Liquid ejection device

Abstract

To appropriately discharge liquid to a discharged medium.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device receives a time signal indicating that time becomes predetermined time as an inspection instruction signal for instructing to perform inspection whether a nozzle is an abnormal nozzle. When receiving the time signal that the time becomes the predetermined time (S302:YES) during a recording operation (S301:NO), in a state in which the number Mr of unrecorded recording paper P in a current recording operation is equal to or more a predetermined value Mt (S303: YES), the liquid discharge device interrupts the recording operation (S305) and performs the inspection operation (S306), and then restarts the inspection operation (S313). At this time, when the abnormal nozzle exists (S307: YES) after completion of the inspection operation, and the number N of the abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Nt (S310: YES), the liquid discharge device performs suction purge (S311), and then restarts the recording operation (S314).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from a nozzle.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from a nozzle, Patent Document 1 describes a printer that ejects ink from a nozzle for recording. In the printer of Patent Document 1, in the case of a regular cleaning mode in which cleaning is periodically performed at predetermined intervals, the ejection state of each nozzle is inspected at predetermined intervals, and a cleaning process is performed based on the inspection result.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in Patent Document 1, during recording, the timing to enter the above regular cleaning mode may occur. At this time, if the ejection state is inspected and the cleaning process is performed based on the result after the recording is completed, the recording may be continued in a state where cleaning is necessary, and there is a risk that the ejection of ink from the nozzle cannot be appropriately performed, such as the image quality of the recorded image deteriorating.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device capable of appropriately ejecting liquid onto a medium to be ejected.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid onto a medium to be ejected, a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal according to whether the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle with an abnormality in liquid ejection when causing the liquid ejection head to perform inspection driving for checking whether the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle, a recovery means for performing a recovery operation of discharging liquid from the nozzle, and a control device. The control device can receive a discharge instruction signal for instructing the liquid ejection head to perform a discharge operation of ejecting liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and an inspection instruction signal that is a signal received regardless of the timing of the discharge operation and instructs to inspect whether the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle. When receiving the discharge instruction signal, the control device causes the liquid ejection head to perform the discharge operation. When receiving the inspection instruction signal, the control device causes the liquid ejection head to perform an inspection operation of sequentially performing the inspection driving for at least two of the plurality of nozzles. When receiving the inspection instruction signal during the discharge operation, In the ejection operation, when the number of ejection media for which liquid ejection is not completed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the liquid ejection head is caused to interrupt the discharge operation and perform the inspection operation 、 after completion of the inspection operation, the liquid ejection head is caused to resume the discharge operation. Further, after completion of the inspection operation, when the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates the presence of an abnormal nozzle, after causing the recovery means to perform the recovery operation after completion of the inspection operation, the liquid ejection head is caused to resume the discharge operation , when the inspection instruction signal is received during the ejection operation, if the number of ejection media for which liquid ejection is not completed in the ejection operation is less than the predetermined number, the liquid ejection head is caused to continue the ejection operation, and after completion of the ejection operation, the liquid ejection head is caused to perform the inspection operation 。

[0007] In addition, the liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid onto a medium to be ejected, a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal corresponding to whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in liquid ejection when an inspection drive for checking whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle is performed on the liquid ejection head, a recovery means for performing a recovery operation of discharging liquid from the nozzle, and a control device. The control device can receive a discharge instruction signal for instructing the liquid ejection head to perform a discharge operation of ejecting liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and an inspection instruction signal that is a signal received regardless of the timing of the discharge operation and instructs to inspect whether or not the nozzle is the abnormal nozzle. When the discharge instruction signal is received, the liquid ejection head is made to perform the discharge operation. When the inspection instruction signal is received, the liquid ejection head is made to perform an inspection operation of sequentially performing the inspection drive for at least two nozzles out of the plurality of nozzles. When the discharge instruction signal is received during the inspection operation, after the completion of the inspection operation, the liquid ejection head is made to perform the discharge operation. Further, after the completion of the inspection operation, when the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates the presence of the abnormal nozzle, after the completion of the inspection operation, the recovery means is made to perform the recovery operation, and then the liquid ejection head is made to perform the discharge operation. Further, the liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid onto a medium to be ejected, a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal according to whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle with an abnormality in liquid ejection when causing the liquid ejection head to perform an inspection drive for checking whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle, a recovery means for performing a recovery operation of discharging liquid from the nozzle, a clock unit that outputs a time signal indicating time, and a control device. The control device can receive a discharge instruction signal for instructing the liquid ejection head to perform a discharge operation of ejecting liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and an inspection instruction signal that is a signal received regardless of the timing of the discharge operation and instructs to inspect whether or not the nozzle is the abnormal nozzle. When receiving the discharge instruction signal, the control device causes the liquid ejection head to perform the discharge operation. When receiving the inspection instruction signal, the control device causes the liquid ejection head to perform an inspection operation of sequentially performing the inspection drive for at least two nozzles among the plurality of nozzles. When receiving the inspection instruction signal during the discharge operation, the control device causes the liquid ejection head to interrupt the discharge operation and perform the inspection operation. After completion of the inspection operation, the control device causes the liquid ejection head to resume the discharge operation. Further, after completion of the inspection operation, when the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates the presence of an abnormal nozzle, after causing the recovery means to perform the recovery operation after completion of the inspection operation, the control device causes the liquid ejection head to resume the discharge operation. The inspection instruction signal is the time signal indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed. 。

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] In the present invention, in the discharge operation, liquid can be appropriately discharged from the nozzle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0011] <Overall Configuration of the Printer> As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 (the "liquid ejection device" of the present invention) according to the present embodiment includes a carriage 2, a sub-tank 3, an inkjet head 4 (the "liquid ejection head" of the present invention), a platen 5, conveyance rollers 6, 7, a maintenance unit 8, and the like.

[0012] The carriage 2 is supported by two guide rails 11, 12 extending in the scanning direction. The carriage 2 is connected to a carriage motor 86 (see FIG. 4) via a belt or the like not shown. When the carriage motor 86 is driven, the carriage 2 moves in the scanning direction along the guide rails 11, 12. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the right side and the left side in the scanning direction will be defined for the description.

[0013] The sub-tank 3 is mounted on the carriage 2. Here, the printer 1 includes a cartridge holder 13, and four ink cartridges 14 are detachably mounted on the cartridge holder 13. The four ink cartridges 14 are arranged side by side in the scanning direction, and store black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks (the "liquid" of the present invention) starting from the one arranged on the right side in the scanning direction. The sub-tank 3 is connected to the four ink cartridges 14 mounted on the cartridge holder 13 via four tubes 15. Thereby, the four-color inks are supplied from the four ink cartridges 14 to the sub-tank 3.

[0014] The inkjet head 4 is mounted on the carriage 2 and connected to the lower end of the sub-tank 3. The four-color inks are supplied from the sub-tank 3 to the inkjet head 4. Further, the inkjet head 4 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 formed on a nozzle surface 4a which is the lower surface thereof. More specifically, the plurality of nozzles 10 are arranged in a conveyance direction orthogonal to the scanning direction to form a nozzle row 9, and on the nozzle surface 4a, four rows of nozzle rows 9 are arranged side by side in the scanning direction. From the plurality of nozzles 10, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected starting from the one constituting the nozzle row 9 on the right side in the scanning direction.

[0015] The platen 5 is disposed below the inkjet head 4 and faces a plurality of nozzles 10. The platen 5 extends over the entire length of the recording paper P (the "medium to be ejected" in the present invention) in the scanning direction and supports the recording paper P from below. The conveyance roller 6 is disposed upstream of the inkjet head 4 and the platen 5 in the conveyance direction. The conveyance roller 7 is disposed downstream of the inkjet head 4 and the platen 5 in the conveyance direction. The conveyance rollers 6 and 7 are connected to a conveyance motor 87 (see FIG. 4) via gears (not shown) or the like. When the conveyance motor 87 is driven, the conveyance rollers 6 and 7 rotate, and the recording paper P is conveyed in the conveyance direction.

[0016] The maintenance unit 8 includes a cap 71, a suction pump 72, and a waste liquid tank 73. The cap 71 is disposed on the right side of the platen 5 in the scanning direction. When the carriage 2 is positioned at the maintenance position on the right side of the platen 5 in the scanning direction, the plurality of nozzles 10 face the cap 71.

[0017] Further, the cap 71 is movable up and down by a cap elevating mechanism 88 (see FIG. 4). When the carriage 2 is positioned at the maintenance position so that the plurality of nozzles 10 face the cap 71 and the cap 71 is raised by the cap elevating mechanism 88, the upper end portion of the cap 71 comes into close contact with the nozzle surface 4a, and the plurality of nozzles 10 are covered by the cap 71. Note that the cap 71 is not necessarily limited to covering the plurality of nozzles 10 by coming into close contact with the nozzle surface 4a. The cap 71 may cover the plurality of nozzles 10 by coming into close contact with a frame (not shown) or the like disposed around the nozzle surface 4a of the inkjet head 4, for example.

[0018] The suction pump 72 is a tube pump or the like and is connected to the cap 71 and the waste liquid tank 73. In the maintenance unit 8, as described above, when the suction pump 72 is driven with the plurality of nozzles 10 covered by the cap 71, so-called suction purge can be performed to discharge the ink in the inkjet head 4 from the plurality of nozzles 10. The ink discharged by the suction purge is stored in the waste liquid tank 73.

[0019] Here, for the sake of convenience, it has been described that the cap 71 covers all the nozzles 10 together and discharges the ink in the inkjet head 4 from all the nozzles 10 in the suction purge, but this is not limitative. For example, the cap 71 may separately include a portion that covers the plurality of nozzles 10 constituting the rightmost nozzle row 9 that discharges black ink and a portion that covers the plurality of nozzles 10 constituting the left three nozzle rows 9 that discharge color ink (yellow, cyan, magenta inks), and in the suction purge, either the black ink or the color ink in the inkjet head 4 can be selectively discharged. Alternatively, for example, the cap 71 may be provided individually for each nozzle row 9, and in the suction purge, ink can be discharged from the nozzles 10 individually for each nozzle row 9.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a detection electrode 76 having a rectangular planar shape is disposed in the cap 71. The detection electrode 76 is connected to a high-voltage power supply circuit 77 via a resistor 79. And a predetermined positive potential (for example, about 600 V) is applied to the detection electrode 76 by the high-voltage power supply circuit 77 during the determination drive described later. On the other hand, the inkjet head 4 is held at the ground potential. Thereby, a predetermined potential difference is generated between the inkjet head 4 and the detection electrode 76. A determination circuit 78 is connected to the detection electrode 76. The determination circuit 78 compares the potential of the signal output from the detection electrode 76 with the threshold value Vt and outputs a signal according to the result.

[0021] More specifically, since there is a potential difference between the inkjet head 4 and the detection electrode 76, the ink ejected from the nozzle 10 is charged. When the carriage 2 is positioned at the maintenance position and ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 toward the detection electrode 76, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the charged ink approaches the detection electrode 76, and until the ink lands on the detection electrode 76, the potential of the detection electrode 76 decreases from the potential Va when the inkjet head 4 is not driven and reaches a potential Vb lower than the potential Va. Then, after the charged ink lands on the detection electrode 76, the potential of the detection electrode 76 gradually rises and returns to the potential Va. That is, during the drive period Td of the inkjet head 4, the potential of the detection electrode 76 changes.

[0022] On the other hand, when no ink is ejected from the nozzle 10, as shown in Fig. 3(b), during the drive period Td of the inkjet head 4, the potential of the detection electrode 76 hardly changes from the potential Va. Therefore, a threshold value Vt (Vb < Vt < Va) is set in the determination circuit 78 to distinguish between these cases. Then, the determination circuit 78 compares the maximum potential of the voltage signal output from the detection electrode 76 with the threshold value Vt during the drive period Td of the inkjet head 4 and outputs a determination signal according to the determination result. In this embodiment, the combination of the detection electrode 76, the high-voltage power supply circuit 77, the resistor 79, and the determination circuit 78 corresponds to the "signal output unit" of the present invention. And this signal output unit outputs a determination signal according to whether the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle from which no ink is ejected.

[0023] Also, here, the high-voltage power supply circuit 77 applies a positive potential to the detection electrode 76. However, the high-voltage power supply circuit 77 may apply a negative potential (e.g., about -600 V) to the detection electrode 76. In this case, conversely to the above, with the carriage 2 positioned at the maintenance position, when ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 toward the detection electrode 76, the charged ink approaches the detection electrode 76, and until the ink lands on the detection electrode 76, the potential of the detection electrode 76 rises from the potential Va, and after the ink lands on the detection electrode 76, the potential of the detection electrode 76 gradually decreases and returns to the potential Va.

[0024] <Electrical Configuration of Printer> Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 1 includes a control device 80. The control device 80 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 82, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 83, a flash memory 84, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 85, and the like. The control device 80 controls the operations of the carriage motor 86, the inkjet head 4, the conveyance motor 87, the cap lifting mechanism 88, the suction pump 72, the high-voltage power supply circuit 77, and the like.

[0025] In addition to the configuration described above, the printer 1 includes a clock unit 70. The clock unit 70 measures time and outputs a time signal indicating the current time. The control device 80 receives the time signal from the clock unit 70.

[0026] Note that the control device 80 may be configured such that only the CPU 81 performs various processes, or only the ASIC 85 performs various processes, or the CPU 81 and the ASIC 85 cooperate to perform various processes. Also, the control device 80 may be configured such that one CPU 81 performs processing alone, or multiple CPUs 81 perform processing in a shared manner. Further, the control device 80 may be configured such that one ASIC 85 performs processing alone, or multiple ASICs 85 perform processing in a shared manner.

[0027] <Printer Control by Control Device> Next, the control of the printer 1 by the control device 80 will be described. The control device 80 controls the operation of the printer 1 by performing processing in accordance with the flow of FIG. 5.

[0028] More specifically, when the control device 80 has not received a time signal (the "inspection instruction signal" of the present invention) indicating that a predetermined time has been reached from the clock unit 70 (S101: NO), and has not received a recording command (the "discharge instruction signal" of the present invention) instructing recording on the recording paper P (S102: NO), it is in a standby state.

[0029] When the control device 80 receives a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached (S101: YES), it starts an inspection operation (S103) and proceeds to the flow of FIG. 6. The inspection operation is an operation in which, with the carriage 2 positioned at the maintenance position, the inkjet head 4 sequentially performs inspection driving for each of the plurality of nozzles 10. The inspection driving is the driving of the inkjet head 4 for discharging ink from the nozzle 10. That is, the inspection driving is the driving of the inkjet head 4 to confirm whether the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle with an abnormality in ink discharge.

[0030] Regarding the flow of FIG. 6, while the control device 80 has not received a recording command (S201: NO), until the inspection operation is completed (S203: NO), the inspection operation is continuously performed as it is. When a recording command is received during the inspection operation (S201: YES), a recording flag indicating that recording is necessary is stored in the flash memory 84 (S202), and the inspection operation is continued (proceed to S203).

[0031] When the inspection operation is completed (S203: YES), the control device 80 determines whether there is an abnormal nozzle based on the signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection operation (S204). When there is no abnormal nozzle (S204: NO), it is determined whether a recording flag is stored in the flash memory 84 (S205). When no recording flag is stored in the flash memory 84 (S205: NO), the process returns to S101 in FIG. 5. When a recording flag is stored in the flash memory 84 (S205: YES), the process proceeds to S212.

[0032] When there is an abnormal nozzle (S204: YES), the control device 80 stores a recovery flag indicating that a recovery operation is necessary in the flash memory 84 (S206), and causes the inkjet head 4 to perform flushing to discharge ink from at least the abnormal nozzle with the carriage 2 positioned at the maintenance position (S207).

[0033] Subsequently, when no recording flag is stored in the flash memory 84 (S208: NO), the process returns to S101 in FIG. 5. When a recording flag is stored in the flash memory 84 (S208: YES), the control device 80 determines whether the number N of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Nt based on the signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection operation (S209). In this embodiment, the condition that the number N of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Nt corresponds to the "predetermined condition" of the present invention.

[0034] If the number N of abnormal nozzles is less than the predetermined value Nt (S209: NO), the process proceeds directly to S212. If the number N of abnormal nozzles is greater than or equal to the predetermined value Nt (S209: YES), the control device 80 causes the suction purge to be performed (S210), erases the recovery flag stored in the flash memory 84 (S211), and then proceeds to S212. In this embodiment, flushing and suction purge correspond to the "recovery operation" of the present invention. Also, the inkjet head 4 that performs flushing and the maintenance unit 8 for performing suction purge correspond to the "recovery means" of the present invention.

[0035] In S212, the control device 80 causes the recording operation (the "discharge operation" of the present invention) to be performed. More specifically, the control device 80 controls the carriage motor 66 to move the carriage 2 in the scanning direction, and at the same time, causes the inkjet head 4 to discharge ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 toward the recording paper P, and controls the conveyance motor 67 to convey the recording paper P in the conveyance direction by the conveyance rollers 6 and 7, and repeats these operations to perform a recording operation for recording on the recording paper P. After the completion of the recording operation in S212, the control device 80 erases the recording flag stored in the flash memory 84 (S213), and then returns to S101 in FIG. 5.

[0036] Returning to FIG. 5, when a recording command is received without receiving a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached (S101: NO), the control device 80 determines whether a recovery flag is stored in the flash memory 84 (S104). If the recovery flag is not stored in the flash memory 84 (S104: NO), the process proceeds to S107. If the recovery flag is stored in the flash memory 84 (S104: YES), the control device 80 causes a suction purge to be performed in the same manner as in S210 (S105), erases the recovery flag stored in the flash memory 84 (S106), and then proceeds to S107. When it is determined in S104 that the recovery flag is stored in the flash memory 84, for example, when it is determined in S206 that the recovery flag is stored and the recording flag is not stored in S208, or when it is determined in S206 that the recovery flag is stored and the number N of abnormal nozzles is less than the predetermined value Nt in S209. Thus, in the present embodiment, when the control device 80 determines that there is an abnormal nozzle based on the result of the inspection operation, a suction purge is performed when the first recording command is received after the inspection operation.

[0037] In S107, the control device 80 starts the recording operation. Then, after starting the recording operation in S107, the process proceeds to the flow of FIG. 7.

[0038] Explaining the flow of FIG. 7 in detail, until the recording operation is completed (S301: NO), if a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached has not been received (S302: NO), the recording operation continues. When the recording operation is completed (S301: YES), the process returns to S101 in FIG. 5. During the recording operation (S301: NO), when a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached is received (S302: YES), if the number Mr of sheets of recording paper P for which the recording operation has not been completed is less than the predetermined number Mt (S303: NO), the recording operation continues until the recording operation is completed (S304: NO), and when the recording operation is completed (S304: YES), the process returns to S103 in FIG. 5.

[0039] When the number of sheets Mr of the recording paper P for which recording has not been completed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number Mt (S303: YES), the control device 80 interrupts the recording operation (S305) and causes an inspection operation to be performed (S306). Then, after completion of the inspection operation, the control device 80 determines whether or not there is an abnormal nozzle based on the signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection operation (S307). If there is no abnormal nozzle (S307: NO), the process proceeds to S313.

[0040] If there is an abnormal nozzle (S307: YES), the control device 80 causes the recovery flag to be stored in the flash memory 84 (S308) and causes a flashing operation to be performed (S309).

[0041] Subsequently, based on the signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection operation, it is determined whether or not the number N of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Nt (S310). If the number N of abnormal nozzles is less than the predetermined value Nt (S310: NO), the process proceeds directly to S313. If the number N of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Nt (S310: YES), the control device 80 causes a suction purge to be performed (S311), erases the recovery flag stored in the flash memory 84 (S312), and then proceeds to S313. In S313, the control device 80 resumes the interrupted recording operation. Then, the recording operation is continued until the recording operation is completed (S314: NO), and when the recording operation is completed, the process returns to S101 in FIG. 5.

[0042] <Effect> In the present embodiment, when a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached, which is an inspection instruction signal for inspecting whether or not a nozzle is abnormal, is received during the recording operation, the recording operation is interrupted to perform an inspection operation, and the recording operation is resumed after completion of the inspection operation. Further, when there is an abnormal nozzle, after completion of the inspection operation, a recovery operation is performed and then the recording operation is resumed. As a result, at least in the recording operation after resumption, ink can be appropriately ejected from the nozzle 10.

[0043] Also, in the first embodiment, when a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached is received during the recording operation, if the number of sheets Mr of the recording paper P for which recording has not been completed is large (equal to or more than a predetermined number Mt), the recording operation is interrupted and an inspection operation is performed. Thereby, at least in the recording operation after resumption, ink can be appropriately ejected from the nozzles 10. On the other hand, when the number of sheets Mr of the recording paper P is small (less than the predetermined number Mt), the recording operation is continued, and an inspection operation is performed after the completion of the recording operation. Thereby, the completion of the recording operation can be accelerated.

[0044] Also, in the present embodiment, when a recording command is received during the inspection operation, the recording operation is performed after the completion of the inspection operation. Further, when there are abnormal nozzles, after the completion of the inspection operation, a recovery operation is performed, and then the recording operation is performed. Thereby, in the recording operation, ink can be appropriately ejected from the nozzles 10.

[0045] Also, in the present embodiment, when the condition that there are abnormal nozzles and the number N of abnormal nozzles is equal to or more than a predetermined value Nt is satisfied, a suction purge operation is performed and then the recording operation is performed. When this condition is not satisfied, the recording operation is performed without performing a suction purge, and the suction purge is performed after the recording operation. Thereby, when the necessity of the suction purge is high, by performing the suction purge and then performing the recording operation, ink can be appropriately ejected from the nozzles 10. On the other hand, when the necessity of the suction purge is low, by not performing the suction purge before the recording operation, the completion of the recording operation can be accelerated.

[0046] Also, in the present embodiment, when the recording operation is performed without performing a suction purge, by performing a suction purge operation immediately before the next recording operation, ink can be appropriately ejected from the nozzles 10 in the next recording operation. Further, when the next recording operation is not performed until the next predetermined time, the ink required for the recovery operation can be reduced.

[0047] Also, in this embodiment, when there is an abnormal nozzle, after the inspection operation is completed, a non-time-consuming flushing is performed and then the recording operation is performed, so that the recording operation can be started or resumed earlier, and the recording operation can be performed in a state where the abnormal nozzle that can be recovered by flushing has recovered. Further, by performing suction purge after the completion of the recording operation, the abnormal nozzle can be surely recovered.

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, since a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached is received as an inspection instruction signal, the inspection operation can be performed every time the predetermined time is reached. Also, the timing of the predetermined time (the timing of receiving the time signal indicating that it is the predetermined time) has no relation to the timing of the ejection operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached may be received during the recording operation. Also, a recording command may be received during the inspection operation.

[0049] <Modification Example> As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope described in the claims.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, when a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached is received during the recording, whether to interrupt the recording operation and perform the inspection operation is determined based on whether the number of sheets Mr of the recording paper P that has not been completed in the current recording operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined number Mt. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0051] In Modification 1, after the control device 80 starts the recording operation in S107 of FIG. 5, it performs processing according to the flow of FIG. 8. To explain the flow of FIG. 8 in more detail, the control device 80 executes the processing of S301 and S302 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Then, when it receives a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived (S302: YES), if the recording paper P on which recording is currently being performed is the last recording on the recording paper P among the recording papers P recorded by the recording operation started in S107 (S401: YES), it executes the processing of S304 similar to that in the above-described embodiment.

[0052] If the recording paper P on which recording is currently being performed is not the last recording on the recording paper P among the recording papers P recorded by the recording operation started in S108 (S401: NO), the recording operation is continued until the recording on the currently recording recording paper P is completed (S402: NO). When the recording on this recording paper P is completed (S402: YES), it executes the processing of S305 to S314 similar to that in the above-described embodiment.

[0053] In Modification 1, during the recording operation, when it receives a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived as an inspection instruction signal, after the recording on the currently recording recording paper P is completed and before the recording on the next recording paper P, the recording operation is interrupted to perform an inspection operation. Thereby, the completion of the recording on the currently recording recording paper P can be accelerated.

[0054] Also, in Modification 1, after the recording on the currently recording recording paper P is completed and before the recording on the next recording paper P, the recording operation is interrupted to perform an inspection operation, but this is not limited thereto. For example, after receiving a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived as an inspection instruction signal and after the recording on any other recording paper P is completed and before the recording on the next recording paper P, the recording operation may be interrupted to perform an inspection operation.

[0055] In Modification 2, after the control device 80 starts the recording operation in S107 of FIG. 5, it performs processing in accordance with the flow of FIG. 9. For the flow of FIG. 9, to explain in more detail, the control device 80 executes the processing of S301 and S302 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Then, when receiving a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived (S302: YES), if the recording operation has not been completed (S501: NO) and it is not during the standby time (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "standby time") during the recording operation (S502: NO), the control device 80 continues the recording operation.

[0056] The standby time is, for example, the standby time provided each time the recording path is traveled a predetermined number of times, each time recording is performed on a predetermined number of recording sheets P, etc., for the purpose of lowering the temperature of the inkjet head 4 increased by driving in the recording path. Also, a state where recording cannot continue due to paper out or an error is also included in the standby time.

[0057] When the recording operation is completed (S501: YES), it proceeds to S103 of FIG. 5. When it becomes the standby time (S502: YES), the control device 80 executes the processing of S305 to S314 similar to that in the above-described embodiment.

[0058] Modification 2 In this case, during the recording operation, when receiving a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived as an inspection instruction signal, the recording operation is interrupted during the standby time provided during the recording operation to perform an inspection operation. As a result, at least a part of the inspection operation is performed during the standby time, and while performing the inspection operation, the time until the recording operation is completed can be made as short as possible.

[0059] Also, in the above-described embodiments and Modifications 1 and 2, when a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached, which is an inspection instruction signal, is received during the recording operation, it is determined whether to interrupt the recording operation and perform an inspection operation depending on the status of the current recording operation. However, this is not limitative. For example, when a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached is received during the recording operation, the recording operation may be immediately interrupted and an inspection operation may be performed regardless of the status of the current recording operation.

[0060] Also, in the above-described embodiment, in the case of performing a recording operation after an inspection operation (executing the processes of S212 and S313), and when there are abnormal nozzles, it is determined whether to perform a suction purge before the recording operation based on whether the number N of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than a uniform predetermined value Nt. However, this is not limitative.

[0061] In Modification 3, in the printer, selective recording can be performed in either a low-quality mode or a high-quality mode, and information indicating which quality mode to perform recording in is included in the recording command. Further, in the flash memory 84, a table in which a quality mode and a predetermined value Nt are associated as shown in FIG. 10 is stored. The predetermined value Nt2 associated with the low-quality mode is larger than the predetermined value Nt1 associated with the high-quality mode.

[0062] And also in Modification 3, similar to the above-described embodiment, the control device 80 performs processing along the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 7. However, in Modification 3, different from the above-described embodiment, in S308 and S310, it is determined whether the number N of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Nt (Nt1 or Nt2) set based on the table of FIG. 10. Note that in Modification 3, the condition that the number N of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Nt set based on the table of FIG. 10 corresponds to the "predetermined condition" of the present invention.

[0063] In Modification 3, when there is an abnormal nozzle and the number N of abnormal nozzles satisfies the condition of being greater than or equal to a predetermined value Nt set based on the image quality mode, a suction purge is performed and then the recording operation is performed. When this condition is not satisfied, the recording operation is performed without performing the suction purge. Thereby, when the necessity of the suction purge is high, by performing the suction purge and then performing the recording operation, the ink can be appropriately ejected from the nozzle 10. On the other hand, when the necessity of the suction purge is low, by preventing the suction purge from being performed before the recording operation, the completion of the recording operation can be accelerated.

[0064] Further, the predetermined condition for determining whether to perform the recording operation after performing the suction purge when there is an abnormal nozzle is not limited to those in the above-described embodiment and Modification 3. The predetermined condition may be a condition related to the result indicated by the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection operation, other than the number of abnormal nozzles. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be a condition related to the result indicated by the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection operation, other than the number of abnormal nozzles, and the image quality mode. The result indicated by the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection operation, other than the number of abnormal nozzles, is, for example, the distribution of the abnormal nozzles.

[0065] Also, in the above example, when a recording command is received during the inspection operation and there is an abnormal nozzle, and the suction purge is not performed before the recording operation based on the recording command, after the inspection operation, when the recording command is first received, the suction purge is performed before the recording operation based on the recording command, but this is not limiting.

[0066] For example, in a printer, selective recording can be performed in either a high-quality mode or a low-quality mode. When a recording command is received during an inspection operation, and if there is an abnormal nozzle, and suction purging is not performed before the recording operation based on the recording command, when a recording command instructing to perform recording in the high-quality mode first is received after the inspection operation, a recovery operation may be performed. Alternatively, for example, at any timing after the inspection operation, when there is an abnormal nozzle, the user may be notified of this and be allowed to select whether to perform suction purging. When it is selected to perform suction purging, suction purging may be performed.

[0067] Also, in the above example, when a recording command is received during an inspection operation and there is an abnormal nozzle, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, suction purging is performed before the recording operation based on the recording command. If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, suction purging is not performed, and suction purging is performed after the recording operation based on the recording command. However, this is not limited to this. When a recording command is received during an inspection operation and there is an abnormal nozzle, suction purging may always be performed before the recording operation based on the recording command.

[0068] Also, in the above-described embodiment, a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has arrived is received as an inspection instruction signal instructing to inspect whether nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle, but this is not limited to this.

[0069] In Modification 4, as shown in FIG. 11, the printer 100 is configured such that in the printer 1, a timer 101 is provided instead of the clock unit 70. The timer 101 outputs an elapsed time signal indicating the elapsed time since it was reset.

[0070] In Modification 4, when the power of the printer 100 is first turned on, the control device 80 causes an inspection operation to be performed, and when the inspection operation is completed, the timer 101 is reset. Also, thereafter, as will be described later, the control device 80 resets the timer 101 when the inspection operation is completed.

[0071] In Modification 4, the control device 80 performs processing in accordance with the flow of FIG. 12. More specifically, the control device 80 is waiting without receiving an elapsed time signal (the “inspection instruction signal” of the present invention) indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed from the timer 101 (S601: NO), and without receiving a recording command (S102: NO).

[0072] Then, when the control device 80 receives an elapsed time signal indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed from the timer 101 (S601: YES), it starts an inspection operation in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment (S103) and proceeds to the flow of FIG. 13. When the control device 80 receives a recording command without receiving an elapsed time signal indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed from the timer 101 (S601: NO) (S102: YES), the control device 80 executes the processes of S104 to S107 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and after starting the recording operation in S107, proceeds to the flow of FIG. 14.

[0073] Regarding the flow of FIG. 13, the control device 80 executes the processes of S201 to S203 similar to those in the above-described embodiment. Then, when it is determined that the inspection operation has been completed in S203 (S203: YES), the control device 80 resets the timer 101 (S701) and executes the processes of S204 to S213 similar to those in the above-described embodiment. Then, when it is determined in S204 that there is no abnormal nozzle (S204: NO), when it is determined in S205 and S208 that the recording flag is not stored in the flash memory 84 (S208: NO), and after erasing the recording flag stored in the flash memory 84 in S213, it returns to S101 of FIG. 12, respectively.

[0074] Regarding the flow of FIG. 14, the control device 80 executes the processes of S301 to S306 similar to those in the above-described embodiment. Further, after the inspection operation in S306 is completed, the control device 80 resets the timer 101 (S801) and executes the processes of S307 to S314 similar to those in the above-described embodiment. When it is determined that the recording operation is completed in S304 (S304: YES), the process returns to S103 in FIG. 12. When it is determined that the recording operation is completed in S301 (S301: YES) and when it is determined that the recording operation is completed in S314 (S314: YES), the process returns to S101 in FIG. 12.

[0075] Further, when the control device 80 performs processing along the flows of FIGS. 12 to 14, in Modification 4, the elapsed time signal output from the timer 101 indicates the elapsed time since the last inspection operation was performed. Note that in Modification 3, the inspection operation corresponds to the "predetermined operation" of the present invention.

[0076] In Modification 4, since an elapsed time signal indicating that the elapsed time since the last inspection operation has reached a predetermined time is received as an inspection instruction signal, the inspection operation can be performed every time the predetermined time elapses. Also, the timing at which the elapsed time since the last inspection operation reaches the predetermined time has no relation to the timing of the ejection operation.

[0077] Also, in Modifications 1 to 3 as well, an elapsed time signal indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed from the timer 101 may be received as an inspection instruction signal.

[0078] Also, in Modification 4, although the elapsed time signal output from the timer 101 indicates the elapsed time since the last inspection operation was performed, it is not limited to this. The elapsed time signal output from the timer 101 may indicate, for example, the elapsed time since another predetermined operation such as a recovery operation was last performed.

[0079] Also, in the above example, the inspection instruction signal that has no relation to the timing of the recording operation is either a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached or an elapsed time signal indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed since the last predetermined operation was performed. However, this is not limiting. The inspection instruction signal may be another signal that has no relation to the timing of the recording operation.

[0080] Also, in the above example, suction purge was performed as the purge, but this is not limiting. For example, a pressure pump may be provided in an intermediate portion of the tube 15 that connects the sub-tank 3 and the ink cartridge 14. Alternatively, a pressure pump connected to the ink cartridge may be provided in the printer. Then, with the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the cap 71, by driving the pressure pump, the ink in the inkjet head 4 is pressurized to discharge the ink in the inkjet head 4 from the nozzles 10, and so-called pressure purge may be performed. In this case, the pressure pump for performing the pressure purge and the inkjet head 4 for performing the flushing correspond to the "recovery means" of the present invention.

[0081] Furthermore, in the purge, both suction by the suction pump 72 and pressurization by the pressure pump may be performed. In this case, the maintenance unit 8, the pressure pump, and the inkjet head 4 correspond to the "recovery means" of the present invention.

[0082] Also, in the above example, a uniform suction purge was performed regardless of the number of abnormal nozzles or the like, but this is not limiting. For example, a suction purge with a larger ink discharge amount may be performed as the number of abnormal nozzles increases.

[0083] Also, in the above example, the recovery operation of discharging ink from the nozzles 10 to recover the abnormal nozzles includes flushing and suction purge. And when there are abnormal nozzles, flushing is performed immediately after the inspection operation, and suction purge is performed immediately before the subsequent recording operation, but this is not limiting.

[0084] For example, flushing may not be performed immediately after the inspection operation, and flushing and suction purge may be performed immediately before the subsequent recording operation. Alternatively, the recovery operation may be only one of the suction purge and flushing, and the above one may be performed immediately after the inspection operation or immediately before the subsequent recording operation. Note that when the recovery operation is only the suction purge, the maintenance unit 8 corresponds to the "recovery means" of the present invention. Also, when the recovery operation is only flushing, the inkjet head 4 corresponds to the "recovery means" of the present invention.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, inspection driving is performed for all the nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4, but this is not limitative. For example, inspection driving may be performed only for some of the nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4, such as every other nozzle 10 in each nozzle row 9, and for the other nozzles 10, it may be estimated whether they are abnormal nozzles based on the determination signal output from the determination circuit 78 during the inspection driving.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the determination circuit 78 outputs a signal corresponding to whether the nozzle is abnormal according to the potential of the detection electrode 76 when ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 toward the detection electrode 76, but this is not limitative.

[0087] For example, a detection electrode extending in the vertical direction may be arranged, and a signal corresponding to whether the nozzle is abnormal may be output from the determination circuit according to the potential of the detection electrode when ink is ejected so as to pass through the region facing the detection electrode from the nozzle 10. Alternatively, an optical sensor (the "signal output unit" of the present invention) for detecting the ink ejected from the nozzle 10 may be provided, and a signal corresponding to whether the nozzle is abnormal may be output from the optical sensor.

[0088] Alternatively, for example, similar to that described in Japanese Patent No. 4929699, a voltage detection circuit (the "signal output unit" of the present invention) that detects a change in voltage when ink is ejected from a nozzle may be connected to a plate on which nozzles of an inkjet head are formed, and a signal corresponding to whether or not a nozzle is abnormal may be output from the voltage detection circuit to the control device 80.

[0089] Alternatively, for example, similar to that described in Japanese Patent No. 6231759, the substrate of the inkjet head may be provided with a temperature detection element (the "signal output unit" of the present invention). Then, after applying a first applied voltage to drive the heater for ink ejection, a second applied voltage is applied to drive the heater so that ink is not ejected, and based on the change in temperature detected by the temperature detection element after applying the second applied voltage until a predetermined time elapses thereafter, a signal corresponding to whether or not the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle may be output.

[0090] Also, in the above example, the signal output unit outputs a signal corresponding to whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzle 10, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a signal output unit that outputs a signal corresponding to whether or not an abnormality other than the non-ejection of ink occurs in the nozzle 10 may be provided, and based on the signal from the signal output unit, it may be determined whether or not the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle. An abnormality other than the non-ejection of ink is, for example, an abnormality in the ejection direction of the ink.

[0091] Also, in the above, an example in which the present invention is applied to a printer including a so-called serial head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles while moving in the scanning direction together with a carriage has been described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a printer including a so-called line head that extends over the entire length of the recording paper P in the scanning direction.

[0092] In addition, in the above description, an example of applying the present invention to a printer that ejects ink from a nozzle to perform recording on a recording paper P has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to printers that record images on recording media other than recording paper, such as T-shirts, sheets for outdoor advertisements, cases of mobile terminals such as smartphones, cardboard, and resin members. Further, the present invention can also be applied to liquid ejection devices that eject liquids other than ink, such as resins and metals in a liquid state.

Explanation of Signs

[0093] 1 Printer 4 Inkjet head 8 Maintenance unit 10 Nozzle 70 Clock unit 72 Suction pump 76 Detection electrode 77 High-voltage power supply circuit 78 Judgment circuit 79 Resistor 80 Control device 84 Flash memory 100 Printer 101 Timer

Claims

1. A liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid onto a medium to be ejected; a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal according to whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when causing the liquid ejection head to perform an inspection drive for checking whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle with an abnormality in liquid ejection; recovery means for performing a recovery operation of discharging liquid from the nozzle; and a control device, wherein the control device is capable of receiving a discharge instruction signal for instructing the liquid ejection head to perform a discharge operation of ejecting liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and an inspection instruction signal which is a signal received regardless of the timing of the discharge operation and which instructs to inspect whether or not the nozzle is the abnormal nozzle; when receiving the discharge instruction signal, causes the liquid ejection head to perform the discharge operation; when receiving the inspection instruction signal, causes the liquid ejection head to perform an inspection operation of sequentially performing the inspection drive for at least two of the plurality of nozzles; when receiving the inspection instruction signal during the discharge operation, if the number of media to be ejected for which liquid ejection has not been completed in the discharge operation is equal to or more than a predetermined number, causes the liquid ejection head to interrupt the discharge operation and perform the inspection operation, and after completion of the inspection operation, causes the liquid ejection head to resume the discharge operation; furthermore, after completion of the inspection operation, if the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates the presence of an abnormal nozzle, after completion of the inspection operation, causes the recovery means to perform the recovery operation and then causes the liquid ejection head to resume the discharge operation; when receiving the inspection instruction signal during the discharge operation, if the number of media to be ejected for which liquid ejection has not been completed in the discharge operation is less than a predetermined number, causes the liquid ejection head to continue the discharge operation, and after completion of the discharge operation, causes the liquid ejection head to perform the inspection operation. A liquid ejection apparatus characterized by this.

2. A liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid onto a medium to be ejected; a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal according to whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle when causing the liquid ejection head to perform an inspection drive for checking whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle with an abnormality in liquid ejection; recovery means for performing a recovery operation of discharging liquid from the nozzle; A control device, and the control device is capable of receiving a discharge instruction signal for instructing the liquid discharge head to perform a discharge operation of discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and an inspection instruction signal which is a signal received regardless of the timing of the discharge operation and for instructing to inspect whether the nozzle is the abnormal nozzle, when receiving the discharge instruction signal, causes the liquid discharge head to perform the discharge operation, when receiving the inspection instruction signal, causes the liquid discharge head to perform an inspection operation of sequentially performing the inspection driving for at least two of the plurality of nozzles, when receiving the discharge instruction signal during the inspection operation, causes the liquid discharge head to perform the discharge operation after completion of the inspection operation, furthermore, after completion of the inspection operation, when the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates that the abnormal nozzle exists, A liquid discharge device characterized in that after completion of the inspection operation, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation, and then the liquid discharge head is caused to perform the discharge operation.

3. The control device after completion of the inspection operation, when the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates that the abnormal nozzle exists, when a predetermined condition regarding the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation is satisfied under conditions other than the existence of the abnormal nozzle, after completion of the inspection operation, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation, and then the liquid discharge head is caused to perform the discharge operation, when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, after completion of the inspection operation, the liquid discharge head is caused to perform the discharge operation without causing the recovery means to perform the recovery operation, The liquid discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation after the discharge operation.

4. The discharge operation is an operation of recording an image on a medium to be discharged by discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles of the liquid discharge head toward the medium to be discharged, the control device selectively causes the liquid discharge operation to be performed in any one of a plurality of types of image quality modes regarding the image quality of the recorded image, when the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates that the abnormal nozzle exists, When the predetermined conditions regarding the determination signal output from the signal output unit and the image quality mode during the inspection operation are satisfied, which are conditions other than the presence of the abnormal nozzle, after completion of the inspection operation, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation, and then the liquid discharge head is caused to perform the discharge operation, when the predetermined conditions are not satisfied, after completion of the inspection operation, the liquid discharge head is caused to perform the discharge operation without causing the recovery means to perform the recovery operation, The liquid discharge device according to claim 3, wherein after the discharge operation, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation.

5. The control device, when the liquid discharge head is caused to perform the discharge operation without causing the recovery means to perform the recovery operation, when the next discharge instruction signal is received, the recovery means is caused to perform the recovery operation and then the discharge operation is performed. The liquid discharge device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that

6. A liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid onto a medium to be discharged, a signal output unit that outputs a determination signal according to whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle having an abnormality in liquid discharge when the liquid discharge head is caused to perform an inspection drive for confirming whether or not the nozzle is an abnormal nozzle, a recovery means for performing a recovery operation for discharging liquid from the nozzle, a clock unit that outputs a time signal indicating time, and a control device, The control device, is capable of receiving a discharge instruction signal for instructing the liquid discharge head to perform a discharge operation of discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and a signal received regardless of the timing of the discharge operation, which instructs to inspect whether or not the nozzle is the abnormal nozzle, an inspection instruction signal, when the discharge instruction signal is received, the liquid discharge head is caused to perform the discharge operation, when the inspection instruction signal is received, the liquid discharge head is caused to perform an inspection operation of sequentially performing the inspection drive for at least two of the plurality of nozzles, when the inspection instruction signal is received during the discharge operation, the liquid discharge head is caused to interrupt the discharge operation and perform the inspection operation, after completion of the inspection operation, the liquid discharge head is caused to resume the discharge operation, Furthermore, After completion of the inspection operation, if the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates the presence of an abnormal nozzle, after completion of the inspection operation, cause the recovery means to perform the recovery operation, and then resume the discharge operation on the liquid discharge head, The inspection instruction signal is a time signal indicating that a predetermined time has been reached. A liquid discharge device characterized by this.

7. The recovery means is the liquid discharge head, and a pump connected to the liquid discharge head, The recovery operation is flushing to discharge liquid from the nozzle to the liquid discharge head, including purging to drive the pump to discharge the liquid in the liquid discharge head from the plurality of nozzles, The control device is when the determination signal output from the signal output unit during the inspection operation indicates the presence of the abnormal nozzle, after completion of the inspection operation, cause the liquid discharge head to perform flushing and then perform the discharge operation, and after completion of the discharge operation, cause the pump to perform the purge. The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by this.

8. A timer that outputs an elapsed time signal indicating the elapsed time since the last predetermined operation was performed in the liquid discharge device, The inspection instruction signal is the elapsed time signal indicating that the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time. The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by this.

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