JP5640758B2 - Channel forming member and image forming apparatus provided with channel forming member - Google Patents

Channel forming member and image forming apparatus provided with channel forming member Download PDF

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JP5640758B2
JP5640758B2 JP2011008618A JP2011008618A JP5640758B2 JP 5640758 B2 JP5640758 B2 JP 5640758B2 JP 2011008618 A JP2011008618 A JP 2011008618A JP 2011008618 A JP2011008618 A JP 2011008618A JP 5640758 B2 JP5640758 B2 JP 5640758B2
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tube
flow path
peripheral surface
ink
pipe
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JP2012148469A (en
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松岡　弘樹
弘樹 松岡
熊谷　利雄
利雄 熊谷
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Description

本発明は、液滴吐出型の画像形成装置に備えられた吐出液の流路を構成する流路構成部材およびその流路構成部材を備える画像形成装置に関する。   The present invention relates to a flow path constituting member constituting a flow path of a discharge liquid provided in a droplet discharge type image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus provided with the flow path constituting member.

従来、インク液中に含まれる粒子がインクの流路内で沈降することを防ぐために様々な工夫がなされている。特許文献１には、インク循環型の画像形成装置に用いられる流路において、流路内のインクの流量や流速を所定の期間において増加させることが記載されている。   Conventionally, various ideas have been made to prevent particles contained in the ink liquid from settling in the ink flow path. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 describes that in a flow path used in an ink circulation type image forming apparatus, the flow rate and flow rate of ink in the flow path are increased in a predetermined period.

特開平６−１５５７５７号公報JP-A-6-155757

通常、印刷ヘッドに続く流路は単一の管のみでは構成されず、複数の管同士を接続して構成される。その場合に、管同士の接続境界に生じる段差部分で沈降物が滞留しやすくなる。
本発明は管同士の接続境界において沈降物が滞留しにくい流路を提供することを目的とする。 Usually, the flow path following the print head is not formed by a single tube, but is formed by connecting a plurality of tubes. In that case, the sediment tends to stay at a step portion generated at the connection boundary between the tubes.
An object of this invention is to provide the flow path in which a sediment does not stay easily in the connection boundary of pipes.

上記目的を達成するために本発明の液滴吐出型の画像形成装置に備えられた吐出液の流路構成部材は、第一の管と、第一の管の上流側において第一の管と水平方向に接続している第二の管と、を備える。そして、吐出液に面する内周面における第一の管と第二の管との接続境界から上流側に所定距離の範囲内において、第二の管の鉛直方向における上側の内周面に流路の断面積を局所的に狭める突起物が設けられている。また、接続境界において流路を切断した場合の断面を鉛直方向における最上部から最下部までの長さが二等分となる位置で二分した場合の下半分の面積は上半分の面積よりも広い。   In order to achieve the above object, a discharge flow path constituting member provided in the droplet discharge type image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first pipe and a first pipe upstream of the first pipe. A second pipe connected in the horizontal direction. Then, it flows to the inner peripheral surface on the upper side in the vertical direction of the second pipe within a predetermined distance upstream from the connection boundary between the first pipe and the second pipe on the inner peripheral surface facing the discharge liquid. Protrusions that locally narrow the cross-sectional area of the road are provided. In addition, the area of the lower half is wider than the area of the upper half when the cross section when the flow path is cut at the connection boundary is bisected at a position where the length from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction is bisected. .

管同士の接続境界に段差が生じ、管の接続境界の近傍を流れる吐出液が段差から摩擦抵抗を受けるため、管同士の接続境界における鉛直方向下側に沈降物が滞留しやすい。本発明のように、管同士の流路に面する接続境界において流路を切断した場合の断面の形状が、下半分の面積が上半分の面積より広い形状であると、接続境界から受ける抵抗の影響は上半分より下半分の方が少なくなる。したがって管の下部においては上部よりも流速が低下しにくくなるため、接続境界付近の流路底部に沈降物を滞留しにくくすることができる。   A step is generated at the connection boundary between the tubes, and the discharge liquid flowing in the vicinity of the connection boundary between the tubes is subjected to frictional resistance from the step, so that sediment is likely to stay on the lower side in the vertical direction at the connection boundary between the tubes. When the flow path is cut at the connection boundary facing the flow path between the tubes as in the present invention, the resistance received from the connection boundary when the lower half area is wider than the upper half area. The effect of is less in the lower half than in the upper half. Therefore, since the flow velocity is less likely to decrease at the lower part of the pipe than at the upper part, it is possible to make it difficult for sediment to stay at the bottom of the flow path near the connection boundary.

また、本発明のように、接続境界から上流側に所定距離の範囲内において第二の管の鉛直方向上側の内周面に流路の断面積を局所的に狭める突起物が設けられていることによって、断面積が狭くなった箇所において吐出液の流速を速めることができる。その結果、接続境界において沈降物を滞留させにくくすることができる。なお、接続境界から上流側に所定距離の範囲内に設けられる突起物に関しては、接続境界のうち鉛直方向に最も下の部分（流路の最も底の部分）から上流側に所定距離の範囲内に突起物の最上流部分から最下流部分までのいずれかの部分が設けられていればよい。所定距離や突起物が設けられた範囲における流路の断面積は、接続境界近傍における流速が沈降物を滞留させにくくするような流速となるように、例えばインクの種類や流量などに基づいて設計される。   In addition, as in the present invention, a protrusion that locally narrows the cross-sectional area of the flow path is provided on the inner peripheral surface on the upper side in the vertical direction of the second pipe within a predetermined distance upstream from the connection boundary. As a result, the flow rate of the discharged liquid can be increased at the location where the cross-sectional area is reduced. As a result, the sediment can be made difficult to stay at the connection boundary. For protrusions provided within a predetermined distance upstream from the connection boundary, within a predetermined distance upstream from the lowest part in the vertical direction (the bottom part of the flow path) of the connection boundary. Any portion from the most upstream portion to the most downstream portion of the protrusions may be provided. The cross-sectional area of the flow path in the range where the predetermined distance and protrusions are provided is designed based on, for example, the type of ink and the flow rate so that the flow velocity in the vicinity of the connection boundary becomes a flow velocity that makes it difficult to retain sediment. Is done.

また本発明において、第一の管および第二の管のいずれか一方の管の内周面に他方の管の外周面が接するように嵌め込まれ、他方の管の端部は、当該他方の管の外周面が当該他方の管の内周面に向かって接近していることによって先細った形状をしていてもよい。
この構成によると、二つの管の接続境界において生じる内周面の段差を小さくすることができる。 Further, in the present invention, the other pipe is fitted so that the outer peripheral surface of the other pipe is in contact with the inner peripheral face of one of the first pipe and the second pipe. The outer peripheral surface may be tapered toward the inner peripheral surface of the other tube.
According to this structure, the level | step difference of the internal peripheral surface which arises in the connection boundary of two pipes can be made small.

また本発明において、第二の管は、第二の管よりさらに上流側に設けられた第三の管と水平方向に接続する継手であってもよい。
前述の突起部が設けられ前述のように先細った形状をしている継手を用いると、継手より柔らかい部材からなる一般的に用いられるような管同士を、接続境界付近に沈降物が滞留しにくい状態で容易に連結することができる。 In the present invention, the second pipe may be a joint that is connected in a horizontal direction to a third pipe provided further upstream than the second pipe.
When using a joint that is provided with the above-mentioned protrusions and has a tapered shape as described above, precipitates are accumulated in the vicinity of the connection boundary between pipes that are generally used and made of a softer material than the joint. It can be easily connected in a difficult state.

さらに本発明において、第二の管は、吐出液を吐出する印刷ヘッドの上流側の流路のうち、吐出液の主流路から分岐し印刷ヘッドに接続するまでの分岐流路の一部を構成する管であってもよい。
印刷ヘッドに対して流入する側の流路に対して上述したような構成を採用することによって、印刷ヘッド内で詰まりが生じることを防止することができる。主流路より吐出液の移送方向において印刷ヘッドに近い分岐流路に上述した構成を採用することによって、印刷ヘッド内での詰まりを防止するためにさらに効果的である。その結果、印刷ヘッド内の詰まりによって印刷品質が低下することを防止することができる。 Further, in the present invention, the second pipe constitutes a part of the branch flow path from the upstream flow path of the print head that discharges the discharge liquid until it branches from the main flow path of the discharge liquid and is connected to the print head. It may be a tube.
By adopting the above-described configuration for the flow path on the side inflow with respect to the print head, it is possible to prevent clogging in the print head. By adopting the above-described configuration in the branch flow path that is closer to the print head in the transfer direction of the discharge liquid than the main flow path, it is more effective to prevent clogging in the print head. As a result, it is possible to prevent the print quality from being deteriorated due to clogging in the print head.

また本発明は、上述したような流路構成部材を備えた、液滴吐出型の画像形成装置の発明としても成立する。   Further, the present invention is also established as an invention of a droplet discharge type image forming apparatus provided with the above-described flow path constituting member.

第一実施形態にかかる模式図。The schematic diagram concerning 1st embodiment. （２Ａ）〜（２Ｅ）は第一実施形態にかかる流路の断面図。(2A)-(2E) are sectional views of the flow path according to the first embodiment. （３Ａ）〜（３Ｃ）は他の実施形態にかかる流路の断面図、（３Ｄ）は他の実施形態にかかる切り口の模式図。(3A) to (3C) are cross-sectional views of a flow path according to another embodiment, and (3D) is a schematic view of a cut surface according to another embodiment.

以下、本発明の実施の形態を添付図面を参照しながら説明する。尚、各図において対応する構成要素には同一の符号が付され、重複する説明は省略される。   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the corresponding component in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

１．第一実施形態
図１は液滴吐出型の画像形成装置としてのインクジェットプリンター１のうち発明に関連している部分を示す、鉛直方向の上方から見た模式図である。インクジェットプリンター１は、印刷ヘッド１０、インクタンク１１、ポンプＰ、管１２０，１３０，１４０，１５０を備えている。管１２０，１３０，１４０，１５０はそれぞれ上流側主流路１２，上流側分岐流路１３，下流側分岐流路１４，下流側主流路１５を構成している。上流側主流路１２から分岐している上流側分岐流路１３は印刷ヘッド１０内のインク室と連通し、インク室はインクタンク１１から供給されたインク（吐出液）で満たされる。インク室にはノズルごとに図示しないピエゾ素子が備えられている。ピエゾ素子に駆動電圧パルスが印加されるとピエゾ素子が機械的に変形し、インク室に満たされたインクが加減圧されノズルからインク滴が吐出される。印刷ヘッド１０がインク滴を吐出することによりインクタンク１１からインクが吸引されるとともに、ポンプＰによってもインクタンク１１からインクが吸引され、上流側主流路１２にインクが移送される。 1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a portion related to the invention in an inkjet printer 1 as a droplet discharge type image forming apparatus, as viewed from above in the vertical direction. The ink jet printer 1 includes a print head 10, an ink tank 11, a pump P, and pipes 120, 130, 140, and 150. The pipes 120, 130, 140, and 150 constitute an upstream main channel 12, an upstream branch channel 13, a downstream branch channel 14, and a downstream main channel 15, respectively. The upstream branch flow channel 13 branched from the upstream main flow channel 12 communicates with the ink chamber in the print head 10, and the ink chamber is filled with ink (discharge liquid) supplied from the ink tank 11. The ink chamber is provided with a piezoelectric element (not shown) for each nozzle. When a driving voltage pulse is applied to the piezo element, the piezo element is mechanically deformed, the ink filled in the ink chamber is pressurized and depressurized, and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle. When the print head 10 ejects ink droplets, ink is sucked from the ink tank 11, ink is also sucked from the ink tank 11 by the pump P, and the ink is transferred to the upstream main flow path 12.

インク室は下流側分岐流路１４にも連通しており、下流側分岐流路１４は下流側主流路１５に合流する。インク室内の吐出されなかったインクは下流側分岐流路１４・下流側主流路１５を経て再びインクタンク１１に回収される。すなわち本実施形態においては、流路内においてインクに含まれる成分が沈降することを防止するために、インクが循環するように流路が構成されている。   The ink chamber also communicates with the downstream branch channel 14, and the downstream branch channel 14 joins the downstream main channel 15. The ink that has not been ejected in the ink chamber is collected again in the ink tank 11 via the downstream branch channel 14 and the downstream main channel 15. That is, in the present embodiment, the flow path is configured so that the ink circulates in order to prevent the components contained in the ink from settling in the flow path.

上流側分岐流路１３は、印刷ヘッド１０において水平方向に複数配置された各インク室と接続するために細分化され（不図示）、細分化された各流路を接続する流路を構成する管は水平方向にインクを移送するように設置される。細分化された流路内で沈降物が滞留すると流路が詰まりやすい。上流側分岐流路１３が詰まってしまうとノズルからインクを吐出できなくなるため、上流側分岐流路１３において流路が詰まらないようにすることは重要である（下流側の流路が仮に詰まってしまったとしてもインクを吐出することはできる）。本実施形態においては、上流側分岐流路１３の水平方向にインクを移送する部分において、継手を用いて管同士が接続されている。   The upstream branch flow path 13 is subdivided to connect to a plurality of ink chambers arranged in the horizontal direction in the print head 10 (not shown), and constitutes a flow path connecting the subdivided flow paths. The tube is installed to transport ink in the horizontal direction. If sediment stays in the subdivided channel, the channel tends to be clogged. If the upstream branch flow path 13 becomes clogged, ink cannot be ejected from the nozzles. Therefore, it is important to prevent the upstream flow path 13 from clogging (the downstream flow path is temporarily blocked). Ink can be ejected even if it stops.) In the present embodiment, the pipes are connected to each other using a joint at a portion where the ink is transferred in the horizontal direction of the upstream branch flow path 13.

図２Ａは、上流側分岐流路１３のうち水平方向にインクを移送する継手を用いて管が接続されている部分の断面図であって、インクの移送方向と平行な断面図である。当該部分において流路構成部材としての管１３０は、第一の管１３０ａと第三の管１３０ｃが管状の継手１３０ｂ（第二の管）によって連結されて構成されている。継手１３０ｂは継手１３０ｂより上流側の第三の管１３０ｃの内側に嵌り込んでいる。また、継手１３０ｂは継手１３０ｂより下流側の第一の管１３０ａの内側に嵌り込んでいる。なお、第一の管１３０ａおよび第三の管１３０ｃについては少なくとも継手１３０ｂとの接続境界近傍において水平方向にインクを移送する姿勢で設置されていればよい。   FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the upstream branch flow path 13 where a pipe is connected using a joint that transfers ink in the horizontal direction, and is a cross-sectional view parallel to the ink transfer direction. In this portion, the tube 130 as a flow path component is configured by connecting a first tube 130a and a third tube 130c by a tubular joint 130b (second tube). The joint 130b is fitted inside the third pipe 130c upstream of the joint 130b. Further, the joint 130b is fitted inside the first pipe 130a on the downstream side of the joint 130b. The first tube 130a and the third tube 130c only need to be installed in a posture to transfer ink in the horizontal direction at least near the connection boundary with the joint 130b.

図２Ｂは継手１３０ｂを示す断面図（インクの移送方向と平行な断面）である。図２Ａおよび図２Ｂに示すように継手１３０ｂの両端部は、外周面が内周面に接近していることによって先細りしている。そのため、インクに面する内周面における第三の管１３０ｃと継手１３０ｂとの接続境界に生じる段差を小さくすることができる。同様に、インクに面する内周面における第一の管１３０ａと継手１３０ｂとの接続境界に生じる段差を小さくすることができる。そのため、接続境界近傍にインクの沈降物が滞留しにくくなる。   FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view (a cross section parallel to the ink transfer direction) showing the joint 130b. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, both end portions of the joint 130b are tapered by the outer peripheral surface approaching the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the level | step difference which arises in the connection boundary of the 3rd pipe | tube 130c and the coupling 130b in the internal peripheral surface which faces ink can be made small. Similarly, the level | step difference which arises in the connection boundary of the 1st pipe | tube 130a and the coupling 130b in the internal peripheral surface which faces ink can be made small. For this reason, it is difficult for ink sediment to stay in the vicinity of the connection boundary.

図２Ｃは図２Ａの２Ｃ−２Ｃ線における断面図である。同図に示すように継手１３０ｂの断面は、インクの移送方向と直交する断面を鉛直方向における高さが二等分となるように二分した場合の下半分（下部）の面積の方が上半分（上部）の面積よりも広い形状をしている。第一の管１３０ａおよび第三の管１３０ｃは、継手１３０ｂより柔らかい部材からなり、継手１３０ｂとの接続境界の近傍においては継手１３０ｂの外周形状に合わせて変形する。   2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2C-2C in FIG. 2A. As shown in the figure, the joint 130b has a lower half (lower) area in which the cross section perpendicular to the ink transfer direction is bisected so that the height in the vertical direction is bisected. It has a shape wider than the (upper) area. The 1st pipe | tube 130a and the 3rd pipe | tube 130c consist of a softer member than the coupling 130b, and deform | transform according to the outer periphery shape of the coupling 130b in the vicinity of the connection boundary with the coupling 130b.

図２Ｅは図２Ａの２Ｅ−２Ｅ線における断面図であって、インクに面する内周面における第一の管１３０ａと継手１３０ｂとの接続境界において流路１３を切断した場合の断面図である。接続境界１３２で切断した流路の断面（図２Ｅの太線に囲まれた領域）は、鉛直方向における最上部から最下部までの長さが二等分となる位置で二分した場合の下半分の面積が上半分の面積よりも広い形状である。第三の管１３０ｃと継手１３０ｂとの接続境界において流路１３を切断した断面の形状についても同様である。接続境界には段差が生じ、接続境界の近傍を流れるインクがその段差によって摩擦抵抗を受けるため、接続境界における鉛直方向下側に沈降物が滞留しやすい。しかし本実施形態のように接続境界において流路を切断した断面の形状が下半分の面積が上半分の面積よりも広い形状であると、接続境界から受ける抵抗の影響は上半分より下半分の方が少なくなる。したがって流路の下部においては上部よりも流速が低下しにくくなるため、接続境界付近の流路の底部に沈降物を滞留しにくくすることができる。また、接続境界以外の管の内周面からもインクは摩擦抵抗を受けるため、管の内周面近傍の流速は中央部の流速と比較すると低下しやすい。本実施形態では継手１３０ｂ全体の断面形状が、上述したように下部が上部よりも広い形状であるので、内周面から受ける摩擦抵抗の影響は上部より下部の方を少なくすることができる。したがって下部においては上部と比較して流速が低下しにくくなるため、継手１３０ｂ全体において底部に沈降物を滞留しにくくすることができる。   2E is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2E-2E in FIG. 2A, and is a cross-sectional view when the flow path 13 is cut at the connection boundary between the first tube 130a and the joint 130b on the inner peripheral surface facing the ink. . The cross section of the flow path cut by the connection boundary 132 (the region surrounded by the thick line in FIG. 2E) is the lower half when the length from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction is bisected. The area is wider than the upper half area. The same applies to the cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting the flow path 13 at the connection boundary between the third pipe 130c and the joint 130b. A step is generated at the connection boundary, and the ink flowing in the vicinity of the connection boundary receives frictional resistance due to the step, so that sediment tends to stay on the lower side in the vertical direction at the connection boundary. However, when the shape of the cross section obtained by cutting the flow path at the connection boundary is a shape in which the area of the lower half is wider than the area of the upper half as in this embodiment, the influence of the resistance received from the connection boundary is lower than the upper half. Will be less. Therefore, since the flow velocity is less likely to decrease at the lower part of the flow path than at the upper part, it is possible to make it difficult for sediment to stay at the bottom of the flow path near the connection boundary. In addition, since the ink receives frictional resistance from the inner peripheral surface of the tube other than the connection boundary, the flow velocity in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface of the tube tends to be lower than the flow velocity in the central portion. In the present embodiment, since the cross-sectional shape of the entire joint 130b is such that the lower part is wider than the upper part as described above, the influence of the frictional resistance received from the inner peripheral surface can be less in the lower part than in the upper part. Therefore, since the flow velocity is less likely to decrease at the lower part than at the upper part, it is possible to make it difficult for sediment to stay at the bottom of the entire joint 130b.

図２Ｄは図２Ａの２Ｄ−２Ｄ線における断面図である。第一の管１３０ａの底部１３０ａ３と継手１３０ｂの底部１３０ｂ３との接続部分１３１から上流側に所定距離ｄの範囲内に、突起部１３０ｂ１が形成されている。突起部１３０ｂ１は、継手１３０ｂの内周面の天井部１３０ｂ２（鉛直方向の上側の内周面）から鉛直方向下向きに突起している。突起部１３０ｂ１が形成されていることにより、継手１３０ｂの断面積が局所的に狭くなる。そのため、突起部１３０ｂ１が設けられている箇所において流速が増し、接続境界１３２のうちの鉛直方向における最も下部（底部）である接続部分１３１に沈降物が滞留しにくくすることができる。   2D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2D-2D of FIG. 2A. A protrusion 130b1 is formed within a predetermined distance d from the connecting portion 131 between the bottom 130a3 of the first tube 130a and the bottom 130b3 of the joint 130b on the upstream side. The protruding portion 130b1 protrudes downward in the vertical direction from the ceiling portion 130b2 (the inner peripheral surface on the upper side in the vertical direction) of the inner peripheral surface of the joint 130b. By forming the protrusion 130b1, the cross-sectional area of the joint 130b is locally narrowed. Therefore, the flow velocity is increased at the location where the protrusion 130b1 is provided, and the sediment can be made difficult to stay in the connection portion 131 which is the lowermost (bottom) portion of the connection boundary 132 in the vertical direction.

印刷ヘッド１０の上流側分岐流路１３の一部を構成する管同士を、以上説明したような継手１３０ｂによって連結することにより、印刷ヘッド内でインクが詰まることを防止するのに効果的である。突起部が設けられ先細った形状に加工された継手１３０ｂを用いると、継手１３０ｂより柔らかい部材からなる一般的に用いられるような管同士を、接続境界付近に沈降物が滞留しにくい状態で容易に連結することができる。   By connecting the pipes constituting a part of the upstream branch flow path 13 of the print head 10 by the joint 130b as described above, it is effective to prevent clogging of ink in the print head. . When the joint 130b provided with the protrusion and processed into a tapered shape is used, it is easy to connect the pipes made of a member softer than the joint 130b in a state in which the sediment is less likely to stay near the connection boundary. Can be linked to.

２．他の実施形態
尚、本発明の技術的範囲は、上述した実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲内において種々変更を加え得ることは勿論である。例えば、突起物は管と一体に形成されたものに限らず、管を形成した後に後から突起物を内壁に接合することにより形成されていてもよい。図３Ａに示すように、第三の管１３０ｃと第一の管１３０ａとが継手１３０ｂによって連結されている構成において、第三の管１３０ｃと継手１３０ｂとの接続部分１３１より上流側の所定距離ｄの範囲内に第三の管１３０ｃの天井部に突起物１３０ｃ１が設けられていてもよい。なおこの場合、第三の管１３０ｃが「第二の管」に相当し、継手１３０ｂが「第一の管」に相当すると言うこともできる。
また上記実施形態では、継手を用いて二つの管を連結する構成を例にして説明したが、継手を用いず二つの管が直接接続される場合にも、本発明の構成を適用することができる。 2. Other Embodiments The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the protrusions are not limited to those formed integrally with the tube, and may be formed by joining the protrusions to the inner wall after forming the tube. As shown in FIG. 3A, in a configuration in which the third pipe 130c and the first pipe 130a are connected by a joint 130b, a predetermined distance d on the upstream side of the connection portion 131 between the third pipe 130c and the joint 130b. The protrusion 130c1 may be provided on the ceiling portion of the third tube 130c within the range. In this case, it can also be said that the third pipe 130c corresponds to the “second pipe” and the joint 130b corresponds to the “first pipe”.
Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated and demonstrated the structure which connects two pipes using a coupling, the structure of this invention can be applied also when two pipes are directly connected without using a joint. it can.

なお、二つの管が接続する構成において、当該二つの管のインクの移送方向に直交する断面は真円であってもよい。その場合、二つの管のうち内側に嵌まり込む方の管の端部は図３Ｂまたは図３Ｃに示すような切り口に加工されていてもよい。図３Ｂおよび図３Ｃは第一の管１３０ａと第一の管１３０ａの内側に嵌まり込んで接続している第二の管１３０ｄとを示す断面図である。図３Ｂまたは図３Ｃに示すように、水平方向であってインクの移送方向と直交する方向から見た切り口１３０ｄ４（図中の太線）のインクの移送方向に対する角度が、鉛直方向における上部より下部の方が大きくなるように第二の管１３０ｄの端部が加工されていてもよい。図３Ｂの場合は鉛直方向において二分した場合の上部と下部とで移送方向に対する角度が異なる。図３Ｃの場合は鉛直方向の最上部から最下部にかけて緩やかに移送方向に対する角度が変化する。なおこの場合、第一の管１３０ａは第二の管１３０ｄよりも柔らかい部材からなるものとする。切り口がこのような形状であると、インクの移送方向と直交する流路の断面形状は真円であるが、二つの管のインクに面する接続境界の断面の形状は、図２Ｅに示すように鉛直方向における最上部から最下部までの長さが二等分となる位置で当該断面を二分した場合の下半分の面積が上半分の面積よりも広い形状となる。   In the configuration in which two pipes are connected, the cross section perpendicular to the ink transfer direction of the two pipes may be a perfect circle. In that case, the end of the pipe that fits inside of the two pipes may be processed into a cut as shown in FIG. 3B or 3C. 3B and 3C are cross-sectional views showing the first tube 130a and the second tube 130d that is fitted and connected to the inside of the first tube 130a. As shown in FIG. 3B or FIG. 3C, the angle of the cut surface 130d4 (thick line in the drawing) with respect to the ink transfer direction when viewed from the horizontal direction orthogonal to the ink transfer direction is lower than the upper portion in the vertical direction. The end portion of the second tube 130d may be processed so that the direction becomes larger. In the case of FIG. 3B, the angle with respect to the transfer direction is different between the upper part and the lower part when divided in the vertical direction. In the case of FIG. 3C, the angle with respect to the transfer direction gradually changes from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction. In this case, the first tube 130a is made of a softer member than the second tube 130d. When the cut end has such a shape, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path perpendicular to the ink transfer direction is a perfect circle, but the cross-sectional shape of the connection boundary facing the ink of the two tubes is as shown in FIG. 2E. When the cross section is bisected at a position where the length from the uppermost part to the lowermost part in the vertical direction is bisected, the lower half area is wider than the upper half area.

図３Ｄは図３Ｂの例における切り口１３０ｄ４に生じうるインクに面する内周面の段差を側方から見た模式図である。切り口１３０ｄ４においては微小な幅ｄ１の段差が生じうる。切り口のうち鉛直方向における上部の段差のインクの移送方向における幅ｄ２は、下部の段差のインクの移送方向における幅ｄ１より長い。したがって段差により生じる抵抗は下部の方が上部よりも小さい。そのため、下部の流速は上部の流速と比較して低下しにくくなる。その結果、接続境界近傍において底部に沈降物を滞留させにくくすることができる。   FIG. 3D is a schematic view of the step on the inner peripheral surface facing the ink that can occur at the cut surface 130d4 in the example of FIG. 3B as viewed from the side. At the cut surface 130d4, a step with a minute width d1 may occur. The width d2 of the upper step in the vertical direction of the cut in the ink transfer direction is longer than the width d1 of the lower step in the ink transfer direction. Therefore, the resistance caused by the step is lower in the lower part than in the upper part. For this reason, the lower flow rate is less likely to decrease than the upper flow rate. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult for the sediment to stay at the bottom near the connection boundary.

なお、第一実施形態においては継手１３０ｂ全体が図２Ｃに示すような断面形状であるとして説明したが、少なくとも第一の管１３０ａや第三の管１３０ｃとの接続境界近傍におけるインクの移送方向と直交する断面が図２Ｃのように成型されている構成であってもよい。   In the first embodiment, the entire joint 130b has been described as having a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 2C. However, at least the ink transfer direction in the vicinity of the connection boundary with the first tube 130a and the third tube 130c A configuration in which a cross section perpendicular to each other is molded as shown in FIG. 2C may be used.

１…インクジェットプリンター（画像形成装置）、１０…印刷ヘッド、１１…インクタンク、１２…上流側主流路、１３…上流側分岐流路、１４…下流側分岐流路、１５…下流側主流路、１２０・１３０・１４０・１５０…管、１３０ａ…第一の管、１３０ａ３…底部、１３０ｂ…継手（第二の管）、１３０ｂ１…突起部、１３０ｂ２…天井部、１３０ｂ３…底部、１３０ｃ…第三の管、１３０ｃ１…突起物、１３０ｄ…第二の管、１３０ｄ４…切り口、１３１…接続部分、１３２…接続境界、Ｐ…ポンプ   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer (image forming apparatus), 10 ... Print head, 11 ... Ink tank, 12 ... Upstream main flow path, 13 ... Upstream branch flow path, 14 ... Downstream branch flow path, 15 ... Downstream main flow path, 120, 130, 140, 150 ... tube, 130a ... first tube, 130a3 ... bottom, 130b ... joint (second tube), 130b1 ... projection, 130b2 ... ceiling, 130b3 ... bottom, 130c ... third Pipe, 130c1 ... Projection, 130d ... Second pipe, 130d4 ... Cut, 131 ... Connection part, 132 ... Connection boundary, P ... Pump

Claims (3)

液滴吐出型の画像形成装置に備えられた吐出液の流路を構成する流路構成部材であって、
第一の管と、
前記第一の管の上流側において前記第一の管と水平方向に接続している第二の管と、を備え、
前記吐出液に面する内周面における前記第一の管と前記第二の管との接続境界から上流側に所定距離の範囲内において、前記第二の管の鉛直方向における上側の内周面に前記流路の断面積を局所的に狭める突起物が設けられており、
前記接続境界において前記流路を切断した場合の断面を前記鉛直方向における最上部から最下部までの長さが二等分となる位置で二分した場合の下半分の面積は上半分の面積よりも広い、
流路構成部材。 A flow path constituting member constituting a flow path of a discharge liquid provided in a droplet discharge type image forming apparatus,
The first tube,
A second pipe connected horizontally to the first pipe on the upstream side of the first pipe,
The inner peripheral surface on the upper side in the vertical direction of the second tube within a predetermined distance upstream from the connection boundary between the first tube and the second tube on the inner peripheral surface facing the discharge liquid Are provided with protrusions that locally narrow the cross-sectional area of the flow path,
The area of the lower half when the cross section when the flow path is cut at the connection boundary is bisected at a position where the length from the uppermost part to the lowermost part in the vertical direction is bisected, than the area of the upper half wide,
Flow path component. 前記第一の管および前記第二の管のいずれか一方の管の内周面に他方の管の外周面が接するように嵌め込まれ、
前記他方の管の端部は、当該他方の管の外周面が当該他方の管の内周面に向かって接近していることによって先細った形状をしている、
請求項１に記載の流路構成部材。 It is fitted so that the outer peripheral surface of the other tube is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of one of the first tube and the second tube,
The end of the other tube has a tapered shape due to the outer peripheral surface of the other tube approaching the inner peripheral surface of the other tube.
The flow path component according to claim 1. 請求項１または請求項２のいずれかに記載の流路構成部材を備える画像形成装置。 An image forming apparatus comprising the flow path constituting member according to claim 1 .
JP2011008618A 2011-01-19 2011-01-19 Channel forming member and image forming apparatus provided with channel forming member Expired - Fee Related JP5640758B2 (en)

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