INKJET PRINTING APPARATUS, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND INKJET PRINTING APPARATUS MONITORING SYSTEM

Abstract

To provide an ink jet recording device which calculates the amount of time that cartridge exchange instruction and ink or solvent replenishment instruction are displayed, and can provide a user with an estimated time when the ink or solvent will need to be replenished.SOLUTION: An ink jet recording device comprises a structure with control that calculates ink or solvent consumption per hour from information concerning printing content and number of prints per hour in the past and operation information concerning a pump and an electromagnetic valve, divides a residual quantity of the ink or solvent by the ink or solvent consumption per hour, and predicts in advance the time until the ink or solvent replenishment instruction is issued.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet printing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a monitoring system for the inkjet printing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording devices print by ejecting ink particles from the ink ejection ports of a print head. In addition, solvent may be consumed to adjust the viscosity of the ink and clean the paths. For this reason, ink and solvent must be replenished periodically, and a level sensor is disposed in the container that holds the ink or solvent to detect the remaining amount of ink or solvent, and control is performed to prompt the user to replenish the ink or solvent based on the detection result. Such an inkjet recording device is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Republished Patent WO2015-114814 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, if the liquid level detector does not detect ink or solvent, a warning is issued on the display instructing the user to replace the cartridge. If there is no replacement instruction and an attempt is made to replenish the ink or solvent by forcibly replacing the cartridge, there is a risk that the ink or solvent will exceed the capacity of the container and overflow. Therefore, users normally replace the cartridge when an instruction to replace it is given. However, if the user does not notice the replacement instruction warning, the ink or solvent will not be replenished, and as a result, the device will stop, and the production line will be halted. For this reason, users had to periodically check the warning display.

[0005] The present invention solves the problems of the conventional technology described above, and provides an inkjet recording device that can calculate the time when a cartridge replacement instruction and an ink or solvent replenishment instruction will be displayed, and can provide the user with an estimated time when ink or solvent will need to be replenished. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an inkjet recording device comprising a print head that prints with ink on a print object, an ink container that stores ink to be supplied to the print head, a solvent container that stores a solvent, a path section that connects the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container and allows the ink or solvent to flow, a control section that controls the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section, and a main body section that has a display section and houses the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, the path section, and the control section, wherein the control section is configured to calculate the remaining time until the ink or solvent is supplied from the amount of ink or solvent used, and display this calculated remaining time on the display section. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by predicting and displaying the time until ink or solvent replenishment is required, it is possible to prevent the production line from having to be stopped, while at the same time reducing the frequency with which users need to check instructions to replenish ink or solvent, thereby contributing to improved work efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an inkjet recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a path configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the inkjet recording apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary ink container of the inkjet recording device. [Figure 6]4 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary ink container of the inkjet recording device, showing a state in which the auxiliary ink container is in use. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart of a calculation process for a remaining time until an ink replenishment instruction is issued in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a solvent container of the inkjet recording apparatus. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a solvent container of an inkjet recording apparatus, showing a state in which the solvent container is in use. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a calculation process of a remaining time until a solvent replenishment instruction is issued in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart of a process for updating the remaining amount of ink or solvent in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a front view of an operation display unit that displays the remaining time until a command to replenish ink and solvent is issued in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus monitoring system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart of a calculation process of a remaining time until a solvent replenishment instruction is issued in the third embodiment. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart of a process for calculating the amount of solvent volatilized per certain time in Example 3. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart of a process for calculating the remaining number of prints that can be made until an ink replenishment instruction is issued in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart of a process for calculating the remaining number of times that printing can be performed before an ink replenishment instruction is issued in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart of a process for calculating the remaining number of prints that can be made until a solvent replenishment instruction is issued in the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention is a system for calculating the amount of ink or solvent consumed per hour from the print content, information on the number of prints per hour in the past, and operation information of the pump and solenoid valve in an inkjet recording device, and dividing the remaining amount of ink or solvent by the amount of ink or solvent consumed per hour, thereby making it possible to predict in advance the time until a command to replenish ink or solvent is issued.

[0010] In addition, the present invention provides an inkjet recording device equipped with a main body having an ink container for storing ink for printing on a print target, a solvent container for storing a solvent, and an ink container, a nozzle connected to the ink container from which ink supplied under pressure is ejected, a print head having a charging electrode for charging ink particles to be used for printing, a deflection electrode for deflecting ink particles charged by the charging electrode, and a gutter for collecting ink particles not used for printing, the inkjet recording device further comprising a control unit for predicting the time until ink or solvent needs to be replenished from the amount of ink or solvent consumed over a certain period of time, and a display unit for displaying the time predicted by the control unit.

[0011] Further, the present invention provides an inkjet recording device comprising: a main body having an ink container for storing ink for printing on a print target, a solvent container for storing a solvent, and the ink container; an inkjet recording device main body having a nozzle connected to the ink container for ejecting ink supplied under pressure, a charging electrode for charging ink particles used for printing, a deflection electrode for deflecting the ink particles charged by the charging electrode, and a gutter for collecting ink particles not used for printing; and a monitoring unit capable of wireless communication with the inkjet recording device main body and having a display unit, the monitoring unit being configured to predict the time until the ink or solvent needs to be replenished from the amount of ink or solvent consumed by the inkjet recording device main body during a certain period of time, and displaying the prediction on the display unit. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. EXAMPLES

[0012] <Use of the inkjet recording device> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an inkjet recording device 400 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the inkjet recording device 400 has an operation display unit 3 in a main body unit 1 and an external print head unit 2, and the main body unit 1 and the print head unit 2 are connected by a conduit 4.

[0013] Next, Fig. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the main body 1 of the inkjet recording device 400 taken along the line AA in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, electrical components such as a control unit 300 and a power source 310 that supplies current to the control unit 300 are disposed on the upper part of the main body 1, and an operation display unit 3 is disposed on the upper front surface.

[0014] Also, in the space 610 on the front side of the lower part of the main body 1, there are housed the temperature sensor 48, the main ink container 18 (see FIG. 3), a bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 and cartridge (ink) 50 of the auxiliary ink container 20 (see FIG. 5) that refills the main ink container 18 (see FIG. 3) with ink, and a bottle (solvent) 61 (see FIG. 8) and cartridge (solvent) 60 (see FIG. 8) of the solvent container 19 (see FIG. 8) that contains a solvent for adjusting the ink concentration. Also, the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 and cartridge (ink) 50 of the auxiliary ink container 20 are installed while being placed on a weight scale 80. However, the weight scale 80 is not necessarily a required component.

[0015] Furthermore, a space 620 on the lower back side of the main body 1 houses a flow path board 621, solenoid valves 34-39, pumps 24-27 and other circulation system control parts, and the main body 1 is connected to the print head unit 2 from the back side via a conduit 4. The length of the conduit 4 is generally 4-6m. Inside the conduit 4, there are arranged tubes through which the ink flows in and out, high-voltage power lines for applying voltage to each electrode, and control lines. Also, the main body 1 is configured so that maintenance such as replacement of the ink and solvent cartridges 50, 60 can be easily performed by opening and closing a door 600 on the lower front side.

[0016] Next, the path configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the overall path configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 400.

[0017] First, a description will be given of the ink supply path of the inkjet recording device 400 of this embodiment. The main body 1 is provided with a main ink container 18 that holds the circulating ink 7A, and the main ink container 18 is provided with a liquid level sensor (main ink container) 46 that detects whether the liquid in the main ink container 18 has reached a reference liquid level, which is an appropriate amount to be held inside.

[0018] The main ink container 18 is connected to a viscosity meter 43 via a path (for ink supply) 201 in order to grasp the viscosity of the ink 7A in the main ink container 18. The viscosity meter 43 is connected to a solenoid valve (for supply) 34 that opens and closes the path via a path (for ink supply) 202, and the solenoid valve (for supply) 34 is connected to a pump (for supply) 24 used to suck and pressure-feed the ink 7A via a path (for ink supply) 203. The pump (for supply) 24 is then connected to a filter (for supply) 28 that removes foreign matter mixed in the ink 7A via a path (for ink supply) 204.

[0019] The filter (for supply) 28 is connected to a pressure reducing valve 33 that adjusts the pressure of the ink 7A pumped from the pump (for supply) 24 via a path (for ink supply) 205 to an appropriate pressure for printing, and the pressure reducing valve 33 is provided with a pressure gauge 31 that measures the pressure of the ink 7A supplied to the nozzles via a path (for ink supply) 206. The pressure gauge 31 is connected to a switching valve 42 provided in the print head unit 2 via a path (for ink supply) 207 that passes through the conduit 4.

[0020] The switching valve 42 is connected to a nozzle 8 having an outlet for ejecting ink 7A via a path (for ink supply) 209. The switching valve 42 is an electromagnetic valve, and switches to eject ink or a cleaning solvent from the nozzle 8. A charging electrode 10, a ground deflection electrode 11, and a positive deflection electrode 12 are provided in the straight direction of the outlet of the nozzle 8, and a gutter 14 is provided ahead of the electrodes 10 and 12 for capturing ink particles 7C that are not used for printing and therefore are not charged by the charging electrode 10, and fly straight without being deflected when passing between the ground deflection electrode 11 and the positive deflection electrode 12.

[0021] Next, the ink recovery path will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The gutter 14 is connected to a filter (for recovery) 29 that removes foreign matter mixed in the ink and is disposed in the main body 1, via a path (for ink recovery) 212 that passes through the conduit 4, and the filter (for recovery) 29 is connected to a solenoid valve (for recovery) 35 that opens and closes the path, via a path (for ink recovery) 213.

[0022] The solenoid valve (for recovery) 35 is connected to a pump (for recovery) 25 that sucks up the ink particles 7C captured by the gutter 14 via a path (for ink recovery) 214. The pump (for recovery) 25 is connected to the main ink container 18 via a path (for ink recovery) 215 and a path (recovery path) 216. The main ink container 18 is also connected to a path (for exhaust) 217, which is configured to communicate with the outside of the main body 1.

[0023] Next, the ink supply path will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The main body 1 is provided with an auxiliary ink container 20 that holds auxiliary ink 7D, which is ink for refilling, and the auxiliary ink container 20 is connected via a path (for ink supply) 221 to an electromagnetic valve (for supply) 36 that opens and closes the path. The electromagnetic valve (for supply) 36 is then connected via a path (for ink supply) 222 to a junction path 223 that is connected to a path (for ink supply) 203.

[0024] Next, the ink circulation path will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In addition to the path (for ink supply) 209, a path (for circulation) 225 that passes through the conduit 4 is connected to the nozzles 8 provided in the print head unit 2. The path (for circulation) 225 is connected to an electromagnetic valve (for circulation) 37 that is provided in the main body unit 1 and opens and closes the flow path. The electromagnetic valve (for circulation) 37 is connected via a path (for circulation) 226 to a pump (for circulation) 26 that sucks ink from the nozzles 8. The pump (for circulation) 26 is connected to a path (for ink recovery) 215 via a junction path 228, via the path (for circulation) 227.

[0025] Next, a solvent supply path of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 in Fig. 3 will be described. The main body 1 is provided with a solvent container 19 that holds the supply solvent 6, and the solvent container 19 is connected to a pump (for solvent) 27 used to suck and pump the solvent 6 via a path 231. The pump (for solvent) 27 is connected to a solenoid valve (for solvent supply) 38 for opening and closing the flow path via a junction path 232, and the solenoid valve (for solvent supply) 38 is connected to the main ink container 18 via a path 233.

[0026] Next, the head cleaning path of the inkjet recording device 400 in Fig. 3 will be described. Ink adheres to various parts of the print head unit 2 that has ejected the ink 7A supplied from the main ink container 18. As a path for supplying the solvent 6 for cleaning the ink that has splashed onto the print head unit 2, a path is formed that leads from the solvent container 19 to the switching valve 42 via a path 231, a pump (for solvent) 27, a path (for cleaning) 236, an electromagnetic valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39, and a path (for cleaning) 237. A part of the solvent supplied from the solvent container 19 to the switching valve 42 of the print head unit 2 through this path is collected from the nozzle 8 through a path (for circulation) 225 into the main ink container 18. On the other hand, the solvent ejected from the nozzle 8 is collected in the gutter 14 and collected into the main ink container 18 through a path (for ink recovery) 212.

[0027] Next, a functional block diagram of the inkjet recording device 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the inkjet recording device 400 includes a control unit 300 having, for example, an MPU, and the control unit 300 controls each unit, such as the operation display unit 3, the nozzle 8, the charging electrode 10, the positive deflection electrode 12, the pumps 24 to 27, the solenoid valves 34 to 39, the pressure reducing valve 33, the pressure gauge 31, the switching valve 42, the viscosity measuring device 43, the liquid level sensor (main ink container) 46, the temperature sensor 48, and the recording unit 302, via a bus line 301. The recording unit 302 stores a program for controlling the inkjet recording device 400, and the control unit 300 is configured to control each unit constituting the inkjet recording device 400 based on this program.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the auxiliary ink container 20 used in the inkjet recording device 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary ink container 20 in a state where a cartridge (ink) 50 is connected to a bottle (auxiliary ink) 51. Note that Fig. 5 is a simplified example for the purpose of explaining this embodiment, and the shape and configuration are not limited to this.

[0029] 5, the auxiliary ink container 20 includes a bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 that holds auxiliary ink 7D, a top surface 51C that acts as a lid for sealing the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51, a protruding tube 51A that extends outside the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 for connecting to the cartridge (ink) 50, a recessed tube 51B that is disposed below the protruding tube 51A and extends inside the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51, and level sensor electrodes 52-55 that serve as detectors for detecting the timing of replacement of the cartridge (ink) 50. Note that, although the protruding tube 51A and the recessed tube 51B are shown separately here, they may be formed integrally.

[0030] The level sensor electrodes 52 to 55 further include an electrode (GND) 52 for detecting the lower limit of the remaining ink in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51, an electrode (LOW) 53 which is shorter than the electrode (GND) 52, an electrode (standard) 54 whose tip is positioned between the position of the lower end of the path (for ink supply) 221 in the auxiliary ink container and the lower end (standard level line 56) of the concave tube section 51B, and an electrode (over) 55 whose tip is located above the standard level line 56.

[0031] Here, a state in which the liquid level of the auxiliary ink 7D in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 is higher than the standard level line 56 corresponds to a state in which the auxiliary ink 7D still remains inside the cartridge (ink) 50, and a state in which the liquid level of the auxiliary ink 7D in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 is lower than the standard level line 56 corresponds to a state in which the auxiliary ink 7D has run out inside the cartridge (ink) 50 and the cartridge (ink) 50 is empty.

[0032] The electrode (GND) 52 is a reference electrode for detecting the state of conduction with other electrodes, i.e., the presence or absence of auxiliary ink 7D in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51. The electrode (LOW) 53 is for detecting a state in which the auxiliary ink 7D in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 has decreased, resulting in a low remaining amount of auxiliary ink 7D in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51. The electrode (standard) 54 is for detecting the timing of replacing the cartridge (ink) 50, and this liquid level height is referred to as the standard. The electrode (over) 55 is for detecting a liquid level state that is higher than the standard height when ink is being refilled from the cartridge (ink) 50.

[0033] With this configuration, for example, a galvanometer (not shown) can be used to select two of the level sensor electrodes 52 to 55 and connect them to the galvanometer, and the continuity state can be checked based on the presence or absence of current. In other words, the ink level can be checked.

[0034] The detection state of each electrode is shown in Figure 6. (a) shows a state in which the electrode (over) 55 detects the auxiliary ink 7D, (b) shows a state in which the electrode (over) 55 does not detect the auxiliary ink 7D and the electrode (standard) 54 detects the auxiliary ink 7D, (c) shows a state in which the electrode (standard) 54 does not detect the auxiliary ink 7D and the electrode (LOW) 53 detects the auxiliary ink 7D, and (d) shows a state in which the electrode (LOW) 53 does not detect the auxiliary ink 7D and only the electrode (GND) 52 is in contact with the auxiliary ink 7D.

[0035] 6(b), (c), and (d), the control unit 300 detects that it is time to replace the cartridge (ink) 50, and can inform the user that replacement is possible via the operation display unit 3, etc. Also, in the (d) state, the control unit 300 detects that the supplementary ink 7D will soon run out, and can prompt the user to replace it via the operation display unit 3, etc.

[0036] According to this configuration, when the surface 71 of the auxiliary ink 7D transitions from state (a) to state (b), from state (b) to state (c), or from state (c) to state (d), the auxiliary ink 7D becomes the volume of the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 up to the height of the tips of the level sensor electrodes 52 to 54, so that the amount of remaining auxiliary ink 7D can be recorded in the recording unit 302 at the timing of each transition of the state. Note that although four level sensor electrodes are shown in Figures 5 and 6, the number is not limited, and for example, four or more electrodes may be used to detect the amount of auxiliary ink 7D more precisely.

[0037] Next, a calculation process flow for the remaining time until a replenishment instruction is issued will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, step S101 first indicates a state in which the control unit 300 starts a process of calculating the remaining time until a replenishment instruction is issued. Next, in step S102, control 100 for measuring the amount of ink consumed per fixed time is started from step S103 to step S105. First, in step S103, the number of ink droplets used for printing in a certain period of time is measured, and then in step S104, volume data per ink droplet based on the device settings (printing conditions) previously stored in the recording unit 302 is read. Next, in step S105, the amount of ink consumed per fixed time period is calculated from the data acquired in steps S103 and S104. Next, in step S106, the control for measuring the amount of ink consumed per fixed time period is ended.

[0038] Next, in step S107, information on the remaining ink amount calculated based on information on the transition timing of the surface 71 of the auxiliary ink 7D detected by each of the level sensor electrodes 52 to 55 from state (a) to state (b), or state (b) to state (c), or state (c) to state (d) in Figure 6, which is stored in the recording unit 302, is read in, that is, information on the remaining ink amount calculated based on information on the point in time when the auxiliary ink 7D is no longer detected by the level sensor electrodes 55, 54, or 53, and the remaining amount of auxiliary ink 7D in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 is calculated using the data on the ink consumption amount per fixed time obtained in S105 and information on the accumulated printing time from the transition timing of the surface 71 of the auxiliary ink 7D detected by each of the level sensor electrodes 52 to 55 from state (a) to state (b), or state (b) to state (c), or state (c) to state (d) in Figure 6, and the time until a replenishment instruction to replace the empty cartridge (ink) 50 with a cartridge (ink) 50 filled with ink is calculated.

[0039] Next, in step S108, the time until the replenishment instruction is issued, calculated in S107, is stored and updated in the recording unit 302 as remaining time data.

[0040] Finally, in step S109, the updated remaining time data is displayed in the ink remaining time display area 350 (see FIG. 12) of the operation and display unit 3, and in step S110, the calculation process for the remaining time until a replenishment command is issued ends.

[0041] Next, the configuration of the solvent container 19 used in the inkjet recording apparatus 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the solvent container 19 in a state in which a cartridge (solvent) 60 is connected to a bottle (solvent) 61. Note that Fig. 8 is a simplified example for the purpose of explaining this embodiment, and the shape and configuration are not limited to this.

[0042] In Figure 8, the solvent container 19 comprises a bottle (solvent) 61 that holds the solvent 6, a top surface portion 61C that acts as a lid to seal the bottle (solvent) 61, a convex tube portion 61A that extends outside the bottle (solvent) 61 for connecting to a cartridge (solvent) 60, a concave tube portion 61B that is positioned below the convex tube portion 61A and extends inside the bottle (solvent) 61, and a float sensor 62 for detecting when the ink level has dropped below a certain level.

[0043] The float sensor 62 is configured to include an indicator rod 63, a detection section 64 for detecting when the liquid level has dropped below a standard level line 67 (the same height as the lower end of the recessed pipe section 61B), a float 65 for detecting when the volume of the solvent 6 has dropped below a certain level, a magnet 65A which is part of the float 65, a stopper 66 for holding the float 65 so that it does not come off, and a magnetic sensor 65B for detecting the magnetism of the magnet 65A. Note that although the protruding pipe section 61A and the recessed pipe section 61B are described separately here, they may be formed integrally.

[0044] Here, a state in which the liquid level of the solvent 6 inside the bottle (solvent) 61 is higher than the standard level line 67 corresponds to a state in which the solvent 6 still remains inside the cartridge (solvent) 60, and a state in which the liquid level of the solvent 6 inside the bottle (solvent) 61 is lower than the standard level line 67 corresponds to a state in which the solvent 6 has run out inside the cartridge (solvent) 60, i.e., the cartridge (solvent) 60 is empty.

[0045] In addition, when the float 65 comes into contact with the detection unit 64, the liquid level of the solvent 6 is below the standard level line 67. Therefore, as long as the solvent 6 remains inside the bottle (solvent) 61, the liquid level of the solvent 6 is above the standard level line 67, the float 65 is maintained in contact with the detection unit 64, and a detection signal is output from the detection unit 64.

[0046] The detection state of the liquid level 68 of the solvent 6 contained in the bottle (solvent) 61 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In Fig. 9(a), the float sensor 62 detects that the liquid level is lower than the standard level line 67 by the float 65 lowering in conjunction with the liquid level 68 of the solvent 6. In other words, it is known that the cartridge (solvent) is empty.

[0047] 9(b), the float sensor 62 moves down in conjunction with the liquid level 68 until the float 65 hits the stopper 66, and the magnetic sensor 65B detects the magnetism of the magnet 65A that is part of the float 65, thereby detecting that the liquid level 68 has reached near the bottom of the bottle (solvent) 61. In other words, it detects that the solvent 6 will soon run out.

[0048] 9(a), the control unit 300 detects that it is time to replace the cartridge (solvent) 60, and can inform the user that it is possible to replace it via the operation display unit 3, etc. Also, in the state of Fig. 9(b), the control unit 300 detects that the solvent 6 will soon run out, and can urge the user to replace it via the operation display unit 3, etc.

[0049] According to this configuration, when the float 65 is in the state shown in Figure 9(a) where it is separated from the detection unit 64, and when the float 65 is in the state shown in Figure 9(b) where it is in contact with the stopper 66, the amount of solvent 6 becomes the capacity of the bottle (solvent) 61 up to the height of each liquid level 68, so that the amount of remaining solvent 6 can be recorded in the recording unit 302 at the timing when the float 65 transitions to the state shown in Figure 9(a) where it is separated from the detection unit 64, and at the timing when the float 65 transitions to the state shown in Figure 9(b) where it is in contact with the stopper 66.

[0050] 8 and 9 have been described with reference to the configuration of the solvent container 19, but the example can also be applied to the auxiliary ink container 20. That is, instead of the level sensor electrodes 52-55 of the auxiliary ink container 20 described in Figures 5 and 6, the float sensor 62 described in Figures 8 and 9 is used, and the position of the magnet 65A, which is part of the float 65, is detected by a plurality of magnetic sensors attached at a plurality of positions at different heights to detect the liquid level of the auxiliary ink 7D inside the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51, thereby making it possible to perform calculation processing for the remaining time until a replenishment command is issued according to the flow described in Figure 7.

[0051] In this way, the inkjet recording apparatus 400 can detect the amount of consumed ink or solvent, but it is also possible to provide a weight meter that detects the weight of the auxiliary ink container and ink, or a weight meter that detects the weight of the solvent container and solvent, and obtain the amount from the weight detection value.Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a flow meter that detects the amount of ink pressure-fed from the auxiliary ink container, or a flow meter that detects the amount of solvent pressure-fed from the solvent container, and obtain the amount from the flow detection value.

[0052] Next, a process flow for calculating the remaining time until a solvent replenishment instruction is issued will be described with reference to FIG.

[0053] In FIG. 10, first, step S121 indicates a state in which the control unit 300 starts a calculation process 120 of the remaining time until a replenishment instruction is issued.

[0054] Next, step S122 indicates a state in which the control for measuring the amount of solvent consumed per fixed time from step S123 to step S125 is started. Next, in step S123, the time during which the solenoid valve is open is measured. Next, in step S124, data on the flow rate of the solvent 6 for each time that the solenoid valve (for solvent supply) 38 or the solenoid valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39 is open based on the settings of the apparatus is read from the recording unit 302. Next, in step S125, the amount of solvent consumed per certain period of time is calculated from the data acquired in steps S123 and S124. Next, step S126 indicates a state in which control for measuring the amount of solvent consumed per unit time is ended.

[0055] Next, in step S127, the remaining amount of solvent 6 inside the bottle (solvent) 61 detected by the float sensor 62 is read from the recording unit 302, and the time until a replenishment instruction is issued is calculated from the obtained amount of solvent consumed per fixed time.

[0056] Next, in step S128, the remaining time data calculated in step S127 is stored in the recording unit 302 and updated.

[0057] Finally, in step S129, the remaining time data stored and updated in the recording unit 302 is displayed in the solvent remaining time display area 360 (see FIG. 12) of the operation display unit 3, and in step S130, the calculation process 120 of the remaining time until the replenishment instruction is issued is terminated.

[0058] In addition, the process of calculating the remaining time based on the time that the solenoid valve (for solvent replenishment) 38 or the solenoid valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39 is open can also be used as a process flow for calculating the remaining time until the supplementary ink 7D replenishment command is issued, as described in Figure 7.

[0059] Next, after printing has begun with the print head unit 2, the remaining amounts of auxiliary ink 7D in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 of the auxiliary ink container 20 and the solvent 6 in the bottle (solvent) 61 of the solvent container 19 change over time, and it is necessary to update the remaining amount data of the ink or solvent to be used in step S106 of FIG. 7 and step S127 of FIG. 10. The process flow for updating the remaining amount data of the ink or solvent will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0060] In FIG. 11, first, step S141 indicates a state in which the ink or solvent remaining amount updating process 140 in the control unit 300 has been started.

[0061] Next, in step 142, the consumption amount of ink or solvent per fixed time period obtained in the process of step S105 described in FIG. 7 or step S125 described in FIG. 10 is read.

[0062] Next, in step S143, it is determined whether there has been a change in the detection state of the liquid level of the auxiliary ink 7D inside the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 of the auxiliary ink container 20 or the liquid level of the solvent 6 inside the bottle (solvent) 61 of the solvent container 19, as described in Figure 6 or Figure 9.

[0063] If it is determined in step S143 that there has been a change in the detection state of the liquid level of auxiliary ink 7D inside the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 or the liquid level of solvent 6 inside the bottle (solvent) 61 of the solvent container 19 (YES in S143), the process proceeds to step S144, and information on the state in which it is determined that there has been a change in the detection state in step S143, i.e., the volume of auxiliary ink 7D contained in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 in the states of (a) to (d) of Figure 6, or the volume of solvent 6 inside the bottle (solvent) 61 in the state of (a) or (b) of Figure 9, is read from the recording unit 302.

[0064] Next, in step S145, the remaining amount data of auxiliary ink 7D inside the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 or the remaining amount data of solvent 6 inside the bottle (solvent) 61 read from the recording unit 302 in step S144 is stored and updated in the recording unit 302 as remaining ink or solvent amount data, and the ink or solvent remaining amount update process 140 is terminated (step S148).

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S143 that there is no change in the detection state of the liquid level of the auxiliary ink 7D inside the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 or the liquid level of the solvent 6 inside the bottle (solvent) 61 of the solvent container 19 (NO in S143), the ink or solvent remaining amount data stored in the recording unit 302 is updated and stored based on the consumption amount of ink or solvent per certain period of time read in step S142, and the ink or solvent remaining amount update process 140 is terminated (step S148).

[0066] The remaining ink or solvent amount data updated in step S145 or step S149 is used as the remaining ink amount data used in step S107 in the process flow described in FIG. 7, and as the remaining solvent amount data used in step S128 in the process flow described in FIG.

[0067] Next, referring to FIG. 12, a description will be given of the display in the ink remaining time display area 350 of the operation and display unit 3 in step S109 of the process flow in FIG. 7, and the display on the operation and display unit 3 in step S129 of the process flow in FIG.

[0068] FIG. 12 shows a state in which information is displayed in the ink remaining time display area 350 and the solvent remaining time display area 360 of the operation display unit 3.

[0069] The ink remaining time display area 350 includes an ink remaining time display section 351 which displays information in minutes about the time remaining until replacement of the cartridge (ink) 50 of the auxiliary ink container 20, which was updated and stored in step S107 of the processing flow in Fig. 7, and an ink remaining amount display area 352 which graphically displays the amount of auxiliary ink remaining in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51. In the example shown in the ink remaining amount display area 352 in Fig. 12, the amount of auxiliary ink remaining in the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 is indicated by 353, which is surrounded by a thick frame.

[0070] The solvent remaining time display area 360 includes a solvent remaining time display section 361 that displays information in minutes about the remaining time until replacement of the cartridge (solvent) 60 of the solvent container 19, which was updated and stored in step S127 of the processing flow in Fig. 10, and a solvent remaining amount display area 362 that graphically displays the amount of solvent 6 remaining in the bottle (solvent) 61. In the example shown in the solvent remaining amount display area 362 in Fig. 12, the amount of solvent remaining in the bottle (solvent) 61 is indicated by 363, which is surrounded by a thick frame.

[0071] <Effects of Example 1> As described above, according to this embodiment, the volume data of one ink particle based on the settings of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 and the flow rate data of the ink or solvent for each time the solenoid valve is open are read from the recording unit 302 provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 400, the number of ink particles used per certain time and the time the solenoid valve is open per certain time are measured, and the consumption amount of the ink or solvent per certain time can be calculated. From this data, the time until a replenishment instruction to replace an empty ink or solvent cartridge with a cartridge filled with ink or solvent can be calculated, and the time data can be updated and stored in the recording unit 302. By displaying this time data on, for example, the operation display unit 3 and notifying the user, it is possible to prevent the production line from being stopped in order to replace the cartridge with one filled with ink or solvent, and at the same time, it is possible to reduce the frequency with which the user checks the ink or solvent replenishment instruction, thereby contributing to improving work efficiency. EXAMPLES

[0072] The invention according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that a description of parts common to the above-mentioned embodiment will be omitted, and the following mainly describes parts different from the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0073] 13 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus monitoring system 500. As shown in FIG. 13, the inkjet recording apparatus monitoring system 500 includes the inkjet recording apparatus 400 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a communication network 501, and an external terminal 502. The external terminal 502 is equipped with a display unit (external) 503, a control unit (external) 504, and a recording unit (external) 505 for monitoring the operating state of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 and for remotely operating the inkjet recording apparatus 400. The inkjet recording apparatus 400 and the external terminal 502 can transmit information to each other via wireless communication.

[0074] <Effects of Example 2> As described above, according to this embodiment, the calculated time until the instruction to replenish the ink or solvent is displayed on the operation display unit 3 of the inkjet recording apparatus 400, and can also be transmitted to an external terminal 502 via a communication network 501 and displayed, for example, on a display unit (external) 503. EXAMPLES

[0075] The invention according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the method of calculating the time until an instruction to replenish ink is issued is the same as the method described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 7, but the method of calculating the time until an instruction to replenish solvent is issued is different from the method described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 10. Note that a description of the parts common to the above-mentioned embodiments will be omitted, and the following mainly describes the parts that are different from the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0076] 14 shows a calculation process flow for the remaining time until a solvent replenishment instruction is issued in Example 3. This example differs from the method described in Example 1 in that information on the amount of solvent volatilized per certain time (the amount of solvent volatilized and reduced) is also used to calculate the time until the solvent replenishment.

[0077] In FIG. 14, step S161 indicates a state in which the control unit 300 starts a calculation process 160 for the remaining time until a replenishment instruction is issued.

[0078] Step S162 indicates a state in which the control for measuring the amount of solvent consumed per fixed time from step S163 to step S165 is started.

[0079] First, in step S163, the time that the solenoid valve (for solvent supply) 38 or the solenoid valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39 is open is measured. Next, in step S164, flow rate data per unit time when the solenoid valve (for solvent supply) 38 or the solenoid valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39 is open based on the settings of the device is read from the recording unit 302. Next, in step S165, the consumption amount of the solvent 6 per fixed time is calculated from the data acquired in steps S163 and S164, and in step S166, the solvent consumption amount measurement control per fixed time is terminated.

[0080] Next, in step S167, a process for calculating the amount of solvent evaporated per fixed time is executed, and in step S168, data on the remaining amount of solvent is read from the recording unit 302, and the time until a replenishment instruction to replace the empty cartridge (solvent) 60 with a cartridge (solvent) 60 filled with solvent 6 is calculated from the amount of solvent consumed per fixed time obtained in step S163 and the amount of solvent evaporated per fixed time calculated in step S167.

[0081] Next, in step S169, the time until a replenishment instruction is issued calculated in step S168 is stored and updated in recording unit 302 as remaining time data, and in step S170, the information stored and updated in recording unit 302 in step S169 is displayed in solvent remaining time display area 360 of operation display unit 3, and calculation process 130 of remaining time until a replenishment instruction is issued is terminated (step S171). Note that, although step S167 is executed after steps S162 to S166 in FIG. 14, it may be executed before steps S162 to S166.

[0082] FIG. 15 shows a detailed process flow of the calculation process of the amount of solvent volatilized per fixed time in step S167 described with reference to FIG.

[0083] In FIG. 15, first, in step S181, the control unit 300 starts a process 180 for calculating the amount of solvent volatilized per fixed time.

[0084] First, in step S182, the time during which the amount of evaporated solvent 6 is measured is measured, and then in step S183, the ambient temperature data detected by the temperature sensor 48 provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 400 is read.

[0085] Next, in step S184, the ambient temperature data read in step S183 is compared with the data stored in recording unit 302 that records the relationship between temperature and the amount of solvent volatilization per time, and data on the amount of solvent 6 volatilized per unit time is extracted. The amount of solvent volatilized per fixed time is calculated using this extracted data on the amount of solvent 6 volatilized per unit time and the data on the time at which the amount of solvent volatilized was measured that was read in step S182, and the process 180 for calculating the amount of solvent volatilized per fixed time is terminated (step S185).

[0086] <Effects of Example 3> As described above, according to this embodiment, the amount of solvent consumed per certain time period is calculated taking into consideration the amount of solvent naturally evaporated and consumed other than the amount of solvent used by the solenoid valves and pumps of the device, and the time until an instruction to replenish the solvent is calculated from the data on the remaining amount of solvent, and this can be updated and stored as time data in the recording unit 302. By displaying this time data, for example, on the operation display unit 3 and the display unit (external) 503 and informing the user, it is possible to prevent the production line from being stopped in advance, and at the same time, to reduce the frequency with which the user checks for instructions to replenish ink or solvent, thereby contributing to improved work efficiency. EXAMPLES

[0087] The invention according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the method of calculating the time until an instruction to replenish ink is issued differs from the method described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 7. On the other hand, the method of calculating the time until an instruction to replenish solvent is issued is the same as the method described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 10 or the method described in the third embodiment. Note that a description of the parts common to the first to third embodiments will be omitted, and the following mainly describes the parts that are different from the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0088] 16 shows a process flow for calculating the remaining number of times that printing can be performed before an instruction to replenish ink is issued in embodiment 4. In embodiments 1 and 3, the time until an instruction to replenish ink is issued is calculated, but this embodiment differs from embodiments 1 and 3 in that the remaining number of times that printing can be performed before an instruction to replenish ink is issued is calculated.

[0089] In FIG. 16, step S191 indicates a state in which the control unit 300 starts a process 190 for calculating the remaining number of times of printing until a replenishment command is issued.

[0090] First, in step S192, data of a character to be printed and the number of ink droplets to be used therefor are read from the recording unit 302.

[0091] Next, in step S193, volume data per ink particle based on the settings of the device is read from the recording unit 302.

[0092] Next, in step S194, the amount of ink to be used for one printing operation is calculated from the data acquired in steps S192 and S193.

[0093] Next, in step S195, the remaining amount of ink recorded in the recording unit 302 is read, and using the information on the amount of ink used for one print calculated in step S194, the number of prints that can be made until a replenishment instruction is issued to replace the emptied cartridge (ink) 50 in the auxiliary ink container 20 with a cartridge (ink) 50 filled with ink is calculated.

[0094] Next, in step S196, the remaining number of prints data calculated in step S195 is stored / updated in recording unit 302, and in step S197, the remaining number of prints data calculated in step S195 is displayed as the remaining number of prints in an area corresponding to remaining ink time display area 350 of operation display unit 3 described in embodiment 1 using FIG. 12, and calculation process 160 of the remaining number of prints until a replenishment command is issued is terminated (step S198).

[0095] <Effects of Example 4> As described above, according to this embodiment, the remaining ink amount is converted by the number of prints, not by the time, as in embodiment 1. By displaying this remaining number of prints data, for example, on the operation display unit 3 and the display unit (external) 503 to inform the user, it is possible to prevent the production line from being stopped in advance, while at the same time reducing the frequency with which the user checks for ink or solvent replenishment instructions, thereby contributing to improved work efficiency. EXAMPLES

[0096] Hereinafter, the invention according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the method of calculating the time until an instruction to replenish ink and the method of calculating the time until an instruction to replenish solvent are given are different from the methods described in the first embodiment with reference to Figures 7 and 10. Note that a description of the parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and the following mainly describes the parts that are different from the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0097] In the first embodiment, the remaining ink amount was calculated based on the volume data of a single ink particle and information on the number of ink particles ejected from the nozzle 8 of the print head unit 2 per fixed time, and the remaining time until an instruction to replenish ink was calculated, and the remaining time until an instruction to replenish solvent was calculated based on data on the flow rate of the solvent flowing through the solenoid valve per unit time and information on the time that the solenoid valve is open. However, in the present embodiment, the weight of the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 measured by a weighing scale 80 shown in FIG. 2 and the weight of the bottle (solvent) 61 measured by a weighing scale not shown are read, and the time until replacement of the cartridge (ink) 50 or cartridge (solvent) 60 is calculated from the change in these weights.

[0098] First, a calculation process flow for the remaining time until a replenishment instruction for replacing the cartridge (ink) 50 that supplies the supplementary ink 7D to the bottle (supplementary ink) 51 is issued will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 17, first, step S601 indicates a state in which the control unit 300 starts a process of calculating the remaining time until a replenishment instruction is issued. Next, in step S602, ink consumption weight measurement control per fixed time period is started from step S603 to step S605. First, in step S603, the number of ink particles used for printing in a fixed time period is measured. Next, in step S604, weight data per ink particle based on device settings (printing conditions) previously stored in recording unit 302 is read. Next, in step S105, the ink consumption weight per fixed time period is calculated from the data acquired in steps S103 and S104. Next, in step S606, ink consumption weight measurement control per fixed time period is ended.

[0099] Next, in step S607, the time until the emptied cartridge (ink) 50 is replaced with a cartridge (ink) 50 filled with ink is calculated using information on the remaining ink weight obtained from the weight of the bottle (auxiliary ink) 51 measured by the weighing meter 80 and the data on the ink consumption weight per fixed time calculated in the processing of steps S602 to S606 and stored in the recording unit 302.

[0100] Next, in step S608, the time until the replenishment instruction is issued, calculated in step S607, is stored and updated in the recording unit 302 as remaining time data.

[0101] Finally, in step S609, the updated remaining time data is displayed in the ink remaining time display area 350 (see FIG. 12) of the operation and display unit 3, and in step S610, the calculation process for the remaining time until a replenishment command is issued ends.

[0102] Next, a process flow for calculating the remaining time until a solvent replenishment instruction is issued will be described with reference to FIG.

[0103] In Example 1, the amount of solvent consumed per fixed time was determined using data on the flow rate of solvent 6 for each time that solenoid valve (for solvent replenishment) 38 or solenoid valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39 was open. However, in this example, the weight of solvent consumed per fixed time is determined using data on the weight of solvent 6 flowing for each time that solenoid valve (for solvent replenishment) 38 or solenoid valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39 is open.

[0104] In FIG. 18, first, step S621 indicates a state in which the control unit 300 starts a calculation process 620 of the remaining time until a replenishment instruction is issued.

[0105] Next, step S622 shows a state where the solvent consumption weight measurement control per fixed time from step S623 to step S625 has started. First, in step S623, the time during which the solenoid valve is open is measured. Next, in step S624, weight data of the solvent 6 flowing per time during which the solenoid valve (for solvent supply) 38 or the solenoid valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39 based on the device settings is open is read from the recording unit 302, and in step S625, the solvent consumption weight per fixed time is calculated from the data acquired in steps S623 and S624, and the solvent consumption amount measurement control per fixed time is terminated (step S626).

[0106] Next, in step S627, the weight data of the solvent container 19 measured by a weighing scale (not shown) is read, and the data on the weight of solvent consumed per certain period of time calculated in the processing of steps S622 to S727 and stored in the recording unit 302 is used to calculate the time until a replenishment instruction is issued to replace the emptied cartridge (solvent) 60 with a cartridge (solvent) 60 filled with solvent.

[0107] Next, in step S628, the time until the replenishment instruction is issued, calculated in step S627, is stored and updated in the recording unit 302 as remaining time data.

[0108] Finally, in step S629, the remaining time data stored and updated in the recording unit 302 is displayed in the solvent remaining time display area 360 (see FIG. 12) of the operation display unit 3, and in step S630, the calculation process 620 of the remaining time until the replenishment instruction is issued is terminated.

[0109] In addition, the process of calculating the remaining time based on the time that the solenoid valve (for solvent replenishment) 38 or the solenoid valve (for nozzle cleaning) 39 is open can also be used as a process flow for calculating the remaining time until the supplementary ink 7D replenishment command is issued, as described in Figure 17.

[0110] <Effects of Example 5> As described above, according to this embodiment, the weight data of one ink particle based on the settings of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 and the weight data of the ink or solvent flowing each time the solenoid valve is open are read from the recording unit 302 provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 400, the number of ink particles used per fixed time and the time the solenoid valve is open per fixed time are measured, and the weight of the ink or solvent consumed per fixed time can be calculated. From this data, the time until a replenishment instruction to replace an empty ink or solvent cartridge with a cartridge filled with ink or solvent can be calculated, and the time data can be updated and stored in the recording unit 302. By displaying this time data on, for example, the operation display unit 3 and notifying the user, it is possible to prevent the production line from being stopped in order to replace the ink or solvent cartridge, and at the same time, it is possible to reduce the frequency with which the user checks the ink or solvent replenishment instruction, thereby contributing to improving work efficiency. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1 Main body 2 Print head 3 Operation display 4 Conduit 6 Solvent 7A Ink 7C Ink particles 7D...Auxiliary ink 8...Nozzle 9...Electrostrictive element 10...Charged electrode 11...Ground deflection electrode 12...Positive deflection electrode 14 Gutter 18 Main ink container 19 Solvent container 20 Auxiliary ink container 24 Pump (for supply) 25 Pump (for recovery) 26 Pump (for circulation) 27 Pump (for solvent) 28 Filter (for supply) 29 Filter (for recovery) 31 Pressure gauge 33 Pressure reducing valve 34···Solenoid valve (for supply) 35···Solenoid valve (for recovery) 36···Solenoid valve (for replenishment) 37···Solenoid valve (for circulation) 38···Solenoid valve (for solvent replenishment) 41···Solenoid valve (for air supply) 42···Switching valve 43···Viscosity meter 46···Liquid level sensor (main ink container) 47···Phase sensor 48···Temperature sensor 50···Cartridge (ink) 51···Bottle (auxiliary ink) 52···Electrode (GND) 53···Electrode (LOW) 54 Electrode (standard) 55 Electrode (over) 56 Standard level line 60 Cartridge (solvent) 61 Bottle (solvent) 62 float sensor 63 indicator rod 64 detection part 65 Float 66 Stopper 67 Standard level line 201-209: Path (for ink supply) 211-215: Path (for ink recovery) 216: Recovery path 217: Path (for exhaust) 221-222... Path (for ink supply) 223... Junction path 225-227... Path (for circulation) 228... Junction path 231-233 Path (for solvent supply) 235 Branch path 236-237 Path (for cleaning) 300 Control unit 301 Bus line 302: Recording unit 400: Inkjet recording device 500: Inkjet recording device monitoring system 501: Communication network 502: External terminal 503: Display unit (external) 504: Control unit (external) 505: Recording unit (external)

Claims

1. a print head that prints on a print target with ink; an inkjet recording device comprising: an ink container for storing the ink to be supplied to the print head; a solvent container for storing the solvent to be supplied to the ink container; a path section connecting the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container to allow the ink or the solvent to flow; and a main body section accommodating a control section for controlling the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section, and comprising a display section; The ink cartridge further includes an auxiliary ink container for refilling the ink container with the ink, the auxiliary ink container including an ink bottle and an ink cartridge attached to the ink bottle, the control unit calculates the remaining time until the ink cartridge is replaced based on the amount of ink used by the print head and the amount of ink remaining inside the ink bottle, and displays the calculated remaining time on the display unit; and The control unit further calculates the amount of ink used by the print head based on the weight of the ink particles ejected from the print head and the number of ink particles ejected from the print head in a certain period of time, and calculates the remaining time until the ink cartridge needs to be replaced based on the amount of ink used calculated from the weight of the ink particles and the weight of the ink remaining inside the ink bottle.

2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, the solvent container is configured to include a solvent bottle and a solvent cartridge attached to the solvent bottle, an inkjet recording device characterized in that the control unit calculates the remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced based on the flow rate of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle and the remaining amount of the solvent inside the solvent bottle, and displays the calculated remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced on the display unit.

3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, the passage portion includes an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the flow of the solvent; the control unit calculates the flow rate of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle based on information on the time the solenoid valve is open and the flow rate of the solvent flowing through the solenoid valve per unit time when the solenoid valve is open.

4. A print head that prints on a print target with ink; an inkjet recording device comprising: an ink container for storing the ink to be supplied to the print head; a solvent container for storing the solvent to be supplied to the ink container; a path section connecting the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container to allow the ink or the solvent to flow; and a main body section accommodating a control section for controlling the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section, and comprising a display section; the solvent container is configured to include a solvent bottle and a solvent cartridge attached to the solvent bottle, the control unit calculates a remaining time until the solvent cartridge needs to be replaced based on a flow rate of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle and a remaining amount of the solvent in the solvent bottle, and displays the calculated remaining time until the solvent cartridge needs to be replaced on the display unit; The inkjet recording apparatus is further characterized in that the control unit calculates the remaining time until the solvent cartridge needs to be replaced based on information on the flow rate of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle, the amount of the solvent volatilized per certain time, and the remaining amount of the solvent in the solvent bottle.

5. A print head that prints on a print target with ink; an inkjet recording device comprising: an ink container for storing the ink to be supplied to the print head; a solvent container for storing the solvent to be supplied to the ink container; a path section connecting the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container to allow the ink or the solvent to flow; and a main body section accommodating a control section for controlling the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section, and comprising a display section; the solvent container is configured to include a solvent bottle and a solvent cartridge attached to the solvent bottle, an inkjet recording device, characterized in that the control unit calculates the remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced based on the weight of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle and the weight of the solvent inside the solvent bottle, and displays the calculated remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced on the display unit.

6. A print head for printing on a print target with ink; an inkjet recording device including an ink container that contains the ink to be supplied to the print head, a solvent container that contains a solvent to be supplied to the ink container, a path section that connects the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container and allows the ink or the solvent to flow, and a main body section that contains a first control section that controls the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section and is equipped with an operation display section; a monitoring system for an inkjet recording apparatus, the monitoring system including an external terminal connected to the inkjet recording apparatus via wireless communication and including a second control unit and a display unit, the ink container further includes an auxiliary ink container for replenishing the ink, the auxiliary ink container including an ink bottle and an ink cartridge attached to the ink bottle; the first control unit calculates the amount of ink used by the print head based on a weight of the ink particles ejected from the print head and the number of the ink particles ejected from the print head in a certain period of time, calculates the remaining time until the ink cartridge needs to be replaced based on the amount of ink used calculated from the weight of the ink particles and the weight of the ink remaining inside the ink bottle, and transmits this to the external terminal; a display unit that displays the remaining time until the ink cartridge is replaced, the display unit being configured to display ...

7. A print head that prints on a print target with ink; an inkjet recording device including an ink container that contains the ink to be supplied to the print head, a solvent container that contains a solvent to be supplied to the ink container, a path section that connects the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container and allows the ink or the solvent to flow, and a main body section that contains a first control section that controls the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section and is equipped with an operation display section; a monitoring system for an inkjet recording apparatus, the monitoring system including an external terminal connected to the inkjet recording apparatus via wireless communication and including a second control unit and a display unit, the solvent container is configured to include a solvent bottle and a solvent cartridge attached to the solvent bottle, the first control unit calculates a remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced based on information on a flow rate of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle, an amount of the solvent volatilized per certain time, and a remaining amount of the solvent in the solvent bottle, and transmits the calculated time to the external terminal; a second control unit configured to control the amount of time remaining until the solvent cartridge is replaced, the second control unit being ...

8. A print head for printing on a print target with ink; an inkjet recording device including an ink container that contains the ink to be supplied to the print head, a solvent container that contains a solvent to be supplied to the ink container, a path section that connects the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container and allows the ink or the solvent to flow, and a main body section that contains a first control section that controls the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section and is equipped with an operation display section; a monitoring system for an inkjet recording apparatus, the monitoring system including an external terminal connected to the inkjet recording apparatus via wireless communication and including a second control unit and a display unit, the solvent container is configured to include a solvent bottle and a solvent cartridge attached to the solvent bottle, the first control unit calculates a remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced based on a weight of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle and a weight of the solvent inside the solvent bottle, and transmits the calculated remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced to the external terminal; a second control unit configured to control the amount of time remaining until the solvent cartridge is replaced, the second control unit being ...

9. A control method for an inkjet recording device comprising: a print head for printing on a printing object with ink; an ink container for storing the ink to be supplied to the print head; a solvent container for storing the solvent to be supplied to the ink container; a path section connecting the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container to allow the ink or the solvent to flow; and a main body section housing a control section for controlling the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section and equipped with a display section, The ink cartridge further includes an auxiliary ink container for refilling the ink container with the ink, the auxiliary ink container including an ink bottle and an ink cartridge attached to the ink bottle, the control unit calculates the remaining time until the ink cartridge is replaced based on the amount of ink used by the print head and the amount of ink remaining inside the ink bottle, and displays the calculated remaining time on the display unit; and The control unit further calculates the amount of ink used by the print head based on the weight of the ink particles ejected from the print head and the number of ink particles ejected from the print head in a certain period of time, and calculates the remaining time until the ink cartridge needs to be replaced based on the amount of ink used calculated from the weight of the ink particles and the weight of the ink remaining inside the ink bottle.

10. A print head for printing on a print target with ink; A control method for an inkjet recording device comprising: an ink container for storing the ink to be supplied to the print head; a solvent container for storing the solvent to be supplied to the ink container; a path section connecting the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container to allow the ink or the solvent to flow; and a main body section accommodating a control section for controlling the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section, and comprising a display section, the solvent container is configured to include a solvent bottle and a solvent cartridge attached to the solvent bottle, the control unit calculates a remaining time until the solvent cartridge needs to be replaced based on a flow rate of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle and a remaining amount of the solvent in the solvent bottle, and displays the calculated remaining time until the solvent cartridge needs to be replaced on the display unit; The control method for an inkjet recording device is further characterized in that the control unit calculates the remaining time until the solvent cartridge needs to be replaced based on information on the flow rate of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle, the amount of the solvent volatilized per certain time, and the remaining amount of the solvent in the solvent bottle.

11. A print head for printing on a print target with ink; A control method for an inkjet recording device comprising: an ink container for storing the ink to be supplied to the print head; a solvent container for storing the solvent to be supplied to the ink container; a path section connecting the print head, the ink container, and the solvent container to allow the ink or the solvent to flow; and a main body section accommodating a control section for controlling the print head, the ink container, the solvent container, and the path section, and comprising a display section, the solvent container is configured to include a solvent bottle and a solvent cartridge attached to the solvent bottle, a control unit for controlling the inkjet recording device, the control unit calculating a remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced based on a weight of the solvent flowing out of the solvent bottle and a weight of the solvent inside the solvent bottle, and displaying the calculated remaining time until the solvent cartridge is replaced on the display unit.

Images