WO2015141274A1 - Fluid discharge device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Fluid discharge device and control method therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015141274A1
WO2015141274A1 PCT/JP2015/051791 JP2015051791W WO2015141274A1 WO 2015141274 A1 WO2015141274 A1 WO 2015141274A1 JP 2015051791 W JP2015051791 W JP 2015051791W WO 2015141274 A1 WO2015141274 A1 WO 2015141274A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
ink
discharge
path
flow path
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2015/051791
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
民雄 福井
正明 青池
雄一 永瀬
宗昭 北大路
Original Assignee
株式会社Screenホールディングス
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by 株式会社Screenホールディングス filed Critical 株式会社Screenホールディングス
Priority to EP15765793.3A priority Critical patent/EP3121011B1/en
Publication of WO2015141274A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015141274A1/en

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    • 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
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16585Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
    • 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
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16505Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
    • B41J2/16508Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
    • 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
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/1652Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head
    • B41J2/16526Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head by applying pressure only
    • 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
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16585Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
    • B41J2002/16591Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads for line print heads above an endless belt

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and a control method thereof.
  • the discharge head includes a plurality of pressure chambers and nozzles provided in the respective pressure chambers. And the piezoelectric element provided in each pressure chamber deform
  • purge is performed in order to eliminate sedimentation in the discharge head.
  • purging methods such as a pressure purge that pressurizes the inside of the ejection head and ejects the liquid from the nozzle, and a suction purge that sucks the liquid in the ejection head from the nozzle by an external device connected to the nozzle. ing.
  • the ink flow rate and flow velocity in the ejection head are very large as compared with the normal ink ejection, the ink flows in the same direction as the normal ink ejection. Therefore, in the liquid flow path of the discharge head, in the region where the ink flow is unlikely to occur during normal ink discharge, that is, in the region where the sedimentation component is likely to stay, the ink flow is difficult to occur even in the purge operation. It is difficult to eliminate the retention of components.
  • the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of efficiently eliminating the retention of sedimentary components in the liquid flow path of the discharge head.
  • a first invention of the present application provides a discharge head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging a liquid, a liquid storage section for storing the liquid, and pressurizing the inside of the liquid storage section.
  • An open / close unit that can be switched between an open state that ensures communication and a closed state that blocks communication of the discharge path, and a control unit that controls the pressurization unit and the open / close unit, and the discharge
  • the head has a liquid flow path having a supply port communicating with the supply path, a discharge port communicating with the discharge path, a liquid filling chamber having a communication port communicating with the liquid flow path, and one end of the liquid filling chamber. The other end communicates with the liquid filling chamber and the other end of the discharge head.
  • a plurality of the nozzles that are exposed, and the control unit causes the pressurization unit to perform pressurization while the open / close unit is in the open state, and the liquid storage unit is configured to perform the pressurization.
  • the liquid stored in the liquid channel is supplied to the liquid flow channel via the supply channel, and at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow channel is discharged to the discharge channel via the discharge port.
  • a second invention of the present application is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the liquid filling chamber has the communication port directly communicating with the liquid flow path, and the first liquid filling chamber. And a plurality of second liquid filling chambers that communicate directly or indirectly with each of the single nozzles.
  • a third invention of the present application is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the second invention, wherein each of the second liquid filling chambers is provided with a pressure generating element, and when the pressure generating element is driven, the second liquid filling chamber is provided. Is pressurized, and the liquid is ejected as droplets from the nozzle.
  • a fourth invention of the present application is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit, when the pressurization is performed, passes through the supply path. A part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path and discharged to the liquid flow path is discharged to the discharge path through the discharge port, and another part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path. The part is discharged from the plurality of nozzles through the liquid filling chamber.
  • a fifth invention of the present application is the liquid ejection device according to the fourth invention, wherein when the pressurization is performed, the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the liquid channel to the discharge channel through the discharge port is plural. Greater than the total flow rate of the liquid discharged from the nozzle.
  • a discharge head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging a liquid, a liquid storage section for storing the liquid supplied to the discharge head via a supply path, and discharging the liquid from the discharge head.
  • a control method of a liquid ejection device comprising a discharge path and a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the inside of the liquid storage part, wherein the open / close part provided in the discharge path is opened to ensure communication of the discharge path In this state, pressurization is performed by the pressurization unit, and when the pressurization is performed, the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit is supplied to the liquid flow path in the discharge head via the supply path.
  • a method for controlling a liquid ejection apparatus wherein at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path is discharged to the discharge path.
  • the 7th invention of this application is the control method of the liquid discharge apparatus of 6th invention, Comprising:
  • the said discharge head has the supply port connected to the said supply path, and the discharge port connected to the said discharge path,
  • the said liquid A liquid filling chamber having a flow path, a communication port communicating with the liquid flow path, and a plurality of the nozzles having one end communicating with the liquid filling chamber and the other end exposed to the outside of the discharge head.
  • a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path is discharged to the discharge path through the discharge port and the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path is Another part is discharged from the plurality of nozzles through the liquid filling chamber.
  • An eighth invention of the present application is the method for controlling a liquid ejection apparatus according to the seventh invention, wherein the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the liquid flow path to the discharge path through the discharge port when the pressurization is performed. Is larger than the total flow rate of the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzles.
  • the liquid flow toward the discharge path is generated in the liquid flow path by performing the pressurization by the pressurizing unit. That is, when pressurization is performed, a liquid flow in a direction different from that during normal liquid discharge toward the nozzle occurs in the liquid flow path. Therefore, the sedimentary component staying in the liquid channel can be efficiently dispersed.
  • the pressurization by the pressurizing unit causes a liquid flow from the supply port to the discharge port in the liquid channel, and the liquid channel to the liquid filling chamber.
  • a flow of liquid ejected from the nozzles occurs through the nozzles.
  • the flow rate of the liquid from the supply port to the discharge port is sufficiently ensured in the liquid channel. Therefore, the sedimentation component staying in the liquid channel can be more efficiently dispersed.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment.
  • 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a recording head according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the recording head according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an ink supply system of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the recovery process which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure showing the mode of the recovery process concerning one embodiment.
  • transport direction the direction in which the printing paper 9 is transported.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a recording apparatus 1 as an embodiment of a liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the recording head 20 of the recording apparatus 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the recording head 20 taken along the line AA.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an ink supply system of the recording apparatus 1.
  • the recording apparatus 1 is an inkjet that records a color image on a printing paper 9 by ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of recording heads 20 to the printing paper 9 while conveying the printing paper 9 that is a long belt-like recording medium. This is a printing apparatus of the type.
  • the recording apparatus 1 can perform an image recording process for recording an image on the printing paper 9 and a recovery process for maintaining the recording head 20.
  • the recording apparatus 1 includes a transport mechanism 10, four recording heads 20, and a cap mechanism 30 as parts related to an image recording process.
  • the recording apparatus 1 includes an ink tank 51, a pump 52, a pressure tank 53, and a pipe 60 as an ink supply system for supplying ink to the recording head 20.
  • the recording apparatus 1 includes a control unit 80 that controls the above-described units.
  • the transport mechanism 10 is a mechanism for transporting the printing paper 9 in the transport direction that is the longitudinal direction thereof.
  • the transport mechanism 10 according to the present embodiment includes an unwinding unit 11, a plurality of rollers 12, and a winding unit 13.
  • a motor (not shown) serving as a power source is connected to the unwinding unit 11, the plurality of rollers 12, and the winding unit 13.
  • the control unit 80 drives the motor, the unwinding unit 11, the plurality of rollers 12, and the winding unit 13 rotate.
  • the printing paper 9 is fed out from the unwinding unit 11 and conveyed to the winding unit 13 along the conveyance path constituted by the plurality of rollers 12.
  • Each roller 12 rotates around a horizontal axis to guide the printing paper 9 to the downstream side of the conveyance path. Further, when the printing paper 9 comes into contact with the plurality of rollers 12, tension is applied to the printing paper 9. The transported printing paper 9 is collected to the winding unit 13.
  • the four recording heads 20 are arranged above the conveyance path of the printing paper 9 with an interval in the conveyance direction.
  • the four recording heads 20 are ejection heads that eject yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) ink droplets onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9, respectively.
  • the recording apparatus 1 ejects ink droplets from each recording head 20 while the printing paper 9 passes only under each recording head 20 once, thereby causing a desired image pattern on the printing paper 9. Is a so-called one-pass type recording apparatus. Since the structures of the four recording heads 20 are substantially the same, the structure of one recording head 20 will be described below.
  • the recording head 20 includes a housing 21, an ink flow path 22 provided in the housing 21, a plurality of ink chambers 23, and a plurality of pressure chambers 24.
  • the ink flow path 22 is a liquid flow path that is primarily filled with ink supplied from the outside of the recording head 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink channel 22 is provided with a supply port 221 and a discharge port 222. The flow of ink through the supply port 221 and the discharge port 222 will be described later.
  • the ink chamber 23 is a first liquid filling chamber in which ink is secondarily filled in the recording head 20.
  • the recording head 20 of the present embodiment has three ink chambers 23 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the ink chambers 23 communicates with the ink flow path 22 via the first communication port 41.
  • the first communication port 41 is provided with a filter 411 for filtering out solid components such as impurities in the ink.
  • a punching metal having fine holes is used as the filter 411, but a filter having another configuration may be used.
  • the pressure chamber 24 is a second liquid filling chamber in which the ink is tertiary filled in the recording head 20. As shown in FIG. 2, each pressure chamber 24 has a second communication port 42, a pressure generating element 43, and a nozzle 44. In this embodiment, the pressure chamber 24 is disposed below the ink chamber 23, but the pressure chamber 24 may be disposed at the same height as the ink chamber 23.
  • the second communication port 42 communicates the inside of the pressure chamber 24 and the inside of the ink chamber 23.
  • a plurality of second communication ports 42 are disposed in the lower part of the ink chamber 23. That is, each ink chamber 23 communicates with a plurality of pressure chambers 24. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 decreases, ink is supplied from the ink chamber 23 into the pressure chamber 24 via the second communication port 42.
  • the pressure generating element 43 is disposed on the upper wall surface of each pressure chamber 24.
  • the nozzle 44 is disposed on the lower wall surface of each pressure chamber 24 and communicates the pressure chamber 24 with an external space. When ink is not ejected, the ink surface forms a meniscus inside the nozzle 44. Further, the lower end portion of the nozzle 44 is disposed so as to be exposed on the lower surface of the housing 21.
  • the individual nozzles 44 of the recording head 20 are two-dimensionally arranged on the lower surface of the housing 21.
  • a plurality of nozzles 44 are one-dimensionally arranged on the lower surface of the housing 21 for the sake of simplicity of explanation.
  • the individual nozzles 44 are arranged with their positions shifted in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and one nozzle 44 is assigned to a 1-pixel wide area on the printing paper 9.
  • the recording head 20 of the present embodiment is a so-called piezo-type ejection head. Therefore, the pressure generating element 43 of the present embodiment is a piezoelectric element.
  • an ejection signal that is an electrical signal is sent from the control unit 80 to the pressure generating element 43
  • the pressure generating element 43 is deformed and pressure is applied to the ink filled in the pressure chamber 24.
  • the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 increases, the ink in the pressure chamber 24 is ejected as droplets from the nozzle 44.
  • the recording head of the present invention is not limited to the piezo method.
  • a so-called thermal recording head that uses a heater as a pressure generating element to heat a liquid in the pressure chamber to generate bubbles to increase the pressure in the pressure chamber may be used.
  • the cap mechanism 30 includes a cap 31 and a cap moving mechanism 32 as shown in FIG.
  • the cap 31 covers the surface of the recording head 20 having the nozzles 44 during a period when the recording head 20 does not perform recording on the printing paper 9.
  • the ink solvent evaporates from the meniscus surface of the ink formed in the nozzle 44 during the period when recording on the printing paper 9 is not performed, and the ink is suppressed from solidifying or aggregating in the vicinity of the nozzle 44.
  • the cap 31 is provided with an ink discharge mechanism 311. Accordingly, ink can be ejected from the nozzle 44 while the cap 31 covers the nozzle 44. When ink is discharged from the recording head 20 to the cap 31, the ink is discharged from the inside of the cap 31 via the ink discharge mechanism 311.
  • the cap moving mechanism 32 arranges the cap 31 at the nozzle facing position below the recording head 20.
  • the cap moving mechanism 32 moves the cap 31 to the standby position where it does not overlap with the recording head 20 before starting the image recording process (as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2). To the position shown).
  • the cap moving mechanism 32 moves the cap 31 to the nozzle facing position below the recording head 20 and covers the nozzle 44 with the cap 31.
  • the cap 31 is disposed so as to cover the nozzle 44 at the nozzle facing position, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the cap 31 may not completely cover the nozzle 44.
  • the cap 31 does not cover the entire lower surface of the recording head 20, but the cap 31 may cover the entire lower surface of the recording head 20.
  • ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 44 onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9 while the printing paper 9 is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 10.
  • ink chambers 23 and 18 pressure chambers 24 are shown in the casing 21 of the recording head 20.
  • the number of ink chambers 23 included in one recording head 20 may be one or two, or may be four or more.
  • the number of pressure chambers 24 communicating with each ink chamber 23 may be more or less than six as shown in the present embodiment.
  • each recording head 20 a plurality of nozzles 44 are arranged at positions facing almost the entire width of the upper surface of the printing paper 9. For this reason, each recording head 20 can eject ink droplets over almost the entire width of the upper surface of the printing paper 9.
  • ink droplets of the same color may be recorded on the printing paper 9 using a plurality of recording heads 20.
  • a plurality of recording heads 20 that eject ink droplets of the same color in the width direction of the printing paper 9, ink droplets of that color can be ejected over almost the entire width of the upper surface of the printing paper 9. You may do it.
  • a color pattern is formed on the upper surface of the printing paper 9 by sequentially performing such ink droplet ejection processing in the four recording heads 20 in charge of each color.
  • the control unit 80 is a part for controlling the operation of each unit in the recording apparatus 1.
  • the control unit 80 of the present embodiment is configured by a computer having an arithmetic processing unit 81 such as a CPU, a memory 82 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 83 such as a hard disk drive.
  • the control unit 80 includes a transport mechanism 10, each pressure generating element 43 of the four recording heads 20, an ink discharge mechanism 311, and a cap moving mechanism 32, which will be described later.
  • the pump 52, the pressure adjusting unit 531, the liquid level sensor 532, the on-off valve 611, and the on-off valve 631 are electrically connected to each other.
  • the control unit 80 temporarily reads the computer program 831 and data 832 stored in the storage unit 83 into the memory 82, and the arithmetic processing unit 81 performs arithmetic processing based on the computer program 831 and data 832, thereby recording the program.
  • the operation of each unit in the apparatus 1 is controlled. Thereby, an image recording process in the recording apparatus 1 and a recovery process described later proceed.
  • the control unit 80 may be configured by an electronic circuit.
  • the controller 80 controls the ejection of ink droplets at each nozzle 44 when an image pattern is recorded on the upper surface of the printing paper 9. Therefore, the control unit 80 controls the ejection position and ejection amount of the ink droplets at each nozzle 44 in the image recording process.
  • the ink droplet ejection position is controlled by controlling the ejection timing of the ink droplets from each nozzle 44.
  • ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle 44 while the printing paper 9 is conveyed at a constant speed.
  • the printing paper 9 receives ink droplets ejected from predetermined nozzles 44 of each recording head 20 while passing under the recording heads 20. Accordingly, the landing position of the ink droplet in the transport direction on the printing paper 9 is determined by the ejection timing of the ink droplet from each nozzle 44.
  • the ejection amount and ejection timing of the ink droplets are controlled by the ejection signal sent from the control unit 80 to the pressure generating element 43.
  • the control unit 80 generates a discharge signal to be output to the pressure generating element 43 based on the input image pattern and the position information of the printing paper 9. Other operations of the control unit 80 will be described later.
  • control unit 80 of the present embodiment can select the ink droplets ejected from each nozzle 44 from three types of ink droplets of large size, medium size, and small size. That is, in the image recording process, the control unit 80 generates a discharge signal to be output to the pressure generating element 43 by determining a discharge timing and selecting a liquid amount size to determine a discharge amount.
  • the recording apparatus 1 includes the ink tank 51, the pump 52, the pressure tank 53, and the pipe 60 as the ink supply system to the recording head 20.
  • the pipe 60 includes a first supply pipe 61 that connects the ink tank 51 and the pressurization tank 53, a second supply pipe 62 that connects the pressurization tank 53 and the printhead 20, and the printhead 20 and the ink tank 51. Including a reflux pipe 63 for connecting the two.
  • the ink tank 51 is a liquid storage unit that stores ink.
  • the ink stored in the ink tank 51 is supplied to the pressure tank 53 via the first supply pipe 61.
  • One end of the first supply pipe 61 is connected to the inside of the ink tank 51 in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the ink tank 51.
  • the other end of the first supply pipe 61 is connected to the inside of the pressurized tank 53.
  • the pump 52 is a liquid transport unit inserted in the first supply pipe 61.
  • the pump 52 generates an ink flow from the ink tank 51 toward the pressure tank 53 in the first supply pipe 61 in accordance with an operation signal from the control unit 80. As a result, the ink stored in the ink tank 51 is supplied to the pressure tank 53.
  • an opening / closing valve 611 and a filter 612 are further inserted in the first supply pipe 61.
  • the on-off valve 611 is disposed between the ink tank 51 and the pump 52.
  • the filter 612 is disposed between the pump 52 and the pressurized tank 53.
  • the on-off valve 611 When the on-off valve 611 is closed, the communication of the first supply pipe 61 is blocked. That is, when the on-off valve 611 is closed, the communication between the ink tank 51 and the pressurization tank 53 is blocked. On the other hand, when the on-off valve 611 is in the open state, the communication of the first supply pipe 61 is ensured.
  • the on-off valve 611 is normally closed, and is opened only when the pump 52 is operated to supply ink from the ink tank 51 to the pressure tank 53. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pressure fluctuation in the pressurized tank 53 from affecting the ink tank 51.
  • the filter 612 removes solid components, foreign matters, and the like of the ink that passes through the first supply pipe 61. Thereby, mixing of solid components and foreign matters into the ink supplied to the pressurized tank 53 and the recording head 20 is suppressed.
  • the pressurized tank 53 is a liquid storage unit that temporarily stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 20.
  • the pressurized tank 53 includes a pressure adjusting unit 531 and a liquid level sensor 532.
  • the pressure adjustment unit 531 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure inside the pressurized tank 53. That is, the pressure adjusting unit 531 constitutes a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the inside of the pressurizing tank 53.
  • the liquid level sensor 532 is a sensor for detecting the liquid level height of the ink stored in the pressurized tank 53.
  • the control unit 80 determines that the ink level in the pressurized tank 53 has become lower than the predetermined first height based on the signal from the liquid level sensor 532, the control unit 80 opens the on-off valve 611 to open. Then, the pump 52 is operated.
  • the control unit 80 determines that the ink level in the pressurized tank 53 has become higher than the predetermined second height based on the signal from the liquid level sensor 532, the control unit 80 stops the pump 52 and opens the on-off valve. 611 is closed to a closed state. Thereby, the liquid level height of the pressurized tank 53 is adjusted within a predetermined range.
  • the second height is a position higher than the first height, but the first height and the second height may be the same position.
  • the pressurized tank 53 is connected to the recording head 20 via the second supply pipe 62.
  • One end of the second supply pipe 62 is connected to the inside of the pressurized tank 53 in the vicinity of the lower end in the pressurized tank 53.
  • the other end of the second supply pipe 62 is connected to the supply port 221 of the recording head 20.
  • the inside of the pressurized tank 53 is connected to the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 via the second supply pipe 62 and the supply port 221.
  • the pressurized tank 53 is indirectly connected to the ink flow path 22, the ink chamber 23, and the pressure chamber 24 through the second supply pipe 62. Therefore, the pressure inside the recording head 20 can be adjusted by adjusting the pressure inside the pressurized tank 53.
  • the second supply pipe 62 constitutes a supply path for supplying ink from the pressurized tank 53 to the recording head 20.
  • the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 is adjusted so that an ink meniscus is formed in the nozzle 44.
  • the pressure in the pressurization tank 53 is set so that the pressure in the ink chamber 23 is negative. Has been.
  • One end of the reflux pipe 63 is connected to the discharge port 222 of the recording head 20. Further, the other end of the reflux pipe 63 is connected to the inside of the ink tank 51. As a result, the ink discharged from the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 through the discharge port 222 is returned to the ink tank 51. That is, the reflux pipe 63 constitutes a discharge path for discharging ink from the inside of the recording head 20.
  • the on-off valve 631 and the filter 632 are inserted in the reflux pipe 63.
  • the on-off valve 631 When the on-off valve 631 is in a closed state, the communication of the reflux pipe 63 is blocked. That is, when the on-off valve 631 is in a closed state, the communication between the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 and the ink tank 51 is blocked. In that case, ink is not discharged from the inside of the recording head 20 through the discharge port 222.
  • the on-off valve 631 when the on-off valve 631 is in the open state, communication of the reflux pipe 63 is ensured.
  • the pressure in the ink flow path 22 is larger than a predetermined pressure and the on-off valve 631 is in the open state, the ink is discharged from the inside of the ink flow path 22 to the reflux pipe 63 through the discharge port 222.
  • the ink discharged from the discharge port 222 passes through the on-off valve 631, and after the solidified component of the ink is removed by the filter 632, the ink is returned to the ink tank 51.
  • the open / close valve 631 is provided in the reflux pipe 63 serving as a discharge path, and constitutes an open / close section that can be switched between an open state and a closed state.
  • the on-off valve 631 is closed. Thereby, even when the pressure in the pressurizing tank 53 is adjusted so that the pressure in the ink chamber 23 becomes negative, the ink flows from the reflux pipe 63 into the ink flow path 22 through the discharge port 222. Ink does not flow.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the recovery process of the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of the recording head 20 in the recovery process of the present embodiment.
  • the ink ejected from the recording head 20 includes a sedimenting component. Therefore, if ink is not ejected for a long time, as shown in FIG. 3, the sedimentation component 200 settles down and stays in the ink flow path 22 of the recording head.
  • the ink flow path 22 is indicated by a solid arrow in FIG.
  • Ink flow from the ink flow path 22 to the ink chamber 23 via the first communication port 41 is generated.
  • the recovery process of the present embodiment is a kind of so-called pressure purge in which the inside of the recording head 20 is pressurized to clean the inside of the recording head 20.
  • step S101 the control unit 80 operates the cap moving mechanism 32 to place the cap 31 at the nozzle facing position. Accordingly, the ink ejected from the nozzle 44 is directed into the cap 31 in step S103 described later.
  • control unit 80 opens the on-off valve 631 shown in FIG. 4 to make it open (step S102).
  • the ink can be discharged from the inside of the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 via the discharge port 222 and the reflux pipe 63.
  • step S103 the pressure adjusting unit 531 executes pressurization inside the pressurizing tank 53 (step S103).
  • the ink stored in the pressurization tank 53 is supplied to the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 via the second supply pipe 62. Thereby, the pressure in the ink flow path 22 rises.
  • the controller 80 operates the ink discharge mechanism 311 from before and after the start of step S103 to after the end. As a result, the ink discharged from each nozzle 44 to the cap 31 is discharged from the cap 31 by the ink discharge mechanism 311 and discarded or regenerated.
  • control unit 80 closes the on-off valve 631 to a closed state (step S104). Then, the pressure adjusting unit 531 adjusts the pressure in the pressurizing tank 53 and the recording head 20 so as to be the same as that in the image recording process. Thereafter, the ink adhering to the lower surface side of the recording head 20 is wiped off by a wiping mechanism (not shown) (step S105). Thereby, the exposed surface of the nozzle 44 is cleaned.
  • the flow rate of ink discharged from the ink flow path 22 through the discharge port 222 to the reflux pipe 63 in the recovery process is larger than the total flow rate of ink discharged from all of the plurality of nozzles 44. .
  • the ink flow rate from the supply port 221 toward the discharge port 222 in the ink flow path 22 is sufficiently secured. Therefore, the sedimentary component 200 staying in the ink flow path 22 can be more efficiently dispersed.
  • the flow path cross-sectional areas of the discharge port 222 and the reflux pipe 63 may be increased.
  • the discharge port 222 from the ink flow path 22.
  • the ink flow resistance through the reflux pipe 63 is further reduced.
  • the flow rate of the ink discharged to the reflux pipe 63 through the discharge port 222 becomes larger than the total flow rate of the ink discharged from all of the plurality of nozzles 44. Therefore, the sedimentation component 200 staying in the ink flow path 22 can be dispersed more efficiently.
  • the ink discharged from the recording head 20 to the reflux pipe 63 is returned to the ink tank 51. Therefore, the ink discharged from the ink flow path 22 through the discharge port 222 in the recovery process is collected into the ink tank 51 and can be reused in the subsequent image recording process and recovery process. Thereby, the amount of ink discarded in the recovery process can be suppressed.
  • the two liquid filling chambers, the ink chamber 23 and the pressure chamber 24, are interposed between the ink flow path 22 and the nozzle 44, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the ink flow path 22 and the pressure chamber 24 may directly communicate with each other, and only one liquid filling chamber called the pressure chamber 24 may be interposed between the ink flow path 22 and the nozzle 44.
  • a plurality of ink chambers 23 may be interposed between the ink flow path 22 and the pressure chamber 24. That is, three or more liquid filling chambers of two or more ink chambers 23 and pressure chambers 24 may be interposed between the ink flow path 22 and the nozzle 44.
  • the position of the recording head 20 is fixed and the position of the cap 31 is moved with respect to the recording head 20, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the position of the cap 31 may be fixed, and the recording head 20 may be moved between a standby position facing the cap 31 and a printing position facing the printing paper 9.
  • the position of the recording head 20 is fixed, and the ink is ejected onto the printing paper 9 while moving the printing paper 9 relative to the recording head 20.
  • the position of the printing paper 9 may be fixed, and the ink may be ejected onto the printing paper 9 while moving the recording head 20 relative to the printing paper 9.
  • the opening / closing part provided in the reflux pipe 63 is the opening / closing valve 631.
  • the opening / closing part provided in the discharge path may be a pump such as a diaphragm pump or a tubing pump that is closed during communication.
  • an opening / closing part other than the opening / closing valve may be used as long as it can be switched between an open state for ensuring communication of the discharge path and a closed state for blocking communication of the discharge path.
  • the flow rate of the pump is controlled when the pump is driven (open state), so that the ink discharged from the recording head to the discharge path can be controlled.
  • the flow rate may be controlled. In this case, the total flow rate of the ink discharged from the nozzles and the flow rate of the ink discharged from the recording head to the discharge path can be controlled more accurately.
  • the ink discharged from the discharge port 222 of the recording head 20 is returned to the ink tank 51.
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the ink discharged from the discharge port 222 of the recording head 20 in the recovery process may be discharged to the outside of the recording apparatus 1 through the discharge path without being returned to the ink tank 51.
  • the size of the ink droplets ejected from each nozzle 44 can be selected from three types: large size, medium size, and small size.
  • the size of ink droplets that can be ejected from each nozzle may be one or two types, or may be four or more types.
  • the recording apparatus 1 described above records an image on a printing paper 9 as a recording medium.
  • the recording apparatus of the present invention may record a pattern such as an image on a sheet-like recording medium (for example, a resin film) other than general paper.

Abstract

This fluid discharge device has a discharge head (20), a fluid storage unit, a pressurizing unit for the fluid storage unit, a supply path, and an emission path. The discharge head (20) has a fluid flowpath (22), fluid filling chambers (23, 24) that connect to the fluid flowpath (22), and a plurality of nozzles (44) provided in each fluid filling chamber (24). When pressurization is executed by the pressurizing unit in a state in which an emission path connection is secured, fluid inside the fluid storage unit is supplied from a supply port (221) to the fluid flowpath (22) via the supply path, and some of the fluid is emitted via an emission port (222). As a result, a flow of fluid occurs inside the fluid flowpath (22) from the supply port (221) to the emission port (222), that differs from when fluid is discharged from the nozzles (44). Accordingly, precipitous components that have accumulated inside the fluid flowpath (22) can be efficiently dispersed. Thus, the accumulation of precipitous components inside the discharge head (20) can be efficiently eliminated in the fluid discharge device capable of controlling the discharge of fluid from each nozzle (44).

Description

液体吐出装置、およびその制御方法Liquid ejecting apparatus and control method thereof
 本発明は、液体吐出装置およびその制御方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and a control method thereof.
 従来、複数のノズルを備え、かつ、各ノズルにおける液滴の吐出を制御できる吐出ヘッドを有する液体吐出装置が知られている(例えば、特開2013-193008号公報)。 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a liquid discharge apparatus that includes a plurality of nozzles and has a discharge head that can control the discharge of droplets from each nozzle (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-193008).
 特開2013-193008号公報に記載の液体吐出装置(印刷装置)では、吐出ヘッドが、複数の圧力室と、各圧力室に設けられたノズルとを有する。そして、各圧力室に設けられた圧電素子が変形することにより、圧力室内のインクがノズルから噴射する。また、吐出ヘッドは、インク供給源からそれぞれの圧力室へインクを供給する供給経路として、複数の圧力室に連通する液体流路(インク室)を有する(段落0021、図3)。 In a liquid discharge apparatus (printing apparatus) described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-193008, the discharge head includes a plurality of pressure chambers and nozzles provided in the respective pressure chambers. And the piezoelectric element provided in each pressure chamber deform | transforms, and the ink in a pressure chamber ejects from a nozzle. Further, the ejection head has a liquid flow path (ink chamber) communicating with a plurality of pressure chambers as a supply path for supplying ink from the ink supply source to each pressure chamber (paragraph 0021, FIG. 3).
特開2013-193008号公報JP 2013-193008 A
 このような吐出ヘッドにおいて、沈降性成分を含む液体の吐出を行う場合、長時間吐出を行わないと、液体流路内や圧力室内に沈降性成分の沈降が生じやすい。液体流路内に沈降性成分が沈降すると、液体流路と圧力室とを連通する連通口付近において沈降性成分によって流路が狭くなる等の問題が生じる虞がある。 In such a discharge head, when discharging a liquid containing a sedimentary component, if the liquid is not ejected for a long time, sedimentation of the sedimentary component tends to occur in the liquid flow path or the pressure chamber. When the sedimentary component settles in the liquid flow path, there is a possibility that a problem such as the narrowing of the flow path due to the sedimentary component may occur in the vicinity of the communication port connecting the liquid flow path and the pressure chamber.
 吐出ヘッド内における沈降を解消するために、従来、いわゆるパージが行われる。パージには、一般的に、吐出ヘッド内を加圧してノズルから液体を吐出させる加圧パージや、ノズルに接続される外部装置により、吐出ヘッド内の液体をノズルから吸引する吸引パージが知られている。 Conventionally, so-called purge is performed in order to eliminate sedimentation in the discharge head. In general, there are known purging methods such as a pressure purge that pressurizes the inside of the ejection head and ejects the liquid from the nozzle, and a suction purge that sucks the liquid in the ejection head from the nozzle by an external device connected to the nozzle. ing.
 しかしながら、従来のパージ動作では、通常のインク吐出時と比べて吐出ヘッド内のインクの流量や流速は非常に大きくなるものの、通常のインク吐出時と同じ方向のインクの流れが生じる。そのため、吐出ヘッドの液体流路内において、通常のインク吐出時にインクの流れが生じにくい領域、すなわち、沈降性成分の滞留が生じやすい領域では、パージ動作においてもインクの流れが生じにくく、沈降性成分の滞留が解消されにくい。 However, in the conventional purge operation, although the ink flow rate and flow velocity in the ejection head are very large as compared with the normal ink ejection, the ink flows in the same direction as the normal ink ejection. Therefore, in the liquid flow path of the discharge head, in the region where the ink flow is unlikely to occur during normal ink discharge, that is, in the region where the sedimentation component is likely to stay, the ink flow is difficult to occur even in the purge operation. It is difficult to eliminate the retention of components.
 本発明は、このような事情に鑑みなされたものであり、吐出ヘッドの液体流路内における沈降性成分の滞留を効率良く解消できる技術を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of efficiently eliminating the retention of sedimentary components in the liquid flow path of the discharge head.
 上記課題を解決するため、本願の第1発明は、液体を吐出する複数のノズルを有する、吐出ヘッドと、前記液体を貯留する、液体貯留部と、前記液体貯留部の内部を加圧する、加圧部と、前記液体貯留部から前記吐出ヘッドへ前記液体を供給する、供給路と、前記吐出ヘッドの内部から前記液体を排出する、排出路と、前記排出路に設けられ、前記排出路の連通を確保する開状態と前記排出路の連通を遮断する閉状態とに切替可能である、開閉部と、前記加圧部および前記開閉部を制御する、制御部と、を有し、前記吐出ヘッドは、前記供給路に連通する供給口と、前記排出路に連通する排出口とを有する、液体流路と、前記液体流路に連通する連通口を有する、液体充填室と、一端が前記液体充填室に連通し、他端が前記吐出ヘッドの外へ露出する、複数の前記ノズルと、を有し、前記制御部は、前記開閉部を前記開状態としつつ、前記加圧部による加圧を実行させ、前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体貯留部に貯留された前記液体が前記供給路を介して前記液体流路に供給され、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の少なくとも一部が、前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出される。 In order to solve the above-described problem, a first invention of the present application provides a discharge head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging a liquid, a liquid storage section for storing the liquid, and pressurizing the inside of the liquid storage section. A pressure passage, a supply passage for supplying the liquid from the liquid storage portion to the discharge head, a discharge passage for discharging the liquid from the inside of the discharge head, and a discharge passage. An open / close unit that can be switched between an open state that ensures communication and a closed state that blocks communication of the discharge path, and a control unit that controls the pressurization unit and the open / close unit, and the discharge The head has a liquid flow path having a supply port communicating with the supply path, a discharge port communicating with the discharge path, a liquid filling chamber having a communication port communicating with the liquid flow path, and one end of the liquid filling chamber. The other end communicates with the liquid filling chamber and the other end of the discharge head. A plurality of the nozzles that are exposed, and the control unit causes the pressurization unit to perform pressurization while the open / close unit is in the open state, and the liquid storage unit is configured to perform the pressurization. The liquid stored in the liquid channel is supplied to the liquid flow channel via the supply channel, and at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow channel is discharged to the discharge channel via the discharge port. .
 本願の第2発明は、第1発明の液体吐出装置であって、前記液体充填室は、前記液体流路に直接連通する前記連通口を有する、第1液体充填室と、前記第1液体充填室と、直接または間接的に連通し、それぞれ単独の前記ノズルと連通する、複数の第2液体充填室と、を含む。 A second invention of the present application is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the liquid filling chamber has the communication port directly communicating with the liquid flow path, and the first liquid filling chamber. And a plurality of second liquid filling chambers that communicate directly or indirectly with each of the single nozzles.
 本願の第3発明は、第2発明の液体吐出装置であって、前記第2液体充填室には、それぞれ、圧力発生素子が備えられ、前記圧力発生素子が駆動すると、前記第2液体充填室内が加圧され、前記ノズルから前記液体が液滴として吐出される。 A third invention of the present application is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the second invention, wherein each of the second liquid filling chambers is provided with a pressure generating element, and when the pressure generating element is driven, the second liquid filling chamber is provided. Is pressurized, and the liquid is ejected as droplets from the nozzle.
 本願の第4発明は、第1発明から第3発明のいずれかの液体吐出装置であって、前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体貯留部に貯留された前記液体が前記供給路を介して前記液体流路に供給され、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の一部が前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出されるとともに、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の他の一部が前記液体充填室を介して複数の前記ノズルから吐出される。 A fourth invention of the present application is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit, when the pressurization is performed, passes through the supply path. A part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path and discharged to the liquid flow path is discharged to the discharge path through the discharge port, and another part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path. The part is discharged from the plurality of nozzles through the liquid filling chamber.
 本願の第5発明は、第4発明の液体吐出装置であって、前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体流路から前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出される前記液体の流量は、複数の前記ノズルから吐出される前記液体の総流量よりも大きい。 A fifth invention of the present application is the liquid ejection device according to the fourth invention, wherein when the pressurization is performed, the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the liquid channel to the discharge channel through the discharge port is plural. Greater than the total flow rate of the liquid discharged from the nozzle.
 本願の第6発明は、液体を吐出する複数のノズルを有する吐出ヘッドと、前記吐出ヘッドに供給路を介して供給する前記液体を貯留する液体貯留部と、前記吐出ヘッドから前記液体を排出する排出路と、前記液体貯留部の内部を加圧する加圧部とを備える液体吐出装置の制御方法であって、前記排出路に設けられた開閉部を開状態として前記排出路の連通が確保された状態において、前記加圧部による加圧を実行させ、前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体貯留部に貯留された前記液体が前記供給路を介して前記吐出ヘッド内の液体流路に供給され、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の少なくとも一部が前記排出路へ排出される、液体吐出装置の制御方法。 According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging a liquid, a liquid storage section for storing the liquid supplied to the discharge head via a supply path, and discharging the liquid from the discharge head. A control method of a liquid ejection device comprising a discharge path and a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the inside of the liquid storage part, wherein the open / close part provided in the discharge path is opened to ensure communication of the discharge path In this state, pressurization is performed by the pressurization unit, and when the pressurization is performed, the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit is supplied to the liquid flow path in the discharge head via the supply path. A method for controlling a liquid ejection apparatus, wherein at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path is discharged to the discharge path.
 本願の第7発明は、第6発明の液体吐出装置の制御方法であって、前記吐出ヘッドは、前記供給路に連通する供給口と、前記排出路に連通する排出口とを有する、前記液体流路と、前記液体流路に連通する連通口を有する、液体充填室と、一端が前記液体充填室に連通し、他端が前記吐出ヘッドの外へ露出する、複数の前記ノズルと、を有し、前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の一部が前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出されるとともに、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の他の一部が前記液体充填室を介して複数の前記ノズルから吐出される。 7th invention of this application is the control method of the liquid discharge apparatus of 6th invention, Comprising: The said discharge head has the supply port connected to the said supply path, and the discharge port connected to the said discharge path, The said liquid A liquid filling chamber having a flow path, a communication port communicating with the liquid flow path, and a plurality of the nozzles having one end communicating with the liquid filling chamber and the other end exposed to the outside of the discharge head. A part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path is discharged to the discharge path through the discharge port and the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path is Another part is discharged from the plurality of nozzles through the liquid filling chamber.
 本願の第8発明は、第7発明の液体吐出装置の制御方法であって、前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体流路から前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出される前記液体の流量は、複数の前記ノズルから吐出される前記液体の総流量よりも大きい。 An eighth invention of the present application is the method for controlling a liquid ejection apparatus according to the seventh invention, wherein the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the liquid flow path to the discharge path through the discharge port when the pressurization is performed. Is larger than the total flow rate of the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzles.
 本願の第1発明から第8発明によれば、加圧部による加圧を行うことにより、液体流路内に、排出路へ向かう液体の流れが生じる。すなわち、加圧の実行時には、液体流路内に、ノズルへ向かう通常の液体吐出時とは異なる方向の液体の流れが生じる。したがって、液体流路内に滞留した沈降性成分を、効率良く分散できる。 According to the first to eighth inventions of the present application, the liquid flow toward the discharge path is generated in the liquid flow path by performing the pressurization by the pressurizing unit. That is, when pressurization is performed, a liquid flow in a direction different from that during normal liquid discharge toward the nozzle occurs in the liquid flow path. Therefore, the sedimentary component staying in the liquid channel can be efficiently dispersed.
 特に、第4発明および第7発明によれば、加圧部による加圧を行うことにより、液体流路内において供給口から排出口へ向かう液体の流れが生じるとともに、液体流路から液体充填室を介してノズルから吐出する液体の流れが生じる。これにより、液体流路内に滞留した沈降性成分を分散させると同時に、液体充填室内における沈降性成分を解消できる。 In particular, according to the fourth and seventh inventions, the pressurization by the pressurizing unit causes a liquid flow from the supply port to the discharge port in the liquid channel, and the liquid channel to the liquid filling chamber. A flow of liquid ejected from the nozzles occurs through the nozzles. Thereby, the sedimentary component staying in the liquid channel can be dispersed and the sedimentary component in the liquid filling chamber can be eliminated.
 特に第5発明および第8発明によれば、液体流路内において供給口から排出口へ向かう液体の流量が十分に確保される。これにより、液体流路内に滞留した沈降性成分を、より効率良く分散できる。 Particularly, according to the fifth and eighth inventions, the flow rate of the liquid from the supply port to the discharge port is sufficiently ensured in the liquid channel. Thereby, the sedimentation component staying in the liquid channel can be more efficiently dispersed.
一実施形態に係る記録装置の構成を概念的に示した図である。1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. 一実施形態に係る記録ヘッドの縦断面図である。2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a recording head according to an embodiment. FIG. 一実施形態に係る記録ヘッドのA-A矢視断面図である。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the recording head according to the embodiment. 一実施形態に係る記録装置のインクの供給系統を示したブロック図である。FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an ink supply system of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment. 一実施形態に係る回復工程の流れを示したフローチャートである。It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the recovery process which concerns on one Embodiment. 一実施形態に係る回復工程の様子を表した図である。It is a figure showing the mode of the recovery process concerning one embodiment.
 以下、本発明の実施形態について、図面を参照しつつ説明する。なお、以下では、印刷用紙9が搬送される方向を「搬送方向」と称する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the direction in which the printing paper 9 is transported is referred to as “transport direction”.
 <1.記録装置の構成>
 図1は、本発明に係る液体吐出装置の一実施形態となる記録装置1の構成を、概念的に示した図である。図2は、記録装置1の記録ヘッド20の縦断面図である。図3は、記録ヘッド20のA-A矢視断面図である。図4は、記録装置1のインク供給系統を示したブロック図である。
<1. Configuration of recording apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a recording apparatus 1 as an embodiment of a liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the recording head 20 of the recording apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the recording head 20 taken along the line AA. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an ink supply system of the recording apparatus 1.
 この記録装置1は、長尺帯状の記録媒体である印刷用紙9を搬送しつつ、複数の記録ヘッド20から印刷用紙9にインク滴を吐出することにより、印刷用紙9にカラー画像を記録するインクジェット方式の印刷装置である。記録装置1は、印刷用紙9に画像を記録する画像記録工程と、記録ヘッド20のメンテナンスを行う回復工程とを行うことができる。 The recording apparatus 1 is an inkjet that records a color image on a printing paper 9 by ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of recording heads 20 to the printing paper 9 while conveying the printing paper 9 that is a long belt-like recording medium. This is a printing apparatus of the type. The recording apparatus 1 can perform an image recording process for recording an image on the printing paper 9 and a recovery process for maintaining the recording head 20.
 図1および図2に示すように、記録装置1は、画像記録工程に関わる部分として、搬送機構10、4つの記録ヘッド20、およびキャップ機構30を有している。また、図4に示すように、記録装置1は、記録ヘッド20へインクを供給するためのインク供給系統として、インクタンク51、ポンプ52、加圧タンク53、および配管60を有している。そして、記録装置1は、上記の各部を制御する、制御部80を有している。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording apparatus 1 includes a transport mechanism 10, four recording heads 20, and a cap mechanism 30 as parts related to an image recording process. As shown in FIG. 4, the recording apparatus 1 includes an ink tank 51, a pump 52, a pressure tank 53, and a pipe 60 as an ink supply system for supplying ink to the recording head 20. The recording apparatus 1 includes a control unit 80 that controls the above-described units.
 まず、図1~図3を参照しつつ、記録装置1の画像記録工程に関わる部分について説明する。 First, the parts related to the image recording process of the recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
 搬送機構10は、印刷用紙9をその長手方向である搬送方向に搬送するための機構である。本実施形態の搬送機構10は、巻き出し部11、複数のローラ12、および巻き取り部13を有する。 The transport mechanism 10 is a mechanism for transporting the printing paper 9 in the transport direction that is the longitudinal direction thereof. The transport mechanism 10 according to the present embodiment includes an unwinding unit 11, a plurality of rollers 12, and a winding unit 13.
 巻き出し部11、複数のローラ12、および巻き取り部13には、動力源となるモータ(図示せず)が連結されている。制御部80がモータを駆動させると、巻き出し部11、複数のローラ12、および巻き取り部13がそれぞれ回転する。これにより、印刷用紙9は、巻き出し部11から繰り出され、複数のローラ12により構成される搬送経路に沿って、巻き取り部13へ搬送される。 A motor (not shown) serving as a power source is connected to the unwinding unit 11, the plurality of rollers 12, and the winding unit 13. When the control unit 80 drives the motor, the unwinding unit 11, the plurality of rollers 12, and the winding unit 13 rotate. As a result, the printing paper 9 is fed out from the unwinding unit 11 and conveyed to the winding unit 13 along the conveyance path constituted by the plurality of rollers 12.
 各ローラ12は、水平軸を中心として回転することによって、印刷用紙9を搬送経路の下流側へ案内する。また、複数のローラ12に印刷用紙9が接触することで、印刷用紙9に張力が与えられる。搬送後の印刷用紙9は、巻き取り部13へ回収される。 Each roller 12 rotates around a horizontal axis to guide the printing paper 9 to the downstream side of the conveyance path. Further, when the printing paper 9 comes into contact with the plurality of rollers 12, tension is applied to the printing paper 9. The transported printing paper 9 is collected to the winding unit 13.
 4つの記録ヘッド20は、印刷用紙9の搬送経路の上方に、搬送方向に間隔をあけて配列されている。4つの記録ヘッド20は、それぞれ、イエロー(Y)、マゼンタ(M)、シアン(C)、ブラック(K)のインク滴を、印刷用紙9の上面に吐出する吐出ヘッドである。 The four recording heads 20 are arranged above the conveyance path of the printing paper 9 with an interval in the conveyance direction. The four recording heads 20 are ejection heads that eject yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) ink droplets onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9, respectively.
 本実施形態の記録装置1は、印刷用紙9が各記録ヘッド20の下方を1回だけ通過する間に、各記録ヘッド20からインク滴を吐出することにより、印刷用紙9上に所望の画像パターンを記録する、いわゆるワンパス式の記録装置である。4つの記録ヘッド20の構造は、ほぼ同等であるため、以下では、1つの記録ヘッド20の構造について、説明する。 The recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment ejects ink droplets from each recording head 20 while the printing paper 9 passes only under each recording head 20 once, thereby causing a desired image pattern on the printing paper 9. Is a so-called one-pass type recording apparatus. Since the structures of the four recording heads 20 are substantially the same, the structure of one recording head 20 will be described below.
 図2および図3に示すように、記録ヘッド20は、筐体21と、筐体21内に設けられたインク流路22、複数のインク室23、および複数の圧力室24とを有する。 2 and 3, the recording head 20 includes a housing 21, an ink flow path 22 provided in the housing 21, a plurality of ink chambers 23, and a plurality of pressure chambers 24.
 インク流路22は、記録ヘッド20の外部から供給されたインクが一次的に充填される液体流路である。図3に示すように、インク流路22には、供給口221および排出口222が設けられている。供給口221および排出口222を介したインクの流れについては、後述する。 The ink flow path 22 is a liquid flow path that is primarily filled with ink supplied from the outside of the recording head 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink channel 22 is provided with a supply port 221 and a discharge port 222. The flow of ink through the supply port 221 and the discharge port 222 will be described later.
 インク室23は、記録ヘッド20内においてインクが二次的に充填される、第1液体充填室である。本実施形態の記録ヘッド20は、図3に示すように、3つのインク室23を有する。図2および図3に示すように、インク室23はそれぞれ、第1連通口41を介してインク流路22と連通している。第1連通口41には、インク中の不純物等の固体成分を濾し取るためのフィルタ411が備えられている。本実施形態では、フィルタ411として、微細な孔を有するパンチングメタルが用いられているが、その他の構成のフィルタであってもよい。 The ink chamber 23 is a first liquid filling chamber in which ink is secondarily filled in the recording head 20. The recording head 20 of the present embodiment has three ink chambers 23 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the ink chambers 23 communicates with the ink flow path 22 via the first communication port 41. The first communication port 41 is provided with a filter 411 for filtering out solid components such as impurities in the ink. In this embodiment, a punching metal having fine holes is used as the filter 411, but a filter having another configuration may be used.
 圧力室24は、記録ヘッド20内においてインクが三次的に充填される、第2液体充填室である。図2に示すように、圧力室24はそれぞれ、第2連通口42と、圧力発生素子43と、ノズル44とを有している。本実施形態では、圧力室24がインク室23の下方に配置されているが、圧力室24は、インク室23と同じ高さに配置されていてもよい。 The pressure chamber 24 is a second liquid filling chamber in which the ink is tertiary filled in the recording head 20. As shown in FIG. 2, each pressure chamber 24 has a second communication port 42, a pressure generating element 43, and a nozzle 44. In this embodiment, the pressure chamber 24 is disposed below the ink chamber 23, but the pressure chamber 24 may be disposed at the same height as the ink chamber 23.
 第2連通口42は、圧力室24の内部とインク室23の内部とを連通する。インク室23の下部にはそれぞれ複数の第2連通口42が配置されている。すなわち、各インク室23は複数の圧力室24と連通している。圧力室24内の圧力が下がると、第2連通口42を介してインク室23から圧力室24内へとインクが供給される。 The second communication port 42 communicates the inside of the pressure chamber 24 and the inside of the ink chamber 23. A plurality of second communication ports 42 are disposed in the lower part of the ink chamber 23. That is, each ink chamber 23 communicates with a plurality of pressure chambers 24. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 decreases, ink is supplied from the ink chamber 23 into the pressure chamber 24 via the second communication port 42.
 圧力発生素子43は、各圧力室24の上壁面に配置されている。ノズル44は、各圧力室24の下壁面に配置され、圧力室24と外部の空間とを連通する。インクの非吐出時には、ノズル44の内部において、インクの液面がメニスカスを形成する。また、ノズル44の下端部は、筐体21の下面に露出して配置される。 The pressure generating element 43 is disposed on the upper wall surface of each pressure chamber 24. The nozzle 44 is disposed on the lower wall surface of each pressure chamber 24 and communicates the pressure chamber 24 with an external space. When ink is not ejected, the ink surface forms a meniscus inside the nozzle 44. Further, the lower end portion of the nozzle 44 is disposed so as to be exposed on the lower surface of the housing 21.
 記録ヘッド20の個々のノズル44は、筐体21の下面に2次元的に配列される。なお、図2および図3に示す記録ヘッド20では、説明の簡便のため、筐体21の下面に複数のノズル44が1次元的に配列されている。個々のノズル44は、搬送方向と直交する方向に位置をずらして配列されており、印刷用紙9上の1ピクセル幅の領域に対して、1つのノズル44が割り当てられている。 The individual nozzles 44 of the recording head 20 are two-dimensionally arranged on the lower surface of the housing 21. In the recording head 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of nozzles 44 are one-dimensionally arranged on the lower surface of the housing 21 for the sake of simplicity of explanation. The individual nozzles 44 are arranged with their positions shifted in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and one nozzle 44 is assigned to a 1-pixel wide area on the printing paper 9.
 本実施形態の記録ヘッド20は、いわゆるピエゾ方式の吐出ヘッドである。そのため、本実施形態の圧力発生素子43は、圧電素子である。制御部80から圧力発生素子43へ電気信号である吐出信号が送られると、圧力発生素子43が変形し、圧力室24内に充填されたインクに圧力がかかる。圧力室24内の圧力が高まると、ノズル44から圧力室24内のインクが液滴として吐出される。 The recording head 20 of the present embodiment is a so-called piezo-type ejection head. Therefore, the pressure generating element 43 of the present embodiment is a piezoelectric element. When an ejection signal that is an electrical signal is sent from the control unit 80 to the pressure generating element 43, the pressure generating element 43 is deformed and pressure is applied to the ink filled in the pressure chamber 24. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 increases, the ink in the pressure chamber 24 is ejected as droplets from the nozzle 44.
 なお、本発明の記録ヘッドは、ピエゾ方式に限られない。例えば、圧力発生素子としてヒータを用いることにより、圧力室内の液体を加熱して泡を発生させて圧力室内の圧力を高める、いわゆるサーマル方式の記録ヘッドであってもよい。 Note that the recording head of the present invention is not limited to the piezo method. For example, a so-called thermal recording head that uses a heater as a pressure generating element to heat a liquid in the pressure chamber to generate bubbles to increase the pressure in the pressure chamber may be used.
 キャップ機構30は、図2に示すように、キャップ31と、キャップ移動機構32とを有する。キャップ31は、記録ヘッド20が印刷用紙9への記録を行わない期間に、記録ヘッド20のノズル44を有する面を覆う。これにより、印刷用紙9への記録を行わない期間に、ノズル44内に形成されたインクのメニスカス面からインクの溶媒が蒸発し、ノズル44付近でインクが固化または凝集するのが抑制される。 The cap mechanism 30 includes a cap 31 and a cap moving mechanism 32 as shown in FIG. The cap 31 covers the surface of the recording head 20 having the nozzles 44 during a period when the recording head 20 does not perform recording on the printing paper 9. Thus, the ink solvent evaporates from the meniscus surface of the ink formed in the nozzle 44 during the period when recording on the printing paper 9 is not performed, and the ink is suppressed from solidifying or aggregating in the vicinity of the nozzle 44.
 また、キャップ31には、インク排出機構311が備えられている。これにより、キャップ31がノズル44を覆ったまま、ノズル44からインクを吐出できる。記録ヘッド20から、キャップ31に対してインクが吐出されると、当該インクはインク排出機構311を介してキャップ31の内部から排出される。 In addition, the cap 31 is provided with an ink discharge mechanism 311. Accordingly, ink can be ejected from the nozzle 44 while the cap 31 covers the nozzle 44. When ink is discharged from the recording head 20 to the cap 31, the ink is discharged from the inside of the cap 31 via the ink discharge mechanism 311.
 記録ヘッド20が印刷用紙9への記録を行わない期間には、キャップ移動機構32は、キャップ31を記録ヘッド20の下方のノズル対向位置に配置する。一方、記録ヘッド20が印刷用紙9への記録を行う場合、キャップ移動機構32は、画像記録工程の開始前に、キャップ31を、記録ヘッド20と上下に重ならない待機位置(図2中破線で示す位置)に移動させる。そして、画像記録工程が終了すると、キャップ移動機構32は、キャップ31を記録ヘッド20の下方のノズル対向位置へと移動させ、キャップ31によりノズル44を覆う。 During the period when the recording head 20 does not record on the printing paper 9, the cap moving mechanism 32 arranges the cap 31 at the nozzle facing position below the recording head 20. On the other hand, when the recording head 20 performs recording on the printing paper 9, the cap moving mechanism 32 moves the cap 31 to the standby position where it does not overlap with the recording head 20 before starting the image recording process (as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2). To the position shown). When the image recording process is completed, the cap moving mechanism 32 moves the cap 31 to the nozzle facing position below the recording head 20 and covers the nozzle 44 with the cap 31.
 なお、本実施形態では、ノズル対向位置においてキャップ31はノズル44を覆うように配置されるが、本発明はこの限りではない。メニスカス面からの蒸発の問題が生じにくいインクを使用する場合、キャップ31がノズル44を完全に覆っていなくてもよい。また、図2においてキャップ31は記録ヘッド20の下面全体を覆っていないが、キャップ31は、記録ヘッド20の下面全体を覆っていてもよい。 In this embodiment, the cap 31 is disposed so as to cover the nozzle 44 at the nozzle facing position, but the present invention is not limited to this. When using ink that is unlikely to cause evaporation from the meniscus surface, the cap 31 may not completely cover the nozzle 44. In FIG. 2, the cap 31 does not cover the entire lower surface of the recording head 20, but the cap 31 may cover the entire lower surface of the recording head 20.
 記録装置1が画像記録工程を行う際には、搬送機構10により印刷用紙9を搬送しつつ、当該印刷用紙9の上面に、複数のノズル44からインク滴が吐出される。 When the recording apparatus 1 performs the image recording process, ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 44 onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9 while the printing paper 9 is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 10.
 図2および図3では、説明の簡便のため、記録ヘッド20の筐体21内に、3つのインク室23と18個の圧力室24が記載されている。しかしながら、1つの記録ヘッド20の有するインク室23の数は、1つまたは2つであってもよく、4つ以上であってもよい。また、各インク室23と連通する圧力室24は、本実施形態に示される6個よりも多くてもよいし、少なくてもよい。 2 and 3, for convenience of explanation, three ink chambers 23 and 18 pressure chambers 24 are shown in the casing 21 of the recording head 20. However, the number of ink chambers 23 included in one recording head 20 may be one or two, or may be four or more. Further, the number of pressure chambers 24 communicating with each ink chamber 23 may be more or less than six as shown in the present embodiment.
 実際の各記録ヘッド20には、印刷用紙9の上面のほぼ全幅に対向する位置に、複数のノズル44が配置されている。このため、各記録ヘッド20は、印刷用紙9の上面のほぼ全幅に亘って、インク滴を吐出することができる。 In each actual recording head 20, a plurality of nozzles 44 are arranged at positions facing almost the entire width of the upper surface of the printing paper 9. For this reason, each recording head 20 can eject ink droplets over almost the entire width of the upper surface of the printing paper 9.
 なお、同一色のインク滴を、複数の記録ヘッド20を用いて印刷用紙9に記録してもよい。例えば、同一色のインク滴を吐出する記録ヘッド20を、印刷用紙9の幅方向に複数組み合わせて配置することにより、印刷用紙9の上面のほぼ全幅に亘って、当該色のインク滴を吐出できるようにしてもよい。 Note that ink droplets of the same color may be recorded on the printing paper 9 using a plurality of recording heads 20. For example, by arranging a plurality of recording heads 20 that eject ink droplets of the same color in the width direction of the printing paper 9, ink droplets of that color can be ejected over almost the entire width of the upper surface of the printing paper 9. You may do it.
 このようなインク滴の吐出処理を、各色を担当する4つの記録ヘッド20において順次行うことにより、印刷用紙9の上面にカラーパターンが形成される。 A color pattern is formed on the upper surface of the printing paper 9 by sequentially performing such ink droplet ejection processing in the four recording heads 20 in charge of each color.
 制御部80は、記録装置1内の各部を動作制御するための部位である。図1中に概念的に示すように、本実施形態の制御部80は、CPU等の演算処理部81、RAM等のメモリ82、およびハードディスクドライブ等の記憶部83を有するコンピュータにより構成されている。また、図1、図2および図4に示すように、制御部80は、搬送機構10、4つの記録ヘッド20の各圧力発生素子43、インク排出機構311、およびキャップ移動機構32と、後述するポンプ52、圧力調整部531、液面センサ532、開閉弁611、および開閉弁631と、それぞれ電気的に接続されている。 The control unit 80 is a part for controlling the operation of each unit in the recording apparatus 1. As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 80 of the present embodiment is configured by a computer having an arithmetic processing unit 81 such as a CPU, a memory 82 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 83 such as a hard disk drive. . 1, 2, and 4, the control unit 80 includes a transport mechanism 10, each pressure generating element 43 of the four recording heads 20, an ink discharge mechanism 311, and a cap moving mechanism 32, which will be described later. The pump 52, the pressure adjusting unit 531, the liquid level sensor 532, the on-off valve 611, and the on-off valve 631 are electrically connected to each other.
 制御部80は、記憶部83に記憶されたコンピュータプログラム831やデータ832をメモリ82に一時的に読み出し、当該コンピュータプログラム831およびデータ832に基づいて演算処理部81が演算処理を行うことにより、記録装置1内の各部を動作制御する。これにより、記録装置1における画像記録処理や、後述する回復工程が進行する。なお、制御部80は、電子回路により構成されていてもよい。 The control unit 80 temporarily reads the computer program 831 and data 832 stored in the storage unit 83 into the memory 82, and the arithmetic processing unit 81 performs arithmetic processing based on the computer program 831 and data 832, thereby recording the program. The operation of each unit in the apparatus 1 is controlled. Thereby, an image recording process in the recording apparatus 1 and a recovery process described later proceed. Note that the control unit 80 may be configured by an electronic circuit.
 制御部80は、印刷用紙9の上面に画像パターンを記録する際に、各ノズル44におけるインク滴の吐出を制御する。したがって、制御部80は、画像記録工程において、各ノズル44におけるインク滴の吐出位置および吐出量を制御する。 The controller 80 controls the ejection of ink droplets at each nozzle 44 when an image pattern is recorded on the upper surface of the printing paper 9. Therefore, the control unit 80 controls the ejection position and ejection amount of the ink droplets at each nozzle 44 in the image recording process.
 本実施形態では、インク滴の吐出位置の制御は、各ノズル44からのインク滴の吐出タイミングを制御することにより行われる。本実施形態では、印刷用紙9を一定速度で搬送しながら、各ノズル44からのインク滴の吐出を行う。印刷用紙9は、記録ヘッド20の下方を通過しつつ、各記録ヘッド20の所定のノズル44から吐出されるインク滴を受ける。したがって、各ノズル44からのインク滴の吐出タイミングにより、印刷用紙9への搬送方向のインク滴の着弾位置が決まる。 In this embodiment, the ink droplet ejection position is controlled by controlling the ejection timing of the ink droplets from each nozzle 44. In the present embodiment, ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle 44 while the printing paper 9 is conveyed at a constant speed. The printing paper 9 receives ink droplets ejected from predetermined nozzles 44 of each recording head 20 while passing under the recording heads 20. Accordingly, the landing position of the ink droplet in the transport direction on the printing paper 9 is determined by the ejection timing of the ink droplet from each nozzle 44.
 また、本実施形態では、インク滴の吐出量および吐出タイミングの制御は、制御部80から圧力発生素子43へ送られる吐出信号により制御される。制御部80は、入力された画像パターンや印刷用紙9の位置情報に基づき、圧力発生素子43へ出力する吐出信号を生成する。なお、制御部80の他の動作については、後述する。 Further, in the present embodiment, the ejection amount and ejection timing of the ink droplets are controlled by the ejection signal sent from the control unit 80 to the pressure generating element 43. The control unit 80 generates a discharge signal to be output to the pressure generating element 43 based on the input image pattern and the position information of the printing paper 9. Other operations of the control unit 80 will be described later.
 なお、本実施形態の制御部80は、各ノズル44から吐出するインク滴を大サイズ、中サイズおよび小サイズの3種類の液量のインク滴から選択可能である。すなわち、制御部80は、画像記録工程において、吐出タイミングを決定するとともに、液量サイズを選択して吐出量を決定することにより、圧力発生素子43へ出力する吐出信号を生成する。 Note that the control unit 80 of the present embodiment can select the ink droplets ejected from each nozzle 44 from three types of ink droplets of large size, medium size, and small size. That is, in the image recording process, the control unit 80 generates a discharge signal to be output to the pressure generating element 43 by determining a discharge timing and selecting a liquid amount size to determine a discharge amount.
 次に、図4を参照しつつ、記録ヘッド20へのインクの供給系統について説明する。上述の通り、記録装置1は、記録ヘッド20へのインクの供給系統として、インクタンク51、ポンプ52、加圧タンク53、および配管60を有する。配管60は、インクタンク51と加圧タンク53とを接続する第1供給配管61、加圧タンク53と記録ヘッド20とを接続する第2供給配管62、および、記録ヘッド20とインクタンク51とを接続する還流配管63を含む。 Next, an ink supply system to the recording head 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the recording apparatus 1 includes the ink tank 51, the pump 52, the pressure tank 53, and the pipe 60 as the ink supply system to the recording head 20. The pipe 60 includes a first supply pipe 61 that connects the ink tank 51 and the pressurization tank 53, a second supply pipe 62 that connects the pressurization tank 53 and the printhead 20, and the printhead 20 and the ink tank 51. Including a reflux pipe 63 for connecting the two.
 インクタンク51は、インクを貯留する液体貯留部である。インクタンク51の内部に貯留されたインクは、第1供給配管61を介して加圧タンク53へ供給される。第1供給配管61の一端は、インクタンク51の下端部付近において、インクタンク51の内部と連通接続されている。また、第1供給配管61の他端は、加圧タンク53の内部と連通接続されている。 The ink tank 51 is a liquid storage unit that stores ink. The ink stored in the ink tank 51 is supplied to the pressure tank 53 via the first supply pipe 61. One end of the first supply pipe 61 is connected to the inside of the ink tank 51 in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the ink tank 51. The other end of the first supply pipe 61 is connected to the inside of the pressurized tank 53.
 ポンプ52は、第1供給配管61に介挿される、液体搬送部である。ポンプ52は、制御部80からの動作信号に従って、第1供給配管61の内部に、インクタンク51から加圧タンク53へ向かうインクの流れを生成する。これにより、インクタンク51の内部に貯留されたインクが、加圧タンク53へと供給される。 The pump 52 is a liquid transport unit inserted in the first supply pipe 61. The pump 52 generates an ink flow from the ink tank 51 toward the pressure tank 53 in the first supply pipe 61 in accordance with an operation signal from the control unit 80. As a result, the ink stored in the ink tank 51 is supplied to the pressure tank 53.
 本実施形態では、第1供給配管61には、さらに、開閉弁611およびフィルタ612が介挿されている。開閉弁611は、インクタンク51とポンプ52との間に配置される。また、フィルタ612は、ポンプ52と加圧タンク53との間に配置される。 In the present embodiment, an opening / closing valve 611 and a filter 612 are further inserted in the first supply pipe 61. The on-off valve 611 is disposed between the ink tank 51 and the pump 52. The filter 612 is disposed between the pump 52 and the pressurized tank 53.
 開閉弁611が閉状態である場合、第1供給配管61の連通が遮断される。すなわち、開閉弁611が閉状態である場合、インクタンク51と、加圧タンク53との連通は遮断される。一方、開閉弁611が開状態である場合、第1供給配管61の連通が確保される。開閉弁611は、通常閉状態であり、ポンプ52を作動してインクタンク51から加圧タンク53へのインクの供給を行う場合のみ、開状態とする。これにより、加圧タンク53内の圧力変動がインクタンク51へ影響を及ぼすのを防止できる。 When the on-off valve 611 is closed, the communication of the first supply pipe 61 is blocked. That is, when the on-off valve 611 is closed, the communication between the ink tank 51 and the pressurization tank 53 is blocked. On the other hand, when the on-off valve 611 is in the open state, the communication of the first supply pipe 61 is ensured. The on-off valve 611 is normally closed, and is opened only when the pump 52 is operated to supply ink from the ink tank 51 to the pressure tank 53. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pressure fluctuation in the pressurized tank 53 from affecting the ink tank 51.
 フィルタ612は、第1供給配管61内を通過するインクの固形成分や異物などを除去する。これにより、加圧タンク53および記録ヘッド20へ供給されるインクに、固形成分や異物が混入するのが抑制される。 The filter 612 removes solid components, foreign matters, and the like of the ink that passes through the first supply pipe 61. Thereby, mixing of solid components and foreign matters into the ink supplied to the pressurized tank 53 and the recording head 20 is suppressed.
 加圧タンク53は、記録ヘッド20に供給するためのインクを一時的に貯留する液体貯留部である。加圧タンク53は、圧力調整部531および液面センサ532を備えている。圧力調整部531は、加圧タンク53の内部の圧力を調整するための機構である。すなわち、圧力調整部531は、加圧タンク53の内部を加圧する加圧部を構成する。 The pressurized tank 53 is a liquid storage unit that temporarily stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 20. The pressurized tank 53 includes a pressure adjusting unit 531 and a liquid level sensor 532. The pressure adjustment unit 531 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure inside the pressurized tank 53. That is, the pressure adjusting unit 531 constitutes a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the inside of the pressurizing tank 53.
 液面センサ532は、加圧タンク53の内部に貯留されたインクの液面高さを検出するためのセンサである。制御部80は、液面センサ532からの信号に基づいて、加圧タンク53内のインクの液面が所定の第1高さよりも低くなったと判断すると、開閉弁611を開放して開状態とし、ポンプ52を作動する。また、制御部80は、液面センサ532からの信号に基づいて、加圧タンク53内のインクの液面が所定の第2高さよりも高くなったと判断すると、ポンプ52を停止し、開閉弁611を閉鎖して閉状態とする。これにより、加圧タンク53の液面高さは、予め定められた一定の範囲内に調節されている。なお、本実施形態では、第2高さは第1高さよりも高い位置であるが、第1高さと第2高さとは同じ位置であってもよい。 The liquid level sensor 532 is a sensor for detecting the liquid level height of the ink stored in the pressurized tank 53. When the control unit 80 determines that the ink level in the pressurized tank 53 has become lower than the predetermined first height based on the signal from the liquid level sensor 532, the control unit 80 opens the on-off valve 611 to open. Then, the pump 52 is operated. When the control unit 80 determines that the ink level in the pressurized tank 53 has become higher than the predetermined second height based on the signal from the liquid level sensor 532, the control unit 80 stops the pump 52 and opens the on-off valve. 611 is closed to a closed state. Thereby, the liquid level height of the pressurized tank 53 is adjusted within a predetermined range. In the present embodiment, the second height is a position higher than the first height, but the first height and the second height may be the same position.
 加圧タンク53は、第2供給配管62を介して記録ヘッド20と接続されている。第2供給配管62の一端は、加圧タンク53内の下端部付近において、加圧タンク53の内部と連通接続されている。また、第2供給配管62の他端は、記録ヘッド20の供給口221と接続されている。これにより、加圧タンク53の内部が、第2供給配管62および供給口221を介して、記録ヘッド20のインク流路22に接続される。 The pressurized tank 53 is connected to the recording head 20 via the second supply pipe 62. One end of the second supply pipe 62 is connected to the inside of the pressurized tank 53 in the vicinity of the lower end in the pressurized tank 53. The other end of the second supply pipe 62 is connected to the supply port 221 of the recording head 20. Thereby, the inside of the pressurized tank 53 is connected to the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 via the second supply pipe 62 and the supply port 221.
 すなわち、加圧タンク53は、第2供給配管62を介して、インク流路22、インク室23、および圧力室24と間接的に連通接続されている。したがって、加圧タンク53内の圧力を調節することによって、記録ヘッド20の内部の圧力を調節することができる。このように、第2供給配管62は、加圧タンク53から記録ヘッド20へインクを供給する供給路を構成している。 That is, the pressurized tank 53 is indirectly connected to the ink flow path 22, the ink chamber 23, and the pressure chamber 24 through the second supply pipe 62. Therefore, the pressure inside the recording head 20 can be adjusted by adjusting the pressure inside the pressurized tank 53. In this way, the second supply pipe 62 constitutes a supply path for supplying ink from the pressurized tank 53 to the recording head 20.
 回復工程を除く、画像記録工程や待機期間においては、圧力室24内の圧力は、ノズル44内にインクのメニスカスが形成されるように、調節されている。本実施形態では、圧力室24が、インク流路22およびインク室23の下方に配置されているため、インク室23内の圧力は負圧となるように、加圧タンク53内の圧力が設定されている。 During the image recording process and the standby period excluding the recovery process, the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 is adjusted so that an ink meniscus is formed in the nozzle 44. In this embodiment, since the pressure chamber 24 is disposed below the ink flow path 22 and the ink chamber 23, the pressure in the pressurization tank 53 is set so that the pressure in the ink chamber 23 is negative. Has been.
 還流配管63の一端は、記録ヘッド20の排出口222に接続されている。また、還流配管63の他端は、インクタンク51の内部と連通接続されている。これにより、記録ヘッド20のインク流路22から排出口222を介して排出されたインクは、インクタンク51へと還流される。すなわち、還流配管63は、記録ヘッド20の内部からインクを排出する排出路を構成している。 One end of the reflux pipe 63 is connected to the discharge port 222 of the recording head 20. Further, the other end of the reflux pipe 63 is connected to the inside of the ink tank 51. As a result, the ink discharged from the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 through the discharge port 222 is returned to the ink tank 51. That is, the reflux pipe 63 constitutes a discharge path for discharging ink from the inside of the recording head 20.
 還流配管63には、開閉弁631およびフィルタ632が介挿されている。開閉弁631が閉状態である場合、還流配管63の連通が遮断される。すなわち、開閉弁631が閉状態である場合、記録ヘッド20のインク流路22と、インクタンク51との連通は遮断される。その場合、記録ヘッド20の内部から排出口222を介してインクが排出されることはない。 The on-off valve 631 and the filter 632 are inserted in the reflux pipe 63. When the on-off valve 631 is in a closed state, the communication of the reflux pipe 63 is blocked. That is, when the on-off valve 631 is in a closed state, the communication between the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 and the ink tank 51 is blocked. In that case, ink is not discharged from the inside of the recording head 20 through the discharge port 222.
 一方、開閉弁631が開状態である場合、還流配管63の連通が確保される。インク流路22内の圧力が所定の圧力より大きく、かつ、開閉弁631が開状態である場合、インク流路22の内部から排出口222を介して還流配管63へとインクが排出される。そして、排出口222から排出されたインクは、開閉弁631を通り、フィルタ632でインクの固化成分などが取り除かれた後、インクタンク51へと還流される。このように、開閉弁631は、排出路である還流配管63に設けられ、開状態と閉状態とに切替可能な開閉部を構成している。 On the other hand, when the on-off valve 631 is in the open state, communication of the reflux pipe 63 is ensured. When the pressure in the ink flow path 22 is larger than a predetermined pressure and the on-off valve 631 is in the open state, the ink is discharged from the inside of the ink flow path 22 to the reflux pipe 63 through the discharge port 222. The ink discharged from the discharge port 222 passes through the on-off valve 631, and after the solidified component of the ink is removed by the filter 632, the ink is returned to the ink tank 51. As described above, the open / close valve 631 is provided in the reflux pipe 63 serving as a discharge path, and constitutes an open / close section that can be switched between an open state and a closed state.
 回復工程を除く、画像記録工程や待機時間においては、開閉弁631は閉状態である。これにより、インク室23内の圧力が負圧になるように、加圧タンク53内の圧力を調整した場合であっても、還流配管63から排出口222を介してインク流路22内へとインクが流入しない。 During the image recording process and standby time, excluding the recovery process, the on-off valve 631 is closed. Thereby, even when the pressure in the pressurizing tank 53 is adjusted so that the pressure in the ink chamber 23 becomes negative, the ink flows from the reflux pipe 63 into the ink flow path 22 through the discharge port 222. Ink does not flow.
 圧力発生素子43を用いたインク滴の吐出を行うと、インクの吐出後、圧力室24内の圧力が一時的に低下する。すると、インク室23から圧力室24へとインクが補充される。これにより、インク流路22からインク室23へインクが供給され、さらに第2供給配管62を介して加圧タンク53からインク流路22へとインクが供給される。 When ink droplets are ejected using the pressure generating element 43, the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 temporarily decreases after ink ejection. Then, ink is replenished from the ink chamber 23 to the pressure chamber 24. As a result, ink is supplied from the ink flow path 22 to the ink chamber 23, and ink is further supplied from the pressure tank 53 to the ink flow path 22 via the second supply pipe 62.
 <2.回復工程について>
 続いて、記録装置1における記録ヘッド20の回復工程について、図3、図4および図5、図6を参照しつつ説明する。図5は、本実施形態の回復工程の流れを示すフローチャートである。図6は、本実施形態の回復工程における記録ヘッド20の様子を表した図である。
<2. About recovery process>
Next, the recovery process of the recording head 20 in the recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the recovery process of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of the recording head 20 in the recovery process of the present embodiment.
 本実施形態の記録装置1では、記録ヘッド20から吐出するインクは、沈降性成分を含む。そのため、長時間インクの吐出を行わないと、図3に示すように、記録ヘッドのインク流路22内において、沈降性成分200が下方へと沈降し、滞留する。 In the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the ink ejected from the recording head 20 includes a sedimenting component. Therefore, if ink is not ejected for a long time, as shown in FIG. 3, the sedimentation component 200 settles down and stays in the ink flow path 22 of the recording head.
 画像記録工程、スピッティング、またはフラッシング等の、圧力発生素子43を用いたノズル44からのインク滴の吐出を行った場合、インク流路22内には、図3中に実線矢印で示すように、インク流路22から第1連通口41を介してインク室23へ向かうインクの流れが生じる。この場合、第1連通口41付近に滞留した沈降性成分200は多少除去されるものの、インク流路22内全体に滞留した沈降性成分200を全て解消するのは困難である。そこで、本発明では、以下に説明する回復工程を行う。本実施形態の回復工程は、記録ヘッド20の内部を加圧して記録ヘッド20内のクリーニングを行う、いわゆる加圧パージの一種である。以下に、図5を参照しつつ回復工程の流れを説明する。 When an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 44 using the pressure generating element 43, such as an image recording process, spitting, or flushing, the ink flow path 22 is indicated by a solid arrow in FIG. Ink flow from the ink flow path 22 to the ink chamber 23 via the first communication port 41 is generated. In this case, although the sedimentation component 200 staying in the vicinity of the first communication port 41 is somewhat removed, it is difficult to eliminate all the sedimentation component 200 staying in the entire ink flow path 22. Therefore, in the present invention, the recovery process described below is performed. The recovery process of the present embodiment is a kind of so-called pressure purge in which the inside of the recording head 20 is pressurized to clean the inside of the recording head 20. Hereinafter, the flow of the recovery process will be described with reference to FIG.
 まず、ノズル44とキャップ31とを対向させる(ステップS101)。すなわち、制御部80は、キャップ移動機構32を動作させ、キャップ31をノズル対向位置に配置する。これにより、後述するステップS103において、ノズル44から吐出されるインクは、キャップ31内に向かう。 First, the nozzle 44 and the cap 31 are made to face each other (step S101). That is, the control unit 80 operates the cap moving mechanism 32 to place the cap 31 at the nozzle facing position. Accordingly, the ink ejected from the nozzle 44 is directed into the cap 31 in step S103 described later.
 次に、制御部80は、図4に示す開閉弁631を開放し、開状態とする(ステップS102)。これにより、記録ヘッド20のインク流路22の内部から、排出口222および還流配管63を介してインクを排出することが可能となる。 Next, the control unit 80 opens the on-off valve 631 shown in FIG. 4 to make it open (step S102). As a result, the ink can be discharged from the inside of the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 via the discharge port 222 and the reflux pipe 63.
 そして、開閉弁631を開状態とし、還流配管63の連通が確保された状態において、圧力調整部531が加圧タンク53の内部の加圧を実行する(ステップS103)。圧力調整部531により加圧が実行されると、加圧タンク53内に貯留されたインクが第2供給配管62を介して記録ヘッド20のインク流路22に供給される。これにより、インク流路22内の圧力が上昇する。 Then, in a state where the on-off valve 631 is opened and the communication of the reflux pipe 63 is ensured, the pressure adjusting unit 531 executes pressurization inside the pressurizing tank 53 (step S103). When pressurization is executed by the pressure adjustment unit 531, the ink stored in the pressurization tank 53 is supplied to the ink flow path 22 of the recording head 20 via the second supply pipe 62. Thereby, the pressure in the ink flow path 22 rises.
 インク流路22内の圧力が上昇することにより、インク流路22に供給されたインクの一部は、排出口222を介して還流配管63へ排出される。そして、還流配管63へ排出されたインクは、フィルタ632により異物が取り除かれ、インクタンク51へと供給される。 When the pressure in the ink flow path 22 rises, a part of the ink supplied to the ink flow path 22 is discharged to the reflux pipe 63 through the discharge port 222. Then, the ink discharged to the reflux pipe 63 is removed from the foreign matter by the filter 632 and supplied to the ink tank 51.
 インク流路22内から還流配管63へインクが排出されると、図6中白抜き矢印で示すように、供給口221から排出口222へと向かうインクの流れが生じる。これにより、インク流路22内の下方に滞留した沈降性成分200を分散できる。すなわち、インク流路22内における沈降性成分200の滞留を解消できる。 When ink is discharged from the ink flow path 22 to the reflux pipe 63, the ink flows from the supply port 221 to the discharge port 222 as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. Thereby, the sedimentary component 200 staying below in the ink flow path 22 can be dispersed. That is, the retention of the sedimentary component 200 in the ink flow path 22 can be eliminated.
 また、インク流路22内の圧力が上昇すると、インク流路22に供給されたインクの他の一部は、図6中実線矢印で示すように、インク室23および圧力室24を介して、各ノズル44から吐出される。 Further, when the pressure in the ink flow path 22 increases, another part of the ink supplied to the ink flow path 22 passes through the ink chamber 23 and the pressure chamber 24 as shown by solid line arrows in FIG. It is discharged from each nozzle 44.
 ステップS103の開始前後から終了後まで、制御部80は、インク排出機構311を動作させる。これにより、各ノズル44からキャップ31に対して吐出されたインクは、インク排出機構311によりキャップ31内から排出され、廃棄または再生される。 The controller 80 operates the ink discharge mechanism 311 from before and after the start of step S103 to after the end. As a result, the ink discharged from each nozzle 44 to the cap 31 is discharged from the cap 31 by the ink discharge mechanism 311 and discarded or regenerated.
 このように、回復工程において各ノズル44からインクが吐出されることにより、インク室23内および圧力室24内に滞留した沈降性成分200が排出される。したがって、インク流路22内の沈降性成分200を分散させると同時に、インク室23内および圧力室24内における沈降性成分200の滞留も解消できる。 In this way, by discharging ink from each nozzle 44 in the recovery process, the sedimentary component 200 staying in the ink chamber 23 and the pressure chamber 24 is discharged. Therefore, the sedimentation component 200 in the ink flow path 22 is dispersed, and at the same time, the retention of the sedimentation component 200 in the ink chamber 23 and the pressure chamber 24 can be eliminated.
 加圧が終了すると、制御部80は、開閉弁631を閉鎖し、閉状態とする(ステップS104)。そして、圧力調整部531により、加圧タンク53内および記録ヘッド20内の圧力が、画像記録工程の際と同じ圧力となるように調節する。その後、記録ヘッド20の下面側に付着したインクを、拭取り機構(図示せず)により拭き取る(ステップS105)。これにより、ノズル44の露出面をクリーニングする。 When the pressurization is completed, the control unit 80 closes the on-off valve 631 to a closed state (step S104). Then, the pressure adjusting unit 531 adjusts the pressure in the pressurizing tank 53 and the recording head 20 so as to be the same as that in the image recording process. Thereafter, the ink adhering to the lower surface side of the recording head 20 is wiped off by a wiping mechanism (not shown) (step S105). Thereby, the exposed surface of the nozzle 44 is cleaned.
 なお、本実施形態では、回復工程においてインク流路22から排出口222を介して還流配管63へ排出されるインクの流量は、複数のノズル44の全てから吐出されるインクの総流量よりも大きい。これにより、インク流路22内において供給口221から排出口222へ向かうインクの流量が十分に確保される。したがって、インク流路22内に滞留した沈降性成分200を、より効率よく分散できる。 In the present embodiment, the flow rate of ink discharged from the ink flow path 22 through the discharge port 222 to the reflux pipe 63 in the recovery process is larger than the total flow rate of ink discharged from all of the plurality of nozzles 44. . As a result, the ink flow rate from the supply port 221 toward the discharge port 222 in the ink flow path 22 is sufficiently secured. Therefore, the sedimentary component 200 staying in the ink flow path 22 can be more efficiently dispersed.
 排出口222を介して排出されるインクの流量をより大きくするために、排出口222および還流配管63の流路断面積をより大きくしてもよい。この場合、インク流路22から第1連通口41、インク室23、第2連通口42、圧力室24、およびノズル44を介するインクの流路抵抗と比べて、インク流路22から排出口222および還流配管63を介するインクの流路抵抗が、より小さくなる。 In order to increase the flow rate of the ink discharged through the discharge port 222, the flow path cross-sectional areas of the discharge port 222 and the reflux pipe 63 may be increased. In this case, compared with the ink flow path resistance from the ink flow path 22 through the first communication port 41, the ink chamber 23, the second communication port 42, the pressure chamber 24, and the nozzle 44, the discharge port 222 from the ink flow path 22. In addition, the ink flow resistance through the reflux pipe 63 is further reduced.
 これにより、排出口222を介して還流配管63へ排出されるインクの流量は、複数のノズル44の全てから吐出されるインクの総流量よりも、さらに大きくなる。したがって、インク流路22内に滞留した沈降性成分200を、さらに効率よく分散できる。 Thereby, the flow rate of the ink discharged to the reflux pipe 63 through the discharge port 222 becomes larger than the total flow rate of the ink discharged from all of the plurality of nozzles 44. Therefore, the sedimentation component 200 staying in the ink flow path 22 can be dispersed more efficiently.
 また、本実施形態では、前述の通り、記録ヘッド20から還流配管63へ排出されたインクは、インクタンク51へと還流される。そのため、回復工程においてインク流路22内から排出口222を介して排出されたインクは、インクタンク51へ回収され、その後の画像記録工程や回復工程に再利用できる。これにより、回復工程におけるインクの廃棄量を抑制できる。 In this embodiment, as described above, the ink discharged from the recording head 20 to the reflux pipe 63 is returned to the ink tank 51. Therefore, the ink discharged from the ink flow path 22 through the discharge port 222 in the recovery process is collected into the ink tank 51 and can be reused in the subsequent image recording process and recovery process. Thereby, the amount of ink discarded in the recovery process can be suppressed.
 <3.変形例>
 以上、本発明の一実施形態について説明したが、本発明は、上記の実施形態に限定されるものではない。
<3. Modification>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
 上記の一実施形態では、インク流路22とノズル44との間にインク室23および圧力室24の2つの液体充填室が介在したが、本発明はこの限りではない。インク流路22と圧力室24が直接連通し、インク流路22とノズル44との間に圧力室24という1つの液体充填室のみが介在してもよい。また、インク流路22と圧力室24の間に複数のインク室23が介在してもよい。すなわち、インク流路22とノズル44との間に2つ以上のインク室23と圧力室24という3つ以上の液体充填室が介在してもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the two liquid filling chambers, the ink chamber 23 and the pressure chamber 24, are interposed between the ink flow path 22 and the nozzle 44, but the present invention is not limited to this. The ink flow path 22 and the pressure chamber 24 may directly communicate with each other, and only one liquid filling chamber called the pressure chamber 24 may be interposed between the ink flow path 22 and the nozzle 44. A plurality of ink chambers 23 may be interposed between the ink flow path 22 and the pressure chamber 24. That is, three or more liquid filling chambers of two or more ink chambers 23 and pressure chambers 24 may be interposed between the ink flow path 22 and the nozzle 44.
 また、上記の一実施形態では、記録ヘッド20の位置を固定し、記録ヘッド20に対してキャップ31の位置を移動させたが、本発明はこの限りではない。キャップ31の位置を固定し、記録ヘッド20を、キャップ31と対向する待機位置と、印刷用紙9と対向する印刷位置との間で移動させてもよい。 In the above embodiment, the position of the recording head 20 is fixed and the position of the cap 31 is moved with respect to the recording head 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. The position of the cap 31 may be fixed, and the recording head 20 may be moved between a standby position facing the cap 31 and a printing position facing the printing paper 9.
 また、上記の一実施形態では、記録ヘッド20の位置を固定し、記録ヘッド20に対して印刷用紙9を移動させつつ、印刷用紙9に対してインクを吐出していた。しかしながら、印刷用紙9の位置を固定し、当該印刷用紙9に対して記録ヘッド20を移動させつつ、印刷用紙9に対してインクを吐出してもよい。 In the above embodiment, the position of the recording head 20 is fixed, and the ink is ejected onto the printing paper 9 while moving the printing paper 9 relative to the recording head 20. However, the position of the printing paper 9 may be fixed, and the ink may be ejected onto the printing paper 9 while moving the recording head 20 relative to the printing paper 9.
 また、上記の一実施形態では、還流配管63に設けられた開閉部が開閉弁631であった。しかしながら、排出路に設けられる開閉部は、ダイアフラムポンプやチュービングポンプ等の、停止時に連通が閉状態となるポンプであってもよい。本発明では、排出路の連通を確保する開状態と排出路の連通を遮断する閉状態とに切替可能であれば、開閉弁以外の開閉部を用いてもよい。 In the above embodiment, the opening / closing part provided in the reflux pipe 63 is the opening / closing valve 631. However, the opening / closing part provided in the discharge path may be a pump such as a diaphragm pump or a tubing pump that is closed during communication. In the present invention, an opening / closing part other than the opening / closing valve may be used as long as it can be switched between an open state for ensuring communication of the discharge path and a closed state for blocking communication of the discharge path.
 なお、排出路に設けられる開閉部としてこのようなポンプを用いる場合、当該ポンプの駆動時(開状態)において、当該ポンプの流量を制御することにより、記録ヘッドから排出路へ排出されるインクの流量を制御してもよい。この場合、ノズルから吐出されるインクの総流量と、記録ヘッドから排出路へ排出されるインクの流量とを、より正確に制御できる。 When such a pump is used as an opening / closing portion provided in the discharge path, the flow rate of the pump is controlled when the pump is driven (open state), so that the ink discharged from the recording head to the discharge path can be controlled. The flow rate may be controlled. In this case, the total flow rate of the ink discharged from the nozzles and the flow rate of the ink discharged from the recording head to the discharge path can be controlled more accurately.
 また、上記の一実施形態では、記録ヘッド20の排出口222から排出されたインクがインクタンク51へと還流されるが、本発明はこの限りではない。回復工程において記録ヘッド20の排出口222から排出されたインクが、インクタンク51へと還流されず、排出路を介して記録装置1の外部へ排出される構成であってもよい。 In the above embodiment, the ink discharged from the discharge port 222 of the recording head 20 is returned to the ink tank 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The ink discharged from the discharge port 222 of the recording head 20 in the recovery process may be discharged to the outside of the recording apparatus 1 through the discharge path without being returned to the ink tank 51.
 また、上記の一実施形態では、各ノズル44から吐出されるインク滴のサイズを、大サイズ、中サイズおよび小サイズの3種類から選択可能であった。しかしながら、各ノズルから吐出可能なインク滴のサイズは、1種類または2種類であってもよく、4種類以上であてもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the size of the ink droplets ejected from each nozzle 44 can be selected from three types: large size, medium size, and small size. However, the size of ink droplets that can be ejected from each nozzle may be one or two types, or may be four or more types.
 また、上記の記録装置1は、記録媒体としての印刷用紙9に画像を記録するものであった。しかしながら、本発明の記録装置は、一般的な紙以外のシート状の記録媒体(例えば、樹脂製のフィルム等)に、画像等のパターンを記録するものであってもよい。 Further, the recording apparatus 1 described above records an image on a printing paper 9 as a recording medium. However, the recording apparatus of the present invention may record a pattern such as an image on a sheet-like recording medium (for example, a resin film) other than general paper.
 また、上記の実施形態や変形例に登場した各要素を、矛盾が生じない範囲で、適宜に組み合わせてもよい。 Further, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined within a range where no contradiction occurs.
 1 記録装置
 9 印刷用紙
 10 搬送機構
 20 記録ヘッド
 22 インク流路
 23 インク室
 24 圧力室
 31 キャップ
 41 第1連通口
 42 第2連通口
 43 圧力発生素子
 44 ノズル
 61 第1供給配管
 62 第2供給配管
 63 還流配管
 80 制御部
 200 沈降性成分
 221 供給口
 222 排出口
 51 インクタンク
 52 ポンプ
 53 加圧タンク
 531 圧力調整部
 532 液面センサ
 631 開閉弁
 632 フィルタ
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording device 9 Printing paper 10 Conveyance mechanism 20 Recording head 22 Ink flow path 23 Ink chamber 24 Pressure chamber 31 Cap 41 First communication port 42 Second communication port 43 Pressure generating element 44 Nozzle 61 First supply piping 62 Second supply piping 63 Reflux piping 80 Control unit 200 Sedimentable component 221 Supply port 222 Discharge port 51 Ink tank 52 Pump 53 Pressure tank 531 Pressure adjustment unit 532 Liquid level sensor 631 On-off valve 632 Filter

Claims (8)

  1.  液体を吐出する複数のノズルを有する、吐出ヘッドと、
     前記液体を貯留する、液体貯留部と、
     前記液体貯留部の内部を加圧する、加圧部と、
     前記液体貯留部から前記吐出ヘッドへ前記液体を供給する、供給路と、
     前記吐出ヘッドの内部から前記液体を排出する、排出路と、
     前記排出路に設けられ、前記排出路の連通を確保する開状態と前記排出路の連通を遮断する閉状態とに切替可能である、開閉部と、
     前記加圧部および前記開閉部を制御する、制御部と、
    を有し、
     前記吐出ヘッドは、
      前記供給路に連通する供給口と、前記排出路に連通する排出口とを有する、液体流路と、
      前記液体流路に連通する連通口を有する、液体充填室と、
      一端が前記液体充填室に連通し、他端が前記吐出ヘッドの外へ露出する、複数の前記ノズルと、
    を有し、
     前記制御部は、前記開閉部を前記開状態としつつ、前記加圧部による加圧を実行させ、
     前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体貯留部に貯留された前記液体が前記供給路を介して前記液体流路に供給され、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の少なくとも一部が、前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出される、液体吐出装置。
    An ejection head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid;
    A liquid storage section for storing the liquid;
    Pressurizing the interior of the liquid reservoir,
    A supply path for supplying the liquid from the liquid reservoir to the ejection head;
    A discharge path for discharging the liquid from the inside of the discharge head;
    An opening / closing part provided in the discharge path and switchable between an open state for securing communication of the discharge path and a closed state for blocking communication of the discharge path;
    A control unit for controlling the pressurizing unit and the opening / closing unit;
    Have
    The ejection head is
    A liquid flow path having a supply port communicating with the supply path and a discharge port communicating with the discharge path;
    A liquid filling chamber having a communication port communicating with the liquid flow path;
    A plurality of the nozzles, one end communicating with the liquid filling chamber and the other end exposed to the outside of the ejection head;
    Have
    The control unit causes the pressurizing unit to perform pressurization while the open / close unit is in the open state,
    When the pressurization is performed, the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit is supplied to the liquid channel through the supply channel, and at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid channel is discharged from the liquid channel. A liquid ejection device that is discharged to the discharge path through an outlet.
  2.  請求項1に記載の液体吐出装置であって、
     前記液体充填室は、
      前記液体流路に直接連通する前記連通口を有する、第1液体充填室と、
      前記第1液体充填室と、直接または間接的に連通し、それぞれ単独の前記ノズルと連通する、複数の第2液体充填室と、
    を含む、液体吐出装置。
    The liquid ejection device according to claim 1,
    The liquid filling chamber is
    A first liquid filling chamber having the communication port directly communicating with the liquid channel;
    A plurality of second liquid filling chambers that communicate directly or indirectly with the first liquid filling chamber, each communicating with a single nozzle;
    A liquid ejection apparatus comprising:
  3.  請求項2に記載の液体吐出装置であって、
     前記第2液体充填室には、それぞれ、圧力発生素子が備えられ、
     前記圧力発生素子が駆動すると、前記第2液体充填室内が加圧され、前記ノズルから前記液体が液滴として吐出される、液体吐出装置。
    The liquid ejection device according to claim 2,
    Each of the second liquid filling chambers is provided with a pressure generating element,
    When the pressure generating element is driven, the second liquid filling chamber is pressurized, and the liquid is discharged as droplets from the nozzle.
  4.  請求項1ないし請求項3のいずれかに記載の液体吐出装置であって、
     前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体貯留部に貯留された前記液体が前記供給路を介して前記液体流路に供給され、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の一部が前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出されるとともに、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の他の一部が前記液体充填室を介して複数の前記ノズルから吐出される、液体吐出装置。
    A liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    When the pressurization is performed, the liquid stored in the liquid storage section is supplied to the liquid flow path via the supply path, and a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path passes through the discharge port. A liquid discharge device that discharges the liquid to the discharge path and discharges another part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path from the plurality of nozzles via the liquid filling chamber.
  5.  請求項4に記載の液体吐出装置であって、
     前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体流路から前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出される前記液体の流量は、複数の前記ノズルから吐出される前記液体の総流量よりも大きい、液体吐出装置。
    The liquid ejection device according to claim 4,
    When the pressurization is performed, the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the liquid channel to the discharge path through the discharge port is larger than the total flow rate of the liquid discharged from the plurality of nozzles. apparatus.
  6.  液体を吐出する複数のノズルを有する吐出ヘッドと、前記吐出ヘッドに供給路を介して供給する前記液体を貯留する液体貯留部と、前記吐出ヘッドから前記液体を排出する排出路と、前記液体貯留部の内部を加圧する加圧部とを備える液体吐出装置の制御方法であって、
     前記排出路に設けられた開閉部を開状態として前記排出路の連通が確保された状態において、前記加圧部による加圧を実行させ、
     前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体貯留部に貯留された前記液体が前記供給路を介して前記吐出ヘッド内の液体流路に供給され、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の少なくとも一部が前記排出路へ排出される、液体吐出装置の制御方法。
    An ejection head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid, a liquid storage section for storing the liquid supplied to the ejection head via a supply path, a discharge path for discharging the liquid from the ejection head, and the liquid storage A method of controlling a liquid ejection apparatus comprising a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the inside of the unit,
    In a state where the opening and closing part provided in the discharge path is in an open state and communication of the discharge path is secured, pressurization by the pressurization unit is executed,
    At the time of performing the pressurization, the liquid stored in the liquid storage section is supplied to the liquid flow path in the discharge head via the supply path, and at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path A method for controlling a liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the liquid is discharged to the discharge path.
  7.  請求項6に記載の液体吐出装置の制御方法であって、
     前記吐出ヘッドは、
      前記供給路に連通する供給口と、前記排出路に連通する排出口とを有する、前記液体流路と、
      前記液体流路に連通する連通口を有する、液体充填室と、
      一端が前記液体充填室に連通し、他端が前記吐出ヘッドの外へ露出する、複数の前記ノズルと、
    を有し、
     前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の一部が前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出されるとともに、前記液体流路に供給された前記液体の他の一部が前記液体充填室を介して複数の前記ノズルから吐出される、液体吐出装置の制御方法。
    It is a control method of the liquid ejection device according to claim 6,
    The ejection head is
    The liquid flow path having a supply port communicating with the supply path and a discharge port communicating with the discharge path;
    A liquid filling chamber having a communication port communicating with the liquid flow path;
    A plurality of the nozzles, one end communicating with the liquid filling chamber and the other end exposed to the outside of the ejection head;
    Have
    When the pressurization is performed, a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path is discharged to the discharge path through the discharge port, and another part of the liquid supplied to the liquid flow path. A method for controlling a liquid discharge apparatus, wherein a portion is discharged from the plurality of nozzles via the liquid filling chamber.
  8.  請求項7に記載の液体吐出装置の制御方法であって、
     前記加圧の実行時に、前記液体流路から前記排出口を介して前記排出路へ排出される前記液体の流量は、複数の前記ノズルから吐出される前記液体の総流量よりも大きい、液体吐出装置の制御方法。
    It is a control method of the liquid ejection device according to claim 7,
    When the pressurization is performed, the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the liquid channel to the discharge path through the discharge port is larger than the total flow rate of the liquid discharged from the plurality of nozzles. Control method of the device.
PCT/JP2015/051791 2014-03-17 2015-01-23 Fluid discharge device and control method therefor WO2015141274A1 (en)

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