JPH1086400A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a good printing result even at a time of initial printing by enhancing the initial introducing properties of ink to a printing head at a time of the replacement of an ink cartridge in a printer. SOLUTION: When an ink cartrige 3 is detached from a carriage 2 and the carriage 2 is moved to an injection position, an injection needle 15 is inserted into the carriage to inject an introducing soln. 17a into an ink introducing member 40. Thereafter, when a new ink cartridge 3 is attached, the introducing soln. is sucked from the nozzle of a printing head by purging. By this constitution, the initial introducing property of ink to the printing head from the ink cartridge 3 can be enhanced and a good printing result is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for introducing ink from an ink cartridge to a print head in an ink jet printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink jet printing apparatus, new replenishment of ink for printing has been performed by replacing an ink cartridge containing a foam absorbing ink. When the ink cartridge is replaced, the initial introduction of the ink from the ink cartridge to the print head is to perform a strong suction from the nozzle side of the print head with a purging device etc. to fill the ink between the ink cartridge and the print head. Has been done by

[0003]

However, according to the conventional printing apparatus as described above, at the time of suction after replacing the ink cartridge, the air (air) existing at the junction between the ink cartridge and the print head is removed together with the ink. Is also sucked at the same time, so that air is mixed into the nozzles, and the initial ink introductivity is deteriorated. For this reason, nozzles where ink is not ejected at the time of initial printing may occur, and good printing may not be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has an object to improve the initial introduction of ink into a print head when replacing an ink cartridge,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of obtaining a good printing result even at the time of initial printing.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for printing on a printing medium using ink, and a printing head mounted with the printing head. An ink cartridge detachably attached to a carriage and having an ink cartridge containing ink to be supplied to a print head, comprising: an ink introduction member for introducing ink from the ink cartridge mounted on the carriage to the print head; An injection means for injecting a liquid having a viscosity equal to or less than that of the ink into the ink introduction member, and a control means for controlling the liquid to be injected into the ink introduction member by the injection means when the ink cartridge is removed from the carriage. It is provided with.

In the above configuration, when the ink cartridge is removed from the carriage, the control means controls the injection means to inject a liquid having a viscosity equal to or less than that of the ink into the ink introduction member. The initial introduction of the ink into the print head at the time is improved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which air is mixed into the nozzles at the time of initial printing and ink is not ejected, which is observed when ink is sucked from the ink cartridge by a purge device or the like. Further, even when the ink cartridge is not attached immediately after the ink cartridge is removed from the carriage, the ink introduction member is filled with the introduction liquid, so that the printing head can be prevented from drying.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein whether the ink cartridge is removed from the print head is detected.
The control means controls the driving of the injection means based on a signal from the detection means.

In the above arrangement, the detection means detects whether or not the ink cartridge has been removed from the print head, and the control means controls the driving of the injection means based on the detection result. The removal can be reliably detected, and the above operation can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the injection means has an injection needle inserted into the ink introduction member. Is formed with a hole into which an injection needle is inserted, and the injection needle is configured to be inserted into the hole when the carriage moves to the non-printing area, and the liquid is injected into the ink introduction member at the time of insertion. The control means controls the injection means as described above.

In the above configuration, when the carriage moves to the non-printing area, the injection needle is inserted into the hole formed in the ink introduction member, and at the time of this insertion, the liquid is injected into the ink introduction member. Since the control means controls the injection means so that the liquid is injected, the liquid is not erroneously injected into the ink introduction member during printing. Further, the liquid can be reliably injected into the ink introduction member.

A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the injection means is always connected to the ink introducing member.

In the above configuration, since the injecting means is always connected to the ink introducing member, it is possible to always inject the introduced liquid.

A printing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the liquid injected into the ink introduction member by the injection means is recording ink. .

In the above configuration, since the recording ink is injected into the ink introduction member by the injection means, proper printing can be performed from the first time without removing the introduced liquid by suction using a purge device or the like. it can.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the liquid injected into the ink introduction member by the injection means is used to convert the color material component from the recording ink. It has been removed.

In the above construction, since the ink-introducing member injects the ink containing no coloring material into the ink-introducing member, the surface characteristics such as the wettability of the ink-introducing member and the inner surface of the print head are not impaired. . Further, even when mixed with the ink, there is no adverse effect such as deterioration of the ink.

A printing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the recording means is an ink jet recording means. .

In the above configuration, since the recording means is an ink jet recording means, the printing is performed in a non-contact manner on the recording medium, so that a better printing result can be obtained. Further, since the configuration is simpler than that of a wire dot type recording unit using a print ribbon or the like, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size and printing can be performed clearly.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an inkjet printer 1 according to the present invention. The printer 1 includes a print head (described later) that performs printing by ejecting ink onto the recording medium P. The print head is provided below a carriage 2 that is linearly driven to reciprocate during printing. An ink cartridge 3 that supplies ink to the print head is removably mounted on the carriage 2. A nozzle plate (not shown) of the print head is subjected to a water-repellent treatment in order to prevent unnecessary ink from adhering. The print head is made of a piezoelectric element, and performs printing by ejecting ink using a pumping action obtained according to displacement of the piezoelectric element due to application of a voltage.

On both sides of the carriage 2, a recording medium P
In order to transport the print head to a position facing the print head, transport rollers 6a and 6b are provided rotatably in parallel with the reciprocating movement direction of the carriage 2. The recording medium P is fed in a direction indicated by an arrow B by a sheet cassette (not shown). In addition, the carriage 2 is attached to the carriage shaft 7 by a carriage shaft support 2a provided at a lower portion thereof, and the guide member support 2
The support member b supports the guide member 8 so as to be able to reciprocate in the arrow A direction. Further, the carriage 2 has a pulley 11
The pulleys 11a and 11b are rotated by a motor 13 so as to be linearly reciprocated.

A purge device (not shown) is provided at a position on the left side of the transport rollers 6a and 6b, at a standby position (non-printing area) of the print head, opposite to the print head. Ink jet print heads can cause jetting failures due to the formation of air bubbles inside the ink jet head and the adhesion of ink droplets on the jetting surface. There is a purge device to recover the pressure. The purge device generates a negative pressure by a pump (not shown), covers the print head at the standby position, and recovers the print head by sucking defective ink inside the print head.

In the non-printing area of the print head, at the left end of the printer 1 in FIG. 1, a joint (hereinafter referred to as an ink introduction member) between the ink cartridge 3 mounted on the carriage 2 and the print head is provided. Ink cartridge 3
Needle 15, injection pump 16, and introduction liquid tank 17 for injecting an introduction liquid for improving the initial introduction of ink from the ink.
(Injection means) is provided. The introduction liquid having a viscosity equal to or less than that of the ink is used and stored in the introduction liquid tank 17. The introduction needle 15 is fixed to a fixing member of the printer 1. When the carriage 2 from which the ink cartridge 3 has been removed has moved to the standby position, the introduction needle 15 is inserted through the hole 2 c of the carriage 2 and the ink introduction member in the carriage 2 is moved. It is provided to reach the inside. At the time of insertion, the introduction liquid is pumped up from the introduction tank 17 by the introduction pump 16 and is injected from the introduction needle 15 into the ink introduction member.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the printer 1. The printer 1 includes a G / A (gate array) circuit 18 for controlling a printing operation such as print data processing, and a CPU (control means) for controlling the entire printer 1.
19 are provided. The G / A circuit 18 is connected to a host computer 21 via an interface unit 20, and is also connected to an image memory 22 for storing print data received from the host computer 21. A ROM 25 for storing a program for controlling the drive mechanism of the carriage 2, a transport mechanism for the recording medium P, and the like, and a RAM 26 for storing control data for each functional block are G / A.
It is connected to the circuit 18 and the CPU 19. CPU19
Is connected to a SW panel 27 composed of operation switches and the like, and a driving system 28 composed of a motor 13 for driving the carriage 2 and a motor for conveying the recording medium P, and the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the carriage 2. A detection sensor (detection means) 23 for detecting whether or not there is also connected. A head driver 30 for driving a print head 29 is connected to the G / A circuit 18.
The print data, the transfer clock, the print clock, and the latch signal are transmitted from the circuit 18 to the head driver 30.

Next, the carriage 2 and the ink cartridge 3 of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the carriage 2 and the ink cartridge 3. The cartridge 3 includes a main body 31 in which a foam in which ink has been absorbed is stored, and a knob member 32 provided to improve the workability of attaching and detaching the main body 31 to and from the carriage 2. The knob 32 has a protruding portion 32a. When the user holds the knob 32 and pushes the ink cartridge 3 into the carriage 2 when the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the carriage 2, the protrusion 32 a
And the hole 2 d formed in the carriage 2 are engaged with each other, and the shape of the protruding portion 32 a is formed so that the ink cartridge 3 is fixed to the carriage 2. Also, the main body 31
Is formed with a protruding portion 31a for keeping the vertical movement direction when the cartridge 3 is attached and detached. As described above, the print head 29 is provided below the carriage 2.

Next, the injection of the introduction liquid into the ink introduction member in the carriage 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the carriage 2 and the introduction needle 15 at the time of printing, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the carriage 2 and the introduction needle 15 at the time of injecting the introduction liquid, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of injection | pouring of an introduction liquid to an introduction member. In FIG. 4, the knob member 32 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 4A, a foam 41 in which ink has been absorbed is stored in the ink cartridge 3, and is formed below the ink cartridge 3 when the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the carriage 2. Ink is supplied from the foam 41 to the print head 29 from the ink supply port 3a through the ink introduction member 40 forming a manifold. In this state, the carriage 2 reciprocates horizontally and horizontally to perform printing at a position where the carriage 2 does not contact the introduction needle 15. During printing of the print head 29, the guide needle 15 is protected by being covered with the bellows 15a.

The introduction of the introduction liquid is performed as follows. When an ink cartridge replacement instruction is given by a user's operation of the SW panel 27, the printer 1 enters an ink cartridge replacement sequence, and the carriage 2 moves to an ink cartridge replacement position (S1). This ink cartridge replacement position is a non-printing area of the print head 29, and is set to a printing area side from the introduction liquid injection position shown in FIG. Next, an ink cartridge removal instruction is issued (S2), and when the ink cartridge 3 is removed by the user (YES in S3), the carriage 2 moves to the introduction liquid injection position in the direction of the arrow in FIG. S4). It should be noted that whether or not the ink cartridge 3 has been removed from the carriage 2
A detection sensor 23 (see FIG. 2, not shown in FIG. 4) provided near the print head 29 of the carriage 2 detects the signal, and outputs a detection signal to the CPU 19.

By this movement, as shown in FIG. 4B, the injection needle 15 is in a state of being inserted into the carriage 2 and
The tip of the introduction needle 15 reaches the inside of the ink introduction member 40 through the hole 40 a formed in the ink introduction member 40.
At this time, the bellows 15a is folded by the pressing force of the carriage 2. When the introduction needle 15 has reached the inside of the ink introduction member 40, the introduction liquid 17 a is injected into the ink introduction member 40. After the injection, the carriage 2 moves to the ink cartridge exchange position again (S
6) The user is instructed to install a new ink cartridge (S7). When the user installs a new ink cartridge, the carriage 2 moves to the purge position, and the purge liquid 17 is moved by the purge device.
After "a" is sucked, it is in a printable state.

As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 3 is removed from the carriage 2, the CPU 28 is configured to inject the introduction liquid 17 a from the injection needle 15 into the ink introduction member 40. Controls the initial introduction of ink from the ink cartridge 3 to the print head 29. In a conventional printer having a configuration in which ink is introduced into a print head by sucking ink from an ink cartridge immediately after replacement by purging or the like, air may be mixed into nozzles and ink may not be ejected. According to the printer 1, this situation can be prevented. Even if the ink cartridge 3 is not attached immediately after the ink cartridge 3 is removed from the carriage 2, the ink introduction member 40 is filled with the introduction liquid 17a, so that the printing head 29 can be prevented from drying.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above embodiment,
The injection needle 15 is fixed to a fixing member of the printer 1, and when the carriage 2 moves to the introduction liquid injection position,
The injecting needle 15 is inserted into the carriage 2 so that the introduction liquid 17a is injected into the ink introduction member 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The ink introducing member 4 is always connected by a pipe or the like,
It may be configured so that it can be injected to zero.

In the embodiment, a liquid having a viscosity equal to or less than that of the ink is used as the introduction liquid 17a.
However, instead of the introduction liquid 17a, the ink itself may be injected. In that case,
Printing can be started immediately without suction of the introduction liquid 17a by a purge or the like before the initial printing.

The introduction liquid 17a may be obtained by removing coloring material components such as dyes and pigments from the ink.
That is, the introduction liquid 17a basically has the same characteristics as the ink. In this way, even if the introduction liquid 17a is injected into the ink introduction member 40, surface characteristics such as wettability of the ink introduction member and the inner surface of the print head 29 are not impaired. Further, even if the ink and the introduction liquid 17a are mixed inside the print head 29, the introduction liquid 17a
a does not give an adverse effect such as altering the quality of the ink. Since the introduction liquid has no coloring material component, it can be used regardless of the color of the ink.

[0032]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when the ink cartridge is removed from the carriage, the introduction liquid is injected into the ink introduction member. The initial introduction of the ink into the print head at the time is improved. For example, in a printing apparatus in which ink is introduced into a print head by sucking ink from an ink cartridge by purging or the like after ink cartridge replacement, air may be mixed into nozzles during initial printing and ink may not be ejected. Can be prevented beforehand. Further, even when the ink cartridge is not attached immediately after removing the ink cartridge from the carriage, the ink introduction member is filled with the introduction liquid, so that the printing head can be prevented from drying.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the driving of the injection unit is controlled based on the detection result of whether or not the ink cartridge has been removed from the print head by the detection unit. It is possible to reliably detect that the ink cartridge has been removed from the carriage, and to appropriately inject the initial introduction liquid.

According to the printing apparatus of the third aspect, when the carriage moves to the non-printing area, the injection needle is inserted into the hole formed in the ink introduction member, and the liquid is discharged. Since the liquid is injected, the liquid is not erroneously injected into the ink introduction member at the time of printing, and the liquid can be reliably injected into the ink introduction member.

According to the printing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the injecting means is always connected to the ink introducing member, the control and mechanism for injecting the introduced liquid are simplified.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the recording ink is injected into the ink introduction member by the injection means, the suction using the purging device or the like after replacing the ink cartridge is not required. However, proper printing can be performed from the first printing.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the ink-introducing member injects the ink containing no coloring material into the ink-introducing member, the ink-introducing member and the inner surface of the print head are removed. The surface properties such as wettability are not impaired. Further, even when mixed with the ink, there is no adverse effect such as deterioration of the ink.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the recording means is an ink jet recording means, the printing is performed in a non-contact manner with respect to the recording medium. The result is obtained. Further, since the configuration is simpler than that of a wire dot type recording unit using a print ribbon or the like, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size and printing can be performed clearly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a carriage and an ink cartridge of the printer.

4A is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a carriage and an introduction needle during printing, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the carriage and the introduction needle during injection of an introduction liquid.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when injecting liquid into an ink introducing member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 printer (printing device) 2 carriage 3 ink cartridge 15 injection needle (injection means) 16 introduction pump (injection means) 17 introduction liquid tank (injection means) 17a introduction liquid 19 CPU (control means) 23 detection sensor (detection means) 29 Print head 40 Ink introducing member 40a Hole 41 Form

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A print head comprising: a print head for performing printing on a print medium using ink; and an ink cartridge detachable from a carriage on which the print head is mounted and containing ink to be supplied to the print head. In the apparatus, an ink introduction member for introducing the ink from the ink cartridge mounted on the carriage to the print head, an injection unit for injecting a liquid having a viscosity equal to or less than that of the ink into the ink introduction member, Control means for controlling the injection means to inject the liquid into the ink introduction member when the ink cartridge is removed from the carriage. Detecting whether the ink cartridge has been removed from the print head by detecting means provided in the vicinity of the print head; and controlling the control means based on a signal from the detecting means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein driving of the injection unit is controlled. 3. The injection means has an injection needle inserted into the ink introduction member, and the ink introduction member is formed with a hole into which the injection needle is inserted, and the injection needle has a carriage. It is configured to be inserted into the hole when moving to the non-printing area, and the control means controls the injection means so that the liquid is injected into the ink introduction member at the time of insertion. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said injection means is always connected to said ink introduction member. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid injected into the ink introduction member by the injection unit is the recording ink. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid injected into the ink introduction member by the injection unit is obtained by removing a coloring material component from the recording ink. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print head is an inkjet print head.