JP4653301B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a recording apparatus capable of circulating a recording liquid stored in a sub tank via a recording unit and replenishing the sub tank with a recording liquid from a liquid supply source. In Related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an ink jet printer as a recording device, particularly in a liquid circulation device of an ink jet printer that requires a relatively large amount of ink, a sub tank that stores ink as a recording liquid supplies ink via a recording head. An ink cartridge is connected to the sub tank while being provided in an ink circulation passage for circulation. The ink cartridge is a liquid supply source that stores ink replenished in the sub tank.
[0003]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the recovery processing system including such a sub tank and the ink cartridge has one end connected to an ink receiving member (recovering rod) 18 and the other end connected to an ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head 2. The recovery passage 14 connected to the sub-tank 8 for storing the ink discharged from the ink receiving member 18 and the ink receiving member 18, one end connected to the outlet communicating with the common liquid chamber of the recording head 2, and the other end to the sub-tank 8. Between the supply / return passage 10 to be connected, the supply passage 12 having one end connected to the inlet communicating with the common liquid chamber of the recording head 2 and the other end connected to the sub tank 8, and between the sub tank 8 and the ink cartridge 1. The return path 4 and the supply path 16 are arranged to circulate ink between them.
[0004]
A recovery processing system as shown in FIG. 4 is provided for each of a plurality of recording heads, for example.
[0005]
The ink receiving member 18 is selectively disposed so as to oppose the ink discharge port forming surface communicating with the common liquid chamber of the recording head 2 constituting a part of the recording unit. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head 2 is disposed close to and opposed to the ink receiving member 18.
[0006]
The recovery passage 14 is provided with a pump 14 </ b> A that supplies ink stored in the ink receiving member 18 to the sub tank 8. Further, between the ink receiving member 18 and the pump 14A in the collection passage 14, the filter 14F that filters out foreign matter in the ink and the ink is transferred only in the direction indicated by the arrow, that is, only to the suction side of the pump 14A. A one-way valve 14V is provided.
[0007]
Between the sub tank 8 and the recording head 2 in the supply path 12, there is provided a one-way valve 12V for transferring ink only in the direction indicated by the arrow, that is, only to the inlet side of the recording head 2.
[0008]
The interior of the sub tank 8 is divided into, for example, two storage chambers. One storage chamber 8A (air buffer) is connected to one end of a supply passage 12 and one end of a supply passage 16 to be described later, and the other storage chamber 8B is connected to one end of a collection passage 14. Yes. Furthermore, a pump 12A that supplies ink in the directions indicated by the arrows A and B, that is, in both directions, is provided in the communication path that connects the storage chamber 8A and the storage chamber 8B.
[0009]
As a result, when the pump 12A is activated, the ink from the storage chamber 8A of the sub tank 8 is transferred to the recording head 2 along the direction indicated by the arrow, and the ink overflows from the common liquid chamber of the recording head 2. A part of the ink is discharged to the supply / return passage 10 or from the ink discharge port on the ink discharge port forming surface and discharged to the ink receiving member 18. At this time, the ink supplied to the collection passage 14 is regenerated after removing foreign matter via the filter 14F, and then transferred to the sub tank 8 by the pump 14A along the direction indicated by the arrow. Accordingly, in the ink circulation mode, the ink in the sub tank 8 is circulated via the recording head 2.
[0010]
Furthermore, one end of the atmosphere communication path 6 and one end of the return path 4 are connected to the sub tank 8. An open / close valve 6 </ b> V is provided in the atmosphere communication path 6. The sub tank 8 is provided with a remaining amount detector LS for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the storage chamber 8B.
[0011]
The ink cartridge 1 is connected to the other end of the return passage 4 via a mechanical on-off valve 4v. The ink cartridge 1 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus, and is replaced with a new ink cartridge when the internal ink IK becomes empty. The open / close valve 4v is opened in both directions of the ink cartridge 1 and the sub tank 8 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted.
[0012]
The ink cartridge 1 is connected to the storage chamber 8 </ b> A of the sub tank 8 through the supply path 16. The supply path 16 is provided with a one-way valve 16V for transferring ink only in the direction indicated by the arrow.
[0013]
Under such a configuration, a printing mode for supplying ink according to the recording operation of the recording head 2, an ink replenishing mode for supplying ink from the ink cartridge 1 to the sub tank 8, for example, a recovery process for preventing ejection failure. The ink circulation mode to be performed is selectively executed in the recovery processing system. Since the ink circulation mode has been described above, it will be omitted, and the print mode and the ink replenishment mode will be described.
[0014]
In the printing mode, the pump 12A is inactivated (stopped) while the on-off valve 6V and the on-off valve 10V are opened. Thereby, the ink in the storage chamber 8A is supplied to the common liquid chamber of the recording head 2 through the supply path 12 by capillary force, and the ink in the storage chamber 8B is based on the capillary force generated in the recording operation of the recording head 2. The ink is automatically supplied to the common liquid chamber of the recording head 2 through the supply / return passage 10. In addition, it is possible to actively supply the ink while the pump 12A is in an operating state, but it is preferable that the pump 12A is stopped in view of a stable ink supply. In the ink replenishment mode, when the remaining amount detector LS detects that the remaining amount of ink in the storage chamber 8B of the sub tank 8 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, that is, the position of the liquid level is indicated by the alternate long and short dash line Sb in FIG. Then, the on-off valve 6V and the on-off valve 10V are closed. Accordingly, the ink is not supplied to the recording head 2 through the supply / return path 10.
[0015]
Further, the pump 12A is activated, and the ink IK in the ink cartridge 1 is supplied to the storage chamber 8B through the supply path 16 and the storage chamber 8A by the remaining amount detector LS, and a predetermined amount, for example, the liquid level is indicated by a one-dot chain line St. Feed until it is detected that the indicated position has been reached. A part of the air in the storage chamber 8B and the excess ink are returned to the ink cartridge 1 through the return passage 4. Therefore, ink is supplied into the sub tank 8. Also, the ink supply path to the sub tank 8 and the ink supply path to the recording head 2 share the storage chamber 8A as a part of the path.
[0016]
At that time, the pumps 12A corresponding to the respective recording heads 2 are activated in synchronism, and the recording operation is immediately interrupted while the recording head 2 is performing the recording operation. Further, the pressure in the storage chambers 8A and 8B is held at a predetermined value by the one-way valves 12V and 14V.
[0017]
Subsequently, after the amount of ink in the storage chambers 8A and 8B of the sub tank 8 reaches a predetermined amount, after a predetermined period when the pressure in the ink cartridge 1 and the sub tank 8 is in an equilibrium state, the on / off valves 6V and 10V are turned on. Opened. Thereby, the pressure in the sub tank 8 is returned to the vicinity of the atmospheric pressure.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when the ink supply mode for supplying ink to the sub tank 8 is executed during the recording operation of the recording head 2, the recording operation of the recording head 2 is interrupted and the on-off valves 6V and 10V are closed. The The on-off valves 6V and 10V are closed as described above because air or ink corresponding to the amount of ink supplied from the ink cartridge 1 through the storage chamber 8A so that the pressure in the ink cartridge 1 becomes a predetermined value. This is because the ink is efficiently returned to the ink cartridge 1 through the return passage 4.
[0019]
Thus, when the recording operation of the recording head 2 is interrupted, it is not easy to return the ink ejection state in the recording head 2 to the state immediately before the interruption due to the influence of the pressure fluctuation in the sub tank 8 on the recording head 2. As a result, when the print mode is executed again after the ink replenishment mode is completed, the image quality of the image formed on the recording medium may be degraded. Further, if printing is interrupted when it is necessary to supply ink, the throughput (printing speed) performance is deteriorated, which is not preferable.
[0020]
Further, from the viewpoint of simplifying the recovery processing system or avoiding problems such as ink leakage, it is desired that the number of on-off valves and the like be smaller.
[0021]
In consideration of the above problems, the present invention can circulate the recording liquid stored in the sub-tank via the recording unit, and replenish the sub-tank with the recording liquid from the liquid supply source. Recording device that can so A recording apparatus capable of supplying liquid to the sub tank without interrupting liquid supply to the recording unit The The purpose is to provide.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention is supplied from an ink supply source that stores ink, a subtank that stores ink supplied from the ink supply source, and a subtank based on image data. A recording unit that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, an ink remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of ink stored in the sub tank, a recovery unit that collects ink discharged from the recording unit, A first ink supply path having one end connected to the sub tank and the other end connected to the recording unit; a second ink supply path having one end connected to the sub tank and the other end connected to the ink supply source; and the first ink A first pump unit provided in the supply path and supplying ink in the sub tank to the recording unit; a second pump unit provided in the second ink supply path and supplying ink in the ink supply source into the sub tank; A first on-off valve provided between the ink supply source and the second pump portion in the ink supply path and opening and closing the second ink supply path; A recovery passage connected between the pump portion and the other end connected to the recovery portion; a second on-off valve provided in the recovery passage for opening and closing the recovery passage; and driving of the first pump portion and the second pump portion And a control unit for controlling the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing valve and the second opening / closing valve, While recovering the ink ejection state by supplying ink from the sub tank to the recording unit and discharging the ink from the recording unit to the recovery unit, In the recovery mode in which recovery processing for supplying ink from the recovery unit to the sub tank is performed, the control unit closes the first on-off valve, opens the second on-off valve, and opens the first pump Part And second pump Part In the printing mode in which ink is ejected from the recording unit on the recording medium based on the image data, the control unit closes the first on-off valve and opens the second on-off valve. At the same time, the first pump part and the second pump part are stopped. In the replenishment mode in which control is performed and ink is supplied from the ink supply source to the sub tank based on the result detected by the ink remaining amount detection unit, the control unit opens the first on-off valve, closes the second on-off valve, It is characterized by performing control to drive the two pumps.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 2 shows a recording apparatus according to the present invention. An example 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of an inkjet printer.
[0024]
The inkjet printer, for example, includes a paper feed unit 20 that sequentially feeds paper 34 such as paper slips to be fed to a paper transport unit 24 described later, and a recording unit 26 that outputs paper 34 from the paper feed unit 20 later. A paper transport unit 24 that passes the lower position and transports the printed paper 34 ′ to the downstream paper discharge unit 30, and a paper discharge that sequentially stacks and stores the printed paper 34 ′ from the paper transport unit 24. The recording unit 26 that sequentially disposes ink on the recording surface of the sheet 34 that is disposed above the sheet conveying unit 24 and is opposed to the sheet conveying unit 24, and is disposed below the sheet conveying unit 24. The ink supply unit 22 that supplies ink of each color to the recording unit 26, and the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head of the recording unit 26 that is disposed between the recording unit 26 and the paper transport unit 24 is selectively cleaned. Krini And it is configured with a grayed mechanism section 28 as main components.
[0025]
The sheet feeding unit 20 sequentially includes a tray member 36 provided in the housing 38 on which a plurality of sheets 34 are stacked, and a sheet 34 at the uppermost position of the sheets 34 stacked on the tray member 36 one by one. And a separating paper feeding roller unit 42 to be sent out.
[0026]
The tray member 36 is connected to an elevation drive mechanism (not shown), and is raised by a predetermined amount by the elevation drive mechanism each time the stacked paper 34 is sent out one by one.
[0027]
Both ends of the separation paper feed roller unit 42 are rotatably supported by the housing 38 and extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper 34. The separation paper feed roller unit 42 is connected to an output shaft of a drive motor (not shown). The drive motor is driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown). As a result, the motor is driven and one sheet of paper 34 is nipped by the separation paper feed roller unit 42 and sent to the recording unit 26 side.
[0028]
The paper transport unit 24 is disposed on the upstream side of the paper transport unit 24 and faces the separation paper feed roller unit 42. The transport roller units 48 and 50 cooperate to sandwich and introduce the paper 34 from the paper feed unit 20, and the downstream side. Conveying roller units 56 and 58 that cooperatively nipping and ejecting the printed paper 34 ′ facing the conveying roller units 48 and 50 and discharging them downstream, the conveying roller unit 48 and the conveying roller unit 56, And a conveyance belt group 52 that conveys the paper 34 from the upstream side toward the downstream side.
[0029]
Each of the transport roller units 48 and 50 is rotatably supported at its both ends by a housing and is disposed substantially parallel to the separation paper feed roller unit 42. An output shaft of a driving motor is connected to one end of the transport roller unit 56. The drive motor is controlled based on a drive control signal from a control unit (not shown). Thus, when the drive control signal is supplied, the transport roller unit 56 is rotated together with the transport belt group 52 and the transport roller units 48 and 50. Accordingly, the paper 34 placed on the transport belt group 52 is transported toward the downstream side at a predetermined speed.
[0030]
The paper discharge unit 30 is disposed to face the conveyance roller units 56 and 58, cooperates to nipping and discharging the paper 34 'from the paper conveyance unit 24, and the paper discharge rollers 60A and 60B. And a tray member 62 that sequentially stacks and stores the sheets 34 ′ discharged by 60 </ b> B.
[0031]
An output shaft of a driving motor is connected to one end of the paper discharge roller 60B. The drive motor is controlled based on a drive control signal from the above-described control unit. When the drive control signal is supplied, the drive motor is activated, whereby the paper discharge rollers 60A and 60B are rotated, and the paper 34 'is discharged onto the tray member 62.
[0032]
The recording unit 26 includes recording heads 26Bk, 26C, 26M, and 26Y that are sequentially arranged from the upstream side toward the downstream side with a predetermined mutual interval. The recording head 26 </ b> Bk ejects black ink onto the recording surface of the paper 34, and the recording head 26 </ b> C ejects cyan ink onto the recording surface of the paper 34. The recording head 26M ejects magenta ink onto the recording surface of the paper 34, and the recording head 26Y ejects yellow ink onto the recording surface of the paper 34.
[0033]
Each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y has a known structure, for example, a bubble jet type. On the surface of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y that faces the recording surface of the paper 34, an ink discharge port forming surface in which a plurality of ink discharge ports are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper 34 corresponds to the entire recording area. Is formed. The length in the longitudinal direction on the ink discharge port forming surface is set to a length corresponding to the maximum length of the standard size of the conveyed paper 34. Further, the recording unit 26 is fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the conveyance direction of the paper 34 and a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and along the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. The lift mechanism control unit 32 supports the lift mechanism. The recording head raising / lowering mechanism control unit 32 moves the ink discharge port formation surface of each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y close to the recording surface of the conveyed paper 34 and takes the recording operation position or separates it from the standby position. Therefore, drive control of the raising / lowering operation of the recording unit 26 is performed.
[0034]
Each recording operation of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y is controlled based on a drive control pulse signal from a control unit (not shown). The drive control pulse signal from the control unit is formed for each predetermined line recorded on the paper 34 based on the image data to be recorded on the paper 34, and sequentially sent to the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y at a predetermined timing. Supplied. Thus, when the recording unit 26 is lowered by the recording head lifting mechanism control unit 32 and takes the recording operation position, the recording head 26Bk performs a recording operation on the recording surface of the paper 34 being conveyed, and then the recording head 26C performs a recording operation on the recording surface recorded by the recording head 26Bk. The recording head 26 </ b> C ejects ink on the same pixel formed by the recording head 26 </ b> Bk, or forms a new pixel. In the subsequent recording heads 26M and 26Y, the recording operation is similarly performed on the recording surface of the paper 34 being conveyed. An ink supply unit 22 is connected to each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y, and ink of each color is supplied from the ink supply unit 22, respectively.
[0035]
The ink supply unit 22 includes an ink cartridge 22TBk that stores black ink, an ink cartridge 22TC that stores cyan ink, an ink cartridge 22TM that stores magenta ink, and an ink cartridge 22TY that stores yellow ink. It is configured to include. Each of the ink cartridges 22TBk to 22TY is detachably connected by a supply system described later corresponding to the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y. Each of the ink cartridges 22TBk to 22TY has a built-in ink bag Ba for storing ink. The ink bag Ba is formed of, for example, a stretchable material, and is contracted so that the inner volume thereof becomes smaller as the ink is sucked out. Each of the ink cartridges 22TBk to 22TY is not limited to this example, and may be, for example, a rigid ink container provided with a communication hole that allows the surroundings of the ink storage chamber to communicate with the outside air.
[0036]
The numbers and types of the recording head and the ink cartridge are not limited to such colors and numbers, and the recording head and the ink cartridge each discharge a treatment liquid that insolubilizes the ink, and the processing thereof. What stores a liquid may be contained.
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning mechanism section 28 for cleaning the ink discharge port forming surfaces of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y of the recording section 26 is provided with ink receivers provided corresponding to the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y, respectively. Although not shown, a member (recovering rod) 70, a connecting plate that interconnects one end portions of the four ink receiving members 70, and a conveyance direction of the paper 34 that supports the connecting plate and is accompanied by the connecting plate. And a drive motor having a pinion gear meshed with the teeth of the rack member.
[0038]
The rack member has, for example, a tooth portion at the right end, and is slidably supported by a pair of slide guide members fixed to the housing. A pinion gear is meshed with the tooth portion.
[0039]
The drive motor for rotating the pinion gear is controlled to be rotatable in the forward direction or the reverse direction based on the drive control signal from the above-described control unit. When the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y are in the initial positions where the recording motors 26Bk to 26Y are in the standby position and the drive motor is inactivated as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 70 is a position facing each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y. At that time, the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y are lowered by the head lifting mechanism 32, and a recovery process described later is performed.
[0040]
Further, for example, when the drive motor is activated and rotated in the forward direction, each ink receiving member 70 is moved by a predetermined amount downstream as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The recording heads 26Bk to 26Y are arranged between the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y.
[0041]
At this time, the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y are arranged at the recording operation positions as indicated by the two-dot chain lines.
[0042]
Further, after the recording operation is completed, when the recording unit 26 takes the standby position and its drive motor is activated and rotated in the reverse direction, each ink receiving member 70 is moved by a predetermined amount toward the upstream side and the initial position is reached. Return to position.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink receiving member 70 recovers the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y to perform preliminary ejection at a predetermined timing in order to always maintain normal ink ejection of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y. Arranged in an ink supply system including a processing system.
[0044]
Since the recovery processing system is provided for each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y and has the same structure, only one of them will be described, and description of the other recovery processing systems will be omitted. In the embodiment, the recovery processing systems are controlled as follows in synchronization with each other.
[0045]
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the ink discharge port forming surface 26os is close to the ink receiving member 70 when the recording head 26Bk is lowered. In such a state, it is possible to execute a predetermined recovery process.
[0046]
In the recovery processing system, the ink regeneration circuit unit stores the ink cartridge 22TBk storing the replenished ink, the sub ink tank 102 connected to the ink cartridge 22TBk through the ink supply path 104, and the ink from the sub ink tank 102. A supply / return passage 92 for supplying the ink to the recording head 26Bk or returning the ink from the recording head 26Bk into the sub ink tank 102, and the ink from the ink receiving member 70 arranged in the ink supply passage 104 or the ink cartridge 22TBk. The ink IK from the sub ink tank 102 is supplied to the recording head 26Bk. The suction pump 96 supplies the ink from the sub ink tank 102 to the sub ink tank 102, and the ink supply path 114 that connects the recording head 26Bk and the sub ink tank 102. Supply pressure A pump 110 is configured as a main element.
[0047]
One end of the atmosphere communication path 80 is connected to the sub ink tank 102. An ink remaining amount detection unit 78 is provided inside the sub ink tank 102. The ink remaining amount detection unit 78 includes three electrodes and a signal output unit that sends a change in detection output detected by the electrodes as a change in resistance value. Two of the three electrodes, which are relatively long, are arranged in parallel with each other and are used to detect the minimum remaining amount of ink allowed in the sub ink tank 102. When the resistance value of the output signal between the two electrodes shows the maximum value, for example, when the liquid level is at the position indicated by the one-dot chain line Sb in FIG. 2, that is, it indicates that it is below the predetermined minimum remaining amount. It will be. On the other hand, the remaining one electrode is used to detect the maximum amount of ink allowed in the sub ink tank 102. When the resistance value of the output signal of the one electrode indicates a predetermined value, for example, when the liquid level is at the position indicated by the solid line St in FIG.
[0048]
An electromagnetic valve 74 is provided between the suction pump 96 and the ink cartridge 22TBk in the ink supply path 104 as a liquid supply path. The solenoid valve 74 is controlled to be opened and closed by a control unit 82 described later. In addition, one end of a recovery passage 76 is connected between the suction side of the suction pump 96 in the ink supply passage 104 and the electromagnetic valve 74.
[0049]
The end portion of the ink supply path 104 in the sub ink tank 102 protrudes from the highest liquid level position indicated by the detected solid line St.
[0050]
The other end of the collection passage 76 is connected to the ink receiving member 70. An electromagnetic valve 72 is provided in the collection passage 76. The electromagnetic valve 72 is controlled to be opened and closed by a control unit 82 described later. A filter 100 is provided between the electromagnetic valve 72 and the ink receiving member 70 in the recovery passage 76 to remove unwanted foreign matter in the ink.
[0051]
The end portion of the supply / return passage 92 in the sub ink tank 102 extends to a position below the lowest liquid level position indicated by the one-dot chain line Sb to be detected.
[0052]
Further, the end portion in the sub ink tank 102 in the ink supply path 114 also extends to a position below the lowest liquid level position indicated by the one-dot chain line Sb to be detected.
[0053]
For example, the suction pump 96 can be operated independently for each recovery processing system, and is arranged so as to be able to rotate around an inner rotor that is selectively connected to an output shaft of a drive motor via an electromagnetic clutch 90. A known structure including a plurality of rollers and a tube for delivering ink disposed between the plurality of rollers and a pump head case (not shown).
[0054]
Both ends of the tube are connected to the ink supply path 104, respectively. The drive motor is controlled based on a control signal from a control unit 82 to be described later so that ink is transported along the direction indicated by the arrow D in FIG. Even when the driving motor is in a stopped state, the ink can be moved in the tube.
[0055]
On the other hand, the pressurization pump 110 includes, for example, a plurality of rollers disposed so as to be able to rotate around an inner rotor coupled to an output shaft of a drive motor so that the respective recovery processing systems operate in synchronization with each other. A tube arranged between a plurality of rollers and a pump head case (not shown) for delivering ink, a cam member for selectively pressing the tubes against the plurality of rollers, and a cam member are respectively pressed. And driving means for taking a state or an open state. The drive motor and the drive means are controlled based on a control signal from a control unit 82 described later.
[0056]
Recording apparatus according to the present invention In In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a control unit 82 for controlling the operation of the suction pump 96 and the pressurizing pump 110 and controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valves 72 and 74 is further provided. The control unit 82 includes control operation program data, data representing the driving period of the suction pump 96, the maximum allowable amount of ink IK in the sub ink tank 102 referred to based on the detection output signal from the remaining amount detection unit 78, and A memory unit 82m that stores data representing a minimum allowable capacity, and a counter circuit unit that measures a period during which the suction pump 96 is operating are provided.
[0057]
In the control unit 82, a command signal Sr indicating a recovery process start command from a host computer (not shown), a command signal Sk indicating a print start command, and the remaining amount of ink IK in the sub ink tank 102 are predetermined. The detection output signals SL and SH from the ink remaining amount detection unit 78 for detecting that the ink is equal to or less than the value or the capacity of the ink IK has reached the maximum value are supplied.
[0058]
Under such a configuration, in such a recovery processing system, a recovery processing start command from the host computer is represented at a predetermined timing according to the downward movement of the recording heads 26Bk to 26C with respect to the ink receiving member 70. When the command signal Sr is supplied (ink circulation mode), the control unit 82 controls the control signals Cv1 and Cv2 so that the solenoid valve 72 is opened and the solenoid valve 74 is closed. Supplied to the unit 88.
[0059]
The control unit 82 sends a control signal Cs to the pump drive control unit 84 so that the cam members are pressed and the drive motors of the pressurization pump 110 rotate the inner rotors in the directions indicated by arrows C. Supply. The control unit 82 also supplies the pump drive control unit 84 with a control signal Cd so that the drive motor for the suction pump 96 rotates the inner rotor in the direction indicated by the arrow D.
[0060]
Further, the control unit 82 supplies the control signal Cc to the clutch control unit 86 so that the electromagnetic clutch 90 is in the power transmission state.
[0061]
As a result, when each drive motor is activated, the suction pump 96 supplies ink from the ink receiving member 70 to the sub ink tank 102 through the recovery passage 76.
[0062]
Further, the ink IK in the sub ink tank 102 is supplied to the common liquid chamber of the recording head 26 </ b> Bk through the ink supply path 114. At that time, most of the ink ID supplied to the recording head 26Bk is discharged and discharged through the ink discharge port 26op. Accordingly, the foreign matter in the ink discharge port 26op is removed. The remaining ink is returned into the sub ink tank 102 through the supply / return passage 92.
[0063]
The control unit 82 is supplied with a command signal Sk representing a print start command from the host computer at a predetermined timing corresponding to the lowering operation of the recording heads 26Bk to 26C with respect to the ink receiving member 70 (printing). Mode), the solenoid valve 72 is opened, the solenoid valve 74 is kept closed, the suction pump 96 is stopped, and the control signals Cs are supplied so as to stop the drive motors of the pressurizing pump 110. .
[0064]
The electromagnetic valve 74 prevents air from entering the sub tank due to other disturbance factors (for example, the ink cartridge bag is crushed) (air atmosphere). The valve is closed (so as not to cause ink leakage from the communication path 80). However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. If there is no possibility of air mixing or excessive ink entering the sub tank, the solenoid valve 74 may be in an open state.
[0065]
As a result, the ink supplied through the ink supply path 114 and the supply / return path 92 is supplied to the recording surface of the paper 34 shown in FIG. 3 on the recording head 26Bk at the timing corresponding to the predetermined recording data. It is discharged through 26op.
[0066]
Further, the control unit 82 is supplied with a detection output signal SL indicating that the remaining amount of the ink IK in the sub ink tank 102 from the remaining amount detection unit 78 in any of the sub tanks 102 is equal to or less than a predetermined value ( Ink replenishment mode), the control signals Cv1 and Cv2 are supplied to the solenoid valve drive controller 88 so that the solenoid valve 72 in the corresponding recovery processing system is closed and the solenoid valve 74 is opened. Further, the control unit 82 supplies the control signal Cc to the clutch control unit 86 so that the electromagnetic clutch 90 corresponding to the recovery processing system is in the power transmission state.
[0067]
Further, the control unit 82 causes the pump drive control unit 84 to rotate the inner rotor of the suction pump 96 in the direction indicated by the arrow D, and outputs the control signal Cd until the detection output signal SH from the remaining amount detection unit 78 arrives. Supply.
[0068]
When the detection output signal SL is supplied from the remaining amount detection unit 78 in the plurality of sub ink tanks 102, the control unit 82 sequentially turns on the electromagnetic clutch 90 corresponding to the sub ink tank 102 for which the ink supply operation has been completed. As will be described later, the shut-off state is set.
[0069]
Note that when the suction pump 96 is in an operating state for a predetermined period and the detection output signal SH from the remaining amount detection unit 78 does not arrive, the control unit 82 determines that the ink cartridge Inside Is determined to be empty.
[0070]
Subsequently, the control unit 82 stops the supply of the control signal Cc to the clutch control unit 86 and the supply of the control signal Cd to the pump drive control unit 84.
[0071]
As a result, the ink cartridge Or A predetermined amount of the ink is supplied into the sub ink tank 102 through the ink supply path 104. At that time, the air compressed by the replenished ink in the sub ink tank 102 is discharged to the outside through the atmosphere communication path 80.
[0072]
Accordingly, the ink supply path 104 is provided independently of the ink supply path 114 and the supply / return path 92, and pressure fluctuation due to the operation of the suction pump 96 is absorbed in the sub ink tank 102, so that the ink replenishment operation is performed. Even if it is performed during the recording operation of the recording heads 26Bk to 26C, there is no possibility of adversely affecting the recording heads 26Bk to 26C.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the recording apparatus according to the present invention. In According to A second ink supply path having one end connected to the sub-tank and the other end connected to the ink supply source; a second pump unit provided in the second ink supply path for supplying ink in the ink supply source into the sub-tank; A first on-off valve provided between the ink supply source and the second pump unit in the second ink supply path for opening and closing the second ink supply path, and controlling the driving of the first pump unit and the second pump unit. And further comprising a controller for controlling the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing valve and the second opening / closing valve. The liquid can be replenished to the sub tank without interrupting the liquid supply to the recording unit.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recovery processing system to which an example of a liquid circulation device of a recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an overall configuration of an ink jet printer to which an example of a liquid circulation device of a recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit provided in an example of a liquid circulation device of the recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recovery processing system in a conventional recording apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
22TBk, 22TC, 22TM, 22TY ink cartridge
26 Recording section
72, 74 Solenoid valve
76 Collection passage
80 Air passage
96 Suction pump
102 Sub ink tank
104, 114 Ink supply path
110 Pressurizing pump

Claims (1)

An ink supply source for storing ink;
A sub tank for storing ink supplied from the ink supply source;
A recording unit that performs recording by ejecting ink supplied from the sub-tank on a recording medium based on image data;
An ink remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of ink stored in the sub tank;
A collecting unit for collecting ink ejected from the recording unit;
A first ink supply path having one end connected to the sub tank and the other end connected to the recording unit;
A second ink supply path having one end connected to the sub tank and the other end connected to the ink supply source;
A first pump unit provided in the first ink supply path, for supplying ink in the sub-tank to the recording unit;
A second pump unit provided in the second ink supply path, for supplying ink in the ink supply source into the sub tank;
A first on-off valve that is provided between the ink supply source and the second pump unit in the second ink supply path and opens and closes the second ink supply path;
One end is connected between the first on-off valve and the second pump part in the second ink supply path, and the other end is connected to the recovery part;
A second on-off valve provided in the recovery passage for opening and closing the recovery passage;
A control unit that controls driving of the first pump unit and the second pump unit, and further controls an opening / closing operation of the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve;
Recovery processing for supplying ink from the sub tank to the recording unit and discharging ink from the recording unit to the recovery unit to recover the ink ejection state and supplying ink from the recovery unit to the sub tank In the recovery mode, the control unit closes the first on-off valve, opens the second on-off valve, performs control to drive the first pump unit and the second pump unit ,
In a printing mode in which ink is ejected from the recording unit on the recording medium based on the image data, the control unit closes the first on-off valve and opens the second on-off valve, and the first pump unit And control to stop the second pump part ,
In the replenishment mode in which ink is supplied from the ink supply source to the sub tank based on the result detected by the ink remaining amount detection unit, the control unit opens the first on-off valve and closes the second on-off valve. A recording apparatus that controls to drive the second pump.

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