Regenerated liquid discharge device and method for producing reproduced print head

Abstract

To provide a regenerated liquid discharge device provided with an optimally reproduced print head.SOLUTION: A regenerated liquid discharge device, which comprises a reproduced print head reproduced from a used print head, which is provided with a first nozzle group including first nozzles that discharge liquid, a second nozzle group including second nozzles that discharge liquid and a storing part that stores first nozzle group information concerning discharging of liquid from the first nozzle group and second nozzle group information concerning discharging of liquid from the second nozzle group, where the first nozzle group has discharged liquid of a first color and the second nozzle group has discharged liquid of a second color different from the first color. The reproduced print head has a first nozzle group and a second nozzle group, where the second nozzle group of the reproduced print head discharges liquid of a first color.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remanufactured liquid ejector and a method for producing a remanufactured printhead. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load, so-called refurbished products have been attracting attention. These products are reconditioned from defective products or second-hand products, and are then reconditioned to a state equivalent to that of an unused product, after which the products are redistributed on the market. Such refurbished products make it possible to reduce the amount of waste, and as a result, the environmental load can be reduced. In response to such efforts, for example, in the case of liquid ejection devices such as inkjet printers, efforts are being made to recondition used print heads, recondition them to a state equivalent to that of an unused product, and redistribute the products on the market as remanufactured machines (remanufactured print heads).

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, taking into consideration the reuse of print heads, a memory is installed in the print head, and the usage status of the print head is recorded in the memory, and the reused print head is appropriately driven based on the stored usage status of the print head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-053864 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when it comes to remanufacturing printheads, the technology described in Patent Document 1 alone is not sufficient, and there is room for further improvement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the regenerated liquid ejection device according to the present invention is to a first nozzle group including first nozzles that eject liquid; a second nozzle group including second nozzles that eject liquid; a storage unit that stores first nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the first nozzle group and second nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the second nozzle group; having a regenerated liquid ejection device including a regenerated print head reproduced from a used print head in which the first nozzle group ejects a first color liquid and the second nozzle group ejects a second color liquid different from the first color, the remanufactured print head has the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group, The second group of nozzles of the remanufactured print head ejects liquid of the first color.

[0007] One aspect of a method for producing a remanufactured printhead according to the present invention includes the steps of: a first nozzle group including first nozzles that eject liquid; a second nozzle group including second nozzles that eject liquid; a storage unit that stores first nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the first nozzle group and second nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the second nozzle group; having A method for producing a remanufactured printhead from a used printhead in which the first nozzle group ejects a first color liquid and the second nozzle group ejects a second color liquid different from the first color, comprising the steps of: an acquisition step of acquiring, from the storage unit of the used print head, the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group, which is included in the first nozzle group information, and the number of times liquid is ejected from the second nozzle group, which is included in the second nozzle group information; a comparison step of comparing the acquired number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group with the acquired number of times liquid is ejected from the second nozzle group; a switching step of switching a liquid supply path so that the first color liquid is supplied to the second nozzle group when the number of times the liquid is discharged from the first nozzle group is greater than the number of times the liquid is discharged from the second nozzle group; Includes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a liquid ejection device. [Diagram 2] This is a diagram of the print head as seen from the +Y side along the Y axis. [Diagram 3] This is a view of the print head as seen from the -Z side along the Z axis. [Figure 4] This is a view of the print head as seen from the +Z side along the Z axis. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a nozzle plate. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a discharge unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 8] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of ejection-related information stored in a memory circuit. [Figure 9] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for producing a regenerated liquid ejection device. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a method for producing remanufactured printheads. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the type of ink ejected and each value of ejection count information. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the type of ink ejected and each value of ejection count information. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used for the convenience of explanation. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0010] In the following description, a serial type consumer inkjet printer is used as an example of the liquid ejection device according to the present invention. However, the liquid ejection device is not limited to the serial type consumer inkjet printer, and may be a line type inkjet printer, a textile inkjet printer that performs textile printing, an office inkjet printer multifunction machine, etc. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device is not limited to the inkjet printer, and may be a color material ejection device used in manufacturing color filters for liquid crystal displays and the like, an electrode material ejection device used in forming electrodes for organic electroluminescence displays, surface emission displays, etc., a bioorganic material ejection device used in manufacturing biochips, etc.

[0011] In the following description, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, which are orthogonal to each other, are used. When defining the directions of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, the starting point side of the arrow along the illustrated X-axis may be referred to as the -X side and the tip side as the +X side, the starting point side of the arrow along the illustrated Y-axis may be referred to as the -Y side and the tip side as the +Y side, and the starting point side of the arrow along the illustrated Z-axis may be referred to as the -Z side and the tip side as the +Z side.

[0012] 1. Structure of the liquid ejection device Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a liquid ejection device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a moving body 2 and a moving unit 3 that moves the moving body 2 back and forth along the X axis.

[0013] The moving unit 3 has a carriage motor 31 which serves as a drive source for the reciprocating movement of the moving body 2 along the X axis, a carriage guide shaft 32 which has both ends fixed, and a timing belt 33 which extends substantially parallel to the carriage guide shaft 32 and is driven by the carriage motor 31. The moving body 2 also has a print head 20 which ejects ink, and a carriage 24 on which the print head 20 is mounted.

[0014] The carriage 24 is supported by a carriage guide shaft 32 so as to be freely movable back and forth, and is fixed to a part of a timing belt 33. The carriage 24 moves back and forth while being guided by the carriage guide shaft 32 as the timing belt 33 runs forward and backward by a carriage motor 31. In addition, the carriage 24 is mounted with a plurality of ink cartridges 26 that store ink as an example of a liquid to be ejected onto the medium P.

[0015] Here, the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment will be described as being equipped with a plurality of ink cartridges 26, including an ink cartridge 26 storing cyan C ink, an ink cartridge 26 storing magenta M ink, an ink cartridge 26 storing yellow Y ink, and an ink cartridge 26 storing black Bk ink. In the following description, when the ink cartridge 26 storing cyan C ink, the ink cartridge 26 storing magenta M ink, the ink cartridge 26 storing yellow Y ink, and the ink cartridge 26 storing black Bk ink are differentiated from one another, the ink cartridge 26 storing cyan C ink may be referred to as ink cartridge 26c, the ink cartridge 26 storing magenta M ink may be referred to as ink cartridge 26m, the ink cartridge 26 storing yellow Y ink may be referred to as ink cartridge 26y, and the ink cartridge 26 storing black Bk ink may be referred to as ink cartridge 26k. The ink cartridge 26 mounted on the liquid ejection device 1 is not limited to this, and ink cartridges 26 storing ink of light cyan, light magenta, gray, or the like may be mounted.

[0016] The print head 20 is located in a portion of the movable body 2 facing the medium P. Nozzles 651 (described later) for ejecting ink supplied from the ink cartridges 26 are provided on the surface of the print head 20 facing the medium P. A cable 190 is also electrically connected to the print head 20. Various control signals for controlling the operation of the print head 20 are input to the print head 20 via the cable 190. As such a cable 190, a flexible flat cable or the like that can slide in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the movable body 2 can be used.

[0017] The liquid ejection device 1 also includes a transport unit 4 that transports the medium P along the Y axis. The transport unit 4 has a platen 40 that supports the medium P, a transport motor 41 that functions as a drive source for transporting the medium P, and transport rollers 42 that are rotated by the drive of the transport motor 41 to transport the medium P along the Y axis. The transport unit 4 transports the medium P along the Y axis by being driven by the transport motor 41.

[0018] In the liquid ejection device 1 configured as described above, the medium P is transported from the -Y side to the +Y side along the Y axis under the control of the transport unit 4, and the carriage 24 carrying the print head 20 moves back and forth along the X axis under the control of the moving unit 3. Then, in synchronization with the timing at which the medium P is transported and the timing at which the moving body 2 moves back and forth, the print head 20 mounted on the carriage 24 ejects ink from the -Z side to the +Z side along the Z axis. As a result, the ink ejected by the print head 20 lands at a desired position on the medium P, forming a desired image or character on the medium P.

[0019] In the following description, the direction along the X-axis in which the movable body 2 moves may be referred to as the scanning direction, the direction along the Y-axis in which the medium P is transported may be referred to as the transport direction, and the direction along the Z-axis in which the print head 20 ejects ink may be referred to as the ejection direction.

[0020] 2. Print head structure Next, an example of the structure of the print head 20 will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram of the print head 20 as viewed from the +Y side along the Y axis, Fig. 3 is a diagram of the print head 20 as viewed from the -Z side along the Z axis, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the print head 20 as viewed from the +Z side along the Z axis.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 20 includes a flow path member 210 and an ejection head 230 .

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flow path member 210 has four ink supply ports 215. The four ink supply ports 215 are located on the -Z side of the flow path member 210 and are arranged in parallel along the X axis. A corresponding ink cartridge 26 is attached to each of the four ink supply ports 215. As a result, ink stored in the ink cartridge 26 is supplied to the flow path member 210 via the corresponding ink supply port 215. The flow path member 210 has ink flow paths (not shown) therein corresponding to each of the four ink supply ports 215. The ink supplied via each of the four ink supply ports 215 flows through the corresponding ink flow path and is supplied to the ejection head 230.

[0023] Here, the liquid ejection device 1 may have a bag-shaped ink pack formed of a flexible film for storing ink, an ink tank that stores ink and can be replenished with ink, or the like, instead of the multiple ink cartridges 26. Also, the multiple ink cartridges 26, the ink packs, and the ink tank do not need to be fixed to the flow path member 210, and in this case, the ink stored in the multiple ink cartridges 26, the ink packs, and the ink tank may be supplied to the flow path member 210 via ink tubes (not shown).

[0024] 3 and 4, the flow path member 210 includes a reference pin 211 formed on the surface on the +Z side, and through holes 212, 213, and 214 that penetrate along the Z axis. The flow path member 210 is fixed to the carriage 24 at a position determined by the reference pin 211 by screws or the like that pass through the through holes 212, 213, and 214, respectively.

[0025] 2 and 4, the ejection head 230 is located on the +Z side of the flow path member 210, and is fixed to the flow path member 210 by a plurality of fixing screws 231. That is, the ejection head 230 is fixed to the carriage 24 via the flow path member 210. Note that the ejection head 230 may be fixed to the flow path member 210 by an adhesive or the like instead of or in addition to the fixing screws 231.

[0026] A nozzle plate 632 is located on the +Z side of the ejection head 230. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the nozzle plate 632. As shown in Fig. 5, the nozzle plate 632 is formed with a plurality of nozzles 651 included in the ejection section 600. Ink supplied from the ink cartridge 26 via the flow path member 210 is ejected from the plurality of nozzles 651 formed in the nozzle plate 632.

[0027] The nozzles 651 formed in the nozzle plate 632 constitute nozzle rows L1 to L8. Each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 has a plurality of nozzles 651 arranged in parallel along the Y axis. The nozzle rows L1 to L8 are arranged in the nozzle plate 632 along the X axis from the -X side to the +X side in the order of nozzle row L1, nozzle row L2, nozzle row L3, nozzle row L4, nozzle row L5, nozzle row L6, nozzle row L7, and nozzle row L8. That is, the nozzle plate 632 includes nozzle rows L1 to L8 in which the nozzles 651 included in the discharge section 600 are arranged in parallel along the Y axis, and the nozzle rows L1 to L8 are arranged in parallel along the X axis.

[0028] Here, a description will be given of an example of the configuration of the ejection unit 600 including the nozzle 651. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ejection unit 600. In addition to the configuration of the ejection unit 600, Fig. 6 also shows a reservoir 641 that supplies ink to the ejection unit 600, and a supply port 661 that supplies ink to the reservoir 641.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the ejection section 600 includes a piezoelectric element 60 , a vibration plate 621 , a cavity 631 , and a nozzle 651 .

[0030] The cavity 631 communicates with the reservoir 641. Thus, the cavity 631 is filled with ink stored in the reservoir 641. The nozzle 651 is an opening that communicates with the cavity 631 and is formed in the nozzle plate 632. The vibration plate 621 is located on the -Z side of the cavity 631, and a piezoelectric element 60 is provided on the surface of the vibration plate 621 on the -Z side. The piezoelectric element 60 has a piezoelectric body 601 and a pair of electrodes 611 and 612 that are positioned so as to sandwich the piezoelectric body 601. The piezoelectric body 601 is displaced so that the central portion bends in the vertical direction along the Z axis in response to the potential difference between the voltage of the electrode 611 and the voltage of the electrode 612. That is, the piezoelectric element 60 is driven so as to bend in the vertical direction along the Z axis in response to the potential difference between the signal input to the electrode 611 and the signal input to the electrode 612. When the piezoelectric element 60 is driven, the diaphragm 621 is displaced along the Z axis, and the internal volume of the cavity 631 expands and contracts along with the displacement of the diaphragm 621 along the Z axis. In other words, the diaphragm 621 functions as a diaphragm that changes the internal volume of the cavity 631.

[0031] In the ejection section 600 configured as above, when the piezoelectric element 60 is driven to bend upward along the Z axis, the vibration plate 621 is displaced upward along the Z axis. As a result, the internal volume of the cavity 631 is expanded. Therefore, the ink stored in the reservoir 641 is drawn into the cavity 631. On the other hand, when the piezoelectric element 60 is driven to bend downward along the Z axis, the vibration plate 621 is displaced downward along the Z axis. As a result, the internal volume of the cavity 631 is reduced. Therefore, the ink stored in the cavity 631 is ejected from the nozzle 651. That is, the ejection head 230 of this embodiment has a plurality of nozzles 651 that eject ink by driving the piezoelectric element 60.

[0032] The structure of the piezoelectric element 60 of the ejection head 230 may be any structure that can be driven to eject ink from the ejection section 600. Therefore, the structure of the piezoelectric element 60 is not limited to the bending vibration structure shown in Fig. 6, and may be, for example, a longitudinal vibration structure.

[0033] Here, the supply port 661 is provided corresponding to one of the plurality of ink flow paths configured inside the flow path member 210 described above, and the reservoir 641 is provided corresponding to the supply port 661. The reservoir 641 is provided in common to some of the plurality of ejection units 600. That is, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 26 flows through the corresponding ink flow path of the flow path member 210 and is supplied to the ejection head 230 via the corresponding supply port 661. The ink supplied to the ejection head 230 is stored in the reservoir 641 and is branched to be supplied to the cavities 631 of the corresponding plurality of ejection units 600.

[0034] Here, in the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, the reservoirs 641 are provided corresponding to each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8. That is, the ejection head 230 includes a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles 651 that constitute the nozzle row L1 and a supply port 661 that corresponds to the reservoir 641, a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles 651 that constitute the nozzle row L2 and a supply port 661 that corresponds to the reservoir 641, a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles 651 that constitute the nozzle row L3 and a supply port 661 that corresponds to the reservoir 641, a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles 651 that constitute the nozzle row L4 and a supply port 661 that corresponds to the reservoir 641, 661, a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles 651 that constitute nozzle row L5 and a supply port 661 corresponding to the reservoir 641, a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles 651 that constitute nozzle row L6 and a supply port 661 corresponding to the reservoir 641, a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles 651 that constitute nozzle row L7 and a supply port 661 corresponding to the reservoir 641, and a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles 651 that constitute nozzle row L8 and a supply port 661 corresponding to the reservoir 641.

[0035] In this embodiment, the reservoir 641 is provided corresponding to each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the nozzle row L1 may have a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from some of the multiple nozzles 651 that make up the nozzle row L1, and a reservoir 641 that stores ink ejected from different ones of the multiple nozzles 651 that make up the nozzle row L1.

[0036] As described above, the print head 20 of this embodiment includes the nozzle rows L1 to L8, each of which includes a plurality of nozzles 651 that eject ink supplied from the ink cartridge .

[0037] 3. Functional configuration of the liquid ejection device Next, the functional configuration of the liquid ejection device 1 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the liquid ejection device 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a control unit 10, a print head 20, a moving unit 3, and a transport unit 4. The control unit 10 and the print head 20 are electrically connected by the above-mentioned cable 190. As a result, various signals output by the control unit 10 are input to the print head 20.

[0038] The control unit 10 includes a drive circuit 50 and a control circuit 100 .

[0039] Image data is input to the control circuit 100 from, for example, a host computer, which is an external device (not shown) provided outside the liquid ejection device 1. The control circuit 100 performs various types of image processing and the like on the input image data to generate various control signals for controlling each part of the liquid ejection device 1, and outputs the signals to the corresponding components.

[0040] Specifically, the control circuit 100 generates a control signal Ctrl1 for controlling the reciprocating movement of the movable body 2, and outputs it to a carriage motor 31 included in the moving unit 3. This drives the carriage motor 31 to control the reciprocating movement of the movable body 2 along the scanning direction. The control circuit 100 also generates a control signal Ctrl2 for controlling the transport of the medium P, and outputs it to a transport motor 41 included in the transport unit 4. This drives the transport motor 41 to control the transport of the medium P along the transport direction. The control circuit 100 may input the control signal Ctrl1 to the moving unit 3 via a carriage motor driver (not shown), and may similarly input the control signal Ctrl2 to the transport unit 4 via a transport motor driver (not shown).

[0041] The control circuit 100 also outputs a basic drive signal dA, which is a digital signal, to the drive circuit 50. The drive circuit 50 converts the input digital basic drive signal dA into an analog signal, and then generates the drive signal COM by performing class D amplification on the analog signal, and outputs it to the print head 20. That is, the basic drive signal dA defines the signal waveform of the drive signal COM. Note that the basic drive signal dA may be an analog signal as long as it can define the signal waveform of the drive signal COM. The drive circuit 50 may also generate the drive signal COM by amplifying the signal waveform defined by the basic drive signal dA, and may generate the drive signal COM by performing class A amplification, class B amplification, or class AB amplification instead of or in addition to class D amplification.

[0042] The control circuit 100 also generates ejection control signals DATA1-DATA8 based on the input image data, and outputs them to the print head 20. The control circuit 100 also generates a status signal SS indicating at least one of the status of the liquid ejection device 1 and the status of the print head 20, and outputs it to the print head 20, based on a user request or at any timing.

[0043] The print head 20 includes drive signal selection circuits 21-1 to 21-8, a discharge information acquisition circuit 22, a memory circuit 23, and a plurality of discharge units 600.

[0044] The drive signal selection circuit 21-1 receives an ejection control signal DATA1 output by the control circuit 100 and a drive signal COM output by the drive circuit 50. The drive signal selection circuit 21-1 generates drive signals VOUT corresponding to each of the multiple ejection units 600 including the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 by selecting or not selecting a signal waveform included in the drive signal COM based on the input ejection control signal DATA1. The drive signal selection circuit 21-1 then outputs the generated drive signal VOUT to one of the electrodes 611 or 612 of the piezoelectric element 60 of the corresponding ejection unit 600.

[0045] At this time, a reference voltage signal VBS is input to the other of the electrodes 611 or 612 of the piezoelectric element 60 of each of the multiple ejection units 600 including the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1. The reference voltage signal VBS is a DC voltage signal having a constant voltage value, for example, ground potential, 5.5V, 6V, etc., and functions as a reference for driving the piezoelectric element 60. The piezoelectric element 60 of each of the multiple ejection units 600 including the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 is driven in response to the potential difference between the drive signal VOUT and the reference voltage signal VBS. Then, an amount of ink according to the drive of the piezoelectric element 60 is ejected from each of the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1.

[0046] Similarly, the drive signal selection circuit 21-i (i is any one of 2 to 8) receives the discharge control signal DATAi output by the control circuit 100 and the drive signal COM output by the drive circuit 50. The drive signal selection circuit 21-i generates a drive signal VOUT corresponding to each of the multiple discharge units 600 including the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row Li by selecting or not selecting a signal waveform included in the drive signal COM based on the input discharge control signal DATAi. The drive signal selection circuit 21-i then outputs the generated drive signal VOUT to one of the electrodes 611 or 612 of the piezoelectric element 60 of the corresponding discharge unit 600.

[0047] At this time, the reference voltage signal VBS is input to the other of the electrode 611 or the electrode 612 of the piezoelectric element 60 included in each of the multiple ejection sections 600 including the multiple nozzles 651 that constitute the nozzle row Li. As a result, the piezoelectric element 60 included in each of the multiple ejection sections 600 including the multiple nozzles 651 that constitute the nozzle row Li is driven in response to the potential difference between the drive signal VOUT and the reference voltage signal VBS. Then, an amount of ink corresponding to the drive of the piezoelectric element 60 is ejected from each of the multiple nozzles 651 that constitute the nozzle row Li.

[0048] As described above, the drive signal selection circuits 21-1 to 21-8 output the drive signal VOUT having a signal waveform defined by the inputted discharge control signals DATA1 to DATA8 at the timing defined by the inputted discharge control signals DATA1 to DATA8. The drive signal VOUT outputted from each of the drive signal selection circuits 21-1 to 21-8 drives the piezoelectric element 60 of each of the multiple discharge units 600 including the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle rows L1 to L8. This causes ink to be discharged from the multiple nozzles 651 constituting each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8. That is, each of the drive signal selection circuits 21-1 to 21-8 controls the discharge of ink from the corresponding nozzle row L1 to L8 based on the inputted discharge control signals DATA1 to DATA8. In other words, the discharge control signal DATA1 functions as a signal that controls the discharge of ink from the nozzle row L1, and the discharge control signal DATAi functions as a signal that controls the discharge of ink from the nozzle row Li.

[0049] The ejection information acquisition circuit 22 receives the ejection control signals DATA1-DATA8 and a status signal SS output by the control circuit 100. Based on the input ejection control signals DATA1-DATA8 and the status signal SS, the ejection information acquisition circuit 22 acquires information indicating the status of the print head 20 and information regarding the ejection of ink from each of the nozzle rows L1-L8. The ejection information acquisition circuit 22 then stores the acquired information in the memory circuit 23.

[0050] In the following description, the information indicating the state of the print head 20 stored in the memory circuit 23 and the information relating to the ejection of ink from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 may be collectively referred to as ejection-related information.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the ejection-related information stored in the memory circuit 23. As shown in Fig. 8, the memory circuit 23 stores, as the ejection-related information indicating the state of the print head 20, information on the cumulative number of printed surfaces TP, information on the number of elapsed days LD, information on the number of errors EC, information on the number of transport errors CEC, information on the number of capping processes CP, information on the number of cleaning processes CL, and information on the number of wiping processes WP, and also stores, as the ejection-related information related to the ejection of ink from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8, information on the number of ink ejections DC from the nozzle rows L1 to L8.

[0052] The information on the cumulative number of printed surfaces TP is information indicating the number of printed surfaces since the print head 20 is assembled in the liquid ejection device 1, and includes first cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth1, second cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth2, third cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth3, and cumulative printed surface number information TPc, and is stored in memory areas M1 to M4 of the memory circuit 23. Here, the number of printed surfaces is the number of surfaces of the medium P on which images are formed by ink ejected from the print head 20. For example, when the print head 20 forms images on both sides of the medium P by ejecting ink, the number of printed surfaces is counted as "2," and when the print head 20 forms images for two pages included in the image data on one side of the medium P by ejecting ink, the number of printed surfaces is counted as "1."

[0053] The first threshold information TPth1 of the cumulative number of printed surfaces is a threshold for determining whether the print head 20 has a usage history, and for example, "1" is stored in the memory area M1. The second threshold information TPth2 of the cumulative number of printed surfaces is a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M2. The state of the print head 20 changes nonlinearly depending on the usage and operation conditions of the print head 20. For example, the ink ejection state from the print head 20 changes significantly to the initial state, and then stabilizes after a predetermined number of ejections. The second threshold information TPth2 of the cumulative number of printed surfaces functions as a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20 that changes nonlinearly. The third threshold information TPth3 of the cumulative number of printed surfaces is a threshold for defining the design life of the print head 20 according to the number of printed surfaces, and is stored in the memory area M3.

[0054] The cumulative printed surface number information TPc is a count value of the number of printed surfaces of the medium P onto which the print head 20 has ejected ink, and is stored in the memory area M4. The cumulative printed surface number information TPc is calculated by the ejection information acquisition circuit 22 using at least one of the ejection control signals DATA1 to DATA8 that are output by the control circuit 100 and control the ejection of ink from the print head 20.

[0055] The information relating to the number of elapsed days LD is information indicating the number of days that have elapsed since the print head 20 was assembled into the liquid ejection device 1, and includes first elapsed day threshold information LDth1, second elapsed day threshold information LDth2, third elapsed day threshold information LDth3, and elapsed day information LDc, and is stored in memory areas M5 to M8 of the memory circuit 23.

[0056] The first threshold information LDth1 for number of elapsed days is a threshold for determining whether the print head 20 has been incorporated into a liquid ejection device, and for example, "1" is stored in memory area M5. The second threshold information LDth2 for number of elapsed days is a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20, and is stored in memory area M6. The third threshold information LDth3 for number of elapsed days is a threshold for defining the design life of the print head 20 according to the elapsed time, and is stored in memory area M7.

[0057] The elapsed days information LDc is a count value of the number of days that have passed since the print head 20 was assembled into the liquid ejection device 1, and is stored in the memory area M8. Here, the number of days that has passed as the elapsed days information LDc is calculated by the ejection information acquisition circuit 22, for example, based on information from a timing circuit (not shown).

[0058] The information on the number of errors EC is information indicating the number of errors that have occurred in the print head 20 since the print head 20 was assembled in the liquid ejection device 1, and includes first error count threshold information ECth1, second error count threshold information ECth2, third error count threshold information ECth3, and error count information ECc, and is stored in the memory areas M9 to M12 of the memory circuit 23. Here, the errors that have occurred in the print head 20 may include ejection errors in which ink is not ejected normally from the nozzles 651 of the print head 20, overvoltage errors, and overcurrent errors that have occurred in the print head 20, as well as transport errors in which the print head 20 cannot normally transport the medium P onto which the print head 20 ejects ink. The information on the number of errors EC may also include various errors related to the print head 20 other than the errors described above. Note that the detection and determination of various errors including the ejection errors, overvoltage errors, overcurrent errors, and transport errors described above can be performed using known methods.

[0059] The first error count threshold information ECth1 is a threshold for determining whether an error has occurred during use of the print head 20, and for example, "1" is stored in memory area M9. The second error count threshold information ECth2 is a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20, and is stored in memory area M10. The third error count threshold information ECth3 is a threshold for defining the design life of the print head 20 according to errors that have occurred in the print head 20, and is stored in memory area M11.

[0060] The error count information ECc is a count value of the number of errors that have occurred in the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M12. Here, the count value of the number of errors that have occurred in the print head 20 is obtained by the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 counting and adding up the number of times each of the above-mentioned discharge errors, overvoltage errors, overcurrent errors, and transport errors has occurred.

[0061] The information on the number of transport errors CEC is information indicating the number of errors that have occurred with the transport of the medium P since the print head 20 was assembled in the liquid ejection device 1, and includes first transport error number threshold information CECth1, second transport error number threshold information CECth2, third transport error number threshold information CECth3, and transport error number information CECc, and is stored in the storage areas M13 to M16 of the storage circuit 23. Here, an error that has occurred during transport includes, for example, a so-called jam in which the medium P cannot be normally supplied or discharged. In the following description, an error that has occurred during transport may be simply referred to as a transport error. When a transport error such as a jam occurs in the liquid ejection device 1, the medium P may come into contact with the nozzle plate 632 of the print head 20, and as a result, the multiple nozzles 651 formed in the nozzle plate 632 may be damaged. By storing the number of times such transport errors have occurred separately from the information on the number of errors EC described above, the state of the print head 20 can be managed more accurately.

[0062] The first transport error count threshold information CECth1 is a threshold for determining whether a transport error has occurred after the print head 20 has been assembled into the liquid ejection device 1, and for example, "1" is stored in the memory area M13. The second transport error count threshold information CECth2 is a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M14. The third transport error count threshold information CECth3 is a threshold for defining the design life of the print head 20 according to the transport error that has occurred in the liquid ejection device 1, and is stored in the memory area M15.

[0063] The transport error count information CECc is a count value of the number of transport errors that have occurred since the print head 20 was assembled into the liquid ejection device 1, and is stored in the memory area M16. Here, the count value of the number of transport errors stored in the memory area M16 may be calculated by the control circuit 100 and input to the ejection information acquisition circuit 22 as a status signal SS, or, when a transport error occurs, the control circuit 100 may output a status signal SS including information that a transport error has occurred, and the ejection information acquisition circuit 22 may calculate the count value based on the input status signal SS.

[0064] The information on the number of capping processes CP is information indicating the number of times that a capping process has been performed in which a cap is attached to the nozzle plate 632 in which the nozzles 651 are formed in order to reduce changes in the characteristics of the ink stored in the print head 20, and includes first capping process number threshold information CPth1, second capping process number threshold information CPth2, third capping process number threshold information CPth3, and capping process number information CPc, and is stored in memory areas M17 to M20 of the memory circuit 23. In the capping process, the cap comes into contact with the nozzle plate 632 of the print head 20, and there is a risk that the cap may damage the nozzles 651. By storing the number of times that such a capping process has been performed in the memory circuit 23, the state of the print head 20 can be managed with greater accuracy.

[0065] The first capping process count threshold information CPth1 is a threshold for determining whether or not a capping process has been performed since the print head 20 was assembled into the liquid ejection device 1, and for example, "1" is stored in the memory area M17. The second capping process count threshold information CPth2 is a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M18. The third capping process count threshold information CPth3 is a threshold for defining a design lifespan according to the number of capping processes performed on the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M19.

[0066] The capping process count information CPc is a count value of the number of capping processes performed on the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M20. Here, the count value of the number of capping processes stored in the memory area M20 may be calculated by the control circuit 100 and input to the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 as a status signal SS, or the control circuit 100 may output a status signal SS including information that the capping process has been performed, and the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 may calculate the count value based on the input status signal SS.

[0067] The information relating to the number of cleaning processes CL is information indicating the number of times cleaning processes have been performed to enable the print head 20 to eject ink normally, such as a wiping process for removing paper fragments and the like adhering to the nozzle plate 632 of the print head 20, and a flushing process for maintaining the viscosity of the ink stored inside the print head 20 within an appropriate range, and includes first cleaning process number threshold information CLth1, second cleaning process number threshold information CLth2, third cleaning process number threshold information CLth3, and cleaning process number information CLc, and is stored in memory areas M21 to M24 of the memory circuit 23.

[0068] The first cleaning process count threshold information CLth1 is a threshold for determining whether a cleaning process has been performed since the print head 20 was assembled into the liquid ejection device 1, and for example, "1" is stored in memory area M21. The second cleaning process count threshold information CLth2 is a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20, and is stored in memory area M22. The third cleaning process count threshold information CLth3 is a threshold for defining a design lifespan according to the number of cleaning processes performed on the print head 20, and is stored in memory area M23.

[0069] The cleaning process count information CLc is a count value of the number of cleaning processes performed on the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M24. Here, the count value of the number of cleaning processes stored in the memory area M24 may be calculated by the control circuit 100 and input to the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 as a status signal SS, or the control circuit 100 may output a status signal SS including information that a cleaning process has been performed, and the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 may calculate the count value based on the input status signal SS.

[0070] The information on the number of wiping processes WP is information indicating the number of times a wiping process has been performed to remove paper dust or the like adhering to the nozzle plate 632 of the print head 20, and includes first wiping process number threshold information WPth1, second wiping process number threshold information WPth2, third wiping process number threshold information WPth3, and wiping process number information WPc, and is stored in memory areas M25 to M28 of the memory circuit 23. The wiping process directly wipes the nozzle plate 632 of the print head 20, and therefore may damage the nozzles 651. By storing the number of times such wiping processes have been performed separately from the above-mentioned number of cleaning processes CL, the state of the print head 20 can be managed with greater accuracy.

[0071] The first wiping process count threshold information WPth1 is a threshold for determining whether a wiping process has been performed since the print head 20 was assembled into the liquid ejection device 1, and for example, "1" is stored in memory area M25. The second wiping process count threshold information WPth2 is a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20, and is stored in memory area M26. The third wiping process count threshold information WPth3 is a threshold for defining a design lifespan according to the number of wiping processes performed on the print head 20, and is stored in memory area M27.

[0072] The wiping process count information WPc is a count value of the number of wiping processes performed on the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M28. Here, the count value of the number of wiping processes stored in the memory area M28 may be calculated by the control circuit 100 and input to the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 as a status signal SS, or the control circuit 100 may output a status signal SS including information that a wiping process has been performed, and the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 may calculate the count value based on the input status signal SS.

[0073] The information regarding the number of ejections DC is information indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the print head 20, and includes first ejection number threshold information DCth1, second ejection number threshold information DCth2, third ejection number threshold information DCth3, and ejection number information DCL1 to DCL8, and is stored in memory areas M29 to M39 of the memory circuit 23.

[0074] The first ejection count threshold information DCth1 is a threshold for determining whether ink has been ejected since the print head 20 was assembled into the liquid ejection device 1, and for example, "1" is stored in the memory area M29. The second ejection count threshold information DCth2 is a threshold for distinguishing the state of the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M30. The third ejection count threshold information DCth3 is a threshold for defining the design life corresponding to the number of times ink is ejected from the print head 20, and is stored in the memory area M31.

[0075] The ejection count information DCL1 to DCL8 corresponds to each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8, is an integrated value of the number of times ink is ejected from each of the corresponding nozzle rows L1 to L8, and is stored in memory regions M32 to M39.

[0076] Specifically, the discharge number information DCL1 is a count value of the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzle row L1, and is stored in a storage area M32. This discharge number information DCL1 may be calculated based on a discharge control signal DATA1 input to the discharge information acquisition circuit 22. Also, the discharge number information DCL2 is a count value of the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzle row L2, and is stored in a storage area M33. This discharge number information DCL2 may be calculated by the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 based on a discharge control signal DATA2 input. Also, the discharge number information DCL3 is a count value of the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzle row L3, and is stored in a storage area M34. This discharge number information DCL3 may be calculated by the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 based on a discharge control signal DATA3 input. Also, the discharge number information DCL4 is a count value of the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzle row L4, and is stored in a storage area M35. This discharge number information DCL4 may be calculated by the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 based on a discharge control signal DATA4 input. Moreover, the discharge number information DCL5 is a count value of the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzle row L5, and is stored in the storage area M36. This discharge number information DCL5 may be calculated by the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 based on the input discharge control signal DATA5. Also, the discharge number information DCL6 is a count value of the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzle row L6, and is stored in the storage area M37. This discharge number information DCL6 may be calculated by the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 based on the input discharge control signal DATA6. Also, the discharge number information DCL7 is a count value of the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzle row L7, and is stored in the storage area M38. This discharge number information DCL7 may be calculated by the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 based on the input discharge control signal DATA7. Also, the discharge number information DCL8 is a count value of the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzle row L2, and is stored in the storage area M39. This discharge number information DCL8 may be calculated by the discharge information acquisition circuit 22 based on the input discharge control signal DATA8.

[0077] That is, the memory circuit 23 stores ejection count information DCL1 regarding the ejection of ink from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L1, ejection count information DCL2 regarding the ejection of ink from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L2, ejection count information DCL3 regarding the ejection of ink from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L3, ejection count information DCL4 regarding the ejection of ink from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L4, ejection count information DCL5 regarding the ejection of ink from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L5, ejection count information DCL6 regarding the ejection of ink from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L6, ejection count information DCL7 regarding the ejection of ink from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L7, and ejection count information DCL8 regarding the ejection of ink from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L8. In other words, the print head 20 has a memory circuit 23 that stores ejection count information DCL1 regarding ink ejection from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L1, ejection count information DCL2 regarding ink ejection from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L2, ejection count information DCL3 regarding ink ejection from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L3, ejection count information DCL4 regarding ink ejection from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L4, ejection count information DCL5 regarding ink ejection from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L5, ejection count information DCL6 regarding ink ejection from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L6, ejection count information DCL7 regarding ink ejection from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L7, and ejection count information DCL8 regarding ink ejection from the multiple nozzles 651 included in nozzle array L8.

[0078] Here, the ejection section-related information stored in memory circuit 23 shown in FIG. 8 is one example, and in addition to the above-mentioned ejection section-related information, memory circuit 23 may also store information on the color of ink ejected corresponding to nozzle rows L1 to L8, information on the manufacture of print head 20 such as the manufacture date and manufacturing location, and information on the initial characteristics of print head 20 obtained when print head 20 was manufactured.

[0079] In the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 10 generates ejection control signals DATA1 to DATA8 and a drive signal COM based on image data input from an external device, and outputs them to the print head 20. The print head 20 then ejects ink onto the medium P based on the ejection control signals DATA1 to DATA8 and the drive signal COM. At this time, the memory circuit 23 of the print head 20 stores ejection-related information including information indicating the state of the print head 20 and information related to the ejection of ink from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8.

[0080] 4. Remanufacturing printheads In the liquid ejection device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load, the liquid ejection device 1 distributed in the market can be collected, the used print head 20 can be removed from the collected liquid ejection device 1, and the removed used print head 20 can be reconditioned and regenerated, and the liquid ejection device 1 equipped with the regenerated print head 20 can be distributed again in the market. This can reduce the amount of print head 20 discarded, and contribute to the achievement of Goal 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production" of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the used print head 20 is collected from the used liquid ejection device 1 distributed in the market, and the regenerated liquid ejection device 1 equipped with the print head 20 reproduced from the collected used print head 20 is distributed in the market. That is, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the regenerated liquid ejection device 1 is equipped with the print head 20 reproduced from the used print head 20.

[0081] In addition, the act of distributing liquid ejection device 1 equipped with refurbished print head 20 on the market includes not only the act of selling liquid ejection device 1 equipped with refurbished print head 20, but also the act of renting or leasing liquid ejection device 1 equipped with refurbished print head 20, and the act of offering liquid ejection device 1 equipped with refurbished print head 20 as a sample or trial product.

[0082] In addition, in the following description, the collected used liquid ejection device 1 will be referred to as the used liquid ejection device 1u, the print head 20 provided in the used liquid ejection device 1u will be referred to as the used print head 20u, the print head 20 reproduced from the used print head 20u will be referred to as the recycled print head 20r, and the liquid ejection device 1 provided with the recycled print head 20r will be referred to as the recycled liquid ejection device 1r.

[0083] Next, a method for producing a regenerated liquid ejection device 1r equipped with a regenerated printhead 20r and a method for producing a regenerated printhead 20r will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a regenerated liquid ejection device 1r. In the following description, a person who collects a liquid ejection device 1 distributed in the market may be called a collector, and a person who produces a regenerated liquid ejection device 1r from the collected liquid ejection device 1 may be called a producer. Note that the collector and the producer are not limited to being different persons, and may be the same person. In addition, the processes and operations performed by the collector and the producer described below include cases where the collector and the producer themselves perform the processes and operations, and also cases where the collector and the producer operate the corresponding device and computer to cause the device and the computer to perform the processes and operations.

[0084] In producing the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r, a collector collects used liquid ejection devices 1u circulating in the market (step S10) and delivers the collected used liquid ejection device 1u to a manufacturer. The manufacturer removes the used printhead 20u from the used liquid ejection device 1u obtained from the collector (step S20) and produces a regenerated printhead 20r from the removed used printhead 20u (step S30). The manufacturer then mounts the produced regenerated printhead 20r on the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r (step S40), and performs ejection adjustment of the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r on which the regenerated printhead 20r is mounted (step S50), thereby completing production of the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r.

[0085] Here, a specific example of a method for producing a regenerated printhead 20r from a used printhead 20u in step S30 described above will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a regenerated printhead 20r. When producing a regenerated printhead 20r from a used printhead 20u, the producer reads out ejection-related information indicating the state of the used printhead 20u from the memory circuit 23 of the used printhead 20u removed from the used liquid ejection device 1u (step S310). Then, the producer determines the state of the used printhead 20u based on the read ejection-related information indicating the state of the used printhead 20u (step S320).

[0086] Specifically, the producer reads out the first cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth1, the second cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth2, the third cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth3, and the cumulative printed surface number information TPc from the memory circuit 23 as information related to the cumulative printed surface number TP from the ejection-related information. Then, the producer compares the read-out cumulative printed surface number information TPc with each of the read-out first cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth1, the second cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth2, and the third cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth3, and determines the condition of the used printhead 20u based on the comparison result, and judges whether the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r.

[0087] In detail, if the read-out cumulative printed surface number information TPc is smaller than the first cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth1, the producer determines that the used printhead 20u is unused. If the read-out cumulative printed surface number information TPc is larger than the first cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth1 and smaller than the third cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth3, the producer determines that the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r in terms of the integrated value of the number of printed surfaces. At this time, the producer determines the state of the used printhead 20u based on whether the read-out cumulative printed surface number information TPc is larger than the second cumulative printed surface number threshold information TPth2. This allows the producer to determine the use of the regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from the used printhead 20u.

[0088] In addition, if the read-out cumulative printed surface count information TPc is greater than any of the first cumulative printed surface count threshold information TPth1, the second cumulative printed surface count threshold information TPth2, and the third cumulative printed surface count threshold information TPth3, the producer determines that the used printhead 20u is not suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r from the standpoint of the integrated value of the number of printed surfaces.

[0089] Similarly, the producer reads out first elapsed day threshold information LDth1, second elapsed day threshold information LDth2, third elapsed day threshold information LDth3, and elapsed day information LDc as information related to the number of elapsed days LD from the discharge-related information. Then, the producer compares the read-out elapsed day information LDc with the read-out first elapsed day threshold information LDth1, second elapsed day threshold information LDth2, and third elapsed day threshold information LDth3, respectively, to determine whether the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r in terms of the number of elapsed days of the used printhead 20u, and if the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r, determines the use of the regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from the used printhead 20u.

[0090] Similarly, the producer reads out first error count threshold information ECth1, second error count threshold information ECth2, third error count threshold information ECth3, and error count information ECc from the storage circuit 23 as information related to the error count EC of the discharge-related information. Then, the producer compares the read error count information ECc with each of the read error count first threshold information ECth1, second error count threshold information ECth2, and third error count threshold information ECth3 to determine whether the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r from the perspective of the number of errors that have occurred in the liquid ejection device 1, and if the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r, determines the use of the regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from the used printhead 20u.

[0091] Similarly, the producer reads out the first transport error count threshold information CECth1, the second transport error count threshold information CECth2, the third transport error count threshold information CECth3, and the transport error count information CECc from the storage circuit 23 as information related to the transport error count CEC from the discharge-related information. Then, the producer compares the read transport error count CEC with the read first transport error count threshold information CECth1, the read second transport error count threshold information CECth2, and the read third transport error count threshold information CECth3, respectively, to determine whether the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r from the perspective of the number of transport errors that occurred in the used liquid ejection device 1u when the used printhead 20u is incorporated in the used liquid ejection device 1u, and if the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r, determines the use of the regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from the used printhead 20u.

[0092] Similarly, the producer reads out first capping process count threshold information CPth1, second capping process count threshold information CPth2, third capping process count threshold information CPth3, and capping process count information CPc from the storage circuit 23 as information related to the capping process count CP from the ejection-related information. Then, the producer compares the read capping process count information CPc with the read first capping process count threshold information CPth1, second capping process count threshold information CPth2, and third capping process count threshold information CPth3, respectively, to determine whether the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r from the perspective of the number of capping processes performed on the used printhead 20u, and if the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r, determines the use of the regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from the used printhead 20u.

[0093] Similarly, the producer reads out first cleaning process count threshold information CLth1, second cleaning process count threshold information CLth2, third cleaning process count threshold information CLth3, and cleaning process count information CLc from the storage circuit 23 as information related to the cleaning process count CL of the ejection-related information. Then, the producer compares the read cleaning process count information CLc with each of the read first cleaning process count threshold information CLth1, second cleaning process count threshold information CLth2, and third cleaning process count threshold information CLth3 to determine whether the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r from the perspective of the number of cleaning processes performed on the used printhead 20u, and if the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r, determines the use of the regenerated printhead 20r to be reproduced from the used printhead 20u.

[0094] Similarly, the producer reads out the first wiping process count threshold information WPth1, the second wiping process count threshold information WPth2, the third wiping process count threshold information WPth3, and the wiping process count information WPc from the storage circuit 23 as information related to the wiping process count WP in the ejection-related information. Then, the producer compares the read out wiping process count information WPc with the read out first wiping process count threshold information WPth1, the second wiping process count threshold information WPth2, and the third wiping process count threshold information WPth3, respectively, to determine whether the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r in terms of the number of wiping processes performed on the used printhead 20u, and if the used printhead 20u is suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r, determines the use of the regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from the used printhead 20u.

[0095] As described above, the manufacturer determines the condition of the used printhead 20u based on the ejection-related information read from the memory circuit 23, including the cumulative number of printed surfaces TP, the number of elapsed days LD, the number of errors EC, the number of transport errors CEC, the number of capping processes CP, the number of cleaning processes CL, and the number of wiping processes WP. The manufacturer then determines, based on the condition of the used printhead 20u, whether a remanufactured printhead 20r can be produced from the used printhead 20u (step S330).

[0096] Here, if at least one of the ejection-related information indicating the state of the used printhead 20u indicates that the used printhead 20u is not suitable for producing a regenerated printhead 20r, the producer may determine that it is not possible to produce a regenerated printhead 20r from the used printhead 20u, or the producer may make a comprehensive judgment on the comparison results of the ejection-related information indicating the state of the used printhead 20u described above and determine whether it is possible to produce a regenerated printhead 20r from the used printhead 20u.

[0097] If the producer determines that it is not possible to produce a regenerated printhead 20r from the used printhead 20u (N in step S330), the producer gives up on producing a regenerated printhead 20r from the used printhead 20u removed from the used liquid ejection device 1u, stops producing the regenerated printhead 20r (step S335), and ends the production of the regenerated printhead 20r from the used printhead 20u.

[0098] On the other hand, if the manufacturer determines that it is possible to produce a remanufactured printhead 20r from the used printhead 20u (Y in step S330), the manufacturer reads out ejection-related information related to the ejection of ink from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 from the memory circuit 23 of the used printhead 20u (step S340). Specifically, the manufacturer reads out from the memory circuit 23 the first ejection count threshold information DCth1, the second ejection count threshold information DCth2, the third ejection count threshold information DCth3, and the ejection count information DCL1 to DCL8 as information related to the ejection count DC in the ejection-related information.

[0099] The manufacturer then compares each of the read discharge count information DCL1-DCL8 with the first discharge count threshold information DCth1, the second discharge count threshold information DCth2, and the third discharge count threshold information DCth3 to determine whether each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 can be used in the remanufactured printhead 20r (step S350), and compares each of the discharge count information DCL1-DCL8 to grasp the usage status of each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 (step S360).The manufacturer then produces remanufactured printheads 20r in which the type of ink supplied to each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 has been changed based on the determination results of whether each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 can be used in the remanufactured printhead 20r and the usage status of each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 (step S370), and ends production of the remanufactured printheads 20r.

[0100] That is, in the method of producing the regenerated printhead 20r in this embodiment, ejection number information DCL1 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L1, ejection number information DCL2 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L2, ejection number information DCL3 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L3, ejection number information DCL4 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L4, ejection number information DCL5 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L5, ejection number information DCL6 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L6, and ejection number information DCL7 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L7. the ejection number information DCL6 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L7, and the ejection number information DCL8 indicating the number of times ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L8; a comparison step of comparing the acquired ejection number information DCL1, ejection number information DCL2, ejection number information DCL3, ejection number information DCL4, ejection number information DCL5, ejection number information DCL6, ejection number information DCL7, and ejection number information DCL8; and a switching step of switching the type of ink ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1 to 8 and supplied to each reservoir 641 of the nozzle rows L1 to 8 based on the comparison result in the comparison step.

[0101] Specifically, in step S350, the manufacturer compares the discharge count information DCL1 with each of the z of the first discharge count threshold information DCth1, the second discharge count threshold information DCth2, and the third discharge count threshold information DCth3. If the discharge count information DCL1 is greater than the first discharge count threshold information DCth1 and less than the third discharge count threshold information DCth3, the manufacturer determines that the nozzle row L1 of the used printhead 20u is suitable for use in the remanufactured printhead 20r. On the other hand, if the discharge count information DCL1 is greater than the first discharge count threshold information DCth1, the second discharge count threshold information DCth2, and the third discharge count threshold information DCth3, the manufacturer determines that the nozzle row L1 of the used printhead 20u is not suitable for use in the remanufactured printhead 20r.

[0102] Similarly, in step S350, the manufacturer compares the discharge count information DCLi (where i is any value between 2 and 8) with the first discharge count threshold information DCth1, the second discharge count threshold information DCth2, and the third discharge count threshold information DCth3. If the discharge count information DCLi is greater than the first discharge count threshold information DCth1 and less than the third discharge count threshold information DCth3, the manufacturer determines that the nozzle row Li of the used printhead 20u is suitable for use in the remanufactured printhead 20r. On the other hand, if the discharge count information DCLi is greater than the first discharge count threshold information DCth1, the second discharge count threshold information DCth2, and the third discharge count threshold information DCth3, the manufacturer determines that the nozzle row Li of the used printhead 20u is not suitable for use in the remanufactured printhead 20r.

[0103] Furthermore, in step S360, the manufacturer compares each of the pieces of discharge count information DCL1-DCL8. Specifically, the manufacturer compares the discharge count information DCL1-DCL8 with each other to compare the number of times ink has been discharged from each of the nozzle rows L1-L8. In this way, the manufacturer obtains the usage status of each of the nozzle rows L1-L8, that is, the magnitude relationship of the number of times ink has been discharged from each of the nozzle rows L1-L8, together with the type of ink discharged from each of the nozzle rows L1-L8.

[0104] In the subsequent step S370, the manufacturer determines the type of ink to be ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 in the remanufactured printhead 20r and the type of ink to be supplied to each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 in the remanufactured printhead 20r, based on the results of the determination in step S350 as to whether each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 can be used in the remanufactured printhead 20r, the magnitude relationship of the number of times ink has been ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1-L8 acquired in step S360, and the type of ink ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1-L8.The manufacturer then produces a remanufactured printhead 20r modified so that the determined type of ink is ejected from each of the corresponding nozzle rows L1-L8.

[0105] Here, an example of a method for determining the type of ink discharged from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 of the remanufactured print head 20r will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the type of ink discharged and each value of the discharge count information DCL1 to DCL8. Here, FIG. 11 shows an example of the relationship between the type of ink discharged from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 of the used print head 20u and the remanufactured print head 20r and each value of the discharge count information DCL1 to DCL8 acquired from the used print head 20u in a case where all of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 are determined to be suitable for use in the remanufactured print head 20r. Note that the first discharge count threshold information DCth1, the second discharge count threshold information DCth2, the third discharge count threshold information DCth3, the values ​​of the discharge count information DCL1 to DCL8, and the type of ink discharged from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 shown in FIG. 11 are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0106] In the specific example shown in Figure 11, in the used print head 20u provided in the used liquid ejection device 1u of this embodiment, nozzle rows L1 and L8 eject yellow Y ink, nozzle rows L2 and L7 eject cyan C ink, nozzle rows L3 and L6 eject magenta M ink, and nozzle rows L4 and L5 eject black Bk ink.

[0107] That is, the flow path member 210 of the used print head 20u has an ink flow path that connects the ink supply port 215 to which ink cartridge 26y is attached and the nozzle rows L1 and L8, an ink flow path that connects the ink supply port 215 to which ink cartridge 26c is attached and the nozzle rows L2 and L7, an ink flow path that connects the ink supply port 215 to which ink cartridge 26m is attached and the nozzle rows L3 and L6, and an ink flow path that connects the ink supply port 215 to which ink cartridge 26k is attached and the nozzle rows L4 and L5.

[0108] In the specific example shown in FIG. 11, the memory circuit 23 of the used print head 20u stores ejection count information DCL1="10,000,000" as a count value of the number of times ink has been ejected from nozzle row L1, ejection count information DCL2="25,000,000" as a count value of the number of times ink has been ejected from nozzle row L2, ejection count information DCL3="20,000,000" as a count value of the number of times ink has been ejected from nozzle row L3, ejection count information DCL4="100,000,000" as a count value of the number of times ink has been ejected from nozzle row L4, and ejection count information DCL5="100,000,000" as a count value of the number of times ink has been ejected from nozzle row L5. The following are stored as judgment thresholds used to determine whether each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 is suitable for use in the regenerated print head 20r: ejection count information DCL6="20,000,000" as a count value of the number of times ink has been ejected from nozzle row L6; ejection count information DCL7="25,000,000" as a count value of the number of times ink has been ejected from nozzle row L7; ejection count information DCL8="10,000,000" as a count value of the number of times ink has been ejected from nozzle row L8; and ejection count first threshold information DCth1="1", ejection count second threshold information DCth2="5,000,000", and ejection count third threshold information DCth3="150,000,000" as judgment thresholds used to determine whether each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 is suitable for use in the regenerated print head 20r.

[0109] In step S340, the manufacturer stores the following count values ​​of the number of times ink has been ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 from the memory circuit 23 of the used print head 20u: ejection count information DCL1="10,000,000", ejection count information DCL2="25,000,000", ejection count information DCL3="20,000,000", ejection count information DCL4="100,000,000", ejection count information DCL5="100,000,000", ejection count information DCL6="20,000", ,000", ejection count information DCL7="25,000,000", and ejection count information DCL8="10,000,000", and as judgment thresholds used to determine whether each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 of the used print head 20u is suitable for use in the regenerated print head 20r, the following are obtained: ejection count first threshold information DCth1="1", ejection count second threshold information DCth2="5,000,000", and ejection count third threshold information DCth3="150,000,000".

[0110] Then, in step S350, the manufacturer compares each of the acquired discharge count information DCL1-DCL8 with the acquired first discharge count threshold information DCth1, second discharge count threshold information DCth2, and third discharge count threshold information DCth3, respectively. As a result, the manufacturer determines that all of the nozzle rows L1-L8 are suitable for use in the remanufactured printhead 20r.

[0111] Furthermore, in step S360, the manufacturer compares the ejection count information DCL1 to DCL8, and as a result, the manufacturer determines that the number of times ink has been ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 is greatest for the nozzle rows L4 and L5 ejecting black Bk ink, the nozzle rows L2 and L7 ejecting cyan C ink, the nozzle rows L3 and L6 ejecting magenta M ink, and the nozzle rows L1 and L8 ejecting yellow Y ink, in that order.

[0112] Then, the manufacturer changes the ink flow paths inside the flow path member 210 so that, in the used print head 20u, black Bk ink that was ejected from the nozzle rows L4 and L5, which have the highest number of times that ink has been ejected, is supplied to the nozzle rows L1 and L8, which have the lowest number of times that ink has been ejected, in the used print head 20u, and changes the ink flow paths inside the flow path member 210 so that cyan C ink that was ejected from the nozzle rows L2 and L7, which have the second highest number of times that ink has been ejected after the nozzle rows L4 and L5, is supplied to the nozzle rows L3 and L6, which have the second lowest number of times that ink has been ejected after the nozzle rows L1 and L8, in the used print head 20u. In the above, the ink flow path inside the flow path member 210 is changed so that, in the used print head 20u, magenta M ink, which was ejected from the nozzle rows L3 and L6, which have the second highest number of times from which ink has been ejected after the nozzle rows L2 and L7, is supplied to the nozzle rows L2 and L7, which have the second lowest number of times from which ink has been ejected after the nozzle rows L3 and L6, and a flow path member 210 in which the ink flow path inside the flow path member 210 is changed so that, in the used print head 20u, yellow Y ink, which was ejected from the nozzle rows L1 and L7, which have the second highest number of times from which ink has been ejected after the nozzle rows L3 and L6, is supplied to the nozzle rows L4 and L5, which have the second lowest number of times from which ink has been ejected after the nozzle rows L2 and L7.

[0113] The manufacturer then fixes the ejection head 230 that was used in the used print head 20u to the produced flow path member 210 with the modified ink flow path using fixing screws 231, thereby producing a regenerated print head 20r.

[0114] In other words, the manufacturer reuses the ejection head 230 that was used in the used print head 20u and changes the flow path member 210 based on the number of times ink was ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 in the used print head 20u, to produce a regenerated print head 20r that ejects black ink Bk from nozzle rows L1, L8, magenta ink M from nozzle rows L2, L7, cyan ink C from nozzle rows L3, L6, and yellow ink Y from nozzle rows L4, L5.

[0115] In other words, the used print head 20u has a flow path member 210 including an ink flow path that supplies black Bk ink to the nozzle rows L4 and L5, an ink flow path that supplies magenta M ink to the nozzle rows L3 and L6, an ink flow path that supplies cyan C ink to the nozzle rows L2 and L7, and an ink flow path that supplies yellow Y ink to the nozzle rows L1 and L8, and the regenerated print head 20r has a flow path member 210 including an ink flow path that supplies yellow Y ink to the nozzle rows L4 and L5, an ink flow path that supplies cyan C ink to the nozzle rows L3 and L6, an ink flow path that supplies magenta M ink to the nozzle rows L2 and L7, and an ink flow path that supplies black Bk ink to the nozzle rows L1 and L8.

[0116] As described above, in the manufacturing method of the regenerated printhead 20r of this embodiment, if it is determined in the comparison step that the number of times that the nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L4 eject ink is greater than the number of times that the nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L1 eject ink, the producer switches the ink flow paths of the flow path member 210 so that the black ink ejected from the nozzle row L4 is supplied to the nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L1 in the switching step. That is, if the number of times that the nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L4 eject ink is greater than the number of times that the nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L1 eject ink, the flow path member 210 including the ink flow path that supplies the black ink to the nozzle rows L4 and L5 of the used printhead 20u and the ink flow path that supplies the yellow ink to the nozzle rows L1 and L8 is replaced in the switching step with the flow path member 210 including the ink flow path that supplies the black ink to the nozzle rows L1 and L8.

[0117] The manufacturer then fixes the ejection head 230 of the used print head 20u to the flow path member 210 in which the ink flow path has been changed with the fixing screws 231, thereby producing a remanufactured print head 20r.

[0118] That is, a regenerated print head 20r produced from a used print head 20u having an ejection head 230 including a nozzle row L4 having a plurality of nozzles 651 ejecting black Bk ink, and a nozzle row L1 having a plurality of nozzles 651 ejecting yellow Y ink, reuses the ejection head 230 possessed by the used print head 20u, and is configured so that when the number of times that ink is ejected from the plurality of nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L4, which is stored in the memory circuit 23 of the used print head 20u, is greater than the number of times that ink is ejected from the plurality of nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L1, which is stored in the memory circuit 23 of the used print head 20u, the plurality of nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L1 are configured to eject black Bk ink.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the regenerated printhead 20r is produced in which the type of ink supplied to each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 is changed by changing the ink flow paths of the flow path member 210 of the used printhead 20u in accordance with the number of times ink has been discharged from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 in the used printhead 20u. However, it is also possible to produce a regenerated printhead 20r in which the type of ink supplied to each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 is changed by changing the arrangement of the ink cartridges 26y, 26m, 26c, and 26k attached to the flow path member 210 of the regenerated printhead 20r from the arrangement of the ink cartridges 26y, 26m, 26c, and 26k attached to the flow path member 210 of the used printhead 20u in accordance with the number of times ink has been discharged from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 in the used printhead 20u without changing the ink flow paths of the flow path member 210 of the used printhead 20u.

[0120] Next, a method for determining the type of ink to be ejected from the nozzle rows L1 to L8 when it is determined that the nozzle rows L4 and L5 of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 of the regenerated printhead 20r are not suitable for use in the regenerated printhead 20r will be described. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the type of ink to be ejected and each value of the ejection count information DCL1 to DCL8. Fig. 12 shows an example of the relationship between the type of ink ejected from the used printhead 20u and each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 of the regenerated printhead 20r and each value of the ejection count information DCL1 to DCL8 acquired from the used printhead 20u when it is determined that the nozzle rows L4 and L5 of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 of the regenerated printhead 20r are not suitable for use in the regenerated printhead 20r. Note that the first ejection count threshold information DCth1, second ejection count threshold information DCth2, and third ejection count threshold information DCth3 shown in FIG. 12, the values ​​of the ejection count information DCL1 to DCL8, and the types of ink ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0121] In the specific example shown in Figure 12, similar to the specific example shown in Figure 11, the used print head 20u provided in the used liquid ejection device 1u ejects yellow Y ink from nozzle rows L1 and L8, cyan C ink from nozzle rows L2 and L7, magenta M ink from nozzle rows L3 and L6, and black Bk ink from nozzle rows L4 and L5. That is, like the flow path member 210 of the used print head 20u shown in FIG. 11, the flow path member 210 of the used print head 20u shown in FIG. 12 has an ink flow path that connects the ink cartridge 26y containing yellow Y ink with the nozzle rows L1 and L8, an ink flow path that connects the ink cartridge 26c containing cyan C ink with the nozzle rows L2 and L7, an ink flow path that connects the ink cartridge 26m containing magenta M ink with the nozzle rows L3 and L6, and an ink flow path that connects the ink cartridge 26k containing black Bk ink with the nozzle rows L4 and L5.

[0122] In the specific example shown in FIG. 12, the memory circuit 23 of the used print head 20u included in the used liquid ejection device 1u of this embodiment stores the following information: ejection count information DCL1="20,000,000", ejection count information DCL2="50,000,000", ejection count information DCL3="40,000,000", ejection count information DCL4="200,000,000", ejection count information DCL5="200,0 The following are stored: discharge count information DCL5="40,000,000", discharge count information DCL7="50,000,000", and discharge count information DCL8="20,000,000", as well as discharge count first threshold information DCth1="1", discharge count second threshold information DCth2="5,000,000", and discharge count third threshold information DCth3="150,000,000".

[0123] In step S340, the manufacturer reads from the memory circuit 23 of the used print head 20u the discharge count information DCL1="20,000,000", the discharge count information DCL2="50,000,000", the discharge count information DCL3="40,000,000", the discharge count information DCL4="200,000,000", and the discharge count information DCL5="200,000,000". , the following are obtained: ejection count information DCL6="40,000,000", ejection count information DCL7="25,000,000", and ejection count information DCL8="20,000,000", as well as ejection count first threshold information DCth1="1", ejection count second threshold information DCth2="5,000,000", and ejection count third threshold information DCth3="150,000,000".

[0124] Then, in step S350, the manufacturer compares each of the acquired discharge count information DCL1-DCL8 with the acquired first discharge count threshold information DCth1, second discharge count threshold information DCth2, and third discharge count threshold information DCth3, respectively. As a result, the manufacturer determines that, among the nozzle rows L1-L8, the nozzle rows L4 and L5 are not suitable for use in the remanufactured printhead 20r.

[0125] Furthermore, in step S360, the manufacturer compares the ejection count information DCL1 to DCL8, and as a result, the manufacturer determines that the number of times ink has been ejected from each of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 is greatest for the nozzle rows L4 and L5 ejecting black Bk ink, the nozzle rows L2 and L7 ejecting cyan C ink, the nozzle rows L3 and L6 ejecting magenta M ink, and the nozzle rows L1 and L8 ejecting yellow Y ink, in that order.

[0126] Thereafter, the manufacturer changes the ink flow path of the flow path member 210 in the used printhead 20u so that ink is not supplied to the nozzle rows L4 and L5 determined to be unsuitable for use in the regenerated printhead 20r, and changes the ink flow path of the flow path member 210 in the used printhead 20u so that black ink is supplied to the nozzle rows L1-L3 and L6-L7 determined to be suitable for use in the regenerated printhead 20r. That is, the manufacturer produces a regenerated printhead 20r in which ink is not ejected from the nozzle rows L4 and L5 determined to be unsuitable for use in the regenerated printhead 20r, and ink is ejected from the nozzle rows L1-L3 and L6-L7 determined to be suitable for use in the regenerated printhead 20r, and which can be mounted on a regenerated liquid ejection device 1r that performs monochrome printing in the specific example shown in FIG.

[0127] The manufacturer then fixes the ejection head 230 that was used in the used print head 20u to the produced flow path member 210 with the modified ink flow path using fixing screws 231, thereby producing a regenerated print head 20r.

[0128] In other words, if the number of ink ejections from nozzle rows L4 and L5 is a predetermined threshold indicating that the used print head 20u is unsuitable for remanufacturing and is greater than the third ejection number threshold information DCth3, in the switching process, the producer switches the ink flow path of the regenerated print head 20r to a flow path member 210 having an ink flow path configured so that ink is not supplied to the nozzle rows L4 and L5 determined to be unsuitable for use in the regenerated print head 20r, and an ink flow path configured so that black ink Bk for monochrome printing is supplied to the nozzle rows L1-L3 and L6-L7 determined to be suitable for use in the regenerated print head 20r.

[0129] That is, if the number of times that the nozzle row L4 ejects ink is greater than the third ejection number threshold information DCth3 indicating that the used printhead 20u is not suitable for reproduction, the producer switches the ink supply path in the above-mentioned switching step so that ink is not supplied to the nozzle row L4. In other words, if the number of times that the nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L4 stored in the memory circuit 23 of the used printhead 20u eject ink is greater than the third ejection number threshold information DCth3 indicating that the used printhead 20u is not suitable for reproduction, the nozzles 651 included in the nozzle row L4 of the remanufactured printhead 20r do not eject ink.

[0130] Here, if the used printhead 20u includes a nozzle row that is not suitable for use in the regenerated printhead 20r, the regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from the used printhead 20u needs only to be configured so that ink is not ejected from the nozzle row that is not suitable for use in the regenerated printhead 20r, and is not limited to a regenerated printhead 20r mounted on a regenerated liquid ejection device 1r that performs monochrome printing. For example, if the used printhead 20u is configured to eject six colors of ink, a regenerated printhead 20r configured to eject four colors of ink may be produced.

[0131] Here, the flow path member 210 of the used print head 20u is an example of a first flow path member, the flow path member 210 of the regenerated print head 20r is an example of a second flow path member, and the memory circuit 23 is an example of a memory unit. Also, the nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L4 are an example of a first nozzle group, any one of the nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L4 is an example of a first nozzle, and the discharge count information DCL4 is an example of first nozzle group information. Also, the nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 are an example of a second nozzle group, any one of the nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 is an example of a second nozzle, and the discharge count information DCL1 is an example of second nozzle group information. Also, the memory circuit 23 is an example of a memory unit, black Bk is an example of a first color, and yellow Y is an example of a second color. And the discharge count third threshold information DCth3 is an example of a predetermined threshold.

[0132] 5. Effects The regenerated liquid ejection device 1r of this embodiment configured as described above includes a regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from a used printhead 20u in which the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L4 eject black Bk ink and the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 eject yellow Y ink, and the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 of the regenerated printhead 20r eject black Bk ink. That is, the color of ink ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 of the used printhead 20u is different from the color of ink ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 of the regenerated printhead 20r reproduced from the used printhead 20u.

[0133] In the liquid ejection device 1, the number of times ink is ejected from the print head 20 varies greatly depending on the color of the ink ejected. Therefore, the degree of wear of the nozzles 651 of the print head 20 is greatly affected by the color of the ink ejected. In the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r of this embodiment, the nozzle row L1 of the used print head 20u and the nozzle row L1 of the regenerated print head 20r reproduced from the used print head 20u eject different types of ink, so that the nozzles 651 with less wear in the used print head 20u can be assigned to the nozzles 651 expected to be more worn in the regenerated print head 20r, and the nozzles 651 with more wear in the used print head 20u can be assigned to the nozzles 651 expected to be less worn in the regenerated print head 20r. This reduces the variation in the degree of wear of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 of the regenerated printhead 20r, and extends the specified lifespan of the regenerated printhead 20r and the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r equipped with the regenerated printhead 20r. Furthermore, the extended specified lifespan of the regenerated printhead 20r and the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r equipped with the regenerated printhead 20r reduces the amount of printheads 20 that are discarded, which also contributes to reducing the environmental impact.

[0134] In addition, in the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r of this embodiment, the memory circuit 23 stores the number of times ink is ejected from the nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L4 and the number of times ink is ejected from the nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L1. When the regenerated print head 20r is produced from the used print head 20u, the information on the number of times of ejection stored in the memory circuit 23 is acquired, and if the number of times ink is ejected from the nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L4 is greater than the number of times ink is ejected from the nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L1, the nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 of the regenerated print head 20r reproduced from the used print head 20u eject black Bk ink that was ejected by the nozzle row L4 of the used print head 20u. This allows the black Bk ink, which is expected to eject a large amount of ink, to be appropriately assigned to the nozzle row L1, which is less worn, when producing the regenerated print head 20r. As a result, the specification life of the regenerated print head 20r and the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r equipped with the regenerated print head 20r can be further extended.

[0135] Furthermore, in the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r of this embodiment, if the number of times ink has been ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 of nozzle row L4 stored in the memory circuit 23 of the used print head 20u is greater than a threshold value indicating that the used print head 20u is unsuitable for reproduction, then the regenerated print head 20r is designed not to eject ink from the multiple nozzles 651 of nozzle row L4, thereby further reducing the amount of print heads 20 that are discarded and contributing to further reducing the environmental impact.

[0136] In addition, the production method of the regenerated printhead 20r of this embodiment includes an acquisition step of acquiring, from the memory circuit 23 of the used printhead 20u, the number of times ink was ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L4 that ejected black Bk ink, and the number of times ink was ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L1 that ejected yellow Y ink; a comparison step of comparing the acquired number of times ink was ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L4 with the number of times ink was ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L1; and a switching step of switching so that black Bk ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 constituting the nozzle row L1 of the regenerated printhead 20r when the number of times ink was ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L4 is greater than the number of times ink was ejected from the multiple nozzles 651 of the nozzle row L1.

[0137] This allows the nozzles 651 with less wear in the used printhead 20u to be assigned to the nozzles 651 expected to be more worn in the regenerated printhead 20r, and the nozzles 651 with more wear in the used printhead 20u to be assigned to the nozzles 651 expected to be less worn in the regenerated printhead 20r. As a result, the variation in the degree of wear of the nozzle rows L1 to L8 of the regenerated printhead 20r is reduced, and the specified life of the regenerated printhead 20r and the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r equipped with the regenerated printhead 20r can be extended, and the extended specified life of the regenerated printhead 20r and the regenerated liquid ejection device 1r equipped with the regenerated printhead 20r reduces the amount of printheads 20 that are discarded, which can contribute to reducing the environmental impact.

[0138] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above embodiments can be appropriately combined.

[0139] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same functions, methods and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effect). The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0140] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiment.

[0141] One aspect of the regenerated liquid ejection device is: a first nozzle group including first nozzles that eject liquid; a second nozzle group including second nozzles that eject liquid; a storage unit that stores first nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the first nozzle group and second nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the second nozzle group; having a regenerated liquid ejection device including a regenerated print head reproduced from a used print head in which the first nozzle group ejects a first color liquid and the second nozzle group ejects a second color liquid different from the first color, the remanufactured print head has the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group, The second group of nozzles of the remanufactured print head ejects liquid of the first color.

[0142] According to this regenerated liquid ejection device, a regenerated printhead reproduced from a used printhead in which a first nozzle group ejects a first color liquid and a second nozzle group ejects a second color liquid different from the first color has the same first and second nozzle groups as the used printhead, and the second nozzle group of the regenerated printhead ejects liquid of the first color. In other words, the second nozzle group of the used printhead and the second nozzle group of the regenerated printhead eject liquid of different colors. As a result, when the second nozzle group of the used printhead is less worn out, the regenerated printhead can eject liquid of a color that is expected to be more worn out. The ink can be ejected from the second nozzle group which is less worn out. As a result, the variation in the degree of wear between the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group of the regenerated print head is reduced, and as a result, the specification life of the regenerated print head and the regenerated liquid ejection device equipped with the regenerated print head can be extended. Furthermore, the extended specification life of the regenerated print head and the regenerated liquid ejection device equipped with the regenerated print head reduces the amount of print heads that are discarded, which can also contribute to reducing the environmental impact.

[0143] In one aspect of the above-mentioned regenerated liquid ejection device, when the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group included in the first nozzle group information stored in the memory unit of the used print head is greater than the number of times liquid is ejected from the second nozzle group included in the second nozzle group information stored in the memory unit of the used print head, The second group of nozzles of the remanufactured print head may eject liquid of the first color.

[0144] According to this regenerated liquid ejection device, when producing a regenerated printhead from a used printhead, the second nozzle group of the regenerated printhead ejects a first color of liquid according to the number of times that the first nozzle group of the used printhead has ejected liquid and the number of times that the second nozzle group has ejected liquid, which are stored in the memory unit, so that the color of the liquid ejected from the second nozzle group of the regenerated printhead can be appropriately selected. As a result, the specified life of the regenerated printhead and the regenerated liquid ejection device equipped with the regenerated printhead can be further extended.

[0145] In one aspect of the above-mentioned regenerated liquid ejection device, When the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group included in the first nozzle group information stored in the memory unit of the used print head is greater than a predetermined threshold value indicating that the used print head is not suitable for remanufacturing, The first group of nozzles of the remanufactured print head may not eject liquid.

[0146] With this recycled liquid ejection device, even if a used print head has a nozzle group that is not suitable for reproduction, it is possible to reproduce it for an application that does not use that nozzle group. As a result, the amount of discarded print heads can be further reduced, contributing to further reducing the environmental impact.

[0147] In one aspect of the above-mentioned regenerated liquid ejection device, the used print head has a first flow path member including a liquid flow path that supplies the first color liquid to the first nozzle group and a liquid flow path that supplies the second color liquid to the second nozzle group, The remanufactured print head may have a second flow path member including a liquid flow path that supplies the first color liquid to the second nozzle group.

[0148] According to this remanufactured liquid ejection device, a remanufactured print head can be easily produced by replacing the flow path member.

[0149] One aspect of a method for producing remanufactured printheads includes: a first nozzle group including first nozzles that eject liquid; a second nozzle group including second nozzles that eject liquid; a storage unit that stores first nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the first nozzle group and second nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the second nozzle group; having A method for producing a remanufactured printhead from a used printhead in which the first nozzle group ejects a first color liquid and the second nozzle group ejects a second color liquid different from the first color, comprising the steps of: an acquisition step of acquiring, from the storage unit of the used print head, the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group, which is included in the first nozzle group information, and the number of times liquid is ejected from the second nozzle group, which is included in the second nozzle group information; a comparison step of comparing the acquired number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group with the acquired number of times liquid is ejected from the second nozzle group; a switching step of switching a liquid supply path so that the first color liquid is supplied to the second nozzle group when the number of times the liquid is discharged from the first nozzle group is greater than the number of times the liquid is discharged from the second nozzle group; Includes.

[0150] According to this method for producing remanufactured printheads, the second nozzle group, which is less worn in the used printhead, can be assigned to ejection of the first color liquid, which is expected to be more worn in the remanufactured printhead. As a result, the variation in the degree of wear of the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group of the remanufactured printhead is reduced, and the specified life of the remanufactured printhead and the remanufactured liquid ejection device equipped with the remanufactured printhead can be extended, and the extended specified life of the remanufactured printhead and the remanufactured liquid ejection device equipped with the remanufactured printhead can reduce the amount of discarded printheads, which can also contribute to reducing the environmental impact.

[0151] In one embodiment of the method for producing a remanufactured printhead, If the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group is greater than a predetermined threshold value indicating that the used print head is unsuitable for remanufacturing, in the switching process, the liquid supply path may be switched so that liquid is not supplied to the first nozzle group.

[0152] According to this method of producing remanufactured printheads, even if a used printhead has a nozzle group that is not suitable for reproduction, it is possible to reproduce it for an application that does not use that nozzle group. As a result, the amount of printheads discarded can be further reduced, contributing to a further reduction in the environmental load.

[0153] In one embodiment of the method for producing a remanufactured printhead, When the number of times that the first nozzle group ejects liquid is greater than the number of times that the second nozzle group ejects liquid, In the switching process, a first flow path member including a liquid flow path that supplies the first color liquid to the second nozzle group of the used print head and a liquid flow path that supplies the second color liquid to the second nozzle group may be replaced with a second flow path member including a liquid flow path that supplies the first color liquid to the second nozzle group.

[0154] According to this method for producing a remanufactured printhead, a remanufactured printhead can be easily produced by replacing the flow path member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 1...liquid ejection device, 1r...recycled liquid ejection device, 1u...used liquid ejection device, 2...moving body, 3...moving unit, 4...transport unit, 10...control unit, 20...print head, 20r...recycled print head, 20u...used print head, 21-1 to 21-8...driving signal selection circuit, 22...ejection information acquisition circuit, 23...storage circuit, 24...carriage, 26...ink cartridge, 31...carriage motor, 32...carriage guide shaft, 33...timing belt, 40...platen, 41...transport motor , 42...transport roller, 50...drive circuit, 60...piezoelectric element, 100...control circuit, 190...cable, 210...flow path member, 211...reference pin, 212, 213, 214...through holes, 215...ink supply port, 230...ejection head, 231...fixing screw, 600...ejection section, 601...piezoelectric body, 611, 612...electrodes, 621...diaphragm, 631...cavity, 632...nozzle plate, 641...reservoir, 651...nozzle, 661...supply port, L1 to L8...nozzle row, M1 to M39...storage area, P...medium

Claims

1. a first nozzle group including first nozzles that eject liquid; a second nozzle group including second nozzles that eject liquid; a storage unit configured to store first nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the first nozzle group and second nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the second nozzle group; having a regenerated liquid ejection device including a regenerated print head reproduced from a used print head in which the first nozzle group ejects a first color liquid and the second nozzle group ejects a second color liquid different from the first color, the remanufactured print head has the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group, the second nozzle group of the remanufactured print head ejects liquid of the first color; A regenerated liquid ejection device.

2. when the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group included in the first nozzle group information stored in the memory unit of the used print head is greater than the number of times liquid is ejected from the second nozzle group included in the second nozzle group information stored in the memory unit of the used print head, the second nozzle group of the remanufactured print head ejects liquid of the first color; 2. The regenerated liquid ejection device according to claim 1.

3. When the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group included in the first nozzle group information stored in the memory unit of the used print head is greater than a predetermined threshold value indicating that the used print head is not suitable for remanufacturing, the first nozzle group of the remanufactured print head does not eject liquid; 2. The regenerated liquid ejection device according to claim 1.

4. the used print head has a first flow path member including a liquid flow path that supplies the first color liquid to the first nozzle group and a liquid flow path that supplies the second color liquid to the second nozzle group, the remanufactured print head has a second flow path member including a liquid flow path that supplies the first color liquid to the second nozzle group, 4. The regenerated liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the regenerated liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

5. a first nozzle group including first nozzles that eject liquid; a second nozzle group including second nozzles that eject liquid; a storage unit configured to store first nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the first nozzle group and second nozzle group information related to the ejection of liquid from the second nozzle group; having A method for producing a remanufactured printhead from a used printhead in which the first nozzle group ejects a first color liquid and the second nozzle group ejects a second color liquid different from the first color, comprising the steps of: an acquisition step of acquiring, from the storage unit of the used print head, the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group, which is included in the first nozzle group information, and the number of times liquid is ejected from the second nozzle group, which is included in the second nozzle group information; a comparison step of comparing the acquired number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group with the acquired number of times liquid is ejected from the second nozzle group; a switching step of switching a liquid supply path so that the first color liquid is supplied to the second nozzle group when the number of times the liquid is discharged from the first nozzle group is greater than the number of times the liquid is discharged from the second nozzle group; A method for producing remanufactured printheads, comprising:

6. when the number of times liquid is ejected from the first nozzle group is greater than a predetermined threshold value indicating that the used print head is not suitable for remanufacturing, in the switching step, a liquid supply path is switched so that liquid is not supplied to the first nozzle group; 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the printhead is a remanufactured printhead.

7. When the number of times that the first nozzle group ejects liquid is greater than the number of times that the second nozzle group ejects liquid, In the switching step, a first flow path member including a liquid flow path that supplies the first color liquid to the second nozzle group of the used print head and a liquid flow path that supplies the second color liquid to the second nozzle group is replaced with a second flow path member including a liquid flow path that supplies the first color liquid to the second nozzle group.

7. A method for producing remanufactured printheads according to claim 5 or 6.

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