JP4013743B2 - Liquid ejector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for ejecting liquid by supplying liquid to a liquid ejecting head through a liquid supply needle and a filter from a plurality of liquid containers mounted on a carriage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening is known for various liquids. A typical example is a recording head mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus. it can. Therefore, the prior art will be described taking the ink jet recording apparatus as an example.
[0003]
In a conventional recording apparatus, a plurality of ink supply needles are aligned on a carriage to which a recording head is attached, and ink cartridges of various ink colors are connected to the ink supply needles. In addition, a sheet-like filter is disposed at the base of the ink supply needle, and the ink that has passed therethrough is supplied to the recording head. The area of the filter is set large in the ink flow path where the number of nozzles is large, and small in the ink flow path where the number of nozzles is small.
[0004]
The above arrangement structure is shown in FIGS. A plurality of ink supply needles 51 having a circular cross section are attached to the upper surface of the flow path forming member 50, and a sheet-like filter 52 is disposed at the root of the ink supply needle 51, and passes through the ink supply path 53 to the recording head 54. Ink is supplied. The ink supply needle 51 is hollow and includes a pipe portion 51A having a constant diameter and an extended portion 51B smoothly connected thereto, and the downstream side of the ink flow is opened like an umbrella. It has a shape.
[0005]
Some of the ink cartridges 55 connected to each ink supply needle 51 are consumed more than other ink colors such as black, and therefore, in order to distribute a large amount of black ink smoothly, the ink supply there The area of the filter 52 arranged at the location of the needle 51 is set larger than the area of the filter 52 at the location where ink other than black circulates. The reason why the filter area corresponding to black is increased in this way is that the number of nozzle openings is set larger than that of other color inks, so that the loss per nozzle opening is made uniform. Is made larger.
[0006]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, the internal space of the ink supply needle 51 includes an expansion space 51 </ b> C formed by gradually increasing the flow passage cross-sectional area of the needle portion 51 </ b> A and the expansion portion 51 </ b> B. It is comprised by. The size of the expansion space 51C is determined according to the size of the area of the filter 52, but the height of the expansion space 51C is the same as the external shape and dimensions of the ink supply needles 51. Since it is necessary to be able to connect to any ink cartridge, all the ink supply needles 51 are the same or substantially the same regardless of the area of the filter 52.
[0007]
That is, it is related to the “area” of the planar space area of the expansion space 51C, that is, the area of the filter 52 and the height space. The expansion space 51C facing the large area filter 52 has a small area. Thus, the space shape is flatter than that of the expansion space 51C facing the front.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 9-216375 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the ink cartridge 55 is replaced, some air may enter the ink supply needle 51 during replacement. The bubbles are stagnant on the upstream side of the filter 52 and behave like floating in the expansion space 51C due to the ink flow during the printing operation. When the printing operation is continued, a minute bubble flows down from the ink cartridge 55 and becomes a phenomenon of being merged with the previously drifting bubble. When such a phenomenon is repeated, the bubbles gradually grow larger to become the growth bubbles as indicated by reference numeral 56 in FIGS. But Low for The flat expansion space 51C is closed in the height direction. In such a closed state, there is a risk that the ink (here black ink) flow rate will drop significantly, leading to a drop in print quality such as missing dots, and in extreme cases the ink supply may be stopped. is there.
[0010]
Although there are various methods for taking the height of each expansion space 51C shown in FIG. 7A, here, an arc shape portion (from the lower end portion of the needle portion 51A to the lower end portion of the ink supply needle 51 ( The distance between the vicinity of the central portion (upper limit line 57) of the so-called R portion and the surface portion of the filter 52 (lower limit line 58) is the height H1 of the expansion space 51C.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is in a constrained structure, and the height of the expansion space of the liquid supply needle provided with the filter is determined by a rational method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that secures and minimizes adverse effects caused by bubbles floating in the expansion space.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a carriage on which a plurality of liquid containers are mounted and a liquid ejecting head is mounted, a flow path forming member that is connected to the liquid container, and is connected to the liquid container. A hollow liquid supply needle to be supplied, a filter disposed in a liquid flow path for guiding the liquid supplied to the liquid supply needle to a liquid ejecting head, and a flow path formed between the liquid supply needle and the filter. A liquid ejecting apparatus configured to include an expansion space whose area gradually increases toward the filter, wherein the filter includes at least two types of areas having a large area, and the first filter having a large area The gist of the present invention is that the height of the first expansion space that faces the second filter is set to be higher than the height of the second expansion space that faces the second filter having a small area.
[0013]
That is, in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the filter has at least two types of areas having a large and small area, and the height of the first expansion space facing the first filter having a large area is the area. It is set to be higher than the height of the second expansion space facing the small second filter.
[0014]
With the above configuration, in one flow path forming member, the height of the first expansion space is set to be higher than the height of the second expansion space. Then, it stays in the upstream side of the first filter, that is, in the first expansion space, and behaves as if it drifts in the first expansion space due to the liquid flow during the operation of the liquid ejecting head. And if the said liquid injection is continued, it will become a phenomenon in which a micro bubble flows down from a liquid container and unites with the bubble which drifted previously. When such a phenomenon is repeated, the bubbles gradually grow into large growth bubbles. Even if it becomes such a large growth bubble, since the height of the first expansion space is set higher than the height of the second expansion space, Since the first expansion space is wider than the second expansion space, Even if the bubble grows in size, it continues to move while floating in the first expansion space, so the growth bubble does not block the first expansion space. Therefore, an intermittent flow can be prevented from occurring in the liquid flow or the liquid flow can be prevented from being stopped, and satisfactory liquid ejection can be performed.
[0015]
In general, in a liquid ejecting apparatus, the number of nozzle openings arranged downstream of a liquid flow path connected to a large area filter is set to be much larger than the number of nozzle openings corresponding to other small area filters. Has been. Therefore, since the normal liquid flow is maintained in the first filter having a large area, the liquid pressure and flow rate to the large number of nozzle openings are maintained at predetermined values, and the original function of the large area filter is fulfilled. Good liquid jetting can be performed.
[0016]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention, when the first filter is disposed on the downstream side of the second filter, the first expansion space facing the first filter is provided. Since the second expansion space facing the second filter is arranged downstream of the second expansion space, the first expansion space is disposed at a position where the first expansion space is substantially fitted into the flow path forming member. It will be done. Therefore, it is possible to increase the height of the first expansion space only by a simple structural change, which is advantageous for manufacturing rationalization and cost reduction.
[0017]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention, the first liquid supply needle that forms the first expansion space is closer to the flow path forming member than the second liquid supply needle that forms the second expansion space. When deeply fitted, the length of the portion where the first liquid supply needle is fitted into the flow path forming member is only increased. Therefore, the space obtained by the extension of the fitting length is used. Thus, the height of the first expansion space can be increased by simply changing the part shape.
[0018]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the first liquid supply needle and the second liquid supply needle are conventionally mounted when the outer shape and the size of the portion fitted to the liquid container are the same. Since the liquid container that has been used can be directly attached to either the first liquid supply needle or the second liquid supply needle, even if the flow path forming member has a height of the first expansion space, it is compatible. It is possible to attach a liquid container with no susceptibility, and the convenience for the customer is not lowered.
[0019]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, when a plurality of liquid flow paths communicate with the first expansion space, the large area of the first filter can be utilized as widely as possible. In addition, a sufficient amount of liquid can be guided from the large volume portion of the first expansion space to the plurality of liquid flow paths, and a sufficient amount of liquid can be supplied to a large number of nozzle openings arranged on the downstream side.
[0020]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, when the liquid supply needles including the first liquid supply needle and the second liquid supply needle are arranged at the same pitch, the height of the first expansion space is high. Even if the flow path forming member has a height increased, the liquid containers of the same size can be attached to all the liquid supply needles, and the convenience for the customer is not lowered.
[0021]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the bubble growth time storage means for storing the time when the bubbles staying in the first expansion space have a predetermined size that may interfere with the flow of the liquid, and the storage In the case where a forced suction means for forcibly sucking the bubbles according to the determined time is provided, the bubble growth time that may interfere with the flow of the liquid is stored in advance, and the bubbles are Therefore, the customer does not have to worry about the growth of bubbles, and can always automatically avoid the harmful effects caused by bubbles.
[0022]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, when the forced suction unit is configured to operate when the activation switch of the apparatus body is turned on, bubble growth that requires forced suction is performed. When the time has elapsed, bubbles are automatically sucked when the start-up switch of the device is turned on, so the effects of bubbles are always automatically avoided by operating the start-up switch. be able to.
[0023]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention, when the first expansion space is disposed corresponding to the liquid flow path provided with as little inclination as possible with respect to the flow path forming member. Since the fluid that has passed through the first filter from the first expansion space flows through the liquid flow path with as little inclination or bending as possible, the flow of the liquid is reduced and the flow of the liquid becomes smooth. A good liquid is supplied to the nozzle openings. Furthermore, if the liquid flow path is greatly inclined with respect to the flow path forming member, the liquid flow path may be distorted due to the stress in the lateral direction when the flow path forming member is molded with synthetic resin. Although the accuracy is liable to decrease, the above-described problem in molding accuracy is solved by the liquid flow path having a small inclination as described above.
[0024]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention, when the first expansion space is arranged corresponding to the liquid flow path near the center among the plurality of liquid flow paths arranged side by side, the liquid flow path near the center Since there is little inclination with respect to the flow path forming member, as in the case described above, satisfactory liquid supply to a large number of nozzle openings of the liquid ejecting head is achieved, and problems with molding accuracy are solved. Or
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention can function for various liquids as described above, and in the illustrated embodiment, as a typical example, a recording head employed in an ink jet recording apparatus is provided. The target of the embodiment.
[0027]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a peripheral structure of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and shows an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus includes an ink cartridge 1 and a carriage 3 to which a recording head 2 is attached. The ink jet recording apparatus which is the apparatus main body is indicated by the symbol P.
[0028]
The carriage 3 is connected to a stepping motor 5 via a timing belt 4 and is guided by a guide bar 6 so as to reciprocate in the paper width direction (main scanning direction) of a recording medium 7 which is a recording paper. The carriage 3 has a box shape that opens to the top, is attached so that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 2 is exposed on the surface (the lower surface in this example) facing the recording medium 7, and the ink cartridge 1 is mounted thereon. It has become so.
[0029]
Then, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 1 to the recording head 2 and ink droplets are ejected onto the upper surface of the recording medium 7 while moving the carriage 3 to print images and characters on the recording medium 7 in a dot matrix. ing. The carriage 3 functions as a moving unit that reciprocally moves the recording head 2 in the main scanning direction.
[0030]
In order to guide the movement of the recording medium 7, a long guide member 8 extending in the main scanning direction of the recording head 2 is disposed. A wiper device 9 that cleans the nozzle plate 23 of the recording head 2 and a capping device 10 that normalizes the viscosity state of the ink in the nozzle opening are disposed next to the one end side of the guide member 8. A flushing box 11 is disposed next to the other end side of the guide member 8, and a flushing opening 12 is formed there.
[0031]
The waste ink sucked out by the cleaning operation by the capping device 10 and the waste ink discharged from the recording head 2 by the flushing operation to the flushing opening 12 are stored in the waste ink storage unit 13.
[0032]
2A is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the carriage 3, FIG. 2B is a sectional view in which the lower portion of the first ink supply needle is cut in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating the second ink supply needle. It is sectional drawing shown with the cross section similar to (B).
[0033]
A plurality of ink supply needles including a first ink supply needle 14 and a second ink supply needle 15 having a circular cross section are attached to the upper surface of the carriage 3, and the first ink supply needle 14 and the second ink supply needle are formed. A sheet-like filter is arranged at the root of 15. Each of the ink supply needles 14 and 15 is hollow, and includes a needle portion 14A and 15A having a constant diameter and extended portions 14B and 15B smoothly connected to the downstream side of the ink flow. Is an annular base portion 14C, 15C that opens like an umbrella.
[0034]
The filter is attached in a state where a first filter 16 having a large area and a second filter 17 having a small area are mixed in one carriage 3. In the case shown in the figure, there are one first filter 16 and six second filters 17.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 4, circular recesses 18 and 19 are formed on the upper surface of the carriage 3, the first ink supply needle 14 is fitted in the recess 18, and the second ink supply is inserted in the recess 19. The needle 15 is fitted. The thickness of the base portion 14C of the first ink supply needle 14 is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the base portion 15C of the second ink supply needle 15, and the depths of the recesses 18 and 19 are also the thicknesses of the base portions 14C and 15C, respectively. And the same dimensions. The first filter 16 is disposed at the bottom of the recess 18, and the second filter 17 is disposed at the bottom of the recess 19. The bases 14 C and 15 C are fitted into the recesses 18 and 19, thereby fixing the filters 16 and 17. Has been.
[0036]
The internal space of the first ink supply needle 14 gradually increases from the vicinity of the lower end of the needle portion 14 </ b> A toward the first filter 16, and the first expansion is performed in a state where the first ink supply needle 14 faces the first filter 16. A space 20 is formed. Further, the internal space of the second ink supply needle 15 gradually increases from the vicinity of the lower end of the needle portion 15 </ b> A toward the second filter 17 in the state where the second ink supply needle 15 faces the second filter 17. The extended space 21 is configured.
[0037]
In the first and second expansion spaces 20 and 21, ink flow paths 22 opened in the carriage 3 are opened through the filters 16 and 17. Therefore, the opening area of the ink flow path 22 substantially determines the filter area, and two or more ink flow paths 22 are opened in the first filter 16 having a large area. The small second filter 17 has one ink flow path 22, and the effective filtration area of the filter is set by the opening area of the ink flow path 22. Each ink flow path 22 is connected to the recording head 2 and passes through an ink storage chamber, a pressure chamber, or the like with respect to a nozzle opening (not shown) provided for each ink color in the nozzle plate 23. And communicate.
[0038]
Some ink cartridges 1 connected to the first ink supply needle 14 and the second ink supply needle 15 consume more than other ink colors such as black, so that a large amount of black ink can be smoothly discharged. In order to circulate the ink, the ink cartridge 1 is mounted so that the black ink flows into the first ink supply needle 14 and receives the filtering function of the first filter 16 having a large area. Inks other than black, such as magenta, cyan, and yellow, are subjected to the filtering function of the second filter 17 having a small area through the second ink supply needle 15. The reason why the filter area corresponding to black is increased in this way is that, in the case of black, the number of nozzle openings is set larger than that of other color inks, so the loss per nozzle opening is uniform. Therefore, the area of the filter is increased.
[0039]
Since the thickness of the base portion 14C of the first ink supply needle 14 is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the base portion 15C of the second ink supply needle 15, the thickness of the base portion 14C is utilized to make the first The height of the expansion space 20 is set higher than the height of the second expansion space 21. The method for specifying this height is the same as that described in FIG. 7, 24 is an upper limit line, 25 is a lower limit line, the height of the first expansion space 20 is H2, and the second expansion space 21. Is H3. Therefore, H2> H3.
[0040]
Bubbles that have entered during replacement of the black ink cartridge 1 stagnate in the upstream side of the first filter 16, that is, in the first expansion space 20, and the first expansion space is generated by the ink flow during the operation of the recording head 2. It exhibits the behavior of drifting in the 20. When the ink discharge is continued, a minute bubble flows down from the ink cartridge 1 and becomes a phenomenon of being united with the previously drifting bubble. When such a phenomenon is repeated, bubbles gradually grow and become large growth bubbles 26. Even if the growth bubble 26 becomes large in this way, the height of the first expansion space 20 is set to be higher than the height of the second expansion space 21, so even if the bubble has a grown size, Since the floating space 26 continues to move while floating in the one expansion space 20, the growth bubbles 26 do not block the first expansion space 20. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an intermittent flow of the ink flow or to stop the ink flow, and it is possible to discharge ink droplets favorably. In other words, the ink flow rate in the first expansion space 20 facing the first filter 16 having a large area is larger than the ink flow rate in the second expansion space 21 facing the second filter 17 having a small area. Therefore, the bubble growth speed in the first expansion space 20 is increased, and the blockage of the growth bubbles 26 in the first expansion space 20 becomes a problem.
[0041]
As described above, the first filter 16 is made to be the second filter 17 by making the recess 18 deeper than the recess 19 or making the base 14C thicker than the base 15C. It arrange | positions rather than downstream. By doing so, the first expansion space 20 facing the first filter 16 is disposed downstream of the second expansion space 21 facing the second filter 17. The first expansion space 20 is disposed at a position where it is substantially fitted into the carriage 3. Therefore, increasing the height of the first expansion space 20 can be realized only by a simple structural change, which is advantageous for rationalization of manufacturing and cost reduction.
[0042]
Since the length of the portion where the first ink supply needle 14 is fitted into the carriage 3 is only made longer than that of the second ink supply needle 15, the space obtained by the extension of the fitting length is used. Thus, the height of the first expansion space 20 can be increased only by changing the shape of the parts.
[0044]
Since a plurality of ink flow paths 22 communicate with the first expansion space 20, the substantial filtration area of the first filter 16 can be utilized as widely as possible. In addition, a sufficient amount of ink can be guided from the large volume portion of the first expansion space 20 to the plurality of ink flow paths 22, and a sufficient amount of ink can be supplied to a large number of nozzle openings arranged on the downstream side. .
[0045]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 1 connected to the first ink supply needle 14 has a large ink capacity in preparation for the case of black ink that consumes a large amount of ink. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 is a large size. Therefore, although the second ink supply needles 15 are arranged at a narrow pitch, a wide space is provided between the second ink supply needles 15 on the left and right sides of the first ink supply needles 14. However, in the case shown in FIG. 3, the liquid supply needles including the first ink supply needle 14 and the second ink supply needle 15 are arranged at the same pitch, so that the height of the first expansion space 20 is increased. Even if the carriage 3 is made high, the ink cartridge 1 of the same size can be attached to all the liquid supply needles, and the convenience for the customer is not lowered. In particular, when a large amount of a specific ink color is consumed due to the color state of the printed matter, the ink color is connected to the first ink supply needle 14 to reduce the print quality due to the generation of bubbles. It is possible to prevent.
[0046]
In the structure of the embodiment described above, the structure in which the ink flow path 22 is formed in the carriage 3 is illustrated, and the portion where the ink flow path 22 is formed is positioned as a “flow path forming member”. Yes. On the other hand, this “flow path forming member” exists as a separate member from the carriage 3, and the ink flow path 22 is formed in this separate member, and the first ink supply needle 14, the second ink supply needle 15, The first filter 16, the second filter 17, the recording head 2, and the like can be attached. Therefore, in the present invention, the “flow path forming member” includes both a case where it is an independent component as a separate member and a case where it is present as a part of the carriage 3.
[0047]
Even in the first expansion space 20 with the height increased as described above, the bubbles in the first expansion space 20 grow remarkably large, and the first expansion bubbles 26 as described in the related art have the first effect. There is a possibility that the expansion space 20 is blocked. In preparation for such a case, the growth bubbles 26 in the first expansion space 20 are automatically and forcibly sucked.
[0048]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a system configuration for realizing the forced suction described above. In the figure, 30 is a reception buffer for receiving print data from a host (not shown), 31 is a bitmap generating means for converting the print data into bitmap data, and 32 is temporarily storing the bitmap data. Print buffer.
[0049]
Reference numeral 34 denotes a head driving means, which performs a printing operation for ejecting ink droplets from the recording head 2 by applying a driving voltage to a piezoelectric vibrator built in the recording head 2 in response to a print signal from the print buffer 32. Execute. When the flushing timing arrives, a driving voltage unrelated to the print signal is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator, and a flushing operation for ejecting ink droplets from all nozzle openings of the recording head 2 is executed.
[0050]
Reference numeral 37 denotes pump driving means that applies a negative pressure to the recording head 2 in a state sealed by the capping device 10 by the suction pump S, and executes a cleaning operation for forcibly sucking ink from all nozzle openings.
[0051]
A carriage control unit 33 moves the carriage 3 by the stepping motor M during printing to scan the recording head 2 and also moves the carriage to a position where the capping device 10 and the recording head 2 face each other during a flushing operation or at the end of printing. 3 is controlled to move.
[0052]
Reference numeral 39 denotes a stand-by timer, which is activated by detecting that the recording head 2 is sealed in the capping device 10 by a signal from the carriage control means 33, and the recording head 2 is sealed in the capping device 10 Measure the capping leaving time left in step. Reference numeral 40 denotes a print timer which is activated by detecting the start of printing based on signals from the head driving unit 34 and the carriage control unit 33. After the recording head 2 is released from the capping device 10, it is sealed in the capping device 10 again. Measure the total printing time until it stops. Both the idle timer 39 and the print timer 40 are reset when a signal is output.
[0053]
Reference numeral 38 denotes a mode selection means that receives a signal of the leaving time and the total printing time output from the leaving timer 39 and the printing timer 40, and determines whether the flushing mode executes a flushing operation based on the balance between the leaving time and the total printing time. Selects the cleaning mode to execute the cleaning operation, and outputs the signal of the selected mode.
[0054]
A flushing control unit 35 receives a signal from the mode selection unit 38, applies a driving voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator by the head driving unit 34, and repeatedly expands and contracts the piezoelectric vibrator to vibrate. Then, a flushing operation for forcibly ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle openings is controlled. A cleaning control unit 36 receives a signal from the mode selection unit 38 and controls a cleaning operation by the pump driving unit 37.
[0055]
The system configuration described above is general, but the following means and the like are added to this system configuration in order to automatically suck out the excessively large growth bubbles 26. That is, a signal from a bubble growth time storage means 41 (hereinafter abbreviated as storage means 41) in which the time to reach a so-called overgrowth bubble that closes the height of the first expansion space 20 is stored in advance is selected as a mode. Input is made to the means 38. In the storage means 41, data of the bubble growth time obtained experimentally is stored in the storage element.
[0056]
When a signal indicating that it is time to reach overgrowth bubbles is input from the storage means 41 to the mode selection means 38, the means 38 automatically selects the cleaning mode and sends a signal to the cleaning control means 36. Control is performed so that the cleaning operation by the feed and pump driving means 37 is forcibly executed.
[0057]
Further, in order to facilitate the forced cleaning operation as described above, when the start switch of the apparatus main body P is turned on, the cleaning operation must be forcibly performed as described above. For example, a cleaning operation is automatically executed simultaneously with this turning on, and excessively grown bubbles are sucked. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 42 denotes the above-described start switch, and a signal generated when the start switch 42 is turned on is input to the mode selection means 38.
[0058]
Therefore, it is not necessary for the customer to worry about the growth of bubbles, and it is possible to always automatically avoid the harmful effects caused by bubbles by turning on the start switch 42 very simply.
[0059]
The data stored in the storage means 41 is classified into each ink color, each capacity of each ink cartridge 1, or the environmental temperature at which the apparatus main body P is installed, in addition to the time to reach the excessively growing bubbles. These data can be stored as the above-mentioned time, and these data can be reflected faithfully to the forced suction.
[0060]
The storage means 41 is attached to a part of the ink cartridge 1, and the characteristics of each ink cartridge 1, that is, the ink color, whether it is pigment-based ink, the time for reaching the excessively growing bubbles, the remaining amount of ink, etc. It can also be stored as information unique to one. By doing so, forcibly sucking the excessively grown bubbles in the first expansion space 20 is accurately executed for each ink cartridge 1.
[0061]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first expansion space 20 is disposed corresponding to the ink flow path 22 provided with as little inclination as possible with respect to the carriage 3. For this reason, since the ink that has passed through the first filter 16 from the first expansion space 20 flows through the ink flow path 22 with as little inclination or bending as possible, the flow of ink is smooth and the flow of ink is smooth. Good ink is supplied to a large number of nozzle openings of the head 2. Furthermore, if the ink flow path 22 is greatly inclined with respect to the carriage 3, when the carriage 3 is molded with a synthetic resin, the ink flow path 22 is distorted due to the stress in the lateral direction, and the molding accuracy is increased. Although it tends to decrease, the above-described problem in molding accuracy is solved by the ink flow path 22 having a small inclination as described above.
[0062]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first expansion space 20 is arranged corresponding to the ink flow path 22 near the center among the plurality of arranged ink flow paths 22, so that The ink flow path 22 is less inclined with respect to the carriage 3, and the same advantages as those described above can be obtained.
[0063]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the on-carriage type in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage as in the embodiment, and the ink cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body, and the ink from the ink cartridge is supplied to the sub tank on the carriage. The present invention can also be effectively implemented in the off-carriage type.
[0064]
The above-described embodiment is intended for an ink jet recording apparatus. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus obtained by the present invention is not only intended for ink for an ink jet recording apparatus, but is a glue, nail polish. , Conductive liquid (liquid metal) or the like can be ejected. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ink jet recording head using ink that is one of the liquids has been described. Applicable to all liquid ejecting heads for ejecting liquid, such as color material ejecting head, organic EL display, electrode material ejecting head used for electrode formation such as FED (surface emitting display), bio-organic ejecting head used for biochip manufacturing, etc. It is also possible.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the height of the first expansion space is set higher than the height of the second expansion space in one carriage, the liquid container can be replaced. The invading bubbles are stagnated in the upstream side of the first filter, that is, in the first expansion space, and behaved like drifting in the first expansion space by the liquid flow during the operation of the liquid ejecting head. And if the said liquid injection is continued, it will become a phenomenon in which a micro bubble flows down from a liquid container and unites with the bubble which drifted previously. When such a phenomenon is repeated, the bubbles gradually grow into large growth bubbles. Even if it becomes such a large growth bubble, since the height of the first expansion space is set higher than the height of the second expansion space, Since the first expansion space is wider than the second expansion space, Even if the bubble grows in size, it continues to move while floating in the first expansion space, so the growth bubble does not block the first expansion space. Therefore, an intermittent flow can be prevented from occurring in the liquid flow or the liquid flow can be prevented from being stopped, and satisfactory liquid ejection can be performed.
[0066]
In general, in a liquid ejecting apparatus, the number of nozzle openings arranged downstream of a liquid flow path connected to a large area filter is set to be much larger than the number of nozzle openings corresponding to other small area filters. Yes. Therefore, since the normal liquid flow is maintained in the first filter having a large area, the liquid pressure and flow rate to the large number of nozzle openings are maintained at predetermined values, and the original function of the large area filter is fulfilled. Good liquid jetting can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
2A is a cross-sectional view of a carriage, and FIGS. 2B and 2C are plan views crossing a lower portion of an ink supply needle.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a carriage in which ink supply needles are arranged at an equal pitch.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a carriage.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system configuration for operating the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a carriage showing the prior art.
7A is an enlarged cross-sectional view, and FIG. 7B is a plan view crossing the lower part of the ink supply needle.
[Explanation of symbols]
P Inkjet recording device, main unit
1 Ink cartridge
2 Recording head
3 Carriage, flow path forming member
4 Timing belt
5 Stepping motor
6 Guide bar
7 Recording media
10 Capping device
11 Flushing box
12 Flushing opening
13 Waste ink reservoir
14 First ink supply needle, first liquid supply needle
14A Needle part
14B extension
14C base
15 Second ink supply needle, second liquid supply needle
15A Needle part
15B extension
15C base
16 First filter
17 Second filter
18 depression
19 depression
20 First expansion space
21 Second expansion space
22 Ink channel, liquid channel
23 Nozzle plate
24 Upper limit line
25 Lower limit line
26 Growth bubbles
30 Receive buffer
31 Bitmap generation means
32 Print buffer
33 Carriage control means
34 Head drive means
35 Flushing control means
36 Cleaning control means
37 Pump drive means
38 Mode selection means
39 Left timer
40 Print timer
41 Bubble growth time storage means
42 Start switch
M stepping motor
S Suction pump
H1 Height of expansion space
H2 Expansion space height
H3 Expansion space height
50 Carriage
51 Ink supply needle
51A Needle
51B Extension
51C expansion space
52 Filter
53 Ink supply path
54 Recording head
55 Ink cartridge
56 Bubble
57 Upper limit line
58 Lower limit line

Claims (7)

A carriage on which a plurality of liquid containers are mounted and a liquid ejecting head is mounted; a hollow liquid supply needle that is attached to a flow path forming member and communicates with the liquid container and receives supply of liquid; and the liquid supply needle Including a filter disposed in a liquid flow path that guides the liquid supplied to the liquid jet head, and an expansion space that is formed between the liquid supply needle and the filter and whose flow area gradually increases toward the filter. A liquid ejecting apparatus configured,
It has a liquid flow path in which the first filter is formed and a liquid flow path in which a second filter having a smaller area than the first filter is formed, and communicates with the downstream side of the first filter. The liquid channel has a larger number of nozzle openings than the liquid channel communicating with the downstream side of the second filter, and forms a first expansion space facing the first filter. The first liquid supply needle is more deeply fitted into the flow path forming member than the second liquid supply needle that forms the second expansion space facing the second filter . A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the height of one expansion space is higher than the height of the second expansion space, and the first expansion space is wider than the second expansion space . The liquid supply needle in which the first filter is disposed and the liquid supply needle in which the second filter is disposed have the same outer shape and dimensions of a portion that fits into the liquid container. Item 2. A liquid ejecting apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of liquid flow paths for leading liquid to the head side communicate with the first expansion space. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an interval between the first liquid supply needle and the second liquid supply needle is arranged at the same interval as the adjacent second liquid supply needles .   A bubble growth time storage means for storing a time during which the bubbles staying in the first expansion space have a predetermined size that may interfere with the flow of the liquid; and forcing the bubbles according to the stored time The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a forced suction unit that suctions the target.   6. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the forced suction means is configured to operate when a start switch of the apparatus main body is turned on. 2. The first expansion space is disposed corresponding to a liquid flow path provided in a state where the inclination is as small as possible with respect to the flow path forming member as compared with the second expansion space. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1.

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