JP2008018616A - Storing apparatus and storing method for head unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid unfavorable effects to an inkjet head resulting from the expansion or the contraction of air in the ink storage chamber of a head unit when the head unit is stored in a state being removed from a recording apparatus main body. <P>SOLUTION: The head unit 50 is detachably fixed and housed in a storage case 201 comprising upper and lower cases 201A and 201B. At this time, the nozzle surface of the head unit 50 is covered with a first seal member 202, and the positioning for an outlet valve means 47 of the head unit 50 and a rod member 206 provided on the lower case 201B is performed. When the upper and lower cases 201A and 201B are combined, the head unit 50 is pressed by the upper case 201A. Thus, the outlet valve means 47 is placed in an opened state by the rod member 206, and the ink storage chamber of an ink tank 40 is opened to the outside through air discharging passages 93M to 93Y. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head unit storage device and storage method for storing a head unit of an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from a nozzle onto a recording medium in a non-mounted state with respect to the recording apparatus main body. It is.

When not used for recording or before mounting on the recording device main body after production, the ink jet head is stored as a head unit including an ink reservoir for supplying ink to the ink jet head with ink or liquid filled in the ink jet head. There are things to do. At this time, in order to prevent ink and liquid from drying and leaking, a nozzle surface is covered with an elastic cap, and a liquid absorbing member is arranged in the elastic cap (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-123286 A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the nozzle surface is simply covered with an elastic cap, the air in the ink storage section of the head unit expands or contracts due to changes in atmospheric pressure or temperature during transportation in the storage state. Ink and liquid may leak into the elastic cap from the nozzles of the inkjet head. In some cases, the ink leaking from the nozzles leaks out of the elastic cap to contaminate the head or damage the head. In addition, once leaked ink returns into the head, in the case of a multi-color head, color mixing occurs, and even if the head is attached to the recording apparatus main body, there is a possibility that normal recording cannot be performed. Further, if the ink meniscus in the nozzle is broken, even if new ink is introduced after the head is mounted on the recording apparatus main body, the meniscus cannot be restored, and the recording quality may be deteriorated.

  In order to prevent ink leakage, it may be possible to increase the sealing performance by strongly pressing the elastic cap against the nozzle surface. However, the increase in the load applied to the nozzle surface causes the nozzle surface to recede and the recording quality to deteriorate.

  The present invention provides a storage device and storage method for a head unit that can avoid adverse effects on an inkjet head due to expansion and contraction of air in an ink storage chamber of the head unit when the head unit is removed from the recording apparatus main body and stored. The purpose is to provide.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a head holder that holds an ink jet head, and the ink tank externally supplies air separated from ink through an exhaust valve means that can be opened and closed. In a storage device for a head unit used for removing and storing a head unit that is configured to be discharged through an opened exhaust passage, the storage unit that detachably fixes and stores the head unit. And an operating member that is provided in the storage case and opens the exhaust valve means when the head unit is housed in the storage case.

In this way, the exhaust valve means of the head unit is opened in a state in which the head unit is detachably fixed in the storage case, so that the ink storage chamber of the head unit is changed due to changes in atmospheric pressure or temperature. When the air expands or contracts, the pressure is released through the exhaust passage, the amount of ink or liquid leaking from the nozzle of the inkjet head is reduced, and the meniscus destruction in the nozzle is also reduced. Therefore, when the head unit is removed from the recording apparatus main body and stored, adverse effects (for example, head contamination) due to the expansion and contraction of air in the ink storage chamber of the head unit are avoided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the storage device for the head unit according to the first aspect, the storage case is provided with a rib, and the head unit is provided with a protrusion that can be engaged with the rib. It is preferable that the exhaust valve means and the operation member are positioned by engagement between the projection member and the projection.

  By doing so, the exhaust valve means and the operating member are positioned by the engagement of the rib on the storage case side and the protrusion on the head unit side that can be engaged with the rib, and the head is attached to the storage case. In the state where the unit is detachably fixed and housed, the exhaust valve means of the head unit is reliably opened by the operation member.

  3. The head unit storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust valve means includes a valve box having an exhaust port and a valve provided in the valve box for opening and closing the exhaust port. A rod for urging the valve body in a direction to close the exhaust port, and the operating member moves the valve body in the opening direction against the urging force of the urging member A member is preferred.

  In this way, in the exhaust valve means that normally closes the exhaust port with the valve body, with the rod member, just by moving the valve body in the opening direction against the urging force of the urging member, The exhaust valve means can be opened.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the storage device for a head unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, the storage case is provided to face the vicinity of the downstream end opening of the exhaust valve means and passes through the downstream end opening. It is preferable to provide a porous member that absorbs the discharged ink or liquid.

  In this way, the ink or liquid discharged through the downstream end opening of the exhaust valve means is absorbed by the porous member, which is more advantageous in preventing head fouling.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the storage device for a head unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the storage case includes a nozzle of the head unit in a state where the head unit is housed in the storage case. It is preferable that a first seal member that covers the opened nozzle surface in a sealed state is provided.

  According to this configuration, in the state where the head unit is housed in the storage case, the nozzle surface in which the nozzle of the head unit is opened is covered in a sealed state by the first seal member. This is advantageous in preventing the head from being soiled due to leakage.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the storage device for the head unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the ink supply side opening of the ink tank in the head unit is preferably closed with a second seal member. .

  In this way, the ink supply side opening of the ink tank in the head unit is closed by the second seal member, so that ink leakage can be prevented from the ink supply side opening of the ink tank.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the storage device for the head unit according to the fourth aspect, the downstream end opening of the exhaust valve means and the nozzle of the head unit are opened in parallel, and the exhaust case is provided with the exhaust unit. An operation member that opens the valve means and a first seal member that covers the nozzle surface in which the nozzle is opened in a sealed state are arranged in the same direction, and the head unit is fixed to the storage case. In this state, it is preferable that the exhaust valve means is opened by the operation member, and the nozzle surface is sealed by the first seal member.

  In this case, the exhaust valve means is opened by the operation member and the nozzle surface is sealed by the first seal member in a state where the head unit is fixed to the storage case. When the air in the ink storage chamber of the head unit expands or contracts due to a change or a temperature change, the ink is discharged to the outside mainly through the exhaust passage. Further, even if ink or liquid leaks from the nozzle on the nozzle surface of the head unit, the first sealing member prevents the head from being soiled.

  9. The head unit storage device according to claim 8, wherein the storage case includes an upper and lower case for storing the head unit, and the operation member is disposed on a lower case of the upper and lower cases. And the first seal member are disposed, and the head unit is preferably fixed to the storage case by coupling the upper and lower cases.

  In this way, the exhaust valve means is opened by the operating member and the nozzle surface is the first in a state where the upper and lower cases are joined and the head unit is housed in the storage case. It can be realized with a simple configuration that the sealing member is sealed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a head holder that holds an ink jet head, and the ink tank externally supplies air separated from ink through an exhaust valve means that can be opened and closed. In a storage method of a head unit in which a head unit configured to be discharged through an opened exhaust passage is removed from the recording apparatus main body and fixed in a storage case for storage, when the head unit is fixed to the storage case The exhaust valve means is opened.

  In this way, since the exhaust valve means is opened when the head unit is fixed to the storage case, when the air in the ink storage chamber of the head unit expands or contracts due to a change in atmospheric pressure or a change in temperature, the pressure is reduced. Is eliminated through the exhaust passage, the amount of ink and liquid leaking from the nozzles of the inkjet head is reduced, and the meniscus destruction in the nozzles is also reduced. Therefore, when the head unit is removed from the recording apparatus main body and fixed and stored in the storage case, the head unit should be stored while avoiding adverse effects on the inkjet head due to the expansion and contraction of the air in the ink storage chamber of the head unit. Can do.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for storing the head unit according to the ninth aspect, the storage case is provided with a first seal member that covers the nozzle surface of the head unit where the nozzles are opened in a sealed state. Preferably, when the head unit is fixed to the storage case, the nozzle surface is covered with the first seal member and the exhaust valve means is opened.

  In this way, when the air in the ink storage chamber of the head unit expands or contracts due to changes in atmospheric pressure or temperature, the discharge of ink or liquid to the outside through the exhaust passage is ensured, and the nozzle surface of the head unit is secured. This is advantageous in preventing leakage of ink and liquid from the nozzles.

  The head unit storage method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the storage case is composed of upper and lower cases that can be coupled, and the exhaust valve is disposed in the lower case of the upper and lower cases. An operation member that opens the means and a first seal member that covers the nozzle surface in which the nozzle is opened in a sealed state are disposed, and the exhaust valve means is connected by combining the upper and lower cases. It is preferable that the head unit is fixed to a storage case with the operation member being opened and the nozzle surface being sealed with the first seal member.

  In this way, the exhaust valve means is opened by the operation member with the simple structure, and the head unit is fixed to the storage case by the combination of the upper and lower cases, and the nozzle surface Can be realized to be sealed by the first seal member.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the exhaust valve means of the head unit is opened in a state in which the head unit is detachably fixed to the storage case, the head unit is in an open state due to changes in atmospheric pressure or temperature. When the air in the ink storage chamber expands or contracts, the pressure can be eliminated through the exhaust passage, the amount of ink or liquid leaking from the nozzle of the inkjet head can be reduced, or the meniscus destruction in the nozzle can be reduced. Therefore, when the head unit is removed from the recording apparatus main body and stored, the adverse effect on the ink-jet head (such as head fouling) caused by the expansion or contraction of the air in the ink storage chamber of the head unit due to changes in atmospheric pressure or temperature. Can be avoided.

  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 recording apparatus 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 recording apparatus 1 has two guide shafts 6 and 7 provided in parallel in the front and rear, and a head holder 9 that also serves as a carriage is attached to the guide shafts 6 and 7. It has been. The head holder 9 holds an inkjet head 30 that performs recording by discharging ink onto the recording paper P (recording medium). 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 guide shafts 6 and 7 by driving the motor 10.

  In addition, a plurality of ink cartridges that store ink according to type are arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the main body of the inkjet recording apparatus 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.

  At a position outside the range in which the head holder 9 scans the recording paper P, a recovery process for cleaning and suctioning the nozzle surface of the ink jet head and air staying in the ink tank 40 described later are removed. A maintenance unit 120 that performs the removal process is disposed.

  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 5, the head holder 9 is formed in a box shape having an upper surface opened, and the inkjet head 30 is held on the lower surface of the bottom wall 9 c. The inkjet head 30 is configured by laminating 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. There are nozzles arranged for each ink color (comprising nozzle 35 for blank ink and nozzles 36, 37, and 38 for color ink, see FIG. 3), and four independent inks for each ink color on the upper surface. It has an inflow port part. FIG. 4 shows only the ink inlet 32a into which yellow ink flows. The upper surface of each ink inlet is covered with a filter (not shown) for ink filtration. A frame-shaped reinforcing frame 33 is bonded and fixed to the upper surface of the inkjet head 30. The reinforcing frame 33 is formed with four ink passage openings corresponding to the respective ink inlet portions. FIG. 4 shows only the ink passage port 33a corresponding to the ink inlet port 32a.

  A rigid electric circuit board 82 is provided in the upper surface opening of the head holder 9. Specifically, the electric circuit board 82 is supported on the upper end of the wall constituting the head holder 9 and is detachably attached. The electric circuit board 82 is connected to the piezoelectric actuator 31 via a flexible flat cable 205. A box-shaped unit cover 83 having an opening at the bottom is detachably provided at the upper surface opening of the head holder 9, and the electric circuit board including the connection portion with the flexible flat cable 205 is provided by the unit cover 83. The upper part of 84 is covered.

  An ink tank 40 is accommodated on the bottom wall 9 c in the head holder 9. 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 introduction part 40e is formed on an extension part 40a that extends forward from the buffer part 40b, and the extension part 40a is an attachment arm part that extends forward and horizontally from the front end of the head holder 9, as shown in FIG. It is stacked and supported on 9a. 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 is formed with connection portions 21M, 21C, 21B, and 21Y to which the ink supply tubes 14M to 14Y are connected arranged in a line. Ink is introduced into each ink storage chamber of the buffer unit 40b through the communication paths 62Y, 62B, 62C, and 62M via the flow paths for the respective ink colors from the connection parts 21M to 21Y.

The buffer unit 40b has an ink storage chamber (only the ink storage chamber 41Y for yellow ink is shown) for each ink color, and the ink lead-out unit 40d communicates with each ink storage chamber in a one-to-one correspondence. 91M to 91B are arranged in the scanning direction of the inkjet head 30. Each of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B extends in the vertical direction across the upper and lower tank portions 71 and 72 and is formed in parallel with each other, and each lower end thereof corresponds to each ink passage port (only 33a is shown) of the reinforcing frame 33. The ink supply ports 39M to 39B are connected to the respective ink inlet portions (only 32a are shown) of the inkjet head 30. On the other hand, each upper end portion is connected to a plurality of exhaust passages 93M to 93Y arranged substantially in a plane via air discharge port portions 46M, 46C, 46Y, and 46B, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the exhaust passages 93M, 93C, 93B, and 93Y are formed as concave grooves on the upper surface (partial plane) of the upper tank portion 71, and the open upper surface thereof is a flexible film 81. It is demarcated by covering with. The other ends of the exhaust passages 93M, 93C, 93B, 93Y are respectively connected to the upper ends of the exhaust holes of the valve box 45 of the exhaust valve means 47 for each ink color arranged on one side of the buffer 40b. Has been. The valve box 45 is disposed such that the valve body axial direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B.

  The exhaust valve means 47 accommodates a valve body 102 that can be opened and closed for each of the exhaust passages 93M to 93Y inside the valve box 45, but since all have the same configuration, the following mainly refers to FIG. Only the exhaust portion for magenta ink will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust hole 101 extending in the vertical direction of the valve box 45 communicates the exhaust inlet portion 101 a at the upper end with the exhaust passage 93 </ b> M and the nozzle surface where the nozzles of the inkjet head 30 are opened at the lower end. It opens as an exhaust outlet portion 101b (exhaust port) that is opened on substantially the same plane and parallel to the nozzle. Each exhaust hole 101 has a large-diameter hole 101A on the upper side and a small-diameter hole 101B on the lower side.

  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. 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 exhaust hole 101 (valve chamber) in the central axis direction. As will be described later, the valve rod 102b is pushed up by a protruding shaft 121 provided in the maintenance unit 120 when the valve is opened, so that the lower end thereof is in the vicinity of the lower end opening 101b of the small diameter hole 101B (when the valve is closed). It is supposed to be located in. 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.

  A stepped surface 101C which is the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole portion 101A and around the upper end opening of the small-diameter hole portion 101B serves as a valve seat surface, and the valve portion 102a abuts against the open end surface 101C via the sealing material 102c. Is biased by a coil spring 103 in the direction of closing the valve.

  The maintenance unit 120 individually covers the first cap member 122 that covers the opening surfaces of the nozzles 35 to 38 of the inkjet head 30 and the lower end surface of the exhaust valve means 47 (that is, the exhaust outlet portions 101b of the exhaust holes 101). And a plurality of second cap members 123 which are closably covered. 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 where recording is not performed, the cap members 122 and 123 move to a raised position that is in close contact with the opening surfaces of the nozzles 35 to 38 and the lower end surface of the exhaust valve means 47, and other positions. Then, it moves to the 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 is configured to suck and remove ink and foreign matters that have increased in viscosity from the nozzles 35 to 38 by driving the suction pump 125.

Each second cap member 123 has a protruding shaft portion 121 corresponding to the valve rod 102 b of the exhaust valve means 47 and protruding from the cap member 123, and is in close contact with the downstream end opening surface of the exhaust valve means 47. At this time, the valve body 102 is pushed up against the urging force of the coil spring 103 by the projecting shaft portion 121, and the sealing material 102c is separated from the step surface 101C, thereby opening the exhaust hole 101.

  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 accumulated in the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B in the middle of the ink flow path, so that the air is discharged from the ink. This is because the air that has been separated and accumulated in the upper spaces 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 in close contact with the opening surfaces of the nozzles 35 to 38 and the downstream end opening surface of the exhaust valve means 47 simultaneously by the vertical movement mechanism 124. Then, for example, the air accumulated in the upper portions of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B is first discharged through the second cap member 123, and then the ink is discharged from the 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.

  According to the above configuration, during normal recording, the valve body 102 is constantly pressed downward by the coil spring 103 and is in a valve closed state. On the other hand, when the valve rod 102b moves to the standby position, the valve rod 102b is pushed upward by the protruding shaft portion 72a of the second cap member 72, the exhaust hole 101 is opened, and the air accumulated in the upper portions of the ink outlet paths 91M to 91B. However, the suction pump 125 can be driven to exhaust to the atmosphere.

  Next, a storage device for storing the head unit 50 while being filled with ink in the ink jet head 30 and the ink tank 40 when not used for recording or before being mounted on the recording apparatus main body after production will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the head unit 50 is a unit composed of the head holder 9, the inkjet head 30, and the ink tank 40, and the flexible flat cable 205 is left connected to the piezoelectric actuator 31, but the electric circuit board 82. The unit cover 83 is removed, and the tube joint 20 is also removed.

  The storage device includes a storage case 201 that stores the head unit 50 in a detachable manner. The storage case 201 includes upper and lower cases 201A and 201B that are detachably coupled.

The lower case 201B is a box-shaped member having an upper opening, and a foot 201Bf for providing a predetermined gap below the bottom wall 201Be is provided on the lower surface of the bottom wall 201Be. A first seal member 202 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 201Be to cover the nozzle surface of the head unit 50 where the nozzles are opened in a sealed state in a state where the head unit is housed in the storage case 201. . The first seal member 202 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material, and has a lip portion 202b formed to project annularly on the upper surface of a plate-like portion 202a formed in a plate shape. The lip portion 202b has a portion 202ba surrounding the outer periphery of the color ink nozzles 36 to 38 and a portion 202ba surrounding the outer periphery of the black ink nozzle 35 in a state where a space is formed between the lip portion 202b and the nozzle surface (FIG. 10). . Communication holes 202ca and 202cb that communicate the front and back of the plate-like portion 202a are provided in portions of the plate-like portion 202a surrounded by the portions 202ba and 202bb of the lip portion 202.

  On the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 201Be of the lower case 201B, a fixing member 201Bg for fixing the first seal member 202 at a predetermined position is further provided so as to protrude upward. Further, the bottom wall portion 201Be has a bottom hole (not shown) that communicates with the outside of the lower case 201B from a position corresponding to the communication holes 202ca and 201ca when the first seal member 202 is fixed by the fixing member 201Bg. It is open. This bottom hole allows air to escape to the outside between the nozzle surface and the first seal member 202 when the first seal member 202 abuts against the nozzle surface. After completion of this, the ink leaked into the first seal member 202 is prevented from leaking out of the case by closing by inserting a sealing plug (not shown).

  Inside the lower case 201 </ b> B, plate-like guide members 201 </ b> Bha and 201 </ b> Bhb that guide the head holder 9 to a predetermined position are provided facing the outer periphery of the head holder 9. The head holder 9 is supported by the guide members 201Bha and 201Bhb so that the nozzle surface is kept horizontal, and is positioned so that the nozzle surface contacts the lip portion 202b of the first seal member 202.

  In addition, one side wall of the lower case 201 is bent between the inner wall of the lower case 201 and the side wall of the head holder 9 (the end portion on the side connected to the electric circuit board 82) of the flexible flat cable 205. The storage unit 201Bc is stored. A locking portion 201Bd that locks the bent portion of the flexible flat cable 205 during storage is formed at the upper end of the storage portion 201Bc (see FIG. 9B).

  The upper case 201A is formed in a box shape having an opening at the bottom so that the upper opening of the lower case 201B can be covered from the outside. In addition, the upper case 201A is provided with an engagement lever 201Ab that is elastically engaged with the engaged portion 201Bi of the lower case 201B in a coupled state with the lower case 201B. It is configured to prevent unintentional release.

  On the back surface of the upper case 201A, two pressing portions 201Aa that are in contact with the upper end portion of the head holder 9 and are in contact with the upper surface of the head holder 9 in a state where the upper case 201A is coupled to the lower case 201B protrude downward. (See FIG. 7). Thereby, in the combined state of the upper and lower cases 201A and 201B, the head holder 9 is pressed by the pressing portion 201Aa, so that the sealed state between the nozzle surface of the head unit 50 and the first seal member 202 is maintained, and A valve member 102 of the exhaust valve means 47 is raised by a rod member 206 described later, the exhaust valve means 47 is opened, and each ink storage chamber communicates with the outside. In the coupled state of the upper and lower cases 201A and 201B, the engaging portion of the upper case 201A and the engaged portion of the lower case 201B are detachably elastically engaged, so that the upper case 201A is separated from the lower case 201B. Unless removed, the open state of the exhaust valve means 47 is maintained. The pressing portion 201 </ b> Aa is formed in a plate shape extending across the longitudinal direction of the head unit 50 so as to abut on both the left and right sides of the flexible flat cable 205.

Further, a second seal member 203 is further attached at a position where the tube joint 20 is present in the head unit 50. The second seal member 203 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material and closes the opening end of the ink flow path of the ink tank 40 connected to the tube joint 20. The second seal member 203 is affixed to the seal holding member 204, and the elastic engagement portion 204a of the seal holding member 204 is detachably locked to the mounting arm portion 9a, whereby the seal holding member 204 is attached to the ink tank 40. The second seal member 203 closes the supply side opening end of the ink flow path that is attached to the ink supply side and communicates with each ink storage chamber (41Y) so that the ink does not leak.

  A plurality of rod members 206 (operation members) for opening the exhaust valve means 47 in a state where the head unit 50 is housed in the storage case 201 are provided in the lower case 201B of the storage case 201. Each rod member 206 is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 201Be of the lower case 201B via a support base 207, and is inserted into the exhaust outlet portion 101b at a position corresponding to each valve rod 102b of the exhaust valve means 47. So that it protrudes.

  Further, the lower case 201B is provided with a pair of ribs 201Ba and 201Bb that can be engaged with protrusions 50a and 50b provided near both ends of the head unit in the arrangement direction of the plurality of exhaust means. Then, the exhaust valve means 47 and the rod member 206 are positioned by the engagement between the ribs 201Ba and 201Bb and the protrusions 50a and 50b. When the head unit 50 is set in the lower case 201B, the rod member 206 is securely inserted into the exhaust outlet portion 101b of the exhaust valve means 47, and the valve bodies 102 are coil springs in a state where the upper and lower cases 201A and 201B are coupled. It is moved in the opening direction against the urging force 103. Therefore, each exhaust valve means 47 is configured to be surely opened.

  The lower case 201B is provided with a porous member 208 that opposes the vicinity of the exhaust outlet portion 101b of the exhaust valve means 47 and absorbs ink leaked through the downstream end opening. A rod member 206 is disposed through the porous member 208.

  Since the downstream end opening of the exhaust valve means 47 and the nozzle of the head unit 50 are opened in parallel, the storage case 201 has a rod member 206 and a first seal member 202 corresponding to the opening. They are arranged in the same direction.

  Thus, in a state where the head unit 50 is housed in the storage case 201, the exhaust valve means 47 is opened by the rod member 206, and the ink supply side opening is opened by the first seal member 202 on the nozzle surface. Each of the second seal members 203 is sealed.

  When the head unit 50 is stored in the storage case 201 using the above apparatus, the head unit 50 is connected to the lower case 201B of the upper and lower cases 201A and 201B, and the head unit 50 is connected to the guide members 201Bha and 201Bhb and the ribs 201Ba and 201B. It is positioned and stored together. With this positioning, the exhaust valve means 47 of the head unit 50 and the rod member 206 of the lower case 201B are positioned. Further, the nozzle surface where the nozzle is opened is in contact with and covered with the first seal member 202. Further, the seal holding member 204 is attached to the ink supply side of the ink tank 40, and the supply-side opening end of the ink flow path communicating with each ink storage chamber (41Y) is closed by the second seal member 203. Then, the upper and lower cases 201 </ b> A and 201 </ b> B are joined to fix the head unit 50 to the storage case 201.

  In the combined state of the upper and lower cases 201A and 201B, the head holder 9 is pressed toward the lower case 201B by the pressing portion 201Aa of the upper case 201A, and the nozzle surface of the head unit 50 is sealed by the first seal member 202, In addition, each valve member 102 of the exhaust valve means 47 is raised by each rod member 206, the exhaust valve means 47 is opened, and each ink storage chamber communicates with the outside.

Thus, when the air in the ink storage chamber of the head unit 50 expands or contracts due to a change in pressure or temperature, the ink is discharged to the outside through the open exhaust passages 93M to 93Y and leaks from the nozzles of the inkjet head 30. The amount of ink is reduced. The ink discharged through the exhaust passages 93M to 93Y is absorbed by the porous member 208 and is prevented from being damaged by the ink. Even if ink leaks from the nozzles of the inkjet head 30, it is received by the first seal member 202. Further, the ink meniscus formed in the nozzles of the inkjet head 30 can be prevented from being destroyed.

  Therefore, the head unit 50 is stored as described above in a state where the ink meniscus is normally formed in the nozzles of the ink jet head 30 by performing an ink ejection test before mounting the head unit 50 on the recording apparatus main body. By storing in the case 201, when the head unit 50 is attached to the recording apparatus main body, normal ink ejection operation can be started at an early stage.

  When the head unit 50 is stored in the storage case 201, a liquid obtained by removing a coloring component from ink or a liquid having physical properties close to ink can be stored in the ink jet head 30 and each ink storage chamber.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention in a plan view. 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. It is sectional drawing in the VV line | wire of FIG. The storage case of the state which combined the upper and lower cases is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the nozzle surface of a head unit (inkjet head), and a 1st seal member. It is a figure which shows the relationship between an exhaust valve means and a rod member (operation member). (A) is explanatory drawing of the positioning means of a head unit and a storage case (lower case), (b) is sectional drawing in the BB line of Fig.9 (a). It is a top view which shows the relationship between a 1st sealing member, a porous member, and a rod member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 9 Head holder 30 Inkjet head 40 Ink tank 41Y Ink storage chamber 45 Valve box 47 Exhaust valve means 50 Head unit 50a, 50b Protrusion part 93M-93Y Exhaust passage 101b Exhaust outlet part 102 Valve body 103 Coil spring 201 Storage case 201A Upper case 201Aa Press part 201B Lower case 201Ba, 201Bb Rib 202 First seal member 203 Second seal member 206 Rod member (operation member)
208 Porous material

Claims (11)

An ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a head holder that holds the ink jet head, and the ink tank discharges air separated from the ink through an exhaust passage that is opened to the outside through an exhaust valve means that can be opened and closed. In the storage device of the head unit used for removing and storing the head unit configured to be removed from the recording apparatus main body,
A storage case for removably fixing and storing the head unit;
An apparatus for storing a head unit, comprising: an operation member provided in the storage case, wherein the operation member opens the exhaust valve means when the head unit is housed in the storage case.   While the storage case is provided with a rib, the head unit is provided with a protrusion that can be engaged with the rib, and the exhaust valve means and the operation member are positioned by the engagement between the rib and the protrusion. The head unit storage device according to claim 1, wherein: The exhaust valve means includes a valve box having an exhaust port, a valve body provided in the valve box for opening and closing the exhaust port, and a biasing member for biasing the valve body in a direction to close the exhaust port. Prepared,
The head unit storage device according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is a rod member that moves the valve body in an opening direction against an urging force of the urging member.   The said storage case is provided facing the downstream end opening vicinity of the said exhaust valve means, The porous member which absorbs the ink or the liquid discharged | emitted through the said downstream end opening is characterized by the above-mentioned. The head unit storage device according to any one of the above.   The storage case is provided with a first seal member that covers a nozzle surface in which the nozzle of the head unit is opened in a sealed state when the head unit is housed in the storage case. The head unit storage device according to claim 1.   The head unit storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a second seal member that closes an ink supply side opening of the ink tank in the head unit. The downstream end opening of the exhaust valve means and the nozzle of the head unit are opened in parallel,
In the storage case, an operation member that opens the exhaust valve means and a first seal member that covers the nozzle surface in which the nozzle is opened in a sealed state are arranged in the same direction,
The exhaust valve means is opened by the operation member in a state where the head unit is fixed to the storage case, and the nozzle surface is sealed by the first seal member. Item 5. The storage device for a head unit according to Item 4. The storage case has an upper and lower case for storing the head unit,
The operation member and the first seal member are disposed on the lower case of the upper and lower cases,
The head unit storage device according to claim 7, wherein the head unit is fixed to the storage case by coupling of the upper and lower cases. An ink tank having an ink storage chamber is mounted on a head holder that holds the ink jet head, and the ink tank discharges air separated from the ink through an exhaust passage that is opened to the outside through an exhaust valve means that can be opened and closed. In the storage method of the head unit, the head unit configured to be removed from the recording apparatus main body and fixed and stored in the storage case,
A storage method for a head unit, wherein the exhaust valve means is opened when the head unit is fixed to the storage case. The storage case is provided with a first seal member that covers a nozzle surface in which the nozzles of the head unit are opened in a sealed state,
The head unit according to claim 9, wherein when the head unit is fixed to the storage case, the nozzle surface is covered with the first seal member and the exhaust valve means is opened. Storage method. The storage case consists of upper and lower cases that can be joined,
An operation member that opens the exhaust valve means and a first seal member that covers the nozzle surface where the nozzle is opened in a sealed state are disposed in the lower case of the upper and lower cases,
By combining the upper and lower cases, the exhaust valve means is opened by the operation member, and the nozzle unit is sealed by the first seal member, and the head unit is fixed to a storage case. The head unit storage method according to claim 9 or 10.

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