JPS61225058A - Ink replenishing apparatus in charge deflection type ink jet printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the dripping and flying-out of ink and to attain the miniaturization of the titled apparatus, by arranging all of the parts of an ink supply system on a carriage and forming an ink supply cartridge into an insert type. CONSTITUTION:An ink tank 18 and a diluent tank 19, both of which have a bellows shape, are provided in the space 17 within an ink cartridge 16 and step parts are provided to the upper parts of the bellows while springs 20, 21 are inserted between said step parts and the step part of the ink cartridge 16. The springs 20, 21 compress the bellows to push down the liquid in a tank. The other ends of the bellows are formed into fine mouth parts 22, 23 and rubber bushes 24, 25 are mounted to the leading ends of the bellows so as to envelope sand mouth parts. Flanges 26, 27 are provided to the intermediate parts of the bushes to prevent the pulling-off (movement) of the bellows at the time of the mounting in a state perfectly inlaid to each other along with the ink cartridge main body 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ink replenishing device for a charge deflection type inkjet printing device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram for explaining an example of a conventional charge deflection type inkjet printing device. 202 is a charged electrode, 203 is a deflection electrode, 204 is a gutter, and 205 is a charged phase detection electrode.

206 is a heater that heats the ink supplied to the inkjet ejection head 200, 207 is a filter, 210 is a platen, 211 is a recording paper, 212 is a deflection amount detection electrode, 2
13 is a deflection height detection circuit, 214 is a charge phase detection circuit,
215 is a charge control circuit, 216 is an ink recovery pump, 2
17 is an ink cartridge; 218 is an ink pressure pump and accumulator; 219 is a pulse that controls on/off the ink supplied to the inkjet bed 200;
Reference numeral 20 denotes an ink supply path, with the ■ side being mounted on the carriage and the ■ side being attached to the main body side, with the A-A line as the boundary. In the conventional charge deflection type inkjet printing device as described above, the ink supply system requires independent space within the printer cover, and is fixed to the printer cover or frame housing with screws or the like. As shown in the figure, there are two types: one is placed on the carriage I side (movable side) and the other is screwed onto the frame housing (main body) side (fixed side). Therefore, the connection between the movable side and the fixed side is performed by a carriage harness, and this carriage harness includes several IOs such as an ink supply tube, an ink recovery tube, a high voltage line, and a signal line, making it possible to reduce size and cost. It was hindering me. Furthermore, to explain in detail, each unit of the ink supply system is connected by a joint, which is expensive, and the moisture in the ink evaporates from the ink supply tube, causing bubbles to form in the ink, causing the ink to deteriorate. Particle formation becomes disordered and printing defects occur. Furthermore, since the carriage harness consisting of ink tubes, high voltage lines, signal lines, etc. reciprocates following the reciprocating movement of the carriage, durability of the carriage harness against this reciprocating movement is required, which is unnecessary for reliability. Furthermore, an ink recovery pump is required to recover ink captured in the gutter, which increases cost. Further, the ink supply system and the ink cartridge require a large space, the overall size of the apparatus becomes large, and each stack is heavy.

Furthermore, since there are many parts per unit, it takes time to assemble and adjust the unit, resulting in poor assembly efficiency.

In addition, in the event of a malfunction, each malfunctioning unit is repaired, so it takes time to complete the repair, and in some cases,
Customer service is inadequate, such as the need to pull up the entire equipment. Furthermore, there are other drawbacks such as ink dripping when the ink cartridge is removed, ink spilling out due to tilting or vibration of the device, and the need for a cap seal or the like during transportation.

■--Neck The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances.
In particular, all parts of the ink supply system are placed on the carriage, and the ink supply cartridge is pluggable to eliminate ink dripping, and the system is designed to prevent ink from tilting.
This was done to prevent ink from flying out even when subjected to vibrations, eliminate the need for special measures for transporting the device, and at the same time to reduce the size and cost of the device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ink cartridge constituted by an integrated container housing a new ink tank and a diluent tank, a means for pressurizing the ink in the new ink tank, The method includes means for pressurizing the diluent in the diluent tank, a valve seat and a solenoid mechanism for independently controlling replenishment of the new ink and the diluent, and an actuator operated by the solenoid mechanism. , when the solenoid mechanism is actuated and the actuator is actuated, the valve seat opens the supply port of the new ink tank or the diluted liquid tank, and the new ink or diluted liquid is applied with the pressurizing force by the pressurizing means. This is characterized in that the ink is fed under pressure into the ink tank. Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of an inkjet printing apparatus according to the present invention, and in the figure, 1 is a platen;
2 and 2' are pressure rollers, 3 is a deflector, 4 is a paper pail roller, and 5 is recording paper. The recording paper 5 is inserted from behind the platen 1 by hand or by an automatic sheet feeder, passes between the deflector and the platen, and is ejected in the direction of the arrow. Reference numeral 6 denotes side plates, and there are one side plate 6 on each side, and a main guide shaft 7 is fixedly penetrated between the two side plates, and a stay 8 is also penetrated therethrough. 9 is a main guide, 10 is a rear guide, 11 is a plate-shaped carriage base, and main guide 9. The rear guide 10 is made of resin, the carriage base 11 is made of aluminum or iron plate, and the main guide 9 and rear guide 10 are fixed to the carriage base 11 with screws. Reference numeral 12 denotes a timing belt (with teeth), which is endlessly fixed to both side plates 6.6 by pulleys. One of the pulleys at both ends is an idler, which applies tension to the belt 12 to remove slack, and the other pulley is a motor pulley. The other end 9' of the main guide 9 has the same shape as the tooth profile of the belt, and the tooth portions mesh with each other and are in close contact with the carriage base 11, thereby preventing belt slip. When the belt 12 rotates, the main guide 9 and rear guide 10 move along the main guide shaft 7 and stay 8, and the carriage base 11, which is integrally fixed to the main guide 9 and rear guide IO, rotates. Move back and forth. In the figure, the part below the carriage base 11 constitutes a carriage scanning system. In addition, although not shown, there are sensors and sensor plates that determine the start position and home position. Furthermore.

There is a carriage-mounted ink supply system (hereinafter simply referred to as the ink supply system) mounted on the carriage base 11, but these are integrally constructed and are attached to the carriage base 11 with screws and can be removed. There is. The ink supply system is roughly divided into four plate-shaped substrates 12, 13, 1.
4.15 are laminated, and the mutual substrates are fixed by screws or ultrasonic welding, and ink pipes,
A liquid chamber and the like are provided, and each unit such as a valve, a solenoid, a head, etc. is mounted on this stacked body.

The explanation will be given below in the order of the ink flow paths.

Reference numeral 16 denotes the ink cartridge body, which has a substantially rectangular shape. This ink cartridge 16 has a space 17 within which a bellows-shaped (polyethylene thin plate) ink tank 18. There are diluent tanks 19, and each tank independently contains new ink and diluent. The diluent tank 19 contains pure water (containing a preservative) to be replenished to lower the viscosity of the ink in use when it rises above a predetermined value. The upper part of each bellows has a stepped portion, and a spring 20 , 21 is inserted between the stepped portion and the stepped portion of the ink cartridge 16 .

This spring normally compresses the bellows, forcing the liquid in the tank downward. The other end of the bellows has a narrow opening 22.23, and a rubber bushing 24.25 is attached to the tip of the bellows so as to enclose the narrow opening 22.23. The narrow opening 22.23 and the bushing 24.25 are in close contact with each other to prevent ink from leaking. There are flanges 26 and 27 in the middle of the bushing, which completely fit into the ink cartridge main body 16 to prevent the bellows from coming off (moving) when the cartridge is installed.

28 and 29 are hollow needles made of stainless steel, and the tips are sharp so that the bushings can be easily inserted into them. When the cartridge main body 16 is pulled out, the upper part comes off from the bushings 24, 25, and as soon as it comes out from the hollow needle 28, 29, the openings of the bushings 24, 25 close due to rubber elasticity, so that ink does not drip. Also, the ink cartridge 16
When inserting the bellows, the bushing is inserted into the hollow needle, and the ink inside the bellows flows to the lower ends 30° and 31 of the hollow needle. The lower end 30, 31 is in contact with the rubber sheet 32 and there is no further flow of ink. An ink liquid chamber (tank) 41 is dug into the substrate 13.
There is a slight space at the top. This is to improve the mixing of the diluted liquid and to enlarge the opening for venting air to the gutter, as will be described later. 42.degree. 43 are an upper limit line and a lower limit line of ink, and an ink detection electrode rod 45 is provided at a height equal to the lower limit line 42. 46 is a lead wire for detection.

Next, ink replenishment will be explained. When the ink in the tank 41 is between the lines 42 and 43, the ground electrode 4
7 and the detection electrode 45 are electrically connected by ink, so the resistance value shows a certain value. However, the consumption of ink increased and
When the ink falls below the line No. 3, the electrical connection between these electrodes is lost and the resistance value becomes high. This determines that the ink is running out, and replenishes the ink. That is, in the present invention, the detector 45
When the ink level is below the detection line 43, the resistance value between the detection electrode 45 and the ground electrode 47 is much larger than when the ink level is above the detection line 42. , the lack of ink is detected by detecting this change in resistance value.

As a result, under the control of a CPU (not shown), the new ink supply valve is opened for a certain period of time, and a certain amount of new ink in the bellows 18 is inserted into the ink chamber 41.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of replenishing ink. To replenish ink, first, the solenoid 48 is energized. Then, the actuator 49 rotates around the fulcrum 51 to release the pressure on the valve seat 32 and normally release the spring 5.
(the valve seat 32 is pressed against the hollow needle 28), the ink in the bellows flows down with the help of internal pressure, and
Go through it and fall into the tank from 53. The solenoid 48 is energized for a time corresponding to the ink height changing from the position of line 43 to the position of line 42, and then.

When the current is turned off, the valve seat 32 is brought into close contact with the hollow needle 28 by the spring 50, preventing the ink from flowing down and stopping the ink supply. If the resistance value between the detection electrode 45 and the ground electrode 47 does not decrease after a certain period of time has passed, that is, if the ink chamber 41 is not filled with ink, it is determined that the ink in the bellows 18 has run out. , even if there is still a large amount of diluent remaining in the diluent bellows 19, the new ink and diluent integrated cartridge 1
Replace 6 with a new one.

When replenishing diluted liquid, the increase in viscosity is detected by a method such as pressure increase detection, and the bellows 19 is activated based on the detection signal.
Then, the valve communicating with the ink liquid chamber 41 is opened, and the diluent in the other bellows, that is, the bellows 19, flows into the ink liquid chamber 41. Since the diluted liquid is usually not conductive, it is difficult to install a sensor to detect the remaining amount.
As mentioned above, if the diluent is provided in the cartridge that is integrated with the new ink, only one sensor is required.
At the very least, the diluent can be replaced at the cycle of ink replacement, eliminating the occurrence of mold and the like, and improving reliability. Separate solenoids 48 are provided for ink and diluent, and by opening the solenoid for diluent, the diluted liquid is dropped into tank 41 from conduit 53 in the same manner as described above. The diluted liquid that falls into the tank will spread on the liquid surface, but in order to quickly mix it, it is best to move the carriage from side to side.

Next, the path of ink within the tank will be explained. The ink coming out of the liquid chamber 41 passes through the first filter 54 and rises once through the conduit 56 and enters the second filter 58 through the conduit 57. 55.59 is a rubber grommet. The reason why the first filter 54 enters the second filter 58 from the top to the bottom is to serve as an air trap.

In other words, a considerable amount of air is contained in the liquid chamber 41, and this enters the pipe 56 through the first filter 54 due to fluctuations in the liquid level, so in order to remove that air (separate the layers) When the conduit is raised once to allow air to flow upward from the conduit 57 and only ink is allowed to pass through the second filter 58, the air is drawn out from the conduit 60. In addition, the pipe line 60
and the liquid chamber 41 are connected by a conduit 61. The ink that has passed through the second filter 58 rises again from the conduit 62, descends from the pump inlet 63, passes through the inserter 68, and then passes through the valve seat 64. It passes through the valve 65 and enters the liquid chamber 66. 69 is a valve seat on the discharge side, 70 is a valve, and 71 is an inserter. 67
72 is a diaphragm, 72 is an armature, 73 is a fixing screw for the armature and diaphragm, 74 is a pump solenoid core, and 75 is a coil. Now, when the coil 75 is energized (approximately 50 Hz), the armature 72 is attracted to the iron core side, the diaphragm 67 is bent downward, and the liquid chamber 6
6 becomes negative pressure, ink flows from the suction side 63 into the liquid chamber 6.
Go inside 6. When the power is turned off, the restoring force of the diaphragm 67 pushes up the ink in the liquid chamber 66 and leaves it from the ejection side. This is repeated at a frequency of 50 Hz to increase the pressure of the ink and discharge it (diaphragm pump). The ink discharged from the discharge side passes through the third filter 76 and enters the accumulator (ACC). The accumulator is a liquid chamber for controlling the pulsation of the pump, and 77 is a diaphragm;
8 is a liquid chamber. In other words, pressurized ink enters the liquid chamber 78 from below, but because it enters intermittently, the pressure value changes. This is absorbed by the deflection of the diaphragm 77 to keep the pressure constant.

The third filter 76 is called a main filter, and is composed of two layers with the finest mesh of, for example, 3 μm/10 pm. The ink leaving the accumulator attempts to enter the valve liquid chamber 80 through the conduit 79. In FIG. 1, the valve body 81 is closed because the valve liquid chamber 80 is in the OFF state, and the ink is sealed by the rubber valve 82. In FIG. 3, when an ink jetting command is issued, the valve solenoid 87 is energized and the armature 88 is pulled.
The lever 84 moves around the O-ring 85 in the direction of the arrow, which opens the pipe 79 side and at the same time opens the pipe 92 side (valve E
XT) is closed, ink fills the liquid chamber 80, and then
It jumps out of the head through the 93 traffic pipe. 95 is an O-ring that also serves as an ink seal and a fulcrum for vertical adjustment of the head. The head and valve are jointless.

When assembling the head, loosen the screw 96, loosen the flange 94, spread the O-ring 95, and then insert and remove the head.

Thereafter, the screw is tightened to bring the ○ ring into close contact with the pipe 93, thereby eliminating the joint and allowing easy replacement.

When stopping ink ejection, the solenoid 87 is de-energized. Then, the return spring 86 moves the lever 84 in the direction opposite to the arrow, resulting in the state shown in FIG. At this time, since the pipe line 92 (EXT) side opens, the valve liquid chamber 80
The ink inside passes through the conduit 83 and is discharged from the conduit 91. At this time, it may open suddenly, and since the pipe diameter is large, the ink inside the head may also be emptied, creating a negative pressure inside the head and drawing air from the nozzle. 89 provides resistance in the flow path. This is done by controlling the gap between 90 and 97. The ink coming out of the pipe line 91 enters the tank 41.

Further, some of the ink leaving the accumulator passes through the conduit 79 to the valve liquid chamber 8.0, and some ink passes through the conduit 99 and is released to the outside. The purpose of the conduit 99 is to remove air, etc., measure pressure, and replace ink. By loosening the screw 98, ink, air, etc. are discharged.

100 is a head housing, in which ink enters through a conduit 93 passes through a final filter (built in the head), and then passes through a conduit 1 in a ceramic head body 101.
04 and exits from the nozzle 105. 102 is a piezo vibrator, and 103 is a heater. The heater 103 is patterned around the outer circumference of the body, and directly heats the body and heats the ink inside. 106 is a charging electrode, 107 is a cap, and the cap 107 pushes the charging electrode 106. The jetting direction of the head is adjusted using a spring 109 and a screw 108. When the screw 108 is turned, the head moves up and down around the O-ring 95, thereby maintaining a constant positional relationship (height) with the gutter 110.

111 is a deflection electrode (high voltage side), 112 is a deflection electrode (GN
D). Conventionally, ink that entered the gutter was collected using a collection pump, but in the case of the example shown in Figure 9.

It falls naturally and enters the ink tank 41. This eliminates the need for a recovery pump and reduces costs. 11
2 is a pipe line for recovered ink.

As is clear from the explanatory power 1 above, according to the present invention, in the inkjet printing process, the control circuit is excluded.
All parts of the ink supply system are placed on the carriage, so
The overall size of the printer becomes extremely small, and the disadvantages caused by separation of the movable part and the fixed part are eliminated. In addition, in the carriage, functions can be consolidated and the number of parts can be significantly reduced, making it possible to significantly reduce costs. Furthermore, the ink tubes that were conventionally connected by the carriage harness are no longer needed because the circulation system is configured on the carriage, and the carriage harness can be configured with signal lines and high-voltage wires, and the signal line can be made of flexible tubes, reducing costs. It will also be very cheap. In addition, the ink supply system is formed using pipes, plugs, etc., and no joints are used to connect each unit, so costs are low.Also, since a carriage harness is not used in the ink supply system, there is no ink evaporation, and the ink does not evaporate. Printing defects caused by evaporation are eliminated, and furthermore, since the carriage harness can be constructed from flexible signal lines, it has excellent durability and improves reliability. Also, since there is no need for an ink recovery pump,
Cost reduction can be achieved accordingly. Furthermore, since the ink supply system and the ink cartridge are housed in the carriage space, the size and weight of the apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since there are fewer parts, the cost is low, and furthermore, the assembly work of the unit is efficient because there is less assembly and g adjustment. Additionally, in the event of a failure, the unit can be replaced, making on-site repair easier and improving customer service. Further, since the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge, there is no ink dripping, there is no problem even if the device is tilted or vibrates, and there are advantages such as no special treatment is required during transportation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams each showing a part of an ink supply system, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of a conventional inkjet printing system. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a photocopying device. 1...Platen, 5...Recording paper 12-15...
Plate member, 16... Cartridge, 18... New ink bellows, 19... Diluent bellows, 41... Ink liquid chamber, 45... Ink liquid detection electrode, 54, 58.
76... Filter, 74... Pressure pump solenoid, 78... Accumulator liquid chamber, 80... Valve liquid chamber, 100... Inkjet head. Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An ink cartridge constituted by an integrated container housing a new ink tank and a diluent tank, a means for pressurizing the ink in the new ink tank, and a means for pressurizing the diluent in the diluent tank. a valve seat and a solenoid mechanism for independently controlling the replenishment of the new ink and the diluted liquid, and an actuator operated by the solenoid mechanism, the actuator being actuated by the solenoid mechanism; When the tuator is operated, the valve seat opens the supply port of the new ink tank or the diluent tank, and the new ink or the diluent is forced into the ink tank by the pressurizing force of the pressurizing means. An ink replenishing device for a charge deflection type inkjet printing device, characterized in that: (2) According to claim (1), the valve seat is opened when the ink level in the ink tank falls to a predetermined level to replenish new ink for a certain period of time. An ink replenishing device in the charge deflection type inkjet printing device described above. (3) Claim (1) characterized in that an ink out signal is output when the ink level in the ink tank does not reach a predetermined height after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the valve seat was opened. Alternatively, the ink replenishing device in the charge deflection type inkjet printing device according to item (2).