JP2018034378A - Liquid supply device and liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid supply device capable of suppressing occurrence of a period when liquid cannot be supplied from an intermediate storage body storing the liquid supplied from a liquid supply source to a liquid injection section, and a liquid injection device.SOLUTION: A liquid supply device 100 comprises: a first liquid flow passage 151 capable of supplying liquid toward a liquid injection section 41; a first intermediate storage body 121 provided on the first liquid flow passage 151; a second liquid flow passage 152 capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid injection section 41 without passing through the first intermediate storage body 121; a second intermediate storage body 122 provided on the second liquid flow passage 152; a pressure adjustment mechanism 140 capable of adjusting pressures in the first intermediate storage body 121 and in the second intermediate storage body 122; and a control section decompressing an inside of one intermediate storage body of the first intermediate storage body 121 and the second intermediate storage body 122, and controlling the pressure adjustment mechanism 140 such that the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the one intermediate storage body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, a recording apparatus that prints characters and images by ejecting ink onto a sheet from a recording head (liquid ejecting unit) is known. In such a recording apparatus, a sub tank (intermediate storage body) that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head, a main tank (liquid supply source) that stores ink to be supplied to the sub tank, and the sub tank and the main tank are connected. Some include an ink supply path and a decompression pump that decompresses the inside of the sub tank (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this recording apparatus, the sub tank is depressurized by the operation of the decompression pump, so that ink is supplied (supplemented) from the main ink tank to the sub tank via the ink supply path. Subsequently, when the supply of ink to the sub-tank is completed, the sub-tank is released from the decompressed state, so that ink can be supplied from the sub-tank to the print head, and printing by the print head is performed.

JP 2000-263807 A

  However, in the recording apparatus as described above, the ink stored in the sub tank cannot be supplied to the recording head because the inside of the sub tank is depressurized while the ink is supplied to the sub tank. That is, in the recording apparatus as described above, the recording head cannot perform printing while supplying ink to the sub tank.

  Such a situation is not limited to the recording apparatus, but also in a liquid supply apparatus that supplies liquid to the liquid injection section from an intermediate storage body that stores liquid supplied from a liquid supply source, and a liquid injection apparatus that includes the liquid supply apparatus. It is almost common.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply device and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of a period during which liquid cannot be supplied from the intermediate reservoir that stores the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid ejecting unit. .

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A liquid supply device that solves the above problems includes a first liquid channel that can supply the liquid toward a liquid ejecting unit that ejects the liquid, and a first liquid channel that is provided in the first liquid channel and stores the liquid. An intermediate reservoir, a second liquid channel capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit without going through the first intermediate reservoir, and a second liquid channel provided in the second liquid channel, and storing the liquid A second intermediate storage body and a liquid supply source that stores the liquid, and the first intermediate body that can supply the liquid stored in the liquid supply source to the first intermediate storage body and the second intermediate storage body. A liquid supply source holding unit connected to the reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir, a pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting a pressure in the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir, and the first intermediate reservoir And depressurizing one of the second intermediate reservoirs, Provided from the liquid supply source to the intermediate reservoir and a control unit for controlling the pressure adjusting mechanism so that the liquid is supplied.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid is supplied from the first intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejecting unit via the first liquid channel, or the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting unit from the second intermediate reservoir via the second liquid channel. Or can be supplied. When the amount of liquid stored in the first intermediate reservoir or the second intermediate reservoir is reduced, the first intermediate reservoir or the second intermediate reservoir is depressurized by the pressure adjustment mechanism, whereby the first Liquid can be supplied from the liquid supply source to the intermediate reservoir or the second intermediate reservoir.

  That is, when the liquid is supplied to one intermediate reservoir by depressurizing one of the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir, the other intermediate reservoir is depressurized. There is nothing. That is, when the liquid is supplied to one intermediate reservoir, the liquid can be supplied from the other intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejecting unit. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a period during which the liquid cannot be supplied from the intermediate storage body that stores the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid ejecting unit.

  The liquid supply device includes a first check valve provided in the first liquid flow path, allowing the flow of the liquid toward the liquid ejecting unit and restricting the flow of the liquid toward the first intermediate reservoir. A second check valve provided in the second liquid flow path and allowing the flow of the liquid toward the liquid ejecting section and restricting the flow of the liquid toward the second intermediate reservoir; and the liquid supply source The liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir is connected to a position between the first intermediate reservoir and the first check valve so that the liquid can be supplied to the first intermediate reservoir. A liquid channel, and a third check valve provided in the third liquid channel and allowing the flow of the liquid toward the first intermediate reservoir and restricting the flow of the liquid toward the liquid supply source; The second liquid stored in the liquid supply source can be supplied to the second intermediate reservoir. A fourth liquid channel connected to a position of the body channel between the second intermediate reservoir and the second check valve; the second liquid channel provided in the fourth liquid channel; And a fourth check valve that permits the flow of the liquid toward the liquid and restricts the flow of the liquid toward the liquid supply source.

  According to the above configuration, when the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source to the first intermediate reservoir, the first check valve suppresses the liquid from flowing from the liquid ejecting unit to the first intermediate reservoir. The 4 check valve prevents the liquid from flowing from the second intermediate reservoir to the first intermediate reservoir. In addition, when the liquid is supplied from the first intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejecting unit, the third check valve prevents the liquid from flowing from the first intermediate reservoir to the liquid supply source, and the second check valve This suppresses the liquid from flowing from the first intermediate reservoir to the second intermediate reservoir. The same applies to the case where the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source to the second intermediate reservoir and the case where the liquid is supplied from the second intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejecting unit, except that the functioning check valve is different. .

  Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the liquid supply operation from the liquid supply source to the one intermediate storage body from affecting the liquid ejecting unit and the other intermediate storage body. Moreover, it can suppress that the supply operation | movement of the liquid from one intermediate storage body to a liquid injection part influences the other intermediate storage body.

  The liquid supply device can switch between a valve open state that allows the flow of the liquid in the first liquid flow path and a valve closed state that blocks the flow of the liquid in the first liquid flow path. A second on-off valve capable of switching between an on-off valve and a valve-opened state allowing the liquid flow in the second liquid flow path and a valve-closed state blocking the liquid flow in the second liquid flow path The first intermediate reservoir is provided so as to be separable from the first liquid channel, and the second intermediate reservoir is provided so as to be separable from the second liquid channel. It is preferable.

  According to the above configuration, the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir can be detached from the liquid supply device in order to exchange the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir. Further, when removing the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir from the liquid supply device, the first liquid channel and the second liquid are set by closing the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve. The liquid can be prevented from leaking from the flow path.

  In the liquid supply apparatus, the first intermediate storage body and the second intermediate storage body store a liquid storage portion formed in a bag shape with a flexible member so as to be able to store the liquid, and the liquid storage portion. And a liquid connection port connected to a corresponding liquid flow channel among the first liquid flow channel and the second liquid flow channel. Preferably, the case is provided with a pressure adjustment port through which the accommodation space and the pressure adjustment mechanism can communicate with each other, and the pressure adjustment mechanism adjusts the pressure of the accommodation space.

  According to the configuration described above, the liquid can be supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid storage portion by increasing the volume of the liquid storage portion as the pressure adjusting mechanism depressurizes the storage space. In addition, the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion is difficult to touch the outside air, and the possibility that the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion is altered by touching the outside air can be reduced.

  The liquid supply device is configured to supply the liquid from the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejector, and the liquid ejector of the first liquid channel and the second liquid channel. At least one of a common liquid channel connected to the side end portion and a flexible wall provided in the common liquid channel and capable of storing the liquid and deformable by a pressure change in the pressure chamber. And a hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism having a pressure chamber in which the portion is formed.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid pressure adjusting mechanism can suppress the pressure fluctuation of the liquid flowing in the common liquid flow path, and can stably supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit. For example, when the pressure of the liquid flowing in the liquid flow path such as the first liquid flow path and the second liquid flow path occurs when supplying the liquid from the liquid supply source to the intermediate reservoir, the volume of the pressure chamber As a result, the influence on the downstream side of the hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism can be suppressed.

  The liquid supply device includes a filter unit that is provided on the upstream side of the liquid pressure adjusting mechanism of the common liquid channel and includes a filter that collects foreign matters in the liquid and a filter chamber that houses the filter. It is preferable to provide.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid containing the foreign matter from being supplied to the liquid ejecting unit and the fluid pressure adjusting mechanism.
In the liquid supply apparatus, the control unit controls the pressure adjustment mechanism so as to depressurize one intermediate reservoir of the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir and pressurize the other intermediate reservoir. It is preferable to control.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid can be supplied from the other intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejecting unit while the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source to the one intermediate reservoir. For this reason, the liquid can be continuously supplied to the liquid ejecting unit.

  The liquid supply device is provided on the upstream side of the hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism in the common liquid flow path, and is a pressurizing chamber capable of storing the liquid, and the liquid stored in the pressurizing chamber is stored in the intermediate reservoir. It is preferable to provide a pressurizing chamber that pressurizes at a pressure lower than the pressure at which the is pressurized.

  When a large amount of liquid is consumed in a short time in the liquid ejecting unit, the amount of liquid supplied from the intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejecting unit is reduced by the pressure loss in the flow path from the intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejecting unit. It may become impossible to keep up with the amount of liquid consumed in the section. In this regard, in the above configuration, since the pressurizing chamber is provided on the upstream side of the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism, the amount of liquid supplied from the intermediate reservoir to the liquid ejecting unit cannot catch up with the amount of liquid consumed in the liquid ejecting unit. When the pressure of the liquid in the pressurizing chamber decreases, the liquid is supplied from the pressure chamber to the liquid ejecting unit. For this reason, it is possible to stably supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit.

  A liquid supply apparatus that solves the above problems includes a liquid ejecting unit that ejects a liquid, a first liquid channel that can supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit, and the first liquid channel. A first intermediate reservoir to be stored; a second liquid channel capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit without passing through the first intermediate reservoir; and the liquid provided in the second liquid channel. A second intermediate storage body that stores the liquid and a liquid supply source that stores the liquid, and the liquid stored in the liquid supply source can be supplied to the first intermediate storage body and the second intermediate storage body A liquid supply source holding unit connected to the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir, a pressure adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting a pressure in the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir, and One intermediate reservoir and one intermediate reservoir are reduced. And, and a control unit for controlling the pressure adjusting mechanism so that the liquid from the liquid supply source to one of the intermediate reservoir the is supplied.

  According to the above configuration, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the liquid supply apparatus described above.

1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid supply device included in the liquid ejecting apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the modification of the intermediate | middle storage body with which the said liquid supply apparatus is provided.

  Hereinafter, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment is an ink jet printer that prints characters and images by ejecting ink as an example of liquid onto a medium such as paper. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment is also a large format printer that performs printing on a long medium.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 feeds a pair of legs 11, a casing 12 assembled on the legs 11, and a medium M wound around a roll body toward the inside of the casing 12. A guide unit 14 for guiding the medium M discharged from the housing 12, and a winding unit 15 for winding the medium M guided by the guide unit 14 around a roll body. Further, the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 includes a tension applying mechanism 16 that applies tension to the medium M wound around the winding unit 15 and an operation panel 17 operated by a user.

  In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 is the “width direction”, the depth direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 is the “front-rear direction”, and the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 is also the longitudinal direction of the legs 11. Is “vertical direction”. Here, the width direction, the front-rear direction, and the vertical direction are directions orthogonal to each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 includes a support base 20 that supports the medium M, a transport unit 30 that transports the medium M, a printing unit 40 that performs printing on the medium M, and a printing unit 40. A maintenance unit 50 that performs maintenance of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 and a control unit 60 that controls the operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 includes a liquid supply apparatus 100 that supplies liquid to the printing unit 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support base 20 extends in the width direction of the medium M orthogonal to (intersects with) the transport direction of the medium M. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 30 includes transport roller pairs 31 and 32 disposed on both sides of the support base 20 in the transport direction. The conveyance roller pair 31 and 32 is driven by a conveyance motor (not shown), so that the medium M sandwiched between the conveyance roller pair 31 and 32 is conveyed in the conveyance direction along the surface of the support base 20.

  The printing unit 40 includes a liquid ejecting unit 41 that ejects liquid, a guide shaft 42 that extends along the width direction, and a carriage 43 that is guided by the guide shaft 42 and can reciprocate in the width direction. ing. The carriage 43 moves as the carriage motor (not shown) is driven.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid ejecting section 41 includes an individual liquid chamber 411 communicating with the nozzle 44, a storage section 413 partitioned by the individual liquid chamber 411 and the diaphragm 412, and an actuator 414 stored in the storage section 413. And. The liquid ejecting unit 41 includes a common liquid chamber 415 that temporarily stores the supplied liquid and supplies the liquid to the plurality of individual liquid chambers 411, and a filter 416 that filters the liquid flowing into the common liquid chamber 415. I have.

  The actuator 414 is, for example, a piezoelectric element that contracts when a driving voltage is applied. After the vibration plate 412 is deformed in accordance with the contraction of the actuator 414, when the application of the driving voltage is canceled, the liquid in the individual liquid chamber 411 whose volume has changed is ejected from the nozzle 44 as droplets.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the maintenance part 50 is provided in the area | region adjacent to the support stand 20 in the width direction. The maintenance unit 50 includes a wiping mechanism 52 having a wiping member 51 for wiping the liquid ejecting unit 41, a flushing mechanism 54 having a liquid receiving unit 53 for receiving liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting unit 41, and a nozzle of the liquid ejecting unit 41. And a cap mechanism 56 having a cap 55 covering 44. The wiping mechanism 52, the flushing mechanism 54, and the cap mechanism 56 are arranged so as to be aligned in the movement direction of the carriage 43.

  The wiping mechanism 52 performs wiping to wipe the liquid ejecting portion 41 (nozzle surface) by moving the wiping member 51 relative to the liquid ejecting portion 41. The flushing mechanism 54 receives the discharged liquid in the liquid receiving portion 53 when performing flushing for discharging the droplet from the nozzle 44 for the purpose of preventing or eliminating clogging of the nozzle 44. The liquid receiving portion 53 can be constituted by, for example, a rotating endless belt. The cap mechanism 56 performs capping with the space where the nozzle 44 of the liquid ejecting unit 41 is opened as a closed space. The capping is performed to prevent the nozzle 44 of the liquid ejecting unit 41 from drying.

  Incidentally, the cap mechanism 56 further includes a suction pump for sucking the inside of the cap 55 in the cap 55, and the forcible pump is driven through the nozzle 44 of the liquid ejecting unit 41 by driving the suction pump in a capped state. The suction cleaning for discharging the liquid may be executable.

Next, the configuration on the upstream side of the liquid supply apparatus 100 will be described in detail.
In the following description, the upstream side and the downstream side are referred to along the liquid flow direction in the liquid supply apparatus 100. In addition, the liquid supply device 100 is provided for each type of liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting unit 41. For example, in the case of a printer, the liquid supply apparatus 100 is provided for each ink color.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a liquid supply source holding unit 102 that holds a liquid supply source 101 that is a liquid supply source for the liquid ejecting unit 41. The liquid supply source 101 only needs to have a configuration that can store liquid, and may be, for example, a replaceable cartridge type or a tank type that can be refilled with liquid. When the liquid supply source 101 is a cartridge type, the liquid supply source holding unit 102 preferably holds the liquid supply source 101 in a detachable manner. When the liquid supply source 101 is a tank type, The liquid supply source holding unit 102 preferably holds the liquid supply source 101 in a non-detachable manner.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a first intermediate storage body 121 (120) and a second intermediate storage body that store liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 101 on the downstream side of the liquid supply source 101. 122 (120). In addition, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a first intermediate reservoir holding part 131 that holds the first intermediate reservoir 121, a second intermediate reservoir holding part 132 that holds the second intermediate reservoir 122, and the intermediate reservoir 120. And a pressure adjusting mechanism 140 for adjusting the internal pressure.

  The liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a first liquid channel 151 having an upstream end connected to the first intermediate reservoir 121, a second liquid channel 152 having an upstream end connected to the second intermediate reservoir 122, A third liquid channel 153 having a downstream end connected to the first liquid channel 151 and a fourth liquid channel 154 having a downstream end connected to the second liquid channel 152 are provided. In addition, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a supply flow channel 155 that connects the downstream ends of the first liquid flow channel 151 and the second liquid flow channel 152 and the liquid ejection unit 41, a third liquid flow channel 153, and a fourth liquid flow. And a replenishment flow path 156 that connects the upstream end of the channel 154 and the liquid supply source 101 (liquid supply source holding unit 102). Further, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a return flow path 157 that constitutes a circulation flow path 158 together with the supply flow path 155.

  Furthermore, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a first check valve 161, a first on-off valve 165, a first flow rate sensor 166 provided in the first liquid channel 151, and a second check valve provided in the second liquid channel 152. A valve 162, a second on-off valve 167, and a second flow rate sensor 168. In addition, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a third check valve 163 provided in the third liquid channel 153 and a fourth check valve 164 provided in the fourth liquid channel 154.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122 are provided corresponding to one liquid supply source 101. That is, in the present embodiment, the liquid supplied from one liquid supply source 101 is stored in the two intermediate storage bodies 120. It can also be said that the first intermediate reservoir 121 is provided in the first liquid channel 151, and the second intermediate reservoir 122 is provided in the second liquid channel 152.

  The first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122 include a liquid storage portion 123 that is formed in a bag shape with a flexible member so as to be able to store a liquid, and a storage space 124 that stores the liquid storage portion 123. And a case 125 to be formed. The liquid storage part 123 is provided with a liquid connection port 126 that allows the inside of the liquid storage part 123 to communicate with the first liquid channel 151. Further, the case 125 is provided with a pressure adjustment port 127 through which the accommodation space 124 and the pressure adjustment mechanism 140 can communicate. The accommodation space 124 of the case 125 is preferably a closed space, and it is preferable that gas does not flow in and out except for the pressure adjustment port 127.

  The upstream end of the first liquid channel 151 is connected to the first intermediate reservoir holding part 131, and the upstream end of the second liquid channel 152 is connected to the second intermediate reservoir holding part 132. In addition, the 1st intermediate | middle storage body holding | maintenance part 131 and the 2nd intermediate | middle storage body holding | maintenance part 132 hold | maintain the intermediate | middle storage body 120 so that attachment or detachment is possible. For this reason, by removing the 1st intermediate storage body 121 from the 1st intermediate storage body holding part 131, the 1st intermediate storage body 121 can be separated from the 1st liquid flow path 151, and the 2nd intermediate storage body 122 is made into 2nd. The second intermediate reservoir 122 can be separated from the second liquid channel 152 by being removed from the intermediate reservoir holding part 132.

  The pressure adjustment mechanism 140 includes a first pressure adjustment mechanism 141 that adjusts the pressure in the first intermediate reservoir 121 and a second pressure adjustment mechanism 142 that adjusts the pressure in the second intermediate reservoir 122. Yes. The first pressure adjustment mechanism 141 and the second pressure adjustment mechanism 142 include a pressure adjustment channel 143 that is connected to the pressure adjustment port 127 of the intermediate reservoir 120 without a gap, and a pressure adjustment pump 144 that is provided in the pressure adjustment channel 143. ,have. Then, the pressure adjusting mechanism 140 drives the pressure adjusting pump 144 to pressurize the inside of the intermediate reservoir 120 by sending gas to the accommodating space 124 of the case 125 or exhaust the gas from the accommodating space 124 of the case 125. Thus, the inside of the intermediate reservoir 120 is depressurized.

  In addition, since the pressure adjustment mechanism 140 is provided for each intermediate reservoir 120, the storage space 124 of one intermediate reservoir 120 of the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122 is pressurized. The accommodation space 124 of the other intermediate reservoir 120 can be decompressed. In the following description, pressurizing the storage space 124 of the intermediate reservoir 120 is also simply referred to as “pressurizing the interior of the intermediate reservoir 120”, and depressurizing the storage space 124 of the intermediate reservoir 120 is simply “intermediate”. It is also referred to as “depressurizing the interior of the reservoir 120”.

  The liquid flow paths such as the supply flow path 155, the first liquid flow path 151, the second liquid flow path 152, the third liquid flow path 153, the fourth liquid flow path 154, the replenishment flow path 156, and the return flow path 157 Any flow path that can flow is acceptable. For example, the liquid channel may be formed in an elastically deformable tube, may be formed in a channel forming member made of a hard resin material, or may be a groove. It may be formed by affixing a film member to the flow path forming member on which is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the downstream end of the third liquid channel 153 is located between the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the first check valve 161 in the first liquid channel 151. The first liquid channel 151 is connected to a position between the first on-off valve 165 and the first check valve 161. Further, the downstream end of the fourth liquid channel 154 is located between the second intermediate reservoir 122 and the second check valve 162 of the second liquid channel 152, specifically, the second liquid channel 152. It is connected to a position between the second on-off valve 167 and the second check valve 162. The return flow path 157 has one end connected to the liquid ejecting unit 41 and the other end connected to the supply flow path 155. In the present embodiment, the supply flow path 155 is connected to the end of the first liquid flow path 151 and the second liquid flow path 152 on the liquid ejecting section 41 side. It corresponds to an example.

  Thus, the supply channel 155, the first liquid channel 151, and the second liquid channel 152 are liquid channels that connect the intermediate reservoir 120 and the liquid ejecting unit 41, and the intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41. This is a flow path capable of supplying liquid toward the nozzle 44. The third liquid channel 153, the fourth liquid channel 154, and the replenishment channel 156 are liquid channels that connect the liquid supply source 101 (liquid supply source holding unit 102) and the intermediate reservoir 120. It is a flow path that can supply (replenish) liquid to the reservoir 120.

  The first flow sensor 166 detects the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the first liquid channel 151, and the second flow sensor 168 detects the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the second liquid channel 152. The first flow sensor 166 and the second flow sensor 168 may be electromagnetic flowmeters, Coriolis flowmeters, or ultrasonic flowmeters. However, other flowmeters may be used.

  The first on-off valve 165 is a valve capable of switching between a valve open state that allows the flow of liquid in the first liquid channel 151 and a valve closed state that blocks the flow of liquid in the first liquid channel 151. It is. Further, the second on-off valve 167 can switch between a valve open state that allows the flow of the liquid in the second liquid channel 152 and a valve closed state that blocks the flow of the liquid in the second liquid channel 152. It is a good valve.

  When the first on-off valve 165 is in the closed state when the first intermediate reservoir 121 is removed from the first intermediate reservoir holding part 131, the liquid leaks from the upstream end of the first liquid channel 151. Suppress. Similarly, when the second intermediate reservoir 122 is removed from the second intermediate reservoir holding part 132, the second on-off valve 167 is in a valve-closed state so that the liquid can be supplied from the upstream end of the second liquid channel 152. Suppresses leakage.

  The first on-off valve 165 and the second on-off valve 167 may be, for example, an electromagnetic valve (solenoid valve) that opens and closes a valve by a solenoid, or an electric valve that opens and closes a valve by an electric motor. Further, it may be a fluid pressure valve that opens and closes the valve by a fluid pressure cylinder, or may be another control valve.

  The first check valve 161 allows the flow of liquid from the first intermediate reservoir 121 toward the liquid ejecting section 41 in the first liquid flow path 151, while traveling from the liquid ejecting section 41 toward the first intermediate reservoir 121. Regulate the flow of liquid. The second check valve 162 allows the flow of liquid from the second intermediate reservoir 122 toward the liquid ejecting unit 41 in the second liquid flow path 152, while traveling from the liquid ejecting unit 41 toward the second intermediate reservoir 122. Regulate the flow of liquid.

  The third check valve 163 allows the flow of liquid from the liquid supply source 101 toward the first intermediate reservoir 121 in the third liquid channel 153, while from the first intermediate reservoir 121 to the liquid supply source 101. Regulates the flow of liquid toward The fourth check valve 164 allows the flow of liquid from the liquid supply source 101 toward the second intermediate reservoir 122 in the fourth liquid channel 154, while moving from the second intermediate reservoir 122 toward the liquid supply source 101. Regulate the flow of liquid.

Next, the configuration on the downstream side of the liquid supply apparatus 100 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a filter unit 210, a static mixer 220, a liquid storage unit 230, a deaeration mechanism 240, and a hydraulic pressure adjustment toward the downstream side in the supply flow path 155. And a mechanism 250. In addition, the liquid supply apparatus 100 includes a circulation pump 270 in the return channel 157.

  The filter unit 210 is provided on the upstream side of the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250. The filter unit 210 includes a filter 211 that collects foreign matters in the liquid flowing through the supply flow path 155, and a filter chamber 212 that houses the filter 211. It is preferable that the filter unit 210 be replaceable because the ability to collect foreign substances decreases as the usage time increases. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the filter unit 210 is preferably provided at a position exposed from the housing 12 when the cover 18 provided on the housing 12 is opened.

  The static mixer 220 is provided on the downstream side of the filter unit 210. The static mixer 220 includes a plurality of configurations that divide the liquid flow in the liquid flow direction. The static mixer 220 divides, converts, or reverses the liquid flowing through the static mixer 220, thereby reducing the concentration deviation in the liquid.

  The liquid reservoir 230 is provided on the upstream side of the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 and on the downstream side of the static mixer 220. The liquid reservoir 230 biases the elastic film 232 in a direction to reduce the volume of the pressurizing chamber 231 that stores the liquid, the elastic film 232 that constitutes a part of the wall surface of the pressurizing chamber 231, and the pressurizing chamber 231. A first urging member 233. Thus, in the liquid reservoir 230, the pressurizing chamber 231 pressurizes the liquid stored in the pressurizing chamber 231.

  Here, the pressurizing chamber 231 has a pressure (for example, 30 kPa) lower than a pressure (for example, 30 kPa) at which the intermediate reservoir 120 is pressurized when supplying the liquid stored in the pressurizing chamber 231 to the liquid ejecting unit 41. For example, pressure is applied at 10 kPa). Specifically, the pressure acting on the liquid stored in the pressurizing chamber 231 by the elastic film 232 biased by the first biasing member 233 supplies the liquid from the intermediate reservoir 120 toward the liquid ejecting portion 41. The pressure adjusting mechanism 140 is lower than the pressure that acts on the intermediate reservoir 120. For this reason, when the supply pressure of the liquid from the intermediate reservoir 120 does not decrease to the liquid reservoir 230, the volume of the pressurizing chamber 231 increases against the biasing force of the first biasing member 233. The elastic film 232 is displaced in the direction.

  The deaeration mechanism 240 is provided on the downstream side of the liquid storage unit 230. The deaeration mechanism 240 includes a deaeration chamber 241 that temporarily stores liquid, a deaeration membrane 242 (gas-liquid separation membrane) that allows gas to pass but does not allow liquid to pass, and a deaeration chamber via the deaeration membrane 242. A decompression chamber 243 that is partitioned from the decompression chamber 241, a decompression channel 244 that communicates with the decompression chamber 243, and a decompression pump 245 that decompresses the decompression chamber 243.

  In the deaeration mechanism 240, the decompression chamber 243 is disposed vertically above the deaeration chamber 241. The deaeration mechanism 240 removes bubbles and dissolved gas mixed in the liquid stored in the deaeration chamber 241 by reducing the pressure in the decompression chamber 243 through the decompression channel 244 by driving the decompression pump 245. In addition, when the pressure of the decompression chamber 243 can be made lower than the pressure of the deaeration chamber 241 by using an urging member such as a spring, the decompression pump 245 may not be provided.

  The hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 is provided on the downstream side of the deaeration mechanism 240. The hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism 250 includes a supply chamber 251 provided in the middle of the supply flow path 155, a pressure chamber 253 that can communicate with the supply chamber 251 through the communication hole 252, and a valve body that can open and close the communication hole 252. 254 and a pressure receiving member 255 whose base end side is accommodated in the supply chamber 251 and whose distal end side is accommodated in the pressure chamber 253. The hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 includes a filter 256 that filters the liquid flowing into the supply chamber 251.

  The supply chamber 251 and the pressure chamber 253 can store liquid. A part of the wall surface of the pressure chamber 253 is formed by a flexible wall 257 that can be deflected and displaced. The valve body 254 may be an elastic body such as rubber or resin attached to the proximal end portion of the pressure receiving member 255 located in the supply chamber 251, for example.

  The hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 includes a second urging member 258 accommodated in the supply chamber 251 and a third urging member 259 accommodated in the pressure chamber 253. The second urging member 258 urges the valve body 254 in a direction to close the communication hole 252 via the pressure receiving member 255. The third urging member 259 flexes and displaces the flexible wall 257 in the direction of reducing the volume of the pressure chamber 253, thereby pushing back the pressure receiving member 255 when the flexible wall 257 presses the pressure receiving member 255.

  Therefore, when the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 253 decreases and the force by which the flexible wall 257 pushes the pressure receiving member 255 exceeds the urging force of the second urging member 258 and the third urging member 259, the valve body 254 is The communication hole 252 is opened. When the communication hole 252 is opened and the liquid flows from the supply chamber 251 into the pressure chamber 253, the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 253 increases. As a result, the valve body 254 closes the communication hole 252 by the urging force of the third urging member 259 before the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 253 increases to a positive pressure. Thus, the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 253 is maintained in a negative pressure range corresponding to the urging force of the third urging member 259. Further, the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 253 decreases as the liquid is discharged from the liquid ejecting unit 41. The valve body 254 autonomously opens and closes the communication hole 252 according to the pressure difference between the external pressure (atmospheric pressure) of the pressure chamber 253 and the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 253. Therefore, the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 is also referred to as a differential pressure valve (or a self-sealing valve).

  A valve opening mechanism 260 that forcibly opens the communication hole 252 and supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 41 may be added to the hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism 250. For example, the valve opening mechanism 260 includes a pressurization bag 262 housed in a housing chamber 261 separated from the pressure chamber 253 by a flexible wall 257, and a pressurization flow path 263 that allows gas to flow into the pressurization bag 262. I have.

  The pressurizing bag 262 is expanded by the gas flowing in through the pressurizing flow path 263, and the flexible wall 257 is bent and displaced in a direction to reduce the volume of the pressure chamber 253, thereby forcibly opening the communication hole 252. When the valve opening mechanism 260 forcibly opens the communication hole 252, it is possible to perform pressure cleaning that causes the pressurized liquid to flow out from the liquid ejecting unit 41.

  In this case, the pressurizing flow path 263 may be connected to the decompression flow path 244 and the decompression pump 245 may be configured to be capable of driving both pressurization and decompression. That is, a check valve 246 is provided in the decompression flow path 244, and the decompression pump 245 is driven to pressurize to send gas to the pressurization bag 262, and the decompression pump 245 is decompressed to decompress the decompression chamber 243. May be.

  The circulation pump 270 causes the liquid to flow from the common liquid chamber 415 toward the supply channel 155. Then, by driving the circulation pump 270, the liquid is circulated in the circulation channel 158 constituted by the supply channel 155 and the return channel 157. In this way, foreign substances such as bubbles are captured by the filters 211, 256, and 416 provided in the circulation flow path 158. Further, when the liquid contains a sediment component such as a pigment, the liquid is circulated or passed through the static mixer 220, whereby the liquid is stirred to suppress uneven concentration.

Next, the electrical configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 will be described.
A first flow rate sensor 166 and a second flow rate sensor 168 are connected to the input side interface of the control unit 60. Further, the output side interface of the control unit 60 includes a transport unit 30, an actuator 414, a wiping mechanism 52, a flushing mechanism 54, a cap mechanism 56, a pressure adjustment pump 144, a first on-off valve 165, a second on-off valve 167, and a decompression pump. 245 and a circulation pump 270 are connected.

  And the control part 60 pressurizes the liquid storage part 123 of the intermediate | middle storage body 120 by driving the pressure adjustment mechanism 140 so that gas may be sent out to the storage space 124 of the intermediate | middle storage body 120, and the intermediate | middle storage body 120. The liquid contained in the liquid is supplied toward the liquid ejecting unit 41. Further, the control unit 60 drives the pressure adjusting mechanism 140 so that the gas is discharged from the storage space 124 of the intermediate reservoir 120, thereby depressurizing the liquid storage unit 123 of the intermediate reservoir 120, and the liquid supply source 101. The liquid stored in the tank is supplied toward the intermediate reservoir 120.

  Moreover, when pressurizing the inside of one intermediate reservoir 120 of the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122, the control unit 60 restricts pressurization of the other intermediate reservoir 120. . That is, when the controller 60 supplies liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 41 from one intermediate reservoir 120 of the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122, the liquid ejecting from the other intermediate reservoir 120 is performed. The supply of liquid to the unit 41 is restricted.

  In addition, when the pressure in one intermediate reservoir 120 of the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122 is reduced, the control unit 60 restricts the pressure in the other intermediate reservoir 120 from being reduced. That is, when supplying (supplementing) the liquid from the liquid supply source 101 to the one intermediate storage body 120 of the first intermediate storage body 121 and the second intermediate storage body 122, the control unit 60 supplies the other from the liquid supply source 101. The supply (replenishment) of liquid to the intermediate storage body 120 is restricted.

  Further, the controller 60 calculates the amount of liquid stored in the intermediate reservoir 120 based on the detection results of the flow sensors 166 and 168. Specifically, when the liquid is flowing into the intermediate reservoir 120 based on the detection results of the flow sensors 166 and 168, the controller 60 stores the liquid amount corresponding to the flow rate in the intermediate reservoir 120. On the other hand, when the liquid is flowing out from the intermediate reservoir 120, the liquid amount corresponding to the flow rate is subtracted from the liquid amount stored in the intermediate reservoir 120. Thus, the control unit 60 grasps the amount of liquid stored in the intermediate reservoir 120. When the flow sensors 166 and 168 cannot distinguish the flowing direction of the liquid, the control unit 60 may determine the flowing direction of the liquid according to the driving mode of the pressure adjusting mechanism 140.

  By the way, when the liquid is supplied from the one intermediate reservoir 120 of the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122 to the liquid ejecting portion 41, the amount of liquid stored in the one intermediate reservoir 120 is In some cases, the liquid volume is less than a liquid volume determination value indicating that the liquid volume is small. In this case, the control unit 60 stops the supply of the liquid from the one intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41, starts the supply of the liquid from the other intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41, and The supply of the liquid from the supply source 101 to the one intermediate reservoir 120 is started. In addition, when switching the supply source (intermediate reservoir 120) of the liquid with respect to the liquid ejecting unit 41, in order to suppress a decrease in the supply amount of the liquid with respect to the liquid ejecting unit 41, the control unit 60 includes both A period during which the liquid is supplied from the reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41 may be provided.

  The case where the amount of liquid stored in the intermediate reservoir 120 is less than the liquid amount determination value means that the amount of liquid stored in the intermediate reservoir 120 is “0 (zero)” (for example, the ink end Or the case where the amount of liquid stored in the intermediate reservoir 120 is close to “0 (zero)” (for example, in the case of ink near end). That is, the case where the amount of liquid stored in the intermediate reservoir 120 becomes less than the liquid amount determination value is a case where liquid cannot be stably supplied from the intermediate reservoir 120 toward the liquid ejecting unit 41. . For this reason, the liquid amount determination value is set in advance according to the maximum liquid amount that can be stored in the intermediate reservoir 120, the ability of the pressure adjustment mechanism 140, and the like.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, when the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the one intermediate reservoir 120 by depressurizing the inside of the intermediate reservoir 120, the inside of the other intermediate reservoir 120 is pressurized. As a result, the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 41. However, when the amount of liquid stored in one intermediate reservoir 120 becomes the maximum, the decompression in one intermediate reservoir 120 may be stopped. Furthermore, in this case, the on-off valve (the first on-off valve 165 or the second on-off valve 167) corresponding to one intermediate reservoir 120 may be closed.

Next, the operation of the liquid supply apparatus 100 (liquid ejecting apparatus 10) of the present embodiment will be described.
In the following description, it is assumed that the liquid amount stored in the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122 is the maximum when the liquid ejecting unit 41 starts ejecting the liquid. In addition, it is assumed that the liquid supply source for the liquid ejecting unit 41 is the first intermediate reservoir 121.

  When the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 ejects liquid onto the medium M, the liquid is supplied toward the liquid ejecting section 41 by pressurizing the first intermediate reservoir 121 by the first pressure adjusting mechanism 141. Is done. Specifically, the liquid supplied from the first intermediate reservoir 121 toward the liquid ejecting unit 41 flows through the first liquid channel 151 that branches into the second liquid channel 152 and the third liquid channel 153. Here, since the second check channel 162 and the third check valve 163 are provided in the second liquid channel 152 and the third liquid channel 153, the liquid ejecting unit 41 from the first intermediate reservoir 121. It is suppressed that the liquid supplied toward the liquid flows toward the liquid supply source 101 and the second intermediate reservoir 122.

  When the liquid is continuously consumed in the liquid ejecting unit 41 and the amount of liquid stored in the first intermediate storage body 121 becomes less than the liquid amount determination value, the second pressure adjustment mechanism 142 causes the second intermediate storage body 122 to store the liquid. The first intermediate reservoir 121 is depressurized by the first pressure adjustment mechanism 141. That is, the liquid supply source for the liquid ejecting unit 41 is switched from the first intermediate reservoir 121 to the second intermediate reservoir 122, and the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the first intermediate reservoir 121 in which the amount of stored liquid is reduced. Is done.

  Specifically, the liquid supplied from the second intermediate reservoir 122 toward the liquid ejecting unit 41 flows through the second liquid channel 152 that branches into the first liquid channel 151 and the fourth liquid channel 154. Here, since the first check channel 161 and the fourth check valve 164 are provided in the first liquid channel 151 and the fourth liquid channel 154, the liquid ejecting unit 41 is supplied from the second intermediate reservoir 122. It is suppressed that the liquid supplied toward the liquid flows toward the liquid supply source 101 and the first intermediate reservoir 121.

  The liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 101 toward the first intermediate reservoir 121 is connected to the fourth liquid channel 154, the third liquid channel 153 branched from the fourth liquid channel 154, and the supply channel 155. 151. Here, since the fourth check channel 164 is provided in the fourth liquid channel 154, the second intermediate reservoir 122 toward the first intermediate reservoir 121 via the fourth liquid channel 154. The liquid is suppressed from flowing. In addition, since the first check valve 161 is provided in the first liquid channel 151, the liquid flows from the liquid ejecting unit 41 side toward the first intermediate reservoir 121 via the first liquid channel 151. Flow is suppressed.

  And after the supply source of the liquid with respect to the liquid injection part 41 switches to the 2nd intermediate | middle storage body 122, the liquid quantity stored in the 2nd intermediate | middle storage body 122 is liquid because the liquid is continuously consumed in the liquid injection part 41. When the amount is less than the amount determination value, the liquid supply source for the liquid ejecting unit 41 is switched to the first intermediate reservoir 121. Further, the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the second intermediate reservoir 122 in which the amount of liquid to be stored is reduced.

  Thus, according to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the liquid amount stored in one of the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122 is less than the liquid amount determination value. Even if it exists, the liquid is supplied from the other intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41. In addition, by supplying the liquid from the liquid supply source 101 to the one intermediate reservoir 120 in which the amount of liquid to be stored is less than the liquid amount determination value, the amount of liquid to be stored is increased.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to this embodiment, liquid is supplied from the first intermediate reservoir 121 to the liquid ejecting unit 41 via the first liquid channel 151, or from the second intermediate reservoir 122 to the second liquid channel 152. The liquid can be supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 41 via the. In addition, when the amount of liquid stored in the first intermediate reservoir 121 or the second intermediate reservoir 122 decreases, the pressure adjustment mechanism 140 causes the first intermediate reservoir 121 or the second intermediate reservoir 122 to pass through. By reducing the pressure, the liquid can be supplied (supplemented) from the liquid supply source 101 to the first intermediate reservoir 121 or the second intermediate reservoir 122.

  That is, when liquid is supplied to one intermediate storage body 120 by reducing the pressure in one intermediate storage body 120 of the first intermediate storage body 121 and the second intermediate storage body 122, the other intermediate storage body 120 The body 120 is not decompressed. That is, when the liquid is supplied to one intermediate reservoir 120, the liquid can be supplied from the other intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41. Therefore, even when the liquid is being supplied to one intermediate reservoir 120, the liquid can be ejected from the liquid ejecting unit 41 by supplying the liquid from the other intermediate reservoir 120.

  (2) When liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the first intermediate reservoir 121, the first check valve 161 prevents the liquid from flowing from the liquid ejecting unit 41 to the first intermediate reservoir 121. The fourth check valve 164 prevents the liquid from flowing from the second intermediate reservoir 122 to the first intermediate reservoir 121. In addition, when supplying the liquid from the first intermediate reservoir 121 to the liquid ejecting unit 41, the third check valve 163 suppresses the liquid from flowing from the first intermediate reservoir 121 to the liquid supply source 101, The second check valve 162 prevents the liquid from flowing from the first intermediate reservoir 121 to the second intermediate reservoir 122. It should be noted that the check valve that functions also differs when the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the second intermediate reservoir 122 and when the liquid is supplied from the second intermediate reservoir 122 to the liquid ejection unit 41. It is the same.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress the liquid supply operation from the liquid supply source 101 to the one intermediate reservoir 120 from affecting the liquid supply operation from the other intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41. Moreover, it can suppress that the supply operation of the liquid from one intermediate storage body 120 to the liquid injection part 41 influences the supply operation of the liquid from the liquid supply source 101 to the other intermediate storage body 120.

  (3) Since the intermediate reservoir 120 can be attached to and detached from the intermediate reservoir holders 131 and 132, the intermediate reservoir 120 can be replaced or the user can stir the intermediate reservoir 120. 120 can be removed from the liquid supply device 100. Further, when removing the first intermediate reservoir 121 and the second intermediate reservoir 122 from the liquid supply apparatus 100, the first liquid flow is set by closing the first on-off valve 165 and the second on-off valve 167. It is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking from the channel 151 and the second liquid channel 152.

  (4) Since the intermediate reservoir 120 contains the bag-like liquid storage part 123 in the storage space 124 of the case 125, the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the liquid storage part 123 by decompressing the storage space 124. Can be supplied. Moreover, since the liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating part 123 does not touch external air, the possibility that the liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating part 123 may change in quality by touching external air can be reduced.

  (5) The liquid pressure adjusting mechanism 250 can suppress the pressure fluctuation of the liquid flowing through the supply flow path 155 toward the liquid pressure adjusting mechanism 250, and can stably supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 41. For example, when the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the intermediate reservoir 120, the first liquid flow path is in a state where the supply chamber 251 and the pressure chamber 253 of the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 are in communication. When the pressure fluctuation of the liquid flowing through the liquid flow path such as 151 and the second liquid flow path 152 occurs, the volume of the pressure chamber 253 varies. In this way, it is possible to prevent the liquid pressure fluctuation upstream of the hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism 250 from affecting the downstream side of the hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism 250.

  Particularly, when the pressure (internal pressure) of the pressure chamber 253 decreases, the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 according to the present embodiment causes the upstream supply chamber 251 and the downstream pressure chamber 253 to communicate with each other. For this reason, if the supply chamber 251 and the pressure chamber 253 are not in communication, the liquid pressure adjustment mechanism 250 associated with the liquid supply operation to the intermediate reservoir 120 and the liquid supply operation from the intermediate reservoir 120 It is possible to suppress the upstream side pressure fluctuation from affecting the downstream side of the hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism 250.

(6) By providing the filter unit 210 in the supply flow path 155, it is possible to suppress the supply of liquid containing foreign matter to the liquid ejecting unit 41 and the hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism 250.
(7) Since the liquid can be supplied from the other intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41 while the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the one intermediate reservoir 120, both the intermediate reservoirs The amount of liquid stored in the body 120 is hardly reduced, and the liquid can be continuously supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 41.

  (8) When a large amount of liquid is consumed in the liquid ejecting unit 41 in a short period of time, the pressure loss of the flow path from the intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41 causes the intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41 to The liquid supply amount may not catch up with the liquid consumption amount in the liquid ejecting unit 41. In this regard, in this embodiment, since the pressurizing chamber 231 is provided on the upstream side of the fluid pressure adjusting mechanism 250, the amount of liquid supplied from the intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41 is the amount of liquid consumed in the liquid ejecting unit 41. When the catch-up is not possible, that is, when the pressure of the liquid in the pressurizing chamber 231 decreases, the liquid is supplied from the pressure chamber 253 to the liquid ejecting unit 41. For this reason, the liquid can be stably supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 41.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as shown below.
The intermediate reservoir 120 may be an open intermediate reservoir 300 as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate reservoir 300 includes a liquid storage chamber 301 that stores a liquid, a liquid level sensor 302 that detects the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber 301, and the pressure of the liquid storage chamber 301. And a pressure adjusting mechanism 140 for adjusting the pressure. The liquid storage chamber 301 is provided with a liquid connection port 303 to which the upstream end of the first liquid channel 151 is connected, and a pressure adjustment port 304 to which the pressure adjustment mechanism 140 is connected. The liquid connection port 303 is provided vertically below the liquid storage chamber 301, and the pressure adjustment port 304 is provided vertically above the liquid storage chamber 301.

  The liquid storage chamber 301 is preferably a closed space except for the liquid connection port 303 and the pressure adjustment port 304. That is, the first liquid channel 151 or the second liquid channel 152 is connected to the liquid connection port 303 without a gap, and the pressure adjustment channel 143 is connected to the pressure adjustment port 304 without a gap.

  The liquid level sensor 302 is configured to detect the height of the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber 301. For example, the liquid level sensor 302 may be configured so as to notify the control unit 60 when the liquid level reaches the upper limit of the liquid level set in the liquid storage chamber 301.

  The pressure adjusting mechanism 140 pressurizes the pressure in the liquid storage chamber 301 to cause the liquid to flow out of the liquid storage chamber 301 via the first liquid channel 151 or the second liquid channel 152, while the liquid storage chamber 301. By reducing the internal pressure, the liquid is allowed to flow into the liquid storage chamber 301 via the first liquid channel 151 or the second liquid channel 152.

  When liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the liquid storage chamber 301, the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber 301 rises according to the amount of liquid supplied. In this regard, according to this configuration, since the liquid level sensor 302 is provided, the driving of the pressure adjustment mechanism 140 can be stopped when the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber 301 reaches the upper limit value. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the liquid from being discharged to the outside of the liquid supply source 101 by the pressure adjusting mechanism 140 sucking the liquid.

-In addition, in the intermediate | middle storage body 300 shown in FIG. 5, the liquid level sensor 302 may be a liquid quantity sensor which detects the liquid quantity in the liquid storage chamber 301. FIG.
The intermediate reservoir 120 may be detachably disposed on the carriage 43. In this configuration, the liquid stored in the intermediate reservoir 120 may be agitated by reciprocating the carriage 43 in the width direction.

  The intermediate reservoir 120 may be provided vertically above the liquid ejecting unit 41. In this case, the liquid may be supplied from the intermediate reservoir 120 toward the liquid ejecting unit 41 due to a water head difference. This eliminates the need to drive the pressure adjustment mechanism 140 when supplying the liquid from the intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41.

  The liquid supply source 101 (liquid supply source holding unit 102) may be arranged vertically above the intermediate reservoir 120 (first intermediate reservoir holding unit 131 and second intermediate reservoir holding unit 132). According to this, it is possible to reduce the burden on the pressure adjusting mechanism 140 when the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 101 to the intermediate reservoir 120 by the amount corresponding to the water head difference.

  In this case, the liquid supply source 101 may be a pack that stores the liquid, and may be arranged in such a manner that it is suspended vertically above the intermediate reservoir 120. Further, in this case, the liquid supply source holding unit 102 serves as an adapter that connects the pack-shaped liquid supply source 101 and the replenishment flow path 156.

  In the case where the liquid supply source to the liquid ejecting unit 41 is switched from one intermediate storage body 120 to the other intermediate storage body 120, after the supply of liquid from the liquid supply source 101 to the one intermediate storage body 120 is started The liquid supply from the other intermediate reservoir 120 to the liquid ejecting unit 41 may be started.

  The fluid pressure adjustment mechanism 250 only needs to include at least the pressure chamber 253. According to this, when the liquid pressure fluctuation occurs on the upstream side of the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250, the volume of the pressure chamber 253 changes, so that the pressure fluctuation is downstream of the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250. It can suppress affecting the side.

When the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 includes only the pressure chamber 253, the pressure chamber 253 may constitute all of the wall portion with an elastic wall having elasticity.
-The filter unit 210, the liquid storage part 230, and the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 do not need to be provided. Even in this case, the effect (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained.

  The degassing chamber 241 of the degassing mechanism 240 may be provided in the supply flow path 155 that connects the pressure chamber 253 of the hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism 250 and the filter 416 of the liquid ejecting unit 41. Further, the deaeration chamber 241 of the deaeration mechanism 240 may be provided in a region not located on the carriage 43 of the supply flow path 155.

  -The 1st intermediate | middle storage body holding | maintenance part 131 and the 2nd intermediate | middle storage body holding | maintenance part 132 may hold | maintain the intermediate | middle storage body 120 so that attachment or detachment is impossible. In this case, the first on-off valve 165 and the second on-off valve 167 may not be provided.

  The liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting unit 41 is not limited to ink, and may be, for example, a liquid material in which functional material particles are dispersed or mixed in the liquid. For example, recording is performed by ejecting a liquid material that is dispersed or dissolved in materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used for manufacturing liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. It may be configured.

  The medium M is not limited to paper, and may be a plastic film or a thin plate material, or may be a fabric used in a printing apparatus or the like. Further, the medium M does not have to be a single sheet cut to a predetermined size. For example, the medium M may be a roll-shaped medium M wound in a cylindrical shape, or a garment having an arbitrary shape such as a T-shirt. There may be a solid thing of arbitrary shape like tableware or stationery.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Liquid injection apparatus, 11 ... Leg part, 12 ... Housing | casing, 13 ... Feeding-out part, 14 ... Guide part, 15 ... Winding part, 16 ... Tension provision mechanism, 17 ... Operation panel, 18 ... Cover, 20 ... Support Table, 30 ... Conveying unit, 31 ... Conveying roller pair, 32 ... Conveying roller pair, 40 ... Printing unit, 41 ... Liquid ejecting unit, 411 ... Individual liquid chamber, 412 ... Vibrating plate, 413 ... Accommodating unit, 414 ... Actuator, 415 ... Common liquid chamber, 416 ... Filter, 42 ... Guide shaft, 43 ... Carriage, 44 ... Nozzle, 50 ... Maintenance section, 51 ... Wiping member, 52 ... Wiping mechanism, 53 ... Liquid receiving section, 54 ... Flushing mechanism, 55 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Cap, 56 ... Cap mechanism, 60 ... Control part, 100 ... Liquid supply apparatus, 101 ... Liquid supply source, 102 ... Liquid supply source holding part, 120 ... Intermediate storage body, 121 ... 1st intermediate storage body 122: Second intermediate reservoir, 123: Liquid storage unit, 124: Storage space, 125 ... Case, 126 ... Liquid connection port, 127 ... Pressure adjustment port, 131 ... First intermediate storage unit, 132 ... Second intermediate Reservoir holding part, 140 ... pressure adjustment mechanism, 141 ... first pressure adjustment mechanism, 142 ... second pressure adjustment mechanism, 143 ... pressure adjustment flow path, 144 ... pressure adjustment pump, 151 ... first liquid flow path, 152 ... Second liquid channel, 153 ... third liquid channel, 154 ... fourth liquid channel, 155 ... supply channel (an example of a common liquid channel), 156 ... replenishment channel, 157 ... return channel, 158 ... Circulating flow path 161... First check valve 162. Second check valve 163. Third check valve 164. Fourth check valve 165... First on-off valve 166. 167 ... second on-off valve, 168 ... second flow sensor, 210 ... fi Unit 211, filter 212, filter chamber 220, static mixer 230, liquid reservoir, 231 pressure chamber, 232 elastic membrane, 233 first biasing member 240, degassing mechanism 241 Deaeration chamber, 242 ... Deaeration membrane, 243 ... Decompression chamber, 244 ... Depressurization flow path, 245 ... Depressurization pump, 246 ... Check valve, 250 ... Hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism, 251 ... Supply chamber, 252 ... Communication hole, 253 ... pressure chamber, 254 ... valve body, 255 ... pressure receiving member, 256 ... filter, 257 ... flexible wall, 258 ... second urging member, 259 ... third urging member, 260 ... valve opening mechanism, 261 ... storage chamber 262 ... Pressure bag 263 ... Pressure channel 270 ... Circulation pump 300 ... Intermediate reservoir 301 ... Liquid storage chamber 302 ... Liquid level sensor 303 ... Liquid connection port 304 ... Pressure adjustment port M ... Medium.

Claims (9)

A first liquid channel capable of supplying the liquid toward a liquid ejecting unit that ejects the liquid;
A first intermediate reservoir that is provided in the first liquid flow path and stores the liquid;
A second liquid channel capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit without going through the first intermediate reservoir;
A second intermediate reservoir that is provided in the second liquid flow path and stores the liquid;
The liquid supply source for storing the liquid is held, and the liquid stored in the liquid supply source can be supplied to the first intermediate storage body and the second intermediate storage body. A liquid source holding unit connected to the intermediate reservoir;
A pressure adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the pressure in the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir;
One of the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir is depressurized, and the pressure adjustment mechanism is controlled so that the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source to the one intermediate reservoir. A liquid supply device. A first check valve that is provided in the first liquid flow path and that allows the flow of the liquid toward the liquid ejecting unit and restricts the flow of the liquid toward the first intermediate reservoir;
A second check valve provided in the second liquid flow path, allowing the flow of the liquid toward the liquid ejecting section and restricting the flow of the liquid toward the second intermediate reservoir;
Connected to a position between the first intermediate reservoir and the first check valve of the first liquid flow path so that the liquid stored in the liquid supply source can be supplied to the first intermediate reservoir. A third liquid flow path,
A third check valve provided in the third liquid flow path, allowing the flow of the liquid toward the first intermediate reservoir and restricting the flow of the liquid toward the liquid supply source;
The liquid stored in the liquid supply source is connected to a position between the second intermediate reservoir and the second check valve in the second liquid flow path so that the liquid can be supplied to the second intermediate reservoir. A fourth liquid flow path,
A fourth check valve provided in the fourth liquid flow path and allowing the flow of the liquid toward the second intermediate reservoir and restricting the flow of the liquid toward the liquid supply source. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1. A first on-off valve capable of switching between a valve open state allowing the flow of the liquid in the first liquid flow path and a valve closed state blocking the flow of the liquid in the first liquid flow path;
A second open / close valve capable of switching between a valve open state allowing the liquid flow in the second liquid flow path and a valve closed state blocking the liquid flow in the second liquid flow path. ,
The first intermediate reservoir is provided to be separable from the first liquid channel,
The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second intermediate reservoir is provided so as to be separable from the second liquid channel. The first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir are formed with a liquid storage portion formed in a bag shape with a flexible member so as to be able to store the liquid, and a storage space for storing the liquid storage portion. A case, and
The liquid storage portion is provided with a liquid connection port connected to a corresponding liquid flow channel among the first liquid flow channel and the second liquid flow channel,
The case is provided with a pressure adjusting port capable of communicating the housing space and the pressure adjusting mechanism,
The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure adjustment mechanism adjusts a pressure in the accommodation space. Connected to the liquid ejecting portion side ends of the first liquid channel and the second liquid channel so that the liquid can be supplied to the liquid ejecting portion from the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir. A common liquid flow path,
A hydraulic pressure adjusting mechanism provided in the common liquid flow path and having a pressure chamber capable of storing the liquid and formed at least in part by a flexible wall that can be deformed by a pressure change in the pressure chamber; The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid supply device is provided. A filter unit is provided on the upstream side of the liquid pressure adjusting mechanism of the common liquid flow path, and includes a filter that collects foreign matter in the liquid and a filter chamber that houses the filter. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 5. The control unit controls the pressure adjusting mechanism so as to depressurize one intermediate reservoir of the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir and pressurize the other intermediate reservoir. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 5 or 6. A pressure chamber provided upstream of the fluid pressure adjusting mechanism in the common liquid channel and capable of storing the liquid, and the pressure at which the intermediate reservoir is pressurized with the liquid stored in the pressure chamber The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a pressurizing chamber that pressurizes at a lower pressure. A liquid ejecting section for ejecting liquid;
A first liquid channel capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit;
A first intermediate reservoir that is provided in the first liquid flow path and stores the liquid;
A second liquid channel capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit without going through the first intermediate reservoir;
A second intermediate reservoir that is provided in the second liquid flow path and stores the liquid;
The liquid supply source for storing the liquid is held, and the liquid stored in the liquid supply source can be supplied to the first intermediate storage body and the second intermediate storage body. A liquid source holding unit connected to the intermediate reservoir;
A pressure adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the pressure in the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir;
One of the first intermediate reservoir and the second intermediate reservoir is depressurized, and the pressure adjustment mechanism is controlled so that the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source to the one intermediate reservoir. A liquid ejecting apparatus.

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