TW200936386A - Printer with reservoir headspace pressure control - Google Patents

Printer with reservoir headspace pressure control Download PDF

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Publication number
TW200936386A
TW200936386A TW097106079A TW97106079A TW200936386A TW 200936386 A TW200936386 A TW 200936386A TW 097106079 A TW097106079 A TW 097106079A TW 97106079 A TW97106079 A TW 97106079A TW 200936386 A TW200936386 A TW 200936386A
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TW
Taiwan
Prior art keywords
ink
print head
pump
jet printer
ink jet
Prior art date
Application number
TW097106079A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
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TWI415749B (en
Inventor
John Douglas Peter Morgan
David John Worboys
Miao Wang
Patrick John Mcauliffe
Kia Silverbrook
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Silverbrook Res Pty Ltd
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Publication of TW200936386A publication Critical patent/TW200936386A/en
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Publication of TWI415749B publication Critical patent/TWI415749B/en

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/17Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/17Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17506Refilling of the cartridge
    • B41J2/17509Whilst mounted in the printer
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/17Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17556Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/17Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17596Ink pumps, ink valves
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/17Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/18Ink recirculation systems
    • B41J2/185Ink-collectors; Ink-catchers

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

An inkjet printer that has a printhead for printing onto a media substrate, and a reservoir for containing a quantity of ink, the reservoir having a lower portion for holding ink and an upper portion defining a headspace of air above the ink. A fluid connection extends between the printhead and the reservoir. A pump draws air from the headspace to lower its air pressure and thereby controls the hydrostatic pressure of the ink at the printhead.

Description

200936386 九、發明說明 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明係有關一種印表機,尤指噴 構。 【先前技術】 噴墨列印是一種普遍且多功能型態 人經發展出經MEMS列印頭1C噴出| 等列印頭1C (積體電路)是使用用以製 刻及沈積技術來形成的。 在MEMS列印頭1C內的微尺寸_ 嘴密度(每一單位1C表面積所有的噴 度、低電源消耗量、自身冷卻作業,i 列印頭經詳細的敘述在申請人於2002 請的USSN 1 0/1 60273 號申請案,及於 提出申請的USSN 1 0/728804 號申請 容倂入本文以供參考。 微小的噴嘴結構及高噴嘴密度會產 之間的混色困擾。在拖長的靜止(或 ,各墨水顏色的個別流體管線相互之 化。在不同的墨水管線內的不同的加 輕微的壓力差。如果紙屑(紙塵)或 墨水在不同墨水管線的噴嘴之間延伸 墨水會在兩墨水管線之間構成一流體 墨印表機的流體建BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to a spray. [Prior Art] Inkjet printing is a common and versatile type of person developed by MEMS print head 1C ejection | Equal print head 1C (integrated circuit) is formed by using engraving and deposition techniques. . Micro-size _ mouth density in MEMS print head 1C (all sprays per unit 1C surface area, low power consumption, self-cooling operation, i print heads are described in detail in the USSN 1 of the applicant in 2002) Application No. 0/1, the application of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety by reference in its entirety, the entire disclosure of the entire disclosure of the entire disclosure of Or, the individual fluid lines of each ink color are mutually different. Different slight pressure differences in different ink lines. If paper dust (paper dust) or ink extends between the nozzles of different ink lines, the ink will be in two inks. Fluid construction of a fluid inkjet printer between the pipelines

的印刷成像。申請 I水的印表機。該 造半導體的微影蝕 嘴結構可允許高噴 嘴)、高列印析像 而高列印速。此種 F6月4曰提出申 2003年12月8日 中。該等文獻的內 生不同顏色的噴嘴 待命模式」)期間 會有稍微的壓力變 率及釋氣會產生一 留在噴嘴表面上的 話,紙屑或殘留的 接。該等墨水管線 -5- 200936386 會試圖使其等之間的壓力差變成相等’而此將驅使墨水由 較高壓力管線流至較低壓力管線。如果不加理會的話’在 較低壓力墨水管線內的墨水污染會延伸到墨水槽。在此情 形下,受污染的墨水供應是無法挽救的’而必需在墨水管 線注入噴嘴前加以更換。 墨水槽可藉在列印頭上游的關斷閥而與列印頭相隔開 。此可保護墨水槽在待命期間免受污染’但是墨水槽及列 @ 印頭可能會有在待命期間產生一壓力差的風險。若此情形 發生的話,忽然的壓力平衡將導致墨水管線中發生一脈衝 ,而淹沒(氾濫)噴嘴板。 【發明內容】 因此,本發明提供一噴墨印表機,其包含: 一列印頭,用以列印至一介質基底上; 一儲器,用以容裝一墨水量,該儲器具有一用以固持 Q 墨水的下部位,及一上部位’用以界定一在墨水上方之空 氣的頂部空間; 一流體連接,在該列印頭及儲器之間延伸;及 一泵,用以自該頂部空間將空氣抽引入大氣中。 本發明使用一可控制墨水儲器頂部空間內的空氣壓力 的流體系統,以沿墨水管線的關鍵點處控制墨水的液體靜 壓。控制其中一墨水儲器(供應列印頭的墨水槽或是收集 廢墨水的墨水液池的任一)內的墨水壓力可在列印頭噴嘴 處維持較一致的負壓力(即液體靜壓小於大氣)。在列印 -6- 200936386 頭噴嘴處的負壓力,藉確保在各噴嘴處的墨水彎月面係被 向內抽引,而防止或至少減少混色。被向內抽引的彎月面 顯著的減少紙屑或殘留的墨水可能在不同顏色的噴嘴之間 形成流體連接的機率。自液池內的頂部空間抽引空氣有助 於使在不同墨水管線內的壓力相等,因爲液池頂部空間係 與所有的顏色槽路共通的。因此,可簡單的使用單一的泵 來連接各墨水槽的個別頂部空間。藉此方式,各墨水槽內 Φ 的空氣壓力是相等的,故在噴嘴處的墨水液體靜壓將只有 因爲墨水槽的墨水水位內的變化而改變。在一正常使用型 態中,各墨水槽的墨水水位是大致維持相同的。欲進一步 減少變化,可將墨水槽設成具有寬廣及矮胖的形狀,以減 少由裝滿至清空時液體靜壓的改變。由於在各墨水管線內 具有相等壓力(或至少近乎相等的壓力),故除了擴散之 外,沒有會促成混色作業的壓力差。由於橫跨噴嘴的流體 連接甚小,故因擴散而造成的混合是可忽略不計的。 Q 較佳者,該儲器是一可收集自該列印頭排洩的廢墨水 的液池。 較佳者,該儲器是一用以供應墨水至該列印頭的墨水 槽。在另一較佳型態中,該印表機是一可列印複數不同著 色的墨水的彩色印表機,各不同著色的墨水係儲存於個別 墨水槽內,以供應該列印頭,各墨水槽的頂部空間係連接 至該泵,使得其等是相互成流體連通的。 較佳者,該儲器具有一通氣孔,以將該頂部空間通氣 至大氣,且當該泵將空氣自該頂部空間抽引出時,可允許 200936386 受阻塞的空氣流進入該頂部空間內。在另一較佳型態中 ,該通氣孔具有一過濾器’可用以自流入該頂部空間內的 受阻塞空氣內移除顆粒污染物。 較佳者,印表機另包含一設於該列印頭上游的上游閥 。在另一較佳型態中,該印表機另包含一設於該列印頭下 游的下游閥。 較佳者,該泵係可逆的,使得其可提升在該頂部空間 Φ 內的空氣壓力,而將墨水驅迫向該列印頭。在另一較佳型 態中,該泵係用以起動注給列印頭。在另一較佳型態中, 該泵係用以沖洗來自噴嘴的墨水,及淹沒該列印頭。 較佳者,該列印頭具有一分配歧管及複數安裝至該分 配歧管的列印頭積體電路,使得以墨水起動注給該分配歧 管時,也起動注給該等列印頭積體電路。在一些具體實施 例中,該印表機另包含一維護站,具有提供給該等列印頭 積體電路的覆蓋器(capper)及吸墨器(blotter)。在特 φ 定具體實施例中,該泵係與該維護站及液池成流體連通, 使得藉使該泵沿一方向運轉時,可將該維護站所收集的墨 水傳送至該液池,而藉使該泵沿另一方向運轉時,可自該 頂部空間抽引空氣。在一特別佳的型態中,該列印頭係以 一使用者可卸除及置換的卡匣來供應的,且其可經該上 '游 閥及下游閥自該印表機流體式的卸除。 【實施方式】 較佳具體實施例的詳盡說明 -8- 200936386 參見圖1,爲了說明起見,印表機流體系統在此圖以 槪意的方式顯示。此圖完整的顯示提供一顏色的單一墨水 管線。提供其他顏色的墨水槽及12係以虛線顯示。一 彩色印表機對各墨水顏色會有完整的墨水管線。在系統內 的大部分構件經詳細的敘述在申請人於2007年3月21曰 提出申請,且正在審查中的USSN 1 1 /6 8 8 863 號申請案, 該案的內容倂入本文以供參考。本系統的構件,如未見示 於該參考案者,是可在市場上取得的。 圖1所示的流體系統具有一列印頭2,墨水14經一 上游墨水管線20自墨水槽8提供給列印頭2。廢墨水經下 游墨水管線24由列印頭2排洩至一液池28。上游墨水管 線20具有一關斷閥1 8,而下游墨水管線具有關斷閥26。 該等閥可用以起動注給及沖洗墨水(詳下文)且充當可卸 除的流體連接,列印頭係以使用者可卸除及置換的卡匣型 態來提供,例如上述於2007年3月21日申請的USSN 1 1 /68 8 8 63號申請案所示者。 列印頭具有一維護站22,用以覆蓋及吸乾噴嘴。一排 洩管線16將維護站22連接至液池28。 列印頭2是墨水分配歧管4的組件,一系列的列印頭 積體電路(1C ) 6安裝於墨水分配歧管4上。列印頭ic 6 界定出將墨水噴至介質基底的噴嘴陣列。噴嘴係可熱引動 的MEMS裝置,例如於2006年7月10日申請的USSN 1 1 /482953號申請案所揭示者,或是可機械式引動者,例 如於2002年6月4日申請的USSN 10/1 60273號申請案所 200936386 示者。 墨水分配歧管4是一LCP塑模,具有一_巨大槽路 ,供養較小槽路的網路,以將墨水供應至在各列印頭 長度上的許多點。分配歧管4及列印頭1C 6的一具 施例經詳細的揭示於前述在2007年3月21日提出申 USSN 1 1 /68 8 863號申請案中。此文獻也詳細的敘述 以墨水起動注給列印頭的方式,或是如有需要的話, φ 沖洗墨水以修正任何槽路相跨越的顏色污染及/或泡 除的方式。 在待命模式中,氣泵30由墨水槽8內的頂部空 headspace ) 32抽引空氣。在頂部空間內的空氣壓力 ,而空氣經過濾的通氣孔40被抽引回到頂部空間32 將來自通氣孔4 0的空氣收縮小心的加以控制,以產 預定的負空氣壓力。管路38流體的連接墨水槽1〇] 內的頂部空間3 4及3 6,使得所有的頂部空間係在相 ❹ 空氣壓力下。墨水槽10及12可具有本身的通氣孔通 大氣(未示),但是系統將以單一通氣孔運作。 由於頂部空間32,34及36是在相同的壓力下, 水內的液體靜壓是近乎相等的。在噴嘴處的墨水液體 將僅因墨水槽的墨水水位的變化而改變。正常使用時 在各墨水槽內的墨水水位設計成大致相同。爲了進一 少變化,墨水槽可具有寬廣及矮胖形狀,以減少由全 全空其液體靜壓的改變。由於各墨水管線中是在相等 (或至少是在近乎相等壓力)下,故除了擴散之外, 系統 1C 6 體實 請的 如何 如何 沬消 間( 下降 內。 生一 5: 12 同的 氣至 故墨 靜壓 是將 步減 滿至 壓力 沒有 -10- 200936386 壓力差可促成混色作業。由於跨越噴嘴的流體連 故因擴散而造成的混合是可忽略不計的。 泵30是可逆的,故其可用以加壓頂部空間 3 6,以起動注給列印頭2或藉列印頭IC 6來沖 起動注給時,需將上游及下游關斷閥1 8及26打 墨水槽8, 1 0及1 2的墨水經分配歧管4被迫使沿 管線20下流,經下游墨水管線24流入液池28 φ 頭1C 6藉分配歧管內的墨水的毛細管作用起動注 如欲沖洗列印頭1C 6 (恢復弄乾的噴嘴、氣 釋氣等),在栗30加壓頂部空間32時,將下淀 閉。墨水由噴嘴被迫出,而所造成噴嘴板上的氾 護站22處清除之。 需一提者,泵30是在插電的待命模式下運 是,在列印工作之間的靜止期間,印表機仍然是 連接至電源的。在切斷電源的待命時,關斷閥U φ 關閉,以隔離列印頭及防止混合。當印表機再次 ,泵30可如上文述及般,藉起動注給或沖洗( )來使列印頭待命。 圖2顯示泵3 0係作用於液池2 8的頂部空間 墨水槽8的頂部空間。此外,該圖顯示單一墨水 是彩色印表機具有數個顏色管線,全排洩至相同 。只要是各顏色的所有下游墨水管線24係連接 部空間,單一的泵可用以改變墨水在噴嘴處的液‘ 在泵30連接至液池28的情形下,在電源關 接甚小, 32, 34 及 洗墨水。 開。來自 上游墨水 內。列印 給。 泡阻塞的 F閥26關 濫即在維 作的。即 插上電且 5及26被 接上電時 如有必要 32,而非 管線,但 的液池2 8 至液池頂 體靜壓。 閉的待命 200936386 期間,上游關斷閥1 8是閉合的。在頂部空間3 2內的負空 氣壓力對由列印頭2垂下的墨水柱進行抽引作用。此確保 在噴嘴處維持有一足夠的負壓力。更重要的’各顏色的噴 嘴內的負壓力是相同的。如上文述及者’此移除了驅促混 色作業的機制。 泵3 0是較複雜的,因爲其必須能處理一墨水/空氣混 合物。其是在由維護總成22至液池2 8的排洩管線1 6內 ,以協助將染污的墨水傳送至液池2 8 ’且需能經由過濾器 42自頂部空間32或大氣抽引空氣。 在此具體實施例中,起動注給需要上游閥18打開, 而泵30需在液池28內產生一低壓力,以沿上游墨水管線 20,自墨水槽8將墨水向下抽引,經分配歧管4而進入下 游墨水管線24。列印頭1C 6再次藉毛細管現象而起動注 給。 欲沖洗時,將上游閥18關閉,而泵30在頂部空間32 內產生一正壓力,以迫使在下游墨水管線24及分配歧管4 內的墨水淹沒(氾濫)列印頭1C 6。 本發明僅藉一些範例來敘述。精於本技藝的人士應了 解任何變化及修飾均應視爲在本發明的精神及範疇內。 【圖式簡單說明】 本發明的較佳具體實施例將在參照附圖及針對範例來 敘述之。 圖1顯示依據本發明一印表機流體系統的槪意圖式。 -12- 200936386 圖2顯示依據本發明另一印表機流體系統的槪意圖式 【主要元件符號說明】Printed imaging. Apply for a water printer. The micro-etching nozzle structure of the semiconductor allows for high nozzles, high print resolution, and high print speed. This kind of F6 month 4 曰 was filed on December 8, 2003. During the nozzle standby mode of the different colors of these documents, there will be a slight pressure variability and outgassing will result in a paper residue or residual connection remaining on the nozzle surface. These ink lines -5-200936386 will attempt to equalize the pressure difference between them and this will drive the ink from the higher pressure line to the lower pressure line. If left unconsidered, ink contamination in the lower pressure ink line will extend to the ink reservoir. In this case, the contaminated ink supply is unrecoverable' and must be replaced before the ink line is injected into the nozzle. The ink reservoir can be separated from the printhead by a shut-off valve upstream of the printhead. This protects the ink tank from contamination during standby' but the ink tank and column @ print heads may run a risk of a pressure differential during standby. If this happens, a sudden pressure balance will cause a pulse in the ink line to flood (spray) the nozzle plate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides an inkjet printer comprising: a print head for printing onto a media substrate; a reservoir for containing an ink amount, the reservoir having a Holding a lower portion of the Q ink, and an upper portion 'to define a head space of air above the ink; a fluid connection extending between the print head and the reservoir; and a pump for The headspace draws air into the atmosphere. The present invention uses a fluid system that controls the pressure of the air in the headspace of the ink reservoir to control the hydrostatic pressure of the ink at critical points along the ink line. Controlling the ink pressure in one of the ink reservoirs (either the ink reservoir that supplies the printhead or the ink reservoir that collects the waste ink) maintains a relatively constant negative pressure at the printhead nozzle (ie, the hydrostatic pressure is less than atmosphere). The negative pressure at the head nozzle of -6-200936386 is printed to ensure that the ink meniscus at each nozzle is drawn inwardly to prevent or at least reduce color mixing. The meniscus that is drawn inward significantly reduces the chance that paper dust or residual ink may form a fluid connection between nozzles of different colors. The extraction of air from the headspace in the tank helps to equalize the pressure in the different ink lines because the headspace of the tank is common to all color tanks. Therefore, a single pump can be simply used to connect the individual headspaces of each ink reservoir. In this way, the air pressure of Φ in each ink tank is equal, so the static pressure of the ink liquid at the nozzle will only change due to changes in the ink level of the ink tank. In a normal use mode, the ink level of each ink tank is maintained substantially the same. To further reduce the variation, the ink tank can be designed to have a wide and chunky shape to reduce the change in hydrostatic pressure from filling to emptying. Since there is equal pressure (or at least nearly equal pressure) in each ink line, there is no pressure difference that would contribute to the color mixing operation other than diffusion. Since the fluid connection across the nozzle is very small, the mixing due to diffusion is negligible. Q Preferably, the reservoir is a reservoir that collects waste ink discharged from the printhead. Preferably, the reservoir is an ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead. In another preferred embodiment, the printer is a color printer capable of printing a plurality of differently colored inks, and the different colored inks are stored in individual ink tanks to supply the print heads, each The headspace of the ink reservoir is connected to the pump such that they are in fluid communication with one another. Preferably, the reservoir has a vent to vent the headspace to the atmosphere and allow the 200936386 blocked air flow into the headspace as the pump draws air from the headspace. In another preferred form, the vent has a filter' that can be used to remove particulate contaminants from the trapped air flowing into the headspace. Preferably, the printer further includes an upstream valve disposed upstream of the print head. In another preferred form, the printer further includes a downstream valve disposed downstream of the printhead. Preferably, the pump is reversible such that it raises the air pressure within the headspace Φ to urge the ink toward the printhead. In another preferred form, the pump is used to initiate injection to the printhead. In another preferred form, the pump is used to flush ink from the nozzle and flood the print head. Preferably, the print head has a distribution manifold and a plurality of print head integrated circuits mounted to the distribution manifold, so that when the ink is injected into the distribution manifold, the print heads are also activated. Integrated circuit. In some embodiments, the printer further includes a maintenance station having a capper and a blower provided to the printhead circuits. In a specific embodiment, the pump system is in fluid communication with the maintenance station and the liquid pool such that when the pump is operated in one direction, the ink collected by the maintenance station can be delivered to the liquid pool. When the pump is operated in the other direction, air can be drawn from the head space. In a particularly preferred form, the print head is supplied by a user-removable and replaceable cassette and is fluid-operable from the printer via the upper 'valve and downstream valves. Remove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT -8- 200936386 Referring to Figure 1, the printer fluid system is shown in a satisfactory manner in this figure for the sake of explanation. The complete display of this figure provides a single ink line of one color. Ink tanks with other colors and 12 series are shown in dotted lines. A color printer will have a complete ink line for each ink color. Most of the components in the system are described in detail in the application filed by the applicant on March 21, 2007 and under review, USSN 1 1 /6 8 8 863, the contents of which are included in this document. reference. The components of the system, if not shown in the reference, are commercially available. The fluid system shown in Figure 1 has a row of print heads 2 through which ink 14 is supplied from ink tank 8 to print head 2. The waste ink is discharged from the print head 2 to a liquid pool 28 via the downstream ink line 24. The upstream ink line 20 has a shut-off valve 18 and the downstream ink line has a shut-off valve 26. The valves can be used to initiate and flush ink (described below) and act as a removable fluid connection, the print head being provided in a cassette type that can be removed and replaced by a user, such as described above in 2007. The USSN 1 1 / 68 8 8 63 application filed on the 21st of the month. The printhead has a maintenance station 22 for covering and sucking the nozzles. A drain line 16 connects the maintenance station 22 to the bath 28. The print head 2 is an assembly of the ink distribution manifold 4, and a series of print head integrated circuits (1C) 6 are mounted on the ink distribution manifold 4. The print head ic 6 defines an array of nozzles that eject ink onto the media substrate. The nozzle is a thermally actuatable MEMS device, such as disclosed in the application of USSN 1 1/482,953 filed on Jul. 10, 2006, or a mechanical stimulator, such as the USSN filed on June 4, 2002. Application No. 10/1 60273 200936386. The ink distribution manifold 4 is an LCP mold having a large channel that supplies a network of smaller channels to supply ink to a number of points over the length of each printhead. An example of the distribution manifold 4 and the print head 1C 6 is disclosed in detail in the aforementioned application filed on March 21, 2007, in the application of USSN 1 1 /68 8 863. This document also details the manner in which the ink is primed to the print head or, if desired, φ rinses the ink to correct the color contamination and/or bubble removal across any of the channels. In the standby mode, the air pump 30 draws air from the top empty headspace 32 in the ink reservoir 8. The air pressure in the headspace, and the air filtered vents 40 are drawn back to the headspace 32 to carefully control the air contraction from the vents 40 to produce a predetermined negative air pressure. The line 38 fluid is connected to the head spaces 3 4 and 3 6 in the ink tank 1 〇] such that all of the head space is at a relative air pressure. The ink reservoirs 10 and 12 may have their own venting openings (not shown), but the system will operate as a single vent. Since the headspaces 32, 34 and 36 are at the same pressure, the hydrostatic pressure in the water is nearly equal. The ink liquid at the nozzle will only change due to changes in the ink level of the ink tank. In normal use, the ink level in each ink tank is designed to be approximately the same. In order to make little changes, the ink tank can have a wide and chunky shape to reduce the change in its hydrostatic pressure from all over the air. Since each ink line is equal (or at least nearly equal pressure), in addition to the diffusion, how does the system 1C 6 physically remove the space (falling inside. Health a 5: 12 with the same gas to Therefore, the static pressure of the ink is to reduce the step to the pressure. -10-200936386 The pressure difference can contribute to the color mixing operation. The mixing due to the diffusion of the fluid across the nozzle is negligible. The pump 30 is reversible, so When the head space 3 6 is pressurized to start the injection to the print head 2 or the print head IC 6 is used to start the injection, the upstream and downstream shut-off valves 18 and 26 need to be used for the ink tank 8, 10 And the ink of 12 is forced to flow down the pipeline 20 through the distribution manifold 4, and flows into the liquid pool 28 through the downstream ink line 24 φ. The head 1C 6 is activated by the capillary action of the ink in the distribution manifold to flush the print head 1C 6 (Restoring the dried nozzle, gas release gas, etc.), when the pump 30 pressurizes the head space 32, it will be closed. The ink is forced out by the nozzle and the cleaning station 22 on the nozzle plate is removed. Need to mention that the pump 30 is operated in the standby mode of plug-in, During the rest period between printing jobs, the printer is still connected to the power supply. When the power is turned off, the shut-off valve U φ is closed to isolate the print head and prevent mixing. When the printer is again, the pump 30 The print head can be placed on standby by priming or flushing as described above. Figure 2 shows that the pump 30 acts on the headspace of the headspace ink tank 8 of the reservoir 28. In addition, the figure shows A single ink is a color printer with several color lines that are fully drained to the same. As long as all downstream ink lines of each color are 24 connection spaces, a single pump can be used to change the ink at the nozzle'. In the case of the liquid pool 28, the power supply is closed very small, 32, 34 and the ink is washed. From the upstream ink. Printed. The bubble valve F valve 26 is closed. When the 5 and 26 are connected to the power supply, if necessary, 32, not the pipeline, but the liquid pool 28 to the liquid tank top body static pressure. During the closed standby period 200936386, the upstream shut-off valve 18 is closed. The negative air pressure in the headspace 3 2 is perpendicular to the print head 2 The ink column is pumped. This ensures that there is sufficient negative pressure at the nozzle. More importantly, the negative pressure in the nozzles of each color is the same. As mentioned above, this removes the drive-mixing operation. The mechanism of pump 30 is more complicated because it must be able to handle an ink/air mixture. It is in the drain line 16 from the maintenance assembly 22 to the reservoir 28 to assist in transporting the contaminated ink. To the liquid pool 2 8 'and need to be able to draw air from the head space 32 or the atmosphere via the filter 42. In this embodiment, the priming requires the upstream valve 18 to open and the pump 30 to create a liquid pool 28. Low pressure is applied along the upstream ink line 20 to draw ink down from the ink reservoir 8 and through the distribution manifold 4 into the downstream ink line 24. The print head 1C 6 is again activated by capillary action. To flush, the upstream valve 18 is closed and the pump 30 creates a positive pressure within the headspace 32 to force the ink in the downstream ink line 24 and distribution manifold 4 to flood (sweep) the print head 1C6. The invention has been described by way of example only. Those skilled in the art should understand that any changes and modifications are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a printer fluid system in accordance with the present invention. -12- 200936386 Figure 2 shows the intent of another printer fluid system in accordance with the present invention.

2 :列印頭 4 :墨水分配歧管 6 :列印頭積體電路 8 :墨水槽 1 〇 :墨水槽 1 2 :墨水槽 14:墨水 1 6 :排浅管線 1 8 :關斷閥 20 :上游墨水管線 22 :維護站 24 :下游墨水管線 26 :關斷閥 2 8 :液池 30 :氣泵 3 2 :頂部空間 3 4 :頂部空間 3 6 :頂部空間 38 :管路 40 :通氣孔 -13- 200936386 42 :過濾器2: print head 4: ink distribution manifold 6: print head integrated circuit 8: ink tank 1 〇: ink tank 1 2: ink tank 14: ink 1 6: drain line 1 8: shut-off valve 20: Upstream Ink Line 22: Maintenance Station 24: Downstream Ink Line 26: Shutoff Valve 2 8 : Pool 30: Air Pump 3 2: Headspace 3 4: Headspace 3 6: Headspace 38: Pipeline 40: Vents-13 - 200936386 42 : Filter

Claims (1)

200936386 十、申請專利範面 1. 一種噴墨印表機,包含: —列印頭,用以列印至一介質基底上; —儲器’用以容裝一墨水量,該儲器具有一用以固持 墨水的下部位,及一上部位’用以界定一在墨水上方之空 氣的頂部空間; 一流體連接,在該列印頭及儲器之間延伸;及 Φ 一泵’用以自該頂部空間將空氣抽引入大氣中。 2 ·如申請專利範圍第1項的噴墨印表機,其中該儲 器是一液池,可收集自該列印頭排洩的廢墨水。 3. 如申請專利範圍第1項的噴墨印表機,其中該儲 器是一墨水槽,用以供應墨水至該列印頭。 4. 如申請專利範圍第3項的噴墨印表機,其中該印 表機是一可列印複數不同著色的墨水的彩色印表機,各不 同著色的墨水係儲存於個別墨水槽內,以供應該列印頭, Q 各墨水槽的頂部空間係連接至該泵,使得其等是相互成流 體連通的。 5. 如申請專利範圍第1項的噴墨印表機,其中該儲 器具有一通氣孔,以將該頂部空間通氣至大氣,且當該泵 將空氣自該頂部空間抽引出時,可允許受阻塞的空氣流進 入該頂部空間內。 6. 如申請專利範圍第5項的噴墨印表機,其中該通 氣孔具有一過濾器,用以自流入該頂部空間內的受阻塞空 氣內移除顆粒污染物。 -15- 200936386 7. 如申請專利範圍第1項的噴墨印表機,另包含一 設於該列印頭上游的上游閥。 8. 如申請專利範圍第7項的噴墨印表機,另包含一 設於該列印頭下游的下游閥。 9. 如申if專利範圍第1項的噴墨印表機,其中該栗 係可逆的’使得其可提升在該頂部空間內的空氣壓力,而 將墨水驅迫向該列印頭。 φ 10·如申請專利範圍第9項的噴墨印表機,其中該栗 係用以起動注給該列印頭者。 11. 如申請專利範圍第10項的噴墨印表機,其中該 泵係用以沖洗來自噴嘴的墨水,及淹沒該列印頭。 12. 如申請專利範圍第1項的噴墨印表機,其中該列 印頭具有一分配歧管及複數安裝至該分配歧管的列印頭積 體電路’使得以墨水起動注給該分配歧管時,也起動注給 該等列印頭積體電路。 13. 如申§靑專利範圍第12項的噴墨印表機,另包含 一維護站,其具有提供給該等列印頭積體電路的覆蓋器及 吸墨器。 14. 如申請專利範圍第13項的噴墨印表機,其中該 泵係與該維護站及液池成流體連通,使得藉使該泵沿一方 向運轉時,可將該維護站所收集的墨水傳送至該液池,而 藉使該泵沿另一方向運轉時,可自該頂部空間抽引空氣。 15. 如申請專利範圍第8項的噴墨印表機,其中該列 印頭係以一使用者可卸除及置換的卡匣來供應的,且其可 -16- 200936386 經該上游閥及下游閥自該印表機流體式的卸除。200936386 X. Patent application 1. An inkjet printer comprising: - a print head for printing onto a medium substrate; - a reservoir ' for holding an ink amount, the reservoir having a use To hold the lower portion of the ink, and an upper portion 'to define a headspace of air above the ink; a fluid connection extending between the printhead and the reservoir; and Φ a pump' to The headspace draws air into the atmosphere. 2. The ink jet printer of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is a liquid pool for collecting waste ink discharged from the print head. 3. The ink jet printer of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is an ink tank for supplying ink to the print head. 4. The ink jet printer of claim 3, wherein the printer is a color printer capable of printing a plurality of differently colored inks, and the different colored inks are stored in individual ink tanks. To supply the print head, the headspace of each of the Q ink tanks is connected to the pump such that they are in fluid communication with one another. 5. The ink jet printer of claim 1, wherein the reservoir has a vent to vent the headspace to the atmosphere, and the pump is allowed to be vented when the pump draws air from the headspace. The blocked air flow enters the headspace. 6. The ink jet printer of claim 5, wherein the vent has a filter for removing particulate contaminants from trapped air flowing into the head space. -15- 200936386 7. The ink jet printer of claim 1, further comprising an upstream valve disposed upstream of the print head. 8. The ink jet printer of claim 7, further comprising a downstream valve disposed downstream of the print head. 9. The ink jet printer of claim 1, wherein the pump is reversible such that it raises air pressure in the headspace and urges the ink toward the printhead. Φ 10. The ink jet printer of claim 9, wherein the pump is used to initiate injection to the print head. 11. The ink jet printer of claim 10, wherein the pump is for flushing ink from the nozzle and flooding the print head. 12. The ink jet printer of claim 1, wherein the print head has a distribution manifold and a plurality of print head integrated circuits mounted to the distribution manifold such that ink is dispensed to the dispense When the manifold is in use, it is also injected into the print head integrated circuit. 13. The ink jet printer of claim 12, further comprising a maintenance station having a cover and an ink absorber provided to the print head integrated circuits. 14. The ink jet printer of claim 13, wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the maintenance station and the liquid pool such that the pump can be collected by the maintenance station when the pump is operated in one direction Ink is delivered to the pool, and air can be drawn from the head space when the pump is operating in the other direction. 15. The ink jet printer of claim 8, wherein the print head is supplied by a user removable and replaceable cassette, and the upstream valve and the counter can be -16-200936386 The downstream valve is fluidly removed from the printer. -17--17-
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US4422080A (en) * 1981-12-17 1983-12-20 International Business Machines Ink jet printing method and apparatus
US4494124A (en) * 1983-09-01 1985-01-15 Eastman Kodak Company Ink jet printer
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