CN101348041A - Fluid ejecting apparatus and fluid filling method of fluid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a fluid containing portion, a fluid discharging portion, a flow passage forming portion and a valve mechanism. The fluid containing portion contains fluid. The fluid discharging portion discharges the fluid. The flow passage forming portion forms a fluid flow passage that extends from the fluid containing portion to the fluid discharging portion. The valve mechanism is able to open or close the fluid flow passage. The fluid ejecting apparatus is placed in an initial state before an initial use of the fluid ejecting apparatus, wherein fluid is contained in the fluid containing portion and at least portion of the fluid flow passage from a position of the fluid containing portion to a position of the valve mechanism is filled with the fluid and the fluid flow passage is closed by the valve mechanism.

Description

Filling method of fluid in fluid ejection apparatus and the fluid ejection apparatus

With the 20 days July in 2007 of Japanese patent application disclosed Japan Patent 2007-189068 communique, on July 20th, 2007 disclosed 2007-189075 communique and December in 2007 disclosed 2007-318034 communique on the 10th content, all quote in this specification.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the filling method of fluid in fluid ejection apparatus and the fluid ejection apparatus.

Background technology

In ink-jet printer, known have a kind of mode of after record head inner stuffing stream is with ink and preservation liquid, dispatching from the factory (with reference to the spy open the 2002-283590 communique, the spy opens the 2004-114647 communique).

In addition, known have a kind of ink tank that will accommodate ink, not to be configured on the balladeur train (carriage) that has loaded record head, but be configured in the ink-jet printer (so-called independent balladeur train (off-carriage) type printer) (opening the 2005-47258 communique) of other positions with reference to the spy.

In the ink-jet printer, in that logistics is filled in the record head with ink etc. under the situation of dispatching from the factory, can be after bringing into use goods, use material not (logistics with ink etc.).Particularly independent balladeur train type printer is because supply with the volumetric ratio of ink flow path of ink to record head from ink tank bigger, so the logistics that can use volume is with ink etc.If printer is dispatched from the factory not installing under the state of ink tank,, need the extra parts of preparing to be used to seal ink tank as the supply pin of installation position then in order to keep the occupied state of logistics with ink.

In addition, if dispatch from the factory under the state that ink tank has been installed, then under the situation of dispatching from the factory after being filled in the record head with ink etc. logistics, logistics can invade in the ink tank with ink etc., will cause the decline of ink quality.In addition, do not filling under the situation that logistics dispatches from the factory with ink etc., the air in the ink flow path can invade in the ink tank, also will cause the quality (for example degree of degassing) of ink to descend.

And, such problem is not limited to have the ink tank of having accommodated liquid ink and shoots out the ink-jet printer of the record head of liquid ink, also exists same problem in the fluid ejection apparatus with the fluid receiving portion of having accommodated liquid and the fluid ejection portion that sprays this fluid.

Summary of the invention

The present invention proposes in order to solve the above problems, and its objective is provides a kind of in fluid ejection apparatus, can suppress the technology of the fluid receiving portion intrusion foreign matter before bringing into use.

For at least a portion that addresses the above problem, the present invention can be in such a way or application examples realize.

A kind of fluid ejection apparatus has: the fluid receiving portion of accommodating fluid; Spray the fluid ejection portion of above-mentioned fluid; The stream formation portion of the fluid flowing path of formation from above-mentioned fluid receiving portion to above-mentioned fluid ejection portion; With the valve system that can open and close above-mentioned fluid flowing path, before the initial use of the technique of above liquor ejecting device it has accommodated above-mentioned fluid in above-mentioned fluid receiving portion after, what be in above-mentioned fluid flowing path is filled with above-mentioned fluid from the position of above-mentioned fluid receiving portion at least to the part of the position of above-mentioned valve system, and above-mentioned valve system has been closed the original state of above-mentioned fluid flowing path.

In this device, in fluid receiving portion, accommodated before the initial use of the fluid ejection apparatus behind the fluid, be in original state.That is, fluid flowing path to the part of the position of valve system, be filled with fluid from the position of fluid receiving portion at least, and valve system has been closed fluid flowing path.Therefore, be filled in fluid flowing path from the position of fluid receiving portion to the part of the position of valve system fluid because valve system has been closed fluid flowing path, so be maintained in this part.Therefore, foreign matter was to the intrusion of fluid receiving portion before this device can be suppressed at and bring into use.

This fluid ejection apparatus also can be under above-mentioned original state, is filled with to use liquid before not comprising the use that solid formation divides in above-mentioned fluid ejection portion.

In this fluid ejection apparatus, because under above-mentioned original state, be filled with in the above-mentioned fluid ejection portion and use liquid before not comprising the use that solid formation divides, so, even before bringing into use, be under the situation under the hot environment, press liter in also can suppression fluid ejection portion, thus but the leakage of suppression fluid.

And, also can be under above-mentioned original state, in the part beyond the part that is filled with above-mentioned fluid of above-mentioned fluid flowing path, use liquid before filling above-mentioned use.

In this fluid ejection apparatus, because also can be under original state, in the part beyond the part that is filled with fluid of fluid flowing path, use liquid before being filled with use, even so before bringing into use, be under the situation under the hot environment, press liter in also can the suppression fluid stream, thus but the leakage of suppression fluid.

Above-mentioned use is preceding can be not comprise as the above-mentioned solid liquid that forms the coloured material that divides with liquid.

And, can also have and rely on above-mentioned fluid ejection portion side in position from above-mentioned valve system, can be to the suction device that attracts in the above-mentioned fluid flowing path, the above-mentioned original state of technique of above liquor ejecting device also can adopt the method that comprises the steps to form, and this method comprises: (a) utilize above-mentioned valve system to close the step of above-mentioned fluid flowing path; (b) attraction by above-mentioned suction device produces the step of negative pressure in the position from above-mentioned valve system relies on the above-mentioned fluid flowing path of above-mentioned fluid ejection portion side; (c) utilize above-mentioned valve system to remove the step of closing of above-mentioned fluid flowing path; (d) after the above-mentioned fluid that will be contained in above-mentioned fluid receiving portion is filled into the position of above-mentioned valve system of above-mentioned fluid flowing path, utilize above-mentioned valve system to close the step of above-mentioned fluid flowing path.

In this device, close fluid flowing path by valve system, by utilizing the attraction of suction device, in relying on the fluid flowing path of fluid ejection portion side, the position from valve system produces negative pressure.When utilizing valve system to open fluid flowing path, fluid is filled in the fluid flowing path based on negative pressure.Be filled into the position of valve system of fluid flowing path at fluid after, utilize valve system to close fluid flowing path.Thereby, in this device, can form original state well.

The above-mentioned original state of technique of above liquor ejecting device, can adopt the method that also comprises the steps to form, this method comprises: (e) in above-mentioned steps (a) before, before filling above-mentioned use, above-mentioned fluid flowing path uses liquid, and with above-mentioned fluid receiving portion and above-mentioned fluid flowing path step of connecting.

In this device, owing to use liquid before in fluid flowing path, filling use, and with fluid receiving portion with after fluid flowing path is connected, utilize suction device to attract, so, the position from fluid receiving portion that can be formed on fluid flowing path well is filled with fluid to the part of the position of valve system, and is filled with the preceding state with liquid that uses in the part beyond the part that is filled with fluid of fluid ejection portion and fluid flowing path.

And, before the initial use of the technique of above liquor ejecting device after yet can in above-mentioned fluid receiving portion, having accommodated above-mentioned fluid, in above-mentioned fluid ejection portion, be not filled with above-mentioned fluid.

In this device, owing in fluid ejection portion, be not filled with fluid, so, but the obstruction of the fluid in the suppression fluid ejection portion and the leakage of fluid.

And, can have a plurality of above-mentioned fluid receiving portion of having accommodated above-mentioned fluid, above-mentioned stream formation portion forms the corresponding a plurality of above-mentioned fluid flowing paths with above-mentioned a plurality of fluid receiving portion.

In this device, for a plurality of fluid flowing paths, can suppress the intrusion of the fluid receiving portion of foreign matter before bringing into use.

And then, can have the balladeur train that under the state that has loaded above-mentioned fluid ejection portion, moves, above-mentioned fluid receiving portion be configured in above-mentioned balladeur train on different positions.

In this device, in the promptly so-called independent balladeur train type device, can suppress the intrusion of the fluid receiving portion of foreign matter before bringing into use.

Above-mentioned fluid can be a liquid ink.

In this device, in the device of atomizing of liquids ink, can be suppressed at the use that becomes material not after bringing into use, and can suppress the intrusion of the fluid storage portion of foreign matter before bringing into use.

The present invention also can be used as a kind of in fluid ejection apparatus the method for fill fluid, technique of above liquor ejecting device has: the fluid receiving portion of accommodating fluid; Spray the fluid ejection portion of above-mentioned fluid; The stream formation portion of the fluid flowing path of formation from above-mentioned fluid receiving portion to above-mentioned fluid ejection portion; Can open and close the valve system of above-mentioned fluid flowing path; With rely on above-mentioned fluid ejection portion side in position from above-mentioned valve system, to the suction device that attracts in the above-mentioned fluid flowing path, said method comprises: the step of (a) closing above-mentioned fluid flowing path with above-mentioned valve system; (b) attraction by above-mentioned suction device produces the step of negative pressure in the position from above-mentioned valve system relies on the above-mentioned fluid flowing path of above-mentioned fluid ejection portion side; (c) utilize above-mentioned valve system to remove the step of closing of above-mentioned fluid flowing path; After (d) the above-mentioned fluid in will being housed in above-mentioned fluid receiving portion is filled into the position of above-mentioned valve system of above-mentioned fluid flowing path, utilize above-mentioned valve system to close the step of above-mentioned fluid flowing path.

This method can make fluid ejection apparatus become fluid flowing path to the part of the position of valve system, be filled with fluid from the position of fluid receiving portion at least, and closed the state of fluid flowing path by valve system.Therefore, adopt this method can suppress the intrusion of the fluid receiving portion of foreign matter before bringing into use.

And, can also comprise: (e) before, before filling the use that does not contain solid formation branch, above-mentioned fluid flowing path uses liquid in above-mentioned steps (a), and with above-mentioned fluid receiving portion and above-mentioned fluid flowing path step of connecting.

This method can make fluid ejection apparatus become fluid flowing path to the part of the position of valve system, be filled with fluid from the position of fluid receiving portion at least, be filled with before using state simultaneously in the part beyond the part that is filled with fluid of fluid ejection portion and fluid flowing path with liquid.Therefore, adopt this method, even before fluid ejection apparatus is being brought into use, be in hot environment following time, also can suppression fluid ejection portion and fluid flowing path in press liter, thereby but the leakage of suppression fluid.

And, can also have as a kind of fluid ejection apparatus: the fluid receiving portion of accommodating fluid; Spray the fluid ejection portion of above-mentioned fluid; With the stream formation portion of formation from the fluid flowing path of extremely above-mentioned fluid ejection portion of above-mentioned fluid receiving portion, before the initial use of the technique of above liquor ejecting device after in above-mentioned fluid receiving portion, having accommodated above-mentioned fluid, in comprising at least a portion with the link position of above-mentioned fluid receiving portion of above-mentioned fluid flowing path, be filled with above-mentioned fluid.

This device has been accommodated in fluid receiving portion before the initial use of the fluid ejection apparatus behind the fluid, is filled with fluid in comprising at least in the part with the link position of fluid receiving portion of fluid flowing path.Therefore, become the use of material not after this device can be suppressed at and bring into use, and can suppress the intrusion of the fluid receiving portion of foreign matter before bringing into use.

And fluid ejection apparatus also has: can open and close the valve system of above-mentioned fluid flowing path, it comprises the DC motor of the power of the on-off action that is provided for carrying out above-mentioned fluid flowing path; With constitute the motor drive circuit that stepper motor is used, promptly drive the motor drive circuit of above-mentioned DC motor, before the initial use of the technique of above liquor ejecting device after in above-mentioned fluid receiving portion, having accommodated above-mentioned fluid, above-mentioned valve system is closed above-mentioned fluid flowing path, the terminal of the usefulness mutually of the regulation of the above-mentioned stepper motor that above-mentioned DC motor and said motor drive circuit are had connects, the said motor drive circuit applies predetermined electric current via above-mentioned terminal to above-mentioned DC motor when opening and closing the action of above-mentioned fluid flowing path based on above-mentioned valve system.

This device has been closed fluid flowing path by valve system, so can suppress the intrusion of the fluid receiving portion of foreign matter before bringing into use well owing to accommodated before the initial use of the fluid ejection apparatus behind the fluid in fluid receiving portion.In addition, utilize to constitute the motor drive circuit that stepper motor is used, can implement to drive to the DC motor of power that supply is used to carry out the on-off action of fluid flowing path, thereby can effectively use existing circuit and existing design.

In addition, the said motor drive circuit also can be when opening and closing the release of above-mentioned fluid flowing path based on above-mentioned valve system, via above-mentioned terminal, and rightabout rated current when above-mentioned DC motor applies on-off action with above-mentioned fluid flowing path.

This device is because when opening and closing the release of fluid flowing path based on valve system, by motor drive circuit rightabout rated current when the DC motor applies on-off action with fluid flowing path, so braking action is played in the rotation to the DC motor, can in the relatively shorter time, stop the rotation of motor.

In addition, the present invention can realize with various forms, for example, and can be with the manufacture method of fluid ejection apparatus, fluid ejection device, printing equipment and these devices, realize to forms such as method of these device fill fluids.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the key diagram as the schematic configuration of the printer 10 of fluid ejection apparatus of expression among the 1st embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the expression state of having closed upper box body 30.

Fig. 3 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the expression state of having opened upper box body 30.

Fig. 4 is the vertical view of the internal structure of expression upper box body 30.

Fig. 5 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the expression state of having closed upper box body 30.

Fig. 6 is the key diagram of printing mechanism portion 50 structure on every side of expression printer 10.

Fig. 7 is the key diagram of the internal structure of expression balladeur train 80.

Fig. 8 is the key diagram that expression balladeur train 80 moves to the state of the position that can be connected with skull 740.

Fig. 9 is that expression skull (head cap) 740 rises the key diagram of the state that is connected with balladeur train 80.

Figure 10 is the flow chart that the ink of the printer 10 among expression the 1st embodiment is filled the flow process of handling.

Figure 11 is the vertical view of internal structure of the upper box body 30 of the printer 10 of expression among the 2nd embodiment.

Figure 12 is the key diagram that the structure of resistance valve (choke valve) mechanism 900 represented in summary.

Figure 13 is the S1-S1 profile among Figure 12.

Figure 14 is the key diagram of the structure of the moving circuit 42 in motor district that comprises in the control part 40 of expression.

Figure 15 is the key diagram that the micro-stepping of expression step motor driving circuit 45 drives an example of signal.

Figure 16 is the key diagram of expression choked flow with the driving timing of DC motor 910.

Figure 17 is the flow chart that the ink of the printer 10 among expression the 2nd embodiment is filled the flow process of handling.

Figure 18 is the flow chart that the ink of the printer 10 among expression the 3rd embodiment is filled the flow process of handling.

Figure 19 is the key diagram of the inside of the upper box body 30 in the expression variation.

Figure 20 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the state of having closed upper box body 30 of expression in the variation.

Figure 21 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the state of having closed upper box body 30 of expression in the variation.

Figure 22 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the state of having closed upper box body 30 of expression in the variation.

Figure 23 is the key diagram of the schematic configuration of the printer 10 in the expression variation.

Figure 24 is the key diagram of the schematic configuration of the printer 10 in the expression variation.

The specific embodiment

Below, in conjunction with the embodiments, embodiments of the present invention are described according to following order.

A. the 1st embodiment;

B. the 2nd embodiment;

C. the 3rd embodiment;

D. variation;

A. the 1st embodiment

Fig. 1 is the key diagram as the schematic configuration of the printer 10 of fluid ejection apparatus of expression among the 1st embodiment of the present invention.Printer 10 is by spraying the liquid ink as fluid to the print paper P as recording medium, coming the ink-jet printer of shorthand and figure.

Printer 10 has the main body casing 20 of accommodating printing mechanism portion 50.In main body casing 20, dispose the paper feeding tray 12 of the inside that will import to main body casing 20 and will export to the discharge tray 14 of the outside of main body casing 20 from the print paper P of printing mechanism portion 50 discharges to the print paper P that printing mechanism portion 50 supplies with.Detailed structure about printing mechanism portion 50 will be described hereinafter.

In main body casing 20, contain the control part 40 of each one of control printer 10.In the present embodiment, control part 40 comprises the ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) of have CPU (Central Processing Unit, CPU), read-only storage (Read Only Memory, ROM), random access memory hardware such as (Random AcessMemory, RAM).In control part 40, the software of the various functions that realize printer 10 is installed.

On main body casing 20, dispose as the upper box body of accommodating case 30 of accommodating a plurality of ink bags (ink pack) 310.Upper box body 30 is that the center can combine with main body casing 20 with opening and closing with turning cylinder 350.In each of a plurality of ink bags 310 of bringing into play function as the providing ink source, contain the liquid ink of mutual different colours respectively.

In the present embodiment, ink bag 310 utilize the flexible thin material to form to have the cross section for substantially elliptical, overlook and be rectangular flat bag roughly, and have the sack that can derive ink 60 of the short brink that is configured in a side.In the present embodiment, a plurality of ink bags 310 lift by the long side with one side, are retained overlapping state.In the present embodiment, in upper box body 30, contain and black, green grass or young crops, fuchsin, 4 ink bags 310 that yellow 4 chromatic inks are corresponding.In addition, can carry out various settings for the quantity of ink bag 310 and the ink color of in ink bag 310, accommodating, for example, also can in upper box body 30, accommodate and on the basis of above-mentioned 4 looks, added light greenish bluely, light red, amount to 6 ink bags 310 of 6 chromatic ink correspondences.

In upper box body 30, dispose the providing ink portion 330 of the sack 60 that is connecting ink bag 310.Providing ink portion 330 with will be connected from the supply pipe 340 that the ink that ink bag 310 exports to providing ink portion 330 is derived to printing mechanism portion 50.In the inside of supply pipe 340, be formed with 4 the tubulose streams corresponding with 4 ink bags 310.Providing ink portion 330 and supply pipe 340 form the part of the ink flow path of the record head 810 (aftermentioneds) from ink bag 310 to printing mechanism portion 50.

Supply pipe 340 has joint 410.Since supply pipe 340 rely on the part of printing mechanism portion 50 sides from joint 410, have crooked position as described later, so use flexibility to form than higher material (for example polyethylene kind synthetic rubber (elastomer)).In addition, supply pipe 340 rely on the part of providing ink portion 330 sides from joint 410, use the lower material (for example polypropylene) of flexibility to form.

Fig. 2 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the expression state of having closed upper box body 30.Fig. 3 is the profile of schematic configuration of printer 10 of having opened the state of upper box body 30.As shown in Figure 3, upper box body 30 is that the center can combine with main body casing 20 with opening and closing with turning cylinder 350.By opening upper box body 30, can expose the top of the printing mechanism portion 50 that is housed in the main body casing 20.Therefore, in the printer 10 of present embodiment, can improve the free degree of the position of configuration ink bag 310, and can will accommodate of the lid use of the upper box body 30 of ink bag 310, thereby can easily safeguard the printing mechanism portion 50 that is housed in the main body casing 20 as printing mechanism portion 50.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, upper box body 30 has the lower case 360 of the inside bottom surface that constitutes upper box body 30 and constitutes the upper body 370 of the inboard end face of upper box body 30.On lower case 360, with turning cylinder 350 almost parallels and mutually roughly equally spaced be formed with a plurality of maintenance guides 362 that constitute by lower case 360 as the part of inside bottom surface.

In the inside of upper box body 30, a plurality of retainers 380 of ink bag 310 that disposed mounting.Retainer 380 has the hang plate 381 that relative maintenance guide 362 tilts.On the hang plate 381 of retainer 380, ink bag 310 is arranged with state mounting with a side's of the flat bag portion of ink bag 310 plane contact.In the present embodiment, ink bag 310 with at least a portion of the face of hang plate 381 butts of retainer 380, it is bonding to be utilized two-sided tape.Below the hang plate 381 of retainer 380, be formed with can intercalation at the basal part 382 that keeps guide 362.The basal part 382 of retainer 380 by intercalation after keep in the guide 362, as described later, utilize hold-down screw 388,389 as attaching parts, be fastened on the lower case 360.A plurality of retainers 380 are arranged setting along the inside bottom surface of lower case 360 with staggering, the hang plate 381 that forms a side retainer 380 be overlapped in mounting on hang plate 381 tilts adjacent other retainers 380 of a side ink bag 310 above.As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hang plate 381 of retainer 380 from the state that closes of upper box body 30 to opening state, the maintenance guide 362 of lower case 360 inclination angle of θ h that tilted relatively.In the present embodiment, upper box body 30 is that center actionable corner θ c to be opened/closed is 45 degree with turning cylinder 350 relatively, and hang plate 381 keeps the tiltangle h of guide 362 to be about 40 degree relatively.

Like this, in the present embodiment, because ink bag 310 is positioned in respectively on the hang plate 381 of retainer 380, thus can a plurality of ink bag 310 is overlapping, accommodate expeditiously, can prevent that the weight of ink bag 310 from putting on the adjacent ink bag 310 simultaneously.In addition since from the state that closes of upper box body 30 to opening state, ink bag 310 is kept from the below, because of deadweight adjacent retainer 380 is formed excessive pushing so can prevent ink bag 310.

As shown in Figure 2, the back side at the hang plate 381 of retainer 380 vertically is provided with along the tabular back side additional ribs 384 that is positioned in the ink bag 310 on the adjacent retainer 380.The inside bottom surface of lower case 360 is provided with tabular retainer additional ribs 364, and this retainer additional ribs 364 uprightly is provided with towards the below of the hang plate 381 end, retainer 380 that is positioned at a plurality of retainers 380 medium dip plates 381 inclined side that are set up in parallel.In the present embodiment, the back side butt of the hang plate 381 of the top of retainer additional ribs 364 and retainer 380.By retainer additional ribs 364 uprightly is set, can strengthen the power of retainer 380 opposing hang plates 381 incline directions.Hanging down on the inboard top board of upper body 370 is provided with tabular end additional ribs 374, the top of the ink bag 310 of institute's mounting on the retainer 380 of the opposition side end that is positioned at hang plate 381 inclined side of this end additional ribs 374 in a plurality of retainers 380 that are set up in parallel.Utilize end additional ribs 374, can be suppressed at ink bag 310 excessive deformations of mounting on the retainer 380 of end of the opposition side that is positioned at hang plate 381 inclined side.On the inboard top board of upper body 370, in the top of the ink bag 310 that is positioned in retainer 380, be sandwiched in 2 positions between the retainer 380, hanging down is provided with tabular middle additional ribs 376.Additional ribs 376 can suppress hang plate 381 back side excessive deformations of the top of not supported ink bag 310 at adjacent retainer in the middle of utilizing.On the inboard top board of upper body 370, dispose the holding section 373 that engages with the upper end 383 of the hang plate 381 of retainer 380.Utilize holding section 373, can suppress retainer 380 excessive deformations.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bottom of upper box body 30 (lower case 360) forms the outstanding shape of part that ink bag 310 can be set downwards.Thus, can increase upper box body 30 volume inside that are used to be provided with ink bag 310.In addition, the printer 10 of present embodiment is owing to be that the container (ink bag 310) of having accommodated ink is configured in and the last different printer position, so-called independent balladeur train mode of the balladeur train 80 (with reference to Fig. 6) of printing mechanism portion 50, so, the printer that is configured in what is called combination balladeur train (on-carriage) mode on the balladeur train with the ink accepting container is compared, and can reduce the height of printing mechanism portion 50.Therefore, in the printer 10 of present embodiment, can realize making the part of lower case 360 not disturb the outstanding structure in printing mechanism portion 50 ground downwards than being easier to.Thereby, for example can will possess the printer casing of the existing combination balladeur train mode of sweep mechanism in the part that is equivalent to upper box body 30, only carry out the casing of the change ground of a little as the printer 10 of present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is the vertical view of the internal structure of expression upper box body 30.As shown in Figure 4, in upper box body 30, mounting 4 retainers 380 of ink bag 310 be provided with in the mode of piling up mutually, and utilize hold-down screw 388,389 to be fixed on the lower case 360.At this moment, the sack 60 of each ink bag 310 is positioned at the inboard of the guide portion 302 that providing ink portion 330 had, and becomes the state of supplying with pin 320 that has been inserted into.Be inserted into sack 60 by supplying with pin 320, in providing ink portion 330, opened from ink bag 310 to supply pipe 340 ink flow path.In addition, in providing ink portion 330, dispose to the connecting portion of the sack 60 of ink bag 310 above the baffle 332 (representing with pecked line among Fig. 5) that covers.On baffle 332, be formed with to insert and be used for carrying out the peristome 333 of fastening instrument retainer 380 being fixed on hold-down screw 388 on the lower case 360.

Fig. 5 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the expression state of having closed upper box body 30.Fig. 5 has represented from the section of observing with section opposition side shown in Figure 2.In addition, Fig. 6 is the key diagram of printing mechanism portion 50 structure on every side of expression printer 10.As shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6, supply pipe 340 is connected providing ink portion 330 with the balladeur train 80 of printing mechanism portion 50, the ink in balladeur train 80 supply ink bags 310.Supply pipe 340 is supported by support portion 420 and 430. Support portion 420 and 430 is fixed on the main body casing 20 of printer 10 directly or indirectly.Therefore, supply pipe 340 is supported on printer 10 main bodys by support portion 420 and 430.

As shown in Figure 6, printing mechanism portion 50 has and is configured in the rectangle pressing plate 530 that can implement the print area of ink droplet jet to print paper P.On pressing plate 530, send print paper P here by paper advance mechanism (not shown).Printing mechanism portion 50 has the balladeur train 80 that is connected and is equipped with record head 810 with supply pipe 340.Balladeur train 80 forms from ink bag 310 to record head the part of 810 ink flow path.Balladeur train 80 is supported for and can moves on the length direction of pressing plate 530 along guide rod 520, and the carriage motor 510 that is used as sledge drive portion drives by synchronous belt (timing belt) 512.Thus, balladeur train 80 moves back and forth on pressing plate 530 along its length.Record head 810 is accepted the supply of ink by balladeur train 80, and to print paper P ejection ink.

In the inside of main body casing 20, from the print area that disposed pressing plate 530 to a distolateral nonprinting region that staggers, be provided with the position of readiness that makes balladeur train 80 standbies.Dispose the maintenance mechanism portion 70 that balladeur train 80 is safeguarded at this position of readiness.

Maintenance mechanism portion 70 as shown in Figure 6, have the following skull 740 that covers record head 810, reclaim dismounting connecting portion 750 that chamber 821 and 841 (aftermentioned) is connected with the gas of balladeur train 80 removably, remove attached to the following ink of record head 810 wipe plate 760 and by the vavuum pump 710 as relief portion of vacuum tube 715 to skull 740 and dismounting connecting portion 750 supply negative pressure.Skull 740, dismounting connecting portion 750 and wipe plate 760 and be configured on the elevation base plate 730, elevation base plate 730 liftably is supported on the pedestal 720 that is fixed in main body casing 20.

Fig. 7 is the key diagram of the internal structure of expression balladeur train 80.In the bottom of balladeur train 80, dispose flexible by piezoelectric vibrator (not shown), from the record head 810 of nozzle 812 ejection ink droplets.In the present embodiment, the ink of corresponding 4 looks in record head 810 is formed with 4 nozzle sets that are made of a plurality of nozzles 812.Record head 810 with nozzle 812 is equivalent to the fluid injection portion among the present invention.

On the top of record head 810, lamination has the 2nd balladeur train parts the 820, the 3rd balladeur train parts the 830, the 4th balladeur train parts 840 and the 5th balladeur train parts 850 in order.Above the 5th balladeur train parts 850 formation balladeur trains 80, and have by be connected 4 ink introducing ports 859 of a part that forms ink flow path with supply pipe 340.The 4th balladeur train parts 840 are layered between the 5th balladeur train parts 850 and the 3rd balladeur train parts 830, have 4 upstreams that are communicated with the ink introducing port 859 of the 5th balladeur train parts 850 and store black chamber 842.The 3rd balladeur train parts 830 are layered between the 4th balladeur train parts 840 and the 2nd balladeur train parts 820, have: 4 ink flow paths 838 that the pressure of storing 4 ink flow paths 834 that black chamber 842 is communicated with, ink that subtend record head 810 flows down by the filter 846 and the upstream of the 4th balladeur train parts 840 reduces pressure 4 pressure regulator valves 836 adjusting and the ink from pressure regulator valve 836 is flowed down to record head 810.The 2nd balladeur train parts 820 are layered between the 3rd balladeur train parts 830 and the record head 810, have 4 downstreams that are communicated with the ink flow path 838 of the 3rd balladeur train parts 830 and store black chamber 822.The downstream is store black chamber 822 and is communicated with nozzle 812 by filter 826.

Form in the balladeur train 80 across seeing through wall 844 and store the gas recovery chamber 841 of black chamber 842 adjacency and reclaim chamber 821 across the gas of storing black chamber 822 adjacency through wall 824 and downstream with the upstream.Gas reclaims chamber 821 and gas recovery chamber 841 is used to remove the bubble that is blended into the ink in the ink flow path.That is, balladeur train 80 has the hollow needle 852 that can be connected with dismounting connecting portion 750 (Fig. 6), and with after dismounting connecting portion 750 is connected, gas reclaims chamber 821 and 841 and is communicated with dismounting connecting portion 750 by second wife 851 in the decompression at the hollow needle 852 of balladeur train 80.At this moment,, then reclaim chamber 821 and 841 negative pressure is provided, can remove the bubble in the ink of sneaking in ink flow path to gas if carry out attraction based on vavuum pump 710.

Fig. 8 is the key diagram that expression balladeur train 80 moves to the state of the position that can be connected with skull 740.Fig. 9 is that expression makes skull 740 rise the key diagram of the state that is connected with balladeur train 80.On the elevation base plate 730 of maintenance mechanism portion 70, dispose skull 740 application of force support portion 734 supported of the application of force and to dismounting connecting portion 750 application of force support portion 735 supported of the application of force upward upward.Dispose lift motor 722 on the pedestal 720 of maintenance mechanism portion 70, when lift motor 722 made screw rod 726 rotation by travelling gear 724 and 725, lifting was carried out in the rotation of the elevation base plate 730 corresponding screw rods 726 that screw togather with screw rod 726.

In maintenance mechanism portion 70, be provided with and divide the branching portion 716 that gives skull 740 and dismounting connecting portion 750 vacuum tube 715 (Fig. 6), between branching portion 716 and skull 740, be connected with branched pipe 717, between branching portion 716 and dismounting connecting portion 750, be connected with branched pipe 718.As shown in Figure 9, skull 740 is rising to when being connected with balladeur train 80, and record head 810 below between, form ink suction chamber 741 with connector 742 connections that are connected with branched pipe 717.When the attraction carried out under this state based on vavuum pump 710 (Fig. 6), ink suction chamber 741 is provided negative pressure.Thus, by the nozzle 812 of record head 810, can carry out the attraction in the ink flow path.In addition, in the bottom surface of ink suction chamber 741, dispose the sponge 744 that the ink of discharging to ink suction chamber 741 from nozzle 812 is absorbed.

Figure 10 is the flow chart that the ink of the printer 10 among expression the 1st embodiment is filled handling process.Ink for example fill to be handled the final stage (dispatching from the factory the preparatory stage) in the manufacturing process of printer 10, i.e. carry out after the cleaning of lettering inspection and ink supply system.

In step S110, the ink bag 310 of having accommodated ink is connected (with reference to Fig. 4) with providing ink portion 330.In addition, in step S110, the ink bag 310 of also can not accommodate ink and providing ink portion 330 are connected and accommodate (filling) to the ink of ink bag 310.

In step S120 (Figure 10), the skull 740 of maintenance mechanism portion 70 is connected (with reference to Fig. 9) with balladeur train 80.In step S130, carry out attraction based on vavuum pump 710 (Fig. 6).When the attraction carried out based on vavuum pump 710, ink suction chamber 741 (Fig. 9) is provided negative pressure, the attraction that the nozzle 812 by record head 810 carries out in the ink flow path.As a result, flow out ink, make ink be filled in the ink flow path from ink bag 310.The scope that is filled the ink flow path of ink this moment changed along with the time of the attraction action of carrying out vavuum pump 710.Also can be filled into the mode of the half-way of supply pipe 340 according to ink from the providing ink portion 330 that is connected with ink bag 310, carry out the attraction action of vavuum pump 710, can also according to ink be filled into balladeur train 80 record head 810 (Fig. 7) mode (promptly, make ink be full of whole ink flow path), carry out the attraction action of vavuum pump 710.

Ink by above explanation is filled and is handled, and printer 10 becomes the state (hereinafter referred to as " the 1st original state ") of having filled ink at least a portion of 810 ink flow path and the record head 810 self from ink bag 310 to record head.Then, printer is dispatched from the factory, bring into use by the user.That is, printer 10 has been accommodated in ink bag 310 before the initial use of the printer 10 behind the ink, is in the 1st original state.Therefore, do not need to use for example logistics after the use of printer 10 begins, to become material not like that with ink and preservation liquid.And, before the use of printer 10 begins, can suppress logistics and invade in the ink bag 310, thereby can suppress the decline of the ink quality (for example degree of degassing) in the ink bag 310 with ink or air etc.In addition, when the user brings into use,,, alleviated user's burden so do not need the user to carry out the installation exercise of ink bag 310 owing to ink bag 310 is arranged in the printer 10.In addition, before when the user uses beginning, because printer 10 is maintained in the state (the 1st original state) of having filled ink in the ink flow path, so, the material surface that forms ink flow path has soaked into ink, thereby can carry out the ink filling to ink flow path after the user uses beginning well.

In addition, the ink of present embodiment is filled and is handled (Figure 10), also can be after the user to bring into use, and the ink in one or more ink bags 310 in being arranged on printer 10 carries out when using up.The ink of this moment after removing the ink bag 310 that uses up ink, carries out the connection of the ink bag 310 of step S110 in filling and handling.Perhaps, also can carry out accommodating (filling) ink to the ink bag 310 that uses up ink.Then, execution in step S120 and S130.In this case, printer 10 also is in the 1st original state before the initial use of (the using up ink) printer 10 after ink bag 310 is accommodated ink.

B. the 2nd embodiment

Figure 11 is the vertical view of internal structure of the upper box body 30 of the printer 10 of expression among the 2nd embodiment.The difference of itself and the 1st embodiment shown in Figure 4 is that the printer 10 of the 2nd embodiment has resistance valve mechanism 900.Resistance valve mechanism 900 is configured near the link position of providing ink portion 330 and supply pipe 340.As described later, resistance valve mechanism 900 constitutes and can open and close from ink bag 310 to record head 810 ink flow path.

Figure 12 is the key diagram that the structure of resistance valve mechanism 900 represented in summary.In addition, Figure 13 is the S1-S1 profile among Figure 12.Resistance valve mechanism 900 as shown in figure 12, have choked flow with DC motor 910, transmit choked flow with the gear train 920 of the rotation torque of DC motor 910 and based on the rotation torque that transmits by gear train 920 carry out near or away from the mobile magnet portion 930 of providing ink portion 330.Figure 13 (a) expression magnet portion 930 is in the state (hereinafter referred to as " away from state ") away from providing ink portion 330, and Figure 13 (b) expression magnet portion 930 is in the state (hereinafter referred to as " closest approach ") near providing ink portion 330.In addition, when being in away from state, and having been transmitted and made under the situation of magnet portion 930 away from the rotation torque of the direction of providing ink portion 330, allowed gear train 920 idle running, made moment of torsion not be delivered to magnet portion 930 in magnet portion 930.When being in closest approach, and having been transmitted and make magnet portion 930 too near the situation of the rotation torque of the direction of providing ink portion 330 in magnet portion 930.

And resistance valve mechanism 900 has the valve body 932 of the inside that is arranged on providing ink portion 330 as shown in figure 13.Valve body 932 can slide, and opening and closing the hollow stream 335 that is formed on providing ink portion 330 inside in order to constitute ink flow path, and is pressed against the position (with reference to Figure 13 (a)) that hollow stream 335 is open by spring 934.Valve body 932 is formed by metals such as iron, and shown in Figure 13 (b), when magnet portion 930 during near providing ink portion 330, valve body 932 moves to the direction of closing hollow stream 335 under the effect of magnetic force.Like this, resistance valve mechanism 900 can from 100% (wide-open state) to 0% in the scope of (closing state fully), but increase and decrease is formed on the ratio in the cross section of the actual circulation ink in the cross section of the hollow stream 335 in the providing ink portion 330.Wherein, though only illustrate corresponding with 1 chromatic ink 1 hollow stream 335 and valve body 932 among Figure 13, but resistance valve mechanism 900 can have 4 the hollow streams 335 and the valve body 932 of corresponding 4 chromatic inks, by magnet portion 930 is moved, can open and close 4 hollow streams 335.

Figure 14 is the key diagram of the structure of the motor drive circuit 42 that comprised in expression control part 40 (Fig. 1).Motor drive circuit 42 comprises: drive balladeur train 80 (Fig. 6) carriage motor 510 usefulness DC motor drive circuit 43 and carry out the DC motor drive circuit 44 of paper pushing motor 540 usefulness of paper feeding.

The motor drive circuit 42 of present embodiment also comprises step motor driving circuit 45.The printer 10 of present embodiment constitutes by continuing to use the structure of printer that has possessed the existing combination balladeur train mode of sweep mechanism in the part that is equivalent to above-mentioned casing 30, and motor drive circuit 42 comprises the step motor driving circuit 45 of the drive circuit of using with motor SM as scanning.Scanning for example is 4 phase stepper motors with motor SM, and step motor driving circuit 45 for example adopts by W1-2 mutually excitatory, scans the driving with motor SM.

In the present embodiment, choked flow is driven by step motor driving circuit 45 with DC motor 910.Choked flow is connected with the A phase terminal of step motor driving circuit 45 with DC motor 910.Utilize the micro-stepping of step motor driving circuit 45 to drive signal, choked flow is driven with DC motor 910.Figure 15 is the key diagram that the micro-stepping of expression step motor driving circuit 45 drives an example of signal.As shown in Figure 15, step motor driving circuit 45 can meticulous setting scan the angle of using with motor SM by the combination of A phase and B current value mutually.In the present embodiment, for example by applying the current value E1 of A phase with DC motor 910, drive choked flow with DC motor 910 to choked flow.

Figure 16 is the key diagram of expression choked flow with the driving timing of DC motor 910.Figure 16 (a) expression is by making magnet portion 930 (with reference to Figure 13) from moving to closest approach away from state, the electric current that applies with DC motor 910 to choked flow when closing the operation of hollow stream 335, the choked flow of Figure 16 (b) expression this moment is with the output current of DC motor 910.Shown in Figure 16 (a),, apply certain electric current to choked flow with DC motor 910 by step motor driving circuit 45 begin during through 300ms (be called " during T1 ") from operation.At this moment, choked flow is passed to magnet portion 930 with the rotation torque of DC motor 910 by gear train 920, makes magnet portion 930 approaching to providing ink portion 330, up to becoming closest approach.

From during the end of T1 to through (be called " during T2 ") during the 80ms, by step motor driving circuit 45 to choked flow apply with DC motor 910 and during the electric current that applies the opposite current direction among the T1.Wherein, the size of Ci Shi electric current is preferably infinitely near 0.During among the T2, why apply with during the electric current that applies the opposite current direction among the T1, be for choked flow is stopped rapidly with DC motor 910.That is, if during do not apply electric current with DC motor 910 among the T2 to choked flow, then shown in dotted line among Figure 16 (b) like that, after having stopped electric current and applying, choked flow will continue to rotate under effect of inertia with DC motor 910, for example just stop after beginning to operate about 1s.At this moment, can produce noise.On the other hand, when during applied among the T2 with during among the T1 apply the electric current of opposite current direction the time, shown in solid line among Figure 16 (b), like that, produce braking action to the motor rotation, can when relatively short, the rotation of chien shih motor stop, thereby can suppress generating noise.

In addition, by make magnet portion 930 from closest approach to moving away from state, choked flow when opening the operation of hollow stream 335 applies electric current and output current with DC motor 910, applies electric current and the rightabout electric current of output current when becoming with shown in Figure 16 operation of closing hollow stream 335.And, during the length (being 300ms in the present embodiment) of T1, be redefined for make magnet portion 930 from away from state moves to closest approach (perhaps opposite) choked flow fully with the driving time of DC motor 910.In addition, during the length (in the present embodiment for 80ms) of T2 be redefined for for during electric current among the T1 apply stop after, choked flow is stopped and adequate time with the rotation of DC motor 910.

Like this, in the present embodiment, choked flow is driven by step motor driving circuit 45 with DC motor 910.Therefore, can use existing circuit effectively, and not need to increase new circuit block.And, the existing design of can effectively migrating, thus the process number of newly-increased design can be cut down.In addition, the motor for do not need to carry out high accuracy rotation control with DC motor 910 as choked flow can not have the control of FEEDBACK CONTROL.

Figure 17 is the flow chart that the ink of the printer 10 among expression the 2nd embodiment is filled handling process.Ink among the 2nd embodiment is filled to handle and is filled with the ink of the 1st embodiment that to handle (Figure 10) same, for example in the final stage (dispatching from the factory the preparatory stage) of the manufacturing process of printer 10, promptly carries out after the cleaning of lettering inspection and ink supply system.In step S110, fill processing (Figure 10) equally with the ink of the 1st embodiment, the ink bag 310 of having accommodated ink is connected (with reference to Figure 11) with providing ink portion 330.

In step S112 (Figure 17),, close hollow stream 335 (Figure 13) by operation resistance valve mechanism 900.In step S120, the skull 740 of maintenance mechanism portion 70 is connected (with reference to Fig. 9) with balladeur train 80.In step S132, utilize vavuum pump 710 (Fig. 6) to attract.When the attraction of carrying out based on vavuum pump 710, ink suction chamber 741 (Fig. 9) is provided negative pressure, can carry out the attraction in the ink flow path by the nozzle 812 of record head 810.At this moment, because the hollow stream 335 of providing ink portion 330 closed by resistance valve mechanism 900, so, produce negative pressure in part from the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 to record head 810 sides.In addition, residual cleaning fluid is discharged from ink flow path this moment.On the other hand, be not supplied to negative pressure in the part from the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 to ink bag 310 sides of ink flow path, the ink former states in the ink bag 310 are retained in the ink bag 310.Among the step S140, standby official hour under this state, keeping ink flow path from the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 to the part of record head 810 sides the negative pressure that produces.

In step S150 (Figure 17), by operation resistance valve mechanism 900, open hollow stream 335 (Figure 13).Thus, the part from the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 to ink bag 310 sides of ink flow path also is supplied to negative pressure, flows out inks thus in ink bag 310, and ink is filled in the ink flow path.Be filled into the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 of ink flow path at ink after, hollow stream 335 (Figure 13) is closed (step S160) by operation resistance valve mechanism 900.In addition, utilizing resistance valve mechanism 900 to close the operation of hollow stream 335, is that the timing of the record head 810 in ink also is not filled into balladeur train 80 is carried out.

Fill processing by the ink among the 2nd embodiment of above explanation, printer 10 become ink flow path at least to the part of the position of resistance valve mechanism 900, being filled with ink in the face of the position of ink bag 310, and resistance valve mechanism 900 has closed the state (hereinafter referred to as " the 2nd original state ") of hollow stream 335.Then, printer 10 is dispatched from the factory, bring into use by the user.That is, printer 10 becomes the 2nd original state accommodated the initial use of the printer 10 behind the ink in ink bag 310 before.Therefore, do not need to use for example logistics to become material not with preserving after the such use at printer 10 of liquid begins with ink.In addition, before the use of printer 10 begins, can suppress logistics and invade situation in the ink bag 310, thereby can suppress the decline of the ink quality (for example degree of degassing) in the ink bag 310 with ink or air etc.Particularly in the 2nd original state, because resistance valve mechanism 900 has closed hollow stream 335, so the ink from filling to the part of the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 in the face of the position of ink bag 310 of ink flow path is even also maintain this part after dispatching from the factory.Therefore, can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter in ink bag 310 effectively.And, when the user brings into use,,, alleviated user's burden so do not need the user to carry out the installation exercise of ink bag 310 owing to ink bag 310 is arranged in the printer 10.And, before when the user brings into use, because printer 10 is kept the state (the 2nd original state) of having filled ink in the inking current road, so, the material surface that forms ink flow path has soaked into ink, thereby can carry out the ink filling to ink flow path after the user uses beginning well.

In addition, the ink of the 2nd embodiment has been accommodated in ink bag 310 before the initial use printer 10 behind the ink in fill handling, and ink is not filled in the nozzle 812 in the record head 810.Therefore, can suppress for example to dispatch from the factory the back to using the influence before beginning to cause nozzle 812 to block owing to being subjected to surrounding environment at printer 10, and under the situation that the lid of record head 810 is come off, also can suppress the generation of ink leakage.

In addition, fill at the ink of the 2nd embodiment and to handle,, the part of 810 sides from resistance valve mechanism 900 to record head of 4 ink flow paths of corresponding 4 chromatic inks, produce same negative pressure by the attraction (the step S132 of Figure 17) that utilizes vavuum pump 710.Then,, open and 4 hollow streams 335 (the step S150 of Figure 17) that ink flow path is corresponding, ink is filled in 4 ink flow paths by operation resistance valve mechanism 900.Therefore, can suppress occupied state inhomogeneous of each ink flow path of 4 chromatic inks, thereby can realize that good ink is filled handles.

And, during the ink among the 2nd embodiment is filled and handled, after having closed hollow stream 335 (the step S112 of Figure 17), utilize the attraction (the step S132 of Figure 17) of vavuum pump 710 by operation resistance valve mechanism 900.Thus, can confirm the having or not of fault (leak etc.) of resistance valve mechanism 900.In addition, owing to can discharge the interior residual cleaning fluid of ink flow path, the ink that can suppress to take place because of the influence that is subjected to residual cleaning fluid attracts (filling) bad.

In addition, the ink of the 2nd embodiment is filled processing (Figure 17) and is also filled processing equally with the ink of the 1st embodiment, can be after the user to bring into use, and the ink in one or more ink bags 310 in being arranged on printer 10 carries out when using up.Ink at this moment after removing the ink bag 310 and clean ink supply system of having used up ink, carries out the connection of the ink bag 310 of step S110 in filling and handling.Perhaps, also can carry out accommodating (filling) to the ink of the ink bag 310 that uses up ink.Then, the later processing of execution in step S112.In this case, printer 10 is before (using up ink) ink bag 310 has been accommodated the initial use printer 10 behind the ink, become ink flow path at least from the face of the position of ink bag 310 partially filled ink to the position of resistance valve mechanism 900, and closed the state of hollow stream 335 by resistance valve mechanism 900.

C. the 3rd embodiment

Figure 18 is the flow chart that the ink of the printer 10 among expression the 3rd embodiment is filled handling process.Ink among the 3rd embodiment is filled to handle and is filled with the ink of the 2nd embodiment that to handle (Figure 17) same, for example carries out in the final stage (dispatching from the factory the preparatory stage) of the manufacturing process of printer 10.But in flow process shown in Figure 180, be also to have put down in writing matting (the step S60～S90) of ink supply system with the difference of flow process shown in Figure 17.

In step S60 (Figure 18), cleaning means is installed, clean ink supply system.In step S70, in ink supply system, fill cleaning fluid.In the present embodiment, use logistics to use ink as cleaning fluid.Employed logistics ink in the present embodiment comprises water and NMF and interfacial agent as host, but does not comprise as the solid coloured material (dyestuff or pigment) that divides that forms.Logistics is equivalent to use liquid before the use among the present invention with ink.In step S80, the skull 740 of maintenance mechanism portion 70 is connected (with reference to Fig. 9) with balladeur train 80.In step S90, take off cleaning means.

(behind the step S60～S90), fill with the ink of the 2nd embodiment and to handle equally, the ink bag 310 of having accommodated ink is connected with providing ink portion 330 (step S110 (Figure 18), with reference to Figure 11) in the matting of ink supply system.Then,, close hollow stream 335 (Figure 13) (step S112) by operation resistance valve mechanism 900, by the driving of beginning vavuum pump 710 (Fig. 6), the attraction (step S134) of beginning ink supply system.When the attraction of carrying out based on vavuum pump 710, ink suction chamber 741 (Fig. 9) is provided negative pressure, can carry out the attraction in the ink flow path by the nozzle 812 of record head 810.At this moment, though the ink supply system from the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 to record head 810 sides is supplied to negative pressure, but because the hollow stream 335 of providing ink portion 330 is closed by resistance valve mechanism 900, so the part from the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 to ink bag 310 sides of ink flow path is not supplied to negative pressure.Standby official hour (step S144) under this state.

In step S150 (Figure 18),, opened hollow stream 335 (Figure 13) by operation resistance valve mechanism 900.Thus, opened from balladeur train 80 to the ink flow path of supplying with pin 320 (Figure 12), by the attraction of vavuum pump 710 (Fig. 6), the cleaning fluid that is filled in the ink supply system is discharged in the skull 740, ink is flowed out in the ink flow path in ink bag 310.Be filled near the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 of ink flow path at ink after, stop the driving (step S151) of vavuum pump 710, keep this state (step S152) with the stand-by time of regulation.Thus, formed and be filled with from ink bag 310 ink supplied to the part of the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 in the position from the face of ink bag 310 of ink flow path at least, and, in other parts of ink flow path and record head 810, be filled with the state of cleaning fluid.Under this state, from ink bag 310 ink supplied with matting, be filled into the interface of the cleaning fluid in the ink flow path, be positioned at ink flow path than position, the position of choked flow valve system 900 near record head 810 sides.

Then, the skull 740 with maintenance mechanism portion 70 separates (step S153 (Figure 18), with reference to Fig. 8) with balladeur train 80.Under this state, begin the driving (step S154) of vavuum pump 710 (Fig. 6) once more.Thus, the cleaning fluid that is trapped in the skull 740 is discharged.Also the attraction based on vavuum pump 710 at this moment being called suction draws.After the discharge of the cleaning fluid in having finished skull 740, stop the driving (step S155) of vavuum pump 710.Then, the skull 740 with maintenance mechanism portion 70 is connected (step S156) with balladeur train 80 once more, by operation resistance valve mechanism 900, closes hollow stream 335 (Figure 13) (step S160).In addition, utilize resistance valve mechanism 900 to close the operation of hollow stream 335, also can after the standby step of step S152, carry out.

Fill processing by the ink among the 3rd embodiment of above explanation, making printer 10 become at least is filled with from ink bag 310 ink supplied to the part of the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 in the position from the face of ink bag 310 of ink flow path, in other parts of the ink flow path that comprises record head 810, be filled with cleaning fluid (logistics ink), and resistance valve mechanism 900 has closed the state (hereinafter referred to as " the 3rd original state ") of hollow stream 335.Then, printer 10 is dispatched from the factory, bring into use by the user.That is, printer 10 has been accommodated in ink bag 310 before the initial use printer 10 behind the ink, becomes the 3rd original state.Therefore, before printer 10 is brought into use, can suppress foreign matters such as cleaning fluid or air and invade in the ink bag 310, thereby the decline and the ink bag 310 interior inks that can suppress the ink quality (for example degree of degassing) in the ink bag 310 mix with cleaning fluid.Promptly, in the 3rd original state, because resistance valve mechanism 900 has closed hollow stream 335, so, the ink from filling to the part of the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 of ink flow path in the face of the position of ink bag 310, even after dispatching from the factory, also maintain this part, therefore, can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter in ink bag 310 effectively.

And, when the user brings into use,,, alleviated user's burden so do not need the user to carry out the installation exercise of ink bag 310 owing to ink bag 310 is arranged in the printer 10.In addition, before when the user brings into use, because printer 10 is kept the state (the 3rd original state) of having filled ink (from ink bag 310 ink supplied and logistics ink) in the inking current road, so, soaked into ink at the material surface that forms ink flow path, thereby the ink to ink flow path that can carry out well after the user brings into use is filled.

And, in the 3rd original state, since in ink flow path except being filled the part and record head 810 from the part of ink bag 310 ink supplied, be filled with cleaning fluid (logistics ink), so, even for example printer 10 dispatch from the factory the back before bring into use during be under the situation of hot environment, compare in this part and do not fill cleaning fluid (promptly, have air) situation, can suppress ink supply system and record head 810 in press liter, thereby can suppress the leakage of the ink that connector portions grades.And, because cleaning fluid (logistics ink) does not comprise the coloured material (dyestuff and pigment) that solid formation divides, so, even be at printer 10 under the situation of hot environment, the situation that nozzle 812 blocks can not take place yet.

In addition, fill at the ink of the 3rd embodiment and to handle, identical with the 2nd embodiment, by utilizing the attraction of vavuum pump 710, the part of 810 sides from resistance valve mechanism 900 to record head of 4 ink flow paths corresponding, produce negative pressure jointly with 4 chromatic inks.Then,, open and 4 hollow streams 335 (the step S150 of Figure 18) that ink flow path is corresponding, make ink be filled in 4 ink flow paths thus by operation resistance valve mechanism 900.Therefore, can suppress occupied state inhomogeneous of each ink flow path of 4 chromatic inks, thereby can realize that good ink is filled handles.

In addition, fill in the processing at the ink of the 3rd embodiment, identical with the 2nd embodiment, after having closed hollow stream 335 (the step S112 of Figure 18), utilize the attraction (the step S134 of Figure 18) of vavuum pump 710 by operation resistance valve mechanism 900.Therefore, can confirm the having or not of fault (leak etc.) of resistance valve mechanism 900.

In addition, the ink of the 3rd embodiment is filled processing (Figure 18) and is also filled processing equally with the ink of the 1st embodiment and the 2nd embodiment, can be after the user to bring into use, and the ink in one or more ink bags 310 in being arranged on printer 10 carries out when using up.During at this moment ink is filled and handled, use up the removing and the cleaning (comprising the filling of cleaning fluid) of ink supply system of ink bag 310 of ink, carried out the connection of the ink bag 310 of step S110 then.Perhaps, also can carry out accommodating (filling) to the ink of the ink bag 310 of having used up ink.Then, the later processing of execution in step S112.In this case, printer 10 is before (using up ink) ink bag 310 has been accommodated the initial use printer 10 behind the ink, become having filled from ink bag 310 ink supplied to the part of the position of resistance valve mechanism 900 from position at least at ink flow path in the face of ink bag 310, other of the ink flow path that comprises record head 810 partially filled cleaning fluid (logistics ink), and closed the state of hollow stream 335 by resistance valve mechanism 900.

D. variation

Wherein, the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described and embodiment, in the scope that does not exceed its dominant ideas, can also implement in every way, for example can carry out following distortion.

D1. variation 1

Ink at above-mentioned the 2nd embodiment is filled in the processing (Figure 17), also can close hollow stream 335 behind the record head 810 that ink is filled in the balladeur train 80.But, if as the 2nd embodiment, behind the position of the resistance valve mechanism 900 that ink is filled into ink flow path, close hollow stream 335, then owing to the position from the face of ink bag 310 that is filled in ink flow path is maintained in this part to the ink the part of the position of resistance valve mechanism 900, so, consider it is desirable from the aspect that can suppress the decline of ink quality.And, if hollow stream 335 is closed in the timing of the record head 810 in ink is not filled into balladeur train 80, then consider it is desirable from the obstruction and the ink leakage aspect that can suppress nozzle 812.

In addition, fill in the processing (Figure 17) at the ink of above-mentioned the 2nd embodiment, by after utilizing resistance valve mechanism 900 to close hollow stream 335 and attraction based on vavuum pump 710, open hollow stream 335, ink is filled in the ink flow path, but also can ink be filled in the ink flow path by under the open state of keeping hollow stream 335, carrying out attraction based on vavuum pump 710.

D2. variation 2

In above-mentioned each embodiment, the structure of printer 10 is an example, as the structure of printer 10, also can adopt other structures.For example, the motor drive circuit 42 (Figure 14) of printer 10 there is no need to comprise step motor driving circuit 45, also can adopt by the DC motor drive circuit and drive the structure of choked flow with DC motor 910.And, be an example to choked flow shown in Figure 16 with electric current and the application time that DC motor 910 applies, can set arbitrarily and apply electric current and application time.In addition, be not must during apply electric current among the T2.

And, not resistance valve mechanism 900 must be arranged in the providing ink portion 330, as long as be arranged on from ink bag 310 to record head any place of 810 ink flow path.In addition, about the structure of resistance valve mechanism 900,, can adopt structure arbitrarily as long as can open and close ink flow path.

And, fill in the processing at the ink of above-mentioned each embodiment, though utilize vavuum pump to carry out the attraction of ink flow path,, then also can use these other pumps to carry out the attraction that ink is filled the ink flow path in handling if printer 10 has other pumps that can attract ink flow path.Under this situation, filling in the processing at ink, is not skull 740 must be connected with balladeur train 80.

In addition, the structure (Fig. 7) of the balladeur train 80 among above-mentioned each embodiment is an example just, also can adopt other structures as the structure of balladeur train 80.For example, balladeur train 80 is not must have gas to reclaim chamber 841,821, hollow needle 852 and pressure regulator valve 836 etc.

In addition, in above-mentioned each embodiment, make a plurality of ink bags 310 accommodate the ink of different color, but also can make a plurality of ink bags 310 accommodate the ink of same color.

D3. variation 3

In above-mentioned each embodiment, can not adopt the mode that connects with axle that upper box body 30 is installed on the main body casing 20, and upper box body 30 is slidably mounted on the main body casing 20.Thus, can ink bag 310 be housed in the upper box body 30 with stable status more.

And, in above-mentioned each embodiment, also can make on lower case 360 direction of configuration retainer 380, as shown in Figure 19, axially dispose retainer 380 along turning cylinder 350.According to the form of Figure 19 since from the state that closes of upper box body 30 to opening state, be maintained at the highly basic identical separately of ink bag 310 in the upper box body 30, therefore, can make the pressure head that is housed in the ink in each ink bag 310 roughly the same.Thus, can improve from the injection quality of the ink of record head 810 injections.

In addition, as shown in figure 20, the direction that hang plate 381 is tilted disposes retainer 380 towards turning cylinder 350.Form according to Figure 20, compare towards the situation that turning cylinder 350 opposition sides dispose retainer 380 with the direction that hang plate 381 is tilted with Fig. 2, when making upper box body 30 become out state, can ink bag 310 be positioned on the hang plate 381 of retainer 380 with stable status more.

D4. variation 4

In the above-described embodiment, as fluid ejection apparatus, specifically enumerated inkjet recording device, but be not limited thereto, it also can specifically be the fluid ejection apparatus that sprays or shoot out other liquid (except liquid, also comprising the such stream shape body of aqueous body, gel of the particle that is dispersed with functional material) beyond the ink or the fluid beyond the liquid (solid that sprays that can flow as fluid etc.).For example, also can be the liquid injection apparatus that in the manufacturing of LCD, EL (electroluminescent) display and face active display etc., uses, spray the atomizing of liquids reagent that comprises the organic liquid injection apparatus of injection organism that uses in the aqueous body injection apparatus of the aqueous body of materials such as electrode material or coloured material, the manufacturing with the form that disperses or dissolves, uses as accurate dropper at biochip.And, also can be the liquid injection apparatus that in precision optical machineries such as clock and watch or camera, utilizes syringe needle jet lubrication oil, for form the small packaged lens of using in the optical communication device etc. (optical lens) wait and on substrate, spray the liquid injection apparatus of transparent resin liquid such as ultraviolet curable resin, spray for etching substrates etc. liquid injection apparatus, the injection gel of corrosive liquids such as acid or alkali stream shape body injection apparatus, spray the coccoid jet recording device of the solid of coccoid such as toner for example.And the present invention can use in these any one injection apparatus.In addition, ink comprises water-base ink and oily ink.

D5. variation 5

Figure 21 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the state of having closed upper box body 30 of expression in the variation.In variation shown in Figure 21, ink bag 310 that form is set is different with embodiment shown in Figure 2.Promptly, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, adopted ink bag 310 is fixedly installed on mode on the retainer 380 of being located at upper box body 30, and in variation shown in Figure 21, adopt retainer 380 is not set, and ink bag 310 is arranged on form in the upper box body 30 with the form of individuality.Like this, not to use retainer 380 in that ink bag 30 is set in upper box body 30, also ink bag 310 directly can be positioned in the upper box body 30.

In addition, Figure 22 is the profile of schematic configuration of the printer 10 of the state of having closed upper box body 30 of expression in the variation.In variation shown in Figure 22, the shape of ink bag is with that form is set is different with embodiment shown in Figure 2.That is, in variation shown in Figure 22, adopted the ink bag 310 of box-formed shape, and ink bag 310 is positioned in directly in the upper box body 30 similarly with variation shown in Figure 21.Like this, the shape of ink bag is not limited to the bag shape that formed by the flexible thin material, also can adopt other shape of box-formed shape etc. for example.

In addition, Figure 23 is the key diagram of the schematic configuration of the printer 10 in the expression variation.In the variation shown in Figure 23, ink bag 310 that form is set is different with embodiment shown in Figure 1.That is, in variation shown in Figure 23, ink bag 310 is not incorporated in the inside of upper box body 30, and is configured in the outside of printer 10.In variation shown in Figure 23, the sack 60 of ink bag 310 also by being located at the hole 32 on the upper box body 30, is connected with providing ink portion 330.Like this, ink bag 310 is not the inside that must be accommodated in upper box body 30, can be configured in the outside of printer 10 yet.

In addition, Figure 24 is the key diagram of the schematic configuration of the printer 10 in the expression variation.In the variation shown in Figure 24, the supply mode of ink is different with embodiment shown in Figure 1.That is, in the variation shown in Figure 24, providing ink portion 330 is connected with the sack 60 of ink bag 310, at sack 60 and accommodated and be provided with pipe 980 between the ink tank 990 of ink.Ink in the ink tank 990 is supplied with to printing mechanism portion 50 by pipe 980, sack 60, providing ink portion 330.Variation shown in Figure 24 after for example the ink in ink bag 310 uses up, is removed ink bag 310 by the sack 60 that only keeps ink bag 310, and be provided with the pipe 980 and ink tank 990 realize providing ink.

D6. variation 6

Ink among the 3rd embodiment is filled and is handled in (Figure 18), in matting, filled cleaning fluid (logistics ink) (step S70) to ink supply system, but, then also can fill cleaning fluid (logistics ink) other liquid in addition so long as do not comprise the liquid that solid formation divides.In addition, the 3rd original state also can be to be filled with cleaning fluid (logistics ink) in record head 810, not filling the state of cleaning fluid in ink flow path, can also be to be filled with cleaning fluid in ink flow path on the contrary, does not fill the state of cleaning fluid in record head 810.

D7. variation 7

Ink in expression the 1st embodiment and the 2nd embodiment is filled in the flow chart of handling (Figure 10 and Figure 17), though express matting (the step S60 of Figure 18～S90) of ink supply system, but during the ink of the 1st embodiment and the 2nd embodiment is filled and is handled, before Figure 10 and operation shown in Figure 17, also can carry out same matting.But in the matting of the 1st embodiment and the 2nd embodiment, different with the 3rd embodiment, cleaning fluid is not discharged from (with reference to the step S70 of Figure 18) through filling.And, fill after processing finishes at the ink of Figure 10 and the 1st embodiment shown in Figure 17 and the 2nd embodiment, also can be same with the 3rd embodiment, carry out so-called suction and draw (the step S154 of Figure 18,155).In the 1st embodiment and the 2nd embodiment, owing in matting, do not fill cleaning fluid to ink supply system, so, can after matting finishes, can not go out the cleaning fluid of only depositing to the liquid of skull 740 delivery ratio more amount by the suction ejectment.

Claims (17)

1. fluid ejection apparatus is characterized in that having:

Accommodate the fluid receiving portion of fluid;

Spray the fluid ejection portion of described fluid;

The stream formation portion of the fluid flowing path of formation from described fluid receiving portion to described fluid ejection portion; With

Can open and close the valve system of described fluid flowing path,

Before the initial use of the described fluid ejection apparatus this fluid ejection apparatus has been accommodated described fluid in described fluid receiving portion after, what be in described fluid flowing path is filled with described fluid from the position of described fluid receiving portion at least to the part of the position of described valve system, and described valve system has been closed the original state of described fluid flowing path.

2. fluid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized in that,

Under the described original state, in described fluid ejection portion, be filled with and use liquid before not comprising the use that solid formation divides.

3. fluid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that,

Under the described original state, in the part beyond the part that is filled with described fluid of described fluid flowing path, use liquid before being filled with described use.

4. according to claim 2 or 3 described fluid ejection apparatus, it is characterized in that,

Described use is preceding to be not comprise as the described solid liquid that forms the coloured material that divides with liquid.

5. according to any described fluid ejection apparatus in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that,

Also have and rely on described fluid ejection portion side in position from described valve system, can be to the suction device that attracts in the described fluid flowing path,

The described original state of described fluid ejection apparatus forms by the method that comprises the steps, this method comprises:

(a) utilize described valve system to close the step of described fluid flowing path;

(b) attraction by described suction device produces the step of negative pressure in the position from described valve system relies on the described fluid flowing path of described fluid ejection portion side;

(c) remove the step of closing of described valve system to described fluid flowing path; With

(d) after the described fluid that will be contained in described fluid receiving portion is filled into the position of described valve system of described fluid flowing path, utilize described valve system to close the step of described fluid flowing path.

6. fluid ejection apparatus according to claim 5 is characterized in that,

The described original state of described fluid ejection apparatus adopts the method that also comprises the steps to form, and this method comprises:

(e) in described step (a) before, before filling described use, described fluid flowing path uses liquid, and with described fluid receiving portion and described fluid flowing path step of connecting.

7. fluid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized in that,

Before the initial use of the described fluid ejection apparatus after in described fluid receiving portion, having accommodated described fluid, in described fluid ejection portion, do not fill described fluid.

8. according to any described fluid ejection apparatus in the claim 1 to 7, it is characterized in that,

Have a plurality of described fluid receiving portion of having accommodated described fluid,

Described stream formation portion's formation and the corresponding a plurality of described fluid flowing path of described a plurality of fluid receiving portions.

9. according to any described fluid ejection apparatus in the claim 1 to 8, it is characterized in that,

Have the balladeur train that under the state that has carried described fluid ejection portion, moves,

Described fluid receiving portion be configured in described balladeur train on different positions.

10. according to any described fluid ejection apparatus in the claim 1 to 9, it is characterized in that described fluid is a liquid ink.

11. the method for a fill fluid in fluid ejection apparatus is characterized in that,

Described fluid ejection apparatus has:

Accommodate the fluid receiving portion of fluid;

Spray the fluid ejection portion of described fluid;

The stream formation portion of the fluid flowing path of formation from described fluid receiving portion to described fluid ejection portion;

Can open and close the valve system of described fluid flowing path; With

Rely on described fluid ejection portion side in position from described valve system, to the suction device that attracts in the described fluid flowing path,

Described method comprises:

(a) utilize described valve system to close the step of described fluid flowing path;

(b) attraction by described suction device produces the step of negative pressure in the position from described valve system relies on the described fluid flowing path of described fluid ejection portion side;

(c) remove the step of closing of described valve system to described fluid flowing path; With

(d) after the described fluid that will be contained in described fluid receiving portion is filled into the position of described valve system of described fluid flowing path, utilize described valve system to close the step of described fluid flowing path.

12. method according to claim 11 is characterized in that, also comprises:

(e) before, before filling the use that does not contain solid formation branch, described fluid flowing path uses liquid in described step (a), and with described fluid receiving portion and described fluid flowing path step of connecting.

13. a fluid ejection apparatus is characterized in that having:

Accommodate the fluid receiving portion of fluid;

Spray the fluid ejection portion of described fluid; With

The stream formation portion of the fluid flowing path of formation from described fluid receiving portion to described fluid ejection portion,

Before the initial use of the described fluid ejection apparatus after in described fluid receiving portion, having accommodated described fluid,, be filled with described fluid in comprising at least a portion with the link position of described fluid receiving portion of described fluid flowing path.

14. fluid ejection apparatus according to claim 13 is characterized in that,

Also have: can open and close the valve system of described fluid flowing path, it comprises the DC motor of the power of the on-off action that is provided for carrying out described fluid flowing path; With

Constitute the motor drive circuit that stepper motor is used, promptly drive the motor drive circuit of described DC motor,

Before the initial use of the described fluid ejection apparatus accommodated described fluid in described fluid receiving portion after, described valve system has been closed described fluid flowing path,

The terminal of the usefulness mutually of the regulation of the described stepper motor that described DC motor and described motor drive circuit are had connects,

Described motor drive circuit applies predetermined electric current via described terminal to described DC motor when opening and closing the action of described fluid flowing path based on described valve system.

15. fluid ejection apparatus according to claim 14 is characterized in that,

Described motor drive circuit when opening and closing the release of described fluid flowing path based on described valve system, via described terminal, rightabout rated current when described DC motor applies on-off action with described fluid flowing path.

16., it is characterized in that also having the balladeur train that under the state that has carried described fluid ejection portion, moves according to any described fluid ejection apparatus in the claim 13 to 15,

Described fluid receiving portion be configured in described balladeur train on different positions.

17., it is characterized in that described fluid is a liquid ink according to any described fluid ejection apparatus in the claim 13 to 16.

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