JPH06210875A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent discarded ink from overflowing from a discarded ink storage section by providing means for counting and storing a number of recovery operations performed by a recovery device which serves as maintaining and recovering an ink discharging condition in a recording head. CONSTITUTION:When a user depresses a cleaning button 7 upon occurrence of abnormalities (non-discharge, blurring and the like) in a print condition, a signal is directly transmitted to an ink jet recording device 1999 to start a cleaning action. Such cleaning is called a manual cleaning. Also, an auto- cleaning is started by a microprocessor unit 1000 of a word processor. A RAM 1002 stores a date when a preceding auto-cleaning is executed, and the stored date and a date at that time are compared with that a command is issued dictating the ink jet recording device 1999 to begin a print action after the start-up of a cleaning action in the case where the date at that time increases by three days or more.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus as an output of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a computer, a word processor or a combination of these machines, and more specifically for storing unnecessary ink to be discharged. The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus having a waste ink storage section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet recording apparatuses perform desired recording by ejecting ink from an ink ejection port of a finely processed recording head. Since the ink ejected from such a recording head contains an evaporative component, it adheres to the ejection port surface of the recording head to dry or is blocked even when the recording head is not used for a long time or during recording. It may end up. In this case, the ejecting direction of the ink is changed, the ink is not ejected, and the recording quality is deteriorated. In order to eliminate such a situation,
Operations such as so-called cleaning and preliminary ejection are performed.

Waste ink generated by cleaning or preliminary ejection is sent to a waste ink storage portion by a built-in device having a pump mechanism called a recovery system unit.
Although the waste ink contains a large amount of volatile components and can be expected to be reduced in weight by drying, the non-volatile components are certainly accumulated in the storage section. Conventionally, the volume of the storage unit is set by estimating the amount of waste ink generated based on the standard use conditions assumed by the designer and allowing for a slight margin.

Further, assuming that the ink is discharged beyond the margin, even if the waste ink overflows from the storage unit or the recovery system unit, such ink causes the power source to be discharged. The device configuration was devised so that it would not reach the control section and the electric circuit section.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the conventional method,
When the waste ink is discharged beyond the design's assumption, sufficient measures have not been taken and it is noticeable that the user has reached the limit of the waste ink storage part because there is ink bleeding from the exterior Later. By that time, a lot of ink had spread to various parts of the device, and even if you asked for maintenance at that time, cleaning the ink that flowed out was a very laborious task, and in fact, not only the recording device It was inconvenient because even the device that contained it could not be reproduced.

Further, even if ink bleeds from the exterior, if the user does not notice it for a long time, it is conceivable that the furniture, rug, etc. around the recording device may be soiled.

An object of the present invention is to prevent the waste ink from overflowing from the waste ink storage portion as described above. Another object of the present invention is to prevent the reliability of the recording apparatus from being lowered due to the overflow of ink.

[0008]

As a result of studying to achieve the above object, the present inventor has a structure for detecting the amount of waste ink, warns when the amount exceeds a predetermined amount, and contaminates the inside of the apparatus with ink. We have obtained the knowledge that it is sufficient to adopt a configuration that does not. The present invention has been made based on the above findings, and the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is provided with a means for recording the cumulative number of times the cleaning operation has been performed since the start of use of the product (hereinafter referred to as "cleaning number counter"). Characterized by having. Further, the cleaning counter is compared with a set limit number (for example, 1000 times), and a means for judging that the number of times exceeds a predetermined number, a means for giving a warning, or a means for stopping the operation is provided. To do.

With the above construction, it is possible to give a warning to the user before the storage limit of the waste ink storage portion is exceeded, and to prevent the waste ink from flowing into the apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inside of the device from being contaminated and the power supply unit and the circuit part from being destroyed by flowing out of the device, and the reliability can be improved.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.
An example of the external configuration of a document creation device (hereinafter referred to as "word processor") that incorporates an inkjet recording device is shown.

Here, 1 is a keyboard portion which is an input device. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display portion for displaying an input document or the like, which is rotatably held and can be folded so as to overlap the keyboard portion 1 when not in use. Reference numeral 3 denotes a protective cover which is openable and closable and which is provided in a visual recognition opening for confirming the operating state of the recording head and is transparent or translucent. Reference numeral 4 is a spur cover for holding the spur. Reference numeral 5 is a paper supporter that supports the paper when the recording paper is fed and discharged, and 6 is a knob for manually feeding and discharging the recording paper. Reference numeral 7 denotes a cleaning button, which is a switch for activating a cleaning operation for normally recovering the ejection of the recording head.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the construction of the printer section of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

Here, 9 is a head cartridge having an ink jet recording head, and 11 is a cartridge which is equipped with this and is S in the figure.
It is a carriage for scanning in the direction. Reference numeral 13 is a hook for attaching the head cartridge 9 to the carriage 11, and reference numeral 15 is a lever for operating the hook 13. The lever 15 is provided with a marker 17 for instructing a scale provided on a cover, which will be described later, so that the print position and the set position by the recording head of the head cartridge 9 can be read. Reference numeral 19 is a support plate that supports an electrical connection portion for the head cartridge 9. Two
Reference numeral 1 is a flexible cable for connecting the electric connection part and the main body control part. 23 is the carriage 11 S
A guide shaft for guiding the carriage 11 in the direction
Of the bearing 25. Reference numeral 27 is a timing belt to which the carriage 11 is fixed and which 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. The driving force is transmitted from the carriage motor 31 to one pulley 29B via a transmission mechanism such as a gear. Reference numeral 32 is a carriage home sensor for confirming the position of the carriage.
Reference numeral 33 denotes a platen roller that regulates a recording surface of a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter, also referred to as “recording paper”) and conveys the recording medium when it is recorded, and is driven by a conveyance motor 35. Numeral 37 designates a recording medium as a paper supporter 5.
A paper pan 39 is provided to guide the recording medium from the side, and a feed roller 39 is provided in the middle of the feeding path of the recording medium to press the recording medium toward the platen roller 33 and convey the same. Reference numeral 41 denotes a paper discharge roller that is arranged on the downstream side of the recording position when viewed from 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 discharge roller 41, which presses the paper discharge roller 41 via the recording medium and causes the paper discharge roller 41 to convey the recording medium. 43 is a feed roller 39, a pressing plate 45, and
A release lever for releasing the bias of each spur 42. Reference numeral 45 is a pressing plate for suppressing the floating of the recording medium in the vicinity of the recording position and for ensuring a close contact with the platen roller 33.

In this embodiment, an ink jet recording head for recording by ejecting ink is used as the recording head. Therefore, the distance between the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium is relatively small, and the distance must be strictly controlled to avoid contact between the recording medium and the ejection port forming surface. ,
Arrangement of the pressing plate 45 is effective. 47 is a holding plate 45
The scale provided on the carriage 49 corresponds to this scale and the carriage 1
The marker provided on the No. 1 is also used to read the print position and the set position of the recording head. 51
Is a cap formed of an elastic material such as rubber facing the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head at the home position, and is supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the recording head. The cap 51 is used as an ink receiving member for protection of the recording head during non-recording or for ejection recovery processing of the recording head.

In the present specification, the "ink receiving member" is not limited to the cap, and may have any form as long as it can receive the ink discharged from the recording head.

In the present specification, the "ejection recovery process" means
Ink is ejected from all ejection ports by driving an energy generating element provided inside the ink ejection port and used for ejecting ink, or suction force is applied while the ejection port formation surface is covered with a cap. This is a process of removing ejection failure factors such as air bubbles and dust, and ink that has thickened and is no longer suitable for recording.

Derivation means 53 is used for sucking the ink received by the cap 51 during the discharge recovery process by the forced discharge and the discharge recovery process by the preliminary discharge as well as the suction force for the forced discharge of the ink. Is a pump. Reference numeral 55 denotes a waste ink storage unit for storing the waste ink sucked by the pump 53.
A tube 7 connects the pump 53 and the waste ink storage portion 55. Reference numeral 59 is a blade for wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, which is a position for protruding to the recording head side and performing wiping in the course of head movement,
It is movably supported in a retracted position that does not engage with the ejection port forming surface. Reference numeral 61 is a motor, and 63 is a cam device for receiving power transmitted from the motor 61 to drive the pump 53 and move the cap 51 and the blade 59, respectively.

Next, details of the above-described head cartridge 9 will be described.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a head cartridge 9 in which an ejection unit 9a forming an ink jet recording head body and an ink tank 9b are integrated, and in FIG. 4, 906e is a carriage 11 when the head cartridge 9 is mounted. It is a pawl that is hooked by a hook 13 provided on the. As is apparent from the figure, the pawl 906e is arranged inside the entire extension of the recording head. Further, in the vicinity of the ejection unit 9a in front of the head cartridge 9, a positioning abutting portion (not shown in the figure) is provided. 906f is erected on the carriage 11,
It is a head opening into which a support plate for supporting the flexible substrate (electrical connection portion) and the rubber pad is inserted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of a word processor incorporating the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3 as an apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

The range indicated by 999 is the microcomputer of the word processor main body. Reference numeral 1000 is a microprocessor unit, 1001 is a ROM storing a program as a word processor, 1002 is a RAM used as a work area when creating a document, and 1003 is a timer prepared for performing date management of the word processor.

The user inputs information to the above microcomputer using the keyboard 1 and checks the work contents by looking at the display 2.

The range indicated by 1999 is the built-in ink jet recording apparatus. Reference numeral 2000 denotes a microprocessor unit, 2001 denotes a ROM that stores a control program for the recording apparatus, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, and 2002.
Is an EEPROM or microprocessor 2000 for recording the count of the cleaning operation of the present invention.
Is a recovery system sensor 65, a paper end sensor 36, and a carriage home sensor 32. While confirming the status of the recovery system unit, the presence or absence of recording paper, and the position of the carriage 11, the recovery system motor 61, the conveyance motor 35, and the carriage motor 31. A drive pulse is applied to control the recording device.

A command signal for printing is sent from the microcomputer 999 to the inkjet recording paper 1999 via the interface 1004, and a signal notifying an error state is sent from the inkjet recording device 1999 to the microcomputer 999 via the interface 2003. Sent.

When the user presses the cleaning button 7 when the printing state is abnormal (non-ejection, faintness, etc.), the signal is directly sent to the ink jet recording apparatus 1999 to start the cleaning operation (cleaning operation Details will be described later). Such cleaning is called "manual cleaning".

In addition to manual cleaning,
"Auto cleaning" is available.

Autocleaning is initiated by the microprocessor unit 1000 of the word processor. RA is the date when the last automatic cleaning was executed.
It is stored in the M1002 (not shown in the figure, but can be stored because it is partially backed up by a battery), and at the timing when the print key is pressed from the keyboard 1, the date at that time and the stored date Compare
Inkjet recording apparatus 1 if the number of days has increased by 3 days or more
After the cleaning operation is activated in 999, a command is issued to start the printing operation. This may cause the head cartridge 9 that has been capped to deteriorate in ink state near the ejection port due to the passage of time, or cause air to enter the ink flow path between the ink tank 9b and the ejection port, resulting in non-ejection. This is a mechanism prepared in view of the above, and is intended to automatically guarantee the print quality.

6A and 6B are flow charts showing the print control procedure of this embodiment. As a main operation, first, there is preliminary ejection. In the preliminary ejection in this example, 100 ink droplets are ejected into the cap from all 64 nozzles of the recording head. In addition, one ink drop is 90n
Since it is g, it is 0.
000676 g of ink is discharged, and the waste ink storage unit 5
Sent to 5. Incidentally, FIG. 6 (b) is for executing the idle suction in the flow chart of FIG. 6 (a).

Immediately before printing, the preliminary ejection (a) shown in FIG. 6A is performed, and thereafter, the preliminary ejection (b) is performed at intervals of 30 seconds. In addition, a timer T is used for this 30-second interval integration.
₁ is used. Since T ₁ is stopped when the capping (c) is started when there is no print signal for 5 seconds or more, the time during capping is not counted in this 30 second interval. When the capping (c) is over 60 seconds, the control procedure returns to the preliminary ejection (a) and the preliminary ejection is performed after the cap is opened and before the printing. Pre-discharging is done inside the cap. Therefore, when the preliminary ejection is repeatedly performed, it is necessary to perform the idle suction in order to take the ink accumulated in the cap due to the preliminary ejection to the waste ink tank side. Basically, idle suction is performed between pages that are not printed. Counter for pre-ejection after printing one page N
_{When 1} is 4 or more, empty suction (d) is performed. However, when N ₁ is 8 or more even in the middle of the page being printed, that is, in the case of a document requiring a long printing time, the idle suction (e) is performed. In addition, empty suction is always performed at the end of printing. Next, regarding wiping. This is to clean the head face surface where ink is squeezed after printing, and this is done after the end of one page and all printing.

The flowchart of FIG. 7 shows the MPU of FIG.
An example of the cleaning operation procedure executed by the recovery system unit under the control of 2000 is shown.

This procedure starts from the capping state (step S1). Then, the piston operates and pumping is executed (step S3), and in that state, stop is performed for 3 seconds so that ink suction is sufficiently performed (step S5). In this example, the amount of ink sucked from the recording head is about 0.11 g. At the same time when the cap is opened, small air suction is performed (step S7),
It is stopped for 1 second so that the ink is taken in the cap and the cap lever (step S9). Next, preliminary ejection is performed (step S11). This preliminary discharge is
It's exactly what happens during printing.

Next, empty suction is performed to discharge the ink filled in the pump. First, the piston moves to the empty suction position (step S13), and the piston is reciprocated three times from that position to the hollow suction stop position (steps S15-2).
1). Next, the piston is fully moved to perform suction in the large air (step S23), and the ink in the pump is sufficiently pushed out to the waste ink storage portion side. Subsequently, the piston is moved to the idle suction preparation position (step S25), and the recording head is moved to the blade ON position (step S2).
7) Then, turn on the blade (step S2
9) Then, the wiping is executed by moving the recording head to the blade OFF position (step S3).
1). Finally, the blade is turned off (step S33), and the recording head is returned to the capping position (step S3).
5) Capping is performed (step S37). Finally, the cleaning counter is rewritten by one.

The "cleaning number limit setting" method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, there are two types of cleaning, “manual cleaning” and “automatic cleaning”. The "manual cleaning" is a command that is directly activated by pressing the cleaning button 7 to the inkjet printer. The "auto cleaning" is a command issued by the microcomputer 999 when the print key is pressed from the keyboard 1 by judging from the date.

In either case, finally, the microprocessor 2000 of the printer drives each part of the printer to execute the cleaning operation.

In the EEPROM 2002, a cleaning counter set to 0 when the product is assembled is prepared. The EEPROM is an electrically erasable and writable memory, and since information is stored even when voltage is not applied, the numerical value of the cleaning counter is also stored when the power is turned off.

As described above, in both cases of the two types of cleaning, the microprocessor 2000 of the printer is involved, and after the cleaning operation is executed once by the program stored in the ROM 2001, the inside of the EEPROM 2002 is executed. Rewrite the cleaning count of to one larger value.

Next, regarding how to issue a warning message, when the user inputs a print key from the keyboard, a print command and print data are sent from the microcomputer 999 to the recording device 1999. Upon receipt of the print command, the microprocessor 2000 first confirms the value of the cleaning frequency counter in the EEPROM 2002, and if it is less than 1000, executes printing, and if it is 1000 or more, returns an error code signal to the microcomputer 999. When the microcomputer 999 receives the error code signal, the display 2 displays "Waste ink tank is full. Requires replacement of parts. Message is displayed. At the same time, printing is suspended and a message asking "restart or stop" is displayed at the same time. It is desirable for the user to immediately stop printing and request a service engineer to replace the parts, but if it is desired to continue using it for a while, it is possible to restart the printing and execute printing (see FIG. 6 (a)). .

After replacing the waste ink tank,
EEPR by writing software prepared for service
The cleaning frequency counter in the OM 2002 is rewritten to 0, and normal use can be resumed from the beginning. In this example, the allowable storage capacity of the waste ink storage section 55 is set to 60 g.

The ink has a relative humidity of 50 RH% to 60 R
In the environment of H%, up to 20% of the initial weight, and 35 ℃
Even in an environment of 85%, the weight is reduced to 40% of the initial weight.

Therefore, the total weight of ink that can be stored in the waste ink storage portion 55 is 60 / 0.4 = 150 g, considering that it is OK even in an environment of 35 ° C. and 85%.

The ink sent to the waste ink storage section 55 is generated by preliminary ejection, automatic cleaning and manual cleaning which are performed during printing.

As described above, the preliminary discharge is 0.0
A total of 0.11057 is generated because the amount of discharged ink of 00576 g is generated, 0.11 g of ink is sucked out in one pumping step in cleaning, and one preliminary ejection is performed.
6 g of ink is discharged.

Here, as a standard use condition, 1 a day
Preliminary ejection is expected 30 times by printing about 2 sheets, and assuming that auto cleaning and user cleaning are performed twice a week, the preliminary ejection during printing is 30 × 0.000576 = 0.01728 per day.
g 5 years 5 x 52 x 5 x 0.01728 ≈ 22.46g
Becomes The number of prints is 5 × 52 × 5 × 12 = 15600
The number of sheets is set, and this number is set as the guaranteed print number of the recording apparatus of this embodiment (5 years is a standard use period).

5 years for cleaning 5 × 52 × 3 ×
0.110576≈86.25 g, and the number of cleanings is 5 × 52 × 3 = 780. When the total amount of ink ejected by "preliminary ejection during printing" and "cleaning" is summed, 108.71 g of ink is fed into the storage portion in 5 years.

Five years is a standard usage period, and according to the above calculation, the total ink discharge amount does not exceed 150 g and the cleaning number limit number of 1000 times is reached within that period. Nor.

When the use is continued at the above-mentioned pace (printing frequency and cleaning frequency), 5 × 1000/780
Approximately 6.4 years, the number of cleanings reaches 1000 and a warning message is issued.

By this time, the total discharged ink amount sent to the waste ink storage portion 55 is 108.71 × 6.4 / 5, which is 1
It is within the storable range at 39.15g.

The number of printed sheets at that time is 15600 ×
6.4 / 5 = 19968 sheets, which is far beyond the guaranteed print number of 15600 sheets.

If a warning is issued here and the user requests maintenance from a sales agent or manufacturer, the waste ink storage portion 55 can be replaced as a response, and the recording device cannot be guaranteed in performance due to further use. It is possible to replace each part or the entire recording device.

In this embodiment, it is described that "when the user operates the print key, the cleaning count is compared with the set count to determine whether or not to issue a warning." The gist of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, “When the user cleaning key is operated, the cleaning count is compared with the set count to determine whether or not to issue a warning.” If the cleaning count reaches 1000 after the auto cleaning is performed,
Immediately after that, a warning is issued. It doesn't matter what you say.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the processing after the number of times of cleaning reaches a certain number, "a warning message is displayed on the display" is explained, but the gist of the present invention is limited to this. For example, “A warning is issued by a buzzer or an LED.” “A warning is issued and the operation of the recording apparatus is completely stopped.” “A warning is issued and the user cleaning function is stopped. -Including cases such as "Issuing a warning and stopping the automatic cleaning function."-"Issuing a warning and stopping all cleaning functions."

Further, in the present embodiment, it is explained that "the cleaning number counter is provided in the EEPROM in the printer control microcomputer." However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to use a configuration such as "In the RAM that is backed up by the battery in the printer control microcomputer."-"In the RAM that is backed up by the battery in the word processing microcomputer."

Further, in the present embodiment, only the number of cleanings is counted, and when the number of cleanings reaches a certain number, the full-filling time of the waste ink storage section 55 is judged. The gist is not limited to this. For example, the cumulative number of preliminary ejections during printing is also counted by the same method, and a case where the full tank time is comprehensively determined by both numerical values is also included.

This will be described with reference to FIG. Assuming that the value of the cleaning cumulative number counter is N ₂ and the value of the preliminary ejection cumulative number counter is N ₃ , the total waste ink amount G (g) sent to the waste ink storage unit is 0.110576 (g).
× N ₂ +0.000576 (g) × N ₃ .

Immediately before this value reaches 150 g (for example, 145 g), it is determined that the tank is full.

The values of N ₁ and N ₃ are incremented by 1 each time preliminary ejection is performed, and N ₁ is reset when the idle suction is performed, but N ₃ is counted as it is without change.

After receiving the print signal, the total amount of waste ink up to that time is calculated from N ₂ and N _3, and a warning is issued when the total amount of waste ink exceeds 145 g.

In the present embodiment, the number of cleanings is counted, and when the number of cleanings reaches a certain number, it is judged that it is the full time of the waste ink storage portion 55, but the gist of the present invention is. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
You may judge a full tank time using a sensor by the structure as shown in FIG.

This will be described with reference to FIG. The waste ink storage portion 55 is formed with smoothly sliding ribs 55a and 55b, which are slidably supported by the structural material of the recording apparatus. A piezoelectric element sensor 56 is arranged below the rib 55b. Therefore, since the waste ink storage portion 55 can freely move in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow, pressure corresponding to the weight thereof is applied to the sensor 56. Since the sensor 56 produces an output corresponding to the applied pressure, the weight can be calculated from the output and the amount of ink stored in the waste ink storage section 55 can be accurately known. In addition, in this embodiment, the piezoelectric element is used as the sensor for detection, but other sensors are used, for example, a method of identifying with the color of the ink with an optical sensor, a method of detecting the voltage with a sensor that applies ink conductivity. Etc.

Further, in the present embodiment, as a measure after the warning message is issued, the user requests the manufacturer to replace the waste ink tank and further reset the cleaning count to 0. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 10, the waste ink tank can be replaced by the user, and the cleaning count can be automatically reset when the replacement is performed.

This will be described with reference to FIG. The waste ink storage portion 55 has a structure that can be easily attached and detached, and is inserted into the joint 81 to connect to the recovery system unit via the tube 57. The position of the usable state is indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure. At that position, the lever of the microswitch is tilted to 82 and the circuit is connected. In this embodiment, the cumulative cleaning count is backed up in the backup battery 2004 and recorded in the RAM 2003 which is stored in the memory even after the power source of the apparatus is turned off. The waste ink storage portion 55 is at a predetermined position, and the RAM 2003 and the battery 20 are operated by the micro switch
The count is stored while 04 is connected.

When a full tank warning is issued and the user replaces the waste ink storage section 55, the backup of the RAM 2003 is canceled and the memory is destroyed. When the cleaning is restarted and the next cleaning is performed, the MPU 2000 calls the cumulative cleaning count so far, and recognizes that the memory has not been saved, and rewrites the cleaning count to 0 here. After that, the number of times of cleaning starts again.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, by warning the full time of the waste ink storage portion, the waste ink which exceeds the allowable amount of the storage portion flows out, and the recording apparatus or the recording apparatus can be operated. This prevents the built-in device from becoming unplayable. A user who uses the printing apparatus at a frequency much higher than the standard usage frequency may reach the full-filled time of the waste ink storage unit even when there is no problem in the performance of the apparatus. Even for such a user, by replacing the component or the unit of the recording device at the time when the warning is issued, the user can continue to use the device, which is effective. Also, it is possible to prevent the furniture and the rug around the recording device from being contaminated by flowing out of the device.

Further, the warning of the present invention is effective because it can be used as an index of the maintenance time of each part of the recording apparatus. That is, if there is a warning and the waste ink storage portion is replaced, at that time, other parts can be cleaned and parts can be replaced.

Further, the ink jet system is said to be advantageous in terms of downsizing, but the volume of the waste ink storage part becomes an obstacle to downsizing of the device as miniaturization of each part in the device is advanced. With the idea of the invention,
The waste ink storage section can be replaced during the life of the apparatus. That is, it is possible to reduce the volume of the waste ink storage portion to a fraction of that of the existing one, which contributes to downsizing of the apparatus and is effective.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a printer unit of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a head cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

6A and 6B are flowcharts showing a print control procedure of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a cleaning operation procedure of the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

8A and 8B are flowcharts showing a print control procedure of an inkjet recording apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Keyboard 2 Display 7 Cleaning Key 9 Head Cartridge 55 Waste Ink Storage Section 2000 Printer Microprocessor 2001 ROM 2002 EEPROM 2003 RAM 2004 Battery

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 29/20 9113-2C

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An inkjet recording apparatus provided with a recovery device for maintaining and recovering an ink ejection state of a recording head for ejecting ink to perform recording, and means for counting and storing the number of recovery operations performed by the recovery device. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by being provided. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means further compares the number of recovery operations with a preset number of times, and issues a warning when the preset number of times is exceeded. . 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising control means for stopping a part of the function of the recording apparatus based on the warning. 4. The recording head is provided with a heating element, and the heat generated by the heating element is used to cause a change in state of the ink to eject the ink. The inkjet recording device described.