JPH11170565A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent emission inferiority at a time of the replacement of a recording head in a recording apparatus. SOLUTION: When it is detected that a recording head is replaced newly (step 1602), a head replacing flag is set (step 1605). A wiping value is set from a table corresponding to whether a color head is a monochromatic head (steps 1607, 1608) to alter the wiping number of times (step 1609) to perform install cleaning (step 1610).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus,
In particular, the present invention relates to a printing apparatus which prints an image or the like by discharging ink with a print head having an energy generating element for discharging ink, which is used as an output of a facsimile, a word processor, a computer, or a composite device thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink droplets from a discharge port (nozzle) of a recording head and causes them to fly.
The recording is performed by attaching the ink droplets to various sheet-like recording media (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper). In particular, a serial type is widely used. This is done by scanning the recording paper with a recording head mounted on a carrier that is movable in the main scanning direction and repeating the operation of moving the recording paper in the sub-scanning direction when recording by the recording head for one scan is repeated. An image is recorded on the entire sheet, and can be provided at a low cost because a wide line type recording head is not used.

In this ink jet printer apparatus, in order to keep the ink ejection state of the recording head good and normal, capping means for covering the ink ejection ports (nozzles) of the recording head to prevent drying of the ink, and a nozzle provided with a nozzle. An ejection recovery process for ejecting ink not related to printing is usually performed. As an example of the capping means, there is one in which a cap formed of an elastic material such as rubber can be brought into contact with / separated from the nozzle forming surface at a position facing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head. In the case of or even during the printing operation, capping is performed when ink ejection is not performed for a predetermined time or more,
Drying of the nozzle and ink near the nozzle is prevented.

Further, for the above-mentioned ejection recovery processing, there is a type in which a cap is provided which can be brought into contact with and separated from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, and this cap is opposed to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head. Then, by driving an energy generating element provided in the liquid path of the recording head and used for discharging ink in a capped state, ink is discharged from all the discharge ports, thereby causing air bubbles, There is a preliminary ejection process for removing dust or ink that has become unsuitable for recording due to thickening. Separately, there is a process for removing the cause of a discharge failure by forcibly sucking and discharging ink from all the discharge ports using a suction pump while the discharge port forming surface is covered with a cap.

By the way, a newly mounted recording head is often not in a good ejection state at the start of use. This occurs when the ink supply is interrupted in the nozzles of the print head or the ink supply path (liquid path) to the nozzles due to vibration during transportation or the intrusion of bubbles, or when the ink inside the nozzle or the liquid path is not sufficiently filled. Because there is. If the recording operation is performed when the ink is insufficiently filled, the energy generating element for discharging the ink becomes empty, and the energy generating element may be damaged. To prevent such problems,
For example, one that requires the user of the printing apparatus to execute the ejection recovery process when the print head is replaced, or one that automatically detects the replacement of the print head and performs the ejection recovery process before the printing operation Has been put into practical use (hereinafter,
This operation is called installation cleaning).

At the time of installation cleaning, the ink adheres to the cap in order to perform suction and preliminary discharge of the ink from the ink cartridge. If printing is performed in this state, ink will adhere to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head when the cap is opened at the start of printing, and a discharge failure will occur in which normal discharge cannot be performed. In order to avoid ejection failure, a blade or the like, which is a wiping member, is provided on the ejection port formation surface (nozzle formation surface) of the recording head, and wiping is performed as necessary.

[0007]

However, since the recording head to be newly installed has a tape or the like mounted for a long time to protect the nozzle forming surface, the nozzle forming surface immediately after the tape or the like is removed. Ink is not familiar with the environment. For this reason, it has been confirmed in many cases that ejection failure occurs even when ordinary wiping is performed. To cope with this problem, the user was instructed, for example, to "clean manually if a discharge failure has occurred". Unnecessary ink is ejected by ejection, etc.
In addition to increasing the time required for a series of printing operations including the ejection recovery process, the amount of ink that can be used for printing decreases. As a result, there is a problem that the running cost required for printing is increased, and the life of the waste ink tank for storing the discharged waste ink is shortened, so that the life of the printing apparatus is shortened.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to suppress an increase in recording time and wasteful ink consumption, and to suppress a discharge failure after replacing a recording head without shortening the life of the apparatus. It is intended to provide a device.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head having an energy generating element for generating energy for discharging a liquid from a discharge unit. In a recording apparatus, comprising: a detachable attachment unit; and a wiping unit for wiping the ejection unit, wherein the recording head ejects the liquid to a recording medium from the ejection unit to record an image. A predetermined sequence for wiping the ejection unit by the wiping unit according to a predetermined procedure when detecting that the recording head is newly mounted on the mounting unit; and the mounting detection unit. And a first control unit that controls to increase the wiping frequency in the predetermined procedure according to the detection result of

In this case, in the apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the mounting unit further detachably mounts the liquid storage unit independent of the recording head, and the mounting detection unit further includes the mounting detection unit. When the attachment of the storage unit is detected, and when it is detected that the storage unit is newly attached to the attachment unit, control is performed so that the wiping unit wipes the discharge unit even after the predetermined procedure. May be provided.

In this case, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the second control means may be configured such that the recording head and / or the storage means are newly mounted on the mounting means.
It is also possible to control to increase the wiping frequency in a predetermined period managed by the management means.

Here, in the apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined time can be managed by the management means.

Here, in the apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the number of recording media on which recording has been performed can be managed by the management means.

Here, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the number of dots of the liquid ejected onto the recording medium can be managed by the management means.

Here, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the control means makes the wiping frequency when the recording head is mounted higher than the wiping frequency when the storage means is mounted. You can also.

Here, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the recording head is a color recording head and a monochrome recording head, and the control means controls the color recording head and the monochrome recording head. The wiping frequency can be controlled independently.

Here, in the apparatus according to the present invention, a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the recording head and / or a temperature around the recording head, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the recording head and a temperature around the recording head. An increase rate setting means for setting an increase rate of the wiping frequency may be provided.

Here, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the energy generating element may be an electro-thermal converter for applying thermal energy to the liquid.

[0019]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a document creation processing device (hereinafter referred to as a word processor) having a configuration including an example of a recording device to which the present invention can be applied.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard as an input device for inputting information such as character strings and commands. As other input devices for commands and the like, a pointing device (not shown) such as a mouse, a trackball, and a trackpad.
Is configured to be mounted. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display (for example, an LCD) for displaying input information and the like, and also displays information such as a menu (hereinafter, also referred to as a print menu) relating to a recording operation in the present invention.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a recording apparatus for recording information such as text on the recording paper 5, which is an ink jet recording apparatus which forms a recording image by discharging ink.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a paper feeding port for the recording paper 5, and the recording device 3 feeds the recording paper 5 to a predetermined position. When the recording operation is started, the recording head is conveyed in the direction A in FIG. It is configured to perform recording by driving.

FIG. 2 shows B of the word processor shown in FIG.
It is sectional drawing from a direction.

Reference numeral 3a denotes an ink cartridge (hereinafter abbreviated as a cartridge), which includes a head portion 31 for detachably attaching a recording head for discharging ink droplets in accordance with recording information and a tank portion 32 for detachably attaching an ink tank for storing ink. (Both are not shown). The recording head and the ink tank can be attached and detached independently of each other, and when the ink runs out, only the ink tank can be replaced.

The ink tank section 32 is configured such that a single BK tank can be mounted in the case of a monochrome head, and each color tank of BK tank and YMC can be mounted in the case of a color head. The word processor in FIG. 1 determines whether a monochrome or color recording head is mounted.
Alternatively, it is configured such that it is possible to recognize whether or not both are mounted. The configuration for the detection will be described later.

The recording head has fine liquid discharge ports (that is, nozzles or orifices, hereinafter, referred to as discharge ports) and a plurality of liquid paths communicating with the discharge ports. The energy action section provided at a predetermined position in each liquid path is provided with an energy generating element for generating droplet forming energy to act on the liquid in the action section. Examples of such an energy generating element include an electric element such as a piezo element.
Electrothermal transducers such as mechanical transducers, laser generating elements that emit heat by irradiating electromagnetic waves and eject droplets by the action of the heat, or heating elements that have heating resistors for heating and ejecting the liquid. is there.

Among them, a recording head used in an ink jet recording system in which a liquid is discharged by thermal energy has a high density of liquid discharge ports for discharging a recording droplet to form a discharge droplet. Therefore, high-density recording can be performed. Among them, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating element can be made compact, and has the advantages of IC technology and micro-fabrication technology, which have recently made remarkable advances in technology in the semiconductor field and markedly improved reliability. It is useful because it can be used for two reasons, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

The cartridge 3a is mounted on a carrier 3b, guided by a guide shaft 3c, and transported in a direction A
The ink is ejected from the recording head of the recording head unit 31 while reciprocating in a direction substantially perpendicular to both directions of an arrow C in FIG. 3d is a paper transport roller, which is inserted from the paper feed port 4,
The recording paper 5 guided by the upper guide 3e is nipped by a pinch roller 3f pressed against the transport roller 3d and transported in the direction of the cartridge 3a. This paper transport and cartridge 3
By alternately repeating the main scanning of a, printing on the entire recording paper 5 can be realized.

3g is a paper discharge roller, 3h is a paper discharge roller 3g
The spur roller is pressed against the spur roller. The spur roller 3h is for preventing ink contamination even if the spur roller 3h comes into contact with the recording surface of the recording paper 5 immediately after printing. With the above configuration, the recording paper 5 is given a tensile force so as not to be loosened during printing. When the recorded recording paper 5 is ejected, the recording paper 5 must be surely extended to the outside of the exterior of the word processor.
Is conveyed and discharged. Further, a transport guide 3i for guiding the transport of the recording paper 5 is provided between the rollers.

Reference numeral 6 in FIG. 2 denotes a discharge port for the recording paper 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes a floppy disk drive (FDD), which is built in the word processor, inserts a floppy disk (not shown) as a removable recording medium, writes information such as a document, and reads this information. . Reference numeral 8 denotes a control board, which is provided with a circuit for controlling each part of the word processor, and controls, for example, information processing of documents and the like, control of the recording device 3, and the like. Reference numeral 11 denotes an optical recording sheet sensor that detects the presence or absence of the recording sheet 5.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the structure of the ink jet recording apparatus 3 of the present embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a transport motor, which is a gear 3j.
The recording paper 5 is conveyed by rotating the conveyance roller 3d via the. The recording paper 5 is fed into the recording apparatus from above the drawing, as indicated by an arrow A in the drawing. The fed recording paper 5 is mainly sandwiched between the transport roller 3d and the pinch roller 3f in FIG. 2, and is transported below the cartridge 3a. Thereafter, the carrier 3b is conveyed by a predetermined amount in synchronization with the recording operation accompanying the scanning. As shown in FIG. 2, paper discharge rollers 3g are provided downstream of the cartridge 3a in the conveyance direction. These paper discharge rollers 3g are interlocked with the conveyance rollers 3d via a paper discharge roller gear tray 3k, and are also conveyed. It is rotationally driven by a motor 9. As a result, after the trailing end of the recording sheet 5 is separated from the conveying roller 3d, the recording sheet 5 is conveyed with the rotation of the sheet discharging roller 3g and is discharged out of the apparatus.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a suction recovery device, which has a cap of 3 m.
Covers the ink ejection port array 33 of the recording head provided in the recording head section 31 to prevent drying of the ejection ports.
It has the function of sucking ink from inside. The driving force of the suction recovery device 30 is also given by the transport motor 9, but during printing (that is, while the transport motor 9 is transporting the recording paper 5 and the carrier motor 10 is moving the cartridge 3a), the cap is closed. 3m is cartridge 3a
And the driving force does not reach the ink cartridge 3a. Therefore, the suction recovery device 30 does not operate when the recording paper 5 is being conveyed.

When printing is completed and the carrier 3b is moved to a position where the ink ejection row 33 reaches the position indicated by I, the suction recovery device 30
The driving force is transmitted to the motor. However, conversely, the suction recovery device 30
While the is operated by the conveyance motor 9, the gear 3j and the conveyance roller 3d, which transmit the driving force, also operate. Reference numeral 3n denotes a blade, which is configured to wipe the area around the ink ejection port array 33 by moving the ink cartridge 3a from the position I to the position II. Further, the carrier 3b is moved by arrows C and C 'with the rotation of the carrier motor 10 via a carrier belt (not shown).
Reciprocate in the direction.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration of the word processor.

Here, 81 in the control board 8 is a CPU which controls the entire word processor.
It also has an input port (IP) for detecting the mounting of a. Reference numeral 82 denotes a timer unit which manages a time for executing the control. The timer section 82 includes a plurality of timers, and is configured to be able to instruct start and stop thereof by a control signal from the CPU 81. 8
Reference numeral 3 denotes a ROM, which stores a control program of the apparatus of the present invention and various data. In addition, FDD7,
The device of the present invention can also be controlled by a control program or various data stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk drive (not shown).

A RAM 84 is used as a work area when executing control, as a buffer area for storing input data from an input device such as the keyboard 1, or as a VRAM area for displaying data on the display 2. It is. 85 is an electrically readable and writable R
In an OM (for example, an EEPROM), recorded data is retained even when the power of the apparatus is turned off. The EEPROM 85 stores information for controlling the wiping frequency in the present embodiment, in addition to the remaining amount of ink or the previous cleaning time, as information on the cartridge 3a.

At the time of recording, a carrier motor 10 which is a drive source of the carrier 3b, a transport motor 9 which is a transport drive source of the recording paper 5, and an energy generating element 3E provided on a recording head mounted on the cartridge 3a are provided. Driven by respective drivers 10D, 9D, 3D, 11
The recording operation is executed while the presence or absence of the recording paper 5 is detected by the recording paper sensor indicated by. Here, the energy generating element 3E is a heater driven by the discharge heater driver 3D.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the word processor of this embodiment. A control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 83.

After the power of the apparatus is turned on, first, in step 51,
To create document data based on a key code input by an input device such as a keyboard 1,
Reads document data stored in an external storage device such as D7. Then, the process proceeds to a step 52, wherein a "print menu" is called based on input data from an input device such as the keyboard 1.

At step 53, the initialization processing of the ink jet recording apparatus 3 is started, and the cap 3m is closed to prepare for the supply of the recording paper 5 in a state where the discharge port array 33 of the cartridge 3a is sealed. In step 54, recording paper 5
Is fed to step 55, the cap 3m is opened, and the cartridge 3a waits so as to be located directly above the cap 3m in the state where the ink ejection port array 33 is open.

If no print command is input for more than one minute during standby, control is performed so that the cap 3m is closed again. If a print command is issued in step 57 during standby, the process proceeds to step 58 and printing is started. Before the start of printing, wiping of the ink ejection orifice array 33 is executed, and then, after preliminary ejection into the cap 3m, the printing operation is started. (This operation is a cap open process in step 55, and the wiping at this time is performed. The operation is called wiping when the cap is open). When the data printing is completed in step 59, the recorded recording paper 5 is discharged in step 60. Finally, in the cap closing process in step 61, the nozzle row (discharge port row) is closed by the cap 3m, and the wiping by the blade 3n (wiping when the cap is closed) and the preliminary discharge to the cap 3m are performed again.

Next, the wiping operation will be described. The cartridge 3a ejects ink from the nozzle rows during recording and causes ink to adhere to recording paper, and also a considerable amount of ink adheres to the nozzle forming surface itself. Therefore, after recording, the ink is removed from around the nozzles on the nozzle forming surface by a wiping member such as a blade 3n to prepare for the next recording, and avoid ink adhesion to the cap 3m. Further, as described above, it is difficult to avoid ink adhesion to the cap 3m by preliminary ejection or cleaning. Therefore, ink is often attached to the nozzle forming surface where the cap is opened from the cap closed state. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the ink by wiping even before printing.

Here, the wiping operation will be specifically described. The carrier 3b protruding toward the cartridge 3a
An operation of wiping dust, paper dust, and the like attached to the discharge port of the cartridge 3 with the blade 3n movably supported between a position where wiping is performed in a moving process and a retracted position that does not engage with the nozzle forming surface (from the cartridge 3a) The operation of bouncing off ink or the like at the moment of separation is wiping. Wiping is performed once when the power of the word processor is turned off.
Once when opening the cap (wiping when opening the cap described above), once before changing from the open state to the closing state (capping state) (wiping when closing the cap described above), before printing each page Once, executed several times immediately after the suction recovery operation,
Further, during recording, a predetermined number of recording dots (2,488,320 dots for a monochrome head, 2 for a color head)
488320 dots) or the recording time (two minutes from the previous wiping for a monochrome head, and one minute from the previous wiping for a color head) is controlled to be executed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific operation state of each element of the recovery system unit according to the rotation angle of the cam, and shows the operation of the cap 3m, the blade 3n, and the pump.

In order to explain the recovery operation, the movement of the carrier 3b on which the cartridge 3a is mounted is related to the operation of each element such as the cap 3m, the blade 3n and the pump. The cap 3m is located at a position abutting on the cartridge 3a expressed as "on" between (B) and (F), and is at a separated position expressed as "off" otherwise.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the off position of the blade 3n in the recovery system unit of the present embodiment.

In this position, the blade 3n is completely separated from the cartridge 3a and is in a state represented by "off" in FIG. In addition, 3o in FIG.
The blade lever 3p for attaching n is a cam for engaging and rotating the blade lever 3o.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the on position of the blade 3n.

This position is a position where the cartridge 3a can be wiped, and the intrusion amount indicated by "d" is 1 mm. This on position is indicated by “o” indicated by (J) in FIG.
n "state. In addition, 3q in FIG. 8 is a tension coil spring for applying a driving force to the blade lever 3o in a direction in which the blade 3n is protruded.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a wiping preparation position of the carrier 3b.

The wiping preparation position is set at the cartridge 3a.
This is a position for turning the blade 3n to the “on” state in preparation for wiping. Since the blade 3n in the figure is already in the "on" state, wiping is executed when the carrier 3b moves rightward from this state. This position is called a “wiping preparation position”. Reference numeral 3r in the figure denotes a cap lever rotatably mounted on a pin (not shown), and the cap 3m is brought into contact with / separated from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head of the cartridge 3a by a rotational force applied to the pin. .

FIG. 10 shows the recovery unit and carrier 3
5 shows an example of a wiping operation sequence executed by b. The letters in parentheses in the figure correspond to the letters in FIG.

First, at the capping position where the carrier 3b comes to the front of the cap 3m, the recovery system starts from the cap open state (step 101), and moves the carrier position to the wiping preparation position (step 102). Here, the recovery system is set to the state (J) shown in FIG. 6 (step 10).
3), the blade 3n is projected to a wiping-possible position. Then, by moving the carrier position to a wiping completion position (not shown) (step 104), the blade 3n wipes the nozzle forming surface of the cartridge 3a. Finally, the state (A) in FIG. 6 is set (step 10).
5) The blade 3n is set to "off", the carrier position is returned to the capping position (Step 106), and the processing is ended.

FIG. 11 is a print menu screen of the word processor shown in FIG. 1. By specifying various parameters on this screen, recording is performed according to the control program stored in the ROM 81. I have.

The functions assigned to the function keys F3 and F4 are functions relating to the exchange of the recording head. F3 (BJ cartridge) relates to the exchange of the recording head, and exchanges from a monochrome head to a color head, vice versa exchange from a color head to a monochrome head (hereinafter, these two exchanges are called color exchange), and
It is possible to instruct replacement of a new head without color replacement. However, from monochrome to monochrome,
Alternatively, control is performed so that color exchange from color to color is prohibited.

F4 (ink exchange) is a menu related to ink tank exchange. BK for monochrome head
Tank replacement, BK tank replacement for color head, Y
Either MC tank exchange or BK and YMC tank exchange can be selected. Here, when the recording head is replaced, a message such as "the type of the head has changed" is issued, so that the next step cannot be performed unless the replacement of the recording head is avoided.

In the above description, the color cartridge also has a BK tank.
A color cartridge composed of only a tank may be used. In this case, it is needless to say that control is performed so that the BK tank cannot be replaced. When the operation by F3 or F4 is selected, the carrier on which the recording head is mounted is placed at a position called an exchange position where the user can easily perform the exchange operation (the operator can visually observe the recording head with the printer cover removed). Position (for example, the center of the recording apparatus) and stops at that position. At this time, the carrier is weakly excited by applying a voltage to the carrier motor to prevent the carrier from easily moving.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a mounting detection circuit of the recording head unit 31.

The electrical connecting portion of the head cartridge 3a having the recording head portion is connected to the CPU 81 and the F
They are connected by a PC (flexible printed circuit, not shown). One end of the attachment presence / absence signal (ID) transmission line shown in the drawing is connected to a port HS1 that is electrically coupled to a recording head via an FPC. When the recording head is mounted on the cartridge 3a, the port HS1 conducts with the port HS2 via the contact portion of the recording head, and the port HS1
2 is connected to the ground (GND) of the main body control board 8. The other terminal of the ID transmission line is an input port IP capable of detecting H and L levels by the CPU 81.
And the lower end of the pull-up resistor R in the figure. The upper end of the resistor R is connected to a power supply (VC
C).

With the above configuration, H can be detected at the input port IP when the recording head is not mounted on the carrier 3b, and L can be detected when the recording head is mounted. By using this circuit configuration, whether the recording head is mounted or not is detected. Note that the result detected by this circuit is displayed as “currently mounted cartridge” in the “print menu” shown in FIG. 11 (displaying whether monochrome, color, or unfixed). Further, a sensor is provided inside the recording head to detect the internal temperature of the recording head, and it is also possible to detect whether the recording head is mounted, whether it is not mounted, or the type of the mounted head, in accordance with the value of this sensor.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a flowchart of the installation cleaning operation of the monochrome head, and FIGS. 14 and 15 show an example of a flowchart of the installation cleaning operation of the color head.

As described above, this installation cleaning operation is the same regardless of whether the head is replaced or the tank is replaced. Although a detailed description of the cleaning operation is omitted, the cleaning sequence includes a suction operation, an idle suction operation, a preliminary discharge operation, a wiping operation, a capping operation, and the like. Each operation is configured as one subroutine on software. I have. Therefore, the execution of the installation cleaning operation can be easily and immediately executed by instructing the above-mentioned operations in what order and how many times (by giving parameters on software). Therefore, by rewriting a predetermined parameter, the configuration order and the number of times can be easily changed.

In the case of cleaning the monochrome head shown in FIG. 13, two to four wiping operations are performed in one wiping process (steps 131, 134, 1).
39), in the case of cleaning the color head of FIGS. 14 and 15, wiping is performed two to three times in one wiping process (steps 1401 and 141).
1, 1421, 1425).

Here, the idle suction operation means that the ink sucked from the ink cartridge 3a is stored in a waste ink tank (not shown).
This operation is performed when ink remains in the cap 3m due to the accumulation of the preliminary ejection, or when the cap 3m is closed, and includes a plurality of suction steps. The purpose of this operation is to prevent ink adhering to the inside of the cap 3m from contacting the head when the cap is opened in the idle suction operation after the suction. In addition, the piston is stopped for a few seconds during the suction operation to secure time for the ink to move, so that the suction operation can be reliably performed.

The control operation of the first embodiment of the present invention in the ink jet recording apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart shows the control for increasing the wiping frequency in the new head installation cleaning.

As shown in FIG. 16, in step 1601, the head and tank exchange mode is selected. Specifically, head replacement (indicated as BJ cartridge in FIG. 11) indicated by the F3 key in the print menu shown in FIG.
The tank replacement indicated by the 4 key (displayed as ink replacement in FIG. 11) is selected. In step 1602, "new head replacement" under the menu indicated by the F3 key is selected, and it is determined whether a new head has been replaced or "color replacement" or "tank replacement" has been selected. In the case of "head replacement", if it is determined in step 1603 that the new head replacement has been completed normally, a new head replacement flag is set (step 1605). In step 1606, whether the mounted head is a monochrome head or a color head is determined. Judge the type. In this determination, as described above, FIG.
And a temperature sensor inside the recording head.

By the way, in step 1602, "color exchange"
Alternatively, when "tank replacement" indicated by the F4 key is selected, the flow proceeds to step 1610. Step 160
If the new head replacement is not completed normally in 3,
Proceeding to step 1604, it is determined that abnormal processing such as "stop" or "power off during replacement" has been performed.
Perform the corresponding stop processing and abnormal processing.

When the type of head is determined, step 160
In step 7 or 1608, the wiping frequency (number) stored in the table for each head is set based on the acquired printhead type, and the wiping frequency (number) is changed (step 1609).
At 10, the installation cleaning is executed. The number of times of wiping executed at this time is the value changed in step 1609, and is larger than in the examples of FIGS. As a specific value, assuming that the user confirms “ejection failure” after the end of the installation cleaning, and performs a manual cleaning to perform a recovery process, the number of wiping times shown in FIGS.
Setting it to double is sufficient.

That is, it is sufficient to set 4 to 8 times for a monochrome head and 4 to 6 times for a color head in one wiping process.

After completion of the installation cleaning, it is confirmed whether the flag is set or cleared (step 1611). If the flag is set, the wiping value is returned to the initial value (step 1612), and the flag is cleared (step 161).
3).

As described above, with a simple configuration using one flag indicating head replacement and at least two (wiping count) table values, the wiping frequency is increased when head replacement is detected, and the wiping frequency is increased immediately after new head replacement. It is possible to reduce the possibility of “ejection failure”.

In order to reduce the memory capacity, the same control routine may be used by changing the wiping frequency regardless of whether the head is replaced or the tank is replaced.
In this case, the processing of steps 1602, 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608, 1609, and 1611 to 1613 can be omitted.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the drive source of the recording paper transport system and the drive source of the recovery system of the print head are the same. There is no problem in realization. In addition, although the ink cartridge in which the recording head can be replaced and the ink tank can be replaced has been described here, the head may be a permanent type or a disposable type.

As described above, in the ink jet recording apparatus having the detecting means for detecting the mounting of the new head, by performing the simple control to increase the wiping frequency (number of times) when the mounting of the new head is detected,
It is possible to reduce the possibility of “discharge failure” immediately after replacing the new head.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, control is performed to increase the frequency of wiping only during the installation cleaning operation of a new head, but all wiping during a predetermined period from the replacement of a new head is performed. Control may be performed so as to increase the frequency.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the flow of the control operation of the present embodiment. Step 17
01 to 1706 are steps 1601 to 1606 in FIG.
This is the same process as described above, and the description is omitted here.

In steps 1707 to 1709, all wiping frequencies are changed. As an example,
All times are doubled. In the case where the wiping frequency is managed by time, or in the case where the wiping frequency is managed by the number of print executions or the number of actually ejected printing dots, all of these control parameters are set to １ ／. Next, when the installation cleaning is performed in step 1710, a threshold condition for wiping is initialized in step 1711. Here, the initialization of the threshold condition is to reset the count value of the wiping time timer, to initialize the number of recording sheets and the number of recording dots, and to initialize a value for managing a period for increasing the wiping frequency. That is, as an example, the wiping frequency is increased for one hour from the installation, during the opening and closing of the cap 10 times from the new head installation, during the recording of 10 sheets, during the recording of 5,000,000 dots, and during the 1 hour from the installation.

Steps 1712 and 1713 are the same as steps 1611 and 1612 in FIG. Step 17
When the wiping timing comes in FIG. 18 after the execution of Step 13 (Step 1714), a flag indicating whether or not the new head has just been replaced is detected in Step 1715, and the normal wiping (Step 1718) is performed or the frequency of wiping is increased. It is determined whether (Step 1717) is to be performed, and the corresponding process is performed. In steps 1714 to 1717, the wiping in which the frequency is managed by the time, the number of print executions, and the number of print dots is performed in step 1714.
Strictly different from the flowchart since the next wiping timing indicated by comes at twice the speed, for example, and the wiping is performed.

If frequency UP wiping has been performed, it is determined whether or not the above-described threshold of the frequency UP period has been exceeded (step 1718). Is cleared (step 1720). Thereafter, control is performed so that normal wiping is performed unless a new head is replaced.

By the way, when the power supply is turned off in the power supply detection routine (step 1721), the value of the flag, the elapsed time of the frequency UP period, and the like are determined. The elements are stored in the EEPROM 81 which is a nonvolatile ROM (step 1722). When power on is detected (step 1723), the information at the time of power off stored in the EEPROM 81 is set again, and if the wiping frequency is in the UP period, the state is returned to the frequency UP state (step 172).
4).

It is also possible to implement such a control configuration. For example, taking the number of printed sheets as an example, wiping before printing the first and second sheets after installing the new head is performed three times, and It is also possible to adopt a control configuration in which the wiping frequency is changed every period so that the wiping of the seventh sheet before printing is performed twice.

(Third Embodiment) Although the first and second embodiments execute control independent of environmental conditions, a means for detecting environmental conditions is provided, and a control is performed according to the detection result. A control may be performed to make the degree of increase in the wiping frequency independent.

In general, in an ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink by using thermal energy, the discharge amount is easily affected by temperature. Therefore, a temperature detecting unit such as a thermistor capable of detecting the temperature of the recording head is provided, and by changing the ink ejection amount in accordance with the detected temperature, a control for creating a uniform image is performed. Therefore, the frequency of the recovery processing (wiping operation for installation cleaning at the time of new head replacement, wiping operation at the time of cap opening processing immediately after installation cleaning at the new head replacement) according to the detected temperature of the recording head or the apparatus obtained by the temperature detecting means. ) Can be performed in combination with a control configuration that makes the control variable.

For example, in a low-temperature environment where a large amount of ink is ejected, the frequency of wiping can be increased as compared with a high temperature (for example, 2.5 times at a low temperature and 1.5 times at a high temperature). . 16 and FIG. 1.
Steps 1602 and 170 in the flowchart of FIG.
Immediately after replacing the new head of Step 2
It is good to add processing for detecting the environmental temperature immediately before the wiping operation of 716, 1716 so as to take a table value according to the environmental temperature.

(Fourth Embodiment) In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which control is performed to increase the wiping frequency by changing the number of wiping operations at one time, but a new wiping operation is added. By doing so, the frequency of wiping may be increased. This embodiment can be easily executed in the software configuration of the installation cleaning operation shown in FIGS.

Although not shown, other wiping operations (cap opening, closing, etc.) are controlled by a similar software configuration, so that a new wiping operation can be easily added.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which the state of ink is changed by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head is not limited to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body, or an electric connection with the apparatus main body or ink from the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

Further, the types and the number of the recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only those provided for one color ink but also plural inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. 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, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also for a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. It may take a form.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a recording apparatus having a detecting means capable of detecting the mounting of a new head, control is performed to increase the frequency of wiping when the mounting of a new head is detected. This allows the print head to perform normal ejection, reduces the probability of “discharge failure” of the print head, which is likely to occur immediately after replacement of a new head, reduces printing time and wastes ink consumption, and further extends the life of the printing apparatus. It is possible to reduce it without shrinking.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a word processor which is an example of a device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the word processor shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction B.

FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control configuration of the word processor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the word processor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of each element of the recovery system device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an off position of a blade in a recovery system unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an on position of a blade in a recovery system unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a wiping preparation position of the carrier with respect to the recovery system unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wiping operation sequence.

11 is a diagram showing a print menu screen of the word processor shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example of a recording head attachment detection circuit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an installation cleaning operation of a monochrome head.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an installation cleaning operation of a color head.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a color head installation cleaning operation.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a control operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a control operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a control operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 inkjet recording device 3a cartridge 3b carrier 3E energy generating element 33 ink ejection port array 81 CPU 82 timer section 83 ROM 84 RAM 85 EEPROM

Claims (10)

[Claims] An ejecting unit that detachably attaches a recording head having an energy generating element that generates energy for ejecting a liquid from an ejection unit; and a wiping unit that wipes the ejection unit. A recording device that discharges the liquid from a unit to a recording medium to record an image, wherein: a mounting detection unit that detects mounting of the recording head; and a detection that the recording head is newly mounted on the mounting unit. Then, a predetermined sequence for wiping the ejection unit by the wiping unit according to a predetermined procedure, and a first control for controlling to increase a wiping frequency in the predetermined procedure according to a detection result by the mounting detection unit. And a recording device. 2. The mounting means further detachably mounts the liquid storage means independent of the recording head, the mounting detection means further detects the mounting of the storage means, and newly mounts the storage means. A second control unit that controls the wiping unit to wipe the discharge unit after detecting the attachment of the storage unit to the predetermined procedure. 2. The recording device according to 1. 3. The second control unit controls the wiping frequency to increase in a predetermined period managed by a management unit after the recording head and / or the storage unit is newly mounted on the mounting unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording is performed. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined time is managed by said management means. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the management unit manages the number of recording media on which recording has been performed. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the management unit manages the number of dots of the liquid ejected to the recording medium. 7. The wiping frequency when the recording head is mounted is made higher than the wiping frequency when the storage unit is mounted by the control means. The recording device according to claim 1. 8. The recording head is a color recording head and a monochrome recording head, and the control unit independently controls the wiping frequency for the color recording head and the monochrome recording head. The recording device according to claim 2. 9. A temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the recording head and / or a temperature around the recording head, and an increasing rate setting means for setting an increasing rate of the wiping frequency in accordance with a result detected by the temperature detecting means. 7. The recording device according to any one of 3 to 6, further comprising: 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy generating element is an electro-thermal converter that applies thermal energy to the liquid.