JP2007223328A - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid ejection device in which a sub-tank is simplified in structure and a pressure fluctuation accommodating function of the sub-tank is improved. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid ejection device is composed of a carriage for reciprocatively moving along a main scanning direction; a liquid ejection head mounted on the carriage, and having a plurality of head liquid feeding ports and a plurality of nozzle openings; and the sub-tank member having opening sections for a plurality of liquid storage chambers, communicating with the head liquid feeding ports of the liquid ejection head, respectively. The sub-tank member is formed of a single integral member. Then the opening section for each of the liquid storage chambers is blocked with an elastic diaphragm having a predetermined area to form the liquid storage chamber. Further the opening section for the liquid storage chamber communicates with each of a plurality of liquid communication channels formed in the sub-tank member, which liquid communication channel then communicates with each of a plurality of sub-tank liquid feeding ports formed outside the sub-tank member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a carriage on which a liquid ejecting head and a sub tank are mounted, supplies liquid from a liquid supply source disposed on the apparatus main body side to a liquid storage chamber of the sub tank through a liquid supply path, and stores the liquid. The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus configured to supply liquid stored in a storage chamber to a liquid ejecting head.

  Various liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquid from nozzle openings are known. A typical one is an ink jet recording apparatus.

  As disclosed in JP-A-2001-232808 and JP-A-2002-211003, a typical inkjet printer as an inkjet recording apparatus discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium such as recording paper. Images and characters can be recorded.

  A printer corresponding to large-format recording paper such as A0 plate and a printer corresponding to a relatively large amount of printing for business use, for example, has a large amount of ink consumption, so it is necessary to accommodate a large amount of ink. In a printer that can perform color printing using multicolored inks, it is necessary to store ink for the number of colors. For this reason, an ink supply source such as an ink tank or an ink cartridge capable of storing a large amount of ink is provided on the printer body side, and ink is supplied from the ink supply source to the recording head via the ink supply tube. ing.

  In such a configuration, a sub tank is mounted on the carriage in order to stabilize the supply of ink to the recording head. Conventionally, a sub tank is mounted for each type of ink. The ink supplied from the ink supply source through the ink supply tube is temporarily stored in the ink storage chamber of the sub tank and then supplied to the recording head. A part of the ink storage chamber is preferably formed by an elastic partition. In this case, the elastic partition wall absorbs ink pressure fluctuation accompanying the main scanning of the carriage, and stabilizes the ink supply to the recording head.

  By the way, it is preferable that the parts constituting the ink jet recording apparatus be made as small as possible in order to actively promote the downsizing of the apparatus and the associated cost reduction. As described above, when an independent sub tank is mounted on the carriage for each type of ink, the type and number of parts increase according to the number of types of ink, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost reduction. The assembly man-hours are also enormous. Further, since the ink supply tube is also connected to each sub tank, the tube as a whole requires a lot of space, and the labor for connection becomes great.

Summary of the Invention

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus in which the subtank configuration is further simplified and the subtank pressure fluctuation absorbing function is further improved. There is.

  The present invention includes a carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction, a liquid ejecting head that is mounted on the carriage, has a plurality of head liquid supply ports and a plurality of nozzle openings, and is mounted on the carriage. A sub tank member having a plurality of liquid storage chamber openings communicating with a plurality of head liquid supply ports of the liquid ejecting head, and the sub tank member is configured as a single integrated member, Each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by an elastic partition wall having a predetermined area to form a liquid storage chamber, and the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are a plurality of openings provided in the sub tank member. The plurality of liquid communication passages communicate with a plurality of sub tank liquid supply ports provided outside the sub tank member, respectively. It is a liquid-jet apparatus characterized that.

  According to the present invention, since a plurality of liquid storage chambers are formed in a single sub tank member, it is not necessary to configure the plurality of liquid storage chambers as separate parts, which is effective for simplifying the structure.

  For example, the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are bottomed openings.

  In this case, it is preferable that all of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are provided on one side of the sub tank member. Furthermore, it is particularly preferable that the opening surfaces of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are in a common flat surface.

  In such a case, all of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings can be closed by a common elastic partition. In this case, since the arrangement of the elastic partition walls is completed in one step, simplification of the manufacturing process is promoted.

  A part of each of the plurality of liquid communication paths may be formed by a liquid communication path opening formed in the sub tank member and an elastic partition wall closing the liquid communication path opening.

  In this case, for example, the plurality of liquid communication passage openings may be formed in parallel groove shapes. In this case, it is easy to form the liquid communication passage opening.

  Moreover, it is preferable that all of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings and the plurality of liquid communication passage openings are closed by a common elastic partition. In this case, since the formation of the plurality of liquid storage chambers and the formation of the plurality of liquid communication paths are completed in one arrangement step of the elastic partition walls, simplification of the manufacturing process is promoted.

  Alternatively, all of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are closed by a common first elastic partition wall, and all of the plurality of liquid communication passage openings are closed by a common second elastic partition wall. May be.

  For example, the elastic partition wall is joined to the sub tank member to form a liquid storage chamber and / or a liquid communication path.

  The plurality of sub-tank liquid supply ports are preferably collected and arranged at one place. In this case, since a member such as a liquid supply tube that forms the liquid supply path is connected to the sub tank liquid supply port that is collected and arranged in one place, the space required for the connection between them can be made as small as possible. . Accordingly, the subtank can be significantly reduced in size as compared with the conventional technique in which the liquid supply tube is connected to each of the plurality of subtanks arranged independently.

  Further, it is preferable that the elastic partition wall closing each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is arranged in parallel with the main scanning direction. In this case, when the sub tank member moves back and forth in the main scanning direction, the inertial force due to the inertial mass of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber does not directly act on the elastic partition wall. That is, the elastic partition wall can normally maintain the function of absorbing the pressure fluctuation of the liquid due to its elastic characteristics. In particular, when the traveling direction is reversed at the end of the main scanning range, the sub-tank rapidly decelerates, and the inertia force acts greatly. However, even in such a situation, the function of a normal elastic partition can be maintained. Furthermore, it is advantageous in terms of improving the durability of the elastic partition wall itself.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the elastic partition wall closing each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is disposed substantially horizontally. In this case, the depth of the liquid storage chamber in the vertical direction with respect to the elastic partition wall can be reduced, the size of the vertical sub tank can be shortened as much as possible, and the occupied space required in the vicinity of the carriage can be reduced. Become.

  Alternatively, the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are through openings. In this case, since the elastic partition walls are arranged at two positions with respect to one liquid storage chamber, the effective operation area of the elastic partition wall can be increased as much as possible, and the volume of the liquid storage chamber is accordingly reduced. It becomes possible. Therefore, the subtank is reduced in size, which is effective for space reduction and cost reduction.

  In this case, one side opening surface of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is on a common first flat surface, and the other side opening surface of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is a common second surface. Preferably, the first flat surface and the second flat surface are parallel to each other.

  In such a case, one side opening surface of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by a common first elastic partition wall, and the other side opening surface of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is a common one. It can be closed by a second elastic partition. In this case, simplification of the manufacturing process is promoted because the arrangement of the elastic partition walls is completed in a single process on both sides.

  Alternatively, the present invention provides a carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction, a liquid ejecting head that is mounted on the carriage, has a plurality of head liquid supply ports and a plurality of nozzle openings, and is mounted on the carriage. And a sub tank member having a plurality of liquid storage chamber openings communicating with the plurality of head liquid supply ports of the liquid ejecting head, respectively, each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings having a predetermined area The plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are respectively communicated with the plurality of liquid communication paths provided in the sub tank member, and are closed by the elastic partition walls. The liquid communication passage communicates with a plurality of subtank liquid supply ports provided outside the subtank member, and the plurality of subtank liquid supply ports is connected to one subtank liquid supply port. It is liquid-jet apparatus characterized being collected and disposed.

  According to the present invention, a member such as a liquid supply tube that forms a liquid supply path is connected to the sub tank liquid supply port that is gathered and arranged at one place. Can be made smaller. Accordingly, the subtank can be significantly reduced in size as compared with the conventional technique in which the liquid supply tube is connected to each of the plurality of subtanks arranged independently.

  The elastic partition is made of, for example, a synthetic resin film. The synthetic resin film is, for example, a polyphenylene sulfide film or a polyimide film. These films have sufficient chemical durability to the liquid and a compliance function that adapts to liquid pressure fluctuations.

  In addition, at least one of the liquid storage chamber and the liquid communication path may have a valve mechanism that is opened by a negative pressure associated with a decrease in liquid.

  In addition, the present invention is a sub tank member mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction, and is configured as a single integrated member, and communicates with a plurality of head liquid supply ports of the liquid ejecting head. The liquid storage chamber opening, a plurality of liquid communication passages communicating with the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings, and a plurality of subtank liquid supply ports communicating with the plurality of liquid communication passages, respectively. Each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by an elastic partition wall having a predetermined area to form a liquid storage chamber.

  Alternatively, the present invention is a sub tank member mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction, and a plurality of liquid storage chamber openings that respectively communicate with a plurality of head liquid supply ports of the liquid ejecting head, A plurality of liquid communication passages communicating with the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings, and a plurality of subtank liquid supply ports communicating with the plurality of liquid communication passages, respectively. Each of which is closed by an elastic partition wall having a predetermined area to form a liquid storage chamber, and the plurality of sub tank liquid supply ports are collected and arranged in one place. is there.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an ink jet printer 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer 1) which is an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a perspective view of the carriage 2 as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A is a longitudinal sectional view of the carriage 2 and the sub tank 3. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 mainly includes a carriage 2 on which a sub tank 3 and a recording head 4 are mounted, and a printer main body 5. The printer main body 5 has functions of a head scanning mechanism that reciprocates the carriage 2 along the main scanning direction, a paper feeding mechanism that feeds the recording paper 6 in the paper feeding direction, and a function of the recording head 4 that can be lowered by ink thickening. A recovery mechanism for recovery and ink tanks 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D (a type of ink supply source) storing ink supplied to the recording head 4 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the carriage 2 has a mounting base 10 formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. The sub tank 3 is provided on the upper surface side of the mounting base 10, and the recording head 4 is provided on the lower surface side. More specifically, a coupling frame portion 11 for mounting the sub tank 3 is provided on the upper surface of the mounting base 10, and ink supply needles 12 </ b> A, 12 </ b> B, 12 </ b> C, 12 </ b> D and a needle portion filter 13 are provided inside the coupling frame portion 11. (See FIG. 3) is attached. The ink supply needles 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and the needle filter 13 are provided corresponding to the plurality of ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D formed in the sub tank 3, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the recording head 4 is directly bonded to the lower surface of the mounting base 10. A flow path forming portion 14 is formed below the coupling frame portion 11. An ink introduction path 15 is formed inside the flow path forming portion 14, and the ink introduction path 15 communicates with an ink introduction path 15 ′ provided in the mounting base 10. Thereby, the ink introduction paths 15 and 15 ′ extend from the needle filter 13 to the recording head 4.

  The head scanning mechanism includes a guide member 9 installed in the left-right direction of the housing, a pulse motor 16 provided on one side of the housing, a drive pulley 17 connected to the rotation shaft of the pulse motor 16 and driven to rotate. The idler pulley 18 attached to the other side of the housing, the timing belt 19 spanned between the drive pulley 17 and the idler pulley 18 and coupled to the carriage 2, and a controller for controlling the rotation of the pulse motor 16 (Not shown). Accordingly, by operating the pulse motor 16, the carriage 2, that is, the recording head 4 can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper 6.

  In the present embodiment, four types of ink are used. For this reason, in the sub tank 3, four ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction. The number of ink storage chambers is not limited to four. When six colors of ink are used, six ink storage chambers are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, four ink tanks (or ink cartridges) 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D for four colors are arranged at the lateral end of the printer body 5. Ink supply tubes 21 </ b> A, 21 </ b> B, 21 </ b> C, and 21 </ b> D extending from here are connected to a branch portion (described later) of the sub tank 3. The sub tank 3 is continuously used as it is even when the ink tank is replaced.

  In the present embodiment, the sub tank 3 is configured by a single sub tank forming member (sub tank member) 22 and an elastic sheet 31 described later. For example, the sub tank forming member 22 can be made by injection molding from a synthetic resin material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

  The sub tank forming member 22 has a thick plate shape as a whole. Four bottomed concave ink storage chamber openings (opening holes) are formed in the sub tank forming member 22 in a state of being aligned in the main scanning direction. The ink storage chamber opening is sealed by the elastic sheet 31 to form ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D.

  The opening surfaces of the four ink storage chamber openings of the sub tank forming member 22 are in a common flat surface 23. In addition, the sub-tank forming member 22 of the present embodiment is formed with four communication passage openings that open at the end face 23. The four communication path openings are formed in a parallel groove shape, and each communication path opening is continuous with each ink storage chamber opening.

  A part of the sub tank forming member 22 constitutes a branch portion 25 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A connection joint forming surface 26 is formed in the branch portion 25. On the connection joint forming surface 26, pipe-like connection joints 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D to which the ink supply tubes 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D are respectively connected are provided in a protruding state. In the present embodiment, the communication passage opening extends to the branching portion 25, and the surface 23 is a surface different from the connection joint forming surface 26.

  The communication passage opening is sealed by an elastic sheet 31 to form communication passages 29A, 29B, 29C, and 29D that supply ink from the branch portion 25 to the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, respectively. Yes. The communication passages 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D communicate with the connection joints 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D via internal communication passages 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D formed inside the branch portion 25. .

  An elastic sheet 31 that is an elastic partition is bonded to the end surface 23 using an adhesive. Thereby, each ink storage chamber 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D has a pressure fluctuation absorption function. The elastic sheet 31 is made of a synthetic resin film such as a polyphenylene sulfide film or a polyimide film.

  In the present embodiment, the end face 23 is adjusted so as to be substantially parallel to the main scanning direction of the carriage 2. Therefore, the elastic sheet 31 bonded to the surface 23 is also substantially parallel to the main scanning direction of the carriage 2.

  2A and 3A, on the lower surface side of the sub tank 3, cylindrical needle connecting portions 32A, 32B, 32C communicating with the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 32D is disposed immediately below the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, respectively. When the sub tank 3 is mounted on the carriage 2, the ink supply needles 12 </ b> A, 12 </ b> B, 12 </ b> C, 12 </ b> D of the coupling frame portion 11 relatively enter the insides of the needle connection portions 32 </ b> A, 32 </ b> B, 32 </ b> C, 32 </ b> D. As a result, the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D communicate with the nozzle openings of the recording head 4 via the ink supply needles 12A, 12B, 12D, and 12D, the ink introduction paths 15, 15 ′, and the like. Become. In FIG. 3, 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D are rubber seal members.

  As described above, the four needle connection portions 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D are fitted together with the ink supply needles 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D through the seal members 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D. For this reason, the coupling rigidity between the sub tank 3 and the carriage 2 is high, and the sub tank 3 can be fixed stably.

  As described above, the plurality of ink storage chambers 8 </ b> A, 8 </ b> B, 8 </ b> C, and 8 </ b> D are formed of the single sub tank forming member 22 and the elastic sheet 31. Therefore, it is advantageous in terms of simplification of the structure as compared with the prior art in which the plurality of ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are configured as separate parts. Furthermore, since the communication passages 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D, 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D are also formed in the single sub tank forming member 22, it is also preferable from the viewpoint of smooth ink flow.

  Further, since the plurality of ink storage chamber openings formed in one sub tank forming member 22 form the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D together with the elastic sheet 31 joined to the end face 23, ink storage. The configuration of the chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D is greatly simplified. Further, by joining one elastic sheet 31 to the end face 23, a plurality of ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D can be formed by joining the elastic sheet 31 once. Simplification is promoted.

  Further, since the communication passage opening is opened in the single end face 23, the communication passage opening can be easily formed. The communication passages 29A, 29B, 29C, and 29D are easily formed in a groove shape by the communication passage openings. In particular, since the end face 23 is covered with one elastic sheet 31, formation of the communication passages 29A, 29B, 29C, and 29D and formation of the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D can be achieved at a time. Reduction of the manufacturing process can be obtained. In particular, when the elastic sheet 31 is composed of a single film member, simplification of the joining process of the elastic sheet 31 is further promoted.

  In addition, since the branching portion 25 serving as a base point for supplying ink to the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D is formed by a part of the sub tank forming member 22, each of the ink storage chambers 8A, 8A, Distribution to 8B, 8C, 8D can be realized by a simplified structure. Moreover, since the branch part 25 can protrude from the main body of the sub tank 3 in a miniaturized form, it is convenient for forming the sub tank 3 compactly.

  Further, the ink supply tubes 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are coupled in a state where the ink supply tubes 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are aggregated to the connection joints 27A, 27B, 27C, and 27D that are collectively arranged on the connection joint forming surface 26. For this reason, the space required for the connection between the ink supply tubes 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and the branch portion 25 is reduced as much as possible. That is, individual piping to a plurality of sub tanks arranged independently in the prior art is avoided, and the sub tank 3 can be arranged more compactly.

  Since the communication passage opening extends to the branch portion 25 (other than the connection joint forming surface 26), the communication passages 29A, 29B, 29C, and 29D extend from the branch portion 25 to the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, and 8C. , 8D, and the configuration of the communication passages 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D is simple.

  Further, the mounting posture of the sub tank 3 is set so that the elastic sheet 31 is substantially parallel to the main scanning direction. For this reason, when the sub tank 3 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction, the inertial force due to the inertial mass of the ink in the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D does not directly act on the elastic sheet 31. That is, the elastic sheet 31 can normally maintain the function of absorbing ink pressure fluctuations due to its elastic characteristics. In particular, when the traveling direction is reversed at the end of the main scanning range, the sub tank 3 is suddenly decelerated, and the inertia force acts greatly. Even in such a situation, a normal elastic sheet 31 is used. The function of can be maintained. Furthermore, it is advantageous in terms of improving the durability of the elastic sheet 31 itself.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the mounting posture of the sub tank 3 is set so that the end face 23 is substantially horizontal. And although the cylindrical needle connection part is not illustrated, it is arranged on the side facing the elastic sheet 31. Other than that, the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  By adopting the above configuration, the depth of the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D in the vertical direction with respect to the elastic sheet 31 can be reduced, and the size of the sub tank 3 in the vertical direction (vertical direction) can be shortened. Can do. As a result, the occupied space required near the carriage 2 can be reduced.

  Next, FIG. 5 (A) to FIG. 5 (C) are diagrams showing a sub-tank in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the ink storage chamber opening is opened in the flat back end surface 34 on the side opposite to the end surface 23. The second elastic sheet 31 ′ is joined to the back end surface 34. Other than that, the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the above configuration, each of the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D can have the elastic sheets 31, 31 'on two surfaces. As a result, the effective operating area of the elastic sheet 31 can be increased as much as possible, and the volumes of the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D can be reduced accordingly. Therefore, the subtank 3 can be further reduced in size, which is effective for space reduction and cost reduction.

  Next, FIG. 6 (A) and FIG. 6 (B) are diagrams showing a sub tank in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a groove-like parallel passage opening is formed in the upper portion 35 of the sub tank forming member 22 different from the end face 23. As shown in FIG. 6B, a third elastic sheet 31 ″, which is a sealing member, is bonded to the groove-shaped opening for the communicating path, and the communicating paths 29A ′, 29B ′, 29C ′, 29D are bonded. Otherwise, it is substantially the same as in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and detailed description is omitted.

  In the above-described configuration, it is not necessary to provide the communication path opening in the end surface 23, so that the area of the end surface 23 can be reduced. Accordingly, the dimensions of the sub tank 3 such as the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are shortened, and the sub tank 3 can be downsized. In particular, if such dimensional shortening is effectively utilized in the height direction of the apparatus main body, it is effective for reducing the height of the apparatus main body. The third elastic sheet 31 ″ is preferably made of the same material as the elastic sheet 31.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 corresponding to FIG. 6B, for example, communication paths 29 </ b> A ″, 29 </ b> B ″, 29 </ b> C ″, 29 </ b> D ″ having a circular cross section may be formed using the thickness of the upper portion 35. .

  Next, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sub-tank in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, four ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are arranged in a 2 × 2 matrix. Other than that, the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  If the above configuration is adopted, the size of the sub tank 3 in plan view can be accommodated within the size range of the carriage 2 both vertically and horizontally, and the sub tank 3 can be unitized with the carriage 2 in a compact manner. it can.

  As described above, the present invention is characterized by using the single sub tank forming member 22. However, apart from this, a structure in which the ink supply ports (connection joints) of the sub tanks are collected and arranged is also a feature of the present invention.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a carriage according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention relating to the latter feature.

  In the present embodiment, the aforementioned sub tank forming member 22 is composed of a plurality of members. That is, one ink storage chamber 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D is provided for each sub tank forming member 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, and the sub tank forming members 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D are integrated with an adhesive. . Furthermore, the communication path member 22 </ b> E in which the communication path opening is formed is also formed of another member, and a part of the communication path member 22 </ b> E serves as a branch portion 25. The communication path member 22E and the sub tank forming members 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D are integrated by bonding or the like.

  Also with the above configuration, substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D can be freely combined according to the required number of ink types, the design of the sub tank 3 can be easily changed. Further, the sub tank forming members 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D and the communication path member 22E are manufactured in advance, and the sub tank 3 having various specifications can be provided according to the occasional request. And cost reduction is promoted.

  Of course, two ink storage chambers may be formed in one sub tank forming member.

  In each of the above embodiments, the elastic sheets 31, 31 ′, 31 ″ may be composed of a synthetic resin film such as a polyphenylene sulfide film or a polyimide film. These films have sufficient chemical durability against ink. And a compliance function adapted to the pressure fluctuation of the ink The thickness of the elastic sheet is 10 μm or less, preferably 5 μm, in order to cope with the pressure fluctuation in the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D. It is as follows.

  The elastic sheets 31, 31 ′, 31 ″ may be made of a synthetic resin film having a relatively low Young's modulus such as polyethylene. In this case, the thickness is doubled compared to the polyimide film or the like. In addition, since the polyethylene film can be joined to the polyethylene sub-tank by heat welding, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

  In addition, the elastic sheets 31, 31 ′, 31 ″ may be composed of a rubber member such as butyl rubber, silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, or elastomer, and a sufficient effect can be obtained with a thickness of about 0.4 mm. When a rubber member is used, the elastic operation as a pressure damper is higher than that of a synthetic resin sheet, that is, an excellent damper function can be obtained.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, a pressure receiving plate made of a hard material is attached to the center of each part of the elastic sheet 31 that forms each of the ink storage chambers 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D. Good. The pressure receiving plate needs to be lightweight so that the elastic sheet 31 is not moved to change the pressure in the ink storage chamber when the carriage 2 is moved by a printing operation or the like. For example, the pressure receiving plate is preferably formed of a plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

  The pressure receiving plate can be attached in advance to the elastic sheet 31 by thermal welding. Or you may attach with an adhesive agent, a double-sided adhesive tape, etc. When the ink storage chamber forms a very thin cylindrical space as will be described later, it is desirable that the pressure receiving plate has a disk shape and is arranged concentrically with respect to the ink storage chamber.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where a self-sealing valve mechanism is provided in the ink communication path and the ink storage chamber of the sub tank forming member. In this case, the ink communication path 129 has a small volume cylindrical space, as shown in FIG. A spring receiving seat 133 is fitted on the side surface of the sub tank forming member 122, and the ink communication path 129 is sealed by the spring receiving seat 133 and the elastic sheet 131 '. The elastic sheet 131 ′ is thermally welded to the sub tank forming member 122.

  The sub tank forming member 122 has a partition wall 135 that partitions the ink communication path 129 and the ink storage chamber 108. The partition wall 135 is formed with a support hole 136 that slidably supports a movable valve 138 described later. The movable valve 138 includes a plate-like member 138a and a rod member 138b that is integrally formed at the center of the plate-like member 138a and slides in the support hole 136.

  Further, a coil-shaped seal spring 139 is disposed between the plate-like member 138a and the spring seat 133. By the action of the seal spring 139, the plate-like member 138a is urged toward the partition wall 135 side with a slight pressing force. On the other hand, a rubber seal member 141 formed in an annular shape so as to surround the support hole 136 is attached to the partition wall 135. Therefore, the plate-like member 138 a in the movable valve 138 comes into contact with the seal member 141 by the biasing force of the seal spring 139. For example, the seal member 141 is an O-ring or the like.

  The support hole 136 formed in the partition wall 135 has intermittent cutout holes 142a as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. Thereby, an ink communication path from the ink communication path 129 to the ink storage chamber 108 is secured. Although not shown in FIG. 11, a seal member 141 is provided on the partition wall 135 so as to surround the outside of the four cutout holes 142a.

  On the other hand, the ink storage chamber 108 includes a cylindrical recess (ink storage chamber opening) and an elastic sheet 131. An elastic sheet 131 is attached in close contact with the end surface where the recess is formed by heat welding means. As described above, the disk-shaped pressure receiving plate 123 is concentrically attached to the outside of the elastic sheet 131.

  In addition, a coiled negative pressure holding spring 140 is disposed in the ink storage chamber 108 so as to surround the rod member 138 b constituting the movable valve 138. One end of the negative pressure holding spring 140 is held by an annular convex portion formed on the partition wall 135, and the other end of the negative pressure holding spring 140 is fixed to the elastic sheet 131 to pull the elastic sheet 131. Yes. The negative pressure holding spring 140 urges the elastic sheet 131 in a direction to expand the volume of the ink storage chamber 108 when the pressure receiving plate 123 moves so as to compress the ink storage chamber 108.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the coil diameter of the negative pressure holding spring 140 is substantially the same as the coil diameter of the seal spring 139 and is relatively small. Preferably, the negative pressure holding spring 140 is in contact with the substantially central portion of the pressure receiving plate 123 via the elastic sheet 131.

  On the other hand, an ink outlet 145 from the ink storage chamber 108 is formed at the top of the ink storage chamber 108. An ink outlet groove that communicates with the ink outlet 145 of the ink storage chamber 108 is formed in an arc shape along a recess that forms the ink storage chamber 108. The ink outlet 145 of the ink storage chamber 108 and the ink outlet groove communicating with the ink outlet 145 are formed in the sub tank forming member 122 and sealed by the elastic sheet 131.

  The ink communication path formed by the ink outlet groove communicates with the nozzle openings of the recording head 4 via the internal ink communication path of the sub tank forming member 122. In the present embodiment, since the ink outlet 145 of the ink storage chamber 108 is formed at the top when viewed in the direction of gravity, for example, when the ink is initially introduced into the recording apparatus for the first time, the ink outlet chamber 145 Ink can be filled without leaving air (bubbles).

  Here, in a non-printing state, that is, in a state where ink is not consumed, the spring load W1 due to the seal spring 139 is applied to the plate member 138a, and the ink supplied to the ink communication path 129 is supplied to the plate member 138a. The pressure P1 is also added. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10A, the plate-shaped member 138a abuts on the seal member 141 to form a valve-closed state (self-sealed state).

  On the other hand, in a printing state, that is, a state where ink is consumed, the elastic sheet 131 is displaced toward the sub tank forming member 122 as the ink in the ink storage chamber 108 decreases. At this time, the pressure receiving plate 123 attached to the elastic sheet 131 moves in a direction to reduce the volume of the ink storage chamber 108 and compresses the coiled negative pressure holding spring 140. Further, the central portion of the pressure receiving plate 123 abuts on the end portion of the rod member 138b via the elastic sheet 131.

  Here, the spring load of the negative pressure holding spring 140 is W2, the displacement reaction force of the elastic sheet 131 itself is Wd, and the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 108 due to ink consumption is P2. At this time, if P2> W1 + P1 + Wd + W2, the elastic sheet 131 presses the rod member 138b, thereby releasing the contact between the plate-like member 138a and the seal member 141, as shown in FIG. 10B. Then, a valve open state is formed.

  As a result, the ink in the ink communication path 129 is supplied into the ink storage chamber 108 through the notch hole 142a. The negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 108 is eliminated by the inflow of ink into the ink storage chamber 108. Along with this, the movable valve 138 moves, the closed state shown in FIG. 10A is formed again, and the ink supply from the ink communication path 129 to the ink storage chamber 108 is stopped.

  Note that FIG. 10B shows an extremely exaggerated state of the opening / closing operation of the movable valve 138. Actually, the elastic sheet 131 maintains an equilibrium state while abutting against the end of the rod member 138b constituting the movable valve 138, and is only slightly opened according to ink consumption. That is, ink is replenished to the ink storage chamber 108 little by little.

  The pressure receiving plate 123 can receive the displacement action of the elastic sheet 131 over the entire area of the pressure receiving plate 123. Therefore, the displacement action of the elastic sheet 131 can be reliably transmitted to the movable valve 138. Thereby, the reliability of the on-off valve action by the movable valve 138 can be improved.

  The negative pressure holding spring 140 urges the pressure receiving plate 123 in a direction in which the volume of the ink storage chamber 108 is expanded by contacting the elastic sheet 131. Thereby, it is suppressed that the pressure receiving plate 123 moves by the reciprocating movement of the carriage, and the malfunction of the opening / closing valve action by the movable valve 138 is effectively reduced.

  The negative pressure holding spring 140 also effectively suppresses the action of the elastic sheet 131 bulging outward under the ink storage chamber 108 due to gravity on the ink. That is, the negative pressure holding spring 140 has an action of constantly maintaining the ink storage chamber 108 in a slight negative pressure state. Thereby, the pressure receiving plate 123 attached to the elastic sheet 131 can be always maintained in the vertical state, and the malfunction of the opening / closing valve action by the movable valve 138 is effectively reduced.

  Further, even when the ink is supplied into the ink storage chamber 108, the negative pressure holding spring 140 expands to keep the ink storage chamber 108 in a slightly negative pressure state. For this reason, the pressure fluctuation in the ink storage chamber 108 can be reduced. As a result, a normal ink droplet ejection operation from the nozzle opening of the recording head 4 can be ensured.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the negative pressure state of the ink storage chamber 108 is ensured by applying the spring load of the negative pressure holding spring 140 and the spring load of the seal spring 139. . In other words, the spring load can be divided into the negative pressure holding spring 140 and the seal spring 139. Therefore, the spring load of the seal spring 139 for bringing the movable valve 138 into contact with the seal member 141 in the closed state can be selected to be small.

  Therefore, the contact pressure on the seal member 141 due to the elastomer resin or the like can be reduced, and thus abnormal deformation of the seal member 141 can be prevented. Further, since it is possible to prevent an excessive spring load from being applied to the seal member 141, it is possible to avoid problems such as contamination of the ink with impurities such as oil and fat contained in the elastomer resin constituting the seal member 141. it can.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that each dimensional relationship is set so that the negative pressure holding spring 140 leaves a further compressible stroke in a state where the movable valve 138 is moved to the maximum. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining such a dimensional relationship.

  In FIG. 12, the contact height of the seal spring 139 when the movable valve 138 moves to the maximum is indicated by L1, and the compression height of the negative pressure holding spring 140 in this state is indicated by L2. That is, even when the seal spring 139 is compressed to the close contact state, the dimensional relationship is set so that the negative pressure holding spring 140 is not contacted. In other words, when spring members of the same standard (size) are used as the seal spring 139 and the negative pressure holding spring 140, the relationship of L1 <L2 is set. In the form shown in FIG. 12, since the ink flows into the ink storage chamber 108 through the gap of the negative pressure holding spring 140, if the negative pressure holding spring 140 comes into close contact, the ink flow path is blocked. Therefore, there is a possibility that the ink will not be supplied. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid this problem by setting L1 <L2 etc. as described above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the coil diameter of the negative pressure holding spring 140 may be made larger than that of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this case, the negative pressure holding spring 140 is in contact with the vicinity of the periphery of the pressure receiving plate 123 formed in a disk shape via the elastic sheet 131.

  According to this configuration, the pressure receiving plate 123 is brought into contact with the negative pressure holding spring 140 in the vicinity of the periphery thereof. For this reason, the action of the elastic sheet 131 bulging outward under the ink storage chamber 108 due to the gravity of the ink is suppressed, and the pressure receiving plate 123 can always be maintained in the vertical state. Is effectively reduced.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of coil springs 140a and 140b having a small coil diameter may be used as the negative pressure holding spring. Also in this configuration, the action of the elastic sheet 131 bulging outward under the ink storage chamber 108 due to the gravity of the ink is suppressed, the pressure receiving plate 123 can always be maintained in the vertical state, and the movable valve 138 can be opened and closed. The malfunction of the valve action is effectively reduced.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, two coil springs 140a and 140b are used. However, a larger number of coil springs can be used. In the case of using n coil springs, when the spring load by the negative pressure holding spring is set to W2 as described above, the spring load by one coil spring needs to be set to W2 / n.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, a plate spring 140A may be employed as the negative pressure holding spring. As shown in FIG. 15B, both end portions of the leaf spring 140A are bent in the same direction to form a pair of leg portions 140d and 140e. A cut-and-raised portion 140f is formed in the central portion in the direction opposite to the bending direction of the leg portion.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the plate spring 140 </ b> A having the above-described configuration has one leg 140 d fixed to the sub tank forming member 122 in the ink storage chamber 108. Further, the rod member 138b of the movable valve is inserted into the opening formed by forming the cut-and-raised portion 140f, and the distal end portion of the cut-and-raised portion 140f is substantially the same as the pressure receiving plate 123 through the elastic sheet 131. It comes in contact with the center.

  Also in this configuration, the elastic sheet 131 can be urged in a direction in which the leaf spring 140A expands the volume of the ink storage chamber 108 against the displacement of the pressure receiving plate 123.

  Although the above description has been made with respect to an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention is intended for a wide range of liquid ejecting apparatuses in general. As an example of the liquid, in addition to ink, glue, nail polish, conductive liquid (liquid metal) for forming a circuit, or the like can be used. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a color filter in a display body such as a liquid crystal, an electrode material injection apparatus used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display or FED (surface emitting display), and a bio-organic injection used for biochip manufacture. It can also be applied to devices, etc.

1 is a schematic plan view of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of a carriage and a sub tank. BB sectional drawing of FIG. 2 (A). The longitudinal cross-sectional view of a carriage and a sub tank. BB sectional drawing of FIG. 3 (A). CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carriage and a sub tank in an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sub tank in an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. BB sectional drawing of FIG. 5 (A). The perspective view which looked at the subtank of Drawing 5 (A) from the back side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sub tank in an ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. BB sectional drawing of FIG. 6 (A). Sectional drawing which shows the modification of the sub tank in the inkjet recording device of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sub tank in an ink jet recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. Sectional drawing of the sub tank in the ink jet type recording apparatus of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the case where the self-sealing valve mechanism is provided in the ink communicating path and ink storage chamber of the sub tank. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a closed valve state, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a valve open state. The figure which shows the support hole and notch hole which were formed in the partition of a subtank. The expanded sectional view for demonstrating the state which the movable valve moved to the maximum. Sectional drawing of the sub tank provided with the modification of the self-sealing valve mechanism. Sectional drawing of the sub tank in which the other modification of the self-sealing valve mechanism was provided. Sectional drawing of the sub tank in which the further another modification of the self-sealing valve mechanism was provided. The perspective view of the leaf | plate spring of FIG. 15 (A).

Claims (21)

A carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction;
A liquid ejecting head mounted on the carriage and having a plurality of head liquid supply ports and a plurality of nozzle openings;
A sub tank member mounted on the carriage and having a plurality of liquid storage chamber openings communicating with the plurality of head liquid supply ports of the liquid ejecting head;
With
The sub tank member is configured as a single integral member,
Each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by an elastic partition wall having a predetermined area to form a liquid storage chamber,
The plurality of liquid storage chamber openings communicate with a plurality of liquid communication paths provided in the sub tank member, respectively.
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of liquid communication paths communicate with a plurality of sub tank liquid supply ports provided outside the sub tank member. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are bottomed openings. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein all of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are provided on one side of the sub tank member. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein opening surfaces of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are in a common flat surface. 5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein all of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are closed by a common elastic partition wall. A part of each of the plurality of liquid communication paths is formed by a liquid communication path opening formed in the sub-tank member, and an elastic partition wall that closes the liquid communication path opening. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of liquid communication passage openings are formed in parallel groove shapes. 8. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein all of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings and the plurality of liquid communication passage openings are closed by a common elastic partition wall. All of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are closed by a common first elastic partition wall,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein all of the plurality of liquid communication passage openings are closed by a common second elastic partition wall. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub tank liquid supply ports are collected and arranged at one place. 11. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic partition walls closing each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are arranged in parallel with a main scanning direction. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic partition walls closing each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are arranged substantially horizontally. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings are through openings. One side opening surface of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is a common first flat surface,
The other opening surface of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is on a common second flat surface, and the first flat surface and the second flat surface are parallel to each other. Item 14. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to Item 13. One side opening surface of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by a common first elastic partition wall,
15. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the other opening surface of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by a common second elastic partition wall. A carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction;
A liquid ejecting head mounted on the carriage and having a plurality of head liquid supply ports and a plurality of nozzle openings;
A sub tank member mounted on the carriage and having a plurality of liquid storage chamber openings communicating with the plurality of head liquid supply ports of the liquid ejecting head;
With
Each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by an elastic partition wall having a predetermined area to form a liquid storage chamber,
The plurality of liquid storage chamber openings communicate with a plurality of liquid communication paths provided in the sub tank member, respectively.
The plurality of liquid communication passages communicate with a plurality of sub tank liquid supply ports provided outside the sub tank member,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-tank liquid supply ports are collected and arranged in one place. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic partition wall is made of a synthetic resin film. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the synthetic resin film is a polyphenylene sulfide film or a polyimide film. 20. The liquid ejection according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the liquid storage chamber and the liquid communication path has a valve mechanism that is opened by a negative pressure associated with a decrease in liquid. apparatus. A sub tank member mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction, and is configured as a single integral member;
A plurality of liquid storage chamber openings respectively communicating with a plurality of head liquid supply ports of the liquid jet head;
A plurality of liquid communication passages respectively communicating with the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings;
A plurality of sub tank liquid supply ports respectively communicating with the plurality of liquid communication paths;
With
Each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by an elastic partition wall having a predetermined area to form a liquid storage chamber. A sub tank member mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along a main scanning direction,
A plurality of liquid storage chamber openings respectively communicating with a plurality of head liquid supply ports of the liquid jet head;
A plurality of liquid communication passages respectively communicating with the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings;
A plurality of sub tank liquid supply ports respectively communicating with the plurality of liquid communication paths;
With
Each of the plurality of liquid storage chamber openings is closed by an elastic partition wall having a predetermined area to form a liquid storage chamber,
The sub-tank member, wherein the plurality of sub-tank liquid supply ports are collected and arranged in one place.

Images