JPWO2011136079A1 - Deaeration system - Google Patents

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide a deaeration system that can perform deaeration according to ink even if the type of ink to be used is switched in the same apparatus. As a solving means, a gas permeable degassing membrane 11, a degassing chamber 15 configured in a frame 15 a containing the degassing membrane 11, and an ink introduction path for introducing ink into the degassing chamber 15 13a and a deaeration module 10a having an ink outlet path 13b for extracting ink from the deaeration chamber 15 and an exhaust port 15b for exhausting the gas in the deaeration chamber 15 to a part of the frame 15a. 10b), a decompression unit 21 connected to the exhaust port for exhausting, and a control unit 25 having a memory 25a storing a deaeration method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink, and introduced into the deaeration chamber 15. The degassing method stored in the memory 25a is selected according to the type of ink to be performed, and the decompression means 21 changes the gas that passes through the degassing film 11 from the exhaust port 15b based on the degassing method selected by the control unit 25. Deaeration chamber by exhausting outside To degas the gas dissolved in the ink within 5 constitute a deaeration system 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to a deaeration system for removing gas dissolved in ink for an ink jet recording apparatus.

In a recording apparatus that performs pattern recording by ejecting and landing ink on a recording medium, such as an ink jet printer, gas dissolved in the ink may grow into bubbles in the process of ejecting ink from the ink jet head. As a result, ink ejection failure such as non-ejection of ink or so-called flight bending may occur, which has been a problem in maintaining accuracy of the recorded image on the recording medium. In order to stabilize ink ejection, it is necessary to remove dissolved gas in the ink supplied to the ink jet head. Therefore, an ink jet recording apparatus having a configuration in which a deaeration device is incorporated in the ink supply path of an ink jet head to remove dissolved gas in the ink is known.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus having the above-described configuration in which an ink supply path includes a deaeration device.
Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for removing dissolved gas in an ink through a gas permeable film to the outside, and performs a deaeration process exceeding a certain standard. A method for deaeration by connecting two or more deaeration elements therein is disclosed.

JP-A-11-42771 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-17712

However, the ink jet recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the degassing method disclosed in Patent Document 2 have the following problems.
In the ink jet recording apparatus, the type of ink to be used is not limited to one, and a plurality of types of ink may be switched and used as needed in the same apparatus. For example, when switching between reactive dye ink and acid dye ink as necessary, water dye ink and water pigment ink, water ink and solvent ink, sublimation transfer ink and solvent ink, transparent ink and white ink, etc. are similarly used. The case where it switches and uses it as needed is considered. In addition, switching between UV inks having different hardness after curing may be considered.
In this way, when using multiple types of ink in the same device, if the device is operated by switching the type of ink to be used, the stability of ink ejection cannot be ensured, resulting in ejection failure was there. This is because the required deaeration level (strength of deaeration) differs for each ink used.
For example, in the case of ink containing a solvent component having a low boiling point, if the degassing is too strong, the solvent is lost together with the degassed gas and the viscosity of the ink is increased. Similarly, in the case of UV ink (ultraviolet curable ink), if deaeration that is too strong is performed, curing of the ink proceeds from the time when the deaeration is performed. Therefore, in the ink deaeration process, it can be said that an optimum level corresponding to the characteristics of each ink is required.
In view of the above, the present invention provides a degassing system capable of performing optimal degassing according to the characteristics of each ink even in the case where a plurality of types of ink are used in the ink jet recording apparatus. Is to provide.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention described above, the deaeration system according to the present invention is configured as shown in the following 1-4.
1) Degassing membrane having gas permeability, deaeration chamber configured in a frame containing the deaeration membrane, ink introduction path for introducing ink into the deaeration chamber, and degassing chamber A deaeration module comprising: an ink lead-out path, and an exhaust port for exhausting the gas in the deaeration chamber to a part of the frame.
2) Pressure reducing means connected to the exhaust port for exhausting air.
3) A control unit including a memory storing a deaeration method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink.
4) The above-mentioned 1 to 3 are provided, and a deaeration method stored in the memory is selected according to the type of ink introduced into the deaeration chamber, and the decompression means exhausts based on the deaeration method selected by the control unit. The gas dissolved in the ink in the deaeration chamber is degassed by exhausting the gas that permeates the deaeration membrane from the mouth to the outside.
And an ink tank that is connected to the ink introduction path and sends ink to the ink introduction path, and an ink identification unit that identifies the type of ink in the ink tank. It is better to select the deaeration method based on the above.
In the above-described degassing method, a plurality of degassing modules are connected in series, and the second and subsequent degassing modules select whether or not to exhaust from the ink introduced into the degassing chamber. A method of controlling the ratio of deaeration step by step is preferable.
Alternatively, the above-described degassing method may further include a pressure sensor that is connected to the degassing chamber to detect the pressure in the degassing chamber, and the magnitude of the pressure in the degassing chamber becomes a predetermined value. A method for controlling the driving of the exhaust may be used.
The ink described in the present invention includes an ink containing a color material for recording characters and images on a plane, a functional ink such as an organic electronics material, and a dispersion ink of metal nanoparticles.

In the present invention, the degassing method may be configured such that a plurality of the degassing modules are connected in parallel and the exhaust is performed from ink introduced into the degassing chamber of the second and subsequent degassing modules. It is preferable that the ratio of deaeration is controlled step by step by selecting whether or not. In this case, an opening / closing valve is provided in at least one of the ink introduction path and the ink outlet path of the second and subsequent degassing modules, and the selection of whether or not to exhaust the ink from the ink introduced into the degassing chamber. It is preferable to open and close the on-off valve based on this.
According to this, it becomes possible to select and perform a degassing method with stepwise strength according to a plurality of types of ink, and thereby, the ratio of degassing of ink, that is, how much degassing is performed. The degree can be controlled.

  The deaeration system according to the present invention makes it possible to perform the optimum deaeration according to the characteristics of each ink even when the ink jet recording apparatus uses a plurality of types of ink. For this reason, it is possible to ensure the stability of ink ejection of the ink jet recording apparatus. Therefore, the image quality of the recording medium can be maintained with high accuracy.

1A and 1B are schematic views of a degassing module constituting the degassing system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the deaeration system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the deaeration system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the deaeration system according to the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described together with illustrated examples. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiments, and the repetitive description thereof may be omitted.
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are configuration diagrams for explaining the outline of a deaeration module constituting the deaeration system of the present invention.
In FIG. 1A, 10a is a degassing module, 11 is a gas permeable degassing membrane, 13a is an ink introduction path, 13b is an ink outlet path, 15 is a degassing chamber, 15a is a case (frame body), and 15b is an exhaust gas. The mouth. An arrow A indicates the direction of ink flow, and an arrow B indicates the direction of gas flow.

The gas permeable degassing film 11 is a film made of a functional material that does not allow ink to pass but only gas, and is formed of a bundle of films formed in a tube shape. doing.
Examples of the material for the deaeration membrane 11 include hollow fiber membranes and composite hollow fiber membranes having an appropriate inner diameter and film thickness, and various optimum materials can be selected depending on the application. For example, it is conceivable to use polymer materials such as polyolefin polymer, silicon rubber polymer, urethane polymer, and cellulose polymer.
Further, the thickness and shape of the film may be determined according to conditions such as the material of the ink to be used and the required dissolved gas concentration in the ink. Furthermore, it is possible to select a single film or a multilayer structure. In the case of a multi-layer structure, a combination of different materials may be used.

  The ink introduction path 13a and the ink lead-out path 13b are provided to introduce ink into the degassing film 11 in the degassing chamber 15 and lead out the ink from the degassing film 11, and here, It consists of a tube shape. As the material for the ink introduction path 13a and the ink outlet path 13b, a material that does not contain a component that dissolves in the ink and does not deteriorate, deform, or break due to contact with the ink is preferable. Examples include polyolefin resins and acrylic resins.

The deaeration chamber 15 includes a case (frame body) 15a surrounding the deaeration film 11 and a part of each of the ink introduction path 13a and the ink outlet path 13b. An exhaust port 15b is formed in a part of the case 15a. I have.
Here, the deaeration membrane 11 is bonded to the case 15 a using an adhesive 16. More specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the deaeration membrane (hollow fiber membrane) 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 15a are bonded by the adhesive 16, and the end surface (end surface in the longitudinal direction) of the deaeration membrane (hollow fiber membrane) 11 ) Is open. As an example, an epoxy resin is used for the adhesive 16.

  In the case of the deaeration module 10a, the ink introduction path 13a and the deaeration film 11 are in close contact with each other, and the case 15a has a suitable shape such as a tube, a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, or the like. Any shape can be used as long as it satisfies the function of the deaeration chamber 15, but any shape that can be mounted in the ink flow path closer to the head of the inkjet recording apparatus is close to the discharge nozzle of the head. This is more preferable because stable ink discharge can be expected.

  As a material of the case 15a, a material having an appropriate mechanical strength in accordance with the application is desirable. For example, in an operating state where the deaeration chamber 15 is decompressed to 5 kPa, it is desirable to have a strength that does not cause cracks, deformation, breakage, etc. that affect the function of the deaeration module 10. In addition, strength that does not cause an abnormality due to an operation such as scanning of the inkjet head is required. Examples of materials that satisfy these conditions include polyolefin resins and acrylic resins.

  In addition, the case 15a is required to contain no components that dissolve in the ink and to not be altered, deformed, or damaged by contact with the ink, like the ink introduction path 13a and the ink lead-out path 13b. When UV curable ink is used, the case 15a is made of a material that does not transmit UV light (a material having a light shielding property). For example, a colored polyethylene resin having a light-shielding property can be used.

Regarding the ink to be used, in the present invention, in addition to an ink containing a color material for recording characters and images on a flat surface, an organic electronic material, a functional ink such as a dispersion ink of metal nanoparticles, and the like are included.
The viscosity of the ink is applicable in the range of about 1 to 30 mPa · s, for example. Further, it is assumed that the temperature of the ink is in the range of 10 ° C. to 45 ° C. when the deaeration module 10a is in operation, and that no abnormality occurs in the range of −20 ° C. to 60 ° C. when not in operation.

Next, in FIG. 1B, 10b is a deaeration module having the same function as 10a. The deaeration film 11, the ink introduction path 13a, the ink outlet path 13b, the deaeration chamber 15, and the case 15a have the same functions as the deaeration module 10a in FIG. 1A, but are different in positional relationship. Arrow A indicates the direction of ink flow, and arrow B indicates the direction of gas flow.
In the deaeration module 10b, the ink introduction path 13a is not connected to the deaeration film 11, and is connected only to the case 15a. For this reason, the flow path of the ink introduced into the deaeration chamber 15 is outside the deaeration film 11 and inside the case 15a. Similarly, the ink outlet path 13b is connected to a part of the case 15a. The exhaust port 15b passes through the case 15a and is connected to the deaeration membrane 11.

  Further, the deaeration membrane 11 is bonded to the case 15 a using an adhesive 16. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the degassing membrane (hollow fiber membrane) 11 near the exhaust port 15b and the inner peripheral surface of the case 15a are bonded by the adhesive 16, and the degassing membrane (hollow fiber membrane). 11, the end face (end face in the longitudinal direction) near the exhaust port 15b is open. On the other hand, the outer peripheral surface of the deaeration membrane (hollow fiber membrane) 11 near the ink introduction path 13a is bonded to the inner peripheral surface of the case 15a by the adhesive 16 together with the end surface (end surface in the longitudinal direction) near the ink introduction path 13a. Thus, the end surface of the deaeration membrane (hollow fiber membrane) 11 near the ink introduction path 13a is not open. As an example, an epoxy resin is used for the adhesive 16.

Next, the operation of the deaeration modules 10a and 10b will be described.
The deaeration modules 10a and 10b are usually mounted inside the head carriage of an ink jet head in a printer.
1) Operation of the Deaeration Module 10a The ink flowing through the inkjet device reaches the carriage of the inkjet head (not shown), and is removed from the deaeration chamber 15 through the ink introduction path 13a from the means for supplying ink such as an ink tank. It flows into the air membrane 11. Specifically, since the degassing membrane 11 is a bundle of tube-like membranes as described above, ink flows in the individual tubes of the degassing membrane. At this time, the inside of the deaeration chamber 15 is depressurized to about 5 kPa to 40 kPa by exhausting the gas in the deaeration chamber 15 to the outside from the exhaust port 15 b using a decompression unit such as a vacuum pump described later. As a result, the gas dissolved in the ink passing through the deaeration film 11 passes through the deaeration film 11 and is discharged into the deaeration chamber 15, thereby reducing the dissolved concentration of the gas in the ink. At the same time, airtightness in the case 15a of the deaeration chamber 15 is ensured by the above-described exhaust treatment. The dissolved gas in the ink discharged into the deaeration chamber 15 is finally exhausted into the atmosphere from the outside of the exhaust port 15b via the decompression means. Thereafter, the ink from which the dissolved gas has been removed reaches the ink outlet path 13b and further flows into the ink jet head.
In this way, the degassed ink is sent to the inside of the inkjet head, and when the ink is ejected from the head, it is ejected onto the recording medium as an ink having a low dissolved gas concentration. It is possible to improve the accuracy of the image quality recorded on the recording medium without causing ejection failure due to bubbles.

2) Operation of the Deaeration Module 10b Similar to the deaeration module 10a, the ink flowing through the ink jet recording apparatus reaches the carriage of the ink jet head (not shown), and supplies ink such as an ink tank through the ink introduction path 13a. The air flows into the inside of the case 15 a inside the deaeration chamber 15 and outside the deaeration membrane 11. At this time, the inside of the degassing membrane 11 is depressurized to about 5 kPa to 40 kPa by exhausting the gas in the degassing membrane 11 to the outside from the exhaust port 15b using a decompression means such as a vacuum pump described later. As a result, the gas dissolved in the ink passing outside the degassing film 11 passes through the degassing film 11 and is discharged in the direction of the exhaust port 15b, so that the dissolved concentration of the gas in the ink is reduced. The dissolved gas in the ink discharged into the degassing film 11 is finally exhausted from the outside of the exhaust port 15b to the atmosphere via the decompression means. Thereafter, the ink from which the dissolved gas has been removed reaches the ink outlet path 13b and further flows into the ink jet head.

Next, the deaeration system of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the deaeration system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, 10a (or 10b) is a deaeration module (FIGS. 1A and 1B), and two deaeration modules 10a (or 10b) and 10a (or 10b) are connected in series (hereinafter referred to as “deaeration module”). The deaeration module 10a (10b) into which ink is introduced first is also referred to as a first deaeration module, and the deaeration module 10a (10b) into which ink is introduced next is also referred to as a second deaeration module). Since the configuration of 10a (10b) has already been described, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 13a denotes an ink introduction path which introduces ink into the deaeration chamber 15 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the deaeration module 10a (10b). Reference numeral 13 b denotes an ink outlet path that guides ink from the deaeration chamber 15. Further, the two degassing modules 10a (10b) are connected by a tube that also serves as the ink introduction path 13a and the ink outlet path 13b.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a deaeration system according to the first embodiment, and reference numeral 21 denotes a pump (decompression unit) connected to the exhaust port 15 b of the deaeration chamber 15. Here, a diaphragm type vacuum pump is used. The gas deaerated by the pump 21 passes through the pump 21 and is then exhausted to the atmosphere. The direction of exhaust is indicated by an arrow for convenience. Reference numeral 23 denotes a three-way valve, which is connected between the pressure reducing device 21 and the exhaust port 15 of the deaeration module 10 a (10 b) in which the ink flows in the second order. Reference numeral 25 denotes a control unit, and 25a denotes a memory. The control unit 25 selects a deaeration method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink stored in the memory 25a. The selected information is transmitted to the pump 21 and the three-way valve 23, and the pump 21 exhausts from the exhaust port 15b of only the first degassing module 10a based on the degassing method, or the first And the gas dissolved in the ink in the deaeration chamber of each deaeration module is degassed by continuously exhausting outside from the exhaust ports 15b and 15b of the second deaeration module 10a (10b). To do.
It is here that a person recognizes a plurality of types of ink, selects a deaeration method corresponding to the ink from the deaeration methods stored in the memory 25a, and sends an instruction of the selected deaeration method to the control unit 25. Assumes to do.

Next, operation | movement of the deaeration system 20 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.
The operator identifies the type of ink and sends an instruction to the control unit 25 by selecting a degassing method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink from the memory 25a by an input operation to the panel. The control unit 25 controls the driving of the three-way valve 23 and the driving of the pump 21 based on the selected degassing method. In response to an instruction from the control unit 25, the three-way valve 23 changes its direction to either left or right. For example, when the three-way valve 23 is driven in a direction in which the exhaust port 15b of the second degassing module 10a (10b) and the pump 21 are connected (hereinafter, this direction is referred to as the left direction for convenience), Since the gas in the first and second degassing modules 10a and 10b can be exhausted by the pump 21, the ink degassed through the first degassing module 10a (10b) Degassing is performed by the second degassing module 10a (10b), and two-stage degassing can be performed.

If the direction of the three-way valve 23 is the right direction, the ink is once degassed by the first degassing module 10a (10b), and then from the pump 21 in the second degassing module 10a (10b). Since no exhaust is performed, it only passes.
Furthermore, it is possible to set so that the pump 21 does not exhaust at all and the two deaeration modules 10a (10b) only allow ink to pass through.
As described above, according to the deaeration system of the first embodiment, it is possible to select and perform a deaeration method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink, in this case, the deaeration of three levels of strength. Thus, it is possible to control the rate of deaeration of ink, that is, how much deaeration is performed.
The first and second degassing modules are not the same, and may have different degassing capabilities. For example, if the degassing membrane of one degassing module is long (large), a difference occurs in the degassing ability of both degassing modules. The combination (a combination of degassing modules having different degassing capabilities) can also be adopted according to the type of ink.

  Note that when a cleaning liquid is used instead of ink, deaeration is not performed for the following reason. That is, since the cleaning liquid itself does not generate bubbles, degassing is unnecessary. Further, since a liquid containing a solvent having a relatively low boiling point is allowed to flow as the cleaning liquid, the solvent permeates the degassing membrane 11 and flows out from the exhaust port 15b, which may cause a failure of the pump 21.

Next, the deaeration system 30 of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.
In FIG. 3, 27 is an atmospheric pressure sensor (pressure sensor), and 29 is a pressure detection tube. The atmospheric pressure sensor 27 is connected to the deaeration module 10a (10b) through the pressure detection tube 29, and the pressure in the deaeration chamber 15 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the deaeration module 10a (10b) is measured by the atmospheric pressure sensor 27. It can be detected by. Reference numeral 31 denotes an ink tank which performs deaeration by sending ink to the deaeration module 10a (10b). Reference numeral 33 denotes ink identification means for identifying the type of ink in the ink tank 31. The ink identification unit 33 includes an IC chip 33a in which the ink type is recorded, and a reading sensor 33b that reads data on the ink type recorded in the IC chip 33a.
Since the other configuration is the same as that of the deaeration system 20 of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the deaeration system 30 will be described. The reading sensor 33b reads the ink type data recorded on the IC chip 33a provided in the ink tank 31, and the data is output to the control unit 25. This data is also transmitted to the memory 25a. The memory 25a stores a deaeration method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink. Here, the memory 25 a stores a pressure value in the deaeration chamber corresponding to the type of ink, and outputs this pressure value to the control unit 25. Further, the atmospheric pressure sensor 27 detects the pressure in the deaeration chamber 15 via the pressure detection tube 29, is converted into pressure data, and is input to the control unit 25. The control unit 25 compares the pressure value output from the memory with the pressure value in the deaeration chamber detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 27, and drives the pump 21 to further exhaust or stop driving. Thus, the pressure in the deaeration chamber 15 is controlled to be a predetermined optimum value.

In the deaeration system 30, the number of types of ink can be set to an arbitrary number by the ink identification means 33 and the memory 25a.
For example, although one ink flow path is shown in FIG. 3, four color ink flow paths of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) can be controlled simultaneously. In this case, four degassing modules 10a (10b), four atmospheric pressure sensors 27, and four reading sensors 33b are arranged, and an electromagnetic opening / closing valve is further arranged between the pump 21 and the exhaust ports 15b of the four degassing modules. Thus, even if one pump 21 is used, the pressure in the deaeration chambers of the four deaeration modules can be controlled.
At this time, the memory 25a can store the data of the deaeration method (here, the pressure value described above) corresponding to a plurality of types of ink in the plurality of ink flow paths described above.

  Note that, for the same reason as in the above-described embodiment, the deaeration is not performed when the cleaning liquid is supplied instead of the ink.

Next, the deaeration system 40 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a deaeration system 40 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The deaeration system 40 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which two deaeration modules 10a (or 10b) and 10a (or 10b) are connected in parallel. It differs from the deaeration system 20 which concerns on a form. Here, one of the two degassing modules connected in parallel (here, the left degassing module 10a (or 10b) in FIG. 4) is referred to as the first degassing module, and the other (here, The right degassing module 10a (or 10b) in FIG. 4 is referred to as a second degassing module (they may be reversed). In addition, since it has already demonstrated about the structure of deaeration module 10a, 10b, repeated description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the deaeration system 40 shown in FIG. 4, 13a is an ink introduction path, and introduces ink into the deaeration chamber 15 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of each deaeration module 10a (10b). Reference numeral 13 b denotes an ink outlet path that guides ink from the deaeration chamber 15. The two degassing modules 10a (10b) and 10a (10b) are connected by a tube that also serves as the ink introduction path 13a and a tube that also serves as the ink outlet path 13b. Reference numeral 21 denotes a pump (decompression unit) connected to the exhaust port 15 b of the deaeration chamber 15. Here, a diaphragm type vacuum pump is used. The gas deaerated by the pump 21 passes through the pump 21 and is then exhausted to the atmosphere. The direction of exhaust is indicated by arrow B for convenience.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an electromagnetic valve used as an on-off valve. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, on the path of the ink introduction path 13a to the second deaeration module 10a (10b) (branch portion). A solenoid valve 24 (24a) is provided between S1 and the second degassing module 10a (10b), and is on the path of the ink outlet path 13b (second) from the second degassing module 10a (10b). A solenoid valve 24 (24b) is provided between the first deaeration module 10a (10b) and the junction S2.
In addition, as a modification, it is also conceivable that either one of the electromagnetic valves 24a and 24b is replaced with a check valve or omitted (not shown).

Reference numeral 25 denotes a control unit, and 25a denotes a memory. The control unit 25 selects a deaeration method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink stored in the memory 25a. The selected information is transmitted to the pump 21 and the solenoid valves 24 (24a, 24b), and the pump 21 exhausts from the exhaust port 15b of only the first degassing module 10a (10b) based on the degassing method. Or by exhausting outside from the exhaust ports 15b and 15b of the first and second deaeration modules 10a (10b) and 10a (10b), the deaeration chambers of the respective deaeration modules The gas dissolved in the ink is degassed.
It is here that a person recognizes a plurality of types of ink, selects a deaeration method corresponding to the ink from the deaeration methods stored in the memory 25a, and sends an instruction of the selected deaeration method to the control unit 25. Assumes to do.

Next, operation | movement of the deaeration system 40 of 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated.
The operator identifies the type of ink and sends an instruction to the control unit 25 by selecting a degassing method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink from the memory 25a by an input operation to the panel. The control unit 25 controls the driving of the electromagnetic valves 24 a and 24 b and the driving of the pump 21 based on the selected degassing method. In response to an instruction from the control unit 25, the electromagnetic valves 24a and 24b are opened and closed.

For example, when the pump is driven and the electromagnetic valves 24a and 24b are opened, the ink is deaerated by the two deaeration modules 10a (10b) and 10a (10b). By connecting two degassing modules 10a (10b) and 10a (10b) in parallel, the degassing process flow rate increases if the pressure is the same, and degassing can be strengthened if the process flow rate is the same. An effect is obtained. On the other hand, if the pump is driven to close the solenoid valves 24a and 24b, the ink is deaerated by the single deaeration module 10a (10b). In this way, two-stage deaeration can be performed by opening and closing the electromagnetic valves 24a and 24b.
Further, it is possible to set so that the pump 21 is not exhausted at all and the two degassing modules 10a (10b) and 10a (10b) only pass ink and do not degas.

  Thus, according to the deaeration system 40 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select and perform a deaeration method corresponding to a plurality of types of ink, in this case, three levels of deaeration, Thereby, it is possible to control the rate of deaeration of ink, that is, how much deaeration is performed.

  Note that the two degassing modules 10a (or 10b) and 10a (or 10b) are not the same and may have different degassing capabilities. For example, if the degassing membrane of one degassing module is long (large), a difference occurs in the degassing ability of both degassing modules. The combination (a combination of degassing modules having different degassing capabilities) can also be adopted according to the type of ink.

  Further, for the same reason as in the above-described embodiment, the deaeration is not performed when the cleaning liquid is supplied instead of the ink.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the degassing system of the present invention, even when a plurality of types of ink are used in the same apparatus, optimum degassing according to the characteristics of each ink can be performed. it can. Therefore, the ink ejection stability of the ink jet recording apparatus can be ensured, and the image quality of the recording medium can be maintained with high accuracy.

  Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, the number of deaeration modules is not limited to two in either case where a plurality of deaeration modules are connected in series or a plurality of deaeration modules are connected in parallel. Furthermore, the deaeration modules 10a and 10b do not have to be used in a unified manner.

In the second embodiment, the ink identification unit 33 includes the IC chip 33a and the reading sensor 33b. However, a combination of a barcode and a reading sensor may be used.
Similarly, in the embodiment of the present invention, examples of suitable various materials constituting the deaeration module have been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various suitable materials can be used.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the ink to be used, the type and form of the recording medium, the head ejection method, and the like. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (6)

A gas permeable deaeration membrane, a deaeration chamber configured in a frame containing the deaeration membrane, an ink introduction path for introducing ink into the deaeration chamber, and ink from the deaeration chamber A deaeration module comprising an ink lead-out path to be led out and an exhaust port for exhausting the gas in the deaeration chamber to the outside in a part of the frame;
Decompression means connected to the exhaust port for exhausting;
A control unit having a memory storing a deaeration method according to a plurality of types of ink,
A degassing method stored in the memory is selected in accordance with the type of ink introduced into the degassing chamber, and the pressure reducing means is removed from the exhaust port based on the degassing method selected by the control unit. A degassing system characterized in that the gas dissolved in the ink in the degassing chamber is degassed by exhausting the gas that permeates through the gas membrane to the outside.   The deaeration system according to claim 1, further comprising: an ink tank that is connected to the ink introduction path and sends ink to the ink introduction path; and an ink identification unit that identifies the type of ink in the ink tank; The said control part selects the said deaeration method based on the identification result of the said identification means, The deaeration system characterized by the above-mentioned.   3. The deaeration system according to claim 1, wherein the deaeration method connects a plurality of the deaeration modules in series and introduces the second and subsequent deaeration modules into the deaeration chamber. A degassing system characterized in that it is a method of controlling stepwise the ratio of degassing by selecting whether or not to exhaust the ink from ink.   3. The deaeration system according to claim 1, wherein the deaeration method connects a plurality of the deaeration modules in parallel and introduces the second and subsequent deaeration modules into the deaeration chamber. A degassing system characterized in that it is a method of controlling stepwise the ratio of degassing by selecting whether or not to exhaust the ink from ink.   5. The method according to claim 4, wherein an opening / closing valve is provided in at least one of the ink introduction path and the ink outlet path of the second and subsequent deaeration modules, and whether or not the exhaust is performed from the ink introduced into the deaeration chamber. A deaeration system which opens and closes the on-off valve based on selection.   3. The deaeration system according to claim 1, wherein the deaeration method further includes a pressure sensor that is connected to the deaeration chamber and detects a pressure in the deaeration chamber. The deaeration system is a method for controlling the driving of the exhaust gas so that the pressure of the exhaust gas becomes a predetermined value.

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