JPS58194558A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to adjust ink pressure to predetermined pressure, in an ink jet printer, by enabling the adjustment in the position of an ink liquid level in an ink tank with respect to a recording head by the height adjusting means of the ink tank. CONSTITUTION:Each color ink E in each main tanks 21Y-21BK is emitted corresponding to a drive pulse from the nozzle of a recording head 7 through a communication pipe 22, a sub-tank 12 and an ink supply pipe 11. Because the supply of the ink at this time is carried out by siphon effect, it is necessary to hold the liquid level height of each main tank 21 to a lower position only over a distance D from the lowermost position of the nozzle in order to succeed predetermined ink supply pressure. In addition, because the ink is different in the using amount thereof every each color while large difference is generated in emitting pressure in this state and faithful color tone is not obtained, the position of each angle 24 is adjusted to uniformly align the liquid level heights of each main tanks 21Y-21BK to a position D. By this method, an image with good quality can be easily obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a recording device, and is particularly suitable for inkjet printers equipped with multi-nozzle heads and ink tanks.

An example of such an ink jet printer is one having a configuration as shown in FIG. 7, for example. Here, / is the recording paper, C is the paper feed roller that sends the recording paper l in the sub-scanning direction, J is the paper feed pulse motor that drives the paper feed roller, and the guide roller that forms the paper sheet and tFi distribution sheet o4 There are three color recording heads 7y, 7M, 7C and ? This is a carriage on which BK (i group number is 7) is mounted, and is driven by a head feed pulse motor via a timing belt tt, and reciprocates in the main scanning direction along a guide rail 10. An ink supply vibrator that supplies ink every ~78 seconds, /aY,
nM.

/C and /28K (general number is l) are ink tanks for yellow Y1 magenta M, cyan C and black BK, and communicate with the heads 7Y to 7BKVc via pipe l/. /, 7i;i This is a flexible/pull printed wiring board that supplies drive pulses to each nozzle in each head Y to 7BK.

? Y, 7M, 7C and 7BK Fi Yellow Y1 Magenta M1 Cyan C and Black BK respectively
This is a multi-nozzle inkjet head for use in a multi-nozzle inkjet head, and each head has a large number of nozzles arranged in a straight line in the sub-scanning direction at an interval (pitch) of, for example, t/ll, and the nozzles are supplied through each flexible printed wiring board/31. Ink of each color is ejected from the nozzle toward the recording paper by the driving pulse. This ink ejection method involves, for example, embedding a maturing particle in the nozzle and generating bubbles (
A bubble jet method or the like is used in which ink droplets are ejected using air bubbles.

A recording device having a multi-nozzle head as described above can perform stroke recording at a much higher speed than a recording device having a single or a small number of nozzles.
Since the diameter of each nozzle (ejection port) of the recording head is extremely small, the nozzles are easily clogged due to impurities in the ink, dryness, paper powder, and dust in the air. Since it has a nozzle, it is difficult to clean it and restore its mechanism function. In addition, in the above-mentioned color printing apparatus, the usage amount of each color ink is fLJ! depending on the form of the printed image. As a result, the g-planes of each ink tank saw are uneven, which causes the ink pressure to fluctuate and degrade image quality.
Since the ink tank 1- requires a considerable volume, it becomes an obstacle to effective use of space, and the overall size of the device cannot be sufficiently miniaturized.

In view of the above points, the present invention provides a means for adjusting the height of an ink tank that supplies ink to a recording head, and improves image quality by making it possible to adjust the height of the liquid level relative to the recording head. The object of the present invention is to provide a recording device at which

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figure #J.

Incidentally, parts common to those of the conventional device shown in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Figures 1 to 1 show an example of the configuration of the recording device of the present invention, where Ko/ is a main tank provided with IIIK facing the sub-tank /- with the carriage 4 in between, and both tanks Co/ and / This is a flexible communication pipe Q as shown in Figure 5.
They communicate with each other at the bottom via 2i. n is an air hole penetrating the ceiling of tanks l and/or. 2 Da is a liquid level adjustment means (which adjusts the height of each sub-tank λ/)
level adjustment mechanism) and an angle of an inverted character at 17, as shown in Figure 1. A fixed guide is set up for you on the fixed board.
6, and fix it at the desired height using the locking screw 7. A is a locking screw mounting plate which holds a part of each guide #l and is fixed integrally with the fixing plate J. In addition, a translucent plate-mounted liquid level inspection hole was installed on the back of each main tank to allow the liquid level to be detected. It is preferable to provide an indicator means for indicating the liquid level position of the KWr foot.In this case, the indicator means may be a thin string with one end fixed.In addition, each main tank 2/ is attached above the base as described above. A head cleaner 0 31, which is installed nearby through an angle or the like, is a head cleaner that comes into contact with the nozzle (jet port) of each recording head, cleans the nozzle, eliminates clogging, and restores ink ejection characteristics. Consists of a porous flat plate with good absorbency. J is a supporter (cleaner holder) to which each head cleaner 3/ is attached interchangeably, and as shown in Fig. 7, it has a fall prevention plate 33 at the top of the front, a stop plate 3411 at the bottom, side braces A3s on both sides and the back. It has a face plate J6 and t. It is a leaf spring whose bent top part is fixed to the center of the bald area on the back side of the J7Fi supporter 3-, and is attached to the base via the guide screw 31 and the fixed screw 3. Therefore, each head cleaner Jl
#'i Same base 4R) K 0 plate that can be installed via 3 supports etc. J? As shown in FIG.
Long hole 4 when pressed between! The head cleaner 37, which is in contact with the recording head 7, is moved relatively upward by a distance t via the three sabots. O Head cleaner J/f Base holder to move in the direction of the recording head 7 O Fi, 'IN - As shown in the figure, the recording paper l
One side elevation 1 of both ends of carriage A after passing 1 ft.
Or, Of2 and phantom placed on both the left and right sides are slide shafts (guide shafts) that guide the movement of the base with a rectangular cross-section. The pair of leg images provided engage with the slide-1 supporter S, and the other slide m4', 7 is provided on the opposite side of the base of the base θ and supports the lower surface of the slider from below. The Oge 7 that can be freely detached and slid into contact with the base q0 is a return spring that pulls the base q0 back to its original position when it is tilted in the direction of the arrow A. , and the other end is fixed to a predetermined stationary point (fixed point).What is an L-shaped rotation stopper that regulates the inclination of the base lIO, one end of which is fixed to the bottom of the base lθ, and the other end is fixed to the bottom of the base lθ. is bent below the slide LFIII3 and comes into contact with the slide @4I3 to limit the inclination of the base QO when a certain platform is tilted slightly above the WR foot angle.

&/Vi This is a bottle protruding from the lower surface of the leg IItI of the base qo, and it slides by engaging with the spiral groove j3 of the groove cam +1#ll.

At the center of the slotted camshaft 5λ, a fixing screw &
CJl (under CJl, referred to as a stopper), and the movement of the bin j/ in the direction of the recording head @? 1- At the same time as limiting, the 91st Shi) shows ↓Uni@+! Rotate in the direction of arrow B together with r
Move the slide using the slide as a fulcrum.
As a result, the base 110f is moved in the direction of arrow A as shown by the arrowhead in Figure q. S6 is a speed reducer! ? , pulley S
g, through belt S9 and pulley 1,0'ff weft cam shaft JLQ - forward/reverse and stop F, freely driven motor, A/ is groove cam @1.1! The manual knob (handle) connected to - and bundled 1 is provided parallel to the groove cam @j and is arranged almost at right angles to the moving direction (main scanning direction) K of the carriage base. so that the nozzles of each recording head and the head cleaner 3/are brought into contact with each other in parallel. The grooved cam shaft J is rotatably supported by a fixed plate and a sliding shaft via a pair of bearings. The fixed plate 8 and 63 are fixed in contact with each other.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be observed with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

At the time of recording head cleaning, the carriage 6t is moved to the end of a certain line eight times and stopped at a position where each nozzle of the recording head on the carriage P faces each head cleaner J/ which is a recovery system. Next, the grooved cam shaft j- is rotated by driving the first motor j6 or turning the knob 6/ by hand. When the grooved cam shaft j- rotates in the direction of arrow B,
slide the mksS3 on the camshaft j, and the bottle j/
Through f, the base moves in a direction approaching the recording head 7 along the slide ° axis and is brought into contact with the head cleaner J/l- the recording head 7. Furthermore, move the base 1I0t-recording head IIIK and release the leaf spring J? t-press to move the apex C vertically upward (see Figure 3 and ht (B)
(see l). Therefore, while being pressed against the nozzle (ink ejecting part) of the recording head of the head cleaner 37, the ink is rubbed upward along the nozzle surface. At this time, since the head cleaner 3/Fi uses a porous member with good ink absorption properties, the nozzles of the head 7 can be cleaned well and clogging can be eliminated.

Then, the bin j/ is still in contact with the stopper sy, and the stopper 1
4I is integrated with the structure cam shaft S in the direction of arrow B (see the figure)
When it rotates K, it engages with one end of the notch in the stopper wheel of the bin j/fi, so the base qO rotates in the direction of arrow A using the slide shaft dowel as a fulcrum via the bin j/i (see Figure 1). reference). First, the head cleaner 3i#i is twisted at a predetermined angle relative to the nozzle 9 of the recording head. In this way, apply the head cleaner 3/ to the nozzle and then
Since cleaning and mechanism recovery are performed by moving several directions in the same direction, more complete leaning can be obtained.If you stop the 0th order 1st motor j≦ and turn the 1st order knob 41 rotation kf,
The base plate returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the spring 7, and the slider 'IA is seated on the x5 side axis. Subsequently, the motor 1tA-i is rotated in the opposite direction to remove the head cleaner J/ from the recording head and return it to the initial position. It is also suitable to repeat the above cleaning operation multiple times depending on the degree of clogging DK of the nozzle. In addition, Stotsuba j
Instead of /, there is a microswitch (not shown) that detects the moving position of one unit or the bottle S/, and a plunger (not shown) that extends upward in response to the detection signal of the microswitch.
and is placed below the base tio near the plunger T slider 6, and when the base Q reaches a predetermined position, the plunger 1 is driven to rotate the base in the direction of the arrow A. Let me help you stutter. Furthermore, it is also preferable to apply vibrations such as ultra-f wave vibrations to the head cleaner 3/.

Also, when replacing the head cleaner 31' which is a cleaning member, remove the head cleaner 3/'J1 from the Zabota 3 and insert the new head cleaner J/ into the removed part.The replacement work is completed. do. In this way, since it has the supporter 3λ that allows the head cleaner 3/ to be freely replaced, it is extremely easy to replace it with a new head cleaner J/, which simplifies maintenance work. Therefore, it is always in the best condition. Cleaning work can be done using the Herad Cleaner 3/, and optimal nozzle function can be maintained. Furthermore, since a plurality of head cleaners J/ are mounted on the same base, the mechanism is simple and the head cleaning work can be done with the same drive source, making the work easier. .

The head cleaning mechanism (recovery system) of the present invention described above
? tl)ij They can be provided at the left and right ends of the yarn in the K1 scanning direction as shown in the figure. When a plurality of head cleaning mechanisms 70 are provided in this way, the head cleaning operation can be continued even if seven of the head cleaners J/ become unusable, and a new head cleaner J/ can be replaced in the meantime. dance

Therefore, maintenance and inspection work becomes easy, and there is no need to interrupt printing work for a long time to replace the head cleaner 3/. In addition, there is no need to return the carriage 4 to the position of the head cleaning mechanism 7o in the head cleaning mechanism 7o before performing the head cleaning operation. Because the mechanism θ can be used, head cleaning time can be shortened. Furthermore, the characteristics of the blade cleaner 3/ of the mechanism 70 on the right and the characteristics of the blade cleaner J/ of the mechanism 7o on the left For example, one cleaner 3/#i has relatively good ink absorption, and the other cleaner, yi (6) has relatively poor ink absorption. Therefore, more appropriate leaning can be performed in response to nozzle clogging.

In addition to timing the cleaning of the recording head 7 when the nozzles are clogged, it is also suitable to perform the cleaning automatically from time to time or when the power is turned on.

It is also possible to provide a plurality of head cleaning mechanisms oVi on the same side in the same direction of rotation.

Next, points regarding Ink Tank Co./and/2 will be described. Ink Eu communication tube in each main tank/
through each corresponding sub-tank l-internal pressure entry,
The ink E is supplied to the recording head 7 through the ink supply pipe // and is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head in response to drive pulses. At this time, since the supply of ink E is mainly performed by the siphon effect, It is necessary to maintain the liquid level in each main tank at a predetermined distance downward from the lowest nozzle position, which corresponds to the lowest surface of the recording head. Since the amount used is different for each color, if you continue printing, the liquid level in each main tank will become uneven through the sub tank saw.
If you leave it as it is, each head will be 7Y.

There will be a large difference in the ink ejection pressure between 7M and 27BK, making it impossible to obtain a faithful color tone, but by adjusting the position of the angle evaluation, the liquid in each main tank 1 will be adjusted as shown in Figure 6. Such inconvenience can be easily solved by aligning the height of the surface to a predetermined liquid level position.

In addition, since a means for adjusting the height of the ink liquid level is provided to adjust the position of the liquid level with respect to the recording head, the ink pressure can be kept constant without replenishing ink. Medium image quality can be easily obtained at all times.Furthermore, the ink tanks are placed in 9 locations near the head cleaning mechanism, which is the recovery system, so space can be used effectively and the recording speed can be improved. Not only can the entire device be made smaller, but the number of parts required for supporting the ink tank can also be significantly reduced. Furthermore, since the head cleaning mechanism 2θ and the ink tank λ/ are located close to each other, there is an advantage that only one inspection port is required for maintenance and inspection.

In addition, since the head cleaning mechanism O generates vibrations during operation, it is possible to obtain a stirring effect by applying vibrations to the pigment-type ink inside the ink tank 12. Ink tank -/'f:
Provided, both tanks/K and K/L respectively J carriage A
Since they are placed on separate sides between the two tanks, and the two tanks are connected through two communication pipes, the volume of one of the sub-tanks, 2, can be reduced, and the sub-tank no. Since there are no restrictions on the location of the ink supply pipe, the ink supply pipe itself can be freely drawn. Furthermore, since the number of ink tanks increases, the overall ink storage capacity also increases. Since the sub-tank L- is fixed and the height of one of the main tanks can be adjusted, the liquid level of the sub-tank/2 can be adjusted freely, and the ink liquid pressure can be adjusted.
4 adjustment becomes easy.

It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a monochrome recording device. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to multi-nozzle inkjet printers.

As explained above, since the present invention is provided with means for adjusting the height of the ink tank that supplies ink to the t#iE recording head, it is possible to easily adjust the ink pressure tube to a predetermined pressure for the recording head. It is possible to improve the image quality.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional device, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a screen 8I of the recording device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing a detailed view of the main part of FIG. Figure 1 is the 3rd figure.
Figure 5 is a front view showing details of the main parts of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a right side view showing the main parts of Figure 3, and Figure 7 is a front view showing the main parts of Figure 1. FIGS. 1A and 3B are perspective views showing the plate ridge portions in FIGS. 1 and 3, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the stopper portion in FIG. L... Recording paper, C... Paper feed roller,
J...Paper feed repulse motor, Tei! ...Guide roller, 6...Carriage, γ,
(RiY, 7M, RiC, ?BK)...
・Record herad! ...Tie ink belt, De...Pulse motor for sending the head, 10...Guide rail, ll...Ink supply pipe, lco, (/2Y, 72M, /2C, 72BK
)...Ink tank (sub tank). 13...Flexible printed wiring board, here...main tank (ink tank), here...communicating pipe, n...air hole, comment...angle,
O...fixing plate, roller...guide ° groove, -7
...Lock screw (12t...Plate with plate, 3/...Head cleaner, 3 pieces...Supporter,
33...@n rL J6 plate, 3q...removal stop plate, Jj...side stopper, 36...rear plate, Jri...leaf spring, 3g...guide screw, J de・・・Fixing screw, daO...base,
Rooftop, long hole, 412, 41. ? ...Slide shaft, pot...leg, 4IS...slide bearing, 6...slider, ge7...spring,
What...rotation stopper...pin jJ
...Groove cam shaft, jJ...Spiral groove, S41...Stopper, jj...Fixing screw, kA...Motor, j7...
...Reducer, sr...1-ri, j9...
Belt, 6θ...pulley, 6/...knob,
4-...Bearing, A3...Fixed foot plate, Sha...Stay, 7θ...Head cleaning mechanism 0 Fig. 4 Fig. 3 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 1 Fig. 8 (A) <8 )

Claims (1)

[Claims] 4IIIi. A printing apparatus according to item 4IIIi, further comprising means for adjusting the height of an ink tank for supplying ink to a printing head, and a position t of an ink liquid level in the ink tank relative to the printing head can be adjusted by a wrinkle means.