JP2009172858A - Liquid supply system, liquid supply source, and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid supply system, a liquid supply source, and a liquid supply device including such a liquid supply system and a liquid supply source, which can contribute to downsizing of the apparatus and supply liquid under pressure.
SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 13 having an ink pack 26 and an ink outlet 52 therein, an ink flow path 16 for supplying ink from the ink cartridge 13 to the recording head 12, and a volume disposed in the ink cartridge 13 increase or decrease. An ink storage portion 47 constituted by a flexible film 46 that can be displaced so as to be able to move, a coil spring 58 that urges the flexible film 46 in a direction in which the volume of the ink storage portion 47 decreases, and an ink pack The one-way valve 29 that only allows ink to pass from the 26-side to the ink-storing part 47 side, and the flexible film 46 in a direction that increases the volume of the ink-storing part 47 against the biasing force of the coil spring 58. And a decompression pump 40 that applies an external force for displacement.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply system, a liquid supply source, and a liquid ejecting apparatus that supply a liquid from an upstream side that is a liquid supply source side toward a downstream side where the liquid is consumed.

  Conventionally, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) is widely known as one of liquid ejecting apparatuses. In this printer, printing is performed by ejecting ink (liquid) supplied from an ink cartridge (liquid supply source) from a nozzle formed in a recording head (liquid ejecting head) onto a recording medium as a target. Yes. In such a printer, recently, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1, a volume-variable variable functioning as a pump chamber for applying pressure to ink and sending it out of the ink cartridge inside the ink cartridge. An ink storage unit (liquid storage unit) has been proposed.

  In other words, the ink supply system of the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a part of the flow path from the ink pack (liquid storage unit) that stores ink in the ink cartridge to the ink outlet of the ink cartridge as a variable volume ink storage unit. It is configured. The displacement member that forms a part of the wall surface of the ink reservoir is always urged by the urging member in the direction of increasing the volume of the ink reservoir, and the volume of the ink reservoir is decreased by the actuator. By pressing in the direction, the ink reservoir is made to function as a kind of pump.

  Here, the actuator that presses the displacement member at the time of discharge driving is provided at the end of the lever member that swings around the fulcrum, and the end of the lever member on the power point side is the biasing force of the compression spring. Is pressed down to press the displacement member of the ink reservoir. On the other hand, the actuator is configured to be separated from the displacement member of the ink storage portion by pushing up the end of the lever member on the power point side by the engaging action of the rotating cam against the biasing force of the compression spring. Yes.

In such a printer of Patent Document 1, when the cam is rotated and the end on the power point side of the lever member is pushed up to drive the ink reservoir as a pump, the actuator moves downward, and the ink reservoir The volume of the ink increases while sucking ink from the ink pack by the biasing force of the biasing member. Then, when the cam is moved away from the end of the lever member on the force point side and the end of the lever member on the force point side is pressed downward by the urging force of the compression spring to drive the discharge, the actuator reduces the volume of the storage chamber. It will gradually move upwards.
JP-A-9-164698

  By the way, in the case of the printer of Patent Document 1, in order to pressurize and supply ink to the outside of the ink cartridge, a lever member, a cam, or the like is required as an actuator and its drive mechanism. Further, in addition to the vertical movement space of the actuator, it is necessary to secure a swinging space for the lever member and a rotation space for the cam. In this respect, there is a problem that it cannot contribute to the downsizing of the device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply system, a liquid supply source, and such a liquid supply system that can pressurize and supply liquid by contributing to downsizing of the apparatus. An object is to provide a liquid supply apparatus including a liquid supply system and a liquid supply source.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid supply system of the present invention includes a liquid supply source having a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid therein and a liquid discharge portion for discharging the liquid to the outside, and the liquid supply source side The liquid supply channel that supplies the liquid from the upstream side to the downstream side where the liquid is consumed and the volume between the liquid storage part and the liquid outlet part in the liquid supply source are increased or decreased. A liquid storage part constituted by a displacement member capable of displacing at least a part of the inner surface so as to be possible, and a predetermined urging force so that the displacement member is always displaced in a direction in which the volume of the liquid storage part decreases. An urging member that urges, and a downstream side that is provided at a position between the liquid storage unit and the liquid storage unit in the liquid supply source, from an upstream side that is the liquid storage unit side to the liquid storage unit side Of liquid passage to Comprises a one-way valve that allows, the external force applying means for applying an external force for displacing the displacement member against the urging force of the urging member in a direction to increase the volume of the liquid storage portion.

  According to this configuration, when the external force applying unit displaces the displacement member to increase the volume of the liquid storage unit, a negative pressure is generated in the liquid storage unit, and the liquid passes through the one-way valve from the liquid storage unit. Inflow. In this state, when the application of the external force by the external force applying means is stopped, the liquid reservoir receives an urging force from the urging member so as to reduce the volume of the liquid reservoir. At this time, since the flow of the upstream side of the liquid reservoir is inhibited by the one-way valve, the liquid flows out downstream. Therefore, the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source to the side where the liquid is consumed via the liquid supply channel. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and suppress the complexity of the configuration, and to contribute to downsizing and supply the liquid under pressure.

  In the liquid supply system of the present invention, the external force applying means includes a sealed chamber partitioned from the liquid reservoir by the displacement member in the liquid supply source, and a negative pressure generating means for bringing the sealed chamber into a negative pressure state. And negative pressure eliminating means for eliminating the negative pressure state in the sealed chamber.

  According to this configuration, when the sealed chamber is brought into a negative pressure state by the negative pressure generating means, a pressure difference is generated between the liquid storage portion side and the sealed chamber side of the displacement member. For this reason, the displacement member is displaced toward the sealed chamber against the urging force of the urging member, that is, in a direction in which the volume of the liquid storage portion is increased. Therefore, the negative pressure generated in the sealed chamber is transmitted into the liquid storage part, and the liquid flows from the liquid storage part into the liquid storage part. When the negative pressure state in the sealed chamber is canceled by the negative pressure canceling means, the volume of the liquid storage portion is reduced based on the biasing force of the biasing member, and the liquid can be supplied under pressure.

  In the liquid supply system of the present invention, the external force applying means includes a magnetic body attached to the displacement member, and a magnetic force generation means disposed at a position facing the magnetic body in the displacement direction of the displacement member.

  According to this configuration, since the magnetic force generation means and the magnetic body face each other in the displacement direction of the displacement member, when the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generation means reaches the magnetic body, the magnetic body is displaced toward the magnetic force generation means. In accordance with this, the displacement member that is displaced together with the magnetic body increases the volume of the liquid reservoir. Therefore, a negative pressure is generated in the liquid storage part, and the liquid flows from the liquid storage part into the liquid storage part. On the other hand, when the magnetic force generating means does not exert a magnetic force on the magnetic body, the volume of the liquid storage portion is reduced by the urging force of the urging member, so that the liquid can be supplied under pressure.

In the liquid supply system of the present invention, the magnetic force generating means is a magnet provided so as to be movable in a displacement direction of the displacement member so as to change a distance from the magnetic body.
According to this configuration, the magnetic force exerted on the magnetic body can be changed by changing the distance between the magnetic body and the magnet. That is, when the magnetic body is brought close to the magnet, the magnetic body is drawn toward the magnet together with the displacement member by the magnetic force applied to the magnetic body. On the other hand, when the magnet is moved away from the magnetic body, the magnetic force applied to the magnetic body is reduced, so that the displacement member is displaced in a direction away from the magnet by the biasing member. Therefore, since the volume of the liquid storage part can be easily changed, the time required for securing the supply liquid can be shortened, and switching between supply and inflow of liquid can be performed quickly.

In the liquid supply system according to the present invention, the liquid storage unit stores the liquid in a closed space having a variable volume.
According to this configuration, when the remaining amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage part is exhausted, the negative pressure in the liquid storage part becomes larger than the negative pressure generated in the liquid storage part. Cannot be increased. That is, by making the liquid storage portion a closed space, it is possible to suppress suction of substances other than the stored liquid, such as air, after supplying the internal liquid.

  In the liquid supply system according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid storage unit is closed by a closing member that is in communication with the liquid storage unit and that is attached to the displacement member when the liquid in the liquid storage unit is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. A piezoelectric element that applies vibration to the concave part and detects a free vibration state associated with the applied vibration, and an amplitude value of a residual vibration waveform of a back electromotive force detected by the free vibration state detected by the piezoelectric element Alternatively, a detection unit that detects the frequency and a calculation unit that calculates the remaining liquid amount of the liquid storage unit based on the amplitude value or frequency of the residual vibration waveform detected by the detection unit.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the closing member has been displaced to a position for closing the recess by detecting the closing state of the recess using the piezoelectric element. That is, it is possible to calculate the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit by determining whether or not the volume of the liquid storage unit is increased by the displacement member that is displaced together with the closing member.

  In the liquid supply system of the present invention, the external force applying means displaces the displacement member in a direction in which the volume of the liquid storage unit is increased when the volume of the liquid storage unit becomes a predetermined volume or less.

  According to this configuration, in the state where the volume in the liquid storage portion is reduced, the liquid that can be supplied to the downstream side is similarly reduced. Therefore, the liquid that can be supplied to the downstream side can be increased and the liquid can be stably supplied by flowing the liquid from the liquid storage portion by the negative pressure accompanying the increase in the volume of the liquid storage portion.

  In the liquid supply system of the present invention, when an external force is applied by the external force applying unit, the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit is zero when the displacement member is not displaced in the direction of increasing the volume of the liquid storage unit. Liquid remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the liquid end state is present is provided.

  According to this configuration, when the volume of the liquid storage unit is increased by the external force applying unit, the liquid flows in with the negative pressure generated in the liquid storage unit. On the other hand, when the external force applying means is stopped, the liquid is supplied from the liquid reservoir to the downstream side via the liquid supply flow path. However, when the liquid in the liquid storage part has been completely supplied, the liquid cannot be caused to flow even if the external force applying means is driven so as to increase the liquid storage part, so that the volume of the liquid storage part does not change. . Therefore, when the volume of the liquid storage unit does not change, it can be determined that the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit is zero.

In the liquid supply system of the present invention, the driving of the external force applying means is stopped when the liquid remaining amount detecting means detects the liquid end state.
According to this configuration, by stopping the driving of the external force applying means, it is possible to reduce the load that is excessively applied to the members constituting the liquid supply source and the external force applying means. Furthermore, by not applying an external force, the liquid supply source and the liquid supply channel can be separated. Therefore, when it is determined that the liquid end state cannot supply the liquid, it can be exchanged with a liquid supply source newly containing the liquid.

In the liquid supply system of the present invention, the liquid supply flow path includes a one-way valve that allows only liquid to pass from the upstream side to the downstream side.
According to this configuration, the one-way valve suppresses the backflow of the liquid to the upstream side, so that when the volume of the liquid storage unit increases and a negative pressure is generated inside, the liquid is supplied from the downstream side of the liquid supply channel. Suppresses the inflow of liquid into the reservoir. Accordingly, the liquid storage portion is supplied with the volume-increased liquid from the liquid storage portion, and further, during supply, the liquid passes through the one-way valve and is supplied to the downstream side, thereby improving the liquid supply efficiency. Can do.

  The liquid supply source of the present invention has a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid therein and a liquid lead-out portion for leading out the liquid to the outside, and the liquid lead-out portion of the liquid supply channel in the liquid supply system having the above-described configuration Connected upstream.

  According to this configuration, the upstream side of the liquid supply flow path in the liquid supply system is connected to the liquid outlet, so that the liquid can be suitably used as a liquid supply source capable of stably supplying the liquid.

The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid, and the liquid supply system configured as described above that supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting head.
According to this configuration, it is possible to perform suitable liquid ejection by supplying liquid to the liquid ejection head side and detecting the remaining amount of liquid.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus in this embodiment includes a recording head 12 as a liquid ejecting head that ejects ink (liquid) to a target (not shown), and a recording head 12. An ink supply device 14 for supplying ink contained in an ink cartridge 13 as a liquid supply source is provided. The ink cartridge 13 and the ink supply device 14 constitute an ink supply system 15 as a liquid supply system. In the ink supply device 14, the upstream end is connected to the ink cartridge 13 and the downstream end is connected to the recording head 12, and the upstream side that is the ink cartridge 13 side is changed to the downstream side that is the recording head 12 side. An ink flow path (liquid supply flow path) 16 for supplying ink is provided.

  The printer 11 is provided with a plurality of ink supply devices 14 corresponding to the number of colors (types) of ink used in the printer 11. However, since the configurations are the same, FIG. 1 illustrates one ink supply device 14 that supplies ink of any one color together with the recording head 12 and one ink cartridge 13. In the following, as an example, ink is supplied from the upstream ink cartridge 13 toward the downstream recording head 12 via the ink flow path 16 of one ink supply device 14 shown in FIG. I will explain.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the recording head 12, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of nozzles 17 corresponding to the number of ink supply devices 14 are opened in a nozzle forming surface 12 a facing a platen (not shown). Is formed. Ink is supplied to the nozzles 17 from the ink flow paths 16 of the corresponding ink supply devices 14 via the valve units 18. That is, the valve unit 18 is provided with a pressure chamber (not shown) for temporarily storing ink flowing in through the ink flow path 16 so as to communicate with the nozzle 17, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 17 into the pressure chamber. In such a case, an amount of ink corresponding to the amount of ink consumed by the ink jetting appropriately flows from the ink flow path 16 based on the opening / closing operation of a flow path valve (not shown). In this respect, the valve unit 18 functions as a one-way valve that only allows ink to pass from the upstream side, which is the ink cartridge 13 side, to the downstream side, which is the nozzle 17 side that ejects ink.

  In addition, a maintenance unit 19 for cleaning the recording head 12 is provided at a home position where the recording head 12 is not printed in the printer 11 so as to eliminate clogging of the nozzles 17 of the recording head 12. The maintenance unit 19 includes a cap 20 that can come into contact with the nozzle forming surface 12a of the recording head 12 so as to surround the nozzle 17, a suction pump 21 that is driven when sucking ink from the cap 20, and the suction unit 21. A waste liquid tank 22 is provided in which ink sucked from the cap 20 as the pump 21 is driven is discharged as waste ink. During cleaning, the suction pump 21 is driven in a state where the cap 20 is moved and brought into contact with the nozzle formation surface 12 a of the recording head 12, thereby generating a negative pressure in the internal space of the cap 20, thereby generating the inside of the recording head 12. The ink thickened from the ink or the ink mixed with bubbles is sucked and discharged toward the waste liquid tank 22. The suction pump 21 is controlled in its driving state by the control device 44.

Next, the configuration of the ink cartridge 13 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 13 includes a case 23 formed of a synthetic resin material in a substantially box shape. The inside of the case 23 is divided into two on the left and right sides by a partition wall 23a. In FIG. 1, the left side is an ink storage chamber 13a. On the other hand, the right side is a sensor accommodating chamber 13b as a sealed chamber configured to be in an airtight state.

  Among these, the ink storage chamber 13a is formed of a flexible liquid storage bag, and an ink pack 26 in which ink is sealed (accommodated) inside a closed space serving as a liquid storage portion is stored. In the case 23, an air communication hole 30 is formed through the upper wall of the ink storage chamber 13a so as to communicate with the atmosphere inside the ink storage chamber 13a. The atmospheric pressure is applied to the outer surface of the ink pack 26 storing the ink. It is supposed to act.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the sensor housing chamber 13 b houses a substantially disc-shaped detector main body 27 having a thickness in the vertical direction in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit main body 27 is formed with a recess 45 whose upper side is open, and a flexible film as a displacement member so as to seal the opening of the recess 45 at the upper end thereof. 46 is fixed in a state of being bent. And the ink storage part 47 as a liquid storage part is enclosed by the recessed part 45 of the detection part main body 27, and the flexible film 46 so that volume is variable.

  An inflow side protrusion 48 protrudes from the left end side of the detection unit main body 27, and an outflow side protrusion 49 protrudes from the right end side of the detection unit main body 27. A through hole 50a is formed in the partition wall 23a that partitions the ink storage chamber 13a and the sensor storage chamber 13b, and a through hole 50b is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 50a in the left-right direction on the right wall of the case 23. Is formed.

  Then, the inflow side protrusion 48 and the outflow side protrusion 49 are respectively fitted in the left and right through holes 50 a and 50 b, so that the detection unit main body 27 is supported by the case 23. In addition, an ink inflow port 51 is formed in the inflow side protrusion 48 in the detection unit main body 27 so as to communicate with the inside of the ink storage unit 47, and an ink outflow port as a liquid outlet is provided in the outflow side protrusion 49. A penetrating hole 52 is formed so as to communicate with the inside of the ink reservoir 47.

  When the inflow side protrusion 48 is fitted to the through hole 50a, the tip of the inflow side protrusion 48 protrudes into the ink containing chamber 13a from the through hole 50a. Therefore, when the ink pack 26 is connected to the inflow side protrusion 48 protruding into the ink storage chamber 13 a, the ink in the ink pack 26 passes through the ink inlet 51 of the inflow side protrusion 48 and the ink storage part 47. To flow into. Further, the inflow side protrusion 48 is provided with a one-way valve 29 that only allows ink to pass from the upstream side, which is the ink pack 26 side, to the downstream side, which is the ink storage portion 47 side. The one-way valve 29 includes a valve body 29a capable of reciprocating in the left-right direction between a valve opening position and a valve closing position in accordance with a change in ink pressure or ink flow, and a valve body 29a movable in the valve opening direction. It is comprised by the latching | locking part 29b to latch.

  In addition, a remaining amount detection unit 53 is provided below the detection unit main body 27. The remaining amount detection unit 53 includes a bottom plate 54 at a position corresponding to the bottom of the recess 45, and a piezoelectric sensor 55 as a piezoelectric element is provided below the bottom plate 54. The ink guide path 56 is provided as a recess in such a manner that the two openings 56 a and 56 b open on the top surface of the bottom plate 54 while penetrating the bottom plate 54 and the piezoelectric sensor 55. The piezoelectric sensor 55 applies vibration to the detection space defined in the ink guide path 56 in the ink reservoir 47, detects the state of free vibration associated with this vibration, and outputs the detection result as a detection signal. It is supposed to be. And this detection result is transmitted to the control apparatus 44 as a detection part and a calculation part. The control device 44 calculates the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack 26 based on the detection result, and detects the ink end state in which the ink has run out based on the remaining amount of ink. Is functioning as

  A blocking member 57 is fixed to a position facing the remaining amount detection unit 53 on the lower surface side of the flexible film 46. On the other hand, a locking wall 23 b is provided in a manner parallel to the upper wall at a position above the flexible film 46 and between the upper wall of the case 23 and the flexible film 46. As an urging member that elastically urges the closing member 57 and the flexible film 46 in a direction to reduce the internal volume of the ink storage portion 47 between the upper surface of the flexible film 46 and the locking wall 23b. The coil spring 58 is interposed.

  Then, the flexible film 46 and the closing member 57 are resistant to the urging force of the coil spring 58 as shown in FIG. 4A when the pressure in the sensor storage chamber 13b is reduced. It is displaced in the direction of increasing the internal volume of the. On the other hand, in the state where the negative pressure in the sensor accommodating chamber 13b is eliminated, the bottom plate 54 comes into contact with the bottom plate 54 in an intimate contact state by the urging force of the coil spring 58, as shown in FIG. . That is, the ink storage section 47 is configured such that the internal volume is variable by moving the closing member 57 and the flexible film 46 according to the pressure in the sensor storage chamber 13b.

  When such an ink cartridge 13 is connected to the ink supply device 14, an ink supply projecting from the ink supply device 14 to form the upstream end of the ink flow path 16 with respect to the detection unit main body 27 is provided. The needle 28 is inserted from the ink outlet 52. At this time, the periphery of the ink supply needle 28 is sealed by a seal member (not shown) in the ink outlet 52. A flow path opening / closing valve 36 that can open and close the ink flow path 16 is provided in the ink flow path 16 at a position near the downstream side of the ink supply needle 28.

  A through hole 50c through which an air flow path 39 made of a tube or the like can be inserted is formed at a position below the through hole 50b on the right wall of the case 23. And in order to connect the air flow path 39 inserted in the through hole 50c and the sensor housing chamber 13b in an airtight state at a position corresponding to the periphery of the through hole 50c on the right side wall of the case 23 on the sensor housing chamber 13b side. The connection member 60 is formed.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the ink supply device 14 will be described in detail.
A pressure reducing pump 40 as a negative pressure generating means, a pressure detector 41, and an air release valve 42 as a negative pressure eliminating means are connected to the sensor storage chamber 13b via an air flow path 39. The sensor storage chamber 13b, the decompression pump 40, and the air release valve 42 function as external force applying means.

  Among these, the decompression pump 40 generates a negative pressure when driven, and similarly generates a negative pressure in the sensor housing chamber 13 b connected via the air flow path 39. Therefore, a negative pressure state is maintained in the sensor housing chamber 13 b having airtightness by driving the decompression pump 40.

  The pressure detector 41 detects the pressure in the sensor storage chamber 13 b connected via the air flow path 39 and outputs the detection result to the control device 44. When the pressure in the sensor storage chamber 13b falls below a predetermined threshold value by driving the decompression pump 40, the control device 44 stops driving the decompression pump 40 and opens the atmosphere release valve 42. As a result, the inside of the sensor housing chamber 13b is opened to the atmosphere to eliminate the negative pressure state.

  Therefore, when the decompression pump 40 is driven, the pressure in the sensor storage chamber 13b is lower than that of the ink reservoir 47 in which the internal pressure is held at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to supply the ink under pressure. Therefore, the flexible film 46 is displaced in the direction of increasing the volume of the ink storage portion 47 against the urging force of the coil spring 58.

  Then, the ink reservoir 47 is in a negative pressure state, and the pressure is lower than that of the ink pack 26 on which the atmospheric pressure acts. Therefore, the one-way valve 29 is opened and stored in the ink pack 26. Ink is sucked into the ink reservoir 47 through the ink inlet 51. Then, the control device 44 determines that the maximum volume of ink has been sucked into the ink reservoir 47, and opens the air release valve 42 to open the sensor storage chamber 13b to the atmosphere. Then, the ink in the ink reservoir 47 is pressurized based on the urging force of the coil spring 58 to close the one-way valve 29, while the pressurized ink is supplied from the ink outlet 52, the ink supply needle 28, The ink is supplied to the recording head 12 through the ink supply tube 37.

  That is, the ink supply device 14 performs suction driving to suck the ink in the ink pack 26 and store the ink in the ink storage section 47 when the decompression pump 40 is driven, and stores the stored ink when the atmosphere release valve 42 is opened. Is discharged to the downstream side.

  However, even if the decompression pump 40 is driven and the sensor storage chamber 13b is in a negative pressure state, if the amount of ink stored in the ink pack 26 is reduced, the amount of ink to be sucked into the ink storage unit 47 is reduced. Since it decreases, an increase in the volume of the ink reservoir 47 can be suppressed. In this embodiment, the state in which the closing member 57 is not displaced from the position in contact with the bottom plate 54 and the ink guide path 56 is closed during the suction drive is the ink end state in which the ink in the ink pack 26 is exhausted. Is set.

Next, an ink end diagnosis method for determining a state where the ink amount in the ink pack 26 has become zero will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4B, when the closing member 57 comes into contact with the bottom plate 54, the openings 56 a and 56 b of the ink guide path 56 are closed by the closing member 57. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the closing member 57 is separated from the bottom plate 54, the ink guide path 56 is opened to the ink storage part 47 through the openings 56a and 56b.

  The ink guide path 56 is filled with the filled ink, and the piezoelectric sensor 55 is opened to the ink reservoir 47 when the ink guide path 56 is closed by the closing member 57. Depending on the case, different free vibration states are detected. That is, the remaining amount detection unit 53 performs a detection operation for detecting whether or not the closing member 57 is in contact with the bottom plate 54 and the internal volume of the ink storage unit 47 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The ink amount in 47 is detected, and a detection result for diagnosing the ink amount in the ink pack 26 is output.

  The piezoelectric sensor 55 can communicate with the control device 44 provided in the printer 11. Then, the control device 44 to which the detection result is input detects the amplitude value or frequency of the residual vibration waveform of the counter electromotive force of the free vibration detected by the piezoelectric sensor 55, and calculates the remaining ink amount in the ink pack 26. . The communication between the piezoelectric sensor 55 and the control device 44 may be performed without contact between the piezoelectric sensor 55 and the control device 44 with an antenna or the like, or when the ink cartridge 13 is mounted, The control device 44 may be electrically connected.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration in which one decompression pump 40, a pressure detector 41, and an air release valve 42 are provided for each of a plurality of ink supply devices 14 corresponding to each ink color. However, this may be configured as follows. That is, the connection end side of the air flow path 39 connected to the sensor storage chamber 13b of the ink cartridge 13 is branched so as to correspond to the number of installed ink cartridges 13 corresponding to each ink color, and the branched air You may connect each connection end of the flow path 39 to the sensor accommodating chamber 13b of the corresponding ink cartridge 13, respectively. If comprised in this way, the ink supply apparatus 14 of each color can be driven only by providing the decompression pump 40, the pressure detector 41, and the air release valve 42 with respect to the some ink cartridge 13, and a printer 11 can be miniaturized.

Therefore, the operation of the printer 11 configured as described above will be described below with particular attention paid to the operation of the ink supply system 15.
First, as a premise, the state shown in FIG. 1 is a state where there is sufficient ink in the ink flow path 16 and the atmosphere release valve 42 is in an open state. In other words, the flexible film 46 is urged by the coil spring 58 in the direction in which the volume of the ink reservoir 47 decreases, and applies pressure to the ink in the ink reservoir 47. Therefore, the valve body 29a of the one-way valve 29 is moved to the left based on the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure acting on the ink stored in the ink pack 26 and the atmospheric pressure and the urging force acting on the ink in the ink reservoir 47. (In the valve closing direction).

  On the other hand, on the downstream side of the ink storage section 47, the ink in the ink storage section 47 that has received the applied pressure is pressurized and supplied to the recording head 12 through the ink outlet 52, the ink supply needle 28, and the ink supply tube 37. Yes.

  That is, the state in which the discharge pressure of the ink that is pressurized by the flexible film 46 and is discharged from the ink reservoir 47 is balanced on the downstream side of the one-way valve 29 is maintained. When ink is ejected from the nozzle 17 toward the target, the ink corresponding to the ink consumption accompanying the ink ejection is pressurized from the ink flow path 16 to the nozzle 17 side via the valve unit 18. Supplied.

  In addition, since the pressurized state in the ink reservoir 47 is generated by the biasing force of the coil spring 58, the pressurized state can be maintained without providing a separate device for pressurizing the interior of the ink reservoir 47. It becomes. In addition, when a device having the functions of a pressure generator and a negative pressure generator that pressurizes the inside of the ink reservoir 47 is applied, a complicated control configuration is required to maintain the pressurized state in the ink reservoir 47. However, when the coil spring 58 is used as a means for supplying ink under pressure, the pressure state in the ink reservoir 47 can be more easily maintained.

  As a result of the consumption of ink on the downstream side (recording head 12 side), the volume of the ink reservoir 47 gradually decreases, and finally the flexible film 46 is displaced to a position where the volume of the ink reservoir 47 is minimized. To do. At this time, the closing member 57 fixed to the flexible film 46 is in contact with the bottom plate 54 and closes the openings 56a and 56b (see FIGS. 2 and 4B).

When the remaining amount detecting unit 53 detects that the blocking member 57 has blocked the ink guide path 56, the control device 44 drives the decompression pump 40 after closing the atmosphere release valve 42. Then, the decompression pump 40 generates a negative pressure, and the sensor housing chamber 13b connected to the decompression pump 40 via the air flow path 39 enters a negative pressure state. Therefore, the flexible film 46 is elastically deformed (displaced) upward against the urging force of the coil spring 58, and the volume of the ink storage portion 47 is increased. (See Figure 3)
Therefore, the inside of the ink storage section 47 is in a negative pressure state, and the negative pressure acts on the valve body 29 a constituting the one-way valve 29 from the downstream side via the ink inlet 51. Then, the valve body 29a is displaced to the right (the valve opening direction) based on the pressure difference from the ink pressure acting from the ink pack 26 side, which is the upstream side of the one-way valve 29. As a result, the ink pack 26 and the ink reservoir 47 are in communication with each other, and the ink stored in the ink pack 26 is sucked into the ink reservoir 47 through the ink inlet 51. That is, the ink supply device 14 is driven for suction.

Then, the pressure detector 41 detects the pressure accumulated in the sensor storage chamber 13b in order to determine whether or not to stop the decompression pump 40. When the detection result reaches a preset threshold value, the control device 44 stops driving the decompression pump 40 and opens the air release valve 42 to accommodate the sensor in a negative pressure state. The chamber 13b is opened to the atmosphere. Then, the flexible film 46 is urged by the coil spring 58 and applies pressure to the ink in the ink reservoir 47. (See Figure 1)
Thereafter, the same ejection drive of the ink supply device 14 as described above is executed, and ink is pressurized and supplied from the ink reservoir 47 to the recording head 12 via the ink supply tube 37.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the decompression pump 40 depressurizes the sensor storage chamber 13b and displaces the flexible film 46 in the direction in which the volume of the ink reservoir 47 increases, a negative pressure is generated in the ink reservoir 47, Ink flows from the ink pack 26 through the one-way valve 29. In this state, when the decompression pump 40 is stopped and the air release valve 42 is opened, the ink reservoir 47 receives a biasing force from the coil spring 58 so as to reduce the volume of the ink reservoir 47. At this time, since the upstream side of the ink reservoir 47 is blocked by the one-way valve 29, the ink flows out to the recording head 12 side. Therefore, the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 13 through the ink flow path 16 to the nozzle 17 of the recording head 12 where the ink is consumed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and suppress the complication of the configuration, and to contribute to downsizing and supply the ink under pressure.

  (2) When the sensor storage chamber 13b is brought into a negative pressure state by the decompression pump 40, a pressure difference is generated between the ink storage section 47 side and the sensor storage chamber 13b side of the flexible film 46. Therefore, the flexible film 46 is displaced against the urging force of the coil spring 58 toward the sensor housing chamber 13 b, that is, in a direction that increases the volume of the ink reservoir 47. Therefore, the negative pressure generated in the sensor storage chamber 13 b is transmitted into the ink reservoir 47 and ink flows from the ink pack 26 into the ink reservoir 47. When the air release valve 42 is opened and the negative pressure state in the sensor storage chamber 13b is eliminated, the volume of the ink storage portion 47 is reduced based on the biasing force of the coil spring 58, and ink is supplied under pressure. be able to.

  (3) When the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink pack 26 is exhausted, the negative pressure generated in the ink reservoir 47 causes the negative pressure in the ink pack 26 to increase. Cannot be increased. That is, by making the inside of the ink pack 26 a closed space, it is possible to suppress sucking of substances other than the stored ink such as air after supplying the ink inside.

  (4) By detecting the closed state of the ink guide path 56 using the piezoelectric sensor 55, it is possible to determine whether or not the closing member 57 has been displaced to a position where the ink guide path 56 is closed. That is, it is possible to calculate the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack 26 by determining whether or not the volume of the ink reservoir 47 is increased by the flexible film 46 that is displaced together with the closing member 57.

  (5) When the volume in the ink pack 26 is reduced, the amount of ink that can be supplied to the recording head 12 is also reduced. Therefore, when the volume of the ink reservoir 47 decreases and the flexible film 46 is displaced in the direction in which the volume of the ink reservoir 47 increases, a negative pressure is generated in the ink reservoir 47. Therefore, the ink that can be supplied to the recording head 12 side can be increased by supplying the ink from the ink pack 26 to the ink storage portion 47 by this negative pressure, and the ink can be stably supplied.

  (6) When the decompression pump 40 is driven to depressurize the inside of the sensor storage chamber 13b and the volume of the ink storage section 47 is increased, a negative pressure is generated in the ink storage section 47, and the negative pressure is generated. Ink flows into the ink reservoir 47. On the other hand, when the drive of the decompression pump 40 is stopped and the atmosphere release valve 42 is opened, the inside of the sensor housing chamber 13b is decompressed to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the ink in the ink reservoir 47 is supplied to the recording head 12 side via the ink flow path 16 under the urging force of the coil spring 58. However, when the ink in the ink pack 26 has been completely supplied, the ink is allowed to flow into the ink reservoir 47 even when the decompression pump 40 is driven and the inside of the sensor storage chamber 13b is in a negative pressure state. Therefore, the flexible film 46 is not displaced, and the volume of the ink reservoir 47 is not changed. Therefore, when the volume of the ink storage unit 47 does not change, it can be determined that the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack 26 is zero.

  (7) When the ink remaining amount is zero, the drive of the decompression pump 40 is stopped, so that the ink supply tube 37 constituting the ink flow path 16, the decompression pump 40, the members constituting the air flow path 39, etc. An excessive load can be reduced. Furthermore, the ink cartridge 13 and the ink supply needle 28 can be detached by not applying an external force. Accordingly, when it is determined that the ink is in an ink end state where ink cannot be supplied, the ink cartridge 13 can be replaced with a new one. Further, it is possible to improve ink supply efficiency with respect to driving of the vacuum pump 40.

  (8) The valve unit 18 suppresses the back flow of ink from the downstream side, which is the nozzle 17 side, to the upstream side, which is the ink cartridge 13 side, so that the volume of the ink storage unit 47 increases and negative pressure is generated inside. In this case, the inflow of ink from the downstream side of the ink flow path 16 to the ink storage portion 47 is suppressed. Therefore, the ink corresponding to the increase in volume flows into the ink reservoir 47 from the ink pack 26, and further, at the time of supply, the ink passes through the valve unit 18 and is supplied to the nozzle 17 side. Can be improved.

  (9) The ink cartridge 13 is connected with the ink supply needle 28 constituting the upstream end of the ink flow path 16 in the ink supply system 15 to the through hole 50b, so that the ink is supplied to the recording head 12 side that consumes ink. It can be suitably used as a liquid supply source capable of stably supplying pressure.

(10) The printer 11 can perform suitable ink ejection by supplying ink to the recording head 12 side and detecting the remaining amount of ink.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration relating to the sensor accommodating chamber 13b and the external force applying means for applying an external force to displace the flexible film 46, and the other configurations. Since they are common, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the sensor housing chamber 13 b houses a substantially disc-shaped detector main body 27 having a thickness in the left-right direction in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the detection unit main body 27 is formed with a recess 45 having an opening on the right side, and a flexible film 46 is bent at the right end so as to seal the opening of the recess 45. It is fixed in a state having

  An inflow-side protrusion 48 projects from the lower end side of the detection unit main body 27 so as to bend in the left direction in FIG. 5, and the upper end side of the detection unit main body 27 extends rightward in FIG. 5. An outflow side protrusion 49 is provided so as to bend toward the front. The partition wall 23a is formed with a through hole 50a, and a through hole 50b into which the ink supply needle 28 is inserted is formed on the right wall of the case 23 at a position different from the through hole 50a in the left-right direction.

  The inflow side protrusion 48 and the outflow side protrusion 49 are fitted into the through holes 50 a and 50 b, respectively, so that the detection unit main body 27 is supported by the case 23. In addition, an ink inflow port 51 is formed through the inflow side protrusion 48 so as to communicate the ink reservoir 47 and the ink pack 26. The outflow side protrusion 49 is formed with an ink outlet 52 so as to communicate with the inside of the ink reservoir 47.

  In addition, a remaining amount detection unit 53 is provided on the left part of the detection unit main body 27 that is the bottom surface of the recess 45, and at a position facing the remaining amount detection unit 53 on the left side of the flexible film 46. The closing member (see FIG. 7) 57 is fixed. On the other hand, at a position to the right of the flexible film 46 and between the right wall of the case 23 and the flexible film 46, the engagement supported by the detection unit main body 27 in a manner parallel to the right wall. A stop wall 23c is provided. Between the right surface of the flexible film 46 and the locking wall 23c, there is a coil spring 58 that elastically urges the closing member 57 and the flexible film 46 in the direction of reducing the internal volume of the ink reservoir 47. It is intervened.

  In addition, a through hole 50d is formed through the locking wall 23c at a position inside the coil spring 58, and a through hole 50d is formed on the right surface of the flexible film 46 at a position corresponding to the through hole 50d. A magnetic body (for example, an iron block) 61 having a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter is fixed. And the magnetic body 61 is along the expansion-contraction direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5) of the coil spring 58 with the displacement of the flexible film 46 in the state which inserted the front end side in the through-hole 50d of the locking wall 23c. Are configured to reciprocate.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the ink supply device 14 will be described in detail.
Outside the ink cartridge 13, at a position corresponding to the magnetic body 61 in the left-right direction across the right wall of the ink cartridge 13, a rotating member 62 serving as a magnetic force generating means connected to a motor (not shown) and driven to rotate is disposed in the ink cartridge 13. It is provided to be close to the right wall. Note that approximately half of the rotating member 62 (on the right side in FIG. 5) is formed by the magnet 63. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A, when the magnet 63 is separated from the right wall of the ink cartridge 13 (that is, from the magnetic body 61 in the ink cartridge 13) in the rotating posture of the rotating member 62. The urging force of the coil spring 58 is larger than the attractive force that acts on the magnetic body 61 when the magnetic force of the magnet 63 is applied. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the magnet 63 rotates to a position close to the right wall of the ink cartridge 13 as the rotating member 62 rotates, the magnetic force of the magnet 63 acts on the magnetic body 61. The suction force to be applied exceeds the biasing force of the coil spring 58. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the magnetic body 61 is attracted to the magnet 63 against the biasing force of the coil spring 58, and the flexible film 46 fixed to the magnetic body 61 is moved to the right side together with the magnetic body 61. Displace to In this respect, the magnetic body 61, the rotating member 62, and the magnet 63 function as external force applying means.

  Therefore, when the rotary member 62 is driven to rotate, the flexible film 46 is displaced and the volume of the ink reservoir 47 changes, so that the pressure in the ink reservoir 47 changes and the both sides of the one-way valve 29 change. There is a difference in pressure. When the magnet 63 approaches the ink cartridge 13 and increases the volume of the ink reservoir 47, the ink reservoir 47 is in a negative pressure state. Therefore, the pressure is lower than that of the ink pack 26 on which the atmospheric pressure acts, and the one-way valve 29 is opened, so that the ink stored in the ink pack 26 enters the ink reservoir 47 through the ink inlet 51. Sucked. When the rotating member 62 is further driven to rotate and the magnet 63 moves away from the right wall of the ink cartridge 13, the coil spring 58 pressurizes the ink in the ink reservoir 47 and closes the one-way valve 29. Further, the pressurized ink is supplied to the recording head 12 through the ink outlet 52, the ink supply needle 28, and the ink supply tube 37.

  In other words, the ink supply device 14 performs suction driving in which the ink in the ink pack 26 is sucked and stored in the ink storage portion 47 in a state where the magnetic body 61 and the magnet 63 in the ink cartridge 13 are close to each other. In the state where the magnetic body 61 and the magnet 63 in the ink cartridge 13 are separated from each other, the ejection drive for ejecting the stored ink to the downstream side is performed.

  In addition, a slit 64 is formed in the rotating member 62 from the lower peripheral edge to the center in FIG. 5, and a sensor (for example, an optical sensor) that detects the passage of the slit 64 within the movement range of the slit 64. ) 65 is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the attractive force exerted by the magnet 63 on the magnetic body 61 is smaller than the urging force of the coil spring 58, for example, a light beam emitted from a light source (not shown) passes through the slit 64 and passes through the sensor 65. Is to be detected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the attractive force exerted by the magnet 63 on the magnetic body 61 is larger than the biasing force of the coil spring 58, the light emitted from the light source is blocked by the rotating member 62 and the sensor 65 emits the light. Do not detect.

Therefore, the operation of the printer 11 configured as described above will be described below with particular attention paid to the operation of the ink supply system 15.
First, as a premise, the state shown in FIG. 5 is immediately after replacement with a new ink cartridge 13, and the flexible film 46 is displaced to the left side of the detection unit main body 27 by the urging force of the coil spring 58 to detect the remaining amount. The portion 53 and the closing member 57 are in contact with each other. Since there is no difference between the pressures of the ink inlet 51 and the ink pack 26, the valve body 29a of the one-way valve 29 is not positioned.

  When the ink supply device 14 supplies ink from the ink cartridge 13 to the recording head 12 side from the state shown in FIG. 5, first, the flow path opening / closing valve 36 is opened, and the ink supply device 14 is turned on. In order to drive the suction, the control device 44 drives the rotary member 62 to rotate. Then, the magnet 63 approaches the right wall of the ink cartridge 13 (that is, the magnetic body 61 in the ink cartridge 13), and rotates the magnetic body 61 and the flexible film 46 against the urging force of the coil spring 58. Pull toward the member 62 side. Accordingly, since the volume of the ink reservoir 47 is increased and the inside of the ink reservoir 47 is in a negative pressure state, the one-way valve 29 is opened, and the ink stored in the ink pack 26 passes through the ink inlet 51. And flows into the ink reservoir 47 (see FIGS. 6 and 7B).

  On the other hand, the negative pressure of the ink reservoir 47 also acts on the upstream side of the valve unit 18 during the suction driving of the ink supply device 14. However, the valve unit 18 is always in a closed state, and the closed state is set so that the valve unit 18 does not shift to the open state unless ink is ejected from the nozzles 17 of the recording head 12. Therefore, in this case, the valve unit 18 is maintained in the closed state.

  Further, as the rotating member 62 rotates and the magnet 63 moves away from the right wall of the ink cartridge 13 (that is, the magnetic body 61 in the ink cartridge 13), the attractive force exerted on the magnetic body 61 by the magnet 63 decreases, and The urging force of the coil spring 58 is greater than the attractive force. In other words, the ink supply device 14 is driven to discharge by displacing the flexible film 46 in the direction in which the volume of the ink reservoir 47 decreases. Therefore, ink is ejected from the inside of the ink reservoir 47, and the ejection pressure acts on the valve body 29 a of the one-way valve 29 from the downstream side via the ink inlet 51 on the upstream side of the ink reservoir 47. Thus, the valve body 29a is displaced in the valve closing direction. As a result, the ink pack 26 and the ink flow path 16 are disconnected from each other by the closing operation of the one-way valve 29, and the suction of ink from the ink pack 26 to the ink reservoir 47 through the one-way valve 29 is stopped. At the same time, the ink ejected from the ink reservoir 47 in accordance with the ejection drive of the ink supply device 14 is restricted from flowing back to the ink pack 26 side via the one-way valve 29.

  When the sensor 65 detects that the rotating member 62 has made one rotation, the control device 44 stops the rotation driving of the rotating member 62. Therefore, the amount of ink consumed by the recording head 12 is supplied under pressure based on the urging force of the coil spring 58, and the volume of the ink reservoir 47 gradually decreases. Finally, the flexible film 46 is displaced to a position where the volume of the ink storage portion 47 is minimized, and the closing member 57 fixed to the flexible film 46 comes into contact with the bottom plate 54 to open the openings 56a, 56b is closed.

  When the control device 44 determines that the closing member 57 has blocked the ink guide path 56 based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection unit 53, the control device 44 drives the rotation member 62 to rotate. Then, the magnet 63 again approaches the right wall of the ink cartridge 13 (that is, the magnetic body 61 in the ink cartridge 13), and thereafter, the suction drive of the ink supply device 14 similar to the above is executed, and the ink pack 26 Ink flows into the ink reservoir 47.

According to the said 2nd Embodiment, in addition to the effect of (1)-(10) in 1st Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired further.
(11) Since the rotating member 62 including the magnet 63 and the magnetic body 61 face each other in the displacement direction of the flexible film 46, the magnet 63 moves to the right of the ink cartridge 13 as the rotating member 62 is driven to rotate. When the magnetic body 61 approaches the wall (that is, the magnetic body 61 in the ink cartridge 13) and an attractive force larger than the urging force of the coil spring 58 reaches the magnetic body 61, the magnetic body 61 is displaced to the magnet 63 side. The flexible film 46 that is displaced together with the magnetic body 61 increases the volume of the ink reservoir 47. Therefore, a negative pressure is generated in the ink storage unit 47, and the ink flows from the ink pack 26 into the ink storage unit 47. On the other hand, when the magnet 63 of the rotating member 62 rotates to a position away from the ink cartridge 13 and the attractive force exerted on the magnetic body 61 is small, the volume of the ink pack 26 is reduced by the biasing force of the coil spring 58. Therefore, the ink can be supplied under pressure.

  (12) By rotating the rotating member 62 and changing the distance between the magnetic body 61 and the magnet 63, the attractive force exerted on the magnetic body 61 can be changed. That is, when the magnetic body 61 is brought close to the magnet 63, the magnetic body 61 is attracted in the direction of the magnet 63 together with the flexible film 46 due to the attractive force exerted on the magnetic body 61 to increase the volume of the ink storage portion 47. On the other hand, when the magnet 63 is moved away from the magnetic body 61, the attractive force exerted on the magnetic body 61 is reduced, so that the flexible film 46 is displaced away from the magnet 63 by the biasing force of the coil spring 58. Therefore, since the volume of the ink reservoir 47 can be easily changed, the time required to secure the ink that can be supplied to the recording head 12 is shortened, and the supply of ink and the inflow into the ink reservoir 47 are reduced. Switching can be done quickly.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the first embodiment, the coil spring 58 that applies a predetermined urging force to the flexible film 46 is flexible downward in FIG. 1 by the action of gravity by providing a weight on the flexible film 46. The conductive film 46 may be displaced. In the second embodiment, the ink cartridge 13 is installed so that gravity acts in the left direction of FIG. 5, so that the magnetic body 61 can be reduced in the direction of decreasing the ink reservoir 47 based on its weight. It can be used as a biasing member that biases the flexible film 46.

In the above embodiment, the one-way valve integrally formed with the valve unit 18 may be individually provided in the ink flow path 16 on the downstream side of the ink reservoir 47.
In the above embodiment, even when it is detected that the ink is in an end state, the amount of ink remaining in the ink pack 26 can be further reduced by continuing to drive the decompression pump 40 and the rotating member 62. Good.

In the above embodiment, the remaining amount detection unit 53 may not be provided.
In the above embodiment, the driving timing of the decompression pump 40 and the rotating member 62 may be determined after a certain time has elapsed or based on the ink consumption amount in the recording head 12.

  In the first embodiment, as the remaining amount detection unit 53, an approach sensor (for example, a magnetic sensor) is provided on the locking wall 23b facing the flexible film 46 to detect the approach state of the flexible film 46. You may make it do. In the second embodiment, the proximity sensor for detecting the approach of the magnetic body 61, or two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, are provided on the inner surface of the right wall of the case 23, and the flexible film 46 is used for the ink reservoir 47. When changing in the direction of increasing the volume, the electrode and the magnetic body 61 may contact each other. That is, the energization state via the magnetic body 61 may be detected.

  In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 13 may not include the ink pack 26 but may store the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 a that is partitioned in the case 23.

In the above embodiment, the atmosphere communication hole 30 is formed in the case 23. However, if the space between the case 23 and the ink pack 26 is in an atmospheric pressure state, the communication hole may not be provided.
In the second embodiment, the magnetic force generating means that applies an attractive force to the magnetic body 61 may change the magnitude of the attractive force that acts on the magnetic body 61 using an electromagnet.

  In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 13 of the ink jet printer 11 is embodied. However, the present invention stores the liquid used in other apparatuses and supplies the stored liquid to the required liquid consumption unit. It can also be applied to a liquid supply source.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus provided with the ink supply system 15 is embodied in the ink jet printer 11. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to this, and the liquid other than ink (a liquid material in which functional material particles are dispersed). It is also possible to embody the invention in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects the For example, for manufacturing liquid chips and biochips for spraying liquid materials containing dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a biological organic material to be used, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid as a sample that is used as a precision pipette. The ink supply system 15 can be applied to any one of these liquid ejecting apparatuses.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejecting apparatus when the liquid supply apparatus is driven to discharge. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejecting apparatus when the liquid supply apparatus is driven for suction. (A) is sectional drawing of the liquid storage part at the time of a liquid supply device at the time of a suction drive, (b) is sectional drawing of the liquid storage part at the time of a liquid supply device at the time of a discharge drive. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejecting apparatus when the liquid supply apparatus is driven for suction. (A) is sectional drawing of the liquid storage part at the time of a liquid supply device at the time of discharge drive, (b) is sectional drawing of the liquid storage part at the time of the liquid supply device at the time of suction drive.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer (liquid ejecting apparatus), 12 ... Recording head (liquid ejecting head), 13 ... Ink cartridge (liquid supply source), 13b ... Sensor storage chamber (sealed chamber), 15 ... Ink supply system (liquid supply system), DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Ink flow path (liquid supply flow path), 18 ... Valve unit (one-way valve), 26 ... Ink pack (liquid storage part), 29 ... One-way valve, 40 ... Depressurization pump (negative pressure generating means), 42 ... Air release valve (negative pressure elimination means), 44 ... Control device (detection unit, calculation part, remaining liquid amount detection means), 46 ... Flexible film (displacement member), 47 ... Ink storage part (liquid storage part) 52 ... Ink outlet (liquid outlet), 55 ... Piezoelectric sensor (piezoelectric element), 56 ... Ink guide path (recess), 57 ..., blocking member, 58 ... coil spring (biasing member), 61 ... magnetic Body, 62 ... rotating part (Magnetic force generating means), 63 ... magnet.

Claims (12)

A liquid supply source having a liquid storage portion for storing the liquid therein and a liquid outlet portion for discharging the liquid to the outside;
A liquid supply flow path for supplying liquid from the upstream side which is the liquid supply source side toward the downstream side where the liquid is consumed;
A liquid storage part that is arranged at a position between the liquid storage part and the liquid lead-out part in the liquid supply source and is configured by a displacement member in which at least a part of the inner surface can be displaced so that the volume can be increased or decreased;
An urging member that urges the displacement member with a predetermined urging force so that the displacement member is always displaced in a direction in which the volume of the liquid storage portion decreases;
Provided at a position between the liquid storage part and the liquid storage part in the liquid supply source, and only allows liquid to pass from the upstream side which is the liquid storage part side to the downstream side which is the liquid storage part side A one-way valve to
An external force applying means for applying an external force for displacing the displacement member in a direction to increase the volume of the liquid storage unit against an urging force of the urging member. The external force applying means is
A sealed chamber partitioned from the liquid reservoir by the displacement member in the liquid supply source;
Negative pressure generating means for bringing the sealed chamber into a negative pressure state;
The liquid supply system according to claim 1, further comprising: a negative pressure canceling unit for canceling the negative pressure state in the sealed chamber. The external force applying means is
A magnetic body attached to the displacement member;
The liquid supply system according to claim 1, further comprising: a magnetic force generation unit disposed at a position facing the magnetic body in a displacement direction of the displacement member. 4. The liquid supply system according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic force generation unit is a magnet provided to be movable in a displacement direction of the displacement member so as to change a distance from the magnetic body. The liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage unit stores liquid in a closed space having a variable volume. The liquid storage portion includes a recess that is in communication with the liquid storage portion and is closed by a closing member attached to the displacement member when the liquid in the liquid storage portion becomes a predetermined amount or less. A piezoelectric element that applies vibration and detects a free vibration state associated with the applied vibration; and a detection unit that detects an amplitude value or frequency of a residual vibration waveform of a counter electromotive force detected by the free vibration state detected by the piezoelectric element; And a calculation unit that calculates a remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit based on an amplitude value or a frequency of a residual vibration waveform detected by the detection unit. The liquid supply system according to one item. The said external force provision means displaces the said displacement member in the direction which increases the volume of the said liquid storage part, when the volume of the said liquid storage part becomes below a predetermined volume, The said displacement member is characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The liquid supply system according to claim 1. When an external force is applied by the external force applying means, if the displacement member is not displaced in the direction of increasing the volume of the liquid storage unit, it is detected that the liquid end state is zero in which the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit is zero. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a remaining liquid amount detecting unit. The liquid supply system according to claim 8, wherein when the liquid remaining amount detecting unit detects that the liquid end state is detected, the driving of the external force applying unit is stopped. 10. The liquid supply according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply flow path includes a one-way valve that only allows liquid to pass from the upstream side to the downstream side. system. 11. The liquid supply system according to claim 1, further comprising: a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid therein and a liquid discharge unit that discharges the liquid to the outside, wherein the liquid discharge unit is in the liquid supply system according to claim 1. A liquid supply source connected to the upstream side of the liquid supply flow path. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid; and the liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 that supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting head.

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