JP2012016921A - Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid charging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid charging method, which can reduce amount of wastefully disposed liquid while having a switching mechanism where a cap has a simple structure.SOLUTION: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a suction pump 64 for suctioning a sealing space; flow-passages 59; flow-passage pumps 54 for suctioning liquid from a liquid container 51 and for discharging the liquid toward the downstream side; a choke valve 56 in which a flexible member closes a discharge hole when a negative pressure is applied; a switching mechanism 58 for allowing the liquid supply on one side while blocking the liquid supply on the other side; and a control unit. The control unit allows all the flow-passage pumps 54 to be in a state that predetermined amount of liquid can be discharged, then operates the suction pump 64 and the switching mechanism 58. The predetermined amount of liquid discharged by the operation of the flow-passage pumps 54 is set to be the amount or less where liquid amount required for filling all the flow-passages 59 on the downstream side of the choke valve 56 is added to the liquid amount required for filling all the flow-passages 59.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid filling method.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an initial filling operation in which a plurality of types of liquids are filled into a plurality of liquid supply paths in a gas phase state when the first use of the apparatus is started. The control means in this patent document 1 first opens a part of the plurality of valve units and closes all the remaining valve units. Then, only the liquid supply path corresponding to the valve unit in the open state is filled in advance, and when this pre-filling is completed, the valve unit in the open state is closed and all the remaining valve units in the closed state are closed. At least a part of the liquid is opened to fill the corresponding liquid supply path.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, the cap portion (first cap portion, second cap portion) abuts the nozzle forming portion, while the cap portion is divided into a plurality of compartments, and each compartment is simply configured. The structure which can be sucked is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration including a switching mechanism for changing the type of liquid.

JP 2004-299292 A JP 2008-126408 A JP 2008-132712 A

  By the way, in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a switching mechanism such as the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 3, when two types of ink are initially filled, even ink that has nothing to do with the two types of ink is wasted. It is in a state that has been.

  Accordingly, a method of applying the configuration of Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 to the configuration of Patent Document 3 to reduce the amount of ink discarded wastefully can be considered. However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, since the ink consumption during the initial filling is reduced by providing a valve unit for each row, the cost is increased accordingly. In addition, the control for driving each valve unit becomes complicated.

  Further, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the first cap portion and the second cap portion are provided and the valve is provided in the tube communicating with the first cap portion, the cost is increased by providing these. In addition, the control becomes complicated.

  Here, a cap provided with one suction chamber that is not partitioned is capable of performing initial ink filling, which is advantageous in terms of cost because the configuration of the cap is simple. However, it is desired to be able to suppress waste of ink as much as possible.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of reducing the amount of wasted liquid while having a switching mechanism and having a simple cap structure. It is intended to provide a liquid filling method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a nozzle group capable of ejecting one type of liquid and a nozzle group capable of ejecting two types of liquid, and a plurality of types of liquid from a plurality of nozzle groups. A liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting, a cap that forms one sealing space in contact with a nozzle forming surface where the nozzle group of the liquid ejecting head is exposed, and a suction pump for sucking the sealing space; A plurality of flow paths for supplying the plurality of types of liquids from the liquid storage container toward the liquid ejecting head; and the downstream positions of the plurality of flow paths from the liquid storage container; A flow path pump capable of sucking liquid and discharging the liquid to the downstream side; a valve chamber located downstream from the flow path pump in the plurality of flow paths; Chamber volume A flexible member to be changed and a discharge hole that is present inside the valve chamber and can be closed or opened by the flexibility of the flexible member, and when a negative pressure exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the valve chamber, the flexibility A choke valve that closes the discharge hole, and a downstream side of the discharge hole is in a negative pressure state; and a downstream side of the choke valve that is located in two of the plurality of flow paths; Supply of liquid not selected while being connected to one flow path for supplying the liquid of one flow path to the nozzle group capable of ejecting the two kinds of liquids And a control unit that controls the operation of the liquid jet head, the suction pump, the switching mechanism, and the flow path pump. Operate the channel pump A predetermined amount of the liquid can be discharged, the cap is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface, the suction pump is operated, and the switching mechanism is operated, so that the liquid is supplied to all of the flow paths. The predetermined amount at the time of filling is equal to or greater than the amount of liquid required to fill all of the flow paths with the liquid, and the amount of liquid required to fill all of the flow paths with the liquid. The amount of liquid required for filling all the flow paths downstream from the choke valve with the amount of liquid added is equal to or less than the liquid amount.

  According to this configuration, the control unit operates the suction pump by bringing the cap into contact with the nozzle forming surface after the operation of the flow path pump. Thereby, it is possible to fill the flow path other than the flow path not selected by the switching mechanism with the liquid. In addition, since the switching mechanism is actuated, ink can be filled into the flow path that was not initially selected by the switching mechanism. At this time, the amount of liquid that can be discharged by the operation of the flow path pump is greater than the amount of liquid required for filling all the flow paths with liquid, and the liquid required for filling all the flow paths with liquid. Since the amount is controlled to be equal to or less than the amount of liquid obtained by adding the amount of liquid required to fill all the flow paths downstream from the choke valve, the amount of liquid that is wasted is reduced. It becomes possible to make it. In addition, since the initial filling of the liquid is performed using a cap that forms one sealed space, the configuration of the cap is simplified, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the configuration, and it is possible to reduce the cost.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit operates the switching mechanism to allow supply from any one of the flow paths that supply the two types of liquid. The first selection operation is performed, and all the flow path pumps are operated so that the liquid amount required to fill all the flow paths with the liquid can be discharged, and the cap is The suction pump is operated in contact with the nozzle forming surface, the first suction of the liquid is performed from the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head, the switching mechanism is operated, and two types of the liquid are supplied. A second selection operation that allows the supply from the other of the flow paths is performed, the cap is again brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface, the suction pump is operated, and the liquid jet head Before Characterized in that the nozzle causes the second suction of said liquid.

  According to this configuration, when the flow path pump is operated, and the suction pump is operated by bringing the cap into contact with the nozzle forming surface, the flow path that is not selected from the respective flow paths that supply two types of liquids It becomes possible to fill all the channels other than the liquid. At this time, in the other channel not selected above, a large negative pressure is applied to the downstream side of the switching mechanism due to the operation of the suction pump. Further, in all the channels other than the channel that was not selected, the channel pump is simply operated so as to discharge the amount of liquid required for filling the entire channel with the liquid. Therefore, the choke valve is closed by the operation of the suction pump, and the liquid supply is shut off.

  On the other hand, in the other channel not selected above, the liquid exists in a pressurized state by the operation of the above-described channel pump. After that, when the switching mechanism is operated to perform the second selection operation that allows the supply from the other flow path not selected in the above, the action of the negative pressure on the downstream side of the switching mechanism was not selected. When the liquid exists in the other channel in a pressurized state, the other channel not selected can be filled with the liquid. In the second selection operation, since the liquid is not supplied from the flow path pump in the flow path other than the other flow path that has not been selected, the choke valve remains closed and the liquid is discharged. It can be suppressed.

  For this reason, when two types of ink are initially filled in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a switching mechanism as in the prior art, it is possible to prevent wasteful disposal of ink not related to the two types of ink. Become.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit may operate all the flow path pumps after the second suction or together with the second suction so that the flow path downstream of the choke valve is operated. A liquid amount of a liquid required for filling the liquid in all is supplied to the liquid ejecting head through the flow path.

  According to this configuration, the negative pressure acting on the flow path downstream of the choke valve can be eliminated by the operation of the suction pump. That is, when the above negative pressure is not eliminated, the liquid discharged to the cap may flow backward from the nozzle due to the action of the negative pressure. However, after the second suction by the suction pump or together with the second suction, the amount of liquid required for operating the flow path pump to fill all the flow paths downstream from the choke valve If this liquid is supplied, the negative pressure can be eliminated, and the backflow of the liquid from the nozzle can be prevented.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, on the downstream side of the choke valve, a pressure member into which the liquid flows and a flexible member that flexes according to fluctuations in the internal pressure of the pressure chamber and changes the volume of the pressure chamber. A pressure adjusting valve that opens when the internal pressure of the pressure chamber becomes less than a predetermined pressure due to the flexibility of the flexible member, and closes otherwise. In order to fill all the flow path pumps downstream of the pressure control valve and the pressure control valve by operating all the flow path pumps after the second suction or together with the second suction A required amount of liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting head through the flow path.

  According to this configuration, the negative pressure acting on the pressure adjusting valve and the flow path downstream of the pressure adjusting valve can be eliminated by the operation of the suction pump. That is, when the above negative pressure is not eliminated, the liquid discharged to the cap may flow backward from the nozzle due to the action of the negative pressure. However, after the second suction by the suction pump or together with the second suction, it is necessary to operate the flow path pump to fill the pressure control valve and all the flow paths downstream from the pressure control valve with liquid. If the amount of liquid is supplied, the negative pressure can be eliminated, and the backflow of the liquid from the nozzle can be prevented.

  In the liquid filling method for causing the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention to perform initial liquid filling, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle group capable of ejecting one type of liquid and a nozzle group capable of ejecting two types of liquid. A liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting a plurality of types of liquids from a plurality of nozzle groups, a cap that forms one sealing space in contact with a nozzle forming surface where the nozzle groups of the liquid ejecting head are exposed, and the sealing A suction pump for sucking the stop space, a plurality of flow paths for supplying the plurality of types of liquids from the liquid storage container toward the liquid ejecting head, and downstream of the liquid storage container in the plurality of flow paths A flow path pump capable of sucking the liquid from the liquid reservoir and discharging the liquid to the downstream side, and being positioned downstream of the flow path pump in the plurality of flow paths, A valve chamber into which a body flows, a flexible member that varies the volume of the valve chamber by flexibility, and a discharge hole that exists inside the valve chamber and can be closed or opened by the flexibility of the flexible member, When a negative pressure higher than a predetermined value is applied to the chamber, the flexible member closes the discharge hole, and the downstream side is a negative pressure state. Located on the downstream side of the choke valve located in the path, and connected to one flow path for supplying the liquid in the two flow paths to the nozzle group capable of injecting the two types of liquid, and one of them A switching mechanism that cuts off the supply of the liquid that is not selected, and a control unit that controls the operation of the liquid jet head, the suction pump, the switching mechanism, and the flow path pump. And the switching mechanism Let the first selection operation that allows the supply from either one of the flow paths that supply the two types of liquid to be performed, and operate all the flow path pumps. A liquid amount required for filling the liquid in all of the flow paths is made dischargeable, the cap is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface, the suction pump is operated, and the liquid ejection Allowing the first suction of the liquid from the nozzle of the head and operating the switching mechanism to allow supply from the other of the flow paths for supplying the two types of liquid. A second selecting operation is performed, the cap is again brought into contact with the nozzle formation surface, the suction pump is operated, and the second suction of the liquid is performed from the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head. To do.

  According to this configuration, when the flow path pump is operated, and the suction pump is operated by bringing the cap into contact with the nozzle forming surface, the flow path that is not selected from the respective flow paths that supply two types of liquids It becomes possible to fill all the channels other than the liquid. At this time, in the other channel not selected above, a large negative pressure is applied to the downstream side of the switching mechanism due to the operation of the suction pump. Further, in all the channels other than the channel that was not selected, the channel pump is simply operated so as to discharge the amount of liquid required for filling the entire channel with the liquid. Therefore, the choke valve is closed by the operation of the suction pump, and the liquid supply is shut off.

  On the other hand, in the other channel not selected above, the liquid exists in a pressurized state by the operation of one cycle of the above-described channel pump. After that, when the switching mechanism is operated to perform the second selection operation that allows the supply from the other flow path not selected in the above, the action of the negative pressure on the downstream side of the switching mechanism was not selected. When the liquid exists in the other channel in a pressurized state, the other channel not selected can be filled with the liquid. In the second selection operation, since the liquid is not supplied from the flow path pump in the flow path other than the other flow path that has not been selected, the choke valve remains closed and the liquid is discharged. It can be suppressed.

  For this reason, when two types of ink are initially filled in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a switching mechanism as in the prior art, it is possible to prevent wasteful disposal of ink not related to the two types of ink. Become.

  In the liquid filling method for causing the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention to perform the initial filling of the liquid, the choke is activated by operating all the flow path pumps after the second suction or together with the second suction. A liquid amount of a liquid required to fill all the flow paths downstream from the valve is supplied to the liquid ejecting head via the flow paths.

  According to this configuration, the negative pressure acting on the flow path downstream of the choke valve can be eliminated by the operation of the suction pump. That is, when the above negative pressure is not eliminated, the liquid discharged to the cap may flow backward from the nozzle due to the action of the negative pressure. However, after the second suction by the suction pump or together with the second suction, the liquid required for operating the flow path pump to fill all the flow paths downstream from the choke valve with the liquid. If an amount of liquid is supplied, the negative pressure can be eliminated, and the backflow of the liquid from the nozzle can be prevented.

  In the liquid filling method for causing the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention to perform the initial filling of the liquid, the liquid ejecting head includes a pressure chamber into which the liquid flows and an internal pressure of the pressure chamber downstream of the choke valve. A flexible member that flexes in response to fluctuations and changes the volume of the pressure chamber, and opens when the internal pressure of the pressure chamber becomes less than a predetermined pressure due to the flexibility of the flexible member; In some cases, a pressure regulating valve that is closed is provided, and after the second suction or together with the second suction, all the flow path pumps are operated, and the pressure regulating valve and the pressure regulating valve are used. A liquid in an amount necessary for filling the liquid in all of the downstream flow paths is supplied toward the liquid ejecting head through the flow paths.

  According to this configuration, the negative pressure acting on the pressure adjusting valve and the flow path downstream of the pressure adjusting valve can be eliminated by the operation of the suction pump. That is, when the above negative pressure is not eliminated, the liquid discharged to the cap may flow backward from the nozzle due to the action of the negative pressure. However, after the second suction by the suction pump or together with the second suction, it is necessary to operate the flow path pump to fill the pressure control valve and all the flow paths downstream from the pressure control valve with liquid. If the amount of liquid is supplied, the negative pressure can be eliminated, and the backflow of the liquid from the nozzle can be prevented.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer. It is a figure which shows the outline of an ink supply mechanism and a cleaning mechanism. It is a figure which shows the outline of an ink supply mechanism, and the structure of a flow-path pump and a non-return valve. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of a choke valve. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of a pressure regulating valve. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a switching mechanism. It is a figure which shows the mode of an action | operation of a flow-path pump. It is a figure which shows the mode of ink supply from a cartridge to a print head.

  Hereinafter, a printer 10 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. In the following description, the lower side refers to the side where the printer 10 is installed, and the upper side refers to the side away from the installed side. The direction in which the carriage 31 moves is the main scanning direction, and the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the print medium P is conveyed is the sub-scanning direction. Further, the side on which the print medium P is supplied is described as a paper feed side, and the side on which the print medium P is discharged is described as a paper discharge side.

<Schematic configuration of printer>
First, an outline of the configuration of the printer 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, where an upstream side (paper feeding side) of paper feeding is on the near side, and a downstream side (paper discharging side) of paper feeding is on the back side. It is a figure which shows the state arrange | positioned. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer 10.
The printer 10 of this embodiment includes a chassis 21, a housing 22, a carriage mechanism 30, a paper feed mechanism 40, an ink supply mechanism 50, a cleaning mechanism 60, and a control unit 70.

  Among these, the chassis 21 is a part where the lower surface side is in contact with the installation surface and a part on which various units are mounted. Further, a housing 22 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 is attached to the chassis 21. The housing 22 has a planar shape similar to that of the chassis 21 described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriage mechanism 30 includes a carriage 31, a carriage shaft 32 on which the carriage 31 slides, and a print head 33. In addition, the carriage mechanism 30 includes a carriage motor (CR motor) 34, a gear pulley 35 attached to the CR motor 34, an endless belt 36, and the endless belt 36 between the gear pulley 35. And a driven pulley 37 to be provided. Of these, the print head 33 (corresponding to the ejection head) ejects ink (corresponding to the liquid) supplied via an ink supply mechanism 50 described later onto the print medium P.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed mechanism 40 includes a paper feed motor (PF motor) 41 and a paper feed roller 42 to which the driving force from the paper feed motor 41 is transmitted.

  1 shows a so-called off-carriage type printer 10 in which, for example, an ink cartridge 51 (corresponding to a liquid storage container) is mounted on the chassis 21 side, the printer is not limited to the off-carriage type. A so-called on-carriage type printer in which an ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage may be used.

Here, in the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 51 includes cyan (shown as C in FIG. 3), magenta (shown as M in FIG. 3), and yellow (shown as Y in FIG. 3) ink. There are those that store the two types of black ink. The two types of black inks are, for example, photo black (shown as PK in FIG. 3) ink that achieves high glossy recording on glossy paper, and mats suitable for matte paper without glossy feeling. This is black ink (shown as MK in FIG. 3).
The print head 33 includes a nozzle 33a (see FIG. 3) that ejects cyan ink as a nozzle group, a nozzle 33a that ejects magenta ink, and a nozzle 33a that ejects yellow ink. . In addition, there is only one nozzle 33a for ejecting black ink (that is, a common one for the two types of black ink), which is selected from the two types of ink by the switching mechanism 58 described later. Black ink is ejected.

<Ink supply mechanism>
Next, the configuration of the ink supply mechanism 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the overall flow of the ink supply mechanism 50 and the cleaning mechanism 60. FIG. The ink supply mechanism 50 includes an ink supply needle 52, a first check valve 53, a flow path pump 54, a second check valve 55, a choke valve 56, a pressure adjustment valve 57, a switching mechanism 58, and first flow paths 59a to 59a. Seven flow paths 59g are the main components.

  Note that the first flow path 59a to the seventh flow path 59g are referred to as the flow paths 59 when it is not necessary to distinguish them.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the ink supply mechanism 50, the flow path pump 54, the choke valve 56, and the pressure adjustment valve 57 are provided for each ink cartridge 51. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the first check valve 53 and the second check valve 55 are provided for each flow path pump 54. However, as will be described later, the switching mechanism 58 shown in FIG. 3 is a device that allows only one of photo black ink or matte black ink to flow through the seventh flow path 59g shown in FIG. Therefore, these are connected to the sixth flow path 59f for flowing the photo black ink, and are connected to the sixth flow path 59f for flowing the mat black ink, and the other ink cartridges 51 are connected to the sixth flow path 59f. It is not connected to the flow path 59f.

  Among these, the ink supply needle 52 is a part that is inserted into the ink supply port 51a of the ink cartridge 51, and the ink supply needle 52 and the ink supply port 51a are connected in a state that enables ink distribution by this insertion. Is done.

  The first check valve 53 is a member for preventing ink from returning from the flow path pump 54 side to the ink cartridge 51 while allowing the flow of ink from the ink cartridge 51 to the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 4, the first check valve 53 has an internal space 531 constituted by the housing 530, a flexible valve 532, and a biasing spring 533. Among these, in the internal space 531, a valve seat 531 b is provided on the bottom portion 531 a side, and a spring receiving portion 531 d is provided on the top surface portion 531 c opposite to the bottom portion 531 a. The internal space 531 is provided with a flexible valve 532, and the flexible valve 532 can be flexed (deformed) so as to come into contact with and separate from the valve seat 531b. Due to the presence of the flexible valve 532, the internal space 531 has an upstream chamber 534 A that communicates with the first flow path 59 a to which ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 51, and a first chamber for supplying ink to the flow path pump 54. It is divided into a downstream chamber 534B communicating with the two flow paths 59b.

  In addition, a through hole 532 a is provided at the radial center of the flexible valve 532. In addition, the flexible valve 532 is provided with a ring-shaped protrusion 532b that protrudes toward the valve seat 531b and is provided so as to surround the through hole 532a. When the protrusion 532b is not in contact with the valve seat 531b, the ink that has flowed into the upstream chamber 534A flows through the through hole 532a, and then flows through the downstream chamber 534B to the second flow path 59b.

  Further, a biasing force toward the valve seat 531 b is applied to the flexible valve 532 by a biasing spring 533. One end of the biasing spring 533 is in contact with the spring receiving portion 531d, and the other end is in contact with the flexible valve 532. For this reason, the biasing spring 533 applies a biasing force that biases the flexible valve 532 toward the valve seat 531b. Note that, due to this urging force, the protrusion 532b is brought into contact with the valve seat 531b in a state where negative pressure or the like does not act on the downstream chamber 534B side.

  A flow path pump 54 is provided downstream of the first check valve 53 via a second flow path 59b. The flow path pump 54 has an internal space 541 constituted by a housing 540, a diaphragm 542, and a coil spring 543. Among these, the internal space 541 is divided into two parts, a pump chamber 544A and a negative pressure chamber 544B, due to the presence of the diaphragm 542. The pump chamber 544A communicates with the second flow path 59b and also communicates with the third flow path 59c. The third flow path 59 c is a flow path that exists on the downstream side of the flow path pump 54 when viewed in the ink supply route to the print head 33, and communicates with the second check valve 55. The diaphragm 542 is flexible (deformable) in the internal space 541 so as to contact the bottom portion 541a on the pump chamber 544A side and flexible so as to contact the top surface portion 541b on the negative pressure chamber 544B side ( Deformation) is possible.

  Further, a spring receiving portion 541c is provided on the top surface portion 541b side of the negative pressure chamber 544B, and one end side of a coil spring 543 that applies an external force to the pump chamber 544A is in contact with the spring receiving portion 541c. Further, the other end side of the coil spring 543 is in contact with the diaphragm 542. For this reason, the urging force that abuts the diaphragm 542 against the bottom 541a of the pump chamber 544A is given to the diaphragm 542 by the coil spring 543. Note that this urging force prevents the flow of ink toward the downstream side because the diaphragm 542 contacts the bottom 541a of the pump chamber 544A in a state where a negative pressure described later does not act on the negative pressure chamber 544B.

  Here, an atmospheric release valve 546 is connected to the negative pressure chamber 544B via an air flow path 545. The air release valve 546 blocks the inflow of air from the outside toward the negative pressure chamber 544B when a valve body (not shown) is closed. When a pressure reducing pump 547, which will be described later, is operated in this shut-off state, it becomes possible to apply a negative pressure to the negative pressure chamber 544B, and the pump acts while the diaphragm 542 resists the spring force of the coil spring 543 by the action of the negative pressure. The chamber 544A can be separated from the bottom 541a. Further, a decompression pump 547 is connected to a side of the air flow path 545 that is farther from the negative pressure chamber 544B than the atmosphere release valve 546. The decompression pump 547 is a pump that operates so as to apply a negative pressure to the negative pressure chamber 544B. The driving of the decompression pump 547 is controlled by the control unit 70.

  The second check valve 55 has the same configuration as the first check valve 53 described above, but the first check valve 55 is not provided with a through hole in the second check valve 55. Different from the stop valve 53. In the second check valve 55, the upstream third flow path 59c is always in communication with the inflow chamber 552A. The flexible valve 553 of the second check valve 55 is urged by the urging member 554 in the valve closing direction that closes the fourth flow path 59d. For this reason, the flexible valve 553 of the second check valve 55 does not open when the pressure in the inflow chamber 552A is less than a predetermined pressure as well as the pressure in the inflow chamber 552A, and does not open to the third flow path 59c. Ink backflow is prevented. Then, when ink flows into the inflow chamber 552A of the second check valve 55 from the third flow path 59c on the upstream side and the pressure in the inflow chamber 552A becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the second check valve 55 The flexible valve 553 is opened by deformation in a direction in which the volume in the inflow chamber 552A increases against the pressing force of the biasing member 554, and the fourth flow path 59d on the downstream side becomes the inflow chamber 552A. Via the inside, it communicates with the third flow path 59c on the upstream side. The description of the second check valve 55 that is the same as that of the first check valve 53 is omitted.

  A choke valve 56 is provided on the downstream side along the fourth flow path 59d. As shown in FIG. 5, the choke valve 56 has a recess 560 formed by a molded product 560a and a film 561 (corresponding to a flexible member). The recess 560 communicates with the fourth flow path 59d. Moreover, the recessed part 560 is formed so that it may become depressed rather than another part except the cyclic | annular convex part 563 mentioned later. And the choke valve chamber 562 is comprised by sticking the film 561 so that this recessed part 560 may be covered. An annular convex portion 563 is provided at the center or substantially the center in the radial direction of the choke valve chamber 562 (recess 560). The annular convex part 563 protrudes to the same extent as the part other than the concave part 560 in the molded product 560a. In the annular convex portion 563, an abutting portion where the film 561 comes in contact with and separates is provided around a discharge hole 564 described later. The film 561 is flexible (deformable) so as to be in contact with and away from the annular convex portion 563.

  Further, the annular convex portion 563 is provided with a discharge hole 564 serving as an inlet of the fifth flow path 59e. That is, in a state where the film 561 is not in contact with the annular convex portion 563, the discharge hole 564 is opened, and the ink flow toward the fifth flow path 59e is allowed. However, when the film 561 comes into contact with the annular convex portion 563 due to the pressure drop in the choke valve chamber 562, the discharge hole 564 is closed, and the ink flow toward the fifth flow path 59e is blocked. With such a configuration, the function as the choke valve 56 is realized.

  Further, a pressure regulating valve 57 is provided toward the downstream side along the fifth flow path 59e. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressure adjustment valve 57 includes an ink supply chamber 571 </ b> A and a pressure chamber 571 </ b> B formed by the housing 570, a valve body 572, a plate-like member 573, a film 574, and a biasing spring 575. Have. The ink supply chamber 571A is a portion into which ink flows from the fifth flow path 59e and communicates with the pressure chamber 571B through the communication hole 576. Further, the sealing portion 572a of the valve body 572 is located in the ink supply chamber 571A. The sealing portion 572a is provided with a protruding portion 572b. The protruding portion 572b is a bottom portion outside the outer periphery of the communication hole 576 (the side wall on the side where the communication hole 576 is formed in the ink supply chamber 571A). Is a ring shape surrounding the bottom portion 571A1). Therefore, when the protrusion 572b comes into contact with the bottom 571A1 of the ink supply chamber 571A, the periphery of the communication hole 576 is blocked by the protrusion 572b, and the flow of ink toward the communication hole 576 is prevented.

  The valve body 572 is provided with a shaft portion 572c in addition to the sealing portion 572a described above. As shown in FIG. 6, the shaft portion 572 c is a portion that is inserted into the communication hole 576 and has a tip end projecting toward the pressure chamber 571 </ b> B. The distal end portion of the shaft portion 572c is connected to the plate member 573. The plate member 573 is attached to the film 574. Note that the film 574 is flexible (deformed) in accordance with a change in pressure in the pressure chamber 571B, and the volume of the pressure chamber 571B can be changed. In addition, let the part which opposes the film 574 among the pressure chambers 571B be the bottom part 571B1.

  Further, an urging spring 575 is provided between the plate-like member 573 and the bottom portion 571B1 of the pressure chamber 571B. The urging spring 575 gives an urging force that separates the film 574 from the bottom 571B1 of the pressure chamber 571B. That is, in a state where no negative pressure acts on the pressure chamber 571B (a state where there is a sufficient amount of ink), the film 574 is separated from the bottom 571B1 by receiving a biasing force from the biasing spring 575. With the separation operation, the valve body 572 is moved to the film 574 side, the projecting portion 572b contacts the periphery of the communication hole 576 in the bottom 571A1, the periphery of the communication hole 576 is closed, and the ink communication hole 576 is closed. The flow toward is blocked. On the other hand, if ink is consumed as ink is ejected from the print head 33, the amount of ink present in the pressure chamber 571B is reduced, and the film 574 can move toward the ink supply chamber 571A. Bend. At that time, when the pressure difference between the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 571B and the atmospheric pressure becomes large enough to resist the biasing force of the biasing spring 575, the film 574 and the valve body 572 move to the right in FIG. The protruding portion 572b is separated from the bottom portion 571A1. Thus, ink is supplied from the ink supply chamber 571A to the pressure chamber 571B through the communication hole 576, and when the ink is supplied for a predetermined amount, the film 574 is moved again to the side away from the bottom portion 571B1. It is done.

  Further, a switching mechanism 58 as shown in FIG. 7 is provided in the downstream along the sixth flow path 59f that circulates two types of black ink. The switching mechanism 58 changes the ink ejected from the nozzle 33a of the print head 33 between the photo black ink and the matte black ink depending on whether the print medium P is, for example, glossy paper or, for example, matte paper. Switching is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the switching mechanism 58 includes a main body 581, a film 582, a sealing member 583, a shaft member 584, first arm 585 </ b> A and second arm 585 </ b> B, and a plate cam 587. ing. Among these, the main body portion 581 is provided with a pair of concave fitting portions 581A (581A1, 581A2), and the pair of concave fitting portions 581A communicate with the sixth flow path 59f, respectively.

  Here, one concave fitting portion 581A1 communicates with, for example, a sixth flow path 59f for supplying photo black ink. The other recessed fitting portion 581A2 is connected to a sixth flow path 59f for supplying mat black ink. Further, a ring-shaped valve seat 581c protruding from the other portion of the bottom portion 581b is provided at the bottom portion 581b of the recessed fitting portion 581A, and an insertion hole 588 is provided at the center of the valve seat 581c. ing. A sealing member 583 is fitted into the concave fitting portion 581A. However, when the sealing member 583 is separated from the valve seat 581c, ink flow from the concave fitting portion 581A to the insertion hole 588 is allowed. Is done. Conversely, in a state where the sealing member 583 is in contact with the valve seat 581c, the flow of ink from the recessed fitting portion 581A to the insertion hole 588 is blocked.

  The sealing member 583 is affixed to a film 582 that liquid-tightly covers the recessed fitting portion 581A. Therefore, when the ink enters the recessed fitting portion 581A, the film 582 is bent in a direction away from the valve seat 581c, and the sealing member 583 is separated from the valve seat 581c by the bending.

  A seventh flow path 59g is connected to the above-described insertion hole 588, and ink can be supplied to the print head 33 through the seventh flow path 59g. Further, the shaft member 584 is inserted into the insertion hole 588. The shaft member 584 has a length dimension slightly longer than the length dimension of the insertion hole 588. Therefore, when one sealing member 583 is pushed in and in contact with the valve seat 581c, the other sealing member 583 is separated from the valve seat 581c by the shaft member 584. It should be noted that both end sides of the shaft member 584 are enlarged diameter portions 584a having a larger diameter than the other portions, and the diameter of the enlarged diameter portion 584a is a size corresponding to the inner diameter of the insertion hole 588. . However, a part in the circumferential direction of the enlarged diameter portion 584a is notched (not shown), and the presence of the notched portion allows ink flow to the insertion hole 588.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first arm 585A and the second arm 585B are arranged so as to intersect with each other, and a pin 586 penetrating both is attached to these intersecting portions. Therefore, the first arm 585A and the second arm 585B can be rotated via the pin 586. Of the first arm 585A and the second arm 585B, one end side close to the recessed fitting portion 581A side is a pushing portion 585c for pushing the sealing member 583.

  Further, of the first arm 585A and the second arm 585B, the other end side separated from the recessed fitting portion 581A is a cam contact portion 585d that contacts the plate cam 587. The plate cam 587 is provided such that the distance from the rotation shaft 587a to the cam surface 587b is changed, and a pushing area 587C and a separation area 587D exist in these. That is, the push-in area 587C is an area that is closest to the rotation shaft 587a in which the cam surface 587b is the center of rotation, and when the push-in part 585c pushes in the sealing member 583, the cam contact part 585d abuts the cam surface 587b. It is the part that touches. Further, the separation region 587D is a region farthest from the rotation shaft 587a having the cam surface 587b as the center of rotation, and the cam contact portion 585d contacts the cam surface 587b when the push-in portion 585c moves away from the sealing member 583. It is the part that touches.

  Further, the cam contact portion 585d side of the first arm 585A from the pin 586 and the push portion 585c side of the second arm 585B from the push portion 585c side, and the push portion 585c of the first arm 585A than the pin 586 are placed. A spring member 589 is attached between the side and the cam contact portion 585d of the second arm 585B rather than the pin 586. The spring member 589 applies a biasing force in a direction in which the attachment parts are separated from each other. Therefore, the cam contact portion 585d of the first arm 585A and the cam contact portion 585d of the second arm 585B are simultaneously in contact with the plate cam 587.

  When the plate cam 587 is rotated by driving a motor (not shown) by the switching mechanism 58 as described above, one of the pushing portion 585c of the first arm 585A and the pushing portion 585c of the second arm 585B is a sealing member. 583 is pushed in, and the sealing member 583 comes into contact with the valve seat 581c of the one recessed fitting portion 581A to block the ink flow to the insertion hole 588. At the same time, one of the pushing portion 585c of the first arm 585A and the pushing portion 585c of the second arm 585B is separated from the sealing member 583. Therefore, when the ink flows into the other recessed fitting portion 581A and the film 582 is bent in a direction away from the valve seat 581c, the sealing member 583 is not in contact with the valve seat 581c, and the ink passes through the insertion hole 588. It is allowed to flow toward the seventh flow path 59g. Note that the seventh flow path 59g communicates with the nozzle 33a of the print head 33.

<About the cleaning mechanism>
Next, the cleaning mechanism 60 will be described. The chassis 21 is provided with a cleaning mechanism 60 as shown in FIGS. The cleaning mechanism 60 includes a cap 61, an ink discharge tube 62, a waste liquid tank 63, and a suction pump 64.

  Among these, the cap 61 is a portion that seals a nozzle forming surface (not shown) from which the nozzles 33a as the nozzle group of the print head 33 are exposed to form one sealing space. Therefore, the cap 61 can be moved up and down by an unillustrated lifting mechanism. The ink discharge tube 62 has one end connected to the cap 61 and the other end connected to the waste liquid tank 63. The waste liquid tank 63 is a portion that stores ink discharged from the nozzle 33 a of the print head 33 to the cap 61. The suction pump 64 is connected to the middle part of the ink discharge tube 62. Therefore, when the suction pump 64 is activated, it is possible to discharge ink from the nozzle 33 a toward the waste liquid tank 63.

<About the control unit>
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 is provided with a control unit 70. The control unit 70 includes an interface 71, a CPU (not shown), a memory, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a bus, a timer, and the like. In addition, signals from various sensors are input to the control unit 70, and the CR motor 34, the PF motor 41, and the decompression pump 547 are based on signals from these sensors or regardless of these sensors. It controls the pump motor (not shown), the pump motor (not shown) of the suction pump 64, the print head 33, and the like. A program and data for controlling the driving are stored in the memory.

<Operation for initial filling of print head with ink>
Next, an operation when the printing head 33 is initially filled with ink in the printer 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

<< First initial filling >>
(1) Operation of decompression pump 547 (generation of negative pressure)
When the control unit 70 selects the initial filling operation, the control unit 70 executes the selection operation so that any of the black inks is supplied to the nozzles 33a (first selection operation). That is, the switching mechanism 58 is operated, and the plate cam 587 is rotated by the operation of a motor (not shown). The pushing portion 585c on one side is separated from the sealing member 583, but the pushing portion 585c on the other side is sealed. Push in. Thereby, in the recessed fitting portion 581A for supplying one side of the black ink, the sealing member 583 is separated from the valve seat 581c, and one side of the black ink can be supplied. However, in the recessed fitting portion 581A for supplying the other side of the black ink, the sealing member 583 contacts the valve seat 581c, and the supply of the other side of the black ink is blocked.

  After this selection is made, the control unit 70 operates the decompression pump 547. At this time, the atmosphere release valve 546 is closed. Then, the pressure in the negative pressure chamber 544B is changed to a negative pressure state by the decompression pump 547, and the diaphragm 542 comes into contact with the bottom portion 541a on the pump chamber 544A side as shown in FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. 8B. The negative pressure chamber 544B is flexible so as to come into contact with the top surface portion 541b.

  At this time, the flexible valve 553 of the second check valve 55 closes the fourth flow path 59d by the action of negative pressure, and no negative pressure is applied to the downstream flow path. On the other hand, the pump chamber 544A side is also in a negative pressure state, and the negative pressure is applied to the first check valve 53 via the second flow path 59b. At that time, since the downstream chamber 534B of the first check valve 53 has a negative pressure, the flexible valve 532 is flexed against the biasing force of the biasing spring 533 by the negative pressure. Therefore, the protrusion 532b is separated from the valve seat 531b, and negative pressure is applied to the ink cartridge 51 through the upstream chamber 534A and the first flow path 59a. As a result, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 51 flows into the upstream chamber 534A via the first flow path 59a. Further, when ink flows into the upstream chamber 534A, the flexible valve 532 maintains a state of being pushed up to the downstream chamber 534B, and the ink flows into the downstream chamber 534B through the through hole 532a, and further from the downstream chamber 534B. It flows into the pump chamber 544A via the second flow path 59b and also enters the third flow path 59c.

  Ink enters all of the ink cartridges 51 into the pump chamber 544A and the third flow path 59c. That is, in both the photo black ink and the mat black ink, the ink enters the pump chamber 544A and the third flow path 59c. Further, FIG. 9A shows a state in which the ink heads toward the downstream side at this time.

(2) Operation of suction pump As described above, the suction pump 64 is operated by the control of the control unit 70 while maintaining the state in which the diaphragm 542 is in contact with the top surface portion 541b on the negative pressure chamber 544B side. (First suction). Then, in the pressure regulating valve 57, the pressure chamber 571B has a negative pressure, and the film 574 bends toward the ink supply chamber 571A according to the negative pressure. As a result, the valve body 572 is pushed toward the ink supply chamber 571A against the spring force of the biasing spring 575, so that the protruding portion 572b is separated from the bottom portion 571A1, and the ink supply chamber 571A is pressured via the communication hole 576. It communicates with the chamber 571B. Therefore, a negative pressure is also applied to the ink supply chamber 571A, and further to the choke valve chamber 562 of the choke valve 56 via the fifth flow path 59e and the discharge hole 564.

  When the choke valve chamber 562 becomes negative pressure, the film 561 tries to bend toward the bottom of the recess 560, but the film 561 comes into contact with the annular protrusion 563 by this bending operation. Then, the periphery of the discharge hole 564 is closed with the film 561, and the film 561 is pressed against the annular convex portion 563 with a large pressure by further operation of the suction pump 64. On the other hand, the downstream side of the discharge hole 564 (the fifth flow path 59e, the pressure regulating valve 57, the sixth flow path 59f, etc.) is brought into a large negative pressure state by the operation of the suction pump 64. The ink arrival point at this time is the same as in FIG.

(3) Opening to the atmosphere Subsequently, under the control of the control unit 70, the operation of the decompression pump 547 is stopped and the open air valve 546 is operated so as to be in an open state. Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the flow path pump 54, the negative pressure state in the negative pressure chamber 544B is eliminated, and the diaphragm 542 is pushed in by the coil spring 543. Thereby, the ink flows into the inflow chamber 552A, and the pressure in the inflow chamber 552A becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, whereby the flexible valve 553 is opened, and the third flow path 59c, the second check valve 55, It flows into the choke valve chamber 562 of the choke valve 56 through the fourth flow path 59d.

  In the choke valve 56, a pressing force acts on the film 561 due to the inflow of ink, and when the pressing force overcomes the suction force (force due to negative pressure) between the annular convex portion 563 and the film 561, the film 561 It leaves | separates from the cyclic | annular convex part 563. FIG. Then, due to the action of the negative pressure, the ink flows into the print head 33 together with the bubbles, and is discharged into the cap 61 from the nozzle 33a. As a result, at the portion where the ink is discharged from the nozzle 33a, the space from the ink cartridge 51 to the nozzle 33a is filled with ink, and the initial filling is completed.

  After the ink is discharged to the cap 61, the choke valve chamber 562 of the choke valve 56 is again operated by continuing the operation of the suction pump 64, or the operation of the suction pump 64 is stopped but the remaining negative pressure is applied. Negative pressure acts on the film 561, and the film 561 is pressed against the annular convex portion 563 with a large pressure (the choke valve 56 is closed). Then, by continuing the operation of the suction pump 64, the parts downstream from the discharge hole 564 (the fifth flow path 59e, the pressure regulating valve 57, the sixth flow path 59f, etc.) are in a negative pressure state, while the nozzle 33a In the portion where the ink is discharged, the ink is not discharged from the nozzle 33a, but the state in which the space from the ink cartridge 51 to the nozzle 33a is filled with the ink is maintained. That is, the initial filling of one side of the black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink is completed.

  On the other hand, on the side where the pushing portion 585c pushes the sealing member 583 by the switching mechanism 58, there is no negative pressure on the pressure regulating valve 57 and the choke valve 56. Therefore, the diaphragm 542 is pushed by the coil spring 543, and only the applied pressure acts on the third flow path 59c, the first check valve 53, the fourth flow path 59d, the choke valve chamber 562 of the choke valve 56, and the pressure regulating valve 57. is doing. Then, the ink enters the pressure chamber 571B of the pressure regulating valve 57 in a predetermined pressure state. However, since the pushing portion 585c pushes the sealing member 583 as described above, the initial filling of the other side of the black ink is performed. Has not been done yet.

<< Second initial filling >>
(4) Operation of switching mechanism 58 In the above state, when the switching mechanism 58 is operated by the control of the control unit 70 (second selection operation), the plate cam 587 is rotated by the operation of a motor (not shown). On the side where the pushing portion 585c has pushed the sealing member 583 up to now (the other side), the sealed state is released, and the sealing member 583 on the side different from that (the one side) is pushed into the pushing portion 585c. Pushed by.

  Thereafter, the suction pump 64 is operated (second suction). Note that when the negative pressure remains sufficiently, the suction pump 64 may not be operated. Here, in the concave fitting portion 581A for supplying the other side of the black ink in the switching mechanism 58, the sealing member 583 is separated from the valve seat 581c. A negative pressure acting on the downstream side of the flow path 59g is applied. On the other hand, as described above, the ink enters in a predetermined pressure state on the upstream side of the sealing member 583. Therefore, when the sealing member 583 is separated from the valve seat 581c as described above, the other side of the black ink flows into the print head 33 together with the bubbles, and is discharged into the cap 61 from the nozzle 33a. Thereby, the initial filling of the other side of the black ink is completed. That is, the state shown in FIG.

(5) Other operations In addition to the above operations, after the operation of (4), the operation of the suction pump 64 is continued, or the operation of the suction pump 64 is stopped but the remaining negative pressure is applied. In this state, the flow path pump 54 may be operated to supply ink to the print head 33 side. Here, it is essential that the ink amount supplied by this operation is smaller than the ink filling amount in the first initial filling. In that case, the amount of ink discharged in one cycle constituted by the first and second initial filling is less than twice the amount of ink required for filling the ink in all of the flow paths. This is because the amount of ink discharged can be reduced.

  In addition, the amount of ink supplied by this operation is equal to the amount of ink for filling the portion where a large negative pressure is applied by continuing the operation of the suction pump 64 (or the negative amount of the portion where the large negative pressure is applied). The amount of ink for releasing the pressure may be used.

  Specifically, the ink amount may be used to fill the entire flow path downstream of the discharge hole 564 of the choke valve 56 that receives the action of negative pressure, or the fifth flow path 59e caused by the action of negative pressure. Considering that the volume change is very small, the amount of ink for filling all of the pressure chamber 571B and the flow path downstream of the pressure chamber 571B of the pressure regulating valve 57 may be used.

  In this case, ink is poured into a portion where a large negative pressure is applied by continuing the operation of the suction pump 64, or a portion where the operation of the suction pump 64 is stopped but the remaining negative pressure is acting. Therefore, the negative pressure at the site where the large negative pressure is applied can be eliminated, and the ink discharged to the cap 61 can be prevented from being sucked from the nozzle 33a.

<Effect>
According to the printer 10 configured as described above, the control unit 70 operates the suction pump 64 by bringing the cap 61 into contact with the nozzle forming surface where the nozzle 33a is exposed after one cycle of operation of the flow path pump 54. I am letting. Thereby, ink can be filled from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 59 other than the flow path 59 not selected by the switching mechanism 58. In addition, since the switching mechanism 58 is operated, the ink can be filled into the flow path 59 that was not initially selected by the switching mechanism 58. At this time, the amount of ink discharged due to the contraction of the pump chamber 544A is controlled to be less than twice the amount of ink required to fill all of the flow path 59 from the upstream side to the downstream side. As a result, the amount of ink discharged unnecessarily can be reduced.

  In addition, since the initial filling of ink is performed using the cap 61 that forms one sealing space, the configuration of the cap 61 is simplified, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the configuration of the ink supply mechanism 50, and it is possible to reduce the cost.

  A pressure regulating valve 57 is provided upstream of the switching mechanism 58 of the flow path 59 and downstream of the flow path pump 54. The pressure regulating valve 57 is a pressure chamber 571B into which ink flows. When the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 571B becomes less than a predetermined pressure due to a decrease in ink, the valve is opened, and in other cases, the valve is closed.

  For this reason, when the print head 33 does not consume ink, it is possible to prevent excessive ink from being supplied from the pressure chamber 571B to the print head 33, and it is possible to optimize the ejection of ink from the print head 33. It becomes.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the flow path pump 54 is operated for one cycle, the cap 61 is brought into contact with the nozzle formation surface and the suction pump 64 is operated, the flow paths 59 of the two types of black ink to be supplied Of these, all the flow paths 59 other than the flow path 59 not selected by the switching mechanism 58 can be filled with ink. At this time, in the other flow path 59 that is not selected, a large negative pressure is applied by the operation of the suction pump 64 on the downstream side of the switching mechanism 58. Further, in all the channels 59 other than the channel 59 that has not been selected, since the channel pump 54 operates only for one cycle and the subsequent ink is not supplied, the choke valve 56 is activated by the operation of the suction pump 64. Is closed, and the ink supply is shut off. In the other flow path 59 not selected, the ink exists in a pressurized state by the operation of the flow path pump 54 for one cycle. After that, when the switching mechanism 58 is operated to allow the supply from the other channel 59 that has not been selected, the negative pressure on the downstream side of the switching mechanism 58 and the other not selected are selected. When ink is present in the flow path 59 in a pressurized state, the other unselected flow path 59 can be filled with ink.

  In the flow paths 59 other than the other flow path 59 that was not initially selected, no ink is supplied from the flow path pump 54, so that the choke valve 56 remains closed and ink is discharged. It becomes possible to suppress this.

  In this way, when two types of ink are initially filled in the printer 10 having the switching mechanism 58 as in the prior art, it is possible to prevent wasteful disposal of ink that is not related to the two types of ink. It becomes possible.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the above-described invention, the control unit 70 fills the other channel 59 that was not initially selected with ink (or after the suction pump 64 performs the second suction). ) Or with this filling (or when the suction pump 64 performs the second suction), the flow channel pump 54 is operated to supply a predetermined amount of ink toward the print head 33 via the flow channel 59. To do.

  For this reason, the negative pressure acting on the flow path 59 on the downstream side of the choke valve 56 can be eliminated by the operation of the suction pump 64. That is, when the negative pressure is not eliminated, the ink discharged to the cap 61 may flow backward from the nozzle 33a due to the negative pressure. However, after the other channel 59 that was not initially selected is filled with ink (or after the suction pump 64 performs the second suction), or with this filling (or when the suction pump 64 is in the second time). When the flow path pump 54 is operated to supply a predetermined amount of ink, the negative pressure can be eliminated, and the backflow of ink from the nozzle 33a can be prevented.

  Further, when the ink enters from the nozzle 33a due to the backflow, the ink of the cap 61 enters, so that a mixture of inks of each color enters, and the image quality of the result printed on the print medium P deteriorates. . However, by supplying a predetermined amount of ink and eliminating the negative pressure as described above, the image quality of the result printed on the print medium P can be maintained in a good state.

<Modification>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be variously modified. This will be described below.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink supply mechanism 50 is a flow path pump capable of controlling the amount of ink to be discharged. The ink supply mechanism 50 sucks ink when the internal volume is expanded by the addition of an external force and also contracts the internal volume by the addition of an external force. The pump chamber 544 </ b> A for discharging the liquid is provided with a flexible diaphragm 542, and a flow path pump 54, a so-called diaphragm pump is provided. However, the flow path pump 54 does not have to be a diaphragm pump as long as it can be controlled so as to suck ink from the ink cartridge 51 and discharge a predetermined amount of ink.

  For example, a reciprocating pump such as a piston pump or a plunger pump, or a rotary pump such as a tube pump, a gear pump, a vane pump, or a screw pump can be used. In the case of a reciprocating pump, if the amount of ink that can be discharged per cycle (one reciprocating motion) is grasped in the same manner as a diaphragm pump, the control unit operates the pump for one cycle or a plurality of cycles, thereby a predetermined amount. It is possible to control to discharge the ink. In the case of a rotary pump, if the amount of ink that can be discharged per rotation is known, the control unit can be controlled to discharge a predetermined amount of ink by operating the pump at the required number of revolutions. is there.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink supply mechanism 50 includes the first check valve 53, the second check valve 55, and the pressure adjustment valve 57. However, the ink supply mechanism 50 may be configured not to include at least one of these. This is because the present invention can be realized even if the ink supply mechanism 50 does not include at least one of the first check valve 53, the second check valve 55, and the pressure adjustment valve 57.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first check valve 53, the second check valve 55, the choke valve 56, and the pressure adjustment valve 57 may adopt different configurations. For example, these are not configured to include a film (diaphragm), and various types such as a swing type, a wafer check type, a lift type, and a foot valve type may be used. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 51 stores each ink of cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black, and matte black. However, the ink cartridge 51 is not limited to storing these inks, and may have at least one of light cyan, light magenta, gray, light gray, green, orange, and the like. In the above-described embodiment, the ink whose supply is switched by the switching mechanism 58 is photo black and matte black. However, the ink whose supply can be switched by the switching mechanism 58 is not limited to photo black and matte black. For example, a configuration in which gray ink and light great ink, or light magenta and vivid light magenta ink can be switched may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the decompression pump 548 is operated, the suction pump 64 is then operated, and then the atmosphere release valve 546 is operated. However, the suction pump 64 may be operated before the decompression pump 548.

  In the above-described embodiment, as “(5) Other operations”, the operation of the suction pump 64 is continued, or the operation of the suction pump 64 is stopped but the remaining negative pressure is applied. Then, the flow path pump 54 is operated to supply the ink to the print head 33 side, the negative pressure at the portion where the large negative pressure is applied is eliminated, and the ink discharged to the cap 61 is sucked from the nozzle 33a. Is prevented. However, if the flexible part is few and the volume of the flow path hardly changes even when negative pressure is applied, the control unit 70 drives the print head 33 instead of the operation of the suction pump 64, and the negative pressure is applied. The ink that has entered the nozzle 33a or more ink may be ejected. In this case, even if a mixture of inks of each color enters the nozzle 33a, the mixed ink can be discharged from the nozzle 33a, and the image quality of the result printed on the print medium P is maintained in a good state. It becomes possible.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the amount of ink discharged in one cycle constituted by the first and second initial filling is less than twice the amount of ink required for filling all the channels with ink. It is supposed to be. Here, when the operations (1) to (4) described above are executed, the amount of ink discharged is one time the amount of ink required to fill all the flow paths with ink, or Even if it is more than 1 time, the increase will be the amount added to the cap 61 due to the negative pressure during the operation of the suction pump 64, but the amount is very small, and it will be added to all the channels. Significantly less than twice the amount of ink required to fill the ink.

  Even when the operation (5) described above is executed, the amount of ink discharged can be reduced in all the flow paths in consideration of the fact that the negative pressure acts on the downstream side of the choke valve 56. A portion where the amount of ink or a large negative pressure acting to fill a portion where a large negative pressure is applied by continuing the operation of the suction pump 64 to one time the amount of ink required for filling Thus, the amount of ink for eliminating the negative pressure is added, which is significantly less than twice the amount of ink required to fill all the channels with ink.

  The amount of ink discharged by this operation may be the amount of ink for filling all the flow paths downstream from the discharge hole 564 of the choke valve 56 that receives the action of negative pressure. Considering that the change in volume of the five flow paths 59e is very small, the amount of ink for filling all of the pressure chambers 571B of the pressure regulating valve 57 and the flow paths downstream of the pressure chambers 571B may be used.

  Further, what enters the cap 61 due to the negative pressure due to the continued operation of the suction pump 64 may be added, but the amount thereof is very small, so the amount of ink discharged is the same as the conventional ink discharge amount. Significantly less than twice.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 70 may be realized by software or may be realized by a circuit.

  The printer 10 is not limited to being applied to the ink jet printer 10, and may be, for example, a gel jet printer. In addition, a multifunction machine including a scanner device other than a printer, a fax device, a copy device, and the like may be used as the printer of the present invention.

  In addition, the concept of the printer 10 in the above-described embodiment includes a liquid other than ink (liquid itself, a liquid obtained by dispersing or mixing functional material particles in a liquid, or a material having fluidity such as a gel. It is also possible to include a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or injects. Examples of such liquids include liquids that are dispersed or dissolved in materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. There are a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting, a fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bioorganic material used for biochip manufacturing, a fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, and the like.

  Further, the concept of the printer 10 of the present invention includes a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used in a fluid ejecting apparatus, an optical communication element, and the like that ejects lubricating oil pinpoint to a precision machine such as a watch or a camera. A fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin onto a substrate to form a substrate, a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etchant such as an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate, etc., a gel (for example, a physical gel ) And the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 30 ... Carriage mechanism, 33 ... Print head (corresponding to liquid ejecting head), 40 ... Paper feed mechanism, 50 ... Ink supply mechanism, 51 ... Ink cartridge (corresponding to liquid storage container), 52 ... Ink supply needle 53 ... 1st check valve, 54 ... Flow path pump, 55 ... 2nd check valve, 56 ... Choke valve, 57 ... Pressure regulating valve, 58 ... Switching mechanism, 59 ... Flow path, 60 ... Cleaning mechanism, 61 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Cap, 64 ... Suction pump, 70 ... Control part, 542 ... Diaphragm, 544A ... Pump chamber, 544B ... Negative pressure chamber, 545 ... Air flow path, 546 ... Air release valve, 547 ... Pressure reduction pump, 560 ... Recess, 561 ... Film (corresponding to flexible member), 562 ... Choke valve chamber, 563 ... Annular projection, 564 ... Discharge hole, 571A ... Ink supply chamber, 571B ... Pressure chamber, 572 ... Valve body, 572 ... Sealing part, 572b ... Projection part, 574 ... Film, 575 ... Biasing spring, 576 ... Communication hole, 581A ... Recessed fitting part, 582 ... Film, 583 ... Sealing member, 584 ... Shaft member, 585A ... First Arm, 585B, second arm, 585c, push-in portion, 585d, cam contact portion, 587, plate cam, 588, insertion hole, P, print medium.

Claims (7)

A liquid ejecting head including a nozzle group capable of ejecting one type of liquid and a nozzle group capable of ejecting two types of liquid, and capable of ejecting a plurality of types of liquid from the plurality of nozzle groups;
A cap that forms one sealing space in contact with a nozzle forming surface where the nozzle group of the liquid jet head is exposed;
A suction pump for sucking the sealed space;
A plurality of flow paths for supplying the plurality of types of liquids from a liquid storage container toward the liquid jet head;
A flow path pump that is located downstream from the liquid storage container in the plurality of flow paths, sucks the liquid from the liquid reservoir, and can discharge the liquid to the downstream side;
Positioned downstream of the flow path pump in the plurality of flow paths, the valve chamber into which the liquid flows, a flexible member that varies the volume of the valve chamber by flexibility, and the inside of the valve chamber are the allowable A discharge hole that can be closed or opened by the flexibility of the flexible member is provided. When a negative pressure exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the valve chamber, the flexible member closes the discharge hole, and the downstream side is negative. A choke valve to be in a pressure state;
One for supplying the liquid in the two flow paths to the nozzle group capable of ejecting the two kinds of liquids, located downstream from the choke valve located in two flow paths of the plurality of flow paths. A switching mechanism that is connected to the flow path and allows the supply of any one of the liquids while blocking the supply of unselected liquids;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: the liquid ejecting head; the suction pump; the switching mechanism; and a control unit that controls the operation of the flow path pump.
The control unit operates all the flow path pumps so that a predetermined amount of the liquid can be discharged, causes the cap to contact the nozzle forming surface, operates the suction pump, and The switching mechanism is operated so that the predetermined amount when the liquid is filled in all the flow paths is greater than the amount of liquid required for filling the liquid in all the flow paths. The amount of liquid required for filling the liquid with the amount of liquid required for filling the liquid in all the flow paths downstream from the choke valve to the amount of liquid required is less than or equal to the amount of liquid.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
The control unit is
Activating the switching mechanism to perform a first selection operation that allows supply from one of the flow paths for supplying the two types of liquids;
Operate all the flow path pumps so that all of the flow paths can be filled with the liquid, and the liquid amount required to be discharged can be discharged.
The cap is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface to operate the suction pump, and the first suction of the liquid is performed from the nozzle of the liquid jet head,
Actuating the switching mechanism to perform a second selection operation of allowing the supply from the other of the flow paths for supplying the two types of liquids;
The cap is again brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface to operate the suction pump, and the second suction of the liquid is performed from the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2,
The control unit operates all the flow path pumps after the second suction or together with the second suction to fill all the flow paths downstream from the choke valve with the liquid. Supplying an amount of liquid required for the liquid jet head toward the liquid ejecting head via the flow path,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2,
A pressure member into which the liquid flows and a flexible member that flexes according to fluctuations in the internal pressure of the pressure chamber and changes the volume of the pressure chamber are provided downstream of the choke valve. A pressure regulating valve that opens when the internal pressure of the pressure chamber becomes less than a predetermined pressure due to bending, and closes otherwise;
The control unit operates all the flow path pumps after the second suction or together with the second suction, so that the pressure control valve and all the flow paths downstream from the pressure control valve are operated. Supplying a liquid in an amount necessary for filling the liquid toward the liquid ejecting head through the flow path;
A liquid ejecting apparatus. A liquid filling method for causing a liquid ejecting apparatus to perform initial liquid filling,
The liquid ejecting apparatus includes:
A liquid ejecting head including a nozzle group capable of ejecting one type of liquid and a nozzle group capable of ejecting two types of liquid, and capable of ejecting a plurality of types of liquid from the plurality of nozzle groups;
A cap that forms one sealing space in contact with a nozzle forming surface where the nozzle group of the liquid jet head is exposed;
A suction pump for sucking the sealed space;
A plurality of flow paths for supplying the plurality of types of liquids from a liquid storage container toward the liquid jet head;
A flow path pump that is located downstream from the liquid storage container in the plurality of flow paths, sucks the liquid from the liquid reservoir, and can discharge the liquid to the downstream side;
Positioned downstream of the flow path pump in the plurality of flow paths, the valve chamber into which the liquid flows, a flexible member that varies the volume of the valve chamber by flexibility, and the inside of the valve chamber are the allowable A discharge hole that can be closed or opened by the flexibility of the flexible member is provided. When a negative pressure exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the valve chamber, the flexible member closes the discharge hole, and the downstream side is negative. A choke valve to be in a pressure state;
One for supplying the liquid in the two flow paths to the nozzle group capable of ejecting the two kinds of liquids, located downstream from the choke valve located in two flow paths of the plurality of flow paths. A switching mechanism that is connected to the flow path and allows the supply of any one of the liquids while blocking the supply of unselected liquids;
A controller for controlling the operation of the liquid jet head, the suction pump, the switching mechanism, and the flow path pump;
With
Activating the switching mechanism to perform a first selection operation that allows supply from one of the flow paths for supplying the two types of liquids;
Operate all the flow path pumps so that all of the flow paths can be filled with the liquid, and the liquid amount required to be discharged can be discharged.
The cap is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface to operate the suction pump, and the first suction of the liquid is performed from the nozzle of the liquid jet head,
Actuating the switching mechanism to perform a second selection operation of allowing the supply from the other of the flow paths for supplying the two types of liquids;
The cap is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface again to operate the suction pump, and the second suction of the liquid is performed from the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head.
A liquid filling method characterized by the above. The liquid filling method according to claim 5,
Required to fill all of the channels downstream from the choke valve by operating all the channel pumps after the second suction or with the second suction. Supplying a liquid amount of liquid toward the liquid jet head via the flow path;
A liquid filling method characterized by the above. The liquid filling method according to claim 5,
The liquid ejecting head includes a flexible member that is flexible in accordance with fluctuations in the pressure chamber into which the liquid flows and the internal pressure of the pressure chamber, and changes the volume of the pressure chamber on the downstream side of the choke valve. A pressure adjusting valve that opens when the internal pressure of the pressure chamber is less than a predetermined pressure due to the flexibility of the flexible member, and closes otherwise;
After the second suction or together with the second suction, all the flow path pumps are operated to fill the liquid into the pressure control valve and all the flow paths downstream from the pressure control valve. Supplying an amount of liquid required for the liquid flow toward the liquid ejecting head via the flow path;
A liquid filling method characterized by the above.

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