JP2006150685A - Liquid ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid ejector comprising a head member having a plurality of nozzle openings in which more accurate liquid ejection from each nozzle opening can be ensured. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid ejector comprises a head member having a plurality of nozzle openings, a plurality of means for ejecting liquid at each nozzle opening while varying the pressure, and a means for outputting a drive signal to each pressure varying means based on ejection date. A liquid ejection quantity acquiring section acquires the liquid ejection quantity from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings which eject liquid simultaneously at the time of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle openings. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a head member that ejects liquid droplets from nozzle openings.

  In general, an ink jet recording apparatus (an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus) includes a recording head (head member) having nozzle openings and ejection driving means (for example, a piezoelectric vibrator or a heating element) that ejects ink (liquid) in the nozzle opening portions. ) And discharge control means for controlling the discharge drive means in accordance with the recording data (ejection data). Ink supply to the nozzle opening is performed by an ink cartridge (ink container) and an ink communication path from the ink cartridge to the nozzle opening. The ink cartridge is normally replaceable.

  The recording quality of an ink jet recording device basically depends on the resolution of the recording head, which is defined by the diameter and number of nozzle openings, but it also depends on the type and viscosity of the ink, the degree of bleeding on the recording medium, etc. Can also be affected.

  For example, since the ink is exposed to air at the nozzle opening, the ink solvent (for example, water) gradually evaporates. The evaporation of the ink solvent increases the ink viscosity at the nozzle opening, thereby deteriorating the image quality of the recorded image. For this reason, in the ink jet recording apparatus, as a measure for preventing the increase in the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle opening portion, ink suction from the nozzle opening (referred to as cleaning) and ink ejection (referred to as flushing) are performed. .

  In particular, when the ink cartridge is replaced, cleaning or flushing is performed until the ink conduction from the new ink cartridge to the nozzle opening is stabilized.

  Further, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge decreases, it becomes difficult to smoothly eject ink, and the recording quality deteriorates. For this reason, when the ink remaining amount falls below a predetermined amount, it is determined that the ink has ended, and a display for replacing the ink cartridge is displayed.

  The remaining amount of ink is calculated based on, for example, the sum of the ink ejection amount ejected from the nozzle opening for recording and the flushing operation and the ink suction amount sucked from the nozzle opening for the cleaning operation ( JP, 2001-353895, A).

Among these, it has been found that the amount of each ink droplet ejected from the nozzle opening for recording and for the flushing operation varies depending on the number of ink droplets ejected from the nozzle opening per unit time. . For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-130638 proposes to improve the detection accuracy of the ink remaining amount by counting ink droplets according to the number of ink droplet ejections per unit time based on such knowledge.
JP 2001-353885 A JP2003-130638

  As described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-130638 improves the accuracy of detecting the remaining amount of ink in relation to the time axis direction.

  Here, the present inventor has advanced diligent research on a head member having a plurality of nozzle openings as an examination subject to improve the detection accuracy of the ink remaining amount in relation to the usage status of the nozzle openings in the head member. I came.

  The present inventor has found that the amount of each ink droplet ejected from the nozzle opening for recording and for the flushing operation varies depending on the number of nozzle openings that eject ink droplets simultaneously. is there.

  For example, in a recording head using a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators having the same structure, when ink droplets are ejected simultaneously from a plurality of nozzle openings in a nozzle row, physical vibration interference occurs depending on the number of nozzle openings. As a result, the amount of each ink ejected from the nozzle opening is affected. In addition, the drive signals for controlling the piezoelectric vibrators also affect each other, causing electrical distortion in the signal waveform, and the amount of each ink ejected from the nozzle opening is affected.

  On the other hand, in a recording head in which a heating element is used, when ink droplets are ejected simultaneously from a plurality of nozzle openings in a nozzle row, they are ejected from the nozzle openings by interacting with the influence of heat associated with ink ejection. Each ink amount can vary.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and in a liquid ejecting apparatus including a head member having a plurality of nozzle openings, it is possible to more accurately acquire each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that can be used.

  The present invention drives a head member having a plurality of nozzle openings, a plurality of pressure varying means for ejecting the liquid by varying the pressure of the liquid in each nozzle opening portion, and each pressure varying means based on ejection data Drive signal output means for outputting a signal, and a liquid ejection amount acquisition unit that acquires each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings that eject liquid at the same time when the liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening And a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  According to the present invention, each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening is individually acquired based on the number of nozzle openings that eject liquid simultaneously when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening. Each liquid ejection amount can be obtained more accurately.

  For example, the plurality of nozzle openings are arranged to form a plurality of nozzle rows, and each nozzle row corresponds to each of a plurality of types of liquids. In this case, the liquid ejection amount acquisition unit determines each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings that eject the same type of liquid as the liquid simultaneously when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening. It is preferable to acquire.

  In addition, it is preferable that the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes an ejection amount integration unit that integrates each liquid ejection amount acquired by the liquid ejection amount acquisition unit for each liquid type.

  For example, the liquid ejection amount acquisition unit calculates each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening, the number of nozzle openings that can eject the same type of liquid as the liquid simultaneously when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening, When the liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening, it is acquired based on the ratio of the number of nozzle openings that eject the same type of liquid as the liquid at the same time.

  In addition, for example, the liquid ejection amount acquisition unit has a predetermined number of nozzle openings that eject each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening at the same time when the liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening. If the number of nozzle openings is smaller than the number of nozzle openings, the number of nozzle openings for simultaneously ejecting the same type of liquid as the liquid at the time of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle openings is larger than the liquid ejection amount of the predetermined number of nozzle openings. Get to get as a larger amount.

  This corresponds to experimental data by the inventor described later (see FIG. 10), and when the liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening, the number of nozzle openings for ejecting the same type of liquid as the liquid is equal to the predetermined nozzle opening. When the number of nozzle openings for ejecting the same type of liquid as that of the liquid at the same time as the liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening is smaller than the number of liquid ejection amounts of the predetermined number of nozzle openings, This is an aspect based on a tendency that the amount of liquid ejected from the liquid increases.

  Further, the present invention controls a liquid ejecting apparatus including a head member having a plurality of nozzle openings, and a plurality of pressure changing means for ejecting the liquid by changing the pressure of the liquid in each nozzle opening. And a control signal output means for outputting a drive signal to each pressure fluctuation means based on the ejection data, and each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening, when the liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening. And a liquid ejection amount acquisition unit that acquires the liquid ejection amount based on the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject liquid.

  The control device or each component of the control device can be realized by a computer system.

  Further, a program for causing a computer system to realize the control device or each component of the control device and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are also subject to protection in this case.

  Here, the recording medium includes not only a floppy disk or the like that can be recognized as a single unit, but also a network that propagates various signals.

  The present invention also provides a head member having a plurality of nozzle openings, a plurality of pressure fluctuation means for ejecting the liquid by varying the pressure of the liquid in each nozzle opening portion, and each pressure fluctuation means based on the ejection data. And a drive signal output means for outputting a drive signal to the remaining amount detection device for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening is represented by the nozzle opening. The liquid ejection amount acquisition unit that is acquired based on the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject liquid when the liquid is ejected from the liquid, and the respective liquid ejection amounts that are acquired by the liquid ejection amount acquisition unit are integrated for each liquid type A remaining amount detecting device including an injection amount integrating unit.

  The present invention also provides a head member having a plurality of nozzle openings, a plurality of pressure fluctuation means for ejecting the liquid by varying the pressure of the liquid in each nozzle opening portion, and each pressure fluctuation means based on the ejection data. And a drive signal output means for outputting a drive signal to a remaining amount detection method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening The liquid ejection amount acquisition step acquired based on the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject liquid when the liquid is ejected from the liquid, and the liquid ejection amounts acquired by the liquid ejection amount acquisition unit are integrated for each liquid type A remaining amount detection method comprising: an injection amount integration step.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus (an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus) according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a printing mechanism inside the apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a casing 3 and a carriage 11 on which a black ink cartridge 1 (liquid container) and a color ink cartridge 2 (liquid container) are placed. And.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 4 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 3. In this case, the operation panel 4 includes a power switch 5, an ink cartridge replacement command switch 6, a black ink cleaning command switch 7, a color ink cleaning command switch 8, a black ink ink end indicator 9, and a color ink ink end indicator 10. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 11 is connected to a carriage drive motor 13 via a timing belt 12 and is slidably supported by a guide member 14. The guide member 14 is disposed in parallel with the platen 15. As a result, the carriage 11 can reciprocate parallel to the platen 15. This movement direction is called the main operation direction.

  On the lower surface of the carriage 11, a black ink recording head 17 in which a plurality of, for example, 180 nozzle openings for discharging black ink and three color inks of yellow, magenta, and cyan are discharged. A plurality of, for example, 180 × 3, color ink recording heads 18 in which nozzle openings are arranged are provided.

  A recording medium 16 such as a recording paper is supported on a surface facing the black ink recording head 17 and the color ink recording head 18 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the main operation direction. This direction is called the sub-operation direction.

  A capping unit 19 (cleaning unit) is disposed in a part of the non-printing area of the recording heads 17 and 18 (the right area in FIG. 2). The capping unit 19 includes a cap 20a that seals the nozzle openings of the black ink recording head 17, and caps 20b to 20d that seal the nozzle openings of the color ink recording head 18 for each color.

  In this case, these caps 20a to 20d are mounted on the same slider 21, and are connected to a pump unit 23a to 23d (cleaning unit) having a four-unit structure driven by a motor or the like via a tube (not shown). Each is connected. Thereby, each cap 20a-20d is independently supplied with negative pressure, and sucks ink from the nozzle openings for the respective colors of the corresponding recording heads 17 and 18, that is, performs a cleaning process.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the black ink cartridge 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the black ink cartridge 1 has an ink chamber 1 a that stores black ink, and an ink supply port that can connect the ink chamber 1 a and the ink communication path 17 a of the black ink recording head 17. 26 is provided on the bottom surface 25. Further, the bottom surface 25 is provided with semiconductor storage means 27 which is an electrically rewritable memory device. An electrical contact 33 for accessing the semiconductor memory means 27 is also provided on the bottom surface 25.

  In this case, the semiconductor storage unit 27 stores information related to the time of manufacture of the black ink cartridge 1, for example, information related to the characteristics of the ink stored in the ink chamber 1a. In the ink chamber 1a, black pigment ink is accommodated in a form infiltrated into the foam material.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the color ink cartridge 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the color ink cartridge 2 has ink chambers 2a, 2b, and 2c that individually store yellow, magenta, and cyan inks as color inks. Ink supply ports 29 to 31 that can connect 2c and the ink communication path 18a of the color ink recording head 18 are provided on the bottom surface 28. The bottom surface 28 is provided with semiconductor storage means 32 which is an electrically rewritable memory device. An electrical contact 34 for accessing the semiconductor storage means 32 is also provided on the bottom surface 28.

  In this case, the semiconductor storage unit 32 stores information related to the time of manufacture of the color ink cartridge 2, for example, the date of manufacture and information related to the characteristics of the ink stored in the ink chambers 2a to 2c. In each of the ink chambers 2a to 2c, the pigment inks of the respective colors are accommodated in a form infiltrated into the foam material.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a head holder 35 (liquid container installation portion) to which the cartridges 1 and 2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are mounted. As shown in FIG. 5, the head holder 35 is provided with electrical contacts 36 and 37 that can make electrical contact with the electrical contacts 33 and 34 of the cartridges 1 and 2. These electrical contacts 36 and 37 are connected to information reading sections 38 and 39 for reading information stored in the semiconductor storage means 27 and 32, respectively. The information reading units 38 and 39 are connected to a control device 41 (see FIG. 2) of the recording apparatus main body by a flexible cable 40.

  The semiconductor storage means 27 and 32 may be read-only storage means that cannot be written. Alternatively, when these are writable storage means, the information reading units 38 and 39 may have a writing function for the semiconductor recording means 27 and 32.

  Specifically, the semiconductor recording means 27 and 32 can be constituted by IC chips. However, the semiconductor recording means 27 and 32 can be replaced with any known storage member such as a barcode or a magnetic tape. In that case, the modes of the information reading units 38 and 39 can also be changed according to each storage member.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the control device 41. As shown in FIG. 6, press switches 43 and 44 are provided at positions where the ink cartridges 1 and 2 of the carriage 11 face each other. Each of the push switches 43 and 44 is connected to the ink cartridge replacement determination unit 42 so as to determine whether or not each of the ink cartridges 1 and 2 has been replaced.

  Under the control of the main control unit 46, the carriage motor control unit 45 moves the carriage 11 in parallel with the platen 15.

  Under the control of the main control unit 46, the suction control unit 47 seals the nozzle openings of the recording heads 17 and 18 with the capping unit 19 through the carriage motor control unit 45, and each pump through the pump drive unit 48. The suction force and suction time of the suction pumps 23a to 23d are controlled.

  The printing / flushing control unit 49 (a part of the drive signal output unit) controls the head drive unit 50 (a part of the drive signal output unit) based on recording data (an example of ejection data) from a host (not shown). Printing is executed by driving the ink droplets appropriately from the nozzle openings of the recording heads 17 and 18. Further, the flushing process is executed by driving the head driving unit 50 according to the degree of ink thickening and the like, and finely vibrating the ink in the nozzle opening portions of the recording heads 17 and 18.

  In the present embodiment, the pressure fluctuation means driven by the head driving unit 50 is a piezoelectric vibrator 121 in a flexural vibration mode, as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the recording head 18, but the recording head 17 also has a substantially similar cross-sectional structure.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the recording head 18 includes an ink chamber 120 to which ink from the ink cartridge 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is supplied, and nozzles in which a plurality of nozzle openings 117 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. It mainly includes a plate 116 and a plurality of pressure chambers 122 provided corresponding to each of the nozzle openings 117. The pressure chamber 122 expands and contracts due to deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator 121.

  The ink chamber 120 and the pressure chamber 122 communicate with each other via the ink supply port 124 and the supply side communication hole 123. The pressure chamber 122 and the nozzle opening 117 are communicated with each other via the first nozzle communication hole 125 and the second nozzle communication hole 126. That is, a series of ink flow paths from the ink chamber 120 to the nozzle opening 117 through the pressure chamber 122 is formed for each nozzle opening 117.

  The piezoelectric vibrator 121 is a so-called flexural vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator 121. When the piezoelectric vibrator 121 in the flexural vibration mode is used, the piezoelectric vibrator 121 contracts in a direction orthogonal to the electric field by charging and the pressure chamber 122 contracts, and the charged piezoelectric vibrator 121 is discharged. 121 extends in a direction perpendicular to the electric field, and the pressure chamber 122 expands.

  That is, in the recording head 18, the capacity of the corresponding pressure chamber 122 changes as the piezoelectric vibrator 121 is charged / discharged. By utilizing such pressure fluctuations in the pressure chamber 122, ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzle openings 117, or the meniscus (the free surface of the ink exposed at the nozzle openings 117) can be slightly vibrated.

  In this case, the recording head 18 is a multicolor recording head capable of recording three colors. The multicolor recording head includes a plurality of head units, and the type of ink used for each head unit is set.

  The recording head 18 of the present embodiment includes a cyan head unit capable of ejecting cyan ink, a magenta head unit capable of ejecting magenta ink, and a yellow head unit capable of ejecting yellow ink. Each head unit communicates with each ink storage chamber 2a, 2b, 2c of the corresponding ink cartridge 2. Each head unit has the configuration described with reference to FIG. 7, and a nozzle row including a plurality of nozzle openings 117 is formed for each ink color (C, M, Y).

  Returning to FIG. 6, the main control unit 46 controls the carriage motor control unit 45, the printing / flushing control unit 49, and the suction control unit 47 based on recording data from a host (not shown). ing. The main control unit 46 is connected to a clock function unit 46a that recognizes the current time point. The clock function unit 46a may have its own clock function, but normally it acquires clock information from the host.

  Here, when the ink cartridge replacement determination unit 42 determines that the black ink cartridge 1 has been replaced, the main control unit 46 of the present embodiment stores information stored in the semiconductor storage means 27 of the new black ink cartridge 1. That is, information on the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 1 and the characteristics of the black ink stored in the ink cartridge 1 is acquired via the information reading unit 38.

  And the calculating part 46b provided in the main-control part 46 calculates the elapsed time from the acquired manufacture date to the present time.

  The calculation unit 46b calculates the initial suction amount of ink and the expected ink consumption amount based on the length of the elapsed time. This calculation method will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the black ink contained in the ink chamber 1a of the ink cartridge 1 immediately after manufacture has substantially the same ink density both at the top and at the bottom. However, if the state of being stored in a predetermined direction (the direction in which the ink supply port 26 is downward) continues after the manufacture, the ink chamber 1a has an ink chamber 1a as shown by an arrow in FIG. The ink density is high at the bottom and the ink density is low at the top.

  Therefore, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after manufacturing, the ink A at the bottom of the ink chamber 1a has an extremely high ink density, and it is difficult to perform recording with high quality. Therefore, in order to discharge such ink A by the cleaning process, the initial suction amount (initial discharge amount) of ink is set to be larger by the area A according to the length of the elapsed time.

  The main control unit 46 and the suction control unit 47 control the suction pump 23a according to the initial suction amount of ink, and execute an ink filling suction process when the ink cartridge is replaced.

  Conversely, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after manufacturing, the ink B in the upper part of the ink chamber 1a has an extremely low ink density, and it is difficult to perform recording with high quality. Therefore, in order to actively avoid using such ink B, the expected ink consumption is set to be smaller by the area B.

  The main control unit 46 sends the scheduled ink consumption amount to the ink end control unit 51. The ink end control unit 51 will be described later.

  Similarly, when the ink cartridge replacement determination unit 42 determines that the color ink cartridge 2 has been replaced, the main control unit 46 of the present embodiment stores information stored in the semiconductor storage unit 32 of the new color ink cartridge 2. That is, information on the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 2 and the characteristics of each ink stored in the ink cartridge 2 is acquired via the information reading unit 39.

  And the calculating part 46b provided in the main-control part 46 calculates the elapsed time from the acquired manufacture date to the present time.

  Then, the calculation unit 46b calculates an initial suction amount of ink and a planned ink consumption amount for each color based on the length of the elapsed time. This calculation method is substantially the same as the method described above with reference to FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the inks contained in the ink chambers 2a to 2c of the ink cartridge 2 immediately after manufacture have substantially the same ink concentration in the upper part and the bottom part, but have a predetermined orientation after manufacture. When the state of being stored in the direction (the ink supply ports 29 to 31 are in the downward direction) continues, the ink density increases at the bottom of the ink chambers 2a to 2c due to the effect of the sedimentation of the pigment due to gravity, and in the upper portion. Ink density decreases.

  Therefore, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after manufacture, the ink A at the bottom of the ink chambers 2a to 2c has an extremely high ink density, and it is difficult to perform recording with high quality. Therefore, in order to discharge such ink A by the cleaning process, the initial suction amount of each ink is set to be larger by the area A according to the length of the elapsed time.

  The main control unit 46 and the suction control unit 47 control the corresponding suction pumps 23b to 23d according to the initial suction amount of each ink so as to execute the filling suction process of each ink when the ink cartridge is replaced. It has become.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after manufacture, the ink B in the upper part of the ink chambers 2a to 2c has an extremely low ink density, and it is difficult to perform recording with high quality. Therefore, in order to actively avoid using such ink B, the ink consumption scheduled amount of each ink is set to be smaller by the region B.

  The main control unit 46 sends the estimated ink consumption amounts to the ink end control unit 51.

  Next, the ink end control unit 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the ink end control unit 51. As shown in FIG. 9, the ink end control unit 51 calculates the black ink consumption amount integration unit 51a for integrating the black ink consumption amount, the black ink consumption scheduled amount storage unit 52a, and the ink consumption amount of each color. Color ink consumption integrating units 51b to 51d that integrate each other, ink consumption scheduled storage units 52b to 52d for each color, black ink remaining amount comparing unit 53, and color ink remaining amount comparing unit 54 ing.

  The ink consumption accumulation units 51a to 51d are sucked for the cleaning process, and the ejection amount accumulation units 61a to 61d that integrate the ink ejection amount ejected for recording and for the flushing process for each color. The suction amount integration units 62a to 62d that integrate the ink suction amount are connected. Then, each of the ink consumption amount integrating units 51a to 51d, for each color, the integrated value of the ink ejection amount accumulated in the ejection amount integrating units 61a to 61d and the ink suction amount accumulated in the suction amount integrating units 62a to 62d. The sum with the integrated value is calculated.

  Each of the ejection amount integrating units 61a to 61d acquires the amount of ink ejection from each nozzle opening of each nozzle row based on the number of nozzle openings that eject ink of the same color simultaneously when ejecting ink from the nozzle opening. It is connected to the liquid ejection amount acquisition units 63a to 63d.

  The present inventor has found that there is a relationship as shown in FIG. 10 between the number of nozzle openings simultaneously ejecting ink and the amount of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle opening at that time.

  When ink droplets are ejected simultaneously from a plurality of nozzle openings in the nozzle row, such a relationship is physically determined according to various conditions such as the material and dimensions of each member such as the number, arrangement, and size of the nozzle openings. This is considered to be caused by the occurrence of interference of various vibrations. Such a relationship is also considered to be caused by the fact that the drive signals for controlling the piezoelectric vibrators influence each other to cause electrical distortion in the signal waveform.

  Based on this knowledge, each of the liquid ejection amount acquisition units 63a to 63d, for example, is based on the relationship shown in FIG. 10 and the design value of the ink ejection amount (corresponding to the design waveform of the drive signal), Each ink ejection amount from each nozzle opening in the row is acquired. That is, when the number of nozzle openings that eject ink of the same color as the ink at the same time as the ink is ejected from the nozzle openings is smaller than the predetermined number of nozzle openings, Compared to the case where the number of nozzle openings that eject ink of the same color as the ink at the same time as the ink is ejected from the nozzle openings is larger than the number of the predetermined nozzle openings, the ink ejection amount is equal to the predetermined number of nozzle openings. The amount is acquired as a larger amount than the amount. The “predetermined number of nozzle openings” here is not limited to the total number of nozzle openings, for example, in addition to the total number of nozzle openings of the same color nozzle row, and the number of arbitrary nozzle openings is determined in advance. It may be set.

  Further, in the above description, it has been explained that the ink ejection amount is gradually increased as the number of nozzles ejected decreases, but if the number of nozzle openings ejecting ink becomes a predetermined number or less, A larger amount of ink ejected may be made constant. For example, in FIG. 10, if the number of nozzles used (injected) is 60 or less, 45 and 36 can be fixed at 113%. That is, the usage number of nozzle openings to be used is calculated from the total number of nozzles in a row of nozzle openings that eject ink of the same color as the usage rate, and the ink ejection amount is acquired as a larger amount for each specific usage rate. You may set it.

  The relationship between the number of nozzle openings used simultaneously and the amount of each ink droplet as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained by actually conducting a measurement experiment in advance. The relationship is preferably obtained for each color, but a common relationship for all colors may be used approximately. Specifically, the relationship is used in the form of a correspondence table or a function.

  Also, instead of the number of nozzle openings used at the same time, when ejecting ink from the nozzle openings, the number of nozzle openings that can eject ink of the same color as the ink at the same time, and when ejecting the ink from the nozzle openings The ratio of the number of nozzle openings that eject ink of the same color as the ink at the same time may be used.

  On the other hand, the values sent from the main control unit 46 are stored in the respective ink consumption scheduled amount storage units 52a to 52d as described above.

  In addition, the black ink remaining amount comparing unit 53 compares the black ink consumption calculated by the black ink consumption integrating unit 51a with the planned black ink consumption stored in the planned ink consumption storage unit 52a. When the former exceeds the latter, the ink end of black ink is discriminated, and the signal is sent to the black ink ink end display 9.

  The color ink remaining amount comparison unit 54 also calculates the consumption amount of each color ink calculated by the color ink consumption amount integration units 51b to 51d and the estimated consumption amount of each ink stored in the estimated ink consumption amount storage units 52b to 52d. Are compared with each other, and when there is ink (color) in which the former exceeds the latter, the ink end of the ink is discriminated and the signal is sent to the color ink ink end display 10.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  When the black ink cartridge 1 is replaced, the ink cartridge replacement determination unit 42 determines that the black ink cartridge 1 has been replaced by a signal from the push switch 43.

  The main control unit 46 then stores information stored in the semiconductor storage means 27 of the new black ink cartridge 1, that is, the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 1 and the characteristics of the black ink stored in the ink cartridge 1. The information regarding is acquired via the information reading unit 38.

  Next, the calculating part 46b provided in the main control part 46 calculates the elapsed time from the acquired manufacturing date to the present time. Further, the calculation unit 46b calculates an initial suction amount of black ink and a planned ink consumption amount based on the length of the elapsed time.

  When a predetermined time or more has elapsed after manufacturing, the ink A (see FIG. 8) at the bottom of the ink chamber 1a has an extremely high ink concentration, and it is difficult to perform recording with high quality. In order to discharge A by the cleaning process, the initial suction amount of ink is set to be larger by the area A according to the length of the elapsed time.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after manufacture, the ink B (see FIG. 8) in the upper part of the ink chamber 1a has an extremely low ink density, and it is difficult to perform recording with high quality. In order to actively avoid using such ink B, the expected ink consumption is set to be smaller by the area B. The main control unit 46 sends the planned ink consumption amount to the ink end control unit 51 and stores it in the planned ink consumption storage unit 52a.

  The main control unit 46 and the suction control unit 47 control the suction pump 23a according to the obtained initial suction amount of ink, and execute the black ink filling suction process when the ink cartridge is replaced.

  In the subsequent use process of the recording apparatus, the ejection amount integrating unit 61a simultaneously determines the ejection amount of each ink droplet from each nozzle opening of the black ink nozzle row when the black ink is ejected from the nozzle opening. Is obtained on the basis of the number of nozzle openings for jetting (see FIG. 10).

  Then, the ejection amount integration unit 61a integrates the ejection amount of the black ink ejected for recording and for the flushing process.

  On the other hand, the suction amount integration unit 62a integrates the suction amount of the black ink sucked for the cleaning process.

  Then, the ink consumption integration unit 51a calculates the sum of the integrated value of the ink ejection amount integrated by the ejection amount integration unit 61a and the integrated value of the ink suction amount integrated by the suction amount integration unit 62a.

  Then, the black ink remaining amount comparison unit 53 compares the black ink consumption calculated by the black ink consumption integration unit 51a with the black ink consumption planned amount stored in the ink consumption planned amount storage unit 52a. When the former exceeds the latter, the ink end of black ink is discriminated and the signal is sent to the black ink ink end display 9.

  Similarly, when the color ink cartridge 2 is replaced, the ink cartridge replacement determination unit 42 determines that the color ink cartridge 2 has been replaced by a signal from the pressing switch 44.

  The main control unit 46 then stores information stored in the semiconductor storage means 32 of the new color ink cartridge 2, that is, the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 2 and the color ink stored in the ink cartridge 2. Information about the characteristics is acquired via the information reading unit 39.

  Next, the calculating part 46b provided in the main control part 46 calculates the elapsed time from the acquired manufacturing date to the present time. Further, the calculation unit 46b calculates the initial suction amount and the expected ink consumption amount of each color ink based on the length of the elapsed time.

  When a predetermined time or more has elapsed after manufacturing, the ink A (see FIG. 8) at the bottom of each of the ink chambers 2a to 2c has an extremely high ink density, and it is difficult to perform recording with high quality. In order to discharge such ink A by the cleaning process, the initial suction amount of each ink is set to be larger by the area A according to the length of the elapsed time.

  Conversely, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after manufacturing, the ink B (see FIG. 8) in the upper part of each of the ink chambers 2a to 2c has an extremely low ink density, and it is difficult to perform recording with high quality. For this reason, the planned consumption amount of each ink is set to be smaller by the area B in order to actively avoid using such ink B. The main control unit 46 sends the respective ink consumption scheduled amounts to the ink end control unit 51, and stores them in the ink consumption scheduled amount storage units 52b to 52d, respectively.

  The main control unit 46 and the suction control unit 47 control the suction pumps 23b to 23d according to the obtained initial suction amount of each ink, and execute the filling suction process of each color ink when the ink cartridge is replaced.

  In the subsequent process of using the recording apparatus, the ejection amount integrating units 61b to 61d eject the ink droplets from the nozzle openings of the nozzle rows and eject the ink droplets from the nozzle openings for each color. On the basis of the relationship shown in FIG. 10 based on the number of nozzle openings that eject the same color ink at the same time.

  Then, each of the ejection amount integrating units 61b to 61d integrates the ink ejection amount ejected for recording and for the flushing process for each color.

  On the other hand, the suction amount integration units 62b to 62d integrate the ink suction amount sucked for the cleaning process for each color.

  Then, each of the ink consumption amount integration units 51b to 51d has the integrated value of the ink ejection amount accumulated by the ejection amount integration units 61b to 61d and the ink suction amount accumulated by the suction amount accumulation units 62b to 62d for each color. The sum with the integrated value is calculated.

  Then, the color ink remaining amount comparison unit 54 calculates the ink consumption calculated by the color ink consumption integration units 51b to 51d and the ink consumption scheduled amounts stored in the ink consumption scheduled storage units 52b to 52d. Are compared with each other, and when the color of the former exceeds the latter, the ink end of the ink (color) is determined, and the signal is sent to the color ink ink end display 10.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the suction pumps 23a to 23d are controlled based on the information related to the manufacturing time of the ink cartridges 1 and 2, so that when replacing the ink cartridges 1 and 2, A filling suction process (cleaning) can be performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the ink end is determined based on the information regarding the production time of the ink cartridges 1 and 2 and the ink consumption, the ink end at a predetermined level of ink density is appropriately determined. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the calculation unit 46b calculates the elapsed time from the date of manufacture of the ink cartridges 1 and 2 to the current time, and determines the ink end with less ink consumption according to the length of the elapsed time. Therefore, when the density of the remaining ink is low beyond a predetermined level due to the long elapsed time from the time of manufacture, it is possible to determine the ink end before consumption of the ink.

  Further, for the color ink cartridge 2, for each of the ink accommodated in each of the ink chambers 2a to 2c, the ink end is discriminated based on the information regarding the production time of the ink cartridge 2 and the consumption amount of each ink. An appropriate ink end can be determined for each ink.

  In this embodiment, since the sum of the ink ejection amount from the nozzle opening and the ink suction amount is calculated as the ink consumption amount, the ink consumption amount can be grasped more accurately.

  In particular, since each ink ejection amount from each nozzle opening is individually acquired based on the number of nozzle openings that eject the same color ink simultaneously when ejecting the ink from the nozzle opening, Each ink ejection amount can be obtained more accurately.

  Each of the liquid ejection amount acquisition units 63a to 63d may further correct each acquired ink amount in consideration of the number of ink droplet ejections per unit time.

  In each of the above embodiments, the initial suction amount and the scheduled consumption amount of each ink are determined based on the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge. More broadly, however, the initial suction amount and the expected consumption amount of each ink may be determined based on other information regarding the ink settling state in the ink chamber.

  Instead of the above-described flexural vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator 121, a so-called longitudinal vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator may be used. The piezoelectric vibrator in the longitudinal vibration mode is a piezoelectric vibrator that expands the pressure chamber by deformation due to charging and contracts the pressure chamber by deformation due to discharge. When the longitudinal vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator is used, the relationship between the rising edge and the falling edge of the drive signal is reversed (positive and negative are reversed) as compared with the case of using the flexural vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator 121. .

  Furthermore, the pressure generating element (an example of the pressure changing unit) that changes the volume of the pressure chamber 122 is not limited to the piezoelectric vibrator. For example, a magnetostrictive element may be used as a pressure generating element, and the pressure chamber 122 may be expanded and contracted by the magnetostrictive element to generate pressure fluctuations. A heating element may be used as the pressure generating element. You may comprise so that a pressure fluctuation may be produced in the pressure chamber 122 with the bubble which expands / contracts with heat. In this case, as a method for adjusting the ink droplet ejection amount, a method of changing the pulse width of the drive signal is more preferable.

  Note that the control device 41 or at least a part of the control device 41 may be configured by a computer system. A program for causing the computer system to realize the control device 41 or a part thereof and a computer-readable recording medium 201 on which the program is recorded are also subject to protection in this case.

  Furthermore, when the control device 41 or a part thereof is realized by a program such as an OS that operates on a computer system, a program including various instructions for controlling the program such as the OS and a recording medium 202 that records the program are also provided. , Is subject to protection in this case.

  Here, the recording media 201 and 202 include not only a floppy disk or the like that can be recognized as a single unit, but also a network that propagates various signals.

  Although the above description has been made with respect to an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention is intended for a wide range of liquid ejecting apparatuses in general. As an example of the liquid, in addition to ink, glue, nail polish, conductive liquid (liquid metal), or the like can be used. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus for manufacturing a color filter in a display body such as a liquid crystal.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. The schematic block diagram which shows the printing mechanism inside the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a black ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a three-color ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a holder in which an ink cartridge is mounted. The schematic block diagram which shows the control system of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a recording head. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a change in ink density in the ink cartridge. The schematic block diagram which shows the ink end control part of FIG. The graph which shows the relationship between the number of nozzle openings used simultaneously, and the discharge weight of an ink drop.

Explanation of symbols

1 Black ink cartridge 2 Color ink cartridge 3 Case 4 Operation panel 5 Power switch 6 Ink cartridge replacement command switch 7 Black ink cleaning command switch 8 Color ink cleaning command switch 9 Black ink ink end indicator 10 Color ink ink end indicator 11 Carriage 12 Timing belt 13 Carriage drive motor 14 Guide member 15 Platen 16 Recording medium 17 Black ink recording head 17a Ink communication path 18 Color ink recording head 18a Ink communication path 19 Capping units 20a to 20d Cap 21 Sliders 23a to 23d Suction pump 27, 32 Semiconductor memory means 33, 34 Electrical contact 35 Head holder 38, 39 Information reading unit 40 Flexible cable 41 Control device 42 Ink cart Ridge replacement determination unit 43, 44 Press switch 45 Carriage motor control unit 46 Main control unit 46a Clock function unit 46b Calculation unit 47 Suction control unit 48 Pump drive unit 49 Print / flushing control unit 50 Head drive unit 51 Ink end control unit 51a ~ 51d Ink consumption calculation units 52a to 52d Ink consumption scheduled amount storage unit 53 Black ink remaining amount comparison unit 54 Color ink remaining amount comparison units 61a to 61d Ejection amount integration units 62a to 62d Suction amount integration units 63a to 63d Acquire liquid ejection amount Part 120 ink chamber 121 piezoelectric vibrator 122 pressure generating chamber 123 supply side communication hole 124 ink supply port 125 first nozzle communication hole 126 second nozzle communication hole

Claims (12)

A head member having a plurality of nozzle openings;
A plurality of pressure variation means for ejecting the liquid by varying the pressure of the liquid in each nozzle opening;
Drive signal output means for outputting a drive signal to each pressure fluctuation means based on the injection data;
A liquid ejection amount acquisition unit that acquires each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject liquid when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: The plurality of nozzle openings are arranged to form a plurality of nozzle rows,
Each nozzle row corresponds to each of a plurality of types of liquids,
The liquid ejection amount acquisition unit acquires each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings that eject the same type of liquid as the liquid simultaneously when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ejection amount integrating unit that integrates each liquid ejecting amount acquired by the liquid ejecting amount acquiring unit for each liquid type. The liquid ejection amount acquisition unit calculates the liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening, and simultaneously ejects the same kind of liquid as the liquid when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening. If the number is less than the number, the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject the same type of liquid as the liquid when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle openings is larger than the liquid ejection amount of the predetermined number of nozzle openings. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is acquired as follows. A head member having a plurality of nozzle openings;
A plurality of pressure variation means for ejecting the liquid by varying the pressure of the liquid in each nozzle opening;
A control device for controlling a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
Drive signal output means for outputting a drive signal to each pressure fluctuation means based on the injection data;
A liquid ejection amount acquisition unit that acquires each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject liquid when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening;
A control device comprising: The plurality of nozzle openings are arranged to form a plurality of nozzle rows,
Each nozzle row corresponds to each of a plurality of types of liquids,
The liquid ejection amount acquisition unit acquires each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings that eject the same type of liquid as the liquid simultaneously when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening. The control device according to claim 5, wherein: The control device according to claim 5, further comprising an ejection amount integration unit that integrates each liquid ejection amount acquired by the liquid ejection amount acquisition unit for each liquid type. The liquid ejection amount acquisition unit calculates the liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening, and simultaneously ejects the same kind of liquid as the liquid when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening. If the number is less than the number, the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject the same type of liquid as the liquid when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle openings is larger than the liquid ejection amount of the predetermined number of nozzle openings. The control device according to claim 5, wherein the control device is acquired as:   A program which is executed by a computer system including at least one computer and causes the computer system to realize the control device according to any one of claims 5 to 8. Instructions for controlling a second program running on a computer system including at least one computer,
A program that is executed by the computer system to control the second program to cause the computer system to realize the control device according to any one of claims 5 to 8. A head member having a plurality of nozzle openings;
A plurality of pressure variation means for ejecting the liquid by varying the pressure of the liquid in each nozzle opening;
Drive signal output means for outputting a drive signal to each pressure fluctuation means based on the injection data;
A remaining amount detecting device for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
A liquid ejection amount acquisition unit that acquires each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject liquid when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening;
An injection amount integration unit that integrates each liquid injection amount acquired by the liquid injection amount acquisition unit for each liquid type;
A remaining amount detecting device comprising: A head member having a plurality of nozzle openings;
A plurality of pressure variation means for ejecting the liquid by varying the pressure of the liquid in each nozzle opening;
Drive signal output means for outputting a drive signal to each pressure fluctuation means based on the injection data;
A remaining amount detection method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
A liquid ejection amount acquisition step of acquiring each liquid ejection amount from each nozzle opening based on the number of nozzle openings that simultaneously eject liquid when ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening;
An injection amount integration step of integrating each liquid injection amount acquired by the liquid injection amount acquisition unit for each liquid type;
A remaining amount detection method comprising:

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