a serial type head unit (liquid ejection device). As shown in FIG. 4, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 holds a carriage 63 movably in the main scanning direction D1 by a main guide member 61 and a subordinate guide member. The main guide member 61 and the subordinate guide member are horizontally suspended between the left and right side plates.

A timing belt 68 is spanned between the drive pulley 66 and the driven pulley 67. When the driving pulley 66 rotates due to the driving force of the main scanning motor 65, the timing belt 68 rotates, and the driven pulley 67 rotates as a result. As the timing belt 68 runs around, the carriage 63 reciprocates in the main scanning direction D1 (carriage movement direction).

A head unit 9 including a plurality of liquid ejection heads 11 is mounted on this carriage 63 . The liquid ejection head 11 ejects ink droplets of each color, for example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). Further, the liquid ejection head 11 has a plurality of nozzle rows 11n each including a plurality of nozzles in the sub-scanning direction D2 orthogonal to the main-scanning direction D1. Each nozzle opens downward (direction from the front surface to the back surface in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 5), and this direction is the droplet ejection direction.

The inkjet recording apparatus 100 also includes a conveyor belt 69 that is a conveyor. The conveyance belt 69 electrostatically attracts the paper P and conveys the paper P in the sub-scanning direction D2 at a position facing the liquid ejection head 11. This conveyor belt 69 is an endless belt, and is stretched between a conveyor roller 78 and a tension roller 79.

Due to the driving force of the sub-scanning motor 70, the conveyance roller 78 rotates in the sub-scanning direction D2 via the timing belt 71 and the timing pulley 72. This conveyor belt 69 is charged (charged) by a charging roller while rotating. By rotating the conveyance roller 78, the paper P on the conveyance roller 78 can be conveyed in the sub-scanning direction D2.

Further, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a maintenance section 10 on one side of the carriage 63 in the main scanning direction D1 and on the side of the conveyor belt 69. The maintenance section 10 includes a wiper 12, a suction cap 14, a moisturizing cap 16, and the like.

The inkjet recording apparatus 100 also includes an encoder scale 73 and an encoder sensor 74. The encoder scale 73 is stretched between both side plates of the carriage 63 along the main scanning direction D1, and has a predetermined pattern along the main scanning direction D1. The encoder sensor 74 has a transmission type photosensor and can read this predetermined pattern of the encoder scale 73. These encoder scale 73 and encoder sensor 74 constitute a linear encoder (main scanning encoder) that detects movement of the carriage 63.

Further, a code wheel 75 having a predetermined pattern formed thereon and an encoder sensor 76 are provided on the shaft of the conveyance roller 78 . The encoder sensor 76 has a transmission type photosensor and can detect the pattern formed on the code wheel 75. The code wheel 75 and encoder sensor 76 constitute a rotary encoder (sub-scanning encoder) that detects the amount of movement and position of the conveyor belt 69.

In the inkjet recording apparatus 100 configured as described above, when the paper P is conveyed from the paper feed tray, the charged conveyance belt 69 attracts the paper P to its surface. Then, the paper P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction D2 by the rotation of the conveyor belt 69. In conjunction with this, by driving the liquid ejection head 11 according to the image signal while moving the carriage 63 in the main scanning direction D1, ink droplets are ejected onto the stationary paper P to record one line. do. Then, after conveying the paper P by a predetermined amount, the next line is recorded. By receiving a recording end signal or a signal indicating that the trailing edge of the paper P has reached the recording area, the recording operation is ended and the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray.

Further, when cleaning the liquid ejection head 11, the carriage 63 is moved to the maintenance section 10 while waiting for printing (recording), and the maintenance section 10 performs a maintenance operation. Alternatively, the maintenance section 10 may move to perform the maintenance operation without moving the liquid ejection head 11.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a system of an apparatus for discharging liquid according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 50 controls the maintenance unit 10, the valve drive unit 42 that drives the valves (V1, V2), the pump drive unit 43 that drives the pumps (P1, P2, P3), the storage unit 44, etc. is controlled. Further, the control unit 50 is configured to receive a signal from the detection means 83.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 50.
As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 53, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 54. I/ It is equipped with F55.

The CPU 51 is an arithmetic device that executes sequential, branching, repetitive processing, etc. by executing a program stored in the ROM 53, and centrally controls the operation of the liquid ejecting device. The ROM 53 is a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs and the like executed by the CPU 51. The RAM 52 is a memory that functions as a work area for the operation of the CPU 51.

The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 54 is a nonvolatile storage medium in which information can be read and written. The bus line 56 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 51. An operation unit 90 and a dedicated device 91 are connected to the I/F 55. The I/F 55 connects and controls the bus line 56 and various hardware, networks, and the like. The operation unit 90 is an interface through which the user inputs settings such as operation mode. The dedicated device 91 is a variety of hardware for realizing a function of performing a dedicated operation in a liquid ejecting device.

Among the functions of the embodiments described above, the portions executed by the control unit 50 can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" as used herein refers to a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to execute each function explained above. This includes devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and conventional circuit modules.

The "device for ejecting liquid" includes a device that includes a liquid ejection head, a liquid ejection unit, a head module, a head unit, etc., and drives the liquid ejection head to eject liquid. Devices that eject liquid include not only devices that are capable of ejecting liquid onto objects to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that eject liquid into air or into liquid.

The "device for discharging liquid" may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging objects to which liquid can adhere, as well as pre-processing devices, post-processing devices, and the like.
Further, the "device for ejecting liquid" is not limited to a device that can visualize significant images such as characters and figures using ejected liquid. For example, it includes those that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves, and those that form three-dimensional images.

The above-mentioned "something to which a liquid can adhere" refers to something to which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as something that adheres and sticks, something that adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic components such as electronic boards, piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes everything to which liquid adheres.

The material for the above-mentioned "material to which liquid can adhere" may be paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as liquid can adhere thereto, even temporarily.
In addition to paper P (plain paper), recording media include cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, OHP sheets, plastic films, prepregs, copper foil, etc. included.

Further, the "device for discharging liquid" includes a device in which a liquid discharging head and an object to which liquid can be attached move relative to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves a liquid ejection head, a line type device that does not move a liquid ejection head, and the like.

In the terms of this application, image formation, recording, printing, imprinting, printing, modeling, etc. are all synonymous. In addition, the liquid may be any liquid as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the liquid ejection head, and is not particularly limited, but the liquid may have a viscosity of 30 mPa・s or less at room temperature and normal pressure, or when heated or cooled. It is preferable that there be. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, coloring agents such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing edible materials such as natural pigments, etc., and these are, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components for electronic devices and light emitting devices, and for forming electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used for applications such as liquid, three-dimensional modeling material liquid, etc.

Aspects of the present invention are, for example, as follows.
<1> A liquid ejection head that ejects at least a black liquid;
a liquid cartridge that supplies liquid to the liquid ejection head;
a maintenance section that performs maintenance of the liquid ejection head;
a fixed waste liquid tank that stores waste liquid discharged from the maintenance section;
A waste liquid storage container that is disposed on a path for supplying the waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank to a head tank of the liquid ejection head that ejects a black liquid, has an evaporation prevention member inside, and stores the waste liquid. cartridge and
a replacement waste liquid tank that accommodates the waste liquid that is not supplied to the head tank;
comprising a control unit;
The control unit stores information on the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank due to maintenance and the elapsed time since the maintenance, and the control unit stores information on the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank due to maintenance and the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank exceeds a predetermined amount, and when the maintenance is performed. The apparatus for discharging liquid is characterized in that the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank is controlled to be sent to the waste liquid storage cartridge when the elapsed time from execution is within a predetermined time.
<2> A valve that switches the connection of the fixed waste liquid tank between the waste liquid storage cartridge and the replacement waste liquid tank;
a pump that moves the waste liquid between the fixed waste liquid tank and the waste liquid storage cartridge or the replacement waste liquid tank,
The device for discharging liquid according to <1> above is characterized in that the control unit determines the driving time of the pump according to the amount of the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank.
<3> T1 is the driving time of the pump necessary for feeding the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank.
T2, a driving time of the pump for sending the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank to the waste liquid storage cartridge;
When the drive time of the pump for sending the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank to the exchange waste liquid tank is T3,
The apparatus for discharging the liquid according to <1> or <2> is characterized in that the relationship T3>T1>T2 is satisfied.
<4> When air and/or the waste liquid that has passed a predetermined time is present in the tube that constitutes the flow path between the fixed waste liquid tank and the waste liquid storage cartridge,
The apparatus for discharging liquid according to any one of <1> to <3> is characterized in that the air and/or the waste liquid after a predetermined period of time are sent to the exchange waste liquid tank.
<5> The control unit determines whether or not the waste liquid is to be reused based on the time elapsed since maintenance was performed;
The elapsed time serving as a criterion is different between the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank and the waste liquid in a tube that constitutes a flow path between the fixed waste liquid tank and the waste liquid storage cartridge. This is a device for discharging the liquid according to any one of <1> to <4> above.
<6> The waste liquid storage cartridge includes an ID chip that stores information about the time when the waste liquid is stored and the amount of the waste liquid stored,
The liquid according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not the waste liquid is to be reused based on information read from the ID chip at the time of storage of the waste liquid. This is a device that discharges.
<7> The waste liquid storage cartridge includes an ID chip that stores information about when the waste liquid is stored and the amount of the waste liquid stored,
If a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the waste liquid stored in the ID chip was stored, the waste liquid in the waste liquid storage cartridge is returned to the fixed waste liquid tank, and the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank is replaced with the exchange waste liquid. The device for discharging the liquid according to any one of <1> to <6> above, wherein the liquid is sent to a tank.

8 Fixed waste liquid tank 10 Maintenance part 11 Liquid discharge head 11a Nozzle surface 11b Head tank 14 Suction cap 20 Liquid cartridge 30 Waste liquid storage cartridge 30a Evaporation prevention member 31 Replacement waste liquid tank 34 ID chip 81 Stirring means 82 Inclined part 83 Detection means 100 Liquid Discharge device P1, P2, P3 Pump V1, V2 Valve F Filter

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-305902

Claims (7)

a liquid ejection head that ejects at least a black liquid;
a liquid cartridge that supplies liquid to the liquid ejection head;
a maintenance section that performs maintenance of the liquid ejection head;
a fixed waste liquid tank that stores waste liquid discharged from the maintenance section;
A waste liquid storage container that is disposed on a path for supplying the waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank to a head tank of the liquid ejection head that ejects a black liquid, has an evaporation prevention member inside, and stores the waste liquid. cartridge and
a replacement waste liquid tank that accommodates the waste liquid that is not supplied to the head tank;
comprising a control unit;
The control unit stores information on the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank due to maintenance and the elapsed time since the maintenance, and the control unit stores information on the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank due to maintenance and the amount of waste liquid stored in the fixed waste liquid tank exceeds a predetermined amount, and when the maintenance is performed. A device for discharging a liquid, characterized in that the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank is controlled to be sent to the waste liquid storage cartridge when the elapsed time from execution is within a predetermined time. a valve that switches the connection of the fixed waste liquid tank between the waste liquid storage cartridge and the replacement waste liquid tank;
a pump that moves the waste liquid between the fixed waste liquid tank and the waste liquid storage cartridge or the replacement waste liquid tank,
The device for discharging liquid according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the driving time of the pump according to the amount of the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank. T1 is the drive time of the pump required to send the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank;
T2, a driving time of the pump for sending the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank to the waste liquid storage cartridge;
When the drive time of the pump for sending the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank to the exchange waste liquid tank is T3,
3. The device for discharging liquid according to claim 1, wherein the device satisfies the relationship T3>T1>T2. When air and/or the waste liquid that has passed a predetermined time is present in the tube that constitutes the flow path between the fixed waste liquid tank and the waste liquid storage cartridge,
3. The device for discharging liquid according to claim 1, wherein the air and/or the waste liquid after a predetermined period of time are sent to the exchange waste liquid tank. The control unit determines whether or not the waste liquid is to be reused based on the time elapsed since maintenance was performed;
The elapsed time serving as a criterion is different between the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank and the waste liquid in a tube that constitutes a flow path between the fixed waste liquid tank and the waste liquid storage cartridge. A device for discharging the liquid according to claim 1 or 2. The waste liquid storage cartridge includes an ID chip that stores information about the time when the waste liquid is stored and the amount of the waste liquid stored,
3. The device for discharging liquid according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not the waste liquid is to be reused based on information read from the ID chip at the time of storage of the waste liquid. The waste liquid storage cartridge includes an ID chip that stores information about the time when the waste liquid is stored and the amount of the waste liquid stored,
If a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the waste liquid stored in the ID chip was stored, the waste liquid in the waste liquid storage cartridge is returned to the fixed waste liquid tank, and the waste liquid in the fixed waste liquid tank is replaced with the exchange waste liquid. The apparatus for discharging liquid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid is sent to a tank.

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