JP5333203B2 - Ink jet printer and ink supply device for ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily optimize an internal volume of an ink tank according to an ink use amount, to suppress the deterioration of ink by preventing the ink from staying for a long time, and to reduce an amount of remaining ink. <P>SOLUTION: The ink jet printer has a recording head, the ink tank with a supply opening, an ink amount detecting means, and an ink supply means. The ink jet printer which performs drawing by discharging the ink from the recording head and issues a warning to supply the ink to the ink tank when the ink amount detecting means detects that the amount requires ink supply has an ink use amount calculating means which calculates the ink use amount from taken image data, a reducing volume amount determination means 205 which determines a volume amount of an internal volume adjusting member that should be disposed in the ink tank so as to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank on the basis of the ink use amount calculated by the ink usage calculating means, and a display means 203 which displays the determination result of the reducing volume amount determination means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printer and an ink supply device for an ink jet printer, and more specifically, suitable for industrial use having a so-called pouring type large-capacity ink tank configured for replenishing ink from a replenishing port for each ink color type. The present invention relates to an ink jet printer and an ink supply device for an ink jet printer.

  Ink jet printers are generally configured such that an ink cartridge having a size that can be handled is detachably provided in the apparatus main body, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to a recording head (for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, particularly in an ink jet printer that consumes a large amount of ink, such as an ink jet printer for industrial use, the configuration in which the ink is supplied to the recording head by the ink supply means using the above ink cartridge is the ink of the ink cartridge. Since the capacity is small, frequent cartridge replacement is necessary, which is not realistic. For this reason, an industrial inkjet printer that consumes a large amount of ink includes a large-capacity ink tank. The ink tank can store a large amount of ink, and when the amount of ink is insufficient, the ink is poured from the supply port. Generally, a plurality of ink tanks are provided for each ink color type, and ink is supplied to the recording head corresponding to each ink color type by the ink supply means.

JP 2007-245451 A

  The amount of ink used for each of the plurality of ink color types is not uniform. For example, when printing a large amount of black patterns, a large amount of black ink is used, but ink other than black is not used much. In particular, industrial inkjet printers often print large amounts of the same pattern repeatedly, and depending on the pattern, only a specific color of ink is used. There are many.

  However, as long as the image is a full-color image, it is necessary to store ink in each ink tank. Therefore, a plurality of ink tanks are inks that are frequently replenished by being used in large quantities. A tank and an ink tank in which ink is stored for a long time due to a small amount of ink used are mixed. Since ink replenishment to each ink tank is performed by pouring ink, it is easy for the ink to come into contact with the outside air. There is a problem in that the image quality deteriorates due to long-term contact and affects the image quality.

  For example, even when a monochrome image is printed with black ink alone, it is desirable to secure a large amount of ink using a large-capacity ink tank during a period in which the amount of ink used is large. There is a demand for a period in which the amount of use is small to cope with only a small amount of ink from the viewpoint of preventing the deterioration of the ink.

  Furthermore, the ink tank is provided with a sensor for detecting that the ink amount has been reduced to the amount that requires ink replenishment. Therefore, a slight amount of ink remains in the ink tank at this time. For this reason, the new ink to be replenished is mixed with the residual ink (old ink) in the ink tank, and as the amount of the residual ink mixed increases, the image quality may be degraded.

  In order to deal with such problems, it may be possible to replace the ink tanks with different capacities according to the amount of ink used, or to change the sensor position in the ink tank to a low level. It is extremely complicated and difficult to change the tank and change the sensor position. In particular, since the lower limit position where the sensor can be detected is determined structurally, it is often impossible to change the sensor position low.

  Although it is conceivable for the operator to adjust the amount of ink stored in the ink tank according to the amount of ink used, it is extremely difficult for the operator to determine the amount of ink used.

  Therefore, without changing the capacity of the ink tank or changing the sensor position, the internal volume of the ink tank can be easily optimized according to the amount of ink used, and the residual ink amount can be further reduced. Is desired.

  Therefore, the present invention can easily optimize the internal volume of the ink tank in accordance with the amount of ink used, prevent long-term storage of ink, suppress ink deterioration, and reduce the amount of residual ink. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ink supply device for an inkjet printer.

  Other problems of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

  The above problems are solved by the following inventions.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head that ejects ink, an ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head and has a supply port for supplying the ink, and ink in the ink tank. An ink amount detecting means for detecting the amount of ink and an ink supply means for supplying ink in the ink tank to the recording head, and performing drawing by ejecting ink from the recording head based on image data; In the ink jet printer that issues a warning to replenish ink in the ink tank when the ink amount detection means detects that the amount of ink replenishment has been reached,
An ink usage amount calculating means for calculating an ink usage amount from the captured image data;
Decreasing volume amount determination for determining the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in the ink tank in order to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means Means,
An ink jet printer comprising display means for displaying a determination result of the reduced volume amount determination means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the reduced volume amount determining means is configured to determine whether the ink tank has the ink volume based on the relationship between the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and the internal volume of the ink tank. 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein a volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in the ink tank is determined in order to reduce the internal volume to an internal volume that does not cause ink deterioration.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the ink tank is provided for each of a plurality of ink color types,
The ink use amount calculating means calculates an ink use amount for each ink color type from the image data,
The reduced volume amount determining means is configured to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank for each ink tank based on the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means. For each of the ink tanks for determining the volume of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in, determine the volume to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank;
3. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a determination result for each ink color type by the reduced volume amount determination unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the reduced volume amount determination means is based on the ink color type having the largest ink usage amount among the ink usage amounts for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculation means, The volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member is determined according to a ratio of an ink usage amount of another ink color type to an ink usage amount of the ink color type set as the reference. 3. The inkjet printer according to item 3.

The invention according to claim 5 includes mode selection means for selecting print modes having different resolutions at the time of drawing,
The reduced volume amount determining means determines the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and the print mode selected by the mode selection means. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein:

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the determination result by the reduced volume amount determining means includes information on the arrangement height of the internal volume adjusting member in the ink tank in addition to the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member. An ink jet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

The invention according to claim 7 is that the internal volume adjusting member is a block-shaped member having a predetermined volume,
The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member determined by the reduced volume amount determining means is the number of the block-shaped members.

The invention according to claim 8 is that the inner volume adjusting member is a bag-like container whose volume can be adjusted,
7. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member determined by the reduced volume amount determining means is an adjustment amount of the volume of the bag-like container. is there.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to a recording head that discharges ink and has a replenishing port for replenishing the ink, and ink that detects the amount of ink in the ink tank. An ink amount detecting means and an ink supplying means for supplying ink in the ink tank to the recording head, and the ink amount detecting means detects the ink replenishment amount when the ink amount detecting means has detected an ink replenishment amount. In an ink supply device for an ink jet printer that issues a warning to replenish ink in a tank,
An ink use amount calculating means for calculating an ink use amount from image data to be drawn;
Decreasing volume amount determination for determining the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in the ink tank in order to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means Means,
An ink supply device for an ink jet printer, comprising display means for displaying a judgment result of the reduced volume amount judging means.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the reduced volume amount determining means is configured to determine whether the ink tank has a capacity based on a relationship between an ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and an internal volume of the ink tank. 10. The ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to claim 9, wherein a volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in the ink tank is determined in order to reduce the internal volume to an internal volume that does not cause ink deterioration. It is.

In the invention according to claim 11, the ink tank is provided for each of a plurality of ink color types,
The ink use amount calculating means calculates an ink use amount for each ink color type from the image data,
The reduced volume amount determining means is configured to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank for each ink tank based on the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means. For each of the ink tanks for determining the volume of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in, determine the volume to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank;
11. The ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to claim 9, wherein the display unit displays a determination result for each ink color type by the reduced volume amount determination unit.

  The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the reduced volume amount determination means is based on the ink color type having the largest ink usage amount among the ink usage amounts for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculation means, 11. The volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member is determined according to a ratio of an ink usage amount of another ink color type to an ink usage amount of the ink color type used as the reference. 11. An ink supply device for an inkjet printer according to 11.

The invention according to claim 13 has mode selection means for selecting print modes having different resolutions at the time of drawing,
The reduced volume amount determining means determines the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and the print mode selected by the mode selection means. An ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the determination result by the reduced volume amount determination means includes information on the arrangement height of the internal volume adjustment member in the ink tank in addition to the volume amount of the internal volume adjustment member. An ink supply apparatus for an ink jet printer according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

In the invention according to claim 15, the internal volume adjusting member is a block-shaped member having a predetermined volume,
The ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to claim 9, wherein the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member determined by the reduced volume amount determining means is the number of the block-shaped members. It is.

The invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that the internal volume adjusting member is a bag-like container whose volume can be adjusted,
15. The inkjet printer according to claim 9, wherein the volume of the internal volume adjustment member determined by the reduced volume determination unit is an adjustment of the volume of the bag-like container. An ink supply device.

  According to the present invention, an ink jet printer capable of easily optimizing the inner volume of an ink tank according to the amount of ink used, preventing ink from being stored for a long period of time, suppressing ink deterioration, and reducing the amount of residual ink. And an ink supply device for an inkjet printer.

The figure explaining the effect | action which reduces the internal volume of an ink tank by an internal volume adjustment member. Block diagram of main components for calculating the volume of ink tank to be reduced Flow chart explaining operation of inkjet printer The figure which shows an example of the table for calculating | requiring the required number of block-shaped members The figure which shows the example of a display in a display part Block diagram of main components according to another embodiment for calculating the required number of block-like members The figure which shows an example of the table which concerns on another aspect for calculating | requiring the required number of block-shaped members. A perspective view showing an example of an inkjet printer A perspective view showing an example of an ink supply device Cross section of ink tank unit The figure which shows a mode that ink is replenished in an ink tank A perspective view showing an example of a block-shaped member The figure which shows a mode that the block-shaped member has been arrange | positioned in an ink tank

  In the present invention, the ink use amount calculation means calculates the ink amount used when drawing the captured image data. The image data is on / off information for each nozzle of the recording head in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and the time required for drawing a predetermined area and the volume of ink droplets ejected from the recording head are as follows. It is known in advance as the specifications. Therefore, the ink amount used when drawing the image data is calculated as, for example, the ink amount (cc / min) ejected from the recording head per unit time at the time of drawing by analyzing the captured image data. Can be calculated.

  Further, the reduced volume amount determining means is an internal volume adjusting member to be arranged by the operator in the ink tank in order to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means. Determine the volume amount. The determination result is displayed on the display means and is notified to the operator.

  In the case of ink with a small ink usage calculated by the ink usage calculation means from the result of image data analysis, storing a large amount in the ink tank requires a long period of time until the ink is used up. Depending on the characteristics, there is a risk that the image quality will be deteriorated, and in this way, an internal volume adjusting member is arranged in the ink tank according to the ink usage calculated by the ink usage calculation means. By reducing the internal volume, it is possible to easily optimize the internal volume of the ink tank according to the amount of ink used without changing the capacity of the ink tank itself. Can be suppressed, and the amount of residual ink can be reduced.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In the ink tank T, ink amount detection sensors S1 and S2 are arranged at predetermined height positions. The ink amount detection sensor S1 is a sensor for detecting that the liquid level of the ink I in the ink tank has dropped to a height that requires ink replenishment, and the ink amount detection sensor S2 is a liquid for the ink I in the ink tank. This is a sensor for detecting that the surface is the upper limit position (full tank position). FIG. 1A shows a state immediately after detecting that the liquid level of the ink I has fallen below the position where the ink amount detection sensor S1 is disposed. If the internal volume adjusting member B having a predetermined volume is placed in the ink tank T so as to be immersed in the ink as shown in FIG. Since the volume of the product adjustment member B is reduced, the amount of ink that can be stored in the ink tank T is reduced by the volume of the internal volume adjustment member B. For this reason, the remaining amount of the ink I at the time when it is detected that the ink amount detection sensor S1 is below the arrangement position is reduced as compared with the case of FIG. 1A, and the residual ink amount is reduced.

  In the present invention, by adjusting the volume of the internal volume adjusting member arranged in the ink tank as described above, the ink usage during drawing in the ink tank can be performed without changing the capacity of the ink tank or the sensor position. It is possible to store an appropriate amount of ink corresponding to the amount of ink and to reduce the amount of residual ink. Deterioration of ink due to ink being stored for a long period of time and image quality due to continued mixing of residual ink. Reduction is suppressed. Further, the adjustment of the internal volume of the ink tank can be easily performed because the operator only has to arrange the internal volume adjustment member in the ink tank according to the displayed volume amount of the internal volume adjustment member.

  In addition, the reduced volume amount judging means determines the internal volume of the ink tank from the relationship between the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and the internal volume of the ink tank. It is also possible to determine the volume of the internal volume adjusting member that should be arranged in the ink tank in order to reduce the volume of the ink.

  That is, when the internal volume of the ink tank is 5000 cc, the ink usage calculated by the ink usage calculation means is, for example, 1 cc / min. When the allowable time that can be stored in the ink tank is 40 hours, it is understood that the ink should be stored in the ink tank up to 2400 cc. Therefore, it is determined by the reduced volume amount determining means that an internal volume adjusting member of 5000 cc-2400 cc = 2600 cc should be placed in the ink tank and displayed on the display unit. The operator arranges the internal volume adjusting member in the ink tank according to this display, and puts ink in the ink tank until the ink amount detection sensor for detecting the upper limit position (full tank position) of the liquid level detects the liquid level. By injecting or replenishing, it is possible to easily store an appropriate amount of ink with no problem of ink deterioration.

  In the present invention, the ink used may be a single color or a plurality of ink color types. In the latter case in particular, an ink tank is provided for each of a plurality of ink color types, the ink usage amount calculating means calculates the ink usage amount for each ink color type from the image data to be drawn, and the reduced volume amount determining means is The internal volume adjusting member to be arranged in the ink tank for reducing the internal volume of the ink tank for each ink tank based on the ink usage for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage calculating means The display means displays the judgment result for each ink color type of the reduced volume quantity judgment means.

  As a result, it is possible to obtain, for each of a plurality of ink color types, the above-described effect that can prevent long-term storage of ink and suppress ink deterioration.

  In the case of an ink jet printer in which an ink tank is provided for each of a plurality of ink color types, the reduced volume amount determination means has the largest ink use amount among the ink use amounts for each ink color type calculated by the ink use amount calculation means. Using the ink color type as a reference, the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member can be determined according to the ratio of the ink use amount of the other ink color type to the ink use amount of the ink color type set as the reference.

  The ink color type with the smallest ink usage amount is longer for the ink color type with the smallest ink usage amount because it is stored in the ink tank for a longer period of time, and therefore the risk of ink deterioration increases accordingly. Accordingly, when the ink usage amount of the ink color type having the largest ink usage amount is, for example, 100, the smaller the ratio (%) of the ink usage amount of the other ink color types, the higher the risk of ink deterioration. Since it is necessary to greatly reduce the internal volume, the reduced volume amount determining means determines the volume amount so that the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member increases as the ratio decreases.

  According to this, in addition to the above-described effect that can prevent long-term storage of the ink and suppress the ink deterioration, it is possible to obtain a fine volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member for each ink color type. Also, the ink replenishment timings in all the ink tanks can be made substantially the same, and in this case, the operator's work load can be reduced.

  The present invention has mode selection means for selecting print modes having different resolutions at the time of drawing, and the reduced volume amount determination means is selected by the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculation means and the mode selection means. It is preferable to determine the volume of the internal volume adjustment member based on the print mode.

  Examples of print modes with different resolutions at the time of drawing include a high resolution mode (low speed mode) in which the amount of ink used per unit time is large and a low resolution mode (high speed mode) in which the amount of ink used per unit time is small. . Compared to the latter, the former uses a larger amount of ink during drawing even if it has the same pattern, so the ink in the ink tank is consumed as a whole earlier. Therefore, in the high resolution print mode, depending on the characteristics of the ink, it may be necessary to replenish ink before the ink deteriorates. If the internal volume of the ink tank is reduced too much by the block-like member, frequent ink replenishment may occur. There is a concern that replenishment is required and the work burden on the operator increases.

  For this reason, even if the ink usage calculated by the ink usage calculation means is the same, the content of the ink tank is greater when the selected print mode is the high resolution mode than when the selected print mode is the low resolution mode. By reducing the product reduction amount, or when the selected print mode is the low resolution mode, the ink tank internal volume reduction amount is increased compared to the high resolution mode. Thus, it is possible to achieve harmony between the deterioration suppression and the ink replenishment frequency, and it is possible to provide an ink jet printer with excellent workability while suppressing ink deterioration.

  The determination of the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member based on the ink usage amount and the print mode is performed, for example, by using a table that defines the correspondence between the ink usage amount and the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member for each print mode. Prepared and stored in advance in the storage means, and when determining the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member, if the reduced volume amount determination means makes a determination by referring to this table, a simple and quick determination can be made. It can be carried out.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the determination result by the reduced volume amount determining means preferably includes information on the arrangement height when the internal volume adjustment member is arranged in the ink tank in addition to the volume amount of the internal volume adjustment member. .

  By varying the arrangement height of the internal volume adjusting member in the ink tank, it is possible to adjust the degree of immersion (the degree of sinking) of the internal volume adjusting member in the ink. Therefore, even if the inner volume adjusting member having the same volume amount is used, the liquid level position in the ink tank can be finely adjusted by adjusting the degree of immersion in the ink, and the ink stored in the ink tank can be adjusted. The amount can be adjusted more finely.

  The adjustment of the arrangement height of the internal volume adjusting member in the ink tank is performed by, for example, changing the height of the holding portion for holding the internal volume adjusting member itself or the support member for supporting the internal volume adjusting member in the ink tank. Thus, a plurality of stages can be provided and displayed as information on the height position of the holding portion that should hold the internal volume adjusting member or the support member.

  The internal volume adjusting member can be easily placed in the ink tank and taken out from the ink tank by the operator, and can be immersed in the ink. Such an internal volume adjusting member can be constituted by, for example, a block-shaped member having a predetermined volume. The ink tank in which the block-shaped member is arranged has a reduced internal volume according to the number of the block-shaped members. Therefore, in this case, the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member determined by the reduced volume amount determining means is determined as the number of block-shaped members, and the number of block-shaped members is displayed on the display unit.

  The material of the block-shaped member is not particularly limited as long as it does not affect the ink because it is in direct contact with the ink and does not cause corrosion by the ink. Alternatively, a resin material such as polypropylene may be used. Polypropylene is particularly preferable because it is light and low in cost and excellent in ink resistance.

  The shape of the block-shaped member is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a columnar shape, a prismatic shape, a spherical shape, a conical shape, a pyramid shape, and a bottle shape.

  The volume of the block-shaped member is not limited to one type, and it is also preferable to use a plurality of types of block-shaped members having different volumes. As a result, the inner volume can be adjusted more finely.

  The internal volume adjusting member may be a bag-like container whose volume can be adjusted. The ink tank in which the bag-like container is disposed has an inner volume that decreases in accordance with the adjusted volume of the bag-like container. Therefore, in this case, the volume amount of the internal volume adjustment member determined by the reduced volume amount determination means is determined as the adjustment amount of the volume of the bag-like container, and this adjustment amount is displayed on the display unit. Since the volume of such a bag-like container can be finely adjusted, the internal volume of the ink tank can be reduced more finely.

  Examples of the bag-shaped container whose volume can be adjusted include a container formed in a bag shape (balloon shape) by an elastic member such as rubber or an elastic member such as a flexible resin, a container formed in an elastic bellows shape, etc. Is mentioned. The volume can be adjusted by injecting air or inert gas into the bag-like container, injecting liquids such as water or oil, or using glass beads, metal balls or other microspheres or sand. It can be performed by filling. When the specific gravity of the filling inside is lighter than the ink, it is preferable to provide a weight in the bag-like container so that it can be submerged in the ink.

  The determination of the necessary number of block-like members or the amount of adjustment of the volume of the bag-like container, for example, defines the correspondence between the calculated ink use amount and the number of block-like members or the amount of adjustment of the volume of the bag-like container. If a table is prepared and stored in advance in the storage means, and the reduced volume amount judging means makes a judgment by referring to this table, a simple and quick judgment can be made.

  The ink use amount calculating means, the reduced volume amount judging means, and the display means described above are inks for the ink jet printer to supply ink to the recording head of the printer body by mounting the printer body on which the recording head is mounted and the ink tank. In the case where it is configured separately from the supply device, it can also be provided in the ink supply device.

  The present invention can be applied particularly preferably when the image data is image data in which the same pattern is repeatedly drawn on a recording medium.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of main components for calculating the volume of the internal volume adjusting member in the ink jet printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the ink jet printer according to the present invention. It is. An example of the operation of the ink jet printer according to the present invention will be described using these.

  The following operation is started in an initial state where no ink is stored in the ink tank. Here, the inkjet printer will be described as including eight ink tanks for storing eight colors of ink (gray, blue, pink, orange, black, light blue, red, yellow), respectively. Assume that the content of each ink tank is 5000 cc.

  In FIG. 2, 201 is an image memory, 202 is a calculation unit, and 203 is a display unit. The image memory 201 captures and temporarily stores image data to be drawn. The calculation unit 202 includes an image data analysis unit 204, a reduced volume amount determination unit 205, and a storage unit 206. The calculation result by the calculation unit 202 is sent to the display unit 203 and displayed to the operator.

  First, when image data is taken into the ink jet printer, the image data is stored in the image memory 201 (S1). The arithmetic unit 202 reads the image data stored in the image memory 201, rearranges the data as necessary, and the image data analysis unit 204 divides the image data into data for each of the eight ink color types. Analysis is performed (S2).

  Next, the image data analysis unit 204 calculates an ink usage amount for each ink color type from the image data for each of the eight ink color types (S3). In the present embodiment, the image data analysis unit 204 calculates the ink usage amount for each ink color type as the usage amount per unit time (cc / min). Here, gray: 3 cc / min (37.5%), blue: 0.5 cc / min (6.25%), pink: 0.1 cc / min (1.25%), orange: 0.3 cc / Min (3.75%), black: 8 cc / min (100%), light blue: 0.5 cc / min (6.25%), red: 0.5 cc / min (6.25%), yellow: 0 It shall be 3cc / min (3.75%). The value in parentheses is the ratio of the ink usage to the ink color type (black) with the largest ink usage.

  This calculation result is sent to the reduced volume amount determination unit 205. Based on the calculation result of the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the image data analysis unit 204, the reduced volume amount determination unit 205 determines the volume of the internal volume adjustment member to be arranged in the ink tank for each ink color type. The amount is judged (S4).

  Here, a block-like member having a predetermined volume is used as the internal volume adjusting member. The volume of one block-like member is 500 cc. The volume data of the block-shaped member is stored in advance in the storage unit 206 in the calculation unit 202. When the calculation result is sent from the image data analysis unit 204, the reduction volume amount determination unit 205 calculates the volume to be decreased in each ink tank and the volume data of one block-shaped member stored in the storage unit 206. The required number of block-like members is determined for each ink tank. In this embodiment, according to the ratio of the ink usage amount to the ink color type (black) having the largest ink usage amount, the ink level is set so that the liquid level in each ink tank is almost the same when full. The required number of block-like members is determined for each tank.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in the storage unit 206, data on the ink usage per unit time (cc / min) calculated by the image data analysis unit 204 and the volume of one block-shaped member are stored. A table 206a that prescribes a correspondence relationship with the required number (pieces) of block-like members based on is stored in advance. When the calculation result is sent from the image data analysis unit 204, the reduced volume amount determination unit 205 refers to such a table 206 a stored in the storage unit 206, so that the required number of block-shaped members for each ink tank is obtained. And the result is displayed on the display unit 203 (S5).

  FIG. 5 shows an example of display on the display unit 203. The display unit 203 is an example of a liquid crystal display panel. However, the display unit 203 is not limited to the liquid crystal display panel as long as the ink color type or the ink tank can be specified and the number of block members can be displayed. In the display unit 203, display frames 203a to 203h are provided for each ink color type, and the required number of block-like members is displayed by the number of bars 2031 in the display frames 203a to 203h. The required number of block-shaped members is not limited to the number of bars 2031, and the required number may be directly displayed as a number. If the internal volume adjustment member is a bag-like container whose volume can be adjusted, the numerical value of the volume to be adjusted (for example, cc) is directly displayed, and the operator can adjust the volume of the bag-like container based on the numerical value. That's fine.

  Based on the display result of the display unit 203, the operator arranges the number of block-shaped members as indicated by the display unit 203 in each ink tank, and according to the ink usage of the image data to be drawn. The internal volume of each ink tank can be easily adjusted, and an appropriate amount of ink corresponding to the amount of ink used can be stored in each ink tank.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the inkjet printer has a print mode selection unit 207 that selects either the high resolution or the low resolution, the calculation unit 202 uses this print mode in the reduced volume amount determination unit 205. The necessary number of block-like members is determined in consideration of the print mode selected by the selection unit 207.

  In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the storage unit 206 is provided with a table 206b that is defined so that the required number of block-like members is different between the high resolution mode and the low resolution mode. The number of block-shaped members corresponding to the print mode selected by the print mode selection unit 207 can be obtained by referring to FIG.

  Next, a specific example of an ink jet printer preferable in the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a printer main body 2 and an ink supply device 3 that supplies ink to the printer main body 2.

  The printer main body 2 includes an endless conveyance belt 21 that is a conveyance unit that conveys a recording medium (not shown), and a carriage 22 disposed above the conveyance belt 21. The carriage 22 is equipped with a plurality of recording heads (not shown) that eject inks of a plurality of types of ink colors. Here, there are eight inks (gray, blue, pink, orange, black, light blue, red, yellow) and eight corresponding recording heads, and each color ink corresponds to this. It is configured to be discharged from each recording head.

  The printer main body 2 scans the carriage 22 in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 21 and discharges ink of each color from the nozzles of each recording head onto the recording medium on the conveyance belt 21. A predetermined image based on the image data is recorded on the medium.

  The ink supply device 3 stores a sufficiently large amount of ink with respect to the amount of ink consumed by the printer body 2 and supplies ink of a corresponding color to each recording head of the printer body 2. As shown in FIG. 9, here, eight ink tank units 30 are arranged corresponding to eight colors of ink. In the figure, 300f is an open / close lid that covers the top and bottom of each of the four ink tank units 30, and 300d is provided on the open / close lid 300f so as to open and close the openings connected to the ink tank units 30. A cover plate 307 is a liquid crystal display panel which is display means for displaying various types of information including information on the number of block-shaped members.

  Next, the details of each ink tank unit 30 will be described. Since each ink tank unit 30 has the same configuration, only one ink tank unit 30 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the ink tank unit 30 includes an ink tank 300, an ink receiving part 301, an ink introduction pipe 302, a first liquid level sensor 303, a second liquid level sensor 304, and a third liquid level sensor. The liquid level sensor 305 is provided.

  The ink tank 300 is fixed so as to extend upward with respect to the tank body 300a formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, a lid part 300b that covers the upper surface of the tank body 300a so as to be openable and closable. It has a cylindrical portion 300c and a cover plate 300d that covers the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 300c. The tank main body 300a is a large-capacity storage tank that stores ink, and is formed in a size that can store 5000 cc of ink in this embodiment.

  In the lid portion 300b, a circular opening 300e having a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 300c is formed inside the cylindrical portion 300c. The vicinity of the opening 300e and the inside of the cylindrical portion 300c constitute an inlet portion of the lid portion 300b, and ink is supplied into the tank body 300a of the ink tank 300 through the inlet portion.

  One end of the lid plate 300d disposed above the cylindrical portion 300c is pivotally supported by the opening / closing lid 300f, and the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 300c can be opened and closed by its rotation.

  In the present embodiment, one open / close lid 300f is provided for each of the four ink tank units 30. Each opening / closing lid 300f is pivotally supported by the casing of the ink supply device 3 so that the opening / closing lid 300f can be opened and closed. When opened, the cylindrical portions 300c of the four ink tank units 30 are exposed and closed. When this is done, the upper surfaces of the cylinder portions 300c of the four ink tank units 30 are sealed with the lid plates 300d.

  The ink receiving portion 301 is formed in a funnel shape in which an ink receiving port 301a that opens upward and a communication port 301b that communicates with the ink introduction tube 302 below are smoothly connected. The ink receiving portion 301 is provided in the lid portion 300b so as to close the inlet portion of the lid portion 300b, and always receives ink supplied to the ink tank 300.

  The ink receiving portion 301 is replaced so that a filter 301c that prevents foreign matter from entering the ink tank 300 when covering the intermediate portion between the ink receiving port 301a and the communication port 301b covers the communication port 301b. It is placed as possible.

  The ink introduction tube 302 is a resin straight tube that communicates the ink receiving portion 301 and the inside of the ink tank 300, and is fixed to the ink receiving portion 301 so as to extend downward from the communication port 301b. The ink introduction pipe 302 guides the replenished ink from the ink receiving portion 301 to the inside of the tank main body 300 a of the ink tank 300.

  The first liquid level sensor 303, the second liquid level sensor 304, and the third liquid level sensor 305 are arranged from the top with respect to the sensor fixing shaft 306 that extends in the vertical direction inside the tank body 300 a of the ink tank 300. The float sensors are fixed at different heights in the order of the first liquid level sensor 303, the second liquid level sensor 304, and the third liquid level sensor 305. The first liquid level sensor 303 at the highest position is a sensor for detecting the upper limit position (full tank position) of the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink tank 300, and the second liquid level sensor 304. Is disposed at a height H1 from the bottom surface of the tank body 300a, and the third liquid level sensor 305 is disposed at a height H2 from the bottom surface of the tank body 300a and is stored in the ink tank 300. The state in which the liquid level of the ink to be discharged is lower than H1 and the state where it is lower than H2 are detected. In the present embodiment, H1 = 73 mm and H2 = 33 mm are set.

  When the first liquid level sensor 303 detects that the ink has been injected or replenished to the upper limit position, the first liquid level sensor 303 displays, for example, a green lighting display on the liquid crystal display panel 307, thereby The operator is informed that the ink has been filled up to the predetermined height position. Further, when the second liquid level sensor 304 detects that the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink tank 300 has become lower than H1, for example, the ink corresponding to the ink tank 300 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 307. By performing blinking display of the color type information or the like, the operator is warned that the ink amount of the ink color type has been reduced and ink replenishment is necessary. Further, when the third liquid level sensor 305 detects that the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink tank 300 is lower than H2, the third liquid level sensor 305 performs, for example, a red lighting display on the liquid crystal display panel 307. Thus, the operator is warned that the ink in the ink tank 300 has run out. Normally, when the third liquid level sensor 305 detects that the liquid level is lower than the liquid level height H2, it is determined that printing is impossible, and the printing operation is stopped. Therefore, the ink is supplied to the ink tank 300 after the second liquid level sensor 304 detects the liquid level height H1 until the third liquid level sensor 305 detects the liquid level height H2. Performed by the operator.

  The upper end of the sensor fixing shaft 306 that fixes these sensors is fixed to the lid portion 300b.

  The first liquid level sensor 303, the second liquid level sensor 304, and the third liquid level sensor 305 may be any float sensor as long as the liquid level height of the ink stored in the ink tank 300 can be detected. It is not limited to.

  In FIG. 10, reference numeral 308 denotes an ink supply pipe. The ink supply pipe 308 is a straight pipe that passes through the lid portion 300b and extends toward the bottom surface of the tank main body 300a. The lower end of the ink supply pipe 308 is detected by the third liquid level sensor 305 near the bottom surface of the tank main body 300a. It arrange | positions so that it may become lower than possible liquid level height H2. The upper end of the ink supply pipe 308 is fixed to the lid portion 300b, and is connected to a corresponding recording head in the printer main body 2 via a supply pump (not shown) so that ink can be supplied.

  In FIG. 10, reference numeral 309 denotes a holding step portion for holding the block-like member when the block-like member is disposed in the tank main body 300a, and a predetermined height of the inner wall surface of the tank main body 300a. Projected to the position.

  In the present embodiment, the lid 300b is detachably provided so that the upper surface of the tank main body 300a is largely opened in order to dispose a block-like member to be described later in the tank main body 300a. When the lid 300b is removed from the upper surface of the tank body 300a, the sensor fixing shaft 306, the first liquid level sensor 303, the second liquid level sensor 304, and the ink supply pipe 308 are also integrated with the lid 300b. And removed from the tank body 300a. When the lid 300b is attached to the upper surface of the tank main body 300a again, the lower ends of the first liquid level sensor 303, the second liquid level sensor 304, and the ink supply pipe 308 are defined in advance from the bottom surface of the tank main body 300a. It is arranged at a predetermined height position.

  When ink is supplied to the ink tank 300 of the ink supply device 3, as shown in FIG. 11, the cover plate 300d of the ink tank 300 that requires ink supply is opened and the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 300c is opened to supply the ink. This is done by inserting the tip of the bellows hose 41 extending from the ink pack 4 containing the ink for use into the cylindrical portion 300c and pouring the ink. The ink does not deteriorate in a state where it is enclosed in the ink pack 4, but when the ink tank 300 is replenished to the ink tank 300 using the bellows hose 41 in this way, it comes into contact with the outside air and enters the ink tank 300. Deterioration progresses as the storage period becomes longer.

  Next, a specific example of a block-shaped member that is an example of an internal volume adjusting member will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The block-shaped member 5 is a member that is sufficiently smaller than the inner volume of the tank main body 300a of the ink tank 300 and has a predetermined volume. In this embodiment, the block-shaped member 5 includes the block main body 51, the neck 52, and the mounting head 53. In addition, the total volume is 500 cc.

  The block main body 51 is a portion that occupies most of the block-shaped member 5, and is formed in a columnar shape using stainless steel in the present embodiment. The neck 52 is integrally provided at the upper end of the block main body 51 so as to have a smaller diameter than the block main body 51, and a male screw is formed on the outer periphery thereof. The mounting head 53 has a recess for covering the tip and outer periphery of the neck 52 inside, and a female screw that can be screwed with the male screw of the neck 52 is formed on the inner periphery of the recess.

  The required number of such block-like members 5 is arranged in the tank body 300a of the ink tank 300 by the operator's hand for each ink color type, and is immersed in the ink. In the present embodiment, a support plate 6 is prepared for the convenience of arrangement of the block-shaped member 5 in the ink tank 300.

  The support plate 6 is formed in a disc shape whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tank body 300a, and has a plurality of block mounting holes 6a. In the present embodiment, four block mounting holes 6 a are shown, but the number can be appropriately increased or decreased according to the size of the block-shaped member 5. Each of the block attachment holes 6a can be inserted through the neck portion 52 of the block-like member 5, but is formed in such a size that the block main body 51 and the attachment head portion 53 cannot be inserted.

  When attaching the block-shaped member 5 to the support plate 6, the neck portion 52 is inserted into the block attachment hole 6 a from the lower surface side of the support plate 6 and protrudes from the upper surface of the support plate 6. The mounting head 53 is screwed from the upper surface side. Thereby, the block-shaped member 5 is supported in a state of being suspended from the support plate 6 by sandwiching the support plate 6 between the block main body 51 and the mounting head 53. Thereby, the plurality of block-like members 5 can be handled at one time by one support plate 6, and the arrangement work to the holding step 309 in the tank main body 300a is facilitated and the workability is excellent.

  When the support plate 6 is disposed in the holding step 309 in the tank main body 300a, the support plate 6 has an insertion hole 61 through which the ink introduction tube 302 is inserted in a central portion corresponding to the ink introduction tube 302. There is an insertion hole 62 through which the ink supply pipe 308 is inserted at a position corresponding to the ink supply pipe 308 slightly closer to the outer periphery than the insertion hole 61 and support at a position corresponding to the sensor fixing shaft 306. A part of the outer periphery of the plate 6 is cut out in a substantially V shape, and the sensor fixing shaft 306 and the first liquid level sensor 303 and the second liquid level sensor 304 attached thereto are inserted therethrough. A portion 63 is provided.

  As described above, the required number of block-like members obtained by the calculation unit 202 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 307 of the ink supply device 3 in the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment. Based on this display, the operator attaches the necessary number of block members 5 to the support plate 6 for each ink tank 300.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the support plate 6 to which the required number of block-like members 5 are attached is arranged by being placed on a holding step 309 in the tank body 300 a of the ink tank 300 by the operator. . Thereby, the internal volume of the ink tank 300 decreases according to the number of the block-like members 5.

  When the block-shaped member 5 is formed in a hollow shape with a resin such as polypropylene having a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink, the support is provided so that the block-shaped member 5 can be placed in the ink. The plate 6 is fixed to the holding step 309 in the tank body 300a by using an appropriate fixing means that can be attached and detached.

  In this embodiment, the height of the holding step 309 is set so that each bottom of the block-like member 5 comes into contact with the bottom of the tank body 300a when the support plate 6 is placed. Yes.

  In the case of the ink jet printer 1 in which the printer main body 2 and the ink supply device 3 are separated as in the present embodiment, the calculation unit 202 and the display unit 203 shown in FIGS. It may be provided in any of the supply devices 3. Further, when the inkjet printer 1 has an external PC (personal computer) for controlling the operations of the printer body 2 and the ink supply device 3, the calculation unit 202 and the display unit 203 are provided in the external PC. It may be.

  In addition, the ink jet printer according to the present invention is not limited to the ink jet printer 1 in which the printer main body 2 and the ink supply device 3 are separated from each other as described above, but may be an integrated printer.

1: Inkjet printer 2: Printer main body 3: Ink supply unit 30: Ink tank unit 300: Ink tank 300a: Tank main body 300b: Lid portion 300c: Tube portion 300d: Lid plate 300e: Opening portion 300f: Opening / closing lid 301: Ink receiver Section 301a: Ink receiving port 301b: Communication port 301c: Filter 302: Ink introduction pipe 303: First liquid level sensor 304: Second liquid level sensor 305: Third liquid level sensor 306: Sensor fixed shaft 307: Liquid crystal display Panel 308: Ink supply pipe 309: Holding step 4: Ink pack 41: Bellows hose 5: Block-shaped member 51: Block body 52: Neck 53: Head for mounting 6: Support plate 6a: Block mounting holes 61, 62 : Insertion hole 63: Insertion part 201: Image memory 202: Calculation part 03: display unit 203A～203h: display frame 2031: bar 204: image data analysis unit 205: reduced volume amount determination unit 206: storage unit 206A～206c: Table 207: print mode selection unit

Claims (16)

A recording head for ejecting ink; an ink tank for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head and having a replenishing port for replenishing the ink; and an ink amount detecting means for detecting the ink amount in the ink tank And ink supply means for supplying ink in the ink tank to the recording head, and drawing is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head based on image data. In an inkjet printer that issues a warning to replenish ink in the ink tank when it is detected that the replenishment amount has become necessary,
An ink usage amount calculating means for calculating an ink usage amount from the captured image data;
Decreasing volume amount determination for determining the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in the ink tank in order to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means Means,
An ink-jet printer comprising: a display unit that displays a determination result of the reduced volume amount determination unit.   The reduced volume amount determining means does not cause ink deterioration in the internal volume of the ink tank from the relationship between the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and the internal volume of the ink tank. 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein a volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in the ink tank for reducing the internal volume is determined. The ink tank is provided for each of a plurality of ink color types,
The ink use amount calculating means calculates an ink use amount for each ink color type from the image data,
The reduced volume amount determining means is configured to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank for each ink tank based on the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means. For each of the ink tanks for determining the volume of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in, determine the volume to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank;
3. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a determination result for each ink color type by the reduced volume amount determination unit.   The reduced volume amount determining means is based on the ink color type having the largest ink usage amount among the ink usage amounts for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means, and the ink color type used as the reference 4. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein a volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member is determined in accordance with a ratio of an ink usage amount of another ink color type to the ink usage amount. Mode selection means for selecting print modes with different resolutions at the time of drawing;
The reduced volume amount determining means determines the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and the print mode selected by the mode selection means. An ink jet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The determination result by the reduced volume amount determining means includes information on the arrangement height of the internal volume adjusting member in the ink tank in addition to the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member. The inkjet printer according to any one of 5. The internal volume adjusting member is a block-shaped member having a predetermined volume,
The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member determined by the reduced volume amount determining means is the number of the block-shaped members. The internal volume adjustment member is a bag-like container whose volume can be adjusted,
The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member determined by the reduced volume amount determining means is an adjustment amount of the volume of the bag-like container. An ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to a recording head that discharges ink and has a replenishing port for replenishing the ink, an ink amount detection unit that detects the amount of ink in the ink tank, and the ink tank An ink supply means for supplying the ink in the recording head to the ink tank, and when the ink amount detection means detects that the amount of ink replenishment has been reached, the ink tank is replenished with ink. In an ink supply device for an inkjet printer that issues a warning,
An ink use amount calculating means for calculating an ink use amount from image data to be drawn;
Decreasing volume amount determination for determining the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in the ink tank in order to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means Means,
An ink supply apparatus for an ink jet printer, comprising display means for displaying a determination result of the reduced volume amount determination means.   The reduced volume amount determining means does not cause ink deterioration in the internal volume of the ink tank from the relationship between the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and the internal volume of the ink tank. The ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to claim 9, wherein a volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in the ink tank in order to reduce the internal volume is determined. The ink tank is provided for each of a plurality of ink color types,
The ink use amount calculating means calculates an ink use amount for each ink color type from the image data,
The reduced volume amount determining means is configured to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank for each ink tank based on the ink usage amount for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means. For each of the ink tanks for determining the volume of the internal volume adjusting member to be disposed in, determine the volume to reduce the internal volume of the ink tank;
11. The ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to claim 9, wherein the display unit displays a determination result for each ink color type of the reduced volume amount determination unit.   The reduced volume amount determining means is based on the ink color type having the largest ink usage amount among the ink usage amounts for each ink color type calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means, and the ink color type used as the reference 12. The ink supply for an ink jet printer according to claim 9, wherein the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member is determined in accordance with a ratio of the ink usage amount of another ink color type to the ink usage amount of the ink volume. apparatus. Mode selection means for selecting print modes with different resolutions at the time of drawing;
The reduced volume amount determining means determines the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member based on the ink usage amount calculated by the ink usage amount calculating means and the print mode selected by the mode selection means. An ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to any one of claims 9 to 12.   10. The determination result by the reduced volume amount determining means includes information on the arrangement height of the internal volume adjusting member in the ink tank in addition to the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member. The ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to any one of 13. The internal volume adjusting member is a block-shaped member having a predetermined volume,
The ink supply device for an ink jet printer according to claim 9, wherein the volume amount of the internal volume adjusting member determined by the reduced volume amount determining means is the number of the block-shaped members. . The internal volume adjustment member is a bag-like container whose volume can be adjusted,
15. The inkjet printer according to claim 9, wherein the volume of the internal volume adjustment member determined by the reduced volume determination unit is an adjustment of the volume of the bag-like container. Ink supply device.

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