LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAINTENANCE OF LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device, and a maintenance method for a liquid discharge device which can improve reliability of maintenance.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a discharge part 20 for discharging a liquid, a maintenance part 21 for discharging the liquid from the discharge part 20, and performing maintenance of the discharge part 20, and a control part for making the maintenance part 21 periodically perform the maintenance, in which the control part makes the maintenance part 21 perform first maintenance when the amount of consumption of the liquid consumed after the previous maintenance is equal to or more than a first threshold, and makes the maintenance part 21 perform second maintenance stronger than the first maintenance when the amount of consumption is less than the first threshold, in maintenance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device such as a printer, and a maintenance method for the liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a recording device that is an example of a liquid ejection device that prints by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, from a recording head, which is an example of an ejection section. The recording device includes a capping means and a suction pump. The capping means caps the recording head. The suction pump generates negative pressure inside the capping means that caps the recording head to perform a recovery operation, which is an example of maintenance. When a long time has passed since the previous recovery operation, the suction pump increases the amount of ink that is sucked up compared to when the time is short, to perform the recovery operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-289229 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When liquid is discharged from the discharge portion, air bubbles contained in the liquid can be discharged along with the liquid. The ease with which air bubbles grow varies depending on the amount of liquid consumed. Specifically, air bubbles grow more easily when a small amount of liquid is consumed than when a large amount of liquid is consumed. Therefore, there is a risk that air bubbles cannot be sufficiently discharged when maintenance is performed according to the time that has elapsed since the previous maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem includes an ejection section that ejects liquid, a maintenance section that performs maintenance on the ejection section by draining liquid from the ejection section, and a control section that causes the maintenance section to perform the maintenance periodically, and when causing the control section to perform the maintenance, the control section causes a first maintenance to be performed if the amount of liquid consumed since the previous maintenance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and causes a second maintenance that is stronger than the first maintenance to be performed if the amount of liquid consumed falls below the first threshold.

[0006] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem includes an ejection unit that ejects liquid, a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the ejection unit by draining liquid from the ejection unit, and a control unit that causes the maintenance unit to perform the maintenance when the unused time exceeds a threshold time, and when causing the control unit to perform the maintenance, the control unit causes a first maintenance to be performed if the amount of liquid consumed within a predetermined period before the liquid became unused is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and causes a second maintenance that is stronger than the first maintenance to be performed if the amount of liquid consumed falls below the first threshold.

[0007] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem comprises an ejection section that ejects liquid, a maintenance section that performs maintenance on the ejection section by discharging liquid from the ejection section, and a control section that causes the maintenance section to perform the maintenance, and when the control section performs the maintenance in accordance with a user's instruction, the control section causes a third maintenance to be performed if the amount of liquid consumed within a predetermined period prior to the user's instruction is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and causes a fourth maintenance that is stronger than the third maintenance to be performed if the amount of liquid consumed falls below the second threshold.

[0008] A maintenance method for a liquid ejection device that solves the above problem is a maintenance method for a liquid ejection device that includes an ejection section that ejects liquid, and a maintenance section that performs maintenance on the ejection section by discharging liquid from the ejection section, and the maintenance that is periodically performed by the maintenance section includes performing a first maintenance when an amount of the liquid consumed since the previous maintenance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and performing a second maintenance that is stronger than the first maintenance when the amount of liquid consumed falls below the first threshold. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a liquid ejection device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid container provided in the liquid ejection device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the liquid ejection device is used. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a maintenance routine. [Figure 6] 4 is a flow chart showing a periodic maintenance routine. [Figure 7] 4 is a flow chart showing a command maintenance routine. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a liquid ejection device according to a second embodiment is in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (First embodiment) A liquid ejection device and a maintenance method for the liquid ejection device according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper to print.

[0011] In the drawings, the liquid discharge device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a printing unit 13 that prints on a medium 12, and a reading unit 14 that reads an image of a document (not shown). The liquid ejection device 11 may include a medium storage section 15 that can store a plurality of media 12, and an ejection section 16 to which the printed medium 12 is ejected. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a setting input section 17 that enables a user to input settings, and a display section 18 that displays information. The setting input section 17 of this embodiment may be configured with buttons for performing various operations of the liquid ejection device 11. The display section 18 may be a touch panel, and the user may input settings by operating the touch panel.

[0013] The liquid ejection device 11 includes an ejection unit 20 that ejects liquid, and a maintenance unit 21 that performs maintenance on the ejection unit 20 by discharging the liquid from the ejection unit 20. The ejection unit 20 prints on the medium 12 by ejecting the liquid onto the medium 12 from a nozzle (not shown).

[0014] The maintenance unit 21 of this embodiment includes a cap 23. The cap 23 comes into contact with the ejection unit 20 to cap the ejection unit 20, thereby forming a closed space surrounding the nozzle. The maintenance unit 21 of this embodiment performs maintenance to discharge liquid from the nozzle by applying negative pressure to the closed space formed by the cap 23. This maintenance is also called suction cleaning.

[0015] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a liquid container 25 that contains liquid to be supplied to the ejection portion 20, a supply flow path 26 that connects the ejection portion 20 and the liquid container 25, and a carriage 27 that movably holds the ejection portion 20. The supply flow path 26 supplies liquid from the liquid container 25 to the ejection portion 20. A part of the supply flow path 26 may be formed by, for example, a tube that deforms in accordance with the moving carriage 27.

[0016] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a housing 30 having a window portion 29 that exposes a part of the liquid container 25 to the outside, and a housing cover 31 provided above the liquid container 25. The housing cover 31 is provided so as to be movable between a closed position shown in Fig. 1 and an open position shown in Fig. 2.

[0017] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a plurality of liquid containers 25 fixed in a housing 30. The housing 30 of this embodiment contains four liquid containers 25, and four window portions 29 are formed in the housing 30, each corresponding to one of the liquid containers 25. If the liquid containers 25 are made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, such as resin, the level of the liquid contained therein can be visually confirmed through the window portions 29. The liquid containers 25 may be provided with a scale 33 at a position exposed through the window portions 29.

[0018] When color printing is enabled by the liquid ejection device 11, the multiple liquid containers 25 each contain a different type of liquid. For example, the four liquid containers 25 each contain a liquid of a corresponding color from among black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, the liquid container 25 has a storage chamber 36 capable of storing liquid injected through an inlet 35. The liquid container 25 may have a tube portion 37 in which the inlet 35 opens. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a plug 38 that closes the inlet 35 and a holder 39 that holds the plug 38. The plug 38 is provided so as to be movable between a closed position (not shown) in which the inlet 35 is closed and a refill position (shown in Fig. 2) in which the inlet 35 is opened. The liquid container 25 is refilled with liquid by inserting a refill container 40 that contains the liquid to be refilled into the tube portion 37 with the housing cover 31 positioned in the open position and the plug 38 positioned in the refill position.

[0020] <Control Unit> 3, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a control unit 42. The control unit 42 comprehensively controls the driving of each mechanism in the liquid ejection device 11, and controls various operations executed by the liquid ejection device 11.

[0021] The control unit 42 may be configured as a circuit including: α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program; β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits, that execute at least some of the various processes; or γ: a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM, that stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0022] The control unit 42 may have a storage unit 44 and a timer unit 45. The control unit 42 may cause the above-mentioned memory to function as the storage unit 44, or may include the storage unit 44 in addition to the memory. The timer unit 45 measures time.

[0023] The control unit 42 causes the maintenance unit 21 to perform periodic maintenance. Specifically, the control unit 42 causes the maintenance unit 21 to perform periodic maintenance when a certain period of time has passed since the previous maintenance. This certain period of time is a fixed value, such as 100 days, 180 days, or half a year, that is stored in advance in the storage unit 44, and may be updatable.

[0024] The control unit 42 may perform suction cleaning or flushing as normal maintenance separately from the periodic maintenance. The control unit 42 may perform normal maintenance when the power is turned on, when the power is turned off, when printing, etc. The suction cleaning performed in normal maintenance may be weaker than the suction cleaning performed in periodic maintenance. Flushing is, for example, maintenance in which liquid is ejected from the nozzles onto the cap 23.

[0025] 4, the control unit 42 may store, as timing information, in the storage unit 44, the date or time when the maintenance unit 21 performed regular maintenance. The control unit 42 may compare the current date or time with the timing information stored in the storage unit 44 to calculate the elapsed time ET that has passed since the previous maintenance. When the elapsed time ET exceeds a certain period stored in the storage unit 44, the control unit 42 may determine that regular maintenance is necessary.

[0026] The control unit 42 may store the time period UT during which the power is on and the printer is not in use in the storage unit 44. The time period UT is, for example, a time period during which no printing is being performed and the cap 23 is capping the ejection unit 20.

[0027] For example, if the power is turned on and then turned off after multiple uses, the time period UT includes the time from when the power is turned on to when use starts, the time from when the previous use ends to when the next use starts, and the time from when use ends to when the power is turned off. For example, if the power is turned on and then turned off without being used, the time period UT includes the time from when the power is turned on to the present.

[0028] The control unit 42 may set an execution time zone based on the time zone UT stored in the storage unit 44, and store this execution time zone in the storage unit 44. The storage unit 44 of this embodiment is capable of storing time zones UT for multiple days. That is, the storage unit 44 may store the time zone UT in association with a date. The control unit 42 may set the time zone UT that overlaps the most frequently among the time zones UT for multiple days as the execution time zone.

[0029] The user may set the time for performing maintenance by operating the setting input unit 17. In the following description, the time set by the setting input unit 17 is also referred to as a set time. The storage unit 44 stores the set time.

[0030] Next, a maintenance routine executed by the control unit 42 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 5. The control unit 42 executes a maintenance routine when the liquid ejection device 11 is powered on.

[0031] 5, in step S101, the control unit 42 determines whether regular maintenance is necessary. That is, if the elapsed time ET exceeds a certain period, the control unit 42 determines that regular maintenance is necessary, and if the elapsed time ET does not exceed the certain period, the control unit 42 determines that regular maintenance is not necessary. If regular maintenance is necessary, step S101 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 transitions the process to step S102.

[0032] In step S102, the control unit 42 determines whether or not the setting time set by the setting input unit 17 is stored in the storage unit 44. If the setting time is stored, step S102 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 transitions the process to step S103.

[0033] In step S103, the control unit 42 determines whether the current time is equal to the set time. If the current time is not the set time in step S103, step S103 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S107. If the current time is the set time, step S103 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S104 and executes the regular maintenance routine shown in Fig. 6. That is, when the set time arrives, the control unit 42 executes the regular maintenance routine.

[0034] In step S102, if the memory unit 44 does not store the set time, step S102 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S105. In step S105, the control unit 42 determines whether the memory unit 44 stores an execution time period. If an execution time period is stored, step S105 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S106.

[0035] In step S106, the control unit 42 determines whether the current time is included in the execution time zone. If the current time is not included in the execution time zone in step S106, step S106 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S107. If the current time is included in the execution time zone, step S106 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S104 and executes the regular maintenance routine shown in Fig. 6. That is, the control unit 42 executes the regular maintenance routine when the execution time zone is reached. After executing the regular maintenance routine in step S104, the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S101.

[0036] In step S101, if regular maintenance is not required, step S101 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 transitions the process to step S107. In step S107, the control unit 42 determines whether or not an instruction to turn off the power of the liquid ejection device 11 has been input. If the power is to be turned off, step S107 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 transitions the process to step S108.

[0037] In step S108, the control unit 42 determines whether or not regular maintenance is necessary, similar to step S101. If regular maintenance is necessary, step S108 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S109. In step S109, the control unit 42 executes the regular maintenance routine shown in FIG. 6, similar to step S104, and shifts the process to step S111.

[0038] If regular maintenance is not required in step S108, step S108 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 transitions the process to step S110. In step S110, the control unit 42 stores the consumption amount in the memory unit 44. The consumption amount is the total amount of liquid discharged by the discharge unit 20 onto the medium 12 for printing and the amount of liquid discharged from the discharge unit 20 for normal maintenance. The control unit 42 adds the amount of liquid consumed from when the power was turned on to the present time to the consumption amount stored in the memory unit 44, and updates the consumption amount stored in the memory unit 44 to the calculated consumption amount.

[0039] In step S111, the control unit 42 stores a time period UT during which the device has not been used since the power was turned on in the storage unit 44. In step S112, the control unit 42 sets an execution time period based on the time period UT stored in the storage unit 44, and ends the maintenance routine.

[0040] If the power is not turned off in step S107, step S107 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S113. In step S113, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed to perform maintenance. If the user has not instructed to perform maintenance, step S113 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S101. If the user has instructed to perform maintenance, step S113 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 shifts the process to step S114. In step S114, the control unit 42 executes the instruction maintenance routine shown in FIG. 7, and shifts the process to step S111.

[0041] Next, the regular maintenance routine executed by the control unit 42 in steps S104 and S109 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in step S201, the control unit 42 compares the consumption amount stored in the storage unit 44 with the first threshold value stored in the storage unit 44.

[0042] In step S201, if the consumption amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold, then step S201 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 moves the process to step S202. In step S202, the control unit 42 causes the maintenance unit 21 to perform the first maintenance.

[0043] In step S201, if the consumption amount falls below the first threshold, step S201 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 moves the process to step S203. In step S203, the control unit 42 causes the maintenance unit 21 to perform the second maintenance.

[0044] In step S204, the control unit 42 resets the consumption amount stored in the storage unit 44. In step S205, the control unit 42 stores in the storage unit 44 timing information such as the current date or time.

[0045] Next, the instruction maintenance routine executed by the control unit 42 in step S114 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, in step S301, the control unit 42 compares the consumption amount stored in the storage unit 44 with the second threshold value stored in the storage unit 44. The second threshold value in this embodiment is a value smaller than the first threshold value.

[0046] In step S301, if the consumption amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold, then step S301 becomes YES, and the control unit 42 moves the process to step S302. In step S302, the control unit 42 causes the maintenance unit 21 to perform third maintenance.

[0047] In step S301, if the consumption amount falls below the second threshold, step S301 becomes NO, and the control unit 42 moves the process to step S303. In step S303, the control unit 42 causes the maintenance unit 21 to perform the fourth maintenance.

[0048] In step S304, the control unit 42 resets the consumption amount stored in the storage unit 44. In step S305, the control unit 42 stores in the storage unit 44 timing information such as the current date or time.

[0049] The operation of this embodiment will be described. The maintenance unit 21 of this embodiment performs suction cleaning as the first to fourth maintenance. The consumption amount stored in the memory unit 44 is reset every time the maintenance unit 21 performs any one of the first to fourth maintenance. Therefore, the consumption amount stored in the memory unit 44 is the amount of liquid consumed by the liquid ejection device 11 since the previous maintenance.

[0050] When performing maintenance, the control unit 42 performs a first maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed since the previous maintenance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and performs a second maintenance that is stronger than the first maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed is below the first threshold.

[0051] Strong maintenance is maintenance that has a strong effect of discharging air bubbles together with the liquid. For example, the negative pressure applied to the discharge portion 20 in the second maintenance may be greater than that in the first maintenance. The amount of liquid discharged in the second maintenance may be greater than that in the first maintenance. The second maintenance may discharge the liquid more forcefully than that in the first maintenance. The second maintenance may discharge the liquid for a longer period of time than that in the first maintenance.

[0052] The control unit 42 may perform the first maintenance or the second maintenance in any one of the time periods UT stored in the storage unit 44. The control unit 42 of the present embodiment performs the first maintenance or the second maintenance in a time period UT that is set as an execution time period among the time periods UT stored in the storage unit 44.

[0053] When the control unit 42 is instructed by the user to perform maintenance, the control unit 42 may perform the third maintenance or the fourth maintenance. Specifically, when performing maintenance in response to a user's instruction, the control unit 42 performs the third maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed within a predetermined period before the user's instruction is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The control unit 42 may perform the fourth maintenance, which is stronger than the third maintenance, if the amount of liquid consumed within a predetermined period before the user's instruction is less than the second threshold.

[0054] In this embodiment, the predetermined period before a user's instruction is received is the period from when the previous maintenance was performed until a user's instruction is received. The predetermined period is a period shorter than the fixed period stored in the storage unit 44.

[0055] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The control unit 42 performs the first maintenance or the second maintenance based on the amount of consumption since the previous maintenance. Therefore, the maintenance can be performed while taking into account the growth of air bubbles, and the reliability of the maintenance can be improved.

[0056] (2) The liquid discharger 11 includes the setting input unit 17, so that the user can set the liquid discharger 11 to perform maintenance at a time desired by the user. (3) The memory unit 44 stores time periods UT during which the power is on and the liquid ejection device 11 is not in use. The control unit 42 performs maintenance during any one of the time periods UT stored in the memory unit 44, thereby reducing the risk of maintenance being performed when the user uses the liquid ejection device 11.

[0057] (4) The memory unit 44 can store multiple days of time periods UT during which the power is on and the liquid ejection device 11 is not in use. The control unit 42 performs maintenance during the time periods UT that overlap the most among the multiple days of time periods UT, thereby further reducing the risk of maintenance being performed when the user uses the liquid ejection device 11.

[0058] (5) The control unit 42 performs the third maintenance or the fourth maintenance based on the consumption amount within a predetermined period before the user instructs it. Therefore, the maintenance can be performed taking into account the growth of air bubbles, and the reliability of the maintenance can be further improved.

[0059] (6) Liquid container 25 contains liquid injected through inlet 35. The liquid injected through inlet 35 comes into contact with the atmosphere during injection, and thus air bubbles are likely to grow in the liquid. In this way, even when using a liquid in which air bubbles are likely to grow, it is possible to reduce the risk of reduced reliability of maintenance.

[0060] (7) The supply flow path 26 formed of a tube allows gas to pass through it more easily than a flow path formed of, for example, a highly rigid member. The gas that passes through may appear as air bubbles in the liquid. In this regard, the control unit 42 causes the maintenance unit 21 to perform maintenance taking into account the ease with which air bubbles grow. Therefore, the discharge unit 20 can be appropriately maintained.

[0061] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the liquid ejection device and the maintenance method for the liquid ejection device will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0062] The flow of processing executed by the control unit 42 in the second embodiment is the same as the flow chart of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to 7. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the way in which it is determined whether or not regular maintenance is necessary in steps S101 and S108 shown in Fig. 5. That is, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the timing at which the control unit 42 executes regular maintenance. Since the second embodiment is otherwise substantially the same as the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 42 determines that maintenance is necessary when the unused time exceeds the threshold time. This unused time is the time not used regardless of whether the power is on or off from the previous maintenance to the present. In other words, the unused time is the total capping time CT during which the cap 23 caps the discharge unit 20. The unused time is equal to the elapsed time ET minus the time used. The threshold time is a fixed value, such as 2,000 hours, 3,000 hours, or 4,000 hours, that is stored in advance in the storage unit 44, and may be updateable.

[0064] The operation of this embodiment will be described. When performing maintenance, the control unit 42 performs a first maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed within a predetermined period before the device becomes unused is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and performs a second maintenance that is stronger than the first maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed falls below the first threshold value.

[0065] In this embodiment, the predetermined period before the device becomes unused is the period from when the previous maintenance was performed until the most recent use is completed. Therefore, the amount of liquid consumed within the predetermined period before the device becomes unused is equal to the amount of liquid consumed since the previous maintenance. The control unit 42 causes the periodic maintenance to be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0066] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (8) The control unit 42 performs the first maintenance or the second maintenance based on the amount of consumption within a predetermined period before the device goes unused. This allows the maintenance to be performed while taking into account the growth of air bubbles, improving the reliability of the maintenance.

[0067] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. The maintenance unit may perform pressurized cleaning as the maintenance, which discharges pressurized liquid from the nozzle. That is, the maintenance unit may include a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the liquid in the ejection unit 20, and a receiving unit that receives the discharged liquid. The control unit 42 may perform weak pressurized cleaning as the first maintenance and the third maintenance, and strong pressurized cleaning as the second maintenance and the fourth maintenance. For example, in the strong pressurized cleaning, the pressurizing force applied to the ejection unit 20 may be greater than that in the weak pressurized cleaning.

[0068] The maintenance unit may perform flushing as the maintenance. The maintenance unit may include a receiving unit that receives liquid ejected from the ejection unit 20, separate from the cap 23. The control unit 42 may perform weak flushing as the first maintenance and the third maintenance, and strong flushing as the second maintenance and the fourth maintenance. For example, the strong flushing may eject a larger number of droplets than the weak flushing. The strong flushing may eject a larger size of droplets than the weak flushing. The strong flushing may eject a larger number of droplets per unit time than the weak flushing.

[0069] The maintenance unit may perform choke cleaning, which is a maintenance process in which liquid is discharged after negative pressure is accumulated. The maintenance unit may include a valve that limits the supply of liquid to the discharge unit 20. The maintenance unit may accumulate negative pressure by closing the valve when the closed space formed by the cap 23 is made negative pressure. The maintenance unit may forcefully discharge liquid from the discharge unit 20 by opening the valve after accumulating negative pressure. Choke cleaning is a maintenance process that is stronger than suction cleaning. The maintenance unit may change the strength of choke cleaning by changing the magnitude of the negative pressure accumulated in the closed space with the valve closed. The control unit 42 may perform weak choke cleaning as the first maintenance and the third maintenance, and strong choke cleaning as the second maintenance and the fourth maintenance. For example, the strong choke cleaning may be performed for a longer time during which negative pressure is accumulated with the valve closed, compared to the weak choke cleaning.

[0070] The third maintenance may be the same as the first maintenance. The fourth maintenance may be the same as the second maintenance. The control unit 42 may cause different types of maintenance to be performed as the first maintenance to the fourth maintenance. For example, the control unit 42 may perform suction cleaning as the first maintenance and the third maintenance, and choke cleaning as the second maintenance and the fourth maintenance. For example, the control unit 42 may perform pressure cleaning as the first maintenance and the third maintenance, and suction cleaning as the second maintenance and the fourth maintenance. For example, the control unit 42 may perform suction cleaning as the first maintenance, choke cleaning as the second maintenance, flushing as the third maintenance, and pressure cleaning as the fourth maintenance.

[0071] The user may set a time period during which maintenance is to be performed by operating the setting input unit 17. In this case, the control unit 42 may execute a regular maintenance routine if the current time is included in the set time period.

[0072] The control unit 42 may measure an elapsed time ET that has elapsed since the previous maintenance was performed. When the measured elapsed time ET exceeds a certain period stored in the memory unit 44, the control unit 42 may execute a regular maintenance routine.

[0073] The liquid container 25 may be a cartridge that is detachably mounted in the liquid ejection device 11 . The liquid ejection device 11 may be an on-carriage type in which the liquid container 25 is provided on the carriage 27. In other words, the liquid container 25 may move together with the carriage 27.

[0074] The first threshold value in the first embodiment and the first threshold value in the second embodiment may be the same value or may be different values. The second threshold value may be the same as the first threshold value, or may be a different value. The second threshold value may be changed according to the length of the predetermined period before a user's instruction is given. For example, the second threshold value may be a value obtained by multiplying the first threshold value by the ratio of the predetermined period before a user's instruction to a fixed period for performing regular maintenance. The predetermined period before a user's instruction may be the period from when the power is turned off after the previous maintenance is performed until a user's instruction is given. The predetermined period before a user's instruction may be the period from when the previous printing is completed until a user's instruction is given. The predetermined period before a user's instruction may be a fixed period set in advance.

[0075] The control unit 42 does not have to set an execution time zone. The control unit 42 may perform maintenance during any one of the time zones UT stored in the storage unit 44. For example, the control unit 42 may execute a regular maintenance routine when the current time is included in the time zone UT stored in the storage unit 44.

[0076] The control unit 42 may delete a time period UT that has been stored for a certain period of time from the memory unit 44. For example, the control unit 42 may delete a time period UT that has been stored for 24 hours from the memory unit 44. In other words, the memory unit 44 may store one day's worth of time periods UT.

[0077] The storage unit 44 does not have to store the time period UT. The liquid ejection device 11 does not have to be provided with the setting input unit 17 . The control unit 42 may determine whether or not regular maintenance is required at least one of the following timings: when the power is turned on, when an instruction to turn off the power is given, when printing is completed, etc. The control unit 42 may execute a regular maintenance routine at the timing when it is determined that regular maintenance is required.

[0078] The storage unit 44 may store a time period during which the liquid ejection device 11 was used. The storage unit 44 may store a time period during which the liquid ejection device 11 was not capped. The control unit 42 may execute a regular maintenance routine when the current time is not included in the stored time period.

[0079] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a communication unit that communicates with an external terminal that includes a setting input unit. The communication unit may be capable of communicating with the external terminal via a wired or wireless connection, a connector, or the like. The user may input the time to perform maintenance using the external terminal. The user may instruct the execution of maintenance using the external terminal.

[0080] In the second embodiment, the unused time compared with the threshold time may be the time the power was turned off. The ejection section 20 may be configured as a serial type that scans the medium 12, or may be configured as a line type in which the ejection section 20 is provided long in the width direction of the medium 12.

[0081] The liquid ejection device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device as minute droplets includes granular, teardrop, and thread-like tails. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be any state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, and includes fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts. The liquid includes not only liquids as one state of matter, but also particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejection device include a device that ejects a liquid containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials in a dispersed or dissolved form, which are used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects biological organic matter used in the manufacture of biochips, a device that ejects liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects lubricating oil at a pinpoint onto precision machinery such as a watch or camera, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquid such as ultraviolet curing resin onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens, optical lens, or the like used in optical communication elements. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects an etching liquid such as an acid or alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

[0082] The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) A liquid ejection device includes an ejection section that ejects liquid, a maintenance section that performs maintenance on the ejection section by discharging liquid from the ejection section, and a control section that causes the maintenance section to perform the maintenance periodically, and when causing the control section to perform the maintenance, the control section causes a first maintenance to be performed if an amount of the liquid consumed since the previous maintenance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and causes a second maintenance that is stronger than the first maintenance to be performed if the amount of liquid consumed falls below the first threshold.

[0083] According to this configuration, the control unit performs the first maintenance or the second maintenance based on the consumption amount since the previous maintenance, so that the maintenance can be performed taking into account the growth of air bubbles, thereby improving the reliability of the maintenance.

[0084] (B) A liquid ejection device includes an ejection unit that ejects liquid, a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the ejection unit by draining liquid from the ejection unit, and a control unit that causes the maintenance unit to perform the maintenance when the unused time exceeds a threshold time, and when causing the control unit to perform the maintenance, causes a first maintenance to be performed if the amount of liquid consumed within a predetermined period before the liquid became unused is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and causes a second maintenance that is stronger than the first maintenance to be performed if the consumption amount falls below the first threshold.

[0085] According to this configuration, the control unit performs the first maintenance or the second maintenance based on the amount of consumption within a predetermined period before the device goes unused. Therefore, the maintenance can be performed while taking into consideration the growth of bubbles, and the reliability of the maintenance can be improved.

[0086] (C) The liquid ejection device may include a setting input unit that enables a user to set the time for performing the maintenance. According to this configuration, since the liquid ejection device includes the setting input unit, the user can set the liquid ejection device to perform maintenance at a time desired by the user.

[0087] (D) In ​​the liquid ejection device, the control unit may have a memory unit that stores time periods when the power is on and the device is not in use, and may perform the maintenance during any of the time periods stored in the memory unit.

[0088] According to this configuration, the storage unit stores a time period when the power is on and the liquid ejection device is not in use. The control unit performs maintenance during one of the time periods stored in the storage unit, thereby reducing the risk of maintenance being performed when a user uses the liquid ejection device.

[0089] (E) In the liquid ejection device, the memory unit may be capable of storing the time periods for a plurality of days, and the control unit may cause the maintenance to be performed during the time period that overlaps the most among the time periods for the plurality of days.

[0090] According to this configuration, the storage unit can store multiple days of time periods when the power is on and the liquid ejection device is not in use. The control unit performs maintenance during the time periods that overlap the most among the multiple days, thereby further reducing the risk of maintenance being performed when the user uses the liquid ejection device.

[0091] (F) In a liquid ejection device, when the control unit performs the maintenance in response to a user's instruction, if the amount of the liquid consumed within a specified period prior to the user's instruction is equal to or greater than a second threshold, it may perform a third maintenance, and if the amount of the liquid consumed within a specified period prior to the user's instruction is below the second threshold, it may perform a fourth maintenance that is stronger than the third maintenance.

[0092] According to this configuration, the control unit performs the third maintenance or the fourth maintenance based on the consumption amount within a predetermined period before the user instructs the control unit to perform the third maintenance or the fourth maintenance. This allows the maintenance to be performed taking into account the growth of air bubbles, thereby further improving the reliability of the maintenance.

[0093] (G) A liquid ejection device includes an ejection section that ejects liquid, a maintenance section that performs maintenance on the ejection section by discharging liquid from the ejection section, and a control section that causes the maintenance section to perform the maintenance, and when the control section performs the maintenance in response to a user's instruction, the control section causes a third maintenance to be performed if the amount of the liquid consumed within a predetermined period before the user's instruction is received is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and causes a fourth maintenance that is stronger than the third maintenance to be performed if the amount of the liquid consumed falls below the second threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the liquid ejection device described above.

[0094] (H) The liquid ejection device may include a liquid container having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid injected through an injection port, and a supply flow path connecting the ejection portion and the liquid container. According to this configuration, the liquid container contains the liquid injected through the injection port. The liquid injected through the injection port is in contact with the atmosphere during injection, and therefore air bubbles are likely to grow in the liquid. In this way, even when using a liquid in which air bubbles are likely to grow, it is possible to reduce the risk of a decrease in reliability of maintenance.

[0095] (I) A maintenance method for a liquid ejection device, comprising an ejection section that ejects liquid, and a maintenance section that performs maintenance on the ejection section by discharging liquid from the ejection section, the maintenance section being periodically caused to perform a first maintenance when an amount of the liquid consumed since the previous maintenance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and a second maintenance that is stronger than the first maintenance when the amount of the liquid consumed falls below the first threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the liquid ejection device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...medium, 13...printing unit, 14...reading unit, 15...medium storage section, 16...discharge section, 17...setting input section, 18...display section, 20...discharge section, 21...maintenance section, 23...cap, 25...liquid storage body, 26...supply flow path, 27...carriage, 29...window section, 30...housing, 31...housing cover, 33...scale, 35...inlet, 36...storage chamber, 37...tube section, 38...stopper, 39...holding section, 40...refill container, 42...control section, 44...memory section, 45...timing section, CT...capping time, ET...elapsed time, UT...time zone.

Claims

1. A discharge unit that discharges liquid; a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the ejection unit by discharging liquid from the ejection unit; A control unit that causes the maintenance unit to periodically perform the maintenance; A setting input unit for allowing a user to set a time period during which the maintenance is to be performed; Equipped with The control unit causes the maintenance unit to perform the maintenance when the time when the unused time exceeds a threshold time is included in the time period set by the setting input unit, and when performing the maintenance, causes the maintenance unit to perform a first maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed since the previous maintenance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and causes the maintenance unit to perform a second maintenance that is more intense than the first maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed falls below the first threshold.

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit has a memory unit that stores time periods when the power is on and not in use, and performs the maintenance during any of the time periods stored in the memory unit.

3. The storage unit is capable of storing the time slots for a plurality of days, The liquid ejection device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit causes the maintenance to be performed during a time period that overlaps the most among the time periods on a plurality of days.

4. A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when performing the maintenance in accordance with the user's instructions, the control unit performs a third maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed within a specified period prior to the user's instructions is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and performs a fourth maintenance that is more intense than the third maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed within a specified period prior to the user's instructions is below the second threshold.

5. a liquid container having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid injected through an inlet; a supply flow path connecting the ejection portion and the liquid container; The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

6. A discharge unit that discharges liquid; a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the ejection unit by discharging liquid from the ejection unit; A maintenance method for a liquid ejection device, comprising: A maintenance method for a liquid ejection device, characterized in that the maintenance to be periodically performed by the maintenance unit includes, when the time when the unused time exceeds a threshold time is included in a predetermined time period, performing a first maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed since the previous maintenance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and performing a second maintenance that is more intense than the first maintenance if the amount of liquid consumed falls below the first threshold.

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