CN107813606B - Liquid circulation device, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge method - Google Patents
Liquid circulation device, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge method Download PDFInfo
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- CN107813606B CN107813606B CN201710555469.5A CN201710555469A CN107813606B CN 107813606 B CN107813606 B CN 107813606B CN 201710555469 A CN201710555469 A CN 201710555469A CN 107813606 B CN107813606 B CN 107813606B
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/18—Ink recirculation systems
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- Ink Jet (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides a liquid circulation device, a liquid ejection device and a liquid ejection method capable of adaptively maintaining liquid pressure of a nozzle. The liquid circulation device of the embodiment includes a regulation tank, a first pump, a second pump, and a pressure regulation unit. The regulating tank is disposed in a circulation path of a liquid ejection head through which a liquid is ejected, and stores the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head. The first pump is provided between the primary side of the liquid discharge head and the regulating tank in the circulation path, and conveys the liquid to the liquid discharge head. The second pump is provided between the secondary side of the liquid discharge head and the regulation tank in the circulation path, and conveys the liquid to the regulation tank. The pressure adjusting means adjusts the liquid feeding capacities of the first pump and the second pump based on pressures on the primary side and the secondary side of the liquid discharge head in the circulation path.
Description
Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a liquid circulation device, a liquid discharge device, and a liquid discharge method.
Background
A liquid discharge device is known which includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid, and a liquid circulation device that circulates the liquid through a circulation path including the liquid discharge head. In such a liquid discharge apparatus, the liquid pressure of the nozzles of the liquid discharge head is adjusted by adjusting the pressure in a plurality of tanks provided in the circulation path by a pump. However, in the case where the capacity of the pump varies with time, the adjustment of the liquid pressure becomes difficult.
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid circulation device, a liquid discharge device, and a liquid discharge method capable of adaptively maintaining a liquid pressure of a nozzle.
The liquid circulation device according to an embodiment includes a regulation tank, a first pump, a second pump, and a pressure regulation unit. The regulating tank is disposed in a circulation path of a liquid ejection head through which liquid is ejected, and stores liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head. The first pump is provided between the primary side of the liquid discharge head and the conditioning tank in the circulation path, and conveys the liquid to the liquid discharge head. The second pump is provided between the secondary side of the liquid discharge head and the regulation tank in the circulation path, and conveys the liquid to the regulation tank. The pressure adjusting means adjusts the liquid feeding capacities of the first pump and the second pump based on the pressures of the primary side and the secondary side of the liquid discharge head in the circulation path.
A liquid discharge device according to an embodiment includes: the above-mentioned liquid circulation device; the liquid discharge head discharging liquid; an upstream tank disposed between the first pump and the liquid discharge head in the circulation path and configured to store liquid; a downstream tank disposed between the second pump and the liquid discharge head in the circulation path and configured to store liquid; a first pressure detection unit that detects a pressure in the upstream tank; and a second pressure detecting unit that detects a pressure in the downstream tank, wherein the regulating tank is disposed between the downstream tank and the upstream tank in the circulation path, and wherein the pressure regulating unit controls the liquid feeding capacities of the first pump and the second pump based on the pressure in the upstream tank and the pressure in the downstream tank.
The liquid discharge method according to the embodiment includes: detecting pressures on a primary side and a secondary side of a liquid ejection head in a circulation path passing through the liquid ejection head ejecting liquid and a regulation tank storing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head, respectively; and adjusting liquid feeding capacities of a first pump provided on a primary side of the liquid discharge head in the circulation path and a second pump provided on a secondary side of the liquid discharge head in the circulation path based on pressure values of the primary side and the secondary side.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment.
Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the liquid discharge device according to the embodiment.
Fig. 3 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a liquid discharge head of the liquid discharge apparatus.
Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a piezoelectric pump of the liquid discharge apparatus.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the liquid ejection device.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a liquid ejection device according to another embodiment.
Description of the reference numerals
1 … ink jet recording apparatus, 10 … liquid ejection apparatus, 10a … liquid ejection apparatus, 11 … head support mechanism 11a … carriage, 12 … medium support mechanism, 13 … main control device, 20 … liquid ejection head, 21 … nozzle plate, 21a … nozzle hole, 22 … substrate, 23 … manifold, 24 … actuator, 25 … ink pressure chamber, 28 … flow path, 30 … circulation device, 31 … circulation path, 31a … first flow path, 31b … second flow path, 31c … third flow path, 31d … fourth flow path, 32 … intermediate tank (regulation tank), 33 … first circulation pump (first pump), 34 … upstream tank (first tank), 35 … downstream tank (second tank), 36 … second circulation pump (second pump), 37a, 37b …, 38 b … module control section, opening and closing valve 3639 a, 39b …, pressure sensor …, … box 3652, … feeding pump …, 54 … liquid level sensor, 60 … piezoelectric pump, 70 … control substrate, 71 … CPU, 72 … storage part, 73 … communication interface.
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, a liquid discharge device 10 according to an embodiment and an inkjet recording device 1 including the liquid discharge device 10 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 6. In the drawings, for convenience of explanation, the components are shown enlarged, reduced, or omitted as appropriate. Fig. 1 is a side view showing the structure of an ink jet recording apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the liquid ejection device 10. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the liquid discharge head 20. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first circulation pump 33, the second circulation pump 36, and the replenishment pump 53. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the module control unit 38 of the liquid ejection device 10. Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the liquid ejection device 10.
The inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in fig. 1 includes a plurality of liquid discharge devices 10, a head support mechanism 11 that movably supports the liquid discharge devices 10, a medium support mechanism 12 that movably supports a recording medium S, and a main control device 13.
As shown in fig. 1, the plurality of liquid discharge devices 10 are arranged in parallel in a predetermined direction and supported by a head support mechanism 11. The liquid discharge device 10 integrally includes a liquid discharge head 20 and a circulation device 30. The liquid discharge device 10 discharges, for example, ink I as a liquid from the liquid discharge head 20, thereby forming a desired image on the recording medium S disposed to face each other.
The plurality of liquid ejection devices 10 respectively eject a plurality of colors, for example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, and white ink, and the color or the characteristic of the ink I used is not limited. For example, a clear gloss ink, a special ink that develops color when irradiated with infrared or ultraviolet light, or the like can be ejected instead of the white ink. The plurality of liquid ejecting apparatuses 10 have the same configuration, although the inks used therein are different from each other.
The liquid ejection head 20 shown in fig. 3 is an inkjet head, and includes a nozzle plate 21 having a plurality of nozzle holes 21a, a substrate 22, and a manifold 23 bonded to the substrate 22. The substrate 22 is joined to the nozzle plate 21 so as to face the nozzle plate 21, and is configured to have a predetermined shape forming a predetermined ink flow path 28 including a plurality of ink pressure chambers 25 with the nozzle plate 21. An actuator (actuator)24 is provided on a portion of the substrate 22 facing each ink pressure chamber 25. The substrate 22 includes partition walls arranged between the plurality of ink pressure chambers 25 in the same row. The actuator 24 is disposed opposite to the nozzle hole 21a, and an ink pressure chamber 25 is formed between the actuator 24 and the nozzle hole 21 a.
The liquid discharge head 20 includes a nozzle plate 21, a substrate 22, and a manifold 23, and defines a predetermined flow path 28 having an ink pressure chamber 25 therein. An actuator 24 having electrodes 24a and 24b is provided on a portion of the substrate 22 facing each ink pressure chamber 25. The actuator 24 is connected to a drive circuit. The liquid discharge head 20 discharges the liquid from the nozzle holes 21a arranged to face each other by deforming the actuator 24 in response to the voltage under the control of the block control unit 38.
As shown in fig. 2, the circulation device 30 is integrally connected to the upper portion of the liquid discharge head 20 via a metal connection member. The circulation device 30 includes: a predetermined circulation path 31 configured to allow the liquid to circulate through the liquid discharge head 20; an intermediate tank 32 as a regulation tank, a first circulation pump 33, an upstream tank 34 as a first tank, a downstream tank 35 as a second tank, and a second circulation pump 36 provided in this order in the circulation path 31; a plurality of opening/ closing valves 37a, 37 b; and a module control unit 38 for controlling the liquid discharge operation.
The circulation device 30 includes a cassette 51 as a supply tank, a supply path 52, and a supply pump 53, which are provided outside the circulation path 31. The cartridge 51 is configured to hold ink to be supplied to the intermediate tank 32, and an air chamber therein is opened to the atmosphere. The supply path 52 is a flow path connecting the intermediate tank 32 and the cartridge 51. The replenishment pump 53 is provided in the supply path 52 and supplies the ink in the cartridge 51 to the intermediate tank 32.
The first to fourth channels 31a to 31d and the supply channel 52 constituting the circulation path 31 include a pipe made of a metal or a resin material, and a pipe covering the outer surface of the pipe, for example, a PTFE pipe. The circulation path 31 includes a first flow path 31a connecting the intermediate tank 32 and the upstream tank 34, a second flow path 31b connecting the upstream tank 34 and the supply port 20a of the liquid discharge head 20, a third flow path 31c connecting the recovery port 20b of the liquid discharge head 20 and the downstream tank 35, and a fourth flow path 31d connecting the downstream tank 35 and the intermediate tank 32.
The circulation path 31 extends from the intermediate tank 32 through the first flow path 31a and the second flow path 31b to the supply port 20a of the liquid discharge head 20, and extends from the recovery port 20b of the liquid discharge head 20 through the third flow path 31c and the fourth flow path 31d to the intermediate tank 32.
The intermediate tank 32 is connected to the liquid discharge head 20 through a circulation path 31, and is configured to be capable of storing liquid. In order to prevent the mixing of air bubbles, a diaphragm 32a made of, for example, polyimide or PTFE is formed on the liquid surface in the intermediate tank 32. The intermediate tank 32 is provided with an opening/closing valve 37a, and the opening/closing valve 37a is configured to be able to open the air chamber in the intermediate tank 32 to the atmosphere. Further, a liquid level sensor 54 is provided at the liquid level of the intermediate tank 32.
The upstream tank 34 is disposed upstream of the liquid discharge head 20 and is configured to store liquid. In order to prevent the mixing of air bubbles, a diaphragm 34a made of, for example, polyimide or PTFE is formed on the surface of the liquid in the upstream tank 34. The upstream tank 34 is provided with a first pressure sensor 39a as a first pressure detecting portion.
The downstream tank 35 is disposed downstream of the liquid discharge head 20 and is configured to store liquid. In order to prevent the mixing of air bubbles, a diaphragm 35a made of, for example, polyimide or PTFE is formed on the surface of the liquid in the downstream tank 35. The downstream tank 35 is provided with a second pressure sensor 39b as a second pressure detecting portion.
The first pressure sensor 39a detects the pressure of the air chamber in the upstream tank 34, and sends the detection data to the module control unit 38.
The second pressure sensor 39b detects the pressure of the air chamber in the downstream tank 35, and sends the detection data to the module control unit 38.
The first pressure sensor 39a and the second pressure sensor 39b are, for example, semiconductor piezoresistance pressure sensors, and output pressures as electric signals. The semiconductor piezoresistance pressure sensor includes a diaphragm that receives pressure from the outside, and a semiconductor strain gauge formed on a surface of the diaphragm. The semiconductor piezoresistance pressure sensor converts a change in resistance, which is generated by the piezoresistive effect of the strain gauge accompanying deformation of the diaphragm caused by external pressure, into an electrical signal to detect the pressure.
The liquid level sensor 54 includes a float 55 that floats on the liquid surface and moves up and down, and hall ICs 56a and 56b provided at two predetermined positions, i.e., up and down. The liquid level sensor 54 detects the amount of ink in the intermediate tank 32 by detecting the arrival of the float 55 at the upper limit position and the lower limit position by the hall ICs 56a, 56b, and sends the detected data to the module control unit 38.
The opening/ closing valves 37a and 37b are provided in the intermediate tank 32 and the downstream tank 35, respectively. The on-off valves 37a and 37b are normally closed solenoid on-off valves that are opened when the power supply is turned on and closed when the power supply is turned off, for example. The opening/ closing valves 37a and 37b are configured to be opened and closed under the control of the module control unit 38, and can open and close the air chambers of the intermediate tank 32 and the downstream tank 35, respectively, with respect to the atmosphere.
The first circulation pump 33 is provided in the first flow path 31a of the circulation path 31. The first circulation pump 33 is disposed between the primary side of the liquid discharge head 20 and the intermediate tank 32, and is disposed on the upstream side of the upstream tank 34, and conveys the liquid to the liquid discharge head 20 disposed on the downstream side.
The second circulation pump 36 is provided in the fourth flow path 31d of the circulation path 31. The second circulation pump 36 is disposed between the secondary side of the liquid discharge head 20 and the intermediate tank 32, is disposed downstream of the downstream tank 35, and conveys the liquid to the intermediate tank 32 disposed downstream.
The replenishment pump 53 is provided in the supply passage 52. The replenishment pump 53 feeds the ink I held in the cartridge 51 to the intermediate tank 32.
The first circulation pump 33, the second circulation pump 36, and the replenishment pump 53 are constituted by a piezoelectric pump 60, for example, as shown in fig. 4. The piezoelectric pump 60 includes a pump chamber 58, a piezoelectric actuator (activator) 59 provided in the pump chamber 58 and vibrated by a voltage, and check valves 61 and 62 disposed at an inlet and an outlet of the pump chamber 58. The piezoelectric actuator 59 is configured to be capable of vibrating at a frequency of about 50Hz to 200Hz, for example. The first circulation pump 33, the second circulation pump 36, and the replenishment pump 53 are connected to the drive circuit by wiring, and are configured to be controllable under the control of the module control unit 38. When an ac voltage is applied to the piezoelectric pump 60 and the piezoelectric actuator 59 operates, the volume of the pump chamber 58 changes. When the applied voltage changes, the maximum change amount of the piezoelectric actuator 59 changes in the piezoelectric pump 60, and the volume change amount of the pump chamber 58 changes. When the volume of the pump chamber 58 is deformed in a direction to increase, the check valve 61 at the inlet of the pump chamber 58 opens, and ink flows into the pump chamber 58. On the other hand, when the volume of the pump chamber 58 changes in a direction to decrease, the check valve 62 at the outlet of the pump chamber 58 opens, and ink flows out from the pump chamber 58. The piezoelectric pump 60 repeats expansion and contraction of the pump chamber 58 to deliver the ink I downstream. Therefore, if the voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator 59 is large, the liquid feeding capability is strong, and if the voltage is small, the liquid feeding capability is weak. For example, in the present embodiment, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator 59 is changed between 50V and 150V.
As shown in fig. 5, the module control unit 38 includes a CPU71, a drive circuit for driving the respective components, a storage unit 72 for storing various data, and a communication interface 73 for communicating with the main control device 13 provided outside, on a control board 70 integrally mounted on the circulation device 30. The storage unit 72 is configured to include, for example, a program memory and a RAM.
The module control unit 38 communicates with the main control device 13 in a state of being connected to the main control device 13 via the communication interface 73, and receives various information such as operating conditions.
The user's input operation and an instruction from the main control device 13 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 are transmitted to the CPU71 of the module control section 38 through the communication interface 73. The various information acquired by the module control unit 38 is transmitted to the PC application or the main control device 13 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 via the communication interface 73.
The CPU71 corresponds to a central part of the module control section 38. The CPU71 controls the respective units in accordance with an operating system and an application program to realize various functions of the liquid ejection device.
The CPU71 is connected with drive circuits 75a, 75b, 75c of the pumps 33, 36, 53 of the circulation device 30 and the sensors 39a, 39b, 54.
For example, the CPU71 functions as a circulation unit that circulates ink by controlling the operation of the circulation pumps 33 and 36.
The CPU71 also functions as a replenishment unit that controls the operation of the replenishment pump 53 based on information detected by the liquid level sensor 54 and the pressure sensors 39a and 39b to replenish ink from the cartridge 51 to the circulation path 31.
Further, the CPU71 functions as a pressure adjusting unit that controls the liquid sending capability of the first circulation pump 33 and the second circulation pump 36 based on the information detected by the first pressure sensor 39a, the second pressure sensor 39b, and the liquid level sensor 54, and adjusts the ink pressure of the nozzle holes 21 a.
The storage unit 72 includes, for example, a program memory and a RAM. The storage unit 72 stores an application program and various setting values. The storage unit 72 stores, for example, various setting values such as a calculation formula for calculating the ink pressure in the nozzle holes 21a, a target pressure range, and an adjustment maximum value of each pump, as control data for pressure control.
Hereinafter, a liquid discharge method in the liquid discharge device 10 and a control method of the liquid discharge device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 6.
The CPU waits for an instruction to start the loop in Act 1. For example, when an instruction to start the cycle is detected based on an instruction from the main control device 13, the process proceeds to Act 2. As a printing operation, the main controller 13 performs an ink discharge operation while reciprocating the liquid discharge device 10 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium S, thereby forming an image on the recording medium S. Specifically, the CPU71 transports the carriage 11a provided in the head support mechanism 11 in the direction of the recording medium S, and reciprocates in the direction of the arrow a. The CPU71 sends an image signal corresponding to the image data to the drive circuit 75e of the liquid discharge head 20, selectively drives the actuator 24 of the liquid discharge head 20, and discharges ink droplets from the nozzle holes 21a to the recording medium S.
In Act2, the CPU71 drives the first circulation pump 33 and the second circulation pump 36 to start the ink circulation operation. The ink I circulates from the intermediate tank 32 to the upstream tank 34 and the liquid discharge head 20, and flows into the intermediate tank 32 again through the downstream tank 35. By this circulation operation, the impurities contained in the ink I are removed by the filter provided in the circulation path 31.
In Act3, the CPU71 opens the opening/closing valve 37a of the intermediate tank 32 to the atmosphere. Since the intermediate tank 32 is open to the atmosphere and is always at a constant pressure, a decrease in pressure in the circulation path due to ink consumption by the liquid discharge head 20 is prevented. Here, when there is a concern that the temperature of the on-off valve 37a will increase due to opening the on-off valve 37a for a long time, the on-off valve 37a may be opened only periodically for a short time. If the pressure of the circulation path is not excessively reduced, the ink pressure of the nozzles can be kept constant even if the opening and closing valve 37a is closed. Note that the solenoid-type opening and closing valve 37a is normally closed (normal close). Therefore, even when power supply to the apparatus is suddenly stopped due to a power failure or the like, the opening/closing valve 37a is instantaneously closed to shield the intermediate tank 32 from the atmospheric pressure, thereby sealing the circulation path 31. Therefore, the ink I can be prevented from dripping from the nozzle holes 21a of the liquid discharge head 20.
In Act4, the CPU71 detects upstream side and downstream side pressure data transmitted from the first pressure sensor 39a and the second pressure sensor 39 b. The CPU71 detects the liquid level in the intermediate tank 32 based on the data sent from the liquid level sensor 54.
In Act5, the CPU71 starts liquid level adjustment. Specifically, the CPU71 drives the replenishment pump 53 based on the detection result of the liquid level sensor 54, thereby replenishing ink from the cartridge 51 and adjusting the liquid surface position to an appropriate range. For example, when ink droplets ID are ejected from the nozzle holes 21a during printing, and the amount of ink in the intermediate tank 32 is instantaneously reduced to lower the liquid surface, ink is replenished. When the ink amount increases again and the output of the liquid level sensor 54 is reversed, the CPU71 stops the replenishment pump 53.
In Act6, the CPU71 detects the ink pressure of the nozzles from the pressure data. Specifically, the ink pressure in the nozzle hole 21a is calculated based on the upstream side and downstream side pressure data transmitted from the pressure sensor by using a predetermined arithmetic expression.
For example, the ink pressure Pn of the nozzle can be obtained by adding the average value of the pressure value Ph of the air chamber of the upstream tank 34 and the pressure value Pl of the air chamber of the downstream tank 35 to the pressure ρ gh generated by the head difference between the liquid surface height and the nozzle surface height in the upstream tank 34 and the downstream tank 35. Here, let ρ: density of ink, g: acceleration of gravity, h: the liquid level in the upstream tank 34 and the downstream tank 35 is spaced from the nozzle surface in the height direction. The liquid level in the upstream tank 34 and the downstream tank 35 is equal to the level of the diaphragm 34a and the diaphragm 35a, and the diaphragm 34a and the diaphragm 35a are set to the same level.
Further, as the pressure adjustment processing, the CPU71 calculates the drive voltage based on the ink pressure Pn of the nozzle calculated from the pressure data. Then, the CPU71 drives the first circulation pump 33 and the second circulation pump 36 so that the ink pressure Pn of the nozzles becomes an appropriate value, thereby maintaining a negative pressure to such an extent that the ink I is not leaked from the nozzle holes 21a of the liquid ejection head 20 and the air bubbles are not sucked from the nozzle holes, and maintaining the meniscus Me. Here, as an example, the upper limit of the target value is P1H, and the lower limit is P1L.
In Act7, the CPU71 determines whether the ink pressure Pn of the nozzle is within an appropriate range, i.e., whether P1L. ltoreq. Pn. ltoreq.P 1H. In the case of being out of the appropriate range (no of Act 7), the CPU71 determines as Act8 whether the ink pressure Pn of the nozzle exceeds the target value upper limit P1H.
The ink pressure in the nozzles of the liquid discharge head 20 is increased when the first circulation pump 33 is driven relatively strongly, and is decreased when the second circulation pump 36 is driven relatively strongly.
The CPU71 further determines whether or not the drive voltage is within the regulation range of each pump 33, 36 (Act9, Act12), and when the drive voltage exceeds the maximum regulation value Vmax of the pumps 33, 36, performs pressurization and depressurization by using the other pump 36, 33.
Specifically, when the ink pressure Pn of the nozzles is out of the appropriate range (no in Act 7) and the ink pressure Pn of the nozzles does not exceed the target upper limit P1H (no in Act 8), that is, when the ink pressure Pn of the nozzles is lower than the target lower limit P1L, the CPU71 determines as Act9 whether or not the drive voltage V + of the first circulation pump 33 on the pressurizing side is equal to or higher than the adjustment maximum value Vmax, that is, whether or not the adjustable range of the first circulation pump 33 is exceeded. When the driving voltage V + of the first circulation pump 33 on the pressurizing side is equal to or higher than the regulation maximum value Vmax (yes in Act 9), the CPU71 decreases the voltage of the second circulation pump to pressurize the pump as Act 10. On the other hand, if the driving voltage V + of the first circulation pump on the pressurizing side is smaller than the adjustment maximum value Vmax and within the adjustable range (no of Act 9), the CPU71 increases the driving voltage of the first circulation pump 33 as Act11 to perform pressurization.
In Act8, when the ink pressure Pn of the nozzles exceeds the target value upper limit P1H (yes in Act 8), the CPU71 determines as Act12 whether or not the drive voltage V-of the second circulation pump 36 on the decompression side is equal to or greater than the adjustment maximum value Vmax, that is, whether or not the adjustment range of the second circulation pump 36 is exceeded. When the driving voltage V-of the second circulation pump 36 on the pressure reduction side is equal to or higher than the regulation maximum value Vmax (yes in Act12), the CPU71 reduces the voltage of the first circulation pump 33 as Act13 to reduce the pressure. On the other hand, if the driving voltage V-of the second circulation pump 36 on the pressure reduction side is smaller than the adjustment maximum value Vmax and is within the adjustable range (no of Act12), the CPU71 increases the driving voltage of the second circulation pump 36 to reduce the pressure as Act 14.
Thereafter, the CPU71 performs feedback control of Act4 to Act14 until a cycle end command is detected in Act 15. Then, when the CPU71 detects a command to end the cycle based on a command from the main control device 13 (yes in Act 15), for example, the opening/closing valve 37a of the intermediate tank 32 is closed to seal the intermediate tank 32 (Act 16). Further, the CPU71 stops the first circulation pump 33 and the second circulation pump 36, and ends the circulation process (Act 17).
The liquid discharge device 10 configured as described above detects the pressure on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the liquid discharge head 20, and feedback-controls the pressure by the pressurized first circulation pump 33 and second circulation pump 36, thereby being able to adaptively maintain the ink pressure at the nozzles. For this reason, even in the case where the pump performance changes with time, for example, adaptive pressure control can be realized.
Further, since the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 uses the piezoelectric pump 60 as the circulation pumps 33 and 36, the configuration is simple and material selection is easy. That is, the piezoelectric pump 60 does not require a large drive source such as a motor or a solenoid, and can be smaller than a general diaphragm pump, piston pump, or tube pump. Further, since there is a possibility that the tube may come into contact with the ink when a tube pump is used, it is necessary to select a material so as to avoid deterioration of the tube or the ink. On the other hand, by making it the piezoelectric pump 60, material selection is made easier. For example, in the present embodiment, the liquid (immersion liquid) contact member of the piezoelectric pump 60 can be made of SUS316L, PPS, PPA, or polyimide, which has excellent chemical resistance.
In the above embodiment, by using the first circulation pump 33 on the upstream side capable of increasing the voltage and decreasing the voltage when the voltage is increased, and the second circulation pump 36 on the downstream side capable of decreasing the voltage when the voltage is increased and increasing the voltage when the voltage is decreased, it is possible to use another pump when the drive voltage exceeds the adjustable range, and therefore it is possible to realize highly accurate control. The circulation device 30 can be integrated with functions necessary for controlling the first circulation pump 33, the second circulation pump 36, the replenishment pump 53, the pressure sensors 39a and 39b, the liquid level sensor 54, the control board 70, and other ink supply, circulation, and pressure adjustment. Therefore, compared to a large stationary circulation device, the connection and electrical connection of the flow path between the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 and the carriage 11a can be simplified. As a result, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 can be reduced in size, weight, and cost.
In the liquid discharge apparatus 10, since the components necessary for the feedback control are integrally mounted on the control board 70, only information data such as an operation instruction and a status communication, which do not require a high-speed response much, flows through the communication interface 73, and therefore, an effect of reducing the data transmission speed requirement of the communication interface 73 can be obtained.
[ second embodiment ]
Hereinafter, a liquid discharge device 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the liquid ejection device 10A. Note that the liquid discharge device 10A according to the second embodiment is the same as the liquid discharge device 10 according to the first embodiment except that the cartridge 51 is used as the intermediate tank 32, and therefore, common descriptions are omitted.
As shown in fig. 7, in the liquid ejection device 10A according to the second embodiment, as the intermediate tank 32, the intermediate tank 32 that can be opened to the atmosphere is disposed in the circulation path 31 between the upstream tank 34 and the downstream tank 35. That is, the cartridge 51 in the liquid discharge apparatus 10 is used as the intermediate tank 32. The intermediate tank 32 may be opened to the atmosphere at ordinary times. In the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by using the cartridge 51 as the intermediate box 32, the configuration can be omitted.
Note that the configuration of the liquid circulation device according to the above-described embodiment is not limited. For example, the liquid ejecting apparatuses 10 and 10A can eject liquid other than ink. As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid other than ink, for example, an apparatus that ejects a liquid containing conductive particles for forming a wiring pattern of a printed wiring board, or the like may be used.
The liquid discharge head 20 may be configured to discharge ink droplets by deforming a diaphragm by static electricity, or by discharging ink droplets from nozzles by thermal energy of a heater or the like, for example.
In addition, although the liquid discharge device is used in the inkjet recording device 1 in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, a 3D printer, an industrial manufacturing machine, and medical use, and can achieve reduction in size, weight, and cost.
Further, as the first circulation pump 33, the second circulation pump 36, and the replenishment pump 53, a tube pump, a diaphragm pump, a piston pump, or the like may be used instead of the piezoelectric pump 60.
While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
Claims (3)
1. A liquid discharge device includes:
a liquid circulation device, comprising:
a regulating tank disposed in a circulation path of a liquid ejection head through which a liquid is ejected, for storing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head,
a first pump provided between the primary side of the liquid discharge head and the adjustment tank in the circulation path and configured to feed the liquid to the liquid discharge head,
a second pump provided between the secondary side of the liquid discharge head and the regulation tank in the circulation path and configured to feed the liquid to the regulation tank, and
a pressure adjusting unit that adjusts liquid feeding capacities of the first pump and the second pump based on pressures on a primary side and a secondary side of the liquid discharge head in the circulation path,
wherein the first pump and the second pump are piezoelectric pumps;
the liquid discharge head discharging liquid;
an upstream tank disposed between the first pump and the liquid discharge head in the circulation path and configured to store liquid;
a downstream tank disposed between the second pump and the liquid discharge head in the circulation path and configured to store liquid;
a first pressure detection unit that detects a pressure in the upstream tank; and
a second pressure detecting section that detects a pressure in the downstream tank,
the conditioning tank is disposed between the downstream tank and the upstream tank in the circulation path,
the pressure adjusting unit controls liquid feeding capacities of the first pump and the second pump based on a pressure in the upstream tank and a pressure in the downstream tank,
the circulation path includes: a first flow path connecting the primary side of the liquid discharge head to the upstream tank; a second flow path connecting a secondary side of the liquid discharge head and the downstream tank; a third flow path connecting the regulation tank and the upstream tank; and a fourth flow path connecting the downstream tank and the regulation tank,
the air chamber formed inside the adjusting box can be opened to the atmosphere,
the pressure adjusting means opens the adjusting tank to the atmosphere when performing pressure adjustment, and controls the liquid feeding capability by changing a voltage applied to a piezoelectric body of the piezoelectric pump when performing the pressure adjustment,
the pressure adjusting means increases a voltage applied to the piezoelectric body of the first pump to pressurize the piezoelectric body when the driving voltage is within the adjustment range of the first pump,
the pressure adjusting unit decreases a voltage applied to the piezoelectric body of the second pump and pressurizes the piezoelectric body when the driving voltage exceeds the adjustment range of the first pump,
the pressure adjusting means increases and reduces the voltage applied to the piezoelectric body of the second pump when the driving voltage is within the adjustment range of the second pump,
the pressure adjusting means reduces the voltage applied to the piezoelectric body of the first pump and reduces the pressure when the driving voltage exceeds the adjustment range of the second pump.
2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1,
the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a supply tank connected to the regulating tank and capable of storing liquid,
the pressure adjusting means controls a supply operation of the liquid from the replenishment tank to the adjustment tank.
3. A liquid ejection method using the liquid ejection device according to claim 1, comprising:
detecting pressures on a primary side and a secondary side of a liquid ejection head in a circulation path passing through the liquid ejection head ejecting liquid and a regulation tank storing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head, respectively; and
adjusting liquid feeding capacities of a first pump provided on a primary side of the liquid discharge head and a second pump provided on a secondary side of the liquid discharge head in the circulation path based on pressure values of the primary side and the secondary side,
wherein the first pump and the second pump are piezoelectric pumps.
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| JP2016-178773 | 2016-09-13 | ||
| JP2016178773 | 2016-09-13 |
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| JP7073893B2 (en) * | 2018-05-08 | 2022-05-24 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Liquid injection device, liquid filling method and bubble discharge method |
| JP7251939B2 (en) * | 2018-09-21 | 2023-04-04 | 株式会社Ｓｃｒｅｅｎホールディングス | PRINTING DEVICE, PRINTING SYSTEM, PRINTING METHOD |
| JP7198622B2 (en) * | 2018-09-27 | 2023-01-04 | 理想科学工業株式会社 | inkjet printer |
| KR101989375B1 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2019-06-14 | 주식회사 고산테크 | Ink circulation supply system and method for ink-jet head |
| KR102194622B1 (en) | 2020-03-13 | 2020-12-24 | 주식회사 고산테크 | Ink circulation supply system and method for ink-jet head |
| CN112721457B (en) * | 2020-12-23 | 2022-04-22 | 惠州市迪日科技发展有限公司 | Circulating ink supply system, ink-jet printing device and ink-jet printing equipment |
| KR102301582B1 (en) * | 2021-02-18 | 2021-09-16 | 주식회사 고산테크 | Ink storage unit capable of stirring ink by ink circulation |
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| CN107813606A (en) | 2018-03-20 |
| JP7005205B2 (en) | 2022-01-21 |
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