JP6540713B2 - Degassing device and inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a degassing apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a degassing device is provided in an ink flow path of an ink jet recording apparatus. When the ink contains a gas (air), there arises a problem that the discharge failure of the ink from the nozzle opening occurs due to the factor that the pressure applied when discharging the ink is not properly transmitted to the ink. By providing a degassing device and removing the gas in the ink, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such a state and eject the ink normally.

  In the degassing apparatus, conventionally, a gas permeable membrane is used to contact one side with the ink, and the other side sucks the gas with a vacuum pump (vacuum suction unit) to vacuum the gas in the flowing ink. There is a large number of devices that have a configuration in which suction and degassing are performed. In this degassing apparatus, the pressure difference always occurs on both sides of a very thin (eg, about 10 μm) gas permeable membrane, and the like, mainly due to the defect of the gas permeable membrane and the increase in the period of use. Deterioration or damage may occur due to, for example. When deterioration or damage occurs, the ink leaks to the pressure reducing side, and the degassing performance decreases to cause ejection failure, and furthermore, the ink is not supplied or discharged, and such deterioration or damage is caused. It is necessary to detect and stop image formation.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a gas-liquid separator (chamber) provided on the pressure reducing side in consideration of the fact that the permeation amount of liquid (ink) gradually increases as the gas permeable membrane gradually deteriorates. There is disclosed a technique for detecting the deterioration of the gas permeable membrane by detecting the change in the amount of liquid stored in the inside of the apparatus with a sensor.
In addition, as a method of detecting a sudden leak due to breakage of a gas-permeable membrane, in Patent Document 2, the bottom of a chamber provided on the depressurization side is inclined, and the leaked ink is provided at the lowest part of the inclined surface. There is disclosed a technique for detecting an ink leak by quickly dropping it into a vacuum suction port. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a degassing apparatus including a vacuum suction unit that is switched on and off periodically according to increase or decrease of the degree of vacuum, when the switching cycle deviates from within a reference time. A technique is disclosed that issues a warning upon determining that an abnormality has occurred.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-85011 JP 2007-152182 A JP, 2010-58413, A

  However, in these conventional techniques, it takes time to measure the amount of change in pressure and the integrated amount of ink leak, and there is a problem that the ink leak can not be detected promptly.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a degassing apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus capable of detecting an ink leak more quickly.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is
A gas permeable degassing film which is provided in the middle of the ink flow path and one surface of which is in contact with the ink in the ink flow path;
A vacuum suction unit,
The vacuum suction portion is connected to the surface opposite to the one surface of the degassing film, and the ink is desorbed from the ink according to the suction operation of the vacuum suction portion and desorbed after passing through the degassing film A vacuum path through which the gas flows,
A leak detection unit that detects ink leak to the vacuum path;
Equipped with
The leak detection unit is
A detection unit that detects a state in the vacuum path and acquires a measurement value according to the state;
A comparison value calculation unit that calculates a comparison value to be compared with the latest measurement value based on a history of past measurement values;
A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of ink leakage from the degassed film based on the comparison result of the latest measurement value and the comparison value;
It is a deaerator characterized by including.

The invention according to claim 2 is the degassing apparatus according to claim 1.
The determination unit may determine the presence or absence of the ink leakage based on whether a difference between the latest measurement value and the comparison value is equal to or more than a predetermined reference difference.

The invention according to claim 3 is the deaerator according to claim 2.
The reference difference may be set to have a predetermined ratio to the comparison value.

The invention according to claim 4 is the deaerator according to claim 2 or 3.
An A / D converter for converting the measured value into a digital signal at a predetermined sampling frequency;
A storage unit that stores at least a predetermined number of latest measurement values among the digitally converted measurement values;
Equipped with
The comparison value calculation unit is characterized in that the comparison value is calculated by performing predetermined weighted averaging of the measurement values stored in the storage unit.

The invention according to claim 5 is the deaerator according to claim 4.
The comparison value calculation unit is characterized in that the predetermined weighted averaging is performed with a weight that is reduced according to an increase in elapsed time from the time of income of the measurement value to the time of calculation of the comparison value.

The invention according to claim 6 is the deaerator according to claim 4 or 5.
The comparison value calculation unit is characterized in that, among the measurement values, an elapsed time from the time of acquisition of the measurement value to the time of calculation of the comparison value is used to calculate the comparison value using one having a predetermined upper limit time or less. And

The invention according to claim 7 is the deaerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The detection unit includes a light emitting unit that causes light of a predetermined wavelength to enter the vacuum path, and a light receiving unit that receives the transmitted light after the incident light passes through at least a part of the vacuum path. It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 8 is the deaerator according to claim 7.
The light emitting unit is characterized in that infrared light is made incident as the light of the predetermined wavelength.

The invention according to claim 9 is the degassing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
In the middle of the vacuum path, a chamber for separating the desorbed gas and the liquid is provided,
The detection unit is characterized by detecting a state in the vacuum path closer to the degassed membrane than the chamber.

The invention according to claim 10 is
The degassing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A recording head provided downstream of the ink flow path for discharging the ink;
An inkjet recording apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 11 relates to the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10.
The printing apparatus may further include an operation control unit that controls an ink discharge operation of the recording head and stops the operation of the recording head when the ink leakage is detected by the leakage detection unit.

The invention according to claim 12 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 11.
The operation control unit may stop the operation of the recording head after the end of the discharge of the ink related to the formation of the formation target image formed by the recording head at the timing when the ink leakage is detected.

The invention according to claim 13 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 11 or 12.
A notification unit for performing a predetermined notification operation;
The operation control unit is characterized by causing the notification unit to perform the predetermined notification operation when stopping the operation of the recording head.

  According to the present invention, in the degassing apparatus and the inkjet recording apparatus, it is possible to detect the ink leak more quickly.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the inkjet recording device of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the flow path of ink. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure inside the degassing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the composition concerning measurement by a detection part. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus. It is a graph which shows the example of the time change of the light reception amount measured by the light-receiving part. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of ink leak detection processing. It is a figure explaining the modification of the composition concerning measurement by a detection part. It is a modification of the block diagram which shows the function structure of an inkjet recording device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
First, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a sheet feeding unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a sheet discharging unit 30, a control unit 40 (see FIG. 5), an ink supply unit 50, and the like. In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the image forming unit 20 uses the ink supplied from the ink supply unit 50 to the recording medium P transported from the paper supply unit 10 to the image forming unit 20 under the control of the control unit 40. After the image is formed, the recording medium P is discharged to the paper discharge unit 30.

  The sheet feeding unit 10 holds a recording medium P on which an image is formed, and supplies the recording medium P to the image forming unit 20 before the image formation. The paper feed unit 10 includes a paper feed tray 11 and a transport unit 12.

  The paper feed tray 11 is a plate-like member provided so as to be capable of mounting one or more recording media P thereon. The paper feed tray 11 is provided to move up and down in accordance with the amount of the recording medium P placed thereon, and is held at a position where the uppermost recording medium P is conveyed by the conveyance unit 12.

  The transport unit 12 is mounted on a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium P on the belt 123 by rotating the annular belt 123 by a plurality of (for example, two) rollers 121 and 122, and the paper feed tray 11. It has a supply unit that delivers the top recording medium P to the belt 123. The transport unit 12 transports the recording medium P delivered to the belt 123 by the supply unit as the belt 123 rotates.

  The image forming unit 20 discharges ink onto the recording medium P to form an image. The image forming unit 20 includes an image forming drum 21, a delivery unit 22, a sheet heating unit 23, a head unit 24, an irradiation unit 25, a delivery unit 26 and the like.

  The image forming drum 21 carries the recording medium P along the cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and conveys the recording medium P as it rotates. The conveyance surface of the image forming drum 21 faces the sheet heating unit 23, the head unit 24, and the irradiation unit 25, and performs processing related to image formation on the recording medium P to be conveyed.

  The delivery unit 22 is provided at a position between the transport unit 12 of the paper feed unit 10 and the image forming drum 21, and delivers the recording medium P transported by the transport unit 12 to the image forming drum 21. The delivery unit 22 is a cylindrical delivery drum for delivering the recording medium P carried by the swing arm unit 221 or the swing arm unit 221 carrying one end of the recording medium P carried by the carrying unit 12 to the image forming drum 21. The recording medium P on the transport unit 12 is picked up by the swing arm unit 221 and delivered to the delivery drum 222 by guiding the recording medium P along the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 to form an image. Deliver to drum 21.

  The sheet heating unit 23 heats the recording medium P carried on the image forming drum 21. The sheet heating unit 23 includes, for example, an infrared heater or the like, and generates heat in response to energization. The sheet heating unit 23 is provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 and on the upstream side of the head unit 24 in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P by the rotation of the image forming drum 21. The heat generation of the sheet heating unit 23 is controlled by the control unit 40 so that the recording medium P carried on the image forming drum 21 and passing near the sheet heating unit 23 has a predetermined temperature.

The head unit 24 discharges ink to the recording medium P carried on the image forming drum 21 to form an image. The head unit 24 is provided for each of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). In FIG. 1, head units 24 corresponding to the respective colors Y, M, C, and K are provided in order from the upstream with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P conveyed as the image forming drum 21 rotates.
The head unit 24 of the present embodiment is provided with a length (width) that covers the entire recording medium P in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P. That is, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a one-pass type line head type ink jet recording apparatus. Each head unit 24 is provided with a plurality of recording heads 24a (see FIG. 2), and on the surface facing the transport surface of the plurality of recording heads 24a, recording media at predetermined intervals in the width direction as a whole The nozzle openings are arranged across the image formable width to P.

  The irradiation unit 25 irradiates an energy ray for curing the ink (here, the ultraviolet curable ink) discharged from the head unit 24 onto the recording medium P. The irradiation part 25 has fluorescent tubes, such as a low pressure mercury lamp, for example, makes the said fluorescent tube light, and irradiates energy rays, such as an ultraviolet-ray. The irradiation unit 25 is provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 and on the downstream side of the head unit 24 with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P by the rotation of the image forming drum 21.

  As a fluorescent tube for emitting ultraviolet light, a mercury lamp having an operating pressure of about several hundred Pa to 1 MPa besides a low pressure mercury lamp, a light source usable as a germicidal lamp, a cold cathode tube, an ultraviolet laser light source, a metal halide lamp, a light emitting diode etc. Can be mentioned. Among these, a light source (for example, a light emitting diode etc.) capable of irradiating ultraviolet light with higher illuminance and consuming less power is more desirable. The energy ray is not limited to the ultraviolet ray, but may be any energy ray having the property of curing the ink according to the property of the ink, and the light source is also replaced according to the wavelength of the energy ray or the like.

  The delivery unit 26 conveys the recording medium P irradiated with the energy rays by the irradiation unit 25 from the image forming drum 21 to the paper discharge unit 30. The delivery unit 26 rotates a ring-shaped belt 263 by a plurality of (for example, two) rollers 261 and 262 to convey the recording medium P on the belt 263, and the recording medium P from the image forming drum 21. It has a cylindrical delivery drum 264 and the like for delivering to the transport mechanism. The delivery unit 26 conveys the recording medium P delivered to the belt 263 by the delivery drum 264 by the belt 263 and delivers the recording medium P to the paper discharge unit 30.

  The paper discharge unit 30 stores the recording medium P delivered from the image forming unit 20 by the delivery unit 26. The paper discharge unit 30 has a plate-like paper discharge tray 31 and the like, and places the recording medium P after image formation on the paper discharge tray 31.

The control unit 40 controls the operation of each unit of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and controls the overall operation. The control unit 40 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 401, a read only memory (ROM) 402, a storage unit 403, and the like (see FIG. 4). The storage unit 403 may include rewritable non-volatile memory in addition to volatile memory such as DRAM and SRAM. Nonvolatile memory stores setting data, log data, and the like that are not erased during power off.
In the control unit 40, the program read from the ROM 402 by the CPU 401 is executed on the RAM of the storage unit 403, and various control processes are executed.
As described later, the control unit 40 operates as the operation control unit 400a, the comparison value calculation unit 400b, and the determination unit 400c (FIG. 5), and performs operation control related to the detection of ink leakage in the deaerator 24c.

  The ink supply unit 50 stores the ink and supplies the ink to the head unit 24 of the image forming unit 20. The ink supply unit 50 is provided for the ink of each color, and can discharge the ink of each color from a plurality of nozzle openings arranged in each of the recording heads 24 a of the corresponding head unit 24.

  The ink used in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but here, as described above, it is an ultraviolet (UV) curable ink, and in the state where UV is not irradiated, the ink is used according to the temperature. It is an ink that undergoes a phase change between the gel state and the liquid (sol) state. For example, this ink has a predetermined temperature, for example, a phase change temperature of about 40 degrees to 100 degrees, and is uniformly liquefied (solified) by being heated and raised above the phase change temperature. The gelation occurs at or below the predetermined temperature including room temperature (0 degrees to 30 degrees). This ink is manufactured by various known methods. Alternatively, the ink may be kept liquid over the entire use temperature.

  FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the flow path of the ink in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the ink of each color pumped out from the ink tank 51 of the ink supply unit 50 by the supply pump 52 is transferred to the corresponding recording head 24 a of the corresponding head unit 24 via the ink flow path 24 b. Supplied to Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is configured to be capable of returning the ink not ejected by each recording head 24 a to the ink flow path 24 b.

  The ink flow path 24b is provided with a second sub tank 241, a degassing module 242, a liquid feed pump 243, a check valve 244, a first sub tank 245, and the like. These are connected in order by, but not limited to, a hollow circular tube structure (liquid transfer tube). Further, the ink not ejected from the nozzle opening of the recording head 24a is returned from the outlet 240b to the second sub tank 241 through the recovery path 241b and the valve 241c. When it is necessary to remove the ink from the recording head 24a at the time of maintenance of the recording head 24a or the like, it is possible to collect the ink of the recording head 24a without wasting it by opening the valve 241c.

  The second sub tank 241 is one or more ink chambers for storing the ink pumped out of the ink tank 51 by the supply pump 52. The volume of the second sub tank 241 is usually smaller than the ink tank 51. The ejected ink is heated in the ink heating unit 27 by the ink heater from the time it is stored in the second sub tank 241 to the time it is ejected by the recording head 24a, and it is in a solified state or a liquid having an appropriate viscosity. Maintained.

  The degassing module 242 performs degassing to remove the gas in the ink flowing from the second sub tank 241. The degassed ink is sent to the first sub tank 245 through the check valve 244 by the liquid feed pump 243.

  The liquid feed pump 243 sends the ink degassed by the degassing module 242 to the first sub tank 245. A check valve 244 provided between the liquid feed pump 243 and the first sub tank 245 prevents the ink sent to the first sub tank 245 from flowing back.

  The first sub tank 245 is a small ink chamber in which the ink degassed by the degassing module 242 is temporarily stored, and is not particularly limited, but has a capacity substantially the same as that of the second sub tank 241. is there. The first sub tank 245 is connected to the inlet 240 a of each recording head 24 a by a liquid transfer tube, and ink corresponding to the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle opening of each recording head 24 a is supplied to the recording head 24 a.

On the other hand, the degassing module 242 is connected to the atmosphere communication unit 247, the chamber 248, and the vacuum suction unit 249. A vacuum tube 24c1 is connected between them to form a vacuum path from the degassing module 242 to the vacuum suction unit 249. The suction operation of the vacuum suction unit 249 removes the gas from the ink in the degassing module 242, and the removed gas (desorbed gas) flows through the vacuum path. A detection unit 2461 is provided in a tube that connects the degassing module 242 to the atmosphere communication unit 247 and the chamber 248. The vacuum suction unit 249 does not necessarily need to bring the inside of the vacuum path to an ultra-high vacuum state, and performs a pressure reduction to a degree necessary for degassing.
The degassing module 242, the detection unit 2461, the vacuum suction unit 249, the vacuum tube 24c1, and the control unit 40 (comparison value calculation unit 400b, determination unit 400c) constitute a degassing device 24c. Further, a leak detection unit 246 is configured by the detection unit 2461 and the control unit 40 as the comparison value calculation unit 400b and the determination unit 400c.

  The atmosphere communication portion 247 is a valve (atmospheric communication valve) whose atmosphere communication state is switched by the opening and closing operation, and is released from the closed state (opened) to be sucked by the vacuum suction portion 249 to be reduced in pressure. The inside (vacuum path) of a certain degassing device 24c is communicated with the outside (atmosphere). By using an electromagnetic valve or the like for the atmosphere communication unit 247, the opening and closing operation may be performed not only manually but also automatically controlled by the control unit 40.

  The chamber 248 separates the liquid from the gas when not only the gas but also the liquid is drawn from the degassing module 242 and flows into the vacuum path, and the liquid is drawn into the vacuum suction unit 249 so that the vacuum suction unit 249 is a trap that plays a role in preventing problems such as destruction. The chamber 248 is, for example, in the form of a small tank, and liquid is stored at the bottom thereof. The chamber 248 is formed to be able to discharge the stored liquid by opening a discharge hole (not shown).

  The vacuum suction unit 249 sucks and degasses the gas so that the inside of the vacuum path from the degassing module 242 to the vacuum suction unit 249 is maintained in the range of a predetermined negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure in the degassing device 24c. Discharge to the outside of the device 24c. A normal vacuum pump can be used for the vacuum suction unit 249, and the operation of the vacuum suction unit 249 is controlled by the control unit 40.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the internal structure cut at a plane passing through the central axis of the cylindrical degassing module 242.
In the inside of the outer shell 2421, the degassing module 242 is shaped such that a gas permeable degassing membrane 2426 consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes covers the periphery of the central pipe 2424. One end of the central tube 2424 is connected to the ink inlet 2422 and the other is sealed by a plug 2424 a. The outer wall of the central tube 2424 is provided with innumerable fine holes 2424 b (perforated holes), and the ink which has flowed into the central tube 2424 from the ink inlet 242 flows out to the periphery from these fine holes 2424 b and is deaerated. It passes between the membranes 2426 and flows out of the ink outlet 2423.

  The degassing membrane 2426 has a large number of hollow fine thread structures closed at one end, and the membrane surface has gas permeability. The other end of the fine yarn structure of the degassing film 2426 is connected to the gas outlet 2425, and the inside of the fine yarn structure of the degassing film 2426 is decompressed by the gas in the vacuum path being sucked by the vacuum suction unit 249. Ru. In this state, when the ink comes in contact with the film surface (the outer surface of the fine hollow fiber structure) of the degassing film 2426, only the gas in the ink is selectively transmitted through the film surface to degas the ink. That is, by providing a large number of fine degassing films 2426, the contact area between the ink and the film surface can be expanded, and the degassing can be performed efficiently.

  In the degassing film 2426, the liquid component (mainly, monomer) of the ink may leak slightly to the vacuum path side reduced in pressure by the vacuum suction unit 249 together with the gas component. Further, the degassing film 2426 is deteriorated and the amount of leakage of the ink is increased. Further, when the degassing film 2426 is broken, the ink flows out to the vacuum path at a stretch.

  The detection unit 2461 measures the liquid flowing in the vacuum tube 24c1 from the degassing module 242 to the chamber 248. The detection unit 2461 is provided on the side of the degassing module 242 in the vacuum path rather than the chamber 248, in particular, for the vacuum tube 24c1 closest to the degassing module 242, and the gas removed from the ink by the degassing module 242 When the ink (liquid) is mixed with the ink, a sensor capable of detecting the passage of the ink directly or indirectly is provided. Further, the position at which the detection unit 2461 is provided in the vacuum tube 24c1 is different from the degassing module 242 (degassed film 2426) in the vertical direction (that is, the position coordinate of the vertical axis is different in the positive direction). The vacuum tube 24c1 provided at the position where the degassing module 242 is higher than the degassing module 242 to the position where the detection unit 2461 is provided is vertically extended with a height difference ( It is preferable that the arrangement does not have to be along the vertical direction). As a result, even when the suction is not performed, the ink and the components passing through the position of the detection unit 2461 can easily move in the gravity direction.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a configuration related to measurement by the detection unit 2461.
Here, the arrangement with respect to the cross section of the vacuum tube 24c1 connected from the degassing module 242 to the atmosphere communication portion 247 is schematically shown.

  The detection unit 2461 includes a light emitting unit 2461 a and a light receiving unit 2461 b, which are connected in series with appropriate resistance elements 2466 and 2467 between the applied voltage Vcc and the ground unit 2465, respectively, with the vacuum tube 24c1 interposed therebetween. It is provided in the opposite position. An amplifier 2463 and an A / D conversion unit (analog-digital converter) 2464 are sequentially connected to the detection unit 2461 (light receiving unit 2461 b), and the measurement value is output to the control unit 40.

  The light emitting unit 2461 a is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and emits a light of a predetermined wavelength at an intensity according to the magnitude of the current by applying an operating voltage to flow a current. The wavelength band is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a wavelength in the infrared region. Infrared light has little influence from external sources (disturbances), so detection of ink in the vacuum tube is possible easily and accurately. Alternatively, in the case of using visible light, the degassing devices 24c provided for the ink flow paths 24b of each color are different in consideration of the absorptivity or scattering rate of light according to the color or component of the ink. The measurement of the ink may be performed using light of a wavelength.

The light receiving unit 2461 b is, for example, a phototransistor, receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 2461 a, and outputs a current corresponding to the amount of light received. It is preferable that the light receiving unit 2461 b has high sensitivity to the light of the light emitting unit 2461 a and low sensitivity to light of other wavelength bands.
At this time, the vacuum tube 24c1 is formed of a transparent material with respect to the wavelength band of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 2461a at least between the light emitting surface of the light emitting unit 2461a and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 2461b. Therefore, when the amount of light emitted from the light emitting portion 2461a is constant, the amount of light received (measured value) by the light receiving portion 2461b is a component that passes through the measurement location (predetermined location) of the vacuum tube 24c1. It will decrease (change) by absorption or scattering according to the amount of the component (detection amount).
Alternatively, the light emitting unit 2461 a and the light receiving unit 2461 b (or the entire detection unit 2461) are integrally formed with a connector for connecting two vacuum tubes 24c1, and light emitted from the light emitting unit 2461 a is a vacuum path inside the connector Or the light receiving surface of the light emitting unit 2461 a and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 2461 b may be embedded in the interior of the vacuum tube 24 c 1.

The amplifier 2463 amplifies a division of the applied voltage Vcc output according to the current output according to the amount of received light in the light receiving unit 2461b.
The A / D conversion unit 2464 converts the amplified voltage into a digital value at a predetermined sampling frequency, and outputs the digital value to the control unit 40.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

  The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a conveyance drive unit 41, a head drive unit 42, a communication unit 43, an operation display unit 441, a notification output unit 442, a sheet heating unit 23, and an irradiation unit with respect to the control unit 40. 25, an ink heater driving unit 27a, a supply pump 52, a second float sensor 241a, a first float sensor 245a, a liquid feeding pump 243, a detecting unit 2461, a communicating unit driving unit 247a, and a vacuum suction unit 249 are connected via the bus 49.

  The conveyance drive unit 41 operates each unit for conveying the recording medium P. That is, the conveyance drive unit 41 includes a rotation motor of the image forming drum 21 and a rotation drive unit of at least a part of the rollers 121, 122, 261, 262, and the like. Then, the sheet is moved to the sheet discharge unit 30 at a set speed. The transport speed can be variable according to the mode of image formation. In addition, there may be a portion in which the conveying speed is different between the sheet feeding unit 10 and the sheet discharging unit 30.

  The head drive unit 42 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzle openings provided in the recording head 24 a of each head unit 24. For example, the head drive unit 42 applies an ink flow path by applying a predetermined voltage waveform to a pressure application mechanism (such as a piezoelectric element) provided along the ink flow path communicating with the nozzle opening in the recording head 24 a. Is deformed to apply pressure to the ink in the ink flow path, and the ink is ejected from the nozzle opening of the ink ejection target.

  The communication unit 43 is for performing communication between the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and an external device, and includes a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like. For example, the communication unit 43 receives, from an external device, image data to be subjected to image formation and data of a print job relating to print settings of the image data, and the like. When transmitting status information such as an abnormality, processing concerning transmission and reception of the data is performed.

  The operation display unit 441 is used by the user to directly input settings and the like related to the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and to display the above-described status information. The operation display unit 441 performs various displays on the display screen according to the control signal from the control unit 40 as the display unit 441b, and a touch sensor provided overlapping the display screen as the operation detection unit 441a. The user's touch operation, its type and position are acquired and used as an operation signal to the control unit 40.

The notification output unit 442 is for performing a predetermined notification operation, and for example, an audio output unit that generates a buzzer sound or a beep sound, an LED lamp that can light and blink light of a predetermined wavelength, and the like. Prepare.
A notification unit 440 is configured by the display unit 441 b and the notification output unit 442 described above.

  The ink heater drive unit 27 a operates the ink heater according to the control signal from the control unit 40 to heat the ink in the ink heating unit 27. The ink heating unit 27 is provided with one or more temperature sensors, and the control unit 40 causes the ink heater driving unit 27a to switch the on / off of the ink heater according to the temperature of the ink measured by the temperature sensor. Keep the ink at the proper temperature.

  The second float sensor 241 a and the first float sensor 245 a respectively measure the amount of ink inside the second sub tank 241 and the first sub tank 245. The control unit 40 intermittently operates the supply pump 52 and the liquid feed pump 243 so that the amounts of ink inside the second sub tank 241 and the first sub tank 245 fall within the set range.

  The communication unit drive unit 247 a opens and closes the atmosphere communication unit 247 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 40. For example, when the atmosphere communication unit 247 is a solenoid valve, the communication unit drive unit 247a supplies power for operating the solenoid valve.

  Next, the operation of the degassing device 24c and the detection of ink leakage to the degassing device 24c will be described.

  The degassing device 24c continuously discharges the vacuum suction portion 249 during a preparation period and a predetermined standby time after the completion of the ink ejection operation, while the ink ejection operation from the recording head 24a is being performed. Perform operation related to degassing. In the deaerator 24c, the operation of detecting the ink leak is performed over the operation period of the vacuum suction unit 249 and the time after the operation is completed until the pressure reduction state in the vacuum path is canceled. Alternatively, even during the stop period of the vacuum suction unit 249, the ink leaks over the period during which the power supply of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is turned on, except when operating in a special operation mode related to abnormality occurrence or maintenance. The detection operation may be continued.

In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the light reception amount measurement of the light reception unit 2461b in the detection unit 2461 is continuously performed, a change in the light reception amount is acquired, and the change is substantially detected by detecting an abnormal light reception amount change. In real time, check for ink leakage without delay.
Note that the measurement value may be raw data acquired at a sampling frequency equal to the acquisition frequency of the measurement value according to the A / D converter 2464 as long as the measurement value is acquired in real time without any delay, or acquisition of the measurement value The values acquired at frequencies higher than the frequency may be averaged, the median may be used, or the remaining values excluding the maximum / minimum value may be averaged.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the time change of the amount of received light measured by the light receiving unit 2461 b of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  As described above, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 2461 b indicates the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 2461 a transmitted through the vacuum tube 24 c 1, and the light (the predetermined position) The amount of light received (the amount of transmitted light) at the point) decreases. The transparency of the vacuum tube 24c1 decreases with the passage of time, or the monomer adheres and becomes dirty due to long-term use, and the transmitted light amount gradually decreases due to the decrease in the light emission efficiency of the LED of the light emitting portion 2461a Line m) in FIG. That is, the transmitted light amount (measured value) becomes a value (measured value) corresponding to the state of the vacuum tube 24c1 including the transmitted state of the ink, and decreases according to the secular change even when the ink is not transmitted. Although the amount of transmitted light may decrease due to the permeation of the monomer (infiltration liquid) even if the degassing film 2426 is not broken (timing a and b in FIG. 6), such a decrease in the light amount is Because the amount of H itself is small, and it moves along the vacuum path to the side of the chamber 248, the fluctuation does not continue and the fluctuation is small.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses this effect to detect only the sharp drop (the timing c in FIG. 6) of the transmitted light amount according to the ink leakage due to the breakage of the degassing film 2426 and the like. By comparing the latest transmitted light quantity measured (measured value) with the comparative light quantity (comparison value) calculated based on the past measurement history of the transmitted light quantity, the measured value is the reference value (reference It is determined that the ink leakage has occurred when the difference is decreased by more than the difference, that is, when the value (difference) obtained by subtracting the measured value from the comparison value is equal to or more than the reference value. As the comparison value, a value that changes in accordance with the change in the offset value due to the aging is used, and for example, the average value (the older data is made lighter) of the most recent measurement values (ie upper limit time) It is possible to use the present transmitted light amount estimated based on the tendency (for example, line p in FIG. 6) or the tendency of long-term change (such as a regression line) obtained from the past measurement values. Further, the reference value is desirably a value that can exclude the above-mentioned decrease in the measurement value of the temporary penetrant liquid, and this reference value may be a fixed value (for example, line t in FIG. It may be a value determined by a ratio (predetermined ratio) to the comparative light amount (indicating a time change of a value obtained by subtracting a reference value from the comparative light amount). Alternatively, the reference value may be determined (for example, three or six times the standard deviation, etc.) based on the dispersion or standard deviation by counting the variation (dispersion) of the past measurement values.

  The change in the comparison value or the reference value based on the influence of such long-term change is sufficiently late compared to the measurement frequency (for example, every 100 msec), so the frequency is low compared to the measurement frequency (for example, once per hour) Is updated and used.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the ink leak detection process executed by the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
Here, the ink leak detection process is started at the same time as the main power supply of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is turned on.

  When the ink leak detection process is started, the control unit 40 (CPU 401) causes the light emitting unit 2461a of the detection unit 2461 to emit light, and acquires a measurement value related to the transmission amount of light by the light receiving unit 2461b (step S101). The light emitting operation of the light emitting unit 2461 a can be continuously performed while the ink leak detection process is continued thereafter. The control unit 40 stores the acquired measurement value in the storage unit 403 for a predetermined period. At this time, the measurement value may be explicitly stored in association with the acquisition timing, or the upper limit time to be stored may be determined by storing a predetermined number of measurement values acquired at equal time intervals.

  Next, the control unit 40 as the determination unit 400c compares a value obtained by subtracting the measurement value from the comparison value calculated in advance with a reference value, and determines whether the value is equal to or less than the reference value (step S102). The comparison value is a value calculated in step S104 described later, and immediately after the start of the ink leak detection process, the value finally detected in the previous ink leak detection process is used. In the case of the first ink leak detection process or immediately after the degassing module 242 is replaced, the first measurement value can be set as the comparison value as it is. Normally, the comparison value calculated most recently in the loop up to the previous time in the loop process of steps S101 to S104 is used.

  When it is determined that the value obtained by subtracting the measured value from the comparison value is equal to or less than the reference value ("YES" in step S102), that is, the liquid component that absorbs incident light in the vacuum tube 24c1 does not increase significantly In step S103, the control unit 40 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the comparison value used this time is updated. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed ("NO" in step S103), the process of the control unit 40 returns to step S101. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed ("YES" in step S103), the control unit 40 as the comparison value calculation unit 400b calculates a new comparison value (step S104), and then the process from the step Return to S101. Note that the processing of step S101 may be performed at predetermined intervals (for example, at intervals of 100 msec), and a standby time may be provided between the processing shifts to step S101 and the actual start of processing. .

If it is determined that the value obtained by subtracting the measured value from the comparison value is not less than the reference value (“NO” in step S102), it means that an abnormal increase in ink leakage has occurred in the vacuum tube 24c1. The control unit 40 as the operation control unit 400a stops the image formation (step S105), and performs a predetermined operation for notifying an abnormality related to the ink leak (step S106). The control unit 40 causes the display screen of the operation display unit 441, for example, to perform display indicating abnormality as a predetermined operation. Alternatively, when the notification output unit 442 includes an audio output unit, the control unit 40 may output a beep or the like, and when the notification output unit 442 includes an LED lamp or the like. The LED lamp may be lit or blinked.
Further, at this time, the control unit 40 as the operation control unit 400 a causes the image forming unit 20 to start forming an image of an image to be formed (one recording medium or one repetitive image forming operation). The image formation process is stopped after finishing the printing.
Then, the control unit 40 ends the ink leak detection process.

As described above, the degassing device 24c included in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is provided in the middle of the ink flow path 24b, and the hollow fiber membrane degassing is performed with the outer surface contacting the ink in the ink flow path 24b. A desorbed gas which is connected between the membrane 2426, the vacuum suction portion 249, the inner surface of the hollow fiber membrane and the vacuum suction portion 249, and which is desorbed from the ink according to the suction operation of the vacuum suction portion 249 and permeated through the degassing membrane 2426 And a leak detection unit 246 that detects ink leak to the vacuum route, and a leak detection unit 246 that detects ink leak based on the measurement value. The leak detection unit 246 includes a detection unit 2461 that acquires a measured value according to the state in the vacuum path, and a control unit 40. The control unit 40 compares the past measured value with the latest measured value. It operates as a comparison value calculation unit 400b that is calculated based on the history of measurement values, and a determination unit 400c that determines the presence or absence of ink leakage from the degassing film 2426 based on the comparison result of the latest measurement value and comparison value. Do.
That is, the ink permeation state can be acquired in substantially real time in the vacuum path, temporary small-scale fluctuation can be easily excluded by comparison with the comparison value, and furthermore, the comparison value can be updated appropriately and long-term fluctuation due to aging deterioration etc. Since the ink leakage can be determined excluding the influence, the ink leakage due to the breakage of the degassing film 2426 can be detected more quickly.

  In addition, since the presence or absence of the ink leakage is determined based on whether or not the difference between the latest measurement value and the comparison value is equal to or more than a predetermined reference value, the small-scale and short-time passage such as monomer passage is excluded. Only ink leaks that are problematic can be detected properly and quickly.

  Further, since this reference value is set to a predetermined ratio relative to the comparison value, it is possible to set a reference value according to the decrease in sensitivity due to the deterioration of the vacuum tube or the like.

  In addition, an A / D conversion unit 2464 that digitally converts measurement values at a predetermined sampling frequency, and a storage unit 403 that stores at least a predetermined number of the digitally converted measurement values are stored in the storage unit 403. Since the comparison value is calculated by performing predetermined weighted averaging of the measured values, ink leakage can be detected quickly and accurately based on an appropriate comparison value according to aging of the vacuum tube 24c1, the degassing film 2426, etc. Can do.

  In addition, since weighted averaging is performed with a weight that is reduced according to the increase in elapsed time from the time of measurement value measurement to the time of comparison value calculation, ink leakage is appropriately detected based on a comparison value closer to the most recent measurement value. You can do it.

  Also, among the measured values acquired in the past, the elapsed time from the time of acquisition of the measured value to the time of calculation of the comparative value is calculated using the comparative time less than or equal to the predetermined upper limit time. Since it is possible to detect the ink leakage with a change width of the transmitted light amount appropriately based on the comparison value close to the latest measurement value without being used, and to erase the history of the old measurement value, the storage unit 403 is unnecessary. There is no need to increase the capacity of

  Further, the detection unit 2461 includes a light emitting unit 2461 a for causing light of a predetermined wavelength to enter the vacuum path, and a light receiving unit 2461 b for receiving the transmitted light after the incident light passes through at least a part of the vacuum path. Therefore, ink can be more accurately detected by causing light of an appropriate wavelength to be incident on the vacuum path at a stable optimum intensity.

  In addition, since the light emitting unit 2461 a allows infrared light to be incident as light of a predetermined wavelength, it is possible to perform detection of the ink strongly against disturbance and stable.

  Further, a chamber 248 for separating the desorbed gas and the ink (liquid) is provided in the middle of the vacuum path, and the detection unit 2461 is incident in the vacuum path on the side of the degassing module 242 rather than the chamber 248. Since light is transmitted to detect the state in the vacuum path, the leaked ink can be prevented from being trapped in the chamber 248 and detection being delayed.

  Further, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the degassing device 24c, and the recording head 24a provided on the downstream side of the ink flow path 24b and discharging the ink. Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus 1, it is possible to promptly detect the ink leakage in the degassing device 24 c and take appropriate measures.

  Further, the control unit 40 as the operation control unit 400a controls the ink discharge operation in the recording head 24a, and stops the operation of the recording head 24a when the ink leakage is detected. That is, by stopping the image formation promptly before the deterioration of the image caused by the ink leakage detected promptly, the generation of the useless recording medium and the ink can be prevented.

  Further, the control unit 40 as the operation control unit 400a stops the operation of the recording head 24a after the end of the discharge of the ink related to the formation of the formation target image formed by the recording head 24a at the timing when the ink leakage is detected. Therefore, the image in the process of formation is completed while effectively utilizing the ink that has already been degassed on the downstream side of the degassing device 24c, so that an image having a deteriorated image quality is not newly formed, and Do not waste the recording medium or the ejected ink.

  The control unit 40 as the operation control unit 400a includes the notification unit 440. When the operation of the recording head 24a is stopped, the control unit 40 performs a predetermined notification operation on the notification unit 440, for example, a predetermined display screen of the operation display unit 441. Make a display. Therefore, the user of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 can be promptly informed of the cause of the discontinuation, and prompt action can be taken.

[Modification]
Next, a variation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the configuration related to measurement by the detection unit 2461. As shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1a of the present modification.
In the inkjet recording apparatus 1a of this modification, the control unit 40a does not function as the comparison value calculation unit 400b and the determination unit 400c, while the leak detection unit 246a performs an operation based on analog data together with the detection unit 2461. A value calculation unit 2468 and a determination unit 2469 are provided. The other configurations are the same, and the same reference numerals are used for the same portions and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the leak detection unit 246a, the analog data of the measurement value in the detection unit 2461 is amplified by the amplifier 2463 and branched into two, and one is input to the determination unit 2469 as it is. The other is firstly input to a low pass filter (LPF) 2468a to remove high frequency components including the frequency band of rapid signal change related to ink leakage, and the addition unit 2468b adds the reference voltage Vref. Here, the reference voltage Vref is a negative value. The LPF 2468a has a capacitor and a coil as in a normal analog circuit, and outputs a value corresponding to an average value of values measured within a predetermined time which is almost the latest so far. Therefore, the determination unit 2469 outputs a signal according to whether or not the current measurement value is reduced by the reference value or more compared to the average value of the predetermined time. For example, a comparator is used as the determination unit 2469.
That is, in this modification, the LPF 2468 a and the addition unit 2468 b that adds the reference voltage Vref constitute a comparison value calculation unit 2468.

  As a result, when the control unit 40a as the operation control unit 400a receives a signal indicating a sharp drop in the current measured value from the determination unit 2469, the control unit 40a stops the image formation, assuming that the ink leakage has rapidly increased. A process relating to notification may be performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.
For example, in the above embodiment, a sensor of a method in which light (infrared light) is transmitted through the vacuum tube and light is reduced according to the passage of the ink component as the detection unit 2461 is used. It is not limited to. For example, it may be a sensor that measures the reflected light of the incident light by the ink, or a sensor that measures a magnetic field that changes according to the passage of the ink's specific property, etc. Any sensor that can be detected without delay is acceptable.

  Moreover, how to determine the comparison value is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment. For example, a new comparison value may be calculated using the previous comparison value and the measurement value acquired thereafter. In the above embodiment, the comparison value is calculated in parallel with the normal measurement at the time of operation of the degassing device 24c. However, the comparison value is not equal to the start of the operation of the degassing device 24c at startup of the ink jet recording apparatus. It may be required at the time of operation. In this case, it is not generally predicted that the ink passes through the vacuum tube, so the comparison value may be calculated and used based on one measurement value at each non-operation time.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the process related to the ink leak detection of the deaerator 24c as the operation control unit 400a, the comparison value calculation unit 400b, and the determination unit 400c is performed using the control unit 40 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The degassing device 24 c may be separately provided with a control unit, and may output only commands relating to the abnormal display or the stop of the image formation to the control unit 40. Alternatively, the control unit of the deaerator 24c may perform the operation as the comparison value calculation unit 400b and the determination unit 400c, and the control unit 40 may perform the operation as the operation control unit 400a.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration including the chamber 248 has been described. However, in the case where the configuration in which the ink (liquid) does not flow into the vacuum suction unit 249 is separately provided, etc. It may be the device 24c. Further, the chamber 248 is not limited to one used as a trap, and a space used for various applications may be provided in the middle of the vacuum tube 24c1.

  In the degassing device 24 c used in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the air communication portion 247 may not be provided.

  Further, in the above embodiment, although the degassing apparatus using the hollow fiber membrane as the degassing membrane 2426 has been described as an example, it may be a degassing apparatus using a gas permeable membrane of another shape.

In the above embodiment, when the ink leakage is detected, the discharge of the ink is continued until the formation target image being formed is formed. However, the discharge of the ink may be stopped immediately. The determination may be made according to the remaining amount of. Further, the image to be formed is not limited to one cut sheet, etc., and may be one unit of an image repeatedly formed in the cut sheet, or, conversely, a set of a plurality of sheets. good. In addition, when an image is formed on continuous paper, a continuous cloth, or the like, the discharge of the ink may be appropriately ended at the break of the image.
In addition, specific details such as the configuration, arrangement, and operation procedure described in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for a degassing apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 inkjet recording apparatus 1 a inkjet recording apparatus 10 sheet feeding unit 11 sheet feeding tray 12 conveying unit 121, 122 roller 123 belt 20 image forming unit 21 image forming drum 22 delivery unit 221 swing arm unit 222 delivery drum 23 sheet heating unit 24 head unit 24a recording head 240a inlet 240b outlet 24b ink flow path 241a second float sensor 241 second sub tank 241b collection path 241c valve 242 degassing module 2421 outer shell 2422 ink inlet 2423 ink outlet 2424 center tube 2424a plug 2424b fine hole 2425 gas Outflow port 2426 degassing membrane 243 liquid feed pump 244 check valve 245 first sub tank 245a first float sensor 24c degassing device 246 leak detection unit 246a leak detection Part 2461 detecting unit 2461a-emitting portion 2461b light receiving portion 2463 amplifiers 2464A / D conversion unit 2465 grounding portion 2466,2467 resistive element 2468 comparison value calculator 2468aLPF
2468b addition unit 2469 determination unit 247 atmosphere communication unit 247a communication unit drive unit 248 chamber 249 vacuum suction unit 24c1 vacuum tube 25 irradiation unit 26 delivery unit 261, 262 roller 263 belt 264 delivery drum 27 ink heating unit 27a ink heater drive unit 30 exhaust Paper portion 31 Paper discharge tray 40 Control unit 40a Control unit 400a Operation control unit 400b Comparison value calculation unit 400c Determination unit 401 CPU
402 ROM
403 storage unit 41 transport drive unit 42 head drive unit 43 communication unit 440 notification unit 441 operation display unit 441a operation detection unit 441b display unit 442 notification output unit 49 bus 50 ink supply unit 51 ink tank 52 supply pump P recording medium Vcc applied voltage Vref reference voltage

Claims (13)

A gas permeable degassing film which is provided in the middle of the ink flow path and one surface of which is in contact with the ink in the ink flow path;
A vacuum suction unit,
The vacuum suction portion is connected to the surface opposite to the one surface of the degassing film, and the ink is desorbed from the ink according to the suction operation of the vacuum suction portion and desorbed after passing through the degassing film A vacuum path through which the gas flows,
A leak detection unit that detects ink leak to the vacuum path;
Equipped with
The leak detection unit is
A detection unit that detects a state in the vacuum path and acquires a measurement value according to the state;
A comparison value calculation unit that calculates a comparison value to be compared with the latest measurement value based on a history of past measurement values;
A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of ink leakage from the degassed film based on the comparison result of the latest measurement value and the comparison value;
A degassing device characterized by comprising: The degassing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the presence or absence of the ink leakage based on whether a difference between the latest measurement value and the comparison value is equal to or more than a predetermined reference difference. .   The degassing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reference difference is set to a predetermined ratio of the comparison value. An A / D converter for converting the measured value into a digital signal at a predetermined sampling frequency;
A storage unit that stores at least a predetermined number of latest measurement values among the digitally converted measurement values;
Equipped with
The degassing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the comparison value calculation unit calculates the comparison value by performing predetermined weighted averaging of the measurement values stored in the storage unit.   The said comparison value calculation part performs the said predetermined | prescribed weighted average by the weight which becomes light according to the increase of the elapsed time from the time of income of the said measured value to the time of calculation of the said comparison value. Degassing device.   The comparison value calculation unit is characterized in that, among the measurement values, an elapsed time from the time of acquisition of the measurement value to the time of calculation of the comparison value is used to calculate the comparison value using one having a predetermined upper limit time or less. The degassing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein   The detection unit includes a light emitting unit that causes light of a predetermined wavelength to enter the vacuum path, and a light receiving unit that receives the transmitted light after the incident light passes through at least a part of the vacuum path. The degassing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The degassing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light emitting unit causes infrared light to be incident as the light of the predetermined wavelength. In the middle of the vacuum path, a chamber for separating the desorbed gas and the liquid is provided,
The said detection part detects the state in the said vacuum path | route by the side of the said degassing film | membrane rather than the said chamber. The degassing apparatus as described in any one of the Claims 1-8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The degassing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A recording head provided downstream of the ink flow path for discharging the ink;
An inkjet recording apparatus comprising:   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an operation control unit configured to control an ink discharge operation in the recording head and to stop the operation of the recording head when the ink leakage is detected by the leakage detection unit. Recording device. The operation control unit may stop the operation of the recording head after the completion of the discharge of the ink related to the formation of the formation target image formed by the recording head at the timing when the ink leakage is detected. Item 12. An ink jet recording apparatus according to item 11. A notification unit for performing a predetermined notification operation;
13. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operation control unit causes the notification unit to perform the predetermined notification operation when stopping the operation of the recording head.

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