JP3247558B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printer, for example, a PO
The present invention relates to a label printer widely used in S, FA, distribution, and the like, and more particularly, to a label printer using an ink jet printing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art To date, a label printer using an ink jet printing method has not been put to practical use. The advantages of general inkjet recording are that it is excellent in quietness because it is not in contact with the print medium, high printing speed, high density printing is possible, color printing is easy, Are small in size.

[0003] By the way, paper such as labels used in this label printer is A4 size paper usually used in offices and the like.
Since the print head is smaller in size than paper, it is easy to use a so-called full line type print head.

[0004] When this full-line type ink jet head is used, there is a special configuration different from the case of using a normal serial type head in terms of ink circulation and ink supply for recovery of ejection and the like. In addition, when a tube pump is used as a drive source in such an ink supply system, from the viewpoint of simplifying the drive control,
There are also problems.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve various problems derived from the ink supply system as described above, and in particular, to provide a label printer which has solved the problems when a tube pump is used. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
In a printer including an ink jet head for discharging ink to perform printing on a print medium, an ink tank storing ink to be supplied to the ink jet head, and the ink jet head being ink supplied from the ink tank. Has an air communication port and temporarily stores ink to be supplied to
And before maintaining the predetermined liquid volume by chromatic ink path for returning the predetermined liquid amount or more of ink to the ink tank
Maintain the head for the inkjet head at the specified value.
An ink storage unit for connecting to the ink tank via an ink path having a one-way valve that allows only the flow of ink from the ink tank, and the ink storage unit
A first tube pump connected via a path having a first tube pump, and an ink path connected via an ink path having a one-way valve allowing only ink flow in a direction toward the head, the first tube Drive pump
A first buffer tank for absorbing pulsation that may be caused by the ink jet head and an ink path.
The ink reservoir and the second tube port.
Connected through an ink path having a pump, and
To absorb pulsation that may be caused by the operation of the pump.
A second buffer tank because opening and closing means for opening and closing the atmosphere communication port of the ink reservoir, the comprising the Inkutan
Between the ink jet head and the ink jet head.
1 buffer tank, the ink storage unit, and the second buffer.
The Huffa tank is characterized by being connected in this order .

[0007] Preferably, the tube pump guides the tube at a portion other than a portion where the pressing roller of the tube pump acts on the tube.

The ink tank is a cartridge type tank, and an ink path for returning the ink of the predetermined amount or more in the ink storage section to the ink tank is provided with the ink tank when the ink tank is mounted. A needle unit having a needle communicating with the inside of the tank is provided, and the needle unit has a valve for performing the communication by the mounting operation.

More preferably, the ink tank is of a cartridge type, and an ink path connecting the ink tank and the buffer tank includes a needle communicating with the ink tank when the ink tank is mounted. A needle unit provided with the valve, the needle unit having a valve for performing the communication by a negative pressure transmitted through the buffer tank by driving the tube pump.

[0010] The apparatus may further include means for manually closing the air communication port of the ink storage unit.

[0011]

According to the above construction, the ink reservoir maintains the liquid level at a predetermined value and maintains the water head for the ink jet head at a predetermined value, so that the supply pressure at the time of ink discharge in the ink jet head is maintained at an appropriate value. It is possible,
Further, the first and second buffer tanks can absorb the pulsation in the ink path when the first and second tube pumps connected to the respective tank tanks are driven.

Further, since interference between the pressing roller and the tube in the tube pump can be avoided, it is possible to prevent adverse effects such as tube cutting by the pressing roller.

Further, the connection of the detachable cartridge type ink tank to the ink supply system accompanying the mounting of the detachable ink tank can be performed satisfactorily without ink leakage or the like.

Further, since the air communication port of the ink storage unit can be manually closed, it is possible to appropriately prevent ink from leaking through the air communication port during transportation of the printer.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the following embodiments, as a print medium, a paper sheet in the form of a roll paper in which labels are continuously arranged on release paper is used. Good. For example, cut paper may be used as a print medium, and the material of the print medium may be a film, cloth, or the like.

In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to a label printer will be described. However, the printer of the present invention uses a continuous paper, a business card, a card, or the like which can be cut as a print medium, or a ticket vending machine. Of course, various forms such as a machine form can be adopted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a label printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The label printer of this embodiment uses paper in the form of roll paper in which labels are continuously arranged on release paper. Due to the arrangement, the roll paper supply unit 101, the print head unit 102, and the ink cartridge storage unit 103 are used. It can be roughly divided into three parts. The cover 111 of the roll paper supply unit 101 is detachably provided, so that a new roll paper can be set or the like. The roll paper stored in the roll paper supply unit 101 is transported by a paper transport mechanism configured between the print head unit 102 and the ink cartridge storage unit 103, as described later with reference to FIG. Printing is performed on the label by the print head of the print head unit 102, and the label is discharged from the discharge port 114 to the outside of the apparatus. For the label printer of this example,
A device for peeling off the label from the release paper discharged from the paper discharge port 114 can be connected, or a device for winding the release paper to be discharged together with the attached label can also be connected.

As will be described later with reference to FIG.
03 is provided so that it can be opened and closed using the rear end portion in the figure as a support shaft.
2, the maintenance of the print head and the paper transport mechanism and the setting of the roll paper become possible. Print head unit 1
At the front end of 02, a lamp and a liquid crystal display for notifying various states of the printer, and an operation unit 112 having operation keys are provided.

The front cover 113 of the ink cartridge accommodating section 103 can be opened and closed with the left end in the figure as a rotation axis.
Thus, when replacing the ink cartridge, the front cover 113 can be opened and the ink cartridge can be attached and detached.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the label printer shown in FIG. 1 with the cover 111 of the roll paper supply unit 101 removed, and the print head 102 rotated upward and opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the front cover 113 of the ink cartridge unit 103 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roll 126 around which the roll paper 124 accommodated in the roll paper supply unit 101 is wound has two drive rollers 301 provided at the bottom of the unit 101 (one is not shown). ), And the outer peripheral side of the roll 126 and the drive roller are in contact with each other with a pressing force due to the weight of the roll paper. In this state, when the drive roller 301 and the like rotate with the power of a motor (not shown), the outermost roll paper 124 is separated from the inner roll paper and sent out. The supply of the roll paper is performed by the printer head unit 102 and the cartridge storage unit 10.
3 is carried out substantially independently of the transport by the roll paper transport mechanism 104 (details not shown). Therefore, in order to adjust the transport between these two portions, in the above-described roll paper supply, the supply of the roll paper is controlled so as to form a loop (sag, not shown in FIG. 2) serving as a buffer. . That is, the transport mechanism 10
When the loop sensor (not shown) does not detect the loop due to the conveyance in 4, the drive roller is driven to supply the roll paper while forming the loop.

The paper guide 131 is used to store the roll 12
6 so as to be slidable in the width direction. That is, when storing the roll paper, the paper guide 131 is slid more than the width of the roll paper 124, the roll 126 is placed on the drive roller, and then the paper guide 131 is rolled.
It is possible to slide to a width of 26, and a part of it can be abutted against the core material 125 of the roll 126. Thus, when the roll paper 124 is supplied, it is possible to restrict the roll paper 124 from oscillating in the width direction on the upstream side of the drive roller in the supply direction while allowing a certain minute sway. The paper guide 131 is provided with a stopper 316 for fixing the slide position.

In the roll paper transport path, the transport mechanism 10
An oblique feeding unit 128 is provided near the entrance of the transport path of the transport path 4. The skew feeding unit 128 has two skew feeding rollers (not shown) that contact the lower surface of the roll paper 124 and skew rollers 129 and 130 that contact the upper surface of the roll paper 124 facing these rollers. The two skew feeding rollers oppose the skew feeding roller 130 and are driven by a driving force from the conveying mechanism 104 side, and the skew feeding roller 129.
And a driven roller that does not have a driving force and is installed so that each roller rotates obliquely to the transport direction of the roll paper (the rotation axis is inclined from the direction perpendicular to the transport direction). Have been. In addition, oblique feeding roller 1
29 and 130 are also mounted obliquely with respect to the transport direction, similarly to the skew feeding roller. By these skew feeding rollers and skew feeding rollers 129 and 130, it is possible to apply a conveying force in a diagonal direction to the conveyed roll paper so as to press the roll paper against a predetermined guide on the back side in the drawing. As a result, the roll paper 124 is transported in a direction in which the transport direction thereof is regulated, so that the roll paper 124 can be transported favorably without any deviation in the transport direction.

A roll paper transport mechanism 104 provided between the print head unit 102 and the cartridge storage unit 103
Is omitted in FIG. 2, but in the figure,
A plurality of belts that are arranged below the roll paper 124 (therefore, are arranged on the upper surface of the cartridge accommodating section 103) and extend in the transport direction, and are provided upstream and downstream in the transport direction to drive these belts. And a spur 141 that is disposed on the lower surface of the print head unit 102 and obtains driving force via a predetermined belt among the belts
(Shown in FIG. 4).

In FIG. 3, the ink cartridge storage unit 103 stores four types of inks, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk), which are used in the label printer of this embodiment. The cartridge storage chambers 140Y, 140M, 140C and 140Bk are provided. In the vicinity of the entrance of each cartridge storage chamber, shutters 142Y and 142 for substantially shielding the inside of the storage chamber are provided.
M, 142C and 142Bk are provided. These shutters are rotatably supported at their upper parts, and are provided to prevent a user from accidentally putting his / her hand inside the storage chamber and touching the ink supply needle.
When inserting the ink cartridge, the cartridge itself pushes the shutter toward the back of the storage chamber,
The insertion is performed.

FIG. 4 shows a print head station 151 (hereinafter referred to as PHS) which is a main mechanism of the print head unit 102.
FIG.

The PHS 151 is an ink-jet head (hereinafter, referred to as a head) 15 having ejection ports arranged over the entire width of the label in the width direction of the roll paper in order to perform printing on the label placed on the roll paper 124.
5Y, 155M, 155C and 155Bk. As this head, a so-called bubble jet type head having an element for generating thermal energy for causing film boiling of ink as energy used for discharging ink is used. The PHS 151 includes a means for collecting ink ejected from an ink ejection port side provided in each head, a blade for wiping and removing residual ink and the like on an ejection port forming surface near an ink ejection port of the head, and A recovery unit 153 having a cap or the like for preventing drying near the ink ejection port is provided.

In the PHS 151, a drive for moving the head holder unit 152 supporting each head from the print position on the roll paper 124 in the vertical direction and moving the recovery system unit 153 horizontally by a predetermined amount in the roll paper transport direction. It has a cooling unit for cooling the system unit and the head.

As described above, spurs 141 are provided on both sides of each head below the PHS 151.

In the above description, the label printer is roughly divided into three parts. However, it is a matter of course that each of these parts is not provided with only the elements or mechanisms described above. . Other elements related to the elements described above, respectively, or a control board, a drive motor, an ink supply system, etc. are appropriately disposed, and other than the respective elements or mechanisms described below, known elements are used. It can be used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an ink supply system provided in the above-described label printer.

The ink supply system according to the present embodiment includes a sub tank 203, buffer tanks 205 and 2 between the ink cartridge 201 of each color and the ink jet head 155.
07, and the ink supply in this system is basically performed by the pressure difference generated by the tube pumps 209 and 211 and the head difference between each element. The sub tank 203 and the buffer tanks 205 and 20 shown in FIG.
7. Needless to say, the tube pumps 209 and 211 are provided for each ink, similarly to the ink jet head 155, the ink cartridge 201, and the ink receiver 215. That is, the ink supply system shown in FIG. 5 is provided for each color ink.

Hereinafter, main ink supply modes in the ink supply system of this embodiment will be described.

First, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 201 to the sub-tank 203, and the liquid level in the sub-tank 203 is set to the reference level S.D. The mode for maintaining L is described. In this mode, the solenoid 227 is driven to close the atmosphere communication port 203A of the sub-tank 203 with the stopper 225, and the tube of the tube pump 211 is crushed and closed by the roller. In this state, the tube pump 2
09 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (CCW), so that the pressure inside the buffer tank 205 is reduced to a negative pressure. At this time, no ink flows from the head 155 side through the supply path 237 by the check valve 219, and the check valve 21
Ink flows into the buffer tank 205 only from the ink tank cartridge 201 via the supply path 231 in which the direction 7 is forward. When the ink level reaches the tube 205A in the tank due to the inflow of the ink, the ink flows into the sub tank 203 via the supply path 233. Due to the inflow of the ink, the ink level in the sub tank is changed to the reference level S. L, the ink flows into the cartridge 201 via the supply path 235 and the reference liquid level S.E. L will be maintained.

That is, this ink supply mode is performed by driving the tube pump 209 for a predetermined time at an appropriate timing other than the printing operation for discharging ink from the head 155. The reference liquid level in the sub tank can be maintained only by controlling the driving time. This reference liquid level S.P. L is in a range of an appropriate water head for the head 155, so that ink can be satisfactorily supplied at the time of ink ejection.

The sensor 223 provided in the sub tank 203 is for detecting the presence / absence of ink. As described above, the presence / absence of ink is detected by the sensor 223 despite the fact that the tube pump 209 has been driven for a certain period of time. Is not detected, the cartridge tank 201 is not detected.
Is used to know that the ink has run out.

Next, a supply mode at the time of ink ejection in the ink jet head will be described.

In this mode, the air communication port 203A of the sub tank 203 is opened, and the tubes of the tube pumps 209 and 211 are not crushed by the rollers, that is, a so-called through state. When ejection is performed by the inkjet head 155 in this state, the ink in the subtank 203 is supplied to the head 155 via two supply paths 223, 237 and 241, 239 due to the head difference between the subtank 203 and the head 155. You.

The third mode is a supply mode during the circulation of ink, which is performed as one of the ejection recovery processes of the ink jet head 155. In this mode, the air communication port 203A of the sub tank 203 is opened and
The two tube pumps 209 and 211 are rotated clockwise (CW direction). Thereby, the sub tank 2
03 flows into the head 155 via the supply paths 233 and 237,
Ink flows into the sub-tank 203 via 39 and 241. Due to such ink circulation, air bubbles mainly staying in the head 155 are removed together with the ink into the sub tank 203.
And finally released into the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port 203A.

During the ink circulation described above, it is desirable that the pressure in the head 155 be maintained at a pressure slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. By doing so, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking through the ink ejection ports during circulation as much as possible. However, the ink supply system of this embodiment uses a tube pump as its supply power, so that the pressure pulsation is large, and the phase synchronization control between the two tube pumps 209 and 211 is not performed. Pulsation in the head 155 may be further increased.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the buffer tank 2
05 and 207 with the head 155 and the tube pump 20
9 and 211, the pulsation generated by each tube pump is absorbed by these buffer tanks, thereby maintaining the pressure in the head during ink circulation at an appropriate constant value.

As another ink supply mode, there is a supply mode at the time of pressurization recovery performed as one of the ejection recovery processes as described above. In this mode, the atmosphere communication port 20
3A is open, and the tube pump 211 is in a state where the tube is crushed by the roller. When the tube pump 209 is driven in the clockwise direction (CW direction) in this state,
Ink is supplied from the sub tank 203 to the head 155 via the supply paths 233 and 237. Since the pressure at the time of this supply is not driven by the tube pump 211, it becomes larger than that at the time of the above-described ink circulation, and therefore, the ink in the head is discharged to the ink receiver 215 via the ejection port. Along with this discharge, the thickened ink and the like in the head can be discharged.

The above-described discharged ink and a similar one of the ejection recovery processing
The ink in the ink receiver 215 that receives the ink ejected by the so-called preliminary ejection performed as one is guided to the waste ink storage section of the ink cartridge 201 via the supply path 243 by the tube pump 213.

FIG. 6A is a front view showing the details of the tube pump 209 (211) used in the ink supply system shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B shows a tube pump according to a conventional example. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the tube pump according to the present embodiment has a tube holder 212 serving as a support member.
A semi-circular concave portion is formed in the base, and the tube 245 is arranged along the semi-circular portion. Then, a roller rotating unit having its rotation axis is disposed at a position offset from the center of the semicircle. Press roller 2 in roller rotating part
09A, 209B, 209C, and 209D are provided (other elements are not shown). By the rotation of the roller rotating unit, each roller pushes the tube 245, and the tube extends within a range of about 65 ° before and after the lowest point in the figure. Is crushed.

On the other hand, the tube presser 212 is pressed against the cam 218 by the spring 216, and is shown in FIG.
However, when the tube 245 is in a non-pressed state, that is, a so-called through state, the cam 218 is rotated, and the shaft 220 is turned to the left in the figure to the tube as a fulcrum.

By the way, the tube pump of this embodiment (see FIG. 6A) and the tube pump of the conventional example (FIG. 6B)
This is different from the conventional example in that the tube guide 214 is provided along the entire semicircular portion along which the tube 245 extends, whereas the semicircular portion is provided in the present embodiment. Except for this, the guide 210 is provided only in a portion adjacent thereto (the guide is also provided symmetrically on the back side with respect to the tube 245 in the figure).

According to the structure of the guide of the present embodiment, the guide 210 includes the tube 24 near the pressing portion other than the portion where the pressing rollers 209A to 209D press the tube 245.
5 only. On the other hand, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 6B, since the tube 245 is entirely guided including the pressing portion by the roller, the tube 245 rides on the guide 214 for some reason. In such a case, the pressing roller may cut the tube.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since there is no guide at the portion where the pressing rollers 209A to 209D act, there is no possibility that cutting or the like will occur even if large tube run-out or the like occurs as described above. .

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the detailed shape of the sub-tank 203 shown in FIG.
It is a front view showing the opening mechanism of 03A, FIG. (A) shows a state in which the air communication port 203A is closed, and FIG. (B) shows a state in which it is opened.

The opening mechanism of the atmosphere communication port 203A is configured as follows. The sealing lever 247 is
At 9 one end is provided with a plug 225 which is in contact with the open end of the atmosphere communication port 203A, while the other end is rotatably connected to the plunger of the solenoid 227. Here, the solenoid 227 is a so-called latch solenoid, and holds the position of the plunger at a constant position without current supply. Also,
The sealing lever 247 is connected to a tension spring 255 near the position where the stopper 225 is provided, and the other end of the spring 255 is connected to a cover 253 forming an exterior member of the printer in this example.
Further, an operation lever 251 is integrally fixed to the sealing lever 247.

In the above opening / closing mechanism, as described in FIG. 5, the energizing of the solenoid 227 is controlled in accordance with each ink supply mode to operate the operating member, and the sealing lever 247 is operated by the action of the spring 225. By rotating, the stopper 225 can be brought into contact or non-contact with the opening end of the atmosphere communication port 203A to open and close the atmosphere communication port 203A.

In addition to the operation of the opening / closing mechanism, when the label printer is transported for shipping or when the place where the label printer is to be moved is moved, as shown in FIG. To the closed state shown in FIG. This makes it possible to satisfactorily prevent the ink from leaking from the air communication port 203A even when the apparatus is subjected to vibration or the like during the transportation or the like.

FIG. 8 is a three-view drawing showing the details of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 5, and is a view showing a side surface thereof in cross section.

As shown in the sectional view, the ink cartridge 201 has an ink storage chamber 257 and a waste ink storage chamber 260.
Consists of At the end of the ink storage chamber 257, rubber stoppers 265 for penetrating an ink supply needle, which will be described later, are provided at two places, and similarly, at the waste ink storage chamber 260, a rubber stopper is provided at one place. These rubber stoppers 265 are structured so as to be sandwiched between the case member of the cartridge, the ink absorber 263 and the rubber stopper 267 except for the penetrating portion of the needle. With this structure, when the ink cartridge is removed from the label printer, the ink adhering to the ink supply needle coming out of the cartridge is removed by the ink absorber 263.
Thus, it is possible to prevent the ink attached to the supply needle from contaminating the inside of the printer or causing the supply needle itself from being clogged.

The waste ink storage chamber 260 is composed of two layers of storage sections communicating at one end, and the portion through which the ink supply needle penetrates is provided corresponding to the lower layer storage section. That is, the supply needle connected to the supply path 243 shown in FIG. 5 penetrates through the waste ink storage chamber 260, and the waste ink discharged by the discharge recovery processing or the like is placed in the lower layer of the waste ink storage chamber 260. Inflow. An absorber 259 is filled in substantially the entire waste ink storage chamber 260, and the waste ink flowing into the lower layer is absorbed by the absorber 259 in the lower layer. As the waste ink flows, the region of the absorber 259 that holds the waste ink gradually spreads to the upper absorber 259, and at the same time, a part of the waste ink oozes out of the absorber. on the other hand,
Partition wall 2 adjacent to the end of waste ink absorber 259 in the upper layer
60A is provided, so that the exuded ink cannot move to the right side without the absorber by the partition wall 260A unless the waste ink amount exceeds the holding capacity of the absorber. Only when the accumulated amount of waste ink exceeds the holding capacity of the absorber, the exuded waste ink overflows from the partition wall 260A, moves to the right chamber, raises the liquid level, and moves to the waste liquid detection electrode 269. To touch. As a result, it is possible to detect that the waste ink storage chamber 260 is filled with the waste ink, and it is possible to prompt replacement of the ink cartridge 201 and the like.

The inside of the waste ink storage chamber 260 can communicate with the outside through Microtex (trade name: Nitto Denko) provided between itself and the outside, thereby preventing leakage of the waste ink and waste ink. Evaporation of moisture and the like inside becomes possible.

An identification sticker 27 for identifying the type of ink stored is provided on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 201.
3 is attached, and a resistance seal 271 for attaching the cartridge and electrically detecting the type of the ink is attached to the front end.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state where the ink cartridge 201 is mounted on a label printer. That is,
The state where each ink supply needle has penetrated the rubber stopper of the ink cartridge is shown.

The supply needle unit 275 shown in FIG. 9 is connected to an ink supply path 235 (see FIG. 5) for circulating ink from the sub tank 203. When the cartridge is not mounted, the valve 275A is opened by a spring (not shown). The connection pipe 275D and the needle 275C are urged to the middle left and are in a non-communication state. When the cartridge is mounted, FIG.
As will be described later, the valve 275 is operated against the urging force by the action of a lever (not shown) accompanying the mounting operation.
A is opened to establish a communication state between the needle 275C and the connection pipe 275D.

The supply needle unit 277 has a supply path 2 for supplying ink to the buffer tank 205 (see FIG. 5).
31 (see FIG. 5), and regardless of whether the ink cartridge 201 is mounted or not, in a normal state, the valve 277A is urged leftward by a spring 277B as shown in FIG. Connection pipe 277D and needle 2
75C is in a non-communication state.

The communication state is established in the following case. FIG.
As described above, when the tube pump 209 is driven in the counterclockwise direction in the ink supply mode to the sub tank, the connection pipe 277 is connected via the buffer tank 205.
As shown in FIG. 10 (B), the valve 277A is displaced rightward against the urging force of the spring 277B, so that the connection between the connection pipe 277D and the needle 277C is established. The ink in the cartridge 201 is supplied to the buffer tank 205. As described above, the supply needle unit 277 is provided with the check valve 217 shown in FIG.
Function.

The supply needle unit 279 is connected to the waste ink supply path 243 (see FIG. 5), and the connection pipe 279D and the needle 279C are always in communication.

FIGS. 11 to 13 are views showing the detailed structure of the shutter 142 of the cartridge storage chamber 140 and the operation of inserting the cartridge into the cartridge storage chamber described with reference to FIG.

As shown in these figures, the shutter 142
It is rotatably supported at a predetermined position of the storage chamber upper frame 140U and is slidably engaged with one end of a stopper lever 142A within a predetermined range. On the other hand, the stopper lever 1
Reference numeral 42A is similarly pivotally supported at a point forward of the point at which the shutter 142 is pivotally supported, and is urged forward by a spring 142B, and its forward rotation is regulated by a stopper 142C. With the above configuration, even if the shutter 142 is pulled forward and opened, it is prevented.

When the ink cartridge 201 is inserted,
As shown in FIG. 12, the front end shoulder of the cartridge 201 is pushed in while being pressed against the shutter 142.
Finally, the stopper 140S provided on the lower frame 140L of the storage chamber collides with the stopper 140S, and the mounting state shown in FIG. 13 is obtained.
At this time, the above-described resistance seal provided on the upper surface of the cartridge 201 comes into contact with the main body side electrode 281, and the waste ink detection electrode 269 also comes into contact with the main body side electrode 282.
At this time, the shutter 142 can be prevented from contacting the resistance seal because most of the tip of the shutter 142 is cut off as shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 shows the lower frame 140 of the storage chamber.
FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the whole of L.

The lower frame 140L has a tub shape as shown in the figure, in which a cartridge storage chamber and another ink supply system shown in FIG. 5 are disposed. With such a configuration, even if ink leaks from the ink supply system or the like, the ink does not leak out of the lower frame 140L, and the lower frame is located on the back side as shown in FIG. (Right side in the figure), and a sensor 28 for detecting the remaining ink leaks near the lowest point.
3 are provided. This makes it possible to detect that a certain amount of leaked ink is present.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show the needle 275C of the supply needle unit 275 and the ink cartridge 201 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship when the camera is mounted.

First, immediately before the rubber plug 265 of the cartridge 201 and the needle 275C come into contact with the mounting of the cartridge, no force is applied to the lever 275D, so that the valve 275A is urged by the spring 275B to communicate with the communication passage. Is closed.

Next, when the insertion of the cartridge 201 further proceeds and the lever 275D of the supply needle unit 275 comes into contact with a part of the cartridge 201 as shown in FIG. The part having the communication port is already in the cartridge through the rubber stopper. On the other hand, at this time, since the lever 275D has just come into contact with a part of the cartridge, the pressing force from the cartridge is about to start to act. Therefore, at this point, the valve 275A maintains the closed state of the communication path.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, when the insertion of the cartridge 201 is further advanced, the pressing force from the cartridge 201 acts on the lever 275D and presses it, whereby the connecting lever 275E has one end supporting the fulcrum. , And is displaced rightward in the figure. As a result, this connecting lever 2
The valve 275A connected to the valve 75E is displaced rightward against the urging force of the spring 275B, and the connection tube 275D and the needle 27 are moved.
A communication state is established with the communication port of 5C.

As apparent from the description of FIGS. 15 to 17, the supply needle unit 275 for circulating ink from the sub tank to the ink cartridge is
With the insertion operation of 01, the communication port portion of the needle 275C first enters the cartridge, and then the valve 275 is opened. In other words, the relationship between the length of the lever 275D and the length of the needle 275C is determined so as to secure a series of operations as described above.

According to such a configuration, for example, before the needle is inserted into the cartridge, the valve 275A is opened, and the problem that ink from the subtank leaks into the apparatus through the communication port of the needle 275C is obviated. Can be prevented.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams respectively showing a head connector provided in a part of the ink supply path shown in FIG. 5 for connecting a supply pipe and a relay station thereof.

In this embodiment, since four kinds of inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (Bk) are used, there are also four ink supply paths. Therefore, each head connector corresponds to the type of ink, and they need to be set at the corresponding positions of the relay station 285.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 18A, the head connector 287 at the time of assembling the printer has four bosses on both sides of the head connector 287, and these bosses are used in the process of assembling each type of ink. By cutting off the boss at the position corresponding to the above, the assembled head connector 289 is formed.

On the other hand, at the set position corresponding to each ink type at the relay station, two bosses 285A are provided in a diagonal relationship at positions corresponding to the above-described cut positions.

According to the above configuration, the head connector is not set at an incorrect position, thereby preventing problems such as color mixing of ink.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a part of the print head unit 102 shown in FIG. 1 and the like.

Each of the ink jet heads 155 has the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, a plurality of fins 291 are provided over the entire longitudinal direction of the head. Then, a fan 293 for generating an air flow in the longitudinal direction of these fins is provided. The fan 293 is driven by a motor (not shown), and ducts 295A and 295B are provided before and after the fan 293. The duct 295A communicates with the outside air through a louver 297 formed in a part of the cover member 114, so that relatively low-temperature air outside the print can be taken in.

(Others) The present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, or the like) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in a recording head of a type in which a change in the state of ink is caused by the thermal energy, and in a recording apparatus such as the above label printer. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head is not limited to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record, as in the above embodiment. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of a serial type, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the ink supply from the apparatus main body can be provided by being attached to the apparatus main body and electrically connected to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

The type and number of the recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, for example, and for a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to the printing mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and may be either an integrated printing device or a combination of a plurality of printing devices. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color or color mixing.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to those used as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as computers, copying apparatuses combined with readers and the like, and facsimile apparatuses having a transmission / reception function. It may take a form.

[0093]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the ink reservoir maintains the liquid level at a predetermined value and maintains the water head for the ink jet head at a predetermined value. The supply pressure at the time can be kept at an appropriate value, and the first and second buffer tanks can be connected to the first and second buffer tanks respectively.
In addition, the pulsation in the ink path when the second tube pump is driven can be absorbed.

In addition, since interference between the pressing roller and the tube in the tube pump can be avoided, adverse effects such as tube cutting by the pressing roller can be prevented.

Further, the connection of the detachable cartridge type ink tank to the ink supply system accompanying the mounting of the detachable cartridge type ink tank can be performed without any ink leakage or the like.

Furthermore, since the air communication port of the ink storage unit can be manually closed, it is possible to appropriately prevent ink from leaking through the air communication port during transportation of the printer.

As a result, it is possible to provide a printer having an ink supply system that can supply ink satisfactorily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a label printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the label printer in FIG. 1 with its case cover and the like removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similarly showing a state where a front cover is opened.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a mechanism of a print head station of the label printer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink supply system of the label printer.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are front views showing a tube pump of the present embodiment and a conventional tube pump used in an ink supply system, respectively.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front views showing a sub-tank used in the ink supply system shown in FIG. 5 and an opening / closing mechanism of an air communication port thereof;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge used in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between the ink cartridge and an ink supply needle unit.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing details of an ink supply needle unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an ink cartridge insertion process in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an insertion process.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an insertion process.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a case lower frame of the ink cartridge storage chamber in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between an ink cartridge and a supply needle unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the same relationship.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the same relationship.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating a set of a head connector of an ink supply system in the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a relationship between a head cooling fin and a fan in the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a side view showing the fin and an ink jet head to which the fin is attached.

[Description of Signs] 140L Storage Lower Frame 142 Shutter 155 Inkjet Head 203 Sub Tank 205, 207 Buffer Tank 209, 211, 211 Tube Pump 210 Tube Guide 215 Ink Receiving Member 247 Sealing Lever 251 Operation Lever 257 Ink Storage Room 260 Waste Ink Storage Room 263 Ink container 265 Rubber stopper 269 Waste liquid detection electrode 271 Resistance seal 275, 277, 279 Ink supply needle unit 275D Lever 287 Head connector 291 Fin

(56) References JP-A-6-336020 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175 B41J 5/30

Claims (19)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer having an ink jet head for discharging ink to perform printing on a print medium, comprising: an ink tank storing ink to be supplied to the ink jet head; and an ink supplied from the ink tank. The ink for temporarily supplying the ink to the ink jet head and having an air communication port, and having an ink path for returning ink of a predetermined amount or more to the ink tank, thereby reducing the amount of the predetermined liquid. And an ink storage unit for maintaining a head relative to the inkjet head at a predetermined value, and connected to the ink tank via an ink path having a one-way valve that allows only the flow of ink from the ink tank, Connected via a path having an ink reservoir and a first tube pump; and A first ink jet head connected to the ink jet head via an ink path having a one-way valve that allows only the ink flow in the direction toward the ink jet head, to absorb a pulsation that may be generated by driving the first tube pump. Pulsation connected to the ink jet head via the ink path, and connected to the ink storage unit via the ink path having the second tube pump, and which can be generated by driving the second tube pump. Second to absorb the
And an opening / closing means for opening / closing an air communication port of the ink storage unit. The first buffer tank, the ink storage unit, and the second storage unit are provided between the ink tank and the inkjet head. The printer, wherein the buffa tanks are connected in this order. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second tube pumps guides the tube at a portion other than a portion where the pressing roller of the tube pump acts on the tube. 3. The ink tank is a cartridge type tank, and an ink path for returning the ink of the predetermined liquid amount or more in the ink storage unit to the ink tank is provided with the mounting of the ink tank. A needle unit having a needle communicating with the ink tank,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the needle unit has a valve that performs the communication by the mounting operation. 4. The positional relationship of the mounting operation between the ink tank and the needle unit when the ink tank is mounted is such that the valve is opened after the communication port of the needle enters the ink tank. The printer according to claim 3, wherein 5. The ink tank is of a cartridge type, and the ink tank and the first and second ink tanks are of a cartridge type.
The ink path connected to the buffer tank has a needle unit provided with a needle communicating with the ink tank when the ink tank is mounted, and the needle unit is driven by the tube pump. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a valve for performing the communication by a negative pressure transmitted through the printer. 6. The air communication port of the ink storage unit,
6. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a manual closing means. 7. The ink-jet head according to claim 1, wherein the ink-jet head uses thermal energy to generate bubbles in the ink, and discharges the ink by generating the bubbles. Printer. 8. A printer, comprising: an ink jet head for discharging ink to perform printing on a print medium; and an ink container for storing ink to be supplied to the ink jet head. An ink storage container having an air communication portion for temporarily storing ink supplied to the ink-jet head from the ink container, and connecting the ink container and the ink storage container with each other; A first ink path capable of forming a flow of ink to a storage container, connecting the ink storage container and the ink container, and returning ink of a predetermined liquid amount or more in the ink storage container to the ink container. A second ink path capable of forming an ink flow; and an opening / closing unit configured to open / close an air communication unit of the ink storage container. The comprising, hydrocephalus for said ink jet head is maintained at a predetermined value by maintaining the predetermined liquid amount of the ink reservoir by the ink returning by the second ink path,
A one-way flow restricting member that allows only ink flow in a direction to be discharged from the ink container is disposed in the first ink path, and the one-way flow restricting member of the first ink path and the ink storage container A buffer container connected to a third ink path for supplying ink to the inkjet head and absorbing pressure pulsation relating to ink supply. 9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein an ink transfer unit is disposed between the buffer container and the storage container in the first path. 10. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit is a pump capable of generating both an ink flow from the ink container to the ink storage container and an ink flow from the ink storage container to the buffer. The printer according to claim 9, which performs the operation. 11. The printer according to claim 10, wherein the pump is a tube pump. 12. The printer according to claim 8, wherein a one-way flow restricting member that allows only ink flow from the buffer container to the ink jet head is provided in the third path. 13. The ink storage container according to claim 8, wherein the opening / closing means of the air communication portion of the ink storage container is in a closed state to constitute a state in which ink is supplied from the ink container to the ink storage container. Printer. 14. The printer according to claim 13 , wherein in the ink replenishment state, the ink transfer unit forms a flow of ink from the ink container to the ink storage container. 15. The ink supply device according to claim 8, wherein the opening / closing means of the air communication portion of the ink storage container is set in an open state, thereby forming a state in which ink is supplied from the ink storage container to the inkjet head. Printer. 16. The printer according to claim 15 , wherein said ink transfer means is stopped in said ink supply state. 17. The recovery of the ink-jet head by opening and closing the opening / closing means of the atmosphere communication portion of the ink storage container and forming a forced ink flow from the ink storage container to the buffer container by the ink transfer means. 9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein the printer comprises a state. 18. The printer according to claim 8, further comprising a fourth ink path connecting the ink jet head and the ink storage container. 19. A second buffer container capable of holding a predetermined amount of liquid is disposed in the fourth ink path, and a second buffer container is provided between the second buffer container and the ink storage container. 19. The printer according to claim 18 , further comprising a second ink transfer unit.