JP2004351641A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that running costs are increased due to generation of a waste liquid not originally intended for removing bubbles staying in a passage at the time of carrying out ink circulation cleaning. <P>SOLUTION: In an ink supply device with a means for applying a positive pressure to a printing head, a head filter and a circulation passage that does not pass the vicinity of printing head nozzles are set, thereby greatly suppressing a waste liquid amount generated by the ink circulation cleaning or making the amount zero. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with an ink supply device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart showing the configuration of an ink supply system in an inkjet printer employing a long line head (hereinafter simply referred to as a print head) having a printable width of 4 inches.
[0003]
However, FIG. 5 schematically shows one station. When a plurality of print heads are provided, similar ink flow paths are arranged in parallel corresponding to each print head.
[0004]
In the printer, a pressure pump 505 for sending ink during cleaning, a supply pump 506 for supplying ink to the sub-tank 503, and ink discharged from the print head 501 when the print head 501 is cleaned are used as waste ink. The waste ink pump 507 for feeding into the tank 508 is provided, and each pump can send ink only in the directions indicated by D, E, and F, and the ink circulation is maintained when not driven. .
[0005]
In the process of printing, the print head 501 is cleaned at the timing determined in the sequence control in order to maintain the print quality due to the influence of bubbles in the flow path and dust adhering to the nozzle surface. .
[0006]
There are two types of cleaning using a pressurizing pump, and it is performed in a timely manner by the sequence control according to each purpose.
[0007]
A detailed description of the two cleaning types will be given below.
[0008]
Ink circulation cleaning: The purpose is to remove bubbles remaining in the ink flow path between the sub tank 503 and the print head 505. More specifically, by driving the pressure pump 505 with the pressure valve 520 opened, the ink is pumped from the sub tank 503 to the pressure pump 505 to the tube 514 to the print head 501, and then to the print head 501. On the one hand, the ink is discharged from the print head nozzle, and on the other hand, it passes through the tube 515 and is returned to the sub tank 503 again.
[0009]
Here, an outline of the ink flow path in the print head 501 is shown in FIG.
[0010]
The ink pumped from the tube 514 flows into the IN side filter 603 and the nozzle liquid chamber 602 provided in the vicinity of the ink discharge nozzle 601. On the other hand, the ink is discharged to the outside from the ink discharge nozzle 601. Pass through -604 and enter tube 515.
[0011]
The amount of ink that flows per unit time set in the cleaning (hereinafter simply referred to as the flow rate) is set to a value necessary to cause the bubbles in the flow path to flow and return to the sub tank 503. Is determined based on the flow rate required to pass through the OUT-side filter 604 where bubbles are least likely to flow. In particular, in order for air bubbles to pass through the stainless steel mesh filter used in this embodiment, it is necessary to generate a differential pressure of about 0.3 Kpa at both ends of the filter, so that the differential pressure is generated. The flow rate of the pressure pump 505 is set in consideration of the amount discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 601 to the outside.
[0012]
Ink pressurization cleaning; an object is to remove the ink discharge nozzle 601 and bubbles, foreign matters, and the like around the ink discharge nozzle 601. More specifically, the pressure valve 520 is closed, and the pressure pump 505 is driven to pressure-feed ink from the sub tank 503 to the pressure pump 505 to the tube 514 to the print head 501, and the ink is ejected from the ink discharge nozzle 601. Further, the dust adhering to the nozzle liquid chamber 602, the bubbles in the print head nozzle 601, and the nozzle surface 605 that blocks the ink discharge nozzle 601 is swept away.
[0013]
Here, the flow of ink in the print head 501 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0014]
The ink flowing in from the tube 514 flows into the IN side filter 603 and the nozzle liquid chamber 602 and is discharged to the outside from the ink discharge nozzle 601.
[0015]
The set flow rate in the cleaning is set as a necessary condition with a sufficient value for allowing the air bubbles staying in the nozzle liquid chamber 602 and the ink discharge nozzle 601 to flow outside the ink discharge nozzle 601. In the present embodiment, by applying the pressurizing pump flow rate set in the ink circulation cleaning to the cleaning, the necessary conditions are sufficiently satisfied, so that a common flow rate setting is made.
[0016]
By the way, ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 601 (hereinafter simply referred to as waste liquid) is caught by a recovery rod 502 shown in FIG. 5 and is sucked from the tube 516 by the suction force of the waste ink pump 507. The ink is stored in the waste ink tank 508 from the tip of the groove 517.
[0017]
The waste ink tank 508 is provided with an air opening 510 so that the waste ink pump 507 can smoothly transport the waste ink.
[0018]
Further, an upper limit sensor 511 comprising two conductive terminals is provided in the waste ink tank 508, and when the sensor detects that the waste ink has been stored up to the upper limit position, the user is notified. Encourage exchange. The waste ink tank 508 can be easily detached from the joint 512, and an absorber 509 for holding the waste ink is installed in order to prevent leakage of the waste ink due to replacement.
[0019]
Ink necessary for printing is once stored in the sub-tank 503 from the removable ink cartridge 513. However, since ink in the sub-tank 503 is consumed with printing, the ink cartridge 513 newly receives ink from time to time. Need to supply.
[0020]
When the supply pump 506 is driven, ink is sucked into the tube 518 from the ink cartridge 513, and an appropriate amount of ink is supplied from the tube 519 into the sub tank 503.
[0021]
The sub tank 503 is also provided with an atmosphere opening port 504 for releasing the pressure in order to smoothly supply ink.
[0022]
The ink in the ink cartridge is stored in a pack-like container that contracts as it is sucked out. In a printer having a plurality of print heads 501, only necessary stations are selectively used. A configuration capable of supplying the ink is provided.
[0023]
Further, when performing printing, the pressurizing valve 520 is opened, ink is supplied from both the tubes 514 and 515 to the print head 501, and filtered by the IN side filter 603 and the OUT side filter 604, respectively. Later, it is used for printing. By the way, when ink is supplied to the print head 501, an amount of ink equivalent to the ink consumed by printing is automatically supplied mainly due to a capillary phenomenon that occurs mainly at the ink discharge nozzle 601.
<See, for example, Patent Document 1>
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-334094 (pages 4-5, FIG. 1)
[0024]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional configuration as described above, particularly when ink circulation cleaning is performed, waste liquid that does not match the original intention is generated to remove bubbles remaining in the flow path, leading to an increase in running cost. Yes. On the other hand, an ink recycling system for suppressing an increase in running cost has been devised. However, this configuration increases the cost of the apparatus and increases the size of the apparatus.
[0025]
[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to the present application for solving the above-mentioned problems is directed to an ink supply apparatus having means for applying a positive pressure to a print head, wherein the ink is provided by providing a head filter and a circulation flow path that does not pass near the print head nozzle. The present invention provides an ink flow path configuration that significantly suppresses or eliminates the amount of waste liquid generated by circulation cleaning.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an ink flow path of an ink supply apparatus according to the present invention.
[0027]
However, FIG. 1 schematically shows one station. When a plurality of print heads are provided, similar ink flow paths are arranged in parallel corresponding to each print head.
[0028]
The ink supply apparatus according to the present invention includes two pumps, a pressure pump 105 that feeds ink and a suction pump 507 that sucks waste ink. Both pumps can feed ink only in the directions indicated by A and B. Yes, the ink flow is maintained when not driven.
In FIG. 1, the ink nozzles corresponding to the print paper width are arranged by the 101 print head. Reference numeral 102 denotes a recovery rod, which receives ink ejected from the ink nozzles when performing recovery processing of the ink nozzles of the print head 101. A pump 105 supplies ink to the print head 101. Reference numeral 113 denotes an ink cartridge, which is provided with an atmosphere opening port 104, an ink supply port that supplies ink to the print head 101, and a port that receives ink returning from the print head 101.
[0029]
Reference numerals 130 and 114 denote tubes that supply ink from the ink cartridge 113 to the print head 101. Reference numerals 115 and 131 denote tubes that return ink returned from the print head 101 to the ink cartridge 113. Reference numeral 507 denotes a pump that discharges ink accumulated in the recovery tank 102 and supplies it to the waste ink tank 508. Reference numeral 516 denotes a tube that discharges the ink of the recovery tub 102. Reference numeral 512 denotes a joint that allows the ink from the pump 507 to flow through the tube 517. The waste ink tank 508 is provided with an air opening 510 and an upper limit sensor 511 for detecting the upper limit amount of waste ink.
[0030]
The configuration of the above-described print head 101 will be described with reference to FIG. Tubes 114 and 115 are coupled to the joint of the ink cartridge. An IN filter liquid chamber 204 is provided at the connected portion. It flows from the tube 114 to the tube 115 through the IN liquid chamber 204.
[0031]
Reference numeral 203 denotes a filter. The ink in the IN ink chamber 204 passes through the filter and enters the OUT ink chamber 301. A nozzle liquid chamber 202 is supplied with ink from the OUT ink liquid chamber 301. An ink discharge nozzle 201 discharges ink in the OUT liquid chamber 301.
[0032]
With respect to the joint between the tubes 114 and 115 and the print head 101, a sectional view showing the arrangement of the head filter 203 and the peripheral portion will be described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
In this embodiment, the connection position of the OUT side joint 304 is upward with respect to the IN side filter-liquid chamber 204 provided on the surface of the head filter 203 arranged vertically or inclined, and the connection position of the IN side joint 303 is the above described position. It is arranged below the connection position of the OUT side joint 304, and the removal effect is enhanced by utilizing the buoyancy of bubbles during ink circulation cleaning.
[0034]
More preferably, when the inner diameter k of the IN-side joint 303 is projected onto the surface of the head filter 203, the ink flowing into the IN-side filter-liquid chamber 204 at the time of recovery is prevented from being applied to the filter range m. Without being directly applied to the head filter 203, the pressure propagating to the ink discharge nozzle 201 can be reduced, and the amount of waste liquid can be further reduced.
[0035]
In addition, the flow path 302 that connects the OUT-side filter-liquid chamber 301 and the nozzle liquid chamber 202 may be connected upward with respect to the OUT-side filter-liquid chamber 301 in order to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary bubbles.
[0036]
The arrangement of the periphery of the head filter 203 is described as an example of the present embodiment, and is not defined as the present invention. According to such a configuration, the waste liquid reduction effect is not limited to the above arrangement. It is clear that is obtained.
[0037]
Here, the operation of the ink supply device in the cleaning of the print head 101 according to the present invention will be described.
[0038]
In the present invention, the purpose of the present invention is to greatly reduce or eliminate the amount of waste liquid in the ink circulation cleaning for the purpose of removing bubbles remaining in the flow path as described in the prior art. The pressure pump 120 is driven in a state in which the pressure valve 120 is opened, so that ink is pumped from the ink tank 113 to the tube 130 to the pressure pump 105 to the tube 114 to the print head 101. Then, it returns to the ink tank 113 again through the tube 115 to the pressure valve 120 to the tube 131.
[0039]
Here, FIG. 2 shows an outline of the ink flow path in the print head 501.
[0040]
The ink pumped from the tube 114 flows into the IN-side filter liquid chamber 204, and most or all of the ink flows upward along the head filter 204 and flows out to the tube 115. Therefore, the amount of waste liquid that flows into the nozzle liquid chamber 202 and is discharged to the outside from the ink discharge nozzle 201 is small or zero.
[0041]
Here, the reason why the amount of waste liquid discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 201 is reduced will be described in detail.
[0042]
The flow rate set in the cleaning is set to a value necessary to cause the bubbles in the flow path to flow and return to the ink tank 113. However, since the bubbles do not pass through the head filter 203 as in the prior art. The flow rate is set so that bubbles can flow mainly in the tube. That is, the ink flow rate set in the circulation cleaning may be much smaller than the conventional one.
[0043]
In addition, since the ink does not pass through the vicinity of the ink discharge nozzle 201, the ink is less likely to be discharged.
[0044]
For these reasons, the positive pressure propagating to the ink discharge nozzle during the cleaning is remarkably lower than the conventional pressure, and accordingly, the amount of waste liquid is greatly reduced, or the positive pressure applied to the ink discharge nozzle 201 is reduced to the nozzle face surface. If the pressure is equal to or less than the holding pressure of the meniscus formed in 205 by the surface tension of the ink, it can be made zero.
[0045]
Further, in the present invention, the circulation of the flow path from the head filter 203 to the ink discharge nozzle 201 is not performed at the time of recovery of ink circulation, but preferably, bubbles generated between the flow paths have a short flow path length. By configuring the flow path with a material having a low gas permeation ratio instead of a tube or the like, there is almost no bubbles staying, and the slightly staying bubbles also flow into the nozzle liquid chamber 202 along with printing, Before the amount that affects printing is accumulated, it is removed by pressure cleaning, which will be described later, so there is no problem.
[0046]
The other operation outline in the present embodiment will be described below.
[0047]
In this embodiment, the sub-tank 503 is not used, but the necessary ink is directly used from the ink tank 113 set by the user. The ink tank 113 stores ink in a casing member which is an inelastic body, and normally has a blocking structure with respect to the outside. When the ink tank 113 is installed in the apparatus, an ink flow path is formed between the inside of the ink tank 113 and the tubes 130 and 131 by an unillustrated configuration, and the atmosphere provided in the ink tank 113. The release valve 104 is opened, and an air-flow path is formed between the inside and the outside of the ink tank 113.
[0048]
Ink pressurization cleaning performed to remove the ink discharge nozzle 201 and bubbles, foreign matters, and the like around the ink discharge nozzle 201 causes the ink to be inked by driving the pressurization pump 105 with the pressurization valve 120 closed. The tank 113 to the pressure pump 105 to the print head 101 are pumped to discharge the ink from the ink discharge nozzle 201, and the nozzle liquid chamber 202, the bubbles in the ink discharge nozzle 201, and the nozzle surface 205 that blocks the ink discharge nozzle 201 Wash away adhering debris.
[0049]
The set flow rate in the cleaning is set as a necessary condition for allowing the bubbles staying in the nozzle liquid chamber 202 and the ink discharge nozzle 201 to flow to the outside. Further, when performing printing, the pressurizing valve 120 is set. The ink is automatically supplied to the print head 101 by the capillary action of the ink discharge nozzle 201 from both the tubes 130 and 131, filtered by the head filter 203, and used for printing. The
[0050]
By the way, the waste liquid discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 201 is caught by the recovery rod 502 and stored in the waste ink tank 108 by the suction force of the waste ink pump 507. Regarding the configuration and the configuration of the waste ink tank 108, Since it is the same as that of the prior art, the description is omitted.
[0051]
[Example 2]
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
[0052]
According to the present embodiment, the branch flow path 401 is provided between the pressure pump 105 and the head filter 203, and the ink is supplied from the ink tank 113 to the tube 130 to the pressure pump 105 to the tube 114 to the circulation cleaning. From the diversion channel 401, the tube 115 through the pressurizing valve 120 through the tube 131 is returned to the ink tank 113 again.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the IN-side filter-liquid chamber 204 is not included in the circulation path, but the bubbles staying between the head filters 203 from the branch flow path 401 reach the nozzle liquid chamber 202 due to the flow of ink by printing. However, in order not to affect the ink discharge, the bubbles are temporarily discharged and discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 201 to the outside during the ink pressure cleaning.
[0054]
In particular, if the flow path leading to the ink tank is connected between the pressure pump 105 and the head filter 203 as in this embodiment, it is clear that the waste liquid reduction effect described in the present invention can be obtained. .
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, ink is not consumed unnecessarily during ink circulation cleaning, which contributes to reducing the running cost of the apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an ink flow path diagram showing a first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of ink flow paths in a print head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a head filter-periphery according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of ink according to a conventional configuration. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of ink in a print head according to a conventional configuration.
101 Print Head 102 Recovery Trap 105 Pressure Pump 113 Ink Tank 203 Head Filter
501 Print head 502 Recovery tank 503 Sub tank 505 Pressure pump 506 Supply pump 507 Waste liquid pump 508 Waste liquid tank 603 IN side filter
604 OUT side filter

Claims (6)

In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording using a recording head having a nozzle for discharging ink, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a unit that pumps ink to the recording head, and a flow that connects the ink pumping unit and the nozzles of the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that at least one filtration filter is disposed in the path, and a flow path leading to the ink storage section is connected between the filtration filter and the ink pumping means. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow path connected between the filtration filter and the ink pumping means is connected to a liquid chamber provided on the surface of the filtration filter. The flow path connected between the filtration filter and the ink pumping means to the ink storage section has a valve configuration capable of switching between the flow path blocking and opening. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. The position where the flow path from the pressure pump is connected to the liquid chamber provided on the surface of the filtration filter is connected to a position lower than the other flow path leading to the ink reservoir. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of 2 and 3. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filtration filter is arranged with at least an inclination. At least one of the flow paths connected to the liquid chamber provided on the filtration filter surface is connected to a position where a part or all of the flow path does not cover the filter portion when the flow path inner diameter is projected onto the filtration filter surface. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is provided.

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