JP2000015829A - Method for injecting liquid, and liquid-injecting apparatus where the method is used - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent undesired air bubbles from mixing in a recording head by supplying a liquid to a liquid storage part through a liquid discharge part of the recording head filled with the liquid and discharging the inside air to the outside through a communication hole. SOLUTION: This liquid-injecting apparatus stores inside an ink tank case 2 an ink-absorbing body 4 for absorbing an ink to be filled. A recording head 6 is molded together with the ink tank case 2. A connection member 8 is selectively kept in tight touch with an ink discharge opening formation face 6a of the recording head 6, to which an injection pump 10 is connected via an ink feed passage 14. Moreover, an ink feed passage 16 is connected in the middle of the ink feed passage 14 to communicate with an ink feed tank 12. An ink INK is stored by a predetermined amount in the ink feed tank 12 through the ink discharge opening formation face 6a of the recording head 6. The air in the ink tank case 2 is discharged outside via a communication hole 2a at an upper part of the ink tank case 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a liquid injection method capable of injecting liquid into a liquid storage unit integrally formed with a recording head, and a liquid injection apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus having an ink cartridge having a recording head for performing a recording operation on a recording surface of a recording medium has been put to practical use. In the ink cartridge, an ink tank serving as a liquid storage unit in which the ink absorber is housed, and a recording head that supplies ink in the ink absorber and discharges the ink are integrally formed. The ink tank has a communication hole that communicates the internal space in which the ink absorber is accommodated with the outside air.

In filling the ink into the ink absorber in the ink tank, the ink is introduced into the ink tank and the recording head from the ink discharge port side of the recording head so that the ink is introduced through the communication hole. Alternatively, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-5-338196, after the internal pressure of the ink tank and the recording head is reduced to a vacuum state, the communication hole provided in the ink tank or the communication hole provided in the ink tank is separately provided. A method has been proposed in which ink is filled into an ink tank and a recording head through an ink injection hole.

[0004]

However, as described above, when the ink is filled after the internal pressure of the ink tank and the recording head is reduced to a vacuum state, the pressure in the ink tank and the recording head is reduced. When the pressure is returned to the vicinity of the atmospheric pressure after a predetermined amount is filled, a part of the external air may be trapped as bubbles in the recording head.

In such a case, the bubbles may adversely affect the normal recording operation of the recording head. Therefore, it is necessary to forcibly discharge the bubbles to the outside.

In order to forcibly discharge the bubbles to the outside, a recovery device for normally recovering the ejection of the recording head is used. The recovery device is provided, for example, in an inkjet recording device.

When a recovery device is used to perform a recovery process, the recording head is sucked or a preliminary ink ejection operation of the recording head is performed, so that the amount of waste ink consumption increases. .

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid injection method capable of injecting a liquid into a liquid storage unit integrally formed with a recording head, and a liquid injection apparatus using the same. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid injection method capable of efficiently injecting a liquid into a liquid storage unit without mixing undesired bubbles in a recording head, and a liquid injection apparatus using the same. I do.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injection method comprising a communication hole for communicating an outside with an inside of a recording medium. A first step of supplying a predetermined amount of liquid so that the inside of the liquid ejection unit of the recording head that ejects liquid is formed integrally with the liquid storage unit that ejects the liquid while storing the liquid used for And a second step of further supplying the liquid to the liquid storage section through the liquid discharge section of the recording head filled with the liquid in the first step and discharging the internal air to the outside through the communication hole. You.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injecting method which has a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, and which is integrated with a liquid storing portion for storing the liquid used for recording on the recording medium and sending out the liquid. A recording head that discharges the liquid, a first step of sucking and removing air in the liquid storage section, and a liquid so that the liquid discharge section of the recording head sucked in the first step is filled with the liquid. And a third step of further supplying the liquid to the liquid storage unit through the liquid ejection unit of the recording head filled with the liquid in the second step.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injecting method, comprising: a plurality of liquid storing sections each having a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, storing the liquid used for recording on the recording medium and sending out the liquid. A first step of suction-eliminating air in the plurality of recording heads and the plurality of liquid storage sections, each of which is formed integrally with the recording head, and a liquid in the liquid ejection section of each recording head sucked in the first step. A second step of supplying a predetermined amount of liquid so as to be filled, and a third step of further supplying liquid to each liquid storage section through the liquid ejection section of each recording head filled with liquid in the second step. It is comprised including.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injection method which has a communication hole for communicating the outside with the inside, stores the liquid used for recording on the recording medium, and integrates the liquid with the liquid storage unit for sending the liquid. A first step of suction-eliminating the air in the recording head and the liquid reservoir formed to discharge the liquid and a predetermined amount of the liquid so that the liquid discharge section of the recording head sucked in the first step is filled with the liquid. A second step of supplying the liquid and a third step of directly supplying the liquid into a liquid storage unit formed integrally with the recording head filled with the liquid in the second step are provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injecting method, wherein a plurality of liquid reservoirs having a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside are used for storing a liquid used for recording on a recording medium and sending out the liquid. A first step of suction-eliminating air in a plurality of liquid ejection sections and a plurality of liquid storage sections of a plurality of recording heads, each of which is formed integrally with the head, and ejecting liquid of each recording head sucked in the first step A second step of supplying a predetermined amount of liquid so that the inside of the unit is filled with the liquid, and supplying the liquid directly to each liquid storage unit formed integrally with each recording head filled with the liquid in the second step And a third step.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injection method.
In the liquid injection method according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the liquid ejection section of the recording head is arranged downward along the direction of gravity to inject the liquid.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injection method, wherein ink is injected from an ink discharge port of an ink jet recording head into an ink jet cartridge in which an ink jet recording head and an ink tank are integrated.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid injection method, the pressure inside the ink jet cartridge in which the ink jet recording head and the ink tank are integrated is reduced, and then the ink is injected from the ink discharge port of the ink jet recording head. I do.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injection method.
Alternatively, in the liquid injection method according to claim 8, the ink ejection port of the ink jet recording head is arranged downward along the direction of gravity to inject the ink.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injecting apparatus having a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, the liquid used for recording on a recording medium is stored, and the liquid is sent out. A connection portion connected to a liquid ejection portion of a recording head that ejects liquid formed integrally with the portion,
A liquid supply unit for supplying a predetermined amount of liquid; and a liquid supply unit for supplying liquid to the liquid discharge unit and the liquid storage unit of the recording head through the liquid discharge unit and the connection unit. And a control unit for releasing air to the outside.

The liquid injection device according to the eleventh aspect has a communication hole having a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, and is integrated with a liquid storage portion for storing the liquid used for recording on the recording medium and sending the liquid. A liquid supply unit configured to supply a predetermined amount of liquid, a connection unit connected to a liquid discharge unit of a recording head configured to discharge liquid, and a suction unit connected to the communication hole; A suction device that suctions and eliminates air in the head and the liquid storage unit through the suction unit, and discharges liquid to the liquid discharge unit and the liquid storage unit of the recording head after the suction device performs a suction removal operation. And a control unit for performing an operation of supplying the liquid to the liquid supply unit so as to supply the liquid through the unit and the connection unit.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injecting device having a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, the liquid being used for recording on the recording medium and being integrated with the liquid storing portion for sending out the liquid. A liquid supply unit that has a connection unit connected to the liquid ejection units of a plurality of recording heads that eject liquid and that performs an operation of supplying a predetermined amount of liquid; and a suction unit that is connected to each communication hole. A suction device that suctions and eliminates air in the recording head and the liquid storage unit through the suction unit, and causes the suction device to perform a suction elimination operation, and then causes the liquid ejection unit and each liquid storage unit of each recording head to In order to supply the liquid through the liquid ejection unit and the connection unit, a control unit that performs an operation of supplying the liquid to the liquid supply unit is provided.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid injecting device which has a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, and is integrated with a liquid storing portion for storing the liquid used for recording on the recording medium and sending out the liquid. A liquid supply unit that has a connection unit connected to the liquid ejection units of a plurality of recording heads that eject liquid and that performs an operation of supplying a predetermined amount of liquid; and a suction unit that is connected to each communication hole. A suction device that sucks and eliminates air in the recording head and the liquid storage unit through the suction unit, and a predetermined amount that fills each liquid ejection unit in the liquid supply unit after the suction device performs a suction elimination operation. And a control unit for performing an operation of supplying the liquid through the liquid ejection unit and the connection unit, and performing an operation of directly supplying the liquid into each liquid storage unit.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid injecting device according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the suction unit of the suction device communicates with a chamber in which a plurality of recording heads and a plurality of liquid storage units are arranged. It is characterized by doing.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid injecting apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the liquid supply unit includes a tank for measuring a predetermined amount of liquid to be supplied.

A liquid injection device according to a sixteenth aspect is the liquid injection device according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the liquid ejection portion of the recording head is disposed downward along the direction of gravity. The liquid is injected.

A liquid injection device according to a seventeenth aspect is the liquid injection device according to the liquid injection method according to the seventh aspect, wherein a mechanism for measuring and injecting an amount of ink to be injected into each inkjet cartridge, and an inkjet device. A connection member that can be in close contact with the periphery of the ink discharge port of the recording head of the cartridge.

The liquid injecting device according to claim 18 is the liquid injecting device of the liquid injecting method according to claim 8, wherein a vacuum pump for depressurizing the inside of the ink jet cartridge and an amount to be injected into each ink jet cartridge. And a connecting member capable of closely adhering to the periphery of the ink discharge port of the recording head of the ink jet cartridge.

The liquid injection device according to claim 19 is the liquid injection device according to claim 17 or 18,
The ink discharge port of the recording head is arranged downward along the direction of gravity, and the ink is injected therein.

[0028]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a liquid injection apparatus to which a first embodiment of a liquid injection method according to the present invention is applied.

An ink cartridge into which ink as a liquid is injected by a liquid injection device includes, for example, an ink tank case 2 containing an ink absorber 4 for absorbing the ink to be filled, and an ink tank case 2. And a recording head 6 molded into the recording medium.
The ink tank case 2 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and has a communication hole 2a at an upper portion for communicating the internal space with the outside air.

The recording head 6 has a known structure of, for example, a bubble jet type, and the ink contained in the ink absorber 4 inside the ink tank case 2 is sequentially supplied at a predetermined timing. It is configured to include a liquid chamber and an ink discharge port forming surface 6a on which a plurality of ink discharge ports to which ink from the common liquid chamber is respectively supplied through the respective ink flow paths are formed. In each ink channel,
Heating the ink to form ink droplets as ink droplets 6a
A heater as an electrothermal converter ejected from the heater is provided.

The liquid injection device includes a connection member 8 selectively connected in close contact with the ink discharge port forming surface 6a of the recording head 6, and an ink supply path 1 having one end connected to the connection member 8.
4 includes an infusion pump 10 connected to the other end and an ink supply tank 12 connected to the other end of an ink supply path 16 connected to the ink supply path 14 at one end.

The connecting member 8 has a connecting surface portion 8a which is selectively brought into close contact with the ink discharge port forming surface 6a.

The ink supply path 14 includes an ink supply path 14
An electromagnetic valve 18 for controlling the opening and closing of the valve is provided. The ink supply path 16 is provided with a solenoid valve 20 that controls opening and closing of the ink supply path 16. Solenoid valves 18 and 20
Are of a two-port type, for example, and are controlled by a control unit 22 described later.

The injection pump 10 controls the ink IN
A pressure chamber in which a predetermined amount of K is accommodated, a piston member 10P arranged in the pressure chamber for sucking and discharging ink INK,
And a drive motor 28 for reciprocating the piston member 10P with a predetermined stroke in the pressure chamber via an eccentric cam mechanism (not shown).

The volume of the ink sucked into the pressure chamber is set, for example, equal to or slightly larger than the amount injected into the ink tank case 2 and the recording head 8. I have.

The drive motor 28 is controlled by a control unit 22 described later.

The ink supply tank 12 has an injection pump 1
A predetermined amount of the ink INK fed by 0 is stored.

In addition to the above configuration, a control unit 22 for controlling the operation of the solenoid valves 18 and 20 and the drive motor 28 is provided.

The control unit 22 is supplied with a work start command signal Si indicating a command for starting an injection operation from a host computer for managing the operation of the liquid injection device. At this time, it is assumed that the ink absorber 4 has not yet absorbed the ink.

The control unit 22 first closes the solenoid valve 18 based on the work start command signal Si,
A control signal CS indicating a closed state to set 0 to an open state
A and a CSB representing an open state are formed, and they are supplied to the solenoid valve drive circuit unit 24. The solenoid valve drive circuit 24 forms a drive signal DA and a drive signal DB based on the control signals CSA and CSB, respectively, and supplies them to the solenoid valves 18 and 20. Further, the control unit 22 forms a control signal CP for causing the piston member 10P to perform a suction operation, and supplies the control signal CP to the pump drive circuit unit 26. The pump drive circuit 26 receives the control signal C
A drive signal P1 is formed based on P and supplied to the drive motor. Thus, the output shaft of the drive motor 28 is rotated in the forward direction by a predetermined rotation angle, and the piston member 10P performs the suction operation.

Next, the control unit 22 opens the solenoid valve 18 and closes the solenoid valve 20, so that the control signal CSA indicating the open state and the control signal CS indicating the closed state are provided.
B and supply them to the solenoid valve drive circuit 24. Further, the control unit 22 forms a control signal CP for causing the piston member 10P to perform a discharging operation, and supplies the control signal CP to the pump drive circuit unit 26. Thus, the solenoid valve 18 is opened and the solenoid valve 20 is closed, the output shaft of the drive motor 28 is rotated in the opposite direction by a predetermined rotation angle, and the piston member 10P performs a discharging operation.

As a result, a predetermined amount of ink from the injection pump 10 is supplied into the recording head 6 and the ink tank case 2 via the connecting member 8 and the ink discharge port forming surface 6a. At this time, the air remaining in the recording head 6 and the ink tank case 2 is pushed out by the ink and is discharged outside through the communication hole 2a.

Accordingly, the ink INK is efficiently injected into the recording head 6 and the ink tank case 2, and the possibility that a part of the air becomes air bubbles and enters the recording head 6 is also avoided.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the liquid injection method according to the present invention.
1 shows a schematic configuration of a liquid injection device to which the embodiment of FIG.

In FIG. 1, a predetermined amount of ink INK is injected from the ink discharge port forming surface 6a side of the recording head 6 without suctioning the air in the ink tank case 2 and the recording head 6. In FIG. After the air in the ink tank case 2 and the recording head 6 has been sucked in advance,
A predetermined amount of ink INK is injected from the ink ejection port forming surface 6a side of the recording head 6.

In the example shown in FIG. 2 and other examples to be described later, the same components as those in the example shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

In FIG. 2, the measuring tank 40 having one end connected to the other end of the ink supply path 42 connected to the connecting member 8 and the other end of the ink supply path 44 having one end connected to the inside of the measuring tank 40. An ink supply tank 34 connected to the
A collection tank 38 for collecting ink discharged from the discharge path 40 a of the measuring tank 40, a liquid feed pump 36 provided at the other end of a discharge path 48 having one end connected to the collection tank 38, and a suction path 54. And a vacuum pump 32.

The distal end of the connection member 50 connected to the communication hole 2a of the ink tank case 2 has a structure to be selectively brought into close contact with the communication hole 2a. Further, the tip is in communication with the relief passage 52. One end of a suction passage 54 is connected to the relief passage 52.

The suction passage 54 is provided with a pressure sensor 58 for detecting the degree of vacuum in the suction passage 54 sucked by the vacuum pump 32. Electromagnetics for controlling the opening and closing of the suction passage 54 are provided between the pressure sensor 58 and the vacuum pump 32 in the suction passage 54 and between the other end of the relief 52 passage where the suction passage 54 is connected and the other end. A valve 60 and an electromagnetic valve 56 for controlling the opening and closing of the relief passage 52 are provided, respectively. Solenoid valve 56
And 60 are respectively controlled by a control unit 68 described later.

The measuring tank 40 has a storage chamber in which a predetermined amount of ink INK from the ink supply path 44 is stored. The maximum amount of ink INK1 stored in the measuring tank 40 is set to the maximum value of the amount of ink to be injected into the recording head 6 and the ink tank case 2. When the ink INK is supplied from the ink supply path 44 exceeding the maximum storage amount, the ink INK1 is collected in the collection tank 38 through the discharge path 40a. In the measuring tank 40, a liquid level sensor 66 for detecting the liquid level of the ink INK1 is provided at a predetermined position near the bottom of the measuring tank 40. The liquid level sensor 66 sends out a detection output signal Ss when detecting the liquid level. In addition,
The position of the liquid level sensor 66 is set according to the injection amount of the ink INK1.

The ink INK2 discharged from the measuring tank 40 and stored in the recovery tank 38 is supplied to the suction side of the liquid feed pump 36 provided at the other end of the discharge passage 48.
The discharge side of the liquid feed pump 36 is connected to one end of the return passage 46. The operation of the liquid sending pump 36 is controlled by a control unit 68 described later.

The other end of the return passage 46 is connected to the ink supply tank 34. Thus, when the liquid supply pump 36 is activated, the ink IN in the collection tank 38 is
K2 is returned to the ink supply tank 34 through the return passage 46. The installation position of the ink supply tank 34 is higher than the installation position of the measuring tank 40.

The ink supply paths 42 and 44 are provided with solenoid valves 62 and 64 for controlling the opening and closing of the respective supply paths.

In addition to this configuration, in the present embodiment, the vacuum pump 32, the liquid sending pump 36, the solenoid valves 56, 6
Control unit 68 for controlling the operation of 0, 62 and 64
It has.

The control unit 68 includes a work start command signal Si indicating a command to start an injection operation from a host computer for managing the operation of the liquid injection device, and a pressure sensor 58.
And a detection output signal Ss from the liquid level sensor 66 are supplied.

The control unit 68 first sets the solenoid valve 60 to the open state, and sets the solenoid valve 56 and the solenoid valve 62 to the closed state, respectively, so that the control signal CS1 indicates the open state, the control signal CS2 indicates the closed state, and , CS3 and supply them to the solenoid valve drive circuit 74.
The solenoid valve drive circuit 74 includes a control signal CS1, a control signal C
Based on S2 and CS3, drive signals D1, D2,
And D3 are formed, and these are connected to the solenoid valve 60, the solenoid valve 5
6 and to the solenoid valve 62.

At this time, the control unit 68 controls the electromagnetic valve 64
Is generated for a predetermined short period, a control signal CS4 indicating the open state is formed, and the control signal CS4 is supplied to the solenoid valve drive circuit section 74. The solenoid valve drive circuit 74 forms a drive signal D4 based on the control signal CS4, and supplies the drive signal D4 to the solenoid valve 64. In addition, the control unit 68 forms a control signal CPL so as to bring the liquid feed pump 36 into an operating state and supplies the control signal CPL to a liquid feed pump drive circuit unit (hereinafter, referred to as an LP drive circuit unit) 72. The LP drive circuit section 72 forms a drive signal PL based on the control signal CPL, and supplies the drive signal PL to the liquid sending pump 36.

As a result, the solenoid valve 64 operates for a predetermined short period of time.
Since the ink tank is opened, a predetermined amount of the ink INK in the ink supply tank 34 is supplied into the measuring tank 40 due to a difference in height, and the ink INK2 in the collection tank 38 is returned to the ink supply tank 34 via the return passage 46. It will be. During the period in which the electromagnetic valve 64 is in the open state, an amount obtained by adding a correction amount in consideration of a measurement error to the maximum storage amount of the measurement tank 40 is set to be supplied to the measurement tank 40.

The control unit 68 includes the vacuum pump 3
A control signal CPV is formed to make 2 an operating state, and is supplied to a vacuum pump drive circuit unit (hereinafter referred to as a VP drive circuit unit) 70. The VP drive circuit unit 70 forms a drive signal PV based on the control signal CPV, and supplies it to the vacuum pump 32.

When the pressure is reduced to a predetermined degree of vacuum, for example, 740 mmHg or less based on the detection output signal Sp, the control unit 68 transmits a control signal CS3 indicating the open state to the electromagnetic valve 62 so as to open the electromagnetic valve 62. The supply of the control signal CPV to the drive circuit unit 74 is stopped.

As a result, the solenoid valve 62 is opened, and a predetermined amount of the ink INK1 in the measuring tank 40 is supplied to the recording head 6 via the ink discharge port forming surface 6a of the recording head 6 and the connecting member 8 according to the differential pressure. 6 and the ink tank case 2.

At this time, when the detection output signal Ss is supplied, the control unit 68 sets the electromagnetic valve 62 and the electromagnetic valve 60
Are respectively set to the closed state, control signals CS1 and CS3 representing the closed state are formed, and these are supplied to the solenoid valve drive circuit section 74.

Next, the control unit 68 forms a control signal CS2 indicating the open state so as to open the solenoid valve 56, and supplies the control signal CS2 to the solenoid valve drive circuit unit 74.

As a result, the pressure in the ink tank case 2 is made equal to the pressure of the outside air.

Therefore, also in the present embodiment, similarly, the ink INK1 is efficiently injected into the recording head 6 and the ink tank case 2, and a part of the air may enter the recording head 6 as bubbles. Is also avoided.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a liquid injection apparatus to which a third embodiment of the liquid injection method according to the present invention according to the present invention is applied.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the ink is injected into one ink cartridge. In FIG. 3, the ink is injected into a plurality of ink cartridges at the same time. Note that, in FIG. 3 and an example described later, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the example shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, a plurality of ink tank cases 2 and recording heads 6 are arranged on a base 76. The base 76 has a through hole 76b into which the recording head 6 and the connecting member 8 selectively connected to each other are fitted, and a concave portion 76a communicating with the through hole 76b.

The plurality of ink tank cases 2 and the recording heads 6 are covered by a chamber case 78 disposed on a base 76 via a seal member 80. A connection port 78a connected to one end of the relief passage 52 is provided in an upper portion of the chamber case 78. Thus, when the vacuum pump 32 is activated and the inside of the chamber case 78 is sucked, the air inside the ink tank cases 2 and the recording head 6 is sucked and discharged through the communication holes 2a.

The other ends of the branch supply paths 42A, 42B and 42C, one ends of which are connected to the respective connection members 8, are connected between the solenoid valve 62 and the connection member 8 in the ink supply path 42. As a result, the ink INK1 supplied into the ink supply path 42 is supplied through the branch supply paths 42A, 42B, and 42C by a predetermined amount into the other recording heads 6 and the respective ink tank cases 2 (shown in FIG. 3). Is not supplied).

Therefore, also in this embodiment, the ink INK1 is efficiently injected and controlled by the control unit 68 in the same manner as in the above-described example, so that the plurality of recording heads 6 and the ink tank case 2 can be efficiently used. And at the same time, it is possible to avoid the possibility that a part of the air becomes air bubbles and enters the recording heads 6.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of a liquid injection apparatus to which a fourth embodiment of the liquid injection method according to the present invention according to the present invention is applied.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a predetermined amount of the ink INK1 in the measuring tank 40 is supplied to each recording head 6 and the ink tank case 2 via the connecting member 8 and the ink discharge port forming surface 6a. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4, a part of the ink INK1 in the measuring tank 40 is injected into each recording head 6 through each connecting member 8 and each recording head 6, and The remaining ink INK1 is directly injected through each injection needle 86 and the ink branch supply paths 82, 82A to 82C.

In the upper part of the chamber case 78, a through hole 78b into which the injection needle 86 is press-fitted is provided adjacent to the connection port 78a so as to correspond to the communication hole 2a of the ink tank case 2. The tip of the injection needle 86 is inserted into the ink absorber 4 via the communication hole 2a of the ink tank case 2. A predetermined gap is formed between the periphery of the communication hole 2a and the outer periphery of the injection needle 86. One end of an ink branch supply path 82 is connected to the base end of the injection needle 86.
The other end of the ink branch supply path 82 is connected between the electromagnetic valve 62 and the measuring tank 40 in the ink supply path 42. The ink branch supply path 82 has an ink branch supply path 82
Is provided with an electromagnetic valve 84 for controlling the opening and closing of the valve. Solenoid valve 8
4 is controlled by the control unit 68.

Electromagnetic valve 84 in ink branch supply path 82
One end of each of the ink branch supply paths 82A, 82B, and 82C connected to each of the injection needles 86 corresponding to each of the ink tank cases 2 is connected between the ink and the injection needle 86.

In the measuring tank 40, the liquid level sensor 6
In addition to 6, a liquid level sensor 65 is provided at a position a predetermined distance above the set position of the liquid level sensor 66.

The position of the liquid level sensor 65 is a predetermined distance from the position of the liquid level at the maximum storage amount, for example, the recording head 6.
Is lowered by a height corresponding to a volume corresponding to a sufficient ink volume enough to be filled only in the inside. The liquid level sensor 65 sends a detection output signal Sm when detecting the liquid level.

Under such a configuration, the control unit 68
When injecting the ink INK1 in the measuring tank 40 into each recording head 6 and the ink tank case 2,
With the solenoid valve 56, the solenoid valve 62, and the solenoid valve 84 closed, the vacuum pump 32 is operated to
The control signal CPV is formed and supplied to the VP drive circuit unit 70. As a result, the air in each of the ink tank cases 2 and the recording head 6 is removed from the peripheral portion of the communication hole 2 a and the injection needle 8.
6 is removed by suction through a gap between the outer peripheral portion 6 and the outer peripheral portion.

When the pressure is reduced to a predetermined degree of vacuum, for example, 740 mmHg or less based on the detection output signal Sp, the control unit 68 transmits a control signal CS3 indicating the open state to the electromagnetic valve 62 so as to open the electromagnetic valve 62. The supply of the control signal CPV to the drive circuit unit 74 is stopped.

As a result, the electromagnetic valve 62 is opened, and a predetermined amount of the ink INK1 in the measuring tank 40 is supplied to the recording head 6 via the ink discharge port forming surface 6a of the recording head 6 and the connecting member 8 according to the pressure difference. 6 and the ink tank case 2.

At this time, when the detection output signal Sm is supplied, the control unit 68 first closes the solenoid valve 62 and opens the solenoid valve 84 so that the control signal CS3 indicating a closed state is opened. The control signal CS5 representing the state is supplied to the solenoid valve drive circuit 74. Solenoid valve drive circuit 74
Are based on control signals CS3 and CS5, respectively.
The drive signals D3 and D5 are supplied to the solenoid valves 62 and 84. As a result, the ink INK1 is supplied to the ink branch supply path 8
The ink is directly supplied to the ink absorber 4 through each injection needle 86 through 2, 82A, 82B, and 82C.

Next, when the detection output signal Ss is supplied, the control unit 68 forms a control signal CS1 indicating the closed state so as to close each of the solenoid valves 60, and transmits them to the solenoid valve driving circuit section. 74.

Subsequently, the control unit 68 controls the solenoid valve 56
The control signal CS2 representing the open state is formed to supply the electromagnetic valve drive circuit section 74 with the control signal CS2.

As a result, the pressure in the ink tank case 2 is made equal to the pressure of the outside air.

Therefore, the time when the ink INK1 is injected through the ink branch supply paths 82, 82A to 82C and the injection needle 86 is the same as the time when the ink INK1 is injected from the recording head 6 side in view of the pressure loss in the supply path. Since the time can be reduced as compared with the time, the predetermined amount of the ink INK1 to be injected into the ink tank case 2 can be more quickly injected.

The above-described example can of course be applied to a replacement tank type cartridge in which only the ink tank is replaced.

In the above-described example, the ink is injected into the ink tank case 2 and the recording head 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a processing liquid for insolubilizing the ink may be used. Needless to say, the present invention may be applied to the tank in which the water is stored.

[0088]

As is clear from the above description, according to the liquid injection method according to the first and seventh aspects of the present invention, a predetermined amount of liquid is supplied so that the liquid discharge portion of the recording head is filled with liquid. Supplying and further supplying the liquid to the liquid storage section through the liquid ejection section of the recording head filled with the liquid, and discharging the internal air to the outside through the communication hole, so that unwanted bubbles are mixed in the recording head. In addition, the liquid can be efficiently injected into the liquid storage unit. Therefore, the inside of the recording head is completely filled with liquid,
Air can be prevented from entering the recording head.

That is, for example, ink can be filled in a state in which no air is mixed in the recording head, and the occurrence of ejection failure of the recording head can be eliminated. For this reason, the number of recovery operations of forcibly discharging ink out of the print head by the recovery device provided in the printing apparatus main body can be greatly reduced, the ink flow rate can be eliminated, and the number of prints on the print medium can be increased. be able to.

Further, claims 2 to 5 and
According to the liquid injection method according to the eighth aspect, since the air in the recording head and the liquid reservoir is suctioned and eliminated, the air in the recording head is prevented from being mixed, and for example, the liquid is absorbed into the liquid absorber in the liquid reservoir. Can be impregnated and absorbed.
Further, the number of recordings on the recording medium can be increased.

According to the liquid injection device of the tenth and seventeenth aspects of the present invention, the operation of supplying the liquid to the liquid discharge part and the liquid storage part of the recording head through the liquid discharge part and the connection part is performed by the liquid supply part. Since the internal air is discharged to the outside through the communication hole, the liquid can be efficiently injected into the liquid storage section without undesired air bubbles entering the recording head. Therefore, the inside of the recording head is completely filled with the liquid, and it is possible to prevent air from being mixed into the recording head.

According to the liquid injecting device according to the eleventh to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, the air in the recording head is sucked out of the recording head and the liquid storage part, so that the air in the recording head is mixed. At the same time, for example, the liquid can be impregnated and absorbed in the liquid absorber in the liquid storage section.

Furthermore, according to the liquid injection method according to the sixth and ninth aspects, and the liquid injection apparatus according to the sixteenth and nineteenth aspects, it is difficult to form an air pool inside the recording head during the liquid injection, so that the liquid injection is ensured. It has the advantage that it can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid injection device to which a first embodiment of a liquid injection method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a liquid injection device to which a second embodiment of the liquid injection method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid injection device to which a third embodiment of the liquid injection method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid injection device to which a fourth embodiment of the liquid injection method according to the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 Ink tank case 2a Communication hole 6 Recording head 6a Ink ejection port forming surface 10 Injection pump 12 Ink supply tank 14, 16 Ink supply path 22, 68 Control unit 32 Vacuum pump 40 Measuring tank 78 Chamber case

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 EA15 EA25 EC16 EC18 EC19 EC32 EC41 EC49 EC57 EC62 EC64 KB15 KC16 KC18 KC21 KD08

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A liquid storage device for storing a liquid used for recording on a recording medium, having a communication hole communicating the outside and the inside, and integrally formed with a liquid storage unit for sending the liquid, discharging the liquid. A first step of supplying a predetermined amount of the liquid so as to fill the inside of the liquid ejection section of the recording head with the liquid, and further through a liquid ejection section of the recording head filled with the liquid in the first step. A second step of supplying the liquid to the liquid storage unit and discharging the internal air to the outside through the communication hole. 2. A liquid storage device which has a communication hole for communicating the outside with the inside, stores a liquid used for recording on a recording medium, and is formed integrally with a liquid storing portion for sending the liquid, and discharges the liquid. A first step of suction-eliminating the air in the liquid storage section, and a predetermined amount of the liquid so that the liquid ejection section of the recording head sucked in the first step is filled with the liquid. A second step of supplying the liquid, and a third step of further supplying the liquid to the liquid storage section through the liquid discharge section of the recording head filled with the liquid in the second step. Liquid injection method. 3. A liquid storage device having a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, the liquid used for recording on a recording medium is stored, and the plurality of liquid storage portions for sending the liquid are formed integrally with each other. A first step of suction-eliminating a plurality of recording heads for ejecting liquid and air in the plurality of liquid storage sections, and a liquid ejection section of each recording head sucked in the first step is filled with the liquid. A second step of supplying a predetermined amount of the liquid to the recording head; and a third step of further supplying the liquid to each liquid storage section through a liquid discharge section of each recording head filled with the liquid in the second step. And a liquid injection method comprising: 4. A liquid storage for storing a liquid used for recording on a recording medium and having a communication hole communicating between the outside and the inside, and formed integrally with a liquid storage unit for discharging the liquid, and discharging the liquid. A first step of suction-eliminating the air in the recording head and the liquid storage section, and supplying a predetermined amount of the liquid such that the liquid ejection section of the recording head sucked in the first step is filled with the liquid. A second step of supplying the liquid directly into the liquid storage unit formed integrally with the recording head filled with the liquid in the second step; Liquid injection method. 5. A liquid storage device having a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, the liquid used for recording on a recording medium is stored, and the plurality of liquid storage portions for sending the liquid are formed integrally with each other. A first step of sucking and removing air in the liquid ejection sections of the plurality of recording heads for ejecting liquid and the plurality of liquid storage sections, and the liquid ejection section of each of the recording heads sucked in the first step A second step of supplying the liquid in a predetermined amount so as to be filled with the liquid; and in the second step, the liquid is directly stored in each of the liquid reservoirs formed integrally with the recording heads filled with the liquid. And a third step of supplying a liquid. 6. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting section of the recording head is disposed downward along the direction of gravity to inject the liquid. Injection method. 7. A liquid injection method, wherein an ink is injected into an ink-jet cartridge in which an ink-jet recording head and an ink tank are integrated from an ink discharge port of the ink-jet recording head. 8. A method for injecting ink, comprising: reducing the pressure inside an ink jet cartridge in which an ink jet recording head and an ink tank are integrated; and injecting ink from an ink discharge port of the ink jet recording head. 9. The liquid injection method according to claim 7, wherein the ink discharge ports of the ink jet recording head are arranged downward along the direction of gravity to inject the ink. 10. A liquid storage for storing a liquid used for recording on a recording medium and having a communication hole communicating between the outside and the inside, and formed integrally with a liquid storage unit for discharging the liquid, and discharging the liquid. A liquid supply unit having a connection unit connected to a liquid ejection unit of the recording head to perform the operation of supplying a predetermined amount of the liquid; and a liquid ejection unit of the recording head through the liquid ejection unit and the connection unit. And a control unit for causing the liquid supply unit to perform an operation of supplying the liquid to the liquid storage unit and discharging the internal air to the outside through the communication hole. 11. A liquid storage for storing a liquid used for recording on a recording medium and having a communication hole communicating between the outside and the inside, and formed integrally with a liquid storage unit for discharging the liquid, and discharging the liquid. A liquid supply unit for supplying a predetermined amount of the liquid, the liquid supply unit having a connection unit connected to a liquid ejection unit of the recording head, and a suction unit connected to the communication hole. A suction device for sucking and removing air in the storage unit through the suction unit; and causing the suction device to perform a suction removal operation, and then transferring the liquid to a liquid ejection unit and a liquid storage unit of the recording head. And a controller configured to perform an operation of supplying the liquid to the liquid supply unit so as to supply the liquid through a discharge unit and a connection unit. 12. A liquid storage device which has a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, stores liquid used for recording on a recording medium, and is formed integrally with a liquid storing portion for sending the liquid, and discharges the liquid. A liquid supply unit for performing an operation of supplying a predetermined amount of the liquid, and a suction unit connected to each of the communication holes. A suction device that suctions and eliminates air in the recording head and the liquid storage unit through the suction unit; and after the suction device performs a suction elimination operation, the liquid ejection unit and each liquid storage unit of each recording head. To supply the liquid through the liquid ejection unit and the connection unit,
And a controller configured to perform an operation of supplying the liquid to the liquid supply unit. 13. A liquid storage device which has a communication hole for communicating the outside and the inside, stores liquid used for recording on a recording medium, and is formed integrally with a liquid storing portion for sending the liquid, and discharges the liquid. A liquid supply unit for performing an operation of supplying a predetermined amount of the liquid, and a suction unit connected to each of the communication holes. A suction device that suctions and eliminates air in the recording head and the liquid storage unit through the suction unit; and after the suction device performs a suction elimination operation, the liquid supply unit supplies a predetermined amount of air that fills each liquid ejection unit. A control unit configured to perform an operation of supplying a liquid through the liquid ejection unit and the connection unit, and to perform an operation of directly supplying the liquid into each of the liquid storage units. apparatus. 14. The suction device according to claim 12, wherein the suction unit of the suction device communicates with a chamber in which the plurality of recording heads and the plurality of liquid storage units are arranged.
3. The liquid injection device according to 3. 15. The liquid injection device according to claim 10, wherein the liquid supply unit includes a tank for measuring a predetermined amount of the liquid to be supplied. 16. The liquid according to claim 10, wherein the liquid ejection portion of the recording head is disposed downward along the direction of gravity to inject the liquid. Infusion device. 17. The liquid injection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the mechanism is configured to measure and inject an amount of ink to be injected into each of the inkjet cartridges, and the ink of a recording head of the inkjet cartridge. A liquid injection device, comprising: a connection member that can be in close contact with the periphery of the discharge port. 18. The liquid injection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a vacuum pump for reducing the pressure inside the ink jet cartridge and an amount of ink to be injected into each ink jet cartridge are measured. A liquid injection device comprising: a mechanism for injecting ink; and a connecting member that can be in close contact with a periphery of an ink ejection port of a recording head of the ink jet cartridge. 19. The liquid injection device according to claim 17, wherein the ink ejection port of the recording head is disposed downward along the direction of gravity to inject the ink.