JP5332579B2 - Image forming apparatus and head unit control method for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance replacement work efficiency and accuracy in replacing a substrate in a head unit and replacing the head unit in an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes the head unit 201 having recording heads 34 and a relay substrate 202 for relaying the recording heads 34 to an apparatus body 1. The apparatus body 1 and the relay substrate 202 include determining means having storage means for storing information on the recording heads, and determining whether the information on the recording heads is stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate when detecting the replacement of the substrate; and writing means for writing the information on the recording heads stored in the storage means of the apparatus body 1, in the storage means of the replaced substrate when determining that the information on the recording head is not stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a head unit control method for the image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus suitable for simplifying the replacement operation of a head unit and a control method for the image forming apparatus.

  As an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, a copying apparatus, and a multifunction machine of these, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus is known. The ink jet recording apparatus uses a liquid discharge head as a recording head, and is a recording medium such as recording paper (hereinafter referred to as “paper”, but the material is not limited to paper, and the recording medium, transfer paper, transfer material, Recording is also performed by ejecting ink droplets as a recording liquid (also referred to as image forming, printing, printing, printing, etc.).

  In such an image forming apparatus, in a head unit constituted by a recording head and a relay substrate (hereinafter also simply referred to as a substrate) that relays the recording head and the image forming apparatus main body, various information relating to the head has been described so far. In many cases, the head information (hereinafter referred to as head information) is recorded on a recording medium installed on a substrate in the head unit. For this reason, if the board is damaged, the user loses the head information. When the board is replaced and restored, various adjustments (registration adjustment, etc.) must be performed again and the settings must be performed again. It was.

  On the other hand, a configuration in which head information is recorded on a recording medium provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus is already known. However, in the configuration in which the recording medium is simply provided in the apparatus main body, it is necessary to confirm in what state the head unit will be replaced when the head unit is actually replaced.

  That is, even if the head unit is replaced, the work contents include, for example, “Replace the head unit itself with a new one”, “Replace the head unit itself with a used one”, “Only the recording head in the head unit” "Replace only the recording head in the head unit with a new one", "Replace only the substrate in the head unit with a new one", "Replace only the substrate in the head unit with a new one" There are multiple replacement patterns, etc., and the user or worker had to proceed while checking the status and information (presence / absence of usage history, usage, etc.) each time the replacement work was performed. And wasted a lot of time. In addition, since it is a human work, there are many cases where an incorrect setting is made. In such a case, there is a problem that it is necessary to start again from the initial setting.

  Furthermore, when the head unit does not store head information but only stores it in the main body of the apparatus, it is necessary to check the head position again by a print test when replacing the head unit. There was a problem.

  For such a problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses head mutual positional information indicating the mutual positional relationship of the recording heads in the recording unit for the purpose of improving the working efficiency for registration adjustment when the recording head is replaced. A technique is disclosed that stores in a recording unit and reflects the result in the registration adjustment value when the recording unit is replaced.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an identification for identifying the recording head individually for the purpose of preventing troubles and erroneous operations when the recording head is replaced and easily and quickly acquiring and rewriting the characteristic data of the recording head. A technique for assigning a number and changing characteristic data in accordance with the number is disclosed.

JP 2007-21834 A JP 2002-347225 A

  However, although the technique described in Patent Document 1 can increase the efficiency of the replacement work when replacing the recording unit itself, it is not assumed that only the substrate is replaced. There is a problem that the efficiency of the system cannot be increased. That is, when only the substrate is replaced in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is determined that the position of the recording head has changed even though the registration position of the recording head is not changed, and registration adjustment is performed. Therefore, there is a problem that the work efficiency is not improved.

  Similarly, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is not assumed that only the substrate is exchanged, and in this case, acquisition and rewriting of the printhead characteristic data cannot be performed easily and in a short time. There is a problem.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a plurality of replaceable recording heads and a replaceable substrate that relays the recording head and the main body device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a head unit control method for the image forming apparatus that can improve the workability and accuracy of the replacement work.

In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus including a recording head and a head unit having a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body. Has storage means for storing the head information relating to the recording head and the recording head ID information for specifying the recording head , and when the replacement of the substrate is detected, the head information is stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate. a determination unit but for determining whether stored, if the head information is not stored in the storage unit of the substrate is replaced, the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body, replacement a writing means for writing in the storage means of substrates, in which comprises a.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is an image forming apparatus including a head unit including a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body includes head information about the recording head; A storage unit for storing recording head ID information for specifying the recording head, and a substrate for storing the head information about the recording head and the recording head ID information for specifying the recording head, respectively. It has a storage means having two storage areas, an information area and a head unit information area, and determines whether or not the head information is stored in the board information area of the replaced board when detecting the exchange of the board. If it is determined that the head information is stored in the determination means and the substrate information area of the replaced substrate, the head unit information error of the replaced substrate is stored. Updating means for updating the recording head ID information of the recording head to the recording head ID information of the mounted head unit, and the recording head ID information in the storage areas of both the substrate information area and the head unit information area of the replaced substrate. It is the same, and when the recording head ID information stored in the recording head ID information and f head unit information area stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body are different, the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body, replacement Rewriting means for rewriting the head information stored in the storage means of the printed board.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a head unit including a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body includes head information about the recording head; A storage unit for storing recording head ID information for specifying the recording head, and a substrate for storing the head information about the recording head and the recording head ID information for specifying the recording head, respectively. It has a storage means having two storage areas, an information area and a head unit information area, and determines whether or not the head information is stored in the board information area of the replaced board when detecting the exchange of the board. If it is determined that the head information is stored in the determination means and the substrate information area of the replaced substrate, the head unit information error of the replaced substrate is stored. Updating means for updating the recording head ID information of the recording head to the recording head ID information of the mounted head unit, and the recording head ID information in the storage areas of both the substrate information area and the head unit information area of the replaced substrate. different and when the recording head ID information stored in the recording head ID information and f head unit information area stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body are the same, the head information stored in the storage means of the substrate which are exchanged And rewriting means for rewriting with head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the head information includes at least the mutual position information of the recording head, manufacturing information, the number of ejections, ink information used, and wiping. Any one of the number of times, usage history, and recording head rank is included.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, display means for displaying the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body on the display unit, and / or Informing means for informing an external device via a communication network is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the apparatus main body is a line-type ink jet recording apparatus.

8. A head unit control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, comprising: a head unit having a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body, wherein the apparatus main body and the substrate are head information relating to the recording head. In the image forming apparatus having storage means for storing the recording head ID for specifying the recording head , when the replacement of the substrate is detected, the head information is stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate. determine dolphin whether, if the head information is not stored in the storage unit of the substrate is replaced, the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body, the storage means of the exchanged substrate The writing process is performed.

The head unit control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8 is a head unit control method for an image forming apparatus including a head unit including a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body has storage means for storing the head information about the recording head and the recording head ID information for specifying the recording head, and the substrate specifies the head information about the recording head and the recording head, respectively. And a storage unit having two storage areas, a substrate information area for storing recording head ID information and a head unit information area, and when the replacement of the substrate is detected, the substrate information of the replaced substrate A process for determining whether or not head information is stored in the area, and that the head information is stored in the board information area of the replaced board. If the recording head ID information of the replaced substrate is updated to the recording head ID information of the mounted head unit, the substrate information area and the head unit information area of the replaced substrate are updated. the recording head ID information in the storage area of both is the same, and when the recording head ID information stored in the recording head ID information and f head unit information area stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body are different, the device body The head information stored in the storage means is rewritten with the head information stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate.

The head unit control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 9 is a head unit control method for an image forming apparatus including a head unit having a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body has storage means for storing the head information about the recording head and the recording head ID information for specifying the recording head, and the substrate specifies the head information about the recording head and the recording head, respectively. And a storage unit having two storage areas, a substrate information area for storing recording head ID information and a head unit information area, and when the replacement of the substrate is detected, the substrate information of the replaced substrate A process for determining whether or not head information is stored in the area, and that the head information is stored in the board information area of the replaced board. If the recording head ID information of the replaced substrate is updated to the recording head ID information of the mounted head unit, the substrate information area and the head unit information area of the replaced substrate are updated. Unlike the recording head ID information in the storage area of the both and when the recording head ID information of the recording head ID information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body and f head unit information area are the same, it exchanged storing substrate The head information stored in the means is rewritten with the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus including a plurality of replaceable recording heads and a replaceable substrate that relays the recording head and the image forming apparatus main body, the substrate replacement in the head unit is performed. In addition, the head unit can be replaced more quickly, easily and accurately, and the workability and accuracy of the head replacement operation can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the configuration according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a head unit (head unit 201) having a recording head (recording head 34) and a substrate (relay substrate 202) that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body (inkjet recording apparatus 1). In the image forming apparatus provided with the apparatus, the apparatus main body and the substrate have storage means (in-body information storage unit 204, in-unit information storage unit 203) for storing information relating to the recording head. Determination means (head control unit 200) for determining whether or not information relating to the recording head is stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate, and information relating to the recording head is not stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate. If it is determined that the write head writes the information about the recording head stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body into the storage means of the replaced substrate Those comprising a (head controller 200) and.

  Further, the substrate storage means (in-unit information storage unit 203) has two storage areas (substrate information and head unit information), and when the replacement of the substrate is detected, the information is recorded in the storage means of the replaced substrate. When it is determined that information about the recording head is stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate and the storage means of the replaced substrate, it is determined whether one of the storage means of the replaced substrate is stored. Updating means (head control unit 200) is provided for updating information about the recording head in the storage area to information about the mounted recording head.

  Further, the information regarding the recording head in the storage areas of both storage means of the replaced substrate is the same, and the information regarding the recording head stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body is stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate. When the information about the recording head is different, the information about the recording head stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body is rewritten with the information about the recording head stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate, and The information about the recording heads in the two storage areas is different, and the information about the recording heads stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body is the same as the information about the recording heads in the storage area updated by the updating means of the storage means of the replaced substrate. The information about the recording head stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate Rewritten by the information relating to the recording head stored in the storage unit of the body in which comprises rewriting means (information comparing unit 205).

  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating the overall configuration of a mechanism unit of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the entire configuration of the mechanism unit of the ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an outline of an internal configuration and a mechanism part of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described.

  A carriage 33 is slidably held in the main scanning direction by a guide rod 31 and a stay 32, which are guide members horizontally mounted on the left and right side plates 21A and 21B constituting the frame 21, and is not shown by a main scanning motor (not shown). It moves and scans in the direction indicated by the arrow (carriage main scanning direction) in FIG. 2 via the timing belt.

  The carriage 33 is provided with a recording head 34 composed of four droplet ejection heads that eject ink droplets of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk). The outlets are arranged in a direction crossing the main scanning direction, and the ink droplet ejection direction is directed downward.

  As an inkjet head constituting the recording head 34, a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, a thermal actuator that uses a phase change caused by film boiling of a liquid using an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor, and a metal phase change caused by a temperature change. It is possible to use a shape memory alloy actuator to be used, an electrostatic actuator using an electrostatic force, or the like provided as pressure generating means for generating a pressure for discharging a droplet.

  A driver IC is mounted on the recording head 34 and is connected to a control unit (not shown) via a harness (flexible print cable) 22.

  The carriage 33 is equipped with a sub tank 35 for each color for supplying each color ink to the recording head 34. The ink tanks 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y of the respective colors mounted on the cartridge holder 4 serving as the cartridge loading section are connected to the sub tanks 35 of the respective colors via the ink supply tubes 36 of the respective colors (“ink cartridge 10” when not distinguished). In other words, each color ink is replenished and supplied. The cartridge loading 4 is provided with a supply pump unit for feeding ink in the ink cartridge 10, and the ink supply tube 36 is engaged with the rear plate 21 </ b> C constituting the frame 21 in the middle of turning. It is held by the member 25.

  On the other hand, as a paper feeding unit for feeding the papers 42 stacked on the paper stacking unit (pressure plate) 41 of the paper feeding tray 2, a half-moon roller (feeding) that separates and feeds the papers 42 one by one from the paper stacking unit 41. The sheet roller 43 and the sheet feeding roller 43 are opposed to each other, and a separation pad 44 made of a material having a large friction coefficient is provided. The separation pad 44 is urged toward the sheet feeding roller 43 side.

  In order to feed the paper 42 fed from the paper feeding unit to the lower side of the recording head 34, a guide member 45 for guiding the paper 42, a counter roller 46, a transport guide member 47, and a tip pressure roller. And a holding belt 48 which is a conveying means for electrostatically attracting the fed paper 42 and conveying it at a position facing the recording head 34.

  The transport belt 51 is an endless belt, and is configured to wrap around the transport roller 52 and the tension roller 53 and circulate in the belt transport direction (sub-scanning direction). The transport belt 51 is, for example, a surface layer that is a sheet adsorbing surface formed of a pure resin material having a thickness of about 40 μm that is not subjected to resistance control, for example, ETFE pure material, and resistance control by carbon using the same material as the surface layer. And a back layer (medium resistance layer, earth layer).

  A charging roller 56 is provided as charging means for charging the surface of the conveyor belt 51. The charging roller 56 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface layer of the conveyor belt 51 and to be rotated by the rotation of the conveyor belt 51, and applies a predetermined pressing force to both ends of the shaft as a pressing force. The transport roller 52 also functions as an earth roller, and is in contact with the middle resistance layer (back layer) of the transport belt 51 and is grounded.

  In addition, a guide member 57 is disposed on the back side of the conveyance belt 51 so as to correspond to a printing area by the recording head 34. The guide member 57 has an upper surface that protrudes toward the recording head 34 from the tangent line of the two rollers (the conveyance roller 52 and the tension roller 53) that support the conveyance belt 51, thereby maintaining high-precision flatness of the conveyance belt 51. Like to do.

  The conveyance belt 51 rotates in the belt conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) in FIG. 2 when the conveyance roller 52 is rotationally driven by a sub-scanning motor (not shown).

  Further, as a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper 42 recorded by the recording head 34, a separation claw 61 for separating the paper 42 from the conveying belt 51, a paper discharge roller 62, and a paper discharge roller 63 are provided. The paper discharge tray 3 is provided below the paper discharge roller 62. Here, the height from between the paper discharge roller 62 and the paper discharge roller 63 to the paper discharge tray 3 is increased to some extent in order to increase the amount that can be stored in the paper discharge tray 3.

  A duplex unit 71 is detachably mounted on the back surface of the apparatus body 1. The duplex unit 71 takes in the paper 42 returned by the reverse rotation of the conveyance belt 51, reverses it, and feeds it again between the counter roller 46 and the conveyance belt 51. The upper surface of the duplex unit 71 is a manual feed tray 72.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 81 including a recovery means for maintaining and recovering the nozzle state of the recording head 34 is disposed in the non-printing area on one side of the carriage 33 in the scanning direction. Yes. The maintenance / recovery mechanism 81 includes a cap member (hereinafter referred to as “cap”) 82a to 82d (hereinafter referred to as “cap 82” when not distinguished) and a nozzle surface for capping each nozzle surface of the recording head 34. A wiper blade 83 that is a blade member for discharging, and an empty discharge receiver 84 that receives liquid droplets when performing empty discharge for discharging liquid droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to discharge the thickened recording liquid. . Here, the cap 82a is a suction and moisture retention cap, and the other caps 82b to 82d are moisture retention caps.

  Then, the waste liquid of the recording liquid generated by the maintenance / recovery operation by the maintenance / recovery mechanism 81, the ink discharged to the cap 82, the ink attached to the wiper blade 83 and removed by the wiper cleaner, and the idle ejection receiver 84 are idled. The discharged ink is discharged and stored in a waste liquid tank (not shown).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the non-printing area on the other side in the scanning direction of the carriage 33, idle discharge is performed to discharge liquid droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to discharge the recording liquid thickened during recording or the like. An empty discharge receiver 88 for receiving the droplets at the time is disposed, and the empty discharge receiver 88 is provided with an opening 89 along the nozzle row direction of the recording head 34.

  Further, a communication circuit unit (interface) such as a USB for transmitting / receiving data to / from the host is provided on the inner rear side of the apparatus main body 1 and constitutes a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus. A control circuit board is provided.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above, the sheets 42 are separated and fed one by one from the sheet feeding tray 2, and the sheet 42 fed substantially vertically upward is guided by the guide 45, and the transport belt 51 and the counter roller 46, and the leading end is guided by the conveying guide 47 and pressed against the conveying belt 51 by the leading end pressing roller 49, and the conveying direction is changed by approximately 90 °.

  At this time, a positive voltage output and a negative output are alternately repeated from the AC bias supply unit to the charging roller 56 by a control circuit (not shown), that is, a charging voltage pattern in which an alternating voltage is applied and the conveying belt 51 alternates. That is, plus and minus are alternately charged in a band shape with a predetermined width in the sub-scanning direction which is the circumferential direction. When the paper 42 is fed onto the conveyance belt 51 charged alternately with plus and minus, the paper 42 is attracted to the conveyance belt 51, and the paper 42 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of the conveyance belt 51.

  Therefore, by driving the recording head 34 according to the image signal while moving the carriage 33, ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped paper 42 to record one line, and after the paper 42 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, Record the next line. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal that the trailing edge of the paper 42 has reached the recording area, the recording operation is finished and the paper 42 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 3.

  Further, during printing (recording) standby, the carriage 33 is moved to the maintenance / recovery mechanism 81 side, and the recording head 34 is capped by the cap 82 to keep the nozzles in a wet state, thereby preventing ejection failure due to ink drying. . In addition, the recording liquid is sucked from the nozzle by a suction pump (not shown) with the recording head 34 capped by the cap 82 (referred to as “nozzle suction” or “head suction”), and the recovered recording liquid and bubbles are discharged. Perform the action. In addition, an idle ejection operation for ejecting ink not related to recording is performed before the start of recording or during recording. As a result, the stable ejection performance of the recording head 34 is maintained.

  The serial type ink jet storage device has been described above, but the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is more preferably a line type ink jet recording device. The line method is a method in which a recording head having a length substantially in the width direction of the recording medium is arranged in the conveying direction and the orthogonal direction of the recording medium to form an image.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit of the image forming apparatus. The outline of the control unit of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG.

  The control unit includes a control microcomputer 601 that controls the entire image forming apparatus and a print control microcomputer 608 that includes a microcomputer that controls printing.

  When there is a print command from the user through the application 98, the OS (GDI) 99 transmits the image data output from the image forming apparatus to the printer driver 100. Here, a GDI (Graphic Device Interface) implemented in a Windows OS such as Windows (registered trademark) XP is taken as an example.

  The printer driver 100 converts the image data transmitted from the application 98 into print image data in a format that can be processed by the image forming apparatus main body, and inputs the converted image data to the image forming apparatus via the communication path 101.

  As described above, the control microcomputer 601 uses a carriage drive motor drive circuit 603 that includes a carriage drive motor and a transport motor (not shown) to form an image on the paper 42 based on the printed image data input from the communication circuit 101. In addition, drive control is performed via the conveyance motor drive circuit 605, and control such as sending print data to the print control microcomputer 608 is performed.

  The control microcomputer 601 receives a detection signal from a carriage position detection circuit 602 that detects the position of the carriage 33, and the control microcomputer 601 controls the movement position and movement speed of the carriage 33 based on this detection signal. The carriage position detection circuit 602 detects the position of the carriage 33 by, for example, reading and counting the number of slits of an encoder sheet arranged in the scanning direction of the carriage 33 with a photosensor mounted on the carriage 33. The carriage drive motor drive circuit 603 rotates the carriage drive motor in accordance with the carriage movement amount input from the control microcomputer 601 and moves the carriage 33 to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed.

  The control microcomputer 601 receives a detection signal from a conveyance amount detection circuit 604 that detects the movement amount of the conveyance belt 51, and the control microcomputer 601 determines the movement amount and movement speed of the conveyance belt 51 based on this detection signal. Control. The carry amount detection circuit 604 detects the carry amount by, for example, reading and counting the number of slits of the rotary encoder sheet attached to the rotation shaft of the carry roller 52 with a photo sensor. The conveyance motor drive circuit 605 rotates the conveyance motor in accordance with the conveyance amount input from the control microcomputer 601 and rotates the conveyance roller 52 to move the conveyance belt 51 to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed. .

  The control microcomputer 601 rotates the sheet feeding roller 43 by giving a sheet feeding roller driving command to the sheet feeding roller driving circuit 610. The control microcomputer 601 causes the cap 82 and the wiper blade 83 to move up and down by rotationally driving the motor 91 via the maintenance and recovery mechanism drive motor drive circuit 611.

  The control microcomputer 601 drives and controls the ink supply motor for driving the pump of the supply unit 24 via the ink supply motor drive circuit 612, and the ink cartridge 10 loaded in the cartridge loading unit 4 controls the sub tank 35. Supply ink.

  The control microcomputer 601 includes a detection signal from the sub tank full sensor 613 that detects that the sub tank 35 is full, a detection signal from the cartridge cover sensor 614 that detects opening and closing of the front cover 6 of the cartridge loading unit 4, and the like. Is entered.

  The control microcomputer 601 detects the size of the paper being passed from the paper size sensor 606, and if the input image data can be arranged on the paper, and if there is image data outside the paper, the image data Can be set in the microcomputer for printing control to trim and draw the image. As a method for detecting the paper size, it is possible to detect the paper width by disposing a reflective sensor on the side of the carriage and detecting the difference in reflectance between the paper and the conveyance path when the carriage scans. In addition, the sheet width can also be detected by arranging a line sensor on the conveyance path so as to be orthogonal to the conveyance direction. As for the sheet length in the conveyance direction, a reflection type sensor is similarly arranged on the conveyance path, and the sheet length can be detected by counting the conveyance amount after the sheet is detected.

  The control microcomputer 601 can detect the position of the paper in the machine from a plurality of paper position sensors 607 arranged on the conveyance path. If there is a paper at an unintended position during printing, JAM Can be detected and an abnormality can be detected by the user. The location where the abnormality has occurred can also be indicated.

  The print control microcomputer 608 discharges the droplets of the recording head 34 based on the signal from the control microcomputer 601 and the carriage position and transport amount from the carriage position detection circuit 602 and the transport amount detection circuit 604. Data for driving the generating means is generated and given to the head controller 200. The head control unit 200 drives the pressure generating means (piezoelectric element in the case of a piezo head) of the recording head 34 based on the print data from the print control microcomputer 608 to discharge droplets from a required nozzle.

  4 is a functional block diagram related to head unit control by the head control unit 200 in the functional block diagram of the control unit shown in FIG.

  The head controller 200 generates a control signal and a drive signal as shown in FIG. 4, and controls the plurality of head units 201 (head units 1, 2,... N). The head unit 201 includes a plurality of recording heads 34 (recording heads 1, 2,... N) and a relay substrate 202. The relay substrate 202 further includes an in-unit information storage unit 203 made of a non-volatile recording medium as storage means. have. The head controller 200 also functions as a detection unit that detects that the relay board 202 or the head unit 201 has been replaced. The replacement work of the relay board 202 or the head unit 201 is detected by a detection sensor or a detection switch (not shown) when the relay board 202 or the head unit 201 is attached or detached.

  Further, the head control unit 200 determines whether or not the board information (excluding board specifying information) is recorded in the in-unit information storage unit 203 of the relay board 202 exchanged as will be described later, and the in-unit information storage. It also functions as a writing means for writing head information to the unit 203.

  The in-unit information storage unit 203 stores at least substrate information and head unit information. Here, the substrate information includes information for specifying a recording head such as a head ID mounted on the substrate (hereinafter referred to as substrate specifying information) in addition to information on the head described later (hereinafter referred to as head information). . The head unit information includes information for specifying a recording head such as a head ID (hereinafter referred to as head specifying information) in addition to the head information.

  In addition, the head control unit 200 detects the replacement of the relay board 202 and then acquires the head specifying information (recording head ID information) of the mounted head unit, and the head unit information of each in-unit information storage unit 203 It also functions as an updating means for storing as.

  In this embodiment, the head information is “inter-position information between print heads”, “manufacturing information”, “number of times of ejection”, “use ink information”, “number of times of wiping”, “use history”, “print head rank”, etc. Information including at least one or more pieces of information. The “inter-recording head mutual position information” is information indicating, for example, a relative positional deviation of the other recording head 34 with respect to the recording head 34 serving as a reference. Preferably includes “inter-recording head mutual position information”.

  By storing “inter-position information between recording heads” as the head information, it can be used without adjustment again when the relay substrate 202 is replaced and when the head unit 201 is replaced. Further, by storing “manufacturing information”, it is possible to grasp the information without trouble when there is a manufacturing defect or the like. In addition, by storing “the number of discharges”, it is possible to grasp the maintenance and replacement timing. Further, by storing the “used ink information”, it is possible to grasp a more accurate maintenance and replacement time. Further, by storing the “wiping count”, it is possible to grasp the replacement time. Further, by storing the “use history”, it is possible to grasp the maintenance and replacement time. Further, by storing the “recording head rank”, it is possible to adjust the drive signal to the head unit and perform printing under conditions suitable for the head unit when the head unit is replaced.

  In addition, the head information and the head identification information stored in the in-unit information storage unit 203 of each head unit 201 are also stored in the in-body information storage unit 204 including a non-volatile recording medium as a storage unit on the image forming apparatus body side. It is also memorized. Hereinafter, the head information and the head identification information stored in the in-body information storage unit 204 are referred to as body information. The timing for storing the head information stored in the in-unit information storage unit 203 in the in-unit information storage unit 204 is preferably, for example, both when the power is turned on and when the work is completed. It doesn't matter timing.

  Further, as will be described later, the information comparison unit 205 compares the head information stored in the in-unit information storage unit 203 with the head information stored in the in-unit information storage unit 204, and based on the comparison result. Various processes are executed. The information comparison unit 205 functions as a rewriting means for rewriting the head information stored in the in-unit information storage unit 203 or the in-body information storage unit 204.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an enlarged configuration diagram of the head unit 201. The head unit 201 includes a recording head 34, a non-volatile recording medium (in-unit information storage unit 203), a relay board 202 including a relay connector 206 and various ICs (not shown), and a relay harness 207.

  In the example of FIG. 5A, a configuration in which one non-volatile recording medium is mounted in the head unit 201 is shown, but the number of non-volatile recording media may be one or a form corresponding to each recording head. The configuration may include two or more nonvolatile recording media. Further, the relay harness 207 connected from the relay board 202 to the apparatus main body 1 may be configured to collect a plurality of heads as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control process executed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention, that is, a head unit control method of the image forming apparatus. In addition, FIG. 7 is a diagram for conceptually explaining an example of the head unit control process. Hereinafter, the details of the processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  First, when the relay board 202 or the head unit 201 in the head unit is replaced, that is, when the head control unit 200 detects the replacement of the relay board 202 or the head unit 201 (S0), the replaced relay board 202 is replaced. It is determined whether board information (excluding board specifying information) is recorded in the in-unit information storage unit 203 (S1).

  Here, when only the substrate is replaced with a new one, the head information is usually not recorded in the in-unit information storage unit 203 of the new substrate 202 to be replaced. When replacing with a new one, it is normal that the in-unit information storage unit 203 of the substrate 202 of the new head unit 201 stores the initial setting value at the time of factory shipment as the head information. Also, the same information (such as ID) is stored in the board specifying information and the head specifying information of the new or used head unit 201.

  Therefore, when the board information (excluding board specifying information) is not recorded in the in-unit information storage unit 203 of the replaced relay board 202 (S1: no information), it is determined that only the board has been replaced with a new board. Therefore, the head information (main body information) stored in the in-body information storage unit 204 is written as board information in the in-unit information storage unit 203 of the exchanged board 202 (S2).

  By doing so, it is possible to replace the relay substrate 202 or the head unit 201 in the unit on the newly mounted substrate without having to confirm the form (exchange pattern) of each type. When the head information is not included as the substrate information in the information storage unit 203 (that is, when the head information is replaced with a new substrate), the head information (main body information) held in the in-body information storage unit 204 is non-volatile. Since it is written in the recording medium 203, it is possible to shift to a state where it can be used reliably and in a short time.

  On the other hand, when the head information is recorded in the in-unit information storage unit 203 (S1: information is present), the head identification information (head ID) is updated with the recording head ID information (S3), and the information comparison unit 205 It is determined whether the specific information (head ID) and the head specific information (head ID) are the same (S4). Here, when the board specifying information and the head specifying information stored in the in-unit information storage unit 203 are the same as described above, it can be determined that the head unit has been replaced.

  Therefore, when the board identification information and the head identification information are the same (S4: the same), the information comparison unit 205 further determines that the main body information (head ID information in the main body information) and the head identification information (head ID) are the same. It is determined whether or not there is (S5). In this step (S5), since the board specifying information and the head specifying information are the same, whether the main body information (head ID information in the main body information) and the board specifying information (head ID) are the same. You may make it judge.

  When the main body information (head ID information in the main body information) and the head identification information (head ID) are the same (S5: the same), the head unit 201 mounted this time is considered to have been mounted on the image forming apparatus so far. It can be determined that they have the same head information (that is, they are the same head unit). That is, for example, a case where the head unit 201 is detached from the image forming apparatus for maintenance or the like, and the same head unit 201 is mounted again. Therefore, the use can be continuously started without requiring any special processing (S6).

  On the other hand, when the main body information (head ID information in the main body information) is different from the head specifying information (head ID) (S5: different), the head information is different from that mounted on the image forming apparatus so far. Therefore, it can be determined that the unit is replaced with a new or used head unit. Therefore, the head information (main body information) held in the in-body information storage unit 204 is rewritten to the head information in the in-unit information storage unit 203 (S7).

  In this way, when each head unit is replaced, the head information held on the apparatus main body 1 side is not written, and in the case of a new one, the head information set at the time of factory shipment is used. In the case of second-hand, it can be automatically driven based on the set value used so far. Further, for example, when the usage history is included as the head information, the usage history information of the head can be held as the main body information. Therefore, even when the substrate is broken, the head information can be recovered without losing the head information.

  On the other hand, if the board identification information and the head identification information are different (S4: different), the information comparison unit 205 determines whether the main body information (head ID information in the main body information) and the head identification information (head ID) are the same. It is determined whether or not (S8).

  As a result of this comparison, if the main body information (head ID information in the main body information) and the head specifying information (head ID) are the same (S8: same), it is determined that only the board has been replaced with a used board. Can do. Therefore, the head information (substrate information and head unit information) held in the in-unit information storage unit 203 is rewritten to the head information (main body information) in the in-body information storage unit 204 (S9).

  In this way, since the head information recorded on the apparatus main body 1 side can be taken over, there is no fear of setting mistakes, and it is possible to shift to a state where it can be used reliably and in a short time.

  Furthermore, since the relay substrate 202 can be used in common between the head units 201, for example, when the relay substrate 202 of the head unit 201 corresponding to black is damaged at the time of monochrome image printing, it is used in the head unit 201 of another color. By mounting the relay board 202, the printing operation can be continued. Further, when the replacement relay board 202 is obtained, the head information is written out again from the in-body information storage unit 204 and recorded in the in-unit information storage unit 203, so that the usage history or the like is not particularly adjusted. You can continue to use it in a state where you can understand. Further, the used substrate can be easily recycled, and there is an effect that it is environmentally friendly.

  On the other hand, when the main body information (head ID information in the main body information) is different from the head identification information (head ID) (S8: different), an error is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus (S10). In this case, for example, a case in which only the recording head of the head unit is replaced is conceivable. However, since it is rare that only the recording head of the head unit is replaced, error processing is performed in this embodiment. I have to.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is configured to hold information in both the head unit and the non-volatile recording medium in the main body. Therefore, even when only the substrate 202 is damaged, the recording is performed. The information of the recording head 34 currently in use can be used without losing the information of the head 34. The current state is surely maintained, and even when only the substrate is accidentally damaged, the state can be restored to a usable state in a short time.

  In addition, since the head information is always updated to both nonvolatile recording media, the head information can be used not only when the substrate is damaged, but also when replacing the head unit, and the information of the recording head that is actually mounted, Certainty and convenience during replacement are improved.

  Further, as described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is preferably applied to a line type ink jet recording apparatus. The line-type inkjet recording apparatus has a configuration in which one relay substrate is provided for each color and two relay substrates are provided for each color, so that the number of heads is large, and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta This is because the relay information corresponding to the four colors (M) and black (Bk) is supported, and the number of substrates increases, so that the management of head information becomes more important.

  FIG. 8A is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit and a display unit of the image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal panel 301 as a display unit for displaying various types of information, various setting keys 302 as operation units, a numeric keypad 303, a STOP key 304, and a START key 305 are provided.

  The control unit of the image forming apparatus also functions as a display unit that displays the head information stored in the in-body information storage unit 204 on the display unit and / or a notification unit that notifies the external device via a communication network. . 8B to 8E show examples of head information displayed on the display unit (LCD panel) of the image forming apparatus. The external device refers to, for example, a personal computer or a server connected to the image forming apparatus via a communication network, and the head information may be displayed on a display unit included in the external device.

  FIG. 8B shows an example of the display of head information for the head unit 201 mounted on the image forming apparatus. In this example, “manufacturing date”, “mounting date”, “number of times of ejection”, “number of times of wiping”, and “head rank” are displayed as the head information. It is not limited.

  FIG. 8C shows an example of display on the display unit when the replacement of the head unit 201 is detected. FIG. 8D shows an example of display contents displayed on the display unit in the process of writing the information in the in-unit information storage unit 204 to the in-unit information storage unit 203 (S2, S9). . Further, FIG. 8E shows an example of display contents displayed on the display unit in the process of writing information in the in-unit information storage unit 203 to the in-body information storage unit 204 (S7).

  In this way, by adopting a configuration that can notify the information of the currently installed recording head, the user can grasp the maintenance and replacement time in advance, so that replacement parts can be prepared in advance, and work by replacement Interruption can be avoided. In addition, the information can be disclosed to the service through the network and maintained at a time when necessary.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating an overall configuration of a mechanism unit of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an aspect of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a top view explaining the whole structure of the mechanism part of an inkjet recording device. 3 is a functional block diagram of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a functional block diagram concerning head unit control by a head control part. It is a schematic block diagram of a head unit. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a head unit control process executed by the image forming apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a head unit control process notionally. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of a display unit and head information of an image forming apparatus. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Device body (inkjet recording device)
2 Paper feed tray 3 Paper discharge tray 4 Cartridge holder 10, 10k, 10c, 10m, 10y Ink cartridge 21 Frame 21A, 21B Side plate 21C Rear plate 22 Harness 24 Supply unit 25 Locking member 31 Guide rod 32 Stay 33 Carriage 34 Recording head 35 Sub tank 36 Ink supply tube 41 Paper stacking section 42 Paper 43 Paper feed roller 44 Separation pad 45 Guide member 46 Counter roller 47 Transport guide member 48 Pressing member 49 End pressure roller 51 Transport belt 52 Transport roller 53 Tension roller 56 Charging roller 57 Guide member 61 Separation claw 62 Paper discharge roller 63 Paper discharge roller 71 Duplex unit 72 Manual feed tray 81 Maintenance / recovery mechanism 82, 82a to 82d, 82k, 82cy, 82m, 82y Cap (cap member)
83 Wiper blades 84 and 88 Empty discharge receptacle 89 Opening 98 Application 99 OS (GDI)
100 Printer Driver 101 Communication Circuit 200 Head Control Unit 201 Head Unit 202 Relay Board (Board)
203 In-unit information storage unit 204 In-body information storage unit 205 Information comparison unit 206 Relay connector 207 Relay harness 301 Liquid crystal panel 302 Various setting keys 303 Numeric keypad 304 STOP key 305 START key 601 Control microcomputer 602 Carriage position detection circuit 603 Carriage drive Motor drive circuit 604 Transport amount detection circuit 605 Transport motor drive circuit 606 Paper size sensor 607 Paper position sensor 608 Print control microcomputer 610 Paper feed roller drive circuit 611 Maintenance recovery mechanism drive motor drive circuit 612 Ink supply motor drive circuit 613 Sub tank full Tan sensor 614 Cover cartridge sensor

Claims (9)

In an image forming apparatus provided with a head unit having a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body,
The apparatus main body and the substrate have storage means for storing head information related to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head,
Determining means for determining whether or not the head information is stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate when the replacement of the substrate is detected;
A document for writing the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body to the storage means of the replaced substrate when it is determined that the head information is not stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate. Including
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus provided with a head unit having a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body,
The apparatus main body has storage means for storing head information relating to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head,
The substrate includes storage means having two storage areas, a substrate information area and a head unit information area for storing head information relating to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head, respectively.
A determination means for determining whether or not the head information is stored in a substrate information area of the replaced substrate when the replacement of the substrate is detected;
When it is determined that the head information is stored in the substrate information area of the replaced substrate, the recording head ID information in the head unit information area of the replaced substrate is recorded in the recording of the head unit mounted. Updating means for updating the head ID information;
The recording head ID information are the same, and the device said recording head ID information and f head unit information stored in the storage unit of the main body in both the storage area of the substrate information area and the head unit information area of the substrate that is the exchange When the recording head ID information stored in the area is different,
Rewriting means for rewriting the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body with the head information stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus provided with a head unit having a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body,
The apparatus main body has storage means for storing head information relating to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head,
The substrate includes storage means having two storage areas, a substrate information area and a head unit information area for storing head information relating to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head, respectively.
A determination means for determining whether or not the head information is stored in a substrate information area of the replaced substrate when the replacement of the substrate is detected;
When it is determined that the head information is stored in the substrate information area of the replaced substrate, the recording head ID information in the head unit information area of the replaced substrate is recorded in the recording of the head unit mounted. Updating means for updating the head ID information;
Unlike said recording head ID information in both the storage area of the substrate information area and the head unit information area of the substrate that is the exchange, and the recording head ID information and f head unit information area stored in the storage means of the device body When the recording head ID information stored is the same,
Rewriting means for rewriting the head information stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate with the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   4. The head information includes at least one of print head mutual position information, manufacturing information, number of ejections, use ink information, number of wiping, use history, and print head rank. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the head information stored in the storage unit of the apparatus main body on a display unit, and / or a notification unit that notifies the external device via a communication network. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 4 to 4.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body is a line-type ink jet recording apparatus. A head unit having a recording head and a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body, wherein the apparatus main body and the substrate include head information relating to the recording head, and recording head ID information for identifying the recording head; In an image forming apparatus having storage means for storing
When the replacement of the substrate is detected, it is determined whether the head information is stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate,
A process of writing the head information stored in the storage unit of the apparatus main body to the storage unit of the replaced substrate when it is determined that the head information is not stored in the storage unit of the replaced substrate Performing a head unit control method of an image forming apparatus. A head unit control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a recording head; and a head unit having a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body.
The apparatus main body has storage means for storing head information relating to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head,
Each of the substrates has storage means having two storage areas, a substrate information area and a head unit information area for storing head information relating to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head. ,
A process of determining whether or not the head information is stored in a substrate information area of the replaced substrate when the replacement of the substrate is detected;
When it is determined that the head information is stored in the substrate information area of the replaced substrate, the recording head ID information in the head unit information area of the replaced substrate is recorded in the recording of the head unit mounted. Updating to head ID information;
The recording head ID information are the same, and the device said recording head ID information and f head unit information stored in the storage unit of the main body in both the storage area of the substrate information area and the head unit information area of the substrate that is the exchange When the recording head ID information stored in the area is different,
Rewriting the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body with the head information stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate;
Performing a head unit control method of an image forming apparatus. A head unit control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a recording head; and a head unit having a substrate that relays the recording head and the apparatus main body.
The apparatus main body has storage means for storing head information relating to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head,
Each of the substrates has storage means having two storage areas, a substrate information area and a head unit information area for storing head information relating to the recording head and recording head ID information for specifying the recording head. ,
A process of determining whether or not the head information is stored in a substrate information area of the replaced substrate when the replacement of the substrate is detected;
When it is determined that the head information is stored in the substrate information area of the replaced substrate, the recording head ID information in the head unit information area of the replaced substrate is recorded in the recording of the head unit mounted. Updating to head ID information;
In the recording head ID information are different, and the recording head ID information and f head unit information area stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body in the storage area of both the substrate information area and the head unit information area of the substrate that is the exchange When the recording head ID information is the same,
A process of rewriting the head information stored in the storage means of the replaced substrate with the head information stored in the storage means of the apparatus main body;
Performing a head unit control method of an image forming apparatus.