JP4349838B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly, in an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus that supplies ink from an ink cartridge to a sub tank mounted on a carriage, when the ink cartridge is removed. Image formation that checks the current total number of printed sheets, ink consumption, and time, and performs ink replenishment if it differs from the total number of printed sheets, ink consumption, current time, etc. recorded at the previous ink cartridge replacement Relates to the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer, main scanning is performed by forming dots on a sheet at a predetermined position while moving the print head in the horizontal direction. When the main scanning is finished, the sub-scanning is performed by conveying the sheet by a predetermined amount in the vertical direction. Predetermined printing is performed by alternately repeating the main scanning and the sub-scanning.
[0003]
In an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer, a print head is mounted on a carriage that performs main scanning, and ink is supplied to the print head by a sub tank mounted on the carriage. The capacity of the sub tank has an upper limit on the relationship with which the carriage is mounted, and in order to handle a larger number of prints, install a large capacity ink cartridge in the printer body and supply ink from the ink cartridge to the sub tank as appropriate. Has been done.
[0004]
As an example in which an ink tank is installed in a printer body and ink is supplied from the ink tank to a sub tank, an ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. The ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head main body mounted on a carriage for discharging ink, a sub tank for supplying ink to the recording head main body, an ink tank for supplying ink to the sub tank, and an ink tank from the ink tank to the sub tank. In an ink jet recording apparatus having a replenishing means for replenishing ink, the replenishing means supplies ink from the ink tank to the sub tank to the predetermined position at least when the power is turned on, so that dissolved air is supplied to the recording head main body. It is characterized by supplying a small amount of ink.
[0005]
Further, the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 2 detects the amount of ink discharged from the recording head, detects the presence or absence of ink remaining by supplying ink for a time corresponding to the amount of discharge, and The problem is to reduce the time required for ink supply and to stabilize the performance of the recording device. The ink consumption is calculated based on the number of ink droplets ejected from the recording head. Ink is supplied to the sub tank.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-225482 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-185411 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the prior art, and performs ink replenishment based on the current state of the image forming apparatus from which the ink cartridge has been removed and the state when the ink cartridge was previously removed and replenished with ink. In this way, ink is replenished only when necessary without performing useless operation.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the ink cartridge is removed, if the current total number of printed sheets is different from the total number of printed sheets recorded at the time of ink replenishment at the previous ink cartridge replacement, ink replenishment at the time of ink cartridge replacement is performed. Thus, there is provided an apparatus for executing ink replenishment if even one sheet has been printed since the previous ink replenishment.
[0011]
  Claim2According to the invention, when the ink cartridge is removed, when the current time has passed a certain time or more from the time recorded at the time of ink replenishment at the time of ink cartridge replacement last time, ink replenishment at the time of ink cartridge replacement is performed. Thus, an apparatus for performing ink replenishment when a certain time has elapsed since the previous ink replenishment is provided.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 performs printing by main-scanning the print head and sub-scanning the recording medium, and a removable ink cartridge, a sub-tank mounted on the print head, Means for supplying ink from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank, means for detecting attachment / detachment of the ink cartridge, means for measuring the total number of printed sheets, non-volatile memory, and removal of the ink cartridge In an image forming apparatus comprising means for recording the total number of printed sheets in the non-volatile memory when the ink is replenished when replacing the ink cartridge, when the ink cartridge is removed, the current total number of printed sheets Recorded when ink is replenished at the previous ink cartridge replacement And if the total number of printed sheets is different, and performing the ink supplement during ink cartridge replacement.
[0015]
  Claim2According to the invention, printing is performed by causing the print head to perform main scanning and sub-scanning the recording medium, and to supply ink to the sub tank from the removable ink cartridge, the sub tank mounted on the print head, and the ink cartridge. A means for detecting attachment / detachment of the ink cartridge, a means for measuring or acquiring time, a non-volatile memory, and removal of the ink cartridge to perform ink replenishment when replacing the ink cartridge, In the image forming apparatus having means for recording the time in the non-volatile memory, when the ink cartridge is removed, the current time has elapsed from the time recorded at the time of ink replenishment at the previous ink cartridge replacement. If the ink cartridge is And performing click replenishment.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the examples shown in FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mechanism portion of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the mechanism portion.
[0017]
The ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment includes a carriage 13 that can move in the main scanning direction inside the recording apparatus main body 1, a recording head 14 that includes an ink jet head mounted on the carriage 13, and a sub tank 12 that supplies ink to the recording head 14. The printing mechanism 2 and the like composed of an ink cartridge 15 as a main tank for supplying ink to the sub-tank 12 are accommodated, and a large number of sheets 3 can be stacked on the lower part of the recording apparatus main body 1 from the front side. A paper feed cassette (or a paper feed tray) 4 can be detachably mounted, and a manual feed tray 5 for manually feeding paper 3 can be opened, and the paper feed cassette 4 or After the sheet 3 fed from the manual feed tray 5 is taken and a required image is recorded by the printing mechanism 2, it is mounted on the rear side. It is discharged to the discharge tray 6.
[0018]
The printing mechanism unit 2 holds a carriage 13 slidably in a main scanning direction (in the direction perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 2) by a main guide rod 11 which is a guide member horizontally mounted on left and right side plates (not shown). Is mounted with a recording head 14 composed of an inkjet head for discharging ink droplets of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) with the ink droplet discharge direction facing downward. A sub-tank 12 for each color for supplying ink of each color to the recording head 14 is mounted on the upper side.
[0019]
Each sub tank 12 is connected to each ink cartridge (main tank) 15 that is mounted so as to be replaceable via an ink supply tube 16, and receives supply of ink from the ink cartridge 15.
[0020]
The carriage 13 is slidably fitted to the main guide rod 11 on the rear side (downstream side in the paper conveyance direction). In order to move and scan the carriage 13 in the main scanning direction, a timing belt 20 is stretched between a driving pulley 18 and a driven pulley 19 that are rotationally driven by a main scanning motor 17. It is fixed to.
[0021]
In addition, although the heads of the respective colors are used here as the recording heads 14, one head having nozzles for ejecting ink droplets of the respective colors may be used. Further, the ink jet head used as the recording head 14 is a piezo-type head that pressurizes ink through a diaphragm that forms a wall surface of a liquid chamber (ink flow path) with an electromechanical conversion element such as a piezoelectric element, or a heating resistor. Bubble type that generates bubbles by film boiling and pressurizes ink, or static that pressurizes ink by displacing the diaphragm with electrostatic force between the diaphragm that forms the wall surface of the ink flow path and the electrode facing it An electric type or the like can be used, but in this embodiment, an electrostatic type ink jet head is used as will be described later.
[0022]
On the other hand, in order to convey the paper 3 set in the paper feed cassette 4 to the lower side of the recording head 14, the paper feed roller 21 and the friction pad 22 for separating and feeding the paper 3 from the paper feed cassette 4 and the paper 3 are guided. The guide member 23 that performs the above operation, the transport roller 24 that transports the fed paper 3 in an inverted manner, the transport roller 25 that is pressed against the peripheral surface of the transport roller 24, and the feed angle of the paper 3 from the transport roller 24 are defined. A tip roller 26 is provided. The transport roller 24 is rotationally driven by a sub-scanning motor 27 through a gear train.
[0023]
An electrostatic conveyance belt 29 is provided to guide the sheet 3 fed from the conveyance roller 24 on the lower side of the recording head 14 corresponding to the movement range of the carriage 13 in the main scanning direction. The electrostatic conveyance belt 29 serves to attract the sheet 3 conveyed by being charged by the charger 30 and keep the sheet surface and the head surface in parallel. A paper discharge roller 33 for sending the paper 3 to the paper discharge tray 6 is disposed on the downstream side of the electrostatic conveyance belt 29 in the paper conveyance direction.
[0024]
In addition, a reliability maintenance / recovery mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a subsystem) 37 for maintaining and recovering the reliability of the recording head 14 is disposed on the right end side in the movement direction of the carriage 13. The carriage 13 is moved to the subsystem 37 side during printing standby, and the recording head 14 is capped by capping means or the like.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a case where the recording head mounted on the carriage is in the capping state when the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus is stopped.
Two recording heads 14-1 and 14-2 are mounted on the carriage 13, and two nozzle rows 43, 44 and 45, 46 are arranged on the recording heads 14-1 and 14-2, respectively. Ink is ejected from the nozzle row.
[0026]
When the carriage 13 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the head 14-1 is covered with the cap 41, the head 14-2 is covered with the suction / cap 42, and the head surface is moisturized, and the ink in the nozzle row is clogged. Protected to be difficult.
[0027]
A paper detection sensor 47 is installed on the left side when viewed from the front of the carriage 13. The paper detection sensor 47 has a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the presence or absence of the paper 3 from the reflection of light. The electrostatic conveyance belt 29 serves to convey the sheet 3 while maintaining the flatness of the sheet by attracting the sheet 3 by static electricity.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a case where the carriage is moved in the main scanning forward direction from the position shown in FIG. 3 for the printing operation of the ink jet recording apparatus.
In this state, the ink ejected from the nozzle rows 43, 44, 45, and 46 of the heads 14-1 and 14-2 adheres to the paper 3, and an image is formed on the paper.
At this carriage position, the paper detection sensor 47 detects the presence of paper.
When the carriage 13 moves from the capping position shown in FIG. 3, the cap 41 and the suction / cap 42 are lowered from the cap position, and the carriage 13 can move freely.
[0029]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of the ink cartridge.
Ink cartridges 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, and 15-4 are black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) ink cartridges, respectively, as shown in FIG. The recording apparatus main body 1 is mounted on the bottom surface of the recording apparatus main body 1 at a position adjacent to the reliability maintenance / recovery device 37.
[0030]
Switches 51, 52, 53, 54 are provided at positions where the ink cartridges 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4 of the respective colors of the recording apparatus main body 1 are mounted, and the ink cartridge 15- In a state in which 1, 15-2, 15-3, and 15-4 are mounted on the recording apparatus main body 1, the switches 51, 52, 53, and 54 are pressed.
[0031]
FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the black cartridge 15-1 is removed from the state of FIG.
When the ink cartridge is removed, the switch corresponding to the ink cartridge is opened. For example, in this state where the black cartridge 15-1 is removed, the switch 51 is opened.
[0032]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit.
One end of the switch 51 is connected to Vcc through a resistor R1. Vcc is set to 5 V or 3.3 V, for example. The other end of the switch 51 is connected to GND via a resistor R2 and also serves as an output of an ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit via a driver element 55.
[0033]
The output signal of the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit is obtained as a voltage output of a constant level of, for example, about 2.5 V when the switch 51 is pressed (closed), and GND (ground) when the switch 51 is opened. Obtained as a level voltage output. The switches 52, 53, and 54 have the same circuit configuration.
[0034]
In this circuit configuration, since the output signals indicating the pressed / opened states of the switches 51, 52, 53, and 54 are independent of each other, the ink cartridges 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, and 15- in FIG. The four attachment / detachment states can be detected independently.
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a different example of the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit.
In this example, the switches 51, 52, 53, and 54 are connected in series, and one end thereof is connected to Vcc through a resistor R1, and the other end is connected to GND through a resistor R2. It becomes an output of the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit via the driver element 59.
[0036]
In this circuit configuration, when all of the switches 51, 52, 53, 54 are pressed (closed), the output signal of the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit is obtained as a voltage output at a constant level of about 2.5V, for example. In the state where any one of the switches 51, 52, 53, 54 is opened, it is obtained as a ground level voltage output.
[0037]
Therefore, in this circuit configuration, the attachment / detachment states of the ink cartridges 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, and 15-4 shown in FIG. 5 cannot be detected independently, and are all attached. Only at least one of them can be detected.
[0038]
The remaining state of the ink cartridge and the sub tank ink when using the ink jet recording apparatus includes the following three states.
(B) Normal state: The ink cartridge has a remaining amount of ink.
(B) Ink near-end state: The ink in the ink cartridge is empty, but there is a certain amount of ink remaining in the sub tank, and printing is possible.
(C) Ink end state: The ink cartridge is empty and the sub tank's ink level is below a certain level, making it impossible to print.
[0039]
9 and 10 are diagrams showing how the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank is detected. FIG. 9 shows a case where the ink in the sub tank is full. FIG. 10 shows a case where the ink in the sub tank is not full. Show.
A part of the upper side surface of the sub tank 12 is formed by a transparent member 63, and has a white member 64 on the inner surface observed through the transparent member 63. A full tank detection sensor 60 comprising a light emitting member 61 and a light receiving member 62 is disposed adjacent to the sub tank 12.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 9, when the sub tank 12 is full, the light from the light emitting member 61 is blocked by the ink, is not received by the light receiving member 62, and is detected to be full.
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the sub tank 12 is not full, the light from the light emitting member 61 is transmitted through the transparent member 63, reflected by the white member 64, received by the light receiving member 62, and not full. Detected.
Therefore, by providing a detection device for detecting the presence or absence of the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 15, the above three states can be detected.
[0041]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the ink jet recording apparatus.
The operation unit 70 is mounted on the recording apparatus main body 1 and includes six LEDs (1) to (6) 71 to 76 and three keys (1) to (3) 77 to 79.
As for the LED display, the state of the ink jet recording apparatus is indicated by a combination of lighting / extinguishing / flashing states of one or a plurality of LEDs.
[0042]
For example, when black ink is in the near end state, LED (1) 71 is lit or blinking and LED (3) 73 is blinking. When black ink is in the end state, LED (1) 71 is lit or When the LED (3) 73 is in a blinking state and the device is in a failure state, all the LEDs blink to indicate the state.
[0043]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus.
The CPU 80 gives a command to the sub-scanning motor operation command circuit 85 and the paper feed clutch driver 87 to drive the sub-scanning motor 27 and the paper feed clutch 88 to feed the paper 3 from the paper feed cassette 4 and carry it. Do.
[0044]
Further, the CPU 80 gives a command to the main scanning motor operation command circuit 83 to drive the main scanning motor 17 via the main scanning motor driver 84 to move the carriage 13 in the main scanning direction. At this time, the CPU 80 can know the position of the carriage 13 by reading the output signal of the main scanning encoder 89 through the main scanning motor operation command circuit 83.
[0045]
Further, the CPU 80 gives an instruction to the ink supply motor operation command circuit 97 to drive the ink supply motor 99 via the ink supply motor driver 98 to supply ink from the ink cartridge 15 to the sub tank 12.
[0046]
The operation unit 70 is shown in FIG. 11, and has a role of notifying the operator of the state of the apparatus by a command from the CPU 80 and also notifying the CPU 80 of key input from the operator.
[0047]
The non-volatile memory 81 can hold written data even when the power is cut off, and is constituted by, for example, an SRAM or E2PROM with a built-in battery.
[0048]
The image memory 82 is a memory in which image data to be printed is stored, and is composed of, for example, an SDRAM.
[0049]
The image data read from the image memory 82 is decompressed from the compressed state by the decompression circuit 90, and further subjected to processing for masking by the image mask circuit 91, and the recording head is passed through the I / F circuit 92. 14 is sent out.
[0050]
Here, the decompression circuit 90, the image mask circuit 91, and the I / F circuit 92 are prepared by the number of nozzle rows, and the data of each nozzle row can be processed in parallel.
[0051]
Further, the output signal of the main scanning encoder 89 is input to the I / F circuit 92, and image data is sent to the recording head 14 in synchronization with the main scanning position of the carriage 13. Further, the CPU 80 can mask the output image at an arbitrary timing by giving a command to the image mask circuit 91.
[0052]
The ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit 95 is shown in FIG. 7 or 8, and its output signal is input to the CPU 80.
The full tank detection sensor is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and its output signal is input to the CPU 80.
[0053]
The CPU 80 can know the current date and time by reading data from the clock / calendar IC 94.
The CPU 80 communicates with a PC (personal computer) connected to the outside via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) via the USB interface circuit 93.
[0054]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state where the inkjet recording apparatus and the PC are connected.
An operator (not shown) gives a command from the PC (personal computer) 101 to the inkjet recording apparatus 100 to perform a printing operation.
[0055]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of the printer driver displayed on the PC for designating the paper size and paper type.
The operator can specify the size and type of paper to be printed through settings on the screen of the printer driver displayed on the PC 101.
[0056]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a different screen of the printer driver displayed on the PC for designating the image quality.
The operator can specify the quality of the image to be printed through the settings on this screen.
[0057]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flow of commands and data sent from the PC to the ink jet recording apparatus when executing printing.
When a printing instruction is given by the operator, a job start command is first sent from the PC 101 to the inkjet recording apparatus 100. The job start command includes information such as the total number of printed pages included in the job.
[0058]
Next, a start command for page 1 is sent. The page start command includes information such as the paper size and paper type of the page to be printed.
Subsequently, the first scan start command for page 1 and the print data are sent. The scan start command includes information such as ink consumption for each color printed as a result of the corresponding scan.
[0059]
Subsequently, when the second scan of page 1 and all the scans of page 1 are completed, the start command of page 2, then the first scan of page 2, and so on, all pages, the start command and data of all scans are After the transmission, the end of the job is notified and a series of print commands is completed.
[0060]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting the remaining amount of ink and changing the state.
In this example, as described above,
(B) Normal state: The ink cartridge has a remaining amount of ink.
(B) Ink near-end state: The ink in the ink cartridge is empty, but there is a certain amount of ink remaining in the sub tank, and printing is possible.
(C) Ink end state: The ink cartridge is empty and the sub tank's ink level is below a certain level, making it impossible to print.
It has the following three states.
[0061]
After the recording apparatus main body is turned on, an ink supply operation from the ink cartridge 15 to the sub tank 12 is performed (step 1).
When full tank is detected (step 2), the ink near end flag and the C1 counter are cleared to 0 (step 4), the ink end and ink near end indications are not displayed (step 5), and the ink The supply operation is stopped (step 8). Here, the ink near end flag is a flag that is set to 1 in the near end state, and the C1 counter is a counter that counts the ink consumption amount from the sub tank full.
[0062]
If it is not full in step 2, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the ink supply operation (step 3). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the ink supply is continued as it is, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the ink near end is reached. The flag is set to 1, the C2 counter is cleared to 0 (step 6), the ink near end is displayed on the operation unit (step 7), and the ink supply operation is stopped (step 8). Here, the C2 counter is a counter that counts ink consumption from the near-end state.
[0063]
After the ink supply operation is stopped, a scan request wait state is entered (step 9), and if there is a scan request, the scan operation is executed (step 10).
After the scanning operation is completed, the ink near end flag is checked (step 11). If it is 0 (that is, not in the ink near end state), the value obtained by adding the ink usage ls consumed in the previous scanning operation to C1 is C1. (Step 12).
[0064]
At this time, if C1 does not exceed the predetermined amount Ln (step 13), the process waits for the next scan request as it is (step 9), and if it exceeds Ln, the operation proceeds to the ink supply operation (step 1). Here, ls is an ink use amount given together with a scan start command from the PC when executing the scan, and Ln is a numerical value determined in advance by an ink use amount from a sub-tank full state for performing the ink supply operation. .
[0065]
If the check result (step 11) of the ink near end flag after the end of the scan operation (step 10) is 1 (that is, the ink near end state is reached), the ink usage ls consumed in the previous scan operation is calculated as C2. The value added to is stored as C2 (step 14). At this time, if C2 does not exceed the predetermined amount Le (step 15), it waits for the next scan request as it is (step 9), and if it exceeds Le, an ink end is displayed on the operation unit (step 9). 16). Here, Le is a numerical value determined in advance by the amount of ink used from the ink near-end state transition for determining the ink end.
[0066]
After the ink end state is reached, the ink cartridge is monitored for attachment / detachment. When the ink cartridge is removed (step 17) and then attached again (step 18), the cartridge has been replaced. The ink supply operation is started (step 1).
[0067]
Specifically, the ink replenishment determination at the time of cartridge replacement will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a determination process for determining ink replenishment based on the total number of printed sheets.
Let P be the total number of printed sheets and Pn be the total number of printed sheets when ink was replenished last time. The “total number of printed sheets” here is the number of printed sheets counted from when the printer arrives, and the total counted value is not cleared to zero, for example, when the power is turned off, printing is stopped, or the ink cartridge is replaced.
[0068]
When it is detected that the ink cartridge has been inserted or removed (steps 22 and 23), if the total number of printed sheets P at that time is different from the total number of printed sheets Pn when ink was replenished last time (step 24), ink supply is executed (step 25). ). After ink supply is completed, the value P is stored in Pn (step 26). Thereafter, the same determination flow is repeated.
[0069]
For example, ink replenishment is not performed even if the ink cartridge is removed and inserted many times without printing. Further, if the ink cartridge is removed and inserted every time one sheet is printed, the ink is always replenished when the ink cartridge is detected.
[0070]
  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a determination process for determining ink replenishment based on ink consumption.The
  X is an ink consumption amount, and Xn is an ink consumption amount when ink was replenished last time.
[0071]
When it is detected that the ink cartridge has been inserted or removed (steps 32 and 33), if the ink consumption amount X at that time is different from the ink consumption amount Xn when ink was replenished last time (step 34), ink supply is executed (step 35). ). After ink supply is completed, the value of X is stored in Xn (step 36). Thereafter, the same determination flow is repeated.
[0072]
For example, even if printing is not being performed, when ink is consumed by the nozzle surface maintaining operation of the ink cartridge such as cleaning, ink replenishment is performed when the ink cartridge is inserted or removed.
[0073]
  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a determination process for determining ink replenishment based on the ink cartridge attachment / detachment time.The
  Let T be the current time, Ti be the time of arrival, and Tn be the time when ink was replenished last time.
[0074]
When the insertion / removal of the cartridge is detected (steps 42 and 43), if the time T at that time is different from the time Tn when the ink was replenished last time (step 44), ink replenishment is performed (step 45). After ink replenishment is completed, the value of T is stored in Tn (step 46). Thereafter, the same determination flow is repeated.
[0075]
  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing different determination processes for determining ink replenishment according to the ink cartridge attachment / detachment time.2).
  T is the current time, Ti is the arrival time, Tn is the time when ink was replenished last time, and t is a certain time.
[0076]
When it is detected that the ink cartridge is inserted or removed (steps 52 and 53), if the time T at that time has passed t or more from the time Tn when ink was replenished last time (step 54), ink supply is performed (step 55). ). After ink replenishment is completed, the value of T is stored in Tn (step 56). Thereafter, the same determination flow is repeated.
[0077]
For example, if t is 60 seconds, ink replenishment is not performed even if the ink cartridge is inserted and removed when only 10 seconds have passed since the last ink replenishment time. However, if the ink is removed after 61 seconds, the ink is replenished.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the ink cartridge is removed, if the current total number of printed sheets is different from the total number of printed sheets recorded when the ink was replenished at the previous ink cartridge replacement, By performing the replenishment, ink replenishment is performed if even one sheet has been printed since the previous ink replenishment. Therefore, useless operations can be prevented in advance.
[0081]
  Claim2According to the invention, when the ink cartridge is removed, if the current time is more than a certain time from the time recorded at the time of ink replenishment at the previous ink cartridge replacement, ink replenishment at the time of ink cartridge replacement is performed. By performing time, ink replenishment is executed if a certain time has elapsed since the previous ink replenishment. Therefore, even if the user mistakenly removes and installs an ink cartridge within a short time, it is not possible to replenish ink. It is possible to prevent unnecessary operations.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mechanism portion of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a mechanism portion of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a case where a recording head mounted on a carriage is in a capping state.
4 is a front view showing a case where the carriage is moved in the main scanning positive direction from the position shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of the ink cartridge.
6 is a view showing a state in which a black cartridge is removed from the state shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a different example of an ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating how to detect the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank when the ink in the sub tank is full.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ink remaining amount in the sub tank is detected when the ink in the sub tank is not full.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the inkjet recording apparatus and a PC are connected.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a printer driver displayed on a PC for designating a paper size and a paper type.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a different screen of a printer driver displayed on a PC for designating image quality.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flow of commands and data sent from the PC to the ink jet recording apparatus when executing printing.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting the remaining amount of ink and changing the state.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating determination processing for determining ink replenishment based on the total number of printed sheets.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process for determining ink replenishment based on ink consumption.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing determination processing for determining ink replenishment based on ink cartridge attachment / detachment time.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating different determination processes for determining ink replenishment according to ink cartridge attachment / detachment time.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording device main body, 2 ... Printing mechanism part, 3 ... Paper, 4 ... Paper feed cassette, 5 ... Manual feed tray, 6 ... Paper discharge tray, 11 ... Main guide rod, 12 ... Sub tank, 13 ... Carriage, 14 ... Recording Head 15, 15-1 to 15-4... Ink cartridge 16, Ink supply tube 17, main scanning motor 18, driving pulley 19, driven pulley 20, timing belt 21, paper feed roller 22 Friction pad, 23 ... guide member, 24 ... conveying roller, 25 ... conveying roller, 26 ... front end roller, 27 ... sub-scanning motor, 29 ... electrostatic conveying belt, 30 ... charger, 33 ... discharge roller, 37 ... reliability Maintenance / recovery mechanism, 41... Cap, 42... Suction / cap, 43 to 46. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Driver element, 60 ... Full detection sensor, 61 ... Light emitting member, 62 ... Light receiving member, 63 ... Transparent member, 64 ... White member, 65 ... Ink, 70 ... Operation part, 71-76 ... LED (1)-( 6), 77 to 79, keys (1) to (3), 80, CPU, 81, nonvolatile memory, 82, image memory, 83, main scanning motor operation command circuit, 84, main scanning motor driver, 85, sub Scanning motor operation command circuit, 86 ... sub-scanning motor driver, 87 ... feed clutch driver, 88 ... feed clutch, 89 ... main scanning encoder, 90 ... extension circuit, 91 ... image mask circuit, 92 ... interface circuit, 93 ... USB interface circuit, 94 ... clock / calendar IC, 95 ... ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection circuit, 96 ... full detection circuit, 97 ... ink supply motor operation command circuit 98 ... ink supply motor driver, 99 ... ink supply motor, 100 ... ink jet recording apparatus, 101 ... PC (personal computer).

Claims (2)

  Printing is performed by causing the print head to perform main scanning and sub-scanning the recording medium, a removable ink cartridge, a sub tank mounted on the print head, means for supplying ink from the ink cartridge to the sub tank, and Means for detecting attachment / detachment of an ink cartridge, means for measuring the total number of printed sheets, nonvolatile memory, and removal of the ink cartridge, and replenishing the ink when the ink cartridge is replaced. In the image forming apparatus having means for recording the number of prints in the non-volatile memory, when the ink cartridge is removed, the current total number of prints and the total number of prints recorded at the time of ink replenishment at the previous ink cartridge replacement If the ink An image forming apparatus characterized in that the ink supplement during cartridge replacement. Printing is performed by causing the print head to perform main scanning and sub-scanning the recording medium, a removable ink cartridge, a sub tank mounted on the print head, means for supplying ink from the ink cartridge to the sub tank, and Means for detecting attachment / detachment of an ink cartridge, means for measuring or acquiring time, a non-volatile memory, and removal of the ink cartridge, and replenishing ink when the ink cartridge is replaced. In an image forming apparatus provided with a means for recording in a non-volatile memory, when the ink cartridge is removed, the current time has passed a certain time from the time recorded when the ink was replenished at the previous ink cartridge replacement. Ink replenishment when replacing the ink cartridge An image forming apparatus comprising Ukoto.

Images