JP2009066879A - Liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid injection device which is capable of deriving liquid (waste liquid) introduced into a liquid junction path from a plurality of liquid acceptance sections through a liquid introducing port for each liquid acceptance section, from the liquid junction path through a plurality of liquid derivation ports, while securing a uniform suction/discharge state for each predetermined unit in the plurality of liquid acceptance sections, according to the drive of a liquid suction/discharge section. <P>SOLUTION: A switching valve device 41 by which waste inks from the plurality of liquid acceptance sections such as respective cap small chambers 32a to 32d are introduced, joined together and then, derived according to the drive of a suction pump 33 includes: a plurality of introducing ports 91 to 96 individually corresponding to the liquid acceptance sections respectively; a junction path 47 to which the respective introducing ports 91 to 96 are connected in parallel; and a plurality of derivation ports 97 and 98 connected to the junction path 47 in parallel. The respective derivation ports 97 and 98 are connected in parallel on the way of the junction path 47 in its longitudinal direction, so that the number of the respective introducing ports 91 to 96 is evenly assigned for one derivation port. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

  In general, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) is widely known as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head to a target. In such a printer, the ink viscosity increases and solidifies due to evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzle of the recording head as a liquid ejecting head, dust adheres to the nozzle, and bubbles are clogged. There was a risk of causing. Therefore, a printer is usually provided with a maintenance device that performs various maintenance operations in order to keep the recording head in a state suitable for printing.

  According to this maintenance device, in addition to wiping to wipe the nozzle forming surface, flushing for discharging ink from the nozzle into the cap or the flushing box by a drive signal unrelated to printing, or ink from the nozzle to the cap. Cleaning is performed to forcibly suck out and discharge bubbles and bubbles. Among these, cleaning is a cap that can contact the recording head in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening formed on the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, and a waste liquid tank connected to the cap via a discharge tube, This is performed by a cleaning mechanism including a suction pump provided in the middle of the discharge tube.

  The discharge tube in this cleaning mechanism is a flow path for sucking ink or the like from the nozzle and discharging it to the waste liquid tank, the upstream end in the flow path direction is connected to the cap, and the downstream end is connected to the waste liquid via the suction pump. Connected to the tank. When the suction pump is driven in a state where the cap is in contact with the nozzle formation surface of the recording head so as to surround the nozzle opening, the space formed by the nozzle formation surface and the cap is in a negative pressure state. The thickened ink, air bubbles, etc. are discharged into the cap as waste ink, and are further discharged to the waste liquid tank through the discharge tube by suction of the pump.

  Here, recently, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1, a plurality of cap chambers individually corresponding to each nozzle row of the recording head are defined in the cap, and each cap chamber in the cap and at the time of flushing are formed. There has been proposed a cleaning mechanism for selectively sucking waste ink for each of a plurality of liquid receiving portions including a flushing box or the like for receiving ink.

  The discharge tube in the cleaning mechanism of Patent Document 1 has a portion upstream of the suction pump (cap side) branched into a plurality of branch tubes, and the upstream end of each branch tube has a plurality of cap chambers and a flushing box. Each is connected to a liquid receiving part. Further, the downstream end of each branch tube is connected to a switching valve device that enables selective suction of the waste liquid from each liquid receiving section by selectively switching the communication receiving / non-communication state of each liquid receiving section to the waste liquid tank. ing.

  That is, the switching valve device has a plurality of ink inlets individually corresponding to each branch tube for introducing the waste ink from each liquid receiving portion, and a combined flow path for joining the waste ink introduced from each ink inlet. And one ink outlet for leading the waste ink to the waste liquid tank side from the combined flow path. The downstream ends of a plurality of branch tubes are connected to each ink inlet, and the upstream end of a discharge tube whose downstream end is connected to a waste liquid tank is connected to one ink outlet. In addition, a switching valve is provided for each ink introduction port between each ink introduction port and the combined flow path in the switching valve device.

Therefore, in the cleaning mechanism of this Patent Document 1, a single nozzle row is cleaned by selectively opening and closing the switching valve individually corresponding to each liquid receiving portion (each cap chamber, flushing box, etc.) in the switching valve device. Single row suction, full row suction for cleaning all nozzle rows, and simultaneous suction for cleaning all liquid receiving parts including flushing boxes and borderless printing receiving parts can be selectively performed. Has been.
JP 2007-160793 A

  By the way, in the switching valve device in the cleaning mechanism of Patent Document 1, a plurality of ink introduction ports communicate with the combined flow path at a plurality of locations in the flow path longitudinal direction of the combined flow path, respectively. An ink outlet for leading waste ink (introduced liquid) introduced into the combined flow path through the opening to the waste liquid tank side is provided only at one position in the longitudinal direction of the combined flow path. That is, in the switching valve device functioning as a liquid merging means having a liquid merging channel where the liquid introduced from each liquid receiving portion merges, for each of a plurality of ink introducing ports, each of those ink introducing ports passes through the merging channel. When looking at the distance of the ink flow path to one ink outlet, the distance of each ink flow path was different and uneven at each ink inlet.

  For this reason, waste ink introduced into the casing from the ink introduction port having a long ink flow path distance to the one ink outlet port enters the casing from the ink outlet port having a shorter ink flow path distance. The introduced waste ink hinders the flow toward the ink outlet at the joining position in the casing, and there is a possibility that the waste ink cannot be discharged smoothly. As a result, the waste ink is not uniformly sucked and discharged from each liquid receiving portion (each cap chamber and flushing box) connected to each ink introduction port via a branch tube, and cleaning cannot be performed properly. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid (waste liquid) introduced from a plurality of liquid receiving portions into a liquid junction through a liquid inlet for each liquid receiving portion. Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus that can be led out from a liquid junction channel through a plurality of liquid outlets while ensuring a uniform suction / discharge state for each predetermined unit in a plurality of liquid receiving portions as the suction / discharge portion is driven. It is in.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid, a plurality of liquid receiving portions that respectively receive liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head as waste liquid, and the liquids A liquid suction / discharge means that is driven to suck and discharge the liquid from the receiving part, and the liquid is introduced from each liquid receiving part as the liquid suction / discharge means is driven, and the introduced liquids are joined together A liquid merging means for deriving the liquid merging means, the liquid merging means including a plurality of liquid inlets individually corresponding to the liquid receiving portions, and a liquid in which the liquid inlets are connected in parallel at different communication positions. And a plurality of liquid outlets connected in parallel with each other at different communication positions, and each of the liquid outlets corresponds to each liquid outlet. Introductory ports are allocated in equal numbers So that placement aspects are each connected in parallel to the middle of the flow channel longitudinal direction of the liquid combined channel.

  According to this configuration, the liquid discharged as the waste liquid from each liquid receiving portion in accordance with the driving of the liquid suction / discharge means is introduced into the liquid merge channel via each liquid inlet of the liquid merge means, and merges. The liquid inlet is led out from the liquid junction through the liquid outlet. In this case, a plurality of liquid outlets connected in parallel in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the liquid joint channel are arranged to distribute the liquid introduced from the liquid inlets of the number of liquids equally assigned to each liquid outlet. Each of them is derived after being merged inside. Therefore, unlike the case where there is only one liquid outlet for all liquid inlets, the flow of liquid introduced from each liquid inlet into the liquid outlet in the liquid junction channel of the liquid junction means is Variations in the liquid junction are suppressed in units of a predetermined number of liquid inlets assigned to each liquid outlet. Therefore, the liquid (waste liquid) introduced from the plurality of liquid receiving portions into the liquid combined flow path via the liquid inlet for each liquid receiving portion is equalized for each predetermined unit in the plurality of liquid receiving portions as the liquid suction / discharge portion is driven. The liquid can be led out from the liquid junction through a plurality of liquid outlets while securing the suction / discharge state.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, each of the liquid outlets may flow in the liquid joint channel from the liquid inlet assigned to the liquid outlet for each liquid outlet to the liquid outlet. The arrangement is such that the sum of the path distances is equal for each liquid outlet, and is connected in parallel in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the liquid combined channel.

  According to this configuration, in a unit of liquid inlets having a predetermined number assigned to each liquid outlet, interference at the time of merging in the liquid merging channel of the liquid introduced into the liquid merging channel via those liquid inlets The state can be made even. As a result, the liquid can be sucked and discharged as waste liquid without variation for each predetermined number of liquid receiving portions corresponding to the predetermined number of liquid inlet units.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, each of the liquid outlets may be in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the liquid combined channel, and the side of the liquid inlets connected in parallel to the flow channel of the liquid combined channel. They are connected in parallel on the sides with different phases of 90 to 270 degrees with respect to the center.

According to this configuration, it is possible to smoothly lead out the liquid that has been introduced and joined from the liquid inlets into the liquid joint channel from the liquid outlets.
In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid merging unit may be permitted by opening and closing the flow of the liquid from the liquid inlet side to the liquid merging channel side between each liquid inlet and the liquid merging channel. Alternatively, a switching valve that shuts off is provided.

  According to this configuration, by selectively opening and closing each switching valve, simultaneous suction for sucking and discharging the liquid from all the liquid receiving parts as waste liquid, and sucking and discharging the liquid as the waste liquid only from a desired liquid receiving part Selective suction or the like can be selected and performed as appropriate.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, each of the liquid receiving portions may correspond to each of the nozzle groups in a cap that can contact the liquid ejecting head so as to surround the plurality of nozzle groups included in the liquid ejecting head. It is configured to include at least a plurality of partitioned cap chambers.

  According to this configuration, when the liquid is sucked and discharged from each nozzle group of the liquid jet head, the suction and discharge of the liquid in each nozzle group and the suction and discharge of the liquid from all the nozzle groups are appropriately selected and performed. be able to.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) which is a kind of liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 10 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment has a frame 11 having a substantially box shape, and a lower portion in the frame 11 has a longitudinal direction (main scanning shown in FIG. 1). A platen 12 is constructed along the direction X). The platen 12 is a support base that supports the paper P as a target, and the paper P is moved along the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the main scanning direction X based on the driving force of the paper feed motor 14 included in the paper feed mechanism 13. It comes to feed.

  A guide shaft 15 is installed above the platen 12 in the frame 11, and a carriage 16 is supported on the guide shaft 15 so as to be movable. A driving pulley 17 and a driven pulley 18 are rotatably supported at positions corresponding to both end portions of the guide shaft 15 on the inner surface of the frame 11. A carriage motor 19 is connected to the drive pulley 17, and a timing belt 20 that fixes and supports the carriage 16 is hung between the pair of pulleys 17 and 18. Therefore, the carriage 16 is movable in the main scanning direction X via the timing belt 20 by driving the carriage motor 19 while being guided by the guide shaft 15.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a recording head 21 as a liquid ejecting head is provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 16. As shown in FIG. 2, a large number of nozzles 22 serving as ejection openings for ejecting ink (liquid) of each color are provided on the nozzle forming surface 21a on the lower surface side of the recording head 21. A nozzle group 23B, a cyan ink nozzle group 23C, a magenta ink nozzle group 23M, and a yellow ink nozzle group 23YE are formed. That is, on the nozzle forming surface 21a, a plurality of nozzle rows extending along the sub-scanning direction Y by the nozzle groups 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE are spaced at regular intervals (nozzle pitch) in the main scanning direction X. It is provided so as to form a plurality of suction target areas.

  In addition, piezoelectric elements (not shown) are arranged in the recording head 21 so as to individually correspond to the nozzles 22. Then, by driving and controlling each piezoelectric element, ink is ejected from each nozzle 22 toward the paper P that reaches the lower side of the recording head 21. A plurality of ink cartridges 24 for supplying ink to the recording head 21 are detachably mounted on the carriage 16 in correspondence with the ink nozzle groups 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE.

  Further, a waste liquid tank 25 is provided below the platen 12 in the frame 11 so as to extend in parallel with the platen 12. The waste liquid tank 25 contains an absorbing member (not shown) made of, for example, porous pulp material. Therefore, at the time of well-known cleaning and wiping, the ink is discharged to the waste liquid tank 25 and absorbed by the absorbing member.

  In addition, a flushing receiving portion (liquid receiving portion) 26 that functions as a flushing box is recessed in one end side of the platen 12 (the left end side in the main scanning direction X in FIG. 1). The flushing receiving portion 26 is formed to have substantially the same size as the nozzle forming surface 21 a of the recording head 21, and an ink absorbing material (not shown) is provided in the flushing receiving portion 26. During periodic flushing performed at predetermined intervals, when the carriage 16 passes over the flushing receiving portion 26, a drive signal irrelevant to printing is applied to the piezoelectric element provided in the recording head 21, so that the nozzle 22 Ink is discharged as waste liquid. The ejected ink is absorbed by the ink absorbing material in the flushing receiving portion 26. Thus, at the time of regular flushing, a sufficient amount of flushing can be performed to suppress the increase in viscosity and solidification of the ink in the nozzle 22 in the recording head 21.

  Further, a plurality of borderless printing receiving portions (liquid receiving portions) 30, which are also referred to as paper guides, are formed on the platen 12, and an ink absorbing material (not shown) is provided in each borderless printing receiving portion 30. Abbreviation) is provided. At the time of borderless printing, the ink ejected to the portion protruding outside the edge of the paper P (so-called protruding printing region) is absorbed by the ink absorbing material in the marginless printing receiving portion 30. ing. Note that borderless printing refers to printing on the entire surface of the paper P with no margins.

  On the other hand, a cleaning mechanism 31 is provided in a non-printing area where the paper P does not reach on one end side of the printer 10 (right end side in the main scanning direction X in FIG. 1). The cleaning mechanism 31 is a mechanism for forcibly sucking ink remaining in the nozzles 22 and eliminating clogging of the nozzles. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning mechanism 31 includes a suction pump (liquid suction) including a cap 32 having an upper opening that contacts the recording head 21 in a state of surrounding each nozzle group 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE, and a tube pump. Discharge means) 33. The cap 32 is divided into a plurality of spaces (four in this embodiment), and a cap chamber (first cap) as a plurality of liquid receiving portions individually corresponding to each of the ink color nozzle groups 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE. A small chamber 32a, a second cap small chamber 32b, a third cap small chamber 32c, and a fourth cap small chamber 32d) are formed.

  The cap 32 can be moved up and down by a known lifting means (not shown). When the cap 32 is lifted, the cap 32 comes into contact with the recording head 21, and each nozzle group 23B, 23C, 23M, 23YE (nozzle forming surface) of the recording head 21 is contacted. 21a) surrounds the nozzle groups to which the cap chambers 32a to 32d correspond. More specifically, the black ink nozzle group 23B is surrounded by the first cap chamber 32a, and the cyan ink nozzle group 23C is surrounded by the second cap chamber 32b. The magenta ink nozzle group 23M is surrounded by the third cap chamber 32c, and the yellow ink nozzle group 23YE is surrounded by the fourth cap chamber 32d.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each of the cap chambers 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d of the cap 32, the flushing receiving portion 26, and the borderless printing receiving portion 30 has ink discharge paths (liquid flow paths) 34 a and 35 a. , 36a, 37a, 38a, 39a, upstream ends of upstream discharge tubes (liquid flow path forming members) 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 are connected to each other. The discharge tubes 34 to 39 are connected to a switching valve device 41 whose downstream ends function as liquid merging means so that ink can be introduced from the discharge tubes 34 to 39. The introduced inks can be merged. That is, the switching valve device 41 is provided with a plurality of ink inlets (liquid inlets) 91 to 96 individually corresponding to the cap chambers 32a to 32d and the receiving portions 26 and 30, respectively. The downstream ends of the discharge tubes 34 to 39 are connected to the ports 91 to 96.

  Specifically, the first discharge tube 34 forming the first discharge path 34a communicating with the first cap small chamber 32a forms the second discharge path 35a communicating with the second cap small chamber 32b at the first introduction port 91. The second discharge tube 35 is connected to the second introduction port 92. Further, the third discharge tube 36 forming the third discharge passage 36a communicating with the third cap small chamber 32c is formed in the third introduction port 93 to form the fourth discharge passage 37a communicating with the fourth cap small chamber 32d. The tube 37 is connected to the fourth introduction port 94. The fifth discharge tube 38 forming the fifth discharge path 38a communicating with the flushing receiving portion 26 forms a sixth discharge path 39a communicating with the borderless printing receiving portion 30 at the fifth introduction port 95. The 6 discharge tube 39 is connected to the sixth introduction port 96.

  Inside the switching valve device 41, there is provided one joining channel (liquid joining channel) 47 that can join the inks introduced through the introduction ports 91 to 96. The connecting passages 47 are connected in parallel so that the respective communication positions are different in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the passage. In the switching valve device 41, a switching valve 81 is interposed in the middle of each liquid flow path that connects the inlets 91 to 96 to the combined flow path 47. The switching valve device 41 includes When the switching valve 81 is opened or closed, the ink discharge paths 34a, 35a, 36a, 37a, 38a, 39a connected to the inlets 91 to 96 are brought into a communication state or a non-communication state. It is supposed to switch so that.

  A plurality (two in this embodiment) of ink discharge paths (liquid flow paths) are formed on the opposite side of the switching valve device 41 to the side where the upstream discharge tubes 34 to 39 are connected. The upstream ends of the downstream discharge tubes 68 and 69 are connected to each other. That is, the switching valve device 41 is provided with a plurality of ink outlets (liquid outlets) 97 and 98 that can connect the discharge tubes 68 and 69 on the downstream side. 98 is connected to the upstream ends of the downstream discharge tubes 68 and 69. Then, the downstream discharge tubes 68 and 69 are respectively joined to the merged flow path 47 in the switching valve device 41 from the upstream discharge tubes 34 to 39 through the inlets 91 to 96. When it is led out from the combined flow path 47 of the switching valve device 41, it is connected to the corresponding outlets 97 and 98 so that it can flow in.

  The upstream discharge tubes 34 to 39 and the downstream discharge tubes 68 and 69 have the same diameter, and each form an ink discharge path having the same cross-sectional area. As shown in FIG. 3, the downstream ends of the downstream discharge tubes 68 and 69 are connected to the waste liquid tank 25, and the suction pump 33 is interposed in the middle of the discharge tubes 68 and 69. ing. A pressure chamber 45 for accumulating negative pressure based on the driving of the suction pump 33 is provided in the middle of each discharge tube 68, 69 between the suction pump 33 and the switching valve device 41.

  Further, each cap chamber 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d of the cap 32 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) air release tubes so as to individually correspond to the cap chambers 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d. The 85 upstream ends are connected to each other. The downstream end sides of the air release tubes 85 are arranged in the cap chambers 32a to 32d when the opening of the nozzle 22 formed on the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 is surrounded by the cap 32. It is connected to an air release valve device 42 for adjusting the air release state or the sealed state. That is, the atmosphere release valve device 42 is configured such that a normally closed valve type atmosphere release valve body 84 is interposed in correspondence with the downstream end of each atmosphere release tube 85. By opening or closing each of the air release valve bodies 84, the cap small chambers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are adjusted to be open to the atmosphere or sealed through the open air tube 85. To do.

  The switching valve device 41 and the air release valve device 42 are connected via a one-way clutch mechanism 44 to a drive motor 43 configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions for driving the suction pump 33. In this embodiment, only when the drive motor 43 is driven in the reverse rotation direction (one of the forward and reverse directions) by the one-way clutch mechanism 44, the driving force causes the switching valve 81 and the air release valve body 84 to move. In order to make the valve open, it is transmitted to the switching valve device 41 and the atmosphere release valve device 42. That is, when the drive motor 43 is driven forward, the suction pump 33 is driven so as to accumulate negative pressure in the pressure chamber 45.

Next, a specific configuration of the switching valve device 41 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the switching valve device 41 includes a resin base material 71 that functions as a flow path forming member. The base material 71 includes a first base material 71 a that has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a second base material 71 a. It is comprised from the base material 71b. In the first base material 71a, a straight first joint channel 47a is formed in which the second introduction port 92, the third introduction port 93, and the fourth introduction port 94 are connected in parallel so as to communicate with each other. ing. On the other hand, in the inside of the second base material 71b, there is a second combined flow path 47b having a linear shape in which the first introduction port 91, the fifth introduction port 95, and the sixth introduction port 96 are connected in parallel so as to communicate with each other. Is formed.

  The first base material 71a and the second base material 71b are connected by a connecting tube 48 that forms a continuous connection flow path 47c that connects the first combined flow path 47a and the second combined flow path 47b in series. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the switching valve device 41 includes a first joint channel 47 a formed in the first base material 71 a and a second joint channel formed in the second base material 71 b. One combined channel 47 is formed by 47 b and the continuous coupling channel 47 c formed in the connecting tube 48. A first outlet 97 is connected to the first base material 71a so as to communicate with the first joint channel 47a, and a second base material 71b is connected to the second joint channel 47b so as to communicate with the second joint channel 47b. 2 outlet 98 is connected.

  That is, in the first outlet 97 and the second outlet 98, each inlet (92, 93, 94) (91, 95, 96) has an equal number of outlets (97, 98) for each outlet (97) (98). In this case, each of them is connected in parallel in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the single flow path 47 so as to have different communication positions so as to be arranged in an arrangement manner assigned by three numbers. Similarly, the first to sixth introduction ports 91 to 96 are also connected in parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the single flow path 47 so that the respective communication positions are different.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the outlets 97 and 98 join with the side where the inlets 91 to 96 are connected in parallel with respect to the middle of the longitudinal direction of the joint passage 47. The cross-sectional shape of the channel 47 is connected in parallel to the side where the phase of the combined channel 47 is different by 90 degrees with respect to the channel center. In addition, each of the outlets 97 and 98 has an inlet (92, 93, 94) (91, 95, 98) assigned to the outlet (97) (98) for each outlet (97) (98). 96) to the outlets (97) (98) to the outlets (97) (98) in the arrangement mode in which the sum of the channel distances in the outlets (97) (98) is uniform for each outlet (97) (98). The passage 47 is connected in parallel in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the passage.

  That is, the distance from the outlet 97 to the second inlet 92, the distance to the third inlet 93, and the fourth inlet 94 in the first joint channel 47a of the first base material 71a. The total of the respective flow path distances, the distance from the outlet port 98 to the first inlet port 91 in the second combined channel 47b of the second base material 71b, the distance to the fifth inlet port 95, and the Comparing the total distance of each flow path to the 6 inlet 96, both are configured to be equal.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a first rotating shaft 72 extending in parallel with the extending direction of the first combined flow path 47a is rotatably supported on the first base material 71a in the switching valve device 41, and A second rotating shaft 73 extending in parallel with the extending direction of the second combined flow path 47b is rotatably supported on the two base materials 71b. The first rotary shaft 72 is provided with a switching valve 81 that opens and closes in order to establish a communication / non-communication state between the three inlets 92 to 94 provided in the first base material 71a and the first joint channel 47a. Separately, three levers 75, 77 and 79 connected to each other are supported. Similarly, the second rotating shaft 73 opens and closes to make the connection between the three inlets 91, 95, 96 provided in the second base material 71b and the second joint channel 47b communicated / disconnected. Three levers 74, 76, and 78 connected to the switching valve 81 are supported.

  These levers 74 to 79 are always urged in a direction to close the switching valve 81 connected to each other by an urging member (not shown). A portion opposite to the connected side is pressed and oscillated by a cam mechanism (not shown) to open the switching valve 81 connected to each other. That is, since all the switching valves 81 are normally closed even when the suction pump 33 is driven, the waste ink from the liquid receiving portions (the cap small chambers 32a to 32d and the receiving portions 26 and 30) is discharged. Suction discharge is not performed.

  The cam mechanism is configured such that a plurality of plate cams individually corresponding to the levers 74 to 79 rotate synchronously, and at least one lever 74 to the position where the levers 74 to 79 are not pressed by the rotation angle. It is comprised so that the position which presses 79 can be taken. Accordingly, the liquid receiving portions (the cap chambers 32a to 32d, which are connected to the inlets 91 to 96 corresponding to the levers 74 to 79 which are pressed and swung by the cam mechanism via the upstream discharge tubes 34 to 39, respectively. From the receiving portions 26 and 30), a negative pressure is applied as the suction pump 33 is driven, and the suction and discharge of the waste ink is allowed.

  Therefore, next, regarding the operation in the printer 10 configured as described above, in particular, all the switching valves 81 in the switching valve device 41 are opened, and all the liquid receiving portions (the respective cap chambers 32a to 32d, the respective receiving portions) are opened. A description will be given below, focusing on the action when the waste ink is simultaneously sucked from the units 26 and 30) based on the driving of the suction pump 33.

  When performing simultaneous suction, first, the suction pump 33 is driven to rotate forward with all the switching valves 81 closed. At this time, the cap 32 is in a state of being separated from the recording head 21, unlike during cleaning in which ink is sucked and discharged from each nozzle 22. Further, in the air release valve device 42, all the air release valve bodies 84 are in the closed state, but this is also not related to the simultaneous suction, unlike the time of cleaning.

  As described above, when the suction pump 33 is driven forward, all the switching valves 81 are in a closed state, so that a negative pressure is accumulated in the pressure chamber 45 based on the drive of the suction pump 33. Then, in a state where the negative pressure is sufficiently accumulated in the pressure chamber 45, the switching valve 81 in which all the levers 74 to 79 on the base materials 71a and 71b are connected to the levers 74 to 79 is opened by the cam mechanism. It is pushed in the direction of valve. Then, all the switching valves 81 that have been in a non-communication state between the first introduction port 91 to the sixth introduction port 96 and the combined flow path 47 are opened, and the first introduction port 91 to the sixth introduction port 96 are connected to each other. Each discharge path 34a-39a connected is made into a communication state. That is, the pressure chamber 45 in which all the liquid receiving portions (the cap small chambers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, the flushing receiving portion 26, and the borderless printing receiving portion 30) are accumulated with a negative pressure by the switching valve device 41. As a result, the negative pressure moves to the cap chambers 32 a to 32 d and the receiving portions 26 and 30.

  Then, the waste ink is sucked and discharged from the cap small chambers 32a to 32d and the receiving portions 26 and 30, and they are respectively introduced through the discharge passages 34a to 39a of the discharge tubes 34 to 39 on the upstream side. To flow into the merge channel 47 of the switching valve device 41 and merge. Then, the waste ink merged in the merge channel 47 is led out from the corresponding outlets 97 and 98 to which the respective inlets (92 to 94) (91, 95, 96) are assigned by three numbers, and the downstream side of the waste inks. It is discharged to the waste liquid tank 25 through the discharge tubes 68 and 69.

  At this time, when only one outlet is connected to all the inlets 91 to 96 in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the combined channel 47, the following problem occurs. For example, in the case where only one outlet 97 is connected to the first joining channel 47a formed in the first base 71a, the second joining from the inlets 91, 95, and 96 of the second base 71b. The waste ink introduced into the path 47b reaches the first combined flow path 47a via the second combined flow path 47b and the continuous combined flow path 47c and travels toward the single outlet 97.

  However, in that case, the waste ink that has reached the first combined flow path 47a from the second combined flow path 47b side through the continuous combined flow path 47c passes through the respective inlets 92 to 94 of the first base material 71a. The flow of ink is blocked by the waste ink that is introduced into the outlet port 97 and directed toward the outlet port 97, and the outlet from the outlet port 97 may not be smoothly performed.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, there are two outlets 97 and 98, and the six inlets 91 to 96 are allocated in an equal number of three for each outlet (97) (98). It is an aspect. Therefore, the flow of waste ink introduced from the inlets 91 to 96 toward the outlets 97 and 98 in the combined channel 47 is aggregated in units of three inlets assigned to the outlets 97 and 98. As a result, large variations in the flow of the entire waste ink introduced from all the inlets 91 to 96 in the combined flow path 47 can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, from the inlets (92, 93, 94) (91, 95, 96) assigned to the outlets (97) (98) to the outlets (97) (98). The total flow path distance in the combined flow path 47 is uniform for each outlet (97) (98). Therefore, the flow of waste ink introduced from the inlets 91 to 96 toward the outlets 97 and 98 in the junction channel 47 is merged in units of three inlets assigned to the outlets 97 and 98. The interference state at the time becomes equal to each other.

  In the present embodiment, the outlets 97 and 98 are in the middle of the flow path longitudinal direction of the combined flow path 47, and the side where the introduction ports 91 to 96 are connected in parallel to the flow path center of the combined flow path 47. Are connected in parallel on the side where the phase is different by 90 degrees. For this reason, the waste ink introduced from the respective inlets 91 to 96 into the combined channel 47 is assigned to each of the inlets 91 to 96 without their flow direction being reversed to the inlets 91 to 96 in the combined channel 47. Flow smoothly toward the outlets 97 and 98.

  In the printer 10, during the selective cleaning in which the waste ink is selectively sucked from the nozzle groups 23 </ b> B, 23 </ b> C, 23 </ b> M, and 23 </ b> YE of the recording head 21, the switching valve device 41 corresponds to the first introduction port 91 to the fourth introduction port 94. Each switching valve 81 may be selectively opened and closed. In this way, all-line suction for sucking and discharging waste ink from all the nozzle groups 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE and selective suction for sucking and discharging waste ink only from the desired nozzle groups 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE Can be performed appropriately.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Waste ink sucked and discharged from all the liquid receiving portions (the cap small chambers 32a to 32d and the receiving portions 26 and 30) as the suction pump 33 is driven passes through the inlets 91 to 96 of the switching valve device 41. Are introduced into the merge channel 47 and merged, and are led out from the merge channel 47 through the outlets 97 and 98 to which the respective inlet ports 91 to 96 are assigned. In this case, in this embodiment, there are two outlets 97 and 98, and the six inlets 91 to 96 are assigned in an equal number of three for each outlet (97) (98). Therefore, the flow of waste ink that is introduced from the inlets 91 to 96 toward the outlets 97 and 98 in the combined flow path 47 is directed to the three outlets 97 and 98. It will be aggregated in units of the number of units. As a result, a large variation in the flow of the entire waste ink introduced from all the inlets 91 to 96 in the combined flow path 47 is suppressed. Therefore, the suction pump 33 drives the waste ink introduced from the plurality of liquid receiving portions (the cap chambers 32a to 32d and the receiving portions 26 and 30) through the inlets 91 to 96 for each liquid receiving portion. Accordingly, the liquid can be led out from the joint channel 47 through the plurality of outlets 97 and 98 while ensuring a uniform suction / discharge state for each predetermined unit in the plurality of liquid receiving portions.

  (2) In the switching valve device 41, the introduction ports (92, 93, 94) (91, 95, 96) assigned to the respective outlet ports (97) (98) reach the outlet ports (97) (98). The total flow path distance in the combined flow path 47 is uniform for each outlet (97) (98). Therefore, the flow of waste ink introduced from the inlets 91 to 96 toward the outlets 97 and 98 in the junction channel 47 is merged in units of three inlets assigned to the outlets 97 and 98. The interference state at the time becomes equal to each other. As a result, the waste ink is suctioned without variation for each of the three units (predetermined number) of the inlet units corresponding to the predetermined number of liquid receiving units (the cap chambers 32a to 32d and the receiving units 26 and 30). Can be discharged.

  (3) In the switching valve device 41, the outlets 97 and 98 are connected to the side where the inlets 91 to 96 are connected in parallel to the middle of the combined channel 47 in the longitudinal direction of the channel. They are connected in parallel on the side where the phase is different by 90 degrees with respect to the road center. For this reason, the waste ink introduced from the respective inlets 91 to 96 into the combined channel 47 is assigned to each of the inlets 91 to 96 without their flow direction being reversed to the inlets 91 to 96 in the combined channel 47. It flows toward the outlets 97 and 98 provided. As a result, the waste ink that has been introduced into the joining channel 47 from the inlets 91 to 96 and joined together can be smoothly led out from the outlets 97 and 98.

  (4) The switching valve device 41 is allowed or blocked by opening / closing the flow of waste ink from the inlets 91 to 96 to the side of the combined channel 47 between the inlets 91 to 96 and the combined channel 47. A switching valve 81 is provided. Therefore, by selectively opening and closing each switching valve 81, simultaneous suction for sucking and discharging waste ink from all liquid receiving portions (each cap small chamber 32a to 32d, each receiving portion 26, 30), or a desired liquid For example, selective suction for sucking and discharging waste ink only from the receiving portion can be selected as appropriate.

  (5) The cap chambers 32a to 32d connected to the first introduction port 91 to the fourth introduction port 94 of the switching valve device 41 via the discharge tubes 34 to 37 have the cap 32 that contacts the recording head 21 during cleaning. When contacted, a sealed state can be formed so as to surround each of the nozzle groups 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE. Therefore, when waste ink is sucked and discharged from the nozzle groups 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE of the recording head 21 at the time of cleaning, by controlling the open / close state of each switching valve 81, selective suction such as single-row suction or the like can be performed. All row suction can be selected and performed as appropriate.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
As shown in FIG. 5A, in the switching valve device 41, the first outlet 97 is provided at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the first base 71a, and the second outlet 98 is provided on the second base 71b. You may make it provide in the intermediate position of a longitudinal direction (1st modification). That is, in each base material 71a, 71b of the switching valve device 41 in the first modified example, the respective inlets (92 to 94) (91, 95, 96) are flow channels as in the case of the above embodiment. Combined flow paths 47a and 47b (not shown in FIG. 5A) formed in parallel in the longitudinal direction are formed.

  In the first base material 71a, the first outlet 97 is provided at a position corresponding to the middle third inlet 93 in the longitudinal direction of the first combined passage 47a. In the second base material 71b, a second outlet 98 is provided at a position corresponding to the middle fifth inlet 95 in the longitudinal direction of the second combined passage 47b.

  According to this first modified example, the introduction port is composed of three introduction ports (92 to 94) (91, 95, 96) allocated to each one outlet (97) (98). Variations in the flow of waste ink within the unit can be further suppressed. That is, the waste ink introduced from the second introduction port 92 and the waste ink introduced from the fourth introduction port 94 are led out from the first lead-out port 97 under the same flow path conditions. On the other hand, the waste ink introduced from the first introduction port 91 and the waste ink introduced from the sixth introduction port 96 are led out from the second lead-out port 98 under the same flow path conditions.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), in the switching valve device 41, at each of a plurality of locations along the longitudinal direction of the first base material 71a and the second base material 71b so that the outlets individually correspond to the introduction ports. You may provide (2nd modification). That is, in each base material 71a, 71b of the switching valve device 41 in the second modified example, the respective inlets (92 to 94) (91, 95, 96) are flow channels as in the case of the above embodiment. Combined flow paths 47a and 47b (not shown in FIG. 5B) formed in parallel in the longitudinal direction are formed.

  In the first base material 71a, a first outlet 97 is provided at a position corresponding to the second inlet 92 in the longitudinal direction of the first combined channel 47a, and the third inlet 93 and the fourth inlet are provided. Another lead-out port 99, 100 is also provided at each position corresponding to the introduction port 94 so as to individually correspond to the third introduction port 93 and the fourth introduction port 94. Further, in the second base material 71b, a second outlet 98 is provided at a position corresponding to the first inlet 91 in the longitudinal direction of the second combined passage 47b, and the fifth inlet 95 and the sixth Another outlet 101, 102 is also provided at each position corresponding to the introduction port 96 so as to individually correspond to the fifth introduction port 95 and the sixth introduction port 96.

  According to the configuration of the second modification, the waste ink introduced from the inlets 91 to 96 into the combined flow path 47 is transferred from the outlets 97 to 102 to which the inlets 91 to 96 individually correspond to the other inlets. The waste ink introduced from the ports 91 to 96 is smoothly led out without hindering the flow.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the first base material 71a and the second base material 71b in the switching valve device 41 may be integrated into a single base material 71 (third modification). That is, in the base material 71 of the switching valve device 41 in the third modified example, the introduction ports (92 to 94) (91, 95, 96) are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flow path as in the case of the above embodiment. The first and second joint channels 47a and 47b (not shown in FIG. 5C) connected in parallel on the way are the positions where the introduction ports (92 to 94) (91, 95, 96) are formed. It is formed directly underneath. Moreover, in this 3rd modification, in the said embodiment, the 1st modification, and the 2nd modification, the continuous connection flow formed with the connection tube 48 erected between both the 1st and 2nd base materials 71a and 71b. A path 47c is formed so as to connect the first and second combined flow paths 47a and 47b within the single-structured base material 71.

  And the position which becomes between each inlet port (92-94) (91,95,96) on the same surface as the surface in which each inlet port (92-94) (91,95,96) in the base material 71 was provided. The first lead-out port 97 and the second lead-out port 98 are provided, and the first lead-out port 97 is connected to the first combined flow path 47a in the base material 71, and the second lead-out port 98 is formed in the base material 71. It is connected to the second combined flow path 47b. According to the third modification, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, the configuration relating to the base material 71 in the switching valve device 41 can be further simplified.

  -As shown in FIG.5 (d), the 1st base material 71a and the 2nd base material 71b in the switching valve apparatus 41 are integrated in the base material 71 of the single structure formed in the rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the one base material All the inlets (94 to 96) may be arranged in a line on one side of 71 (fourth modification). In this case, a single flow path 47 (not shown in FIG. 5D) is formed in the base material 71 so as to extend along the arrangement direction of the introduction ports (94 to 96). And in the middle of the flow path longitudinal direction of the combined flow path 47, the 1st outlet 97 and the 2nd outlet 98 are each three inlets 91-96 for every one outlet (97) (98). It is provided in the side surface orthogonal to one side surface in which each inlet 91-96 was provided in the base material 71 so that it may become the arrangement | positioning aspect allocated equally and connected in parallel. Also in the fourth modified example, in addition to the effects of the above embodiment, the configuration related to the base material 71 in the switching valve device 41 can be further simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 5E, the six outlets 97 to 102 are connected to the inlets in the base 71 so that the configuration relating to the outlets in the fourth modification corresponds to the inlets 91 to 96 individually. You may provide in the side surface orthogonal to one side surface in which 91-96 were provided (5th modification). Also in the fifth modification, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, the configuration relating to the base material 71 in the switching valve device 41 can be further simplified. Further, as in the case of the second modification, the waste ink introduced from the inlets 91 to 96 into the combined flow path 47 in the base material 71 has the outlets 97 to 96 corresponding to the inlets 91 to 96 individually. From 102, the flow is smoothly led out without being blocked by the waste ink introduced from the other inlets 91 to 96.

  In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the outlets 97 and 98 are connected in parallel to the inlets 91 to 96 in the cross-sectional shape of the combined channel 47 with respect to the middle of the combined channel 47 in the longitudinal direction of the channel. The side may have a configuration in which the cross-sectional shape of the combined flow channel 47 is connected in parallel to the side that is opposite by 180 degrees across the flow channel center of the combined flow channel 47. In this way, it is possible to further smoothly discharge the waste ink that has been introduced into and joined from the inlets 91 to 96 into the junction channel 47 from the outlets 97 and 98. In short, each of the outlets 97 and 98 has a cross-sectional shape of the joint channel 47 in the cross-sectional shape of the joint channel 47 with respect to the side where the inlets 91 to 96 are connected in parallel with respect to the middle of the joint channel 47 in the longitudinal direction. A smooth flow of waste ink is ensured if it is connected in parallel to the sides whose phases are different from 90 to 270 degrees with respect to the center of the flow path.

  In the above embodiment, the cap 32 may be configured not to be partitioned into the cap chambers 32a to 32d individually corresponding to the nozzle groups 23B, 23C, 23M, and 23YE of the recording head 21.

  In the above embodiment, the switching valve device 41 may be configured as a liquid merging means that does not have the switching valve 81. In short, a plurality of inlets 91 to 96 individually corresponding to a plurality of liquid receiving portions (each cap chamber 32a to 32d, each receiving portion 26, 30), and waste ink introduced from these inlets 91 to 96 are merged. The combined channel 47 and a plurality of outlets 97 and 98 for extracting waste ink from the combined channel 47 may be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the sum of the flow path distances from the inlets 92 to 94 assigned to the first outlet 97 to the first outlet 97 in the combined passage 47 and the second outlet 98 is assigned. The sum of the flow path distances from the respective inlets 91, 95, and 96 to the second outlet 98 in the combined flow path 47 may be different. In short, the arrangement mode in which the outlets 97 and 98 are assigned so that the inlets (92 to 94) (91, 95, and 96) have the same number for each outlet (97) and (98). It only has to be.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an arrangement mode of nozzle rows on a nozzle formation surface of a recording head. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a waste ink collection system in a printer. FIG. Plan view of switching valve device (A) is a schematic diagram of modification 1, (b) is a schematic diagram of modification 2, (c) is a schematic diagram of modification 3, (d) is a schematic diagram of modification 4, and (e) is a modification. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer (liquid ejecting apparatus), 21 ... Recording head (liquid ejecting head), 23B, 23C, 23M, 23YE ... Nozzle group, 26 ... Flushing receiving part (liquid receiving part), 30 ... Borderless printing receiving part (Liquid receiving part), 32 ... cap, 32 a to 32 d ... cap chamber (liquid receiving part), 33 ... suction pump (suction / discharge means), 41 ... switching valve device (liquid joining means), 47 ... joining flow path (liquid joining) Path), 47a ... first combined flow path, 47b ... second combined flow path, 47c ... continuous connection flow path, 81 ... switching valve, 91-96 ... inlet (liquid inlet), 97-102 ... outlet (liquid outlet) ).

Claims (5)

A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid;
A plurality of liquid receiving portions that respectively receive liquid discharged as waste liquid from the liquid ejecting head;
A liquid suction / discharge means driven to suck and discharge the liquid from each liquid receiving portion;
Liquid merging means for introducing the liquid from each of the liquid receiving portions in accordance with driving of the liquid suction / discharge means, and merging and introducing the introduced liquid;
The liquid merging means includes a plurality of liquid inlets individually corresponding to the liquid receivers, a liquid merging channel in which the liquid inlets are connected in parallel at different communication positions, and the liquid merging channel. And a plurality of liquid outlets connected in parallel at different communication positions,
Each of the liquid outlets is connected in parallel in the middle of the liquid longitudinal direction of the liquid junction so that the liquid inlets are arranged in an equal number for each liquid outlet. A liquid ejecting apparatus. Each of the liquid outlets has a sum of the flow path distances in the liquid junction from the liquid inlet assigned to the liquid outlet to the liquid outlet for each liquid outlet. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatuses are connected in parallel in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the liquid combined flow path in an arrangement manner that is uniform every time. Each of the liquid outlets is 90 degrees to 270 with respect to the middle of the liquid joint channel in the longitudinal direction of the liquid, and the side where the liquid inlets are connected in parallel with respect to the channel center of the liquid joint. 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is connected in parallel to the sides having different degrees of phase. 4. The liquid merging means is provided with a switching valve that opens or closes the flow of the liquid from the liquid inlet side to the liquid merging channel side between each of the liquid inlet ports and the liquid merging channel. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus. Each of the liquid receiving portions includes a plurality of cap chambers that are partitioned so as to correspond to each of the nozzle groups in a cap that can contact the liquid ejecting head so as to surround the plurality of nozzle groups of the liquid ejecting head. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is configured to include at least.

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