JP2006110764A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply ink in an ink bottle exhaustively to an ink jet recording head while preventing pigment component contained in the ink from reaching the ink jet recording head. <P>SOLUTION: An ink storage container 7 for storing ink 2 temporarily and settling the pigment component while enlarging is provided in the ink supply passage between an ink bottle 1 and a reservoir tank 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by supplying ink filled in an ink bottle to an ink jet recording head and discharging ink from the ink jet recording head toward a recording medium.

  Ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus includes oil-based pigment ink. Since this oil-based pigment ink is a dispersion-type ink, the pigment component contained in the ink precipitates when left standing for a long time. The settled pigment component becomes a factor that makes the ink ejection operation from the ink jet recording head defective. For this reason, an ink path that does not allow the precipitated pigment component to be supplied to the ink jet recording head is required.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an ink bottle that prevents ink sediment from flowing out. In other words, the ink bottle has a container body that stores ink. The bottom of the container body is provided with a recess for screwing the valve mechanism. A supply port for supplying ink in the container main body is formed at a position spaced vertically above the bottom of the recess, that is, the bottom of the container main body. An intake connector is provided at the supply port. Ink is sucked by the intake connector through the supply port, and the ink remains in the holding portion around the recess. The ink sediment accompanying the change with time is held in the holding portion and is prevented from being supplied through the supply port.

Patent Document 2 discloses that a path for circulating the ink inside the ink cartridge in the ink supply path is provided so that the ink can be circulated and stirred periodically. When pigment ink is used, the color material precipitates inside the ink cartridge that contains the ink. A density gradient occurs in the ink due to the precipitation of the coloring material. For this reason, there is a possibility that a difference in color recorded on the recording medium may occur due to a difference in recording time. In Patent Document 2, since the ink is periodically circulated and stirred, the ink concentration gradient in the ink cartridge is improved.
JP 2001-88316 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-9985

  The ink bottle disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which ink remains in a holding portion around a recess. For this reason, when the ink bottle is removed by the user, the ink bottle must be discarded after the ink remaining inside is removed from the viewpoint of recycling or environmental problems.

  Patent Document 1 displays “no ink” in a state where ink remains in the holding portion around the recess, that is, in a state where ink remains in the ink bottle. For this reason, when the ink bottle is formed of a translucent material, the presence of ink remaining in the ink bottle can be confirmed by the user. For this reason, the user may erroneously recognize that a failure has occurred.

  Furthermore, when the user uses the ink remaining in the ink bottle by some means, it is predicted that a serious failure such as ink non-ejection will occur in the ink bottle and the ink jet recording apparatus main body using the ink bottle. The In addition, it becomes very difficult to elucidate the cause of a serious failure such as ink ejection failure.

  In Patent Document 2, a mechanism for operating, for example, a supply / suction pump or a piston is required to circulate and stir ink at regular intervals so that the ink does not settle down, which makes the configuration complicated and expensive in cost. become.

  As a general technique, a method of providing a very fine filter in the ink path to remove the pigment component of the settled ink when an ink bottle having a structure in which all the ink inside the ink path flows is used can be considered. . For example, there is a method of filtering pigment components in ink that settles using gravity.

  In this method, since the mesh of the filter is fine, the ink passing speed in the filter is slow. For this reason, the supply of ink is not in time for the recording speed of the ink jet recording apparatus. If pressure is applied to the ink passing through the filter to increase the passing speed, a problem occurs that the pigment component that has settled passes through the filter mesh while being deformed.

  The present invention relates to an ink bottle that fills ink, an ink jet recording head that discharges ink drops filled in the ink bottle to a recording medium, and an ink supply path that supplies ink from the ink bottle toward the ink jet recording head. The ink bottle is detachably connected to the ink supply path, and has a configuration for supplying all of the filled ink toward the ink supply path. An ink supply port for temporarily storing ink supplied from the ink bottle and for supplying ink supplied from the ink bottle and an ink supply port for supplying the stored ink toward the ink jet recording head are provided on the bottom surface. An ink jet recording apparatus having an ink storage container disposed at a higher position than .

  The present invention can provide an inexpensive ink jet recording apparatus that can supply a pigment component contained in ink to an ink jet recording head without reaching the ink jet recording head and without leaving all the ink in the ink bottle.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus. A plurality of ink bottles 1 are provided. Each ink bottle 1 contains ink 2 of each color, that is, each ink 2 of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). FIG. 1 shows only one ink supply path for one color ink 2 in order to avoid the illustrated complexity.

  The ink bottle 1 has an ink supply port 3 at the bottom of the bottom surface and an air opening 4 at the top. The bottom surface of the ink bottle 1 is formed with an inclined surface 5 that is inclined toward the lowermost ink supply port 3 and is formed in a so-called mortar shape. As a result, the ink 2 contained in the ink bottle 1 flows toward the ink supply port 3 along the inclined surface 5 as the ink 2 is consumed, and finally, all the ink 2 in the ink bottle 1 is ink. It flows toward the supply port 3.

  An ink storage container 7 is connected to the ink supply port 3 of the ink bottle 1 via a first ink path tube 6. A reservoir tank 9 is connected to the ink storage container 7 via a second ink path tube 8. The second ink path tube 8 is provided with a first release valve 10. Accordingly, when the first release valve 10 is opened, the ink 2 in the ink bottle 1 is supplied to the reservoir tank 9 through the first ink path tube 6, the ink storage container 7, and the second ink path tube 8 by gravity. Is done.

  The reservoir tank 9 has a sealed structure, and a second ink path tube 8 and a third ink path tube 11 are provided from the top to the inside. The second ink path tube 8 and the third ink path tube 11 are respectively immersed in the ink 2 in the reservoir tank 9.

  An air release tube 12 is provided on the upper surface of the reservoir tank 9. The air release tube 12 is arranged in the atmosphere in the reservoir tank 9. An ink distributor 13 is connected to the other end of the third ink path tube 11. Accordingly, when the ink 2 is supplied into the reservoir tank 9 and the pressure in the reservoir tank 9 increases, the ink 2 in the reservoir tank 9 is supplied to the ink distributor 13 through the third ink path tube 11. .

  A plurality of ink liquid inlet channels 14 are connected to the lower part of the ink distributor 13. A plurality of ink jet recording heads 16 are connected to these ink inlet channels 14 via ink channel sealing mechanisms 15, respectively. FIG. 1 shows only one ink jet recording head 16 in order to avoid the complexity shown. The ink distributor 13 distributes the ink 2 to each inkjet recording head 16.

  These ink jet recording heads 16 are of an ink jet type and have a plurality of nozzles arranged in a row on the lower surface. Below these inkjet recording heads 16, the recording medium 17 is conveyed at a constant speed. Each inkjet recording head 16 discharges ink 2 from a plurality of nozzles. Each of the discharged inks 2 lands on a recording medium 17 that is conveyed at a constant speed. Thereby, recording is performed on the recording medium 17.

  2 to 5 are configuration diagrams of the ink storage container 7, FIG. 2 is an external view, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along AA, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along BB, and FIG. Show. The ink storage container 7 has a sealed structure, and has an upper surface 20, side surfaces 21 and 22, an inflow side surface 23, and a supply side surface 24 each formed in a flat plate shape. The bottom of the ink storage container 7 is formed in a V shape with the inclined surfaces 25 and 26 facing each other.

  The ink storage container 7 temporarily stores the ink 2 supplied from the ink bottle 1 and precipitates the pigment component contained in the ink 2. An ink inlet 27 is provided on the upper surface 20 of the ink storage container 7. The first ink path tube 6 is connected to the ink inlet 27. An ink supply port 28 is provided on the supply side surface 24 of the ink storage container 7. The second ink path tube 8 is connected to the ink supply port 28.

  A waste liquid port 29 is provided at the bottom of the ink storage container 7. The waste liquid port 29 is at the same height as the height of the bottom of the ink storage container 7 or higher than the height of the bottom of the ink storage container 7 and lower than the height of the ink supply port 28. Provided in position. An ink tube 30 is connected to the waste liquid port 29. Therefore, the pigment component contained in the ink 2 that has precipitated at the bottom of the ink storage container 7 through the ink tube 30 is discharged from the waste liquid port 29 as a waste liquid. The ink tube 30 is provided with a second release valve 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a resistance for delaying the time required for the ink 2 to flow into the ink storage container 7 from the ink inlet 27, flow through the ink storage container 7, and reach the ink supply port 28. A plurality of partition walls 40 to 43 as parts are provided.

  These partition walls 40 to 43 are arranged at a predetermined interval so as to block the ink flow path from the ink inflow port 27 to the ink supply port 28 in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the inflow side surface 23 and the supply side surface 24 face each other. It is arranged for each H.

  Specifically, each of the partition walls 40 and 42 is fixed to the inner wall of one side surface 21 and provided with a gap F with respect to the inner wall of the other side surface 22. Each of the partition walls 41 and 43 is fixed to the inner wall of the other side surface 22 and provided with a gap F with respect to the inner wall of the one side surface 21. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 3 and shows a state in which the partition walls 41 and 42 are provided.

  As a result, the partition walls 40 to 43 allow the ink 2 to flow between the inner wall of the other side surface 22 and the inner wall of the one side surface 23 alternately along the facing direction of the inflow side surface 23 and the supply side surface 24. Each gap is provided. With such an arrangement of the partition walls 40 to 43, the partition walls 40 to 43 meander the ink flow path from the ink inlet 27 to the ink supply port 28, and the distance of the ink path is increased. It will be arranged to be longer.

  These partition walls 40 to 43 have a height that opens a flow passage gap K between the inner wall of the upper surface 20 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and are provided in close contact with the inclined surfaces 25 and 26. It has been. The flow path gap K between each partition wall 40 to 43 and the inner wall of the upper surface 20 should be narrow as long as the flow of the ink 2 is not retained. If the partition walls 40 to 43 have such heights, the ink 2 that has flowed in from the ink inlet 27 passes over the tops of the partition walls 40 to 43 and heads toward the ink supply port 28. .

  In addition, these partition walls 40-43 may be integrally formed with respect to each inner wall of each side surface 22, 23, and each inclined surface 25, 26, and may be provided so that attachment or detachment is possible.

  The ink inflow port 27 is provided in a space surrounded by the side wall 21, the inner wall of the inflow side surface 23, and the partition wall 40. The ink inlet 27 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is provided with an opening 27a at the lower end approaching the inclined surface 25 as shown in FIG. As a result, the ink 2 supplied from the ink inlet 27 flows into the ink storage container 7 from the bottom of the ink storage container 7.

  A filter 44 is provided between the inner wall of the inflow side surface 23 and the partition wall 40. The filter 44 is detachable from the mounting grooves 46a and 45b provided in the inner wall of the inflow side surface 23 and the partition wall 40, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the filter 44 has a height that opens a flow passage gap K between the inner wall of the upper surface 20 and each inclined surface 25. Closely provided. Accordingly, the filter 44 is disposed so as to block the ink flow path through which the ink 2 flowing in from the ink inlet 27 flows.

  As the filter 44, a filter having a relatively coarse mesh, for example, a filter having a mesh of 100 μm or more is used. The purpose of the filter 44 is not to directly trap the pigment component contained in the ink 2 but to increase the contact surface area with the ink 2. And this filter 44 makes the pigment component contained in the ink 2 adhere to a mesh one after another when the ink 2 passes, and enlarges the pigment component adhering to this mesh with time passage.

  If the mesh of the filter 44 is made finer, the surface area of contact with the ink 2 is increased. However, if the mesh is made finer than 100 μm, for example, the pigment component that settles does not pass through the filter 44 and the filter 44 is clogged.

  As a method of enlarging the pigment component of the ink 2 with the passage of time in the same manner as the function of the filter 44, for example, the uneven shapes 401 to 403 as shown in FIGS. It can also be realized by providing the partition walls 40 to 43 on the upstream side of the two flows, for example, the entire wall surfaces of the partition walls 40 and 41.

  The concavo-convex shape 401 shown in FIG. 7 includes a plurality of convex portions having a triangular cross section. These convex portions are arranged side by side in the direction that blocks the flow of the ink 2, that is, in the vertical direction. The uneven shape 402 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a plurality of hemispherical protrusions in the vertical and horizontal directions as shown in an enlarged view in the figure. The concave-convex shape 403 shown in FIG. 9 is provided with a plurality of holes in the vertical and horizontal directions as shown in an enlarged view in FIG.

  The ink supply port 28 is close to the upper surface 20 of the ink storage container 7 as shown in the EE cross-sectional view in FIG. 3 of FIG. 10, and the partition wall 43 and the inner wall of one side surface 21 as shown in FIG. Is provided on the side opposite to the gap F formed by the above.

  A concave groove 46 for discharging the pigment is provided at the bottom of the bottom of the ink storage container 7. The pigment discharge groove 46 is provided in a line along the direction in which the inflow side surface 23 and the supply side surface 24 face each other at the intersection of the inclined surfaces 25 and 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an ink discharge housing 47 is provided integrally with the inclined surfaces 25 and 26 at the lowermost portion in the ink storage container 7. A discharge ink path 48 is provided in the ink discharge casing 47. The discharge ink path 48 is arranged along the groove 46 below the pigment discharge groove 46. The discharged ink path 48 communicates with the waste liquid port 29.

  The pigment discharge groove 46 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports 49 to 53. Among these, the discharge port 49 is between the inflow side surface 23 and the partition wall 40, the discharge port 50 is between each partition wall 40, 41, the discharge port 51 is between each partition wall 41, 42, and the discharge port 52 is each Between the partition walls 42 and 43, the discharge port 53 is provided between the partition wall 43 and the supply side surface 24. These discharge ports 49 to 53 communicate with each other between the pigment discharge groove 46 and the discharge ink path 48.

  The second release valve 31 opens and closes the waste liquid port 29. The opening / closing operation of the second opening valve 31 is automatically controlled to be opened for a certain period by the valve opening / closing control unit 54. That is, the valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a certain period in accordance with the attachment / detachment of the ink bottle 1 with respect to the ink supply port 3 and the atmosphere opening port 4. For example, when the valve opening / closing control unit 54 determines that the ink bottle 1 has been removed from the ink supply port 3 and the atmosphere opening port 4, the valve opening / closing control unit 54 opens the second opening valve 31 in this state. The valve opening / closing control unit 54 counts the number of times the ink bottle 1 is attached / detached to / from the ink supply port 3 and the atmosphere opening port 4 and opens the second opening valve 31 when the number of attachments / detachments reaches a predetermined number. The attachment / detachment of the ink bottle 1 with respect to the ink supply port 3 and the atmosphere opening port 4 can be detected by providing the ink supply port 3 and the atmosphere opening port 4 with sensors.

  The valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a certain period according to the consumption amount of the ink 2. The consumption amount of the ink 2 can be detected by, for example, providing a water level sensor or the like in the ink bottle 1 and detecting the descending amount of the water surface of the ink 2 in the ink bottle 1. The consumption amount of the ink 2 can also be detected by providing a flow sensor in the first ink path tube 6 or the second ink path tube 8.

  The valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a certain period when the ink jet recording apparatus main body is turned on. For example, the second release valve 31 is opened for a predetermined time from the power-on time.

  The valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a fixed time in a regular period every predetermined time.

  The valve opening / closing control unit 54 counts the number of recording media 17 on which recording has been performed, and automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a certain period each time this number reaches a predetermined number.

  The ink 2 discharge system will be described with reference to FIG. An atmosphere release tank 61 is connected to the atmosphere release port 4 of the ink bottle 1 via an atmosphere release tube 60. The atmosphere release tank 61 is provided with an atmosphere release valve 62 and an atmosphere release tube 63 is connected thereto. The air release tube 63 is piped downward, and a lower end port thereof is connected to the collection tank 64. Accordingly, the ink 2 flowing backward from the ink bottle 1 flows into the atmosphere release tank 61 through the atmosphere release tube 60. When the atmosphere release tank 61 is filled with ink 2 and the ink 2 overflows from the atmosphere release tank 61, the overflowed ink 2 flows into the collection tank 64 through the atmosphere release tube 63.

  The lower end of the atmosphere release tube 12 connected to the reservoir tank 9 is also connected to the collection tank 64. A third on-off valve 65 is connected to the atmosphere release tube 12. When the third on-off valve 65 is opened, when the reservoir tank 9 is filled with the ink 2 and the ink 2 overflows from the reservoir tank 9, the overflowed ink 2 passes through the atmosphere release tube 12 to the collection tank 64. Inflow.

  An air release tube 66 is connected to the upper part of the ink distributor 13. The lower end opening of the atmosphere release tube 66 is also connected to the collection tank 64. A fourth open / close valve 67 is connected to the atmosphere release tube 66. When the fourth on-off valve 67 is opened, when the ink distributor 13 is filled with the ink 2 and the ink 2 overflows from the ink distributor 13, the overflowed ink 2 passes through the atmosphere release tube 66 and is collected into the collection tank. 64 flows in.

  An ink discharge tube 68 is connected to the side surface of the collection tank 64. An ink discharge tube 69 is connected to the bottom surface of the atmosphere release tank 61. These ink discharge tubes 68 and 69 are connected in common and connected to the accumulation tank 70.

  An accumulation tray 71 is provided below each inkjet recording head 16. The accumulation tray 71 receives the ink 2 dripped from each inkjet recording head 16. An ink discharge tube 72 is connected to the bottom surface of the collecting tray 71. The lower end of the ink discharge tube 72 is connected to the accumulation tank 70. As a result, the ink 2 received by the accumulation tray 71 flows into the accumulation tank 70 through the ink discharge tube 72.

  An ink suction nozzle 73 is provided below each ink jet recording head 16. These ink suction nozzles 73 perform a suction operation while sliding against the nozzle surface of each ink jet recording head 16 during maintenance, and suck the ink 2 adhering to the nozzle surface of each ink jet recording head 16. A suction tube 74 is connected to the ink suction nozzle 73. The other end of the suction tube 74 is connected to the suction tank 75. A suction fan 76 is connected to the suction tank 75. An ink discharge tube 77 is connected to the bottom surface of the suction tank 75. A fifth open / close valve 78 is connected to the ink discharge tube 77. The lower end of the ink discharge tube 77 is connected to the accumulation tank 70.

  Accordingly, when the suction fan 76 is operated, the ink suction nozzle 73 performs a suction operation from the suction tank 75 through the suction tube 74. The ink 2 sucked by the ink suction nozzle 73 flows into the suction tank 75 through the suction tube 74. Further, the ink 2 in the suction tank 75 flows into the accumulation tank 70 through the ink discharge tube 77 when the fifth on-off valve 78 is opened.

  Ink discharge tubes 79 and 80 are connected to the upper surface and the bottom surface of the accumulation tank 70, respectively. The lower end ports of these ink discharge tubes 79 and 80 are connected to the accumulation tank 81. The lower end port of the ink tube 30 connected to the ink storage container 7 is also connected to the accumulation tank 81.

  Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  The first to fourth on-off valves 10, 31, 65, and 67 are in an open state. The ink 2 contained in the ink bottle 1 flows into the ink storage container 7 through the first ink path tube 6 by gravity due to gravity and flows from the ink storage container 7 to the second ink path tube 8. It is supplied to the reservoir tank 9 through.

  When the ink 2 is supplied into the reservoir tank 9, the pressure in the reservoir tank 9 increases. As a result, the ink 2 in the reservoir tank 9 is supplied to the ink distributor 13 through the third ink path tube 11.

  The ink distributor 13 distributes the ink 2 to each inkjet recording head 16 via each sealing mechanism 15. Each of these inkjet recording heads 16 ejects ink 2 from a plurality of nozzles. Each of the discharged inks 2 lands on a recording medium 17 that is conveyed at a constant speed. Thereby, recording is performed on the recording medium 17.

  When recording on the recording medium 17 is sequentially performed as described above, the ink 2 accommodated in the ink bottle 1 passes from the ink storage container 7 to the ink jet recording head 16 through the reservoir tank 9 and the ink distributor 13. The ink is supplied and discharged from each nozzle of the ink jet recording head 16 for consumption.

  Since the bottom surface of the ink bottle 1 is formed in a so-called mortar shape by the inclined surface 5, the ink 2 accommodated in the ink bottle 1 flows toward the ink supply port 3 along the inclined surface 5 and finally. All the ink 2 in the ink bottle 1 flows toward the ink supply port 3. However, all the ink 2 in the ink bottle 1 is finally consumed by the consumption of the ink 2.

  In such a supply path of the ink 2, the ink storage container 7 temporarily stores the ink 2 supplied from the ink bottle 1 and precipitates a pigment component contained in the ink 2. That is, the ink 2 that has flowed from the inlet 27 of the ink storage container 7 passes through the filter 44. When the ink 2 passes through the filter 44, the pigment component contained in the ink 2 adheres to the mesh of the filter 44. When the ink 2 flowing in one after another passes through the filter 44 with the pigment component adhering to the mesh, new pigment components adhere one after another around the pigment component adhering to the mesh of the filter 44. Thereby, the pigment component adhering to the mesh of the filter 44 is enlarged with the passage of time.

  It should be noted that the pigment component of the ink 2 can be enlarged over time even if the uneven shapes 401 to 403 as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 are provided on the entire wall surfaces of the partition walls 40 and 41, for example. In the triangular concavo-convex shape 401 shown in FIG. 7, convection such as vortex is generated in the ink 2 in the vicinity of the concavo-convex shape 401 as the ink 2 flows while contacting the concavo-convex shape 401. It enlarges over time. Similarly, even in the plurality of hemispherical uneven shapes 402 shown in FIG. 8, convection such as vortex is generated in the ink 2 in the vicinity of the uneven shape 402 by the ink 2 flowing while contacting the uneven shape 402. As a result, the pigment component becomes enlarged over time. Similarly, in the concave / convex shape 403 of the plurality of holes shown in FIG. 9, the ink 2 flows into the hole of the concave / convex shape 403, thereby generating convection or the like in the ink 2 in the vicinity of the concave / convex shape 403. Ingredients become enlarged over time.

  The enlarged pigment component receives a flow rate of the ink 2 from the adhesion force of the filter 44 to the mesh and is separated from the filter 44 mesh, and finally peels from the filter 44 mesh. The enlarged pigment component peeled off from the filter 44 mesh passes through the coarse filter 44 mesh.

  After passing through the filter 44, the ink 2 flowing into the ink storage container 7 flows through the meandering ink path formed by the partition walls 40 to 43 as shown in FIG. That is, the ink 2 flows through the gap F between the partition wall 40 and the inner wall of the other side surface 22, then flows between the partition walls 40 and 41, and then flows between the partition wall 41 and the one side surface 21. It flows through the gap F between the inner walls, then flows between the partition walls 41, 42, then flows through the gap F between the partition wall 42 and the inner wall of the other side surface 22, and then each partition wall 42, 43, then flows through the gap F between the partition wall 43 and the inner wall of the one side 21, then flows through the gap F between the partition wall 43 and the supply side 24, and is supplied The ink is supplied to the second ink path tube 8 through the mouth 28.

  At the same time, when the flow rate of the ink 2 flowing into the ink storage container 7 increases, the ink 2 gets over the tops of the partition walls 40 to 43, and the flow path between the partition walls 40 to 43 and the inner wall of the upper surface 20. The ink flows into the ink supply port 28 through the gap K.

  As a result, the ink 2 flows over an ink flow path in which the distance from the ink inlet 27 to the ink supply port 28 is increased by the partition walls 40 to 43 over a long period of time. Accordingly, the enlarged pigment component settles toward the bottom surface of the ink storage container 7 while the ink 2 flows from the ink inlet 27 to the ink supply port 28 over a long period of time. At this time, since the enlarged pigment component has a large mass, it settles faster than the fine pigment component before enlargement.

  The enlarging pigment component that settles directly enters the pigment discharge groove 46 provided at the bottom of the ink storage container 7 or settles along the inclined surfaces 25 and 26 and enters the pigment discharge groove 46. . Such sedimentation of the pigment component that is enlarged is performed until the ink 2 flows from the ink inlet 27 and reaches the ink supply port 28.

  As a result, the ink 2 supplied from the ink supply port 28 to the reservoir tank 9 through the second ink path tube 8 does not contain a pigment component that settles.

  The valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically controls the opening of the second opening valve 31 for a certain period. For example, the valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a certain period in accordance with the attachment / detachment of the ink bottle 1 with respect to the ink supply port 3 and the atmosphere opening port 4. The valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a certain period according to the consumption amount of the ink 2. The valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a certain period when the ink jet recording apparatus main body is turned on. The valve opening / closing control unit 54 automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a fixed time in a regular period every predetermined time. The valve opening / closing control unit 54 counts the number of recording media 17 on which recording has been performed, and automatically opens and closes the second opening valve 31 for a certain period each time this number reaches a predetermined number.

  When the second release valve 31 is thus opened for a certain period of time, a negative pressure is applied to the discharged ink path 48 provided at the bottom of the ink storage container 7 through the ink tube 30. As a result, negative pressure is also applied to the pigment discharge groove 46 through the discharge ports 49 to 53 to the discharge ink path 48, so that the enlarged pigment component that has settled in the pigment discharge groove 46 is discharged from the discharge ports 49. Through 53 to the discharged ink path 48 and further discharged from the discharge port 29 through the ink tube 30 to the storage tank 81 as waste liquid.

  As described above, according to the above embodiment, the ink 2 is temporarily stored in the ink supply path between the ink bottle 1 and the reservoir tank 9 and the pigment component contained in the ink 2 is enlarged and settled. An ink storage container 7 is provided.

  As a result, the ink 2 supplied from the ink storage container 7 to the reservoir tank 9 through the second ink path tube 8 and further supplied to the ink jet recording head 16 through the ink distributor 13 includes a pigment component that settles. It can not be.

  In addition, since the bottom surface of the ink bottle 1 is formed in a so-called mortar shape by the inclined surface 5, all the ink 2 accommodated in the ink bottle 1 can be supplied to the ink jet recording head 16. The pigment component which precipitates all the inks 2 supplied to the recording head 16 can be excluded.

  Therefore, even if the ink bottle 1 containing the ink 2 containing the pigment component that settles with time in the ink jet recording apparatus is used, all the ink 2 contained in the ink bottle 1 can be consumed. When discarding the ink bottle 1, the user of the ink jet recording apparatus or the disposal company of the ink bottle 1 does not have to perform the work after removing the ink 2 remaining in the ink bottle 1.

  The ink jet recording apparatus can display “no ink” when all the ink 2 in the ink bottle 1 is consumed. Thereby, the user can determine that “no ink” displayed on the ink jet recording apparatus is literally no ink. Thereby, even if the ink bottle 1 is formed of a translucent material, it can be confirmed that the ink 1 is completely absent in the ink bottle 1. Therefore, when the ink 2 remains in the ink bottle 1 despite the “no ink” display as in the prior art, it is erroneously recognized that a failure has occurred, or the ink 2 remains in the ink bottle 1. It is also possible to avoid the case where the ink 2 to be used is used by some means to cause fatal damage to the ink jet recording apparatus main body.

  The pigment component that has settled in the pigment discharge groove 46 provided at the bottom of the ink storage container 7 is automatically controlled to open for a certain period of time through the second release valve 31, thereby passing through the ink tube 30 from the discharge port 29. It can be discharged into the storage tank 81 as waste liquid. The discharged pigment component is discharged in accordance with, for example, the attachment / detachment of the ink bottle 1, the consumption of the ink 2, the power supply of the ink jet recording apparatus main body, the regular fixed time, the number of recordings on the recording medium 17, etc. This can be done by opening and closing the release valve 31. In this way, by discharging the pigment component settled on the bottom of the ink storage container 7 as a waste liquid, the recording operation of the ink jet recording apparatus main body can be continued.

  The second release valve 31 can be forcibly opened. As a result, the second release valve 31 is forcibly opened when the inside of the ink storage container 7 is cleaned. The ink 2 and the settled pigment component in the ink storage container 7 can be discharged to the accumulation tank 81 through the ink tube 30 by opening the second release valve 31.

  This can be realized simply by providing the ink storage container 7 for temporarily storing the ink 2 and enlarging and sedimenting the pigment component contained in the ink 2, and the configuration is simple and inexpensive.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said one Embodiment, You may deform | transform as follows.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the ink storage container 7 is provided in the ink supply path between the ink bottle 1 and the reservoir tank 9 has been described. However, the reservoir tank 9 has a structure having the same function as the ink storage container 7. It may be provided inside. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the reservoir tank 9. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The ink bottle 1 is connected to the bottom of the reservoir tank 9 via the first ink path tube 6. The first ink path tube 6 is connected to an ink inlet 90 provided at the bottom of the reservoir tank 9.

  An ink distributor 13 is connected to the upper surface of the reservoir tank 9 via a third ink path tube 11, and a collection tank 64 is connected via an air release tube 12. The third ink path tube 11 is connected to an ink supply port 91 provided on the upper surface of the reservoir tank 9. The atmosphere release tube 12 is connected to an atmosphere release port 92 provided on the upper surface of the reservoir tank 9.

  A ceiling plate 94 that forms an ink storage container 93 is provided in the horizontal direction above the ink inlet 90 at the bottom of the reservoir tank 9 and below the lower end 91 a of the ink supply port 91. The ceiling plate 94 is provided integrally with one inner wall 95 of the ink storage container 93, and a gap S is provided with respect to the other inner wall 96 facing the one inner wall 95. A drooping edge 97 extending downward is provided on the edge of the ceiling plate 94 facing the other inner wall 96.

  Inside the ink storage container 93, the ink 2 flows from the ink inlet 90, flows through the ink storage container 93, and reaches the ink supply port 91. Partition walls 98 to 100 are provided.

  These partition walls 98 to 100 are arranged so as to block the ink flow path from the ink inlet 90 to the gap S in a direction perpendicular to the facing direction of one inner wall 95 and the other inner wall 96. ing. Further, like the partition walls 40 to 43 shown in FIG. 3, these partition walls 98 to 100 have gaps alternately with respect to the inner walls facing the ink storage container 93 in the vertical direction in the drawing. The ink flow path between the ink inlet 90 and the gap S is formed to meander, and the distance of the ink path is increased. Further, these partition walls 98 to 100 have a height that allows a flow path gap D to be opened between the partition walls 98 to 100.

  Note that a filter 44 having a relatively coarse mesh of, for example, 100 μm or more may be provided on the ink flow path that flows from the ink inlet 90. Moreover, you may provide each uneven | corrugated shape similar to each uneven | corrugated shape 401-403 shown in FIGS. 7-9 on each surface of each partition wall 98-100, respectively.

  In the case of such a reservoir tank 9, the ink 2 flows over a long time in the ink flow path in which the distance from the ink inlet 90 to the gap S is increased by the partition walls 98 to 100. As a result, the pigment component settles toward the bottom surface of the ink storage container 93 while the ink 2 flows from the ink inlet 90 to the gap S over a long period of time. If the filter 44 is provided or each of the partition walls 98 to 100 is provided with uneven shapes, the enlarged pigment component settles toward the bottom surface of the ink storage container 93. As a result, the ink 2 supplied to the ink distributor 13 does not contain a sedimented pigment component.

  Such a reservoir tank 9 may be provided in parallel with the ink storage container 7, or only the reservoir tank 9 may be provided except for the ink storage container 7.

  The partition walls 40 to 43 and 98 to 100 are not limited to the uneven shapes 401 to 403 but may be a mesh.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view of an ink storage container in the apparatus. AA sectional view of an ink storage container in the same apparatus. BB sectional drawing of the ink storage container in the same apparatus. CC sectional drawing of the ink storage container in the apparatus. The figure which shows each partition wall of the ink storage container in the apparatus. The figure which shows the triangular uneven | corrugated shape provided in the partition wall of the ink storage container in the apparatus. The figure which shows the hemispherical uneven | corrugated shape provided in the partition wall of the ink storage container in the apparatus. The figure which shows the uneven | corrugated shape by the hole provided in the partition wall of the ink storage container in the apparatus. The figure which shows the arrangement | positioning position of the ink supply port of the ink storage container in the apparatus. The block diagram which shows the modification of the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1: ink bottle, 2: ink, 3: ink supply port, 4: air release port, 5: inclined surface, 6: first ink path tube, 7: ink storage container, 8: second ink path tube, 9: reservoir tank, 10: first release valve, 11: third ink path tube, 12: atmosphere release tube, 13: ink distributor, 14: ink liquid flow path, 15: sealing mechanism, 16: Inkjet recording head, 17: recording medium, 20: upper surface, 21, 22: side surface, 23: inflow side surface, 24: supply side surface, 25, 26: inclined surface, 27: ink inlet, 28: ink supply port, 29: Discharge port, 30: ink tube, 31: second release valve, 40-43: partition wall, 401-403: uneven shape, 44: filter, 45a, 45b: mounting groove, 46: pigment discharge groove, 47: Ink discharge case 48: discharge ink path, 49-53: discharge port, 54: valve opening / closing control unit, 60: atmosphere release tube, 61: atmosphere release tank, 62: atmosphere release valve, 63: atmosphere release tube, 64: collection tank, 65: third on-off valve, 66: air release tube, 67: fourth on-off valve, 68, 69: ink discharge tube, 70: accumulation tank, 71: accumulation tray, 72: ink discharge tube, 73: ink suction Nozzle, 74: suction tube, 75: suction tank, 76: suction fan, 77: ink discharge tube, 78: fifth open / close valve, 79, 80: ink discharge tube, 81: accumulation tank, 90: ink inlet 91: Ink supply port, 92: Air opening port, 91a: Lower end port, 93: Ink storage container, 94: Ceiling board, 95: One inner wall, 96: The other inner wall, 97: Dripping edge 98-100: partition wall.

Claims (16)

An ink bottle for filling ink; an ink jet recording head for discharging ink drops filled in the ink bottle to a recording medium; and an ink supply for supplying the ink from the ink bottle toward the ink jet recording head In an inkjet recording apparatus having a path,
The ink bottle is detachably connected to the ink supply path, and has a configuration for supplying all of the filled ink toward the ink supply path.
An ink inlet provided on the ink supply path for temporarily storing the ink supplied from the ink bottle, and for flowing in the ink supplied from the ink bottle, and the ink stored in the ink jet. An ink storage container in which an ink supply port to be supplied toward the recording head is disposed at a position higher than the bottom surface;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: The ink storage container is provided at the same height as the bottom surface or at a position higher than the bottom surface and lower than the ink supply port, and the ink in the ink storage container is used as waste liquid outside the ink supply path. Is provided with a discharge outlet,
Provided with a valve enabling opening and closing of the discharge port,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink storage container is provided with a resistance portion for delaying a time required for the ink to flow from the ink inflow port to the ink supply port.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the resistance portion is a partition wall having a predetermined height.   5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the partition wall is disposed so as to increase a distance of an ink flow path from the ink inlet to the ink supply port. The partition wall is disposed so as to block an ink flow path from the ink inlet to the ink supply port;
Directing the ink that has flowed from the ink inlet to the ink supply port over the top of the partition wall;
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the resistance portion includes a filter disposed so as to block an ink flow path from the ink inlet to the ink supply port.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the partition wall is provided with unevenness on the wall surface to be a resistance to the ink flow.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the valve that enables opening and closing of the discharge port opens and closes according to attachment and detachment of the ink bottle with respect to the ink supply path.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the valve that allows the discharge port to be opened and closed is opened and closed according to the amount of ink consumed.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the valve that enables opening and closing of the discharge port opens and closes when the ink jet recording apparatus main body is turned on.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the valve that allows the discharge port to be opened and closed is opened and closed every predetermined time.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the valve that enables opening and closing of the discharge port opens and closes according to the number of recording media on which recording has been performed.   The resistance portion includes a plurality of partition walls having a predetermined height, and the arrangement of the partition walls meanders an ink flow path between the ink inlet and the ink supply port. Item 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to Item 3.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink storage container has a shape in which a part of the ink component that settles as the waste liquid is collected in a groove at the bottom and is discharged out of the ink supply path. .   8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the filter enlarges a part of the components contained in the ink.

Images