JPH0444371Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of industrial application] This invention relates to an ink receiving device used during purging of an inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink from a nozzle mechanism installed on the outer periphery of a rotating printer head. It is something.

[Prior Art] So-called inkjet printers, which eject ink from nozzles to print on paper surfaces, are widely used because they are capable of high-speed printing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main parts around the printer head of such an inkjet printer.

In the figure, 1 is an ink tank, 2 is an ink tank,
3 is a printer head installed on the top of the ink tank 1, and 4 is a rod-shaped detection body that houses a thermistor 4a as a detection element at the lower end of the inside, and is made of heat-resistant and chemical-resistant resin such as fluororesin. .

Reference numeral 5 denotes a nozzle mechanism that receives ink 2 from a supply pipe 6 and sprays it to form desired prints on paper, and a plurality of nozzle mechanisms are installed in a cylinder on the outer wall of the printer head 3. 7 is an ink supply source that dissolves solid ink and supplies it to the ink tank 1;
is a pulse generator for the pulsating operation of the piezoelectric element in the nozzle mechanism 5.

Note that 2a and 3a are heaters for keeping the ink 2 warm.

By the way, in the above-mentioned inkjet printer, since solid ink which is thermally dissolved in the printing ink is used, no clogging phenomenon occurs in the nozzles. In the case of liquid ink, the surface that comes in contact with air undergoes a chemical change and solidifies over time, which causes clogging, and it is necessary to always jet ink from the nozzle and purge the nozzle clogging before printing. .

On the other hand, in the case of solid ink, since it is heated and melted each time it is used, the ink is always maintained in a homogeneous state, so purging as in the case of liquid ink is not necessary.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, in the case of inkjet printers that use solid ink, for example, the ink in the tank is stored in the heater 2 when the printer is turned off.
When the ink is turned off, it solidifies, and when the power is turned on, it is melted again using the heaters 2a and 3a. Bubbles are generated in the ink flow path leading to the orifice of the nozzle, making it impossible to perform proper printing.

For this reason, even in the above-mentioned inkjet printers that use solid ink, before the official printing operation, it is necessary to perform purging, also known as discarding, to discharge bubbles in the nozzle system that can interfere with printing. Therefore, it is necessary to treat the ink discharged by purging.

[Means for solving the problem] This invention is an ink jet printer that uses solid ink, in which an ink receiving device for receiving ink during purging is provided near the outer periphery of the printer head, and this ink receiving device is used. ,
A receiving plate having a heating means and facing the printer head, a discharge part for discharging the molten ink from the receiving plate having the heating means, an ink bottle for storing the molten ink from the discharge part, and the receiving plate. By comprising a plate and a heat insulating cover section provided near the discharge section, the ejected ink is appropriately processed by purging.

[Example] An example of this invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an ink receiving device according to this invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a receiving plate made of aluminum that is provided facing the nozzle 5a of the printer head 3, and a heater 10 (PTC server) as a heating means is provided on the back side of the plate, that is, the surface opposite to the surface facing the nozzle 5a. Mr.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a discharge section for receiving ink dripping from the receiving plate 9 and then discharging it into an ink bottle to be described later, and is provided at the lower end of the receiving plate 9.
Similarly, a heater 10 as a heating means is installed on the back side of the
(PTC thermistor).

Reference numeral 12 denotes a heat insulating cover section made of a resin material with low thermal conductivity, which is provided at the rear of the receiving plate 9 and the discharge section 11 to prevent heat dissipation of the heater 10 in both of them.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an ink bottle for storing the molten ink from the discharge section 11, and is detachably attached to the discharge section. Note that 3b is a printer head housing.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained based on the above configuration.

The printer head in this embodiment has a total of 32 nozzles arranged at equal intervals around its outer circumference, 20 of which are for black ink, 12 for color ink, and 4 nozzles for each color. The nozzle is for a total of 3 colors.

As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving plate 9 is designed to cover ink ejection from nozzles located within a central angle of 100 degrees of the printer head.

Therefore, approximately 8 to 10 nozzles can be purged in one operation.

Normally, 10 nozzles for black ink are purged at the same time, this is done twice, and then each nozzle for color is purged.

Therefore, purging will normally be performed for a total of 5 units.

When ink is ejected from the nozzle 5a in the direction of arrow A by purging, it hits the receiving plate 9.

Since the receiving plate 9 is heated by the heater 10, it drips downward in a molten state without solidifying and is then stored in the discharge section 11.

And, the inclined flow path 11a of this discharge part 11
The ink flows through the discharge port 11b and is stored in the ink bottle 13 below the discharge port 11b.

Note that since the discharge section 11 is also heated by the heater 10, the ink is smoothly discharged without solidifying.

[Effects of the invention] This invention provides an ink receiving device during purging of an inkjet printer, including a receiving plate having a heating means and opposing the printer head, and a receiving plate having a heating means for discharging molten ink from the receiving plate. By being composed of a discharge section, an ink bolt that stores molten ink from the discharge section, and a heat insulating cover section provided near the receiving plate and the discharge section, printing as the ink melts when the power is turned on. This has the advantage that the ink discharged together with air bubbles in the nozzle system, which can cause problems, can be stored in the ink bolt with a simple structure without solidifying the discharged ink.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view of the ink receiving device according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a partially sectional plan view of the same as above,
FIG. 3 is a partially sectional side view showing the main parts of the inkjet printer. 1... Ink tank, 3... Printer head, 3b... Printer head housing, 5...
... Nozzle mechanism, 9 ... Reception plate, 10 ... Heater, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Discharge part, 11a... Channel, 11b... Discharge port, 12... Heat insulation cover part, 13... Ink bottle.

Claims (1)

[Scope of claim for utility model registration] An inkjet printer that receives ink from an ink tank that stores melted ink and sprays ink onto the paper surface from a nozzle mechanism installed in the printer head to perform printing, etc. In an ink receiving device during ink purging, the ink receiving device is divided into: a receiving plate having a heating means and facing the printer head; a discharge portion for discharging molten ink from the receiving plate having a heating means; and a discharge portion for discharging melted ink from the discharge portion. An ink receiving device for purging an inkjet printer, comprising: an ink bottle for storing ink; and a heat insulating cover section provided near the receiving plate and the discharge section.