JP3145569B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means onto a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile or the like is configured to record an image formed of a dot pattern on a recording material such as paper or a plastic thin plate based on image information. .

The above-mentioned recording apparatuses can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like according to a recording method. Among them, the ink jet type (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording from an ejection port of an ink jet recording head. Liquid (ink) droplets are ejected and fly, and are attached to a recording material to perform recording.

The ink jet recording apparatus has many advantages such as extremely low noise generation, high-speed recording, and the use of plain paper without the need for a recording material having special characteristics. Therefore, various types of recording heads and ink jet recording apparatuses have been proposed.

[0005] Above all, a recording head of a system (bubble jet system) in which thermal energy is applied to ink to eject ink droplets by utilizing pressure due to thermal expansion has a good response to a recording signal and a high density of ejection ports. It has advantages such as easy conversion.

[0006] In addition, a method of ejecting ink using this thermal energy is a method in which an ejection port and an electro-thermal converter (ejection energy generating element) substantially correspond to the width of a recording material.
The line type recording head (line recording head) in which are arrayed and the ink jet recording apparatus using the recording head are greatly expected from the viewpoint of high-speed recording performance.

Conventionally, in the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus, there is an ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink tank for storing the ink to be ejected is provided in the recording head itself. Further, in a large-sized inkjet recording apparatus for recording a large image that consumes a large amount of ink, a sub-ink tank is provided in the recording head, and the sub-ink tank is supplied with ink from the main ink tank through an ink supply pipe. Some supply.

Each of the above ink tanks is mounted on a print head driving carrier together with a print head.
It is configured to move according to the recording operation.

In general, each of the separated ink tanks is connected by a tube, and only the main ink tank is detachable from the tube, and the recording head is often fixed to the tube.

[0010] In addition, with respect to a disposable type recording head having no sub ink tank, the recording head can be detached from the carrier, and when the ink runs out, the entire recording head is replaced.

In the above-described ink jet recording apparatus, the ink discharge surface is covered with a cap and a pump is used in the cap to prevent the recording quality from deteriorating due to clogging of the discharge nozzle of the recording head. Cleaning has been performed in which the ink is sucked by setting the pressure to a negative pressure and the ink is guided to the discharge nozzle. The discharged ink sucked into the cap is absorbed by the ink absorber and is processed by natural drying or replacement of the ink absorber.

[0012]

In the above-mentioned conventional ink jet recording apparatus, in which the ink tank is provided only in the recording head, the recording amount is limited because the ink storage amount cannot be increased. There is a problem that.

Particularly, in an ink jet recording apparatus which performs a cleaning process by providing a cap on an ink ejection surface, every time the cleaning process is performed, ink not used for recording is consumed, and the life of the ink amount is shortened. It has been difficult to perform a proper cleaning process. In addition, the capacity of the ink absorber for processing the discharged ink is limited according to the frequency or the number of times of the cleaning process. However, if the cleaning process is performed sufficiently, the capacity increases, and the size of the apparatus increases. There is a problem.

In an ink jet recording apparatus in which a sub ink tank is provided in a recording head and ink is supplied from a main ink tank, the above-described problems do not occur.
The weight of the sub-ink capacity becomes a load on the head carrier that drives the recording head. Therefore, there is a problem that the carrier speed cannot be increased (especially when the ink storage amount is the maximum), and the recording speed cannot be increased.

Further, since the rigidity of the pipe connecting the sub ink tank and the main ink tank becomes a load on the head carrier, the carrier speed cannot be increased from this point as well.

Further, there is a problem in that a device at a joint portion such as a pipe becomes complicated and causes a failure.

Further, the ink path becomes longer, the pipe space becomes larger, and the space required during the recording operation includes the space in which the ink tank moves.
There is a problem that the size of the ink jet recording apparatus is increased.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described various problems of the conventional technology, and performs high-speed and large-volume recording at a fixed recording quality by sufficiently performing a cleaning process. It is an object of the present invention to realize an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for downsizing.

[0019]

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is provided in a main ink tank for storing recording ink and a carrier head on which a recording head is mounted, and the ink supplied from the main ink tank is provided. And a sub-ink tank for temporarily storing ink and supplying the ink to the recording head, wherein the main ink tank and the sub-ink tank are provided with first ink supply means for supplying ink and second ink supply means. Supply means are provided, and when the carrier head is at a predetermined position, the first ink supply means and the second ink supply means are provided.
The ink supply means is configured to contact the main ink tank to supply the ink from the main ink tank to the sub ink tank, and covers the ejection surface of the recording head when the carrier head is at the predetermined position. Capping means, and an ink collection tube connecting the capping means and the main ink tank, the main ink tank,
The inside of the main ink tank is separated into a first chamber provided with a first ink supply means and a second chamber connected to the ink collection tube, and a second chamber is provided from the second chamber to the first chamber. A piston provided with a check valve that allows only ink movement, and, with the movement of the carrier head to the predetermined position, operating the piston to move the carrier head from the second chamber to the first chamber;
And pressure difference generating means for generating a pressure difference in each chamber so that ink flows into the other chamber.

[0020] with this case, the main ink tank also serves as a carrier guide rail of the recording head, the pressure
The difference generating means is configured to move the carrier head according to the movement of the carrier head .
The shutter unit may open and close the ink supply unit and a pump shaft connecting the shutter unit and the piston.

[0021]

In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, when the recording head is moved, the supply means for the sub-tank and the main tank is completely cut off, and when the carrier head is at a specific position. Only, the ink is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank.
Therefore, the sub-tank can be made as small as possible and the load on the head carrier can be reduced. From this point as well, the moving speed of the carrier head can be increased.

At the ink supply position, the recording head ejection surface is covered by capping means. The capping means is connected to the main ink tank by an ink collection tube, and the inside of the main ink tank is connected by a pressure difference generating means to the first chamber provided with the first ink supply means and the ink collection tube. Each of the chambers is separated from the second chamber and a pressure difference is generated in each chamber so that the ink flows from the second chamber to the first chamber. A circulation system that returns to the main ink tank again through the ink tank, the recording head, and the ink collection tube is formed,
The supply of the ink is performed smoothly, and the cleaning process is performed on the ink on the ejection surface.

[0023]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a carrier head;
, A sub-ink tank provided in the carrier head 101; 101a, an ink ejection unit; 101b, an opening of a sub-ink tank 102 as a second ink supply unit;
1c is a wire hold, 101d is a detent pin, 10
3 is a main ink tank, 104 is a shutter, 105 is a return spring, 106 is a carrier rope, 107 is a drive pulley,
Reference numeral 108 denotes a tensioner and 109 denotes a carrier motor.

The carrier head 101 is provided with a through hole. The carrier head 101 is guided by a cylindrical main ink tank 103 which is filled with a sponge-like ink absorber and moves. A drive pulley 107 is attached to the rotation shaft of the carrier motor 109, and the carrier rope 10
Reference numeral 6 is wound around the drive pulley 107 and the pulley 108. The carrier head 101 is locked to the carrier rope 106 by a carrier rope hold 101c, and moves along the main ink tank 103 in accordance with the rotational force of the carrier motor 109 transmitted via the carrier rope 106. The carrier head 101 is provided with a detent pin 101d protruding toward the main ink tank 103 to prevent the carrier head 101 from rotating in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction during the movement. At a position corresponding to 101d, a detent pin 101 is provided.
A detent groove 103b is provided, which is compatible with d and extends in the moving direction of the carrier head 101.

The carrier head 101 sends the ink stored in the sub ink tank 102 via a flexible signal line (not shown) while reciprocating along the main ink tank 103 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure). The recording is performed by discharging from the ink discharging unit 101a in accordance with the incoming recording signal.

In the vicinity of one end of the main ink tank 103, an ink supply port 103a as a first ink supply means is provided. The opening surface of the ink supply port 103a is covered with a cylindrical shutter 104 similar to the main ink tank 103 during a printing operation. The shutter 1
A return spring 105 is provided at the end of the main ink tank 103.
When the carrier head 101 moves and presses the shutter 104, the return spring 105 contracts and the shutter 104 slides.

A spongy ink absorber is housed in the sub ink tank 102 similarly to the main ink tank 101, and the ink when the carrier head 101 slides the shutter 104 as described above. An opening 101b for receiving ink supply from the main ink tank 103 is provided at a position corresponding to the supply port 103a.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, the ink is supplied by the carrier head 101 from the shutter 1.
04 is performed every time the slide is performed. When the shutter 104 is pushed and moved by the carrier head 101, the ink supply port 103a of the main ink tank 101 and the opening 101b of the sub ink tank 102 face each other, and the spongy ink absorber in the main ink tank 103 and the sub ink tank 102 When the ink absorber of the ink tank 102 comes into contact with the main ink tank 1
From 03, ink is supplied to the sub ink tank 102.

In the present embodiment, the position where the opening 101b and the ink supply port 103a are provided and the timing at which the ink supply operation is performed are not particularly limited.

For example, the opening 101b, the ink supply port 1
03a is provided in the area where the carrier head 101 performs printing, and the operation of supplying ink from the main ink tank 103 to the sub ink tank 102 is performed by the carrier head 10.
It may be performed each time the reciprocating movement is performed at the time of recording 1.

The positions where the openings 101b and 103a are provided are set outside the area where the carrier head 101 performs printing.
The ink supply operation may be performed every time the carrier head 101 performs recording a predetermined number of times, every time a predetermined time elapses, or every time the power is turned on.

In the case where ink is supplied each time reciprocation is performed during recording, the supply of ink is sufficient, and the recording quality is stabilized.

Furthermore, the provision of the shutter mechanism as described above allows the following: (1) Ink leaks from the opening when the apparatus is subjected to an impact. (2) The ink evaporates, the viscosity or the like changes, or the ink oxidizes. (3) Dust in the atmosphere adheres. This has the effect of preventing non-ejection due to clogging of the recording head, impairing the movement of the carrier due to fixed ink, and preventing contamination of the apparatus.

In this embodiment, at the same time as the above-described ink supply operation is performed, a cleaning process is performed by drawing ink in a capping state.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing in detail the configuration of the pressure difference generating means for performing the ink supply operation and the cleaning process in the capping state.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an ink supply operation state, in which a carrier head 201, an opening 201b, a sub ink tank 202, a main ink tank 203, an ink supply port 203a, a shutter 204e, and a return spring 205 are shown.
Each of the carrier rope 206 and the carrier rope 206 shown in FIG. 1 is the carrier head 101, the opening 101b, the sub ink tank 102, the main ink tank 103, and the ink supply port 103.
a, shutter 204, return spring 105, and carrier rope 106.

In the main ink tank 203, the pump shaft 2
04 is provided so as to be the same as the main ink tank 203 in the longitudinal direction. The main ink tank 203 is divided into a chamber including the ink supply port 203a and a chamber not including the ink supply port 201a by a partition plate formed near the ink supply port 203a, and the pump shaft 204 is provided in each of these chambers. It is inserted and provided. Main ink tank 2
A second piston 204b and a first piston 204a that close the opening cross section of the main ink tank 203 are attached to the end of the pump shaft 204 and the position corresponding to the ink supply port 203a in the chamber including the ink supply port 203a of No. 03, respectively. ing.

The first piston 20 is mounted on the pump shaft 204.
4a, by attaching the second piston 204b,
The chamber including the ink supply port 203a of the main ink tank 203 is divided into three chambers, a chamber located between the pistons and an A chamber and a B chamber located on both sides thereof, as shown in the figure. A shutter portion 204e is provided at the end of the pump shaft 204 in a chamber not including the ink supply port 203a of the main ink tank 203.
Is attached. The shutter portion 204e includes a cover portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the main ink tank 203, and a connection portion 2 that radially connects the cover portion and the pump shaft 204.
A cutout 222 is formed in a portion of the main ink tank 203 corresponding to a region where the connecting portion moves when the shutter portion 204e moves, so that a shutter operation can be performed. The notch 222 has a shutter section 204 so that the ink supply port 203a communicates only with the chamber A in the ink supply state shown in FIG.
e.

The first piston 204a and the second piston 20
4b and a sub-ink tank 202 provided in the carrier head 201, the ink absorber 2
03c is stored. Also, the main ink tank 203
The partition plate dividing the inside into three chambers is formed with holes for communicating the respective chambers, and each hole has a check valve 204c, 204d.
Is provided, so that gas and fluid in each chamber are prohibited from moving from the chamber A side to the chamber B side, and are configured to move only from the chamber B side to the chamber A side.

In the present embodiment, a head cap 211 made of an elastic member such as rubber is provided.
The head cap 211 communicates with the chamber B in the main ink tank 203 via the ink collection tube 212. When the ink supply state shown in FIG. 2 is satisfied, the head cap 211 closes the ejection surface of the ink ejection unit 201a of the carrier head 201. It is arranged at the position that closes and closes.

At the time of ink supply, the shutter portion 204e is pushed by the carrier head 201 and moves in the direction of the arrow in the drawing (rightward in the drawing). With this movement, the first piston 203a connected via the pump shaft 204,
The second piston 204b also moves, and the capacity of the chamber B becomes large and the chamber becomes negative pressure, and the capacity of the chamber A becomes small and the chamber becomes positive pressure. Since the chamber A and the chamber B are communicated with each other via the carrier head 201 and the ink collection tube 212, the ink in the chamber A and in the sub ink tank 202 of the carrier head 201 flows to the chamber B side, and the sub ink tank 202 At the same time as the supply of ink to the ink ejection unit 201a, a cleaning process is performed in which ink on the ejection surface of the ink ejection unit 201a is guided.

When the ink supply operation and the cleaning operation described above are completed, the carrier head 201 and the shutter unit 204e move to the left in the drawing, and the ink supply port 20
After the shutter 3a is closed by the shutter 204e, A
The room is under negative pressure. Therefore, the ink stored in the ink absorber 203c provided between the pistons flows into the A chamber, and is prepared for the next ink supply to the sub ink tank 202.

A chamber surrounded by the first piston 203a and the second piston 204b accommodating the ink absorber 203c is communicated with the outside by a vent 203b provided in the main ink tank 203. Even if the ink stored in the ink absorber 203c moves to the room A, the room is always kept at the reference pressure.

Each time the shutter 204e is opened and closed by the carrier head 201 as described above, ink supply and cleaning are performed. Further, the ink ejected for cleaning passes through the head cap 211 and the ink collection tube 212 to form the main ink tank 203.
Since the ink is collected and reused, the ink consumption does not increase.

In the embodiment described above, the discharge operation is not particularly performed during the cleaning process. However, in order to further improve the cleaning efficiency, the electrothermal transducer in the head segment 201c is heated to generate heat. An idle discharge operation may be performed.

The head cap 211 has been described as being disposed at a position where the head ejection surface of the ink ejection part 201a is tightly closed in the ink supply state. May be configured to be movable.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the carrier head 301, the ink ejection section 301a, the opening 301b, the sub ink tank 3
02, main ink tank 303, ventilation hole 303b, ink absorber 303c, pump shaft 304, first piston 30
4a, second piston 304b, check valve 304c, 304
d, the shutter section 304e, the return spring 305, the carrier rope 306, the head cap 311 and the ink collection tube 312 are respectively configured and operated by the carrier head 201, the ink discharge section 201a, the opening section 201b, and the sub ink tank shown in FIG. 202, main ink tank 203, vent hole 203b, ink absorber 203c, pump shaft 204, first piston 204a, second piston 2
04b, check valves 204c and 204d, shutter unit 204
e, since they are the same as the return spring 205, the carrier rope 206, the head cap 211, and the ink collection tube 212, the description is omitted.

In this embodiment, a sub ink tank piston 313 for dividing the inside of the sub ink tank 312 into two chambers, a crank 314, a solenoid 315, and a return spring 316 are provided.

The sub-ink tank piston 313 is composed of a plate-shaped portion that closes the cross section of the opening of the sub-ink tank 302, and a shaft support portion that is vertically mounted in the plane of the plate-shaped portion. Due to the plate-like portion of the sub ink tank piston 313, the inside of the sub ink tank 302
b, and is divided into a chamber provided with an ink absorber and a C chamber communicating with the ink flow path of the discharge nozzle. The above-mentioned plate-shaped portion of the sub-ink tank piston 313 is formed with a hole for communicating each chamber.
The transfer of gas and fluid from the chamber C side to the chamber side where the ink absorber is provided is prohibited.

The shaft portion of the sub ink tank piston 313 projects outside the sub ink tank 302,
It is urged in the direction of the ink absorber by a return spring 316 provided at the projecting portion. One end of a crank 314 is in contact with an end of the sub ink tank piston 313 that protrudes to the outside of the shaft support portion. The other end of the crank 314 is locked to the tip of a plunger of a solenoid 315, and the plate-like portion of the sub-ink tank piston 313 becomes C in accordance with the pushing operation of the plunger of the solenoid 315.
Move toward the room.

In the present embodiment, during the ink supply operation shown in FIG. 3, the pushing operation by the solenoid 315 and its release are performed. Due to the pushing operation of the solenoid 315, the plate-like portion of the sub ink tank piston 313 becomes C
When it is moved in the room direction and then released, the room A and the room A
The pressure of the chamber provided with the ink absorber in the sub ink tank 302 communicating with the chamber becomes higher than the pressure of the C chamber,
Improves ink flow. Thereby, the ink supply operation and the cleaning process could be performed more favorably.

The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a method of ejecting ink using thermal energy, which is proposed by Canon Inc. among ink jet recording methods.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,723,129.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 740,796.

This method can be applied to both on-demand type and continuous type.
In the case of the on-demand type, a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling corresponding to the recorded information is applied to the electrothermal transducer disposed corresponding to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal to the recording medium, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat acting surface of the recording head. As a result, the liquid (ink) This is effective because bubbles in the parentheses) can be formed. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. 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 liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the driving signal in the form of a pulse, US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. No. 345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes a configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region. It is. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or an opening that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy is discharged. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to each unit.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification is used. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a replaceable chip type, which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided in a fixed manner is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . Specifically, for the recording head, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a recording unit It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection in order to perform stable printing.

Further, 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 a single-color printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, the ink is solidified at room temperature or lower, and is softened or liquid at room temperature. Generally, the temperature is controlled within a range of not less than 70 ° C. and not more than 70 ° C., and the temperature is controlled so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Good. In addition, positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy by allowing the ink to change its state from the solid state to the liquid state as energy, or
In order to prevent evaporation of the ink, ink that solidifies in a standing state is used, and in any case, the ink is liquefied by application of a heat energy according to the recording signal, and the ink is discharged as a liquid ink or reaches a recording medium. The use of inks that liquefy for the first time with thermal energy, such as those that already begin to solidify at that point, is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-56.
No. 847 or Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portions or through holes of the porous sheet. It may be. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is
This is to execute the film boiling method described above.

[0064]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

According to the first and second aspects, the following effects are obtained in addition to the above effects.

(1) There is an effect that the capacity limitation of the main ink tank can be widened and the life of the ink can be extended.

(2) The size and weight of the carrier head can be reduced, the carrier speed can be increased, and the recording speed can be increased.

(3) The space for moving the tank and the ink guiding tube can be reduced or eliminated, and the apparatus can be downsized.

(4) Since it can be configured with a small number of parts,
There is an effect that the cost can be reduced.

(5) Since the ink on the recording head ejection surface guided by the capping is returned to the main ink tank, the cleaning process can be sufficiently performed, and high-speed and large-volume recording can be performed at a constant recording quality. There are effects that can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detailed configuration of a pressure difference generating unit in a capping state for performing an ink supply operation and a cleaning process in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 201, 301 Carrier heads 101a, 201a, 301a Ink ejection portions 101b, 201b, 301b Openings 101c Wire hold 101d Non-rotating pins 102, 202, 302 Sub ink tanks 103, 203, 303 Main ink tanks 103a, 203a, 303a Ink supply port 103b Non-rotating groove 104 Shutter 105, 205, 305, 316 Return spring 106, 206, 306 Carrier rope 107 Drive pulley 108 Tensioner 109 Carrier motor 201c Head segments 203b, 303b Vent holes 203c, 303c Ink absorber 204a , 304a First piston 204b, 304b Second piston 204c, 204d, 304c, 304d Check valve 204e, 304e Shutter 21 , 311 head cap 212, 312 ink recovery tube 221 connecting portion 222 cut-out 313 sub ink tank piston 314 crank 315 solenoid

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main ink tank for storing recording ink, and a sub-ink provided in a carrier head on which a recording head is mounted, for temporarily storing ink supplied from the main ink tank and supplying the ink to the recording head. A first ink supply unit and a second ink supply unit for supplying ink to the main ink tank and the sub ink tank, respectively. When at a predetermined position, the first ink supply unit and the second ink supply unit come into contact with each other to supply ink from the main ink tank to the sub ink tank, and A capping means for covering the ejection surface of the recording head when the carrier head is at a predetermined position; An ink collection tube connecting the ink collection tube to the main ink tank. The main ink tank is connected to a first chamber provided with a first ink supply unit and the ink collection tube in the main ink tank. A piston provided with a check valve that separates the ink into the second chamber and allows only the movement of the ink from the second chamber to the first chamber; and moving the carrier head to the predetermined position. Along with,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: pressure difference generating means for generating a pressure difference in each chamber such that the piston is operated to cause ink to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main ink tank also serves as a carrier guide rail of a recording head, and the pressure difference generating unit supplies the first ink with the movement of the carrier head. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a shutter portion for opening and closing the means ; and a pump shaft connecting the shutter portion and the piston.