JP4151939B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
  The present inventionIsThe present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, as an ink jet recording apparatus used in an image recording apparatus (including an image forming apparatus) such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying apparatus, or a plotter, a nozzle hole for ejecting ink droplets and a discharge chamber (pressure) that communicates with the nozzle hole A recording head which is an ink jet head having a chamber, a pressurized liquid chamber, a liquid chamber, an ink flow path, etc.) and an energy generating means for generating energy to pressurize the ink in the discharge chamber. Then, the carriage is moved in the main scanning direction, paper (meaning a medium to which ink droplets adhere) is transported in the sub scanning direction, and ink droplets are ejected from the recording head. A serial type recording an image on a sheet is known.
[0003]
In such a serial type ink jet recording apparatus, ink has to be supplied to a recording head mounted on a carriage, and is generally also referred to as an ink cartridge (or ink tank) that supplies ink to the carriage together with the recording head. ) Or a head-integrated ink cartridge is mounted.
[0004]
As such an ink cartridge, a good ink meniscus must be formed in the nozzle hole of the head, the internal ink will not foam due to the vibration of the carriage, and the head is arranged downward In particular, since it is necessary to prevent the ink from dripping, the ink pressure at the head portion is required to be negative. Therefore, an ink absorber made of a porous material is provided in the container body. A structure that accommodates and absorbs ink by the capillary force of the porous body and generates a negative pressure is widely used.
[0005]
There is also known an apparatus in which a small-capacity sub tank is mounted on the carriage, a large-capacity main cartridge is installed on the apparatus main body side, and ink is supplied to the sub tank from the main cartridge on the apparatus main body side. .
[0006]
In other words, in the case of only the ink cartridge mounted on the carriage, the ink cartridge must be replaced with a new one every time it is emptied. The number of ink cartridges becomes complicated, and the number of ink cartridges that must be stored as spares increases. On the other hand, increasing the capacity of the ink cartridge increases the weight of the entire carriage, making it difficult to drive the carriage at high speed (high-speed printing), leading to an increase in the size of the apparatus, and increasing the output of the carriage drive motor. Since the weight variation of the carriage also increases, the operation characteristics of the carriage change during recording, making it difficult to ensure stable printing accuracy.
[0007]
Therefore, as disclosed in, for example, JP-A-10-128992 and JP-A-10-235892, a small-capacity sub-tank is mounted on the carriage, and a large-capacity main cartridge is installed in the printer main body. There is a configuration in which the sub tank and the main cartridge are connected by a tube so that the ink is replenished from the main cartridge to the sub tank when the ink in the sub tank is reduced by printing. Also, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3053017, a tube is also used, but there are also ones in which two tubes for ink supply and air suction are connected to the sub tank.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the ink cartridge described above, the negative pressure generated in the porous body is maintained by sucking the ink in the cartridge from the nozzle to maintain the negative pressure generated in the porous body. Not only will it be discarded, but the size of the absorber for containing and holding waste ink in the apparatus will increase. Of course, an ink cartridge that is only mounted on the carriage tends to cause a shortage of ink capacity.
[0009]
Further, in the devices disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-128992 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-235892, the air permeability and moisture permeability of the tube and the ink replenishment unit are attached and detached so as to be mixed in the ink supply path. Since it does not have an air discharge function, if it is used for a long period of time, a large amount of air enters the sub-tank, and the printing performance deteriorates.
[0010]
Therefore, there is a problem that it is necessary to use only a disposable head with a short life, or to use a high-cost thing having excellent gas permeability and moisture permeability as a tube connecting the sub tank and the main cartridge. is there.
[0011]
Further, in the one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3053017, since ink is filled while removing air from the sub tank, the problem of air accumulation in the sub tank as described above does not occur. In addition, two tubes for ink supply and air suction must be connected to each other. In particular, in a color ink jet recording apparatus, for example, two tubes for each of four color sub-tanks must be connected, for a total of eight tubes. .
[0012]
In this case, since the sub-tank is mounted on the carriage and scanned, the tube connected to the sub-tank must have a minimum length corresponding to the scanning amount, and many long tubes must be wound around the apparatus. A problem arises, and a dedicated pump must be provided to generate the negative pressure, which makes the device expensive.
[0013]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems., To enable stable and high-quality recordingFor the purpose.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventionInkjet recording device
  Eject dropletsA recording head;A liquid container that contains liquid to be supplied to the recording head and is supplied from the main cartridgeIn an inkjet recording apparatus comprising:
  The liquid container is
  A space for accommodating the liquid is formed by sealing the opening of the container body having the opening with a flexible member,
  A member for urging the flexible member outward is disposed in the space,
  The container body is provided with an air opening for opening the space to the atmosphere,
  An atmosphere release valve for opening and closing the atmosphere release port is provided and configured.
  Open / close drive means for opening / closing the atmosphere open valve of the liquid container; and
  The open / close drive means is driven to open the atmosphere release valve and supply the liquid from the main cartridge to the liquid container, and the atmosphere release valve is closed to close the atmosphere release valve to the liquid container from the main cartridge. Control means for performing control with non-atmospheric open filling for supplying liquid to
  The control means performs the open-air filling when the main cartridge is replaced.
The configuration.
[0015]
  The inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention is
  In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that discharges droplets; and a liquid container that contains a liquid to be supplied to the recording head and is supplied with the liquid from a main cartridge.
  The liquid container is
  A space for accommodating the liquid is formed by sealing the opening of the container body having the opening with a flexible member,
  A member for urging the flexible member outward is disposed in the space,
  The container body is provided with an air opening for opening the space to the atmosphere,
  An atmosphere release valve for opening and closing the atmosphere release port is provided and configured.
  Open / close drive means for opening / closing the atmosphere open valve of the liquid container; and
  The open / close drive means is driven to open the atmosphere release valve and supply the liquid from the main cartridge to the liquid container, and the atmosphere release valve is closed to close the atmosphere release valve to the liquid container from the main cartridge. Control means for performing control with non-atmospheric open filling for supplying liquid to
  The control means performs the open-air filling when the liquid container has not been used for a predetermined period.
The configuration.
[0016]
  An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes:
  A recording head that ejects liquid droplets; a liquid container that contains liquid to be supplied to the recording head and is supplied with the liquid from a main cartridge;In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising:
  The liquid container is
  A space for accommodating the liquid is formed by sealing the opening of the container body having the opening with a flexible member,
  A member for urging the flexible member outward is disposed in the space,
  The container body is provided with an air opening for opening the space to the atmosphere,
  An atmosphere release valve for opening and closing the atmosphere release port is provided and configured.
  Open / close drive means for opening / closing the atmosphere open valve of the liquid container; and
  Means for opening the atmosphere by opening and closing the atmosphere opening / closing valve by the opening / closing drive means when a state where the ambient temperature of the liquid container is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature continues for a predetermined period;With
The configuration.
[0017]
  These ink jet recording apparatuses include a carriage on which the recording head and the liquid container are mounted, and a pin member that opens and closes the atmosphere release valve by moving forward and backward with respect to the atmosphere release valve is provided in the carriage. Can be configured.
[0018]
  The inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention is
  In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that discharges droplets; and a liquid container that contains a liquid to be supplied to the recording head and is supplied with the liquid from a main cartridge.
  The liquid container is
  A space for accommodating the liquid is formed by sealing the opening of the container body having the opening with a flexible member,
  A member for urging the flexible member outward is disposed in the space,
  The container body is provided with an air opening for opening the space to the atmosphere,
  An atmosphere release valve for opening and closing the atmosphere release port is provided and configured.
  The flexible member is a pressing member that deforms the flexible member of the liquid container in a direction in which the volume of the space contracts, or a displacement member that contacts the outer surface side of the flexible member. Pressing means for pressing the space so as to deform in a shrinking direction;
  Open / close drive means for opening / closing the atmosphere release valve;
  After driving the opening / closing drive means to open the air release valve of the liquid container, and shrinking the volume of the space of the liquid container by the pressing means, supply liquid from the main cartridge to the liquid container, And a control means for controlling the open air filling so as to release the pressure by the pressing means and form a negative pressure in the liquid container after closing the air release valve of the liquid container.
The configuration.
[0019]
  Here, when the main cartridge is replaced, the atmosphere can be filled in the atmosphere. Moreover, when the said liquid container is not used for the predetermined period, it can be set as the structure which carries out the said open atmosphere filling. Further, when the ambient temperature of the liquid container is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period, the open / close driving means opens the atmospheric open / close valve to open the atmosphere.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of the ink container according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the ink container.
[0027]
The ink container 1 includes a case (container main body) 2 having an opening on one side formed of a resin material or the like, and a flexible film 3 that seals the opening of the case 2. Is provided with a compression spring 4 for pressing and urging the film 3 outward. The case 2 is provided with an ink injection port 5 for injecting ink and an ink supply port 6 for supplying ink to an inkjet head 20 as a recording head.
[0028]
Here, the ink container 1 and the ink jet head 20 may be configured separately so that only the ink container 1 can be exchanged, or the ink container 1 and the ink jet head 20 are integrated to form a head integrated ink cartridge. May be configured.
[0029]
In order to fill the ink container 1 configured in this manner with ink, first, as shown in FIG. 1, a regulating member 21, which is a driving means disposed on the outside of the film 3 so as to be able to advance and retract with respect to the film 3, is advanced. Then, the film 3 is pressed against the urging force of the compression spring 4 to keep the volume of the ink container 1 smaller than the natural state. An ink tube 24 is connected to the ink inlet 5 of the ink container 1 from an ink supply source (main ink tank or the like) 22 through a valve 23.
[0030]
In this state, the valve 23 is opened, and ink is poured from the ink supply source 22 into the ink container 1. At this time, the air in the ink container 1 is pushed out from the ink supply port 6 through the nozzles of the inkjet head 20. In this way, after filling the ink container 1 with required ink, the valve 23 is closed to close the connection with the ink supply source 22.
[0031]
Next, the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 20 is temporarily blocked, and the regulating member 21 is moved backward from the ink container 1 as shown in FIG. When the regulating member 21 is separated from the ink container 1 in this way, the compression spring 4 is restored and the film 3 is pushed outward, so that the volume of the ink container 1 increases and the ink container 1 has a capacity corresponding to the spring force. Negative pressure is generated.
[0032]
In this way, since the ink container is configured so that the volume can be changed, and the negative pressure is generated using the volume change, in this example, the negative pressure can be managed by the amount of pushing of the spring. It is possible to generate and maintain pressure.
[0033]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply device including an ink container, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the device.
[0034]
In this embodiment, the ink container 1 is provided with an atmosphere opening 7 that opens the inside to the atmosphere, and the atmosphere opening 7 is provided with an atmosphere opening valve 8 so that the atmosphere opening 7 can be opened and closed.
[0035]
An ink supply device that includes the ink container 1 and replenishes the ink container 1 with ink as necessary presses the film 3 of the ink container 1 against the compression spring 4 and can freely advance and retreat to release the pressure. The pressing means 31 is provided as a driving means including a solenoid actuator having a plunger 31a. In addition, as the pressing means 31 as the driving means, a driving element such as a solenoid actuator may be used directly, or the pressing means 31 may function via a link mechanism or the like.
[0036]
Further, a main cartridge 32 which is an ink replenishing means for storing a large amount of ink is provided, and the main cartridge 32 and the ink inlet 5 of the ink container 1 are connected by a supply tube 33. A replenishment pump 34 for pumping ink of the cartridge 32 and a replenishment valve 35 for opening and closing the ink replenishment path are provided.
[0037]
In the ink supply apparatus including the ink container 1 configured as described above, in order to replenish the ink in the ink container 1, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the atmosphere release valve 8 is opened and the atmosphere release port 7 is opened to open the ink. The inside of the container 1 is released to the atmosphere. Next, the pressing means 31 is driven to advance the plunger 31 a, and the film 3 of the ink container 1 is pressed from the outside against the urging force of the compression spring 4 to reduce the volume of the ink container 1.
[0038]
In this state, the valve 35 is opened, the replenishment pump 34 is operated, the ink in the main cartridge 32 is pumped into the ink container 1 through the supply tube 33, and the ink container 1 is replenished with the required amount of ink. To do. When ink replenishment is completed, the replenishment pump 34 is stopped and the valve 35 is closed to shut off the supply system by the supply tube 32, and the atmosphere release valve 8 is closed to shut off the atmosphere release path of the ink container 1.
[0039]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressing means 31 is brought into a non-driven state, and the plunger 31a is pulled (retracted) to be separated, whereby the film 3 is pushed outward by the restoring force of the compression spring 4, and the ink is removed. A negative pressure is generated in the container 1.
[0040]
As described above, since the negative pressure is generated by opening and closing the atmosphere opening of the ink container 1 and the volume change, the ink is supplied to the ink container 1 without causing increase in discarded ink or deterioration in ink quality in the main cartridge. Can be replenished.
[0041]
That is, as a method for generating a negative pressure in the ink container, the negative pressure can also be created by filling the ink, closing the air release valve 8 and sealing it, and then removing the ink from the head. However, this method not only has a great demerit that wastes ink, but also increases the size of the apparatus and wasteful container or absorber.
[0042]
As another method, there is a method of returning the ink from the ink container to the main cartridge by reversing the replenishing pump after the ink container is sealed. In this method, there is no demerit that the discarded ink increases, but since the ink that has once flowed to the supply tube or the pump is mixed with the ink in the main cartridge, the quality such as the degree of deaeration of the ink in the main cartridge is deteriorated. It will be.
[0043]
In contrast, by generating a negative pressure in the ink container itself, the negative pressure can be generated without being sucked from the head, and there is no ink to be discarded. Therefore, the quality of the replenishing ink is not deteriorated.
[0044]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply device including an ink container, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the device.
[0045]
In this embodiment, the replenishment pump 34 of the second embodiment is omitted, and the main cartridge 32 is arranged with a water head difference between the ink container 1 and the main cartridge 32.
[0046]
According to this configuration, ink can be replenished from the main cartridge 32 to the ink container 1 by the water head difference in the same manner as in the second embodiment (except for the operation / stop of the refill pump 34). In this configuration, since a pump is not required, cost reduction can be realized.
[0047]
As a method for replenishing ink, the main cartridge 32 can be formed of a flexible structure, so that the main cartridge 32 can be deformed and ink can be pumped to the ink container 1.
[0048]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of the ink supply apparatus including the ink container, FIG. 8 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the apparatus, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view of the main part for explaining the operation of the apparatus. .
[0049]
In this embodiment, a displacement member 9 that is displaced according to deformation of the film 3 is provided in the ink container 1 so as to be swingable around a point a in FIG. The displacement member 9 is formed of a leaf spring or the like, and is set to have a spring force weaker than that of the compression spring 4 inside the ink container 1 and is displaced according to the deformation of the film 3, that is, by increasing or decreasing the amount of ink in the ink container 1. I am doing so.
[0050]
Displacement detecting means 36 including a transmissive photosensor for detecting the displacement of the displacement member 9 by detecting the presence or absence of the detection piece 9a provided on the distal end side of the displacement member 9 of the ink container 1 is arranged. Yes.
[0051]
With this configuration, when the ink in the ink container 1 is consumed, the film 3 squeezes inward against the force of the compression spring 4 as shown in FIG. In this state, the negative pressure in the ink container 1 is increased by the force of the compression spring 4.
[0052]
Then, as shown in the figure, when the detection piece 9a of the displacement member 9 is detected by the displacement detection means 36, the replenishment pump 34 is operated without opening the air release valve 8 from this state, and the inside of the main cartridge 32 Is refilled in the ink container 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the film 3 expands outward, the volume in the ink container 1 expands, and the negative pressure in the ink container 1 decreases. The displacement member 9 is also displaced when the film 3 swells outward by this ink replenishment.
[0053]
When the required amount of ink is refilled into the ink container 1, the detection piece 9a of the displacement member 9 is detached from the displacement detection means 36 as shown in FIG. It is detected that replenishment is complete. The operation of the refill pump 34 is stopped according to the detection signal of the displacement detection means 36, and the ink refill from the main cartridge 32 to the ink container 1 is stopped.
[0054]
In this case, if the ink is excessively replenished, the pressure in the ink container 1 becomes positive. Therefore, when the ink is replenished while the ink container 1 is in the non-atmospheric state as described above, It is necessary to stop the replenishment while the negative pressure remains.
[0055]
Therefore, the detection piece 9a of the displacement member 9 is set so as to be detached from the displacement detection means 36 in a state where the negative pressure remains in the ink container 1, and the replenishing pump 34 is set in a state where the negative pressure remains in the ink container 1. To stop ink replenishment.
[0056]
Thus, replenishment can be repeated while maintaining the negative pressure within an appropriate range even when the ink container is not opened to the atmosphere.
[0057]
In addition, as the displacement detection means 36, it can also be made to perform finer control, for example using sensors, such as two photosensors. Even when one sensor is used, contrary to the above-described example, replenishment is started by detecting the presence of the detection piece 9a of the displacement member 9, and the absence of the detection piece 9a of the displacement member 9 is detected. The detection piece 9a of the displacement member 9 can be detected by the displacement detection means 36 when the remaining amount of the ink container 1 is reduced (state shown in FIG. 9).
[0058]
Further, in this embodiment, since the displacement member 9 is configured to swing and displace with the vicinity of the corner of the ink container 1 as the center of rotation, the displacement amount obtained by enlarging the deformation amount of the ink container 1 is determined by the displacement detection means 36. Obtained at the detector. Therefore, the replenishment timing can be detected with high accuracy.
[0059]
As described above, in the ink container according to the present invention, ink can be replenished in both the atmospheric open state and the non-atmospheric open state, and an excellent ink with high reliability in the long term by properly using both. Supply can be realized.
[0060]
In particular, the air release mode is preferably used when exhausting gradually accumulated air by long-term use. If a large temperature change occurs, the negative pressure may fluctuate due to the expansion and contraction of the air inside the ink container. By performing the generating operation and adjusting the internal negative pressure, the function can be stably maintained.
[0061]
As described above, the air release mode has an advantage that unnecessary air can be discharged. However, if it is frequently performed, drying in the ink container is promoted, and the ink may be increased in viscosity. Therefore, the air release mode is performed under a predetermined condition such as when the main cartridge 32 is replaced, when the non-use state is continued for a long time, or when instructed by the user. It is preferable to perform replenishment in a non-atmospheric release.
[0062]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply apparatus including an ink container, FIG. 11 is an explanatory plan view of an essential part of the apparatus, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory side view of an essential part of the apparatus.
In this embodiment, the displacement operation part 9b which cut and raised a part of the displacement member 9 diagonally is formed. With this configuration, the displacement in the ink container 1 can be changed by pushing the displacement operation unit 9b in the direction of arrow A with an operation member such as a lever.
[0063]
That is, the displacement member 9 can also be used as a pressing unit that presses the film 3 of the ink container 1 against the urging force of the compression spring 4. In particular, in the case of a color ink jet recording apparatus, when a plurality of ink containers 1 are arranged at close intervals, it is difficult to press directly in the expansion / contraction direction of the compression spring 4 of the ink container 1, but as in this embodiment. By comprising, the displacement member 9 can be displaced from the outside and a negative pressure can be generated in the ink container 1.
[0064]
Further, in this embodiment, the driver IC 42 is formed by forming the displacement member 9 with a material having a high thermal conductivity such as a metallic material and mounting it on a connection member (an energizing member) 41 such as an FPC that gives a drive signal to the inkjet head 20. A connecting member 41 is disposed in contact with the outer surface of the displacement member 9.
[0065]
That is, when the ink container 1 is directly connected to the head 20, the connection member 41 is often disposed on the side surface of the ink container 1. This is because it is impossible to turn around the nozzle surface side, which is the paper passing area. In this case, a driver IC (driving circuit) 42 is mounted on the connection member 41 in order to reduce the mounting space. However, in order to increase the number of nozzles of the ink jet head and increase the recording speed, the driver IC 42 is considerably different. Heat generation occurs. However, since the heads are usually arranged in a narrow space in the carriage, it is difficult to dissipate heat.
[0066]
Therefore, the displacement member 9 is made of a metal material having a high thermal conductivity, and a part of the displacement member 9 is extended to a portion having good air permeability such as the outside of the carriage, thereby dissipating heat generated from the driver IC 42 via the displacement member 9. It can be done easily.
[0067]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply apparatus including an ink container, FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for the main part of the ink container, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for the main part of another example of the ink container. .
[0068]
In this embodiment, the backflow prevention which consists of the elastic member etc. which block the backflow of the ink from the ink injection port 5 to the main cartridge 32 side as shown to Fig.14 (a) in the part of the ink injection port 5 of the ink container 1 is carried out. A check valve 11 as means is provided. As shown in FIG. 15A, the check valve 12 includes a valve seat 12a, a ball 12b that opens and closes the ink supply port 5, and a spring member 12c that presses and biases the ball 12b in the closed state. But you can.
[0069]
A main cartridge 32 that supplies ink to the ink container 1 is disposed below the ink container 1.
[0070]
With this configuration, when the replenishment pump 34 is operated to pressure-feed ink in the main cartridge 32 to the ink container 1, the check valve 11 opens as shown in FIG. 14B, or FIG. ), The ball 12b is pushed against the urging force of the spring member 12c to open the valve 12 and open the ink injection port 5, so that ink is injected into the ink container 1. When the replenishment pump 34 is stopped, the check valve 11 is closed as shown in FIG. 14A or the valve 12 is closed as shown in FIG. 15A to shield the ink injection port 5. To do.
[0071]
Accordingly, even when the main cartridge 32 is disposed below the ink container 1, the ink in the ink container 1 is prevented from flowing back to the main cartridge 32 side. That is, the main cartridge 32 is disposed below the ink container 1 by providing the ink container 1 with backflow prevention means for preventing the backflow of the liquid from the ink inlet 5 such as valve means for opening and closing the ink inlet 5. Will be able to.
[0072]
That is, the main cartridge 32 is arranged at a position lower than the recording head 20, and the ink container 1 is opened to the atmosphere and filled with ink without providing a backflow prevention means such as a valve means at the ink inlet 5 of the ink container 1. To do so, first, the atmosphere release valve 8 is opened, and the replenishment pump 34 is driven to fill the ink container from the main cartridge 32 with ink. After the desired amount of ink has entered the ink container 1, the replenishment pump 34 is stopped and the atmosphere release valve 8 is closed.
[0073]
In this case, if the replenishment pump 34 does not have a backflow prevention mechanism such as a valve, the ink container is caused by the water head difference between the ink container 1 and the main cartridge 32 between the stop of the pump 34 and the closing of the air release valve 8. The ink in 1 flows backward to the main cartridge 32. If there is an air layer in the vicinity of the ink inlet 5, the air flows backward toward the main cartridge 32 before the ink.
[0074]
Here, if there is air on the upstream side of the ink container 1, there is no problem when the ink is replenished in the next open state to the atmosphere, but if replenished in the non-atmospheric state, the air is supplied together with the ink to the ink container 1. Will be mixed.
[0075]
Therefore, by providing a backflow prevention means such as a valve means at the ink injection port 5 of the ink container 1, it is possible to prevent the backflow of ink and to prevent air from entering the ink container 1.
[0076]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply device including an ink container.
In this embodiment, the ink container 1 is provided with a stepped portion 2 a higher than the surface on which the ink injection port 5 is formed at the top of the case 2 to form the air vent channel 13, and the air vent channel 13 is opened to the atmosphere above the air vent channel 13. By forming the port 7, the position of the ink injection port 5 is made lower than the atmosphere opening port 7. In this case, the ink injection port 5 is not provided with a valve means such as a check valve. Further, the main cartridge 32 is arranged at a position lower than the ink container 1.
[0077]
With this configuration, when ink is replenished and supplied from the main cartridge 32 to the ink container 1 in the atmosphere open state, the air in the ink container 1 is discharged to the outside from the air vent channel 13 through the air release port 7. At this time, since the ink injection port 5 is located at a position lower than the atmosphere opening port 7, the ink injection port 5 can be replenished until the ink is filled, and the air in the ink container 1 is vented by the atmosphere opening port 7. Even if it remains in the flow path 13, it can remain in the ink injection port 5.
[0078]
Therefore, when the replenishment pump 34 is stopped in this state, the initial backflow from the ink inlet 5 is only ink, so that the air flows back to the main cartridge 32 side by closing the air release valve 8 during that time. Can be prevented.
[0079]
Thus, it is possible to prevent the air from flowing back to the main cartridge side without providing any special backflow prevention means such as a valve means at the ink injection port.
[0080]
Next, an eighth embodiment of the liquid container of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a basic configuration of an ink supply apparatus including an ink container, and FIG. 18 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the ink container.
[0081]
In this embodiment, as in the seventh embodiment, the ink container 1 is provided with a step 2a higher than the surface on which the ink injection port 5 is formed at the top of the case 2 to form the air vent channel 13, By forming the air opening 7 in the upper part of the air vent channel 13, the position of the ink injection port 5 is made lower than that of the air opening 7. As shown in FIG. 18, a fluid resistance portion including a throttle portion 14 is formed in the ink injection port 5. In this case, the ink injection port 5 is not provided with a valve means such as a check valve. Further, the main cartridge 32 is arranged at a position lower than the ink container 1.
[0082]
In this way, it is possible to further increase the time until the backflow of air occurs, and it is possible to prevent the backflow of air to the main cartridge side without providing special backflow prevention means such as valve means.
[0083]
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply device including an ink container.
In this embodiment, a plurality (here, two) of detection electrodes (detection pins) 15 a and 15 b for detecting the ink water level are provided in the ink container 1. Here, one detection electrode 15a has a relatively short length in the depth direction to detect ink at a position near the upper wall surface of the case 1, and the other detection electrode 15b has a relatively long length in the depth direction. The length is made longer so that ink is detected at a deep position in the case 1.
[0084]
With this configuration, when ink is replenished and supplied into the ink container 1, the impedance between the electrode 15a and the electrode 15b changes due to the ink coming into contact with the detection electrode 15a and the detection electrode 15b. It can be detected and ink replenishment can be stopped.
[0085]
That is, in the open state to the atmosphere, the ink container 1 has a maximum volume within a range regulated by a driving means such as a pressing member 21 for generating negative pressure, and forms an ink layer on the lower side and an air layer on the upper side. is doing. Here, when the replenishment pump 34 is operated to replenish and supply ink from the main cartridge 32 to the ink container 1, the air is discharged from the atmosphere opening 7, the ink water level rises, and each of the detection electrode 15 a and the detection electrode 15 b becomes ink. Since the impedance between the electrode detection 15a and the detection 15b changes to detect completion of ink filling, the replenishment pump 34 is stopped to stop ink replenishment.
[0086]
In this case, by disposing one of the two detection electrodes at a position deeper than the other, the one detection electrode is surely immersed in the ink, and erroneous detection is reduced. As the other detection electrode is arranged above the ink container, the amount of ink when replenishment is completed can be increased, but conversely, if it is close to the upper wall surface, bubbles are trapped in the detection electrode and the possibility that the water level cannot be detected increases. Therefore, the location of the detection electrode is preferably a location where air does not easily accumulate. More preferably, a plurality of detection electrodes are provided at some positions, and control is performed so that the replenishment is completed when the impedance changes between any of the detection electrodes.
[0087]
In addition, as a method for detecting the ink water level and stopping the filling, a method using a float, a method using light transmittance, a reflectance, or the like can be used.
[0088]
Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is an explanatory view for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply apparatus including an ink container.
In this embodiment, a stepped portion 2b is formed on the upper portion of the case 2 of the ink container 1 to form the air vent channel 16, and a partition wall portion 2c integrated with the case 2 is formed in a part of the air vent channel 16. Then, a throttle part 17 having a narrow channel is formed in a part of the air vent channel 16, an atmosphere opening 7 facing the air vent channel 16 is formed, and one of the detections is detected in the throttle part 17 of the air vent channel 16. An electrode 15a is disposed.
[0089]
Since it comprised in this way, since an ink contacts the detection electrode 15a more reliably, the malfunctioning of a water level detection can be avoided.
[0090]
Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply apparatus including an ink container, and FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram for a main part of the apparatus.
In this embodiment, in the tenth embodiment, the ink container 1 is provided with the atmosphere release valve 8 having the housing portion 18 integral with the case 2. The air release valve 8 includes a valve seat 8a in a housing portion 18, a ball 8b that can contact the valve seat 8a, and a spring member 8c that urges the ball 8b toward the valve seat 8a, that is, in a closed state. .
[0091]
On the other hand, outside the air release valve 8, the air release valve 8 is advanced into the air release valve 8 to press the ball 8 b inward against the urging force of the spring member 8 c to open the air release valve 8. For this purpose, a valve operating pin 51, which is a driving means, is arranged to be able to advance and retract.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 22, the valve operating pin 51 is attached to a member that fixes the ink container 1, for example, a carriage member 52 so as to be able to advance and retreat, and is urged in a retracting direction by a spring 53. Further, the valve operating pin 51 is formed with a restricting portion 51b made of a flange as a restricting means for restricting the pushing amount so that the valve operating pin 51 does not advance in the direction of the air release valve 8 beyond a predetermined amount. The valve operating pin 51 is driven by a solenoid (not shown), a link mechanism, a motor or the like.
[0093]
Since it comprised in this way, the air release valve 8 can be opened and closed by advancing and retracting the valve operating pin 51, the air release can be performed appropriately, and the quality of the ink container can be maintained for a long time.
[0094]
That is, the air release valve 8 needs to operate reliably with respect to repeated opening and closing many times. As described above, as the atmosphere release valve 8, the spring member 8c is used to urge the ball 8b so that a force is generated so that the valve is normally closed. By applying a force against the force to open the valve, the configuration is simplified, and the ball 8b forming the seal portion can be released to the atmosphere by slightly pushing, and the pushing stroke is also the spring member 8c. Therefore, no strict accuracy is required, and the mechanism for operating the air release valve 8 can be simplified.
[0095]
  Further, the drive for operating the air release valve 8ElementAsofThe valve operating pin 51 is a member to which the ink container 1 is positioned and fixed.AscarriageMember 52InDisplaceable providedTherefore, the valve operating pin 51 can surely push the ball 8b of the air release valve 8 to release the air.
[0096]
Further, since the valve operating pin 51 is urged in the direction away from the ink container 1 by the spring member 53, the valve operating pin 51 is normally surely in a non-contact state with the atmosphere release valve 8, and has a simple configuration and the atmosphere. The release valve 8 can be reliably turned on and off (opened and closed).
[0097]
Further, since the valve operating pin 51 is provided with a restricting portion 51b for restricting the pushing amount, the air release valve 8 is damaged during the assembly of the recording apparatus or the ink container 1 is displaced with respect to the carriage. Can be prevented.
[0098]
Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply apparatus including an ink container, and FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram for a main part of the same apparatus.
In this embodiment, corresponding to the displacement operation portion 9b of the displacement member 9 of the ink container 1 of the fifth embodiment described above, the operation pin 61 for operating the displacement operation portion 9b is arranged.
[0099]
As shown in FIG. 24, the operating pin 61 is also attached to a member for fixing the ink container 1, for example, a carriage member 52 so as to be able to advance and retreat, and is urged in a retracting direction by a spring 63. Further, the operating pin 61 is formed with a restricting portion 61b made of a flange as a restricting means for restricting the pushing amount so as not to advance in the direction in which the displacement member 9 is displaced beyond a predetermined amount. The valve operating pin 61 is driven by a solenoid (not shown), a link mechanism, a motor or the like.
[0100]
As described above, the operating pin 61 is movably mounted on the carriage and the displacement operation portion 9b of the displacement member 9 is pushed, so that the volume of the ink container 1 is changed via the displacement member 9 with a simple configuration. Negative pressure can be generated. By providing the operating pin 61 on a member such as a carriage where the ink container is positioned and fixed, the amount of pressing of the displacement member 9 by the operating pin 51 can be determined with high accuracy, and the volume change of the ink container 1 can be controlled with high accuracy. can do.
[0101]
In addition, since the operation pin 61 is provided with the restricting portion 61b for restricting the pushing amount, the displacement member 9 is damaged during the assembly of the recording apparatus or the position of the ink container 1 is shifted with respect to the carriage. Can be prevented.
[0102]
Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply apparatus including an ink container, and FIG. 26 is an explanatory front view of the apparatus.
In this embodiment, the ink container 1 is provided with a negative pressure maintaining compression spring 4B for maintaining the negative pressure generated together with the negative pressure generating compression spring 4A for generating a negative pressure.
[0103]
  By providing two spring members for generating negative pressure and maintaining negative pressure in this way,Negative pressureAdjustment becomes easy.
[0104]
Next, a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 27 is an explanatory plan view for explaining the basic configuration of an ink supply apparatus including an ink container, and FIG. 28 is an explanatory front view of the apparatus.
In this embodiment, the ink container 71 includes a case (container main body) 72 having openings symmetrically across a partition wall 72a formed of a resin material or the like, and two chambers 71A formed by the case 72, And compression films 74A and 74B for pressing and urging the films 73A and 73B outwardly in the chambers 71A and 71B, respectively. is doing.
[0105]
The case 72 is provided with an ink injection port 75 for injecting ink into the chambers 71A and 71B, and an ink supply port 76 for supplying the ink to a separate or integral inkjet head 20 as a recording head.
[0106]
Further, displacement members 79A and 79B that are displaced according to the volume changes of the chambers 71A and 71B are provided to be swingable, and detection pieces 79a and 79b are provided on the displacement members 79A and 79B, respectively.
[0107]
With this configuration, two types of ink, for example, different color inks, can be accommodated in one ink container 71, and the size reduction can be achieved.
[0108]
Next, an example of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the figure is a perspective explanatory drawing explaining the principal part structure to the apparatus.
The ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage 113 movable in the main scanning direction inside the recording apparatus main body 101, a recording head integrated ink cartridge according to the present invention (not shown) including an ink jet head mounted on the carriage 113, and the like. The printing mechanism 103 and the like are accommodated.
[0109]
The printing mechanism unit 103 holds the carriage 113 slidably in the main scanning direction with a main guide rod 111 and a sub guide rod 112 which are guide members horizontally mounted on left and right side plates (not shown), and holds the carriage 113 in the main scanning direction. Main scanning mechanisms such as a main scanning motor 114 and a timing belt 115 are provided.
[0110]
In the carriage 113, an inkjet head (recording head) that ejects ink droplets of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) colors crosses the ink ejection port in the main scanning direction. The ink droplet ejection direction is directed downward, and ink containers (ink tanks) for the respective colors that supply ink to the respective recording heads are mounted.
[0111]
At the time of recording, the recording head is driven according to the image signal while moving the carriage 113, thereby ejecting ink onto the stopped paper to record one line, and the sub scanning including the sub scanning motor 116 is performed on the paper. The next line is recorded after a predetermined amount is conveyed by the mechanism. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal that the trailing edge of the paper reaches the recording area, the recording operation is finished and the paper is discharged.
[0112]
Further, a recovery device 117 for recovering the ejection failure of the head is disposed at a position outside the recording area on the right end side in the movement direction of the carriage 113. The recovery device 117 includes a cap unit, a suction unit, and a cleaning unit.
[0113]
The carriage 113 is moved to the recovery device 117 side during printing standby and the head is capped by the capping means, and the ejection port portion is kept in a wet state to prevent ejection failure due to ink drying. Further, by ejecting ink that is not related to recording during recording or the like, the ink viscosity of all the ejection ports is made constant and stable ejection performance is maintained.
[0114]
When replacing the ink cartridge or when an ejection failure occurs, seal the ejection port of the head with the capping unit, suck out bubbles and other bubbles from the ejection port with the suction unit through the tube, and remove ink or dust adhering to the ejection port surface. Etc. are removed by the cleaning means, and the ejection failure is recovered. Further, the sucked ink is discharged to a waste ink reservoir (not shown) installed at the lower part of the main body and absorbed and held by an ink absorber inside the waste ink reservoir.
[0115]
An example of an ink supply device including the ink container according to the present invention applied to the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 is an overall explanatory view for explaining the outline of the ink supply mechanism, FIG. 31 is an explanatory side view of FIG. 30, FIG. 32 is an explanatory plan view of the ink container, and FIG. 33 is an explanatory side view of FIG.
[0116]
The carriage 113 is equipped with four (four color) ink containers 121 for ejecting four color inks to obtain a full color image, and a recording head (not shown) is placed below the ink container 121. 121 is directly connected.
[0117]
Each ink container 121 is a combination of the ink containers of the above-described embodiments, and includes a case (container body) 2 formed of a resin material or the like, and a flexible film 3 that seals the opening of the case 2. And a compression spring 4 that presses and biases the film outward. The case 2 is provided with an ink injection port 5 having a check valve 12, an ink supply port 6, and an air release port 7 having an air release valve 8. 8 is formed in the air vent channel 16 in which the constricted portion 17 is formed, the detection electrodes 15a and 15b are arranged on the upper inner wall surface of the constricted portion 17 and the case 2, respectively, and the film 3 responding to the volume change on the outside. A displacement member 9 that is displaced in accordance with the displacement is mounted so as to be swingable, and a displacement operation portion 9b is formed on the displacement member 9.
[0118]
A valve operating pin 51 for opening and closing the air release valve 8 of each ink container 121 and an operating pin 61 for displacing the displacement operating portion 9b of the displacement member 9 are attached to the carriage 113 so as to advance and retract. Yes.
[0119]
Each ink container 121 is connected to a main cartridge 132 fixed to the recording apparatus main body via a tube 133 and a replenishment pump 134.
[0120]
On the other hand, the recovery mechanism 117 of the recording apparatus main body stores a cap unit 141 for capping the head, a suction pump 142 which is an ink suction unit connected to the cap unit 141 closest to the print area side, and the sucked waste ink. A waste ink tank 143 and a wiper 144 for wiping dust and ink adhering to the nozzle surface of the head in an array of cap means 141 are provided.
[0121]
The ink suction means (here, the suction pump 142) may be attached to all the cap means 141, but here it is configured to be connected to only one cap means 141 closest to the print area. . The suction pump 142 as the ink suction means can be a tubing pump, a piston pump, or the like.
[0122]
Further, the wiping direction by the wiper 144 may be either the moving direction of the carriage 113 (main scanning direction) or the recording paper conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). Thus, wiping is performed in the main scanning direction in which wiping is performed by scanning the carriage 113.
[0123]
Further, on the recovery mechanism 117 side, when the carriage 113 is moved to the recovery mechanism 117 side to fill the ink container 121 with ink, the operation pieces 145a and 145b for moving the valve operation pin 51 and the operation pin 61 forward and backward. The drive actuator 145 having the above is disposed. Here, the operating pin 61 for displacing the displacing member 9 is different from the above-described embodiment in that the operating piece 145b of the drive actuator 145 is moved forward and backward once without being biased backward by the spring member. It is configured to advance and retreat on the next advance and retreat.
[0124]
Next, an outline of a portion related to ink filling in the control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
The main control unit 151 controls the entire recording apparatus. The main control unit 151 receives recording data from a host (not shown) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / F, etc. via a cable or line, and controls each unit. In addition, the recording operation is performed, and the ink filling and replenishing operations for the ink container 121 according to the present invention are controlled.
[0125]
That is, the main control unit 151 drives and controls the main scanning motor 114 via the motor driver 152 to move the carriage 113 in the main scanning direction, and controls the sub scanning motor 116 to drive the paper in the sub scanning direction. Then, the print data and the like are sent to the head driver 153 to drive the pressure generating means of the recording head 154 composed of an ink jet head to eject ink droplets according to the recording data, thereby recording an image. The ink jet head may be of any type such as a piezoelectric type using a piezoelectric element as a pressure generating means, a thermal type using a heating resistor, and an electrostatic type using a diaphragm and an electrode.
[0126]
The main control unit 151 controls the drive of the motor 156 of the recovery device 117 via the subsystem driver 155. The recovery device 117 uses the motor 156, the cam mechanism, and the link mechanism to move the cap means 141 up and down, the wiper 144 up and down, the suction pump 142 operating / stopping, and a carriage lock member (not shown) up and down. .
[0127]
Further, the main control unit 151 controls driving of the replenishment pump 34 and the drive actuator 145 via the ink filling driver 157 to control supply of ink to the ink container 121, opening / closing of the ink container 121 to the atmosphere, and volume change. To do.
[0128]
The main control unit 151 also includes an ink remaining amount detection signal from an ink remaining amount detection unit 158 that is connected to the detection electrodes 15a and 15b of the ink container 121 and detects an ink end or an ink near end, and a displacement of the ink container 121. A detection signal from a displacement detection means (displacement sensor) 36 for detecting the displacement of the member 9, a detection temperature signal from a temperature sensor 159 for detecting the ambient temperature, and the like are input.
[0129]
Next, the ink supply operation in this ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the initial filling operation for the ink container 121 will be described with reference to FIG. 35. The carriage 113 is moved to the recovery mechanism 117 side, and the ink container 121 to be filled is placed on the cap unit 141 to which the suction pump 142 is connected. Then, the cap unit 141 is raised by driving the motor 156 and the nozzle surface of the head 154 connected to the ink container 121 is capped.
[0130]
Next, the pin drive actuator 145 is operated to advance the valve operating pin 51 to open the atmosphere release valve 8 of the ink container 121, and the operating pin 61 is also advanced to operate the displacement operation portion 9b of the displacement member 9. The displacement member 9 is displaced and the ink container 121 is reduced by pushing the film 3 against the compression spring 4 of the ink container 121.
[0131]
Thereafter, the replenishment pump 34 is operated to start filling ink from the ink cartridge (main cartridge) 34 into the ink container 121. Then, the detection signal from the ink remaining amount detection unit 158 is checked to determine whether or not the ink filling is completed, and the operation pump 34 is stopped when the ink filling is completed.
[0132]
Next, the suction pump 142 is operated to suck ink from the nozzles of the head 154 and fill the head 154 with ink. Thereafter, the replenishment pump 34 is operated again to replenish the ink container 121 with the ink reduced by the suction from the ink cartridge 34, and the ink container 121 is filled up.
[0133]
In this state, since the ink container 121 is open to the atmosphere, ink is oozing from the nozzles. Here, the portion of the drive actuator 145 that drives the valve operating pin 51 is deactivated, the valve operating pin 51 is retracted, the air release valve 8 of the ink container 121 is closed, and the ink container 121 is sealed.
[0134]
Subsequently, the motor 156 is driven and controlled to lower the cap means 141 to release capping, and after the wiper 144 is lifted, the carriage 113 is moved to wipe the nozzle surface of the recording head 154 filled with ink. As a result, a meniscus is formed at the nozzles of the head 154, and the bleeding of ink from the nozzles stops.
[0135]
Next, by moving the operating piece 145b of the drive actuator 145 back and forth again, the displacement member 9 can be displaced by retracting the operating pin 61, so that the film 3 of the ink container 121 is moved by the biasing force of the compression spring 4. By being pushed, the volume of the ink container 121 expands, and a negative pressure can be generated in the ink container 121.
[0136]
By performing such a sequence for all the ink containers 121, the initial filling is completed, and printing becomes possible.
[0137]
Note that wiping and negative pressure generation can be performed in reverse order. However, in this case, no meniscus is formed on the nozzle, and negative pressure is generated in a state where the ink sucked by the cap remains on the nozzle surface, so that bubbles or the like are easily caught from the nozzle.
[0138]
Next, ink replenishment control will be described with reference to FIG.
First, it is determined by checking the detection signal of the ink remaining amount detection unit 158 whether or not ink replenishment is necessary. When it is necessary to replenish ink, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge 32 has been replaced. If the ink cartridge 32 has not been replaced, it is determined whether or not an unnecessary state has been maintained for a long time. If the period unnecessary state does not continue, the ink container 121 is replenished with ink in a non-atmospheric state. In addition, ink replenishment in the non-atmosphere open state replenishes ink while the air release valve 8 is closed without operating the operation pin 51 of the drive actuator 145.
[0139]
On the other hand, if the ink cartridge 32 has been replaced when the ink needs to be replenished, or if the unnecessary state continues for a long period of time, the ink is replenished in the ink container 121 in an open state. In addition, ink replenishment in the atmosphere release state operates the operation pin 51 of the drive actuator 145 to open the atmosphere release valve 8 and replenish ink.
[0140]
Even when ink replenishment is not necessary, if the detection signal from the temperature sensor 159 is checked and the state above the set temperature continues for a predetermined time, the operation pin 51 of the drive actuator 145 is operated. The air release valve 8 is opened to temporarily open the ink container 121 to the atmosphere.
[0141]
In this way, by selecting the ink replenishment in the open state and the ink replenishing in the non-atmospheric state, it is possible to supply ink that degrades the ink quality over a long period of time.
[0142]
Next, a specific embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This configuration is basically the same as the ink container and the ink supply device of the ink jet recording apparatus.
[0143]
An ink container main body (case) 202 having a volume of about 7 cc sealed on one side with a flexible film 203 was formed of polyethylene resin. The film 203 was made of low-density polyethylene on the inner surface, nylon on the outer surface, and 80 μm in thickness, and was bonded by heat fusion. A compression spring 204 is disposed in the case 202 of the ink container 201. As the compression spring 204, a spiral spring having a generated force of about 20 to 50 gf with respect to a displacement of 6 mm was used.
[0144]
Metal pins 215a and 215 were provided on the upper surface of the ink container 201 by press fitting. In addition, an air release port 207 made of a through hole having a diameter of about 2 mm is formed in a part of the uppermost surface of the case 202 of the ink container 201, and the air release valve 208 that is normally closed by being biased by a spring at the same portion. Was provided. In addition, an ink injection port 205 made of a hole having a diameter of about 0.5 mm was formed on the case 202 of the ink container 201, and a tube 233 having an inner diameter of 1 mm was connected to that portion. The other end of the tube 233 was connected to the main cartridge 232 via the piston pump 234.
[0145]
The main cartridge 232 used was a bag shape made of aluminum vapor deposited film. Further, a leaf spring 209 having a thickness of 0.15 mm serving as a displacement member was provided on the polyethylene case 202 by heat caulking on the outer surface of the film 203 of the ink container 201. The leaf spring 209 is bent to the ink container 201 side and applied to the inside with a force of about 5 to 10 g so that the film 203 is pushed into the case 202 when there is no spiral spring 204 in the ink container 201. It was set so
[0146]
Further, a detection piece 209a is provided at the free end of the leaf spring 209, and a photo sensor 236 is provided as a displacement detection means for detecting the displacement of the detection piece 209a of the leaf spring 209. In addition, a pressure sensor is connected to an ink supply port 206 on the bottom surface of the ink container 201 to which the original print head is bonded via a fluid resistance element set to a fluid resistance value equivalent to that of the print head for evaluating the ink container. Joined.
[0147]
In this way, an evaluation sample was manufactured, ink filling operation was performed, and negative pressure was evaluated. First, the operation pin 251 is first inserted from the outside to open the atmosphere release valve 208. In this state, the leaf spring 209 is displaced about 1 mm inward in the central portion of the ink container 201, and the film 203 is pushed inward. The volume of the container 201 was reduced.
[0148]
Next, the piston pump 234 was moved, and the ink container 201 was filled with ink until the impedance between the metal pins 215a and 215b as the detection electrodes was lowered, and the tank was full. When the internal pressure of the ink container 201 was measured in this state, it was a positive pressure of about 40 mmAq. Next, the operating pin 251 that pushes the atmosphere release valve 208 is released, the inside of the ink container 201 is sealed, and then the restraint of the leaf spring 209 as the displacement member is released, and the negative pressure is measured to be about −20 mmAq. There was a negative pressure.
[0149]
Next, when the ink was discharged, the negative pressure increased as the discharge amount increased, and the negative pressure became −100 mmAq when about 3.5 cc was discharged. At this time, the film 203 was completely deflated inward, and the leaf spring 209 as a displacement member was in a form in which the free end abuts against the case 202 as shown in FIG.
[0150]
Therefore, when the atmosphere release valve 208 was opened again and ink replenishment and negative pressure generation operation were performed again in the same procedure as the initial filling, about 3.5 cc of ink was replenished and a negative pressure of about −20 mmAq was generated again. .
[0151]
Next, the ink was discharged until the internal pressure of the ink container 201 increased again to a negative pressure of −100 mmAq, and the replenishment pump 234 was driven without opening the air release valve 208. The replenishment was stopped by deforming the leaf spring 209 by detecting the output of the photosensor 236. Since the displacement detector uses the end of the leaf spring 209, the displacement amount of the film 203 can be enlarged and detected accurately, and as a result, replenishment can be stopped when the internal pressure is -20 mmAq. It was.
[0152]
A recording head is connected to the ink container 201 having the above-described configuration and mounted on a carriage to form a recording apparatus. For comparison, when the hole diameter of the ink supply portion of the ink container was changed from 0.5 mm to 2 mm and initially filled, when the piston pump 234 was stopped and the atmosphere release valve 208 was closed, the air flowed back into the ink supply tube 233. Air was mixed in. The printing evaluation was repeated, the ink container 201 was emptied, the ink was replenished without opening to the atmosphere, and the tank was filled again. When a printing test was performed in this state, good printing quality could be obtained.
[0153]
However, when this recording apparatus was brought into a high temperature environment and subjected to a printing test, an abnormal image was generated. This is considered to be caused by air mixed in the ink container 201 at the time of ink replenishment. When the atmosphere was once released and the negative pressure generation operation was performed again, normal print quality could be obtained. Further, when the ink check valve 12 was provided at the ink injection port 205, air did not flow back to the ink supply tube 233, and the quality was stabilized.
[0154]
In each of the above embodiments, the ink container that stores ink is described as the liquid container. However, the liquid container that is used for a recording head that discharges a liquid resist or the like, or the liquid that is used for a recording head that discharges other liquids such as a DNA sample. It can also be applied to containers.
[0155]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present inventionAccording to the ink jet recording apparatus, the opening / closing driving means is driven to open the atmosphere release valve to supply the liquid from the main cartridge to the liquid container, and the atmosphere release valve is closed to close the liquid container from the main cartridge. Means for controlling the non-atmospheric filling to supply liquid to the atmosphere, and performs the open air filling when the main cartridge is replaced, or the open air filling when the liquid container is used for a predetermined period of time. Since it is configured, high quality recording can be performed stably.
[0156]
According to the present inventionAccording to the inkjet recording device,When the state where the ambient temperature of the liquid container is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature continues for a predetermined period, the atmospheric opening / closing valve is opened by the opening / closing driving means to release the atmosphere.Since it is configured, high quality recording can be performed stably.
[0157]
  According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the opening / closing driving means is driven to open the air release valve of the liquid container, the volume of the space of the liquid container is contracted by the pressing means, and then the main cartridge is moved to the liquid container. A structure comprising means for controlling the open air filling so that the liquid is supplied and the air release valve of the liquid container is closed and then the pressure by the pressing means is released to form a negative pressure in the liquid container. Therefore, high quality recording can be performed stably.
[0158]
  According to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, since the liquid container according to the present invention or the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention is provided, high quality recording can be performed stably.
[0159]
  According to the ink cartridge of the present invention, since the recording head for ejecting droplets and the liquid container of the present invention are integrally provided, a negative pressure can be generated with a simple structure and ink can be stably formed. Can be supplied to the head.
[0160]
  According to the liquid supply apparatus of the present invention, in the liquid supply apparatus for supplying liquid to the recording head that discharges droplets, the liquid container according to the present invention, a main cartridge for supplying liquid to the liquid container, Since it has a configuration comprising a pressing means for deforming the flexible member of the liquid container in a direction in which the volume of the space contracts,A stable and reliable liquid supply can be performed over a long period of time.
[0161]
  According to the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention,The liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, the opening / closing drive means for opening and closing the atmosphere release valve, the opening / closing drive means is driven to open the atmosphere release valve of the liquid container, and the volume of the space of the liquid container is contracted by the pressing means After the liquid is supplied, the liquid is supplied from the main cartridge to the liquid container, and the air release valve of the liquid container is further closed, and then the pressing by the pressing means is released to control the negative pressure in the liquid container. So that it is equipped with means,High quality recording can be performed stably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment
FIG. 3 is a basic configuration diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a basic configuration diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a basic configuration diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a basic configuration diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
11 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of FIG. 10;
12 is an explanatory side view of the main part of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a basic configuration diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part for explaining the check valve of FIG. 13;
15 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part for explaining another example of the check valve of FIG. 13;
FIG. 16 is a basic configuration diagram for explaining a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a basic configuration diagram for explaining an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
18 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main part of FIG.
FIG. 19 is a basic configuration diagram for explaining a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a basic configuration diagram for explaining a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a basic configuration diagram for explaining an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;
22 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main part of FIG.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory plan view for explaining a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
24 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main part of FIG. 23.
FIG. 25 is a side view for explaining a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a front explanatory view of the embodiment.
FIG. 27 is an explanatory plan view illustrating a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a front explanatory view of the embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a perspective explanatory view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 30 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the recording apparatus.
FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional configuration explanatory diagram of an ink container and an ink supply device of the recording apparatus.
FIG. 32 is an explanatory plan view of a cross section of the ink container.
FIG. 33 is an explanatory side sectional view of the ink container.
FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a control unit of the recording apparatus
FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining the initial filling operation by the control unit.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of ink replenishment control by the control unit;
FIG. 37 is a partial cross-sectional configuration explanatory diagram of an ink container and an ink supply device for explanation of a specific example.
FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the ink container
FIG. 39 is an explanatory side sectional view of the ink container.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ink container, 2 ... Case, 3 ... Film, 4 ... Compression spring, 5 ... Ink injection port, 6 ... Ink supply port, 7 ... Air release port, 8 ... Air release valve, 9 ... Displacement member

Claims (8)

In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that discharges liquid droplets; and a liquid container that contains a liquid to be supplied to the recording head and is supplied with the liquid from a main cartridge .
The liquid container is
A space for accommodating the liquid is formed by sealing the opening of the container body having the opening with a flexible member,
A member for urging the flexible member outward is disposed in the space,
The container body is provided with an air opening for opening the space to the atmosphere,
An atmosphere release valve for opening and closing the atmosphere release port is provided and configured.
Open / close drive means for opening / closing the atmosphere open valve of the liquid container ; and
The open / close drive means is driven to open the atmosphere release valve and supply the liquid from the main cartridge to the liquid container, and the atmosphere release valve is closed to close the atmosphere release valve to the liquid container from the main cartridge. Control means for performing control with non-atmospheric open filling for supplying liquid to
The ink jet recording apparatus , wherein the control means performs the open air filling when the main cartridge is replaced . In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that discharges liquid droplets; and a liquid container that contains a liquid to be supplied to the recording head and is supplied with the liquid from a main cartridge .
The liquid container is
A space for accommodating the liquid is formed by sealing the opening of the container body having the opening with a flexible member,
A member for urging the flexible member outward is disposed in the space,
The container body is provided with an air opening for opening the space to the atmosphere,
An atmosphere release valve for opening and closing the atmosphere release port is provided and configured.
Open / close drive means for opening / closing the atmosphere open valve of the liquid container ; and
The open / close drive means is driven to open the atmosphere release valve and supply the liquid from the main cartridge to the liquid container, and the atmosphere release valve is closed to close the atmosphere release valve to the liquid container from the main cartridge. Control means for performing control with non-atmospheric open filling for supplying liquid to
The ink jet recording apparatus , wherein the control means performs the open-air filling when the liquid container has not been used for a predetermined period . In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that discharges liquid droplets; and a liquid container that contains a liquid to be supplied to the recording head and is supplied with the liquid from a main cartridge .
The liquid container is
A space for accommodating the liquid is formed by sealing the opening of the container body having the opening with a flexible member,
A member for urging the flexible member outward is disposed in the space,
The container body is provided with an air opening for opening the space to the atmosphere,
An atmosphere release valve for opening and closing the atmosphere release port is provided and configured.
Open / close drive means for opening / closing the atmosphere open valve of the liquid container ; and
The opened and closed by driving means that <br/> to and a means for performing the air release opening the canister valve when the temperature or more conditions ambient temperature predetermined for the liquid container is continued during a predetermined An ink jet recording apparatus. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a carriage on which the recording head and the liquid container are mounted. The carriage moves forward and backward with respect to the atmosphere release valve so that the atmosphere release valve is provided. An inkjet recording apparatus, wherein a pin member that opens and closes is provided so as to be able to advance and retract. In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that discharges liquid droplets; and a liquid container that contains a liquid to be supplied to the recording head and is supplied with the liquid from a main cartridge .
The liquid container is
A space for accommodating the liquid is formed by sealing the opening of the container body having the opening with a flexible member,
A member for urging the flexible member outward is disposed in the space,
The container body is provided with an air opening for opening the space to the atmosphere,
An atmosphere release valve for opening and closing the atmosphere release port is provided and configured.
The flexible member is a pressing member that deforms the flexible member of the liquid container in a direction in which the volume of the space contracts, or a displacement member that contacts the outer surface side of the flexible member. Pressing means for pressing the space so as to deform in a shrinking direction;
Open / close drive means for opening / closing the atmosphere release valve;
After driving the opening / closing drive means to open the air release valve of the liquid container, and shrinking the volume of the space of the liquid container by the pressing means, supply liquid from the main cartridge to the liquid container, after further the air release valve of the liquid container in the closed state, by releasing the pressing by the pressing means, and control means for controlling the air release filling to form a negative pressure in said liquid container An ink jet recording apparatus. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the air filling is performed when the main cartridge is replaced. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the air filling is performed when the liquid container has not been used for a predetermined period. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein when the state where the ambient temperature of the liquid container is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature continues for a predetermined period, the atmospheric opening / closing valve is opened by the opening / closing driving means to release the atmosphere. An ink jet recording apparatus.

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