JP2007175996A - Ink-jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely release air from an ink tank by positioning a case toward a head holder in the opening/closing operational direction of an operating member for making an exhaust valve means open and close with the workability of mounting the case secured for exhausting the air to the head holder. <P>SOLUTION: The ink tank 40 is fixed to a reinforcement frame 33 of an ink-jet head 30 with fixing screws 48. The case 45 of the exhaust valve means 47 is installed projecting toward the side from the position for fixing the case to the ink tank 40. The positional relation of the case 45 of the exhaust valve means 47 toward the head holder 9 is determined by the elastic engagement of an engagement projection 45a and an engagement hole 9e which are mutually releasable between the case 45 and the head holder 9. There is no possibility that the case 45 may move to the scanning direction with the operation of a projection shank 121 opening or closing the exhaust valve means or the operation of a cap member 123 connecting to an exhaust passage in the case 45. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet printer.

  As an ink jet printer that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, an ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a box-shaped head holder that holds an ink jet head, and the ink tank receives ink from the ink storage chamber. An exhaust passage for exhausting air that is led out and exhausting air separated from the ink, the exhaust passage being connected to an ink inlet of the ink jet head, and an exhaust valve means that can open and close the exhaust passage. It is known that the exhaust valve means is opened and closed by an operating member provided outside the head holder, that is, at a portion other than the head holder (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a printer, the exhaust valve of the exhaust valve means is opened and closed by being pushed from below by the operation member of the operation member. For this reason, it is necessary to position the casing of the exhaust valve means so as not to move in the vertical direction (Z direction) by the opening / closing operation of the operation member.

  In addition, a cap member as an exhaust member may be pressed from the lower side for exhausting through the exhaust valve means. From this point also, the casing of the exhaust valve means does not move in the vertical direction (Z direction). Positioning is necessary.

Therefore, conventionally, the casing of the exhaust valve means is fixed to the head holder by heat caulking.
JP 2005-280075 A

  However, if the ink outlet path of the ink tank is connected in correspondence with the ink inlet of the ink jet head and the exhaust passage for discharging air is fixed with heat caulking as described above, the ink to the head holder The work of assembling the tank and exhaust valve means must be performed at a plurality of locations, which is troublesome.

  According to the present invention, the assembling workability of the casing for exhausting to the head holder is secured, and the opening / closing operation direction or the exhaust member of the operating member for opening / closing the exhaust valve means with respect to the head holder is secured to the casing. Provided is an ink jet printer which is positioned in a direction in which it is detachably connected and can reliably exhaust air from an ink tank.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a box-shaped head holder that holds an ink jet head, and the ink tank includes an ink lead-out path through which ink is guided from the ink storage chamber and the ink. An exhaust passage for discharging the separated air; the ink outlet passage is connected to an ink inlet portion of the inkjet head; and the exhaust passage is opened to the outside through an exhaust valve means that can be opened and closed, In the ink jet printer in which the valve means is opened and closed by an operating member provided outside the head holder, the ink tank is fixed to the head holder or an ink jet head fixed to the head holder, and the casing of the exhaust valve means Protrudes from the ink tank laterally from the fixed position of the ink tank. The exhaust valve means is engaged between the casing of the exhaust valve means and the head holder from a direction orthogonal to the operation direction by the operating member, and the casing of the exhaust valve means is Positioning means for determining a positional relationship with respect to the head holder in the operation direction by the member is provided.

  In this way, even if the ink tank is fixed to the head holder or the ink jet head and the casing of the exhaust valve means protrudes from the ink tank in a substantially cantilevered state, the casing of the exhaust valve means is attached to the head holder. Since the body is positioned by the positioning means, even if a load acts on the casing in the opening / closing operation by the operating member, the casing moves in the direction by the opening / closing operation by the operating member. There is no fear. Therefore, the opening / closing operation of the exhaust valve means is reliably performed according to the opening / closing operation of the operation member.

  Further, the positioning means provided between the casing of the exhaust valve means and the head holder is engaged with each other from the direction orthogonal to the operation direction by the operation member, so that the exhaust valve means is moved by the operation member. Since the positional relationship with respect to the head holder is determined in the opening / closing direction, the number of steps for assembling the ink tank and the exhaust valve means to the head holder is reduced, and the workability is excellent.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the first aspect, the exhaust passage is connected to a portion of the ink tank opposite to a connection portion between the ink tank and the ink jet head, and the casing includes the casing. The head holder extends along one side wall parallel to the opening / closing operation direction, and the positioning means is orthogonal to the opening / closing operation direction provided on the facing surface of the housing and one side wall of the head holder. It consists of an engaging convex part and an engaging concave part which are elastically engaged so that it can be engaged and disengaged in the direction.

  In this case, the casing of the exhaust valve means extends along one side wall of the head holder parallel to the opening / closing operation direction of the operating member, and the positioning means is one side wall of the casing and the head holder. The positioning means is configured simply because it comprises an engaging convex portion and an engaging concave portion that are elastically engaged with each other in a direction perpendicular to the opening / closing operation direction.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the inkjet printer according to the second aspect, the head holder is provided so as to be movable along a recording medium, and the inkjet head is exposed and fixed to the head holder from the bottom thereof, The end of the housing opposite to the end connected to the ink tank is located near the side of the inkjet head, and outside the position where the inkjet head faces the recording medium, A recovery mechanism that receives the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles of the inkjet head facing the inkjet head and the operation member are arranged adjacent to each other.

  In this case, the end of the casing of the exhaust valve means opposite to the end connected to the ink tank is located in the vicinity of the side of the inkjet head, so that it faces the inkjet head. Thus, the recovery mechanism that receives the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles of the ink jet head and the operation member can be disposed adjacent to each other, and the size can be reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a box-shaped head holder that holds an ink jet head, and the ink tank includes an ink lead-out path through which ink is led out from the ink storage chamber and the ink. An exhaust passage for discharging the separated air; the ink outlet passage is connected to an ink inlet portion of the inkjet head; the exhaust passage is opened to the outside; and the head holder is disposed at an opening end of the exhaust passage. In an ink jet printer in which an exhaust member provided outside is detachably connected, the ink tank is fixed to the head holder or an ink jet head fixed to the head holder, and a housing having the exhaust passage therein is provided. Protruding from the ink tank to the side from the fixed location of the ink tank And between the housing of the exhaust passage and the head holder are engaged with each other from a direction orthogonal to the direction of connecting the exhaust member to the exhaust passage, and the exhaust member is connected to the exhaust passage. Positioning means for determining a positional relationship of the casing of the exhaust passage with respect to the head holder in the direction is provided. Here, the member for opening and closing the exhaust valve means for opening and closing the exhaust passage may be included as a part of the exhaust member, or may be provided separately.

  In this way, even if the ink tank is fixed to the head holder or the inkjet head and the casing of the exhaust passage projects from the ink tank in a substantially cantilever state, the casing of the exhaust passage is not attached to the head holder. In the connecting direction of the exhaust member connected to the exhaust passage in the casing by the positioning means, the positioning is performed by the engagement of the casing and the head holder. Even if a load acts on the housing, the housing does not move in the direction.

  Further, the positioning means provided between the casing of the exhaust passage and the head holder engages each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the exhaust member is connected to the exhaust passage, thereby Since the positional relationship with respect to the head holder is determined in the direction in which the operation member is opened and closed, the number of assembling steps to the head holder of the housing having the ink tank and the exhaust passage inside is reduced. Also excellent in properties.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the fourth aspect, the exhaust passage is connected to a portion of the ink tank opposite to a connection portion between the ink tank and the ink jet head, and the casing includes the housing The head holder extends along one side wall parallel to the connection direction of the exhaust member, and the positioning means is provided on the opposing surface of the housing and one side wall of the head holder, and is orthogonal to the connection direction. It comprises an engaging convex part and an engaging concave part that are detachably engaged with each other.

  In this way, as in the second aspect of the invention, the positioning means can be engaged and disengaged in a direction perpendicular to the opening / closing operation direction provided on the facing surface between the casing and one side wall of the head holder. Therefore, the positioning means can be easily configured.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the inkjet printer of the fifth aspect, the head holder is provided so as to be movable along a recording medium, and the inkjet head is exposed and fixed to the head holder from the bottom thereof, and The end of the housing opposite to the end connected to the ink tank is located near the side of the ink jet head, and the outside of the position where the ink jet head faces the recording medium. A recovery mechanism that receives the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles of the inkjet head opposite to the inkjet head and the exhaust member are disposed adjacent to each other at a recovery position where the head holder moves. Features.

  According to this configuration, similarly to the third aspect, the recovery mechanism that receives the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles of the inkjet head facing the inkjet head and the operation member may be disposed adjacent to each other. Can be made compact.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the second or fifth aspect, the ink tank and the casing are positioned with a space between the side walls, and the exhaust passage is at one end of the side walls. The ink tank extends from the ink tank to the housing over a portion.

  In this way, since the ink tank and the casing are positioned with the side wall therebetween, the positioning means can be simply configured between the side wall of the head holder and the casing. can do.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the ink jet printer according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the head holder has a bottom wall and a side wall rising around the bottom wall, and the ink jet head is fixed to the bottom wall, The ink tank is fixed to the bottom wall or the inkjet head fixed to the bottom wall, and the casing is formed to be connected to at least the ink tank opposite to the bottom wall, It extends along one, and is elastically engaged with the side wall by the positioning means.

  In this way, when the head holder is box-shaped, positioning means by elastic engagement can be configured without difficulty.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the ink jet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ink tank is formed by joining an upper tank portion and a lower tank portion, and the upper tank portion and the lower tank portion. The upper part of the casing and the lower part of the casing are formed respectively, and the upper part and the lower part are connected to form the casing.

  In this way, the same effect can be achieved even when the ink tank is configured by joining the upper tank portion and the lower tank portion.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the ink storage chambers are provided in the ink tank of the ink jet printer according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, and each of the ink storage chambers stores an ink by type. From the ink storage chambers, the ink is supplied to the inkjet heads from the respective ink storage chambers, and the ink is supplied while scanning the plurality of ink storage chambers and the inkjet heads with respect to the recording medium. The exhaust passage and the housing are provided for each of the ink storage chambers.

  In this way, the invention according to claims 1 to 9 is realized in a type in which ink is supplied from the ink tank to the ink storage chamber and the inkjet head via the ink supply tube.

  According to the present invention, an ink tank is fixed to a head holder or an ink jet head, and even if a casing provided with exhaust valve means or an exhaust passage projects from the ink tank in a substantially cantilever state, the casing is attached to the head holder. Therefore, the load is applied to the casing in the direction in which the exhaust valve means is opened and closed by the operating member, or the load is applied in the direction in which the exhaust member is connected to the opening end of the exhaust passage. Even if it acts, there is no fear that the casing moves in the above direction, and air can be reliably exhausted from the ink tank.

  Further, the positioning means provided between the housing and the head holder is configured to open and close the exhaust member in the direction in which the exhaust valve means is opened and closed by the operation member by elastic engagement with each other. Since it is the structure which determines the positional relationship of the said housing | casing with respect to the said head holder in the direction connected to an end, the assembly man-hour of the housing | casing to a head holder is reduced, and it is excellent also in workability | operativity.

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

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the main structure of an ink jet printer according to the present invention in a plan view. In the following description, in FIG. 1, the left end side of the drawing is the left direction, the right end side is the right direction, the lower side of the drawing is the front, and the upper side of the drawing is the rear. Further, the side from which ink is ejected is the lower surface and the downward direction, and the opposite side is the upper surface and the upward direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 1 has two guide shafts 6 and 7 provided in parallel in the front and rear, and an ink tank 40 is mounted on the guide shafts 6 and 7 and also serves as a carriage. A head holder 9 is attached. The head holder 9 holds an inkjet head 30 that performs recording by discharging ink onto the recording paper P. The head holder 9 is attached to an endless belt 11 that is rotationally driven by a motor 10, and is configured to reciprocate along the recording paper P on the guide shafts 6 and 7 by driving the motor 10.

In addition, an ink supply source that stores ink according to type, that is, a plurality of ink cartridges, is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the main body of the inkjet printer 1. That is, an ink cartridge 5M containing magenta ink, an ink cartridge 5C containing cyan ink, an ink cartridge 5B containing black ink, and an ink cartridge 5Y containing yellow ink are arranged. Each of the ink cartridges 5M to 5Y is connected to the tube joint 20 through flexible ink supply tubes 14M, 14C, 14B, and 14Y.
(Main structure of the head holder)
Next, the main structure of the head holder 9 will be described. Subscripts M, C, B, and Y indicate that they relate to magenta ink, cyan ink, black ink, and yellow ink, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 14, the head holder 9 is formed in a box shape having a bottom wall 9c and a side wall 9d rising around the bottom wall 9c, and an upper surface is opened. On the lower surface side of the bottom wall 9c of the head holder 9, an ink jet head 30 is fixed by exposing an ink discharge nozzle (described later) downward. The ink jet head 30 includes a cavity unit 32 having a large number of ink flow paths and a piezoelectric actuator 31 that selectively applies ejection pressure to ink in the ink flow paths. A base end portion of a flexible flat cable 34B that includes a driver IC 34A and applies a voltage to the piezoelectric actuator 31 is fixed to the upper surface of the piezoelectric actuator 31.

  A square frame-shaped reinforcing frame 33 is bonded and fixed to the upper side of the cavity unit 32. The reinforcing frame 33 has a flat plate shape along the back surface of the inkjet head 30. The central opening 33 a of the reinforcing frame 33 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer shape of the piezoelectric actuator 31 and smaller than the outer shape of the cavity unit 32 in plan view. Therefore, the piezoelectric actuator 31 and the flexible flat cable 34B are located in the central opening 33a of the reinforcing frame 33.

  That is, the inkjet head 30 is fixed by the adhesive 36 (FIG. 16) injected between the bottom surface 9 c of the head holder 9 with the rectangular frame-shaped reinforcing frame 33 interposed on the top surface thereof. The ink inlet portions 32M, 32C, 32Y, and 32B of the cavity unit 32 pass through the ink passage holes 33M, 33C, 33Y, and 33B provided in the reinforcing frame 33, and the ink supply port portions 39M to 39M of the ink tank 40. It communicates with 39B via elastic sealing materials 52, such as rubber packing.

  The cavity unit 32 has ink discharge nozzles 35 to 38 (see FIG. 3) arranged on the lower surface for each ink color, and four independent ink inlet portions 32M to 32B on the upper surface for each ink color. The upper surfaces of the ink inlet portions 32M to 32B are covered with an ink filtration filter (not shown). Corresponding to these ink inlet portions 32M to 32B, four ink passage port portions 33M to 33B are formed in the reinforcing frame 33.

In order to eliminate the step on the lower surface side between the ink jet head 30 and the reinforcing frame 33 and protect the ink jet head 30, a U-shaped protective cover 51 located around the ink jet head 30 includes a reinforcing frame. 33 is attached to the lower side.
(Main configuration of the ink tank 40)
An ink tank 40 is accommodated on the bottom wall 9c in the head holder 9 as shown in FIG. The ink tank 40 includes an upper tank portion 71 and a lower tank portion 72 that are connected in parallel in the vertical direction. In the front-rear direction, the ink introduction portion 40e, the buffer portion 40b, and the ink are sequentially arranged from the front side. Deriving unit 40d. The ink tank 40 is fixed by screwing attachment screws 48 into the screw holes 33f and 33g at the corners of the reinforcing frame 33 that are bonded and fixed to the bottom wall 9c of the head holder 9. The lower tank portion 72 is provided with an attachment hole 72b through which the attachment screw 48 is inserted when the ink tank is attached (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

  In the buffer section 40b, a wall 71c (see FIG. 10) is provided inside the upper tank section 71 so as to divide the interior vertically, and an ink storage chamber 41 (which stores yellow ink on the upper side with the wall 71c as a boundary). In FIG. 6A, an ink storage chamber 42 for storing magenta ink (see FIG. 6B) is formed adjacent to the lower side.

  A wall 72c (see FIG. 10) that divides the inside of the lower tank portion 72 vertically is provided, and an ink storage chamber 43 (FIG. 10) that stores cyan ink on the upper side through the wall 72c. 7 (a)), and an ink storage chamber 44 (see FIG. 7 (b)) for storing black ink is formed adjacently on the lower side. These ink storage chambers 41 to 44 are parallel to each other and are stacked in the vertical direction, and are formed in two in the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72. Thereby, in the ink tank 40, each ink of yellow, magenta, cyan and black is stored in order from the top.

  As described above, since the ink storage chambers 41 to 44 are parallel to each other and are stacked in the vertical direction, the ink storage chambers 41 to 44 have substantially uniform characteristics with respect to the ink supply to the inkjet head 30. Can be given. In addition, the capacity of the ink storage chambers 41 to 44 can be secured while suppressing the height of the ink tank 40 or the height of the entire printer. Therefore, it is possible to realize high-quality recording by effectively suppressing fluctuations in ink pressure and the like.

  The ink outlet 40d has a number of ink outlets 91M to 91B corresponding to the number of the ink reservoirs 41 to 44 arranged in the scanning direction of the inkjet head 30 behind the buffer 40b. The ink outlet passages 91M to 91B have substantially the same length and extend in the stacking direction, and are connected to the ink storage chambers 41 to 44 on the side surfaces thereof, whereby the ink outlet passages 41 to 44 are connected to the ink outlet passages 41 to 44, respectively. Ink is led into 91M-91B. At this time, the upper space of the ink lead-out paths 91M to 91B functions as an accumulator that separates and accumulates the air contained in the ink.

  As described above, since the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B have substantially the same length and extend in the stacking direction of the ink storage chambers 41 to 44, the ink jet heads to which they are connected in the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B. Thus, air can be favorably separated from the ink that is about to flow into the ink inlet port 30 and the air can be temporarily accumulated in the upper spaces of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B. The accumulated air can be discharged to the outside through an air discharge port that is opened and closed by an exhaust valve means 45 described later.

  In addition, the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B are formed in parallel so as to extend in the vertical direction across the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72, and the lower ends thereof are respectively connected to the ink passage port portions 33M to 33B of the reinforcing frame 33. Are opened as ink supply ports 39M to 39B connected to the respective ink inlets 32M to 32B of the inkjet head 30 (cavity unit 32). On the other hand, the upper end portions thereof are respectively connected to a plurality of air discharge port portions 46M, 46C, 46Y, 46B arranged substantially in a plane, and as will be described later, exhaust valve means 45 capable of opening and closing each of the exhaust passages 93M to 93B. It is opened to the outside through.

  That is, the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B are divided into upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72, respectively, divided into an upper side connected to the air discharge ports 46M to 46B and a lower side connected to the ink supply ports 39M to 39B. Is formed.

  The ink lead-out paths 91M to 91B are configured by joining upper and lower cylindrical walls 40e and 40f formed corresponding to the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72, respectively. Each cylindrical wall 40e, 40f is divided and formed for each ink by a partition wall 40g. When the upper and lower tank parts 71 and 72 are laminated and joined, the upper and lower cylindrical walls 40e and 40f and the partition wall 40g are made to coincide with each other and joined using a joining means such as ultrasonic welding or adhesion. As a result, the upper cylindrical wall 40e and the lower cylindrical wall 40f are joined, and in this state, the ink storage chambers 41 to 44 are stacked as described above.

  As a result, the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B are continuously formed across the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72. At the same time, the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 are combined and integrated with each other.

  The ink introduction part 40e includes an extension part 40a extending forward from the buffer part 40b. As shown in FIG. 4, the extension portion 40 a is overlapped and supported on a mounting arm portion 9 a that extends forward and horizontally from the front end of the head holder 9. The tube joint 20 is attached to the upper surface in front of the extension 40a. A cable holding member 29 is integrally formed at the front end of the tube joint 20 to hold a flexible flat cable (not shown) inserted in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tube joint 20 has connection portions 21M, 21C, 21B, and 21Y to which the ink supply tubes 14M to 14Y are connected, arranged in a line in the front-rear direction and formed to protrude to the left. Yes. An ink flow path for introducing ink from the connected ink supply tubes 14M to 14Y is formed inside each of the connection portions 21M to 21Y.

  As shown in FIG. 5, ink inlets 22 </ b> M, 22 </ b> C, and 22 </ b> B communicating with the ink flow paths in the connection portions 21 </ b> M to 21 </ b> Y (see FIG. 2) are provided on the upper surface of the extension 40 a corresponding to the lower surface of the tube joint 20. , 22Y are opened in a row from the rear to the front.

  On the lower surface of the extension portion 40a, ink introduction paths 61M, 61C, 61B, and 61Y are formed with front ends connected to the ink introduction ports 22M to 22Y, respectively. Each of the ink introduction paths 61M to 61Y is formed as a concave groove extending in the front-rear direction, and is arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the lower surface of the extension 40a.

  Each lower opening surface of the ink introduction paths 61M to 61Y is sealed with a film 85 (see FIG. 10). The film 85 plays the role of the bottom of each concave groove, and the ink introduction paths 61M to 61Y are formed by the inner wall surface of the groove and the film 85.

  The extension portion 40a is integrally formed so as to be connected to the wall 71c (see FIG. 10) of the upper tank portion 71, and the rear ends of the ink introduction paths 61M to 61Y pass through the extension portion 40a up and down. The holes 62M, 62C, 62B, and 62Y are connected to ink introduction paths 63M, 63C, 63B, and 63Y formed on the upper surface of the extension 40a, respectively.

  The left end ink introduction hole 62Y and the right end ink introduction hole 62M are connected to the ink storage chamber 41 and the ink storage chamber 42 of the upper tank portion 71, respectively, as will be described later, and the two central ink introduction holes 62C and 62B are connected to each other. These are connected to the ink storage chamber 43 and the ink storage chamber 44 of the lower tank portion 72, respectively.

  Cylindrical walls 92a and 92b project from the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 at positions overlapping the rear ends of the central ink introduction paths 63C and 63B in plan view (FIG. 6A and FIG. 6). 7 (a)), the upper ends of the ink introduction paths 64C and 64B penetrating the cylindrical walls 92a and 92b are connected to the rear ends of the ink introduction paths 63C and 63B.

By joining the two cylindrical walls 92a and 92b with joining means such as ultrasonic welding and adhesion, the ink introduction paths 63C and 63B of the upper tank section 71 are connected to the lower tank section 72 via the ink introduction paths 64C and 64B. At the same time, the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 are connected to each other and integrated together with the joining of the cylindrical walls 40e and 40f described above.
(Main structures of the ink storage chambers 41 to 44)
Next, the main structure of each of the ink storage chambers 41 to 44 will be described with reference to the drawings.
-Structure of ink storage chamber 41 for yellow ink-
As shown in FIG. 6A, the upper surface of the wall 71c of the upper tank section 71 in the buffer section 40b has a substantially rectangular cross section, and the yellow ink made of a flat space having an upper surface opened in the same shape. An ink storage chamber 41 is formed. The ink storage chamber 41 is divided into four sides by a left side wall 41i, a right side wall 41h, a rear side wall 41k, and a front side wall 41m. In the ink storage chamber 41, the rear end of the ink introduction path 63Y opens as an ink inlet 41b in the vicinity of the corner formed by the left side wall 41i and the front side wall 41m.

  Ink storage is located at a position slightly displaced from the center in the left-right direction of the rear side wall 41k to a position displaced leftward from the rear right corner of the ink storage chamber 41 and slightly protruding rearward from the rear side wall 41k. An ink outlet 41c through which yellow ink in the chamber 41 flows is formed.

  That is, the yellow ink ink inlet 41 b and the ink outlet 41 c are provided at substantially diagonal positions of the ink storage chamber 41. In other words, the ink storage chambers 41 are formed at positions that are most distant from each other across most of the space in the ink storage chamber 41.

  The ink outlet 41c penetrates from the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber 41 to the lower surface 71b of the upper tank portion 71 and is connected to the ink outlet path 91Y (see FIGS. 6B and 10A). The ink outlet path 91Y has a peripheral edge on the ink outlet path 91Y side of the lower surface of the ink outlet 41c so that the ink outlet 41c is opened below the upper end of the ink outlet path 91Y and the ink is guided toward the bottom of the ink outlet path 91Y. The inside is partitioned by a guide wall 64Y. The ink outlet paths 91M to 91B expand forward between the ink storage chamber 41 and the ink storage chamber 44 so as to overlap the yellow ink outlet 41c and the black ink outlet 44c in the vertical direction. Is formed.

  The surface open above the ink storage chamber 41, the ink introduction paths 63M to 63Y, the exhaust passage 93, and the connection outlet path 65M, which will be described later, is a film 81 (FIGS. 2 and 8) that is a deformable flexible film. (See (a)). The upper surfaces of the side walls that define the outer circumferences of the ink introduction paths 63M to 63Y and the exhaust passage 93 described later are formed on the same plane as the upper surfaces of the side walls 41h to 41m of the ink storage chamber 41, and the film 81 is adhered to the upper surface. Bonding is performed by bonding means such as heat welding. Thereby, the ink storage chamber 41, the ink introduction paths 63M to 63Y, the exhaust passage 93 and the connection outlet path 65M, which will be described later, are partitioned.

At the bottom 41a of the ink storage chamber 41, ribs 41d and 41e are provided upright on both sides of a line connecting the ink inlet 41b and the ink outlet 41c for yellow ink. Each of the ribs 41d and 41e has a quadrangular vertical cross section, and is formed at a height that is about half the depth of the ink storage chamber 41 (distance from the film 81 to the bottom 41a). It is positioned so as not to limit the movement of the film 81. The ribs 41d and 41e are for guiding the rapid flow of ink from the ink inlet 41b to the ink outlet 41c. In addition, a rib 41f made of a small piece having a bent portion is formed between the rib 41d and the rib 41e so as to guide the flow of ink toward the ink outlet 41c along the bent rib 41e. ing.
-Ink storage chamber 42 for magenta ink-
The ink storage chamber 42 will be described with reference to FIG. 6B is a view of the upper tank portion 71 as viewed from below, the left direction in the figure is the “right direction” and the right direction in the figure is the “left direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, on the lower surface of the wall 71c of the upper tank portion 71, the ink storage chamber 42 of magenta ink having a flat space having a substantially rectangular cross section and the lower surface opened in the same shape. Is formed. The ink storage chamber 42 is partitioned by a left side wall 42i, a right side wall 42h, a rear side wall 42k, and a front side wall 42m, and is adjacent to the ink storage chamber 41 via a wall 71c as shown in FIG. It is provided on the lower side.

  The ink inlet 42b of the ink storage chamber 42 for magenta ink is opened in the bottom 42a near the right front corner in the ink storage chamber 42, and penetrates the upper tank portion 71 to pass through the ink introduction path 63M (FIG. 6 ( a) see 1).

  The ink outlet 42 c of the ink storage chamber 42 is opened at the bottom 42 a in the vicinity of the left rear corner that is diagonal to the ink inlet 42 b and penetrates the upper tank 71. On the upper surface of the upper tank portion 71, a connection outlet path 65M is formed at a position corresponding to the ink outlet 42c and outside the ink storage chamber 41. One end of the connection lead-out path 65M is connected to the ink outlet 42c penetrating the upper tank portion 71, and the other end is connected to the ink lead-out path 91M through the upper tank portion 71 from the upper surface to the lower surface. The peripheral edge of the lower surface opening of the connection outlet path 65M on the ink outlet path 91M side opens the connection outlet path 65M below the upper end of the ink outlet path 91M, and guides the ink toward the bottom of the ink outlet path 91M. The ink outlet path 91M is partitioned by a guide wall 64M.

  The ink inlet 42 b and the ink outlet 42 c for magenta ink are provided at substantially diagonal positions in the ink storage chamber 42. In other words, the ink storage chambers 42 are formed at positions that are almost farthest apart from each other across most of the space in the ink storage chamber 42. That is, the ink inlet 42b and the ink outlet 42c for magenta ink are formed at positions that are almost farthest from each other across a large space in the ink storage chamber 42 through which the ink flows.

  Further, the yellow ink storage chamber 41 and the magenta ink storage chamber 42 are vertically adjacent to each other with the wall 71c of the upper tank portion 71 interposed therebetween, and the yellow ink inlet 41b and the ink outlet 41c, An ink inlet 42b and an ink outlet 42c for magenta ink are arranged at different positions along the wall 71c. That is, when the upper tank portion 71 is viewed in plan, the line connecting the ink inlet 41b and the ink outlet 41c for yellow ink and the line connecting the ink inlet 42b and the ink outlet 42c for magenta ink extend in different directions, and It intersects like a diagonal line.

  The surface opened below the ink storage chamber 42 is sealed with a flexible film 82 (see FIG. 10B). The film 82 is bonded onto the side walls 42h to 42m of the ink storage chamber 42 by bonding means such as adhesion and heat welding, thereby defining the ink storage chamber 42.

Ribs 42 d and 42 e are erected on the bottom 42 a of the ink storage chamber 42. The ribs 42d and 42e are provided in parallel so that the distance from the diagonal line is substantially equal across the diagonal line connecting the ink inlet 42b and the ink outlet 42c of magenta ink. Each of the ribs 42d and 42e has a rectangular cross section, and is formed at a height that is about half the depth of the ink storage chamber 42 (distance from the film 82 to the bottom 42a). The film 82 is positioned so as not to limit the movement of the film 82. The ribs 42d and 42e are for guiding the rapid flow of ink from the ink inlet 42b to the ink outlet 42c.
-Ink storage chamber 43 for cyan ink-
The ink storage chamber 43 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7B is a diagram viewed from below, the left direction in the figure is “right direction”, and the right direction in the figure is “left direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, on the upper surface 72a of the lower tank portion 72, a cyan ink storage chamber 43 having the same shape at a position corresponding to the magenta ink storage chamber 42 is formed on the left side wall 43i and the right side. It is partitioned by a wall 43h, a rear side wall 43k, and a front side wall 43m, and is opened upward. Ribs 43d and 43e having the same shape as the ribs 42d and 42e (see FIG. 6B) are provided on the bottom 43a.

  Similar to the ink storage chamber 42 for magenta ink, the opening surface of the cyan ink storage chamber 43 is sealed with a substantially rectangular flexible film 83. That is, the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 are connected to each other so that the film 82 of the magenta ink storage chamber 42 and the film 83 of the cyan ink storage chamber 43 face each other in parallel. Yes.

  The ink inlet 43 b for cyan ink is opened in the bottom 43 a near the right front corner in the ink storage chamber 43, penetrates the lower tank portion 72 in the thickness direction, and the lower surface of the lower tank portion 72. Is connected to one end of an ink introduction path 66 </ b> C. The ink introduction path 66C is formed in an L shape along the right front corner outside the ink storage chamber 44 for black ink, and the other end is connected to the lower end of the ink introduction path 64C.

  That is, the ink introduction path 63 </ b> C (see FIG. 6B) formed on the upper surface 71 a of the upper tank portion 71 passes through the ink introduction path 64 </ b> C (FIG. 6C) penetrating in the stacking direction of the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72. And the ink inlet 43b of the cyan ink storage chamber 43 via the ink introduction path 66C.

  The ink outlet 43 c of the ink storage chamber 43 is opened at the bottom 43 a in the vicinity of the left rear corner in the ink storage chamber 43, and penetrates the lower tank portion 72 in the thickness direction. It is connected to a connection lead-out path 68C (see FIG. 7B) formed on the lower surface. As shown in FIG. 7B, the connection lead-out path 68 </ b> C is formed in an L shape along the left rear corner outside the black ink storage chamber 44. The connection lead-out path 68C and the rear portion of the ink storage chamber 44 are positioned so as to overlap with the ink lead-out paths 91M to 91B in plan view, and the other end 68Ca of the connection lead-out path 68C extends from the lower tank portion 72 to the bottom. By penetrating upward, the ink outlet 91C is connected to the ink outlet 91C at a position lower than the upper end of the ink outlet 91C (see FIG. 10C).

-Black ink ink storage chamber 44-
The ink storage chamber 44 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, a black ink ink storage chamber is formed on the lower surface of the wall 72c of the lower tank portion 72. The black ink storage chamber is a flat space having a substantially rectangular cross section and the lower surface opening in the same shape. 44 is formed. The ink storage chamber 44 is partitioned by a left side wall 44i, a right side wall 44h, a rear side wall 44k, and a front side wall 44m. As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, the ink of cyan ink is passed through the wall 72c. It is provided adjacent to the storage chamber 43 in the vertical direction.

  Further, an ink introduction path 66C for cyan ink is provided adjacent to the right front corner of the ink storage chamber 44, and a connection outlet path 68C is provided adjacent to the left rear corner. .

  The front portion of the ink storage chamber 44 is positioned so as to overlap with the ink introduction path 64 </ b> B in plan view, and the ink introduction path 64 </ b> B penetrates the lower tank portion 72 in the vertical direction, Open to the bottom 44a in the vicinity of the corner. That is, the lower end opening of the ink introduction path 64 </ b> B serves as an ink inlet of the ink storage chamber 44.

  The black ink ink outlet 44c through which the black ink in the ink storage chamber 44 flows is opened at the bottom 44a in the vicinity of the right rear corner in the ink storage chamber 44 and penetrates the lower tank portion 72 in the vertical direction. And communicated with the ink outlet path 91B.

  That is, the ink inlet 44 b and the ink outlet 44 c for black ink are provided at substantially diagonal positions in the ink storage chamber 44. In other words, the ink storage chambers 44 are formed at positions that are most distant from each other across most of the space in the ink storage chamber 44.

  The ink storage chamber 44 and the ink storage chamber 43 are vertically adjacent to each other via the wall 72c of the lower tank portion 72, and the black ink ink inlet 44b and the ink outlet 44c, and the cyan ink ink inlet. 43b and the ink outlet 43c are arranged at different positions along the wall 72c.

  That is, when the lower tank portion 72 is viewed in plan, a line connecting the cyan ink inlet 43b and the ink outlet 43c and a line connecting the black ink inlet 44b and the ink outlet 44c extend in different directions. They cross each other like a diagonal line.

  The surfaces open below the black ink storage chamber 44, the ink introduction path 66C, and the connection lead-out path 68C are flexible films 84 (see FIGS. 7B and 10D). It is sealed. The lower surface of the side wall defining the ink introduction path 66C, the connection outlet path 68C, and the ink storage chamber 44 is formed on the same plane, and the film 84 is bonded to the surface by bonding means such as adhesion or heat welding. Thereby, the ink storage chamber 44 for black ink, the ink introduction path 66C, and the connection outlet path 68C are partitioned.

On the bottom 44a of the ink storage chamber 44, ribs 44d and 44e are provided upright on both sides of a line connecting the ink inlet 41b and the ink outlet 41c. Each of the ribs 44d and 44e has a rectangular cross section, and is formed at a height of about half the depth of the ink storage chamber 44 (distance from the film 84 to the bottom 44a), and is spaced from the film 84. It is positioned so as not to limit the movement of the film 84. The ribs 44d and 44e are for guiding the rapid flow of ink from the ink introduction path 64B to the ink outlet 44c.
(How each ink flows)
The yellow ink flows along the path indicated by the YY line cross section of FIG. As shown in FIG. 10A, the ink is introduced into the ink storage chamber 41 from the ink inlet 41b (see FIG. 6A) through the ink introduction passages 61Y and 63Y from the ink introduction port 22Y (see FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the yellow ink introduced into the ink storage chamber 41 flows across most of the space in the ink storage chamber 41 from the ink inlet 41b toward the ink outlet 41c. As shown in FIG. 10A, the yellow ink that has flowed out of the ink storage chamber 41 is supplied to the inkjet head 30 from the ink supply port portion 39Y through the ink lead-out path 91Y.

  The magenta ink flows along a path indicated by a cross section taken along line MM in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, the ink storage on the back side of the upper tank portion 71 from the ink inlet 42b (see FIG. 6B) through the ink introduction passages 61M and 63M from the ink inlet 22M (see FIG. 5). It is introduced into the chamber 42.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the magenta ink introduced into the ink storage chamber 42 flows from the ink inlet 42b toward the ink outlet 42c. As shown in FIG. 10B, the magenta ink that has flowed out of the ink storage chamber 42 is supplied to the inkjet head 30 from the ink supply port portion 39M through the ink lead-out path 91M.

  The cyan ink flows along a path indicated by a cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10C, the cyan ink introduced into the ink introduction paths 61C and 63C from the ink introduction port 22C (see FIG. 5) passes through the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 in the stacking direction. After flowing into the ink introduction path 66C on the lower surface side of the lower tank portion 72 through 64C, the ink is introduced into the ink storage chamber 43 on the upper surface side from the ink inlet 43b (see FIG. 7A).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the cyan ink introduced into the ink storage chamber 43 flows from the ink inlet 43b toward the ink outlet 43c. As shown in FIG. 10C, the ink that has flowed out of the ink storage chamber 43 is supplied to the inkjet head 30 from the ink supply port portion 39C through the ink outlet path 91C.

  The black ink flows along a path indicated by a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10D, the black ink introduced into the ink introduction paths 61B and 63B (see FIG. 5) from the ink introduction port 22B (see FIG. 5) moves the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 in the stacking direction. The ink is introduced into the ink storage chamber 44 on the lower surface side of the lower tank portion 72 through the ink introduction path 64B.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the black ink introduced into the ink storage chamber 44 flows from the ink inlet 44b toward the ink outlet 44c. As shown in FIG. 10D, the black ink that has flowed out of the ink storage chamber 44 is supplied from the ink supply port portion 39B to the inkjet head 30 via the ink lead-out path 91B.

The ink supply to the ink jet head 30 is performed while scanning the ink storage chambers 41 to 44 and the ink jet head 30 with respect to the recording medium, and the ink storage chamber is easily affected by fluctuations in ink pressure. Since the films 81 to 84, which are flexible films, are provided on the surfaces 41 to 44 that are parallel to each other, the ink pressure fluctuation is effectively suppressed by the deformation of the films 81 to 84, and high quality recording is performed. be able to. In particular, since the films 81 to 84 are provided on the mutually parallel surfaces of the ink storage chambers 41 to 44, the area of the film can be increased while suppressing the height in the stacking direction, and fluctuations in the ink pressure and the like are suppressed. This is advantageous.
(Exhaust passage structure)
The upper ends of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B located above the ink supply ports 39M to 39Y are connected to air discharge ports 46M to 46B formed on the upper surface of the upper tank 71 as shown in FIG. The exhaust valve for each ink color is disposed on one side of the buffer unit 40b through the exhaust passages 93M, 93C, 93B, 93Y formed as concave grooves along the upper surface of the upper tank unit 71. The means 47 is connected to the upper end of each exhaust passage in the housing 45.

  That is, the exhaust passages 93 </ b> M to 93 </ b> Y and the exhaust passages in the housing 45 of the exhaust valve means 47 are connected to the portion of the ink tank 40 opposite to the connection portion between the ink tank 40 and the inkjet head 30.

  The casing 45 of the exhaust valve means 47 extends in the vertical direction along one side wall 9d parallel to the opening / closing operation direction of the head holder 9. As will be described later, the casing 45 is provided so as to protrude laterally from the ink tank 40 via connecting portions 74a and 74b that extend laterally beyond the side wall 9d. The lower end of the housing 45 opposite to the upper end on the side connected to the ink tank 40 is located in the vicinity of the side of the inkjet head 30, and the lower end opening of the exhaust passage in the housing 45 is below It is designed to open towards That is, the ink tank 40 and the housing 45 are positioned side by side with the side wall 9d therebetween. The exhaust passages 93M to 93Y extend from the ink tank 40 to the exhaust passage in the housing 45 beyond the upper end portion of the side wall 9d.

  As shown in FIG. 19, first, the ink tank 40 and the housing 45 are assembled to the head holder 9 so that the side wall 9d is positioned between them. The holder 9 is fitted from above. At this time, positioning in the X, Y, and Z directions by elastic engagement between an engagement convex portion 45a and an engagement hole 9e, which will be described later, and engagement between the engagement convex portion 45b and the engagement hole 9g of the horizontal protruding wall 9f. Also made. Thereafter, the mounting screw 48 is inserted through the mounting hole 72 b of the lower tank portion 72 and screwed into the screw holes 33 f and 33 g of the reinforcing frame 33, whereby the ink tank 40 and the housing 45 are connected to the head holder 9. Fixed to. In this way, the ink tank 40 and the housing 45 are assembled to the head holder 9.

  The housing 45 is formed substantially parallel to the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B. In this way, the air discharge ports 46M to 46B at the upper ends of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B and the housing 45 having the exhaust passage therein are connected by the exhaust passages 93M to 93Y formed on the upper surface of the tank portion 71. . The exhaust passages 93 </ b> M to 93 </ b> Y are defined by covering their open upper surfaces with a flexible film 81.

  The exhaust passages 93M to 93Y temporarily turn rightward from the upper ends of the ink outlet passages 91M to 91B along the outer periphery of the yellow ink storage chamber 41 on the upper surface of the upper tank portion 71, and then extend forward. It is connected to the exhaust valve means 47 (housing 45).

The exhaust valve is normally in a closed state, and the air contained in the ink when the ink supplied from the ink supply tubes 14M to 14Y flows through the ink storage chambers 41 to 44 and the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B. Are separated from the ink and floated, and air trapped by a filter provided at each ink inlet of the ink jet head is separated and floated, and accumulated at the upper ends of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B. This air can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust passages 93M to 93Y by driving and controlling the exhaust valve means 47 to appropriately open the exhaust valve.
(Schematic structure of exhaust valve means)
The exhaust valve means 47 accommodates an exhaust valve that can be opened and closed for each of the exhaust passages 93M to 93Y inside the housing 45. Since both have the same configuration, the magenta will be described below with reference to FIG. Only the exhaust part of the ink will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the exhaust passage 101 in the housing 45 is long in the vertical direction and opens up and down. The exhaust inlet portion 101 a communicates with the exhaust passage 93 </ b> M and the exhaust outlet portion that opens to the outside at the lower end. 101b and functions as a valve chamber in which the valve body 102 is slidable, and is formed for each ink color (four). Each exhaust passage 101 has an upper large-diameter hole portion 101A and a small-diameter hole portion 101B located on the lower side.

  Further, the upper portion 45e of the casing 45 having the exhaust inlet portion 101a and the engagement convex portion 71d described later is integrally formed via the upper tank portion 71 and the connecting portion 74a, and the large-diameter hole portion 101A and the small-diameter hole portion. The lower portion 45f of the housing 45 having 101B is integrally formed via the lower tank portion 72 and the connecting portion 74b. When the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 are joined as described above, the upper portion of the housing 45 is formed. The lower part is also joined at the same time.

  Positioning means for determining the positional relationship of the exhaust valve means 47 with respect to the head holder 9 will be described later, provided on the facing surface between the housing 45 and one side wall 9d of the head holder 9, as shown in FIG. First means comprising an engaging convex portion 45a and an engaging hole 9e (engaging concave portion) that fit in a direction orthogonal to the opening / closing operation direction, and projecting outward from both front and rear end portions of the housing 45 and the side wall 9d. Provided with a second means comprising two sets of engaging projections 45b and engaging holes 9g fitted in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, provided on the horizontal protruding wall 9f. Directional positioning is made.

  When the ink tank 40 and the exhaust valve means 47 are mounted on the head holder 9, the exhaust valve means 47 (housing 45) is brought into contact with the engagement protrusion 45a and the upper side of the engagement hole 9e. The positional relationship is determined so as to be immovable with respect to the head holder 9 in the direction of opening and closing by a protruding shaft 121 (operation member) described later. This direction is also a direction in which the second cap member 123 is detachably connected to the exhaust passage of the housing 45.

  The casing 45 is formed by connecting to the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 via the connecting portions 74a and 74b, extends along one of the side walls 9d, and is separated below the connecting portions 74a and 74b. The positioning means (engagement protrusion 45a and engagement hole 9e) is provided at the position. Furthermore, the ink tank 40 and the housing 45 are formed of a synthetic resin material. Therefore, when the ink tank 40 and the exhaust valve means 47 are mounted on the head holder 9, the engagement convex portion 45b of the second means is first fitted into the engagement hole 9g from the top, and then the second The engaging projection 45 of the means abuts against the side wall 9d and the connecting portion 74 is bent so that the lower portion of the housing 45 is opened with respect to the ink tank 40, or the side wall 9d is bent toward the ink tank 40 side. The elastic engagement between the joint convex portion 45a and the engagement hole 9e is performed without difficulty. Thereafter, the ink tank 40 is fixed to the inkjet head 30 by the mounting screw 48.

  The valve body 102 includes a large-diameter valve portion 102a, a small-diameter valve rod 102b integrally connected to a lower end thereof, and a ring-shaped sealing material 102c fitted to the valve rod 102b. The valve portion 102a has a larger diameter than the valve rod 102b, and is provided on the valve rod 102b so that the sealing material 102c comes into contact with the valve portion 102a. Further, the valve portion 102a is the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole portion 101A and faces the upper end opening end surface 101C (valve seat surface) of the small-diameter hole portion 101B through the sealing material 102c. A large-diameter valve portion 102A is inserted into the large-diameter hole portion 101A of the exhaust hole 101, and a valve rod 102b is inserted into the small-diameter hole portion 101B with a gap that allows air (gas) to flow therethrough. Thus, the valve body 102 is slidably supported in the central axis direction.

  Since the valve rod 102b is pushed up by the protruding shaft 121 provided in the maintenance unit 120 when the valve is opened as will be described later, the lower end of the valve rod 102b is positioned in the vicinity of the lower end opening of the small diameter hole 101B (when the valve is closed). It is supposed to be. Note that rubber-like elastic packing or the like is suitable as the sealing material 102c. In this embodiment, an O-ring is used as the sealing material 102c.

  In addition, a coil spring 103 is inserted into the large-diameter hole portion 101A as an urging means for urging the valve body 102 (valve portion 102a) in a direction to close the exhaust outlet portion 101b. That is, the upper end portion of the coil spring 103 is fitted to the outside of the engaging convex portion 71d of the upper tank portion 71, and the lower end portion is fitted into the concave portion 102aa on the upper side of the valve portion 102a. A plurality of exhaust inlet portions 101a are formed around the engaging convex portion 71d. That is, one end portion of the coil spring 103 is in contact between the exhaust inlet portion 101a and the engaging convex portion 71d. Therefore, an exhaust (air) flow path from the exhaust inlet portion 101 a to the exhaust outlet portion 101 b is formed outside the coil spring 103.

  Thus, since the valve portion 102a is constantly urged by the coil spring 103 in the direction in which the sealing material 102c abuts against the opening end surface 101C, the push-up force by the protruding shaft portion 121 described later does not act on the valve body 102. At this time, the exhaust valve means 47 is in a valve closed state for closing the exhaust outlet portion 101b.

  A plurality of groove portions 102d are formed in the valve rod 102b of the valve body 102 over the entire length. The groove portion 102d formed in the valve rod 102b is a gap (exhaust flow path) that reliably allows air flow between the valve rod 102b and the seal material 102c when the valve portion 102a and the seal material 102c are separated. ). Therefore, ink adheres between the opening end surface 101C with which the sealing material 102c comes into contact with the sealing material 102c in the valve closed state, and the ink exhibits an adhesive function, and only the valve rod 102b rises, and the sealing material Even if the phenomenon that the 102c remains on the opening end surface 101C occurs, the exhaust is possible because the communication is made through the groove 102d. As a result, air does not continue to accumulate in the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B, and the air does not move toward the ink jet head 30, so that normal recording is not hindered.

  The maintenance unit 120 that performs cleaning of the nozzle surface, recovery processing for selectively sucking ink for each color, and removal processing for removing the air retained in the ink tank 40 is performed by the ink discharge nozzle 35 of the inkjet head 30. The first cap member 122 (recovery mechanism) that covers the opening surfaces of .about.38 and the lower end surface of the exhaust valve means 47 (that is, the lower end opening surface of each small-diameter hole portion 101b) can be opened and closed individually (removable). And a plurality of second cap members 123 (exhaust members) that are adjacent to each other. The maintenance unit 120 is provided outside the head holder 9, that is, outside the region where the recording medium is located in the main body of the inkjet printer 1.

  Both cap members 122 and 123 are supported by a vertically moving mechanism 124 similar to a known maintenance unit so as to be vertically movable. When the ink jet head 30 moves to a standby position that does not face the recording medium, the cap members 122 and 123 move to a raised position that is in close contact with the opening surface of the ink discharge nozzles 35 to 38 and the lower end surface of the exhaust valve means 47, In other positions, it moves to a lowered position so as to be separated from those surfaces. The first cap member 122 is connected to the suction pump 125 in the same manner as a known maintenance unit, and the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles 35 to 38 of the inkjet head 30 so as to face the inkjet head 30 is sucked by the suction pump 125. It is configured to receive by driving.

  Each of the second cap members 123 has a projecting shaft portion 121 projecting from the cap member 123 and is removably connected to the open ends of the exhaust passages 93M to 93Y, that is, below the exhaust valve means 47. When closely contacting the end surface, the valve body 102 is pushed up against the urging force of the coil spring 103 by the protruding shaft 121, and the sealing material 102c is separated from the open end surface 101C of the large-diameter hole portion 101A. A valve is opened to open the part 101b. Each second cap member 123 is connected to the suction pump 125 through a common flow path, and the air accumulated in the upper spaces of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B is collectively sucked by the driving of the suction pump 125 to the atmosphere. To be discharged. This is because the ink supplied from the ink cartridge to the inkjet head 30 through the ink supply tubes 13a to 13d is temporarily stored in the ink outlet passages 91M to 91B in the middle of the ink flow path, so that the air is discharged from the ink. The air that has been separated and accumulated in the upper part of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B is discharged by the suction pump 125 as described above.

  The first cap member 122 and the second cap member 123 are alternatively connected to the suction pump 125 by the switching valve 126. The first cap member 122 and the second cap member 123 are simultaneously brought into close contact with the opening surfaces of the ink discharge nozzles 35 to 38 and the lower end surface of the exhaust valve means 47 by the vertical movement mechanism 124. Then, for example, first, the air accumulated in the upper portions of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B is discharged through the second cap member 123, and then the ink is discharged from the ink discharge nozzles through the first cap member 122. If the air from the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B is to be discharged only with the first cap member 122, a large amount of ink must be discharged. The discharge and the recovery process of the inkjet head 30 can be performed.

Only ink suction from the ink discharge nozzles or only air discharge from the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B can be performed independently. Further, instead of the suction operation of the suction pump 125 as described above, a positive pressure is applied to the ink from the ink supply source, that is, the ink cartridge side, and the ink or the foreign matter thickened from the ink discharge nozzle is sucked and removed. It is also possible to discharge air from the outlet paths 91M to 91B. Alternatively, the suction operation and the positive pressure application to the ink can be used in combination.
(Exhaust device operation)
According to the above configuration, during normal printing, the valve body 102 is constantly pressed downward by the coil spring 103, and the seal material 102c is in contact with the valve portion 102a and the valve seat surface ( The exhaust outlet portion 101b is closed in a state in which the sealing material 102c is pressed and sandwiched between the valve portion 102a and the opening end surface 101C, and the valve is closed.

  On the other hand, when moving to the standby position, the valve rod 102b is pushed upward by the protruding shaft portion 121 (operation member) of the second cap member 123, and the coil spring 103 is compressed. At this time, the sealing material 102c moves together with the valve portion 102a or remains on the opening end surface 101C (valve seat surface). In any case, the exhaust hole 101 is in a communication state through the groove portion 102d. That is, the exhaust outlet portion 101b is opened, and the valve with respect to the exhaust outlet portion 101b is opened. As a result, the air accumulated in the upper portions of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B can be exhausted from the exhaust outlet portion 101b to the atmosphere via the small diameter hole portion 101B and the suction pump 125.

  Further, in this valve open state, a plurality of exhaust inlet portions 103 through which exhaust flows into the exhaust holes (valve chambers) are provided outside the coil spring 103 to be compressed. It can be avoided that the path resistance increases and the exhaust purge amount varies for each exhaust purge.

  In addition to the embodiment described above, the present invention can be implemented as described below.

  (i) In the embodiment, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ink are stored in order from the top, but the order of the stored ink may be changed.

  (ii) In the embodiment described above, the stacking direction of the tank portions 71 and 72 is the vertical direction, but it can also be the horizontal direction.

  (iii) In the above embodiment, the ink tank 40 is fixed to the reinforcing frame 33 constituting a part of the ink head 30 by the mounting screw 48, but is fixed to, for example, the bottom wall 9 c of the head holder 9. It is also possible to do so.

  (iv) In the above-described embodiment, only one engagement convex portion 45a is provided at the central position, but the left and right positions are set so as not to fluctuate when pushed up by the projecting shaft portion 121 as the operation member. It is also possible to provide two.

  (v) For the same reason, it is possible to provide an engagement recess on the exhaust valve means side and a protrusion on the head holder side. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the lower end protrusion 45 c of the housing 45 ′ can be engaged with the lower side of the bottom wall 9 c ′ of the head holder 9.

  (vi) Exhaust valve means with two sets of engaging projections 45b and engaging holes 9g of the engaged portion 9f fitted in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, or one set omitted. It is also possible to reduce the size of the casing in the direction in which the exhaust valves are arranged.

  (vii) When the engagement protrusion 45b and the engagement hole 9g are omitted, the housing 45 can be positioned not only in the upward direction but also in the front-rear direction by fitting the engagement protrusion 45a and the engagement hole 9e. it can.

  (viii) Further, when the engagement protrusion 45b and the engagement hole 9g are omitted, the head holder 9 is not engaged with the engagement protrusion 45a and the engagement hole 9e by utilizing the elasticity of the resin material. In contrast, the ink tank 40 and the housing 45 are moved relative to each other in the left-right direction to engage the engagement convex portion 45a with the engagement hole 9e, and then the ink tank 40 is moved to the ink inlet portions 32a to 32d of the head. It is also possible to position it and fix it with the mounting screw 48.

  (ix) Although the second cap member (exhaust member) 123 and the projecting shaft portion (operation member) 121 are integrally provided, any one of them may be used. For example, when a positive pressure is applied to ink from the ink supply source side, exhaust can be performed without the cap member (exhaust member) 123. If an electric drive source for operating the valve body 102 is provided on the head holder 9, only the cap member (exhaust member) 123 may be detachably connected to the exhaust passage of the housing.

  (x) The ink tank 40 mounted on the head holder 9 does not necessarily have a function of suppressing ink pressure fluctuation, and may be any tank that stores ink.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the main structure of the inkjet printer which concerns on this invention planarly. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a head holder on which an ink tank is mounted. It is explanatory drawing which looked at FIG. 2 from the nozzle surface side. It is sectional drawing in the IV-IV line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an ink flow path in an extension part of the ink tank shown in FIG. 2. 6A is a plan view of the upper tank portion as viewed from above, and FIG. 6B is a plan view of the upper tank portion as viewed from below. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the lower tank portion as viewed from above, and FIG. 7B is a plan view of the lower tank portion as viewed from below. It is an enlarged plan view of the upper tank part seen from the upper part. It is sectional drawing in the IX-IX line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the BB line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in CC line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the MM line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the YY line | wire of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of an inkjet head unit. It is sectional drawing in the XV-XV line | wire of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the assembly | attachment to a head holder of an exhaust valve means. It is explanatory drawing of other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer 9 Head holder 9c Bottom wall 9d Side wall 9e Engagement hole (engagement recessed part)
14M-14Y Ink supply tube 30 Inkjet head 35-38 Ink discharge nozzle 39M-39Y Ink supply port 40 Ink tank 41-44 Ink storage chamber 45 Housing 45a Engagement projection 46M-46B Air discharge port 47 Exhaust valve means 48 mounting screw 71 upper tank portion 72 lower tank portion 74 connecting portion 91M to 91B ink outlet passage 93M to 93B exhaust passage 101 exhaust hole 121 projecting shaft portion (operation member)
122 1st cap member (recovery mechanism part)
123 Second cap member (exhaust member)

Claims (10)

An ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a box-shaped head holder that holds an ink jet head, and the ink tank discharges air separated from the ink and an ink lead-out path through which ink is drawn from the ink storage chamber. A passage, and the ink outlet passage is connected to an ink inlet of the inkjet head, and the exhaust passage is opened to the outside through an exhaust valve means that can be opened and closed, and the exhaust valve means includes the head holder. In an ink jet printer that is opened and closed by an operating member provided outside,
The ink tank is fixed to the head holder or an inkjet head fixed to the head holder, and a housing of the exhaust valve means is provided so as to protrude from the ink tank to the side from a fixed position of the ink tank. ,
The exhaust valve means and the head holder are engaged with each other from a direction orthogonal to the operation direction by the operation member, and the exhaust valve means case is operated in the operation direction by the operation member. An ink jet printer comprising: positioning means for determining a positional relationship with respect to the head holder. The exhaust passage is connected to a portion of the ink tank opposite to the connection between the ink tank and the inkjet head;
The housing extends along one side wall of the head holder parallel to the opening / closing operation direction,
The positioning means includes an engaging convex portion and an engaging concave portion, which are provided on a facing surface between the casing and one side wall of the head holder and elastically engage and disengage in a direction orthogonal to the opening / closing operation direction. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein The head holder is provided so as to be movable along the recording medium, and the inkjet head is fixed to the head holder so as to be exposed from the bottom thereof, and an end portion of the housing on the side connected to the ink tank The opposite end of the inkjet head is located near the side of the inkjet head,
Outside the position where the ink jet head faces the recording medium, a recovery mechanism that faces the ink jet head and receives ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles of the ink jet head, and the operation member are arranged adjacent to each other. The inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein the inkjet printer is provided. An ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a box-shaped head holder that holds an ink jet head, and the ink tank discharges air separated from the ink and an ink lead-out path through which ink is drawn from the ink storage chamber. A discharge passage provided to the outside of the head holder at an opening end of the exhaust passage. In an inkjet printer that is detachably connected,
The ink tank is fixed to the head holder or an inkjet head fixed to the head holder, and a housing having the exhaust passage inside is provided to protrude from the ink tank to the side from a fixed portion of the ink tank. And
Between the casing of the exhaust passage and the head holder, they are engaged with each other from a direction orthogonal to the direction of connecting the exhaust member to the exhaust passage, and in the direction of connecting the exhaust member to the exhaust passage. An ink jet printer comprising: positioning means for determining a positional relationship of the casing of the exhaust passage with respect to the head holder. The exhaust passage is connected to a portion of the ink tank opposite to the connection between the ink tank and the inkjet head;
The housing extends along one side wall of the head holder parallel to the connection direction of the exhaust member,
The positioning means includes an engaging convex portion and an engaging concave portion, which are provided on a facing surface between the casing and one side wall of the head holder so as to be detachably engaged in a direction orthogonal to the connection direction. The ink jet printer according to claim 4. The head holder is provided so as to be movable along the recording medium, and the inkjet head is fixed to the head holder so as to be exposed from the bottom thereof, and an end portion of the housing on the side connected to the ink tank The opposite end of the inkjet head is located near the side of the inkjet head,
A recovery mechanism that receives the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles of the inkjet head opposite to the inkjet head at a recovery position where the head holder moves outside the position where the inkjet head faces the recording medium; The inkjet printer according to claim 5, wherein the exhaust member is disposed adjacent to the exhaust member.   The ink tank and the casing are spaced from each other with the side wall therebetween, and the exhaust passage extends from the ink tank to the casing beyond one end of the side wall. The ink jet printer according to claim 2 or 5, characterized in that The head holder has a bottom wall and a side wall rising around the bottom wall;
The inkjet head is fixed to the bottom wall;
The ink tank is fixed to the bottom wall or the inkjet head fixed to the bottom wall,
The casing is formed to be connected to at least the ink tank opposite to the bottom wall, extends along one of the side walls, and is elastically engaged with the side wall by the positioning means. An ink jet printer according to claim 1 or 4.
  The ink tank is formed by joining an upper tank portion and a lower tank portion, and an upper portion and a lower portion of the housing are formed in the upper tank portion and the lower tank portion, respectively. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the casing is configured by connecting an upper portion and a lower portion thereof. The ink tank is provided with a plurality of the ink storage chambers, and each ink storage chamber is supplied with an ink from an ink tank storing the ink by type through an ink supply tube.
Ink is supplied from each ink storage chamber to an inkjet head, and the plurality of ink storage chambers and the inkjet head are ejected while scanning the recording medium.
The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust passage and the housing are provided for each of the ink storage chambers.

Images