JPH0760988A - Recorder and method for detecting residual quantity of ink - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately detect the residual quantity of ink by a simple constitution and control by comprising both a correction means for correcting the magnitude of load measured by a measuring means in accordance with the state detected by a detecting means and a judgment means for judging whether ink remains in a tank in accordance with the magnitude of load of a corrected driving means. CONSTITUTION:The temperature t deg.C of a stepping motor is detected by a thermistor 314. The temperature (t) and reference torque are compared through the relation of the stored temperature and torque to correct the obtained time difference. Further, environmental temperature T deg.C is detected by the thermistor 314. A time difference is corrected through the difference of environmental temperature T deg.C and T0. The environmental temperature is the same temperature as that of the motor. The difference of load of the motor corresponding to the difference of the environmental temperature is previously measured and stored. In such a way, the correction value of a time difference is considered and corrected time difference S under the environmental temperature T0 is calculated. The corrected time difference S is compared with the time difference reference value S0 by referring to a residual quantity decision table obtained with a head cartridge 9 detached. The quantity of ink is detected stepwise accurately and easily.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly to a recording apparatus having a structure for moving a tank for storing ink and a method for detecting the remaining amount of the ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet type recording apparatus has been put into practical use as a recording apparatus. Among these, in the so-called serial type ink jet recording apparatus,
The carriage on which the recording head is mounted moves, and ink is ejected from the recording head in accordance with this movement to perform recording on a recording medium such as paper.

An ink storage portion such as an ink tank for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head may be mounted on a predetermined fixed portion of the recording apparatus or may be mounted on a carriage together with the recording head. In the former case, an ink supply path such as an ink tube is provided between the recording head and the ink tank so that the ink supply path follows the movement of the carriage.

On the other hand, in the latter case, the ink supply path provided between the recording head and the storage member can be relatively short. Therefore, it can be said that the structure in which the ink tank is mounted on the carriage is suitable for downsizing of the recording apparatus. Further, in recent inkjet recording apparatuses, there is an increasing number of configurations in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrally formed and are replaced together with the recording head when the ink in these tanks is exhausted. Even in such a configuration, the ink tank is naturally mounted on the carriage together with the recording head.

In the recording apparatus of this aspect, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is detected by detecting the resistance value between a pair of electrodes provided in the ink tank to know the remaining amount of ink. Was common. On the other hand, a method of detecting the remaining ink amount has been proposed, paying attention to the fact that the ink storage member mounted on the carriage moves without using electrodes. This is done by detecting the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank by detecting the state when the carriage equipped with the ink tank moves.

That is, the carriage on which the ink has been mounted is moved in a predetermined section that can be confirmed, the time required for the movement is measured, and it is compared with a predetermined reference value. If the required time is long, there is sufficient ink remaining. If it is small, it is judged to be small. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure of the conventional ink remaining amount detecting method. The home sensor is a sensor that detects that the carriage is at a predetermined home position. The procedure of FIG. 13 is based on the home position and is a predetermined distance (4 steps of the stepping motor in this case) from the home position. The time until the carriage moves to the position is measured, and the remaining ink amount is detected based on the time.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional example, the throughput (substantial printing time) is increased because the operation of the device in the detection area is complicated, such as moving the carriage in a predetermined measurement section. However, there is a defect that the detection timing is deviated due to time deterioration of the sensor for detection.

Further, when measuring the time required for the carriage to move in a predetermined section, the sliding load of the carriage varies due to variations in components, history of use, changes in the environment, and the driving of the moving member. The driving force change of the driving means (here, the stepping motor) includes the variation due to the device, the change of the generated torque due to the temperature rise of the driving means, and the change due to the environmental temperature. The accuracy of quantity detection was reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and an ink remaining amount detecting method capable of accurately detecting the ink remaining amount with a simple configuration and control. .

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems] and

In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention has the following structure. A recording apparatus for performing recording by scanning a carriage on which a tank for storing ink is mounted together with a recording head, a driving unit for scanning the carriage, and a measuring unit for measuring a magnitude of a load applied to the driving unit. Detecting means for detecting the state of the driving means; correcting means for correcting the magnitude of the load measured by the measuring means based on the state detected by the detecting means; and the correcting means for correcting the load magnitude. And a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of ink in the tank based on the magnitude of the load of the drive unit.

Further, the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus for performing recording by scanning a carriage on which a tank for storing ink is mounted together with a recording head, a driving unit for scanning the carriage, and a detection unit for detecting the state of the driving unit. Measuring means for measuring the magnitude of the load of the driving means based on the input of the driving signal to the driving means and the rotation state of the detecting means, and the magnitude of the load of the motor measured by the measuring means. Determination means for determining the presence or absence of ink in the tank based on the above.

The ink remaining amount detecting method of the present invention has the following configuration. A method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in a tank that is moved by a motor, which is to detect the temperature of the motor by moving the tank and measuring the load of the motor when moving the tank. Then, the measured load of the motor is corrected based on the temperature of the motor, and the presence or absence of ink in the tank is determined based on the corrected load.

[0013]

First Embodiment An ink jet printer which is an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. <Structure of Printer> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an ink jet recording head and an ink tank are integrally formed in a head cartridge 9, and when the ink in the ink tank is exhausted, the head cartridge 9 is replaced with a new head cartridge together with the recording head. The carriage 11 is provided for mounting the head cartridge 9 and scanning in the S direction in the drawing.
A hook for detachably attaching the head cartridge 9 to the carriage 11 and a lever 15 for operating the hook 13 at the time of attachment / detachment are provided above. The lever 15 is provided with a marker 17 for indicating a scale provided on a cover, which will be described later, so that the recording position of the recording head of the head cartridge 9 and the set position can be read. The support plate 19 is provided on the carriage 11 and supports an electrical connection portion for the head cartridge 9. The flexible cable 21 is provided to electrically connect the electric connection portion and the main body control portion, and is formed of a flexible member so as to follow the movement of the carriage 11.

The guide 23 is provided to guide the movement of the carriage 11 in the S direction in the drawing, and slidably engages with the on-axis 25 of the carriage 11. Timing belt 27
Connects the carriage 11 and a part thereof, and thereby transmits power for moving the carriage 11 in the S direction. That is, the timing belt 27 is stretched around pulleys 29A and 29B arranged on both sides of the apparatus, and the driving force is transmitted from the carriage motor 310 to one pulley 29B via a transmission mechanism such as a gear.

The conveying roller 33 regulates a recording surface of a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper), conveys the recording surface during recording, and is driven by a conveying motor 35. The carrying force for carrying the recording paper by the carrying roller 33 is generated by the pressing plate 45 pressing the carrying roller 33 via the recording paper. The paper pan 37 guides the recording paper from the paper feed tray 4 side to the recording position. Feed roller 3
9 is provided in the middle of the feeding path of the recording paper and is provided to press the recording paper toward the conveying roller 33. The platen 34 faces the ejection port forming surface of the head cartridge 9,
Restrict the recording surface of recording paper. The paper discharge roller 41 is disposed on the downstream side of the recording position in the recording paper conveyance direction, and is provided so as to discharge the recording paper toward a paper discharge port (not shown). The spur 42 is provided corresponding to the paper ejection roller 41, presses the roller 41 via the recording paper, and ejects the paper ejection roller 4
1 causes the recording paper conveyance force. Release lever 43
Cancels the urging of the feed roller 39, the pressing plate 45, and the spur 42 when setting the recording paper.

The pressing plate 45 is provided on the conveying roller 3 as described above.
In addition to generating the conveying force of 3, the recording paper is prevented from rising near the recording position and the close contact state with the conveying roller 33 is secured. Since the recording head of the head cartridge 9 is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording, the distance between the ejection port forming surface where the ink ejection port of the recording head is disposed and the recording paper is relatively small. In addition, the distance between the recording paper and the ejection port forming surface must be strictly controlled to avoid contact with the surface. Therefore, the configuration in which the pressing plate 45 is provided is effective. Presser plate 4
The scale 5 is provided with a scale 47, while the carriage 11 is provided with a marker 49 corresponding to the scale 47. As a result, the recording position and setting position of the recording head can be read.

At the home position of the movement of the head cartridge 9, a cap 51 made of an elastic material such as rubber capable of facing the ejection port forming surface of the recording head.
Is provided. The cap 51 is supported so as to be capable of contacting / releasing with respect to the recording head, and by the contacting, the recording head is protected at the time of recording and the ejection recovery process of the recording head is performed. Here, the ejection recovery process performs ejection by driving an ejection energy generation element that generates energy used for ejecting ink, and the thickened ink that causes ejection failure due to this ejection is removed. The process (idle discharge) and the process of forcibly discharging the thickened ink and the like in the ink passage by the suction force generated by the pump 53 while the discharge port forming surface is capped by the cap 51. The waste ink tank 55 stores the waste ink sucked by the pump 53. 57
Is a tube that connects the pump 53 and the waste ink tank 55.

The blade 59 is provided for wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording head. The blade 59 projects toward the recording head side and engages with the ejection port forming surface at a position for wiping in the process of moving the head cartridge. Not supported in a retracted position and movably. 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.

The home sensor 64 is composed of a photo interrupter, is on the bottom plate constituting the apparatus frame, and can be engaged with a protrusion (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 11 by the movement of the carriage 11. It is provided in the position.
As a result, the protrusion of the carriage 11 causes the home sensor 6 to
The position that engages with the optical path 4 and blocks the optical path thereof can be set as the reference position of the carriage 11 in the apparatus of this example. Then, the carriage motor 31 is driven by a predetermined number of steps from this reference position, and the position where the carriage 11 has moved (on the left side in the drawing) is the home position of the carriage 11 for performing the above-mentioned ejection recovery processing and the like. You can The home sensor 64 is used to detect the average velocity in the acceleration or deceleration region of the carriage 11 or the acceleration, as will be described later, and thus the average velocity depending on the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank of the head cartridge 9. Alternatively, it is possible to know the remaining amount of ink from the difference in acceleration. That is, the smaller the remaining amount of ink, the larger the average speed or acceleration.

In FIG. 1, the carriage motor 310, which is the driving means, is a stepping motor, and its detailed view is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a stepping motor 31
A cylindrical rotor 3 rotatably supported at both ends of the shaft and magnetized like NSNS ...
16, a stator (not shown) is formed with a constant gap maintained with respect to the outer circumference of the rotor 316, and a wire (coil) with a predetermined wire diameter and a predetermined wire is provided outside the stator. It is wound with the number of turns.

On the shaft of the rotor 316, a gear 315 for output is attached to one side, and a member 311 provided with slits at regular intervals is attached to the other side. A sensor 312 capable of optically detecting the slit of the member 311 is fixed on the flange of the stepping motor main body to form a rotary encoder, and the rotation state of the rotor 316 can be known.

In the carriage driving means constructed as described above, the rotation state of the rotor 316 is fed back to enable optimum control of the stepping motor with respect to fluctuations in the load of the motor 310, high speed driving and low noise driving. It realizes low current consumption. An example of detecting the ink remaining amount of the ink storage member mounted on the carriage under such a configuration will be described below.

In FIG. 1, the carriage motor 310, which is a driving means, is a stepping motor, and a thermistor 314 is attached to the outer periphery thereof, so that the temperature of the surface of the carriage motor housing can be detected. Further, in this motor 310, the temperature of the winding inside the motor is (t + 10) ° C. with respect to the housing temperature t ° C. Further, a thermistor 81 (not shown) is provided as a means for detecting the environmental temperature in the recording apparatus.

On the other hand, when the head cartridge 9 is attached or detached, the cap 51 prevents the ink ejection surface from rubbing against the home position where the ink ejection surface of the head cartridge 9 is protected by the cap 51.
And because of the relationship between the lever 15 that operates it and the exterior member,
Alternatively, for the purpose of turning off the energization of the head cartridge 9 which is always energized through the flexible cable 21, a detachment position for detaching the head is set, and a detachment key (not shown) for moving to the detachment position is set. Has been done.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration for controlling the recording apparatus shown in FIG. Here, the CPU 100 is, for example, a microprocessor type processor, and controls the entire apparatus according to a processing procedure described in a flowchart and the like described later. Timer 101 is C
It is provided in the PU 100, and is used for measuring the time when there is no key input and for controlling the recording apparatus, which is not described here.

The ROM 102 stores fixed data such as a character generator as well as a program corresponding to the processing procedure executed by the CPU 100. The RAM 104 has an area for developing and managing data related to the recording operation of the apparatus, and an area for working of the CPU 100. It also has a memory 107. The PRT 106 is the inkjet printer device described in FIG. The display unit 6 also displays the printer status and the like.

<Measurement of Reference Value for Detecting Ink Remaining Amount> In this embodiment, the CPU 100 controls the driving of the carriage equipped with the recording head and the conveyance of the recording paper. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the procedure of the remaining ink amount detection processing by this printer.

When the user uses the printer for the first time, or when the head cartridge is replaced when the ink runs out, the demounting key is pressed (step S1), and the carriage 11 at the home position is moved to the demounting position. Move (step S2). Then, when the user operates the lever 15 to remove the head cartridge 9, the contact is detected at the contact portion between the head cartridge 9 and the flexible cable 21 (step S3), and the carriage 11 is moved by a certain amount under the open loop. Then, the input pulse to the motor 310 at that time is compared with the output of the encoder including the member 311 and the sensor 312, and the time difference is calculated (step S).
4). This time difference represents the magnitude of the load on the motor 310.

The time difference calculated here correlates with the load of the motor 310 when the carriage 9 moves, and the load of the motor 310 changes according to the change in the ink amount in the head cartridge 9. However, this time difference is due to the motor 31
Since the output torque of 0 and the sliding load of the carriage greatly change, the thermistor 314 detects the temperature t0 ° C. of the motor 310 (step S8), calculates the internal winding temperature from the temperature, and calculates the internal winding temperature. Output torque is calculated, the time difference is corrected, and the time difference reference value S0 is calculated (step S5). In the stepping motor 310, the amount of change in the output torque depending on the winding temperature varies depending on the driving method, but in general, the output tends to decrease as the temperature rises. Therefore, the correlation between the winding temperature and the motor output torque varies. By measuring the data in advance, the torque when the winding temperature is t ° C. can be obtained from the data. Further, since the sliding load of the carriage changes depending on the environmental temperature, the environmental temperature T0 ° C. is detected (step S10), the time difference reference value S0 under the environmental temperature T0 ° C. is recognized, and the remaining amount determination table is created. , R
It is stored in the AM 104 (step S6). That is, the remaining amount determination table registers the time difference between the pulse applied to the motor 310 and the rotation of the motor, which is a reference when determining that there is no remaining amount of ink under the environmental temperature T0 and whose error is corrected by the motor temperature. It is a table.

The time difference measured above is due to the carriage 11
This is data when the head cartridge 9 is not attached to the head cartridge 9 and can be used as reference data. In other words, since the sliding load does not change significantly even when the head cartridge 9 is mounted, it is possible to focus only on the head cartridge 9 and it is suitable for determining the increase / decrease of ink. Further, for example, assuming that the printable number of the head cartridge 9 is 500 sheets for a standard A4 document, this reference data can be updated every 500 sheets, and the sliding load due to changes in parts over time It can fully respond to changes.

Further, in order to correct the change in the output torque due to the difference in the winding temperature of the stepping motor between when the printing is performed until just before the head cartridge is replaced and when it is not used for a while, a constant output is applied. The original remaining amount determination table can be created. <Remaining Ink Detecting Process> After the above-described head cartridge is mounted, the timing for detecting the remaining ink amount may be, for example, selection by the operator before recording a predetermined amount, each page, or timing setting such as recovery operation. It is possible.

For example, FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of ink detection processing depending on the operator's intention. The processing of this flowchart can be realized by the CPU 100 executing a program stored in the ROM 102. In FIG. 4, when the remaining amount detection is selected by the operator (step S20), the carriage 11 stopped at the home position is moved to the attachment / detachment position, and after the stop, the carriage 11 is moved by a certain amount to generate an input pulse to the stepping motor 310. The time difference from the encoder output is calculated (step S21).

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the motor control and the encoder resolution are set so that the cycle x of one pulse of a certain phase and the cycle X of the encoder output match when the stepping motor is ideally rotating. The encoder output has a time difference of ΔS1 with respect to the first pulse, the second pulse has a time difference of ΔS2, and the nth pulse has a time difference of ΔSn. Here, the time difference is focused on the nth pulse. There is.

On the other hand, the stepping motor temperature t.degree. C. is detected from the thermistor 314 (step S27), and this temperature t is obtained by comparing the reference torque with the stored relationship between temperature and torque. The time difference is corrected (step S28). In addition, the thermistor 81 is used for the ambient temperature
Is detected (step S29), and the time difference is corrected by the difference from T0 (step S30). Regarding the environmental temperature,
As with the motor temperature, the difference in the load on the motor due to the difference in environmental temperature may be measured in advance and stored.

As described above, the correction time difference S is obtained by considering the correction value of the time difference under the ambient temperature T0 (step S22), and the remaining value obtained with the head cartridge 9 removed as shown in FIG. The quantity determination table is referred to (step S23). By comparing the referenced time difference reference value S0 and the corrected time difference S, it is possible to accurately and easily detect the presence or absence of the ink remaining amount or the ink amount stepwise (step S).
24).

For the fixed amount of movement of the carriage performed when the input pulse and the encoder output are compared, a distance is selected in which the change in the weight of the head cartridge in this device is markedly seen as the change in the time difference S. In addition, the movement from the home position to the attachment / detachment position in step S21 is performed in order to detect a load state more accurately by performing a certain amount of movement of the carriage at the same position as the determination reference for remaining amount detection shown in FIG. Is. Further, regarding the detection of the time difference, by focusing not only on one point of the n-th pulse but on a plurality of points, more accurate remaining amount detection becomes possible.

[0038]

[Second Embodiment] An ink jet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The printer of this embodiment is
It has the same configuration as the printer shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the load of the carriage 11 is detected by comparing the encoder output with respect to the input pulse, but in the present embodiment, the load of the motor 310 is changed by the characteristic that the current flowing through the stepping motor changes depending on the load. Detect. That is, as described in the first embodiment, the stepping motor 310 causes the rotor 316 to advance or delay with respect to the input pulse depending on the load state. At this time, the rotor 31
Depending on the position of 6, the current (current waveform) flowing in the winding changes due to the influence of the back electromotive force or the like.

By detecting the state of this change, the load state can be known, and in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the correction by the ambient temperature, the winding temperature, etc. is added, and the same as in the first embodiment. The effect can be obtained. Further, according to this method, since the load state can be known only by detecting the current, it is possible to realize at low cost without requiring parts such as an encoder.

Further, in connection with the detection of the current, there can be considered an example of detecting a change in the resistance value of the winding, the motor body, temperature, or a case of directly detecting the counter electromotive force.

[0041]

[Third Embodiment] The third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Although the printers using the stepping motors are shown in the first to third embodiments, the invention can be applied to the DC motors. FIG. 5 shows an example of the DC motor. In FIG. 5, a coil is wound around the rotor 401 as illustrated. The stator 402 is a permanent magnet arranged around the rotor 401, and is attached inside the housing 406. Power is supplied from the outside, and the commutator 4 is driven by the positive brush 403 and the negative brush 404.
Through 05, a current is passed through the coil of the rotor 401 in the magnetic field formed by the stator 404, thereby giving a rotational force to the rotor.

As described above, the DC motor can obtain high speed and high torque with a simple structure and is also used as the driving means of the recording apparatus. However, the DC motor alone has an open loop like a stepping motor. Therefore, it is not possible to drive the carriage with the accuracy of the carriage drive. Therefore, by using the position detecting means such as the encoder shown in the first embodiment, the position detection +
There is an example in which it is applied to a carriage drive by forming a closed loop in the form of current control.

Even in this configuration, since a constant torque can be generated under a constant condition, the same as in the first embodiment,
The same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by correcting the output pulse of the encoder when a constant current is applied by the ambient temperature, the winding temperature, and the like.

[0044]

[Fourth Embodiment] The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. The driving means such as a stepping motor is in a step-out state when the motion of the rotor does not correctly follow the command pulse with respect to the load. In the fourth embodiment, by utilizing this phenomenon, the output torque P of the motor 310 is controlled for the printer having the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and the output torque is gradually reduced in units of Δp. The load state is known by recognizing the output torque (P-nΔp) at the time of step out, and the remaining ink amount in the ink storage member is detected. FIG. 6 shows an outline of control.

At the time of control in FIG. 6, similarly to the first embodiment, the output (P-n0Δp) shown in step S36 under a certain environmental condition in a state without an ink cartridge in advance.
Is detected, and the criterion for determining the remaining amount is created based on this. Based on this, in FIG. 6, when the command for remaining amount detection is received in step S30, the motor temperature t ° C. (step S3
7) The environmental temperature T ° C (step S38) is detected, and the condition for obtaining the output torque P in this environment and the condition for reducing only the unit output Δp are calculated (step S38).
31).

Then, while changing the value of n, the motor output P-nΔp is driven for a certain area (50 steps in this embodiment), and the current is checked to detect the step-out (S3).
5). Here, if out-of-step has occurred, it is possible to detect the ink remaining amount in the ink storage member by the output (P-n [Delta] p) there (step S36). That is, n is the reference n0
By comparing with, it is possible to know the ink remaining amount.

Also in this configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and like the other embodiments, this control is performed periodically, for example, when the carriage returns after the end of recording for each page. By inserting the output torque, it is possible to recognize the output torque that is always out of step without lowering the throughput, which enables optimal control of the motor and solves problems such as heat generation.

[0048]

[Fifth Embodiment] The criteria for determining the amount of ink remaining in the above-described embodiment (detection in the absence of an ink cartridge) is not limited to this, and the R
It is also possible to create a judgment standard by preparing a table in the OM according to various conditions such as environment and change with time.

Further, in order to improve the recording speed without degrading the recording quality, 300, 360 which is generally used in the past is used.
When the number of nozzles for ejection is increased from about 64, which is generally used in the past, to more than that while maintaining a recording dot interval of about dpi, the printing speed is greatly increased. Is expected to increase. Therefore, in order to reduce the load on the user, it is also necessary to accurately detect the remaining amount and increase the amount of mounted ink to reduce the number of times the ink cartridge is replaced.

In such a case, as described above, the structure for detecting the remaining amount of ink by observing the state of the driving means is as follows.
The drive means can easily respond to large changes in the remaining ink amount,
It is obvious that a multi-nozzle head cartridge having 0 or more nozzles will be more effective than a conventional head cartridge having about 64 nozzles.

[0051]

[Sixth Embodiment] A sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The printer of this embodiment has the same structure as that shown in FIGS. In this example,
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the process of acquiring the reference value used for detecting the remaining amount of ink.

In FIG. 9, the carriage 11 is in the detachable position described in the first embodiment. When the user uses the printer for the first time, or the ink runs out,
When the head cartridge is replaced, the detachment key is pressed by the operator to move the carriage 11 at the home position to the detachment position (step S31).

When the operator operates the lever 15 to remove the head cartridge 9, the contact is detected between the head cartridge and the flexible blue 21 (step S32), and the home sensor 64 is temporarily detected. The carriage 11 is moved to the position where it is stopped and stopped (step S33). Then, it is moved from that position by four steps (step S3
4). After that, the carriage 11 is moved in the reverse direction (step S35), and the time x0 until the home sensor 64 detects the carriage 11 is measured (step S3).
6).

Simultaneously with this measurement, the thermistors 314, 8
1, the respective temperatures t0 and T0 are detected (steps S37 and S38). The temperature data t0 ° C. detected by the thermistor 314 is the internal winding temperature t0 + 10 ° C.
The output torque at the winding temperature is calculated on the basis of the table of the relationship between the winding temperature and the torque which is converted to the above and is stored in the memory in advance (step S3).
9). This is because, in a stepping motor, the amount of change in output torque depending on the winding temperature varies depending on the driving method, but generally the output tends to decrease as the temperature rises.

The output torque calculated here is compared with a preset reference torque, and the correction value Δx of the time difference with respect to the reference torque in the case of this output torque is added to the time difference x0 to obtain the correction x0 ( Step S
310). Then, it is stored in the RAM 104 as a remaining amount determination table obtained from the correction x0 under the environment of the data T0 ° C. of the device temperature detected by the thermistor 81 (step S311).

The above measurement results in the carriage 1
1 is the data of the time required to move the carriage 11 when the head cartridge 9 is not attached to the No. 1 and indicates the load applied to the motor 310. This can be used as reference data. That is, the head cartridge 9
Since the sliding load does not change significantly when the
Only the head cartridge 9 can be focused on, and it is suitable for determining the increase / decrease of ink.

If, for example, the number of printable sheets of the head cartridge 9 is 500 sheets for a standard A4 document,
This reference data can be updated every 500 sheets,
It can fully respond to changes in sliding load due to changes in parts due to durability. In addition, in order to correct the change in output torque due to the difference in the winding temperature of the stepping motor between when the printing was performed until immediately before the head cartridge was replaced and when it was not used for a while, A remaining amount determination table can be created.

With respect to the reference data, the timing for detecting the remaining ink amount can be selected by the operator before recording a predetermined amount, for each page, at the time of recovery operation, or the like. . For example, a flow chart by operator selection is shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, when the operator instructs to detect the remaining amount of ink, the carriage 11 stopped at the home position is moved to the home sensor detection position and stopped after the carriage is detected at that position (step S4).
1) Move four steps to the left (step S42).
Note that the movement amount of 4 steps at this time is determined by the following step S4.
As indicated by S44 and S44, the process in which the carriage 11 starts moving to the right and the home sensor 64 detects the carriage 11 can be completed within the acceleration region of the carriage 11.

After that, the carriage is moved to the right (step S43), and the time x1 required until the home sensor detects the carriage again is measured (step S4).
4). At the same time, the thermistor 314 detects the temperature t1 ° C. of the stepping motor 310, and the thermistor 81 detects the environmental temperature T1 ° C. in the apparatus. By correcting the measured x1 from these data and applying the residual inspection determination table created in the process of FIG. 9, the residual amount can be accurately calculated. Step S47,
The correction of x1 in S48 is performed by obtaining a correction value Δx based on the time difference at each temperature and the time difference at the reference output torque, and adding it to x1.

The movement of the carriage by four steps is an area where the change in the weight of the carriage in this apparatus appears remarkably as the change in time x1, and the other apparatuses are limited to this. Not.

[0061]

[Seventh Embodiment] In the sixth embodiment, in order to calculate the output of the stepping motor, the thermistor is attached to the motor housing and the winding temperature inside is estimated by analogy. Reads the resistance value of the winding, C
It can be calculated by using PU.

According to this structure, the same effect as that of the sixth embodiment can be obtained, and the thermistor is not required, so that the cost of the device can be reduced.

[0063]

Eighth Embodiment In the sixth embodiment, in order to create the remaining amount determination table, the remaining amount detecting operation is performed with the head cartridge 11 removed (when the head cartridge is replaced). It becomes possible to detect the remaining amount with higher accuracy by associating it with the non-ejection detection.

The eighth embodiment will be specifically described below.
The printer of this embodiment has the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, and its recording head applies thermal energy to ink and ejects it by vaporization. In the apparatus of the present embodiment, when the amount of ink remaining in the ink storage portion becomes very small and ink is not ejected, ink is ejected when predetermined energy is applied to the ink ejection portion of the head cartridge. Since there is a difference in the temperature (temperature rise) of the recording head due to the heating of the ink when the ink is exhausted and when the ink is exhausted, the head temperature is detected by the thermistor provided near the ejection part. A structure is provided for detecting non-ejection of ink depending on the temperature.

A procedure for detecting the remaining amount of ink by measuring the time required to move the carriage by a predetermined distance in the apparatus as described above will be described as in the sixth embodiment. First, a procedure for creating a remaining amount determination table which is a reference for determining the presence or absence of ink will be described with reference to FIG. First, when non-ejection of ink is detected by the above-described principle (step S6)
0) In order to distinguish between the case where the remaining amount of ink is exhausted and the case where a failure has occurred in the ejection port due to dust or the like, the head is moved to the position of the cap 51 and the head recovery operation is performed (step S61). . After that, a predetermined amount of energy is applied to the head again to detect non-ejection (step S62). By determining whether or not the ink is ejected at the head temperature at this time (step S63), it is possible to determine whether the cause of the ejection failure is the exhaustion of the remaining amount of ink or the ejection failure due to dust or the like. That is, if the ink is ejected, the ink is still present, so the carriage is returned to the home position (step S65).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the ink is not ejected, it is determined that the ink is exhausted, and the process proceeds to step S64. Steps S64 and subsequent steps are the same as the steps S33 and subsequent steps in FIG. 9 described in the sixth embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The required time x0 ′ thus obtained is the required time when the ink cartridge 9 is removed, whereas the required time x0 in the sixth embodiment is the required time when there is no ink in the cartridge. That is, the value x0 ′ measured and corrected here is a value peculiar to this apparatus when the remaining amount of ink becomes so small that ink cannot be ejected. For a head cartridge set at a certain time, It serves as a reliable reference when performing the residual inspection operation. Based on this,
By performing the remaining amount detection process in the procedure of FIG. 10, it is possible to accurately know the presence or absence of ink. Moreover, since it is not necessary to try the ejection in order to confirm the ejection of the ink, the ink is not wasted.

Further, the obtained reference data can be updated and stored in the RAM every time, and can always have the data unique to the device at that time.
According to the above configuration, the same effect as that of the sixth embodiment can be expected, and the ink remaining amount can be detected with higher accuracy.

[0068]

[Ninth Embodiment] In the sixth embodiment, the stepping motor 3 is used.
In order to calculate the output of 10, the thermistor 314 was attached to the housing of the motor 310 and the winding temperature inside was estimated by analogy, but in contrast to this, the stepping motor should always generate a constant output. This temperature detection becomes unnecessary by configuring and controlling the temperature.

The ninth embodiment will be specifically described below. The output torque changes depending on the winding temperature of the stepping motor when printing is performed until just before the head cartridge is replaced and when it is not used for a while. In this embodiment, during the operation relating to the detection of the remaining ink amount, the winding temperature of the stepping motor is always kept constant and this operation is performed.

There is also a method of controlling the winding temperature by using a thermistor or the like, but since there is little merit in comparison with the sixth embodiment, the stepping motor temperature is saturated when a constant energization is performed. Configure by using what you do. That is, by constantly energizing the stepping motor at the time of the remaining ink amount detecting operation, it is possible to obtain a constant output torque by raising the temperature to a certain temperature regardless of the winding temperature up to this point. According to this, the same effect as that of the sixth embodiment can be obtained, and the correction of the output torque of the stepping motor becomes unnecessary.

The means for keeping the output torque constant is not limited to this. For example, the same effect can be obtained even if it is constructed and controlled by using a torque limiter or a torque detector. .

[0072]

[Tenth Embodiment] The means for detecting the movement of the carriage described above is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 3, a reading member 71a of a linear encoder 71 mounted on the carriage 11 for controlling ink ejection or a closed loop of a motor, and a scale member 71b (120 dpi, 180 dpi, 360 dpi).
resolution such as i; dpi = dot per inch)
More accurate detection is possible by using. That is, the linear encoder 7 can be used without measuring the time required for movement between the home sensor and the distance advanced by a predetermined step.
1 makes it possible to accurately determine the section to be measured.

Further, if limited to the detection of the remaining ink amount, it is possible to provide the linear encoder 71 only in the detection portion. In this example, the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 12, and it can be configured by setting the scale member 71b to the length of the detection portion. On the contrary, the scale member 71 is provided on the carriage side.
A configuration provided with b is also possible. The linear encoder system includes an optical system, a magnetic system, and the like, and also has a contact type, a non-contact type, and a plate-shaped or rod-shaped degree of freedom in terms of configuration, and can be easily applied to a recording device. It is possible and is a powerful tool as a position control means.

Separately from this, by using a velocity sensor and an acceleration sensor, the velocity of the carriage can be directly measured.
Acceleration can be detected, which allows the movement of the carriage between two specific points to be detected, and the remaining ink amount to be detected. Further, in order to improve the recording speed without degrading the recording quality, the conventional 300,
When the number of nozzles for ejection is increased from about 64, which is generally used in the past, to more than that while maintaining and improving the dot spacing of about 360 dpi, the recording speed is greatly improved. Since it is necessary to accurately grasp and prepare the remaining amount, as described above, the accurate detection of the remaining amount of ink is more difficult in the multi-nozzle head cartridge having 70 nozzles or more than in the conventional head cartridge having about 64 nozzles. The need for it is clear.

The present invention brings excellent effects particularly in an ink jet type recording head and a recording apparatus which form flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording systems. For its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. No. 47.
What is performed using the basic principle disclosed by 23129 specification and 4740796 specification is preferable. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). In the electrothermal converter that has been
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. This is effective because bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal can be formed as a result. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal in a pulse shape, because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, excellent recording can be performed. As the structure of the recording head, in addition to the combination structure (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) of the ejection port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting surface is also provided. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558, which discloses a configuration in which is located in the area of flexion
It is also possible to adopt a configuration using the specification No. 333 and the specification of US Pat. No. 4,459,600.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-123670 discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the opening corresponds to the ejection portion. Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recording medium width that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. It may have either a configuration or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed.

In addition, by being mounted on the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.
Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and recording. It is also effective to perform a stable recording by performing a preliminary discharge mode in which another discharge is performed.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally configured or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full-color mixed colors. In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned inkjet method is used. Generally, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within the range of 30 ° C to 70 ° C to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range. Anything can be used.

In addition, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in the left state for the purpose of preventing the evaporation of the ink. In some cases, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to a recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or one that has already started to solidify when it reaches a recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in the state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recess or through hole of the porous sheet. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a word processor or a computer, or may be combined with a reader or the like. It may be in the form of a copying machine or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function. Further, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0082]

As described above, the recording apparatus and the remaining ink amount detecting method according to the present invention can accurately detect the remaining ink amount with a simple configuration and control.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pulse motor for driving a carriage according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for obtaining a reference value in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an ink remaining amount detection procedure in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective view of a carriage driving DC motor of a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an ink remaining amount detecting procedure in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration for controlling the printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for obtaining a reference value in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a remaining ink amount detecting procedure in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for obtaining a reference value in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of ink remaining amount detection in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

9 Head Cartridge 11 Carriage 13 Hook 15 Lever 19 Support Plate 21 Flexible Cable 23 Guide 25 Bearing 27 Timing Belt 29 Pulley 33 Transport Roller 34 Platen 35 Transport Motor 37 Paper Pan 39 Feed Roller 41 Discharge Roller 42 Spurs 45 Presser Plate 47 Scale 49 Marker 51 Cap 53 Pump 55 Waste ink tank 57 Tube 61 Motor 310 Stepping motor 311 Slit member 312 Sensor (311 + 312; Rotary encoder) 313 Case 314 Thermistor 315 Gear 316 Rotor 401 Rotor 402 Stator 403 Positive brush 404 Negative brush 405 Housing commutator

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Nei Koike 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masaaki Kakizaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Jun Katayanagi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for performing recording by scanning a carriage on which a tank for storing ink is mounted together with a recording head, wherein drive means for scanning the carriage, and a magnitude of a load applied to the drive means are measured. Measuring means, a detecting means for detecting the state of the driving means, a correcting means for correcting the magnitude of the load measured by the measuring means based on the state detected by the detecting means, and the correcting means. And a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of ink in the tank based on the magnitude of the load of the drive unit corrected by the recording apparatus. 2. A storage means for storing, as a reference value, the magnitude of the load corrected by the correction means when the tank is empty, and the determination means includes a reference value stored in the storage means. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of ink in the tank is determined based on the above. 3. The drive means is a motor, and the motor has a rotation state detection means for detecting the rotation state of the motor, and the measurement means includes a drive power input of the motor and a rotation information detection means. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the load is measured based on a time difference from the signal output. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rotation information detecting means is a rotary encoder. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means measures the temperature of the driving means. 6. A recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said measuring means measures a current of a winding wire inside said motor. 7. A control means for gradually decreasing the output of the driving means is further provided, wherein the measuring means detects a state in which the carriage cannot be normally driven by the detecting means to reduce the load of the driving means. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus measures. 8. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for measuring an outside air temperature, wherein said correcting means corrects the magnitude of the load of said drive means according to said outside air temperature. . 9. A recording apparatus for performing recording by scanning a carriage on which a tank for storing ink is mounted together with a recording head, a drive unit for scanning the carriage, and a detection unit for detecting the state of the drive unit. Measuring means for measuring the magnitude of the load of the driving means based on the input of the drive signal to the driving means and the rotation state of the detecting means, and the magnitude of the load of the motor measured by the measuring means. And a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of ink in the tank based on this. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means measures the load based on a time required to move the carriage by a predetermined distance. 11. A recording apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising position measuring means for measuring a position of said carriage, wherein said predetermined distance is determined based on a position measured by said position measuring means. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an ink jet recording head for recording by ejecting ink. 13. The recording head is a recording head for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is an inkjet recording head provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 1
2. The recording device according to 2. 14. A method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in a tank that is moved by a motor, comprising: moving the tank; measuring the magnitude of the load on the motor when moving the tank; Detecting the temperature of the motor, correcting the magnitude of the measured load of the motor based on the temperature of the motor, and determining the presence or absence of ink in the tank based on the magnitude of the corrected load. A method for detecting the remaining amount of ink.