JP2003311997A - Inkjet recorder and method of supplying ink - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a whole structure and to reduce the cost by reducing the number of components. <P>SOLUTION: A main tank 9 is equipped with an ink pack 61 connected to a sub-tank 7 with an ink supply tube 10 and a sealed vessel 62 accommodating the ink pack 61. A pump 71 for pressurizing the ink pack 61 is coupled to the sealed vessel 62. The pump 71 is driven by virtue of a reciprocating operation of a carriage 1. The ink is supplied to the sub-tank 7 provided on the carriage 1 from the main tank 9 by the pressure to the main tank by virtue of the driving. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having two main and sub ink tanks (main tank and sub tank) for supplying ink to a recording head, and an ink supply method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an ink jet recording apparatus is a recording head mounted on a carriage and moving in the width direction of a recording sheet, and a sheet for relatively moving the recording sheet in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the recording head. And a feeding means. In such an ink jet recording apparatus,
Printing on the recording paper is performed by ejecting ink droplets from the recording head based on the print data. A recording head capable of ejecting black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks, for example, is mounted on the carriage to enable not only text printing with black ink but also full-color printing by changing the ejection ratio of each ink. .

Conventionally, in this type of ink jet recording apparatus, a main tank as an ink cartridge is arranged on the apparatus main body side (cartridge holder) and a sub tank is arranged on a carriage on which a recording head is mounted. A device is provided. And
Ink is supplied from each main tank to each sub-tank via an ink supply tube, and ink is further supplied from each sub-tank to each recording head.

In such a recording apparatus, in order to improve throughput, ink is sequentially supplied from each main tank to each sub-tank while printing is performed, and ink is supplied from each sub-tank to each recording head. Functions that provide stable supply are required.

As means for satisfying such a function, for example, by pressurizing an ink pack in the main tank with an air pressure pump, an ink flow is generated from the main tank to the sub-tank, and the sub-tank is generated. A configuration that enables ink supply (supply) is preferably adopted.

[0006]

However, the ink jet recording apparatus described above requires a dedicated motor for driving the air pressure pump to supply the ink from the main tank to the sub tank, so that the number of parts is reduced. However, there is a problem in that not only the structure becomes complicated and the entire structure becomes complicated, but also the cost becomes high.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a technical problem, and it is possible to reduce the number of parts, thereby simplifying the entire structure and reducing the cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording device and an ink supply method thereof.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, which has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, is equipped with a carriage capable of reciprocating between a printing area and a non-printing area. An ink jet type recording head that ejects ink droplets corresponding to print data and two main and sub tanks for supplying ink to the recording head are provided. The main tank has an ink supply tube in the sub tank. An ink pack connected via the ink pack, and a hermetic container for containing the ink pack, a pump for pressurizing the ink pack is connected to the hermetic container, and the pump is driven by the reciprocating motion of the carriage, Due to the pressure applied to the ink pack by this drive, the ink is transferred from the main tank to the sub tank arranged on the carriage. And supplying the.

With this structure, when the ink pack in the closed container is pressurized by driving the pump by the carriage operation, an ink flow is generated from the main tank to the sub tank to supply the ink. Therefore, since a dedicated motor conventionally required as a drive source for the ink supply pump is not required, the number of parts can be reduced, and the overall structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Here, the pump has a pump body that forms an air chamber and a bag-shaped elastic body that communicates with the air chamber of the pump body, and the elastic body is pressed by the reciprocating motion of the carriage.・ It is desirable to expand and contract by releasing the pressure. With this configuration, when the carriage presses the elastic body during the forward movement of the carriage, the internal volume of the elastic body decreases due to the contraction of the elastic body. On the other hand, when the carriage releases the pressure on the elastic body when the carriage returns, the elastic body expands to increase its internal volume and functions as a pump.

Further, it is preferable that the carriage is provided with a protrusion for pressing the elastic body in a non-printing area. With this configuration, the carriage moves forward in the non-printing area, and the elastic body is pressed by the protrusion. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a first one-way valve for supplying air pressure from the pump into the closed container. With this structure, when the internal volume of the elastic body decreases due to the contraction of the elastic body, the pressure inside the pump rises, and along with this, the first one-way valve is opened to supply air pressure into the closed container. Then, the ink pack in the closed container is pressurized.

Further, it is desirable to have an atmosphere opening / closing valve for connecting / disconnecting the inside and outside of the pump body by driving the pump. With such a configuration, the atmosphere opening / closing valve is opened / closed by driving the pump, and the inside and outside of the pump body are communicated / blocked.

Further, it is desirable to have a pressure adjusting valve for opening the internal pressure of either the pump body or the hermetically sealed container to the atmosphere at a predetermined pressure or higher. With this configuration, when the internal pressure of the pump body or the hermetically sealed container becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure, the pressure adjusting valve opens. On the other hand, when the internal pressure of the pump or the airtight container becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure, the pressure adjusting valve closes.

Furthermore, a structure having a second one-way valve for supplying ink from the main tank to the sub tank can be adopted. With this configuration, when the second one-way valve opens during ink supply, ink is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank.

It is desirable that the pressure applied by the pump is set in accordance with the head difference between the main tank and the sub tank and the fluctuating pressure in the ink supply tube. With such a configuration, when the pump is driven, the pressure corresponding to the head difference between both tanks and the fluctuating pressure in the ink supply tube is supplied into the closed container.
For this reason, it is possible to pressurize the ink pack in the closed container to supply the ink from the main tank to the sub tank and prevent the ink supply shortage to the sub tank.

Further, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is
It is desirable that the sub-tank is arranged at a position higher than the water head position. With this configuration, negative pressure is generated on the recording head side during printing, and ink from the main tank is supplied to the recording head from the sub tank.

On the other hand, in the ink supply method for the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, the pump is driven by the forward movement of the carriage from the print area side to the non-print area side, and the ink pack is driven by the drive of the pump. Ink is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank by pressurizing.

According to such a method, the ink is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank by pressurizing the ink pack in the closed container by driving the pump by the carriage operation. Therefore, a dedicated motor that has been conventionally required as a drive source for the ink supply pump is not required, so that the number of parts can be reduced, and an ink supply method that can achieve simplification of the entire structure and cost reduction can be obtained. it can.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An ink jet recording apparatus and an ink supply method for the same according to the present invention will be described below.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the outline of the basic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the ink supply system from the ink cartridge to the recording head in the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

A carriage indicated by reference numeral 1 in the drawing is mounted on a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2. Then, it is configured to be guided by the guide member 4 to reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the paper feeding member 5, that is, in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper. An ink jet recording head 6 (shown in FIG. 2) is mounted on the lower surface of the carriage 1 so as to face the paper feed member 5. Further, on the non-printing area side of the carriage 1, a protrusion 1a for pressing the elastic body of the pump is provided.
(Illustrated in FIG. 2) is provided.

The printing by the recording head 6 on the printing paper (not shown) on the paper feeding member 5 is performed by the carriage 1.
The area on the paper feed member 5 where this printing is performed is called "printing area". On the other hand, an area where printing is not performed is called a "non-printing area".

Further, on the carriage 1, closed sub tanks 7a to 7d for supplying ink from the main tanks 9a to 9d to the recording head 6 are mounted. Four sub tanks 7a to 7d are provided corresponding to the respective inks of black, yellow, magenta and cyan in order to temporarily store the respective inks therein. Further, the head positions of the sub tanks 7a to 7d (ink surface in the case of an open type sub tank) are arranged at a position higher than the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6. Each ink is supplied from the main tanks 9a to 9d as ink cartridges loaded in the cartridge holder 8 arranged in the apparatus main body, through the ink supply tube 10 made of a flexible material. There is.

The sub-tanks 7a to 7d are shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), two upper and lower tanks 7
It is formed by A and 7B. The tank 7A is connected to the recording head side, and the tank 7B is connected to the main tank side. A check valve 79 as a one-way valve is arranged in the tank 7A. Then, during printing, a negative pressure is generated on the recording head side to open the check valve 79, and ink from the main tanks 9a to 9d is supplied to the recording head 6 from the sub tanks 7a to 7d.

A part of the tank 7B is formed of a flexible film. The internal volume is increased or decreased by the elastic deformation due to the pressure change in the tank 7B, and the ink amount in the sub tanks 7a to 7d is changed. Although a part of the sub-tanks 7a to 7d is formed of the flexible film, the whole of the sub-tanks 7a to 7d may be formed of the flexible film.

On the other hand, a capping means 11 capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 is arranged in a non-printing area (home position) on the moving path of the carriage 1. A head cap 11a made of a flexible material such as rubber capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 is arranged on the upper surface of the capping means 11. When the carriage 1 moves to the home position, the head cap 11a can seal the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6.

The head cap 11a functions as a lid for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 during the rest period of the recording apparatus and preventing the nozzle openings from drying. Although not shown in the figure, one end of a tube of a suction pump (tube pump) is connected to the head cap 11a, and a negative pressure generated by the suction pump is applied to the recording head 6 to cause the recording head 6 to operate. A cleaning operation for sucking and discharging the ink from is executed. A wiping member 12 made of an elastic material such as rubber is arranged adjacent to the printing area side of the capping means 11 so that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 can be wiped and cleaned as needed. There is.

Since nozzle cleaning is performed in the area on the head cap 11a, the area on the head cap 11a in the moving range of the recording head 6 in the main scanning direction is called a "cleaning area". In the main scanning of the recording head 6 (carriage 1), the main tank 9a to the non-printing area side above the head cap 11a.
Since the ink is supplied from the 9d to the sub tanks 7a to 7d, this area is referred to as an "ink supply area".

Next, the ink supply system of the recording apparatus constructed as above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the main tanks 9a to 9d
Is formed by an ink pack 61 connected to the sub-tanks 7a to 7d via the ink supply tube 10 and a closed container 62 housing the ink pack 61. The ink pack 61 contains black, yellow, cyan, or magenta ink. In the airtight container 62, an air chamber 62a is formed which is connected to a later-described air pressure pump via an air pressure supply tube 10a.

The ink pack 6 is provided in the main tanks 9a to 9d and the ink supply tube 10.
Check valves (one-way valves) 63 to 65 for supplying the ink in 1 to the sub tanks 7a to 7d are arranged.
Then, the valve is opened by pressurizing the ink pack 61 by driving a pump (described later) (increase in pressure in the air chamber 62a). The sub tanks 7a to
The main tanks 7d and the main tanks 9a to 9d are represented simply by the reference numerals 7 and 9 in FIG. 2, respectively, and will be described below by representative reference numerals 7 and 9, respectively.

On the other hand, the main tank 9 (air chamber 62
The pump 71, which is connected to a) via the air pressure supply tube 10a, is arranged in the non-printing area (ink supply area) shown in FIG. The pump 71 is a pump that can pressurize the ink pack 61 in the air chamber 62a and has a pump body 72 and an elastic body 73.

The pressure applied by the pump 71 is set in accordance with the head difference between the main tank 9 and the sub tank 7 and the fluctuating pressure in the ink supply tube 10. As a result, a pressure corresponding to the head difference between the tanks 7 and 9 and the fluctuating pressure in the ink supply tube 10 is supplied into the closed container 62 when the pump is driven. Therefore, it is possible to pressurize the ink pack 61 in the closed container 62 to supply the ink from the main tank 9 to the sub tank 7 and prevent the ink from being insufficiently supplied to the sub tank 7. The internal pressure of the pump 71 (the pump main body 72 and the elastic body 73) is set to the pressure (atmospheric pressure) outside the pump before driving the pump.

The pump body 72 has an air chamber 72 inside.
a, and is entirely formed by a rectangular box-shaped rigid member. In addition, the pump body 72 includes the air chamber 7
First circulation port 72b opening inside and outside 2a to fourth circulation port 7
2e is provided.

The elastic body 73 is formed by a bag-like member made of, for example, a bellows, which communicates with the air chamber 72a. When the ink is supplied, the protrusion 1a is pressed and released by the reciprocating motion of the carriage 1 to expand and contract in the horizontal axis direction to increase or decrease the internal volume. That is, when the carriage 1 moves forward to the non-printing area side during ink supply, the protrusion 1a presses the elastic body 73 to contract (compress) in the horizontal axis direction, and the internal volume thereof decreases. On the other hand, when the carriage 1 moves back to the printing area side when ink is supplied, the pressing of the protrusion 1a against the elastic body 73 is released and the carriage 1 extends in the horizontal axis direction (elastically returns), and the internal volume increases.

A circulation portion 74 which is open to the atmosphere is provided at the outer peripheral edge of the first circulation port 72b. A regulator (pressure adjustment valve) 7 is provided in the middle of the circulation portion 74.
5 are arranged. Then, the valve is opened when the internal pressure of the air chamber 72a is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure and closed when the internal pressure of the air chamber 72a is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure to adjust the internal pressure of the air chamber 72a to a pressure within a predetermined range.

A cylindrical casing 51 having a bottom and communicating with the inside of the air chamber 72a is arranged at the outer peripheral edge of the second circulation port 72c. In this casing 51,
A circulation port 51a that opens to the atmosphere is provided. Further, in the casing 51, an atmosphere opening / closing valve 52 capable of opening / closing the circulation port 51a and a spring (tension spring) 53 interposed between the atmosphere opening / closing valve 52 and the opening peripheral edge of the second circulation port 72c. It is arranged. The atmosphere opening / closing valve 52 closes (blocks the inside and outside of the pump 71) by expanding the elastic body 73 by driving the pump 71 (forward movement of the elastic body 73), and drives the pump 71 (elastic body 73). When the elastic body 73 contracts (returns) due to the backward movement of the pump 71, the valve is opened (the inside and outside of the pump 71 are communicated). The atmosphere opening / closing valve 52 is used for the pump 7
The valve is opened before the driving of No. 1.

A cylindrical casing 55 having a bottom and communicating with the inside of the air pressure supply tube 10a is disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the third circulation port 72d. The casing 55 has a circulation port 55 that opens into the air chamber 72a.
a is provided. Further, in the casing 55, a one-way valve 56 that can open and close the third flow port 72d and a spring 57 (compression spring) that biases the one-way valve 56 in the valve closing direction are arranged. The one-way valve 56 is opened by contraction of the elastic body 73 due to the drive of the pump 71 (forward movement of the elastic body 73), and the elastic body due to drive of the pump 71 (returning movement of the elastic body 73). 7
The valve is configured to be closed by extension (return) of 3.

The spring constant of the spring 57 is set to be larger than the spring constant of the spring 53. Accordingly, when the elastic body 73 moves forward (contracts), the spring 53 is expanded to close the atmosphere opening / closing valve 52, and then the spring 57 is contracted to open the one-way valve 56. Further, when the elastic body 73 is returned (extended), the spring 57 is expanded to close the one-way valve 56, and then the spring 53 is contracted to open the atmosphere opening / closing valve 52.
Is configured to open. The elastic body 73 facing the protrusion 1a of the carriage 1 is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the fourth circulation port 72e.

Next, the ink supply method (ink supply from the main tank to the sub tank) of the ink jet recording apparatus in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
An explanation will be given using (e). 4A to 4E are views for explaining the ink supply method in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the configuration is schematically shown. In the ink supply method of the present invention, the steps of "contracting operation of the pump" and "expanding operation of the pump" are sequentially performed, and therefore, these steps will be sequentially described. The carriage 1 before the "pump contraction operation" is assumed to be arranged outside the ink supply area.
Further, the atmosphere opening / closing valve 52 is opened, and the one-way valves 56, 63 are opened.
˜65 and the pressure adjusting valve 75 are closed.

[Pump Contraction Operation] First, the carriage 1 at the position (outside of the ink supply area) indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 4A is moved in the direction of arrow a1 to move to the position indicated by the solid line (ink). (Inside the supply area). In this case, when the carriage 1 moves forward, the protrusion 1 a moves in the forward direction and contacts the elastic body 73 of the pump 71.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the carriage 1 is slightly moved in the direction of arrow a1. In this case, when the carriage 1 moves forward, the protrusion 1a slightly moves in the forward direction to press the elastic body 73, and the elastic body 73 of the pump 71 contracts in the horizontal axis direction according to the pressing amount ( Compress. Therefore, the internal volume of the pump 71 (the air chamber 72a and the elastic body 73) decreases, and the pressure inside the pump 71 rises above atmospheric pressure. Along with this, the atmosphere opening / closing valve 52 is closed and the inside of the pump 71 is sealed.

In this state, the carriage 1 is further moved in the direction of arrow a1 as shown in FIG. 4 (c).
In this case, when the carriage 1 moves forward, the protrusion 1a further moves in the forward direction to press the elastic body 73, and the elastic body 73 contracts (compresses) in the horizontal axis direction according to the pressing amount. Therefore, the internal volume of the pump 71 (the air chamber 72a and the elastic body 73) further decreases, and the pressure in the pump 71 rises according to this amount of decrease. Along with this, the one-way valve 56 is opened, and the rising pressure in the pump 71 is increased by the air chamber 62 of the main tank 9 via the air pressure supply tube 10a.
Then, the ink pack 61 in the air chamber 62a is pressurized. As a result, the check valves 63 to 65 are opened, an ink flow is generated from the main tank 9 to the sub tank 7, and ink is supplied.

[Pump Extension Operation] First, as shown in FIG. 4D, the carriage 1 is slightly moved back in the direction of arrow a2. In this case, when the carriage 1 is moved back, the protrusion 1a slightly moves in the returning direction while pressing the elastic body 73, and the elastic body 73 expands in the horizontal axis direction according to the movement amount. Therefore, the internal volume of the pump 71 (the air chamber 72a and the elastic body 73) increases, and the pressure inside the pump 71 decreases. Along with this, the one-way valve 56 is closed and the inside of the pump 71 is sealed. At this time (immediately before closing the one-way valve 56), the pressure adjusting valve 75 is opened, and the pressure in the pump 71 drops to atmospheric pressure. Along with this, the pressurization of the ink pack 61 by the pump 71 is stopped. As a result, the one-way valves 63 to 65 are closed, and the supply of ink from the main tank 9 to the sub tank 7 is stopped. In addition, the pressure adjustment valve 7
The atmosphere opening / closing valve 52 is opened by opening the valve 5 in the air chamber 72.
a communicates with the atmosphere.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4E, the carriage 1 is further moved back in the direction of arrow a2. In this case, when the carriage 1 retreats, the protrusion 1a further moves in the retreating direction while pressing the elastic body 73, and the elastic body 73 of the pump 71 extends in the horizontal axis direction and returns to the natural length.

In this way, the pump drive is executed through the steps of the "pump contraction operation" and the "pump extension operation", and the main tanks 9a to 9d to the sub tanks 7a to 7 are carried out.
It is possible to supply the ink to d and stop the supply thereof. The pump drive described above is performed by moving the carriage 1 back and forth within the ink supply area as needed. The pressure adjusting valve 75 is configured to open when the pressure inside the closed container 62 becomes abnormal due to a failure of the one-way valve 56 or the like and the internal pressure of the air chamber 72a becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a dedicated motor conventionally required as a drive source for the ink supply pump is not required, so that the number of parts can be reduced, the overall structure can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced. You can

In this embodiment, the case where the one-way valve (check valve 79) is arranged in the sub-tank 7 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The sub-tank 7 may be connected to 6 via the auxiliary tank 80, and may be arranged between the sub-tank 7 and the auxiliary tank 80.

In the present embodiment, the case where the check valve 79 is used as the one-way valve has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the differential pressure valve 81 as shown in FIG. Self-sealing valve 91 as shown in FIG.
It may consist of

The differential pressure valve 81 shown in FIG. 6 has a through hole 81a and is formed of an elastically deformable film piece such as an elastomer. The differential pressure valve 81 is biased in the valve closing direction by a spring 83, and its outer peripheral edge is fixed to a casing 84. When the pressure on the recording head side decreases, the differential pressure valve 81 separates from the valve seat portion 84a against the biasing force of the spring 83 (the through hole 81a opens), so that the sub tank 7 (shown in FIG. 5) This ink is configured to flow into the auxiliary tank 80 (shown in FIG. 5) through the through hole 81a. Further, when the ink pressure on the recording head side rises to a predetermined value, the differential pressure valve 81 is seated on the valve seat portion 84a by the urging force of the spring 83, and the flow of ink is cut off.

On the other hand, the self-sealing valve 91 shown in FIG. 7 has a valve body 92 having a substantially T-shaped cross section, and a part of this valve body 92 is inserted into the through hole 93a of the partition wall 93 to allow the inside of the casing 94. It is housed freely in and out. The valve body 92 has a through hole 93a.
Seating portion 92 that can be seated on the peripheral edge of the opening (sealing portion 93b)
a, and is constantly urged by a spring 95 in a direction such that the seat portion 92a is seated on the seal portion 93b. Further, film members 96 and 97 for sealing the ink supply chamber 94a and the pressure chamber 94b in the casing 94 are attached to both sides of the valve body 92.

In such a self-sealing valve 91, the elastic force W1 of the spring 95 and the ink supply chamber 9 in the non-printing state.
The ink pressure P1 in 4a is applied to the valve body 92 to close the valve. Further, in the printing state, the film member 97 is displaced toward the partition wall 93 side as the ink in the pressure chamber 94b is consumed, and the valve body 92 is pressed by this displacement force Wd. Then, when the ink in the pressure chamber 94b is further consumed,
Negative pressure P2 is generated in the pressure chamber 94b. In this case, when the force relationship between the ink pressure P1, the negative pressure P2, the elastic force W1 and the displacement force Wd is P2> W1 + P1 + Wd, the valve body 92 is formed.
The (seating portion 92a) is separated from the seal portion 93b, and the self-sealing valve 91 is opened.

Besides, in the present embodiment, the case where the pressure adjusting valve 75 is connected to the air chamber 72a on the pump side has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is connected to the air chamber on the main tank side. Even if it does, the same effect as an embodiment is produced. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the one-way valve 56 for supplying the air pressure from the pump 71 into the closed container 62 is arranged on the pump side has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the main tank side. It may be placed at.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the head position of the sub tank 7 is applied to a position higher than the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also applicable to a recording apparatus in which the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is arranged at a position higher than the head position of the sub tank. In this case, by arranging the recording head and the sub tank so that ink is supplied from the sub tank to the recording head by the negative pressure generated on the recording head side during printing, the one-way valve (check valve) required in the embodiment 79) is unnecessary.

[0052]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus and the ink supply method for the same according to the present invention, the number of parts can be reduced, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Can be planned.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a basic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an ink supply system from an ink cartridge to a recording head in the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are a cross-sectional view and a side view showing a sub-tank of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E are schematic diagrams shown for explaining an ink supply method of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view shown for explaining another ink supply system from the main tank to the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view shown for explaining another one-way valve (1) used between the sub tank and the recording head of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view shown for explaining another one-way valve (2) used between the sub tank and the recording head of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Carriage 1a Projection 2 Carriage Motor 3 Timing Belt 4 Guide Member 5 Paper Feeding Member 6 Recording Heads 7a to 7d Sub Tank 8 Cartridge Holders 9a to 9d Main Tank (Ink Cartridge) 10 Ink Supply Tube 10a Air Pressure Supply Tube 51 Casing 51a Flow Port 52 atmosphere open / close valve 53 spring 55 casing 55a flow port 56 one-way valve 61 ink pack 62 closed container 62a air chambers 63 to 65 check valve 71 pump 72 pump body 72a air chamber 72b first flow port 72c second flow port 72d second Third flow port 72e Fourth flow port 73 Elastic body 74 Flow section 75 Regulator (pressure adjustment valve) 79 Check valve

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A carriage capable of reciprocating between a printing area and a non-printing area, an ink jet recording head mounted on the carriage for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to print data, and an ink for the recording head. And two main and sub tanks for supplying ink, the main tank includes an ink pack connected to the sub tank via an ink supply tube, and a closed container for containing the ink pack. A pump for pressurizing the ink pack is connected to the container, the pump is driven by the reciprocating motion of the carriage, and the main tank is disposed on the carriage by the pressurization of the ink pack by the drive. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by supplying ink to a sub tank. 2. The pump has a pump body that forms an air chamber, and a bag-shaped elastic body that communicates with the air chamber of the pump body, and the elastic body presses by the reciprocating motion of the carriage.
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus expands and contracts when the pressure is released. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the carriage is provided with a protrusion that presses the elastic body in a non-printing area. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first one-way valve for supplying air pressure from the pump into the closed container. . 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an atmosphere opening / closing valve that connects and disconnects the inside and outside of the pump body by driving the pump. 6. The pressure adjusting valve according to claim 2, further comprising a pressure adjusting valve for opening the internal pressure of either the pump body or the closed container to the atmosphere at a predetermined pressure or higher. Inkjet recording device. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second one-way valve for supplying ink from the main tank to the sub tank. . 8. The pressure applied by the pump is set in correspondence with the head difference between the main tank and the sub tank and the fluctuating pressure in the ink supply tube. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 7. 9. The ink jet recording according to claim 1, wherein a nozzle forming surface of the recording head is arranged at a position higher than a water head position of the sub tank. apparatus. 10. The ink supply method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump is driven by moving the carriage from a print area side to a non-print area side. An ink supply method for an ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that the ink is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank by driving the pump and pressurizing the ink pack by driving the pump.