EP0562786A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet recording apparatus and ink discharge detecting method for said apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1993-03-22
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Granted: —
•
Expires: 2013-03-22
Abstract
Abstract If one page of recording is terminated, a carriage moves to a position at which a recording head is located opposite a cap. Then, the ink is discharged through nozzles of the recording head onto temperature detecting element within the cap. Temperature change of the temperature detecting element upon contact with the ink is output from a detecting circuit, and the normal discharge of ink is detected by discharge detecting means. In this way, the decrease in the ink remain or the detection of ink undischarge can be securely made.
Inventors
- 👤 Atsushi C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Saito
- 👤 Akio C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Okubo
- 👤 Keizo C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Sasai
- 👤 Yasuhiko c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ikeda
- 👤 Shigeyuki c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Sugiyama
- 👤 Mitsuo c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Morita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:06
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J2/045; B41J2/04501; B41J2/0451; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/04553; B41J2/04563; B41J2/0458; B41J2/16579; B41J2/21; B41J2/2121; B41J2/2128; B41J2/14; B41J2002/14379
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 81
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head which discharges heated ink onto a recording medium through discharge ports, characterized by comprising: temperature detecting means, which is contactable with the ink discharged through said discharge ports, for detecting temperature change arising upon contact with said ink; positioning means for positioning said recording head and said temperature detecting means at relatively opposed locations so that the ink discharged through said discharge ports may make contact with said temperature detecting means; and discharge detecting means for detecting discharge or undischarge of ink based on a detected result of said temperature detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head which discharges heated ink onto a recording medium through discharge ports, characterized by comprising: temperature detecting means, which is contactable with the ink discharged through said discharge ports, for detecting temperature change arising upon contact with said ink; positioning means for positioning said recording head and said temperature detecting means at relatively opposed locations so that the ink discharged through said discharge ports may make contact with said temperature detecting means; and discharge detecting means for detecting discharge or undischarge of ink based on a detected result of said temperature detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising ink receiving means for receiving the ink discharged from said discharge ports, wherein said temperature detecting means is provided on said ink receiving means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said ink receiving means comprises a cap-like portion, and said temperature detecting means is provided within said cap-like portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said recording head comprises a discharge port array having a plurality of discharge ports arranged, and said temperature detecting means is of a shape in which it is placed opposed to each of discharge ports of said discharge port array when said recording head and said temperature detecting means are positioned at relatively opposed locations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising moving means for moving said recording head to allow said temperature detecting means to make contact with the discharged ink more securely while the ink is discharged from said discharge ports to said temperature detecting means in a state in which said recording head and said temperature detecting means are positioned at relatively opposed locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said discharge detecting means detects ink discharge or undischarge depending on whether or not the output value of said temperature detecting means exceeds a preset threshold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said discharge detecting means detects ink discharge or undischarge based on a differential value between the output value of said temperature detecting means and the output value of reference temperature detecting means separately provided.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said reference temperature detecting means detects the use ambient temperature of said ink jet recording apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said discharge detecting means detects ink discharge or undischarge based on a differential value between the output value of said temperature detecting means when the ink discharged from said discharge ports makes contact with said temperature detecting means and the output value of said temperature detecting means immediately before the ink is discharged.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that an ink absorbing member is provided in the neighborhood of said temperature detecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the distance between said ink absorbing member and said temperature detecting means is 2mm or less.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of said temperature detecting means has the water repellency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising heating means for heating the ink to be discharged from said discharge ports.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that said heating means is able to vary the ink heating temperature depending on the variation in the ambient temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising: varying means for varying the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time; and a control circuit for controlling said varying means so that said number of discharged ink droplets per unit time in making discharge detection by said discharge detecting means may be different from that during the recording.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that said control circuit controls the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time to be greater in making discharge detection that during the recording.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising: varying means for varying the volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time; and a control circuit for controlling said varying means so that said volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time in making discharge detection by said discharge detecting means may be different from that during the recording.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that said control circuit controls the volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time to be greater in making discharge detection than during the recording.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that within said recording head or an ink reservoir connected to said recording head, there is provided negative pressure generating means for maintaining the inside of recording head at a negative pressure when the ink is discharged.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that within said recording head or an ink reservoir connected to said recording head, there is provided negative pressure generating means for maintaining the inside of recording head at a negative pressure when the ink is discharged.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said recording head is provided with a discharge port array having a plurality of discharge ports arranged, and when discharge detection is made by said discharge detecting means, the discharge condition from each discharge port of said recording head is selectable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that: said plurality of discharge ports are arranged in a vertical direction; and discharge ports located on the upper side of said recording head are placed in a discharge state when discharge detection is made by said discharge detecting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: input means for checking the discharge condition; and a control device for controlling the discharge detection to be made by said discharge detecting means periodically or when there is an input into said input means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said recording head is an inkjet recording head for discharging the ink by the use of heat energy, comprising heat energy converters for generating the heat energy to be supplied to the ink.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that said recording head causes ink state change to occur due to the heat energy applied by said heat energy converters to discharge the ink from said discharge ports based on said state change.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
83 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, characterized by comprising: discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head; varying means for varying the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time; and a control circuit for controlling the number of discharged droplets perunittime in making discharge detection by said discharge detecting means to be differentfrom that during the recording, using said varying means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, characterized by comprising: discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head; varying means for varying the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time; and a control circuit for controlling the number of discharged droplets perunittime in making discharge detection by said discharge detecting means to be differentfrom that during the recording, using said varying means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that said control circuit controls the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time to be greater in making discharge detection than during the recording.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
83 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, characterized by comprising: discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head; varying means for varying the volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time; and a control circuit for controlling the volume of discharged droplets perunittime in making discharge detection by said discharge detecting means to be differentfrom that during the recording, using said varying means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, characterized by comprising: discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head; varying means for varying the volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time; and a control circuit for controlling the volume of discharged droplets perunittime in making discharge detection by said discharge detecting means to be differentfrom that during the recording, using said varying means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that said control circuit controls the volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time to be greater in making discharge detection than during the recording.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that within said recording head or an ink reservoir connected to said recording head, there is provided negative pressure generating means for maintaining the inside of recording head at a negative pressure when the ink is discharged.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that within said recording head or an ink reservoir connected to said recording head, there is provided negative pressure generating means for maintaining the inside of recording head at a negative pressure when the ink is discharged.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
80 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, characterized by comprising: discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head; and selecting means for selecting the discharge state for each discharge port of said recording head when discharge detection is made by said discharge detecting means, said recording head provided with a discharge port array having a plurality of discharge ports arranged.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
80 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, characterized by comprising: discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head; and selecting means for selecting the discharge state for each discharge port of said recording head when discharge detection is made by said discharge detecting means, said recording head provided with a discharge port array having a plurality of discharge ports arranged.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that: said plurality of discharge ports are arranged in a vertical direction; and said selecting means places discharge ports located on the upper side of said recording head in a discharge state when discharge detection is made by said discharge detecting means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
73 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, characterized by comprising: discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head; input means for indicating the start of discharge detection; and a control device for controlling discharge detection with said discharge detecting means to be performed periodically or when input is made into said input means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
73 words
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, characterized by comprising: discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head; input means for indicating the start of discharge detection; and a control device for controlling discharge detection with said discharge detecting means to be performed periodically or when input is made into said input means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, characterized by comprising: input means for indicating the start of discharge detection; and a control device for controlling discharge detection with said discharge detecting means to be performed periodically or when input is made into said input means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 28, characterized by comprising: input means for indicating the start of discharge detection; and a control device for controlling discharge detection with said discharge detecting means to be performed periodically or when input is made into said input means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 32, characterized by comprising: input means for indicating the start of discharge detection; and a control device for controlling discharge detection with said discharge detecting means to be performed periodically or when input is made into said input means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming device using an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising original image reading means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming device using an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising transmitting means or receiving means for image information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming device using an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising transmitting means or receiving means for image information.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming device using an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 39, characterized by comprising original image reading means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming device using an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 40, characterized by comprising original image reading means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming device using an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising recording signal input means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The image forming device according to claim 43, characterized in that said recording signal input means is a keyboard.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
81 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head which discharges the ink onto a recording medium through discharge ports, characterized by including: a process of discharging the ink from said discharge ports to make contact with an objective; a process of detecting a physical change occurring in said objective by the discharged ink; and a process of detecting the discharge or undischarge of ink based on a detected result of said physical change.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
81 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head which discharges the ink onto a recording medium through discharge ports, characterized by including: a process of discharging the ink from said discharge ports to make contact with an objective; a process of detecting a physical change occurring in said objective by the discharged ink; and a process of detecting the discharge or undischarge of ink based on a detected result of said physical change.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
42 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 45, characterized in that: the ink discharged from said discharge ports onto a recording medium is heated; and said physical change occurring in said objective is a temperature change.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
87 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 46, characterized by including: a process of discharging the ink from said discharge ports to make contact with an objective; a process of detecting temperature change occurring in said objective by the discharged ink; and a process of detecting the discharge or undischarge of ink based on a detected result of said temperature change; wherein when undischarge detection is made, the ink is discharged selectively from part of discharge ports of said recording head.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
128 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head in which the discharge direction of the ink discharged through a plurality of discharge ports onto a recording medium may lie in a horizontal direction or oblique to the horizontal direction, characterized by including: a process of discharging the ink from said discharge ports to make contact with an objective; a process of detecting a physical change occurring in said objective by the discharged ink; and a process of detecting the discharge or undischarge of ink based on a detected result of said physical change; wherein when discharge detection is made, the ink is discharged selectively from discharge ports located upward in a vertical direction, among discharge ports of said recording head.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
128 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head in which the discharge direction of the ink discharged through a plurality of discharge ports onto a recording medium may lie in a horizontal direction or oblique to the horizontal direction, characterized by including: a process of discharging the ink from said discharge ports to make contact with an objective; a process of detecting a physical change occurring in said objective by the discharged ink; and a process of detecting the discharge or undischarge of ink based on a detected result of said physical change; wherein when discharge detection is made, the ink is discharged selectively from discharge ports located upward in a vertical direction, among discharge ports of said recording head.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
42 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 48, characterized in that: the ink discharged from said discharge ports onto a recording medium is heated; and said physical change occurring in said objective is a temperature change.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
49 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 45, characterized in that: the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time is variable, and said number of discharged droplets per unit time in making discharge detection is made different from that during the recording.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
49 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 48, characterized in that: the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time is variable, and said number of discharged droplets per unit time in making discharge detection is made different from that during the recording.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that: the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time is made greater in making discharge detection that during the recording.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
49 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 45, characterized in that: the volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time is variable, and said volume of discharged droplets per unit time in making discharge detection is made different from that during the recording.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 53, characterized in that: the volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time is made greater in making discharge detection than during the recording.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
44 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 45, characterized in that: said process of detecting the discharge or undischarge of ink is performed depending on whether or not said detected result of temperature change exceeds a present threshold.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
47 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 45, characterized in that: said process of detecting the discharge or undischarge of ink is performed based on the differential value between said detected result of temperature change and a reference temperature measured separately.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 56, characterized in that: said reference temperature is a use ambient temperature of the inkjet recording apparatus.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ink remain detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head which discharges the ink through discharge ports onto a recording medium, characterized by including: a process of discharging the ink from said discharge ports to make contact with an objective; a process of detecting a physical change occurring in said objective by the discharged ink; and a process of detecting the ink remain based on a detected result of said physical change.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ink remain detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus for recording using a recording head which discharges the ink through discharge ports onto a recording medium, characterized by including: a process of discharging the ink from said discharge ports to make contact with an objective; a process of detecting a physical change occurring in said objective by the discharged ink; and a process of detecting the ink remain based on a detected result of said physical change.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
42 words
An ink remain detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 58, characterized in that: the ink discharged from said discharge ports onto a recording medium is heated; and said physical change occurring in said objective is a temperature change.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ink discharge detecting method performed with an inkjet recording apparatus having a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, and discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head, characterized in that: the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time is made variable, so that the number of discharged droplets per unit time in making discharge detection may be different from that during the recording.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ink discharge detecting method performed with an inkjet recording apparatus having a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, and discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head, characterized in that: the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time is made variable, so that the number of discharged droplets per unit time in making discharge detection may be different from that during the recording.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
36 words
An inkdischarge detecting method of an inkjetre- cording apparatus according to claim 60, characterized in that: the number of discharged ink droplets per unit time is made greater in making discharge detection than during the recording.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
79 words
An ink discharge detecting method performed with an ink jet recording apparatus having a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, and discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head, characterized in that: the volume of discharge ink droplets per unit time is made variable, so that the volume of discharged droplets per unit time in making discharge detection may be different from that during the recording.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
79 words
An ink discharge detecting method performed with an ink jet recording apparatus having a recording head having a plurality of nozzles which discharges the ink, and discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink discharge from said recording head, characterized in that: the volume of discharge ink droplets per unit time is made variable, so that the volume of discharged droplets per unit time in making discharge detection may be different from that during the recording.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 62, characterized in that: the volume of discharged ink droplets per unit time is made greater in making discharge detection than during the recording.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 60, characterized in that: the discharge detection is made by judging the presence or absence of a detecting pattern recorded on part of a recording medium.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 62, characterized in that: the discharge detection is made by judging the presence or absence of a detecting pattern recorded on part of a recording medium.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
51 words
An inkdischarge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 60, characterized in that: said recording head is an inkjet recording head for discharging the ink by the use of heat energy, wherein said discharge detection is made by judging the difference between elevated temperatures of the recording head.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
52 words
An ink discharge detecting method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 62, characterized in that: said recording head is an inkjet recording head for discharging the ink by the use of heat energy, wherin said discharge detection is made by judging the difference between elevated temperatures of the recording head.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
49 words
An inkjet recording apparatus including a recording head (1) characterised by temperature detecting means (16), which is contactable by the ink discharged from said recording head for detecting temperature change arising upon contact with said ink and to indicate absence or reduction in the ink at said recording head.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
49 words
An inkjet recording apparatus including a recording head (1) characterised by temperature detecting means (16), which is contactable by the ink discharged from said recording head for detecting temperature change arising upon contact with said ink and to indicate absence or reduction in the ink at said recording head.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
64 words
An inkjet recording apparatus having a recording head mounted on a carriage which traverses the recording medium, a cap opposite which said recording head can be moved, and a temperature detecting element within the cap, whereby when a temperature change is detected by the detecting element upon contact with the ink a signal is output to indicate normal discharge or lack of ink discharge.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
64 words
An inkjet recording apparatus having a recording head mounted on a carriage which traverses the recording medium, a cap opposite which said recording head can be moved, and a temperature detecting element within the cap, whereby when a temperature change is detected by the detecting element upon contact with the ink a signal is output to indicate normal discharge or lack of ink discharge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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