JP2013226736A - Cleaning device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning device and method that can reduce the amount of liquid to be wasted in cleaning a liquid jet head by suction through a liquid discharge port.SOLUTION: A cleaning device includes: a flow mechanism 39 that has a volume variable chamber 69 in the middle of a liquid supply path 113 for supplying ink to a liquid jet head 20; a mechanism driving device 40 that pressurizes the inside of the liquid supply path 113 by driving the flow mechanism 39 so as to change a volume of the volume variable chamber 69; a suction mechanism 28 that cleans the liquid jet head 20 by sucking a liquid flow path 101 through a liquid discharge port 21a formed in the liquid jet head 20; and a valve mechanism 22 that is closed in a normal condition and is opened when a negative pressure due to suction is generated in the liquid flow path 101, to connect the pressurized liquid supply path 113 with the liquid flow path 101.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method for cleaning a fluid ejecting head provided in a fluid ejecting apparatus by suction.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a fluid ejecting apparatus including a fluid ejecting head in which a fluid ejecting port is formed, there is an ink jet printer that forms images such as characters and figures by ejecting ink onto a target such as paper. In such a fluid ejecting apparatus, as in the ink jet recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, in order to discharge bubbles generated in the recording head (fluid ejecting head), recovery in which the interior of the recording head is sucked through the nozzles is recovered. There is one provided with a device (cleaning device) (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-186282 A

  Normally, when cleaning is performed by sucking a fluid ejecting head through a fluid ejecting port, it is necessary to set an appropriate flow rate for discharging bubbles and the like. For this reason, the recovery device of Patent Document 1 includes a flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate of the discharged ink, and controls the suction operation based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring device.

  By the way, bubbles generated in the fluid ejecting head may be caught in the middle of the flow path, and it is necessary to cause the ink to flow at a certain flow rate or more in order to peel and discharge such bubbles from the flow path. . However, since the cross-sectional area of the flow path in the fluid ejecting head is small or branched into multiple parts, the resistance value of the flow path is large, and ink that flows through the flow path even when suction is performed through the fluid ejecting port Takes time to reach a constant flow rate. And since the ink discharged until reaching a certain flow velocity does not contribute much to the discharge of bubbles, there is a problem that the ink corresponding to that amount is wasted.

  Such a problem is not limited to the case of cleaning the fluid ejecting head of the ink jet printer, but is generally common when the fluid ejecting head provided in the fluid ejecting apparatus is cleaned by suction.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform cleaning that can reduce the amount of wasted fluid when the fluid ejecting head is cleaned by suction through the fluid ejecting port. An apparatus and a cleaning method are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a cleaning device of the present invention includes a flow mechanism having a variable volume chamber in the middle of a fluid supply path for supplying a fluid to a fluid ejecting head, and the volume of the variable volume chamber is changed. A mechanism driving device that pressurizes the fluid supply path by driving a flow mechanism, and a fluid flow path communicating with the fluid ejection port through a fluid ejection port formed in the fluid ejection head; A suction mechanism that cleans the fluid ejecting head, and is normally in a valve-closed state, and is in a valve-opened state when a negative pressure associated with the suction occurs in the fluid flow path, so that the pressurized state And a valve mechanism for communicating the fluid supply channel with the fluid channel.

  According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, when the valve mechanism is opened by suction, the fluid supply path in the pressurized state communicates with the fluid flow path in the negative pressure state. The fluid can be delivered promptly. That is, by pressurizing the fluid supply path before performing suction for cleaning, the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path at the time of performing the suction until reaching the flow rate necessary for discharging bubbles, etc. Time can be shortened. Therefore, when the fluid ejecting head is cleaned by suction through the fluid ejecting port, the amount of fluid that is wasted can be reduced.

  Further, in the cleaning device of the present invention, the mechanism driving device drives the flow mechanism before performing suction by the suction mechanism to bring the fluid supply path into a pressurized state, and the fluid flow path by the suction mechanism During the suction, the pressure value in the fluid supply path becomes lower than that in the pressurized state.

  According to the cleaning device of the present invention, the pressure value in the fluid supply path is lower during the suction by the suction mechanism than in the pressurized state. Compared with the case where pressurization is continued so that the pressure value is maintained even during suction, wasteful consumption of fluid can be suppressed.

In the cleaning device of the present invention, the mechanism driving device stops driving the flow mechanism when the suction mechanism sucks the fluid flow path.
According to the cleaning device of the present invention, the mechanism driving device stops the driving of the flow mechanism when the suction mechanism sucks the fluid flow path. Therefore, compared with the case where the fluid supply path is pressurized even during the suction, Wasteful consumption can be suppressed.

  In the cleaning device of the present invention, the mechanism driving device drives the flow mechanism so that the fluid supply path from the variable volume chamber to the valve mechanism becomes a positive first pressure value when fluid is ejected. At the same time, before the suction by the suction mechanism, the flow mechanism is driven so that the variable volume chamber has a second pressure value higher than the first pressure value.

  According to the cleaning device of the present invention, since the mechanism driving device drives the flow mechanism so that the variable volume chamber has the second pressure value before the suction by the suction mechanism, the fluid supply path and the fluid flow path communicate with each other. Sometimes fluid can be delivered to the fluid flow path at a higher pressure than during fluid injection.

  In the cleaning device of the present invention, the flow mechanism sucks fluid from the fluid supply source into the variable volume chamber during suction driving, and sends the fluid from the variable volume chamber toward the fluid ejecting head during discharge driving. A diaphragm pump.

  According to the cleaning device of the present invention, the fluid supply path can be pressurized before the suction for cleaning is performed using the diaphragm pump that supplies the fluid to the fluid ejecting head.

  In the cleaning device of the present invention, the valve mechanism is normally closed so as to block between the fluid flow path in a negative pressure state suitable for fluid ejection and the fluid supply path. The pressure adjusting function adjusts the pressure of the fluid flow path by opening the valve when the pressure of the fluid flow path decreases as the fluid is ejected.

  According to the cleaning device of the present invention, the pressure supply function of the valve mechanism that adjusts the pressure of the fluid flow path at the time of ejecting the fluid is used to connect the fluid supply path and the fluid flow path in a pressurized state at the time of suction for cleaning. Since they can be communicated with each other, it is not necessary to provide a valve mechanism dedicated to cleaning.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the cleaning method of the present invention, the inside of the fluid supply path is pressurized by changing the volume of the variable volume chamber provided in the middle of the fluid supply path for supplying the fluid to the fluid ejecting head. A pressurizing step for bringing the fluid into a state; a suction step for sucking a fluid flow path communicating with the fluid ejecting port through a fluid ejecting port formed in the fluid ejecting head after the pressurizing step; A communication step of communicating the fluid supply path in a pressurized state with the fluid flow path in which a negative pressure is generated due to the suction in the suction step.

  According to the cleaning method of the present invention, in the communication step, the fluid supply path in the pressurized state communicates with the fluid flow path in the negative pressure state, so that the fluid can be quickly sent from the fluid supply path side to the fluid flow path side. it can. That is, by pressurizing the fluid supply path in the pressurizing step before the suction step, the time until the flow velocity of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path reaches the flow velocity necessary for discharging bubbles or the like after the communication step Can be shortened. Therefore, when the fluid ejecting head is cleaned by suction through the fluid ejecting port, the amount of fluid that is wasted can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a fluid ejecting apparatus including the cleaning device according to the embodiment of the invention. The perspective view which looked at the fluid container and the fluid supply mechanism from the front side. The perspective view which looked at the fluid supply mechanism from the back side. The disassembled perspective view of a diaphragm pump and a mechanism drive device. Sectional drawing of a fluid supply mechanism. The disassembled perspective view which looked at a part of flow mechanism from the back side. The disassembled perspective view which looked at a part of flow mechanism from the front side. Sectional drawing which shows the valve mechanism made into the valve closing state. Sectional drawing which shows the valve mechanism made into the valve opening state. Sectional drawing which shows typically the diaphragm pump driven by suction. Sectional drawing which shows typically the diaphragm pump which carries out discharge drive. Sectional drawing which shows typically the fluid supply mechanism of a pressurization process. The perspective view which shows a mode that a 2nd displacement member moves relatively with respect to a 1st displacement member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a fluid supply mechanism and a fluid ejection head in a communication process. The graph explaining the effect | action of pressure suction cleaning. Sectional drawing which shows the cleaning apparatus of a modification typically.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a cleaning device of the present invention is provided in a fluid ejecting apparatus embodied as an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 11 includes a main body case 12 having a substantially rectangular box shape. A support member 13 is installed at the front lower portion in the main body case 12 along the longitudinal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1) of the main body case 12 in the main scanning direction. On the support member 13, the recording paper S is fed along a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown).

  A rod-shaped guide shaft 14 is installed in the main body case 12 above the rear portion of the support member 13 along the main scanning direction. A carriage 15 is supported on the guide shaft 14. A driving pulley 16 and a driven pulley 17 are rotatably supported at positions corresponding to both end portions of the guide shaft 14 on the rear side surface in the main body case 12. A carriage motor 18 is connected to the drive pulley 16, and an endless timing belt 19 connected to the carriage 15 is hung between the pair of pulleys 16 and 17. The carriage 15 reciprocates in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 14 by driving the carriage motor 18.

  A fluid ejecting head 20 having a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink as fluid is attached to the lower surface side of the carriage 15. A nozzle forming surface 21 is provided at the lower end of the fluid ejecting head 20, and a plurality of fluid ejecting ports 21 a serving as downstream ends of the nozzles are opened on the nozzle forming surface 21. Further, the carriage 15 is provided with a valve mechanism 22 for supplying ink at a pressure suitable for ejection toward a fluid ejection port 21 a formed in the fluid ejection head 20.

  A cartridge holder 23 having a box shape and an opening on the front side is provided on one end side (right end side in FIG. 1) in the main body case 12. A holder cover 24 that can cover the opening on the front side is attached to the cartridge holder 23 so as to be openable and closable. In the cartridge holder 23, a plurality of ink cartridges 25 (four in this embodiment) can be mounted for each ink color as fluid supply sources.

  A fluid supply mechanism 26 for supplying ink contained in the ink cartridge 25 to the fluid ejecting head 20 is attached to the back side of the cartridge holder 23. A plurality (four in this embodiment) of fluid supply mechanisms 26 are provided corresponding to the number of ink cartridges 25 that can be attached to the cartridge holder 23, and each fluid supply mechanism 26 has an upstream end of an ink supply tube 27. Is connected.

  The ink supply tube 27 whose upstream end is connected to the fluid supply mechanism 26 is connected to the valve mechanism 22 provided on the carriage 15 at its downstream end. Then, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 25 is supplied from the fluid supply mechanism 26 to the carriage 15 through the ink supply tube 27. Further, the pressure of the supplied ink is adjusted by the valve mechanism 22 and is ejected from the fluid ejection port 21a of the fluid ejection head 20 toward the recording sheet S supported by the support member 13, thereby forming an image or the like. Processing is performed.

  Between the cartridge holder 23 and the support member 13, a home position HP serving as a retracted position of the fluid ejecting head 20 is provided. A suction mechanism 28 that performs maintenance of the fluid ejecting head 20 is installed below the home position HP.

  The suction mechanism 28 includes a bottomed box-shaped cap 29 that abuts the fluid ejecting head 20 so as to surround the fluid ejecting port 21a of the fluid ejecting head 20 disposed at the home position HP, and a lifting / lowering for moving the cap 29 up and down. Mechanism 30. A suction hole 31 is formed at the bottom of the cap 29. The upstream end of a suction tube 32 communicating with the suction hole 31 is connected to the bottom of the cap 29. A tube pump 33 is disposed in the middle of the suction tube 32, and the downstream end of the suction tube 32 is inserted into the waste liquid tank 34.

  When the tube pump 33 is driven in a state where the cap 29 is in contact with the fluid ejecting head 20, negative pressure is generated in a closed space formed by the cap 29 and the nozzle forming surface 21 of the fluid ejecting head 20. . Then, the ink in the fluid ejecting head 20 is sucked through the fluid ejecting port 21 a, and the thickened ink and bubbles are discharged to the waste liquid tank 34 through the suction tube 32.

Next, the configuration of the fluid supply mechanism 26 will be described.
In addition, since each fluid supply mechanism 26 has the substantially same structure, the structure is demonstrated about the one fluid supply mechanism 26 in the following description.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fluid supply mechanism 26 includes a supply needle 35 connected to the ink cartridge 25 to be mounted and an ink outflow portion 36 to which the upstream end of the ink supply tube 27 is connected. The fluid supply mechanism 26 includes a flow path forming body 37 that forms an ink flow path from the supply needle 35 to the ink outflow portion 36, and a mechanism drive device frame 38 that is attached to the rear surface side of the flow path forming body 37. have.

  Furthermore, the fluid supply mechanism 26 includes a flow mechanism 39 that flows ink from the supply needle 35 toward the ink outflow portion 36, a mechanism drive device 40 that drives the flow mechanism 39, and a drive as a drive source of the mechanism drive device 40. And a motor 41. The flow mechanism 39 is provided in the middle of the ink flow path formed by the flow path forming body 37. The mechanism drive device frame 38 constitutes a housing of the mechanism drive device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flow mechanism 39 includes a suction valve 42, a diaphragm pump 43 having a diaphragm 43 a made of an elastic member, and a discharge valve 44. The suction valve 42, the diaphragm pump 43, and the discharge valve 44 are arranged in order from the upstream side in the middle of the ink flow path from the supply needle 35 to the ink outflow portion 36 in the flow path forming body 37. In FIG. 3, the mechanism drive device frame 38 is not shown in order to clearly show the configuration of the mechanism drive device 40.

  The mechanism drive device 40 includes a screw gear 46 that rotates when the rotation of the drive motor 41 is transmitted by the belt 45, and a rotating shaft 48 that has a bevel gear 47 that meshes with the screw gear 46 on one end side. ing. The rotating shaft 48 is provided with an eccentric cam 49 substantially at the center in the axial direction thereof. The mechanism driving device 40 includes a cylindrical actuator 50.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 50 includes a first displacement member 51 having a bottomed cylindrical shape and a second displacement member 52 having a bottomed cylindrical shape slightly smaller than the first displacement member 51. Yes. The first displacement member 51 abuts on an eccentric cam 49 whose bottom 53 rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 48, while the bottom 54 of the second displacement member 52 abuts on the diaphragm 43a. A first coil spring 55 is interposed between the first displacement member 51 and the second displacement member 52.

  Locked protrusions 57 extending in the axial direction of the cylinder protrude from the upper and lower portions of the first displacement member 51. Further, a cylindrical first spring hook 58 extends from the inner bottom of the first displacement member 51 toward the flow path forming body 37. Further, a pair of opening portions 59 are formed in the cylindrical side wall of the first displacement member 51 so as to penetrate the portion on the rotation shaft 48 side in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 48. A pair of engaging recesses 60 are formed in a recess toward the flow path forming body 37 side.

  From the outer peripheral surface of the 2nd displacement member 52, the engagement protrusion 61 which makes a pair from the part used as the rotating shaft 48 side is protrudingly provided toward the side so that it may extend in the axial direction of a cylinder. A cylindrical second spring hook 62 projects from the inner bottom portion of the second displacement member 52 toward the rotating shaft 48 side. Furthermore, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) positioning projections 63 arranged in the circumferential direction are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second displacement member 52 so as to extend in the axial direction of the cylinder.

  The first coil spring 55 has a first spring hook 58 of the first displacement member 51 penetrating from the rotation shaft 48 side, and an end of the rotation shaft 48 is locked to the inner bottom portion of the first displacement member 51. Is done. The first coil spring 55 has the second spring hooking portion 62 of the second displacement member 52 penetrating from the flow path forming body 37 side, and the end portion on the flow path forming body 37 side is the second displacement member 52. It is latched by the inner bottom part. At this time, the first coil spring 55 is positioned by the positioning protrusion 63 of the second displacement member 52.

  The second displacement member 52 is accommodated in the first displacement member 51 in a state in which the outer peripheral surface is slidable with the inner peripheral surface of the first displacement member 51. At this time, the second displacement member 52 is restricted from rotating in the circumferential direction because the engagement protrusion 61 engages with the engagement recess 60 of the first displacement member 51, and the second displacement member 52 extends along the axial direction of the cylinder. The first displacement member 51 can be moved relative to the first displacement member 51. That is, the engagement recess 60 of the first displacement member 51 functions as a guide portion that guides the movement of the second displacement member 52 when the second displacement member 52 is relatively moved.

Next, the configuration of the diaphragm pump 43 constituting the flow mechanism 39 will be described.
A recessed portion 64 that opens toward the rotating shaft 48 is formed in a portion facing the diaphragm 43 a on the rear surface side of the flow path forming body 37.

  A suction hole 64 a is formed in the tapered side wall portion of the recess 64 so as to penetrate the flow path forming body 37. Further, a bottomed cylindrical projection 65 projects from the inner bottom of the recess 64 toward the rotating shaft 48 side. Furthermore, a discharge hole 66 is formed in the protrusion 65 so as to penetrate the flow path forming body 37. A second coil spring 67 is disposed between the diaphragm 43 a and the recess 64 of the flow path forming body 37. The second coil spring 67 is set so that the spring constant is smaller than that of the first coil spring 55.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second coil spring 67 is accommodated in the recess 64 with the protrusion 65 being inserted. Further, a disc-shaped spring receiving portion 68 protrudes near the center of the diaphragm 43a on the front surface side which is the flow path forming body 37 side.

  In the second coil spring 67, the end on the flow path forming body 37 side is locked to the inner bottom portion of the recess 64, while the end on the rotating shaft 48 side is locked to the spring receiving portion 68 of the diaphragm 43a. . In addition, an opening is formed in a portion of the mechanism driving device frame 38 facing the diaphragm 43a so as to follow the outer edge shape of the diaphragm 43a.

  The flow path forming body 37 is arranged between the flow path forming body 37 and the mechanism driving device frame 38 so that the diaphragm 43a covers the concave portion 64 of the flow path forming body 37. It is fixed to the body 38 with screws. As a result, the diaphragm 43 a and the concave portion 64 of the flow path forming body 37 surround and form a variable volume chamber 69 that serves as the pump chamber of the diaphragm pump 43. That is, a part of the wall surface of the variable volume chamber 69 is made of an elastic member and a flexible diaphragm 43a. The second coil spring 67 is housed in the variable volume chamber 69 in a slightly compressed state, thereby energizing the diaphragm 43a in the direction of expanding the volume of the variable volume chamber 69.

  The mechanism drive device frame 38 is formed with a bearing portion 71 that rotatably supports the rotary shaft 48 and a support wall 72 that supports the actuator 50. The support walls 72 are extended from the flow path forming body 37 side to the rotating shaft 48 side so as to form a pair in the vertical direction, and the locking grooves 73 are recessed in the mutually opposing surfaces of the support wall 72. Has been.

  The actuator 50 is a mechanism driving device frame in a state where the locked protrusions 57 protruding from the upper and lower portions of the first displacement member 51 are slidably locked to the locking grooves 73. It is supported by 38 support walls 72. At this time, the actuator 50 can move in the first direction X1 approaching the variable volume chamber 69 and the second direction X2 separated from the variable volume chamber 69 along the locking groove 73, The rotation in the direction is restricted.

  Further, the actuator 50 is restricted from moving in the second direction X2 by the first displacement member 51 coming into contact with the eccentric cam 49 of the rotating shaft 48, while the second displacement member 52 is moved through the diaphragm 43a. The movement in the first direction X <b> 1 is regulated by receiving the urging force of the two coil spring 67.

  When the eccentric cam 49 is displaced from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 as the rotary shaft 48 rotates, the first displacement member 51 pressed by the eccentric cam 49 is the first. Move in direction X1. At this time, since the first coil spring 55 is set to have a spring constant larger than that of the second coil spring 67, the second displacement member 52 also moves in the first direction X1 against the urging force of the second coil spring 67. To do. Further, when the eccentric cam 49 is displaced from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 as the rotation shaft 48 rotates, the pressing force of the eccentric cam 49 against the first displacement member 51 decreases. . Therefore, the first displacement member 51 and the second displacement member 52 move in the second direction X <b> 2 by the urging force of the second coil spring 67.

  That is, the first displacement member 51 can be displaced in the first direction X1 approaching the variable volume chamber 69 and the second direction X2 separated from the variable volume chamber 69, and the second displacement member 52 is in the first displacement. The member 51 is disposed between the variable volume chamber 69 and the first displacement member 51 so as to be movable relative to the member 51 in the first direction X1 and the second direction X2.

  When the actuator 50 moves in the first direction X1 against the urging force of the second coil spring 67, the diaphragm 43a is displaced in the direction of decreasing the volume of the volume variable chamber 69, and the diaphragm pump 43 is driven to discharge. Further, when the actuator 50 is moved in the second direction X2 by the urging force of the second coil spring 67, the diaphragm 43a is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the volume variable chamber 69 is increased, and the diaphragm pump 43 is driven for suction.

Next, the configuration of the suction valve 42 and the discharge valve 44 that constitute the flow mechanism 39 will be described.
The suction valve 42 and the discharge valve 44 allow the flow of ink from the supply needle 35 side on the upstream side to the ink outflow portion 36 side on the downstream side, and reverse the ink flow from the downstream side to the upstream side. One-way valve to suppress.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the suction valve 42 includes a first recess 74 formed on the rear surface side of the flow path forming body 37, and a first valve body 75 having a substantially circular shape in plan view that is accommodated in the first recess 74. And a substantially disk-shaped first fixing member 76. A first inflow hole 77 is formed in the inner bottom portion of the first recess 74 so as to penetrate the flow path forming body 37. The first inflow hole 77 communicates with the supply needle 35 that protrudes from the front surface side of the flow path forming body 37. In addition, a first flow path forming recess 78 is formed on the rear surface side of the flow path forming body 37 so that the upper portion and the upstream end of the first recess 74 communicate with each other.

  A flexible first film member 79 is welded to the rear surface side of the flow path forming body 37 on the rotating shaft 48 side. A first valve chamber 80 is surrounded by the first recess 74 and the first film member 79, and the first valve chamber 80 of the suction valve 42 is formed by the first flow path forming recess 78 and the first film member 79. A part of the upstream side of the first communication channel 81 that communicates with the variable volume chamber 69 is surrounded.

  A through hole 78 a is formed in the flow path forming body 37 so as to penetrate the flow path forming body 37 at a position that becomes the downstream end of the first flow path forming recess 78. The through hole 78 a constitutes a part of the first communication channel 81.

  Near the center of the first valve body 75 is a first abutting portion 75a that can be flexibly displaced, and two first communication holes 75b are formed around the first abutting portion 75a. In addition, a first fixed protrusion 76 a that abuts on an outer edge portion of the first valve body 75 is provided on the front side of the first fixed member 76 that is the first valve body 75 side. Then, the first film member 79 is disposed on the rear surface side of the first fixing member 76 in a state where the first fixing protrusion 76a of the first fixing member 76 is in contact with the outer edge portion of the first valve body 75. The first valve body 75 is fixed in the first valve chamber 80.

  The suction valve 42 configured as described above is in an open state when the first contact portion 75a of the first valve body 75 is deflected and displaced toward the first fixing member 76 and is separated from the first inflow hole 77. On the other hand, the first contact portion 75a contacts the inner bottom portion of the first recess 74 and closes the first inflow hole 77, thereby opening the valve.

  The discharge valve 44 includes a second concave portion 84 formed on the rear surface side of the flow path forming body 37, a second valve body 85 having a substantially circular shape in a plan view and accommodated in the second concave portion 84, and a substantially disc-shaped second valve body 85. 2 fixing members 86. A second inflow hole 87 is formed in the inner bottom portion of the second recess 84 so as to penetrate the flow path forming body 37. An outflow channel forming recess 88 is formed on the rear surface side of the channel forming body 37 so as to communicate with the upper portion of the second recess 84 and extend upward from the second recess 84.

  Then, the second valve chamber 90 is surrounded and formed by the first film member 79 and the second recess 84 welded to the rear surface side of the channel forming body 37, and the first film member 79 and the outflow channel forming recess 88. As a result, the outflow passage 91 is surrounded and formed. The outflow passage 91 has an upstream end communicating with the second valve chamber 90 and a downstream end communicating with the ink outflow portion 36.

  Near the center of the second valve body 85 is a second contact portion 85a that can be deflected and displaced, and two second communication holes 85b are formed around the second contact portion 85a. Further, a second fixed protrusion 86 a that abuts on the outer edge portion of the second valve body 85 protrudes from the front surface side of the second fixing member 86 that is the second valve body 85 side. Then, the first film member 79 is disposed on the rear surface side of the second fixing member 86 in a state where the second fixing projection 86a of the second fixing member 86 is in contact with the outer edge portion of the second valve body 85. The second valve body 85 is fixed in the second valve chamber 90.

  The discharge valve 44 configured as described above is in a valve-open state when the second contact portion 85a of the second valve body 85 is deflected and displaced toward the second fixing member 86 and separated from the second inflow hole 87. On the other hand, the second contact portion 85a contacts the inner bottom portion of the second recess 84 and closes the second inflow hole 87, so that the valve is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the front surface side of the flow path forming body 37 where the supply needle 35 protrudes, the second flow where the upstream end communicates with the discharge hole 66 and the downstream end communicates with the second inflow hole 87. A path forming recess 92 is formed. Further, a second film member 93 is welded to the front surface side of the flow path forming body 37 so as to cover the second flow path forming recess 92. The second communication channel 94 is surrounded and formed by the second film member 93 and the second channel formation recess 92. The discharge hole 66 and the second inflow hole 87 also constitute a part of the second communication channel 94.

  Further, on the front side of the flow path forming body 37, a third flow path forming recess 95 is formed in which the upstream end communicates with the through hole 78a and the downstream end communicates with the suction hole 64a. A third film member 96 is welded to the front surface side of the flow path forming body 37 so as to cover the third flow path forming recess 95. Note that the ink flow path and the suction hole 64 a formed by being surrounded by the third film member 96 and the third flow path forming recess 95 constitute a part of the downstream side of the first communication flow path 81.

Next, the configuration of the valve mechanism 22 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 8, the valve mechanism 22 includes a base material 97 made of a synthetic resin. An outflow side concave portion 98 having a tapered side wall is formed on one side surface of the base material 97, and an inflow side concave portion 99 having an opening area smaller than that of the outflow side concave portion 98 is formed on the other side surface of the base material 97. ing. The downstream end of the introduction path 100 formed so as to penetrate through the base material 97 is opened in the side wall of the inflow side recess 99. The upstream side of the introduction path 100 communicates with the ink supply tube 27. On the other hand, the upstream end of the fluid flow path 101 formed so as to penetrate the base material 97 is opened in the side wall of the outflow side recess 98. The downstream side of the fluid flow path 101 is connected to the fluid ejecting head 20.

  A disc-shaped spring seat 102 is fitted into the inflow-side recess 99 so as to close the opening. A film 103 is fixed to the other side surface of the base material 97 so as to cover the inflow-side concave portion 99 from above the spring seat 102. The ink supply chamber 104 is surrounded by the inflow-side recess 99 and the film 103.

  On the other hand, a flexible film 105 is fixed to one side surface of the base material 97 in a state where a slack is provided on the outflow side concave portion 98 side. The pressure chamber 106 is surrounded by the outflow side recess 98 and the film 105. A disc-shaped pressure receiving plate 107 having an area smaller than the opening area of the outflow side recess 98 is fixed to the central portion of the surface of the film 105 opposite to the outflow side recess 98.

  A partition wall 108 that partitions the pressure chamber 106 and the ink supply chamber 104 is provided between the pressure chamber 106 and the ink supply chamber 104, and a communication that connects the pressure chamber 106 and the ink supply chamber 104 to the partition wall 108. A hole 109 is formed. A coil spring 110 and a valve body 111 are accommodated in the ink supply chamber 104. The valve body 111 includes a substantially disc-shaped base portion 111a connected to the spring receiving seat 102 via the coil spring 110, and a rod-shaped rod that extends from the center portion of the base portion 111a and is inserted into the communication hole 109. Part 111b. Note that the tip of the rod portion 111 b of the valve body 111 reaches a position close to the film 105 in the pressure chamber 106.

  An annular seal member 112 is provided on the surface of the base 111a of the valve body 111 on the partition wall 108 side so as to surround the rod 111b. The inner diameter of the seal member 112 is set to be larger than the diameter of the communication hole 109. The valve body 111 is normally urged by the coil spring 110 and pressed against the partition wall 108 to be positioned at the valve closing position shown in FIG. That is, the valve mechanism 22 normally closes the communication hole 109 closed by the valve body 111 when the base portion 111a of the valve body 111 is in close contact with the partition wall 108 via the seal member 112 by the biasing force of the coil spring 110. It is in a valve state.

  Here, when the ink in the pressure chamber 106 flows out to the fluid ejecting head 20 side through the fluid flow path 101, a negative pressure is generated in the pressure chamber 106 as the amount of ink in the pressure chamber 106 decreases, and the film 105 It displaces to the outflow side recessed part 98 side with the pressure receiving plate 107, and contacts the front-end | tip of the rod part 111b of the valve body 111.

  When the ink amount in the pressure chamber 106 further decreases and the pressing force of the film 105 becomes larger than the urging force of the coil spring 110, the valve body 111 is springed against the urging force of the coil spring 110. Moving to the receiving seat 102 side, the valve mechanism 22 is in the valve open state shown in FIG.

  When the valve mechanism 22 is opened, the ink in the ink supply chamber 104 flows into the pressure chamber 106 through the communication hole 109, so that the negative pressure in the pressure chamber 106 is eliminated. When the valve body 111 moves to the pressure chamber 106 side by the urging force of the coil spring 110, the valve mechanism 22 is again in a closed state in which the communication hole 109 is closed by the valve body 111.

  Next, ink supply from the fluid supply mechanism 26 to the fluid ejecting head 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 schematically shows a state of the fluid supply mechanism 26 when the diaphragm pump 43 is driven for suction. FIG. 11 schematically shows the state of the fluid supply mechanism 26 when the diaphragm pump 43 is driven to discharge.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the drive motor 41 is driven in a state where the ink cartridge 25 is mounted on the cartridge holder 23, the rotation shaft 48 of the mechanism drive device 40 rotates. When the actuator 50 is displaced in the second direction X2 along with the rotation of the rotation shaft 48, negative pressure is generated in the volume variable chamber 69, the first communication channel 81, the first valve chamber 80, and the second communication channel 94. Arise. Then, while the discharge valve 44 is closed, the suction valve 42 is opened, and the ink in the ink cartridge 25 passes through the supply needle 35 and the first inflow hole 77 as shown by the arrow in FIG. It flows into the chamber 80, the first communication channel 81 and the variable volume chamber 69.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11, when the actuator 50 is displaced in the first direction X1 with the rotation of the rotating shaft 48, the volume variable chamber 69, the first communication channel 81, the first valve chamber 80, and the second communication are provided. The inside of the flow path 94 is in a pressurized state. As a result, the suction valve 42 is closed and the discharge valve 44 is opened.

  The ink pushed out from the variable volume chamber 69 passes through the second communication channel 94, the second valve chamber 90, the outflow channel 91, the ink outflow portion 36, and the ink supply tube 27 as shown by the arrow in FIG. Supplied to the side. In the following description, the second communication channel 94, the second valve chamber 90, the outflow channel 91, the ink outflow part 36, and the ink supply tube 27 are located between the variable volume chamber 69 and the valve mechanism 22. The ink flow path is referred to as a fluid supply path 113.

  Thus, the diaphragm pump 43 sucks ink from the ink cartridge 25 to the variable volume chamber 69 during the suction drive, and sends ink from the variable volume chamber 69 toward the fluid ejecting head 20 during the discharge drive. The pressure of the fluid supply path 113 from the variable volume chamber 69 to the valve mechanism 22 by the suction drive and discharge drive of the diaphragm pump 43 is a predetermined positive pressure value P1 (P1> 0). Then, the drive of the drive motor 41 is stopped.

  Here, the fluid flow path 101 formed in the fluid ejecting head 20 is branched into a plurality on the downstream side of the valve mechanism 22, and the branched downstream side is in communication with the fluid ejection port 21 a. Then, ink droplets are ejected from the fluid ejection ports 21a as the piezoelectric elements (not illustrated) provided in the branched fluid flow paths 101 via diaphragms (not illustrated) expand and contract.

  In addition, the internal pressure of the fluid flow path 101 is adjusted by the valve mechanism 22 so that a negative pressure of a predetermined pressure value Pn (for example, a negative pressure of about −1 kPa) is always generated. This negative pressure is to prevent ink from dripping from the fluid ejection port 21a and to form a concave meniscus at the fluid ejection port 21a to stabilize the ejection operation.

  When the pressure in the fluid flow path 101 decreases below the pressure value Pn as the ink is ejected, the valve mechanism 22 is opened and ink is supplied from the fluid supply path 113 side. Then, when the pressure in the fluid flow path 101 recovers to the pressure value Pn by the supply of this ink, the valve mechanism 22 is closed.

  As described above, the valve mechanism 22 causes the fluid supply path 113 and the fluid flow path 101 to communicate with each other when a certain negative pressure or more is generated on the downstream side, while the upstream fluid supply path 113 is in a pressurized state. Also keeps the valve closed. That is, while the valve mechanism 22 is normally closed, the valve mechanism 22 closes between the fluid flow path 101 in a negative pressure state suitable for ink ejection and the fluid supply path 113 having the first pressure value P1, while When the pressure of the fluid flow path 101 is reduced as the ink is ejected, the valve is opened to adjust the pressure of the fluid flow path 101.

  On the other hand, the diaphragm pump 43 has a pressure in the fluid supply path 113 of about the first pressure value P1 even if ink is supplied from the fluid supply path 113 to the fluid path 101 in accordance with the opening operation of the valve mechanism 22 described above. Suction drive and discharge drive are appropriately executed so as to be maintained at a positive pressure. That is, the mechanism driving device 40 drives the flow mechanism 39 so that the fluid supply path 113 from the variable volume chamber 69 to the valve mechanism 22 becomes the positive first pressure value P1 before ink ejection or during ink ejection. Ink is supplied to the fluid ejecting head 20 side. Further, when the diaphragm pump 43 interrupts or ends the drive for ink supply, the discharge drive ends as shown in FIG. 11, the volume of the volume variable chamber 69 decreases, and the inside of the fluid supply path 113 is pressurized. Stop in the state.

  Next, pressure suction cleaning, which is a cleaning method of the fluid ejecting head 20, will be described with reference to FIGS. In this pressure suction cleaning, the suction process is executed by the suction mechanism 28 after the pressurization process is executed by the flow mechanism 39 and the mechanism driving device 40, and the communication process by the valve mechanism 22 is linked to the suction process. Is executed. In the present embodiment, the valve mechanism 22, the suction mechanism 28, the flow mechanism 39, and the mechanism driving device 40 constitute a cleaning device.

  First, in the pressurizing step, the mechanism driving device 40 drives the flow mechanism 39 so that the volume of the volume variable chamber 69 provided in the middle of the fluid supply path 113 that supplies ink to the fluid ejecting head 20 changes. Then, the fluid supply path 113 is pressurized. That is, from the state where the discharge drive is finished as shown in FIG. 11, the diaphragm pump 43 performs the suction drive and the discharge drive several more times (for example, 2 to 3 times), and the suction drive is finished as shown in FIG. Stop in the state.

  In this pressurization step, the diaphragm pump 43 is driven in the fluid supply path 113 in the pressurization state of the first pressure value P1 in a state where there is no outflow of ink to the downstream side. Therefore, after ink is sucked into the variable volume chamber 69 by the first suction drive, there is no place for the ink delivered from the variable volume chamber 69 during the subsequent ejection drive. As a result, the diaphragm 43a pressed by the actuator 50 that is about to move in the first direction X1 during ejection driving is elastically deformed in the direction in which the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 increases.

  As the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 increases, the second displacement member 52 resists the urging force of the first coil spring 55 from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 13 toward the position indicated by the solid line. Move in the second direction X2. At this time, since the movement of the first displacement member 51 in the second direction X2 is restricted by the eccentric cam 49, the second displacement member 52 moves relative to the first displacement member 51 in the second direction X2. Thus, the length of the actuator 50 in the axial direction of the cylinder is shortened.

  Similarly, when the second and subsequent suction driving and ejection driving are repeated, the diaphragm 43a is elastically deformed as shown by the solid line in FIG. 12 when the last suction driving in the pressurizing step is completed. At this time, the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 is larger than that at the end of the suction drive for the purpose of supplying ink (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12). Further, the pressure in the variable volume chamber 69 and the fluid supply path 113 is changed to the second pressure value P2 (P2> P1) higher than the first pressure value P1 by the pressurization process, and further than when ink is ejected. Pressurized.

  That is, normally, when the diaphragm pump 43 is driven in order to supply ink, the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 decreases while the volume of the volume variable chamber 69 increases during the ejection drive in a pressurized state. Sometimes the inside of the variable volume chamber 69 is in a negative pressure state. On the other hand, in the pressurizing step, the diaphragm pump 43 is continuously driven in a state where no ink flows out, so that the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 is increased as compared with that during suction driving, and the variable volume chamber 69 and The fluid supply path 113 is in a state of being pressurized more than during discharge driving.

  As described above, in the pressurizing step, the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 provided in the middle of the fluid supply path 113 that supplies ink to the fluid ejecting head 20 is changed, so that the second pressure value is generated in the fluid supply path 113. Pressurize P2. When the fluid supply path 113 from the variable volume chamber 69 to the valve mechanism 22 is in a pressurized state of the second pressure value P2, the drive motor 41 is stopped, and the mechanism drive device 40 stops driving the flow mechanism 39.

  Even when the mechanism driving device 40 stops driving the flow mechanism 39, the diaphragm 43a is pressed in the first direction X1 by the urging force of the first coil spring 55, so the variable volume chamber 69 and the fluid supply path The pressurized state in 113 is maintained.

  In addition, after the pressurization step, a suction step of sucking the fluid flow path 101 through the fluid ejection port 21 a formed in the fluid ejection head 20 by the suction mechanism 28 is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the fluid ejecting head 20 is disposed at the home position HP, and the cap 29 is moved upward to come into contact with the nozzle forming surface 21 of the fluid ejecting head 20 so as to surround the fluid ejecting port 21 a.

  When the tube pump 33 is driven in this state, a negative pressure is generated in the closed space R surrounded by the cap 29 and the nozzle forming surface 21, and the ink in the fluid ejecting head 20 passes through the fluid ejecting port 21a. Sucked. The movement of the fluid ejecting head 20 to the home position HP and the upward movement of the cap 29 may be performed before or simultaneously with the pressurization process.

  When suction is performed by the suction mechanism 28, a negative pressure (for example, negative pressure of about −80 kPa) greater than that at the time of ink ejection is generated in the fluid flow path 101, so that the valve mechanism 22 is opened and upstream The negative pressure also spreads to the fluid supply passage 113 on the side, and the discharge valve 44 and the suction valve 42 are also opened.

  That is, the valve mechanism 22 that is normally in a closed state is brought into a pressurized state by a pressurizing step by being opened when a negative pressure accompanying suction is generated in the fluid flow path 101. A communication process is performed in which the fluid supply path 113 communicates with the fluid flow path 101 in which a negative pressure is generated due to suction in the suction process. As a result, the ink in the ink cartridge 25 flows in the fluid supply path 113 and the fluid ejecting head 20 as indicated by arrows in FIG. 14, and is discharged from the fluid ejecting port 21a. At this time, bubbles and thickened ink that have accumulated in the fluid ejecting head 20 and the like are also discharged together with the flowing ink.

  Thus, the suction mechanism 28 sucks the fluid flow path 101 communicating with the fluid ejection port 21a through the fluid ejection port 21a formed in the fluid ejection head 20 in the suction process, thereby increasing the viscosity from the fluid ejection head 20. Perform cleaning to discharge the ink and bubbles. In the communication process executed in conjunction with the suction process, the fluid supply path 113 that has been set to the second pressure value P2 by the pressurization process communicates with the fluid flow path 101 in the negative pressure state. Ink flows vigorously toward the fluid flow path 101.

  Next, the operation of the cleaning device configured as described above and the pressure suction cleaning will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 15 shows the flow rate of ink flowing through the cross section of the fluid supply path 113 when the conventional suction cleaning is performed in which the suction process and the communication process are performed without going through the pressurization process. Is shown. Further, in FIG. 15, the solid line represents the flow rate of the ink flowing through the same channel cross section of the fluid supply channel 113 when the pressure suction cleaning is executed.

  In order to discharge bubbles or the like remaining in the fluid ejecting head 20 by the suction by the suction mechanism 28, it is necessary to cause the ink to flow at a predetermined flow velocity Vc in order to remove the bubbles or the like caught in the ink flow path. . Further, in order to carry bubbles or the like peeled off from the ink flow path to the fluid ejection port 21a, it is preferable to flow the ink at the flow rate Qc over a predetermined time Tc after reaching the flow velocity Vc.

  However, as compared with the fluid supply path 113, the fluid flow path 101 is branched to communicate with the plurality of fluid ejection ports 21a, and the flow path shape is complicated or the cross-sectional area is small. The flow path resistance value is large. Therefore, in the conventional suction cleaning, when the suction is started at the time t01 when the initial pressure value of the fluid supply path 113 is the first pressure value P1, the flow velocity of the ink flowing through the fluid supply path 113 reaches the flow velocity Vc. It takes time Ts1. Therefore, the ink that has flowed during the time Ts1 does not contribute much to the discharge of bubbles and the like, and is consumed wastefully.

  On the other hand, in the case of pressure suction cleaning, before the suction by the suction mechanism 28, the mechanism driving device 40 is set so that the volume variable chamber 69 becomes the second pressure value P2 higher than the first pressure value P1. Drives the flow mechanism 39. As a result, the initial pressure value of the fluid supply path 113 after the pressurization process becomes the second pressure value P2 higher than the first pressure value P1, and a negative pressure accompanying the suction in the suction process is generated in the fluid flow path 101, so that the communication process When the valve mechanism 22 is opened, ink is sent out from the fluid supply path 113 at a higher pressure to the fluid path 101.

  Therefore, when suction is started at time t02 in the pressure suction cleaning, the time Ts2 until the flow rate of the ink flowing through the fluid supply path 113 reaches the flow velocity Vc is shorter than the time Ts1 in the case of the conventional suction cleaning. (0 <Ts2 <Ts1). Therefore, there is a difference of ΔQs in the amount of ink flowing out until the ink flow velocity reaches the flow velocity Vc between the conventional suction cleaning and the pressure suction cleaning of the present embodiment. That is, in the case of pressure suction cleaning, the amount of ink that is wasted is less than in conventional suction cleaning.

  Note that if the flow velocity of the ink flowing through the fluid supply path 113 reaches the flow velocity Vc and the flow velocity is increased more than necessary, the ink is wasted. In this respect, in the present embodiment, during the suction of the fluid flow path 101 by the suction mechanism 28, the pressure value in the fluid supply path 113 becomes lower than the pressure value in the pressurized state. Further, since the mechanism driving device 40 stops driving the flow mechanism 39 when the suction mechanism 28 sucks the fluid flow path 101, the ink is not wasted during the predetermined time Tc.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the valve mechanism 22 is opened by suction, the fluid supply path 113 in a pressurized state communicates with the fluid flow path 101 in a negative pressure state. Ink can be sent out quickly. That is, by pressurizing the fluid supply path 113 before performing the suction for cleaning, the flow speed of the ink flowing through the fluid flow path 101 at the time of performing the suction becomes the flow speed Vc necessary for discharging bubbles and the like. Time to reach can be shortened. Therefore, when the fluid ejecting head 20 is cleaned by suction through the fluid ejecting port 21a, the amount of ink that is wasted can be reduced.

  (2) Since the pressure value in the fluid supply path 113 is lower during the suction by the suction mechanism 28 than in the pressurized state, the pressure value in the fluid supply path 113 that is in the pressurized state before the suction is performed is As compared with the case where pressurization is continued so as to be maintained even during suction, wasteful consumption of ink can be suppressed.

  (3) Since the mechanism driving device 40 stops driving the flow mechanism 39 when the suction mechanism 28 sucks the fluid flow path 101, the waste of ink is reduced as compared with the case where the fluid supply path 113 is pressurized even during suction. Unnecessary consumption can be suppressed.

  (4) Since the mechanism driving device 40 drives the flow mechanism 39 so that the volume variable chamber 69 becomes the second pressure value P2 before the suction by the suction mechanism 28, the fluid supply path 113 and the fluid flow path 101 are connected. When communicating, ink can be delivered to the fluid flow path 101 at a higher pressure than when ink is ejected.

(5) Using the diaphragm pump 43 that supplies ink to the fluid ejecting head 20, the fluid supply path 113 can be pressurized before performing suction for cleaning.
(6) Using the pressure adjustment function of the valve mechanism 22 that adjusts the pressure of the fluid flow path 101 when ink is ejected, the fluid supply path 113 in a pressurized state and the fluid flow path 101 are communicated during suction for cleaning. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a valve mechanism dedicated for cleaning. Further, since the valve mechanism 22 is opened when a negative pressure of a certain level or more is generated on the downstream side, suction is performed without performing an operation for opening the valve mechanism 22 from the outside during the communication process. The communication process can be executed in conjunction with the process.

  (7) In the communication step, the fluid supply path 113 in a pressurized state communicates with the fluid flow path 101 in a negative pressure state, so that ink can be quickly sent from the fluid supply path 113 side to the fluid flow path 101 side. it can. That is, by pressurizing the fluid supply path 113 in the pressurizing process before the suction process, the flow speed of the ink flowing through the fluid flow path 101 after the communication process reaches the flow speed Vc necessary for discharging bubbles and the like. Can be shortened. Therefore, when the fluid ejecting head 20 is cleaned by suction through the fluid ejecting port 21a, the amount of ink that is wasted can be reduced.

  (8) In the pressure suction cleaning, the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 can be changed by elastically deforming the diaphragm 43a in the pressurizing step. That is, the diaphragm 43a is elastically deformed by driving the diaphragm pump 43, so that the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 can be further increased than when ink is ejected. As a result, before the suction for cleaning is executed, the fluid supply path 113 can be brought into the pressurized state of the second pressure value P2.

  (9) Since the second displacement member 52 is disposed so as to be movable relative to the first displacement member 51, when the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 is increased by driving the flow mechanism 39 in the pressurizing step. , And can move in the second direction X2 away from the variable volume chamber 69. Further, since the second displacement member 52 receives the urging force of the first coil spring 55 when moving in the second direction X2, even when the mechanism driving device 40 stops driving the flow mechanism 39, the first coil spring 55 is stopped. The pressurized state of the variable volume chamber 69 can be maintained by the urging force. When the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 decreases in the communication process, the second displacement member 52 moves in the first direction X1 by the urging force of the first coil spring 55. Can be drained.

  (10) The first displacement member 51 can be displaced along with the rotation of the rotation shaft 48, and the displacement of the first displacement member 51 can be stopped by stopping the rotation of the rotation shaft 48. Accordingly, when the suction mechanism 28 sucks the fluid flow path 101, the driving of the flow mechanism 39 can be stopped so that continuous pressurization is not performed during the suction.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
As shown in FIG. 16, a variable pressure chamber 69A for pressure suction cleaning in which the cleaning device is provided in the middle of the fluid supply path 113, and a piston type displacement member constituting a part of the wall surface of the variable volume chamber 69A 114 and a mechanism driving device 40A for displacing the displacement member 114 may be provided. In this case, the diaphragm pump 43 may be driven to discharge by pressing the pressing plate 50A fixed to the diaphragm 43a by the eccentric cam 49 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 48. That is, according to this configuration, the mechanism driving device 40 may not include the actuator 50.

  Further, according to this configuration, for example, the eccentric cam 49A that rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 48A included in the mechanism drive device 40A presses the displacement member 114 and moves it in the first direction X1 approaching the variable volume chamber 69A. The inside of the fluid supply path 113 can be pressurized. Furthermore, according to this configuration, a pump without a diaphragm can be used to supply ink to the fluid ejecting head 20, or ink can be supplied to the fluid ejecting head 20 by a water head difference. The degree becomes higher.

  -The frequency | count of driving of the diaphragm pump 43 in a pressurization process can be set arbitrarily. Further, the first pressure value P1 and the second pressure value P2 do not need to be strictly set to specific values, and can be set to arbitrary pressure values each having a predetermined fluctuation range.

If the accumulated bubbles can be discharged, it is not necessary to pressurize to the second pressure value P2 after the fluid supply path 113 is in the pressurizing state of the first pressure value P1 in the pressurizing step.
-In a pressurization process, you may make it stop in the state which the diaphragm pump 43 complete | finished discharge drive.

  If it is possible to flow the ink at the flow rate Qc over the predetermined time Tc after reaching the flow velocity Vc, the pressure in the fluid supply path 113 is lower than the first pressure value P1 during the suction operation by the suction mechanism 28. It may be. Further, if it is possible to flow the ink at the flow rate Qc over the predetermined time Tc after reaching the flow velocity Vc, even if the fluid supply path 113 becomes non-pressurized during the suction operation by the suction mechanism 28. Good. The pressure value in the fluid supply path 113 in the suction process can be set by changing the number of times the diaphragm pump 43 is driven.

  -The variable volume chamber 69 may be configured by a member having elasticity. According to this configuration, the volume of the variable volume chamber 69 can be increased by changing the constituent member from the contracted state to the extended state. In this case, a bellows pump can be used instead of the diaphragm pump 43.

The fluid supply source is not limited to the ink cartridge 25 that is detachably mounted, but may be an ink tank or the like provided in the main body case 12.
In the above embodiment, the fluid ejecting apparatus ejects the fluid other than ink (liquid or liquid material in which particles of functional material are dispersed or mixed in the liquid, fluid such as gel, or fluid. It may be a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a solid (including a solid that can be produced). For example, a liquid material ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid material that contains 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 in a dispersed or dissolved form. It may be. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacture, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects the liquid onto the substrate. In addition, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch a substrate, a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid such as a gel (for example, a physical gel), a powder such as toner (powder) It may be a powder and particle ejecting apparatus (for example, a toner jet recording apparatus) that ejects a solid such as a granule. The present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid ejecting apparatuses. In the present specification, the term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas. Examples of the fluid include liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. ), Liquids, fluids, powders (including granules and powders), and the like.

Furthermore, the technical idea grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment and each modification is described below.
(A) a fluid ejection head having a fluid ejection port and a fluid flow path communicating with the fluid ejection port;
A fluid supply path for supplying fluid to the fluid ejecting head;
A flow mechanism having a variable volume chamber in the middle of the fluid supply path;
A mechanism driving device that drives the flow mechanism so that the volume of the variable volume chamber changes, thereby bringing the fluid supply path into a pressurized state;
A suction mechanism for cleaning the fluid ejecting head by sucking the fluid flow path through the fluid ejecting port;
The valve is normally closed, and the valve is opened when a negative pressure accompanying the suction is generated in the fluid flow path, and the fluid supply path and the fluid flow path in the pressurized state are opened. A valve mechanism for communication;
A fluid ejecting apparatus comprising:

  According to this configuration, when the valve mechanism is opened, the fluid supply path in the pressurized state communicates with the fluid flow path in the negative pressure state, so that the fluid is quickly sent from the fluid supply path side to the fluid flow path side. can do. That is, by pressurizing the fluid supply path before performing suction for cleaning, the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path at the time of performing the suction until reaching the flow rate necessary for discharging bubbles, etc. Time can be shortened. Therefore, when the fluid ejecting head is cleaned by suction through the fluid ejecting port, the amount of fluid that is wasted can be reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer (fluid ejecting apparatus), 20 ... Fluid ejecting head, 21a ... Fluid ejecting port, 22 ... Valve mechanism, 28 ... Suction mechanism, 25 ... Ink cartridge (fluid supply source), 39 ... Flow mechanism, 40, 40A ... Mechanism drive device, 43 ... Diaphragm pump, 69, 69A ... Volume variable chamber, 101 ... Fluid flow path, 113 ... Fluid supply path, P1 ... First pressure value, P2 ... Second pressure value.

Claims (7)

A flow mechanism having a variable volume chamber in the middle of a fluid supply path for supplying fluid to the fluid ejection head;
A mechanism driving device that drives the flow mechanism so that the volume of the variable volume chamber changes, thereby bringing the fluid supply path into a pressurized state;
A suction mechanism for cleaning the fluid ejecting head by sucking a fluid flow path communicating with the fluid ejecting port through a fluid ejecting port formed in the fluid ejecting head;
The valve is normally closed, and the valve is opened when a negative pressure accompanying the suction is generated in the fluid flow path, and the fluid supply path and the fluid flow path in the pressurized state are opened. A valve mechanism for communication;
A cleaning device comprising: The mechanism driving device is configured to pressurize the fluid supply path by driving the flow mechanism before performing suction by the suction mechanism,
2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a pressure value in the fluid supply path is lower during suction of the fluid flow path by the suction mechanism than in the pressurized state. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism driving device stops driving the flow mechanism when the suction mechanism sucks the fluid flow path. The mechanism driving device drives the flow mechanism so that the fluid supply path from the variable volume chamber to the valve mechanism becomes a positive first pressure value when fluid is ejected, and suction by the suction mechanism. 4. The flow mechanism is driven so that the variable volume chamber has a second pressure value higher than the first pressure value before execution. 5. The cleaning device described. The flow mechanism has a diaphragm pump that sucks fluid from a fluid supply source into the variable volume chamber during suction driving and sends out fluid from the variable volume chamber toward the fluid ejecting head during discharge driving. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The valve mechanism is normally closed so as to close a gap between the fluid flow path and the fluid supply path in a negative pressure state suitable for fluid ejection, while the fluid is ejected when the fluid is ejected. 6. The pressure adjusting function according to claim 1, wherein the pressure adjusting function adjusts the pressure of the fluid flow path by opening the valve when the pressure of the flow path decreases. The cleaning device described. A pressurizing step for changing the volume of the variable volume chamber provided in the middle of the fluid supply path for supplying the fluid to the fluid ejecting head to pressurize the fluid supply path;
A suction step of sucking a fluid flow path communicating with the fluid ejection port through a fluid ejection port formed in the fluid ejection head after the pressurizing step;
A communication step of communicating the fluid supply path that has been brought into the pressurized state by the pressurization step with the fluid flow channel in which the negative pressure associated with the suction of the suction step has occurred;
A cleaning method comprising: