WO2022018839A1 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Inkjet recording device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022018839A1
WO2022018839A1 PCT/JP2020/028352 JP2020028352W WO2022018839A1 WO 2022018839 A1 WO2022018839 A1 WO 2022018839A1 JP 2020028352 W JP2020028352 W JP 2020028352W WO 2022018839 A1 WO2022018839 A1 WO 2022018839A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
unit
filter
inkjet recording
nozzle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2020/028352
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
圭一郎 鈴木
Original Assignee
コニカミノルタ株式会社
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 コニカミノルタ株式会社 filed Critical コニカミノルタ株式会社
Priority to PCT/JP2020/028352 priority Critical patent/WO2022018839A1/en
Priority to JP2022538539A priority patent/JPWO2022018839A1/ja
Publication of WO2022018839A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022018839A1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters 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
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters 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
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inkjet recording device.
  • inkjet recording device that ejects ink from a nozzle to record images, thin films, structures, etc.
  • these foreign substances obstruct the flow of the ink. In particular, clogging of the nozzle may occur.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a cleaning liquid is regurgitated from the nozzle side so that the cleaning liquid can be switched to a different flow path from the ink tank for storing the ink for supplying the regurgitated cleaning liquid.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device capable of cleaning a filter more efficiently.
  • the invention according to claim 1 is Ink reservoir and A nozzle that ejects ink supplied from the ink reservoir and An ink flow path connecting the ink reservoir and the nozzle, A liquid feeding unit that feeds ink in a predetermined direction in the middle of the ink flow path, Equipped with The ink flow path is With a filter A first switching unit having a first end and a second end and having a switchable connection destination of the second end, A second switching unit having a third end and a fourth end and having a switchable connection destination of the fourth end, Have, The first end and the third end are connected to each other on opposite sides of the liquid feeding portion, respectively. The second end and the fourth end are inkjet recording devices capable of selectively switching the connection destination between the ink storage portion side and the nozzle side, respectively.
  • the invention according to claim 2 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. Equipped with a control unit
  • the control unit connects one of the second end and the fourth end to the side of the ink storage unit, connects the other to the side of the nozzle, and replaces the one with the other in synchronization.
  • the invention according to claim 3 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2.
  • the control unit When cleaning the filter, the control unit performs the replacement of the one and the other a plurality of times.
  • the invention according to claim 4 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
  • a third switching unit that is located closer to the ink storage unit than the filter, the second end and the fourth end, has a fifth end and a sixth end, and the connection destination of the sixth end can be switched.
  • An ink ejection unit that ejects ink from the ink flow path and Equipped with The fifth end is connected to the nozzle side of the ink flow path, and the sixth end can selectively switch the connection destination between the ink storage unit and the ink ejection unit. ..
  • the invention according to claim 5 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4.
  • the ink discharging unit has an ink collecting unit that collects the discharged ink.
  • the invention according to claim 6 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4 or 5. Equipped with a control unit The control unit When the ink is ejected from the nozzle, the sixth end is connected to the ink storage portion. When cleaning the filter, the sixth end is connected to the ink discharging portion.
  • the invention according to claim 7 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
  • the third switching unit is a three-way valve.
  • the invention according to claim 8 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
  • the first switching unit and the second switching unit are three-way valves.
  • the invention according to claim 9 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
  • the filter is located between the second and fourth ends and the ink reservoir.
  • the invention according to claim 10 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
  • the inkjet head having the nozzle and the filter is provided.
  • the second end and the fourth end are located closer to the ink reservoir than the filter in the ink flow path.
  • the filter can be cleaned more efficiently in the inkjet recording device.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the inkjet recording device 1 of the present embodiment.
  • the inkjet recording device 1 includes a transport drive unit 11, an ink supply unit 20, an inkjet head 30, a control unit 40, a maintenance unit 50, a communication unit 61, an operation reception unit 62, a display unit 63, and the like. ..
  • the transport drive unit 11 moves the medium on which the image is recorded by the inkjet recording device 1 to the recording position, and also discharges the medium from the recording position.
  • the transport drive unit 11 has, for example, a rotary motor or the like.
  • the medium is moved by being placed on a belt or the like directly or spanned by a roller rotated by the rotary motor.
  • the ink supply unit 20 supplies the ink used for the image recording operation to the inkjet head 30.
  • the ink supply unit 20 includes a liquid feed pump 24 (liquid feed unit), a first switching unit 25, a second switching unit 26, a third switching unit 22, and the like. The configuration of the ink supply unit 20 will be described later.
  • the inkjet head 30 performs an operation of ejecting ink onto a medium and recording an image.
  • the inkjet head 30 includes a head drive unit 31, a piezoelectric element 32, a nozzle 33, and the like.
  • a plurality of nozzles 33 for ejecting ink may be arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern.
  • the piezoelectric element 32 is deformed by applying a predetermined voltage pattern, and gives pressure fluctuation according to the deformation to the ink in the ink flow path communicating with the nozzle 33.
  • the piezoelectric element 32 is provided corresponding to each nozzle 33.
  • the head drive unit 31 outputs a drive voltage signal input from a drive waveform generation circuit (not shown) to each piezoelectric element at an appropriate timing according to the image data.
  • the control unit 40 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the inkjet recording device 1.
  • the control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit 42, and the like.
  • the CPU 41 is a hardware processor that performs various arithmetic processes.
  • the CPU 41 executes a program stored in the storage unit 42 to execute various control processes.
  • the control process includes a cleaning process of the filter 23 (see FIG. 2A) included in the ink flow path 200 (see FIG. 2A) of the ink supply unit 20.
  • the storage unit 42 stores various data.
  • the storage unit 42 includes a volatile memory (RAM; RandomAccessMemory) and a non-volatile memory.
  • the RAM provides a memory space for work to the CPU 41, and also stores temporary data such as image data to be recorded and processing data thereof.
  • the non-volatile memory includes a flash memory and / or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores programs, setting data, and the like.
  • the maintenance unit 50 performs maintenance operations such as cleaning the ink supply unit 20 and the inkjet head 30.
  • the communication unit 61 controls communication with an external device according to a predetermined communication standard.
  • the communication unit 61 has, for example, a network card, controls communication with an external device such as a print server via a LAN (Local Area Network), and acquires job data including image data to be recorded. Or output status data related to image recording processing.
  • a network card controls communication with an external device such as a print server via a LAN (Local Area Network)
  • LAN Local Area Network
  • the operation reception unit 62 receives an operation from the outside by a user or the like and outputs it as an input signal to the control unit 40.
  • the operation reception unit 62 has, for example, a touch panel provided so as to overlap the display screen of the display unit 63, detects a touch operation, and outputs information such as its position. Further, the operation reception unit 62 may have a numeric keypad, a push button switch, or the like.
  • the display unit 63 performs various display operations based on the control of the control unit 40.
  • the display unit 63 has a display screen, and displays a setting reception menu, a status, and the like related to the image recording operation on the display screen. Examples of the display screen include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display screen. Further, the display unit 63 has a lamp such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and may be turned on or blinked depending on a power supply state or an abnormality occurrence state.
  • LED Light Emitting Diode
  • the ink supply unit 20 includes an ink tank 21 (ink storage unit) in addition to the liquid feed pump 24, the first switching unit 25, the second switching unit 26, and the third switching unit 22.
  • the portion between the ink outlet of the ink tank 21 and the inlet of the collecting portion 29 to the connection position with the nozzle 33 is referred to as the ink flow path 200. That is, the third switching unit 22, the filter 23, the first switching unit 25, the second switching unit 26, and the intermediate tank 27 are included in the ink flow path 200.
  • the ink tank 21 stores ink to be supplied to the inkjet head 30 (nozzle 33).
  • the ink in the ink tank 21 may be supplied by an externally removable pack, bottle, or the like, or through an opening.
  • the third switching unit 22 switches the connection destination (sixth end T6) of the ink flow path 200 to the inkjet head 30 between the ink tank 21 and the collecting unit 29.
  • the third switching unit 22 is, for example, a 3-port solenoid valve (three-way valve). Normally, the ink tank 21 and the inkjet head 30 are communicated with each other and turned on, so that the ink tank 21 is separated and collected. Part 29 is communicated.
  • the port (fifth end T5) on the nozzle 33 side of the third switching unit 22 is fixedly connected to the filter 23.
  • the filter 23 is located between the ink tank 21 (third switching unit 22), the first switching unit 25 (second end T2), and the second switching unit 26 (fourth end T4).
  • the filter 23 prevents foreign matter contained in the ink tank 21 from flowing to the inkjet head 30.
  • the filter 23 may be replaceable.
  • the liquid feed pump 24 is located in the middle of the ink flow path 200, one end thereof is fixedly connected to the port (third end T3) of the second switching portion 26, and the other end (opposite side) is the first switching portion 25. Is fixedly connected to the port (first end T1) of.
  • the liquid feed pump 24 performs an operation of pressurizing ink (in a predetermined direction) from the third end T3 of the second switching unit 26 to the first end T1 of the first switching unit 25 to supply the liquid.
  • the type of the liquid feed pump 24 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a diaphragm pump or the like.
  • the liquid feeding operation of the liquid feeding pump 24 is usually performed intermittently according to the ink ejection from the inkjet head 30.
  • the ink discharge operation from the nozzle 33, and the pressure discharge operation (pressure purge) the ink is continuously operated as needed.
  • the liquid feeding amount of the liquid feeding pump 24 may be variable.
  • the first switching unit 25 transfers the output from the liquid feed pump 24 (the connection destination of the second end T2) between the filter 23 (the side of the ink tank 21) and the intermediate tank 27 (the side of the nozzle 33) by an on / off signal. Switch selectively with.
  • the second end T2 is connected to the intermediate tank 27. It is turned on during normal ink supply.
  • the second switching unit 26 selectively switches the input to the liquid feed pump 24 (the connection destination of the fourth end T4) between the filter 23 and the intermediate tank 27.
  • the fourth end T4 is connected to the intermediate tank 27.
  • Both the first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 may be a three-way valve having the same configuration as the third switching unit 22.
  • ink flows from the filter 23 to the liquid feed pump 24 via the second switching unit 26, and the ink output from the liquid feed pump 24 flows to the intermediate tank 27 via the first switching unit 25.
  • the intermediate tank 27 is an ink tank smaller than the ink tank 21 that stores an appropriate amount of ink that has passed through the filter 23.
  • the intermediate tank 27 is hermetically sealed so that foreign matter and air bubbles are not newly mixed. Further, the intermediate tank 27 may be configured such that the ink is maintained at atmospheric pressure.
  • the intermediate tank 27 is connected to the inkjet head 30. In the inkjet head 30, the position of the nozzle surface where the openings of the nozzle 33 are lined up may be slightly higher in the vertical direction than the position of the intermediate tank 27 so that the ink inside may have a slightly negative pressure.
  • the collecting unit 29 collects (collects) ink discharged from the ink flow path 200, here, ink containing foreign matter removed from the filter 23 when cleaning the filter 23, and a cleaning liquid.
  • the collecting unit 29 is a collecting bottle or the like, but the shape, size, material, etc. are not particularly limited as long as it does not react with the ink and the ink can be appropriately disposed of.
  • the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 30 can face the liquid receiving portion 51 of the maintenance portion 50.
  • a predetermined amount of a cleaning liquid for nozzle cleaning is stored in the liquid receiving portion 51, and the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 30 can be immersed in the cleaning liquid.
  • FIG. 2B shows the flow path of the cleaning liquid when cleaning the filter 23.
  • the cleaning liquid is made to flow back from the liquid receiving portion 51 so that the foreign matter adhering to the upstream surface side (the side of the ink tank 21) of the filter 23 can be peeled off and removed.
  • the on / off of the first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 is reversed, the output of the liquid feed pump 24 (second end T2) in the first switching unit 25 is connected to the filter 23, and the second switching unit 26 Input to the filter 23 (fourth end T4) leads to the intermediate tank 27.
  • the cleaning liquid and the ink in the flow path flow from the intermediate tank 27 to the liquid feed pump 24 through the second switching unit 26 without changing the operating direction of the liquid feed pump 24, and the liquid feed pump 24 to the second. 1
  • the third switching unit 22 is also switched on and off, and the ink tank 21 is separated from the sixth end T6 and connected to the collecting unit 29. As a result, the cleaning liquid and the foreign matter peeled off from the filter 23 flow into the collecting portion 29.
  • the foreign matter adhering to the filter 23 may not completely peel off from the filter 23. Since the foreign matter that has partially peeled off extends downstream along the flow, the resistance to the flow becomes small and the remaining part becomes difficult to peel off.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 1 when cleaning the filter 23, not only the cleaning liquid is simply backflowed (backwashing), but also the flow path direction is periodically switched between the forward feed direction and the reverse feed direction a plurality of times. The foreign matter is finally pushed upstream while being returned to the filter 23 side several times.
  • the ink flow can be generated not only near the center of the filter 23 but also near the periphery of the pipe wall surface of the ink flow path 200 where the flow velocity does not increase when the ink flow becomes a stable laminar flow. Foreign matter is also easily removed.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the filter cleaning control process executed by the inkjet recording device 1.
  • This filter cleaning control process is started, for example, based on a predetermined operation received by the operation reception unit 62. Further, this process may be automatically performed periodically on a regular basis.
  • control unit 40 (CPU 41) sets the liquid receiving unit 51 at a position where the cleaning liquid is filled and the nozzle surface is immersed (step S101).
  • the control unit 40 sets the variable N to “0” (step S102).
  • the control unit 40 starts the liquid feeding operation of the liquid feeding pump 24 (step S103). If the liquid feed pump 24 is operating from the beginning, the operation of the liquid feed pump 24 may be continued as it is.
  • the control unit 40 turns off the first switching unit 25 and turns on the second switching unit 26 and the third switching unit 22, so that the ink and the cleaning liquid flow from the inkjet head 30 to the collecting unit 29 (reverse feed). Direction) (step S104).
  • the control unit 40 adds 1 to the variable N (step S105).
  • the control unit 40 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the switching operation in step S103 (step S106). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (“NO” in step S106), the control unit 40 repeats the process of step S106.
  • step S106 When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (“YES” in step S106), the control unit 40 turns on the first switching unit 25 and turns off the second switching unit 26 and the third switching unit 22. , The direction in which the ink and the cleaning liquid flow from the ink tank 21 to the inkjet head 30 (forward feed direction) is set (step S107).
  • the control unit 40 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the switching operation in step S107 (step S108). This predetermined time may be the same as or different from the predetermined time in the determination process of step S106. For example, the predetermined time in step S108 may be shorter than the predetermined time in step S106.
  • step S108 If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (“NO” in step S108), the control unit 40 repeats the process of step S108.
  • the control unit 40 determines whether or not the variable N is equal to or greater than the reference number Nth (step S109). If it is determined that the number of reference times is not Nth or more (less than the reference number of times Nth) (“NO” in step S109), the processing of the control unit 40 returns to step S104.
  • control unit 40 When it is determined that the variable N is equal to or greater than the reference number Nth (“YES” in step S109), the control unit 40 continues the operation of the liquid feed pump 24 for such a time that the cleaning liquid in the flow path is discharged. After that, the operation of the liquid feeding pump 24 is stopped (step S110). The control unit 40 releases the liquid receiving by the liquid receiving unit 51 (step S111). Then, the control unit 40 ends the filter cleaning control process.
  • [Modification example] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the structure and flow of the ink flow path 200a of the modified example.
  • the filter 23 is omitted, and the filter 34 is located in the inkjet head 30 instead.
  • the solenoid valve 28 is located between the intermediate tank 27 and the inkjet head 30, and the ink flow path between the branch confluence point between the solenoid valve 28 and the inkjet head 30 and the second switching portion 26.
  • the second switching portion 26 (fourth end T4) and the inkjet head 30 are connected by a portion.
  • Other structures are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the solenoid valve 28 is a valve for preventing unnecessary ink and cleaning liquid from flowing back into the intermediate tank 27, and may be a mechanical check valve or the like instead of the solenoid valve 28.
  • the solenoid valve 28 ejects the ink of the intermediate tank 27 to the inkjet head 30. Can be supplied to.
  • the operation control of the first switching unit 25, the second switching unit 26, and the third switching unit 22 is the same as in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the solenoid valve 28 is closed and the cleaning liquid is sucked from the inkjet head 30 to the liquid feeding pump 24 via the second switching unit 26. Flows.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an ink tank 21, a nozzle 33 for ejecting ink supplied from the ink tank 21, an ink flow path 200 connecting the ink tank 21 and the nozzle 33, and an ink flow path 200.
  • a liquid feeding pump 24 for feeding ink in a predetermined direction in the middle of the ink flow path 200 is provided.
  • the ink flow path 200 has filters 23 and 34, a first switching portion 25 having a first end T1 and a second end T2 and a connection destination of the second end T2 to be switchable, and a third end T3 and a fourth end. It has a second switching unit 26 which has T4 and can switch the connection destination of the fourth end T4.
  • the first end T1 and the third end T3 are connected to the opposite sides of the liquid feed pump 24, respectively, and the second end T2 and the fourth end T4 are connected to the ink tank 21 side and the nozzle 33 side, respectively.
  • the connection destination can be selectively switched between. In this way, ink and cleaning liquid are easily backflowed from the inkjet head 30 by the switching operation of the first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 without switching the liquid feeding direction of the single liquid feeding pump 24, and the filter 23. , 34 can generate a flow in the opposite direction. As a result, cleaning operations such as removal of foreign matter adhering to the filters 23 and 34 can be performed more easily and efficiently.
  • the filters 23 and 34 are cleaned before the pressure loss of the filters 23 and 34 becomes large. be able to. Therefore, the influence of the ink supply on the image recording operation can be kept small for a long period of time, and a stable and uniform recorded image can be obtained.
  • the inkjet recording device 1 includes a control unit 40.
  • the control unit 40 connects one of the second end T2 and the fourth end T4 to the side of the ink tank 21, connects the other to the side of the nozzle 33, and replaces one and the other in synchronization.
  • the switching operations of the plurality of first switching units 25 and the second switching unit 26 can be easily performed in synchronization with the electric control signal, the flow in the entire ink flow path 200 is appropriately reversed. By setting the feeding direction, it is possible to easily remove foreign matter from the filters 23 and 34 without any trouble.
  • the control unit 40 moves to the side of one of the second end T2 of the first switching unit 25 and the fourth end T4 of the second switching unit 26.
  • the connection and the connection to the other nozzle 33 side are exchanged a plurality of times. In this way, not only the cleaning by simply regurgitating, but also the direction of the flow is reversed to change the way in which the force is applied to the fixed foreign matter, so that the foreign matter can be more easily peeled off.
  • a change in the flow is caused near the pipe wall surface of the ink flow path, and not only near the center of the filters 23 and 34 but also near the periphery of the filters 23 and 34 and further.
  • the pressure loss does not increase and the liquid feeding capacity of the liquid feeding pump 24 does not need to be increased so much, whereby the size of the liquid feeding pump 24 does not need to be increased. And the cost can be reduced.
  • the inkjet recording device 1 is located closer to the ink tank 21 than the filters 23, 34, the second end T2 of the first switching unit 25, and the fourth end T4 of the second switching unit 26, and the fifth end T5 and
  • a third switching unit 22 having a sixth end T6 and being able to switch the connection destination of the sixth end T6, and a collecting unit 29 for discharging ink from the ink flow path 200 are provided.
  • the fifth end T5 is connected to the side of the nozzle 33 of the ink flow path 200, and the sixth end T6 can selectively switch the connection destination between the ink tank 21 and the collection unit 29.
  • the collection unit 29 collects the discharged ink. By making it possible to easily collect the waste ink, the processing can be facilitated.
  • control unit 40 connects the sixth end to the ink tank 21 when ejecting ink from the nozzle 33, and connects the sixth end to the collecting unit 29 when cleaning the filter 23.
  • the third switching unit 22 a solenoid valve that can be easily switched under the control of the control unit 40, switching can be easily and quickly (synchronously) even when the flow direction is reversed. Therefore, the filters 23 and 34 can be easily washed.
  • the third switching unit 22 is a three-way valve. Since the flow path from the third switching unit 22 to the nozzle 33 side is fixed and switching between the ink tank 21 and the collecting unit 29, it is possible to easily and appropriately switch with the three-way valve. In particular, by connecting to the collection unit 29 only when it is on, using a single solenoid type (spring turn) solenoid valve with 3 ports and 2 positions, no voltage signal is required during normal operation, and control is easy. It is said that.
  • first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 are three-way valves.
  • the manufacturing cost is suppressed and the manufacturing process is simplified.
  • the first end T1 of the first switching unit 25 and the third end T3 of the second switching unit 26 are fixedly connected to the liquid feed pump 24, it is sufficient to switch only the other end of each. , It is possible to efficiently reverse the flow direction of ink using a single liquid feed pump 24 by combining three-way valves.
  • the filter 23 is located between the second end T2 and the fourth end T4 and the ink tank 21. In the case of this configuration, since the ink sent from the ink tank 21 is filtered at an early stage, the possibility that foreign matter is clogged in the narrow flow path can be reduced.
  • the inkjet recording device 1 includes an inkjet head 30 having a nozzle 33 and a filter 34, and the second end T2 and the fourth end T4 are more ink than the filter 34 of the ink flow path 200a. It may be located on the side of the tank 21. As described above, since the filter 34 is located in the immediate vicinity of the nozzle 33 of the inkjet head 30, there is no need for a configuration for preventing air bubbles or foreign matter from being mixed in the ink flow path in the middle.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
  • only the liquid feeding direction is changed without changing the operation of the liquid feeding pump 24, but the operation of the liquid feeding pump 24 may be changed.
  • the liquid feeding speed (liquid feeding amount) at the time of progressive feeding may be smaller than the liquid feeding speed at the time of reverse feeding.
  • the liquid feeding rate at the time of reverse feeding does not have to be constant.
  • the liquid feeding rate may be changed periodically during the reverse feeding.
  • the ink and the cleaning liquid have been described as being reciprocated while being inverted several times, but it is not always necessary to reciprocate the ink and the cleaning liquid. As usual, it may be sent back once (backflow). Further, even in the case of only reverse feeding, the liquid feeding speed may be changed periodically as described above.
  • the cleaning liquid is supplied from the liquid receiving unit 51 and sent back, but the ink may be simply sent back without using the dedicated cleaning liquid.
  • the ink and the cleaning liquid containing the foreign matter sent back to the attached collection unit 29 have been collected and collected, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be connected to an external general-purpose configuration (tank, etc.) by piping or the like. This configuration may be common to a plurality of types of inks, for example, CMYK 4-color inks. Further, in the case of cleaning with ink without using the cleaning liquid, the third switching unit 22 returns the foreign matter to the ink tank 21 without separating it into the collecting unit 29, and then the foreign matter is settled and separated in the ink tank 21. You may collect it.
  • the third switching unit 22, the first switching unit 25, and the second switching unit 26 have been described as being three-way valves, but some or all of them may not be three-way valves. Any configuration may be used as long as the ink flow direction can be reversed on both sides of the liquid feed pump 24, particularly electromagnetically controllable by a control signal.
  • the three-way valve is not limited to the single solenoid type spring turn solenoid valve as described above, and may be of another type. Further, the on / off setting of the solenoid valve is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment, and may be another pattern.
  • liquid feeding unit is not limited to a liquid feeding pump such as a diaphragm pump, and may be any one capable of feeding ink in one direction at a predetermined speed.
  • the position of the filter is not limited to the position shown in the above-described embodiment or modification. It may be immediately before or after the intermediate tank 27.
  • the specific configuration, the content and procedure of the processing operation shown in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
  • the scope of the present invention includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
  • the present invention can be used for an inkjet recording device.

Abstract

Provided is an inkjet recording device capable of more efficiently cleaning a filter. This inkjet recording device is provided with: an ink tank (21); a nozzle that ejects ink; an ink flow path (200) that connects the ink tank (21) and the nozzle to each other; and a liquid feeding pump (24) that feeds the ink in a prescribed direction halfway through the ink flow path (200). The ink flow path (200) has a filter (23), a first switching part (25) that has a first end (T1) and a second end (T2) and is capable of switching a connecting destination of the second end (T2), and a second switching part (26) that has a third end (T3) and a fourth end (T4) and is capable of switching a connecting destination of the fourth end (T4). The first end (T1) and the third end (T3) are connected to opposite sides of the liquid feeding pump (24), and each of the second end (T2) and the fourth end (T4) is capable of selectively switching the connecting destination between an ink tank (21) side and a nozzle side.

Description

インクジェット記録装置Inkjet recording device
　この発明は、インクジェット記録装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device.
　ノズルからインクを吐出して画像、薄膜や構造物などを記録するインクジェット記録装置において、インクの成分が凝集したり、インクに夾雑物が混入したりすると、これらの異物がインクの流れを妨げ、特に、ノズルの詰まりなどを生じる場合がある。これを防ぐために、インクジェットヘッド内にフィルターを設けて異物がノズルやノズルに連通する細いインク流路に流入するのを防ぐ技術がある。 In an inkjet recording device that ejects ink from a nozzle to record images, thin films, structures, etc., if the ink components aggregate or impurities are mixed in the ink, these foreign substances obstruct the flow of the ink. In particular, clogging of the nozzle may occur. In order to prevent this, there is a technique of providing a filter in the inkjet head to prevent foreign matter from flowing into the nozzle or the narrow ink flow path communicating with the nozzle.
　しかしながら、フィルターも、長期間利用されると目詰まりなどを起こしてインクの流れを妨げるようになるので、洗浄などが必要になる。特許文献１では、ノズル側から洗浄液を逆流させ、当該逆流させた洗浄液を供給するインクを貯留するインクタンクとは異なる流路へ切替排出可能とする技術が開示されている。 However, if the filter is used for a long period of time, it will become clogged and obstruct the flow of ink, so cleaning etc. is required. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a cleaning liquid is regurgitated from the nozzle side so that the cleaning liquid can be switched to a different flow path from the ink tank for storing the ink for supplying the regurgitated cleaning liquid.
特開２０１４－１９３５５５号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-193555
　しかしながら、従来の構成では、インクを送液する送液手段と、洗浄液を逆送させる送液手段との両方が必要になり効率がよくないという課題がある。 However, in the conventional configuration, there is a problem that both the liquid feeding means for sending the ink and the liquid feeding means for back-feeding the cleaning liquid are required, which is not efficient.
　この発明の目的は、より効率的にフィルターの洗浄が可能なインクジェット記録装置を提供することにある。 An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device capable of cleaning a filter more efficiently.
　上記目的を達成するため、請求項１記載の発明は、
　インク貯留部と、
　前記インク貯留部から供給されるインクを吐出するノズルと、
　前記インク貯留部と前記ノズルとをつなぐインク流路と、
　前記インク流路の途中でインクを所定方向に送液する送液部と、
　を備え、
　前記インク流路は、
　フィルターと、
　第１端及び第２端を有し、前記第２端の接続先が切り替え可能な第１切替部と、
　第３端及び第４端を有し、前記第４端の接続先が切り替え可能な第２切替部と、
　を有し、
　前記第１端及び前記第３端は、前記送液部の互いに反対側にそれぞれ接続されており、
　前記第２端及び前記第４端は、それぞれ前記インク貯留部の側と前記ノズルの側との間で選択的に前記接続先を切り替え可能である
　インクジェット記録装置である。 In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is
Ink reservoir and
A nozzle that ejects ink supplied from the ink reservoir and
An ink flow path connecting the ink reservoir and the nozzle,
A liquid feeding unit that feeds ink in a predetermined direction in the middle of the ink flow path,
Equipped with
The ink flow path is
With a filter
A first switching unit having a first end and a second end and having a switchable connection destination of the second end,
A second switching unit having a third end and a fourth end and having a switchable connection destination of the fourth end,
Have,
The first end and the third end are connected to each other on opposite sides of the liquid feeding portion, respectively.
The second end and the fourth end are inkjet recording devices capable of selectively switching the connection destination between the ink storage portion side and the nozzle side, respectively.
　また、請求項２記載の発明は、請求項１記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　制御部を備え、
　前記制御部は、前記第２端と前記第４端のうち一方を前記インク貯留部の側に接続し、他方を前記ノズルの側に接続し、前記一方と前記他方を同期して入れ替える。 The invention according to claim 2 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1.
Equipped with a control unit
The control unit connects one of the second end and the fourth end to the side of the ink storage unit, connects the other to the side of the nozzle, and replaces the one with the other in synchronization.
　また、請求項３記載の発明は、請求項２記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　前記制御部は、前記フィルターを洗浄する場合に、前記一方と前記他方の入れ替えを複数回行う。 Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2.
When cleaning the filter, the control unit performs the replacement of the one and the other a plurality of times.
　また、請求項４記載の発明は、請求項１～３のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　前記フィルター、前記第２端及び前記第４端よりも前記インク貯留部の側に位置し、第５端及び第６端を有し、前記第６端の接続先が切り替え可能な第３切替部と、
　前記インク流路からインクを排出するインク排出部と、
　を備え、
　前記第５端は、前記インク流路の前記ノズルの側に接続されており、前記第６端は、前記インク貯留部と前記インク排出部との間で選択的に接続先を切り替え可能である。 The invention according to claim 4 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A third switching unit that is located closer to the ink storage unit than the filter, the second end and the fourth end, has a fifth end and a sixth end, and the connection destination of the sixth end can be switched. When,
An ink ejection unit that ejects ink from the ink flow path and
Equipped with
The fifth end is connected to the nozzle side of the ink flow path, and the sixth end can selectively switch the connection destination between the ink storage unit and the ink ejection unit. ..
　また、請求項５記載の発明は、請求項４記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　前記インク排出部は、排出されたインクを収集するインク収集部を有する。 The invention according to claim 5 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4.
The ink discharging unit has an ink collecting unit that collects the discharged ink.
　また、請求項６記載の発明は、請求項４又は５記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　制御部を備え、
　前記制御部は、
　前記ノズルからインクを吐出させる場合に前記第６端を前記インク貯留部に接続し、
　前記フィルターを洗浄する場合に前記第６端を前記インク排出部に接続する。 The invention according to claim 6 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4 or 5.
Equipped with a control unit
The control unit
When the ink is ejected from the nozzle, the sixth end is connected to the ink storage portion.
When cleaning the filter, the sixth end is connected to the ink discharging portion.
　また、請求項７記載の発明は、請求項４～６のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　前記第３切替部は、三方弁である。 The invention according to claim 7 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
The third switching unit is a three-way valve.
　また、請求項８記載の発明は、請求項１～７のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　前記第１切替部及び前記第２切替部は、三方弁である。 The invention according to claim 8 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The first switching unit and the second switching unit are three-way valves.
　また、請求項９記載の発明は、請求項１～８のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　前記フィルターは、前記第２端及び前記第４端と、前記インク貯留部との間に位置している。 The invention according to claim 9 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The filter is located between the second and fourth ends and the ink reservoir.
　また、請求項１０記載の発明は、請求項１～８のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置において、
　前記ノズルと、前記フィルターとを有するインクジェットヘッドを備え、
　前記第２端及び前記第４端は、前記インク流路の前記フィルターよりも前記インク貯留部の側に位置する。 The invention according to claim 10 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The inkjet head having the nozzle and the filter is provided.
The second end and the fourth end are located closer to the ink reservoir than the filter in the ink flow path.
　本発明に従うと、インクジェット記録装置において、より効率的にフィルターの洗浄が可能となるという効果がある。 According to the present invention, there is an effect that the filter can be cleaned more efficiently in the inkjet recording device.
本実施形態のインクジェット記録装置の機能構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment. インク供給部の構成とインク流路を説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the structure of the ink supply part and the ink flow path. インク供給部の構成とインク流路を説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the structure of the ink supply part and the ink flow path. フィルター洗浄制御処理の制御手順を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of a filter cleaning control process. 変形例のインク流路の構造及び流れを示す図である。It is a figure which shows the structure and flow of the ink flow path of a modification. 変形例のインク流路の構造及び流れを示す図である。It is a figure which shows the structure and flow of the ink flow path of a modification.
　以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
　図１は、本実施形態のインクジェット記録装置１の機能構成を示すブロック図である。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the inkjet recording device 1 of the present embodiment.
　インクジェット記録装置１は、搬送駆動部１１と、インク供給部２０と、インクジェットヘッド３０と、制御部４０と、メンテナンス部５０と、通信部６１と、操作受付部６２と、表示部６３などを備える。 The inkjet recording device 1 includes a transport drive unit 11, an ink supply unit 20, an inkjet head 30, a control unit 40, a maintenance unit 50, a communication unit 61, an operation reception unit 62, a display unit 63, and the like. ..
　搬送駆動部１１は、インクジェット記録装置１により画像が記録される媒体を記録位置へ移動させ、また、記録位置から排出させる動作を行う。搬送駆動部１１は、例えば、回転モーターなどを有する。媒体は、当該回転モーターにより回転されるローラーにより直接又はローラーに架け渡されたベルトなどに載置されて移動される。 The transport drive unit 11 moves the medium on which the image is recorded by the inkjet recording device 1 to the recording position, and also discharges the medium from the recording position. The transport drive unit 11 has, for example, a rotary motor or the like. The medium is moved by being placed on a belt or the like directly or spanned by a roller rotated by the rotary motor.
　インク供給部２０は、画像記録動作に用いられるインクをインクジェットヘッド３０へ供給する。インク供給部２０は、送液ポンプ２４（送液部）と、第１切替部２５と、第２切替部２６と、第３切替部２２などを有する。インク供給部２０の構成については、後述する。 The ink supply unit 20 supplies the ink used for the image recording operation to the inkjet head 30. The ink supply unit 20 includes a liquid feed pump 24 (liquid feed unit), a first switching unit 25, a second switching unit 26, a third switching unit 22, and the like. The configuration of the ink supply unit 20 will be described later.
　インクジェットヘッド３０は、媒体上にインクを吐出して画像を記録する動作を行う。インクジェットヘッド３０は、ヘッド駆動部３１と、圧電素子３２と、ノズル３３などを有する。インクを吐出するノズル３３は、所定の配列パターンで複数が並んでいてよい。圧電素子３２は、所定の電圧パターンが印加されることで変形し、ノズル３３に連通するインク流路中のインクに変形に応じた圧力変動を付与する。圧電素子３２は、各ノズル３３にそれぞれ対応して設けられている。 The inkjet head 30 performs an operation of ejecting ink onto a medium and recording an image. The inkjet head 30 includes a head drive unit 31, a piezoelectric element 32, a nozzle 33, and the like. A plurality of nozzles 33 for ejecting ink may be arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern. The piezoelectric element 32 is deformed by applying a predetermined voltage pattern, and gives pressure fluctuation according to the deformation to the ink in the ink flow path communicating with the nozzle 33. The piezoelectric element 32 is provided corresponding to each nozzle 33.
　ヘッド駆動部３１は、図示略の駆動波形生成回路から入力された駆動電圧信号を画像データに応じて各圧電素子に適宜なタイミングで出力する。 The head drive unit 31 outputs a drive voltage signal input from a drive waveform generation circuit (not shown) to each piezoelectric element at an appropriate timing according to the image data.
　制御部４０は、インクジェット記録装置１の全体動作を統括制御する。制御部４０は、ＣＰＵ４１（Central Processing Unit）と、記憶部４２などを有する。 The control unit 40 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the inkjet recording device 1. The control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit 42, and the like.
　ＣＰＵ４１は、各種演算処理を行うハードウェアプロセッサーである。ＣＰＵ４１は、記憶部４２に記憶されているプログラムを実行して各種制御処理を実行する。制御処理には、インク供給部２０のインク流路２００（図２Ａ参照）中に含まれるフィルター２３（図２Ａ参照）の洗浄処理などが含まれる。 The CPU 41 is a hardware processor that performs various arithmetic processes. The CPU 41 executes a program stored in the storage unit 42 to execute various control processes. The control process includes a cleaning process of the filter 23 (see FIG. 2A) included in the ink flow path 200 (see FIG. 2A) of the ink supply unit 20.
　記憶部４２は、各種データを記憶する。記憶部４２は、揮発性メモリー（ＲＡＭ；Random Access Memory）と、不揮発性メモリーとを含む。ＲＡＭは、ＣＰＵ４１に作業用のメモリー空間を提供し、また、記録対象の画像データやその処理データなどの一時データを記憶する。不揮発性メモリーは、フラッシュメモリー及び／又はＨＤＤ（Hard Disk Drive）などを含み、プログラムや設定データなどを記憶する。 The storage unit 42 stores various data. The storage unit 42 includes a volatile memory (RAM; RandomAccessMemory) and a non-volatile memory. The RAM provides a memory space for work to the CPU 41, and also stores temporary data such as image data to be recorded and processing data thereof. The non-volatile memory includes a flash memory and / or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores programs, setting data, and the like.
　メンテナンス部５０は、インク供給部２０やインクジェットヘッド３０のクリーニングなどのメンテナンス動作を行う。 The maintenance unit 50 performs maintenance operations such as cleaning the ink supply unit 20 and the inkjet head 30.
　通信部６１は、外部機器との所定の通信規格での通信を制御する。通信部６１は、例えば、ネットワークカードを有し、ＬＡＮ（Local Area Network）などを介した外部機器、例えば、プリントサーバーなどとの通信を制御して、記録対象の画像データを含むジョブデータを取得したり、画像記録処理に係るステータスデータを出力したりする。 The communication unit 61 controls communication with an external device according to a predetermined communication standard. The communication unit 61 has, for example, a network card, controls communication with an external device such as a print server via a LAN (Local Area Network), and acquires job data including image data to be recorded. Or output status data related to image recording processing.
　操作受付部６２は、ユーザーなどによる外部からの操作を受け付けて、入力信号として制御部４０へ出力する。操作受付部６２は、例えば、表示部６３の表示画面と重ねて設けられたタッチパネルを有し、タッチ操作を検出してその位置などの情報を出力する。また、操作受付部６２は、テンキーや押しボタンスイッチなどを有していてもよい。 The operation reception unit 62 receives an operation from the outside by a user or the like and outputs it as an input signal to the control unit 40. The operation reception unit 62 has, for example, a touch panel provided so as to overlap the display screen of the display unit 63, detects a touch operation, and outputs information such as its position. Further, the operation reception unit 62 may have a numeric keypad, a push button switch, or the like.
　表示部６３は、制御部４０の制御に基づいて各種表示動作を行う。表示部６３は、表示画面を有し、表示画面に画像記録動作に係る設定受付メニューやステータスなどを表示させる。表示画面としては、例えば、液晶表示画面が挙げられるが、これに限られるものではない。また、表示部６３は、ＬＥＤ（Light Emitting Diode）などのランプを有し、電力供給状態や異常発生状態などで点灯、点滅などの動作がなされてもよい。 The display unit 63 performs various display operations based on the control of the control unit 40. The display unit 63 has a display screen, and displays a setting reception menu, a status, and the like related to the image recording operation on the display screen. Examples of the display screen include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display screen. Further, the display unit 63 has a lamp such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and may be turned on or blinked depending on a power supply state or an abnormality occurrence state.
　次に、インクジェット記録装置１のインク供給動作について説明する。
　図２Ａ及び図２Ｂは、インク供給部２０の構成とインク流路２００を説明する図である。図２Ａに示すように、インク供給部２０は、上記の送液ポンプ２４、第１切替部２５、第２切替部２６及び第３切替部２２に加えて、インクタンク２１（インク貯留部）と、フィルター２３と、中間タンク２７と、捕集部２９（インク収集部、インク排出部）などを有する。ここでは、インクタンク２１のインク出口及び捕集部２９の入口からノズル３３との接続位置までの間の部分をインク流路２００とする。すなわち、第３切替部２２、フィルター２３、第１切替部２５、第２切替部２６及び中間タンク２７は、インク流路２００内に含まれる。 Next, the ink supply operation of the inkjet recording device 1 will be described.
2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the ink supply unit 20 and the ink flow path 200. As shown in FIG. 2A, the ink supply unit 20 includes an ink tank 21 (ink storage unit) in addition to the liquid feed pump 24, the first switching unit 25, the second switching unit 26, and the third switching unit 22. , The filter 23, the intermediate tank 27, the collecting unit 29 (ink collecting unit, ink discharging unit), and the like. Here, the portion between the ink outlet of the ink tank 21 and the inlet of the collecting portion 29 to the connection position with the nozzle 33 is referred to as the ink flow path 200. That is, the third switching unit 22, the filter 23, the first switching unit 25, the second switching unit 26, and the intermediate tank 27 are included in the ink flow path 200.
　インクタンク２１は、インクジェットヘッド３０（ノズル３３）に供給するインクを貯留する。インクタンク２１のインクは、外部から着脱可能なパックやボトルなどにより又は開口を介して供給されてもよい。 The ink tank 21 stores ink to be supplied to the inkjet head 30 (nozzle 33). The ink in the ink tank 21 may be supplied by an externally removable pack, bottle, or the like, or through an opening.
　第３切替部２２は、インクジェットヘッド３０へのインク流路２００の接続先（第６端Ｔ６）をインクタンク２１と捕集部２９との間で切り替える。第３切替部２２は、例えば、３ポートの電磁弁（三方弁）であり、通常ではインクタンク２１とインクジェットヘッド３０とを連通させ、オンされることで、インクタンク２１が切り離されて捕集部２９が連通される。第３切替部２２のノズル３３の側のポート（第５端Ｔ５）は、フィルター２３に対して固定的に接続している。 The third switching unit 22 switches the connection destination (sixth end T6) of the ink flow path 200 to the inkjet head 30 between the ink tank 21 and the collecting unit 29. The third switching unit 22 is, for example, a 3-port solenoid valve (three-way valve). Normally, the ink tank 21 and the inkjet head 30 are communicated with each other and turned on, so that the ink tank 21 is separated and collected. Part 29 is communicated. The port (fifth end T5) on the nozzle 33 side of the third switching unit 22 is fixedly connected to the filter 23.
　フィルター２３は、インクタンク２１（第３切替部２２）と第１切替部２５（第２端Ｔ２）及び第２切替部２６（第４端Ｔ４）との間に位置する。フィルター２３は、インクタンク２１に含まれる異物がインクジェットヘッド３０へ流れるのを妨げる。フィルター２３は、交換可能であってもよい。 The filter 23 is located between the ink tank 21 (third switching unit 22), the first switching unit 25 (second end T2), and the second switching unit 26 (fourth end T4). The filter 23 prevents foreign matter contained in the ink tank 21 from flowing to the inkjet head 30. The filter 23 may be replaceable.
　送液ポンプ２４は、インク流路２００の途中に位置し、一端が第２切替部２６のポート（第３端Ｔ３）に固定的に接続され、他端（反対側）が第１切替部２５のポート（第１端Ｔ１）に固定的に接続されている。送液ポンプ２４は、第２切替部２６の第３端Ｔ３から第１切替部２５の第１端Ｔ１へ（所定方向へ）インクを加圧して送液する動作を行う。送液ポンプ２４の種別は、特には限られず、例えば、ダイヤフラムポンプなどであってもよい。送液ポンプ２４の送液動作は、通常では、インクジェットヘッド３０からのインク吐出に応じて断続的に行われる。また、後述のフィルター洗浄や、ノズル３３からのインクの吐き捨て動作や加圧排出動作（加圧パージ）など、メンテナンスに係るインクの流動、排出時には、必要に応じて連続動作される。また、送液ポンプ２４の送液量は、可変であってもよい。 The liquid feed pump 24 is located in the middle of the ink flow path 200, one end thereof is fixedly connected to the port (third end T3) of the second switching portion 26, and the other end (opposite side) is the first switching portion 25. Is fixedly connected to the port (first end T1) of. The liquid feed pump 24 performs an operation of pressurizing ink (in a predetermined direction) from the third end T3 of the second switching unit 26 to the first end T1 of the first switching unit 25 to supply the liquid. The type of the liquid feed pump 24 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a diaphragm pump or the like. The liquid feeding operation of the liquid feeding pump 24 is usually performed intermittently according to the ink ejection from the inkjet head 30. Further, when the ink flows and is discharged for maintenance, such as the filter cleaning described later, the ink discharge operation from the nozzle 33, and the pressure discharge operation (pressure purge), the ink is continuously operated as needed. Further, the liquid feeding amount of the liquid feeding pump 24 may be variable.
　第１切替部２５は、送液ポンプ２４からの出力（第２端Ｔ２の接続先）を、オンオフ信号によりフィルター２３（インクタンク２１の側）と中間タンク２７（ノズル３３の側）との間で選択的に切り替える。ここでは、オン信号が入力されている場合に、第２端Ｔ２が中間タンク２７に接続される。通常のインク供給時には、オンされている。第２切替部２６は、送液ポンプ２４への入力（第４端Ｔ４の接続先）を、フィルター２３と中間タンク２７との間で選択的に切り替える。ここでは、オン信号が入力されている場合に、第４端Ｔ４が中間タンク２７に接続される。ここでは、通常のインク供給時には、オフされている。第１切替部２５と第２切替部２６は、いずれも第３切替部２２と同一の構成の三方弁であってもよい。 The first switching unit 25 transfers the output from the liquid feed pump 24 (the connection destination of the second end T2) between the filter 23 (the side of the ink tank 21) and the intermediate tank 27 (the side of the nozzle 33) by an on / off signal. Switch selectively with. Here, when the on signal is input, the second end T2 is connected to the intermediate tank 27. It is turned on during normal ink supply. The second switching unit 26 selectively switches the input to the liquid feed pump 24 (the connection destination of the fourth end T4) between the filter 23 and the intermediate tank 27. Here, when the on signal is input, the fourth end T4 is connected to the intermediate tank 27. Here, it is turned off during normal ink supply. Both the first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 may be a three-way valve having the same configuration as the third switching unit 22.
　通常時では、フィルター２３から第２切替部２６を経て送液ポンプ２４へインクが流入し、送液ポンプ２４から出力されたインクは、第１切替部２５を経て中間タンク２７へ流れる。 In the normal state, ink flows from the filter 23 to the liquid feed pump 24 via the second switching unit 26, and the ink output from the liquid feed pump 24 flows to the intermediate tank 27 via the first switching unit 25.
　中間タンク２７は、フィルター２３を通過したインクを適宜な量蓄えるインクタンク２１より小型のインクタンクである。中間タンク２７は、新たに異物や気泡などが混入しないように密閉されている。また、中間タンク２７は、インクが大気圧に保たれる構成であってもよい。中間タンク２７は、インクジェットヘッド３０とつながっている。インクジェットヘッド３０は、内部のインクが若干負圧となるように、ノズル３３の開口が並ぶノズル面の位置が中間タンク２７の位置よりも鉛直方向について若干高い位置にあってもよい。 The intermediate tank 27 is an ink tank smaller than the ink tank 21 that stores an appropriate amount of ink that has passed through the filter 23. The intermediate tank 27 is hermetically sealed so that foreign matter and air bubbles are not newly mixed. Further, the intermediate tank 27 may be configured such that the ink is maintained at atmospheric pressure. The intermediate tank 27 is connected to the inkjet head 30. In the inkjet head 30, the position of the nozzle surface where the openings of the nozzle 33 are lined up may be slightly higher in the vertical direction than the position of the intermediate tank 27 so that the ink inside may have a slightly negative pressure.
　捕集部２９は、インク流路２００から排出されるインク、ここでは、フィルター２３の洗浄時にフィルター２３から除去された異物を含むインクや洗浄液を捕集（収集）する。捕集部２９は、捕集瓶などであるが、インクに反応せず、適切にインクを廃棄可能であれば、特に形状、サイズや材質などは限られない。 The collecting unit 29 collects (collects) ink discharged from the ink flow path 200, here, ink containing foreign matter removed from the filter 23 when cleaning the filter 23, and a cleaning liquid. The collecting unit 29 is a collecting bottle or the like, but the shape, size, material, etc. are not particularly limited as long as it does not react with the ink and the ink can be appropriately disposed of.
　インクジェットヘッド３０のノズル面は、メンテナンス部５０の液受け部５１と対向可能になっている。液受け部５１には、例えば、ノズルクリーニング用の洗浄液が所定量貯留されて、この洗浄液内にインクジェットヘッド３０のノズル面を浸漬させることができる。 The nozzle surface of the inkjet head 30 can face the liquid receiving portion 51 of the maintenance portion 50. For example, a predetermined amount of a cleaning liquid for nozzle cleaning is stored in the liquid receiving portion 51, and the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 30 can be immersed in the cleaning liquid.
　図２Ｂには、フィルター２３を洗浄する際の洗浄液の流れる経路が示されている。フィルター２３の洗浄の際は、フィルター２３の上流面側（インクタンク２１の側）に付着した異物を剥がして除去することができるように、洗浄液を液受け部５１から逆流させる。このとき、第１切替部２５と第２切替部２６のオンオフが反転されて、第１切替部２５における送液ポンプ２４の出力（第２端Ｔ２）がフィルター２３とつながり、第２切替部２６のフィルター２３への入力（第４端Ｔ４）が中間タンク２７へとつながる。これにより、送液ポンプ２４の動作方向が変化しないまま、洗浄液及び流路内のインクは、中間タンク２７から第２切替部２６を通って送液ポンプ２４へ流入し、送液ポンプ２４から第１切替部２５を経てフィルター２３へと流れる。
　すなわち、第１切替部２５の第２端Ｔ２と第２切替部２６の第４端Ｔ４とは、一方がインクタンク２１側、他方がノズル３３側と、互いに反対側に接続されるように同期して接続先が入れ替えられる切り替え制御される。 FIG. 2B shows the flow path of the cleaning liquid when cleaning the filter 23. When cleaning the filter 23, the cleaning liquid is made to flow back from the liquid receiving portion 51 so that the foreign matter adhering to the upstream surface side (the side of the ink tank 21) of the filter 23 can be peeled off and removed. At this time, the on / off of the first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 is reversed, the output of the liquid feed pump 24 (second end T2) in the first switching unit 25 is connected to the filter 23, and the second switching unit 26 Input to the filter 23 (fourth end T4) leads to the intermediate tank 27. As a result, the cleaning liquid and the ink in the flow path flow from the intermediate tank 27 to the liquid feed pump 24 through the second switching unit 26 without changing the operating direction of the liquid feed pump 24, and the liquid feed pump 24 to the second. 1 Flows to the filter 23 via the switching unit 25.
That is, the second end T2 of the first switching unit 25 and the fourth end T4 of the second switching unit 26 are synchronized so that one is connected to the ink tank 21 side and the other is connected to the nozzle 33 side on opposite sides. Then, the connection destination is switched and the switching is controlled.
　また、第３切替部２２もオンオフが切り替えられて、第６端Ｔ６からインクタンク２１が切り離されて捕集部２９へ接続される。これにより、洗浄液やフィルター２３から剥離した異物は、捕集部２９へと流入する。 Further, the third switching unit 22 is also switched on and off, and the ink tank 21 is separated from the sixth end T6 and connected to the collecting unit 29. As a result, the cleaning liquid and the foreign matter peeled off from the filter 23 flow into the collecting portion 29.
　ここで、単純にインク及び洗浄液を逆流させるだけだと、フィルター２３に固着した異物が完全にフィルター２３から剥離しない場合がある。一部が剥離した異物は、流れに沿って下流側に伸びるため、流れに対しての抵抗が小さくなって残り部分が剥離しにくくなる。インクジェット記録装置１では、フィルター２３の洗浄を行う場合に、単に洗浄液を逆流させる（逆洗）だけではなく、流路方向を周期的に順送方向と逆送方向との間で複数回入れ替えて異物をフィルター２３の側に何度か戻しながら最終的に上流側へ押し流す。また、これにより、インクの流れが安定した層流となると流速が上がらないインク流路２００の配管壁面付近についてもインク流を生じさせることができるので、フィルター２３の中央付近だけでなく、周縁付近の異物も除去されやすくなる。 Here, if the ink and the cleaning liquid are simply flowed back, the foreign matter adhering to the filter 23 may not completely peel off from the filter 23. Since the foreign matter that has partially peeled off extends downstream along the flow, the resistance to the flow becomes small and the remaining part becomes difficult to peel off. In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, when cleaning the filter 23, not only the cleaning liquid is simply backflowed (backwashing), but also the flow path direction is periodically switched between the forward feed direction and the reverse feed direction a plurality of times. The foreign matter is finally pushed upstream while being returned to the filter 23 side several times. Further, as a result, the ink flow can be generated not only near the center of the filter 23 but also near the periphery of the pipe wall surface of the ink flow path 200 where the flow velocity does not increase when the ink flow becomes a stable laminar flow. Foreign matter is also easily removed.
　図３は、インクジェット記録装置１で実行されるフィルター洗浄制御処理の制御部４０による制御手順を示すフローチャートである。このフィルター洗浄制御処理は、例えば、操作受付部６２により受け付けられた所定の操作に基づいて開始される。また、この処理は、定期的に自動で実施されてもよい。 FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the filter cleaning control process executed by the inkjet recording device 1. This filter cleaning control process is started, for example, based on a predetermined operation received by the operation reception unit 62. Further, this process may be automatically performed periodically on a regular basis.
　フィルター洗浄制御処理が開始されると、制御部４０（ＣＰＵ４１）は、液受け部５１に洗浄液を満たしてノズル面を浸漬させる位置にセットする（ステップＳ１０１）。制御部４０は、変数Ｎを「０」にセットする（ステップＳ１０２）。制御部４０は、送液ポンプ２４の送液動作を開始させる（ステップＳ１０３）。なお、初めから送液ポンプ２４が動作している場合には、そのまま引き続き送液ポンプ２４の動作を継続させればよい。 When the filter cleaning control process is started, the control unit 40 (CPU 41) sets the liquid receiving unit 51 at a position where the cleaning liquid is filled and the nozzle surface is immersed (step S101). The control unit 40 sets the variable N to “0” (step S102). The control unit 40 starts the liquid feeding operation of the liquid feeding pump 24 (step S103). If the liquid feed pump 24 is operating from the beginning, the operation of the liquid feed pump 24 may be continued as it is.
　制御部４０は、第１切替部２５をオフさせ、また、第２切替部２６及び第３切替部２２をオンさせて、インク及び洗浄液がインクジェットヘッド３０から捕集部２９へ流れる向き（逆送方向）に設定する（ステップＳ１０４）。制御部４０は、変数Ｎに１を加算する（ステップＳ１０５）。 The control unit 40 turns off the first switching unit 25 and turns on the second switching unit 26 and the third switching unit 22, so that the ink and the cleaning liquid flow from the inkjet head 30 to the collecting unit 29 (reverse feed). Direction) (step S104). The control unit 40 adds 1 to the variable N (step S105).
　制御部４０は、ステップＳ１０３の切り替え動作から所定時間が経過したか否かを判別する（ステップＳ１０６）。所定時間が経過していないと判別された場合には（ステップＳ１０６で“ＮＯ”）、制御部４０は、ステップＳ１０６の処理を繰り返す。 The control unit 40 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the switching operation in step S103 (step S106). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (“NO” in step S106), the control unit 40 repeats the process of step S106.
　所定時間が経過したと判別された場合には（ステップＳ１０６で“ＹＥＳ”）、制御部４０は、第１切替部２５をオンさせ、第２切替部２６及び第３切替部２２をオフさせて、インク及び洗浄液がインクタンク２１からインクジェットヘッド３０へ流れる向き（順送方向）に設定する（ステップＳ１０７）。制御部４０は、ステップＳ１０７の切り替え動作から所定時間が経過したか否かを判別する（ステップＳ１０８）。この所定時間は、ステップＳ１０６の判別処理における所定時間と同じであってもよいし、異なっていてもよい。例えば、ステップＳ１０８の所定時間はステップＳ１０６の所定時間よりも短くてもよい。 When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (“YES” in step S106), the control unit 40 turns on the first switching unit 25 and turns off the second switching unit 26 and the third switching unit 22. , The direction in which the ink and the cleaning liquid flow from the ink tank 21 to the inkjet head 30 (forward feed direction) is set (step S107). The control unit 40 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the switching operation in step S107 (step S108). This predetermined time may be the same as or different from the predetermined time in the determination process of step S106. For example, the predetermined time in step S108 may be shorter than the predetermined time in step S106.
　所定時間が経過していないと判別された場合には（ステップＳ１０８で“ＮＯ”）、制御部４０は、ステップＳ１０８の処理を繰り返す。所定時間が経過したと判別された場合には（ステップＳ１０８で“ＹＥＳ”）、制御部４０は、変数Ｎが基準回数Ｎｔｈ以上であるか否かを判別する（ステップＳ１０９）。基準回数Ｎｔｈ以上ではない（基準回数Ｎｔｈ未満である）と判別された場合には（ステップＳ１０９で“ＮＯ”）、制御部４０の処理は、ステップＳ１０４に戻る。 If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (“NO” in step S108), the control unit 40 repeats the process of step S108. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (“YES” in step S108), the control unit 40 determines whether or not the variable N is equal to or greater than the reference number Nth (step S109). If it is determined that the number of reference times is not Nth or more (less than the reference number of times Nth) (“NO” in step S109), the processing of the control unit 40 returns to step S104.
　変数Ｎが基準回数Ｎｔｈ以上であると判別された場合には（ステップＳ１０９で“ＹＥＳ”）、制御部４０は、流路内の洗浄液が排出される程度の時間送液ポンプ２４の動作を継続させたのち、当該送液ポンプ２４の動作を停止させる（ステップＳ１１０）。制御部４０は、液受け部５１による液受けを解除する（ステップＳ１１１）。そして、制御部４０は、フィルター洗浄制御処理を終了する。 When it is determined that the variable N is equal to or greater than the reference number Nth (“YES” in step S109), the control unit 40 continues the operation of the liquid feed pump 24 for such a time that the cleaning liquid in the flow path is discharged. After that, the operation of the liquid feeding pump 24 is stopped (step S110). The control unit 40 releases the liquid receiving by the liquid receiving unit 51 (step S111). Then, the control unit 40 ends the filter cleaning control process.
［変形例］
　図４Ａ及び図４Ｂは、変形例のインク流路２００ａの構造及び流れを示す図である。
　図４Ａに示すように、この変形例のインク流路２００ａでは、フィルター２３が省略され、代わりにインクジェットヘッド３０内にフィルター３４が位置している。また、中間タンク２７とインクジェットヘッド３０との間に電磁弁２８が位置しており、この電磁弁２８とインクジェットヘッド３０との間の分岐合流点と第２切替部２６との間のインク流路部分により、第２切替部２６（第４端Ｔ４）とインクジェットヘッド３０とが接続している。その他の構造は上記実施形態の構造と同一であり、同一の符号を付して詳しい説明を省略する。 [Modification example]
4A and 4B are diagrams showing the structure and flow of the ink flow path 200a of the modified example.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in the ink flow path 200a of this modification, the filter 23 is omitted, and the filter 34 is located in the inkjet head 30 instead. Further, the solenoid valve 28 is located between the intermediate tank 27 and the inkjet head 30, and the ink flow path between the branch confluence point between the solenoid valve 28 and the inkjet head 30 and the second switching portion 26. The second switching portion 26 (fourth end T4) and the inkjet head 30 are connected by a portion. Other structures are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
　電磁弁２８は、中間タンク２７に不要なインク及び洗浄液を逆流させないためのバルブであり、電磁弁２８の代わりに機械的な逆止弁などであってもよい。電磁弁２８は、第１切替部２５がオンされて、送液ポンプ２４から第１切替部２５を介して中間タンク２７へインクが出力される場合に、当該中間タンク２７のインクをインクジェットヘッド３０へ供給可能とされる。 The solenoid valve 28 is a valve for preventing unnecessary ink and cleaning liquid from flowing back into the intermediate tank 27, and may be a mechanical check valve or the like instead of the solenoid valve 28. When the first switching unit 25 is turned on and ink is output from the liquid feed pump 24 to the intermediate tank 27 via the first switching unit 25, the solenoid valve 28 ejects the ink of the intermediate tank 27 to the inkjet head 30. Can be supplied to.
　第１切替部２５、第２切替部２６及び第３切替部２２の動作制御は、上記実施形態の場合と同一であり、詳しい説明を省略する。上記のように、液受け部５１から洗浄液が逆送される場合には、電磁弁２８が閉じられて、洗浄液はインクジェットヘッド３０から第２切替部２６を経由して送液ポンプ２４に吸引されて流れる。 The operation control of the first switching unit 25, the second switching unit 26, and the third switching unit 22 is the same as in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As described above, when the cleaning liquid is back-fed from the liquid receiving unit 51, the solenoid valve 28 is closed and the cleaning liquid is sucked from the inkjet head 30 to the liquid feeding pump 24 via the second switching unit 26. Flows.
　以上のように、本実施形態のインクジェット記録装置１は、インクタンク２１と、インクタンク２１から供給されるインクを吐出するノズル３３と、インクタンク２１とノズル３３とをつなぐインク流路２００と、インク流路２００の途中でインクを所定方向に送液する送液ポンプ２４と、を備える。インク流路２００は、フィルター２３、３４と、第１端Ｔ１及び第２端Ｔ２を有し第２端Ｔ２の接続先が切り替え可能な第１切替部２５と、第３端Ｔ３及び第４端Ｔ４を有し第４端Ｔ４の接続先が切り替え可能な第２切替部２６と、を有する。第１端Ｔ１及び第３端Ｔ３は、送液ポンプ２４の互いに反対側にそれぞれ接続されており、第２端Ｔ２及び第４端Ｔ４は、それぞれインクタンク２１の側とノズル３３の側との間で選択的に接続先を切り替え可能である。
　このように、単一の送液ポンプ２４の送液方向を切り替えずに、第１切替部２５及び第２切替部２６の切り替え操作で容易にインクや洗浄液をインクジェットヘッド３０から逆流させてフィルター２３、３４に対して逆向きの流れを生じさせることができる。これにより、フィルター２３、３４に付着した異物の除去などの洗浄動作がより容易かつ効率的になされる。特に、フィルター２３、３４の取り外しが不要であり、画像記録動作の合間などに頻繁に行うことが可能となるので、フィルター２３、３４の圧力損失が大きくならないうちにフィルター２３、３４の洗浄を行うことができる。したがって、長期間にわたりインク供給の画像記録動作に対する影響を小さくとどめることができ、安定して均質な記録画像を得ることができる。 As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an ink tank 21, a nozzle 33 for ejecting ink supplied from the ink tank 21, an ink flow path 200 connecting the ink tank 21 and the nozzle 33, and an ink flow path 200. A liquid feeding pump 24 for feeding ink in a predetermined direction in the middle of the ink flow path 200 is provided. The ink flow path 200 has filters 23 and 34, a first switching portion 25 having a first end T1 and a second end T2 and a connection destination of the second end T2 to be switchable, and a third end T3 and a fourth end. It has a second switching unit 26 which has T4 and can switch the connection destination of the fourth end T4. The first end T1 and the third end T3 are connected to the opposite sides of the liquid feed pump 24, respectively, and the second end T2 and the fourth end T4 are connected to the ink tank 21 side and the nozzle 33 side, respectively. The connection destination can be selectively switched between.
In this way, ink and cleaning liquid are easily backflowed from the inkjet head 30 by the switching operation of the first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 without switching the liquid feeding direction of the single liquid feeding pump 24, and the filter 23. , 34 can generate a flow in the opposite direction. As a result, cleaning operations such as removal of foreign matter adhering to the filters 23 and 34 can be performed more easily and efficiently. In particular, since it is not necessary to remove the filters 23 and 34 and it can be performed frequently between image recording operations, the filters 23 and 34 are cleaned before the pressure loss of the filters 23 and 34 becomes large. be able to. Therefore, the influence of the ink supply on the image recording operation can be kept small for a long period of time, and a stable and uniform recorded image can be obtained.
　また、インクジェット記録装置１は、制御部４０を備える。制御部４０は、第２端Ｔ２と第４端Ｔ４のうち一方をインクタンク２１の側に接続し、他方をノズル３３の側に接続し、一方と他方を同期して入れ替える。このように、電気的な制御信号で複数の第１切替部２５及び第２切替部２６の切り替え動作を同期して容易に行うことができるので、インク流路２００内全体の流れを適切に逆送方向とさせて、手間をかけずにフィルター２３、３４の異物を除去しやすくすることができる。 Further, the inkjet recording device 1 includes a control unit 40. The control unit 40 connects one of the second end T2 and the fourth end T4 to the side of the ink tank 21, connects the other to the side of the nozzle 33, and replaces one and the other in synchronization. In this way, since the switching operations of the plurality of first switching units 25 and the second switching unit 26 can be easily performed in synchronization with the electric control signal, the flow in the entire ink flow path 200 is appropriately reversed. By setting the feeding direction, it is possible to easily remove foreign matter from the filters 23 and 34 without any trouble.
　また、制御部４０は、フィルター２３、３４を洗浄する場合に、第１切替部２５の第２端Ｔ２と第２切替部２６の第４端Ｔ４のうち一方のフィルター２３、３４の側への接続と他方のノズル３３の側への接続との入れ替えを複数回行う。このように、単純に逆流させての洗浄だけではなく、流れの向きを反転させて固着した異物への力のかかり方を変化させるので、より異物を剥離させやすくすることができる。また、定常的な層流としないことで、インク流路の配管壁面付近にも流れの変化を生じさせて、フィルター２３、３４の中央付近だけではなく、フィルター２３、３４の周縁付近や、更にフィルター２３、３４近傍の配管壁面などに固着、堆積している異物もより効果的に除去されやすくすることができる。また、この場合には、反転間隔を短くすることで、同じインク及び洗浄液を行ったり来たりさせることができるので、洗浄に必要なインク及び洗浄液の総量を低減させることができ、これに伴って、捕集部２９のサイズも小型化することができる。さらに、行ったり来たりするインクや洗浄液の温度で流路の温度が安定するので、ゾルゲル間で相変化するようなインクでも温度むらによる相変化などの影響を抑制することができる。また、定常の層流で配管壁面付近の流速も上げる必要がなくなるので、圧力損失も大きくならず、送液ポンプ２４の送液能力もあまり大きくする必要がなくなり、これによって送液ポンプ２４のサイズやコストを低減させることができる。 Further, when cleaning the filters 23 and 34, the control unit 40 moves to the side of one of the second end T2 of the first switching unit 25 and the fourth end T4 of the second switching unit 26. The connection and the connection to the other nozzle 33 side are exchanged a plurality of times. In this way, not only the cleaning by simply regurgitating, but also the direction of the flow is reversed to change the way in which the force is applied to the fixed foreign matter, so that the foreign matter can be more easily peeled off. Further, by not making a steady laminar flow, a change in the flow is caused near the pipe wall surface of the ink flow path, and not only near the center of the filters 23 and 34 but also near the periphery of the filters 23 and 34 and further. Foreign matter stuck and accumulated on the wall surface of the pipe near the filters 23 and 34 can be easily removed more effectively. Further, in this case, by shortening the inversion interval, the same ink and cleaning liquid can be exchanged back and forth, so that the total amount of ink and cleaning liquid required for cleaning can be reduced, and accordingly. The size of the collecting unit 29 can also be reduced. Further, since the temperature of the flow path is stabilized by the temperature of the ink and the cleaning liquid that come and go, it is possible to suppress the influence of the phase change due to the temperature unevenness even with the ink that undergoes a phase change between the sol-gels. Further, since it is not necessary to increase the flow velocity near the pipe wall surface due to the steady laminar flow, the pressure loss does not increase and the liquid feeding capacity of the liquid feeding pump 24 does not need to be increased so much, whereby the size of the liquid feeding pump 24 does not need to be increased. And the cost can be reduced.
　また、インクジェット記録装置１は、フィルター２３、３４、第１切替部２５の第２端Ｔ２及び第２切替部２６の第４端Ｔ４よりもインクタンク２１の側に位置し、第５端Ｔ５及び第６端Ｔ６を有し第６端Ｔ６の接続先が切り替え可能な第３切替部２２と、インク流路２００からインクを排出する捕集部２９と、を備える。第５端Ｔ５は、インク流路２００のノズル３３の側に接続されており、第６端Ｔ６は、インクタンク２１と捕集部２９との間で選択的に接続先を切り替え可能である。
　この構成により、インクや洗浄液を逆送させる場合には、逆送したインクや洗浄液をインクタンク２１に戻さず、捕集部２９へ送るので、これらを回収して異物を適切に廃棄することができる。一方で、通常動作では、容易かつ適切にインクタンク２１からインクを供給することができる。 Further, the inkjet recording device 1 is located closer to the ink tank 21 than the filters 23, 34, the second end T2 of the first switching unit 25, and the fourth end T4 of the second switching unit 26, and the fifth end T5 and A third switching unit 22 having a sixth end T6 and being able to switch the connection destination of the sixth end T6, and a collecting unit 29 for discharging ink from the ink flow path 200 are provided. The fifth end T5 is connected to the side of the nozzle 33 of the ink flow path 200, and the sixth end T6 can selectively switch the connection destination between the ink tank 21 and the collection unit 29.
With this configuration, when the ink or cleaning liquid is sent back, the back-fed ink or cleaning liquid is not returned to the ink tank 21 but sent to the collection unit 29, so that it is possible to collect these and dispose of the foreign matter appropriately. can. On the other hand, in normal operation, ink can be easily and appropriately supplied from the ink tank 21.
　また、捕集部２９は、排出されたインクを収集する。容易に廃インクを回収可能とすることで、処理を容易とすることができる。 In addition, the collection unit 29 collects the discharged ink. By making it possible to easily collect the waste ink, the processing can be facilitated.
　また、制御部４０は、ノズル３３からインクを吐出させる場合に第６端をインクタンク２１に接続し、フィルター２３を洗浄する場合に第６端を捕集部２９に接続する。このように、第３切替部２２を制御部４０の制御で容易に切り替え可能な電磁弁とすることで、流れの方向を反転させたときにも容易かつ速やかに（同期して）切り替えが可能であり、フィルター２３、３４の洗浄が容易に行われる。 Further, the control unit 40 connects the sixth end to the ink tank 21 when ejecting ink from the nozzle 33, and connects the sixth end to the collecting unit 29 when cleaning the filter 23. In this way, by making the third switching unit 22 a solenoid valve that can be easily switched under the control of the control unit 40, switching can be easily and quickly (synchronously) even when the flow direction is reversed. Therefore, the filters 23 and 34 can be easily washed.
　また、第３切替部２２は、三方弁である。第３切替部２２からノズル３３の側への流路は定まっており、インクタンク２１と捕集部２９との間での切替であるので、三方弁で容易かつ適正に切り替えが可能である。特に、３ポート２ポジションのシングルソレノイド型（スプリングターン）電磁弁などを用いて、オンの場合にのみ捕集部２９に接続させることで、通常動作時には電圧信号が不要であり、容易に制御可能とされる。 The third switching unit 22 is a three-way valve. Since the flow path from the third switching unit 22 to the nozzle 33 side is fixed and switching between the ink tank 21 and the collecting unit 29, it is possible to easily and appropriately switch with the three-way valve. In particular, by connecting to the collection unit 29 only when it is on, using a single solenoid type (spring turn) solenoid valve with 3 ports and 2 positions, no voltage signal is required during normal operation, and control is easy. It is said that.
　また、第１切替部２５及び第２切替部２６は、三方弁である。第１切替部２５及び第２切替部２６も第３切替部２２と同様の構成とすることで、製造コストが抑制され、また、製造工程もシンプルとなる。この場合も、第１切替部２５の第１端Ｔ１と第２切替部２６の第３端Ｔ３がそれぞれ固定的に送液ポンプ２４に接続されているので、それぞれ、他端のみの切り替えでよく、三方弁の組合せで効率よく単一の送液ポンプ２４を用いたインクの流れ方向の反転を行わせることができる。 Further, the first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 are three-way valves. By making the first switching unit 25 and the second switching unit 26 the same configuration as the third switching unit 22, the manufacturing cost is suppressed and the manufacturing process is simplified. Also in this case, since the first end T1 of the first switching unit 25 and the third end T3 of the second switching unit 26 are fixedly connected to the liquid feed pump 24, it is sufficient to switch only the other end of each. , It is possible to efficiently reverse the flow direction of ink using a single liquid feed pump 24 by combining three-way valves.
　また、フィルター２３は、第２端Ｔ２及び第４端Ｔ４と、インクタンク２１との間に位置している。この構成の場合には、インクタンク２１から送出されたインクを早い段階でフィルタリングするので、細い流路で異物が詰まる可能性を低減させることができる。 Further, the filter 23 is located between the second end T2 and the fourth end T4 and the ink tank 21. In the case of this configuration, since the ink sent from the ink tank 21 is filtered at an early stage, the possibility that foreign matter is clogged in the narrow flow path can be reduced.
　あるいは、変形例のように、インクジェット記録装置１は、ノズル３３と、フィルター３４とを有するインクジェットヘッド３０を備え、第２端Ｔ２及び第４端Ｔ４は、インク流路２００ａのフィルター３４よりもインクタンク２１の側に位置していてもよい。
　このように、フィルター３４がインクジェットヘッド３０のノズル３３直近に位置することで、途中のインク流路で気泡や異物の混入を防止するための構成を必要としない。 Alternatively, as in the modified example, the inkjet recording device 1 includes an inkjet head 30 having a nozzle 33 and a filter 34, and the second end T2 and the fourth end T4 are more ink than the filter 34 of the ink flow path 200a. It may be located on the side of the tank 21.
As described above, since the filter 34 is located in the immediate vicinity of the nozzle 33 of the inkjet head 30, there is no need for a configuration for preventing air bubbles or foreign matter from being mixed in the ink flow path in the middle.
　なお、本発明は、上記実施の形態に限られるものではなく、様々な変更が可能である。
　例えば、上記実施の形態では、送液ポンプ２４の動作を変化させずに送液方向のみを変化させたが、送液ポンプ２４の動作を変化させてもよい。例えば、順送時の送液速度（送液量）を逆送時の送液速度よりも小さくしてもよい。また、逆送時の送液速度も一定である必要はない。例えば、逆送中に送液速度を周期的に変化させてもよい。 The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the above embodiment, only the liquid feeding direction is changed without changing the operation of the liquid feeding pump 24, but the operation of the liquid feeding pump 24 may be changed. For example, the liquid feeding speed (liquid feeding amount) at the time of progressive feeding may be smaller than the liquid feeding speed at the time of reverse feeding. Further, the liquid feeding rate at the time of reverse feeding does not have to be constant. For example, the liquid feeding rate may be changed periodically during the reverse feeding.
　また、上記実施の形態では、インク及び洗浄液を所定数回反転させながら往復して流すものとして説明したが、必ずしも往復で流さないといけないわけではない。通常通り、一回逆送（逆流）させるだけであってもよい。また、逆送のみの場合でも、上記のように送液速度を周期的に変化させてもよい。 Further, in the above embodiment, the ink and the cleaning liquid have been described as being reciprocated while being inverted several times, but it is not always necessary to reciprocate the ink and the cleaning liquid. As usual, it may be sent back once (backflow). Further, even in the case of only reverse feeding, the liquid feeding speed may be changed periodically as described above.
　また、上記実施の形態では、洗浄液を液受け部５１から供給、逆送させるものとして説明したが、専用の洗浄液を用いずに、単純にインクを逆送させてもよい。 Further, in the above embodiment, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the liquid receiving unit 51 and sent back, but the ink may be simply sent back without using the dedicated cleaning liquid.
　また、上記実施の形態では、取り付けられた捕集部２９へ逆送された異物を含むインク及び洗浄液を集めて捕集するものとして説明したが、これに限られない。配管などにより、外部の汎用的な構成（タンクなど）に接続されてもよい。この構成は、複数種類のインク、例えば、ＣＭＹＫ４色インクについて共通であってもよい。また、洗浄液を用いずにインクで洗浄を行う場合などは、第３切替部２２で捕集部２９へ分離させずにインクタンク２１へ戻したのち、インクタンク２１内で異物を沈降させて分離収集させてもよい。 Further, in the above embodiment, the ink and the cleaning liquid containing the foreign matter sent back to the attached collection unit 29 have been collected and collected, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be connected to an external general-purpose configuration (tank, etc.) by piping or the like. This configuration may be common to a plurality of types of inks, for example, CMYK 4-color inks. Further, in the case of cleaning with ink without using the cleaning liquid, the third switching unit 22 returns the foreign matter to the ink tank 21 without separating it into the collecting unit 29, and then the foreign matter is settled and separated in the ink tank 21. You may collect it.
　また、上記実施の形態では、第３切替部２２、第１切替部２５及び第２切替部２６を三方弁であるものとして説明したが、一部又は全部が三方弁でなくてもよい。送液ポンプ２４を挟んで両側でインクの流れの方向を反転させることができる構成、特に電磁気的に制御信号で制御可能なものであればよい。 Further, in the above embodiment, the third switching unit 22, the first switching unit 25, and the second switching unit 26 have been described as being three-way valves, but some or all of them may not be three-way valves. Any configuration may be used as long as the ink flow direction can be reversed on both sides of the liquid feed pump 24, particularly electromagnetically controllable by a control signal.
　また、三方弁は、上記のように、シングルソレノイド型のスプリングターンの電磁弁に限られず、他の形式のものであってもよい。また、電磁弁のオンオフ設定は上記実施形態に示したものに限られず、他のパターンであってもよい。 Further, the three-way valve is not limited to the single solenoid type spring turn solenoid valve as described above, and may be of another type. Further, the on / off setting of the solenoid valve is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment, and may be another pattern.
　また、送液部は、ダイヤフラムポンプなどの送液ポンプに限られず、インクを所定速度で１方向に送液可能なものであればよい。 Further, the liquid feeding unit is not limited to a liquid feeding pump such as a diaphragm pump, and may be any one capable of feeding ink in one direction at a predetermined speed.
　また、フィルターの位置は、上記実施形態や変形例で示した位置に限られない。中間タンク２７の直前や直後などであってもよい。
　その他、上記実施の形態で示した具体的な構成、処理動作の内容及び手順などは、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲において適宜変更可能である。本発明の範囲は、特許請求の範囲に記載した発明の範囲とその均等の範囲を含む。 Further, the position of the filter is not limited to the position shown in the above-described embodiment or modification. It may be immediately before or after the intermediate tank 27.
In addition, the specific configuration, the content and procedure of the processing operation shown in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
　この発明は、インクジェット記録装置に利用することができる。 The present invention can be used for an inkjet recording device.
１     インクジェット記録装置
１１   搬送駆動部
２０   インク供給部
２１   インクタンク
２２   第３切替部
２３   フィルター
２４   送液ポンプ
２５   第１切替部
２６   第２切替部
２７   中間タンク
２８   電磁弁
２９   捕集部
３０   インクジェットヘッド
３１   ヘッド駆動部
３２   圧電素子
３３   ノズル
３４   フィルター
４０   制御部
４１   ＣＰＵ
４２   記憶部
５０   メンテナンス部
５１   液受け部
６１   通信部
６２   操作受付部
６３   表示部
２００、２００ａ     インク流路 1 Inkjet recording device 11 Conveyance drive unit 20 Ink supply unit 21 Ink tank 22 Third switching unit 23 Filter 24 Liquid feed pump 25 First switching unit 26 Second switching unit 27 Intermediate tank 28 Solenoid valve 29 Collection unit 30 Inkjet head 31 Head drive unit 32 Piezoelectric element 33 Nozzle 34 Filter 40 Control unit 41 CPU
42 Storage unit 50 Maintenance unit 51 Liquid receiving unit 61 Communication unit 62 Operation reception unit 63 Display unit 200, 200a Ink flow path

Claims (10)

  1. 　インク貯留部と、
    　前記インク貯留部から供給されるインクを吐出するノズルと、
    　前記インク貯留部と前記ノズルとをつなぐインク流路と、
    　前記インク流路の途中でインクを所定方向に送液する送液部と、
    　を備え、
    　前記インク流路は、
    　フィルターと、
    　第１端及び第２端を有し、前記第２端の接続先が切り替え可能な第１切替部と、
    　第３端及び第４端を有し、前記第４端の接続先が切り替え可能な第２切替部と、
    　を有し、
    　前記第１端及び前記第３端は、前記送液部の互いに反対側にそれぞれ接続されており、
    　前記第２端及び前記第４端は、それぞれ前記インク貯留部の側と前記ノズルの側との間で選択的に前記接続先を切り替え可能である
    　インクジェット記録装置。     Ink reservoir and
    A nozzle that ejects ink supplied from the ink reservoir and
    An ink flow path connecting the ink reservoir and the nozzle,
    A liquid feeding unit that feeds ink in a predetermined direction in the middle of the ink flow path,
    Equipped with
    The ink flow path is
    With a filter
    A first switching unit having a first end and a second end and having a switchable connection destination of the second end,
    A second switching unit having a third end and a fourth end and having a switchable connection destination of the fourth end,
    Have,
    The first end and the third end are connected to each other on opposite sides of the liquid feeding portion, respectively.
    The second end and the fourth end are inkjet recording devices capable of selectively switching the connection destination between the ink storage unit side and the nozzle side, respectively.
  2. 　制御部を備え、
    　前記制御部は、前記第２端と前記第４端のうち一方を前記インク貯留部の側に接続し、他方を前記ノズルの側に接続し、前記一方と前記他方を同期して入れ替える
    　請求項１記載のインクジェット記録装置。     Equipped with a control unit
    The control unit connects one of the second end and the fourth end to the side of the ink storage unit, connects the other to the side of the nozzle, and synchronously replaces the one with the other. 1. The inkjet recording apparatus according to 1.
  3. 　前記制御部は、前記フィルターを洗浄する場合に、前記一方と前記他方の入れ替えを複数回行う請求項２記載のインクジェット記録装置。 The inkjet recording device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs the replacement of the one and the other a plurality of times when cleaning the filter.
  4. 　前記フィルター、前記第２端及び前記第４端よりも前記インク貯留部の側に位置し、第５端及び第６端を有し、前記第６端の接続先が切り替え可能な第３切替部と、
    　前記インク流路からインクを排出するインク排出部と、
    　を備え、
    　前記第５端は、前記インク流路の前記ノズルの側に接続されており、前記第６端は、前記インク貯留部と前記インク排出部との間で選択的に接続先を切り替え可能である
    　請求項１～３のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置。     A third switching unit that is located closer to the ink storage unit than the filter, the second end and the fourth end, has a fifth end and a sixth end, and the connection destination of the sixth end can be switched. When,
    An ink ejection unit that ejects ink from the ink flow path and
    Equipped with
    The fifth end is connected to the nozzle side of the ink flow path, and the sixth end can selectively switch the connection destination between the ink storage unit and the ink ejection unit. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
  5. 　前記インク排出部は、排出されたインクを収集するインク収集部を有する請求項４記載のインクジェット記録装置。 The inkjet recording device according to claim 4, wherein the ink discharging unit has an ink collecting unit for collecting the discharged ink.
  6. 　制御部を備え、
    　前記制御部は、
    　前記ノズルからインクを吐出させる場合に前記第６端を前記インク貯留部に接続し、
    　前記フィルターを洗浄する場合に前記第６端を前記インク排出部に接続する
    　請求項４又は５記載のインクジェット記録装置。     Equipped with a control unit
    The control unit
    When the ink is ejected from the nozzle, the sixth end is connected to the ink storage portion.
    The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sixth end is connected to the ink discharging unit when cleaning the filter.
  7. 　前記第３切替部は、三方弁である請求項４～６のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置。 The inkjet recording device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the third switching unit is a three-way valve.
  8. 　前記第１切替部及び前記第２切替部は、三方弁である請求項１～７のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置。 The inkjet recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first switching unit and the second switching unit are three-way valves.
  9. 　前記フィルターは、前記第２端及び前記第４端と、前記インク貯留部との間に位置している請求項１～８のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置。 The inkjet recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the filter is located between the second end and the fourth end and the ink storage unit.
  10. 　前記ノズルと、前記フィルターとを有するインクジェットヘッドを備え、
    　前記第２端及び前記第４端は、前記インク流路の前記フィルターよりも前記インク貯留部の側に位置する
    　請求項１～８のいずれか一項に記載のインクジェット記録装置。     The inkjet head having the nozzle and the filter is provided.
    The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second end and the fourth end are located closer to the ink storage portion than the filter of the ink flow path.
PCT/JP2020/028352 2020-07-22 2020-07-22 Inkjet recording device WO2022018839A1 (en)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007090593A (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-04-12 Roland Dg Corp Ink supply system in inkjet printer
JP2008012819A (en) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-24 Toshiba Tec Corp Inkjet recorder and its cleaning method
JP2015036238A (en) * 2013-08-15 2015-02-23 富士フイルム株式会社 Liquid discharge head and ink jet recorder
US20170246876A1 (en) * 2016-02-26 2017-08-31 Dover Europe Sàrl Method and device for adding solvent in small quantities
JP2019006042A (en) * 2017-06-27 2019-01-17 株式会社リコー Liquid circulation device and liquid discharge device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007090593A (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-04-12 Roland Dg Corp Ink supply system in inkjet printer
JP2008012819A (en) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-24 Toshiba Tec Corp Inkjet recorder and its cleaning method
JP2015036238A (en) * 2013-08-15 2015-02-23 富士フイルム株式会社 Liquid discharge head and ink jet recorder
US20170246876A1 (en) * 2016-02-26 2017-08-31 Dover Europe Sàrl Method and device for adding solvent in small quantities
JP2019006042A (en) * 2017-06-27 2019-01-17 株式会社リコー Liquid circulation device and liquid discharge device

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