JPH04142943A - Ink pressure detector and ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an ink pressure detector suitable for detection of an ink residual quantity in an ink cartridge of an ink jet system recorder by a method wherein a spring compressed with a passage component and a spring stopper ring, and a pair of contact points provided at positions conducted to each other by abutting against a diaphragm by resiliency of the spring, are established. CONSTITUTION:A passage component 801 having an ink passage in its inside, a diaphragm 807 so fitted to the passage component as to cover an opening 805 interconnecting to the ink passage provided to the passage component, at least two detent pieces of which basic ends are fixed to a central part of the diaphragm and of which to top ends detents 811A are provided, a spring stopper ring 829 which is stopped by passing through its inside with the detent of the detent piece, a spring 823 which is compressed with the passage component and the spring stopper ring between the spring stopper ring and the diaphragm, and a pair of contact points 829, 831 which are provided to positions conducted to each other by abutting against said diaphragm by resiliency of the spring, are established. By such a structure the diaphragm 807 moves in correspondence with negative pressure within a specific range of ink in the ink passage 803, and a support component releases the contact point components 829, 831. Then, ink pressure within the specific range can be detected by no regulation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an ink pressure detection device, and more particularly to an ink pressure detection device suitable for detecting the amount of ink remaining in an ink cartridge in an inkjet recording device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, recording devices that record on recording media such as paper and OHP sheets (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper or simply paper) have been proposed in the form of mounting recording heads using various recording methods. ing. These recording heads include those based on a wire tod type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, and an inkjet type.

Among these, the inkjet method in particular jets ink directly onto recording paper, and is attracting attention as a recording method that has advantages such as low running costs and quiet recording operation.

Furthermore, in recent years, inkjet recording devices, especially recording heads, have been manufactured using film-forming technology and micro-processing technology for semiconductor devices, resulting in smaller and cheaper recording heads. It's coming. Along with this, the configuration of the device itself is also made smaller and simpler.

On the other hand, an inkjet recording device that has many of the advantages mentioned above is an electronic typewriter.

It is becoming widely used as a recording device for various devices such as word processors, facsimile machines, and copying machines. In this case, the inkjet recording device has a configuration that corresponds to the unique functions and usage patterns of these devices. For example, it is necessary to reliably determine the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge that decreases with use. is extremely important from the economic point of view.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

One of the recent trends in inkjet recording devices as described above, namely the miniaturization and simplification of devices, calls for the simplification of the elements constituting the inkjet recording device itself and the simplification of the mechanisms that link these elements. . For example, an ink pressure detection device (ink sensor) applied to detect the amount of ink remaining in an ink cartridge is installed on the ink flow path between the inkjet head installed in the carriage and the ink cartridge, and this ink sensor is used to detect the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge. Detects the ink pressure in the ink flow path,
Based on this detection result, the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge must be determined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink pressure detection device that solves the above-mentioned problems.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a flow path member having an ink flow path inside, and a flow path member that is attached to the flow path member so as to cover an opening that communicates with the ink flow path provided in the flow path member. at least two diaphragms having a proximal end fixed to the central part of the diaphragm and a distal end having a locking claw.
a spring stopper ring whose inner side is secured to a stopper claw of the stopper piece; and a spring stopper ring that is compressed between the spring stopper ring and the diaphragm by the flow path member and the spring stopper ring. It is characterized by comprising a spring and a pair of contacts provided at positions where the diaphragm comes into contact with each other and conducts with each other due to the repulsive force of the spring.

[For production]

According to the present invention, with the above configuration, ink pressure within a predetermined range can be detected without adjustment.

(The following is a margin) [Example 1] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, 20
01 is a main case that forms part of the device case, and is fixed to a part of the frame of the inkjet recording device, which will be described later in FIG. Cover the area excluding the area corresponding to the width. A home position of the print head is defined in one of the two end portions, and the main case 2001 houses the print head in this position during non-printing and an ejection recovery unit that performs capping of the ejection port surface of the print head at this position. covered by. As a result, when a part of the device case is opened to perform maintenance and inspection of the device, it is possible to prevent the recording head or ejection recovery unit from being accidentally touched, causing their position to shift, or damaging them themselves. I can do it.

Reference numeral 2003 denotes a middle case that similarly forms part of the device case, and mainly covers the part where the recording head moves during recording. The middle case 2003 is provided so that it can be easily attached and detached, and a spur is attached to a part of the case to correspond to a paper ejection roller, which will be described later. Press it against the paper ejection roller. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a paper feed lid that forms part of the device case and is provided so as to be openable and closable. The paper feed lid 2005 is pivoted at both ends of the near side in the drawing in its approximately rectangular shape, and is provided so that it can be opened upward in the drawing and held at a predetermined angle using this as a rotation axis. When the paper feed lid 2005 is held at this angle, it is almost in a straight line with the paper feed tray, which will be described later.
It becomes possible to place recording paper. Reference numeral 2007 is an ink lid provided on the front side of the apparatus and forming a part of the apparatus case. The ink lid 2007 is rotatably supported by a shaft provided at the lower part of the front side of the device, and the lid 2007 can be rotated as needed.
07 can be opened towards the front. This makes it possible to perform attachment/detachment operations such as attachment and detachment of the ink cartridge housed inside.

Reference numeral 2009 is a paper discharge tray that is detachably attached to the apparatus. A paper discharge tray 2009 is mounted at a predetermined angle at the rear of the apparatus, and can sequentially stack recording papers that have been recorded. Reference numeral 2011 denotes an operation unit, which is provided on one side of the main case 2001 in front of the device. Operation unit 201
1 includes a display section 2011B for displaying the status of the device, etc., and keys 2011A for inputting various commands to the device.

FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are a side sectional view and a top view showing an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with the apparatus cover shown in FIG. 1 removed. In addition, the second
Figure (B) shows a state in which the recording head, the carriage on which it is placed and moved, and the drive system for moving these are omitted.

In FIGS. 2(A) and (B), 601 is a paper feed tray, and the paper feed lid 2005 shown in FIG. 1 is opened (not shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B)). ) constitutes the paper feed section. The paper feed tray 601 is
A rotating shaft 601A provided at the rear end in the paper feeding direction is rotatably supported by a side plate 2017 forming the device frame, and the front end of the paper feeding tray 601 is supported by a spring 602.
The upper force shown in FIG. 2(A) is applied by the upper force. With these configurations, the recording paper stacked on the paper feed tray 601 (
It is not shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B). Further, in the following, the leading edge of a recording paper (including a plastic sheet, etc., and generally referring to a recording medium) is pressed by a pickup roller 604. In the paper feeding mechanism described above, 601G shown in FIG. 2(B) is a guide plate for guiding paper feeding according to the size of the recording paper, and 60
Reference numeral 10 denotes a groove through which the guide plate 601C moves according to the size of the recording paper.

The pickup roller 604 consists of a pair of rollers, a half-moon roller 604A and an idler roller 604B, and the half-moon roller 604A has a cross section in the shape of a partially cut out circle as shown in FIG. The idler roller 604B has a circular cross section with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the circumferential portion of the half-moon roller 604A.

A pickup roller 604 consisting of these pair of rollers
are placed at a predetermined interval near the front end of the paper feed tray 601.
These two pairs of pickup rollers 604 are fixed to a pickup roller shaft 604C that extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which recording paper is fed. One end of the pickup roller shaft [ ) (14c is rotatably supported by a part of the frame 2017, and the other end is connected to the clutch 619.Thereby, the driving force of the motor (not shown) is transferred to the clutch 619.
19 to the pickup roller shaft 604C, and the pickup roller 604 can be rotated.

The recording paper stacked on the paper feed tray 601 is pressed by the pickup roller 604 as described above, so when the pickup roller 604 rotates, the recording paper first
The recording sheet is pushed out by the shoulder portion that connects the cutout portion and the circumferential portion of the half-moon roller 604A, and further, the recording paper conveyance path sent to.

Reference numeral 606 denotes a paper feed roller disposed on the downstream side of the pickup roller 604 on the recording paper conveyance path.

As shown in FIG. 2(B), four paper feed rollers 606 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the recording paper being conveyed, and these four paper feed rollers are used to feed the paper. It is fixed to a roller shaft 606A (not shown in FIG. 2(B)). As a result, the driving force of a paper feed motor (not shown) is transmitted to the paper feed roller shaft 606A, and the paper feed motor 606 can be rotated.

A pinch roller 607 is provided corresponding to each of the paper feed rollers 606, and is arranged so that its circumferential surface is in contact with the circumferential surface of the paper feed roller 606. A pinch roller holder 611 is provided corresponding to each of the pinch rollers 607, and the pinch roller 607 is rotatably supported at one end thereof. Reference numeral 613 denotes a carriage rail, which is provided so as to extend over the movement area of the carriage, which will be described later. Pinch roller holder 611
The other end is pivotally supported by a carriage rail 613, and also by a spring 614 held between the carriage rail 613 and the pinch roller holder 611.
It is biased obliquely downward in FIG. 2(A). As a result, the pinch roller 607 presses the recording paper conveyed between the paper feed roller 606 and the paper feed roller 606, and the paper feed roller 606 conveys the recording paper by the frictional force generated by this pressing force. I can do it.

Reference numeral 608 denotes a platen for regulating the recording surface of the recording paper, and is disposed on the recording paper conveyance path at a location downstream of the paper feed roller 606 and the like and facing a recording head to be described later. Furthermore, a paper discharge roller 609 is provided on the downstream side of the platen 608. The paper ejection roller 609 is shown in FIG. 2 (B
), nine rollers are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the conveyed recording paper, and these rollers are connected to the paper ejection roller shaft 609A.
Fixed. The paper ejection roller shaft 609A is rotated by a motor (not shown), and the main case 2001 shown in FIG.
The recording paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 2009 shown in FIG. 1 by cooperation with the spur held by.

In the recording paper transport path described above, the paper feed tray 601
The recording sheets stacked on top are separated one by one by a pick-up roller 604 and a separating plate 605 and fed to a conveyance path, and the fed recording sheets are guided by a paper guide 608A and passed through a paper feed roller 606. pinch roller 6
07. During this transport, the recording paper
It comes into contact with one end of the string end detection sensor lever 615, and the resulting movement of the other end of the lever 615 causes the paper end photosensor 6 to
By changing the detection state by 17, the edge of the recording paper can be detected. Further, a reflective paper width sensor 623 is provided at the bottom of the carriage, which will be described later, and can detect the paper width of the recording paper being conveyed.

The paper feed roller 606 conveys the recording paper onto the platen 608 in response to the recording operation by the recording head, for example, one line at a time recorded by the recording head, thereby recording one character image or the like on the recording paper. . At this time, the recording paper is urged toward the platen 608 by the paper presser plate spring 621, so that the recording area of the recording paper can be kept flat.

The recorded paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray by a paper discharge roller 609.

As is clear from FIG. 2(A), the recording paper transport path from the paper feed tray 601 shown above to the paper ejection roller 609 and further to the paper ejection tray 2009 shown in FIG. Therefore, the stiffness of the recording paper allows the recording paper to come into close contact with the platen 608, thereby making it possible to keep the recording area on the recording paper flat.

In FIG. 2(A), 1 is a recording head section, and a third
It is equipped with four recording RAD chips corresponding to each ink color detailed in the figure. These helad chips are attached to the carriage body 201 of the carriage section 200 so that they can be easily attached and detached. 203 is a carriage cover, and
205 is a head cover. By attaching these covers to the carriage main body 201, the electrical connection to the recording RAD chip and the positioning and fixing of the above-mentioned chips and grooves are achieved. Also, 300 is the carriage main body 2
The sub ink tank 300 is installed in a part of the ink supply system, and the sub ink tank 300 collects air bubbles in the ink supply system and buffers pressure fluctuations that occur in the ink supply system as the carriage moves. It is possible to prevent the recording head from being affected by the fluctuation. The above-described recording head section 1 and below, the carriage body 201
Each element mounted on the carriage body 201 is slidably engaged with a guide shaft 213 (only its cross section is shown in FIG. 2(A)), and the carriage body 201 and a portion thereof are connected. The belt can be moved along the guide shaft 213 by being driven by a carriage motor (not shown).

Further, in FIG. 2(A), 211 is a position lever whose position can be changed manually by the operator, and one end thereof is rotated by a shaft 211G provided in a part of the carriage body 201. Freely pivoted. Further, a hemispherical convex portion 211B is provided at the other end of the position lever 211, and this is connected to the carriage portion 20.
The position lever 211 can be fixed in three positions by engaging with recesses formed at three locations on the side plate (not shown) of the 0. The position lever 211 is as shown in Fig. 2 (A).
When the carriage main body 201 is in the positions I and H shown in FIG.
3 as a rotation axis, and assumes a position according to the contact between the position lever 211 and the carriage rail 613.

That is, the position lever 211 shown in FIG. 2(A)
At position I, a portion of the carriage body 201 is slidably abutted against the upper surface of the carriage rail 613, as shown in detail in FIG. In this abutting relationship, the recording RAD tip is located relatively close to the platen 608.

On the other hand, when the position lever 211 is at the position TI, the holding member 211A provided integrally with the position lever 211 comes into contact with the upper surface of the carriage rail 613. As a result, the carriage main body 201 uses this contact area as a point of action and also uses the guide shaft 213 as a fulcrum to rotate with the upward force shown in FIG. take a position.

In the configuration of the position lever shown above, for example, when using recording paper with relatively poor ink absorption characteristics, by setting the lever 211 to position II, the RAD tip for recording is relatively thick (separated) from the platen 608. In this case, the ink generated by recording may cause phenomena such as undulation of the recording paper, which may cause problems such as the recording paper rubbing against the recording surface and damaging the ejection opening surface of the RAD tip. position I
This is because by setting I, this problem can be prevented from occurring. Furthermore, when recording paper having relatively excellent ink absorption characteristics is used, such consideration is not necessary, and the position lever 211 may be set to position (2).

Further, the position II+ of the position lever 211 is a position for preventing the carriage section 200 from moving to the right when the carriage section 200 is at the home position. That is, as shown in FIG.
3B is engaged with the protrusion 211D provided at the tip of the position lever 211, and the carriage portion 200 (FIG. 2(B)
(not shown) is prevented from moving to the right.

Note that the position of the position lever 211 can also be notified by display or sound.

That is, as described above, the position lever 211 is manually changed by the operator of the apparatus, and for example, if the carriage unit 200 is at the home position and the position lever 211 is forgotten to be at position II+. If an attempt is made to record without changing the position, a message may be displayed indicating that the position lever will be released.

Also, depending on the three positions of the position lever 211,
The current position of the position lever 211 may be displayed.

Furthermore, when a vibration of more than a predetermined level is applied to the device during transportation of the device, etc., this is detected and at the same time the position of the position lever is detected, and this is the position Il+, that is,
If the carriage part is not in the fixed position, a sound such as a buzzer may be used to notify that fact.

According to this configuration for preventing carriage movement, it is possible to prevent accidents such as unnecessary movement of the carriage section 200 and recording head section 1 during transportation of the present recording apparatus, and damage to these and other parts of the apparatus. can.

In FIG. 2(A), 230 is a cover fixed to the apparatus frame, and an ink supply tube that follows the movement of the carriage section 200.

Protect flexible cables, etc.

In Figure 2 (A) and CB), 9018, 9
01G.

901M and 901Y are ink cartridges installed in the ink supply unit described below, and are ink bags that store ink of black (BK), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively. Also, a waste ink bag for storing ink discharged by ink suction or the like in the ejection recovery process is stored. An ink absorber 911 is provided at the bottom of the ink supply unit to which the ink cartridge is attached. The inflow absorber 911 has a restoring force against external forces such as oppression, and is inserted in a compressed state between the recess of the frame 913 forming the supply unit and the bottom plate 2015 forming the device frame. Thereby, even if ink leaks from the ink cartridge 901, it can be absorbed by the absorber 911. In addition, vibrations caused by the drive of the motor transmitted through the bottom plate 2015 and the like can be absorbed by the absorber 911, thereby reducing noise caused by the drive of the device.

Note that the absorber used for vibration absorption does not necessarily need to be disposed at the upper part (at the bottom of the ink supply unit), but can be disposed at a more effective position for reducing device noise. .

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the carriage section 200 and the head section 1 showing details of the recording head section 1 mounted on the carriage main body 201 described above.

In FIG. 3, lO is a recording radar chip provided corresponding to each of the four colors of ink, and since there are four in the direction perpendicular to the diagram, only one is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. It can be done. The head chip 10 has the shape shown in the figure and is connected in such a way that a substrate made of Si is laminated on a plate-shaped base made of Aβ, and furthermore, a substrate made of Si is layered on the Si substrate. A head driver is formed to drive the electrothermal converter in accordance with a recording signal, and furthermore, a head driver is formed to drive the electrothermal converter in accordance with a recording signal. A top plate having a concave portion for forming an ejection port, a liquid path communicating with the discharge port, and a common liquid chamber for supplying ink to the liquid path is joined with the concave portion inside, thereby allowing the RAD chip lO to be used for recording. is configured. The recording bed chip of this example has 64 ejection ports on its front surface where the ejection ports are provided. A front plate 11 having openings corresponding to the areas where these ejection ports are provided is a recording chip 10.
It is placed on the front side of the The electrothermal converter is disposed in the ink liquid path communicating with each of these ejection ports, and the electrothermal converter generates heat in response to the application of electric pulses to cause film boiling in the ink. Ink is ejected from the ejection port based on the generation of bubbles due to this film boiling.

The carriage cover 203 , which constitutes one of the mounting members for the recording RAD chip 10 , has a connector 207 for electrical connection with the electrical wiring terminal of the recording RAD chip 10 .
Four pieces are held together according to the RAD chip 10 for recording, and when the cover 203 is attached, that is, from the state where the cover 203 is removed as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Connectors 207 connect RAD chips 10 to their respective corresponding records during the attachment state shown by solid lines. This connection is recorded by Radchip 10
This is done by inserting the terminal into the recess of the connector 207.

At this time, the four recording RAD chips 10 are attached to predetermined positions of the carriage body 201 in an accurately positioned state, and the connectors 207 are connected along these positions. Therefore, the insertion opening of the recess of the connector 207 is formed in an R shape so that the terminal can be inserted smoothly.

The operation of the carriage cover 203 is shown in Fig. 2 (A>
As shown in FIG. 2, the movement of the carriage body 201 is guided by engagement of a long hole 223 formed in a part of the carriage cover 203 with a shaft 221 provided on the carriage body 201. This carriage cover can particularly protect the recording chip and its terminal portion.

4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining how to attach the recording head chip 10, and FIG. 4A is a front view of the carriage body 201 and the recording head 10, and FIG.
B) is a side partial sectional view of the carriage main body 201, and FIG.

In these figures, reference numeral 15 denotes a guide groove formed in the recording head IO, and a guide 21 provided in the head mounting portion of the carriage body 201 when the head chip 10 is mounted.
5. Reference numeral 13 denotes an inward supply pipe for supplying ink to the common liquid chamber in the recording chip 10, and during the above-mentioned mounting, the carriage main body 20 is
It is inserted into the supply port 219 provided in 1. With this configuration, from the sub-ink tank 300 to the supply tube 31
1. Ink is supplied to the common liquid chamber via the supply port 219 and the supply pipe 13.

The attachment of the recording RAD chip IO to the carriage body 201 will be described with reference to FIG. 4(A).

When installing the head chip 10, first, the guide groove 15 of the head chip IO engages with the guide 215 on the carriage side, and the head chip 10
is moved downward, and the supply pipe 13 is inserted into the supply port 219 on the carriage side. The supply pipe 13 can be smoothly inserted into the supply port 219 by the guide. Then, this movement is stopped when a part of the bottom of the Herad tip 10 hits a part of the bottom of the head mounting part on the carriage side. At this time, a part of the head chip IO is inserted into a recess formed in the carriage body 201, as shown in FIG.
The position of the discharge direction is determined. Thereafter, the positions of the RAD chips for individual recording and the pitch between these chips are determined by mounting the head cover 205 as detailed in FIG.

FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C) are diagrams showing the details of the head cover 205, and FIG. 5(A) is a front view of the head cover seen from the back side, and FIG. Figure, same figure (C
) is a partial sectional view seen from above.

Below, the positioning of the head chip 10 by the head cover 205 will be explained in FIGS. 3, 4 (A) and 5 (A).
) to (C).

As explained in FIG. 4, the head cover 205 is attached to the recording tip 10 attached to the carriage body 201, and the head cover 205 is attached to the recording tip 10 as shown in FIG.
It is attached to the carriage main body 201 so as to cover the side part of 0. By this attachment, the leaf springs 221 and 223 of the head cover 205 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 use their elastic force to push the head chip lO as shown in FIG.
It is pressed toward the reference surface 217 shown in A) and the bottom surface 221 of the head chip mounting section shown in FIG. 4(A). As a result, the recording Radchip 10 is arranged in its arrangement direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4(A)) and in the arrangement direction of the ejection ports (in FIG.
A) Positioning is performed in the vertical and vertical directions. At this time, the four reference surfaces 217 and the bottom surface 22 shown in FIG.
Since the mutual positional relationship of the head chips 1 is accurately determined, the pitch between the ejection port rows of each head chip and the above-mentioned vertical positional relationship are accurately determined by mounting the head cover 205.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of positioning using a head cover.

As shown in FIG. 6, instead of the leaf spring 221 shown in FIG. 5, the head cover 205 is provided with a leaf spring 225 corresponding to each recording RAD chip. The leaf spring 225 is attached to the end of the head cover 205, and presses the chamfered portion of the head chip IO when the cover 205 is attached. Thereby, this pressing force generates component forces in the ejection direction and the ejection port arrangement direction, and the head chip 10 can be positioned in each direction.

7(A) and (B) are perspective views showing the details of the sub-tank 300 shown in FIG. 2 (A1 etc.), and FIG. , the same figure (B) shows the surface on the opposite side.

Moreover, FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing the sub-tank in an exploded manner.

As shown in these figures, the sub-tank 300 consists of three parts. Zunawaji, a tank member 331 that constitutes an ink chamber and an air chamber. Intermediate plate 33 with connecting holes formed
3. and a connecting plate 33 in which a connecting groove and a connecting pipe are formed.
Consists of 5. Each of these members can be obtained, for example, by molding a resin material, and the members can be joined by ultrasonic welding.

The tank member 331 has four chambers 3 corresponding to each color of ink.
318, 331C, 331M, and 331Y.

The middle plate 333 has, as shown in detail in FIG.
Connecting holes connecting each chamber of the tank member 331 and the connecting groove of the connecting plate 335 are formed, and among these connecting holes, reference numeral 34
1 is the connecting pipe 321 shown in FIG. 7(A).
The one designated by the reference numeral 343 is connected to the connection pipe 323 shown in FIG. It constitutes a part of the air flow path sucked from each of the above chambers by the suction force of the recovery unit. Further, although not shown in FIG. 8, connection holes forming part of the ink supply path to the head chip IO are formed corresponding to the positions of the respective connection pipes 325 shown in FIG. 7(A). .

As shown in FIG. 7(A), the connection plate 335 has three
Types of connecting pipes are formed. That is, the connection tube 321 is connected to the ink supply tube from the ink cartridge 901 described above, and the connection tube 323 is connected to the suction pump of the ejection recovery unit, and the connection tube 325 is connected to the ink supply tube from the ink cartridge 901. An ink supply tube to the recording chip 10 is connected to the connecting tube.

Furthermore, the arrangement of the connecting pipes is determined as follows. As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and (B),
First, the sub-tank 300 is attached to the carriage main body 201.
is attached so that its longitudinal direction is along the arrangement direction of each recording head. At this time, each of the connecting tubes 325 is arranged on the connecting plate 335 so as to be located below the RAD tip IO to the corresponding record. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4 CB), the ink supply tubes 311 connecting the respective connecting tubes 325 and the RAD chips 10 to each record can be smoothly supplied by simply bending within the plane of the same figure. . Furthermore, since the direction of bending of the tube 311 is limited to within the above-mentioned plane, the influence of carriage movement on ink supply can be reduced. Connection pipe 3 shown above
Considering the shortest path from each chamber of the tank member 331 to each connection chamber and the influence of carriage movement under the installation position condition of 25, the installation position of the connection pipe 325 is as shown in FIG. 7(A).
As shown in FIG. 3, the positions are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sub-tank 300. Therefore, connecting holes are provided in the intermediate plate 333 at positions corresponding to the respective connecting pipes 325 as described above.

The arrangement of the connecting pipes 321 and 323 is determined as follows.

First, the tubes connected to these connecting tubes are
The position of the connecting tube is determined along the longitudinal direction of the sub-ink tank 300, that is, along the moving direction of the carriage section indicated by arrow A in FIG. Second, the arrangement of the connecting tubes is determined so that the tubes corresponding to each of the four colors of ink are integrally connected to the connecting tube. Based on the above first and second arrangement conditions, the connection pipes 323 and 325 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage, respectively.

FIG. 1O is a top view showing the tube unit connected to the connecting pipes 321 and 323.
joints 351 and 353 respectively connected to 23
is shown. As the carriage moves in the direction shown by arrow C in the figure, these tubes 355 and 357 follow it, and the tubes are moved in a fixed direction (carriage movement direction) by arranging the connection pipes filled with water. In this trailing portion of the tube, the tube only bends in certain directions. This makes it possible to reduce the influence of carriage movement on ink supply and the like.

Grooves 337 and 339 as shown in FIG. 8 are formed in the connecting plate 335 according to the arrangement of the connecting pipes 321 and 323 which have been drained, and are connected to each of the connecting pipes and each tank chamber 3.
31 (BK, C, M, Y) are connected.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the sub-ink tank 300. As shown in the figure, grooves for connecting each tank chamber and the connecting pipe can also be formed in the middle plate 333.

Figure 11 (A) and (Bl are respectively Figure 2 (A)
and (B) are cross-sectional views showing details of the paper feeding mechanism shown in FIG.
B) shows the case of transporting cardboard.

In these figures, the pinch roller 607 is rotatably supported by a pinch roller holder 611, and the pinch roller holder 611 rotatably engages with the carriage rail 613 at an end 611B. Further, a spring 614 is inserted between the pinch roller holder 611 and the carriage rail 613, and the carriage rail 61
3 is urged downward in FIG. 11 by springs 631 hooked to hooks 613B at both ends thereof, as shown in FIG. ing. As a result, the pinch roller 607 can press the paper feed roller 606 due to the elastic force of the spring 614.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 11(A), when relatively thin recording paper is conveyed, the pinch roller is generated due to the thickness of the recording paper between the pinch roller 607 and the paper feed roller 606. The displacement 607 is absorbed by only the pinch roller holder 611 being displaced upward in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11(B), in the case of relatively thick recording paper, the pinch roller 60 due to the thickness of the paper
The displacement of 7 cannot be completely absorbed by the rotational displacement of the pinch roller holder 611, and the pinch roller holder 611 further displaces in accordance with the displacement of the pinch roller 607 and abuts its end 611A against the carriage rail 613, thereby releasing the spring. Push it up against the elastic force of 631. That is, the displacement of the pinch roller 607 when relatively thick recording paper is conveyed is absorbed by the displacement of the pinch roller holder 611 and the subsequent displacement of the carriage rail 613.

At this time, the carriage rail 613 moves along the carriage main body 201 according to the position of the position lever 211 described above.
Alternatively, since it is in contact with the pressing member 211A, the carriage section 200, that is, the recording head section 1 is displaced in accordance with the displacement of the carriage rail 613.

According to the paper feed mechanism described above, when the recording paper used is relatively thin, the pinch roller 607 feeds the paper through the recording paper by displacing the pinch roller holder 611 and applying an appropriate pressing force depending on the paper thickness. The roller 606 can be acted upon.

Also, if the recording paper is relatively thick, use the pinch roller holder 6.
11 and the carriage rail 613, the pinch roller 607 can apply an appropriate pressing force to the paper feed roller 606 according to the paper thickness, and
It can be set appropriately depending on the distance between the recording paper and the recording head and the thickness of the paper. It goes without saying that the paper feeding mechanism described above operates effectively regardless of the position (■ or ■) of the position lever 211 described above.

The configuration and operation of the paper feeding device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12(A) and 12(B). In addition, in FIG. 12(A), the recording paper is a thin sheet 610A.
In the case of FIG. 12(B), the recording paper is a thick sheet 610B.
The behavior of the separation plate 605 in the case of the following is shown.

In these figures, 651 is a loosely fitting groove for supporting the separation plate 605 provided in the support member 603 that forms part of the device frame, and the opening direction of the groove 651 is approximately oriented toward the center of the axis of the pickup roller 604. It is formed like this.

The separation plate 605 also has a spring 612 held between the spring holding portion 605A and the bottom of the loose fitting groove 651, and hook-shaped claw portions 605B extending downward from both sides of the spring holding portion 605A. These claws 605
B is fitted into the engagement hole 651A provided at the bottom of the loose fit groove 651 to prevent the separation plate 605 from falling out of the loose fit groove 651. With the above configuration, the separation plate 6
05 is supported by the spring 612 and fits into the loose fitting groove 651.
This allows for internal swinging and vertical movement. Note that the spring 612 is selected to have an appropriate spring constant depending on the expected stiffness range of the recording paper used for recording.

In the paper feeding device configured as described above, FIG.
As shown in A), a thin sheet 610A that is relatively weak as a recording paper is placed in a feeding cassette, that is, a paper feeding tray 60.
Suppose that it is stored in 1. When the pickup roller 604 is driven by the feed signal in this state, the feed cassette 6
The thin sheet 610A located at the uppermost surface on 01 is sent out. First, the tip of the sheet 61OA is
It comes into contact with the separation plate 605.

In response, the separation plate 605 is displaced to a position corresponding to the stiffness of the thin sheet 610A and the spring force of the spring 612 supporting the separation plate 605, and the approach angle of the thin sheet 610A to the separation plate 605 ( The angle between the input direction of the recording sheet and the plane of the separating plate can be set to the optimal angle.
It is possible to improve the conveyance force (frictional force) generated between the half-moon roller 604A and the recording sheet.

In addition, when a thick sheet 610B with relatively strong stiffness is stored in the feeding cassette 601 and fed as shown in FIG. 605, the separating plate 60
5 is pushed down, its shoulder 605C hits the bottom of the groove 651, and it rotates using this shoulder 605C as a rotation fulcrum. As a result, the angle of approach formed between the recording sheet and the separation plate 605 can be made smaller than that shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent the conveyance force (frictional force) from becoming excessive and avoid paper feeding failures in the case of thick paper.

(Recovery Unit) FIG. 13 shows a schematic configuration of a recovery unit 400 according to this example.

Here, 401 is a unit casing, and the following parts are held in this unit casing 401. 403
is the motor that is the driving source for the operation of each part in the unit,
Driving force is transmitted to the worm wheel shaft 411 via a worm 407 attached to the motor output shaft 405 and a worm wheel 409 that meshes with the worm 407 .

Reference numeral 420 denotes a cap portion that can come into contact with the ejection orifice forming surface IA of the recording head 1 to cover the ejection orifice periphery, and at least the portion that contacts the ejection orifice forming surface is formed of an elastic member such as rubber. Reference numeral 430 designates a cap pressure contact/equalization unit that presses the cap unit 420 against the discharge port forming surface LA and ensures close contact with the cap unit 420. Reference numeral 440 designates a pump that connects the cap unit 420 to the discharge port forming surface LA and ensures close contact therewith. tube 4
42 and the aforementioned sub-tank 300 through a suction tube 444 that communicates with the sub-tank 300, a suction force is applied to each of them, and the ink is suctioned toward a waste ink absorber (not shown) in the ink tank through a waste ink tube 446. discharge. This pump 440 is driven by a pump drive cam 450 provided on the shaft 411 and a pump drive lever 452 engaged with the pump drive cam 450.

In this example, the tube 442 that communicates between the cap portion 420 and the pump 440 is bent vertically upward from the in-cap communication hole 442A to which the tube 442 is connected, and is then connected to the pump 440 located below. It looks like this. As a result, after ink is suctioned from the ejection port via the cap part 420, if suction processing (empty suction) is not performed in the uncapped state or is not performed sufficiently, a small amount of ink can be sucked into the tube 440. remain within. That is, the presence of the bend prevents all ink from flowing into the pump. By utilizing this, for example, the ejection port forming surface IA can be kept in a moist atmosphere in the capped state when recording is interrupted or when recording is stopped.
It protects the discharge port from drying out and prevents clogging. Therefore, the suction process when restarting recording can be made unnecessary or minimal. In addition, when the ink is not in use for a long time or the power is turned off, sufficient empty suction is performed to prevent ink from remaining in the tube, thereby preventing the ink from sticking in the tube.

Further, in this example, when the unit 400 is attached to the device, the pump 440 is arranged such that the discharge side is located on the lower side in the vertical direction and the discharge flow path faces downward. Thereby, the ink is discharged smoothly from the pump 440 under the action of gravity.

FIG. 14(A) is a side sectional view of the recovery unit 400. Here, reference numeral 461 is an access lever whose tip 461A enters a recess 205H provided in the recording head cover 205 to directly face the cap portion 420 to the ejection port forming surface IA, and at least its tip portion is attached to the recording head. It can be displaced or deformed in the scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the drawing). 465 is an access lever drive arm;
It is coupled with the access lever 461. This arm is also rotatable around an axis 465A near one end.

467 is a cam provided on the shaft 411, and is engaged with a pin 468 on the arm 465. 469 is a spring for regulating the movement of the arm 465 by making the pin 468 conform to the contour of the cam 467;
The arm 46 is stretched between the protrusion 463 provided on the arm 46
5 is given the ability to rotate toward the cam 467 side.

471 is a cap holder that holds the cap portion 420;
473 is a holder guide lever provided integrally with the cap holder 471, and its tip 475 is connected to the housing 401.
It protrudes through a hole made in the.

The cap holder 471 can move forward and backward with respect to the recovery unit 400 while holding the cap part 420, and as the cap holder 471 moves forward, the cap part 420 comes into contact with the discharge port forming surface IA, and as it retreats, this contact is released. In addition, the cap part 4
20 to the cap holder 471 are movable in the recording head scanning direction.

Reference numeral 477 is a spring for making the holder-side engaging portion move against the cam that restricts the forward and backward movement of the cap holder 471, and is provided at the tip end portion 475 of the holder guide lever.

The cap portion 420 is provided with an atmospheric communication hole, which will be described later.
This communication hole is also opened and closed via a cam 513, a drive lever 511, etc., which will also be described later. The opening/closing mechanism of the atmosphere communication hole, the advancing/retracting mechanism of the cap portion, the advancing/retracting mechanism of the access lever, etc. will be described later with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

In FIG. 14(A), reference numeral 481 denotes a lock portion for obtaining a locked state between the recovery unit 400 and the carriage portion 200 during recovery processing or the like.

Further, in this example, the pump 440 is provided in the housing-side pump receiving portion 4.
A holder 48 as shown in Fig. 14 CB) provided in 01A
It is held at 3. This holder 483 has a substantially C-shape, and holds the pump 440 by its elastic deformation and restoring force. Note that 491 and 493 are locking portions on the housing side and the pump side, respectively, and are used for positioning the pump 440 and maintaining the mounting position.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the recovery unit centered on the opening/closing mechanism of the atmospheric communication hole in the cap, and Fig. 16 is a side cross section of the recovery unit centered on the opening/closing mechanism, the cap movement mechanism, and the access lever movement mechanism. It is a diagram.

First, the atmospheric communication mechanism will be explained.

In these figures, 501 is an atmosphere communication hole of the cap portion 420. Reference numeral 503 denotes an opening/closing lever, which includes an arm portion 503A provided with a pad 505 for closing the atmosphere communication hole portion 501 and an arm portion 503 that engages with the operating lever 511.
B, and is rotatably supported around a shaft 507. Reference numeral 509 denotes a spring for giving the opening/closing lever 503 the ability to rotate in the direction of closing the atmospheric communication hole.

The operating lever 511 includes a portion 511A that engages with the communication hole opening/closing cam 513 and an arm portion 503B of the opening/closing lever 503.
It has a portion 511B that engages with, and is rotatable around a shaft 515. Reference numeral 517 denotes a spring, which gives the actuating lever 511 a turning habit in the direction in which the portion 511A comes into contact with the cam 513. As a result, as the cam 513 is displaced, the space inside the cap portion 420 is communicated with/cut off from the atmosphere.

Next, a mechanism for advancing and retracting the cap portion 420 will be described.

In FIG. 16, the cap holder 471 and the holder guide lever 473 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. 521
is a roller provided on the holder guide lever 473, which engages with the cap advancing/retracting cam 523.

531 is an elongated hole provided in the longitudinal direction of the access lever 461, into which a bottle 533 protruding from the cap holder 471 is fitted. Therefore, in this example, the cap portion 420 is guided by the elongated hole 531 during forward and backward movements.

Further, it is interlocked with the access lever 461 in the recording head scanning direction. A spring 535 cooperates with the spring 477 to bias the cap portion 420 in the backward direction. Further, 205H is a recess provided in the recording head cover 205 to receive the entry of the access lever 461.

Note that in FIG. 16, the access lever drive arm 465 is shown in a different position from that in FIG. 14 to simplify the illustration.

Next, the forward and backward movement of the access lever 461 and the cap portion 420 will be described.

Generally, it is difficult to accurately stop the carriage at a position where the recording head ejection opening forming surface and the cap directly face each other. Therefore, for example, a member that can protrude toward the recovery unit side and a member that can receive it on the recording head side are provided, and by pushing the former into the latter, the carriage is forcibly set in a position where the recording head side directly faces the cap. It is possible to do so. However, a carriage like the one in this example is equipped with four recording heads, which are heavy, and forcibly displacing them as described above not only requires a large amount of force. This also causes an excessive load on the protruding member, cap, etc.

Therefore, in this example, a configuration is adopted in which the cap portion 420 side is displaced so as to directly face the recording head ejection port forming surface.

This will be explained using FIGS. 17(A) to (C).

First, the arrangement range H of the four recording heads to be covered by the cap parts and the arrangement range C of the four cap parts each covering the ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head separately are set as shown in FIG. Suppose that the carriage deviates by a certain amount and then stops.

When the access lever 461 is protruded from this state, the tapered portion 461T of the tip portion 461A eventually engages with the recess 205H of the head cover 205, and the access lever 461 is supported so as to be displaceable in the carriage scanning direction S. If there is, it will move to the left in the figure and then enter the recess 205H, as shown in FIG. Moreover, the leftward movement is caused by the bin 533 and the elongated hole 531.
Since these are engaged with each other, the cap holder 471 and the cap portion 420 are displaced in the same direction.

Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. FC) in which the access lever tip 461A has completely entered the recess 205H, there is no deviation between the range H and the range C, that is, the recording head and the cap portion 4
20, so that accurate capping can be performed by advancing the cap portion 420.

In this example, strict accuracy is not required for controlling the stop position of the carriage, and the access lever can enter the recess as long as a certain degree of accuracy is secured. In other words, the first dimension of the access lever tip shape, the first dimension of the recess shape, etc. are selected depending on the precision of the carriage stop position.

In order for the tip of the access lever to enter smoothly, the entire access lever must be attached to the housing so that it can be displaced in translation in the scanning direction S, as described above, or it must be centered around the rear swing fulcrum. be attached to the housing such that it can be oscillated, and furthermore, at least the tip portion 4
61A may be elastically deformable to some extent, or a combination thereof may be adopted. In any case, it is sufficient that the elongated hole 531 constitutes a path for guiding the cap portion 420 to a predetermined position (accurate cap position) via the bottle 533 when the plunge is completed. For example, if the access lever 461 is swingable about the rear fulcrum, unlike in FIG. 17, the access lever 461 will be tilted when the entry is completed, and the ranges H and C will not face each other when the cap is not on. However, since the elongated hole 531 is also inclined, if the bottle 533 moves forward along this elongated hole 531, the cap portion 420 will eventually be able to accurately cover the recording head ejection opening forming surface.

Access lever 4 due to such entry on the cap side
In order to be able to follow the displacement or deformation of the elongated hole 61 or the elongated hole 531 without restricting it, and to be able to move forward and backward along the elongated length of the elongated hole 531, the cap part itself must be It is preferable to attach it to the housing with some play.

In addition, in FIGS. 17(A) to (C), 540 is a blade which, like the above-mentioned parts, can move forward and backward by a cam provided in the recovery unit 400, and performs recording according to the scanning of the carriage in the protruding state. It engages with and cleans the head discharge port forming surface.

Figures 18(A) to (C) show the pump 4 used in this example.
40 configuration examples are shown.

Pump 440 includes a cylinder body 551, cylinder heads 553 and 555, a piston 557, and a valve unit 559. The valve unit 559 is attached to one cylinder head 553, and the cylinder head 553 has a portion 553 that is snap fastened to a protrusion 561 on the cylinder body 551.
This makes it possible to easily attach the valve unit 559 and cylinder head 553.

The valve unit 559 includes a valve element 565 that can open and close the ink inlet from the cap side and the sub-tank side, and a spring 567 that biases the valve element in the closing direction.

The piston 557 is arranged between a piston shaft 557A in which a flow passage 556 is formed in a part, a valve body 571 and a flange portion 573 provided on the piston shaft 557A, and the valve body and the flange in a loosely fitted state on the shaft 557A. , and a frame 570 having an ink flow path 570A formed therein. Further, the cylinder head 555 has a sealing portion 555A,
Similar to the cylinder head 553 above, the cylinder body 551
mounted on.

In such a configuration, when the piston 557 is displaced downward in the figure as shown in FIG.
opens the ink inlet, and as a result, ink is sucked from the cap side and the sub-tank side, and since the valve body 571 closes the flow path 5708, the ink in the lower chamber does not backflow. (It is discharged through the pipe portion 575. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the piston 557 is displaced upward, the valve body 571
is opened, and the ink stored in the upper chamber flows into the flow path 57.
0A and 556 into the lower chamber.

Further, at this time, since the valve body 565 closes the ink inlet, ink does not flow back to the cap side and the sub tank side.

The pump 440 configured and operated as described above is attached to the recovery unit housing 401 using a holder as shown in FIG. 14(B). In addition, in this example, the piston 44
0 is l cap i.e. 1. one for each recording head,
A total of 4 will be installed. This has the following advantages:

In the case of this example, four recording heads are provided corresponding to inks of different colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black). However, the amount of ink to be sucked during recovery processing varies depending on the frequency of use, ink composition, etc. of each recording head.

Therefore, if a pump is used in combination, and assuming that approximately the same negative pressure acts on each head, it is necessary to use a pump whose capacity is determined in accordance with the amount of ink sucked from the recording head that requires the most ink consumption. This not only increases the size of the pump, but also causes more ink to be suctioned from the recording head, which requires less consumption during recovery processing.

On the other hand, in this example, the capacity of each pump can be determined in accordance with the amount of ink suction required by each recording head, and the inconvenience caused when the pump is used in combination can be avoided.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram of the drive system of four pumps according to this example. As shown in the figure, in this example, the pumps 440 are made up of two sets, and each set has a cam 450 attached to a shaft 471.
and lever 452. In this example, the cam phases of each set are made equal, that is, the four pumps 440 are driven in the same phase. Therefore, assembly work becomes easy.

However, the phases may be different for each set, or cams and levers may be prepared for each pump and driven at different phases. This is preferable from the viewpoint of load balancing (location or driving).

The operation timing of each part of the recovery unit such as the cam and each part driven by the cam can be determined, for example, as shown in FIG. 20. Note that in the figures, the "sensor" may be a sensor that detects the open state of the cap.

Furthermore, in the "small recovery" and "main recovery" modes, for example, the amount of ink suction can be made different, so-called preliminary ejection can be added, etc. Further, after the recovery process, it is preferable to make the blade protrude and clean the discharge port forming surface.

Furthermore, in this example, the access lever is protruded prior to capping, and conversely, the capping is released prior to retraction of the access lever. This is because the cap portion 420 is moved back and forth along the elongated hole 531 of the access lever described above. Also, when applying capping,
and when canceling this, at any other appropriate timing,
The atmospheric communication hole of the cap portion 420 is opened. this is,
This is effective in preventing undesirable pressure fluctuations occurring in the space within the cap when the cap is joined/separated, thereby preventing air from being taken into the ink discharge port or causing ink leakage.

(Arrangement of Ink Tanks) FIG. 21 is a plan view of the ink tank storage section of the apparatus of this example.

Here, 701 (to 7018, 701G, 701
M, 701Y) is an ink tank in the form of a cartridge having an ink storage section serving as an ink supply source and a waste ink storage section serving as a waste ink reservoir, and is detachable from the main body of the apparatus.

703 (to 7038, 7 (13c, 703M, 703
Y) is an ink supply pipe, which is connected to an ink storage section in an ink tank. Also, 707 (7078,
707C, 707M, 707Y) are waste ink pipes, which communicate the pump 440 with waste ink storage portions in each ink tank.

Regarding the arrangement of ink tanks, etc., the following points were particularly taken into consideration in this example.

Due to its composition, ink has different susceptibility to thickening and sticking depending on the color. For example, thickening and sticking tend to occur in the order of black (BK), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). As a result, the ink tends to thicken and stick even within the ink supply pipe, which is a closed system. In this example, the supply pipe was constructed using a polyethylene tube, but no matter what material the supply pipe is made of, a small amount of air may enter through the pipe wall.
Alternatively, the ink solvent may evaporate. Therefore, as the supply pipe becomes longer, the amount of air that enters or the amount of evaporation of the ink solvent increases.

Therefore, in this example, all the supply pipes are routed in the same direction (in this example, on the left side in the figure), and ink tanks containing ink that is likely to increase in viscosity and stick are arranged in order from the nearest to the supply side. In other words, the length of the supply tube for ink that tends to thicken and stick is made shorter (in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow from the left in the figure). This makes it possible to reduce the amount of intruding air or the amount of solvent evaporation for materials that are more likely to thicken and stick.

Incidentally, the above also applies to the ink discharge system leading to the waste ink storage section.

In the figure, reference numeral 800 denotes a remaining ink amount detection device, which will be described next, and is arranged between the ink storage section in the ink tank 701 and the ink supply pipe 703. Also, 707
Reference numeral 709 denotes a cable that brings together wiring related to the remaining ink amount detection device 800 and wiring related to a sensor that detects whether or not an ink tank is attached, and 709 is a connector portion thereof.

(Remaining ink amount detection system) Figure 22 (A) is a plan view of the ink pressure detection device.
Figure (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same device.

801 is a flow path member having an ink flow path 803 inside, and includes a pair of upper and lower members 801A and lower member 801B.
It consists of. Upper member 801A has a circular opening 805. 807 is a ring-shaped diaphragm, the peripheral portion of which is held between the upper member 801A and the pressing member 809, and covers the peripheral portion of the opening 805. At the upper four corners of the lower member 801A, there are upright stop members 811.
are provided respectively, and through holes 813 are vertically formed in each of the four corners of the presser member 809.
A stepped portion 813A is formed on the outer side of the upper part of 13. The stop member 811 has elasticity, and a stop claw 811A is formed on the outside of the tip. The upper surface of the locking claw 811A is sloped.

Each stop member 81 is provided in each through hole 813 of the holding member 809.
1 is located, and the locking claw 811A of the stopper member 811 is located at the stepped portion 8.
13A, the presser member 809 is fixed to the upper member 801A, and the diaphragm 807 is held between the upper member 801A and the presser member 809. In addition,
A protruding portion 881 is formed around the upper surface of the upper member 801A, and a notch 88 is formed around the lower surface of the corresponding pressing member 809.
3 is formed, and by fitting the two, the pressing member 809 is positioned and fixed to the upper member 801A.

A support member 815 is attached to the center portion of the diaphragm 807 so as to close the inner opening, and a protrusion at the upper center of the support member 815 (located at the center of the opening 805) 8
The proximal end of the locking member 817 is fixed (for example, screwed) to the support member 815 so as to fit into the locking member 815A.

The locking member 817 includes two elastic locking pieces 8 that stand upright.
19, and a locking claw 8 is provided on the outside of the tip of each locking piece 819.
19A is formed. The upper surface of the locking claw 819A is sloped. Note that the two locking pieces 819 are connected to the opening 805.
are placed symmetrically from the center of the

A through hole 821 is formed vertically in the central part of the holding member 809, and two locking pieces 81 are inserted into this through hole 821.
9 is located. A coiled spring 82 is installed inside the through hole 821.
3 and a spring locking ring 825 are located, and the lower end of the spring 823 is located outside of the two locking pieces 819 through the through hole 82.
It is supported by an annular protrusion (spring receiver) 821A at the bottom of 1. The spring stop ring 825 has a locking piece 8 on the inside.
The upper end of the spring 823 is pressed down in this state. The spring 823 is compressed by both (the annular protrusion 821A and the spring stop ring 825). Therefore, due to the repulsive force of the spring 823 (ignoring the pressure of ink in the ink flow path 803), the upper peripheral portion of the support member 815 is moved into the annular protrusion 821A.
The diaphragm 807 and the support member 815 are pulled upward so as to come into contact with the lower surface of the diaphragm 807 and the support member 815.

A cutout 827 is formed in one example of the holding member 809, and the middle portion of a pair of contact members (conductive) 829, 831 is fixed to the bottom of the cutout 827. The tip ends of the pair of contact members 829 and 831 are in contact with the lower surface of the annular protrusion 821A through a hole 827A formed at the bottom of the notch 827, and the rear ends are provided with a connector (for detecting the amount of ink remaining). Lead wires 835 and 837 from 833 (for connecting to the electrical circuit for the 833) are connected. A spring 823 is attached to the lower surface of the tip of the pair of contact members 829 and 831.
The upper surface of the support member 815 is pressed by the repulsive force to the upper surface peripheral portion (which has conductivity), and the upper surface of the supporting member 815 becomes electrically conductive with the upper surface of the support member 815.

The ink pressure sensing device configured as described above can be assembled very easily as follows.

First, the diaphragm 8 is placed on the opening 805 of the channel member 801.
07, and then lower the holding member 809 from above the channel member 801 so that the stopper members 811 are located in the through holes 813 at the four corners. As a result, the slope of the upper surface of the locking pawl 811A of the stopper member 811 hits the inner edge of the through hole 813 of the holding member 809, and the stopper member 811 is pushed by this.
1 tilts inward and enters the through hole 813 (that is, the pressing member 809 descends), and with the pressing member 809 pressing the diaphragm 807 from above, it enters the through hole 813.
The locking claw 811A of the stopper member 811 is attached to the upper step portion 813A.
is elastically moved (returned) and locked, and the presser member 809 is positioned and fixed to the upper member 801A.

Next, the spring 823 is inserted into the through hole 821, its lower end is placed on the annular protrusion 821A, and the spring stop ring 825 is placed on the annular protrusion 821A.
is positioned above the two locking pieces 819 and pushed down. As a result, the slopes of the upper surfaces of the locking claws 819A of the two locking pieces 819 are pressed against the inner edge of the spring stop ring 825, and the two
The two locking pieces 819 are inclined inwardly to each other due to their elasticity.
The spring locking ring 825 descends, and the two locking pieces 819 are tilted outward from each other due to the elasticity again, and the two locking claws 819A are locked to the inner upper surface of the spring locking ring 825, thus preventing the spring from tightening. The retaining ring 825 is prevented from coming off by the two retaining pieces 819, and the spring 823 is compressed by the spring retaining ring 825 and the annular protrusion 821A. Note that the pair of contact members 829 and 831 are attached to the presser member 809 in advance (.

According to the above configuration, the distance between the spring stop ring 825 and the annular protrusion 821A is constant, and the spring 82
The compressive force (repulsive force) of No. 3 falls within a predetermined range. Therefore, the diaphragm 807 responds to the negative pressure within a predetermined range of the ink within the ink flow path 803, and the support member 815 opens the pair of contact members 829, 831.

Therefore, according to the ink pressure detection device of the present invention, the detected pressure falls within the range in which the remaining amount of ink is stabilized, for example as shown by arrow A in FIG. 24, without any adjustment.

Normally, the ink pressure in the ink flow path is detected by an ink sensor when the carriage is stopped or while the carriage is running (that is, except when the carriage returns). As shown, when the carriage 851 returns to the left side and when it returns to the right side, inertial force acts on the ink in the ink flow path 853 as shown by the arrow in the figure, and as a result, extra negative pressure is generated when the carriage 851 returns to the left side, and when it returns to the right side, Extra pressure is applied to the ink in the ink flow path, and the ink sensor 855
This is because the true amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 857 cannot be detected.

For reference, FIGS. 25A and 25B show a plan view and a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional ink pressure detection device (ink sensor). 859 is a flow path member having an ink flow path 861 inside; Reference numeral 863 is a holding member, and the diaphragm 865 is held between these members 859 and 863, and the support member 8 attached to the center of the diaphragm 865 is
A center portion 867A of 67 protrudes into a through hole 869 at the center of the holding member 863, and a ring-shaped adjuster 871 is screwed into the upper part of this center portion 867A. The spring 873 is compressed by the portion 869A, and when the ink in the ink flow path 861 is higher than a predetermined negative pressure, the diaphragm 865 and the support member 867 are arched up by the repulsive force of the spring 873, and the annular protrusion 869A The upper surface of the peripheral portion of the support member 867 presses the tips of the pair of contact members 875 and 877 located on the lower surface of the contact member 875 to bring them into electrical contact with each other.

According to such a configuration, when the ink in the ink flow path 861 falls below a predetermined negative pressure, the diaphragm 865 responds and the support member 867 descends, and as a result, the pair of contact members 875', 877 The supporting member □ is separated from the tip of the member, and in this way, a predetermined negative pressure is detected. Therefore, the negative pressure detected by the pair of contact members 875 and 877 corresponds to the repulsive force of the spring 873.

However, in the conventional ink pressure detection device as described above, extremely troublesome adjustments must be made during assembly to bring the detected negative pressure to a predetermined value. That is, by appropriately turning the adjuster 871, the spring 87
3, the detected negative pressure value varies. For example, Figure 24 shows the relationship between the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge (g) and the negative pressure of ink in the ink flow path. As shown in the figure, the value of negative pressure to be detected is set to 65 ± 5 mm.
In order to make it approximately q, the pressure of the spring 873 must be finely adjusted using the adjuster 871, which is extremely troublesome.

(Supply Pipe Connection Portion) FIGS. 26(A) and 26(B) show an example of the configuration of the ink supply tube connection portion.

Here, 901 is a joint made of rubber, for example, attached to the main frame 900, and an ink tank 7018K.
Ink supply pipe 7038K from ~701Y ~703Y
925Y is fitted into the communicating tube section 9258, which will be described next. A valve body 905 is provided in the receiving portion 903 to narrow the ink flow path to the extent that no blockage or ink leakage occurs when the communication pipe portion 9258 is not attached to the valve body 925Y, and opens the ink flow path when it is attached. There is.

Reference numeral 921 is a joint that is connected to the joint 901 on the main body frame 900 side to introduce ink to the recording head side, and the joint 921 has a distal end portion inserted into the receiving portion 903 of the joint 901 and a tube extending rearward. ~925Y to the communicating pipe portion 9258 having a portion, and the main body frame 900
a latch portion 927 that engages with a locking portion 907 provided on the holder, an operating portion 929 for releasing the engaged state by opening the latch portion 927 outward, and a protrusion 931 that will be described later with reference to FIG. , a frame section 92 that holds these
3 are integrally formed by molding, for example, resin. A joint member 915 made of, for example, rubber is held on the frame portion 923 and has four flow paths formed therein. A communicating pipe portion 9 is provided at one end of the flow passages.
The rear extending portion of ~925Y is inserted into 258, and ~301Y is inserted into the supply pipe 3018 leading to the recording head at the other end. Moreover, 917 is provided near the connecting portion of the joint member 915 to the supply pipe 301 by printing or pasting a sticker.

The letter “Y” indicates supply pipes 301BK and 301 for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively.
C.

This is a display to prevent erroneous connection of 301M and 301Y.

When joining the joint 921 to the joint 901, when the joint 921 is advanced in the direction of the arrow from the state shown in FIG. When engaged, the latch portion 927 is pushed outward as the mounting operation is performed. When the surface portion 927T passes over the locking portion 907, the latch portion 927 is restored due to its spring property, and the joint 921 is locked as shown in FIG. 9(B). Additionally, in this state, the communication pipe portion 925 has entered the receiving portion 903 with the valve body 905 being pushed out, so that the ink communication between both units, that is, the ink tank side and the recording head side is communicated. will be done.

By the way, in such a mounting operation, it is conceivable that the operator performs an erroneous operation, that is, performs an erroneous mounting operation in which the joint 921 shown in FIGS. 26(A) and 26(B) is turned upside down. In order to prevent this reliably and with a simple configuration, the following configuration is adopted in this example.

FIG. 27 is a side sectional view of the ink supply pipe connection section. In this example, the operating portion 929 and the protrusion 931 are connected to the joint 92.
1, and the operating portion 929 has a shape with a portion 943 for preventing erroneous attachment.

On the other hand, the body frame 900 is provided with a locking portion 941 that does not interfere with the portion 943 during normal mounting as shown in the figure, but engages with the portion 943 to prevent the mounting operation when the front and back surfaces are reversed and incorrectly mounted. This prevents incorrect mounting of the joint 921 with the front and back sides reversed, and prevents ink of a different color from being introduced into the recording head provided corresponding to each color.
Inconveniences such as color mixing can be prevented.

Note that the portion 943 for preventing incorrect attachment may be provided on the frame portion 923, or may be formed by extending the protrusion 931 inward of the frame portion and rising from the extending portion.

According to this example, the ink supply tube can be connected with a simple operation without causing incorrect installation.
By operating the operation part 929 from the state shown in FIG. 1, the engagement between the latch part 927 and the locking part 907 can be released, so that the joint 921 can be easily removed. Such ease of removal improves maintenance workability. Further, by this removal, the valve body 905 returns to the state shown in FIG. 9A, so that no ink leakage occurs.

Now, in consideration of further improving the workability of maintenance that involves the removal of the joint 921, it is highly desirable that the operator not be burdened with paying attention to the location of the removed joint 921, etc.

Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG.
is provided on the side plate 2017. The receiver portions 2021 may be provided as a set in a number corresponding to the number of protrusions 931, but they may also be provided corresponding to any two of the temples while maintaining balance. In addition, its location is on the side plate 20.
It may be provided at any predetermined position on 17, or may be provided at various locations.

FIG. 28(B) shows a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 28(A) with the joint 921 placed thereon. In this way, the protrusion 9
31 is received in the hole 2023, and the lower end surface of the frame portion 923 is placed on the upper surface of the receiver portion 2021, so that the joint 921 is stably held. Further, in this state, the tip of the communicating tube portion 925 faces upward, so that no ink leakage occurs.

Note that various configurations for holding the joint 921 in this manner can be selected. For example, by utilizing the gap between the operating portion 929 and the protrusion 931 that appears in the side view, it is also possible to hook this onto a rod-shaped member provided on the side plate 2017 or the like, or an edge of the side plate or the like. In this case, tube 30
1, the operating portion 929 is held upside down from that shown in FIG. .

This is because even if it falls down, the extended portion engages with the side plate 2017 etc., thereby preventing further falling down.

In addition, in the above description, the ink supply system has a joint with a valve body on the upstream side in the ink supply direction, and a joint on the downstream side that opens the valve body in response to insertion, but the configuration of both joints can also be reversed. good.

In addition, such connections are not limited to the ink supply system.
Of course, the present invention can also be adopted for an ink discharge system leading to a waste ink storage section (in this example, provided in an ink tank).

It goes without saying that appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, on the upper side, a recording head, an ink tank, an ink supply system, an ink discharge system, an ink communication member, etc. are provided to accommodate ink of different colors, but it is not necessarily limited to ink of different colors; Each section may be provided corresponding to ink having widely different color tones, such as ink.

(Others) The present invention brings about excellent effects particularly in a bubble jet type recording head and recording apparatus among inkjet recording types.

This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

As for typical configurations and principles thereof, it is preferable to use the basic principles disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it is necessary to arrange the liquid (ink) in accordance with the sheet and liquid path that hold it. The electrothermal converter that is
Generating thermal energy in the electrothermal transducer and producing film boiling on the thermally active surface of the recording head by applying at least one drive signal that corresponds to recorded information and provides a rapid temperature rise above nucleate boiling. As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal, which is effective. The growth and contraction of the bubble causes liquid (ink) to be ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. If this drive signal is in the form of a pulse, bubble growth and contraction will occur immediately and appropriately.
Particularly responsive liquid (ink) ejection can be achieved,
More preferred. This pulse-shaped drive signal is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262.
Those described in the specification are suitable. Furthermore, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head includes, in addition to the combination configuration of ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section. The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose configurations in which the wafer is placed in a bending region. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1989-5 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge part of a plurality of electrothermal converters.
No. 9123670 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-1987 which discloses a structure in which an opening for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part.
The effects of the present invention are also effective even with a configuration based on the publication of No. 138461. That is, the present invention allows recording to be performed reliably and efficiently, regardless of the form of the rad for recording.

Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium that can be recorded by a recording apparatus.

Such a recording head may have either a configuration in which the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, even with the serial type shown above, the recording head is fixed to the device body, or by being attached to the device body, electrical connection to the device body and ink supply from the device body are possible. The present invention is also effective when using a replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself.

Further, it is preferable to add a recovery means for the recording head, a preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus, to the present invention because the effects of the present invention can be stabilized. Specifically, these include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressure or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element, or a combination thereof; It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing in order to perform stable printing.

In addition, regarding the type and number of recording heads installed, for example, in addition to one type that corresponds to single-color ink, there is also a plurality of recording heads that correspond to multiple inks with different recording colors and densities. It may be something that can be done. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode for only the mainstream color such as black, but may also be a recording mode in which the recording head is configured integrally or by a combination of multiple heads; The present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with a small number of full colors (colors or mixed colors).

In addition, in addition to being used as an image output terminal for information processing equipment such as a computer, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention may also take the form of a copying machine combined with a league, etc., or a facsimile machine having a transmission/reception function. It may also be something.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention has a simple structure,
It is possible to provide an ink pressure detection device that requires simple assembly work, can keep the detected pressure within a desired range without any adjustment, and is suitable for, for example, detecting the remaining amount of an ink cartridge of an inkjet recording device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the recording head section mounted on the carriage; Figures 4 (A) to (C) are the side sectional view and top view shown with the device cover removed; FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams for explaining details of the head cover according to this example. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing recording head positioning using a head cover according to another embodiment. 7(A) and (B) are perspective views showing an example of the configuration of the sub-tank shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 9 is a 10 is a top view showing a configuration example of a connecting pipe and a tube unit used in the ink supply system; FIG. 11 (A) and (Bl are respectively, 12A and 12B are side sectional views for explaining the operation of the paper feeding mechanism according to this example when conveying thin paper and thick paper, respectively. 13 is a schematic side sectional view showing the schematic configuration of the recovery unit according to the present example; FIGS. 14(A) and (B) are A detailed side sectional view of the recovery unit and a front view of its pump holding part, FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the recovery unit centered on the opening/closing mechanism of the atmospheric communication hole in the cap, and FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the recovery unit centered on the opening/closing mechanism, etc. 17(A) to 17(C) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the cap advancing/retracting mechanism, etc. according to this example, and FIGS. 18(A) to 18(C) are diagrams used in this example. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the pump drive system; FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram explaining the timing of the operation of each part of the recovery unit according to the present example; 22(A) and 22(B) are plan views showing an example of the ink pressure detection device used in this example. A vertical cross-sectional view, FIGS. 23(A) and 23(B) are explanatory diagrams for explaining ink pressure fluctuations due to carriage operation, and FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the remaining amount of ink and the negative pressure in the ink flow path. 25(A) and 25(B) are a plan view and a vertical sectional view of a conventional ink pressure sensing device shown for comparison with the ink pressure sensing device of this example, and FIG. 26(A) and CB ) is a top view for explaining the configuration example and operation of the ink supply pipe connection part according to this example, FIG. 27 is a side sectional view thereof, and FIGS. 28(A) and (B) are the connection parts. FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a side sectional view showing an example of a configuration for holding one joint on a side plate wall surface. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Recording head chip, 11... Front plate, 13... Supply tube, 15... Guide groove, 201... Carriage body, 203... Carriage cover 205... Head cover 211...・Position lever 213... Guide shaft, 215... Guide, 217... Reference surface, 221.223... Leaf spring, 300... Sub tank, 311... Tube, 3238K (C, M, Y), 3258K (C
, M, Y) 321.8K (C, M, Y)... Connection pipe, 331... Tank member, 331BK (C, M, Y)... Storage chamber, 333...
Middle plate, 335... Connection plate, 337C(M), 339C(M)... Connection groove, 3
41C(M), 343CCM)...Connecting hole, 400.
...Recovery unit, 401...Unit housing, 403...Motor, 407...Worm, 409...Worm wheel, 420...Cap section, 440...Pump, 450...Cam , 452... Lever 461... Access lever 471... Cap holder, 501... Atmospheric communication hole, 601... Yarn interleaving paper tray, 602... Spring, 604... Pick up roller, 605 ... Separation plate, 606 ... Paper feed roller, 607 ... Pinch roller, 608 ... Platen, 609 ... Paper ejection roller, 611 ... Pinch roller holder, 613 ... Carriage rail, 614...Spring, 701B (C, M, Y)...Ink tank, 703
BK (C, M, Y)...Ink supply tube, 7078
K (C, M, Y)...waste ink tube, 801...
Channel member, 803... Ink channel, 807... Diaphragm, 809... Holding member, 819... Latching piece, 823... Spring, 825... Spring retaining ring, 901.921 ... joint, 905 ... valve body, 925 ... communication pipe section. Figure 4 (C) Figure 22 (8) Six ori, ・77 and Itlt circle turn l 2 Figure 23 (El) Go to X, 7=; October 29, 1990

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A channel member having an ink channel inside and an opening provided in the channel member that communicates with the ink channel,
a diaphragm attached to the flow path member; at least two locking pieces whose base ends are fixed to the center of the diaphragm and whose distal ends have locking claws; and the locking claws of the locking pieces are located on the inside. a spring stop ring that is prevented from coming off, and between the spring stop ring and the diaphragm,
A spring compressed by the flow path member and the spring stop ring; and a pair of contacts provided at positions where the diaphragm contacts and conducts with each other due to the repulsive force of the spring. Ink pressure detection device. 2) An inkjet recording apparatus characterized in that the ink pressure detection device according to claim 1 is disposed in the middle of an ink supply system to a recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink. 3) The recording head is characterized in that it has an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy that causes film boiling in the ink, as an element that generates energy used to eject the ink. The inkjet recording device according to claim 2.