JPS63295266A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply an ink into a tank constantly stably and prevent bubbling of the ink in the tank, by providing a means for detecting the ink and a means for supplying the ink from an ink-storing part into the tank, and operating the two means to work in conjunction with each other. CONSTITUTION:An ink quantity-detecting means is operated once for every basic time or every basic operation, when an operating command signal for a liquid level-detecting means 11 is inputted from a driver 16. The means 11 is operated to discriminate a liquid level according to the electric resistance between electrodes. Based on the result of discrimination, a signal for driving a supplying means 12 is generated, and the means 12 supplies an ink from an ink-storing chamber 13 into an ink tank. A first alarm means 17 is left ON until a liquid level detection signal is returned to [state 0] as a result of the supply of the ink, thereby informing the operator that the ink is being supplied. When the liquid level does not reach a detectable level even after the cycle of driving the supplying means 12 and detecting the liquid level is repeated for a number of time, the driver 16 is so operated as to turn ON a second alarm means 18, instead of actuating the supplying means 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device, and particularly to an inkjet recording device for operating an ink supply means based on the result of detecting the amount of ink in an ink tank communicating with a droplet ejecting section of a recording head. The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus having a control means.

[Conventional technology]

Figure 3 shows a conventional configuration in which a remaining ink amount detection means is provided in the ink tank to enable reliable ink supply to the ink tank that communicates with the droplet ejecting section provided in the recording head. Show and explain.

In FIG. 3, a vibrating section 10 is provided with a nozzle 5 as an ink droplet ejection outlet and a pressurizing means 6 for ejecting ink droplets on a carriage 7 that reciprocates along a guide shaft 8 by a drive means (not shown). An ink tank chamber 1 communicating with the nozzle is fixed integrally with the nozzle.

Conventionally, an electrode 2 is provided in the ink tank chamber 1, and the resistance value between the electrodes is detected using a comparator or the like, and the result is judged by a logic circuit or the like, and a buzzer or the like is activated to prompt the operator to replenish the ink. was taken. Next, the operator removes the stopper 4 and, in response to this alarm, refills ink from another container (not shown) storing ink, and stops refilling when the liquid level 9 reaches the bottom surface of the vent hole 3. 4 and then operate the recording device again.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, since the operator replenishes ink each time, the actual recording is interrupted for a long time, and ink often overflows from the ventilation holes due to over-replenishment of ink. did. Furthermore, the detection electrode was installed in the lower part of the tank to reduce the frequency of replenishment.

For this reason, bubbles are generated as the carriage moves, and these bubbles enter the flow path of the head portion, causing printing defects.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that eliminates the need to replenish ink by an operator, always stably supplies ink into a tank, and prevents the ink from bubbling within the tank. purpose.

[Means for solving problems]

Therefore, in the present invention, means for detecting ink and means for supplying ink from an ink storage section into a tank are provided.
The conventional problem is solved by the coordinated operation of two means.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus employing the present invention. In FIG. 1, a head 14 mounted on a carriage 7 communicates with a nozzle 5 for ejecting droplets to supply ink. It consists of a tank chamber 1 for storage. The pressure feeding device 12 is a means for forcefully feeding ink from the ink storage section 13 into the ink tank chamber 1, and is constituted by, for example, a pump having a sealed pressure feeding section using a diaphragm. Further, in the upper part of the tank chamber 9, a supply port 15 is provided for supplying ink from the ink storage section 13 into the tank chamber 1 by means of the ventilation hole 3 and the supply means 12.

Furthermore, an electrode pin 2 is electrically connected to a liquid level detecting means 11 on a side wall of the ink tank chamber 1 .

The electrode above the electrode 2 is set at the highest permissible liquid level, taking into account the level of droplets in the ink tank chamber 1 after ink is supplied. The lower electrode is installed at such a depth that the resistance to conduction through the ink changes when the liquid level 9 drops below the lower end of the upper electrode bin. Note that this electrode may be installed horizontally or at an angle.

Further, the vt+f1 surface is not limited to the side wall of the ink tank, but may be the top or bottom surface of the ink tank. Furthermore, many generally well-known methods can be used for the detection method, detection means, and arrangement thereof.

The actual operation will be explained based on the timing chart of FIG.

The ink amount detection means is configured to operate at each reference time or each reference operation. What is detection by reference time?
For example, a certain period of time is determined, and detection is performed every time that period elapses, and detection for each reference operation is, for example, detected every time a carriage carrying a head stops.

At time t1, an operation command signal for the liquid level detection means 11 is input from the drive device t16. This causes the liquid level detection means 11 to operate, and determines the liquid level according to the conduction resistance between the electrodes. As a result, a liquid level signal indicating that the liquid level is at a level requiring ink supply (-1t condition 1) is output. The liquid level detection means 11 also includes means for determining this result and generating a signal for driving the supply means 12.

In response to the input of this signal, the supply means 12 performs an operation of supplying ink from the ink storage chamber 13 into the ink tank chamber 1 from time t to time t. From this time t, t,
The operation up to this point is the always constant operation time of the supply means 12 necessary to supply ink for one time set in advance, and this is taken as the standard supply operation for one time. However, in the case of a pump in which the supply means supplies ink by reciprocating a piston, a fixed number of reciprocating movements of the piston may be used as one reference supply operation. To complete ink supply in as little time as possible, the amount of ink supplied for one time is the maximum ink consumption that can actually be consumed between ink amount detections performed at each reference time or each reference operation. You just need to set it to a value higher than the amount. However, considering the case where there is a liquid level near the upper electrode and the liquid level signal outputs [tsl],
The amount supplied per batch must be less than or equal to the volume of the ink tank from the upper electrode to the vent hole. Therefore, the position of the electrode and the amount of supply at one time are determined comprehensively so that the ink is supplied and the ink does not overflow from the ink tank. It is not necessary to set the supply amount at one time to be more than the maximum ink eraser amount, and it may be more than the average consumption amount in normal recording. This can be determined depending on the supply means capacity, time constraints required for supply, etc. good.

In the case of this embodiment, the liquid level rises above the detection boundary by the - times of supply operations. Immediately after the time t when the supply means 12 finishes the standard operation, the liquid level detection operation is performed again.

Since the liquid level has risen above the detection boundary due to one supply operation of the supplying means, the liquid level detection signal indicates that the liquid level is at a level that does not require ink supply (Article 110).
Output. This completes the series of ink level detection and ink supply operations. Furthermore, once! ! 10
) is output, a signal of (1sO) related to the liquid level is output until the next liquid level detection operation is turned on.

After the liquid level signal outputs [shape B1] and the supply means 12 turns ON, the first alarm means 17 remains ON until ink is supplied and the liquid level detection signal returns to (shape fig).
The alarm means to notify the operator that ink is being supplied is a buzzer, lamp, or lamp.
Displaying a message on a CD, etc. can be considered.

Next, unlike the series of operations described above, a case will be described in which the ink itself in the ink storage becomes insufficient and the ink supply by the supply means 12 becomes insufficient. In reality, this situation occurs because even the ink storage section 13 can only store a limited amount of ink.

At time t4, a liquid level detection activation command signal is input to the liquid level detection means 11 from the driving device M16. As a result, the liquid level detection means 11 operates and the above-mentioned [state! i! ll) is output as a liquid level signal. The supply means 12 is driven by this output, and ink is supplied into the ink tank chamber 1. However, since the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage part B is small, the ink liquid level 9 in the ink tank chamber 1 does not reach the detection boundary level in one standard supply operation, and the second liquid level detection is performed later at time t. Even after operation, ink supply is required [condition B1]
continues to be output. As a result, the supply means 12 is driven again from time t to time t, and one reference supply operation is performed. However, at time t, due to the liquid level detection operation that is performed later, [B! 0) is not obtained, and the reference supply operation is performed once again from time ts to tte. However, the liquid level 9 still does not reach the liquid level detection boundary, and at time t
Even at the fourth liquid level detection performed after te [botso]
cannot be obtained.

When the ink storage portion B is empty or nearly empty, the liquid level may not reach the detection level no matter how many times the cycle of driving the supply means 12 and detecting the liquid level is repeated. In this case, it is necessary to abort this cycle. For this purpose, for example, a counter is provided in the supply means 12 and set to count every - supply operation, and the count value is equal to a preset value and the supply operation is equal to the set count number. If the liquid level signal of [state 1] is still being output after the end, the cycle is aborted and then supply means 1 is output.
The second drive may be omitted. Alternatively, when a bobbin/tub having a reciprocating piston part is used as a pressure feeding device, a microswitch may be installed near the piston movement part so that the number of movements of the piston part can be counted.

This embodiment shows a case where the set count number is set to three. Even after the liquid level detection operation after the completion of the third supply operation, the liquid level signal remains at [low plate 1].
6 turns on the second alarm means 18.

The second alarm means 18 may be the same device as the first alarm means 17, or may be a separate similar device. During this time, the ml alarm means 17 remains in the ON state from time t until the fourth liquid level detection is completed. In some cases, this first alarm means 17 may be activated when ink is filled in the ink storage part B and the ink supply operation is performed again, and a liquid level signal of [state 0] is output, or when the operator It may remain in the ON state until some kind of reset operation is performed. The second alarm means 18 may be turned on for a certain period of time or may remain on for the same period as the first alarm means 17 described above.

Note that when a tube is used between the supply means 12 and the ink tank chamber 1, the tube may come off or be damaged, and ink may not be supplied into the ink tank chamber 1. In this case as well, it is conceivable that the liquid level does not reach the detection boundary within the set number of times, but in this case as well, the second alarm means 18 will be in the ON state as in the above case.

Therefore, the fact that the second alarm means 18 is ON indicates that the amount of ink remaining in the ink storage section 13 is low, or that a problem such as ink leakage due to a broken tube or the like is occurring. .

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the ink supply operation is automatically performed by the supply means, which saves the operator's time and effort, and also shortens the supply time, thereby improving the actual recording speed. In addition, the operator does not come into contact with the ink, making it safe and sanitary.

Furthermore, since the liquid level can always be kept high, bubbling inside the tank is suppressed, allowing the head to perform stable recording. Further, by providing the first alarm means, the operator can confirm that ink is being supplied, thereby preventing erroneous operations. Further, by providing the second alarm means, it is possible to grasp the amount of ink in the ink storage section without using a special sensor, and to inform the operator of the timing for replacement or replenishment. Furthermore, if the connection between the ink tank or the ink supply tube of the ink storage section becomes disconnected or damaged, ink will not be supplied to the ink tank and the ink will leak into the recording device. Since the supply operation is terminated after a certain set number of times, damage can be minimized.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. fJ2 is a timing chart diagram explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the head of a conventional device. 1... Ink tank chamber 2... Electrode 3... Vent hole 4... Plug 5... Nozzle 6... Pressurizing means 7... Carriage 8... Guide shaft 9... Liquid level 10... Vibrating section 11... Liquid level detection means 12... Supply means 13... Ink storage section 14... Head 15... Supply port 16... Drive device 17... First alarm means 18...Second alarm means and above Figure 1 base! Time z1; Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) It has an ink tank that communicates with a droplet ejecting section provided in the recording head and an ink storage section that stores ink supplied to the ink tank, and detects the amount of ink in the ink tank. In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising a detection means and a supply means for supplying ink from the ink storage section into the ink tank, the inkjet recording apparatus operates at each reference time or each reference operation, and also every time after the reference supply operation is completed. Inkjet recording comprising: the ink amount detection means set to be activated; and a drive device that performs the standard supply operation within a preset number of times until the ink amount in the ink tank exceeds a liquid level detection boundary. Device. (2) If a signal indicating that the desired amount of ink is not obtained from the ink amount detection means in the ink amount detection operation for each reference time or reference operation, a drive device that operates the first alarm means; An inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: (3) If the desired amount of ink is not obtained even if the cycle of ink supply and ink amount detection is continuously repeated within a preset number of times, the supply operation is not performed and the first The inkjet recording apparatus according to Claims 1 and 2, further comprising a drive device that operates a second alarm means that is different from the alarm.