JP5448041B2 - Ink end detection apparatus and ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink end detection device and an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a mechanism and control for detecting an ink end of an ink cartridge in an ink jet recording apparatus that constantly supplies ink from an ink cartridge to an ejection head.

  As a well-known example of a droplet discharge device that discharges droplets from the nozzles of a discharge head, there is an inkjet recording device. This inkjet recording apparatus performs image formation and text printing by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles of an ejection head and attaching them to paper.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink cartridge that stores a large amount of ink and is detachably loaded in the apparatus is used. As an example of this ink cartridge, as proposed in Patent Document 1, many bag-shaped ink packs made of an elastically deformable film are employed.

  However, in such a bag-shaped ink pack, when the ink is consumed and stored, the ink is gradually reduced, so that the ink remains in the space caused by the wrinkles of the film forming the ink pack, and the ink still remains. In spite of this, the ink end is determined based on the determination condition based on the ink usage calculated from the print image information, and the replacement of the ink cartridge is notified and the remaining ink cartridge is replaced. There was a problem with sex. On the other hand, since the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack is ascertained only by the judgment condition based on the ink usage calculated from the print image information, the remaining amount of ink that can be printed does not remain in the ink pack. Printing continues, ink runs out in the middle of printing, printing is faint, wasteful printing is performed, and the recording medium must be discarded.

  The present invention is for solving these problems, and reduces the wasteful ink remaining amount as much as possible, eliminates the recording medium that must be discarded, and reduces the running cost to increase the economic efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink end detection device and an ink jet recording apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, an ink end detection device of the present invention, an ejection head that ejects ink droplets, for replenishing supplies ink in accordance with the consumption of Lee ink ejection head, detachable from the apparatus main body comprising an ink cartridge mounted to and used in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging onto a recording medium ink supplied from the ejection head from the ink cartridge, detecting the ink end of the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge in the ink end detection device of the present invention includes an inner bag portion that stores ink to be supplied to the ejection head, and the inner bag portion that is housed therein, and the inner bag portion is kept at a constant pressure by introducing gas. And an outer bag portion that constantly pressurizes and pushes out the ink in the inner bag portion. The ink end detection device is provided between an inner bag portion of the ink cartridge and a tube communicating with the ejection head, and includes an ink end detection portion that detects an ink end based on a change in the ink feeding pressure. The ink end detection unit allows ink sent from the ink cartridge into the ink flow path and is sent to the discharge head, and the predetermined volume for storing ink changes as the pressure of the tube changes. It has a balloon-shaped buffer formed using a flexible material, and a sensor that detects a predetermined value in the volume change of the buffer and detects an ink end. The buffer has an ink supply port and an ink discharge port. The ink discharge port is positioned higher than the ink supply port, and the ink discharge port is arranged at the uppermost position of the buffer. The position of the ink discharge port is always constant. The position of the ink supply port is displaced in the vertical direction according to the deformation of the buffer. The buffer is covered with a rigid cover, and the volume of the buffer is larger than the volume of the cover. When the ink in the inner bag of the ink cartridge is fed to the ejection head and the ink feeding pressure in the tube increases, When the ink supply pressure increases, the buffer expands along the inner shape of the cover, the ink in the inner bag of the ink cartridge decreases, and the ink supply pressure in the tube decreases. The sensor detects the ink end when the position of the ink supply port is raised due to reduction. Therefore, in the apparatus incorporating the ink end detection device, air can be excluded from the initial ink passing time, and air can be excluded from the ink end detection device even during use. Furthermore, since the ink supply port of the buffer rises due to the displacement of the buffer as the ink is consumed, air can be removed from the ink end detection device .

Further, it has a spring that urges the buffer upward, and a filler that is formed on the cover and interlocks with the movement of the buffer. The sensor is installed at a predetermined position to optically detect the filler.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ejection head that ejects ink droplets; and an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to an apparatus body that replenishes and supplies ink according to ink consumption. The ink supplied from is ejected from the ejection head onto the recording medium for recording. The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized by having the ink end detection device. Therefore, the running cost can be suppressed, and an ink jet recording apparatus excellent in economic efficiency can be provided.

The ink end detection device of the present invention can exclude air from the initial ink passage in an apparatus incorporating the ink end detection device, and can exclude air from the ink end detection device even during use. Furthermore, since the ink supply port of the buffer rises due to the displacement of the buffer as the ink is consumed, air can be removed from the ink end detection device .

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the ink supply mechanism part in the inkjet recording device of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the ink end detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the mode of a change of the ink end detection apparatus with respect to ink liquid feeding pressure. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ink end detection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of ink feeding pressure with respect to printing time. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the ink end detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ink end detection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the inkjet recording device carrying the ink end detection apparatus of this invention.

1; inkjet recording apparatus; 10; ink supply mechanism;
11: Liquid feeding assist pressure control unit, 12: Ink cartridge,
13: Ink end detection unit, 14: Ink head unit,
15; Tube, 21; Buffer, 22; Buffer part,
23; Spring, 24; Filler, 25; Sensor,
31; first buffer forming member; 32; second buffer forming member;
100: Inkjet recording apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the ink supply mechanism in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. The ink supply mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 2 mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a liquid feed assist pressure controller 11, an ink cartridge 12, and an ink end detector 13. . The liquid feed assist pressure control unit 11 is an air pump 11-1 for supplying air into an air bag of an ink cartridge described later, and an applied pressure of air supplied from the air pump 11-1 to an air bag described later. A pressure sensor 11-2 for detecting an assist pressure for assisting ink supply by pressurizing an ink back, which will be described later, and releasing and releasing the atmosphere to adjust the assist pressure based on a value detected by the pressure sensor 11-2. It is configured to include an opening valve 11-3 of a solenoid valve and a relief valve 11-4 that opens to the atmosphere when excessive pressure is applied by a mechanical structure. The ink cartridge 12 covers the ink back 12-1 containing the ink of each color and the ink back 12-1, and the ink back 12-1 covers the ink back 12-1 by the assist pressure by the air supplied from the air pump 11-1. An air bag 12-2 that pressurizes the ink in the ink bag 12-1 by being pressurized from the outside, and the ink bag 12-1 and the air bag 12-2 for each ink color or a plurality of ink colors are housings. 12-3. Furthermore, the ink end detection unit 13 includes an ink end detection device 13-1 that detects each ink end, and each ink back 12-1 in the ink cartridge 12 and each ink head 14-1 in the ink head unit 14 are included. Are provided between the tubes 15 communicating with each other, and detects an ink end based on a change in ink feeding pressure. Note that the ink end does not mean that the ink in the ink bag has run out, but includes a near end where printing with the remaining ink is impossible.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the ink end detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ink end detection device 13-1 shown in FIG. 6A has an ink supply port and an ink discharge port as shown in FIG. 5B, and prints a solid image on, for example, A1 size recording paper. A buffer 21 for storing a predetermined amount of ink of 4 cc or more of the amount of ink required to perform is formed, and a buffer portion 22 that is a cover made of a rigid body such as a resin material as shown in FIG. A spring 23 for urging the buffer 21, a filler 24 formed in the buffer portion 22 and interlocking with the movement of the buffer 21, and a sensor 25 that is installed at a predetermined position and optically detects the filler 24. It is comprised including. In the ink end detection device 13-1, the ink discharge port is positioned higher than the ink supply port, and the ink discharge port is arranged at the uppermost position of the buffer 21, so that the initial value of the device incorporating the ink end detection device can be reduced. Air can be excluded from the time of ink flow. The buffer 21 is formed by using a flexible member such as a film material or a rubber material, and is configured by using an ink discharge port component and an ink supply port component using a material that keeps a shape such as a resin. Yes.

  According to the ink end detection device of the present embodiment having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4A, the ink feeding pressure is applied to the ink flow path, and the ink in the buffer 21 is transferred to the ink feeding liquid. As the pressure increases, the buffer 21 expands along the inner shape of the buffer portion 22. Next, when the ink in the ink back of the ink cartridge is reduced and the ink feeding pressure is reduced in the ink flow path, the buffer 21 is deformed by the urging force of the spring 23 as shown in FIG. Come. The filler 24 moves along with the deformation to block the optical path in the sensor 26 to detect the ink end. Further, the ink in the ink back of the ink cartridge is reduced, the ink feeding pressure is reduced in the ink flow path, the buffer 21 is further deformed as shown in FIG. 4C, and the ink in the buffer 21 is used up. It will almost disappear.

Next, the operation of the ink end detection device of the first embodiment having the configuration as shown in FIG. 3 will be outlined according to FIG. 5 showing the operation flow.
First, when ink is sufficiently stored in each ink bag 12-1 in the ink cartridge 12 of FIG. 2, the air supplied from the air pump 11-1 is supplied to the air bag 12-2, and the air pressure is constant. As a result, the air bag 12-2 presses the outside of the ink bag 12-1. When the ink back 12-1 is pressed from the outside, the ink in the ink back 12-1 is constant as shown by point A in FIG. 6 which is a characteristic diagram of the ink feeding pressure with respect to the printing time. The ink is pushed out by the ink feeding pressure and fed to the ink head 14-1 through the ink end detection device 13-1 and the tube 15. When the ink in the ink bag 12-1 gradually decreases as the ink is printed, and the ink in the ink bag 12-1 of a certain ink is reduced, the tube 15 communicated with the ink bag 12-1. When the ink supply pressure starts to decrease from the point B in FIG. 6 and the ink end detection device 13-1 detects the ink end at the point C in FIG. 6 (step S101; YES), the print image to be printed Based on the amount of ink used calculated from the information, it is determined whether printing can be completed with the amount of ink stored in the buffer unit included in the ink end detection device shown in FIG. 3 (step S102). If the printing can be completed, the printing is continued (step S102; YES, step S103). Thereafter, it is determined whether there is still print data to be printed (step S104), and if there is, the process returns to step S102 (step S104; YES, step S102). If there is no print data (step S104; NO), and if printing cannot be completed in step S102 (step S102; NO), it is regarded as an ink end, and the user is notified of the replacement of the ink cartridge by display or the like (step S105). . In step S102, since the volume of ink stored in the buffer unit included in the ink end detection device is recognized in advance, the amount of ink that can be printed on one sheet of recording paper is determined from the print image information. It is determined whether or not printing can be completed by comparing the calculated ink amount and the remaining ink amount in the buffer unit.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows a configuration of an ink end detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 denote the same components. The buffer unit 22 in the ink end detection device 13-1 shown in the figure includes a first buffer forming member 31 formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and a second buffer forming member formed of a rigid body such as a resin material. 32. It is assumed that the volume of the buffer unit 22 is, for example, 0.2 cc and is small, and printing is almost impossible with the amount of ink in the buffer unit 22. According to the ink end detection device of the present embodiment having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the ink is sufficiently stored in each ink back in the ink cartridge, the ink flow path The ink feeding pressure is applied to the ink, and the ink in the buffer 21 is increased, so that the first buffer forming member 31 forming the buffer portion 22 is pressed and overcomes the elastic force of the spring 23 to cause the filler 24 to move. The sensor 25 is maintained at an undetected position. However, the ink in the ink back of the ink cartridge is reduced, the ink feeding pressure is reduced in the ink flow path, and the first buffer forming member 31 is deformed by the elastic force of the spring 23 as shown in FIG. Then, along with the deformation, the filler 24 moves to block the optical path of the sensor 25, thereby detecting the ink end.

Next, the operation of the ink end detection device of the second embodiment having the configuration as shown in FIG. 7 will be outlined according to FIG. 8 showing the operation flow.
First, when ink is sufficiently stored in each ink bag 12-1 in the ink cartridge 12 of FIG. 2, the ink is pushed out with a constant ink feeding pressure and passes through the ink end detection device 13-1 and the tube 15. Liquid is fed to the ink head 14-1. In the ink end detection device 13-1 at this time, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first buffer forming member 31 is pressed by the ink feeding pressure, and the filler 24 is the sensor 25. It is maintained at the undetected position. When the ink in the ink bag 12-1 in FIG. 2 gradually decreases along with the printing operation and the ink in the ink bag 12-1 of a certain ink decreases, the ink bag 12-1 communicates with the ink bag 12-1. When the ink feeding pressure in the tube 15 to be started to decrease and the first buffer forming member 31 starts to deform, the filler 24 closes the optical path of the sensor 25 and detects the ink end (step S201; YES), printing is performed. The remaining printable ink amount is calculated based on the ink usage calculated from the power print image information (step S202). Then, it is determined whether printing can be completed with the calculated remaining ink amount (step S203). If printing can be completed, printing is continued (step S203; YES, step S204). Thereafter, it is determined whether there is still print data to be printed (step S205), and if there is, the process returns to step S202 (step S205; YES, step S202). If there is no print data (step S204; NO), and if printing cannot be completed in step S203 (step S203; NO), it is regarded as an ink end, and the user is notified of the replacement of the ink cartridge by display or the like (step S206). .

  FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to another invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same components. The ink jet recording apparatus 100 of the present invention shown in the figure is equipped with the ink end detection device 13-1 described above, and the ink end detection device 13-1 is laid out at a position below the ink cartridge 12 and the ink head unit 14. Has been. Therefore, even when the ink remaining in the buffer in the ink end detection device 13-1 is not applied with ink feeding pressure such as when the device is turned off or in an energy saving mode, Ink leakage from the connection port from which the ink cartridge 12 is removed can be prevented.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It cannot be overemphasized that various deformation | transformation and substitution are possible if it is description in a claim.

JP 2002-120382 A

Claims (3)

An ejection head that ejects ink droplets, and an ink cartridge that is removably attached to the apparatus main body for replenishing and supplying ink according to the consumption of ink by the ejection head, are supplied from the ink cartridge. In an ink end detection device for detecting an ink end of the ink cartridge, which is used in an ink jet recording apparatus that records ink by discharging ink from the discharge head onto a recording medium,
The ink cartridge has an inner bag portion for storing ink to be supplied to the ejection head, and the inner bag portion is accommodated therein, and the inner bag portion is constantly pressurized at a constant pressure by introducing gas. An outer bag portion for extruding ink in the inner bag portion,
The ink end detection device includes:
An ink end detection unit that is provided between a tube communicating with the inner bag portion and the ejection head in the ink cartridge and detects the ink end based on a change in ink feeding pressure;
The ink head detector is
Ink sent from the ink cartridge into the ink flow path flows into the discharge head, and a predetermined volume for storing ink changes with a change in the pressure of the tube. A balloon-shaped buffer formed using the sensor, and a sensor for detecting the ink end by detecting a predetermined value in the volume change of the buffer,
The buffer includes an ink supply port and an ink discharge port, the ink discharge port is positioned higher than the ink supply port, and the ink discharge port is disposed at the uppermost position of the buffer. The position is always fixed at a fixed position, and the position of the ink supply port is displaced in the vertical direction according to the deformation of the buffer,
The buffer is covered with a rigid cover, the volume of the buffer being larger than the volume of the cover;
When the ink in the inner bag portion of the ink cartridge is fed to the ejection head and the ink feeding pressure in the tube increases, the ink feeding pressure is increased by the ink in the buffer, and the buffer Expands along the inner shape of the cover,
When the ink in the inner bag portion of the ink cartridge is reduced and the ink feeding pressure in the tube is reduced, the buffer is reduced and the position of the ink supply port is raised, whereby the sensor is moved to the ink end. An ink end detection device characterized by detecting an ink. A spring that urges the buffer upward; and a filler that is formed on the cover and interlocks with the movement of the buffer. The sensor is installed at a predetermined position to optically detect the filler. The ink end detection device according to claim 1. An ejection head that ejects Lee ink droplets, ink comprises an ink cartridge that is removably attached to the replenishment supply apparatus main body in accordance with the consumption of ink, the ink supplied from the ink cartridge from the ejection head In an inkjet recording apparatus that records by discharging onto a recording medium,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the ink end detection device according to claim 1 .

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