JPH08174974A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To accurately grasp the state of a device by judging whether a recording head is in a given position or not based on the output from a recording head position sensing means, when the power source is sensed to recover by a power recovery-sensing means. CONSTITUTION: When a power source is recovered, a power recovery-sensing signal is output by a power recovery sensing means 20, and a switch is ON by a switching means 21. Also the position of the recording head is sensed by a recording head position-sensing means 22 utilizing a data from a nonvolatile memory 25. A data corresponding to pulse signals from a drive stepping motor of a carriage is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 25 which is not OFF even at the time of power failure. The data can be called from the memory 25 by a control means 23 after the power failure is recovered and the position of the head can be found correctly by the above arrangement. The movement and capping of the head are carried out by controlling the carriage by a mechanical drive circuit 24.

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 device used as a printing device such as a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional ink jet recording apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the periphery of a recording head of the conventional inkjet recording apparatus, showing a print standby state (a state in which the recording head is capped). In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, 1 is an inkjet recording device, 2 is a recording head, 3 is a cap, the cap 3 seals the ink ejection port of the recording head 2, and the ink filled in the recording head 2 is waiting for printing. In addition, it has a function of preventing the print quality of the recording head 2 from being deteriorated by drying inside the ink discharge port of the recording head 2. Four
Is a cap holding member for holding the cap 3, 5 is a cam for loading and unloading the cap 3, 6 is a rotary shaft, and the rotary shaft 6 rotates in conjunction with the cam 5 by an external power (not shown). Reference numeral 8 denotes a wiping unit for cleaning the recording head 2, and 9
Is a wiping unit holding member that holds the wiping unit 8, 10 is a cam that rotates in conjunction with the rotating shaft 6 to move the wiping unit 8 in and out,
Reference numeral 11 is a holding member 4, a guide member that serves as a guide for the wiping unit holding member 9, 17 is a cleaning member that removes dust, ink residue, and the like adhering to the wiping unit 8, 13 is an ink tank, 14 is the recording head 2, and cleaning is performed. A carriage on which the member 17 and the ink tank 13 are placed, a carriage shaft 15 for guiding the carriage 14 in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow X),
Reference numeral 16 is a timing belt, and the timing belt 16 transmits a force from external power to drive the carriage 14 in the sub-scanning direction. A recording medium 19 is conveyed in the main scanning direction (direction of arrow Y).

Further, the peripheral portion of the recording head 2 will be described. The vicinity of the ink ejection port of the recording head 2 is sealed by a cap 3 to prevent drying. When printing is performed, first, the cams 5 and 10 rotate together with the rotary shaft 6 by the external power, and the cap 3 is removed from the recording head 2. Next, the carriage 14 moves to the print start position. At that time, the wiping unit 8 cleans the recording head 2. Then, the ink is ejected from the recording head 2 to adhere the ink to the recording medium 19 for printing. When printing is completed, the carriage 14 returns to a predetermined position, and the recording head 2
The area around the ink discharge port of is closed again by the cap 3,
The ink filling the ink ejection openings of the recording head 2 was prevented from drying.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, when a power switch is cut off for some reason during printing, when a soft switch is used as a device switch, the switch is automatically turned off. The switch remains off even when the power is restored, and if a switch other than the soft switch is used, leaving the device switch on will leave the power on after the power is restored. The printer was supposed to be left alone. In these states, if the switch of the apparatus is left off, the recording head is not capped even after the power is restored, and the ink inside the ink ejection port of the recording head 2 dries. There is a problem that the printing quality is deteriorated due to clogging or the like.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems. When the power is cut off for some reason during printing, even if the switch of the device is turned off, the switch of the device is automatically turned on after the power is restored. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which returns the recording head to a predetermined position and caps the recording head when necessary.

[0006]

To achieve this object, in order to achieve this object, a power recovery detecting means for detecting the restoration of the power source, a recording head position detecting means for detecting the position of the recording head, and a switching for turning on / off the switch of the apparatus. Means, a mechanical drive circuit, and control means for controlling various means are further provided, and if necessary, a sound source, a display, etc. for notifying the user that the recording head is not in a predetermined position are provided. .

[0007]

With the above construction, when the power is restored, the switch of the device can be turned on by the switching means. Then, the control means can grasp the state of the apparatus, and if the recording head is not at the predetermined position, move the recording head to the predetermined position, cap the recording head, and notify the state of the apparatus using sound or video, etc. It is possible to take measures depending on the needs of.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a recording head in a print standby state according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are control flowcharts of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an inkjet recording apparatus, 2 is an ink ejection port for ejecting ink, and a recording head 3 ejects ink to a recording medium through the ink ejection port to perform recording on the medium, and 3 is a cap. , The cap 3 seals the ink discharge port of the recording head 2,
It has the function of preventing the vicinity of the ink ejection port of the recording head 2 from drying during printing standby due to the contact with the outside air, causing clogging, deteriorating the ink output, and deteriorating the printing quality. As a material of the cap 3, an elastic material such as rubber or a synthetic resin held by a spring is generally used in many cases. Reference numeral 4 denotes a cap holding member that holds the cap 3, and the cap holding member 4 is provided with a holding portion 4a that holds the cap 3 and two contact portions 4b and 4c that are erected on the holding portion 4a. . Although the cap holding member 4 is provided with two contact portions here, the number may be one, three, or more. However, among them, it is most preferable to provide two abutting portions that can achieve both strength and cost. Reference numeral 6 is a rotary shaft, and the rotary shaft 6 is rotated by external power (not shown) such as a motor.
5a and 5b are cams provided on the rotary shaft 6,
5b is slidably joined to the contact portions 4b and 4c. Reference numeral 7 denotes a recording head cleaning unit. The recording head cleaning unit 7 is provided with a wiping unit 8, a wiping unit holding member 9, a cam 10 and the like. The wiping unit 8 cleans dust, ink residue, etc. adhering to the vicinity of the ink ejection port of the recording head 2. The shape may be any shape as long as the recording head 2 can be cleaned, but from the viewpoint of cost saving, space saving and efficiency, it is a plate shape having a strength that does not break when it comes into contact with the recording head 2. Is desirable. The material of the wiping portion 8 is generally fluororubber, silicone rubber, CR, E.
PDM, NBR, etc. are often used. The wiping portion holding member 9 sandwiches the wiping portion 8 at the end portion on the recording head 2 side, and the end portion on the opposite side of the recording head 2 is slidably joined to the cam 10. The rotating shaft 6 is attached to the eccentric position of the cam 10, and the cam 10 has a function of converting the rotational movement of the rotating shaft 6 into the vertical movement of the recording head cleaning unit 7. Reference numeral 11 denotes a guide member that serves as a guide for the cap holding member 4 and the wiping portion holding member 9. The guide member 11 is provided with through holes 12a and 12b for accommodating the cap holding member 4 and the wiping portion holding member 9, respectively. The holding member 4 and the wiping unit holding member 9 have through holes 12a, 12 respectively.
Each of them is held movably in b. As the material of the guide member 11, synthetic resin or aluminum die casting is generally used. Reference numeral 13 denotes an ink tank. In the case of a color printer, the ink tank 13 has four ink tanks of black, yellow, cyan, and magenta. Reference numeral 14 denotes a carriage on which the recording head 2, the ink tank 13 and the like are mounted, and the carriage 14 is movable in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow X). 15 is a carriage shaft for guiding the carriage 14 in the sub-scanning direction,
Reference numeral 16 is a timing belt which is moved by external power and moves the carriage 14 in the sub-scanning direction. Reference numeral 17 denotes a cleaning member that removes dust, ink residue, and the like attached to the wiping unit 8. The cleaning member 17 is a recording head mounting surface of the carriage 14 and faces the wiping unit 8 when the carriage 14 is at the capping position. On the side of the end opposite to the side
They are joined in a state of protruding from the carriage 14. At this time, the cleaning member 17 is attached to the recording head mounting surface and the cleaning member 1.
It is joined so that the extending direction of 7 is parallel. As the material of the cleaning member 17, felt, sponge, ceramic-based porous material, etc. are generally used. 1
Reference numeral 8 is a home position switch, an overview of which is shown in FIG. The home position switch 18 is an actuator 18
a, a stator 18b, a spring 18c and the like. The actuator 18a is pressed against the stator 18b by a spring 18c, and the actuator 18a and the stator 18b are in contact with each other when the carriage 14 is not in a predetermined position. As a result, the home position switch 18 is turned on, and the carriage 14 can be moved. When the carriage 14 is at the predetermined position, the carriage 14 presses the actuator 18a to contract the spring 18c, the contact between the actuator 18a and the stator 18b is blocked, and the switch is turned off. The movement of the carriage 14 is stopped. The home position switch 18 also serves as a switch for power recovery detecting means, and when the carriage 14 is at a predetermined position, the power recovery detecting means does not become in operation even when the power is restored. ing. The home position switch 18 may be a photo sensor in which a light receiving element and a light emitting element are integrated. In this case, when the light from the light emitting element is blocked and the light does not enter the light receiving element, the control means (not shown) determines that the carriage 14 is at the predetermined position and stops the movement of the carriage 14.

Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the peripheral portion of the recording head 2 in the print standby state. The recording head 2 is in the capping position and is sealed by the cap 3 to prevent drying. When printing is performed, first, the cams 5a, 5b and 10 rotate together with the rotating shaft 6 that is rotating by external power. Cam 5a,
5b and 10 are provided at positions eccentric from the center of rotation of the rotary shaft 6. By this rotation, the respective contact points of the cams 5, 10 and the cap holding member 4, the wiping portion holding member 9 move toward the axis, and accordingly, the cap 3 and the wiping portion 8 move in the direction away from the recording head 2. The cap 3 comes off the recording head 2. Next, the timing belt 16 is rotated by external power, and the carriage 14 is rotated according to the rotation.
Moves from the capping position to the print start position. During the movement, the cam 10 rotates together with the rotating shaft 6 and the contact between the wiping unit holding member 9 and the cam 10 moves in a direction away from the rotating shaft 6, so that the wiping unit 8 is projected toward the recording head 2. It is in a state. As a result, the wiping unit 8
Slides on the moving recording head 2 to clean the recording head 2. After that, ink is ejected from the ink ejection port of the recording head 2 to adhere the ink to the recording medium 19 synchronized with the recording head 2 to perform printing. When the printing is completed, the carriage 14 moves to a predetermined position (which is the same as the capping position in this case) according to the timing belt 16 which is rotating by the external power. At that time, the wiping unit 8 is projected as described above, and the carriage 1
The cleaning member 17 provided at the end of No. 4 is rubbed. As a result, the cleaning member 17 removes dust, ink residue, and the like attached to the wiping unit 8 when the recording head 2 is cleaned at the start of printing. After that, the cams 5a and 5b rotate together with the rotary shaft 6, and the contact points of the cap holding member 4 and the cams 5a and 5b move in the direction away from the rotary shaft 6, so that the cap 3 moves toward the recording head 2 to perform recording. The vicinity of the ink ejection port of the head 2 is sealed again by the cap 3 (this is called a capping operation, hereinafter referred to as capping). This capping prevents the ink inside the ink discharge port of the recording head 2 from drying when exposed to the outside air and causing clogging of the ink discharge port, resulting in poor ink discharge and deterioration of print quality.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus in this embodiment when the power recovery detecting means and the recording head position detecting means are connected will be described. Reference numeral 20 denotes a power recovery detecting means, which is operable only when the carriage 14 is not at a predetermined position.
If the power that was cut off for some reason is restored,
When this is detected, a power recovery detection signal is output. Reference numeral 21 denotes a switching means, and when the switching means 21 receives the power recovery detection signal output from the power recovery detection means 20, of
Turn on the switch of the device that was set to f. Reference numeral 22 is a recording head position detecting means, which is a recording head position detecting means 22.
Detects whether the recording head 2 is at a predetermined position. At the same time, the recording head position detecting means 22 also has a role of a switch for bringing the power recovery detecting means 20 into an operating state, and when the recording head position detecting means 22 detects that the carriage 14 is not at a predetermined position, Power recovery detection means 20
Is activated, and is not activated when it is in a predetermined position. Reference numeral 23 is a control means, and the control means 23
Controls the carriage 14 and the like on which the recording head 2 is mounted by the mechanical drive circuit 24 to move the recording head 2 to a predetermined position and cap the recording head 2.

Next, the control flow when the photo sensor is used as the home position switch 18 in one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the carriage 14 is not in a predetermined position when the power supply which has been cut off for some reason is restored, the photo sensor cannot block the light, so the home position switch 18 is in the on state, and the power recovery detection is performed. Since the power is supplied to the means 20, the power recovery detecting means 20 operates and detects the return of the power. Further, when the carriage 14 is at a predetermined position, the light of the photo sensor is blocked by the carriage 14, so the home position switch is in the off state,
No power is supplied to the power recovery detector 20. Next, the switching means 21 turns on the switch of the device that has been turned off, and the control means 23 starts control. The control means 23 firstly operates the carriage 1 through the mechanical drive circuit 24.
4 toward the print standby position (STE
P1-1). Then, when the recording head position detection means 22 outputs a signal indicating that the recording head 2 has moved to a predetermined position (STEP1-2), the control means 23 stops the movement of the carriage 14 (STEP1-3). . At this time, if the device requires capping, the control means 23 drives the mechanical drive circuit 24 (STE
P1-4), the recording head 2 is capped (STE
P1-5). When it is confirmed that the recording head 2 is capped, the control means 23 uses the switching means 21 to turn off the switch of the apparatus (STE).
P1-6), the operation ends.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus in the present embodiment when the power recovery detecting means and the recording head position detecting means are not connected will be described. Two
Reference numeral 0 is a power recovery detection means, and the power recovery detection means 20 is always in an operable state. When the power supply which has been cut off for some reason is restored, it detects this and outputs a power recovery detection signal. To do. A switching unit 21 receives the power recovery detection signal output from the power recovery detection unit 20, and turns on the switch of the device that has been turned off. Reference numeral 22 is a recording head position detecting means, and the recording head position detecting means 22 detects the position of the recording head 2 using the data from the non-volatile memory 25. Data corresponding to the pulse signal from the stepping motor that drives the carriage 14 is constantly recorded in the non-volatile memory 25, and the record is not erased even in the case of power failure. Therefore, after the power failure is restored, the control unit 23 can call the data from the non-volatile memory 25 to accurately obtain the position of the recording head 2. Reference numeral 23 denotes a control unit, and the control unit 23 controls the carriage 14 on which the recording head 2 is mounted by the mechanical drive circuit 24 on the basis of the data from the recording head position detection unit 22, so that a predetermined position of the recording head 2 is obtained. And the recording head 2 is capped.

A control flow for determining the position of the recording head based on the data from the non-volatile memory in one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
First, the power recovery detection means 20 detects that the external power supply, which has been cut off for some reason, is restored. Next, the switching means 21 forcibly turns on the switch of the device that has been turned off through the power supply circuit, and the control means 23 starts control. First, the control means is the recording head position detection means 2
2, the data immediately before the power supply is cut off is read from the non-volatile memory 25 (STEP2-1), and the position of the recording head 2 is determined based on the data (STEP2-).
2) It is determined whether the recording head 2 is at a predetermined position (STEP 2-3). When the recording head 2 is not in the predetermined position, the carriage 14 is driven to drive the recording head 2
Is moved to a predetermined position (STEP2-4). When the recording head 2 is at the predetermined position, the control means 23 determines whether the recording head 2 is capped (S).
TEP2-5). When not capped, the mechanical drive circuit 24 is driven to cap the recording head 2 (STEP 2-6). When it is confirmed that the recording head 2 is capped, the control means 23
Switch off the device using the switching means 21
Then (STEP 2-7), the operation ends.

In the embodiment described above, the home position switch 18 (including the photo sensor) is not connected as an example when the recording head position detecting means 22 and the power recovery detecting means 20 are connected. Although the non-volatile memory 25 is mentioned as an example at this time, they may be used in any configuration.

Further, in the above description of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus in the embodiment, the switch of the apparatus which has been turned off is turned on by the switching means, but the control means 23 is utilized by the backup power source 26 and the like. In advance, switching may be performed by the control means 23. A block diagram in that case is shown in FIG.

Further, although not mentioned in the above embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with the display device 28 and the sound source 27, such as a liquid crystal display, so that the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is in a power failure state. It is also possible to tell the user that it is ready to use from the start up with an image or sound, or to warn the user not to perform unnecessary switch operation during startup. it can. An example of a block diagram in that case is shown in FIG.
It was shown to.

In the ink jet recording apparatus having the above structure, when the power supplied from the outside to the apparatus is cut off due to a power failure or the like, regardless of whether the apparatus switch is on or off. At the same time when the power is restored, the switching means turns on the switch of the device to return the recording head to a predetermined position or perform capping, so that the ink inside the recording head dries like a conventional inkjet recording device, The print quality of the recording head does not deteriorate because the ink ejection port is clogged.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, the power recovery detecting means for detecting the restoration of the power supply, the recording head position detecting means for detecting the position of the recording head, the control means for controlling the mechanical driving circuit and various means, The power supply that was externally supplied to the device for some reason during printing is provided by providing a switching means for turning the device switch on / off and a sound source or a display that informs the user that the recording head is not in a predetermined position. When the connection is cut off, the switch of the device can be turned on by the switching means as long as the power supply is restored regardless of the state of the switch of the device.
Then, the control means can grasp the state of the apparatus, and if the recording head is not at the predetermined position, move the recording head to the predetermined position, cap the recording head, and notify the state of the apparatus using sound or video, etc. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent deterioration of print quality due to ink inside the ink ejection port of the recording head drying and causing clogging and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the recording head of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a principle diagram of a home position switch of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the periphery of a recording head of a conventional inkjet recording device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 2 Recording head 3 Cap 4a Holding part 4b, 4c Abutting part 5a, 5b Cam 6 Rotating shaft 7 Recording head cleaning part 8 Wiping part 9 Wiping part holding member 10 Cam 11 Guide member 12a, 12b Through hole 13 Ink Tank 14 Carriage 15 Carriage shaft 16 Timing belt 17 Cleaning member 18 Home position switch 19 Recording medium 20 Power recovery detection means 21 Switching means 22 Recording head position detection means 23 Control means 24 Mechanical drive circuit 25 Non-volatile memory 26 Backup power supply 27 Sound source 28 Display device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location B41J 19/18 E Z 29/38 Z 29/42 F

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A recording head for ejecting ink, a moving means for moving the recording head, a power recovery detecting means for detecting power recovery, a recording head position detecting means for detecting the position of the recording head, and the recovery means. When the electric power detection unit detects that the power is restored, the control unit determines whether the recording head is at a predetermined position based on the output from the recording head position detection unit. Inkjet recording device. 2. A switch for connecting a power source and a control means is turned on / off.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for turning off, wherein the switching means operates based on an output of the power recovery detection means. 3. A display means is provided, and when the power recovery detection means detects a power recovery, the control means causes the recording head to detect if the recording head is not at a predetermined position due to an output from the recording head position detection means. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the display means displays a message indicating that it is not in a predetermined position. 4. A sound source for outputting a sound is provided, and when the power recovery detection means detects a power recovery, when the recording head is not at a predetermined position due to the output from the recording head position detection means, the control means is arranged to control the sound source. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein a sound is output from the ink jet recording apparatus. 5. When the power recovery detection means detects the power recovery and the recording head is not in a predetermined position due to the output from the recording head position detection means, the control means controls the moving means to set the recording head to a predetermined position. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is moved to the position. 6. A capping means for covering the recording head is provided, and when the movement of the recording head to a predetermined position is completed by the output from the recording head position detecting means, the control means controls the capping means. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording head is capped by control. 7. A capping determination means for determining whether or not the recording head is capped, wherein the control means operates the capping means based on an output from the determination means. 6. The inkjet recording device according to 6. 8. The control means turns off a switch connecting the power supply and the control means when the control means determines that the print head is present at a predetermined position based on the output from the print head position detection means. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the switching means is operated. 9. When the control means determines that the capping is completed based on the output from the capping determination means, the control means operates the switching means for turning off the switch connecting the power supply and the control means. The inkjet recording device according to claim 7.