FR2589788A1 - INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPAIRING THE APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO AN INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS AND TO A PROCESS FOR REPAIRING THE INK DISCHARGE ORIFICE OF THIS APPARATUS. THE APPARATUS INCLUDES A CONNECTION PATH 15, 4, 5 STARTING FROM A INK SUPPLY PATH 14, 17 OF A RECORDING HEAD 1 IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE FOREIGN MATERIALS PRESENTED IN THE INK TAKING THE PATH D 'FOOD. THE CONNECTION PATH LEADS TO THE ATMOSPHERE. FIELD OF APPLICATION: INKJET RECORDING DEVICES.

Description

l

  The invention relates to an apparatus for recording

  ink jet and a refurbishment process

of this device.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink discharge port, such as an orifice in a print head, may become clogged, or bubbles may be introduced into an inkjet recording apparatus. Ink supply path connected to the discharge port

  ink. This results in a deterioration of the characteristics

  droplets of ink droplets and a bad

discharge of the ink.

  In conventional ink jet printing apparatuses, suction means are provided outside a discharge port and absorb ink coming out of it. Alternatively, a pressure is applied within the ink supply path to circulate the ink at a certain speed and thus to push the ink out of the orifice. It eliminates

  the causes of a bad discharge, indicated above.

  However, in recording apparatus

  ink discharge port, a discharge orifice, an angle or a shoulder of a print head or an ink supply path, or a filter placed midway along the feed path, to remove foreign matter, opposes a high resistance to flow, it is impossible to obtain a sufficient flow rate. Therefore, if bubbles are present in these parts, they are not expelled, but only the ink is discharged and the causes of a bad discharge can not

to be deleted.

  To eliminate these causes of a bad discharge, we can also propose to increase the

  suction force applied by the suction means

  or raise the pressure of pressurizing means to maintain a sufficient flow rate. However, for this, it inevitably requires

  increase the dimensions of the entire device.

  An object of the invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which the problems indicated above are solved so as to maintain a sufficient flow velocity, without increasing the dimensions of the apparatus, ensuring

  thus reliably the discharge of the ink and its

  a process for the rehabilitation of

  this apparatus being also proposed.

  The invention also relates to an apparatus

  an ink jet recording medium in which a foreign material in an ink supply path connected to a discharge port, such as bubbles or dust present in the filter of the ink supply path or in an elbow or

  an angle of this path, can be eliminated in an appro-

  required by a fluid at high speed, and it is also

  proposed a process for the rehabilitation of this

  mera. Another object of the invention is an ink jet recording apparatus in which a foreign material is present in an ink supply path connected to a discharge port, such as bubbles or dust present in the filter. of the feed path or in an elbow or corner of the

  feed, can be disposed of in an appro-

  requested by putting into circulation an ink without that

  This passes through a discharge port having a high flow resistance, as well as a delivery method.

in the state of this device.

  Another object of the invention is an ink jet recording apparatus in which a gas is

  introduced from an opening to a feed path

  ink to circulate ink at high velocity at the same time as the gas is introduced into the ink supply path, so that the ink is discharged quickly and safely, the invention also providing a delivery process

in the state of this device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which ink is circulated at a high rate.

  speed with a gas introduced into a feed path

  ink, inside a discharge port, to eliminate the causes of a bad discharge, such as clogging of the discharge port, as well as to appropriately remove a foreign matter present in the ink supply path connected to the discharge port, such as bubbles or

  dust in a fuel filter of the fuel path

  tation or in an elbow or corner of the feeding

  tation, the invention also proposing a method of

delivery. state of this device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which, once air is introduced through a connection, it appropriately enters an ink supply path without to be reabsorbed,

  even when the discharge path is released and,

  that the ink must be discharged, it is put into circulation

  high-speed discharge with the gas introduced into the

  ink supply path inside the ori-

  fice discharge, so that the causes of a bad

  discharge, such as clogging of the

  can be removed, as well as foreign material in the ink supply path connected to the discharge port, such as bubbles or dust in the filter of the ink supply path or in the ink supply path. an elbow or an angle of the feed path, the invention also providing a method of repairing

this device.

  The invention also provides an ink jet recording apparatus in which, before a gas is introduced into an ink supply path by repeatedly connecting / disconnecting the discharge port, the ink is unloaded for

  fill in connection means so that it is pos-

  sible to obtain sufficient pressure rise

  for the introduction of air, and the ink is circulated

  high-speed discharge and is discharged with the gas

  introduced into the ink supply path to the in-

  the discharge port, so that the causes of a bad discharge, such as clogging of the discharge port, can be eliminated, as well as

  that a foreign matter present in the feed path

  ink supply connected to the discharge port, such as bubbles or dust present in the filter of the feed path or in a bend or angle of this feed path, a method of

  the refurbishment of this device being

proposed.

  Another object of the present invention

  is to propose a recording apparatus

  in which an ink discharge operation is performed to discharge ink from a discharge port to restore the discharge, and a simple operation of holding an ink-containing element,

  in a second mounting position (a position of

  to block the feed path) is performed in conjunction with the ink discharge operation, so that the ink supply path can be reliably blocked, which aids in the recovery process of the discharge. increasing the flow velocity of a fluid in the feed path,

  a reconditioning process is also proposed.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink from a recording head, the apparatus comprising: a connection path from a midpoint of an ink supply path by which ink is supplied to the recording head, and means for removing a foreign matter

  present in the ink supply path in expul-

  the ink of the branch path.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head which has a

  discharge port through which ink is discharged

  Gee; means for introducing air from the discharge port to the interior of the recording head, said introducing means comprising

  a connecting part covering the discharge orifice

  charge being connected to the recording head, transfer means for connecting or separating

  the connecting part to or from the recording head

  and means for controlling the connection or separation operation performed by the transfer means for the latter to repeatedly perform this operation several times; and means for discharging the ink

  and / or the air introduced from said discharge port.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus for discharging ink from a recording head to

  recording medium for recording

  the apparatus comprising: a connecting portion connectable to the recording head; transfer means for connecting and separating the connection portion to and from the recording head; means for controlling the means

  transfer system for connection and separation

  connecting part to and from the head of

  tration; the control means introducing gas from said discharge port of the recording head to the interior thereof by the connection of

  said connecting portion to the recording head

  is lying; opening / closing means for

  to communicate the interior of the connecting part

  with the atmosphere before releasing the connection

Dement; and

  means for discharging the gas introduced

  duit inside the discharge port with the ink

from this hole.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus for

  discharging ink from a discharge port, including

  a mid-distance connection path along an ink supply path for

  supplying the ink to the recording head, one end

  mity of the branch path opening to the atmosphere;

  a connecting part intended for recou-

  open the discharge port by being connected to the recording head; a pump intended to produce a force

  the ink supplied to the recording head

  and / or a gas introduced into the ink supply path from the discharge port,

  the connection part and the connection path.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus for discharging ink from a recording head to

  a recording medium in order to record

  the apparatus comprising: a connecting portion connectable to the recording head; transfer means intended to bring

  the connecting part to be connected to the head of

  registration and to part with it; means for controlling the transfer means to cause the connecting portion to

  connect to the discharge port and separate

  and to introduce a gas into the interior of the

  discharge discharge by said connection;

  means for discharging said origin

  discharge a liquid present inside this orifice; and discharge control means for causing the connection portion to connect to

  the discharge port before connection for the introduction

  gas production, in order to operate the discharge means.

  The invention also relates to an apparatus

  inkjet recording tape intended to discharge

  ink from a discharge port of a recording head

  to a recording medium for recording, the apparatus comprising: limiting means provided midway along an ink supply path through which ink is supplied to the head of recording, these means being intended to limit the amount of ink supplied to the recording head; introduction means for rendering negative the pressure of the part between the limiting means and the recording head during the limiting operation carried out by said limiting means, in order to suck and introduce a gas to from the discharge port; and discharge means for terminating the limiting operation after the introduction

  gas, to discharge the gas introduced with the ink.

  The invention also aims at proposing

  to restore a recording device.

  inkjet, including the steps that consist of

  to connect to the recording head a connecting portion for covering a discharge port through which the recording head discharges ink; separating the connecting portion from the recording head and then connecting said connecting portion to the recording head after

  ink has been introduced into a vacuum path

  which makes the connection part communicate

  with a pump intended to produce a suction

  to perform an operation in which ink is sucked from the discharge port through the connecting portion; and

  to then open means of opening / closing

  ture to communicate the interior of the connection portion with the atmosphere while the connection portion is connected to the recording head,

  after a predetermined period of time from the opera-

  aspiration, to communicate the interior of the connection part with the atmosphere, at the same time

  time that the aspiration is performed.

  Another subject of the invention is a method for restoring an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising the steps of: connecting to a recording head a connecting portion for covering the orifice

  of discharge by which this recording head de-

  ink charge; subsequently making the pressure in an ink supply path negative by means of a pump via said connecting portion, provided that the ink supply path

  ink is supplied to the recording head.

  be closed or that the amount of ink flow in this path is reduced; subsequently opening opening / closing means for communicating the interior of the connection portion with the atmosphere; and then perform the aspiration operation

  air and / or ink from the vent hole.

  charging and passing through the connecting portion, by the application of a suction produced by the pump, while the opening / closing means are closed, after the conduction of the ink supply path. Another object of the invention is to propose

  a method of restoring a recording apparatus

  inkjet, including the steps that consist of

  tent: to connect to a recording head

  a connecting part intended to cover an original

  discharge discharge by which this recording head discharges ink; subsequently causing the closing of the ink supply path by which ink is supplied to the recording head; subsequently opening opening / closing means for communicating the interior of the connection portion with the atmosphere;

  to start, then, a pump intended

  to apply a suction force used to perform a suction operation during which ink is sucked from the discharge port through the connecting portion, provided that

  suction path passing through said connecting portion

  dement communicates with the pump; subsequently conducting the suction path and the ink supply path, by closing said opening / closing means; and

  to then perform the aspiration operation

tion.

  Another object of the invention is to propose

  a method of restoring a recording apparatus

  inkjet, including the steps that consist of

  tent: to connect to a recording head

  a connecting part intended to cover an original

  discharge discharge by which this recording head discharges ink;

  to then open means of opening / closing

  setting for communicating the inside of the party

  connection with the atmosphere, in the reac-

  rope; subsequently closing an ink supply path of the recording head or lowering the amount of ink feeding the head;

  then start a pump for

  drawing a suction force through which ink is drawn from the discharge port through the connecting portion provided that the supply path communicates with the suction path 11 to port the portion connection with the pump; to put the path into conduction

  supply and to close the means of opening / closing

  meture; and then cutting the communication between the suction path and the feed path,

then start the pump.

  The invention will be described in more detail

  with regard to the accompanying drawings as examples none

  FIGS. 1A and 1B are, respectively, a perspective view showing the external appearance of a

  ink-jet recording apparatus to which the invention

  can be applied, and a front view of a table

  provided on a front surface of the

  mera; Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective view and a plan view of a recording portion housed in the apparatus shown in Figure 1A;

  Figure 4 is a diagram of a main part of

  apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, apparatus in which air is introduced from the outside of a discharge port; Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a control system of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4; Figs. 6A and 6B are flowcharts showing a refurbishment processing sequence of the control system shown in Fig. 5; Figures 7 to 9 are timing diagrams showing operations performed by corresponding parts in the reconditioning process; Figure 10 is a diagram of a part

  principal of another embodiment of the apparatus

  according to the invention; Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a control system of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing a refurbishment processing sequence of the control system shown in Fig. 11; Figures 13 to 16 are diagrams of four examples of the present invention in which the interior of a discharge port is subjected to a negative pressure and air is withdrawn from the discharge port;

  Figures 17A and 17B are longitudinal sections

  tudinal showing the connection of a feeding tube

  in ink and an ink cartridge; Figs. 18A and 18B to 21A and 21B are plan views of four examples in which the position of the ink cartridge shown in Figs. 17A and 17B can be established; Figures 22A, 22B and 22C are front views of three examples of the arrangement of the front surface of the head; Fig. 23 is a diagram of a main portion of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of a control system of the embodiment shown in Fig. 23;

  Fig. 25 is a flowchart of a series

  quence of control system overhaul shown in Fig. 24; Figure -.26 is a diagram of a part

  principal of another embodiment of the apparatus

  according to the invention; Fig. 27 is a schematic diagram of a control system of the embodiment shown in Fig. 26;

  Fig. 28 is a flowchart of a series of

  quence of control system overhaul shown in Fig. 27; and Figure 29 is a diagram of a modification

  of the apparatus shown in Figure 26.

  Figures 1A and 1B show the external aspect of

  of an ink-jet recording apparatus to which the invention may be applied, as well as a

  provided on the front surface of the

  and Figures 2 and 3 show the part of the recordings

  housed in the apparatus of Figure 1A. An example

  of an inkjet recording device of the

so-called serial type will be described.

  Figure 1A illustrates the main body

  1000 of the appliance, the main switch 1100

  tation and a 1200 command table. The control panel 1200 may comprise, as shown in FIG. 1B, instruction introduction means, such as switches FF and LF 1210 and 1220 and an "on" switch 1230, as well as display means. such as a "live" lamp 1250, an alarm lamp 1260, a "ready" lamp 1270, etc. The operator requests the transport of a recording medium, such as a sheet of paper, by means of the switches 1210 and 1220, and he enters a power-up command by means of the power-on switch 1230. 1250 power-on lamp displays the power-on indication of the device. The alarm lamp 1260 signals

  an abnormal state. The ready lamp 1270 signals that the

he is in a ready state.

  With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a head 1 has an ink discharge orifice provided in

  its front surface which is opposed to a record sheet

  P. The head 1 is mounted on a carriage 22 which moves on slideways 23 in the direction of an arrow S in FIG. 2, with a secondary reservoir 12 which supplies ink to the ink chamber of the head 1 by means of a tube 17. During the movement, the head 1 discharges the droplets of ink from its discharge port and makes a recording on the sheet P whose recording surface is presented regularly by A cylinder 21. An ink cartridge 13 is removably held by the main body 1000 and has an ink bag 20 and an elastic plug 19. When a hollow needle 18 sinks into the plug 19 until it reaches an appropriate position in the latter, an ink flow path communicates the cartridge

  13 with the secondary reservoir 12 through the

  mediate a feeding tube 14.

  The ink supplied to the head 1 is subjected to a negative pressure with respect to the level of the ink at the discharge port. The ink supplied is kept approximately constant at a predetermined level by an ink level adjusting tube, and the ink passes the side of the discharge port under the effect of surface tension. The ink is not

  pulled back from the discharge port.

  The ink is also prevented from leaking from the

  discharge under the effect of vibrations or the like.

  A cap block 100 is arranged in the position

  rest of the carriage 22 and has the function of capping the head 1 when the carriage 22 is in the position

  rest. In the cap block 100, an orifice 3 for connecting

  deement comprises a cap 3A which is made of an elastic material in order to be connected to the front surface of the head 1, and which protects the discharge port in the non-recording mode. The connection orifice 3 and the cap 3A can be made in one piece. A toothed wheel 7A and a positioning cam 7B associated therewith are shown as examples of transfer means and constitute a transfer mechanism of the connection port 3 in the direction T indicated in FIG. orifice

  can thus be connected to the head 1 and be separated.

  The setting in position of connection / separation can be carried out by the establishment / opening, for example, a contact 11B of a switch 11 under the action of

the cam 7B.

  Discharge means comprise a pump 6 constituting a suction means. The pump 6 is connected inside the connection orifice 3 and the secondary reservoir 12 by a tube 4 defining a suction path and by the tube 15 to maintain the level of the ink in the secondary reservoir 12, respectively, and it provides suction. Means 8 for opening / closing are associated with a tube 5 open to the atmosphere in order to release the inside of the connection orifice 3 towards the air, and they may use, for example, a solenoid valve. A vent valve 5A can be closed between the solenoid valve 8 of the tube 5 and the connection port 3. An operating lever 9 has a projection 9A intended to come into contact with an element which closes the vent valve and the contact 6A of the pump, thus starting up

the pump 6.

  In this embodiment, a lever control element, including, for example, a spring and a latch, is used. Lever 9 can be placed

  in on and off positions and in a posi-

  intermediate. When the lever 9 is moved from the running position to the stop position and

16 2589788

  released, it is held in the intermediate position.

  When the lever 9 is moved from the intermediate position

  to the stop position and is released, it is returned to the stop position. When the lever 9 is in the on position, the vent valve A is closed and the pump contact 6A is lowered to the lowest position for suction to be performed. When the lever 9 is in the intermediate position, the contact 6A of the pump is restored, while the vent valve 5A is kept closed. When the lever 9 is in the off position, the vent valve 5A is open and the contact 6A of

  the pump no longer bears against the projection 9A.

  The position of the switch 11 and the position taken by the lever 9 are detected by a control device, which will be described below, and the transfer

  of the connection port 3, the control of the solenoid valve 8, and so on, are controlled.

  Figure 4 shows an arrangement of a main part of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. In this embodiment, pressure is supplied from outside to the orifice

  of discharge to introduce air into the head of

  register 1, then the pump 6 performs the aspiration, thereby discharging the ink or performing a process of refurbishing the ink supply. When pressure is applied, the connection port 3

  is connected to head 1 and is repeatedly separated from

  ted. Referring to Figure 4, the vent valve A is disposed in the middle of the length of the open tube 5

  to the atmosphere. The vent valve 5A reacts to the maneuver

  lever 9 and it can be closed by a portion 9B of this lever 9. An ink absorber 3B is provided in the cap 3A to retain the ink, and it is realized

17 2589788

  in a porous material having the property of absorbing liquids. It should be noted that the cap 3A is generally made of rubber-type material,

  such as silicone rubber and butyl rubber.

  A filter 30 is placed in the middle of the ink supply tube 17 to retain foreign matter such as dust, contained in the ink

  supply and thus prevent foreign materials

  The waste ink absorber 16 is arranged in the ink cartridge 13 to receive residual ink sucked by the pump 6 through a residual ink tube 10. . FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of a control system of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4. A control device 200 is, for example, a microcomputer having a central processing unit, a memory dead, a

  memory and so on, and he commands the

  respective parties in accordance with the treatment sequence

  memorized in the ROM, and it also controls the head 1 according to the image data received

  central unit or the like, in order to execute the

  tration. A paper PS sensor detects a recording sheet P. When the PS paper sensor detects a sheet of paper, the control device 200 actuates the cylinder 21 via a paper feed mechanism 21A comprising

* a paper feed motor, so as to control the operation

  advance ration of the paper. A position sensor CS

  the carriage detects the position of the carriage 22. The arrangement

  The control unit 200 controls the carriage 22 or controls the placing of the carriage 22, or the like, in the rest position by means of a carriage motor 22A, in accordance with the detected position data from the sensor CS. In addition to the toothed wheel 7A and the cam 7B, the transfer mechanism 7 comprises a drive element, such as a motor, for transferring

  the connection port 3. The device 200 of

  Mande places the connection port 3 with respect to the head 1 in accordance with a signal from a contact of the switch 11. Control means 1205 and display means 1255 are provided on the control panel shown in FIG. . LB. A position sensor LS detects the position of the lever 9 and can be

  associated, for example, the contact 6A of the pump.

  Fig. 6A shows a restoration processing sequence performed by the controller shown in Fig. 5, and Figs. 7-9 show the operations performed by the corresponding parts for executing the delivery process.

in state.

  First, it is assumed that the carriage 22 is in the rest position at the time of

  voltage or at an appropriate time in the recording process

  tration. The connection orifice 3 is then moved to the head 1, in step S1 of FIG. 6A, in order to cap it. In this state, the operator moves the lever 9 from the home position to the work position in step S3 (instant A in Fig. 7), waits for a predetermined time in step S5 until the flashing of the alarm lamp ceases, then releases the lever 9 in step S7. When the lever 9 is moved to the working position, a suction operation from the discharge port 2 is performed, and ink fills the connection port 3 and the suction tube 4. In this case, the solenoid valve 8 is open for a predetermined period (period B

  in Fig. 7) in step S9 to prevent filling

  wise of ink in excessive amount.

  Then, the mechanism 7 carrying the connection orifice is controlled, in step S11, so as to repeat several times the operation by which the cap 3A is connected to the discharge port 2 and is separated therefrom (period C of Figure 7). In this case, air is introduced into the head 1 through the discharge port 2 by means of the elastic cap 3A. The ink fills the cap 3A and the tube 4 so that the volume

  of its empty spaces is reduced, and the ink fills

  sage serves as an elastic element. As a result, air is effectively introduced into the cap 3A and the tube 4. When the solenoid valve 8 is opened, only immediately before the cap 3A is separated from the discharge port 2 during the period C, as shown in Figure 8, in synchronism with the process

  the introduction of air from step Sll, a negative pressure

  It is instantaneously established in the connection port 3 immediately before the cap 3A can be separated. As a result, the introduced air can not be discharged (forward movement of the meniscus)

  and the ink can not be dispersed.

  Then, in step S13, the alarm and power-up lamps 1260 and 1250 flash,

  so that they are used as means of

  air inlet alarm system informing the operator of the end of the air introduction process. At the end of a period D, when the operator moves the lever

  9 from the intermediate position to the position in

  vail (instant E) in step S15, the suction process is triggered and the solenoid valve 8 is opened at the end

  a predetermined period (time F) in step S17.

  Then the operator moves the lever 9 towards the position

  out of work at step S19, and the solenoid valve 8 is

closed in step S21.

  In this case, air is introduced to

  the rear part of the discharge port 2, that is,

  ie in the head 1 and in the feed tube 17.

  Therefore, when negative pressure suction

  In this state, the pump 6 is used to discharge air at a single stroke from the orifice 2, and the resistance to the flow opposite the path is substantially reduced, which produces a great deal of force. aspiration. Therefore, the causes of a bad discharge present in the ink supply path from the secondary reservoir 12 to the orifice

  2, ie the presence of foreign materials

  such as bubbles in the filter 30 or in an elbow or an angle of the feed path can

be safely deleted.

  It should be noted that the suction of the ink is performed and that the cap 3A and the suction tube 4 are filled with ink in steps S3 to S7 so that an increase in pressure, resulting from the connection of the cap 3A, acts reliably on the discharge port 2 during the introduction of air into the rear part of the discharge port 2. In addition, the opening time of the solenoid valve 8 to the Step S17 is delayed from when the lever 9 is moved to the working position for the following reasons. It is assumed that, while the discharge port 2 is completely closed by the cap 3A and the vent valve 5A and the solenoid valve 8 are closed, the pump 6 is turned on (working state) at the instant E of Figures 7, 8 and 9. The suction is then applied by the suction tube 4, a negative pressure (negative suction pressure of the ink) is established in the cap 3A and in the open tube 5 to the atmosphere, and the process of aspiration from

  discharge port 2 is executed.

  In this case, the ink sucked from the air discharge port 2 fills the cap 3A and leaks from the ink absorber 3B. The ink can also fill the tube open to the atmosphere. However, this state

  can then harm the discharge of the ink.

  To avoid this, in this form of reali-

  8, the solenoid valve 8 is put into operation (open state) at a time F after a predetermined period has elapsed from the instant E, and the tube opened at

  the atmosphere is put in communication with the atmosphere.

  Ink leaking from the ink absorber 3B and entering the tube 5 open to the atmosphere is then directed

  to the pump 6 through the suction tube 4.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the pressure (suction pressure waveform) prevailing in cap 3A becomes negative, with a small transition delay angle at time E when pump 6 is turned on. , and she comes back abruptly to

  the atmospheric value at a moment F o the electro-

  valve 8 is turned on (open). No ink suction is therefore performed after the instant F. The period (F - E) between the instant E at which the pump 6 is started and the instant F at which the solenoid valve 8 is put into operation. function can be determined by the control device 200 or by a timer which controls the opening / closing of the solenoid valve 8. The period (F - E), that is to say the period of suction of the ink, can be modified

  arbitrarily by a setting of the device 200 of

mande or timer.

  In the embodiment above,

  the lever 9 is manually operated by the operator.

  However, it can be operated very easily by an appropriate order and by drive means, or by a drive device during the command. When the lever 9 is operated by hand,

  trigger switch or the like, which triggers

  the operations from the dotted line of FIGS. 7 and 8, at time A, can be provided, which

  simplifies the reconditioning operation.

  In this embodiment, pressurizing for the introduction of air from the discharge port is performed by the cap

  3A which prevents clogging of the nozzle or the introduction of

  dust in the feed path.

  However, a pressurizing cap, intended to introduce air from the discharge port 2,

  can be provided independently of the cap 3A.

  If the quantity of air introduced by a single connection operation is sufficient, repeated connection operations are unnecessary and

  only one connection operation can be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the pressure is applied from outside the discharge port 2 to introduce the air. However, the introduction of air can be achieved by establishing a negative pressure inside the orifice of

discharge 2.

  Figure 6B shows another example of a sequence of a refurbishment process performed by

  the control device 200 shown in FIG.

  It is assumed that the carriage 22 is placed in the rest position when the power source is turned on or at an appropriate time during the recording process. Connection port 3

  is then moved to the head 1 to perform the operation

  styling of step S601. Then, the solenoid valve 8 is closed in step S603, and the ink cartridge

  13 is placed in a second mounting position (posi-

  to block the ink supply path) to close the ink supply path

  of the ink cartridge 13 in step S605.

  In this state, the lever 9 is moved from the off-work position to the working position and is released in step S607. At that moment, at

  following the movement of lever 9 to the working position

  5A, the vent valve 5A is closed, and a negative pressure is established, via the suction tube, within the supply path

  in ink, from the inside of the cap 3A to the original

  2 discharge discharge through the secondary tank 12. Then the solenoid valve 8 is open for the air

  is sucked from the discharge port 2 in step

  by the tube 5 open to the atmosphere, in step S609. Then, the ink cartridge 13 is placed in a first position (position to communicate with the feed path) at step S611, the solenoid valve 8 is closed in step S613 and the lever 9 is moved from the position intermediate to the out position to

  step S615, thereby triggering the process of

  tion. In this case, air is introduced to

  the rear part of the discharge port 2, that is,

  ie in the head 1 and in the feed tube 17.

  Therefore, when negative pressure suction

  This is done in this state by the pump 6, air is discharged at once from the discharge port 2 and the resistance of the flow path is substantially attenuated, thereby establishing a great force.

  suction. The causes of a bad discharge, pre-

  sents in the ink supply path going

  from the secondary tank 12 to the port 2 of

  charge, ie the presence of foreign matter such as bubbles in the filter 30 or in the bend or the angle of the feed path, can therefore be

safely disposed of.

  Figure 10 shows another form of reali-

  of the main part of the invention. In reference

  10, a control device 40 is disposed in the middle of a feed path 14 to stop or decrease the ink supply, and

  it may consist, for example, of a solenoid valve.

  In this embodiment, when the solenoid valve 40 is closed and a pump 6 is turned on in this state, a negative pressure is established in a supply path from a secondary reservoir.

  12 To the discharge port 2, which allows the suction

  feeding the ink from the discharge port 2.

  Referring to Figure 10, a vent valve A is provided in the middle of a tube 5 open to the atmosphere. The vent valve 5A reacts to the operation of a lever 9 and it can be closed by a portion 9B of the lever 9. An ink absorber 3B is provided in a cap 3A to retain the ink, and it is made of a porous material having the property of absorbing liquids. It should be noted that the cap 3A is generally made of a material of the rubber type,

  such as silicone rubber and butyl rubber.

  A filter 30 is placed in the middle of an ink supply tube 17, in order to retain foreign matter, such as dust, present in the ink supply, and thus prevent the materials

  foreigners to flow to a recording head 1.

  A residual ink absorber 16 is arranged in the cartridge 13 to receive the residual ink sucked

  pump 6 and passing through an ink tube 10

  Dual. FIG. 11 shows the arrangement of a control system of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10. A control device 300, for example a microcomputer comprising a central processing unit, a read only memory , a memory

  live, etc., orders the corresponding parties, in accordance

  to the processing sequence stored in the read-only memory, and it operates the head 1 on the basis of image data received from a CPU or the like, thereby performing a recording. A captor

  PS of paper detects the presence of a recording sheet

  When the PS sensor detects a sheet of paper, the control device 300 actuates a cylinder 21 via a mechanism 21A.

  paper feed apparatus comprising a feed motor

  paper, so as to control a paper advance operation. A sensor CS detects the position of the carriage 22. The control device 300 drives the carriage 22 or controls the arrival of the carriage 22 in the rest position or the like via a carriage motor 22A, depending on the data of the truck. the

  position detected by the CS sensor.

  The control device 300 uses a transfer mechanism 7 comprising, in addition to a toothed wheel 7A and a cam 7B, a driving element, such as a motor, for the transfer of a connection orifice 3 . Using the transfer mechanism 7,

  the control device 300 places the opening 3 to connect the

  relative to the head 1 as a function of a signal from a contact of a switch 11. Control and display means 1205 and 1255 are provided

  on the control panel shown in FIG.

  The position sensor LS may be arranged to be actuated in association with the lever 9 or a contact 6A of the pump. In addition, the device 300 controls the opening / closing of a solenoid valve 40

  during a refurbishment treatment.

  Fig. 12 shows another example of a restoration processing sequence performed by the control device 300 illustrated in Fig. 11. It is assumed that the carriage 22 is placed in the rest position when the power source is turned on. in circuit or at an appropriate time in the registration process. The connection port 3 is then moved to the head 1 to perform the capping operation of step S101. Then, the solenoid valve 8 is closed in step S103, and the solenoid valve 40 is closed to block the ink supply path leaving

  of the ink cartridge 13, at step S105.

  In this state, the lever 9 is moved from an off-work position to a working position and released in step S107. At this time, as a result of the movement of the lever 9 to the working position, the vent valve 5A is closed and a negative pressure is established, via the suction tube, within the path supplying ink from the inside of the cap 3A to the port 2 of

  discharge through the secondary tank 12.

  Then the solenoid valve 8 is opened so that the air is sucked from the discharge port 2 by passing.

  by the tube 5 open to the atmosphere, in step S109.

  Then, the solenoid valves 40 and 8 are opened and closed at steps S111 and S113, respectively, and the lever 9 is moved from the intermediate position to the off-work position at step S115, triggering

thus an aspiration process.

  In this case, air is introduced to

  the rear part of the discharge port 2, that is,

  ie in the head 1 and in the feed tube 17.

  Therefore, when negative pressure suction

  This is done in this state by the pump 6, the air is discharged at once from the port 2 of

  discharge, and the resistance of the flow path

  is substantially attenuated, which establishes a large suction force. Therefore, the causes of a bad discharge, present in the ink supply path of the secondary reservoir 12 up to

  discharge port 2, namely foreign materials

  such as bubbles in the filter

  or in the angle or elbow of the feeding

  tion, can be reliably eliminated.

  As shown in FIG. 13, means 42 for opening / closing the suction path, such as

  than a solenoid valve, which can be controlled by the

  control, can be provided in the middle of the suction tube 4, in addition to the solenoid valve 40, and the

  Air introduction process can thus be executed.

  More particularly, for example, when the solenoid valve 40 is closed and the solenoid valves 8 and 42 are then opened and closed, respectively, to turn on the pump 6; a strong negative pressure is generated in the head 1 through the tube 15. Consequently, the ink present in the

  head 1 flows in the opposite direction to the secondary tank.

  12 through the feed tube 17, and

  the air is sucked from the discharge port 2.

  The solenoid valves 40 and 42 are then opened and the solenoid valve 8 is closed, and the pump 6 is started in this mode, in order to produce

  the same effect as that described above.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a three-way valve 44 may be placed in the middle of the suction tube 4, in addition to the solenoid valve 40, and a bypass tube 46 for communicating the three-way valve 44. with an intermediate portion, for example a section 17A, of the tube 17 supply, can be provided. In this case, the three-way valve 44 is appropriately switched to select the side of the suction tube 4 or the side of the bypass tube 46 as a suction path, thereby executing the air introduction process. .

  In particular, for example,

  the solenoid valves 40 and 8 are closed and open.

  respectively, after which the suction path is switched to the side of the bypass tube 46 by the three-way valve 44, and the pump 6 is turned on in this state. Air can then be sucked from the discharge port 2 to at least the

section 17A.

  Then, when the solenoid valves 40 and 8 are opened and closed, respectively, and the three-way valve 44 is switched to the side of the suction tube 4, thereby starting the pump

  6, the same effect as that described above can be obtained.

  above. In addition, as shown in Fig. 15, a communication tube 52, which communicates the feed tube 17 with the suction tube 4, can be provided. In this case, a three-way valve 54 may be associated with the connection port of the tube

  52 of communication with the tube 17 feeding.

  The three-way valve 54 may be switched between a position in which it communicates the side of the secondary reservoir 12 with the side of the head 1 and a position in which it communicates the side of the communication tube 52 with the side of the head 1. A three-way valve 56 may also be provided at a connection port of the tube 52 communicating with the suction tube 4. The three-way valve 56 may be switched between a position in which it establishes communication between the side of the connection port 3 and the side of the pump 6 and a position in which it establishes communication between the side of the tube 52 and the pump side 6. The air introduction process can be performed with this arrangement. More particularly, the valve 54 with three

  channels is normally placed in a common state.

  connect the secondary tank 12 with the print head.

  and thus allowing the ink supply of the head 1, and the three-way valve 56 is placed in a state communicating this valve 56 with the orifice

3 and the pump 6.

  For a reconditioning process, the three-way valve 54 is switched to the position

  making the head 1 communicate with the tube 52 of communication

  tion, and the three-way valve 56 is switched to

  the position communicating the communication tube 52

  6. In other words, the head 1 can communicate with the pump 6 through the two three-way valves and through a portion of the feed tube 17, through the communication tube 52, and

by the suction tube 4.

  In this state, when the pump 6 is running while the connection port 3 is kept away from the head 1, or while the solenoid valve 8 is open and the cap 3A is kept connected

  at the head 1, the ink present in the head 1 is

  born from the suction coming from the side of the feed tube

  tation, and the air is sucked into the inside of the head

  1 from the discharge port 2.

  Then, when the three-way valves 54 and 56 are returned to their normal states and

  the refurbishment operation is carried out

  similar to that described above, it is possible to

  obtain the same effect as described above.

  In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 to 15, the pump 6 also serves as

  means of generating a negative pressure for the introduction

  However, another means of generating a negative pressure can also be provided.

to be used.

  Fig. 16 shows an example of another means for generating a negative pressure. With reference to FIG. 16, a three-way valve 64 is provided in the middle of the feed tube 17 and communicates with a residual ink absorber 16 via a pump 66 used as a means of generating

  negative pressure, and a tube 67 with residual ink.

  The three-way valve 64 may define a path that communicates the side of the head 1 with the side of the pump 66. A lever 63 for maneuvering makes it possible to

  running and stop the pump 66.

  In this arrangement, the valve

  normally communicates the secondary reservoir

  , 12 with the head 1 to maintain the validated state of the ink supply. When a delivery process

  in state is executed, the three-way valve 64 is

  mutated to a position communicating the head 1 with the pump 66, and the latter is turned on by the operating lever 63 to establish a negative pressure, thus sucking air from the discharge port 2 to the 1. In this case, the connecting orifice 3 is kept apart from

  the head 1, or the solenoid valve 8 is open and the ori-

  3 is connected to the head 1. The ink sucked by the pump 66 is recovered by the absorber 16 of residual ink in the reservoir

  of ink 13 passing through the tube 67 with residual ink.

  The three-way valve 64 is then returned to a normal state, and a similar reconditioning process

  to that described above can be executed. In the embodiments shown in Figures 10 to 16,

  when a negative pressure is established within the discharge port 2 and air is introduced from the discharge port 2, a solenoid valve or a three-way valve is provided in a suitable position on - the ink supply path. This valve is arbitrarily switched for the execution of the reconditioning process. However, since the ink supply is effected when the hollow needle 18 is pushed into the elastic plug 19 of the ink bag 20,

  the refurbishment process can also be carried out

cut in the following manner.

  Figs. 17A and 17B show examples, respectively, of a tube connection port

  14 and the ink cartridge 13. Normal-

  the hole 18A of the needle 18 leads to the

  19A of the plug 19 of the ink bag, thus able to communicate with the ink. On the other hand, when the reconditioning process is executed, if the relative positions of the ink cartridge 13 and the needle 18 are set so that the hole 18A of the needle 18 is located inside the elastic element of the plug 19, as shown in the figure

  17B, the plug 19 closes the hole 18A of the needle.

  Figs. 18A to 21B show examples of an apparatus in which positions can be established

  as illustrated in Figures 17A and 17B.

  As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, snap-in points 24A and 24B are provided on a main body engaging guide 24 of the apparatus which receives the ink cartridge 13.

  latching points 24A and 24B hold the car-

32 2589788

  ink key 13 in two positions, namely a position (second mounting position) for blocking the feed path, and a position (first mounting position) for communication of the feed path. An abutment portion 13A is provided on the ink cartridge 13 so as to be stopped by the latching points 24A and 24B. An element 29 for setting the position of the needle is fixed

to the main body 1000.

  In this arrangement, when the ink cartridge 13 is positioned by the operator or by given drive means in combination with the refurbishment process, a stopping state of the ink (Fig. 18B) by the d-point 24A, or a state of communication (FIG. 18A) by the snap point

24B can be obtained.

  Referring to Figs. 19A and 19B, a vertically movable stopper 25 is provided under a portion of an engagement stroke with the ink cartridge 13. When the stopper 25 is in a low position, a communication state of the ink (Figure 19A); when the stop 25 is in a high position, it is possible to obtain a stop state of the ink (FIG. 19B). It should be noted that the stopper 25 may also be provided in a suitable part other than the

  interlocking stroke, for example the snap-in guide

24.

  With reference to FIGS. 20A and 20B,

  that an alignment mark 26 provided on the ink cartridge 13 is aligned with an alignment mark 27 provided near the engagement portion of the main body 1000, thereby obtaining a stopping state of the ink (Figure 20B). If the marks are not aligned with each other and the needle 18 is pressed into the deepest part of the ink cartridge 13, a communication state can be obtained as shown

in Figure 20A.

  Positioning can be accomplished by aligning a lateral mark of the main body and the end of the cartridge 13. Figs. 21A and 21B show an example in which an accessory 28 is removably provided.

  on the ink cartridge 13 for executing the position

  ment. When the accessory 28 is in place, it can

  to obtain the closed state (Figure 21B);

  evening 28 is withdrawn, the state of communi-

cation (Figure 21A).

  In the examples shown in Figs. 17A-21B, the ink supply path can be reliably closed with great ease. These examples can be widely applied to a device

  to apply ink suction from the outside

  the discharge port 2 and to a

  tif to perform a reclamation process in

  pressurizing the inside of the vent hole

charge and ejecting the ink.

  In the above examples, air is introduced from outside the discharge port 2. However, since the discharge port 2 is highly resistant to flow, as previously described, the air introduction process may not be performed quickly in some cases. To avoid this disadvantage, as shown in FIGS. 22A, 22B and 22C, the front surface 1A

  of the head 1 is arranged in the following manner.

  Figures 22A, 22B and 22C show three examples of the arrangement of the front surface 1A of

  the head. Figure 22A shows an example of an agency-

  general of the frontal surface 1A of the head. This

  arrangement may be adopted where it is not necessary

  that an air introduction process be performed quickly. However, when an air introduction process must be performed quickly and reliably, a false discharge port 2A, having a passage section greater than that of the discharge port 2, but not used for actual recording, can be

  provided as shown in Figs. 22B and 22C.

  More particularly, the force of the meniscus at a discharge port is defined by a surface tension. Therefore, the larger the area

  of the cross section is large (radius r if the original

  discharge is circular), the greater the force of

  As the meniscus is weaker, it is easier to draw in air when positive or negative air pressure is applied. It should be noted that the number or positions of the dummy discharge ports 2A

  to be chosen arbitrarily as requested.

  In the above examples, a pressure is established outside the discharge port or a depression is established within this port, and air is introduced through the discharge port. However, we can proceed with the introduction

of air as follows.

* Figure 23 shows an example of a part

  principal of another embodiment of the apparatus

  according to the invention. In this case, a valve 72 to

  three channels is arranged in the middle of a tube 17 of food

  ink, for example in a position of the feed tube 17 closer to the discharge port 2, that is to say in an intermediate position between the head 1 and a filter 30, and the inside of the tube

  17 power supply is open to the atmosphere. customarily

  the air side of the three-valve

  track is closed, and the feed tube 17 can

add ink to the nozzle.

  A valve 5A open to the atmosphere is provided in the middle of a tube 5 opening to the atmosphere. The valve A reacts to the operation of a lever 9 and can be closed by the portion 9B of this lever. An ink absorber 3B is provided in a cap 3A to retain the ink, and is made of a porous material having the property of absorbing liquids. It should be noted that the cap 3A is generally made of a material of the rubber type, such as a silicone rubber and

a butyl rubber.

  The filter 30 is placed in the middle of the ink supply tube 17 in order to retain foreign matter, such as dust, present in the

  the ink supplied, thus preventing foreign materials

  manage to flow to the side of the head 1 of record-

  tration. A residual ink absorber 16 is dis-

  placed in a cartridge 13 to receive the residual ink sucked by the pump 6 and passing through the

tube 10 with residual ink.

  Figure 24 shows an arrangement of a system

  control device of the apparatus embodiment shown in FIG. 23. A control device 400, for example a microcomputer comprising a central processing unit, a read-only memory, a memory

  live, etc., orders the corresponding parties, in accordance

  to the process sequence stored in the ROM, and drives the head 1 according to the image data received from a CPU or the like, in order to perform a recording. A paper PS sensor detects the presence of a recording sheet P. When the PS sensor detects the presence of a sheet of paper, the control device 400 operates a

  cylinder 21 via a feed mechanism 21A

  paper feed, comprising a paper feed motor, so as to control the paper feed operation. A carriage position sensor CS detects the position of the carriage 22. The control device 400 drives the carriage 22 or controls the feeding of the carriage 22 to the rest position or the like via a carriage motor 22A, in accordance with to the data

  position detected from the sensor CS.

  The control device 400 uses a transfer mechanism 7 comprising, in addition to a toothed wheel 7A and a cam 7B, a driving element, such as a motor, for the transfer of a connection orifice 3 . Using the transfer mechanism 7,

  the control device 400 places the opening 3 to connect

  relative to the head 1 as a function of a signal from a contact of a switch 11. Control and display means 1205 and 1255 are provided

  on the control panel shown in FIG.

  A position sensor LS may be arranged to be actuated in association with the lever 9 or with a contact 6A of the pump. In addition, the device 400

  controls the switching of the three-way valve 72.

  Figure 25 shows another example

  of a refurbishment process carried out by the

  control 400 shown in FIG. 24.

  When the power supply source is switched on or the quality of the discharge is degraded and therefore a refurbishment operation

  must be performed, the three-way valve 72 is

  mutated so as to open the tube 17 to the atmosphere when

  of step S210, and a waiting time period of

  determined is marked in step S203. In that case,

  since the ink in the feed tube 17

  tion is under a negative pressure, when the tube 17 is open, the ink is sucked back towards

  the side of the secondary tank 12 and the air is introduced

  duit into the feed tube 17. Then, the cap 3A applies to the discharge port in step S205, the solenoid valve 8 is opened in step S207 and

  pump 6 is started at step S209.

  In this case, air fills the feed tube 17. Therefore, when a negative pressure suction is made in this state by the pump 6, air is discharged in one go from the discharge port 2, and the flow resistance opposed by the path is significantly reduced, which establishes a large suction force. Therefore, the causes of a bad discharge, present in the

  ink supply path between the secondary reservoir

  12 and the discharge port 2, ie foreign materials such as bubbles present in the filter 30 or at an angle or an elbow of the path

  can be safely removed.

  In the arrangement shown in Fig. 23, a three-way valve is placed between the filter 30 of the ink supply tube 17 and the head 1 to direct the flow path of the ink. However, opening means, such as a solenoid valve, may be provided in place of this three-way valve to open the ink flow path. Alternatively, as shown by the dotted line L in FIG. 23, a three-way valve can be placed between the

  filter 30 of the ink supply tube and the reservoir

  see secondary 12. The three-way valve may also be arranged in a position to open the liquid chamber present in the head 1, for example a position indicated by a dotted line I on

  FIG. 23. These opening means can be manipulated

  manually by the operator when the process

refurbishment is performed.

  When the pump 6 operates to suck ink from the discharge port 2 while the supply tube 17 is open to the atmosphere,

  the effect of this embodiment is improved.

  In addition, this embodiment can also be

  effectively applied to a device in which the

  Ink treatment does not use a negative pressure.

  The introduction of air can be effected by means of pressure given using a three-way valve

or the like.

  Fig. 26 shows another example of a main body of another embodiment of

  the apparatus according to the invention. In this form of reali-

  the discharge of the ink is carried out by

  discharge port having a high resistance to flow, without introduction of air into the discharge port, for

  thus a process of rehabilitation.

  In reference to FIG. 26, a connecting tube 82 starts from a feed tube 17. A connected portion 86, which can be connected by means of a cap 3A, is formed on the distal end of the connecting tube 82. A three-way valve 80 is placed on the branch portion to steer

  the flow of the ink from the secondary reservoir

  12, between the side of the head 1 and the side of the

connected part 86.

  A vent valve 5A is provided in the middle of a tube 5 opening to the atmosphere. The vent valve A reacts to the operation of a lever 9 and can be closed by a portion 9B of this lever 9. An ink absorber 3B is provided in a cap 3A for retaining the ink, and is made of a porous material having the property of absorbing liquids. It should be noted that the cap 3A is generally made of a material of the rubber type, such as a rubber

silicone and butyl rubber.

  A filter 30 is placed in the middle of the ink supply tube 17 to retain foreign matter, such as dust, present in the feed ink, thereby preventing foreign matter from flowing to the side of the ink. the recording head 1. A residual ink absorber 16 is housed in a cartridge 13 in order to receive the residual ink sucked by the pump 6 and passing through a

tube 10 of residual ink.

  Fig. 27 shows the arrangement of a control system of the apparatus of the embodiment shown in Fig. 26. A control device 500, for example a microcomputer with a central processing unit, a read only memory, a memory

  live, etc., orders the respective parties in

  to the processing sequence stored in the read-only memory, and actuates the head 1 according to the image data received from a central unit or the like, so as to execute a recording. A paper PS sensor

  detects the presence of a recording sheet P.

  When the PS sensor detects a sheet of paper, the control device 500 actuates a cylinder 21 via a paper feed mechanism 21A comprising a paper feed motor,

  to control the paper feed operation.

  A carriage position sensor CS detects the posi-

  The control device 500 drives the carriage 22 or controls the feeding of the carriage 22 to the rest position or the like by means of a carriage motor 22A, in accordance with data from FIG.

  detected position from the CS sensor.

  The control device 500 uses a transfer mechanism 7 comprising, in addition to a toothed wheel 7A and a cam 7B, a driving element, such as a motor, for the transfer of a connection orifice 3 . With the aid of the transfer mechanism 7, the control device 500 positions the connection orifice 3 with respect to the head 1 as a function of a signal coming from a contact of a switch 11. Means 1205 and 1255 control and display are provided on the control panel shown in Figure lB. A position sensor LS may be arranged to work in association with a lever 9 or a contact 6A of the pump. In addition, the device 500 controls the switching of the three-way valve 80

  for a refurbishment process.

  Figure 28 shows an example of a process

  refurbishment performed by the device 500 of

  Fig. 27. First, when the carriage 22 is placed in the home position while the power supply source is in circuit, or at an appropriate time in a registration process, the head 1 is moved to connection port 3

  and the capping operation is performed in step S301.

  In this case, the solenoid valve 8 is closed.

  In this state, the lever 9 is moved from the off-work position to a work position and is released in step S303. At this time, the vent valve 5A is closed and the suction of the ink is executed according to the movement of the lever 9 towards the

position in work.

  Then, a solenoid valve 8 is opened for a predetermined period of time to open the atmosphere connection port at step S305, after which the connection port 3 is separated from the head

  1 at step S307, the carriage 22 is driven to oppose

  connect a connected part 86 to the connection port 3

  Capping is performed and a three-way valve 80 is controlled to direct the flow of the ink to the side of the connected portion 86. Then the lever 9 is operated at step S309 and a suction process is performed. from the side of the connected portion 86 is executed. In other words, during this operation, the ink is discharged at once from the connected portion 86 whose resistance to flow

  is weaker. As a result, the causes of a bad

  discharge in the ink supply path from the secondary reservoir 12 to at least the

  three-way valve 80, for example foreign materials

  such as bubbles in the filter

  or at an angle or an elbow of the feeding

  in ink, can be safely removed.

  After this aspiration process, the electro-

  valve 8 is open for a predetermined period, in step S311, the capping is performed on the head 1 and the flow path is connected, by the three-way valve 80, to the side of the head 1 to the step S313, which completes the process and puts a

following process of registration.

  In this embodiment, a first

  suction operation from the head 1 is effected

  killed and then a second aspiration operation

  from the connected portion 86 is performed. How-

  this second suction operation can be

  when necessary, for example,

  when the first suction operation is insufficient. Moreover, in this embodiment, the pump 6 and the connection port 3 serve as common means for effecting ink suction.

  from the head 1 and the connected part 86.

  However, separate pumps and connecting portions may be provided, and the suction path may be selected by switching a three-way valve. In addition, the connecting tube from the three-way valve can lead directly to the tube

42 2589788

suction 4 or pump 6.

  In addition, the connected portion 86 can be integrated in the head 1, as shown in Fig. 29. In this case, the control can be performed more easily.

  In the foregoing description, this

  The invention is applied to a serial type ink jet recording apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied to any type of apparatus

  ink-jet recording system which performs a recording

  by ink spray from discharge ports. For example, the present invention may be

  applied to a multiple complete device

  so many discharge units spanning the

  width of a sheet of recording paper.

  In the previous description, the setting

  running the pump and so on is done manually. However, given drive means can be used easily for start-up

  pump and others during the order.

  As previously described, in accordance with

  the invention, a recording apparatus can be

  ink jet in which sufficient flow velocity is maintained without increasing the dimensions of the apparatus, thereby permitting

  a reliable landfill reclamation process.

  In accordance with the present invention,

  foreign materials in a feed path

  connected to a discharge port, such as bubbles or dust in the feed path filter or in an elbow or

  angle of this feed path, can be eliminated.

  appropriately mined by flowing fluid

high speed.

  According to the invention, the foreign materials present in an ink supply path connected to a discharge port, such as bubbles or dust present in the filter of the feed path or in an angle or elbow of this supply path, can be appropriately eliminated by putting into circulation a

  ink does not pass through an oppo-

  with high resistance to flow.

  According to the invention, a gas can be easily introduced from an opening in the ink supply path to discharge the ink at high speed with this gas and thereby discharge

  the ink quickly and safely.

  According to the invention, the ink is

  put into circulation at high speed with a gas introduced

  in an ink supply path, to the inte-

  a discharge port, to eliminate the causes of a bad discharge, such as clogging of the discharge port, as well as to appropriately remove foreign matter in the feed path in ink connected to the discharge port, such as bubbles or dust in a filter of the feed path or

  in an elbow or an angle of this path.

  According to the invention, once air is introduced through a connection, it appropriately enters an ink supply path without being reabsorbed, even when the

  discharge is released and when the ink is to be discharged

  it flows at high speed with the gas introduced

  in the ink supply path inside the discharge port, so that the causes of a bad discharge, such as clogging of the discharge port, can be eliminated, and that foreign objects in the ink supply path connected to the discharge port, such as bubbles or dust present in the filter of the feed path or in an elbow or an angle of this feed path, may be eliminated from

appropriate way.

  According to the invention, before a gas is introduced into a supply path in

  ink by repeated connection / sup-

  pressure of the connection of the discharge port, the ink can be discharged to fill connecting means so that it is possible to obtain a pressure rise sufficient for the introduction of air and that the ink s 'flows at high speed and is

  discharged with the gas introduced into the feed path

  the discharge port, so that the causes of a bad discharge, such as clogging of the discharge

  be removed, and that foreign materials pre-

  in the ink supply path connected to the discharge port, such as bubbles or

  dust in the feed path filter

  tation or at an angle or bend of this feed path.

  may be deleted in an appropriate manner.

  In accordance with the invention, an ink discharge operation is performed to discharge ink from one. discharge port to restore the discharge, and a simple operation of holding an ink-containing element in a second mounting position is performed concurrently with the ink discharge process, so that that the ink supply path can be securely blocked, thus assisting in the execution of a delivery process

  in the state of the discharge to raise the flow velocity

  fluid in the feed path.

Claims (45)

  An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink from a recording head (1), characterized in that it comprises a path (15, 4, 5 ) branching from a midpoint of an ink supply path (17) through which ink feeds   the recording head, and means for eliminating   foreign materials, present in the ink supply path, by draining the ink by said branch path.   2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized   in that the connection path communicates   with the ink supply path by a valve.   3. Ink jet recording apparatus,   characterized in that it comprises a head (1) for recording   with an orifice (2) for discharging ink, means for introducing air from the discharge port to the inside of the recording head, said introducing means comprising a part ( 3) connection covering the orifice   discharged by being connected to the recording head   transfer means (7) for connecting the connecting portion to the recording head or separating it from said head, and control means (200, 300, 400 or 500) for controlling the operation. connection or separation performed by the transfer means for the latter to repeatedly perform this operation several times, means being intended to discharge the ink and / or air introduced to from said discharge port.   4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized   characterized in that the discharge means comprises suction means (6, 15) connected to a connecting portion connectable to the discharge port.   5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized   characterized in that the connecting portion comprises a cap (3A) for protecting the discharge port in the absence of printing.   6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting portion and the cap   are made in one piece.   Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized   characterized in that the cap has an element (3B) intended to absorb the ink.   Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized   in that the connecting part comprises   an element (16) for absorbing the ink.   Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized   characterized in that the recording head has an opening (2A) in a surface (1A) of the head   which has said discharge port, said opening   having a section greater than that of the discharge port and communicating with the ink supply path through which ink is supplied to the head   registration, said opening being able to be   green by said connection portion without connection with the ink discharge.   An ink jet recording apparatus for discharging ink from a recording head (1) to a recording medium (P) for recording, characterized in that has a connecting part (3) which can be connected to the recording head, means   (7) for connection to connect the connecting part   a control means (200, 300, 400, 500) for controlling the transfer means for connecting the connection portion to the head and the head of the recording head and separating it from the head.   separate from the head, said control means introduced   a gas from the discharge orifice (2) of the recording head towards the inside of this head by the connection of said connecting portion to the head, opening / closing means (8) making communicating the interior of the connection portion with the atmosphere before the connection is broken, and means (6) for discharging a gas introduced into the discharge port by   same time as the ink coming from the hole charge.   11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the opening / closing means include a valve.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting part comprises   a cap (3A) for covering the hole   charge. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting portion is   made in one piece with the cap.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the recording head has an opening (2A) in a surface (1A) in   which is the discharge port, the said opening   having a section greater than that of the discharge port and communicating with the ink supply path of the recording head, the opening being covered by said connecting portion without connection with said registration.   15. Ink jet recording apparatus   for discharging ink from an orifice (2) of   charge, characterized in that it comprises a path (15, 4, 5)   connection in the middle of a feed path   ink supply providing ink to a recording head (1), one end of the connection path   leading to the atmosphere, a connecting part (3)   intended to cover the discharge port by being connected to the recording head, and a pump (6) for producing a suction force on the ink supplied to the recording head and / or on a gas introduced into the ink supply path from the discharge port, the portion   connection and the connection path.   16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the connection path has opening means (8) capable of communicating the midpoint of the ink supply path with the atmosphere.   17.Apparatus according to claim 15,   characterized in that the ink supply path   carries ink storage means (13) that assume the function of an ink supply source, and a storage member (12) for storing   provisionally ink from said means of em-   storage to supply ink to said discharge port. 18. Ink jet recording apparatus   for discharging ink from a recording head (1)   recording to a recording medium (P) for recording, characterized in that it comprises a connection part (3) which can be connected to the recording head, means (7)   for connecting said connecting part   the recording head and to separate it from the head, control means (200-500) for   order the means of transfer to connect   the connecting part to the orifice (2) of   charge and separate it from this orifice, and to introduce a gas inside the discharge orifice by said connection, means (6) for discharging from said discharge orifice a liquid present inside said orifice, and discharge control means for causing said connecting portion to connect to the discharge port prior to connection for said gas introduction, to control said discharge means.   Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the discharge means comprise   means (4, 6) connected to the connection part.   20. Ink jet recording apparatus   for discharging an ink from an orifice (2) of   charging a recording head (1) to a recording medium (P) for recording, characterized in that it comprises limiting means provided in the middle of an ink supply path through which ink is supplied to the recording head to limit the amount of ink   supplied to the recording head, means of introduction   ducting for rendering negative the pressure of the portion between the limiting means and the recording head during the intervention of the limiting means to suck and introduce a gas from the discharge port, and means (6) for discharging intended to stop the limiting intervention after the introduction of the gas to unload   the gas introduced at the same time as the ink.   Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized   characterized in that the insertion means comprise suction means and an element intended to make   communicate the suction means with said part.   22. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the discharge means comprise a connection part (3) which can be connected to the discharge orifice and which communicates with the means introduction. Z589788   Apparatus according to claim 20,   characterized in that the limiting means comprises a valve (SA).   Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the limiting means comprises an element for retaining an end of the ink supply path in a first mounting position in which ink from an element (20) for storing ink is evacuated, and holding said end in a second mounting position   in which the evacuation of the ink is blocked.   Apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the ink storage element comprises a pocket (20) in which ink is stored, and a sealing member (19) made of an elastic material. , the ink supply path comprising a hollow-shaped needle (18) said first end.   26. A method of repairing an ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that it consists in connecting to a recording head (1) a connecting part (3) intended to cover an orifice (2) discharging by which the head (1) discharges ink, separating the connecting portion from the recording head, and then connecting said connecting portion to the recording head after ink was introduced into a suction path that communicates the connection portion with a pump (6) for applying a suction force used to perform a suction operation of the ink from the discharge port passing through said connecting portion, and then opening opening / closing means (8) for communicating the interior of the connection portion with the atmosphere while the connecting portion is connected to the recording head after a period predetermined time from the aspiration operation, to communicate the interior of the part of the   connection with the atmosphere, at the same time as ration is performed.   27. Rebuilding method according to the   26, characterized in that the means for opening   ture / closure are opened immediately before   the connecting part is separated from the recording head   and are closed when the connecting part is   is connected to the recording head.   28. Rebuilding method according to the   26, characterized in that the connection / separation operations of the connecting part are done several times.   29. Rebuilding method according to the   26, characterized in that means for indicating   introduction of air are intended to indicate the completion   of the connection / separation operation of   the connecting part to or from the recording head is lying.   30. Rebuilding method according to the   26, characterized in that an absorbing element (3B)   of ink, capable of storing ink, is   provided in said connecting portion.   31. Rebuilding method according to the   26, characterized in that at least a portion of the connecting portion is made of a material   chosen between silicone rubber and butyl rubber.   32. Rebuilding method according to the   26, characterized in that the opening means   closure comprise a solenoid valve (8).   33. Rebuilding method according to the   26, characterized in that several means   opening / closing are provided.   34. A method of repairing an ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that it consists in connecting to a recording head (1) a connecting part (3) intended to cover an orifice (2) discharging the head (1), then negating the pressure of an ink supply path by means of a pump (6) via the connecting portion, provided that the path through which ink feeds the recording head is closed or the amount of ink flowing in   this path decreases and then open means (8) to open   ture / closure to communicate the interior of   the connection part with the atmosphere, and   then kill the suction operation of the air and / or ink from the discharge port through the connection portion, by means of a suction force produced by the pump, to provided that the opening / closing means are closed, after   turning on the ink supply path.   35. The method of claim 34, wherein   in that the closure of the feed path   in ink or the decrease in the amount of ink is   lant in this path is obtained by the movement of a   cartridge (13) for storing ink.   36. Rebuilding method according to the   34, characterized in that an ink absorbing member (3B) for storing ink,   is provided in the connection part.   37. A method of restoration according to claim 34, characterized in that at least a portion of the connecting portion is made of a material selected between silicone rubber and butyl rubber.   38. Reconditioning method according to   claim 34, characterized in that the means of   opening / closing include a solenoid valve (8).   39. Rebuilding method according to the   34, characterized in that the closing of the ink supply path or the decrease of the quantity of ink flowing in this path is ensured by means of means of limitation.   40. Rebuilding method according to the   39, characterized in that the limiting means include a solenoid valve.   41. Rebuilding method according to the   34, characterized in that means (8) for   opening / closing of the suction pipe are   to communicate with the atmosphere a suction path that connects the connecting portion to the pump. 42. Rebuilding method according to   41, characterized in that the means of   opening / closing of the suction line are   green when the pump is running to make   negative pressure of the ink supply path.   43. Rebuilding method according to the   41, characterized in that the means for opening   ture / closure of the suction line include a solenoid valve (8).   44. Process for the refurbishment of an ink jet recording apparatus, characterized   in that it consists in connecting to a head (1) of recording   recording a connecting portion (3) for covering an ink discharge hole (2) of the head, then closing the path through which ink feeds the recording head, and opening means (8); ) opening / closing to communicate the connection part with the atmosphere, to put then 25897? 88   running a pump (6) for producing a force   used to perform a suction operation.   ration in which ink is sucked from   the discharge port through the connecting part   provided that a suction path passing through the connecting part is established with   the pump and then turn on the suction path.   and the ink supply path, to close   said opening / closing means and following the suction operation.   45. A method of repairing an ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that it consists in connecting to a recording head (1) a connecting part (3) intended to cover an orifice (2) discharging ink from the head (1), then opening means (8) for opening / closing   to communicate the inside of the connecting part   with the atmosphere, while the connecting part   is in the connected state, then close a   ink supply path of the recording head   to reduce the amount of ink fed to the head, and then to start a pump (6) for producing a suction force through which ink is drawn from the discharge port through the part connection provided that the supply path is in communication with a path   the connection part of the connection   with the pump, then conduction of the feed path and closing the opening / closing means, and then disconnecting the communication between the suction path and the feed path and then the pump running.