JP2015042451A - Liquid jet device and liquid supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jet device in which flowing of bubbles into a supply channel can be prevented when a choke is released even if the amount of remaining ink is small.SOLUTION: In an ink supply channel 14 between a recording head 12 and an ink cartridge 13, provided is an opening and closing valve 23 which can open and close the flow channel. And, at the ink cartridge 13, provided is a remaining ink amount detection part 21 which detects the amount of remaining ink of the inside. Negative pressure is generated by a suction pump 26 under a condition that the opening and closing valve 23 is closed, and the ink is poured at once by opening the opening and closing valve 23 under a condition that the negative pressure is sufficiently accumulated. At that time, when the amount of remaining ink detected by the remaining ink amount detection part 21 becomes equal to or less than a specified amount, ink pouring is stopped by closing the opening and closing valve 23, to prevent flowing of bubbles into the ink supply channel 14.

Description

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

Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus has been widely used as a liquid ejecting apparatus. The ink jet recording apparatus is a liquid having an ink cartridge as an ink supply source (liquid container) and a nozzle for discharging ink droplets by pressurizing ink in a pressure generating chamber by an actuator such as a piezoelectric element or a heating element. An ejection head, and a liquid supply path that connects the ink cartridge and the liquid ejection head to form an ink (liquid) supply path are provided.
When foreign matter such as bubbles is generated in the ink supply path for supplying ink from the ink cartridge to the liquid discharge head and flows into the head, the pressure state during ink supply and ink discharge is affected, and ink droplets are stably discharged. There is a problem that it becomes a factor that obstructs and renders drawing quality unstable.
As an ink jet recording apparatus that can solve such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, a negative pressure is applied in a state where the inside of the liquid supply path is closed, and the blockage is released in a state where the negative pressure is accumulated (hereinafter, referred to as “Patent Document 1”). Ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed that can discharge bubbles in the liquid supply path more efficiently than applying a negative pressure without blocking the liquid supply path.

JP-A-10-202910

  However, in the liquid ejecting apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the amount of liquid to be supplied is smaller than the amount sucked by the chalk suction, the internal negative pressure is not released and bubbles or the like are generated in the liquid supply path. There existed a subject that there exists a possibility of drawing in foreign materials other than a liquid.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A liquid ejecting apparatus according to this application example includes a nozzle that discharges a liquid and a connection portion that removably connects the liquid storage body that stores the liquid, and the liquid storage body is connected to the connection portion. A liquid supply path that allows the nozzle and the liquid container to communicate with each other, and a negative pressure application unit that can apply a negative pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply path via the nozzle; An on-off valve disposed in the liquid supply path and capable of opening and closing the liquid supply path; a liquid amount detection unit capable of detecting the amount of the liquid in the liquid container; and closing the on-off valve to open the liquid supply path. The liquid supply path is closed by applying a negative pressure to the liquid supply path, and the on-off valve is opened to release the liquid supply path from being closed. When the amount of the liquid is less than a predetermined amount, the on-off valve is closed. Characterized in that it comprises a control unit.

  According to this application example, when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the liquid supply path is stopped by closing the on-off valve and stopping the supply of the liquid. Inflow of foreign matter such as air bubbles can be prevented. Accordingly, the choke suction can be reliably performed regardless of the amount of liquid in the liquid container, and therefore, for example, even when the amount of liquid is small below a predetermined amount, foreign matter other than liquid can be prevented from flowing into the liquid supply path. It is possible to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that can realize stable ejection of ink droplets.

  Application Example 2 In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the application example described above, the control unit closes the on-off valve to close the liquid supply path, and the negative pressure applying unit applies the liquid in the liquid supply path. The liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detector when the liquid supply path is closed by repeatedly applying the negative pressure and opening and closing the on-off valve to repeatedly open and close the liquid supply path. It is preferable to stop the opening / closing of the on-off valve when the amount of the valve is less than or equal to a predetermined amount.

  According to this application example, when the amount of liquid in the liquid container is detected by the liquid amount detection unit, since the liquid supply path is closed, the amount of liquid being detected does not change. As a result, as a detection method in the liquid amount detection unit, it is possible to perform a method that takes a long time for detection or repeated detection, so that the amount of liquid in the liquid container can be accurately detected.

  Application Example 3 The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the application example described above includes a display unit, and the control unit detects when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit is a predetermined amount or less. The display that prompts replacement of the liquid container or filling of the liquid in the liquid container is performed on the display unit, and the open / close valve is closed, and the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detector is detected. It is preferable to open the on-off valve when the amount of liquid exceeds a predetermined amount.

According to this application example, when the supply of the liquid is stopped by the control unit, the operator knows from the display unit that the supply of the liquid has been stopped and it is time to replace or fill the liquid container. be able to. In addition, when the amount of liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount due to the replacement or filling of the liquid container, the operator opens the on-off valve. The suction can be resumed by the negative pressure remaining in the liquid supply path.
Therefore, it is possible to perform chalk suction regardless of the amount of liquid in the liquid container. For example, when the amount of liquid in the liquid container becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount and the supply of the liquid is stopped, the liquid container is replaced or filled with liquid so that the liquid in the liquid container is made larger than the predetermined amount. Supply can be resumed.

  Application Example 4 A liquid supply method according to this application example includes a nozzle that discharges a liquid and a connection portion that removably connects the liquid storage body that stores the liquid, and the liquid storage body is connected to the connection portion. A liquid supply path that allows the nozzle and the liquid container to communicate with each other, and a negative pressure application unit that can apply a negative pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply path via the nozzle; A liquid supply method for a liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: an on-off valve disposed in the liquid supply path and capable of opening and closing the liquid supply path; and a liquid amount detection unit capable of detecting the amount of the liquid in the liquid container. The on-off valve is closed to close the liquid supply path, the negative pressure applying unit applies a negative pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply path, and the on-off valve is opened to close the liquid supply path. The liquid concentration detected by the liquid amount detection unit. The amount of the liquid in the body and having a feed stopping step of closing said opening and closing valve when the predetermined amount or less.

According to this application example, when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the liquid supply path is stopped by closing the on-off valve and stopping the supply of the liquid. Inflow of foreign matter can be prevented.
Accordingly, it is possible to provide a liquid supply method capable of preventing the inflow of foreign substances other than liquid into the liquid supply path regardless of the amount of liquid in the liquid container and the amount of negative pressure generated by choke suction. .

  Application Example 5 In the liquid supply method according to the application example described above, when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit is greater than a predetermined amount after the supply stop step, It is preferable to have a supply restarting step of opening the on-off valve to release the blockage of the liquid supply path.

According to this application example, after the supply of the liquid is stopped by the above-described supply stop process, when the amount of liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount, the on-off valve is By opening, the liquid can be sucked into the liquid supply path by the negative pressure remaining in the liquid supply path.
Therefore, even when the amount of liquid in the liquid container becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount during suction and the supply of the liquid is stopped, the supply of the liquid can be resumed by increasing the amount of liquid in the liquid container above the predetermined amount. It is possible to provide a liquid supply method capable of

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an ink supply method as a liquid supply method including chalk suction according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of an ink supply method including chalk suction according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of an ink supply method including chalk suction according to a third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each layer and each member is made different from the actual scale so that each layer and each member can be recognized.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an ink supply method as a liquid supply method including chalk suction according to the first embodiment.
First, a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.

  A printer 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes a recording head 12 as a liquid ejection head that ejects ink as a liquid to a target (not shown), an ink cartridge 13 as a liquid container, and an ink cartridge 13. An ink supply path 14 as a liquid supply path capable of supplying ink to the recording head 12, a maintenance unit 15 that cleans the recording head 12, and a control unit 28 that controls them are provided.

  The printer 11 is provided with a plurality of ink cartridges 13 and ink supply paths 14 corresponding to the number of ink colors (types) used in the printing process. However, since each ink cartridge 13 and each ink supply path 14 have a common configuration, FIG. 1 shows one ink cartridge 13 and an ink supply path 14 that supply ink of any one color.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle forming surface 12a of the recording head 12 is provided with a plurality of nozzle openings 16 that can eject ink. The recording head 12 has a built-in valve unit 17. The valve unit 17 is provided with a fluid pressure adjusting mechanism for supplying ink stably, and the ink fluid pressure is adjusted by supplying an amount of ink corresponding to the amount of consumption.

  The ink cartridge 13 includes a substantially box-shaped case 18 having an ink chamber 18a for containing ink. A cylindrical part 19 communicating with the ink chamber 18 a is projected from the lower wall of the case 18, and an ink supply port 20 through which ink can be drawn is formed at the tip of the cylindrical part 19. Further, the cylinder portion 19 includes a remaining ink amount detection unit 21 as a liquid amount detection unit capable of detecting the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 18a. Further, the upper wall of the case 18 is provided with an air communication hole 22 for communicating the inside of the ink chamber 18a containing the ink with the atmosphere, and the atmospheric pressure is applied to the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 18a. It is supposed to act.

An upstream and downstream valve 23 that can open and close the ink supply path 14 is provided upstream of the ink supply path 14.
When the ink cartridge 13 is connected to the ink supply path 14, an ink supply needle 24 as a connecting portion is provided so as to project from the ink supply port 20 to form the upstream end of the ink supply path 14. It is supposed to be inserted.

  The maintenance unit 15 includes a cap 25 that can contact the nozzle forming surface 12a so as to cover the nozzle opening 16, and a suction pump 26 that is driven to generate a negative pressure in the cap 25 as a negative pressure applying unit. A waste liquid tank 27 for storing ink sucked from the recording head 12 as the suction pump 26 is driven.

The control unit 28 controls the operation of the maintenance unit 15 and the opening / closing of the on-off valve 23 while monitoring the state of the remaining ink amount detecting unit 21.
The ink cartridge 13 is connected to the ink supply path 14 as an ink supply source, and the suction pump 26 is driven in a state where the cap 25 is moved from the state shown in FIG. Then, a negative pressure is generated in the internal space of the cap 25. As a result, cleaning is performed by sucking and discharging the thickened ink or the ink mixed with bubbles from the recording head 12 toward the waste liquid tank 27.

Next, choke suction, which is a kind of cleaning performed for the purpose of eliminating clogging of the nozzle openings 16 in the printer 11 configured as described above, will be described.
Choke suction is a state in which the inside of the recording head 12 is sucked by the suction pump 26 with the on-off valve 23 in the ink supply path 14 closed (choke state), and a high negative pressure is accumulated on the downstream side of the on-off valve 23. This is an operation of opening the on-off valve 23 (hereinafter referred to as choke release) and cleaning the inside of the recording head 12. According to such choke suction, the ink that flows at a stroke by the accumulated high negative pressure can efficiently discharge thickened ink and bubbles that are difficult to be discharged by normal cleaning.
In choke suction, the amount of ink flow is determined by the accumulated negative pressure. However, since the actual ink flow is not performed before the opening / closing valve 23 is opened, the ink flow amount after opening the opening / closing valve 23 exceeds the remaining ink amount detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit, and the ink supply path There was a risk that air bubbles would flow into the ink in 14.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, an ink supply method including chalk suction as shown in FIG. 2 is performed. In the ink supply method of the present embodiment, the control unit 28 is roughly divided into a choke suction unit and a supply stop control unit.

  In the choke suction unit, first, in step S11, the cap 25 is moved to bring the recording head 12 into the capping state.

  In the subsequent step S12, the on-off valve 23 is closed to make the ink supply path 14 choked.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the suction pump 26 is driven to suck ink from the nozzle opening 16, thereby generating a negative pressure in the ink supply path 14.

  Next, in step S14, the on-off valve 23 is opened to release the choke. By this operation, the ink in the ink cartridge 13 flows toward the recording head 12 due to the negative pressure generated in the ink supply path 14 in the previous step S13.

  Next, the supply stop control unit will be described. First, in step S15, it is determined whether ink flow from the ink cartridge 13 to the recording head 12 has occurred. In the present embodiment, the determination is made based on the elapsed time from the choke release state in step S14. If the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time, it is assumed that ink flow has occurred (YES in step S15), and the process proceeds to step S16. move on. If the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, it is assumed that the ink flow by the choke suction has ended normally (NO in step S15), and this control is ended.

  In step S <b> 16, the remaining ink amount is detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit 21 while ink flow is occurring. If the remaining ink amount is greater than the predetermined amount (NO in step S17), the process returns to step S15 to determine whether ink flow has occurred. If the remaining ink amount is less than or equal to the predetermined amount (YES in step S17), the process proceeds to subsequent step S18.

  In the subsequent step S18, the ink flow in the ink supply path 14 is forcibly stopped by closing the on-off valve 23 and making it choke again. Then, an error is reported to notify the operator that the ink in the ink cartridge 13 has become a predetermined amount or less, and the series of ink supply methods is terminated.

As described above, according to the printer 11 according to the present embodiment, the ink supply path 14 is closed by closing the open / close valve before the bubbles flow into the ink supply path 14 due to the residual ink amount becoming extremely small. The inside of the ink supply path 14 can be blocked and bubbles can be prevented from flowing into the ink supply path 14.
In addition, since choke suction can be reliably performed regardless of the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 13, for example, even when the amount of ink is less than a predetermined amount, foreign matter such as air bubbles flows into the ink supply path. Can be provided, and a printer (inkjet recording apparatus) 11 that can realize stable ejection of ink droplets and an ink supply method using the same can be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an ink supply method including chalk suction according to the second embodiment. In addition, about the same component as the said Embodiment 1, a control method, etc., the same number is used and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this embodiment, control as shown in FIG. 3 is performed. The control unit 28 is roughly divided into a choke suction unit and a supply stop control unit.

  Also in the ink supply method of the second embodiment, steps S21 to S24, which are the control flow in the choke suction unit, perform the same control as steps S11 to S14 of FIG.

  Next, the supply stop control unit in the ink supply method of Embodiment 2 will be described. First, in step S25, it is determined whether ink flow from the ink cartridge 13 to the recording head 12 has occurred. In this embodiment, the determination is based on the accumulated elapsed time in the choke release state in step S24, and the time in the choke state in the subsequent processing is not counted as the elapsed time. If the accumulated elapsed time in the choke state is less than the predetermined time (YES in step S25), it is determined that ink flow has occurred and the process proceeds to step S26. If the accumulated elapsed time in the choke state is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (NO in step S25), the ink supply method is terminated assuming that the ink flow by the choke suction has been normally completed.

  In step S26, the on-off valve 23 is closed to change the choke state from the choke release state to stop the ink flow.

Next, in step S27, the remaining ink amount is detected by the remaining ink amount detector 21 while the ink flow is occurring. If it is determined that the remaining ink amount is greater than the predetermined amount (NO in step S28), the process proceeds to step S29.
If it is determined that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount (YES in step S28), an error is reported to notify the operator that the ink in the ink cartridge 13 has decreased to the predetermined amount or less, and the ink supply method is terminated. To do.
In step S28, the on-off valve 23 is opened and the choke is released again to forcibly stop the ink flow, and the process returns to step S25.

  As described above, according to the ink supply method according to the present embodiment, when the remaining ink amount is detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit 21, the ink supply path 14 is closed. The remaining ink amount does not change. Therefore, it is possible to apply a method that takes time for detection as a detection method of the remaining ink amount detection unit 21 and it is possible to improve detection accuracy by repeatedly performing detection.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an ink supply method including chalk suction according to the third embodiment. In addition, about the component same as Embodiment 1, the same number is used and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the printer 11 ′ illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a display unit 29 that displays information that prompts the operator to replace the ink cartridge 13. The display unit 29 is connected to the remaining ink amount detection unit 21 via the control unit 28, and information displayed on the display unit 29 is controlled according to the result of the remaining ink amount detection unit 21.

  In the ink supply method using the printer 11 ′ in this embodiment shown in FIG. 4, control as shown in FIG. 5 is performed. In the ink supply method of the present embodiment, the control unit 28 is roughly divided into a choke suction unit, a supply stop control unit, and a supply resumption control unit.

  Also in the ink supply method of the third embodiment, steps S31 to S34, which are control flows in the choke suction unit, perform the same control as steps S11 to S14 of FIG.

  Next, a control method in the supply stop control unit in the ink supply method of Embodiment 3 will be described. First, in step S35, the supply stop control unit determines whether or not ink flow has occurred by the same method as in step S25 shown in FIG. If ink flow has occurred (YES in step S35), the process proceeds to step S36. If the accumulated elapsed time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (NO in step S35), the control is terminated assuming that the ink flow by the choke suction has been normally completed.

  In the subsequent step S36, the remaining ink amount is detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit 21 by the same method as in step S16 in FIG. If the remaining ink amount is less than or equal to the predetermined amount (YES in step S37), step S38 is executed.

  In step S38, the on-off valve 23 is closed from the choke released state to make the choke state, the ink flow is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S39.

  Next, the supply restart control unit will be described. First, in step S39, the display unit 29 displays that the remaining amount of the currently installed ink cartridge is less than a predetermined amount and a new ink cartridge is necessary, and prompts the operator to replace the ink cartridge.

In the subsequent step S40, the remaining ink amount detection unit 21 is used to monitor the remaining ink amount periodically. If the ink cartridge is replaced by the operator and an ink cartridge with a remaining ink amount larger than the predetermined amount is connected (NO in step S41), the process proceeds to step S42.
If the remaining ink amount is detected to be less than the predetermined amount (YES in step S41), the process returns to step S40, periodically monitors the remaining ink amount, and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  Next, in step S42, the ink flow is resumed by opening the on-off valve 23 and releasing the choke. After the ink flow is resumed, the process returns to step S35, and the process of the ink supply method of this embodiment is continued.

  As described above, according to the printer 11 ′ according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the choke suction can be performed even with the ink cartridge 13 in which the remaining ink amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount after the chalk suction. Therefore, the ink in the ink cartridge 13 can be used efficiently.

  The embodiment of the present invention made by the inventor has been specifically described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the presence / absence of ink flow is determined based on the accumulated elapsed time has been described. A configuration may be adopted in which the presence / absence of ink flow is determined by using another index such as a change in an anemometer or a pressure gauge.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 11 '... Printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus), 12 ... Recording head as a liquid discharge head, 13 ... Ink cartridge as a liquid container, 14 ... Ink supply path as a liquid supply path, 15 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS Maintenance unit, 21 ... Residual ink amount detection unit as liquid amount detection unit, 23 ... Open / close valve, 24 ... Ink supply needle, 26 ... Suction pump, 26 ... Suction pump, 28 ... Control unit, 29 ... Display unit

Claims (5)

A nozzle for discharging liquid;
A liquid supply path that detachably connects a liquid container that contains the liquid, and that connects the nozzle and the liquid container when the liquid container is connected to the connection;
A negative pressure applying unit capable of applying a negative pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply path through the nozzle;
An on-off valve disposed in the liquid supply path and capable of opening and closing the liquid supply path;
A liquid amount detection unit capable of detecting the amount of the liquid in the liquid container;
The on-off valve is closed to close the liquid supply path, the negative pressure applying unit applies a negative pressure to the liquid supply path, the on-off valve is opened to release the obstruction of the liquid supply path, and the liquid amount A control unit that closes the on-off valve when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the detection unit is a predetermined amount or less;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
The controller closes the open / close valve to close the liquid supply path, applies a negative pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply path by the negative pressure applying section, and opens / closes the open / close valve to open / close the liquid. Opening and closing of the supply path is repeated, and the opening and closing of the on-off valve is stopped when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit when the liquid supply path is closed is less than a predetermined amount A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
With a display,
The control unit displays a display prompting replacement of the liquid container or filling of the liquid container when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The on-off valve is opened when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount in the state where the display unit is closed and the on-off valve is closed. A liquid ejecting apparatus. A nozzle that discharges the liquid; and a connection that removably connects the liquid container that stores the liquid, and the nozzle and the liquid container communicate with each other when the liquid container is connected to the connection. A liquid supply path to be provided, a negative pressure applying unit capable of applying a negative pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply path via the nozzle, and the liquid supply path that can be opened and closed. A liquid supply method for a liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: an on-off valve; and a liquid amount detection unit capable of detecting the amount of the liquid in the liquid container.
The on-off valve is closed to close the liquid supply path, the negative pressure applying unit applies a negative pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply path, and the on-off valve is opened to release the liquid supply path from being blocked. A liquid supply method comprising: a supply stop step of closing the on-off valve when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit is a predetermined amount or less. The liquid supply method according to claim 4,
After the supply stop step, when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container detected by the liquid amount detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount, the supply valve is opened to release the blockage of the liquid supply path. A liquid supply method comprising a step.

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