JP6311397B2 - Liquid discharge device and method for adjusting resistance of liquid flow path in liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that records an image by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium from a liquid ejecting head that moves in a predetermined direction, and a liquid flow path resistance adjusting method in the liquid ejecting apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer that records an image by ejecting ink from a head that is linearly driven onto a recording medium is known. The ink jet printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a head that is linearly driven and an ink container filled with ink to be supplied to the head. Then, a flexible ink tube is used as a configuration for forming a flow path for supplying ink filled in the ink container to the head, and the ink container and the head are communicated with each other by the ink tube to supply ink to the head. doing.

JP-A-6-99586

The present inventor has shared parts constituting a supply flow path for supplying ink to a head (for example, the same configuration) with respect to another type of liquid discharge apparatus on which heads having different droplet discharge performances are mounted. Cost reduction by adopting a liquid supply tube). However, since it is necessary to adjust the flow path resistance to an appropriate range according to the discharge performance of the head, when the supply flow path has a flow resistance suitable for a head, the supply flow path has a different discharge performance. It has been found that there are cases where it cannot be applied.
An object of the present invention is to allow an appropriate liquid supply according to the liquid discharge performance of the liquid discharge head to be performed without changing the components constituting the supply flow path for supplying ink to the head.

The liquid discharge apparatus includes a tank body that stores liquid,
A liquid discharge head to which the liquid of the tank body is supplied;
A head moving mechanism for reciprocating the liquid discharge head;
A liquid supply channel configured to communicate the tank body and the liquid discharge head and to supply the liquid in the tank body to the liquid discharge head;
A part of the liquid supply channel is configured by a tube having a deforming portion that bends and deforms as the liquid ejection head moves.
Inside the liquid supply flow path, a portion other than the deforming portion is provided with a resistance applying body that provides flow resistance to the liquid flowing through the liquid supply flow path.
The resistance imparting body has a constant cross-sectional portion whose cross-sectional shape is constant over a length equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the liquid supply channel in the direction in which the liquid flows in the liquid supply channel.

A tank body for storing liquid, a liquid discharge head to which the liquid in the tank body is supplied,
A head moving mechanism for reciprocating the liquid discharge head;
A liquid supply channel configured to communicate the tank body and the liquid discharge head and to supply the liquid in the tank body to the liquid discharge head;
The liquid supply flow path resistance adjustment method for the liquid supply flow path of the liquid discharge apparatus, a part of which is configured by a tube having a deformed portion that is bent and deformed as the liquid discharge head moves,
Determining the configuration of the liquid discharge head and the liquid supply flow path;
Determining a flow path resistance to be applied to the liquid flowing through the liquid supply flow path based on the liquid discharge performance of the liquid discharge head;
A resistance imparting body to be disposed at a location other than the deformed portion inside the liquid supply flow path, over a length equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the liquid supply flow path in the direction in which the liquid flows in the liquid supply flow path. Determining a length of the constant cross section of the resistance imparting body having a constant cross section having a constant cross sectional shape based on the flow path resistance.

According to the configuration of the present invention, the flow resistance of the liquid supply flow path corresponds to the liquid discharge performance of the liquid discharge head without changing the configuration of the liquid supply flow path between the liquid discharge head and the tank body. Can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to make the configuration of the liquid supply flow path common for a plurality of liquid discharge devices equipped with liquid discharge heads having different liquid discharge performances, thereby reducing costs.
The flow path resistance is adjusted by a resistance imparting body having a constant cross-sectional portion whose cross-sectional shape is constant over a length equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the liquid flow path in the direction in which the liquid flows in the liquid supply flow path. As a result, the adjustment of the flow path resistance of the liquid supply flow path to a desired flow path resistance can be easily performed.

It is a top view which shows the internal structure of an inkjet recording device. It is a top view which shows the deformation | transformation part and non-deformation part of a tube. (a), (b) is sectional drawing of a tube and a resistance imparting body. It is a figure which shows a joint part. It is the side view which fractured | ruptured a cartridge mounting box and a part of cartridge. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cartridge mounting box of FIG. 5. It is an expanded sectional view of one joint member. It is sectional drawing of the ditch | groove which provided the resistance provision body. It is a figure which shows the modification of a resistance provision body.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout all the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, as the “liquid ejecting apparatus”, an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a sheet as a recording medium will be exemplified. Therefore, ink is exemplified as the “liquid” in the present invention, and “liquid supply channel” is a channel for supplying ink.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. In the housing 10, a tank body 8 including two guide rails 6 parallel to each other, an ink discharge head 4, two paper conveyance rollers 3 parallel to each other, and four cartridges 9 storing ink is provided. Yes. The tank body 8 includes a cartridge mounting box 80 in which the opening 86 faces the outside of the housing 10 and the four cartridges 9 are detachably stored.
The paper P is transported in the direction of arrow B by both paper transport rollers 3, and the arrow B is defined as the sub-scanning direction, and the direction perpendicular to the arrow B and along the horizontal plane is defined as the main scanning direction. The two guide rails 6 extend in the main scanning direction, and the ink ejection head 4 is provided so as to reciprocate along the both guide rails 6. That is, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a serial type printer. Pulleys 60 are disposed at both ends of one guide rail 6, and an endless drive belt 61 is suspended between the pulleys 60. A part of the drive belt 61 is attached to one end portion of the ink discharge head 4, and when both pulleys 60 are rotated by a motor (not shown), the ink discharge head 4 is pulled by the drive belt 61 to perform main scanning. Move back and forth in the direction. Both the guide rails 6, the pulley 60, and the drive belt 61 constitute the “head moving mechanism” of the present invention.

  In each of the four cartridges 9, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are stored, and the tank body 8 including each cartridge 9 is connected to the joint portion 41 of the ink discharge head 4 and corresponds to the cartridge 9. The tubes 2 are connected. Each tube 2 is made of a soft resin such as nylon and has flexibility. A pump (not shown) is disposed between the tube 2 and the tank body 8, and ink of each color in the cartridge 9 is supplied to the ink discharge head 4 through the corresponding tube 2 by the pump. Since ink flows from the cartridge 9 through the tube 2 to the ink discharge head 4, the tube 2 constitutes a part of the ink supply flow path.

A plurality of ink discharge ports 40 are opened on the surface of the ink discharge head 4 facing the paper P. When the paper P is transported in the sub-scanning direction by both paper transport rollers 3, the ink ejection head 4 is ejected from the ink ejection port 40 to the paper P while moving in the main scanning direction. An image is formed on the paper P.
The ink ejection head 4 is composed of a lamination unit formed by laminating a plurality of metal plates, and an actuator unit bonded on the lamination unit and provided with an element corresponding to the ejection port. By energizing the elements of the actuator unit, the ink in the stacked unit is ejected from the ink ejection port 40. The ink discharge port is formed in the metal plate located on the outermost side (lower side) of the laminated unit, but such a configuration is known and will not be described in detail.

  A cap unit 5 is provided on the side of the conveyance path of the paper P and between the guide rails 6. After the ink is ejected onto the paper P, the ink ejection head 4 is positioned at a position facing the cap unit 5. Move up. The cap unit 5 is raised, the space between the ink discharge head 4 and the cap unit 5 is made negative, and the ink remaining in the ink discharge head 4 is sucked. The sucked ink is stored in a waste liquid tank 50 connected to the cap unit 5.

The ink discharge head 4 reciprocates in the main scanning direction. Since the ink discharge head 4 and the tank body 8 are connected by the flexible tube 2, the tube 2 is moved by the reciprocation of the ink discharge head 4. A part is bent and deformed.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tube 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate portion of the tube 2 is fixed to the housing 10 by a stopper 11. Therefore, a part of the tube 2 from the stopper 11 to the ink ejection head 4 is bent and deformed by the movement of the ink ejection head 4, but the part from the stopper 11 to the tank body 8 is the ink ejection head 4. It will not be bent and deformed even if it moves. Even in the joint portion 41, the tube 2 is not bent and deformed by the movement of the ink discharge head 4.
Here, a portion of the tube 2 that is bent and deformed by the movement of the ink discharge head 4 is referred to as a deformation portion 20, and a non-deformation portion 21 that is not bent and deformed by the movement of the ink discharge head 4 is used.

Here, dynamic pressure is generated in the ink flowing in the tube 2 by moving the deforming portion 20 of the tube 2 so as to bend and deform. This dynamic pressure decreases as the flow path resistance in the tube 2 increases. On the other hand, if the flow path resistance is large, when ink is ejected all at once from the plurality of ink ejection ports 40, ink supply cannot catch up from the tank body 8, and so-called under-refill is caused which causes ink ejection failure. Accordingly, it is required that the dynamic pressure is set to an appropriate value and an appropriate flow path resistance that does not cause under-refill is provided in the tube 2.
However, since the ink ejection heads 4 having different ink ejection specifications may be mounted for each model of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the required ink flow path resistance may differ for each model. Also, different colors of ink flow through the four tubes 2, but since the viscosity of the ink differs depending on the color, the required flow path resistance differs for each tube 2. Therefore, it is necessary to customize the required flow path resistance depending on the model of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 or the color of the ink. However, if separate tubes 2 are used for the model of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 or the ink color, the cost increases. It leads to. In addition, if the outer diameter of the tube 2 is reduced in order to increase the flow resistance, there is a problem that the strength of the portion where the tube 2 is connected to the tank body 8 or the ink discharge head 4 is lowered.
Therefore, the inventor uses the same tube 2 regardless of the model of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 or the color of the ink, and provides a resistance imparting body 7 inside the tube 2 so that an appropriate ink is supplied to each tube 2. The idea was to provide channel resistance.

  3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the tube 2 and the resistance imparting body 7. The resistance imparting body 7 is a long member provided in the non-deformable portion 21 of the tube 2 and extending in the direction in which ink flows. The resistance imparting body 7 is formed to have a constant cross section 70 having a constant cross sectional shape over a length equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the tube 2, and the resistance imparting body 7 shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). In this case, the constant cross section 70 extends over the entire length of the resistance applying body 7. The reason why the resistance imparting body 7 is provided in the non-deformed portion 21 will be described later. The resistance imparting body 7 is formed of a resin such as polyethylene, but is not limited to these materials as long as it does not adversely affect the ink. In FIG. 3 (a), the resistance imparting body 7 is a tubular hollow member and is press-fitted into the tube 2. That is, the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the inner surface of the tube 2 by friction and is fixed in the tube 2. The resistance applying body 7 provides a predetermined flow path resistance because the ink flow path becomes an inner diameter portion of the resistance applying body 7 smaller than the inner diameter of the tube 2.

In FIG. 3 (b), the resistance imparting body 7 is a solid member, and has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the tube 2. Since the ink passes through the gap between the inner surface of the tube 2 and the outer surface of the resistance imparting body 7 by the resistance imparting body 7, a predetermined flow path resistance is imparted.
Here, in FIG. 3B, since a gap is formed between the resistance applying body 7 and the inner surface of the tube 2, the movement of the resistance applying body 7 in the flow path direction is temporarily restricted. If there is nothing, there is a possibility that the resistance imparting body 7 will be carelessly moved to the deforming portion 20 due to the flow of ink. If the resistance imparting body 7 is carelessly moved to the deformed portion 20, the inner surface of the tube 2 may be damaged if the resistance imparting body 7 is formed of a hard material. On the contrary, if the resistance imparting body 7 is formed of a soft material, the reaction force of the tube 2 is affected, and this also affects the smooth movement of the ink ejection head 4. Therefore, if the resistance applying body 7 is carelessly moved to the deforming portion 20, the tube 2 and the ink ejection head 4 are adversely affected.

As a countermeasure, the regulating portion 22 is formed by plastically deforming the outer surface of the tube 2 inward at a position closer to the deforming portion 20 than the position where the resistance imparting body 7 of the tube 2 is provided. The inner diameter of the restricting portion 22 is smaller than the outer diameter of the resistance applying body 7.
The restricting portion 22 prevents the resistance applying body 7 from inadvertently moving to the deformable portion 20. Since the restricting portion 22 is formed by plastically deforming the tube 2 inward, it is not necessary to separately provide parts, and an increase in the number of component parts can be suppressed. Even if the resistance imparting body 7 is a hollow member, the restriction portion 22 may be provided on the tube 2.
Note that the restricting portion 22 formed in the tube 2 does not necessarily have to be configured such that its inner diameter is smaller and its inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the resistance imparting body 7. For example, you may comprise so that the resistance imparting body 7 cannot move to the deformation | transformation part 20 by curving the tube 2 without making the internal diameter of the tube 2 small.

  The flow path resistance applied to the ink in the tube 2 needs to be set to a desired value. Since the resistance imparting body 7 has a constant cross-sectional shape, the flow path resistance imparted by the resistance imparting body 7 is proportional to the length of the resistance imparting body 7. Therefore, the flow path resistance to be applied can be easily adjusted by adjusting the length of the resistance applying body 7.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B show a configuration in which the resistance imparting body 7 is provided in the tube 2, but the resistance imparting body 7 is connected to the joint portion 41 that is a connection portion between the ink ejection head 4 and the tube 2. It may be provided. FIG. 4 is a view showing the joint portion 41. One end portion of the tube 2 is fitted to the joint portion 41 of the ink discharge head 4. You may provide the resistance provision body 7 in this joint part 41. FIG. In FIG. 4, a hollow member is shown as the resistance applying body 7, but a solid member may be provided as the resistance applying body 7 after providing the restriction portion 22 on the tube 2.

Further, the resistance imparting body 7 may be provided at a connection portion between the tank body 8 and the tube 2. FIG. 5 is a side view in which a part of the cartridge mounting box 80 and the cartridge 9 constituting the tank body 8 is broken, and FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cartridge mounting box 80 of FIG. An ink supply unit 90 protrudes from the cartridge 9, and the cartridge 9 is mounted on the cartridge mounting box 80 with the ink supply unit 90 facing the cartridge mounting box 80. The ink supply unit 90 is fitted in an ink needle 81 provided corresponding to each color ink in the cartridge mounting box 80, and an ink introduction path 82 is formed at the center of the ink needle 81. Four concave grooves 83 through which ink flows are formed on the back surface of the cartridge mounting box 80, and the concave grooves 83 are formed corresponding to each color of ink. The concave groove 83 communicates with the ink introduction path 82, and a film 84 is attached to the back surface of the cartridge mounting box 80 so as to close the rear openings of the four concave grooves 83. Four joint members 85 are provided projecting outward at the upper end of each concave groove 83. The tube 2 through which the ink of the color corresponding to each joint member 85 flows is connected.
The ink of each color supplied from the cartridge 9 through the ink supply unit 90 flows in the ink introduction path 82 and the concave groove 83, and then flows from the joint member 85 to the corresponding tube 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the ink supply flow path from the ink needle 81 to the joint portion 41 of the ink ejection head 4 via the concave groove 83, the joint member 85, and the tube 2 is an ink supply flow path.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one joint member 85. The resistance imparting body 7 may be provided in the joint member 85. Although a hollow member is shown as the resistance applying body 7 in FIG. 7, a restriction member is provided on the joint member 85 so that the resistance applying body 7 cannot move to the tube 2 side, and a solid member is used as the resistance applying body 7. It may be provided.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a resistance imparting body 7 may be provided in the concave groove 83. Although a hollow member is shown as the resistance applying body 7 in FIG. 8, a restriction member is provided in the concave groove 83 so that it cannot move to a place other than the concave groove 83, and a solid member is provided as the resistance applying body 7. Also good.

(Ink supply flow path resistance adjustment method)
For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the resistance imparting body 7 is disposed in the tube 2, the following procedure is performed. First, the configurations of the ink discharge head 4 and the tube 2 are determined. Specifically, the dynamic pressure absorption performance of the ink discharge head 4, the resistance to under-refill, the minimum droplet size, the maximum ink discharge amount per unit time, the length of the tube 2, the cross-sectional area, the material, and the like are determined.
Next, the flow path resistance to be applied to the ink flowing through the tube 2 is determined based on the ink discharge performance of the ink discharge head 4. Finally, the length of the resistance applying body 7 is determined based on the determined flow path resistance, and the resistance applying body 7 having this length is inserted into the tube 2. Considering the workability when inserting the resistance applying body 7 into the tube 2, the resistance applying body 7 is preferably an elastic body.

In the present embodiment, by disposing the resistance imparting body 7 in the tube 2, the ink passes through the inside of the hollow resistance imparting body 7 or the gap between the tube 2 and the solid resistance imparting body 7. Flowing. That is, there is one flow path opening at the place where the resistance imparting body 7 is disposed. Instead of this, as shown in FIG. 9, the present inventor arranges, for example, a trifurcated resistance imparting body 7 in the tube 2 and divides the flow passage opening 2a into a plurality of, specifically three. It is also conceived to be established.
In the above embodiment, the ink is supplied from the cartridge 9. However, the ink may be supplied from an ink container (not shown) larger than the cartridge 9.

(Effect of this embodiment)
The ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the following technical effects.
1. With the configuration according to this embodiment, the flow resistance of the ink supply flow path corresponds to the ink discharge performance of the ink discharge head 4 without changing the configuration of the ink supply flow path between the ink discharge head 4 and the tank body 8. Can be adjusted to. Therefore, it is possible to make the configuration of the ink supply flow path common to the plurality of inkjet recording apparatuses 1 equipped with the ink discharge heads 4 having different ink discharge performances, and the cost can be reduced.
2. The flow path resistance is adjusted by providing the resistance applying body 7 having a constant cross-sectional portion 70 having a constant cross-sectional shape over a length equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the ink supply flow path along the direction of ink flow in the ink supply flow path. Is done by. Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust the flow resistance of the ink supply flow path to a desired flow path resistance.

  The present invention is useful when used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that records an image by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium from a liquid ejecting head that moves in a predetermined direction, and a method for adjusting the resistance of a liquid channel in the liquid ejecting apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 2 Tube 4 Ink discharge head 7 Resistance imparting body 8 Tank body 9 Cartridge 70 Constant cross section 80 Cartridge mounting box

Claims (7)

A tank body for storing liquid;
A liquid discharge head to which the liquid of the tank body is supplied;
A head mechanism for reciprocating the liquid ejection head;
A liquid supply channel configured to communicate the tank body and the liquid discharge head and to supply the liquid in the tank body to the liquid discharge head;
A part of the liquid supply channel is configured by a tube having a deforming portion that bends and deforms as the liquid ejection head moves.
Inside the liquid supply flow path, a portion other than the deforming portion is provided with a resistance applying body that provides flow resistance to the liquid flowing through the liquid supply flow path.
The resistance applying member is cross-sectional shape over the inner diameter over the length of the liquid supply flow path have a cross section constant part is constant in the direction of flow of the liquid in the liquid supply passage,
The tube has a non-deformable portion that does not bend and deform even when the liquid ejection head moves ,
The resistance imparting body is provided in the non-deformable portion;
A liquid ejection apparatus provided with a restricting portion that prevents the resistance imparting body from moving toward the deforming portion . 2. The liquid ejection according to claim 1 , wherein the restricting portion is configured by deforming the tube so that an inner diameter thereof is smaller than others in the non-deformable portion, or by bending the tube in the non-deformable portion. apparatus. The regulating unit, of the tube, at the location of the flexible portion side of a position where the resistance applying member is provided, are formed by deforming an outer surface of said tube inwardly of claim 1 Liquid ejection device. A tank body for storing liquid;
A liquid discharge head to which the liquid of the tank body is supplied;
A head mechanism for reciprocating the liquid ejection head;
A liquid supply channel configured to communicate the tank body and the liquid discharge head and to supply the liquid in the tank body to the liquid discharge head;
A part of the liquid supply channel is configured by a tube having a deforming portion that bends and deforms as the liquid ejection head moves.
Inside the liquid supply flow path, a portion other than the deforming portion is provided with a resistance applying body that provides flow resistance to the liquid flowing through the liquid supply flow path.
The resistance imparting body has a constant cross-sectional portion whose cross-sectional shape is constant over a length equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the liquid supply channel in the direction in which the liquid flows in the liquid supply channel,
The resistance imparting body is formed in the liquid supply channel in a connection portion with the tube formed in the tank body, a connection portion with the tube formed in the liquid discharge head, or the tank body. A liquid ejection device provided in any of the flow paths. The resistance applying member is a tubular member, or a solid member of smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the liquid channel, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A tank body for storing liquid;
A liquid discharge head to which the liquid of the tank body is supplied;
A head mechanism for reciprocating the liquid ejection head;
A liquid supply channel configured to communicate the tank body and the liquid discharge head and to supply the liquid in the tank body to the liquid discharge head;
A part of the liquid supply channel is configured by a tube having a deforming portion that bends and deforms as the liquid ejection head moves.
Inside the liquid supply flow path, a portion other than the deforming portion is provided with a resistance applying body that provides flow resistance to the liquid flowing through the liquid supply flow path.
The resistance imparting body has a constant cross-sectional portion whose cross-sectional shape is constant over a length equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the liquid supply channel in the direction in which the liquid flows in the liquid supply channel,
The resistance imparting body is a tubular member,
The resistance applying member is Ru provided in the liquid flow path by being pressed into the liquid channel, the liquid material discharge device. A tank body for storing liquid, a liquid discharge head to which the liquid in the tank body is supplied,
A head moving mechanism for reciprocating the liquid discharge head;
A liquid supply channel configured to communicate the tank body and the liquid discharge head and to supply the liquid in the tank body to the liquid discharge head;
The liquid supply flow path is a method for adjusting the resistance of the liquid supply flow path of a liquid discharge apparatus, a part of which is configured by a tube having a deforming portion that bends and deforms as the liquid discharge head moves.
Determining the configuration of the liquid discharge head and the liquid supply flow path;
Determining a flow path resistance to be applied to the liquid flowing through the liquid supply flow path based on the liquid discharge performance of the liquid discharge head;
A resistance imparting body to be disposed at a location other than the deformed portion inside the liquid supply flow path, over a length equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the liquid supply flow path in the direction in which the liquid flows in the liquid supply flow path. Determining a length of the constant cross section of the resistance imparting body having a constant cross section having a constant cross sectional shape based on the flow path resistance. Adjustment method.

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