JP7395655B2 - Liquid discharge device and its control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and a control method thereof.

Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus in which an ink tank and a recording head are connected through a supply tube, and an on-off valve is provided in the middle of the supply tube. Further, a reserve tank is provided between the ink tank and the recording head, and can accommodate a predetermined amount of ink supplied from the ink tank. The recording head is filled with ink by a suction operation in which the supply tube and the inside of the recording head are reduced in pressure with the on-off valve closed, and the on-off valve is released after a negative pressure is charged for a predetermined period of time. By repeating this suction operation a predetermined number of times, the flow path from the ink tank to the recording head is filled with ink.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-184424

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, even if ink is not filled properly due to suction failure, the suction operation continues until it is detected that no ink is ejected from the recording head after a predetermined number of suction operations. The configuration made it impossible to determine that the product was defective. Therefore, it sometimes takes a long time to determine that suction is defective.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that can quickly determine whether ink is being appropriately supplied when ink is supplied from an ink tank to a recording head.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a second tank that stores the liquid supplied from the first tank, and a second tank that is connected to the second tank by a liquid supply path so that the liquid can be transferred from the second tank to the second tank that stores the liquid. A discharge head having a discharge port for discharging the liquid supplied through the supply path , a detection means for performing a detection operation to detect the amount of liquid in the second tank, and a liquid introduced into the second tank. a filling means that performs a filling operation of filling the ejection head with liquid through the liquid supply path in a state where the liquid is not filled, and in the sensing operation performed during the filling operation , the sensing means is stored in the second tank. If it is detected that the amount of liquid being poured is less than a predetermined amount, the user is notified of an error.

According to the present invention, an inkjet recording apparatus is provided that can quickly determine whether ink is being appropriately supplied when ink is supplied from an ink tank to a recording head.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing ink flow paths for one color in the inkjet recording device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. 2 is a flowchart showing a valve-closing suction operation of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an ink flow path when negative pressure is being charged in an initial filling operation of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an ink flow path when the on-off valve is opened and ink is filled in the initial filling operation of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing an initial filling operation of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing ink flow paths for one color in an inkjet recording device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an ink flow path when ink is filled by opening an on-off valve after charging a negative pressure in an initial filling operation of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an ink flow path when a reserve tank filling operation is performed in an initial installation operation of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing an initial filling operation of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

An embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described. However, the components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In this specification, a serial type inkjet recording device is used as an example, in which a head that ejects ink onto a recording medium that is intermittently conveyed is moved back and forth in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium. explain. However, the present invention is not limited to serial type inkjet recording apparatuses, but can also be applied to line type inkjet recording apparatuses that perform printing continuously using a long print head. In this specification, "ink" is used as a general term for liquids such as recording liquid. Furthermore, in this specification, "recording" is not limited to recording on two-dimensional objects, but also includes recording on three-dimensional objects. In this specification, the term "recording medium" is used as a general term for recording media such as paper, cloth, plastic film, metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather that eject liquid. Furthermore, the recording medium is not limited to roll-shaped continuous paper but also includes cut paper. Note that the inkjet recording apparatus can be applied not only to a PC printer but also to a multifunction printer having a copy function, a facsimile function, etc.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of an inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus) 50. As shown in FIG. The recording device 50 is supported and fixed to the upper portions of two legs 55 provided oppositely. A carriage 60 that reciprocates in the X direction by a belt transmission means 62 is provided inside the recording device 50 . The carriage 60 is equipped with a recording head 1 that performs a recording operation of recording an image by discharging ink onto a recording medium. The print head 1 records an image on a print medium by ejecting ink droplets from each ejection port based on print data sent from a host computer or the like.

A roll holder unit 52 that holds a recording medium is provided on the front side of the recording device 50. The recording medium of this embodiment is a roll-shaped continuous paper. The recording medium is fed from the roll holder unit 52 to the recording position where the recording head 1 performs the recording operation. The recording medium on which the image is recorded is conveyed in the Y direction intersecting the X direction in which the carriage 60 reciprocates. In this embodiment, the X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal.

When an image for one band is recorded by the recording operation of the recording head 1, the recording medium is conveyed in the Y direction by a predetermined conveyance amount by the rotation of the conveyance roller 51 (intermittent conveyance operation). By repeating the recording operation for one band and the intermittent conveyance operation, an image is recorded on the entire recording medium. When recording on the recording medium is completed, the recording medium is cut by a cutter (not shown), and the cut recording medium is stacked on a stacker 53 provided at the front of the recording device 50.

An ink supply unit 63 is further provided on the front side of the recording device 50. The ink supply unit 63 has ink tanks 5 that store ink for each color such as black, cyan (first ink), magenta (second ink), and yellow, and each ink tank 5 is connected to the recording device 50. It is removably installed. A supply tube (ink supply path) 2 made of a flexible member or the like is connected to the ink tank 5, and the ink tank 5 and the recording head 1 are connected by the ink supply path 2. The surface of the recording head 1 that faces the recording medium is an ejection port surface 20 provided with a plurality of ejection ports, and the ejection port surface 20 has a plurality of ejection ports arranged along the Y direction for each color. Prepare for. A plurality of supply tubes (ink supply paths) 2 provided for each color of ink are connected to each ejection port array and bundled by a tube guide 61.

The recovery unit 70 is provided within the scanning range of the carriage 60 in the X direction and outside the recording medium conveyance area. The recovery unit 70 performs a cleaning operation by suctioning ink or air from a plurality of ejection ports provided on the ejection port surface 20 as needed, or performs a suction operation to fill ink from the ink tank 5 to the recording head 1. perform an action.

An operation panel 54 is provided above the ink supply unit 63 on the front side of the recording apparatus 50. When the user operates the operation panel 54, commands to the recording device 50 are input. The operation panel 54 also includes a touch panel type, which has a display panel function to issue a warning to the user when the ink tank 5 needs to be replaced, for example.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an ink flow path for one color from the ink tank 5 to the recording head 1. An atmosphere communication chamber 6 is provided vertically below the ink tank 5, and the atmosphere communication chamber 6 is provided with a first hollow tube 9 extending vertically upward and an atmosphere communication path 7 communicating with the atmosphere. By inserting the first hollow tube 9 into the joint portion of the ink tank 5, the ink tank 5 communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication path 7.

A reserve tank 4 capable of storing ink is further provided vertically below the ink tank 5. Ink in the ink tank 5 is supplied to the recording head 1 via the reserve tank 4 and the ink supply path 2. The reserve tank 4 has a second hollow tube 8 extending vertically upward, and communicates with the ink tank 5 by inserting the second hollow tube 8 into a joint portion of the ink tank 5 . A first metal shaft 16 and a second metal shaft 17 are provided on the ceiling of the reserve tank 4 so as to extend downward. It is possible to detect whether the ink level in the reserve tank 4 has reached the two metal shafts based on the resistance value when a weak current is passed between the first metal shaft 16 and the second metal shaft 17. It is configured.

The bottom surface of the reserve tank 4 is connected to the ink supply path 2 through an outlet 48 provided on a side surface 47. The ink supply path 2 is provided with an on-off valve 3 composed of a diaphragm, and the flow path can be switched between an open state and a closed state by an on-off valve motor 35 serving as a driving source. The volume of the diaphragm changes when the on-off valve 3 is switched between the open state and the closed state, so the on-off valve 3 has a variable volume.

The recording head 1 has an ejection port surface 20 provided with a plurality of ejection ports at the bottom, and has a filter 21 inside for removing impurities mixed in ink. The discharge port surface 20 is disposed vertically above the lower end of the first hollow tube 9 that communicates with the atmosphere. As a result, when the ink from the ink tank 5 to the recording head 1 is filled with ink, a negative pressure is maintained at each ejection port and a meniscus is maintained. During a printing operation, when the ink in the print head 1 is consumed by ejecting ink from each ejection port, ink is supplied from the ink tank 5 to each ejection port via the ink supply path 2 at any time. Ru. This method of supplying ink is also called a differential head method. In this embodiment, the height difference between the discharge port surface 20 and the lower end of the first hollow tube 9, that is, the so-called water head difference H is about 80 mm.

Next, the configuration of the recovery unit 70 will be explained. The recovery unit 70 includes a cap 22 that can seal the discharge port surface 20, and a suction pump (suction means) 23 connected to the cap 22. The cap 22 can be switched between a covered state in which the discharge port surface 20 is sealed and an exposed state in which it is exposed. In this embodiment, a plurality of discharge port arrays are covered by one common cap 22. An in-cap absorbent body 29 is provided inside the cap 22, and the suction pump 23 creates a negative pressure in the cap 22 via the in-cap absorbent body 29. By providing the in-cap absorber 29, it is possible to uniformly reduce the pressure inside the cap 22 during suction by the suction pump 23. The suction pump 23 is a tube pump, and the average flow rate is proportional to the rotation speed of the tube pump. In this embodiment, the suction pump motor 28 controls the flow rate of the suction pump 23 to be substantially constant.

The cap 22 is further provided with an atmosphere release valve 30, and the atmosphere release valve 30 switches between communication and non-communication between the cap 22 and the atmosphere. The atmosphere release valve 30 is opened and closed by an atmosphere valve motor 31.

For example, when performing a preliminary ink ejection operation (preliminary ejection operation) for suppressing ejection failure of the print head 1 as a recovery operation for the print head 1, ink is ejected to the in-cap absorber 29. In this way, the ink received by the cap 22 due to the recovery operation of the recording head 1 is sucked by the suction pump 23 and collected into the maintenance cartridge 24. The maintenance cartridge 24 is replaced with a new one by the user when the amount of collected ink reaches a threshold value.

The operation of filling ink from the ink tank 5 to the recording head 1 at the time of initial installation of the recording apparatus 50 is referred to as an ink filling operation. When performing an ink filling operation in this embodiment, the recording head 1 is sealed with the cap 22, the on-off valve 3 is closed, and the suction pump 23 is driven for a predetermined period of time. As a result, the inside of the ink flow path between the on-off valve 3 and the suction pump 23 is brought into a negative pressure state. That is, negative pressure is charged to the ink flow path between the on-off valve 3 and the suction pump 23. Thereafter, when the on-off valve 3 is opened, a valve-closing suction operation is repeatedly executed in which ink is supplied from the ink tank 5 to the ink flow path due to the pressure difference before and after the on-off valve 3. Since the amount of ink that can be filled with each valve-closing suction operation is limited, when using a supply tube (ink supply path) 2 with a large volume as in this embodiment, the valve-closing suction operation is repeatedly performed. . After the recording head 1 is filled with ink, the atmosphere release valve 30 is opened to discharge the ink from the in-cap absorber 29, and the suction pump 23 performs an empty suction operation.

In addition to the initial installation, the valve-closing suction operation is also performed periodically to forcibly discharge air bubbles from the ejection port in the event that air bubbles generated from the ejection port accumulate in the recording head 1 and cause ejection failure. executed. Furthermore, when the ink is discharged from one end of the ink supply path during so-called secondary transportation, in which the used recording device 50 is moved to another location, this is executed for the purpose of refilling the ink supply path 2 with ink. be done.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the recording device 50. A CPU (control means) 11 is an arithmetic processing device for controlling the entire recording apparatus 50. The RAM 14 is a storage device that can hold information temporarily used when operating the control software. The ROM 13 is a read-only storage device that contains control software. The user interface (I/F) 12 includes keys operated by the user and an operation panel 54 that displays information, and operates as a communication port for transmitting and receiving data that connects the recording device 50 and the host computer.

The input/output I/O 15 controls the input/output of a head ejection drive unit 27 that ejects ink to the recording head 1, a suction pump motor 28, an atmospheric valve motor 31, an on-off valve motor 35, and a reserve remaining detection sensor (detection means) 36. do. The reserve remaining detection sensor 36 is connected to the first metal shaft 16 and the second metal shaft 17, and detects whether the ink level in the reserve tank 4 has reached a predetermined height.

The flow of the valve closing suction operation will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S401, the CPU 11 covers the cap 22 to seal the discharge port surface 20, and closes the on-off valve 3. In step S402, the CPU 11 drives the suction pump 23 to suck the inside of the recording head 1 and the inside of the ink supply path 2 through the cap 22. As a result, ink and air are extracted from the recording head 1 and the ink supply path 2 to reduce the pressure.

In step S403, the CPU 11 determines whether the suction pump 23 has been operating for a predetermined period of time (60 seconds in this embodiment). After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the CPU 11 stops the operation of the suction pump 23 in step S404, and opens the on-off valve 3 in step S405. As a result, ink from the ink tank 5 is supplied to the inside of the recording head 1 and the inside of the ink supply path 2, which were under negative pressure. The series of flows shown in FIG. 4 is referred to as a valve-closing suction operation.

FIG. 5 shows how the on-off valve 3 is closed to reduce the pressure inside the recording head 1 and the ink supply path 2 in order to perform a valve-closed suction operation when the recording apparatus 50 is initially installed. That is, FIG. 5 corresponds to step S402 in the flowchart of FIG. Since this is the initial installation, ink is not supplied to the ink supply path 2 and the recording head 1. Note that since the suction pump 23 with a substantially constant average flow rate is used, the reduced pressure value can be estimated based on the operation time of the suction pump 23.

FIG. 6 shows the state approximately 5 seconds after opening the on-off valve 3, and corresponds to step S405 in the flowchart of FIG. Due to the negative pressure charged in FIG. 5, the ink in the ink tank 5 is filled halfway into the ink supply path 2. Further, the ink in the ink tank 5 is also supplied to the reserve tank 4. This is because the flow path resistance for ink to move from the ink tank 5 to the reserve tank 4 is smaller than the flow path resistance for air to move from the reserve tank 4 to the ink supply path 2. This is because the inside of 4 temporarily becomes a negative pressure space.

Using the property that ink is also supplied to the reserve tank 4 when the on-off valve 3 is opened, the CPU 11 applies a weak current to the first metal shaft 16 and the second metal shaft 17 when the on-off valve 3 is opened. Flow. When the ink is properly sucked by the valve-closed suction operation, the reserve remaining detection sensor 36 detects that the ink level in the reserve tank 4 has reached a predetermined height. On the other hand, if ink is not properly suctioned by the valve-closing suction operation, the reserve residual detection sensor 36 detects that the ink level in the reserve tank 4 has not reached a predetermined height. In this way, by using the ink level detection means in the reserve tank 4, it becomes possible to detect suction failure more quickly during the ink filling operation at the time of initial installation.

The ink filling operation (initial filling operation) at the time of initial installation of the recording apparatus 50 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 7 . In step S701, the CPU 11 performs the valve closing suction operation shown in FIG. In step S702, the CPU 11 determines whether the amount of ink in the reserve tank 4 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the reserve remaining detection sensor 36.

If the amount of ink in the reserve tank 4 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, in order to continue the initial filling operation, the CPU 11 further performs a valve closing suction operation for a predetermined number of times (N1) (predetermined). conduct. In this embodiment, N1=4 times. Thereafter, in step S704, the CPU 11 performs a reserve tank filling operation in which the on-off valve 3 is repeatedly opened and closed, and ends the initial filling operation. Here, the negative pressure temporarily generated in the reserve tank 4 by opening the on-off valve 3 during the valve-closed suction operation is constant regardless of the number of times the valve-closed suction operation is performed. That is, even if the valve closing suction operation is repeated in step S703, the amount of ink in the reserve tank 4 hardly changes.

The reserve tank 4 is filled with ink by opening and closing the on-off valve 3 in step S704. When the on-off valve 3 is closed, the volume of the diaphragm becomes smaller, so that the air in the reserve tank 4 is pushed out to the ink tank 5. When the on-off valve 3 is subsequently opened, the ink in the ink tank 5 is drawn into and supplied to the reserve tank 4 due to the change in the volume of the diaphragm. The opening/closing operation of the on-off valve 3 is performed until the reserve tank 4 is full.

The recording operation by the recording head 1 is performed with the reserve tank 4 filled up. By filling up the reserve tank 4, the ink tank 5 and the reserve tank 4 are communicated with ink through the second hollow tube 8, and the ink reduced by the recording operation is supplied from the ink tank 5 to the recording head 1. Ru. Even if the ink in the ink tank 5 runs out, the ink in the reserve tank 4 is supplied to the recording head 1, so there is no need to stop the recording operation to replace the ink tank 5, realizing stopless printing. It is configured so that it can be done.

On the other hand, if the amount of ink in the reserve tank 4 is less than the predetermined amount in step S702, the CPU 11 notifies the suction error via the operation panel 54 or the like in step S705, and cancels the initial filling operation. Upon receiving the error notification, the user or service person can check the sealing performance of the cap 22 and the recording head 1 and the operation of the suction pump 23, and then redo the initial filling operation.

Conventionally, in a configuration in which discharge port arrays corresponding to multiple colors are covered by one cap 22 and suction is performed by the suction pump 23, the initial filling operation is completed even if suction failure occurs in one of the multiple colors. Poor suction could not be detected until later. For this reason, in the past, after a suction failure was detected, the initial filling operation was redone, resulting in an increase in the amount of waste ink for ink for which no suction failure had occurred. As in the present embodiment, the amount of waste ink can be reduced by detecting the presence or absence of poor suction at an intermediate stage before the initial filling operation is completed. Furthermore, since a detection means is provided for each color of ink, it is possible to specify the color of ink in which suction failure has occurred.

Note that the amount of ink supplied to the reserve tank 4 when the on-off valve 3 is opened in the valve-closed suction operation can be determined based on the volume of the ink supply path 2 and the like and the operation time of the suction pump 23. The outline is explained below.

First, let the volume (volume) from the ink supply path 2 to the suction pump 23, which is depressurized by the suction pump 23 with the on-off valve 3 closed, be V1, the charged negative pressure value be P1, and the volume of the reserve tank 4. Let be V2. The negative pressure value in the reserve tank 4, recording head 1, and ink supply path 2 immediately after the opening/closing valve 3 is opened is determined by "P1×V1/(V1+V2)" from the constant PV relationship.

Thereafter, ink is supplied from the ink tank 5 to the reserve tank 4 and the ink supply path 2 by the charged negative pressure. The amount of ink filled into the reserve tank 4 after opening the on-off valve 3 is determined by "P1×V1×V2/(V1+V2)" based on the constant PV relationship. Further, the amount of ink filled into the ink supply path 2 after opening the on-off valve 3 is determined by "P1×V1×V2/(V1+V2)".

In this embodiment, the volume of the ink supply path 2 is approximately 14 ml, the volume of the recording head 1 is approximately 4 ml, and the volume from the recording head 1 to the suction pump 23 is approximately 2 ml, so V1 = 20 ml. Further, in the valve-closing suction operation in the initial filling operation, the negative pressure value P1 charged between the ink supply path 2 and the suction pump 23 is -80 kPa. Furthermore, the volume V2 of the reserve tank 4 is 30 ml.

From this, the negative pressure value in the reserve tank 4, recording head 1, and ink supply path 2 immediately after opening the on-off valve 3 is approximately −32 kPa from “P1×V1/(V1+V2)”. Thereafter, the amount of ink filled into the reserve tank 4 by the charged negative pressure is determined to be approximately 9.6 ml from "P1×V1×V2/(V1+V2)". That is, if it is detected that the reserve tank 4 is filled with about 9.6 ml of ink after the valve is closed and the suction operation is performed, it can be confirmed that the suction pump 23 is properly performing the suction operation. Therefore, the first metal shaft 16 and the second metal shaft 17 are provided in the reserve tank 4 so that it can be detected that the tank is filled with about 9 ml of ink.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a configuration in which a detection means is provided for detecting whether a predetermined amount of ink is filled into the reserve tank 4 has been described. In the second embodiment, the presence or absence of suction failure is detected by executing a reserve tank filling operation after the valve-closing suction operation and detecting whether the reserve tank 4 is filled with ink. Note that the explanation will focus on the contents that are different from the first embodiment, and the explanation of the same contents will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing ink flow paths for one color from the ink tank 5 to the recording head 1 in the second embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, a third metal shaft 18 is provided on the top surface of the reserve tank 4. By measuring the resistance value when a fine current is passed through the second hollow tube 8 and the third metal shaft 18, it can be determined whether the ink liquid level in the reserve tank 4 has reached the second hollow tube 8. is being detected. That is, it is detected whether or not the ink in the reserve tank 4 is full.

FIG. 9 shows an ink flow path in which the ink supply path 2 and reserve tank 4 are filled with ink by opening the on-off valve 3 after the valve is closed and the suction operation is performed at the time of initial installation of the recording device 50, and FIG. The ink flow path after the reserve tank filling operation is shown. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the initial filling operation in the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment as well, first in step S1101, the CPU 11 performs the valve-closing suction operation shown in FIG. If there is no suction failure, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink supply path 2 and reserve tank 4 are filled with a predetermined amount of ink by the valve closing suction operation. Next, in step S1102, the CPU 11 performs a reserve tank filling operation. Specifically, the CPU 11 drives the on-off valve motor 35 to open and close the on-off valve 3 a predetermined number of times. In this embodiment, the opening/closing operation of the on-off valve 3 is M2 times, and when combined with the amount of ink filled by the valve closing suction operation, the number of times the reserve tank 4 is filled is set.

In step S1103, the CPU 11 flows a weak current through the second hollow tube 8 and the third metal shaft 18 to measure the resistance value, and based on the measurement results, the ink liquid level reaches the second hollow tube 8. Determine whether or not there is. If it is detected that the ink level has reached the second hollow tube 8, it is presumed that a suction failure has not occurred, and therefore, in step S1104, the CPU 11 repeats the valve closing suction operation a predetermined number of times. (N2 times) to complete the initial filling operation. Note that in this embodiment, N2=4.

On the other hand, if it is detected that the ink level has not reached the second hollow tube 8, there is a possibility that a suction failure has occurred, so the process advances to step S1105, and the CPU 11 Notifies a suction error and cancels the initial filling operation. Upon receiving the error notification, the user or service person can check the sealing performance of the cap 22 and the recording head 1 and the operation of the suction pump 23, and then redo the initial filling operation. With the above-described configuration, as in the first embodiment, suction failure can be determined early by detecting the presence or absence of suction failure before all processes of the initial filling operation are performed.

In the second embodiment as well, the volume of each component constituting the ink flow path is the same as in the first embodiment, so V1=20 ml and the negative pressure value P1=-80 kPa. Furthermore, the volume V2 of the reserve tank 4 is 30 ml. Therefore, the amount of ink filled by the valve-closed suction operation is estimated to be approximately 9.6 ml.

The reserve tank filling operation performed in step S1102 can fill the reserve tank 4 with about 0.2 ml of ink per opening/closing operation of the on-off valve 3. Therefore, by opening and closing the on-off valve 3 approximately 102 times, approximately 20.4 ml of ink, which is the remaining reserve tank capacity, is filled. In this embodiment, the predetermined number of times is set to 110 in consideration of parts intersection, and if the ink level in the reserve tank 4 is not detected even after 110 opening/closing operations, it is determined that suction is defective.

Note that it is desirable to set the number of opening/closing operations, etc., taking into consideration the volume of the parts constituting the ink flow path. Further, although the reserve tank filling operation was performed by repeatedly opening and closing the on-off valve 3, a diaphragm pump may be used instead of the on-off valve 3. In the second embodiment, it is detected whether or not the ink in the reserve tank 4 is full, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink liquid level in the reserve tank 4 may be detected.

1 Recording head 2 Ink supply path 3 On-off valve 4 Reserve tank 5 Ink tank 11 CPU (control means)
20 Discharge port surface 22 Cap 23 Suction pump (suction means)
36 Reserve remaining detection sensor (detection means)
50 Inkjet recording device

Claims (11)

a second tank that stores the liquid supplied from the first tank;
an ejection head connected to the second tank by a liquid supply path and having an ejection port for ejecting liquid supplied from the second tank via the liquid supply path;
a detection means that performs a detection operation to detect the amount of liquid in the second tank;
a filling means for performing a filling operation of filling the ejection head with liquid through the liquid supply path in a state where no liquid is introduced into the ejection head;
In the detection operation performed during the filling operation, if the detection means detects that the amount of liquid stored in the second tank is less than a predetermined amount, an error is notified to the user. Liquid discharge device. In the detection operation performed during the filling operation, if the detection means detects that the amount of liquid stored in the second tank is less than a predetermined amount, the filling means stops the filling operation. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying the error. a second tank that stores the liquid supplied from the first tank;
an ejection head connected to the second tank by a liquid supply path and having an ejection port for ejecting liquid supplied from the second tank via the liquid supply path;
a detection means that performs a detection operation to detect the amount of liquid in the second tank;
a filling means for performing a filling operation of filling the ejection head with liquid through the liquid supply path in a state where no liquid is introduced into the ejection head;
In the detection operation performed during the filling operation, if the detection means detects that the amount of liquid stored in the second tank is less than a predetermined amount, the filling operation is stopped. Liquid discharge device. Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the detection operation, when the detection means detects that the amount of liquid stored in the second tank is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the filling operation is continued. The liquid ejection device according to any one of the items. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an on-off valve that can be switched so that the liquid supply path is in an open state and a closed state. 7. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the filling means includes a suction means for sucking the inside of the ejection head. The filling operation is performed after the suction means reduces the pressure inside the ejection head for a predetermined time while the liquid supply path is in the closed state by the on-off valve, and then the liquid supply path is closed by the on-off valve. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, further comprising a suction operation to open the liquid ejection device. 9. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is ink. a second tank that stores the liquid supplied from the first tank; and a second tank that is connected to the second tank by a liquid supply path and discharges the liquid that is supplied from the second tank via the liquid supply path. A method for controlling a liquid ejecting device comprising: an ejection head having an ejection port surface provided with a plurality of ejection ports; and a filling means for filling the ejection head with liquid, the method comprising:
a filling step of filling the ejection head with liquid through the liquid supply path in a state where no liquid is introduced inside;
a detection step of detecting the liquid in the second tank during the filling step;
A control method comprising the step of notifying a user of an error if no liquid is detected in the detection step. a second tank that stores the liquid supplied from the first tank; and a second tank that is connected to the second tank by a liquid supply path and discharges the liquid that is supplied from the second tank via the liquid supply path. A method for controlling a liquid ejecting device comprising: an ejection head having an ejection port surface provided with a plurality of ejection ports; and a filling means for filling the ejection head with liquid, the method comprising:
a filling step of filling the ejection head with liquid through the liquid supply path in a state where no liquid is introduced inside;
a detection step of detecting the liquid in the second tank during the filling step;
A control method comprising: a stopping step of stopping the filling step if no liquid is detected in the detecting step.

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