JP4577055B2 - Liquid recovery apparatus and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid recovery apparatus and a liquid ejection apparatus.

  Conventionally, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) is known as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target. In this printer, in order to reduce ink ejection defects, cleaning is performed as appropriate to eject thickened ink from nozzles that eject ink.

  In this cleaning, after the nozzle forming surface on which the nozzle is formed is sealed with a cap, a space (inside the cap) that is airtight between the nozzle forming surface and the cap is sucked by a suction pump. The printer forms an inner space of the cap that becomes a negative pressure on the ink discharge direction side, and discharges the thickened ink or the like by using the negative pressure.

  In such cleaning, the ink ejected from the nozzle is collected by the collection container after being sucked by the suction pump. The collection container contains an ink absorbing material (liquid absorbing material) inside, and the ink discharged from the suction pump (hereinafter referred to as “discharged ink”) is the ink absorbing material in the collecting container. To be absorbed. The recovery container evaporates a part of the ink solvent in the recovered discharged ink from the opening of the recovery container, thereby reducing the capacity of the discharged ink and improving the recovery efficiency.

  In recent years, in such printers, pigment ink and high-density ink have been used in order to improve the storability and coloring of the printed image. In general, the ink components of such inks are easily agglomerated and solidified when the ink solvent evaporates or is absorbed by the ink absorbing material. For this reason, when pigment ink or high-concentration ink is discharged into the collection container, solidified ink components, that is, ink residues, accumulate in the collection container (particularly near the discharge port from which the discharged ink is discharged). It becomes.

Accordingly, a collection container described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed to promote the diffusion of discharged ink. In the collection container of Patent Document 1, the discharged ink discharged from the discharge port flows and diffuses along the inclined bottom surface, and the diffused discharged ink is absorbed by the ink absorbing material.
JP 2004-34361 A

  By the way, since the entire upper part of the recovery container of Patent Document 1 is an opening, if the discharged ink is discharged from the discharge port into the recovery container, the ink solvent is not used before the discharged ink is diffused. Evaporates from the opening of the collection container. As a result, the ink component of the discharged ink is concentrated in the vicinity of the discharge port in the collection container, so that an ink residue that inhibits the diffusion (flow) of the discharged ink accumulates there, and the collection of the discharged ink in the collection container There was a risk of a decline in ability.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid recovery apparatus and a liquid ejection apparatus that can smoothly recover the liquid discharged from the discharge port.

  A liquid recovery apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid absorbent that absorbs liquid discharged from a discharge port, and a recovery container that houses the liquid absorbent, and a part of the liquid is evaporated through an opening of the recovery container. In the liquid recovery apparatus, the opening / closing means for opening and closing the opening, and the opening is closed when the liquid is discharged, and the liquid penetrates the liquid absorbent after the liquid is discharged. Control means for opening and closing the opening and closing means so as to open the opening after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  According to this invention, since the opening is closed when the liquid is discharged, evaporation in the previous stage in which the liquid permeates the liquid absorbent is suppressed. Since the opening is opened after a predetermined time after the liquid has been discharged and the liquid has permeated the liquid absorbent, the evaporation of the liquid is promoted through the opening. Therefore, the liquid discharged from the discharge port can be suitably infiltrated into the liquid absorbent material without being concentrated in the vicinity of the discharge port in the recovery container, and the liquid can be recovered smoothly.

In the liquid recovery apparatus of the present invention, the predetermined time is changed according to the liquid discharge amount.
According to this invention, even if the amount of liquid discharged into the recovery container is changed and the time until the liquid penetrates into the liquid absorbent changes, the liquid has penetrated into the liquid absorbent after the liquid has penetrated into the liquid absorbent. Can promote evaporation. Therefore, the liquid can be suitably infiltrated into the liquid absorbent material, and the recovery efficiency of the liquid can be improved.

  The liquid recovery apparatus of the present invention further includes a measuring unit that measures an elapsed time after the liquid is discharged, and a storage unit that stores the predetermined time, and the control unit measures the time measured by the measuring unit. When the time becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined time stored in the storage means, the opening / closing means is operated so as to open the opening.

  According to the present invention, when the predetermined time has elapsed since the liquid was discharged, the opening is surely opened, so that the liquid absorbent can be more suitably permeated and the liquid can be smoothly smoothed. Can be recovered.

  In the liquid recovery apparatus of the present invention, when the power is turned off before the predetermined time elapses after the liquid is discharged, the control means opens and closes the opening and closing so that the opening is in a half-open state. Controls the opening and closing operation of the means.

According to the present invention, for example, even when the power supply is turned off and left for a long period of time, the liquid can be suitably infiltrated into the liquid absorbent, and the evaporation of the liquid can be promoted.
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention ejects the liquid stored in the liquid storing unit, the cap that seals the nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejecting head, and the liquid ejecting head from the liquid ejecting head. Recovery means for recovering the liquid from the outlet, and the recovery means is constituted by the liquid recovery apparatus having the above-described configuration.

  According to the present invention, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head can be collected smoothly.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer will be described with reference to FIGS. Unless otherwise specified, the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction in the following description are the same as the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction based on the ink jet printer shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer 10 as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a bottomed substantially long rectangular box-shaped main body case 11 that covers the entire apparatus of the ink jet printer 10. Between the left and right side walls of the main body case 11, a rod-shaped guide member 12 is installed so as to extend in the left-right direction. A carriage 13 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 12 so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the guide member 12. The carriage 13 is connected to a carriage motor 15 via a timing belt 14, and is moved in the left-right direction along the guide member 12 by driving the carriage motor 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a recording head 16 as a liquid ejecting head is mounted below the carriage 13. The lower surface of the recording head 16 is a nozzle forming surface 16a, and a plurality of nozzles (not shown) are provided on the nozzle forming surface 16a. An ink cartridge 17 as a liquid storage unit is detachably mounted on the carriage 13 above the recording head 16. In the ink cartridge 17, a plurality of colors of ink as liquids are accommodated so as to be supplied to the recording head 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a platen 18 extending in the left-right direction is provided below the carriage 13. The platen 18 is a support base that supports the recording paper P as a target, and a paper feed mechanism (not shown) is provided on the upper surface thereof. This paper feed mechanism feeds (moves) the recording paper P forward by driving a paper feed motor 19 (see FIG. 1) provided in the main body case 11. When the carriage 13 is reciprocated along the guide member 12 and a piezoelectric element (not shown) provided in the recording head 16 is driven based on the print data, each ink from each nozzle on the nozzle forming surface 16a is driven. Are jetted to the recording paper P fed forward, and printing is performed on the recording paper P.

  On the bottom surface of the main body case 11 on the lower side of the platen 18, a recovery container 20 that constitutes a liquid recovery device as a recovery means is provided. The collection container 20 includes a container body 21 having a bottomed substantially long rectangular box shape extending in the left-right direction, and a lid body 22 that closes an upper end opening 21a (see FIG. 3) of the container body 21. As shown in FIG. 2, a communication portion 23 that connects the inside and the outside of the container body 21 is formed on the right side wall of the container body 21. The communication part 23 is formed by notching a part of the upper-end center part of the right side wall of the container main body 21 in a U shape (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, an ink absorbing material 24 as a liquid absorbing material is accommodated in the container main body 21 so as to substantially fill the container main body 21, and the ink absorbing material 24 and the lid 22 are A slight gap is provided between them. A concave portion 25 having a quadrangular shape in a plan view is formed at the right end portion of the ink absorbing material 24, and a space in the concave portion 25 serves as an introduction chamber 26. In addition, a communication path 27 that connects the communication portion 23 and the recess 25 is formed between the communication portion 23 and the recess 25.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rectangular opening 28 extending in the left-right direction is formed in a part of the upper surface of the lid 22 (in the vicinity of the front end in FIG. 3). Thus, the inside and outside of the collection container 20 communicate with each other. In addition, on the upper surface of the lid 22, an opening / closing member 29 made of a substantially rectangular plate capable of closing the opening 28 has a fully closed position where the entire opening 28 is closed and a fully open position where the entire opening 28 is opened. A rack portion 29 a is formed on the rear end surface of the opening / closing member 29. Further, a disc-shaped opening / closing motor 30 and an opening / closing gear 31 are provided on the upper surface of the lid 22. The opening / closing motor 30 and the opening / closing gear 31 are connected via a rotating shaft 30 a extending in the vertical direction, and the opening / closing gear 31 meshes with the rack portion 29 a of the opening / closing member 29.

  When the opening / closing gear 31 rotates positively about the rotation shaft 30a by driving the opening / closing motor 30, the opening / closing member 29 moves to the left so as to close the entire opening 28, and the opening / closing gear 31 is centered on the rotation shaft 30a. When rotating in the reverse direction, the opening / closing member 29 moves to the right so as to open the entire opening 28. Note that a guide mechanism (not shown) for guiding the opening / closing member 29 when the opening / closing member 29 slides is provided on the upper surface of the lid 22. In the present embodiment, the opening / closing member 29, the opening / closing motor 30, the rotating shaft 30a, and the opening / closing gear 31 constitute an opening / closing means.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a non-printing area (home position) where printing is not performed is provided at the right end in the main body case 11, and a cleaning mechanism 32 is provided in this non-printing area. Is provided. The cleaning mechanism 32 includes a cap 33, a discharge tube 34, and a suction pump 35.

  The cap 33 has a substantially square box shape with an upper surface opened, and is configured to reciprocate in the vertical direction by the driving force of a lifting motor 36 (see FIG. 5) provided in a non-printing area. . As shown in FIG. 2, a suction hole 33 a that penetrates the inner bottom wall in the vertical direction is formed in the inner bottom wall of the cap 33. A substantially rectangular frame-shaped portion 33 b made of a flexible material is provided on the upper end portion of the cap 33. When the cap 33 is moved upward while the recording head 16 is moved to the non-printing area, the frame-shaped portion 33b is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface 16a of the recording head 16, and this contact Thus, a cap internal space that is a space for sealing each nozzle (not shown) is formed in the cap 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the discharge tube 34 is connected to the suction hole 33 a, and the other end is accommodated in the collection container 20 and is introduced into the introduction chamber 26 through the communication portion 23 and the communication passage 27. Led up to. The distal end portion of the discharge tube 34 in the introduction chamber 26 is bent at a substantially right angle toward the lower side, and the distal end of the discharge tube 34 is a discharge port 34a. In this case, the discharge port 34a of the discharge tube 34 and the inner bottom surface of the recess 25 forming the introduction chamber 26 face each other without being in contact with each other. Ink can be discharged into the introduction chamber 26 in the collection container 20.

  Further, a suction pump 35 is provided in the middle portion of the discharge tube 34. Then, by driving the suction pump 35 with the cap 33 sealing the nozzle formation surface 16a, each thickened ink in the recording head 16 passes from each nozzle (not shown) through the space in the cap. Then, the recording head 16 is discharged from the discharge port 34a into the introduction chamber 26, and the recording head 16 is cleaned. In this case, the discharged ink discharged from the discharge port 34 a into the introduction chamber 26 penetrates into the ink absorbing material 24.

Next, the electrical configuration of the ink jet printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The ink jet printer 10 includes a control unit 40, and the control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 as a control unit, and a ROM 42 and a RAM 43 as storage units. The CPU 41 is configured to perform various controls in the ink jet printer 10 using the RAM 43 as a work area based on various control programs stored in the ROM 42. The control unit 40 is connected to a host computer (not shown) via an interface (not shown), and performs a printing operation based on print data transmitted from the host computer.

  The ROM 42 stores a plurality of types (three types in this embodiment) of cleaning programs. That is, the ROM 42 stores a first cleaning program for performing the first cleaning, a second cleaning program for performing the second cleaning, and a third cleaning program for performing the third cleaning. The ROM 42 penetrates into the ink absorbing material 24 based on the discharge amount of each ink discharged from the discharge port 34 a into the introduction chamber 26 when the first to third cleanings are performed. The permeation time data in which the predetermined time T required for the determination is determined by an experiment conducted in advance is stored.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the penetration time data includes the amount of ink discharged by the first cleaning of 0.5 grams, the amount of ink discharged by the second cleaning of 1.5 grams, and the amount of ink discharged by the third cleaning. It is set to 3.0 grams. Further, in the present embodiment, in the infiltration time data, the predetermined time T is set to 2 hours for the first cleaning, 5 hours for the second cleaning, and 10 hours for the third cleaning.

  The CPU 41 is electrically connected to an opening / closing motor 30, a suction pump 35, and a lifting motor 36. The opening / closing motor 30, the suction pump 35, and the lifting motor 36 are driven and controlled by the CPU 41. Yes. Furthermore, the CPU 41 is electrically connected to a timer 44 as a measuring unit that measures the elapsed time since the first to third cleanings are performed.

  Next, the cleaning process routine of the ink jet printer 10 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, a cleaning process routine for performing the first cleaning will be described.

  When the first cleaning of the ink jet printer 10 is performed, first, the CPU 41 drives the opening / closing motor 30 to rotate the opening / closing gear 31 in the forward direction, thereby moving the opening / closing member 29 to the left to move the entire opening 28. Is closed (step S1). Next, the CPU 41 drives the elevating motor 36 to raise the cap 33, thereby sealing the nozzle forming surface 16 a of the recording head 16. In this state, the CPU 41 drives the suction pump 35 to discharge each thickened ink (0.5 gram) in the recording head 16 into the introduction chamber 26 from the discharge port 34a and perform the first cleaning. The timer 44 is started (step S2).

  Next, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time T (2 hours) has elapsed since the first cleaning based on the timer 44 and the permeation time data (step S3). If the determination at step S3 is negative, the CPU 41 repeats the process at step S3. On the other hand, if the determination in step S3 is affirmative, the CPU 41 drives the opening / closing motor 30 to reversely rotate the opening / closing gear 31, thereby moving the opening / closing member 29 in the right direction to open the entire opening 28. (Step S4). Thereafter, the CPU 41 ends the cleaning process routine.

  When performing the second and third cleanings, the cleaning process routine performs the second and third cleanings in step S2, respectively. In step S3, the second and third cleanings are performed based on the timer 44 and the permeation time data. It may be determined whether or not the predetermined time T has elapsed since the third cleaning.

  As described above, even if the discharge amount of the ink discharged from the discharge port 34a into the introduction chamber 26 changes depending on the types of cleaning performed in the ink jet printer 10 (first to third cleaning), the ink is used as the ink. While sufficiently penetrating (diffusing) into the absorber 24, evaporation of the solvent of the ink can be promoted.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When ink is discharged into the collection container 20 by the first to third cleanings, the opening 28 is closed, and after a predetermined time T corresponding to each cleaning has elapsed based on the permeation time data. The opening 28 is opened. For this reason, even if the amount of the ink discharged into the collection container 20 is changed by each cleaning, the ink is prevented from evaporating until the ink sufficiently penetrates into the ink absorbing material 24. After sufficiently penetrating the absorbent 24, the evaporation of the ink is promoted. Therefore, since the ink discharged into the collection container 20 can be suitably infiltrated into the ink absorbing material 24, the ink can be collected smoothly, and the collection efficiency of the ink can be improved.

  (2) When the ink is discharged from the discharge port 34a into the introduction chamber 26 by the first to third cleaning, the opening portion 28 is closed, and thus evaporation of the ink is suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the ink discharged from the discharge port 34 a from being concentrated in the vicinity of the discharge port 34 a in the introduction chamber 26 and the ink residue being accumulated. As a result, permeation (diffusion) of the ink discharged from the discharge port 34a into the ink absorbing material 24 is less likely to be hindered by the ink residue, and a decrease in the ink recovery capability of the recovery container 20 can be suppressed.

  (3) An opening 28 is provided in the vicinity of the front end of the lid 22, and is provided in the introduction chamber 26 at the right end of the ink absorbing material 24. That is, in the collection container 20, the opening 28 and the introduction chamber 26 are provided at positions separated from each other. For this reason, when the ink is discharged into the introduction chamber 26 and the entire opening 28 is opened after a predetermined time T, the ink that has permeated the ink absorbing material 24 is located downstream of the introduction chamber 26 (opening 28). Is evaporated from. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress ink discharged from the discharge port 34a from solidifying in the introduction chamber 26 and depositing ink residues.

(Example of change)
In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
The shape of the opening 28 may be a polygonal shape other than a rectangle such as a triangle, or a circular or elliptical shape.

  The number and size of the openings 28 formed in the lid body 22 may be arbitrary. In this case, the number and size of the openings 28 need to be appropriately determined in consideration of the shape and performance of the collection container 20 and the ink absorber 24, the type of ink, and the like.

  -The formation position of the opening part 28 in the cover body 22 is good also as arbitrary. In this case, the opening 28 is preferably formed at a position separated from the introduction chamber 26 in order to further promote the penetration of the ink into the ink absorbing material 24. For example, when the introduction chamber 26 is provided in the vicinity of the periphery of the collection container 20, the opening 28 may be provided in the vicinity of the opposite periphery opposite to the vicinity of the periphery.

  In addition to the opening 28, the lid 22 may be formed with an opening that is always opened separately. In this case, the opening that is always open may be formed at a position separated from the opening 28 or may be sufficiently open compared to the opening 28 so as not to affect the control of the ink evaporation amount from the opening 28. It is necessary to reduce the area. Further, in this case, it is necessary to form the opening that is always open at a position separated from the introduction chamber 26.

-You may form the container main body 21 and the cover body 22 integrally.
The collection container 20 may be configured such that the opening 28 is formed by omitting the opening 28 and sliding the whole or part of the lid 22 relative to the container main body 21. .

  In step S3 of the cleaning process routine, when the power of the ink jet printer 10 is turned off before the predetermined time T has elapsed, the opening 28 may be in a half-open state. In this way, even when the power is turned off and left for a long period of time, the ink discharged into the collection container 20 is suitably infiltrated into the ink absorbent 24 and the ink is evaporated. Can be promoted. Note that the ink jet printer 10 can store enough electric power to slide the opening / closing member 29 and bring the opening 28 into a half-open state even when the power is turned off.

  In the case where cleaning is performed continuously, the predetermined time T in step S3 of the cleaning processing routine may be obtained by accumulating the predetermined time T corresponding to all the cleanings performed based on the permeation time data. Good. That is, for example, when the first cleaning and the second cleaning are performed continuously, the predetermined time T in step S3 is the predetermined time T (5 hours) of the second cleaning to the predetermined time T (2 hours) of the first cleaning. ) Is added to make 7 hours. In this way, the ink discharged into the collection container 20 can be sufficiently permeated (diffused) into the ink absorbent 24 even when cleaning is performed continuously, and the ink Can promote evaporation.

The predetermined time T in the first to third cleanings may be longer or shorter than that set in the permeation time data depending on the properties of the ink to be used.
The predetermined times T in the first to third cleanings may all be set to the same time.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer. However, for example, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display or pixel formation such as an organic EL display. .

1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. Sectional drawing of the printer. The disassembled perspective view of the collection container of the printer. The principal part top view of the cover body of the printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the printer. 6 is a flowchart showing a cleaning process routine of the printer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus, 16 ... Recording head as a liquid ejecting head, 16a ... Nozzle formation surface, 17 ... Ink cartridge as a liquid storage means, 20 ... Recovery constituting a liquid recovery apparatus as a recovery means Container, 24... Ink absorbing material as liquid absorbing material constituting liquid collecting device as collecting means, 28... Opening, 29. Opening and closing member as opening and closing means, 30. Opening and closing motor as opening and closing means, 30 a. , Rotating shaft as 31, opening / closing gear as opening / closing means, 33 ... cap, 34a ... outlet, 41 ... CPU as control means, 42 ... ROM as storage means, 44 ... timer as measuring means, T ... predetermined time.

Claims (5)

In a liquid recovery apparatus that includes a liquid absorbent that absorbs liquid discharged from a discharge port, and a recovery container that stores the liquid absorbent, and evaporates a part of the liquid through an opening of the recovery container.
Opening and closing means for opening and closing the opening;
When the liquid is discharged, the opening is closed, and after the liquid has been discharged, the opening is opened after a predetermined time for the liquid to penetrate into the liquid absorbent material. And a control means for opening / closing the opening / closing means. The liquid recovery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is changed according to a discharge amount of the liquid. The apparatus further comprises measuring means for measuring an elapsed time after the liquid is discharged, and storage means for storing the predetermined time, and the control means stores the elapsed time measured by the measuring means. 3. The liquid recovery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is operated so as to open the opening when a predetermined time has elapsed. The control means controls the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing means so that the opening portion is in a half-open state when the power is turned off before the predetermined time elapses after the liquid is discharged. The liquid recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: A liquid ejecting head for ejecting the liquid stored in the liquid storing means, a cap for sealing a nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head, and the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head into the cap from the discharge port A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a collecting means for collecting, wherein the collecting means is configured by the liquid collecting apparatus according to claim 1.

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