JPH09267490A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the necessity of controlling a second solution for respective first solutions and avoid the complicated control for the second solution by providing a second solution storage means for storing the second solution to be used when a plurality of first solutions are diluted in common with a plurality of first solution storage means for storing respective first solutions separately. SOLUTION: A second solution storage means 25 for storing the second solution to be used when respective first solutions stored in a plurality of first solution storage means 21-24 separately is provided in common with a plurality of first solution storage means 21-24 for storing respective first solutions separately. The control of the second solution for respective first solutions is not required by the above arrangement to avoid the complicated control for the second solution. Thus a printer for controlling easily the second solution is realized.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Table of Contents] The present invention will be described in the following order. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Prior Art Problems to be Solved by the Invention Means for Solving the Problems Embodiments of the Invention (1) Examples (FIGS. 1 to 12) (1-1) Configuration of Printer (FIG. 1 to 4) (1-2) Configuration of ink container and diluent container (FIGS. 5 to 7) (1-3) Configuration of print head (FIGS. 8 to 11) (1-4) First embodiment And effects (FIGS. 5 to 7 and 12) (2) Other embodiments (FIGS. 13 to 17) Effects of the invention

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device, and more particularly to mixing a first solution and a second solution and discharging the mixed solution from a print head onto a recording medium to form the mixed solution on the recording medium. It is suitable for application to a printer device for printing.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer device, there is a printer device which prints an image on a recording medium such as a paper or a film by ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle in response to a recording signal, thereby realizing downsizing and cost reduction. Since it can be done, it is rapidly spreading in recent years.

In this printer, as a method for ejecting ink droplets, there are a method using a piezoelectric element and a method using a heating element, for example. In the method using a piezoelectric element, pressure is applied to an ink chamber filled with ink by deforming the piezoelectric element to eject ink droplets from a nozzle communicating with the ink chamber. In the method using a heating element, ink droplets are ejected from a nozzle by the pressure of bubbles generated by heating and boiling the ink by the heating element.

In the method using the piezoelectric element, a laminated piezoelectric element formed by laminating three or more piezoelectric elements laminated on a vibration plate is linearly displaced to press the ink chamber through the vibration plate. And a method of bending the vibrating plate to press the ink chamber by applying a voltage to the single-plate type piezoelectric element bonded to the vibrating plate or the two-layered piezoelectric element.

[0006] In recent years, document creation using a computer referred to as disposable publishing has become popular, and not only letters and figures but also color natural images such as photographs are output together with letters and figures. The demand is increasing. In this way, it is important to reproduce halftones in order to punch out a high-quality natural image. In order to reproduce halftones, the voltage or pulse width applied to the piezoelectric element or heating element is changed to control the droplet size to be ejected so that the diameter of the printing dot is represented as variable, or the dot diameter is changed. There is one in which one pixel is formed without changing, for example, by a matrix of 4 × 4 dots, and gradation expression is performed by using a so-called dither method in this matrix unit.

However, in the printer device, in the method of controlling the size of droplets to be ejected by changing the voltage or pulse width applied to the piezoelectric element or the heating element, the voltage or pulse width applied to the piezoelectric element or the heating element is changed. If it is lowered too much, it will not be possible to eject ink, so there is a limit to the minimum droplet diameter. As a result, particularly low-density expression cannot be performed, and the number of gradation steps that can be expressed is reduced. Further, according to a method of expressing gradation using a dither method, for example, one pixel is divided into four.
In the case of the matrix of × 4, the density of 17 gradations can be expressed, but, for example, when printing is performed with the same dot density as in the above method, the resolution deteriorates to ¼ and the roughness becomes conspicuous. . As described above, none of the methods is practically sufficient for printing out a natural image.

[0008]

By the way, recently, a "carrier jet" printer apparatus has been proposed as an improvement over the drawbacks of this type of printer apparatus. The "Carrier Jet" printer device is provided with an ink nozzle that quantifies and ejects ink and a diluent liquid nozzle that ejects a diluent, and the ink ejected from the ink nozzle and the diluent nozzle are ejected. The gradation is provided in the dot by changing the ink concentration by mixing with a diluting liquid. However, when a diluent is used in addition to the ink, replenishment and management of the diluent may be complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to propose a Punlita device which makes it easier to replenish and manage the second solution when using the second solution.

[0010]

In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, a second solution accommodating means for accommodating a second solution used when diluting a plurality of first solutions is provided. A plurality of first solutions each containing a first solution separately
It is commonly provided for the solution storage means. Management of the second solution is performed by the second solution storage means.

Further, in the present invention, the second solution accommodating means for accommodating the second solution is provided corresponding to the plurality of first solution accommodating means for accommodating the plurality of first solutions respectively. , Each first solution storage means and each second
The solution storage means is detachably attached to the print head through a predetermined supporting member. The replenishment of the first solution and the second solution is performed by removing the first and second solution storage means from the print head.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of Printer Device In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a serial type "carrier jet" printer device (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer device) to which the present invention is applied, A paper pressure controller 3 is provided in parallel with the drum 2 in the axial direction of the drum 2, and a print paper 4 as an object to be printed is pressure-fixed to the drum 2 by the paper pressure controller 3.

A feed screw 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the drum 2 in parallel with the axial direction of the drum 2, and a "carrier jet" print head (hereinafter, simply referred to as a print head) 6 is screwed onto the feed screw 5. are doing. The print head 6 is designed to move in the axial direction of the drum 2 by the rotation of the feed screw 5, and four ink containers (not shown) respectively containing four color inks of yellow, magenta, cyan and black. No.) and a diluent container (not shown) for containing the diluent are attached. Further, the drum 2 is connected to the motor 1 via the pulley 7, the belt 8 and the pulley 9.
0. This printer device 1 is shown in FIG.
It is controlled by the control unit 11 shown in.

The control unit 11 includes a signal processing control circuit 12, a first driver 13, a second driver 14, a memory 15,
It is configured by the drive control unit 16 and the correction circuit 17. The signal processing control circuit 12 is a CPU or DSP (Digita
l Signal Proccessor) and receives print data, an operation unit signal, and an external control signal as an input signal S1 from the outside, the print data is arranged in the print order and is transmitted via the first driver 13 and the second driver 14. The ejection signal is sent to the print head 6, and the print head 6 is driven and controlled.

In this case, the printing order differs depending on the configuration of the print head 6 and the printing unit, and also has a relationship with the input order of the print data, and if necessary, a memory having a line buffer memory or a single screen memory configuration. The data is once recorded in the memory 15 and then read out from the memory 15 at a suitable time.
The signal processing control circuit 12 is designed to process the input signal S1 by software, and sends the processed signal to the drive control unit 16 as a control signal. Drive control unit 16
Receives the control signal sent from the signal processing control circuit 12, controls the driving and synchronization of the motor 10 and the motor that rotationally drives the feed screw 5, cleans the print head 6, supplies and exhausts the print paper 4, etc. Is designed to control.

When the printer 1 has a multi-head configuration, the signal processing control circuit 12 controls the correction circuit 17 so that γ
Correction, color correction in the case of color, and variation correction of each print head 6 are performed. Predetermined correction data is stored in the correction circuit 17 in a ROM (read only memory) map type, and the signal processing control circuit 12 reads it according to external conditions such as nozzle number, temperature and input signal. Has been done. When the printer device 1 has a multi-head configuration and the number of nozzles is very large, an IC (integrated circuit) is mounted on the print head 6 to reduce the number of wires connected to the print head 6.

The first driver 13 will be described later.
The first piezo element (quantity side) provided for ejecting ink from the ink nozzle is drive-controlled, and the second driver 14 is provided for ejecting the diluting liquid from the diluting liquid nozzle. The second piezo element (ejection side) is driven and controlled. In practice, as shown in FIG. 3, these first driver 13 and second driver 1
4 are provided according to the number of ink nozzles and the number of diluting liquid nozzles.

The first driver 13 and the second driver 14 respectively correspond to the first piezo element and the corresponding first piezo element under the control of the serial / parallel conversion circuit 18 and the timing control circuit 19 provided in the signal processing control circuit 12. The drive control of the second piezo element is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the serial-parallel conversion circuit 18 sends the digital halftone data D1 to each first driver 13 and each second driver 14. When the timing control circuit 19 receives the print trigger signal T1, the timing control circuit 19 receives the first trigger signal at a predetermined timing.
Timing signals are sent to the respective drivers 13 and the respective second drivers 14. The print trigger signal T1 is sent to the timing control circuit 19 at the print timing.

Each of the first and second drivers 13 and 14 has a timing corresponding to the timing signal from the timing control circuit 19, and the serial / parallel conversion circuit 18 has a timing.
The drive signal (drive voltage) corresponding to the data from is sent to the corresponding first piezo element and second piezo element. Here, the timing control circuit 19 includes a first piezo element and a second piezo element (in this case, the first piezo element and the second piezo element are a pair of an ink ejection nozzle and a diluent ejection nozzle). The timing signals are sent to the first and second drivers 13 and 14, respectively, so that the timing of the drive voltage applied to each of the first and second drivers 13 and 14 becomes the timing shown in FIG. 4, for example.

In the case of this embodiment, the discharge cycle is 1 [msec].
(Frequency 1 [kHz]), during which quantitative mixing of ink and ejection of droplets are performed. Further, when the digital halftone data D1 given from the serial / parallel conversion circuit 18 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, ink quantity determination and ejection are not performed.

(1-2) Structure of Ink Container and Diluting Liquid Container The ink container and the diluting liquid container will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, four ink containers 21,
22, 23 and 24 and the diluent container 25 are detachably provided on one surface 26A of a plate-shaped support member (hereinafter, referred to as a carriage) 26 having a predetermined thickness. The ink containers 21 to 24 are provided in a line in the longitudinal direction of the one surface 26A of the carriage 26, and the diluting liquid container 25 is provided substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the ink containers 21 to 24.

The ink containers 21, 22, 23 and 24 are containers having substantially the same capacity, and contain ink solutions of yellow, magenta, cyan and black, respectively. These ink solutions use, for example, water or an organic solvent or a mixture of water and an organic solvent in which an aqueous dye or pigment is dissolved or dispersed. The diluting liquid container 25 is a container having substantially the same volume as the total volume of the ink containers 21 to 24, and contains a colorless transparent diluting liquid for diluting the ink solution contained in each ink container 21 to 24. There is.
This diluent is, for example, water, an organic solvent or a mixture of water and an organic solvent. The carriage 26 can move along the guide rod 27.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ink container 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 2 are provided on one surface 26A of the carriage 26.
The coupling portions 21A to 24A and the coupling portion 25A are provided at the positions where 5 is provided, respectively. Carriage 26
Ink supply pipes 28, 29, 30 and 3 connected to the coupling portions 21A, 22A, 23A and 24A, respectively.
1 is provided, and a diluent supply pipe 32 is provided at the coupling portion 25A. In this case, the ink containers 21 to
Each ink solution contained in 24 is connected to the connecting portions 21A to 21A.
The diluent supplied to the ink supply pipes 28 to 31 via 24A and contained in the diluent container 25 is supplied to the diluent supply pipe 32 via the coupling portion 25A.

6 and 7 (the other surface 26 of the carriage 26)
As shown in the perspective view from the B side), the ink supply pipe 28
~ 31 is the carriage 26 through the interior of the carriage 26.
It is provided so as to project from the other surface 26B side by a predetermined length. The diluent supply pipe 32 branches into four branch pipes 32A to 32D inside the carriage 26, and these four branch pipes 32A to 32D are provided so as to project from the other surface 26B side of the carriage 26 by a predetermined length. Has been.

Here, the ink supply pipes 28 to 31 are arranged so that the carriage 2 is substantially perpendicular to the one surface 26A of the carriage 26.
After extending to approximately the center position in the thickness direction of the carriage 6, the carriage 2 extends substantially parallel to the one surface 26A of the carriage 26 in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of each ink container 21-24.
6 has a shape that extends substantially vertically to the other surface 26B side. The diluting liquid supply pipe 32 is provided on one side 2 of the carriage 26.
6A, which extends almost perpendicularly to the central position in the thickness direction of the carriage 26 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of each of the ink containers 21 to 24 on one surface 26A of the carriage 26.
After extending substantially parallel to the first direction 26A of the diluent container 25 with its position as the center, it extends substantially parallel to one surface 26A of the carriage 26 and branches into four branch pipes 32A to 32D. Each of the branch pipes 32A to 32D extends in parallel with one surface 26A of the carriage 26 from the branch point in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of each of the ink containers 21 to 24.
The second surface 26B has a shape that extends substantially vertically.

(1-3) Structure of Print Head In fact, the print head 6 is provided on the other surface 26B side of the carriage 26. The structure of the print head 6 will be described, and the print head 6 and each ink container will be described. 21 to 24 and the connection state with the diluent container 25 will be described. In the following description, only the portion of the print head 6 corresponding to the ink container 21 of the carriage 26, that is, the portion corresponding to the yellow ink solution will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8 (a sectional view taken along the line AA 'in FIG. 10), the print head 6 includes a nozzle forming member (hereinafter referred to as an orifice plate) 41,
The liquid chamber forming member 42, the vibration plate 43, the laminated piezo 44 (corresponding to the above-mentioned first piezo element) and the laminated piezo 45 (corresponding to the above-mentioned second piezo element).

The orifice plate 41 is made of polysulfone in the shape of a plate, and has an ink nozzle 41A and a diluting liquid nozzle 41B. As shown in FIG. 9, the ink nozzle 41A and the diluting liquid nozzle 41
B is formed by, for example, an excimer laser, and the ink nozzle 41A is about 45 ° to the diluting liquid nozzle 41B side.
Is formed so as to form an angle. Further, the orifice plate 41 is provided with an ink introducing hole 41C and a diluting liquid introducing hole 41D which communicate with the ink nozzle 41A and the diluting liquid nozzle 41B, respectively.

One side 41A of this orifice plate 41
Is provided with a plate-shaped liquid chamber forming member 42 made of dry film resist, for example. An ink liquid chamber 42A and a diluting liquid chamber 42B are formed in the liquid chamber forming member 42,
The ink liquid chamber 42A and the diluting liquid chamber 42B communicate with the ink introducing hole 41C and the diluting liquid introducing hole 41D, respectively. Further, the liquid chamber forming member 42 is formed with an ink common liquid chamber 42C and a diluent common liquid chamber 42D which communicate with the ink liquid chamber 42A and the diluting liquid chamber 42B, respectively.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10 (a perspective view seen from the other surface 41B side of the orifice plate 41 in FIG. 8), the orifice plate 41 has the same number of ink nozzles 41A and diluting liquid nozzles 41B. A plurality of ink liquid chambers 42A and a diluting liquid chamber 42B are formed in the liquid chamber forming member 42 so as to correspond to the ink nozzles 41A and the diluting liquid nozzles 41B, respectively.
Each ink liquid chamber 42A communicates with the ink common liquid chamber 42C, and each diluting liquid chamber 42B communicates with the diluting liquid common liquid chamber 4.
It communicates with 2D. Here this plate 4
1 is an ink nozzle 41 for ejecting a yellow ink solution
The orifice plates corresponding to A and the diluting liquid nozzle 41B and corresponding to the ink solutions of other colors are separately provided for the respective colors.

As shown in FIG. 8, a plate-shaped vibrating plate 43 made of nickel is provided on the surface of the liquid chamber forming member 42 opposite to the surface on which the orifice plate 41 is provided. A through hole 43A and a through hole to which an ink connecting path 46 and a diluting liquid connecting path 47 (FIG. 10) that are respectively connected to the ink supply pipe 28 and the branch pipe 32A of the diluting liquid supply pipe 32 are attached to the vibrating plate 43. 43B is provided. The through hole 43A and the through hole 43B are formed in the liquid chamber forming member 42, and the common liquid chamber for ink 42C is formed in each of them.
And a communication passage 42E for ink and a communication passage 42F for dilution liquid which communicate with the common liquid chamber 42D for dilution liquid.

Therefore, after the yellow ink solution contained in the ink container 21 is filled in the common ink chamber 42C for the ink through the ink supply pipe 28, the ink connecting passage 46 and the ink communicating passage 42E, This common liquid chamber 42 for ink
The ink is supplied from C to each ink liquid chamber 42A. Similarly, the diluent stored in the diluent container 25 is supplied to the diluent supply pipe 32, the branch pipe 32A, and the diluent connecting path 4
7 and the diluting liquid communication passage 42F to fill the diluting liquid common liquid chamber 42D, and the diluting liquid common liquid chamber 42D is supplied to each diluting liquid chamber 42B.

On the surface of the vibrating plate 43 facing the liquid chamber forming member 42, the ink liquid chambers 42A and the diluting liquid chambers 4 are respectively formed.
The plate-shaped laminated piezo 44 and the laminated piezo 45 are adhered to the position corresponding to 2B with an adhesive. The laminated piezos 44 and 45 are configured by alternately laminating piezoelectric members and conductive members in a direction parallel to the one surface 43A of the diaphragm 43. Here, the piezoelectric member and the conductive member may be laminated in any number.

When a driving voltage is applied to the laminated piezo 44, the laminated piezo 44 is linearly displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow a in FIG. 8 and lifts a portion of the vibrating plate 43 corresponding to the ink liquid chamber 42A, whereby the ink liquid chamber 42A. Is designed to increase the volume of. When the driving voltage is released, the laminated piezo 44 linearly displaces in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow a and presses the vibrating plate 43 to reduce the volume of the ink liquid chamber 42A. Therefore, the pressure in the ink liquid chamber 42A is increased.

Similarly, when a driving voltage is applied to the laminated piezo 45, the laminated piezo 45 is linearly displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow a and is vibrated.
The volume of the diluting liquid chamber 42B is increased by lifting the portion corresponding to the third diluting liquid chamber 42B. When the driving voltage of the laminated piezo 45 is released,
The volume of the diluting liquid chamber 42B is reduced by linearly displacing in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow a and pressing the vibrating plate 43, thereby increasing the pressure in the diluting liquid chamber 42B.

The laminated piezos 44 and 45 are provided with plate-like support members 48 and 49 for fixing the upper ends of the laminated piezos 44 and 45, respectively. Here, as shown in FIG. 11 (a sectional view taken along the line BB ′ in FIG. 10), the laminated piezo 44 is provided corresponding to each ink liquid chamber 42A, and although not shown, the laminated piezo 45 is also provided. It is provided corresponding to the diluent chamber 42B. Further, in this print head 6, a fixing member 50 is provided on one surface 43A of the vibrating plate 43 so as to support the supporting members 48 and 49 and the ink connecting paths 46 and 47.

Here, the structure of the print head 6, the print head 6, the ink containers 21 to 24, and the diluent container 2 are shown.
5 is connected to the ink container 21 with reference to FIGS.
Although only the portion corresponding to the above has been described, the above description also applies to the portions corresponding to the ink containers 22 to 24 of the print head 6. In this case, the liquid chamber forming member 4
2 and the diaphragm 43 are provided over the entire surface of the other surface 26B of the carriage 26. That is, the liquid chamber forming member 42
The ink liquid chamber, the diluting liquid chamber, the ink common liquid chamber, the diluting liquid common liquid chamber, the ink communication passage, and the diluting liquid communication passage corresponding to the magenta, cyan, and black ink solutions respectively have the same configurations as described above. It is provided in. The vibrating plate 43 has ink supply pipes 29, 30 and 31, and branch pipes 32B and 32.
Through holes are provided for the ink connecting path and the diluent connecting path to which C and 32D are respectively connected.

Accordingly, the magenta, cyan, and black ink solutions contained in the ink containers 22, 23, and 24 are supplied to the ink supply pipes 29, 30, and 3, respectively.
1 to the ink connecting passages, the ink communicating passages, and the ink common liquid chamber that are provided corresponding to the respective ink solutions, and then the plurality of ink liquid chambers that are provided corresponding to the respective ink solutions. Is supplied to. Similarly, the diluent stored in the diluent container 25 is supplied from the diluent supply pipe 32 to the respective branch pipes 32B, 32C and 32D,
These branch pipes 32B, 32C, and 32D are provided corresponding to the respective ink solutions through the diluent connecting passage, the diluent connecting passage, and the common diluent common chamber, which are provided corresponding to the respective ink solutions. Is supplied to the plurality of diluted liquid chambers.
Thus, in the print head 6, the diluting liquid contained in the diluting liquid container 25 can be commonly used when diluting the four types of ink solutions.

The operation of the print head 6 will now be described. For example, 10 [V] is applied to each of the laminated piezoelectric elements 44 and 45.
And a driving voltage of 20 [V] is applied, the laminated piezo 4
4 and 45 are respectively displaced in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the arrow a (FIG. 8). As a result, the portions of the vibrating plate 43 corresponding to the ink liquid chamber 42A and the diluting liquid chamber 42B are lifted in the direction indicated by the arrow a.
Volumes of A and the diluent chamber 42B increase.

When the volumes of the ink liquid chamber 42A and the diluting liquid chamber 42B are increased, the meniscuses of the ink nozzle 41A and the diluting liquid nozzle 41B are temporarily changed to the ink liquid chamber 4 respectively.
2A and the diluting liquid chamber 42B side, but the laminated piezo 4
When the displacements of 4 and 45 subside, the ink is stabilized at the tips of the ink nozzle 41A and the diluting liquid nozzle 41B due to the balance with the surface tension, and the ejection standby state is reached (FIG. 12A).

Subsequently, a driving voltage of -5 [V] is applied to the laminated piezo 44, and as a result, the laminated piezo 44 is displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow a, whereby the diaphragm 43 is displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow a. As a result, the volume of the ink liquid chamber 42A decreases and the pressure in the ink liquid chamber 42A rises. This causes the ink to be pushed out from the ink nozzle 41A. Since the voltage value for releasing the drive voltage applied to the laminated piezo 44 is set to a value according to the gradation of the image data, the amount of ink pushed out from the tip of the ink nozzle 41A is the same as the image data. The amount depends on. The ink extruded from the ink nozzle 41A comes into contact with the diluting liquid forming the meniscus in the vicinity of the tip of the diluting liquid nozzle 41B and is mixed (FIG. 12B).

Next, a driving voltage of -20 [V] is applied to the laminated piezo 45, and as a result, the laminated piezo 45 is displaced in the direction indicated by arrow a, whereby the diaphragm 43 is displaced in the direction indicated by arrow a. As a result, the volume of the diluting liquid chamber 42B decreases, the pressure in the diluting liquid chamber 42B rises, and the diluting liquid is pushed out from the diluting liquid nozzle 41B (FIG. 12C). Subsequently, the drive voltage applied to the laminated piezo 44 is released, and the laminated piezo 44 returns to the initial state. As a result, the ink is drawn into the ink liquid chamber 42A side, and a quantified mixed solution is formed (FIG. 12D).

Subsequently, the driving voltage of the laminated piezo 45 is released, whereby the laminated piezo 45 is displaced in the direction opposite to the direction shown by the arrow a, and the diluent is drawn into the diluent chamber 42B. As a result, the mixed solution having the ink concentration corresponding to the image data is separated from the diluting liquid and ejected from the diluting liquid nozzle 41B (FIGS. 12E and 12).
(F)). After that, the internal pressures in the ink nozzle 41A and the ink liquid chamber 42A, the diluting liquid nozzle 41B, and the diluting liquid chamber 42B are restored, and the ink and the diluting liquid are caused by the capillary pressure to cause the ink nozzle 41A and the diluting liquid nozzle. 41B is refilled (FIG. 12 (G)).

(1-4) Operation and effects of the first embodiment With the above-described configuration, in the printer device 1, the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ink solutions contained in the ink containers 21 to 24 are diluted. At this time, the diluent contained in the diluent container 25 is stored in the diluent supply pipe 3
2 is supplied to the branch pipes 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D, and then the branch pipes 32A to 32D are provided with corresponding dilution liquid connection passages, dilution liquid communication passages, and dilution liquid common passages. Through the liquid chamber, it is supplied to a plurality of diluting liquid chambers respectively provided corresponding to the respective ink solutions.
Therefore, in the printer device 1, since the diluent contained in the diluent container 25 is commonly used for each ink solution, it is not necessary to manage the diluent for each ink solution. It is possible to avoid complicated liquid management.

In the printer device 1, the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 25 are respectively the carriages 2.
Since it is detachably attached to the print head 6 through 6, the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 25 can be individually replaced. Accordingly, the ink solution and the diluent can be easily replenished, and the ink container 21
24 to 24 and the diluent container 25 are disposable, the ink solution in the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluent in the diluent container 25 can be used without waste.

According to the above configuration, the ink containers 21, 2
A common diluent container 25 is provided in each of the ink containers 21 to 24 for containing a diluent used when diluting each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ink solutions contained in Nos. 2, 23, and 24. Each ink container 2
1 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 25 are detachably provided on the carriage 21, so that it is not necessary to manage the diluting liquid for each ink solution, so that the management of the second solution can be prevented from becoming complicated. it can. In addition, each ink container 21-24
Since the diluent container 25 and the diluent container 25 can be individually replaced, the ink solution and the diluent solution can be easily replenished. Thus, it is possible to realize the printer device 1 that can easily manage and replenish the diluting liquid.

(2) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the case where the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 25 are separately provided to the print head 6 via the carriage 26 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 13 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, the ink container 31 in which the ink containers 21 to 24 are integrally formed is provided in the carriage 26. Even if the one surface 26A is detachably provided, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. In this case, since it is not necessary to manage each ink container 21 to 24 separately, it is possible to easily manage each ink as compared with the case of the above-described embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the case where the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 25 are separately provided to the print head 6 via the carriage 26 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 14 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, the solution storage portion 41 in which the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 25 are integrally formed is attached to the one surface 26 of the carriage 26.
It may be detachably attached to A.

In this case, since it is not necessary to separately manage the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 25, the management of the ink solution and the diluting liquid can be performed more easily than in the case of the above-described embodiment. be able to. Further, in this case, the diluting liquid according to the usage amount of the diluting liquid for each ink contained in each ink container 21 to 24 is supplied to the diluting liquid container 2.
It is possible to prevent the diluting liquid from being lost first in each ink solution by storing the diluting liquid in each of the ink solutions. This also applies to the cases of FIGS. 5 and 13.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid container 25 are separately provided to the print head 6 via the carriage 26 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not limited to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15 in which parts corresponding to and are assigned the same reference numerals, diluent containers 51 to 54 may be provided corresponding to the ink containers 21 to 24, respectively.

In this case, the ink container 21 and the diluting liquid container 51, the ink container 22 and the diluting liquid container 52, the ink container 23 and the diluting liquid container 53, the ink container 24 and the diluting liquid container 54 are integrally formed, respectively. The first solution storage section 55, the second solution storage section 56, the third solution storage section 57, and the fourth solution storage section 58 are configured. The first to fifth solution storage portions 55 to 58 are detachably provided on one surface 26A of the carriage 26.

Corresponding ink containers 21 to 24 in this way
Since the diluent containers 51 to 54 are integrally configured, it is possible to manage the diluent when managing each ink solution. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately manage the ink solution and the diluent. The liquid can be managed more easily. Further, since the first to fourth solution storage portions 55 to 58 are detachably provided, the ink solution and the diluent can be easily replenished.

The corresponding ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluting liquid containers 51 to 54 do not have to be integrally formed. In this case, each of the ink containers 21 to 24 is similar to the above-described embodiment.
When the diluent containers 51 to 54 are disposable, the ink solution and the diluent can be used without waste.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where four color ink solutions of yellow, magenta, cyan and black are used as the first solution has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and the first solution is used. Alternatively, three color ink solutions of yellow, magenta and cyan may be used.
Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to provide the ink container 24 containing the black ink solution. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where all the ink solutions of respective colors are diluted with the diluting liquid has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the black ink solution is discharged as it is without being diluted with the diluting liquid. You may do it.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, pressure is generated in each ink liquid chamber and each dilution liquid chamber by using the laminated piezos 44 and 45, and the mixed solution having the ink concentration corresponding to the image data is diluted with the dilution liquid nozzle. Although the case of discharging from 41B has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mixed solution may be discharged using a heating element. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ink is set to the fixed amount side,
Although the case where the diluent is set on the ejection side has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink may be set on the ejection side and the diluent may be set on the fixed side. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ink containers 21 to 24 and the diluent container 2 are used.
5, the ink containing portion 31, the diluent container 25, the first to fourth
The solution storage portions 55 to 58 may be covered with predetermined covers.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the case where polysulfone is used as the orifice plate 41 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a resin material such as polyetherimide may be used as the orifice plate 41. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the dry film resist is used as the liquid chamber forming member 42 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquid chamber forming member 42 is not limited thereto.
As this, various other members can be applied. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where nickel is used as the vibration plate 43 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and if the pressure can be transmitted to the ink liquid chamber 42A and the diluting liquid chamber 42B, the vibration plate 43. Alternatively, various other members may be used.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the serial type printer device 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the present invention can be applied to a line type printer device and a drum rotary type printer device.

As shown in FIG. 16, the line type printer device 60 is provided with a line head 61 in which a large number of print heads 6 are arranged in a line and fixed in the axial direction. The line-type printer device 60 is configured to print one line at a line head 61.
In this case, a method of printing all the lines at once, dividing the data into a plurality of blocks, or alternately printing every other line can be considered.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the drum rotary type printer device 70, when the drum 2 rotates, ink is ejected from the print head 6 in synchronization with the rotation, and an image is formed on the print paper 4. When the drum 2 makes one rotation and printing of one row in the circumferential direction on the print paper 4 is completed, the feed screw 5 rotates to move the print head 6 by one pitch,
Perform the next print. In this case, there is also a method of rotating the drum 2 and the feed screw 5 at the same time and gradually moving the print head 6 while printing. In the case of a multi-nozzle head or a configuration in which the same place is printed several times, spiral printing is performed while the drum 2 and the feed screw 5 are simultaneously rotated in association with each other.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the case where the aqueous solution or the pigment dissolved or dispersed in water, the organic solvent or the mixture of water and the organic solvent is used as the first solution is described. Not limited to this, various other first solutions may be applied as the first solution. If necessary, a viscosity adjusting agent, a surface tension adjusting agent, a preservative, a PH agent and the like may be added. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where water, an organic solvent or a mixture of water and an organic solvent is used as the second solution has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various other various solutions may be used as the second solution. A second solution may be applied. If necessary, a viscosity adjusting agent, a surface tension adjusting agent,
Preservatives, PH agents and the like may be added.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the ink containers 21 to 24 are used as the plurality of first solution storing means for individually storing the plurality of first solutions has been described. Not limited to this, various other first solution containing means can be applied as the first solution containing means. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the diluent is provided as the second solution accommodating means that is commonly provided to the first solution accommodating means and accommodates the second solution used when diluting the first solution. Although the case where the container 25 is used has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other second solution accommodating means can be applied as the second solution accommodating means.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of first solutions are separately housed, and the plurality of first solutions are detachably attached to the print head through the predetermined supporting member.
Although the case where the ink containers 21 to 24 are used as the solution containing means of No. 1 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other first solution containing means can be applied as the first solution containing means. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second solution used when diluting each first solution is stored, and the second solution is provided corresponding to each first solution storage means, and via the predetermined support member. As a plurality of second solution accommodating means detachably provided on the print head.
Although the case of using 54 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other second solution accommodating means can be applied as the second solution accommodating means.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, the second solution accommodating means for accommodating the second solution used when diluting the plurality of first solutions is provided with each of the first solutions. Since the second solution does not need to be managed for each of the first solutions by providing the plurality of first solution accommodating means that are separately accommodated in common, the management of the second solution becomes complicated. Can be avoided. Thus, it is possible to realize a printer device that can easily manage the second solution.

Further, according to the present invention, the second solution accommodating means for accommodating the second solution is provided corresponding to the first solution accommodating means for accommodating the plurality of first solutions respectively. The first and second solution accommodating means and the second solution accommodating means are detachably provided to the print head through a predetermined supporting member, whereby the first and second solution accommodating means are individually removed from the print head. Therefore, the second solution can be easily replenished. Thus, it is possible to realize a printer device that can easily replenish the second solution.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a serial type printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a control unit of the printer device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the driver.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart used for explaining a driving voltage application timing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing configurations of an ink container and a diluting liquid container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configurations of an ink container and a diluent container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing configurations of an ink container and a diluent container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the print head.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the configurations of an ink nozzle and a diluting liquid nozzle.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the configuration of the print head.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the print head.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the operation of the print head.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view for explaining another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view for explaining another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view for explaining another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 60, 70 ... Printer device, 21-24 ... Ink container, 25, 51-54 ... Diluting liquid container, 26 ... Carriage, 28-31 ... Ink supply pipe, 31 ... Ink storage section, 32 ... Diluent supply pipe, 32A to 32D ...
Diluting liquid supply pipe branch pipe, 41 …… Olyphus plate,
41A ... Ink nozzle, 41B ... Diluting liquid nozzle, 42 ... Liquid chamber forming member, 42A ... Ink liquid chamber, 4
2B: Diluting liquid chamber, 42C: Ink common liquid chamber, 42D
...... Diluent common liquid chamber, 43 ...... Vibration plate, 44, 45 ......
Laminated piezos, 48, 49 ... Supporting member, 50 ... Fixing member, 55-58.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoko Nakajima 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A printer apparatus for printing the mixed solution on the recording medium by mixing the first solution and the second solution and discharging the mixed solution from a print head onto the recording medium. A plurality of first solution accommodating means for accommodating each of the first solutions separately, and a plurality of first solution accommodating means that are provided in common to each of the first solution accommodating means and are used when diluting each of the first solutions A printer device, comprising: a second solution storage unit that stores a second solution. 2. The first solution accommodating means and the second solution accommodating means are detachably attached to the print head via a predetermined supporting member. The printer device according to 1. 3. The first solution accommodating means is integrally formed and is detachably attached to the print head via a predetermined supporting member. Printer device. 4. The second solution storage means stores the second solution in an amount corresponding to the usage amount of the second diluent with respect to all the first solutions. The printer device according to claim 1. 5. The second solution accommodating means is integrally formed with each of the first solution accommodating means and is detachably provided on the print head through a predetermined supporting member. The printer device according to claim 4. 6. A printer apparatus for printing the mixed solution on the recording medium by mixing the first solution and the second solution, and discharging the mixed solution from a print head onto the recording medium. A plurality of first solution accommodating means for accommodating each of the first solutions separately and detachably attached to the print head through a predetermined supporting member, and for diluting each of the first solutions A plurality of second solutions that accommodate the second solution to be used and are provided corresponding to the respective first solution accommodating means, and that are detachably attached to the print head via the predetermined supporting member. And a solution storage means. 7. The printer device according to claim 6, wherein the corresponding first solution accommodating means and the corresponding second solution accommodating means are integrally formed.