EP4309900A1 - Liquid discharge apparatus - Google Patents
Liquid discharge apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4309900A1 EP4309900A1 EP23185308.6A EP23185308A EP4309900A1 EP 4309900 A1 EP4309900 A1 EP 4309900A1 EP 23185308 A EP23185308 A EP 23185308A EP 4309900 A1 EP4309900 A1 EP 4309900A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- path
- atmosphere
- head
- suction
- liquid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 81
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 65
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 28
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000012805 post-processing Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000009739 binding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001052 transient effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013473 artificial intelligence Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000740 bleeding effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012050 conventional carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010985 leather Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910044991 metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003595 mist Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000000056 organ Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
- B41J2/1652—Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head
- B41J2/16532—Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head by applying vacuum only
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
- B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
- B41J2/1652—Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head
- B41J2/16523—Waste ink collection from caps or spittoons, e.g. by suction
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16585—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
- B41J2/16535—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
- B41J2/16538—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions with brushes or wiper blades perpendicular to the nozzle plate
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
- B41J2/16535—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
- B41J2002/1655—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions with wiping surface parallel with nozzle plate and mounted on reels, e.g. cleaning ribbon cassettes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
- B41J2025/008—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for comprising a plurality of print heads placed around a drum
Definitions
- Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a liquid discharge apparatus.
- a so-called inkjet liquid discharge apparatus may not normally discharge ink (i.e., a liquid) from a discharge head when the ink is thickened or dried.
- the discharge head may be referred to simply as a "head" in the following description.
- a discharge failure in which the ink is not discharged from the head, or an abnormal discharge in which the ink is discharged in a direction different from a desired direction may occur.
- a liquid discharge apparatus has a head cleaning function of periodically cleaning the head to prevent the discharge failure and the abnormal discharge.
- the liquid discharge apparatus includes a cap, a first path, and a second path.
- the head has a discharge port (i.e., a nozzle or an opening from which the ink is discharged).
- the cap covers the discharge port of the head.
- the first path and the second path are connected to a lower face of the cap.
- the ink remaining in the discharge port is sucked through the multiple paths, such as the first path and the second path, to perform a head cleaning.
- a suction pump is connected to the first path in the head cleaning.
- the suction pump sucks the ink in the discharge port to perform the head cleaning.
- air is sent to a sealed space between a nozzle face and the cap through the second path.
- a check valve is disposed on the second path. The check valve supplies the air from the outside into the cap and prevents backflow of the air and the ink. Accordingly, the ink is prevented from flowing out to the outside even when an air release valve disposed below the cap is opened, for example, in a technique in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-046854 .
- a liquid such as ink may overflow from a storage of the cap to the outside.
- the liquid when the head is removed from the storage, the liquid is likely to overflow from the storage to the outside.
- Even when a path through which the liquid flows is provided separately from the path for suction, if the liquid remains on the path, the liquid may be difficult to flow and may overflow from the storage to the outside.
- the present disclosure has been made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present disclosure is to prevent a liquid from overflowing from the storage.
- Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an improved liquid discharge apparatus that includes a head, a suction cap, a tank, a first path, a suction device, a second path, a first atmosphere path, a second atmosphere path, an atmosphere switch.
- the head discharges a liquid.
- the suction cap detachably contacts the head and stores the liquid suctioned from the head.
- the tank is connected to the suction cap to store the liquid fed from the suction cap.
- the first path connects the suction cap and the tank.
- the suction device is disposed in the first path between the suction cap and the tank to suck the liquid from the head to the suction cap.
- the second path is connected to the suction cap.
- the first atmosphere path having a first diameter connects the second path to atmosphere.
- the second atmosphere path having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter connects the second path to the atmosphere.
- the atmosphere switch is disposed between the second path, the first atmosphere path, and the second atmosphere path to switch to connect the second path with the first atmosphere path or connect the second path with the second atmosphere path.
- the liquid can be prevented from overflowing from the storage to the outside.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus 1.
- the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is described as a liquid discharge apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the image forming apparatus 1 discharges ink onto a sheet to form an image.
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet feeding unit 10, a pretreatment unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a drying unit 50, a post-processing unit 60, a sheet ejection unit 70, an operation unit 90, and a controller 100.
- the pretreatment unit 20 performs pretreatment on a sheet P fed by the sheet feeding unit 10.
- the image forming unit 30 discharges ink onto the sheet P to form an image on the sheet P.
- the drying unit 50 dries the ink adhering to the sheet P.
- the post-processing unit 60 performs post-processing on the sheet P.
- the sheet ejection unit 70 ejects the sheet P.
- the sheet feeding unit 10 includes a sheet feeding tray 11A, a sheet feeding tray 11B, a sheet feeding device 12A, and a sheet feeding device 12B. Multiple sheets P are stacked on the sheet feed tray 11A and the sheet feed tray 11B.
- the sheet feeding device 12A and the sheet feeding device 12B separate and feed the sheets P one by one.
- As the sheet feeding devices 12A and 12B a device using a roller, a device using air suction, and the like may be used.
- the sheet P is conveyed in a conveyance direction 2 and forwarded to the pretreatment unit 20.
- the pretreatment unit 20 performs the pretreatment on the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 10. Examples of the pretreatment include applying a treatment liquid, which reacts with ink, to the sheet P to reduce bleeding of the ink.
- the sheet P may be processed in the pretreatment.
- the pretreatment unit 20 includes a registration roller pair 21 that feeds the sheet P to the image forming unit 30. After the pretreatment, the sheet P is conveyed to the registration roller pair 21. After the sheet P reaches the registration roller pair 21, the registration roller pair 21 adjusts the timing to send the sheet P to the image forming unit 30.
- the drying unit 50 includes a conveyor 51 and a heater 52.
- the conveyor 51 conveys the sheet P.
- the heater 52 dries the ink adhering to the sheet P.
- the heater 52 is a halogen heater, a ceramic heater, or the like.
- the conveyor 51 receives the sheet P conveyed from the image forming unit 30. Then, the conveyor 51 conveys the sheet P to the heater 52. After drying, the sheet P is conveyed to the post-processing unit 60.
- the ink on the sheet P is heated by the heater 52 while the sheet P passes through the heater 52. As a result, liquid components such as moisture in the ink are evaporated and the ink is fixed on the sheet P.
- the post-processing unit 60 performs the post-processing on the sheet P.
- the post-processing unit 60 includes a sheet reverse unit 61.
- the sheet reverse unit 61 reverses the sheet P and sends the sheet P to the image forming unit 30 again through a reverse passage 62.
- the image forming apparatus 1 forms images on both sides of the sheet P.
- the image forming apparatus 1 may perform post-processing such as reversal, binding, correction, and cooling of the sheet P.
- the binding is a process of binding a plurality of sheets P.
- the correction is a process of correcting deformation of the sheet P.
- the cooling is a process of cooling the sheet P.
- the sheet ejection unit 70 includes a sheet ejection tray 71 on which multiple sheets P is stacked.
- the sheets P conveyed from the post-processing unit 60 are sequentially stacked on the sheet ejection tray 71.
- the operation unit 90 includes a touch panel, a keyboard, or the like.
- the operation unit 90 accepts an operation input by an operator.
- the operation unit 90 may include a display that displays information for the operator.
- the operation unit 90 may be installed at any position inside or outside the image forming apparatus 1.
- the controller 100 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.
- the controller 100 may be installed at any position inside or outside the image forming apparatus 1.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the image forming unit 30.
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes a device including the image forming unit 30 described below.
- the image forming unit 30 includes a receiving cylinder 34, a drum 31, heads 210, a transfer cylinder 35, a cleaning unit 36, and an in-line sensor 40.
- the receiving cylinder 34 receives the sheet P conveyed by the pretreatment unit 20.
- the drum 31 carries the sheet P on an outer circumferential surface thereof to convey the sheet P.
- the head 210 discharges ink onto the sheet P carried by the drum 31.
- the transfer cylinder 35 conveys the sheet P to the drying unit 50.
- a leading end of the sheet P is gripped by a sheet gripper disposed on the surface of the receiving cylinder 34, and the sheet P is conveyed along with the movement of the surface of the receiving cylinder 34.
- the sheet P is transferred to the drum 31 at a position facing the drum 31.
- a sheet gripper is disposed on the surface of the drum 31.
- the leading end of the sheet P is gripped by the sheet gripper of the drum 31.
- a plurality of suction holes is formed on the surface of the drum 31.
- a suction unit inside the drum 31 generates a suction airflow through the plurality of suction holes toward an interior of the drum 31.
- the leading end of the sheet P is gripped by the sheet gripper, and the sheet P is attracted to the surface of the drum 31 by the suction airflow.
- the sheet P is conveyed as the drum 31 rotates.
- the heads 210 discharge ink of four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) to form an image.
- the heads 210 includes a liquid discharge head 33A, a liquid discharge head 33B, a liquid discharge head 33C, and a liquid discharge head 33D in accordance with the types of color.
- the liquid discharge head 33A, the liquid discharge head 33B, the liquid discharge head 33C, and the liquid discharge head 33D are collectively referred to as the "heads 210," each of which is referred to as a "head 210" unless distinguished.
- the head 210 has multiple nozzles arranged over the entire width of the sheet P in a width direction 3 of the sheet P to form an image on the entire sheet P in the width direction 3.
- the width direction 3 is substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction 2.
- the image forming unit 30 has a line-type configuration that does not move the head 210 (i.e., a full-width head).
- the head 210 may use a special ink such as white, gold, or silver.
- the head 210 may perform processing other than image formation by using a surface coating liquid or the like.
- the cleaning unit 36 cleans the head 210.
- the cleaning unit 36 includes a suction cap, a suction pump, a web, a rubber blade, and the like.
- the head 210 may be stained by mist of ink. When the head 210 is stained, the cleaning unit 36 cleans the head 210.
- the cleaning unit 36 is provided for each head 210.
- the head 210 discharge ink based on image data.
- the head 210 discharges the ink of each color.
- an image corresponding to the image data is formed on the sheet P.
- the in-line sensor 40 is disposed downstream from the heads 210 in the conveyance direction 2.
- the in-line sensor 40 scans an image formed on the sheet P.
- the conveyance direction 2 is a rotation direction of the drum 31.
- the in-line sensor 40 includes an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS).
- CCD charge coupled device
- CMOS complementary metal oxide semiconductor
- the in-line sensor 40 outputs a color scanned image.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the controller 100.
- the controller 100 as circuitry includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101 and a read only memory (ROM) 102.
- the controller 100 further includes a random access memory (RAM) 103 and a hard disk drive (HDD) / solid state drive (SSD) 104.
- the controller 100 further includes an interface (I/F) 105.
- the hardware resources described above are electrically connected to each other via a system bus B. Each resource transmits and receives data and signals to and from each of the head 210, the in-line sensor 40, the cleaning unit 36, and the operation unit 90 via the system bus B.
- the CPU 101 uses the RAM 103 as a work area and executes a program stored in the ROM 102.
- the HDD/SSD 104 is a storage device.
- the HDD/SSD 104 stores programs, setting values, and data read by the CPU 101.
- the I/F 105 is an interface with an external personal computer (PC) 110.
- the controller 100 may further include a calculation device, a control device, a storage device, an input device, an output device, and an auxiliary device inside or outside thereof in addition to the above-described resources.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1.
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes a storage 200, a first path 201, a second path 202, a third path 203, a fourth path 204, and a suction device 205.
- the storage 200 is the suction cap.
- the storage 200 stores ink.
- the head 210 is detachably contacts the storage 200. A description is given below of the storage 200 and the surrounding thereof when the head 210 is removed from the storage 200.
- the first path 201 and the second path 202 are connected to the storage 200.
- the first path 201 is a path through which the ink is sucked from a suction port of the storage 200.
- the suction port is disposed in a bottom face of the storage 200.
- the first path 201 is connected to the suction device 205.
- the suction device 205 is a suction pump.
- the ink sucked by the suction device 205 is drained to a tank 206.
- the tank 206 collects the ink as a waste ink (waste liquid).
- the ink is discharged from the head 210 into the suction cap (i.e., the storage 200) by driving the suction pump (i.e., the suction device 205) and applying a negative pressure to a nozzle face, in which the multiple nozzles are arranged, of the head 210. Foreign substances, bubbles, or the like in the head 210 is discharged together with the ink.
- the suction pump i.e., the suction device 205
- the second path 202 is a path connected to an opening different from the suction port disposed in the bottom face of the storage 200.
- the opening is referred to as an "atmospheric port" communicating with an atmosphere.
- the second path 202 and the third path 203 are connected to each other.
- the second path 202 and the third path 203 is not necessarily separate paths and may be integrated into a single body. Accordingly, the second path 202 and the third path 203 may be collectively referred to as the second path 202 and 203, the second path 202 may be referred to as a first part of the second path 202 and 203, and the third path 203 may be referred to as a second part of the second path 202 and 203.
- the third path 203 is connected to a first atmosphere path 208 or the fourth path 204 (i.e., a second atmosphere path) via an atmosphere switch 207.
- the first atmosphere path 208 is opened to the atmosphere.
- the fourth path 204 is a joint or a tube opened to the atmosphere.
- the first atmosphere path 208 has a first diameter, for example, substantially the same diameter with the third path 203.
- the fourth path 204 has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, for example, smaller than a diameter of each of the first path 201, the second path 202, and the third path 203.
- the first path 201 and the second path 202 may have any diameter.
- the fourth path 204 preferably has an inner diameter (the second diameter) of 2 mm or less and 0.1 mm or more.
- the fourth path 204 preferably has an inner diameter as small as possible.
- a component having a path less than 0.1 mm is difficult to manufacture and is often difficult to obtain. Accordingly, when the diameter of the fourth path 204 is 2 mm or less and 0.1 mm or more, the fourth path 140 can be made of an easily available component.
- the fourth path 204 having a small inner diameter when the suction device 205 is driven, the ink can be sucked from the head 210 while air is taken into the second path 202 and the third path 203 through the fourth path 204.
- the fourth path 204 having the diameter of 2 mm or less can generate a flow path resistance sufficient to suck the ink from the head 210.
- the atmosphere switch 207 is disposed between the third path 203, the fourth path 204, the first atmosphere path 208.
- the atmosphere switch 207 switches to connect the third path 203 with the fourth path 204 or connect the third path 203 with the first atmosphere path 208 to take air into the second path 202 and the third path 203.
- the paths including the fourth path 204 have the flow path resistance satisfying a condition that a negative pressure applied to the nozzle face of the head 210 during suction reaches the negative pressure sufficient for suction maintenance to suck the ink from the head 210.
- the suction device 205 suction pump
- the third path 203 is connected to the fourth path 204 which is open to the atmosphere.
- the air taken into the second path 202 and the third path 203 through the fourth path 204 prevents the ink from flowing into the second path 202 when the suction device 205 sucks the ink before the third path is connected to the first atmosphere path 208 directly opened to the atmosphere.
- the pressure distribution in the second path 202 and the third path 203 causes the air to flow from the outside toward the atmospheric port, which is an opposite direction to the ink flowing into the second path 202 through the atmospheric port, thereby preventing the backflow of the air and the ink.
- ink is prevented from overflowing.
- a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet P is a rotator such as the drum 31 illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- the conveyance unit may be a conveyance belt.
- the present embodiment can be applied to both a configuration in which the conveyance unit conveys the sheet P with the rotator and a configuration in which the conveyance unit conveys the sheet P with the conveyance belt.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the image forming unit 30 when the head 310 (and the storage 200) is inclined.
- the drum 31 conveys the sheet P in FIG. 5 .
- a surface on which the sheet P is conveyed is not a flat surface like when the sheet P is conveyed on a belt, but a curved surface.
- the head 210 is installed so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane 301 in accordance with the shape of the drum 31.
- the liquid discharge head 33A is installed so as to be inclined at an angle ⁇ with respect to the horizontal plane 301.
- the angle ⁇ is adjusted and set according to a curvature of the drum 31, an installation position of the head 210, or the like.
- the storage 200 further has the following configuration.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the storage 200 to which the head 210 is attached.
- the storage 200 stores ink 212.
- a path such as the first path 201 is connected to the bottom face of the storage 200 to suck the ink 212.
- a nozzle row 211 in which the multiple nozzles are arranged, is integrated with the head 210 as a single body.
- the nozzle row 211 is also attached and detached together with the head 210.
- a user removes the head 210 from the storage 200 as illustrated in FIG. 7 .
- the image forming apparatus 1 may automatically remove the head 210 from the storage 200.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the storage 200 from which the head 210 is removed.
- FIG. 7 is different from FIG. 6 in that the head 210 is removed from the storage 200.
- the head 210 is attachable to and detachable from the storage 200 by operations of the user or the image forming apparatus 1.
- the ink 212 is likely to overflow to the outside of the storage 200.
- the storage 200 is inclined at the angle ⁇ with respect to the horizontal plane 301, the sucked ink 212 remaining in the storage 200 is more likely to overflow to the outside of the storage 200 as compared with a storage horizontally installed.
- the present embodiment is preferably applied to the storage 200 inclined with respect to the horizontal plane 301 in accordance with the shape of the rotator.
- the configuration according to the present embodiment can omit a process of lowering the level of the ink 212. The process prevents the ink 212 from overflowing to the outside of the storage 200.
- the configuration having the fourth path 204 according to the present embodiment prevents the ink 212 from flowing backward even when the ink 212 is sucked from the head 210.
- FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment.
- the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a fifth path 221 and a path switch 222 are added. Different points are described below, and a redundant description may be omitted.
- the fifth path 221 (i.e., a connection path) is connected to the first path 201.
- the path switch 222 is a switching valve.
- the path switch 222 is disposed between the second path 202, the third path 203, and the fifth path 221.
- the path switch 222 switches between connecting the fifth path 221 and the second path 202 and connecting the third path 203 and the second path 202. Since the path switch 222 contacts the ink 212, a material of the path switch 222 is preferably resistant to the ink 212.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the suction maintenance.
- the image forming apparatus 1 performs the suction maintenance in the following suction procedure based on the result of scanning an image formed with the ink 212 by the image forming apparatus 1.
- step S0901 after attaching the head 210 to the storage 200, the image forming apparatus 1 sucks the ink 212 from the head 210.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the storage 200 in the suction procedure.
- FIG. 10 illustrates the operation example in step S0901.
- Step S0901 is executed in a state in which the head 210 is attached to the storage 200.
- the path switch 222 connects the third path 203 and the second path 202. Further, the atmosphere switch 207 connects the third path 203 to the fourth path 204 to take air into the second path 202 and the third path 203 through the fourth path 204. In this state, the suction device 205 sucks the ink 212. The ink 212 is sucked from the head 210 by the suction device 205.
- step S0902 the image forming apparatus 1 opens the third path 203 directly to the atmosphere through the first atmosphere path 208 and sucks the ink 212.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the storage 200 to which the head 210 is attached when the third path 203 is opened to the atmosphere and the ink 212 is sucked from the storage 200.
- FIG. 11 is different from FIG. 10 in that the atmosphere switch 207 switches to connect the third path 203 with the first atmosphere path 208 directly opened to the atmosphere to take air into the second path 202 and the third path 203.
- the air is directly taken into the second path 202 and the third path 203 through the first atmosphere path 208.
- the suction device 205 sucks the ink 212 similarly to step S0901.
- the suction device 205 sucks the ink 212 remaining in the storage 200.
- the atmosphere switch 207 is operated for draining the ink 212 in the storage 200 (i.e., the suction cap) while the storage 200 caps the head 210.
- the suction device 205 is driven with the third path 203 connected to the fourth path 204 having the smaller inner diameter, since the fourth path 204 is a resistance, the ink 212 in the storage 200 and the paths is drained, and the ink 212 is newly sucked from the head 210 at the same time.
- the suction device 205 when the suction device 205 is driven with the third path 203 directly opened to the atmosphere through the first atmosphere path 208 by the atmosphere switch 207, the resistance is small, and air can be actively taken into the third path 203. Accordingly, the suction device 205 can drain the ink 212 in the storage 200 and the path (e.g., the first path 201) without newly sucking the ink 212 from the head 210.
- step S0903 the head 210 is removed from the storage 200.
- step S0904 the image forming apparatus 1 switches paths and suck the ink 212.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the storage 200 from which the head 210 is removed after the path switch 222 switches the paths in the suction procedure.
- FIG. 12 is different from FIG. 11 in that the paths are switched by the path switch 222.
- FIG. 12 illustrates the storage 200 from which the head 210 is removed in step S0903.
- the ink 212 in each path (i.e., the second path 202, the fifth path 221, and the first path 201) is drained by the suction device 205.
- the image forming apparatus 1 may perform the suction maintenance periodically.
- an artificial intelligence (AI) may determine to start the suction maintenance based on an operation by a user or the result of scanning an image.
- the storage 200 may include an absorber 230.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the storage 200 in the suction procedure, illustrating effects of suction.
- FIG. 13 is different from FIG. 12 in that an ink residue 240 remains in the second path 202.
- the ink residue 240 is generated when the ink 212 flows into the second path 202.
- a pressure in the second path 202 and the third path 203 is negative, and thus the ink 212 is likely to flow in the second path 202.
- the suction device 205 is driven with the atmospheric port communicating with the suction device 205 through the second path 202, the fifth path 221, and the first path 201.
- the ink residue 240 in the path can be drained by suction.
- the path may be clogged with the ink residue 240, thereby hindering air from being taken in.
- the ink 212 is thickened, the air is more difficult to flow due to the ink residue 240, and the hindrance is likely to increase.
- the suction force of the suction device 205 for sucking the ink residue 240 may be reduced. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the ink residue 240 remaining in the path can be sucked and drained through the fifth path 221.
- a pressure applied to the ink residue 240 is higher when the suction device 205 sucks through the fifth path 221 than when air is taken into the second path 202 and the third path 203, thereby draining the ink residue 240 more effectively.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for wiping the nozzle row 211.
- the image forming apparatus 1 may include a blade 241 and a web 242 to wipe the nozzle row 211.
- the blade 241 cleans the nozzle face after the web 242 wipes the nozzle face.
- the web 242 absorbs the ink 212 remaining on the nozzle face after the suction.
- the recording medium is, for example, a sheet of paper (also referred to as "plain paper").
- the recording medium may be an overhead projector sheet, a film, a flexible thin plate, or the like in addition to coated paper, label paper, or the like other than the sheet of paper.
- the recording medium is made of a material onto which droplets of ink are at least temporarily adherable, a material onto which droplets of ink adhere and fix, or a material to which droplets of ink adhere and permeate.
- the recording medium include, but are not limited to, a recording medium such as a sheet, a film, or cloth, an electronic component such as an electronic substrate or a piezoelectric element (which may be referred to as a piezoelectric component), layered powder, an organ model, and a testing cell.
- the recording medium is made of any material onto which liquid can adhere, such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramic, or a combination thereof.
- the liquid may be any fluid other than the ink in accordance with the above-described application.
- the control method described above is implemented by, for example, causing a computer to execute the processes described above.
- the control method according to the present disclosure may include processes other than those described above.
- the control method includes a method in which a part of processes is executed by an external device.
- control method may be implemented by a program (including firmware and program equivalents, which are referred to simply as the "program") that executes the above-described processes or processing equivalent to the above-described processes.
- program including firmware and program equivalents, which are referred to simply as the "program”
- control method may be implemented by the program written in a programming language or the like so as to obtain a predetermined result by instructing a computer to execute the processes.
- a part of the processes executed by the program may be implemented by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC).
- the program causes an arithmetic device, a control device, a storage device, and the like, which are cooperated with each other, included in a computer to execute the above-described processes.
- the program is loaded into the storage device and issues a command to the arithmetic device to cause the arithmetic device to perform an arithmetic operation, thereby operating the computer.
- the program may be provided via a computer-readable storage medium or an electric communication line such as a network.
- a liquid discharge apparatus includes a head, a suction cap, a tank, a first path, a suction device, a second path, a first atmosphere path, a second atmosphere path, an atmosphere switch.
- the head discharges a liquid.
- the suction cap detachably contacts the head and stores the liquid suctioned from the head.
- the tank is connected to the suction cap to store the liquid fed from the suction cap.
- the first path connects the suction cap and the tank.
- the suction device is disposed in the first path between the suction cap and the tank to suck the liquid from the head to the suction cap.
- the second path is connected to the suction cap.
- the first atmosphere path having a first diameter connects the second path to atmosphere.
- the second atmosphere path having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter connects the second path to the atmosphere.
- the atmosphere switch is disposed between the second path, the first atmosphere path, and the second atmosphere path to switch to connect the second path with the first atmosphere path or connect the second path with the second atmosphere path.
- the second atmosphere path has the second diameter of 2 mm or less and 0.1 mm or more.
- the liquid discharge apparatus further includes a connection path and a path switch.
- the connection path connects the first path with a first part of the second path connected to the suction cap.
- a second part of the second path (202, 203) is connected to the atmosphere switch.
- the path switch is disposed between the first part and the second part of the second path and connected to the connection path to switch to connect the first path with the first part of the second path through the connection path or connect the first part with the second part of the second path.
- the liquid discharge apparatus further includes a drum to convey, to the head, a recording medium on an outer circumferential surface of the drum.
- the suction cap is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane in accordance with the outer circumferential surface of the drum.
- the liquid discharge apparatus further includes an image forming unit including the head to discharge the liquid onto a recording medium to form an image.
- the liquid discharge apparatus further includes circuitry causes the suction cap to contact the head, causes the atmosphere switch to connect the second path and the second atmosphere path to connect the second atmosphere path to the suction cap, and causes the suction device to suck the liquid from the head with the suction cap, and drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path.
- the circuitry further causes the atmosphere switch to connect the second path and the first atmosphere path to connect the first atmosphere path to the suction cap and causes the suction device to drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path.
- the liquid discharge apparatus further includes circuitry causes the suction cap to contact the head, causes the path switch to connect the first part and the second part of the second path, causes the atmosphere switch to connect the second part of the second path and the second atmosphere path to connect the second atmosphere path to the suction cap, and causes the suction device to suck the liquid from the head with the suction cap, and drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path.
- the circuitry further causes the path switch to connect the first part and the second part of the second path, causes the atmosphere switch to connect the second part of the second path and the first atmosphere path to connect the first atmosphere path to the suction cap, and causes the suction device to drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path.
- the circuitry further causes the suction cap to detach from the head, causes the path switch to connect the first part of the second path to the first path through the connection path and disconnect the first part and the second part of the second path, and causes the suction device to drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path and the first part of the second path through the connection path.
- the present invention can be implemented in any convenient form, for example using dedicated hardware, or a mixture of dedicated hardware and software.
- the present invention may be implemented as computer software implemented by one or more networked processing apparatuses.
- the processing apparatuses include any suitably programmed apparatuses such as a general purpose computer, a personal digital assistant, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or third-generation (3G)-compliant mobile telephone, and so on. Since the present invention can be implemented as software, each and every aspect of the present invention thus encompasses computer software implementable on a programmable device.
- the computer software can be provided to the programmable device using any conventional carrier medium (carrier means).
- the carrier medium includes a transient carrier medium such as an electrical, optical, microwave, acoustic or radio frequency signal carrying the computer code.
- transient medium is a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) signal carrying computer code over an IP network, such as the Internet.
- the carrier medium may also include a storage medium for storing processor readable code such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape device, or a solid state memory device.
Abstract
In a liquid discharge apparatus (1), a head (210) discharges a liquid. A suction cap (200) detachably contacts the head (210) and stores the liquid suctioned from the head (210). A tank (206) stores the liquid fed from the suction cap (200). A first path (201) connects the suction cap (200) and the tank (206). A suction device (205) sucks the liquid from the head (210). A second path (202, 203) is connected to the suction cap (200). A first atmosphere path (208) having a first diameter connects the second path (202, 203) to atmosphere. A second atmosphere path (204) having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter connects the second path (202, 203) to the atmosphere. An atmosphere switch (207) switches to connect the second path (202, 203) with the first atmosphere path (208) or connect the second path (202, 203) with the second atmosphere path (204).
Description
- Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a liquid discharge apparatus.
- A so-called inkjet liquid discharge apparatus may not normally discharge ink (i.e., a liquid) from a discharge head when the ink is thickened or dried. The discharge head may be referred to simply as a "head" in the following description. For example, a discharge failure in which the ink is not discharged from the head, or an abnormal discharge in which the ink is discharged in a direction different from a desired direction may occur. In the related art, a liquid discharge apparatus has a head cleaning function of periodically cleaning the head to prevent the discharge failure and the abnormal discharge.
- Specifically, the liquid discharge apparatus includes a cap, a first path, and a second path. The head has a discharge port (i.e., a nozzle or an opening from which the ink is discharged). The cap covers the discharge port of the head. The first path and the second path are connected to a lower face of the cap. The ink remaining in the discharge port is sucked through the multiple paths, such as the first path and the second path, to perform a head cleaning. In a comparative example, a suction pump is connected to the first path in the head cleaning.
- The suction pump sucks the ink in the discharge port to perform the head cleaning. On the other hand, air is sent to a sealed space between a nozzle face and the cap through the second path. A check valve is disposed on the second path. The check valve supplies the air from the outside into the cap and prevents backflow of the air and the ink. Accordingly, the ink is prevented from flowing out to the outside even when an air release valve disposed below the cap is opened, for example, in a technique in
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-046854 - In the comparative example, a liquid such as ink may overflow from a storage of the cap to the outside. In particular, when the head is removed from the storage, the liquid is likely to overflow from the storage to the outside. Even when a path through which the liquid flows is provided separately from the path for suction, if the liquid remains on the path, the liquid may be difficult to flow and may overflow from the storage to the outside.
- The present disclosure has been made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present disclosure is to prevent a liquid from overflowing from the storage.
- Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an improved liquid discharge apparatus that includes a head, a suction cap, a tank, a first path, a suction device, a second path, a first atmosphere path, a second atmosphere path, an atmosphere switch. The head discharges a liquid. The suction cap detachably contacts the head and stores the liquid suctioned from the head. The tank is connected to the suction cap to store the liquid fed from the suction cap. The first path connects the suction cap and the tank. The suction device is disposed in the first path between the suction cap and the tank to suck the liquid from the head to the suction cap. The second path is connected to the suction cap. The first atmosphere path having a first diameter connects the second path to atmosphere. The second atmosphere path having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter connects the second path to the atmosphere. The atmosphere switch is disposed between the second path, the first atmosphere path, and the second atmosphere path to switch to connect the second path with the first atmosphere path or connect the second path with the second atmosphere path.
- As a result, according to the present disclosure, the liquid can be prevented from overflowing from the storage to the outside.
- A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus; -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a controller of the image forming apparatus; -
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of the image forming apparatus; -
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image forming unit when a storage is inclined; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the storage to which a head is attached; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the storage from which the head is removed; -
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of suction maintenance; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the storage in a suction procedure; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the storage to which the head is attached when paths are opened to an atmosphere in the suction procedure; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the storage from which the head is removed after the paths are switched in the suction procedure; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the storage in the suction procedure, illustrating effects of suction; and -
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for wiping a nozzle row of the head. - The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present invention and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views.
- In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.
- Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
- Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are not limited to the specific examples described below.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of animage forming apparatus 1. Theimage forming apparatus 1 illustrated inFIG. 1 is described as a liquid discharge apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theimage forming apparatus 1 discharges ink onto a sheet to form an image. Theimage forming apparatus 1 includes asheet feeding unit 10, apretreatment unit 20, animage forming unit 30, a dryingunit 50, apost-processing unit 60, asheet ejection unit 70, anoperation unit 90, and acontroller 100. - In the
image forming apparatus 1, thepretreatment unit 20 performs pretreatment on a sheet P fed by thesheet feeding unit 10. After the pretreatment, theimage forming unit 30 discharges ink onto the sheet P to form an image on the sheet P. The dryingunit 50 dries the ink adhering to the sheet P. After drying, thepost-processing unit 60 performs post-processing on the sheet P. After the post-processing, thesheet ejection unit 70 ejects the sheet P. Each unit is individually described below. - The
sheet feeding unit 10 includes asheet feeding tray 11A, asheet feeding tray 11B, asheet feeding device 12A, and asheet feeding device 12B. Multiple sheets P are stacked on thesheet feed tray 11A and thesheet feed tray 11B. Thesheet feeding device 12A and thesheet feeding device 12B separate and feed the sheets P one by one. As thesheet feeding devices conveyance direction 2 and forwarded to thepretreatment unit 20. - The
pretreatment unit 20 performs the pretreatment on the sheet P fed from thesheet feeding unit 10. Examples of the pretreatment include applying a treatment liquid, which reacts with ink, to the sheet P to reduce bleeding of the ink. The sheet P may be processed in the pretreatment. Thepretreatment unit 20 includes aregistration roller pair 21 that feeds the sheet P to theimage forming unit 30. After the pretreatment, the sheet P is conveyed to theregistration roller pair 21. After the sheet P reaches theregistration roller pair 21, theregistration roller pair 21 adjusts the timing to send the sheet P to theimage forming unit 30. - The drying
unit 50 includes aconveyor 51 and aheater 52. Theconveyor 51 conveys the sheet P. Theheater 52 dries the ink adhering to the sheet P. For example, theheater 52 is a halogen heater, a ceramic heater, or the like. Theconveyor 51 receives the sheet P conveyed from theimage forming unit 30. Then, theconveyor 51 conveys the sheet P to theheater 52. After drying, the sheet P is conveyed to thepost-processing unit 60. The ink on the sheet P is heated by theheater 52 while the sheet P passes through theheater 52. As a result, liquid components such as moisture in the ink are evaporated and the ink is fixed on the sheet P. - The
post-processing unit 60 performs the post-processing on the sheet P. Thepost-processing unit 60 includes a sheetreverse unit 61. The sheetreverse unit 61 reverses the sheet P and sends the sheet P to theimage forming unit 30 again through areverse passage 62. Thus, theimage forming apparatus 1 forms images on both sides of the sheet P. Theimage forming apparatus 1 may perform post-processing such as reversal, binding, correction, and cooling of the sheet P. Specifically, the binding is a process of binding a plurality of sheets P. The correction is a process of correcting deformation of the sheet P. The cooling is a process of cooling the sheet P. - The
sheet ejection unit 70 includes asheet ejection tray 71 on which multiple sheets P is stacked. The sheets P conveyed from thepost-processing unit 60 are sequentially stacked on thesheet ejection tray 71. - The
operation unit 90 includes a touch panel, a keyboard, or the like. Theoperation unit 90 accepts an operation input by an operator. Theoperation unit 90 may include a display that displays information for the operator. Theoperation unit 90 may be installed at any position inside or outside theimage forming apparatus 1. - The
controller 100 controls the entireimage forming apparatus 1. Thecontroller 100 may be installed at any position inside or outside theimage forming apparatus 1. -
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of theimage forming unit 30. Theimage forming apparatus 1 includes a device including theimage forming unit 30 described below. Theimage forming unit 30 includes a receivingcylinder 34, adrum 31, heads 210, atransfer cylinder 35, acleaning unit 36, and an in-line sensor 40. The receivingcylinder 34 receives the sheet P conveyed by thepretreatment unit 20. Thedrum 31 carries the sheet P on an outer circumferential surface thereof to convey the sheet P. Thehead 210 discharges ink onto the sheet P carried by thedrum 31. Thetransfer cylinder 35 conveys the sheet P to the dryingunit 50. - A leading end of the sheet P is gripped by a sheet gripper disposed on the surface of the receiving
cylinder 34, and the sheet P is conveyed along with the movement of the surface of the receivingcylinder 34. The sheet P is transferred to thedrum 31 at a position facing thedrum 31. A sheet gripper is disposed on the surface of thedrum 31. The leading end of the sheet P is gripped by the sheet gripper of thedrum 31. A plurality of suction holes is formed on the surface of thedrum 31. A suction unit inside thedrum 31 generates a suction airflow through the plurality of suction holes toward an interior of thedrum 31. The leading end of the sheet P is gripped by the sheet gripper, and the sheet P is attracted to the surface of thedrum 31 by the suction airflow. The sheet P is conveyed as thedrum 31 rotates. - The
heads 210 discharge ink of four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) to form an image. Theheads 210 includes aliquid discharge head 33A, aliquid discharge head 33B, aliquid discharge head 33C, and aliquid discharge head 33D in accordance with the types of color. Theliquid discharge head 33A, theliquid discharge head 33B, theliquid discharge head 33C, and theliquid discharge head 33D are collectively referred to as the "heads 210," each of which is referred to as a "head 210" unless distinguished. - The
head 210 has multiple nozzles arranged over the entire width of the sheet P in awidth direction 3 of the sheet P to form an image on the entire sheet P in thewidth direction 3. Thewidth direction 3 is substantially orthogonal to theconveyance direction 2. As described above, theimage forming unit 30 has a line-type configuration that does not move the head 210 (i.e., a full-width head). Thehead 210 may use a special ink such as white, gold, or silver. Thehead 210 may perform processing other than image formation by using a surface coating liquid or the like. - The
cleaning unit 36 cleans thehead 210. For example, thecleaning unit 36 includes a suction cap, a suction pump, a web, a rubber blade, and the like. Thehead 210 may be stained by mist of ink. When thehead 210 is stained, thecleaning unit 36 cleans thehead 210. Thecleaning unit 36 is provided for eachhead 210. - The
head 210 discharge ink based on image data. When the sheet P passes through a position facing thehead 210, thehead 210 discharges the ink of each color. As the ink is discharged as described above, an image corresponding to the image data is formed on the sheet P. - The in-
line sensor 40 is disposed downstream from theheads 210 in theconveyance direction 2. The in-line sensor 40 scans an image formed on the sheet P. Theconveyance direction 2 is a rotation direction of thedrum 31. For example, the in-line sensor 40 includes an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The in-line sensor 40 outputs a color scanned image. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of thecontroller 100. Specifically, thecontroller 100 as circuitry includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101 and a read only memory (ROM) 102. Thecontroller 100 further includes a random access memory (RAM) 103 and a hard disk drive (HDD) / solid state drive (SSD) 104. Thecontroller 100 further includes an interface (I/F) 105. The hardware resources described above are electrically connected to each other via a system bus B. Each resource transmits and receives data and signals to and from each of thehead 210, the in-line sensor 40, thecleaning unit 36, and theoperation unit 90 via the system bus B. - The
CPU 101 uses theRAM 103 as a work area and executes a program stored in theROM 102. The HDD/SSD 104 is a storage device. The HDD/SSD 104 stores programs, setting values, and data read by theCPU 101. The I/F 105 is an interface with an external personal computer (PC) 110. Thecontroller 100 may further include a calculation device, a control device, a storage device, an input device, an output device, and an auxiliary device inside or outside thereof in addition to the above-described resources. -
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of theimage forming apparatus 1. Specifically, theimage forming apparatus 1 includes astorage 200, afirst path 201, asecond path 202, athird path 203, afourth path 204, and asuction device 205. Thestorage 200 is the suction cap. Thestorage 200 stores ink. Thehead 210 is detachably contacts thestorage 200. A description is given below of thestorage 200 and the surrounding thereof when thehead 210 is removed from thestorage 200. Thefirst path 201 and thesecond path 202 are connected to thestorage 200. - The
first path 201 is a path through which the ink is sucked from a suction port of thestorage 200. The suction port is disposed in a bottom face of thestorage 200. Thefirst path 201 is connected to thesuction device 205. Thesuction device 205 is a suction pump. The ink sucked by thesuction device 205 is drained to atank 206. Thus, thetank 206 collects the ink as a waste ink (waste liquid). - Specifically, the ink is discharged from the
head 210 into the suction cap (i.e., the storage 200) by driving the suction pump (i.e., the suction device 205) and applying a negative pressure to a nozzle face, in which the multiple nozzles are arranged, of thehead 210. Foreign substances, bubbles, or the like in thehead 210 is discharged together with the ink. - The
second path 202 is a path connected to an opening different from the suction port disposed in the bottom face of thestorage 200. The opening is referred to as an "atmospheric port" communicating with an atmosphere. Thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203 are connected to each other. Thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203 is not necessarily separate paths and may be integrated into a single body. Accordingly, thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203 may be collectively referred to as thesecond path second path 202 may be referred to as a first part of thesecond path third path 203 may be referred to as a second part of thesecond path - The
third path 203 is connected to afirst atmosphere path 208 or the fourth path 204 (i.e., a second atmosphere path) via anatmosphere switch 207. Thefirst atmosphere path 208 is opened to the atmosphere. Thefourth path 204 is a joint or a tube opened to the atmosphere. Thefirst atmosphere path 208 has a first diameter, for example, substantially the same diameter with thethird path 203. Thefourth path 204 has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, for example, smaller than a diameter of each of thefirst path 201, thesecond path 202, and thethird path 203. Thefirst path 201 and thesecond path 202 may have any diameter. For example, thefourth path 204 preferably has an inner diameter (the second diameter) of 2 mm or less and 0.1 mm or more. - The
fourth path 204 preferably has an inner diameter as small as possible. On the other hand, a component having a path less than 0.1 mm is difficult to manufacture and is often difficult to obtain. Accordingly, when the diameter of thefourth path 204 is 2 mm or less and 0.1 mm or more, the fourth path 140 can be made of an easily available component. Further, with thefourth path 204 having a small inner diameter, when thesuction device 205 is driven, the ink can be sucked from thehead 210 while air is taken into thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203 through thefourth path 204. Specifically, thefourth path 204 having the diameter of 2 mm or less can generate a flow path resistance sufficient to suck the ink from thehead 210. - The
atmosphere switch 207 is disposed between thethird path 203, thefourth path 204, thefirst atmosphere path 208. Theatmosphere switch 207 switches to connect thethird path 203 with thefourth path 204 or connect thethird path 203 with thefirst atmosphere path 208 to take air into thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203. - The paths including the
fourth path 204 have the flow path resistance satisfying a condition that a negative pressure applied to the nozzle face of thehead 210 during suction reaches the negative pressure sufficient for suction maintenance to suck the ink from thehead 210. With the paths satisfying this condition, when the suction device 205 (suction pump) sucks the ink, thethird path 203 is connected to thefourth path 204 which is open to the atmosphere. As a result, the air taken into thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203 through thefourth path 204 prevents the ink from flowing into thesecond path 202 when thesuction device 205 sucks the ink before the third path is connected to thefirst atmosphere path 208 directly opened to the atmosphere. - In this path, the pressure distribution in the
second path 202 and thethird path 203 causes the air to flow from the outside toward the atmospheric port, which is an opposite direction to the ink flowing into thesecond path 202 through the atmospheric port, thereby preventing the backflow of the air and the ink. As described above, with the configuration including thefourth path 204, ink is prevented from overflowing. - In the
image forming apparatus 1, a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet P is a rotator such as thedrum 31 illustrated inFIG. 2 . Alternatively, the conveyance unit may be a conveyance belt. The present embodiment can be applied to both a configuration in which the conveyance unit conveys the sheet P with the rotator and a configuration in which the conveyance unit conveys the sheet P with the conveyance belt. -
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of theimage forming unit 30 when the head 310 (and the storage 200) is inclined. Similarly toFIG. 2 , thedrum 31 conveys the sheet P inFIG. 5 . When the sheet P is conveyed by a rotator such as thedrum 31, a surface on which the sheet P is conveyed is not a flat surface like when the sheet P is conveyed on a belt, but a curved surface. Accordingly, thehead 210 is installed so as to be inclined with respect to ahorizontal plane 301 in accordance with the shape of thedrum 31. - Specifically, the
liquid discharge head 33A is installed so as to be inclined at an angle θ with respect to thehorizontal plane 301. The angle θ is adjusted and set according to a curvature of thedrum 31, an installation position of thehead 210, or the like. When the sheet P is conveyed by thedrum 31 as described above, thestorage 200 further has the following configuration. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of thestorage 200 to which thehead 210 is attached. Thestorage 200stores ink 212. A path such as thefirst path 201 is connected to the bottom face of thestorage 200 to suck theink 212. Anozzle row 211, in which the multiple nozzles are arranged, is integrated with thehead 210 as a single body. Thus, when thehead 210 is attached to and detached from thestorage 200, thenozzle row 211 is also attached and detached together with thehead 210. A user removes thehead 210 from thestorage 200 as illustrated inFIG. 7 . Alternatively, theimage forming apparatus 1 may automatically remove thehead 210 from thestorage 200. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of thestorage 200 from which thehead 210 is removed.FIG. 7 is different fromFIG. 6 in that thehead 210 is removed from thestorage 200. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and7 , thehead 210 is attachable to and detachable from thestorage 200 by operations of the user or theimage forming apparatus 1. When thehead 210 is removed from thestorage 200 as illustrated inFIG. 7 , theink 212 is likely to overflow to the outside of thestorage 200. In particular, when thestorage 200 is inclined at the angle θ with respect to thehorizontal plane 301, the suckedink 212 remaining in thestorage 200 is more likely to overflow to the outside of thestorage 200 as compared with a storage horizontally installed. - Accordingly, the present embodiment is preferably applied to the
storage 200 inclined with respect to thehorizontal plane 301 in accordance with the shape of the rotator. The configuration according to the present embodiment can omit a process of lowering the level of theink 212. The process prevents theink 212 from overflowing to the outside of thestorage 200. In addition, the configuration having thefourth path 204 according to the present embodiment prevents theink 212 from flowing backward even when theink 212 is sucked from thehead 210. -
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of theimage forming apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that afifth path 221 and apath switch 222 are added. Different points are described below, and a redundant description may be omitted. - The fifth path 221 (i.e., a connection path) is connected to the
first path 201. The path switch 222 is a switching valve. The path switch 222 is disposed between thesecond path 202, thethird path 203, and thefifth path 221. The path switch 222 switches between connecting thefifth path 221 and thesecond path 202 and connecting thethird path 203 and thesecond path 202. Since the path switch 222 contacts theink 212, a material of the path switch 222 is preferably resistant to theink 212. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the suction maintenance. For example, when theink 212 is thickened or bubbles are generated in theink 212, the suction maintenance starts. Theimage forming apparatus 1 performs the suction maintenance in the following suction procedure based on the result of scanning an image formed with theink 212 by theimage forming apparatus 1. - In step S0901, after attaching the
head 210 to thestorage 200, theimage forming apparatus 1 sucks theink 212 from thehead 210.FIG. 10 is a schematic view of thestorage 200 in the suction procedure.FIG. 10 illustrates the operation example in step S0901. Step S0901 is executed in a state in which thehead 210 is attached to thestorage 200. - The path switch 222 connects the
third path 203 and thesecond path 202. Further, theatmosphere switch 207 connects thethird path 203 to thefourth path 204 to take air into thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203 through thefourth path 204. In this state, thesuction device 205 sucks theink 212. Theink 212 is sucked from thehead 210 by thesuction device 205. - In step S0902, the
image forming apparatus 1 opens thethird path 203 directly to the atmosphere through thefirst atmosphere path 208 and sucks theink 212.FIG. 11 is a schematic view of thestorage 200 to which thehead 210 is attached when thethird path 203 is opened to the atmosphere and theink 212 is sucked from thestorage 200.FIG. 11 is different fromFIG. 10 in that theatmosphere switch 207 switches to connect thethird path 203 with thefirst atmosphere path 208 directly opened to the atmosphere to take air into thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203. - In such a state, the air is directly taken into the
second path 202 and thethird path 203 through thefirst atmosphere path 208. Thesuction device 205 sucks theink 212 similarly to step S0901. Thesuction device 205 sucks theink 212 remaining in thestorage 200. - The
atmosphere switch 207 is operated for draining theink 212 in the storage 200 (i.e., the suction cap) while thestorage 200 caps thehead 210. Specifically, when thesuction device 205 is driven with thethird path 203 connected to thefourth path 204 having the smaller inner diameter, since thefourth path 204 is a resistance, theink 212 in thestorage 200 and the paths is drained, and theink 212 is newly sucked from thehead 210 at the same time. - On the other hand, when the
suction device 205 is driven with thethird path 203 directly opened to the atmosphere through thefirst atmosphere path 208 by theatmosphere switch 207, the resistance is small, and air can be actively taken into thethird path 203. Accordingly, thesuction device 205 can drain theink 212 in thestorage 200 and the path (e.g., the first path 201) without newly sucking theink 212 from thehead 210. - In step S0903, the
head 210 is removed from thestorage 200. In step S0904, theimage forming apparatus 1 switches paths and suck theink 212.FIG. 12 is a schematic view of thestorage 200 from which thehead 210 is removed after the path switch 222 switches the paths in the suction procedure.FIG. 12 is different fromFIG. 11 in that the paths are switched by thepath switch 222.FIG. 12 illustrates thestorage 200 from which thehead 210 is removed in step S0903. - Accordingly, the
ink 212 in each path (i.e., thesecond path 202, thefifth path 221, and the first path 201) is drained by thesuction device 205. Theimage forming apparatus 1 may perform the suction maintenance periodically. Alternatively, an artificial intelligence (AI) may determine to start the suction maintenance based on an operation by a user or the result of scanning an image. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 10 ,11 , and12 , thestorage 200 may include anabsorber 230.FIG. 13 is a schematic view of thestorage 200 in the suction procedure, illustrating effects of suction.FIG. 13 is different fromFIG. 12 in that anink residue 240 remains in thesecond path 202. Theink residue 240 is generated when theink 212 flows into thesecond path 202. In particular, in step S0902, a pressure in thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203 is negative, and thus theink 212 is likely to flow in thesecond path 202. - In addition, when the
ink 212 drips from thenozzle row 211, theink 212 may adhere to the atmospheric port and theink 212 may flow into thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203. For this reason, as illustrated inFIG. 12 , after thehead 210 is removed, thesuction device 205 is driven with the atmospheric port communicating with thesuction device 205 through thesecond path 202, thefifth path 221, and thefirst path 201. As a result, theink residue 240 in the path can be drained by suction. - When the
ink residue 240 remains in the path, the path may be clogged with theink residue 240, thereby hindering air from being taken in. In particular, when theink 212 is thickened, the air is more difficult to flow due to theink residue 240, and the hindrance is likely to increase. - When the
absorber 230 is disposed in thestorage 200 or paths, the suction force of thesuction device 205 for sucking theink residue 240 may be reduced. For this reason, in the present embodiment, theink residue 240 remaining in the path can be sucked and drained through thefifth path 221. A pressure applied to theink residue 240 is higher when thesuction device 205 sucks through thefifth path 221 than when air is taken into thesecond path 202 and thethird path 203, thereby draining theink residue 240 more effectively. -
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for wiping thenozzle row 211. Theimage forming apparatus 1 may include ablade 241 and aweb 242 to wipe thenozzle row 211. Theblade 241 cleans the nozzle face after theweb 242 wipes the nozzle face. Theweb 242 absorbs theink 212 remaining on the nozzle face after the suction. - The recording medium is, for example, a sheet of paper (also referred to as "plain paper"). However, the recording medium may be an overhead projector sheet, a film, a flexible thin plate, or the like in addition to coated paper, label paper, or the like other than the sheet of paper. In other words, the recording medium is made of a material onto which droplets of ink are at least temporarily adherable, a material onto which droplets of ink adhere and fix, or a material to which droplets of ink adhere and permeate. Specific examples of the recording medium include, but are not limited to, a recording medium such as a sheet, a film, or cloth, an electronic component such as an electronic substrate or a piezoelectric element (which may be referred to as a piezoelectric component), layered powder, an organ model, and a testing cell. In short, the recording medium is made of any material onto which liquid can adhere, such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramic, or a combination thereof. The liquid may be any fluid other than the ink in accordance with the above-described application.
- The control method described above is implemented by, for example, causing a computer to execute the processes described above. The control method according to the present disclosure may include processes other than those described above. The control method includes a method in which a part of processes is executed by an external device.
- The above-described control method may be implemented by a program (including firmware and program equivalents, which are referred to simply as the "program") that executes the above-described processes or processing equivalent to the above-described processes.
- In other words, the above-described control method may be implemented by the program written in a programming language or the like so as to obtain a predetermined result by instructing a computer to execute the processes. A part of the processes executed by the program may be implemented by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC).
- The program causes an arithmetic device, a control device, a storage device, and the like, which are cooperated with each other, included in a computer to execute the above-described processes. The program is loaded into the storage device and issues a command to the arithmetic device to cause the arithmetic device to perform an arithmetic operation, thereby operating the computer. The program may be provided via a computer-readable storage medium or an electric communication line such as a network.
- Aspects of the present disclosure are, for example, as follows.
- A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head, a suction cap, a tank, a first path, a suction device, a second path, a first atmosphere path, a second atmosphere path, an atmosphere switch. The head discharges a liquid. The suction cap detachably contacts the head and stores the liquid suctioned from the head. The tank is connected to the suction cap to store the liquid fed from the suction cap. The first path connects the suction cap and the tank. The suction device is disposed in the first path between the suction cap and the tank to suck the liquid from the head to the suction cap. The second path is connected to the suction cap. The first atmosphere path having a first diameter connects the second path to atmosphere. The second atmosphere path having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter connects the second path to the atmosphere. The atmosphere switch is disposed between the second path, the first atmosphere path, and the second atmosphere path to switch to connect the second path with the first atmosphere path or connect the second path with the second atmosphere path.
- In
Aspect 1, the second atmosphere path has the second diameter of 2 mm or less and 0.1 mm or more. - In
Aspect - In any one of
Aspects 1 to 3, the liquid discharge apparatus further includes a drum to convey, to the head, a recording medium on an outer circumferential surface of the drum. The suction cap is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane in accordance with the outer circumferential surface of the drum. - In any one of
Aspects 1 to 4, the liquid discharge apparatus further includes an image forming unit including the head to discharge the liquid onto a recording medium to form an image. - In
Aspect 1, the liquid discharge apparatus further includes circuitry causes the suction cap to contact the head, causes the atmosphere switch to connect the second path and the second atmosphere path to connect the second atmosphere path to the suction cap, and causes the suction device to suck the liquid from the head with the suction cap, and drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path. - In Aspect 6, the circuitry further causes the atmosphere switch to connect the second path and the first atmosphere path to connect the first atmosphere path to the suction cap and causes the suction device to drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path.
- In
Aspect 3, the liquid discharge apparatus further includes circuitry causes the suction cap to contact the head, causes the path switch to connect the first part and the second part of the second path, causes the atmosphere switch to connect the second part of the second path and the second atmosphere path to connect the second atmosphere path to the suction cap, and causes the suction device to suck the liquid from the head with the suction cap, and drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path. - In
Aspect 8, the circuitry further causes the path switch to connect the first part and the second part of the second path, causes the atmosphere switch to connect the second part of the second path and the first atmosphere path to connect the first atmosphere path to the suction cap, and causes the suction device to drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path. - In Aspect 9, the circuitry further causes the suction cap to detach from the head, causes the path switch to connect the first part of the second path to the first path through the connection path and disconnect the first part and the second part of the second path, and causes the suction device to drain the liquid in the suction cap to the tank through the first path and the first part of the second path through the connection path.
- Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above.
- The present invention can be implemented in any convenient form, for example using dedicated hardware, or a mixture of dedicated hardware and software. The present invention may be implemented as computer software implemented by one or more networked processing apparatuses. The processing apparatuses include any suitably programmed apparatuses such as a general purpose computer, a personal digital assistant, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or third-generation (3G)-compliant mobile telephone, and so on. Since the present invention can be implemented as software, each and every aspect of the present invention thus encompasses computer software implementable on a programmable device. The computer software can be provided to the programmable device using any conventional carrier medium (carrier means). The carrier medium includes a transient carrier medium such as an electrical, optical, microwave, acoustic or radio frequency signal carrying the computer code. An example of such a transient medium is a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) signal carrying computer code over an IP network, such as the Internet. The carrier medium may also include a storage medium for storing processor readable code such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape device, or a solid state memory device.
Claims (10)
- A liquid discharge apparatus (1) comprising:a head (210) to discharge a liquid;a suction cap (200) to detachably contact the head (210) and store the liquid suctioned from the head (210);a tank (206) connected to the suction cap (200) to store the liquid fed from the suction cap (200);a first path (201) connecting the suction cap (200) and the tank (206);a suction device (205) in the first path (201) between the suction cap (200) and the tank (206), the suction device (205) to suck the liquid from the head (210) to the suction cap (200);a second path (202, 203) connected to the suction cap (200);a first atmosphere path (208) to connect the second path (202, 203) to atmosphere, the first atmosphere path (208) having a first diameter;a second atmosphere path (204) to connect the second path (202, 203) to the atmosphere, the second atmosphere path (204) having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter;an atmosphere switch (207) between the second path (202, 203), the first atmosphere path (208), and the second atmosphere path (204), the atmosphere switch (207) to switch to:connect the second path (202, 203) with the first atmosphere path (208); orconnect the second path (202, 203) with the second atmosphere path (204).
- The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to claim 1,
wherein the second atmosphere path (204) has the second diameter of 2 mm or less and 0.1 mm or more. - The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:a connection path (221) to connect the first path (201) with a first part (202) of the second path (202, 203) connected to the suction cap (200), a second part (203) of the second path (202, 203) connected to the atmosphere switch (207); anda path switch (222) between the first part (202) and the second part (203) of the second path (202, 203), the path switch (222) connected to the connection path (221), and the path switch (222) to switch to:connect the first path (201) with the first part (202) of the second path (202, 203) through the connection path (221); orconnect the first part (202) with the second part (203) of the second path (202, 203).
- The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:a drum (31) to convey, to the head (210), a recording medium on an outer circumferential surface of the drum (31),wherein the suction cap (200) is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane (301) in accordance with the outer circumferential surface of the drum (31).
- The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an image forming unit (30) including the head (210) to discharge the liquid onto a recording medium to form an image on the recording medium.
- The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising circuitry (100) configured to:cause the suction cap (200) to contact the head (210);cause the atmosphere switch (207) to connect the second path (202, 203) and the second atmosphere path (204) to connect the second atmosphere path (204) to the suction cap (200); andcause the suction device (205) to:suck the liquid from the head (210) with the suction cap (200); anddrain the liquid in the suction cap (200) to the tank (206) through the first path (201).
- The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to claim 6,
wherein the circuitry (100) is further configured to:cause the atmosphere switch (207) to connect the second path (202, 203) and the first atmosphere path (208) to connect the first atmosphere path (208) to the suction cap (200); andcause the suction device (205) to drain the liquid in the suction cap (200) to the tank (206) through the first path (201). - The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to claim 3, further comprising circuitry (100) configured to:cause the suction cap (200) to contact the head (210);cause the path switch (222) to connect the first part (202) and the second part (203) of the second path (202, 203);cause the atmosphere switch (207) to connect the second part (203) of the second path (202, 203) and the second atmosphere path (204) to connect the second atmosphere path (204) to the suction cap (200); andcause the suction device (205) to:suck the liquid from the head (210) with the suction cap (200); anddrain the liquid in the suction cap (200) to the tank (206) through the first path (201).
- The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to claim 8,
wherein the circuitry (100) is further configured to:cause the path switch (222) to connect the first part (202) and the second part (203) of the second path (202, 203);cause the atmosphere switch (207) to connect the second part (202) of the second path (202, 203) and the first atmosphere path (208) to connect the first atmosphere path (208) to the suction cap (200); andcause the suction device (205) to drain the liquid in the suction cap (200) to the tank (206) through the first path (201). - The liquid discharge apparatus (1) according to claim 9,
wherein the circuitry (100) is further configured to:cause the suction cap (200) to detach from the head (210);cause the path switch (222) to:connect the first part (202) of the second path (202, 203) to the first path (201) through the connection path (221); anddisconnect the first part (202) and the second part (203) of the second path (202, 203); andcause the suction device (205) to drain the liquid in the suction cap (200) to the tank (206) through the first path (201) and the first part (202) of the second path (202, 203) through the connection path (221).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2022116529 | 2022-07-21 | ||
JP2023080402A JP2024014717A (en) | 2022-07-21 | 2023-05-15 | liquid discharge device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4309900A1 true EP4309900A1 (en) | 2024-01-24 |
Family
ID=87280769
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP23185308.6A Pending EP4309900A1 (en) | 2022-07-21 | 2023-07-13 | Liquid discharge apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4309900A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5086305A (en) * | 1985-04-05 | 1992-02-04 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid injection recording apparatus and suction recovery device using capping means integrally provided with a plurality of caps |
JP2010046854A (en) | 2008-08-20 | 2010-03-04 | Seiko Epson Corp | Fluid jetting apparatus |
US20120133707A1 (en) * | 2010-11-25 | 2012-05-31 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
-
2023
- 2023-07-13 EP EP23185308.6A patent/EP4309900A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5086305A (en) * | 1985-04-05 | 1992-02-04 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid injection recording apparatus and suction recovery device using capping means integrally provided with a plurality of caps |
JP2010046854A (en) | 2008-08-20 | 2010-03-04 | Seiko Epson Corp | Fluid jetting apparatus |
US20120133707A1 (en) * | 2010-11-25 | 2012-05-31 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10549528B2 (en) | Printing apparatus | |
US20230364913A1 (en) | Inkjet Recording Device | |
US7887157B2 (en) | Fluid ejection apparatus | |
JP6642395B2 (en) | Ink jet recording device | |
TWI327488B (en) | ||
US10479124B2 (en) | Inkjet printing apparatus and temperature control method thereof | |
JP5340329B2 (en) | Coating apparatus and inkjet recording apparatus | |
JP2018154500A (en) | Conveying device, printer and dryer | |
JP2014019023A (en) | Coating device and ink jet recording device | |
EP4309900A1 (en) | Liquid discharge apparatus | |
JP2000062197A (en) | Image drawing head device and cleaning device therefor | |
JP2628886B2 (en) | Electroplating equipment | |
US10286671B2 (en) | Inkjet recording apparatus | |
CN110816052B (en) | Printing apparatus and control method thereof | |
JP2024014717A (en) | liquid discharge device | |
WO2007058139A1 (en) | Printing apparatus and its cleaning mechanism | |
JP2010125620A (en) | Moisturizing device and droplet delivering device | |
JP2018024131A (en) | Liquid droplet discharge device | |
JP4241477B2 (en) | Screen printing machine | |
US11571916B2 (en) | Printing apparatus and heating device | |
GB2565892A (en) | Ink supply apparatus, printing apparatus using the same, and ink supplying method | |
EP3431292B1 (en) | Inkjet printing apparatus | |
JP5493989B2 (en) | Image forming apparatus and processing liquid coating apparatus | |
US11590757B2 (en) | Discharge apparatus and suction unit | |
JP7170166B2 (en) | Screen printing device and screen printing method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20230713 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |