Liquid ejection device, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To enable the continued use of a liquid ejection device even when a discharge condition for sending liquid from a receiving part to a waste liquid storage part is not satisfied. [Solution] If the recovery conditions are met (S1: YES) and the discharge conditions are met (S2: YES), a recovery step (S3) is executed, and ink is sent from the recess in the cap to the buffer unit of the head. If the recovery conditions are not met (S1: NO) and the discharge conditions are met (S5: YES), a discharge step (S6) is executed, and ink is sent from the recess to a waste ink tank. On the other hand, if the recovery conditions are not met (S1: NO) and the discharge conditions are not met (S5: NO), a recovery step (S8) is executed, even though the recovery conditions are not met.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection device including a head, a receiving portion, and a waste liquid storage portion, and a control method and program for the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which waste ink discharged from an inkjet head (head) into a nozzle cap (receiving portion) is returned to an ink tank via a switching valve for reuse. When it is detected that the ink in the ink tank has exceeded its usage limit, the switching valve switches and the waste ink is collected in a waste ink tank (waste liquid storage portion) without being reused. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-86763 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although Patent Document 1 shows that when it is detected that the ink in the ink tank has exceeded its usage limit, the waste ink is collected in a waste ink tank, it does not show what process to take when the conditions (discharge conditions) for sending the waste ink (liquid) from the nozzle cap (receiving portion) to the waste ink tank (waste liquid storage portion) are not met. In this case, the liquid ejection device may malfunction as described below, making it impossible to continue using the liquid ejection device.

[0005] For example, if the discharge conditions are not met, the waste liquid reservoir is full. In this case, unless the waste liquid reservoir is replaced, the liquid cannot be sent from the receiver to the waste liquid reservoir, and the liquid in the receiver may leak, causing a malfunction of the liquid ejection device.

[0006] Furthermore, for example, when the discharge conditions are not met, it is when the waste liquid reservoir is not properly installed. In this case, if the waste liquid reservoir is not properly installed, the liquid cannot be sent from the receiving part to the waste liquid reservoir, and the liquid in the receiving part may leak, causing a malfunction of the liquid ejection device.

[0007] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid ejection device, a control method and a program for the same, which allow the liquid ejection device to continue to be used even when the discharge conditions for sending liquid from the receiving section to the waste liquid storage section are not met. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The liquid ejection device according to the present disclosure comprises a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle, a receiving portion that receives liquid ejected from the nozzle, a waste liquid storage portion, a recovery flow path connecting the receiving portion to the liquid flow path, a discharge flow path connecting the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion, a selection portion that can select one of the recovery flow path and the discharge flow path as a flow path through which liquid flows from the receiving portion, and a control portion, wherein the control portion is capable of executing a recovery step in which it causes the selection portion to select the recovery flow path and send liquid from the receiving portion to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path, a discharge step in which it causes the selection portion to select the discharge flow path and send liquid from the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion via the discharge flow path, and a first judgment step in which it determines whether a discharge condition, which is a condition for sending liquid from the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion, is met, and if it determines in the first judgment step that the discharge condition is not met, it executes the recovery step.

[0009] The control method according to the present disclosure is a control method for a liquid ejection device having a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle, a receiving portion that receives liquid ejected from the nozzle, a waste liquid storage portion, a recovery flow path connecting the receiving portion to the liquid flow path, a discharge flow path connecting the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion, and a selection portion that can select one of the recovery flow path and the discharge flow path as a flow path through which liquid flows from the receiving portion, and is capable of executing a recovery step in which the selection portion selects the recovery flow path and sends liquid from the receiving portion to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path, a discharge step in which the selection portion selects the discharge flow path and sends liquid from the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion via the discharge flow path, and a first judgment step in which it is determined whether a discharge condition, which is a condition for sending liquid from the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion, is met, and if it is determined in the first judgment step that the discharge condition is not met, the recovery step is executed.

[0010] The program of the present disclosure is characterized in that the program causes a control unit used in a liquid ejection device having a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle, a receiving portion that receives liquid ejected from the nozzle, a waste liquid storage portion, a recovery flow path connecting the receiving portion to the liquid flow path, a discharge flow path connecting the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion, and a selection portion that can select either the recovery flow path or the discharge flow path as a flow path through which liquid flows from the receiving portion to function as a recovery means that causes the selection portion to select the recovery flow path and send liquid from the receiving portion to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path, a discharge means that causes the selection portion to select the discharge flow path and send liquid from the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion via the discharge flow path, and a first judgment means that determines whether a discharge condition, which is a condition for sending liquid from the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion, is met, and causes the recovery means to function if the first judgment means determines that the discharge condition is not met. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, when the discharge condition, i.e., the condition for sending liquid from the receiver to the waste liquid storage section, is not met, a recovery step is executed and the liquid is sent from the receiver to the liquid flow path. This prevents the liquid in the receiver from leaking even when the discharge condition is not met, making the liquid ejection device less likely to malfunction. Therefore, the liquid ejection device can be used continuously. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a head 10 included in a printer 100. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a printer 100. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 100. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a liquid transfer selection program executed by a CPU 91 of the printer 100. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a recording setting program executed by the CPU 91 of the printer 100. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a liquid supply switching program executed by a CPU 91 of the printer 100. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] First, the overall configuration of a printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the following description, the z direction is the vertical direction, and the x and y directions are horizontal directions. Both the x and y directions are perpendicular to the z direction. The x direction is perpendicular to the y direction.

[0014] 1, the printer 100 includes a head 10, a carriage 19 that holds the head 10, a scanning mechanism 30 that moves the carriage 19 in the x direction, a cap 60, and a control device 90. These components are arranged inside a housing 100a of the printer 100.

[0015] The printer 100 further includes, within the housing 100a, a storage section 50v capable of storing ink cartridges 50 and a storage section 70v capable of storing a waste ink tank 70. The ink cartridges 50 include an ink cartridge 50C that stores cyan ink, an ink cartridge 50M that stores magenta ink, an ink cartridge 50Y that stores yellow ink, and an ink cartridge 50K that stores black ink. The ink cartridges 50 are detachable from the storage section 50v. The storage section 50v may be configured to store one ink cartridge 50 (four ink cartridges 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K fixed to one another), or may be configured to individually store the four ink cartridges 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K included in one ink cartridge 50. The waste ink tank 70 is detachable from the storage section 70v. The waste ink tank 70 corresponds to the "waste liquid storage section" of the present disclosure.

[0016] The head 10 includes a buffer unit 11 and a channel unit 12 .

[0017] The buffer unit 11 includes a buffer unit 11C that stores cyan ink, a buffer unit 11M that stores magenta ink, a buffer unit 11Y that stores yellow ink, and a buffer unit 11K that stores black ink.

[0018] 2, the flow path unit 12 has a common flow path 12a and a plurality of individual flow paths 12b communicating with the common flow path 12a. The common flow path 12a and the individual flow paths 12b of the flow path unit 12 and the flow paths of the buffer unit 11 correspond to the "liquid flow path" of the present disclosure.

[0019] The common flow path 12a is provided for each color and communicates with the buffer unit 11 (see FIG. 1) of the corresponding color. Each individual flow path 12b is a flow path that runs from the outlet of the common flow path 12a through a pressure chamber 12p to a nozzle 12n, and has one end that communicates with the common flow path 12a and the other end opposite to the nozzle 12n.

[0020] 3, the lower surface 12x of the flow path unit 12 has a plurality of nozzles 12n. The nozzles 12n are arranged by color and include nozzles 12nC that eject cyan ink, nozzles 12nM that eject magenta ink, nozzles 12nY that eject yellow ink, and nozzles 12nK that eject black ink.

[0021] The head 10 further includes an actuator unit 13 disposed on the flow path unit 12, as shown in FIG.

[0022] The actuator unit 13 includes a diaphragm 13a, a piezoelectric layer 13b, and individual electrodes 13c. The diaphragm 13a is a metal member disposed on the upper surface of the flow path unit 12 so as to cover the multiple pressure chambers 12p. The piezoelectric layer 13b is disposed on the upper surface of the diaphragm 13a. The individual electrodes 13c are disposed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 13b so as to face each of the multiple pressure chambers 12p.

[0023] The diaphragm 13a and the individual electrodes 13c are electrically connected to a driver IC 14. The driver IC 14 maintains the potential of the diaphragm 13a at ground potential while varying the potential of the individual electrodes 13c between ground potential and a drive potential. Specifically, the driver IC 14 generates a drive signal based on the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN received from the control device 90 (see FIG. 4) and supplies the drive signal to the individual electrodes 13c via the signal line 14s. This causes the potential of the individual electrodes 13c to vary between the drive potential and ground potential. At this time, the portion of the diaphragm 13a and the piezoelectric layer 13b sandwiched between the individual electrodes 13c and the pressure chambers 12p (actuators 13x) deforms, changing the volume of the pressure chambers 12p. Pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chambers 12p, causing ink to be ejected from the nozzles 12n. The actuators 13x are provided for each individual electrode 13c (i.e., for each nozzle 12n) and can independently deform in response to the potential supplied to the individual electrodes 13c. The actuator 13x applies energy to the ink in the individual flow paths 12b of the head 10 in response to the drive signal, causing the ink to be ejected from the nozzles 12n.

[0024] 1 and 3, the scanning mechanism 30 includes two guide members 31 and 32 extending in the x direction, and a scanning motor 30m (see FIG. 4). When the scanning motor 30m is driven under the control of the control device 90, the carriage 19 and the head 10 move in the x direction along the guide members 31 and 32.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 100 further includes a transport mechanism 40 in the housing 100a that transports the paper P in the y direction.

[0026] The transport mechanism 40 includes two roller pairs 41 and 42 and a transport motor 40m (see FIG. 4). The head 10 and carriage 19 are arranged between the roller pair 41 and the roller pair 42 in the y direction. When the transport motor 40m is driven under the control of the control device 90, the roller pair 41 and 42 rotate while sandwiching the paper P, and the paper P is transported in the y direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the cap 60 is disposed outside the area where the paper P is transported by the transport mechanism 40, and at one end in the x direction of the area where the head 10 can be moved by the scanning mechanism 30.

[0028] The cap 60 has multiple recesses 61 provided for each color. The recesses 61 include a recess 61C that receives cyan ink ejected from the nozzle 12nC, a recess 61M that receives magenta ink ejected from the nozzle 12nM, a recess 61Y that receives yellow ink ejected from the nozzle 12nY, and a recess 61K that receives black ink ejected from the nozzle 12nK. The recesses 61 correspond to the "receiving portion" in this disclosure. When the head 10 is positioned above the cap 60, the recess 61C overlaps with the nozzle 12nC in the z direction, the recess 61M overlaps with the nozzle 12nM in the z direction, the recess 61Y overlaps with the nozzle 12nY in the z direction, and the recess 61K overlaps with the nozzle 12nK in the z direction.

[0029] The cap 60 can be moved in the z direction by driving a cap lifting motor 60m (see FIG. 4). When the head 10 is positioned above the cap 60, the cap lifting motor 60m is driven under the control of the control device 90, and the cap 60 moves upward, so that the cap 60 comes into contact with the lower surface 12x of the passage unit 12 of the head 10. At this time, a sealed space is formed between the cap 60 and the head 10, and all of the nozzles 12n of the head 10 are covered by the cap 60. This state is called a capped state. On the other hand, a state in which the cap 60 is separated from the head 10 and does not cover the nozzles 12n, i.e., a state in which no sealed space is formed between the cap 60 and the head 10, is called an uncapped state.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the flow paths that connect the head 10, the cap 60, the ink cartridge 50, and the waste ink tank 70 to one another will be described.

[0031] The head 10 and the ink cartridge 50 are connected to each other via tubes 21. The tubes 21 include a tube 21C that connects the buffer unit 11C and the ink cartridge 50C, a tube 21M that connects the buffer unit 11M and the ink cartridge 50M, a tube 21Y that connects the buffer unit 11Y and the ink cartridge 50Y, and a tube 21K that connects the buffer unit 11K and the ink cartridge 50K.

[0032] The recess 61 of the cap 60 is connected to the ink cartridge 50 via the tubes 22 and 23, and is connected to the waste ink tank 70 via the tubes 22 and 24.

[0033] The tube 22 includes a tube 22C connected to the recess 61C, a tube 22M connected to the recess 61M, a tube 22Y connected to the recess 61Y, and a tube 22K connected to the recess 61K. The tube 22 has one end connected to the recess 61 and the other end connected to the switching valve 82. A suction pump 81 is provided midway between the one end and the other end of the tube 22.

[0034] The suction pump 81 includes a suction pump 81C provided in the middle of the tube 22C, a suction pump 81M provided in the middle of the tube 22M, a suction pump 81Y provided in the middle of the tube 22Y, and a suction pump 81K provided in the middle of the tube 22K.

[0035] The switching valve 82 includes a switching valve 82C provided at the other end of the tube 22C, a switching valve 82M provided at the other end of the tube 22M, a switching valve 82Y provided at the other end of the tube 22Y, and a switching valve 82K provided at the other end of the tube 22K.

[0036] Tube 23 has one end connected to switching valve 82 and the other end connected to ink cartridge 50. Tube 23 includes tube 23C connecting switching valve 82C and ink cartridge 50C, tube 23M connecting switching valve 82M and ink cartridge 50M, tube 23Y connecting switching valve 82Y and ink cartridge 50Y, and tube 23K connecting switching valve 82K and ink cartridge 50K.

[0037] The tube 24 has four ends that connect to the switching valves 82C, 82M, 82Y, and 82K, respectively, and one end that connects to the waste ink tank 70.

[0038] Tubes 22, 23, and 21 constitute a "recovery flow path" of the present disclosure, connecting recess 61 of cap 60 and buffer unit 11 of head 10. Ink cartridge 50 is disposed in the recovery flow path, and constitutes the recovery flow path.

[0039] The tubes 22 and 24 connect the recess 61 of the cap 60 and the waste ink tank 70, and constitute a "discharge flow path" of the present disclosure.

[0040] Under the control of the control device 90, the switching valve 82 can selectively take a recovery position that connects the tubes 22 and 23 to each other, and a discharge position that connects the tubes 22 and 24 to each other. In other words, the switching valve 82 corresponds to the "selecting unit" of the present disclosure, which can select either the recovery flow path or the discharge flow path as the flow path through which ink flows from the recess 61 of the cap 60.

[0041] In the capping state, when the suction pump 81 is driven under the control of the control device 90, the airtight space between the cap 60 and the head 10 is depressurized, and ink is forcibly discharged from the nozzles 12n. This forcible discharge of ink from the nozzles 12n is called "purging." The ink discharged by purging is received in the recess 61 of the cap 60. If the switching valve 82 is in the recovery position and has selected the recovery flow path, the ink received in the recess 61 is sent to the buffer unit 11 of the head 10 via the tubes 22 and 23, the ink cartridge 50, and the tube 21. Alternatively, if the switching valve 82 is in the discharge position and has selected the discharge flow path, the ink received in the recess 61 is sent to the waste ink tank 70 via the tubes 22 and 24.

[0042] The control device 90 can selectively execute a "recovery step" in which the switching valve 82 selects a recovery flow path and sends ink from the recess 61 to the buffer unit 11 of the head 10 via the recovery flow path, and a "discharge step" in which the switching valve 82 selects a discharge flow path and sends ink from the recess 61 to the waste ink tank 70 via the discharge flow path.

[0043] Next, the configuration of the control device 90 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0044] The control device 90 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, and an ASIC 94. Of these, the CPU 91 and the ASIC 94 correspond to the "control unit" of the present disclosure.

[0045] The ROM 92 stores programs and data for the CPU 91 and ASIC 94 to perform various controls. The RAM 93 temporarily stores data used when the CPU 91 and ASIC 94 execute programs. The control device 90 is connected to an external device 150 so as to be able to communicate with the external device 150. The external device 150 is, for example, a PC.

[0046] The CPU 91 executes various programs and steps via the ASIC 94 based on data received from the external device 150 or the input unit 4 of the printer 100. The input unit 4 is, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. The above steps include a recording step in which an image is recorded on the paper P by ejecting ink from the nozzles 12n onto the paper P based on recording data received from the external device 150 or the like.

[0047] In the recording step, the ASIC 94 drives the driver IC 14, the scanning motor 30m, and the transport motor 40m in accordance with instructions from the CPU 91 and based on recording data received from an external device 150, etc., to alternately perform a transport operation and a scanning operation. The transport operation is an operation in which the transport mechanism 40 transports the paper P a predetermined distance in the y direction. The scanning operation is an operation in which the scanning mechanism 30 moves the head 10 in the x direction and ejects ink from the nozzles 12n based on a signal output from the driver IC 14. By alternately performing the transport operation and the scanning operation, ink dots are formed on the paper P, and an image is recorded.

[0048] The ASIC 94 includes an output circuit 94a and a transfer circuit 94b.

[0049] The output circuit 94a generates a waveform signal FIRE and a selection signal SIN, and outputs these signals to the transfer circuit 94b for each recording period. A recording period is the time required for the paper P to move relative to the head 10 by a unit distance corresponding to the resolution of the image recorded on the paper P, and corresponds to one pixel.

[0050] The waveform signal FIRE is a serial signal formed by serializing four waveform data. The four waveform data correspond to the volume of ink droplets ejected from nozzle 12n in one recording cycle: "zero (no ejection)," "small," "medium," and "large."

[0051] The selection signal SIN is a serial signal including selection data for selecting one of the four waveform data, and is generated for each actuator 13x and for each recording period based on the recording data.

[0052] The transfer circuit 94b transfers the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN received from the output circuit 94a to the driver IC 14. The transfer circuit 94b has built-in LVDS drivers corresponding to each of the above signals, and transfers each signal to the driver IC 14 as a pulsed differential signal.

[0053] In the recording step, the ASIC 94 controls the driver IC 14 to generate a drive signal for each pixel based on the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN, and to supply the drive signal to the individual electrode 13c via the signal line 14s.

[0054] The drive signals include a drive signal that prevents the nozzle 12n from ejecting ink droplets, a drive signal that ejects small ink droplets from the nozzle 12n, a drive signal that ejects medium ink droplets from the nozzle 12n, and a drive signal that ejects large ink droplets from the nozzle 12n. For example, a drive signal that ejects small ink droplets corresponds to the "first drive signal" of the present disclosure, and a drive signal that ejects medium ink droplets corresponds to the "second drive signal" of the present disclosure. Alternatively, a drive signal that ejects medium ink droplets corresponds to the "first drive signal" of the present disclosure, and a drive signal that ejects large ink droplets corresponds to the "second drive signal" of the present disclosure.

[0055] The second drive signal has a higher drive voltage than the first drive signal. The drive potential of the first drive signal is a first voltage V1, and the drive potential of the second drive signal is a second voltage V2 (>V1). The second drive signal may have a longer pulse width per recording cycle than the first drive signal. The second drive signal may have a larger number of pulses per recording cycle than the first drive signal.

[0056] In the recording step, the ASIC 94 selectively supplies the above four types of drive signals to the actuator 13x for each pixel, thereby causing each of the multiple nozzles 12n to eject ink droplets of a volume selected from four types of volumes (zero, small, medium, large).

[0057] Next, the liquid transfer selection program executed by the CPU 91 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] The liquid sending selection program is executed when the CPU 91 determines that purging is necessary, and after the head 10 is put into a capping state and before driving the suction pump 81. For example, the CPU 91 determines that purging is necessary when a purge command is received from the external device 150 or the like, when a predetermined time has passed since the end of the most recent recording step, after receiving recording data in a recording step and before ejecting ink from the nozzles 12n, etc.

[0059] In the liquid transfer selection program, the CPU 91 first determines whether or not the recovery condition is met (S1: second determination step). The recovery condition is a condition for transferring ink from the recess 61 of the cap 60 to the buffer unit 11 of the head 10.

[0060] For example, the recovery condition is that the viscosity of the ink received by the recess 61 is less than a predetermined value. If the recovery step is performed less than the predetermined number of times, if the amount of ink sent in the recovery step is less than a predetermined amount, or if the elapsed time since the ink cartridge 50 was installed in the storage unit 50v is less than a predetermined time, it may be determined that the viscosity of the ink received by the recess 61 is less than the predetermined value and the recovery condition is met. The number of times the recovery step is performed and the amount of ink are determined based on information stored in RAM 93. The elapsed time is determined based on a signal from a sensor 50s (see FIG. 4) provided in the storage unit 50v. The sensor 50s outputs an ON signal when an ink cartridge 50 is present in the storage unit 50v and an OFF signal when an ink cartridge 50 is not present in the storage unit 50v.

[0061] If it is determined that the recovery condition is met (S1: YES), the CPU 91 determines whether or not the discharge condition is met (S2: first determination step).

[0062] The discharge condition is a condition for sending ink from the recess 61 of the cap 60 to the waste ink tank 70. For example, the discharge condition is a condition that the waste ink tank 70 is properly attached to the storage unit 70v and the amount of waste ink in the waste ink tank 70 is less than a predetermined amount. If the waste ink tank 70 is being replaced and is not properly attached to the storage unit 70v, or if the waste ink tank 70 is properly attached to the storage unit 70v but is full, it may be determined that the discharge condition is not met.

[0063] Whether the waste ink tank 70 is properly attached to the storage unit 70v and whether the amount of waste ink in the waste ink tank 70 is less than a predetermined amount is determined based on a signal from a sensor 70s (see FIG. 4) provided in the storage unit 70v. The sensor 70s outputs an ON signal when the waste ink tank 70 is properly attached to the storage unit 70v and the amount of waste ink in the waste ink tank 70 is less than a predetermined amount, and outputs an OFF signal otherwise.

[0064] If it is determined that the discharge condition is met (S2: YES), the CPU 91 stores the flag "0" in the RAM 93 and executes the collection step (S3).

[0065] In the recovery step, the CPU 91 places the switching valve 82 in the recovery position and drives the suction pump 81. As a result, the ink ejected from the nozzle 12n and received in the recess 61 is sent to the buffer unit 11 of the head 10 via a recovery flow path made up of the tubes 22 and 23, the ink cartridge 50, and the tube 21.

[0066] If it is determined that the discharge conditions are not met (S2: NO), the CPU 91 issues a notification (S4) via the output unit 5 (see FIG. 4) urging the user to replace the waste ink tank 70. The output unit 5 is, for example, a display or a speaker.

[0067] If it is determined that the recovery condition is not met (S1: NO), the CPU 91 determines whether the discharge condition is met (S5: first determination step), similarly to S2.

[0068] If it is determined that the discharge condition is met (S5: YES), the CPU 91 executes a discharge step (S6).

[0069] In the discharge step, the CPU 91 places the switching valve 82 in the discharge position and drives the suction pump 81. As a result, the ink discharged from the nozzle 12n and received in the recess 61 is sent to the waste ink tank 70 via the tubes 22 and 24.

[0070] If it is determined that the discharge condition is not satisfied (S5: NO), the CPU 91 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied (S7: third determination step). The predetermined condition is a condition different from the recovery condition and the discharge condition.

[0071] For example, the predetermined condition is a condition that the user of the printer 100 has given permission to execute the collection step when both the collection condition and the discharge condition are not satisfied. The user can input an indication of permission via the input unit 4. In response to the input, information indicating the permission is stored in the RAM 93. The CPU 91 may determine whether or not the user has given permission based on the information stored in the RAM 93.

[0072] Further, for example, the predetermined condition is a condition that occurs after the CPU 91 receives the print data and before ink is ejected from the nozzles 12n in the printing step. When the print data is print data related to a facsimile, purging is generally performed after the CPU 91 receives the print data and before ink is ejected from the nozzles 12n. Furthermore, when the print data indicates information that is highly important to the user, such as information for determining whether or not there is a malfunction in the printer 100, or when the print data is not stored in the RAM 93 and is difficult to reprint, the recovery step (S8) is performed without issuing a notification (S9) to prompt replacement of the waste ink tank 70, as described below, thereby enabling ink to be ejected from the nozzles 12n in the subsequent printing step and realizing printing.

[0073] If it is determined that the predetermined condition is met (S7: YES), the CPU 91 stores the flag "1" in the RAM 93 and executes the same collection step as in S3 (S8).

[0074] If it is determined that the predetermined condition is not met (S7: NO), the CPU 91 issues a notification to urge replacement of the waste ink tank 70 via the output unit 5 (see FIG. 4), similar to S4 (S9: notification step).

[0075] After S3, S4, S6, S8 or S9, the CPU 91 ends the liquid delivery selection program.

[0076] Next, the recording setting program executed by the CPU 91 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0077] The recording setting program is executed after the CPU 91 executes the liquid delivery selection program and before the CPU 91 executes the recording step.

[0078] In the recording setting program, the CPU 91 first determines whether the flag stored in the RAM 93 is "0" (S21).

[0079] If it is determined that the flag is "0" (S21: YES), the CPU 91 sets the recording step to use a normal drive signal (first drive signal) based on the recording data, and stores the setting information in the RAM 93 (S22).

[0080] After S22, the CPU 91 sets the number of scanning operations for the unit area of ​​the paper P to "n (n is a natural number)" in the recording step, and stores the setting information in the RAM 93 (S23). For example, if the CPU 91 sets the number to "1" in S23, in the recording step, ink droplets corresponding to the first drive signal output from the driver IC 14 are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 12n while the head 10 is being moved from one side to the other in the x direction by the scanning mechanism 30.

[0081] The unit area is a partial area of ​​the paper P, and is a rectangular area extending in the x direction that corresponds to the movable area of ​​the head 10 by the scanning mechanism 30. The scanning operation corresponds to the "ejection operation" of the present disclosure.

[0082] If it is determined that the flag is not "0" (S21: NO), the CPU 91 sets the second drive signal to be used in the recording step and stores the setting information in the RAM 93 (S24). The second drive signal is a drive signal that ejects ink droplets with a larger volume than a normal drive signal (first drive signal) based on recording data.

[0083] After S24, the CPU 91 sets the number of scanning operations for the unit area of ​​the paper P to "m (m is a natural number greater than n)" in the recording step, and stores the setting information in the RAM 93 (S25). For example, if the CPU 91 sets the number to "2" in S25, then in the recording step, ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 12n in accordance with the second drive signal output from the driver IC 14 while the head 10 is being moved from one side to the other in the x direction by the scanning mechanism 30 and while the head 10 is being moved from the other side to one side in the x direction by the scanning mechanism 30.

[0084] After S23 or S25, the CPU 91 ends the recording setting program.

[0085] In the recording step after the recording setting program is completed, the driving of the driver IC 14, the scanning motor 30m and the transport motor 40m is controlled based on the driving signal and the number of scanning operations set by the recording setting program.

[0086] Next, the liquid transfer switching program executed by the CPU 91 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0087] The liquid supply switching program is executed while the CPU 91 is executing the recovery step (S8) in the liquid supply selection program. Alternatively, the liquid supply switching program may be repeatedly executed while the printer 100 is powered on after the CPU 91 has executed the recovery step (S8) in the liquid supply selection program.

[0088] In the liquid supply switching program, the CPU 91 first determines whether the waste ink tank 70 has been replaced based on a signal from the sensor 70s (S31: fourth determination step).

[0089] If it is determined that the waste ink tank 70 has been replaced (S31: YES), the CPU 91 executes a discharge step (S32).

[0090] Specifically, when S32 is performed while the recovery step (S8) is being executed in the liquid delivery selection program, the CPU 91 stops driving the suction pump 81, switches the position of the switching valve 82 from the recovery position to the discharge position, and then drives the suction pump 81 again.

[0091] On the other hand, after the recovery step (S8) is executed in the liquid delivery selection program, if the suction pump 81 is stopped and it is determined that the waste ink tank 70 has been replaced (S31: YES), and S32 is executed, the CPU 91 places the switching valve 82 in the discharge position and drives the suction pump 81.

[0092] After S32, or when it is determined that the waste ink tank 70 has not been replaced (S31: NO), the CPU 91 ends the liquid sending switching program.

[0093] As described above, according to this embodiment, if the discharge conditions, i.e., the conditions for sending ink from the recess 61 of the cap 60 to the waste ink tank 70, are not met (S5: NO), the recovery step (S8) is executed, and ink is sent from the recess 61 to the buffer unit 11 of the head 10. This prevents ink from leaking from the recess 61 even when the discharge conditions are not met, making it less likely that the printer 100 will break down. Therefore, the printer 100 can be used continuously.

[0094] If the recovery conditions are not met (S1: NO) and the discharge conditions are met (S5: YES), the discharge step (S6) is executed, and ink is sent from the recess 61 to the waste ink tank 70. On the other hand, if the recovery conditions are not met (S1: NO) and the discharge conditions are not met (S5: NO), the recovery step (S8) is executed even though the recovery conditions are not met. This prevents ink from leaking from the recess 61, making it less likely that the printer 100 will break down. Therefore, the printer 100 can be used continuously.

[0095] If the collection condition is not met (S1: NO) and the discharge condition is not met (S5: NO), whether or not to execute the collection step (S8) is selected depending on whether or not the predetermined condition is met (S7). This allows the printer 100 to continue to be used depending on the conditions.

[0096] If the recovery condition is not met (S1: NO), the discharge condition is not met (S5: NO), and the predetermined condition is not met (S7: NO), a notification step (S9) is executed. This prompts the user to replace the waste ink tank 70, so that the discharge condition can be met after replacement.

[0097] For example, the predetermined condition in S7 is that the user of the printer 100 has given permission to execute the collection step when both the collection condition and the discharge condition are not met. In this case, the recording desired by the user can be realized.

[0098] For example, the predetermined condition in S7 is that the CPU 91 receives print data in the printing step and before ink is ejected from the nozzle 12n. In this case, if the predetermined condition is met (S7: YES), the recovery step (S8) is executed, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 12n in the subsequent printing step, thereby achieving printing.

[0099] If the recovery condition is not satisfied (S1: NO), for example, the viscosity of the ink received by the recess 61 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the recovery step (S8) is executed in such a case, the viscosity of the ink in the head 10 increases. Therefore, in the recording step, it is difficult to eject a desired amount of ink from the nozzle 12n by driving the actuator 13x, and the insufficient ejection amount can easily cause smearing or the like on the image. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the flag is not "0" (S21: NO), it is determined that the recovery step (S8) was executed when the recovery condition is not satisfied (S1: NO). In this case, the supply of a second drive signal to the actuator 13x in the recording step is stored in the RAM 93 as setting information (S24). This makes it easier to eject a desired amount of ink from the nozzle 12n in the recording step, resolving the insufficient ejection amount, and reducing the likelihood of smearing or the like on the image.

[0100] The drive potential of the second drive signal is higher than the drive voltage of the first drive signal. This makes it easy to increase the volume of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 12n during the recording step, i.e., to eject a desired amount of ink from the nozzle 12n.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the above case, the number of scanning operations for the unit area of ​​the paper P in the recording step is set to "m (m is a natural number greater than n)", which is stored in the RAM 93 as setting information (S25). In other words, the number of scanning operations for the unit area of ​​the paper P is set to be greater than the setting information (S23) when the recovery step (S3) is executed when the viscosity of the ink received by the recessed parts 61 is less than a predetermined value and the recovery condition is met (S1: YES). This makes it less likely that smearing or the like will occur in the image.

[0102] If the recovery step (S8) continues when the discharge conditions are not met (S5: NO), the viscosity of the ink in the head 10 will increase, which may result in a deterioration in recording quality. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the waste ink tank 70 is replaced (S31: YES) while the recovery step (S8) is being performed, the recovery step is terminated and the discharge step is performed (S32). This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the viscosity of the ink in the head 10 and improve recording quality.

[0103] <Modification> While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the second determination step (S1) is performed before the first determination step (S2, S5), but this is not limitative, and the order of these steps is arbitrary.

[0105] In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the recovery condition is met (S1: YES), the CPU 91 executes the first determination step (S2) of determining whether the discharge condition is met, but S2 may be omitted. In this case, after determining that the recovery condition is met (S1: YES), the CPU 91 may proceed to the process at S3.

[0106] In the above embodiment, if it is determined that the discharge condition is not satisfied (S5: NO), the CPU 91 executes the third determination step (S7) of determining whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied, but S7 may be omitted. In this case, after determining that the discharge condition is not satisfied (S5: NO), the CPU 91 may proceed to the process at S8.

[0107] In the above embodiment, in S24 of the recording setting program, the CPU 91 sets the use of the second drive signal in the recording step and stores the setting information in the RAM 93. However, this is not limiting. For example, the CPU 91 may convert the received recording data in the recording step so that the density value increases. Even in this case, it is easier to eject the desired amount of ink from the nozzle 12n in the recording step, eliminating any insufficient ejection amount, and reducing the likelihood of smearing on the image.

[0108] Although the heads in the above-described embodiments eject different types of liquid (inks of different colors), this is not limiting. For example, the heads may eject the same type of liquid (for example, only inks of the same color).

[0109] Instead of accommodating the ink cartridge 50 (an ink tank that can be attached to and detached from the housing 100a by the user), the accommodating section 50v may accommodate an ink tank that cannot be attached to and detached from the housing 100a by the user.

[0110] The liquid ejected from the nozzles is not limited to ink, and may be a liquid other than ink (for example, a treatment liquid that aggregates or precipitates components in the ink).

[0111] The actuator is not limited to a piezoelectric type using a piezoelectric element, but may be a thermal type using a heat generating element, an electrostatic type using electrostatic force, or the like.

[0112] The recording medium is not limited to paper, but may be, for example, cloth, a resin member, or the like.

[0113] The present disclosure is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to facsimiles, copiers, multifunction machines, etc. The present disclosure can also be applied to liquid ejection devices used for purposes other than image recording (for example, liquid ejection devices that eject conductive liquid onto a substrate to form a conductive pattern).

[0114] The program according to the present disclosure can be distributed by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk, or can be distributed via a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 10 heads 12a Common flow path (liquid flow path) 12b Individual flow path (liquid flow path) 12n nozzle 13x Actuators 50 ink cartridges 60 Cap 61 Recess (receiving part) 70 Waste ink tank (waste liquid storage section) 82 Switching valve (selection part) 91 CPU (control unit) 94 ASIC (control unit) 100 Printer (liquid ejection device)

Claims

1. a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle; a receiving portion that receives the liquid ejected from the nozzle; a waste liquid storage section; a recovery flow path connecting the receiving portion and the liquid flow path; a discharge flow path connecting the receiving portion and the waste liquid storage portion; a selection unit that can select one of the recovery flow path and the discharge flow path as a flow path through which the liquid from the receiving unit flows; a control unit, The control unit a recovery step of causing the selection unit to select the recovery flow path and sending liquid from the receiving unit to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path; a discharge step of causing the selection unit to select the discharge flow path and sending liquid from the receiving unit to the waste liquid storage unit through the discharge flow path; a first determination step of determining whether a discharge condition, which is a condition for sending liquid from the receiving section to the waste liquid storage section, is satisfied; The liquid ejection apparatus is characterized in that, when it is determined in the first determination step that the discharge condition is not satisfied, the recovery step is executed.

2. The control unit A second determination step can be further executed to determine whether a recovery condition, which is a condition for sending liquid from the receiving portion to the liquid flow path, is satisfied; When it is determined in the second determination step that the recovery condition is not satisfied and when it is determined in the first determination step that the discharge condition is satisfied, the discharge step is executed; 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the recovery step is executed when it is determined in the second determination step that the recovery condition is not satisfied and when it is determined in the first determination step that the discharge condition is not satisfied.

3. The control unit A third determination step may be further executed to determine whether a predetermined condition different from the recovery condition and the discharge condition is satisfied, When it is determined in the second determination step that the recovery condition is not satisfied, when it is determined in the first determination step that the discharge condition is not satisfied, and when it is determined in the third determination step that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the recovery step is not performed; 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the recovery step is executed if it is determined in the second judgment step that the recovery condition is not met, if it is determined in the first judgment step that the discharge condition is not met, and if it is determined in the third judgment step that the specified condition is met.

4. The control unit A notification step of issuing a notification to prompt replacement of the waste liquid storage unit may be further executed, 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, characterized in that the notification step is executed when it is determined in the second judgment step that the recovery condition is not met, when it is determined in the first judgment step that the discharge condition is not met, and when it is determined in the third judgment step that the specified condition is not met.

5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3 , characterized in that the predetermined condition is a condition that a user of the liquid ejection device has given permission to execute the recovery step when both the recovery condition and the discharge condition are not satisfied.

6. The control unit a recording step of receiving recording data and discharging liquid from the nozzles onto a recording medium based on the recording data, thereby recording an image on the recording medium; 4. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition that occurs after the control unit receives the print data in the printing step and before liquid is ejected from the nozzles.

7. the head further includes an actuator that applies energy to the liquid in the liquid flow path in response to a drive signal to cause the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle; the drive signals include a first drive signal that causes the nozzle to eject a droplet of a first volume, and a second drive signal that causes the nozzle to eject a droplet of a second volume that is larger than the first volume; The control unit A recording step can be executed in which an image is recorded on a recording medium by ejecting liquid from the nozzles onto the recording medium, supplying the first drive signal to the actuator in the recording step when it is determined in the second determination step that the recovery condition is satisfied and when it is determined in the first determination step that the discharge condition is satisfied and the recovery step is executed; 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, characterized in that if it is determined in the second judgment step that the recovery condition is not satisfied and it is determined in the first judgment step that the discharge condition is not satisfied, and the recovery step is executed, the second drive signal is supplied to the actuator in the recording step.

8. a drive potential of the first drive signal is a first voltage; 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the drive potential of the second drive signal is a second voltage higher than the first voltage.

9. The control unit A recording step can be executed in which an image is recorded on a recording medium by ejecting liquid from the nozzles onto the recording medium, when it is determined in the second determination step that the recovery condition is satisfied and it is determined in the first determination step that the discharge condition is satisfied, and the recovery step is executed, a discharge operation of discharging liquid from the nozzle onto a unit area of ​​the recording medium is executed n times (n is a natural number) in the recording step, 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, characterized in that if it is determined in the second judgment step that the recovery condition is not satisfied and it is determined in the first judgment step that the discharge condition is not satisfied, and the recovery step is executed, the ejection operation is executed m times (m is a natural number greater than n) for the unit area in the recording step.

10. The control unit A fourth determination step of determining whether the waste liquid reservoir has been replaced may be further performed, A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that if the first judgment step determines that the discharge condition is not met and the recovery step is being performed, and the fourth judgment step determines that the waste liquid storage section has been replaced, the recovery step is terminated and the discharge step is performed.

11. A control method for a liquid ejection device comprising: a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle; a receiving portion that receives liquid ejected from the nozzle; a waste liquid storage portion; a recovery flow path that connects the receiving portion and the liquid flow path; a discharge flow path that connects the receiving portion and the waste liquid storage portion; and a selection portion that can select one of the recovery flow path and the discharge flow path as a flow path through which liquid flows from the receiving portion, a recovery step of causing the selection unit to select the recovery flow path and sending liquid from the receiving unit to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path; a discharge step of causing the selection unit to select the discharge flow path and sending liquid from the receiving unit to the waste liquid storage unit through the discharge flow path; a first determination step of determining whether a discharge condition, which is a condition for sending liquid from the receiving section to the waste liquid storage section, is satisfied; A control method, characterized in that, when it is determined in the first determination step that the discharge condition is not satisfied, the recovery step is executed.

12. a control unit used in a liquid ejection device, the control unit comprising: a head having a liquid flow path including a nozzle; a receiving unit that receives liquid ejected from the nozzle; a waste liquid storage unit; a recovery flow path that connects the receiving unit and the liquid flow path; a discharge flow path that connects the receiving unit and the waste liquid storage unit; and a selection unit that can select either the recovery flow path or the discharge flow path as a flow path through which liquid from the receiving unit flows; a recovery means for causing the selection unit to select the recovery flow path and sending liquid from the receiving unit to the liquid flow path via the recovery flow path; a discharge means for causing the selection unit to select the discharge flow path and sending liquid from the receiving unit to the waste liquid storage unit through the discharge flow path; and a first determination means for determining whether a discharge condition, which is a condition for sending liquid from the receiving portion to the waste liquid storage portion, is satisfied; A program that causes the recovery means to function when the first determination means determines that the discharge condition is not satisfied.

Images