JP3165692B2 - Recording device having charging function and charging device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device and a charging device having a charging function of charging a rechargeable battery.

[Prior Art] Conventional charging methods include standard charging (non-control), short-time charging (non-control, timer control), and rapid charging (voltage control, V-taper control, etc.). It is roughly divided into a current method and a constant voltage method. A typical rechargeable secondary battery (battery) is a NiCd secondary battery, and a carbon lithium or vanadium lithium secondary battery is known as the latter.

On the other hand, copiers and ink jet printers equipped with a secondary battery have been put to practical use, but in these cases, the charging method is often separate or expensive. This violates the demands for printers of smaller size, lighter weight, and lower cost.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, a secondary battery charging circuit is built in the printer,
It is conceivable to connect an adapter or the like to charge the secondary battery while the secondary battery is mounted in the printer.

However, depending on the printer, it may be difficult to confirm the mounting state of the battery due to its structure. If charging is performed in a state where the battery is not properly mounted, the charging time is wasted. In some cases, the charging circuit may be inconvenient.

In addition, it is possible that the AC adapter may be connected incorrectly during charging.In such a case, the charging time is not only wasted, but also the amount of charge stored in the battery is discharged to cause a poor charging or use. Despite the possibility, the function of the battery may be reduced to a completely defective state.

In addition, when it is not accurate to determine a battery that does not have sufficient power storage even after charging, there is a problem that the battery is recharged unnecessarily many times, or in extreme cases, the charging circuit is destroyed. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus having a charging function capable of improving the reliability of a charging function and preventing the occurrence of useless scanning time, and a charging apparatus. It is to provide a device at low cost.

[Means and actions for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording unit that operates by receiving power supply from a rechargeable battery and records an image on a recording medium according to recording data, and the battery is supplied with power from a power supply. And a charging unit for charging the battery, wherein the charging unit detects a battery voltage of the battery, and the battery detected by the first detecting unit prior to charging of the battery. First determining means for determining the mounting state of the battery according to the detection result of the voltage and a first reference value; and a warning for warning when the first determining means determines that the battery is abnormally mounted. Means, means for starting charging of the battery by the first determining means determining that the battery is properly mounted, and second means for detecting a power supply voltage of the power supply during charging of the battery. Detection means A second determination unit that compares a detection result of the second detection unit with a second reference value to determine whether or not power supply for charging is performed from the power supply; A first suspending means for suspending charging of the battery when it is determined that the power for charging is not supplied by the determining means, and an electric power for charging the battery by the second determining means. When it is determined that the battery is supplied, after a predetermined period has elapsed, it is determined whether the battery is abnormal based on the detection result of the battery voltage detected by the first detection unit and a third reference value. A third determining unit, a second stopping unit that stops charging the battery when it is determined that the battery is abnormal by the third determining unit, and the second stopping unit until the charging of the battery is completed. Detection operation by the second detection means, the second determination Discriminating operation by stages, and having a means for executing repeatedly discriminating operation by the first detection operation and the by the detection means third discriminating means.

Further, the present invention provides a charging device for charging a rechargeable battery by supplying power from a power supply, wherein the first detecting unit detects a battery voltage of the battery, and the first detecting unit precedes the charging of the battery. First determining means for determining the mounting state of the battery in accordance with a detection result of the battery voltage detected by the first detecting means and a first reference value, and the first determining means determines whether or not the battery is abnormally mounted. Warning means for giving a warning by performing the above operation; means for starting the charging of the battery by the first determination means determining that the battery is properly mounted; and power supply of the power supply during the charging of the battery. A second detection unit for detecting a voltage and a detection result of the second detection unit are compared with a second reference value to determine whether or not power is supplied from the power supply for charging. Second determining means, and the second First suspending means for suspending charging of the battery when it is determined that power supply for charging is not performed by another means, and power supply for charging the battery by the second determining means. If it is determined that the battery voltage is satisfied, the detection result of the battery voltage detected by the first detection means and the third
A third determining means for determining an abnormality of the battery in accordance with the reference value, and a second stop for stopping charging the battery when the third determining means determines that the battery is abnormal. Means, a detecting operation by the second detecting means, a determining operation by the second determining means, a detecting operation by the first detecting means, and a third detecting means until the charging of the battery is completed.
Means for repeatedly executing a determination operation by the determination means of
It is characterized by having.

Thus, prior to charging, the mounting state of the battery is determined by detecting the battery voltage by the first detecting means. If the battery is properly mounted, charging is started, and the charging is repeatedly performed by the second detecting means during charging. By detecting the voltage, it is repeatedly determined whether or not power is being supplied. If power for charging is not being supplied, charging of the battery is stopped. Further, if power is supplied normally, the first
The battery voltage is detected by the detecting means (1), and the abnormality of the battery is checked. Until the charging of the battery is completed, the checking of the connection failure of the power supply and the checking of the abnormality of the battery are repeated.

Hereinafter, other inventions described in the embodiments of the present invention are also technically preferable and preferable for the present invention. The present invention will be more fully understood from the following description.

〔Example〕

2 to 6 show a preferred ink jet unit IJU, ink jet head IJH, ink tank IT, ink jet cartridge I to which the present invention is applied or applied.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining each of a JC, an inkjet recording apparatus main body IJRA, and a carriage HC, and a relationship between each; Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described with reference to these drawings.

As can be seen from the perspective view of FIG. 3, the ink cartridge IJC in this example has a larger ink storage ratio, and therefore has a slightly higher end portion of the ink jet unit IJU than the front surface of the ink tank IT. Has a protruding shape. The inkjet cartridge IJC is a cartridge mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus main body IJRA.
This is a disposable type that is fixedly supported by positioning means and electrical contacts of the HC (FIG. 5), which will be described later, and is detachable from the carriage HC. Example 2
Since FIG. 6 to FIG. 6 show configurations to which a number of new technologies made at the stage of establishment of the present invention are applied,
The overall configuration will be described while briefly describing these configurations.

(I) Description of the structure of the ink jet unit IJU The ink jet unit ILU is a unit of the bubble jet system that performs recording using an electrothermal converter that generates heat energy for causing ink to cause film boiling according to an electric signal. It is.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a structure in which a plurality of electrothermal transducers (discharge heaters) arranged on a Si substrate and electric wires such as Al for supplying power thereto are formed by a film forming technique. It is a heater board. Reference numeral 200 denotes a wiring board for the heater board 100, which has wiring (for example, connected by wire bonding) for wiring of the heater board 100, and a pad 201 located at an end of the wiring and receiving an electric signal from the main unit. are doing.

1300 is a grooved top plate provided with a partition for dividing a plurality of ink flow paths, a common liquid chamber for storing ink for supplying ink to each ink flow path, and the like.
And an orifice plate 400 having a plurality of ejection ports corresponding to each ink flow path. Polysulfone is preferred as these integral molding materials, but other molding resin materials may be used.

Reference numeral 300 denotes a support made of, for example, metal which supports the back surface of the wiring board 200 in a plane, and serves as a bottom plate of the ink jet unit.
Reference numeral 500 denotes a presser spring, which is M-shaped and presses the common liquid chamber with a light pressure at the center of the M-shape, and concentrates a part of the liquid path, preferably an area near the discharge port, with a linear pressure at the front drooping part 501. Press. By pressing the heater board 100 and the top plate 1300 with the foot portions of the holding springs passing through the holes 3121 of the support body 300 and engaging with the back surface side of the support body 300, the two are engaged with each other in a state where they are sandwiched. The heater board 100 and the top plate 1300 are pressed and fixed by the concentrated biasing force of the spring 500 and the front drooping portion 501. Further, the support 300 is provided with two positioning protrusions 1012 of the ink tank IT and positioning and heat fusion holding protrusions 1800, 1801.
In addition to the positioning holes 312, 1900, and 2000, the positioning protrusions 25 for the carriage HC of the apparatus main body IJRA are provided.
00,2600 on the back side. In addition, the support 300 is provided with an ink supply pipe 22 for supplying ink from the ink tank.
It also has a hole 320 that allows 00 (described below) to penetrate. The attachment of the wiring board 200 to the support 300 is performed by sticking with an adhesive or the like. The recesses 2400, 2400 of the support 300 are provided near the positioning projections 2500, 2600 (on the back side), respectively. The ink jet cartridge IJC (FIG. 3) is on a plurality of extended lines of parallel grooves 3000 and 3001 formed on three sides around the head tip region of the assembled inkjet cartridge IJC (FIG. 3). Therefore, unnecessary objects such as dust and ink moved along the parallel grooves 3000 and 3001 do not reach the projections 2500 and 2600. This parallel groove 3000 is formed. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the lid member 800 forms the outer wall of the ink cartridge IJC and forms a space for accommodating the ink jet unit IJU with the ink tank. Further, the ink supply member 600 in which the parallel groove 3001 is formed forms an ink conduit 1600 continuous with the above-described ink supply tube 2200 as a cantilever with the supply tube 2200 side fixed, and the ink supply tube 2200 and the fixed side of the ink conduit A sealing pin 602 for ensuring capillary action with the supply pipe 2200 is inserted. Reference numeral 601 denotes a packing for sealing the ink tank IT and the supply pipe 2200, and 700 denotes a filter provided at the tank side end of the supply pipe.

Since the ink supply member 600 is molded, it is inexpensive, has high positional accuracy, eliminates a decrease in precision in forming and manufacturing, and has a cantilevered structure for the ink supply conduit 1600. Since the pressure contact state of the conduit 1600 with the ink receiving port 1500 can be stabilized, the structure is suitable for mass production. In this example, a more complete communication state can be reliably obtained only by pouring the sealing adhesive from the ink supply member side under the pressure contact state. The fixing of the ink supply member 600 to the support 300 is performed by fixing the ink supply member 60 to the holes 1901 and 1902 of the support 300.
This can be easily performed by making a back side pin (not shown) of No. 0 penetrate and project through the holes 1901 and 1902 of the support body 300 and heat-fusing a portion of the support body 300 protruding to the back side. The slightly protruding area of the heat-sealed rear part is the ink tank IT
Since the ink jet unit IJU is housed in a recess (not shown) on the side wall surface of the ink jet unit IJU, the positioning surface of the unit IJU can be accurately obtained.

(Ii) Ink tank IT configuration description The ink tank is sealed after inserting the cartridge body 1000, the ink absorber 900, and the ink absorber 900 from the side of the cartridge body 1000 opposite to the unit IJU mounting surface. And a lid member 1100 for stopping.

Reference numeral 900 denotes an absorber for impregnating the ink, which is arranged in the cartridge body 1000. 1200 is the above parts 100
A supply port for supplying ink to a unit IJU consisting of ~ 600, and by injecting ink from the supply port 1200 in a step before the unit is arranged in the portion 1010 of the cartridge body 1000, the absorber 900 It is also an inlet for impregnating the ink.

In this example, the portions that can supply ink are the air communication port and this supply port, but the rib 2300 in the main body 1000 and the lid member for performing good ink supply from the ink absorber.
Since the air presence area in the tank formed by the partial ribs 2302 and 2301 of 1100 is continuously formed from the atmosphere communication port 1401 side and is formed over the corner area farthest from the ink supply port 1200, It is important that ink is supplied to the absorber relatively well and uniformly from the supply port 1200 side. This method is extremely effective in practice. The rib 2300 has four ribs parallel to the carriage movement direction on the rear surface of the main body 1000 of the ink tank, and prevents the absorber from adhering to the rear surface.
Also, the partial ribs 2400 and 2500 are similarly provided on the inner surface of the lid member 1100 which is on the extension corresponding to the rib 2300, but unlike the rib 2300, they are in a divided state and the presence of air The space is larger than the former. In addition, partial rib
2302 and 2301 are distributed on a surface that is less than half of the total area of the lid member 1100. With these ribs, the ink in the corner portion farthest from the tank supply port 1200 of the ink absorber could be more stably guided to the supply port 1200 side by capillary force. Reference numeral 1401 denotes an atmosphere communication port provided in the lid member for communicating the inside of the cartridge with the atmosphere. Reference numeral 1400 denotes a liquid-repellent material disposed inside the air communication port 1401, thereby preventing ink from leaking from the air communication port 1400.

The above-described arrangement of the ribs is particularly effective because the ink storage space of the above-described ink tank IT has a rectangular shape and has long sides on the side surfaces, but has a long side in the moving direction of the carriage. Case or cube, cover member 11
By providing a rib on the whole of 00, the ink absorber
Ink supply from 900 can be stabilized. A rectangular parallelepiped shape is suitable for storing ink in a limited space as much as possible, but in order to use this stored ink for recording without waste, as described above, It is important to provide a rib capable of performing the above-mentioned operation in the two surface regions which are close to each other. Further, the inner ribs of the ink tank IT in this embodiment are arranged with a substantially uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the rectangular parallelepiped ink absorber. This configuration is important because it can make the atmospheric pressure distribution uniform and almost eliminate the remaining amount of ink with respect to the ink consumption of the entire absorber. Further, if the technical idea on the arrangement of the ribs is described in detail, the position where the ink supply port 1200 of the ink tank is projected on the upper surface of the rectangular parallelepiped is centered.
When an arc having a long side as a radius is drawn, the rib is arranged on a surface outside the arc so that an atmospheric pressure state is given to the absorber located outside the arc at an early stage. It is important to: In this case, the atmosphere communication port of the tank is not limited to this example as long as the atmosphere can be introduced into the rib arrangement area.

In addition, in this embodiment, the ink jet cartridge
Flattening the rear surface of the IJC head minimizes the space required when assembled into the device, and minimizes the size of the device by adopting a configuration that maximizes the ink capacity. Not only that, it has an excellent configuration that can reduce the frequency of cartridge replacement. Then, using the rear part of the space for integrating the ink jet unit IJU, there is an air communication port 14 there.
A projecting portion for 01 is formed, and the inside of the projecting portion is hollowed out to form an atmospheric pressure supply space 1402 for the entire thickness of the absorber 900 described above. With such a configuration, an excellent cartridge not seen in the past can be provided. Note that the atmospheric pressure supply space 1402 is a space much larger than the conventional one, and since the air communication port 1401 is located above, even if the ink comes off the absorber due to some abnormality, this atmospheric pressure supply space 1402 does not need to be large. The air pressure supply space 1402 can temporarily hold the ink and can reliably collect the ink in the absorber, so that an excellent cartridge without waste can be provided.

The structure of the mounting surface of the unit IJU of the ink tank IT is shown in FIG. Orifice plate
Through the approximate center of the projection port 400, when L ₁ and a straight line parallel to the mounting reference plane of the surface of the bottom or carriage of the tank IT, the two engaging in the hole 312 of the support 300 positioned protrusion 1012 are on the straight line L _1. The height of the protrusion 1012 is slightly lower than the thickness of the support 300, and the support 300 is positioned. This is on the extension of the straight line L ₁ in the drawing is located pawl 2100 engagement surface 4002 of the 90 ° angle of the positioning hook 4001 of the carriage is engaged, the acting force of the positioning relative to the carriage is the straight line L ₁ And is configured to operate in a plane region parallel to the reference plane. As will be described later with reference to FIG.
These relationships are effective because the positioning accuracy of only the ink tank is equivalent to the positioning accuracy of the head ejection port.

Also, fixing holes 1900,
The protrusions 1800 and 1801 of the ink tank corresponding to 2000 are longer than the protrusions 1012 described above, and are used for fixing the support 300 to the side surface by heat-fusing the portion protruding through the support 300. It is. When a straight line passing through the projection 1800 is perpendicular to the line L ₁ of the above L _3, a straight line passing through the projection 1801 and L _2, a straight line
Since on L ₃ is substantially the center of the supply opening 1200 is located, and the effect of stabilizing the state of bonding between the supply pipe 2200 and a mouth 1200 of the supply unit, a load of even by dropping or impact to these coupling state This is a preferable configuration because it is possible to reduce the amount of light. Also, the straight lines L ₂ and L
₃ does not match, and there are protrusions 1800 and 1801 around the protrusion 1012 on the discharge port side of the head IJH.
This has the effect of reinforcing the positioning with respect to the tank.
Incidentally, the curve indicated by L ₄ represents a outer wall position when mounting of the ink supply member 600. Since the projections 1800 and 1801 are along the curve L _4, which give the position accuracy and sufficient strength against the weight of the distal configuration of the head IJH. Reference numeral 2700 denotes a tip flange of the ink tank IT, which is inserted into a hole of the front plate 4000 of the carriage and provided for an abnormal time when the displacement of the ink tank becomes extremely bad. Reference numeral 2101 denotes a retainer for the carriage, which is provided for a bar (not shown) of the carriage HC.The cartridge IJC enters below the bar at a position where the cartridge IJC is pivotally mounted as described later, and is unnecessarily detached from the positioning position. This is a protection member for maintaining the mounted state even when a force acts in the upward direction.

When assembled as an ink cartridge IJC, the ink is supplied from the inside of the cartridge to the supply port 1200 and the support.
After being graded into the supply tank 600 through the hole 320 provided in the 300 and the introduction port provided on the inside and back side of the supply tank 600, and passing through the inside, the appropriate supply pipe and the top plate 1300 from the outlet port
Flows into the common liquid chamber through the ink introduction port 1500 of FIG.
A packing made of, for example, silicon rubber or butyl rubber is provided at the connection portion for ink communication described above, whereby sealing is performed to secure an ink supply path.

In this example, the top plate 1300 is made of a resin such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene oxide, or polypropylene having excellent ink resistance,
Together with the orifice plate part 400, they are integrally molded in a mold.

As described above, the integrally molded component is an ink supply member 600,
Since the top plate 1300 and the orifice plate 400 are integrated and the ink tank body 1000 is used, not only is the assembling precision high, but it is also extremely effective in improving the quality of mass production. Also, since the number of parts has been reduced compared to the past,
Excellent desired characteristics can be surely exhibited.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the ink supply member 600 has the upper surface 603 of the slit 17 of the ink tank IT in the assembled shape.
3, a slit S is formed as shown in FIG.
Head side end 401 of the thin plate member to which the lower lid 800 is bonded
Slit similar to slit S above (not shown)
Is formed. The slits between the ink tank IT and the ink supply member 600 substantially perform the function of further promoting the heat radiation of the slit 1700, and
Even if there is unnecessary pressure applied to IT, it is supplied directly to
In other words, it prevents the effect on the inkjet unit IJT.

In any case, the above-described configuration of the present embodiment is a configuration that has not existed in the past, and each has an effective effect alone, and also has an organic configuration due to the complex requirements of each component. ing.

(Iii) Attaching explanation of ink cartridge IJC to carriage HC In FIG. 5, reference numeral 5000 denotes a platen roller, which guides the recording medium P upward from below the sheet. The carriage HC moves along the platen roller 5000. The front plate 4000 (2 mm thick) located on the front side of the ink cartridge IJC and the pad of the wiring board 200 of the cartridge IJC are provided on the front platen side of the carriage. Pad 2011 corresponding to 201
Sheet having a flexible pad 4005 and a rubber pad sheet 4007 for generating an elastic force for pressing the pad against each pad 2011 from the back side thereof.
4003 and a positioning hook 4001 for fixing the ink cartridge IJC to the recording position. The front plate 4000 has two positioning projections 4010 corresponding to the positioning projections 2500 and 2600 of the cartridge support 300, respectively.
Receive a vertical force towards. For this reason, the reinforcing rib has a plurality of ribs (not shown) on the platen roller side of the front plate that are oriented in the direction of the vertical force. The ribs are slightly (approximately than the front position L ₅ of Katoritsuji IJC when mounted
A head protection projection protruding toward the platen roller is also formed. Support plate for electrical connection 4003
Has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 4004 not in the direction of the ribs but in the vertical direction, and the proportion of protrusion from the platen side toward the hook 4001 side is reduced. This also serves the function of tilting the position when the cartridge is mounted as shown in the figure. In addition, the support plate 4003 stabilizes the electrical contact state, so that the two positioning projecting surfaces 4010 act on the cartridge in the opposite direction to the acting direction on the cartridge. The protruding surface 4010
The pad contact area is formed between these two positioning surfaces, and the amount of deformation of the boss of the boss rubber sheet 4007 corresponding to the pad 2011 is uniquely defined. When these positioning surfaces are fixed at positions where the cartridge IJC can be recorded, they come into contact with the surface of the wiring board 200. In this example, since further distributed so as to be symmetrical with respect to a line L ₁ that the pads 201 described above of the wiring board 200, and more the contact pressure of the pads 2011 to equalize the amount of deformation of each Botsuchi of the rubber sheet 4007 Has stabilized.
The distribution of the pads 201 in this example is two rows above and two rows below and two rows vertically.

The hook 4001 has a long hole that engages with the fixed shaft 4009, and after rotating counterclockwise from the position shown in the drawing using the moving space of the long hole, moves leftward along the platen roller 5000. By moving, the inkjet cartridge IJC is positioned with respect to the carriage HC. Although the hook 4001 can be moved in any manner, a configuration in which the hook 4001 can be moved by a lever or the like is preferable. In any case, when the hook 4001 rotates, the cartridge IJC moves to the platen roller side while the positioning projections 2500 and 2600 move to positions where the positioning protrusions 2500 and 2600 can contact the positioning surface 4010 of the front plate, and the hook 4001 moves to the left. While the 90 ° hook surface 4002 is in close contact with the 90 ° surface of the cartridge IJC claw 2100, the cartridge IJC is turned in the horizontal plane around the contact area between the positioning surfaces 2500 and 4010 and finally the pads 201 and 20
Contact of 11 comrades begins. And hook 4001 is in the predetermined position,
That is, when held at the fixed position, the pads 201 and 2011 have a complete contact state, the positioning surfaces 2500 and 4010 have a complete contact, the 90-degree surface 4002 and the 90-degree surface of the claw have two contact surfaces, and 30
0 and the surface contact with the positioning surface 4006 are simultaneously formed, and the holding of the cartridge IJC with respect to the carriage is completed.

(Iv) Schematic description of apparatus main body FIG. 6 shows an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
In the outline view of IJRA, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 50111 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013
Has a pin (not shown) and is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the carriage movement direction. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this region by photocouplers and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member for supporting a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes suction means for sucking the inside of the cap, and recovering the suction of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. 50
Reference numeral 17 denotes a cleaning blade, and 5019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form, and a well-known cleaning blade can be applied to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, and a cam 50 which engages with the carriage.
It moves with the movement of 20, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by known transmission means such as clutch switching.

These capping, cleaning and suction recovery
When the carriage comes to the home position side area, it is configured so that the desired processing can be performed at the corresponding position by the action of the lead screw 5005, but if the desired operation is performed at a known timing, Either can be applied to this example. Each of the configurations described above is an excellent invention when viewed alone or in combination, and shows preferred configuration examples for the present invention.

In order to describe in detail the present invention which is technically related to FIGS. 2 to 6, the following description will be given with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7.

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

FIG. 1 shows a charging flow executed in response to the issuance of a charging command (step S1), a determining step of determining the mounting state of the secondary battery, and a periodic step prior to or during the charging step. AC adapter connection state determination step and battery abnormality state determination step (In this example, periodic confirmation is also performed in consideration of changes during charging, but the present invention is not limited to this. ) Are performed in order.

When the charge command is confirmed in step S1, the voltage of the battery to be loaded is checked (step S2). This check not only wastes charging time when entering the charging process when the battery is not securely installed, but also may cause inconvenience in the power supply circuit. There is. In this example, the determination is made by comparing the battery voltage with a specified value A. This specified value A is usually such that a rechargeable battery does not have a completely zero charge and is at a level at which the device cannot be driven. In addition, the amount of stored power may be determined in an existing category. In this example, the reference value A was set to 3V. Therefore, when it is determined in step S3 that the battery is present at 3V or more, charging is started in step S5.

Here, if it is less than 3V, there is no battery, so
Until the battery is loaded and the battery is loaded, the process cannot proceed to the charging step. In this case, the battery may not be mounted correctly, but it also has the effect of prompting the operator to make correction.

In the charging step, after the start of charging, a charging time is set in step S6. In this example, 10 hours are set because a NiCd secondary battery (five 1.2 V in series, rated at 6.0 V) is used. Subsequently to this, in step S7, the power supply voltage is checked. This is because not only the connection failure of the adapter is detected and the charging time is wasted, but also the charge stored in the battery is discharged to cause a charging failure, or the battery is completely defective despite being usable. This is to prevent the function of the device from being lowered. In this example,
Assuming that the AC adapter supplies 9.5 V DC and 1.5 A DC, the NiCd secondary battery has a maximum value of about 7.8 V at the end of charging, so the specified value B of the determination criterion in step S8 should be 8 V. Thus, the regular connection state of the adapter during the charging period can be accurately determined. As a result, if there is a power supply voltage equal to or higher than the specified value B, the process proceeds to step S10. I do. As a result, a sufficient response can be taken even during an accident during charging. In the power supply voltage check step S7, it is easier to determine if charging is temporarily interrupted, but it is preferable not to interrupt charging in terms of stability. Steps S10 to S13 are for determining the life of the battery based on the charging curve in the charging rising stage (see FIG. 10).

As shown in FIG. 10, as a result of examining the state of increase in the battery voltage at the charging stage, the change in the charge state of the normal battery (curve 1) is compared with the change in the battery voltage of the abnormal battery that has reached the end of its life (curve). Focusing on the fact that 2) is different, a specified value C (in this example, a battery rating of 6 V
) Is used to utilize the time n. This time n can be used from a range of 10 seconds to several minutes, but a point at which the voltage changes from a rapid rise to a slow rise is adopted in this example (that is, n is 120 seconds, 2 minutes in minute display). ).

In FIG. 10, the 9.5 V potential of the AC adapter, which is the adjustment of the input voltages of the specified values A, B, and S7 described above, is shown by destruction.

Therefore, after the elapse of the time n set in step S11, the process proceeds to the battery voltage check in step S12. If the detected battery voltage is equal to or higher than the specified value C, it is determined that the battery is meaningful to be charged, so charging is continued, and a predetermined charging time (10 hours in this example) Steps S7 to S14 are repeated until the progress of step S15 is confirmed in step S15. In step S14, since the value is less than the specified value C,
A battery error is displayed and charging is stopped immediately. Charging is performed while performing such a safety process, and the charging is terminated when the charging time has elapsed without any problem. As a result, the battery after charging is in a state where at least good recording can be achieved.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a cheap, quick and reliable discrimination, so that the reliability of the charging function is improved, and a power supply circuit that can prevent useless operation time, and particularly, a recording disable period Can be provided.

In order to further extend the life of the charging function, the specified value C is set to a value equivalent to the rating of the battery (including a rating of about -0.5 V in a substantially equivalent sense). The predetermined period is preferably within several minutes after the start of charging of the normal battery exceeding the reference value. This is because the charging function itself is set so that stable charging can be performed with respect to the rating of the battery.

In the above embodiment, three types of discrimination are performed, but not all are essential to the present invention from the above technical viewpoint,
It is needless to say that the present invention includes a device that makes other determinations mechanically. Of course, having the same discrimination configuration is a preferred invention for the present invention.

The block configuration for executing the flow of FIG.
An example shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a circuit configuration of the present invention and a control circuit.
Depending on the 10 control targets, application to various devices is possible. The power supply circuit 11 is wired so that a direct current DC is supplied directly, and the positive side of the wiring is connected to the secondary battery 5.
(A battery changeover switch is not shown, but see FIG. 8), and the negative side of the wiring is connected to the grounded negative side of the secondary battery 5. ing. Charging circuit 6
Are located between the contact between the positive side of the secondary battery 5 and the one-way diode and the power supply circuit 11. Charging circuit 6
Although not shown, a transistor, a current control resistor, and a thermal fuse arranged in parallel with the resistor realize a further reduction in the cost of the entire device. When the charging command 9 described above is generated in the charging circuit 6 by an operator or another request, the control circuit 10 that has received the charging command 9 instructs the charging circuit 6 to start charging. The power supply voltage detection circuit 7 is a power supply circuit
In order to detect the voltage supplied to 11, it is connected to the positive side of the above wiring and sends the detection result to control circuit 10. The battery voltage detection circuit 8 is connected between the charging circuit 6 and the positive side of the secondary battery 5, and sends a detection result to the control circuit 10. With this configuration, the flow of FIG. 1 is executed.

Next, an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus in which the present invention is particularly effective as a printer will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 and 12. FIG.

7 (A), (B), 8 (A), (B),
(C) shows a storage mechanism for a secondary battery applicable to the power supply circuit and the printer of the present invention, and a power supply jack section.

The secondary battery storage mechanism shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is an embodiment of a configuration in which the connection of the electrical contacts is ensured so that recording by using the secondary battery 5 can be reliably performed. This configuration is also a configuration for further enhancing the determination result of the battery absence determination by eliminating the cause of the above-described insufficiency of the secondary battery mounting state during charging. The secondary battery 5 has a pin 17 which engages with a positioning recess 18 in the lower part of the apparatus main body to be mounted.
A corner along the device-side slope 23 for reliably guiding the pin 17 toward the recess 18 and a takeout handle 19 are provided on the rear side in the loading direction. On the bottom surface on the front side with respect to the loading direction of the secondary battery 5, a voltage extraction electrode 29,
Although there is 30, the upper surface above it is a surface which is pressed by the pressing projection 21 of the leaf spring portion 20 of the device. The voltage receiving electrodes 26 and 27 on the device side are always the electrodes 27 on the back side in the loading direction.
The switch 26 is configured to contact the contact 30 and the electrode 26 is slid by the operator to record or charge secondary battery usage.
Is normally out of contact with the electrode 29.

Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, this switch 28
It is necessary to perform an electrical connection between the electrode 29 and the electrode 26 as an initial operation at the time of the above-mentioned charging by operating.

In any case, the advantage of this configuration is that the positioning of the secondary batteries 5 can be reliably performed by a simple operation, and the configuration of engaging and positioning the rechargeable batteries 5 and the connection of the electrode contacts are maintained by using elasticity. This configuration is practical for that purpose.

8 (A), 8 (B) and 8 (C), the connection portion of the electrodes is indicated by a battery switch 16, the configuration of the power jack 4 is the entire configuration (A), and the mounting direction of the AC adapter 34 (B). The connection state between the AC adapter 34 and the power jack 4 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

As can be seen from FIG. 8 (A), when the AC adapter 34 is not attached, driving by the secondary power supply 5 is possible. When the AC adapter 34 is attached to the power jack 4, the AC adapter 34 is turned off. The contact 31 that can be elastically displaced is separated from the contact 32, and power is supplied to the power supply circuit 11 from the AC adapter 34. Corresponding to Fig. 11, contact point 33
Is connected to the wiring P1 on the minus side, and the contact 32
Is connected to the wiring P3 on the positive side of the secondary battery,
The contact 31 is connected to the wiring P2 on the positive side of the power supply circuit 11. Therefore, even if the state where the AC adapter 34 is attached is changed to the state where the switch 16 is turned on and the AC adapter 34 is disconnected, or vice versa, the printer unit continues the driving state without temporarily stopping the driving state. be able to.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to the above-described ink jet recording apparatus. In the above-described charging circuit 6, a temperature fuse (130 ° C.) is provided for the resistance. 12
Is a charging timer that counts the charging time (10 hours) described above. The above-described charging abnormality detecting means 13 is connected to the battery voltage detecting circuit 8 in a form incorporated in the central control means MPU. Similarly, the low voltage detecting means described in FIG. A control IC that outputs the voltage VH of the ink jet recording head and the motor voltage Vpp for driving the carriage and the recovery unit recording medium conveying means, which is connected in a form incorporated in the MPU.
The built-in converter circuit protects the supplied voltage from the protection circuit,
It receives a voltage stabilized by processing means with a safety mechanism such as a noise filter and a smoothing capacitor.

10B is a constant voltage circuit that supplies a logic voltage Vcc2 to the main control circuit, and stops driving of the main control circuit when the main switch is turned off. The 10C is a low-voltage circuit that supplies the logic voltage Vcc1 to the ink-jet cap and a preliminary circuit MPU2 (not shown) that can perform the initial operation, so that it can immediately respond to the signal input from the host. Regardless, the drive voltage is supplied. Constant voltage circuit 10
C has a constant-current detection circuit 10D, and performs a capping operation on the recording head in response to a return after detecting a power failure, and a reset signal RES1 for automatically performing maintenance of the recording head.
4 is generated and supplied to the central control means MPU. The constant voltage circuit 10B supplies a constant voltage to the control IC.

When an electrode is supplied to the apparatus for the first time, the inkjet printer apparatus is configured so that the reset signal RES14 is supplied to the central control means MPU. I have. Therefore, even when the use state of the host changes, the reset signal RES14 is supplied to the central control unit MPU to perform the capping process. As described above, it is important to perform the above-described capping process in a case where some abnormality occurs from the steady state. Whether or not the capping process can be performed based on the above-described check condition of the state of charge of the secondary battery (for example, in the case of a carriage movement or a full line inkjet head for the cap process,
It is important from this point of view to determine whether or not the cap can be moved relative to the cap.

In the above embodiment, the battery voltage at which the carriage cannot move can be 5.7V.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a power-on and power-off operation procedure of the ink jet recording apparatus.

When an interrupt request by the power switch operation B1 is input to the preliminary circuit MPU2 which can be driven by the constant voltage circuit 10C, the circuit MPU2 turns off the power if the recording device is turned on at the time of operating the power switch. If the power is turned off, the operation is controlled to perform the power-on operation.

If a power switch operation is performed in step B1, it is determined in step B2 whether a power-on operation is performed. When the power-on operation is determined, the process proceeds to step B3, and when the power-off operation is determined, the process proceeds to step B18.

First, a power-on operation will be described. In this process, the adapter connection failure is prevented during the charging process. However, in the present embodiment, a more preferable determination is performed before the charging process. .

In step B3, initialization (hardware and software) is performed using the circuit MPU2. In step B4, the power supply voltage is detected, and if it is determined in step B5 that the battery is driven, it is determined in step B6 whether the battery can be used as in steps S2 to S4 in FIG. If it is determined that the battery cannot be set, the low battery flag is set, but is not set when the battery is usable. Process B7
Now, determine this flag, and if it is set,
The low battery error processing B is performed. This allows connection of the AC adapter, and if there is a connection within a predetermined time, cancels the error and shifts to step B9. If there is no connection, power off and terminate.

Either AC drive in the step B5, no flag is determined in the step B7, or error is cleared in the step B8, the process proceeds to the step B9, where the cap for the inkjet recording head can be released. This is similar to the operation that is processed in the generation of the reset signal described above.

Thereafter, in step B10, the carriage is initialized. This is an operation of returning the print head to the cap position after shifting the carriage once to the print area side. In step B12, cap processing is performed again on the returned recording head to secure the initial state.

Here, the presence or absence of the above-mentioned charge signal is determined in step B13, and if there is, the charge command processing in step B14 is performed. This is a process based on the flowchart of FIG. At this time, since the adapter is already connected,
The initial problem has been solved for the charging process. If there is no charge signal, in step B15, if the presence or absence of a sheet is not determined, in step B16, a message indicating that there is no sheet is displayed.

On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step B18, it is determined whether or not the recording head is closed by the cap, and if not, the carriage is returned (step B26), the cap is closed (step B27), and the power is The mode is turned off (step B28). On the other hand, if it is closed, the same processes as those in Steps B4 to B7 are executed in Steps B19 to B24 to reach Step B28. However, in the case of battery drive determined to be abnormal in step B21 and step B24, low battery error processing is performed in step B22. This is a process for simply stopping all the processes, unlike the process B.

It is preferable to perform the following processing in addition to the above embodiment. Since the battery voltage may change in the range of about 2 V to about 5 V depending on the environmental temperature, it is more preferable to correct this fluctuation state so as not to affect the determination. Specifically, it is preferable that the detection circuit or the determination means include means for correcting the detection result or the reference value in accordance with environmental conditions, including a rise in temperature depending on a use state. This correction may be performed by increasing the detection voltage or decreasing the reference value as the temperature rises. Further, as another method, it is also preferable to perform control such that the charging is stopped after performing the above-described determination a plurality of times, since the final determination is performed after the measurement state due to the temperature rise is stabilized. In this case, it is also included that the apparatus is once determined to be abnormal, and then the above determination is made to make a final check when replacing the battery.

For the printer, it is practically preferable that the reference value be a voltage at which the recording by the recording means can be achieved or a voltage at which the means for maintaining the recording head can be operated. Examples of the maintenance means include, but are not limited to, those described below such as caps and cleaning.

The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a valve jet system among ink jet recording systems.

Regarding the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head is driven. This is effective because the film can be boiled on the heat acting surface, so that bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed one by one corresponding to the drive signal. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,434,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electric heat exchanger (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, a heat acting section A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the is bent, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1236/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge section of an electric heat converter for a plurality of electric heat converters
The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a configuration in which a hole for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is made to correspond to a discharge portion.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be reduced by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, which are provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. More specifically, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing region is a suction unit, an electric heat exchanger, a separate heating element, or a preheating unit using a combination thereof, for the recording head. Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to the printing mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be a printing head integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of the full colors.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, since inexpensive, quick and reliable discrimination can be achieved, the reliability of the charging function is improved, and useless operation time can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting portion of an ink jet unit IJU, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the attachment of the cartridge IJC to the apparatus, FIG. 6 is an external view of the apparatus of the present invention, FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory views of a secondary battery mounted on the printer of the present invention, 8 (A), 8 (B) and 8 (C) are diagrams for explaining an adapter contact portion related to charging of the present invention, in which a circuit explanatory diagram and an adapter before mounting, respectively. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a main part of an embodiment of the power supply circuit and the printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a change in battery voltage and a power supply voltage from the start of charging of the secondary battery. Fig. 11 is a graph diagram for Schematic block diagram of the invention, FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a printer of the present invention. 1 is a curve showing a change in charging voltage of a normal battery, 5 is a battery as a secondary power supply, 6 is a charging circuit, 7 is a power supply voltage detecting circuit, 8 is a battery voltage detecting circuit, 10D is a power failure detecting circuit, 12
Is a charge timer and 14 is a reset system.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-291639 (JP, A) JP-A-60-216728 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 1983-25527 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 1982 98147 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02J ^7/ 00-7/12 H02J ⁷ /34-7/36

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording device that operates upon receiving power supply from a rechargeable battery and records an image on a recording medium in accordance with recording data, and a charging device that charges the battery by supplying power from a power supply. In the recording device, the charging unit detects a battery voltage of the battery, a detection result of the battery voltage detected by the first detection unit prior to charging of the battery, A first determining unit that determines the mounting state of the battery in accordance with the reference value of 1, a warning unit that warns by determining that the battery is abnormally mounted by the first determining unit; Means for starting charging of the battery by determining that the battery is properly mounted by the determination means; and detecting a power supply voltage of the power supply during charging of the battery.
And a second determination unit that compares the detection result of the second detection unit with a second reference value to determine whether or not power supply for charging is performed from the power supply. A first stopping unit for stopping charging of the battery when the second determining unit determines that power supply for charging is not performed; and a charging of the battery by the second determining unit. If it is determined that the power supply for the battery has been performed, after the elapse of a predetermined period, the battery of the battery is detected according to the detection result of the battery voltage detected by the first detection unit and a third reference value. Third determining means for determining an abnormality; second determining means for stopping charging of the battery when the third determining means determines that the battery is abnormal; and charging of the battery is completed. Until the detecting operation by the second detecting means, Serial determination operation by the second discriminating means, a recording apparatus having a charging function, characterized in that and means for repeatedly executing the determination operation by the first detection operation and the by the detection means third discriminating means. 2. A recording apparatus having a charging function according to claim 1, wherein said recording means records an image on a recording medium by discharging ink according to recording data. 3. A recording apparatus having a charging function according to claim 2, wherein said recording means discharges the ink by causing a state change in the ink using thermal energy. 4. A charging device for charging a rechargeable battery by supplying power from a power supply, comprising: first detecting means for detecting a battery voltage of the battery; and first detecting means prior to charging the battery. First determining means for determining the mounting state of the battery according to the detected result of the battery voltage detected and a first reference value; and the first determining means determines an abnormal mounting of the battery. Warning means for giving a warning by the following; means for starting charging of the battery by the first determination means determining that the battery is properly mounted; and power supply voltage of the power supply during charging of the battery. The second to detect
And a second determination unit that compares the detection result of the second detection unit with a second reference value to determine whether or not power supply for charging is performed from the power supply. A first stopping unit for stopping charging of the battery when the second determining unit determines that power supply for charging is not performed; and a charging of the battery by the second determining unit. If it is determined that the power supply for the battery has been performed, after the elapse of a predetermined period, the battery of the battery is detected according to the detection result of the battery voltage detected by the first detection unit and a third reference value. Third determining means for determining an abnormality; second determining means for stopping charging of the battery when the third determining means determines that the battery is abnormal; and charging of the battery is completed. Until the detecting operation by the second detecting means, Serial determination operation by the second discriminating means, the charging device characterized by having a means for repeatedly executing the determination operation by the first detection operation and the by the detection means third discriminating means.