JP6411235B2 - Ink jet recording apparatus and control method used therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a control method that can reduce the amount of intensifying liquid (solvent) used.

  In a production line using an ink jet recording apparatus (IJP), the production line may be stopped for a long time due to work stagnation or trouble in the upper process of IJP. Even when the production line is stopped, IJP continues to eject ink, so that the intensifying liquid contained in the ink is volatilized by touching the air, and the amount of the intensifying liquid used increases. There is a problem. In order to prevent this, it is sufficient to stop IJP completely while the production line is stopped, but in that case, IJP cannot be started up quickly when the production line starts moving, so there is no printing. There is a risk of throwing things away. Since it is difficult to avoid this risk, it is common for the user to continue ejecting IJP ink even when the production line is stopped.

  As a background art in this technical field, there is JP 2012-236335 A (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, by providing an open / close valve for venting air to an intermediate tank provided in a first liquid flow path that is connected so that liquid can flow between the liquid storage part and the liquid discharge part, An ink jet recording apparatus is described in which air can be easily removed from the liquid flow path through which the liquid flows.

JP 2012-236335 A

  Patent Document 1 is for solving the problem that air may accumulate in the ink circulation path and the air may reach the recording head, resulting in non-ejection of ink, and the like. Different. Therefore, there is no description about reduction of the usage amount of the intensifying fluid. However, when IJP is completely stopped as one means for suppressing the use amount of the intensifying liquid, the pressure in the ink circulation path may increase excessively. It is necessary to perform a removal process, which relates to effective means at that time.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize a reduction in the use amount of the intensifying liquid while suppressing the risk of flowing an unprinted substrate.

In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configuration described in the claims is adopted. The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above-mentioned problems. To give an example, a control method for an ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink from a nozzle and prints on an object to be printed. From the printable state that is being ejected, the stop of the substrate transporting device that transports the substrate to be printed is detected, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the stop, the state shifts to an ink standby state in which the ejection of ink from the nozzles is stopped. Configure as follows.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to easily reduce the amount of the intensifying liquid used in IJP.

It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of IJP in a present Example. It is an example of an IJP environment setting screen in the present embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the flow of the intensifying liquid usage fee reduction control of IJP in a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer process from the printable state of IJP in an Example to an ink standby state. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the ink waiting state of IJP in a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the return process from the ink waiting state of IJP in a present Example to a printable state. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the state remove | deviated from the printable state of IJP in a present Example. It is a circulation system diagram in the state which can be printed in a present Example. It is a circulation system diagram in the ink standby state in the present embodiment. It is a circulation system diagram in the ink circulation in a present Example.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of IJP in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a control device 2 is a device that controls the entire IJP 1 and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. Further, the control device 2 is connected via a bus to the program storage device 3, the memory 4, the display device 5, the touch panel 6, the input device 8, the printing object detection device 9, the encoder signal input device 10, the deflection voltage generator 11, and the charging for printing. The voltage generator 12, the excitation voltage generator 13, the supply pump 23, and the recovery pump 32 are connected.

  The program storage device 3 is a device that stores in advance a program executed in the control device 2, data necessary for operating the IJP 1, and display data.

  The memory 4 is divided into a program execution area and a data storage area. The program execution area is a work area for executing a program stored in the program storage device 3 called by the control device 2. The data storage area is an area for storing data created by the user.

  The display device 5 is a device that converts the display data stored in the program storage device 3 into a display format and displays it. The user recognizes the state of IJP 1 and the like on the screen displayed on the display device 5.

  The touch panel 6 is installed on the display device 5 so as to output a voltage value corresponding to the touched position when the user touches the surface. The control device 2 detects the touched position coordinates by reading this voltage value. When the user touches an icon or button displayed on the display device 5 via the touch panel 6, the control device 2 determines the user's input from the touched position coordinates, and the corresponding program is stored in the program storage device 3. Call and execute.

  The input device 8 is an operation part used when the user operates the IJP 1, and has a power button 7 for switching on / off the power of the IJP 1. In this block diagram, only the power button is shown as an input device, but this does not limit the number of buttons. It is also possible to mount a keyboard or numeric keypad for inputting numbers and characters as required.

  The ink container (main ink container) 21 is a device for storing ink 22 used for printing on the printing material 35. The ink 22 in the main ink container 21 is pressurized by a supply pump 23 that operates according to a command from the control device 2, and is supplied to the nozzle 25 through the ink supply pipe 24.

  The nozzle 25 is a device that discharges the ink 22 supplied from the main ink container 21. In addition, a piezoelectric element 26 that converts an electrical signal into a mechanical signal is attached to the nozzle 25, and the excitation voltage signal generated by the excitation voltage generator 13 is applied to the piezoelectric element 26, thereby discharging from the nozzle 25. The ink 22 is made into particles, and the ink particles 27 are formed.

  The ejected ink particles 27 pass between the U-shaped charging electrodes 28. A charging voltage corresponding to character information to be printed generated by the printing charging voltage generator 12 is applied to the charging electrode 28. The ink particles 27 are charged by a charging voltage applied when passing between the charging electrodes 28. Further, the ink particles 27 that have passed between the charging electrodes 28 pass between the deflection electrodes 29. A deflection voltage generated by the deflection voltage generator 11 is applied to the deflection electrode 29. The ink particles 27 are deflected according to the amount of charge when passing through the deflection electric field formed by the deflection voltage, and the deflected ink particles 27 are printed on the printing material 35.

  The ink recovery port (gutter) 30 is for recovering ink particles 27 that are not used for printing. The ink particles 27 collected from the ink collection port 30 are sucked by the collection pump 32 that operates according to a command from the control device 2, and then returned to the main ink container 21 through the ink collection pipe 31.

  The printed material conveyance device 34 is a device that conveys the printed material 35 printed by the IJP 1 at a predetermined speed on a production line or the like, and the conveyance direction is a direction orthogonal to the deflection direction of the ink particles 27. The printed material sensor 33 is a device that detects the printed material 35 conveyed by the printed material conveyance device 34. When the printed material 35 is detected, a printed material detection signal is transmitted to the printed material detection device 9. . The printed material detection device 9 is a device that transmits a printed material detection signal transmitted from the printed material sensor 33 to the control device 2. When receiving the print object detection signal, the control device 2 detects that the print object 35 has arrived at the print area of the IJP 1. When the control device 2 detects that the printing material 35 has reached the printing area, it starts processing for printing on the printing material 35.

  The encoder signal input device 10 is a device for inputting an encoder signal transmitted from the rotary encoder 36. The rotary encoder 36 is a device that periodically outputs a pulse signal (ON / OFF) when the printing material transport device 34 is operating. If there is a change in the pulse signal, it can be determined that the substrate transport device 34 is operating, and if there is no change in the pulse signal, it can be determined that the substrate transport device 34 is stopped. The control device 2 periodically monitors the encoder signal fetched from the encoder signal input device 10 to determine the operation / stop of the printed material transport device 34, and responds to the change in the operation. That is, the present embodiment is a program for inputting a signal from the rotary encoder to the IJP, a program for determining whether the production line is operating or stopped by the encoder signal input from the encoder signal input device, This can be realized by using a program that changes the IJP ink ejection state according to the line operation / stop state.

  The print object sensor 33, the print object transport device 34, the print object 35, and the rotary encoder 36 are installed or arranged outside the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus (IJP).

  FIG. 2 shows an IJP environment setting screen in this embodiment. When performing the intensifying fluid usage fee reduction control in the present embodiment, the user needs to set the environment on the environment setting screen 41 of FIG. In FIG. 2, when the intensifying liquid usage fee is not reduced, the ink standby control is set to 0: No (42), and when the intensifying liquid usage fee is reduced, the ink standby control is set to 1: (43). Set. Further, when 1: (43) is set for the ink standby control, the time (44) until the ink standby transition is set within a range of 01 minutes to 99 minutes. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the time chart (45) is displayed on the environment setting screen, so that the explanation of the function is presented to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. In the part (46) of the time chart (45), the time (44) until the ink standby shift set by the user is displayed as it is.

  Next, the flow of the intensifying fluid usage fee reduction control of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the flow of IJP intensifying fluid usage fee reduction control in this embodiment. In FIG. 3, a process shown in (1), (2), and (3) until the stop of the production line (printed article conveying device) is detected in the printable state and the process shifts to the ink standby state will be described. This flowchart is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the IJP state is ready for printing and the ink standby control 1: (43) is set (61), and if (43) is set, the process proceeds to (62). The IJP periodically takes in the conveying device operating signal and determines whether the printed material conveying device is operating or stopped. When it is determined that the printing material conveyance device is stopped (at the time (1) shown in FIG. 3), in step 63, the stop time measurement timer is operated, and the printing material conveyance device remains stopped. In the state, when the stop time measurement timer reaches the set time (44) until the ink standby shift and the production line is stopped, the specified time is reached (time (2) shown in FIG. 3). At 64, the state is changed from the printable state to the ink standby state. At that time, for example, 45 seconds between (2) and (3) shown in FIG. 3 is waited for a time for collecting the ink remaining in the ink collection path, and the ink standby state is entered in step 65 (FIG. 3). Shown at (3)).

Next, the process in the ink standby state indicated by (4) in FIG. 3 will be described using the flowchart showing the process in the ink standby state in FIG. When left in the ink standby state, it is necessary to release the pressure periodically (every 10 seconds) in order to prevent the pressure in the circulation unit from excessively increasing. Therefore, in step 66, it is determined whether or not a certain time (10 seconds) has elapsed. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to (67), and the pressure release process is performed in (67).
In addition, if the ink is left in a standby state for a long time, the ink in the nozzles may be fixed, resulting in nozzle clogging. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to eject ink from the nozzles periodically (every 30 minutes). Therefore, in step 68, it is similarly determined whether or not a fixed time (30 minutes) has elapsed. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to (69), and an ink circulation sequence dedicated to preventing ink sticking is operated in (69).

  Next, the return from the ink standby state to the printable state shown by (5) and (6) in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a return process from the ink standby state to the printable state. In FIG. 6, when the IJP state is the ink standby state, the IJP periodically takes in the conveying device operating signal, and determines in step 71 whether the printed material conveying device is operating or stopped. When it is determined that the printing material transport apparatus is operating, the process proceeds to (72). In (72), the circulation control sequence is operated to change the state from "ink standby state to printable state", and in (73), the state is returned to the printable state. In FIG. 3, the time between (5) and (6) (for example, 10 seconds) is a time for filling the ink recovery path with ink and ensuring the pressure in the ink recovery path.

  Next, the process in the case where the printable state is not indicated by (7) in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to a flowchart showing the process in a state outside the printable state shown in FIG. On the production line, when the printer is out of the printable state (specifically, from when the transition to the ink standby state is started in (2) in FIG. 3 until it returns to the printable state in (6)). When the printing object flows, the printing object becomes non-printing. Therefore, in order to transmit the non-printing to the user, it is necessary to generate a non-printing detection signal. Accordingly, in step 74, it is determined whether or not the object to be printed has been detected in a state of being out of the printable state, and if it is detected, an abnormality in non-printing detection is generated in step 75.

  FIG. 8 is a circulation system diagram in a printable state in the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 8, the ink discharge state in the printable state will be described. In FIG. 8, when printing is possible, the supply pump 23, the recovery pump 32, the supply solenoid valve 80, the recovery solenoid valve 81, and the sealing valve 82 are in the ON state (conducting state). Ink is filled. The ink in the main ink container 21 is discharged from the nozzle 25 through the ink supply pipe 24 by being pressurized by the supply pump 23. Ink particles 27 that are not used for printing are collected by an ink collection port (gutter) 30. At that time, the intensifying liquid is volatilized when the ink touches the air. The ink particles recovered from the ink recovery port (gutter) 30 are sucked by the recovery pump 32, and then returned to the main ink container 21 through the ink recovery pipe 31.

  FIG. 9 is a circulation system diagram in the ink standby state in this embodiment. The ink discharge state in the ink standby state will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, in the ink standby state, the supply pump 23 and the supply solenoid valve 80 are in the ON state (conductive state), and the ink in the main ink container 21 remains in the ink supply pipe 24. Therefore, in order to prevent the pressure in the ink supply pipe 24 from excessively increasing, it is necessary to periodically release the pressure by setting the pressure relief valve 83 to ON (conductive state).

  FIG. 10 is a circulation system diagram during ink circulation in the present embodiment. The ink discharge state during ink circulation will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, during the ink circulation sequence, the supply pump 23, the supply electromagnetic valve 80, the recovery electromagnetic valve 81, the circulation electromagnetic valve 84, and the sealing valve 82 are turned on (conductive state) while shifting the time. . That is, the collection solenoid valve 81, the circulation solenoid valve 84, and the sealing valve 82 are periodically turned on (conductive state) to circulate ink in the ink circulation pipe 85 and the ink collection pipe 31 to enter the ink standby state. Before returning, the ink is collected and returned to the state shown in FIG. Further, when the sealing valve 82 is turned on (conductive state), the ink is ejected from the nozzle, and the ink in the nozzle can be prevented from sticking.

As described above, the present embodiment is a control method for an ink jet recording apparatus that prints on a printing material by ejecting ink from the nozzle, and from the printable state in which ink is ejected from the nozzle, Is detected, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the stop, the apparatus shifts to an ink standby state in which the ejection of ink from the nozzles is stopped.

An ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink from a nozzle to perform printing on a printing material, and supplies ink by being connected to the ink container, the ink discharging nozzle, the ink container, and the nozzle. An ink supply pipe, a supply pump connected in the middle of the ink supply pipe to pressurize the ink, a sealing valve connected in the middle of the ink supply pipe and disposed between the supply pump and the nozzle, and the nozzle A gutter that collects ink that is discharged and is not used for printing, an ink collection pipe that is connected to the gutter and returns the ink to the ink container, a collection pump that is connected to the ink collection pipe and collects ink, and an ink collection pipe control and recovery solenoid valve disposed between the operation of the recovery solenoid valve and the supply pump and the sealing valve and the recovery pump and connected to the gutter and the collection pump during The control device is configured to stop the printing material conveyance device from a signal indicating an operation state of the printing material conveyance device that conveys the printing material from a printable state in which ink is ejected from the nozzles. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection of the stop , the sealing valve is controlled to shift to an ink standby state in which the ejection of ink from the nozzles is stopped.

  Thereby, there exists an effect that reduction of the usage-amount of the intensification liquid used by IJP can be implement | achieved easily.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described.

1: inkjet recording device, 2: control device, 3: program storage device, 4: memory, 5: display device, 6: touch panel, 7: power button, 8: input device, 9: substrate detection device, 10: Encoder signal input device, 11: deflection voltage generator, 12: charging voltage generator for printing, 13: excitation voltage generator, 21: ink container (main ink container), 22: ink, 23: supply pump, 24: ink Supply pipe, 25: nozzle, 26: piezoelectric element, 27: ink particles, 28: charging electrode, 29: deflection electrode, 30: ink recovery port (gutter), 31: ink recovery pipe, 32: recovery pump, 33 : printing object sensor, 34: printing object transport device 35: the printing object, 36: rotary encoder 80: supplying solenoid valve, 81: recovery solenoid valve, 82: sealing valve, 83: Vent valve, 84: circulation solenoid valve, 85: ink circulation pipe

Claims (6)

A method for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus that prints on a printing object by discharging ink from a nozzle,
From the printable state in which the ink is being ejected from the nozzles, the stop of the printing material transport device that transports the printed material is detected, and after a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection of the stop, the ejection of ink from the nozzles A control method for an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is shifted to an ink standby state in which the ink jet recording is stopped. A control method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1,
In the ink standby state, a method for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus is characterized in that pressure is released from an ink supply pipe that supplies ink to the nozzles at regular intervals. A control method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2,
In the ink standby state, connected to an ink container for containing the ink and a circulation pipe connected to the nozzle and a gutter for collecting ink ejected from the nozzle and not used for printing at regular intervals. A control method for an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein ink is circulated inside an ink collection pipe for returning the ink to the ink container, and ink is ejected from the nozzle. An ink jet recording apparatus that prints on a substrate by discharging ink from a nozzle,
An ink container for containing ink;
A nozzle for ejecting ink;
An ink supply pipe connected to the ink container and the nozzle for supplying ink;
A supply pump connected to the ink supply pipe and pressurizing the ink;
A sealing valve connected in the middle of the ink supply pipe and disposed between the supply pump and the nozzle;
A gutter for collecting ink ejected from the nozzles and not used for printing;
An ink collection pipe connected to the gutter and returning the ink to the ink container;
A recovery pump connected to the ink recovery pipe for recovering ink;
A recovery electromagnetic valve connected in the middle of the ink recovery pipe and disposed between the gutter and the recovery pump;
A control device for controlling the operation of the supply pump, the sealing valve, the recovery pump, and the recovery electromagnetic valve ;
The control device detects a stop of the printing material conveyance device from a signal indicating an operation state of the printing material conveyance device that conveys the printing material from a printable state in which the ink is ejected from the nozzle. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the stop, the sealing valve is controlled to shift to an ink standby state in which the ejection of ink from the nozzles is stopped. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4,
A pressure relief valve connected in the middle of the ink supply pipe and disposed between the supply pump and the sealing valve;
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the control device performs pressure relief in the ink supply pipe by controlling the pressure relief valve at regular intervals in the ink standby state. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5,
A circulation pipe connected to the nozzle and the ink container;
A circulation pump that is connected in the middle of the circulation pipe and sucks ink from the nozzles;
A solenoid valve for circulation connected in the middle of the piping for circulation and disposed between the nozzle and the circulation pump;
In the ink standby state, the control device causes the sealing valve, the circulation electromagnetic valve, and the recovery electromagnetic valve to be in a conductive state at regular intervals, so that the circulation pipe and the ink recovery pipe are in the conductive state. An ink jet recording apparatus that circulates ink and discharges ink from the nozzle.

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