JP2006001100A - Ink jet recorder and ink supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink supply system in which ink can be supplied stably even when ink consumption increases quickly, and the shape of an ink tank is not limited. <P>SOLUTION: An ink tank 103 is provided with two kinds of liquid level sensors for high level and standard level wherein the high liquid level sensor 105 is used for recording such a data as ink consumption per unit time is high, and the low liquid level sensor 106 is used for recording data of standard ink consumption. When the ink liquid level lowers below the sensor during recording operation, an ink supply valve 104 is opened and ink is supplied until the ink liquid level reaches the sensor position. Alternatively, the liquid level sensor is not used but the ink tank may be moved vertically up and down such that the head difference of the ink tank and the recording head becomes higher than a standard level at the time of recording the data of high ink consumption. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by applying ink to a recording medium, and an ink supply system that supplies ink to the ink jet recording apparatus.

  In recent years, the number of image forming apparatuses that form an image by applying ink to a recording medium has increased with the spread of personal computers and the like. In particular, an inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged to the recording medium is relatively easy to downsize, and color recording is possible. It is rapidly spreading because it can be realized at low cost.

  An image forming apparatus using such an ink needs an ink supply system that stably supplies ink to a recording element such as a recording head. In particular, when a large-capacity ink tank is provided in order to reduce the number of ink exchanges, it is often difficult to integrate the recording element and the ink tank, and the distance between the recording element and the ink tank tends to increase. is there. Various proposals have heretofore been made in order to always stably supply ink from the ink tank to the recording element side when the recording element and the ink tank are separated as described above.

  For example, by providing an air inflow adjustment section in the ink tank and restricting the inflow of air into the ink tank to always maintain the negative pressure in the ink tank, the ink can be stably supplied to the recording element side. There is a thing (refer patent document 1). Specifically, the inside of the ink tank is always maintained at a negative pressure by limiting the air inflow speed to be equal to or lower than the ink consumption speed.

JP 2002-321390 A

  However, since the conventional ink supply system is established on the assumption that the ink consumption rate is substantially constant, there is a problem that the response to a sudden change in the ink consumption rate is insufficient. . In other words, the conventional ink supply system does not have the concept that the ink consumption speed within a unit time is constant, that is, the recording speed changes, so if the ink consumption is rapidly increased within the unit time, the air consumption Adjustment of the inflow amount is not in time for the ink consumption speed, and it becomes difficult to maintain the negative pressure in the ink tank. As a result, there is a possibility that the ink necessary for recording is not sufficiently supplied to the recording element side.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ink supply system that can stably supply ink even when the amount of ink consumption increases rapidly.

  In forming such an ink supply system, a second object is to provide an ink tank that does not limit the shape of the ink tank.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head that ejects ink and an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording head. Ink consumption per unit time according to recording data to be recorded An ink consumption amount calculating means for calculating a water head difference determining means for determining a water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head according to a value calculated by the ink consumption amount calculating means, and the water head difference determining means. An ink tank adjusting means for adjusting a relative position between the liquid level in the ink tank and the recording head so as to satisfy the determined water head difference, and the water head difference determining means includes the ink per unit time. It is characterized in that it is determined so that the water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head increases as the consumption amount increases.

  Further, in an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a recording head for ejecting ink and an ink tank for supplying ink to the recording head, the first liquid level of the ink tank and the second liquid higher than the first liquid level A sensor for detecting the position, a sub ink tank for supplying ink to the ink tank, an ink supply valve for blocking the flow of ink from the sub ink tank to the ink tank, and a unit corresponding to the recording data to be recorded Ink consumption calculation means for calculating the ink consumption per time, and ink supply for opening the ink supply valve until the liquid level in the ink tank reaches a predetermined value according to the value calculated by the ink consumption calculation means The ink supply valve opening / closing means includes a valve opening / closing means, and the ink supply valve opening / closing means sets the ink to the second liquid level when the ink consumption per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount To reach, it may be characterized in that opening the ink supply valve.

  The ink supply system of the present invention is an ink supply system that supplies ink to the ink tank to an ink jet recording apparatus that includes a recording head that ejects ink and an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording head. An ink consumption calculating unit that calculates an ink consumption per unit time according to recording data to be recorded; and a head of the ink tank and the recording head according to a value calculated by the ink consumption calculating unit. A water head difference determining means for determining a difference; and an ink supply means for supplying ink to the ink tank so as to satisfy the water head difference determined by the water head difference determining means. As the amount of ink consumed per unit increases, the water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head increases. The features.

  Furthermore, in an ink supply system that supplies ink to an ink jet recording apparatus that includes a recording head that discharges ink and an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording head, the first liquid level of the ink tank and the ink tank A sensor for detecting a second liquid level higher than the first liquid level, an ink consumption calculating means for calculating an ink consumption per unit time according to recording data to be recorded, and the ink consumption calculating means. Ink supply means for supplying ink until the ink liquid level in the ink tank reaches the sensor liquid level corresponding to the calculated value, wherein the ink supply means has a predetermined amount of ink consumption per unit time. In the above case, the ink may be supplied until the ink reaches the second liquid level.

  According to the present invention, ink can be appropriately supplied from an ink tank according to various recording data having different ink consumption per unit time, and ink can be supplied to the ink tank. Supply can be realized. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ink shortage due to a rapid increase in ink consumption.

  In addition, the above-described stable ink supply can be realized with a simple configuration in which a sensor for detecting a two-stage water level is provided in the ink tank.

  In addition, by providing a movable wall in one piece of the ink tank, it is possible to easily change the water head difference between the ink tank and the print head, and by changing the water head difference according to the amount of print data, Ink supply can be realized.

  In addition, by allowing the ink tank to move up and down in the vertical direction, it is possible to easily change the water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head, and by changing the water head difference according to the amount of recording data, The stable ink supply can be realized.

  Also, ink can be stably supplied with a relatively simple configuration such as adjusting the water head difference of these ink tanks or detecting the ink level in the ink tank with a sensor, and the shape of the ink tank Without limitation, the present invention can be applied to various shapes of ink tanks.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an ink supply system in the present embodiment.

  A controller 101 controls each part of the system. Reference numeral 102 denotes a recording head, in which a plurality of nozzles which are recording elements are arranged so as to face the recording medium. The recording head 102 performs recording by discharging ink from each nozzle under the control of the controller 101. Reference numeral 103 denotes an ink tank (hereinafter also referred to as “main tank”), which stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 102. An ink supply valve 104 is opened and closed in order to supply ink from a further ink tank (hereinafter also referred to as “sub tank”) to the main tank 103 under the control of the controller. Reference numerals 105 and 106 denote sensors for detecting the water level in the ink tank, 105 detects a high water level, and 106 detects a water level at the standard time.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the controller of the ink supply system.
Reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU, which executes a control program to be described later and controls each unit in the controller in an integrated manner. Reference numerals 202 and 203 denote water level sensors, which output an off signal when detecting that the water level has reached the sensors 105 and 106 provided in the ink tank, and output an on signal if the water level has not reached. A high water level sensor 202 corresponds to the sensor 105. A standard water level sensor 203 corresponds to the sensor 106. An ink supply valve control unit 204 controls the opening and closing of the ink supply valve 104 based on a command from the CPU 201. Reference numeral 205 denotes a recording head control unit which controls driving of the recording head 102 based on a command from the CPU 201. Reference numeral 206 denotes a host device, which converts the recording data and recording mode transmitted from the host computer and sends them to the CPU 201. A ROM 207 stores various control programs corresponding to the flows shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. The programs are read and executed by the CPU 201. Reference numeral 208 denotes a RAM which stores information transmitted from the host computer such as the recording mode 221.

Next, a process for supplying ink from the main tank side to the sub tank side will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during recording.

  First, when the CPU receives a recording start command, the recording mode 221 is stored in the RAM memory (step 301). The recording mode is provided with a standard mode when the ink consumption per unit time is normal and a high-order mode when the ink consumption per unit time is larger than normal. Therefore, when one of these recording modes is transmitted, this recording mode is stored, and processing suitable for this recording mode is performed.

  The CPU sends a supply start signal to the ink supply valve control unit to start the ink supply process (step 302). Details of the ink supply process will be described later.

  Then, almost simultaneously with the transmission of the ink supply start signal, the CPU sends recording data to the recording head controller and starts the recording operation (step 303). Specifically, the recording head control unit determines the driving of each nozzle based on the recording data, sends the signal to the recording head 102, the recording head starts to drive, and recording is performed.

  When the recording operation is completed, the CPU sends a supply end signal to the ink supply valve control unit (step 304), and the ink supply valve control unit that has received the signal ends the ink supply process. When these series of operations are finished, the recording operation is finished.

Next, the processing flow of the ink supply process will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the ink supply process.

  When the supply start signal is received from the CPU, the ink supply valve control unit confirms the recording mode stored in the RAM (step 401). If the recording mode is the standard mode, the standard water level sensor is turned on / off. Confirm (step 402). When the liquid level in the ink tank exceeds the standard sensor position and the signal is OFF, it is not necessary to supply further ink from the sub tank side, so the ink supply valve is closed (step 403). On the other hand, if the liquid level in the ink tank has not reached the standard sensor position and the signal is on, it is necessary to supply ink from the sub tank side, so the ink supply valve is opened (step 404). . When a supply end signal is received from the CPU (step 405), the ink supply valve is closed and the ink supply process is ended. On the other hand, while the supply end signal is not sent, the ink supply valve is closed when the sensor signal is turned off.

  On the other hand, if the recording mode is the high level mode, it is confirmed whether the high water level sensor is on or off (step 406). When the liquid level in the ink tank exceeds the high sensor position and the signal is OFF, it is not necessary to supply further ink from the sub tank side, so the ink supply valve is closed (step 407). On the other hand, if the liquid level in the ink tank has not reached the high sensor position and the signal is on, it is necessary to supply ink from the sub tank side, so the ink supply valve is opened (step 408). When the supply end signal is received from the CPU (step 409), the ink supply valve is closed and the ink supply process is ended. On the other hand, while the supply end signal is not sent, the ink supply valve is kept open until the high level sensor signal is turned off.

  In this way, in the high mode, which has a higher printing amount than normal, there is a high possibility that ink will be consumed rapidly.Therefore, a liquid level detection sensor is provided at a position higher than the standard mode, which is higher than in the standard mode. By opening the ink supply valve early and replenishing ink from the sub-tank side, the ink can be stably supplied even when the ink consumption increases rapidly.

  The recording mode can be confirmed not only by confirming information recorded in the RAM but also from the host device as necessary.

  In the present embodiment, two types of recording modes, the high-level mode and the standard mode, are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more types may be provided. In addition, although two water level sensors are installed in accordance with these recording modes, the present invention is not limited to this, and one sensor that can detect a plurality of water levels may be installed.

  Further, the ink supply valve control unit may not only control the opening / closing of the ink supply valve, but may also control the drive of the supply pump that is driven when the valve is opened / closed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the ink supply process is activated from the recording start process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink supply process is activated from the ink supply process. Also good.

  The storage medium of the reference data is not limited to the RAM, but, for example, a magnetic storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk such as MO and PD, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, It may be an optical disk such as CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, semiconductor storage, paper tape, ROM element, or the like.

  Furthermore, although the ink supply system having the above configuration has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and an ink jet recording apparatus having the above configuration may be used. This is not limited to the present embodiment, and can be applied to the following embodiments.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the ink tank sensor can detect two liquid levels for the standard mode and the high mode, so that the ink consumption is likely to increase more rapidly than usual. Ink can be replenished early and ink can be supplied stably even if the ink consumption increases. However, this control is based on the premise that a recording mode is sent from the host device, and transmission information from the host device requires not only recording data but also mode data.

  In this embodiment, when recording is started, the ink consumption per unit time is calculated based on the recording data sent from the host device, and the recording mode is determined from the calculation result. .

The system configuration and the controller configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the recording operation.

  The CPU calculates the ink consumption per unit time based on the recording data sent from the host device (step 501). Then, a recording mode corresponding to the calculated ink consumption is selected, and the recording mode is stored in the RAM (step 502). Then, an ink supply start signal is sent to the ink supply valve control unit (step 503). The ink supply valve control unit that has received the ink supply start signal executes an ink supply process. This will be described later. Further, the CPU sends a recording command to the recording head controller based on the recording data, and starts a recording operation (step 504). The recording head control unit drives each nozzle based on the recording data to perform recording on the recording medium. When the recording of all the recording data is completed, the CPU transmits a supply end signal to the ink supply valve control unit (step 505), and the series of recording operations ends.

  The ink supply valve control unit that has received the ink supply start signal performs the ink supply process based on the recording mode determined in step 501. The flow of this process is the same as in the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, a movable wall is provided in the ink tank, and in the case of recording data that seems to consume a large amount of ink, by moving this wall, the water head difference becomes larger than the standard time, and the ink is drastically changed. Even when consumed, ink supply can be stably performed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the ink supply system of this embodiment.
Reference numeral 601 denotes a controller that controls each part of the system. Reference numeral 602 denotes a recording head, in which a plurality of nozzles that are recording elements are arranged so as to face the recording medium. The recording head 602 performs recording by discharging ink from each nozzle under the control of the controller 601. Reference numeral 603 denotes an ink tank (hereinafter also referred to as “main tank”), which stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 602. An ink supply valve 604 is opened and closed in order to supply ink from another ink tank (hereinafter also referred to as “sub tank”) to the main tank 603 under the control of the controller. Reference numeral 605 denotes a movable wall of the ink tank 603, which receives a control command from the controller 601, moves the wall position in the horizontal direction, and changes the shape of the ink tank 603, thereby changing the liquid level of the stored ink. Change to any head difference.

  The ink tank 603 has a movable wall 605 which is one of the vertical walls among the plurality of walls constituting the ink tank 603. And the inside has a double structure of a casing constituted by these walls and an ink bag provided inside thereof. Therefore, when the movable wall 605 is moved inward, the ink bag is pressed and deformed into a shape along the casing. Along with this, the ink level increases. The two wall surfaces joined to the movable wall 605 are movable along the rail like a sliding door. In this embodiment, an ink tank having a double structure of an ink bag and a casing is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the two wall surfaces joined to the movable wall 605 have a bellows shape, and the inside of the ink tank The volume may be changed while the shield is held.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the controller.
A CPU 701 executes a program stored in the ROM 706 to control each unit of the controller. A movable wall control unit 702 moves the movable wall according to a command from the CPU 701 so as to change the wall position of the movable wall. Reference numeral 703 denotes an ink supply valve control unit that controls opening and closing of the ink supply valve in accordance with a command from the CPU 701. Reference numeral 704 denotes a recording head control unit that sends a drive signal to the recording head based on a command from the CPU 701. Reference numeral 705 denotes a host device that sends recording data and a necessary water head difference to the CPU 701. Reference numeral 706 denotes a ROM which stores, for example, various control programs corresponding to the flow shown in FIG. Reference numeral 707 denotes a RAM which stores necessary water head difference (water head difference value) 721 and the like sent from the host device as needed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the recording operation.
First, when a recording start command is received, the CPU stores the necessary water head difference received from the host device in the RAM (step 801). Then, the position of the movable wall of the current ink tank is detected, and if the position is not a position corresponding to the necessary water head difference, the movable wall is moved to a predetermined position where the water head difference of the ink tank becomes the necessary water head difference (step 802). ). In addition, a water level sensor is provided in the ink tank, and by detecting the current ink liquid level, the water head difference between the current ink tank and the recording head is estimated. It is also possible to compare the difference, calculate the position of the movable wall from the difference, and move the movable wall according to the calculated value.

  Next, when performing a recording operation (step 803), the CPU sends a recording start command to the recording head control unit, the recording head control unit drives the recording head (step 804), and the CPU proceeds to the ink supply valve control unit. Sends an ink supply valve open command. Receiving this command, the ink supply valve control unit opens the ink supply valve (step 806). Then, ink is supplied to the ink tank side as needed. When all the recording data is recorded and the recording operation is finished (step 804), the ink supply valve is closed (step 805). Then, this ink supply process is terminated. Alternatively, the ink supply valve may be closed when it is detected by the water level sensor of the ink tank that the ink in the ink tank has reached a predetermined amount.

  As described above, for print data that is expected to consume a large amount of ink, the host device requests in advance a higher value than the normal value as the required head difference, and the movable wall of the ink tank is determined according to the required head difference. By moving the, the water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head is changed, so that ink can be stably supplied to the recording head side even if abrupt ink consumption occurs.

  In this embodiment, the position of the movable wall is calculated by the controller. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the controller sends the current water head difference to the host device. May be calculated.

(Embodiment 4)
In Embodiment 3, the required water head difference is obtained by operating the wall surface of the ink tank to change the volume in the ink tank. In this embodiment, the required water head difference is realized by moving the ink tank main body up and down in the vertical direction instead of changing the volume in the ink tank.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the ink supply system of the present embodiment.
The structures of the controller 901, the recording head 902, and the ink supply valve 904 are the same as those in the first embodiment, but the ink tank 903 has a configuration in which the ink tank main body can be moved vertically up and down. Specifically, a rail is provided in the vertical direction along the ink tank, and moves a predetermined amount along the rail. The moving method is not limited to the rail, and any method may be used as long as it can move in the vertical direction, such as a hanging method.

  The ink tank 903 is moved up and down according to the amount of ink in the ink tank and the recording data so that the water head difference from the recording head 902 can be maintained.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the controller.
Reference numeral 1001 denotes a CPU, which executes programs stored in the ROM 1006 to control each unit of the controller. A movable ink tank control unit 1002 determines the amount of movement of the ink tank in the vertical direction in accordance with a command from the CPU 1001, and moves the ink tank. Reference numeral 1003 denotes an ink supply valve control unit which controls opening and closing of the ink supply valve in accordance with a command from the CPU 1001. Reference numeral 1004 denotes a recording head control unit which sends a drive signal to the recording head based on a command from the CPU 1001. Reference numeral 1005 denotes a host device which sends recording data and a necessary water head difference to the CPU 1001. Reference numeral 1006 denotes a ROM, which stores various control programs corresponding to the flow shown in FIG. Reference numeral 1007 denotes a RAM which stores necessary water head difference (water head difference value) 1021 sent from the host device as needed.

Next, a specific processing flow of ink tank movement control will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the recording operation.

  First, when a recording start command is received, the CPU stores the necessary water head difference received from the host device in the RAM (step 1101). Then, the current vertical position of the ink tank is detected, and if it is not a position corresponding to the required water head difference, the ink tank is moved to a predetermined position where the water head difference becomes the required water head difference (step 1102). In addition, a water level sensor is provided in the ink tank, and by detecting the current ink liquid level, the water head difference between the current ink tank and the recording head is estimated, and the estimated current water head difference and the required water head are estimated. The position of the ink tank may be calculated from the difference by comparing the difference, and the ink tank may be moved according to the calculated value.

  Next, when performing a recording operation (step 1103), the CPU sends a recording start command to the recording head control unit, the recording head control unit drives the recording head (step 1104), and the CPU proceeds to the ink supply valve control unit. Sends an ink supply valve open command. Receiving this command, the ink supply valve control unit opens the ink supply valve (step 1106). Then, ink is supplied to the ink tank side as needed. When all the recording data is recorded and the recording operation is finished (step 1104), the ink supply valve is closed (step 1105). Then, this ink supply process is terminated. Alternatively, the ink supply valve may be closed when it is detected by the water level sensor of the ink tank that the ink in the ink tank has reached a predetermined amount.

  As described above, for print data that is expected to consume a large amount of ink, the host device requests in advance a higher value than the normal value as the required head difference, and the ink tank position is determined according to the required head difference. By moving the ink, the water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head is changed, so that ink can be stably supplied to the recording head side even when abrupt ink consumption occurs.

  The required hydraulic head difference is not limited to the form stored in the RAM, but may be acquired every time from the host device as necessary.

(Embodiment 5)
In the present embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the ink tank is moved up and down in the vertical direction to maintain the necessary water head difference, and the amount of ink to be used is calculated from the recording data, and the ink is appropriately used according to the amount. The structure supplied to the tank will be described.

  The apparatus configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus and the ink supply system is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the controller.
The CPU 1201, the movable ink tank control unit 1202, the ink supply valve control unit 1203, the recording head control unit 1204, the host device 1205, and the ROM 1206 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, and a program corresponding to the flow shown in FIG. Yes. The data stored in the RAM 1207 includes not only the necessary hydraulic head difference 1221 input via the host device but also recorded data 1222.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing during recording.
When starting recording, the required water head difference and the recording data received from the host device are stored in the RAM (step 1301), the position of the ink tank is determined from the required water head difference, and the movable ink tank control unit positions the ink tank at a predetermined position. (Step 1302). If the position of the ink tank corresponding to the required water head difference is the same as the current ink tank position, there is no need to move. Also, the required head differential is sent from the host device after being changed according to the print data, such as being set higher than usual for print data that consumes a lot of ink per unit time. If the CPU itself analyzes the recording data sent from the host device and determines that the amount of ink consumption is large, a value higher than the sent required head difference is set, and accordingly The ink tank may be moved to the position.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the recording data is stored in the RAM (step 1303). If it is stored, the recording operation is started based on the recording data (step 1304). Then, the ink amount required for recording is calculated from the recording data, and the ink supply valve is opened to supply the ink amount to the ink tank (step 1305). When the predetermined amount has been supplied, the ink supply valve is closed (step 1305). The ink supply valve is opened and closed after the recording operation is actually started.

  In this way, by performing the ink supply corresponding to the amount of ink used during the recording operation, it becomes possible to always keep the liquid level in the ink tank constant, and even without providing a liquid level sensor or the like in the ink tank, A constant head differential can be maintained at all times. In addition, since the normal water head difference is fixed in this way, the ink head position suitable for recording can always be maintained by appropriately moving the position of the ink tank according to the amount of recording data. Ink can be supplied to the recording head without interruption.

2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink supply system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the controller of FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of ink supply and recording operation in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of ink supply processing in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of ink supply and recording operation in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink supply system in Embodiment 3. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the controller of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of ink supply and recording operation in Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink supply system according to a fourth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the controller of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of ink supply and recording operation in Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a controller according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of ink supply and recording operation in Embodiment 5.

Explanation of symbols

101 Controller 102 Recording Head 103 Ink Tank 104 Ink Supply Valve 105 Water Level (Ink Liquid Level) Sensor (High Level)
106 Water level (ink level) sensor (standard)
201 CPU
202 High water level sensor 203 Standard water level sensor 204 Ink supply valve control unit 205 Recording head control unit 206 Host device 207 ROM
208 RAM
221 Recording mode

Claims (7)

In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that ejects ink; and an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording head.
An ink consumption amount calculating means for calculating an ink consumption amount per unit time according to recording data to be recorded;
Water head difference determining means for determining a water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head according to a value calculated by the ink consumption calculating means;
An ink tank adjusting means for adjusting a relative position between the liquid level in the ink tank and the recording head so as to satisfy the water head difference determined by the water head difference determining means;
With
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the water head difference determining unit determines that the water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head increases as the ink consumption per unit time increases.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank adjusting means realizes the predetermined water head difference by moving the ink tank vertically.   One piece of the ink tank is a movable wall, and the internal volume can be freely changed, and the ink tank adjusting means realizes the predetermined water head difference by moving the movable wall of the ink tank. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. A secondary ink tank for supplying ink to the ink tank; and an ink supply valve for blocking the flow of ink from the secondary ink tank to the ink tank,
The ink tank adjusting means opens the ink supply valve according to the liquid level of the ink tank, and supplies the predetermined amount of ink from the sub ink tank to the ink tank, thereby realizing the predetermined water head difference. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that ejects ink; and an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording head.
A sensor for detecting a first liquid level of the ink tank and a second liquid level higher than the first liquid level;
A sub ink tank for supplying ink to the ink tank;
An ink supply valve for blocking the flow of ink from the sub ink tank to the ink tank;
An ink consumption amount calculating means for calculating an ink consumption amount per unit time according to recording data to be recorded;
An ink supply valve opening / closing means for opening the ink supply valve until the liquid level in the ink tank reaches a predetermined value according to the value calculated by the ink consumption calculating means;
With
The ink supply valve opening / closing means opens the ink supply valve until the ink reaches the second liquid level when the ink consumption per unit time is a predetermined amount or more. In an ink supply system that supplies ink to the ink tank with respect to an ink jet recording apparatus that includes a recording head that ejects ink and an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording head.
An ink consumption amount calculating means for calculating an ink consumption amount per unit time according to recording data to be recorded;
Water head difference determining means for determining a water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head according to a value calculated by the ink consumption calculating means;
An ink supply means for supplying ink to the ink tank so as to satisfy the water head difference determined by the water head difference determining means;
The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein the water head difference determining unit determines that the water head difference between the ink tank and the recording head increases as the ink consumption per unit time increases. In an ink supply system that supplies ink to an ink jet recording apparatus that includes a recording head that discharges ink and an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording head.
A sensor for detecting a first liquid level of the ink tank and a second liquid level higher than the first liquid level;
An ink consumption amount calculating means for calculating an ink consumption amount per unit time according to recording data to be recorded;
Ink supply means for supplying ink until the ink liquid level in the ink tank reaches the sensor liquid level corresponding to the value calculated by the ink consumption calculating means,
The ink supply unit supplies ink until the ink reaches the second liquid level when the ink consumption per unit time is a predetermined amount or more.

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