Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP1055520A1/en
Timestamp: 2018-04-22 15:09:26
Document Index: 189317113

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 105', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 107', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 141', 'art 151', 'art 152', 'art 151', 'art 152', 'art 151', 'art 152', 'art 152', 'art 152', 'art 152', 'art 151', 'art 160', 'art 160', 'art 162', 'art 163', 'art 150', 'art 162', 'art 162', 'art 165', 'art 165', 'art 165', 'art 165', 'art 150', 'art 165', 'art 166', 'art 163', 'art 160', 'art 152', 'art 165', 'art 165', 'art 150', 'art 16', 'art 152', 'art 163', 'art 160', 'art 166', 'arts 90', 'arts 90', 'art 90', 'art 90', 'arts 90', 'arts 189', 'art 93', 'arts 90', 'arts 90', 'art 93', 'arts 91', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 105', 'art 200', 'art 107', 'art 200', 'art 204', 'art 204', 'art 204', 'art 200', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 262', 'art 317']

EP1055520A1 - Ink jet recorder, sub-tank unit suitable therefor, and method of recovering ink droplet discharging capability - Google Patents
Ink jet recorder, sub-tank unit suitable therefor, and method of recovering ink droplet discharging capability
EP1055520A1
EP1055520A1 EP19990902890 EP99902890A EP1055520A1 EP 1055520 A1 EP1055520 A1 EP 1055520A1 EP 19990902890 EP19990902890 EP 19990902890 EP 99902890 A EP99902890 A EP 99902890A EP 1055520 A1 EP1055520 A1 EP 1055520A1
EP19990902890
EP1055520A4 (en )
EP1055520B1 (en )
An ink jet recorder, wherein ink is supplied to an ink storage chamber (25) owing to a vacuum occurring due to the suction of the air from an air discharge port (23), the inflow of the ink being stopped automatically by closing the air exhaust port (23) with a float valve (29) when the ink reaches a prescribed level.
FIG. 1 is a drawing to show an ink supply mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus of the invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view to show one embodiment of a sub-tank-unit with respect to one ink storage chamber. FIG. 3 is a sectional view to show one embodiment of an ink replenishment unit with respect to one ink storage chamber. FIGS. 4(A) and (B) are drawings to show the operation of filling the sub-tank unit with ink. FIG. 5 is a sectional view to show another embodiment of sub-tank unit with respect to one ink storage chamber.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view to show another embodiment of sub-tank unit with respect to one ink storage chamber. FIG. 7 is a drawing to schematically show an ink supply system for supplying ink from a main tank via the sub-tank unit to a record head.
FIG. 8 is a drawing to show one embodiment of a connection mechanism, FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views to show one embodiment of valve unit used with the connection mechanism in FIG. 8 in a disconnection state and a connection state.
FIGS. 11 (A) and (B) are drawings to show sectional structures taken on lines A-A and B-B in the arrow directions in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view to show another embodiment of valve unit used with the connection mechanism in FIG. 8 in a connection state, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view to show another embodiment of valve unit used with the connection mechanism in FIG. 8 in a disconnection state.
FIGS. 14 (A) and (B) are a front view and an exploded perspective view to show one embodiment of a float member attached to a sub-tank unit.
FIGS. 15 (A) to (C) are a perspective view and a center sectional view to show one embodiment of a valve member .and a drawing to show another embodiment of the valve member as a center cross-sectional structure.
FIGS. 16 (A) and (B) are a center sectional view and a bottom view to show one embodiment of a lid of sub-tank unit.
FIGS. 17 (A) to (C) are drawings to show embodiments of float members.
FIGS. 19 (A) to (C) are drawings to show another embodiment of a valve mechanism for sealing a suction through hole at the stage where the tank is filled with a predetermined amount of ink in an ink near end state, an ink full state, and a seal state.
FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view to show one embodiment of an attachment between an ink cartridge and a tube. FIGS. 21 and 22 are sectional views to show an embodiment of a first connection part connected to the tube side and an embodiment of a second connection part connected to the ink cartridge side. FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken on line C-C in FIG. 22 in the arrow direction to show an embodiment of a large diameter part forming a part of the second connection part. FIGS 24 and 25 are drawings to show a state in which the connection parts engage each other and a flow passage formation state.
FIG. 26 is a top view to show an up and down drive mechanism of a replenishment unit placed on an ink replenishment stage. FIGS. 27 and 28 are front views to show a move-up state and a move-down state of the replenishment unit with a drive gear mechanism excluded.
FIGS. 29 (A) and (B) to 32 (A) and (B) are front views and side views to show an alignment function in a state in which a replenishment member moves up, a state in which the replenishment member slightly moves down, a state in which the replenishment member furthermore moves down, and a state in which the replenishment unit is connected to the sub-tank unit.
FIG. 34 is a sectional view to show one embodiment of a valve unit suited for the pump connection mechanism. FIG. 35 is a side view to show a move-down process of the pump connection mechanism and an atmospheric communication port introduction port and FIG. 36 is a side view to show a connection state of the pump connection mechanism and a closing state of the opening and closing mechanism of the atmospheric communication port.
FIGS. 37 to 39 are side views to show other embodiments for opening and closing the atmospheric communication port. FIG. 40 is a sectional view to show a second embodiment of the communication port placed in the valve connection part on the ink supply stage side of the pump connection structure and FIGS. 41 (A) and (B) are a sectional view and a bottom view to show another embodiment of the communication port placed in the valve connection part on the ink supply stage side of the pump connection structure.
FIG. 42 is a perspective view to show another embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the invention and FIG. 43 is a perspective view to show the main part of a record mechanism in FIG. 42.
FIG. 44 is a sectional view to show one embodiment of sub-tank unit, replenishment means, and recovery means. FIG. 45 is a side view to show one embodiment of a suction pump.
FIG. 46 is a flowchart to show the operation at the ink replenishing time in the recording apparatus and FIG. 47 is a flowchart to show the ink drop jet recovery operation of a record head.
FIG. 48 is a perspective view to show another embodiment of the recording apparatus as the main part of a record mechanism and FIGS. 49 to 51 are flowcharts to show the ink replenishment operation and the recovery operation fitted to the record mechanism.
FIG. 52 is a longitudinal sectional view to show another embodiment of sub-tank unit of the invention and FIG. 53 is perspective views to show structures of both sides of the sub-tank unit. FIG. 54 is a fragmentary sectional view to show negative generation means of the sub-tank unit on an enlarged scale. FIG. 55 is a drawing to schematically show a flow passage configuration at the ink replenishing time.
FIGS. 56 (A) and (B) are sectional views to show an embodiment of a pressure detection unit as ink cartridge attachment detection means or ink full detection means in a normal pressure detection state and a negative pressure detection state.
FIGS. 57 and 58 (A) and (B) show another embodiment of pressure detection unit as ink cartridge attachment detection means or ink full detection means; FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the pressure detection unit and FIGS. 58 (A) and (B) are a top view thereof and a sectional view taken on line D-D in the arrow direction in FIG. 58 (A) respectively.
FIGS. 59 (A) to (c) are sectional views to show embodiments of sub-tank units each having an ink full detection function.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the invention will, be discussed in detail based on embodiments.
The self-seal type valves 20 and 22 are made up of springs 20a and 22a, and valve bodies 20c and 22c that are pressed by the springs 20a and 22a against openings 21a and 23a of the ink injection port 21 and the exhaust port 23 and that have operation rods 20b and 22b the upper ends of which are at the sealing time. A float valve 29 is pivoted at one end on a shaft 29a, and seals the exhaust port 23 when ink rises to a predetermined liquid level. The float valve 29 is housed in the ink storage chamber 25.
The self-seal type valves 30 and 32 are made up of springs 30a and 32a, and valve bodies 30c and 32c that are pressed by the springs 30a and 32a against valve seats 31a and 33a of the ink replenishment port 31 and the suction port 33 and that have operation rods 30b and 32b to be pushed in by the operation rods 20b and 22b of the sub-tank unit.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), the operation rods 30b and 32b of the self-seal type valves 30 and 32 of the ink replenishment unit 8 rise while pushing down the operation rods 20b and 22b of the self-seal type valves 20 and 22 of the sub-tank unit 4, the ink replenishment port 31 and the ink injection port 21 communicate with each other, the suction port 33 and the exhaust port 23 communicate with each other, the seal valve 35 seals the atmospheric communication port 24, and the valve drive rod 36 pushes down the operation rod 27 to close the valve chamber 28.
In this state, if the suction pump ii is operated, pressure in the ink storage chamber 25 is reliably reduced without incurring flow-in of air from the atmospheric communication port 24 and back flow of ink from the record head 5. Accordingly, ink in the ink cartridge 6 flows into the ink storage chamber 25 and is degassed.
When ink in the ink storage chamber 25 reaches a predetermined liquid amount, the float valve 29 rises and seals the exhaust port 23 (FIG. 4 (B)). Flow-in of ink automatically stops at the stage where a small amount of ink further flows in to balance pressure in the ink storage chamber 25 with pressure in the ink cartridge 6.
In other ink storage chambers 25, similar operation is performed and all the ink storage chambers 25 are automatically filled with ink to a predetermined level. If the ink replenishment unit 8 is moved upward at such a timing that filling the ink storage chambers 25 with ink is complete, as shown in FIG. 2, the self-seal type valves 20 and 22 of the sub-tank unit 4 and the self-seal type valves 30 and 32 of the ink replenishment unit 8 are automatically closed by the urge force of the springs 20a, 22a, 30a, and 32a, and the atmospheric communication port 24 and the valve chamber 28 are opened as the operation rod 34 and the drive rod 36 retreat.
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of sub-tank unit 4. An ink storage chamber formation member 40 and a valve unit 60 are provided as separate bodies, and the valve unit 60 is coupled to the top of the ink storage chamber formation member 40 integrally by fitting a projection 41,41' on one side wall of the ink storage chamber formation member 40, into an engagement hole 61, 61' formed in the valve unit 60.
On the other hand, the sub-tank unit 4 is connected to the record head 5 by the ink supply duct 26, and a valve 78 made up of a valve chamber and an operation rod is disposed at an intermediate portion of the ink supply duct 26. Locating an ink flow exit 6a of the ink cartridge 6 forming the main tank below the ink injection port 64 of the sub-tank unit 4 can prevent natural flow-in of ink by a siphon phenomenon is and thus ink leakage caused by an unforeseen accident. If the value 78 is closed at least when power is shut off, increasing the viscosity of ink in the ink cartridge 6 can be prevented.
A replenishment unit 90 is adapted to be moved vertically by an up and down drive mechanism (described later) in the range in which it can be attached to and detached from the sub-tank unit, with a replenishment member 91 formed with vertically guiding elongated grooves 91a at left and right end parts thereof and a guide case 92 having four guide projections 92a. A plurality of guide ribs 93 for engagement with guide members of the sub-tank unit are formed at the bottom of the replenishment unit 90.
A push rod 105 formed with a convex part 105a on the connection end face side is placed slidably in the axial direction in the axis center part of the cylindrical case 101, 102, and is always urged so that the convex part 105 of the push rod 105 projects to the connection end face side (downward in the figure) by means of a coil spring 106 placed between a flange part 105b formed on the push rod 105 and the second case 102.
The push rod 105 is formed on the outer periphery with a taper part 105c spread upward, and in the projection state of the push rod 105 the taper part 105c is brought into elastic contact with a seal member 107 for providing sufficient hermeticity.
A part of the seal member 107 is extended to the end face side integrally, and the end faces of the valve members are sealed by means of an extension part 107a on the end face side in a state in which the valve members are connected to each other shown in FIG. 10.
A push rod 115 formed with a convex part 115a on the connection end face side is placed slidably in the axial direction in the axis center part of the cylindrical case 111, 112, and is always urged so that the convex part 115a of the push rod 115 projects to the connection end face side (upward in the figure) by means of a coil spring 116 placed between a flange part 115b formed on the push rod 115 and the second case 112.
An annular seal member 117 is attached to the flange part 115b formed on the push rod 115 and is brought into elastic contact with an inner wall of the cylindrical case 111 by the urge force of the coil spring 116 to provide hermeticity.
The valve member 100 can be formed with three projections 105d in the circumferential direction of the flange part 105b between the flange part 105b of the push rod 105 and the case 102 as shown in FIG. 11 (A) on the cross section taken on line A-A in FIG. 10 to providing a sufficient ink flow passage while preventing axial rocking. As shown in FIG. 11 (B), three or more (in the embodiment, four) fins 102a are projected radially toward the axis center of the case 102 on the upper side above the flange part 105b of the push rod 105 (cross section taken on line B-B in FIG. 10) to reliably support the push rod 105 movably in the axial direction while providing an ink flow passage. Preferably, such a support structure is also applied to the valve member 110.
In the embodiments, valve formation members 105d and 115c are attached to the push rods 105 and 115 to provide a valve function.
For the float member 45, as shown in FIGS. 14 (A) and (B), one end of a long side 130b of a trapezoidal frame 130 having a bottom is extended to form a support shaft 46, positioning pins 132 and 133 are provided at an opposite end and in the proximity of the support shaft 46, and a seal member 47 is formed on the surface.
An opening 130a on one side of the frame 130 is sealed hermetically by a lid 135, thereby forming the float member as a hollow body. Preferably, the frame 130 and the lid 135 are made lightweight of an easy-to-work material having a comparatively small specific gravity and durability against ink, such as a synthetic resin.
As shown in FIGS. 15 (A) and (B), the valve member 62 is made up of an annular fixed member 140 and a packing 141 of a trapezoid body with a through hole 141a made in the axial center line, the bottom face of the packing 141 is fitted into the fixed member, and the valve member 62 is fixed hermetically to the rear of the lid 43 of the sub-tank unit via the fixed member 140.
If a spread opening part 141b is formed in the through hole 141a on the lid side as shown in FIG. 15 (C), flexibility can be improved to enhance hermeticity, and the positional tolerance with the opening of the ink supply passage can be enlarged to improve workability when the sub-tank unit 4 is incorporated into the lid 43.
FIGS. 17 (A) to (C) show embodiments of the float member 45, wherein each of symbols G1, G2, and G3 denotes the center of gravity of each float member, and the width in the vertical direction indicated by w1, w2, w3 denotes the move distance of each float member when the liquid level of ink rises 1 mm.
FIG. 17 (A) shows the float member shaped like the inverse trapezoid previously described in the embodiment, FIG. 17 (B) shows the float member shaped like a rectangle long in the length direction, and FIG. 17 (C) shows the float member shaped like a rectangle long in the width direction.
As seen in FIGS. 17. (A) to 17 (C), L'>L>L'' stands by comparing distances L, L', and L'' that are respectively between support shafts 46, 46', and 46'' of the float members 45, 45', and 45'' and buoyancy centers of gravity G1, G2, and G3.
Thus, as the distance L, L', L'' between the support shaft 46, 46', 46'' and the buoyancy center of gravity G1, G2, G3 becomes long, the moment caused by the buoyancy also becomes large, thus the float member 45' shown in FIG. 17 (B) has a large elastic contact force of the seal member 47' with the valve member 62 to provide a high seal property, but since the cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction is small, the float-up amount relative to the unit liquid level rise amount becomes small, thus variations in the liquid level of ink at the sealing time become large.
The float member 45'' shown in FIG. 17 (C) with the shortest distance between the support shaft 46'' and the buoyancy center of gravity G3 has a large cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction in contrast to that shown in FIG. 17 (B), thus the float-up amount relative to the unit liquid level rise amount is large and the accuracy of the liquid level of ink at the sealing time is high, but since the elastic contact force of the seal member 47'' with the valve member 62 is small, the seal property is degraded.
In contrast, the float member 45 shown in FIG. 17 (A), which is formed like an inverse trapezoid, has large buoyancy at the sealing time and the distance L between the support shaft 46 and the center of gravity G1 is also provided reasonably, thus when the ink amount arrives at a predetermined level, the seal member 47 can be placed reliably to the valve member 62 to provide reliable sealing by large buoyancy.
FIG. 18 shows an example of incorporating the float member 45 shown in Fig. 17 (A) into the sub-tank unit 4 to more effectively exert the characteristic of the float member 45. The float member 45 is attached to a pair of reception pieces 142 of the sub-tank unit 45 for rotation on the support shaft 46 so that, when the ink amount reaches a predetermined full level, a top face 45a is placed in a horizontal state and the seal member 47 comes in contact with the valve member 62.
Thus, when ink reaches the predetermined full level, the float member 45 is immersed in ink up to the area where the cross section thereof in the horizontal direction is large. Accordingly, when the top face 45a is brought into the horizontal state, the float member 45 receives large buoyancy to strongly press the Seal member 47 against the valve member 62, and elastically deform the valve member 62 in compression amount g, thereby delivering reliable sealing.
In the above-described embodiment, the opening of the valve member is directly sealed by means of the seal member 47. However, a similar effect is produced if a flexible film 148 formed with an opening member 148a in an area not facing an opening 62a of the valve member 62 is placed so as to be made to face the opening 62a in a state in which the flexible film is normally away from the opening 62a to define a space 149 and on the other hand, the float member 45 is formed on the top face 45a with the seal member 47 at a position facing the flexible film 148, as shown in FIG. 19A.
That is, if ink rises to a state in which the tank is fully filled, the seal member 47 abuts the opening member 148a to block communication between the ink storage chamber 44 and the exhaust port 145 (FIG. 19 (B)).
Thus, pressure in the space 149 is largely reduced and the flexible film 148 is attracted to the exhaust port 145 (FIG. 19 (C), providing reliable sealing.
As shown in FIG. 21, the first mechanism 150 has a fixed tube part 151 and a moving tube part 152 that are formed by mold-processing a plastic material, etc. The fixed tube part 151 is formed with slits to have a plurality of connection pieces 153 each having an engagement claw 153a at the tip, and the moving tube part 152 is formed with elongated holes 154 to which the engagement claws 153a are fitted; they are joined in the length direction.
On the center axis of the fixed tube part 151, an ink flow passage formation member 155 with a through hole 155a opened at the tip thereof is fixed to and supported on a connection frame 156.
The moving tube part 152 has a bottom part 152c comprising a through hole 152a allowing the flow passage formation member 155 on the fixed tube part side to pass therethrough, and a spring retention piece 152b projecting toward the fixed tube part side. A tubular seal member 157 is fixed on the opposite end side so as to cover the through hole 155a at the tip of the flow passage formation member 155 projecting from the bottom part 152c and to make the flow passage formation member 155 slidable therealong. The moving tube part 152 is urged to the tip side of the fixed tube part 151 by a compression spring 158 fittingly mounted between the connection frame 156 and the spring retention piece 152b.
According to such a structure, in a detachment state from the second connection part 160, the tubular seal member 157 is closely fitted onto the through hole 155a at the tip of the flow passage formation member 155, thereby preventing leakage of ink.
On the other hand, the second connection part 160 is made up of a plastic tubular body 163 comprising a small diameter part 162 that can be inserted into the ink supply port 161 at one end and a large diameter part 163c for forming a joint part to the first connection part 150, a slider 165, and a packing 166, as shown in FIG. 22.
The tubular body 163 is formed on the side of the small diameter part 162 with radial spring reception projections 163a and grooves 163b forming the ink flow passage extended therefrom to the small diameter part 162, as shown in FIG. 23. The slider 165 is accommodated in the opposite end of the tubular body 163 such that the projections 166a are engaged with holes 163d of the tubular body 163 after the slider 165 is movably inserted into the packing 166 in a state that the slider 165 is brought into abutment with the end of the compression spring 164 supported at the other end on the spring reception projections 163.
The slider 165 is made up of a shaft part 165b inserted into a through hole 166b of the packing 166 on the center line and comprising a concave part 165a matching the shape of the tip of the flow passage formation member 155 at the tip, a bottom face part 165c coming in elastic contact with the packing 166, and a guide rib 165d formed on the outer periphery of the bottom face part 165c. Numeral 165e denotes a concave part for spring reception.
According to such a structure, in a detachment state from the first connection part 150, the bottom face part 165c of the slider 165 is brought into elastic contact with an annular protrusion part 166b of the packing 166 by the spring 164, preventing ink from leaking from the ink pack P.
In the embodiment, when the holder 7 is loaded into the ink cartridge 6, the large diameter part 163c of the second connection part 160 provided in the ink cartridge 6 is guided by the moving tube part 152 of the first connection part to advance, and the tip of the flow passage formation member 155 is engaged with the concave part 165a of the slider 165, as shown in FIG. 24. In the embodiment, since the tip of the flow passage formation member 155 is formed into a conical shape and the concave part 165a of the slider 165 is also formed into a conical shape, they are guided by each other through slopes so that the axis centers easily match. In this state, the seal member 157 of the first connection part 150 is pressed at the tip of the packing 166 of the second connection part 16C.
If the cartridge is further pushed in, as shown in FIG. 25, the seal member 157 of the moving tube part 152 is pressed by the packing 166 of the second connection part so that the seal member 157 retreats against the spring 158 and mutually the flow passage formation member 155 projects. This causes the slider 165 to retreat against the spring 164. The through hole 155a of the flow passage formation member 155 projects to the large diameter part 163c of the second connection part and here communication is established, whereby ink in the ink pack flows into the tube along the ink flow passage indicated by symbol F.
If the ink cartridge is drawn out for replacement, the seal member 157 receives the urge force of the spring 158, moves to the tip side of the flow passage formation member 155 following the movement of the ink cartridge, and seals the through hole 155a. The slider 165 of the second connection part 160 also receives the urge force of the spring 164, moves to the side of the packing 166 following a relative retreat of the flow passage formation member 155, and is pressed against the annular protrusion part 166b for sealing.
As shown in FIG. 26, a drive motor 170 is dislosed on the outside of the guide case 92, a small gear 172 is driven via a pinion joined to a drive shaft of the motor 170, and a second gear 173 is driven via a small gear disposed on the same axis as the small gear 172.
The cam follower 177 moved up and down as the cam plate 176 rotates projects also to the rear side of the paper plane in FIGS 27 and 28, and the projection part engages an elongated hole 180 formed horizontally in the replenishment member 91, causing the replenishment member 91 to reciprocate up and down.
On the other hand, a horizontal maintenance member 181 is disposed on the rear side of the replenishment member 91. The horizontal maintenance member 181 is formed with a pair of elongated holes 181a and 181b vertically; the drive shaft 175 is inserted into one elongated hole 181a, and a support shaft 182 disposed in a parallel state with the drive shaft. 175 in the guide case 92 is inserted into the other elongated hole 181b. Accordingly, the horizontal maintenance member 181 is moved in a state in which the attitude of the horizontal maintenance member 181 is corrected in the vertical direction by the drive shaft 175 and the support shaft 182. The drive shaft 175 rotationally drives the cam plate 176 and also provides a function of a support shaft for guiding the horizontal maintenance member 181 vertically.
The horizontal maintenance member 181 is formed with a pair of elongated holes 181c and 181c horizontally, and a pair of protruded parts 90a and 90a are formed on the side face of the replenishment member 91 corresponding to the elongated holes 181c and 181c . The protruded parts 90a and 90a are inserted into the elongated holes 181c and 181c slidably. Therefore, the replenishment member 91 is supported movably in the horizontal direction with respect to the horizontal maintenance member 181.
The replenishment member 91 is also formed with a pair of elongated holes 90b and 90b vertically, and is supported in a state in which the drive shaft 175 and the support shaft 182 pass through the elongated holes 90b and 90b. Each of the elongated holes 90b and 90b formed in the replenishment member 91 has such a spread part 90c that a horizontal width is enlarged to provide a predetermined allowance relative to the drive shaft 175 and the support shaft 182 in a state in which the replenishment member 91 moves downwardly toward the replenishment side unit 4. In the embodiment, the spread part 90c for the support shaft 182 is substantially formed at a position out of the upper end part of the replenishment member 91, namely, on the open end side.
Therefore, the replenishment member 91 is supported movably in the horizontal direction with respect to the horizontal maintenance member 181, and moreover can move slightly in the horizontal direction while the attitude of the replenishment member 91 is regulated by the horizontal maintenance member 181 in the range of a predetermined allowance formed between the spread parts 90c and the drive shafts 175 and the support shaft 182 only in the state in which the replenishment member 91 moves downwardly toward the sub-tank unit 4.
Guide ribs 93 are arranged in the lower bottom part of the replenishment member 91, each being formed with slopes facing inwardly with a distance therebetween increased downwardly. The guide ribs 93 are placed in relation orthogonal to each other in the horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 29 (A) and (B) to 32 (A) and (B). On the other hand, the sub-tank unit 4 is formed at corners with guide parts 189.
Therefore, as the replenishment member 91 moves downwardly toward the sub-tank unit 4, the slope part 93a of the guide rib 93 arranged in the lower bottom part of the replenishment member 91 abut the guide member 189 at the corner of the sub-tank unit 4 and the replenishment member 91 moves horizontally with the sub-tank unit 4 as the reference, as shown in order in FIGS. 29 to 32.
In this case, in the state shown in each of FIGS. 29 (A) and 30 (A), the elongated holes 90b and 90b in the replenishment member 91 are guided by the drive shaft 175 and the support shaft 182 arranged in the guide case 92 to move downwardly. When the state shown in FIG. 31 (A) is established, the drive shaft 175 and the support shaft 182 are relatively positioned in the areas of the spread parts 90c of the respective elongated holes, so that the replenishment member 91 can move horizontally in the range of the predetermined allowance formed between the spread parts 90c and the drive shaft 175 and the support shaft 182.
At this time, the slope part 93a of the guide rib 93 abuts the guide member 189 so that the replenishment member 91 is moved horizontally while the attitude of the replenishment member 91 is regulated by the horizontal maintenance member 181 with the sub-tank 4 as the reference. As shown in FIG. 32 (A), in a state in which the replenishment member 91 most moves downwardly, the replenishment member 91 is aligned at a predetermined position with respect to the sub-tank unit 4 and an ink supply passage is formed.
As shown in FIGS. 29 (B) to 32 (B), the elongated grooves 91a formed vertically at left and right end parts of the replenishment member 91 are formed with spread parts 91b widening in the upper parts so as to provide a predetermined allowance relative to each guide projection 92a in the state in which the replenishment member 91 moves downwardly toward the sub-tank unit 4. Therefore, the replenishment member 91 can also be aligned with the replenishment side unit 2 in a direction orthogonal to the replenishment member 91.
The embodiment includes, similarly to the above-described arrangement, a slide plate 191 moved up and down while being guided by four guide projections 190a oriented inwardly on the guide case 92, a cam plate 192 rotationally driven by the drive motor 170 and train 171 to 175 previously shown in FIG. 26 to determine the movement of the slide plate 191, a pin 193, i.e. a cam follower, coming in contact with the cam plate 192 and loosely fitted into a through hole 191a provided in the slide plate 191, a lever 195 having one end to which the pin 193 is fixed and the other end to which a spring 194 is suspended, a closing member 196, disposed opposite from the lever 195 with respect to the cam plate 192 of the slide plate 191, for pressing the air introduction valve 71, i.e. the atmospheric communication port opening and closing means, to close the same (see FIG. 6), a spring 197 attached between the closing member 196 and the slide plate 191, and a connection suction passage 197 formed in the slide plate 191.
The slide plate 191 is formed with two regulation members 191b and 191b extended upward, and the support shaft 182 is inserted between the regulation members. A through hole 191d into which the drive shaft 175 is inserted, and a through hole 191c into which the support shaft 178 of the lever 195 is inserted are formed. In order to prevent the up and down movement of the slide plate 91 from being regulated by the drive shaft 175 and the support shaft 178, the through hole 191c is elongated up and down, and the through hole 191d is formed in a similar fashion as the through hole 191c. The width of the through hole 191 is narrowed to such an extent that the drive shaft 175 can be passed therethrough.
FIG. 34 is a sectional view showing the valve connection part 200 in a pump connection mechanism 41 disposed on the above-mentioned ink supply stage, and a valve member 110' disposed on the sub-tank unit 4 side.
The valve member 110' provided on the sub-tank unit adopts the same structure as the valve 100 of the two valves 100 and 110 shown in FIG. 9, and the valve 100 arranged upside down is used, and therefore a description thereof will not be given.
On the other hand, the valve connection part 200 is provided with a communication opening 200b that communicates with the connection suction passage 197 and that is located in an area of a bottom part 200a not opposed to a protruded part 105a of a push rod 105. The bottom part 200a is finished to define a plane surface coming in intimate contact with an extension part 107a of a part of a seal member 107 of the valve member 110' for reliable sealing.
Also, in the embodiment, the slide plate 191 is guided by four guide projections 190a formed in the guide case 92, the support shaft 182 in the upper part of a guide case 190 almost between the guide projections 190a, the regulation members 191b and 191b, the drive shaft 175, and the through hole 191d, so that the slide plate 191 moves smoothly without swinging.
When the slide plate 191 thus arrives at a lower position, as shown in FIG. 35, the closing member 196 first abuts the air introduction valve 71 (see FIG. 6) of the valve unit 60 provided in the sub-tank unit 4, and at the stage where the slide plate 191 further moves downwardly in the state, the closing member 196 presses and first closes the air introduction valve 71 against the compressed spring 197, then when the slide plate 191 further moves downwrdly, as shown in FIG. 36, the valve connection part 200 of the connection suction passage 197 communicates with the valve member 110' and communicates with the ink storage chamber 44. The flow passage for connecting the sub-tank unit 4 and the record head 5 is closed by the ink supply valve 70 by a member (not shown) as in the above-described embodiment.
In the above-described embodiment, the atmospheric communication port opening and closing means is constructed as a vertically movable member urged by the coil spring 197. However, a similar effect is produced if a plate spring 201 is fixed by a fixture 202 like a cantilever beam at the lower end of the slide plate 191 and the air introduction valve 71 is operated by a free end 201a of the plate spring 201 as shown in FIG. 37 or if an L-shaped arm 204 is rotatably supported by a shaft 203 at the lower end of the slide plate 191, a horizontal part 204a is extended to the air introduction valve 71 side, and a horizontal part 204 is urged downwardly by a spring 205 through a vertical part 204b as shown in FIG. 38.
Further, a coil spring 206 may be provided at the upper end of the operation rod 71a of the air introduction valve 71 and on the other hand, a projection 207 may be formed in the corresponding area of the slide plate 191, so that the operation rod 71a of the air introduction valve 71 may be moved via the spring 206 by the projection 207, as shown in FIG. 39.
On the other hand, in the valve connection part 200 in the above-described embodiment, the single communication opening 200b is formed in the area not opposed to the protruded part 105a of the push rod 105. However, a similar effect is produced if a plurality of fine holes 200d are formed so that the protruded part 105a of the push rod 105 can be pressed or if a slit hole 200e narrower than the diameter of the protruded part 105a is formed, as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41.
The replenishment pump 225 and the recovery pump 224 are designed as follows: As shown in FIG. 45, a rotation plate P3 is fixed onto a drive shaft P2 rotatably supported on a support frame P1, a pair of rollers P4 are loosely mounted on the rotation plate P3 so that the outer peripheries thereof are partially projected outwardly of the rotation plate P3, a tube P6 is arranged along a guide frame P5, and the drive shaft P2 is rotated by drive means (not shown) to move the position where the roller P4 presses the tube P6, thereby deforming and flattening the tube P6 partially, and thus generating suction pressure.
In response to a recovery processing command generated by an operator or generated based on a predetermined sequence, it is detected whether or not the carriage 210 is located at the home position (H), (K1). If the carriage 210 is not at the home position (H), the carriage 210 is moved to the home position (H), (K2).
Next, the ink remaining amount resulting from subtracting the consumption amount of ink consumed by ejection and recovery operations from the ink full amount of the sub-tank unit 214 detected by the electrode pin 226 is compared with the ink consumption amount required for the recovery operation (K3), and if the remaining ink amount is greater than the amount of ink consumed by the recovery operation, a recovery operation command is given (K6). According to the command, the pump 224 is started and negative pressure is given to the nozzle openings 223 by the nozzle cap 238 to forcibly discharge ink from the record head 220, thereby executing recovery processing. After the recovery processing, the carriage 210 is moved to a record position (X), (K7).
In FIG. 49, if the ink amount in the sub-tank unit 214 does not reach the upper limit although the sub-tank unit is replenished with ink for Ts time, the operation (S7 to S11) previously described with reference to FIG. 46 is executed and an empty signal of the ink cartridge 6 is displayed (S8, S13). Upon completion of replacement of the ink cartridge, again Control is returned to step L4 and the recovery processing is continued.
In FIG. 50, the carriage 210 is moved to the recovery position (Z) in response to a recovery signal (M1), the suction port 222 is brought into intimate contact with the suction port cap (M2), the recovery pump 224 is operated (M3), and ink is discharged from the sub-tank unit 214 until detection of the lower limit value (M4).
That is, in response to a recovery signal, it is detected whether or not the number of print lines after the preceding recovery operation is smaller than C1 (N1). If the number of print lines is not smaller than C1, normal recovery operation (1), namely, steps L12 to L14 in F1G. 47, is executed (N2).
If the number of print lines is smaller than C1, it is detected whether or not the number of print lines after the further preceding recovery operation is smaller than C2 (N3). If the number of print lines is not smaller than C2, recovery operation (2), namely, the operation with the recovery pump operation time TR at step L14 in FIG. 49 be prolonged is executed (N4).
If ink is consumed, the ventilation hole 268 is made to communicate with a suction pump 283 so that pressure in the space of an upper part 262a of the ink storage section 262 is reduced. In conjunction therewith, replenishment ink NI in the main tank 280 is allowed to flow into the introduction port 276 of the ink flow passage means 266 via the connectors 281 and 282 from the replenishment port 269 and is supplied to the ink storage section 262 through the flow-out port 277.
On the other hand, a light sensor unit 298 forming displacement detection means for the displacement member 295 is disposed so as to face the reflection plate 297. The light sensor unit 298 is constructed such that a light emitting element 298a and a light receiving element 298b are disposed at positions where a light passage is formed when the displacement member 295 abuts the projection 293. Therefore, an electric signal from the light reception element 298b is turned off in a state in which the reflection plate 297 is in close contact with the unit 298, and the light reception element 298b senses light to provide an on-output in a state in which the reflection plate 297 is away from the unit 298.
FIGS. 57 and 58 (A) and (B) show another embodiment of an attachment state detection unit formed of pressure detection means. A main body 300 is formed with an ink flow passage 302 forming a part of an ink supply path front the ink cartridge 6 to the sub-tank unit 4 in the length direction of the main body 300. The ink flow passage 302 is formed in a bottom section with guide grooves 300a to 300d along the length direction, and a plate spring 303 is arranged in the guide grooves 300a to 300. The plate spring 303 is made up of a plate-like body 303a and four legs 303b to 303e extended integrally from the plate-like body 303a. The ends of the legs 303b to 303e are bent in a one-plane direction of the plate-like body 303a.
The tips of the legs 303b to 303e are assembled as a so-called four-leg state so that they are fitted into the guide grooves 300a to 300d.
Although not shown, like that shown in FIG. 56, a displacement member molded of a flexible material so as to wrap the upper face of the plate-like body 303a is attached, for example, by ultrasonic welding, etc. so as to seal the upper face of the main body 300. The displacement member forms a part of the ink flow passage 302 on the top side of the main body 300. Since the plate spring 303 is assembled as the four-leg state, the ink flow passage 302 can be formed between the legs 303b to 303e. As the displacement member, a film member having a high reflection factor, for example, an aluminum laminate film, is preferably used. A similar effect is produced if the displacement member is formed of a transparent film member, for example, without using the aluminum laminate film, and the plate-like body 303a forming a part of the spring member is provided with a reflection function Although not shown, the above-described light sensor unit 298 is arranged so as to come in close contact with the displacement member covering the upper face of the plate-like body 303a.
FIG. 59 shows other embodiments for detecting the ink amount in the ink storage chamber. As shown in FIG. 59 (A), a float 312 may be housed movably in an ink storage chamber 311 of a sub-tank unit 310 provided with the record head 5 in a lower part, and means (contact 314 in this embodiment) for detecting a state in which the float 312 has arrived, at a predetermined position due to fully filled ink may be provided in an upper part of the ink storage chamber 311 (in the embodiment, in a lid 313 of the sub-tank unit 310), so that the contacts 314 may be electrically connected to each other by a conductive layer 312a on the float 312.
To prevent swinging of the float 312 in the ink replenishment, which may causes the lowering of the liquid level detection accuracy or chattering in a detection signal, it is preferable, as shown in FIG. 59 (C), that a float guide part 317 is provided in an upper area to regulate the float 312 so that the float 312 can be moved only up and down.
an ink replenishment unit that is connected to a main tank installed in a housing by a conduit and that is connectable to and disconnectable from said sub-tank unit,
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said sub-tank unit has, for each of the chambers, the ink injection port and the exhaust port communicating with the respective ink storage chamber through the self-seal type valve means, and the valve mechanism for opening and closing the ink injection port or the exhaust port based on a liquid level of ink,
wherein ink is supplied to the respective ink storage chamber by negative pressure produced by sucking air through the exhaust port.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein valve means closed by said ink replenishment unit is connected between said sub-tank unit and the record head.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism includes a float member.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ink replenishment unit includes an ink droplet. discharge port communicating with the main tank through a self-seal valve, and an air suction port.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sub-tank unit includes an atmospheric communication port, and said ink replenishment unit includes a valve for sealing the atmospheric communication port.
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein:
said sub-tank unit has, for each of the chambers, an ink injection port and an exhaust port communicating with a respective ink storage chamber through self-seal type valve means, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing the ink injection port or the exhaust port based on a liquid level of ink,
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism for opening and closing the exhaust port is provided for each ink storage chamber, and wherein the negative pressure generation means is formed as a single unit.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein an ink flow exit part of the main tank is positioned lower in gravity direction than the ink injection port of said sub-tank unit, or is adapted to cause negative pressure to act on the ink injection port.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the float member is movable vertically in a gravity direction with a support shaft arranged in said sub-tank unit as a rotation center.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the float member includes a box member that is formed by one side face and a peripheral side face molded integrally with the one side face to have an opening part in an opposite face side, and a plate-like lid jointed to the opening part of the box member close the box member.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the float member includes a quadrate volume body formed at a position away from a support shaft as viewed in a horizontal direction, and a trilateral volume body having a bottom face formed substantially linearly from a bottom face of the quadrate volume body to the support shaft side in the proximity of the support shaft, and a distance between a rotation center of the support shaft and a center of gravity of buoyancy is large.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the float member is formed with at least a pair of positioning pins, projected to respective outsides of the float member in a horizontal direction, each for holding a predetermined gap between the float member and an inner wall of said sub-tank unit.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the positioning pins is formed so as to hold a distance of at least 1 mm or more between the float member and the inner wall of said sub-tank unit.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the valve mechanism for opening and closing the exhaust port includes a valve member having a valve opening communicating with the negative pressure generation means, and a seal member, arranged on the float member, for opening and closing the opening of the valve member.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the valve mechanism for opening and closing the exhaust port is molded of a soft material, and the seal member is molded of a hard material.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the valve mechanism for opening and closing the exhaust port is molded of soft elastomer.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valve mechanism for opening and closing the exhaust port is located at an intermediate point between a center of gravity of buoyancy of the float member and the support shaft.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the valve member is formed into a trapezoidal shape in cross section in a vertical direction, and is formed at a center vertically with the valve opening communicating with the negative pressure generation means, and wherein the seal member abuts a short side portion of the trapezoidal shape in cross section.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the valve member is designed so that the valve opening communicating with the negative pressure generation means is enlarged in a triangular manner in cross section in a long side portion of the trapezoidal shape in cross section.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the valve member is molded integrally with an inner peripheral surface of an annular fixing member, and is attached to said sub-tank unit through the fixing member.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the valve member is surrounded by a tubular rib for preventing ink from being deposited.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valve mechanism for opening and closing the exhaust port closes an end face of a valve member in a horizontal state when the buoyancy of the float member reaches the maximum.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism for opening and closing the exhaust port includes a flexible thin film forming a space communicating with the negative pressure generation means, and an opening that is formed in a part of the flexible thin film and that is closed by a seal member arranged on a float member when said sub-tank unit is filled with a given amount of ink, and wherein a communication kart with the negative pressure generation means is sealed with the flexible thin film which is contracted upon the opening is closed by the seal member.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 24, wherein said sub-tank unit and said ink replenishment unit have alignment means capable of matching ink supply passages of both said sub-tank unit and said ink replenishment unit with each other when they are engaged with each other.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein:
said ink replenishment unit is connected to the ink tank side by a tube and is arranged movably in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction,
said sub-tank unit is mounted on the carriage side so as to be moved to and stopped at a predetermined ink supply area,
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 26, further comprising:
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in any of claims 26 to 28, wherein:
said ink replenishment unit is supported movably, up and down by guide projections inserted into elongated grooves formed in a vertical direction at left and right end parts, and
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in any of claims 26 to 29, wherein the guide rib and the guide member forming the alignment means are arranged in orthogonal relation to each other to align said ink replenishment unit in one horizontal direction and in another horizontal direction orthogonal thereto.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in any of claims 26 to 29, wherein said ink replenishment unit is driven in a vertical direction by a drive member that is engaged with an engagement hole formed in a part of said ink replenishment unit and that is moved up and down by the rotation operation of a cam member.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein one of the pair of support shafts is a drive shaft for rotationally driving the cam member.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein said ink replenishment unit includes;
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein up and down movement of the slide plate establishes a first state in which the connection suction passage is not connected to said sub-tank unit and the atmospheric communication port is opened, a second state in which the connection suction passage is not connected to said sub-tank unit and the atmospheric communication port is closed, and a third state in which the connection suction passage is connected to said sub-tank unit and the atmospheric communication port is closed.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein the atmospheric communication port opening and closing means is formed at a height different from that of a tip part of the connection suction passage connected to said sub-tank unit, and wherein one of the first to third states is selected as the slide plate is moved up and down.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein the atmospheric communication port opening and closing means is formed at the same height as a tip part of the connection suction passage connected to said sub-tank unit, wherein the atmospheric communication port provided in said sub-tank unit is formed at a height different from that of a tip part of the suction passage on the sub-tank unit side, and wherein one of the first to third states is selected as the slide plate is moved up and down.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the atmospheric communication port opening and closing means is a press member provided to elastically move a closing member formed movably up and down with respect to the slide plate.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 35 or 36, wherein the atmospheric communication port in said sub-tank unit is formed with a valve body that is movable up and down, that opens the atmospheric communication port at an upward position and that closes the atmospheric communication port when the valve body is moved down, and wherein the valve body is moved down by the atmospheric communication port opening and closing means provided in a lower end part of the slide plate to closing the atmospheric communication port.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 7, further including valve units for enabling ink to flow in a state in which said sub-tank unit and said ink replenishment unit are connected, and automatically closing connection parts of said sub-tank unit and said ink replenishment unit in a state in which they are disconnected.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein one of the valve unit is disposed in an ink supply area positioned in the proximity of a movement path of the carriage, and the other valve unit is mounted on the carriage side, and wherein the sub-tank unit and the ink replenishment unit can be connected to each other by the two valve units in a state in which the carriage is positioned in the ink supply area.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 39 or 40, wherein each of the valve units includes a push rod disposed in a cylindrical case and urged in a projection direction, and a seal member made of a flexible material for closing the ink supply passage in a projected state of the push rod, and wherein movement of the pushing rods caused due to connection between the sub-tank unit and the ink replenishment unit makes flow of ink enabled.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein a taper part is formed partially on at least one of the push rods of the valve units, and the taper part abuts the seal member in the projected state of the push rod.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in any of claims 39 to 42, wherein the push rod in the cylindrical case is supported slidably in an axial direction by at least three fins projecting toward an axis center of the cylindrical case.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in any of claims 39 to 43, wherein at least one of the seal members of the valve units is extended to a joint face of the cylindrical case.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the seal member is arranged on a joint face of at least one of the valve units, and after sealing isolating from outside air is established with the seal member arranged on the connection end face, the push rod is moved to forming an ink flow.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the ink supply valve is closed in a state in which power is off.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the air introduction port is closed in a state in which power is off.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the ink supply passage and the air introduction port are closed in a state in which power is off.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the air introduction port is opened if the pressure difference between said sub-tank unit and outside air exceeds a given value in a state in which power is off.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 49, wherein the ink supply valve is maintained closed even in a state in which the air introduction port is opened.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the air introduction port is opened prior to the ink supply port if the pressure difference between said sub-tank unit and outside air exceeds a given value in a state in which power is off.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein the ink supply valve is maintained closed.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein a carriage to which said sub-tank unit is attached is moved to a record are, an ink replenishment area, and a recovery position for recovering an ink droplet ejection capability.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 54, wherein the ink replenishment area and the recovery position are the same area.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 54, wherein the ink replenishment area is more distant from the record area than the recovery position.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 54 or 55, wherein said sub-tank unit is allowed to communicate with said main tank in the ink replenishment area and at the recovery position.
An ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in any of claim 1, 7, or 53, comprising:
a sub-tank unit, mounted on a carriage, for supplying ink to an ink jet record head, and
an ink replenishment unit that is connected to a main tank installed in a housing by a conduit and that is connectable to or disconnectable from said sub-tank unit,
wherein first and second connection parts for forming an ink flow passage between said sub-tank unit and the main tank are arranged in the conduit, and
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 58, wherein the first ink seal means is designed so that a hollow ink flow passage member is slidably inserted into a first seal hole of a first seal body, and that an ink small hole opened in the ink flow passage member is exposed from the first seal body to open the ink flow passage only when the first connection part is connected to the second connection part.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 58, wherein the second ink seal means includes a second seal body and a slide shaft having a shaft part inserted slidably into a second seal hole of the second seal body, and the shaft part is projected from the second seal hole to open the ink flow passage only when the second connection part is connected to the first connection part.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 59, wherein when the first and second connection parts are connected, the shaft part of the slide shaft is urged by the ink flow passage member to open the ink flow passage.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 61, wherein the ink flow passage member is formed with a conical convex part, and the shaft part of the slide shaft is formed with a conical concave part engaging the conical convex part.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in any of claim 1, 7, or 53, further comprising pressure detection means, arranged in a flow passage from for communication from said sub-tank unit to the negative pressure generation means, for detecting a predetermined or more pressure drop, wherein ink replenishment completion is detected based on a signal of the pressure detection means.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in any of claim 1, 7, or 53, further comprising pressure detection means connected to a flow passage between the main tank and said sub-tank unit, for generating electric output upon detection of a predetermined or more pressure drop in the flow passage, wherein an attachment state of the main tank is detected based on the electric output of the pressure detection means.
The ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63 or 64, wherein the pressure detection means includes a flexible displacement member that forms a part of the flow passage and that is displaceable in association with pressure change in the flow passage, a spring member, added to the displacement member, for urging the displacement member in a direction opposite to a direction in which the displacement member is displaced in association with the pressure drop in the flow passage, and displacement detection means for detecting displacement of the displacement member.
A sub-tank unit for an ink jet recording apparatus, adapted to be mounted on a carriage, to be connectable to and disconnectable from a main tank installed in a housing side by a conduit, to receive ink supplied from an ink replenishment unit in an ink storage chamber and to supply ink to an ink jet record head, said sub-tank unit comprising an ink injection port and an exhaust port communicating with an ink storage chamber through self-seal type valve means, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing the ink injection port or the exhaust port based on a liquid level of ink, wherein said sub-tank unit receives supply of negative pressure in the exhaust port, to thereby receive supply of ink in the ink storage chamber.
The sub-tank unit for an ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 66, further comprising a float that stops ink replenishment at a stage at which the ink storage chamber is replenished with ink up to a predetermined value of ink amount.
The sub-tank unit for an ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein at least a part of the float is formed of an electric conductive material, and a move-up of the float is detected electrically.
The sub-tank unit for an ink jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 68, wherein the ink storage chamber and the record are communicated with each other through backflow prevention means for enabling ink to flow into the record head from the ink storage chamber.
A sub-tank unit for an ink jet recording apparatus, adapted to be mounted on a carriage, to be connectable to and disconnectable from a main tank installed in a housing side by a conduit, to receive ink supplied from an ink replenishment unit in an ink storage chamber and to supply ink to an ink jet record head, said sub-tank unit comprising ink flow passage means for guiding ink supplied from the main tank into the ink storage chamber and negative pressure generation means for supplying ink to the record head, the ink flow passage means and the negative pressure generation means being located in the ink storage chamber, wherein an ink flow-out port of said ink flow passage means and an ink flow-in port of said negative pressure generation means are arranged to face each other through such a gap as to allow air bubbles to be moved upward.
An ink droplet ejection capability recovery method for a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a sub-tank unit provided with a record head and a main tank capable of replenishing the sub-tank unit with ink, wherein if an amount of ink consumed by recovery operation is larger than an ink remaining amount in the sub-tank unit, the recovery operation is carried out after the sub-tank unit is replenished with ink.
The jet capability recovery method as claimed in claim 71, wherein after ink is previously discharged from the sub-tank unit, the sub-tank unit is replenished with ink from the main tank and then the recovery operation is carried out.
The jet capability recovery method as claimed in claim 71, wherein an ink consumption state in the sub-tank unit is detected, and the recovery operation is carried out at least once or more as long as ink exists.
EP19990902890 1998-02-13 1999-02-12 Ink jet recorder, sub-tank unit suitable therefor, and method of recovering ink droplet discharging capability Expired - Fee Related EP1055520B1 (en)
JP4631598 1998-02-13
JP5907898 1998-02-25
JP17534198 1998-06-09
JP22113798 1998-07-22
JP660099 1999-01-13
JP1314299 1999-01-21
JP1314199 1999-01-21
JP2329899 1999-01-29
EP20020020092 EP1281526B1 (en) 1998-02-13 1999-02-12 Ink jet droplet ejection capability recovery method
EP20050014453 EP1604832A3 (en) 1998-02-13 1999-02-12 Print head with sub-tank unit connected via a back flow prevention valve
EP20020020092 Division EP1281526B1 (en) 1998-02-13 1999-02-12 Ink jet droplet ejection capability recovery method
EP1055520A1 true true EP1055520A1 (en) 2000-11-29
EP1055520A4 true EP1055520A4 (en) 2001-08-22
EP1055520B1 EP1055520B1 (en) 2003-10-01
EP19990902890 Expired - Fee Related EP1055520B1 (en) 1998-02-13 1999-02-12 Ink jet recorder, sub-tank unit suitable therefor, and method of recovering ink droplet discharging capability
EP20020020092 Expired - Fee Related EP1281526B1 (en) 1998-02-13 1999-02-12 Ink jet droplet ejection capability recovery method
EP20050014453 Withdrawn EP1604832A3 (en) 1998-02-13 1999-02-12 Print head with sub-tank unit connected via a back flow prevention valve
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CN1853937B (en) 2005-04-28 2013-11-06 精工爱普生株式会社 Method for manufacturing liquid supply system, and liquid supply system
WO2006116963A3 (en) * 2005-04-29 2007-03-15 Burkhard Buestgens Ink supply for printing heads
EP2197681A4 (en) * 2007-10-10 2010-11-17 Hewlett Packard Development Co Closure and connector for a supply container
EP2233297A4 (en) * 2008-09-29 2010-11-17 Mimaki Eng Kk Ink supply device for inkjet printer, and reverse flow blocking device for same
EP2367689A4 (en) * 2008-12-19 2013-04-24 Silverbrook Res Pty Ltd Ink manifold with multiple conduit shut off valve
US6390611B1 (en) 2002-05-21 grant
US6394590B1 (en) 2002-05-28 Replaceable liquid container
2001-08-22 A4 Despatch of supplementary search report
Ref document number: 69911744
2004-08-11 RIN2 Inventor (correction)
Inventor name: KIMURA, HITOTOSHI
Inventor name: SHINADA, SATOSHI
Inventor name: SEINO, TAKEO
Inventor name: NAKA, TAKAHIRO
Inventor name: ARUGA, YOSHIHARU
Inventor name: KOBAYASHI, ATSUSHI