JP4935922B2 - Liquid ejector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a head.

As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head onto a recording medium is used. Is ejected to record an image of a desired character or figure.
This type of ink jet recording apparatus has a tube for supplying ink from an ink cartridge to a recording head. From each ink cartridge, different types of ink can be supplied to the nozzle row side of the head through one tube.

By the way, when changing the type of ink ejected from the nozzle row of the head to another type of ink, the ink in the tube is discharged after the supply of ink from the ink cartridge used first is stopped. There is a need. After the ink in the tube is discharged and cleaned, different types of ink are ejected from the nozzle array of the head using this tube from another ink cartridge containing different types of ink.
In this way, when different types of ink are changed and different types of ink are ejected, it is necessary to suck out the remaining ink in the tube, so that the ink in the tube is wasted. turn into. In particular, in an ink jet recording apparatus having a long tube, ink is wasted.
On the other hand, a valve unit capable of switching between ink and solvent has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-77439 (2nd to 3rd pages, FIG. 1)

  The valve unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 is for switching between ink and solvent ink. However, the flow of ink and solvent is switched using a ball and a spring, and the liquid unit is sufficiently liquid. There is a risk that sealing cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems, prevents waste of consumption of liquid such as ink, and makes it possible to easily discharge different types of liquid from the same nozzle by reliably sealing when switching the type of liquid. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of performing the above.

In the present invention, the above object is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid from a nozzle of a head, the liquid storing part storing the liquid and supplying the liquid to the head, and the liquid A liquid switching device that selects and switches a plurality of types of liquid supplied from a storage unit and supplies the selected type of liquid to the head, and the liquid switching device includes the head This is achieved by a liquid ejecting apparatus characterized by being arranged in the vicinity of.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the liquid storage section stores liquid and supplies the liquid to the head. The liquid switching device selects and switches a plurality of types of liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit, and supplies the selected type of liquid to the head.
This liquid switching device is disposed in the vicinity of the head.
As a result, since the liquid switching device is arranged near the head, when switching the type of liquid, only the liquid remaining between the heads is sucked from the liquid switching device to create a new type of liquid. Can be supplied to the head side. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the amount of sucked liquid at the time of exchanging the liquid type to prevent waste of liquid consumption and to reliably discharge different types of liquid from the same nozzle.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the liquid switching device is mounted on a carriage that holds the head.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the liquid switching device is mounted on the carriage that holds the head.
Thus, since the liquid switching device is mounted on the carriage, the liquid can be switched in the vicinity of the head.

According to the present invention, the liquid switching device includes a main body held in the vicinity of the head, a first diaphragm for opening and closing a first passage portion disposed in the main body and allowing the first type of liquid to pass therethrough. A second diaphragm for opening and closing a second passage portion disposed in the main body and allowing the second type of liquid to pass therethrough; and operating the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to operate the first passage portion; It is desirable to have a switching operation portion for switching to open one of the second passage portions and close the other.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the main body of the liquid switching device is held near the head. A 1st diaphragm opens and closes the 1st channel | path part which is arrange | positioned in a main body and lets a 1st type liquid pass. The second diaphragm is disposed in the main body and opens and closes the second passage portion through which the second type liquid is passed.
The switching operation unit operates the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to switch to open one of the first passage and the second passage and close the other.
As a result, the first type and second type liquids can be reliably stopped or supplied using the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. Since the diaphragm is used for supplying and stopping the liquid without causing the liquid to leak, it can be surely performed.

In the present invention, the main body has a center hole, and the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are arranged to face each other, and the first diaphragm chamber of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm of the second diaphragm are arranged. It is desirable that the diaphragm chamber is connected to the center hole, and a flow path is formed so that the center hole communicates with the head.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are opposed to each other, and the first diaphragm chamber and the second diaphragm chamber communicate with each other through the central hole, and the central hole flows so as to communicate with the head. Forming a road.
Thereby, the movement of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm allows the liquid type to be switched and sent to the head side through the center hole.

In the present invention, the main body has a center hole, and the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are arranged to face each other, and the first diaphragm chamber of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm of the second diaphragm are arranged. The diaphragm chamber communicates with the central hole, an operating shaft is disposed in the central hole, and one end portion of the operating shaft is in contact with the first diaphragm chamber, The other end is preferably in contact with the second diaphragm chamber.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the main body has a central hole. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are arranged to face each other. The first diaphragm chamber of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm chamber of the second diaphragm communicate with each other through this central hole. The operating shaft is disposed in the central hole, one end of the operating shaft is in contact with the first diaphragm chamber, and the other end of the operating shaft is in contact with the second diaphragm chamber.
Thereby, the operation shaft can reliably mechanically transmit the operation of closing and opening the first diaphragm as the operation of opening and closing the second diaphragm.

According to the present invention, a groove or an uneven portion is formed around the central hole of the main body, the first peripheral portion sealed by the first diaphragm, and the second peripheral portion sealed by the second diaphragm. It is desirable that it be formed.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the first peripheral portion around the central hole of the main body is sealed by the first diaphragm. The second peripheral portion is sealed by the second diaphragm. Grooves or uneven portions are formed in the first peripheral portion and the second peripheral portion.
As a result, when the first diaphragm seals the periphery of the center hole, or the second diaphragm seals the periphery of the center hole, the first diaphragm or the second diaphragm sticks to the periphery of the center hole. Can be prevented.

In the present invention, the switching operation unit includes a first pressing member for sealing the center hole by pushing the first diaphragm to the one side on the center hole side, and the second diaphragm on the other side of the center hole. A second pressing member for pressing and sealing the center hole and a second pressing member that moves in the sliding direction causes the first pressing member and the second pressing member to move in the first direction or the second direction opposite to the first direction. The first direction and the second direction are preferably directions in which the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm open and close the central hole.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the first pressing member is for sealing the center hole with the first diaphragm as one side of the center hole. The second pressing member is for sealing the center hole by pressing the second diaphragm to the other side of the center hole.
A slider is provided to move the first pressing member and the second pressing member in the first direction or the second direction.
As a result, the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm can be opened / closed along the direction of opening / closing the center hole by simply moving the slider.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the sliding direction of the slider, the first direction of the first pressing member and the second pressing member, and the second direction are substantially orthogonal.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the sliding direction of the slider, the first direction, and the second direction are substantially orthogonal.
Thereby, even if the nozzle of the head is sucked with a strong suction force and becomes a negative pressure, the operation direction of the slider for opening and closing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm so as not to close the diaphragm on the open side Is substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. For this reason, even if strong vibration or strong negative pressure is applied in the main body, the slider can open and close the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm stably.

In the present invention, the first diaphragm has a first seal portion for closely contacting the first peripheral portion, and the second diaphragm has a second seal portion for closely contacting the second peripheral portion. The first diaphragm includes a spring that presses the first seal portion against the first peripheral portion, and the second diaphragm includes a spring that presses the second seal portion against the second peripheral portion. It is desirable to have
According to the configuration of the present invention, the first diaphragm has a first seal portion for closely contacting the first peripheral portion, and the second diaphragm has a second seal portion for closely contacting the second peripheral portion. ing.
The first diaphragm has a spring member, and the second diaphragm also has a spring member. These spring members press the first seal portion against the first peripheral portion and press the second seal portion against the second peripheral portion.
Thereby, even if a strong negative pressure is generated in the main body, the sealed portion of the diaphragm on the closed side can be stably in close contact with the peripheral portion of the center hole and kept in a liquid-tight state.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the inside of the first seal part of the first diaphragm and the inside of the second seal part of the second diaphragm are film-like portions.
According to the structure of this invention, the inner side of the 1st seal part of a 1st diaphragm and the inner side of the 2nd seal part of a 2nd diaphragm are film-like parts.
Thereby, even if each diaphragm receives a strong negative pressure and the operating shaft slightly moves, the diaphragm on the closed side is elastically deformed to absorb the slight movement of the operating shaft. For this reason, the liquid-tight state in the seal part of the diaphragm on the closed side is not affected. Even if the operating shaft tries to move greatly, the force is transmitted to the slider via the pressing member that presses the diaphragm, so the operating shaft moves only about backlash, and the diaphragm cannot move greatly. Can maintain a dense state.

In the present invention, the carriage preferably has a lever in order to move the slider in the sliding direction.
Thus, by providing a lever on the carriage, the slider can surely slide the slider on the carriage.

1 is a diagram illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus that is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a liquid supply path portion, a carriage, and a recording head in FIG. The perspective view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of a carriage, several pressure adjustment parts, and the liquid switching apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an ink cartridge, a liquid supply path, a recording head, and the like. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional structure example taken along the line E-E in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating ink flow paths of two types of ink cartridges, two pressure adjustment units, a liquid switching device, and a recording head. The figure which shows the 1st state with which the 1st diaphragm closed the center hole and the 2nd diaphragm opened the center hole. The figure which shows the 2nd state in which the 1st diaphragm opened the center hole and the 2nd diaphragm closed the center hole. The figure which expands and shows the switching device of the liquid in the 1st state of FIG. The figure which expands and shows the vicinity of a center hole. The figure which shows the example of a shape of a 1st diaphragm.

FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus 10 that is an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention.
The ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is also called an ink jet printer. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 has a main body 1. The main body 1 includes two cartridge holders 2 and 3, a pressure pump 4, a carriage 5, a recording head 20, a guide shaft 6, a movement operation unit 7, a liquid supply path unit 40, and a control unit 100.

The cartridge holders 2 and 3 accommodate a plurality of ink cartridges 11A to 11H. In the example of FIG. 1, the cartridge holders 2 and 3 each contain four ink cartridges. For this purpose, a total of eight ink cartridges 11A to 11H are mounted on the main body 1. Each of the ink cartridges 11A to 11H is, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, matte black, photo black, light cyan, light magenta, Contains gray inks.
For example, mat black ink (MB) is stored in the ink cartridge 11D, and photo black ink (PB) is stored in the ink cartridge 11E. Since the ink cartridge 11 is not directly mounted on the carriage 5 but is accommodated in the cartridge holders 2 and 3, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is a so-called off-carriage ink jet printer.

The pressure pump 4 applies pressure to the ink cartridges 11 </ b> A to 11 </ b> H by sending compressed air to the cartridge holders 2 and 3. As a result, each ink in the ink cartridges 11A to 11H can be supplied to the recording head 20 side on the carriage 5 side through the liquid supply path section 40.
The guide shaft 6 is provided horizontally with respect to the main body 1. The carriage 5 can be positioned by reciprocating along the main scanning direction T along the guide shaft 6 by the operation of the movement operation unit 7. The movement operation unit 7 includes, for example, a motor (not shown) and a toothed belt (not shown) driven by the motor. The toothed belt is attached to the carriage 5, and the carriage 5 moves in the main scanning direction T together with the toothed belt. A recording head 20 is provided below the carriage 5. A nozzle plate 21 is fixed to the lower surface of the recording head 20.
The recording paper 22 is a kind of recording medium, and can record characters and images with ink ejected from the recording head 20. The recording paper 22 can be transported, for example, in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

The recording head 20 in FIG. 1 is an example of a head, but can also be called a print head.
The liquid supply path section 40 is an ink supply path for supplying ink from the ink cartridges 11A to 11H to the recording head 20 side. The liquid supply path section 40 includes a tube 41 and pressure adjusting sections 43A to 43H between the ink cartridges 11A to 11H and the recording head 20. Accordingly, each liquid supply path section 40 that connects each ink cartridge 11A to 11H and the recording head 20 is constituted by a unit of a tube and a pressure adjusting section.
In the example of FIG. 1, eight liquid supply path portions 40 are arranged in parallel between the eight ink cartridges 11 </ b> A to 11 </ b> H, the carriage 5, and the recording head 20.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a structural example of the tube 41 and the pressure adjusting units 43A to 43H, the carriage 5 and the recording head 20 of the liquid supply path unit 40 shown in FIG.
The pressure adjusting unit 43 is a unit for adjusting the pressure of the ink when supplying ink from the ink cartridge 11 which is a liquid container to the recording head 20 side. A sealing material 50B is disposed below the pressure adjusting portions 43A to 43H.

A recording head 20 is provided below the carriage 5. The carriage 5 and the recording head 20 have an ink path 51. The ink path 51 connects the pressure adjustment units 43 </ b> A to 43 </ b> H and the nozzle openings 52 of the recording head 20. A plurality of nozzle openings 52 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. Each nozzle opening row 53 includes a plurality of nozzle openings 52. For example, the nozzle opening rows 53 are arranged in parallel to the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The nozzle openings are formed in the nozzle plate surface 21 </ b> A of the nozzle plate 21. Each nozzle opening 52 is connected to a pressure chamber 54.
Each of the ink cartridges 11A to 11H is a liquid storage unit that stores ink, and each color ink is an example of a liquid.

FIG. 4 shows the recording head 20 in addition to the six ink cartridges 11A, 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, and 11H, the liquid supply path section 40, and the needle member 61.
In FIG. 4, ink 1000 is stored in each ink cartridge. The ink 1000 in the ink cartridges 11A, 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, and 11H passes through the flow passages in the pressure adjusting portions 43A, 43B, 43C, 43F, 43G, and 43H through the flexible tube 41 to the sealing material 50B. To reach. A self-sealing valve (pressure reducing valve) 43R is accommodated in the pressure adjusting portions 43A, 43B, 43C, 43F, 43G, and 43H. By the operation of this self-sealing valve, the pressure of the ink sent from the ink cartridges 11A, 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, and 11H through the tube 41 through the needle member 61 to the recording head 20 side can be reduced and adjusted. it can.
For example, when pressure fluctuations occur in the ink in the tube 41 with the acceleration / deceleration of the carriage, the ejection of ink droplets becomes unstable, so the pressure adjustment unit suppresses ink pressure fluctuations.

  An ink path 63 is provided in the protruding portion 62 of the pressure adjusting portion 43A to 43H. The sealing material 50B can be detachably fitted to the lower end of the ink path 63.

As shown in FIG. 4, a needle member 61 protrudes from the upper portion 20 </ b> B of the recording head 20. The needle member 61 is provided so as to protrude in the Z2 direction. The needle member 61 is provided so as to protrude from the pressure adjusting portions 43A to 43H shown in FIGS.
The needle member 61 passes through the ink path 63 as shown in FIG.
Accordingly, the ink 1000 in the ink cartridge can be supplied to the recording head 20 side through the tube 41, the pressure adjusting units 43A, 43B, 43C, 43F, 43G, and 43H, and the ink path 63.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a liquid switching device 200 is mounted in the vicinity of the recording head 20, preferably on the carriage 5. FIG. 3 shows a liquid switching device 200, a plurality of pressure adjusting units 43A to 43H, a carriage 5, and a recording head 20. The carriage 5 has a holder 5A. The holder 5A is a holding portion that houses a plurality of pressure adjusting portions 43A to 43H. The liquid switching device 200 is mounted, for example, in the holder 5A.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a cross-sectional structure taken along line EE in FIG. In the holder 5A, pressure adjusting portions 43D and 43E are accommodated in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the liquid switching device 200 is mounted between the pressure adjustment units 43 </ b> D and 43 </ b> E and on the carriage 5 as an example. In FIG. 5, the vertical direction is indicated by Z, the horizontal direction is indicated by Y in FIG. 5, and the vertical direction in FIG. 5 is the X direction. This X direction is the same as the main scanning direction T in FIG.

The ink cartridge 11D contains the matte black ink MB, and is connected through the tube 41 to the connection part 201 of the pressure adjustment part 43D. Similarly, the ink cartridge 11E contains the photo black ink PB, and the ink cartridge 11E is connected through the tube 41 to the connecting portion 202 of the pressure adjusting portion 43E.
FIG. 6 schematically shows the ink cartridges 11D and 11E, the two pressure adjustment units 43D and 43E, and the connection system leading to the liquid switching device 200 and the recording head 20 shown in FIG. .

In FIG. 6, as described above, the ink cartridge 11D is connected to the connecting portion 201 of the pressure adjusting portion 43D via the tube 41. Similarly, the ink cartridge 11E is connected to the connecting portion 202 of the pressure adjusting portion 43E via the tube 41.
The pressure adjustment unit 43D is connected to the first diaphragm chamber side of the first diaphragm 221 through the first flow path portion 211 of the main body 210 of the liquid switching device 200. Similarly, the pressure adjustment unit 43 </ b> E is connected to the second diaphragm chamber side of the second diaphragm 222 through the second flow path unit 212 of the main body 210. The first flow path portion 211 is connected to the center hole 223 through the ink introduction hole 271 of the first diaphragm 221. Similarly, the second flow path portion 212 communicates with the center hole 223 through the ink introduction hole 291 of the second diaphragm 222.

The main body 210 has a passage 230 and a passage 231. The central hole 223 is blocked from the atmosphere by the film 230F of a portion 230a of the passage 230 through the passage 230, and forms a flow path for ink through the passage 231. A needle member 61 is inserted into the passage 231. The structure inside the needle member 61 and the recording head 20 is the same as that shown in FIG.
When one of the first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222 of the liquid switching device 200 is opened and the other is closed, the mat black ink MB of the ink cartridge 11D and the photo black ink PB of the ink cartridge 11E selectively have flow paths. When one of the nozzles is switched and supplied to the recording head 20 through the needle member 61, the nozzle can be discharged from the nozzle openings of the nozzle opening row 53.

7 and 8 show in detail the structure of the liquid switching device 200 shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a first state in which the first diaphragm 221 closes one side of the center hole 223 and the second diaphragm 222 opens the other side of the center hole 223.
FIG. 8 shows a second state in which the second diaphragm 222 closes the other side of the center hole 223 and the first diaphragm 221 opens one side of the center hole 223, contrary to the first state of FIG. 7. Yes.
FIG. 9 shows the structure of the liquid switching device 200 shown in FIG. 7 in an enlarged manner.

A structural example of the liquid switching device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The structures of the first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222 of the liquid switching device 200 are substantially vertically symmetrical structures. The liquid switching device 200 generally includes a main body 210, a first diaphragm 221, a second diaphragm 222, an operating shaft 224, a first pressing member 241, a second pressing member 242, springs 243 and 244, and a slider 250. ing.
The main body 210 has passages 230 and 231 and a center hole 223. A needle member 61 is inserted into the passage 231.

The first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222 are vertically symmetrical. FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222, and FIG. 11B shows an example of the shape of the first diaphragm 221, viewed from the direction W2 in FIG. . FIG. 11A shows a shape example of the first peripheral portion 321 of the main body 210 and is a view seen from the direction of the arrow W1 in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 11B and 10A, the first diaphragm 221 has a circular film-like portion 260 and a first seal portion 261. The first seal portion 261 is a circular ring-shaped protrusion, and a circular thin film-like portion 260 is formed in the first seal portion 261. As shown in FIG. 11A, a circular protrusion 262 is formed in a circular shape on the outer side of the first seal portion 261 of the first diaphragm 221. The first peripheral portion 321 of the main body 210 has a circular shape that is always in close contact with the first peripheral portion 321 of the main body 210 and the first peripheral portion 321 of the main body 210 in the radial direction outside of the first seal portion 261 that is separated from the first peripheral portion 321 by opening and closing operations. An ink introduction hole 271 is provided between the protrusions 262 in the radial direction. The ink introduction hole 271 guides the ink from the pressure adjusting unit 43D to the first diaphragm chamber 221B and the center hole 223 side in FIG. The area 500 to be sealed is in the peripheral part of the central hole 223.

The second diaphragm 222 has the same shape as the first diaphragm, and is arranged vertically symmetrically. As shown in FIG. 10B, an ink introduction hole 291 is formed in the second peripheral portion 322 of the main body 210 at a symmetrical position as shown by a broken line. The ink introduction hole 291 is for introducing the ink coming from the pressure adjusting portion 43E and leading it to the second diaphragm chamber 222B and the center hole 223 side in FIG.
The first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222 may be made of elastically deformable rubber material, plastic material, or other materials.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222 have bases 221A and 222A on the outermost sides, respectively. Further, a projection portion 273 facing outward is provided around the membrane portion 260, and a projection portion 283 is provided outside the membrane portion 280.
One end 224A of the operating shaft 224 is in contact with the first diaphragm chamber 221B of the first diaphragm 221. Similarly, the other end 224 </ b> B of the operating shaft 224 is in contact with the second diaphragm chamber 222 </ b> B of the second diaphragm 222. That is, the one end 224 </ b> A is in contact with the inner surface side of the film-like portion 260, and the other end 224 </ b> B is in contact with the inner surface side of the film-like portion 280. The operating shaft 224 is disposed in the center hole 223 along the Z direction so as to be coaxial with the center hole 223.

The first pressing member 241 shown in FIG. 9 is a member for pressing the membrane portion 260 in the first direction Z1 from the outer surface of the membrane portion 260. The second pressing member 242 is a member for pressing the membrane portion 280 in the second direction Z2 from the outer surface of the membrane portion 280. The first pressing member 241 can swing by a slight angle around the fulcrum 301A. The second pressing member 242 can swing by a slight angle around the fulcrum 302A.
The spring 243 is disposed around the first pressing member 241 and biases the film-like portion 260 in the second direction Z2. The spring 244 is a member that biases the film-shaped portion 280 in the first direction Z1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of grooves 400 are formed in the first peripheral portion 321 and the second peripheral portion 322 of the main body 210 along the radial direction as shown in FIG. 10B. A plurality of the grooves 400 are arranged along the cylindrical direction of the first peripheral portion 321 and the second peripheral portion 322. The first peripheral portion 321 is a portion where the first diaphragm 221 faces and closely contacts. The second peripheral portion 322 is a portion where the second diaphragm 222 faces and closely contacts.

The reason why the first peripheral portion 321 and the second peripheral portion 322 have these grooves 400 is as follows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 7, with the inner surface of the first diaphragm 221 in intimate contact with the first peripheral portion 321 shown in FIG. 10, the first diaphragm 221 sticks to the first peripheral portion 321 and is fixed. This groove 400 is provided in order to prevent this. Similarly, the inner surface of the second diaphragm 222 is prevented from sticking to the second peripheral portion 322 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the 1st diaphragm 221 and the 2nd diaphragm 222 can open and close one side 421 and the other side 422 of the center hole 223 shown in FIG. 9 smoothly and reliably.
Of course, uneven portions may be formed in the first peripheral portion 321 and the second peripheral portion 322 instead of the groove 400 as shown in FIG.

Next, the slider 250 shown in FIG. 7 will be described.
The slider 250 is disposed on the first pressing member 241 and the second pressing member 242 side, but the upper and lower sliders 250, 250 are integrally formed members. This slider 250 can be linearly reciprocated along the slide direction SD by operating the lever 450.
In the first state shown in FIG. 7, the slider 250 presses the first pressing member 241 along the first direction Z1. On the other hand, in the second state shown in FIG. 8, the slider 250 moves in the Y (+) direction along the slide direction SD, so that the second diaphragm 222 instead of the first diaphragm 221 is moved in the second direction X2. Is pushed up along. In this way, by reciprocating the lever 450 along the slide direction SD, the first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222 can be alternately opened and closed via the first pressing member 241 and the second pressing member 242. . The first pressing member 241, the second pressing member 242, and the slider 250 constitute a switching operation unit 399.

  The lever 450 is preferably provided on the carriage 5 shown in FIG. The lever 450 can be manually operated by an operator, for example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slider 250 may electrically slide the slider using an electromagnetic solenoid or the like.

Next, an example of the liquid switching operation performed by the above-described liquid switching apparatus 200 will be described.
In FIG. 6, for example, one nozzle opening row 53 with the recording head 20 has a plurality of nozzle openings 52 on the paper surface of FIG. 6. First, the case where the photo black ink PB of the ink cartridge 11E is ejected from the plurality of nozzle openings 52 of the nozzle opening row 53 will be described.
In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the slider 250 is in the first state, and the slider 250 presses the first pressing member 241 along the first direction Z1. On the other hand, the slider 250 opens the second pressing member 242. The first pressing member 241 presses the film-like portion 260 of the first diaphragm 221 against the force of the spring 243 in the first direction Z1. When the membrane portion 260 is pushed in the first direction Z1, the operating shaft 224 is also pushed along the first direction Z1, so that the opposite membrane portion 280 is pushed in conjunction with the first direction Z1. It is. Therefore, the film-like portion 260 of the first diaphragm 221 can reliably seal the one side 421 of the center hole 223 shown in FIG. 9 using the first seal portion 261. That is, the seal portion 261 contacts the first peripheral portion 321 of the center hole 223.
On the other hand, since the film-like portion of the second diaphragm 222 on the opposite side is pushed in the first direction Z1 and the second seal portion 281 is separated, the other side 422 of the center hole 223 shown in FIG. 9 is opened. ing. The arrow A in FIGS. 10 and 7 indicates the direction in which ink flows in this state.

  Therefore, the photo black ink PB of the ink cartridge 11E shown in FIG. 6 is supplied to the main body through the pressure adjusting portion 43E, the second flow path portion 212 of the main body 210, and the ink introduction hole 291 in FIGS. It flows into the central hole 223 of 210. The photo black ink PB is ejected from the nozzle opening 52 of the nozzle opening row 53 of FIG. 6 through the needle member 61 through the passages 230 and 231 from the central hole 223.

Next, when switching from the photo black ink PB shown in FIG. 6 to the matte black ink MB, it is performed as follows.
By operating the lever 450 in FIG. 7 and sliding the slider 250 in the sliding direction SD, the lever 450 pushes up the second pressing member 242 in the second direction Z2 against the force of the spring 244 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the first pressing member 241 is opened.

Accordingly, in the second state shown in FIG. 8 as opposed to the first state shown in FIG. 7, the seal portion 281 (FIGS. 9 and 10) of the second diaphragm 222 contacts the second peripheral portion 322 of the center hole 223. By contact, the membrane portion 280 seals the other side 422 of the center hole 223.
On the other hand, the seal portion 261 of the first diaphragm 221 is separated from the first peripheral portion 321 of the center hole 223, so that one side 421 of the center hole 223 is opened (FIG. 10). An arrow B in FIG. 8 indicates a direction when ink flows in this state.
In this manner, the mat black ink MB of the ink cartridge 11D shown in FIG. 6 in the state where the opening / closing relationship of the first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222 is reversed is the first flow of the pressure adjusting unit 43D and the main body 210. The ink can be sent to the center hole 223 through the ink introduction hole 271 shown in FIGS. 6 and 11A of the path portion 221 and the first diaphragm 221.
The sent mat black ink MB is ejected from each nozzle opening 52 of the nozzle opening array 53 of the recording head 20 through the center hole 223 and the passages 230 and 231 and the needle member 61.
On the contrary, even when the mat black ink MB is used and then switched to the photo black ink PB, the opening / closing operation of the first diaphragm 221 and the second diaphragm 222 is changed in the same manner to change the flow paths of different types of ink. Switching can be performed.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the liquid switching device 200 is preferably mounted on the carriage near the recording head 20, and a plurality of ink flow paths can be selected and switched. In other words, since the ink type can be switched near the head by switching the ink flow path, there are the following advantages.

If the liquid switching device is provided on the side of multiple ink cartridges instead of the head side, for example, when changing the use of ink from matte black ink to photoblack ink, the matte black used so far Since the ink remains in the long tube between the flow path switching device and the head side, the matte black ink in the remaining tube must be forcibly sucked and discharged. This is because, if the previously used ink is not discharged, color mixing occurs with the next used ink. By forcibly sucking in this way, waste of ink occurs.
However, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the liquid flow path switching device 200 is disposed on the side close to the recording head, it is possible to reduce the ink suction amount and reduce the ink consumption. . Moreover, by using this liquid switching device, it is possible to reliably and easily switch and discharge different types of ink from the nozzle openings 52 of the same nozzle opening row 53.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, since the liquid switching device is arranged in the vicinity of the head, when switching the liquid type, only the liquid remaining between the liquid switching device and the head is sucked and newly It can be switched to various types of liquid and supplied to the head side. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the amount of liquid sucked for exchanging the type of liquid, prevent waste of liquid consumption, and reliably discharge different types of liquid from the same nozzle. Since the liquid switching device is mounted on the carriage, the liquid can be switched in the vicinity of the head.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the liquid switching device has a center hole, the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are arranged to face each other, and the first diaphragm chamber of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm of the second diaphragm. The diaphragm chamber is communicated by the center hole, and the center hole is formed so that the center hole communicates with the head. Therefore, when switching to a new type of liquid and supplying it to the head side, Since there is little residual ink and the residual ink is removed by the new ink flow to be switched, the amount of liquid suction for changing the ink liquid type is reduced to prevent waste of liquid consumption, and different from the same nozzle Various types of liquid can be discharged reliably.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the first type and the second type of liquid can be reliably stopped or supplied using the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. Since the diaphragm is used to pass or do not pass the liquid in the passage portion, it can be performed more reliably than using a sphere. The operation shaft can reliably mechanically transmit the operation of closing and opening the first diaphragm as the operation of opening and closing the second diaphragm. When the first diaphragm seals the periphery of the center hole, or the second diaphragm seals the periphery of the center hole, the phenomenon that the first diaphragm or the second diaphragm sticks to the periphery of the center hole is prevented. be able to.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm can be opened / closed along the direction of opening / closing the center hole of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm only by moving the slider. Even if the nozzle of the head is sucked with a strong suction force and becomes negative pressure, the operation direction of the slider for opening and closing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is set so that the open diaphragm is not closed. It is substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. For this reason, even if strong vibration or strong negative pressure is applied in the main body, the slider can open and close the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm stably. Even when a strong negative pressure is generated in the body, the sealed portion of the diaphragm on the closed side can be stably adhered to the peripheral portion of the center hole and kept in a liquid-tight state.

In the embodiment of the present invention, even if each diaphragm receives a strong negative pressure and the operating shaft slightly moves, the closed diaphragm can be elastically deformed to absorb the slight movement of the operating shaft. . For this reason, it does not affect the liquid-tight state in the seal portion of the diaphragm on the closed side. Even if the operating shaft further moves, the force is transmitted to the slider via the pressing member that pressurizes the diaphragm, so that the diaphragm cannot move greatly, so that the liquid-tight state can be maintained.
In the embodiment of the present invention, by providing a lever in the carriage, the slider can be reliably slid by this lever.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the mat black ink and the photo black ink are exemplified as different types of ink, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of ink may be switched.
The off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, eight ink cartridges 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is of course possible to provide two to seven or nine or more ink cartridges.

  The present invention is not limited to an ink jet recording apparatus, but is a recording head used in an image recording apparatus such as a printer, a color material ejecting head used in manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and an FED (surface emitting display). The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus using a liquid ejecting head that discharges liquid, such as an electrode material ejecting head used for electrode formation, a bioorganic matter ejecting head used for biochip manufacturing, a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette, etc. .

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
A part of each configuration of the above embodiment can be omitted, or can be arbitrarily combined so as to be different from the above.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Carriage, 10 ... Inkjet recording apparatus (an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus), 11A-11H ... Ink cartridge (an example of a liquid container), 20 ... Recording head, 40 ... Liquid supply Path part, 43A-43H ... Pressure adjusting part, 200 ... Liquid switching device, 210 ... Main body, 221 ... First diaphragm, 222 ... Second diaphragm, 223 ... Center hole 224... Operation shaft, MB... Matt black ink (an example of a first type of liquid), PB... Photo black ink (an example of a second type of liquid).

Claims (9)

A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle of a head,
A liquid supply path for supplying the liquid from a liquid storage section for storing the liquid to the head ;
A liquid switching device provided in the liquid supply path, for selecting and switching a plurality of types of the liquid supplied from the liquid reservoir, and supplying the selected type of the liquid to the head; ,
The liquid switching device comprises:
A first diaphragm for opening and closing the first passage portion through which the liquid of the first type passes;
A second diaphragm for opening and closing a second passage portion through which the liquid of the second type passes;
And a switching operation portion for operating the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to switch one of the first passage portion and the second passage portion to open one and close the other. Liquid ejector.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid switching device is mounted on a carriage that holds the head. A plurality of the liquid supply paths are provided,
The switching device of the liquid, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in Rukoto switching a plurality of two of the liquid supply path of the liquid supply path. The liquid switching device has a center hole, and the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are arranged to face each other,
The first diaphragm chamber of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm chamber of the second diaphragm communicate with each other through the center hole, and a flow path is formed so that the center hole communicates with the head. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3. The liquid switching device has a center hole, and the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are arranged to face each other,
The first diaphragm chamber of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm chamber of the second diaphragm are communicated by the center hole,
An operating shaft is disposed in the center hole, one end of the operating shaft is in contact with the first diaphragm chamber, and the other end of the operating shaft is in contact with the second diaphragm chamber. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3. Grooves or concavo-convex portions are formed in the first peripheral portion sealed by the first diaphragm and the second peripheral portion sealed by the second diaphragm around the central hole of the liquid switching device. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus. The switching operation unit is
A first pressing member for sealing the center hole by pushing the first diaphragm to one side of the center hole;
A second pressing member for pushing the second diaphragm to the other side of the center hole to seal the center hole;
By moving the sliding direction, have a, a slider for moving in a second direction opposite to the first pressing member and said second pressing member and the first direction or the first direction,
It said first direction and said second direction, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, characterized in that the direction of opening and closing the central hole. The first diaphragm has a first seal portion for closely contacting the first peripheral portion, and the second diaphragm has a second seal portion for closely contacting the second peripheral portion,
The first diaphragm has a spring that presses the first seal portion against the first peripheral portion, and the second diaphragm has a spring that presses the second seal portion against the second peripheral portion. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is provided. Wherein the inner of the second seal portion of the inner and the second diaphragm of the first seal portion of the first diaphragm, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the membrane-like portion.

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