JP2009018566A - Fluid supply device, fluid ejection device, and fluid supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid supplying apparatus which can suppress small supply variation of a fluid from a fluid container to each of fluid supply ports of a fluid jet head in an ink supply system by a head pressure, and to provide a liquid jet apparatus and a fluid supplying method. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of ink supply tubes 26 extending from an ink cartridge 25Y (fluid container) as a supply source of ink of the same color branch on the way to a plurality of (for example, three or four) branch pipes 26B. Each branch pipe 26B is connected to a connecting part 15C of each recording head 15 which constitutes a line head 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid supply apparatus, a fluid ejection apparatus, and a fluid supply method that are used by being attached to a fluid ejection apparatus such as an ink jet printer and that supplies fluid to a fluid ejection head of the fluid ejection apparatus.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink supply device in which one flow path extends from a main tank (fluid container) and a branch path separated from the flow path is connected to each of a plurality of fluid ejecting heads. ing. In this ink supply device, ink as a fluid is supplied from a main tank and supplied to each unit head constituting the recording head. The fluid supply path is an ink circulation system that recirculates the ink delivered from the main tank to the main tank. Many ink jet printers employ a non-circulation method (one-way supply method) in which ink supplied from the main tank is unilaterally sent to the recording head without being refluxed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, one ink supply tube 62 extending from the ink tank 61 is connected to each of the recording heads 64 constituting the line head 63. In this case, the ink supply tube 62 is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the line head 63 in a routing route passing through all the recording heads 64 constituting the line head 63, and the branch pipe corresponding to each recording head 64. The portion 62A has a supply path structure branched by a number equal to the number of heads. Ink is supplied by driving a sub pump (supply pump) in the supply path.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-22124 (for example, FIGS. 2 and 3)

  However, in the case of this supply method, if the structure shown in FIG. 10 is branched from one tube, the branch pipe portion 62A (FIG. 10) located on the far side (downstream side) on the ink supply path from the ink tank 61. Since the ink is difficult to be supplied to the connection portion 64A (fluid supply port) of the recording head 64 connected to the left end side of the printer), it is necessary to arrange a supply pump in the supply flow path. However, when the supply pump is arranged, the pressure increases on the downstream side, which may cause disconnection or rupture of the tube and cost. For this reason, it is desired to supply ink by a water head difference between the ink tank 61 and the recording head 64 without using a supply pump, but this leads to an initial problem that it becomes difficult to supply ink. This is because the ink supply pressure decreases as the ink supply path becomes longer due to pressure loss or the like. As a result, ink supply unevenness occurs between the recording heads 64, resulting in variations in the amount of ink jetted between the recording heads 64. This causes a problem that the printing quality is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress uneven fluid supply from the fluid container to each of the fluid supply ports of the fluid ejecting head in an ink supply method using water head pressure. Another object is to provide a fluid supply device, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and a fluid supply method.

  The present invention is a fluid supply device that is used by being attached to a fluid ejecting apparatus to supply a fluid to a fluid ejecting head, wherein the fluid ejecting body contains at least one fluid accommodating body, and the fluid ejecting from the fluid accommodating body. A fluid supply path for supplying the same type of fluid toward the head by hydraulic head pressure, and a plurality of the fluid supply paths extend from the fluid container side, and ends of the plurality of extension destinations The gist is that the plurality of fluid ejecting heads are connected to the fluid supply ports.

  According to this, since the fluid is supplied to the plurality of fluid supply ports through the plurality of fluid supply channels extending from the fluid container, the fluid supply channel to each fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head. The difference in length can be kept small. Therefore, the fluid supply unevenness to the individual fluid supply ports of the fluid ejecting head can be reduced.

  In the fluid supply device of the present invention, a part of the plurality of fluid supply paths branches into a plurality of branches on the way, and each branch is connected to a fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head. It is preferable that

Here, each of the plurality of fluid supply paths may branch into a plurality of branches on the way, and each of the branches may be connected to a fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head.
According to this, the number of fluid supply paths connected to the fluid container can be suppressed to be smaller than the number of fluid supply ports that are connection destinations of the plurality of fluid supply paths to the fluid ejection head. Therefore, even if there are a large number of fluid supply ports, the number of fluid supply paths connected to the fluid container can be reduced to the number of fluid supply ports. For example, when a configuration in which all of the plurality of fluid supply paths are branched into two or more branches is adopted, the number of fluid supply paths can be suppressed to half or less of the number of fluid supply ports.

  In the fluid supply apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the fluid containers are provided, and a plurality of the fluid supply paths extend from each of the plurality of fluid containers. In addition, the number of the fluid supply paths extending from the plurality of fluid containers may be different for each fluid container.

  According to this, since a plurality of fluid supply paths extend from each of the plurality of fluid containers, even if there are many fluid supply ports of the fluid ejection head, for example, the fluid container is used as a common fluid supply source. Since each fluid container can be disposed near the plurality of fluid supply ports, the fluid supply path between the fluid container and the fluid ejection head can be kept relatively short. By suppressing the fluid supply path to be short, for example, it is possible to further suppress the pressure loss of the fluid and to further suppress the uneven supply of the fluid to each fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head.

  In the fluid supply apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the fluid container has an anisotropic shape, and the plurality of fluid supply paths extend from a surface extending along a longitudinal direction of the fluid container.

According to this, even if a plurality of fluid supply paths are extended from the fluid container, the extension locations of the fluid supply paths can be arranged with an appropriate interval, and the degree of freedom in layout is also increased.
In the fluid supply apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the fluid container is disposed in a direction in which a longitudinal direction thereof is substantially parallel to an arrangement direction of the plurality of fluid ejecting heads.

According to this, the extension location of the fluid supply path can be set to a position near the connection destination fluid supply port on the surface extending along the longitudinal direction of the fluid container.
In the fluid supply apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of fluid supply paths have the same fluid supply path length.

  According to this, since the fluid supply path lengths of the plurality of fluid supply paths are all the same, if the flow path diameter of the portion other than the branch path is the same, the flow path resistances of the fluid supply paths are all the same, Ink supply unevenness between the fluid supply paths can be prevented.

The gist of the present invention is a fluid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a fluid ejecting head; and the fluid supply apparatus according to the invention that supplies fluid to each fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head.
According to this, since this fluid ejecting apparatus includes the fluid supply apparatus of the above invention, the same effect as the above invention can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention is a fluid supply method, wherein a plurality of fluid supply paths for supplying the same kind of fluid in the fluid container to the fluid ejecting head by the hydraulic head pressure are extended from the fluid container. The fluid ejecting head side end of each fluid supply path is connected to each of the fluid supply ports of the fluid ejecting heads provided in the plurality, and a plurality of fluids extend from the fluid container. The gist is to supply the same type of fluid to each of the fluid supply ports of the fluid ejecting head through the supply path. According to this, the same effect as the fluid supply device of the above invention can be obtained.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of an ink jet recording apparatus as a fluid ejecting apparatus.
An ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer 11) as a fluid ejecting apparatus is a line printer including a line head 12 capable of printing a range over the entire range of the maximum sheet width. For example, four (only two are shown in FIG. 1) drive shafts 13 (screw shafts) are erected in the box-shaped main body case 11A opened on the upper side, and the four drive shafts 13 and four corners are provided. A plurality of recording heads 15 (unit heads) are arranged in two rows along the width direction Y intersecting the paper transport direction (X direction in the figure) on the head holding member 14 (support frame) screwed in the screw holes. (See FIG. 3). One of the four drive shafts 13 is connected to an electric motor 17 via a gear mechanism 16 so as to be able to transmit power. When the electric motor 17 is driven forward / reversely, the line head 12 is moved to Z in FIG. It can be moved up and down in the direction.

  Below the line head 12, a transport unit 20 for transporting the paper 18 as a target is disposed. The transport unit 20 includes a plurality of rollers 21 (only one is shown in FIG. 1), a plurality of transport belts 22 wound around a plurality of axial positions of the rollers 21, and an electric motor 23 that rotationally drives the rollers 21. With. The plurality of transport belts 22 are disposed at positions avoiding the lower facing regions of the recording heads 15, and are driven to rotate when the electric motor 23 is driven to rotate the rollers 21, so that the paper placed on the transport belt 22. 18 is transported in the transport direction X. Note that the gap between the recording head 15 and the paper 18 (or the upper surface of the conveyance belt) is adjusted, for example, by moving the electric head 17 forward or backward to raise and lower the line head 12.

  Above the line head 12, ink cartridges 25 </ b> C and 25 </ b> M serving as four fluid containers for storing four colors of ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), respectively. 25Y and 25K are held in a horizontal state and arranged in a line in the width direction Y. Each of the ink cartridges 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K has a flat rectangular plate shape, and a plurality of ink supply tubes 26 as fluid supply paths are formed from one side surface extending along the long side direction (in FIG. 1). For example, 4) The ink supply tube 26 is branched into a plurality (three or four in this example) in the middle, and the branched branch portions 26B are connected to the upper ends of the different recording heads 15, respectively. The ink from each of the ink cartridges 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K is configured to be supplied to the different recording heads 15 through the ink supply tubes 26.

  A cap unit 30 is provided at a position facing the lower side of each recording head 15. The cap unit 30 includes a cap 31, a suction pump 32 that constitutes a negative pressure generating unit that exerts a suction force in the cap 31, and an elevating mechanism (not shown) that raises and lowers the cap 31. The cap 31 can be moved up and down between a retracted position (lowermost position) shown in FIG. 1 and a capping position contacting the nozzle forming surface 15 </ b> A of the recording head 15 by an elevating mechanism. Then, when the suction pump 32 is driven in the capping state, a suction force (negative pressure) is exerted on the nozzle by the negative pressure introduced into the cap 31, and the thickened ink in the nozzle, bubbles in the ink, and the like are removed. Cleaning to remove is performed.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the line head as viewed from the nozzle forming surface side.
The plurality of recording heads 15 constituting the line head 12 are arranged in a zigzag pattern in two rows along the width direction Y. The lower surface (bottom surface) of each recording head 15 is a nozzle forming surface 15A in which nozzles are opened, and four nozzle rows 15B corresponding to four colors of ink are formed on the nozzle forming surface 15A. Each nozzle row 15B has a large number (for example, 180) of nozzles arranged in a staggered manner. The recording head 15 is partitioned into four flow paths for each ink color corresponding to each nozzle row 15B, and ink of the corresponding ink color is supplied to each flow path. Therefore, the same color ink is ejected from the nozzles constituting the same nozzle row 15B.

  A pressure regulating valve is built in each flow path for each ink color in the recording head 15. This pressure regulating valve opens when ink is consumed by ejection from the nozzle and the ink pressure in the ink chamber is reduced to a predetermined value, and closes when the amount of ink consumed by this opening is replenished. The ink chamber has a function of supplying ink to the ink chamber while maintaining the ink pressure in the ink chamber substantially constant. Further, in the recording head 15, an ejection driving element (none of which is not shown) is provided at a location corresponding to the ink chamber for each nozzle, and the ejection driving element is driven so that the ejection force reaches the ink in the ink chamber. Ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles. A piezoelectric method using a piezoelectric vibrating element, an electrostatic method using an electrostatic driving element, a thermal method using a heater, or the like can be employed as the ejection driving element. In the present embodiment, the fluid supply device is configured by the ink cartridge 25, the cartridge holder 40, and the plurality of ink supply tubes 26.

  Further, since the recording heads 15 are arranged in a two-row zigzag pattern, the nozzle rows of the first recording head 15 and the nozzle rows of the second recording head 15 are projected in the vertical direction in FIG. Sometimes at least one nozzle at both ends overlaps or nozzles at both ends are continuous at a constant nozzle pitch. For this reason, printing of the maximum paper width range is possible even with the recording head 15 fixed.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the ink supply device. Since the ink cartridge has the same structure regardless of the ink color, the reference numeral 25 is given in the figure without distinguishing the ink cartridge for each ink color. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 25 includes a cartridge case 35 and an ink pack 36 accommodated in the cartridge case 35. The cartridge case 35 includes a case 37 and a lid 38. The ink pack 36 accommodated in the cartridge case 35 has a bag body 36A formed in a substantially square bag shape by a resin film having a laminated structure sandwiching a metal foil such as aluminum, and one side portion of the bag body 36A is thermocompression bonded. And an ink supply member 36B made of synthetic resin. In the ink pack 36 of the present embodiment, a plurality of (for example, four) cylindrical ink supply portions 36D protrude from the base portion 36C of the ink supply member 36B. The ink pack 36 contains one of four colors of ink.

  The ink cartridge 25 in a state in which the lid 38 is closed and the ink pack 36 is accommodated therein has a flat rectangular plate shape, and the plurality of ink supply portions 36 </ b> D extend along the long side direction of the ink cartridge 25. Exposed on the side. In addition, a pair of positioning holes 39 are formed on one side surface on both sides of the four ink supply portions 36D.

  The printer 11 is provided with a housing recess (not shown) for loading the ink cartridge 25, and a cartridge holder 40 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed in the housing recess. In the cartridge holder 40, four ink supply needles 40A project from positions opposed to the respective ink supply sections 36D, and a pair of positioning pins 40B project from positions opposed to the positioning holes 39. Yes. When the ink cartridge 25 is loaded in the housing recess, the ink supply needle 40A is pierced into the supply port of the ink supply part 36D in a positioning state in which the positioning pin 40B is inserted into the positioning hole 39, and the ink in the ink pack 36 is transferred to the cartridge holder 40. The recording head 15 can be supplied through the four ink supply tubes 26 connected to the bottom surface of the recording head 15. Further, the ink cartridge 25 is held in a horizontal state, and the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge 25 is arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the recording heads 15 (Y direction in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, the same number (four) of connecting portions 15C as the ink colors protrude from the upper surface of the recording head 15, and the remaining three colors of the ink cartridges 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K. The branch pipe portions 26B of the ink supply tubes 26 extending from the ones are respectively connected to the corresponding color connection portions 15C. For this reason, each recording head 15 is supplied with four colors of ink through separate ink supply tubes 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink supply tube 26 occupies most of the upstream side (ink cartridge side) (for example, 80 to 95% of the total length) and extends as a single main pipe portion 26 </ b> A. And three or four branch pipe portions 26B that occupy 5 to 20% of the total length on the downstream side and branch off from the main pipe portion 26A. In the present embodiment, the branch pipe part 26B is formed to have a smaller inner diameter than the main pipe part 26A. Also, in the main pipe portion 26A, the ink flow rate per one is divided by the number (for example, “4”) of the ink supply tubes 26 used in this example as compared with the configuration in which the conventional ink supply tube is only one. Since the flow rate is sufficient, the inner diameter of the tube is reduced to about half of the inner diameter in the case of the conventional one (one quarter of the conventional value in comparison with the cross-sectional area of the flow path). For this reason, if the pressure loss due to the tube diameter reduction is ignored, the use of the plurality of ink supply tubes 26 ensures an ink flow rate comparable to that of the conventional configuration with one ink supply tube.

  The ink cartridge 25 is disposed at a predetermined height in the direction opposite to the gravitational direction (upward) from the height position of the nozzle forming surface 15A of the recording head 15, and recording is performed from the ink cartridge 25 using the water head difference. An ink supply pressure for supplying ink to the nozzles of the head 15 is obtained.

  The ink supply tube 26 is formed using a synthetic resin material so as to obtain flexibility, but the synthetic resin material has moisture permeability and gas permeability as compared with other materials such as a metal material. For this reason, among the synthetic resin materials, materials with relatively low moisture permeability and gas permeability are selected and used for the tube material. Examples of the tube material include a fluorine-based resin.

  In the example of FIG. 1, there are 14 recording heads 15 constituting the line head 12, and there are four ink supply tubes 26 for each ink color (the same kind of fluid), and the number of both is divisible. There is no relationship. For this reason, the ink supply tube 26 is branched into four branch pipe portions 26 </ b> B so that it can be connected to the four recording heads 15, and three branch pipes are connected to the three recording heads 15. Two types of branching to the part 26B are used.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the three recording heads 15 arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the line head 12 has a branch pipe portion branched into three ink supply tubes 26. 26B is connected, and the four branch heads 26B of the ink supply tube 26 are connected to each of the four recording heads 15 near the center except for three at both ends. That is, in the width direction of the printer 11, the recording heads 15 are divided into a plurality of groups whose number is symmetrical in the longitudinal direction of the line head 12, and the ink supply tubes 26 having the same number of branches as the number of recording heads 15 belonging to the group. The recording head 15 is connected to the ink cartridge 25 for each group. The number of recording heads 15 constituting the line head 12 can be changed as appropriate according to the maximum paper size that can be handled by the printer 11 and the size of the recording head 15.

  In the printer 11 configured as described above, the ink in the ink cartridge 25 (ink pack 36) is supplied to each recording head 15 through a plurality of ink supply tubes 26 in parallel paths. For this reason, the difference in the ink supply path length between the recording heads 15 can be kept small. As a result, the difference in pressure loss applied to the ink from the ink cartridge 25 until it reaches each recording head 15 can be suppressed, and as a result, the uneven ink supply between the recording heads 15 can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress variations in the amount of ink jetted between the recording heads 15 due to uneven ink supply, thereby improving the print quality.

  In addition, the maximum length of the ink supply path from the ink cartridge 25 to the recording head 15 can be reduced compared to a configuration with a single conventional ink supply tube. As the ink supply path length is longer, the residence time of the ink flowing in the ink supply tube becomes relatively longer. Further, as the ink residence time becomes longer, the resin material of the ink supply tube 26 becomes moisture or gas (air). ), The degree of moisture evaporation from the ink, and the degree of gas dissolution in the ink increases. In the process of supplying ink through the ink supply tube 26, if the degree of moisture evaporation or gas dissolution exceeds a certain threshold value, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle or the ink chamber is likely to become high enough to induce nozzle clogging. Or bubbles generated due to the dissolved gas are likely to be mixed into the ink in the nozzle or the ink chamber. However, according to the present embodiment, the maximum length of the ink supply path can be shortened as compared with the conventional configuration, so that the frequency at which the ink residence time exceeds the threshold value can be effectively reduced. Therefore, while using a resin material with higher moisture permeability and gas permeability than the metal material for the tube material, the frequency of occurrence of defective ink ejection due to nozzle clogging and bubbles in the ink is reduced compared to the conventional configuration. can do.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since a configuration in which a plurality of ink supply tubes 26 are extended from the ink cartridge 25 and connected to the connection portion 15C of the recording head 15 is adopted, one ink supply tube is connected to the connection portions of all the recording heads ( Compared to the conventional configuration in which the ink supply tube 26 is routed through the fluid supply port), the ink supply tube 26 can be disposed in a route that is as short as possible directly toward the target connection portion 15C. As a result, since the difference in the ink supply path length from the ink cartridge 25 to each connection portion 15C can be reduced as compared with the conventional configuration, uneven ink supply between the recording heads 15 can be suppressed.

  (2) Further, even if the flow velocity of the ink flowing in the plurality of ink supply tubes 26 is the same as that in the case of one of the conventional configurations, the ink supply tube 26 can be shortened in the ink supply tube 26. Ink residence time can be shortened. As a result, the degree of moisture evaporation from the ink in the ink supply tube 26 and the extent of gas dissolution in the ink can be kept low. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of nozzle clogging due to an increase in ink viscosity due to water evaporation and the frequency of occurrence of ink ejection failure caused by bubbles generated in the ink due to gas dissolution.

  (3) Since the ink supply tube 26 is branched into a plurality of branch pipe portions 26B and each branch pipe portion 26B is connected to the connection portion 15C of the different recording head 15, the ink supply tube 26 is connected to the recording head. The number of connection portions 15C can be reduced by a small number. Therefore, even if the configuration includes a large number of recording heads 15 such as the line head 12, the number of ink supply tubes 26 required for each color of ink, for example, the number of branches of the ink supply tubes 26 is "3". Alternatively, in the present embodiment, which is “4”, the number can be suppressed to within a range of 1/3 to 1/4 of the number of connection portions 15C of the recording head 15. For example, the connection work for connecting the ink supply tube 26 to the ink cartridge 25 and the recording head 15 is simple.

  (4) In the ink cartridge 25 having the anisotropic shape of the square plate shape, the plurality of ink supply portions 36D are arranged on the surface extending along the long side direction, so that the connection space for the plurality of ink supply tubes 26 is provided. Can be secured sufficiently, and the degree of freedom in selecting connection points is also increased.

In addition, embodiment is not limited above, You may change as follows.
(Modification 1) As shown in FIG. 4, a configuration in which the number of branches of the ink supply tube 26 connected to the connection portion 15C of the recording head 15 belonging to the group far from the ink cartridge 25 can be adopted. That is, in the width direction of the printer, the number of connection portions 15C of the recording head 15 belonging to the group located farthest from the ink cartridge 25 (on the left and right ends in FIG. 4) is the largest number “4”. The number of connecting portions 15C of the recording heads 15 belonging to the closer group is set to “3”, which is less than four. This is because the ink supply tube 26 connected to the distant recording head 15 has a longer tube length, and the ink residence time until reaching the recording head 15 becomes relatively longer. In order to shorten it, a larger number of branches is selected for those used in a distant group of recording heads. According to this configuration, although the diameters of the plurality of ink supply tubes 26 are the same, the ink supply tube 26 with a larger number of branches has a larger number of ink supply destination recording heads 15, and therefore the ink consumption speed is higher. The ink flow rate in the ink supply tube 26 is relatively high, and the ink residence time in the ink supply tube 26 is relatively short. Therefore, since the ink residence time can be relatively shortened for the length of the ink supply path length, even in the ink supply tube 26 having a long ink supply path length, moisture evaporation from the ink and gas into the ink can be achieved. The degree of dissolution can be kept small.

  (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, one fluid container (ink cartridge 25) is provided for each ink color, but a plurality of fluid containers may be provided for the same type of fluid. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, two ink cartridges 45 are provided as fluid containers that contain ink of the same ink color, and a plurality of ink supply tubes 26 extend from each ink cartridge 45 to supply each ink supply. The tube 26 is branched halfway, and the branched branch pipe portions 26B are connected to the connection portions 15C of the recording heads 15 different from each other. In FIG. 5, the line head 51 is not a structure in which a plurality of recording heads are arranged over the entire area of the maximum sheet width, but a single line head formed in a long shape is fluid ejected. This is an example adopted as a head. The line head 51 is partitioned into a plurality of flow paths in the longitudinal direction, and a head portion corresponding to each partitioned flow path is used as a recording head 15 (unit head).

  (Modification 3) As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of ink supply tubes 26 extending from an ink cartridge 45 as a fluid container are connected to each connection portion 15C of a line head 51 as a fluid ejection head from the ink cartridge 45. A configuration in which all the fluid supply lengths to the (fluid supply port) are the same can also be adopted. According to the configuration in FIG. 6, since the flow path length from the ink cartridge to each connection portion 15C is the same, uneven ink supply to each connection portion 15C can be prevented. In FIG. 6, the lengths of the branch pipe portions 26B as a plurality of branches branched in the middle of the ink supply tube 26 are all the same, but the flow path length from the ink cartridge 45 to each connection portion 15C is the same. As long as all are the same, the length of the branch pipe part 26B may be different. In FIG. 6, the ink supply tube 26 has a two-branch configuration. However, as long as all the flow path lengths are the same, an appropriate number of three or more branches can be adopted for the ink supply tube. Furthermore, instead of the configuration in which a plurality of ink cartridges 45 are provided as shown in FIG. 6, a configuration in which one ink cartridge 25 is provided for the same ink type as in the above-described embodiment or a modification of FIG.

  (Modification 4) In the above-described embodiment, all of the plurality of ink supply tubes are branched into a plurality of portions in the middle, but some of the plurality of ink supply tubes may include an unbranched ink supply tube. Good. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the ink supply tube 27 without branching is connected to the connection portions 15 </ b> C (fluid supply ports) of the recording head 15 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the line head 12. Further, the number of branches is also reduced as the flow path length is increased. In this example, three recording heads 15 constituting the first group located near the center at a relatively short distance from the ink cartridge are provided. Are connected to each of the two recording heads 15 constituting the second group on both sides of the ink supply tube 26 with the branch number “2”. A non-branched ink supply tube 27 is connected to the recording head 15. Thus, if the connection structure is configured such that the number of branches of the ink supply tube is reduced as the flow path length is longer, the ink supply pressure unevenness at the connection portion 15C can be suppressed to be small even in the configuration in which the ink is supplied by the water head pressure. As a result, variations in the amount of ink ejected between the recording heads 15 due to uneven ink supply pressure can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, even in a configuration including a plurality of ink cartridges 45 of the same color, there is no branching among some of the plurality of ink supply tubes 26 and 27 that connect the ink cartridge 45 and the recording head 15. Ink supply tube 27 may be included. In this example, ink supply without branching is provided to the recording heads 15 at both ends located relatively far among a plurality (six in this example) of the recording heads 15 to which ink is supplied from one ink cartridge 45. A tube 27 is connected. 7 and 8, since the ink supply tube 27 without branching is used for the recording heads located at both ends having the longest flow path length from the ink cartridge, the flow path length in the ink supply tube 27 is also used. Even if the pressure loss as a factor increases, the pressure loss as a factor of the number of branches can be eliminated, so that the uneven ink supply from the ink supply tubes 26 and 27 to the recording heads 15 can be suppressed.

  (Modification 5) In the above-described embodiment, the ink supply tube is branched into a plurality of pieces in the middle, but the branching of the ink supply tube is not essential. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink cartridge 25 that is a fluid container and the connection portion 15 </ b> C (fluid supply port) of the recording head 15 are connected one by one using an ink supply tube 46 without branching. Can also be adopted. Also in this configuration, since the lengths of the plurality of ink supply tubes 46 are all the same, uneven ink supply to each connection portion 15C can be prevented.

  (Modification 6) The ink container as the fluid container is not limited to the ink cartridge, and may be an ink tank. An ink supply method using a water head difference can be adopted as an ink supply method when an ink tank is used. Also in the case of the ink tank, it is preferable to extend the ink supply tube from the surface extending along the long side direction.

  (Modification 7) A branched ink supply tube and an unbranched ink supply tube may be mixed. In this case, the ink supply tube without branching is not limited to being connected to the recording head at the end, and may be connected to the connecting portion 15C of the recording head 15 near the center, for example. Further, the number of branches of the ink supply tube may be 5 or more.

(Modification 8) The fluid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a line printer, and may be, for example, a serial printer having a carriage.
(Modification 9) In the above-described embodiment, the fluid ejecting apparatus is embodied as an ink jet recording apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other fluids other than ink (liquid or functional material particles are dispersed or mixed in the liquid). And a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a liquid, a fluid such as a gel, and a solid that can be ejected by flowing as a fluid. For example, a liquid material ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid material in the form of dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used for manufacturing liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. Further, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample may be used. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto the substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, and a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid such as a gel (eg, physical gel) It may be. The term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of a gas. For example, a fluid (including an inorganic solvent, an organic solvent, a solution, a liquid resin, a liquid metal (metal melt), etc.), a liquid, Included in the form.

Hereinafter, technical ideas obtained from the embodiment and each modification will be described.
(1) In the fluid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the fluid supply path is preferably a tube made of synthetic resin. According to this, even if it is a tube made of synthetic resin having higher liquid permeability and gas permeability than other materials such as metal, it is divided into a plurality of tubes, so that a conventional fluid supply path has a single configuration. In contrast, the maximum length of the fluid supply path from the fluid container to the fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head can be shortened. Therefore, the residence time of the fluid in the fluid supply path can be shortened, so the rate at which the liquid component of the fluid in the tube evaporates to the outside and the rate at which gases such as outside air permeate the tube and dissolve in the fluid are reduced. Can be suppressed.

  (2) The fluid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a flow path holder (40) to which the fluid container is detachably mounted, wherein the fluid container is the flow path holder. A fluid supply apparatus, wherein the fluid supply apparatus is connected to the plurality of fluid supply paths extending from the flow path holder.

1 is a schematic front sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. The perspective view which shows an ink supply apparatus. The bottom view which shows a part of line head. The schematic diagram which shows the ink supply apparatus in a modification. The schematic diagram which shows the ink supply apparatus of the modification different from FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an ink supply device according to a modified example different from FIG. 5. The schematic diagram which shows the ink supply apparatus of the modification different from FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink supply device according to a modified example different from FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink supply device according to a modified example different from FIG. 8. Schematic diagram showing a conventional ink supply device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer as fluid ejecting apparatus, 12 ... Line head, 15 ... Recording head (unit head) as fluid ejecting head, 15C ... Connection part as fluid supply port, 25 ... Constructing fluid supplying apparatus and fluid container Ink cartridge as a (fluid supply source), 26... Constituting a fluid supply apparatus and an ink supply tube as a fluid supply path, 26 A... Main pipe part, 26 B .. branch pipe part as a branch path, 27. None), 40... Cartridge holder (flow path holder), 45... Ink cartridge as fluid container (fluid supply source), 46. Ink supply tube as fluid supply path, 51.

Claims (9)

A fluid supply device used by being attached to a fluid ejection device to supply fluid to a fluid ejection head,
At least one fluid container for containing fluid;
A fluid supply path for supplying the same type of fluid by hydraulic head pressure from the fluid container toward the fluid ejection head;
A plurality of the fluid supply paths extend from the fluid container side, and end portions of the plurality of extension destinations are connected to the fluid supply ports of the plurality of fluid ejection heads. A fluid supply device. 2. A part of the plurality of fluid supply paths branches into a plurality of branches on the way, and each branch is connected to a fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head. The fluid supply apparatus described in 1.   2. Each of the plurality of fluid supply paths branches into a plurality of branches on the way, and each of the branches is connected to a fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head. The fluid supply apparatus described.   4. The fluid supply according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the fluid containers are provided, and a plurality of the fluid supply paths extend from each of the plurality of fluid containers. apparatus.   5. The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein the fluid container has an anisotropic shape, and the plurality of fluid supply paths extend from a surface extending along a longitudinal direction of the fluid container. The fluid supply device according to one item.   The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the fluid container is disposed in a direction in which a longitudinal direction thereof is substantially parallel to an arrangement direction of fluid supply ports of the plurality of fluid ejection heads.   The fluid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the plurality of fluid supply paths have the same fluid supply path length.   A fluid ejecting apparatus comprising: a fluid ejecting head; and the fluid supply device according to claim 1 that supplies fluid to each fluid supply port of the fluid ejecting head. A fluid supply method for supplying fluid from a fluid container to a fluid ejecting head,
A plurality of fluid supply paths for supplying the same type of fluid in the fluid container to the fluid ejecting head by hydraulic head pressure are provided so as to extend from the fluid container, and the fluid ejecting head of each fluid supply path The fluid ejecting heads are connected to the fluid supply ports of the plurality of fluid ejecting heads provided in the number of the plurality of side ends, and the same kind of fluid is supplied to the fluid ejecting heads through the fluid supply paths extending from the fluid container. The fluid supply method is characterized in that each fluid supply port is supplied individually.

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