JP2012006374A - Liquid filling unit, image forming apparatus, liquid filling method in image forming apparatus, liquid filling kit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that an apparatus becomes larger and is complicated because the apparatus includes a supply pump used for initial ink filling and bubble ejection operation.SOLUTION: An ink filling unit 71 is obtained by unitizing an ink bottle 63 which is sealed with ink obtained by removing gas in filling ink and which is hermetically closed, a pressurizing cylinder 62 sealed with gas such as air and nitrogen for pressure feeding (pressurizing and sending liquid) the ink to a head unit 1, and a waste liquid bottle 64 for collecting and housing ink ejected due to ink filling. The ink bottle 63 is connected with an ink supply path 51 via a joint 56. A joint 57 is connected to an on/off-valve 54 and the waste liquid bottle 64 is connected via an ink return path 53. Ink filling is performed by supplying gas under pressure from the cylinder 62 and pressure feeding ink from the ink bottle 63 to the head unit 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that discharges droplets to form an image, a liquid filling unit that fills a liquid ejection head unit of the image forming apparatus with a liquid, a liquid filling method in the image forming apparatus, and a liquid filling kit.

  As an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, a plotter, or a complex machine of these, for example, a liquid discharge recording type image forming using a recording head composed of a liquid discharge head (droplet discharge head) that discharges ink droplets. As an apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus or the like is known. This liquid discharge recording type image forming apparatus means that ink droplets are transported from a recording head (not limited to paper, including OHP, and can be attached to ink droplets and other liquids). Yes, it is also ejected onto a recording medium or a recording medium, recording paper, recording paper, etc.) to form an image (recording, printing, printing, and printing are also used synonymously). And a serial type image forming apparatus that forms an image by ejecting liquid droplets while the recording head moves in the main scanning direction, and a line type head that forms images by ejecting liquid droplets without moving the recording head There are line type image forming apparatuses using

  In the present application, the “image forming apparatus” of the liquid discharge recording method is an apparatus that forms an image by discharging liquid onto a medium such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, or the like. In addition, “image formation” means not only giving an image having a meaning such as a character or a figure to a medium but also giving an image having no meaning such as a pattern to the medium (simply It also means that a droplet is landed on a medium). “Ink” is not limited to ink, but is used as a general term for all liquids capable of image formation, such as recording liquid, fixing processing liquid, and liquid. DNA samples, resists, pattern materials, resins and the like are also included. In addition, the “image” is not limited to a planar one, but includes an image given to a three-dimensionally formed image, and an image formed by three-dimensionally modeling a solid itself.

  As an ink supply method in such an ink jet recording apparatus used as an image forming apparatus, a sub tank (also synonymous with a buffer tank, a head tank, etc.) is disposed on the recording head side, and a main tank is disposed on the apparatus main body side. A system is known in which ink is replenished and supplied from the main tank to the sub tank, and ink is supplied from the sub tank to the recording head.

  In such an ink supply system, there is one in which ink is supplied from a main tank to a sub tank via a supply tube, and a filter for filtering impurities in the ink is provided in the sub tank (Patent Documents 1 and 2). .

JP 2009-126044 A JP 2007-276166 A

  When the filter is arranged in the tank in this way, when the filter is wet with ink, a meniscus of ink is formed in the gap between particles and fibers constituting the filter, and gas (bubbles) is difficult to pass through. Become. Therefore, when ink is filled from an empty tank, when the filter in the tank becomes wet with a liquid such as ink or filling liquid, it is difficult for bubbles to pass through the filter and remain in the tank. Will do.

  Therefore, although air pressure is supplied under pressure to reduce residual bubbles during initial filling, an ink supply pump is used to pressure-feed ink from the main tank.

  However, when ink is supplied from the main tank to the head side during printing, a natural supply method is adopted in which ink is supplied from the main tank to the head side as ink drops are ejected (with ink consumption). The ink supply pump is kept open at all times except during initial filling or forced bubble discharge operation, and the ink supply pump is substantially unnecessary. Providing a pump that is not normally used in this way has a problem that the apparatus becomes large and the cost increases.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that the configuration of an image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

In order to solve the above problems, a liquid filling unit according to the present invention is:
A liquid filling unit that fills a liquid discharge head unit with a liquid discharge head unit that includes a head that discharges liquid droplets and a liquid storage tank that stores liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and feeding the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit.

  In this case, the liquid discharge head unit may include a recovered liquid storage unit that recovers and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port.

  In addition, the liquid storage unit may include the same connecting portion as a main tank that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body including the liquid discharge head unit.

The liquid filling unit according to the present invention includes:
A liquid filling unit that fills a liquid discharge head unit with a liquid discharge head unit that includes a head that discharges liquid droplets and a liquid storage tank that stores liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
A filling liquid containing means containing a filling liquid having a viscosity lower than that of the liquid;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and the filling liquid in the filling liquid containing means and sending the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit. It was configured to be.

In this case, the liquid discharge head unit may include a recovered liquid storage unit that recovers and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port and the filling liquid.
The liquid filling unit according to claim 4.

  The liquid storage unit and the filling liquid storage unit may include the same connecting portion as a main tank that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body including the liquid discharge head unit.

  In the liquid filling unit according to the present invention, the pressurizing means may be a cylinder filled with compressed gas.

  Further, the pressurizing means may be provided with an adjusting means for adjusting the pressurizing force.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the liquid filling unit according to the present invention.

The liquid filling method in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A liquid filling method for filling a liquid discharge head unit including a head for discharging droplets of an image forming apparatus and a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and feeding the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit;
A configuration in which the liquid discharge head unit is filled with the liquid using a liquid filling unit that includes a collected liquid storage unit that collects and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit It was.

The liquid filling method in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A liquid filling method for filling a liquid discharge head unit including a head for discharging droplets of an image forming apparatus and a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
A filling liquid containing means containing a filling liquid having a viscosity lower than that of the liquid;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and the filling liquid in the filling liquid containing means to send the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit;
Using a liquid filling unit comprising: a liquid filling unit that collects and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit and the filling liquid; And it was set as the structure filled with the said filling liquid.

The liquid filling kit according to the present invention comprises:
A liquid filling kit for filling a liquid discharge head unit comprising a head for discharging liquid droplets and a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and feeding the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit;
Recovery liquid storage means for recovering and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit.

The liquid filling kit according to the present invention comprises:
A liquid filling kit for filling a liquid discharge head unit comprising a head for discharging liquid droplets and a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
A filling liquid containing means containing a filling liquid having a viscosity lower than that of the liquid;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and the filling liquid in the filling liquid containing means to send the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit;
The liquid discharge head unit includes a recovered liquid storage means for recovering and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port and the filling liquid.

  According to the liquid filling unit of the present invention, the liquid storage unit that stores the liquid to be filled, and the pressurization unit that pressurizes the liquid in the liquid storage unit and sends the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit. Therefore, the initial liquid filling can be performed without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side, and the structure of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  According to the liquid filling unit of the present invention, the liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled, the filling liquid storage means for storing the filling liquid having a lower viscosity than the liquid, the liquid in the liquid storage means and the filling liquid storage means The liquid supply pump is not provided on the image forming apparatus side because it is configured to include a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the liquid in the liquid and supplies the liquid and the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit. However, the initial filling of the liquid can be performed, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the liquid filling unit according to the present invention is provided, the initial filling of the liquid or the liquid and the filling liquid can be performed without providing the liquid supply pump, and the configuration can be reduced in size. Can be simplified.

  According to the liquid filling method in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, since the liquid filling is performed using the liquid filling unit according to the present invention, the initial liquid filling is performed without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side. The configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  According to the liquid filling method in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, since the liquid and the filling liquid are filled using the liquid filling unit according to the present invention, the liquid can be supplied without providing the liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side. Initial filling can be performed, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  According to the liquid filling kit of the present invention, the liquid storage means that stores the liquid to be filled, and the pressurization means that pressurizes the liquid in the liquid storage means and sends the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit. And a recovery liquid storage means for recovering and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit, so that the liquid can be supplied without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side. Initial filling can be performed, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  According to the liquid filling kit of the present invention, the liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled, the filling liquid storage means for storing the filling liquid having a lower viscosity than the liquid, the liquid in the liquid storage means and the filling liquid storage means Pressurizing means for pressurizing the filling liquid inside and supplying the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit; and collecting the liquid and the filling liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit And the collected liquid storage means for storing the liquid, and the liquid and the filling liquid can be initially filled without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side. Can be downsized and simplified.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an ink supply system for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. It is typical cross-sectional explanatory drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram when an ink filling kit is connected to the ink supply system. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of the ink filling operation | movement by the ink filling kit. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an ink supply system for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical explanatory view of an ink supply system for explanation of a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an ink supply system for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of the ink filling operation | movement by the ink filling kit of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an ink supply system for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical explanatory view of an ink supply system for explanation of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of an ink supply system in the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a sub tank taken along the line AA of FIG.

  A liquid discharge head unit (hereinafter also simply referred to as “head unit”) 1 includes a head 2 that discharges droplets and a liquid storage tank that stores ink to be supplied to the head 2 (hereinafter referred to as “head tank”). 4 is provided.

  The head 2 is supplied with ink to a plurality of nozzles 11 that discharge droplets, a liquid chamber 12 that communicates with each nozzle 11, a common liquid chamber 13 that supplies ink to each liquid chamber 12, and a common liquid chamber 13. A supply port (ink supply port) 14 and a discharge port (ink discharge port) 15 for discharging ink from the common liquid chamber 13.

  The head tank 4 includes an ink storage portion 22 that stores ink to be supplied to the head 2 in a tank case 21, a supply port 24 that supplies ink from the ink storage portion 22 to the supply port 14 of the head 2, and a discharge port of the head 2. A discharge passage 25 for discharging the ink discharged from the outlet 15 to the discharge flow path 39, and the ink container 22 has a filter upstream chamber 35 by a filter 207 for filtering impurities in the ink arranged in the vertical direction. And the filter downstream chamber 36.

  Further, the filter downstream chamber 36 is provided with a partition wall 202 extending from the filter downstream chamber bottom surface 36 c to the top surface 36 a so that ink does not flow directly from the filter downstream chamber 36 into the supply flow path 203. As a result, the ink supplied from the ink supply flow path port 27 flows into the filter upstream chamber 35, passes through the filter 207, flows through the filter downstream chamber 36, flows into the supply flow path 203, and is supplied from the supply port 24 to the head 2. It is configured to supply ink.

  In addition, the top surface 36a of the filter downstream chamber 36 of the ink storage unit 22 is an inclined surface that inclines toward the center, a bubble reservoir 38 is provided at the highest part 36b of the center of the top surface 36a, and a bubble retention unit is further provided. A communication path 26 that communicates the filter downstream chamber 36 and the discharge flow path 39 from 38 is provided.

  The tank case 21 of the head tank 4 is a member that is open on one side, and a film member 23 (shown with shading in FIG. 1) as a flexible elastically deformable member in the opening. Is attached to absorb pressure fluctuations. The tank case 21 can obtain a damper effect that absorbs the pressure due to the vibration of the ink at the respective portions in the ink containing portion 22 and the supply flow path 203 partitioned by the partition wall 202.

  Further, the discharge side of the discharge path 25 of the head tank 4 communicates with the discharge flow path 39, and an open / close valve 54 that can be opened and closed is provided at the tip of the discharge flow path 39. The other end of the on-off valve 54 is configured to be connectable (connectable) to a detachable joint 56B of an ink filling unit 61 described later.

  On the other hand, a replaceable main tank (ink cartridge) 5 is disposed on the apparatus main body side to supply and replenish ink to the head tank 4. The main tank 5 includes ink to be replenished and an ink pack 6 that can be freely deformed in accordance with the amount of ink composed of a plurality of layers deposited with aluminum or the like that can be sealed from the outside of the ink and the outside atmosphere. A detachable joint 56 with a valve at the tip is provided and is detachable from the ink supply path 51. By removing this joint 56, the main tank 5 can be easily replaced. Yes. In the joint 56, a portion connected to the ink supply path 51 side is a joint 56A, and a side connected to the main tank 5 side is a joint 56B.

  In this ink supply system, the ink stored in the head tank 4 is supplied from one end of the common liquid chamber 13 from the ink supply port 14 at one end of the head 2 through the supply port 24 and is supplied to the common liquid chamber 13. The discharge path 25 and the discharge flow path 39 are filled. Then, ink is consumed as droplets are ejected from the head 2, whereby ink is supplied from the head tank 4 to the head 2, and ink is naturally supplied from the main tank 5 to the head tank 4.

Next, an ink filling unit and an ink filling kit, which are liquid filling units according to the present invention for initially filling ink in the head unit 1 of the ink supply system, will be described with reference to FIG.
The ink filling unit 61 includes an ink bottle 63, which is a liquid storage unit that is sealed by sealing ink from which dissolved gas in the ink to be filled is sealed, and air for pressure-feeding (pressure feeding) the ink to the head unit 1. A pressurizing cylinder 62, which is a pressurizing means in which a gas such as nitrogen is sealed, is configured as a unit (integrated). The ink filling unit 61 and the waste liquid bottle 64 which is a collected liquid storage unit are combined to constitute an ink filling kit. Note that the ink filling kit can be configured by the ink bottle 63 and the pressurizing cylinder 62 that are not unitized, and the waste liquid bottle 62.

  A tank valve 66 that can be opened and closed is provided between the cylinder 62 and the ink bottle 63. Further, the supply path 67 leading to the ink bottle 63 is provided with the same joint 56B as the main tank 5 that can be connected to the joint 56A on the ink supply path 51 side. Furthermore, it has an ink return path 53 having a joint 57 that can be connected to an on-off valve (valve) 54 on the head tank 4 side at the tip, and the ink return path 53 is a waste liquid bottle 64 that collects ink discharged by ink filling. Is installed.

  Here, the joint 56B on the ink bottle 63 side is normally closed and used when it is connected (coupled) to the joint 56A. The ink in the ink bottle 63 is an ink that is sealed with a joint 56B and a tank valve 66 by enclosing the ink from which dissolved gas in the ink has been removed, eliminating the internal air. In order to pressure-feed ink from the ink bottle 63 to the head unit 1, the tank valve 66 is opened to supply gas when the ink bottle 63 is pressurized with gas. This is to minimize the amount of gas that is pressurized during ink filling into the ink.

  Further, since the waste liquid bottle 64 stores the ink discharged from the head unit 1, the waste liquid bottle 64 having a capacity corresponding to the waste liquid bottle 64 can avoid the possibility of overflowing the ink from the waste liquid bottle 64.

Next, a filling method for filling the head unit 1 with ink using the ink filling unit 61 and the waste liquid bottle 64 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, the main tank 5 is removed from the joint 56, the ink filling unit 61 is attached by the joint 56, and the ink supply path 51 and the ink bottle 63 are connected. Further, the ink return path 53 is connected to the on-off valve (valve) 54 via the joint 57, and the discharge channel 39 of the head tank 4 and the waste liquid bottle 64 are connected (attached).

  Next, the tank valve 66 is opened, pressurized gas is sent from the pressure cylinder 62 to the ink bottle 63, and the ink in the ink bottle 63 is pressurized, whereby the ink is pressure-fed to the ink supply path 51.

  The pressure-fed ink flows into the filter upstream chamber 35 from the ink supply flow path port 27 of the sub tank 4. At this time, the air in the filter upstream chamber 35 passes through the filter 207 and is discharged through the communication path 26 that connects the filter downstream chamber 36 and the discharge flow path 39, so that ink can flow into the filter upstream chamber 35. .

  When the filter upstream chamber 35 is filled with ink, the ink passes through the filter 207 and flows into the filter downstream chamber 36. In the filter downstream chamber 36, ink begins to accumulate from the bottom surface 36 c to the top surface 36 a by the partition wall 202, and starts flowing to the supply flow path 203 when it exceeds the partition wall 202. Further, the ink is filled from the highest portion (position portion) 36 b of the top surface 36 a of the filter downstream chamber 36 to the bubble reservoir 38, flows through the communication path 26, and flows into the discharge flow path 39. Ink can be filled without bubbles.

  Further, the ink that has flowed into the supply flow path 203 is sent to the head 2 through the supply port 24. A bubble reservoir 38 is provided at the highest portion (position portion) 36b of the top surface 36a of the filter downstream chamber so that the air (bubbles) in the filter downstream chamber 36 can be efficiently discharged to the discharge passage 39. The air bubbles are easily collected in this portion, so that the air bubbles can be efficiently discharged to the discharge flow path 39 in a short time.

  In this way, the ink sent to the head 2 is sent to the common liquid chamber 13 through the ink supply port 14. Part of the ink that has flowed into the common liquid chamber 13 is discharged from each nozzle 11. Further, the ink in the common liquid chamber 13 is discharged from the ink discharge path 25 to the discharge flow path 39 through the ink discharge port 15, merges with the ink flowing out from the communication path 26, and sent to the ink return path 53. It is discharged into the waste liquid bottle 64 and collected.

  When ink passes through the valve 54 and ink is fed into the ink return path 53, the valve 54 is closed. Thereafter, the tank valve 66 is closed, the ink pressure feeding to the ink supply path 51 is stopped, and the ink filling unit 61 is removed from the joint 56 and the joint 57. Then, the main tank 5 is attached from the joint 56, and a negative pressure necessary for ejecting ink generated by the water head difference between the main tank 5 and the nozzle 11 of the head 2 is created.

  Thereafter, the nozzle surface is wiped with an elastic body (not shown), preferably a wiper member such as silicon rubber, and the ink dripping on the nozzle surface 11a is wiped to form a meniscus of the nozzle 11 to complete the ink filling.

  In this way, the head 2 can be filled with ink, and the ink can always be supplied from the main tank 5 to the head 2 through the sub tank 4 so that ink can be ejected.

  Thus, the liquid filling unit includes a liquid storage unit that stores the liquid to be filled, and a pressurization unit that pressurizes the liquid in the liquid storage unit and sends the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit. Thus, the liquid can be initially filled without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  In addition, the liquid filling kit includes a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid to be filled, a pressurization unit that pressurizes the liquid in the liquid storage unit and sends the liquid to a liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit, and a liquid discharge head Since the liquid supply means for collecting and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the unit is provided, the initial filling of the liquid can be performed without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side. The configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the embodiment when ink is filled.
Here, as the ink filling unit 71, the ink filling unit 61 in the first embodiment (the ink bottle 63 that is the liquid storage means and the pressurization cylinder 62 that is the pressurization means are unitized), and the recovered liquid. The waste liquid bottle 64 which is a storage means is also integrated (unitized).

  The ink filling operation according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  As described above, the liquid filling unit includes a liquid storage unit that stores the liquid to be filled, a pressurization unit that pressurizes the liquid in the liquid storage unit and sends the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit. And a liquid collection unit that collects and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit, so that the liquid can be initially filled without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side. The configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  By using this liquid filling unit to fill the liquid, it is possible to perform the initial liquid filling without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified. Can be

  Furthermore, handling such as carrying around becomes easy by unitizing.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a main part of the embodiment.
The ink filling unit 81 is a unit of an ink bottle 63 sealed with an ink from which dissolved gas dissolved in ink to be filled is sealed, and a waste liquid bottle 64 for collecting ink discharged by ink filling. .

  The ink bottle 63 is configured to be connected to the tank valve 66 by a joint 58 via a regulator 69 which is a pressure adjusting means, using compressed gas from a pressurizing mechanism 70 such as a compressor or a pressurizing pump.

  The regulator 69 (pressure adjusting means) is provided to adjust the pressure of the compressed gas that pressurizes the ink in the ink bottle 63. This pressure value adjusts the flow velocity of the ink flowing into the head unit 1, such as the resistance of the ink flow path and the change in the ink viscosity due to the change in the working environment temperature. Can be selected appropriately so that it can be filled. Therefore, it is also preferable to apply the pressure adjusting means to the first and second embodiments.

  The ink filling operation according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Further, the ink filling kit and the ink filling unit described above may cause air bubbles to enter the flow path when the main tank 5 is replaced for replenishing ink used for printing or for some reason, and the ink from the nozzle 11 may be mixed. If there is a problem with droplet ejection, it can also be used when performing a bubble discharge operation to eliminate this, and by performing the ink filling operation described above, the bubbles in the head unit 1 and the supply path are forced. Therefore, it is possible to create a state where there is no air, and it is possible to eliminate defects in ink droplet ejection from the nozzles 11 (discharge failure, ejection bending, etc.).

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
In addition to the ink bottle 63 and the pressurizing cylinder 62 constituting the ink filling unit 61 in the first embodiment, the ink filling unit 161 of the present embodiment contains a surfactant, a moisturizing agent, and the like in addition to water. A filling liquid bottle 165, which is a filling liquid storage means in which a filling liquid dedicated to filling using an aqueous solution having a lower viscosity and a lower surface tension than that of this ink, is unitized (integrated). The ink filling unit 161 and the waste liquid bottle 164 which is a collected liquid storage unit are combined to constitute an ink filling kit. The ink filling kit may be configured by the ink bottle 63, the filling liquid bottle 165, the pressurizing cylinder 62, and the waste liquid bottle 164 that are not unitized.

  The pressurizing cylinder 62 and the ink bottle 63 and the filling liquid bottle 65 are communicated with each other through a gas channel 162, and a tank valve 66 that can be opened and closed is provided in the gas channel 162. The supply path 67 from the ink bottle 63 is provided with a three-way switching valve 167 capable of switching the liquid flow path, and a filling liquid bottle 165 is connected to the three-way switching valve 167 via the supply path 168.

  The ink return path 53 is provided with a waste liquid bottle 164 that collects ink and filling liquid discharged by filling the ink and filling liquid.

  Here, as in the first embodiment, the joint 56B on the ink bottle 63 side is normally closed and is used when it is connected (coupled) to the joint 56A. The ink in the ink bottle 63 is an ink that is sealed with a joint 56B and a tank valve 66 by enclosing the ink from which dissolved gas in the ink has been removed, eliminating the internal air.

  The three-way switching valve 167 is in a state where the joint 56B and the filling liquid bottle 165 communicate with each other, and the liquid flow path between the three-way switching valve 167 and the ink bottle 63 is clogged with ink or is in a vacuum state. State.

  In order to pressure-feed ink from the ink bottle 63 to the head unit 1, the tank valve 66 is opened to supply gas when the ink bottle 63 is pressurized with gas. This is to minimize the amount of gas that is pressurized during ink filling into the ink.

  Further, since the waste liquid bottle 164 contains the ink and the filling liquid discharged from the head unit 1, the waste liquid bottle 164 may have a capacity corresponding to that, thereby causing the ink and the filling liquid to overflow from the waste liquid bottle 164. Can be avoided.

Next, a filling method for filling the head unit 1 with ink and filling liquid in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 7, the main tank 5 is removed from the joint 56, the ink filling unit 161 is attached by the joint 56, and the ink supply path 51, the ink bottle 63, and the filling liquid bottle 165 are connected. Further, the ink return path 53 is connected to the on-off valve (valve) 54 via the joint 57, and the discharge channel 39 of the head tank 4 and the waste liquid bottle 164 are connected (attached).

  Next, the tank valve 66 is opened, pressurized gas is sent from the pressure cylinder 62 to the ink bottle 63 and the filling liquid bottle 165, and the filling liquid in the filling liquid bottle 165 is first pressurized, whereby the ink supply path 51 is filled. Pump the filling liquid to

  The pressure-fed filling liquid flows into the filter upstream chamber 35 from the ink supply flow path port 27 of the sub tank 4. At this time, since the air in the filter upstream chamber 35 passes through the filter 207 and is discharged through the communication path 26 that connects the filter downstream chamber 36 and the discharge flow path 39, the filling liquid can flow into the filter upstream chamber 35. Become.

  When the filter upstream chamber 35 is filled with the filling liquid, the filling liquid passes through the filter 207 and flows into the filter downstream chamber 36. In the filter downstream chamber 36, the filling liquid starts to accumulate from the bottom surface 36 c to the top surface 36 a by the partition wall 202, and starts flowing to the supply flow path 203 when the partition wall 202 is exceeded. Further, the filling liquid is filled from the highest part (position part) 36 b of the top surface 36 a of the filter downstream chamber 36 to the bubble reservoir 38, passes through the communication path 26, flows into the discharge flow path 39, and enters the filter downstream chamber 36. Can be filled with a filling liquid in the absence of bubbles.

  Further, the filling liquid flowing into the supply flow path 203 is sent to the head 2 through the supply port 24. A bubble reservoir 38 is provided at the highest portion (position portion) 36b of the top surface 36a of the filter downstream chamber so that the air (bubbles) in the filter downstream chamber 36 can be efficiently discharged to the discharge passage 39. The air bubbles are easily collected in this portion, so that the air bubbles can be efficiently discharged to the discharge flow path 39 in a short time.

  Thus, the filling liquid sent to the head 2 is sent to the common liquid chamber 13 through the ink supply port 14. A part of the filling liquid flowing into the common liquid chamber 13 is discharged from each nozzle 11. Further, the filling liquid in the common liquid chamber 13 is discharged from the ink discharge path 25 to the discharge flow path 39 through the ink discharge port 15, merges with the filling liquid flowing out from the communication path 26, and is sent to the ink return path 53. Then, it is discharged into the waste liquid bottle 164 and collected.

  Then, the valve 54 is opened again, and then the three-way switching valve 167 is switched so that the ink bottle 63 and the joint 56B communicate with each other. As a result, the ink in the ink bottle 63 is replaced by the head tank 4, the head 2, and the discharge path 25 from the ink supply flow path 51 while being replaced with the filling liquid filled in the flow path via the joint 53B. It is discharged to a waste liquid bottle 164 through a valve (valve) 54 and an ink return channel.

  The operation of switching the three-way switching valve 167 so that the ink bottle 63 and the joint 56B communicate with each other after the filling liquid is filled in the flow path and the head 2 is that the filling liquid in the filling liquid bottle 165 is emptied. Need to be done before air bubbles are sent to.

  When the ink passes through the valve 54 and ink is fed into the ink return path 53, the valve 54 is closed. Thereafter, the tank valve 66 is closed, the ink pressure feeding to the ink supply path 51 is stopped, and the ink filling unit 61 is removed from the joint 56 and the joint 57. Then, the main tank 5 is attached from the joint 56, and a negative pressure necessary for ejecting ink generated by the water head difference between the main tank 5 and the nozzle 11 of the head 2 is created.

  Thereafter, the nozzle surface is wiped with an elastic body (not shown), preferably a wiper member such as silicon rubber, and the ink dripping on the nozzle surface 11a is wiped to form a meniscus of the nozzle 11 to complete the ink filling.

  In this way, the head 2 can be filled with ink, and the ink can always be supplied from the main tank 5 to the head 2 through the sub tank 4 so that ink can be ejected.

  As described above, the liquid filling unit pressurizes the liquid containing means for containing the liquid to be filled, the filling liquid containing means for containing the filling liquid, the liquid in the liquid containing means and the filling liquid in the filling liquid containing means. Pressure means for feeding the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit, so that the initial filling of the liquid can be performed without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side. The configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  In addition, the liquid filling kit includes a liquid storage means that stores a liquid to be filled, a filling liquid storage means that stores a filling liquid, a liquid in the liquid storage means and a filling liquid in the filling liquid storage means by pressurizing the liquid and A pressurizing means for sending the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit; and a recovered liquid containing means for collecting and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit and the filling liquid. Therefore, the initial filling of the liquid can be performed without providing the liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram when ink is filled in the embodiment.
Here, as the ink filling unit 171, the ink filling unit 161 in the fourth embodiment (the ink bottle 63 that is a liquid storage means, the filling liquid bottle 165 that is a filling liquid storage means, and a pressure cylinder that is a pressure means). 62) and a waste liquid bottle 164 which is a collected liquid storage means are also integrated (unitized).

  The ink filling operation according to this embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

  As described above, the liquid filling unit pressurizes the liquid containing means for containing the liquid to be filled, the filling liquid containing means for containing the filling liquid, the liquid in the liquid containing means and the filling liquid in the filling liquid containing means. Pressurizing means for feeding the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit, and a recovered liquid containing means for collecting and storing the liquid and filling liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit Therefore, the liquid can be initially filled without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified.

  By using this liquid filling unit to fill the liquid, it is possible to perform the initial liquid filling without providing a liquid supply pump on the image forming apparatus side, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and simplified. Can be

  Furthermore, handling such as carrying around becomes easy by unitizing.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a main part of the embodiment.
The ink filling unit 181 discharges the ink bottle 63 sealed with the ink from which dissolved gas dissolved in the ink to be filled is sealed, the filling liquid bottle 165 filled with the filling liquid, and a series of filling liquid and ink filling. The waste liquid bottle 164 for collecting the filling liquid and the ink is unitized.

  The ink bottle 63 and the filling liquid bottle 165 are configured to be connected to the tank valve 66 by a joint 58 via a regulator 69 that is a pressure adjusting means, using compressed gas from a pressurizing mechanism 70 such as a compressor or a pressurizing pump. Yes.

  The regulator 69 (pressure adjusting means) is provided to adjust the pressure of the compressed gas that pressurizes the ink in the ink bottle 63. This pressure value adjusts the flow velocity of the ink flowing into the head unit 1, such as the resistance of the ink flow path and the change in the ink viscosity due to the change in the working environment temperature. Can be selected appropriately so that it can be filled. Therefore, it is also preferable to apply the pressure adjusting means to the fourth and fifth embodiments.

  The ink filling operation according to this embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

  In addition, the ink filling kit and the ink filling unit in the fourth to sixth embodiments described above also have air bubbles in the flow path when the main tank 5 is replaced for replenishing ink used for printing or for some reason. If the ink droplets are mixed and the ink droplet ejection from the nozzle 11 is hindered, it can also be used when performing a bubble discharging operation to solve this problem. By performing the ink filling operation described above, the head unit 1 can be used. In addition, the air bubbles in the supply path can be forcibly discharged to create a state in which there is no air, and ink droplet ejection defects from the nozzles 11 (discharge failure, jet bending, etc.) can be eliminated.

  In the fourth to sixth embodiments, the three-way switching valve 167 is communicated from the ink bottle 63 to the joint 56B without first feeding the filling liquid from the filling liquid bottle 165 to directly feed the ink into the flow path. The bubbles may be discharged. Thereby, since no filling liquid is used, it is not necessary to replace the ink in the flow path, so that the consumption of ink and filling liquid can be suppressed, and the cost can be reduced.

Next, an example of an image forming apparatus that performs ink filling with the ink filling kit or the ink filling unit described in the above embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.
In this image forming apparatus, a recording head 101 composed of the liquid discharge head unit 1 is mounted on a carriage 103, and is slid by a main guide rod 104 and a sub guide member (not shown) that are horizontally mounted between the left and right side plates 100A and 100B. Supports freely. The recording head 101 is moved and scanned in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 106 via the timing belt 105. On the other hand, the recording medium 107 is opposed to the nozzle surface 11a of the recording head 101, and is conveyed by the conveying roller 109 in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the recording head 101, and ink droplets ejected from the recording head 101 according to the image. An image is formed by adhesion.

  Ink is supplied to the recording head 101 from the main tank 5 through a flexible ink supply path 51.

  The cap member 111 provided outside the recording area is made of an elastic body, preferably silicon rubber, for capping the nozzle surface 108 having the plurality of nozzles 11. At the time of non-recording, the recording head 101 moves to above the cap member 111, and the cap member 111 moves by a cap moving mechanism (not shown) to cap the nozzle surface 108. In the cap member 111, an ink absorbing sheet 112 is provided for facilitating suction during ink suction, moistening the atmosphere in the cap, and the like.

  Two tubes 113, 114 are connected to the cap member 111 on the bottom surface, and the tube 113 communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere release valve 115. The tube 114 is connected to the suction pump 116, and the nozzle surface 108 is capped by the cap member 111, and the suction pump 116 is driven to generate a negative pressure in the cap member 111 with the atmosphere release valve 115 closed. Then, ink is sucked from the nozzles of the recording head 101 and the air release valve 115 is opened to discharge the ink accumulated in the space 117 in the cap member 111 to the waste liquid tank 118. Further, the cap member 111 prevents the nozzles of the recording head 101 from drying by contacting and holding the nozzle surface 108 with the atmosphere release valve 115 closed.

  Further, a wiper blade (wiper member) 119 is moved to a height at which it contacts the nozzle surface 108 of the recording head 101 by a wiper moving mechanism (not shown), and the recording head 101 is moved in the main scanning direction. The ink and dust adhering to 108 can be wiped off, and the meniscus on the nozzle surface 108 can be generated and cleaned.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having a printer configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as described above, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer / fax / copier multifunction machine. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus using a liquid other than the narrowly defined ink or a fixing processing liquid.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid discharge head unit 2 Head 4 Head tank 5 Main tank 11 Nozzle 13 Common liquid chamber 14 Supply port 15 Discharge port 21 Tank case 22 Ink storage part 23 Damper member (film member)
24 supply port 25 discharge path 35 filter upstream chamber 36 filter downstream chamber 39 discharge flow path 51 ink supply path 53 ink return path 54 on-off valve (valve),
56 Joint 61, 161 Ink filling unit 62 Pressurizing cylinder 63 Ink bottle 64 Waste liquid bottle 71, 171 Ink filling unit 81, 181 Ink filling unit 101 Recording head (liquid ejection head unit)
164 Waste liquid bottle 165 Filling liquid bottle 202 Partition wall 203 Supply flow path 207 Filter member

Claims (13)

A liquid filling unit that fills a liquid discharge head unit with a liquid discharge head unit that includes a head that discharges liquid droplets and a liquid storage tank that stores liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and feeding the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit. 2. The liquid filling unit according to claim 1, further comprising recovered liquid storage means for recovering and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit.   3. The liquid filling unit according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage unit includes the same connecting portion as a main tank that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body including the liquid discharge head unit. . A liquid filling unit that fills a liquid discharge head unit with a liquid discharge head unit that includes a head that discharges liquid droplets and a liquid storage tank that stores liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
A filling liquid containing means containing a filling liquid having a viscosity lower than that of the liquid;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and the filling liquid in the filling liquid containing means and sending the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit. A liquid filling unit characterized by comprising: 5. The liquid filling unit according to claim 4, further comprising recovered liquid storage means for recovering and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit and the filling liquid.   6. The liquid storage unit and the filling liquid storage unit include the same connecting portion as a main tank that is detachably attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus including the liquid discharge head unit. The liquid filling unit according to 1.   The liquid filling unit according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing unit is a cylinder filled with compressed gas.   The liquid filling unit according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting unit that adjusts a pressure applied from the pressurizing unit.   An image forming apparatus comprising the liquid filling unit according to claim 1. A liquid filling method for filling a liquid discharge head unit including a head for discharging droplets of an image forming apparatus and a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and feeding the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit;
The liquid discharge head unit is filled with the liquid using a liquid filling unit that includes a collected liquid storage unit that collects and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit. A liquid filling method in an image forming apparatus. A liquid filling method for filling a liquid discharge head unit including a head for discharging droplets of an image forming apparatus and a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
A filling liquid containing means containing a filling liquid having a viscosity lower than that of the liquid;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and the filling liquid in the filling liquid containing means to send the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit;
Using a liquid filling unit comprising: a liquid filling unit that collects and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit and the filling liquid; And a liquid filling method in the image forming apparatus, wherein the filling liquid is filled. A liquid filling kit for filling a liquid discharge head unit comprising a head for discharging liquid droplets and a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and feeding the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit;
A liquid filling kit comprising: recovered liquid storage means for recovering and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit. A liquid filling kit for filling a liquid discharge head unit comprising a head for discharging liquid droplets and a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the head,
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid to be filled;
A filling liquid containing means containing a filling liquid having a viscosity lower than that of the liquid;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid containing means and the filling liquid in the filling liquid containing means to send the liquid and the filling liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge head unit;
A liquid filling kit comprising: a liquid collection unit that collects and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid supply / discharge port of the liquid discharge head unit and the filling liquid.

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