JPH0490360A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate a carefully through out discharge recovery operation at a minimum of a requirement by providing a control means which changes content and/or the number of times according to the time elapsed from a predetermined timing starting point to power supply starting time and record starting time in discharge recovery operation. CONSTITUTION:When electric power is turned on, the time elapsed from a previous discharge recovery operation is examined and, if it is less than 26 hours, the discharge recovery operation is not effected, if it is from 26 hours to less than one month, said operation is effected one time and if it is at least one month, said operation is effected three times. When it is found out that the battery to back up a timer is dead, the said operation is effected one time, since the lapse of time is inexact. Immediately before opening cap, i.e. at the start of recording, the time elapsed from the previous recovery operation is also examined and, if it is less than 34 hours, the discharge recovery operation is not effected and, if it is from 34 hours to less than one month, said operation is effected one time and if it is at least one month, said operation is effected 3 times.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, recording devices that record on recording media such as paper and OHP sheets (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper or simply paper) have been proposed in the form of mounting recording heads using various recording methods. ing. These recording heads include those based on a wire tod type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, and an inkjet type.

Among these, the inkjet method in particular jets ink directly onto recording paper, and is attracting attention as a recording method that has advantages such as low running costs and quiet recording operation.

In addition, in recent years, inkjet recording devices, especially recording heads, have been manufactured using film-forming technology and micro-processing technology that are used in semiconductor devices, making them smaller and cheaper. New recording heads are being realized. Accordingly, for example, a disposable type recording head with an integrated ink tank has been proposed, and the configuration of the device itself has been made smaller and simpler as kneading has progressed.

Inkjet recording devices, which have the numerous advantages described above, are being widely used as recording devices for various devices such as electronic typewriters, word processors, facsimile machines, and copying machines.

In this case, the inkjet recording apparatus must have a configuration that corresponds to the functions, usage patterns, etc. unique to these apparatuses.

In addition, one of the trends in electronic typewriters, word processors, etc. is to make them compact, lightweight, and portable, and from this point of view, small and simple inkjet recording devices used in these devices are desirable. It is being offered.

As described above, the Infusiera 1 to recording devices are often used in a variety of usage environments, and this may lead to several problems.

For example, a problem may be caused by the fact that the frequency of use of the device varies significantly depending on the user. Some users may use the device for a limited amount of time every day, while others may leave it unused for more than a month. In such cases, the ink near the ejection ports of the print head or in the liquid path may thicken, or microbubbles generated in the liquid path may grow, leading to ejection failure. The longer the period of non-use, the more noticeable it becomes.

In contrast, in the past, for example, every time the power was turned on, or when the power was turned on, a recovery operation (
Looking at the time since the so-called "great recovery", if a predetermined period of time has elapsed (7), the same recovery operation was performed a predetermined number of times.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since the set time interval and the number of recovery operations are constant, if the device is left unused for a long period of time, for example, one month or more, the above-mentioned predetermined number of recovery operations will sufficiently recover the non-discharge. Furthermore, even if the printer is left unused for about 26 hours, performing the recovery operation a predetermined number of times will result in an excessive recovery operation, and ink will be wasted due to ink suction or the like.

In addition, if the recovery operation is performed when the power is turned on as in the past, and the power is left on without recording, the recovery operation will not occur during normal recording, resulting in non-ejection. there is a possibility.

Furthermore, with conventional control that performs a recovery operation every time the power is turned on without considering the time since the previous recovery process, it is difficult to A recovery operation is performed each time the power is turned on, resulting in an unnecessary recovery operation.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems mentioned above.
The purpose is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that can carry out ejection operations with appropriate content and timing, and that can always perform good recording.

It becomes possible to perform precise discharge recovery control.

[Means for Solving the Problems] To this end, the present invention provides an inkjet recording head for discharging the ink, and a method for performing an ejection recovery operation of the recording head in a recording apparatus for recording with ejected ink. a recovery means for the inkjet recording apparatus, a timekeeping means for counting the time related to the inkjet recording apparatus, and a timekeeping means for measuring the time according to the elapsed time measured by the timekeeping means from a predetermined timekeeping start point to the time when the power supply of the apparatus is turned on and the recording start time, respectively. [Function] According to the above configuration, for example, the control means includes a control means for causing the recovery means to perform the discharge recovery operation by changing the content and/or number of times of the discharge recovery operation. The content and number of ejection recovery operations performed at power-on and recording start can be varied depending on the time elapsed since the operation. Examples of the invention will be described in detail.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example of the external configuration of an electronic typewriter as a device to which the present invention is applicable.

Here, 1 is a keyboard section, in which a group of keys 2 such as keys for inputting characters such as letters and numbers, control keys, etc. are arranged, and when not in use, by rotating around a hinge 3, It can be folded as shown. Reference numeral 4 designates a paper feed tray for feeding sheet-like recording media to the printer unit inside the device, and the same (when not in use, it is stored covering the printer unit as shown in the same figure (B). 5 is a manual feed tray). 6 is a display for displaying input text, etc., and 7 is a handle used when transporting the apparatus according to this example.

Further, 8 is a window which forms the cover of the electronic typewriter of this example and is provided at the top of the typewriter adjacent to the display 6;
An inkjet printer and recording paper can be seen stored as described below.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the printer section according to this example.

Here, 9 is a head cartridge having an inkjet recording head, and 11 is a carriage for mounting this and scanning in the S direction in the figure. 13 is a hook for attaching the head cartridge 9 to the carriage 11, and 15 is a lever for operating the hook 13. This lever 1
5 is provided with a marker 17 for indicating a scale provided on the cover, which will be described later, to make it possible to read the printing position, setting position, etc. by the recording head of the head cartridge.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a support plate that supports the electrical connection to the head cartridge 9. 21 is a flexible cable for connecting the electrical connection section and the main body control section.

23 is a guide shaft for guiding the carriage 11 in the S direction, and is inserted into a bearing 25 of the carriage 11. A timing belt 27 is fixed to the carriage 11 and transmits power for moving the carriage 11 in the S direction, and is stretched around pulleys 29A and 29B arranged on both sides of the apparatus. Driving force is transmitted to one boot 929B from the carriage motor 31 via a transmission mechanism such as a gear.

A conveyance roller 33 is driven by a conveyance motor 35 for regulating the recording surface of a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper) and for conveying it during recording or the like. 37 is a paper pan for guiding the recording medium from the paper feed tray 4 side to the recording position; 39 is disposed in the middle of the recording medium feeding path to press the recording medium toward the conveyance roller 33 and convey it. It is a feed roller for. 34
A platen faces the ejection opening of the head cartridge 9 and regulates the recording surface of the recording medium. Reference numeral 41 denotes a paper discharge roller that is disposed downstream of the recording position in the recording medium conveyance direction and discharges the recording medium toward a paper discharge port (not shown). Reference numeral 42 denotes a spur provided corresponding to the paper ejection roller 41, which presses the roller 41 through the recording medium to generate a force for conveying the recording medium by the paper ejection roller 41. 43 is a feed roller 39.43 used when setting a recording medium, etc. This is a release lever for releasing the urging of each of the presser plates 459 and spurs 42.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a press plate for suppressing floating of the recording medium in the vicinity of the recording position and ensuring close contact with the conveying roller 33. In this example, an inkjet recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink is used as the recording head.

Therefore, the distance between the ink ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium is relatively small, and contact between the recording medium and the ejection orifice forming surface must be avoided (the distance must be strictly controlled). Therefore, it is effective to provide the presser plate 45. 47 is a scale provided on the presser plate 45, 49 is a marker provided on the carriage 11 corresponding to this scale,
These also allow the printing position and setting position of the recording head to be read.

A cap 51 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and faces the ink ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head in the home position, and is supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the recording head. This cap 51 is used to protect the print head during non-printing time and during ejection recovery processing of the print head according to the present invention. The discharge recovery process refers to the cap 51
by facing the ejection port forming surface and driving the energy generating element provided inside the ink ejection port and used for ink ejection to eject ink from all the ejection ports (preliminary ejection), thereby eliminating air bubbles and Dust.

Preliminary ejection (processing to remove the cause of ejection failure such as ink that has thickened and become unsuitable for recording), and separate from this, ink is forcibly ejected from the ejection port with the ejection port forming surface and the cap 51 covered. This process eliminates the causes of ejection failure.

53 is for applying a suction force (suction) for the foregoing forced ejection of ink, and also for suctioning (empty suction) the ink received in the cap 51 during ejection recovery processing by such forced ejection or ejection recovery processing by preliminary ejection. This is a pump used for. 55 is a waste ink tank for storing waste ink sucked by the pump 53, and 57 is a tube that communicates the pump 53 and the waste ink tank 55.

Reference numeral 59 denotes a blade for wiping the ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head, and it has two positions: one in which it protrudes toward the recording head and performs wiping during the head movement process, and the other in a retracted position where it does not engage the ejection orifice formation surface. movably supported. 61 is a motor; 63 receives power from the motor 61 to drive the pump 53 and the cap 51 and blade 5;
This is a cam device for making each of the movements of 9.

Note that, hereinafter, the discharge recovery operation in this example refers to a series of operations of suction, cap oven, preliminary discharge, dry suction, and wiping, and one discharge recovery operation refers to one cycle of these series of operations. .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration for executing control etc. that will be described later in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The cap position and movement position of the carriage 11 can be known based on detection by the recovery system home sensor 65 and the carriage home sensor 67. Further, movement to the designated position, manual setting of the designated position, etc. are performed using the space key or predetermined keys provided on the keyboard 1. The discharge recovery operation according to this example is performed via the motor driver 61A.
By operating the , ink suction, opening and closing of the cap, etc. are performed.

Furthermore, in the same figure, 1ooo is an MPU that executes the above control procedure, 1001 is a ROM that stores the control procedure etc. shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and 1002 is a ROM that stores the current position of the carriage 11 and This is a RAM used as a work area for control execution. Also,
Reference numeral 1003 is a timer that measures the interval of ejection recovery operations and the like according to this example. In this example, the operation of this timer is backed up by a battery.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining control of the ejection recovery operation in this example. As shown in the figure, when the power is turned on, the elapsed time from the previous ejection recovery operation is checked, and if it is less than 26 hours, ejection recovery is not performed, and if it is more than 26 hours and less than one month, one ejection recovery operation is performed. If it has been more than a month, perform the ejection recovery operation three times. Also, if you find that the battery for aquatubing the timer is dead,
Since the elapsed time is uncertain, one discharge recovery should be performed for the time being.

Also, just before the cap oven, that is, at the start of recording, check the elapsed time since the previous ejection recovery operation, and if this time is less than 34 hours, the ejection recovery operation will not be performed, and if it has been more than 34 hours and less than 1 month, the ejection recovery operation will be performed once. perform the discharge recovery operation,
If it has been more than one month, perform the discharge recovery operation three times.

In the control mode of the discharge recovery operation as described above, for example, if discharge recovery is performed when the power is turned on at the start of work at 9 a.m. on one day, then when the work starts at 9 a.m. the next day. When the power is turned on, the ejection recovery operation is not performed because 26 hours have not elapsed, and if you try to start recording during overtime, etc., when 10 hours or more have passed with the power turned on and no recording operation is performed that day, 34 hours have passed. 1 as it has passed
Perform the ejection recovery operation twice.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control procedure for the ejection recovery operation when the power is turned on, as explained in FIG. 4. When this process is started, first in step S51, it is determined whether there is an abnormality such as when the battery backing up the timer 1003 is exhausted when the power is turned off or the like. This battery check can be performed by a known method. Here, if the battery is normal, the process proceeds to step S52, and the elapsed time from the previous ejection recovery operation is determined based on the time counted by the timer 1003, and whether this time is longer than a predetermined time T2 (one month in this example). Decide whether or not. If it is determined in this judgment that the elapsed time is less than one month, the process advances to step S53, and this elapsed time is set as the second predetermined time TI (26 hours in this example).
If the elapsed time is less than 26 hours, the ejection recovery operation is not performed and the present processing procedure is ended.

If it is determined in step S53 that the elapsed time is 26 hours or more, a discharge recovery operation is performed once in step S58,
Next, in step S59, the elapsed time timer is reset and the present processing procedure is ended. Further, if it is determined in step S52 that the elapsed time is one month or more, the ejection recovery operation is performed three times in step S56, and then the timer is reset in step S57. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S51 that there is an abnormality such as a dead battery, the elapsed time of power off is uncertain, so just to be sure, step S5
4, the discharge recovery operation is performed once, and then step S55
to reset the timer and end this processing procedure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of ejection recovery processing that is executed at the start of printing, that is, immediately before uncapping of the print head during non-printing and moving to a printing operation.

When a recording command is output with the cap closed, this process is started, and a battery abnormality is checked in step S61. If the timer backup battery is normal, it is determined in step S62 whether the elapsed time since the previous recovery operation is longer than a predetermined time T4 (one month in this example) based on the timer data. If it is determined that the elapsed time is less than one month, it is determined in step S63 whether the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time T3 (34 hours in this example). Here, if the elapsed time is less than 34 hours, the ejection recovery operation is not performed and the present processing procedure is ended.

If it is determined in step S63 that the time has elapsed for more than 34 hours, a recovery operation is performed once in step S64, and then the timer is reset in step S65, and this processing procedure ends. If it is determined in step S62 that one month or more has elapsed, the ejection recovery operation is performed three times in step S66, and then the timer is reset in step S67, and the present processing procedure ends. Further, if it is determined in step A61 that the battery is abnormal, the discharge recovery operation is not performed and the present processing procedure is ended. Note that when performing the ejection recovery operation in this processing procedure, the cap is kept in the closed state and the process immediately proceeds to a series of ejection recovery operations after the suction operation.

In the above embodiment, the number of recovery operations is changed depending on the elapsed time, but the contents may be changed. For example, if the elapsed time is short, only preliminary ejection can be performed without performing the suction operation. This can be determined appropriately depending on the specifications of the recording head, the environment in which it is used, and the like.

Further, it goes without saying that the set time and the number of ejection recovery operations, which are the criteria for determining the elapsed time in the above embodiments, are not limited to these.

Further, the time to start counting the elapsed time is not limited to the previous recovery operation as in the above example, but may also be, for example, the end of the previous recording operation or the time the power is turned off.

(Others) The present invention brings about excellent effects particularly in a bubble jet type recording head and recording apparatus among inkjet recording types.

This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

As for typical configurations and principles thereof, it is preferable to use the basic principles disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it is necessary to arrange the liquid (ink) in accordance with the sheet and liquid path that hold it. The electrothermal converter that is
By applying a single drive signal that corresponds to the recorded information and provides a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and applied to the thermally active surface of the recording head. This is effective because it causes film boiling, resulting in the formation of bubbles in the liquid (ink) that correspond one-to-one to this drive signal.The growth and contraction of these bubbles causes the liquid (ink) to flow through the ejection opening. ) is ejected to form at least one droplet.If this drive signal is in the form of a pulse, bubble growth and contraction occur immediately and appropriately, making it possible to eject liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness. , is more preferable.As this pulse-shaped drive signal,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,359, U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,26
Those described in Specification No. 2 are suitable.

Furthermore, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head includes, in addition to the combination configuration of ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section. The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose configurations in which the wafer is placed in a bending region. In addition, for multiple electrothermal converters, a common sleeve 1
JP-A-59123670 discloses a configuration in which .
The effects of the present invention are also effective even if the structure is based on the publication No.-138461. That is, regardless of the form of the recording head, according to the present invention, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently.

Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium that can be recorded by a recording apparatus.

Such a recording head may have either a configuration in which the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, even with the serial type shown in the example above, the recording head is fixed to the device body, or by being attached to the device body, electrical connection to the device body and ink supply from the device body is possible. The present invention is also effective when using a replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus, to the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, these include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressure or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element, or a combination thereof; It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing in order to perform stable printing.

In addition, regarding the type and number of recording heads installed, for example, in addition to one type that corresponds to single-color ink, there is also a plurality of recording heads that correspond to multiple inks with different recording colors and densities. It may be something that can be done. In other words, for example, the recording mode of the recording device is not only a recording mode for only the mainstream color such as black (although the recording head may be configured integrally or by a combination of multiple heads, it can also be used for multiple colors of different colors). The present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with at least one full color by color mixture.

Additionally, in the embodiments of the present invention described above,
Although ink is described as a liquid, it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or below, but softens or liquefies at room temperature, or in an inkjet method, the ink itself is
Generally, the temperature is adjusted within the range of 0°C or more and 70°C or less so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range, so even if the ink is in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied. Bye. In addition, the temperature increase caused by thermal energy can be actively prevented by using the energy to change the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or ink that solidifies when left standing is used to prevent ink evaporation. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying thermal energy in accordance with the recording signal, and the liquid ink is ejected, or the ink has already begun to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable when using ink that is liquefied only by energy. The ink used in this case is
Publication No. 4-56847 or JP-A-60-71260
As described in the above publication, the porous sheet may be held in a liquid or solid state in the recesses or through-holes of the porous sheet, facing the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective method for each of the above-mentioned inks is to implement the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, in addition to being used as an image output terminal for information processing equipment such as a computer, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention may also take the form of a copying machine combined with a league, etc., or a facsimile machine having a transmission/reception function. It may also be something.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, for example, the content and number of ejection recovery operations performed at power-on and recording start can be adjusted according to the elapsed time since the previous recovery operation. Since they can be made different from each other, it is possible to perform more detailed ejection recovery control.

As a result, even if the recovery operation is not performed when the power is turned on due to elapsed time, for example, the ejection recovery operation may be performed upon the start of recording. In this way, the recovery operations performed at power-on and at the start of recording each complement each other, so that an appropriate recovery operation can be performed as a whole.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1A and 1B are external perspective views of an electronic typewriter as a device according to an embodiment of the present invention during use and storage, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of a printer applicable to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the printer shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of ejection recovery operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the ejection recovery operation shown in FIG. 4, respectively. 9... Head cartridge, 51... Cap, 53... Pump, 59... Blade, 61... Recovery system motor, 100... MPU, 1001... ROM. 1002...RAM, 1003...Timer.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A recording apparatus for recording with ejected ink, comprising: an inkjet recording head for ejecting the ink, a recovery means for performing an ejection recovery operation of the recording head, and the inkjet. A timer for measuring time related to the recording device; and a timer for measuring the content of the ejection recovery operation and/or the ejection recovery operation according to the elapsed time measured from a predetermined timing start time to the power-on time of the device and the recording start time, respectively. Alternatively, an inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a control means for causing the recovery means to perform the ejection recovery operation by changing the number of times. 2) The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time measurement start point is at the time of the ejection recovery operation. 3) The recording head is characterized in that the recording head causes film boiling in the ink using thermal energy and ejects the ink as bubbles grow due to the film boiling.
The inkjet recording device described in .