JPH0834123A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an ink jet recording device capable of detecting remaining quantity of ink correctly by determining that a remaining quantity of ink is less than a predetermined remaining quantity when an ink consumption exceeds a predetermined value and beginning counting the ink consumption after detection of ink level. CONSTITUTION:When a remaining ink in an ink cartridge 5 becomes less than a predetermined quantity, that is, a detection electrode 9 does not dip in the ink, an ink remaining quantity detector 10 sends a signal to a controller 1. The controller 1 lets an ink remaining quantity counter 8, which forms a part of the controller 1, count an ink consumption. A total ink consumption, which is a sum of printing ink consumption consumed for printing and a recovery ink consumption consumed for recovery, is counted. As the value of the total ink consumption is being stored in a non-volatile memory 7, the value of the ink consumption is not deleted even when a power source of an ink jet recording device is turned off.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet having a recording head for ejecting ink to form an image and an ink holding means for holding the ink to be supplied to the recording head and detachable from a supporting means of a main body. The present invention relates to a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a control system of an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink remaining amount detector for detecting the ink remaining amount in a replaceable ink cartridge has been constructed as shown in FIGS. . The first conventional example is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the second conventional example is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, a control unit 30 controls the entire ink jet recording apparatus. The control unit 30
An interface unit 31 is connected to the control unit 30. The interface unit 31 transmits print data and print command information transferred from a host such as a computer (not shown) to the control unit 30.

When the print data and the print command information are transferred from the host through the interface unit 31, the control unit 30 outputs the print command and the print data to the recording unit 32 which prints an image by the ink jet method. Then, a head (not shown) of the recording unit 32 is driven to eject ink from a nozzle (not shown) to perform printing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ink cartridge 33 is provided with a detection electrode 34 which is immersed in the ink 35 when the ink 35 is present in a predetermined amount or more.

An ink remaining amount detector 36 detects whether or not the detection electrode 34 is dipped in the ink 35.

When the ink cartridge 33 is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink cartridge 33
A flow path (not shown) communicates with a head (not shown) of the recording unit 32.

Then, the ink is consumed and the detection electrode 3
When 4 is not immersed in the ink 35, the ink remaining amount detector 36 issues a signal that the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 33 is scarce. When the control unit 30 receives this signal indicating that the ink remaining amount is scarce, the control unit 30 causes the ink remaining amount indicator 37 to inform the user of the ink cartridge 33.
Warns that the ink level of is scarce. The warning is lighting of a lamp such as an LED, blinking, or a warning sound by a buzzer.

Next, a second conventional example will be described. In FIG.
The control unit 40 controls the entire inkjet recording apparatus.

An interface section 41 is connected to the control section 40, and the interface section 41 is connected to the control section 40.
Transmits print data and print command information transferred from a host such as a computer (not shown) to the control unit 40.

When the print data and the print command information are transferred from the host through the interface unit 41, the control unit 40 outputs the print command and the print data to the recording unit 42 which prints an image by the ink jet method. Then, a head (not shown) of the recording unit 42 is driven to eject ink from a nozzle (not shown) to perform printing.

A cartridge detector 43 is connected to the controller 40, and the cartridge detector 43 is connected to the controller 40.
Is for detecting whether or not the ink cartridge 44 filled with ink is attached to the inkjet recording device. When the ink cartridge 44 is attached to the inkjet recording apparatus, the ink cartridge 44 is communicated with the head (not shown) of the recording unit 42 by a flow path (not shown).

When the mounting of the ink cartridge 44 is detected by the cartridge detector 43, the controller 4
0 clears the ink consumption amount in the nonvolatile memory 45. Thereafter, when print data and print command information are received from the host and printing is executed by the recording unit 42, the control unit 40
The remaining ink amount counter 46, which is included in the non-volatile memory 45, counts the number of dots ejected by the head, multiplies the count value by the ink amount per dot, and counts the ink consumption amount for printing. To memorize. When a recovery unit (not shown) for recovering clogging of the nozzles of the head is driven, the ink remaining amount counter 46 counts the number of times the recovery unit is driven. The recovery means includes suction means for sucking ink from the nozzles of the head, discharge means for applying a positive pressure to the inside of the head, and discharging ink from the nozzles of the head. Then, the count value of the number of times of driving is multiplied by the amount of ink sucked or discharged from the nozzle of the head per unit recovery operation to count the amount of ink consumed for recovery, and the ink consumption used for printing and The ink consumption amount used for recovery is summed, and the total ink consumption amount is stored in the nonvolatile memory 45.

Since the ink consumption amount value is stored in the non-volatile memory 45, the ink consumption amount value does not disappear even when the power of the printing device is turned off.

When the ink consumption value becomes larger than a predetermined value, the control section 40 warns the user that the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 44 is scarce by the ink remaining amount indicator 47. As a warning, L
It is a warning sound by lighting or blinking a lamp such as an ED or a buzzer.

[0016]

However, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the first conventional example as described above,
When the amount of the ink 35 in the ink cartridge 33 is less than a predetermined amount, the ink 35 cannot infiltrate the detection electrode 34, and the ink remaining amount detector 36 issues a signal that the ink remaining amount is scarce. Therefore, when the liquid surface of the ink is lower than the detection electrode 34, the control unit 40 issues a warning that the remaining amount of ink is scarce, although the ink remains in the ink cartridge 33.

In the ink jet recording apparatus of the second conventional example, the number of dots ejected by the head is counted, and the count value is multiplied by the ink amount per dot to count the ink consumption amount for printing. In addition, the number of times the recovery unit is driven is counted, and the count value of the number of times the drive is performed is multiplied by the amount of ink sucked or discharged from the nozzle of the head per unit recovery operation to count the amount of ink consumed for recovery. The ink consumption amount used for printing and the ink consumption amount used for recovery are summed, and the total ink consumption amount is counted to detect the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 44.
In such an ink remaining amount detection method, the amount of ink dots ejected from the nozzles of the head changes due to changes in the surface tension and the viscosity, which are the characteristics of the ink, and errors easily occur. Therefore, although the ink cartridge 44 has a sufficient amount of ink, a warning indicating that the remaining amount of ink is scarce is issued. Alternatively, there is a problem that the warning about the scarcity of ink is not issued even when the ink in the ink cartridge 44 is exhausted.

Further, in the second conventional example, when the ink cartridge detecting means 43 detects that the ink cartridge 44 is mounted, the control section 40 causes the non-volatile memory 45 to operate.
Since the ink consumption amount in the inside is cleared, the ink consumption amount stored in the non-volatile memory 45 remains even when the once removed ink cartridge 44 is reattached or another ink cartridge 44 in use is attached. There is a defect that the ink remaining amount is detected because the ink is cleared and the new ink cartridge 44 is mounted, and the ink remaining amount detection malfunctions. In particular, in a printing apparatus that prints monochrome and color, the ink cartridge is replaced when switching from monochrome to color or from color to monochrome printing, which is a problem.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional method, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of accurately detecting the remaining ink amount. .

[0020]

In order to achieve this object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a recording head for ejecting ink to form an image and an ink to be supplied to the recording head are held, and In an inkjet recording apparatus having a support means and an ink holding means that can be attached and detached, a detection means that is provided in the ink holding means and detects the liquid surface of ink, and the consumption amount of ink ejected from the recording head is counted. A calculation unit, a storage unit for storing the ink consumption amount counted by the calculation unit, and an ink remaining amount in the ink holding unit when the ink consumption amount stored by the storage unit exceeds a predetermined value. Judging means for judging that the remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, and control means for starting the counting of the ink consumption amount by the calculating means after the detection means detects the ink surface It is equipped with a.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the arithmetic means calculates a total ink consumption amount which is a sum of a printing ink consumption amount consumed for printing and a recovery ink consumption amount consumed for recovery of the recording head. It is characterized by counting.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the computing means counts the number of ink dots ejected for printing and the number of recovery operations of the recording head, and the ink amount per unit ink dot is the counted ink dot. It is characterized in that the printing ink consumption amount is obtained by multiplying by a number, and the recovery ink consumption amount is obtained by multiplying the ink consumption amount per unit recovery operation by the counted number of recovery operations.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the detecting means is an electrode arranged in the ink holding means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the detection means detects the ink liquid level by irradiating the ink in the ink holding means with light.

[0025]

In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention having the above structure, the detection means provided in the ink holding means detects the liquid surface of the ink in the ink holding means, and the control means causes the detection means to operate. After detecting the ink level, the calculation means starts counting the ink consumption,
The storage unit stores the ink consumption amount counted by the calculation unit, and the determination unit stores the ink remaining amount in the ink holding unit when the ink consumption amount stored by the storage unit exceeds a predetermined value. Is less than or equal to a predetermined remaining amount, and informs the user that the remaining amount of ink in the ink holding means is scarce.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention.

The control unit 1 controls the entire ink jet recording apparatus. For example, a C such as a microprocessor is used.
It is provided with a PU, a ROM that stores control programs and data for the CPU shown in FIG. 2, a RAM as a work area, and the like.

An interface unit 2 is connected to the control unit 1, and the interface unit 2 transmits print data and print command information transferred from a host such as a computer (not shown) to the control unit 1. .

When the print data and the print command information are transferred from the host through the interface unit 2, the control unit 1 outputs the print command and the print data to the recording unit 3 and the recording unit 3 is illustrated. Ink is ejected from the nozzle (not shown) of the head to print on the recording medium. The head is arranged on a carriage (not shown) as a supporting means, and the head ejects ink as the carriage moves to print on a recording medium carried on a platen (not shown). I do. The ink ejecting method of the head is the Kaiser type disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-12138 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-599.
The thermal jet type disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 14 and the shear mode type using piezoelectric ceramics disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-150355.

Further, a cartridge detector 4 is connected to the controller 1, and the cartridge detector 4 mounts an ink cartridge 5, which is an ink holding means filled with ink, on an ink jet recording apparatus. For example, it is configured by a contact switch, an electromagnetic switch, an optical switch, or the like.

The ink cartridge 5 can be attached to and detached from the carriage, and when the ink cartridge 5 is mounted on the carriage, the ink cartridge 5 is communicated with the head of the recording section 3 by a flow path (not shown).

Similar to the first conventional example, the detection electrode 9 serving as the detection means is provided so as to be immersed in the ink when the ink is present in the ink cartridge 5 for a predetermined amount or more.

The ink remaining amount detector 10 determines whether or not the detection electrode 9 is immersed in the ink by an electric signal from the control unit 1.
To convey to.

Further, the control unit 1 clears the ink consumption amount stored in the non-volatile memory 7 which is a storage means capable of storing the ink consumption amount when the ink cartridge 5 is mounted by the cartridge detector 4. To do.

When the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 5 is less than a predetermined amount, that is, when the detection electrode 9 is not immersed in the ink,
The ink remaining amount detector 10 transmits a signal to the control unit, and the control unit 1 causes the ink remaining amount counter 8 forming a part of the control unit 1 to count the ink consumption amount. The counting of the ink consumption amount by the ink remaining amount counter 8 is performed in the same manner as the second conventional method, by using the printing ink consumption amount consumed for printing and the recovery ink consumption amount consumed for recovery. Count the total ink consumption totaled. The total ink consumption value is
Since it is stored in the non-volatile memory 7, the ink consumption value does not disappear even when the ink jet recording apparatus is powered off.

When the ink consumption value exceeds a predetermined value, the control section 1 causes the ink level indicator 6 to warn that the ink level in the ink cartridge 5 is scarce. The warning is lighting of a lamp such as an LED, blinking, or a warning sound by a buzzer. Here, the predetermined value is a value based on the amount of ink when the detection electrode 9 provided in the ink cartridge 5 is no longer immersed in the ink.

As described above, the control unit 1 also has a function as a calculation unit and a determination unit.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an ink remaining amount detection process by the control unit 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

In step S1, the ink jet recording apparatus is powered on.

In step S2, the cartridge detector 4 checks whether or not the ink cartridge 5 is mounted on the carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus. When the ink cartridge 5 is not mounted, the process proceeds to step S3 until the ink cartridge 5 is mounted, an ink cartridge unmounted alarm is issued, and the process returns to the input of step S3. When the ink cartridge 5 is mounted, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the ink cartridge 5
The ink remaining amount detector 1 determines whether the detection electrode 9 provided inside is immersed in the ink in the ink cartridge 5.
The control unit 1 makes a determination based on a signal of 0.

When it is determined in step S4 that the detection electrode 9 is immersed in the ink, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the value of the ink consumption amount stored in the nonvolatile memory 7 is cleared, that is, set to 0,
Go to step S6.

In step S6, the print data and the print command information are received from the host, and the print processing is executed by the recording section 3 or the head recovery processing of the recording section 3 is executed by the recovery means.

In step S7, the ink remaining amount counter 8
Is the amount of printing ink consumed for the printing process,
The total ink consumption amount, which is the sum of the recovery ink consumption amount consumed for the recovery process, is counted and added to the value stored in the nonvolatile memory 7.

If it is determined in step S4 that the detection electrode 9 is not immersed in ink, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, the ink consumption amount stored in the nonvolatile memory 7 is a predetermined value, that is, the detection electrode 9
Is compared with the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 5 that will not be immersed in ink.

In step S8, (predetermined value of remaining ink amount)>
If it is determined that (the stored ink consumption amount), the process proceeds to step S6.

When it is determined that (predetermined value of ink remaining amount) ≦ (stored ink consumption amount), the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, the ink cartridge 5
The ink remaining amount indicator 6 informs the user that the remaining ink amount in the ink cartridge has become scarce. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, the detection electrode 9 and the ink remaining amount detector 10 provided inside the ink cartridge 5 are mounted on the carriage. The fact that the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 5 is the predetermined amount of remaining ink can be accurately detected without being affected by changes in the ejection amount from the head due to changes in ink characteristics such as surface tension and viscosity. The remaining ink amount is detected by the ink remaining amount counter 8 counting the ink consumption amount due to printing or recovery operation, so that the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 5 can be accurately detected without increasing the cost. can do.

Further, even if the ink cartridge 5 once removed from the carriage is reattached or another ink cartridge 5 in use is attached, it will not be erroneously detected as a new ink cartridge 5 unlike the conventional case. Therefore, the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 5 can be detected more accurately than in the conventional example.

In this embodiment, the head and the ink cartridge 5 are separately provided, but an ink cartridge having a head may be used.

Further, although the ink cartridge 5 is mounted on the carriage in the present embodiment, it may be mounted on another portion in the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus.

Further, in this embodiment, the detection electrode 9 detects that the ink in the ink cartridge 5 has the predetermined ink remaining amount (the liquid surface at the predetermined position). It is also possible to detect that the amount of ink in the ink cartridge is a predetermined amount by forming the transparent member and irradiating the transparent member with light.

[0057]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the detecting means provided in the ink holding means detects the liquid surface of the ink in the ink holding means. After the detection means detects the ink liquid level, the control means causes the calculation means to start counting the ink consumption amount, and the storage means stores the ink consumption amount counted by the calculation means and makes a determination. When the ink consumption amount stored in the storage unit exceeds a predetermined value, the means determines that the ink remaining amount in the ink holding unit is less than or equal to the predetermined remaining amount. It is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of ink in the means. Further, the remaining ink amount can be detected more accurately than before even when the once removed ink holding means is reattached or another ink holding means in use is attached.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an ink jet recording apparatus of a first conventional example.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of an ink cartridge of an ink jet recording apparatus of a first conventional example.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a second conventional inkjet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Control Section 3 Recording Section 5 Ink Cartridge 6 Ink Remaining Indicator 7 Nonvolatile Memory 8 Ink Remaining Counter 9 Detecting Electrode 10 Ink Remaining Detector

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that ejects ink to form an image; and an ink holding unit that holds the ink to be supplied to the recording head and is detachable from a supporting unit of a main body. A detection unit that is provided in the holding unit and that detects the ink surface of the ink, a calculation unit that counts the ink consumption amount ejected from the recording head, and a storage unit that stores the ink consumption amount counted by the calculation unit. A determination unit that determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink holding unit is less than or equal to a predetermined remaining amount when the ink consumption amount stored in the storage unit exceeds a predetermined value; An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that starts counting the amount of ink consumption by the calculation unit after detecting the ink liquid level. 2. The calculation means counts a total ink consumption amount, which is a sum of a printing ink consumption amount consumed for printing and a recovery ink consumption amount consumed for recovery of the recording head. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. The calculation means counts the number of ink dots ejected for printing and the number of recovery operations of the recording head, and multiplies the counted ink dot number by the ink amount per unit ink dot. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing ink consumption amount is obtained by multiplying the ink consumption amount per unit recovery operation by the counted number of recovery operations to obtain the recovery ink consumption amount. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is an electrode arranged in the ink holding unit. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the liquid surface of the ink by irradiating the ink in the ink holding unit with light.