JP5359208B2 - Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid containing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jetting apparatus or the like forming a pressure-reduced space in a liquid storage apparatus, maintaining the pressure-reduced state of the pressure-reduced space and stably supplying deaerated liquid to a liquid jetting part. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid jetting apparatus includes a liquid storage part 2, the liquid jetting part 3, a pump P and a control means 5. The liquid storage part 2 includes a first chamber 15, a second chamber 16, a gas-impermeable liquid storage body 17, a gas-permeable liquid storage body 18, a communicating passage 19, an air intake port part 10, an air outlet part 11 and a liquid outlet part 52. The control means 5 operates the pump P to eject air in the second chamber 16 to the outside of the second chamber 16 through the air outlet part 11. The second chamber 16 is thereby formed into the pressure-reduced space that can absorb gas dissolved in liquid in the gas-permeable liquid storage body 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that degass liquid by forming a decompression space in a liquid storage apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink pack (liquid storage) having a configuration having a decompression space that can store ink (liquid) and absorb gas dissolved in the stored ink, that is, a configuration for degassing ink. 2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) using an apparatus is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The decompression space is formed by being evacuated when the ink pack is formed.
JP 2007-276242 A

However, the ink jet recording apparatus does not have a configuration for maintaining the decompressed state of the decompressed space of the ink pack. Therefore, the decompression space of the ink pack absorbs gas from the inside and outside of the ink pack, so the degree of vacuum drops. Therefore, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, the ink cannot be deaerated for a long period of time, and bubbles generated in the ink block the ink flow path or the nozzle of the head, thereby causing an ink ejection failure or a printing failure. There was a drawback of inviting.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can form a decompression space in the liquid storage device and maintain the decompression state of the decompression space and stably supply degassed liquid to the liquid ejecting unit. Provided are a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid container used in the liquid ejecting apparatus.

A liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid accommodating unit that accommodates a liquid, a liquid ejecting unit that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid accommodating unit, a pump, and a control unit. A first chamber, a second chamber, a gas non-permeable liquid container that is provided in the first chamber and contains a liquid, and a gas non-permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and stores the liquid. A gas permeable liquid container having gas permeability, a communication path for communicating the gas non-permeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container, and air enabling communication between the first chamber and the outside. The intake port, the air discharge port that allows the second chamber to communicate with the outside, and the liquid that passes through the communication path and the gas permeable liquid container from the gas impermeable liquid container. A liquid outlet for supplying to the ejection unit, and the control means By operating the pump so that the air in the second chamber is discharged out of the second chamber through the air discharge port, the second chamber is placed in the liquid in the gas-permeable liquid container. Since it forms in the decompression space which can absorb dissolved gas, the liquid ejecting apparatus which can supply the deaerated liquid to the liquid ejecting part stably can be provided.
A liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid accommodating unit that accommodates a liquid, a liquid ejecting unit that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid accommodating unit, a pump, and a control unit. A first chamber, a second chamber, a gas non-permeable liquid container that is provided in the first chamber and contains a liquid, and a gas non-permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and stores the liquid. A gas permeable liquid container having gas permeability, a communication path for communicating the gas non-permeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container, and air enabling communication between the first chamber and the outside. The intake port, the air supply / exhaust port that allows the second chamber to communicate with the outside, and the liquid that passes from the gas impermeable liquid container through the communication path and the gas permeable liquid container A liquid outlet for supplying to the liquid ejecting section, and the control means By operating the pump so that the air in the second chamber is discharged out of the second chamber through the air supply / exhaust port, the second chamber is in the liquid in the gas permeable liquid container. The gas is generated by operating the pump so that the control means supplies air into the second chamber through the air supply / exhaust port. Since the liquid in the permeable liquid container is supplied to the liquid ejecting unit, the liquid ejecting apparatus can stably supply the degassed liquid to the liquid ejecting unit and can use up the liquid in the liquid accommodating unit. Can provide.
A liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid accommodating portion that accommodates a liquid, a liquid ejecting portion that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid accommodating portion, a pump, a three-way switching valve, and a control unit. A liquid container is provided in the first chamber, the second chamber, a gas non-permeable liquid container having a gas non-permeable property, which is provided in the first chamber and accommodates the liquid, and the second chamber. A gas permeable liquid container having gas permeability for containing the liquid, a communication path for communicating the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container, and the first chamber outside. An air intake port that allows communication, an air discharge port that allows the second chamber to communicate with the outside, and the gas non-permeable liquid container through the communication path and the gas permeable liquid container. A liquid outlet part for supplying the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting part, The air intake port and the pump discharge port are connected so as to communicate with each other, and the air discharge port and the pump suction port are connected via the three-way switching valve so as to communicate with each other. means, actuates the pump, the three-way valve, the air from the second chamber by controlling the supply state to the suction port of the pump, said second chamber the gas permeable It is formed in a decompressed space capable of absorbing gas dissolved in the liquid in the liquid container , and the control means controls the air flow from the air discharge port to the pump suction port. by, Runode the gas-permeable liquid containing body of liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting portion, using a single pump as pressure reducing for the pressurizing and a second chamber for pressurizing the first chamber under reduced pressure By, The gas liquid can provide a stable supply possible liquid ejecting apparatus to the liquid jet unit.
A liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid accommodating portion that accommodates liquid, a liquid ejecting portion that ejects liquid supplied from the liquid accommodating portion, a pump, a three-way switching valve, an on-off valve, and a control unit. The liquid storage part is provided in the first chamber, the second chamber, the gas non-permeable liquid container that is provided in the first chamber and stores the liquid, and the second chamber. A gas permeable liquid container which is provided in the room and has a gas permeability, which accommodates the liquid, a communication path which communicates the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container, and the first An air intake port that allows the room to communicate with the outside, a first chamber side air supply / exhaust port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, and a second that allows the second chamber to communicate with the outside. From the room side air supply / discharge port and the gas impermeable liquid container, the communication path and the gas permeability A liquid outlet for supplying liquid passing through the body container to the liquid ejecting section; and an air intake passage communicating with the air intake opening; the one outlet of the pump and the first chamber A side air supply / exhaust port is connected to be communicable, and the other port portion of the pump and the second chamber side air supply / exhaust port are connected to be communicable via the three-way switching valve. The air intake path is provided so as to be openable and closable, and the control means closes the open / close valve to shut off the inflow of air from the air intake port to the first chamber to operate the pump. , the three-way valve, the air from the second chamber by controlling the supply state to the other opening of the pump, the second chamber is dissolved in the liquid of the gas-permeable liquid containing body Formed in a decompression space capable of absorbing gas, and the control means is The valve is opened to allow air to flow into the first chamber from the air intake port, and the air is supplied to the second chamber through the air supply / discharge port and the three-way switching valve. By operating the pump, the liquid in the gas permeable liquid container is supplied to the liquid ejecting unit, so that one pump is used for pressurizing the first chamber and for depressurizing the second chamber. By using it for decompression, it is possible to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that can stably supply the degassed liquid to the liquid ejecting section and can use up the liquid in the liquid storage section.
The communication path allows the flow of liquid from the gas impermeable liquid container to the gas permeable liquid container and allows liquid to flow from the gas permeable liquid container to the gas impermeable liquid container. Since the check valve for blocking the flow is provided, it is possible to prevent the degassed ink from flowing back from the gas permeable liquid container into the gas non-permeable liquid container, thereby efficiently degassing the liquid.
Since the gas permeable liquid container includes a flexible portion at least in part, the liquid is accommodated in the gas permeable liquid container so that the gas permeable liquid container is brought into contact with the second chamber. Since the area of the outer surface is increased, the liquid degassing efficiency is improved.
A liquid storage device that can be attached to and detached from the liquid ejection device according to the present invention includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a gas impermeable liquid that is provided in the first chamber and has a gas impermeable property. A container, a gas permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and has a gas permeability and accommodates a liquid, and the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container are communicated with each other. The communication path, the air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, the air discharge port that enables the second chamber to communicate with the outside, and the gas impermeable liquid container from the communication port. And a liquid outlet for supplying liquid passing through the gas permeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit, so that the liquid ejected from the liquid ejected by being attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus. A liquid ejecting apparatus that can be stably supplied can be configured.
A liquid storage device that can be attached to and detached from the liquid ejection device according to the present invention includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a gas impermeable liquid that is provided in the first chamber and has a gas impermeable property. A container, a gas permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and has a gas permeability and accommodates a liquid, and the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container are communicated with each other. The communication path, the air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, the air discharge port that enables the second chamber to communicate with the outside, and the gas impermeable liquid container from the communication port. A liquid outlet for supplying a liquid passing through the passage and the gas permeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit, and an air inlet port connected to a pump inlet port. Has a pump outlet or a pump outlet different from the pump. Since is, by being attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the degassed liquid can be configured capable of supplying the liquid ejecting apparatus stable to a liquid ejecting portion.
A liquid storage device that can be attached to and detached from the liquid ejection device according to the present invention includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a gas impermeable liquid that is provided in the first chamber and has a gas impermeable property. A container, a gas permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and has a gas permeability and accommodates a liquid, and the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container are communicated with each other. A communication passage, an air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, a first chamber side air supply / exhaust port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, and the second chamber to the outside A second chamber-side air supply / exhaust port that allows communication with the liquid ejection unit, and a liquid that passes through the communication path and the gas-permeable liquid container from the gas-impermeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit. And a liquid outlet. Liquid and stable can be supplied to the liquid ejecting portion, and can be configured to a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of use up the liquid in the liquid storage portion.
A liquid storage device that can be attached to and detached from the liquid ejection device according to the present invention includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a gas impermeable liquid that is provided in the first chamber and has a gas impermeable property. A container, a gas permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and has a gas permeability and accommodates a liquid, and the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container are communicated with each other. A communication passage, an air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, a first chamber side air supply / exhaust port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, and the second chamber to the outside A second chamber-side air supply / exhaust port that allows communication with the liquid ejection unit, and a liquid that passes through the communication path and the gas-permeable liquid container from the gas-impermeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit. A liquid outlet portion, and an air intake path is connected to the air intake port portion, and the first chamber side empty space is connected. Since the one port portion of the pump is connected to the supply / discharge port portion, and the other port portion of the pump is connected to the second chamber side air supply / discharge port portion via a three-way switching valve, it is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to configure a liquid ejecting apparatus that can stably supply the degassed liquid to the liquid ejecting unit and that can use up the liquid in the liquid storage unit.
Next, the best mode according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the printer apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a printer apparatus 1 as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes an ink cartridge 2 (hereinafter referred to as a liquid storage unit) that stores ink I (hereinafter referred to as ink without reference numerals) as a liquid. , A cartridge), a head 3 as a liquid ejecting section for ejecting ink supplied from the cartridge 2, an ink supply path 4 for communicating the cartridge 2 and the head 3, a pump P, a three-way switching valve V1, An outlet on-off valve V2 and a control means 5 are provided.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the cartridge 2.
The cartridge 2 includes a container 6 and an ink container 7. The container 6 is formed of a hard material such as hard plastic, and includes an outer wall 8 and a partition wall 9. Inside the container 6, the first chamber 15 and the second chamber 16 are partitioned, that is, partitioned by the partition wall 9. The outer wall 8 is
An air intake port portion 10, an air discharge port portion 11, and a container-side ink outlet portion 12 each made of a tube communicating with the inside and the outside of the container 6 are provided. The air intake 10 is formed by a through hole 10a that allows the inside of the first chamber 15 to communicate with the outside. The air discharge port portion 11 is formed by a through hole 11a that allows the inside of the second chamber 16 to communicate with the outside.

The container 6 is formed of a hard material such as a hard plastic having gas impermeability.
The ink container 7 is provided in the first chamber 15 and has a gas non-permeable gas container 17 that contains ink, and a gas that is provided in the second chamber 16 and contains ink. A gas permeable ink container 18 having permeability, and a gas non-permeable ink container 17 and a gas permeable ink container 18 provided so as to pass through the through holes 14 formed in the partition wall 9. It is formed by the communication path 19 to be communicated. The partition wall 9 may be integrated with the container 6 by adding a flange to the outer periphery of the plate material and thermally welding or bonding the flange to the inner wall of the container 6.
The gas non-permeable ink container 17 is a sheet-like sheet with a variable ink containing volume, which is formed of a material having a low gas permeability that is substantially equal to or higher than the material forming the container 6 and having flexibility. It consists of a bag and has an ink outlet 20. The gas impermeable ink container 17 is, for example,
It is made of a sheet or film material such as butyl rubber, polysulfide rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, high nitrile rubber, or fluorine rubber.
The gas permeable ink container 18 has a gas permeability higher than that of the material forming the gas non-permeable ink container 17 and is a sheet having a variable ink storage volume formed of a flexible material. One end of the container-side ink outlet portion 22 and an ink outlet, which is made of the same material as that of the gas impermeable ink container 17, and includes an ink inlet portion 21 and an ink outlet portion. Are connected to each other by a fastening band b.
The gas permeable ink container 18 includes, for example, silicone rubber, natural rubber, SBR, BR,
It is formed of a sheet or film material such as EPDM.
That is, the gas non-permeable ink container 17 is made of, for example, polar rubber, and the gas permeable ink container 18 is made of, for example, non-polar rubber.
The communication path 19 is formed by, for example, a pipe formed of the same material as the gas impermeable ink container 17.

One end of the communication path 19 and the ink outlet 20 of the gas impermeable ink container 17 are connected to each other by the fastening band b, and the other end of the communication path 19 and the ink inlet of the gas permeable ink container 18 are connected. The portion 21 is connected to be able to communicate with the fastening band b. The communication path 19 allows only movement of ink from the gas impermeable ink container 17 to the gas permeable ink container 18, and allows the gas permeable ink container 18 to move to the gas impermeable ink container 17. A check valve 51 for blocking the movement of ink is provided.

The ink outlet 52 of the cartridge 2 as a liquid outlet for supplying the ink in the gas permeable ink container 18 to the head 3 is connected to the container side ink outlet 22 of the gas permeable ink container 18 and the gas permeable member. The container-side ink outlet portion 12 holds the container-side ink outlet portion 22 so as to be able to supply the ink in the conductive ink reservoir 18 to the head 3 via the ink supply path 4.

For example, the ink outlet 52 of the cartridge 2 is disposed on the container side so that the opening end of the container-side ink outlet 22 of the gas-permeable ink container 18 passes through the container-side ink outlet 12 and faces the outside of the container 6. It is formed fixed to the ink outlet portion 12. The other end opening of the ink supply path 4 and the container side ink outlet 22 of the gas permeable ink container 18 are connected so that the ink can communicate with the gas permeable ink container 18 and the ink supply path 4. Is done. When the cartridge 2 is not used, one end opening of the container-side ink outlet 22 is sealed with a sealing film (not shown). An ink supply needle (not shown) is provided at the other end opening of the ink supply path 4. When the cartridge 2 is attached to the printer apparatus 1, the ink supply needle breaks the sealing film that seals the one end opening of the container-side ink outlet portion 22, and thereby the ink in the container 7 of the cartridge 2. Is supplied to the head 3 through the hollow path of the ink supply needle and the ink supply path 4. Further, an outlet opening / closing valve V2 is provided at a position near the ink supply needle in the ink supply path 4, and the control means 5 controls the opening degree of the outlet opening / closing valve V2 during the deaeration sequence control described later, or the cartridge 2 The outlet on-off valve V2 is closed at the time of replacement.

As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the air intake passage 40 and the air intake port portion 10 are connected to each other, and the other end of the air intake passage 40 and the discharge port portion 41 of the pump P are connected to each other. One end of the air supply path 42 and the suction port 43 of the pump P are connected to each other, and the other end of the air supply path 42 and the first of the three-way switching valve are connected.
The valve opening 44 is connected to each other. One end of the air discharge path 45 and the air discharge port portion 11 are connected to each other, and the other end of the air discharge port portion 11 is connected to the second valve port portion 46 of the three-way switching valve. The third valve port 47 of the three-way switching valve is connected to the air intake passage 48 and is opened to the atmosphere. The air intake path 40, the air supply path 42, the air intake path 48, and the ink supply path 4 are, for example, the gas impermeable ink container 1.
7 is formed by a pipe line made of the same material.

Between the outer peripheral surface of the air intake passage 40 made of an extruded elastic tube and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 10a forming the air intake port portion 10, the outer peripheral surface of the air discharge passage 45 made of an extruded elastic tube and the air discharge port. A container-side ink outlet portion 12 formed of an extruded elastic tube and an outer peripheral surface of the container-side ink outlet portion 22 of the gas-permeable ink container 18 between the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 11a forming the portion 11.
Between the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 12a that forms a gas, for example, it is blocked by a plugging material such as a seal member (not shown) so that gas cannot pass therethrough. As described above, the internal space of the container 6 is maintained in an airtight state. Further, the gas cannot pass between the inner surface of the outer wall 8 and the outer edge surface of the partition wall 9 and between the outer peripheral surface of the communication path 19 and the inner surface of the through hole 14 formed in the partition wall 9. For example, it is blocked with a plug such as a seal member (not shown). As described above, the first chamber 15 and the second chamber 16 are each maintained in an airtight state.

By attaching the cartridge 2 to the printer device 1, the ink outlet portion 22 of the gas permeable ink container 18 and the other end of the ink supply path 4 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, and the air intake port portion. 10 and one end of the air intake passage 40 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.
The air discharge port 11 and one end of the air discharge path 45 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The cartridge 2 is detachably attached to, for example, a carriage 50 (see FIG. 5) of the printer apparatus 1 and is replaced when ink is consumed in this example.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the head.
The head 3 includes an ink chamber 24, a pressure chamber 25, a nozzle 28, and an actuator 30. The other end opening of the ink chamber 24 and the one end opening of the ink supply path 4 are connected so as to communicate with each other. The other end opening of the pressure chamber 25 communicates with the ink chamber 24, and the one end opening of the pressure chamber 25 communicates with the nozzle 28. The actuator 30 is formed by a piezo element or a heater element provided on the wall of the pressure chamber 25.
A carriage drive conveyor belt 34 connected to the carriage 50 is used as the carriage motor 3.
3, the cartridge 2 and the head 3 provided on the carriage 50 move together with the carriage 50.
In the head 3, the ink supplied from the ink chamber 24 into the pressure chamber 25 forms a concave surface (meniscus) of the ink at the outlet of the nozzle 28, and the nozzle 30 is operated by the action of the actuator 30.
The ink in the inside is extruded to form a drop, and the drop adheres to the print target, whereby printing on the print target such as paper is performed.

FIG. 3 shows a flow of deaeration control of the printer apparatus 1, and FIG. 4 shows an operation at the time of deaeration control of the printer apparatus 1.
Deaeration control will be described with reference to FIGS. Deaeration control includes pressure reduction control, pressure reduction maintenance control, and printing control. In a state where the cartridge 2 is attached to the printer apparatus 1 and power is supplied to the printer apparatus 1, the control means 5 reads the deaeration control program,
Regularly perform deaeration control according to the deaeration control program.

First, the control means 5 performs pressure reduction control. That is, the control means 5 closes the outlet on-off valve V2,
The flow path R1 of the three-way switching valve V1 (see FIG. 4A) so that the pump P can suck air from the second chamber 16.
)) Is set (step S1), and then the pump P is operated to pressurize the interior of the first chamber 15 (step S2). That is, the control means 5 sets the flow path R1 of the three-way switching valve V1,
By operating the pump P as a pressurizing pump for pressurizing the inside of the first chamber 15, FIG.
As shown to (a), the air of the 2nd chamber 16 is the air exhaust port part 11, the air exhaust path 45, the flow path R1 of the three-way switching valve V1, and the suction inlet part of the pump P via the air supply path 42. 43, the pressure in the second chamber 16 is reduced, and the air sucked from the suction port 43 of the pump P and pressurized by the pump P is discharged into the discharge port 41 of the pump P, the air intake path. 40, the compressed air supplied into the first chamber 15 via the air intake port 10 presses the gas impermeable ink container 17. As a result, the ink in the gas impermeable ink container 17 is pushed out and moves into the gas permeable ink container 18 via the communication path 19.
And the control means 5 monitors the timer outside a figure, and continues operating the pump P until the fixed time passes since the operation start of the pump P (No in step S3). Therefore, the pressure in the second chamber 16 continues to be reduced until a certain time has elapsed from the start of the operation of the pump P.
The predetermined time is a time required until the inside of the second chamber 16 is depressurized to a predetermined negative pressure value (a predetermined vacuum level). The predetermined negative pressure value is such that the gas dissolved in the ink moved into the gas permeable ink container 18 is vaporized, and the vaporized bubbles pass through the gas permeable ink container 18 and pass through the second chamber 1.
6 is a negative pressure value that is sufficiently necessary to be absorbed in the inside. The predetermined negative pressure value and the predetermined time until the negative pressure value is reached may be obtained by experiments, for example.
That is, the control means 5 operates the pump P so that the air in the second chamber 16 is discharged out of the second chamber 16 through the air discharge port portion 11, so that the inside of the second chamber 16 is gas permeable. It is formed in a reduced pressure space capable of absorbing the gas dissolved in the ink in the ink container 18.
Next, the control means 5 performs reduced pressure maintenance control. In the decompression maintenance control, when the control means 5 determines that a certain time has elapsed from the start of operation of the pump P (YES in step S3), the pump P can suck air (atmosphere) from the air intake path 48. The flow path R2 of the three-way selector valve V1 (FIG. 4 (
By setting b), the inside of the second chamber 16 is shut off from the atmosphere, and the pressure in the second chamber 16 is kept at a predetermined negative pressure value (step S4).

The inside of the second chamber 16 is formed in a decompressed space capable of absorbing the gas dissolved in the ink in the gas permeable ink container 18 (YES in step S3), and the inside of the second chamber 16 has a predetermined negative pressure value. In the state maintained at (Step S4), the control means 5 performs the print control by continuing to operate the pump P and adjusting the opening degree of the outlet on-off valve V2.
In the printing control, the air taken into the pump P from the air intake passage 48 and pressurized is the first chamber 1.
5, the ink in the gas impermeable ink container 17 is pushed out and moves into the gas permeable ink container 18 via the communication path 19. At this time, the inside of the second chamber 16 is
Since the reduced pressure space maintained at a predetermined negative pressure value is maintained, the gas dissolved in the ink in the gas permeable ink container 18 installed in the second chamber 16 is vaporized and vaporized bubbles. Passes through the gas-permeable ink container 18 and is absorbed into the second chamber 16.
That is, the ink in the gas permeable ink container 18 is degassed, and the degassed ink is stably supplied to the head 3 via the outlet opening / closing valve V2 and the ink supply path 4, so that good printing can be performed. Will be done.
Therefore, in the print control, the control means 5 pressurizes the inside of the first chamber 15 while maintaining the inside of the second chamber 16 in a decompression space maintained at a predetermined negative pressure value, and the opening degree of the outlet opening / closing valve V2. By adjusting, the ink is deaerated in the process of passing through the gas permeable ink container 18 and is stably supplied to the head 3.

According to the best mode, a decompression space can be formed in the cartridge 2 by the decompression control and the decompressed state of the decompression space can be maintained. Therefore, in the printing control, the inside of the ink passing through the gas permeable ink container 18 Since the degassed ink is obtained by absorbing the dissolved gas in the reduced pressure space and the degassed ink can be stably supplied to the head 3, it is possible to prevent ink ejection failure and printing failure.
According to the best mode, since the pressure in the decompression space can be returned to a predetermined negative pressure value by causing the control means 5 to repeat the decompression control at regular time intervals, the deaeration efficiency is deteriorated by the decompression space. Can be suppressed.
According to the best mode, the pressurization in the first chamber 15 and the decompression in the second chamber 16 are performed using one pump P. Therefore, as described later, a pump dedicated to pressurization and a pump dedicated to decompression are used. As compared with the case of using the above, the configuration of the printer apparatus 1 can be simplified, and since it is only necessary to drive and control one pump P, the control becomes easy.
According to the best mode, since the check valve 51 is provided in the communication path 19, the deaerated ink is prevented from flowing back from the gas permeable ink container 18 into the gas non-permeable ink container 17. Can be efficiently degassed.
According to the best mode, since the gas permeable ink container 18 is formed of a flexible material, the ink is accommodated in the gas permeable ink container 18, whereby the second chamber 16. Since the area of the outer surface of the gas permeable ink container 18 in contact with the ink increases, the ink degassing efficiency is improved.

Other form 1
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the cartridge 2 used in the printer apparatus 1 according to another embodiment 1.
FIG. 8 shows the flow of deaeration control of the printer apparatus 1 according to another embodiment 1, and FIG. 8 shows the operation during the deaeration control of the printer apparatus 1 according to another embodiment 1.
In the printer device 1 of the best mode, since the inside of the second chamber 16 cannot be pressurized, the ink in the gas permeable ink container 18 is emptied even when the ink in the gas non-permeable ink container 17 becomes empty. There is a high possibility that it will not be possible. Therefore, in another embodiment 1, when the ink finally remains in the gas permeable ink container 18, the ink remaining in the gas permeable ink container 18 is increased by pressurizing the second chamber 16. All can be supplied to the head 3. In other words, the printer device 1 that can use up the ink of the cartridge 2 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge 2 used in the other embodiment 1 has the air intake port portion 10 of the cartridge 2 used in the best mode function as the first chamber side air supply / discharge port portion 100, The air discharge port portion 11 of the cartridge 2 used in the form functions as the first chamber side air supply / discharge port portion 110, and further includes an air intake port portion 60 communicating with the first chamber 15 and the outside of the container 6. Use the same thing.
And as shown in FIG. 8, the air intake path 61 is provided, the end of this air intake path 61 and the air intake port part 60 are connected so that communication is possible, and the air intake path 61 is opened and closed. The printer 1 is configured to include the on-off valve 62. In the printer apparatus 1 according to the other embodiment 1, the air intake path 40, the air supply path 42, and the air discharge path 45 are all the air supply / discharge path 63 in the printer of the best mode.
Function as.

Next, deaeration control and ink exhaustion control of the printer apparatus 1 according to another embodiment 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the printer device according to the other embodiment 1, after the control means 5 closes the on-off valve 62, the same deaeration control as the best embodiment is performed. After the deaeration control, when the control means 5 determines that the ink in the gas impermeable ink container 17 has been emptied (YES in step S5), ink exhaustion control (step S6) is performed. Ink exhaustion control is performed by the control means 5 opening the on-off valve 62, the on-off valve 62, the air intake port 60, the first chamber 15, the first chamber side air supply / discharge port 100, the pump P, and the three-way switching valve. The flow path R3 of the three-way switching valve V2 is set and the pump P is operated so that pressurized air can be supplied into the second chamber 16 via V2, the second chamber side air supply / exhaust port 110. As a result, the air taken into the pump P and pressurized by the pump is supplied into the second chamber 16, and the gas permeable ink container 18 is pressed by the pressurized air, so that the inside of the gas permeable ink container 18. Is pushed out to the ink supply path 4, so that the gas permeable ink container 18 is used.
The ink inside can be squeezed out and used up. For example, by providing ink presence / absence detection means such as a flow rate sensor in the gas non-permeable ink container 17 or the communication path 19, the control means 5 can detect the gas based on the signal from the ink presence / absence detection means. Since it is possible to detect that the ink in the non-permeable ink container 17 is empty, the determination in step S5 can be performed.

Other form 2
FIG. 9 shows an operation at the time of deaeration control of the printer apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment.
In the best mode, the air in the second chamber 16 is sucked using one pump P to reduce the pressure in the second chamber 16 and supply pressurized air into the first chamber 15. In form 2,
A pressure reducing pump P1 that sucks air in the second chamber 16 to reduce the pressure in the second chamber 16 and the first chamber 15.
The printer apparatus 1 has a configuration in which a pressurizing pump P2 for supplying pressurized air is provided separately.
That is, in the other form 2, the same cartridge 2 as the best form cartridge 2 is used, the air discharge port 11 and one end of the air discharge path 70 are connected to each other, and the other end of the air discharge path 70 and the pump P1 are connected. The suction port portion 43 is connected to each other, and one end of the air discharge path 71 opened to the atmosphere and the discharge port portion 42 of the pump P1 are connected to each other. The air intake port 10 and one end of the air intake path 72 are connected to each other, the other end of the air intake path 72 and the discharge port 41 of the pump P2 are connected to each other,
One end of the air intake path 73 opened to the atmosphere and the suction port 43 of the pump P2 are connected to each other. The printer apparatus 1 is configured to include an opening / closing valve 75 that opens and closes the air discharge path 71.

Next, deaeration control of the printer apparatus 1 according to another embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the printer device 1 according to the second embodiment, the control means 5 closes the outlet on-off valve V2, opens the on-off valve 75, drives the pressure reducing pump P1, and the pressure in the second chamber 16 becomes a predetermined negative pressure value. The pressure is reduced until, and then the on-off valve 75 is closed. As a result, the second chamber 16 is formed in a decompressed space capable of absorbing the gas dissolved in the ink in the gas permeable ink container 18 (step S3).
And YES), and the inside of the second chamber 16 is maintained at a predetermined negative pressure value (step S4). That is, decompression control and decompression maintenance control are performed. In a state in which the inside of the second chamber 16 is maintained at a predetermined negative pressure value, the control means 5 performs print control by continuing to operate the pump P2 and adjusting the opening degree of the outlet opening / closing valve V2.
Accordingly, as in the best mode, the gas impermeable ink container 17 is used in the print control.
When the ink inside is supplied into the gas permeable ink container 18, the second chamber 16 in a negative pressure state.
Since the gas dissolved in the liquid in the gas permeable ink container 18 is sucked, the ink in the cartridge 2 is degassed, and the degassed ink is supplied to the head 3 for printing.

Other form 3
FIG. 10 shows an operation at the time of deaeration control of the printer apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment.
The other form 3 is a printer apparatus 1 in which the ink of the cartridge 2 can be used up in the printer apparatus 1 having the structure of the other form 2. In the third embodiment, a pressure-reducing pump P3 is used instead of the pressure-reducing pump P1 used in the printer device 1 of the second embodiment. That is, the pump P3 is used as a pressure reducing pump for depressurizing the inside of the second chamber 16 and a pressure pump for pressurizing the inside of the second chamber 16. In the printer device 1 of the other form 3, all of the air discharge path 70 and the air discharge path 71 in the printer apparatus 1 of the other form 2 function as the air supply / discharge path 76.

In another form 3, when the control means 5 determines that the ink in the gas impermeable ink container 17 has become empty, the control valve 5 opens the on-off valve 75 and drives the pump P3 to drive the pump P3. The air that has been introduced and pressurized by the pump P3 is supplied into the second chamber 16, and the gas-permeable ink container 18 is pressed by the pressurized air, so that the ink in the gas-permeable ink container 18 is supplied to the ink supply path. 4, the ink in the gas permeable ink containing body 18 can be squeezed out and used up (see FIG. 10C).

Other form 4
In order to improve the deaeration efficiency of the ink, the area of the ink in contact with the second chamber 16 may be increased. Therefore, the area of the outer surface of the gas permeable ink container 18 may be increased. Accordingly, it is desirable to use a gas permeable ink container 18 having a large outer surface area. For example, the gas permeable ink container 18 may be formed by a thin ink path, but may be formed by a flat ink path or a spiral ink path in order to increase the area of the outer surface. preferable.
Further, it is preferable to use a gas non-permeable ink container 17 having a large accommodation volume so that a large amount of ink can be accommodated.

In the above embodiment, the ink jet printer apparatus has been described as an example. However, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink and a liquid container that stores the liquid may be employed. The present invention can be used for various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head that ejects a minute amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, and may be in a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts) ) And a liquid as one state of the substance, as well as particles in which functional material particles made of solid materials such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. In addition, typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink includes general liquid inks and oil-based inks as described in the above embodiments, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a coloring material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, a color filter, or the like in a dispersed or dissolved state. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing apparatus, a microdispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of these injection devices.
The through hole 14 has been described as being located in the partition wall 9 in the communication path 19, but may be provided in the communication path 19 on the first chamber 15 side from the partition wall 9 or on the second chamber 16 side from the partition wall 9. Good.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer device (best mode). FIG. The figure which shows the structure of a cartridge (best form). The flowchart explaining the operation | movement of deaeration control (best form). The figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of deaeration control of a printer apparatus (best form). Cross-sectional view of the head (best mode). The figure which shows the structure of a cartridge (other form 1). The flowchart explaining the operation | movement of deaeration control (other form 1). The figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of the deaeration control of a printer apparatus (other form 1). The figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of deaeration control of a printer apparatus (other form 2). The figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of the deaeration control of a printer apparatus (other form 3).

Explanation of symbols

1 printer device, 2 ink cartridge (liquid container),
3 head (liquid ejecting part), 5 control means, 10 air intake port part,
11 Air outlet, 15 1st chamber, 16 2nd chamber,
17 Gas impermeable ink container (gas impermeable liquid container),
18 gas permeable ink container (gas permeable liquid container), 19 communication path,
52 Ink outlet (liquid outlet), P pump.

Claims (10)

  A liquid storage section for storing a liquid; a liquid injection section for discharging the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section; a pump; and a control means. The liquid storage section includes a first chamber, a second chamber, A gas-impermeable liquid container that is provided in the first chamber and contains a liquid, and a gas-permeable gas container that is provided in the second chamber and contains a liquid. A liquid passage, a communication passage that communicates the gas impermeable liquid receptacle and the gas permeable liquid receptacle, an air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, and the second An air outlet that allows the interior to communicate with the outside, and a liquid outlet that supplies liquid from the gas impermeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit via the communication passage and the gas permeable liquid container And the control means through the air discharge port By operating the pump so that the air in the two chambers is discharged out of the second chamber, the second chamber becomes a decompressed space capable of absorbing the gas dissolved in the liquid in the gas permeable liquid container. A liquid ejecting apparatus formed.   A liquid storage section for storing a liquid; a liquid injection section for discharging the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section; a pump; and a control means. The liquid storage section includes a first chamber, a second chamber, A gas-impermeable liquid container that is provided in the first chamber and contains a liquid, and a gas-permeable gas container that is provided in the second chamber and contains a liquid. A liquid passage, a communication passage that communicates the gas impermeable liquid receptacle and the gas permeable liquid receptacle, an air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, and the second An air supply / exhaust port that allows the interior to communicate with the outside, and a liquid for supplying the liquid ejecting unit with the liquid that passes through the communication path and the gas permeable liquid container from the gas impermeable liquid container An outlet portion, and the control means passes through the air supply / exhaust port portion. By operating the pump so that the air in the two chambers is discharged out of the second chamber, the second chamber becomes a decompressed space capable of absorbing the gas dissolved in the liquid in the gas permeable liquid container. When the pump is operated so that the control means is supplied and air is supplied to the second chamber through the air supply / exhaust port, the liquid in the gas permeable liquid container is injected into the liquid jet. A liquid ejecting apparatus that is supplied to the unit. A liquid storage section for storing a liquid; a liquid injection section for injecting a liquid supplied from the liquid storage section; a pump; a three-way switching valve; and a control means, wherein the liquid storage section includes a first chamber, A second chamber, a gas non-permeable liquid container provided in the first chamber and containing liquid, and a gas permeability provided in the second chamber and containing liquid. A gas permeable liquid container, a communication passage for communicating the gas non-permeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container, and an air intake port which allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside. And an air discharge port that allows the second chamber to communicate with the outside, and liquid that passes through the communication path and the gas permeable liquid container from the gas impermeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting part A liquid outlet for performing the above operation, the air intake port and the pump The discharge port is connected to be communicable, the air discharge port and the suction port of the pump are connected to be communicable via the three-way switching valve, and the control means operates the pump, the three-way valve, the air from the second chamber by controlling the supply state to the suction port of the pump, the gas and the second chamber was dissolved in the liquid of the gas-permeable liquid containing body And the control means controls the air flow from the air discharge port to the suction port of the pump so as to block the air permeable liquid container. a liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid and wherein Rukoto is supplied to the liquid ejecting portion. A liquid storage unit for storing liquid; a liquid injection unit for injecting liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit; a pump; a three-way switching valve; an on-off valve; and a control means. A first chamber, a second chamber, a gas non-permeable liquid container that is provided in the first chamber and contains a liquid, and a gas non-permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and stores the liquid. A gas permeable liquid container having gas permeability, a communication path for communicating the gas non-permeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container, and air enabling communication between the first chamber and the outside. An intake port, a first chamber-side air supply / exhaust port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, and a second chamber-side air supply / discharge port that allows the second chamber to communicate with the outside; The liquid that passes through the communication path and the gas permeable liquid container from the gas impermeable liquid container A liquid outlet for supplying to the liquid ejecting section; and an air intake passage communicating with the air intake opening, wherein the one outlet of the pump communicates with the first chamber side air supply / discharge opening. The other port portion of the pump and the second chamber side air supply / exhaust port portion are connected through the three-way switching valve so that the on-off valve can open and close the air intake passage. Provided, the control means closes the on-off valve to shut off the inflow of air from the air intake port into the first chamber to operate the pump, and the three-way switching valve the air from the two chambers by controlling the supply state to the other opening of the pump, formed absorbable vacuum space a gas the second chamber is dissolved in the liquid of the gas-permeable liquid containing body And the control means opens the on-off valve from the air intake port. The gas permeable property can be obtained by operating the pump so as to supply air into the second chamber through the air supply / exhaust port and the three-way switching valve as a state allowing air to flow into one chamber. A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a liquid in a liquid container is supplied to the liquid ejecting unit.   The communication path allows the flow of liquid from the gas impermeable liquid container to the gas permeable liquid container and allows liquid to flow from the gas permeable liquid container to the gas impermeable liquid container. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a check valve that blocks the flow.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas permeable liquid container includes at least a flexible portion.   A liquid storage device detachably attachable to a liquid ejecting apparatus, the first chamber, a second chamber, and a gas non-permeable liquid container having a gas non-permeable property provided in the first chamber for storing a liquid. A gas permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and has a gas permeability for containing a liquid, and a communication path that communicates the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container. An air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, an air discharge port that allows the second chamber to communicate with the outside, and the communication path from the gas impermeable liquid container and A liquid storage apparatus comprising: a liquid outlet for supplying the liquid passing through the gas-permeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting section.   A liquid storage device detachably attachable to a liquid ejecting apparatus, the first chamber, a second chamber, and a gas non-permeable liquid container having a gas non-permeable property provided in the first chamber for storing a liquid. A gas permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and has a gas permeability for containing a liquid, and a communication path that communicates the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container. An air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, an air discharge port that allows the second chamber to communicate with the outside, and the communication path from the gas impermeable liquid container and A liquid outlet portion for supplying the liquid passing through the gas permeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting portion, a pump suction port portion being connected to the air discharge port portion, and an air intake port portion being The discharge port of the pump or the discharge port of the pump different from the pump is connected. Liquid storage apparatus, characterized in that.   A liquid storage device detachably attachable to a liquid ejecting apparatus, the first chamber, a second chamber, and a gas non-permeable liquid container having a gas non-permeable property provided in the first chamber for storing a liquid. A gas permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and has a gas permeability for containing a liquid, and a communication path that communicates the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container. An air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, a first chamber side air supply / discharge port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, and the second chamber communicates with the outside. A second chamber-side air supply / exhaust port, and a liquid outlet for supplying liquid from the gas non-permeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit via the communication path and the gas permeable liquid container. And a liquid storage device.   A liquid storage device detachably attachable to a liquid ejecting apparatus, the first chamber, a second chamber, and a gas non-permeable liquid container having a gas non-permeable property provided in the first chamber for storing a liquid. A gas permeable liquid container that is provided in the second chamber and has a gas permeability for containing a liquid, and a communication path that communicates the gas impermeable liquid container and the gas permeable liquid container. An air intake port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, a first chamber side air supply / discharge port that allows the first chamber to communicate with the outside, and the second chamber communicates with the outside. A second chamber-side air supply / exhaust port, and a liquid outlet for supplying liquid from the gas non-permeable liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit via the communication path and the gas permeable liquid container. An air intake path is connected to the air intake port, and the first chamber side air supply / discharge Part One mouth of the pump is connected to, the the second chamber side air supply and discharge port portion liquid storage apparatus characterized by other port of the pump is connected via a three-way valve.

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