JP7093260B2 - Shutter control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus in which consumables such as an ink cartridge filled with ink are loaded and printing processing is performed using the consumables in the consumables.

Conventionally, an inkjet printing apparatus in which an ink cartridge filled with ink is loaded and the ink in the ink cartridge is supplied to an inkjet head to perform printing processing has become widespread.

Regarding such an inkjet printing apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes an inkjet printing apparatus in which at least two ink cartridges filled with inks of the same color are loaded and these ink cartridges are switched and used. By switching and using at least two ink cartridges in this way, even if the ink cartridge in use runs out of ink, the printing operation can be continued without interruption, and the inkjet printing apparatus can be used. The operating rate can be improved.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-05837

However, in the ink cartridge as described above, when the ink cartridge in use becomes empty, it is necessary to replace the ink cartridge with a new ink cartridge, but the ink cartridge of the same color is used. Because it is visually indistinguishable, the user may accidentally remove the next ink cartridge in use after switching.

Here, the ink supply system in the inkjet printing apparatus temporarily stores the ink sucked out from the ink cartridge in a tank, supplies the stored ink to the ink jet head, and stores the ink not consumed by the ink jet head. In the case of a so-called ink circulation system in which the ink is returned to the tank again, the ink circulation is controlled by the pressure control for the tank.

In such an ink circulation system inkjet printing apparatus, if the ink cartridge in use next after switching is accidentally removed as described above, the pressure control in the tank is affected and the inkjet head is affected. Ink may not be supplied properly.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention prevents a user from accidentally removing a consumable that is being used next after switching in a printing device that switches and uses at least two consumables such as ink cartridges. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of capable.

The printing apparatus of the present invention comprises at least two loading portions, each of which is loaded with at least two consumables of the same color, a shutter capable of opening and closing the insertion slot of each loading portion of each consumable, and at least two consumables. The printing unit that receives the supply of consumables in the consumables in use and performs printing processing, and the consumables remaining amount detection that detects whether or not the remaining amount of consumables in the consumables in use is empty. When it is detected that the remaining amount of consumables is empty, the insertion slot of the loading part of the consumables in use is opened, and the loading part of the consumables to be used next is opened. It is provided with a control unit that controls the shutter so as to close the insertion slot.

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, it is detected whether or not the remaining amount of consumable material in use is empty, and if it is detected that the remaining amount of consumable material is empty, it is in use. Since the shutter is controlled to open the insertion slot of the consumables loading part and close the insertion slot of the consumables loading part to be used next, the user can select the next consumables to be used after switching. It is possible to prevent accidental removal.

The schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the loading part of the ink cartridge in the inkjet printing apparatus which used one Embodiment of the printing apparatus of this invention. A flowchart for explaining shutter movement control in an inkjet printing apparatus using an embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the ink supply part in the inkjet printing apparatus which used one Embodiment of the printing apparatus of this invention. Schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus using an embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an inkjet printing apparatus using an embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Since the inkjet printing apparatus of the present embodiment is characterized by the configuration of a loading unit in which an ink cartridge filled with ink is loaded, the configuration of the loading unit will be mainly described first.

The inkjet printing apparatus of this embodiment is configured so that two ink cartridges can be loaded for inks of the same color. The ink in one of the two ink cartridges is supplied to the inkjet head, and the ink is ejected from the inkjet head.

Then, when the ink remaining amount of one of the in-use ink cartridges becomes empty, the ink cartridge is switched to the other ink cartridge and the ink supply to the inkjet head is continued, and the empty ink cartridge is emptied. Is configured to be pulled out of the loading section and replaced with a new ink cartridge. As a result, the printing operation can be continuously performed without interrupting the printing operation due to running out of ink, and the operating rate of the inkjet printing apparatus can be increased.

However, when the two ink cartridges are switched and used as described above, when the ink cartridge in use is empty and needs to be replaced, the user mistakenly uses the ink cartridge in use next. May be pulled out from the loading section.

If the ink cartridge in use is then pulled out of the loading section, it will affect the pressure control for supplying ink from the ink cartridge to the inkjet head, even if the ink cartridge that was accidentally pulled out is reloaded into the loading section. However, it may not be possible to supply ink properly.

Therefore, the inkjet printing apparatus of the present embodiment has a configuration for preventing the ink cartridge being pulled out from the loading portion of the ink cartridge being used next, as described above. Hereinafter, the specific configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printing apparatus of this embodiment includes a first loading unit 11 and a second loading unit 12 into which two ink cartridges 10 of the same color are loaded, respectively.

The first loading unit 11 has an insertion port 11a for receiving the ink cartridge 10, and the second loading unit 12 has an insertion port 12a for receiving the ink cartridge 10. Although only two loading units 11 and 12 for one color ink are shown in FIG. 1, when the inkjet printing apparatus performs printing processing using, for example, four color inks of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Is provided with two loading units 11,12 for each color, that is, a total of eight loading units 11,12. As shown in FIG. 1, the two loading portions 11 and 12 of each color may be arranged so that the two insertion ports 11a and 12a are arranged in the vertical direction, or the two insertion ports 11a and 12a are horizontal. It may be arranged so as to line up in a direction.

An ink supply tube 13 (corresponding to the ink supply path of the present invention) is connected to each of the first loading section 11 and the second loading section 12, and supplies the ink to each of the ink supply tubes 13. Valves 14a and 14b are provided. The two ink supply pipes 13 are combined into one ink supply pipe 15 on the side opposite to the loading portions 11 and 12 of the supply valves 14a and 14b, and the ink supply pipe 15 is connected to the negative pressure tank 24. There is. The negative pressure tank 24 is a tank in which the ink sucked out from each ink cartridge 10 is temporarily stored, and the details thereof will be described later.

A shutter 49 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion ports 11a and 12a of the first loading unit 11 and the second loading unit 12. The shutter 49 is formed in a size capable of covering either one of the two insertion openings 11a and 12a, and is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1 by the shutter drive unit 50. ing.

The shutter drive unit 50 includes a predetermined actuator that moves the shutter 49 in the direction of arrow A, and is controlled by the control unit 51.

The control unit 51 controls the entire inkjet printing device, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, and the like. The control unit 51 controls the operation of each unit of the inkjet printing device including the shutter drive unit 50 by executing a program stored in advance in a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk and operating an electric circuit. be.

The shutter 49 is moved in the direction of arrow A under the control of the control unit 51, whereby the insertion port 11a of the first loading unit 11 and the insertion port 12a of the second loading unit 12 are exclusively opened and closed. Has been done. That is, when one insertion port 11a is closed by the shutter 49, the other insertion port 12a is in an open state, and when the shutter 49 is subsequently moved downward, the closed side is on the side. The insertion port 11a is opened, and the opening 12a on the opened side is closed by the shutter 49.

Further, the shutter 49 is provided with a recognition unit 49a that recognizes the ink cartridge 10 by communicating with the tag IC 10c provided in the ink cartridge 10 loaded in the loading unit 11. As the recognition unit 49a, for example, an RFID (Radio frequency identification) tag can be used. In addition to recognizing the ink cartridge 10, the recognition unit 49a wirelessly communicates with the tag IC 10c provided in the ink cartridge 10 to write information such as the remaining amount of ink in the tag IC 10c or store it in the tag IC 10c. Reads information such as the remaining amount of ink and the color of ink.

Next, the movement of the shutter 49 during the printing operation of the inkjet printing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, the ink cartridge 10 loaded in the first loading unit 11 is referred to as a first ink cartridge 10a, and the ink cartridge 10 loaded in the second loading unit 12 is referred to as a second ink cartridge 10b. Called.

First, during the printing operation, it is detected whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the first ink cartridge 10a and the second ink cartridge 10b is empty (S10, S12). The configuration for detecting whether or not the ink level is empty will be described in detail later.

Then, when the ink remaining amount of the first ink cartridge 10a is empty (S10, NO) and the ink remaining amount of the second ink cartridge 10b is not empty (S14, YES), that is, the second ink cartridge currently in use. When the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 10a of 1 is empty and the ink remaining amount of the second ink cartridge 10b to be used next is not empty, the control unit 51 uses the shutter 49 to release the first ink cartridge 10a. It is confirmed whether or not it is arranged on the (first loading unit 11) side, and if it is arranged on the first ink cartridge 10a side (S16, YES), the shutter 49 is set on the second ink cartridge 10b. Move to the (second loading unit 12) side. That is, the control unit 51 opens the insertion port 11a of the first loading unit 11 (S18) and closes the insertion port 12a of the second loading unit 12. By moving the shutter 49, it is possible to reliably prevent the second ink cartridge 10b to be used next from being accidentally pulled out by the user. In addition, the user can visually easily recognize the empty ink cartridge, and can smoothly replace the ink cartridge with a new one.

Then, as described above, after the time when the insertion port 12a of the second loading section 12 is closed by the shutter 49, the supply valve 14b on the ink supply tube 13 connected to the second loading section 12 is opened. The supply of ink from the second ink cartridge 10b to the negative pressure tank 24 is started. In this way, after the insertion port 12a of the second loading section 12 is closed by the shutter 49, the supply valve 14b on the ink supply tube 13 connected to the second loading section 12 is opened. Since the supply valve 14b can be opened after preventing the second ink cartridge 10b of the second loading unit 12 from being pulled out, the influence on the pressure control of the negative pressure tank 24, which will be described later, can be reliably eliminated. Can be done.

Further, at this time, the fact that the first ink cartridge 10a loaded in the first loading unit 11 is empty is displayed on the display unit 53 (see FIG. 1) of the inkjet printing apparatus (S20). This can encourage the user to replace the ink cartridge with a new one.

In S14, when the control unit 51 confirms that the ink remaining amount of the second ink cartridge 10b is also empty (S14, NO), that is, the ink remaining amount of the second ink cartridge 10b is previously obtained. If the ink cartridge is not replaced with a new ink cartridge even though the ink cartridge is empty, the printing operation is interrupted (S22).

Then, the fact that both the first ink cartridge 10a and the second ink cartridge 10b are empty is displayed on the display unit 53 of the inkjet printing apparatus (S24).

Further, in the control unit 51, the ink remaining amount of the first ink cartridge 10a is empty (S10, NO), the ink remaining amount of the second ink cartridge 10b is not empty (S14, YES), and the shutter 49 However, when it is arranged on the second ink cartridge 10b side (S16, NO), that is, the ink remaining amount of the first ink cartridge 10a becomes empty and the ink is supplied from the second ink cartridge 10b. In a state of waiting for replacement of the first ink cartridge 10a with a new ink cartridge, the control unit 51 continuously monitors the remaining amount of ink in the first ink cartridge 10a (S10).

Then, when a new ink cartridge is loaded in the first loading unit 11 and it is detected that the remaining amount of ink is not empty (S10, YES), the control unit 51 continues to use the ink in the second ink cartridge 10b. It is monitored whether or not it is detected that the remaining amount is empty (S12). After that, when the second ink cartridge 10b is used and it is detected that the ink remaining amount of the second ink cartridge 10b is empty (S12, NO), the control unit 51 uses the shutter 49 to release the second ink cartridge. It is confirmed whether or not it is arranged on the ink cartridge 10b (second loading unit 12) side of the second ink cartridge 10b, and if it is arranged on the second ink cartridge 10b side (S26, YES), the shutter 49 is set to the second. 1 is moved to the ink cartridge 10a (first loading unit 11) side. That is, the control unit 51 opens the insertion port 12a of the second loading unit 12 (S28) and closes the insertion port 11a of the first loading unit 11. By moving the shutter 49, it is possible to reliably prevent the newly replaced first ink cartridge 10a to be used from being accidentally pulled out by the user. Then, after the time when the insertion port 11a of the first loading unit 11 is closed as described above, the supply valve 14a on the ink supply pipe 13 connected to the first loading unit 11 is opened, and the first is again. The supply of ink from the ink cartridge 10a of the above to the negative pressure tank 24 is started. Further, at this time, the fact that the second ink cartridge 10b loaded in the second loading unit 12 is empty is displayed on the display unit 53 of the inkjet printing apparatus (S30). This can encourage the user to replace the ink cartridge with a new one.

Further, in S12, when the ink remaining amount of the second ink cartridge 10b is empty and the shutter 49 is arranged on the first ink cartridge 10a side, the control unit 51 (S26, NO). That is, in a state where the ink remaining amount of the second ink cartridge 10b becomes empty, the ink supply is switched from the first ink cartridge 10a, and the second ink cartridge 10b is waiting to be replaced with a new ink cartridge, the control is performed. The unit 51 continuously monitors the remaining amount of ink in the second ink cartridge 10b (S12).

Then, when a new ink cartridge is loaded in the second loading unit 12 and it is detected that the ink remaining amount is not empty (S12, YES), the ink remaining amount of the first ink cartridge 10a is continuously empty. It is monitored whether or not it is detected (S10). After that, when the first ink cartridge 10a is used and it is detected that the ink remaining amount of the first ink cartridge 10a is empty (S10, NO), the control unit 51 reopens the shutter 49. It is confirmed whether or not it is arranged on the first ink cartridge 10a (first loading unit 11) side, and if it is arranged on the first ink cartridge 10a side (S14, YES, S16, YES). , The shutter 49 is moved again to the second ink cartridge 10b (second loading unit 12) side (S18).

As described above, the control unit 51 sets the shutter 49 of the first loading unit 11 according to the detection result of whether or not the ink remaining amount of the first ink cartridge 10a and the second ink cartridge 10b is empty. It is reciprocated between the insertion port 11a and the insertion port 12a of the second loading unit 12. As a result, the insertion slot of the loading portion loaded with the ink cartridge 10 currently in use can be closed by the shutter 49, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the user from accidentally pulling out the ink cartridge 10. ..

In the above description, the movement control of the shutter 49 when two ink cartridges 10 of the same color are switched and used has been described, but even if three or more ink cartridges 10 of the same color are switched and used. good. In this case, the control unit 51 may always control the shutter drive unit 50 so that the insertion port of the loading unit in which the ink cartridge 10 in use is loaded is closed by the shutter 49.

Further, the above description has described the movement of the shutter during the printing operation of the inkjet printing device, but in the inkjet printing device, ink is ejected from the inkjet head not only during the printing operation but also during a maintenance operation such as nozzle cleaning. Then, the ink of the ink cartridge 10 is used.

Therefore, even during the maintenance operation, the control unit 51 responds to the detection result of whether or not the ink remaining amount of the first ink cartridge 10a and the second ink cartridge 10b is empty, as in the printing operation. Then, the shutter 49 is reciprocated between the insertion port 11a of the first loading unit 11 and the insertion port 12a of the second loading unit 12. However, during the maintenance operation, when the ink remaining amount of both the first ink cartridge 10a and the second ink cartridge 10b becomes empty (in the case of S14 and NO shown in FIG. 2), the control unit 51 The display unit 53 of the inkjet printing apparatus is made to indicate that the ink remaining amount of both the first ink cartridge 10a and the second ink cartridge 10b is empty without interrupting the maintenance operation.

Further, as described above, the shutter 49 is provided with a recognition unit 49a that recognizes the ink cartridge 10 by communicating with the tag IC 10c provided in the ink cartridge 10. In the movement control of the shutter 49 during the printing operation or the maintenance operation described above, for example, when the shutter 49 moves to the first loading unit 11, the recognition unit 49a is loaded into the first loading unit 11. The first ink cartridge 10a may be recognized by communicating with the tag IC 10c of the ink cartridge 10a of 1. On the other hand, when the shutter 49 moves to the second loading unit 12, the recognition unit 49a communicates with the tag IC 10c of the second ink cartridge 10b loaded in the second loading unit 12 to obtain the second ink cartridge 49a. The ink cartridge 10b of 2 may be recognized.

Then, for example, when the recognition unit 49a of the shutter 49 cannot recognize the first ink cartridge 10a or the second ink cartridge 10b, a signal indicating to that effect is output to the control unit 51, and the control unit 51 displays. The unit 53 may be displayed to indicate that the ink cartridge 10 is not loaded. This can prompt the user to load a new ink cartridge 10. Further, by recognizing the ink cartridge 10 by the recognition unit 49a provided on the shutter 49 as described above, it is not necessary to separately provide a configuration for recognizing the ink cartridge 10, and space saving and miniaturization of the device can be achieved. Can be done.

Further, when the control unit 51 opens and closes the supply valve 14a, for example, after the shutter 49 moves to the first loading unit 11, the recognition unit 49a recognizes the first ink cartridge 10a. The supply valve 14a on the loading portion 11 side of the above may be opened. On the other hand, when the recognition unit 49a recognizes the second ink cartridge 10b after the shutter 49 moves to the second loading unit 12, the supply valve 14b on the second loading unit 12 side is opened. May be good. By opening the supply valves 14a and 14b after recognizing that the ink cartridge 10 is loaded in this way, opening the supply valves 14a and 14b before loading the ink cartridge 10 affects the pressure control of the ink. Can be avoided.

Further, as described above, the recognition unit 49a of the shutter 49 may write the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 10 on the tag IC 10c of the ink cartridge 10. Thereby, the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 10 can be managed. The control unit 51 calculates the remaining amount of ink written in the tag IC 10c based on, for example, the number of printed sheets that have been printed, and the recognition unit 49a writes the calculated remaining amount of ink in the tag IC 10c of the ink cartridge 10. It should be. Then, for example, when the ink cartridge 10 is loaded into the first loading unit 11 or the second loading unit 12, the recognition unit 49a reads out the remaining amount of ink written in the tag IC 10c of the loaded ink cartridge 10. The control unit 51 may display the ink remaining amount on the display unit 53, or display the ink remaining amount on the display unit 53 when the ink remaining amount is empty.

Next, the movement control of the shutter 49 in the initial state in which both the first ink cartridge 10a and the second ink cartridge 10b are not loaded will be described.

In the initial state, for example, when the shutter 49 is arranged on the side of the second loading unit 12 and the insertion port 11a of the first loading unit 11 is opened, the user can use the first loading unit 11 for the first. The ink cartridge 10a is loaded.

Then, when the loading of the first ink cartridge 10a into the first loading unit 11 is detected, the control unit 51 moves the shutter 49 to the first loading unit 11 side, and the first loading unit The insertion slot 11a of 11 is closed. Regarding the detection of the loading of the first ink cartridge 10a, for example, the first loading unit 11 may be provided with an optical sensor, a contact sensor, a switch, or the like for detecting the loading of the first ink cartridge 10a.

Here, when the control unit 51 determines that the first ink cartridge 10a loaded in the first loading unit 11 is empty or abnormal, the control unit 51 moves the shutter 49 to the second loading unit 12 side again. The insertion port 11a of the first loading unit 11 is opened. At this time, the control unit 51 causes the display unit 53 to display the state of the first ink cartridge 10a.

Regarding the determination that the first ink cartridge 10a loaded in the first loading unit 11 is empty, for example, the shutter 49 recognizes the information on the remaining amount of ink stored in the tag IC 10c of the first ink cartridge 10a. It may be read out by the unit 49a, and the control unit 51 may make a determination based on the information on the remaining amount of ink.

Further, when the first ink cartridge 10a is abnormal, for example, when the color of the ink of the first ink cartridge 10a is wrong, or when the manufacturer of the first ink cartridge 10a is not suitable. And so on. Regarding the determination that the first ink cartridge 10a is abnormal, the ink color information and the manufacturer's information stored in the tag IC 10c of the first ink cartridge 10a are read out by the recognition unit 49a of the shutter 49 and controlled. The unit 51 may make a judgment based on the information.

If the first ink cartridge 10a loaded in the first loading unit 11 is not empty and is not abnormal, the second ink cartridge 10b is placed in the second loading unit 12 at an arbitrary timing as it is. Loaded.

Next, an example of the ink supply unit 20 including the first loading unit 11, the second loading unit 12, the shutter 49, and the like shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ink supply unit 20.

The ink supply unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 supplies ink to the inkjet head 4 that ejects ink of a predetermined color. The inkjet head 4 of the present embodiment includes six head modules 17. Each head module 17 has an ink nozzle, and ink is ejected from the ink nozzle.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink supply unit 20 includes a pressure tank 21, a distributor 22, an aggregate 23, a negative pressure tank 24, an ink pump 25, an ink temperature adjusting unit 26, and an ink temperature sensor. 27 and ink circulation tubes 28 to 30 are provided.

The pressure tank 21 stores ink to be supplied to the inkjet head 4. The ink stored in the pressure tank 21 is supplied to the inkjet head 4 via the ink circulation tube 28 and the distributor 22. In the pressure tank 21, an air layer 31 is formed on the liquid surface of the ink. The pressurizing tank 21 is communicated with the pressure generating unit 7 via the pressing side communication pipe 52, and is pressurized by the pressure generating unit 7. By this pressurization, the ink stored in the pressurizing tank 21 is supplied to the inkjet head 4.

The pressure tank 21 is provided with a float member 32, a pressure tank liquid level sensor 33, and an ink filter 34.

The float member 32 has a support shaft (support shaft) provided in the pressure tank 21 so as to rotate according to the liquid level until the liquid level of the ink in the pressure tank 21 reaches the reference height. One end side is pivotally supported by (not shown). On the other hand, a magnet (not shown) is provided at the other end of the float member 32.

The pressure tank liquid level sensor 33 is for detecting whether or not the liquid level height of the ink in the pressure tank 21 has reached the reference height. The reference height is below the upper end of the pressure tank 21. The pressure tank liquid level sensor 33 comprises a magnetic sensor, and detects a magnet of the float member 32 when the liquid level height reaches a reference height. When the pressure tank liquid level sensor 33 detects the magnet of the float member 32, that is, when the liquid level height in the pressure tank 21 is equal to or higher than the reference height, the pressure tank liquid level sensor 33 is turned on for the control unit 51. Is output. When the pressure tank liquid level sensor 33 does not detect the magnet of the float member 32, that is, when the liquid level height in the pressure tank 21 is less than the reference height, the pressure tank liquid level sensor 33 is "off" with respect to the control unit 51. Is output.

The ink filter 34 removes dust and the like in the ink.

The distributor 22 distributes the ink supplied from the pressure tank 21 via the ink circulation tube 28 to each head module 17 of the inkjet head 4.

The collector 23 collects the ink not consumed by the inkjet head 4 from each head module 17. The ink collected by the collector 23 flows to the negative pressure tank 24 via the ink circulation pipe 29.

The negative pressure tank 24 receives and stores the ink not consumed by the inkjet head 4 from the collector 23. Further, the negative pressure tank 24 stores the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 10. In the negative pressure tank 24, an air layer 36 is formed on the liquid surface of the ink. The negative pressure tank 24 is communicated with the pressure generation unit 7 via the negative pressure side communication pipe 59, and the negative pressure is applied by the pressure generation unit 7. Due to this negative pressure, the ink in the ink cartridge 10 is supplied to the negative pressure tank 24.

The negative pressure tank 24 is provided with a float member 37 and a negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 38.

The float member 37 and the negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 38 are the same as the float member 32 and the pressure tank liquid level sensor 33 of the pressure tank 21, respectively. When the negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 38 detects the magnet of the float member 37, that is, when the liquid level height in the negative pressure tank 24 is equal to or higher than the reference height, the negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 38 is turned on for the control unit 51. Is output. When the negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 38 does not detect the magnet of the float member 37, that is, when the liquid level height in the negative pressure tank 24 is less than the reference height, the negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 38 is "off" with respect to the control unit 51. Is output. The reference height is below the upper end of the negative pressure tank 24.

The ink pump 25 sends ink from the negative pressure tank 24 to the pressure tank 21. The ink pump 25 is provided in the middle of the ink circulation tube 30.

The ink temperature adjusting unit 26 adjusts the temperature of the ink in the ink circulation unit 5. The ink temperature adjusting unit 26 is provided in the middle of the ink circulation tube 28. The ink temperature adjusting unit 26 includes a heater 41, a heater temperature sensor 42, a heat sink 43, and a cooling fan 44.

The heater 41 heats the ink in the ink circulation tube 28. The heater temperature sensor 42 detects the temperature of the heater 41. The heat sink 43 cools the ink in the ink circulation tube 28 by radiating heat. The cooling fan 44 sends cooling air to the heat sink 43.

The ink temperature sensor 27 detects the temperature of the ink in the ink circulation unit 5. The ink temperature sensor 27 is provided in the middle of the ink circulation tube 28.

The ink circulation tube 28 connects the pressure tank 21 and the distributor 22. A part of the ink circulation tube 28 is branched into a portion passing through the heater 41 and a portion passing through the heat sink 43. Ink flows from the pressure tank 21 toward the distributor 22 in the ink circulation tube 28. The ink circulation tube 29 connects the collector 23 and the negative pressure tank 24. Ink flows from the collector 23 toward the negative pressure tank 24 in the ink circulation tube 29. The ink circulation pipe 30 connects the negative pressure tank 24 and the pressure tank 21. Ink flows from the negative pressure tank 24 toward the pressure tank 21 in the ink circulation tube 30. The ink circulation tubes 28 to 30, the distributor 22, and the collector 23 form a circulation path for circulating ink between the pressure tank 21, the inkjet head 4, and the negative pressure tank 24.

Then, during the printing operation, as described above, the ink in the ink cartridge 10 of one of the two ink cartridges 10 is supplied to the negative pressure tank 24 of the ink circulation unit 5 via the ink supply pipe 15. Will be done.

The pressure generation unit 7 generates pressure for ink circulation in the pressure tank 21 and the negative pressure tank 24 of each ink circulation unit 5.

Then, in the configuration of the ink supply unit 20 as described above, the detection that the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 10 is empty is performed in the negative pressure tank 24. Specifically, even though the negative pressure is applied to the negative pressure tank 24 and the ink suction operation for the ink cartridge 10 is continued, the negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 38 turns off the control unit 51. When the signal indicating "is continuously output for a preset time", the control unit 51 determines that it has been detected that the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 10 is empty. In the present embodiment, the negative pressure tank 24, the float member 37, and the negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 38 correspond to the consumable material remaining amount detection unit of the present invention. However, the configuration of the consumable material remaining amount detection unit is not limited to this, and for example, an optical sensor or the like is provided in the first loading unit 11 and the second loading unit 12, and the ink in the ink cartridge 10 is provided by the optical sensor. The remaining amount may be detected.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the ink remaining amount of only one ink cartridge 10 in use among the two ink cartridges 10 is detected, and the shutter 49 and the supply valve 14a are detected according to the detection result. Since the opening and closing of the 14b is controlled, the hardware and the firmware can be simplified and the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the ink remaining amount of the two ink cartridges 10 is detected in parallel. Can be done.

Next, an example of an inkjet printing apparatus provided with the ink supply unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of processing double-sided printing at high speed.

Specifically, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which two inkjet printing apparatus main bodies 2 that perform general single-sided printing are connected. An inversion portion 6 for inverting the front surface and the back surface of the print medium P is provided between the two inkjet printing apparatus main bodies 2. Here, the inkjet printing device main body 2 shown on the left side of FIG. 4 is referred to as a first inkjet printing device main body 2, and the inkjet printing device main body 2 shown on the right side is referred to as a second inkjet printing device main body 2.

In the inkjet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, first, in the first inkjet printing apparatus main body 2, a printing process is performed on the surface of the printing medium P. Specifically, the print medium P is fed out from the paper feed tray 61 by the pickup roller 62, or the print medium P is fed out from the paper feed tray 63 of any of the three paper feed trays 63 by the pickup roller 64. Will be done. The fed print medium P is conveyed by the transfer roller 65 to the resist roller 66 along the transfer path R, and then is supplied from the resist roller 66 to the transfer belt 3 at a predetermined timing. Then, while the print medium P is conveyed by the conveyor belt 3, ink is ejected from the inkjet head 4 onto the surface of the print medium P to perform a printing process. During this printing process, the inkjet head 4 receives ink from the ink supply unit 20. Although only one ink supply unit 20 is shown in FIG. 4, the ink supply unit 20 is provided for each inkjet head 4, that is, for each ink color.

Then, the print medium P whose surface has been printed on the surface of the first inkjet printing apparatus main body 2 is conveyed to the reversing portion 6. In the reversing section 6, the print medium P printed on one side is guided to the reversing path RR by the upstream transfer roller 67. Then, the print medium P that has been printed on one side is inverted in the reversing path RR, and is supplied to the second inkjet printing apparatus main body 2 by the reversing roller 68 and the downstream transfer roller 69. The supplied single-sided printed print medium P is conveyed to the resist roller 66, and is supplied from the resist roller 66 to the transfer belt 3 at a predetermined timing. Then, while the single-sided printed print medium P is conveyed by the conveyor belt 3, ink is ejected from the inkjet head 4 to the back surface of the print medium P to perform printing processing. During this printing process, the inkjet head 4 receives ink from the ink supply unit 20.

Then, the double-sided printed printing medium P having the back surface of the second inkjet printing apparatus main body 2 printed is discharged from the transport belt 3 to the paper ejection portion (not shown).

According to the inkjet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as compared with the conventional inkjet printing apparatus that performs double-sided printing, the print medium P can be inverted while being conveyed at high speed, and double-sided printing can be performed at high speed. When double-sided printing is performed at high speed in this way, the amount of ink consumed becomes larger, but if the ink supply unit 20 for switching between the two ink cartridges described above is provided, the printing operation is not interrupted. , High-speed double-sided printing processing of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 can be smoothly performed.

In the inkjet printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4, the single-sided printing process may be performed using the second inkjet printing apparatus main body 2. In this single-sided printing process, the print medium P is fed out from the paper feed tray 63 of any of the three paper feed trays 63 in the second inkjet printing apparatus main body 2, and while being conveyed by the conveyor belt 3, printing is performed by the inkjet head 4. It is processed and discharged.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which an ink cartridge is used as a consumable item of the present invention and the printing device of the present invention is applied to an inkjet printing device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and toner is used as a consumable item of the present invention. Using a cartridge, the printing apparatus of the present invention may be applied to a toner-type printing apparatus provided with a printing unit having a photosensitive drum.

The following additional notes are further disclosed with respect to the printing apparatus of the present invention.
(Additional note)
In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the consumable material may be an ink cartridge, the consumable material may be ink, and the printing unit may be an ink jet head, which are provided on the ink supply paths between at least two loading units and the ink jet head. At least two supply valves can be provided, and if the control unit detects that the ink level is empty, it will be used after the time when the shutter of the insertion port of the loading unit of the ink cartridge to be used is closed. In, it is possible to control to open the supply valve on the ink supply path of the ink cartridge to be used next.

Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit is used when no consumables are loaded in the loading unit of the consumables to be used next, or when the remaining amount of consumables in the loaded consumables is empty. Can display a display prompting the loading of new consumables.

Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the shutter may have a recognition unit for recognizing consumables, and the recognition unit recognizes the consumables loaded in the loading unit whose insertion port is closed by the shutter. be able to.

1 Inkjet printing device 2 Inkjet printing device main body 3 Conveying belt 4 Inkjet head 5 Ink circulation part 6 Inking part 7 Pressure generating part 8 Total 10 Ink cartridge 10a First ink cartridge 10a Second ink cartridge 10b Second ink cartridge 10c Tag IC
11 First loading unit 11a Insertion port 12 Second loading unit 12a Insertion port 13 Ink supply pipe 14a, 14b Supply valve 15 Ink supply pipe 17 Head module 20 Ink supply unit 21 Pressurized tank 22 Distributor 23 Collector 24 Negative Pressure tank 25 Ink pump 26 Ink temperature adjustment unit 27 Ink temperature sensor 28 to 30 Ink circulation tube 31 Air layer 32 Float member 33 Pressurized tank liquid level sensor 34 Ink filter 36 Air layer 37 Float member 38 Negative pressure tank liquid level sensor 41 Heater 42 Heater temperature sensor 43 Heat sink 44 Cooling fan 49 Shutter 49a Recognition unit 50 Shutter drive unit 51 Control unit 52 Pressurized side communication pipe 53 Display unit 59 Negative pressure side communication pipe 61 Paper tray 62 Pickup roller 63 Paper tray 64 Pickup roller 65 Conveying Roller 66 Resist Roller 67 Upstream Conveying Roller 68 Reversing Roller 69 Downstream Conveying Roller P Printing Medium R Conveying Path RR Reversing Path

Claims (8)

At least two loading sections, each loaded with at least two consumables of the same color,
A shutter that can open and close the insertion slot of each loading part of each consumable,
Of the at least two consumables, a consumables remaining amount detecting unit that detects whether or not the consumables remaining amount of the consumables in use is empty, and
When the remaining amount of consumable material is detected by the remaining amount of consumable material detection unit, the shutter is moved in the arrangement direction of the insertion port to insert the loading unit of the consumable material in use. A shutter control device equipped with a control unit that opens the mouth and closes the insertion port of the loading unit for the consumables to be used next. The consumable is an ink cartridge, and the consumable is ink.
An inkjet head that receives the supply of the ink in the ink cartridge in use and performs printing processing,
It comprises at least two supply valves provided on the ink supply paths, respectively, between the at least two loading portions and the inkjet head.
When the control unit detects that the remaining amount of ink is empty, the ink of the ink cartridge to be used next is used after the time when the insertion port of the loading unit of the ink cartridge to be used next is closed by the shutter. The shutter control device according to claim 1, wherein the supply valve on the supply path is controlled to be opened. When the control unit has no consumables loaded in the consumables loading unit to be used next, or when the consumables remaining in the loaded consumables is empty, a new consumable is loaded. The shutter control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a display prompting the user is displayed on the display unit. The shutter has a recognition unit for recognizing the consumables.
The shutter control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the recognition unit recognizes consumables loaded in the loading unit whose insertion port is closed by the shutter. The shutter control device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit notifies that the consumables are not loaded in the loading unit when the consumables are not recognized by the recognition unit. After the control unit closes the insertion port of the loading unit of the consumable to be used next with a shutter, when the consumable is recognized by the recognition unit, the consumable is supplied to the consumable on the supply path. The shutter control device according to claim 4, wherein the supply valve is controlled to be opened. The shutter control device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is formed in a size capable of covering one insertion port of the loading portion. The shutter control device according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter drive unit for moving the shutter in the arrangement direction of the insertion ports of the at least two loading units.

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