JP3483271B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording head or a recording device equipped with the recording head, which is applicable to recording devices such as printers, copiers and facsimiles generally used for office equipment, and more particularly to a recording head. The present invention relates to a waste ink treatment of a recording apparatus that is integrated with an ink tank and can mount a recording head in a replaceable manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium such as paper or a 0HP sheet has been put into practical use in a form in which recording heads of various recording systems are mounted. The recording head may be of a wire dot type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, an inkjet type, or the like. In particular, the ink jet method has attracted attention as a quiet recording method because the ink is ejected directly onto the recording medium and thus the running cost is low.

In such an ink jet recording apparatus,
A recording head-integrated type that is integrated with the recording head and is replaceably attached to a recording device has been put into practical use.

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
A discharge recovery process is normally performed in order to maintain a good ink discharge state of the recording head.

As an example of the ejection recovery process, a cap that can be brought into contact with or separated from the ejection port forming surface of the recording head is provided, the cap is opposed to the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, and the inside of the nozzle of the recording head is Ink is ejected from all ejection ports by driving the energy generation element used for ejecting ink, which causes bubbles or dust, which is the cause of ejection failure, or viscosity increase, making it unsuitable for recording. Cause of ejection failure by removing ink (preliminary ejection) or by separately ejecting ink from all ejection ports using a suction pump with the ejection port formation surface covered with a cap. There is a process for removing.

The ink discharged to the cap by the above preliminary ejection is removed from the cap by the suction pump.

The ink discharged from the recording head by the discharge recovery process such as the forced suction or the preliminary discharge is guided by the suction pump to the ink storage member connected to the pump and is stored therein. The ink storage member is the size of the recording device,
Due to the size of the information processing device in which the recording device is incorporated, the size, that is, the ink storage amount is limited.
In order to store ink efficiently, a part of the storage member is communicated with the atmosphere to store the ink while drying and evaporating the ink.

However, if the ink flows into the ink storage member beyond the above limit, the ink to be stored may leak from the ink storage member. Since ink generally contains water and other conductive substances, there is a risk of causing an accident, and sufficient measures must be taken to prevent ink leakage.

As an example of the preventive measure, the number of times of operation of the suction pump connected to the ink storage member is counted, and the amount of ink flowing into the ink storage member by one operation of the suction pump is integrated with the counting result. By doing so, a method has been devised in which the storage amount of the ink storage member is calculated and a warning is given to the operator of the recording apparatus when the predetermined storage amount is reached.

On the other hand, for example, in a recording apparatus using a recording head in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated so that the recording head is replaceable, the operator replaces the recording heads having different kinds of ink, especially different ink colors. However, a structure in which recording is performed and color printing can be easily performed is also being put into practical use.

In the recording apparatus having such a structure, since the same cap as the conventional black head comes into contact with the ejection port forming surface of the color recording head, the ink adhered to the cap is used for color recording. The color may shift to the ejection port forming surface of the head and may cause color mixing during color printing. This was particularly noticeable when a large amount of ink remained in the cap due to the ejection recovery process.

As a measure to prevent such a problem, before the color recording head is mounted, the suction pump connected to the cap for removing the ink in the cap without the recording head mounted. To remove the ink from the cap and then install the color recording head, or after completing a series of recording operations, operate the suction pump without contacting the cap with the ejection port formation surface of the recording head. It has been devised that the operator is requested to perform the removal, or that the removal is automatically performed.

[0013]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems.

When the storage amount of the ink storage member is calculated by counting the number of operations of the suction pump for guiding the ink to the ink storage member, the cap and the ejection port forming surface of the recording head are brought into contact with each other. In this state, the amount of ink sucked from the recording head by one suction operation is measured in advance, and the ink storage amount is obtained by integrating with the total number of suction operations.

However, in the case of such a method, an error occurs between the ink storage amount calculated by the above method and the actual ink storage amount, and a warning is issued although there is still a considerable margin for ink storage. There was something to inform.

A major cause of such a problem is a state in which the cap is not in contact with the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, that is, a state in which ink cannot be discharged by a suction operation, as in the case of mounting the color recording head. In the case where the suction operation is performed by the method described above, the amount of ink flowing into the ink storage member is extremely small or becomes “0” as compared with the case where the cap contacts the recording head. .

Furthermore, the amount of ink discharged to the cap, which is the ink receiving member, by the preliminary discharge for recovering the discharge is "0" when the recording head is not mounted.

Even when recording heads having different characteristics relating to the ink discharge amount are used, it may not be possible to accurately calculate the ink storage amount. As an example, when inks having different viscosities are used, the amount of ink ejected by the preliminary ejection changes, and further, the amount of ink discharged by the suction operation also changes.

In addition, the viscosity of the ink changes depending on the environmental temperature and the like, and the amount of ink discharged from the recording head changes, which may make it impossible to accurately count the amount of stored ink.

Further, when issuing a warning about the amount of ink stored in the ink storage member, it is necessary to replace the ink storage member, so that more accurate notification of the warning is required.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technique, and provides an ink jet recording apparatus which can more accurately carry out calculation by counting the ink stored in the ink storage member. The purpose is to

[0022]

In order to achieve the above object, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is different in the amount of ink discharged by the execution of the discharge recovery process under the same conditions. Selects multiple types of inkjet recording heads
It has a carriage that can be mounted and is mounted on the carriage.
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording on a recording material using the ink jet recording heads, the ink jet recording head mounted on the carriage, waste ink reservoir for storing the ink discharged during the discharge recovery processing discharging means, counting means for counting the number of times of the ejection recovery processing, a discriminating means for discriminating the type of the ink jet recording head mounted on the carriage, by executing the ejection <br/> out recovery processing of the same condition the amount of ink, the Lee
Storage means for storing the ink jet recording head corresponding to the type of the ink jet recording head , the type of the ink jet recording head discriminated by the discrimination means, the ink amount stored in the storage means, and the counting means. the number counted discharge recovery processing times, based on, mounted on the carriage Lee
Calculating means for calculating the amount of ink actually discharged from the ink jet recording head, and calculating the amount of ink stored in the waste ink storage means based on the result calculated by the calculating means. Characterize.

In this case, the ejection recovery processing includes forced suction recovery processing and preliminary ejection recovery processing in which the amount of ejected ink is different for each time, and the storage unit stores the plurality of inkjet recording heads. Oite of each type, on the forced suction recovery process that is determined in advance
Oite waste ink amount to be discharged to the preliminary discharge recovery process
And the ink amount issued is stored, the counting unit may be counted and the number of the preliminary ejection recovery processing and the number of the forced suction recovery process.

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

According to the structure of the present invention, an ink is ejected from a recording head of the recording means or an ink supply member in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by using recording means for recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium. By correcting and obtaining the count value of the stored ink according to the operating state of the discharging means, it is possible to accurately count the ink discharged and stored by the ink discharging means.

[0036]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head cartridge 3 in which a recording head 1 and an ink tank 2 are integrated, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge 3. .

Reference numeral 110 denotes a heater board, on which a plurality of discharge heaters arranged in a line on the Si substrate and electric wirings for supplying electric power to the heaters are formed. Reference numeral 140 denotes a grooved top plate in which a plurality of nozzles, an orifice plate 141 having ejection ports corresponding to the nozzles, a common liquid chamber for storing ink to be supplied to the nozzles, and the like are integrally formed. Reference numeral 120 denotes a wiring board. One of the wirings is connected to the heater board 110 by wire bonding or the like, and the other end has a pad 121 for receiving an electric signal from the recording apparatus main body. 130 is a base plate made of metal, to which the wiring board 120 and the heater board 110 are attached with an adhesive or the like. Further, the presser spring 150
Then, by sandwiching the heater board 110 and the grooved top plate 140 and engaging the foot portion of the pressing spring 150 with the hole 131 of the base plate 130, the heater board 110
Then, the grooved top plate 140 is pressure-fixed to the base plate 130. Reference numeral 160 denotes an ink supply member, which has an ink supply pipe 161 and an ink conduit 162 connected thereto. The ink supply pipe 161 is connected to the ink supply hole 101 of the ink tank 100, and the ink conduit 162 is connected to the ink receiving port 142 of the grooved top plate 140. As a result, from the ink tank 100 to the orifice plate 14
An ink flow path is formed up to the first ejection port.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the construction of the printer section of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

Reference numeral 201 is a head cartridge having an ink jet recording head using black ink. In the recording apparatus according to the present invention, a color head cartridge 201C (not shown) having a different ink color and the same form as the black head cartridge 201 is also mountable. Reference numeral 202 denotes a carriage on which the carriage is mounted for scanning in the S direction in the drawing. Reference numeral 203 is a hook for attaching the head cartridge 201 to the carriage 202, and reference numeral 204 is a lever for operating the hook 203. Reference numeral 205 denotes a support plate that supports an electrical connection portion for the head cartridge 201. Reference numeral 206 denotes an FPC for connecting the electric connection section and the main body control section.
(Flexible printed circuit). Reference numeral 207 is a guide shaft for guiding the carriage 202 in the S direction, and is inserted into a bearing 208 of the carriage 202. 20
Reference numeral 9 is a timing belt for mounting the carriage 202 and transmitting power for moving the carriage 202 in the S direction, and pulleys 210A, 21 arranged on both sides of the apparatus.
It is suspended on 0B. The driving force is transmitted from the carriage motor 211 to one pulley 210B via a transmission mechanism such as a gear. Reference numeral 212 denotes a conveyance roller that regulates the recording surface of a recording medium such as paper and conveys the recording medium during recording or the like, and is driven by a conveyance motor 213. Reference numeral 214 is a paper pan for guiding the recording medium to a recording position, and 215 is a pinch roller for arranging the recording medium in the middle of the feeding path of the recording medium and pressing the recording medium toward the conveying roller 212 to convey the recording medium. Is. 21
Reference numeral 6 denotes a platen that faces the ejection port of the head cartridge 201 and regulates the recording surface of the recording medium. 217
Is a paper discharge roller that is arranged on the downstream side of the recording position in the recording medium conveyance direction and discharges the recording medium toward a paper discharge port (not shown). 218 is a discharge roller 217
Is a spur that is provided corresponding to, and presses the paper discharge roller 217 via the recording medium to generate the conveyance force of the recording medium by the paper discharge roller 217. Reference numeral 219 is a release lever for releasing the bias of the pinch roller 215 and the spur 218 when setting the recording medium.

The platen 216 has both ends of the sheet discharge roller 2
It is rotatably supported by 17 shafts and is biased toward the front surface portion 221 of the paper pan 214 from the stop position of the left and right plates 220. The inside of the entire surface portion 221 of the paper pan is in contact with the transport roller 212 at a plurality of portions 212A smaller than the outermost periphery thereof.

Reference numeral 222 denotes a cap formed of an elastic material such as rubber which faces the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head at the home position, and is supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the recording head. The cap 222 is used for protection of the recording head during non-recording, and for ejection recovery processing of the recording head. The cap 222, a suction pump 223, and a blade 225, which will be described later, are configured as one recovery system unit.

The ejection recovery process is performed by causing the cap 222 to face the ejection port forming surface and driving the energy generating element provided inside the ink ejection and used for ejecting the ink to eject the ink from all the ejection ports. A process (preliminary ejection) for ejecting and removing ejection failure factors such as air bubbles and dust, or ink that has increased in viscosity and is no longer suitable for recording, or the ejection port forming surface is covered with a cap 222 separately. In this state, the cause of ejection failure is removed by forcibly sucking and discharging the ink from the ejection port.

The above-described ejection recovery process is automatically carried out by the operator of the recording apparatus according to an instruction from the inputting means 1005 or 1006 described later or at predetermined time intervals to improve the ink ejection state. keeping. The main purpose of the automatic recovery process is to prevent the unrecordable state that may occur over time. In the unrecordable state, air bubbles are generated due to invasion of outside air into the ink flow path in the recording head, and residual bubbles are generated and grow in the recording head that causes foaming in the ink for ejecting ink. Then, the supply of ink is interrupted. In this embodiment, the automatic discharge recovery process is
It is carried out just before the start of printing when 72 hours have passed since the previous execution of the automatic ejection recovery process.

The cap 223 acts as a suction force for forcibly discharging the ink, and at the time of the discharge recovery process by the forced discharge and the discharge recovery process by the preliminary discharge, the cap 2 is provided.
22 is a pump used for sucking the ink received in 22. Reference numeral 224 is an exhaust ink tank which is an ink storage member (exhaust ink tank) for storing the ink sucked by the pump 223. The waste ink tank 224 is connected to the pump 223 by a tube 228.

Reference numeral 225 denotes a blade for wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording head. The blade 225 has a position which projects toward the recording head side and performs wiping in the course of carriage movement, and a retracting position which does not engage with the ejection port forming surface. It is movably supported by. Reference numeral 226 is a motor, and 227 is a cam device for receiving power transmitted from the motor 226 to drive the pump 223 and move the cap 222 and the blade 225, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of the recording apparatus having the configuration described so far.

The cap position and the moving position of the carriage 202 can be known based on the detection by the recovery system home sensor 235 and the carriage home sensor 236. In the figure, reference numeral 1000 is an MPU that executes a control procedure such as a preset program to control each unit, 1001 is a ROM that stores a program or the like corresponding to the control means, and 1002 is a control procedure execution time. This is a RAM used as a work area in. Reference numeral 1003 denotes, for example, an operation number counting unit of the ejection recovery process for calculating the ink storage amount of the ink storage member 224. Reference numeral 1004 denotes an EEPROM that rewritably retains the number of operations of the ejection recovery process and the counting result of the calculated ink storage amount and the like, and retains each data even when the power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off. Is possible. Reference numerals 1005 and 1006 denote input means by which the operator of the recording apparatus can instruct the execution of the discharge recovery process and the operation of the suction pump 223 and the cap 222 of the recovery system unit.

In this embodiment, first, a method of counting the ink storage amount of the ink storage member (exhaust ink tank) 224 when the black recording head cartridge 201 is mounted will be described.

When the recording head is mounted, the ink guided to the ink storage member is the ink discharged to the cap 222 which is the ink receiving member by the ejection recovery process of the recording head, and is connected to the storage member. This is performed by the suction operation of the ink discharging unit (suction pump) 223 that is being performed. Therefore, the ink guided to the ink storage member is due to the forced suction and the preliminary discharge which are the discharge recovery processes.

A method of counting the ink storage amount will be described with reference to FIG.

Since the ink in the ink storage unit is based on the ejection recovery process as described above, the counting means 1003 determines the number of times the ejection recovery process is performed by the operator of the recording apparatus or at predetermined time intervals. The number of times of forced suction N1 and the number of times of preliminary discharge N2 are separately counted.

When the counting is started, the above-mentioned number of times N1 and N2 in the counter as the counting means are set to 0 (step S1). Next, it is confirmed whether forced suction has been performed (step S2). If forced suction is performed, after adding 1 to N1 of the counting means (step S3), it is confirmed whether preliminary ejection has been performed. Is performed (step S4). If it is confirmed in step S3 that forced suction is not performed, step S3 is performed without performing the operation of adding 1 to N1 of the counting means.
Go to 4. If it is confirmed in step S4 that the preliminary ejection has been performed, 1 is added to N2 of the counting means (step S5), and then the holding means 1004 holds the current values of N1 and N2 ( Step S6) ends. If it is confirmed in step S4 that the preliminary ejection is not performed, the counting means N2 in step S5 is used.
Without performing the operation of adding 1 to step S6, the process proceeds to step S6 and ends.

As an example of the holding means 1004, an electrically erasable and writable EEPROM or the like is used, and the counted data can be held even when the power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off. The counting by the counting means is set to, for example, "0" at the time of shipment of the recording apparatus from the factory, and thereafter is counted every time forced suction or preliminary ejection is performed from the start of use by the operator, and the counting result is stored in the EEPROM 100.
Hold at 4. Since the number of executions is added to the EEPROM every time the ejection recovery treatment is performed, the data on the EEPROM shows the total number of executions up to that point. Therefore, by counting the total number of times of execution, it is possible to count the ink storage amount by the calculation formula described later.

Further, since the data is held on the EEPOM, the total number of executions of these ejection recovery processes is held even when the power source of the recording apparatus or the like is turned off.

For example, the recording head 2 by one forced suction
The ink discharge amount from 01 is 0.1 g. In the preliminary ejection, 100 nozzles are ejected from one nozzle of the recording head, and the ejection amount is 80 ng per ink droplet. If this is performed for 64 nozzles, the amount of ink ejected by one preliminary ejection Is about 0.5 mg. On the other hand, in the ink storage member (waste ink tank) 224,
The ink storage amount that does not cause ink leakage is, for example, 60 g.

Further, the ink storage member is partially made of a cloth or the like having air permeability, and the stored ink can be evaporated into the atmosphere. The amount of evaporation of the stored ink depends on the high temperature and high humidity environment where evaporation is difficult, for example, at a temperature of 35 ° C.,
40 hours when left in an environment of 85% humidity for a sufficiently long time, that is, until the ink evaporates sufficiently to reach a stable state
%Met.

The method of using the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied is to cope with long-term use. Also, since the amount of ink stored during head recovery operation or forced suction operation is extremely small compared to the amount in the ink storage section, it is considered that the ink is always being evaporated. The ink storable amount of the example ink storage member was set to 60 / 0.4 = 150 g in consideration of the ink evaporation amount in a high temperature and high humidity environment. As another method of calculating the amount of evaporation, a method of obtaining the amount of evaporation per unit time and then obtaining the stored amount according to the history of use conditions is conceivable. In this case, although the manufacturing cost increases, the current storage amount can be obtained more accurately.

Therefore, assuming that the total number of forced suction operations is N1 and the total number of preliminary ejection operations is N2, the ink amount that can be stored without causing ink leakage is 0.1 g × N1 + 0.5 mg × N2 <150 g. ..... Calculated based on the total number N1 and N2 of executions of the ejection recovery process that satisfies (1).

In the above equation, when the detected storage amount is, for example, 149.9 g, the above equation is satisfied if the next ejection recovery process is preliminary ejection, but the upper limit is reached in the case of forced suction. Therefore, it is also effective to set the upper limit value in advance to less than 150, for example, 145.

In this way, the number of times N1 and N2 have been carried out is counted, and when the whole formula is not satisfied, the warning means 1005 gives a warning to the operator of the recording apparatus.

Next, the case where the ink storage amount is calculated by correcting the count value for calculating the stored ink according to the mounting state of the carriage of the recording head according to the present embodiment will be described. .

First, a method of recognizing the mounted / unmounted state of the recording head 201 will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of a control configuration for causing the MPU 1000 to recognize the mounted / unmounted state of the recording head 201. In the recording head 201,
The connection confirmation signal line 201 is built in, and one end of it is
It is connected to the ground of the main body control unit via the FPC 206, and the other end is connected to one end of the resistor R and an input port through which the MPU of P in the figure can recognize 1,0. The other end of the resistor R is connected to the power source. In the above configuration example, when the MPU 1000 recognizes the value of the input port as “1”, it recognizes that the recording head 201 is not mounted on the carriage, and when it recognizes as “0”,
It is recognized that the recording head 201 is mounted.

Normally, it is considered that the operator of the recording apparatus operates the recording head 201 with the recording head 201 mounted on the carriage 202 even when the recording is not performed. There is a case where the head is separated from the carriage due to a defect such as an ejection failure state.

If the recording head 201 is mounted when the automatic ejection recovery process is performed, the above-described ink storage amount detection of the ink storage member can be performed without any problem, but the recording head is not mounted. In this case, the ink is not discharged and the ink does not flow into the ink storage member even if the ejection recovery process is performed. Therefore, an error occurs in the detection of the ink storage amount, and as a result, a warning is issued although the storage amount of the ink storage member has a considerable margin.

Further, the operation of the ink ejecting means in the state where the ink is not ejected as described above is controlled by an operator or the like in order to prevent color mixture when a color recording head is used in the same recording apparatus. The same applies to the execution of the ink discharging means performed in a state where the ink cannot be discharged from the recording head.

FIG. 7 shows a control example in which the above problems are improved.

When the counting is started, the above-mentioned number of times N1 and N2 in the counter as the counting means are set to 0 (step S7). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the ejection recovery process is to be performed (step S8), and if not, the process is ended. When performing the ejection recovery process, it is confirmed whether the head is mounted (step S9). When it is confirmed in step S9 that the head is not mounted, forced suction and preliminary ejection are performed without writing to the counting means (steps S11 and S12), and the process ends. When it is confirmed in step S9 that the head is mounted, forced suction is performed (step S1).
3), 1 is added to N1 of the counting means (step S14),
Then, after performing the preliminary ejection (step S15), 1 is added to N2 of the counting means (step S16), and further N
The current values of 1 and N2 are held in the holding means 1004 (step S17), and the process is ended.

As described above, in order to detect the mounting state of the print head on the carriage immediately before the ejection recovery process is executed, the detection is performed according to the control as described in FIG. 5 (S
9). As a result of the detection, if the mounting of the recording head is recognized,
The ejection recovery process is executed (S13, S15), the number of times of forcible suction and the number of preliminary ejections are counted (S14, S16), and then the count result is rewritten and stored in the EEPROM as a holding means. Since the number of executions is added to the EEPROM every time the ejection recovery treatment is performed, the data on the EEPROM shows the total number of executions up to that point.

Therefore, it is possible to count and obtain the ink discharged and stored in the ink storage member based on the above-mentioned calculation formula based on the total number of the held ejection recovery processes.

Further, when it is recognized that the recording head is not mounted, the ink is not ejected even if the ejection recovery process is executed, that is, the ink cannot be ejected (suction pump and preliminary ejection). Therefore, the number of forced suctions and the number of preliminary ejections in the ejection recovery process are not counted.

Here, even when it is recognized that the print head is not mounted, the discharge recovery process is executed (S11, S12) because the connection confirmation signal line 201a of the print head is between the contact point with the main body control section. This is because it takes into consideration the case where they are not connected due to the inclusion of dust or dust.

In this way, by performing the correction by detecting the mounted / unmounted state of the recording head and not counting the ink discharge due to the ejection recovery process in the unmounted state,
The total number of inks stored in the accurate ink storage member can be counted, that is, the total ink storage amount can be obtained.

Further, in this embodiment, since the mounting of the recording head is detected immediately before the ejection recovery processing, the mounted / unmounted state can be accurately recognized when the ejection recovery processing is executed.

Further, since the ejection recovery process is executed even when the recording head is not mounted, when it is recognized that the recording head is not mounted due to a poor connection between the connection confirmation signal line of the recording head and the recording apparatus controller. However, the recording head is kept ready for ejection.

In this embodiment, the upper limit value of the ink storage amount in the ink storage member is used as the warning time, but a predetermined amount X equal to or less than the upper limit value is used as in the following equation,
The estimated storage amount may be reported.

0.1 g × N1 + 0.5 mg × N2 <Xg ... (2) Further, the estimated storage amount may be notified at any time within a range not more than the upper limit of the ink storage amount. .

(Embodiment 2) Next, according to the present invention, in the recording apparatus capable of mounting the color recording head 201C having the same form as the black recording head 201, the replacement of the recording head is detected, and the replacement is detected. An example will be described in which the present invention is applied to the case where the ink discharging means is operated in a state where the ink cannot be automatically discharged from the recording head.

The color recording head 201C (not shown) is
In the recording apparatus using the black recording head 201, when color recording is desired, it is replaced by the operator and mounted on the carriage 202.

Even when the color recording head 201C is mounted, the cap 222 described above is the same as when the black recording head is used, so that the black ink attached to the cap does not come into contact with the color recording head. It may shift due to contact, and may cause color mixing during color recording. The color mixture is remarkable when the ink discharged by the discharge recovery process is not completely guided to the ink storage member 224 and a large amount remains in the cap or the like.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to reliably guide the residual ink in the cap or the like to the ink storage member 224, the replacement of the recording head is detected, and when the replacement is detected, the cap 222 is removed. The forced suction operation is performed without contacting the recording head.

As an example, the detection of the exchange of the recording head is performed by measuring the time of the unattached state, and when the unattached state of a prescribed time, for example, 5 seconds or more is detected
It is determined that the recording head will be replaced with another recording head including the color recording head.

A case will be described with reference to FIG. 8A, in which the number of times of forcible suction is counted according to the detection result of print head replacement, the count value is corrected and the stored ink is counted and obtained.

When the counting is started, the above-described number of times N1 and N2 in the counter, which is the counting means, are set to 0 (step S18). Next, it is confirmed whether the head is mounted (step S19), and if it is mounted, forced suction is performed (step S2).
0) End. If the head is not attached,
It is confirmed whether or not the discharge / suction operation is performed (step S21), and if not performed, the processing is ended. When performing discharge suction, after performing forced suction (step S22), 1 is added to N1 of the counting means (step S23), and subsequently, after performing preliminary discharge (step S24), 1 is added to N2 of the counting means. Is added (step S25), the current values of N1 and N2 are held in the holding means 1004 (step S26), and the process ends.

In the above operation, when replacement of the recording head is detected, forcible suction is carried out with the head not mounted in order to prevent color mixture from occurring during color printing (S20). Do not count. Since the suction operation is performed with the recording head not mounted, the ink is not discharged from the recording head, but the ink remaining in the cap is discharged. When the ink remains in the cap, the amount of the remaining ink is negligible, and when it remains and when it does not remain, the ink discharged at this time is counted. Not not.

When the ejection recovery process is performed without predicting the replacement of the recording head, it is determined that the ejection recovery process is a normal recording head mounting state, and the forced suction and the preliminary ejection are performed (S22, S24). Count the number of times (S23, S2
5). At this time, the counting result of the number of times is rewritten and held in the EEPROM by rewriting the counting result data up to that point (S26).

In this way, as in the first embodiment, when the ink discharging means is operated in a state where the ink cannot be discharged, the accurate ink storage is performed by correcting the count value for counting the stored ink. The amount can be calculated. Further, in the present embodiment, the replacement of the recording head for color is detected, and the ink in the cap is discharged before the recording operation by the recording head, so that the color mixture at the time of color printing can be minimized.

In the above description, the forced suction is executed when the recording head is not mounted, but the cap 222 is not brought into contact with the recording head when, for example, the recording head mounting time longer than a predetermined value is detected. It is also possible to apply a configuration in which the suction is performed when the print head is detected to be attached after the print head is moved back to the position. Furthermore, when the recording head non-attachment time of a predetermined amount or more is detected, the cap 222 is
Similarly, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which the suction is carried out when the mounting of the recording head is detected after the same is retreated.

Further, when the ink discharging operation is performed in a state where the ink cannot be discharged from the recording head, if the ink discharging amount in the cap cannot be ignored, the weighting α as shown in FIG. 8b after S20 in FIG. 8a. The ink discharged from the cap can also be counted by attaching the mark and counting the number of forced suctions.

Further, when the replacement of the recording head is predicted, only the forced suction operation is carried out, but an execution sequence of the ejection recovery process including a series of preliminary ejections may be used instead. These operations may be selected appropriately according to the size of the device used and the type of ink used.

(Embodiment 3) Next, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to the case where print heads of the same type but different types are mounted in the same printing apparatus.

The heads of different types in this embodiment are cases in which the characteristics relating to ink discharge are different, and are, for example, recording heads having different ink droplet sizes or droplets of the same size. However, even if the number of ejection ports is different and the same preliminary ejection is performed, the amount of ink discharged is different, or because the load on the ink tank side, the ink flow path resistance, the ink viscosity, etc. are different, forced suction is performed. When these heads having different characteristics are used, such as when the amount of discharged ink is different, the amount of ink discharged by the ejection recovery process changes, and therefore the calculation formula described in the previous embodiment is applied as is. It is not appropriate to do. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the discrimination signal lines 121a, 121b, 121 shown in FIG. 9 are provided to the recording heads so that different recording heads can be recognized.
c and 121d are provided, and the ink discharge amount by one ejection recovery process is calculated for each recording head having different characteristics, and is calculated according to the following equation similarly to the above calculation.

A1g × N1 + A2g × N2 (3) Here, A1 and A2 are the ink discharge amount and the preliminary amount at the time of forced suction in the recording head different from the recording head described in the first embodiment. Amount of ink discharged during ejection, N1, N
2 is the total number of forced suctions and the total number of preliminary discharges, respectively.

FIG. 9A is a view showing a joint portion between the wiring board 120 and the FPC 206 of the recording head.
The determination signal lines 121a to 121d provided on the F.
It is an electrical contact portion with the PC 206.

FIG. 9A is a basic form for discriminating the type of recording head. One end of each discrimination signal line is connected to a power source through a resistor through the FPC 206 and the MPU.
1000 input ports P1, P2, P3, and P4 are connected to each other, and are also commonly grounded. in this case,
The discrimination signals of the recording head are 0, 0,
0, 0 (where 0 indicates the GND level).

FIG. 9B shows the case of a recording head having characteristics different from those of the basic type recording head.
Only the ground pattern 21a is cut. In this case, the discrimination signal is 1, 0, 0, 0 (where 1 indicates the 15V level).

A case where the present invention is applied to the case where the type of the print head is determined in this manner will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the recording head is of type 1
And two types of recording heads of type 2 are used. Type 1
The recording head of type 2 and the type 2 recording head have, for example, a lower ink viscosity of type 2 than type 1, and as shown in Table 1, the amount of ink ejected by the same forced suction operation or preliminary ejection. Are different.

[0099]

[Table 1] When the counting is started, the above-described number of times N1 and N2 in the counter which is the counting means are set to 0 (step S27). Next, do the discharge recovery process,
Whether or not the head is mounted is checked for each type of head (steps S28 to S30).

When it is confirmed that the ejection recovery process is not performed in the above steps, the process is ended. When it is confirmed that the ejection recovery process is performed and the head is not mounted, the ejection recovery process is performed. After execution (step S
29) End.

When the head is mounted and the type is confirmed, after the ejection recovery process is executed (steps S31, S
35), N1 = 1 and N2 = 1 are set in the counting means (steps S32, 33, S36, S37), and the ink discharge amount according to the type of head is obtained by referring to the table (steps S34, 38).

Here, the ink discharge amount k for each type is obtained by the equation (3) (step S40). EEPRO
The ink discharge amount K stored so far in M is read (step S41), and k is added to the read K to obtain E.
The data is written in the EPROM (step S42) and the process ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the execution of the ejection recovery process is instructed, the type of the print head is first discriminated by the discrimination signal line described above (S3).
0). After determining the type of the print head, the ejection recovery process is executed (S31, S35), and the number N1 of forced suctions by the ejection recovery process and the number N2 of preliminary ejections are counted (S32, S35).
33, S36, S37). Next, in order to count the ink ejected by the ejection recovery process, the amount of ink ejected by one ejection recovery process is referred to the table defined for each type of recording head as shown in Table 1, and each recording is performed. The ink discharge amounts A1 and A2 corresponding to the head are obtained (S34, S
38). Ink discharge amount A per ejection recovery process according to the type of print head thus obtained, the number N1 of forced suctions, the number N2 of preliminary ejections, and the type of print heads
1, A2, the ink discharge amount k by the current ejection recovery process is obtained in S40 by the above equation.

The ink discharge amount k obtained here and the count result K of the ink discharged and stored in the ink storage member by the discharge recovery process up to that point are added (S41), and the addition result is written to the EEPROM 1OO4. Hold (S
42). Here, since the count result K of the ink is obtained by adding the ink amount K stored in the ink storage member up to that time and the ink discharge amount k by the current ejection recovery process,
This means that the total amount of ink stored, including the amount of ink discharged this time, is being counted. When the ejection recovery process is performed for the first time in this description, the ink count result K held in the EEPROM is "0", and therefore K = k is held.

In this way, even when the types of print heads are different and the amount of ink discharged by the discharge recovery process changes, the type of print head is discriminated each time the discharge recovery process is performed, and ink is discharged according to the type of print head. By correcting the amount, adding it to the ink count result up to the previous time and holding it in the data holding means, even if different types of recording heads are used while being exchanged, the ink stored in the ink storage member can be accurately stored. The total number can be counted and the total number of inks stored can be determined.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned color recording head, there is an effect that it can be suitably applied, for example, when the ink discharge characteristics are different for each color.

Further, the type of the print head is different, and when the print head is not mounted as shown in S29 and S39, the ink is not discharged. Therefore, the discharged ink is not counted. For example, this embodiment can be applied in combination with the embodiments described so far.

(Embodiment 4) Next, when different types of print heads are used in the same printing apparatus as in the case of the third embodiment, the operation of the ejection recovery process is changed according to the type of print head. Depending on the changed ejection recovery process,
A case will be described in which the amount of discharged ink is calculated and the ink stored in the ink storage member is counted.

In this embodiment, the recording head is of type 1
And two types of recording heads of type 2 are used. Type 1
The recording head of No. 2 and the recording head of type 2 are, for example, the size of the common liquid chamber formed by the grooved top plate 140 and the heater board 110 shown in FIG. 2 and the diameter of the ink supply pipe 161 shown in FIG. Etc. are different, and the type 2 is configured to be larger than the type 1. Regarding the ink ejection amount, both heads have the same ejection amount.

The forced suction operation by the above discharge recovery processing is
The main purpose is to reproduce or maintain a good ejection state by removing thickened ink that is not suitable for ejecting ink, the ejection port, the ink flow path near the ejection port, and bubbles in the ink liquid chamber. is there. Furthermore, when the ink supply is interrupted due to the destruction of the meniscus at the discharge port or the growth of bubbles in the ink path, the ink is guided from the ink supply member such as the ink tank to the discharge port to supply the ink. It is also a big purpose to restart. In order to realize these objects, in this embodiment, the amount of ink discharged by one forced suction is set to be substantially equal to the amount of ink from the ink supply pipe 161 to the ejection port.

Therefore, in the type 2 recording head having a large volume after the ink supply pipe, it is appropriate to increase the amount of ink discharged by one forced suction as compared with the type 1.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the type of the recording head is discriminated, and the forced suction operation as shown in FIG. 11 is executed according to the discriminated type. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the suction pump 223 that realizes the forced suction, FIG. 11A shows a state in which the suction operation is not performed, and FIG. 11B is in the direction of arrow A. This is a forced suction operation corresponding to the type 1 recording head in which the piston 223a is operated to discharge ink, and FIG. 11C shows the forced suction operation for the type 2 recording head.

Further, FIG. 11D shows a state in which the ink in the suction pump is discharged after the suction of the ink is performed, and the valve 22 is operated in the process of operating the piston 223 in the arrow B direction.
3b opens and the ink in the pump is discharged. In the case of performing the forced suction corresponding to the type 2 recording head, by operating the piston to a further lowered position as shown in FIG. 11C, the type 1 recording head of FIG. More ink can be discharged, and the above-mentioned purpose of forced suction is achieved.

As described above, when the forced suction operation is changed according to the type of the recording head to perform the optimum ejection recovery process,
When the present invention is applied and the ink stored in the ink storage member is counted and calculated, the ejection recovery process shown in S31 and S35 in FIG. 10 is executed by the ejection recovery process corresponding to each recording head shown in FIG. Then, if the table is set by obtaining the ink discharge amount corresponding to each recording head in the same manner as shown in Table 1, the same control as in the above-described third embodiment can be applied, and the ink can be stored in the ink storage member. It is possible to count the ink that has been ejected.

In this way, even if the type of print head is different, the operations such as the ejection recovery process corresponding to each print head change, and the ink discharge amount also changes, the ink discharge amount is changed for each print head. By correcting and counting, it is possible to count and obtain the total number of inks stored in the ink storage member.

Further, in the present embodiment, when it is desired to discharge more ink by the ejection recovery processing, it is considered that the number of times of the forced suction is increased in the series of the ejection recovery processing to cope with this. In such a case, S in FIG.
It is also applicable by setting the number N1 of forced suction described in 32 and S36 to 2 or more.

Reference Example 1 Next, a case will be described in which the ink count is corrected according to the environmental temperature in order to make the calculation of the ink storage amount according to the present invention a more accurate detection method.

As described above, the ink guided to the ink storage member is the ink discharged by the ejection recovery process. On the other hand, even with the same recording head, the ink discharge amount may change due to a change in ink viscosity or the like.

As an example in which the ink discharge amount is most likely to change in the same recording head, there is a change in environmental temperature. FIG. 12 shows changes in the ejection amount of ejected ink according to changes in the environmental temperature. Here, the ejection amount is, for example, the average value of the weight of one ink droplet ejected from one ejection port, and is about 50 ng at an environmental temperature of 10 ° C. and about 90 ng at an environmental temperature of 30 ° C.

Therefore, in this reference example, the temperature sensor 113 shown in FIG. 4 is used as means for detecting the environmental temperature around the print head each time the ejection recovery process is performed.
And a table as shown in Table 2 which defines the amount of ink discharged by the ejection recovery process for each environmental temperature, and counts the ink storage amount according to the following formula according to the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor. It is composed.

This state is shown in FIG. In addition, FIG.
6 is a table showing an example of ink discharge amount with respect to environmental temperature.

[0122]

[Table 2] k = B1g × N1 + B2g × N2 (4) Here, B1 and B2 are the ink discharge amount at the time of forced suction and the preliminary discharge obtained at each environmental temperature shown in FIG. And N2 are the results of counting the number of forced suctions and the number of preliminary ejections, respectively.

The flow for calculating the ink storage amount according to this reference example will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the counting is started, the above-mentioned number of times N1 and N2 in the counter which is the counting means are set to 0 (step S42). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the discharge recovery process is to be performed (step S43), and if not to be completed, the process is ended. When performing the discharge recovery process, after performing this (step S44), N1 = 1 and N2 are applied to the counting means.
= 1 are set (step S45). Then, the environmental temperature is detected (step S46), and the ink discharge amount corresponding to the detected environmental temperature is obtained by referring to the table (step S47).

Here, the ink discharge amount k for each environmental temperature is obtained by the equation (4) (step S4) 8 ,. EEPRO
The previous ink discharge amount K stored in M is read (step S49), k is added to the read K (step S50), and the result is written in the EEPROM (step S51).

As described above, in the present reference example, in order to count the ink storage amount, first, the number of times of forced suction and preliminary discharge executed by the discharge recovery process is obtained (S45), and then the temperature of the recording head is detected. Then, the relationship between the environmental temperature and the ink discharge amount, that is, the ink discharge amount corrected according to the environmental temperature, is referred to, and the ink discharge amounts B1 and B2 are determined (S47). Ink discharge amount k
Is calculated according to the above equation (S48). The EEPROM holds the count result K of ink storage obtained by adding the ink discharge amount up to that time. The count result K is read and the ink discharge amount k by the current ejection recovery process is added. Then, the total count result K of the stored ink is calculated (S50). The counting result is rewritten in the EEPROM again and held (S51).

With this arrangement, the environmental temperature of the recording head is detected each time the ejection recovery process is performed, and the ink discharge amount is corrected and counted according to the temperature, so that the discharged ink can be accurately counted. In addition, the total count result K of accurately stored ink is obtained by adding and holding the count result and the ink discharge amount counted up to the previous time each time the discharge recovery process is performed. That is, the total ink storage amount can be counted.

As a development of this reference example, it is also possible to apply the present invention to a recording apparatus which controls the ejection amount in order to stabilize the ejection amount with respect to the ejection amount of the recording head which changes depending on the ambient temperature and the recording head temperature. In this case, the ink discharge amount table with respect to the environmental temperature shown in FIG. 14 may be created by associating the ink discharge amount with the environmental temperature and the print head temperature when the discharge amount control is performed. Furthermore, when the ink discharge amount is sufficiently stable with respect to the temperature by controlling the discharge amount, the ink storage amount may be counted assuming that the ink discharge amount is constant.

Reference Example 2 In Reference Example 1 described above, the discharge amount of the ink is corrected by detecting the environmental temperature and the stored ink is counted, but the temperature of the recording means is detected. It is also conceivable to provide a means for doing so and make a correction based on the detection result of the temperature.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the construction of a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater board of the ink discharge heater of the recording head, as an example of the detecting means for detecting the temperature of the recording means.

FIG. 14 shows the heater board 1 shown in FIG.
10 is a detailed view of FIG. Reference numeral 111 denotes a discharge heater array, which is provided corresponding to each nozzle following the discharge port of the orifice plate 141 (see FIG. 1). By applying a voltage to the discharge heater array 111, the ink in the nozzle obtains thermal energy and becomes a droplet, which is discharged from the discharge port of the orifice plate 141 to perform recording. Reference numerals 112a and 112b denote heating heaters, which can heat the vicinity of the heater board 110. 1
Similarly to the discharge heater 111 and the heater 112, 13a and 113b are temperature sensors that can be manufactured at the same time by the semiconductor film forming technique, and can detect the temperature in the vicinity of the discharge heater array 111. Moreover, the shaded portion indicates the position of the connection portion with the grooved top plate 140. Temperature sensor 113
Is a diode sensor, for example, and the output value changes by about 2.5 mV per 1 degree of temperature.

Even when such a temperature sensor is used, a table in which the discharged ink amount is corrected according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor as in Reference Example 2 is provided in the same manner as in FIG. 14, and further, in FIG. It can be applied in the same manner as the control example of.

Further, in this reference example, the heater board temperature of the discharge heater of the recording head is detected, but it may be considered that the temperature sensor is provided for the ink supply member for supplying the ink to the recording head.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the second embodiment and the second embodiment in which the application of the present invention can be further spread in the third embodiment, the detection of the replacement of the print head is performed when the print head is not mounted. Was detected.

However, the detection of the replacement of the recording head is
It is also conceivable that the operator gives an instruction to replace the recording head with the input means 1005 or 1006, and the instruction is given.
If the input means 1005 or 1006 instructs replacement of the print head, the ink discharge means can be operated in a state where ink cannot be discharged from the print head.

The same development is conceivable in the third embodiment as well, and the input means 1005 and 100 by the operator are not required to recognize the different print heads by the construction of the print heads.
It is conceivable to do this by instructing 6.

Reference Example 3 In the examples and reference examples of the present invention described above, the ink flowing into the ink storage member was the ink discharged from the ink ejection port of the recording head. In this reference example, a case where the present invention is applied to a recording apparatus having a recording head as a recording unit and an ink supply member for supplying ink to the recording head and the ink is also discharged from the ink supply member explain.

FIG. 15 shows a recording apparatus having an ink pack 310a which is a first ink tank and a sub tank 304 which is a second ink tank as ink supply members. Reference numeral 300 denotes a recording head having an ink filter 300b and ejection ports (nozzles) 300a, 301 denotes a cap for protecting the ejection recovery processing and the recording head, and 3
Reference numeral 02 denotes an air valve that can be opened and closed to prevent the air in the cap from being pushed into the ejection port when the recording head is capped by the cap 301. Recording head 300
Are connected by an ink supply tube 303 via a sub-tank 304 whose liquid surface is kept constant in order to stably hold the meniscus of the ejection port. Sub tank 304
Is connected to the ink bag 310a of the ink tank 310 via the ink remaining amount sensor 307 and the ink supply tube 303 to supply ink. Cap 301
Is connected to a suction pump 306 by a suction tube 305.

By performing the discharge recovery process, the suction pump 30
When 6 generates a suction force, the ink follows the path indicated by arrow B in the figure and is guided to the waste ink absorber 310b. To the waste ink absorber 310b, the ink from the ejection port (nozzle) 300a of the recording head 300 and the sub-tank 3 described above.
Ink from 04 is led. The sub tank and the waste ink absorber are connected by a sub tank suction tube 309 via a waste ink sensor 311. The sub tank 3
From 04, as shown by the arrow C in the figure, air is also sucked at the same time to create a rapid depressurized state and ink is rapidly supplied from the ink pack 310a. The ink supply path is indicated by arrow A.

Therefore, in the case of such a configuration, in addition to the ink from the recording head, the ink to the waste ink absorber 310b which is the ink storage member is also discharged from the sub tank which is the second ink tank. .

In the recording apparatus having the above structure, in order to calculate the ink storage amount, the discharge amount C2 from the sub tank detected by the waste ink sensor 311 is used as the amount of ink discharged by the forced suction in the discharge recovery process. The discharge amount C1 from the recording head is added as in the following equation, and is integrated with the total number N1 of forced suctions, and the discharge amount of ink from the recording head due to preliminary discharge during the discharge recovery process may be taken into consideration. The waste ink sensor is a pressure sensor, a weight sensor, or the like, and is counted only when the discharge of ink from the sub tank is recognized.

(C1 + C2) × N1 + C3 × N2 (5) where C3 is the amount of ink ejected by one preliminary ejection, and N2 is the total number of preliminary ejections. is there.

As described above, even in the recording apparatus provided with the second ink tank such as the sub tank, the amount of ink discharged from the ink tank is taken into consideration for correction.
The ink stored in the waste ink tank that stores the discharged ink can be counted.

Further, in the recording apparatus having the above structure, when the recording head and the ink tank are configured to be replaceable and the recording head having different characteristics, the recording head for color, etc. are mounted, the present invention is not limited to the above. By combining with Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, and Example 4, accurate ink storage amount detection can be performed. Further, it can be applied in combination with the detection method in which each ink discharge amount is corrected by the ambient temperature described in Reference Example 1 and Reference Example 2 and the stored ink counting method performed based on the instruction of the operator. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention brings excellent effects particularly in an inkjet type recording head and a recording device that form flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy among the inkjet recording types.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. , It is effective because it generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter and causes film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, resulting in the formation of bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis. Is. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape, because the bubble growth and contraction are immediately and appropriately performed, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds 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 increased by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. The present invention can exert the above-mentioned effects more effectively, although it may have a configuration that satisfies the above requirement or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed.

In addition, by being mounted on the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided with an ink tank is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording It is also effective to perform stable recording.

Further, as the recording mode of the recording apparatus, not only the mainstream color such as black is recorded but also the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of them may be combined. The present invention is also extremely effective for a device provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned. In the inkjet method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form.

In addition, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in the standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. In some cases, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to a recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or one that has already started to solidify when it reaches a recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in the state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recess or through hole of the porous sheet. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the one provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a word processor or a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, May take the form of a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

[0156]

As described above, according to the present invention, the amount of ink stored in the ink storage unit is detected according to the type of recording head having different amounts of discharged ink, so that accurate detection can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example of an inkjet cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a stored ink counting method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for detecting the mounting state of the inkjet cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a stored ink counting method according to a second embodiment.

8A is an explanatory view of a stored ink counting method according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 8B is an explanatory view of a stored ink counting method developed according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a detection unit for determining the type of an inkjet cartridge including recording heads having different characteristics according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method of counting stored ink according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ink discharging unit corresponding to different types of recording heads according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of the relationship between environmental temperature and ink ejection amount according to Reference Example 1.

13 is an explanatory diagram of a method of counting stored ink according to Reference Example 1. FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a temperature sensor that is a temperature detecting unit of the recording head according to the second reference example.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus including a sub tank that is a second ink tank according to Reference Example 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 recording head 2 ink tank 3 head cartridge 100 ink tank 101 ink supply hole 110 heater board 111 discharge heater row 112a heating heater 112b heating heater 113a temperature sensor 113b temperature sensor 120 wiring board 121 pads 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d recording head discrimination Signal line 130 Base plate 131 Hole 140 Groove top plate 141 Orifice plate 142 Ink receiving port 150 Pressing spring 160 Ink supply member 161 Ink supply pipe 162 Ink conduit 201 Head cartridge 201a Connection signal line 201C for color head cartridge 202 Carriage 203 Hook 204 Lever 205 Support plate 206 FPC 207 Guide shaft 208 Bearing 209 Timing bell 210A Pulley 210B Pulley 211 Carriage motor 212 Conveying roller 212A 213 Conveying motor 214 Paper pan 215 Pinch roller 216 Platen 217 Discharging roller 218 Spur 219 Release lever 220 Left and right plate 221 Front part 222 Cap 223 Suction pump 224 Waste ink tank 225 Blade 226 Motor 227 Cam device 228 Tube 233 Suction pump 233a Piston 233b Valve 235 Recovery system home sensor 236 Carriage home sensor 300 Recording head 300a Nozzle 300b Ink filter 301 Head cap 302 Air valve 303 Ink supply tube 304 Sub tank 305 Suction tube 306 Pump 306a Piston 307 Ink sensor 308 Waste ink tube 309 Sub Ink tube 310 Ink tank 310a Ink pack 310b Waste ink absorber 311 Waste ink sensor 304 Sub ink tank 311 which is the second ink tank 311 Waste ink sensor 1000 MPU 1001 ROM 1002 RAM 1003 Execution recovery processing execution count counter 1004 EEPROM 1005 Notification Means 1006 Keyboard S1 to S51 steps

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A discharge recovery process is executed under the same conditions.
Have a selectively mountable carriage the output is the amount of ink a plurality of types of ink jet recording head different from each other
The inkjet recording device mounted on the carriage.
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording on a recording material using a recording head, the ink jet recording head mounted on the carriage, and waste ink storage means for storing the ink discharged during the discharge recovery processing, the A counting unit that counts the number of ejection recovery processes, a determination unit that determines the type of the inkjet recording head mounted on the carriage, and an ink amount discharged by the execution of the ejection recovery process under the same conditions. Corresponding to the type of inkjet recording head
Based storage means for storing by the type of the ink jet recording head is discriminated by said discriminating means, and the ink amount stored in the storage means, in a discharge recovery processing number of times counted by the counting means The ink jet mounted on the carriage.
And a calculating unit that calculates the amount of ink that is considered to be actually discharged from the ink jet recording head, and obtains the amount of ink stored in the waste ink storage unit based on the result calculated by the calculating unit. Inkjet recording device. 2. The ejection recovery processing includes a forced suction recovery processing and a preliminary ejection recovery processing, each of which ejects a different amount of ink, and the storage means stores the plurality of inkjet recording heads . for each type, are stored and the ink amount to be Oite discharged Oite discharged is in <br/> click amount and the preliminary discharge recovery process to the forcible suction recovery process that is determined in advance is, the counting The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means counts the number of times of the forced suction recovery process and the number of times of the preliminary ejection recovery process.