JPH07314730A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the possibility of erroneous mounting of an ink tank even in the case of either monochrome or color by providing a sensing means for sensing the mounting and a changeover means for changing over a first erroneous mounting prevention means to a second erroneous mounting prevention means or vice versa in compliance with the result of whether the first ink jet means is sensed or a second ink jet means is sensed. CONSTITUTION:When a color head 1 is mounted on a carriage, a protrusion 12 is sensed by a photointerrupter 13, and a color inner plate component 9b is positioned on an ink tank holder bottom plate 8 by an actuator 10 based on the CPU command. Only four tanks 3, namely K, C, M and Y, can be mounted on respective four ink tank mounting position because of the above arrangement. On the other hand, when a monochrome head 1 is mounted on the carriage, nothing is sensed by the ink interrupter 13 as there is no protrusion 12, and a monochrome inner plate component 9a is positioned on the bottom plate 8 by the actuator 10 based on the CPU command. At that time, as the K color tank only can be mounted on the four tank mounting position, the erroneous tank mounting on its respective heads is prevented.

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, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus capable of forming a plurality of recording modes by exchanging an ink ejection head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of ink jet recording apparatus, there is one which enables a plurality of recording forms such as black and white and color by exchanging ink ejection heads. This is an ink ejection head in which an ink tank for storing ink and a nozzle for ejecting the ink supplied from the ink tank are integrated. One head is for black and white ink. The other head stores four colors of ink, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow (hereinafter abbreviated as K, C, M, Y) for color, and replaces them as necessary. By doing so, both black and white and color recording modes are possible.

[0003]

However, in the case of the integrated head as described above, the head is discarded when the ink is used up, which not only increases the cost but also from the viewpoint of environmental protection. Not preferable. Particularly in the case of a color head, if any of the four color inks is exhausted, there is no choice but to discard the other inks,
This problem is even greater.

Therefore, a method is conceivable in which the ink tank for storing ink is separated from the head and can be replaced. That is, the head has four ejection port groups, each ejection port group is independently provided with an ink supply system, and a replaceable ink tank is attached to each ink supply system. With this configuration, only the ink tank needs to be replaced even when the ink is used up, which is advantageous in terms of cost and environment.

However, in order to switch between black and white and color, since there is ink remaining in the head, it is not necessary to replace only the ink tank, but it is necessary to replace the head as a whole. That is, it has two heads, a black and white head and a color head, and both of them are replaced at the same time as the ink tank as required. Corresponding to each of the four ejection port groups, the black and white heads are all loaded with K ink, and the color heads are loaded with K, C, and
Mount the M and Y inks. At this time, there is a fear that wrong ink tanks may be attached to each of the black and white and color heads.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional example as described above. When the head and the ink tank are exchanged as described above and the present invention is used for either black and white or color recording. In any of these cases, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for preventing the possibility of erroneous mounting of the ink tank and always enabling desired and correct recording.

[0007]

Therefore, in the present invention, a plurality of replaceable ink storage means, a plurality of ink supply means for supplying ink from each of these storage means, and an ink from each of these supply means. The first ink ejecting unit having a plurality of ejection port groups for ejecting ink by receiving the supply of the ink, and a configuration similar to the first ink ejecting unit, and the first ink ejecting unit is An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a second ink ejecting unit that uses different combinations of inks, and the first and second ejecting units are interchangeable, and the ink to be used for the first ink ejecting unit. A combination of a first erroneous mounting preventing means for preventing erroneous mounting of the plurality of ink storage means for limiting the combination of the inks and an ink to be used for the second ink ejecting means. Second erroneous mounting prevention means for preventing erroneous mounting of the plurality of ink storage means for determining the setting, and detection means for detecting which of the first and second ink ejection means is mounted. The object is achieved by including a switching unit for switching between the first and second erroneous mounting prevention units according to the first and second ink ejection units detected by the detection unit. Is what you are trying to do.

[0008]

With the structure of the present invention as described above, it is possible to prevent the wrong ink tank from being attached to each of the color and black and white heads, so that the desired recording can always be performed correctly.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on a plurality of embodiments. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a head for ejecting the ink 4 from an ejection port group 2 provided at the tip end thereof, and reference numeral 3 denotes an ink tank for storing the ink 4, which supplies the ink 4 to the head 1 via a supply port 5. Supplied. The ink 4 is stored in the ink tank 3 in a liquid state or in a state of being absorbed by an absorber such as a sponge. Reference numeral 6 denotes a hole communicating with the atmosphere, which prevents the pressure inside the ink tank 3 from being reduced even when the ink 4 is consumed, and stabilizes the ejection of the ink.

In the case of a color ink tank, four ink tanks 3 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the drawing corresponding to four colors K, C, M and Y. The protrusions 7a and 7b are provided, and the position of at least one of the protrusions 7b differs depending on the type of the ink 4 in the tank 3. Reference numeral 8 denotes a bottom plate of a tank holder for holding the ink tank 3, on which a switchable insole member 9 is arranged. The insole member 9 can be switched by an actuator 10 such as a cylinder. On the other hand, a projection 12 is provided at a predetermined position of the head 1, and a photo interrupter 13 for detecting this is provided on the tank holder side.

In the above, the case where the head 1 is for color is shown, but when it is for black and white, all four tanks are of K color, and therefore the positions of the protrusions 7a and 7b are the same. However, the projection 12 is not provided in the case of a black and white head. In any case, recording (printing) is carried out by feeding these recording members in the vertical direction of the scanning while scanning the guide shaft (not shown) in the vertical direction of the drawing together with these members. .

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the insole member 9a when the head 1 is for black and white. Eight holes 1 are formed in the insole member 9 so that two protrusions of the four ink tanks 3 are fitted in each of them.
4a to 14h are opened so that only the predetermined ink tank can be mounted at a predetermined position. Similarly, FIG. 3 shows the insole member 9b when the head 1 is for color.
FIG.

Next, the operation of the ink jet recording (printing) apparatus having the above-mentioned structure will be described. First, when the color head 1 is mounted on the carriage,
The photo interrupter 13 detects the protrusion 12, and the actuator 10 positions the color insole member 9b on the bottom plate 8 of the ink tank holder according to a command from a CPU (not shown). Therefore, the four ink tanks 1 of K, C, M, and Y can only be mounted in the predetermined order at the four ink tank mounting positions.

On the other hand, when the black-and-white head 1 is mounted on the carriage, the photo interrupter 13 does not detect anything because the projection 12 does not exist, and in that case, a CP (not shown) is used.
In response to a command from U, the actuator 10 positions the black and white insole member 9a on the bottom plate 8 of the ink tank holder.
At this time, only the K color ink tanks can be installed at all four ink tank installation positions. In this way, it is possible to prevent the wrong ink tank from being attached to each of the color and black and white heads.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment according to the present invention, in which 1 to 6 are the same (corresponding) constituent elements as in FIG. . The ink tank 3 has two electrodes 15x and 15
y is provided, and the position of at least one of them varies depending on the type of ink 4. Further, on the bottom plate 8 of the ink tank holder, there are 20 electrodes 16a to 16t in total, five for each ink tank 3 mounting position, and the electrodes 15x and 15y on the bottom surface of the ink tank holder described above are of four colors. It is configured so that it can be electrically connected to both electrodes at any position. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom plate 8.

When the ink tank 3 is attached to the ink tank holder, the color of the ink tank 3 is determined by which of the electrodes 16a to 16t the electrodes 15x and 15y are electrically connected to. To do. Similar to the first embodiment, the color head and the black-and-white head can be exchanged, the photo interrupter 13 is disposed on the tank holder side, and the projection 12 is provided on the color head.
Is equipped with.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. First, when the color head 1 is mounted on the carriage, the photo interrupter 13 detects the protrusion 12, and the CPU (not shown) causes the head 1 to color. It is judged to be the head for. On the other hand, a black and white head 1 for the carriage
, The photo interrupter 13 does not detect anything, and in that case, the CPU determines that the head 1 is a black and white head.

In any case, when ink tanks other than the predetermined ones are mounted at the four ink tank mounting positions, the electrode 15
This is detected by the conduction states of 16 and 16, and the CPU emits a warning sound or turns on the warning LED. Alternatively, the inkjet recording device is not operated. In this way, it is possible to prevent the wrong ink tank from being attached to each of the color and black and white heads.

(Other Modifications) In the first and second embodiments, the black-and-white head and the color head are exchanged, but instead of any of these heads, or the In addition to this, a black-and-white shading head may be used. In this case, the four ink tanks contain four types of black ink having different densities.

In the first and second embodiments, the presence or absence of the protrusion 12 is detected by the photo interrupter 13 in order to determine whether the head 1 is for color or black and white. It does not matter even if you can set with. In this case, although the setting is complicated, since the detection system is not necessary, the cost is reduced accordingly.

In the second embodiment, when the ink 4 is conductive, if the means for measuring the resistance value between the two electrodes 15x and 15y is provided, the ink remaining amount in the ink tank 3 can be measured. By replacing the ink tank 3 before the ink runs out, the ink can be replenished and recording (printing) defects can be prevented.

In the first and second embodiments, in the case of the head 1 for black and white, the ink tank 3 for black ink is 4
Although they are mounted side by side, as shown in the schematic configuration diagram of the modified example in FIG. 6, it is possible to mount and mount them integrally. With this configuration,
The number of times the ink tank is replaced can be reduced to one fourth, and the throughput can be improved.

In FIG. 6, reference numerals 1 to 8 are used in FIGS.
Is the same as each component in. However, here, the ink tank 3 becomes large, and from one tank to 4
The individual supply port 5 is provided.

In the first and second embodiments, the ink tank 3 is directly attached to the head 1. However, the ink tank 3 is arranged apart from the head 1 and the space between the ink tank 3 and the head 1 is different. The ink 4 may be supplied to the head 1 by connecting with a tube or the like. With this configuration, since there is no restriction that the ink tank 3 is mounted on the carriage, the capacity of the ink tank 3 can be increased, and as a result, the number of times of replacement of the ink tank can be reduced, thereby improving the throughput.

In the first and second embodiments, the ink tank 3 is directly mounted on the head 1, but the head 1
Is fixedly equipped with a sub ink tank, the main ink tank for replacement is arranged at a different position, and ink 4 can be supplied from the main ink tank to the sub ink tank as needed. It doesn't matter. With this configuration, by providing the main ink tank, various inks can be automatically replaced, and thus various recording (printing) modes can be automatically switched without replacing the ink tank. In this modification, the present invention is applied to the main ink tank.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an ink jet recording device that can be used for both black and white and color by replacing only the head and ink tank, an ink tank erroneous mounting prevention device for black and white and color was installed, and it was configured to switch them depending on the head. In any case, it is possible to prevent the ink tank from being erroneously attached and always perform the desired recording.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a black and white insole member.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a color insole member.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom plate.

FIG. 6 is a modification of the first and second embodiments.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 head 2 ejection port group 3 ink tank 4 ink 5 supply port 7a, 7b protrusion 8 bottom plate 9, 9a, 9b insole member 12 protrusion 13 photo interrupter 14a-14h hole 15x, 15y electrode (ink tank side) 16a-16t electrode (Tank holder side)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of replaceable ink storage means, a plurality of ink supply means for supplying ink from each of these storage means, and a plurality of ink supply means for receiving ink from each of these supply means and ejecting ink. A first ink ejecting unit having a plurality of ejection port groups, and a second ink ejecting unit having a configuration similar to that of the first ink ejecting unit and using a different combination of inks from the first ink ejecting unit. And a plurality of inks for limiting the combination of inks to be used for the first ink ejecting means. First to prevent incorrect installation of storage means
Erroneous mounting prevention means, and second erroneous mounting prevention means for preventing erroneous mounting of the plurality of ink storage means for limiting combinations of inks to be used for the second ink ejection means, The detection means for detecting which one of the second ink ejection means is attached, and the first and second erroneous attachments depending on whether the first or second ink ejection means is detected by the detection means. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a switching unit for switching the prevention unit. 2. The first and second erroneous mounting prevention devices are meshing means by fitting portions that are arranged or have different shapes for each ink storage means. The inkjet recording device described. 3. A plurality of replaceable ink storage means, a plurality of ink supply means for supplying ink from each of these storage means, and an ink supply from each of these supply means for ejecting ink. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink unit having a plurality of ejection port groups,
The plurality of ink storage means have electrodes at different positions according to the type of ink to be stored, and this inkjet recording apparatus detects the position of the electrodes and the detection means. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a discriminating unit for discriminating a type of ink stored in the ink storing unit according to an electrode position. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising warning means for issuing a warning when the type of the ink discriminated by the discrimination means is inappropriate. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit for stopping the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus when the type of the ink discriminated by the discriminating unit is inappropriate. Recording device. 6. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for disabling mounting of the ink storage means when the type of ink determined by the determination means is inappropriate. Inkjet recording device. 7. The electrode of the ink storage means has a plurality of electrodes, each of which is in contact with ink, and the ink jet recording apparatus comprises a measuring means for measuring a resistance value between predetermined electrodes. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a calculation unit for calculating the amount of ink in the ink storage unit from the resistance value. 8. A plurality of replaceable ink storage means, a plurality of ink supply means for supplying ink from each of these storage means, and an ink supply from each of these supply means for ejecting ink. First with multiple outlet groups
And the second ink ejecting means having the same structure as the first ink ejecting means and using the same plurality of inks. The first and second ejecting means are mutually provided. A replaceable inkjet recording device,
The second ink storage unit includes a plurality of connection ports for connecting to the plurality of ink supply units, and one ink storage unit shared by each of the connection ports. .