JP2007168081A - Liquid ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid ejector in which a time required for initial pressurization can be shortened when a cartridge is replaced. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid ejector comprises a recording head 6 for ejecting ink supplied from an ink cartridge 9 constituted by containing a flexible ink pack 24 filled with ink in a cartridge case 20, and a cartridge holder 8 to which the ink cartridge 9 is attached. The liquid ejector is arranged to introduce pressurized air into the cartridge case 20 from an air pressurization pump 21 in a state that the ink cartridge 9 is attached to the cartridge holder 8, and to introduce pressurized air generated by a bellows pump 14 provided independently from the air pressurization pump 21 into the cartridge case 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that is used as an ink jet recording apparatus that forms dots on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles corresponding to print data, and more specifically, relates to air pressure generated by an air pressurizing pump. The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus configured to supply a liquid to an ejecting head side by applying to a liquid cartridge.

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target, an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink onto a recording medium is known. Such an ink jet recording apparatus is generally mounted on a carriage and moved in the width direction of the recording paper, and the recording paper moves relatively in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head. Paper feeding means is provided, and printing is performed on the recording paper by ejecting ink droplets from the recording head based on the print data.

  On the other hand, in this type of recording apparatus provided for office use or business use, for example, a large-capacity ink cartridge needs to be provided in order to cope with a relatively large amount of printing. For example, a recording apparatus of a type that is loaded in a cartridge holder disposed on the apparatus main body side is provided. A sub tank is disposed on the carriage on which the recording head is mounted, ink is supplied from each ink cartridge to each sub tank via an ink supply tube, and ink is supplied from each sub tank to the recording head. Is configured to supply.

  In recent years, there has been a demand for a large recording apparatus having a long carriage scanning distance capable of printing on a larger paper surface. In such a recording apparatus, in order to improve the throughput, the number of nozzles is increasingly increased in the recording head. Furthermore, in order to improve the throughput, it is possible to replenish ink sequentially from the ink cartridge to each sub tank mounted on the carriage while printing is performed, so that the ink is stabilized from each sub tank to the recording head. And a recording apparatus that can be supplied.

  In such a recording apparatus, it is necessary to connect an ink supply tube corresponding to each ink from the ink cartridge to the sub tank, and the scanning distance of the carriage is inevitably increased, so that the drawing distance of the tube is inevitably increased. To do. In addition, as described above, since the recording head has a large number of nozzles, the amount of ink consumed is large, and the dynamic pressure (pressure loss) of ink in each ink supply tube connected from the ink cartridge to the sub tank is high. Increasingly, there is a technical problem that the amount of ink replenished to the sub tank is insufficient.

  As one means for solving such a problem, for example, by applying air pressure to the ink cartridge side and generating a forced ink flow from the ink cartridge to the sub tank by air pressure, it is necessary and sufficient for the sub tank. A configuration for replenishing ink can be employed.

As an ink cartridge used in the recording apparatus having the above-described configuration, an ink pack formed of a flexible material in which ink is encapsulated is molded so that the case constituting the outer shell is airtight. The configured configuration can be suitably employed. The ink pack in the ink cartridge having such a configuration acts so that the ink is pushed out by the pressurized air applied in the case, and the ink is sent to the recording head mounted on the carriage.
JP 2001-293882 A

  In the recording apparatus as described above, air is sent into the case using a pressurizing pump, and the inside of the case is pressurized to a predetermined pressure. However, in the recording apparatus, when the cartridge is replaced due to a reason such as running out of ink, the case is not pressurized with the new ink cartridge, and the pressure inside the case is reset. For this reason, after replacement of the cartridge, it is necessary to perform initial pressurization until the inside of the case reaches a predetermined pressure so that printing can be started. While this initial pressurization requires a certain amount of time, most of the cartridge replacement due to running out of ink is in the middle of printing, and many users want to resume printing immediately. Was in stress.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that can shorten the time required for initial pressurization at the time of cartridge replacement.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes an ejecting head that ejects a liquid supplied from a liquid cartridge that is configured by accommodating a flexible liquid pack in which a liquid is enclosed in a cartridge case; A cartridge mounting portion on which the liquid cartridge is mounted, and is configured to introduce pressurized air from the pressure unit into the cartridge case in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. The gist is that the compressed air generated by the pressure generating means provided separately from the pressurizing unit can be introduced into the cartridge case.

  According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the compressed air generated by the pressure generating means provided separately from the pressurizing unit is configured to be introduced into the cartridge case. When the pressure in the case has been reset, such as when the cartridge is replaced, the pressurized air generated by the pressure generating means can be introduced into the cartridge case, and the initial pressure in the cartridge case by the pressure unit Since pressurization can be supplemented, the time to reach a predetermined pressure can be shortened.

  In the present invention, when the pressure generating means is configured to generate pressurized air by being compressed by the operation of mounting the liquid cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion, the new liquid cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. Since the pressurized air of the pressure generating means is introduced into the cartridge case by the operation, the initial pressurization by the pressurization unit can be compensated thereby, and the time required for the initial pressurization can be shortened. Therefore, for example, even if the liquid cartridge is replaced in the middle of a series of liquid ejecting operations, the liquid ejecting operation can be restarted quickly, and the user's stress can be reduced. Further, since the pressurized air is generated by the mounting operation of the liquid cartridge which is naturally performed by the user when the liquid cartridge is replaced, no special operation for generating the pressurized air is required, and no power for that purpose is required.

  In the present invention, when the cartridge mounting portion is provided with a restoring member for restoring the pressure generating means compressed when the liquid cartridge is removed, the pressure generating means is quickly removed by removing the liquid cartridge. Since it is restored and it is in a state of waiting for the installation of a new liquid cartridge and the generation of pressure, it does not require a special restoring operation of the pressure generating means, and quickly enters a standby state. The user can introduce the compressed air into the cartridge case by restoring and compressing the pressure generating means by performing a normal liquid cartridge exchanging operation without particular awareness.

  In the present invention, the cartridge mounting portion includes a connection unit provided with a lead-out tube that is connected to a liquid pack in the liquid cartridge and leads out the liquid, and an inlet that is connected to the cartridge case and introduces pressurized air. If the pressure generating means is configured to be slidably arranged and the pressure generating means is compressed by sliding the connecting unit when the liquid cartridge is inserted, the connecting unit is slidably arranged and pressure is applied using the slide. Since the generating means is compressed, the pressure generating means is reliably compressed, and the increase in the number of parts can be minimized.

  In the present invention, when the restoring member is an urging member that slides the connecting unit so as to restore the compressed pressure generating means when the liquid cartridge is removed, the connecting unit is slidably disposed. Since the pressure generating means is restored using the slide, the pressure generating means is reliably restored, and the increase in the number of parts can be minimized.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus as a liquid ejecting apparatus embodying the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the basic configuration of the recording apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage 1, which is guided by a scanning guide member 4 through a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2, and is in the longitudinal direction of the paper feeding member 5, that is, the width direction of the recording paper. It is configured to reciprocate in the scanning direction. Although not shown in the figure, the carriage 1 is mounted with an ink jet recording head 6 to be described later on the surface facing the paper feeding member 5.

  In addition, subtanks 7 a to 7 d for supplying ink to the recording head 6 are mounted on the carriage 1. In this embodiment, four sub-tanks 7a to 7d are provided corresponding to each ink in order to temporarily store each ink therein. In each of the sub tanks 7a to 7d, the ink cartridges 9a to 9d mounted on the cartridge holder 8 as the cartridge mounting portion disposed in the apparatus main body are respectively connected via the flexible ink supply tubes 10. Thus, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are supplied.

  Ink cartridges 9a to 9d as main tanks, that is, liquid cartridges, have a flat outer shape as will be described in detail later. In the cartridge holder 8, the flat surfaces are perpendicular to each other. It is mounted in a so-called vertical position so that

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

  The cap member 11a functions as a lid that seals the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 6 and prevents the nozzle openings 6a from drying during the rest period of the recording apparatus. Although not shown in the figure, one end of a tube in a suction pump (tube pump) is connected to the cap member 11a, and negative pressure by the suction pump is applied to the recording head 6 so that the recording head 6 A cleaning operation for sucking and discharging ink is performed. A wiping member 12 made of an elastic material such as rubber is disposed adjacent to the printing area side of the capping unit 11 so that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 can be wiped and cleaned as necessary. It is configured.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the ink supply system from the ink cartridge 9 to the recording head 6 of the recording apparatus, and in this ink supply system, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. It explains together.

  In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes an air pressurizing pump 21 as a pressurizing unit, and the air pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 is supplied to a pressure regulating valve 22 and further via a pressure detector 23. The pressure tube 13 supplies the ink cartridges 9a to 9d (represented by the reference numeral 9 in FIG. 2 as a representative, and may be simply described as the reference numeral 9 in the following). It is configured as follows. The pressure regulating valve 22 has a function of releasing the pressure and maintaining the air pressure applied to each of the ink cartridges 9a to 9d within a predetermined range when the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 reaches a predetermined value or more. is doing.

  Further, the pressure detector 23 functions to detect the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 and to control the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21. That is, when it is detected that the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 has reached a predetermined pressure, the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21 is stopped and the air pressure is determined by the pressure detector 23. When it is detected that the pressure has become lower than the pressure, the air pressurizing pump 21 is controlled to be driven. Accordingly, the air pressure applied to each of the ink cartridges 9a to 9d described above is maintained in a predetermined range by repeating this process.

  The detailed configuration of the ink cartridge 9 will be described later. As shown in the drawing, the schematic configuration of the ink cartridge 9 includes a cartridge case 20 as an outer case formed in an airtight state. The ink pack 24 is stored as a liquid pack in which ink is formed. A space formed by the cartridge case 20 and the ink pack 24 constitutes a pressure chamber 25, and pressurized air is supplied into the pressure chamber 25 via the pressure detector 23. Has been.

  With this configuration, the ink packs 24 housed in the ink cartridges 9a to 9d are pressurized by the pressurized air, respectively, and ink from the ink cartridges 9a to 9d with a predetermined pressure is applied to the sub tanks 7a to 7d. A flow is made to occur.

  The ink pressurized in the ink cartridges 9a to 9d is supplied to the sub tanks 7a to 7 mounted on the carriage 1 through the ink supply valves 26 and the ink supply tubes 10 respectively. 7d (represented by reference numeral 7 in FIG. 2 as a representative, and may be simply described as reference numeral 7 in the following).

  A float member 31 is disposed inside the sub tank 7, and a permanent magnet 32 is attached to a part of the float member 31. Hall elements 33 a and 33 b, which are one type of magnetoelectric conversion element, are attached to the substrate 34 and attached to the side wall of the sub tank 7. With this configuration, an electrical output is generated by the Hall elements 33a and 33b in accordance with the permanent magnet 32 disposed on the float member 31 and the magnetic dose by the permanent magnet 32 according to the floating position of the float member 31. Ink amount detecting means is configured.

  Therefore, for example, when the amount of ink in the sub tank 7 decreases, the position of the float member 31 accommodated in the sub tank moves in the direction of gravity, and accordingly, the position of the permanent magnet 32 also moves in the direction of gravity. . Therefore, the electrical output of the Hall elements 33a and 33b due to the movement of the permanent magnet can be sensed as the amount of ink in the sub-tank 7, and the ink supply valve is based on the electrical output obtained by the Hall elements 33a and 33b. 26 is opened.

  Thereby, the ink pressurized in the ink cartridge 9 is individually sent out to each sub tank 7 in which the ink amount is reduced. When the ink amount in the sub tank 7 reaches a predetermined capacity, the ink supply valve 26 is closed based on the electrical output of the Hall elements 33a and 33b. By repeating such operations, the ink cartridge 9 acts so as to be intermittently replenished with respect to the sub-tank 7, so that a substantially constant range of ink is always stored in each sub-tank 7.

  Each sub tank 7 is configured to supply ink to the recording head 6 through a valve 35 and a tube 36 connected thereto, and is supplied to an actuator (not shown) of the recording head 6. Based on the data, the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 6 a formed on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 6. Reference numeral 11 denotes the capping unit described above, and the tube connected to the capping unit 11 is connected to a suction pump (tube pump) (not shown).

  3 to 5 show examples of the ink cartridge 9 used in the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the main tank, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main tank as viewed in the direction of the arrow from the line AA. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ink pack 24 accommodated in the cartridge case 20.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cartridge case 20 includes an upper case 41 and a lower case 42. The lower case 42 has a flat box shape, and is configured such that the upper surface is opened and the ink pack 24 in a state where ink is sealed can be accommodated therein.

  In this embodiment, in order to hold down the four sides of the ink pack 24 accommodated in the lower case 42, a quadrilateral inner lid 43 having a central opening opened in the shape of a window is inserted. At the flange portion 42a formed at the opening edge of the film, the film member 44 is thermally welded and the lower case 42 is closed so as to be in an airtight state. And it is set as the structure where the upper case 41 made | formed by the flat box shape from the upper part was mounted | worn.

  A wedge-shaped claw portion 41 a is intermittently formed along the inner surface of the upper case 41. When the upper case 41 is pushed into the lower case 42, the claw portions 41 a are formed on the lower case 42. Engage with the flange 42a formed at the opening edge, and both are integrally coupled. With this configuration, when pressurized air is introduced into the lower case 42 closed by the film member 44, the film member 44 is positioned so as to abut along the inner surface of the upper case 41. It is possible to avoid the film member 44 from bulging outward by receiving air.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the ink pack 24 accommodated in the cartridge case 20 formed as described above. The ink pack 24 uses two flexible materials formed in a rectangular shape, for example, a polyethylene film, and is laminated with, for example, an aluminum stay to improve gas barrier properties. A plug body 50 constituting an ink outlet is attached to a substantially central portion at the side end portion in the longitudinal direction.

  First, three sides of the side end portion to which the plug body 50 is attached and both side end portions in the longitudinal direction perpendicular thereto are joined by heat welding to form a bag shape. Reference numeral 24b denotes a heat-welded portion 24b applied to the three sides. Then, ink is introduced into the ink pack 24 using the opening on the remaining one side of the ink pack 24 formed in a bag shape as described above, and finally the remaining one side is joined by thermal welding, The ink is sealed in the ink pack. Reference numeral 24c denotes a heat-welded portion 24c applied to the remaining one side.

  In the ink cartridge 9 configured as described above, a pair of opening holes 51 are formed on one surface of the cartridge case 20 as positioning means used when loading the recording apparatus. The pair of opening holes 51 are arranged in two spaced apart states along the longitudinal direction on the one surface of the case, and are formed integrally at the same time when the lower case 42 is injection-molded, for example. Yes. In addition, the plug 50 constituting the ink outlet port from the ink pack 24 bites an airtight O-ring (not shown) in a substantially middle part of the positioning opening holes 51 arranged at the two locations. It is attached in a state.

  A receiving port 52 that receives pressurized air and a circuit board 53 that will be described in detail later are arranged on both outer sides of the respective opening holes 51 arranged at the two locations. When the lower case 42 is formed, the pressurized air receiving port 52 is simultaneously formed integrally in a hollow shape, and the pressurized air can be introduced into the lower case 42 closed by the film member 44 via this. It is configured as follows.

  FIG. 6 shows an end of the one surface side of the ink cartridge 9 formed as described above in a cross-sectional state, and the ink cartridge is connected to the connection unit 55 disposed in the cartridge holder 8 on the recording apparatus side. 9 shows a connected state. The connection unit 55 is provided with a pair of positioning pins 56 formed in a columnar shape, and the pair of opening holes 51 formed on the ink cartridge 9 side are mounted so as to surround the positioning pins 56. It is comprised so that.

  As described above, since the positioning opening holes 51 are arranged at two positions along the longitudinal direction of the one surface of the cartridge case 20 on the ink cartridge 9 side, the 2 arranged on the recording apparatus side. By mounting the positioning pins 56 on the base end portion, the positioning of the ink cartridge 9 in the three-dimensional direction can be achieved. When the ink cartridge 9 is attached to the positioning pin 56, the hollow ink outlet tube 57 disposed substantially at the center between the pair of positioning pins 56 constitutes an ink outlet from the ink pack 24. The plug 50 is inserted and connected, and the ink cartridge 9 can be led out.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 9 is mounted, the inlet 52 for introducing the pressurized air is connected to the pressurized air inlet 58 disposed in the connection unit 55 on the cartridge holder 8 side, and the pressurized air is introduced to the ink cartridge 9 side. Is ready to be introduced. Further, a terminal mechanism 59 having a plurality of contact pieces is connected to the circuit board 53 arranged on the ink cartridge 9 side, and data is exchanged with semiconductor storage means provided on the circuit board 53. Ready to be realized. When the ink cartridge 9 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, the circuit board 53 disposed on the ink cartridge side is mounted in a vertically placed state that is positioned above in the gravity direction.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the ink cartridge 9 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8 serving as a cartridge mounting portion. FIG. 7A shows a state before the ink cartridge 9 is mounted, and FIG. 7B shows a mounted state of the ink cartridge 9.

  In the cartridge holder 8, the ink cartridge 9 is mounted by pushing the ink cartridge 9 from the left side to the right side in the drawing. When removing the ink cartridge 9, it is removed by pulling out the ink cartridge 9 from the right side to the left side in the figure.

  As described above, the cartridge holder 8 is connected to the ink pack 24 in the ink cartridge 9 to draw out ink, and the inlet 58 is connected to the cartridge case 20 to introduce pressurized air. A connection unit 55 is provided.

  The introduction port 58 of the connection unit 55 is connected to the pressure tube 13 as an introduction path for introducing the pressurized air from the air pressure pump 21 into the cartridge case 20 in a state where the ink cartridge 9 is mounted in the cartridge holder 8. It is connected. The ink outlet tube 57 of the connection unit 55 is connected to the ink supply tube 10 that supplies ink to the sub tank 7.

  The pressurizing tube 13 and the ink supply tube 10 are slidably inserted through insertion holes provided in the back wall of the cartridge holder 8.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the connection unit 55 has an ink cartridge provided with an ink outlet tube 57, an introduction port 58, etc. in a state where a predetermined space is separated from the inner surface of the cartridge holder 8. The ink cartridge 9 is slidable in the attaching / detaching direction of the ink cartridge 9 with the connection surface with the ink cartridge 9 facing the ink cartridge 9 side.

  In the space between the connection unit 55 and the inner surface of the cartridge holder 8, two urging means (in this example, springs) 15 are arranged at positions farthest from each other in the cartridge holder 8. The connection unit 55 is urged toward the ink cartridge 9 side.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, when the ink cartridge 9 is mounted in the cartridge holder 8, the positioning pin 56 is inserted into the opening hole 51 of the ink cartridge 9, and the ink outlet tube 57 is inserted into the plug 50 and the receiving port 52, respectively. And the inlet 58 are connected, the connection unit 55 and the ink cartridge 9 are connected, and the connection unit 55 is mounted in a state of sliding to the back side of the cartridge holder 8.

  On the contrary, when the ink cartridge 9 is removed from the cartridge holder 8, the ink cartridge 9 is removed from the connection unit 55, and the connection unit 55 is urged by the urging member 15 and is slid to the ink cartridge 9 side.

  According to the slide of the connection unit 55, the pressure tube 13 and the ink supply tube 10 advance and retreat by sliding through the insertion holes of the cartridge holder 8, respectively.

  In the space between the connection unit 55 and the inner surface of the cartridge holder 8, a bellows pump 14 is disposed as pressure generating means. The bellows pump 14 expands and contracts in the attaching / detaching direction of the ink cartridge 9, that is, the sliding direction of the connection unit 55 to perform a pumping action. One end surface of the bellows pump 14 is fixed to the back surface of the cartridge holder 8, and the other end surface is fixed to the back side surface of the connection unit 55.

  Therefore, the bellows pump 14 is compressed by sliding the connection unit 55 toward the back side of the cartridge holder 8 to generate pressurized air, and the connection unit 55 is moved to the insertion side (inlet side) of the ink cartridge 9. By sliding, it is restored from the compressed state.

  The compressed air generated by the bellows pump 14 is discharged from a discharge passage 17 that penetrates the inner wall of the cartridge holder 8. An air introduction tube 16 connected in a branched manner to the pressurizing tube 13 communicates with the discharge path 17 so that the pressurized air generated by the bellows pump 14 can be introduced into the cartridge case 20. Yes.

  With this configuration, the recording apparatus is configured such that pressurized air generated by the bellows pump 14 provided separately from the air pressurizing pump 21 as a pressurizing unit can be introduced into the cartridge case 20.

  That is, the bellows pump 14 is compressed by the slide of the connection unit 55 when the ink cartridge 9 is inserted by the operation of mounting the ink cartridge 9 in the cartridge holder 8 to generate pressurized air. At this time, the pressurized air generated by the bellows pump 14 is introduced into the cartridge case 20 via the air introduction tube 16 and the pressure tube 13. Accordingly, when installing a new ink cartridge 9 whose inside of the cartridge case 20 is not pressurized, such as when the ink cartridge 9 is replaced, pressurized air is generated by the bellows pump 14 due to the mounting operation of the ink cartridge 9, and the inside of the cartridge case 20 The initial pressurization by the air pressurization pump 21 can be supplemented.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 9 is removed, the urging member 15 slides the connection unit 55 so as to restore the compressed bellows pump 14, and the compressed bellows pump 14 is restored. Therefore, when removing the ink cartridge 9, the connecting unit 55 is slid toward the ink cartridge 9 by the biasing member 15 functioning as a restoring member of the present invention, and air is forcibly introduced into the bellows pump 14 from the inlet 58. And restore.

  According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, since the pressurized air generated by the bellows pump 14 provided separately from the air pressurizing pump 21 can be introduced into the cartridge case 20, for example, the ink cartridge 9 is replaced due to running out of ink. When the pressurization in the cartridge case 20 has been reset, the pressurized air generated by the bellows pump 14 can be introduced into the cartridge case 20, and the air pressurization pump 21 can Therefore, the time required to reach a predetermined pressure can be shortened.

  Further, the bellows pump 14 is configured to generate compressed air by the operation of mounting the ink cartridge 9 on the cartridge holder 8, and therefore, by the operation of mounting a new ink cartridge 9 on the cartridge holder 8. Since the pressurized air of the bellows pump 14 is introduced into the cartridge case 20, the initial pressurization by the air pressurization pump 21 can be supplemented thereby, and the time required for the initial pressurization can be shortened. Therefore, for example, even if the ink cartridge 9 is replaced in the middle of a series of printing operations, the printing operation can be resumed quickly, and the user's stress can be reduced. Further, since the pressurized air is generated by the mounting operation of the ink cartridge 9 which is naturally performed by the user when the ink cartridge 9 is replaced, an operation for generating the pressurized air is not required and power for that purpose is also required. do not do.

  Further, since the cartridge holder 8 is provided with a restoring member for restoring the compressed bellows pump 14 when the ink cartridge 9 is removed, the bellows pump 14 is quickly restored by removing the ink cartridge 9. Thus, since the new ink cartridge 9 is placed in a standby state and pressure is generated, the restoration operation of the bellows pump 14 is not required and the standby state is quickly reached. The user can restore and compress the bellows pump 14 by performing a normal ink cartridge 9 exchanging operation without any particular attention, and can introduce compressed air into the cartridge case 20.

  The cartridge holder 8 is provided with an ink outlet tube 57 that is connected to the ink pack 24 in the ink cartridge 9 to lead out ink, and an inlet port 58 that is connected to the cartridge case 20 and introduces pressurized air. Since the connection unit 55 is slidably arranged and the bellows pump 14 is compressed by sliding the connection unit 55 when the ink cartridge 9 is inserted, the connection unit 55 is slidably arranged. Since the bellows pump 14 is compressed using the slide, the bellows pump 14 is reliably compressed, and the increase in the number of parts is also minimized.

  The restoring member is an urging member 15 that slides the connection unit 55 so as to restore the compressed bellows pump 14 when the ink cartridge 9 is removed, so that the connection unit 55 is slidably arranged. Since the slide is used to restore the bellows pump 14, the bellows pump 14 can be reliably restored, and the number of parts can be minimized.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, It is the meaning including the following modifications.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the recording head 6 can be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus that uses a piezoelectric vibrator as a pressure generating element that is a driving element that ejects liquid, or a liquid ejecting type that uses a heating element. It can also be applied to a device.

  In addition, a program for causing a computer device to execute the maintenance method of the present invention can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium or can be provided via a communication network.

  In addition, as a typical example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, there is an ink jet recording apparatus provided with the above-described ink jet recording head for image recording. However, the present invention is an example of another liquid ejecting apparatus such as a liquid crystal display. Device with color material ejection head used for color filter production, device with electrode material (conductive paste) ejection head used for electrode formation such as organic EL display, surface emitting display (FED), etc., used for biochip production The present invention can be applied to various liquid ejecting apparatuses such as an apparatus having a biological organic matter ejecting head and an apparatus having a sample ejecting head as a precision pipette.

1 is a plan view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. It is the model which showed the ink supply system in the said recording device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of an ink cartridge. It is an AA expanded sectional view of an ink cartridge. It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the ink pack. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of an end portion of an ink cartridge and a connection mechanism. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where an ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage, 2 Carriage motor, 3 Timing belt, 4 Scanning guide member, 5 Paper feed member, 6 Recording head, 6a Nozzle opening, 7 Sub tank, 7a-7d Sub tank, 8 Cartridge holder, 9 Ink cartridge, 9a-9d Ink cartridge , 10 Ink supply tube, 11 Capping means, 11a Cap member, 12 Wiping member, 13 Pressure tube, 14 Bellows pump, 15 Biasing means, 16 Air introduction tube, 17 Discharge path, 20 Cartridge case, 21 Air pressure pump , 22 Pressure regulating valve, 23 Pressure detector, 24 Ink pack, 24b Thermal welded part, 24c Thermal welded part, 25 Pressure chamber, 26 Ink supply valve, 31 Float member, 32 Permanent magnet, 33a, 33b Hall element, 34 Substrate , 35 Valve, 36 Tube 41 upper case 41a claw 42 lower case 42a collar 43 inner cover 44 film member 50 plug body 51 opening hole 52 receiving port 53 circuit board 55 connection unit 56 positioning pin 57 Ink outlet tube, 58 inlet, 59 Terminal mechanism

Claims (5)

An ejection head that ejects a liquid supplied from a liquid cartridge configured by accommodating a flexible liquid pack in which a liquid is enclosed in a cartridge case; and a cartridge mounting portion on which the liquid cartridge is mounted;
The liquid cartridge is configured to introduce pressurized air from the pressure unit into the cartridge case in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion,
A liquid ejecting apparatus configured to be able to introduce pressurized air generated by pressure generating means provided separately from the pressurizing unit into the cartridge case.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure generating means is configured to generate compressed air by being compressed by an operation of mounting the liquid cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge mounting portion is provided with a restoring member that restores the compressed pressure generating means when the liquid cartridge is removed.   The cartridge mounting portion is slidably disposed with a connection unit provided with a lead-out pipe connected to a liquid pack in the liquid cartridge to lead out the liquid and an inlet port connected to the cartridge case for introducing pressurized air. 4. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure generating means is compressed by sliding the connecting unit when the liquid cartridge is inserted.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the restoring member is a biasing member that slides the connection unit so as to restore the compressed pressure generating means when the liquid cartridge is removed.

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