Inkjet recording device

Abstract

This inkjet recording device (100) comprises a plurality of line heads (11C−11R) having recording heads that discharge ink onto a conveyed sheet, a plurality of waste ink connection containers (21C−21R) that collect and store ink not used for image recording in each color, a display unit (27) that displays the states of the line heads (11C−11R) and the waste ink connection containers (21C−21R), and a control unit (110) that detects the states of the line heads (11C−11R) and the waste ink connection containers (21C−21R) and controls the display put on by the display unit. When there is an unused line head (11R) or a waste ink connection container (21R) and the waste ink connection containers (21C−21K) or the recording heads (17) in the line heads (11C−11K) being used need to be replaced, the control unit (110) displays the waste ink connection container (21R) or the recording head (17) in the unused line head (21R) as a replaceable waste ink connection container (21R) or recording head (17) on the display unit (27).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Inkjet recording devices, which record images by ejecting ink from nozzles provided in a recording head, are widely used as recording devices such as facsimiles, copiers, and printers because they are capable of forming high-definition images.

[0003] In such an inkjet recording device, if the maximum number of usable colors is greater than the number of colors actually used, unused recording heads, waste ink collection containers, etc. will occur. In this case, if the recording heads and waste ink collection containers are left unused, the parts themselves and the space for arranging them will be wasted.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an image recording device that is provided on a recording head and has a cartridge holding section that holds an ink cartridge used for printing, and a waste ink cartridge storage section that stores a waste ink tank. In this image forming device, an empty ink cartridge serves as the waste ink tank, and waste ink from a capping member is stored through a waste ink discharge port, and the waste ink tank is replaced when the next empty ink cartridge is discharged from the cartridge holding section.

[0005] As a maintenance method for unused parts, Patent Document 2 discloses an inkjet recording device that selectively applies electricity to unused cartridges stored in a storage section and to ink cartridges in use mounted on a carrier, and periodically applies electricity to the unused cartridges stored in the storage section in addition to the electricity used for printing, thereby performing dummy ejection without printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-186401 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-20113 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The methods in Patent Documents 1 and 2 make it easy to replace and reuse used ink cartridges and to maintain unused ink cartridges, but they do not allow for effective use of unused recording heads, waste ink collection containers, or the space required to place them.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that can effectively utilize unused recording heads and waste ink recovery containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a first configuration of the present invention is an inkjet recording device including a conveying unit, a plurality of line heads, a plurality of waste ink recovery containers, a display unit, and a control unit. The conveying unit conveys a sheet. The plurality of line heads have recording heads that eject ink onto the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit to perform image recording. The plurality of waste ink recovery containers collect and store ink ejected from the recording heads and not used in image recording, by color. The display unit displays the status of the line heads and the waste ink recovery container. The control unit detects the status of the line heads and the waste ink recovery container and controls the display by the display unit. When an unused line head or waste ink recovery container exists and the recording head or waste ink recovery container in any of the line heads in use needs to be replaced, the control unit displays the recording head or waste ink recovery container in the unused line head as a replaceable recording head or waste ink recovery container on the display unit. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the first aspect of the present invention, when it becomes necessary to replace a recording head or waste ink collection container that is in use, a notification is given that the recording head or waste ink collection container can be replaced with an unused recording head or waste ink collection container, so that the inkjet recording device can be used continuously even if a replacement recording head or waste ink collection container is not available, thereby reducing downtime of the inkjet recording device. In addition, since the unused recording head and waste ink collection container are not left unused, they are used, which leads to effective use of parts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure around the first belt conveyor 5, the recording unit 9, and the second belt conveyor 12 of the printer 100 of this embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the first belt conveying unit 5 and the recording unit 9 of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment, viewed from above. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing an example of a control path of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a movement path of ink passing through line heads 11C to 11R in a printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for replacing a recording head 17 executed in the printer 100 of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] An image of the operation panel 27 that displays that the recording head 17 of the line head 11R is replaceable. [Figure 8] Image of the operation panel 27 that displays when the recording head 17 of the line head 11R is used [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for replacing the waste ink collection containers 21C to 21R executed in the printer 100 of this embodiment. [Figure 10] An image of the operation panel 27 that displays that the waste ink collection container 21R can be replaced. [Figure 11] FIG. 5 is a front view of the mounting portion 55 of the waste ink recovery containers 21C to 21R when the waste ink recovery container 21K is detected as FULL. [Figure 12] FIG. 5 is a front view of the mounting portion 55 for the waste ink recovery containers 21C to 21R when the waste ink recovery container 21R is removed. [Figure 13] An image of the operation panel 27 that displays that the waste ink collection container 21R has been used. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing a modified example of the replacement procedure of the waste ink collection containers 21C to 21R executed in the printer 100 of the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a front view of the mounting portion 55 of the waste ink recovery containers 21C to 21R when the full waste ink recovery container 21K is mounted in the original mounting position of the waste ink recovery container 21R; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure around the first belt transport section 5, the recording section 9, and the second belt transport section 12 of the printer 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the first belt transport section 5 and the recording section 9 of the printer 100 of this embodiment as viewed from above.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, in the printer 100, a paper feed cassette 2a, which is a paper storage unit, is disposed at the bottom inside the printer main body 1. A manual paper feed tray 2b is provided on the exterior right side of the printer main body 1. A paper feed device 3a is disposed on the downstream side of the paper feed cassette 2a in the paper transport direction (upper right of the paper feed cassette 2a in FIG. 1). Furthermore, a paper feed device 3b is disposed on the downstream side of the manual paper feed tray 2b in the paper transport direction (left side of the manual paper feed tray 2b in FIG. 1). Paper (sheets) P ​​are separated and sent out one by one by the paper feed devices 3a and 3b.

[0014] A first paper transport path 4a is also provided inside the printer 100. The first paper transport path 4a is located at the upper right of the paper feed cassette 2a and at the left of the manual feed tray 2b. Paper P sent out from the paper feed cassette 2a passes through the first paper transport path 4a and is transported vertically upward along the side of the printer body 1. Paper P sent out from the manual feed tray 2b passes through the first paper transport path 4a and is transported approximately horizontally to the left.

[0015] A pair of registration rollers 13 is provided at the downstream end of the first paper transport path 4a in the paper transport direction. Furthermore, a first belt transport section (transport section) 5 and a recording section 9 are arranged immediately downstream of the pair of registration rollers 13. The pair of registration rollers 13 corrects skewed feed of the paper P and sends the paper P toward the first belt transport section 5, timing it with the ink ejection operation performed by the recording section 9.

[0016] Between the pair of registration rollers 13 and the first belt conveying section 5, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) 20 for detecting the position of the edge of the paper P in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper conveying direction) is disposed.

[0017] The first belt conveying section 5 includes an endless first conveying belt 8 wound around a first driving roller 6 and a first driven roller 7. The paper P sent out from the pair of registration rollers 13 passes under the recording section 9 while being attracted and held on the conveying surface 8a (upper surface in FIG. 1) of the first conveying belt 8.

[0018] A first paper suction section 30 is provided on the inside of the first conveyor belt 8, facing the back side of the conveying surface 8a of the first conveyor belt 8. The first paper suction section 30 has a number of holes 30a for suctioning air on its upper surface. A fan 30b is provided inside the first paper suction section 30, and it is possible to suck air downward from the upper surface. The first conveyor belt 8 also has a number of ventilation holes (not shown) for suctioning air. With the above configuration, the first belt conveyor section 5 conveys the paper P while suctioning and holding it on the conveying surface 8a of the first conveyor belt 8.

[0019] The recording unit 9 records an image on the paper P that is adsorbed and held on the conveying surface 8a of the first conveyor belt 8 and conveyed. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the recording unit 9 includes a head housing 10 and five line heads 11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K, and 11R held by the head housing 10. These line heads 11C to 11R have a recording area that is equal to or larger than the width of the paper P that is conveyed, and are supported at a height that forms a predetermined interval (for example, 1 mm) with respect to the conveying surface 8a of the first conveyor belt 8. Three recording heads 17 are arranged in a staggered manner in each of the line heads 11C to 11R along the paper width direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 3) that is perpendicular to the paper conveying direction. A large number of ink discharge nozzles 18 are arranged on the ink discharge surface of the recording heads 17. The recording heads 17 arranged on the line heads 11C to 11R are all compatible with each other because they have the same shape and configuration.

[0020] Ink of four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) stored in ink containers 50C to 50K (see FIG. 5) is supplied to the recording heads 17 constituting each of the line heads 11C to 11K for each color of the line heads 11C to 11K.

[0021] In response to image data information received from an external computer or the like, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks are sequentially ejected from ink ejection nozzles 18 of recording heads 17 corresponding to the printing positions of line heads 11C to 11K toward paper P adsorbed to first transport belt 8. As a result, a full-color image is recorded on paper P in which the four colors of ink, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, are superimposed. Note that line head 11R is unused.

[0022] A second belt conveying section 12 is disposed downstream (left side in FIG. 1) of the first belt conveying section 5 in the paper conveying direction. The paper P on which an image has been recorded in the recording section 9 is sent to the second belt conveying section 12, and the ink ejected onto the surface of the paper P is dried while passing through the second belt conveying section 12.

[0023] The second belt conveying section 12 includes an endless second conveying belt 40 wound around a second driving roller 41 and a second driven roller 42. The second conveying belt 40 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 by the second driving roller 41. The paper P on which an image is recorded by the recording section 9 and conveyed in the direction of the arrow X by the first belt conveying section 5 is handed over to the second conveying belt 40 and conveyed in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 2.

[0024] A second paper suction section 43 is provided on the inside of the second conveyor belt 40, facing the back side of the conveyor surface 40a of the second conveyor belt 40. The second paper suction section 43 has a number of holes 43a for suctioning air on the upper surface. A fan 43b is provided inside the second paper suction section 43, and it is possible to suck air downward from the upper surface. In addition, the second conveyor belt 40 also has a number of ventilation holes (not shown) for suctioning air. With the above configuration, the second belt conveyor section 12 conveys the paper P while suctioning and holding it on the conveyor surface 40a of the second conveyor belt 40.

[0025] A decurler unit 14 is provided downstream of the second belt transport unit 12 in the paper transport direction and near the left side of the printer body 1. The paper P from which the ink has been dried by the second belt transport unit 12 is sent to the decurler unit 14, where any curls in the paper P are straightened out.

[0026] A second paper transport path 4b is provided downstream of the decurler unit 14 in the paper transport direction (upper side in FIG. 1). When double-sided recording is not performed on the paper P that has passed through the decurler unit 14, the paper P is discharged from the second paper transport path 4b via a pair of discharge rollers to a paper discharge tray 15 provided outside the left side of the printer 100. When double-sided recording is performed on the paper P, the paper P that has completed recording on one side and passed through the second belt transport unit 12 and the decurler unit 14 passes through the second paper transport path 4b and is transported to the reversing transport path 16. The transport direction of the paper P sent to the reversing transport path 16 is switched to reverse the paper, and the paper P passes through the upper part of the printer 100 and is transported to the pair of registration rollers 13. The paper P is then transported again to the first belt transport unit 5 with the side on which the image is not recorded facing up.

[0027] In addition, a maintenance unit 19 is disposed below the second belt transport section 12. The maintenance unit 19 moves below the recording section 9 when performing maintenance on the recording head 17, and wipes off ink that has been ejected (purged) from the ink ejection nozzles 18 of the recording head 17.

[0028] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control path of the printer 100 of this embodiment. In addition to the above configuration, the printer 100 further includes waste ink collection containers 21C to 21R, a reader / writer module 23, an operation panel 27, a storage unit 28, and a communication unit 29.

[0029] The waste ink recovery containers 21C to 21R are provided corresponding to the line heads 11C to 11R, respectively. The waste ink recovery containers 21C to 21R recover and store ink that is discharged from the recording heads 17 constituting the line heads 11C to 11R and has not been used in image recording (printing). Examples of ink that has not been used in image recording include ink discharge (flushing) performed at a timing other than image recording to prevent clogging of the ink discharge nozzles 18, and ink (purged ink) pushed out from the ink discharge nozzles 18 during a recovery operation of the recording heads 17 that have not been used for a long period of time.

[0030] The reader / writer module 23 reads and writes information from an IC chip 53 (see FIG. 5) attached to the recording head 17. In the present invention, radio frequency identification, which allows the reader / writer module 23 to read and rewrite information related to ink color and ink installation stored in the IC chip 53, is used to determine whether the recording head 17 is unused or not.

[0031] The operation panel 27 is an operation unit for receiving various setting inputs. For example, an operator can operate the operation panel 27 to input information on the size of the paper P to be set in the paper feed cassette 2, that is, the size of the paper P to be transported by the first transport belt 8. The operator can also operate the operation panel 27 to input the number of sheets of paper P to be printed and to instruct the start of a print job. The operation panel 27 also functions as a notification device (display unit) that provides notifications regarding the operating status of the printer 100 and, as will be described later, regarding the line heads 11C-11R and waste ink collection containers 21C-21R.

[0032] The storage unit 28 is a memory that stores the operation program of the control device 110 as well as various types of information, and is configured to include a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile memory, etc. Information set by the operation panel 27 is stored in the storage unit 28.

[0033] The communication unit 29 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device (e.g., a personal computer (PC)). For example, when an operator operates a PC and sends a print command together with image data to the printer 100, the image data and print command are input to the printer 100 via the communication unit 29. In the printer 100, the main control unit 110a controls the recording heads 17 of the line heads 11C to 11K based on the image data to eject ink, thereby recording an image on the paper P.

[0034] The printer 100 of this embodiment also includes a control device 110. The control device 110 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. Specifically, the control device 110 includes a main control unit 110a, a flushing control unit 110b, a paper supply control unit 110c, and a maintenance control unit 110d.

[0035] The main control unit 110a controls the operation of each unit of the printer 100. For example, the driving of each roller inside the printer 100, the ejection of ink from the recording head 17 during image recording, etc. are controlled by the main control unit 110a. The flushing control unit 110b drives each ink ejection nozzle 18 of the recording head 17 to cause the recording head 17 to perform flushing. For flushing, an opening (not shown) for flushing is formed in the first conveyor belt 8, and ink is ejected from the ink ejection nozzle 18 in accordance with the timing of passing through the opening.

[0036] The paper supply control unit 110c is a recording medium supply control unit that controls the pair of registration rollers 13 as a recording medium supply unit. For example, the paper supply control unit 110c controls the timing of conveying the succeeding paper P by controlling the pair of registration rollers 13 based on the timing of detection of the rear end of the paper P by the CIS 20.

[0037] The maintenance control unit 110d controls the recording head 17 to execute the above-mentioned purge, which forcibly pushes out ink from each ink ejection nozzle 18. When the maintenance control unit 110d causes the recording head 17 to execute the purge, it also controls the driving of the above-mentioned maintenance unit 19 (for example, the movement of the recording unit 9 downward and the retraction).

[0038] The control device 110 may further include a calculation unit that performs necessary calculations and a timer unit that keeps time. The main control unit 110a may also function as the calculation unit and the timer unit.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the ink movement path passing through the line heads 11C to 11R in the printer 100 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the ink containers 50C to 50K are connected to the line heads 11C to 11K via ink supply paths 51. The ink containers 50C to 50K are filled with cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink, respectively, and supply ink to the recording heads 17 in the line heads 11C to 11K via the ink supply paths 51. The ink containers 50C to 50K are detachable from the printer body 1, and when the ink in the containers runs out, they are replaced with new ink containers 50C to 50K.

[0040] An IC chip 53 is attached to the recording head 17. When the printer 100 is first used, information regarding ink color and ink installation is written to the IC chip 53 attached to the recording head 17 in the line heads 11C to 11K by the reader / writer module 23 (see FIG. 4).

[0041] In addition, waste ink recovery containers 21C to 21R are provided corresponding to the line heads 11C to 11R. Ink (waste ink) that is not used for image recording, such as ink ejected during flushing and purged ink, is recovered in the waste ink recovery containers 21C to 21R via an ink receiver and an ink recovery path (neither shown) arranged opposite the recording head 17. The waste ink recovery containers 21C to 21R are all compatible, having the same shape and configuration.

[0042] On the other hand, the line head 11R is provided as a spare. When using ink other than cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, an ink container of a predetermined color is connected to the line head 11R. In this embodiment, since the line head 11R is unused, no ink container is connected and the recording head 17 is in an unused state. Therefore, information regarding the ink color and ink installation is not written in the IC chip 53 attached to the recording head 17 in the line head 11R. In addition, the waste ink recovery container 21R is also in an unused state (empty).

[0043] When the recording head 17 of the line heads 11C-11K in use breaks down or the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K become full, it is necessary to replace the recording head 17 or the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K, but a replacement recording head 17 or waste ink collection container 21C-21K may not be available. In such a case, if it is possible to display that the recording head 17 of the line head 11R or the waste ink collection container 21R can be replaced, the printer 100 can be used continuously. Also, the recording head 17 of the unused line head 11R and the waste ink collection container 21R can be used effectively without being left inside the printer body 1.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure for replacing the recording head 17 executed in the printer 100 of this embodiment. The procedure for replacing the recording head 17 in the printer 100 will be described following the steps in Fig. 6, with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, and Figs. 7 and 8, which will be described later, as necessary.

[0045] The main control unit 110a judges whether or not a failure has occurred in the recording head 17 of the line heads 11C to 11K in use (step S1). If no failure has occurred (No in step S1), the main control unit 110a continues to monitor for the presence or absence of a failure. If a failure has occurred in the recording head 17 of any of the line heads 11C to 11K (Yes in step S1), the main control unit 110a displays the failed line head 11C to 11K (e.g., line head 11K) on the operation panel 27 (step S2).

[0046] Next, the main control unit 110a determines whether the unused line head 11R has a recording head 17 (step S3). The presence or absence of the recording head 17 and whether it is unused can be determined by reading color information in the IC chip 53 of the recording head 17 of the line head 11R by the reader / writer module 23.

[0047] If the unused line head 11R has a recording head 17 (Yes in step S3), the main control unit 110a displays the recording head 17 of the line head 11R as a replaceable recording head 17 on the operation panel 27 (step S4).

[0048] 7 is an image diagram of the operation panel 27 displaying that the recording head 17 of the line head 11R is replaceable. For example, if the recording head 17 of the black line head 11K breaks down, a message is displayed indicating that the line head 11K is broken, and that the recording head 17 of the unused line head 11R is replaceable. After checking the display on the operation panel 27, the worker removes the recording head 17 of the broken line head 11K and replaces it with the recording head 17 of the line head 11R (step S5).

[0049] Next, the main control unit 110a writes color information and information about ink installation (black ink installation information in this case) to the IC chip 53 of the replaced recording head 17 by the reader / writer module 23 (step S6). Thereafter, a message is displayed on the operation panel 27 indicating that the unused line head 11R does not have a recording head 17 (step S7), and the replacement of the recording head 17 is completed. Fig. 8 is an image diagram of the operation panel 27 indicating that the recording head 17 of the line head 11R has been used.

[0050] On the other hand, if the unused line head 11R does not have a recording head 17 in step S3 (No in step S3), the use of the printer 100 is prohibited (step S8) and the process ends.

[0051] 6, if the recording head 17 of any of the line heads 11C to 11K in use breaks down, the operator is notified that it can be replaced with the recording head 17 of the unused line head 11R, so that even if a replacement recording head 17 is not available, the printer 100 can be used continuously, thereby reducing downtime of the printer 100. In addition, the recording head 17 of the unused line head 11R is used without being left as is, which leads to effective use of parts.

[0052] Furthermore, after the recording head 17 of the unused line head 11R is used as a replacement recording head 17, a message is displayed indicating that the line head 11R does not have a recording head 17, so that the operator can replenish the line head 11R with a recording head 17 in preparation for the next time a malfunction occurs in one of the line heads 11C to 11K or the next time line head 11R is used.

[0053] Note that since the operation of the printer 100 is not affected even if the line head 11R does not have a recording head 17 attached, it is possible to arbitrarily select whether or not to display the fact that the line head 11R has no recording head 17. Also, if the line head 11R has multiple replaceable recording heads 17 attached, it is sufficient to display on the operation panel 27 that the number of recording heads 17 attached to the line head 11R has been reduced by replacement.

[0054] Next, a method for utilizing an unused waste ink collection container 21R will be described. Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a replacement procedure for the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R executed in the printer 100 of this embodiment. The replacement procedure for the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R in the printer 100 will be described following the steps in Fig. 9, with reference to Figs. 1-5 and Figs. 10-13 (described later) as necessary.

[0055] The main control unit 110a judges whether the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K in use are detected as full (step S1). Methods for detecting whether the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K are full include conventionally known methods, such as a method of directly detecting the amount of ink in the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K using a sensor, or a method of calculating the amount of ink discharged (number of discharges) other than for image recording from the recording heads 17 of the line heads 11C-11K.

[0056] If none of the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K are detected as full (No in step S1), the main control unit 110a continues to monitor for full detection. If any of the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K are detected as full (Yes in step S1), the main control unit 110a displays on the operation panel 27 which waste ink collection container 21C-21K (e.g., waste ink collection container 21K) has been detected as full (step S2).

[0057] Next, the main control unit 110a determines whether or not there is an unused waste ink collection container 21R (step S3). The presence or absence of the waste ink collection container 21R can be detected, for example, by using a detection sensor (not shown) provided in the attachment portion 55 (see FIG. 11) of the waste ink collection container 21R.

[0058] If an unused waste ink collection container 21R is present (Yes in step S3), the main control unit 110a displays the waste ink collection container 21R as a replaceable waste ink collection container on the operation panel 27 (step S4).

[0059] 10 is an image diagram of the operation panel 27 that displays that the waste ink collection container 21R is replaceable. For example, when the black waste ink collection container 21K is detected as full, a message is displayed that the waste ink collection container 21K is full, and also a message is displayed that an unused waste ink collection container 21R is replaceable.

[0060] 11 is a front view of the mounting portion 55 for the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R when the waste ink collection container 21K is detected as full. The mounting portion 55 is provided inside the exterior cover (not shown) of the printer main body 1. LED lamps 57C-57R are disposed near the mounting portion 55 in correspondence with the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R.

[0061] After checking the display on the operation panel 27, the operator opens the exterior cover of the printer main body 1 to access the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R mounted in the mounting portion 55. At this time, the main control unit 110a causes the LED lamp 57R corresponding to the waste ink collection container 21R to flash, as shown in Fig. 11. The operator removes the waste ink collection container 21R in accordance with the flashing of the LED lamp 57R.

[0062] 12 is a front view of the mounting portion 55 for the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R when the waste ink collection container 21R is removed. When the waste ink collection container 21R is removed, the main control unit 110a turns off the blinking LED lamp 57R and makes the LED lamp 57K corresponding to the full waste ink collection container 21K blink. The worker removes the waste ink collection container 21K in accordance with the blinking of the LED lamp 57R and replaces it with the waste ink collection container 21R (step S5).

[0063] Next, the main control unit 110a cancels the FULL detection display of the waste ink collection container 21K (step S6). After that, the operation panel 27 displays that there is no unused waste ink collection container 21R (step S7), and the replacement work of the waste ink collection containers 21C to 21R is completed. Fig. 13 is an image diagram of the operation panel 27 displaying that the waste ink collection container 21R has been used.

[0064] On the other hand, if there is no unused waste ink collection container 21R in step S3 (No in step S3), the use of the printer 100 is prohibited (step S8) and the process ends.

[0065] 9, when any of the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K in use becomes full, the operator is notified that it can be replaced with an unused waste ink collection container 21R, so that even if a replacement waste ink collection container 21C-21K is not available, the printer 100 can be used continuously, thereby reducing downtime of the printer 100. Also, since the unused waste ink collection container 21R is not left as it is but is used, it leads to effective use of parts.

[0066] In addition, the replacement order for the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R is displayed by the flashing of the LED lamps 57C-57R, so the worker can smoothly proceed with the replacement work of the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K that have become full by following the flashing of the LED lamps 57C-57R, and there is no risk of following the replacement procedure incorrectly or replacing a waste ink collection container 21C-21K that does not need to be replaced.

[0067] Furthermore, after an unused waste ink collection container 21R is used as a replacement waste ink collection container 21C-21K, a message is displayed indicating that there is no unused waste ink collection container 21R, allowing the operator to replenish the waste ink collection container 21R in preparation for the next time the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K become full or for the next time the line head 11R is used.

[0068] Note that since not having a waste ink collection container 21R installed does not affect the operation of the printer 100, it is optional whether or not to display the absence of a waste ink collection container 21R. Also, if multiple unused waste ink collection containers 21R are installed, it is sufficient to display on the operation panel 27 that the number of unused waste ink collection containers 21R has been reduced by replacement.

[0069] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the replacement procedure for the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R executed in the printer 100 of this embodiment. In the modified example shown in Fig. 14, the waste ink collection container 21K that has been detected as FULL is removed and replaced with an unused waste ink collection container 21R (step S5), and then the full waste ink collection container 21K is installed in the original installation location of the waste ink collection container 21R (step S6). Then, the FULL detection indicator for the installation location of the waste ink collection container 21K is turned on (step S7).

[0070] Fig. 15 is a front view of the mounting portion 55 of the waste ink collection containers 21C-21R when the full waste ink collection container 21K is mounted in the original mounting position of the waste ink collection container 21R. As shown in Fig. 15, the LED lamp 57R corresponding to the mounting position of the waste ink collection container 21K (the original mounting position of the waste ink collection container 21R) is turned on.

[0071] Next, the main control unit 110a judges whether the full waste ink collection container 21K has been removed (step S8). If the waste ink collection container 21K has not been removed (No in step S8), the FULL detection display for the installation location is maintained in the ON state (LED lamp 57R is lit). If the waste ink collection container 21K has been removed (Yes in step S8), the FULL detection display for the installation location is turned OFF (LED lamp 57R is turned off) (step S9). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, a message indicating that there is no unused waste ink collection container 21R is displayed on the operation panel 27 (step S10), and the replacement work of the waste ink collection containers 21C to 21R is completed. The other steps are the same as those in FIG. 9, and therefore will not be described.

[0072] According to the control example shown in FIG. 14, by installing a full waste ink recovery container 21K in the location where an unused waste ink recovery container 21R was installed, when there is no time or space to dispose of the waste ink recovery container 21K, the original installation location of the waste ink recovery container 21R used as a replacement can be effectively used as a temporary storage space.

[0073] Also, by turning on the FULL detection indicator at the installation location (LED lamp 57R is lit) after installing the full waste ink collection container 21K, there is no risk of forgetting to dispose of the waste ink collection container 21K. Furthermore, after the waste ink collection container 21K is removed, a display is displayed indicating that there is no unused waste ink collection container 21R, so the operator can replenish the waste ink collection container 21R in preparation for the next time the waste ink collection containers 21C-21K become full or for using the line head 11R.

[0074] Note that since not having a waste ink collection container 21R installed does not affect the operation of the printer 100, it is optional whether or not to display the absence of a waste ink collection container 21R. Also, if multiple unused waste ink collection containers 21R are installed, it is sufficient to display on the operation panel 27 that the number of unused waste ink collection containers 21R has been reduced by replacement.

[0075] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which five line heads 11C to 11R are provided, and four of the line heads 11C to 11K are used, but the present invention is applicable as long as there is one or more unused line heads, and the total number of line heads and the number of lines used can be set arbitrarily.

[0076] Furthermore, the number of recording heads 17 in each of the line heads 11C to 11R is not particularly limited, and for example, one, two, four or more recording heads 17 may be arranged for each of the line heads 11C to 11K.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the operation panel 27 and the LED lamps 57C to 57R are used to display the status of the recording head 17 and the waste ink collection containers 21C to 21R, but it is also possible to display them using either the operation panel 27 or the LED lamps 57C to 57R alone. [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present invention can be used in an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from ink ejection nozzles provided in a recording head. By using the present invention, it is possible to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that can effectively use unused recording heads and waste ink recovery containers.

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet; a plurality of line heads each having a recording head that ejects ink onto the sheet transported by the transport unit to record an image; a plurality of waste ink recovery containers for recovering and storing the ink, by color, that has been discharged from the recording head and not used in the image recording; a display unit that displays a state of the line head and the waste ink recovery container; a control unit that detects states of the line head and the waste ink recovery container and controls the display by the display unit; In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising: An inkjet recording device characterized in that, when an unused line head or waste ink collection container is present and the recording head or waste ink collection container in any of the line heads that is in use needs to be replaced, the control unit displays the recording head or waste ink collection container in the unused line head as a replaceable recording head or waste ink collection container on the display unit.

2. The recording head is equipped with a non-volatile external memory in which color information of the ink and information regarding installation are stored, The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the recording head in any of the line heads in use is replaced with an unused recording head, the control unit writes color information of the ink in the line head and information regarding installation to the external memory mounted on the unused recording head.

3. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that when an unused waste ink recovery container is present and any of the waste ink recovery containers in use is detected to be full, the control unit uses the display unit to display the replacement order for the waste ink recovery containers.

4. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste ink recovery container that is full can be temporarily placed in a location where the unused waste ink recovery container has been removed.

5. The inkjet recording device according to claim 4, characterized in that when a full waste ink recovery container is temporarily placed in a location where an unused waste ink recovery container has been removed, the control unit uses the display unit to display that the temporarily placed waste ink recovery container is full.

6. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit erases the indication that the waste ink recovery container is full displayed on the display unit when the temporarily placed waste ink recovery container is removed.

7. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when an unused recording head or waste ink recovery container is used, the control unit uses the display unit to display that there is no replaceable recording head or waste ink recovery container, or that there is a reduced number of replaceable recording heads or waste ink recovery containers.

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