JP6125199B2 - inkjet printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a movable carriage, a recording head that is mounted on the carriage and discharges ink, and a carriage-mounted ink supply device that is mounted on the carriage and supplies ink to the recording head. The present invention relates to an inkjet printer provided.

  As a conventional inkjet printer, a movable carriage, a recording head mounted on the carriage and ejecting ink, and a carriage-mounted ink supply device mounted on the carriage and supplying ink to the recording head Are known (see Patent Document 1). This ink jet printer is provided with a replaceable ink container that is a container for storing ink and that can be replaced separately from the carriage-mounted ink supply device, and is connected to the carriage-mounted ink supply device via a tube from the replacement ink container. Supply ink. Since this inkjet printer can be provided with a large replacement ink container, the inkjet printer consumes a relatively large amount of ink, that is, a wide format inkjet printer with a relatively large printable image size, or It can be employed as an inkjet printer having a relatively fast printing speed.

  However, in the inkjet printer, when printing is performed using ink in which particles are easily precipitated, a portion of the tube that communicates the replacement ink container and the carriage-mounted ink supply device that does not move as the carriage moves. However, when the ink particles are precipitated, the tube is clogged with the precipitated ink particles, so that the supply of ink is delayed or the color of the ink is changed.

  Here, as an ink jet printer in which the ink flow path from the replacement ink container to the recording head moves all along with the movement of the carriage, a carriage-mounted ink supply device having a replacement ink container is known. In this ink jet printer, since the ink flow path from the replacement ink container to the recording head all moves as the carriage moves, the ink particles are precipitated by the stirring of the ink particles in the flow path due to the movement of the flow path. The occurrence of defects can be suppressed. This ink jet printer is adopted as an ink jet printer that consumes a relatively small amount of ink because the replacement ink container is small, that is, an ink jet printer that has a relatively small printable image size and a relatively slow printing speed. ing.

Japanese Patent No. 3606282

  However, in a conventional inkjet printer in which the carriage-mounted ink supply device includes a replacement ink container, an inkjet printer that consumes a relatively large amount of ink, that is, a wide-format inkjet that has a relatively large printable image size. When employed as a printer or an inkjet printer with a relatively high printing speed, the replacement ink container is small, so printing must be interrupted frequently to replace the replacement ink container. There is no problem.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an ink jet printer that can suppress the occurrence of problems due to precipitation of ink particles and the interruption of printing due to replacement of a replacement ink container.

  An inkjet printer according to the present invention includes a carriage that is movable, a recording head that is mounted on the carriage and discharges ink, and a carriage-mounted ink supply that is mounted on the carriage and supplies the ink to the recording head. An ink replenishment timing notification device for notifying the timing of ink replenishment, and the carriage-mounted ink supply device is a replaceable ink container that is a container that stores the ink and is replaceable. An intermediate device disposed between the recording head and the replacement ink container in the ink flow path, wherein the intermediate device is an intermediate ink container that is a container for storing the ink; and the intermediate ink container An ink amount detecting device for detecting that the amount of the ink in the inside has reached a predetermined amount. The ink replenishment timing notification device notifies the ink replenishment timing when the ink amount detection device detects that the amount of the ink in the intermediate ink container has reached a predetermined amount. It is characterized by that.

  With this configuration, in the ink jet printer of the present invention, since the carriage-mounted ink supply device includes the replacement ink container, all the ink flow paths from the replacement ink container to the recording head move as the carriage moves. Therefore, the ink jet printer of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of problems due to precipitation of ink particles by stirring the ink particles in the flow path due to the movement of the ink flow path from the replacement ink container to the recording head. Further, the ink jet printer of the present invention stores ink in the intermediate ink container even when the ink in the replacement ink container is exhausted, and the amount of ink in the intermediate ink container becomes a predetermined amount. If the ink in the replacement ink container runs out and the replacement ink container needs to be replaced, the ink stored in the intermediate ink container for a while will be notified. Is supplied to the recording head, so that the ink supplied to the recording head is not interrupted immediately. That is, the ink jet printer according to the present invention can suppress the interruption of printing due to the replacement of the replacement ink container.

  In the ink jet printer of the present invention, the intermediate ink container may have a variable capacity according to the amount of the stored ink.

  With this configuration, the ink jet printer of the present invention can suppress a decrease in ink pressure due to a decrease in the amount of ink in the intermediate ink container. Therefore, in the ink jet printer of the present invention, the ink stored in the intermediate ink container can be smoothly supplied to the recording head.

  In the ink jet printer according to the aspect of the invention, the intermediate ink container may include a moving unit that moves as the capacity of the intermediate ink container itself changes. It may be detected from the position of the moving unit that the amount of ink has reached a predetermined amount.

  With this configuration, the ink jet printer of the present invention can detect with a simple configuration that the amount of ink in the intermediate ink container has reached a predetermined amount.

  In the ink jet printer of the present invention, the intermediate ink container may be applied with a force due to its own weight in a direction in which the capacity is reduced.

  With this configuration, the ink jet printer according to the present invention does not require a biasing member that assists the deformation of the intermediate ink container when the capacity of the intermediate ink container is reduced. Thus, the maximum capacity of the intermediate ink container can be increased by the amount not provided with the urging member. Therefore, the ink jet printer of the present invention can extend the time from when the ink in the replacement ink container is exhausted and the replacement ink container needs to be replaced until the ink supplied to the recording head is interrupted. That is, the ink jet printer of the present invention can extend the period of time when the replacement ink container needs to be replaced after the replacement ink container needs to be replaced.

  In the ink jet printer of the present invention, the replacement ink container can be attached to the intermediate device, and the intermediate device communicates the replacement ink container and the intermediate ink container in the ink flow path. The communication valve may be a valve that opens when the replacement ink container is attached to the intermediate device.

  With this configuration, when the replacement ink container is removed from the intermediate apparatus, the communication valve automatically closes and the communication between the replacement ink container and the intermediate ink container is shut off when the replacement ink container is removed from the intermediate apparatus. Ink upstream of the intermediate ink container does not flow downstream in the flow path, and as a result, it is possible to prevent air from flowing into the portion of the ink flow path of the intermediate apparatus upstream from the intermediate ink container. Therefore, the ink jet printer of the present invention suppresses the occurrence of the work of discharging the air flowing into the flow path as compared with the configuration in which air flows into the ink flow path of the intermediate device each time the replacement ink container is replaced. Can do. When the ink jet printer of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of the work of discharging the air that has flowed into the flow path, for example, the ink consumption associated with this work can be prevented, and the printing is interrupted by this work. Can be prevented.

  In the ink jet printer of the present invention, the replacement ink container may incorporate a replacement container stirring member that is a member for stirring the ink by an inertial force accompanying the movement of the carriage.

  With this configuration, when the carriage moves by executing printing, the ink jet printer of the present invention receives the inertial force caused by the stirring member for the replacement container moving with acceleration or deceleration along with the carriage. Since the ink is automatically stirred, it is possible to prevent the ink particles from precipitating in the replacement ink container even when printing is performed using the ink in which the particles easily precipitate.

  In the ink jet printer of the present invention, the intermediate device can be mounted with the replacement ink container, and the replacement ink container can be used for the replacement container when not mounted on the intermediate device. The stirring member includes a fitting portion that is fitted by its own weight, and the fitting portion is formed at a position in a vertical direction above the ink outlet of the replacement ink container. The agitation member may serve as a plug for the extraction port when fitted into the fitting portion.

  With this configuration, when the replacement ink container is removed from the intermediate apparatus, the ink jet printer according to the present invention automatically replaces the replacement ink stirring member for the replacement ink container with its own weight, thereby replacing the replacement ink container. It is possible to prevent the ink in the container from flowing out from the outlet.

  In the ink jet printer of the present invention, the replacement ink container is formed with air holes for introducing air in accordance with a decrease in the amount of the stored ink, and the replacement ink container is a surface of the ink. The floating member floated on may be built in.

  With this configuration, the ink jet printer according to the present invention can provide the replacement ink container with an air hole for introducing air in accordance with a decrease in the amount of ink, in order to take out the ink from the replacement ink container. The floating member floated on the surface of the ink in the replacement ink container can suppress the area where the air introduced into the replacement ink container contacts the ink in the replacement ink container, so that the ink in the replacement ink container can be dissolved. An increase in the amount of air can be suppressed. Therefore, the ink jet printer of the present invention can prevent the stability of ink ejection by the recording head from being reduced by the increase in the dissolved air amount of the ink. That is, the ink jet printer of the present invention can maintain the stability of ink ejection by the recording head, and as a result, can maintain the printing quality by the recording head.

  In the ink jet printer according to the aspect of the invention, the replacement ink container includes an ink bag whose capacity is variable according to the amount of the stored ink, and a support member that supports the ink bag. Also good.

  With this configuration, since the capacity of the ink bag of the replacement ink container is variable according to the amount of ink, the ink jet printer of the present invention forms an air hole in the ink bag for introducing air according to the decrease in the amount of ink. There is no need to be done. Therefore, the ink jet printer of the present invention can prevent the stability of ink ejection by the recording head from being reduced by the increase in the dissolved air amount of the ink. That is, the ink jet printer of the present invention can maintain the stability of ink ejection by the recording head, and as a result, can maintain the printing quality by the recording head.

  In the ink jet printer of the present invention, the support member may suspend and support the ink bag, and the ink outlet of the ink bag may be disposed at a lower portion of the ink bag.

  With this configuration, the ink in the ink bag of the replacement ink container automatically collects in the lower part of the ink bag by its own weight, so that the ink in the ink bag of the replacement ink container can be easily taken out to the end. Can do.

  In the ink jet printer according to the aspect of the invention, the support member may include two lower support portions that sandwich and support the lower portion of the ink bag, and the width between the two lower support portions becomes narrower downward. The ink outlet of the ink bag may be disposed at a lower portion of the ink bag.

  With this configuration, the ink in the ink bag of the replacement ink container automatically collects in the lower part of the ink bag by its own weight, so that the ink in the ink bag of the replacement ink container can be easily taken out to the end. Can do.

  In the ink jet printer according to the aspect of the invention, the intermediate device may include a negative pressure maintaining device that maintains the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head in the ink flow path within a predetermined range. good.

  With this configuration, the ink jet printer according to the present invention enables the recording head even if the ink existing upstream of the negative pressure maintaining device in the ink flow path is subjected to inertial force due to acceleration or deceleration moving with the carriage. The negative pressure maintaining device always maintains a negative pressure within a predetermined range by the negative pressure maintaining device, so that the stability of ink ejection by the recording head can be maintained. Quality can be maintained.

  In the inkjet printer according to the aspect of the invention, the negative pressure maintaining device may be configured to change a capacity of the variable capacity ink storing section whose capacity is variable according to the amount of the stored ink, and a capacity of the variable capacity ink storing section. A pressure receiving plate that moves with the pressure and receives atmospheric pressure on one side, and a pressure receiving valve that introduces the ink into the capacity variable ink reservoir when pushed by the pressure receiving plate, and the intermediate ink container includes: You may provide the said capacity | capacitance variable ink storage part.

  With this configuration, the ink jet printer of the present invention realizes the intermediate ink container and the variable capacity ink reservoir of the negative pressure maintaining device with a common configuration, so the variable capacity of the intermediate ink container and the negative pressure maintaining device is variable. Compared to a configuration in which the ink storage unit is realized by a separate configuration, the size can be reduced.

  In the inkjet printer of the present invention, the intermediate device includes a negative pressure ink container that is disposed downstream of the negative pressure maintaining device in the ink flow path and stores the ink, and the negative pressure ink container May incorporate a stirring member for a negative pressure container, which is a member for stirring the ink by an inertial force accompanying the movement of the carriage.

  With this configuration, when the carriage is moved by executing printing, the inkjet printer of the present invention receives the inertial force generated by the negative pressure container stirring member accelerating or decelerating with the carriage, and receives the negative pressure ink. Since the ink in the container is automatically agitated, it is possible to prevent the ink particles from precipitating in the negative pressure ink container even when printing is performed using the ink in which the particles easily precipitate. it can. The ink jet printer of the present invention can prevent the ink particles from precipitating in the negative pressure ink container closer to the recording head than the replacement ink container in the ink flow path. Compared with the configuration that prevents the particles from precipitating, the uniformity of the concentration of particles in the ink ejected by the recording head can be improved.

  The ink jet printer of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of problems due to the precipitation of ink particles and the interruption of printing due to the replacement of the replacement ink container.

1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the carriage mounting type ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the carriage-mounted ink supply device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the replacement ink container shown in FIG. 3 in a state in which a male connector of the intermediate device is not inserted. (A) is sectional drawing of the communicating valve shown in FIG. 3 when the replacement ink container is not attached to the intermediate device. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the communication valve shown in FIG. 3 when the replacement ink container is attached to the intermediate device. It is a block diagram of the inkjet printer 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the replacement ink container shown in FIG. 3 in a state where the male connector of the intermediate device is not inserted, and is a view showing an example different from the example shown in FIG. 4. It is front sectional drawing of the intermediate apparatus of the inkjet printer which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is front sectional drawing of the intermediate apparatus of the inkjet printer which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is front sectional drawing of the intermediate apparatus of the inkjet printer which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is front sectional drawing of the exchange ink container of the inkjet printer which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the replacement | exchange ink container shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 10 includes a main body 11 extending in the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow 10a, and a medium conveying device 12 that conveys a recording medium 90 such as paper.

  The main body 11 includes a guide rail 11a extending in the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow 10a, and a carriage 11b supported by the guide rail 11a so as to be movable in the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow 10a. The carriage 11b has a recording head 11c described later.

  The medium transport device 12 is a device that transports the recording medium 90 in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow 10b with respect to the recording head 11c of the main body 11.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the carriage-mounted ink supply device 20 of the inkjet printer 10.

  The inkjet printer 10 includes a carriage-mounted ink supply device 20 shown in FIG. The carriage-mounted ink supply device 20 is a device for supplying the ink 10c to the recording head 11c that discharges the ink 10c. As the ink 10c, any ink such as water-based ink, latex ink, textile dye ink, sublimation ink, dispersion ink, solvent ink, and UV ink can be employed.

  The recording head 11c and the carriage-mounted ink supply device 20 are mounted on the carriage 11b and move in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow 10a together with the carriage 11b.

  The carriage-mounted ink supply device 20 is a container that stores degassed ink 10c and is replaceable, and is disposed between the recording head 11c and the replacement ink container 30 in the flow path of the ink 10c. The intermediate device 40 is provided.

  The positions of the replacement ink container 30, the intermediate device 40, and the recording head 11c in the vertical direction are lower in this order.

  The replacement ink container 30 can be attached to and detached from the intermediate device 40.

  FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the carriage-mounted ink supply device 20. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the replacement ink container 30 in a state where the male connector 42 of the intermediate device 40 is not inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the replacement ink container 30 includes a non-flexible plastic case 31.

  The case 31 is formed with an insertion port 31a into which the male connector 42 of the intermediate device 40 is inserted, and an air hole 31b through which air is introduced in accordance with a decrease in the amount of stored ink 10c. Further, the case 31 includes a protrusion 31 c that presses the communication valve 70 of the intermediate device 40 when the replacement ink container 30 is attached to the intermediate device 40.

  The insertion port 31a is provided below the replacement ink container 30 so that the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 can be taken out to the end by the weight of the ink 10c.

  When the capacity of the space where the ink 10c can be stored in the replacement ink container 30 does not change, the air hole 31b replaces the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 with the weight of the ink 10c through the insertion port 31a. These holes are necessary for taking out the container 30 to the outside. The air hole 31b is sealed by a sealing member 39 such as a stopper or a seal as shown in FIG. 4 when the replacement ink container 30 is transported or stored.

  The replacement ink container 30 includes, for example, a rubber plug 32 that contacts the male connector 42 to prevent leakage of the ink 10c when the male connector 42 of the intermediate device 40 is inserted into the insertion port 31a. Yes. The plug 32 is closed by a sealing member (not shown) such as a plug or a seal before the male connector 42 is first inserted, or the hole itself is not opened as shown in FIG. .

  Further, the replacement ink container 30 is not mounted on the intermediate device 40 with the stirring ball 33 as the replacement container stirring member that is a member that stirs the ink 10c by the inertial force accompanying the movement of the carriage 11b. In this state, a fitting portion 34 into which the stirring ball 33 is fitted by its own weight and a deaeration degree maintaining lid 35 as a floating member floated on the surface of the ink 10c are incorporated.

  When the stirring ball 33 is fitted in the fitting portion 34, the stirring ball 33 serves as a plug for the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30, that is, a plug for the insertion port 31a. The stirring sphere 33 may be formed of a metal such as stainless steel or brass. The stirring sphere 33 may be formed of a coating metal in which a metal such as brass or iron is coated with a plastic that does not dissolve in the ink 10c, such as polyester or polyparaxylylene. The stirring ball 33 may be formed of plastic. The stirring sphere 33 may be formed of a hybrid resin of plastic and inorganic material.

  As for the fitting part 34, the position in a perpendicular direction is formed above the insertion port 31a.

  The deaeration degree maintaining lid 35 is composed of a number of spheres having a specific gravity lighter than that of the ink 10c. For example, the deaeration degree maintenance lid 35 is constituted by a number of polyethylene balls.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate device 40 includes a plastic case 41 that is not flexible.

  The case 41 has an ink inlet 41a into which the protrusion 31c of the replacement ink container 30 is inserted, an air hole 41b and an air hole 41c for circulating air, and an ink toward the recording head 11c (see FIG. 2). An ink discharge port 41d for discharging 10c is formed. The case 41 also includes a male connector 42 that is inserted into the insertion port 31 a of the replacement ink container 30 in order to take out the ink 10 c from the replacement ink container 30.

  The male connector 42 is formed with an ink introduction port 42a for introducing the ink 10c into a flow path formed inside thereof at the tip portion. The male connector 42 is formed in a needle shape so that the hole plug 32 can be pierced and pierced when the hole 32 is not formed in the plug 32 of the replacement ink container 30.

  The intermediate device 40 has an intermediate ink container 50 whose capacity is variable according to the amount of stored ink 10c, and the pressure of the ink 10c supplied to the recording head 11c in the flow path of the ink 10c within a predetermined range. The negative pressure maintaining device 60 that maintains the pressure, the communication valve 70 that connects the replacement ink container 30 and the intermediate ink container 50 in the flow path of the ink 10c, and the amount of the ink 10c in the intermediate ink container 50 become a predetermined amount. And an ink amount detection device 80 for detecting this.

  The intermediate ink container 50 is for ink end detection as an ink storage part 51 whose capacity is variable according to the amount of stored ink 10c, and a moving part that moves in accordance with the change in the capacity of the intermediate ink container 50 itself. A plate 52 and a spring 53 that urges the ink end detection plate 52 in a direction in which the capacity of the ink reservoir 51 is reduced are provided.

  The ink storage unit 51 is a container having a variable capacity such as a bellows or a balloon.

  The ink end detection plate 52 is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow 52a.

  The negative pressure maintaining device 60 moves in accordance with the change in the capacity of the variable capacity ink storing section 61 whose capacity is variable according to the amount of the stored ink 10c, and on one side. A pressure receiving plate 62 that receives atmospheric pressure, and a pressure receiving valve 63 that introduces the ink 10 c into the capacity variable ink reservoir 61 when pushed by the pressure receiving plate 62 are provided.

  The capacity variable ink storage unit 61 is a container having a variable capacity such as a bellows or a balloon.

  The pressure receiving plate 62 is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow 62a.

  The pressure receiving valve 63 includes a valve body 63a, a spring 63b that urges the valve body 63a in a direction in which the pressure receiving valve 63 is closed, and leakage of ink 10c between the case 41 and the valve body 63a when the pressure receiving valve 63 is closed. And an O-ring 63c for preventing the above.

  The pressure receiving plate 62 is pushed in the direction in which the capacity of the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 increases due to the gravity of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 and the gravity of the pressure receiving plate 62 itself. Therefore, when the pressure receiving valve 63 is closed, the pressure of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 is negative.

  Here, when the amount of ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 decreases as the ink 10c is ejected by the recording head 11c, the pressure receiving plate 62 rises as the capacity of the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 decreases. . When the pressure receiving plate 62 rises, it contacts the valve body 63a, pushes up the valve body 63a and opens the pressure receiving valve 63. When the pressure receiving valve 63 is opened, the ink 10 c is introduced into the capacity variable ink storage unit 61 through the pressure receiving valve 63. When the ink 10c is introduced into the capacity variable ink storage 61, the capacity of the capacity variable ink storage 61 increases and the pressure receiving valve 63 is closed again.

  The negative pressure maintaining device 60 maintains the pressure of the ink 10c supplied to the recording head 11c at a negative pressure within a predetermined range by the functions of the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 and the pressure receiving valve 63 described above.

  The ink amount detection device 80 is a device that detects that the amount of the ink 10c in the intermediate ink container 50 has reached a predetermined amount based on the position of the ink end detection plate 52, and is, for example, an optical sensor.

  FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the communication valve 70 when the replacement ink container 30 is not attached to the intermediate device 40. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the communication valve 70 when the replacement ink container 30 is attached to the intermediate device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the communication valve 70 includes a valve body 71, a diaphragm 72 that supports the valve body 71, and a spring 73 that biases the valve body 71 in a direction in which the communication valve 70 is closed. The communication valve 70 is a valve that is opened when the protrusion 31 c of the replacement ink container 30 pushes the valve body 71 when the replacement ink container 30 is attached to the intermediate device 40.

  When the replacement ink container 30 is removed due to the operation of the communication valve 70 described above, the intermediate device 40 receives the ink 10c from the ink inlet 42a (see FIG. 3) of the male connector 42 (see FIG. 3). It is possible to prevent air from being drawn into the flow path. Therefore, the communication valve 70 can prevent the occurrence of a problem that the ejection of the recording head 11c (see FIG. 2) becomes unstable due to the air drawn into the flow path of the ink 10c.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the inkjet printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the inkjet printer 10 conveys the recording medium 90 (see FIG. 1) in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow 10b (see FIG. 1) with respect to the recording head 11c (see FIG. 2). The above-described medium conveying device 12, the carriage 11b (see FIG. 1) on which the recording head 11c is mounted are moved in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow 10a (see FIG. 1), and the recording head 11c. A head driving device 14 that discharges ink 10c (see FIG. 2), a speaker 15 that outputs a sound such as a warning sound, a display device 16 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the like. A communication device 17 that communicates with an external device, the ink amount detection device 80 described above, and an ink jet. And a control unit 18 for controlling the printer 10 as a whole.

  The control unit 18 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is used as a work area of the CPU. ing. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM.

  The control unit 18 notifies the replenishment timing of the ink 10c through the speaker 15, the display device 16, and the communication device 17, and constitutes the ink replenishment timing notification device of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the inkjet printer 10 will be described.

  First, the overall operation of the inkjet printer 10 during printing will be described.

  When the control unit 18 of the inkjet printer 10 receives print data from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) via the communication device 17, the medium transport device 12, the carriage drive device 13, and the head drive are based on the print data. The device 14 is controlled. The medium conveying device 12 conveys the recording medium 90 in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow 10b with respect to the recording head 11c under the control of the control unit 18. The carriage driving device 13 moves the carriage 11b on which the recording head 11c is mounted in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow 10a in accordance with the control of the control unit 18. Further, the head driving device 14 causes the recording head 11 c to eject the ink 10 c under the control of the control unit 18. Therefore, the inkjet printer 10 prints an image corresponding to the print data received via the communication device 17 on the recording medium 90 with the ink 10c ejected from the recording head 11c.

  Next, the operation of the inkjet printer 10 when the ink 10c is supplied will be described.

  When the recording head 11c ejects the ink 10c, the ink 10c is supplied to the recording head 11c from the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 of the negative pressure maintaining device 60. Therefore, the amount of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 decreases.

  When the amount of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 61 reaches a predetermined amount, the pressure receiving valve 63 is temporarily opened as described above, whereby the ink 10c passes through the pressure receiving valve 63 to the variable capacity ink reservoir 61. Supplied. When the ink 10 c is supplied to the variable capacity ink storage 61 through the pressure receiving valve 63, the amount of ink 10 c corresponding to the amount supplied to the variable capacity ink storage 61 is the ink storage of the intermediate ink container 50. 51 is supplied to the negative pressure maintaining device 60. Accordingly, the amount of the ink 10c in the ink storage unit 51 is reduced.

  When the amount of ink 10c in the ink reservoir 51 decreases, an amount of ink 10c corresponding to the decreased amount is supplied from the replacement ink container 30 to the intermediate device 40. Accordingly, the amount of ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 is reduced.

  Here, the capacity of the ink reservoir 51 is determined based on the force received by the ink end detection plate 52 due to the pressure of the ink 10c in the ink reservoir 51, the force received by the ink end detection plate 52 due to atmospheric pressure, and the ink end detection. It increases when the plate 52 is greater than the sum of the forces received from the spring 53, does not change when equal, and decreases when it is smaller. The force that the ink end detection plate 52 receives due to the pressure of the ink 10 c in the ink storage portion 51 decreases as the amount of the ink 10 c in the replacement ink container 30 decreases. That is, the capacity of the ink reservoir 51 decreases as the amount of ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 decreases.

  When the ink amount detection device 80 detects the ink end detection plate 52 that moves with the change in the capacity of the ink storage portion 51 due to the decrease in the capacity of the ink storage portion 51, the ink amount detection device 80. Transmits a signal indicating that the ink end detection plate 52 has been detected to the control unit 18.

  When the ink amount detection device 80 detects that the ink end detection plate 52 has been detected, that is, the amount of ink 10c in the intermediate ink container 50 has reached a predetermined amount, the control unit 18 The replenishment timing of 10c is notified by the speaker 15, the display device 16, and the communication device 17. For example, the control unit 18 instructs the user to replace the replacement ink container 30 or to refill the replacement ink container 30 with the ink 10c based on the sound output from the speaker 15 and the display on the display device 16. By notifying, the user can be instructed to replace the replacement ink container 30 or to refill the replacement ink container 30 with the ink 10c. In addition, the control unit 18 notifies an external device via the communication device 17 of an instruction for replacing the replacement ink container 30 or an instruction for replenishing the replacement ink container 30 with the ink 10c, thereby replacing the replacement ink container 30. The user of the external apparatus can be instructed to replace the ink or to refill the replacement ink container 30 with the ink 10c.

  As described above, in the inkjet printer 10, since the carriage-mounted ink supply device 20 includes the replacement ink container 30, the flow path of the ink 10c from the replacement ink container 30 to the recording head 11c moves the carriage 11b. All move with it. Therefore, the ink jet printer 10 suppresses the occurrence of problems due to the precipitation of the particles of the ink 10c by stirring the particles of the ink 10c in the flow path due to the movement of the flow path of the ink 10c from the replacement ink container 30 to the recording head 11c. Can do.

  Further, the ink jet printer 10 stores the ink 10c in the intermediate ink container 50 even when the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 runs out, and the amount of the ink 10c in the intermediate ink container 50 is predetermined. In this case, the ink replenishment timing of the ink 10c is notified, so even if the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 runs out and the replacement ink container 30 needs to be replaced, it is intermediate for a while. By supplying the ink 10c stored in the ink container 50 to the recording head 11c, the ink 10c supplied to the recording head 11c is not immediately interrupted. That is, the inkjet printer 10 can suppress the occurrence of interruption of printing due to the replacement of the replacement ink container 30.

  Therefore, the inkjet printer 10 is employed as an inkjet printer that consumes a relatively large amount of ink, that is, a wide-format inkjet printer that has a relatively large printable image size, or an inkjet printer that has a relatively high printing speed. Suitable for that.

  Further, the ink jet printer 10 can continue without stopping printing even during replenishment of the ink 10c by replacing the replacement ink container 30 before the ink 10c stored in the intermediate ink container 50 is completely exhausted. it can.

  The capacity of the intermediate ink container 50 may be determined based on the average consumption amount of the ink 10c determined by the printing speed and the printing area of the inkjet printer 10.

  In the inkjet printer 10, since the ink amount detection device 80 is provided in the intermediate device 40 that is not a consumable item, compared to the configuration in which the ink amount detection device 80 is provided in the replacement ink container 30 that is a consumable item, The cost of consumables can be reduced.

  Further, since the capacity of the intermediate ink container 50 is variable according to the amount of the stored ink 10c, the inkjet printer 10 can reduce the pressure of the ink 10c due to the decrease in the amount of the ink 10c in the intermediate ink container 50. Can be suppressed. Therefore, the ink jet printer 10 can smoothly supply the ink 10c stored in the intermediate ink container 50 to the recording head 11c.

  The intermediate ink container 50 is a container having a variable capacity in the present embodiment, but may be a container having a fixed capacity.

  In the inkjet printer 10, the ink amount detection device 80 detects that the amount of the ink 10 c in the intermediate ink container 50 has reached a predetermined amount based on the position of the ink end detection plate 52. It can be detected with a simple configuration that the amount of 10c has reached a predetermined amount.

  Although the ink amount detection device 80 is an optical sensor in the present embodiment, a method other than an optical method, such as a contact method, indicates that the amount of the ink 10c in the intermediate ink container 50 has reached a predetermined amount. It may be configured to detect by.

  Even if the ink jet printer 10 receives the inertial force due to the ink 10c existing upstream of the negative pressure maintaining device 60 in the flow path of the ink 10c moving with acceleration or deceleration along with the carriage 11b, Since the pressure of the supplied ink 10c is always maintained within a predetermined range of negative pressure by the negative pressure maintaining device 60, it is possible to maintain the ejection stability of the ink 10c by the recording head 11c, and as a result, the recording head. The print quality according to 11c can be maintained.

  In addition, when the replacement ink container 30 is removed from the intermediate device 40, the ink jet printer 10 automatically closes the communication valve 70 and blocks communication between the replacement ink container 30 and the intermediate ink container 50. The ink 10c upstream of the intermediate ink container 50 does not flow downstream in the flow path of the ink 10c, and as a result, air flows into the portion of the flow path of the ink 10c of the intermediate device 40 upstream of the intermediate ink container 50 from the outside. This can be prevented. Therefore, the inkjet printer 10 suppresses the occurrence of work for discharging the air flowing into the flow path, as compared with a configuration in which air flows into the flow path of the ink 10c of the intermediate device 40 each time the replacement ink container 30 is replaced. be able to. If the ink jet printer 10 can suppress the occurrence of the work of discharging the air that has flowed into the flow path, for example, the ink 10c associated with this work can be prevented from being consumed, and printing can be interrupted by this work. Can be prevented.

  Further, when the carriage 11b is moved by executing printing, the ink jet printer 10 receives the inertial force due to the stirring ball 33 moving with acceleration or deceleration along with the carriage 11b, and receives the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30. The ink 10c particles are precipitated in the replacement ink container 30 even when printing is performed using the ink 10c such as white ink or metallic ink in which particles are likely to precipitate. Can be prevented.

  Further, when the replacement ink container 30 is removed from the intermediate device 40, the inkjet printer 10 automatically takes out the ink 10c outlet, that is, the stirring ball 33 in the replacement ink container 30 by its own weight and the pressure received from the ink 10c. Since it becomes a plug of the insertion opening 31a, it is possible to prevent the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 from flowing out of the insertion opening 31a.

  It is known that when the amount of dissolved air, which is the amount of gas such as oxygen and nitrogen dissolved in the ink 10c, exceeds a certain limit amount, the ejection stability of the ink 10c from the recording head 11c is reduced. Yes. Even if the ink 10c stored in the replacement ink container 30 is degassed, the air holes 31b are formed in the replacement ink container 30, so the amount of dissolved air is reduced by the air introduced from the air holes 31b. It may increase with the progress of

  The ink jet printer 10 can be replaced even if the air hole 31b for introducing air according to the decrease in the amount of the ink 10c is necessary for the replacement ink container 30 to take out the ink 10c from the replacement ink container 30. Since the deaeration degree maintaining lid 35 floated on the surface of the ink 10c in the ink container 30 can suppress the area where the air introduced into the replacement ink container 30 contacts the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30. An increase in the dissolved air amount of the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 can be suppressed. Therefore, the ink jet printer 10 can prevent the stability of the ejection of the ink 10c by the recording head 11c from decreasing due to an increase in the dissolved air amount of the ink 10c. That is, the inkjet printer 10 can maintain the stability of the ejection of the ink 10c by the recording head 11c, and as a result, can maintain the quality of printing by the recording head 11c.

  The connection method of the replacement ink container 30 and the intermediate device 40 is not limited to the method shown in the present embodiment, and the ink 10 c in the replacement ink container 30 is supplied to the intermediate device 40 by mounting the replacement ink container 30. Any method can be adopted as long as it can be used.

  The replacement ink container 30 has a built-in deaeration degree maintaining lid 35 as a floating member floated on the surface of the ink 10c in the present embodiment. However, the replacement ink container 30 is shown in FIG. A plate-like deaeration maintaining lid 36 may be incorporated as a floating member.

  Since the intermediate ink container 50 and the negative pressure maintaining device 60 are unitized by the case 41 in the present embodiment, the convenience of handling can be improved compared to a configuration that is not unitized. However, the intermediate ink container 50 and the negative pressure maintaining device 60 may not be unitized.

  Ink jet printer 10 uses pressure of ink 10c supplied to recording head 11c when the position of replacement ink container 30 can be kept lower than the position of recording head 11c, or when the acceleration at the time of acceleration / deceleration of carriage 11b is less than about 1G. Is maintained in a predetermined range of negative pressure, the negative pressure maintaining device 60 may not be provided.

  The communication valve 70 is a diaphragm type valve in the present embodiment, but may be a valve other than the diaphragm type as long as the valve is opened when the replacement ink container 30 is attached to the intermediate device 40.

(Second Embodiment)
First, the configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In addition, about the structure similar to the structure of the inkjet printer 10 (refer FIG. 1) which concerns on 1st Embodiment among the structures of the inkjet printer which concerns on this Embodiment, the code | symbol same as the structure of the inkjet printer 10 is shown. Detailed description will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of the intermediate device 140 of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment.

  The configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration provided in the ink jet printer 10 in place of the intermediate device 140 shown in FIG. 8 instead of the intermediate device 40 (see FIG. 3).

  The intermediate device 140 includes a case 141, an intermediate ink container 150, and an ink amount detection device 180, a case 41 (see FIG. 3), an intermediate ink container 50 (see FIG. 3), and an ink amount detection device 80 (FIG. 3). (Refer to the reference.) The configuration is the same as that of the intermediate device 40.

  The configuration of the case 141 is the same as the configuration in which the shape of the flow path of the ink 10c is changed by the case 41.

  The intermediate ink container 150 is for ink end detection as an ink storage part 151 whose capacity is variable in accordance with the amount of stored ink 10c and a moving part that moves in accordance with the change in the capacity of the intermediate ink container 150 itself. And a plate 152.

  The ink storage unit 151 is a container having a variable capacity such as a bellows or a balloon.

  The ink end detection plate 152 is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow 152a. That is, the intermediate ink container 150 is applied with a force due to its own weight in the direction in which the capacity is reduced.

  The ink amount detection device 180 is similar to the configuration in which the ink amount detection device 80 changes the installation position in the case 141. The ink amount detection device 180 is a device that detects, based on the position of the ink end detection plate 152, that the amount of the ink 10c in the intermediate ink container 150 has reached a predetermined amount.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet printer according to this embodiment will be described.

  The operation of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment is that the movement direction of the ink end detection plate 152 is different from the movement direction of the ink end detection plate 52 of the ink jet printer 10 according to the first embodiment. The operation is the same as that of the ink jet printer 10 according to the first embodiment except that the detection plate 152 is not urged by the urging member.

  As described above, the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment does not require a biasing member that assists the deformation of the intermediate ink container 150 when the capacity of the intermediate ink container 150 is reduced. As compared with the configuration including the urging member, the maximum capacity of the intermediate ink container 150 can be increased by the amount not including the urging member. Therefore, in the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, after the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 (see FIG. 2) has run out and the replacement ink container 30 needs to be replaced, the recording head 11c (see FIG. 2). .)) Can be extended until the ink 10c supplied is interrupted. That is, the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment can extend the period of time when the replacement ink container 30 needs to be replaced after the replacement ink container 30 needs to be replaced.

(Third embodiment)
First, the configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In addition, about the structure similar to the structure of the inkjet printer 10 (refer FIG. 1) which concerns on 1st Embodiment among the structures of the inkjet printer which concerns on this Embodiment, the code | symbol same as the structure of the inkjet printer 10 is shown. Detailed description will be omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the intermediate device 240 of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment.

  The configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration provided in the ink jet printer 10 in place of the intermediate device 240 shown in FIG. 9 instead of the intermediate device 40 (see FIG. 3).

  The intermediate device 240 includes a case 241, a negative pressure maintaining device 260, and an ink amount detecting device 280, a case 41 (see FIG. 3), a negative pressure maintaining device 60 (see FIG. 3), and an ink amount detecting device 80 (see FIG. 3). The intermediate device 40 is provided in place of the intermediate device 40, and the intermediate device 40 is similar to the configuration in which the intermediate ink container 50 (see FIG. 3) is not provided.

  The configuration of the case 241 is the same as the configuration in which the shape of the flow path of the ink 10c is changed by the case 41.

  The negative pressure maintaining device 260 moves in accordance with the change in the capacity of the capacity variable ink storage section 261 whose capacity is variable according to the amount of the stored ink 10c, and on one side. The pressure receiving plate 262 that receives atmospheric pressure, the spring 263 that biases the pressure receiving plate 262 in the direction in which the capacity of the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 increases, and the pressure receiving plate 262 presses the ink in the variable capacity ink reservoir 261. And a pressure receiving valve 264 for introducing 10c.

  The capacity variable ink storage unit 261 is a container having a variable capacity such as a bellows or a balloon.

  The pressure receiving plate 262 is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow 262a.

  The pressure receiving valve 264 includes a valve body 264a, a spring 264b that urges the valve body 264a in a direction in which the pressure receiving valve 264 is closed, and leakage of ink 10c between the case 241 and the valve body 264a when the pressure receiving valve 264 is closed. And an O-ring 264c for preventing the above.

  The pressure receiving plate 262 is pressed in the direction in which the capacity of the capacity variable ink storage unit 261 increases by the biasing force of the spring 263. Therefore, when the pressure receiving valve 264 is closed, the pressure of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 is negative.

  Here, when the amount of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 is reduced by the ink 10c being ejected by the recording head 11c (see FIG. 2), the capacity of the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 is reduced. The pressure receiving plate 262 moves to the valve body 264a side. When the pressure receiving plate 262 moves toward the valve body 264a, the pressure receiving plate 262 contacts the valve body 264a and pushes the valve body 264a to open the pressure receiving valve 264. When the pressure receiving valve 264 is opened, the ink 10 c is introduced into the capacity variable ink storage unit 261 through the pressure receiving valve 264. When the ink 10c is introduced into the variable capacity ink reservoir 261, the capacity of the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 increases and the pressure receiving valve 264 closes again.

  The negative pressure maintaining device 260 maintains the pressure of the ink 10c supplied to the recording head 11c at a negative pressure within a predetermined range by the functions of the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 and the pressure receiving valve 264 described above.

  In the negative pressure maintaining device 260, the variable capacity ink reservoir 261, the pressure receiving plate 262, and the spring 263 constitute an intermediate ink container of the present invention. In particular, the pressure receiving plate 262 moves with a change in the capacity of the variable capacity ink storage unit 261, and constitutes the moving unit of the present invention.

  The ink amount detection device 280 is the same as the configuration in which the ink amount detection device 80 changes the installation position in the case 241. The ink amount detection device 280 is a device that detects, based on the position of the pressure receiving plate 262, that the amount of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 has reached a predetermined amount.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment when the ink 10c is supplied will be described.

  When the recording head 11c ejects the ink 10c, the ink 10c is supplied to the recording head 11c from the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 of the negative pressure maintaining device 260. Therefore, the amount of ink 10c in the variable capacity ink storage unit 261 decreases.

  When the amount of ink 10c in the capacity variable ink storage unit 261 reaches a predetermined amount, the pressure receiving valve 264 temporarily opens as described above, whereby the ink 10c passes through the pressure receiving valve 264 and enters the capacity variable ink storage unit 261. Supplied. When the ink 10c is supplied to the variable capacity ink storage unit 261 through the pressure receiving valve 264, an amount of ink 10c corresponding to the amount supplied to the variable capacity ink storage unit 261 is replaced with the replacement ink container 30 (see FIG. 2). To the intermediate device 240. Accordingly, the amount of ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 is reduced.

  Here, the capacity of the variable volume ink reservoir 261 is the sum of the force received by the pressure receiving plate 262 due to the pressure of the ink 10c in the variable volume ink reservoir 261 and the force received by the pressure receiving plate 262 from the spring 263. It increases when 262 is greater than the force experienced by atmospheric pressure, does not change when equal, and decreases when it is smaller.

  When the pressure receiving plate 262 that moves with the change in the capacity of the variable capacity ink storage unit 261 is detected by the ink amount detection device 280 as the capacity of the variable capacity ink storage unit 261 decreases, the ink amount detection device 280 transmits a signal indicating that the pressure receiving plate 262 has been detected to the control unit 18 (see FIG. 6).

  The control unit 18 detects that the pressure receiving plate 262 has been detected, that is, that the amount of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink storage unit 261 has reached a predetermined amount by the ink amount detection device 280 continuously for a predetermined time or more. In such a case, the replenishment timing of the ink 10c is notified by the speaker 15 (see FIG. 6), the display device 16 (see FIG. 6), and the communication device 17 (see FIG. 6).

  As described above, the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment realizes the intermediate ink container and the variable capacity ink reservoir 261 of the negative pressure maintaining device 260 with a common configuration. As compared with a configuration in which the variable capacity ink storage unit 261 of the negative pressure maintaining device 260 is realized by a separate configuration, the size can be reduced.

(Fourth embodiment)
First, the configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In addition, about the structure similar to the structure of the inkjet printer 10 (refer FIG. 1) which concerns on 1st Embodiment among the structures of the inkjet printer which concerns on this Embodiment, the code | symbol same as the structure of the inkjet printer 10 is shown. Detailed description will be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of the intermediate device 340 of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment.

  The configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the ink jet printer 10 provided in place of the intermediate device 340 shown in FIG. 10 instead of the intermediate device 40 (see FIG. 3).

  The intermediate device 340 includes a case 341, a negative pressure maintaining device 360, and an ink amount detecting device 380, a case 41 (see FIG. 3), a negative pressure maintaining device 60 (see FIG. 3), and an ink amount detecting device 80 (see FIG. 3). 3), the intermediate device 40 is further provided, and the intermediate device 40 further includes a negative pressure ink container 390 that is disposed downstream of the negative pressure maintaining device 360 in the flow path of the ink 10c and stores the ink 10c. Furthermore, the intermediate device 40 is the same as the configuration in which the intermediate ink container 50 (see FIG. 3) is not provided.

  The configuration of the case 341 is similar to the configuration in which the shape of the flow path of the ink 10c is changed by the case 41.

  The negative pressure maintaining device 360 moves in accordance with the change in the capacity of the capacity variable ink storage section 361 whose capacity is variable according to the amount of the stored ink 10c, and on one side. The pressure receiving plate 362 that receives the atmospheric pressure, the spring 363 that urges the pressure receiving plate 362 in the direction in which the capacity of the variable capacity ink storage unit 361 increases, and the pressure receiving plate 362 presses the ink in the variable capacity ink storage unit 361. And a pressure receiving valve 364 for introducing 10c.

  The capacity variable ink storage unit 361 is a container whose capacity is variable, such as a bellows or a balloon.

  The pressure receiving plate 362 is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow 362a.

  The pressure receiving valve 364 includes a valve body 364a, a spring 364b that biases the valve body 364a in a direction in which the pressure receiving valve 364 is closed, and leakage of ink 10c between the case 341 and the valve body 364a when the pressure receiving valve 364 is closed. And an O-ring 364c for preventing the above.

  The pressure receiving plate 362 is pushed in the direction in which the capacity of the capacity variable ink storage unit 361 increases by the biasing force of the spring 363. Therefore, when the pressure receiving valve 364 is closed, the pressure of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 361 is negative.

  Here, when the amount of ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 361 decreases due to the ink 10c being ejected by the recording head 11c (see FIG. 2), the capacity of the variable capacity ink reservoir 361 decreases. The pressure receiving plate 362 moves to the valve body 364a side. When the pressure receiving plate 362 moves to the valve body 364a side, the pressure receiving plate 362 contacts the valve body 364a and pushes the valve body 364a to open the pressure receiving valve 364. When the pressure receiving valve 364 is opened, the ink 10 c is introduced into the capacity variable ink storage unit 361 through the pressure receiving valve 364. When the ink 10c is introduced into the variable capacity ink reservoir 361, the capacity of the variable capacity ink reservoir 361 increases and the pressure receiving valve 364 is closed again.

  The negative pressure maintaining device 360 maintains the pressure of the ink 10c supplied to the recording head 11c at a negative pressure within a predetermined range by the functions of the variable capacity ink reservoir 361 and the pressure receiving valve 364 described above.

  In the negative pressure maintaining device 360, the variable capacity ink reservoir 361, the pressure receiving plate 362, and the spring 363 constitute an intermediate ink container of the present invention. In particular, the pressure receiving plate 362 moves with a change in the capacity of the variable capacity ink storage section 361, and constitutes the moving section of the present invention.

  The ink amount detection device 380 is the same as the configuration in which the ink amount detection device 80 changes the installation position in the case 341. The ink amount detection device 380 is a device that detects, based on the position of the pressure receiving plate 362, that the amount of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 361 has reached a predetermined amount.

  The negative pressure ink container 390 includes a stirring ball 391 as a negative pressure container stirring member, which is a member that stirs the ink 10c by the inertial force accompanying the movement of the carriage 11b (see FIG. 1).

  The stirring sphere 391 has the same configuration as the stirring sphere 33 according to the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment when the ink 10c is supplied will be described.

  When the recording head 11c ejects the ink 10c, the ink 10c is supplied to the recording head 11c via the negative pressure ink container 390 from the variable capacity ink reservoir 361 of the negative pressure maintaining device 360. Therefore, the amount of ink 10c in the variable capacity ink storage 361 decreases.

  When the amount of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink reservoir 361 reaches a predetermined amount, the pressure receiving valve 364 is temporarily opened as described above, so that the ink 10c passes through the pressure receiving valve 364 and enters the variable capacity ink reservoir 361. Supplied. When the ink 10c is supplied to the variable capacity ink storage unit 361 through the pressure receiving valve 364, an amount of ink 10c corresponding to the amount supplied to the variable capacity ink storage unit 361 is replaced with the replacement ink container 30 (see FIG. 2). To the intermediate device 340. Accordingly, the amount of ink 10c in the replacement ink container 30 is reduced.

  Here, the capacity of the capacity variable ink reservoir 361 is the sum of the force received by the pressure receiving plate 362 due to the pressure of the ink 10c in the capacity variable ink reservoir 361 and the force received by the pressure receiving plate 362 from the spring 363. It increases when the force received by the atmospheric pressure 362 is greater than the sum of the force received by the pressure plate 362 due to its own weight, does not change when equal, and decreases when it is smaller.

  When the ink receiving unit 380 detects the pressure receiving plate 362 that moves with the change in the capacity of the variable capacity ink storing unit 361 due to the decrease in the capacity of the variable capacity ink storing unit 361, the ink amount detecting device 380 transmits a signal indicating that the pressure receiving plate 362 has been detected to the control unit 18 (see FIG. 6).

  The control unit 18 detects that the pressure receiving plate 362 has been detected, that is, that the amount of the ink 10c in the variable capacity ink storage unit 361 has reached a predetermined amount by the ink amount detection device 380 continuously for a predetermined time or more. In such a case, the replenishment timing of the ink 10c is notified by the speaker 15 (see FIG. 6), the display device 16 (see FIG. 6), and the communication device 17 (see FIG. 6).

  As described above, in the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, when the carriage 11b moves by executing printing, the stirring sphere 391 in the negative pressure ink container 390 is accelerated or decelerated along with the carriage 11b. Since the ink 10c in the negative pressure ink container 390 is automatically stirred in response to the inertial force due to the movement, when printing is performed using the ink 10c such as white ink or metallic ink in which particles are likely to precipitate. Even if it exists, it can prevent that the particle | grains of the ink 10c precipitate in the negative pressure ink container 390. FIG.

  Note that the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment can prevent the particles of the ink 10c from being precipitated in the negative pressure ink container 390 that is closer to the recording head 11c than the replacement ink container 30 in the flow path of the ink 10c. Therefore, compared with the configuration that prevents the particles of the ink 10c from being precipitated in the replacement ink container 30, the uniformity of the concentration of the particles in the ink 10c ejected by the recording head 11c can be improved.

  In the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, the intermediate ink container and the variable capacity ink storage unit 361 of the negative pressure maintaining device 360 are realized by a common configuration, so that the intermediate ink container and the negative pressure maintaining device 360 are Compared to a configuration in which the variable capacity ink storage unit 361 is realized by a separate configuration, the size can be reduced.

  Note that, in the inkjet printer according to the present embodiment, as in the inkjet printer 10 according to the first embodiment, the intermediate ink container and the capacity variable ink reservoir of the negative pressure maintaining device are realized by separate configurations. May be.

(Fifth embodiment)
First, the configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In addition, about the structure similar to the structure of the inkjet printer 10 (refer FIG. 1) which concerns on 1st Embodiment among the structures of the inkjet printer which concerns on this Embodiment, the code | symbol same as the structure of the inkjet printer 10 is shown. Detailed description will be omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a front sectional view of the replacement ink container 430 of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the replacement ink container 430 shown in FIG.

  The configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration provided in the ink jet printer 10 in place of the replacement ink container 430 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 instead of the replacement ink container 30 (see FIG. 3).

  The replacement ink container 430 is configured by replacing the case 431 with the case 31 (see FIG. 3), and the replacement ink container 30 includes an ink bag 432 whose capacity is variable according to the amount of ink 10c stored. The replacement ink container 30 is further provided, and the replacement ink container 30 is similar to the configuration in which the fitting portion 34 and the deaeration degree maintaining lid 35 are not provided.

  The case 431 supports the ink bag 432 and constitutes a support member of the present invention. The case 431 is the same as the case 31 except that the case 431 includes two lower support portions 431a that sandwich and support the lower portion of the ink bag 432 and a string 431b that supports the ink bag 432 by suspending it.

  The width between the two lower support portions 431a is narrower toward the bottom. The shape of the lower support portion 431a may be a shape other than the shape shown in FIG. 12 as long as the width between the two lower support portions 431a becomes narrower downward. For example, the shape of the surface of the lower support portion 431a in the side sectional view is a straight line in the example shown in FIG. 12, but may be a curved line.

  The ink bag 432 includes a flexible film portion 432 a and a stirring ball rail 432 b that does not have flexibility and supports the stirring ball 33.

  The film part 432a is formed of a plastic film such as polyester, polyethylene, or nylon. This plastic film may be a single layer film made of a single material or a laminated film made of a plurality of materials, or an aluminum foil or an aluminum vapor deposition film is laminated on the inner side of the ink bag 432 on the plastic. A composite film may be used.

  It should be noted that the ink 10c take-out port, that is, the insertion port 31a is arranged below the replacement ink container 430 so that the ink 10c in the replacement ink container 430 can be taken out to its end by the weight of the ink 10c. Yes.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet printer according to this embodiment will be described.

  The operation of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment is the same as the operation of the ink jet printer 10 according to the first embodiment except that the ink bag 432 of the replacement ink container 430 is contracted as the ink 10c is ejected by the recording head 11c. It is the same.

  As described above, in the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, since the capacity of the ink bag 432 of the replacement ink container 430 is variable according to the amount of the ink 10c, the air according to the decrease in the amount of the ink 10c. There is no need to form air holes in the ink bag 432. Therefore, the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment can prevent the stability of the ejection of the ink 10c by the recording head 11c from decreasing due to an increase in the dissolved air amount of the ink 10c. That is, the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment can maintain the stability of ejection of the ink 10c by the recording head 11c, and as a result, can maintain the quality of printing by the recording head 11c.

  In addition, the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment sandwiches and supports the lower portion of the ink bag 432 by the two lower support portions 431 a of the case 431. Therefore, in the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, the ink 10c in the ink bag 432 of the replacement ink container 430 is automatically collected under the ink bag 432 by its own weight, so the ink in the ink bag 432 of the replacement ink container 430 10c can be easily taken out to the end.

  Further, in the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, the case 431 suspends and supports the ink bag 432. Therefore, in the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, the ink 10c in the ink bag 432 of the replacement ink container 430 is automatically collected under the ink bag 432 by its own weight, so the ink in the ink bag 432 of the replacement ink container 430 10c can be easily taken out to the end.

  The ink jet printer according to this embodiment is supported by sandwiching the lower part of the ink bag 432 by the two lower support portions 431a of the case 431 and hanging the ink bag 432 by the case 431. These two lower support portions 431a may be supported only by either sandwiching the lower portion of the ink bag 432 or hanging the ink bag 432 by the case 431.

  In the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, when the carriage 11b moves due to execution of printing, the stirring ball 33 receives the inertial force due to the acceleration or deceleration moving along with the carriage 11b and receives the inertial force in the ink bag 432 Since the ink 10c is automatically stirred, the particles of the ink 10c are precipitated in the replacement ink container 30 even when printing is performed using the ink 10c such as white ink or metallic ink that easily precipitates particles. Can be prevented.

  The configuration of the inkjet printer according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration in which the replacement ink container 30 of the inkjet printer 10 according to the first embodiment is replaced with the replacement ink container 430 in the present embodiment. . However, the replacement ink container 430 may be replaced not only with the replacement ink container 30 of the inkjet printer 10 according to the first embodiment, but also with the replacement ink container of the inkjet printer according to each of the above-described embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer in each of the above-described embodiments moves the recording head 11c in the main scanning direction by the carriage 11b with respect to the recording medium 90 that does not move in the main scanning direction. By performing printing in the scanning direction and transporting the recording medium 90 in the sub scanning direction to the recording head 11c that does not move in the sub scanning direction, the position of the recording head 11c in the sub scanning direction relative to the recording medium 90 is set in the main scanning direction. This is a printer that changes every time printing ends. However, the ink jet printer may be a printer of a method other than the methods in the above-described embodiments. For example, the ink jet printer causes the recording head 11c to perform printing in the main scanning direction by moving the recording head 11c in the main scanning direction by the carriage 11b with respect to the recording medium 90 that is placed on the table and does not move, and the recording medium By moving the main body 11 in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the table on which the 90 is placed, the position in the sub-scanning direction of the recording head 11c with respect to the recording medium 90 is changed every time printing in the main scanning direction is completed. An inkjet printer may be used.

  In addition, any method can be adopted as a method of ejecting ink in the ink jet printer according to each of the above-described embodiments. For example, as a method of ejecting ink in the ink jet printer according to each of the above-described embodiments, a piezo method of ejecting ink by applying pressure to the ink by deformation of a piezo element, or generating bubbles in the ink by heating the ink A thermal jet (bubble jet (registered trademark)) system that discharges ink by applying pressure to the ink, an electrostatic suction system that discharges ink by sucking charged ink by electrostatic force, or these systems Of these, a hybrid system combining a plurality of systems can be employed. In addition, as a method for ejecting ink in the ink jet printer according to each of the above-described embodiments, a valve jet method for drawing by controlling ink ejection by opening and closing a valve may be employed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet printer 10c Ink 11b Carriage 11c Recording head 18 Control part (ink replenishment timing notification apparatus)
20 Carriage-mounted ink supply device 30 Replacement ink container 31a Insertion port (ink extraction port)
31b Air hole 33 Stir ball (stirring member for exchange container)
34 Fitting part 35 Deaeration degree maintenance lid (floating member)
40 Intermediate device 50 Intermediate ink container 52 Ink end detection plate (moving part)
60 Negative pressure maintenance device 70 Communication valve 80 Ink amount detection device 140 Intermediate device 150 Intermediate ink container 152 Ink end detection plate (moving part)
180 Ink quantity detection device 240 Intermediate device 260 Negative pressure maintenance device 261 Capacity variable ink reservoir (intermediate ink container)
262 pressure plate (moving part)
264 Pressure receiving valve 280 Ink amount detection device 340 Intermediate device 360 Negative pressure maintenance device 361 Capacity variable ink storage unit (intermediate ink container)
362 pressure plate (moving part)
364 Pressure Receiving Valve 380 Ink Quantity Detection Device 390 Negative Pressure Ink Container 391 Stir Ball (Agitating Member for Negative Pressure Container)
430 Replacement ink container 431 Case (support member)
431a Lower support portion 432 Ink bag

Claims (13)

A carriage that is movable, a recording head that is mounted on the carriage and ejects ink, a carriage-mounted ink supply device that is mounted on the carriage and supplies the ink to the recording head, and replenishment of the ink An ink replenishment timing notification device that notifies the timing of
The carriage-mounted ink supply device includes a replaceable ink container that is a container that stores the ink and is replaceable, and an intermediate device that is disposed between the recording head and the replaceable ink container in the ink flow path. With
The intermediate device includes an intermediate ink container that is a container for storing the ink, and an ink amount detection device that detects that the amount of the ink in the intermediate ink container has reached a predetermined amount.
The intermediate ink container has a variable capacity according to the amount of the stored ink,
The ink replenishment timing notification device notifies the ink replenishment timing when the ink amount detection device detects that the amount of the ink in the intermediate ink container has reached a predetermined amount. Inkjet printer featuring.   The intermediate ink container includes a moving unit that moves in accordance with a change in the capacity of the intermediate ink container itself,
  2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink amount detection device detects that the amount of the ink in the intermediate ink container has reached a predetermined amount based on a position of the moving unit.   The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate ink container is applied with a force due to its own weight in a direction in which the capacity is reduced.   The replacement ink container can be attached to the intermediate device;
  The intermediate device includes a communication valve for communicating the replacement ink container and the intermediate ink container in the ink flow path,
  4. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the communication valve is a valve that opens when the replacement ink container is attached to the intermediate device. 5.   5. The replacement ink container includes a replacement container stirring member, which is a member that stirs the ink by an inertial force accompanying the movement of the carriage. The inkjet printer as described.   The intermediate device can be mounted with the replacement ink container,
  The replacement ink container includes a fitting portion in which the replacement container stirring member is fitted by its own weight when not attached to the intermediate device,
  The position of the fitting portion in the vertical direction is formed above the ink outlet in the replacement ink container,
  The inkjet printer according to claim 5, wherein the exchange container stirring member serves as a plug of the take-out port when fitted into the fitting portion.   The replacement ink container is formed with air holes for introducing air according to a decrease in the amount of the stored ink,
  The ink jet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the replacement ink container contains a floating member floating on a surface of the ink.   2. The replacement ink container includes an ink bag whose capacity is variable according to the amount of the stored ink, and a support member that supports the ink bag. The ink jet printer according to claim 6.   The support member suspends and supports the ink bag,
  The ink jet printer according to claim 8, wherein the ink outlet of the ink bag is disposed at a lower portion of the ink bag.   The support member includes two lower support portions that sandwich and support the lower portion of the ink bag,
  The width between the two lower support portions is narrower toward the bottom,
  10. The ink jet printer according to claim 8, wherein the ink outlet of the ink bag is disposed at a lower portion of the ink bag. 11.   2. The intermediate apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a negative pressure maintaining device that maintains the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head in the ink flow path at a negative pressure within a predetermined range. Item 11. The inkjet printer according to any one of Items 10 to 10.   The negative pressure maintaining device has a capacity variable ink storage section whose capacity is variable according to the amount of the stored ink, and moves in accordance with a change in the capacity of the capacity variable ink storage section. A pressure receiving plate that receives atmospheric pressure, and a pressure receiving valve that introduces the ink into the capacity variable ink reservoir by being pressed by the pressure receiving plate,
  The inkjet printer according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate ink container includes the variable capacity ink storage unit.   The intermediate device includes a negative pressure ink container that is disposed downstream of the negative pressure maintaining device in the ink flow path and stores the ink.
  13. The negative pressure ink container includes a negative pressure container agitation member that is a member for agitating the ink by an inertial force accompanying the movement of the carriage. inkjet printer.

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