Recording device

Abstract

To reduce the downtime without increasing the size.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a recording unit 20 which discharges an ink to a medium to record an image; a first ink storage unit 31 for storing the ink to be supplied to the recording unit 20; a second ink storage unit 32 for storing an ink which is to be supplied to the recording unit 20 and has the same color as the ink stored in the first ink storage unit 31; and a control unit 40 which controls supply of the inks from the first ink storage unit 31 and the second ink storage unit 32 to the recording unit 20. A size of the second ink storage unit 32 is smaller than a size of the first ink storage unit 31. The control unit 40 monitors whether or not the first ink storage unit 31 may supply the ink to the recording unit 20 and causes the second ink storage unit 32 to supply the ink to the recording unit 20 when the first ink storage unit 31 becomes unable to supply the ink.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records an image by ejecting ink onto a medium. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A recording device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known that includes a plurality of ink tanks containing ink of the same color in order to avoid interruption of printing operations when an ink cartridge reaches the end of its ink supply. Prior art documents disclose an ink jet recording device equipped with ink cartridges (B1, B2) of the same color and ink end detection means (27) for detecting when either ink cartridge has reached the end of its ink supply. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-15837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The recording apparatuses disclosed in the prior art documents are equipped with a plurality of the same ink cartridges, and as ink cartridges have become larger in recent years, the size of the recording apparatus has also increased. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device of the present invention is a recording device comprising: a recording unit that ejects ink onto a medium to record an image; a first ink storage unit that stores ink to be supplied to the recording unit; a second ink storage unit that stores ink of the same color as the ink stored in the first ink storage unit that is supplied to the recording unit; and a control unit that controls the supply of ink from the first ink storage unit and the second ink storage unit to the recording unit, wherein the size of the second ink storage unit is smaller than the size of the first ink storage unit, and the control unit monitors whether the first ink storage unit is able to supply ink to the recording unit, and when it becomes impossible to supply ink from the first ink storage unit, causes ink to be supplied from the second ink storage unit to the recording unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a recording apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart of a program executed by a control unit. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a program according to a modified example executed by a control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a recording device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a recording apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the recording device 10 includes a recording unit 20 that ejects ink onto a medium to record an image. The recording unit 20 includes a print head 21 that ejects ink from nozzles, a carriage unit 22 that moves the print head 21 back and forth in a main scanning direction that intersects with the medium, and a transport unit 23 that transports the medium.

[0008] The ink supplied to the print head 21 of the recording unit 20 is stored in a first ink storage unit 31 and a second ink storage unit 32. A separate first ink storage unit 31 and second ink storage unit 32 are provided for each color. The second ink storage unit 32 stores ink of the same color as the ink stored in the first ink storage unit 31. The first ink storage unit 31 and the second ink storage unit 32 are connected to the print head 21 of the recording unit 20 via solenoid valves 31a and 32a, respectively. The supply and cut-off of ink can be controlled by opening and closing these solenoid valves 31a and 32a.

[0009] The control unit 40 controls the recording unit 20 to record an image on a medium. The control unit 40 also controls the solenoid valves 31a and 32a to control whether or not ink is supplied from the first ink reservoir 31 and the second ink reservoir 32 to the recording unit 20. In this way, the control unit 40 can control the supply of ink from the first ink reservoir 31 and the second ink reservoir 32 to the recording unit 20.

[0010] The first ink storage unit 31 and the second ink storage unit 32 are ink cartridges that can be individually attached to and detached from the recording device 10. The control unit 40 is electrically connected to ICs provided in the ink cartridges of the first ink storage unit 31 and the second ink storage unit 32, thereby being able to acquire information about the first ink storage unit 31 and the second ink storage unit 32. This information includes the remaining amount of ink in the first ink storage unit 31 and the second ink storage unit 32, and whether or not the first ink storage unit 31 and the second ink storage unit 32 can be connected can be determined from information about the attachment and detachment of the first ink storage unit 31 and the second ink storage unit 32.

[0011] The size of the second ink storage section 32 is smaller than the size of the first ink storage section 31, and accordingly the length of the ink flow path from the second ink storage section 32 to the recording section 20 is shorter than the length of the ink flow path from the first ink storage section 31 to the recording section 20. In this embodiment, the first ink storage section 31 and the second ink storage section 32 are removable ink cartridges, but they may also be tank-type sections that are individually filled with liquid ink, and are not limited to cartridge-type sections. In addition, the control unit 40 is provided with an interface 50 for receiving print data, and a display and operation unit 60 as a user interface.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the program executed by the control unit. The control unit 40 controls the recording unit 20 to record images on a medium, and periodically executes the following processing. In step S100, the control unit 40 determines whether the first ink reservoir 31 is usable. Unusable states include various states, such as when the ink level is low or when the ink is being replaced. In other words, the control unit 40 monitors whether the first ink reservoir 31 can supply ink to the recording unit 20.

[0013] If it is determined that the first ink reservoir 31 is unavailable, the control unit 40 determines in step S110 whether switching from the first ink reservoir to the second ink reservoir has already been performed. If switching has not been performed, in step S130, the flow path is switched from the first ink reservoir 31 to the second ink reservoir 32. The flow path switching is achieved by the control unit 40 controlling the solenoid valve 31a to close and the solenoid valve 32a to open. The flow path switching can be achieved not only by the solenoid valve, but also by other configurations. Thereafter, in step S140, it is recorded that switching from the first ink reservoir 31 to the second ink reservoir 32 has been performed. By recording that switching has been performed here, it is possible to avoid the process of controlling the solenoid valve in step S130 multiple times after switching has been performed in step S110.

[0014] In this way, the control unit 40 monitors whether the first ink storage unit 31 is able to supply ink to the recording unit 20, and if the first ink storage unit 31 is unable to supply ink, it switches the flow path from the first ink storage unit 31 to the second ink storage unit 32 and causes ink to be supplied from the second ink storage unit 32 to the recording unit 20.

[0015] In the conventional printers disclosed in the literature, multiple ink cartridges could be installed, and when an ink cartridge ran out, printing could be continued by switching to another ink cartridge. However, if the ink cartridges were the same size, twice the space was required, resulting in a larger device.

[0016] According to the present invention, if the large-capacity first ink storage section 31 becomes unusable, printing can be continued by switching to the small-capacity second ink storage section 32, and since the second ink storage section 32 has a small capacity, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of the device. In other words, downtime can be reduced and the device can be made more space-saving. Although the capacity of the second ink storage section 32 is small, there is no problem in continuing printing for the limited period until the ink cartridge of the first ink storage section 31 is replaced.

[0017] Furthermore, the length of the ink flow path from the second ink storage section 32 to the recording section 20 is shorter than the length of the ink flow path from the first ink storage section 31 to the recording section 20. Because the second ink storage section 32 stores a small amount of ink, a long flow path shortens the period during which ink can be supplied. By shortening the flow path, ink can be supplied for a longer period of time. Furthermore, because the capacity of the second ink storage section 32 is small, there are fewer installation restrictions, and the flow path can be made as short as possible.

[0018] After switching the flow path, in step S150, the control unit 40 displays on the display / operation unit 60 a message recommending replacement of the first ink storage unit 31. Printing can be continued by the control unit 40 switching from the first ink storage unit 31 to the second ink storage unit 32 when necessary, but since the capacity of the second ink storage unit 32 is small, it is necessary to prompt the user to replace the ink cartridge.

[0019] Thereafter, in step S160, the control unit 40 determines whether the first ink storage unit 31 is usable. This is because after the first ink storage unit 31 becomes unusable, the user is prompted to replace the ink cartridge, and it is expected that the first ink storage unit 31 will be replaced.

[0020] Then, when the first ink storage unit 31 becomes usable again, in step S170, the flow path is switched from the second ink storage unit to the first ink storage unit. The flow path switching is achieved by the control unit 40 controlling the solenoid valve 32a to close and the solenoid valve 31a to open.

[0021] Thereafter, in step S180, control unit 40 records that switching from the second ink reservoir to the first ink reservoir has been completed, and in step S190, stops the replacement indication for first ink reservoir 31.

[0022] In this way, when ink is being supplied from the second ink storage section 32, the control section 40 monitors whether the first ink storage section 31 is able to supply ink to the recording section 20, and when ink supply from the first ink storage section 31 becomes possible, controls the ink supply to be switched from the second ink storage section 32 to the first ink storage section 31.

[0023] As explained above, even if the first ink reservoir 31 becomes unusable due to insufficient ink remaining, printing can continue while a prompt message is displayed to the user prompting replacement. Furthermore, once replacement is complete, such a message is turned off. By displaying the replacement message, the user is made aware of the need for replacement, which encourages early replacement and avoids inconvenience even with a small-capacity second ink reservoir 32. In particular, for ink tanks with large capacities, depending on the type of ink, appropriate promotion may be required to prevent settling. A small-capacity second ink reservoir 32 reduces the need for stirring. Manual stirring is cumbersome and requires manual intervention, while automatic stirring requires a stirring device, which inevitably increases the size of the device. Therefore, a small-capacity second ink reservoir 32 eliminates this need and improves convenience.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a program according to a modified example executed by the control unit. In this modified example, the timing for switching the flow path can be selected. First, in step S200, the control unit 40 determines whether a selection operation for the switching timing has been performed. Various operation menus are displayed on the display / operation unit 60, and the user can operate them to "select the switching timing."

[0025] When the selection operation for the switching timing is performed, the control unit 40 causes the display / operation unit 60 to make a selection in step S210. Between printing passes (S1) After cleaning (S2) Anytime (S3) Select according to print mode (S4) After the selection is made, the control unit 40 stores the selection result in step S220.

[0026] To switch the flow paths, the solenoid valves 31a and 32a are operated. If a sudden, sudden change in pressure occurs in the flow paths at this time, it may affect the ejection of ink from the print head 21. If the option "Between printing passes (S1)" is selected, the flow path is switched between printing passes. Because the control unit 40 also controls the drive of the carriage unit 22, it can accurately determine the intervals between printing passes. For this reason, the solenoid valves 31a and 32a are activated when it is time for the interval between printing passes.

[0027] In step S120, which is shown in parentheses in the flowchart in Figure 2, it is determined whether it is time to switch. The selected timing is saved in step S220. If "between printing passes" is selected, the control unit 40 determines in step S120 that it is time to switch only if it is between printing passes, and then operates the solenoid valves 31a and 32a in step S130.

[0028] Next, if the option "After Cleaning (S2)" is selected, the control unit 40 switches the flow path after it has determined that the first ink reservoir 31 is no longer usable and has performed cleaning of the print head 21 for the first time since then. The control unit 40 displays various operation menus on the display / operation unit 60, allowing the user to determine whether or not to select cleaning. For this reason, after cleaning has been performed, the solenoid valves 31a and 32a are activated.

[0029] Cleaning uses a relatively large amount of ink, and if the ink in the second ink reservoir 32, which has a smaller capacity, is used up, the period during which printing can continue will be shortened. For this reason, the switch is made after cleaning is completed.

[0030] Note that the control unit 40 may set multiple thresholds when detecting the remaining amount of ink in the first ink storage unit 31 in step S100, and switch the flow path when the remaining amount falls below a lower threshold, even if cleaning has not been performed. This prevents a situation in which switching to the second ink storage unit 32 is not performed if cleaning is not performed for a long period of time after the remaining amount falls below the first threshold. Alternatively, cleaning may be performed when the remaining amount of ink in the first ink storage unit 31 falls, and then switching to the second ink storage unit 32 may be performed.

[0031] Next, if the user selects "Select according to print mode" from the options (S4), the control unit 40 determines the print mode and changes the timing at which switching is permitted depending on the print mode. For example, in a print mode that achieves fine printing, switching is permitted only between print passes, while in a print mode that achieves normal printing, switching is permitted immediately without considering the print pass.

[0032] This prevents deterioration of image quality due to a change in flow path during high-resolution printing, while quickly switching the flow path in other cases prevents unexpected interruptions to printing. If the option "Anytime (S3)" is selected, the flow path can be switched without making the decision in step S120.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a recording device according to a modified example. In the above-described embodiment, the second ink storage section 32 was an ink cartridge that could be detached, but it is sufficient to be able to temporarily supply ink, and in this embodiment, the second ink storage section 132 is filled with a portion of the ink in the first ink storage section 131. The ink output flow path from the first ink storage section 131 is connected to the recording section 20 and the second ink storage section 132, and the ink output flow path of the second ink storage section 132 is connected to the recording section 20. In addition, an electromagnetic valve 131a is installed in the ink output flow path of the first ink storage section 131, and an electromagnetic valve 132a is connected to the ink output flow path of the second ink storage section 132.

[0034] Normally, the electromagnetic valve 132a of the ink output flow path of the second ink reservoir 132 is closed. The electromagnetic valve 131a of the ink output flow path of the first ink storage section 131 is open. In this state, the ink in the first ink storage section 131 is supplied to the recording section 20 and is also supplied to fill the second ink storage section 32 with ink. However, once the second ink storage section 32 is filled with ink, no more ink is supplied.

[0035] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S100 that the first ink storage unit 31 is no longer usable, the control unit 40 closes the solenoid valve 131a of the ink output flow path of the first ink storage unit 131 and opens the solenoid valve 132a of the ink output flow path of the second ink storage unit 132. This allows the first ink storage unit 131 to be replaced, and also allows ink to continue to be supplied from the second ink storage unit 132 to the recording unit 20 even while the first ink storage unit 131 is no longer usable.

[0036] However, in this modified example, the second ink storage section 132 may also be made detachable. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The mutually replaceable components and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately changed and applied. Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, members and configurations that are publicly known and can be mutually substituted for the members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately substituted, and their combinations may be changed and applied. Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, members and configurations may be substituted by those skilled in the art based on publicly known techniques as substitutes for the members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments, and the combinations may be changed and applied. is disclosed as an embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10...recording device, 20...recording unit, 21...print head, 22...carriage unit, 23...transport unit, 31, 131...first ink storage unit, 31a, 131a...solenoid valve, 32, 132...second ink storage unit, 32a, 132a...solenoid valve, 40...control unit, 50...interface, 60...display / operation unit.

Claims

1. a recording unit that ejects ink onto a medium to record an image; a first ink reservoir for storing ink to be supplied to the recording unit; a second ink storage section that stores ink of the same color as the ink stored in the first ink storage section and that is supplied to the recording section; a control unit that controls the supply of ink from the first ink storage unit and the second ink storage unit to the recording unit, The size of the second ink storage section is smaller than the size of the first ink storage section, The control unit monitors whether the first ink storage unit is able to supply ink to the recording unit, and when the first ink storage unit is unable to supply ink, causes the second ink storage unit to supply ink to the recording unit.

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the ink supply to the recording unit from the first ink storage unit to the second ink storage unit between printing passes.

3. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the ink supply to the recording unit from the first ink storage unit to the second ink storage unit after a cleaning operation of the recording unit.

4. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the timing for switching the ink supply to the recording unit from the first ink storage unit to the second ink storage unit based on a print mode setting.

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of selecting a timing for switching the ink supply to the recording unit from the first ink storage unit to the second ink storage unit.

6. The length of the ink flow path from the second ink storage section to the recording section is shorter than the length of the ink flow path from the first ink storage section to the recording section. The recording device according to claim 1 .

7. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit monitors whether the first ink storage unit is able to supply ink to the recording unit while ink is being supplied from the second ink storage unit, and when ink supply from the first ink storage unit becomes possible, controls the ink supply to be switched from the second ink storage unit to the first ink storage unit.

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