CN1832861A - Liquid container, sub tank, liquid discharge apparatus, liquid supply apparatus, and imaging apparatus - Google Patents
Liquid container, sub tank, liquid discharge apparatus, liquid supply apparatus, and imaging apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- CN1832861A CN1832861A CN 200480022570 CN200480022570A CN1832861A CN 1832861 A CN1832861 A CN 1832861A CN 200480022570 CN200480022570 CN 200480022570 CN 200480022570 A CN200480022570 A CN 200480022570A CN 1832861 A CN1832861 A CN 1832861A
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Abstract
A sub tank is provided that includes a case at which an air flow path is formed, the air flow path including an entrance flow path portion that is connected to an ink accommodating portion of the case, and a cross flow path portion that continues from the entrance flow path portion. The cross flow path portion extends in an upper diagonal direction with respect to a reference plane corresponding to the ink liquid level at a standstill state.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates in general to a kind of liquid container, a kind of sub tank, a kind of pumping equipment, a kind of liquid feed device and a kind of imaging device.
Background technology
In the ink-jet recording apparatus that can be applicable to imaging device (for example printer, facsimile machine, duplicator and draught machine), a for example low capacity sub tank (sub tank) is set on carriage, one big capacity master print cartridge (main reservoir) is set in this device main body, and is provided for from the main print cartridge that is positioned at apparatus main body device to the sub tank ink supply.
In Japan publication application 2003-53993, a kind of sub tank is set, described sub tank comprises: by the moveable part that deformable membrane is made, be used to provide a spring of negative pressure, and the supply/drain passageway of ink supply and discharge mist.In this sub tank, described supply/drain passageway is positioned at the position that can avoid described moveable part and described spring to interfere.
In Japan publication application 2002-86748, the sub tank of another example is disclosed, this sub tank comprises: when keeping black negative pressure according to a black chamber of black cubic deformation, a China ink that is provided with on top, described black chamber enters unit and deliverying unit, and an ink donor unit that is provided with in bottom, described black chamber.Described China ink enters the unit and comprises: make and have a valve seat of a black inlet passage by elastomeric material, have a supply valve of a valve portion, and with pressure with described valve portion and described valve base sealing together with an elastomeric element of the described black inlet passage of shutoff.Described deliverying unit comprises a hermetic unit of being made and being had at its center a sealing slit by elastomeric material.
In Japan publication application 2003-1846, a kind of liquid feed device that discloses a kind of sub tank and comprised this sub tank, described sub tank comprises: by supplying and discharge the negative pressure generation unit that the fluid in it expands and shrinks, open an air releasing unit of described sub tank and an ink donor unit that is used for ink supply to outside air.In the prior art example, with liquid when main reservoir is fed to described sub tank, the inside of described sub tank is exposed to outside air by the gas releasing unit, and fluid is supplied to the negative pressure generation unit and makes its expansion, and liquid is supplied to sub tank thus.After liquid was supplied to sub tank, the gas releasing unit was closed, and the negative pressure generation unit shrinks, and made to produce a negative pressure in sub tank.
In the imaging device that is provided with conventional sub tank, be provided with from the supply pipe of main reservoir to the sub tank ink supply, and flexible membrane parts that are used as the fluctuation of Damper Control sub tank internal pressure.In long-term the use, air permeates these parts gradually, and air may be assembled in this sub tank.In addition, a spot of air may enter described main reservoir because of the dismounting of main reservoir, and described air also can be fed to described sub tank with inking.
Therefore, in the sub tank of Japan publication application 2003-53993, the ink supply path also is used as the air drain passageway, makes that the air in the sub tank can be discharged from.But, in this case, when the imaging device does not use for a long time, the China ink of intake section that sticks to the supply drain passageway viscous that may become, described path may be sealed by this China ink.
Thus, preferably, the deliverying unit that black inlet passage and being used to is discharged air in the sub tank is arranged in the described sub tank independently, as the situation in Japan publication application 2002-86748.But, even in the prior art example, if China ink enters described deliverying unit, when the imaging device does not use for a long time, still identical as mentioned above effect can appear, that is, and and may become viscous and may seal this drain passageway of the China ink that sticks to described deliverying unit intake section.
Sub tank preferably is set to have a black holding portion that is used to hold China ink, an and air flow channel that is used for discharging air from described black holding portion, above the intake section of air flow channel described in the described sub tank is positioned at the liquid level that black holding portion holds China ink, thus, China ink can describedly not enter air flow channel.
But, when imaging device in use the time, can the movement of bracket of black liquid fluctuating makes China ink enter air flow channel in the sub tank because of causing.Therefore, China ink can adhere to the seal member of the air release valve that is used for the described air flow channel of switch, and the China ink viscous that may become, thereby can't realize sealing and may stop up air flow channel.
In addition, be used to seal under the situation of the path in the sub tank at deformable membrane, under the situation as Japan publication application 2003-53993, described air flow channel can form the groove by described diaphragm seal.In this structure, China ink may be drawn in the air flow channel because of capillary effect.
In addition, in the sub tank in Japan publication application 2003-1846, the negative pressure generation unit that expands and shrink by supply and discharge fluid is set in sub tank, therefore, for the negative pressure that in sub tank, produces, except being used for to the mechanism of sub tank supply liquid, also need to be used to supply the mechanism of expanding and shrinking the required fluid of described negative pressure generation unit.
Similarly, in the sub tank of Japan publication application 2002-86748, a flexible container that holds China ink is set, and this flexible container expands by the absorption/venting of box body and shrinks in box body, thereby the structure of this negative pressure generation unit may be complicated.
In addition, in ink-jet recording apparatus, increase of Mo Keyinmo viscosity and China ink become dry and stick in the record head nozzle.Therefore, in Japan publication application 2002-234189, and in Japanese patent application 8-2651, disclose by on nozzle and from nozzle, absorbing China ink and a kind of recovery operation of a recovery record condition of nozzles with cap member covering with predetermined timing.
In addition, in Japan publication application 5-270004,8-156282, and among the 2001-71451, disclose the ink-jet recording apparatus that does not directly use sub tank from a print cartridge (main reservoir) to its ink supply, wherein the China ink of China ink is used up state (lacking ink-condition) in the print cartridge, comprise be about to use up state can be detected, and when a kind of in the multiple China ink that detects different colours arrived when using up state, printing model is printed by full color and is converted to monochromatic the printing.
In comprising the pumping equipment of aforesaid conventional sub tank, carry out when air occurring in the described sub tank, being easy to produce bubble under the situation of recovery operation, thereby nozzle may be easy to interrupt.In addition, may be comparatively difficult to negative pressure control, and the venting characteristic is easy to fluctuation.
In the imaging device that uses a fluid storage reservoir (main reservoir) and a sub tank, the China ink in sub tank is by the venting of venting head, and when consuming by recovery operation, sub tank needs the black suitable additional of the autonomous reservoir of origin.Further, when sub tank as mentioned above was provided with flexible membrane parts and an elastomeric element and produces negative pressure, the capacity of sub tank changed, and therefore can't accurately detect the China ink amount that remains in the sub tank.
In addition,, determined when the capacity of sub tank significantly reduces, when being used to produce the elastic components contract of negative pressure and when this elastomeric element returns its original state, occurring on the volume change lagging behind according to the test that the present inventor carried out.When such hysteresis occurring, negative pressure control can be unstable, and drain performance becomes unstable.Then, can occur that China ink sprays depart from venting speed on difference.
Summary of the invention
One or more problem design the present invention according to correlation technique, one of its purpose provide a kind of reduce to flow into be used for discharging the liquid container that the liquid in the air flow channel of air flows into from the liquid containing parts, a kind of liquid feed device that this liquid container is set, and a kind of imaging device that this liquid feed device is set.
Another object of the present invention provides the sub tank that the enough simple structures of a kind of energy produce negative pressure, a kind of liquid feed device that this sub tank is set, and a kind of imaging device that this sub tank or liquid feed device are set.
Another object of the present invention provides can be according to the imaging device of liquid-consumed amount to sub tank supply liquid.
Another object of the present invention is the negative pressure control that allows sub tank when carrying out the nozzle recovery operation, thereby makes drain performance stable.
In one aspect of the invention, a kind of liquid container that is used for the receiving fluids of imaging device is set, described liquid container comprises liquid containing part that is used to hold described liquid and the air flow channel that is used for partly discharging from described liquid containing air, described air flow channel comprises entrance channel part that is connected to described liquid containing part and the continuity runner section that partly continues from described entrance channel, described continuity runner section is set to relative reference planes extends on last tilted direction, and described reference planes are corresponding to the liquid liquid level under static state that is contained in the described liquid containing part.Thus, in the time of can preventing liquid fluctuating, the air that liquid infiltrates described air flow channel discharges in the side.
In another aspect of this invention, a kind of liquid container that is used for the receiving fluids of imaging device is set, described liquid container comprises: the liquid containing container body partly that is formed for holding described liquid; Be attached to described container body and be used to seal the flexible membrane parts of the opening of described liquid containing part; And the air flow channel that on described container body, forms and be used for partly discharging from described liquid containing air, wherein said air flow channel comprises runner section, described runner section does not have the wall that is formed by described flexible membrane parts.Thus, can prevent that liquid from infiltrating in the air release side of described air flow channel.
In another aspect of this invention, a kind of liquid feed device that comprises a liquid container of the present invention is set, feasible stability to record head supply liquid can improve.
In another aspect of this invention, a kind of imaging device that comprises a liquid feed device of the present invention is set, feasible stability to record head supply liquid can improve, and can realize stable imaging.
In another aspect of this invention, be provided with and a kind ofly hold from the liquid of main reservoir supply and be used for described liquid is fed to the sub tank of the liquid discharge head of discharging described liquid, described sub tank comprises:
The negative pressure generation unit, described negative pressure generation unit comprises the flexible membrane parts at least one side that is positioned at described sub tank; And described relatively sub tank is to the elastomeric element of the outside application of force of described flexible membrane parts, and described negative pressure generation unit is used in response to liquid supply and discharge and expands and shrink, and produces negative pressure in described sub tank.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, described flexible membrane parts can have the thickness in 10～100 mu m ranges.In addition, described flexible membrane parts can comprise at least two types film of lamination, and described flexible membrane parts can comprise polyethylene film and nylon membrane at least.In addition, described flexible membrane parts can comprise the silica vapor deposited layer.
According to other preferred embodiment of the present invention, described flexible membrane parts can have jut, and described flexible membrane parts are by diaphragm being shaped to convex and forming.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, described elastomeric element can corresponding spring.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, sub tank of the present invention can further comprise box body, and described box body comprises the negative pressure bar that is set to the outer side contacts of described flexible membrane parts, and described negative pressure pole-footing is shifted according to the distortion of described flexible membrane parts.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, sub tank of the present invention can further comprise the air releasing unit that is used for opening to outside air described sub tank.
In another aspect of this invention, a kind of liquid feed device is set, described liquid feed device comprises: the sub tank of the present invention that comprises the air releasing unit, wherein by opening described sub tank to outside air by described air releasing unit, and the described negative pressure generation unit that expands, described liquid is fed to described sub tank from described main reservoir, after this, by closing described air releasing unit, discharge a part of liquid in the described sub tank, and cause described negative pressure generation unit to shrink, in described sub tank, produce negative pressure.
In another aspect of this invention, a kind of imaging device is set, described imaging device comprises that sub tank of the present invention or liquid feed device discharge the liquid discharge head of liquid to the recording medium to supply liquid to.
In another aspect of this invention, by using flexible membrane parts and elastomeric element and, can in described sub tank, produce negative pressure, thereby simplified negative pressure and produced mechanism by in sub tank, supplying liquid.Therefore, can simplify described sub tank of the present invention, liquid feed device, and imaging device.
In another aspect of this invention, a kind of imaging device is set, can detects the amount of liquid of described sub tank consumption and carry out supplying the feed flow operation of liquid according to the liquid-consumed amount that is detected to described sub tank.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, store information in advance, and obtain the amount of liquid that described sub tank consumes by the formula (1) that is calculated as follows definition about lifting rate and uptake
Liquid-consumed amount=∑ (lifting rate * the number of discharge)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) ... (1)
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the summation of the lifting rate that is calculated predetermined correction coefficient correction, described predetermined correction coefficient is provided with according to the parameter of the discharge characteristic of the described liquid discharge head of reflection.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, store in advance about given row and go out the lifting rate of pattern and the information of uptake, and obtain the China ink amount that consumes from described sub tank by the formula (2) that is calculated as follows definition
Liquid-consumed amount=∑ (specific pattern discharge rate * specific pattern the number of discharge)+∑ (uptake * absorption number)
…(2)
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, liquid-consumed amount that is detected and one first standard value V1, one second standard value V2, and one the 3rd standard value V3 (V1＜V2＜V3) compare; And
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to the described first standard value V1, just before hiding described liquid discharge head to described sub tank feed flow;
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to the described second standard value V2, between the page or leaf output function to described sub tank feed flow; And
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to described the 3rd standard value V3, described sub tank is opened at least once to outside air, after this, and to described sub tank feed flow and produce negative pressure therein.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, liquid-consumed amount that is detected and one the 4th standard value V4, one the 5th standard value V5, and one the 6th standard value V6 (V4＜V5＜V6) compare, and
When liquid-consumed amount during, forbid after the page or leaf output function that color ink prints more than or equal to described the 4th standard value V4;
When liquid-consumed amount during, forbid after the page or leaf output function that black ink prints more than or equal to described the 5th standard value V5; And
When liquid-consumed amount during, forbid the printing of the China ink of all colours during the page or leaf output function more than or equal to described the 6th standard value V6.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the viscosity of described liquid under 20 ℃ is more than or equal to 4mPa/sec.In addition, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, described liquid discharge head is to being applied to discharge according to the variation of piezoelectric element the discharge head of liquid.
In another aspect of this invention, a kind of pumping equipment that carries out the nozzle recovery operation is set, air capacity in the wherein said sub tank is more than or equal to first scheduled volume, and described sub tank in amount of liquid less than under at least a situation in two kinds of situations of second scheduled volume, described sub tank is opened by switch element; And the air capacity in the described sub tank is less than described first scheduled volume, and the amount of liquid in the described sub tank is more than or equal under at least a situation in two kinds of situations of described second scheduled volume, open described sub tank.
In the sub tank, both can have different values with described second scheduled volume, also can have identical value for amount of liquid for described first scheduled volume of air capacity.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, when described sub tank is not open during described nozzle recovery operation, described nozzle is hidden by cap member, and absorbs the liquid of first uptake via described cap member from described nozzle, and described sub tank is filled into an ormal weight by liquid; And
When described sub tank was opened during described nozzle recovery operation, described nozzle was hidden by described cap member, and absorbed the liquid of second uptake via described cap member from described nozzle, and described sub tank is filled into described ormal weight with liquid.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, store information in advance about lifting rate and uptake, and use as the formula (3) of giving a definition obtain as described in the interior amount of liquid of sub tank
Full capacity-{ ∑ (discharge rate * the number of discharge)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) } of the amount of liquid=sub tank in the sub tank ... (3).
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, store in advance about given row and go out the lifting rate of pattern and the information of uptake, and use as the formula (4) of giving a definition obtain as described in the interior amount of liquid of sub tank
Full capacity-{ ∑ (the number of discharge of the discharge rate * specific pattern of specific pattern)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) } of the amount of liquid=sub tank in the sub tank ... (4).
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the viscosity of described liquid under 20 ℃ is more than or equal to 4mPa/sec.In addition, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, described liquid discharge head is to being applied to discharge according to the variation of piezoelectric element the discharge head of liquid.
In another aspect of this invention, a kind of imaging device that comprises pumping equipment of the present invention is set.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the perspective view of an ink-jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is the cutaway view of structure that the tape deck of Fig. 1 is shown;
Fig. 3 is the top view of a part of the tape deck of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is the perspective view of the associated components of an ink-feeding device according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is the perspective view according to the associated components of an ink-feeding device of the variant embodiment of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 illustrates the perspective view of the parts of sub tank according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 illustrates the side view of the structure of sub tank according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 is the cutaway view along the sub tank of the A-A line of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 A～9C is the figure that the example structure of the membrane element in the sub tank that can be used on Fig. 7 is shown;
Figure 10 is the air flow channel zoomed-in view partly of the sub tank of Fig. 7;
Figure 11 is the side view according to the sub tank of the variant embodiment of Fig. 7;
Figure 12 is the air flow channel zoomed-in view partly of the sub tank of Figure 11;
Figure 13 is the air flow channel perspective view partly of the sub tank of Figure 11;
Figure 14 is the cutaway view along the air flow channel part of the sub tank of the B-B line of Figure 11;
Figure 15 is the figure that describes capillary effect;
Figure 16 is the cutaway view of Figure 15;
Figure 17 is the part side view of sub tank of describing Figure 11 of capillary effect;
Figure 18 illustrates the schematic diagram that is used for transmitting to sub tank according to an embodiment of the invention a liquid connecting gear of liquid;
Figure 19 is the block diagram that is illustrated in the structure of the control module that is provided with in the tape deck of Fig. 1;
Figure 20 illustrates the flow chart of air release supply operation according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 21 is the flow chart that illustrates to the supply operation of the supply of sub tank according to an embodiment of the invention liquid;
Figure 22 is another flow chart that the supply operation is shown;
Figure 23 illustrates the flow chart that China ink is used up detecting operation;
Figure 24 is the plan view of subsystem according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 25 is the side view of the subsystem of Figure 24;
Figure 26 illustrates the flow chart of nozzle recovery operation according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 27 is the flow chart that nozzle recovery operation according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.
The specific embodiment
Hereinafter, describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates the perspective view of the ink-jet recording apparatus of observing from the front side according to an embodiment of the invention.The ink-jet recording apparatus of Fig. 1 is provided with according to the liquid container of the embodiment of the invention and liquid feed device.
As shown in the drawing, described ink-jet recording apparatus comprises apparatus main body 1, attaches to the paper supply tray 2 of described apparatus main body 1, and the paper delivery pallet 3 that attaches to described apparatus main body 1 equally.Described paper supply tray 2 is fed to described device with paper, and 3 on described paper delivery pallet piles up and writes down the paper that (formation) has image on it.In addition, the side in the front portion 4 of described device is provided with the print cartridge load units 6 that is lower than the top 5 of described device from described anterior 4 projections and position.Described print cartridge load units 6 comprises operating unit 7 (for example operated key unit or display unit) at its upside, and can open and close to remove the cover 8 to the print cartridge 10 of the fluid storage reservoir (main reservoir) that is applied to ink supply.
The structure of the ink-jet recording apparatus of Fig. 1 hereinafter, is described with reference to Fig. 2 and 3.
Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of unitary construction that the ink-jet recording apparatus of Fig. 1 is shown.Fig. 3 is the plan view of the ink-jet recording apparatus of Fig. 1.
Described apparatus main body 1 comprises carriage 13, and described carriage 13 is kept by the guide rod 11 of the guide member of left and right sides sidewall (not shown) support by correspondence, and pillar 12, and carriage 13 can be free to slide along main scanning direction thus.Described carriage 13 can be driven to be implemented in the scanning on the direction shown in the arrow among Fig. 3 by a main scanning motor (not shown).
Described carriage 13 comprises the record head 14 of four corresponding ink guns, discharges the China ink of yellow (Y), blue or green (C), pinkish red (M), black (Bk) look respectively.The venting opening of record head 14 can be arranged by the mode that venting direction and main scanning direction intersect.
Ink gun as record head 14 comprises the energy producing unit that is used to discharge China ink.Described energy producing unit can correspondence piezo-activator (piezoelectric element) for example, the thermal actuator that electrothermal conversioning element (for example thermal resistance) also utilizes the liquid phase-change that is caused by film boiling is set, the shape memory alloy actuator of the metal phase change that utilization is caused by variations in temperature perhaps utilizes the electrostatic actuator of electrostatic force.In the present invention, use is provided with the record head of piezo-activator (piezoelectric element) as energy producing unit.In addition, as record head 14, can use an ink gun that is provided with a plurality of nozzles arranged into an array that are used to discharge each colors of ink.
Described carriage 13 also comprises the sub tank 15 (liquid container) to record head 14 ink supply of being used for of corresponding every kind of color.Can via ink supply pipe 16 China ink be fed to sub tank 15 from main reservoir (print cartridge) 10.Thus, each main reservoir 10 can hold a kind of in Huang (Y), blue or green (C), pinkish red (M), black (Bk) look China ink.In this case, the main reservoir 10 that holds black ink can be set and have bigger capacity than the main reservoir 10 that holds other colors of ink.
Described paper supply tray 2 comprises: page or leaf stackable unit (pressing plate) 21, on described page or leaf stackable unit 21, can pile up page or leaf 22; And paper supply unit, described paper supply unit comprises paper supply parts 23, the separating pad 24 that position and described paper supply parts 23 are relative, and guide member 25.Described paper supply parts 23 are used for from the pile that piles up (sheet stack) 21 many ground feeding pages or leaves 22, and paper supply spare 23 sides are made and be pressed towards to separating pad 24 by the material with great friction coefficient.Guide member 25 is delivered to a transfer unit (carrier unit) with page or leaf 22.
Described transfer unit is used for the page or leaf 22 by the paper supply unit supply is delivered to record head 14.Described transfer unit comprises transmitting to be with 31, opposite roller 32, to transmit guide member 33, pressing component 34, exert pressure drum 35 and charging roller 36.The page or leaf of sending from paper supply unit 22 adheres to transmit by electrostatic force is with 31, and be maintained at transmit be with 31 and opposite roller 32 between further in transfer unit, to transmit.The direction of transmitting the page or leaf 22 that guide member 33 will be up changes about 90 degree, makes page or leaf 22 to be with 31 to transmit along transmission, and the drum 35 of the exerting pressure parts 34 that are pressed press to transmit and be with 31, and charging roller 36 makes the surface charging that transmits with 31.
Described transmission is the endless bands that remain between delivery roll 37 and the jockey pulley 38 with 31.Transmission is with band direction of transfer (sub-scanning direction) rotation as shown in Figure 3 of 31 edges.Charging roller 36 is set to contact with the surface of transmitting with 31, so that rotate with 31 rotation according to transmission.Each side of 36 pairs of axles of charging roller applies the power of 2.5N.
With 31 inboard, a guide member 41 is positioned at the zone corresponding to the print area of record head 14 in transmission.The top of described guide member 41 is outwards outstanding towards record head 14 with respect to the tangent line that support to transmit with two rollers (that is, delivery roll 37 and jockey pulley 38) of 31.Thus, but the transmission at print area place upwards promote and therefore be directed with the top of 31 guided members 41, can accurately keep flatness thus.
Guide member 41 with transmit the surface that contacts with 31 inner surface on, be formed on the upwardly extending a plurality of grooves in the side vertical with direction of transfer, make guide member 41 and transmit with the contact area between 31 and can reduce, and transmit with 31 can along the smooth surface of guide member 41 move.Thus, image is recorded on the page or leaf 22 by record head 14, and page or leaf 22 can be passed to the paper delivery unit.
The paper delivery unit that is used to send page or leaf 22 comprises separating component 51, exit roller 52 and paper delivery drum 53.Paper delivery pallet 3 is positioned at exit roller 52 belows, to receive the page or leaf of sending from the paper delivery unit 22.Position from the contact point between exit roller 52 and the paper delivery drum 53 to paper delivery pallet 3 is provided with sizable height distance, so that increase the number of pages that can be stacked on the paper delivery pallet 3.
In addition, duplex printing paper supply unit 61 can removably be set to the rear side of apparatus main body 1.The page or leaf 22 of having printed image on one side can be by transmission with in 31 the counter-rotating importing duplex printing paper supply unit 61, and feasible page or leaf 22 can be reversed and be with 31 to be fed into transfer unit again via opposite roller 32 and transmission.Manual paper supply parts 62 can be set on the upside of duplex printing paper supply unit 61.
As shown in Figure 3, in the nonprinting region of the both sides of carriage 13, maintenance/recovery system 71 (hereinafter referring to " subsystem ") is set, so that safeguard and the condition of nozzles of recovery record 14.Each subsystem 71 can comprise cap member 72a, 72b, 72c and the 72d that for example is used to hide on the nozzle of record head 14, and the wiping scraper plate 73 that is used for the wiping nozzle surface.
The cap member 72a in proximity printing zone can be connected to a tubing pump (not shown) of corresponding suction means. Other cap member 72b, 72c and 72d can be free of attachment to tubing pump.In this case, cap member 72a corresponding recovers and the cap of preserving moisture the then corresponding single cap of preserving moisture of other cap member.Therefore, when carrying out the recovery operation of record head 14, the record head 14 that do recovery operation optionally moves to the position that this record head 14 can be hidden by cap member 72a.
In having the ink-jet recording apparatus of said structure, the page or leaf 22 in the paper supply tray 2 separates with other page or leaf 22 and is fed in the apparatus main body 1.The page or leaf 22 that moves up during feeding be guided part 25 guiding and remain on transmit be with 31 and opposite roller 32 between and transmitted.Page or leaf 22 is transmitted guide members 33 guiding and is pressed drum 35 and presses to transmit and be with 31 then, and the direction of transfer of page or leaf 22 changes about 90 degree thus.
In this case, a control circuit (not shown) can be controlled a high-voltage power supply and alternately apply a positive output and a negative output to charging roller 36; That is, apply alternating voltage to charging roller 36.Thus, transmission is with 31 can charge according to alternation charging voltage curve.Particularly, transmission can have relative transmission replaces the preset width of arranging with 31 direction of rotation (being sub-scanning direction) the band that has generating positive and negative voltage with 31.When page or leaf 22 was supplied and is positioned over by generating positive and negative voltage that alternately the transmission of charging is with on 31, page or leaf 22 can adhere to transmit was with 31.Thus, page or leaf 22 by transmission with 31 be rotated on the sub-scanning direction and transmit.
By according to picture signal activation record head 14, and movable support bracket 13 on main scanning direction, China ink can be discharged from and write down an image line on the page or leaf 22 that remains static, and after this, page or leaf 22 quilts (sub-scanning direction) forward transmit preset distance to write down next bar image line.When receiving end of record signal or indicating page or leaf 22 bottoms to arrive the signal of posting field, the record EO, page or leaf 22 is sent to paper delivery pallet 3.
During printing (record) standby, carriage 13 moves to one of them subsystem 71, and record head 14 is hidden by cap member 72a～72d, with the humidity of 14 the nozzle of holding the record and prevent the venting problem that produces because of the China ink exsiccation.In addition, for the stability of 14 the venting performance of holding the record, for example can carry out before the record or during writing down and the incoherent recovery operation of record.In the recovery operation of carrying out, because cap member 72a correspondence has the cap member of restore funcitons (promptly drawing function), the record head 14 that carry out recovery operation is movable to the position of this cap member 72a, to be hidden by cap member 72a in this example.
Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 4 to 10, provide sub tank according to an embodiment of the invention and detailed description that the ink-feeding device (liquid feed device) of this sub tank wherein can be set.
Fig. 4 illustrates the perspective view according to the assembly of the ink-feeding device of an embodiment.Fig. 5 illustrates the perspective view according to the assembly of the ink-feeding device of another embodiment.Fig. 6 illustrates the perspective view of the assembly of the sub tank 15 that can be provided with in the ink-feeding device of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.Fig. 7 illustrates the side view of described sub tank.Fig. 8 illustrates along the cutaway view of the sub tank of the A-A ' line intercepting of Fig. 7.Fig. 9 A～9C illustrates the example structure of the membrane element that can use in the sub tank of Fig. 7.Figure 10 is the air flow channel zoomed-in view partly of the sub tank 15 of Fig. 7.Hacures among Fig. 7,8 and 10 are in order to help to discern air flow channel, rather than the expression section.
During described ink-feeding device is contained in the aforesaid carriage 13, and described ink-feeding device comprises the sub tank 15 that is used for to record head 14 ink supply, and is used for via the main reservoir (print cartridge) 10 of supply pipe 16 to sub tank 15 ink supply.
Described sub tank 15 comprises the container body (box body) 101 that forms black holding portion 100, and seals the flexible membrane parts 102 that described China ink holds the opening of parts 101.Described membrane element 102 is attached to black holding portion 100 by for example modes such as connection or welding.In addition, spring 103 is between box body 101 and membrane element 102, and to force membrane element 102 outside, this produces the negative pressure generation unit of negative pressure corresponding to responding feed flow and discharge.
Described membrane element 102 can have single layer structure, perhaps more preferably, and the sandwich construction as shown in Fig. 9 A～9C.Fig. 9 A illustrates and makes membrane element 102 have the double-deck situation that forms by stacked the 102i and second layer 102j.For example, can polyethylene film and nylon membrane is stacked.Fig. 9 B illustrates silica vapor deposited layer 102k and is formed on situation on the described ground floor 102i.Fig. 9 C illustrates described silica vapor deposited layer 102k and is formed on situation between described ground floor 102i and the described second layer 102j.
By making membrane element 102 by making, can improve anti-wetability and the mechanical strength that is received China ink relatively more than one deck.For example, in the situation of Fig. 9 A, if by polyethylene film and the stacked duplicature parts that form of nylon membrane, polyethylene film can be arranged in black contact side on.This is because polyethylene has anti-preferably wetting characteristics and moisture permeability, and gas permeability, mechanical strength are with flexible relative relatively poor.Thus, by stacked nylon membrane on polyethylene film, poly weakness can be compensated.
When membrane element 102 being set comprising the silica vapor deposited layer, as shown in the example of Fig. 9 B and Fig. 9 C, the moisture permeability of membrane element 102 and gas permeability can improve.
The thickness of membrane element 102 is preferably in the scope of 10～100 μ m.When the thickness of membrane element 102 was lower than 10 μ m, membrane element may be passed in time and be easy to impaired.When the thickness of membrane element 102 was higher than 100 μ m, the flexible of membrane element 102 may reduce, and may hinder effective generation of negative pressure.
In addition, membrane element 102 has the power that responds spring 103 and lifting or the jut 102a that outwards gives prominence to, and strengthening part 104 attaches to the outer surface of this jut 102a, with the intensity (seeing Fig. 6 and 8) that increases this jut 102a.By being set to when China ink consumes, inwardly be pushed away, can change the capacity of sub tank in formation jut 102a and this part on the flexible membrane 102.In this case, the counterpart of flexible membrane parts 102 can be molded as the shape of protrusion, makes easily to form lifting part 102a.
In the outside of membrane element 102, the negative pressure bar 106 that can be shifted according to the distortion of membrane element 102 is connected to the support section 107 of a side that is positioned at box body 101.Described negative pressure bar 106 is pressed to membrane element 102 contact sides by the spring 108 that is provided with between negative pressure bar 106 and box body 101.
Described box body 101 comprises the black path of navigation part 111 that is used for providing to black holding portion 100 China ink, and linkage unit 112 can be releasably attached on the box body 101, so that black path of navigation part 111 is connected to supply pipe 16, described supply pipe 16 is connected to print cartridge (main reservoir) 10.One liquid transfer pump (liquid connecting gear) is set between print cartridge 10 and sub tank 15, is used for exerting pressure to send China ink to sub tank 15 from print cartridge 10 to China ink.Hereinafter will describe described liquid transfer pump in detail.
In the bottom of box body 101, be provided for from the attaching parts 113 of black holding portion 100 to record head 14 ink supply.The black path 114 that is used for record head 14 is formed on described attaching parts 113, and filter 115 is between black holding portion 100 and attaching parts 113.
On the top of box body 101, be provided for discharging the air flow channel 121 of air from black holding portion 100.This air flow channel 121 comprises inlet runner section 122, the opening of described entrance channel part 122 is connected to black holding portion 100, and from the continuity runner section 123 (being called " cross flow path portion (cross flow path portion) ") of entrance channel part 122 continuity.Described air flow channel 121 is connected to the air release aperture 131 that is provided with in the downstream of box body 101, and is connected to the position concentrating portions 126 lower than air release aperture 131.
Concentrating portions 126 is used to assemble the China ink that enters air flow channel 121.For example, when the tape deck that is provided with sub tank 15 tilted or rocks, China ink entered in the air flow channel 121 possibly.Therefore, the China ink that enters air flow channel 121 by setting accumulates in the concentrating portions 126, can prevent that China ink from entering in the air release valve mechanism 132 in air release aperture 131 and this hole 131 of switch, even make China ink infiltrate in the air flow channel 121, also can avoid operating the problem in the air release valve mechanism 132 because of for example installing in transportation, to drop.
In addition, detecting electrode 141 and 142 is positioned on the upside of box body 101, and whether the gas flow that is used to detect in the sub tank 15 arrives predeterminated level.All contact or at least one detecting electrode 141 or the black liquid level of 142 no shows with 142 according to being two detecting electrodes 141, can detect gas flow based on the variation of conducted state between detecting electrode 141 and 142 with China ink in the sub tank 15.
In the ink-feeding device of Fig. 4, negative pressure pin 151 is provided with movably with air release pin 153 relative sub tanks 15.Negative pressure pin 151 is controlled by elastomeric element (spring) 152 and is in non-operating state, and is used for exerting pressure to the end 106a of the negative pressure bar 106 of sub tank 15, so that operation negative pressure bar 106.Air release pin 153 is used for antagonistic spring 136 and to spheroid 135 application of forces of air release valve mechanism 132, so that release air into the external world.
In having the ink-feeding device of above-mentioned structure, the negative pressure bar 106 of sub tank 15 is by 103 operations of negative pressure pin 151 antagonistic springs, and in this state, China ink is fed to sub tank 15, after this, negative pressure bar 106 discharges, and makes flexible membrane parts 102 return to its initial configuration by spring 103, and the capacity of sub tank 15 (black holding portion 100) also increases thus.Thus, by keeping air release valve mechanism 132 to close, can in black holding portion 100, produce negative pressure.
In the ink-feeding device of Fig. 5, do not use the negative pressure pin 151 and the spring 152 that are used for negative pressure bar 106 application of forces, and negative pressure bar 106 can be used for detecting the additional state of China ink.In this case, the end 106a of negative pressure bar 106 can corresponding have the single test side of a sensor (not shown).Because negative pressure bar 106 can be according to the distortion of membrane element 102, i.e. the volume change of sub tank 15 and being shifted, the China ink amount in the sub tank 15 is detected in the position of end 106a that can be by detecting negative pressure bar 106.
Hereinafter, provide detailed description with reference to Figure 10 to the air flow channel 121 of sub tank 15.
Suppose that the China inks in the black holding portion 100 represent reference planes RF at the liquid level of inactive state, air flow channel 121 is set makes the runner central shaft of entrance channel part 122 be approximately perpendicular to reference planes RF (90 ° of θ 1 ≈), and extend (the angle θ 2 that is formed by the bottom surface of plane that is parallel to reference planes RF and cross flow path portion 123 spends greater than 0, and promptly θ is 2＞0 °) at last tilted direction with respect to reference planes RF from the cross flow path portion 123 of entrance channel part 122 continuity.
In this case, because entrance channel part 122 is set to be approximately perpendicular to black liquid level (reference planes RF), because surface tension effect can prevent that China ink from entering runner.Surface tension effect weakens along with the increase of the inclination of runner, makes China ink can easily enter runner.But when China ink rocked owing to the scanning of carriage 13, black liquid fluctuating even entrance channel part 122 is arranged perpendicular to reference planes RF, can not prevent fully that also China ink from entering runner.In addition, in order to reduce the amount that flows into runner, preferred entrance channel part 122 is vertical.
Extend at last tilted direction by being provided with from the cross flow path portion 123 relative reference plane RF of entrance channel part 122 continuities, even, can prevent that also China ink from entering cross flow path 123 when the black black liquid fluctuating that causes because of the vibration and/or the capillary effect of for example sub tank 15 enters entrance channel 122.Further, even China ink enters cross flow path 123, China ink also can flow back into entrance channel part 122 because of its deadweight.
Thus, can reduce China ink and enter air flow channel 121, and can prevent that the China ink that enters air flow channel 121 from for example arriving air release valve mechanism 132, adhere to spheroid 135 and valve seat 134, and the sealing function that reduces valve system 132.
For entrance channel part 122 and cross flow path portion 123, the angle θ 1 that forms with respect to reference planes RF when entrance channel part 122 is 90 when spending, suppose to represent that by θ 3 then 90 °＜θ is 3≤180 ° with respect to the angle that entrance channel part 122 forms by cross flow path portion 123.If the angle θ 1 that entrance channel part 122 forms with respect to reference planes RF is less than 90 degree (90 °-α °), then (90 °+α °)＜θ 3≤(180 °+α °).If the angle θ 1 that is formed with respect to reference planes RF by entrance channel part 122 is greater than 90 spending (90 °+β °), then (90 °-β °)＜θ 3≤(180 °-β °).
For obtaining the gravity fall effect of China ink, can be for example θ 3=180 ° according to above-mentioned condition setting angle θ 3.In other words, substitute cross flow path portion 123 is set, can be arranged to make entrance channel part 122 to extend upward; But in this case, air release valve mechanism 132 must be positioned at the top of sub tank 15, and this structure may hinder sub tank 15 and be used for discharging thus the miniaturization of the mechanism of air.
Therefore, the angle that cross flow path portion 123 and entrance channel part 122 form preferably is arranged to approach 90 degree (3＜180 ° of θ), make ink supply path (part that is connected with supply pipe 16) and air release valve mechanism 132 can be in the not homonymy of sub tank 15, the size of sub tank 15 also can reduce.
Black liquid level near the entrance channel part 122 of air flow channel 121 fluctuates with moving of carriage 13, thereby China ink is easy to enter entrance channel part 122.So the China ink that the length of entrance channel part 122 preferably is set to can not allow to enter in the entrance channel part 122 further infiltrates in the cross flow path portion 123.Thus, can prevent to arrive cross flow path portion 123 because of the China ink that moving of carriage 13 enters entrance channel part 122.
According to test result, the path-length by inlet porting runner section 122 is 2.5mm at least, can prevent that China ink enters cross flow path portion 123 when liquid level fluctuates because of carriage 13 scan operations.
Along with the diameter (width) in the hole of draw liquid upwards reduces, capillary effect strengthens, in case and liquid enter this hole owing to produce surface tension, liquid is not easy to flow back to and flows out this hole.Thus, if entrance channel part 122 is narrower at the opening of black holding portion 100 sides, even black liquid level does not fluctuate, China ink also can only contact and upwards is drawn in the entrance channel part 122 by the opening with entrance channel part 122.Rock and enter fully in the situation of runner in this case or at Mo Yin, the China ink that enters this runner can not flow back to and flow out runner.
Can be by runner be narrowed down miniaturization box body 101, in the resin assembly, consider for example moulding factors such as (mold degradation) of degenerating, runner can narrow to 0.5～1mm.As the sub tank 15 for present embodiment, the narrowest part of runner is set to have the width of 1mm, the opening of entrance channel part 122 then be provided with broad.According to test result, the width of 3mm is to avoid capillary effect and capillary point.Thus, in the present embodiment, the width of the opening of entrance channel part 122 is set to have the width of 3.5mm.But the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, as long as can avoid capillary effect and surface tension, the opening on the sub tank 15 can be set to have any width.
In the present embodiment, the area of section of the opening of inlet porting runner section 122 is greater than the area of section of the cross flow path portion 123 of continuity.Therefore, cross flow path portion 123 can narrow down, and inlet porting runner section 122 makes and can avoid capillary effect and surface tension.
Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 11 to Figure 14 describe the sub tank 15 of corresponding liquid container according to another embodiment of the present invention '.
Figure 11 illustrate the sub tank 15 of present embodiment ' side view, Figure 12 illustrate the sub tank 15 of Figure 11 ' the zoomed-in view of air flow channel part, Figure 13 illustrates the perspective view of this air flow channel part, Figure 14 illustrate the sub tank 15 analysed and observe along B-B ' line of Figure 11 ' the cutaway view of air flow channel part.
The sub tank 15 of present embodiment ' in, box body 101 ' on form air flow channel 121 ', and form blocks air runner 121 midway ' wall 127, make air flow channel 121 ' can be divided into groove 121a and groove 121b.Connection groove 121a that this air flow channel 121 ' also be included in forms on the wall 127 and the through hole 128 of groove 121b.The sidewall of through hole 128 is set to not continuous with the sidewall of groove 121a, as shown in figure 14.
According to present embodiment, box body 101 ' on form a groove as air flow channel 121 ', flexible membrane parts 102 attach to box body 101 ' with the open side of sealed groove.Thus, membrane element 102 forms the sidewall of groove 121a and 121b.But membrane element 102 in the part that forms wall 107, does not promptly form sidewall on the through hole 128.Form at the membrane element sealed groove in the structure of sidewall of air flow channel, China ink can infiltrate in the air flow channel along the sidewall sections of membrane element and the residing air flow channel of ditch groove joint, and this helps capillary effect.Thus, in the present embodiment, air flow channel 121 ' be set to comprise the part with the sidewall that is formed by membrane element 102 makes to stop the China ink that enters because of capillary effect, and prevents that it from entering air release aperture 131.
Hereinafter, describe above mechanism in detail.With reference to Figure 15 and 16, because capillary effect, black Ia is easily along the corner portions located transmission by membrane element 102 and box body 101 ' forms, and therefore, black Ia can be along this corner portions located infiltration air flow channel 121 ' interior arrival air release aperture 131.
Therefore, as shown in figure 17, air flow channel 121 ' comprise through hole 128 is set, do not form sidewall at described through hole 128 place's membrane elements 102, even make black Ia because of capillary effect infiltrate air flow channel 121 ' in, the infiltration of China ink can not stop constituting on the wall 127 of through hole 128 yet, and can prevent China ink further infiltrate air flow channel 121 ' in.
In the present embodiment, wall 127 is set makes through hole 128 can be positioned at away from the incident part of capillary effect, promptly by membrane element 102 and box body 101 ' the sideline part of the air flow channel 121 that forms of trench portions 121a.Thus, the China ink that can prevent to enter in the groove 121a side infiltrates in the through hole 128.
If the diameter of through hole 128 is relatively large, then through hole 128 can stop the infiltration that China ink causes because of capillary effect effectively; But in this case, when vibration took place, China ink can easily enter through hole 128.Therefore, preferably adjust the diameter and the length of through hole 128, make that China ink is without through hole 128 when liquid fluctuating occurring during scan operation.
According to test result, be not more than 3mm by the diameter that through hole 128 is set and prevent roughly that China ink from infiltrating in the through hole 128 because of vibration.In addition, according to test result, ink penetration can fully be prevented when through hole 128 is shorter than 1mm, and sees through length that through hole 128 is set and be 1mm at least, can prevent that China ink from passing through through hole 128 and infiltrate in the groove 121b in downstream.
Further, the sub tank 15 of present embodiment ' in, air flow channel 121 ' entrance channel part 122 ' on flank 129 (seeing Figure 12 and 13) is set.According to entrance channel part 122 ' diameter (width) because surface tension, can not flow out at an easy rate because of black liquid fluctuating enters entrance channel part 122 ' interior China ink.In the present embodiment, the diameter (width) of inlet porting runner section 122 ' have 3.5mm makes China ink to flow out rather than to assemble.But, deface tension force and make China ink to need fall spended time.Therefore, by entrance channel part 122 ' opening near in flank 129 is set, can destroy described surface tension, and reduce black whereabouts required time.
Usually, enter the liquid of the narrow path of minor diameter,, still be easy in this path to assemble and be not easy to even liquid separates from liquid level.This is that when not excessive outer member contacted with the part of this surface tension effects, surface tension can be destroyed owing to capillary effect, makes that thus the China ink in the described path falls.Therefore, the sub tank 15 of present embodiment ' flank 129 is set, described flank 129 contacts with the China ink surface that the opening near entrance channel part 122 of surface tension effects forms.Described flank 129 can have any configuration, as long as described flank 129 contacts with the China ink that forms film-like surface because of surface tension effects.
Hereinafter, describe concentrating portions 126 in detail.According to the sub tank 15 of present embodiment ' in, for reduce and the control China ink infiltrate air flow channel 121 ' in take preventive measures.But when tape deck tilted or rocks, these measures can't stop and the China ink infiltration occur probably.
Concentrating portions 126 is set, makes and to assemble therein by through hole 128 and the China ink that infiltrates in the groove 121b.Therefore, though when for example transporting tape deck fall or fall to causing China ink infiltrate air flow channel 121 ' the downstream part in, can prevent that also China ink from entering in the air release valve mechanism 132 of air release aperture 131 and this release aperture 131 of switch.
Hereinafter, provide being used for transmitting to sub tank 15 detailed description of the liquid connecting gear of China ink with reference to Figure 18 from print cartridge (main reservoir) 10.
Described liquid connecting gear comprises piston pump 181.Described piston pump 181 comprises cylinder 182 and piston 183.Described cylinder 182 is connected to an end of hollow needle 190, and the other end of described hollow needle 190 is inserted in the venting exit portion of print cartridge (main reservoir) 10.Piston pump 181 also comprises the coupling part 184 that supply pipe 16 is connected to cylinder 182.
Piston 183 is driven back and forth by the cam 189 with worm gear 188 one, and described worm gear 188 is driven the rotation of motor 186 via worm gear 187 and drives.
In the aforesaid liquid connecting gear, during operated piston pump 181, produce negative pressure, make that the China ink in the print cartridge 10 can import in the cylinder 182 via the hollow needle 190 that inserts in the print cartridge 10.The China ink that enters cylinder 182 is then transmitted by coupling part 184 and via supply pipe 16 to be entered in the sub tank 15, and this suction movement by piston 183 realizes.
Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 19 the control module 280 of imaging device is according to an embodiment of the invention described.
Described control module 280 can comprise: the CPU 281 of whole control work of management devices, by the program of CPU 281 execution; Store the ROM 282 of fixed data; The interim for example RAM 283 of view data of data that preserves; Be used for when the device power supply is closed, also can keeping the nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) 284 of data; And carry out for example the various signals of view data being handled the image processing of reformation view data and the ASIC 285 that other input signal of control device is handled.
The full detecting sensor 299 of reservoir can be positioned at the end 106a of the negative pressure bar 106 of sub tank 15, as described in the situation of reference Fig. 5.The full detecting sensor 299 of reservoir can be used for detecting end 106a whether on the precalculated position.Therefore, when to sub tank 15 ink supply, the full detecting sensor 299 of reservoir can be used for determining when sub tank 15 is charged to full capacity and sends signal.
When reception will be by the view data (some diagram data) of a line of record head 14 record, record head driving control unit 287 was synchronous with the some diagram data and a clock signal of a line, and the gained data are sent to recording head driver 288 as serial data.Described record head driving control unit 287 also arrives recording head driver 288 with a latch signal with predetermined timed sending.
Record head driving control unit 287 can comprise: a ROM of the pattern data of storing driver waveform (driving signal) (can corresponding ROM 282); One wave generator circuit of one D/A converter is set, and described D/A converter carries out the D/A conversion to the drive waveforms data that read from ROM; And a for example drive waveforms generation circuit of element such as amplifier is set.
Especially, if store information about liquid discharge rate and liquid uptake in advance, black consumption (V) can calculate according to formula shown below (1):
China ink consumes V=∑ (discharge rate * the number of discharge)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) ... (1).
In this case, between record head, produce the difference of venting amount.Therefore, the calculated value of a coefficient correction venting amount that preferably sets in advance by the parameter of utilizing according to the venting characteristic of reflection record head.Especially, can reduce the number of drop for the record head of discharging the large scale ink droplet, and can increase the number of drop for the record head of discharging the small size ink droplet, the difference between the record head of the difference between the device and every kind of color can reduce and can realize uniform image output thus.
In addition, under the situation of the information that stores the venting amount of discharging pattern about every kind and blotting amount in advance, can obtain black consumption V according to formula shown below (2):
China ink consumes V=∑ (specific pattern discharge rate * specific pattern the number of discharge)+∑ (uptake * absorption number)
…(2)。
For example, can store the discharge rate data according to the tone pattern in advance, when carrying out the tone printing, the occurrence number that can multiply by tone illustration by the venting amount data with the tone pattern obtains black consumption.Thus, relatively discharge rate and the number of discharge situation about multiplying each other can realize that the China ink amount detects (calculating) more accurately.Difference between above formula (1) and the formula (2) is that deviation appears in the frequency characteristic that is easy in the formula (1) according to discharging, and this deviation has been taken into account as data in formula (2), thereby can realize detecting more accurately.
Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 20～22 the ink supply operation of this imaging device to sub tank described.
In ink-feeding device according to the imaging device of present embodiment, be used for comprising from of the operation of main reservoir 10 to sub tank 15 ink supply, the air release supply operation that sub tank 15 is in the air release conditions is set when its ink supply, and when its ink supply, does not carry out the regular supply operation that air discharges.
Figure 20 is the flow chart that described air releasing operation is shown.In this operation, driver element 162 operation air release pins 153 make the air release valve mechanism 132 of sub tank 15 open, and therefore make the inside of sub tank 15 be in air release conditions (S1).When sub tank 15 when outside air is opened, therefore membrane element 102 is outwards promoted by the restoring force of spring 103, and the capacity of sub tank 15 increases (expansion of negative pressure generation unit).
In this state, the China ink in the print cartridge (main reservoir) 10 is sent to sub tank 15 (S2) by the liquid connecting gear.After finishing ink supply, air release valve mechanism 132 closes, and makes the inside of sub tank 15 and outside air separate (S3).Then, the nozzle surface of corresponding record head 14 is hidden by the cap member 72a of subsystem 71, and motor 298 is driven and makes the operation of absorption pump (not shown).So, on the nozzle of the record head 14 of sub tank 15, carry out application of vacuum, make the China ink (S4) that absorbs scheduled volume from it.Then, in the power of membrane element 102 antagonistic springs 103 of sub tank 15 was pushed to, the capacity of sub tank 15 reduced (contraction of negative pressure generation unit), made to produce initial negative pressure.
Then, the full detecting sensor 299 of reservoir can detect negative pressure bar 106 test side 106a the position and store this positional information (S5).
Air discharges the supply operation can carry out according to other alternative program as described below.For example, when sub tank 15 when outside air is opened, flexible membrane parts 102 can inwardly be promoted by negative pressure bar 106 antagonistic springs 103, and after the capacity of sub tank 15 reduced, China ink can be sent to sub tank 15 from print cartridge 10 by the liquid connecting gear.After China ink is fed to sub tank 15, air release valve mechanism 132 can close, make the inside of sub tank 15 to separate with outside air, and by discharging the pressure of negative pressure bar 106, flexible membrane parts 102 can be made to produce negative pressure in sub tank 15 by the outside application of force of the biasing force of spring 103.
As above example produces negative pressure by using flexible membrane parts 102 and elastomeric element (spring) 103 in sub tank 15, and negative pressure produces mechanism and can be simplified.
Hereinafter, normal supply operation is described.In this operation, as mentioned above, (by the statistics number of drops) detects black consumption, and when working as the liquid-consumed amount that is detected and arriving predeterminated level, do not opening under the situation of sub tank 15 to outside air, China ink is sent to sub tank 15 by black connecting gear from print cartridge 10, makes required China ink amount be fed to sub tank 15.The China ink amount of supplying can be by the driving time control of pump 181.
The China ink amount of supplying preferably equates with black consumption V; But, in fact, because of the difference between China ink amount and the uptake in causes the calculating of consumption V error to occur.In addition, because ink supply is by realizations that move back and forth of piston, ink supply has a pulse, and the China ink amount that is supplied can be in time and difference.When repeating China ink consumption and normal ink supply, the actual black amounts in the sub tank 15 can depart from the supposition amount gradually because of above-mentioned error.Then, depart from the negative pressure value that also can appear in the sub tank 15.
Therefore, as mentioned above, after air discharges padding, after absorbing the initial negative pressure of scheduled volume China ink generation, store the position of negative pressure bar 106.Along with the China ink in the sub tank 15 is consumed, membrane element 102 further shrinks, thereby negative pressure bar 106 also moves towards sub tank 15.In the regular supply operation, the full detecting sensor 299 of reservoir can be discerned negative pressure bar 106 and put back to the initial position that is stored, thereby can finish the supply operation.Thus, can reduce the error that produces because of the difference on the actual China ink amount as mentioned above, and the initial negative pressure that negative pressure also can be got back to it after the regular supply operation.
As mentioned above, all to carry out in the time of needn't exhausting at the China ink in each sub tank 15 opening the operation (air discharge supply operation) of sub tank 15 with ink supply to outside air.In addition, can when black consumption arrives or surpass predetermined value, carry out this operation, in other cases, preferably in the regular supply operation of under outside air is opened the situation of sub tank 15, not carrying out to sub tank 15 ink supply.
Hereinafter, provide the detailed description of the operation of ink supply according to an embodiment of the invention with reference to Figure 21 and 22.
With reference to Figure 21, in print progress (S11Y), finish (S12Y) if determine one page printing, read the black consumption V of every kind of color measuring according to said procedure, consumption V that reads of institute and predetermined the 3rd value V3 compare to determine whether V 〉=V3 (S13).In this description, under the situation of duplex printing operation, one page is printed the one side that refers to printing paper.
If determine V 〉=V3 (S13Y), then the sub tank 15 of respective color China ink carries out air release supply operation (S16).As be lower than the sub tank 15 of the look China ink of predetermined value V3 for black consumption, carry out regular supply operation (S17), and continue print progress.
As definite consumption V during more than or equal to V3, if carry out normal ink supply operation, the elastomeric element that is used for producing negative pressure in sub tank capacity may occur when returning its initial position and lag behind, because of negative pressure control is invalid, and venting characteristic potentially unstable.Thus, in this case, in order to solve the problem that lags behind and produce, carry out air and discharge ink supply operation (S16), negative pressure is restored after ink supply, can obtain stable venting characteristic thus.
If determine not have the black consumption V 〉=V3 (S13N) of China ink, then (V2＜V3) compare is to determine whether V 〉=V2 (S14) with the second value V2 that is scheduled to for the consumption V of every kind of color.If there is the China ink of consumption V 〉=V2 (S14Y), then the sub tank 15 to every kind of color carries out regular supply operation (S15), after this, continues printing.
With reference to Figure 22, when print progress finishes and passes by the scheduled time thus (S21Y), read the consumption V of every kind of China ink, and every kind of consumption V compares to determine whether V 〉=V1 (S22) with the first value V1 that is scheduled to.
V 〉=V1 (S22Y) if definite at least a China ink satisfies condition, the sub tank 15 of respective color carries out the regular supply operation during hiding operation (nozzle recovery operation).
Here, be a less relatively value by the value that V1 is set, sub tank 15 can be filled China ink before being transformed into standby mode.Because operating in when printing finishes, the ink supply of carrying out here carries out, so it can not hinder printing.On the other hand, when the China ink in the scope between V2 and V3 is consumed, can when printing the end of one page, supply operation fast before surpassing V3 by consumption.Operate by use the combination of various criterion value to carry out ink supply according to black consumption, but operational use time and China ink, and obtain stable discharge characteristic.
Especially, can be provided for measuring the counter of black consumption V (ml), it is that 0.2, the second predetermined value V2 is that 0.9, the three predetermined value V3 is 1.1 that the first predetermined value V1 for example can be set.Therefore, if the V that satisfies condition 〉=0.2, after the printing end scheduled time in the past, the nozzle that carries out regular supply operation and respective color is covered.If after finishing one page printing, the regular supply operation is then carried out to all colours in the 1.1＞V that satisfies condition 〉=0.9, after this, continues print progress.The V if satisfy condition 〉=1.1 are then carried out air to corresponding color and are discharged the supply operation, and all the other colors are carried out the regular supply operation, after this, continue print progress.
Can be by for example activating the ink supply of pump realization from main reservoir 10 to sub tank 15.In addition, do not carry out above ink supply operation under the situation for sky at main reservoir 10.Further, in case ink-feeding device uses up, black consumption can reset to zero.At main reservoir is empty situation, can not carry out the ink supply operation, therefore, black consumption can not be reset to zero.
Hereinafter, describe according to an embodiment of the invention China ink with reference to Figure 23 and use up detecting operation.
According to present embodiment, during printing (S31Y), after the single pass that carriage 13 carries out is finished (S32Y), read black consumption V and compare to determine whether V 〉=V6 (S33) with predetermined the 6th value V6.
If the black consumption of at least a colors of ink is confirmed as V 〉=V6 (S33Y), printing cancellation, recording medium is discharged from, and tape deck such as is convertible at the standby mode (S38) of print cartridge 10 to be replaced.In other words, tape deck can be transformed into all black print inhibit states during the process of printing one page.
One page is printed when finishing (S34Y), the black consumption Vk of black ink and predetermined the 5th standard value V5 (V5＜V6) compare to determine whether Vk 〉=V5 (S35).Thus, if determine Vk 〉=V5 (S35Y), tape deck such as is convertible at the standby mode (S39) of the print cartridge 10 of black ink to be replaced.In other words, tape deck can be transformed into black ink print inhibit state behind output one page.
If determine not satisfy condition Vk 〉=V5 (S35N), (V4＜that compares with the 4th standard value V4 that is scheduled to of the consumption Vcl with color ink then V5) to determine whether Vcl 〉=V4 (S36).Alternatively, this determining step also can still be carried out when waiting black ink box to be replaced at tape deck.In either case, when the black consumption of the China ink of determining at least a color satisfied condition Vcl 〉=V4 (S36Y), tape deck such as was convertible at the standby mode (S40) of the print cartridge of respective color China ink to be replaced.In other words, tape deck can be transformed into color ink print inhibit state behind output one page.
Especially, for example can be provided for measuring the counter of black consumption V (ml), it is that 5.0, the five predetermined value V5 are that 5.5, the six predetermined value V6 are 5.8 that the 4th predetermined value V4 can be set.Therefore, if finish Vcl 〉=5.0 that satisfy condition after one page is printed, then tape deck such as can be switched at the state of colour ink box to be replaced.If finish Vk 〉=5.5 that satisfy condition after one page is printed, then tape deck such as can be switched at the state of black ink box to be replaced.The V if satisfy condition 〉=5.8, then printing can be cancelled, and recording medium can withdraw from, and tape deck such as can be switched at the state of print cartridge to be replaced.
About the relation between first to the 3rd standard value and the 4th to the 6th standard value, first to the 3rd standard value is used for sub tank ink supply operation, and the 4th to the 6th standard value is used for main reservoir (print cartridge) China ink and uses up detecting operation.Therefore, the 4th to the 6th standard value can be set relatively greater than first to the 3rd standard value.In addition, the relation between the 4th standard value and the 5th standard value can be provided with as required.Especially, for example, can suppose that monochrome image mainly is made up of word content, otherwise can suppose color-image representative picture and/or figure.Usually, for information reproduction, text file requires the China ink amount few, and picture and graphics request China ink amount are many.Therefore, for preventing that China ink exhausts during printing one page, being provided for the 4th standard value that the China ink of sense colors China ink uses up is effective for the 5th standard value of using up less than the China ink that is used to detect black ink.
But, under the situation that the print cartridge capacity of color ink is set to equate, between the 4th standard value and the 5th standard value, can distinguish.Alternatively, under the print cartridge of at least a color ink except that black ink has situation greater than the capacity of the print cartridge of the remaining color China ink except that black ink, can be therefore different standard values be set for the China ink of respective color.
Hereinafter, describe subsystem 71 in detail with reference to Figure 24 and 25, wherein Figure 24 illustrates the top view of subsystem 71, and Figure 25 illustrates the schematic structure of the subsystem of observing from the side 71.
As shown in the figure, subsystem 71 comprises framework 211; In described framework 211, keep two cap retainers (cap holder) 212A and 212B movably, air mass is discharged receiver (air shot dischargereceiver) 213, corresponding wiper member comprise the wiping scraper plate 73 of elastomer as cleaning device and bracket lock (carrier lock) 215.
In this example, a tubing pump (vavuum pump) 220 of corresponding absorption plant is connected to the innermost cap member 72a that is kept by the cap retainer 212A that approaches most print area, and this connects via pipeline 219 realizes.In this example, other cap member 72b, 72c, 72d are free of attachment to tubing pump 220.In other words, cap member 72a is corresponding to be recovered and the cap of preserving moisture, and other cap member 72b, 72c, the 72d correspondence cap of preserving moisture only.Therefore, when carrying out recovery operation on record head 14, corresponding record head 14 optionally moves to the covering position of cap member 72a.
As shown in figure 25, camshaft 221 rotatably is positioned under cap retainer 212A and the 212B.On camshaft 221, the cap cam 222A and the 222B that are respectively applied for lifting cap retainer 212A and 212B respectively are provided, be used for the wiper cam 224 of lifting wiping scraper plate 73, and be used for carriage lock cam 225 via carriage hammerlock 217 shears lock 215.
Print area side at wiping scraper plate 73, be arranged on the wiper cleaner of swinging on the direction shown in the arrow among Figure 25 with clean wiping scraper plate 73 218, described wiper cleaner 218 is stressed on the direction away from wiping scraper plate 73 by a spring (not shown).In addition, the wiper cleaner cam 228 that is used to swing wiper cleaner 218 is positioned at camshaft 221.
Cap member 72 is by cap cam 222A and 222B lifting.Wiping scraper plate 73 is by 224 liftings of wiper cam, and when descending, wiper cleaner 218 seals on wiping scraper plate 73, makes wiping scraper plate 73 remain between wiper cleaner 218 and the air mass discharge receiver 213 and decline.Thus, the China ink that adheres to wiping scraper plate 73 can be struck off and be contained in the air mass discharge receiver 213 by the wiper cleaner.
In order to drive and rotating pipe pump 220 and camshaft 221, be positioned at pump gear 233 engagements on motor gear 232 and the pump shaft 220a that is positioned at tubing pump 220 on the motor shaft 231a of motor 231, the idler gear 234 that attaches to pump gear 233 is via idler gear 235 and idler gear 236 engagements that are provided with one-way clutch 237, and with the coaxial idler gear 238 of idler gear 236 via idler gear 239 and cam wheel 240 engagements that are fixed to camshaft 221.
In subsystem 71, motor gear 232, idler gear 233, pump gear 234 and idler gear 235 and 236 rotate with the normal rotation of motor 231, and along with the rotation of the axle 220a of tubing pump 220, tubing pump 220 operation is to recover and the absorption of the cap 72a that preserves moisture.The rotation of other gear is stoped by unidirectional clutch 237 after the gear 238.
Along with the backward rotation of motor 231, one-way clutch 237 connects, so the rotation of motor 231 causes motor gear 232, idler gear 233, and pump gear 234, idler gear 235,236,238 and 239 rotation, so that be delivered to cam gear 240.Thus, camshaft 221 rotates.In this case, tubing pump 220 is set to prevent rotate when pump shaft 220a backward rotation.
Therefore, be positioned at the record head 14 that carries out recovery operation under the state of covering position of cap member 72a, can be by electric rotating machine 231 on opposite direction so that camshaft 221 rotation and lifting cap member 72a, hide the nozzle surface of record head 14, electric rotating machine 231 is with operation tubing pump 220 on normal direction, and absorbs China ink and carry out the first step from the nozzle of record head 14.
After the first step, therefore second step electric rotating machine 231 on opposite direction and separates cap member 72a from the nozzle surface of record head 14 so that camshaft 221 rotation.After second step, the 3rd step lifting wiping scraper plate 73 is to wiping position (with the nozzle surface position contacting), movable support bracket 13 in this state is so that with the nozzle surface of 73 wipings of wiping scraper plate and cleaning record head 14, and reduces wiping scraper plate 73 so that separate wiping scraper plate 73 from nozzle surface.
After the 3rd step, FOUR EASY STEPS tubing pump 220, and absorb the interior China ink of cap member 72a.
In the recovery operation of above-mentioned subsystem 71, be absorbed the China ink of pump (tubing pump) 220 absorptions and/or adhere to wiping scraper plate 73 and be used as useless China ink and handle and be discharged in the waste liquid reservoir (not shown) by the China ink that wiper cleaner 218 removes from wiping scraper plate 73.
The example of the nozzle recovery operation that is used for a recovery record condition of nozzles hereinafter, is described with reference to Figure 26.This nozzle recovery operation can be by control module for example shown in Figure 19 280 controls.
As mentioned above, the record head that carry out recovery operation is positioned at the covering position of cap member 72a, hides the nozzle surface (S51) of record head 14 by lifting cap member 72a.
Then, check from the detection signal of the electrode 141 of sub tank 15 and 142 detecting the gas flow (S52) in the sub tank 15, and whether the gas flow of determining to be detected is more than or equal to scheduled volume (S53).
When determining that gas flows in the sub tank 15 are lower than scheduled volume (S53N), operation tubing pump 220 makes and absorbs first uptake (S61) from the nozzles of record head 14 that cap member 72a removes (S58) from the nozzle surface of record head 14 then.Then, wiping scraper plate 73 is lifted to wiping position (with the contact position of nozzle surface), and carriage 13 moves under this state, makes that nozzle surface can be by wiping and cleaning (S59).Then, wiping scraper plate 73 drops to the position (S60) away from nozzle surface.Thus, for preventing color mixture, record head 14 can removed wiping scraper plate 73 back discharge China inks from nozzle surface.
When determining that gas flows in the sub tank 15 are greater than or equal to scheduled volume (S53Y), drive and control driver element 162 with the air release valve mechanism 132 of operation sub tank 15, make sub tank 15 open (S54) to outside air.Then, China ink supply sub tank 15 (S55).Thus, ink supply can be carried out till for example detecting electrode 141 and 142 detects the full capacity that sub tank 15 arrived it.
Discharge by carry out air in ink supply in sub tank 15, the unnecessary air that accumulates in the sub tank 15 can be discharged by air release valve mechanism 132.Then, can drive and control driver element 162 closing air release valve mechanism 132 (S56), and can operate tubing pump 220 and make and absorb second uptake (S57) from the nozzles of record head 14.
Second uptake is greater than first uptake.When not carrying out the air releasing operation, can keep the negative pressure in the sub tank 15, even and therefore can under the situation of little uptake, obtain cleaning effect.But when carrying out the air releasing operation, the negative pressure in the sub tank 15 can't keep, and therefore needs big uptake to rebuild the negative pressure in the sub tank 15.In other words, whether basis carries out the different uptake of air releasing operation use in recovery operation.
Then, as mentioned above, cap member 72 removes (S58) from the nozzle surface of record head 14, and wiping scraper plate 73 is lifted to wiping position (with the nozzle surface position contacting), and carriage 13 moves and makes that nozzle surface can be by wiping and cleaning (S59).Then, wiping scraper plate 73 drops to the position (S60) away from nozzle surface.For preventing color mixture, the nozzle of record head 14 can be discharged China ink after wiping scraper plate 73 leaves nozzle surface.
As mentioned above, when carrying out recovery operation, if determine air capacity in the sub tank 15 more than or equal to scheduled volume, then sub tank 15 is opened to outside air when ink supply, makes the unnecessary air that accumulate in the sub tank 15 to be released.Thus, can prevent that the air mass that causes because of the bubble that forms in the China ink that holds from discharging in sub tank 15, and can rebuild the interior negative pressure of sub tank 15, thereby make the venting stability of characteristics.On the other hand, if determine air capacity in the sub tank 15 less than this scheduled volume, then sub tank 15 is not opened to outside air, makes can carry out recovery operation and can reduce the China ink amount that is used for recovery operation after the short period.
The recovery operation of tape deck according to another embodiment of the present invention hereinafter, is described with reference to Figure 27.
According to this embodiment, the record head 14 that carry out recovery operation is positioned at the covering position of cap member 72a, and cap member 72a lifting, so that hide the nozzle surface (S71) of this record head 14.
Then, read liquid (China ink) amounts (S72) in the sub tank 15 of being contained in that detect (calculating) according to liquid (China ink) discharge rate of measuring in advance and uptake.
Under the situation of the information that concerns between storing about liquid (China ink) discharge rate and uptake, liquid (China ink) the available formula as follows of amount (3) in the sub tank 15 calculates:
Full capacity-{ ∑ (discharge rate * the number of discharge)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) } of the amount of liquid=sub tank in the sub tank ... (3).
Because the sub tank correspondence comprises the flexible structure of flexible membrane parts and an elastomeric element, the device that is provided for accurately detecting amount of liquid in the sub tank itself is quite difficult.Thus, deduct corresponding to the consumption of use amount (obtaining) by the amount of liquid under the full capacity of sub tank 15, can accurately calculate the raffinate scale of construction in the sub tank 15 with the summation of uptake (obtaining) from uptake and absorption number from lifting rate and the number of discharge.
Under storing according to the discharge rate of the difference discharge pattern situation different with uptake, the amount of liquid in the sub tank 15 can calculate according to formula as follows (4):
Full capacity-{ ∑ (the number of discharge of the discharge rate * specific pattern of specific pattern)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) } of the amount of liquid=sub tank in the sub tank ... (4).
For example, under the situation of carrying out tone printing (tone printing), can store discharge rate data in advance according to the tone pattern, and corresponding discharge rate data can be multiply by tone thus and number occurs, thereby obtain to detect (calculating) more accurately than situation about simply discharge rate and the number of discharge being multiplied each other.
Whether the amount of liquid that is calculated (China ink amount) that can determine sub tank 15 then is lower than predetermined value (S73).Alternatively, under the situation that the full capacity of sub tank 15 is fixed, can determine according to the black consumption of sub tank 15.
Determine that above if the China ink amounts in the sub tank 15 are confirmed as more than or equal to scheduled volume (S73N), operation tubing pump 220 also absorbs first scheduled volume (S81) from the nozzle of record head 14.Cap member 72a removes (S78) from the surface of record head 14 then, and wiping scraper plate 73 is lifted to wiping position (with the contact position of nozzle surface), makes nozzle surface to move and by wiped clean (S79) along with carriage 13.Then, wiping scraper plate 73 drops to the position (S80) away from nozzle surface.
On the other hand, when the China ink amount in the sub tank 15 is confirmed as less than scheduled volume, drive and control the air release valve mechanism 132 of driver element 162, make sub tank 15 can open (S74) to outside air with operation sub tank 15.Then, China ink can be fed to sub tank 15 (S75).Thus, can detect sub tank 15 until detecting electrode 141 and 142 and fully be replenished to sub tank 15 supply China inks.
By opening sub tank 15 to outside air when the ink supply, the unnecessary air that accumulate in the sub tank 15 can be discharged by air release valve mechanism 132.Then, can drive and control driver element 162, closing the air release valve mechanism 132 (S76) of sub tank 15, and can operate tubing pump 220, make to absorb second uptake (S77) from the nozzle of record head 14.
Second uptake is greater than first uptake.When not carrying out the air releasing operation, can keep the negative pressure in the sub tank 15, even and therefore can under the situation of little uptake, obtain cleaning effect.But when carrying out the air releasing operation, the negative pressure in the sub tank 15 can't keep, and therefore needs big uptake to rebuild the negative pressure in the sub tank 15.In other words, whether basis carries out the different uptake of air releasing operation use in recovery operation.
Then, as mentioned above, cap member 72 removes (S78) from the nozzle surface of record head 14, and wiping scraper plate 73 is lifted to wiping position (with the nozzle surface position contacting), and carriage 13 moves and makes that nozzle surface can be by wiping and cleaning (S79).Then, wiping scraper plate 73 drops to the position (S80) away from nozzle surface.For preventing color mixture, for example the nozzle of record head 14 can be discharged China ink after wiping scraper plate 73 leaves nozzle surface.
In addition, in the description of the embodiment of recovery operation, first and second uptakes are not represented any specific value; Exactly, first uptake represents not carry out the uptake under the situation of air releasing operation, and second uptake represents to carry out the uptake under the situation of air releasing operation.
As mentioned above, when carrying out recovery operation, if the amount of liquid in the sub tank 15 less than scheduled volume, then sub tank 15 is opened to outside air when ink supply, become too small with the capacity that prevents sub tank 15, and can reduce the contraction of elastomeric element and return the hysteresis of the volume change that is caused.Thus, the negative pressure in the sub tank 15 can be controlled, and the venting stability of characteristics can be made.On the other hand, if the air capacity in the sub tank 15 more than or equal to this scheduled volume, then sub tank 15 is not opened to outside air, makes can carry out recovery operation and can reduce the China ink amount that is used for recovery operation after the short period.
In the foregoing description of preferred embodiment, the application of the present invention in ink-jet recording apparatus (printer) is shown; But the present invention is not limited to above embodiment, and can be applicable to for example picture unit, and multi-functional imaging device is perhaps printed/fax/duplicated to copy device.The present invention also can be applicable to for example use the China ink imaging device of liquid in addition, employed liquid feed device in this imaging device, and employed liquid container in this liquid feed device.
Hereinafter, describe with China ink as the example that is used in the liquid in the imaging device.But the present invention is not limited to use this specific ink.
At first, the static surface tension γ of China ink in the time of 25 ℃ preferably is set to γ 〉=20.Can guarantee to discharge stability thus.
When China ink when 25 ℃ static surface tension γ is γ 〉=20, can form ink droplet regularly, and produce distinct image.On the other hand, if 20＞γ, China ink can roughly wetting whole nozzle surface, and perhaps it can form a less contact angle, and therefore, China ink can be revealed around nozzle.In this state, can not on nozzle, form a normal falcate, and therefore, can not form ink droplet regularly.That is, discharge direction possibility misorentation, may produce undesirable droplet (association drop), may generate a mist, perhaps even worse possibility, for example ink droplet can not be discharged.In this case, be difficult to as requiring to form specified pixel, and be easy to occur image deflects.
China ink also can comprise a coloring material.For example, this coloring material may be dissolved in the China ink, and perhaps this coloring material can be dispersed in the China ink.If coloring material is dissolved in the China ink, preferably use dyestuff.Coloring material is dispersed in the China ink, preferably uses the lower pigment or the dyestuff of solubility of relative solvent.By using pigment, can obtain high photoresistance and resistance to water.
Therefore, coloring material preferably is dispersed in the China ink.In this case, when ink droplet contacts with recording medium (paper) surface, pH can take place change, at this point, thereby the dispersity of coloring material can destroyedly cause coloring material to concentrate.In addition, coloring material can be infiltrated in the fiber of recording medium, makes China ink can not flow away from its drippage point.Because this effect can prevent gradual change look (feathering) and bleeding, and can produce distinct image.
On the other hand, when coloring material is dissolved in the China ink, change even pH takes place on recording medium the time ink droplet drops, the coloring material that is dissolved can not precipitate easily, so coloring material can not concentrate.In addition, when China ink infiltrates in the recording medium, if coloring material is in dissolved state, then can not infiltrate the fiber of recording medium interior also may flow out thus quite far away.Therefore, be easy to occur gradual change look and bleeding, and can not produce distinct image.
Classified as in the dyestuff of acid dyes, direct dyes, reactive dye and food coloring according to color standard, the dyestuff with excellent water tolerance and photoresistance can be used as the dyestuff that is included in this China ink.In addition, also can use the mixing of polytype dyestuff, perhaps one or more type dye and one or more other type coloring material (for example pigment) mixes.These coloring materials rise to the degree of the required effect that does not stop China ink.
Hereinafter, provide the tabulation of available particular dye in the present embodiment.
For acid dyes and food colour, might use following dyestuff.
C.I. Indian yellow 17,23,42,44,79,142,
C.I. azogeramine, 8,13,14,18,26,27,35,37,42,52,82,87,89,92,97,106,111,114,115,134,186,249,254,289,
C.I. acid blue 9,29,45,92,249
The C.I acid black 1,2
For direct dyes, can use the dyestuff of following type.
C.I. direct Huang 1,12,24,26,33,44,50,86,120,132,142,144,
It is C.I. directly red 1,4,9,13,17,20,28,31,39,80,81,83,89,225,227,
C.I. direct orange 26,29,62,102,
C.I. direct indigo plant 1,2,6,15,22,25,71,76,79,86,87,90,98,163,165,199,202,
C.I. directly deceive 19,22,32,38,51,56,71,74,75,77,154,168,171
For reactive dye, can use the dyestuff of following type.
C.I. reactive black 3,4,7,11,12,17,
C.I. reactive yellow 1,5,11,13,14,20,21,22,25,40,47,51,55,65,67,
C.I. reactive red 1,14,17,25,26,32,37,44,46,55,60,66,74,79,96,97,
C.I. reactive blue 1,2, and 7,14,15,23,32,35,38,41,63,80,95
Further, in these dyestuffs, preferably use acid dyes and direct dyes.
For pigment, can use the pigment of following particular type.
For organic dyestuff, can use for example AZOpigments, phthalocyanine color, anthraquinone pigment, triazine dioxin pigment, indigo pigment, thioindigo color, perylene dye, isoindolinone pigment, nigrosine, azomethine pigment, rhodamine B lake (rhodamine B lake) pigment and carbon black.
For inorganic dyestuff, can use for example iron oxide, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, barium nitrate, aluminium hydroxide, baryta yellow, navy blue, cadmium red, chrome yellow and metal dust.
Also to being to use with paint with the crystal grain particulate forms of crystal grain diameter in the scope of 0.01～0.15 μ m.The crystal grain particle diameter of pigment is 0.01 μ m or still less the time, the opacifying power of China ink may be lower, and therefore the density of China ink may be lower.Therefore, photoresistance may reduce and makes that the photoresistance of China ink may be identical with conventional dyestuff when mixing with high molecular dye.In addition, the crystal grain diameter of pigment particles is 0.15 μ m or when bigger, record head and filter may be easy to stop up, and can not obtain stable discharge characteristic.
In addition, China ink preferably includes a kind of water base organic solvent and is used for the black character of required adjustment, thereby prevents that black the exsiccation from avoiding discharging defective, and the steady dissolution and the dispersion stabilization that improve coloring material.
For example, a kind of or its compound in the solvent of following type can mix with water.Especially, available solvent can corresponding multivalence alcohol, for example ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,5-hexylene glycol, glycerine, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2,4-butantriol (buthanetriol) and petriol; Multivalence alcohol alkyl ether, for example ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether and dihydroxypropane single-ether; Multivalence alcohol aryl ether, for example ethyleneglycol monophenylether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether; Nitrogen heterocyclic, for example N-N-methyl-2-2-pyrrolidone N-, N-ethoxy-2-Pyrrolidone, 2-Pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-imidazolinone and epsilon-caprolactams; Acid amides, for example formamide, N-NMF and N, dinethylformamide; Amine, for example MEA, diethanol amine, triethanolamine, monoethyl amine, diethylamine and triethylamine; Sulphur compound, for example methyl-sulfoxide, sulfolane and thiodiethanol (thioethanol); Propylene carbonate; Ethylene carbonate; Or gamma-butyrolacton (butylolacton).
In above-mentioned useable solvents, preferred especially diethylene glycol (DEG), thiodiethanol, Macrogol 200～600, triethylene glycol, glycerine, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2,4-butantriol, petriol, 1,5-pentanediol, N-N-methyl-2-2-pyrrolidone N-, N-hydroxyethyl-pyrrolidone, 2-Pyrrolidone and 1,3-dimethyl-imidazolinone.By using the solvent of these types, can realize the high-dissolvability or the decentralization of coloring material, and can prevent to cause the venting defective because of water evaporates.
In addition, China ink preferably includes a bleeding agent.
Bleeding agent can improve the China ink and the humidity of recording medium, and can be and adjust black seepage velocity and add.Preferably in this China ink, use by the represented bleeding agent of following chemical formula (I)～(IV).Promptly, for reducing the surface tension of liquid (China ink), improve this liquid (China ink) humidity, and accelerate the seepage velocity of this liquid, preferably use by the represented polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether surfactant of formula (I), by the represented acetylenediol of formula (II) (acetylene glycol) surfactant, by the represented polyoxyethylene alkyl ether surfactant of formula (III), and by the represented polyoxyethylene polyoxy-propylene surfactant of formula (IV).
(but R is equivalent to have the hydrocarbon chain of cladodification of the carbon number of 6-14; K:5～20)
(m，n≤20，0＜m+n≤40)
R-(OCH
2CH
2)
nOH…(III)
(but R is equivalent to have the hydrocarbon chain of cladodification of the carbon number of 6-14; N:5～20)
(but R is equivalent to have the hydrocarbon chain of cladodification of the carbon number of 6-14; M, n:20 or lower)
Except the represented compound of formula (I)～(IV), also can use other compound, for example multivalence alcohol alkyl or aryl ether such as diglycol monotertiary phenylate, ethyleneglycol monophenylether, glycol monomethyl aryl ether, diglycol monotertiary phenylate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether and tetraethylene glycol chlorobenzene ether; Non-ionic surface active agent such as polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer; With lower alcohol such as fluorine surfactant, ethanol and 2-propyl alcohol, its among these, preferred diethylene glycol monobutyl ether.
In addition, for preventing and the dissolving and the erosion of black contact portion that China ink preferably includes pH conditioning agent or antirust agent.This pH conditioning agent can be to regulating black pH to any material that is higher than 6 under the situation that does not influence black SOLUTION PROPERTIES.For example, can use amine such as diethanol amine and triethanolamine; The hydroxide compound of alkali metal such as lithium hydroxide, NaOH, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, quaternary ammonium hydroxide and quaternary phosphonium hydroxide; With alkali-metal carbonate such as lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate and potash.For antirust agent, for example can use acid nitrite (acid nitrite), sulfo-sodium nitrate, thiodiglycolic acid ammonite (ammonite), nitrous acid diisopropyl ammonium, pentaerythritol tetranitrate and nitrous acid dicyclohexyl ammonium.
For preventing and go mouldy that China ink also can further comprise the preservative antifungal agent corrupt.For example can use dehydro sodium acetate, sodium sorbate, 2-pyridine mercaptan-1-na oxide, iso thiazolinium compound, Sodium Benzoate or pentachlorophenol (pentachlorophenom) sodium as the preservative antifungal agent.
For preventing that China ink from bubbling, China ink also can further comprise an antifoaming agent.The preferred silicon antifoaming agent that uses is as antifoaming agent.Usually, the silicon antifoaming agent for example can be classified as oil type, compound, self-emulsifying type and oil-in-water type.When using the silicon antifoaming agent with water base material, because self-emulsifying type and oil-in-water type silicon antifoaming agent provide good reliability, preferred self-emulsifying type and oil-in-water type silicon antifoaming agent.In addition, can use modification silicon antifoaming agent for example from amino modified, methyl alcohol modification, methacrylic modification, polyether-modified, alkyl-modified, higher fatty acids is ester modified or the oxyalkylene modification obtains.
On the market example of more existing antifoaming agent be Sin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd the silicon antifoaming agent (for example, KS508, KS531, KM72, KM85 (ProductName)), the silicon antifoaming agent of Dow Corning Toray Silicon Co., Ltd (for example, Q2-3183A, SH5510 (ProductName)), the silicon antifoaming agent of Nippon Unicar Co., Ltd (for example, and the antifoaming agent of Asahi Denka Co., Ltd (for example, adeka nol series (ProductName)) SAG30 (ProductName)).
In addition, black viscosity at 20 ℃ is preferably and is higher than 4mPa/sec.Meet this condition by the viscosity that keeps China ink, can prevent that China ink from rebounding and produce mist, and can guarantee to discharge stability.Therefore, can be by using high viscous ink to obtain distinct image.
But,, discharge the bubble (foam) that produces in the China ink and be easy to become difficult with the increase of inking viscosity.Thus, under the situation of using sub tank system (using the ink feeding system of sub tank), preferably suitably consider this problem.According to embodiments of the invention, can prevent the problem of bubbling and producing thereby carry out the air releasing operation according to the air capacity in the sub tank and amount of liquid.
Although in the foregoing description of embodiments of the invention, air releasing operation under the situation of using air capacity in sub tank and the situation of using amount of liquid has been described respectively, also other setting can be arranged, wherein the air capacity in sub tank arrives scheduled volume or higher situation, perhaps the amount of liquid in sub tank is lower than under any one situation in the situation of scheduled volume and carries out the air releasing operation, and is not carrying out the air releasing operation At All Other Times.
Claims (54)
1. liquid container that is used for the receiving fluids of imaging device, described liquid container comprises:
Be used to hold the liquid containing part of described liquid; And
Be used for partly discharging the air flow channel of air, wherein from described liquid containing
Described air flow channel comprises the entrance channel part that is connected to described liquid containing part, and the continuity runner section that partly continues from described entrance channel; And
Described continuity runner section is set to relative reference planes extends on last tilted direction, and described reference planes are corresponding to the liquid liquid level under static state that is contained in the described liquid containing part.
2. liquid container according to claim 1, wherein, the length of described entrance channel part is set, make when described liquid container in use and liquid level when occurring fluctuating because of the vibration of described liquid container, described liquid that can not enters described continuity runner section.
3. liquid container according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, the area of section of described entrance channel part is greater than the area of section of described continuity runner section.
4. liquid container according to claim 1 wherein, is provided with a flank at the opening part that is connected to described liquid containing described inlet working fluid passage portion partly.
5. liquid container according to claim 1 wherein, is provided with described entrance channel its described relatively reference planes is extended on the direction of approximate vertical.
6. liquid container that is used for the receiving fluids of imaging device, described liquid container comprises:
Be formed for holding the liquid containing container body partly of described liquid;
Be attached to described container body and be used to seal the flexible membrane parts of the opening of described liquid containing part; And
On described container body, form and be used for partly discharging the air flow channel of air from described liquid containing, wherein,
Described air flow channel comprises runner section, and described runner section does not have the wall that is formed by described flexible membrane parts.
7. liquid container according to claim 6, wherein, described air flow channel is included in the groove that forms on the described container body, and is stopping the through hole that forms on the wall of a part of described groove.
8. liquid container according to claim 7 wherein, forms described through hole on the position that separates with the runner sideline that is formed by described groove and described membrane element.
9. according to claim 7 or 8 described liquid containers, wherein, the length of described through hole is set, makes that described liquid does not flow through described through hole when described liquid container in use also vibration takes place.
10. according to claim 7 or 8 described liquid containers, wherein, the diameter of described through hole is set, makes that described liquid that can not flows through described through hole when described liquid container in use also vibration takes place.
11. liquid container according to claim 6, wherein, described air flow channel comprises the concentrating portions of assembling the liquid that enters described air flow channel.
12. liquid container according to claim 6, wherein, described air flow channel comprises the entrance channel part that is connected to described liquid concentrating portions, and the continuity runner section that partly continues from described entrance channel, and
Described continuity runner section is set to relative reference planes extends on last tilted direction, and described reference planes are corresponding to the liquid liquid level under static state that is contained in the described liquid containing part.
13. liquid container according to claim 12 wherein, is provided with described entrance channel its described relatively reference planes is extended in vertical direction.
14. according to claim 12 or 13 described liquid containers, wherein, the length of described entrance channel part is set, make when described liquid container in use and liquid level when occurring fluctuating because of the vibration of described liquid container, described liquid that can not enters described continuity runner section.
15. according to claim 12 or 13 described liquid containers, wherein, the area of section of described entrance channel part is greater than the area of section of described continuity runner section.
16., wherein, on the opening of the described inlet working fluid passage portion that is connected to described liquid containing part, flank is set according to claim 12 or 13 described liquid containers.
17. the liquid feed device to the record head supply liquid of imaging device, described liquid feed device comprises:
Liquid container, described liquid container comprise the liquid containing part that is used to hold described liquid, and the air flow channel that is used for partly discharging from described liquid containing air; And
Be used for liquid-supply unit to described liquid container supply liquid, wherein,
Described air flow channel comprises the entrance channel part that is connected to described liquid containing part, and the continuity runner section that partly continues from described entrance channel, described continuity runner section is set to relative reference planes extends on last tilted direction, and described reference planes are corresponding to the liquid liquid level under static state that is contained in the described liquid containing part.
18. liquid feed device according to claim 17 wherein, further comprises the air releasing unit that is used for opening to outside air the described air flow channel of described liquid container.
19. the liquid feed device to the record head supply liquid of imaging device, described liquid feed device comprises:
Liquid container, described liquid container comprises the liquid containing container body partly that is formed for holding described liquid, be attached to described container body and be used to seal the flexible membrane parts of the opening of described liquid containing part, and the air flow channel that on described container body, forms and be used for partly discharging from described liquid containing air; And
Be used for liquid-supply unit to described liquid container supply liquid, wherein,
Described air flow channel comprises runner section, and described runner section does not have the wall that is formed by described flexible membrane parts.
20. liquid feed device according to claim 19 wherein, further comprises the air releasing unit that is used for opening to outside air the described air flow channel of described liquid container.
21. one kind by discharging the imaging device that drop forms image from record head, described imaging device comprises:
Liquid feed device, described liquid feed device comprises: have the liquid container that is used to hold the liquid containing part of described liquid and is used for partly discharging from described liquid containing the air flow channel of air; And the liquid-supply unit that is used for supplying liquid to described liquid container, wherein, described air flow channel comprises the entrance channel part that is connected to described liquid containing part, and the continuity runner section that partly continues from described entrance channel, described continuity runner section is set to relative reference planes extends on last tilted direction, and described reference planes are corresponding to the liquid liquid level under static state that is contained in the described liquid containing part.
22. imaging device according to claim 21, wherein, the described liquid container of described liquid feed device is installed in the carriage that is provided with described record head.
23. one kind by discharging the imaging device that drop forms image from record head, described imaging device comprises:
Liquid feed device, described liquid feed device comprises: liquid container, described liquid container has the liquid containing container body partly that is formed for holding described liquid, be attached to described container body and be used to seal the flexible membrane parts of the opening of described liquid containing part, and the air flow channel that on described container body, forms and be used for partly discharging from described liquid containing air; And the liquid-supply unit that is used for supplying to described liquid container liquid, wherein, described air flow channel comprises runner section, described runner section does not have the wall that is formed by described flexible membrane parts.
24. imaging device according to claim 23, wherein, the described liquid container of described liquid feed device is installed in the carriage that is provided with described record head.
25. one kind is held from the liquid of main reservoir supply and with described liquid and is fed to the sub tank of the liquid discharge head of discharging described liquid, described sub tank comprises:
The negative pressure generation unit, described negative pressure generation unit comprises the flexible membrane parts of at least one side that is positioned at described sub tank, and with respect to the elastomeric element of described sub tank to the outside application of force of described flexible membrane parts, described negative pressure generation unit is used in response to liquid supply and discharge and expands and shrink, and produces negative pressure in described sub tank.
26. sub tank according to claim 25, wherein, described flexible membrane parts have the thickness in 10～100 mu m ranges.
27. according to claim 25 or 26 described sub tanks, wherein, described flexible membrane parts comprise at least two types film laminated together.
28. sub tank according to claim 27, wherein, described flexible membrane parts comprise polyethylene film and nylon membrane at least.
29. sub tank according to claim 26, wherein, described flexible membrane parts comprise the silica vapor deposited layer.
30. sub tank according to claim 26, wherein, described flexible membrane parts have a jut.
31. sub tank according to claim 30 wherein, forms described flexible membrane parts by diaphragm being shaped to convex.
32. sub tank according to claim 25, wherein, described elastomeric element is corresponding to spring.
33. sub tank according to claim 25 wherein, further comprises box body, described box body comprises the negative pressure bar that is set to the outer side contacts of described flexible membrane parts, and described negative pressure bar is shifted in response to the distortion of described flexible membrane parts.
34. sub tank according to claim 25 wherein, further comprises the air releasing unit that is used for opening to outside air described sub tank.
35. a liquid feed device comprises:
Supply liquid to the sub tank of the liquid discharge head of discharging described liquid, and main reservoir from described liquid to described sub tank that supply, described sub tank comprises the air releasing unit that is used for opening to outside air described sub tank, and negative pressure generation unit, described negative pressure generation unit comprises the flexible membrane parts of at least one side that is positioned at described sub tank, and described relatively sub tank is to the elastomeric element of the outside application of force of described flexible membrane parts, described negative pressure generation unit is used in response to liquid supply and discharge and expands and shrink, and in described sub tank, produce negative pressure
Wherein, by opening described sub tank to outside air by described air releasing unit, and the described negative pressure generation unit that expands, described liquid is fed to described sub tank from described main reservoir, after this, by closing described air releasing unit, discharge a part of liquid in the described sub tank and cause described negative pressure generation unit to shrink, and in described sub tank, produce negative pressure.
36. one kind forms the imaging device of image to the recording medium by discharge liquid from liquid discharge head, described imaging device comprises:
Hold by the liquid of main reservoir supply and be used for described liquid is fed to the sub tank of described liquid discharge head, described sub tank has the negative pressure generation unit, described negative pressure generation unit comprises the flexible membrane parts at least one side that is positioned at described sub tank, and described relatively sub tank is to the elastomeric element of the outside application of force of described flexible membrane parts, described negative pressure generation unit is used in response to liquid supply and discharge and expands and shrink, and produces negative pressure in described sub tank.
37. one kind forms the imaging device of image to the recording medium by discharge liquid from liquid discharge head, described imaging device comprises:
Liquid feed device, described liquid feed device comprises: the sub tank that supplies liquid to the liquid discharge head of discharging described liquid, supply the main reservoir of described liquid to described sub tank, described sub tank comprises the air releasing unit that is used for opening to outside air described sub tank, and negative pressure generation unit, described negative pressure generation unit comprises the flexible membrane parts at least one side that is positioned at described sub tank, and described relatively sub tank is to the elastomeric element of the outside application of force of described flexible membrane parts, described negative pressure generation unit is used in response to liquid supply and discharge and expands and shrink, and in described sub tank, produce negative pressure
Wherein, by opening described sub tank to outside air by described air releasing unit, and the described negative pressure generation unit that expands, described liquid is fed to described sub tank from described main reservoir, after this, discharge a part of liquid in the described sub tank and cause described negative pressure generation unit to shrink by closing described air releasing unit, and in described sub tank, produce negative pressure.
38. imaging device, comprise the liquid discharge head that is used for discharging liquid from nozzle, and be used to hold from the liquid of fluid storage reservoir supply and to the sub tank of described liquid discharge head supply liquid, wherein, detect the amount of liquid that described sub tank consumes, and carry out operating to the feed flow of described sub tank supply liquid according to the liquid-consumed amount that is detected.
39. according to the described imaging device of claim 38, wherein, store information in advance, and obtain the amount of liquid that described sub tank consumes by the formula (1) that is calculated as follows definition about lifting rate and uptake:
Liquid-consumed amount=∑ (lifting rate * the number of discharge)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) ... (1).
40. according to the described imaging device of claim 39, wherein, the summation of the lifting rate that calculates is by the predetermined correction coefficient correction, described predetermined correction coefficient is set according to the parameter of the discharge characteristic of the described liquid discharge head of reflection.
41. according to the described imaging device of claim 38, wherein, store in advance about given row and go out the lifting rate of pattern and the information of uptake, and obtain the China ink amount that consumes from described sub tank by the formula (2) that is calculated as follows definition:
Liquid-consumed amount=∑ (specific pattern discharge rate * specific pattern the number of discharge)
+ ∑ (uptake * absorption number) ... (2).
42. according to the described imaging device of claim 38, wherein, the liquid-consumed amount that is detected and the first standard value V1, the second standard value V2 and the 3rd standard value V3 (V1＜V2＜V3) compare; And
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to the described first standard value V1, just before hiding described liquid discharge head, to described sub tank feed flow;
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to the described second standard value V2, between the page or leaf output function to described sub tank feed flow; And
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to described the 3rd standard value V3, described sub tank is opened at least once to outside air, after this, to described sub tank feed flow, and produces negative pressure therein.
43. according to the described imaging device of claim 38, wherein, the liquid-consumed amount that is detected and the 4th standard value V4, the 5th standard value V5 and the 6th standard value V6 (V4＜V5＜V6) compare, and
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to described the 4th standard value V4, non-print color ink after the page or leaf output function;
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to described the 5th standard value V5, non-print black ink after the page or leaf output function; And
When liquid-consumed amount during more than or equal to described the 6th standard value V6, the China ink of non-print all colours during the page or leaf output function.
44. according to the described imaging device of claim 38, wherein, the viscosity of described liquid under 20 ℃ is more than or equal to 4mPa/sec.
45. according to the described imaging device of claim 38, wherein, described liquid discharge head is to being applied to discharge according to the variation of piezoelectric element the discharge head of liquid.
46. pumping equipment, comprise: the liquid discharge head that is used for discharging liquid from nozzle, be used to hold from the liquid of fluid storage reservoir supply and supply the sub tank of described liquid to described liquid discharge head, and the state of switch unit that is used between sealing state and open state, switching described sub tank, described sub tank comprises compliant member and the elastomeric element that is used to produce negative pressure, wherein
Carry out the nozzle recovery operation, wherein,, and, do not open described sub tank when the air capacity in the described sub tank during less than described scheduled volume when the air capacity in the described sub tank during, the open described sub tank of described switch element more than or equal to scheduled volume.
47. pumping equipment, comprise the liquid discharge head that is used for discharging liquid from nozzle, be used to hold from the liquid of fluid storage reservoir supply and supply the sub tank of described liquid to described liquid discharge head, and the state of switch unit that is used between sealing state and open state, switching described sub tank, described sub tank comprises compliant member and the elastomeric element that is used to produce negative pressure, wherein
Carry out the nozzle recovery operation, wherein,, and, do not open described sub tank when the amount of liquid in the described sub tank during more than or equal to described scheduled volume when the amount of liquid in the described sub tank during, the open described sub tank of described switch element less than scheduled volume.
48. pumping equipment, comprise the liquid discharge head that is used for discharging liquid from nozzle, be used to hold from the liquid of fluid storage reservoir supply and supply the sub tank of described liquid to described liquid discharge head, and the state of switch unit that is used between sealing state and open state, switching described sub tank, described sub tank comprises compliant member and the elastomeric element that is used to produce negative pressure, wherein
Carry out the nozzle recovery operation, wherein, when the air capacity in the described sub tank during more than or equal to first scheduled volume, or when the amount of liquid in the described sub tank during less than second scheduled volume, the open described sub tank of described switch element; And when the air capacity in the described sub tank less than the amount of liquid in described first scheduled volume and the described sub tank during more than or equal to described second scheduled volume, open described sub tank.
49. according to each described pumping equipment in the claim 46 to 48, wherein,
When open described sub tank during described nozzle recovery operation, described nozzle is hidden by cap member, and absorbs the liquid of first uptake via described cap member from described nozzle, and described sub tank is filled into ormal weight by liquid; And
When open described sub tank during described nozzle recovery operation, described nozzle is hidden by described cap member, and absorbs the liquid of second uptake via described cap member from described nozzle, and described sub tank is filled into described ormal weight by liquid.
50. according to claim 47 or 48 described pumping equipments, wherein, store information in advance about lifting rate and uptake, and use as the formula (3) of giving a definition obtain as described in the interior amount of liquid of sub tank:
Full capacity-{ ∑ (discharge rate * the number of discharge)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) } of the amount of liquid=sub tank in the sub tank ... (3).
51. according to claim 47 or 48 described pumping equipments, wherein, store in advance about given row and go out the lifting rate of pattern and the information of uptake, and use as the formula (4) of giving a definition obtain as described in the interior amount of liquid of sub tank:
Full capacity-{ ∑ (the number of discharge of the discharge rate * specific pattern of specific pattern)+∑ (uptake * absorption number) } of the amount of liquid=sub tank in the sub tank ... (4).
52. according to each described pumping equipment in the claim 46 to 48, wherein, the viscosity of described liquid under 20 ℃ is more than or equal to 4mPa/sec.
53. according to each described pumping equipment in the claim 46 to 48, wherein, described liquid discharge head is to being applied to discharge according to the variation of piezoelectric element the discharge head of liquid.
54. imaging device, comprise pumping equipment, described pumping equipment comprises the liquid discharge head that is used for discharging from nozzle liquid, be used to hold from the liquid of fluid storage reservoir supply and supply the sub tank of described liquid to described liquid discharge head, and the state of switch unit that is used between sealing state and open state, switching described sub tank, described sub tank comprises compliant member and the elastomeric element that is used to produce negative pressure, wherein
Carry out the nozzle recovery operation, wherein,, and, do not open described sub tank when the air capacity in the described sub tank during less than described scheduled volume when the air capacity in the described sub tank during, the open described sub tank of described switch element more than or equal to scheduled volume.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2003180911A JP4155879B2 (en) | 2003-06-25 | 2003-06-25 | Liquid container, liquid supply apparatus, and image forming apparatus |
| JP180911/2003 | 2003-06-25 | ||
| JP289943/2003 | 2003-08-08 | ||
| JP294914/2003 | 2003-08-19 | ||
| JP294861/2003 | 2003-08-19 |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2008101441237A Division CN101337468B (en) | 2003-06-25 | 2004-06-21 | Liquid container, liquid supply apparatus, and imaging apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1832861A true CN1832861A (en) | 2006-09-13 |
| CN100418776C CN100418776C (en) | 2008-09-17 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2008101441237A Expired - Fee Related CN101337468B (en) | 2003-06-25 | 2004-06-21 | Liquid container, liquid supply apparatus, and imaging apparatus |
| CNB2004800225705A Expired - Fee Related CN100418776C (en) | 2003-06-25 | 2004-06-21 | Liquid container, sub tank, liquid discharge apparatus, liquid supply apparatus, and imaging apparatus |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2008101441237A Expired - Fee Related CN101337468B (en) | 2003-06-25 | 2004-06-21 | Liquid container, liquid supply apparatus, and imaging apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP4155879B2 (en) |
| CN (2) | CN101337468B (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104290463A (en) * | 2013-07-15 | 2015-01-21 | 施乐公司 | Air film support device for inkjet printer |
| CN108543640A (en) * | 2018-04-02 | 2018-09-18 | 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 | A kind of liquid discharge device |
| CN112092504A (en) * | 2019-06-17 | 2020-12-18 | 三星显示有限公司 | Automatic leveling ink jet device |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4878812B2 (en) * | 2005-11-04 | 2012-02-15 | 株式会社リコー | Recording liquid container and image forming apparatus |
| JP4988316B2 (en) * | 2006-11-28 | 2012-08-01 | 株式会社リコー | Main scanning position deviation detection method and image forming apparatus of recording head |
| JP5376300B2 (en) | 2008-12-03 | 2013-12-25 | 株式会社リコー | Inkjet recording device |
| JP5487755B2 (en) | 2009-06-26 | 2014-05-07 | 株式会社リコー | Liquid discharge head unit and image forming apparatus |
| JP5499989B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2014-05-21 | 株式会社リコー | Image forming apparatus |
| JP5471655B2 (en) | 2010-03-17 | 2014-04-16 | 株式会社リコー | Image forming apparatus |
| JP6040526B2 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2016-12-07 | 株式会社リコー | Image forming apparatus |
| JP5807406B2 (en) | 2011-06-28 | 2015-11-10 | 株式会社リコー | Image forming apparatus |
| JP6686381B2 (en) * | 2015-11-16 | 2020-04-22 | 株式会社リコー | Liquid container, device for discharging liquid |
| JP7003420B2 (en) * | 2017-02-28 | 2022-01-20 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Liquid supply device and image recording device |
| JP7056329B2 (en) * | 2018-04-03 | 2022-04-19 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Liquid sprayer |
| JP7435389B2 (en) | 2020-09-30 | 2024-02-21 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | liquid discharge device |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| JP3873400B2 (en) * | 1996-10-08 | 2007-01-24 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Recording material exhaustion prediction apparatus and recording material exhaustion prediction method |
| JP3391367B2 (en) * | 1996-10-28 | 2003-03-31 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Ink jet recording apparatus and cleaning method |
| JP3817727B2 (en) * | 2000-04-18 | 2006-09-06 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Inkjet recording device |
| EP1642722B1 (en) * | 2000-10-20 | 2010-12-22 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Ink cartridge for ink jet recording device |
| KR100477155B1 (en) * | 2001-05-17 | 2005-03-18 | 세이코 엡슨 가부시키가이샤 | Ink cartridge |
| JP4638085B2 (en) * | 2001-06-25 | 2011-02-23 | 株式会社リコー | Ink supply apparatus and inkjet recording apparatus |
| JP2003053993A (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2003-02-26 | Canon Inc | Ink jet recording head |
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2003
- 2003-06-25 JP JP2003180911A patent/JP4155879B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2004
- 2004-06-21 CN CN2008101441237A patent/CN101337468B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-06-21 CN CNB2004800225705A patent/CN100418776C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104290463A (en) * | 2013-07-15 | 2015-01-21 | 施乐公司 | Air film support device for inkjet printer |
| CN104290463B (en) * | 2013-07-15 | 2017-04-26 | 施乐公司 | Air film support device for inkjet printer |
| CN108543640A (en) * | 2018-04-02 | 2018-09-18 | 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 | A kind of liquid discharge device |
| CN108543640B (en) * | 2018-04-02 | 2020-07-03 | 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 | Liquid discharge device |
| CN112092504A (en) * | 2019-06-17 | 2020-12-18 | 三星显示有限公司 | Automatic leveling ink jet device |
| CN112092504B (en) * | 2019-06-17 | 2023-08-15 | 三星显示有限公司 | Automatic leveling ink-jet device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2005014342A (en) | 2005-01-20 |
| JP4155879B2 (en) | 2008-09-24 |
| CN101337468A (en) | 2009-01-07 |
| CN101337468B (en) | 2010-09-08 |
| CN100418776C (en) | 2008-09-17 |
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