JP5699887B2

JP5699887B2 - Liquid ejection device

Info

Publication number: JP5699887B2
Application number: JP2011217154A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 雅博西崎
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2011-09-30
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-30
Also published as: JP2013075452A

Description

本発明は、液体を吐出対象に向けて吐出する液体吐出装置に関し、具体的にはインクを記録媒体に吐出するインクジェットプリンタに関する。 The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects liquid toward an ejection target, and more specifically, to an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a recording medium.

インクジェットプリンタでは、インクジェットヘッドからインクを記録媒体に向けて吐出する。該インクジェットヘッドのノズル内のインクが増粘するのを防止するために、ノズルの下面である吐出面を気密に封止するキャップ内と、加湿液を貯蔵している加湿液タンクを連通させる技術が以前から提案されている(例えば、特許文献１参照)。加湿液タンク内の加湿液によって加湿された空気は、キャップ内に充填され、これによりノズル内のインクが増粘するのを防いでいる。加湿液タンク内の加湿液が少なくなると、加湿液が該加湿液タンクの外部から補給される。 In an inkjet printer, ink is ejected from a inkjet head toward a recording medium. In order to prevent the ink in the nozzles of the inkjet head from thickening, a technology for communicating the inside of the cap that hermetically seals the ejection surface, which is the lower surface of the nozzle, with the humidifying liquid tank storing the humidifying liquid Has been proposed previously (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The air humidified by the humidifying liquid in the humidifying liquid tank is filled in the cap, thereby preventing the ink in the nozzle from thickening. When the humidifying liquid in the humidifying liquid tank decreases, the humidifying liquid is replenished from the outside of the humidifying liquid tank.

特開２００４―１２２５４３号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-122543

加湿液には、防腐剤等の不揮発性成分を含んだ水が用いられるのが一般的である。この場合、加湿液タンク内の加湿液の蒸発と、該加湿液タンク内への加湿液の補給が繰り返されると、加湿液タンク内における不揮発性成分の濃度が高くなる。これにより、該加湿液タンク内にて加湿液が蒸発しにくくなり、加湿された空気を効率よく生成することができなくなる虞れがある。
本発明の目的は、加湿液タンク内における不揮発性成分の濃度が高くなることによる加湿機能の低下を抑制することができる液体吐出装置を提供することにある。 As the humidifying liquid, water containing a non-volatile component such as a preservative is generally used. In this case, if the evaporation of the humidifying liquid in the humidifying liquid tank and the replenishment of the humidifying liquid into the humidifying liquid tank are repeated, the concentration of the nonvolatile component in the humidifying liquid tank increases. As a result, the humidifying liquid is less likely to evaporate in the humidifying liquid tank, and there is a possibility that humidified air cannot be efficiently generated.
An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection apparatus capable of suppressing a decrease in humidification function due to an increase in the concentration of nonvolatile components in a humidification liquid tank.

液体吐出装置は、液体を吐出するための吐出口が形成された吐出面を有する液体吐出ヘッドと、前記吐出面に対向した封止空間を外部から封止する封止状態と、該封止空間を外部に露出した開放状態を選択的に取り得るキャップ手段と、外部から補給された不揮発性成分を含む加湿液を貯蔵する加湿液タンクと、前記加湿液タンクに貯蔵された加湿液によって加湿された加湿空気を、前記封止状態となっているときの前記封止空間に供給する加湿空気供給手段を備え、前記加湿液タンク内には、鉛直方向の加湿液の流動を抑制する流動抑制部材が設けられており、該流動抑制部材には鉛直方向の加湿液の通過を許容する開口部、及び鉛直方向の加湿液の通過を遮る非開口部が形成されている。 The liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head having an ejection surface in which an ejection port for ejecting liquid is formed, a sealing state in which a sealing space facing the ejection surface is sealed from the outside, and the sealing space The cap means which can selectively take the open state exposed to the outside, the humidifying liquid tank for storing the humidifying liquid containing the non-volatile components replenished from the outside, and the humidifying liquid stored in the humidifying liquid tank A humidifying air supply means for supplying the humidified air to the sealed space when in the sealed state, and a flow suppressing member that suppresses the flow of the humidifying liquid in the vertical direction in the humidifying liquid tank. The flow suppressing member is formed with an opening that allows the passage of the humidifying liquid in the vertical direction and a non-opening that blocks the passage of the humidifying liquid in the vertical direction.

加湿液内の不揮発性成分の濃度が高くなると、濃度がより高い加湿液の部分が流動抑制部材に形成された開口部を通って加湿液タンクの鉛直方向下部に貯留される。加湿液タンク内の鉛直方向上部から加湿液が補給されたり、液体吐出装置が揺らされたりすると、加湿液タンクの鉛直方向上部に貯留された不揮発性成分が比較的低濃度の加湿液と、加湿液タンクの鉛直方向下部に貯留された不揮発性成分が比較的高濃度の加湿液とが混合する虞れがあるが、流動抑制部材の非開口部では加湿液が通過できないから、加湿液タンクの鉛直方向下部及び鉛直方向上部に貯留された加湿液とが混合することを抑制することができる。これにより、加湿機能の低下を抑制することができる。 When the concentration of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid is increased, the portion of the humidifying liquid having a higher concentration is stored in the lower part in the vertical direction of the humidifying liquid tank through the opening formed in the flow suppressing member. When humidifying liquid is replenished from the upper part of the humidifying liquid tank in the vertical direction or when the liquid discharge device is shaken, the non-volatile components stored in the upper part of the humidifying liquid tank in the vertical direction There is a possibility that the non-volatile component stored in the lower part of the liquid tank in the vertical direction may be mixed with the humidified liquid having a relatively high concentration, but the humidifying liquid cannot pass through the non-opening portion of the flow suppressing member. Mixing with the humidifying liquid stored in the vertical lower part and the vertical upper part can be suppressed. Thereby, the fall of a humidification function can be suppressed.

本実施形態に係るインクジェットプリンタの内部構造を示す正面図である。It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the inkjet printer which concerns on this embodiment. ヘッドと加湿空気供給手段の接続形態を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the connection form of a head and humidified air supply means. ヘッドと加湿空気供給手段の接続形態を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the connection form of a head and humidified air supply means. (a)、(b)は加湿液タンクの内部を示す図である。(a), (b) is a figure which shows the inside of a humidification liquid tank. 流動抑制部材の平面図である。It is a top view of a flow suppression member. コントローラと加湿液タンクの接続形態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the connection form of a controller and a humidification liquid tank. コントローラと加湿液タンクの接続形態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the connection form of a controller and a humidification liquid tank. 別の流動抑制部材の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of another flow suppression member.

(第１の実施形態)
以下、本発明の一実施形態を図を用いて、説明する。以下の記載では、上方及び下方は鉛直方向に沿う向きを指す。
図１に示すように、プリンタ１は直方体状の筐体１０を有し、該筐体１０の天板上部には、排紙部１１が設けられている。筐体１０内には、上方から下方に向かって、各々異なる色のインクを用紙Ｐに吐出する４つの液体吐出ヘッド(以下「ヘッド」と略す)４、用紙Ｐを水平に搬送した後に排紙部１１に送る搬送ユニット５、用紙Ｐを供給する給紙ユニット６、及び各色のインクを貯蔵するインクカートリッジ７が配置されている。該４つのヘッド４には、印刷待機時にヘッド４内のインクの増粘を防ぐべく、ヘッド４の下面に加湿空気を送り込む加湿空気供給手段２が接続されている。筐体１０の内側上部にて、ヘッド４に干渉しない位置には、筐体１０内の各機構及び電気回路の動作を司るコントローラ１２と、前記加湿空気供給手段２に加湿液を供給する加湿液カートリッジ１３が配置されている。 (First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, upper and lower indicate directions along the vertical direction.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 10, and a paper discharge unit 11 is provided on the top of the housing 10. In the housing 10, four liquid ejection heads (hereinafter referred to as “heads”) 4 eject ink of different colors onto the paper P from the top to the bottom, and the paper P is discharged after being transported horizontally. A transport unit 5 for sending to the unit 11, a paper feed unit 6 for feeding paper P, and an ink cartridge 7 for storing ink of each color are arranged. The four heads 4 are connected to humidified air supply means 2 for sending humidified air to the lower surface of the heads 4 in order to prevent thickening of the ink in the heads 4 during printing standby. At the position inside the housing 10 where the head 4 is not interfered with, the controller 12 that controls the operation of each mechanism and electric circuit in the housing 10 and the humidifying liquid that supplies the humidifying liquid to the humidified air supply means 2. A cartridge 13 is arranged.

コントローラ１２は例えばＣＰＵであって、周知の如くキャッシュメモリのような小容量のメモリを備えている。また、コントローラ１２は内部の動作クロック周波数を分周してタイマーとして用いることができ、またコントローラ１２に制御される各要素が何回作動したかを計測するカウンタ機能を有する。搬送ユニット５は図１中の用紙Ｐを左から右に搬送する機構である。以下の記載では、印刷領域において用紙Ｐを搬送する方向を副走査方向、水平面内において該副走査方向と直交する方向を主走査方向と呼ぶ。 The controller 12 is a CPU, for example, and includes a small-capacity memory such as a cache memory as is well known. Further, the controller 12 can divide the internal operation clock frequency and use it as a timer, and has a counter function for measuring how many times each element controlled by the controller 12 is activated. The transport unit 5 is a mechanism for transporting the paper P in FIG. 1 from left to right. In the following description, the direction in which the paper P is conveyed in the printing area is referred to as a sub-scanning direction, and the direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction in a horizontal plane is referred to as a main scanning direction.

前記搬送ユニット５は、プラテン５０と該プラテン５０の両側に配備された搬送ローラ５１、５１ａを有する。搬送方向上流側の搬送ローラ５１によって搬送力を付与された用紙Ｐはプラテン５０の上面に支持されつつ搬送される。プラテン５０を通過した用紙Ｐは、搬送方向下流側の搬送ローラ５１ａによって搬送力を付与されて、該搬送ローラ５１ａと排紙部１１との間に位置するガイド５２及び送りローラ５３によって排紙部１１に送られる。
前記給紙ユニット６は、給紙トレイ６０と給紙ローラ６１を有し、該給紙ローラ６１と前記搬送ユニット５の間には、２つのガイド６２及び送りローラ６３が配置されている。給紙ローラ６１は給紙トレイ６０内の最上位の用紙Ｐを取り出し、該ガイド６２及び送りローラ６３によって搬送ユニット５の上流側に搬送する。 The transport unit 5 includes a platen 50 and transport rollers 51 and 51 a arranged on both sides of the platen 50. The sheet P to which the conveying force is applied by the conveying roller 51 on the upstream side in the conveying direction is conveyed while being supported on the upper surface of the platen 50. The paper P that has passed through the platen 50 is given a transport force by a transport roller 51a on the downstream side in the transport direction, and is ejected by a guide 52 and a feed roller 53 that are positioned between the transport roller 51a and the paper discharge section 11. 11 is sent.
The paper feed unit 6 includes a paper feed tray 60 and a paper feed roller 61, and two guides 62 and a feed roller 63 are disposed between the paper feed roller 61 and the transport unit 5. The paper feed roller 61 takes out the uppermost paper P in the paper feed tray 60 and transports it to the upstream side of the transport unit 5 by the guide 62 and the feed roller 63.

プラテン５０の下面には反転ローラ５４が取り付けられ、該反転ローラ５４には封止板４２が前記プラテン５０に対向して取り付けられている。反転ローラ５４は封止板４２及びプラテン５０とともに昇降可能である。ヘッド４からインクが吐出する時、即ち印刷時においてはプラテン５０をヘッド４の下面に対向させる。
印刷待機時にて、加湿空気供給手段２がヘッド４の下面に加湿空気を送り込む際には、反転ローラ５４は一旦下降して垂直面内を１８０°回転し、封止板４２を上向きにする。その後に、反転ローラ５４は封止板４２と共に上昇して封止板４２をヘッド４下面に接近して対向させる。 A reverse roller 54 is attached to the lower surface of the platen 50, and a sealing plate 42 is attached to the reverse roller 54 so as to face the platen 50. The reverse roller 54 can move up and down together with the sealing plate 42 and the platen 50. When ink is ejected from the head 4, that is, during printing, the platen 50 is made to face the lower surface of the head 4.
When the humidified air supply means 2 sends the humidified air to the lower surface of the head 4 during printing standby, the reversing roller 54 temporarily descends and rotates 180 ° in the vertical plane so that the sealing plate 42 faces upward. Thereafter, the reversing roller 54 rises together with the sealing plate 42 to bring the sealing plate 42 close to the lower surface of the head 4 and face it.

インクカートリッジ７からの各色のインクは、該色に対応したヘッド４にインクチューブ(図示せず)を介して供給される。各ヘッド４は主走査方向に延びた略直方体状のライン型ヘッドであり、該ヘッド４の下面は多数の吐出口を有する吐出面４０を形成する(図２参照)。４つのヘッド４は副走査方向に配列され、該吐出面４０からブラック、マゼンタ、シアン、イエローのインクが吐出される。
図２に示すように、各ヘッド４の両側には、封止部材４１が昇降可能に設けられており、封止部材４１がヘッド４の下面よりも少し下降した状態で封止部材４１の下端と封止板４２が接する。この状態で、ヘッド４の吐出面４０と封止板４２との間に、外部から封止された封止空間Ｓが形成され、該封止空間Ｓは、加湿空気供給手段２が送り込む加湿空気にて充満される。
即ち、封止部材４１と封止板４２及びこれらを移動させる機構(反転ローラ５４などで)にて、封止空間Ｓを外部から封止する封止状態と、該封止空間Ｓを露出した非封止状態を選択的に切り換えるキャップ手段を構成する。
尚、各ヘッド４はインクを一時的に保持するリザーバユニット、略同一サイズの金属プレートを複数枚積層して形成される流路ユニット、圧電層と圧力室及び電極を設けたアクチュエータユニットを備えた公知の構成であり、詳細な説明は省略する。 Each color ink from the ink cartridge 7 is supplied to the head 4 corresponding to the color via an ink tube (not shown). Each head 4 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped line type head extending in the main scanning direction, and the lower surface of the head 4 forms an ejection surface 40 having a number of ejection ports (see FIG. 2). The four heads 4 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction, and black, magenta, cyan, and yellow inks are ejected from the ejection surface 40.
As shown in FIG. 2, a sealing member 41 is provided on both sides of each head 4 so as to be movable up and down, and the lower end of the sealing member 41 in a state where the sealing member 41 is slightly lowered from the lower surface of the head 4. And the sealing plate 42 are in contact with each other. In this state, a sealed space S sealed from the outside is formed between the ejection surface 40 of the head 4 and the sealing plate 42, and the sealed space S is humidified air fed by the humidified air supply means 2. Will be charged.
That is, a sealing state in which the sealing space S is sealed from the outside by the sealing member 41, the sealing plate 42, and a mechanism for moving them (with the reverse roller 54 or the like), and the sealing space S are exposed. Cap means for selectively switching the unsealed state is configured.
Each head 4 includes a reservoir unit that temporarily holds ink, a flow path unit that is formed by stacking a plurality of metal plates having substantially the same size, and an actuator unit that includes a piezoelectric layer, a pressure chamber, and electrodes. Since this is a known configuration, detailed description is omitted.

加湿空気供給手段
前記の加湿空気供給手段２は、図２及び図３に示すように、前記加湿液カートリッジ１３と連結管１４を介して繋がり加湿液カートリッジ１３からの加湿液Ｋを一旦貯蔵する加湿液タンク２０と、該加湿液タンク２０と封止空間を繋ぐ給気チューブ２２及び還流チューブ２３と、該還流チューブ２３途中に配備された加湿ポンプ２４を備える。連結管１４の途中には給液バルブ１５が設けられて、該給液バルブ１５の開閉により加湿液タンク２０内への加湿液の補給と補給停止が切り換えられる。給液バルブ１５が１回当たり所定時間だけ開くことにより、加湿液タンク２０内へ補給される加湿液の量は予め定められており、この加湿液の量と所定時間の関係はコントローラ１２に記憶されている。 Humidified air supply means As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the humidified air supply means 2 is connected to the humidifying liquid cartridge 13 via a connecting pipe 14, and temporarily stores the humidifying liquid K from the humidifying liquid cartridge 13. A liquid tank 20, an air supply tube 22 and a reflux tube 23 that connect the humidifying liquid tank 20 and the sealed space, and a humidification pump 24 disposed in the middle of the reflux tube 23 are provided. A liquid supply valve 15 is provided in the middle of the connecting pipe 14, and the supply and stop of the supply of the humidifying liquid into the humidifying liquid tank 20 are switched by opening and closing the liquid supply valve 15. When the liquid supply valve 15 is opened for a predetermined time per time, the amount of the humidifying liquid to be replenished into the humidifying liquid tank 20 is determined in advance, and the relationship between the amount of the humidifying liquid and the predetermined time is stored in the controller 12. Has been.

加湿液タンク２０内にて加湿液Ｋの液面より上方には加湿空気にて満たされた加湿空気貯留空間２１が形成され、前記給気チューブ２２及び還流チューブ２３は該加湿空気貯留空間２１に繋がる。加湿ポンプ２４により封止空間Ｓから加湿空気が還流チューブ２３を通って戻され、加湿空気貯留空間２１を満たした加湿空気は給気チューブ２２から封止空間に供給される。図３では、１つの加湿液タンク２０及び１つの加湿ポンプ２４から４つのヘッド４に加湿空気を供給しているが、加湿液タンク２０及び加湿ポンプ２４は各ヘッド４について１つずつ設けられていてもよい。 A humidified air storage space 21 filled with humidified air is formed in the humidifying liquid tank 20 above the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K, and the air supply tube 22 and the reflux tube 23 are provided in the humidified air storage space 21. Connected. Humidified air is returned from the sealed space S through the reflux tube 23 by the humidifying pump 24, and the humidified air that fills the humidified air storage space 21 is supplied from the air supply tube 22 to the sealed space. In FIG. 3, humidified air is supplied from one humidifying liquid tank 20 and one humidifying pump 24 to the four heads 4, but one humidifying liquid tank 20 and one humidifying pump 24 are provided for each head 4. May be.

加湿液タンク２０の上面には、加湿液タンク２０内の加湿液Ｋの残量を検出する水残量センサ２５が設けられている。水残量センサ２５と前記給液バルブ１５はコントローラ１２に接続されており、該給液バルブ１５の開閉はコントローラ１２によって制御されている。該コントローラ１２は水残量センサ２５の検出信号に基づいて、給液バルブ１５を開いて加湿液Ｋを加湿液タンク２０に供給するか否かを判断する。なお、水残量センサ２５については、公知の光反射型センサなどが該当する。また、フロート式の液面センサであってもよい。
加湿液は水に少量の不揮発性成分を含んだ液体であり、不揮発性成分の詳細な内容は後記する。また、ここで言う下方に貯留とは、非水溶性のものが加湿液タンク２０の底に貯まることだけでなく、水溶性のものの溶解濃度が高くなって加湿液タンク２０の底に貯まる現象も含む。加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分の濃度が高くなると、該不揮発性成分を含む加湿液の比重が大きくなる。この比重が大きな加湿液内の部分を「高濃度部」とする。更に、加湿液内に含まれる不揮発性成分には、適正な濃度範囲が定められており、この適正な濃度範囲内にて加湿機能が担保される。言い換えると、不揮発性成分が適正な濃度範囲を超える加湿液Ｋが加湿液タンク２０の水面付近に貯まると、不揮発性成分により加湿液Ｋ中の水分比率が減少しているので、水分が水面から蒸発しにくくなり、加湿空気貯留空間２１の加湿空気の湿度が適正湿度より下がることになる。そうすると吐出口内のインクを十分に加湿できないので加湿機能が担保できなくなる。 On the upper surface of the humidifying liquid tank 20, a remaining water sensor 25 for detecting the remaining amount of the humidifying liquid K in the humidifying liquid tank 20 is provided. The remaining water sensor 25 and the liquid supply valve 15 are connected to the controller 12, and the opening and closing of the liquid supply valve 15 is controlled by the controller 12. The controller 12 determines whether or not to supply the humidifying liquid K to the humidifying liquid tank 20 by opening the liquid supply valve 15 based on the detection signal of the remaining water sensor 25. The remaining water sensor 25 corresponds to a known light reflection sensor or the like. A float type liquid level sensor may also be used.
The humidifying liquid is a liquid containing a small amount of non-volatile components in water, and details of the non-volatile components will be described later. In addition, the downward storage referred to here is not only that water-insoluble materials are stored at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20 but also a phenomenon in which the water-soluble materials are dissolved and accumulated at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20. Including. As the concentration of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid K increases, the specific gravity of the humidifying liquid containing the non-volatile component increases. A portion in the humidifying liquid having a large specific gravity is defined as a “high concentration portion”. Furthermore, an appropriate concentration range is defined for the non-volatile components contained in the humidifying liquid, and the humidifying function is ensured within this appropriate concentration range. In other words, when the humidifying liquid K in which the non-volatile component exceeds the appropriate concentration range is stored near the water surface of the humidifying liquid tank 20, the moisture ratio in the humidifying liquid K is reduced by the non-volatile component, so that the moisture is removed from the water surface. It becomes difficult to evaporate, and the humidity of the humidified air in the humidified air storage space 21 falls below the appropriate humidity. As a result, the ink in the discharge port cannot be sufficiently humidified, so that the humidification function cannot be secured.

図４(a)、(b)に示すように、加湿液タンク２０内の加湿液Ｋ内には、流動抑制部材３が昇降可能に浮遊しており、該流動抑制部材３の比重は、外部から補給される新規な加湿液Ｋの比重よりも大きく、且つ不揮発性成分の適正な範囲濃度内の最大濃度における加湿液Ｋの比重よりも小さい。流動抑制部材３は図５に示すように、例えば板材から開口部３２を打ち抜き加工して形成され、前記高濃度部Ｈは水等よりも比重が大きいから開口部３２を通過して流動抑制部材３の下方に貯留する。換言すれば、高濃度部Ｈは流動抑制部材３の非開口部３１は通過することができず、高濃度部Ｈは開口部３２のみにて上方に位置する加湿液Ｋの適正な濃度部分と混合する。加湿液タンク２０の下端部には、排出バルブ２６が設けられており、該排出バルブ２６を開いて高濃度部Ｈを加湿液タンク２０の外部に排出すると、流動抑制部材３は自重で下降する。排出バルブ２６はコントローラ１２によって開閉動作を制御され、排出バルブ２６を１回当たり所定時間だけ開いて排出される高濃度部Ｈの量はコントローラ１２に記憶されている。 As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the flow suppressing member 3 floats up and down in the humidifying liquid K in the humidifying liquid tank 20, and the specific gravity of the flow suppressing member 3 is external. Greater than the specific gravity of the new humidifying liquid K to be replenished and less than the specific gravity of the humidifying liquid K at the maximum concentration within the appropriate range concentration of the non-volatile components. As shown in FIG. 5, the flow suppressing member 3 is formed by punching an opening 32 from, for example, a plate material. 3 is stored below. In other words, the high concentration portion H cannot pass through the non-opening portion 31 of the flow suppressing member 3, and the high concentration portion H has an appropriate concentration portion of the humidifying liquid K located above only the opening portion 32. Mix. A discharge valve 26 is provided at the lower end portion of the humidifying liquid tank 20. When the discharge valve 26 is opened and the high concentration portion H is discharged outside the humidifying liquid tank 20, the flow suppressing member 3 is lowered by its own weight. . The opening / closing operation of the discharge valve 26 is controlled by the controller 12, and the amount of the high concentration portion H discharged by opening the discharge valve 26 for a predetermined time per time is stored in the controller 12.

図４(b)に示すように、加湿液カートリッジ１３から加湿液Ｋが加湿液タンク２０に補給されると、該加湿液Ｋ内の高濃度部Ｈが開口部３２を通って流動抑制部材３の下方に貯留する。不揮発性成分が適正な濃度に保たれた加湿液Ｋの部分は、流動抑制部材３の上方に溜まる。流動抑制部材３の下方に貯留する高濃度部Ｈの量が増えるから、流動抑制部材３は高濃度部Ｈに押し上げられて上昇する。
即ち、高濃度部Ｈは開口部３２のみにて加湿液Ｋの適正な濃度部分と混合するので、流動抑制部材３を設けない場合に比して、高濃度部Ｈが加湿液Ｋの適正な濃度部分と混合することを抑制することができる。これにより、高濃度部Ｈが加湿液Ｋの適正な濃度部分と混合することによる加湿機能が低下することを抑制することができる。また、流動抑制部材３を能動的に昇降させる機構が不要であり、実施することが容易である。
装置が外部から振動を受けて、流動抑制部材３の上方に位置する加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分が、高濃度部Ｈと混合する虞がある場合も同様に、高濃度部Ｈが加湿液Ｋの適正な濃度部分と混合することによる加湿機能の低下を抑制することができる。 As shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the humidifying liquid K is supplied from the humidifying liquid cartridge 13 to the humidifying liquid tank 20, the high concentration portion H in the humidifying liquid K passes through the opening 32 and the flow suppressing member 3. Store below. The portion of the humidifying liquid K in which the non-volatile component is maintained at an appropriate concentration is accumulated above the flow suppressing member 3. Since the amount of the high concentration portion H stored below the flow suppressing member 3 increases, the flow suppressing member 3 is pushed up by the high concentration portion H and rises.
That is, since the high concentration portion H is mixed with the appropriate concentration portion of the humidifying liquid K only at the opening 32, the high concentration portion H is appropriate for the humidifying liquid K as compared with the case where the flow suppressing member 3 is not provided. Mixing with the concentration portion can be suppressed. Thereby, it can suppress that the humidification function by the high concentration part H mixing with the appropriate concentration part of the humidification liquid K falls. Further, a mechanism for actively raising and lowering the flow suppressing member 3 is unnecessary, and it is easy to implement.
Similarly, when the apparatus receives vibration from the outside and there is a possibility that the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid K located above the flow suppressing member 3 may be mixed with the high concentration part H, the high concentration part H is also the humidifying liquid. A decrease in the humidifying function due to mixing with an appropriate concentration portion of K can be suppressed.

給気チューブ２２及び還流チューブ２３が加湿空気貯留空間２１に繋がっている理由を以下に示す。仮に、還流チューブ２３が加湿液タンク２０の加湿液Ｋの液面より下の部分に繋がっていると、還流チューブ２３から加湿液タンク２０に入った加湿空気は加湿液Ｋを泡立たせ、加湿液Ｋ全体が攪拌され、高濃度部Ｈが流動抑制部材３の開口部３２を大量に通過してしまう。これでは、流動抑制部材３の効果が薄れる。従って、還流チューブ２３を加湿空気貯留空間２１に繋げ、加湿液Ｋが攪拌されることを抑制している。 The reason why the air supply tube 22 and the reflux tube 23 are connected to the humidified air storage space 21 will be described below. If the reflux tube 23 is connected to a portion of the humidifying liquid tank 20 below the level of the humidifying liquid K, the humidified air that has entered the humidifying liquid tank 20 from the recirculating tube 23 causes the humidifying liquid K to bubble, and the humidifying liquid. The entire K is stirred, and the high concentration portion H passes through the opening 32 of the flow suppressing member 3 in a large amount. In this case, the effect of the flow suppressing member 3 is reduced. Therefore, the reflux tube 23 is connected to the humidified air storage space 21 to suppress the humidifying liquid K from being stirred.

図４(a)、(b)に示す連結管１４の下端は加湿液Ｋの流入口１６を形成し、該流入口１６から加湿液Ｋが加湿液タンク２０内に供給される。該流入口１６と前記流動抑制部材３の開口部３２は、加湿液Ｋの液面に平行な面内にて、互いにずれて位置している。
仮に、該流入口１６と流動抑制部材３の開口部３２とが、加湿液Ｋの液面に平行な面内にて同じ位置に位置していると、流入口１６から流入した加湿液Ｋが、下降してそのまま開口部３２を通って流動抑制部材３の下方にて貯留した高濃度部Ｈと混合する可能性がある。これでは、流動抑制部材３の効果が薄れる。従って、該流入口１６と流動抑制部材３の開口部３２とを、加湿液Ｋの液面に平行な面内にて、互いにずらしている。 The lower end of the connecting pipe 14 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B forms an inlet 16 for the humidifying liquid K, and the humidifying liquid K is supplied into the humidifying liquid tank 20 from the inlet 16. The inflow port 16 and the opening 32 of the flow suppressing member 3 are shifted from each other in a plane parallel to the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K.
If the inlet 16 and the opening 32 of the flow suppressing member 3 are located at the same position in a plane parallel to the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K, the humidifying liquid K flowing from the inlet 16 is There is a possibility of mixing with the high-concentration part H that descends and passes through the opening 32 as it is and is stored below the flow suppressing member 3. In this case, the effect of the flow suppressing member 3 is reduced. Therefore, the inlet 16 and the opening 32 of the flow suppressing member 3 are shifted from each other within a plane parallel to the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K.

(第２の実施形態)
前記では水残量センサ２５と連結管１４上の給液バルブ１５がコントローラ１２に接続されており、該給液バルブ１５の開閉がコントローラ１２に制御されているとした。本実施形態では、これに加えて、図６に示すように、流動抑制部材３上に該流動抑制部材３の上下位置を検出する上下位置検出センサ３３を設ける。排出バルブ２６と、該上下位置検出センサ３３はコントローラ１２に接続されている。コントローラ１２には流動抑制部材３の上昇位置の限界値である閾値が記憶されている。
加湿液カートリッジ１３から連結管１４を介して加湿液Ｋが加湿液タンク２０に補給され、高濃度部Ｈが流動抑制部材３の下方に貯留すると、該流動抑制部材３が押し上げられる。コントローラ１２は上下位置検出センサ３３の検出信号から、流動抑制部材３の上昇量がコントローラ１２に記憶された閾値以上となることを検知すると、排出バルブ２６を開いて高濃度部Ｈを加湿液タンク２０から排出する。これにより、流動抑制部材３の上方に位置する加湿液Ｋの適正な濃度部分が少なくなることを防止し、加湿機能の低下を抑制している。また、不揮発性成分の中には高濃度になると加湿液タンク２０を腐食させるものもあり、高濃度部Ｈを加湿液タンク２０から排出することにより、加湿液タンク２０の腐食を防止することができる。 (Second Embodiment)
In the above, the water remaining amount sensor 25 and the liquid supply valve 15 on the connecting pipe 14 are connected to the controller 12, and the opening and closing of the liquid supply valve 15 is controlled by the controller 12. In the present embodiment, in addition to this, as shown in FIG. 6, a vertical position detection sensor 33 that detects the vertical position of the flow suppression member 3 is provided on the flow suppression member 3. The discharge valve 26 and the vertical position detection sensor 33 are connected to the controller 12. The controller 12 stores a threshold value that is a limit value of the rising position of the flow suppressing member 3.
When the humidifying liquid K is supplied from the humidifying liquid cartridge 13 to the humidifying liquid tank 20 through the connecting pipe 14 and the high concentration portion H is stored below the flow suppressing member 3, the flow suppressing member 3 is pushed up. When the controller 12 detects from the detection signal of the vertical position detection sensor 33 that the rising amount of the flow suppressing member 3 is equal to or greater than the threshold value stored in the controller 12, the discharge valve 26 is opened and the high concentration portion H is added to the humidified liquid tank. Eject from 20. Thereby, it is prevented that the appropriate density | concentration part of the humidification liquid K located above the flow suppression member 3 decreases, and the fall of a humidification function is suppressed. Moreover, some non-volatile components may corrode the humidifying liquid tank 20 when the concentration is high, and by discharging the high concentration portion H from the humidifying liquid tank 20, it is possible to prevent the humidifying liquid tank 20 from being corroded. it can.

(第３の実施形態)
本実施形態では、図７に示すように、加湿液Ｋ内の高濃度部Ｈの量に応じて、流動抑制部材３を能動的に昇降させる流動抑制部材駆動機構８を備えている。流動抑制部材３は上面から支柱８１を上向きに突出し、該支柱８１の上端部はラック８２を形成している。
前記流動抑制部材駆動機構８は、該ラック８２に噛合するピニオン８０と、該ピニオン８０と同軸に設けられてピニオン８０を回転駆動するモータＭを備える。該モータＭはコントローラ１２によって回転を制御される。即ち、コントローラ１２がモータＭを回転させると、流動抑制部材３が昇降する。加湿液タンク２０内にて加湿液Ｋの液面上には、加湿液Ｋの液面近傍に含まれる不揮発性成分の濃度を検出する濃度センサ８３が設けられ、該濃度センサ８３はコントローラ１２に接続される。コントローラ１２は濃度センサ８３の出力結果に基づいてモータＭを駆動する。 (Third embodiment)
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a flow suppression member drive mechanism 8 that actively moves the flow suppression member 3 up and down according to the amount of the high concentration portion H in the humidifying liquid K is provided. The flow suppression member 3 protrudes the support column 81 upward from the upper surface, and the upper end portion of the support column 81 forms a rack 82.
The flow suppression member drive mechanism 8 includes a pinion 80 that meshes with the rack 82 and a motor M that is provided coaxially with the pinion 80 and that rotationally drives the pinion 80. The rotation of the motor M is controlled by the controller 12. That is, when the controller 12 rotates the motor M, the flow suppressing member 3 moves up and down. A concentration sensor 83 that detects the concentration of the non-volatile component contained in the vicinity of the liquid surface of the humidifying liquid K is provided on the liquid surface of the humidifying liquid K in the humidifying liquid tank 20. Connected. The controller 12 drives the motor M based on the output result of the density sensor 83.

具体的には、加湿液カートリッジ１３から加湿液Ｋが加湿液タンク２０に補給されると、加湿液Ｋの液面近傍に含まれる不揮発性成分の濃度は一時的に低下する。この場合、コントローラ１２は濃度センサ８３の検出信号に基づいて、モータＭを駆動して、流動抑制部材３を上昇させ、加湿液タンク２０内にて流動抑制部材３の下方に高濃度部Ｈが貯留することを可能にする。
逆に、貯留した高濃度部Ｈが排出バルブ２６から排出され、高濃度部Ｈの量が減少したときは、コントローラ１２は、モータＭを駆動して、流動抑制部材３を下降させる。このようにして、加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分の量に応じて流動抑制部材３を正確に昇降させ、高濃度部Ｈが加湿液Ｋの適正な濃度部分に攪拌することを効果的に抑制することができる。 Specifically, when the humidifying liquid K is supplied from the humidifying liquid cartridge 13 to the humidifying liquid tank 20, the concentration of the non-volatile component contained in the vicinity of the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K temporarily decreases. In this case, the controller 12 drives the motor M based on the detection signal of the concentration sensor 83 to raise the flow suppressing member 3, and the high concentration portion H is located below the flow suppressing member 3 in the humidifying liquid tank 20. Allows storage.
Conversely, when the stored high concentration portion H is discharged from the discharge valve 26 and the amount of the high concentration portion H decreases, the controller 12 drives the motor M to lower the flow suppressing member 3. In this way, the flow suppressing member 3 is accurately moved up and down in accordance with the amount of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid K, and the high concentration portion H is effectively suppressed from being stirred to the appropriate concentration portion of the humidifying liquid K. can do.

尚、濃度センサ８３を加湿液タンク２０の底部に設け、該濃度センサ８３にて加湿液タンク２０の底部に貯留した高濃度部Ｈの濃度を検知して、モータＭを駆動してもよい。また、検知した高濃度部Ｈの濃度がコントローラ１２が記憶している一定値以上の場合は、排出バルブ２６を開いて、高濃度部Ｈを加湿液タンク２０から排出してもよい。
また、加湿液タンク２０の底部に貯留した高濃度部Ｈの濃度は、加湿液の液面上に設けた濃度センサ８３によっても算出することができる。即ち、加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分の濃度は加湿液の深さに比例することが知られており、この比例関係を演算する数式は経験則から求められる。従って、加湿液Ｋの液面近傍の不揮発性成分の濃度が検知できれば、加湿液タンク２０の底部に貯留した高濃度部Ｈの濃度を算出することができる。
加湿液タンク２０の底部に貯留した高濃度部Ｈの濃度を濃度センサ８３にて検知し、これから加湿液Ｋの液面近傍の不揮発性成分の濃度を算出することもできる。 The concentration sensor 83 may be provided at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20, and the motor M may be driven by detecting the concentration of the high concentration portion H stored at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20 with the concentration sensor 83. In addition, when the detected concentration of the high concentration portion H is equal to or higher than a predetermined value stored in the controller 12, the high concentration portion H may be discharged from the humidifying liquid tank 20 by opening the discharge valve 26.
The concentration of the high concentration portion H stored at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20 can also be calculated by the concentration sensor 83 provided on the liquid level of the humidifying liquid. That is, it is known that the concentration of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid K is proportional to the depth of the humidifying liquid, and a mathematical formula for calculating this proportional relationship is obtained from an empirical rule. Therefore, if the concentration of the non-volatile component in the vicinity of the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K can be detected, the concentration of the high concentration part H stored at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20 can be calculated.
It is also possible to detect the concentration of the high concentration portion H stored at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20 with the concentration sensor 83 and calculate the concentration of the non-volatile component near the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K from this.

(第４の実施形態)
更に、加湿液タンク２０の外部から補給される加湿液Ｋの量、及び排出バルブ２６から排出される高濃度部Ｈの量から、加湿液タンク２０の底部に貯留した高濃度部Ｈ、又は加湿液Ｋの液面近傍の不揮発性成分の濃度を算出することもできる。この場合、濃度センサ８３を加湿液Ｋの液面近傍又は加湿液タンク２０の底部に設ける必要はない。
即ち、補給する加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分の平均的な濃度は予め判っている。また、加湿液カートリッジ１３から加湿液タンク２０に補給される１回当たりの加湿液Ｋの量、及び排出バルブ２６から排出される１回当たりの高濃度部Ｈの量も前記の如く、予めコントローラ１２に記憶されている。コントローラ１２は、前記の如く、コントローラ１２に接続された給液バルブ１５と排出バルブ２６が何回作動したかを計測するカウンタ機能を有するから、加湿液カートリッジ１３から加湿液タンク２０へ補給した回数及び排出バルブ２６から高濃度部Ｈが排出された回数も、コントローラ１２に記憶される。
加湿液カートリッジ１３から加湿液タンク２０への補給回数を、前記の１回当たりの加湿液Ｋの量に乗じれば、これまで補給された加湿液Ｋの量が判る。排出バルブ２６から排出した回数を、排出バルブ２６から排出される１回当たりの高濃度部Ｈの量に乗じれば、これまで排出された高濃度部Ｈの量が判る。 (Fourth embodiment)
Further, from the amount of the humidifying liquid K replenished from the outside of the humidifying liquid tank 20 and the amount of the high concentration part H discharged from the discharge valve 26, the high concentration part H stored at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20 or the humidifying part The concentration of the non-volatile component near the liquid surface of the liquid K can also be calculated. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the concentration sensor 83 near the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K or at the bottom of the humidifying liquid tank 20.
That is, the average concentration of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid K to be replenished is known in advance. Further, as described above, the amount of the humidifying liquid K that is supplied from the humidifying liquid cartridge 13 to the humidifying liquid tank 20 and the amount of the high-concentration portion H that is discharged from the discharge valve 26 are also previously set in the controller. 12 is stored. Since the controller 12 has a counter function for measuring how many times the liquid supply valve 15 and the discharge valve 26 connected to the controller 12 are operated as described above, the number of times of replenishment from the humidifying liquid cartridge 13 to the humidifying liquid tank 20. The number of times the high concentration portion H is discharged from the discharge valve 26 is also stored in the controller 12.
If the number of times of replenishment from the humidifying liquid cartridge 13 to the humidifying liquid tank 20 is multiplied by the amount of the humidifying liquid K per one time, the amount of the humidifying liquid K replenished so far can be known. By multiplying the number of times of discharge from the discharge valve 26 by the amount of the high concentration portion H discharged from the discharge valve 26, the amount of the high concentration portion H discharged so far can be determined.

従って、コントローラ１２は、封止状態となっているときの封止空間Ｓへの加湿ポンプ２４による加湿回数、加湿液タンク２０に補給された加湿液Ｋの量、排出バルブ２６から排出される高濃度部Ｈの量に基づいて、加湿液タンク２０内の加湿液Ｋに含まれる不揮発性成分の量を知ることができる。前記の如く、加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分の濃度は加湿液Ｋの深さに比例することが知られているから、これにより加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分の濃度分布を算出することができる。前記の如く、コントローラ１２はタイマー機能を有しているから、加湿時間を考慮して加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分の濃度分布を算出してもよい。
本実施形態に係る液体吐出装置では、濃度センサ８３を設けずに不揮発性成分の濃度を算出するから、装置の簡素化に繋がる。 Therefore, the controller 12 counts the number of times of humidification by the humidification pump 24 to the sealed space S in the sealed state, the amount of the humidifying liquid K supplied to the humidifying liquid tank 20, and the high amount discharged from the discharge valve 26. Based on the amount of the concentration part H, the amount of the nonvolatile component contained in the humidifying liquid K in the humidifying liquid tank 20 can be known. As described above, since the concentration of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid K is known to be proportional to the depth of the humidifying liquid K, the concentration distribution of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid K can be calculated thereby. it can. As described above, since the controller 12 has a timer function, the concentration distribution of the nonvolatile component in the humidifying liquid K may be calculated in consideration of the humidifying time.
In the liquid ejection device according to the present embodiment, the concentration of the nonvolatile component is calculated without providing the concentration sensor 83, which leads to simplification of the device.

加湿液の主成分は水であり、イオンを含有する一般の水ではなく、脱イオン水を使用することが好ましい。また、適宜、水溶性有機溶媒が含まれてもよい。例えば、グリセリン、エチレングリコール、ジエチレングリコール、トリエチレングリコール、ポリエチレングリコール、プロピレングリコール、ジプロピレングリコール、トリプロピレングリコール、ポリプロピレングリコール、１，５―ペンタンジオール、１，６―ヘキサンジオール等の水溶性グリコール類や、その他の低級アルコール類や、エチレングリコール系及びプロピレングリコール系のアルキルエーテルに代表されるグリコールエーテル等が挙げられる。さらには、防黴剤：防錆剤等を必要に応じて添加することができる。これらが加湿液内に含まれる不揮発性成分に該当する。また、加湿液内に含まれる不揮発性成分とは、揮発しにくい物質を含む意味であり、完全に不揮発な物質のみならず、水よりも揮発しにくい物質を含む。
流動抑制部材３は開口部３２を設けた板材としたが、これに代えて、例えばメッシュ状の板材でもよく、更にフィルタ状であってもよい。流動抑制部材３は、図５に示したように平面視が円形状でなく、例えば矩形であってもよい。また、図５に示すように、流動抑制部材３の周縁に切欠き３４を設け、該切欠き３４を加湿液タンク２０内にて上下に延びたガイドレール３５に嵌めてもよい。該ガイドレール３５によって流動抑制部材３は昇降を案内されるから、該流動抑制部材３は加湿液タンク２０内で傾いて引掛かることが防止される。また、図７に示す流動抑制部材３の支柱８１は、流動抑制部材３の中心部に設けられても、周縁部に設けられてもよい。 The main component of the humidifying liquid is water, and it is preferable to use deionized water instead of ordinary water containing ions. In addition, a water-soluble organic solvent may be included as appropriate. For example, water-soluble glycols such as glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, And other lower alcohols and glycol ethers typified by ethylene glycol and propylene glycol alkyl ethers. Furthermore, an antifungal agent: an antirust agent or the like can be added as necessary. These correspond to the non-volatile components contained in the humidifying liquid. Moreover, the non-volatile component contained in the humidifying liquid is meant to include a substance that does not easily volatilize, and includes not only a completely non-volatile substance but also a substance that is less volatile than water.
Although the flow suppressing member 3 is a plate provided with the opening 32, it may instead be a mesh plate, for example, or may be a filter. As shown in FIG. 5, the flow suppressing member 3 may not be circular in plan view but may be rectangular, for example. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a notch 34 may be provided on the periphery of the flow suppressing member 3, and the notch 34 may be fitted into a guide rail 35 extending vertically in the humidifying liquid tank 20. Since the flow suppressing member 3 is guided up and down by the guide rail 35, the flow suppressing member 3 is prevented from being inclined and caught in the humidifying liquid tank 20. Moreover, the support | pillar 81 of the flow suppression member 3 shown in FIG. 7 may be provided in the center part of the flow suppression member 3, or may be provided in a peripheral part.

更に、図８に示すように、流動抑制部材３は上から下に向けて迂回路３６を形成した構造であってもよい。この場合、開口部３２は流動抑制部材３を上下に貫通せず、流動抑制部材３上面の開口部３２と、流動抑制部材３の下面の開口部３２は、加湿液Ｋの液面に平行な面内にて互いにずれている。迂回路３６の流動抵抗を利用して一旦流動抑制部材３の下方に貯留した高濃度部Ｈが上昇しないようにしている。
また、加湿液タンク２０内に、複数の流動抑制部材３を互いに上下間隔を空けて設けてもよい。複数の流動抑制部材３を加湿液タンク２０内に設けることにより、加湿液タンク２０内に貯留した高濃度部Ｈが加湿液Ｋの適正な濃度部分と更に混合しにくくなる。
また、加湿液Ｋ内の不揮発性成分の濃度に拘わらず、加湿液タンク２０内にて流動抑制部材３の上方の加湿液Ｋの量が一定となるように流動抑制部材３を昇降させることもできる。この場合、該流動抑制部材３の上方の加湿液Ｋが不用意に外力を受けて流動しても、該上方の加湿液Ｋ内にて流動が吸収され、流動抑制部材３の下方には流動されにくくなる。 Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the flow suppressing member 3 may have a structure in which a bypass 36 is formed from the top to the bottom. In this case, the opening 32 does not penetrate the flow suppressing member 3 vertically, and the opening 32 on the upper surface of the flow suppressing member 3 and the opening 32 on the lower surface of the flow suppressing member 3 are parallel to the liquid level of the humidifying liquid K. They are offset from each other in the plane. The flow resistance of the detour 36 is used to prevent the high concentration portion H once stored below the flow suppressing member 3 from rising.
In addition, a plurality of flow suppressing members 3 may be provided in the humidifying liquid tank 20 with a vertical interval therebetween. By providing the plurality of flow suppressing members 3 in the humidifying liquid tank 20, the high concentration part H stored in the humidifying liquid tank 20 becomes more difficult to mix with the appropriate concentration part of the humidifying liquid K.
Further, the flow suppressing member 3 may be moved up and down so that the amount of the humidifying liquid K above the flow suppressing member 3 is constant in the humidifying liquid tank 20 regardless of the concentration of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid K. it can. In this case, even if the humidifying liquid K above the flow suppressing member 3 is inadvertently subjected to external force and flows, the flow is absorbed in the upper humidifying liquid K and flows below the flow suppressing member 3. It becomes difficult to be done.

本発明は、加湿された空気をヘッドの吐出面近傍に供給して液体の増粘を防ぐインクジェットプリンタのような液体吐出装置において有用である。 The present invention is useful in a liquid discharge apparatus such as an ink jet printer that supplies humidified air to the vicinity of the discharge surface of the head to prevent the liquid from being thickened.

１プリンタ
２加湿空気供給手段
３流動抑制部材
４ヘッド
５搬送ユニット
６給紙ユニット
７インクカートリッジ
８流動抑制部材駆動機構
２０加湿液タンク DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Humidification air supply means 3 Flow suppression member 4 Head 5 Conveyance unit 6 Paper feed unit 7 Ink cartridge 8 Flow suppression member drive mechanism 20 Humidification liquid tank

Claims

A liquid discharge head having a discharge surface on which discharge ports for discharging liquid are formed;
A sealing means that seals the sealing space facing the discharge surface from the outside, and a cap means that can selectively take an open state in which the sealing space is exposed to the outside;
A humidifying liquid tank for storing a humidifying liquid containing a non-volatile component replenished from the outside;
Humidified air supply means for supplying humidified air humidified by the humidified liquid stored in the humidified liquid tank to the sealed space when in the sealed state;
A flow suppressing member that suppresses the flow of the humidifying liquid in the vertical direction is provided in the humidifying liquid tank. The flow suppressing member includes an opening that allows the passage of the humidifying liquid in the vertical direction, and a vertical direction. A liquid ejection device in which a non-opening that blocks passage of the humidifying liquid is formed.

The humidifying liquid tank is provided with a reflux flow path for returning the humidified air that has passed through the sealed space when the sealed state is in the humidified liquid tank,
2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the reflux channel is connected to a humidified air storage space that is positioned vertically above the liquid level of the humidified liquid in the humidified liquid tank and is filled with humidified air. .

The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the flow suppressing member is configured to be movable in a vertical direction within the humidifying liquid.

The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, wherein the flow suppressing member moves corresponding to the concentration of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid stored in the humidifying liquid tank.

Furthermore, a first concentration calculating means for calculating the concentration of the non-volatile component contained near the liquid surface of the humidifying liquid, a flow suppressing member moving mechanism for moving the flow suppressing member in the humidifying liquid, and the first concentration calculating means. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a flow suppression member operation control unit configured to control the operation of the flow suppression member moving mechanism based on the calculation result.

6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge unit that is provided at a lower portion in the vertical direction of the humidifying liquid tank and discharges a non-volatile component to the outside of the humidifying liquid tank.

Further, a second concentration calculating means for calculating the concentration of the non-volatile component in the humidifying liquid stored in the lower part in the vertical direction of the humidifying liquid tank, and the discharge of the discharging means based on the calculation result of the second concentration calculating means. A discharge operation control means for controlling the operation, and the discharge operation control means discharges the humidifying liquid from the discharge means when the concentration of the non-volatile component calculated by the second concentration calculation means is a certain value or more; The liquid ejection device according to claim 6.

Further, the second concentration calculating means is the number of times of humidification by the humidified air supply means to the sealed space when in the sealed state, a humidifying time, and a humidifying liquid replenished from outside the humidifying liquid tank. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the concentration of the nonvolatile component in the humidifying liquid stored in the humidifying liquid tank is calculated based on the amount and the amount of the humidifying liquid discharged from the discharging unit.

Furthermore, it comprises a position detection means for detecting the vertical position of the flow suppressing member,
The discharge operation control means acquires vertical position information of the flow suppression member from the position detection means, and the discharge position control means detects the discharge when the vertical position of the flow suppression member detected by the position detection means is a certain height or more. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the humidifying liquid is discharged from the means.

An inflow port for replenishing the humidifying liquid from the outside of the humidifying liquid tank is formed in the upper part in the vertical direction of the humidifying liquid tank, and the inflow port and the opening of the flow suppressing member are arranged at the liquid level of the humidifying liquid. 10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is located at different positions in a plane parallel to the horizontal axis.

The specific gravity of the flow suppressing member is larger than the specific gravity of the humidifying liquid replenished from outside and smaller than the specific gravity of the nonvolatile component, and the flow suppressing member moves in the vertical direction in the humidifying liquid by its own weight. 4. The liquid ejection device according to 3.

12. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the flow suppressing members are provided in the humidifying liquid, and are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.