JP7365218B2 - inkjet recording system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to inkjet recording systems.

2. Description of the Related Art Inkjet recording devices for printing on a work are known.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called continuous inkjet recording apparatus that circulates ink inside the apparatus even when printing is not performed on a workpiece. This inkjet recording apparatus includes a print head for ejecting ink droplets and a controller connected to the print head. This inkjet recording apparatus also includes a washing stand, and these constitute an inkjet recording system.

The print head consists of a print nozzle that ejects ink or solvent, a charging electrode that charges particulate ink (ink particles) ejected from the print nozzle, and a direction in which the ink charged by the charging electrode flies (progressing direction). ) and is configured to eject ink deflected by the deflection electrode to the outside for printing. Ink droplets not used for printing are collected from the gutter of the print head.

The controller also includes an ink supply section including an ink supply path for supplying ink to the printing nozzles, and a control section that controls each section.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-136934

In the continuous type inkjet recording apparatus having the above-described configuration, when the printing operation is completed and the apparatus is brought to a halt state, a careful cleaning process is performed in preparation for the next restart. In particular, if long-term storage is expected until restart, for example, a method of cleaning the inside of the route with solvent and then filling the route with solvent (path cleaning + refilling method), cleaning the inside of the route with solvent, etc. This method eliminates problems caused by ink sticking by using a method that dries the inside of the ink passage after drying (total drying method), and a method that periodically starts up the device and circulates the ink through the path around the pump in the controller (regular circulation method). I'm trying to prevent it.

However, in the case of path cleaning + refilling method, the solvent is generally highly volatile, so the period until the solvent in the path evaporates and disappears is short, about several months, and the solvent must be refilled periodically. In addition, it is necessary to drain the solvent from the path and fill it with ink before starting reuse, which is a time-consuming problem. Further, in the case of the total drying method, there is a problem in that a cleaning step is required to dilute the concentration of the ink, and it takes a long time, for example, 4 hours or more, to completely dry the entire path. Furthermore, in the case of the regular circulation method, although the passage around the pump could be cleaned, the problem of nozzle clogging due to stuck ink still remained.

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and its purpose is to easily reduce the occurrence of problems caused by ink sticking, and to improve the usability of an inkjet recording system.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present disclosure provides a nozzle for ejecting ink or a solvent, a charging electrode for charging particulate ink ejected from the nozzle, and an ink charged by the charging electrode. a print head that houses a deflection electrode therein to deflect the flight direction of the ink and discharges the ink deflected by the deflection electrode to the outside; an ink supply section that supplies ink to the print head; and an ink supply section that supplies the print head with a solvent. a controller that controls the supply of ink from the ink supply section to the print head, and a controller that controls the supply of solvent from the solvent supply section to the print head, An inkjet recording device that prints on a workpiece using ink supplied from a supply section, and an inkjet recording device that is disposed at a location different from the installation location of the print head when printing is performed by the inkjet recording device, and a An inkjet recording system comprising: a cleaning mounting section on which the print head is placed when cleaning the print head using a supplied solvent, the printing head being placed on the cleaning mounting section. a placement detection unit that detects that the print head has been placed on the cleaning placement unit; a time measurement unit that starts measuring time in response to an event related to an operation after the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit; and a time measurement unit that starts timing by the time measurement unit. When a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the process and the position detection unit detects that the print head is placed, the inkjet recording device is automatically started and the solvent is supplied. and a cleaning operation section that performs a cleaning operation of supplying a solvent to the nozzle and discharging it from the nozzle.

According to this configuration, time measurement is started in response to an event related to an operation after the print head is placed, and it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of time measurement and that the print head has been placed. If detected, the inkjet recording device can automatically start up and perform a cleaning operation, which eliminates the conventional path cleaning + refilling method when storage is expected for a long period of time before restarting. , without using a total drying method or a periodic circulation method, problems caused by ink sticking are less likely to occur.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is that when the position detection unit detects that the print head is placed and the user performs a sleep mode transition operation, when the inkjet recording device is stopped operating. a mode operation unit that operates a sleep mode for automatically cleaning the print head at predetermined intervals, and the time measurement unit measures the time during which the inkjet recording device is operating in the sleep mode. When the time during the sleep mode operation measured by the time measuring section reaches a predetermined time, the cleaning operation section automatically starts up the inkjet recording apparatus and causes the solvent supply section to start up the inkjet recording apparatus. The present invention is characterized in that a cleaning operation is performed in which a solvent is supplied to the nozzle and is discharged from the nozzle.

According to this configuration, when a user's operation is received while the inkjet recording device is not operating, the mode operation unit operates the sleep mode, and when the time in the sleep mode operation reaches a predetermined time, the cleaning operation unit activates the inkjet recording device. A cleaning operation can be performed in which the printing apparatus is automatically started up, a solvent is supplied to a nozzle, and the solvent is discharged from the nozzle.

A third aspect of the present disclosure includes a nozzle that discharges ink, a charging electrode that charges particulate ink discharged from the nozzle, and a deflection electrode that deflects the flying direction of the ink charged by the charging electrode. a print head that is housed in the printer and discharges ink deflected by the deflection electrode to the outside, an ink supply section that supplies ink to the print head, a solvent supply section that supplies a solvent to the print head, and the ink supply. a controller having a control unit that controls ink supply from the ink supply unit to the print head, and a control unit that controls solvent supply from the solvent supply unit to the print head, using the ink supplied from the ink supply unit. An inkjet recording device that prints on a workpiece is located at a location different from the installation location of the print head when printing is performed by the inkjet recording device, and the print head is installed using a solvent supplied from the solvent supply unit. an inkjet recording system comprising: a cleaning mounting section on which the print head is placed when cleaning the print head; a placement detection section that detects that the print head is placed on the cleaning mounting section; a time measurement unit that measures time; a solvent injection unit that injects a solvent toward the opening of the nozzle; and a predetermined time period measured by the time measurement unit after the inkjet recording device stops operating. , and when the position detection unit detects that the print head is placed, the inkjet recording device is automatically started up, and the solvent injection unit injects the solvent into the nozzle opening. and a cleaning operation section that performs a cleaning operation to spray water onto the cleaning device.

According to this configuration, the cleaning operation unit automatically starts up the inkjet recording apparatus and performs the cleaning operation of jetting the solvent toward the opening of the nozzle. As a result, when long-term storage is expected before restarting, problems caused by ink sticking can be avoided without using the conventional path cleaning + refilling method, total drying method, and periodic circulation method. less likely to occur.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is that the cleaning operation unit is configured to place the print head on the cleaning mounting unit when the time measured by the time measurement unit reaches a predetermined time and before performing the cleaning operation. The device is characterized in that it is configured to execute a placement confirmation process for confirming whether or not the placement detection unit detects that the device is placed.

According to this configuration, it is possible to confirm whether or not the print head is placed on the cleaning placement section before performing the cleaning operation. If the print head is placed on the cleaning holder, the cleaning operation can be permitted, and if the print head is not placed on the cleaning holder, the cleaning operation can be prohibited. The placement confirmation process may be executed when the time in sleep mode reaches a predetermined time, or the placement confirmation process may be executed after the time in sleep mode reaches a predetermined time. It's okay.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is that the cleaning operation unit detects that the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit by the placement detection unit based on the execution result of the placement confirmation process. If it is determined that there is no error, an error is output.

According to this configuration, by outputting an error when the print head is not placed on the cleaning placement section, it is possible, for example, to notify the user or to prohibit the cleaning operation. The form of error output may be, for example, a form in which an error is displayed on the display unit of the inkjet recording system, a form in which an error sound is generated, or a form in which an error signal is output to an external device. It may also be in the form of

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the cleaning operation section determines whether or not the placement detection section detects that the print head is placed on the cleaning placement section during the cleaning operation. It is characterized by executing a placement confirmation process that is periodically confirmed.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is that the cleaning operation unit detects that the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit by the placement detection unit based on the execution result of the placement confirmation process. If it is determined that the cleaning operation is not performed, the cleaning operation is stopped.

That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve convenience for the user by making the print head and the cleaning mounting section easily separable. There are concerns that he will be removed from the department. If the print head is removed from the cleaning mount during the cleaning operation, there is a risk that the cleaning liquid will leak from the print head and contaminate the surrounding environment. However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the print head is removed from the cleaning mount. Since the cleaning operation is automatically stopped when it is determined that the cleaning liquid is not present, it is possible to prevent the surrounding environment from being contaminated by the cleaning liquid.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is that when the placement detection section detects that the print head is placed, the controller connected to the print head placed on the cleaning placement section , further comprising a placement detection unit that sends a signal based on confirmation of placement of the print head, and the cleaning operation unit does not confirm placement of the print head based on the signal sent from the placement detection unit. If it is determined that this is the case, the cleaning operation is prohibited.

For example, at a site where a plurality of inkjet recording apparatuses are installed, it is assumed that a print head connected to a controller different from the print head intended for cleaning is placed on the cleaning mounting section. If the cleaning operation continues, the print head that is intended to be cleaned will be cleaned without being placed on the cleaning tray, so there is a risk that the cleaning liquid will leak from the print head and contaminate the surrounding environment. However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the cleaning operation is prohibited when the placement of the print head is not confirmed, it is possible to prevent the surrounding environment from being contaminated by the cleaning liquid.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes an input unit capable of inputting information regarding a period until the next operation of the inkjet recording device before the inkjet recording device is stopped, and the mode operation unit is configured to input information about the period until the next operation of the inkjet recording device is inputted to the input unit. The apparatus is characterized in that the apparatus is configured to operate the sleep mode when it is determined that the period until the next operation is longer than a predetermined period based on the information regarding the period.

According to this configuration, for example, when the user inputs the number of days until the next operation or the next operation date of the inkjet recording device via the user interface etc. before stopping the operation of the inkjet recording device, the mode operation unit It is possible to obtain the period from when the system is stopped until the next time it starts operating. If the acquired period is longer than a predetermined period, the print head can be automatically cleaned at predetermined intervals by operating the sleep mode. The predetermined period can be a period in which the probability of occurrence of problems due to ink sticking is high, and can be, for example, any period of two weeks or more, or three weeks or more.

A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is that when it is determined that the period until the next operation is less than a predetermined period based on the information regarding the period inputted to the input section, the mode operation section: It is characterized by being configured so that the sleep mode does not operate.

According to this configuration, if the period from when the operation is stopped until the next operation is less than a predetermined period, it is assumed that this is a period in which problems due to ink sticking are unlikely to occur, so the sleep mode is activated. The inkjet recording apparatus can be stopped without any problems.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the print head further includes a gutter that collects uncharged ink ejected from the nozzle, and after the cleaning operation section performs the cleaning operation, the print head The apparatus is characterized in that it includes a circulation operation section that performs an ink circulation operation in which ink is supplied to the nozzle by a supply section, the ink is ejected from the nozzle, and the ink is collected by the gutter.

A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure includes a nozzle that ejects ink, a charging electrode that charges particulate ink ejected from the nozzle, a gutter that collects uncharged ink ejected from the nozzle, and the charging electrode. A controller that includes a print head that houses a deflection electrode that deflects the flying direction of ink charged by the deflection electrode, and that discharges the ink deflected by the deflection electrode to the outside, and an ink supply section that supplies ink to the nozzle. an inkjet recording device that performs printing by making particulate ink land on a work; and an inkjet recording device that is located at a location different from the installation location of the print head when printing by the inkjet recording device, and that uses a cleaning liquid. an inkjet recording system comprising: a cleaning mounting section on which the print head is placed when cleaning the print head, the inkjet recording system detecting that the print head is placed on the cleaning mounting section; a placement detection section; and a device for automatically performing an ink circulation operation at predetermined intervals while the inkjet recording device is not operating when the placement detection section detects that the print head is placed. a mode operating unit that operates the sleep mode; a time measuring unit that measures the time during which the inkjet recording device is operating in the sleep mode; and a time measuring unit that measures the time during which the inkjet recording device is operating in the sleep mode, and the time during which the inkjet recording device is operating in the sleep mode reaches a predetermined time. a circulation operation unit that automatically starts up the inkjet recording device, causes the ink supply unit to supply ink to the nozzle, causes the ink to be ejected from the nozzle, and collects the ink in the gutter; It is characterized by having

According to this configuration, the mode operation section operates the sleep mode while the inkjet recording device is not operating, and when the time in the sleep mode operation reaches a predetermined time, the cleaning operation section automatically wakes up the inkjet recording device. A cleaning operation is performed in which the ink is raised to supply ink to the nozzle and the ink is ejected from the nozzle. As a result, when long-term storage is expected before restarting, problems caused by ink sticking can be avoided without using the conventional path cleaning + refilling method, total drying method, and periodic circulation method. less likely to occur.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily prevent problems caused by ink sticking without adopting conventional methods when storage is expected for a long period of time until restarting operations. Therefore, the usability of the inkjet recording system can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an inkjet recording system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print head. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the paths of ink and solvent in an inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the print head viewed from below. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the basic operation of the inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating startup processing of the inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining step A in the start-up process. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining step B in the start-up process. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining step C in the start-up process. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the startup process of the inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining step D in the fall process. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining step E in the fall processing. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining step F in the fall process. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the print head is placed on the cleaning placement section. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cleaning mounting section. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the upper part of the cleaning platform. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the back of the print head. FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a portion of the print head and the cleaning mounting section seated in the normal position. FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of the controller, print head, and cleaning mounting section. FIG. 21 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 15 showing another method for discharging the cleaning liquid received in the cleaning tray. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the cleaning mounting section showing a state before the collection container is held by the holding section. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the cleaning platform seen from the back side, showing a state before the collection container is raised. FIG. 24 is a longitudinal sectional view of the state shown in FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a plan view of the cleaning platform. FIG. 26 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the collection container attached. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view when the collection container is full. FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating maintenance execution processing. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a case where a print head is placed on a cleaning placement section of another system at a site where a plurality of automatic printing systems have been introduced. FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating the process when checking the connection of the print head. FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a process for checking whether maintenance is executable. FIG. 32 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 20 according to modification 1. FIG. 33 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 30 according to modification 1. FIG. 34 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 20 according to modification 2. FIG. 35 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 30 according to modification 2. FIG. 36 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 20 according to modification 3. FIG. 37 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 30 according to modification 3. FIG. 38 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 20 according to modification example 4. FIG. 39 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 30 according to modification 4. FIG. 40 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 20 according to modification 5. FIG. 41 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 30 according to modification 5. FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an example of sleep mode operation. FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an example of a maintenance user interface. FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an example of a status display user interface. FIG. 45 is a flowchart when operating the sleep mode while checking for abnormalities on the cleaning platform side. FIG. 46 is a timing chart when an abnormality is detected during startup processing. FIG. 47 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 45 showing processing related to a modification of the sleep mode. FIG. 48 is a diagram showing an example of a period selection user interface displayed at the time of shutdown. FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating an example of sleep mode transition determination processing. FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating an example of sleep mode automatic transition determination processing.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the following description of preferred embodiments is essentially just an example, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

That is, in this specification, an industrial inkjet printer will be described as an example of an inkjet recording device, but the technology disclosed herein is not limited to a method for ejecting particulate ink, regardless of the name of the inkjet recording device or industrial inkjet printer. It can be applied to general equipment that uses an inkjet that allows the ink to drop onto the workpiece.

Further, in this specification, printing by an inkjet recording device will be described, but the term "printing" here includes any processing that applies inkjet, such as printing characters and marking figures.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an inkjet recording system S. As shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus I, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the print head 1 in the inkjet recording apparatus I. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the paths of ink and solvent in the inkjet recording apparatus I. The automatic printing system S illustrated in FIG. 1 is installed, for example, on a conveyance line L in a factory or the like, and is configured to sequentially print on each workpiece W flowing through the conveyance line L. Note that the application target of the present disclosure is not limited to the automatic printing system S. It can also be applied to printing systems using methods other than automatic. The conveyance line L can be composed of, for example, a belt conveyor.

Specifically, the automatic printing system S includes an inkjet recording device I that performs printing by causing particulate ink (ink particles) to land on a workpiece W, an operation terminal 800 connected to the inkjet recording device I, and external equipment. 900, and a cleaning mounting section 200 connected to the inkjet recording apparatus I and cleaning the print head 1. Note that the operation terminal 800 and the external device 900 are not essential.

The inkjet recording apparatus I illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a print head 1 that ejects ink droplets from a nozzle 12 and makes the ink droplets land on a workpiece W, and a control signal, ink and solvent for the print head 1. and a controller 100 for supplying. The controller 100 supplies control signals to the print head 1 to control the trajectory of ink droplets. Thereby, the landing position of the ink droplet on the workpiece W is adjusted, and desired printing is realized.

In particular, the inkjet recording apparatus I according to this embodiment is configured as a so-called continuous type inkjet printer (CIJ). That is, in order to prevent clogging caused by volatilization of ink (particularly clogging of the nozzles 12), the inkjet recording apparatus I operates even when printing is not being performed. In this state, ink is constantly circulating inside the inkjet recording apparatus I. By adopting a continuous method, it becomes possible to use quick-drying ink without causing clogging due to ink.

Furthermore, the inkjet recording apparatus I according to the present embodiment is capable of cleaning each part of the print head 1, such as the nozzle 12, by sending a solvent to the print head 1. The solvent used for cleaning can be recovered as necessary and reused to adjust the concentration (viscosity) of the ink.

In order to achieve ink circulation, the print head 1 includes, in addition to nozzles 12 that eject ink or solvent, a gutter 16 that collects the ink or solvent ejected from the nozzles 12 (see FIG. 3). . Ink or solvent sent from the controller 100 to the print head 1 is ejected from the nozzle 12 and collected by the gutter 16. The ink or solvent thus collected is sent back to the controller 100 and reused. By repeating these steps, the ink can be circulated.

The operation terminal 800 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and a storage device, and is connected to the controller 100. This operating terminal 800 functions as a terminal for setting processing conditions for printing and for showing information related to printing to the user.

The processing conditions set by the operation terminal 800 are output to the controller 100 and stored in its storage unit 102. In addition to or in place of the storage unit 102 of the controller 100, the operating terminal 800 may store processing conditions.

Note that the processing conditions according to this embodiment include, in addition to contents such as character strings to be printed, conditions and parameters related to the falling process (hereinafter also referred to as "cleaning settings") described below. It will be done.

Note that the operation terminal 800 can be integrated into the controller 100 by incorporating it, for example. In this case, the term "control unit" or the like will be used instead of the term "operation terminal."

External device 900 is connected to controller 100 as necessary. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external device 900 includes a workpiece detection sensor 901, a conveyance speed sensor 902, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) 903.

Specifically, the workpiece detection sensor 901 detects the presence or absence of the workpiece W on the transport line L, and outputs a signal (detection signal) indicating the detection result to the controller 100. The detection signal output from the workpiece detection sensor 901 functions as a trigger (print trigger) for starting printing.

The conveyance speed sensor 902 is composed of, for example, a rotary encoder, and can detect the conveyance speed of the workpiece W. The conveyance speed sensor 902 outputs a signal (detection signal) indicating the detection result to the controller 100. The controller 100 controls the timing of ejecting ink droplets from the print head 1 based on the detection signal input from the conveyance speed sensor 902 .

Further, the PLC 903 is electrically connected to the controller 100, as illustrated in FIG. The PLC 903 is used to control the inkjet recording system S according to a predetermined sequence.

In addition to the devices and devices described above, the inkjet recording apparatus I can also be connected to devices for operation and control, computers for performing various other processes, storage devices, peripheral devices, and the like. The connection in this case may be, for example, a serial connection such as IEEE1394, RS-232, RS-422, and USB, or a parallel connection. Alternatively, electrical, magnetic or optical connections can be employed via networks such as 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, etc. In addition to the wired connection, a wireless LAN such as IEEE802, or a wireless connection using radio waves such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared rays, optical communication, etc. may be used. Further, as the storage medium used in the storage device for exchanging data and storing various settings, for example, various memory cards, magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, hard disks, etc. can be used.

<Controller 100>
The controller 100 is configured to electrically control the print head 1 and to supply printing ink and a solvent for diluting the ink to the print head 1.

Specifically, the controller 100 according to the present embodiment includes, as components related to electrical control, a storage section 102 that stores the above-mentioned processing conditions, and a control section 101 that controls each section of the controller 100 and the print head 1. , an operation display section 103 that accepts user operations and displays information to the user, and a power supply section 121 that guides power supplied from the outside to the control section 101.

The controller 100 also includes an ink supply section 104 that supplies ink to the nozzles 12 of the print head 1, and a solvent supply section 105 that supplies solvent to the nozzles 12 and the ink supply section 104, as components related to the supply of ink and the like. It is equipped with.

The control section 101, the ink supply section 104, and the solvent supply section 105 may be configured as separate units. The storage unit 102 may also be configured as a separate unit from the ink supply unit 104 and the solvent supply unit 105. The operation display section 103 may also be configured as a separate unit from the ink supply section 104 and the solvent supply section 105. In these cases as well, the components can be combined to form the controller 100.

(Storage unit 102)
The storage unit 102 stores machining conditions set via an operation display unit 103 or an operation terminal 800, which will be described later, and also transmits the stored machining conditions to the control unit 101 based on an external control signal. It is configured to output .

Specifically, the storage unit 102 is configured using a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. Information can be stored temporarily or continuously. Note that when the operating terminal 800 is incorporated into the controller 100, the operating terminal 800 may also serve as the storage unit 102.

(Control unit 101)
The control unit 101 controls at least the ink supply unit 104 and the solvent supply unit 105 in the controller 100, the nozzle 12, the charging electrode 13, and the deflection electrode 15 in the print head 1, based on the processing conditions stored in the storage unit 102. control. The control unit 101 controls each unit to perform printing on the workpiece W at a predetermined timing.

Specifically, the control unit 101 has, for example, a CPU, a memory, an input/output bus, etc., and receives signals indicating information input via the operation display unit 103 or the operation terminal 800 and data read from the storage unit 102. A control signal is generated based on a signal indicating machining conditions. The control unit 101 controls printing on the workpiece W by outputting the generated control signals to the controller 100 and each part of the inkjet recording apparatus I.

For example, when printing on the workpiece W, the control unit 101 reads the content of printing on the workpiece W stored in the storage unit 102 and generates a control signal based on the content of the printing. Then, by outputting the control signal to the charging electrode 13, the control unit 101 sets the flying direction of the ink droplets so as to achieve a landing position corresponding to the printed content.

(Operation display section 103)
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation display unit 103 can be provided, for example, in a casing that constitutes the controller 100, but it may also be configured separately from the casing and installed in a location different from the casing. good. The operation display section 103 includes a display section 103a that displays various information related to the inkjet recording apparatus I, and an operation section 103b that includes, for example, a touch-type operation panel, buttons, switches, and the like. The display section 103a is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel, and is controlled by the control section 101, and is configured to be able to display a user interface as described below.

When the user operates the operation section 103b of the operation display section 103, the operation information is input to the control section 101, and the control section 101 can detect what kind of operation has been performed. For example, by operating the operation unit 103b, it is possible to turn on/off the power of the inkjet recording apparatus I, perform various settings, input information, etc. Note that when the operation terminal 800 is incorporated into the controller 100, the operation terminal 800 may also serve as the operation display section 103. The display section 103a of the operation display section 103 is a notification section that notifies the user of various information, and the operation section 103b is an input section that can input various information.

This operation display section 103 can also set processing conditions for printing, similar to the aforementioned operation terminal 800. The processing conditions set by the operation display unit 103 are output to the controller 100 and stored in its storage unit 102. In the following description, a case will be explained based on the assumption that the user operates the operation display unit 103, but the operation terminal 800 may be used instead of the operation display unit 103.

(Ink supply unit 104)
The ink supply unit 104 has, as main components, an ink cartridge 104a containing replenishment ink, a main tank 104b to which ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 104a, and an ink distribution path 104c. The ink cartridge 104a, the main tank 104b, and the print head 1 are fluidly connected via an ink flow path 104c.

Among these, the ink cartridge 104a is configured to be detachable from the controller 100, and by replacing it, the main tank 104b can be replenished with ink.

As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus I according to the present embodiment is configured as a so-called "cartridge type" inkjet printer, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, a tank that can be opened and closed manually may be provided and the tank may be refilled with ink.

The main tank 104b is a container that stores ink to be supplied to the nozzle 12, and is specifically configured to store ink whose concentration (viscosity) has been adjusted using a solvent. In order to realize such a configuration, a solvent supply path is connected to the path from the ink cartridge 104a to the main tank 104b.

Further, the ink distribution path 104c is a path for supplying ink to the print head 1, and includes, for example, a path for sending ink to the nozzle 12 and a path for sending ink back from the gutter 16. ing. A path for feeding ink to the nozzle 12 connects the ink cartridge 104a, the main tank 104b, and the nozzle 12. A path for sending ink back from the gutter 16 connects the gutter 16 and the main tank 104b. These paths allow ink to be circulated between the print head 1 and the controller 100.

As will be described later, the ink flow path 104c is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic valves including the first valve V1 and a plurality of pumps including the ink pump P1. Among these, each electromagnetic valve can open and close in response to a control signal output from the control unit 101 to control the flow of ink. On the other hand, each pump can receive a control signal output from the control unit 101 to pump ink, and can control the flow of ink in the same way as a solenoid valve.

(Solvent supply section 105)
The solvent supply section 105 has, as main components, a solvent cartridge 105a containing a replenishing solvent, a conditioning tank 105b storing the solvent used for cleaning, and a solvent distribution path 105c. Solvent cartridge 105a, conditioning tank 105b, and print head 1 are fluidly connected via solvent flow path 105c. The solvent distribution path 105c through which the solvent flows is composed of a plurality of paths, some of which are also used as a path for sending ink back from the gutter 16.

The solvent cartridge 105a is configured to be detachable from the controller 100. By replacing the solvent cartridge 105a, the controller 100 can be refilled with solvent. A solvent tank may be provided instead of the solvent cartridge 105a. Note that the solvent supply unit 105 has a function of detecting whether the solvent in the solvent cartridge 105a is empty or whether there is little solvent left. The solvent contained in the solvent cartridge 105a is used to adjust the concentration of the ink, and is also used as a cleaning agent to clean the path through which the ink flows.

Conditioning tank 105b is configured to contain the solvent used for cleaning. As described above, the solvent discharged from the nozzle 12 is collected by the gutter 16 in the same way as ink. Therefore, the path for sending back the ink from the gutter 16 also serves as the path for sending back the solvent.

Further, the solvent distribution path 105c includes a path for supplying the solvent to the print head 1, the main tank 104b, etc., for example, a path for feeding the solvent into the nozzle 12, and a path for sending the solvent back from the gutter 16. It has . A path for feeding the solvent into the nozzle 12 connects the solvent cartridge 105a and the nozzle 12. As described above, the path for sending the solvent back from the gutter 16 also serves as a path for sending the ink back.

As will be described later, the solvent flow path 105c is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic valves including the sixteenth valve V16 and a plurality of pumps including the solvent pump P2. Among these, each electromagnetic valve opens and closes in response to a control signal output from the control unit 101, and can control the flow of the solvent. On the other hand, each pump can receive a control signal output from the control unit 101 to force-feed the solvent, and can control the flow of the solvent in the same way as a solenoid valve.

Note that the classification of the solvent distribution path 105c and the above-mentioned ink distribution path 104c is merely a convenient classification made to simplify the explanation. The solvent distribution path 105c and the ink distribution path 104c are connected to each other, or one serves as the other, so that they are substantially inseparable.

(Power supply unit 121)
The power supply unit 121 is interposed between the commercial power supply 700 and the control unit 101 and can relay power supplied from the commercial power supply 700) and supply it to the control unit 101.

(other components)
The controller 100 includes electrical wiring for transmitting and receiving control signals, a tube for transmitting and receiving ink (specifically, a tube that partitions the ink distribution path 104c), and a tube for transmitting and receiving a solvent (specifically, a tube that partitions the ink distribution path 104c). A connecting cable 107 is provided in which a bundle of tubes (tubes defining a solvent flow path 105c) and a jacket are bundled. This connection cable 107 has flexibility and is connected to the upper end of the print head 1 (see FIG. 1). The controller 100 and the print head 1 are electrically and fluidly connected via this connection cable 107.

<Print head 1>
The print head 1 ejects ink, whose concentration is adjusted based on a control signal supplied from the controller 100, the ink, and the solvent, as ink droplets. The print head 1 deflects the flying direction of the ejected ink droplets and causes the deflected ink droplets to land on the surface of the workpiece W, thereby printing on the workpiece W. .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the print head 1 according to the present embodiment includes a vibrator 11 that vibrates ink, a nozzle 12 that discharges the ink vibrated by the vibrator 11, A charging electrode 13 that charges particulate ink ejected from the nozzle 12, a charging detection sensor 14 that monitors the charging state of the ink, and a deflection electrode 15 that deflects the flying direction of the ink charged by the charging electrode 13. A gutter 16 is provided to collect the ink that is not deflected by the deflection electrode 15 or the solvent discharged from the nozzle 12.

The print head 1 includes a casing 10 that houses therein a vibrator 11, a nozzle 12, a charging electrode 13, a charging detection sensor 14, a deflection electrode 15, and a gutter 16, and partitions an ink droplet flight space S1. ing. This print head 1 can eject ink droplets deflected by the deflection electrode 15 to the outside of the housing 10 via the flight space S1.

As shown in FIG. 5, an ejection port A for ejecting ink deflected by the deflection electrode 15 to the outside is opened in the lower surface of the casing 10 forming the outer shape of the print head 1. Ink is ejected downward from the casing 10 from the ejection opening A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the print head 1 during printing is supported by a support member 2, for example. The print head 1 supported by the support member 2 is arranged such that its ejection holes A face the printing surface of the workpiece W from above. This location is an example of the installation location of the print head 1 when printing is performed by the inkjet recording apparatus I.

Each part of the print head 1 will be explained in order below. Note that in the following description, "vertical direction" refers to a direction along the vertical direction. For example, the upper part of the paper in FIG. 3 corresponds to the "upward direction", and the lower part of the paper in FIG. 3 corresponds to the "downward direction". In other figures as well, the direction corresponding to this is referred to as the "up-down direction."

(Vibrator 11)
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the vibrator 11 is arranged near the upper end of the casing 10 in the flight space S1. The vibrator 11 according to the present embodiment includes a built-in device (for example, a piezo element) for imparting vertical vibration (excitation) to the ink. The vibrator 11 is configured to be supplied with ink via the connection cable 107, and can vibrate the ink thus supplied. The ink excited by the vibrator 11 is supplied to the nozzle 12 .

Although not shown, the vibrator 11 according to this embodiment is grounded.

(Nozzle 12)
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the nozzle 12 is connected to the lower end of the vibrator 11, and is arranged with its open end (ink ejection port) facing downward. Ink excited by the vibrator 11 can be ejected from the open end of the nozzle 12 . A suction path 27 is connected to this nozzle 12, which functions as a return path for releasing the pressure inside the print head 1 when the print head 1 is turned down, for example (see FIG. 4). Further, the solvent can also be sucked from the nozzle 12 through the suction path 27.

Here, the ink ejected from the nozzle 12 without being vibrated by the vibrator 11 flows as a so-called "ink axis" in the form of an axis. On the other hand, the vibrated ink becomes particles immediately after being ejected from the nozzle 12, and becomes so-called "ink particles." The ink ejected from the nozzle 12 has a axial shape immediately after being ejected from the nozzle 12, but becomes particulate as it moves away from the nozzle 12. The position where the particles become like this is called a breakpoint. Ink (ink droplets) ejected from the nozzle 12 passes through a charging electrode 13, which will be described later.

Note that the solvent supplied to clean the print head 1 passes through the vibrator 11 and the nozzle 12 in this order, and is discharged from the tip of the nozzle 12. The solvent thus discharged flows axially and passes through the charging electrode 13.

(Charging electrode 13)
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the charging electrode 13 is constituted by a pair of conductive metal plates, and is arranged below the nozzle 12. Here, the pair of metal plates constituting the charging electrode 13 are fixed to the housing 10 in such a manner that their respective longitudinal directions are aligned in the vertical direction, and in such a manner that they face each other in the horizontal direction. The interval between the pair of metal plates is set to be larger than the particle size of the ink ejected from the nozzle 12, and the ink ejected from the nozzle 12 passes between the pair of metal plates.

A potential (positive potential) is applied to the charging electrode 13 according to this embodiment at least when performing a printing operation. Thereby, it is possible to generate a potential difference between the vibrator 11 and the charging electrode 13 and charge the ink droplets passing through the charging electrode 13. In order to charge each ink droplet, the charging electrode 13 according to this embodiment is placed near a break point where the ink ejected from the nozzle 12 becomes particles.

A pulse potential that can be controlled by a controller 100 is applied to the charging electrode 13 . Here, when a relatively high voltage is applied to the charging electrode 13, the amount of charge (the magnitude of negative charge) on each ink droplet is larger than when a lower voltage is applied. Become. When each ink droplet has a large amount of charge, it is deflected to a greater extent by the deflection electrode 15 than when the amount of charge is small. By adjusting the magnitude of the pulse potential by the controller 100, the amount of deflection of the ink droplets can be controlled. The ink droplets charged by the charging electrode 13 reach the deflection electrode 15 that passes on the side of the charging detection sensor 14 .

Further, the solvent discharged from the nozzle 12 passes through the side of the charge detection sensor 14 and reaches the deflection electrode 15 without being charged.

(Charge detection sensor 14)
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the charging detection sensor 14 is arranged below the charging electrode 13. Specifically, the charge detection sensor 14 is arranged below the metal plate that constitutes the charge electrode 13 (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the metal plate on the right side of the paper) so as not to intersect with the trajectory of the flying ink droplets. ing. By arranging the charge detection sensor 14 in this manner, it is possible to avoid collisions between ink droplets and the charge detection sensor 14.

Furthermore, the charge detection sensor 14 according to this embodiment is connected to a circuit board provided inside the housing 10. The charge detection sensor 14 can detect the charge state of the ink droplet passing on the side thereof. The detection result by the charge detection sensor 14 is output to the control unit 101 as a detection signal. Based on this detection signal, the control unit 101 can determine whether each ink droplet is appropriately charged.

(Deflection electrode 15)
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the deflection electrode 15 is constituted by a pair of conductive metal plates (so-called "counter electrodes"), and is arranged below the charging electrode 13 and the charging detection sensor 14. Here, the pair of metal plates are fixed to the housing 10 in such a manner that their respective longitudinal directions are aligned substantially in the vertical direction, and in such a manner that they face each other in the horizontal direction. The ink droplet that has passed between the pair of metal plates forming the charging electrode 13 passes between the pair of metal plates forming the deflection electrode 15.

A voltage that can be controlled by a controller 100 is applied to the deflection electrode 15 . As a result, a potential difference is generated between the pair of metal plates constituting the deflection electrode 15. This potential difference allows the flying direction of the ink droplet to be deflected depending on the amount of charge on the ink droplet. The flying direction of the ink droplets can be deflected along the direction in which the pair of metal plates constituting the deflection electrode 15 are arranged.

That is, the flying direction of the ink droplets can be controlled through the voltages applied to each of the charging electrode 13 and the deflection electrode 15. The ink droplets whose flight direction is controlled in this manner include those whose flight direction is deflected by the deflection electrode 15 and those which are not deflected by the deflection electrode 15 (non-deflected). Among these, the ink droplets deflected by the deflection electrode 15 are involved in printing on the workpiece W. The ink droplets deflected by the deflection electrode 15 are ejected from the ejection opening A provided on the lower surface of the housing 10 and land on the workpiece W.

On the other hand, the ink droplets that are not deflected by the deflection electrode 15 do not participate in printing on the workpiece W. These ink droplets or shaft-shaped ink that has not been turned into particles reach the inside of the gutter 16, as illustrated by the chain line in FIG. Similarly, the solvent used to clean the nozzles 12 and the like in the print head 1 and passed through the deflection electrode 15 also reaches the gutter 16.

(Gutter 16)
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the gutter 16 is formed of a curved tube with its open end facing upward, and is disposed below the deflection electrode 15. The gutter 16 according to the present embodiment can collect ink that does not participate in printing on the workpiece W and the solvent that has passed through the nozzle 12 (specifically, the solvent discharged from the nozzle 12).

Specifically, in this embodiment, the open end (upstream end) of the gutter 16 and the open end of the nozzle 12 are arranged to face each other, and the open end of the nozzle 12 is located directly above the open end of the gutter 16. The edge is located. By arranging it in this way, it becomes possible to receive the fluid flowing in the vertical direction from the open end of the nozzle 12 through the open end of the gutter 16.

The ink or solvent collected by the gutter 16 is sent back to the controller 100 through the ink distribution path 104c, the solvent distribution path 105c, etc., and is stored in the main tank 104b or the conditioning tank 105b.

Hereinafter, in order to explain in detail the collection of ink or solvent by the gutter 16, the configurations related to the ink distribution path 104c and the solvent distribution path 105c will be described using FIG. 4. In addition, the component to which the code|symbol F is attached in FIG. 4 illustrates a filter. In the following description, explanations of the arrangement, configuration, etc. of the filter F will be omitted.

<About ink and solvent routes>
As described above, the controller 100 according to the present embodiment includes an ink distribution path 104c for supplying ink to the print head 1, and a solvent distribution path 105c for supplying solvent to the print head 1, the main tank 104b, etc. , is equipped with.

Specifically, the ink distribution path 104c is a path related to the supply of ink to the nozzle 12, and includes a first ink path 21 connecting the ink cartridge 104a and the first branch section 51, and a first branch section 51 (in detail). is an intermediate part of the second ink path 22), the sixth ink path 26 that connects the second branch 52, the eighth ink path 28 that connects the second branch 52 and the main tank 104b, and the main The fourth ink path 24 connects the tank 104b and the nozzle 12. Here, the sixth ink path 26 according to the present embodiment is connected to the second branch portion 52 via a fifth ink path 25, which will be described later.

In addition, the ink distribution path 104c connects the first branch portion 51 and the main tank 104b as a path related to viscosity measurement by the viscometer 53, and connects the second ink path 22 in which the viscometer 53 is interposed, and A third ink path 23 is provided independently of the second ink path 22 and connects the main tank 104b and the first branch 51.

The ink distribution path 104c also includes a fifth ink path 25 that connects the gutter 16 and the main tank 104b as a path related to ink collection by the gutter 16.

Here, the second ink path 22 is provided with a circulation pump P4, an eleventh valve V11, and a viscometer 53 in this order. The fourth ink path 24 is provided with an ink pump P1, a pressure reducing valve, a pressure gauge, and a fourteenth valve V14 in this order. The fifth ink path 25 is provided with a tenth valve V10, a gutter pump P3, and a second branch portion 52 in this order.

On the other hand, the solvent distribution path 105c includes a first solvent path 31 that connects the solvent cartridge 105a and the nozzle 12 as a path related to supplying the solvent to the nozzle 12.

Further, the solvent distribution path 105c is a path (a part of the path connecting the solvent cartridge 105a and the main tank 104b) related to adjusting the concentration (viscosity) of the ink using the solvent contained in the solvent cartridge 105a. It may have a second solvent route 32 that connects an intermediate portion of the route 31 and the first branch portion 51 .

Further, the solvent distribution path 105c is a path related to concentration adjustment using the solvent stored in the conditioning tank 105b (a part of the path connecting the main tank 104b and the conditioning tank 105b), and is connected to the first branch portion 51 and the conditioning tank. 105b may be provided.

Note that the fifth ink path 25 exemplified as the ink distribution path 104c is related to solvent recovery by the gutter 16. As mentioned above, the classifications "ink distribution path 104c" and "solvent distribution path 105c" are merely classifications for convenience.

Here, the first solvent path 31 is provided with an optical empty detection mechanism 44, a solvent pump P2, a sixteenth valve V16, and a twelfth valve V12 in this order. A cleaning nozzle 19 serving as a solvent injection section is connected to the first solvent path 31 . The cleaning nozzle 19 is a nozzle for cleaning the vibrator 11, the tip of the nozzle 12, the charging electrode 13, the deflection electrode 15, etc. in the print head 1 by spraying a solvent thereon. can be ejected. A fifteenth valve V15 is provided on the way from the cleaning nozzle 19 to the first solvent path 31.

Here, the first branch part 51 includes a fifth valve V5 that opens and closes between the third ink path 23 and the second ink path 22, and an eighth valve that opens and closes between the first ink path 21 and the second ink path 22. It has a valve V8, a ninth valve V9 that opens and closes between the third solvent path 33 and the second ink path 22, and a thirteenth valve V13 that opens and closes between the second solvent path 32 and the second ink path. ing.

The second branching portion 52 also includes a first valve V1 that opens and closes between the sixth ink path 26 and the eighth ink path 28, and a third valve V3 that opens and closes between the sixth ink path 26 and the conditioning tank 105b. , a fourth valve V4 that opens and closes between the sixth ink path 26 and the waste liquid tank (shown as "waste liquid" in FIG. 4).

The control unit 101 outputs a control signal to the valves provided in each path, such as the eleventh valve V11, and outputs a control signal to each valve forming the first branch part 51 and the second branch part 52. Thus, a desired flow path can be configured within the controller 100.

For example, by opening the eighth valve V8 and the first valve V1, it becomes possible to replenish ink from the ink cartridge 104a to the main tank 104b. Although it is not the original circulation operation, ink can be circulated between the second ink path 22, the main tank, and the third ink path 23 by opening the fifth valve V5 and the eleventh valve V11. , the viscosity of the ink can be measured by the viscometer 53.

The same is true for solvent-related routes. For example, by opening the thirteenth valve V13 and the first valve V1, the solvent contained in the solvent cartridge 105a can be supplied to the main tank 104b, and the concentration of the ink stored in the tank can be adjusted. It becomes like this. Further, by opening the ninth valve V9 and the first valve V1, the ink-containing solvent stored in the conditioning tank 105b is transferred to the third solvent path 33, the first branch part 51, the sixth ink path 26, The ink passes through the second branch 52 and the eighth ink path 28 and is supplied to the main tank 105a.

Controller 100 also has channels associated with air flow. For example, a first exhaust pipe 41 communicating with an exhaust port (not shown) is connected to the main tank 104b. Similarly, a second exhaust pipe 42 communicating with the exhaust port is connected to the conditioning tank 105b.

As another example of a path related to air circulation, the controller 100 has a suction path 27 that connects the nozzle 12 and the first branch 51. The suction path 27 is provided with a sixth valve V6, and by opening this sixth valve V6 and the fifth valve V5 described above, the suction path 27, the first branch portion 51, the sixth ink path 26, and the sixth ink path 26 are opened. The nozzle 12 can be communicated with the atmosphere via the two-branch portion 52, the eighth ink path 28, the main tank 104b, and the first exhaust pipe 41. Thereby, the ejection pressure of ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 12 can be adjusted.

Furthermore, when printing is performed, ink is supplied from the main tank 104b via the fourth ink path 24 by opening the fourteenth valve V14. The ink thus supplied is ejected from the nozzle 12 in the form of ink particles.

Here, among the ink (ink droplets) ejected from the nozzle 12, the ink involved in printing is ejected from the print head 1 as explained using FIG. On the other hand, ink not involved in printing and solvent used for cleaning the nozzle 12 and the like are collected in the gutter 16 and sent back to the controller 100 through the fifth ink path 25.

In that case, the ink to be sent back to the main tank 104b flows from the first branch 51 through the sixth ink path 26, the first valve V1 in the second branch 52, and the eighth ink path 28. It is supplied to the main tank 104b. On the other hand, the solvent to be sent back to the conditioning tank 105b is supplied from the fifth path 25 to the conditioning tank 105b via the third valve V3 in the second branch 52.

The collection of ink or solvent by the gutter 16 is performed, for example, in conjunction with startup processing and shutdown processing of the inkjet recording apparatus I. Here, the "startup process" refers to a process that is executed when the inkjet recording apparatus I is powered on and before printing starts. On the other hand, the "fall-down process" refers to a process that is executed when the inkjet recording apparatus I is powered off and before the operation of the apparatus is stopped.

Specifically, the inkjet recording apparatus I according to this embodiment does not immediately start printing even when the power switch is turned on. The inkjet recording apparatus I executes a predetermined start-up process before starting printing. In this start-up process, ink ejection is started after the print head 1 is cleaned using a solvent. The ink ejected immediately after the start of the start-up process forms the aforementioned ink axis and is collected by the gutter 16.

Similarly, the inkjet recording apparatus I according to this embodiment does not immediately stop its operation when the power switch is about to be turned off. Before stopping its operation, the inkjet recording apparatus I executes a predetermined startup process including nozzle cleaning. In this fall process, a solvent is ejected from the nozzle 12 to wash and collect the ink remaining therein. The ink discharged from the nozzle 12 as the solvent is discharged is collected by the gutter 16, similar to the ink shaft in the start-up process.

Note that the "power switch" in this embodiment includes not only physical push buttons but also switches configured with a touch-type operation panel displayed on the operation display section 103 or the like. The OFF operation of the power switch refers not only to an operation of physically pressing a push button or the like, but also to a shutdown operation commanded through the operation terminal 800, the operation display section 103, or the like. The same applies to the ON operation of the power switch.

The start-up process and the fall-down process of the inkjet recording apparatus I will be described in detail below.

<Basic operation of inkjet recording apparatus I>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the basic operation of the inkjet recording apparatus I. This flowchart exemplifies the basic operations of the inkjet recording apparatus I, including start-up processing.

First, in step SA1 in FIG. 6, the power switch of the inkjet recording apparatus I is turned on from OFF, and the power to the inkjet recording apparatus I is turned on.

In step SA2 following step SA1, control unit 101 executes startup processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating startup processing of the inkjet recording apparatus I. This flowchart illustrates details of step SA2 in FIG. 6. That is, four steps SB1, SB2, SB3, and SB4 in FIG. 7 constitute step SA2 in FIG. 6.

Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining process A in the startup process, FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining process B in the startup process, and FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining process C in the startup process. This is a diagram for

In step SB1, the control unit 101 executes step A and increases the pressure of the ink and solvent paths in the inkjet recording apparatus I. In this step A, in order to prepare the solvent, the control unit 101 keeps the 16th valve V16 open and the 12th valve V12 closed. By operating the solvent pump P2 in this state, the solvent contained in the solvent cartridge 105a is supplied to the vicinity of the twelfth valve V12 via the first solvent path 31 (see the thick line in FIG. 8).

Furthermore, in order to prepare ink, the control unit 101 causes the fourteenth valve V14 to stand by in a closed state. By operating the ink pump P1 in this state, the pressure of the ink in the fourth ink path 24 increases (see the thick line in FIG. 8).

Further, in order to prepare the gutter 16, the control unit 101 causes the tenth valve V10 and the first valve V1 to stand by in an open state. By operating the gutter pump P3 in this state, the ink or solvent collected by the gutter 16 can be sent back to the main tank 104b via the fifth ink path 25 and the second branch part 52 (Fig. 8).

In step A, a detection signal from a pressure gauge is input to the control unit 101. Based on such a detection signal, the control unit 101 waits until the pressure in the fourth ink path 24 becomes equal to or higher than a specified value.

In step SA2 following step SA1, the control unit 101 executes step B and causes the nozzle 12 to discharge the solvent. In this step B, the control unit 101 opens the twelfth valve V12, so that the solvent is sucked out and discharged from the nozzle 12. The solvent thus discharged is collected by the gutter 16. Since this step B is executed over a short period of less than 1 second, a smaller amount of solvent is discharged than in other steps. Therefore, the solvent discharged in step B is sent back from the fifth ink path 25 to the main tank 104b via the first valve V1 (see the thick line in FIG. 9).

Note that when a large amount of solvent is injected in step B, the third valve V3 is opened instead of the first valve V1, and the solvent is sent back from the fifth ink path 25 to the conditioning tank 105b.

In step SA3 following step SA2, the control unit 101 executes step C and causes ink to be ejected from the nozzle 12. In this step C, in order to eject ink, the control unit 101 closes the twelfth valve V12 and opens the fourteenth valve V14. As a result, a shaft-shaped ink (ink shaft) is ejected from the nozzle 12 . The ejected ink is collected by the gutter 16. The ink thus collected is sent back to the main tank 104b from the fifth ink path 25 via the first valve V1 (see the thick line in FIG. 10).

In step SA4 following step SA3, the control unit 101 starts excitation of the ink ejected from the nozzle 12 and application to the charging electrode 13 and deflection electrode 15. This allows the ink to be made into particles, charged, and deflected.

When the process shown in step SA4 is completed, the process returns from the control process shown in FIG. 7 to the control process shown in FIG. 6. Then, the control unit 101 executes step SA3 following step SA2.

In step SA3, the control unit 101 performs printing on the workpiece W by causing particulate ink (ink droplets) to land on the workpiece W.

When the printing operation on the work W is started, as shown in FIG. 3, ink is vibrated by the vibrator 11 and is ejected from the nozzle 12. This ink is appropriately supplied from the ink supply section 104 of the controller 100. The ink ejected from the nozzle 12 starts to become particles immediately after being ejected, and is charged by the charging electrode 13 at the stage where the ink becomes particles. The ink droplets charged by the charging electrode 13 pass through the deflection electrode 15 after the charging state is detected by the charging detection sensor 14 .

The ink droplets whose flight direction is deflected by the deflection electrode 15 pass through the flight section S1 within the housing 10 and are ejected to the outside of the print head 1. As shown in FIG. 1, ink droplets ejected from the print head 1 land on the surface of the workpiece W to form characters and figures. Here, the landing position of the ink droplets is controlled via the amount of charge of each ink droplet and the voltage applied to the deflection electrode 15.

Further, as described above, since the inkjet recording apparatus I according to the present embodiment is configured as a continuous type inkjet printer, the inkjet recording apparatus I according to the present embodiment is in a printable state (operating state of the inkjet recording apparatus I) after startup processing. In some cases, ink continues to be ejected from the nozzle 12 even when printing is not performed. The ink ejected at this time is not deflected by the deflection electrode 15 (in other words, it is "non-deflected"). The non-deflected ink is collected by the gutter 16, circulates inside the device, and is reused without being involved in printing.

Here, let us consider a case where printing is completed without a hitch and the inkjet recording apparatus I is shut down normally. Specifically, assume that in step SA3, the power switch of the inkjet recording apparatus I is about to be switched from ON to OFF.

In this case, in step SA4, the control unit 101 executes a fall process. This fall process is an example of the "cleaning operation" in this embodiment. The cleaning operation is executed by the cleaning operation section 101a of the control section 101.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the startup process of the inkjet recording apparatus I. This flowchart illustrates details of step SA4 in FIG. 6. That is, five steps SC1 to SC5 in FIG. 11 constitute step SA4 in FIG. 6.

Further, FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining process D in the falling process, FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining process E in the falling process, and FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining process F in the falling process. This is a diagram for

In step SC1, the control unit 101 stops excitation of the ink ejected from the nozzle 12 and application of voltage to the charging electrode 13 and deflection electrode 15 (ink particleization, charging, deflection: ON→ OFF). As a result, particle formation, charging, and deflection of the ink are stopped, and a shaft-shaped ink shaft is ejected from the nozzle 12.

In step SC2 following step SC1, the control unit 101 stops ejection of the ink shaft (stopping ink ejection). Specifically, in step SC2, the control unit 101 closes the fourteenth valve V14 to stop ink ejection. This prevents ink from being ejected from the nozzle 12.

In step SC3 following step SC2, the control unit 101 executes intermittent ejection of solvent (intermittent ejection of solvent). Specifically, the control unit 101 alternately executes process D illustrated in FIG. 12 and process E illustrated in FIG. 13 in order to intermittently discharge the solvent. By intermittently discharging the solvent, the inkjet recording apparatus I, particularly the nozzles 12 forming the print head 1, can be cleaned. Hereinafter, this operation will be referred to as "intermittent ejection operation."

Among these, in step D shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 101 controls the 16th valve V16, the 12th valve (also referred to as a solvent injection valve) V12, the 10th valve V10, and the 1st valve V1. open. By operating the solvent pump P2 and the gutter pump P3 in this state, the solvent contained in the solvent cartridge 105a is discharged from the nozzle 12 via the first solvent path 31 and collected by the gutter 16. The solvent collected by the gutter 16 is sent back to the main tank 104b via the fifth ink path 25 and the second branch 52 (see the thick line in FIG. 12).

Immediately after starting the process shown in FIG. 11, it is thought that much ink remains in the fifth ink path 25, so the solvent in step D shown in FIG. 12 is sent to the main tank 104b instead of the conditioning tank 105b. It is meant to be sent back.

Furthermore, in step E shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 101 closes the twelfth valve V12 and opens the sixth valve V6. Then, due to the negative pressure exerted by the circulation pump P4, the solvent remaining in the nozzle 12 is transferred to the main tank via the suction path 27, the first branch part 51, the sixth ink path 26, the first valve V1, and the eighth ink path 28. 104b (see the thick line in FIG. 13).

Note that in step E shown in FIG. 13, the twelfth valve V12 may be left open without being closed. In that case, even though the solvent is supplied from the solvent cartridge 105a to the nozzle 12, the supplied solvent is sucked in from the suction path 27 as it is. By doing so, the flow rate of the solvent flowing through the sixth valve V6 can be increased, making it possible to perform more thorough cleaning.

Step D shown in FIG. 12 and Step E shown in FIG. 13 are repeated multiple times (for example, several sets). Here, the time (for example, less than 1 second) for performing step D in step SC3 is shorter than the time for implementing step E (for example, about several seconds).

Further, by opening the twelfth valve V12 in step D after closing the twelfth valve V12 in step E, the solvent is intermittently injected. When moving from step D to step E, the twelfth valve V12 may be closed for about several seconds. By doing so, the pressure of the solvent near the twelfth valve V12 can be increased, and when the twelfth valve V12 is opened, the solvent can be vigorously discharged.

In step SC4 following step SC3, the control unit 101 executes only step D shown in FIG. 12 and causes the nozzle 12 to discharge the solvent. The time for implementing process D in step SC4 is, for example, about 30 seconds, which is longer than the time for implementing process D in step SC3. By executing step SC4, it is possible to mainly clean the fifth ink path 25 leading to the gutter 16. Hereinafter, this operation will be referred to as a "gutter cleaning operation."

In step SC5 following step SC4, the control unit 101 executes step F shown in FIG. 14 to recover the solvent from the print head 1. Specifically, in this step F, the control unit 101 opens the tenth valve V10 and the third valve V3. By operating the gutter pump P3 in this state, the solvent remaining in the nozzle 12 is sucked into the conditioning tank 105b via the fifth ink path 25 and the second branch portion 52 (see the thick line in FIG. 14). By executing this step S65, the solvent used for cleaning can be recovered.

Since the solvent was ejected in step SC4 before step SC5 was executed, it is considered that a relatively large amount of solvent remains in the fifth ink path 25. Therefore, the solvent in step F is sent back to the conditioning tank 105b instead of the main tank 104b.

When the process shown in step SC5 is completed, the process returns from the control process shown in FIG. 11 to the control process shown in FIG. 6. Then, in step SA5 following step SA4, the power supply to the inkjet recording apparatus I is cut off, and the inkjet recording apparatus I stops its operation.

<Cleaning placement section 200>
As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning mounting section 200 is arranged at a location different from the location where the print head 1 is installed when printing is performed by the inkjet recording apparatus I. As shown in FIG. 15, the cleaning mounting section 200 is configured so that the print head 1 is placed thereon when the print head 1 is cleaned using a cleaning liquid. A liquid other than a solvent can also be used as the cleaning liquid.

The cleaning mounting section 200 and the print head 1 are communicably connected, and the connection may be wired or wireless. Further, the print head 1 and the controller 100 are communicably connected, and the connection form may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, the controller 100 and the cleaning platform 200 are communicably connected, and the connection form may be wired or wireless. As an example of these connection forms, a signal line capable of transmitting and receiving signals can be used.

When the installation location of the print head 1 when printing is performed by the inkjet recording apparatus I is defined as shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning mounting section 200 is installed at a location away from the installation location. The cleaning mounting section 200 can be installed separately from the controller 100, but it may also be installed at the same location as the controller 100. The cleaning mounting section 200 is a unit that cleans the print head 1 while the print head 1 is mounted thereon, and can also be called, for example, a cleaning station, a cleaning dock, a cleaning mounting device, a cleaning unit, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 16, the cleaning mounting section 200 includes a main body section 210 and a recovery container 300 for recovering the cleaning liquid for the print head 1. The main body portion 210 includes a back plate portion 211 extending in the vertical direction. A guide support member 230 that guides and supports the print head 1 is provided on the upper part of the back plate portion 211. As shown in FIG. 17, the guide support member 230 has a pair of left and right rail portions 230a, 230a, and a support portion 230b. The rail portions 230a, 230a are spaced from each other in the left-right direction, both extend in the vertical direction, and are arranged so as to protrude from the front surface of the back plate portion 211 to the front side. The upper ends of the rail parts 230a, 230a are open. The support portion 230b is a portion that supports the print head 1 placed in a regular position, and is constituted by a protrusion portion that protrudes toward the front side from between the rail portions 230a, 230a. The support portion 230b can also be called a stopper portion.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, a guided member 18 is provided at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction on the back surface of the housing 10 of the print head 1. As shown in FIG. The guided member 18 is made of a plate or the like arranged so as to protrude from the back surface of the housing 10 . On the left side of the guided member 18, a guided part 18a is formed so as to fit into the left rail part 230a of the cleaning platform 200 and protrudes leftward. On the right side of the guided member 18, a guided part 18a is formed so as to fit into the right rail part 230a of the cleaning platform 200 and protrudes rightward.

The left and right guided parts 18a, 18a extend in the vertical direction, and are formed to be able to be inserted into the rail parts 230a, 230a of the cleaning mounting part 200 from the upper ends of the rail parts 230a, 230a. The guided parts 18a, 18a are guided in the vertical direction by the rail parts 230a, 230a while being inserted into the rail parts 230a, 230a. At this time, the movement direction of the print head 1 is restricted only to the vertical direction, and is prevented from moving in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction with respect to the cleaning mounting section 200.

The lower end surface of the guided member 18 is a contact surface 18b that contacts the upper surface of the support section 230b provided on the guide support member 230 of the cleaning mounting section 200. The print head 1 can be moved downward with respect to the cleaning mounting section 200 until the contact surface 18b contacts the upper surface of the support section 230b shown in FIG. 17. In other words, the height of the print head 1 placed on the cleaning placement section 200 can be set by the height of the contact surface 18b of the guided member 18 or the height of the top surface of the support section 230b. In this embodiment, the height of the print head 1 placed on the cleaning placement section 200 is set as shown in FIG. 15, and this position is the normal position. Although not shown, a rail portion may be provided on the print head 1 and a guided member may be provided on the cleaning mounting portion 200. The structure for positioning the print head 1 at a normal position is not limited to the structure described above, and any structure may be used as long as the print head 1 can be supported at a normal position by a part of the main body 210.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 19, a magnet 211a is provided inside the back plate section 211 of the cleaning mounting section 200. The magnet 211a is arranged so that the magnetic force passes through the back plate portion 211 and acts forward. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a substrate 211b is provided inside the back plate portion 211, and a light emitting element 211c that emits infrared light for performing infrared communication is mounted on this substrate 211b. There is. As shown in FIG. 20, the light emitting element 211c is connected to the control section 101 of the controller 100, and is controlled by the control section 101. As shown in FIG. 19, the light emitting surface of the light emitting element 211c faces forward. The back plate portion 211 is provided with a transmitting member 211d that transmits infrared light from the light emitting element 211c. The infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 211c passes through the transmitting member 211d and is emitted toward the front of the back plate portion 211.

On the other hand, inside the housing 10 of the print head 1, a substrate 10a is provided. A magnetic sensor 10b and a light receiving element 10c for infrared communication are mounted on the substrate 10a. The magnetic sensor 10b is a non-contact magnetic sensor that is configured to convert and output an electric signal when it detects a magnetic force equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, and can be configured with a Hall element, etc., for example. . The magnetic sensor 10b is positioned so as to be approximately at the same height as the magnet 211a of the cleaning mounting section 200 when the print head 10 is in the normal position. On the front side of the magnet 211a, the position at the same height as the magnet 211a has the greatest magnetic force, and the magnetic sensor 10b is configured to output a magnetic force detection signal only when it is at this position. Therefore, for example, if the print sensor 1 is placed above the normal position, the distance between the magnetic sensor 10b and the magnet 211a becomes long, so the magnetic sensor 10b does not output a magnetic force detection signal. Utilizing this, it is possible to detect whether or not the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning and placement section 200, and whether or not it is placed at the correct position. The magnetic sensor 10b is connected to the control section 101 of the controller 100 and is configured to output a signal to the control section 101. The control unit 101 may determine whether or not the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement unit 200 and whether or not it is placed at a proper position.

The light-receiving surface of the light-receiving element 10c faces toward the rear so that the light-receiving element 10c can receive infrared light emitted from the light-emitting element 211c of the cleaning mounting section 200. The height of the light receiving element 10c is set so that the light receiving element 10c can receive infrared light from the light emitting element 211c only when the print head 10 is in a normal position. By narrowing the directivity of the infrared light of the light emitting element 211c so that it does not spread over a wide range, and by also narrowing the directivity of the light receiving element 10c, the light receiving element is emitted only when the print head 10 is in the normal position. 10c becomes capable of receiving infrared light from the light emitting element 211c. Based on whether or not this communication is established, it is possible to detect whether or not the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning and placement section 200 and whether or not it is placed at the correct position. The light receiving element 10c is connected to the control section 101 of the controller 100, and is configured to output a signal to the control section 101. Even if the control unit 101 determines whether or not the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning and placement unit 200 and whether or not it is placed in the correct position based on whether communication can be established. good. Note that the housing 10 is provided with a window portion 10d that transmits infrared light from the light emitting element 211c.

The positions of the light-emitting element 211c and the light-receiving element 10c are not limited to the positions shown in the figure, and the infrared light irradiated from the light-emitting element 211c can be transferred to the light-receiving element only when the print head 1 is placed in the normal position. Any positional relationship that allows light to be received by 10c is sufficient. Similarly, the positions of the magnet 211a and the magnetic sensor 10b are not limited to the illustrated positions, but are positions where the magnetic sensor 10b outputs a magnetic force detection signal only when the print head 1 is placed in the normal position. It's fine as long as it's related.

As described above, the magnetic sensor 10b does not output a magnetic force detection signal unless the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning mounting section 200. This corresponds to a placement detection unit that detects that the Furthermore, if the print head 1 is not placed in the correct position relative to the cleaning mounting section 200, the magnetic sensor 10b will not output a magnetic force detection signal. It is also possible to detect that the head 1 is placed in the correct position. The magnetic force detection signal is a signal based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1.

Furthermore, unless the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement section 200, the light receiving element 10c cannot receive the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 211c. This corresponds to a placement detection section that detects that the print head 1 is placed. Furthermore, if the print head 1 is not placed in the correct position with respect to the cleaning placement section 200, the light receiving element 10c cannot receive the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 211c. , it is also possible to detect that the print head 1 is placed in the correct position with respect to the cleaning placement section 200. Furthermore, if the light emitting element 211c and the light receiving element 10c cannot perform infrared communication, it can be assumed that the print head 1 is not mounted. When this is possible, it can be detected that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement section 200. Similarly, if the print head 1 is not placed in the correct position with respect to the cleaning placement section 200, the light emitting element 211c and the light receiving element 10c cannot perform infrared communication. Based on the output of the element 10c, when infrared communication is possible, it can be detected that the print head 1 is placed in the correct position with respect to the cleaning placement section 200. The infrared communication signal acquired by the light receiving element 10c is a signal based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1.

The magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 10b and the infrared communication signal acquired by the light receiving element 10c are sent from the print head 1 to the control unit 101 of the controller 100 via the connection cable 107.

The placement detection section may be, for example, a proximity sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a laser sensor, etc., in addition to the one using a magnetic force detection signal or infrared communication. When using these sensors, when the distance between the print head 1 and the cleaning mounting section 200 is less than a predetermined distance, the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning mounting section 200 or is not in the correct position. It can be detected that it has been placed.

In this embodiment, both the magnetic force detection signal and infrared communication can be output as signals based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1, but only one of them may be output. By outputting two or more types of signals based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1, detection accuracy can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 16, the back plate portion 211 is provided with a bottom wall portion 212 extending from an intermediate portion in the vertical direction toward the front side, and a peripheral wall portion 213 extending upward from the bottom wall portion 212. The portion 212 and the peripheral wall portion 213 form a cup shape. As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 24, the lower side of the print head 1 placed in the normal position is inserted into the peripheral wall portion 213. In this state, the upper side of the print head 1 protrudes upward from the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 213. Further, a bottom wall portion 212 is located at a location downwardly away from the ejection port A (shown in FIG. 5) of the print head 1. The solvent used when cleaning the print head 1 mainly leaks from the discharge port A of the print head 1, but the solvent leaked from the discharge port A is received by the bottom wall portion 212 and the peripheral wall portion 213. It is now possible to do so. Although the bottom wall portion 212 and the peripheral wall portion 213 are shown separately for the sake of explanation, they may have a shape in which their boundaries are indistinguishably integrated, and in short, the lower side of the print head 1 can be accommodated therein. It suffices if it is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom.

<Installation structure of collection container 300>
As shown in FIG. 16, a recovery container 300 for recovering cleaning agent from the print head 1 is attached to the bottom wall portion 212. The collection container 300 can be made of, for example, a resin bottle, and can be transparent or have a scale so that the amount of cleaning liquid inside can be seen from the outside. As in the modification shown in FIG. 21, instead of directly attaching the collection container 300 to the bottom wall 212, a pipe 350 made of, for example, a hose or piping member is attached to the bottom wall 212, and the cleaning liquid is supplied through the pipe 350. It may also be collected in a separate collection container (not shown). In this case, the collection container can be provided in the controller 100. The pipe 350 may be a member that constitutes a part of the collection container, or may be a member that constitutes a part of the washing platform 200. The attachment structure of the recovery container 300 to the bottom wall portion 212 and the attachment structure of the tube 350 to the bottom wall portion 212 may be different or may be the same. Hereinafter, the attachment structure of the collection container 300 to the bottom wall portion 212 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 22, a cylindrical opening 301 is provided at the top of the collection container 300. A thread 301a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 301. A flange portion 301b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 301 below the screw thread 301a. The collection container 300 can be a member that constitutes a part of the cleaning platform 200.

As shown in FIG. 24, the bottom wall portion 212 is formed with a cylindrical portion 212a that projects downward. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 212a is set smaller than the inner diameter of the mouth portion 301 of the collection container 300. The lower end of the cylindrical part 212a is inserted into the collection container 300 with the collection container 300 attached to the bottom wall part 212, as shown in FIG. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 24, a passage hole 212b through which the cleaning liquid for the print head 1 passes is formed in the cylindrical portion 212a so as to extend in the vertical direction. The upper end of the passage hole 212b opens toward the front of the upper surface of the bottom wall 212. Further, the lower end of the passage hole 212b is open at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 212a.

As shown in FIG. 25, a receiving member 214 made of a conductive metal plate is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 212. As shown in FIG. The receiving member 214 is a member that receives ink leaking from the print head 1, and is connected to the equipotential line. Ink leaking from the print head 1 may be charged by the charging electrode 13 or the deflection electrode 15 . When charged ink touches the receiving member 214, the charge of the ink can be released, thereby suppressing the accumulation of charge.

The receiving member 214 is arranged to face the ejection hole A of the print head 1. As shown in FIG. 24, the receiving member 214 is inclined so that it is positioned lower toward the front. Thereby, the cleaning liquid received by the receiving member 214 can be guided toward the front side of the bottom wall portion 212 and flowed toward the upper end opening of the passage hole 212b.

A protruding plate portion 214a that protrudes upward is formed at the front end portion and the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the receiving member 214. The receiving member 214 also has an opening 214b formed therein. The protruding plate portion 214a and the opening portion 214b are not essential.

A mounting tube portion 215 is formed on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 212 so as to protrude downward. The mounting cylindrical portion 215 has a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 212a so as to surround the cylindrical portion 212a. The lower end portion of the mounting cylinder portion 215 is located above the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 212a. A thread groove 215a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting cylinder portion 215. A thread 301a of the recovery container 300 is screwed into the thread groove 215a. By screwing the thread 301a of the collection container 300 into the thread groove 215a, the collection container 300 can be attached to the bottom wall portion 212 without leaking liquid. As shown in FIG. 26, in the attached state of the collection container 300, the mouth portion 301 enters into the mounting cylinder portion 215, and the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 212a is arranged within the collection container 300. Note that the tube 350 shown in FIG. 21 can also be attached with screws.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 22, the cleaning mounting section 200 includes a container holder 220. The container holder 220 is attached to a portion of the back plate portion 211 of the main body portion 210 below the bottom wall portion 212 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The container holder 220 has a pair of left and right engaging protrusions 221, 221 provided so as to protrude forward. A gap is formed between the engagement protrusions 221, 221, into which the opening 301 of the collection container 300 can be inserted laterally. The distance between the engaging protrusions 221 and 221 in the left-right direction is set shorter than the outer diameter dimension of the flange 301b of the mouth 301, so that the mouth 301 of the collection container 300 is separated between the engaging protrusions 221 and 221. By inserting it laterally (in the direction indicated by arrow X in FIG. 22), the flange portion 301b of the mouth portion 301 can be hooked and held from above on the engagement protrusions 221, 221. .

The container holder 220 can be switched between a non-mounting position shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 and a mounting completion position shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 26, and the like. The container holder 220 can be stopped so as not to move downward from the non-installation position by a well-known locking mechanism, a stopper, etc., and the user can easily switch from the non-installation position to the installation completion position. The cleaning mounting section 200 may include a biasing member such as a spring that biases the container holder 220 downward.

The non-mounted position is the lowered end position of the container holder 220, and is the position where the collection container 300 is removed from the cleaning mounting section 200. In the non-installation position, it is possible to insert the mouth part 301 of the collection container 300 between the engaging protrusions 221, 221, and to take out the mouth part 301 inserted between the engaging protrusions 221, 221. ing. By moving the container holder 220 in the non-mounting position upward, that is, in the vertical direction, it can be switched to the mounting completion position. At this mounting completion position, the container holder 220 is at the raised end position, and the opening 301 of the collection container 300 cannot be inserted between the engagement protrusions 221, 221. Since the mouth portion 301 of the collection container 300 held by the container holder 220 in the mounting completion position is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion 215, the collection container 300 cannot be moved laterally.

After setting the container holder 220 holding the container holder 220 to the mounting position, the collection container 300 is rotated in a direction in which the thread 301a of the mouth portion 301 is screwed into the thread groove 215a of the mounting cylinder portion 215. The collection container 300 can be attached to the bottom wall portion 212 by screwing the thread 301a into the thread groove 215a. In the process of screwing the screw thread 301a into the thread groove 215a, the collection container 300 gradually moves upward, but as the collection container 300 moves upward, the container holder 220 is moved upward by the collection container 300. It is pushed up and reaches the mounting completion position shown in FIG. In this state, the lower end opening of the passage hole 212b formed in the bottom wall portion 212 is arranged so as to face the inside of the collection container 300, so that the entire amount of cleaning liquid leaked from the print head 1 is collected in the collection container 300. becomes possible.

When removing the collection container 300, the collection container 300 is rotated in the opposite direction to the direction at which it was attached, so that the mouth portion 301 is separated from the mounting cylinder portion 215. Thereafter, the container holder 220 is switched to the non-mounted position, and the recovery container 300 is moved laterally, so that the mouth portion 301 can be pulled out from between the engagement protrusions 221 and 221.

The mounting structure of the collection container 300 is not limited to the structure described above, and may be a structure in which the mouth portion 301 of the collection container 300 is press-fitted into the mounting cylinder portion 215, for example. The tube 350 shown in FIG. 21 may also have a structure in which it is press-fitted into the mounting cylinder portion 215. Further, the container holder 220 may be attached to the collection container 300 and guided by the main body 210. Further, the container holder 220 may be omitted.

<Container detection sensor 235>
As shown in FIG. 24, the cleaning and mounting section 200 includes a container detection sensor 235 as a container detection section that detects that the collection container 300 is attached. The container detection sensor 235 can be a non-contact magnetic sensor, and can be configured with a Hall element or the like, for example. That is, the container holder 220 is provided with a magnet 231. The magnet 231 is arranged so that the magnetic force acts upward. On the other hand, the container detection sensor 235 is provided inside the bottom wall portion 212, for example, and is placed directly above the magnet 231. When the container holder 220 is in the non-attached position, the magnet 231 and the container detection sensor 235 are farthest apart, so the container detection sensor 235 cannot detect the magnetic force of the magnet 231, and the container detection sensor 235 cannot detect the magnetic force. No signal is output. As shown in FIG. 26, when the thread 301a of the mouth part 301 is screwed into the thread groove 215a of the mounting cylinder part 215 and the container holder 220 is in the mounting completion position, the container holder 220 is in the mounting completion position. The magnet 231 and the container detection sensor 235 will be closest to each other. Only at this time, the container detection sensor 235 is configured to output a magnetic force detection signal. In other words, even if the collection container 300 is held by the container holder 220, the container detection sensor 235 is configured not to output a magnetic force detection signal unless the mouth portion 301 is connected to the mounting tube portion 215. The container detection sensor 235 is connected to the control section 101 of the controller 100 and is configured to output a signal to the control section 101.

Although not shown, a magnet may be provided in the collection container 300. In this case as well, since the container detection sensor 235 is turned ON only when the collection container 300 reaches the attachment completion position, the container detection sensor 235 can detect that the collection container 300 has been attached. When the container holder 220 is omitted, by providing a magnet on the collection container 300, it is possible to detect that the collection container 300 is attached.

The container detection section may be, for example, a proximity sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a laser sensor, or one using the above-mentioned infrared communication, in addition to the one that uses a magnetic force detection signal. When using a proximity sensor, photoelectric sensor, or laser sensor, it is possible to detect that the collection container 300 is attached to the bottom wall 212 when the distance between the collection container 300 and the bottom wall 212 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined distance. Can be detected. In the case of infrared communication, a light emitting element is provided on one side of the collection container 300 and the bottom wall part 212, and a light receiving element is provided on the other. Based on whether communication is possible between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the collection container 300 It can be determined that it is attached to 212.

When a biasing member that biases the container holder 200 downward is provided, it is possible to prevent the container holder 200 alone from being placed at the raised end position without the collection container 300 attached. . Thereby, false detection by the container detection sensor 235 can be prevented.

<Liquid level sensor 240>
As shown in FIGS. 23 and 27, the cleaning mounting section 200 includes a liquid amount sensor 240 that detects the amount of liquid in the collection container 300. The liquid level sensor 240 includes two electrodes. These electrodes protrude downward from the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 212 and are formed to reach below the mouth portion 301 of the collection container 300 in the attached state. The measurement principle of the liquid level sensor 240 utilizes the fact that the cleaning liquid containing ink is a conductor, and measures the impedance between two electrodes, and determines whether the liquid level is above a predetermined value based on the change in impedance. It is possible to detect whether the For example, the positions of the lower ends of both electrodes can be set so that when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid reaches the vicinity of the opening 301 in the collection container 300, it comes into contact with the cleaning liquid. In this case, if the impedance between the two electrodes suddenly changes, it means that the cleaning liquid is at full capacity, and the liquid level sensor 240 can be used as a sensor to detect the full level. Further, the liquid amount sensor 240 can also be called an overflow detection sensor that detects a state immediately before the cleaning liquid overflows. The liquid level sensor 240 is connected to the control section 101 of the controller 100 and is configured to output a signal to the control section 101.

If the pure cleaning liquid is a non-conductor, by controlling the discharge of a small amount of ink from the nozzle 12 before the cleaning operation, it is possible to ensure that the cleaning liquid in the collection container 300 contains ink. Thereby, the detection method described above can be used.

The configuration of the liquid level sensor 240 is not limited to the configuration described above, and may be a sensor that can directly or indirectly obtain the height of the cleaning liquid level in the recovery container 300 and the amount or weight of the cleaning liquid in the recovery container 300. Any sensor may be used. An example of a sensor that obtains the height of the cleaning liquid level is a displacement sensor. When the liquid amount is detected by a displacement sensor, the presence or absence of the collection container 300 can also be detected by the displacement sensor.

Further, the liquid level sensor 240 may be, for example, a float sensor, a capacitive level sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or the like.

<Maintenance execution process>
FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed when performing maintenance. Maintenance is, for example, a cleaning operation. The following determinations and controls can be performed by the control unit 101 of the controller 100. When the user sets the print head 1 on the cleaning mounting section 200, it is determined in step SE1 whether the print head 1 is placed at the correct position on the cleaning mounting section 200. The output signal of the magnetic sensor 10b can be used for this determination. If the magnetic force detection signal is output from the magnetic sensor 10b, the print head 1 is placed in the correct position on the cleaning placement section 200, so the determination is YES, while the magnetic force detection signal is output from the magnetic sensor 10b. If not, the print head 1 is not placed at the correct position on the cleaning placement section 200, so the determination is NO. In step SE1, the determination can be made based on whether infrared communication between the light emitting element 211c and the light receiving element 10c is established. In this case, if the infrared communication between the light emitting element 211c and the light receiving element 10c is established, the determination is YES. On the other hand, if infrared communication between the light emitting element 211c and the light receiving element 10c is not established, the determination is NO. Further, in step SE1, the determination can be made based on the signal of the magnetic sensor 10b and the infrared communication, and if the magnetic force detection signal is not output from the magnetic sensor 10b or the infrared communication is not established. , the determination is NO. If the determination in step SE1 is YES, the process advances to step SE4.

On the other hand, if the determination in step SE1 is NO and the process proceeds to step SE2, a message is issued to place the print head 1 in the correct position. The message can be displayed on the display unit 103a shown in FIG. 2, for example. Thereby, the user can be prompted to confirm the position of the print head 1. Thereafter, the process advances to step SE3, where the same determination as step SE1 is made, and if the determination is NO, the process advances to step SE2, where a message is issued again. If the determination in step SE3 is YES and the print head 1 is placed in the correct position, the process proceeds to step SE4.

In step SE4, it is determined whether the container detection sensor 235 is ON, that is, whether the collection container 300 is attached. When the collection container 300 is attached, the container detection sensor 235 outputs a magnetic force detection signal (the container detection sensor 235 is turned ON), so in this case, the determination is YES and the process proceeds to step SE7. On the other hand, if the collection container 300 is not attached, a negative determination is made in step SE4, and the process proceeds to step SE5, where a message is issued to request that the collection container 300 be attached. The message can be displayed on the display unit 103a shown in FIG. 2, for example. Thereby, the user can be prompted to attach the collection container 300. Thereafter, the process advances to step SE6, where the same determination as step SE4 is made, and if the determination is NO, the process advances to step SE5, where a message is issued again. If the determination in step SE6 is YES and the collection container 300 is attached, the process advances to step SE7.

In step SE7, it is determined whether the liquid level sensor is ON, that is, whether the collection container 300 is full or close to full. If the recovery container 300 is not at full capacity or close to full capacity, the liquid level sensor 240 is turned off, so in this case, the determination is YES and the process proceeds to step SE10. On the other hand, if the collection container 300 is full or close to full, a negative determination is made in step SE7, and the process proceeds to step SE8, where a message is issued to discard the cleaning liquid in the collection container 300. The message can be displayed on the display unit 103a shown in FIG. 2, for example. Thereby, the user can be prompted to drain the waste liquid in the collection container 300. Thereafter, the process advances to step SE9, where the same determination as step SE7 is made, and if the determination is NO, the process advances to step SE8, where a message is issued again. If YES is determined in step SE9 and the liquid is discarded, the process proceeds to step SE10. In step SE10, a cleaning operation permission signal is output to enable various maintenance operations.

In this example, the cleaning operation section 101a of the controller 100 receives a signal (magnetic force detection signal) based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1 sent from the magnetic sensor 10b, which is a placement detection section, in step SE1 or SE3. In this case, the print head 1 placed on the cleaning mounting section 200 is cleaned, and in other cases, the cleaning operation is prohibited. Further, in step SE1 or SE3, when the cleaning operation unit 101a of the controller 100 receives an infrared communication signal (a signal based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1) acquired by the light receiving element 10c, the cleaning operation unit 101a A cleaning operation is performed for the print head 1 placed on the print head 200, and the cleaning operation is prohibited in other cases. That is, in step SE1 or SE3, when the cleaning operation section 101a does not receive a signal based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1, the cleaning operation of the print head 1 can be prohibited.

<Connection confirmation process>
In the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 28 described above, when a signal based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1 is received, the collection container 300 is detected and the liquid amount is detected, and if there is no problem, the cleaning operation unit 101a starts printing. A cleaning operation for the head 1 will be performed. If it is a site where only one automatic printing system S is installed, the print head 1 placed on the cleaning mounting table 200 belongs to that automatic printing system S, so in the process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. No problems arise.

However, as shown in FIG. 29, a plurality of automatic printing systems S may be installed at one site. In this example, one automatic printing system S is configured by the first controller A, the first print head A, and the first cleaning platform A, and the second controller B, the second print head B, and the first Another automatic printing system S is constituted by the second washing tray B. Since the structures and shapes of the first and second print heads A and B are the same, and the structures and shapes of the first and second cleaning mounting sections A and B are also the same, as shown in FIG. intended to place the first print head A connected to the first controller A on the first cleaning holder A to clean it, but accidentally placed the second print head A connected to the second controller B. When the print head B is placed on the first cleaning section A, the first print head A is not placed on either of the cleaning placement sections A and B. If automatic cleaning is performed in this state, there is nothing to catch the cleaning liquid leaking from the first print head A, so there is a risk that the cleaning liquid may contaminate the surrounding environment or evaporate, creating an unfavorable environment. In other words, in the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 28, there is a possibility that the print head 1 will be cleaned even though it has been placed incorrectly.

In this case, the process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 30 can be performed. In step SF1, placement of the print head 1 on the cleaning placement section 200 is detected. This can be detected based on the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 10b or the infrared communication signal acquired by the light receiving element 10c. Thereafter, in step SF2, the cleaning operation unit 101a of the controller 100 confirms that the print head 1 is placed.

In step SF3, the serial number, which is identification information held by the controller 100. is transmitted to the cleaning mounting section 200. The identification information that the controller 100 has is the serial number. The information is not limited to, and can be information specific to the controller 100, and can be composed of numbers, letters, symbols, etc., and can be composed of only one of numbers, letters, symbols, etc. or a combination of two or more of them. The identification information held by the controller 100 may be a random number.

In step SF4, the serial number transmitted from the controller 100. is received by the cleaning mounting section 200. In step SF5, the cleaning mounting section 200 receives the serial number transmitted from the controller 100. is sent to print head 1. At this time, the information can be transmitted by infrared communication using the light emitting element 211c and the light receiving element 10c. In step SF6, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the cleaning and mounting section 200. is received by the print head 1. In step SF7, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the cleaning and mounting section 200. is transmitted to the controller 100. In step SF8, the serial number transmitted from the print head 1. is received by the controller 100. In step SF9, the control unit 101 of the controller 100 receives the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the print head 1. However, the serial number transmitted by the controller 100 in step SF3. Determine whether or not it matches. This process is an authentication process for determining whether or not the print head 1 placed on the cleaning placement section 200 is connected to the controller 100. If they do not match, it means that the print head 1 is not connected to this controller 100, so the process does not proceed to the following, but returns to step SF3, and the processes of steps SF3 to SF9 are repeated. If a mismatch is determined in step SF9 even after repeating the predetermined number of times, this flow is interrupted and the user is notified or an error is displayed.

On the other hand, in step SF9, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the print head 1. However, the serial number transmitted by the controller 100 in step SF3. If it is determined that they match, the process advances to step SF10. In step SF10, a sensor state output request is made to the cleaning mounting section 200. In step SF11, the cleaning mounting unit 200 transmits the sensor status, that is, the status of the container detection sensor 235 and the liquid amount sensor 240 to the cleaning operation unit 101a of the controller 100. In step SF12, the cleaning operation section 101a receives the sensor state. In step SF13, it is checked whether maintenance can be performed.

A flowchart for confirmation is shown in FIG. 31. After starting to check the sensor state, in step SG1, the state of the magnetic sensor 10b is checked. If the magnetic sensor 10b is ON, that is, outputting a magnetic force detection signal, the process proceeds to step SG2, while if the magnetic sensor 10b is OFF, that is, not outputting a magnetic force detection signal, the process proceeds to step SG4. An infrared communication signal acquired by the light receiving element 10c can be used instead of the magnetic sensor 10b.

In step SG2, the state of the container detection sensor 235 is checked. If the container detection sensor 235 is ON, that is, the collection container 300 is attached, the process proceeds to step SG3, whereas if the container detection sensor 235 is OFF, that is, the recovery container 300 is not attached, the process proceeds to step SG4. In step SG3, the state of the liquid level sensor 240 is checked. If the liquid level sensor 240 is OFF, that is, the amount of cleaning agent in the collection container 300 is less than the full amount, the process returns to the first step and maintenance can be performed. If the amount of cleaning agent is full, the process advances to step SG4. In step SG4, since maintenance is prohibited, the cleaning operation section 101a does not permit the cleaning operation. As long as the process does not proceed to step SG4, the cleaning operation unit 101a permits the cleaning operation. Therefore, in step SF13 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 30, it is determined that it is "possible" and the process proceeds to step SF14. When the process proceeds to step SG4 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 31, it is determined that it is "impossible" in step SF13 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 30, and the process returns to step SF10.

In step SF14, the cleaning operation section 101a performs maintenance. Specifically, the solvent pump P2 of the controller 100 is activated and the solvent injection valve is opened. During the cleaning operation, the flowchart shown in FIG. 31 is repeatedly executed, and the cleaning operation section 101a interrupts the cleaning operation when the process advances to step SG4.

The print head 1 is configured to send a signal based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1 in step SF1, and send identification information of the controller 100 acquired in advance via a signal line to the controller 100 in step SF7. Therefore, the cleaning operation is not performed just by placing the print head 1, and the cleaning operation is not performed unless the identification information of the controller 100 matches in step SF9. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, when the second print head B is placed on the first cleaning placement section A, the identification information transmitted from the first controller A is transferred to the second print head B. As a result, it is not transmitted to the first controller A, so the first controller A does not perform the cleaning operation. Therefore, the cleaning liquid can be prevented from leaking from the first print head A.

Further, when sending a signal based on confirmation of placement of the print head 1 in step SF1, the identification information of the print head 1 may also be sent to the controller 100. When the print head 1 connected to the controller 100 is given identification information such as a unique identification number, by checking the identification information of the print head 1 with the controller 100, it is possible to determine whether the print head 1 is connected to the controller 100. It is possible to confirm whether or not the print head 1 is currently available. When the placement of the print head 1 is confirmed and it is confirmed that the print head 1 is connected to the controller 100, the cleaning operation unit 101a is configured to permit the cleaning operation of the print head 1. Can be configured.

<Modification 1>
FIG. 32 is a simplified block diagram according to modification 1 of the embodiment. In the first modification, the print head 1 is provided with a magnet 10e and a light emitting element 10f, and the light emitting element 10f is controlled by the control section 101 of the controller 100. The mounting cleaning section 200 is provided with a magnetic sensor 200a and a light receiving element 200b. The magnetic force of the magnet 10e of the print head 1 can be detected by the magnetic sensor 200a of the mounting and cleaning section 200. The light receiving element 200b of the mounting and cleaning section 200 can receive the infrared light emitted by the light emitting element 10f of the print head 1. The magnetic sensor 200a and the light receiving element 200b are connected to the control section 101 of the controller 100. In this first modification, it is possible to confirm the placement of the print head 10 and accurately determine whether it is in the correct position based on the detection results by the infrared communication and the magnetic sensor 200a.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to modification 1 of the embodiment. In step SH1, the cleaning and mounting section 200 detects that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning and mounting section 200. This can be detected based on the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 200a or the infrared communication signal acquired by the light receiving element 200b. Thereafter, in step SH2, the cleaning operation unit 101a of the controller 100 confirms that the print head 1 is placed.

In step SH3, the serial number, which is identification information held by the controller 100. is sent to print head 1. In step SH4, the serial number transmitted from the controller 100. is received by the print head 1. In step SH5, the print head 1 receives the serial number transmitted from the controller 100. is transmitted to the cleaning mounting section 200. At this time, the information can be transmitted by infrared communication between the light emitting element 10f and the light receiving element 200b. In step SH6, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the print head 1. is received by the cleaning mounting section 200. In step SH7, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the print head 1. is transmitted to the controller 100. In step SH8, the serial number transmitted from the cleaning and mounting section 200. is received by the controller 100. Steps SH9 to SH16 are the same as steps SF9 to SF16 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 30, respectively. As a result, the serial number is set in step SH9. If they do not match, the cleaning operation will not be performed, so the first print head A will not be cleaned in the state shown in FIG.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 34 is a simplified block diagram according to modification 2 of the embodiment. In modification 2, the print head 1 is provided with not only the light receiving element 10c but also the light emitting element 10f. The light emitting element 10f is controlled by the control section 101 of the controller 100. The cleaning mounting section 200 is provided with not only a light emitting element 211c but also a light receiving element 200b. Furthermore, the cleaning mounting section 200 is provided with a control section 200c. A container detection sensor 235, a liquid level sensor 240, a light receiving element 200b, and a light emitting element 211c are connected to the control unit 200c. The detection results of the container detection sensor 235 and the liquid level sensor 240 and the information received by the light receiving element 200b are processed by the control unit 200c, then transmitted to the print head 1 side by the light emitting element 211c, and then transmitted by the light receiving element 10c. Received. Information received by the print head 1 is transmitted to the control section 101 of the controller 100. In this second modification, the controller 100 only supplies power to the cleaning platform 200, and direct communication between the controller 100 and the cleaning platform 200 is not performed. The cleaning platform 200 may have a built-in battery.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to modification 2 of the embodiment. In step SI1, the print head 1 detects that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement section 200. This can be detected based on the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 10b or the infrared communication signal acquired by the light receiving element 10c. Thereafter, in step SI2, the cleaning operation unit 101a of the controller 100 confirms that the print head 1 is placed.

In step SI3, a sensor state output request is made to the print head 1. In step SI4, the print head 1 requests the cleaning and mounting section 200 to output the sensor status. In step SI5, the cleaning and mounting section 200 receives the sensor state output request transmitted from the print head 1. In step SI6, the cleaning and mounting section 200 transmits the states of the container detection sensor 235 and the liquid amount sensor 240 to the print head 1. In step SI7, the print head 1 receives the status of the container detection sensor 235 and the liquid amount sensor 240 transmitted from the cleaning and mounting section 200.

In step SI8, the status of the container detection sensor 235 and liquid level sensor 240 is received, and it is confirmed whether maintenance can be performed. If "possible", the process advances to step SI9, and then to steps SI10 and SI11, where a cleaning operation is executed. If "impossible", the process returns to step SI13.

In this second modification, the states of the container detection sensor 235 and liquid level sensor 240 can be acquired via the print head 1, so even if the container is placed incorrectly as shown in FIG. Control can be performed based on the states of the sensor 235 and the liquid level sensor 240, and safety can be ensured.

<Modification 3>
FIG. 36 is a simplified block diagram according to modification 3 of the embodiment. In modification 3, the cleaning mounting section 200 is provided with a control section 200c. A magnetic sensor 211a, a container detection sensor 235, a liquid level sensor 240, and a light emitting element 211c are connected to the control unit 200c. The detection results of the magnetic sensor 211a, container detection sensor 235, and liquid level sensor 240 are processed by the control unit 200c, and then transmitted to the print head 1 side by the light emitting element 211c and received by the light receiving element 10c. Information received by the print head 1 is transmitted to the control section 101 of the controller 100. In this third modification, the controller 100 only supplies power to the cleaning platform 200, and direct communication between the controller 100 and the cleaning platform 200 is not performed.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to modification 3 of the embodiment. In step SJ1, the cleaning and mounting section 200 detects that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning and mounting section 200. This can be detected based on the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 211a. Thereafter, in step SJ2, the cleaning and mounting section 200 transmits the states of the container detection sensor 235 and the liquid amount sensor 240 to the print head 1. In step SJ3, the print head 1 transmits the sensor state transmitted from the cleaning and mounting section 200 to the controller 100.

In step SJ4, the status of the container detection sensor 235 and the liquid level sensor 240 is received, and it is confirmed whether maintenance can be performed. If "possible", the process advances to step SJ5, followed by steps SJ6 and SJ7, and a cleaning operation is executed. If it is "impossible", this flow is ended.

In the third modification, instead of using the command response method from the controller 100, when the cleaning and mounting section 200 detects the placement, the sensor state is output in one direction. This allows the infrared communication section to be configured with one-way communication, so the number of light emitting elements and light receiving elements can be reduced.

<Modification 4>
FIG. 38 is a simplified block diagram according to modification example 4 of the embodiment. In modification 4, the cleaning mounting section 200 is provided with a cleaning agent nozzle 200d and a cleaning agent pump P5, and is also provided with a control section 200c. A detergent tank or a detergent cartridge (not shown) is connected to the detergent pump P5. A magnetic sensor 211a, a container detection sensor 235, a liquid level sensor 240, and a light emitting element 211c are connected to the control unit 200c. The detection results of the magnetic sensor 211a, container detection sensor 235, and liquid level sensor 240 are processed by the control unit 200c, and the control unit 200c controls the solenoid valve (cleaning agent injection valve) of the cleaning agent nozzle 200d and the cleaning agent pump P5. The cleaning operation can then be performed. The cleaning agent nozzle 200d can be arranged like a cleaning agent nozzle 360 shown in FIG. 24. In this fourth modification, since it is not necessary to use the solvent in the controller 100 as a cleaning agent, water or a water-soluble cleaning agent can be used.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to modification 3 of the embodiment. In step SK1, the cleaning and mounting section 200 detects that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning and mounting section 200. This can be detected based on the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 211a. Thereafter, in step SK2, the cleaning operation unit 101a of the controller 100 confirms that the print head 1 is placed.

In step SK3, the serial number, which is identification information held by the controller 100. is transmitted to the cleaning mounting section 200. In step SK4, the serial number transmitted from the controller 100. is received by the cleaning mounting section 200. In step SK5, the cleaning mounting section 200 receives the serial number transmitted from the controller 100. is sent to print head 1. In step SK6, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the cleaning and mounting section 200. is received by the print head 1. In step SK7, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the storage section 200 is checked. is transmitted to the controller 100. In step SK8, the serial number transmitted from the print head 1. is received by the controller 100. In step SK9, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the print head 1. However, the serial number transmitted by the controller 100 in step SK3. Determine whether it matches. If the two do not match, the process returns to step SK3.

On the other hand, in step SK9, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the print head 1. However, the serial number transmitted by the controller 100 in step SK3. If it is determined that they match, the process proceeds to step SK10. In step SK10, a maintenance execution request is sent to the cleaning and mounting section 200. In step SK11, the states of the container detection sensor 235 and liquid amount sensor 240 are transmitted to the control unit 200c. In step SK12, the control unit 200c determines whether maintenance can be performed based on the states of the container detection sensor 235 and the liquid amount sensor 240. If it is "impossible", the process returns to step SK10. If it is "possible", the process proceeds to step SK13, and then the pump P5 is operated in step SK14, and the cleaning agent injection valve is opened in step SK15.

<Modification 5>
FIG. 40 is a simplified block diagram according to modification 5 of the embodiment. In modification 5, the print head 1 has an AND circuit, and the electromagnetic valve of the cleaning nozzle 19 can be controlled by the AND circuit. The AND circuit is configured to receive a control signal from the control unit 101 and an output signal from the magnetic sensor 10b. When the control signal from the control unit 101 is a cleaning operation permission signal and the magnetic force detection signal from the magnetic sensor 10b is input, the solenoid valve of the cleaning nozzle 19 can be switched from closed to open to perform the cleaning operation. .

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to modification 3 of the embodiment. In step SL1, the controller 100 receives the serial number. is transmitted to the cleaning mounting section 200. In step SL2, the serial number transmitted from the controller 100. is received by the cleaning mounting section 200. Step SL3 is the serial number received from the controller 100. The cleaning and mounting section 200 transmits the information to the print head 1. In step SL4, the serial number transmitted from the cleaning and mounting section 200. is received by the print head 1. In step SL5, the serial number received from the cleaning mounting section 200. The print head 1 sends this to the controller 100. In step SL6, the serial number transmitted from the print head 1. is received by the controller 100.

In step SL7, the serial number of the controller 100 transmitted from the print head 1. However, the serial number transmitted by the controller 100 in step SL1. Determine whether it matches. If the two do not match, the process returns to step SL1. If they match, the process advances to step SL8, and a request to output the sensor status is made to the cleaning platform 200. In step SL9, the cleaning mounting section 200 transmits the states of the container detection sensor 235 and the liquid amount sensor 240 to the controller 100. In step SL10, the status of the container detection sensor 235 and liquid level sensor 240 is received, and in step SL11, it is confirmed whether maintenance can be performed. If "impossible", the process advances to step SL8, and if "possible", the process advances to step SL12 to perform maintenance. In this case, the pump is activated in step SL14. On the other hand, the print head 1 acquires the result of the placement detection of the print head 1 based on the output signal of the magnetic sensor 10b, and when the AND condition of this placement detection signal and the maintenance execution permission signal is satisfied, If so, proceed to step SL15 and open the solvent injection valve.

In this fifth modification, the valve can be controlled by ANDing the container detection sensor 235, the liquid level sensor 240, and the placement detection signal, and the placement detection signal is not transmitted to the control unit 101. The cleaning control section of this modification 5 can be configured to include an AND circuit of the print head 1.

<Sleep mode>
In this embodiment, when the automatic printing system S is out of operation for a long period of time, it is configured to be able to execute a sleep mode in which automatic cleaning is performed periodically in order to prevent problems caused by ink sticking. As shown in FIG. 2, the control section 101 of the controller 100 includes a mode operation section 101b. The mode operation unit 101b detects that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement unit 200 by a placement detection unit (magnetic sensor 10b, light receiving element 10c, etc.), and the mode operation unit 101b performs an inkjet recording operation to which external power is supplied. This section operates a sleep mode for automatically cleaning the print head 1 at predetermined intervals while the apparatus I is not in operation. In order to operate the sleep mode, power is supplied to the inkjet recording apparatus I from, for example, a commercial power source 700, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an example of sleep mode operation. This flow starts when it is detected that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning and placement section 200 after being lowered. When the flow is started, the mode operating unit 101b generates a maintenance user interface 400 shown in FIG. 43, and displays it on the display unit 103a shown in FIG. 2. The maintenance start user interface 400 is provided with a start button 400a that is operated when starting the sleep mode, and a display area 400b that displays explanatory text and diagrams regarding the sleep mode. When the start button 400a is pressed in step SM1 of FIG. 42, the mode operating section 101b detects this and operates the sleep mode. Furthermore, the mode operating unit 101b generates a status display user interface 401 shown in FIG. 44, and displays it on the display unit 103a shown in FIG. 2. The status display user interface 401 includes a cancel button 401a that is operated to cancel (end) sleep mode, a status display area 401b that displays the remaining amount of ink, etc., and a display area 401c that displays explanatory text and explanatory diagrams. is provided. During the sleep mode, the status display user interface 401 can be kept displayed.

Step SM2 in FIG. 42 shows a case where the device is left unused for a long period of time, ranging from several weeks to several months. During this time, the cleaning operation unit 101a performs a cleaning operation in which the inkjet recording apparatus I is automatically started up, the solvent supply unit 105 supplies the solvent to the nozzle 12, and the solvent is discharged from the nozzle 12. The cleaning operation may be, for example, in addition to the cleaning operation of supplying the solvent to the nozzle 12 and ejecting it from the nozzle 12, the cleaning operation may be, for example, the cleaning operation of jetting the solvent from the cleaning nozzle 19, or the cleaning operation of injecting the ink from the ink supply section 104. It may be a cleaning operation in which the liquid is supplied to a nozzle and discharged from the nozzle. It is also possible to perform two or more of these multiple cleaning operations. The cleaning nozzle is not limited to the cleaning nozzle 19, but may be, for example, a cleaning agent nozzle 360 provided in the cleaning mounting section 200, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. Cleaning agent can be supplied to the cleaning agent nozzle 360 from the controller 100 in the same way as the cleaning nozzle 19 . The cleaning agent nozzle 360 can spray cleaning agent onto the nozzle 12, the charging electrode 13, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 101 of the controller 100 includes a time measurement unit 101c that starts measuring time in response to an event related to an operation after the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement unit 200. . Although the type of the event is not particularly limited, the time measurement unit 101c in this embodiment is configured to measure the time during which the inkjet recording apparatus I is operating in sleep mode. This time measuring section 101c is a so-called timer, and can be configured to start measuring time when the start button 400a of the maintenance user interface 400 shown in FIG. 43 is pressed. It can be configured to start time measurement from the time the sleep mode is activated.

When the cleaning operation unit 101a detects that the mode operation unit 101b has activated the sleep mode, the cleaning operation unit 101a acquires the time during the sleep mode operation measured by the time measurement unit 101c. When the time during the sleep mode operation measured by the time measurement unit 101c reaches a predetermined time, the cleaning operation unit 101a performs a cleaning operation.

In step SM3 shown in FIG. 42, when the release button 401a of the status display user interface 401 shown in FIG. 44 is pressed, the mode operation unit 101b detects this and releases the sleep mode. When the control unit 101 detects that the mode operation unit 101b has released the sleep mode, it executes the start-up process in step SM4, and then executes the printing process in step SM5.

In the above example, a case has been described in which the sleep mode is activated without checking for an abnormality on the side of the cleaning platform 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this. can also be operated.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart when operating the sleep mode while checking for an abnormality on the cleaning platform 200 side. When the start button 400a shown in FIG. 43 is pressed in step SN1, the mode operating section 101b detects this and operates the sleep mode. In step SN2, the time measuring unit 101c starts measuring time and performs a process of adding "7th" to the date and time when the inkjet recording apparatus I was shut down. This "seven days" is a period during which it is determined that a cleaning operation is necessary, and is not limited to "seven days." Processing may be performed in which time is added instead of days.

After waiting in step SN3, the process proceeds to step SN4, where it is determined whether a predetermined period of time (in this example, the above-mentioned seven days) has elapsed. If it is determined NO in step SN4 and 7 days have not elapsed, the process advances to step SN3 and waits, and then the determination in step SN4 is made again. If YES is determined in step SN4 and seven days have elapsed since the inkjet recording apparatus I was shut down, the process proceeds to step SN5 and error cancellation processing is performed. Errors will be explained later.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SN6, where an abnormality detection determination is made. Abnormality detection can be performed using the flowchart shown in FIG. 31. That is, if the magnetic sensor 10b, which is the placement detection section, is OFF, it means that the print head 1 is not in the normal position, and therefore it is detected as abnormal in step SN6 of FIG. 45. Further, if the container detection sensor 235 is OFF, it means that the collection container 300 is not attached, and therefore, it is detected as abnormal in step SN6 of FIG. 45. Further, if the liquid level sensor 240 is ON, this means that the cleaning agent in the collection container 300 is at or near full level, and therefore, an abnormality is detected in step SN6 of FIG. 45.

In the cleaning operation section 101a, the placement detection section detects that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement section 200 when the time in the sleep mode operation reaches a predetermined time and before performing the cleaning operation. In step SN6, the configuration is such that a placement confirmation process is executed to confirm whether or not the image is on.

If even one of the plurality of abnormalities is detected, it is determined as "abnormal" in step SN6, and the process proceeds to step SN7. In step SN7, an alert is output, an error screen is displayed on the display unit 103a, etc., and the error is recorded. In other words, if the cleaning operation section 101a determines that the placement of the print head 1 on the cleaning and placement section 200 has not been detected by the placement detection section based on the execution result of the placement confirmation process in step SN6. The system is configured to output an error in step SN7. The error output may be in the form of displaying an error on the display unit 103a, generating an error sound from a speaker or the like (not shown), or outputting an error signal to an external device. Good too.

If it is determined in step SN6 to be "normal", the process proceeds to step SN8, where the cleaning operation section 101a performs a cleaning operation. Thereby, the start-up success rate can be improved.

When the cleaning operation is started, the process proceeds to step SN9, where abnormality detection and determination similar to step SN6 are performed. In step SN9, the cleaning operation section 101a performs a placement confirmation process to check whether the placement detection section detects that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement section 200 during the cleaning operation. Execute. If it is determined in step SN9 that there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to step SN20, where the cleaning operation is stopped urgently, and then the process proceeds to step SN19. Therefore, if the cleaning operation section 101a determines that the placement of the print head 1 on the cleaning and placement section 200 has not been detected by the placement detection section based on the execution result of the placement confirmation process in step SN9, is configured to stop the cleaning operation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 46, when the print head 1 is removed during a cleaning operation, the magnetic sensor 10b is turned OFF and the cleaning operation is stopped immediately. If overflow is detected by the liquid level sensor 240, the cleaning operation is stopped urgently, and if the container detection sensor 235 detects that the collection container 300 has been detached during the cleaning operation, the cleaning operation is stopped urgently. .

If it is determined in step SN9 to be "normal", the process proceeds to step SN10, where it is determined whether the cleaning operation has been completed. If the determination in step SN10 is NO and the cleaning operation is not completed, the cleaning operation is continued. If the determination in step SN10 is YES and the cleaning operation has been completed, the process advances to step SN11 and a start-up process is executed. After executing the start-up process, the process proceeds to step SN12, where an abnormality detection determination similar to step SN6 is performed. If it is determined in step SN12 that there is an "abnormality", the process proceeds to step SN18, where the falling process is immediately executed. If it is determined in step SN12 to be "normal", the process proceeds to step SN13, where it is determined whether or not the start-up process has ended. If the determination in step SN13 is NO and the start-up process has not ended, the start-up process continues. If the determination in step SN13 is YES and the start-up process has ended, the process proceeds to step SN14, where the time measurement unit 101c starts a new time measurement and performs a process of adding "7th" to the current date and time.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SN15, where the ink is circulated and the viscosity of the ink is adjusted, thereby suppressing ink sticking. Next, the process proceeds to step SN16, where an abnormality detection determination similar to step SN6 is performed. If it is determined in step SN16 that there is an "abnormality", the process proceeds to step SN18, and the fall process is immediately executed. If it is determined in step SN16 to be "normal", the process proceeds to step SN17, where it is determined whether a predefined ink adjustment time has elapsed. If the adjustment time has not elapsed, step SN15 is continued.

When the determination in step SN17 is YES and the ink adjustment time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step SN18 and a fall process is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SN19, where the inkjet recording apparatus I is brought to a stopped state, and then the process proceeds to step SN3. In the subsequent step SN5, the above-mentioned error is canceled.

<Configuration of circulating operation section 101d>
As shown in FIG. 2, the control section 101 of the controller 100 includes a circulating operation section 101d. After the cleaning operation section 101a performs the cleaning operation, the circulation operation section 101d supplies ink to the nozzle 12 using the ink supply section 104 to cause the ink to be ejected from the nozzle 12, and the ink ejected from the nozzle 12 is sent to the gutter 16. It is configured to perform an ink circulation operation that collects the ink.

<Modified example of sleep mode>
FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a modification of the sleep mode, which differs from the process shown in FIG. 45 in that the amount of cleaning agent consumed can be reduced. Steps SP1 to SP7 are the same as steps SN1 to SN7 in the flowchart shown in FIG. In step SP8, start-up processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step SP9. In step SP9, an abnormality detection determination is performed in the same manner as in step SN6 of FIG. If it is determined in step SP9 that there is an "abnormality", the process proceeds to step SP21, where the start-up process is urgently stopped, and then the process proceeds to step SP20.

If it is determined in step SP9 to be "normal", the process proceeds to step SP10, and it is determined whether an error has been detected. This error is different from an error caused by abnormality detection and determination, and is an error that occurs when the nozzle 12 is clogged, for example. If it is determined in step SP10 that it is "normal", the process advances to step SP11 and it is determined whether or not the start-up process has ended. If the determination in step SP11 is NO and the start-up process is not completed, the start-up process is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP10 that there is an "abnormality", this means that the nozzle 12 is clogged or the like, and a cleaning operation is highly necessary, so the process proceeds to step SP12 to execute a cleaning operation. In other words, in this modification, the cleaning operation is performed only when it is determined that the necessity of the cleaning operation is high, so it is possible to suppress the amount of cleaning agent consumed.

When the process proceeds from step SP12 to step SP13, abnormality detection and determination are performed in the same manner as step SP9. If it is determined in step SP13 that there is an "abnormality", the process proceeds to step SP21, where the cleaning operation is urgently stopped, and then the process proceeds to step SP20. If it is determined in step SP13 to be "normal", the process proceeds to step SP14, where it is determined whether the cleaning operation has been completed. If the determination in step SP14 is NO and the cleaning operation is not completed, the cleaning operation is continued.

If it is determined YES in step SP14 and the cleaning operation is completed, the process proceeds to step SP15, where the time measurement unit 101c starts a new time measurement and performs a process of adding "7 days" to the current date and time.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP16, where the ink is circulated and the viscosity of the ink is adjusted. Next, the process proceeds to step SP17, where an abnormality detection determination similar to step SP9 is performed. If it is determined in step SP17 that there is an "abnormality", the process proceeds to step SP19 and the fall process is immediately executed. If it is determined in step SP17 to be "normal", the process proceeds to step SP18, where it is determined whether the viscosity of the ink is within the normal viscosity range. If the determination in step SP18 is NO, the viscosity is adjusted until the viscosity of the ink falls within the normal viscosity range. If the determination in step SN18 is YES, the process advances to step SN19 and a fall process is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP20, where the inkjet recording apparatus I is brought to a stopped state, and then the process proceeds to step SP3.

<Sleep mode transition determination>
The sleep mode may be automatically entered after the fall processing, or after the fall processing, the mode operating unit 101b generates the period selection user interface 402 shown in FIG. The period selection result may be displayed on the display section 103a shown in FIG.

The period selection user interface 402 shown in FIG. 48 includes an input section 402a that allows input of information regarding the period from when the inkjet recording apparatus I is stopped to the next operation, and an OK button 402b, before stopping the inkjet recording apparatus I. , and a cancel button 402c. The input unit 402a is provided with selection buttons for 6 days or less, 7 days or more, and 21 days or more as the period from when the inkjet recording apparatus I is stopped until it is started next time. , the above period can be entered. Note that the number of days from when the inkjet recording apparatus I stops operating until it starts operating next time may be input. In this case, the input number of days becomes information regarding the period from when the inkjet recording apparatus I stops operating until it starts operating next time. Further, the date of the next operation may be input from a calendar, for example, and in this case, the input date becomes information regarding the period from when the operation stops until the next operation. In either case, it is possible to obtain the period until the next operation.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating an example of sleep mode transition determination processing. This flow starts with the start of fall processing after the inkjet recording apparatus I finishes printing processing. The start of the fall process can be detected by the user's operation of a fall process start button (not shown).

In step SQ1, a period is determined based on the information regarding the period inputted into the input section 402a of the period selection user interface 402 shown in FIG. If it is within 6 days, the process advances to step SQ2 and normal fall processing is performed. If it is 7 days or more, the process advances to step SQ3 and long-term fall processing is performed. In long-term start-up processing, compared to normal start-up processing, the cleaning agent discharge time is set for a longer time, the amount of cleaning agent discharged is set to be larger, or the number of times the cleaning agent is discharged is increased. It is set to be.

As a result of the period determination in step SQ1, if it is 21 days or more, the process advances to step SQ4. In step SQ4, communication between the controller 100 and the cleaning mounting section 200 is confirmed. As a result of the confirmation, if the controller 100 and the cleaning platform 200 are not connected, the process proceeds to step SQ3, whereas if the controller 100 and the cleaning platform 200 are connected, the process proceeds to step SQ5. , the maintenance user interface 400 shown in FIG. 43 is displayed on the display section 103a shown in FIG. When the start button 400a is pressed in step SQ6, the mode operating section 101b detects this, operates the sleep mode, and proceeds to step SQ7. In step SQ7, a placement confirmation process is performed to check whether the placement detection section detects that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement section 200.

If it is determined in step SQ7 that the print head 1 is not placed on the cleaning placement section 200, the process proceeds to step SQ8, where an alert is output and displayed on the display section 103a. On the other hand, if it is determined in step SQ7 to be "placed", the process proceeds to step SQ9, where a fall process is performed, and then the mode operation unit 101b operates the sleep mode. Therefore, the mode operation unit 101b determines whether the period until the next operation is longer than or equal to the predetermined period based on the information regarding the period inputted to the input unit 402a of the period selection user interface 402 shown in FIG. If it is determined in SQ1 that the period until the next operation is longer than a predetermined period, the system is configured to operate the sleep mode after proceeding to steps SQ4 to SQ7 and SQ7, so the operation is stopped. Maintenance can be performed automatically depending on the period. On the other hand, if it is determined that the period until the next activation is less than the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step SQ2 or SQ3, so the mode operating unit 101b does not operate the sleep mode.

<Automatic transition to sleep mode>
FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating an example of sleep mode automatic transition determination processing. This flow starts when it is detected that the print head 1 has been placed on the cleaning placement section 200. In step SR1, it is determined whether each pump of the controller 100 is stopped. If the determination in step SR1 is NO, it is considered that the device is in operation, so the process proceeds to step SR2, where the operation date and time are updated and stored. If the pump is in operation, such as during printing, the date and time of operation will be updated and rewritten at any time. On the other hand, if the determination in step SR1 is YES, the process proceeds to step SR3, and the neglect period is calculated. The idle period is obtained by subtracting the operating date and time from the current date and time.

In step SR4, the mode operating unit 101b determines whether the unused period is longer than a specified number of days. The prescribed number of days can be set to, for example, several weeks, but in this embodiment it is set to 21 days. If it is determined NO in step SR4 and the leaving period is less than the specified number of days, the process returns to step SR1, whereas if it is determined YES in step SR4 and the leaving period is longer than the specified number of days, the mode operation unit 101b activates sleep mode.

In this example, the inkjet recording system S automatically determines whether to shift to the sleep mode based on the idle period of the inkjet recording system S, without displaying the period selection user interface 402 shown in FIG. Since the machine shifts to sleep mode if necessary, the cleaning operation can be performed even if the user forgets to set it to sleep mode.

(Operations and effects of embodiments)
As described above, according to this embodiment, when the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement section 200, it can be detected that the print head 1 is placed on the cleaning placement section 200. Then, a signal based on confirmation of the placement of the print head 1 is sent to the controller 100 connected to the print head 1 placed on the cleaning placement section 200. Thereby, the controller 100 can confirm that the print head 1 connected to itself is placed on the cleaning placement section 200, and therefore can determine that the print head 1 is ready for cleaning. Therefore, the print head 1 placed on the cleaning holder 200 can be cleaned, and the cleaning liquid leaked from the print head 1 can be received by the cleaning holder 200, thereby preventing contamination of the surrounding environment.

Furthermore, the sleep mode can be operated by the mode operation unit 101b while the inkjet recording apparatus I is not operating. When the time during the sleep mode operation reaches a predetermined time, the cleaning operation section 101a automatically starts up the inkjet recording apparatus I and performs the cleaning operation. This makes it less likely that problems caused by ink sticking will occur when the printer is expected to be stored for a long period of time until it is restarted.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limiting manner. Furthermore, all modifications and changes that come within the scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the present invention can be used, for example, when printing on various types of workpieces.

1 Print head 10b Magnetic sensor 10c Light receiving element 12 Nozzle 13 Charging electrode 15 Deflection electrode 16 Gutter 100 Controller 101 Control section 101a Cleaning operation section 101b Mode operation section 101c Time measurement section 101d Circulation operation section 104 Ink supply section 105 Solvent supply section 200 Cleaning Placing section 211a Magnet 211c Light emitting element 212 Bottom wall section 212b Passing hole 213 Peripheral wall section 235 Container detection sensor 240 Liquid level sensor 300 Collection container I Inkjet recording device S Inkjet recording system

Claims (11)

A nozzle for ejecting ink or a solvent, a charging electrode for charging particulate ink ejected from the nozzle, and a deflection electrode for deflecting the flying direction of the ink charged by the charging electrode, and the deflection a print head that discharges ink deflected by an electrode to the outside; an ink supply section that supplies ink to the print head; a solvent supply section that supplies a solvent to the print head; and a solvent supply section that supplies solvent to the print head. An inkjet that performs printing on a workpiece using ink supplied from the ink supply section, the controller having a control section that controls ink supply and also controls the supply of solvent from the solvent supply section to the print head. a recording device;
The print head is placed at a location different from the location where the print head is installed when printing is performed by the inkjet recording device, and the print head is placed when cleaning the print head using the solvent supplied from the solvent supply unit. 1. An inkjet recording system comprising: a cleaning mounting section;
a placement detection unit that detects that the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit;
a time measurement unit that starts measuring time in response to an event related to an operation after the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit;
When a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the time measurement unit started measuring time, and the position detection unit detects that the print head is placed, the inkjet recording device is automatically activated. a cleaning operation unit that performs a cleaning operation of starting up and causing the solvent supply unit to supply the solvent to the nozzle and discharge it from the nozzle ;
When the placement detection unit detects that the print head is placed and the user performs an operation to shift to sleep mode, the printing is automatically performed at predetermined intervals while the inkjet recording device is not operating. and a mode operation unit that operates a sleep mode for performing a head cleaning operation ,
The time measuring unit is configured to measure the time during which the inkjet recording device is operating in the sleep mode,
The cleaning operation section is configured to automatically start up the inkjet recording apparatus and supply the solvent to the nozzle with the solvent supply section when the time during the sleep mode operation measured by the time measurement section reaches a predetermined time. An inkjet recording system characterized by performing a cleaning operation of supplying and ejecting from the nozzle . A nozzle for ejecting ink, a charging electrode for charging particulate ink ejected from the nozzle, and a deflection electrode for deflecting the flying direction of the ink charged by the charging electrode are housed inside, and the deflection electrode A print head that discharges deflected ink to the outside, an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the print head, a solvent supply unit that supplies a solvent to the print head, and an ink supply from the ink supply unit to the print head. and a controller having a control section that controls the supply of solvent from the solvent supply section to the print head, and performs printing on a work using ink supplied from the ink supply section. and,
The print head is placed at a location different from the location where the print head is installed when printing is performed by the inkjet recording device, and the print head is placed when cleaning the print head using the solvent supplied from the solvent supply unit. 1. An inkjet recording system comprising: a cleaning mounting section;
a placement detection unit that detects that the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit;
a time measurement unit that measures time;
a solvent injection part that injects a solvent toward the opening of the nozzle;
When the time measured by the time measurement unit after the inkjet recording device stopped operating reaches a predetermined time, and the position detection unit detects that the print head is placed, a cleaning operation section that automatically starts up the inkjet recording device and performs a cleaning operation that causes the solvent injection section to inject a solvent into the opening of the nozzle ;
When the placement detection unit detects that the print head is placed and the user performs an operation to shift to sleep mode, the printing is automatically performed at predetermined intervals while the inkjet recording device is not operating. and a mode operation unit that operates a sleep mode for performing a head cleaning operation ,
The time measuring unit is configured to measure the time during which the inkjet recording device is operating in the sleep mode,
The cleaning operation section is configured to automatically start up the inkjet recording apparatus and supply the solvent to the nozzle with the solvent supply section when the time during the sleep mode operation measured by the time measurement section reaches a predetermined time. An inkjet recording system characterized by performing a cleaning operation of supplying and ejecting from the nozzle . The inkjet recording system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The cleaning operation unit is configured to detect that the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit when the time measured by the time measurement unit reaches a predetermined time and before performing the cleaning operation. An inkjet recording system characterized in that the inkjet recording system is configured to execute a placement confirmation process for confirming whether or not it is detected by a detection unit. The inkjet recording system according to claim 3 ,
If the cleaning operation section determines that the placement of the print head on the cleaning placement section is not detected by the placement detection section based on the execution result of the placement confirmation process, An inkjet recording system configured to perform error output. The inkjet recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The cleaning operation unit performs a placement confirmation process to periodically check whether or not the placement detection unit detects that the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit during the cleaning operation. An inkjet recording system that performs the following. The inkjet recording system according to claim 5 ,
If the cleaning operation section determines that the placement of the print head on the cleaning placement section is not detected by the placement detection section based on the execution result of the placement confirmation process, An inkjet recording system characterized by being configured to stop the cleaning operation. The inkjet recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
When the placement detection section detects that the print head is placed, the controller connected to the print head placed on the cleaning placement section is configured to place the print head on the controller. Equipped with a placement detection unit that sends a signal based on confirmation,
The cleaning operation section is configured to prohibit the cleaning operation when it is determined that the placement of the print head is not confirmed based on the signal sent from the placement detection section. Features an inkjet recording system. The inkjet recording system according to claim 1 ,
Before stopping the operation of the inkjet recording device, an input unit is provided in which information regarding a period until the next operation can be inputted,
The mode operation section is configured to operate the sleep mode when it is determined that the period until the next operation is longer than a predetermined period based on the information regarding the period inputted to the input section. An inkjet recording system characterized by: The inkjet recording system according to claim 8 ,
The mode operating unit is configured not to operate the sleep mode if it is determined that the period until the next activation is less than a predetermined period based on information regarding the period inputted to the input unit. An inkjet recording system characterized by: The inkjet recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The print head further includes a gutter that collects uncharged ink ejected from the nozzle,
After the cleaning operation is performed by the cleaning operation section, the ink supply section supplies ink to the nozzle, the ink is ejected from the nozzle, and the ink is collected by the gutter. An inkjet recording system characterized by: A nozzle that discharges ink, a charging electrode that charges particulate ink discharged from the nozzle, a gutter that collects uncharged ink discharged from the nozzle, and a flight direction of the ink charged by the charging electrode. A print head that houses a deflection electrode for deflecting the ink and discharges the ink deflected by the deflection electrode to the outside, and a controller that has an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the nozzle, An inkjet recording device that prints by landing it on a workpiece,
a cleaning mounting section, which is disposed at a location different from a location where the print head is installed when printing is performed by the inkjet recording device, and on which the print head is placed when cleaning the print head using a cleaning liquid; An inkjet recording system comprising:
a placement detection unit that detects that the print head is placed on the cleaning placement unit;
A mode for operating a sleep mode for automatically performing an ink circulation operation at predetermined intervals while the inkjet recording device is not operating, when the placement detection unit detects that the print head is placed. an operating part;
a time measuring unit that measures the time during which the inkjet recording device is operating in the sleep mode;
When the time during the sleep mode operation measured by the time measurement unit reaches a predetermined time, the inkjet recording device is automatically started up, and the ink supply unit supplies ink to the nozzle from the nozzle. An inkjet recording system comprising: a circulation operation unit that performs a circulation operation of ejecting ink and collecting it in the gutter.

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