JP6803288B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device that ejects ink from an inkjet head to print.

An inkjet recording device is known in which ink supplied from an ink cartridge to an inkjet head is ejected from a nozzle to a printing medium to print an image on the printing medium. In this type of inkjet recording device, if the ink from the ink cartridge is mixed with bubbles and supplied to the inkjet head, ejection failure may occur at the time of ink ejection, which may lead to deterioration of image quality due to non-ejection or flight bending. Therefore, a closed pouch container is used for the ink cartridge, and the pouch container is sealed after containing the degassed ink.

When the ink cartridge is loaded into the loading location of the inkjet recording device, the supply needle of the inkjet recording device is inserted into the spout (ink outlet) welded to the pouch container. Then, the ink of the ink cartridge is led out of the pouch container through the supply needle while maintaining the seal with respect to the outside of the pouch container. This prevents air bubbles from being mixed in the ink path and being supplied to the inkjet head.

However, when the ink is filled in the pouch container, air bubbles may adhere to the corners of the pouch container. In addition, air bubbles may be mixed into the ink when the spout is inserted into the supply needle. When such bubbles adhere to the corners of the spout, the bubbles of the spout are mixed with the ink through the supply needle of the inkjet recording device inserted in the spout and supplied to the inkjet head.

Therefore, it has been conventionally proposed that the supply needle of the inkjet recording device is inserted into the upper part of the spout of the ink cartridge in the vertical direction when the ink cartridge is loaded at the loading location of the inkjet recording device. According to this proposal, the ink in the ink cartridge is drawn after the air bubbles floating and accumulated in the upper part of the spout are led out of the pouch container before the ink through the supply needle inserted in the vertical upper part of the spout. Can be supplied to the inkjet head (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-182358

However, all the air bubbles stuck to the upper part of the spout cannot be removed by the ink supply operation through the supply needle, and some air bubbles remain on the upper part of the spout. If such air bubbles remain in the spout, ink flows in and out of the holes of the supply needle during printing and cleaning operations, and this flow causes the ink to adhere to the corners of the spout. The air bubbles separate from the spout and are led out of the pouch container together with the ink, which causes poor ink ejection.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently remove air bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the spout of the pouch container and air bubbles mixed in the pouch container from the spout when the ink cartridge is mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording device capable of suppressing air bubbles remaining in an ink lead-out member of an ink cartridge after mounting from being mixed with ink and being led out of the pouch container.

In achieving the above object, the present inventor, for example, even if the supply needle of the inkjet recording device is inserted into the upper part of the spout (ink derivation member) of the pouch container as in the conventional method, the ink derivation member Among the air bubbles stuck to the upper part, those existing above the opening of the supply needle were considered to be unable to be sufficiently led out of the pouch container through the supply needle. Therefore, we considered arranging the opening of the supply needle on the side surface instead of the tip so that it faces above the ink lead-out member.

FIG. 19A shows the positional relationship between the ink delivery member and the ink supply needle in the vertical direction when the ink supply needle of the inkjet recording device is inserted into the upper part of the ink delivery member of the ink cartridge with the side opening facing upward. A schematic cross-sectional view, FIG. 19B, is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the ink supply needle of FIG. 19A is inserted into the back of the ink lead-out member.

The ink supply needle 100 of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 19A has an opening 101 arranged on the side surface of the ink supply needle 100. Therefore, in order to lead the air bubbles A accumulated and stuck to the upper part of the ink lead-out member (spout) 110 provided in the pouch container of the ink cartridge to the outside of the pouch container through the ink supply needle 100, the opening 101 is opened in the vertical direction. The ink supply needle 100 is pierced upward in the vertical direction of the thin film 111 that closes the ink lead-out member 110. Then, as shown in FIG. 19B, the ink supply needle 100 is inserted into the back of the ink lead-out member 110 until the opening 101 is located inside the thin film 111.

In this state, when the air discharge operation of applying the load for guiding the ink in the pouch container to the outside of the ink supply needle 100 to the pouch container is performed for a predetermined period, the bubbles A accumulated and stuck to the upper part of the ink discharge member 110. Of these, the portion that comes into contact with the opening 101 and is exposed to the opening 101 flows into the ink supply needle 100 from the opening 101 and is led out of the pouch container.

However, the bubbles A accumulated in the portion of the upper portion of the ink out-drawing member 110 on the thin film 111 side of the opening 101 supply ink from the opening 101 even if a load is applied to the pouch container during the air discharge operation for a predetermined period. It does not flow into the needle 100, and as shown in FIG. 19C, remains stuck to the upper part of the ink lead-out member 110. If printing is started in this state, bubbles A will enter the ink supplied to the inkjet head. In consideration of this point, the present inventor has completed the present invention.

Then, in order to achieve the above object, the inkjet recording device according to the first aspect of the present invention (for example, the inkjet recording device 1 in FIG. 1) is
An ink cartridge (for example, the ink of FIG. 6) capable of ejecting ink from a pouch container filled with ink (for example, the pouch container 51 of FIG. 7) via an ink lead-out member (for example, the ink lead-out member 54 of FIG. 7). Cartridge mounting portions (for example, cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B in FIG. 1) on which the cartridge 50) is mounted, and
The ink lead-out member provided in the cartridge mounting portion and mounted in the cartridge mounting portion is horizontally inserted into the inside of the pouch container, and the ink in the pouch container is injected into an inkjet head (for example, the inkjet of FIG. 3). A hollow ink supply needle (for example, the ink supply needle 71 in FIG. 8) that is led out toward the head 41), and
The ink supply needle inserted into the pouch container is provided on the side of the ink supply needle and communicates with the hollow space in the ink supply needle (for example, the ink supply in FIG. 9A). A first angle (for example, FIG. 9) in which the opening 75) of the needle 71 is located above the center of the ink lead-out member in the vertical direction (for example, a position where the opening 75 is exposed to the bubble B in FIG. 9A). 9 (a), the rotation angle at which the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 faces upward in the vertical direction) and the second angle (the opening is located closer to the center in the vertical direction of the ink lead-out member than the relevant position). For example, with respect to the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 of FIG. 12A (rotation angle in which the opening 75 faces downward in the vertical direction), the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink delivery member (for example, FIG. A needle rotating unit (for example, the needle rotating portion 78 in FIG. 3) that rotates relative to the axis in the insertion direction X) of 1.
An ink derivation unit (for example, FIG. 5) that applies a load to the pouch container of the ink cartridge in which the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink derivation member to draw ink out of the pouch container through the ink supply needle. Ink supply unit 26) and
After the ink supply needle is pierced into the ink lead-out member at the first angle, the load is applied to the pouch by the ink lead-out unit before being rotated relative to the second angle by the needle rotation unit. A controller to be attached to the container (for example, control unit 6 in FIG. 1) and
To be equipped.

In the inkjet recording device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pouch container of the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion is swung like the inkjet recording device according to the modification of the present invention. A swing unit (for example, the tilt unit 80 of FIGS. 16A and 16B) for changing the tilt of the pouch container with respect to the insertion direction is further provided, and the controller is provided with the ink supply needle at the first angle. While the load is applied to the pouch container inserted into the ink lead-out member by the ink lead-out unit, the pouch container in the horizontal direction is shaken in an inclined direction in which the ink lead-out member is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction. It may be moved.

Further, the inkjet recording device according to the second aspect of the present invention is inserted into the inside of the pouch container in the inkjet recording device according to the first aspect of the present invention and the inkjet recording device according to the modified example of the present invention. A needle moving unit for moving the ink supply needle with respect to the ink delivery member in the insertion direction of the ink supply needle is further provided, and the front controller applies a load to the pouch container by the ink delivery unit. After that, while the ink supply needle is rotated relative to the first angle to the second angle by the needle rotation unit, or before or after the rotation, the ink supply needle is moved by the needle moving unit. It is moved relative to the ink lead-out member in the insertion direction of the ink supply needle.

According to the present invention, while efficiently removing air bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the ink lead-out member (spout) of the pouch container and air bubbles mixed in the pouch container from the spout when the ink cartridge is installed, the ink of the ink cartridge after installation is used. It is possible to prevent the bubbles remaining in the lead-out member from being mixed with the ink and being led out of the pouch container.

That is, according to the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a cartridge capable of ejecting ink from a pouch container filled with ink via an ink ejecting member is attached to the cartridge mounting portion, the ink cartridge The ink supply needle is inserted horizontally into the ink lead-out member (spout) of the pouch container. At this time, the ink supply needle is located at the first angle, and the side opening of the ink supply needle whose tip is sealed is at least located above the center in the vertical direction of the ink lead-out member. There is.

Therefore, if air bubbles adhering to the upper part of the ink lead-out member in the vertical direction or air bubbles mixed when the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink lead-out member are accumulated in the upper part of the ink lead-out member, the ink supply needle will move. At the first angle, the opening of the ink supply needle located at least above the center of the ink lead-out member in the vertical direction is exposed to, for example, air bubbles accumulated in the upper corner of the ink lead-out member. It will be easier.

Therefore, when a load is applied to the pouch container in which the ink supply needle of the first angle is inserted into the ink delivery member to guide the ink out of the pouch container through the ink supply needle, air bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the ink delivery member are applied. Is likely to flow into the ink supply needle from the opening. As a result, the number of bubbles in the upper part of the ink lead-out member is reduced, and the volume of the bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the ink-leading member is reduced.

Therefore, after the pouch container is loaded, the relative rotation of the ink supply needle with respect to the ink delivery member from the first angle to the second angle causes the ink delivery member to be above the center in the vertical direction at the first angle. At the second angle, the opening located at the position moves to a position closer to the center in the vertical direction of the ink lead-out member than the position at the first angle. As a result, the opening located above the center in the vertical direction from the air bubbles accumulated in the upper corner of the ink derivation member at the first angle is accumulated at the upper part of the ink derivation member at the second angle. Make sure to separate from the air bubbles.

Therefore, even if air bubbles remain in the upper corner of the ink derivation member, the opening of the ink supply needle after rotating from the first angle to the second angle is the air bubbles remaining in the upper corner of the ink derivation member. It is easy to be exposed to the ink in the pouch container located below. Therefore, when the ink supply needle rotates and is located at the second angle after the load is applied to the pouch container, compared with before the load is applied to the pouch container in which the ink supply needle is located at the first angle. This makes it easier for the ink in the pouch container to flow from the opening of the ink supply needle into the inside of the ink supply needle in a state where no air bubbles are mixed.

Then, the ink that has flowed into the ink supply needle passes through the ink supply needle while pushing the air bubbles that have previously flowed into the ink supply needle from the opening when the ink supply needle is located at the first angle. Derived out of the pouch container. The bubbles pushed by the ink and led out of the pouch container can be easily discharged to the outside on the ink path leading to the inkjet head or the inkjet head. Therefore, the air bubbles drawn out of the pouch container are not discharged to the outside and do not remain in the inkjet head or the ink path.

Therefore, when the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the air bubbles accumulated on the upper part of the ink lead-out member of the pouch container at the first stage can be led out of the pouch container through the ink supply needle at the first angle. it can. In addition, at the stage after the air bubbles are led out of the pouch container, the ink supply needle is rotated from the first angle to the second angle to keep the opening of the ink supply needle away from the air bubbles remaining on the upper part of the ink delivery member. Only ink that is not mixed with air bubbles can be taken out of the pouch container through the ink supply needle.

Therefore, while efficiently removing air bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the ink lead-out member of the pouch container and air bubbles mixed in the pouch container from the spout when the ink cartridge is mounted, the bubbles remain in the ink lead-out member of the ink cartridge after mounting. It is possible to prevent air bubbles from being mixed with the ink and being led out of the pouch container.

Further, according to the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink supply needle inserted into the ink lead-out member at the first angle is rotated relative to the pouch container by the needle rotation unit. When moved in two angles, the opening of the ink supply needle moves so as to approach the center of the ink lead-out member and separates from the inner wall of the ink lead-out member.

Therefore, even if air bubbles remain not only in the upper part of the ink delivery member but also in any corner of the ink delivery member in the rotation direction of the ink supply needle, the opening of the ink supply needle at the second angle is at the first angle. It is separated from the air bubbles remaining in the corners of the ink delivery member rather than the opening of the ink supply needle, and is easily exposed only to the ink existing in the ink delivery member. Therefore, after the ink supply needle is positioned at the first angle to guide the air bubbles at the corners of the ink delivery member to the outside of the pouch container, the ink supply needle is moved to the second angle to pass the pouch through the ink supply needle. It is possible to further prevent air bubbles from being mixed into the ink drawn out of the container.

According to the inkjet recording device according to the modified example of the present invention, in the inkjet recording device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink lead-out member at the first angle, and the ink supply needle is used. With the opening facing upward in the vertical direction, the horizontal pouch container is swung in the inclined direction so that the ink lead-out member is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction.

Therefore, the air bubbles in the pouch container are moved by buoyancy to the upper part of the ink lead-out member located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction, and the air bubbles in the ink supply needle are moved from the opening of the ink supply needle facing upward in the vertical direction. Can be easily flowed in, and the efficiency of drawing out air bubbles to the outside of the pouch container can be improved.

Further, according to the inkjet recording device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the inkjet recording device according to the first aspect of the present invention and the inkjet recording device according to the modified example of the present invention, the opening of the ink supply needle leads out ink. At the same time as, or before and after, the ink supply needle moves relative to the back of the pouch container with respect to the ink lead-out member so as to be separated from the corner of the member in the insertion direction, the ink supply needle moves into the pouch container. On the other hand, the ink supply needle rotates relatively and moves from the first angle to the second angle.

Therefore, the air bubbles in the upper part of the ink lead-out member are led out of the pouch container through the ink supply needle at the first angle to reduce the volume of the air bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the ink lead-out member, and then the ink is supplied at the first angle. With the needle as the second angle, the direction of the opening of the ink supply needle is changed from the upper part in the vertical direction where the air bubbles accumulated in the upper corner of the ink lead-out member easily flow in to the lower part in the vertical direction where the air bubbles do not easily flow in. Become. Further, at the same time or before or after this, the opening of the ink supply needle is further separated from the air bubbles of the ink lead-out member by the relative movement of the ink supply needle in the insertion direction with respect to the pouch container.

Therefore, the opening of the ink supply needle is surely kept away from the air bubbles remaining on the upper part of the ink lead-out member, and even if the air bubbles remain in the upper corner of the ink lead-out member, the air bubbles are mixed with the ink and pouched. It is possible to prevent it from being taken out of the container.

The opening of the ink supply needle means that ink or air bubbles can substantially flow in and out between the outside and the inside of the ink supply needle through this opening. Therefore, even if there is a through hole on the side of the ink supply needle that penetrates the side portion of the ink supply needle, the through hole is opened so that ink or air bubbles cannot flow in or out through the through hole. When the diameter is extremely small, the through hole does not correspond to the "opening of the ink supply needle" in the present invention. Further, even when most of the through holes (as a guide, 90% or more of the total opening area) are closed, the through holes do not correspond to the "opening of the ink supply needle" in the present invention.

It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the inkjet recording apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the main part of the shuttle unit of FIG. It is a control block diagram of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the nozzle surface of the inkjet head of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the ink supply part of FIG. It is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of FIG. It is a perspective view of the pouch container of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the cartridge joint part of FIG. (A) schematically shows a state in which the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink lead-out member of the ink cartridge which is inserted from the cartridge mounting port of FIG. 2 and reaches a position where it comes into contact with the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member at the mounting position. (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of (a). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure at the time of exchanging the out-of-ink ink cartridge in the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 1, and the operation performed with it. In (a), air bubbles in the ink delivery member are blown out of the pouch container through an ink supply needle inserted into the ink delivery member in contact with the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member located at the mounting position in FIG. 9A. A cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of being discharged into the above, (b) is a sectional view taken along line II-II of (a). (A) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the direction of the opening of the ink supply needle inserted into the ink lead-out member of the ink cartridge that has reached the position where it comes into contact with the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member at the use position, (b). ) Is a sectional view taken along line III-III of (a). (A) shows the ink when the ink lead-out member for inserting the ink supply needle into the upper end of the lead-out port of the ink lead-out member of FIG. 7 is in contact with the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member at the mounting position. A cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the direction of the opening of the supply needle, (b) also shows the opening of the ink supply needle when the ink lead-out member is in contact with the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member at the use position. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the direction of. In (a), ink is supplied when the ink lead-out member is in contact with the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member at the mounting position when an opening is formed through the ink supply needle of FIG. 8 in the radial direction. A cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the direction of the opening of the needle, (b) shows the opening of the ink supply needle when the ink lead-out member is in contact with the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member at the use position. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of an orientation schematically. It is explanatory drawing which shows the bubble which moves in the pouch container when the pouch container of FIG. 7 is tilted. The configuration of the tilting unit that tilts the ink cartridge to the state shown in FIG. 15 is schematically shown. FIG. 15A is an explanatory view showing a state in which the ink cartridge is in the horizontal position, and FIG. 15B is a state in which the ink cartridge is also tilted. It is explanatory drawing which shows. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure at the time of exchanging the ink cartridge out of ink by using the tilting unit of the ink cartridge in the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 1, and the operation performed with it. FIG. 9A shows an opening at the second angle of the ink supply needle inserted into the ink delivery member of the ink cartridge that has reached the position where it abuts on the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member located at the mounting position of FIG. 9A. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the orientation of, and FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of (a). (A) schematically describes the positional relationship between the ink delivery member and the ink supply needle in the vertical direction when the ink supply needle of the inkjet recording device is inserted into the upper part of the ink delivery member of the ink cartridge with the side opening facing upward. The cross-sectional view shown, (b) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the ink supply needle of (a) is inserted into the back of the ink delivery member, and (c) is an ink lead-out through the opening of the ink supply needle of (b). It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state which the air bubble in a member was discharged to the outside of a pouch container.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and differ from the actual ones. In addition, it goes without saying that the drawings include parts having different dimensional relationships and ratios from each other.

In addition, the embodiments shown below exemplify devices and the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. The technical idea of the present invention does not specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of each component to the following. The technical idea of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the shuttle unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the inkjet recording device of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the nozzle surface of the inkjet head of FIG. In the following description, the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1 are defined as the up / down direction, the left / right direction, and the front / back direction, respectively.

(Overall configuration of inkjet recording device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording device 1 includes a shuttle base unit 2, a flatbed unit 3, a shuttle unit 4, a storage unit 5, and a control unit 6.

The shuttle base unit 2 supports the shuttle unit 4 and moves the shuttle unit 4 in the front-rear direction (secondary scanning direction). The shuttle base unit 2 includes a gantry portion 11 and a sub-scanning drive motor 12 (see FIG. 3).

The gantry portion 11 supports the shuttle unit 4. The gantry portion 11 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. Sub-scanning drive guides 13A and 13B extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the left and right frames of the gantry portion 11, respectively. The sub-scanning drive guides 13A and 13B guide the shuttle unit 4 that moves in the front-rear direction.

The sub-scanning drive motor 12 shown in FIG. 3 is a sub-scanning drive unit that moves the inkjet head 41 shown in FIG. 2 relative to the print medium 15 on the flatbed unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 in the sub-scanning direction. Specifically, the sub-scanning drive motor 12 of FIG. 3 moves the shuttle unit 4 of FIG. 1 in the front-rear direction.

The flatbed unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 holds a print medium 15 made of a building material or the like. The flatbed unit 3 is arranged inside the gantry portion 11 of the shuttle base unit 2 (a space surrounded by a frame). The flatbed unit 3 has a medium mounting surface 3a which is a horizontal plane on which the printing medium 15 is mounted. In the flatbed unit 3, the height of the medium mounting surface 3a can be adjusted by an elevating mechanism (not shown) including a hydraulic drive mechanism or the like.

The shuttle unit 4 prints an image on the print medium 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the shuttle unit 4 includes a housing 21, a main scanning drive unit 22, a main scanning moving table 23, a head unit 24, cartridge mounting units 25A and 25B, and an ink supply unit 26. Be prepared.

The housing 21 holds each part such as the head unit 24. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 21 is formed in a gate shape straddling the flatbed unit 3 in the left-right direction. The left and right legs 27A and 27B of the housing 21 are supported by the gantry 11 of the shuttle base unit 2 and can move along the sub-scanning drive guides 13A and 13B. The horizontal portion 28 between the legs 27A and 27B of the housing 21 is open on the lower side in order to eject ink from the head unit 24 to the print medium 15.

The main scanning drive unit 22 shown in FIG. 2 moves the main scanning moving table 23 in the left-right direction in order to move the head unit 24 in the left-right direction (main scanning direction). The main scanning drive unit 22 includes a drive belt 31, a pair of pulleys 32A and 32B, a main scanning drive motor 33, and a main scanning drive guide 34.

The drive belt 31 moves the main scanning movement table 23 by moving around. The drive belt 31 is hung between the pulleys 32A and 32B.

The pulleys 32A and 32B support the drive belt 31 and orbit the drive belt 31. The pulleys 32A and 32B are rotatably supported on the rear wall of the housing 21. The pulleys 32A and 32B are arranged at the same height so as to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. The pulley 32B is connected to the output shaft of the main scanning drive motor 33, and transmits the rotational driving force of the main scanning drive motor 33 to the drive belt 31.

The main scanning drive motor 33 rotates (forward rotation, reverse rotation) the pulley 32B to orbit the drive belt 31. The main scanning drive guide 34 guides the main scanning moving table 23 so as to move along the left-right direction. The main scanning drive guide 34 is formed in a long shape extending in the left-right direction. The main scanning drive guide 34 is installed on the rear wall of the housing 21.

The main scanning moving table 23 is a table on which the head unit 24 is mounted. The main scanning movement table 23 is fixed to the drive belt 31 and moves in the left-right direction along the main scanning drive guide 34 by the orbital movement of the drive belt 31.

The head unit 24 includes four inkjet heads 41. While moving in the left-right direction, the head unit 24 ejects ink to the printing medium 15 to print an image. The head unit 24 is mounted on the main scanning moving table 23 and moves in the left-right direction together with the main scanning moving table 23.

The four inkjet heads 41 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the inkjet head 41 has a plurality of nozzles 43 arranged along the sub-scanning direction, which are open to the nozzle surface 41a on the lower surface thereof, and ejects ink from the nozzles 43 to the printing medium 15. To do. The four inkjet heads 41 eject inks of different colors (for example, cyan, black, magenta, and yellow).

The inkjet head 41 is moved in the main scanning direction by the main scanning drive motor 33 of FIG. 3, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 43 to the printing medium 15 to print one pass, and the sub-scan drive of FIG. An image is printed on the print medium 15 of FIG. 1 by alternately repeating the operation of moving the inkjet head 41 relative to the sub-scanning direction by the motor 12.

The cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B are provided on the left and right leg portions 27A and 27B of the housing 21, respectively. Each of the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B includes a cartridge mounting port 29 and a cartridge joint portion 70.

Four cartridge mounting ports 29 are formed in each of the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B. An ink cartridge 50, which will be described later, is mounted on each cartridge mounting port 29. A cartridge joint portion 70 is connected to the ink cartridge 50 mounted in the cartridge mounting port 29. The cartridge joint portion 70 will be described later.

The ink supply unit 26 is provided in the cartridge mounting units 25A and 25B, respectively. The ink supply units 26 of the cartridge mounting units 25A and 25B supply ink from the ink cartridges 50 of each color mounted in the cartridge mounting port 29 to the inkjet head 41 of the corresponding color. As shown in FIG. 5, the ink supply unit 26 includes an exhaust path 59, a cartridge side path 61, a direct path 62, a head side path 63, a branch path 64 bypassing the direct path 62, and a pump 69. Be prepared. The exhaust path 59, the cartridge side path 61, the direct path 62, the head side path 63, and the branch path 64 are made of tubes.

The cartridge-side path 61 is a path between the ink cartridge 50 and the branch points of the exhaust path 59, the direct path 62, and the branch path 64. The upstream end of the cartridge side path 61 is connected to the ink cartridge 50 via the cartridge joint portion 70 described later, and the downstream end of the cartridge side path 61 is the upstream end of the exhaust path 59 and the direct path via the branch joint portion 65. It is connected to the upstream end of 62 and the upstream end of the branch path 64. The branch joint portion 65 is arranged at a branch point of the direct route 62 and the branch route 64.

The direct route 62 is a route on the ink supply unit 26 between the branch point of the branch route 64 and the confluence point where the branch route 64 merges with the direct route 62 on the downstream side of the branch point. The upstream end of the direct path 62 is connected to the downstream end of the cartridge side path 61 and the upstream end of the branch path 64 via the branch joint portion 65. The downstream end of the direct path 62 is connected to the upstream end of the head side path 63 and the downstream end of the branch path 64 via the merging joint portion 66. The merging joint portion 66 is arranged at the merging point of the direct route 62 and the branching route 64.

The head-side route 63 is a route between the confluence of the direct route 62 and the branch route 64 and the inkjet head 41. The upstream end of the head-side path 63 is connected to the downstream end of the direct path 62 and the downstream end of the branch path 64 via the merging joint portion 66. The downstream end of the head-side path 63 is connected to the inkjet head 41 via the head joint portion 28. An on-off valve 67 is arranged on the head-side path 63. The on-off valve 67 opens and closes the flow path of the fluid in the head-side path 63. The head-side path 63 is longer than the total length of the cartridge-side path 61 and the direct path 62.

A direct valve 68 is arranged in the direct path 62 to open and close the flow path of the fluid (ink, air bubbles) in the direct path 62.

The branch path 64 is a path for installing the pump 69. One end (upstream end) of the branch path 64 is connected to the downstream end of the cartridge side path 61 and the upstream end of the direct path 62 via the branch joint portion 65. The other end (downstream end) of the branch path 64 is connected to the downstream end of the direct path 62 and the upstream end of the head side path 63 via the merging joint portion 66.

The pump 69 sends ink from the ink cartridge 50 to the inkjet head 41. The pump 69 is arranged in the branch path 64. The pump 69 comprises a tube pump.

Here, the branch path 64 is provided and the pump 69 is arranged on the ink path in order to generate an appropriate negative pressure in the nozzle of the inkjet head 41 due to the head difference between the inkjet head 41 and the ink cartridge 50. This is to prevent the pump 69 from being placed in.

The exhaust path 59 is a path for discharging the bubbles led out from the ink cartridge 50 to the cartridge side path 61 by the bubble discharging operation described later to the atmosphere without flowing into the direct path 62 and the branch path 64. Therefore, the exhaust path 59 extends upward from the branch joint portion 65 in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the direct path 62 and the branch path 64 are extended so as not to be located at least above the branch joint portion 65 in the vertical direction.

A filter portion 60A for preventing foreign matter from entering the exhaust path 59 from the atmospheric side is provided at the downstream end of the exhaust path 59, and an on-off valve 60B is arranged in the middle of the exhaust path 59.

When the ink supply unit 26 starts using the inkjet head 41, an initial filling operation of filling the inkjet head 41 with ink is performed. At the start of the initial filling operation, the on-off valve 60B and the direct valve 68 are closed, and the pump 69 is driven with the on-off valve 67 open. As a result, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 50 to the cartridge side path 61, and the ink flows toward the inkjet head 41 via the branch path 64 and the head side path 63.

When the ink is filled halfway through the head-side path 63, the direct valve 68 is opened and the on-off valve 67 is closed. The on-off valve 60B remains closed. At this time, there is air in the direct path 62. When the direct valve 68 is opened and the on-off valve 67 is closed while the on-off valve 60B is closed, ink flows into the direct path 62 from the downstream side, and air moves from the upstream side of the direct path 62 to the branch path 64. To do. After that, the direct valve 68 is closed and the on-off valve 67 is opened. As a result, air is sent from the branch path 64 to the head side path 63 on the downstream side of the merging joint portion 66.

By repeating the opening / closing operation of the direct valve 68 and the on-off valve 67 a plurality of times, the air in the direct path 62 is sent to the head-side path 63 on the downstream side of the merging joint portion 27. Then, the direct valve 68 is closed and the on-off valve 67 is opened, and the pump 69 is continuously driven to fill the inkjet head 41 with ink. At this time, the air originally in the direct path 62 is sent to the inkjet head 41 together with the ink and discharged from the nozzle. As a result, the initial filling operation of ink is completed, and ink is applied to the portion upstream of the on-off valve 60B of the exhaust path 59, the cartridge side path 61, the direct path 62, the head side path 63, and the branch path 64. It is filled.

Further, in the ink supply unit 26, when the ink cartridge 50 that has run out of ink is replaced, a bubble discharge operation is performed in which the bubbles in the replaced ink cartridge 50 are led out to the cartridge side path 61. At the start of the bubble discharge operation, the on-off valve 60B and the direct valve 68 are closed, and the ink of the capacity corresponding to the length L of the cartridge side path 61 is led out from the ink cartridge 50 by the pump 69. As a result, the ink originally filled in the cartridge side path 61 flows into the branch path 64, and the ink of the replaced ink cartridge 50 is led out to the cartridge side path 61.

Therefore, the bubbles accumulated in the outlet 57 (see FIG. 7) of the ink outlet member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 after replacement are mixed with the ink and led out to the cartridge side path 61. Subsequently, the on-off valve 60B is opened for a certain period of time with the direct valve 68 closed. During this fixed time, the bubbles led out to the cartridge side path 61 together with the ink reach the branch joint portion 65 due to the flow of the ink and its own buoyancy, and further, the ink in the exhaust path 59 floats up to the on-off valve 60B side. It may be enough time. The length of this fixed time can be determined, for example, by experiment. After a lapse of a certain period of time, the on-off valve 60B is closed with the direct valve 68 closed, and the bubble discharge operation is completed.

As a result, until all the ink in the ink supply unit 26 is replaced with the ink derived from the ink cartridge 50 after replacement, the ink is drawn out from the ink cartridge 50 and the ink originally filled in the ink supply unit 26 is discharged to the ink jet head. Bubbles mixed in the ink drawn out from the replaced ink cartridge 50 can be discharged to the atmosphere from the filter unit 60A of the discharge path 59 without discharging a large amount from the nozzle 41. Therefore, the bubble discharge operation can be performed with reduced waste of ink.

The storage unit 5 shown in FIG. 1 stores programs, data, and the like necessary for control performed by the control unit 6.

The control unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the operation of each unit of the inkjet recording device 1. The control unit 6 is built in the inkjet recording device 1. Alternatively, the control unit 6 can be realized by a dedicated control device such as a personal computer or a programmable logic controller (PLC) connected to the outside. Specifically, the CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. It is configured to have a communication function as needed.

The control unit 6 uses the main scanning drive motor 33 to move the inkjet head 41 in the main scanning direction while ejecting ink from the nozzle 43 to the printing medium 15 to print one pass, and the sub-scanning drive motor 12. The main scanning drive motor 33, the sub-scanning drive motor 12, and the inkjet head 41 are moved so as to print an image on the printing medium 15 by alternately repeating the operation of moving the inkjet head 41 and the printing medium 15 relative to each other in the sub-scanning direction. Control.

Further, the control unit 6 controls the operations of the on-off valve 67, the direct valve 68, and the pump 69 during the initial filling operation of the ink. In the initial filling operation of the ink, the initial filling menu is selected by the input operation from the operation panel 7 shown in FIG. 3, and the cartridge mounting port 29 in FIG. 2 is subjected to the detection result of the cartridge sensor 76 described later in the cartridge joint portion 70. This is executed when the mounting of the ink cartridge 50 is determined.

Further, the control unit 6 controls the bubble discharge operation in the ink cartridge 50 after the replacement, which is executed when the ink cartridge 50 is replaced due to the ink running out. In the bubble discharge operation, the period required to pump the ink of the ink cartridge 50 to the branch joint portion 65 where the exhaust path 59, the direct path 62, and the branch path 64 branch, that is, the length L of the cartridge side path 61. The pump 69 is operated for a time required to draw out the ink of the corresponding capacity from the replaced ink cartridge 50. As a result, the bubbles in the ink accumulated in the ink lead-out member 54 are moved together with the ink to the filter portion 60A of the exhaust path 59 and discharged to the outside.

(Ink cartridge configuration)
Next, the ink cartridge 50 mounted on the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pouch container of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 50 includes a pouch container 51 and a cartridge case 52.

(Cartridge case)
The cartridge case 52 is a rectangular hollow box body having an end face 53 having a size corresponding to the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2, and has rigidity capable of maintaining a rectangular outer shape. Inside the cartridge case 52, a pouch container 51 in which ink is sealed is housed. The cartridge case 52 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2 from one end surface 53 side. A fitting hole 55 is formed in one end surface 53. Guide holes 56 are formed on both sides of the fitting hole 55 on the end surface 53.

The ink lead-out member (spout) 54 of the pouch container 51 fitted from the inside of the cartridge case 52 is exposed in the fitting hole 55. Further, each guide hole 56 is formed along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50 from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2 to the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B.

(Pouch container)
As shown in FIG. 7, the pouch container 51 is formed in a bag shape with a gusset having a size that can be accommodated in the cartridge case 52 by heat welding between the edges of the flexible film. An ink out-drawing member (spout) 54 is attached to one side of the pouch container 51. The ink lead-out member 54 is fitted into the fitting hole 55 of the end surface 53 of the cartridge case 52 of FIG.

The ink lead-out member 54 is a tubular resin molded product having a lead-out port 57 that communicates the inside and the outside of the pouch container 51. The ink lead-out member 54 has a rigidity that ensures the lead-out port 57 regardless of the expansion and contraction of the pouch container 51. The outlet 57 is sealed by a thin film 58 made of an elastic material.

(Composition of cartridge joint)
Subsequently, the configuration of the cartridge joint portions 70 of the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B for connecting the ink cartridge 50 of FIG. 6 to the cartridge side path 61 of the ink supply portion 26 of FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the cartridge joint portion 70 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge joint portion 70 is provided at the innermost part of the space in the legs 27A and 27B into which the ink cartridge 50 is inserted from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. The cartridge joint portion 70 includes an ink supply needle 71, a guide pin 72, an insertion depth regulating member 73, and a needle insertion / extraction unit 74.

(Ink supply needle)
The ink supply needle 71 is projected along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50 on the innermost surface (protruding surface) 27C of the space in which the ink cartridge 50 is inserted in the legs 27A and 27B. .. The ink supply needle 71 is inserted into the thin film 58 at the upper portion of the ink cartridge 50 mounted on the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2 in the vertical direction of the outlet 57 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 (a) shows FIG. 8 with respect to the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 which has been inserted from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 9 (b) is an explanatory view schematically showing the insertion state of the ink supply needle 71 of FIG. 9 (a), and is a sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 9 (a).

As shown in FIG. 9A, the ink supply needle 71 is a hollow needle whose tip is sealed. An opening 75 that communicates with the inside of the ink supply needle 71 is provided on the side of the ink supply needle 71 near the tip. In the cartridge joint portion 70 of FIG. 8, the ink supply needle 71 inserts the ink cartridge 50 into the innermost surface (protruding surface) 27C of the space in which the ink cartridge 50 is inserted in the legs 27A and 27B. It is rotatably supported around direction X.

(guide pin)
The guide pins 72 are projected on both sides of the projecting surfaces 27C in the legs 27A and 27B with the ink supply needle 71 sandwiched, along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50. Each guide pin 72 is longer than the ink supply needle 71. Each of the guide pins 72 of the ink cartridge 50 of FIG. 6 is inserted from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2 before the ink supply needle 71 is inserted into the thin film 58 of the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50. Each is inserted into the guide hole 56. Each guide pin 72 guides the ink cartridge 50 inserted from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2 so as to move in the insertion direction X.

(Insert depth regulating member)
The insertion depth regulating member 73 of FIG. 8 has an annular contact surface 73a arranged around the ink supply needle 71, and is inserted into the contact surface 73a from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. The ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the insertion depth regulating member 73 is separated from the protruding surface 27C of the ink supply needle 71 and the guide pin 72 along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50 with respect to the protruding surface 27C. It is configured to be movable between the mounting position and the used position close to the projecting surface 27C. Further, the insertion depth regulating member 73 is urged from the use position to the mounting position by an urging member (not shown).

When the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 inserted from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2 comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position with respect to the projecting surface 27C of FIG. , The ink cartridge 50 is in a state of being mounted in the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. In this state, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the ink lead-out member 54 is located immediately inside the thin film 58, as shown in FIG. 9A.

Further, with respect to the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 of FIG. 6 mounted on the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2, the needle moving portion 79 (see FIG. 3) of the needle insertion / extraction unit 74 described later is the ink of FIG. When the supply needle 71 is moved to the ink lead-out member 54 side, the insertion depth regulating member 73 whose contact surface 73a is pushed by the ink lead-out member 54 moves from the mounting position to the use position with respect to the projecting surface 27C. Stop. Then, the position of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 moves from the position shown in FIG. 9A to a position further back in the thin film 58. ..

(Needle insertion / removal unit)
The needle insertion / removal unit 74 of FIG. 8 includes a cartridge sensor 76 shown in FIG. 3, a lock mechanism portion 77, a needle rotation portion 78, and a needle moving portion 79.

(Cartridge sensor)
The cartridge sensor 76 derives ink from the ink cartridge 50 in which the ink out-drawing member 54 abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position and the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the use position. The ink cartridge 50 with which the member 54 is in contact is detected.

The cartridge sensor 76 may detect the ink cartridge 50 in which the ink lead-out member 54 abuts on the contact surface 73a at the mounting position and the usage position of the insertion depth regulating member 73, and may be, for example, a limit switch or the like. Non-contact sensors such as mechanical switches, optical sensors, and ultrasonic sensors can be used.

(Lock mechanism)
The lock mechanism unit 77 restricts (locks) and releases (unlocks) the movement of the insertion depth regulating member 73 in the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50 at the mounting position. The lock mechanism portion 77 can be configured by using, for example, a solenoid that causes a stopper to appear and disappear in the movement path of the insertion depth regulating member 73 from the mounting position to the used position.

In this case, the control unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 determines the detection result by the cartridge sensor 76 of the ink cartridge 50 in which the ink lead-out member 54 abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position, and the initial stage of ink. The movement restriction (lock) and release (unlock) of the movement by the lock mechanism 77 of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position are controlled according to the control result at the time of filling.

(Needle rotation part)
In the needle rotating portion 78 of FIG. 3, the ink cartridge 50 of FIG. 6 inserted from the cartridge mounting port 29 of FIG. 2 comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. The ink supply needle 71 of FIG. 8 is rotated at the same time as or before and after moving from the position to the position where the ink lead-out member 54 abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the use position. .. By rotating the ink supply needle 71 by the needle rotating portion 78, the direction of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 can be changed.

The needle rotating portion 78 of FIG. 3 may be configured to use a drive source such as a motor, and converts the movement between the mounting position and the used position of the insertion depth regulating member 73 into a rotary motion to form the ink supply needle 71. It is also possible to have a mechanical configuration using a power transmission mechanism for transmission.

(Needle moving part)
The needle moving portion 79 of FIG. 3 approaches and separates from the ink cartridge 50 in which the cartridge sensor 76 detects that the ink lead-out member 54 has come into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. As such, the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 is moved along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50.

Here, the movable elements of the cartridge joint portion 70 are arranged on the back side of the ink supply needle 71 and the guide pin 72 of FIG. 8, their protruding surfaces 27C, and the protruding surfaces 27C in the legs 27A and 27B. The needle rotating portion 78 (see FIG. 3) of the needle rotating unit 74 is included. The movement of the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 by the needle moving portion 79 of FIG. 3 is performed by the control of the control unit 6 based on the input operation from the operation panel 7.

When the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 moves so as to approach the ink cartridge 50, the insertion depth regulating member 73 of FIG. 8 which is not included in the movable element is the ink derivation member 54 which is in contact with the contact surface 73a. The ink supply needle 71 and the guide pin 72 are pushed to the back side of the protruding surface 27C. As a result, the insertion depth regulating member 73 moves from the mounting position to the used position.

Further, when the movable element of the cartridge joint 70 moves away from the ink cartridge 50, the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the use position keeps the contact surface 73a in contact with the ink out-drawing member 54. , The ink supply needle 71 and the guide pin 72 project from the protruding surface 27C due to the urging force of the urging member (not shown). As a result, the insertion depth regulating member 73 moves from the used position to the mounting position.

When the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 moves, the ink cartridge 50 is positioned in the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50 so that the ink lead-out member 54 does not separate from the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73. Is fixed.

When the needle rotating portion 78 and the needle moving portion 79 of the needle insertion / removal unit 74 described above are configured by using a drive source such as a motor, the control unit 6 is placed on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. The operation of the drive source of the needle insertion / removal unit 74 is controlled according to the detection result by the cartridge sensor 76 of the ink cartridge 50 with which the ink lead-out member 54 is in contact, the control result at the time of initial filling of ink, and the like.

(Ink cartridge replacement procedure)
Next, the procedure for replacing the out-of-ink ink cartridge 50 and the operation executed by the control of the control unit 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the control unit 6 moves the movable element of the cartridge joint unit 70 by the needle moving unit 79 so as to be separated from the ink cartridge 50 out of ink. As a result, the insertion depth regulating member 73 moves from the used position to the mounting position, and the mounting state of the out-of-ink ink cartridge 50 with respect to the cartridge mounting port 29 is released. Therefore, the user pulls out the out-of-ink ink cartridge 50 from the cartridge mounting port 29 and takes it out (step S1). Then, when the cartridge sensor 76 detects that the out-of-ink ink cartridge 50 is separated from the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position, the lock mechanism unit 77 is inserted into the insertion depth under the control of the control unit 6. The restricting member 73 is locked at the mounting position.

Next, the user inserts the new ink cartridge 50 into the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B from the cartridge mounting port 29 (step S3). The ink lead-out member 54 of the inserted ink cartridge 50 comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 locked at the mounting position to reach the mounting position.

By the time the ink lead-out member 54 reaches the mounting position, the guide pin 72 of the cartridge joint portion 70 is first inserted into the guide hole 56, and then the ink supply needle 71 of the cartridge joint portion 70 is inserted into the ink lead-out member. It is inserted into the thin film 58 at the upper part of the outlet 57 of 54. At this time, the ink supply needle 71 has a rotation angle (first angle) at which the opening 75 faces upward in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the thin film 58 reaches immediately inside the thin film 58. At this time, since the ink supply needle 71 is inserted into the thin film 58 at the upper part of the outlet 57, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 is exposed to the bubbles B that have floated and accumulated in the upper corner of the ink discharge member 54. It becomes easier to do.

When the ink cartridge 50 is inserted into the cartridge mounting port 29 to a position where the ink lead-out member 54 abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position, the insertion depth regulating member 73 is locked at the mounting position. Therefore, the ink cartridge 50 is restricted from further insertion and stops. When the cartridge sensor 76 detects the stopped ink cartridge 50, as shown in FIG. 10, the above-mentioned bubble discharge operation is executed under the control of the control unit 6 (step S5).

11 (a) shows an ink out-drawing member through an ink supply needle 71 inserted into an ink out-leading member 54 that abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 located at the mounting position of FIG. 9 (a). FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the bubbles B in the 54 are discharged to the outside of the pouch container 51, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 11A.

When the bubble discharge operation is executed, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the bubbles B accumulated immediately inside the thin film 58 of the ink lead-out member 54 are supplied with ink from the opening 75 by the power of the pump 69. It flows into the inside of the needle 71 and is led out to the cartridge side path 61 of the ink supply unit 26 of FIG. The bubble B led out to the cartridge side path 61 is sent to the filter section 60A of the exhaust path 59 via the branch joint portion 65 and the on-off valve 60B. Then, it is discharged into the atmosphere from the filter unit 60A.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the bubble discharge operation in step S5 is completed, the lock mechanism unit 77 releases the lock at the mounting position of the insertion depth regulating member 73 under the control of the control unit 6. Therefore, the insertion depth regulating member 73 pushed by the ink lead-out member 54 in contact with the contact surface 73a retracts to the back side of the protruding surface 27C of the ink supply needle 71 and the guide pin 72 to move from the mounting position to the used position. Under the control of the control unit 6, the needle moving unit 79 moves the movable element of the cartridge joint unit 70 along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50 until it moves. Then, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the thin film 58 of the ink out-drawing member 54 moves away from the thin film 58 to the back side of the ink out-drawing member 54.

When the needle moving portion 79 moves the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50, the needle rotating portion 78 rotates the ink supply needle 71 by 180 ° under the control of the control unit 6 (above). , Step S7). The rotation of the ink supply needle 71 by the needle rotating portion 78 may be performed before or after the needle moving portion 79 moves the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50, and the needle moving portion 79 may be performed. This may be performed at the same time as the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 is moved by the above method. In the present embodiment, the ink supply needle 71 is rotated by the needle rotating portion 78 at the same time as the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 is moved by the needle moving portion 79.

FIG. 12A is a cross section schematically showing the direction of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 that has reached the position of contacting the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the use position. FIG. 12 (b) is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 12 (a).

When the ink supply needle 71 is rotated by 180 °, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the ink supply needle 71 has a rotation angle at which the opening 75 faces downward in the vertical direction (second angle). As a result, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 does not face the bubble B side remaining immediately inside the thin film 58 of the ink lead-out member 54 after the bubble discharge operation. Further, as shown in FIG. 12A, the ink supply needle 71 moves to the back side of the ink lead-out member 54, and the position of the opening 75 is separated from the bubble B remaining immediately inside the thin film 58. Therefore, the bubbles B are less likely to flow into the ink supply needle 71 from the opening 75.

After the above procedure and operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the state of waiting for the execution of the printing process accompanying the input of the print job is set (step S9), and the replacement of the ink cartridge 50 out of ink is completed.

The position where the ink supply needle 71 of the cartridge joint portion 70 is inserted may be the upper end portion of the outlet 57 of the ink outlet member 54. By doing so, it is possible to more efficiently discharge the bubbles B floating and accumulated in the upper corner of the ink out-drawing member 54 to the outside of the pouch container 51 during the bubble discharge operation.

FIG. 13A shows that the ink out-drawing member 54 hits the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position when the ink supply needle 71 is inserted into the upper end of the out-out port 57 of the ink out-out member 54. FIG. 13B, a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the orientation of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 when the ink supply needle 71 is in contact with the ink supply needle 71, shows the contact of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the position where the ink lead-out member 54 is used. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the direction of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 when the ink supply needle 71 is in contact with the contact surface 73a.

When the ink supply needle 71 is inserted into the upper end of the outlet 57 of the ink lead-out member 54, the ink lead-out member 54 comes into contact with the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position, as shown in FIG. 13 (a). The ink supply needle 71 when it is in contact with the surface 73a may be a rotation angle (first angle) in which the direction of the opening 75 is the horizontal direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the opening 75 from being blocked by the inner peripheral wall of the outlet 57 and making it difficult for the bubble B to flow into the ink supply needle 71. In this case as well, the ink supply needle 71 when the ink lead-out member 54 is in the position where it comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the use position has an opening 75 as shown in FIG. 13B. It can be a rotation angle (second angle) whose direction is downward in the vertical direction.

The opening of the ink supply needle described as an element of the invention in the claims allows substantially the inflow and outflow of ink or air bubbles between the outside and the inside of the ink supply needle through the opening. Refers to things. Therefore, in each of the embodiments described above, the opening 75 provided in the ink supply needle 71 corresponds to the opening of the ink supply needle within the scope of the claims at both the first angle and the second angle of the ink supply needle 71. To do.

Further, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 may be formed so as to penetrate the ink supply needle 71 in the radial direction.

FIG. 14A shows the contact surface of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position when the ink lead-out member 54 is formed so as to penetrate the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 in the radial direction of the ink supply needle 71. FIG. 14 (b), a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the direction of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 when the ink supply needle 71 is in contact with the 73a, shows the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the position where the ink lead-out member 54 is used. It is sectional drawing which shows typically an example of the direction of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 at the position of contact with the contact surface 73a.

When the opening 75 is formed in the ink supply needle 71 so as to penetrate the ink supply needle 71 in the radial direction, as shown in FIG. 14A, the ink lead-out member 54 is the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. The ink supply needle 71 when it is in contact with the contact surface 73a may be set to a rotation angle (first angle) in which the direction of the opening 75 is the horizontal direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, the direction of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 when the ink lead-out member 54 is in a position where it comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the use position is It can be a rotation angle (second angle) that is upward and downward in the vertical direction.

In this case, since the opening 75 above in the vertical direction is almost closed by the inner peripheral wall of the outlet 57, the opening 75 communicating with the inside of the ink supply needle 71 is substantially only the opening 75 below in the vertical direction. .. Therefore, it can be roughly avoided that the bubbles B remaining immediately inside the thin film 58 of the ink lead-out member 54 after the bubble discharge operation flow into the inside of the ink supply needle 71 from the opening 75 above in the vertical direction.

The opening of the ink supply needle described as an element of the invention in the claims allows substantially the inflow and outflow of ink or air bubbles between the outside and the inside of the ink supply needle through the opening. Refers to things. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14B, the opening 75 vertically above the ink supply needle 71 at the second angle, which is almost blocked by the inner peripheral wall of the outlet 57, is the opening of the ink supply needle within the scope of the claims. Does not apply to.

However, the opening 75 corresponds to the opening of the ink supply needle within the scope of the claims at the first angle of the ink supply needle 71 shown in FIG. 14 (a). At the first angle of the ink supply needle 71, the opening 75 is separated from the inner peripheral wall of the outlet 57, and ink or air bubbles can substantially flow in and out of the ink supply needle 71 between the outside and the inside through the opening 75. This is because it is possible.

By the way, the opening 75 corresponding to the opening of the ink supply needle in the claims, which enables the inflow and outflow of ink or air bubbles between the outside and the inside of the ink supply needle 71, is the ink or air bubbles. Except for those whose opening diameter is extremely small so that it is practically impossible to pass through, a part of the opening 75 (as a guide, 10% or more of the total opening area) is opened without being blocked. Can be.

According to the inkjet recording device 1 of the present embodiment described above, when the ink cartridge 50 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B, the thin film 58 that seals the ink lead-out member 54 of the pouch container 51 of the ink cartridge 50. An ink supply needle 71 having a first angle with the opening 75 facing upward in the vertical direction is inserted in the upper portion in the horizontal direction.

Therefore, when air bubbles B are accumulated in the upper part of the ink out-drawing member 54 in the vertical direction, they are pierced into the thin film 58 of the ink out-drawing member 54 that is in contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. When the ink supply needle 71 is at the first angle, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 faces upward in the vertical direction and is easily exposed to the bubbles B accumulated in the ink lead-out member 54. Therefore, when the bubble discharge operation is performed and the ink of the pouch container 51 is led out of the pouch container 51 through the ink supply needle 71 by the pump 69, the bubbles B accumulated in the upper part of the ink lead-out member 54 are ink from the opening 75. It becomes easy to flow into the supply needle 71. As a result, the number of bubbles B in the upper part of the ink out-licensing member 54 is reduced, and the volume of the bubbles B accumulated in the upper part of the ink out-licensing member 54 is reduced.

Therefore, after the bubble discharge operation, when the ink supply needle 71 moves from the first angle to the second angle by rotating 180 ° and the direction of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 changes downward in the vertical direction, the ink is supplied. The opening 75 of the needle 71 is surely separated from the air bubbles B accumulated in the upper part of the ink lead-out member 54.

Therefore, even if the air bubbles B remain in the upper corner of the ink lead-out member 54, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 after rotating from the first angle to the second angle is the upper corner of the ink lead-out member 54. It is more likely to be exposed to the ink in the pouch container 51 than the air bubbles B remaining in the portion. Therefore, the ink of the pouch container 51 in which the ink supply needle 71 is located at the first angle is led out of the pouch container 51 by the bubble discharging operation rather than before being led out of the pouch container 51 in the bubble discharging operation. When the ink supply needle 71 is rotated and is located at the second angle after the ink supply needle 71 is used, the ink in the pouch container 51 is mixed with bubbles B from the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 to the inside of the ink supply needle 71. It becomes easy to flow in without.

Then, the ink that has flowed into the ink supply needle 71 pushes the bubble B that has previously flowed into the ink supply needle 71 from the opening 75 when the ink supply needle 71 is located at the first angle. , Is led out of the pouch container 51 through the ink supply needle 71. The bubbles B pushed by the ink and led out of the pouch container 51 can be easily released to the atmosphere in the discharge path 59 of the ink supply unit 26. Therefore, the bubbles B led out to the outside of the pouch container 51 are not discharged to the outside and do not remain in the inkjet head 41 or the ink supply unit 26.

Therefore, when the ink cartridge 50 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B, the bubbles B accumulated on the upper part of the ink out-drawing member 54 of the pouch container 51 at the first stage are first angled during the bubble discharging operation. It can be led out of the pouch container 51 through the ink supply needle 71 of the above. Further, in the stage after the bubble B is led out of the pouch container 51 by the bubble discharging operation, a small amount of the ink remaining on the upper part of the ink drawing member 54 due to the rotation of the ink supply needle 71 from the first angle to the second angle. By keeping the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 away from the bubble B, only the ink not mixed with the bubble B can be led out of the pouch container 51 through the ink supply needle 71.

Therefore, when the ink cartridge 50 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B, the air bubbles B accumulated in the upper part of the ink out-drawing member 54 of the pouch container 51 and the air bubbles B mixed in the pouch container 51 from the ink out-drawing member 54 are efficiently processed. While often pulling out from the pouch container 51, it is possible to prevent the bubbles B remaining in the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 after mounting from being mixed with the ink and being led out of the pouch container 51.

Further, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the ink supply needle 71 is rotated to the second angle by rotating the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the ink lead-out member 54 with the opening 75 facing upward in the vertical direction. The opening 75 of the ink lead-out member 54 moves toward the center side of the ink lead-out member 54 and is separated from the inner peripheral wall of the ink lead-out member 54.

Therefore, even if bubbles B remain not only in the upper part of the ink lead-out member 54 but also in some corner of the ink lead-out member 54 in the rotation direction of the ink supply needle 71, the ink supply needle 71 is 180 after the bubble discharge operation. When rotated, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 is moved away from the bubble B. The opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 kept away from the bubble B is easily exposed only to the ink existing in the ink lead-out member 54.

Therefore, after the air bubbles B at the corners of the ink delivery member 54 are led out of the pouch container 51 with the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 directed upward in the vertical direction, the ink supply needle 71 is rotated 180 ° to make ink. By directing the opening 75 of the supply needle 71 downward in the vertical direction, it is possible to make it more difficult for the bubbles B to be mixed with the ink drawn out of the pouch container 51 through the ink supply needle 71.

Further, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the ink supply needle 71 is an ink lead-out member by the needle moving portion 79 so that the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 located inside the thin film 58 is separated from the thin film 58. At the same time as or before and after the thin film 58 of the 54 is further inserted, the ink supply needle 71 is rotated with respect to the pouch container 51 by the needle rotating portion 78 to change from the first angle to the second angle. I tried to move.

Therefore, in the bubble discharge operation, the bubble B at the upper part of the ink out-drawing member 54 is led out of the pouch container 51 through the ink supply needle 71 at the first angle, and the volume of the bubble B accumulated at the upper part of the ink out-out member 54. Is reduced, the ink supply needle 71 is rotated from the first angle to the second angle. Therefore, when the bubble discharge operation is completed, the direction of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 makes it difficult for the bubble B to flow in from above in the vertical direction in which the bubble B accumulated in the upper corner of the ink lead-out member 54 easily flows. It will change downward in the vertical direction.

Further, at the same time or before or after this, the ink supply needle 71 moves relative to the pouch container 51 in the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50, so that the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 is opened by the ink lead-out member 54. It will be kept away from the bubble B of.

Therefore, even if the bubble B remains in the upper corner of the ink lead-out member 54 after the bubble discharge operation, the bubble B is prevented from being mixed with the ink and being led out to the outside of the pouch container 51. be able to.

Further, the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 is at a position where it comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position, and FIGS. 9 (a), 9 (b), 11 (a), ( As shown in each of b), 13 (a), and 14 (a), an explanatory view of FIG. 15 when the ink supply needle 71 has a rotation angle at which the opening 75 is located above in the vertical direction. As shown in the above, the ink cartridge 50 may be tilted so that the ink lead-out member 54 is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction.

By doing so, the bubbles B deposited in the ink in the pouch container 51 of the ink cartridge 50 are guided by the buoyancy to the ink lead-out member 54 at the uppermost position in the vertical direction, so that the opening 75 is opened. It is possible to improve the efficiency of deriving the bubbles B in the ink out-drawing member 54 to the outside of the pouch container 51 through the ink supply needle 71 having a rotation angle positioned above in the vertical direction.

Hereinafter, the inkjet recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is provided with a configuration in which the ink cartridge 50 at a position where the ink lead-out member 54 abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position is tilted. The main part of the above will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Ink cartridge tilt unit)
The inkjet printing apparatus of the present embodiment is additionally provided with a unit that tilts the ink cartridge 50 that has reached the position where the ink lead-out member 54 comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. 16 (a) and 16 (b) are explanatory views schematically showing the configuration of the tilting unit that tilts the ink cartridge. Note that FIG. 16A shows a state in which the ink cartridge 50 is in a horizontal position, and FIG. 16B shows a state in which the ink cartridge 50 is in an inclined position.

The tilting unit 80 (swinging unit) shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B includes a mounting base 81, a base 82, a support arm 83, and a telescopic cylinder 84.

The mounting table 81 is for mounting the ink cartridge 50 that has reached the position where the ink lead-out member 54 comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position, and the support arm 83 on the base 82 is mounted. It is swingably supported around the swing shaft 85.

The telescopic cylinder 84 is composed of a solenoid or the like erected on the base 82, and the tip of the cylinder arm 86 of the telescopic cylinder 84 is connected to the mounting base 81 via a shaft 87 and an elongated hole 88.

The tilting unit 80 configured in this way expands and contracts the cylinder arm 86 of the telescopic cylinder 84 to insert the ink cartridge 50 into which the ink supply needle 71 is inserted into the thin film 58 of the ink lead-out member 54 of the pouch container 51. The thin film 58 can be swung between the horizontal position in FIG. 16 (a) and the inclined position in FIG. 16 (b) around the position where the ink supply needle 71 of the thin film 58 is inserted. At the inclined position of FIG. 16B, the ink out-drawing member 54 is located above the pouch container 51 in the most vertical direction.

The ink supply needle 71 inserted into the ink lead-out member 54 that abuts on the contact surface 73 a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position is the ink lead-out member 54 even at the inclined position of FIG. 16 (b). It does not interfere with the inner wall.

(Replacement procedure for tilting the ink cartridge)
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 17, the procedure for tilting the new ink cartridge 50 by the tilting unit 80 and replacing the ink cartridge 50 with the out-of-ink ink cartridge 50 and the operation executed by the control of the control unit 6 accordingly. I will explain.

First, the control unit 6 moves the movable element of the cartridge joint unit 70 by the needle moving unit 79 so as to be separated from the ink cartridge 50 running out of ink, and the mounting state of the ink cartridge 50 running out of ink with respect to the cartridge mounting port 29. After releasing the ink cartridge 50, the user pulls out the out-of-ink ink cartridge 50 from the cartridge mounting port 29 (step S11), and the user pulls out the new ink cartridge 50 from the cartridge mounting port 29 into the cartridge mounting portions 25A and 25B. Insert (step S13).

Up to this point, the procedure is the same as in steps S1 and S3 of FIG. 10 when replacing the new ink cartridge 50 with the out-of-ink ink cartridge 50 without tilting it. Therefore, the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 inserted from the cartridge mounting port 29 comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 locked at the mounting position and reaches the mounting position. The ink cartridge 50 that has reached the position where the ink out-drawing member 54 abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position is placed on the mounting table 81 of the tilting unit 80 at the horizontal position in FIG. 16A. It will be placed.

By the time the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 reaches the mounting position, the guide pin 72 of the cartridge joint portion 70 is first inserted into the guide hole 56, and then the ink supply needle of the cartridge joint portion 70. 71 is inserted into the thin film 58 at the upper part of the outlet 57 of the ink outlet member 54.

Then, when the ink lead-out member 54 of the ink cartridge 50 reaches a position where it comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position, the ink cartridge 50 is restricted from further insertion and stops. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the ink supply needle 71 has a rotation angle at which the opening 75 faces upward in the vertical direction (first angle). Since the position of the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the thin film 58 facing upward in the vertical direction is close to the bubble B floating and accumulated in the upper corner of the ink lead-out member 54, the opening 75 is opened in the bubble B. 75 is easily exposed.

Then, the ink cartridge 54 reaches a position where the ink out-drawing member 54 comes into contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position, and the ink cartridge 50 is mounted on the mounting table 81 at the horizontal position of the tilting unit 80. Then, the cartridge sensor 76 detects the ink cartridge 50. When the cartridge sensor 76 detects the ink cartridge 50, as shown in FIG. 17, the mounting table 81 of the tilting unit 80 is tilted from the horizontal position of FIG. 16 (a) to the tilted position of FIG. 16 (b) under the control of the control unit 6. The ink cartridge 50 is tilted (step S15).

Then, when the mounting table 81 of the tilting unit 80 moves from the horizontal position to the tilted position, the above-mentioned bubble discharge operation is executed under the control of the control unit 6 (step S17).

When the bubble discharge operation is executed, the mounting table 81 of the tilting unit 80 is swung from the tilted position of FIG. 16B to the horizontal position of FIG. 16A under the control of the control unit 6, and the ink cartridge 50 Is returned to the horizontal posture (step S19).

When the ink cartridge 50 returns to the horizontal posture, the lock mechanism unit 77 releases the lock at the mounting position of the insertion depth regulating member 73 under the control of the control unit 6. Therefore, the insertion depth regulating member 73 pushed by the ink lead-out member 54 in contact with the contact surface 73a in FIG. 8 retracts to the back side of the protruding surface 27C of the ink supply needle 71 and the guide pin 72 from the mounting position. Under the control of the control unit 6, the needle moving unit 79 moves the movable element of the cartridge joint unit 70 along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50 until it is moved to the used position. Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the thin film 58 of the ink out-drawing member 54 moves away from the thin film 58 to the back side of the ink out-drawing member 54.

Further, when the needle moving portion 79 of FIG. 3 moves the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50, as shown in FIG. 17, the needle rotating portion 78 is controlled by the control unit 6. Rotates the ink supply needle 71 by 180 ° (above, step S21). Also in the present embodiment, the rotation of the ink supply needle 71 by the needle rotating portion 78 may be performed before or after the needle moving portion 79 moves the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50. Often, the movement of the movable element of the cartridge joint 70 by the needle moving portion 79 may be performed at the same time. In the present embodiment, the ink supply needle 71 is rotated by the needle rotating portion 78 at the same time as the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 is moved by the needle moving portion 79.

The above step S21 is the same as step S7 in FIG. 10 when the new ink cartridge 50 is replaced with the out-of-ink ink cartridge 50 without tilting. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B after 180 ° rotation, the ink supply needle 71 has a rotation angle at which the opening 75 faces downward in the vertical direction (second angle). As a result, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 does not face the bubble B side remaining immediately inside the thin film 58 of the ink lead-out member 54 after the bubble discharge operation. Further, as shown in FIG. 12A, the ink supply needle 71 moves to the back side of the ink lead-out member 54, and the position of the opening 75 is separated from the bubble B remaining immediately inside the thin film 58. Therefore, the bubbles B are less likely to flow into the ink supply needle 71 from the opening 75.

After the above procedure and operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the state of waiting for the execution of the printing process accompanying the input of the print job is set (step S23), and the replacement of the ink cartridge 50 out of ink is completed.

In the present embodiment, the position where the ink supply needle 71 of the cartridge joint portion 70 is inserted is such that the ink supply needle 71 is the ink lead-out member 54 when the ink cartridge 50 is tilted to the tilted position of FIG. 16B. In order to avoid interfering with the inner peripheral wall of the ink, it is preferable that the ink outlet member 54 is located closer to the center of the outlet 57.

Further, in the present embodiment in which it is preferable to insert the ink supply needle 71 closer to the center of the outlet 57 of the ink lead-out member 54, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 is shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b). When the ink supply needle 71 is formed so as to penetrate in the radial direction, if the directions of the openings 75 are upward and downward in the vertical direction, the upper openings 75 in the vertical direction are separated from the inner peripheral wall of the ink lead-out member 54 and thus closed. I can't get rid of it.

Therefore, the rotation angle of the ink supply needle 71 when the ink lead-out member 54 is in the mounting position is a rotation angle (first angle) in which one opening 75 faces upward in the vertical direction, and the ink lead-out member 54 is in the used position. The rotation angle of the ink supply needle 71 when it is in contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 is preferably a rotation angle (second angle) in which the direction of the opening 75 is the horizontal direction. ..

As a result, the ink is more than the position of the opening 75 facing upward in the vertical direction of the ink supply needle 71 when the ink lead-out member 54 is in the position where it abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. The position of the opening 75 facing the horizontal direction of the ink supply needle 71 when the lead-out member 54 is in contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the use position is downward in the vertical direction.

Therefore, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 with respect to the air bubbles B floating and accumulated in the upper corner of the ink out-drawing member 54 is the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 in which the ink out-drawing member 54 is mounted. When the ink is in contact with the contact surface 73a, the ink out-drawing member 54 is easily exposed, and when the ink out-drawing member 54 is in contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the use position, the ink is separated. Therefore, the bubbles B are likely to flow into the ink supply needle 71 from the opening 75 during the air discharge operation, and the bubbles B are likely to flow into the ink flowing into the ink supply needle 71 from the opening 75 during the subsequent ink supply. It becomes difficult to mix.

According to the inkjet recording device 1 of the present embodiment described above, the ink cartridge 50 is tilted by the tilting unit 80 when the ink lead-out member 54 is in contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. The bubbles B accumulated in the ink in the pouch container 51 of the ink cartridge 50 are guided to the ink lead-out member 54 located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction in the pouch container 51.

Therefore, the bubbles B in the pouch container 51 are concentrated and moved inside the thin film 58 of the ink lead-out member 54, and are inside the ink supply needle 71 from the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 facing upward in the vertical direction. Bubbles B easily flow into the ink. Therefore, the efficiency of deriving the bubbles B to the outside of the pouch container 51 can be improved.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the needle moving portion 79 is the cartridge joint portion 70 with respect to the ink cartridge 50 in which the ink lead-out member 54 is in contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. The movable element is configured to move along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50. However, the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 is fixedly arranged, and the needle moving portion 79 moves the ink cartridge 50 in which the ink lead-out member 54 abuts on the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position in the insertion direction X. It may be configured to move along the line.

Further, the needle moving portion 79 may be omitted. In that case, for example, the movable element of the cartridge joint portion 70 is fixedly arranged, and the user further inserts the ink cartridge 50 in which the ink lead-out member 54 is in contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. Insert in. As a result, the ink lead-out member 54 that comes into contact with the contact surface 73a pushes the insertion depth regulating member 73 from the mounting position to the use position, and pushes the ink supply needle 71 into the back of the thin film 58 of the ink lead-out member 54. Can be stabbed.

Further, a rack is provided in the needle moving portion 79, and a pinion that meshes with the rack is provided in the needle rotating portion 78, and the movement between the mounting position and the used position of the insertion depth regulating member 73 is converted into a rotary motion by the rack and the pinion. Then, the ink supply needle 71 may be rotated between the first angle and the second angle in conjunction with the movement of the insertion depth regulating member 73 along the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the ink supply needle 71 is rotated by the needle rotating portion 78 from the first angle to the second angle, and at the same time, or before and after this, the ink supply needle 71 is moved by the needle moving portion 79. , The ink cartridge 50 is moved so as to be closer to the ink lead-out member 54 along the insertion direction X. However, the configuration for that purpose may be omitted.

In that case, as shown in FIG. 11A, the ink delivery member 54 is inserted through the ink supply needle 71 inserted into the ink delivery member 54 that is in contact with the contact surface 73a of the insertion depth regulating member 73 at the mounting position. After the air bubbles B inside are discharged to the outside of the pouch container 51, the ink supply needle 71 is not moved in the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 50. Then, the ink supply needle 71 at the first angle shown in FIG. 11B is rotated by the needle rotating portion 78 to the second angle shown in FIG. 18B to end the air discharge operation. Even with this configuration, as shown in FIG. 18A, the opening 75 of the ink supply needle 71 after the air discharge operation is directed downward in the vertical direction, and a small amount remaining on the upper portion of the ink lead-out member 54. Can be kept away from the bubble B of.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the shuttle unit 4 moves in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction) and the head unit 24 moves in the left-right direction (main scanning direction) with respect to the print medium 15 of the flatbed unit 3. The shuttle-type inkjet recording apparatus 1 that forms an image on the print medium 15 has been described as an example.

However, the present invention is also applicable to a serial type inkjet printer similar to the shuttle type described above and a line type inkjet printer that forms an image with one pass.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the inkjet recording device 1 provided with an ink supply path for supplying the ink of the ink cartridge 50 to the inkjet head 41 one way as in the above-described embodiment, for example, from the ink cartridge via the ink tank. It can also be applied to an inkjet recording apparatus provided with a circulation type ink supply path for collecting excess ink supplied to the inkjet head to an ink tank.

1 Inkjet recording device 2 Shuttle base unit 3 Flatbed unit 3a Media mounting surface 4 Shuttle unit 5 Storage unit 6 Control unit (controller)
7 Operation panel 11 Stand 12 Sub-scanning drive motor 13A, 13B Sub-scanning drive guide 15 Printing medium 21 Housing 22 Main scanning drive unit 23 Main scanning moving table 24 Head unit 25A, 25B Cartridge mounting unit 26 Ink supply unit (ink derivation unit)
27 Confluence joint part 27A, 27B Leg part 27C Protruding surface 28 Head joint part 28 Horizontal part 29 Cartridge mounting port 31 Drive belt 32A, 32B Pulley 33 Main scanning drive motor 34 Main scanning drive guide 41 Ink head 41a Nozzle surface 43 Nozzle 50 Ink cartridge 51 Pouch container 52 Cartridge case 53 End face 54,110 Ink lead-out member 55 Fitting hole 56 Guide hole 57 Out-out port 58,111 Thin film 59 Exhaust path 60A Filter part 60B, 67 On-off valve 61 Cartridge side path 62 Direct path 63 Head Side path 64 Branch path 65 Branch joint part 66 Confluence joint part 68 Direct valve 69 Pump 70 Cartridge joint part 71,100 Ink supply needle 72 Guide pin 73 Insertion depth regulation member 73a Contact surface 74 Needle insertion / extraction unit 75,101 Opening 76 Cartridge sensor 77 Lock mechanism 78 Needle rotation unit (needle rotation unit)
79 Needle moving part 80 Tilt unit (swing unit)
81 Mounting base 82 Base 83 Support arm 84 Telescopic cylinder 85 Swing shaft 86 Cylinder arm 87 shaft 88 Long hole A, B Bubbles X Ink cartridge insertion direction (ink supply needle insertion direction)

Claims (2)

A cartridge mounting part where an ink cartridge capable of delivering ink from a pouch container filled with ink via an ink lead-out member is mounted, and a cartridge mounting portion.
A hollow hollow provided in the cartridge mounting portion, which is horizontally inserted into the pouch container from the ink lead-out member mounted on the cartridge mounting portion and ejects ink from the pouch container toward an inkjet head. Ink supply needle and
An opening in which the ink supply needle inserted into the pouch container is provided on the side of the ink supply needle and communicates with the hollow space in the ink supply needle is from the center of the ink lead-out member in the vertical direction. Between the first angle located above the position and the second angle at which the opening is located closer to the center of the ink lead-out member in the vertical direction than the position, with respect to the ink lead-out member. A needle rotation unit that rotates relative to the axis in the insertion direction of the ink supply needle, and
An ink derivation unit that applies a load to the pouch container of the ink cartridge in which the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink derivation member to draw ink out of the pouch container through the ink supply needle.
After the ink supply needle is pierced into the ink lead-out member at the first angle, the load is applied to the pouch by the ink lead-out unit before being rotated relative to the second angle by the needle rotation unit. The controller to be given to the container and
An inkjet recording device equipped with. A needle moving unit for moving the ink supply needle inserted into the inside of the pouch container in the insertion direction of the ink supply needle with respect to the ink extraction member is further provided, and the controller is provided with the ink extraction. After applying a load to the pouch container by the unit, the ink supply needle is rotated relative to the first angle to the second angle by the needle rotation unit, or before or after the rotation. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply needle is moved relative to the inside of the pouch container in the insertion direction with respect to the ink lead-out member by the needle moving unit.

Images