US4933684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for preventing condensation in an ink jet recording device having heaters for heating a recording head and a recording medium and a humidity detector for detecting humidity in a recording area to prevent condensation from forming
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1988-09-12
•
Granted: 1990-06-12
•
Expires: 2008-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet recording apparatus and method for preventing condensation from forming in a recording area having heaters for heating a recording head and a recording medium, a humidity detector for detecting the humidity in the recording area and a controller for controlling the temperature of the heaters in response to the humidity detected by the humidity detector. The controller decreases the temperature difference between the recording head and the recording medium by adjusting the heaters in order to lower the humidity in the recording area when it is higher than a predetermined value. If the humidity in the recording area is not controlled the quality of the recording will be impaired.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigemitsu Tasaki
- 👤 Atsushi Noda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:41
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/20; B41J11/00; B41J11/0015; B41J11/002; B41J11/0024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 77
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: recording means for image recording by emitting ink onto a recording medium; heater means for heating said recording medium; humidity detector means for detecting ambient humidity; and control means for controlling the temperature of said heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means, said control means providing a first mode of operation wherein said heater means heats said recording medium at a first temperature and a second mode of operation wherein said heater means heats said recording medium at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, said control means providing the second mode when the detected humidity is higher than a predetermined humidity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: recording means for image recording by emitting ink onto a recording medium; heater means for heating said recording medium; humidity detector means for detecting ambient humidity; and control means for controlling the temperature of said heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means, said control means providing a first mode of operation wherein said heater means heats said recording medium at a first temperature and a second mode of operation wherein said heater means heats said recording medium at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, said control means providing the second mode when the detected humidity is higher than a predetermined humidity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means is adapted to terminate the heating of said heater means and to elevate the temperature of said recording means to a predetermined temperature when said detected humidity is a predetermined humidity, and to maintain the temperatures of said heater means and said recording means constant when said detected humidity is lower than said predetermined humidity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means is adapted to set the temperature of said heater means at a low temperature and to elevate the temperature of said recording means to a predetermined temperature when said detected humidity is a predetermined high humidity, and to set the heating temperature of said heater means higher than said low temperature and to set the temperature of said recording means lower than said predetermined temperature when said detected humidity is lower than said predetermined high humidity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means is adapted to interrupt the heating by said heater means, when the detected humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means is adapted to restart the heating by said heater means, when the detected humidity is lower than a predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising temperature detector means for detecting the temperature of said heater means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heater means is provided in the vicinity of a transport path and is adapted to heat the recording medium prior to recording.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heater means is provided in the vicinity of a transport path and is adapted to heat the recording medium after recording.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said humidity detector means is provided in the vicinity of a transport path for transporting said recording medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said humidity detector means is provided in the vicinity of said recording means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means comprises thermal energy generating means for generating thermal energy utilized in the ink emission.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means comprises an electrothermal converting element for generating thermal energy utilized in the ink emission.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means comprises an ink tank for containing ink, and is detachably mounted on a carriage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is a full-line type.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is a recording head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heater means is a heater.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said humidity detector means is a detector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means is a controller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: recording means for emitting ink onto a recording medium; first heater means for preheating a recording medium prior to recording by said recording means; second heater means for heating said recording medium after recording by said recording means to fix the recorded image; humidity detector means for detecting the humidity in the vicinity of a zone in which said recording means records onto said recording medium; and control means for controlling the heating temperatures of said first and second heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means, wherein said control means reduces the difference between the temperature at which said first heating means preheats said recording medium and the temperature of said recording means when the humidity detected by said humidity detecting means is higher than a predetermined humidity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: recording means for emitting ink onto a recording medium; first heater means for preheating a recording medium prior to recording by said recording means; second heater means for heating said recording medium after recording by said recording means to fix the recorded image; humidity detector means for detecting the humidity in the vicinity of a zone in which said recording means records onto said recording medium; and control means for controlling the heating temperatures of said first and second heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means, wherein said control means reduces the difference between the temperature at which said first heating means preheats said recording medium and the temperature of said recording means when the humidity detected by said humidity detecting means is higher than a predetermined humidity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said control means is adapted to terminate the heating of at least said first heater means when said detected humidity is a high humidity, and to regulate said first and second heater means respectively at predetermined heating temperatures when said detected humidity is a low humidity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said control means is adapted to regulate said first and second heater means at low heating temperature when said detected humidity is a high humidity, and to regulate said first and second heater means at predetermined heating temperatures higher than said low temperatures when said detected humidity is a low humidity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said recording means is a recording head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said heater means is a heater.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said humidity detector means is a detector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said control means is a controller.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
183 words
An ink jet recording apparatus provided with heater means for fixing the recorded image by heating a recording medium, comprising: first humidity detector means for detecting the humidity in the vicinity of a zone in which said recording medium is subjected to recording; second humidity detector means for detecting an environmental humidity at an area outside the vicinity of the zone in which said recording medium is subjected to recording; and control means for controlling the heating temperature of said heater means according to the humidities detected by said first and second humidity detector means, said control means providing a first mode of operation wherein said heater means heats said recording medium at a first temperature and a second mode of operation wherein said heater means heats said recording medium at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, said control means providing the second mode when the humidity detected by said first humidity detector means is higher than a predetermined humidity and providing the first mode when the humidity detected by said second humidity detector means is lower than the predetermined humidity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
183 words
An ink jet recording apparatus provided with heater means for fixing the recorded image by heating a recording medium, comprising: first humidity detector means for detecting the humidity in the vicinity of a zone in which said recording medium is subjected to recording; second humidity detector means for detecting an environmental humidity at an area outside the vicinity of the zone in which said recording medium is subjected to recording; and control means for controlling the heating temperature of said heater means according to the humidities detected by said first and second humidity detector means, said control means providing a first mode of operation wherein said heater means heats said recording medium at a first temperature and a second mode of operation wherein said heater means heats said recording medium at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, said control means providing the second mode when the humidity detected by said first humidity detector means is higher than a predetermined humidity and providing the first mode when the humidity detected by said second humidity detector means is lower than the predetermined humidity.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
100 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said control means is adapted to terminate the heating by said heater means when the humidity detected by said first humidity detector means is a high humidity, to regulate said heater means at a high heating temperature when the humidity detected by said first humidity detector means is a low humidity and the humidity detected by said second humidity detector means is a high humidity, and to regulate said heater means at a predetermiend heating temperature when the humidity detected by said second humidity detector means is a low humidity.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
111 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said control means is adapted to regulate said heater means at a low heating temperature when the humidity detected by said first humidity detector means is a high humidity, to regulate said heater means at a high temperature when the humidity detected by said first humidity, detector means is a low humidity and the humidity detected by said second humidity detector means is a high humidity, and to regulate said heater means at a predetermined temperature higher than said low temperature but lower than said high temperature when the humidity detected by said second humidity detector means is a low humidity.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the environmental humidity is one in the vicinity of a recording area.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the environmental humidity is one in the vicinity of carrier means for carrying the recording medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the environmental humidity is one in the vicinity of said recording means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a third mode for heating said recording medium at a temperature higher than the first heating temperature condition.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said recording means is a recording head.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said heater means is a heater.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said humidity detector means is a detector.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said control means is a controller.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
75 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: recording means for emitting ink for image formation on a recording medium; heater means for heating a recording head; humidity detector means for detecting humidity; control means for controlling the heating temperature by said heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means; and said control means adapted to heat said recording head when the detected humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
75 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: recording means for emitting ink for image formation on a recording medium; heater means for heating a recording head; humidity detector means for detecting humidity; control means for controlling the heating temperature by said heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means; and said control means adapted to heat said recording head when the detected humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said control means is adapted to maintain the heating temperature of said recording head within a predetermined range when the detected humidity is lower than a predetermined value.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising temperature detector means for detecting the temperature of said recording head.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said temperature detector means comprises a positive-type temperature-dependent resistor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said heater means comprises a positive-type temperature-dependent resistor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said heater means is provided in the vicinity of the recording head.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising second heater means for heating said recording medium.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising second control means for controlling the heating temperature by said second heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said second control means is adapted to interrupt the heating by said second heater means, when the detected humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said second control means is adapted to restart the heating by said second heater means, when the detected humidity is lower than a predetermined value.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
42 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said second control means is adapted to effect heating within a predetermined temperature range by said second heater means, when the detected humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising second temperature detector means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said second heater means is provided in the vicinity of a transport path and is adapted to heat the recording medium prior to recording.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said second heater means is provided in the vicinity of a transport path and is adapted to heat the recording medium after recording.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said humidity detector means is provided in the vicinity of a transport path for transporting said recording medium.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said humidity detector means is provided in the vicinity of said recording head.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said recording head comprises thermal energy generating means for generating thermal energy utilized in the ink emission.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said recording head comprises an electrothermal converting member for generating thermal energy utilized in the ink emission.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said recording head is provided integrally with an ink tank, and is detachably mounted on a carriage.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said recording head is a full-line type head.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said recording means is a recording head.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said heater means is a heater.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said humidity detector means is a detector.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said control means is a controller.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for preventing dewing in an ink jet recording apparatus, which comprises using an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recording head for emitting ink for image formation on a recording medium; first heater means for heating said recording head; second heater means for heating said recording medium; and humidity detector means for detecting humidity; and reducing the temperature difference between said recording head and said second heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means, thereby preventing dewing.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for preventing dewing in an ink jet recording apparatus, which comprises using an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recording head for emitting ink for image formation on a recording medium; first heater means for heating said recording head; second heater means for heating said recording medium; and humidity detector means for detecting humidity; and reducing the temperature difference between said recording head and said second heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means, thereby preventing dewing.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 61, wherein said recording head is heated when the detected humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermiend value.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 61, wherein said control means is adapted to maintain the heating temperature of said recording head within a predetermined temperature range when the detected humidity is lower than a predetermined value.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 61, wherein the heating by said second heater means is interrupted when the detected humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 61, wherein the interrupted heating by said second heater means is restarted when the detected humidity is lower than a predetermined value.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 61, wherein the heating by said second heater means is conducted within a predetermined temperature range, when the detected humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
92 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: recording means for image recording by ink emission onto a recording medium; heater means for heating said recording medium; humidity detector means for detecting ambient humidity; control means for controlling the heating temperature of said heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means, wherein said control means reduces the difference between a temperature of said recording means and a temperature at which said recording medium is preheated when the humidity detected by said humidity detector means is higher than a predetermined humidity.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
92 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: recording means for image recording by ink emission onto a recording medium; heater means for heating said recording medium; humidity detector means for detecting ambient humidity; control means for controlling the heating temperature of said heater means according to the humidity detected by said humidity detector means, wherein said control means reduces the difference between a temperature of said recording means and a temperature at which said recording medium is preheated when the humidity detected by said humidity detector means is higher than a predetermined humidity.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said recording means is a recording head.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said heater means is a heater.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said humidity detector means is a detector.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said control means is a controller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4176363A
Cited
EP0025878A1
Cited
US4469026A
Cited
JPS5713445A
Cited
US4429321A
Cited
US4340893A
Cited
US4559543A
Cited
US4660056A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-11 | 1993-12-11 | 1994-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-11 | 1997-12-11 | 1998-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-11 | 2001-12-11 | 2002-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |