JP2019059126A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to accurately estimate the viscosity of ink in a tank in an image recording apparatus including a tank in which ink is stored and an ink injection port is formed. An image recording device includes at least one tank in which ink is stored and an injection port for injecting ink is formed, a cap that can be attached to the injection port so as to close the injection port, and a note. The control unit includes a cap detection sensor for detecting whether or not a cap is attached to the inlet, a control unit for receiving the detection signal of the cap detection sensor, and a storage unit for storing the calculation result of the control unit. Is a cap total free time measurement process that stores the total free time of the cap, which is the total opening time of the injection port from a predetermined reference time, in the storage unit based on the detection signal of the cap detection sensor, and a cap stored in the storage unit. An ink viscosity value calculation process for calculating a viscosity value indicating the viscosity of the ink in the tank based on the total free time is executed. [Selection diagram] Fig. 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus including a tank having an inlet for injecting ink.

  As an example of an image recording apparatus, one is known which ejects ink supplied from a tank storing ink from a nozzle of a head to record an image on a recording sheet. For example, an ink inlet is formed in the tank. The inlet is closed by a removably mounted cap.

  In such an image recording apparatus, when the ink in the tank is thickened, there is a possibility that the image recording on the recording sheet can not be properly performed. Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the ink in the tank is supplied and a predetermined time elapses, the image forming apparatus is controlled to prompt the user to inject the diluent into the tank, As disclosed in No. 2, a method has been proposed for controlling the image forming apparatus to perform maintenance when the difference in the electrical resistance value of the ink in the tank and in the head reaches a threshold or more.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2006-88398 JP, 2013-75482, A

  The ink is easily thickened by being exposed to the air. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus provided with the tank for storing the ink, the ink is likely to be in contact with the outside air and thickened while the inlet of the tank is vacant. Thus, the time during which the tank inlet is open has a significant effect on the viscosity of the ink in the tank. However, Patent Document 1 or 2 does not consider the relationship between the free time of the inlet of the tank and the viscosity of the ink. Therefore, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 or 2, it is difficult to accurately obtain the viscosity of the ink in the tank.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide an image recording apparatus including a tank for storing ink and having an ink inlet formed therein, wherein the viscosity of the ink in the tank is accurately determined. It is about making it possible to estimate.

  The image recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention can be attached to the inlet so as to close the inlet and at least one tank in which the ink is stored and the inlet for injecting the ink is formed. Cap, a cap detection sensor for detecting whether or not the cap is attached to the inlet, a control unit for receiving a detection signal of the cap detection sensor, and a calculation result of the control unit A storage unit, and the control unit stores, in the storage unit, a cap total free time which is a total opening time of the inlet from a predetermined reference time based on a detection signal of the cap detection sensor An ink viscosity calculating a viscosity value indicating a viscosity of ink in the tank based on a total free time measurement process and the cap total free time stored in the storage unit And the calculation process, to run.

  According to such a configuration, the control unit measures the total cap free time by the detection signal of the cap detection sensor, and calculates the viscosity value of the ink indicating the viscosity of the ink in the tank based on the total cap free time. Do. Here, the ink in the tank tends to be thickened by being in contact with air, and the ink in the tank is easily thickened as the opening time of the inlet of the tank elapses. Therefore, the viscosity of the ink can be accurately estimated by calculating the viscosity value of the ink based on the total cap open time.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately estimate the viscosity of the ink in the tank, in the image recording apparatus including the tank that stores the ink and in which the ink inlet is formed.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1; It is a figure which shows each table memorize | stored in RAM. 5 is a flowchart showing an overall operation of the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1; It is a figure which shows the input screen displayed on the display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the input screen displayed with the required injection quantity on the display part of FIG. It is a subflowchart about the cap total idle time measurement process of FIG. It is a subflowchart about the ink viscosity value calculation process of FIG. 7 is a partial flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. It is a partial flowchart which shows operation | movement of the multifunctional device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
[Appearance configuration of MFP]
FIG. 1 is an external view of the multifunction device 1 according to the first embodiment. The multifunction device 1 is an example of an image recording apparatus, and has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance with the X direction as a width direction, the Y direction as a front-back (depth) direction, and the Z direction as an up-down direction. The multifunction device 1 includes a printer unit (recording unit) 2, a scanner unit 3, an operation key 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 6 (see FIG. 2), a suction unit 18, and a waste ink receiving unit 19.

  Among them, the scanner unit 3 reads an image by an imaging element to generate image data. The generated image data is printed on a recording sheet stored in the inside of the multifunction machine 1 or supplied from the outside of the multifunction machine 1 in the printer unit 2.

  The scanner unit 3 is disposed on the printer unit 2 in an overlapping manner, and is connected to the printer unit 2 by a connecting portion 2 a provided on the rear side of the printer unit 2. Therefore, when the scanner unit 3 lifts the front part, it turns upward with respect to the printer unit 2 with the connecting portion 2a as a fulcrum, and the inside of the printer unit 2 is exposed.

  Further, the scanner unit 3 has a manuscript table 7 and a lid 8, and the lid 8 is arranged to cover the manuscript table 7. The scanner unit 3 reads an image recorded on a document sheet in a state in which the document sheet is disposed between the document table 7 and the lid 8.

  The operation key 4 and the display unit 5 are disposed in the outer portion (here, the front portion) of the multifunction machine 1. The operation key 4 receives an operation input by the user. The display unit 5 has an LCD as an example, and displays predetermined information to the user. A part of the display unit 5 also functions as an operation key at a predetermined timing. The control unit 6 controls the printer unit 2, the scanner unit 3, and the display unit 5 based on an input from the operation key 4 or an external input via a communication interface (not shown).

  The printer unit 2 is controlled by the control unit 6 and records an image on a recording sheet by the ink supplied from the tank 12. The printer unit 2 includes a rectangular parallelepiped case 10 which forms a part of the housing of the multifunction machine 1. A cover 11 is attached to the case 10 for opening and closing an opening communicating with the internal space 13 provided in the case 10.

  The cover 11 is provided on the front side portion of the case 10, and is connected to the case 10 so as to be rotatable around an axis of an imaginary axis P extending in the width direction of the multifunction machine 1 in a certain range. The cover 11 can be opened and closed in a state where the scanner unit 3 is lifted from the printer unit 2, and when it is opened, the internal space 13 is exposed. Further, a tray 14 for storing recording sheets is disposed inside the case 10, and the tray 14 can be pulled out to the front of the case 10 so that the recording sheets can be replenished.

  The internal space 13 contains a plurality of tanks 12. The tank 12 has ink stored therein. The tank 12 is formed with an inlet 12a for injecting the ink and a viscosity recovery liquid for recovering the viscosity of the ink. The plurality of tanks 12 are accommodated in the inner space 13 in a state of being aligned side by side in the width direction of the multifunction machine 1 and exposed to the outside by opening the cover 11. Each tank 12 is connected to the recording head 36 via an ink flow path so as to supply ink to the recording head 36 described later.

  In the present embodiment, the inlet 12 a of the tank 12 is provided at the top of the tank 12. Caps 15 are individually detachably attached to the respective inlets 12a so as to close the inlets 12a. When the user refills each tank 12 with ink and viscosity recovery liquid from each inlet 12a, a predetermined bottle is used. Viscosity recovery liquid is an ink as an example. The viscosity recovery liquid is not limited to ink, and may be, for example, an ink solvent such as distilled water.

  As one example, the multifunction machine 1 can perform color printing, and the plurality of tanks 12 individually store inks of a plurality of colors (here, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan). There may be at least one tank 12 provided in the multifunction machine 1.

  The suction unit 18 and the waste ink receiving unit 19 are disposed behind the internal space 13. The suction unit 18 is connected to the waste ink receiving unit 19. The suction unit 18 sucks the ink in the tank 12 to the outside of the tank 12. The suction unit 18 of the present embodiment incorporates a suction pump, for example, and suctions the ink supplied from the tank 12 to the recording head 36 and discharged from the recording head 36. The waste ink receiving unit 19 incorporates, for example, a sponge-like liquid absorbing material, receives the ink sucked by the suction unit 18 outside the tank 12, and holds the ink in the liquid absorbing material.

[Functional configuration of MFP]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction machine 1 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the configuration related to the scanner unit 3 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function device 1 is provided with various sensors, drivers and the like constituting the printer unit 2 in addition to the operation key 4, the display unit 5 and the control unit 6 described above.

  Specifically, the printer unit 2 includes a plurality of cap detection sensors 16, a plurality of temperature and humidity detection sensors 17, motor driver ICs 30 and 31, a head driver IC 32, a conveyance motor 33, a carriage motor 34, a carriage 35, a recording head 36, and suction. The driver 37 is further included.

  The cap detection sensor 16 detects whether the cap 15 is attached to the inlet 12 a of the tank 12. The temperature and humidity detection sensor 17 measures the temperature of the ink in the tank 12 and the humidity around the tank 12. As described above, the multifunction device 1 includes the measurement unit that measures at least one of the temperature of the ink in the tank 12 and the humidity around the tank 12 (here, both).

  In the present embodiment, the sensors 16 and 17 are provided individually for each tank 12. The temperature and humidity detection sensor 17 may have a temperature detection sensor and a humidity detection sensor separately.

  The control unit 6 includes a CPU 20, a storage unit (ROM 21, RAM 22 and EEPROM 23), and an ASIC 24 as an example. The CPU 20 is a control unit of the multifunction machine 1 and controls the driver ICs 30 to 32 and 37 and the display unit 5.

  In addition, the CPU 20 executes a predetermined program stored in the ROM 21 to open a cap for measuring the time from when the cap 15 is removed from the inlet 12a of each tank 12 to when the cap 15 is attached to the inlet 12a again. It also functions as a timer.

  The CPU 20 also monitors the output values (detection signals) of the sensors 16 and 17. Such CPU 20 may be implemented as one processor in the control unit 6 or may be implemented as a plurality of processors cooperating with one another.

  The ROM 21 stores a reading control program for the CPU 20 to cause the scanner unit 3 to execute the reading process of the image of the document sheet, and a printing control program for causing the CPU 20 to cause the printer unit 2 to execute the printing process. The calculation result of the CPU 20 is stored in the RAM 22. The EEPROM 23 stores various kinds of initial setting information input by the user. Motor driver ICs 30 and 31 and a head driver IC 32 are connected to the ASIC 24.

  When the CPU 20 receives a print job from the user, the CPU 20 outputs a print command to the ASIC 24 based on the print control program. The ASIC 24 drives each of the driver ICs 30 to 32 based on the print command.

  For example, the CPU 20 drives the conveyance motor 33 by the motor driver IC 30 to convey the recording sheet. The CPU 20 also drives the carriage motor 34 by the motor driver IC 31 to move the carriage 35.

  Further, the CPU 20 causes the head driver IC 32 to eject ink from the recording head 36 attached to the moving carriage 35, and prints image data on the conveyed recording sheet. Thus, the printing process is performed. Further, the CPU 20 drives the suction pump by the suction driver 37 to cause the suction unit 18 to suction the ink in the tank 12 out of the tank 12.

  The viscosity value A calculated by the CPU 20 executing the ink viscosity value calculation process S11 described later is updated and stored in the RAM 22. Further, the RAM 22 stores a plurality of tables to which the CPU 20 refers.

  The viscosity value A is a value indicating the viscosity of the ink in the tank 12. The viscosity of the ink referred to here includes not only the viscosity of the ink itself but also the viscosity increase of the ink (the increase rate of the viscosity of the ink from a predetermined time or a predetermined reference).

  FIG. 3 is a view showing each table stored in the RAM 22. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the RAM 22 stores a temperature weight table 40, a correction table 41, a cap total free time weight table 42, a remaining sheet count table 43, a required injection amount table 44, and an injection history table 45. .

  The tables 40, 42, 43 are used when the CPU 20 performs an ink viscosity value calculation process S11 described later. In the temperature weight table 40, the temperature value of the ink in the tank 12 is associated with a predetermined temperature coefficient. Since the viscosity value of the ink (hereinafter also referred to as viscosity value A) is considered to increase as the solvent evaporates more as the temperature of the ink is higher, the temperature coefficient is set larger as the temperature value of the ink is larger. There is.

  The correction table 41 is used by the CPU 20 to correct the viscosity value A in accordance with the amount of viscosity recovery fluid injected into the tank 12 when the user adds the viscosity recovery fluid to the tank 12. In the correction table 41, the injection amount of the viscosity recovery liquid into the tank 12 is associated with a predetermined correction value C. The correction value C is set larger as the injection amount of the viscosity recovery liquid into the tank 12 is larger.

  In the cap total free time weight table 42, the cap total free time which is the total opening time (total value of the cap open timer) of the inlet 12a of the tank 12 from the reference time T0 is associated with a predetermined free time coefficient . The viscosity value A is considered to increase as the cap total free time increases, so the free time coefficient is set to be larger as the cap total free time is longer.

  In the remaining number counting table 43, the remaining number counting value (the number of recording sheets printable with the remaining ink) based on the ink amount in the tank 12 is associated with a predetermined remaining number counting coefficient. The viscosity value A is considered to increase as the remaining sheet count value decreases, so the remaining sheet count coefficient is set to increase as the remaining sheet count value decreases.

  In the required injection amount table 44, the viscosity value A is associated with the required injection amount B described later. The required injection amount B increases as the viscosity value A of the ink increases, so the required injection amount B is set to a larger value as the viscosity value A of the ink increases.

  The injection history table 45 stores the injection history information indicating the injection date and time of the viscosity recovery fluid into the tank 12 in the RAM 22 when the viscosity recovery fluid is injected into the tank 12 after the notification screen display processing S15 described later. Used for The injection history table 45 stores information on the injection date and time of the viscosity recovery liquid and the injection amount of the viscosity recovery liquid. Each value of tables 40-45 shown in Drawing 3 is only an illustration, and can be changed suitably.

[Overall operation of MFP]
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1 of FIG. When the MFP 1 is in the printable state, the CPU 20 measures the cap total free time S3 and S17, the ink viscosity value calculation S11, and the determination S14 for each tank 12 every predetermined time. The notification screen display process S15 is executed. This prevents the progress of thickening of the ink in the tank 12.

  The control executed by the CPU 20 will be specifically described below. As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 20 first determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time T0 (step S1: hereinafter, this is simply referred to as S1. The other steps are the same). The reference time T0 is the first power-on immediately after shipment of the multifunction machine 1, and thereafter is the time of resetting of the cap total free time Tc in the ink viscosity value calculation process S11 described later (see S58 in FIG. 8).

  When it is determined in S1 that the fixed time has not elapsed from the reference time T0 (S1: N), the CPU 20 then determines whether the cap 15 has been removed from the inlet 12a of the tank 12 (S2) ).

  When the CPU 20 determines in S2 that the cap 15 has not been removed from the inlet 12a of the tank 12 (S2: N), the step returns to S1. When it is determined in S2 that the cap 15 has been removed from the inlet 12a of the tank 12 (S2: Y), the CPU 20 executes a cap total free time measurement process S3 described later. As a result, after the reference time T0, the opening time of the inlet 12a until the cap 15 is removed from the inlet 12a of the tank 12 and attached to the inlet 12a again is measured cumulatively. Thereafter, the CPU 20 causes the display unit 5 to display the input screen 50 (S4).

  Here, FIG. 5 is a view showing an input screen 50 displayed on the display unit 5 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, on the input screen 50, a graph 50a schematically showing the ink amount in the tank 12, an amount setting key 50b, 50c and an OK key 50d are displayed. In the graph 50a, the ink amount corresponding to the value soft-counted by the CPU 20 is displayed immediately before the CPU 20 determines that the cap 15 has been removed from the inlet 12a in S2. The user operates the amount setting keys 50 b and 50 c to input the amount of ink injected into the tank 12. The injection amount of the ink can be adjusted by the arrow line displayed superimposed on the graph 50a. The user presses the OK key 50d after completing the input.

  Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the OK key 50d is pressed (S5). When the CPU 20 determines in S5 that the OK key 50d is pressed (S5: Y), the injection history table 45 stores the ink injection date and time and the ink injection amount (S6). Thereafter, the CPU 20 updates the software count value indicating the ink remaining amount of the tank 12 to a value obtained by adding the injection amount stored in S6 (S7).

  Next, the CPU 20 reads the correction table 41 (S8), updates the viscosity value A stored at this time to a value obtained by subtracting the correction value C corresponding to the injection amount stored in S6 (S9), finish.

  By executing S1 to S9 in this manner, even if the user refills the tank 12 with ink before the predetermined time has elapsed from the reference time point T0, the ink in the tank 12 according to the ink injection amount The viscosity value A of is corrected. Therefore, the CPU 20 can appropriately grasp the viscosity of the ink in the tank 12.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 20 determines in S1 that the fixed time has elapsed from the reference time point T0 (S1: Y), it reads the viscosity value A from the RAM 22 (S10). The viscosity value A at the time of reading is 1 (A = 1) immediately after shipment of the multi-function device 1, and thereafter is a value updated by the ink viscosity value calculation processing S11 immediately before. Thereafter, the CPU 20 updates the viscosity value A by executing an ink viscosity value calculation process S11 described later.

  Next, the CPU 20 reads the required injection amount table 44 (S12), and refers to the necessary injection amount B corresponding to the viscosity value A updated in S11 in the table 44 (S13). Thus, the CPU 20 calculates necessary injection amount B to calculate the necessary injection amount B, which is the injection amount of the viscosity recovery liquid for making the viscosity value A of the ink in the tank 12 less than the threshold value A1, based on the viscosity value A. Execute (S12, S13). Here, the threshold value A1 can be set as appropriate, but can be set to, for example, the minimum value of the viscosity value of the ink that may cause a discharge failure of the recording head 36.

  Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the calculated viscosity value A of the ink is equal to or more than the threshold value A1 (S14). When the CPU 20 determines that the viscosity value A is not the threshold value A1 or more in S14 (S14: N), the step returns to S1. When the CPU 20 determines in S14 that the viscosity value A is equal to or more than the threshold A1 (S14: Y), the CPU 20 notifies the user to inject the viscosity recovery liquid into the tank 12 (S15).

  Specifically, the CPU 20 executes notification screen display processing by causing the display unit 5 to display a notification screen 52 (see FIG. 1) for notifying the user to inject the viscosity recovery liquid into the tank 12 in S15. Do. In this case, the CPU 20 causes the display unit 5 to display, as a notification screen 52, a screen including, for example, a message of "Please pour viscosity recovery liquid into the tank to prevent ink deterioration".

  The notification screen display process S15 is not essential, and the CPU 20 may notify the user to inject the viscosity recovery liquid into the tank 12 by another method such as emitting a warning sound, for example.

  Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the cap 15 has been removed from the inlet 12a of the tank 12 (S16). When it is determined in S16 that the cap 15 has been removed from the inlet 12a of the tank 12 (S16: Y), the CPU 20 executes a cap total free time measurement process similar to S3 (S17). The measured value calculated in S17 is used when performing the ink viscosity value calculation process S11 next time.

  Next, the CPU 20 displays the input screen 51 on the display unit 5 (S18). Here, FIG. 6 is a view showing the input screen 51 displayed together with the necessary injection amount B on the display unit 5 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the input screen 51 is basically the same as the input screen 50, and is a screen for the user to input the injection amount of the viscosity recovery liquid injected into the tank 12. On the input screen 51, a graph 51a schematically showing the ink amount in the tank 12, an amount setting key 51b, 51c, and an OK key 51d are displayed. Further, on the input screen 51, the ink level L corresponding to the necessary injection amount B is displayed.

  On the input screen 51 of the present embodiment, as an example, the ink level L corresponding to the necessary injection amount B is displayed in a superimposed manner on the graph 51 a by a broken line. By displaying the required injection amount B on the input screen 51, the user can easily confirm the amount of viscosity recovery liquid to be injected into the tank 12. The user operates the amount setting keys 51b and 51c to input the amount of ink injected into the tank 12, and presses the OK key 51d after the input is completed.

  As described above, when the CPU 20 determines that the viscosity value A is greater than or equal to the threshold value A1 in the determination process S14, the CPU 20 executes an input screen display process S18 for displaying the input screen 51 on the display unit 5. Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU 20 displays the necessary injection amount B on the input screen 51 in the input screen display process S18.

  Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the OK key 51d is pressed (S19). When the CPU 20 determines that the OK key 50d is pressed in S19 (S19: Y), the injection history table 45 stores the injection date and time and the injection amount (S20). Next, the CPU 20 updates the soft count value indicating the ink remaining amount of the tank 12 to a value obtained by adding the injection amount stored in S20 (S21).

  Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the injection amount stored in S20 is equal to or more than the necessary injection amount B corresponding to the viscosity value A at the present time (S22). If the CPU 20 determines in S22 that the injection amount stored in S20 is greater than or equal to the required injection amount B corresponding to the viscosity value A at the present time (S22: Y), it advances the step to S8 and S9. Thereby, when the injection amount of the viscosity recovery liquid input from the input screen 51 is equal to or more than the necessary injection amount B corresponding to the viscosity value A at this time, the CPU 20 corrects the viscosity value A to a value less than the threshold A1. The viscosity value correction process S9 is executed to store the corrected viscosity value A in the RAM 22.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 20 determines in S22 that the injection amount stored in S20 is not more than the necessary injection amount B corresponding to the viscosity value A at the present time (S22: N), the required injection amount B is stored in S20. The injection amount is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the injection amount (S23), and the user is notified that the viscosity recovery liquid is added to the tank 12 (S24), and the step is returned to S16.

  By the CPU 20 executing the above S1, S8 to S24, the viscosity recovery liquid is added to the tank 12 by the user each time a predetermined time passes from the reference time T0, and the viscosity of the ink in the tank 12 is properly managed. . Thus, the progress of thickening of the ink in the tank 12 is prevented. In the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 20 executes the above control individually for each tank 12.

[Cap total free time measurement processing]
FIG. 7 is a sub-flowchart of the cap total free time measurement process S3, S17 of FIG. In the processes S3 and S17, the CPU 20 stores the total cap open time Tc, which is the total open time of the inlet 12a of the tank 12 from the reference time T0, in the RAM 22 based on the detection signal of the cap detection sensor 16.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 20 first starts a cap open timer (S30). Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the cap 15 is attached to the inlet 12a of the tank 12 (S31).

  If the CPU 20 determines in S31 that the cap 15 is not attached to the inlet 12a of the tank 12 (S31: N), then it determines whether the timer value is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value T1 (S32) ). Here, the reference value T1 can be set as appropriate, but can be set based on, for example, the time when the ink in the tank 12 starts to thicken due to the opening of the inlet 12a.

  When the CPU 20 determines in S32 that the timer value is not the reference value T1 or more (S32: N), it returns the step to S31. If the CPU 20 determines in S32 that the timer value is equal to or greater than the reference value T1 (S32: Y), the CPU 5 notifies the user to attach the cap 15 to the inlet 12a of the tank 12 and warns the user Then, the process returns to step S31. The warning in S34 is performed by emitting a warning sound in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this, and may be performed by displaying a warning message on the display unit 5.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 20 determines in S31 that the cap 15 is attached to the inlet 12a of the tank 12 (S31: Y), the cap open timer is stopped (S35), and the warning issued in S34 is stopped. (S36). Thereafter, the CPU 20 stores, in the RAM 22, the timer value (cap free time) whose measurement has been started in S30. At this time, the CPU 20 accumulates the timer value in the total cap free time Tc and stores it in the RAM 22 (S37). Above, the CPU 20 returns the sub flow to the main flow.

  By performing such cap total free time measurement processing S3 and S17, it is prevented that the user forgets to close the cap 15 and the ink in the tank 12 is thickened, and the cap total free space based on the timer value The time Tc is accumulated, and the viscosity value A can be calculated appropriately.

[Ink viscosity value calculation processing]
FIG. 8 is a sub-flowchart of the ink viscosity value calculation process S11 of FIG. In the process S11, the CPU 20 executes an ink viscosity value calculation process for calculating the viscosity value A based on the cap total free time Tc stored in the RAM 22.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 20 first reads the total cap free time from the RAM 22 (S40). Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the reading of the cap total free time Tc is completed (S41). If the CPU 20 determines in S41 that the reading is completed (S41: Y), the CPU refers to the cap total free time weight table 42, and the free time coefficient corresponding to the cap total free time Tc whose reading is completed in S40. Is integrated to the viscosity value A (S42).

  Next, the CPU 20 reads the injection history information stored in the RAM 22 based on the injection history table 45, and determines whether or not the elapsed time from the previous addition of the viscosity recovery liquid is a predetermined reference value T2 or more (S43) ). When the CPU 20 determines in S43 that the elapsed time from the previous addition of the viscosity recovery liquid is equal to or greater than the reference value T2 (S43: Y), the viscosity value A is multiplied by a (S44), and the step is changed to S45. Advance. When the CPU 20 determines in S43 that the elapsed time from the previous addition of the viscosity recovery liquid is not the reference value T2 or more (S43: N), it advances the step to S45.

  Here, the reference value T2 can be set as appropriate, but can be set to a time when thickening of the ink in the tank 12 proceeds to a certain extent, and can be set to, for example, one year. The a value can also be set as appropriate, but can be, for example, a value larger than 1 (for example, 2).

  In addition, a table storing the elapsed time from the previous addition of the viscosity recovery solution and the a value set in association with the elapsed time is stored in the RAM 22 and the CPU 20 determines in S44 in S43. The a value corresponding to the elapsed time from the previous addition of the viscosity recovery liquid may be read from the table and integrated into the viscosity value A.

  Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the capacity of the target tank 12 is equal to or greater than the reference capacity V1 (S45). When it is determined in S45 that the capacity of the tank 12 is equal to or greater than the reference capacity V1 (S45: Y), the CPU 20 multiplies the viscosity value by b (S46), and advances the step to S47. If the CPU 20 determines in S45 that the capacity of the tank 12 is not the reference capacity V1 or more (S45: N), it advances the step to S47.

  Here, the b value can be set appropriately, but when the capacity of the tank 12 is increased, the ink is likely to touch the air in the tank 12 to be thickened, so for example, a value larger than 1 (1.5 as an example) Can be

  Next, the CPU 20 acquires temperature information from the measurement unit (the temperature and humidity detection sensor 17) (S47), and reads the temperature weight table 40 (S48). The CPU 20 determines whether the reading of the temperature weight table 40 is completed (S49). When the CPU 20 determines in S49 that the reading is completed (S49: Y), the temperature coefficient corresponding to the temperature value acquired in S47 is referenced from the temperature weighting table 40 and integrated to the viscosity value A (S50).

  Next, the CPU 20 reads the software count value indicating the ink remaining amount of the tank 12 (S51), and reads the remaining number counting table 43 (S52). The CPU 20 determines whether the reading of the remaining number counting table 43 is completed (S53). When the CPU 20 determines in S53 that the reading is completed (S53: Y), the CPU 20 refers to the remaining sheet count value corresponding to the soft count value read in S51, and determines the remaining sheet count coefficient corresponding to the remaining sheet count value. Is integrated to the viscosity value A (S54).

  Next, the CPU 20 determines whether or not there is a history of viscosity value A in the RAM 22 (S55). If the CPU 20 determines in S55 that there is a history of viscosity values A in the RAM 22 (S55: Y), the process proceeds to step S56. If the CPU 20 determines in S55 that there is no history of the viscosity value A in the RAM 22 (S55: N), the process proceeds to step S57.

  When it is determined in S55 that the history of the viscosity value A is present in the RAM 22 (S55: Y), the CPU 20 updates the viscosity value A (S56) and stores it in the RAM 22 (S57). When the CPU 20 determines in S55 that there is no history of the viscosity value A in the RAM 22 (S55: N), the viscosity value A is stored in the RAM 22 (S57). After execution of S57, the CPU 20 resets the cap total free time Tc (S58), and returns the subflow to the main flow. Here, when it is determined in S55 that there is no history of viscosity value A in the RAM 22 (S55: N), for example, the case immediately after shipping of the multifunction machine 1 or the like.

  Further, in the ink viscosity value calculation process S11, the CPU 20 acquires humidity information from the measurement unit (the temperature and humidity detection sensor 17), and integrates the humidity coefficient corresponding to the humidity value to the viscosity value A before performing S55. It is also good.

  In this case, the humidity weight table stored in advance in the RAM 22 can be referred to. The humidity value and the humidity coefficient are associated with each other in the humidity weight table. The viscosity value A of the ink is considered to increase as the solvent evaporates more as the humidity of the ink decreases, so the humidity coefficient is set larger as the humidity value of the ink decreases.

  Further, since the measuring unit only needs to measure at least one of the ink temperature in the tank 12 and the humidity around the tank 12, the CPU 20 can calculate the viscosity value of the ink based on the measurement result of the measuring unit. Just do it. That is, in the ink viscosity value calculation process S11, at least one of the temperature coefficient and the humidity coefficient can be integrated into the viscosity value A.

  By performing such ink viscosity value calculation processing S11, the cap total free time Tc, the elapsed time from the previous addition of the viscosity recovery liquid, the capacity of the tank 12, the ink temperature in the tank 12, and the remaining number count value The viscosity of the ink in the tank 12 can be appropriately reflected on the viscosity value A based on the above.

  As described above, according to the MFP 1, the CPU 20 measures the total cap free time Tc based on the detection signal of the cap detection sensor 16, and calculates the viscosity value A based on the total cap free time Tc. Here, the ink in the tank 12 tends to be thickened by being in contact with air, and the ink in the tank 12 is easily thickened as the opening time of the inlet 12 a of the tank 12 elapses. Therefore, the viscosity of the ink can be accurately estimated by calculating the viscosity value A based on the total cap free time Tc.

  In addition, by using the viscosity information of the ink acquired in this manner, the viscosity of the ink can be recovered before the thickening of the ink in the tank 12 progresses excessively. It is possible to appropriately prevent the progress of thickening of the ink stored in the

  Further, the CPU 20 executes the determination process S14 and the notification screen display process S15 to inject viscosity recovery liquid into the tank 12 through the display unit 5 when it is determined that the viscosity value A is equal to or greater than the threshold A1. Since the user is notified, it is possible to prevent the progress of the thickening of the ink stored in the tank 12 better by the processing of the user while reducing the amount of discarded ink.

  Further, since the CPU 20 executes the input screen display process S18 and the viscosity value correction process S9, the inside of the tank 12 after the viscosity recovery liquid is added by the user based on the input information input from the input screen 51 by the user The viscosity of the ink in the tank 12 can be recovered by appropriately correcting the viscosity value A.

  Further, since the CPU 20 displays the necessary injection amount B on the input screen 51 in the input screen display process S18, the user can easily confirm visually the amount of viscosity recovery liquid to be injected into the tank 12.

  Further, when the viscosity recovery liquid is injected into the tank 12 after the notification screen display processing S15, the CPU 20 stores injection history information indicating the injection date and time of the viscosity recovery liquid into the tank 12 in the RAM 22, and the ink viscosity value calculation processing S11. Since the viscosity value A is calculated also based on the injection history information stored in the RAM 22, the viscosity value A can be calculated more appropriately in consideration of the elapsed time after the ink is injected into the tank 12.

  Further, since the CPU 20 calculates the viscosity value A based on the measurement result of the measurement unit in the ink viscosity value calculation process S11, the viscosity is determined in consideration of at least one of the ink temperature in the tank 12 or the humidity around the tank 12 The value A can be calculated more appropriately.

  Further, since the multi-function device 1 is provided with the plurality of tanks 12 for storing the ink of a plurality of colors individually, it is possible to manage the viscosity of the ink in each tank 12 individually.

  Further, since the CPU 20 executes the ink viscosity value calculation processing S11 every predetermined time, the viscosity can be periodically checked before the thickening of the ink in the tank 12 progresses, and the viscosity of the ink in the tank 12 can be made favorable. It can hold.

  Further, since the viscosity recovery liquid is an ink, the ink used as the viscosity recovery liquid can also be used as a replenishment ink, and convenience can be enhanced as compared with the case of using a dilution liquid of the ink or the like. Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a partial flowchart showing the operation of the MFP according to the second embodiment. S60 shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to S1 in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, when it is determined that the inlet 12a of the tank 12 is opened based on the detection signal of the cap detection sensor 16 (S60: Y), the viscosity value A is read from the RAM 22 (S10) The ink viscosity value calculation process S11 is executed.

  Also in the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, immediately after removing the cap 15 from the inlet 12a, since the user is likely to be in the vicinity of the multifunction machine 1, the user is effectively urged to inject the viscosity recovery liquid into the tank 12 it can.

  As described above, the trigger for the CPU 20 to execute the ink viscosity value calculation process S11 is not limited to the fact that a certain time has elapsed from the reference time point T0 as in S1 of the first embodiment. If the CPU 20 determines that some job (such as print processing) has ended instead of S60, or if it determines that the sleep state of the multifunction device 1 has been canceled, it reads the viscosity value A from the RAM 22 (S10) The ink viscosity value calculation process S11 may be executed.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 10 is a partial flow chart showing the operation of the MFP according to the third embodiment. S25 to S29 shown in FIG. 10 are steps added between S14 and S15 of FIG.

  When the CPU 20 determines that the viscosity value A is equal to or more than the threshold value A1 in S14 (S14: Y), next, reads the soft count value indicating the ink remaining amount in the tank 12, and the viscosity which can be injected into the tank 12 The tank free capacity, which is the amount of recovery liquid, is calculated (S25). As a result, a vacant capacity calculation process S25 is performed to calculate the vacant capacity of the tank, which is the amount of viscosity recovery liquid that can be injected into the tank 12.

  Next, the CPU 20 determines whether the tank free capacity is larger than the required injection amount B referred to in S13 (S26). When the CPU 20 determines that the free capacity of the tank is larger than the necessary injection amount B in S26 (S26: Y), it advances the step to S15.

  That is, in the third embodiment, the CPU 20 executes the free capacity calculation process S25, and executes the notification screen display process S15 when the required injection amount B is equal to or less than the tank free capacity.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 20 determines that the free capacity of the tank is not larger than the required injection amount B in S26 (S26: N), next, whether the viscosity value A can suction ink by the suction unit 18 or not It is determined whether it is more than predetermined suction threshold A2 used as the reference of (S27). Thus, suction determination processing S27 is performed to determine whether the viscosity value A is equal to or greater than the suction threshold A2 before the notification screen display processing S15.

  When it is determined that the viscosity value A is not the suction threshold value A2 or more (S27: N) in the suction determination process (S27), the CPU 20 increases the tank free capacity (S28). Specifically, in S28, the CPU 20 suctions the ink by an amount obtained by subtracting the free space of the tank from at least the required injection amount B in the tank 12 by the suction unit 18 and discharging the ink to the waste ink receiving unit 19 The driver 37 is controlled.

  As a result, a free space increase process (as an example, a purge process) S28 is performed to increase the free capacity of the tank more than the required injection amount B. The CPU 20 determines the amount of ink to be sucked by the suction unit 18 from the inside of the tank 12 according to the free space in the free space increase processing S28.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 20 determines in S27 that the viscosity value A is equal to or higher than the suction threshold A2 (S27: Y), the CPU 20 notifies the user through the display unit 5 to prompt a repair request (S29). The notification method at this time may be, for example, a method of displaying a message such as “Please request repair from the service center” on the display unit 5. The CPU 20 ends the flow after executing S29.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the CPU 20 executes the free space calculation process S25 and executes the notification screen display process S15 when the required injection amount B is equal to or less than the tank free space. It is possible to prevent in advance that the ink of the required injection amount B can not be replenished to the tank 12 when the injection amount B is equal to or more than the free space of the tank.

  Further, since the CPU 20 executes the free space calculation process S25 and the free space increase process S28, the ink of the required injection amount B can be replenished to the tank 12 even when the required injection amount B is larger than the tank free space. Can.

  Further, the CPU 20 executes suction determination processing S27 before the notification screen display processing S15, and when it is determined in the suction determination processing S27 that the viscosity value A is not equal to or greater than the suction threshold A2, the inside of the tank 12 in the free capacity increase processing S28. The suction unit 18 sucks ink and discharges it to the waste ink receiving unit 19 so that the empty capacity of the tank 12 can be secured without bothering the user. .

  In addition, by performing the suction determination process S27, when the purge process is performed in the free space increase process S28, the occurrence of the ink clogging in the ink flow path in the multifunction device 1 and the recording head 36 can be prevented in advance.

  Further, when the CPU 20 determines in the suction determination process S27 that the viscosity value A is equal to or higher than the suction threshold A2, the user is notified through the display unit 5 to prompt a repair request (S29). The occurrence of defects in the multifunction machine 1 can be well prevented by the increase in viscosity.

  Further, the CPU 20 determines the amount of ink to be sucked by the suction unit 18 from the inside of the tank 12 according to the free space of the tank 12 in the free space increasing process S28.

  The present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and the configuration and method of the present invention can be modified, added or deleted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Although the soft count value of the ink amount is used to calculate the ink remaining amount in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dot count value of the ink amount may be used.

  Further, although the multifunction device 1 is configured to include the plurality of tanks 12 that store inks of different colors, when the multifunction device 1 includes the plurality of tanks 12, the configuration is not limited thereto. That is, the ink stored in each of the plurality of tanks 12 may be different in any kind.

  Further, in the above embodiments, the user is made to input the ink injection amount using the input screens 50 and 51 (S4, S5, S18, S19), but the ink amount in the tank 12 can be separately measured. Such processing can be omitted when the multifunction device 1 includes the measurement unit (for example, an ink remaining amount detection sensor such as an optical sensor). In this case, the CPU 20 may display on the display unit 5 a notification screen indicating the remaining amount of ink in the tank 12 after the user has replenished the ink, for example.

  In addition, when the temperature is included in the measurement result of the measurement unit used by the CPU 20 in the ink viscosity value calculation process S11, the temperature is not limited to the temperature of the ink in the tank 12, and may be the temperature around the tank 12. The temperature is not limited to the measured value when the CPU 20 executes S47. For example, the CPU 20 executes S47 from a predetermined time (for example, when the CPU 20 executes the most recent process of S5 or S19). It may be the average temperature or the maximum temperature between immediately before.

  The image recording apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, and can be applied to various apparatuses having a structure for recording an image using ink stored in a tank.

A Viscosity value A1 Threshold value A2 Suction threshold value B Required injection amount Tc Cap Total free time 1 MFP (image recording device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Display part 12 Tank 12a Inlet 15 Cap 16 Cap detection sensor 17 Temperature / humidity detection sensor (measurement part)
18 Suction unit 19 Waste ink receiving unit 20 CPU (control unit)
22 RAM (storage unit)
50, 51 Input screen 52 Notification screen

Claims (15)

At least one tank in which the ink is stored and an inlet is formed for injecting the ink;
A cap attachable to the inlet so as to close the inlet;
A cap detection sensor for detecting whether the cap is attached to the inlet;
A control unit that receives a detection signal of the cap detection sensor;
A storage unit that stores the calculation result of the control unit;
The control unit
A cap total free time measuring process of storing in the storage unit a cap total free time which is a total open time of the inlet from a predetermined reference time based on a detection signal of the cap detection sensor;
And an ink viscosity value calculation process of calculating a viscosity value indicating the viscosity of the ink in the tank based on the total cap free time stored in the storage unit. It further comprises a display unit for displaying predetermined information to the user,
The control unit
A determination process of determining whether the calculated viscosity value of the ink is equal to or greater than a threshold;
Notification screen display processing for causing the display unit to display a notification screen for notifying the user that the viscosity recovery liquid should be injected into the tank when it is determined in the determination processing that the viscosity value of ink is equal to or greater than the threshold The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further performing and. The control unit
When it is determined in the determination process that the viscosity value of the ink is equal to or more than the threshold value, an input screen for causing the display unit to display an input screen for the user to input the injection amount of the viscosity recovery liquid injected into the tank Display processing,
Necessary injection amount calculation processing for calculating a required injection amount, which is an injection amount of viscosity recovery liquid, for making the viscosity value of the ink in the tank less than the threshold value, based on the viscosity value of the ink;
When the injection amount of the viscosity recovery liquid input from the input screen is equal to or more than the necessary injection amount, the viscosity value of the ink is corrected to a value less than the threshold value, and the viscosity value of the corrected ink is stored The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, further performing a viscosity value correction process stored in the unit.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit displays the necessary injection amount on the input screen in the input screen display process.   The control unit further executes a vacant capacity calculation process for calculating a vacant capacity of the tank, which is an amount of viscosity recovery liquid that can be injected into the tank, and the required injection amount is equal to or less than the vacant capacity of the tank. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the notification screen display process is performed. After the determination processing, the control unit
A free capacity calculation process for calculating a free capacity of a tank, which is an amount of viscosity recovery liquid that can be injected into the tank;
4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when the required injection amount is larger than the tank empty capacity, an empty capacity increasing process of increasing the tank empty capacity more than the required injection quantity. A suction unit for suctioning ink in the tank to the outside of the tank;
A waste ink receiving unit for receiving the ink sucked by the suction unit outside the tank;
The control unit performs suction determination processing to determine whether or not the viscosity value of the ink is equal to or more than a predetermined suction threshold which is a reference of whether the suction unit can suction ink before the notification screen display processing. Do more
In the suction determination process, when it is determined that the viscosity value of the ink is not equal to or more than the suction threshold value, the ink having an amount obtained by subtracting the tank free capacity from at least the necessary injection amount in the tank in the free capacity increase process. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image is suctioned by the suction unit and discharged to the waste ink receiving unit.   The control unit is configured to notify the user through the display unit to prompt a repair request when it is determined in the suction determination process that the viscosity value of the ink is equal to or higher than the suction threshold value. Image recording device.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit determines the amount of ink to be sucked by the suction unit from the tank in the free space increase processing according to the free space of the tank.   When the viscosity recovery liquid is injected into the tank after the notification screen display process, the control section stores, in the storage section, injection history information indicating the injection date and time of the viscosity recovery liquid into the tank, and the ink viscosity The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in the value calculation process, the viscosity value of the ink is calculated based also on the injection history information stored in the storage unit. The apparatus further comprises a measurement unit that measures at least one of the ink temperature in the tank and the humidity around the tank.
The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit calculates the viscosity value of the ink based on the measurement result of the measurement unit in the ink viscosity value calculation process.   The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a plurality of the tanks for separately storing a plurality of colors of ink.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the ink viscosity value calculation process every predetermined time.   The said control part performs the said ink viscosity value calculation process, when it determines with the said inlet being open | released based on the detection signal of the said cap detection sensor. Image recording device.   The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the viscosity recovery liquid is an ink.

Images