JPH0596741A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Objective] In a so-called static control ink jet recording apparatus that uses electrostatic force and air flow, the weight of the carriage and the continuous drawing time are limited by the ink cartridge system that is the conventional ink supply means. Problem solved,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus having excellent characteristics that makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of a carriage and draw a drawing for a long time by adopting an ink tank separate system. [Structure] The main ink tank 27 is installed in a fixed place that does not move, and the sub ink tank 2 is mounted on the carriage.
6 is provided, and the air flow from the air generation source 10 is supplied to the switching valve 33.
By providing a function of selectively supplying the ink to each of the ink jet printers, the size and weight of the carriage can be reduced, and an inkjet recording apparatus capable of drawing for a long time can be obtained depending on the size of the main ink tank.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has an ink discharge port, one of which is in communication with an ink chamber so as to face each other, with a predetermined space in the air discharge port, and air is passed through the space from the air discharge port. The ink ejected from the ink ejection port is continuously discharged by applying a predetermined pulse voltage intermittently between the electrodes provided around the air ejection port and the ink ejection port. The present invention relates to a so-called static control type ink jet recording apparatus which prints on a recording paper by intermittently ejecting it from the air ejection port together with an air flow, and is characterized by a means for supplying ink to a recording head. ..

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the printer market has expanded due to the widespread use of personal computers and word processors. Above all, an inkjet recording device with low noise is expected in the future.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional static electricity control type ink jet recording apparatus. A carriage base 2 capable of reciprocating parallel to the recording paper 1 is provided, and a recording head 3 having a configuration described below is fixed to the carriage base 2. An ink pipe 5 and an air pipe whose tip is branched into 4A and 4B are fixed to the recording head 3. The ink cartridge 7 is connected to the recording head unit 3 by piercing the seal rubbers 8 and 9 contained in the ink cartridge 7 with the air pipe 4A and the ink pipe 5, and the ink cartridge 7 can be attached to and detached from the recording head unit 3. When the amount of ink in the cartridge 7 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the ink can be supplied by replacing the ink cartridge 7.

Further, an air pump 10 fixed to a fixed portion is connected to the tip of the air pipe 4B via a flexible air tube 6, and an air amount of a predetermined air pressure is sent. There is.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the recording head 3. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 15 is an ink nozzle plate in which an ink ejection port 14 is formed, 13 is an air nozzle plate, and an air ejection port 11 through which ink is ejected is formed in the air nozzle plate. Reference numeral 17 is a space through which air passes, and air 24 enters from the air inlet 22 through the air pipe 4B, and the air chamber 18 and the space 1
It constantly flows out from the air discharge port 11 via 7. Two
Reference numeral 0 designates a body made of ceramic or resin, which holds the ink nozzle plate 15 and the air nozzle plate 13 and holds the ink chamber 19
Also, the air chamber 18 is formed. The ink 25 enters from the ink inlet 21 through the ink pipe 5. Reference numeral 16 is a signal electrode for applying an electric potential to the ink formed around the ink ejection port 14 and is turned on and off by the signal source 23. A common electrode 12 is formed on the air nozzle plate 13. The principle of ink ejection is that the same air pressure is applied to the ink chamber 19 and the air chamber 18, and the ink is supplied to the tip of the ink ejection port 14. The air passes through the thin gap 17 and constantly exits from the air outlet 11. At this time, the air in the air gap 17 receives a slight pressure loss, so that the pressure on the ink chamber 19 side becomes slightly high, and as a result, the ink forms a convex meniscus at the tip of the ink ejection port 14. In this state, the signal electrode 1
When a potential difference is given between the common electrode 6 and the common electrode 12, the force causes the ink to be discharged in the form of threads and rides on the air flow to stabilize the air discharge port 1.
The ink is ejected from 1 toward a recording medium (not shown).

[0006]

However, in the above configuration, since the ink cartridge 7 is directly mounted on the carriage base 2 that moves parallel to the paper surface, the weight of the ink cartridge 7 is limited and a small amount of ink is used. However, the number of drawings that can be drawn is limited when the ink cartridge 7 is replaced once. Also,
The material of the seal rubber 9 that seals the ink cartridge 7 is not cheap and is not affected by the ink, and there is a possibility that air may be mixed into the ink pipe 5 when the ink cartridge 7 is inserted. Had problems.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides an ink supply device that enables long-time drawing with a single ink tank exchange and that supplies ink safely and reliably. The purpose is to

[0008]

In order to achieve this object, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention uses an ink cartridge, which is conventionally fixed on a carriage base that moves in parallel, as a main ink tank, and does not move it in a fixed place. It is arranged on the carriage base as a sub ink tank with a small amount of ink together with the recording head section.The sub ink tank and the main ink tank are flexible ink feed pipes that do not hinder the movement of the carriage. It has a mechanism that is connected and selectively supplies the air flow generated from the air generation source to the main ink tank and the sub ink tank by using a switching valve.

[0009]

With this mechanism, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the sub ink tank on the carriage base, and when the ink becomes low, the switching valve is used to push up the ink with the pressure of the air flow from the main ink tank, Ink can be automatically supplied to the tank, the size and weight of the carriage can be reduced, and drawing can be performed for a long time by enlarging the main ink tank. Further, since the sub ink tank is fixed to the head portion, it is possible to prevent air from entering the ink pipe.

[0010]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a recording head having the same structure as the conventional one, which is fixed to a carriage base 2. Reference numeral 26 is a sub-ink tank fixed on the carriage base, and is fixedly fixed to the ink pipe 5 and the air pipe 4A of the recording head 3.
Then, the other air pipe 4B is finally connected to the air pump 10 via the flexible tube 6 as in the conventional case.
Is linked to. 28 is a flexible ink tube for connecting the main ink tank 27 and the sub ink tank 26 arranged in the fixed portion, 29A is an ink remaining amount detection electrode (upper), 29B is an ink remaining amount detection electrode (lower), 30 Is a pressure sensor, 31 is a prefilter, 32 is a two-way solenoid valve, 33 is a three-way solenoid valve, 34 is a buffer tank with a filter, 35 is a two-way solenoid valve for opening, and 36 is a pressure control valve.

The operation will be described below. First, in a normal printing state, the prefilter 31 side of the solenoid valve 33 is opened, the solenoid valve 32 side is closed, and the solenoid valve 35 is also closed.
4, through the solenoid valve 33, the pre-filter 31, the air tube 6 to the recording head 3 and the sub ink tank 26,
Further, each pressure is supplied to the main ink tank 27 through the ink tube 28 so that the internal pressures of the recording head 3, the sub ink tank 26, and the main ink tank 27 become equal, and these pressures become constant. The valve 36 is adjusted while measuring the pressure with.

When the ink in the sub ink tank 26 becomes less than the remaining amount detecting electrode 29B, the ink is supplied in the non-operating state of the head, the pre-filter 31 side of the solenoid valve 33 is closed, and the solenoid valve 32 side is opened. By opening the valve 32 and the solenoid valve 35, the air flow from the air pump 10 passes through the buffer 34, the solenoid valve 33, and the solenoid valve 32, applies pressure to the ink in the main ink tank 27, and the ink passes through the ink tube 28. When the amount of ink flowing out into the sub ink tank 26 increases to the remaining amount detecting electrode 29A in the sub ink tank 26, the electromagnetic valve 32 is closed to end the ink supply, and then the ink supply state is changed to normal. Switch to the printing state of.

The ink supply device according to the present embodiment has an excellent effect in that it is possible to perform drawing for a long time by increasing the capacity of the main ink tank 27 and to supply ink safely and reliably.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the conventional ink cartridge system is separated into the sub ink tank and the main ink tank so that the carriage can be made smaller and lighter and long-time drawing can be performed. It will be possible.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The difference from the configuration of FIG. 1 is that the two-way solenoid valve 32 of FIG. 1 is replaced by a three-way solenoid valve 37, and the three-way solenoid valve 33 is replaced by a two-way solenoid valve 38, so that the installation location is the ink supply branch point. This is a point that was changed later.

The operation will be described below. First, in the normal printing state, the electromagnetic valve 38 is opened and the opening of the electromagnetic valve 37 is opened in order to equalize the internal pressures of the recording head 3, the sub ink tank 26, and the main ink tank 27, as in the first embodiment. By closing and closing the solenoid valve 35, the air flow generated by the air pump 10 is divided into two directions after passing through the buffer tank 34, and one of them is passed from the solenoid valve 38 through the filter 31 and the air tube 6 to the recording head 3 Air is supplied to the main ink tank 27 through the solenoid valve 37 and air is supplied to the sub ink tank 26, and the pressure from both sides is balanced via the ink tube 28. The valve 36 is adjusted while measuring the pressure with the sensor 30.

When the amount of ink in the sub ink tank 26 becomes less than the remaining amount detecting electrode 29B, the ink supply state is entered, the electromagnetic valve 38 is closed, and the electromagnetic valve 35 is opened. The pressure is applied only to the ink in the ink tank 27, the ink flows out into the sub ink tank 26 through the ink tube 28, and the amount of the ink in the sub ink tank 26 is determined by the remaining amount detecting electrode 29.
When the number increases to A, the air supply side of the solenoid valve 37 is closed and the opening port is opened to open the pressure in the main ink tank 27 to the atmosphere, thereby ending the ink supply state and switching to the normal printing state.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by changing the solenoid valve 33 in FIG. 1 to the solenoid valve 38, the ink is transferred to the sub ink tank 26 due to the residual voltage in the main ink tank 27 when the air pump 10 is stopped. Is prevented, and by changing the solenoid valve 32 to a solenoid valve 37, the supply of ink to the sub ink tank 26 due to the residual pressure in the main ink tank 27 at the end of ink supply is prevented, and the supply is stopped instantaneously. be able to.

(Embodiment 3) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 3, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The difference from the configuration of FIG. 1 is that the two-way solenoid valve 32 of FIG. 1 is replaced with a three-way solenoid valve 37.

The operation will be described below. The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment in both the normal printing state and the ink supply state, and the respective states are switched using the solenoid valve 33. However, the difference from the first embodiment is the solenoid valve. 37
There is an opening in. Due to this opening, the opening is closed in the normal printing state and the ink supply state, and when the ink supply is completed and the air pump 10 is used.
When stopped, the opening port is opened to release the pressure in the main ink tank 27 to the atmosphere.

By providing the solenoid valve 32 in FIG. 1 with an opening like the solenoid valve 37 as described above, the sub ink tank for the ink due to the residual pressure in the main ink tank 27 when the ink supply is completed and the air pump 10 is stopped. The supply to 26 can be prevented.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the ink cartridge, which is conventionally detachably mounted on the carriage base that moves in parallel, is installed at a fixed position that does not move as the main ink tank, and is mounted on the carriage base. Installs a sub-ink tank having a small amount of ink integrated with the head part, and selectively supplies the air flow generated from the air generation source to the head part and the main ink tank using a switching valve. By providing a mechanism, the sub ink tank on the carriage base can be made smaller, the carriage can be made smaller and lighter, and by making the main ink tank larger, an excellent ink jet recording apparatus that can draw for a long time can be provided. It can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of essential parts of a first embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of essential parts of a second embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a main part system diagram of a third embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of a main part of a conventional static control inkjet recording device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a head portion of a conventional static control inkjet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Recording Head 10 Air Pump 26 Sub Ink Tank 27 Main Ink Tank 28 Ink Pipe 32 Air Control Valve 33 Air Control Valve

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ink discharge port, one of which is in communication with an ink chamber, is disposed so as to face each other with a predetermined gap in the air discharge port, and an air flow from an air pump is continued from the air discharge port through the gap. The ink ejected from the ink ejection port is intermittently applied with a predetermined pulse voltage between the air ejection port and an electrode provided around the ink ejection port in a state where the ink is ejected. An ink jet recording apparatus, in which a head for intermittently ejecting from the air ejection port along with a flow is arranged on a carriage that moves with respect to the recording paper, and the ink is sequentially printed on the recording paper as the carriage moves, A sub ink tank connected to the carriage is arranged on the carriage, and the main ink tank and the sub ink tank arranged on the fixed portion are flexible. In addition to connecting with a flexible ink feed pipe, when the amount of ink in the sub ink tank becomes less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the air flow from the air pump is supplied to the main ink tank via an air control valve. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink flows in and supplies ink to the sub-ink tank through the ink-conducting pipe by the pressure thereof. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is supplied from the main ink tank to the sub ink tank when the head is not operating. 3. An ink discharge port, one of which is in communication with an ink chamber, is arranged so as to face each other with a predetermined gap in the air discharge port, and an air flow from an air pump is continued from the air discharge port through the gap. The ink ejected from the ink ejection port is intermittently applied with a predetermined pulse voltage between the air ejection port and an electrode provided around the ink ejection port in a state where the ink is ejected. An ink jet recording apparatus, in which a head for intermittently ejecting from the air ejection port along with a flow is arranged on a carriage that moves with respect to the recording paper, and the ink is sequentially printed on the recording paper as the carriage moves, A sub ink tank connected to the carriage is arranged on the carriage, and the main ink tank and the sub ink tank arranged on the fixed portion are flexible. While being connected by a flexible ink-conducting pipe, a part of the air flow from the air pump is supplied to the sub ink tank via a first air control valve, and the other is connected to the first and second connections. The first of the second air control valves having a mouth and a third opening opened to the atmosphere and capable of selectively outputting from the second connecting opening to the first connecting opening and the third opening. Supply to the main ink tank via the second connection port, and during the printing operation, the first air control valve is opened and the third air control valve is opened. Is closed, the pressures in the sub-ink tank and the main ink tank are kept the same, and when the amount of ink in the sub-ink tank becomes less than or equal to a predetermined first amount, the first Close the air control valve to allow air flow from the air pump to Ink is supplied only to the ink tank and the ink is supplied to the sub-ink tank by the pressure through the ink-conducting pipe, and when the ink quantity of the sub-ink tank reaches a predetermined second quantity, Inkjet recording characterized by closing the first connection port of the second air control valve, opening the third opening port, and releasing the pressure in the main ink tank to the atmosphere to terminate the ink supply. apparatus. 4. An ink discharge port, one of which is in communication with an ink chamber, is disposed so as to face each other with a predetermined gap in the air discharge port, and an air flow from an air pump is continued from the air discharge port through the gap. The ink ejected from the ink ejection port is intermittently applied with a predetermined pulse voltage between the air ejection port and an electrode provided around the ink ejection port in a state where the ink is ejected. In the ink jet recording apparatus, a head for intermittently ejecting air from the air discharge port is arranged on a carriage that moves with respect to the recording paper, and printing is sequentially performed on the recording paper as the carriage moves. A sub ink tank connected to the carriage is arranged on the carriage, and the main ink tank and the sub ink tank arranged on the fixed portion are connected to each other. Via the first output port of the first air control valve, which is connected by a flexible ink pipe and selectively outputs the air flow from the air pump to the first and second output ports. An air flow that is supplied to the sub-ink tank, has the second output port, third and fourth connection ports, and a fifth opening port that is open to the atmosphere, and flows in from the fourth connection port. Connected to the third connection port of the second air control valve capable of selectively outputting to the third connection port and the fifth opening port, and connecting the fourth connection port to the main ink tank. During the printing operation, the first output port and the third connection port are opened, the second output port and the fifth opening port are closed, and the pressures in the sub ink tank and the main ink tank are kept the same. When the amount of ink in the sub ink tank reaches a predetermined first amount, the first output The opening is closed, the second output opening is opened, the air flow from the air pump is supplied only to the main ink tank, and the ink is supplied to the sub ink tank through the ink communication pipe at the pressure, When the amount of ink in the sub ink tank reaches a predetermined second amount, the third connection port is closed, the fifth opening port is opened, and the pressure in the main ink tank is opened to the atmosphere. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by terminating the supply of ink by means of.