JPS60247561A - Connector for supply of ink - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the outflow of ink when removing connectors by providing the first connector having a valve to keep the path of ink in an interrupted state under the condition that the connection is removed and the second connector to lead the path of ink under the condition where the connection is in connected state. CONSTITUTION:A valve is provided to the first connector 205A and is also provided with a spring holder to keep the interrupted state of ink and a cylindrical ink path 227A with a communication hole projectionally provided in the valve and on the connection side from the valve to other connectors. A vale operator with a cylindrical ink path 207B is provided to the second connector 205B. When being connected, the end portion of the ink path of the valve is pushed up against the spring by the tip of the valve operator. In the connected state, ink is flowed through the communication hole from the side of the spring holder to the ink paths of the valve and then of the plug part. The attaching and detaching of the connectors in the connected portions can thus be made very easily without causing damage to O ring provided in the guide path.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an ink supply connection member, and more particularly to a connection member for an ink supply system that is easy to attach and detach, can prevent ink from flowing out when removed, and has low fluid resistance.

[Prior art] For example, in an inkjet recording device, which has a feed pipe for supplying ink from an ink supply source to a head and a return pipe for returning ink from a head, a connection part is required in the supply system. Therefore, there are many opportunities for attachment and detachment work at such a connection part for maintenance and the like, and it is desired that attachment and detachment can be carried out easily. Further, consideration must be given to preventing ink from flowing out of the tube during removal, and the applicant has previously proposed such an ink supply connecting member in Japanese Patent Application No. 58-244132.

According to this example, one of the connecting members to which the ink supply system is connected is provided with a valve body that can obtain a shearing state of the ink passage when removed, and the other is connected to interlock the valve body. Since the valve actuator is provided with a valve actuating body that can be removed, it is possible to prevent ink from flowing out when it is removed.Moreover, one connecting member is provided with a plug portion, and the other connecting member is provided with a plug guide. The groove makes it easy to attach and detach, increasing work efficiency during maintenance and replacement.

However, in the ink supply connecting member of this example, when one plug portion is inserted into the other guide path during connection, the poppet that closes the other guide path is pushed against the spring force. The ink is raised to open the ink flow path, but at this time the flow path guides the ink from the side of the poppet part through the slot provided at the tip of the plug part and into the hole drilled in the center of the plug part. Because of this, the fluid resistance around the poppet part becomes large, and there is also a risk that the slotted part at the tip of the plug may get involved with the O-ring provided along the guide path when the plug is inserted, damaging it. Ta.

[Objective] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the problem by providing a valve body on one of the connecting members, and this valve body is equipped with a spring to maintain the closed state when removed. A holding part, a valve part, and a cylindrical ink passage having a communication hole that protrudes from the valve part toward the other connecting member are provided. A cylindrical plug part is provided that pushes up the tip of the ink passage against the spring force, and in the connected state, the ink passage is connected to the cylindrical part of the other connection part through the communication hole from the side of the ink spring holding part. It is guided to the flow path provided at the end, making it easy to install and remove, and prevents ink from flowing out during removal.The O-ring will not be damaged during installation and removal, and there is little fluid resistance around the valve body. [Embodiments] To provide a connection member for an ink supply path The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the main parts of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. That is, in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to, for example, a four-color inkjet printer, which has a plurality of print heads in the width direction of recording paper, and prints on-demand. shall be carried out.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a unit plate made of aluminum, for example, and seven head elements 4 are provided on both the front and back sides of the unit plate 2, covering the entire width of the recording area of the recording paper. Each head element 4 has 128 ink ejection nozzles in its width direction, facing the recording paper. Those head elements 4
are appropriately arranged on both sides of the unit plate 2, so that the recording area by the nozzles of the head element 4 arranged on the front side of the unit plate 2 and the recording area by the nozzles of the head element 4 arranged on the back side are separated. To make it possible to record one line without overlapping in the width direction of recording paper. That is, when recording, first the head element 4 on the back side is driven to perform recording, and when the recorded area faces the head on the front side as the recording paper moves, the head element 4 on the front side is driven. By doing so, ■
You can record lines.

θ is a distributor portion, and for example, the one disclosed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 58-244138 can be used. This distributor 6 has a supply pipe 8
The head element 4 has an outgoing distributor 6A that supplies ink to the head element 4 via a supply pipe 8B, and a return distributor 6B that collects ink from the head element 4 via a supply pipe 8B. Reference numeral 7 designates a joint (hereinafter referred to as a D-joint) for connecting the distributor 6 and the supply pipe 8, and for example, the joint disclosed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 58-244132 can be used. Each of these parts is a head unit 10 associated with one predetermined color of ink, and in this embodiment, four head units 1O are provided corresponding to the number of colors of ink.

20 is a motherboard, and 22 is a guide member that guides the unit plate 2 and attaches the head unit io to the motherboard 20.

A first tank 30 stores ink and serves as an ink supply source for the head element 4, and is connected to the motherboard 2.
0 on the opposite side of the head unit 10. 4
0 is a second tank as an ink cartridge tank, and is guided by a guide member 24 disposed on the motherboard 20 so that it can be attached to the motherboard 20. The first tank 3o has a liquid level sensor, and when the liquid level sensor detects that the amount of ink in the first tank 30 has become less than a predetermined amount, the liquid is transferred from the second tank 4o to the first tank 3o. Supply ink. 32 and 3
4 is an arm portion of the first tank 30, and arm portion 3
Opening/closing means 5o and 52 such as electromagnetic valves are attached to the arm portion 2, and opening/closing means 54 such as a solenoid valve and a pump 56 are attached to the arm portion 34. In addition, the opening/closing means 50, 52 and 54
In addition to electromagnetic valves, opening/closing throttles, gate valves, and the like can be used.

The solenoid valve 50 is connected to the first tank 3 formed in the arm portion 32.
A valve portion 5 connects a pipe line 60 leading to the ink storage portion in the D-2 and a joint 70 (hereinafter referred to as D-■ joint) leading to the distributor 6A via the motherboard 20.
0A, and opens in response to the energization of the solenoid 50B to form an ink flow path. The solenoid valve 52 has a valve portion 52A that connects the air chamber in the first tank 30 and the outside air, and opens in response to the energization of the solenoid 52B, and the first
The air chamber inside the tank 30 is opened to the atmosphere. In addition, for example,
A dust filter 53 can also be provided on the atmosphere side of the valve portion 52A.

A solenoid valve 54 is formed in the arm portion 34 and is connected to the pump 56.
It has a valve part 54A that connects a joint 72 connecting the conduit 64 leading to the second tank 40 and the pipe 86 leading to the second tank 40, and a D-v joint 74 that penetrates the motherboard and reaches the distributor 8B. This valve portion 54A is a solenoid 5
4B opens in response to the biasing force applied to the distributor 4B, thereby forming an ink flow path between the pump 56 and the distributor 6B. In addition,
76 is a joint (hereinafter referred to as T-C joint) that connects the pipe 66 and the second tank 40.

The pump 56 connects a pipe line 64 leading to the valve part 54 and the first tank 3.
0 to the second tank via a backflow prevention means such as a check valve, and the flow from the valve part 54A and the second tank 40 to the first tank is connected to the second tank through a backflow prevention means such as a check valve. Ink is supplied to the tank 30 and ink is sent to the valve portion 54A.

Each of these parts 30, 40, 50, 52, 54, 58, etc. serves as an ink supply stage for the head unit 10, and in this embodiment, four stages are provided depending on the color type of ink. In addition,
In FIG. 1, only one stage is shown. This ink supply stage connects them to the D-V joint 70 as described above.
and 74 to the head unit NO. This connection will be described later.

Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 80 denotes a connector with a control section (not shown), which is attached to the motherboard 20. 82 is an interface board; 84 is a flexible wiring board that transmits print control signals supplied from the control section to the head element 4 and the like via the connector 80 and the interface board 82; 300 and 400 are respectively
The unit plate 2 includes a heater for keeping the ink warm and a liquid temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the ink liquid.

Further, reference numeral 500 denotes a cap portion that is positioned at the illustrated position to cap the nozzle portion when performing ejection recovery or the like of the nozzle portion. During recording, the cap portion 500 may be positioned, for example, at the bottom in the drawing, and when performing ejection recovery, it may be positioned along the guide rail as shown in the drawing, for example, by a drive means (not shown).

Next, a liquid level measuring device provided in the first tank 30 will be described.

FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA', respectively, showing an example of the configuration of a first tank having a liquid level sensor. In this embodiment, the first tank 3o has a recess 36 and a protrusion 37 rising from the recess. A pair of sensors, for example, electrode plates 38, are disposed facing each other on the outer wall surface of the protrusion, and detect the capacitance between the electrode plates to determine the height of the ink liquid level in the first tank 30 or the ink level. Measure the presence or absence of As this sensor, a photocoupler can be used if the discharge part 37 is made of a transparent member.

In addition, the protrusion inner wall 37A, that is, the partition wall 3 of the sensor 38
7A has a shape extending further downward from the location where the sensor 38 is disposed.

In a structure such as a tank 30' in which there is no extending portion of the partition wall 37A, as shown in FIGS. Ink droplets remain on the inner wall of the protrusion 37' where the sensor is disposed, resulting in erroneous detection by the sensor 38. On the other hand, according to the configuration shown in the second figure, the protrusion inner wall 37
No ink liquid remains in the sensor installation area of A, so that it is possible to accurately detect a decrease in the ink liquid level.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2(A), a recess 36 and a protrusion 37 are formed so that this sensor can be disposed near the center of the first tank 30, so that even if the tank 30 is slightly tilted, the Preferably, the height of the liquid level can be detected.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an ink supply system consisting of a head unit and an ink supply stage. Here, on the 5th, the second tank 4
This is a check valve disposed at the joint 7G that connects the ink tank 40 and the pipe line 66, and restricts the flow of ink only in the direction in which it flows out from the second tank 40. Arrows F and R indicate the direction of ink flow in response to forward and reverse operation of pump 56, respectively. Further, ■ and A indicate an air chamber and an ink storage portion in the first tank 30, respectively.

By configuring the ink supply system in this way, if the operating state of the pump 56 and the opening/closing states of the valves 50, 52 and 54 are appropriately switched as shown in Table 1, the ink supply system can be set to each of the following modes. Can be set.

Table 1 Here, each mode and the ink flow path according to the mode will be explained.

(1) Supply to the print mode head element 4. Note that since this embodiment is applied to an on-demand type inkjet printer, no pressure is applied to the ink during printing, and therefore the pump 56 is not driven.

In this mode, in response to ink ejection from the head 4, ink is ejected from the tube 601. It is supplied to the head 4 via the valve 50A, the DV joint 70, the distributor 6A and the supply pipe 8A.

(2) Supply mode This is a mode in which ink is supplied from the cartridge tank 40 to the first tank 30, and this mode can be used when starting to use the inkjet printer and when the amount of ink in the first tank 30 decreases.

In this mode, valve 52A is open and valve 54A is closed;
Since the pump 56 is operated in the forward direction, ink flows from the second tank 40 in the F direction through the check valve, the pipe 64, the pump 58 and the pipe 68, and is supplied to the first tank 30. The liquid level in 30 rises.

(3) Circulation mode By circulating ink, when supplying ink to each head etc. during the initial use of the device, or when removing air bubbles in the heads or supply channels and refreshing the ink inside them at the same time. This mode is used when the inkjet printer is left unused for a long time.

In this mode, the valves 50, 52, 54 are all open and the pump 56 is operated in reverse so that the ink is
In the direction of the first tank 30, the pipe 68, the pump 56. tube 64,
Valve 54A, D-V joint 72, distributor 6B, pipe 8B, head 4, pipe 8A, O-V joint* (7)
It flows back to the first tank 30 via the TO1 valve 50A and v6o. Air bubbles in the head 4 or supply path are removed from the first tank 3.
0 is collected and released into the atmosphere from the air chamber ^ via the valve 52A.

(4) Pressure mode In this mode, when the nozzles of the head 4 are dry or clogged, pressure is applied to the ink to push the ink out of the nozzles and remove it.

In this mode, valve 50A is closed, valves 52A and 54A are
is open and the pump 56 is operated in the opposite direction, so ink flows from the first tank 30 in the R direction to the pipe 68, the pump 56, the pipe θ4, the valve 54A, and the D-V joint 7.
2. It is supplied to the head 4 via the distributor 6B and the pipe 8B.

(5) Preservation mode In addition to preventing ink evaporation and deterioration in the first tank 30,
This mode prevents ink leakage, and is used when the inkjet printer is not printing or during transportation.

In this mode, valves 50A, 52A, and 54A are closed and pump 56 is also stopped, so there is no flow of ink into the supply path and no ink leaking from the device. Furthermore, since all the valves are closed, ink in the tank does not leak from the head portion due to ambient atmospheric conditions, such as temperature changes, and air, dust, etc. do not get mixed into the supply path.

Next, the manner in which the supply system is set to each of these modes will be described.

Figures 5 (A) and (B) respectively show the applied voltage V [maoltl] and pump discharge flow rate Q to the pump drive motor.
[ce/see], and in the circulation mode, the relationship between the pump discharge flow rate Q [cc/5eal and the value L/Q [%J] obtained by dividing the leakage amount from the nozzle by Q. These characteristics were confirmed through experiments by the applicant. Therefore, by setting the pump drive voltage V lower in the circulation mode than in the pressurization mode, the amount of ink leakage can be reduced.

Although FIG. 5 was obtained with the temperature constant, the slope of the curve changes using the temperature-dependent viscosity as a parameter, so the output of the temperature sensor 400 is used to adjust the drive voltage V according to the temperature conditions. You can also set it appropriately. In addition, even in the pressurized mode, the amount of flow from the nozzle varies depending on the viscosity, which depends on the temperature conditions, so the drive voltage V
By controlling this, it is possible to prevent ink from flowing out more than necessary.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a mode control section that performs mode setting. Here, 80 is a controller that performs mode control, including a CPU in the form of a microprocessor, a ROM that stores tables related to the pump drive voltage V in pressurization mode and circulation mode according to temperature, as well as mode control procedures to be described later. has.

A bubble sensor 82 detects the occurrence of bubbles in the supply path and transmits a signal SSI thereof to the controller 80. This bubble sensor 82 is, for example, made of a transparent member of the supply pipe 8A, and is provided on the outside of the supply pipe 8A! It can be a pair of optical sensors.

84 is a recording control unit, for example, a head drive control unit,
Power on key, command key to start printing.

It may have an operation section and a display section provided with a pressurization mode setting key and the like. The recording control unit 84 supplies signals Psi, PS2, and PS3 to the controller 80 in response to pressing of a power-on key, a print start key, and a pressure mode setting key, respectively. Further, the controller 80 controls the cap portion 50 in response to the input of the signal PS3.
0 may also be positioned at the position shown in the first figure.

The signal 050. generated by the controller 90. DS2 and DS4 are drive signals for solenoids 50B, 52B and 54B, respectively, and in response to these signals, valves 50A, 52A and 54A are opened, respectively. Signal DSf
l is a drive voltage signal for the pump 56, and the pump 58 is operated or stopped according to the set mode and temperature conditions. Signal C5 is an information signal sent to recording control section 84.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of a mode control procedure. First, when the inkjet printer is powered on, it is set to the supply mode in step S1 in response to the signal PS1. In the supply mode, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), first in step S^-1, the valves 50A and 52^ are opened by the signals ll5O and DS2, and the valve 54A is opened by the signal DS4.
is closed, and the pump 56 is operated in the forward direction by the signal DS8. This operation can be performed by applying a voltage of opposite polarity to the circulation mode and pressurization mode to the pump 56, for example. If it is determined that there is enough ink remaining, the process returns to the procedure shown in Figure 7,
If the remaining amount is insufficient, ink continues to be supplied from the second tank 40 to the first tank 30. Here, if the liquid level sensor 38 does not detect an increase in ink in the first tank 30 even after a certain period of time has passed after this mode is set, it is assumed that there is no remaining ink in the second tank 40, and a signal is sent. Information to that effect may be sent to the recording control unit 84 via line C8 and displayed.

In step S2, the circulation mode is set. In this circulation mode, as shown in FIG. 8(B), first, in step 5B-1, the temperature information signal SSO generated by the temperature sensor 400 is used to develop the drive voltage V corresponding to the temperature in the ROM. Then, in step 5B-2, the signals DSO and DS2 are read out from the table related to the mode.
And DS4 opens all valves 50A, 52A, and 54A, and signal DS6 reverses pump 56. This operation can be performed, for example, by applying a drive voltage that corresponds to the temperature. Furthermore, in step 5B-3, if it is determined by the signal SSI that there are bubbles, the circulation is continued, and if no bubbles are detected, the process returns to the procedure of FIG. 7.

In step S3, the storage mode is set.

In the save mode, as shown in FIG. 8(D),
5D-1 Knee (Signal ll5O, DS2 t-3 Yobi D
Valve 50A, 52A from s4 Ni, BJ:hi5aA wot
When the door is closed, the pump 56 is stopped by the signal Dse, and the process returns to the procedure shown in FIG.

In step S4, the print start command signal PS
2, and if that signal is not supplied, the save mode is maintained.

In step S5, the remaining amount of ink in the first tank 30 is detected using the signal SS2, and if there is enough remaining ink, the process proceeds to step S6, and if there is not, the process proceeds to step S7, which is the supply mode (see FIG. 7(A)). ) and then proceeds to step S8.

In step S6, generation of bubbles is detected using the signal SSI, and if there are no bubbles, the process proceeds to step S8, and if there are bubbles, the process proceeds to step S8 via the circulation mode of step Sθ (FIG. 7(B)).

In step S8, the pressing of the pressure button is detected by the signal PS3, and if there is no pressing, the process advances to step SIO, and if the button is pressed, the process advances to the pressing mode of step Sll. As shown in FIG. 8(C), first, in step SC-1, based on the temperature information SSO, the drive voltage V corresponding to the temperature is read out from the table related to the pressurization mode developed in the ROM. At SC knee 2, the valve 50A is closed by the signal DSO, and the signal DS2. The valves 52A and 54A are opened by DS4, and the pump 56 is reversed by the signal O88 to open the head 4.
After ejecting ink from the nozzles, drying the nozzles, and removing clogging, the process returns to step SIO in FIG. Note that this operation can be performed by applying a driving voltage corresponding to the temperature.

In step S10, print mode is set.

In the print mode, as shown in FIG. 8(E), the valves 50A and 52A are opened by the signals DSO and DS2, the valve 54A is closed by the signal DS4, and the pump 56 is stopped by the signal DS8. The controller 80 then outputs the signal C
8, the recording control unit 84 indicates that the print mode has been set.
In step 5E-2, information indicating that a predetermined amount of recording has been completed is awaited by the signal PS1 from the recording control section 84. After the print mode ends, the process moves to step S3 to prepare for the next recording.

Next, the D-■ joint 74 that connects the valve 54 and the distributor 6 via the motherboard 20 will be explained.

FIG. 8 shows the relative positions of the parts where such connections are made. Here, the distributor 6 fixed to the unit plate 2 and the tank arm 34 of the first tank, in which the valve part 54A of the electromagnetic valve 54 is attached to the ink passage leading from the second tank 40 (not shown) to the pump 56, are connected to the motherboard 20. Therefore, the connection member 165 of the distributor 8 and the solenoid valve 54 attached to the tank arm 34 must be both held on the motherboard 20 and the flow paths of both must be connected to each other. There is.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of the connecting portion (DV joint) 74. Here, 64 is an ink passage formed in the tank arm 34, and through this ink passage 64, ink from a second tank (not shown in this figure) can be supplied to the first tank by a pump. 54A
' is the valve part of the electromagnetic valve 54 installed in this ink passage 64, and 54A is its valve body. Therefore, when the valve portion 54A' is in the open state, the valve body 54A is held by the retaining spring 167.
The spring force keeps it in the position shown in the figure.

Further, 168 is a backing, and IEill is an O-ring, and in this figure, by pushing the valve body 54A from below into this position of the tank arm 34, the backing 188 and the O-ring 168 maintain liquid tightness with the outside. .

Reference numeral 170 designates an intermediate connector that is held on the motherboard 20, the details of which are shown in FIG. Note that only the right half of the connector 170 is shown here. Here, 171
172 is a tube-shaped plug member having a tip end 172A, 173 is a plug holding member, and an ink passage 174 is provided in the center of the plug member 172 and the plug holding member 173.

Therefore, these seal member 171 and plug member 17
2 and the plug holding member 173 are combined as shown in the figure, between the plug member 172 and the plug holding member 173, and between the plug holding member 173 and the motherboard 20.
Furthermore, between the holding member 175 for holding these connectors 170 to the motherboard 2o and the sealing member 171, a sheet made of a material capable of slipping on the contact surface, such as Teflon, etc. is installed. A backing 178 is inserted.

177 is a coil spring provided between the pressing member 175 and the spring holding member 178, and 6179 is a coil spring that allows the spring force of this spring 177 to press the plug member 172 against the seat backing 176 via the seal member 171. This is a mounting screw for fixing the holding member 175 to the motherboard 20.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 175 is fitted with an adsorbent 180 made of a water-absorbing porous material along its inner circumferential surface, so that when the distributor 8 is removed, ink is removed from the passage 182A. This prevents water from dripping and contaminating the inside of the device.

The intermediate connector 170 is connected to the motherboard 20 in this state.
Furthermore, a ring groove 17 is attached to the protruding end of the plug holding member 173 on the side where the tank arm 34 is attached.
3A is circumferential, so when connecting the tank arm 34 with the solenoid valve 54 attached to this intermediate connector 170, push the protruding end of the holding member 173 into the valve portion 54A of the solenoid valve 54. This allows the mounting portion to be kept liquid-tight via the O-ring fitted into the ring groove 173A.

Next, the connection member 185 on the distributor 6 side to be connected to this intermediate connector 170 will be explained. The connecting member 165 is connected to the plug member 17 of the intermediate connector 170 during connection.
Outer shell member 191 having a guide path 181A for guiding 2
A poppet holding member 192 is screwed onto the inside of this outer shell member 181 and has a poppet passage 182A formed in its center that also serves as an ink passage, and is fitted into the passage 192A of the holding member 182 so as to be vertically movable. Poppet member ll1
13 and a compression coil spring 185 that biases the poppet member 183 toward the backing 194 .

As shown in FIGS. 12(A) and 12(B), this poppet member 193 is attached to the retaining walls 18 on three sides in this example.
3A and the spring holding part 183B surrounded by the valve part 111.
30, a cylindrical ink passage part 1930 protruding from this valve part 193C toward the plug member 172 side, and a communication hole 183E bored around this ink passage part 1930.

Therefore, when the distributor 6 is attached to the intermediate connector 170, the plug member distal end 172A of the connector 170 is guided to the guide passage 181A of the connecting member 185, so that the distal end 172^ connects to the poppet member. 183
The tip of the ink passage section 1930 of the 10th
The ink passage can be brought into a conductive state as shown in the left half of the figure. In addition, 196 is 0 provided on the outer shell member 181.
It's a ring.

In addition, when removing the distributor 6 from the intermediate connector 170, the distributor 6 and its connecting member 1
65 may be pulled out from the plug member 172.

By doing this, the plug member 172 is connected to the guide path 181.
A, the valve part 183C of the poppet part 183 comes into contact with the backing 194 by the spring 185, and the first
As shown in the right half of Figure 0, this backing 184 can maintain liquid tightness.

In addition, the intermediate connector 1 of such a distributor 6
70, the communication hole 1133E provided in the ink passage section 1930 of the poppet section 183 does not cross the O-ring 186, and therefore the O-ring 186 does not cross this communication hole. 193E
I won't lose anything because of it.

Also, the connection part between the valve 50 and the distributor 6 (D-
Regarding the V-joint) 70, in this case, if it does not have an ink passage leading to the second tank 40, the first
Since it can be constructed in the same way as the θ diagram, its explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of the joint 76 for connecting the second tank. Here, 201 and 202 are leaf spring members having a symmetrical shape, and in this example, the leaf spring member 201
and 202 each have two bent portions, and are formed so that the bending angles obtained by the two bendings are at right angles.

That is, the flat plate portions 201A and 201B, and the flat plate portion 20
2A and 202B are arranged to be orthogonal to each other, and mounting seats 201G and 202C formed by bending are provided on the flat plate portions 201A and 202^.
01G and 202G are fixed to the motherboard 20 with screws 203.

Note that the flat plate parts 201B and 202B are the flat plate parts 2
Arm parts 204A and 2 are attached to 01A and 202A, respectively.
04B so as to be displaceable, and the connecting portion 205A is held elastically in the state shown in FIG. 13 by being held between both of these flat plate portions 201B and 202B. be able to.

206 is a fixing screw for attaching the leaf spring members 201 and 202 to the connecting portion 205 via the flat plate portions 201B and 202B, and in this example, a screw attachment seat is provided on the side of the connecting member 205A attached to the ink supply pipe 68. 206A
A fixing screw 206 is screwed onto this mounting seat 208A to fix the flat plate parts 201B and 202B.

Moreover, 230A is a free hole of an elongated shape in the connection direction.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the joint 78, and shows the second tank 40.
Shown with the attached. 205B is a connecting member provided in the second tank 40, and the connecting member 205B has a valve body 208 for shutting off the ink passage 207B when removed.
B and spring 20θB are provided. In addition, connection member 2
For 05A, connect valve body 208B as shown in the figure.
Push in the ink passage 227^ and the member 20 that it has.
A plug member 228A for communicating with the ink passage 207B on the 5B side is slidably fitted into the inner cylinder portion. Note that 228A' is a slot formed at the tip of the member 228A, and in the connected state, this slot 22
Ink passages 227A and 207B communicate with each other via 8A'.

209A is the plug member 22 in the connection member 205A.
The coil spring 210B biasing the inner cylinder 8A toward the inner cylinder locking portion 205A' is an O+J ring that maintains liquid tightness in the connected state.

The plug member 228A is provided with an ink passage 227A bored along its center and an ink passage 237A bored from this ink passage 227^ towards the sliding surface 228A of the member 228A. Moving surface 22
For example, a flexible ink supply pipe 66 is connected to the end on the 9A side.

Free hole 230 provided in outer shell 231A of connecting member 205A
A shows the plug member 228A on the sliding surface 229 of the outer shell 231A.
When sliding along line A, the connecting portion of the flexible supply pipe is allowed to freely move through this free hole 230A.

In the connecting member 205A configured in this way, the spring holding space 232^ in which the return spring 209A is held can be isolated from the ink passages 227A and 237A, and therefore there is no need to keep the sliding surface 229A liquid-tight. Therefore, there is no possibility that the sliding surface 228A will stick and the plug member 205A will not return due to deterioration of the ink or the O-ring.

Further, the connection member 205A of the ink supply pipe 66 is connected to the leaf spring member 2 fixed to the motherboard 20 as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the spring force of the leaf spring members 201 and 202 allows the connection member 205A to be displaced in a plane including the x-X direction and the Y-Y direction in FIG. Ru.

Next, the attachment member for the head element 4 to the unit plate 2 will be described.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the structure of the head element 4 and its mounting member. Here, 250 is a substrate 2 such as SiC.
81. on the part facing the recording paper on 52. A head portion 254 is a protruding portion of the substrate 252, which is formed by laminating hard materials such as glass and forming a nozzle.

Reference numeral 260 denotes a pin press-fitted into a predetermined position that abuts on the side surface 250A of the head portion of the unit plate 2 and the side surface 254A of the overhang portion;
The cutout 28 is arranged so that it contacts only the upper part and the overhanging side surface 254A, and does not contact the lower part of the head side surface 250A.
1 will be provided. 282 is a pin press-fitted into a predetermined position on the unit plate 2.

Here, the reason why the notch 281 is provided in the pin 280 is as follows. Since the head portion 250 is formed by cutting the above-mentioned hard material laminate with a cutter to form the shape shown in the figure, the cutter may bend during the cutting process, and the lower part may not have accurate dimensions or may have so-called burrs. may occur. On the other hand, in the upper part, there is almost no bending of the cutter, and the cutter is formed to exact dimensions. Therefore, if the pin 260 contacts the upper part of the side surface 250A of the recording head, and the notch 2Eil faces the lower part to provide escape from dimensional inaccuracies and burrs, the mounting accuracy of the head element 4 can be improved. This is because it can be further increased.

In this example, the head element 4 is pressed in the tube direction in the figure toward the pins 260 and 262, and when the head element 4 comes into contact with the pins, the head element 4 is positioned in the recording paper width direction. In addition, the head element 4 is pressed in the Y direction in the figure toward the pin 260, and the side surface 25 of the overhang portion
When the pin 4A comes into contact with the pin 280, positioning is performed in a direction perpendicular to the recording surface on the plane. moreover,
By pressing the lower surface of the head element in the Y direction against the surface of the unit plate 2, the head element 4
positioning in the vertical direction.

270 is a fixing member for positioning the head element 4 in the Y direction and the Y direction; 274 is a machine screw for attaching the fixing member 270 to the unit plate 2; 276 is a screw for positioning the fixing member 270 and preventing rotation. It is a pin protruding from unit play) 2. A portion 271 of the fixing member 270 that faces the side surface 254B on the opposite side to the side surface 254A of the overhang portion 254 is formed into a shape having an angle with respect to the upper surface of the overhang portion 254, and this portion and the upper side of the side surface 254B abut. Do it like this. Further, a notch is provided between the portion fixed by the machine screw 274 and the portion 271, so that the portion 271 elastically presses the overhang portion 254 due to the springiness of the notch portion.

By fixing the fixing member 270 to the unit plate 2 with the machine screws 274, the portion 271 is pressed against the upper side of the side surface 254B of the overhang, and as a result, the overhang 2
Since force in the F direction and V' force direction acts on 54,
The overhanging portion 254 is connected to the pin 280 and the unit plate 2.
The head element 4 can be positioned in these directions.

Next, 280 is a fixing member that positions the head element 4 in the forward direction and the V direction, and 284 is the fixing member 2.
Machine screws for attaching 80 to unit plate 2, 2
88 is a pin protruding from the unit plate 2 for positioning the fixing member 280. Reference numeral 281 denotes a portion that can swing in the forward direction due to the spring properties of the notch portion 282, and a head element presser cam 290 that is rotatable about the cam rotation shaft 288 is provided in this portion 281.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the cam rotation shaft 288 and the presser cam 2θ0. In this way, the presser cam 280 is placed on the bottom surface side so as to form an angle with the top surface of the board 252.
It has a cylindrical shape with a central axis 29
The configuration is such that 0A is eccentric from the center of the rotation axis 28, that is, the rotation axis 288A of the presser cam 290.

When fixing the head element 4 with such a fixing member 280, first rotate the presser cam 290 around the rotating shaft 288 so that its sliding surface 2θ2 does not face the substrate 252, and then tighten the fixing member 280 with a machine screw. 284 to attach it to the unit plate 2.

If the presser cam 280 is rotated to bring the slotted surface 282 into contact with the upper side of the head element 252, the contact portion will move toward the head element 252 in the W direction and the V direction.
A component force in the direction acts. As a result, the head portion side surface 25
0^ The upper part and the substrate 252 are in contact with the pins 280 and 282, respectively, and the lower surface of the substrate 252 is in close contact with the surface of the unit plate 2, and the W of the head element 4 is
Positioning in the direction and V direction can be performed.

Next, a description will be given of the cap section 500, which is positioned at a position facing the head element 4 and wipes off ink flowing out from the nozzles when the inkjet printer is set to, for example, a pressure mode.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the configuration of the aperture mechanism disposed in the cap portion 500. Here, 510 is a housing, 512A
, 512B and 514A, 514B are pins protruding from a plate 51B fixed to the housing ceiling 511. 520A and 520B are the bent portions 521, respectively.
A and 521B are push members, and by tensioning a spring 52B between these push members 520A and 520B, bending portions 521A and 521B center around pins 512A and 512B, respectively, and head element 4 in the figure. Gives a rotational habit of moving to the side. Further, the push members 520A and 520B are provided with guide holes 522A and 522BIt-, respectively, and the pin 514
By engaging A and 514B, the pushing member 5
The rotation range of 20A and 520B is restricted.

530 is attached to a camshaft 532 that is rotationally driven by a drive unit (not shown). It's a heart cam. 534 is a transmission member 536 extending in the W direction in the figure and transmitting the displacement of the cam 530.
The cam 530 is a driven member that moves back and forth in the F direction in the figure as the cam 530 rotates. 538 is a spring biased in a direction that presses the driven member 534 and brings the transmission member 536 and the cam surface into contact; 538 is inserted into a guide hole 537 provided in the driven member 534, and the driven member 534 is inserted during reciprocating movement.
This is a guide bin that guides you through the process.

540 is screw 54! This is an absorber mounting base fixed to the driven member 534 by the following means, and reciprocates in the F direction in the figure together with the driven member 534. Reference numeral 542 is a liquid-absorbing porous material whose flexibility changes depending on the amount of liquid it absorbs. The absorbent body is made of a water-absorbing porous material that exhibits high flexibility. This absorber 542
has a U-shaped cross section as shown in the figure, and its concave portion is held down by a holding member 544 and attached to the mounting base 540 using, for example, screws. This makes it extremely easy to attach and detach the absorber. Further, the spring 52B is selected in relation to the elastic force of the absorber 542.

550A and 550B are aperture members, and the mounting base 54
It is supported by a support member 543 provided at 0 and is rotatable around a shaft 546 extending in the W direction in the figure. Aperture member 5
50A and 550B are bent parts 551A and 551 that can be engaged with bent parts 521A and 521B.
B, and is rotatable about a shaft 546 in the engaged state.

Further, a squeeze rod 554 is provided between the squeeze members 550A and 550B, which is rotatable around a shaft 552 and cooperates with the pressing member 544 to squeeze the absorber 542. That is, as the aperture members 55OA and 550B rotate, the aperture rod 55
4 moves toward the pressing member 544 while uniformly compressing the absorbent body.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the diaphragm unit made up of these movable parts, and the upper half and lower half of the figure show the state when the push member 520 rotates and the state when it does not rotate, respectively. Here, as the spring 526, when the diaphragm unit is in the retracted position and the bent portions 521 and 551 are in an engaged state that exerts force on each other, the absorber 5
42 is dry and hardly compressed, as shown in the upper half of the figure, as the aperture member 550B retreats, the aperture member 550B does not rotate, causing the push member 520B to rotate, and the absorber When 542 is wet and compressed,
As shown in the lower half of the figure, one is selected that has a tensile force that causes the aperture member 550^ to rotate without causing the pushing member 520A to rotate as the aperture member 550A retreats.

Note that when the pushing member is held in the position shown in the lower half of the figure, even if the bent portions 521 and 551 come into contact, the absorber 542 will not exert any force that would cause rotation. Squeezing unit α at a position that maintains the original shape
The aperture unit is set at the home position, and the aperture unit is positioned at this home position when the cap portion 500 is not operated. The aperture unit moves forward and backward relative to the head 4 from this home position, and in the process absorbs waste ink from the head 4 and discards the absorbed waste ink.

In this embodiment, the driven member 534, the mounting base 540,
The absorber 542, the pressing member 544, and the shaft 546 extend in the W direction in the figure, and the pressing members 520A, 52
0B, aperture members 550A, 550B, spring 52B,
By providing a plurality of assemblies including the squeezing rods 554 and the like in the W direction, even if the absorbent body 542 is partially wet, it is possible to squeeze the absorbent body only in that part. In addition, four stages of these units are provided according to the number of ink colors, so that waste ink can be absorbed from the four stages of units shown in the first diagram.

FIGS. 18(A) to 18(D) show sequential states of forward movement and backward movement of the diaphragm unit. Note that here, 560 is a 20th squeezing unit disposed below the squeezing unit to collect the waste ink flowing out from each stage.
This is a flow path leading to the illustrated waste ink recovery tank 570.

First, (A) in the figure shows a state in which the aperture unit is at the home position, and at this time, the members 520 and 550 do not exert any force on each other, and the absorber 542 maintains its original shape. When the mounting base 540 moves forward from this position and is positioned at a position where the nozzle portion of the head element 4 and the absorber 542 are in contact with each other as shown in (B) in the figure, the aperture member 55
0 and the push member 520 are disengaged. At this time, due to pressurization, ink flows out from the nozzle part, and the absorber 542
absorbed into.

When the mounting base 540 retreats as the cam 530 rotates,
First, at the home position, the pushing member bent portion 521 and the diaphragm member bent portion 551 come into contact. Here, the absorber 542
When it becomes wet and exhibits great flexibility, the spring force of the spring 52G exceeds the compressive force of the absorber 542 (CG in the figure).
As shown in , as the aperture unit retreats from the home position, the aperture member 550 rotates clockwise in the figure around the shaft 546, and the absorber 542 is compressed by the aperture rod 554, causing absorption. Ink is collected into waste ink tank 570 via channel 560. Also, the aperture Azusa 554 is the shaft 5
52, uniform compression of the absorbent body 542 is achieved.

If the absorbent body 542 is dry and has high elasticity, even if the members 520 and 550 are engaged, the member 550 will move back from the home position as shown in CD in the figure. Rather than rotating, member 520 is rotated against the spring force of spring 526. That is, in this case, the force generated as the aperture unit retreats can be tolerated by the spring 526, and the various parts will not be damaged.

FIGS. 20(A) and 20(B) show the waste ink collection tank 57.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the device. In this embodiment, two absorbers 5?2 are provided within the tank, spaced apart from each other. A sensor consisting of, for example, a pair of electrode plates 574 is arranged vertically in the gap to detect the conduction state between them. 576 is a boat for guiding the waste ink flowing through the channel 580 to the absorber 572 in the tank.

With this configuration, when the inflow amount of waste ink exceeds the absorption capacity of the absorber 572 and ink accumulates in one gap and the liquid level rises, the sensor 574 can reliably and quickly detect this fact. Become.

[Effects] As explained above, according to the present invention, in the connection member for connecting the ink supply system, the first connection member is provided with a valve body, and this valve body is made to maintain the ink cutoff state when removed. a cylindrical ink passage protruding from the valve part toward the other connecting member and having a communication hole; the second connecting member has a cylindrical ink passage; A valve actuating body is provided, and when connected, the tip of the valve actuating body pushes up the end of the ink passage portion of the valve body against the spring. Ink passage from the valve body through the communication hole,
Furthermore, since the ink flows through the ink passage of the plug member, it is extremely easy to attach and detach at the connection part, which not only improves work efficiency during maintenance and replacement, but also allows the O-ring provided in the guide path to be removed when attaching and detaching. In addition, the fluid resistance loss at the connection portion can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIGS. 2(A) and (B) are a perspective view and a sectional view, respectively, showing an example of the configuration of an ink storage device in the inkjet recording apparatus, and FIGS. 3(A) and (B) are ink storage devices shown in FIG. 4 is a fluid circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ink supply system in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 (A) and ( B) is a characteristic curve diagram showing the relationship between the voltage applied to the motor that drives the pump and the discharge flow rate of the pump, and the relationship between the discharge flow rate of the pump and the ink outflow rate from the nozzle, respectively, and FIG. FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing examples of the mode control procedure. FIGS. FIG. 11 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the joint between the distributor and the valve in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the joint; FIG. (A) and CB) are respectively a front view and a side view showing an example of the configuration of the poppet section at the joint, and FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively the second tank in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the head element and its mounting member in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. FIGS. 17 and 18 are a front view showing an example of the attachment parts to be used; FIGS. 17 and 18 are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, showing an example of the configuration of the aperture mechanism as the main part of the cap part in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. FIGS. 19(A) to (D) are explanatory diagrams explaining the sequential operating states of the throttle mechanism, and FIGS. 20(A) and (B) show an example of the configuration of a waste ink tank provided in the cap part. FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view. 2...Unit plate, 4...Head element, 8A, 8B...Distributor, 7...D
-T joint, 8A, 8B... ink supply pipe, 10... head unit, 20... motherboard, 30... first tank, 37... protruding part, 37A... protruding part inner wall, 38...Sensor, 40...Second tank, 50.52.54...Solenoid valve, 58...Pump, 58...Check valve, 70.74・D-V joint, 76・...C-T joint, 80... Controller, 143... Closing member, 144... Spring, 148... Connection tool, 175... Pressing member, 176... Seat backing, 183...・Poppet, 184... Backing, 185... Spring, 201.202... Leaf spring, 205... Connection portion, 205A, 205B... Connection member, 207B, 227A, 237A... Ink passage , 20
9A, 209B... Spring, 228A... Plug member, 230... Free hole, 250... Head part, 252... Substrate, 254... Overhanging part, 270.280... Fixing member , 260... Notch pin, 400... Temperature sensor, 500... Cap part, 520... Pushing member, 526... Spring. 530...Cam, 542...Absorber, 544...Absorber presser, 554...Aperture rod, 560...Waste ink channel, 570...Tank. Figure 4 4 4 Figure 5 (A) Q 6 B 10 12 14f64B 2022 2
4 26V [bottgo Fig. 5 CB) 0'/2345 θ["cc/seC"J Fig. 11 172A Fig. 12 Fig. 13 0 2θO Fig. 16 Fig. 17 Fig. 18

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An ink supply connecting member including a connecting portion to which an ink passage can be connected, comprising a valve portion that holds the ink passage in a cutoff state when the connecting portion is removed, and a communication hole. a first connecting member having a valve body provided with a cylindrical ink passage whose one end is connected to the valve body; and a first connecting member having a valve body provided with a cylindrical ink passage whose one end is connected to the valve body; An ink supply connecting member comprising: a second connecting member having a valve operating body that communicates with each other through a communication hole. (Margin below)