JP2008238509A - Fluid ejection device and control value calculation method for fluid ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

In a fluid ejecting apparatus, the weight of a fluid ejected from an ejection port is accurately measured, and thereby accurate control is performed.
A weight of a fluid ejected from an ejection port is obtained, and a predetermined control value is calculated based on the weight of the fluid.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejection device and a control value calculation method for the fluid ejection device.

  As a fluid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink onto a recording medium from an ejection port of a recording head is known. In the fluid ejection device, various control values are calculated based on the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port, and control based on the control values is performed.

For example, in the fluid ejecting apparatus, the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge that stores the ink supplied to the recording head is calculated as the control value, and the user is notified of the replacement timing of the ink cartridge based on the calculation result.
In addition, a control unit is provided that includes a waste tank in which ink discarded by a flushing operation or the like is stored. It is carried out.
In addition, when a cap member for suppressing drying of the ejection port during a pause is provided, the amount of ink stored in the cap member is calculated as the control value, and the amount of ink stored in the cap member is determined according to the calculation result. Is adjusted.
JP 7-47696 A

  However, in the conventional fluid ejecting apparatus, the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port is stored in advance, and the control value is calculated based on the weight of the fluid stored in advance. The weight of the fluid actually ejected from the ejection port varies depending on various conditions such as the usage frequency of the ejection port, variation in the size of the ejection port, variation in voltage of the drive signal for ejecting ink, and ambient temperature.

Therefore, in the conventional fluid ejecting apparatus, assuming that the weight of the ejected ink is heaviest, the ink weight at this time is stored in advance, and the control value is calculated based on the ink weight. That is, the weight of the fluid used for calculating the control value is estimated to be heavier than the weight of the fluid actually ejected from the ejection port.
Therefore, in the conventional fluid ejecting apparatus, when performing control using the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port, accurate control cannot be performed.
For example, when calculating the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge, it is calculated that a larger amount of ink than the amount of ink actually consumed is consumed, and all the ink in the ink cartridge is not consumed. Nevertheless, an ink cartridge replacement instruction is output. For this reason, useless ink is generated.
In addition, when calculating the amount of ink stored in the waste tank, it is calculated that more ink than the ink actually stored is stored, and the waste tank is not full. Regardless, the operation of the fluid ejection device is stopped.
In addition, when calculating the amount of ink stored in the cap member, it is calculated that ink having a weight larger than the amount of ink actually stored is stored, and the amount of ink stored in the cap member is appropriately determined. It cannot be adjusted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to accurately measure the weight of fluid ejected from an ejection port in a fluid ejecting apparatus and thereby perform accurate control.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fluid ejection device according to the present invention calculates a predetermined control value based on an ejection head in which an ejection port for ejecting fluid is formed and the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port. A fluid ejection device including a control device, wherein the detection device outputs a detection signal corresponding to the fluid ejected from the ejection port, and the processing device acquires information on the weight of the fluid based on the detection signal And the control device calculates the predetermined control value based on information on the weight of the fluid acquired by the processing device.

According to the fluid ejection device of the present invention having such characteristics, the detection device outputs a detection signal corresponding to the fluid ejected from the ejection port, and the processing device acquires information on the weight of the fluid based on the detection signal. Is done. That is, in the fluid ejection device of the present invention, information about the weight of the fluid actually ejected from the ejection port is acquired.
Then, the control device calculates a predetermined control value based on the information regarding the weight of the fluid acquired by the processing device. That is, in the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the predetermined control value is calculated based on the weight of the fluid actually ejected from the ejection port.
Therefore, according to the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, in the fluid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to accurately measure the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port and thereby perform accurate control.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the predetermined control value may include a fluid remaining amount of a fluid cartridge that stores the fluid supplied to the ejecting head.
By adopting such a configuration, the remaining amount of fluid in the fluid cartridge can be accurately calculated. Therefore, the fluid in the fluid cartridge can be used to the end, and wasteful fluid can be prevented from being generated.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the predetermined control value may include a storage amount of the fluid in a waste tank that stores the discarded fluid.
By adopting such a configuration, the amount of fluid stored in the waste tank can be accurately calculated. Therefore, the waste tank can be used up to its full capacity, and it is possible to prevent the operation of the fluid ejecting apparatus from being stopped even though the waste tank is not full.

The fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention further includes a cap member that can contact the ejecting head so as to surround the ejecting port and can receive the fluid ejected from the ejecting port. The control value includes a configuration in which the amount of fluid stored in the cap member is included.
By adopting such a configuration, the amount of fluid stored in the cap member can be accurately calculated. Therefore, the amount of ink stored in the cap member can be adjusted appropriately.

In the fluid ejection device of the present invention, the detection device includes a detection unit to which the fluid ejected from the ejection port is supplied, and an electric field is applied between the ejection surface and the detection unit. A configuration is adopted in which a change in voltage value based on electrostatic induction when the fluid moves from the ejection port to the detection unit is output as the detection signal.
In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the processing device may employ a configuration in which information regarding the weight of the fluid is acquired based on the extreme value of the voltage value.
By adopting these configurations, it is possible to accurately obtain information regarding the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port.

Next, a control value calculation method for a fluid ejection device according to the present invention is a control value calculation method for a fluid ejection device that calculates a predetermined control value based on the weight of the fluid ejected from an ejection port formed in an ejection head. The weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port is acquired, and the predetermined control value is calculated based on the weight of the fluid.
According to the control value calculation method of the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention having such characteristics, the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port is acquired. That is, in the control value calculation method for a fluid ejection device of the present invention, the weight of the fluid actually ejected from the ejection port is acquired.
Then, a predetermined control value is calculated based on the acquired information regarding the weight of the fluid. That is, in the control value calculation method for a fluid ejection device of the present invention, the predetermined control value is calculated based on the weight of the fluid actually ejected from the ejection port.
Therefore, according to the control value calculation method for the fluid ejection device of the present invention, the fluid ejection device can accurately measure the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port, and thereby perform accurate control.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fluid ejection device and a control value calculation method for the fluid ejection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each member is appropriately changed in order to make each member a recognizable size.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a fluid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view. In the present embodiment, a case where the fluid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) that ejects a liquid (liquid material) such as ink will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the fluid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink onto a recording medium from an ejection port of a recording head and executes recording on the recording medium. In the present embodiment, as an example of an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet printer that performs recording on a recording paper by ejecting (jetting) ink droplets onto the recording paper as a recording medium will be described.

  1 and 2, the ink jet printer 1 includes a recording unit 2 that performs recording on a recording sheet with ink, and a recording sheet conveyance mechanism 3 that conveys the recording sheet.

  The recording unit 2 is disposed at a position facing the recording head 4 and the carriage 5, a recording head 4 (ejection head) that ejects ink, a carriage 5 that can move while supporting the recording head 4, and ink is ejected. And a platen 6 that supports the recording paper.

The ink jet printer 1 also includes a carriage driving device 7 including a motor that moves the carriage 5 and a carriage guide member that guides the movement of the carriage 5.
The carriage 5 is moved in the main scanning direction by the carriage driving device 7 while being guided by the carriage guide member. The recording paper is moved in the sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction with respect to the recording unit 2 by the recording paper transport mechanism 3.

  The ink jet printer 1 includes a paper feed cassette 9 that stores recording paper. The paper feed cassette 9 is detachably provided on the back side of the main body of the inkjet printer 1. The paper feed cassette 9 can store a plurality of stacked recording papers.

  The recording paper transport mechanism 3 includes a paper feeding roller for carrying out the recording paper in the paper feeding cassette 9, a paper feeding roller driving device 10 including a motor for driving the paper feeding roller, and recording for guiding the movement of the recording paper. A paper guide member 11, a transport roller disposed downstream in the transport direction with respect to the paper feed roller, a transport roller driving device that drives the transport roller, and a downstream of the recording unit 2 in the transport direction And a discharge roller.

  The paper feed roller can pick up the recording paper arranged on the uppermost side among the plurality of recording papers stacked in the paper feed cassette 9 and can carry it out of the paper feed cassette 9. The recording paper in the paper feeding cassette 9 is fed to the conveying roller by the paper feeding roller driven by the paper feeding roller driving device 10 while being guided by the recording paper guide member 11. The recording paper sent to the transport roller is transported to the recording unit 2 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction by the transport roller driven by the transport roller driving device.

  The platen 6 of the recording unit 2 is disposed at a position facing the recording head 4 and the carriage 5 and supports the lower surface of the recording paper. The recording head 4 and the carriage 5 are disposed above the platen 6. The recording paper transport mechanism 3 transports the recording paper in the sub-scanning direction in conjunction with the recording operation by the recording unit 2. The recording paper recorded by the recording unit 2 is discharged from the front side of the ink jet printer 1 by a recording paper transport mechanism 3 including a discharge roller.

  The ink jet printer 1 also includes an ink supply tube 12 that supplies ink from the ink cartridge to the recording head 4 of the carriage 5. The ink in the ink cartridge is supplied to the ink supply path via the ink supply needle, and is supplied from the ink supply path to the recording head 4 of the carriage 5 via the ink supply tube 12.

The ink jet printer 1 also includes a maintenance device 13 that can maintain the recording head 4. The maintenance device 13 includes a capping device 14 and a wiping device 15. The maintenance device 13 is disposed at the home position of the carriage 5 and the recording head 4. The home position is set in an end area outside the recording area in which the recording operation by the recording unit 2 is executed, within the movement area of the carriage 5.
When the power is turned off or when the recording operation is not performed for a long time, the carriage 5 and the recording head 4 are arranged at the home position.

  The inkjet printer 1 also includes a detection system 8 that can detect the positional relationship between the recording head 4 and the cap member 34 of the capping device 14.

  The recording head 4 includes a head main body 18 and a flow path forming unit 22 including a vibration plate 19, a flow path substrate 20, and a nozzle substrate 21. The ejection surface 17 is formed by the lower surface of the nozzle substrate 21. The injection port 16 is formed in the nozzle substrate 21. The flow path forming unit 22 is a unit in which the diaphragm 19, the flow path substrate 20, and the nozzle substrate 21 are laminated and joined together with an adhesive or the like.

  The recording head 4 includes an accommodation space 23 formed in the head body 18 and a drive unit 24 disposed in the accommodation space 23. The drive unit 24 includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 25, a fixing member 26 that supports the upper end of the piezoelectric elements 25, and a flexible cable 27 that supplies a drive signal to the piezoelectric elements 25. The piezoelectric element 25 is provided so as to correspond to each of the plurality of ejection ports 16.

  In addition, the recording head 4 is formed inside the head main body 18, and an internal flow path 28 through which ink supplied from the ink cartridge via the ink supply tube 12 flows, a vibration plate 19, a flow path substrate 20, and a nozzle substrate. 21, a common ink chamber 29 formed by a flow path forming unit 22 including the flow path 21 and connected to the internal flow path 28, an ink supply port 30 formed by the flow path forming unit 22 and connected to the common ink chamber 29, A pressure chamber 31 formed by the path forming unit 22 and connected to the ink supply port 30 is provided. A plurality of pressure chambers 31 are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of injection ports 16. Each of the plurality of injection ports 16 is connected to each of the plurality of pressure chambers 31.

  The head body 18 is made of synthetic resin. The diaphragm 19 is obtained by laminating an elastic film on a metal support plate such as stainless steel. An island portion 32 joined to the lower end of the piezoelectric element 25 is formed at a portion corresponding to the pressure chamber 31 of the vibration plate 19. At least a part of the diaphragm 19 is elastically deformed according to the driving of the piezoelectric element 25. A compliance portion 33 is formed between the diaphragm 19 and the vicinity of the lower end of the internal flow path 28.

  The flow path substrate 20 has a recess for forming spaces for the common ink chamber 29, the ink supply port 30, and the pressure chamber 31 that connect the lower end of the internal flow path 28 and the ejection port 16. In the present embodiment, the flow path substrate 20 is formed by anisotropic etching of silicon.

  The nozzle substrate 21 has a plurality of injection ports 16 formed at a predetermined interval (pitch) in a predetermined direction. The nozzle substrate 21 of the present embodiment is a plate-like member formed of a conductive metal such as stainless steel. As described above, the ejection surface 17 is formed by the lower surface of the nozzle substrate 21. For this reason, the ejection surface 17 is also conductive like the nozzle substrate 21.

  The ink supplied from the ink cartridge via the ink supply tube 12 flows into the upper end of the internal flow path 28. The lower end of the internal flow path 28 is connected to the common ink chamber 29, and the ink that has flowed into the upper end of the internal flow path 28 from the ink cartridge via the ink supply tube 12 flows through the internal flow path 28 and is then shared. The ink is supplied to the ink chamber 29. The ink supplied to the common ink chamber 29 is supplied through the ink supply port 30 so as to be distributed to each of the plurality of pressure chambers 31.

  When a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric element 25 via the cable 27, the piezoelectric element 25 expands and contracts. As a result, the diaphragm 19 is deformed (moved) in a direction toward and away from the pressure chamber 31. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 31 changes, and the pressure of the pressure chamber 31 containing ink fluctuates. The ink is ejected (discharged) from the ejection port 16 due to the fluctuation of the pressure.

  As described above, the piezoelectric element 25 of the present embodiment varies the pressure of the pressure chamber 31 connected to the ejection port 16 based on the input drive signal in order to eject ink from the ejection port 16.

  4 is a perspective view showing the maintenance device 13, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the maintenance device 13 as viewed from below. The maintenance device 13 includes a capping device 14 and a wiping device 15.

  4 and 5, the capping device 14 includes a cap member 34 that can face the ejection surface 17 of the recording head 4. The cap member 34 has an upper end surface 57 that can come into contact with the ejection surface 17 of the recording head 4, and the upper end surface 57 comes into contact with the ejection surface 17, whereby a closed space is formed between the cap member 34 and the ejection surface 17. Is formed.

  Further, the capping device 14 includes a base member 36 and a drive device 37 that moves in a direction in which the upper end surface 57 of the cap member 34 approaches and moves away from the ejection surface 17 of the recording head 4 disposed at the home position. It has.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the driving device 37 moves in the direction in which the upper end surface 57 of the cap member 34 approaches and moves away from the ejection surface 17 of the recording head 4. The driving device 37 is mounted on the base member 36 as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-272779, and the upper end surface 57 of the cap member 34 is in the direction of approaching the ejection surface 17 of the recording head 4. And a slider member 38 that moves while being guided away from it, a spring member 37B that is disposed between the base member 36 and the slider member 38, and a power source of a power source such as a paper feed roller driving device or a conveyance roller driving device. Including a gear unit 37G and the like.

  The capping device 14 includes a suction device 35 that can suck a fluid in a space formed between the cap member 34 and the ejection surface 17. As shown in FIG. 5, the capping device 14 includes a suction tube 39 connected to the bottom of the cap member 34, and the suction device 35 is connected to the suction tube 39. The suction device 35 of this embodiment includes a tube pump as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-314622.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the suction device 35. In FIG. 7, the suction device 35 includes a roller member 40 and a tube member 41. The tube member 41 has flexibility and is curved in an annular shape. Both ends of the tube member 41 are arranged so as to be drawn out in the same direction. One end of the tube member 41 is connected to the cap member 34 via the suction tube 39, and the other end of the tube member 41 is connected to the waste tank 63 (see FIG. 8). The roller member 40 is movable so as to roll on the inner periphery of the annular portion 41 </ b> A of the tube member 41.

  The suction device 35 includes a rotating plate 40T that rotatably supports the roller member 40 and that can rotate about the rotation shaft 40X, and a driving device that rotates the rotating plate 40T. In the present embodiment, the drive device that rotates the rotating plate 40T includes, for example, the paper feed roller drive device 10 of the recording paper transport mechanism 3, and the power of the paper feed roller drive device 10 is provided in the suction device 35. Is transmitted to the rotating plate 40T via the gear unit 10G. As the rotating plate 40T rotates, the roller member 40 revolves and rolls along the inner periphery of the annular portion 40A of the tube member 41.

  As the roller member 40 crushes the tube member 41 and moves (rotates) in the direction of the arrow Y1 in FIG. 7, for example, the fluid (air, ink, etc.) in the tube member 41 is moved to the other end side of the tube member 41. Squeezed out (to the waste tank 63 side). That is, as the roller member 40 rotates, the fluid on one end side (cap member side) in the tube member 41 moves to the other end side. Thereby, the suction device 35 can make a negative pressure in the space formed between the ejection surface 17 and the cap member 34 via the suction tube 39.

By creating a negative pressure in the space formed between the ejection surface 17 and the cap member 34, ink is sucked from the ejection ports 16 of the ejection surface 17, or ink in the space is sucked into the suction tube 39 and the suction device 35. It can be discharged to the outside of the space (the waste tank 63) via the tube member 41.
Further, the roller member 40 can be moved away from the tube member 41 so that the tube member 41 is not crushed by the roller member 40.

  In addition, as a structure of the tube pump, instead of a form in which both ends of an annularly curved tube member are drawn in the same direction and bundled in the same plane as shown in FIG. 7, the tube is curved in an annular shape. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which both ends of the member are drawn out in opposite directions to intersect each other. Further, as the suction device 35, for example, a tube pump as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-257828 can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the capping device 14 includes an atmosphere release tube 42 connected to the bottom of the cap member 34 and an atmosphere release valve 43 provided on the atmosphere release tube 42. By opening the atmosphere release valve 43, air can be introduced into the space formed between the ejection surface 17 and the cap member 34 via the atmosphere release tube 42. Therefore, when the space formed between the ejection surface 17 and the cap member 34 is in a negative pressure state by the suction device 35, the space is opened to the atmosphere by opening the atmosphere release valve 43, and the space is negatively charged. The pressure state is released.

  In such a suction device 35, after the negative pressure space is formed by the rotation of the roller member 40, the ink suction amount can be adjusted by controlling the timing of opening the space to the atmosphere.

  In FIG. 4, the wiping device 15 includes a wiping member 44 that can face the ejection surface 17 of the recording head 4. In the present embodiment, the wiping member 44 is disposed on a part of the base member 36. The wiping member 44 is disposed on the recording unit 2 side (recording area side) with respect to the cap member 34. The wiping device 15 can wipe or remove foreign matter adhering to the ejection surface 17 such as remaining ink by using the wiping member 44.

  In addition to maintenance processing using the suction device 35 and the wiping device 15 of the maintenance device 13, the inkjet printer 1 ejects the recording head 4 by ejecting ink from the ejection ports 16 toward the cap member 34 at a predetermined timing. A flushing operation for maintaining or recovering the characteristics can be performed.

The flushing operation includes a pre-recording flushing operation in which ink is ejected in advance from the ejection port 16 to the cap member 34 at the home position before the recording operation for supplying ink from the ejection port 16 to the recording paper in the recording area. The flushing operation includes a regular flushing operation in which ink is ejected from the ejection port 16 to the cap member 34 at the home position at regular timing during the recording operation.
By these flushing operations, ink having increased viscosity in the vicinity of the ejection port 16 is discharged, and the ejection characteristics of the ejection port 16 (recording head 4) are maintained or recovered.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the detection system 8. The detection system 8 can detect the ink ejection state of the ejection ports 16 of the recording head 4 and the ink ejected from the ejection ports 16 of the recording head 4. The detection system 8 can detect information related to the weight of ink ejected from the ejection ports 16 of the recording head 4.

  In FIG. 8, the ink supply tube 12 connects the ink cartridge 48 and a sub tank 51 connected to the recording head 4, and the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 48 to the ink supply tube 12 is supplied to the sub tank 51. The In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 48 includes a case member 49 and an ink pack 50 housed in the case member 49 and formed of a plastic material. The sub tank 51 has an ink chamber 52, and the ink supplied to the ink chamber 52 is supplied to the recording head 4.

  In FIG. 8, the detection system 8 is disposed so as to face the ejection surface 17 of the recording head 4 with a predetermined gap, and includes a detection unit 45 to which ink ejected from the ejection port 16 is supplied. A detection device 46 that outputs a detection waveform corresponding to the ink ejected from the mouth 16 and a processing device 47 that acquires information on the weight of the ink based on the detection waveform output from the detection device 46 are provided.

The detection device 46 includes a voltage applicator 53 that applies a voltage between the detection unit 45 and the ejection surface 17 of the recording head 4, and a voltage detector 54 that detects the voltage of the detection unit 45.
In the present embodiment, the detection unit 45 of the detection device 46 is provided inside the cap member 34 of the maintenance device 13 (capping device 14) disposed at the home position.

  The cap member 34 is a tray-like member having an opening at the top, and is formed of an elastic member such as an elastomer. An ink absorber 55 and an electrode member 56 are disposed inside the cap member 34. The electrode member 56 is formed of a metal mesh member (lattice-like member) such as stainless steel. The detection unit 45 is formed by the upper surface of the electrode member 56. The detection unit 45 is disposed at a position lower than the upper end surface 57 of the cap member 34. The upper end surface 57 is the surface of the cap member 34 that is closest to the ejection surface 17, and the detection unit 45 is disposed at a position slightly away from the upper end surface 57 with respect to the ejection surface 17.

  The ink absorber 55 is formed of a sponge-like member capable of holding (absorbing) ink or a porous member. In the present embodiment, the ink absorber 55 is formed of a nonwoven fabric such as felt. During non-recording, the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 55 moisturizes the space formed by the ejection surface 17 and the cap member 34 coming into contact with each other, and suppresses drying of the ink in the ejection port 16. . Depending on the ink, the ink may absorb moisture, and in that case, the ink absorber may not be provided. That is, the ink absorber is disposed as necessary.

  The ink supplied to the detection unit 45 passes through the gap between the electrode members 56 and is held (absorbed) by the ink absorber 55. The electrode member 56 may not be a mesh member as long as ink can pass through. When there is no ink absorber 55, the electrode member 56 is held by a rib provided so as to extend from the bottom surface of the cap member 34. As described above, the suction tube 39 is connected to the bottom of the cap member 34, and the ink of the ink absorber 55 is sucked into the suction device 35 through the suction tube 39. A waste tank 63 is connected to the tip of the suction device 35. The waste tank 63 stores ink sucked by the suction device 35 (discarded ink).

  The voltage applicator 53 includes an electronic circuit that can apply a voltage between the ejection surface (lower surface) 17 of the nozzle substrate 21 of the recording head 4 and the detection unit (upper surface) 45 of the electrode member 56. In the present embodiment, the voltage applicator 53 electrically connects the electrode member 56 and the nozzle substrate 21 via a DC power source and a resistance element so that the electrode member 56 is a positive electrode and the nozzle substrate 21 is a negative electrode. Connecting.

  As described above, the nozzle substrate 21 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, the electrode member 56 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, and each of the nozzle substrate 21 and the electrode member 56 has conductivity. The voltage applicator 53 can apply a voltage between the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45.

  The voltage detector 54 integrates and outputs the voltage signal of the electrode member 56, an inverting amplifier circuit that inverts and amplifies the signal output from the integration circuit, and a signal output from the inverting amplifier circuit. A / D conversion circuit for A / D converting and outputting.

  In the present embodiment, the detection device 46 applies an electric field between the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45, and a voltage value time based on electrostatic induction when ink moves from the ejection port 16 to the detection unit 45. The change is output to the processing device 47 as a detected waveform. The processing device 47 can perform arithmetic processing on the output of the detection device 46, and can acquire information on the weight of the ink based on the detection waveform output from the detection device 46.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of the detection operation of the detection device 46. By driving the piezoelectric element 25 in a state where a voltage is applied between the ejection surface 17 of the nozzle substrate 21 and the detection unit 45 of the electrode member 56 by the voltage applicator 53, an ink droplet is ejected from the ejection port 16 ( Discharged). In the present embodiment, since the nozzle substrate 21 is a negative electrode, as shown in FIG. 9A, some negative charges of the nozzle substrate 21 move to the ink droplets, and the ejected ink droplets. Is negatively charged. As the ink droplet ejected from the ejection port 16 approaches the detection unit 45 of the electrode member 56, the positive charge is increased in the detection unit 45 by electrostatic induction. Thereby, the voltage between the ejection surface 17 of the nozzle substrate 21 and the detection unit 45 of the electrode member 56 is higher than the initial voltage value in a state where ink droplets are not ejected due to the induced voltage generated by electrostatic induction. . Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the ink droplet contacts the detection unit 45, the positive charge of the detection unit 45 is neutralized by the negative charge of the ink droplet. As a result, the voltage between the ejection surface 17 of the nozzle substrate 21 and the detection unit 45 of the electrode member 56 is lower than the initial voltage value. Thereafter, the voltage between the ejection surface 17 of the nozzle substrate 21 and the detection unit 45 of the electrode member 56 returns to the initial voltage value.

  Here, in the following description, the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45 that are detected when ink is not ejected from the ejection port 16 with an electric field applied between the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45. The voltage value between (the initial voltage value) is appropriately referred to as a reference value V0.

  In FIG. 10, ink droplets are ejected (discharged) from the ejection port 16 in a state where a voltage is applied between the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45 and an electric field is applied between the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change (detection waveform) VT of the voltage value output from the voltage detector 54 of the detection apparatus 46 at the time of doing. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents voltage value.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the detection waveform VT includes the first timing T1, the second timing T2 after the first time D1 has elapsed from the first timing T1, and the second timing T2 after the second time D2 has elapsed. The voltage value for each of the third timings D3 is included.

  The voltage value is the reference value V0 from the first timing T1 to the second timing T2, the voltage value starts changing at the second timing T2, and the voltage value is the maximum value VP (maximum value) at the third timing T3. Value).

  In the detection waveform VT shown in FIG. 10, the first timing T <b> 1 is when a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric element 25. The second timing T2 is when ink droplet ejection (ejection) is started from the ejection port 16. The third timing T3 is when the ink droplet from the ejection port 16 reaches (contacts) the detection unit 45.

  When a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric element 25 at the first timing T1 in order to eject (discharge) ink droplets from the ejection port 16, a change in pressure in the pressure chamber 31 connected to the ejection port 16 is started. . After the drive signal is input to the piezoelectric element 25 at the first timing T1, the pressure in the pressure chamber 31 reaches a predetermined value, and the ink from the ejection port 16 is discharged at the second timing T2 after the first time D1 has elapsed. Drop ejection (discharge) is started. In other words, when the ink droplet from the ejection port 16 moves from the ejection surface 17 to the detection unit 45, the second timing T2 is the moment when the movement of the ink droplet is started.

  As described with reference to FIG. 9, the ink droplets ejected from the ejection ports 16 are negatively charged, and the ink droplets ejected from the ejection ports 16, that is, the ink from the ejection ports 16. The voltage value begins to change at the moment when a drop of water drops.

  After the ejection of ink droplets from the ejection port 16 is started, as the ink droplets ejected from the ejection port 16 approach the detection unit 45 of the electrode member 56, as described with reference to FIG. Due to the induction, positive charges increase in the detection unit 45. The voltage value gradually increases due to the induced voltage generated by electrostatic induction. Then, at the third timing T3 when the ink droplet from the ejection port 16 reaches (contacts) the detection unit 45, the voltage value becomes the maximum value VP.

  Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 9, when the ink droplet contacts the detection unit 45, the positive charge of the detection unit 45 is neutralized by the negative charge of the ink droplet. As a result, after the third timing T3, the voltage value gradually decreases, and after the predetermined time has elapsed from the third timing T3, the voltage value falls below the reference value V0 and becomes the minimum value VU. Return to the reference value V0.

  The detection waveform VT of the detection device 46 is output to the processing device 47. The processing device 47 obtains a maximum value VP based on the detection waveform VT output from the detection device 46. The processing device 47 acquires information regarding the weight of the ink based on the maximum value VP.

  The maximum value VP with respect to the reference value V0 changes according to the weight of ink ejected from the ejection port 16 (size and volume of one ink droplet). When the weight of the ink droplet is heavy, the maximum value VP increases, and when the weight of the ink droplet is light, the maximum value VP decreases.

  Thus, in this embodiment, ink is applied from the ejection port 16 in a state where a voltage is applied between the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45 and an electric field is applied between the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45. By ejecting the droplets, the detection device 46 can output a voltage value change (detection waveform) VT based on electrostatic induction when the ink moves from the ejection port 16 to the detection unit 45.

  Then, the processing device 47 can acquire information on the weight of the ink ejected from the ejection port 16 based on the detection waveform VT output from the detection device 46, specifically, based on the maximum value VP. it can.

  In addition, information on the weight of ink ejected from the ejection port 16 can be acquired based on not only the maximum value VP but also the minimum value VU. As described above, the weight of ink ejected from the ejection port 16 (the size and volume of one ink droplet) changes according to the weight of the ink. Since the minimum value VU with respect to the reference value V0 changes according to the weight of the ink, information on the weight of the ink ejected from the ejection port 16 can be acquired based on the minimum value VU.

  In this way, the detection system 8 detects the weight of ink ejected from the ejection port 16 (size and volume of ink droplets) based on the extreme value (maximum value VP or minimal value VU) of the detection waveform VT. can do.

Here, the maximum value VP and the minimum value VU of the detection waveform VT output from the detection device 46 also depend on the driving state (including driving force, driving signal, and driving waveform) of the driving unit 24 including the piezoelectric element 25. Change. Therefore, the detection system 8 performs an operation of acquiring information related to the viscosity of the ink while the drive state of the drive unit 24 is fixed.
In other words, the detection system 8 always executes the same ejection condition when ejecting ink from the ejection port 16 when performing the operation of acquiring information about the weight of the ink.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the inkjet printer 1. The ink jet printer 1 in this embodiment includes a control device 58 that controls the operation of the entire ink jet printer 1. The control device 58 includes an input device 59 for inputting various information related to the operation of the ink jet printer 1, a storage device 60 storing various information related to the operation of the ink jet printer 1, and a measuring device 61 capable of measuring time. It is connected.
In the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the storage device 60 stores the ink capacity of the ink cartridge 48 (ink pack 50). Such an ink capacity is given from the ink cartridge 48 when the ink cartridge 48 is mounted. The storage device 60 stores the storable capacity of the waste tank 63. In addition, the ink storage capacity of the cap member 34 and the optimal ink storage amount in the cap member 34 for preventing the ejection port 16 from being dried are stored in association with the ink weight. Note that information stored in the storage device 60 in association with the ink weight is referred to as ink weight related information in the following description.

The control device 58 is connected to the recording paper transport mechanism 3, the carriage drive device 7, the maintenance device 13, the detection system 8 (the detection device 46, the processing device 47), and the like.
In the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 58 is based on the information related to the ink weight acquired by the processing device 47 of the detection system 8 and the ink weight related information stored in the storage device 60. A predetermined control value is calculated, and control based on the calculated control value is performed.
In the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 58 calculates the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 48, the ink storage amount of the waste tank 63, and the ink storage amount of the cap member 34 as predetermined control values. .

  The inkjet printer 1 also includes a drive signal generator 62 that generates a drive signal to be input to the drive unit 24 including the piezoelectric element 25. The drive signal generator 62 is connected to the control device 58.

  The drive signal generator 62 receives data indicating the amount of change in the voltage value of the ejection pulse input to the piezoelectric element 25 of the recording head 4 and a timing signal that defines the timing for changing the voltage of the ejection pulse. The drive signal generator 62 generates a drive signal including, for example, the ejection pulse DP shown in FIG. 12 based on the input data and timing signal.

  In FIG. 12, the ejection pulse DP includes a first charging element PE1 that raises the potential with a predetermined gradient from the reference potential VM to the highest potential VH, a first hold element PE2 that maintains the highest potential VH for a certain time, and a highest potential VH. Discharge element PE3 that lowers the potential from the minimum potential VL to a minimum potential VL with a predetermined gradient, a second hold element PE4 that maintains the minimum potential VL for a short time, and a second charging element PE5 that returns the potential from the minimum potential VL to the reference potential VM. Including. The drive voltage VD, which is the potential difference between the highest potential VH and the lowest potential VL, of the ejection pulse DP is set so that the amount of ink droplets ejected from the ejection port 16 matches the design value. Note that the ejection pulse DP shown in FIG. 12 is an example, and various waveforms can be used.

  When the ejection pulse DP is input to the piezoelectric element 25 from the drive signal generator 62, an ink droplet is ejected from the ejection port 16. When the first charging element PE1 is supplied, the piezoelectric element 25 contracts and the pressure chamber 31 expands. After the expansion state of the pressure chamber 31 is maintained for a short time, the discharge element PE3 is supplied and the piezoelectric element 25 is rapidly expanded. Along with this, the volume of the pressure chamber 31 contracts to a reference volume (the volume of the pressure chamber 31 when the reference potential VE is applied to the piezoelectric element 25) or less, and the meniscus exposed to the injection port 16 suddenly outwards. Pressure. As a result, a predetermined amount of ink droplets are ejected from the ejection port 16. Thereafter, the second hold element PE4 and the second charging element PE5 are sequentially supplied to the piezoelectric element 25, and the pressure chamber 31 returns to the reference volume so as to converge the meniscus vibration accompanying the ejection of the ink droplets in a short time. To do.

  Next, an example of a control value calculation method for the inkjet printer 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13 mainly focusing on the operation of the detection system 8 and the control device 58.

At a predetermined timing (for example, when the ink cartridge 48 is replaced), the control device 58 commands the start of the detection operation using the detection system 8.
And the control apparatus 58 performs the operation | movement (weight information acquisition operation | movement) which detects the information regarding the weight of an ink using the detection system 8 (step S1).
In the weight information acquisition operation, the control device 58 supplies a drive signal to the drive unit 24 using the drive signal generator 62 and ejects ink droplets from one of the plurality of ejection ports 16. Run the action. The ink droplets ejected from the ejection port 16 are supplied to the detection unit 45. As described with reference to FIG. 10 and the like, the voltage detector 54 outputs a detection waveform corresponding to the ink ejected from the ejection port 16 to the processing device 47. The processing device 47 acquires information regarding the weight of the ink based on the detected waveform.

  In the present embodiment, the reference waveform VR to be output from the detection device 46 based on the ink droplets in the initial state is stored in the storage device 60 in advance. The ink drop in the initial state is an ink drop before the weight is changed. Information regarding the reference waveform VR can be acquired in advance by experiments or simulations, for example, at the time of manufacture in the manufacturing factory of the inkjet printer 1 or the like. The reference waveform VR is stored in advance in the storage device 60 at the time of shipment from the manufacturing factory.

  The processing device 47 acquires information on the ink weight from the initial state based on the detection waveform VT output from the detection device 46 and the reference waveform VR stored in the storage device 60.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the reference waveform VR and the detection waveform VT. As described with reference to FIG. 10, the detection waveform VT has the first timing T1, the second timing T2 after the first time D1 has elapsed from the first timing T1, and the second timing T2 to the second timing T2. The voltage value about each of the 3rd timing T3 after time D2 progress is included. The voltage value is the reference value V0 from the first timing T1 to the second timing T2, the voltage value starts to change (increase) at the second timing T2, and the voltage value is the maximum value at the third timing T3. It becomes VP.

  The reference waveform VR includes a first timing T1, a fourth timing T4 after the third time D3 has elapsed from the first timing T1, and a fifth timing T5 after the fourth time D4 has elapsed from the fourth timing T4. Including the voltage value for. The voltage value is the reference value V0 from the first timing T1 to the fourth timing T4, the voltage value starts to change (increase) at the fourth timing T4, and the voltage value is the maximum value at the fifth timing T5. VPR.

  In the detection waveform VT, the first timing T1 is when a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric element 25. The second timing T2 is when the ejection of ink droplets from the ejection port 16 is started. The third timing T3 is when the ink droplet from the ejection port 16 reaches (contacts) the detection unit 45.

  In the reference waveform VR, the first timing T1 is a timing corresponding to when a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric element 25. The fourth timing T4 is a timing corresponding to when the ejection of ink droplets from the ejection port 16 is started. The fifth timing T5 is a timing corresponding to the time when the ink droplet from the ejection port 16 reaches (contacts) the detection unit 45.

  When the weight of the ink ejected from the ejection port 16 is smaller than the weight of the ink in the initial state, the maximum value VP of the detection waveform VT is smaller than the maximum value VPR of the reference waveform VR. Further, the minimum value VU of the detection waveform VT is larger than the minimum value VUR of the reference waveform VR. Therefore, the processing device 47 determines the initial state based on the difference between the maximum value VP or the minimum value VU that can be obtained from the detected waveform VT and the maximum value VPR or the minimum value VUR that can be obtained from the reference waveform VR. Information about the weight of the ink can be obtained.

  Heretofore, the operation of acquiring information related to the weight of ink ejected from a certain one of the plurality of ejection ports 16 has been described. The control device 58 also causes the other ejection ports 16 to perform an operation of ejecting ink one by one from each ejection port 16. The control device 58 uses the detection system 8 to individually perform a detection operation for each of the ejection ports 16 and perform an operation of acquiring information regarding the weight of the ink ejected from each of the ejection ports 16.

  In an ink jet printer, the weight of ink ejected by a flushing operation may be different from the weight of ink ejected by a recording operation. For this reason, in such a case, in the weight information acquisition operation, ink having the same weight as the flushing operation is ejected using the drive signal used in the flushing operation, and thus the ink ejected in the flushing operation is ejected. Information on the weight is acquired, ink having the same weight as that of the recording operation is ejected using a drive signal used in the recording operation, and information on the weight of the ink ejected in the recording operation is acquired.

Next, the control device 58 calculates a predetermined control value by using the information regarding the ink weight acquired using the detection system 8 and the ink weight related information stored in the storage device 60 (step S2). .
Specifically, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 58 uses the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 48, the ink storage amount of the waste tank 63, and the ink storage amount of the cap member 34 as predetermined control values. calculate.

When calculating the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 48, the control device 58 first calculates the ink weight from the information regarding the ink weight. Subsequently, the control device 58 acquires the ink capacity of the ink cartridge 48 from the storage device 60 as the ink weight related information. Then, the control device 58 calculates the remaining amount of ink by multiplying the ink weight by the number of times of ejection and subtracting this value from the ink capacity of the ink cartridge 48.
If the weight of the ink ejected in the flushing operation and the weight of the ink ejected in the recording operation are different, the weight of the ink ejected in each operation is multiplied by the number of ejections, and these are added up. The ink remaining amount is calculated by subtracting the calculated value from the ink capacity of the ink cartridge 48.

  When calculating the amount of ink stored in the waste tank 63, the control device 58 first calculates the ink weight from the information regarding the ink weight. Subsequently, the control device 58 calculates a value obtained by multiplying the number of times ink is ejected toward the cap member 34 by the flushing operation by the weight of the ink, and this value is directly sucked from the recording head 4 by the suction operation. The integrated value of the value added to the ink weight is calculated as the amount of ink stored in the waste tank 63.

When calculating the ink storage amount of the cap member 34, the control device 58 first calculates the ink weight from the information regarding the ink weight. Subsequently, the control device 58 calculates a value obtained by multiplying the number of times ink is ejected toward the cap member 34 by the flushing operation by the weight of the ink, and the integrated value of this value is used as the ink storage amount of the cap member 34. calculate.
The ink in the cap member 34 is reduced when the ink stored in the suction device 35 is sucked. For this reason, when the suction operation is performed, the control device 58 subtracts the sucked amount from the ink storage amount.

As described above, in the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, a predetermined control value is calculated. Then, the control device 58 performs control based on the calculated control value.
For example, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 48 becomes zero, the control device 58 outputs a signal for prompting replacement of the ink cartridge 48 and notifies the user of the replacement timing of the ink cartridge 48.
Further, when the ink storage amount of the waste tank 63 approaches the storable capacity of the waste tank 63 stored in the storage device 60 in advance, the control device 58 outputs a warning signal indicating that fact, and the waste tank 63. When the ink storage amount becomes the storage capacity of the waste tank 63, the operation of the ink jet printer 1 is stopped.
Further, when the ink storage amount of the cap member 34 is stored in the storage device 60 in advance, the control device 58 becomes the ink storage capacity of the cap member 34 stored in the storage device 60 in advance. A suction operation by the suction device 35 is performed.
Further, when the controller 58 abuts the cap member 34 against the recording head 4 to prevent the ejection port 16 from drying, the ink storage amount of the cap member 34 is less than the optimum weight stored in the storage device 60 in advance. In such a case, a flushing operation before the suspension for the purpose of storing ink in the cap member 34 is performed.

As described above, according to the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the weight of the ink ejected from the ejection port 16 is acquired. That is, in the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the weight of ink actually ejected from the ejection port 16 is acquired. Then, a predetermined control value is calculated based on the acquired information regarding the weight of the ink. That is, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, a predetermined control value is calculated based on the weight of ink actually ejected from the ejection port 16.
Therefore, according to the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, in the ink jet printer 1, it is possible to accurately measure the weight of the ink ejected from the ejection port 16 and thereby perform accurate control.

  In the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 48 that stores the ink supplied to the recording head 4 is calculated as a predetermined control value. For this reason, the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 48 can be accurately calculated. Therefore, the ink in the ink cartridge 48 can be used to the end, and wasteful ink can be prevented from being generated.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the amount of ink stored in the waste tank 63 that stores the discarded ink is calculated as a predetermined control value. For this reason, the amount of ink stored in the waste tank 63 can be accurately calculated. Therefore, the waste tank 63 can be used up to its full capacity, and it is possible to prevent the operation of the ink jet printer 1 from being stopped even though the waste tank 63 is not full.

  In addition, the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a cap member 34 that can contact the recording head 4 so as to surround the ejection port 16 and can receive ink ejected from the ejection port 16. As the control value, the amount of ink stored in the cap member 34 was calculated. For this reason, the amount of ink stored in the cap member 34 can be accurately calculated. Accordingly, the amount of ink stored in the cap member 34 can be adjusted appropriately.

  In the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the configuration for calculating the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 48, the ink storage amount of the disposal tank 63, and the ink storage amount of the cap member 34 as the predetermined control values has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all of the remaining amount or amount of ink including the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 48, the amount of ink stored in the waste tank 63, and the amount of ink stored in the cap member 34 are included. It is possible to calculate the control value.

Further, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the detection device 46 includes a detection unit 45 to which ink ejected from the ejection port 16 is supplied, and applies an electric field between the ejection surface 17 and the detection unit 45. Thus, a change in voltage value based on electrostatic induction when ink moves from the ejection port 16 to the detection unit 45 is output as a detection signal (detection waveform).
Further, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the processing device 47 acquires information on the weight of the ink based on the extreme value (maximum value or minimum value) of the voltage value of the detection signal.
By adopting these configurations, information regarding the weight of the ink ejected from the ejection port 16 can be obtained accurately.
In addition, as a detection apparatus for acquiring information regarding the weight of the ink, for example, a weighing scale that receives the ink and measures the weight of the ink can be used.

  The weight of the ink ejected from the ejection port 16 may gradually change depending on the viscosity of the ink and the ambient temperature. Therefore, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, it is preferable to calculate the control value again at a predetermined timing other than when the ink cartridge 48 is replaced. For example, more accurate control can be performed by calculating the control value again in accordance with the pre-recording flushing operation performed before the recording operation or the periodic flushing operation performed periodically.

Further, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, there are a plurality of ejection ports 16, and the control device 58 acquires information regarding the weight of the ink ejected for each ejection port 16. For this reason, the weight of the ink ejected from the recording head 4 can be obtained more accurately.
Since it takes time to obtain information on the weight of ink for all the ejection ports 16, the ejection ports 16 are grouped (for example, for each color of ink to be ejected and for each nozzle row), and ink is collected for each group. You may get the weight of.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ink jet recording apparatus is the ink jet printer 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet printer, and may be a recording apparatus such as a copying machine and a facsimile.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the fluid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) that ejects a liquid (liquid material) such as ink has been described as an example. The apparatus can be applied to a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges fluid other than ink. Fluids that can be ejected by the fluid ejecting apparatus include liquids, liquids in which particles of functional material are dispersed or dissolved, gel-like fluids, solids that can be ejected as fluids, and powders (such as toner). .

  In the above-described embodiment, as the liquid (liquid material) ejected from the fluid ejecting apparatus, not only ink but also a liquid corresponding to a specific application can be applied. By providing the fluid ejecting apparatus with an ejecting head capable of ejecting a liquid corresponding to the specific application, ejecting the liquid corresponding to the specific application from the ejecting head, and attaching the liquid to a predetermined object, A given device can be manufactured. For example, the liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) according to the present invention uses a predetermined material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display (FED). The present invention is applicable to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid (liquid material) dispersed (dissolved) in a dispersion medium (solvent).

  In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a biological organic material used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample.

  In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. Examples include a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto a substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects gel, and a powder such as toner. It may be a toner jet recording apparatus that ejects a solid. The present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid ejecting apparatuses.

1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view showing an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the recording head with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a perspective view which shows the maintenance apparatus with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is the perspective view which looked at a part of maintenance device with which the ink jet printer concerning one embodiment of the present invention is provided from the lower part. It is a figure which shows an example of the drive device with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows an example of the suction device with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection apparatus with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the principle of the detection operation | movement of the detection apparatus with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is an example of the detection waveform output from the detection apparatus with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the drive signal input into the piezoelectric element with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the detection waveform output from the detection apparatus with which the inkjet printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is equipped, and a reference | standard waveform.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer (fluid ejection device), 4 ... Recording head (ejection head), 8 ... Detection system, 13 ... Maintenance device, 14 ... Capping device, 15 ... Wiping device, 16 ... Ejection port, 17 ... Ejection surface, 25 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Piezoelectric element, 31 ... Pressure chamber, 34 ... Cap member, 35 ... Suction device, 37 ... Driving device, 45 ... Detection part, 46 ... Detection device, 47 ... Processing device, 57 ... Upper end surface, 58 ... Control 60, storage device, 61 ... measuring device, 63 ... waste tank, VP ... maximum value (extreme value), VU ... minimum value (extreme value), VT ... detection waveform (detection signal)

Claims (7)

A fluid ejection device comprising: an ejection head having an ejection port for ejecting fluid; and a control device that calculates a predetermined control value based on the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port,
A detection device that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the fluid ejected from the ejection port, and a processing device that acquires information on the weight of the fluid based on the detection signal,
The said control apparatus calculates the said predetermined control value based on the information regarding the weight of the said fluid acquired in the said processing apparatus, The fluid injection apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined control value includes a remaining amount of fluid in a fluid cartridge that stores the fluid supplied to the ejecting head.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined control value includes a storage amount of the fluid in a waste tank that stores the discarded fluid. A cap member capable of receiving the fluid ejected from the ejection port and capable of contacting the ejection head so as to surround the ejection port;
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined control value includes a storage amount of the fluid stored in the cap member.   The detection device includes a detection unit to which the fluid ejected from the ejection port is supplied, applies an electric field between the ejection surface and the detection unit, and the fluid from the ejection port to the detection unit 5. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a change in a voltage value based on electrostatic induction when the is moving is output as the detection signal. 6.   The fluid processing device according to claim 5, wherein the processing device acquires information related to a weight of the fluid based on an extreme value of the voltage value. A control value calculation method for a fluid ejection device that calculates a predetermined control value based on the weight of the fluid ejected from an ejection port formed in an ejection head,
A control value calculation method for a fluid ejecting apparatus, wherein the weight of the fluid ejected from the ejection port is acquired, and the predetermined control value is calculated based on the weight of the fluid.

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