JP3635759B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that prints by ejecting ink onto paper, and more particularly to a flash process in which ink is ejected from nozzles in order to prevent clogging of the nozzles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Communication devices such as facsimile devices and information processing devices such as personal computers usually have a printer recording device capable of printing these data on printing paper in order to record print data consisting of characters and figures as visual information. ing. This printer recording apparatus adopts various printing methods such as impact method, thermal method, ink jet method, etc., but in recent years, ink jet methods that are excellent in quietness and capable of printing on paper of various materials are widely used. It has come to be.
[0003]
  The ink jet recording apparatus has a recording head having a large number of nozzles and a printing paper facing each other, and ejects ink from nozzles corresponding to printing data onto the printing paper while main-scanning the recording head and sub-scanning the paper. By spraying, characters and figures are printed on printing paper. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus empties ink from all the nozzles every predetermined number of times of main scanning or every predetermined time with respect to the printing paper of the recording head in order to prevent unevenness of ink sprayed on the printing paper from many nozzles. Eject (flash).
  This is because the nozzles of the print head are always kept in a wet state to prevent clogging and the like caused by drying of nozzles that do not eject ink (unused nozzles) due to print data consisting of characters and figures. This is to stabilize the ink supply (ink ejection) ejected from each nozzle onto the printing paper.
[0004]
  Specific examples of such an ink jet recording apparatus include those shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and will be described below.
  In FIG. 6, the main body frame 2 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 has a total of four recording heads 3 (ie, black K, yellow Y, cyan C, and magenta M each having a plurality of (for example, 64) nozzles. A sub-frame 4 having recording heads 3A to 3D) for ejecting ink, a maintenance mechanism RM, and a paper feed mechanism LM is incorporated. A cylindrical platen roller 5 is disposed on the inner rear side of the main body frame 2. The platen roller 5 conveys the printing paper P supplied from a paper feeding cassette (not shown) or a manual paper feeding unit while facing the recording head 3, and forms part of the paper feeding mechanism LM. The platen roller 5 is in close contact with the printing paper P by a pressure roller (not shown) provided on the upper side, and is driven by the LF motor (not shown) via the platen gear 6 to feed the printing paper P in the sub-scanning direction. .
[0005]
  A carriage 7 on which the recording heads 3A to 3D are mounted is provided in front of the platen roller 5. The carriage 7 supplies a plurality of ink containers 8 </ b> A containing respective inks to supply inks of different colors (black K, yellow Y, cyan C, and magenta M) to the ink jet recording heads 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D. 8D (ink supply means) are detachably mounted corresponding to the recording heads 3A to 3D, respectively, and are movable along a carriage shaft 9 provided in parallel with the platen roller 5. Thereby, the recording heads 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D are main-scanned along the platen roller 5.
[0006]
  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the ink containers 8 </ b> A to 8 </ b> D as the ink supply means has a lid 20 </ b> B that closes the upper surface opening of the container main body 20 </ b> A. The head unit 21 is inserted. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ink container 8A has a larger volume than the other ink containers 8B to 8D, and the sponge material 22 fills the inside of each ink container 8A to 8D. It is stored.
  Further, each of the ink containers 8A to 8D stores black K, yellow Y, cyan C, and magenta M ink, respectively, penetrating the sponge material 22.
  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the head unit 21 has a horizontal plate portion 23 that divides a region where the ink containers 8 </ b> A to 8 </ b> D are mounted. Each of the ink containers 8A to 8D is detachably mounted. Further, the head unit 21 includes a plurality of connectors (ink supply means together with the ink containers 8A to 8D) that individually supply the ink stored in the ink containers 8A to 8D to the corresponding recording heads 3A to 3D. 24A to 24D are provided. The connectors 24A to 24D protrude into the ink containers 8A to 8D, are pressed against the sponge material 22 with the filters 25A to 25D interposed therebetween, and are connected to the ink supply holes 26 formed in the connectors 24A to 24D. The ink containers 8A to 8D and the recording heads 3A to 3D are in communication with each other. A cover 27 protects the recording heads 3A to 3D.
[0007]
  A CR motor 10 for driving the carriage 7 is disposed on the left rear surface of the subframe 4. The CR motor 10 drives the carriage 7 via the belt 11, and uses a step motor or a DC motor. Further, a flash ink absorber 12 is provided on the left rear surface of the sub-plate 4. The flash ink absorber 12 faces the nozzles of the recording heads 3A to 3D (hereinafter simply referred to as the recording head 3) that are main-scanned by driving the carriage 7, and is ejected from the nozzles during flash processing. It absorbs ink. A maintenance mechanism RM for the recording head 3 is disposed on the right side of the platen roller 5. The ink jet recording head 3 causes ink ejection failure due to bubbles generated inside during use or ink droplets adhering to the ejection surface. To recover. The maintenance mechanism RM includes a cap 14 for protecting the recording head 3 during a printing pause period, a purge device 13 for sucking ink in the recording head 3, and a wiping device for wiping the nozzle surface of the recording head 3. 15 etc. are provided.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  By the way, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the prior art, the ink temperature in the ink supply path from the ink containers 8A to 8D to the nozzles of the recording head 3 becomes low, and the fluidity of the ink deteriorates when the viscosity increases.
  Therefore, in order to prevent clogging of each nozzle, if a flush process is performed in which ink is ejected from all nozzles simultaneously, the supply of ink, which has deteriorated in fluidity at low temperatures, cannot catch up and is effective. In some cases, it may not be possible to perform the flash process, which may hinder nozzle clogging.
[0009]
  The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and the nozzles to which ink is supplied from a common ink supply means are divided into a plurality of sections, and ink ejection (flash processing) is performed mutually for each section. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can reliably prevent nozzle clogging by performing at different timings.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve this object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention supplies ink from a common ink supply means to a recording head having a plurality of nozzles, and selectively supplies ink from these nozzles. In an inkjet recording apparatus capable of performing flash processing to prevent clogging of each nozzle while performing recording by jetting, the nozzle to which ink is supplied from a common ink supply means is divided into a plurality of sections. Flash processing means for ejecting ink at different timing for each nozzleTemperature detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the ink supplied to the nozzles of the recording head, and the flash processing means applies to each nozzle even if ink is ejected simultaneously from all nozzles. In a temperature range where a predetermined amount of ink is supplied from a common ink supply means, ink is ejected from all nozzles simultaneously.It is characterized by this.
  As a result, the ink is ejected idle at different timings for each of the divided nozzles, so that the amount of ink ejected in one flash process is reduced and supplied to each nozzle from a common ink supply means. Insufficient supply of ink, in particular, insufficient supply of ink due to a decrease in fluidity when the temperature is lowered can be prevented.Furthermore, when the temperature is such that a predetermined amount of ink can be supplied from the common ink supply means, that is, when the viscosity of the ink is relatively low, the ink is jetted simultaneously from all nozzles, and the flash process is quickly performed on each nozzle. In addition, at a temperature at which the viscosity of the ink is rising, the ink can be ejected at different timings for each of the divided nozzles, and the flash process can be reliably performed on each nozzle.
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
  Claim2The ink jet recording apparatus described inInk recording is performed by supplying ink from a common ink supply means to a recording head having a plurality of nozzles, and selectively ejecting ink from these nozzles, and a flash process is performed to prevent clogging of each nozzle. In the inkjet recording apparatus capable of performing the above, a flash processing unit that divides a plurality of nozzles to which ink is supplied from a common ink supply unit and ejects ink at different timings for each of the divided nozzles;Temperature detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of ink supplied to the nozzles of the recording headWhenThe flash processing means is divided into the number of nozzles based on the ink temperature, and the ink is ejected at different timings for each of the divided nozzles.
  Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently eject the ink from the nozzles in an empty manner (flash processing) in accordance with a change in the temperature characteristics of the ink, for example, the viscosity of the ink.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 1 to 5, the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 of the prior art have the same configuration, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0016]
  In FIG. 1, an ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present invention is connected to an information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a host computer) 101 such as a personal computer via an interface (I / F) 102.
  The ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes a microcomputer 30 for executing various functions including a mechanism as a flash processing unit, a RAM 31 having a print buffer 31A, a ROM 32, and a head driver 33. The head driver 33 is connected to the recording head 3, and the motor drivers 34 and 35 are connected to the CR motor 10 and the LF motor, respectively. The microcomputer 30 is connected to mode selection means 36 for selecting recording modes having different recording dot pitches automatically or by manual operation by an operator.
  The microcomputer 30 temporarily stores the print data 48a received from the host computer 101 via the interface (I / F) 102 in the print buffer 31A based on the recording mode selected by the mode selection means 36. The entire apparatus 1 is controlled in accordance with a software program stored in advance in the ROM 34 in order to store it and execute a printing operation based on the printing data 48a.
[0017]
  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the four recording heads 3 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 ejects ink supplied separately from each of the ink containers 8A to 8D through 24A to 24D by displacement of the piezoelectric element. A large number (for example, 64) of nozzles 3a. These nozzles 3 a... Are arranged in the respective ink containers so as to face the printing paper P and the flash ink absorber 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y of the printing paper P orthogonal to the main scanning direction X of the recording head 3. A large number are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other corresponding to 8A to 8D. Further, the drive voltage from the head driver 33 is applied to the piezoelectric elements of the nozzles 3a.
[0018]
  The head driver 33 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the head driver 33 includes two-input AND circuits 45 and drivers 46 provided corresponding to the nozzles 3a of the recording head 3. The serial / parallel conversion circuit 47 includes the print data 48a serially transferred from the microcomputer 30 of FIG. 2 or the flash processing signal 49a at the input timing of the transfer clock 48b. It takes in and outputs in parallel. And the AND circuit 45... Outputs the print data 48 a output in parallel or the flash processing signal 49 a to each driver 46... When the reference timing signal a or b output from the microcomputer 30 is at a high level. The driver 46 applies a predetermined drive voltage to each corresponding nozzle 3a when the input print data 48a or the flash processing signal 49a is at a high level.
  As shown in FIG. 2, each AND circuit 45... Is an odd-numbered nozzle No. 3 (number 1, number 3, number 63) counted from the upper end in the direction Y of each recording head 3. The reference timing signal a is output to the AND circuits 45 corresponding to the No. 2 and the reference timing signals b are output to the AND circuits 45 corresponding to the even-numbered nozzles 3a, No. 4, No. 64, and No. 64, respectively. It has come to be.
[0019]
  Further, a carriage origin sensor 55, a paper sensor 56, and an ink temperature sensor 57 are connected to the microcomputer 30. The carriage origin sensor 55 detects a reference origin position indicating the movement position of the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction, and the paper sensor 56 detects insertion of the printing paper P. The ink temperature sensor (temperature detection means) 57 directly or indirectly detects the temperature of the ink in the ink supply path from the ink containers 8A to 8D to the nozzles of the recording heads 3, for example, a head unit. The temperature 21 is detected and output to the microcomputer 30 as an ink temperature signal c. The microcomputer 30 executes a predetermined printing operation by controlling the main scanning of the carriage 7 and the sub-scanning of the printing paper P based on the output signals from the carriage origin sensor 55 and the paper sensor 56, and detects the ink temperature. Based on whether or not the ink temperature signal c from the sensor 57 is equal to or lower than the set temperature, the flash process of each nozzle 3a, which will be described in detail later, is controlled. Here, the set temperature set in the microcomputer 30 is a temperature range in which a predetermined amount of ink can be uniformly supplied to all the nozzles 3a of the recording heads 3 and ejected, for example, the ink container 8A. 8D and the viscosity of ink in the connectors 24A to 24D are increased, and the ink cannot be uniformly supplied from the ink containers 8A to 8D to the nozzles 3a of the recording head 3 through the connectors 24A to 24D. The temperature range is set.
[0020]
  The operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the above configuration will be described.
[0021]
  First, in order to perform printing on the printing paper P, the microcomputer 30 stores the print data 48a received from the host computer 101 via the interface (I / F) 102 in the print buffer 31A. The print data is then moved at a predetermined timing while moving the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction.T48a is transferred to the head driver 33, high-level reference timing signals a and b are simultaneously output, and a predetermined driving voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements of the corresponding nozzles 3a. Printing on the paper P is executed. Thereafter, when one printing in the main scanning direction is completed, the printing paper P is fed in the sub-scanning direction, and then the carriage 7 is moved again to restart printing.
[0022]
  As described above, while printing predetermined characters and figures on the printing paper P, the microcomputer 30 performs a predetermined number of times of main scanning or every predetermined time (for example, every 30 seconds). The flash process is executed. That is, in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, in order to reduce (prevent) clogging of the nozzles 3a of the recording head 3, a flash process for emptyly ejecting ink from the nozzles 3a of the recording head 3 is performed. Based on whether or not the temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the setting is repeated for different set times LOOP1 and LOOP2 (for example, LOOP1 = 20, LOOP2 = 10).
  First, in order to perform this flash process, the microcomputer 30 once stops the printing operation and moves the recording head 3 to a position facing the flash ink absorber 12 (a position outside the printing area). At the same time, the flash processing signal 49a is transferred to the head driver 33 in place of the print data 48a, and all high level signals are output from the serial / parallel converter 47 to the AND circuits 45.
[0023]
  Then, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the microcomputer 30 performs different set times LOOP1 based on whether or not the ink temperature from the ink containers 8A to 8D to the nozzles of the recording head 3 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. , LOOP2 is selected (S1), an ink temperature signal c is input from the ink temperature detection sensor 57 (here, a sensor that indirectly detects the ink temperature from the temperature of the head unit 21), and the ink is detected. It is determined whether or not the temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature (S2), and different flash processes based on the ink temperature are repeated for the set number of times LOOP1 or LOOP2.
[0024]
  That is, when the microcomputer 30 determines that the ink temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature (S2, YES), the flash process is performed after setting the number N of flash processes to “0” (S3). It is determined whether or not the number of executions N is an even number (S2). When the microcomputer 30 determines that the number N of executions of the flash processing is an even number (S4, YES), the microcomputer 30 outputs only the reference timing signal b to the head driver 33, so that all AND circuits are output. In a state in which the high-level flash processing signal 49a is supplied to 45..., A high-level drive signal is output to each corresponding driver 46 only from the AND circuit 45 to which the reference timing signal b is further supplied. Like that. Accordingly, each corresponding driver 46 applies a predetermined driving voltage to the corresponding piezoelectric element of each even-numbered nozzle 3a, so that each even-numbered nozzle 3a of the recording head 3 (shown in FIG. 2). Ink is ejected from the flash ink absorber 12 (flash processing) from the white circle nozzles 3a (S5).
[0025]
  Thereafter, when the even-numbered nozzles 3a of the recording head 3 are ejected to the flash ink absorber 12 (flash process), the microcomputer 30 adds “1” to the number N of flash processes. At the same time (S6), it is determined whether or not the number N of executions is equal to the set number LOOP1 of the flash process (S7).
  That is, if it is determined that the number N of flash processes performed by each nozzle 3a... Is equal to the set number LOOP1 of flash processes (S7, YES), the flash process is terminated, while the number N of flash processes is set to the flash process setting. If it is determined that the number of times is less than LOOP1 (S7, NO), the process returns to (S4) again, and the flash process is repeatedly performed.
[0026]
  Returning to the above (S4), since the number N of flash processes executed by the nozzles 3a ... is set to N = N + 1 in (S6), the microcomputer 30 determines that the number N of flash processes is an odd number. (S4, NO), by outputting only the reference timing signal a to the head driver 33, the high level rush processing signal 49a is outputted to the corresponding drivers 46 ... only from the corresponding AND circuits 45 .... Like that. Accordingly, each corresponding driver 46 applies a predetermined drive voltage to the corresponding piezoelectric element of each odd-numbered nozzle 3a, so that each odd-numbered nozzle 3a of the recording head 3 (shown in FIG. 2). Ink is ejected from the black ink nozzles 12 to the flash ink absorber 12 (flash process) (S8).
  In this way, when the ink temperature is equal to or lower than the set value, a large number of nozzles 3a of each recording head 3 to which ink is individually supplied from any one of the ink containers 8A to 8D, which are common ink supply means. Are ejected from each nozzle 3a ... belonging to each of the nozzles 3a ... divided into even-numbered and odd-numbered nozzles at different timings.
[0027]
  Next, when the microcomputer 30 determines that the ink temperature is higher than the set temperature (S 2, NO), the microcomputer 30 sets the number N of flash processes to “0” (S 9), and then sets a reference timing for the head driver 33. By simultaneously outputting the signals a and b, a high-level flash processing signal 49a is output from each of the AND circuits 45 to the drivers 46. As a result, all the drivers 46... Apply a predetermined drive voltage to the piezoelectric elements of all the nozzles 3a... And eject the ink from these all nozzles 3a. (S10).
[0028]
  Thereafter, when all the nozzles 3a of the recording head 3 are ejected to the flash ink absorber 12 (flash process), the microcomputer 30 adds “1” to the number N of flash processes (S11). It is determined whether or not the number N of executions is equal to the set number LOOP2 of the flash process (S12).
  That is, when it is determined that the number N of flash processes performed by the nozzles 3a... Is equal to the set number LOOP2 of flash processes (S12, YES), the flash process is terminated. If it is determined that the number of times is less than LOOP2 (S12, NO), the process returns to (S10) again, and the flash process is repeatedly performed.
  As described above, when the ink temperature is higher than the set value, ink is ejected from all the nozzles 3a of the recording head 3 (flash processing).
[0029]
  As described above, when the flash processing of the nozzles 3a of the recording head 3 is completed, the microcomputer 30 resumes printing on the printing paper P again. That is, while moving the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction, the print data 48a read from the print buffer 31A is transferred to the head driver 33 at a predetermined timing, and the reference timing signals a and b are simultaneously output to perform a predetermined drive. Printing on the printing paper P by the recording head 3 is executed by applying a voltage to the corresponding nozzles 3a. Thereafter, the main scanning of the recording head 3 and the sub-scanning of the printing paper P are repeated, and printing is performed a predetermined number of times based on the print data 48a, or when a predetermined time elapses, the above is shown again. As described above, the flash processing of each nozzle 3a is performed.
[0030]
  In this embodiment, the reference timing signal (clock signal serving as a printing reference) is divided into two reference timing signals a and b, so that the high-level flash processing signal 49a is transferred to the head driver 33. Thus, by alternately outputting the reference timing signals a and b at different timings, ink is ejected idle (flush processing) at different timings for even-numbered and odd-numbered nozzles. The present invention is not limited, and can be implemented by one common reference timing signal.
  For example, first, the flash processing signal 49a of “0, 1, 0, 1...” Is supplied to the head driver 33, and the high-level flash processing signal is supplied only to the AND circuit 45 corresponding to the even-numbered nozzles. In a state in which 49a is output, one common reference timing signal is given to all the AND circuits 45, whereby only the AND circuits 45 corresponding to the even-numbered nozzles are supplied to the corresponding drivers 46. On the other hand, a high level drive signal is output. Next, the flash processing signal 49a of “1, 0, 1, 0...” Is supplied to the head driver 33, and the high-level flash processing signal 49a is supplied only to the AND circuit 45 corresponding to the odd-numbered nozzles. In this state, one common reference timing signal is given to all the AND circuits 45, and only to the corresponding driver 46 from the AND circuit 45 corresponding to the odd-numbered nozzles. So that a high level drive signal is output. Even with such a configuration, the same operational effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.
  Further, when the ink temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, all high-level flash processing signals 49a, that is, flash processing signals 49a of “1, 1, 1, 1...” Are supplied to the head driver 33, A common reference timing signal is given in a state in which a high level flash processing signal 49a is output to all the AND circuits 45, whereby ink is ejected from all nozzles (flash processing). Can be made. Of course, during the normal printing operation, the printing data 48a is transferred to the head driver 33 at a predetermined timing, and one common reference timing signal is output to all the AND circuits 45, thereby performing the printing operation. Can be executed.
[0031]
  In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, even-numbered and odd-numbered ones among a large number of nozzles 3a of each recording head 3 to which ink is individually supplied from the respective ink containers 8A to 8D via connectors 24A to 24D. In each of the nozzles 3a divided into the above, the ink is ejected from the nozzles 3a belonging to the respective divisions at different timings alternately (flash processing). In each of the nozzles 3a..., The ink can be surely ejected empty (flash processing) while reducing the influence of ink ejection from the nozzles 3a... Adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction. Instead, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a large number of nozzles 3a of each recording head 3 to which ink is individually supplied from each of the ink containers 8A to 8D. Are divided into upper and lower equal parts, and the nozzles 3a... (The black circles and white circles 3a in FIG. 5) divided into upper and lower parts are alternately ejected (flash process) with different timing. It may be as described above.
  Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the ink temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the ink is simultaneously ejected from a large number of nozzles 3a (flash process), and when the ink temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, a large number The nozzles 3a are divided into two even and odd groups, and ink is ejected (flash process) at different timings for each of the divided nozzles. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the ink temperature further decreases and the viscosity of the ink increases, the even-numbered and odd-numbered nozzles 3a are further divided into two groups and divided into four groups. The flush processing of all the nozzles 3a may be completed at timings different from each other for each of the four sections, that is, at a total of four times.
[0032]
  In the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the ink containers 8A to 8D correspond to the ink containers 8A to 8D based on the ink temperature indirectly detected from the temperature of the head unit 21 detected by the ink temperature detection sensor 57. For each nozzle 3a... Divided in each of the recording heads 3, the ink is ejected idle (flash process) at different timings, or the ink is ejected all at once from all nozzles 3a (flash process). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ink temperature detection sensor 57 is not used, and the nozzles 3a... The ink may be ejected empty (flash process) at the timing. Between the recording heads 3 (3A to 3D), the ink is supplied from the independent ink containers 8A to 8D. good.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
  Thus, the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention supplies ink from a common ink supply means to a recording head having a plurality of nozzles, and selectively ejects ink from these nozzles. In the ink jet recording apparatus that can perform the flash process to prevent clogging of each nozzle and divide the nozzles to which ink is supplied from a common ink supply means into a plurality of divided nozzles. A flash processing means for ejecting ink at different timings;Temperature detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the ink supplied to the nozzles of the recording head, and the flash processing means applies to each nozzle even if ink is ejected simultaneously from all nozzles. In a temperature range where a predetermined amount of ink is supplied from a common ink supply means, ink is ejected from all nozzles simultaneously.Is.
  As a result, the ink is ejected idle at different timings for each of the divided nozzles, so that the amount of ink ejected in one flash process is reduced and supplied to each nozzle from a common ink supply means. Insufficient supply of ink, in particular, insufficient supply of ink due to a decrease in fluidity when the temperature is lowered can be prevented.
  As a result, each nozzle can be reliably flushed to prevent clogging of each nozzle, so that the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle can be stabilized and recording defects can be reliably eliminated. It becomes possible.In addition, when the temperature is such that a predetermined amount of ink can be supplied from a common ink supply means, that is, when the viscosity of the ink is relatively low, the ink is ejected simultaneously from all the nozzles, and the flash process is quickly performed on each nozzle. In addition, at a temperature at which the viscosity of the ink is rising, the ink can be ejected at a different timing for each divided nozzle, and the flash process can be reliably performed on each nozzle. This result As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform the flash process for each nozzle depending on whether or not the viscosity of the ink is lowered.
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
  Claim2The ink jet recording apparatus described inInk recording is performed by supplying ink from a common ink supply means to a recording head having a plurality of nozzles, and selectively ejecting ink from these nozzles, and a flash process is performed to prevent clogging of each nozzle. In the inkjet recording apparatus capable of performing the above, a flash processing unit that divides a plurality of nozzles to which ink is supplied from a common ink supply unit and ejects ink at different timings for each of the divided nozzles;Temperature detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of ink supplied to the nozzles of the recording headWhenThe flash processing means is divided into the number of nozzles based on the ink temperature, and the ink is ejected at different timings for each of the divided nozzles.
  Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently eject the ink from the nozzles in an empty manner (flash processing) in accordance with a change in the temperature characteristics of the ink, for example, the viscosity of the ink.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram constituting an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a recording head and an ink supply unit constituting the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.RuIt is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of a head driver.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing a flash process in the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a modification of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an ink container or the like as ink supply means.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink container or the like as ink supply means.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Inkjet recording device
3A-3D recording head
8A to 8D ink container (ink supply means)
24A-24D connector (ink supply means)
30 Microcomputer (flash processing means)
33 Head driver
57 Ink temperature detection sensor (temperature detection means)

Claims (2)

Ink recording is performed by supplying ink from a common ink supply means to a recording head having a plurality of nozzles, and selectively ejecting ink from these nozzles, and a flash process is performed to prevent clogging of each nozzle. In an inkjet recording apparatus capable of performing
A flash processing unit that divides a plurality of nozzles to which ink is supplied from a common ink supply unit, and ejects ink at different timing for each of the divided nozzles ;
Temperature detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the ink supplied to the nozzles of the recording head,
In the temperature range in which a predetermined amount of ink is supplied from the ink supply means common to the nozzles even when ink is ejected simultaneously from all the nozzles, the flash processing means ejects ink from all the nozzles simultaneously. An inkjet recording apparatus. Ink recording is performed by supplying ink from a common ink supply means to a recording head having a plurality of nozzles, and selectively ejecting ink from these nozzles, and a flash process is performed to prevent clogging of each nozzle. In an inkjet recording apparatus capable of performing
A flash processing unit that divides a plurality of nozzles to which ink is supplied from a common ink supply unit, and ejects ink at different timing for each of the divided nozzles;
Or directly the temperature of ink supplied to the nozzles of the recording head and a temperature sensing means for sensing indirectly,
The flash processing means, by dividing the number of nozzles based on the ink temperature, the segmented features and to Louis inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink at different timings for each nozzle.

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