JP2005193482A - Liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid injection device which can block the back flow of a liquid during transportation. <P>SOLUTION: In this liquid injection device, check valves 38, 86 to 90 are installed in tubes T5, T7 to T11 connected between a first and a second ink cartridge 9 and 10 (ink packs B, C, M, Y, LC and LM) and a carriage 7 respectively. Consequently, when the first and the second ink cartridge 9 and 10 sides are positioned on the lower side than the carriage 7 during carrying or positioning a printer 1 longitudinally, it is possible to prevent an ink inside the tubes T5, T7 to T11 from flowing back to the first and the second ink cartridge 9 and 10 sides by the drawing effect of a negative pressure generated in the tubes T5, T7 to T11 on the first and the second ink cartridge 9 and 10 sides viewed from the sides of the check valves 38, 86 to 90. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus is widely known as one of liquid ejecting apparatuses. This ink jet recording apparatus includes a so-called off-carriage type in which an ink container provided in an ink cartridge is connected to a recording head via an ink supply tube. In this off-carriage type, the ink container is pressurized by sending pressurized air into the ink cartridge by a pressure pump or the like. Under this pressure application, the ink stored in the ink container is pumped toward the recording head via the ink supply tube, whereby the ink is supplied to the recording head. Then, the supplied ink is ejected onto the recording paper as ink droplets from the nozzle openings of the recording head for recording.

  In general, in an ink jet recording apparatus, in order to reduce ink ejection failure, a cleaning operation is performed to discharge bubbles, thickened ink, and the like from a nozzle opening of a recording head as appropriate using a cleaning pump.

Various off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatuses that perform such ink supply operation and cleaning operation with the same pump have been proposed. (For example, Patent Document 1).
As shown in FIG. 7, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 described in Patent Document 1 includes an ink tank 102 that houses a flexible ink bag 101. The ink bag 101 is connected to the recording head 105 via a tube 104 connected to the ink supply port 103 of the ink bag 101 of the ink tank 102. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 is provided with a cap 106 that receives the ink discharged from the recording head 105. The cap 106 is connected to the pressure port 109 of the ink tank 102 via the tube 107 and the pump 108. Furthermore, a valve 112 that appropriately opens the ink tank 102 and a pressure sensor 113 that detects the pressure in the ink tank 102 are connected to the discharge port 110 of the ink tank 102 via a flow path 111. Further, a stopper 114 that blocks or releases the flow of ink in the tube 104 is provided in the middle of the tube 104.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100, when the pump 108 is driven with the stopper 114 opened, ink and air are sent from the cap 106 into the ink tank 102 through the tube 107. As a result, the pressure in the ink tank 102 rises, the ink bag 101 is crushed, and ink is supplied to the recording head 105 via the tube 104.

In the ink jet recording apparatus 100 formed in this way, when the recovery operation is performed, after the tube 104 is shut off by the stopper 114 and the pump 108 is operated, when the ink tank 102 reaches a predetermined pressure, the stopper 114 is opened. As a result, the ink flows into the recording head 105 all at once, and the ink and bubbles in the ink flow out from the nozzle portion of the recording head 105 to perform the pressure recovery operation.
JP 2001-162838 A

  Meanwhile, in recent years, off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatuses may be carried away or placed vertically with the ink tank 102 removed as the size thereof is reduced. At this time, in order to prevent ink from being ejected when the ink tank 102 is inserted and removed, the air in the ink tank 102 is opened, and the pressure inside the ink tank 102 is made zero.

  However, in the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the ink in the tube 104 becomes negative pressure when being carried or placed vertically, the ink in the tube 104 flows backward toward the ink tank 102 and the ink leaks. There was a fear. Further, when the ink in the recording head 105 flows backward to the ink tank 102 and flows out, air flows in from the recording head 105, and the ink remaining slightly in the recording head 105 is in a dry state. This is a cause of clogging of nozzles provided in the head 105.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of preventing a backflow of liquid when being carried or the like.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid storing unit that stores a liquid, a liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid, and the liquid stored in the liquid storing unit is supplied to the liquid ejecting head. In the liquid ejecting apparatus having a liquid supply path for performing a check, a check valve that permits the supply of the liquid in the liquid supply path from the liquid storage means only to the liquid ejecting head side is provided in the liquid supply path. Prepared.

  According to this invention, since the check valve is provided in the liquid supply path, the liquid does not flow backward from the liquid ejecting head side to the liquid storing means side. Therefore, for example, when the liquid ejecting apparatus is carried or placed vertically, it is possible to prevent the backflow of the liquid in the liquid supply path toward the liquid storage means.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the check valve includes a housing having a first liquid flow path, and a seal member that is housed on the liquid storage unit side of the housing and blocks the first liquid flow path. And an elastic member housed on the liquid ejecting head side of the housing, and the first liquid flow path provided between the seal member and the elastic member and pressed against the seal member side by the elastic member And a valve body for closing.

  According to the present invention, when the liquid storage means side of the housing is higher in liquid pressure than the liquid ejecting head side, the valve body moves toward the liquid ejecting head side in the housing against the elastic force and moves the first liquid flow path. When the liquid storage means side is opened and the liquid pressure is lower than the liquid ejecting head side, the valve body is pressed to the seal member side, moves inside the housing to the liquid ejecting head side, and closes the first liquid flow path. Accordingly, the check valve has a small number of parts such as a housing, a seal member, an elastic member, and a valve body, and has a simple configuration and a small size. Therefore, the check valve can contribute to downsizing of the entire apparatus, and for example, a liquid ejecting apparatus. Can be prevented from flowing back to the liquid storage means side in the liquid supply path when carrying or vertically.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention includes a valve device that adjusts the pressure of the liquid supplied from the liquid supply path and supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting head between the liquid supply path and the liquid ejecting head.

  According to the present invention, even if the liquid pressure is lower on the liquid storage means side than on the liquid jet head side, the liquid stored in the valve device does not flow back to the check valve side, and air flows from the liquid jet head. There is nothing.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid ejecting head is provided in a carriage that reciprocates in one direction, and the valve device is provided in the carriage.
According to this invention, even if the liquid storage means side of the valve device provided in the carriage has a lower liquid pressure than the liquid jet head side, the liquid stored in the valve device does not flow back to the check valve side, Air does not flow from the liquid ejecting head.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid storage unit includes a case and a liquid container that is stored in the case and stores the liquid, and pressurized air is supplied to the case to add the liquid container. The stored liquid is supplied to the liquid supply path.

  According to this invention, the liquid storage means includes the case and the liquid container that is stored in the case and stores the liquid, and supplies the pressurized air to the case to pressurize the liquid container and store the stored liquid. Supply to the supply path. Therefore, for example, the liquid storage device can be removed and the liquid ejecting apparatus can be carried or placed vertically. Further, for example, when there is no check valve, if the liquid ejecting apparatus is carried or placed vertically without supplying pressurized air to the case, the liquid in the liquid supply path is drawn by the negative pressure in the liquid supply path. It flows backward to the liquid storage means side. However, the check valve can prevent the reverse flow of the liquid in the liquid supply path toward the liquid storage means.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the outline of the printer of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an ink supply system to the recording head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for schematically showing the inside of the carriage according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a substantially rectangular frame 2. A paper feed tray 3 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 2, and a paper discharge tray 4 is provided on the front surface of the frame 2. The paper feed tray 3 and the paper discharge tray 4 are configured to be foldable and accommodated with respect to the frame 2 by a hinge structure (not shown).

  A platen 5 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the frame 2, and recording paper inserted into the frame 2 from the paper feed tray 3 is fed onto the platen 5 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). It has become so. The fed recording sheet is discharged from the discharge tray 4 to the outside of the frame 2.

  A guide member 6 is installed in the frame 2 so as to be parallel to the platen 5. A carriage 7 that is movable along the guide member 6 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 6. A carriage motor (not shown) is attached to the frame 2, and the carriage 7 is connected to the carriage 7 via a timing belt (not shown) hung on a pair of pulleys (not shown). Has been. With this configuration, when the carriage motor is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the carriage 7 via the timing belt. In response to this driving force, the carriage 7 is guided by the guide member 6 and reciprocates in parallel (main scanning direction) with the platen 5.

On the other hand, a recording head 8 as a liquid ejecting head is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 7 (the surface facing the platen 5). The recording head 8 has a nozzle forming surface 8a (see FIG. 2) so as to face the recording paper, and n (n is a natural number) nozzles N (n is a natural number) per row. 6 rows of nozzle rows (not shown) are formed. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, six nozzle rows each including n nozzles N per row are formed. However, this is not restrictive, and the number of nozzles N and the number of nozzle rows per row may be changed as appropriate. Also good.

  As will be described later, the recording head 8 is provided with colors corresponding to the nozzles N (this embodiment) from the liquid storage means provided in the frame 2 and the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 as cases. In this case, ink as a liquid of black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta) is supplied. The ink flowing into the recording head 8 is pressurized by the piezoelectric element 8b (see FIG. 2), and is ejected as an ink droplet from the nozzle N of the recording head 8, thereby forming dots. That is, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta, which are corresponding colors, are ejected from the nozzles N formed in the recording head 8, respectively.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the carriage 7 and shows a valve device for making the hydraulic pressure of black ink formed on the carriage 7 constant. Since the valve devices for cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta inks have the same configuration, the valve device for black ink will be described, and the description of the valve devices for other inks will be omitted.

  The carriage 7 has a recess formed on the upper surface, and the recess is closed by a film member 11 to form an ink containing chamber 12. An operating lever 13 is disposed in the ink containing chamber 12 and below the film member 11. The actuating lever 13 is a cantilever lever whose base end is fixed to a step portion formed on the upper opening wall of the ink storage chamber 12 and is bent with the base end portion as a fulcrum. A lead-out hole 14 connected to the recording head 8 is formed on the lower surface of the ink storage chamber 12 on the left side in FIG.

  A valve storage chamber 15 is formed on the lower surface of the carriage 7 on the right side in FIG. 3, and the upper surface of the valve storage chamber 15 communicates with the ink storage chamber 12 through the communication hole 16. An annular seal member 17 surrounding the opening of the communication hole 16 is disposed in the valve storage chamber 15. Further, a valve body 18 is disposed in the valve housing chamber 15, and the seal member 17 is elastically pressed by a spring member 19 so as to close the opening of the communication hole 16. That is, the communication between the valve storage chamber 15 and the ink storage chamber 12 is blocked. A valve shaft 20 that protrudes into the ink storage chamber 12 through the communication hole 16 is formed to protrude from the valve body 18. When the operating lever 13 bends downward, the valve shaft 20 is pressed by the operating lever 13 and presses the valve body 18 against the elastic force of the spring member 19. When the valve body 18 is pressed downward against the elastic force of the spring member 19, the valve body 18 is separated from the seal member 17, and the valve storage chamber 15 and the ink storage chamber 12 communicate with each other.

  A flow path 21 communicating with the valve accommodating chamber 15 is formed on the right side of the carriage 7 in FIG. The channel 21 is connected to a tube T5 as a liquid supply path for supplying black ink, which will be described later, and supplies black ink to the valve storage chamber 15. The ink supplied to the valve storage chamber 15 is supplied to the ink storage chamber 12 and further supplied to the recording head 8 through the outlet hole 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, when ink is ejected from the nozzles N of the recording head 8 in a state where the ink is supplied to the ink storage chamber 12, the ink in the ink storage chamber 12 is recorded through the outlet hole 14. Supplied to the head 8, the inside of the ink storage chamber 12 becomes negative pressure. When the pressure in the ink storage chamber 12 becomes negative, the film member 11 bends toward the ink storage chamber 12 and the operation lever 13 is bent downward. The valve shaft 20 pushes down the valve body 18 against the elastic force of the spring member 19 based on the operating lever 13 that bends downward. As a result, the valve storage chamber 15 and the ink storage chamber 12 communicate with each other, and the ink in the valve storage chamber 15 is supplied to the ink storage chamber 12. When the ink storage chamber 12 reaches a predetermined amount (that is, the ink storage chamber 12 reaches a predetermined pressure), the film member 11 returns to the original state. Based on the return of the film member 11, the operation lever 13 is also returned, so that the valve element 18 again blocks communication between the valve storage chamber 15 and the ink storage chamber 12. In other words, the valve device provided in the carriage 7 always keeps the liquid pressure of the ink in the ink storage chamber 12 at a constant pressure and supplies it to the recording head 8.

  In the printer 1, an area for printing by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet while reciprocating the carriage 7 is used as a printing area. Further, the printer 1 is provided with a non-printing area for sealing the nozzle N during non-printing, and a cap holder 24 is provided in the non-printing area as shown in FIG.

  The cap holder 24 is provided with a flexible cap member 26 so as to face the nozzle forming surface 8 a of the recording head 8. The cap holder 24 seals each nozzle N by bringing the cap member 26 into close contact with the nozzle forming surface 8a of the recording head 8 via a drive mechanism (not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the cap member 26 has first and second communication ports 26a and 26b (see FIG. 2) formed at the bottom portion thereof so as to communicate with the inside of the cap member 26. A cap release valve 28 is connected to 26a outside the cap holder 24 via a tube T1. The cap opening valve 28 is configured to appropriately open a space formed by bringing the cap member 26 and the nozzle forming surface 8a into close contact with each other. Further, the second communication port 26b is connected to a suction port (not shown) of the gear pump GP via the tube T2. The gear pump GP includes gears G1 and G2. When a driving force is transmitted from a driving motor (not shown), the gears G1 and G2 are rotationally driven to apply a negative pressure to the cap member 26. . In other words, when the nozzle forming surface 8a is sealed with the cap member 26, the gear pump GP is driven to apply a negative pressure to the nozzle N on the nozzle forming surface 8a for cleaning. Yes.

  A check valve 30 is connected to the discharge port (not shown) of the gear pump GP via a tube T3, and the fluid introduction member 32 provided in the first ink cartridge 9 is connected to the check valve 30 via the tube T4. Is connected.

  The first ink cartridge 9 is divided into two storage portions by a partition plate 34. One storage portion stores an ink absorber 36 that absorbs ink, and the other storage portion stores black ink. An ink pack B as a liquid storage means and a liquid container is stored. The ink absorber 36 is a porous material having water absorption, such as sponge. The waste ink and air sucked from the cap member 26 by the gear pump GP are introduced into the first ink cartridge 9. At this time, the waste ink flowing into the first ink cartridge 9 is absorbed by the ink absorber 36. The ink pack B is pressurized by the introduced air. Note that the waste ink flowing into the first ink cartridge 9, the amount of air, and the flow velocity thereof are adjusted by the check valve 30.

  The outlet of the ink pack B is detachably connected to a black ink valve device (flow path 21) formed in the carriage 7 via a tube T5. When the ink pack B is pressurized by the air introduced in the first ink cartridge 9, the black ink in the ink pack B is pushed out to the valve device formed on the carriage 7 through the tube T5. Supplied. A check valve 38 is provided in the tube T5 for black ink. The check valve 38 is a valve that allows ink supply from the ink pack B to the carriage 7, and conversely blocks ink supply from the carriage 7 to the ink pack B.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the check valve 38. 4, the check valve 38 includes a housing 60, a valve body 62, a seal member 64, and a spring member 66 as an elastic member. The housing 60 has a cylindrical ink chamber 68 formed therein. Then, on the left side (ink pack B side) of the housing 60, a first connection is formed in which a first ink channel 74 as a first liquid channel penetrating the inner wall surface 68a on the left side of the ink chamber 68 is formed. A portion 70 is formed. On the right side of the housing 60 (on the carriage 7 side), a second connecting portion 72 is formed in which a second ink flow path 76 penetrating the inner wall surface 68b on the right side of the ink chamber 68 is formed. The first connecting portion 70 is connected to the tube T5 on the ink pack B side, and the second connecting portion 72 is connected to the tube T5 on the carriage 7 side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the valve body 62 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is disposed so as to reciprocate in the ink chamber 68 in the axial direction. The valve body 62 is made of, for example, polypropylene. The outer diameter of the valve body 62 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 60, and four groove-like flow paths 80 are recessed at equal angular intervals on the side surfaces thereof. An annular seal member 64 is fixed to the left surface (ink pack B side) of the valve body 62. The annular seal member 64 is formed of an elastic member and surrounds the opening of the first ink flow path 74 that penetrates the inner wall surface 68a on the left side as shown in FIG. Accordingly, when the seal member 64 fixed to the valve body 62 contacts the inner wall surface 68a, the opening of the first ink flow path 74 is closed. A spring member 66 is disposed on the right surface (carriage 7 side) of the valve body 62, and the spring member 66 is pressed in a direction in which the seal member 64 of the valve body 62 contacts the inner wall surface 68a by its elastic force.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, when the ink pressurized from the ink pack B is introduced into the first ink flow path 74, the ink moves the valve element 62 to the right against the elastic force of the spring member 66. The seal member 64 is pressed away from the inner wall surface 68a. As a result, the ink introduced into the first ink flow path 74 is introduced into the ink chamber 68 and is guided to the second ink flow path 76 via the groove-shaped flow path 80 of the valve body 62 to the carriage 7. Supplied.

  On the other hand, when the tube T5 on the ink pack B side becomes a negative pressure or when ink is not introduced from the ink pack B into the first ink flow path 74, the valve body 62 is a spring member 66 as shown in FIG. The opening of the first ink flow path 74 is closed by being pressed by the elastic force. As a result, ink from the carriage 7 side is not introduced into the first ink flow path 74 via the groove-shaped flow path 80 of the valve body 62. That is, the ink on the carriage 7 does not flow backward to the ink pack B side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first ink cartridge 9 includes an air outlet member 81 communicating with the inside of the first ink cartridge 9, and the air outlet member 81 is connected to the second ink cartridge 10 via a tube T6. It is connected to the air introduction member 82. The air introduced into the first ink cartridge 9 is supplied into the second ink cartridge 10 via the air outlet member 81, the tube T6, and the air introduction member 82.

  The second ink cartridge 10 is partitioned into five storage sections by a partition plate 83, and each storage section stores a liquid storage unit that stores cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta ink, and a liquid storage. Ink packs C, M, Y, LC, and LM as bodies are accommodated. The outlets of the ink packs C, M, Y, LC, and LM are respectively corresponding ink valve devices (flow paths 21) formed in the carriage 7 through tubes T7 to T11 as liquid supply paths. It is detachably connected to. When each ink pack C, M, Y, LC, LM is pressurized by the air introduced into the second ink cartridge 10, the ink in each ink pack C, M, Y, LC, LM is pushed out. Are supplied to the corresponding valve devices of the carriage 7 via the tubes T7 to T11.

Tubes T7 to T11 for color ink are provided with check valves 86 to 90. The check valves 86 to 90 allow ink supply from the ink packs C, M, Y, LC, and LM to the carriage 7, and conversely from the carriage 7 to the ink packs C, M, Y, LC, and LM. This valve shuts off the ink supply. In the present embodiment, the check valves 86 to 90 have the same configuration as the check valve 38 provided in the tube T5, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The second ink cartridge 10 includes an air outlet member 92 that communicates with the inside of the second ink cartridge 10, and the air outlet member 92 appropriately passes through the second ink cartridge 10 via a tube T12. An on-off valve device 94 for opening control is connected.

  With this configuration, when the gear pump GP is driven, waste ink and air are sucked from the cap member 26, and the waste ink and air are collected from the cap member 26 → tube T2 → gear pump GP → tube T3 → check valve 30 → After flowing through the tube T4 in order, it flows into the first ink cartridge 9. At this time, waste ink that flows into the first ink cartridge 9 is absorbed by the ink absorber 36 described above, and therefore, air that has flowed into the first ink cartridge 9 (hereinafter referred to as pressurized air). ) Only flows. The pressurized air flows from the first ink cartridge 9 into the second ink cartridge 10 via the tube T6. At this time, since the open / close valve device 94 is closed, the pressure in the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 is accumulated.

  That is, since the air pressure in the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 is always equal and without deviation, when the gear pump GP is driven, the air pressure in both the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 is the same as described above. The ink packs B, C, M, Y, LC, and LM are pressurized by being pressurized by the pressurized air. As a result, the ink stored in the ink packs B, C, M, Y, LC, and LM is pumped to the recording head 8 of the carriage 7, respectively.

  That is, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the gear pump GP also serves as a cleaning pump that applies a negative pressure to the cap member 26 and a pressurizing pump that pressurizes each ink pack B, C, M, Y, LC, and LM. It is like that. When the gear pump GP is driven, negative pressure is applied to the cap member 26 to suck the waste ink and air, and the ink packs B, C, M, Y, LC, and LM are pressurized, and each ink is applied to the recording head 8. Is supposed to be pumped.

Next, the operation of the check valves 38 and 86 to 90 provided in the tubes T5 and T7 to T11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, when at least one of the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 is removed from the printer 1 and carried or placed vertically, the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 side is more than the carriage 7. When it is set to the lower side, the inside of the tubes T5, T7 to T11 on the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 side becomes negative as viewed from the check valves 38 and 86 to 90. At this time, since the check valves 38 and 86 to 90 are closed, the ink accumulated in the valve device of the carriage 7 is in the tubes T5 and T7 on the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 side. There is no backflow to T11. Therefore, ink does not leak from the tubes T5, T7 to T11. Further, since the ink does not flow backward, the valve accommodating chamber 15 of the carriage 7 does not become negative pressure, and the valve body 18 maintains a state where the communication between the valve accommodating chamber 15 and the ink accommodating chamber 12 is blocked. For this reason, ink in the valve device of the carriage 7 does not flow out through the tubes T5, T7 to T11, and air does not flow into the valve device of the carriage 7 from the recording head 8. Therefore, the recording head 8 is not dried.

  On the other hand, when the printer 1 is used, as shown in FIG. 6, the check valves 38, 86 to 90 are opened, so that the ink packs B, C, M, Y, LC and LM inks are supplied to the carriage 7 through the tubes T5 and T7 to T11, respectively.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the present embodiment, the tubes T5, T7 to T7 connected between the ink packs B, C, M, Y, LC, and LM of the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 and the carriage 7. Check valves 38 and 86 to 90 were provided at T11, respectively.

  Accordingly, even when the printer 1 is carried or placed vertically with the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 side lower than the carriage 7, the tube T5 on the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 side is used. , T7 to T11, the ink does not flow backward to the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 side. As a result, when the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 are pulled out and the printer 1 is carried or placed vertically, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking out from the tubes T5 and T7 to T11.

  (2) According to this embodiment, the check valves 38 and 86 to 90 are provided between the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 and the carriage 7. Accordingly, even when the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 are positioned below the carriage 7 when the printer 1 is carried or placed vertically, it is pulled by the negative pressure of the tubes T5 and T7 to T11. The ink in the carriage 7 does not flow back to the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10, and the valve devices in the carriage 7 are not opened. Therefore, even if the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 are pulled out and the printer 1 is carried or placed vertically, the ink in the carriage 7 does not flow out to the check valves 38 and 86 to 90 side. Air does not flow into the carriage 7 from the head 8. As a result, the recording head 8 can be prevented from drying.

  (3) According to this embodiment, the check valves 38 and 86 to 90 are provided between the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 and the carriage 7. Accordingly, ink leakage and recording from the tubes T5 and T7 to T11 when the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 are pulled out and the printer 1 is carried or placed vertically while being small in size with a simple configuration. It is possible to prevent the head 8 from drying.

  (4) According to the present embodiment, since the check valves 38 and 86 to 90 are provided between the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 10 and the carriage 7, the printer can be used while printing is possible. It is possible to prevent the backflow of ink when carrying 1 or placing it vertically.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the ink pack is pressurized by sending pressurized air into the ink cartridge by a gear pump and applied to the pressure type printer 1 that supplies ink to the recording head. The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to a water head type printer 1 that supplies ink to a recording head by a water head difference.

  In the above embodiment, the ink supply operation and the cleaning operation are applied to the printer 1 that uses a gear pump, and suitable results are obtained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 1 that performs the ink supply operation and the cleaning operation using a tube pump or the like. You may apply.

  In the above embodiment, the ink supply operation and the cleaning operation are applied to the printer 1 that uses the same pump to obtain a suitable result. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the printer 1 includes a pressurizing pump and a cleaning pump. You may apply to.

  In the above embodiment, the first ink cartridge 9 and the second ink cartridge 10 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first ink cartridge 9 and the second ink cartridge 10 may be integrally formed. At this time, it is desirable to appropriately change the configuration of the printer 1.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus is embodied in the printer 1, but is not limited thereto, and may be embodied in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid. For example, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting liquids such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL displays, and surface-emitting displays, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacturing, and as precision pipettes The sample injection device may be used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining an outline of the printer of the first embodiment. Similarly, a block diagram for explaining an ink supply system to a recording head. Similarly, sectional drawing for demonstrating the outline of a carriage. Similarly, sectional drawing of the non-return valve of a valve closing state. Similarly, the perspective view of a valve body. Similarly, sectional drawing of the non-return valve in a valve open state. FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional inkjet recording apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 7 ... Carriage, 8 ... Recording head, 9 ... 1st ink cartridge, 10 ... 2nd ink cartridge, 38, 86-90 ... Check valve, 60 ... Housing, 62 ... Valve body, 64 ... Seal member 66 ... Spring member 68 ... Ink chamber 68a, 68b Inner wall surface 70 ... First connecting portion 72 ... Second connecting portion 74 ... First ink flow path 76 ... Second Ink flow path, 80 ... groove-shaped flow path, B, C, M, Y, LC, LM ... ink pack.

Claims (5)

In a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid storing means for storing a liquid; a liquid ejecting head for ejecting the liquid; and a liquid supply path for supplying the liquid in the liquid storing means to the liquid ejecting head.
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a check valve in the liquid supply path, which permits the supply of the liquid in the liquid supply path only from the liquid storage means to the liquid ejecting head side. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
The check valve is
A housing with a first liquid flow path;
A seal member housed on the liquid storage means side of the housing and blocking the first liquid flow path;
An elastic member housed on the liquid ejecting head side of the housing;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a valve body that is provided between the seal member and the elastic member, and is pressed toward the seal member by the elastic member to close the first liquid flow path. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a valve device that adjusts a pressure of a liquid supplied from the liquid supply path and supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting head between the liquid supply path and the liquid ejecting head. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3,
The liquid ejecting apparatus is characterized in that the liquid ejecting head is provided in a carriage that reciprocates in one direction, and the valve device is provided in the carriage. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The liquid storage means includes a case and a liquid container that is stored in the case and stores the liquid, and supplies the pressurized air to the case to pressurize the liquid container and store the stored liquid. A liquid ejecting apparatus that supplies liquid to a liquid supply path.

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