JP2962837B2 - Ink jet device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink. Printers, copiers, facsimile machines,
Among word processors, electronic typewriters, and the like, there can be mentioned apparatuses using an ink jet system as a recording system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording apparatus, ink is supplied to an ink jet recording head from, for example, a cartridge type ink tank filled with recording ink, and the ink is discharged as droplets from discharge ports provided in the ink jet recording head. Is recorded.

In such an ink jet recording apparatus, foreign matters such as dust and bubbles may be mixed in an ink supply system from an ink tank to an ink jet recording head. Generally, the inner diameter of the discharge port provided in the ink jet recording head or the ink path communicating with the discharge port is small, about several tens of microns, so that when foreign matter such as dust or air bubbles reaches the ink path, it adheres to the inner wall of the ink path and forms ink. In this case, the flow is hindered to lower the ink ejection efficiency, the ink ejection responsiveness to the recording signal is reduced, and in severe cases, the ejection port is clogged, resulting in an ejection failure including an ink ejection failure. There was something. In addition, even when the ink is not discharged for a long time while the ink jet recording head is filled with the ink, the components constituting the ink may increase in viscosity and stick, thereby causing an ink discharge failure.

In an ink jet recording apparatus,
When foreign matters such as ink droplets, water droplets, and dust adhere to the ejection port surface of the ink jet recording head provided with the ejection ports, the ink ejected by the attached substances is pulled, the ejection direction is deflected, and the image quality is degraded. It could be lower.

In order to solve these disadvantages caused by the use of ink, an ink jet recording apparatus has a unique structure that cannot be found in other recording apparatuses, that is, it cleans the inside of the ink path and cleans the discharge port surface. An ejection failure recovery system including means for achieving a good state is provided.

[0006] There are various methods for recovering the ejection failure by these recovery systems. For example, as a method of cleaning the inside of the ink path, a method of driving an energy generating element to cause a predetermined ink receiver to eject ink not directly related to recording (referred to as “preliminary ejection” or “idle ejection”). ). Further, there is a method in which a predetermined pressure is applied to the ink path to forcibly discharge the ink from the discharge port, for example, by pressurizing the ink supply system or performing suction from the ink discharge port.

[0007] In addition, as a method of cleaning the ejection port surface to prevent deflection of the ink ejection direction, a wiping member that contacts the ejection port surface is provided, and the ink adhering to the vicinity of the ejection port is formed by relatively moving the wiping members. Others wipe off foreign substances such as drops and dust by wiping.

[0008]

However, if the ink jet recording head is continuously driven for a long time, its temperature may rise or the temperature distribution may become uneven. If this problem increases, the size of the ink droplets ejected from the ejection ports may become uneven for each ejection port, resulting in deterioration of recording quality, or in extreme cases, ejection failure including inability to eject ink. Was.

When a recovery operation similar to the normal operation is performed on an ink jet recording head in which a temperature rise or an uneven temperature distribution has occurred, the above-mentioned problem caused by the temperature rise or the uneven temperature distribution is further exacerbated. This can exacerbate the problem. For example, if so-called preliminary ejection by a high-frequency pulse is uniformly performed on an ink jet recording head having a temperature rise or an uneven temperature distribution, the temperature rise and the temperature distribution of the ink jet recording head become more severe. was there.

[0010]

According to an ink jet apparatus of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, recording is performed on a recording medium by using an ink jet head which discharges ink from a discharge port by a thermal energy generator which generates thermal energy. In the inkjet apparatus, a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the inkjet head, a suction unit that discharges ink by suction from a discharge port of the inkjet head, and a temperature detected by the temperature detection detection unit, Comparing a predetermined temperature and a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature, when the detected temperature is higher than the second predetermined temperature, the suction means discharges a predetermined amount of ink. Performing a suction operation, and while performing the suction operation a predetermined number of times, the temperature of the inkjet head is the first predetermined temperature. If no drop Ri, and having a control means for stopping the recording operation.

[0011]

According to the present invention as described above, when the temperature of the ink jet head becomes high, the problem of deterioration of recording quality caused by temperature rise is solved by discharging ink by suction. At the same time, when the temperature of the inkjet head does not drop below the desired temperature even after a predetermined number of suction operations, and is determined to be abnormally high, the recording operation is stopped to be consumed by the recovery operation. The ink amount can be suppressed, and the ink jet head can be reliably and efficiently maintained in a good state.

[0012]

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

FIGS. 1 to 3 are flowcharts showing the main control of the ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The outline of the main control will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the power is turned on, the apparatus performs an initial check of the apparatus in step S1. This check is to check the ROM and RAM of the apparatus, that is, check programs and data to confirm whether the apparatus can operate normally. In step S2, a correction value of the temperature sensor circuit is read. In step S3, an initial jam check is performed. In this embodiment, even when the front door is closed, an initial jam check is performed in step S3. Step S4
Then, in the next step, a check on the device side necessary for reading the information of the recording head is performed. Step S5
Reads data from a ROM incorporated in the recording head. Next, initial data is set in step S6.

In step S7, the initial temperature control at 20 ° C. is started, and in step S8, a recovery operation determination [1] (determination of whether or not to perform a suction recovery operation when the power is turned on) is performed. The above is the description of the sequence flow up to the wait state.

Next, the sequence flow of the standby state will be described. In step S9, the temperature is controlled at 20 ° C., and in step S10, standby idle discharge is performed. In step S11, it is checked whether there is no paper feed. If there is no paper feed, the process proceeds to step S21. It is checked in step S12 whether the cleaning button has been pressed, and if so, the cleaning operation is performed in step S13. If the RHS button has been pressed in step S14, the RHS mode flag is set in step S15. Here, RHS refers to a head shading process for correcting the density unevenness of the recording head. The density unevenness of the printed pattern is read by a reading unit (reader) to correct the density unevenness.

If manual paper is fed in step S16, a manual feed flag is set in step S17, and the flow advances to step S22, which is a copy start sequence. If the OHP button is turned on in step S18, step S1
In step 9, the OHP mode flag is set, and if not turned on, the OHP mode flag is reset in step S20. If the copy button is pressed in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22, which is a copy start sequence. On the other hand, if it has not been pressed, the process returns to step S9. When the cleaning operation is completed in step S13, the process returns to step S9.

Next, the copy sequence will be described. In step S22, the fan for suppressing the temperature rise in the apparatus is rotated, and in step S23, the temperature control at 25 ° C. is started. Step S
At 24, it is checked whether or not the paper is fed.
Performs idle discharge [1] (N = 100) in step S29.
Proceed to. Here, N indicates the number of times of idle discharge. Step S
At 26, a recovery operation determination [2] (determination of whether or not to perform a suction recovery operation before paper feeding) is performed, and paper feeding is performed at the next step S27. In step S28, a paper width and paper type detection operation is performed. In step S29, it is checked whether to move the image. If the image is to be moved, the sub-scanning movement (paper movement) is performed in step S30. If the image is not to be moved, the flow proceeds to step S31. In step S31, it is checked whether the temperature of the write head has reached 25 ° C. or higher. If the temperature is equal to or higher than 25 ° C., a recovery operation determination [3] (a determination as to whether or not to perform the recovery operation based on the amount of ink evaporation in the non-capping state) is made in step S32, and a one-line portion is determined in step S33. Perform the recording operation. Then, in step S34, the recovery operation is determined [6].
(Determining whether to perform a recovery operation based on the wiping timing) is performed, and the sheet is conveyed in step S35.

In step S36, it is checked whether the recording operation has been completed. If completed, data such as the number of prints is written into the ROM of the head, and then the process proceeds to step S37. If not, the process returns to step S31. In step S37, it is checked whether or not to shift to the standby state.

Step S38 and subsequent steps are a routine for performing a discharge operation and a recovery operation determination after printing one sheet [4] (removal of print bubbles, removal of bubbles in the liquid chamber, cooling and recovery at abnormally high temperatures). In step S38, it is checked whether or not there is a sheet discharging operation. If there is no sheet discharging operation, the process waits for the temperature to drop to 45 ° C. or less in steps S39, S40, and S41. If the temperature does not fall within two minutes, the abnormality is stopped in step S42. If the temperature falls below 45 ° C., a wiping operation is performed in step S50, and
The idle ejection operation [2] (N = 50) is performed in 43, and capping is performed in the next step S48. If there is a paper discharging operation, the paper discharging operation is performed in step S44. In step S45, it is checked whether continuous printing is performed. If continuous printing is performed, the process returns to step S24 after the recovery operation determination [4] in step S47. If it is not continuous printing, recovery operation determination [4] in step S46 is performed, and after the determination, capping is performed in step S48 as in the case where there is no paper ejection. Then, in step S49, the fan is stopped, the process returns to step S9, and the copy operation ends.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the initial jam check routine in step S3. This routine is a jam detection immediately after the power is turned on. Step S
In steps S201 to S204, a paper feed sensor, a paper discharge sensor, a paper float detection sensor, and a paper width sensor are used to check whether a recording sheet or the like is in the transport path or near the carriage. If so, it is determined that a jam has occurred and a warning is issued. If not, the process returns to the main flow.
12 is a flowchart illustrating details of a head information reading routine of No. 5; In step S301, the serial number unique to the write head is read, and it is checked whether the value of the serial number is FFFFH (step S30).
2). If the serial number is FFFFH, step S3
At 04, it is determined that there is no head and an error occurs. Serial N
If o is not FFFFH, the color information of the head is read in step S303. In step S305, it is checked from the color information whether the head is mounted at a regular position designated for each color. If the head is mounted correctly, the process proceeds to step S306, and if the head is erroneously mounted, the process proceeds to step S307.

In step S306, the remaining head information (print pulse width, temperature sensor correction value, number of prints, wiping frequency, etc.) is read and stored. Step S308
Then, it is checked whether the attached write head is new by comparing the serial number of the head.
The serial number of the head is always stored in the backup RAM and can be compared with the data read from the head. If both values are different, a new head will be installed,
If the values are equal, it can be determined that the head has not been replaced. In this embodiment, each of the colors Bk, C, M, and Y is performed. If the head is not a new head, the head information reading routine ends. If the head is a new head, the new head information is stored in the memory of the apparatus in step S309, and a flag (or data) indicating that the new head is mounted is set in the memory. Next, in step S310, the HS data (shading information) of the write head is read, and in step S311, the time at which the new head starts to be used is written from the clock in the apparatus to the non-volatile memory in the head, and the head information read routine ends.

Next, the recovery operation (suction, idle discharge, wiping) in the printing process will be described.

(Recovery Operation Judgment [1]) FIG.
8 is a flowchart illustrating details of a recovery operation determination [1] routine of FIG. In step S501, it is checked whether a new recording head is mounted on the recording apparatus. If a new head is mounted, the process proceeds to the recovery operation [6] (new cartridge suction recovery) in step S502. After that, step S514
To the remaining ink amount detection, and ends the recovery operation determination [1].

If a new head has not been mounted, it is checked in step S503 whether the recording head has been capped. If the capping is performed, the process proceeds to step S505. If the capping is not performed, it is determined in step S504 whether the capping is performed for one hour or more. If left for one hour without capping, the nozzles of the head thicken, and a recovery operation is required. If the non-capping state is within one hour, the process proceeds to step S505. Step S5
At 05, the apparatus is operated, and it is checked that three days have passed since the last suction operation, and a recovery operation is required if three days have passed. In step S506, the apparatus is operated, and it is checked whether 10 days have passed since the last idling operation. If 10 days have passed, a recovery operation is required. If any of the above conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to the recovery operation [3] (timer suction recovery) in step S507.

In step S508, when the head temperature is 45 ° C.
If so (abnormally high temperature), the fan is rotated in step S509, and the process proceeds to an abnormally high temperature check in step S510.
After the abnormal high temperature check, the fan is stopped in step S511 and the process proceeds to step S512. If it is equal to or lower than 45 ° C., the process proceeds directly to step S512. Step S512 is a non-discharge detection operation for detecting non-discharge of ink. afterwards,
In step S513, capping is performed. Step S
At 514, the remaining amount of ink is detected, and the routine of the recovery operation determination [1] ends.

(Non-discharge Detection Operation) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the details of the non-discharge detection operation routine in S512. In step S601, the temperature control / PWM control is stopped.
In step S602, a stabilization wait for the head temperature is performed. In step S603, the head temperature before the operation is measured, and short pulse heating is performed in step S604. The short-pulse heating refers to heating with a small driving pulse width that does not cause ejection. This is because idle discharge [5] is performed in step S605.
(N = 2000, PWM control is not performed, and a double pulse with a fixed pulse width is used). In step S606, the head temperature after the operation is measured, and in step S607, the head temperature increase value before and after the operation is determined. If the head temperature rise value exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the recording head is not discharging, and the recovery operation [7] (non-discharge detection suction recovery) in step S608 is performed. Step S6
The process proceeds to 09 and 2,000 empty discharges [4] are issued.

Here, a non-discharge detection method will be described. This method is a method for detecting whether or not the ejection state of the head is normally performed. In the present apparatus, this method is particularly performed when the power is turned on.

First, the principle of the present method will be described. In this recording, ink is ejected by thermal energy. Most of the heat generated at that time goes out of the head together with the ejected ink droplets. As a result, the temperature of the head does not rise so much even though a considerable amount of heat energy is generated during driving. However, when there is a state in which some of the nozzles do not discharge (non-discharge), the generated energy does not go out together with the ink droplets, so that the head temperature increases more than in a normal case. Therefore,
The temperature of the head is detected by a temperature sensor before and after a certain number of ejections, and if the temperature rise exceeds a reference value, it is considered that non-ejection has occurred.

Specifically, first, the temperature control of the head by the sub-heater is stopped, and the head temperature is measured and stored. Next, short pulse heating is performed. This is to reduce the viscosity of the thickened ink in the nozzle portion by applying a drive pulse width as small as not to discharge to the heater in the nozzle. The driving method is a double pulse, and the pre-pulse and the main pulse are continuously driven as fixed pulses of 1 μsec. Next, 2,000 empty discharges of 4 KHz are performed.
The driving method here is a double pulse with a fixed value without performing PWM control. This is to make the thermal energy given to the head at the time of non-ejection detection constant. Finally,
The temperature of the head is measured, the temperature rise is calculated, and if this value is larger than the reference value, it is detected that the head has a discharge failure.

FIG. 8 shows a step S5.
10 is a flowchart showing details of an abnormal high temperature check routine of No. 10; After setting the suction operation counter three times in step S701 and setting the timer for 2 minutes in step S702, it is checked in step S703 whether the temperature of the recording head is 45 ° C. or higher. If the temperature is 45 ° C. or higher, step S7
Go to step S05, if the temperature is lower than 45 ° C.
In step 4, a recovery operation [9] is performed.

In step S705, it is checked whether the temperature of the recording head is 60 ° C. or higher. If the temperature is 60 ° C. or higher, it is checked in step S706 whether the present apparatus has performed suction operations three times or more. If the suction operation is less than three times, in step S707, the present apparatus performs a recovery operation [8] (high-temperature print suction recovery). Do. Thereafter, the suction operation counter is subtracted three times in step S708, and a wait is performed for about 20 seconds in step S709. Waiting until the temperature of the high-temperature head decreases by performing this weighting. In a case where the apparatus has performed the suction operation three times or more in Step S706, and in a case where the temperature does not decrease from 45 degrees for more than 2 minutes (Step S710), the apparatus is abnormally stopped in Step S711.

(Recovery operation determination [2]) FIG.
26 is a flowchart showing details of a recovery operation determination [2] routine of FIG. In step S801, it is checked whether printing has been performed for three days or more after the recovery operation of the apparatus. If printing has been performed for three days or more, a manual feed check in step S802 is performed. If not, a recovery operation [3] is performed in step S806. Thereafter, the remaining amount of ink is detected in step S807, and the recovery operation determination [2] routine is terminated.
If it is a manual feed, the manual feed is canceled in step S804 to perform a recovery operation [3] (step S805), and the process returns to the temperature control of 20 degrees in step S9 of the main routine.

If it is less than 3 days after the suction in step S801, the idle discharge [1] (N = 10) is performed in step S803.
0) to end the recovery operation determination [2] routine.

(Recovery Operation Determination [3]) FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the recovery operation determination [3] routine in step S32. In step S901, it is determined whether the sheet has just been fed or not.
This is performed by changing the number of idle discharges. That is, the number of idle discharges [1] is set to 10 for the cassette and 15 for manual feed (steps S902, S903, and S904). Thereafter, the idling counter and the wiping counter are reset (steps S905 and S906).

If it is not immediately after the sheet is fed, it is checked in step S907 whether the idle ejection counter is N times (N = 2 in this embodiment). If it is N times, 5 empty ejections are made in step S908,
The counter is reset (step S909), and the recovery operation determination [3] routine ends. If the counter is not N, the counter is added in step S910 and the processing ends.

(Recovery Operation Determination [6]) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the recovery operation determination [6] routine in step S34. In step S1001, it is checked whether wiping has been performed M times (M = 10 in this embodiment). If it is M times, the wiping operation is performed in step S1002, and after issuing 100 idle discharges [1], the counter is reset (steps S1003, 1004, 1005), and the recovery operation determination [6] routine ends. If the counter is not M, add the counter and end.

(Recovery Operation Determination [4]) FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the recovery operation determination [4] routine in step S47.

In step S1101, the temperature during printing is 50
Depending on whether the temperature is higher than ° C or exceeds 45 ° C after printing (step S1102), the process proceeds to the abnormally high temperature CHECK in step S1103. In step S1104, it is checked whether the number of sheets is 10 or not. If the number of sheets is 10, recovery operation [4] (suction recovery after printing) is performed (step S110).
5). If it is not 10 sheets, wiping is performed in step S1106, idle discharge [2] (N = 50) is performed (step S1107), and the recovery operation determination [4] ends.

(Timer Suction Recovery) FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the details of the timer suction recovery (recovery operation [3]) routine. The purpose of this recovery mode is that if the suction recovery operation is not performed for a long time, the ink in the liquid chamber of the head thickens, and bubbles are generated and increased in the liquid chamber of the head, so that normal ejection is performed. In some cases, it is impossible to do so, so it is necessary to prevent it. Therefore, the recovery operation is performed by determining that a certain time has elapsed after the last suction, a certain time after the idle discharge, and a certain time has elapsed in the uncapped state.

By suctioning with a pump, bubbles in the liquid chamber are removed, and the thickened ink is eliminated. Further, discharge is performed simultaneously with suction. This facilitates the removal of air bubbles in the liquid chamber because a momentary negative pressure is applied at the time of discharge to a negative pressure generated only by suction. Further, since the electrothermal transducer is driven as a means for generating bubbles at the time of ejection, the ink temperature in each liquid path increases, the viscosity decreases, and the surface tension decreases. The road resistance becomes small, and the removal of air bubbles becomes easier. Specifically, a certain amount of negative pressure is generated in the liquid chamber of the head by a tube pump, and each nozzle is discharged at the maximum driving frequency at the same time when the maximum negative pressure is generated. However, since the ink flow in the liquid chamber is poor at the end of the nozzle row and the ink density is high, the number of ejections is increased compared to the center, so that the density of each nozzle is constant during printing after recovery. To prevent density unevenness due to thickening of the ink. The suction pressure was set to the maximum pressure of the pump. The suction holding time is 2.
In 5 seconds, the suction amount at that time is about 0.17 g. The number of ejections was 1,000 at the center and 3,000 at the ends. After the suction, the orifice surface of the head is wiped with a rubber blade, and then the idle discharge is performed.

(Suction Recovery After Printing) FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the details of the suction recovery after printing (recovery operation [4]) routine. The purpose of the recovery mode is to prevent a normal printing operation from being performed if the printing operation state lasts for a long time, because air bubbles may be generated and increased in the liquid chamber of the head due to the discharging. . Therefore, the recovery operation is performed after printing a certain number of sheets after the last suction.

Air bubbles in the liquid chamber are removed by performing suction with a pump. Further, discharge is performed simultaneously with suction. This facilitates removal of air bubbles in the liquid chamber, because a momentary negative pressure is applied at the time of discharge to a negative pressure generated only by suction. In particular, since the ink temperature in each liquid path is increased and the viscosity is reduced because printing is performed immediately after printing, and the surface tension is also reduced, the flow path resistance in the liquid path is small and the removal of bubbles is easier. It will be.

More specifically, a tube pump generates a certain amount of negative pressure in the liquid chamber of the head, and simultaneously discharges each nozzle at the maximum drive frequency at the same time that the maximum negative pressure is generated. The suction pressure was set lower than the maximum pressure of the pump. This is because the viscosity of the ink is low immediately after printing, so that bubbles can be sufficiently removed without increasing the pressure of the pump, and the amount of ink consumption is not increased more than necessary. The suction holding time is 2.5 seconds, and the suction amount at that time is about 0.12 g. The number of ejections was 100 for each nozzle. After the suction, the orifice surface of the head is wiped with a rubber blade, and then the idle discharge is performed.

(New Cartridge Suction Recovery) FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the new cartridge suction recovery (recovery operation [6]) routine. The purpose of this recovery mode is that when a new cartridge removed from the package is installed in the main body, the ink in the liquid chamber of the head thickens due to various distribution environments, etc., and air bubbles are generated in the liquid chamber of the head and increased. By doing so, it is assumed that normal ejection cannot be performed.
Therefore, the recovery operation is performed when it is recognized that the new cartridge is mounted on the main body.

By suctioning with a pump, bubbles in the liquid chamber are removed, and the thickened ink is eliminated. Further, discharge is performed simultaneously with suction. This facilitates removal of air bubbles in the liquid chamber because a momentary negative pressure is applied at the time of discharge to a negative pressure generated only by suction. Further, since the electrothermal transducer is driven as a means for generating bubbles at the time of ejection, the ink temperature in each liquid path increases to lower the viscosity, and to lower the surface tension, the liquid in the liquid path further increases. The flow path resistance becomes small, and the removal of air bubbles becomes easier. In the worst case, since the viscosity of the nozzle and the liquid chamber becomes significantly thicker than in the normal recovery mode, the discharge performed simultaneously with the suction is set to be larger than in the normal recovery mode.

More specifically, by starting the rotation of the pressure roller from the position (K) with the tube pump shown in FIG. 59 in the head capping state and pressurizing the tube to the position (L), a negative pressure of a certain size is obtained. A pressure is generated in the liquid chamber of the head, and each nozzle is discharged at the maximum driving frequency at the same time when the maximum negative pressure is generated. However, at the end of the nozzle row, the flow of ink in the liquid chamber is poor and the density of ink is high.Therefore, by increasing the number of ejections compared to the center, the density of each nozzle is kept constant during printing after recovery. Density unevenness due to thickening of the ink. The suction pressure was set to the maximum pressure of the pump. The suction holding time is 2.5 seconds, and the suction amount at that time is 0.
It is about 17 g. The number of ejections was 2,000 at the center and 6,000 at the end. After the suction, the orifice surface of the head is wiped with a rubber blade, and then the idle discharge is performed.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the details of the non-discharge detection suction recovery (recovery operation [7]) routine.

(Suction recovery after high-temperature printing) FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the details of the suction recovery after high-temperature printing (recovery operation [8]) routine. The purpose of this recovery mode is to
In a case where a tying print state continues for a long time or the like, normal ejection cannot be performed due to an increase in the temperature of the ink in the head. Therefore, the recovery operation is performed when the temperature in the head reaches a certain value or more.

The high-temperature ink in the liquid chamber is discharged by performing suction with a pump. At this time, in the recovery operation other than this mode, the ejection is performed simultaneously with the suction, but in the present mode, it is not intentionally performed in order to prevent the ink temperature from rising due to the ejection. Since the ink temperature in each liquid path increases, the viscosity decreases, and the surface tension also decreases, the flow path resistance in the liquid path is small, and high-temperature ink can be replaced with low-temperature ink with a small pressure. The suction pressure was set lower than the maximum pressure of the pump. This is because the viscosity of the ink is low immediately after printing, so that the pressure of the pump does not need to be increased sufficiently and the ink consumption does not need to be increased more than necessary.

More specifically, the tube pump shown in FIG. 59 starts rotating the pressure roller from the (K) position in the head capping state, and pressurizes the tube to the (M) position to reduce a slight negative pressure of the head. It is generated in the liquid chamber, the suction holding time is 2.5 seconds, and the suction amount at that time is about 0.12 g. After the suction, the orifice surface of the head is wiped with a rubber blade.

(Recovery after high-temperature printing) FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the recovery after high-temperature printing (recovery operation [9]) routine. This recovery operation is a routine for returning from the abnormally high temperature operation routine. Raising the ink temperature in the nozzles has an adverse effect on the next printing, so the idle discharge after wiping is referred to as idle discharge [2]. Discharge is performed at 500 Hz to suppress the temperature rise more than in normal idle discharge, and the temperature of the head is not increased at all.

(Recovery Switch) FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the recovery switch routine (recovery operation [10]). The purpose of this recovery mode is that the recovery switch is pressed by the user's judgment in the event that the ejection of the head is not performed normally in spite of the fact that the recovery mode in the sequence in this apparatus is being performed. Sometimes, the ejection of the head is restored to a normal state. It is not normally used, but if used, it is more powerful than other recovery modes to ensure recovery.

By suctioning with a pump, bubbles in the liquid chamber are removed, and the thickened ink is eliminated. Further, discharge is performed simultaneously with suction. As a result, an instantaneous negative pressure is applied at the time of discharge with respect to a negative pressure generated only by suction, thereby facilitating the removal of bubbles in the liquid chamber. Furthermore, since the electrothermal transducer is driven as a means for generating bubbles at the time of ejection, the ink temperature of each liquid path increases and the viscosity decreases,
In addition, since the surface tension is reduced, the flow path resistance in the liquid path is further reduced, and the removal of air bubbles is further facilitated. Also, in order to ensure the recovery performance, in this mode, once the switch is pressed, the suction operation is repeated twice.

More specifically, the tube pump shown in FIG. 59 is started to rotate from the (K) position by pressurizing the tube to the (L) position while the head pump is in the head capping state.
Generating a certain amount of negative pressure in the liquid chamber of the head,
Each nozzle is discharged at the maximum driving frequency at the same time when the maximum negative pressure is generated. However, at the end of the nozzle row, the flow of ink in the liquid chamber is poor and the density of ink is high.Therefore, by increasing the number of ejections compared to the center, the density of each nozzle is kept constant during printing after recovery. Thus, uneven density due to thickening of the ink is prevented. The suction pressure was set to the maximum pressure of the pump. The suction holding time is 2.5 seconds, and the suction amount at that time is 0.
It is about 17 g. The number of ejections was 2,000 at the center and 6,000 at the end.

After suction, the orifice surface of the head is wiped with a rubber blade, and the sucked ink is rotated twice from the (L) position of the pressure roller of the tube pump and stopped at the (K) position. Sent to. Thereafter, idle discharge is performed. Thereafter, the above operation is repeated.

FIG. 20 shows idle discharge [1] to idle discharge [5],
It is a flowchart which shows the detail of standby idle discharge.

(Idle discharge [1]) This idle discharge [1] is performed by discharging all nozzles during printing, during standby, and after wiping. The reason why the ejection frequency is set to 1 KHz with respect to the maximum driving frequency of 4 KHz is that the ejection state is stable without the temperature rise of the nozzle portion. (Empty ejection [2]) This empty ejection [2] (pattern empty ejection)
The purpose of the present invention is to remove minute bubbles generated in the nozzle. This is because if bubbles are present in the nozzle, normal foaming cannot be performed, and if small bubbles are left unattended, the bubbles coalesce to form large bubbles,
This is because the inside of the nozzle is blocked, causing non-discharge.

By the way, suction can be considered as a method of removing minute air bubbles in the nozzle. However, there is a problem that the suction consumes a larger amount of ink than the discharge amount and the operation time is long. Thus, the empty discharge method is effective. That is, since bubbles are generated during printing, it is desirable to remove them immediately after printing. However, since the suction operation is relatively long, the recording time becomes longer, and the running cost becomes larger.

Here, the empty discharge method will be described. Normally, if there is an air bubble in the nozzle, the air bubble cannot be easily removed even if the air is ejected from the nozzle. However, if the nozzle adjacent to the nozzle for removing bubbles is intermittently discharged, the bubbles are discharged from the nozzle.

Specifically, first, only the odd nozzles are set to 1
50 shots are ejected at KHz, and then 50 shots are ejected from the even nozzle at 1 KHz. This is defined as one cycle, and two cycles are performed to reliably remove bubbles.

(Non-discharge [3]) This non-discharge [3] is performed simultaneously with suction or by discharging all nozzles when non-discharge is detected. The reason why the maximum drive frequency is set to 4 KHz is that the temperature of the nozzle portion becomes high at the same time as the suction, the viscosity of the thickened ink is reduced, and the suction speed is increased by maximizing the flow velocity in the liquid chamber. In the case of non-ejection detection, this is to increase the detection accuracy.

(Empty ejection [4]) Unless ejection or suction recovery is performed for a relatively long time, ink thickens from the wall side of the liquid chamber of the head toward the inside. Since the nozzle at the end of the head is close to the wall of the liquid chamber, if printing is performed without recovery after being left, the end of the head becomes dark. Therefore, the purpose of this idle ejection [4] is to eliminate the unevenness of the ink density of all the nozzles by ejecting only the end nozzles.

More specifically, since the driving of the head is dividedly driven for a plurality of nozzles for each BLOCK, 1 BLOCK and 16 BLOCK, which are the ends of the head, are set to 4 kHz.
To discharge.

(Idle discharge [5]) This idle discharge [5] is performed by discharging all the nozzles after wiping after the abnormal high temperature suction recovery operation. The discharge frequency after normal wiping is 1 KHz
However, the driving frequency is set to 500 Hz so as not to further increase the temperature of the nozzle portion, and stable ejection is performed.

(Standby idle discharge) This idle discharge is performed during standby, and is performed every hour. The purpose is to prevent the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle and the liquid chamber during standby from increasing, and to enable stable printing without density unevenness immediately after the copy switch is pressed. Specifically, idle discharge [1] (N = 50) is performed.

After each of the above suction operations, the 10-day timer, the 3-day timer, and the copy number counter are reset. After each idle discharge operation, the 10-day timer is reset.

(Wiping Operation) FIG. 57 is a flowchart of a wiping operation routine. In step S5401, the carriage is moved to the start position. Step S54
At 02, raise the wiping blade. Step S540
At 3, the carriage is moved to the wiping position. During this movement, the nozzle portion of the recording head mounted on the carriage is wiped by the wiping blade. After the carriage stops at the wiping position, the wiping blade is lowered in step S5404.

FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram of the wiping operation.
FIG. 58A shows a state in which the carriage raises the wiping blade at the start position. FIG. 58B shows a state where the carriage is moving from the start position to the wiping position. FIG. 58 (C) shows a state in which the carriage remains above the wiping blade at the wiping position. FIG.
FIG. 8 (D) shows a state where the carriage lowers the wiping blade at the wiping position. Here, head RO
How to use M will be described in detail. (Drive setting) The apparatus used in this embodiment uses a replaceable head (cartridge type), and has an advantage that the user can replace the head at any time. For this reason, fine adjustment of the device by a service person or the like cannot be expected. In addition, since the replaceable heads are supplied by mass production, individual heads have different characteristics due to variations in the manufacturing process such as the area of the heater board (HB), the resistance value, and the film structure. have. Therefore, in order to more stably obtain high image quality, it is necessary to correct variations in the above characteristics.

As a method of correcting such a difference in the setting of the driving condition for each head, correction by reading ROM information and density unevenness due to variation in the discharge amount within one head due to the distribution of the discharge hole diameter of the head are corrected. The method (reading of HS data) is performed.

When such correction is not performed for each head, the ejection speed, direction (landing accuracy), ejection amount (density), ejection stability (refill frequency,
(Unevenness) is not optimized. For this reason, not only is a stable image not obtained, but also a significant image disturbance occurs due to non-ejection or distortion during printing.

In particular, a full-color image is formed by four heads of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Therefore, even if one color is printed by a head having a discharge amount and a control characteristic different from a standard state, an image is formed. Cause trouble. Above all, the variation in the discharge amount is caused by a change in color and a decrease in color reproducibility (increase in color difference) due to a collapse of the overall color balance,
Image quality is degraded. Black, red, blue,
In a monochromatic image such as green, a density fluctuation occurs. In addition, the variation in the control characteristics changes the halftone reproducibility. Therefore, in this embodiment, these variations in the ejection characteristics are corrected.

First, the printing method in this embodiment will be described in detail. (Printing Method) In this embodiment, the head driving method and the printing method are characterized. For the head driving, a divided pulse width modulation (PWM) driving method is used. As shown in FIG. 60, Vop is electric energy for providing electric energy necessary for generating heat energy on H.B, and the area, resistance, film structure, It depends on the nozzle structure of the head. P1 is the preheat pulse width,
P2 indicates an interval time, and P3 indicates a main heat pulse width. T1, T2, and T3 are times from the rise of the preheat pulse, and are P1, P2, and P2, respectively.
Indicates the time for determining P3.

The divided pulse width modulation driving method includes P1, P2,
A pulse is given in the order of P3. P1 is a pulse width for mainly controlling the ink temperature in the nozzle by a preheat pulse, and the pulse width of P1 is controlled by temperature detection using a temperature sensor of the head. At this time, pre-foaming phenomenon is prevented from occurring by applying too much heat energy to H and B.

P2 has an interval time so as to provide a predetermined time interval so that the preheat pulse P1 and the main heat pulse P2 do not interfere with each other, and to make the temperature distribution of the ink in the nozzles uniform. P3 is a main heat pulse which causes a bubbling phenomenon on H.B to eject ink droplets from the nozzle holes. These pulse widths are determined by the area of H and B, the resistance value, the film structure, the nozzle structure of the head, and the physical properties of the ink.

In this embodiment, a head having a head structure as shown in FIG. 61 is used. Head temperature TH = 2
In an environment of 5.0 (° C.), when Vop = 18.0 (V),
P1 = 1.867 (μsec) and P3 = 4.114 (μsec)
When the pulse of (sec) is given, the optimum driving condition is obtained, and a stable ink ejection state is obtained. The ejection characteristics at this time are as follows:
The ink discharge amount Vd was 30.0 ng / dot, and the discharge speed V was 12.0 m / sec. Incidentally, the maximum driving frequency of the head is fr = 4.0 KHz, and 400 d
With a resolution of pi, 128 nozzles are divided into 16 blocks and driven sequentially from 1 block. The head according to the present embodiment has a ROM in which characteristics of each head are recorded, and by reading this information into a main body, variations in characteristics of individual heads are corrected.

A method for correcting the variation in the ejection characteristics of each head and forming an optimum image will be described below. When the power is turned on to the main unit equipped with the head, the R
Information (ROM information) stored in the OM at the time of manufacturing the head
Into the main unit. At this time, head ID number, color information, TA1 (header driving condition table pointer corresponding to print pulse width), TA3 (PWM table pointer),
It reads information such as the temperature sensor correction value, the number of prints, and the number of times of wiping. The table pointer TA1 read here
Accordingly, the main body determines the value of the main heat pulse width: P3 in the divided pulse width modulation drive control method described later.

FIG. 62 shows the relationship between the table pointer: TA1 and the main heat pulse width: P3 obtained from TA1.

(1) Determination of TA1: When manufacturing the head,
The ejection characteristics of each head were measured in advance under standard driving conditions (head temperature: TH = 25.0 (° C.), driving voltage: Vop = 1).
At 8.0 (V), P1 = 1.87 (μsec) and P3 =
4.114 (μsec) pulse, the optimum driving conditions for each head are determined and stored as information in the ROM of the head.

(2) Driving condition setting: On the main body side, each pulse width at the time of divided pulse width driving Preheat pulse width: P 1,
Interval time width: P2, main heat pulse width:
In order to set P3, the times from the rise of the preheat pulse are set as T1, T2, and T3 as shown in FIG. 60, and the value of T3 (T3 = 8.602 .mu.sec) is fixed from the beginning on the main body. Pulse width condition T2 given by the pointer read from the head: TA1 (for example, TA1 =
4.488 μsec), the value of P3 (P3 = T3−T2 =
4.114 μsec).

As described above, the head driving condition setting table pointer TA1 stored in the ROM of the head is read as information, and the setting conditions (driving conditions) on the main body side are changed, so that the ejection characteristics of each head are varied. Can be corrected, and color image quality can be easily stabilized even when a replaceable head is used.

(Correction Method by PWM) Here, in order to more effectively use the PWM control method which is a method for correcting the variation in the discharge amount of each head used in the present embodiment and performing the optimum image formation. The method will be described.

The control conditions of the PWM are as follows. When the power is turned on, the main body on which the head is mounted
The information is read together with the ID number, color, driving condition, and HS data. In this embodiment, a table pointer: TA3 is read as a PWM control condition. As described below,
The number TA3 is assigned a number corresponding to the head discharge amount (VDM), and the main body determines the upper limit value of the PWM preheat pulse width: P1 according to the read TA3.

Next, the correction method using PWM will be described in order.

(1) Determination of the table pointer TA3: The discharge amount of each head is measured in advance during the manufacturing process of the head in the standard driving condition (head temperature: TH = 25.0 (° C.). Voltage: P1 = 1 when Vop = 18.0 (V)
At 87 (μsec), a pulse of P3 = 4.114 (μsec) is applied. next,
The difference from the standard discharge amount: VD0 = 30.0 (ng / dot) is obtained as ΔV = VD0−VDM.

As shown in FIG. 63, the relationship between the value of ΔV and the table pointer: TA3 was determined from this ΔV. In this manner, the ranks are classified according to the amount of the discharge amount, and TA3 for each head is stored as information in each ROM.

When a table is created from .DELTA.V, it is necessary to make the same as .DELTA.VP for one table change of the preheat pulse width P1 which can be controlled by the divided pulse width modulation driving method described later. is there. That is, as described later, the ejection amount of the head is corrected by the preheat pulse width P1.

(2) Reading of the table pointer: A head having information stored in the ROM of the head is mounted on the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus as shown in (1) above, and is read when the power is turned on. The information stored in the head ROM is transferred to the SRA of the main unit in accordance with the sequence shown in FIG.
Store it in M.

(3) Determination of table for PWM control: In a head having a large discharge amount, the value of the preheat pulse width P1 at 25.0 DEG C. is set to the standard driving condition (P1 = 1.86).
7 .mu.sec) to reduce the ejection amount and approach the standard ejection amount VD0. 2. For a head having a small ejection amount, the value of the preheat pulse width P1 at 25.0 DEG C. is adjusted to the standard driving condition (P1 = 1.8).
67 [mu] sec) to increase the ejection amount to approach the standard ejection amount VD0. 3. In the above operation, as shown in FIG. 63, the relationship between the table pointer TA3 and the preheat pulse width P1 is determined according to the ejection amount of each head, and the relationship always becomes the standard ejection amount VD0. It has been set. 4. By such a method, the standard discharge amount VD0 (30.
0 ng / dot), it became possible to correct the discharge amount variation of ± 1.2 (ng / dot). As described above, by reading the PWM control table pointer TA3 as the ROM information of the head and changing the setting conditions (driving conditions) on the main body side, it becomes possible to absorb the variation in the discharge amount of each head, and replace the head. The color image quality can be easily stabilized even with a main unit using a possible head. Further, since the yield of the head can be improved, the cost of the cartridge head can be reduced.

Next, the discharge amount control method using the preheat pulse: P1 will be described in detail. Head temperature (TH
) Under certain conditions, preheat pulse width: P1 and discharge amount:
FIG. 64 shows the relationship with Vd. As shown in the figure, as the preheat pulse width P1 increases, it increases linearly up to P1LMT, after which the foaming of the main heat pulse P3 is disturbed by the prefoaming phenomenon, and the ejection amount becomes smaller than P1MAX. It shows a tendency to decrease.

Under a constant condition of the preheat pulse width: P1, the relationship between the head temperature TH (environmental temperature) and the discharge amount: VD increases linearly with the increase of the head temperature TH as shown in FIG. Show a tendency to. The coefficients of the regions exhibiting each linearity are the preheat pulse dependence coefficient of the ejection amount: KP = △ VDP / △ P1 (ng / μs · dot) The head temperature dependence coefficient of the ejection amount: KTH = △ VDT / △ TH ( ng / ° C. · dot).

In the head structure shown in FIG. 61, KP =
3.21 (ng / μsec · dot), KTH = 0.3 (n
g / μsec · dot). If these two relationships are effectively used as described below, the ink discharge amount of the head is always constant even if the head temperature changes due to various factors such as a change in environmental temperature or a change due to self-heating caused by printing. And a discharge amount control method that can maintain the discharge amount. FIG. 66 shows a state of the discharge amount control with respect to the head temperature in the relationship between the head temperature and the discharge amount. In FIG. 66, T
0 indicates a standard temperature, TL indicates a limit temperature of discharge amount control, and TC indicates a foaming limit temperature.

The discharge amount control is performed under the following three conditions. (1) TH.ltoreq.T0 The ejection amount compensation at low temperature is performed by controlling the temperature of the head. (2) T0 <TH≤TL Performed by controlling the discharge amount by the divided pulse width modulation method (PWM). (3) TL <TH (<TC) P1 = constant and non-controlled.

The state (1) is for securing a discharge amount mainly in a low temperature environment in the temperature control region of FIG. When the head temperature TH is 25.0 ° C. or less, the head temperature TH is kept constant at the controlled temperature T0 = 25.0 (° C.), so that T
The discharge amount VD0 when H = T0 = 30.0 (ng / dot)
Have gained. The reason for setting T0 to 25.0 ° C. is to minimize adverse effects due to ink viscosity increase due to temperature control, ink fixation, and temperature control ripple. The pulse width of P1 at this time is P1 = 1.867 .mu.sec.

The state (2) is a PWM area shown in FIG. 66, and the head temperature TH is set between 26.0 ° C. and 44.0 ° C. The sensor detects the temperature rise of the self-heating and the change of the environmental temperature by printing. Preheat pulse width P1
Is to change the value of P1 for each suitable range of the head temperature TH as shown in FIG.
Just follow Kens.

FIG. 67 (A) shows a case where the reference value of P1 is P1 = 0A, and the preheat pulse width P1 is changed by one step (1H) every 2.0 ° C. FIGS. 3B and 3C show that the reference value of P1 is P1 =
The case where 0B or P1 = 09 is shown.

In the case of following the sequence shown in FIG. 21, the operation is performed as follows. In this sequence, in order to prevent erroneous detection of the head temperature and perform more accurate temperature detection, the temperature (Tn-3, Tn-2, Tn-1) in the past three times and the newly detected temperature T
The average head temperature Tm with respect to n is determined as Tm = (Tn-3 + Tn-2 + Tn-1 + Tn) / 4, and the average value of the left and right sensors is determined.

In the next step, the value Tm is compared with the previously obtained head temperature Tm-1 by the following equation, and correction is performed as follows.

(1) In the case of | Tm−Tm−1 | ≦ ΔT (ΔT = 1 ° C. in this embodiment) The temperature change is within ± 1 ° C. and is shown in one table of FIG. The pulse width of P1 is not changed because the temperature range is within the range. (2) In the case of Tm-Tm-1> ΔT Since the temperature change is shifted to the high temperature side, the preheat pulse width P1 is reduced by 1H to narrow the pulse width. (3) In the case of Tm-Tm-1 <-ΔT Since the temperature change is shifted to the lower temperature side, the preheat pulse width P1 is increased by 1H to increase the pulse width.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of the above-described sequence. This flowchart is a part of the timer interrupt and enters this routine once every 20 ms. In step S401, the temperature of the head is read from the two left and right temperature sensors on the four-color head, and the average of the temperature data from the past three times is read by each sensor in step S401.
The calculation is performed at 402. Next, the average of left and right temperature data is obtained for each head. Then, at step S403, Tm and T
According to the relationship between m-1 and ΔT, in the above condition (3), P1 is increased by 1H in step S404, in the case of condition (1), P1 is kept in step S405, and in the case of condition (2), P1 is increased in step S406. By 1H.

In the case of using the table as shown in FIG. 67 and the case of using the sequence as shown in FIG. 21, even if the amount of change of P1 is increased by one correction, the density unevenness is reduced. Therefore, even if the temperature change is larger than the correction range of one pointer, the change amount of P1 is changed by one pointer (1H in this embodiment) at one time.
) Is controlled.

When the sequence is used, the time (feedback time) required to change one pointer during printing is TF = 20 msec. Therefore, it is possible to change the pointer about 40 times in one line (about 800 msec). Therefore, at most △ Tup =
It is possible to cope with a temperature rise of 19.0 ° C., and the occurrence of shading change is reduced in a wide temperature range. The four-time averaging is used for temperature detection to prevent erroneous detection due to sensor noise, etc., perform smooth feedback, minimize density fluctuations by control and minimize density fluctuations by serial printing. This is to make the (connection streaks) blind.

By using this discharge amount control method, control can be performed within a range of ± 0.6 (ng / dot) with respect to the target discharge amount VD0 = 30.0 (ng / dot) in the above temperature range. Become. By suppressing the discharge amount fluctuation within such a range, the density fluctuation occurring during printing of one sheet is about ±
This is suppressed to about 0.2, so that the occurrence of remarkable density unevenness and connecting streaks in the serial printing method does not cause a problem.

Note that if the average number of temperature detections is increased, noise and the like become stronger, resulting in a smoother change. However, in real-time control, detection accuracy is impaired and accurate control cannot be performed. In addition, when the average number of temperature detections is reduced, the temperature is weakened to noise and the like, and a rapid change occurs. However, in real-time control, the detection accuracy is increased and accurate control is possible.

The state (3) is a non-control region, and assumes a case where the head temperature TH is 44.0 ° C. or higher. In the printing state, for example, when printing is continuously performed at 100% duty (printing at the highest ejection frequency), the head temperature may instantaneously reach this region. And the head drive conditions are set. In the event that this state occurs continuously, it is determined that a high temperature abnormal state has occurred and a recovery operation is performed to cope with the situation. Also, the pulse width of P1 is P1
= 0.187 μsec, the heating by the preheat pulse is suppressed, and the self-heating by printing is reduced as much as possible.

(Temperature Control) Next, the temperature control sequence will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, control is performed on the main body side using left and right sub-heaters located on the head side and left and right temperature sensors located near the ejection heater.
FIG. 72 shows a head temperature sensor 8e, a sub heater 8d, and a discharge (main) heater 8 used in this embodiment.
The positional relationship of c is shown. Temperature detection uses an average value of four times in the same manner as in the discharge amount control method. At this time, the head temperature TH is an average value of the temperature TR detected from the right sensor and the temperature TL detected from the left sensor (TH =
(TR + TL) / 2) is used. According to the detected temperature, a current is supplied to the sub-heater on the head side to perform temperature control. The temperature control method is basically ON / OFF.
It is a method. That is, the maximum power (1.2 W each on the left and right) is applied until the target temperature T0 = 25.0 ° C. is reached, the current is cut off when the target temperature is reached, and the current is passed when the temperature drops. The ON / OFF timing is performed every 40 msec. Increasing this timing increases the width of the ripple and extends the cycle. Further, when this timing is shortened, the width of the ripple is reduced and the cycle is shortened. With this method, the temperature control ripple width at the target temperature is
Although the temperature is about 2 ° C., temperature detection by averaging four times is used, so there is almost no influence on the discharge amount control by the temperature control ripple. If necessary, an expensive control method such as PID control may be used. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of an initial temperature control routine at 20 degrees. After setting the timer counter for 30 seconds in step S2001, if the temperature is higher than 20 ° C., the routine ends (step S2002). If the temperature is lower than 20 ° C., the heater of the head is turned on in step S2003. In step S2004, it is checked whether the timer has expired for 30 seconds. If 30 seconds have elapsed, the operation is abnormally stopped in step S2005. If not, the process returns to step S2002. FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a 20-degree temperature control and a 25-degree temperature control routine. In step S2101, the head temperature is set to 20.
Check if it is higher or lower than ° C. If the temperature is higher than 20 ° C., the heater of the head is turned off in step S2102,
If the temperature is lower than 20 ° C., the heater of the head is turned on in step S2103, and the 20 ° C. temperature control routine ends. Steps S2104 to S2104 in the 25 ° C. temperature control routine
Step S2106 is also the same as steps S2101 to S2103 in the 20 ° C. temperature control routine, and a description thereof will be omitted. (HS table) Here, the HS table used in this embodiment is used.
A method for effectively using the control method will be described.
In this embodiment, since a replaceable head (cartridge type) is used, the head can be replaced at any time by the user, so that fine adjustment by a service person or the like cannot be expected. In addition, since the cartridge head is manufactured by mass production, it has characteristics peculiar to each head, and the ejection within one head due to variations in the manufacturing process such as the H / B area, the resistance value, the film structure, and the nozzle formation. Since a characteristic distribution and a distribution of the discharge hole diameter occur, a method for correcting the density unevenness due to the discharge amount variation is required.

A method for correcting the variation in the ejection amount in one head and performing the optimum image formation without unevenness will be described below. When the power is turned on, the R
The table THS is read as HS data together with the ID number, color, and driving conditions as OM information. This table THS
Is copied on the main unit side.

The determination of THS is performed as follows. The HS data is calculated in advance by measuring the diameter distribution of each head under standard driving conditions in the head manufacturing process, and a table of the calculation results is stored as ROM information of the head.

As described above, the HS data table THS
Is read as the ROM information of the heads, so that the unevenness of each head can be corrected on the main body side, thereby making it possible to absorb the density unevenness due to the variation in the discharge amount of each head. Therefore, it is possible to easily stabilize color image quality even in a main body using a replaceable head. (Sheet Feeding Operation) FIG. 24 is a flow chart of the sheet feeding operation routine in step S27.

In step S2201, the carriage is moved to a start position. In step S2202, it is determined whether the manual feed flag is set. If the flag is set, the process proceeds to step S2203. If the flag is not set, the process checks in step S2204 whether the mode is the RHS mode. If the mode is the RHS mode in step S2203, the process proceeds to sheet feeding [1].
If the mode is not the RHS mode, the process proceeds to sheet feeding [2]. Step S
In 2204, if the mode is the RHS mode, the process proceeds to sheet feeding [3]. If the mode is not the RHS mode, the process proceeds to sheet feeding [4].

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the carriage start position moving routine in step S2201 in FIG. In step S2301, it is checked whether the carriage is at the home position. If the carriage is not at the home position, step S2302
To move the carriage to the home position. If the carriage is at the home position, the carriage moves to the start position in step S2303. Next, step S2
In step 304, 100 idle ejections [1] are issued at the start position, and the carriage start position moving routine ends.

(Paper Width and Paper Type Detection Operation) FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing details of the paper width and paper type detection operation routine in step S28. After the detection initial setting, the carriage moves from the start position to the paper width detection position. During this movement, the paper width and paper type are detected. After moving to the paper width detection, the carriage moves to the start position.

(One-Line Printing Operation) FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing details of the one-line printing routine in step S24. First, print control is performed in step S2501. In step S2502, the moving amount of the carriage is set. The carriage is advanced in step S2503, and a timer is set in step S2504. Step S
A paper floating check is performed in 2505, and if paper floating is detected, a jam occurs in step S2506.

In step S2509, it is checked whether the motor has stopped. If the motor is stopped, step S251
If the motor is running, the timer is checked in step S2511. If the time has elapsed, an error occurs in step S2512. If the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S2505.

At step S2513, a timer is set, and at step S2514, the start position movement of the carriage is started. In step S2515, one line is printed and a counter is added. In step S2516, it is checked whether the motor has stopped. If the motor has stopped, the one-line printing routine ends. If the motor is running, the timer is checked in step S2517.
If the time has elapsed, an error occurs in step S2518. If the time has not elapsed, step S2516 occurs.
Return to

FIG. 28 shows the flow of the print control routine in step S2501 in FIG. In step S2601, it is checked whether the mode is the RHS mode. If the mode is the RHS mode, the process proceeds to the print control [1] in step S2602. If the mode is not the RHS mode, the process proceeds to step S2605. Step S2605
To check if it is in OHP mode. If the mode is the OHP mode, the process proceeds to step S2607; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2608.

In step S2607, it is checked whether the mode is the reduction mode. If the mode is the reduction mode, the process proceeds to print control [4] in step S2609; otherwise, the process proceeds to print control [5] in step S2610. In step S2608, it is checked whether the mode is the reduction mode. If the mode is the reduction mode, the process proceeds to print control [6] in step S2611, and if not, the process proceeds to print control [7] in step S2612. FIG. 29 shows the flow of print control [6] in the reduced print mode. As print control, head digit control, ink ejection force control, and head timing control are performed. Here, the head digit control will be described in detail.

The number of nozzles of the recording head is 128. The head digit control controls ON / OFF of the nozzles of the head in units of eight nozzles. These eight nozzle units are digitized. FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram thereof. For example, digit 1 is composed of nozzles 1 to 8, and digit 16 is composed of nozzles 121 to 128. There are 16 digits to be controlled by one head.

FIG. 30 shows the flow of the head digit control [6] routine, and FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram. In this routine, when the carriage performs A4 size recording at the time of reduced printing, 65 lines of one-line printing are performed, and therefore, each digit is controlled 65 times. At the time of odd-numbered one-line printing (steps S2801 and S2802),
In step S2805, ink is ejected from the nozzle 1 to the nozzle 64, and ink is not ejected from the nozzle 65 to the nozzle 128.

When the even-numbered one-line printing is performed (step S2801), the nozzle 6 is printed in step S2803.
No. 5 to the nozzle 128 are ejected, and no ink is ejected from the nozzle 1 to the nozzle 64. In the 65th one-line printing of the final printing, the ink from the nozzles 81 to 128 is ejected in step S2804. FIG. 32 shows the flow of the print control [1] routine in the RHS print mode. As print control, head digit control, ink ejection force control, and head timing control are performed. Here, head digit control and head timing control will be described. The description of the ink ejection force control is omitted.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a head digit control [1] routine in the RHS print mode, and FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram thereof. In this routine, the carriage performs 12-line 1-line printing at the time of RHS printing, and therefore controls each digit. 3N + 1 times (N = 0, 1, 2,
3) In the case of one-line printing (step S3101),
In step S3102, digits 13 to 16 (nozzle 9
7 to the nozzle 128).

In the case of 3N + 2nd one-line printing (step S3103), digit 1 to digit 16 (nozzle 1 to nozzle 128) are set in step S3104.
Up to discharge. For other (3N + 3rd) one-line printing, digit 1 to digit 4 (nozzle 1 to nozzle 39) are ejected in step S3105.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of the head timing control [1] routine in the RHS print mode.

The printing pattern of Bk, C, M, Y is
It is set so that printing is performed in an area as shown in FIG.
Although a specific description of the timing control is omitted, FIG. 36 shows a comparison diagram with the normal print timing. FIG.
(A) shows the print timing in a print mode other than the RHS print mode, and FIG. 36 (B) shows the RHS print timing.

The printing control at the time of OHP printing is performed by the printing control [5].
It is. The flow of this print control [5] routine is shown in FIG.
It is. FIG. 39 shows the head digit control [5] and FIG. 40 shows the head nozzle control [5]. The head digit control [5] and the head nozzle control [5] will be described. In this routine, the carriage scans the same area twice to thin out and prints out the same area for recording on OHP paper. For this reason, since the carriage performs one-line printing 66 times when printing on the A4 size, the digit control is performed 66 times.

In FIGS. 39 and 40, at the time of odd-numbered one-line printing, only the odd-numbered nozzles from nozzle 1 to nozzle 128 (step S3703) are driven (step S3802) to eject ink. In the case of even-numbered one-line printing, only the even-numbered nozzles from nozzle 1 to nozzle 128 (step S3703) are driven (step S3803) to eject ink. In the 65th one-line printing, only the odd nozzles from the nozzle 81 to the nozzle 128 (step S3702) are driven (step S3802) to discharge ink. In the 66th one-line printing, only the even-numbered nozzles from the nozzle 81 to the nozzle 128 (step S3702) are driven (step S3803) to eject ink. FIG. 41, FIG.
FIG.

The printing control at the time of OHP reduced printing is printing control [4]. FIG. 43 shows the flow of this print control [4] routine. FIG. 44 shows the head digit control [4].
FIG. 45 shows the head nozzle control [4], and the head digit control [4] and the head nozzle control [4] will be described. In this routine, the carriage scans the same area four times to record on an OHP sheet and thins out and prints. For this reason, when the A4 size recording is performed, the carriage performs one-line printing 130 times, so that each digit control is performed 130 times.

4N + 1 times (N = 0, 1,...) 1
At the time of line printing, only the odd nozzles from nozzle 1 to nozzle 64 (step S4205) are driven (step S4302) to eject ink. In the 4N + 2nd (N = 0, 1,...) One-line printing, only the even-numbered nozzles from nozzle 1 to nozzle 64 are driven (step S4303) to eject ink. In the case of 4N + 3rd (N = 0, 1,...) One-line printing, nozzles 65 to 128 (step S4202)
Are driven (step S4302) to eject ink. 4N + 4th time (N = 0, 1,...)
In the case of 1-line printing of ()), the nozzle 65 to the nozzle 1
Only the even nozzles up to 28 are driven (step S430).
3) Then, the ink is ejected. 46 and 47 are explanatory diagrams thereof.

In the 129th one-line printing, only the odd nozzles from the nozzle 81 to the nozzle 128 (step S4204) are driven (step S4302) to discharge ink. In the 130th one-line printing, only the even nozzles from the nozzle 81 to the nozzle 128 are driven (step S4303), and the ink is ejected. FIG.
FIG.

(Sheet Conveyance) FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing details of the sheet conveyance routine in step S35.
In step S4601, it is checked whether the mode is the RHS mode. R
If the mode is the HS mode, the sheet conveyance in step S4602 [1]
If not, the process advances to step S4603. In step S4603, it is checked whether the mode is the OHP mode. OH
If the mode is the P mode, the process proceeds to step S4604; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4605. In step S4604, it is determined whether the mode is the reduction mode. If in the reduction mode, step S4606
To the paper transport [4], otherwise step S460
The process proceeds to sheet conveyance [5] of No. 7. Step S4605
To check if it is in reduction mode. If in the reduction mode, step S4
Go to paper transport [6] of 608, otherwise step S
The process proceeds to sheet conveyance [7] of 4609.

The paper transport during RHS printing is paper transport [1].
It is. FIG. 50 shows the flow of the sheet transport [1] routine. At the time of RHS printing, one line printing is performed 12 times, and the paper is fed once each time one line printing is performed. The paper transport during OHP printing is paper transport [5]. Paper transport [5]
FIG. 51 shows the flow of the routine. A4 for OHP printing
When recording on paper of the size, one line printing is performed 66 times, and the paper feed is performed once every time one line printing is performed twice. The sheet is conveyed 33 times in the case of A4 recording. Paper feeding is performed after one-line printing is performed an even number of times.
The flow is step S4804. The paper feed amount corresponds to the print width of 128 nozzles of the recording head. Also, A
In the case of 4, the paper amount after the 64th one-line printing is 8
This corresponds to the print width of 0 nozzles. Step S in the flow
4803. After the odd-numbered one-line printing, the paper is not fed.

The paper transport during OHP reduced printing is paper transport [4]. The flow of the paper transport [4] routine is shown in FIG.
2. When recording on A4 size paper at the time of OHP printing, one line printing is performed 130 times, and paper feeding is performed once every four times of one line printing. Paper transport is A4
In the case of the recording, the paper is fed 32 times. Paper feeding is performed after one-line printing is performed an even number of times. The flow is step S4904. The paper feed amount corresponds to the print width of 128 nozzles of the recording head. In the case of A4, the paper feed amount after the 64th one-line printing is equivalent to the printing width of 80 nozzles. The flow is step S4903. Paper is not fed after the odd-numbered one-line printing.

The paper transport at the time of reduced printing is paper transport [6]. FIG. 53 shows the flow of the sheet transport [6] routine. In the case of recording on A4 size paper at the time of reduction printing, 65 one-line printing is performed, and one paper feed is performed every time one-line printing is performed twice.

In the case of A4 recording, the paper is fed 33 times. Paper feeding is performed after one-line printing is performed an even number of times. The flow is step S5004. The paper feed amount corresponds to the print width of 128 nozzles of the recording head. In the case of A4, the paper feed amount after the 64th one-line printing is equivalent to the print width of 80 nozzles. The flow is step S5003. After the odd-numbered one-line printing, the paper is not fed.

(Sheet Discharge Operation) FIG. 54 is a flowchart of a sheet discharge operation routine. It is determined whether or not the mode is the OHP mode. If the mode is the OHP mode, the process proceeds to [1]. FIG. 55 is a flowchart of the paper discharge [1] routine.

In step S5201, the paper feed roller is rotated to discharge the recording paper. At this time, the rotation amount is set according to the size of the recording paper. The amount to set is
The trailing edge of the paper is a value that passes the jam check position.
If a predetermined paper cannot be fed due to a defective discharge roller or the like, a jam occurs. In step S5202, a first paper ejection jam check is performed. In the present embodiment, detection is performed by a paper feed sensor on the paper transport path. If the paper is not jammed, reset the amount of paper completely discharged to the outside of the apparatus and continue to rotate the roller. The set amount is a value at which the paper is completely discharged.

If the paper cannot be completely discharged due to a defective discharge roller or the like, a jam occurs. Step S5203 is 2
Checking the jam of the second paper ejection. In the present embodiment, detection is performed by a paper discharge sensor on the paper transport path. In steps S5204, S5205, and S5206, the suction pump is moved to a predetermined position, the carriage is moved to a home position, and the suction pump is moved to a start position.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart of the paper discharge [2] routine. In step S5301, the paper feed roller is rotated by step feed to discharge the recording paper. This feed amount is the print width of the recording head, and is 128 nozzles in this embodiment. This paper feed amount is set according to the size of the recording paper. The set amount is a value at which the rear end of the paper passes the jam check position.

When a predetermined paper cannot be fed due to a defective discharge roller or the like, a jam occurs. Step S5302 is 1
Checking the jam of the second paper ejection. In the present embodiment, detection is performed by a paper feed sensor on the paper transport path. If the paper is not jammed, reset the amount of paper completely discharged to the outside of the apparatus and continue to rotate the roller. The set amount is a value at which the paper is completely discharged.

If the paper cannot be completely discharged due to a defective discharge roller or the like, a jam occurs. Step S5303 is 2
Checking the jam of the second paper ejection. In the present embodiment, detection is performed by a paper discharge sensor on the paper transport path. In steps S5304, S5, and S6, the suction pump is moved to a predetermined position, the carriage is moved to a home position, and the suction pump is moved to a start position.

(Control Configuration) Next, a control configuration for executing the above-described recording control flow will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 60 is a CPU, 61 is a CP.
A program ROM for storing a control program to be executed by the U60, and a backup RAM 62 for storing various data. 63 is a main scanning motor for transporting the recording head, and 64 is a sub-scanning motor for transporting the recording paper, which is also used for a suction operation by a pump. 65 is a wiping solenoid, 66 is a paper feed solenoid used for paper feed control, 67 is a cooling fan, and 68 is a paper width detection LED that is turned on during the paper width detection operation. 69 is a paper width sensor, 70 is a paper floating sensor, 71 is a paper feed sensor, 72 is a paper discharge sensor, and 73 is a suction pump position sensor for detecting the position of the suction pump. 74 is a carriage HP sensor that detects the home position of the carriage, 75 is a door open sensor that detects opening and closing of a door, 76 is a manual feed button sensor that detects pressing of a manual feed button, and 77 is an OHP button sensor that detects pressing of an OHP button It is.

Reference numeral 78 denotes a gate array for controlling supply of print data to the four color heads, 79 denotes a head driver for driving the head, 8a denotes an ink cartridge for four colors,
Reference numeral 8b denotes a recording head for four colors, and here, 8a and 8b
As a representative of black (Bk). The ink cartridge 8a has an ink remaining amount sensor 8f for detecting the remaining amount of ink. The head 8b includes a main heater 8c for discharging ink, a sub-heater 8d for controlling the temperature of the head, and a head temperature sensor 8 for detecting the head temperature.
e, a ROM 854 for storing head characteristic information.

FIG. 69A is a diagram showing the appearance of the ink jet cartridge of this embodiment. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing details of the printed board 85 of FIG. 1A. In FIG. 69B, reference numeral 851 denotes a printed circuit board;
Reference numeral 852 denotes an aluminum heat radiating plate, 853 denotes a heater board including a heating element and a diode matrix, 854 denotes an EEPROM (non-volatile memory) storing density unevenness information and the like in advance, and 855 denotes a contact electrode serving as a joint portion with the main body. is there. Here, the line-shaped discharge port group is not shown.

As described above, the ink jet recording head 8
An EEPROM 854 for storing density unevenness information and the like unique to each recording head is mounted on a printed circuit board 851 including a heating element b and a drive control unit b. In this way, when the recording head 8b is mounted on the main unit, the main unit reads information on recording head characteristics such as density unevenness from the recording head 8b, and performs predetermined control for improving recording characteristics based on this information. I do. This makes it possible to ensure high quality image quality.

FIGS. 70A and 70B are diagrams showing the circuit configuration of the main part on the printed board 851 of FIG. here,
The circuit configuration inside the heater board 853 is indicated by a dashed-dotted frame, and the heater board 853 includes an N-series circuit of a heating element 857 and a diode 856 for preventing current from flowing around.
It has a matrix structure of × M (here, 16 × 8). That is, these heating elements 857 are driven in a time-division manner for each block as shown in FIG. 71, and the control of the supply amount of the driving energy is performed by changing the pulse width (T) applied to the segment (seg) side. This is achieved by controlling

FIG. 70 (B) shows the EEPRO of FIG. 69 (B).
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of M854, in which information on density unevenness and the like according to the present embodiment is stored. These pieces of information are output to the main unit by serial communication in response to a request signal (address signal) D1 from the main unit.

[0147] The overall apparatus to which the present invention can be applied will be described.

FIG. 73 is an explanatory perspective view of the structure of this embodiment, and FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view thereof.

First, the overall configuration will be described. This device comprises a reading device R and a recording device P.

The configuration of the reading device R is such that the reading means 1 is provided on the reading carriage 2 and this carriage 2 is configured to be able to reciprocate in the main scanning direction (the direction of arrow a). The carriage 2 is attached to a reading unit 3 so that the unit 3 can reciprocate in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow b).

Therefore, when the original 5 is placed on the original platen glass 4 attached to the upper surface of the apparatus, with the original side down, the original 5 is fixed and set with the cover 6 and the copy switch (not shown) is pressed. Moves in the main scanning direction, reads one line of the original, and transmits the information to a control system (not shown) via the signal cable 7. When reading of one line is completed as described above, the carriage 2 is returned to the home position, and the reading unit 3 is moved by one line in the sub-scanning direction, and reads the next line and below in the same manner as described above. .

The configuration of the recording apparatus P is such that the recording means 8 is mounted on the recording carriage 9, and the recording sheet 11 is conveyed to the position of the recording means 8 by the sheet conveying means 10.

Therefore, when the read signal from the reading device R is transmitted via the signal cable 7, the recording sheet 11
Is conveyed in the direction of arrow c by the conveying means 10, and the sheet 11
Is transported to the recording position, the recording carriage 9
3, the recording means 8 is driven in accordance with the image signal in synchronism with the movement, and the recording sheet 1 is moved.
1 to record an image. When the recording for one line is completed, the recording sheet 11 is conveyed by one line in the direction of arrow c to perform the recording similarly, and the recorded sheet 11 is discharged to the discharge tray 12.

Here, the bottom of a part of the reading unit 3 is formed so as to project lower than the highest part of the recording device P,
One end of the signal cable 7 is connected and fixed to this portion.

Next, the structure of each part of the above embodiment will be described concretely one by one. (Reading Unit) The reading unit 1 optically reads information written on the document 5 and converts the information into an electric signal.
As shown in FIG. 4, light is emitted from the light source 1a to the original surface, and the reflected light reaches a photoelectric conversion element 1c such as a CCD via a lens 1b, and is converted into an electric signal by the element 1c, and is converted into an image signal. It is configured to send it to the recording device P.

The photoelectric conversion element 1c is mounted on a substrate 1d, and one end of a signal cable 7 is connected to the substrate 1d. (Reading Carriage) The reading carriage 2 includes the reading unit 1
Is moved in the main scanning direction, the reading means 1 is attached, and is slidably attached to the main scanning rail 2a. A drive pulley 2b and a driven pulley 2c are attached near both ends of the rail 2a, and a timing belt 2d stretched between the pulleys 2b and 2c is connected to the reading carriage 2. Further, a reading carriage motor 2e is attached to the drive pulley 2b.
Are linked.

Accordingly, when the carriage motor 2e is rotated forward and backward, the carriage 2 is guided by the rail 2a and reciprocates in the main scanning direction. (Reading Unit) The reading unit 3 moves the carriage 2 in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning rail 2a, pulleys 2b and 2c, and the carriage motor 2e are attached to the reading unit 3. One end of the reading unit 3 is slidably mounted on the sub-scanning rail 3a, and the other end is provided with a guide roller 3b.
The roller 3b is configured to be movable along a guide portion 13a formed on the apparatus body frame 13. A drive pulley 3c and a driven pulley (not shown) are attached near both ends of the sub-scanning rail 3a, and a timing belt 3d is stretched between both pulleys. The belt 3d is connected to the reading unit 3, and the driving pulley 3c
Is connected to a unit motor 3e.

Therefore, when the unit motor 3e rotates forward and backward, the reading unit 3 reciprocates along the sub-scanning rail 3a in the sub-scanning direction (the direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction which is the moving direction of the carriage 2). It is. (Recording Means) The recording means records an ink image on the recording sheet 11, and in this embodiment, an ink jet recording method is used.

In the ink jet recording system, a liquid discharge port for discharging and ejecting a recording ink liquid as flying droplets, a liquid flow path communicating with the discharge port, and a part of the liquid flow path are provided. Discharge energy generating means for applying discharge energy for causing the ink liquid in the road to fly. Then, the ejection energy generating means is driven in accordance with the image signal to eject ink droplets and record an image.

Examples of the ejection energy generating means include a method using a pressure energy generating means such as an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, and an electromagnetic energy generating a flying droplet by radiating and absorbing an electromagnetic wave such as a laser into an ink liquid. There is a method using a generating means, a method using a thermal energy generating means such as an electrothermal converter, and the like. Among these, a method using a thermal energy generating means such as an electrothermal converter is preferable because the ejection ports can be arranged at a high density and the recording head can be made compact.

At the lower end of the ink cartridge 8a, a recording head 8b is mounted. Ink cartridge 8
When the recording head 8b is driven while containing the liquid ink in the area a, the electrothermal transducer generates heat in response to the image signal from the reading device R, and the ink flies downward from the discharge port in response to the heat generation.

When the recording carriage 9 is scanned in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow d in FIG. 73) in synchronization with the driving of the recording head 8b, recording of 8.128 mm width is performed on the recording sheet 11 in one scan. It is something to be done. (Recording carriage) The recording carriage 9 is provided with the recording means 8
Is reciprocally moved in the main scanning direction, and is slidably mounted on a main scanning rail 9a as shown in FIG. 73, and the recording means 8 is mounted on the recording carriage 9.

A drive pulley 9b and a driven pulley (not shown) are attached near both ends of the main scanning rail 9a. A timing belt 9c stretched between both pulleys is connected to the recording carriage 9. I have. Further, a recording carriage motor 9d is connected to the driving pulley 9b.

Therefore, when the carriage motor 9d is rotated forward and backward, the recording carriage 9 is guided by the rail 9a and reciprocates in the main scanning direction. An electric signal to the recording head 8b is transmitted via a signal cable 14, and one end of the cable 14 is a part of the recording carriage 9 as shown in FIG. 73 and has substantially the same height as the ink cartridge 8a. The other end is connected and fixed to the recording unit 15 at the other end. (Sheet Conveying Means) The sheet conveying means 10 is the recording sheet 1
1 is to be conveyed. As shown in FIG. 74, the cassette 10a is detachably attached to the lower portion of the apparatus, and a plurality of recording sheets 11 are stacked and stored in the cassette 10a. The recording sheet 11 is separated and fed one by one in the direction of arrow c by the pick-up roller 10b and the separation claw 10a1 provided at the tip of the cassette 10a, and is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the recording head 8b. It is configured to be transported by the transport roller pair 10c, 10d.

In this transport operation, since the recording by the recording means 8 is performed at a width of 8.128 mm, during recording, the recording sheet 8 is intermittently transported at a pitch of 8.128 mm in synchronization with the recording operation, and the printed sheet 11 is discharged to the discharge tray. It is discharged to 12. (Signal Cable) Next, the connection state of the signal cable 7 will be described.
Will be described.

As shown in FIG. 74, the reading device R is disposed above the apparatus main body, and the recording device P is disposed below the reading device R. And the recording device P is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the recording means 8 is disposed on the left side, and on the right side thereof, an electrical unit 16 for supplying a signal or the like to each section is disposed.

The upper end of the electrical unit 16 is configured to be lower than the highest part of the recording apparatus P (the upper end of the ink cartridge 8a and the arm 9e in this embodiment). The reading unit 3 is configured so that a part of the reading unit 3 projects downward from the lowered portion. That is, the bottom of the reading unit 3 is formed such that the low bottom 3g projects downward with respect to the high / low section 3f, the high / low section 3f is located above the recording means 8, and the above-mentioned electric section 16 is located above the electrical unit 16. The ink cartridge 8a in the recording apparatus P is configured so that the low bottom 3g is located.
And is configured to protrude downward from the arm 9e. Even with such a configuration, the reading unit 3 can move in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of the arrow b) without hindrance.

In the above configuration, one end of the signal cable 7 is connected to the substrate 1d of the reading means 1 and the reading carriage 2
, And the other end is connected and fixed to the low bottom portion 3g of the reading unit 3.

In this embodiment, the height H1 from the height 3f of the reading unit 3 to the platen glass 4 shown in FIG. 74 is 55 mm, and the height H2 between the height 3f and the lower bottom 3g is 19 mm, as shown in FIG. You have set. And the reading carriage stroke is about 250m
When the reading carriage 2 is moved to the right end A as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 74, the carriage 2 moves with the loop diameter D1 of the signal cable 7 = 48 mm when the cable 7 having a diameter of 1.5 mm is used. Is set so that the maximum loop diameter D2 at the stroke position B is 65 mm.

As described above, even if the maximum loop diameter D2 is larger than the height H1 from the reading unit height 3f to the platen glass 4, one end of the signal cable 7 is connected to the lower bottom 3g.
, The signal cable 7 does not contact the original platen glass 4. This eliminates the need to unnecessarily increase the height of the reading device R located on the recording device P. The signal cable 7 is connected to the electrical unit 16 via a cable 17.

The recording signal cable 14 forming a loop with the movement of the recording carriage 9 is connected to the recording unit 15.
Since the cable 14 has a sufficient distance between the bottom of the reading unit 3 and the arm 9e,
There is no contact with f. (Recovery Unit) Next, a recovery unit according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 75 is a schematic diagram for explaining the location and schematic structure of the recovery system unit. In this example, the recovery system unit is provided on the home position side corresponding to the HP in FIG.

In the recovery unit, the cap unit 300 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of ink cartridges 8a having the recording head 8b.
As the recording carriage 9 moves, it can slide in the left and right directions in the figure and can move up and down in the vertical direction. When the recording carriage 9 is at the home position, the recording carriage 9 is joined to the recording head 8b and capped. The detailed configuration of the cap unit 300 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 78, 79, and 80.

In the recovery system unit shown in FIG. 75, reference numerals 401 and 402 denote first and second blades as wiping members, respectively, and 403 a blade cleaner made of, for example, an absorber to clean the first blade 401. It is. In this embodiment, the first blade 401 is held by a blade elevating mechanism driven by the movement of the recording carriage 9, whereby the first blade 401 is exposed to the surface of the orifice plate 103 which is exposed among the ejection port forming surfaces of the recording head 8 b. Can be set to a protruding (upward) position for wiping and a retracted (downward) position so as not to interfere therewith. In this example, it is assumed that the recording head 8b is attached such that the portion having the width L2 in FIG. 76 is on the left side in FIG. 78, and the first blade is used when the recording carriage 9 moves to the right side from the left side in FIG. The wiping by 401 is performed. As a result, the exposed surface of the orifice plate 103 extends from the narrow portion (width L1) to the wide portion (width L2) defined by the discharge port arrangement position shown in FIG. Only wiping is done. Note that the second blade 402 is fixed at a position where the ejection port forming surface of the recording head 8b that is not wiped by the first blade 401, that is, the surface of the pressing member 109 on both sides of the exposed orifice plate surface in FIG. 76 is wiped. I have.

Further, in the recovery unit, 500
A pump unit communicates with the cap unit 300, and is used to generate a negative pressure for a suction process or the like performed by connecting the cap unit 300 to the recording head 8b.

FIG. 77 is a front view of the head / recovery system. The recording carriage 9 having the recording head 8b is movable in the directions of arrows X and Y for recording while being supported by the main scanning rail 9a. Further, a cap 3 formed of an elastic material on the side of the main body bottom plate 55 and covering the front end of the recording head 8b in order to prevent clogging of the ejection port of the recording head 8b.
02 is disposed.
The cap holder 330 is provided with positioning pins 332 and 33 of the holder on a recovery system base 350 fixed to the bottom plate 55.
4 so as to be slidable. Further, the cap holder 330 is configured to be constantly pressed in the arrow Z direction by the spring 360. Further, HP is a non-printing position, and capping for preventing clogging of the print head 8b and operation for recovering clogged ejection openings, for example, recovery of ink circulation in the head due to suction recovery and pressure recovery. The normal standby position called the home position of the recording carriage 9 to be performed, and SP is a position called the start position at which the recording carriage 9 starts an operation for recording. Home position H in this case
P and the start position SP are based on the positioning portion 52 of the recording carriage 9. (Cap unit) FIG. 78, FIG. 79 and FIG.
Front view showing a detailed configuration example of the recovery system unit,
It is a top view and a side view.

First, the cap unit 300 is provided with a cap 302 which is in close contact with the discharge port of the recording head 8b,
A holder 303 for supporting the ink, an absorber 306 for receiving ink during the idle discharge process and the suction process, and a suction tube 304 for sucking the received ink.
And a connection tube 305 and the like that communicate with the pump unit 500. This cap unit 300
The same number (four in this example) is provided at a position corresponding to each of the ink cartridges 8a, and is supported by the cap holder 330.

332 and 334 are cap holders 33
The pin is protruded from 0, and the fixed recovery base 350
The cam grooves 352 and 35 for guiding the cap holder 330 in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in FIG.
4 respectively. One pin 334 of the cap holder 330 and the rising portion 36 of the recovery system base 350
A spring 360 is stretched between the cap holder 330 and the cap holder 330, thereby applying an urging force to the cap holder 330 so that the cap holder 330 is held at the position shown in the figure, that is, the right end position and the lowered position. The cap holder 330 at this position
The position where the recording head 8b of the ink cartridge 8a mounted on the recording carriage 9 faces the cap unit 300 is the start position (SP) of the recording carriage 9 at the time of one-scan recording processing. Reference numeral 342 denotes an engagement portion which is raised from the cap holder 330 and engages with the recording carriage 9 at a position on the left side of the start position. Recording carriage 9
78 further moves leftward from the start position in FIG. 78, the cap holder 330 is moved by the engaging portion 342 against the urging force of the spring 360. At this time, the cap holder 330 is guided along the cam grooves 352 and 354 via the pins 332 and 334, and is displaced leftward and upward. Therefore, the cap 302 comes into close contact with the periphery of the ejection port of the recording head 8b, and capping is performed. The position of the recording carriage 9 when the capping is performed is defined as a home position.

According to the present invention, when the temperature of the ink exceeds a first predetermined temperature at which it is predicted that an ink discharge failure from the discharge port occurs during the predetermined printing operation, the predetermined printing operation is continued. After that, the transition to a new printing operation is prohibited, and when the ink temperature exceeds a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature during the predetermined printing operation, the predetermined printing operation is continued. The most characteristic feature is that it is determined whether or not the temperature of the ink is abnormally high after completion of the process. In the present invention, the “predetermined recording operation” means, for example, a series of recording operations using a group of recording signals, a recording operation for a predetermined number of rows, a recording operation for a predetermined number of non-recording members, and the like.

According to the present invention, it is possible to surely solve the above-mentioned problems such as a rise in the temperature of the ink-jet head and a deterioration in recording quality due to uneven temperature distribution.
Also, by estimating a rise in ink temperature that occurs during printing,
It is possible to prevent low-quality recording from occurring. Further, when the temperature of the ink rises during printing, by appropriately selecting and executing a recovery operation after printing, it is possible to reliably and efficiently maintain the ink jet print head in a good state.

The control method relating to an increase in the ink temperature according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

As described above, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the temperature of the ink in the liquid path communicating with the ejection port rises due to the generation of ejection energy and the rise in the temperature inside the recording apparatus, so that the ink jet recording apparatus is operated under a predetermined condition. When the ink is ejected, the ejection amount becomes unstable and the quality of the recorded image is degraded, ejection failure such as non-ejection occurs, or as a result of ejection of high-temperature ink, When unnecessary ink droplets adhere to the forming surface, such inconveniences caused by using a liquid ink as a recording agent may occur, such as a case where the ink ejection direction is deviated and image quality deteriorates. is there. (Estimation of Ink Temperature in Liquid Channel) As described above, in the present embodiment, head driving and temperature control are performed using the left and right sub-heaters located on the head side and the left and right sensors located very close to the sub-heaters. ing. Head temperature detection uses an average value of four times. At this time, the head temperature TH uses an average value TH = (TR + TL) / 2 of the temperature TR detected from the right sensor and the temperature TL detected from the left sensor. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ink temperature in the liquid path is estimated based on the head detection temperature. Here, since the temperature of the ink which is a problem in the present invention is sufficiently higher than the temperature at which the sub-heater is driven (heated) by the above-described head temperature control, the head temperature TH is used for estimating the ink temperature related to the ejection failure. Even if it is used as it is, no erroneous estimation due to heat generation of the sub-heater occurs. That is, in this embodiment, the control relating to the ink temperature rise is performed assuming that the estimated ink temperature is the head temperature. (Estimation of Ink Temperature Rise During Recording) In the present embodiment, the prediction of the ink temperature increase during recording is performed by using a fixed value previously measured under the recording condition in which the ink temperature is the highest among the operating conditions of the recording apparatus. It is set as a predicted temperature rise of the ink during printing. This is because, as described above, the head drive pulse width control according to the head temperature is performed in this embodiment, so that the rise in the ink temperature during printing is suppressed to some extent. The first determination temperature at which the predetermined ink ejection is predicted to be impossible can be set relatively high, so that the frequency of prohibiting the printing operation due to the rise in the ink temperature is considered to be relatively low, so that the simplification is made. It is. That is, in the present embodiment, the first temperature is determined from the prediction of the ink temperature rise during printing and the temperature at which the predetermined ink ejection becomes difficult (ejection upper limit temperature). Is set to 45 ° C. as a fixed value. (Restriction to transition to standby state in which recording is possible) In this embodiment, the above-mentioned abnormal high temperature is determined when the power of the main body is turned on.
The transition to the standby state in which recording is possible is restricted. That is, when the temperature is higher than the first determination temperature of 45 ° C., an abnormally high temperature CHECK is performed to select and execute a predetermined recovery operation described later in detail, and when the temperature is lower than 45 ° C., transition to the standby state is possible. I have to.
In the present embodiment, the exhaust heat fan of the printing apparatus main body is driven when an abnormally high temperature CHECK is performed so that the head and the ink are hardly affected by the rise in the internal temperature of the printing apparatus main body. (Judgment of abnormal high temperature during recording)
The determination is performed at a second determination temperature (50 ° C.) higher than the first determination temperature (45 ° C.). The significance of the second determination temperature is to remove undesired bubbles or ink that may have been excessively evaporated due to a rise in the temperature of the ink being recorded in the ink passage and the ink supply unit communicating therewith. It is efficient. Therefore, if the temperature exceeds the second determination temperature even once even during printing, even if the ink temperature after the printing operation is lower than the first determination temperature, the abnormally high temperature CHECK is performed to perform more detailed processing. A predetermined recovery operation described later is selected and executed.

In this sense, in the recovery operation selected and executed when the abnormally high temperature CHECK is performed, in order to efficiently remove the bubbles and the evaporated ink, at least a larger number of operations are performed than when the abnormally high temperature CHECK is not required. Recovery processing including idle discharge is required. Further, in order to make the head and the ink hard to be affected by the rise in the temperature inside the printing apparatus main body, when the abnormally high temperature CHECK is performed, the exhaust heat fan of the printing apparatus main body is continuously driven after the printing operation. Further, the reason why the second determination temperature is set higher than the first determination temperature is considered that the first determination temperature at which new printing can be started is a temperature at which normal ejection during printing can be guaranteed to some extent. This is to ensure that the recording head is in a good state reliably and efficiently for the next new recording operation. Further, in the present embodiment, since the ink temperature is estimated based on the head temperature as described above, the ink temperature is set so as not to be affected by the generation of energy for ejection during printing. . (Standby transition recovery operation) In this embodiment, as described above, when the ink temperature during printing exceeds the second determination temperature even once, the abnormally high temperature CHECK is performed. In the present embodiment, the same abnormal high temperature CHECK is executed even when the power is turned on, the ink temperature is determined, and it is determined whether or not the transition to the standby state in which the recording is possible is performed. The temperature at which the mode can shift to the standby state in this mode is also the first determination temperature (45 ° C.), and the same determination criterion is used from the point that a new recording operation can be started. However, as described above, this mode has exceeded the second determination temperature during printing, in which inadvertent bubbles and excessive ink evaporation may occur in the ink liquid path and the ink supply unit connected to the ink path. It is necessary to efficiently remove bubbles and evaporated ink. Therefore, in the recovery operation performed in preparation for transition to the standby state when the abnormal high-temperature CHECK after recording is performed, at least the abnormal high-temperature CHECK is not required for efficient removal of the bubbles and the evaporated ink. A recovery process including a larger number of idle discharges is required. In the present embodiment, the pattern empty ejection that is effective for removing small bubbles in the liquid path is adopted. When returning to the standby state from the abnormally high temperature CHECK, the pattern empty ejection after wiping is larger than the normal pattern empty ejection after printing = Since it is set to 100, bubbles can be effectively removed. (Waiting at high temperature) The purpose of this mode is to use the abnormally high temperature
If the ink temperature in K is equal to or higher than a first determination temperature at which image quality may be degraded when a new printing operation is performed, the transition to the printing operation is prohibited, and ink consumption is accompanied. This is to wait for a natural drop in ink temperature without performing any special means such as suction or head drive. That is, this mode is executed when the temperature of the ink in the abnormally high temperature CHECK is equal to or higher than the first determination temperature (45 ° C.) and lower than the third determination temperature (60 ° C.). During standby, the temperature of the ink is repeatedly determined, and when the temperature becomes lower than the first determination temperature, the above-described standby shift recovery operation after the abnormally high temperature CHECK is performed.

If the ink temperature does not become lower than the first determination temperature even if a predetermined time (two minutes in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the abnormally high temperature CHECK, an abnormality in the recording apparatus main body or the recording head or the like will occur. And warn.

Further, in the present embodiment, the foreign matter such as the ink adhered to the head ejection port forming surface during printing is not wiped but is on standby, but it is extremely difficult to wipe off the foreign matter after waiting for a predetermined time. May perform wiping prior to waiting. (Suction recovery at high temperature) The purpose of this recovery mode is to discharge the ink whose temperature has risen in the liquid path of the head forcibly from the discharge port and to refresh the liquid when the temperature is particularly high in the abnormally high temperature CHECK. It promotes lowering of ink temperature and head temperature in the road. In this embodiment, suction recovery is performed when the temperature of the ink is equal to or higher than a third determination temperature (60 ° C.) higher than the second determination temperature (50 ° C.).

In the recovery from the suction at the time of high temperature, the high temperature ink in the liquid chamber is discharged by performing the suction by the pump. At this time, in the recovery operation other than the mode, the discharge is performed simultaneously with the suction, but the discharge is performed in the mode. In order to prevent the rise of the ink temperature due to the above, the operation is not performed. In this mode, since the ink temperature in each liquid path increases, the viscosity and surface tension decrease, and the flow path resistance in the liquid path decreases, so that ink can be sufficiently sucked even with a small pressure.

For this reason, the suction pressure in this mode is set to be smaller than the maximum pressure of the pump. This also avoids an unnecessary increase in ink consumption. In the high-temperature suction recovery in this embodiment, the suction holding time is 2.5 seconds, and the suction amount at that time is about 0.12 g. For the purpose of lowering the ink temperature in the liquid path, in order to avoid any increase in the ink temperature due to the discharge energy, a device for wiping a plurality of heads with the same rubber blade as in the present embodiment is used to prevent color mixing after wiping. No wiping is performed because empty discharge is required. However, if the remaining ink on the ejection port forming surface after the suction causes a serious adverse effect, wiping is required even after suction for such a purpose. In this case, idle discharge is performed at a low frequency to prevent color mixing. Thereby, the influence of the discharge energy can be reduced.

In this embodiment, a predetermined time (10
Second) After waiting (waiting) without performing head driving, the ink temperature is re-determined. In this embodiment, as described above, the head temperature is directly used as the ink temperature, so if a large flow of ink occurs, a certain period of time is required until the ink temperature becomes stable. Waiting for the head temperature to drop.

The suction recovery at this high temperature is based on the abnormally high temperature CHEC.
K is repeated while the temperature exceeds the third determination temperature in K. However, if the temperature of the ink does not drop below the third determination temperature (60 ° C.) even with a maximum of three suctions,
A warning is issued when it is determined that the recording apparatus main body or the head is abnormal.

If the temperature of the ink becomes lower than the third determination temperature in the re-determination of the ink temperature after the execution of this mode, the above-described standby at the time of high temperature or transition to the standby state in which recording is possible is performed according to the temperature. To perform a recovery operation. (Another Embodiment Regarding Estimation of Ink Temperature in Liquid Path) In contrast to the above-described embodiment in which the temperature of ink in the liquid path was estimated using a temperature sensor near the liquid path connected to the discharge port, The temperature of the ink in the liquid path is estimated using a temperature sensor provided at a remote location.

For example, when using a temperature sensor disposed in close proximity to an aluminum base plate having high thermal conductivity that supports an electrothermal transducer for discharge, if a certain period of time has elapsed since the generation of discharge energy, the liquid in the liquid path Can be used as the temperature of the ink. Therefore, the temperature estimation of the ink before and after recording can be used as it is for the determination of the temperature abnormality without changing the value. However, it is difficult to use the actual ink temperature during recording as it is. Therefore, in this embodiment, an increase in the recording head and an increase in the ink temperature in the liquid path due to the ejection energy generated in the recording head is estimated based on the count value of the recording data. That is, it is sufficient to determine whether or not the value obtained by adding the ink temperature at the start of printing (= the value of the temperature sensor) to the increase in the ink temperature estimated from the print data exceeds the second determination temperature. . (Another Example of Prediction of Ink Temperature Rise During Recording)
In this embodiment, an increase in the ink temperature during printing is predicted by counting print data to be newly printed. Therefore, the first determination temperature for determining whether or not new printing is possible can be set in accordance with print data to be printed. However, it is possible to relatively reduce the frequency at which recording is restricted due to an increase in ink temperature. In the case of a page printer, counting before recording of print data can be performed on or at the time of transfer of the transferred print data, and in the case of a copying machine, if the density of the entire document is determined prior to the recording operation, etc. good.

Further, in this embodiment, since the maximum temperature of the ink temperature can be predicted before the above, it is possible to make a comparison with the above-mentioned second determination temperature in advance. It is also possible to make preparations for shifting to the recovery operation. (Another Embodiment Concerning Combined Use of Cooling Head and Ink Cooling Means) In the above embodiment, no cooling means that directly acts on the head and ink is used, but the printing apparatus can be complicated and large. If such a cooling means is used together, it is possible to shorten the above-mentioned standby at high temperature and to suppress a rise in the ink temperature itself to some extent. As the cooling means, a known means such as a radiator plate of a recording head, a heat pipe, a cooling fan, or the like may be used. By using the above-described cooling means in addition to the control method of the present invention described in detail in the first embodiment, it is possible to more reliably and efficiently prevent a decrease in image quality due to the ink temperature.

The present invention particularly provides an excellent effect in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which ink is ejected by utilizing thermal energy among ink jet recording methods.

The typical structure 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 can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, to the electrothermal transducer disposed corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which is held, This is effective because thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat-acting surface of the recording head. As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal. 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. Examples of the drive signal in the form of a pulse include those described in U.S. Pat.
Suitable are those described in US Pat. No. 45,262. If the conditions described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition 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 respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 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. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 123670/1984 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 pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification is used. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a replaceable chip type, which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided in a fixed manner is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. To be more specific, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressure or suction unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal converter, another heating element, or a combination thereof, for the recording head. ,
Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be a single recording head or a combination of plural recording heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the description is made using the liquid ink. However, in the present invention, the ink which is solid at room temperature or the ink which becomes soft at room temperature is used. Can be used. In general, in the above-described ink jet device, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted 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. It is sufficient if the ink is in a liquid state.
In addition, positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy by using the energy of the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink. In any case, heat energy is applied by heat energy, such as one in which ink is liquefied and ejected as an ink liquid by application of heat energy according to a recording signal, or one which already starts to solidify when reaching a recording medium. The use of an ink that liquefies for the first time is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet, It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0201]

According to the present invention, the recovery operation by suction is executed a predetermined number of times when the temperature of the ink jet head becomes higher than the second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the inkjet head does not drop below the first predetermined temperature, control is performed so as to stop the recording operation.

According to the present invention, when the temperature of the ink jet head becomes high, the problem of deterioration of recording quality caused by temperature rise is solved by discharging ink by suction. At the same time, when the temperature of the inkjet head does not drop below the desired temperature even after a predetermined number of suction operations, and is determined to be abnormally high, the recording operation is stopped to be consumed by the recovery operation. The ink amount can be suppressed, and the ink jet head can be reliably and efficiently maintained in a good state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating main control of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing main control of the ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing main control of the ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of an initial jam check routine of step S3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a head information reading routine in step S5.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a routine of a recovery operation determination [1] in step S8.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a non-discharge detection operation routine in S512.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of an abnormal high temperature check routine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of a recovery operation determination [2] routine in step S20.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of a recovery operation determination [3] routine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of a recovery operation determination [6] routine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of a recovery operation determination [4] routine.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of a timer suction recovery (recovery operation [3]) routine.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of a suction recovery after printing (recovery operation [4]) routine.

FIG. 15 shows a new cartridge suction recovery (recovery operation [6]).
It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a routine.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of a non-discharge detection suction recovery (recovery operation [7]) routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of a suction recovery (recovery operation [8]) routine after high-temperature printing.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of a recovery after high-temperature printing (recovery operation [9]) routine.

FIG. 19: Recovery switch suction recovery (recovery operation [10])
It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a routine.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of idle discharge [1] to idle discharge [5] and standby idle discharge.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a sequence for setting a preheat pulse width P1.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of an initial 20 ° C. temperature control routine.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a 20-degree temperature control routine and a 25-degree temperature control routine.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding operation routine in step S21.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of a carriage start position moving routine in step S2201 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing details of a paper width and paper type detection operation routine in step S22.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing details of a one-line printing routine in step S24.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a print control routine of step S2501 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a print control [6] routine in a reduced print mode.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a head digit control [6] routine.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of head digit control [6].

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a print control [1] routine in the RHS print mode.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a head digit control [1] routine in the RHS print mode.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of head digit control [1] in the RHS print mode.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a head timing control [1] routine in the RHS print mode.

FIG. 36A is a diagram showing print timing in a print mode other than the RHS print mode, and FIG. 36B is a diagram showing RHS print timing.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an area where a print pattern of Bk, C, M, and Y is printed.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a print control [5] routine during OHP printing.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of a head digit control [5] routine.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart of a head nozzle control [5] routine.

41 is an explanatory diagram of nozzle driving performed by head digit control [5] in FIG. 39 and head nozzle control [5] in FIG. 40.

42 is an explanatory diagram of nozzle driving performed by head digit control [5] of FIG. 39 and head nozzle control [5] of FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of a print control [4] routine during OHP reduced printing.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of a head digit control [4] routine.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a head nozzle control [4] routine.

46 is an explanatory diagram of nozzle driving performed by head digit control [4] of FIG. 44 and head nozzle control [4] of FIG. 45.

47 is an explanatory diagram of nozzle driving performed by head digit control [4] in FIG. 44 and head nozzle control [4] in FIG. 45.

48 is an explanatory diagram of nozzle driving performed by head digit control [4] of FIG. 44 and head nozzle control [4] of FIG. 45.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing details of a sheet transport routine of step S25.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart of a sheet transport [1] routine.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart of a sheet transport [5] routine.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart of a sheet transport [4] routine.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart of a sheet transport [6] routine.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart of a sheet discharging operation routine.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart of a paper discharge [1] routine.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart of a paper discharge [2] routine.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart of a wiping operation routine.

FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram of a wiping operation, and FIG.
Shows a state in which the carriage raises the wiping blade at the start position, FIG. 4B shows a state in which the carriage moves from the start position to the wiping position, and FIG. 4C shows a state in which the carriage is moved at the wiping position. (D) shows a state in which the carriage lowers the wiping blade at the wiping position.

FIG. 59 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the tube pump.

FIG. 60 is an explanatory diagram of a divided pulse width modulation driving method.

FIG. 61 is an explanatory diagram of a head structure used in this embodiment.

FIG. 62 is a diagram showing a relationship between table pointers TA1 and a main heat pulse width P3 obtained from TA1.

FIG. 63 is a diagram showing a relationship between a table pointer TA3 and a preheat pulse width P1.

FIG. 64 is a diagram showing a relationship between a preheat pulse width P1 and a discharge amount VD.

FIG. 65 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a head temperature TH and a discharge amount VD.

FIG. 66 is a diagram illustrating a state of the discharge amount control with respect to the head temperature in a relationship between the head temperature and the discharge amount.

FIG. 67 is a diagram showing a relationship between a head temperature TH and a preheat pulse width P1, and FIG. 67A shows a reference value of P1 as P;
1B shows the case where 1 = 0A, FIG. 2B shows the case where the reference value of P1 is P1 = 0B, and FIG. 2C shows the case where P1 = 09.

FIG. 68 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration for executing a recording control flow.

FIG. 69 (A) is a diagram showing an external shape of an ink jet cartridge of the present embodiment, and FIG. 69 (B) is a diagram showing details of a printed board 85 of FIG. 69 (A).

70A is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part on a printed board 851 in FIG. 69B; FIG.
FIG. 69B is a diagram showing an example of the EEPROM 854 of FIG.

FIG. 71 is a timing chart for driving the heating element 857 in a time-division manner for each block.

FIG. 72 is a diagram showing a positional relationship among a temperature sensor, a sub heater, and a discharge (main) heater of a head used in this embodiment.

FIG. 73 is an explanatory perspective view of the configuration of the present embodiment.

FIG. 74 is an explanatory sectional view of the present embodiment.

FIG. 75 is a schematic perspective view of a recovery system unit.

FIG. 76 is a front view of the head.

FIG. 77 is a front view of a head recovery system.

FIG. 78 is a front view of the recovery system unit.

FIG. 79 is a plan view of the recovery system unit.

FIG. 80 is a side view of the recovery system unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P recording device R reading device A right end B stroke position HP home position SP start position 1 reading means 1a light source 1b lens 1c photoelectric conversion element 1d substrate 2 reading carriage 2a main scanning rail 2b drive pulley 2c driven pulley 2d timing belt 2e carriage motor 2f balance unit 3 reading unit 3a sub-scanning rail 3b guide roller 3f high bottom 3g low bottom 4 platen glass 5 original 6 cover 7 signal cable Reference Signs List 8 recording means 8a ink cartridge 8b recording head 8c ejection (main) heater 8d sub-heater 8e temperature sensor 9 recording carriage 9a main scanning rail 9b drive pulley 9c timing belt 9d recording carriage motor Term 9e Arm 10 Sheet conveying means 10a Cassette 10a1 Separation claw 1 0b Pickup Roller 10c Transport Roller Pair 10e Transport Roller Pair 11 Recording Sheet 12 Ejection Tray 13 Device Body Frame 13a Guide 14 Signal Cable 15 Recording Unit 16 Transmission Unit 17 Signal Cable 52 Positioning part 55 Body bottom plate 60 CPU 103 Orifice plate 108 Discharge port 109 Pressing member 300 Cap unit 302 Cap 303 Holder 304 Suction tube 305 Connection tube 306 Absorber 330 Cap holder 332 Positioning pin 334 Positioning pin 342 Joint 350 Recovery system base 352 Cam groove 354 Cam groove 360 Spring 364 Start-up part 401 First blade 402 Second blade 403 Blade cleaner 500 Pump unit 853 Heater board 854 EEPRO

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Numata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Taka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Noribumi Koitabashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Sugimoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-62-19461 (JP, A) JP-A-61-206658 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/18 B41J 2/185

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heat energy generator for generating heat energy.
Ink jet device that records on a recording medium using an ink jet head that discharges ink from a discharge port by a living body
In location, temperature sensing hand for detecting a temperature of said ink jet head
Step and the ink is ejected from the ejection port of the inkjet head by suction.
A suction means for discharging the fuel, and a temperature detected by the temperature detection and detection means to a first location.
A constant temperature and a second predetermined higher than the first predetermined temperature
Comparing the detected temperature with the second predetermined temperature.
Degree, the predetermined amount of ink by the suction means
Is performed, and the suction operation is performed a predetermined number of times.
In the meantime, the temperature of the inkjet head
Control to stop the recording operation when the temperature does not drop below the constant temperature
Means, comprising:
Place. 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1 , wherein
The temperature of the pad was determined to be higher than the first predetermined temperature.
The elapsed time after that is counted, and at a predetermined elapsed time,
Temperature of the ink jet head is lower than the first predetermined temperature.
The ink jet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recording operation is stopped when the recording operation is not performed . 3. The control means according to claim 1 , wherein
Wait for a predetermined time after the pulling operation, and
It is determined whether the temperature of the memory has dropped below the first predetermined temperature.
3. The inline according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
Jet device. 4. An ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein
Recovers the discharge state of the inkjet head by discharging
A discharge recovery means for causing the suction means to perform the suction operation by the suction means a predetermined number of times.
The temperature of the ink jet head during the first
When the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature,
4. A recovery operation is performed according to claim 1.
An inkjet device according to any of the preceding claims. 5. An ink jet head comprising :
Wiping means for wiping is further provided, wherein the control means controls the suction operation by the suction means a predetermined number of times.
The temperature of the ink jet head during the first
When the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature of the discharge recovery means.
Prior to the recovery operation, the wiper
5. The ink jet printer according to claim 4, wherein the ink jetting is performed.
Jet device. 6. The suction means according to claim 6 , wherein
While performing the pulling operation a predetermined number of times,
When the temperature falls below the first predetermined temperature,
Recovery operation by the output recovery unit;
With the recovery operation by the discharge recovery means, the ink discharge conditions
The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the difference is made.
Ink jet device. 7. The heat energy generator is an electrothermal converter.
The ink jet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
Device. 8. The thermal head according to claim 1 , wherein
In the ink due to the heat energy generated by the energy generator
Ink is ejected from the ejection port by bubbles generated in
The method according to claim 1, wherein
Liquid jet device.