JP3405151B2 - Liquid jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting recording apparatus which ejects liquid from a nozzle provided in a recording head to perform recording.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid jet recording apparatus stores a liquid used for recording in a liquid tank, and when the recording head ejects the liquid to consume the liquid, the consumed liquid is supplied from the liquid tank. Various methods have been considered as the liquid supply method at this time. For example, Tokuhei 3-
In the recording apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 54062, an ink storage tank is placed on an inkjet head portion in which orifices for ejecting ink are arranged over the entire width of a recording material, and the ink in the ink storage tank is transferred to the orifice. Is being supplied. Further, ink is supplied to the ink storage tank from the ink storage cartridge via a joint needle. However, in consideration of the recording speed, the ink supply through the joint needle causes a large pressure loss in the narrowed portion of the joint needle, which may hinder the recording operation. Further, in the configuration of this document, although the ink storage tank has the air chamber, this air chamber has a large damper effect and can absorb the pressure fluctuation at the time of recording to stabilize the operation, but is weak against the environmental fluctuation. However, there is also a drawback that when the air in the air chamber expands, it causes a trouble that ink leaks from the orifice immediately.

In the recording device described in this document,
Since a large amount of liquid is consumed and the recording head does not move, a large liquid storage tank is used. However, in a recording apparatus in which a recording head is mounted on a carriage and recording is performed while moving, it is not preferable to mount a large tank on the carriage because the drive system and the like become large. On the other hand, if the tank is downsized, the tank will be frequently replaced and the running cost will increase, which is also not preferable. Therefore, a configuration is considered in which a small sub-tank is mounted on the carriage and a large-capacity main tank is provided separately from this.

For example, in the printer device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-51868, a main tank for containing ink and a sub-tank in a recording head mounted on a carriage are connected by a supply pipe, The tank is pressurized to supply ink to the sub tank.
Further, the air or ink discharged from the discharge port of the sub tank is contained in a bag-shaped container by a discharge pipe. In this method, the pressure in the sub-tank at the time of ink supply becomes a positive pressure, the positive pressure acts on the orifice of the recording head, and liquid leakage such as face flood occurs from the orifice. Further, there is a problem that liquid leakage easily occurs even when the surrounding environment changes. Further, the shape of the supply pipe changes with the movement of the carriage, and the internal pressure of the ink in the supply pipe changes accordingly, and good recording cannot be performed. Also,
There is also a problem that the supply pipe is likely to deteriorate.

For this reason, a structure is considered in which the main tank is not connected during normal recording and ink is supplied from the main tank when necessary. For example,
In the recording apparatus described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-9903, an ink tank is provided on a carriage on which an ink jet head is mounted, and the ink remaining amount in the ink tank is detected. The ink solution is moved to the print standby position, and the ink liquid is dropped from the base tank provided above the carriage. To drop the ink liquid, a valve that opens when the ink tank moves to the print standby position is used. However, in this method, since a mechanical valve is used, if the valve opening / closing mechanism fails due to solidification of the ink, non-ejection or leakage of the ink liquid occurs, which is a problem from the viewpoint of reliability.

As another method, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 54-31
In the apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 898, a liquid reservoir in the print head is provided with a filling opening that fits with a liquid filling device, and the liquid reservoir is filled in whole or in part with a liquid absorbent. On the other hand, a wick made of a porous material projects from the liquid filling device side. By inserting the wick into the filling opening of the liquid reservoir, the liquid is supplied to the liquid reservoir by the capillary force of the liquid generated in the wick. However, in this configuration, depending on the liquid distribution in the liquid reservoir,
The liquid supply to the print head was sometimes hindered. Also, since the wick is always exposed from the liquid filling device,
There has been a problem that liquid is likely to be evaporated or denatured.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a liquid jet recording apparatus which reduces running cost and realizes stable and reliable liquid supply. The purpose is.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, in a liquid jet recording apparatus for jetting a liquid to perform recording, a liquid tank is provided in a main liquid tank having a large capacity and a recording head unit on a carriage. By dividing the liquid chamber on the carriage into a small size, a small amount, and a light weight, the load on the carriage moving mechanism and the like is reduced, the cost and the size of the entire apparatus are reduced, and the running cost is reduced.

The recording head unit is provided with an impregnation member chamber for accommodating the liquid impregnation member and holding the liquid, and functions as a sub tank. When supplying the liquid, the liquid supply pipe is inserted from the communication hole of the impregnation member chamber, and the liquid is supplied from the main liquid tank to the impregnation member chamber via the liquid supply pipe.
There is almost no evaporation or modification of the liquid as in the configuration using the conventional wick, and if the diameter of the liquid supply pipe is set to a certain value or more, it will not stop due to solidification of the liquid, etc.
It is possible to supply a stable and highly reliable liquid.

Further, an airtight liquid chamber which communicates with a liquid supply path for supplying a liquid to the recording head and is partitioned by a meniscus airtight member is provided, and the meniscus airtight member is a liquid generated in a plurality of nozzles of the recording head. It is configured to have a bubble point pressure that is sufficiently greater than the pressure provided by the interfacial tension with. As a result, even if the amount of liquid supplied to the recording head unit is reduced and the gas enters the meniscus airtight member, air bubbles do not enter the airtight liquid chamber through the meniscus airtight member, It is possible to reduce ejection defects caused by the inclusion of bubbles in the liquid supply path, and it is possible to always obtain high-quality images. The meniscus airtight member sufficiently permeates only the liquid, and if the liquid is filled again, the supply of the liquid to the recording head is restarted and the recording can be continued.

Further, a bubble liquid chamber is provided between the impregnating member chamber and the airtight liquid chamber, and pressure between the impregnating member chamber and the bubble liquid chamber due to the interfacial tension between the liquid generated in the plurality of nozzles of the recording head A meniscus forming member having a small bubble point pressure is arranged in advance. As a result, when the liquid is consumed in the recording head and the liquid in the impregnation member chamber runs out,
Bubbles penetrate into the bubble liquid chamber through the minute holes of the meniscus forming member. The liquid shortage can be detected by detecting the invasion of the bubbles at this time. When the liquid shortage is detected, the liquid may be supplied from the main liquid tank to the impregnation member chamber via the liquid supply pipe. With this configuration, liquid outage can be detected with a simple configuration, and
It is possible to detect and run out of liquid repeatedly.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a first embodiment of a liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a main liquid tank, 2 is a liquid supply pipe, 3 is driving means, 4 is a recording head unit, 11 is a liquid impregnation member chamber, 12 is an atmosphere communication port, 13 is a communication hole, 14 is a capillary member, 15 Is a bubble liquid chamber, 16 is a meniscus forming member, 17
Is a liquid guiding member, 18 is a liquid moving member, 19 is a meniscus airtight member, 20 is an airtight liquid chamber, 21 is a filter, 22 is a liquid supply path, and 23 is a recording head section. The main liquid tank 1 is a large-capacity tank that stores a liquid used for recording. The main liquid tank 1 may be replaceable. The liquid supply pipe 2 is a pipe for supplying the liquid stored in the main liquid tank 1 to the recording head unit 4. In the middle of the liquid supply pipe 2, a driving means 3 such as a roller pump in this example is provided. By this drive means 3, the liquid in the main liquid tank 1 is sent to the recording head unit 4 by a specified amount. of course,
Instead of using a pump or the like, the liquid may be supplied by its own weight, and the opening / closing valve may control the liquid amount.

As a material for the main liquid tank 1, the recording head unit 4, and the liquid supply pipe 2, a resin having a high liquid resistance, which is not corroded even when it comes into contact with a liquid, can be used. Examples of the material of the main liquid tank 1 and the recording head unit 4 include polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene and the like. Further, as a material of the liquid supply pipe 2, a Tygon tube, a silicon tube, a neoprene tube, a viton tube or the like, which has good liquid resistance, is suitable.

In this example, the recording head unit 4 is composed of the liquid impregnating member chamber 11, the bubble liquid chamber 15, the liquid chamber of the airtight liquid chamber 20, the liquid supply passage 22 and the recording head portion 23. The liquid impregnation member chamber 11 functions as a sub liquid tank that holds a small amount of liquid. Therefore, the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 accommodates a capillary member 14 that impregnates and holds the liquid used for recording. This capillary member 14
Holds the liquid by its capillary force and maintains the negative pressure inside the recording head unit 4. The amount of liquid held is smaller than that of the main liquid tank 1. As the capillary member 14, a fibrous material having a two-dimensional structure, a porous material such as a urethane foam or a melamine foam having a three-dimensional structure, a felt and a non-woven material obtained by three-dimensionally spinning a fibrous material are used. be able to. As a specific example, in the case of a felt made by spinning a fibrous material into a three-dimensional shape, polyester felt can be used,
As the density, 0.03 g / cm ^{3 to} 0.1 g / cm ³
The ones are suitable. The composition of the material is not limited to the polyester fiber, and another material can be used as long as it has an appropriate capillary force and liquid resistance.

In the liquid impregnation member chamber 11, a capillary member 14 is provided.
An atmosphere communication port 12 capable of communicating with the atmosphere is provided. Since the capillary member 14 is released to the atmospheric pressure by the atmosphere communication port 12, the liquid in the capillary member 14 is pushed by the atmospheric pressure when the liquid is supplied, and from one side, the recording head 2 is pressed.
It is drawn out by the negative pressure generated by the liquid injection in 3.

Further, the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is provided with a communication hole 13 for contacting the liquid supply pipe 2 and receiving the liquid supplied from the main liquid tank 1. Figure 2
It is an enlarged view near a communication hole. In the figure, 24 is an on-off valve. In the communication hole 13, the on-off valve 2 is pressed against the side wall of the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 by an elastic member such as a spring.
4 is provided, and this opening / closing valve 24 is used during normal recording.
Is closed to prevent evaporation of the liquid inside. When the liquid is supplied from the main liquid tank 1, the liquid supply pipe 2 is connected to the open / close valve 2
4 is pressed and opened, and the liquid supply pipe 2 is further inserted to abut the capillary member 14 in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11. The liquid is supplied in this state. In FIG. 2, the case where the on-off valve 24 is rotated is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the on-off valve 24 may be slid, or the on-off valve 24 itself may be made of an elastic material. The configuration may be such that the opening or the opening diameter changes depending on the pressing force.

The liquid impregnation member chamber 11 and the bubble liquid chamber 15 are communicated with each other by a first liquid communication port, and a meniscus forming member 16 is provided at the first liquid communication port. The meniscus forming member 16 is arranged so that the capillary member 14 in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is in contact therewith. A large number of minute holes are formed in the meniscus forming member 16, and when there is no liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11,
A liquid meniscus is formed in the minute holes. As the meniscus forming member 16, for example, a mesh body such as a metal net or a resin net, or a porous body can be used. Specific examples of the mesh-like body include a metal mesh filter and a metal fiber, for example, a fine wire of SUS made into a felt shape, and a metal sintered filter obtained by further compressing and sintering, an electroforming metal filter, an electron beam processing metal filter, a laser beam processing. A metal filter can be used. As the meniscus forming member 16, it is preferable to use a filter having a highly accurate hole diameter so that the bubble point pressure does not vary. For example, a SUS tatami twill filter is suitable. Here, the bubble point pressure is the pressure when the meniscus of the liquid formed in the micropores is pushed by air, and the surface tension acts against the force, but it is the pressure when the surface tension is overcome and the air enters. .

The bubble point pressure of the meniscus forming member 16 needs to be smaller than the pressure caused by the interfacial tension of the liquid generated in the plurality of nozzles provided in the recording head 23. Thereby, the liquid impregnation member chamber 11
In the state where the liquid disappears and the meniscus of the liquid is formed in the fine holes of the meniscus forming member 16, the negative pressure after the liquid is ejected by the recording head 23 causes the bubbles to pass through the meniscus forming member 16 through the bubble liquid chamber. It can be penetrated into 15. The opening diameter of the minute holes of the meniscus forming member 16 is selected according to the bubble point pressure set at this time. As the meniscus forming member 16,
A coarse filter with a large opening diameter can be used.

The fact that bubbles enter the meniscus forming member 16 toward the bubble liquid chamber 15 means that the liquid impregnation member chamber 1
1 indicates that there is no liquid. As will be described later, by detecting bubbles that enter the bubble liquid chamber 15 side of the meniscus forming member 16 by a detection device (not shown),
It is possible to detect the liquid shortage in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11. In this way, the bubble liquid chamber 15 also functions as a detection chamber for liquid shortage in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11.

A liquid guiding member 17 is provided on the meniscus forming member 16 on the side of the bubble liquid chamber 15. A liquid moving member 18 is provided at the bottom of the bubble liquid chamber 15.
The liquid guide member 17 extends to the bottom surface of the bubble liquid chamber 15,
It is in contact with the liquid moving member 18. Meniscus forming member 1
When bubbles are accumulated on the bubble liquid chamber 15 side of 6 to form an air layer, or when the liquid level in the bubble liquid chamber 15 is lower than that of the meniscus forming member 16, the liquid guide member 17
Sucks the liquid in the bubble liquid chamber 15 and supplies the liquid to the meniscus forming member 16. Further, even when the liquid in the bubble liquid chamber 15 is reduced and the liquid guiding member 17 is not in contact with the liquid, the liquid moving member 18 moves the liquid to the liquid guiding member 1.
Then, the liquid is sucked up to the meniscus forming member 16 by the liquid guiding member 17. This allows
It is possible to keep the meniscus forming member 16 always wet with the liquid and form a meniscus in the minute holes to keep the negative pressure inside.

The bubble liquid chamber 15 and the airtight liquid chamber 20 communicate with each other through a second liquid communication port, and a meniscus airtight member 19 is provided at the second liquid communication port. The meniscus airtight member 19 can be made of the same material as the meniscus forming member 16 described above. At this time, the bubble point pressure of the meniscus airtight member 19 is configured to be sufficiently higher than the pressure caused by the interfacial tension with the liquid generated in the plurality of nozzles of the recording head 23. For example, as the meniscus airtight member 19, it is possible to use a high-definition filter in which the opening diameter of the micropores is small.
As a result, even if there is no liquid in the bubble liquid chamber 15 and the meniscus airtight member 19 is exposed to air, the bubbles do not enter the bubble liquid chamber 15 due to the negative pressure generated in the recording head 23. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the ejection failure of the liquid due to the bubbles and suppress the deterioration of the image quality.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the hermetic liquid chamber 20 has 3
Two liquid supply ports are provided, and a filter 21 is provided at each liquid supply port. The number of liquid supply ports is not limited to three, and any number of one or more may be used. The filter 21 provided at the liquid supply port removes foreign matter in the liquid. The material of the filter 21 may be the same as that of the meniscus forming member 16 described above.

The liquid supply path 22 is provided corresponding to each liquid supply port and supplies the liquid to the recording head 23.
The liquid supply passage 22 can be formed as a conduit in the supply manifold member, for example. As the material of the supply manifold, a resin having a high liquid resistance is used, which is not corroded even when it comes into contact with a liquid, like the housing of the recording head unit 4. When heat treatment is required in the manufacturing process of the recording head 23, a resin having further heat resistance is used. As a specific example, polyetherimide can be used.

The recording head 23 has one or more ejection elements and nozzles for ejecting liquid. The liquid supplied through the liquid supply path 22 is ejected from the nozzle by driving the ejection element to perform recording. After the ejection, the liquid is supplied again via the liquid supply path 22.

An outline of the operation of the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described. First, in the initial state, the bubble liquid chamber 15 and the airtight liquid chamber 20 are filled with liquid,
The liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is filled with a prescribed amount of liquid,
The capillary member 14 is impregnated and held.

When recording is performed by ejecting liquid from the nozzles in the recording head 23, the consumed liquid passes from the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 through the bubble liquid chamber 15, the airtight liquid chamber 20, and the liquid supply passage 22 to the recording head. 23. At this time, the meniscus forming member 16, the meniscus airtight member 19, and the filter 21 become a part of the liquid flow path and have some flow path resistance, but do not interrupt the flow of the liquid. Due to such consumption of the liquid, the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 gradually decreases. Liquid impregnation member chamber 1
As the amount of liquid in the liquid 1 decreases, atmospheric air enters the liquid impregnating member chamber 11 through the air communicating port 12, and the pressure drop in the liquid impregnating member chamber 11 is suppressed so that the negative pressure is constantly adjusted to a predetermined negative pressure. .

As the liquid consumption further progresses, the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 runs out. Then, the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 side of the meniscus forming member 16 is exposed to the atmosphere. In such a state, a meniscus of liquid is formed in the minute holes provided in the meniscus forming member 16, and the negative pressure inside is maintained by the surface tension. Further, when the liquid is consumed in the recording head 23, the negative pressure generated at that time pushes the meniscus by the atmosphere to form a bubble, which enters the bubble liquid chamber 15.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the meniscus forming member showing an example when bubbles are generated. In the figure, 31 is a bubble, 3
Reference numeral 2 is a light emitting element, and 33 is a light receiving element. The bubbles 31 that have entered the bubble liquid chamber 15 grow so as to form bubbles on the bubble liquid chamber 15 side of the meniscus forming member 16, and rise to the upper portion of the bubble liquid chamber 15 when the bubble 31 reaches a certain degree. As described above, the generation of the bubbles 31 indicates that the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 has run out. Therefore, by detecting the generation of the bubbles 31, it is possible to know the timing of supplying the liquid to the liquid impregnation member chamber 11.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, an example in which bubbles are optically detected is shown. A pair of light emitting element 32 and light receiving element 3
3 is installed on the outer wall of the bubble liquid chamber 15 of the recording head unit 4 so that the bubble liquid chamber 15 side of the meniscus forming member 16 can be detected. The positions of the light emitting element 32 and the light receiving element 33 are the positions for receiving the transmitted light passing through the inside of the bubble liquid chamber 15,
Alternatively, when there is no liquid on the wall surface in the bubble liquid chamber 15, it may be installed at a position where the light totally reflected is received because of the refractive index.

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the optical detection result. In any of the above arrangements of the light emitting element 32 and the light receiving element 33, when the bubble 31 is not generated, the liquid or generated air remains on the bubble liquid chamber 15 side of the meniscus forming member 16, The detection level of the element 33 shows a certain value as shown in FIG. 4 (A) and FIG. 4 (B). On the other hand, the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is depleted, and bubbles or liquid films are generated
When entering the inside of 5, the detection level of the light receiving element 33 is
As shown in FIG. 4C, it changes at a certain frequency corresponding to the inflow of the bubbles 31. By detecting the AC component of the output of the light receiving element 33, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a bubble or a liquid film and to detect that the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is in a depleted state.

The above-mentioned optical detection method is an example, and
Other methods may be used. For example, various methods such as detecting the position of the liquid in the bubble liquid chamber 15 by another optical method, an electric or mechanical method, or the like can be used.

When it is detected that the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 has been depleted as described above, the liquid supply pipe 2 extends with respect to the recording head unit 4, or the recording head unit 4 Is moved with respect to the liquid supply pipe 2, the opening / closing valve 24 provided in the communication hole 13 of the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is opened, and the liquid supply pipe 2 is inserted into the liquid impregnation member chamber 11. Then, by driving the driving means 3, a prescribed amount of liquid is supplied from the main liquid tank 1 into the liquid impregnation member chamber 11. At this time, the excess air in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is discharged from the atmosphere communication port 12.

In this way, the capillary member 14 in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 returns to the state of being impregnated with the liquid. After that, due to the consumption of ink in the recording head 23,
The liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is the meniscus forming member 16
The liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is reduced by flowing into the bubble liquid chamber 15 via the.

By repeating such an operation, only the liquid chamber having a small capacity is required on the carriage, and the recording head unit 4 which is lightweight and small can be constructed. Therefore, the drive unit for moving the carriage can be made small and inexpensive, and the overall size and cost of the recording apparatus can be reduced. Further, since the main liquid tank 1 does not move, the capacity can be increased, the frequency of replacement can be reduced, the labor of replacement can be saved, and the running cost can be reduced.

The method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid by detecting the bubbles generated in the bubble liquid chamber 15 as described above is as follows.
The depletion of the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 can be accurately detected, but when the life of the recording head 23 is set to be long, the liquid in the bubble liquid chamber 15 may be reduced due to repeated generation of bubbles. is expected. Even in such a case, since the liquid is supplied to the meniscus forming member 16 by the cooperation of the liquid guiding member 17, the liquid moving member 18, and the liquid guiding member 17, the liquid formed in the minute holes of the meniscus forming member 16. No meniscus is not formed, and even if both surfaces of the meniscus forming member 16 become gas, the generation of the bubbles 31 is performed well. Therefore, it is possible to detect the liquid shortage in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 by the above-described optical detection method.

Further, it is conceivable that the liquid in the bubble liquid chamber 15 may be completely depleted if the bubbles repeatedly enter the bubble liquid chamber 15. In such a state, the bubble liquid chamber 15 side of the meniscus airtight member 19 is exposed to the atmosphere, and a liquid meniscus is formed in the minute holes of the meniscus airtight member 19. After the liquid is ejected by the recording head 23, a negative pressure is generated when the liquid is refilled, but since the bubble point pressure of the meniscus hermetic member 19 is larger than this negative pressure, the negative pressure is formed on the meniscus hermetic member 19. The enclosing liquid meniscus is not broken, and thus the hermetic chamber 20
Liquid is not supplied from the recording head 23 to the recording head 23. for that reason,
Air is drawn into the recording head 23 from the nozzle side and recording becomes impossible.

In order to prevent this situation, it is conceivable to use a method of counting the number of recording dots as the liquid remaining amount detecting means and calculating the liquid remaining amount from the count value together with the bubble detecting mechanism as described above. To be It is also possible to perform liquid level detection based on the count value of the number of recorded dots and liquid fill several times, and then perform liquid level detection by detecting the occurrence of bubbles as described above to correct the error in the liquid level. Is. In this method, since the number of times bubbles are generated is suppressed, it is possible to prevent the liquid in the bubble liquid chamber 15 from being depleted.

Further, even if the liquid in the bubble liquid chamber 15 is completely depleted for some reason and recording becomes impossible, recording can be restarted by manually supplying the liquid. it can. The liquid supply pipe 2 is inserted into the communication hole 13 of the recording head unit 4 in response to a manual instruction of the liquid supply operation, and a prescribed amount of liquid is supplied from the main liquid tank 1 into the liquid impregnation member chamber 11. As a result, the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is filled with the liquid again,
Liquid communication between the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 and the airtight liquid chamber 20 is performed by the liquid guide member 17. Even if the positions of the liquid guiding member 17 and the meniscus airtight member 19 are deviated,
The liquid guiding member 17 and the liquid moving member 18 can supply the liquid to the meniscus airtight member 19 and the liquid to the airtight liquid chamber 20. Since the meniscus airtight member 19 has prevented the invasion of air bubbles into the airtight liquid chamber 20, recording can be performed again by forming such a liquid supply path. Since air bubbles do not enter the liquid supply path 22 and the recording head 23 even when recording is restarted, good image quality can be maintained.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention.
It is a schematic structure sectional view showing an embodiment of. In the figure,
The same reference numerals are given to the same portions as, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this example, the bubble liquid chamber 15 is omitted. The liquid impregnation member chamber 11 and the airtight liquid chamber 20 communicate with each other through a liquid communication port, and the meniscus airtight member 19 is provided at the liquid communication port. The capillary member 14 provided in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is arranged so as to be in contact with the meniscus airtight member 19.

In this structure, when the liquid in the liquid impregnating member chamber 11 is exhausted, air bubbles do not penetrate from the meniscus airtight member 19 into the airtight liquid chamber 20, and recording cannot be performed. Therefore, it is sufficient to detect the decrease in the remaining amount of the liquid before the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is exhausted, and supply the liquid from the main liquid tank. As a method of detecting the decrease in the remaining liquid amount, a method of counting the dots to be recorded as described above, a method of measuring the liquid level in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11, or the like,
Various methods can be used. When it is detected that the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is low by these detection methods, the liquid supply pipe 2 is inserted from the communication hole 13 of the recording head unit 4 as described above, and the driving unit is driven. The liquid may be supplied from the main liquid tank 1 to the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 of the recording head unit 4 by means of 3.

Even if the liquid in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11 is exhausted and recording cannot be performed, recording can be performed again by manually supplying the liquid and supplying the liquid to the liquid impregnation member chamber 11. Even in that case, since air bubbles do not enter between the airtight liquid chamber 20 and the recording head 23, good image quality can be maintained.

In each of the above-described embodiments, by providing detection means for detecting the liquid running out of the main liquid tank 1 or the remaining amount of the liquid being low, and an alarm means for warning them, The user can know the replacement time of the main liquid tank 1 and can replace the main liquid tank 1. Even if the main liquid tank 1 runs out of liquid, at least recording can be continued while liquid is present in the liquid impregnation member chamber 11.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the liquid tank is divided and only the liquid chamber having a small capacity is mounted on the carriage, so that the recording head unit can be made smaller and lighter. Therefore, the drive mechanism of the carriage and the entire recording apparatus can be downsized and the cost can be reduced. Further, by using the large-capacity main liquid tank, it is possible to reduce the running cost and the time and effort for replacement. Further, since the main liquid tank and the recording head unit are only connected by the liquid supply pipe when the liquid is supplied, the influence of the liquid supply pipe can be eliminated and the stable supply of the liquid can be performed by the pipe line. .

Further, since the airtight liquid chamber in which gas does not enter is provided, even if the liquid is exhausted, no bubbles enter the recording head, and good image quality is maintained after the liquid is re-supplied. Can be recorded.

Further, when the bubble liquid chamber is provided, the remaining amount of liquid can be easily detected by a small amount of bubbles entering the bubble liquid chamber, and the bubble only enters the bubble liquid chamber. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent air bubbles from being mixed into the recording head and prevent a reduction in liquid utilization efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a communication hole.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a meniscus forming member showing an example when bubbles are generated.

FIG. 4 is a waveform chart showing an example of an optical detection result.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration sectional view showing a second embodiment of a liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main liquid tank, 2 ... Liquid supply pipe, 3 ... Driving means, 4 ... Recording head unit, 11 ... Liquid impregnation member chamber,
12 ... Atmosphere communication port, 13 ... Communication hole, 14 ... Capillary member,
15 ... Bubble liquid chamber, 16 ... Meniscus forming member, 17 ... Liquid guiding member, 18 ... Liquid moving member, 19 ... Meniscus airtight member, 20 ... Airtight liquid chamber, 21 ... Filter, 22 ... Liquid supply path, 23 ... Recording head Part, 24 ... Open / close valve, 31 ... Bubble, 32 ... Light emitting element, 33 ... Light receiving element.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-185352 (JP, A) JP-A-9-169120 (JP, A) JP-A-8-224884 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 192520 (JP, A) JP-A-6-218945 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A liquid jet recording apparatus for jetting a liquid for recording, a large-capacity main liquid tank, a recording head unit provided on a carriage, and a liquid from the main liquid tank to the recording head unit. A liquid impregnating member chamber having a liquid supply pipe for supplying, the recording head unit is provided with an atmosphere communication port and a communication hole for inserting the liquid supply pipe and supplying a liquid;
A capillary member for impregnating and holding the supplied liquid contained in the liquid impregnating member chamber, a bubble liquid chamber communicating with the liquid impregnating member chamber through the first liquid communication port, and the capillary member so as to be in contact with the capillary member. A meniscus forming member provided in the first liquid communication port and having a plurality of minute holes formed therein; and an airtight liquid chamber having one or more liquid supply ports communicating with the bubble liquid chamber and the second liquid communication port. A meniscus airtight member provided in the second liquid communication port and formed with a plurality of minute holes, and a filter provided in the liquid supply port for removing foreign matter in the liquid,
A recording head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid are arranged, and a liquid supply path for supplying the liquid to the recording head from the liquid supply port through the filter,
The bubble point pressure of the meniscus airtight member is sufficiently larger than the pressure caused by the interfacial tension with the liquid generated in the plurality of nozzles of the recording head, and the bubble point pressure of the meniscus forming member is the plurality of the plurality of nozzles of the recording head. A liquid jet recording apparatus characterized in that the pressure is smaller than the pressure generated by the interfacial tension with the liquid generated in the nozzle. 2. A detection means for optically detecting bubbles generated on the bubble liquid chamber side of the meniscus forming member, wherein the liquid supply pipe is connected to the communication hole when the detection means detects the bubbles. The liquid ejecting recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting recording apparatus is inserted into the liquid ejecting member and is supplied from the main liquid tank to the liquid impregnating member chamber through the liquid supply pipe. 3. A liquid jet recording apparatus for jetting a liquid to perform recording, a large-capacity main liquid tank, a recording head unit provided on a carriage, and a liquid from the main liquid tank to the recording head unit. A liquid impregnating member chamber having a liquid supply pipe for supplying, the recording head unit is provided with an atmosphere communication port and a communication hole for inserting the liquid supply pipe and supplying a liquid;
A capillary member that is contained inside the liquid impregnation member chamber and impregnates and holds the supplied liquid; an airtight liquid chamber that communicates with the liquid impregnation member chamber through a liquid communication port and at least one liquid supply port is formed; A meniscus airtight member provided at a liquid communication port and having a plurality of minute holes formed therein, a filter provided at the liquid supply port for removing foreign matters in the liquid, and a recording head provided with a nozzle for ejecting the liquid. An interface with the liquid generated from the liquid supply port to the recording head via the filter to the recording head, wherein the bubble point pressure of the meniscus airtight member is generated in the nozzle of the recording head. A liquid jet recording apparatus, which is sufficiently larger than the pressure caused by tension. 4. The liquid jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a valve member for preventing liquid evaporation from the liquid impregnation member chamber is provided in the communication hole.