WO2009056066A1

WO2009056066A1 - A negative pressure generating and adjusting device and method for an ink cartridge, and an inkjet printer

Info

Publication number: WO2009056066A1
Application number: PCT/CN2008/072827
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhihong Liu; Feng Chen; Xiaoxiao Xing; Tao Guo
Original assignee: Peking University Founder Group Co., Ltd.; Beijing Founder Electronics Co., Ltd; Peking University
Priority date: 2007-10-24
Filing date: 2008-10-24
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Also published as: CN101138908A

Abstract

A device for adjusting pressure in a container and a negative pressure generating and adjusting device for an ink cartridge are disclosed. The known devices of above types have not a strong resistance to interference while they generate a stable and low negative pressure. For solving the above problem, in the devices of the present invention, an air-extracting end of a vacuum pump (1) connects with one end of the first flow adjusting device (5). The other end of the first flow adjusting device (5) connects with an air-outletting end (61) of a three-way connector (6). The end (62) of the three-way connector (6) connects with an ink cartridge (12). An air-inletting end (63) of the three-way connector (6) communicates with atmosphere (4). Because the flow adjusting device (5) can suppress the fluctuation of the air extracting speed of the vacuum pump (1) to a certain degree, the air-extracting action of the air-outletting end (61) and the air-inletting action of the air-inletting end (63) in the three-way connector (6) have a certain self-adjusting ability to the pressure of the end (62), therefore the devices have a strong resistance to interference while they generate a stable and low negative pressure.

Description

Description A negative pressure generating and regulating device for an ink cartridge, a method, and an ink jet printer

[1] Technical field

[2] The invention belongs to the field of gas pressure control, and particularly relates to a negative pressure generating and adjusting device and method for an ink cartridge and an ink jet printer.

[3] Background Art

[4] In practical applications in the field of gas pressure control, it is often necessary to generate a stable low-value negative pressure in a closed system. The volume of gas in a closed system may change, resulting in a change in gas pressure. Therefore, it is desirable that the negative pressure generating method and apparatus can effectively resist such changes. It is guaranteed that the negative pressure value is maintained within a reasonable range during the change.

[5] In the ink jet printing technique, in order to prevent the ink in the head from flowing out of the nozzle by itself, it is desirable that the air pressure in the ink cartridge above the head is less than atmospheric pressure, that is, a negative pressure is formed in the ink cartridge. A suitable negative pressure creates a stable meniscus in the nozzle located on the underside of the nozzle. If the negative pressure value is too small, the meniscus cannot be formed and the ink will flow out of the nozzle. If the negative pressure value is too large, the ink cannot be ejected from the nozzle when necessary. If the negative pressure value is unstable, it will affect the print quality. Since the volume of ink in the ink cartridge becomes smaller or larger due to printing or external ink supply, etc., the volume of gas in the ink cartridge becomes correspondingly larger or smaller. The ability to effectively resist the effects of this change becomes a key factor in the selection of negative pressure generation methods and devices.

[6] In the prior patents, the vacuum pump is used to extract the negative pressure in more detail. The Chinese patent application number is

02205394.8 "Inkjet Ink Road Negative Pressure System" and Chinese Patent Application No. 03208747.0 "Inkjet Printer Ink System". In both of these patents, the vacuum pump is pumped from the atmosphere and the cartridge through a gas tank with three joints. Insert a throttle valve into the air path to the atmosphere. The size of the generated negative pressure is adjusted by adjusting this throttle. This method may have strong anti-interference ability, but the negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump output airflow does not have stable and low value.

[7] The patent application number in China is 200310123503.X "Liquid ejection printing apparatus and liquid supply method to be employed in the same", "Pump for inkjet printers" and European Patent No. EP0916502A2

A method of squeezing a conduit connected to an ink cartridge with an edge of a specific rotating mechanism to form a negative pressure in the ink cartridge is described. This approach lacks anti-interference ability.

[8] In addition, more in the industry is the vacuum generator based on the Venturi effect. This method produces a stable lower negative pressure, but its anti-interference ability is also insufficient.

[9] Summary of the invention

[10] In order to solve the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a device for generating and adjusting a negative pressure in an ink cartridge, comprising: a vacuum pump; a first flow regulating device, one end of which is connected to a suction end of the vacuum pump; a through connector, the outlet end of which is connected to the other end of the first flow regulating device, the inlet end of the tee joint is connected to the atmosphere, the port of the tee joint is connected to the ink cartridge, and the first flow regulating device is adjusted by activating the vacuum pump, in the ink cartridge Generate a negative pressure and adjust the amount of negative pressure in the cartridge.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an ink jet printer comprising an ink jet printer body having a device for generating and adjusting a negative pressure in the ink cartridge as described above.

[12] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of generating and adjusting a negative pressure in an ink cartridge, which performs the following steps by means of generating and adjusting a negative pressure in the ink cartridge as described above: starting a vacuum pump, from the ink cartridge Pumping air with the outside air to generate a negative pressure in the ink cartridge; and adjusting the negative pressure value of the ink cartridge by adjusting the flow regulating device.

[13] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided an apparatus for adjusting a pressure in a container, comprising: a suction member; a flow regulating member having one end connected to a suction end of the suction member; and a three-way joint, The outlet end is connected to the other end of the flow regulating member, the inlet end of the tee joint is connected to the atmosphere, the port of the tee joint is connected to the container, and the container is adjusted by opening the suction member and adjusting the flow regulating member. pressure.

[14] In an embodiment of the invention, the first flow regulating device or flow regulating member may be an electrical signal controlled component capable of generating a throttling action, a throttle valve, or a pressure reducing valve. The air inlet can be connected to the atmosphere at the intake end of the tee fitting. A second flow regulating device can be connected in series between the intake end of the three-way joint and the air filter. A gas storage tank can be connected in series between the port of the tee joint and the ink cartridge. A protective bottle can be connected in series between the gas tank and the ink cartridge. The gas tank and the protective bottle can be connected by another three-way joint, and the other end of the three-way joint can be connected Sensor. The electrical signal controlled component capable of generating a throttling action may be a proportional flow valve.

[15] It can be seen from the specific embodiment provided by the above invention that it is the flow regulating device that has a certain suppression effect on the fluctuation of the pumping rate of the vacuum pump, and the pumping action of the outlet end of the three-way joint plus the intake of the intake end. Gas action has a certain self-adjusting ability to the port air pressure, so the device can have strong anti-interference ability in the generation of stable lower negative pressure.

[16] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[18] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are structural diagrams of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 and Figure 5 are structural views of an ink jet printer provided by the present invention;

6 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[21] Specific implementation

[22] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides an adjustment device 100 that can adjust a container 101.

The pressure inside. The adjusting device 100 includes a pumping member 102, a flow regulating member 103, and a three-way joint 104. Alternatively, the air suction member 102 may be a vacuum pump, an evacuated container, or the like that can evacuate the container 101, and the flow regulating member 103

It may be a valve that controls the flow of gas within the line by continuous adjustment. One end of the flow regulating member 103 is connected to the suction end of the air suction member 102, and the other end thereof is connected to the tee joint 104.

The outlet ends are connected. The intake end of the tee fitting 104 is connected to the atmosphere, and the remaining other port is connected to the container 101. In operation, the pressure within the container 101 can be adjusted by opening the suction member 102 and adjusting the flow regulating member 103.

[23] The present invention also provides a device for generating and adjusting a negative pressure in an ink cartridge, the structure of which is shown in FIG.

[24] The pumping end of the vacuum pump 1 and a flow regulating device capable of generating a throttling action 5

One end is connected. The other end of the flow regulating device 5 is connected to the outlet end 61 of a tee fitting 6, and is simultaneously evacuated from the outside atmosphere 4 and the ink cartridge 12, wherein the port 62 is connected to the ink cartridge 12, and the intake port

63 is connected to the atmosphere 4, and the ink cartridge is adjusted by adjusting the first flow regulating device 5

Negative pressure size. The individual components can be connected via line 2. The flow regulating device 5 has a certain suppression effect on the fluctuation of the pumping rate of the vacuum pump 1, and the outlet end 61 of the three-way joint 6 The pumping action plus the intake of the intake port 63 acts on the port 62

The air pressure has a certain self-adjusting ability, so the device can have strong anti-interference ability in the same low pressure generating stable.

[25] As a further optimization scheme, the structure of the negative pressure generation and regulation device is shown in Fig. 3. In the passage of the intake port 63 to the atmosphere 4, a flow regulating device 3 capable of generating a throttling action and an air filter 7 may be sequentially connected in series. A gas tank is connected in series in the gas path leading to the ink cartridge 12 at the port 62.

Stable generated negative pressure. In order to prevent the ink in the ink cartridge 12 from entering the negative pressure system, a protective bottle 11 is connected in series between the gas tank 8 and the ink cartridge 12. The gas tank 8 and the protective bottle 11 are connected by a three-way joint 10, and the other end of the three-way joint 10 is connected to the sensor 9 to measure the pressure value in the system.

[26] Flow Regulator 5

It may be a throttle valve, an electrical signal controlled component capable of generating a throttling action, or a pressure reducing valve. The components controlled by the electrical signal can be proportional flow valves.

[27] In this unit, vacuum pump 1

The motive force generated by the negative pressure is provided, and the maximum flow rate and maximum vacuum that can be generated determine the maximum negative pressure that can be generated in the ink cartridge 12. Flow regulating device 5

Adjusting the actual pumping amount of the vacuum pump and the flow regulating device 5

The vacuum of the intake end. Flow regulating device 5 The larger the opening, the flow regulating device 5

The larger the amount of pumping or the greater the degree of vacuum at the intake end of the flow rate adjusting device 5, the greater the negative pressure generated in the ink cartridge 12. The flow regulating device 5 has a smaller opening in the ink cartridge 12

The smaller the generated negative pressure, the closer the negative pressure can be. Filter 7

It can prevent foreign matter from entering the negative pressure system. Filter 7

It has a certain throttling capacity, and its maximum throttling capacity determines the ink cartridge 12

The maximum negative pressure generated inside. If the throttling capacity of the filter 7 is insufficient, it can be in the filter 7

A flow regulating device 3 is added between the intake port 63 of the tee fitting 6. Gas storage tank 8

Can function as a good stable negative pressure and make the pressure sensor 9

The measured data is more accurate.

[28] Flow Regulator 3

It can be a throttle valve, an electrical signal controlled component or a pressure reducing valve. The electrical signal controlled component can be a proportional flow. Quantity valve.

[29] During the use of this device, the vacuum pump 1 is first activated and then according to the pressure sensor 9

Data to adjust the flow regulator 5

, so that the negative pressure reaches a predetermined value. The system can start working after the negative pressure is stabilized. When the ink cartridge 12 is in the printing state, the ink in the ink cartridge 12 is reduced, and the ink cartridge 12 is lowered.

The volume of the gas inside becomes large, and the outside atmosphere can be replenished into the ink cartridge 12 through the filter 7, the flow regulating device 3, the three-way joint 6, the gas tank 8, the three-way joint 10, and the protective bottle 11, thereby preventing the negative pressure inside the ink cartridge 12. Become bigger. When the ink cartridge 12 is in the ink supply state, the ink cartridge 12

The volume of the ink inside becomes large, the volume of the gas becomes small, and the excess gas is pumped away by the vacuum pump 1 to prevent the negative pressure in the ink cartridge 12 from becoming small. The entire device has good self-adjusting capabilities.

[30] The negative pressure generating and adjusting device described above is taken as a part of the ink supply system of the ink jet printer. The specific structure of the ink jet printer is as shown in FIG. 4, including: Inkjet printer body 13

And a negative pressure generating and regulating device as shown in FIG. 2 installed on the body.

[31] As a further optimization scheme, the specific structure of the inkjet printer is shown in Figure 5.

As shown, including: inkjet printer body 13, and the body mounted as shown in the previous figure 3

The negative pressure generation and regulation device shown.

[32] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for generating and adjusting negative pressure. The method is shown in FIG. 6. The steps performed in the process of using the negative pressure generating and adjusting device include:

[33] Step 20: After the vacuum pump 1 is started, it can be used simultaneously from the ink cartridge 12 and the outside atmosphere 4

The air is pumped to generate the required negative pressure in the ink cartridge 12.

[34] Step 21: By adjusting the flow adjustment device 5, the amount of negative pressure in the ink cartridge 12 can be adjusted.

[35] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and the modifications of the invention

Claims

Claim

A device for generating and adjusting a negative pressure in an ink cartridge (12), characterized by comprising: a vacuum pump (1);

a first flow regulating device (5) having one end and the vacuum pump (1)

Connected to the pumping end; and

a three-way joint (6), an outlet end (61) and the first flow regulating device (5)

The other end of the connection is connected, and the inlet end (63) of the tee joint (6) is connected to the atmosphere (4)

), the port (62) of the tee (6) and the ink cartridge (12)

Connected by activating the vacuum pump (1) and adjusting the first flow regulating device (5)

) generating a negative pressure in the ink cartridge (12) and adjusting the ink cartridge (12)

The size of the medium negative pressure.

2. The generating and adjusting ink cartridge of claim 1 (12)

Medium negative pressure device, characterized in that said first flow regulating device (5)

An element, throttle, or relief valve that is controlled by an electrical signal that produces a throttling action.

3. The generating and adjusting ink cartridge of claim 1 (12)

The medium-negative pressure device is characterized in that the air inlet (63) is connected to the atmosphere (4) through the air filter (7) at the intake end (63) of the three-way joint (6).

4. The generating and adjusting ink cartridge of claim 3 (12)

The medium-negative pressure device is characterized in that a second flow regulating device (3) is connected in series between the intake end (63) of the three-way joint (6) and the air filter (7).

5. The generating and adjusting ink cartridge of claim 1 (12)

Medium negative pressure device characterized by the port of the tee (6) (62)

) Connect the gas tank (8) to the ink cartridge (12).

6. The apparatus for generating and adjusting a negative pressure in an ink cartridge (12) according to claim 5, wherein a protective bottle is connected in series between the gas storage tank (8) and the ink cartridge (12) (11)

7. The generating and adjusting ink cartridge of claim 6 (12)

Medium negative pressure device, characterized in that the gas storage tank (8) and the protective bottle (11) ) connected by another three-way joint (10), the other three-way joint (10)

) Connect the sensor (9) to one end.

8. The generating and adjusting ink cartridge of claim 2 (12)

Medium negative pressure device, characterized in that the component controlled by the electrical signal is a proportional flow

9. An ink jet printer comprising an ink jet printer body (13

), wherein the body (13) is equipped with claim 1

The device for generating and adjusting the negative pressure in the ink cartridge.

10.-Generation and adjustment of ink cartridges (12

Medium negative pressure method, characterized by using claim 1

The device performs the following steps:

Start the vacuum pump (1) from the ink cartridge (12) and the outside atmosphere (4

Pumping, generating a negative pressure in the ink cartridge (12);

The negative pressure value of the ink cartridge (12) is adjusted by adjusting the flow regulating device (5).

A device for adjusting the pressure in a container, comprising:

Pumping unit

a flow regulating member having one end connected to the pumping end of the pumping member;

a three-way joint having an outlet end connected to the other end of the flow regulating member, an intake end of the three-way joint being connected to the atmosphere, a port of the three-way joint being connected to the container, and the pumping is opened by The component adjusts the flow regulating component to adjust the pressure of the container.