JP2006297731A - Ink jet recording apparatus, method for preventing erroneous mounting of recording head, and control program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

In an ink jet recording apparatus, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous mounting related to an ink color when replacing a recording head that is detachably (replaceable) mounted on a recording apparatus main body with a simple and inexpensive configuration.
When a replacement of a recording head is detected (step S601), ink color information of ink filled in a plurality of nozzles of the head is read from the recording head attached to the recording apparatus main body by the replacement (S602). Whether the head is new or used is determined based on whether or not it matches the information of the clear ink without dye (S603). If the head is new, replacement is permitted. If it is a used product, it is determined whether or not the ink color information of the head matches the ink color information of the ink supplied after replacement to the head at the mounting position (S606). If they do not match, an error notification indicating that the exchange is rejected is made (S607).
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus in which a recording head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink is detachably attached to the main body of the recording apparatus, that is, replaceable, a method for preventing erroneous mounting of the recording head, and a control program therefor Is.

  With the spread of information processing equipment such as copying machines, word processors, computers, and communication equipment, digital images can be recorded by inkjet as one of the output devices for image formation (recording) of these equipment. Inkjet recording apparatuses (printers) to perform are rapidly spreading.

  In recent years, inkjet recording apparatuses have been required to improve recording speed. As one of countermeasures, a configuration in which a plurality of recording heads of each ink color such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are mounted is known in Patent Document 1 below. Many of the recording heads of such an ink jet recording apparatus are consumables and need to be replaced due to failure or life, so that they are detachably attached to the recording apparatus main body, that is, can be replaced.

  The recording head of the ink jet recording apparatus is classified into a so-called cartridge type in which the head and the ink tank are integrated, and a type in which the head and the ink tank are separated from each other.

  In the former cartridge type, since the head and the ink are exchanged together, the wrong color ink is not supplied to the head due to the user's mistake when the head is exchanged.

  On the other hand, in the latter type in which the head and the ink tank are separated, ink is supplied to the head from the ink tank through a tube or the like. When replacing the head, only the head portion is given to the user. Have a replacement. If there are a plurality of heads at this time, there is a possibility that a head filled with ink of a certain color is erroneously attached to a head holder to which a head filled with ink of a different color is to be attached. If it is installed by mistake, the ink color of the ink filled in the print head and the ink color of the ink supplied from the ink tank are different. It may have an adverse effect and the life of the head may be shortened.

  In replacement of a head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged in a plurality of nozzle rows and different color inks are supplied to each nozzle row, the ink colors according to the order in which the nozzle rows are arranged together with the ink colors themselves. If the order of arrangement does not match, the above-mentioned color mixing problem will occur.

Conventionally, in order to prevent erroneous mounting of the ink color of the recording head itself or the arrangement order thereof as described above, a mechanical erroneous mounting prevention mechanism is provided in the head holder portion of the recording apparatus main body, or the head is electrically connected. In some cases, there was a mechanism to identify incorrect attachments.
JP 2001-130033 A

  However, according to the above-described configuration for preventing erroneous mounting, there is a difference in the mechanical configuration depending on the difference in ink color (difference in color itself or difference in color arrangement order) at the time of manufacturing on the recording head side. It is necessary to provide a difference in electrical configuration according to the difference in ink color at the time of shipment. For this reason, not only the head manufacturing cost is increased, but also the user who prepares the spare head needs to prepare the heads of the respective ink colors, which is expensive.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which a recording head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink supplied from the outside of the recording head is detachably attached to the recording apparatus main body. An object of the present invention is to reliably prevent erroneous mounting relating to ink colors when replacing a recording head, without providing a difference in mechanical or electrical configuration according to the difference in ink colors.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention (Claim 1)
In an inkjet recording apparatus,
A plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink supplied from the outside of the recording head, and ink color information storage means for storing ink color information of the ink filled in the plurality of nozzles, can be attached to and detached from the recording apparatus main body A recording head to be mounted;
An exchange detection means for detecting that the recording head has been exchanged;
When replacement of the recording head is detected by the replacement detection means, the replacement of the recording head is permitted based on the ink color information stored in the ink color information storage means of the recording head that has been replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body. Exchange determining means for determining whether to do or reject;
And a notifying unit for notifying the user of rejection of replacement of the recording head when the replacement determining unit determines to reject the replacement of the recording head.

In the present invention (Claim 6),
In an inkjet device,
A recording head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink supplied from the outside of the recording head, and having unique information storage means for storing unique information of the recording head, and is detachably attached to the recording apparatus main body. A recording head,
Head usage history storage means for storing unique information of the recording head that has been mounted and used in the recording apparatus main body to date,
An exchange detection means for detecting that the recording head has been exchanged;
When the replacement detection unit detects the replacement of the recording head, the unique information that matches the unique information stored in the unique information storage unit of the recording head that is replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body is used by the head. Replacement determination means for determining whether to permit or reject the replacement of the recording head depending on whether or not it is stored in the history storage means;
And a notifying unit for notifying the user of rejection of replacement of the recording head when the replacement determining unit determines to reject the replacement of the recording head.

  Further, in the present invention (claims 10, 14, and 18), the method of preventing the erroneous mounting of the recording head of the ink jet recording apparatus and the configuration of the control program for the ink jet recording apparatus corresponding to the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention are employed. .

  According to the present invention (Claim 1), when the recording head is replaced, the recording head is replaced by the ink color information of the ink filled in each nozzle of the recording head that is replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body. If it is determined whether to accept or reject the replacement of the print head, and if it is determined to be rejected, the user is notified of the replacement of the print head, so there is a difference depending on the ink color difference in the mechanical or electrical configuration of the print head. Even if the recording head is not provided, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous mounting relating to the ink color when the recording head is replaced, and the cost of the recording head can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention (Claim 6), when the recording head is replaced, the unique information of the recording head that is replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body has been attached to the recording apparatus main body and used so far. Whether the recording head is allowed to be exchanged depending on whether or not it matches the specific information of the recording head, that is, whether or not the exchanged and installed recording head is a recording head that has been installed and used in the past. Since it is determined whether to reject, and if it is determined to be rejected, the user is notified of the print head replacement refusal. Similarly, there is no need to provide a difference corresponding to the difference in ink color in the mechanical or electrical configuration of the print head. However, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous mounting relating to the ink color when the recording head is replaced, and it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the cost of the recording head can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, an embodiment of an ink jet printer in which two recording heads are detachably (replaceable) attached to the main body of the recording apparatus and can perform color bidirectional printing will be described as an ink jet recording apparatus. The present invention can also be applied to a device in which three or more heads are mounted, or a device in which only one head is mounted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a mechanical configuration of a main part of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 11 and 12 denote recording heads, which are detachably mounted on a carriage (not shown) that is slidably attached to two guide shafts 19 via a slide bearing (not shown), that is, exchangeable. In the direction of arrows a and b in the figure along the guide shaft 19 as the carriage moves by driving a carriage motor (not shown) controlled by the control unit 17 of the printer main body, which will be described later. It is designed to move back and forth. The recording heads 11 and 12 are electrically connected to the control unit 17 through a flexible cable (not shown) and are driven under the control of the control unit 17 to eject ink from a plurality of nozzles (not shown). .

  A part of the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller 15 is exposed from an opening (not shown) formed in the platen 14 on which the recording sheet 13 as a recording material is placed, and the conveying roller 15 and the recording sheet 13 are exposed. The recording paper 13 is sandwiched by unillustrated pinch rollers that press both ends in the width direction from above, and the conveying roller 15 is rotated by the driving of the unillustrated paper feed motor controlled by the control unit 17. Is conveyed in the direction of arrow c perpendicular to the directions of arrows a and b.

  During bidirectional printing, the recording head 11 is driven as the carriage moves in the a direction (forward direction), and ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the recording paper 13 on the platen 14 to thereby generate one band. An image is recorded on the recording paper 13, and one band image is similarly recorded by driving the recording head 12 as the carriage moves in the b direction (return direction). Each time recording of one band is completed, the recording paper 13 is fed by a carry amount for one band in the c direction. By repeating this operation, images are sequentially recorded on the recording paper 13 one band at a time.

  In addition, an ejection recovery processing operation for recovering the ink ejection state from the nozzles of the recording heads 11 and 12 to a normal state at a retracted position outside the image forming area at one end of the movable range of the recording heads 11 and 12. There is provided a cleaning unit 16 including a non-illustrated wiper blade, a cap, a negative pressure generating means such as a pump for performing a wiping operation, a preliminary discharge operation, an ink suction operation, and the like.

  Reference numeral 18 denotes a plurality of ink tubes. Here, eight ink tubes are provided, one end of each of which is connected to each of the recording heads 11 and 12, and the other end is provided with four colors (not shown) (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan). , Black) ink tanks, and the inks of the four color ink tanks are independently supplied to the four nozzle rows of the recording heads 11 and 12, which will be described later.

  A control unit 17 that controls the entire printer is provided on the opposite side of the cleaning unit 16 across the platen 14. The control unit 17 includes a microcomputer (not shown) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and the CPU controls the entire printer by executing a control program stored in the ROM. For example, the control unit 17 controls the drive of a carriage motor (not shown) to control the movement of the carriage, that is, the movement of the recording heads 11 and 12, and also controls the recording heads 11 and 12 by controlling the image signal carrying the image information. Ink is ejected from the respective nozzles onto the recording paper 13 based on the image signal. Further, the drive of the paper feed motor that rotates the transport roller 15 is controlled to control the transport timing and transport amount of the recording paper 13.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink on the lower surface of the recording heads 11 and 12 in FIG. On the ink ejection surfaces of the recording heads 11 and 12, a plurality of nozzles are arranged as four nozzle rows indicated by reference numerals 20a to 20d in order from the left in the drawing. Although the nozzle rows 20a to 20d are simply shown as straight lines, it is a matter of course that a predetermined number of nozzles are actually arranged in one row at predetermined intervals. The nozzle rows 20a to 20d are along the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the arrow c direction, which is the paper feed direction of the recording paper 13 in FIG. 1, and are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction (a and b directions). Yes. In the recording head 11, the nozzle row 20a ejects yellow (Y), 20b magenta (M), 20c cyan (C), and 20d black (BK). The nozzle row 20a ejects black (BK), 20b cyan (C), 20c magenta (M), and 20d yellow (Y). In the recording heads 11 and 12, the arrangements of the ink colors in the arrangement order of the nozzle rows 20a to 20d are different, and are opposed to each other, that is, arranged in line symmetry. This is for preventing deterioration of image quality by dropping ink in the same color order on the paper surface in the forward pass and the return pass in bi-directional printing, as described in Patent Document 1.

  Here, at the time of shipment, the recording heads 11 and 12 are assumed to be filled with a liquid called clear ink obtained by removing a pigment from an ink component in an internal liquid chamber divided for each nozzle row 20a to 20d. That is, it is assumed that each nozzle row is filled with clear ink in a new (unused) state. The recording heads 11 and 12 are heads that have the same mechanical configuration and electrical configuration. Therefore, even if the currently used recording heads 11 and 12 are exchanged, they can be mounted on a head holder on a carriage (not shown). However, after the ink cartridge is once installed in the printer main body from the new state, the clear ink is discharged and the ink from the ink tanks of the respective colors is filled, the arrangement of the ink colors is different. Even if the used head is not damaged, mounting the recording head 12 at the mounting position may adversely affect the image quality due to ink color mixing in the ink flow path or shorten the life of the head. Must be avoided.

  FIG. 3 is a functional diagram for preventing erroneous mounting of the ink color of the recording head in the printer of this embodiment (incorrect ink color itself or incorrect ink color arrangement according to the arrangement order of the nozzle rows). The configuration is shown.

  The recording head 31 is the recording head 11 to 12 in FIG. Inside the recording head 31, there is provided an ink color information storage means 32 composed of, for example, an EEPROM, etc., as shown in FIG. The ink color information data of the ink filled in the first to fourth nozzle rows (nozzle rows 20a to 20d in FIG. 2) of the recording head 31 is stored in the address.

  At the time of shipment of the head, as shown in FIG. 4A, the data of the ink color information of each address from the first nozzle to the fourth nozzle is all “0” (zero), and this “0” is shown in FIG. 5, for example. The clear ink is indicated by the definition in the number-ink color correspondence table.

  FIG. 4B shows data stored in the ink color information storage means 32 in the recording head 31 once used as the recording head 11. The address of the first nozzle row (20a) is “4” indicating yellow of the ink color, the address of the second nozzle row (20b) is “3” indicating magenta, and the address of the third nozzle row (20c) is "2" indicating cyan and "1" indicating black are written at the address of the fourth nozzle row (20d). This data is written in a process at the time of head replacement described later. The storage data of the ink color information of the recording head 31 used as the recording head 12 is “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” in the order of the first to fourth nozzle arrays.

  In FIG. 3, the printer main body 33 includes an ink color information reading unit 34, an ink color information writing unit 35, a head replacement detection unit 36, a head replacement determination unit 37, an error notification unit 38, and a main body side ink color information storage. Means 39 are provided.

  As described later, the ink color information reading means 33 reads ink color information data from the ink color information storage means 32 of the recording head 31 that is replaced and mounted on the carriage of the printer body.

  As will be described later, the ink color information writing means 35 is connected to the ink color information storage means 32 when the recording head 31 that has been replaced and attached to the printer is new (unused). Data of ink color information supplied to each nozzle row is written.

  The head replacement detection means 36 detects that the recording head 31 as the recording head 11 or 12 has been replaced. Here, the mounting position of the recording head 31 as the recording head 11 on the carriage of the printer body 33 is described. (Hereinafter referred to as “mounting position A”) and two mounting positions as the recording head 12 (hereinafter referred to as “mounting position B”).

  The head replacement determination unit 37 detects the ink color information stored in the ink color information storage unit 32 of the recording head 31 that is replaced and mounted on the carriage of the printer main body 33 when the recording head replacement is detected. Based on the comparison of the ink color information stored in the ink color information storage means 39, it is determined whether the replacement (mounting) of the recording head is permitted or rejected.

  The error notification means 38 gives an error notification for notifying the user of rejection of replacement of the recording head when the head replacement determination means 37 determines that the replacement of the recording head is rejected.

  The main body side ink color information storage means 39 is a recording head that has previously described the ink color information of the first to fourth nozzle rows of the new (unused) recording head 31, that is, the data of the ink color information of the aforementioned clear ink. 31 is stored in the same format as the format of FIG. 4A in the ink color information storage means 32, and the recording is mounted at the two mounting positions A and B and the mounting positions A and B of the recording head 31, respectively. Ink color information (hereinafter referred to as ink color information of mounting positions A and B) of ink supplied to the first to fourth nozzle arrays of the head is stored in association with each other. The format of the storage data of the ink color information at the mounting positions A and B is the same format as the format of FIG. 4B described above, and the storage data of the ink color information at the mounting position A as the recording head 11 is the first. To “4”, “3”, “2”, “1” in the order of the fourth nozzle row, and the storage data of the ink color information at the mounting position B as the recording head 12 is “1”, “2”. , “3”, “4”.

  Each of the above means 34 to 38 may be provided as a dedicated electric circuit for executing the function, or the microcomputer constituting the control unit 17 in FIG. 1 of the printer executes the function of each means. You may make it correspond to each means. In the latter case, a control program for executing the functions of the respective means 34 to 38 is stored in the ROM of the microcomputer and executed by the CPU of the microcomputer. The same applies to each means 74 to 78 in FIG. The main body side ink color information storage means 39 is constituted by using a part of the ROM, for example.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process for preventing erroneous mounting of the wrong ink color when the recording head is replaced in this embodiment. This processing is performed under the control of the CPU of the microcomputer in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM of the microcomputer constituting the control unit 17 of the printer. The same applies to the processing of FIG.

  In the process of FIG. 6, first, as described above, one of the two head replacement detection means 36 provided corresponding to the recording head mounting positions A and B is replaced by, for example, a change in electrical connection. This is detected and notified to the head replacement determination means 37 (step S601). Thereby, the head replacement determination unit 37 can know which side of the mounting position A or B the recording head has been replaced.

  Next, the head replacement determination unit 37 uses the ink color information reading unit 34 to read the ink color information stored in the ink color information storage unit 32 of the recording head that has been replaced and mounted at the mounting position where replacement has been detected. (Step S602).

  Then, depending on whether or not the read ink color information matches the ink information of the clear ink filled in the new recording head stored in the main body side ink color information storage means 39, the exchanged recording head is determined. It is determined whether or not the product is new (used product) (step S603). If it is determined that the product is new, it is determined that the replacement of the recording head is permitted, and the process proceeds to step S604.

  In step S604, the ink color information of the head mounting position (A or B) stored in the main body side ink information storage unit 39 with respect to the ink color information storage unit 32 of the new recording head mounted by replacement. Is written by the ink color information writing means 35. The ink color information data written here overwrites the ink color information data of the clear ink of a new recording head written at the time of shipment.

  After step S604, the process proceeds to a post-head replacement process (step S605). Although not shown, for example, a process of supplying ink from the ink tank to the replaced head is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S603 that the head mounted by replacement is a used product, the ink color information stored in the ink color information storage unit 32 of the head mounted by replacement is stored in the main body side ink color information in step S606. Whether or not it matches the ink color information of the mounting position (A or B) of the head mounted by replacement stored in the means 39, that is, the ink color of the ink filled in each nozzle row of the mounted head And the ink color of the ink supplied to each nozzle row at the head mounting position matches, and it is determined whether or not the head is a head to be mounted at the mounting position. If they match, it is determined that head replacement is permitted and the process proceeds to post-head replacement processing (step S605). If they do not match, error notification notifying the user that head replacement has been rejected by the error notification means 38. Is performed by a display on a display (not shown) or voice of a speaker (step S607).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a new recording head is filled with clear ink so that there is no problem of ink color error at the time of replacement, and is replaced when the recording head is replaced. If it is determined that the recording head is new based on the ink color information of the ink filled in each nozzle row of the recording head stored in the recording head mounted on the printer body, and Only when it is determined that the ink color of the ink filled in each nozzle row matches the ink color of the ink supplied to each nozzle row at the head mounting position, the print head is allowed to be replaced. Otherwise, the exchange is rejected and an error notification to that effect is sent. Therefore, even when the recording head is manufactured or shipped, the recording head is mounted in the wrong mounting position with respect to the ink color even when there is no difference in the mechanical or electrical configuration of the recording head according to the difference in ink color. Can be reliably prevented. Since it is not necessary to provide a difference corresponding to a difference in ink color in the mechanical or electrical configuration of the recording head, the cost of the recording head can be reduced. In addition, since new heads prepared by the user as spare heads can be used in common regardless of the ink color or mounting position, the user does not need to arrange the spare heads by the number of types of ink colors, for example. And the cost can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that the mechanical configuration of the printer of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, and that a new recording head is similarly filled with clear ink.

  The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that not the ink color information but the specific information and use information (whether it is a new one) of the print head is read from the print head mounted when the print head is replaced. At the same time, the printer main body stores the unique information of the recording head that has been mounted on the printer body in the past and the history of information about the mounting position A or B that has been mounted and used. Based on this, it is determined whether head replacement is possible.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration for preventing erroneous mounting when the recording head is replaced in the printer of the second embodiment. The recording head 70 is provided with a head unique information storage means 71 that stores unique information of the head, and a head usage information storage means 72 that stores usage information indicating whether the recording head is new or used. These are composed of an EEPROM or the like. Here, the specific information of the recording head is information that can identify an individual head such as a serial number at the time of manufacture. Accordingly, since it is not necessary to rewrite the head unique information storage means 71, it may be constituted by a ROM. The head usage information is used to determine whether the head is new or used. For example, the head usage information may be a “used flag” using a specific bit of a specific address. Information such as the number of discharged shots may be used.

  The printer main body 73 is provided with a head specific information reading unit 74, a head usage information reading unit 75, a head replacement detection unit 76, a head replacement determination unit 77, an error notification unit 78, and a head usage history storage unit 79.

  The head unique information reading means 74 reads the unique information of the recording head 70 from the head unique information storage means 71 of the recording head 70 attached to the printer main body 73.

  The head usage information reading unit 75 reads the head usage information from the head usage information storage unit 72 of the recording head 70 attached to the printer main body 73.

  The recording head replacement detection means 76 detects that the recording head 70 as the recording head 11 or 12 has been replaced, like the means 36 of the first embodiment. Two are provided for each of the mounting positions A and B of the head.

  The head replacement determination means 77 is the head unique information and the head use information stored in the storage means 71 and 72 of the recording head 70 that is replaced and mounted on the carriage of the printer main body 73 when the recording head replacement is detected. And whether to permit or reject the replacement (mounting) of the recording head based on the unique information and mounting position information of each used recording head stored in the head usage history storage unit 79 of the printer main body 73. judge.

  Similar to the means 38 of the first embodiment, the error notification means 78 performs error notification for notifying the user of the refusal of replacement of the recording head when the head replacement determination means 77 determines that the replacement of the recording head is rejected.

  The head usage history storage means 79 is composed of an EEPROM or the like, and as shown in FIG. 8, each head of the recording heads mounted and used in the printer main body 73 in the internal head usage history storage area is used. It is assumed that a history table in which information and information on the mounting position (the mounting position A or B described above) are associated is stored.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for preventing erroneous mounting when the recording head is replaced in this embodiment. In the process of FIG. 9, first, as in the first embodiment, one of the two head replacement detection means 76 provided corresponding to the recording head mounting positions A and B indicates that the recording head has been replaced. This is detected and notified to the head replacement determination unit 77 (step S901). Thereby, the head replacement determination unit 77 can know which side of the mounting position A or B the recording head has been replaced.

  Next, the head replacement determination unit 77 reads the head usage information from the head usage information storage unit 72 of the recording head 70 that has been replaced and mounted at the mounting position A or B via the head usage information reading unit 75, and Thus, it is determined whether or not the exchanged recording head 70 is a new head (step S903). And if it is a new article, it will determine that head exchange is permitted and will perform processing of Steps S904-S907. In step S904, the head usage information is like a “used flag” and can be written at this time. The head usage information of the recording head 70 mounted by replacement using a writing means (not shown) is used. Information of “used” is written in the storage means 72. That is, the “used” information is overwritten on the previously stored “new” information.

  In step S905, the unique information of the recording head is read from the head unique information storage unit 71 of the recording head mounted by replacement via the head unique information reading unit 74.

  In step S906, the writing unit (not shown) writes the specific information of the recording head read in step S905 and the information on the mounting position where the recording head is mounted in association with the head usage history storage unit 79.

  In step S907, the process proceeds to the post-head replacement process, for example, a process of supplying ink from the ink tank of the printer main body to the recording head mounted by replacement.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S903 that the recording head replaced and mounted is a used head, the head replacement determination unit 77 reads the head specific information reading unit 74 from the head specific information storage unit 71 of the recording head. The head unique information is read via the head (step S908), and the head unique information matching this is retrieved from the head use history storage means 79 (step S909).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the matching head unique information exists in the head usage history storage unit 79 (step S910). If not, it is determined that the replacement of the head is rejected, and the head replacement is rejected via the error notification unit 78. An error notification is sent to notify the user of the fact (step S911). The meaning of this error is that the corresponding head is not new and is used by another printer instead of its own printer. Therefore, the ink color or the ink color arrangement confirmation by the ink color information as in the first embodiment is structurally used. It is not possible to change the head because it is not possible.

  On the other hand, if the head usage history storage unit 79 has head specific information that matches the specific information of the head mounted by replacement in the determination in step S910, the mounted head is a head that has been used in the past. Information on the mounting position of the head stored in association with the matching head specific information is read from the head usage history storage unit 79, and the mounting position based on the information, that is, the mounting position in the past use is the current mounting position ( It is determined whether or not it matches the mounting position mounted by replacement (step S912).

  If they match, it is determined that the head replacement is permitted, and the process proceeds to a post-head replacement process, for example, a process of supplying ink from the ink tank of the printer main body to the replaced recording head (step S913).

  If they do not match, it is determined that the head replacement is rejected, and an error notification is sent to the user via the error notification means 78 to notify the user that the head replacement has been rejected (step S911). Here, along with the rejection of the replacement, a notification that the mounting position of the replaced head is different from the past may be sent.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the recording head is replaced, the usage information and unique information of the recording head stored in the recording head that is replaced and attached to the printer body, and the printer body side When it is determined that the recording head mounted by replacement is a new one filled with clear ink, based on the stored unique information and mounting position information of the recording head that has been mounted and used so far, and has been mounted in the past. The recording head replacement is permitted only when it is determined that the past and current mounting positions coincide with each other. In other cases, the replacement is rejected, and an error notification to that effect is given. Accordingly, in the same way as in the first embodiment, when the print head is manufactured or shipped, even if there is no difference according to the difference in ink color in the mechanical or electrical configuration of the print head, the wrong mounting of the ink color when the head is replaced. It is possible to reliably prevent the recording head from being used at the position. In addition, the cost of the recording head can be reduced, and the user can reduce the spare head inventory and the cost thereof.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a mechanical configuration of a main part of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an arrangement of nozzle rows and ink colors on ink ejection surfaces of two recording heads of the printer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration for preventing an erroneous mounting of a recording head in the printer according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating storage contents of an ink color information storage unit provided in the recording head according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is a table | surface figure which shows the correspondence table of the number of the ink color information data memorize | stored in an ink color information storage means, and an ink color. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for preventing erroneous mounting when replacing a recording head in the printer according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration for preventing an erroneous mounting of a recording head in a printer according to a second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating storage contents of a head usage history storage unit provided in a printer main body according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for preventing erroneous mounting at the time of replacement of a recording head in the printer according to the second exemplary embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

11, 12, 31, 70 Recording head 13 Recording paper 14 Platen 15 Transport roller 17 Control unit 18 Ink tubes 20a to 20d Nozzle array 32 Ink color information storage means 33, 73 Printer main body 34 Ink color information reading means 35 Ink color information writing Means 36, 76 Head replacement detection means 37, 77 Head replacement determination means 38, 78 Error notification means 39 Main body side ink color information storage means 71 Head specific information storage means 72 Head usage information storage means 74 Head specific information reading means 75 Head usage Information reading means 79 Head usage history storage means

Claims (18)

A plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink supplied from the outside of the recording head, and ink color information storage means for storing ink color information of the ink filled in the plurality of nozzles, can be attached to and detached from the recording apparatus main body A recording head to be mounted;
An exchange detection means for detecting that the recording head has been exchanged;
When replacement of the recording head is detected by the replacement detection means, the replacement of the recording head is permitted based on the ink color information stored in the ink color information storage means of the recording head that has been replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body. Exchange determining means for determining whether to do or reject;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: notification means for notifying a user of rejection of replacement of a recording head when the replacement determination means determines that the replacement of the recording head is rejected.   The plurality of nozzles of the recording head are arranged in a plurality of nozzle rows, and the ink color information storage means stores the ink color information of the ink filled in each nozzle row in the order of arrangement of the nozzle rows. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. The new recording head is filled with clear ink from which the pigment is removed, and the ink color information storage means of the recording head stores the ink color information of the clear ink.
The replacement determination unit replaces the recording head with a new one when the ink color information stored in the ink color information storage unit of the recording head that has been replaced and attached to the recording apparatus body matches the ink color information of the clear ink. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the replacement of the recording head is permitted.   Ink color of ink supplied to each nozzle of the recording head after replacement when the replacement determining means determines that the recording head exchanged and mounted on the recording apparatus main body is new and permits replacement 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising writing means for writing information into the ink color information storage means of the recording head.   The replacement determination means replaces the ink color information stored in the ink color information storage means of the recording head that has been replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body and supplied to each nozzle of the recording head after the replacement. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the replacement of the recording head is permitted when it matches the color information. A recording head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink supplied from the outside of the recording head, and having unique information storage means for storing unique information of the recording head, and is detachably attached to the recording apparatus main body. A recording head,
Head usage history storage means for storing unique information of the recording head that has been mounted and used in the recording apparatus main body to date,
An exchange detection means for detecting that the recording head has been exchanged;
When the replacement detection unit detects the replacement of the recording head, the unique information that matches the unique information stored in the unique information storage unit of the recording head that is replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body is used by the head. Replacement determination means for determining whether to permit or reject the replacement of the recording head depending on whether or not it is stored in the history storage means;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: notification means for notifying a user of rejection of replacement of a recording head when the replacement determination means determines that the replacement of the recording head is rejected. The head usage history storage means includes the specific information of the recording head that has been mounted and used in the recording apparatus main body so far, and the mounting position where the recording head is mounted among the mounting positions of a plurality of recording heads in the recording apparatus main body. Is stored in association with the specific information of the recording head,
The exchange determining means detects that the unique information that matches the unique information stored in the unique information storage means of the recording head that is exchanged and attached to the recording apparatus main body when the exchange of the recording head is detected. Whether the mounting position stored in the usage history storage means and the mounting position of the recording head with respect to the recording apparatus main body matches the mounting position stored in association with the matching unique information in the head usage history storage means. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein it is determined whether to permit or reject the replacement of the recording head. The recording head has usage information storage means for storing information on whether the head is new or used,
The replacement determination means is used when the recording head replacement is detected and the recording head is new according to the information stored in the usage information storage means of the recording head that has been replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein it is determined that the replacement of the recording head is permitted.   Writing means for writing the specific information of the recording head in the head usage history storage means when the replacement determination means determines that the recording head exchanged and mounted on the recording apparatus main body is new and permits replacement of the recording head The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 8, comprising: A recording head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink supplied from the outside of the recording head and storing ink color information of the ink filled in the plurality of nozzles in a storage means is detachably attached to the recording apparatus main body. A method of preventing erroneous mounting at the time of replacement of a recording head in an inkjet recording apparatus,
A replacement detection step for detecting that the recording head has been replaced;
When the replacement of the recording head is detected in the replacement detection step, the replacement of the recording head is permitted by the ink color information stored in the storage means of the recording head that has been replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body, or An exchange determination step for determining whether to reject,
A method of preventing erroneous mounting of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: performing a notification step of notifying a user of rejection of replacement of a recording head when it is determined that the replacement of the recording head is rejected in the replacement determination step.   In the replacement determination step, the ink color information stored in the storage means of the recording head that has been replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body matches the ink color information of the clear ink from which the pigment filled in the new recording head is removed. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: determining that the recording head is new and permitting replacement of the recording head.   Ink color of ink supplied to each nozzle of the recording head after replacement when it is determined in the replacement determination step that the recording head that has been replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body is determined to be new and replacement is permitted 12. The method for preventing erroneous mounting of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a writing step of writing information to a storage means of the recording head is executed.   In the replacement determination step, the ink color information stored in the storage means of the recording head that is replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body matches the ink color information of the ink supplied to each nozzle of the recording head after replacement. 11. The method of preventing improper mounting of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein it is determined that the replacement of the recording head is permitted. An ink-jet recording head comprising a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink supplied from the outside of the recording head, the recording head storing unique information of the recording head in a storage means, and detachably attached to the recording apparatus main body A method of preventing erroneous mounting when replacing a recording head in a recording apparatus,
A head usage history storage step for sequentially storing the specific information of the recording head mounted and used in the recording apparatus main body in the storage means of the recording apparatus main body,
A replacement detection step for detecting that the recording head has been replaced;
When the replacement of the recording head is detected in the replacement detection step, the unique information that matches the unique information stored in the storage means of the recording head that is replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body is stored in the storage means of the recording apparatus main body. A replacement determination step for determining whether to permit or reject the replacement of the recording head depending on whether or not it is stored in
A method of preventing erroneous mounting of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: performing a notification step of notifying a user of rejection of replacement of a recording head when it is determined that the replacement of the recording head is rejected in the replacement determination step. In the head usage history storage step, information on the mounting position where the recording head is mounted among a plurality of mounting positions of the recording head in the recording apparatus main body, as well as the unique information of the recording head mounted and used in the recording apparatus main body. Store it in the storage means of the recording apparatus body in association with the specific information of the recording head,
In the replacement determination step, when the replacement of the recording head is detected, the unique information that matches the unique information stored in the storage means of the recording head that is replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body is stored in the recording device main body. Depending on whether the mounting position of the recording head relative to the recording apparatus main body matches the mounting position stored in association with the corresponding unique information in the storage means of the recording apparatus main body. 15. The method of preventing improper mounting of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein it is determined whether to permit or reject the replacement of the recording head. The recording head stores in the storage means usage information whether the head is new or used,
In the replacement determination step, when the replacement of the recording head is detected, the recording is performed when the recording head is new according to the usage information stored in the storage means of the recording head that is replaced and attached to the recording apparatus main body. 15. The method of preventing erroneous mounting of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein it is determined that replacement of the head is permitted.   When it is determined that the recording head exchanged in the replacement determination step and the recording head mounted on the recording apparatus main body is new and the replacement of the recording head is permitted, the head use history storage step is executed, and the unique information of the recording head is obtained. 17. The method of preventing improper mounting of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein writing is performed in a storage unit of the recording apparatus main body.   18. A control program for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a control procedure for executing the method for preventing erroneous mounting of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10.

Images