Liquid discharge apparatus and control method of liquid discharge apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a liquid discharge device capable of removing air in a liquid storage portion while suppressing an increase in size of the liquid discharge device, and a control method of the liquid discharge device. The liquid discharge device includes: a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage portion that has a storage chamber capable of storing liquid supplied from a liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head; a carriage that is capable of mounting the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage portion and moves back and forth in a scanning direction (X); a discharge flow path (F1, F2) that is capable of discharging air in an upper portion of the storage chamber; a connection portion (91) that is capable of being connected and separated with respect to a connected portion (71) of the discharge flow path (F1, F2); and a negative pressure generation portion that causes negative pressure to act on the connection portion (91). The connection portion (91) is connected with the connected portion (71) of the discharge flow path (F1, F2) by the carriage moving to a predetermined position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device having a carriage equipped with a liquid ejection head and a liquid storage section, and a control method for the liquid ejection device. Background Technology

[0002] As an example of a liquid ejection device, an inkjet printer is known to eject ink (liquid) supplied from a liquid supply source such as an ink tank from a liquid ejection head onto a medium such as paper to perform printing. In such printers, a liquid storage unit is sometimes mounted on a carriage, which stores the liquid such as ink supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid ejection head at the midway point of the supply channel (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] For example, the liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1 has a liquid ejection head and a buffer tank (an example of a liquid storage section) mounted on a slide that moves back and forth. The liquid ejection device is configured to use a pump to draw air bubbles from the bubble storage chamber of the buffer tank to the outlet of the discharge channel via an exhaust cover.

[0004] However, in the liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1, since the outlet of the air bubble needs to be located next to the nozzle surface of the recording head, there is a problem that the bottom area of ​​the carriage becomes larger, which leads to an increase in the size of the liquid ejection device.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-179661 Summary of the Invention

[0006] A liquid ejection device for solving the above-mentioned problems includes: a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage section having a storage chamber for storing the liquid supplied from a liquid supply source to the liquid ejection head; a carriage that carries the liquid ejection head and the liquid storage section and can reciprocate in a scanning direction; a discharge channel that can discharge air from the upper part of the storage chamber; a connecting section that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge channel; and a negative pressure generating section that applies negative pressure to the connecting section and moves the carriage to a predetermined position, thereby connecting the connecting section to the connected portion of the discharge channel.

[0007] A liquid ejection device for solving the above-mentioned problems includes: a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage section having a storage chamber for storing the liquid supplied from a liquid supply source to the liquid ejection head; a carriage capable of carrying the liquid ejection head and the liquid storage section and reciprocating in a scanning direction; a filter disposed upstream of the storage chamber in the liquid storage section and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source; and a discharge channel including a first discharge channel and a second discharge channel, wherein the first discharge channel... The flow channel is capable of discharging air from the upper part of the storage chamber, and the second discharge flow channel is capable of discharging air from at least one of the upper part of the filter chamber in the liquid storage section that houses the filter and the upstream flow channel in the liquid storage section located upstream of the filter in the liquid supply direction; a connecting part that can be connected and separated relative to the connected part of the discharge flow channel; and a negative pressure generating part that applies negative pressure to the connecting part and moves it to a predetermined position via the slide, thereby connecting the connecting part to the connected part of the discharge flow channel.

[0008] In the control method for the liquid ejection device that solves the above-mentioned problem, the liquid ejection device includes: a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage section having a storage chamber for storing the liquid supplied from a liquid supply source to the liquid ejection head; a carriage capable of carrying the liquid ejection head and the liquid storage section and reciprocating in a scanning direction; a discharge channel capable of discharging air from the upper part of the storage chamber; a first opening and closing section capable of opening and closing the discharge channel; a pressing section capable of moving in a direction that opens and closes the first opening and closing section; a lever that moves the pressing section in a manner linked to the movement of the carriage; and an on / off valve provided in the discharge channel. The liquid ejection device includes a connecting part that can open and close the discharge channel; a connecting part that can be connected and separated relative to the connected part of the discharge channel; and a negative pressure generating part that applies negative pressure to the connecting part. The control method of the liquid ejection device includes: moving the slide to a pre-determined position to open the opening / closing valve using the connecting part, and connecting the connecting part to the connected part of the discharge channel; moving the slide to the pre-determined position to move the rod in the direction of pressing the pressing part to open the first opening / closing part; and applying negative pressure to the connecting part using the negative pressure generating part to draw air from the storage chamber via the discharge channel.

[0009] In the control method for the liquid ejection device that solves the above-mentioned problem, the liquid ejection device includes: a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage section having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from a liquid supply source to the liquid ejection head; a carriage capable of carrying the liquid ejection head and the liquid storage section and reciprocating in a scanning direction; a filter disposed upstream of the storage chamber in the liquid storage section and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source; and a discharge channel including a first discharge channel and a second discharge channel, the first discharge channel being capable of discharging air from the upper part of the storage chamber, and the second discharge channel being capable of discharging the filter contained in the liquid storage section. The control method of the liquid ejection device includes: connecting the connecting part to the connected part of the discharge channel by moving the carriage to a predetermined position; using the negative pressure generating part to apply negative pressure to the connecting part, thereby drawing air from the storage chamber via the first discharge channel, and drawing air from the upper part of the filter chamber and at least one of the upstream channels via the second discharge channel. The device also includes: a connection part capable of being connected and disconnected relative to a connected part of the discharge channel; and a negative pressure generating part that applies negative pressure to the connecting part, thereby drawing air from the storage chamber via the first discharge channel and drawing air from the upper part of the filter chamber and at least one of the upstream channels via the second discharge channel. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a composite machine equipped with the liquid ejection device of the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 A schematic side sectional view showing the liquid ejection device.

[0012] Figure 3 A schematic main sectional view showing the liquid ejection device.

[0013] Figure 4 A perspective view showing a carriage equipped with a liquid storage unit and a liquid ejector head.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the first side of the liquid storage section.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the second side of the liquid storage section.

[0016] Figure 7 Liquid storage section in closed valve state Figure 6 Sectional view along line F7-F7 in the image.

[0017] Figure 8For the liquid storage section in the open valve state Figure 6 Sectional view along line F7-F7 in the image.

[0018] Figure 9 A three-dimensional diagram showing the bubble ejection mechanism.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a top sectional view showing the bubble discharge mechanism.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view showing the non-connected state of the connected part and the connecting part in the bubble discharge mechanism.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection state between the connected part and the connecting part in the bubble discharge mechanism.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a top view of the bubble discharge mechanism when it is not connected.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a top view of the bubble discharge mechanism in its first connected state.

[0024] Figure 15 This is a top view of the bubble discharge mechanism in its second connection state.

[0025] Figure 16 This is the front view of the bubble discharge mechanism when it is in an unconnected state.

[0026] Figure 17 This is a front view of the bubble discharge mechanism in its first connected state.

[0027] Figure 18 This is a front view of the bubble discharge mechanism in its second connection state.

[0028] Figure 19 This is a bottom sectional view of the bubble discharge mechanism when it is in an unconnected state.

[0029] Figure 20 This is a bottom sectional view of the bubble discharge mechanism in its first connected state.

[0030] Figure 21 This is a bottom sectional view of the bubble discharge mechanism in its second connection state.

[0031] Figure 22 This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic structure of a liquid ejection device having a liquid ejection head as a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 23 This is a three-dimensional view of the valve unit as seen from the supply chamber side.

[0033] Figure 24 This is a three-dimensional view of the valve unit as seen from the pressure chamber side.

[0034] Figure 25 This is a side view of the valve unit as seen from the supply chamber side.

[0035] Figure 26 This is an enlarged view showing the supply chamber of the valve unit.

[0036] Figure 27 This is a side view of the valve unit as seen from the pressure chamber side.

[0037] Figure 28 To indicate Figure 27 The diagram shows a sectional view of section VII-VII of the valve unit with the valve in the closed state.

[0038] Figure 29 This is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of a valve unit showing the valve in the closed state.

[0039] Figure 30 This is a cross-sectional view of a valve unit showing the valve in the open position.

[0040] Figure 31 This is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of a valve unit showing the valve in the open state. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the liquid ejection device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that prints (records) characters, images, etc., on a medium by ejecting liquid such as ink onto a medium such as paper.

[0042] First Implementation Method

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the multifunction printer 11 includes a liquid dispensing device 12 and an image reading device 13 disposed on the liquid dispensing device 12. The multifunction printer 11 is generally rectangular in shape as a whole, with the image reading device 13 covering the upper side of the liquid dispensing device 12.

[0044] exist Figure 1In this embodiment, the multifunction printer 11 is a device placed on a horizontal plane. The Z-axis represents the direction of gravity, and the X-axis and Y-axis represent directions perpendicular to the horizontal plane relative to the direction of gravity. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis intersect each other (orthogonal in this embodiment). In the following description, the direction along the X-axis is defined as the scanning direction X, the direction along the Y-axis is defined as the transport direction Y, and the direction along the Z-axis is defined as the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the direction pointed to by the arrow mark on the X-axis in the scanning direction X is called the +X direction, and its opposite direction is called the -X direction. Similarly, the direction pointed to by the arrow mark on the Y-axis in the transport direction Y is called the +Y direction, and its opposite direction is called the -Y direction. The +X direction side is also referred to as the left side, and the -X direction side as the right side. Additionally, the +Y direction side is also referred to as the front side, and the -Y direction side as the rear side.

[0045] An operation panel 17 is provided on the front surface of the liquid dispensing device 12. This operation panel 17 has operation sections 15, such as buttons, for performing various operations on the multifunction printer 11, and a display section 16 for displaying information about the liquid dispensing device 12 and the multifunction printer 11. Additionally, a holding section 19 is provided on the right side of the operation panel 17, which holds at least one (five in this embodiment) liquid supply source 18. The holding section 19 forms part of the housing 20 and houses at least one liquid supply source 18 inside it. At least one (five in this embodiment) window section 21 is formed on the holding section 19 in a manner corresponding to each liquid supply source 18.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid supply source 18 has a storage chamber 22 capable of holding the liquid. Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the example shown, there are multiple liquid supply sources 18, and different types of liquids are stored in the storage chambers 22. Liquids of different colors, such as blue-green, magenta, yellow, and black, are stored in the multiple storage chambers 22. In this embodiment, as... Figure 1 As shown, one liquid supply source 18 for black is provided on the side of the operation panel 17, which has a larger capacity, and three liquid supply sources 18 for color are provided, which have a smaller capacity compared to black.

[0047] The liquid supply source 18 is a transparent or translucent resin product, and the liquid level within the storage chamber 22 can be visually confirmed from the outside. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in the liquid supply source 18, the area corresponding to the window 21 functions as a visual inspection surface 23, allowing for visual inspection of liquids such as ink within the storage chamber 22 from the outside. Figure 2As shown, the visual confirmation surface 23 is provided with a lower limit scale 24 indicating the reference for replenishing liquid to the storage chamber 22, and an upper limit scale 25 indicating the reference for the upper limit of liquid that can be stored in the storage chamber 22. The liquid supply source 18 has a front wall 18a constituting the visual confirmation surface 23, and an upper wall 18b and a lower wall 18c intersecting the front wall 18a.

[0048] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the liquid ejection device 12 includes: a liquid ejection head 30, which ejects liquid from a nozzle 31; a liquid storage unit 50, which has a storage chamber 51 for storing liquid supplied from a liquid supply source 18 to the liquid ejection head 30; and a carriage 33, which carries the liquid ejection head 30 and the liquid storage unit 50 and moves back and forth in the scanning direction X. The liquid ejection head 30 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "ejection head 30") moves towards the medium M (refer to...) Figure 3 The liquid is sprayed out and adhered to the medium M for printing.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid ejection device 12 includes a liquid supply device 26 that supplies liquid from a liquid supply source 18 to an ejection head 30, and a maintenance device 40 that maintains the ejection head 30.

[0050] The maintenance device 40 includes a cover 41 that is movable relative to the nozzle 30, and a discharge pipe 42 connected to the cover 41. The cover 41 is located below the nozzle 30. Therefore, the cover 41 can contain liquid sprayed from the nozzle 31 for maintenance and liquid discharged from the nozzle 31.

[0051] The cover 41 is configured to move between a retracted position and a closed position, wherein the retracted position is a position away from the nozzle 30, and the closed position is a position in contact with the nozzle surface 30A, the opening of the nozzle 31 of the nozzle 30. When the cover 41 is in the closed position, a closed space is formed between the cover 41 and the nozzle surface 30A, forming the opening of the nozzle 31. The cover 41 is capable of forming a closed space for the opening of the nozzle 31.

[0052] The maintenance device 40 includes a suction pump 45 located midway along the discharge pipe 42. The liquid ejection device 12 includes a waste liquid collection section 47 connected to the downstream end of the discharge pipe 46 extending from the suction pump 45 of the maintenance device 40. The maintenance device 40 drives the suction pump 45 while the cover 41 is separated from the nozzle 30, thereby transporting the liquid contained in the cover 41 to the waste liquid collection section 47.

[0053] Furthermore, while the nozzle 30 is capped, the maintenance device 40 drives the suction pump 45, thereby reducing the pressure in the enclosed space formed between the cap 41 and the nozzle surface 30A. As a result, the maintenance device 40 discharges foreign matter such as air bubbles in the liquid inside the nozzle 30 along with the liquid from the nozzle 31 and transports it to the waste liquid collection section 47.

[0054] Next, the liquid supply device 26 will be described.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, although multiple liquid supply devices 26 are provided individually corresponding to the liquid supply source 18 (four in this embodiment), in Figure 2 For the sake of simplicity in the accompanying drawings, a liquid supply source 18 and a liquid supply device 26 corresponding to the liquid supply source 18 are shown. Since the structures of the multiple liquid supply devices 26 are substantially the same, only one liquid supply device 26 will be described, and the descriptions of the other liquid supply devices 26 will be omitted.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid supply device 26 includes a liquid supply channel 27 and the aforementioned liquid storage unit 50. The liquid supply channel 27 supplies liquid contained in the liquid supply source 18 to the nozzle 30. The liquid storage unit 50 is located midway through the liquid supply channel 27 and is capable of storing the liquid. The liquid storage unit 50 is mounted on a carriage 33 and reciprocates in the scanning direction X as the carriage 33 moves. The liquid storage unit 50 stores liquid, and the volume of the stored liquid changes according to changes in liquid pressure.

[0057] The liquid supply channel 27 can be a channel formed by a flexible, deformable tube or a channel formed by a flow channel forming component made of a rigid resin material. Alternatively, the liquid supply channel 27 can be a channel formed by attaching a thin film component to a flow channel forming component with grooves.

[0058] The liquid supply channel 27 includes a first supply channel 27a, which is located upstream of the liquid storage section 50, and a second supply channel 27b, which is located downstream of the liquid storage section 50. The liquid supply device 26 includes a supply pipe 28 that connects the liquid storage section 50 and the liquid supply source 18. The first supply channel 27a is formed within the supply pipe 28. The second supply channel 27b is provided on the carriage 33 and transports liquid from the liquid storage section 50 to the nozzle 30.

[0059] like Figure 2As shown, the liquid storage section 50 is located above the nozzle 30 and the liquid supply source 18, and at least a portion of the liquid supply source 18 is located below the nozzle 30. That is, the nozzle 30 is located between the liquid storage section 50 and the liquid supply source 18 in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the positional relationship of the liquid storage section 50, the nozzle 30, and the liquid supply source 18 in the vertical direction Z can be arbitrarily set as long as the structure allows liquid to be ejected from the nozzle 31 of the nozzle 30 during ejection and does not leak liquid from the nozzle 31 of the nozzle 30 during non-ejection periods such as standby.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, a bubble discharge mechanism BS is mounted on the carriage 33, capable of discharging air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51 of the liquid storage section 50. The bubble discharge mechanism BS has a discharge channel F communicating with the upper part of the storage chamber 51 (see reference). Figure 5 The connected part 71 (refer to) Figure 9 The liquid ejection device 12 includes a connecting portion 91 that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion 71 relative to the discharge channel F. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 12 includes a negative pressure generating portion 97 (see reference 12) that applies negative pressure to the connecting portion 91. Figure 2 , Figure 3 The negative pressure generating part 97 is connected to the cover 41.

[0061] The bubble removal mechanism BS is configured to connect the connected part 71 and the connecting part 91 when the carriage 33 is in a predetermined position in the scanning direction X.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, the negative pressure generating unit 97 can also use the suction pump 45 of the maintenance device 40 as its negative pressure source. In this case, a switching valve 44 is provided midway through the discharge pipe 42, and the switching valve 44 is connected to the bubble discharge mechanism BS via the discharge pipe 96. The switching valve 44 is, for example, an electromagnetic switching valve, and the switching is controlled by the control unit 100. The switching valve 44 is configured to switch between a first switching position and a second switching position, wherein the first switching position is the position where the negative pressure from the suction pump 45 is introduced into the cover 41, and the second switching position is the position where the negative pressure from the suction pump 45 is introduced into the storage chamber 51 and the filter chamber 54 in the liquid storage unit 50 via the connection of the connecting part 91 and the connected part 71 of the bubble discharge mechanism BS.

[0063] Structure of the scanning system

[0064] Next, refer to Figure 3 The structure of the scanning system within the liquid ejection device 12 will be described.

[0065] like Figure 3As shown, the carriage 33 is configured to reciprocate along a scanning direction X parallel to the width direction X, which intersects the transport direction Y in which the medium M is transported. The carriage 33 is configured to reciprocate along a guide rail 34 in the scanning direction X. The guide rail 34 is, for example, formed as a track in part of a metal main frame, or constituted by a guide shaft that extends within the housing 20 along the scanning direction X.

[0066] Inside the housing 20, a carriage motor 35, serving as the drive source for the carriage 33, is positioned at one end of the movement path of the carriage 33. A seamless timing belt 38 is suspended between a drive pulley 36 fixed to the drive shaft of the carriage motor 35 and a driven pulley 37 located at the opposite end of the drive pulley in the scanning direction X. The carriage 33 is fixed to a portion of the timing belt 38. Therefore, when the carriage motor 35 is driven in a forward direction, the carriage 33 moves in the +X direction, and when the carriage motor 35 is driven in a reverse direction, the carriage 33 moves in the -X direction.

[0067] Furthermore, a linear encoder 39 extending along the movement path of the carriage 33 is disposed within the housing 20. The linear encoder 39 consists of a linear scale 39A and a sensor 39B. The linear scale 39A extends along the movement path of the carriage 33, and the sensor 39B is mounted on the carriage 33 in a manner capable of detecting light transmitted through a light-transmitting portion, which is formed on the linear scale 39A at fixed intervals. The sensor 39B detects the linear scale 39A and outputs an encoder signal, consisting of a number of pulse signals proportional to the movement distance of the carriage 33, to the control unit 100.

[0068] In addition, such as Figure 3As shown, a printhead 30 and a liquid storage unit 50 are mounted on a carriage 33. In this embodiment, multiple liquid storage units 50 are mounted on the carriage 33. The multiple liquid storage units 50 are mounted on the carriage 33 in an arrangement along the scanning direction X. Each of the multiple liquid storage units 50 has a supply pipe section 52 for supplying liquid. One end of a supply pipe 28 is connected to the supply pipe section 52 of each liquid storage unit 50, and multiple liquid supply sources 18 corresponding to each supply pipe section 52 are connected to the other end of the supply pipe 28. Therefore, liquids of various colors are supplied to the multiple liquid storage units 50 from the multiple liquid supply sources corresponding to them. In this example, blue-green, magenta, yellow, and black liquids (inks) are supplied to the multiple liquid storage units 50, respectively. The liquid in each liquid storage unit 50 is supplied to the printhead 30. Furthermore, each liquid storage unit 50 sets the pressure of the liquid stored in the storage chamber 51 within a predetermined range and supplies it to the nozzle 30. In other words, the liquid storage unit 50 functions as a pressure regulating valve to adjust the supplied liquid to a pressure within a predetermined range and supply it to the nozzle 30. The detailed structure of the liquid storage unit 50, which functions as this pressure regulating valve, will be described below.

[0069] Figure 3 The carriage 33 shown is in its initial position HP, which is the standby position when not printing. During printing, the medium M supplied from the cartridge is conveyed along the transport direction Y while supported by the support table 40 (e.g., an impression plate). The control unit 100 drives the carriage motor 35 to move the carriage 33 back and forth in the scanning direction X. Then, the nozzle 30 sprays liquid toward the medium M conveyed on the support table 48 while moving in the scanning direction X, thereby printing characters or images on the surface of the medium M.

[0070] Furthermore, within the housing 20, in the location Figure 3 A maintenance device 40 is positioned below the carriage 33 at the initial position HP. The maintenance device 40 includes a main body 40A and a cover 41, as described above, which is designed to be raised and lowered relative to the main body 40A. The cover 41 is... Figure 3 The solid line in the middle indicates the retreat position and is formed by... Figure 3The cap 41 rises and falls between the capping positions indicated by the double-dotted lines. When the cap 41 rises to the capping position, it abuts against the nozzle surface 30A of the nozzle 31 of the print head 30, thus forming a closed space between the nozzle surface 30A and the cap 41. When the suction pump 45 is driven, negative pressure is introduced into this closed space, forcibly drawing liquid out of the nozzle 31. At this time, foreign matter such as viscous ink, air bubbles, and paper dust is expelled from the nozzle 31 along with the liquid, preventing or eliminating clogging of the nozzle 31. Furthermore, by having the cap 41 rise to the capping position and abut against the nozzle surface 30A when the carriage 33 is in standby position HP during non-printing, the space communicating with the opening of the nozzle 31 is set as a closed space surrounded by the cap 41, thereby suppressing the evaporation of moisture from the liquid inside the nozzle 31. In addition, a humectant can be used to keep the inside of the cap 41 moist.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, the bubble removal mechanism BS has a connected portion 71 located on the side of the carriage 33 and a connecting portion 91 that can be connected to the connected portion 71 when the carriage 33 is in the bubble removal processing position. The connecting portion 91 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing 20 or to a side frame (not shown) inside the housing 20. The connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 are arranged opposite each other in the scanning direction X, which is the moving direction of the carriage 33.

[0072] The connecting portion 91 extends along the scanning direction X at a predetermined position. The connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F opens in the scanning direction X at a position opposite to the connecting portion 91. The predetermined position refers to the bubble discharge position P1.

[0073] As the carriage 33 moves to... Figure 3 During the process of bubble discharge from the initial position HP shown to the position on the -X direction side, which is an example of a predetermined position, the connected part 71 and the connecting part 91 are connected in stages. Detailed descriptions of the structure of the connected part 71 and the connecting part 91, as well as the connection process of being connected in stages, will be provided below.

[0074] Figure 4 This indicates that the carriage 33 is in the bubble discharge position P1. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the carriage 33 has a receiving recess 33A at its upper part, and a plurality of liquid storage units 50 are installed in the receiving recess 33A in a state arranged in the scanning direction X. With the plurality of liquid storage units 50 installed in the receiving recess 33A, each supply tube 52 protrudes outward from the carriage 33. Therefore, the end of the supply tube 28 can be connected to each supply tube 52. A guide member 33B is formed at the front of the carriage 33, which guides the plurality of supply tubes 28 connected to each supply tube 52 along a predetermined guide path.

[0075] Furthermore, when carriage 33 is in Figure 4 When the bubble is at position P1, it is connected by connection part 71 and connection part 91. In this connected state, negative pressure is introduced into the upper part of the storage chamber 51 in the liquid storage section 50 via the discharge pipe 96 and the exhaust valve mechanism 70. If the bubble is in the upper part of the storage chamber 51, the bubble is removed by the introduced negative pressure and through the exhaust valve mechanism 70 and the discharge pipe 96.

[0076] Electrical structure of liquid ejection device

[0077] The control unit 100 obtains the position of the carriage 33 in the scanning direction X, i.e., the carriage position, based on the count value of the counter by counting the number of pulse edges of the encoder signal input from the linear encoder 39. The control unit 100 performs speed control and position control of the carriage 33 during movement based on the obtained carriage position.

[0078] When performing maintenance, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve 44 to the first switching position, thereby driving the suction pump 45. On the other hand, when performing bubble removal processing, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve 44 to the second switching position, drives the suction pump 45, and drives the carriage motor 35 to move the carriage 33 to the predetermined position where bubble removal processing is performed.

[0079] Here, the predetermined position can be either the standby position of the carriage 33 when it is not printing, i.e., the initial position HP, or a position different from the initial position HP. For example, the predetermined position can also be a position further towards the -X direction side compared to the initial position HP. With such a structure, it is possible to avoid performing air bubble removal processing every time the carriage 33 is in standby at the initial position HP. In addition, it is possible to avoid performing air bubble removal processing every time the carriage 33 is being maintained at the initial position HP.

[0080] Because bubble growth is very slow, the frequency of bubble removal processing can be lower than the maintenance frequency. When the frequency of bubble removal processing is too high, even though there are almost no bubbles, the suction force can affect the discharge channel F, causing unnecessary discharge of liquid (ink) from the liquid reservoir 50. To avoid this, bubble removal processing is performed at a lower frequency than the maintenance frequency. Therefore, the bubble removal processing position can be set at a location different from the maintenance position (e.g., the initial position HP) and at a location where the process will not be completed between the printing area and the maintenance position.

[0081] In addition, such as Figure 2As shown, the liquid ejection device 12 includes a control unit 100 that controls the overall operation of the multifunction printer 11. The control unit 100 controls the operation of reciprocating the carriage 33, the operation of conveying the medium M, the operation of ejecting liquid from the nozzle 31 through the ejector head 30, and the discharge operation (cleaning) of drawing liquid from the nozzle 31 to maintain normal printing.

[0082] Liquid storage section

[0083] Next, refer to Figures 5 to 8 The detailed structure of the liquid storage section 50 will be described below. Since the multiple liquid storage sections 50 have identical structures, only one liquid storage section 50 will be described below.

[0084] like Figure 5 As shown, the liquid storage unit 50 has a storage chamber 51 capable of storing liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid nozzle 30. The liquid storage unit 50 has a supply pipe 52 for supplying liquid from the liquid supply source 18 to the storage chamber 51. Furthermore, the liquid storage unit 50 has a discharge pipe 53 for discharging air bubbles from the storage chamber 51. In this example, the liquid storage unit 50 has the following characteristics as a storage chamber 51: Figure 6 Pressure chamber 55 is shown.

[0085] The liquid storage section 50 has a main body 50A and a pair of films 56 and 57. The main body 50A has a generally rectangular plate shape with a recess forming the inner wall surface of the storage chamber. The pair of films 56 and 57 are respectively fixed to a first surface, which is one side of the main body 50A, and a second surface, which is the other side. Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the liquid storage section 50 of this example has a plurality of discharge pipe sections 53. In addition, in the following text, one of the discharge pipe sections 53 will be referred to as the first discharge pipe section 53A, and the other discharge pipe section 53 will be referred to as the second discharge pipe section 53B.

[0086] In detail, such as Figure 5As shown, a recess forming part of the inner wall of the storage chamber 51 is recessed on the first surface of the main body 50A. By covering the opening of the recess with a first membrane 56, a filter chamber 54, a supply channel 58A communicating with the filter chamber 54, and a discharge channel 59 (also called "second discharge channel 59") are formed. The supply channel 58A communicates between the supply pipe 52 and the filter chamber 54. Furthermore, the second discharge channel 59 communicates between the filter chamber 54 and the first discharge pipe 53A (53). A filter FT is housed in the filter chamber 54. That is, the liquid ejection device 12 has a filter FT, which is provided upstream of the storage chamber 51 in the liquid storage section 50 and filters the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18. Furthermore, the liquid that has passed through the filter FT is supplied to the supply chamber 64 through the supply channel 58B communicating with the filter chamber 54 downstream. A pressure regulating mechanism 60 is provided in the supply chamber 64. In addition, the second discharge channel 59 discharges air bubbles trapped in the upper part of the filter chamber 54, as well as air bubbles trapped in the filter chamber 54 and in the portion of the supply channel 58A near the filter chamber 54, which is an example of an upstream channel connected to the upstream side.

[0087] Therefore, the opening at the end of the filter chamber 54 side in the discharge channel 59 is located at the part where bubbles are easily trapped. In this example, by introducing negative pressure from the negative pressure generating unit 97 (described later) into the first discharge pipe 53A, the bubbles trapped in the upper part of the filter chamber 54 are drawn out to the outside through the discharge channel 59.

[0088] The discharge channel F of this embodiment includes a first discharge channel 61 and a second discharge channel 59. The first discharge channel 61 can discharge air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51, and the second discharge channel 59 can discharge air from the upper part of the filter chamber 54 in the liquid storage section 50 that houses the filter FT and from at least one of the upstream channels in the liquid storage section 50 located upstream of the filter FT in the liquid supply direction.

[0089] In addition, such as Figure 6As shown, a recess forming part of the inner wall of the pressure chamber 55 is recessed on the second surface of the main body 50A. A second membrane 57 covers the opening of this recess, thereby forming the pressure chamber 55, a supply channel 51A communicating with the pressure chamber 55, and a discharge channel 61 (also referred to as the "first discharge channel 61") . A pressure plate 69 constituting the pressure regulating mechanism 60 is disposed within the pressure chamber 55. The supply channel 51A extends downward (in the direction of gravity) from the pressure chamber 55 and communicates with the supply port of the supply portion 50B protruding downward from the bottom of the main body 50A. Furthermore, the discharge channel 61 extends from the upper part of the pressure chamber 55 and communicates with the second discharge pipe portion 53B. The first discharge channel 61 discharges air bubbles trapped in the upper part of the pressure chamber 55.

[0090] Therefore, the opening at the end of the pressure chamber 55 side in the first discharge channel 61 is located at the part where bubbles are easily trapped. In this example, by introducing negative pressure from the negative pressure generating unit 97 (described later) into the second discharge pipe 53B, the bubbles trapped in the upper part of the pressure chamber 55 are drawn out to the outside through the first discharge channel 61.

[0091] Figure 5 The filter FT shown has multiple holes that act as eyes through which liquid can pass. The filter FT can be made of mesh-like materials such as metal mesh or resin mesh, porous materials, or metal plates formed with fine through-holes. Specific examples of mesh-like materials include metal mesh filters and metal fibers. Mesh filters are filters formed by braiding iron wire, and include plain weave, twill weave, flat weave of woven wire mesh, and twill weave of woven wire mesh.

[0092] Pressure regulating mechanism

[0093] Next, refer to Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The pressure regulating mechanism of the liquid storage section 50 will be explained.

[0094] like Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the liquid storage unit 50 is located in the middle of the liquid supply channel 27, and the pressure of the ink in the nozzle 31 is adjusted for each nozzle row (each color).

[0095] like Figure 7 As shown, the liquid storage unit 50 includes: a pressure chamber 55, which is partly composed of a movable wall 63 capable of displacement in a direction of changing volume; a supply chamber 64; a valve body 65; a first force-applying member 66, which applies force to the valve body 65 within the supply chamber 64; and a second force-applying member 67, which applies force to the movable wall 63 within the pressure chamber 55 toward the outside of the pressure chamber 55.

[0096] The pressure chamber 55 has an inlet hole 68 for the supplied ink to flow into, located at a different position from the movable wall 63, and a supply passage 51A communicating with the nozzle 31 via a common liquid chamber 32. The supply chamber 64 is communicating with the pressure chamber 55 via the inlet hole 68. The base end of the valve body 65 is disposed on the supply chamber 64, and the top end protrudes into the pressure chamber 55 through the inlet hole 68. Furthermore, the sealing portion 651 provided on the base end of the valve body 65 can block the inlet hole 68 at a blocked position. Figure 7 The location shown) and the opening position of the open inlet 68 ( Figure 8 In a state where it is displaced between the positions shown, it is forced toward the blockage position by the first force-applying member 66 housed in the supply chamber 64. In addition, one end of the second force-applying member 67 contacts the pressure plate 69 attached to the movable wall 63, and the other end is configured to surround the top of the valve body 65 protruding into the pressure chamber 55.

[0097] The valve body 65 of the liquid storage section 50 is forced by the first force-applying member 66 housed in the supply chamber 64, so that it will not move to the open position even if the pressure in the supply chamber 64 increases. On the other hand, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 becomes lower than the predetermined pressure due to the outflow of ink from the supply channel 51A, the movable wall 63 is displaced toward the inside of the pressure chamber 55, and the pressure plate 69 presses against the top of the valve body 65, thereby moving the valve body 65 to the open position. As a result, the ink in the supply chamber 64 flows into the pressure chamber 55 through the inlet hole 68, thereby increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 55.

[0098] Then, when the pressure inside the pressure chamber 55 increases, causing the movable wall 63 to displace outwards from the pressure chamber 55, and the pressure plate 69 moves away from the top of the valve body 65, the valve body 65 moves from the open position to the blocked position. Here, the second force-applying member 67 pushes the pressure plate 69 back away from the top of the valve body 65 as the pressure plate 69 approaches the top of the valve body 65.

[0099] Therefore, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 decreases and the pressure plate 69 presses against the top of the valve body 65 against the applied forces of the first force-applying member 66 and the second force-applying member 67, the valve body 65 moves to the open position. Furthermore, before the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 rises to a positive pressure due to the inflow of ink, the pressure plate 69 is pulled away from the valve body 65 by the applied force of the second force-applying member 67, thus maintaining the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 within a negative pressure range corresponding to the applied force of the second force-applying member 67.

[0100] Thus, the movement of the valve body 65 to the open position occurs due to the displacement of the movable wall 63. Then, the outer surface of the movable wall 63 opens to the atmosphere. Therefore, the movement of the valve body 65 to the open position is achieved by the differential pressure between atmospheric pressure and the pressure chamber 55. Thus, the pressure regulating mechanism 60 of the liquid storage section 50 can be called a differential pressure valve mechanism (or a self-sealing valve), and the autonomous pressure regulating function achieved by the differential pressure valve mechanism can be called a self-sealing function.

[0101] As described above, the liquid storage unit 50 can restrict the flow of ink supplied under pressure from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid nozzle 30, and can maintain the pressure of the ink at the downstream side where the flow is restricted within a predetermined negative pressure range.

[0102] That is, in the liquid storage section 50, when ink is ejected, the ink flows out from the supply channel 51A, causing the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 to decrease further compared to a predetermined pressure less than atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the movable wall 63, which displaces in the direction that reduces the volume of the pressure chamber 55, moves the valve body 65 to the open position. As a result, ink flows into the pressure chamber 55 from the inlet hole 68, causing the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 to rise. Moreover, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 becomes higher than the predetermined pressure less than atmospheric pressure due to the supply of ink, the valve body 65 again restricts the flow of ink from the upstream side.

[0103] Furthermore, when an external force is applied to the liquid nozzle 30, the impact may sometimes disrupt the meniscus formed in the nozzle 31, causing ink to leak out of the nozzle 31. To suppress such ink leakage, the liquid storage section 50 maintains a predetermined negative pressure in the pressure chamber 55 located upstream of the nozzle 31 by the force applied by the second force-applying member 67.

[0104] Furthermore, there are cases where air passing through the films 56 and 57 dissolves in the liquid (ink), or air passing through the supply pipe 28 dissolves in the liquid (ink) within the liquid supply channel 27. This dissolved air then grows into tiny bubbles over time, and these tiny bubbles further combine and grow significantly larger. Since bubbles of a certain size are lighter than liquid, they tend to remain trapped in the upper part of the liquid storage chamber 51, and in the portion of the flow channel upstream of and connected to the storage chamber 51 on the storage chamber 51 side. These trapped bubbles may sometimes flow out towards the liquid nozzle 30 due to impacts from external forces generated by the movement of the carriage 33, or due to suction during maintenance. For example, when the liquid (ink) in the nozzle 31 or the common liquid chamber 32 contains bubbles, the bubbles prevent the liquid from being properly ejected from the nozzle 31, thus increasing the frequency of ejection defects. Therefore, it is desirable that such bubbles be discharged from the storage chamber 51 using a different discharge path than nozzle 31.

[0105] Therefore, the liquid ejection device 12 of this embodiment is equipped with a bubble ejection mechanism BS for ejecting bubbles that remain in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 of the liquid storage section 50. The bubble ejection mechanism BS is a mechanism that draws out the bubbles that remain in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 by introducing negative pressure into the two discharge pipes 53 of the liquid storage section 50.

[0106] Structure of the bubble discharge mechanism

[0107] Next, refer to Figures 9 to 12 The detailed structure of the bubble discharge mechanism BS is explained.

[0108] Figure 9 The bubble discharge mechanism BS shown has a connected portion 71, which is located at the middle or end of the discharge channel F that discharges air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51. Furthermore, the connecting portion 91 can be connected to and disconnected from the connected portion 71. A negative pressure is applied to the connecting portion 91 by a negative pressure generating portion 97.

[0109] Figure 9 The bubble discharge mechanism BS shown is mounted on Figure 4 In the state shown on the carriage 33, it is connected to each discharge pipe 53 of the multiple liquid storage sections 50 through pipes or other conduits (not shown). The bubble discharge mechanism BS includes an exhaust valve mechanism 70 and a connecting mechanism 90. The exhaust valve mechanism 70 has multiple discharge channels F for discharging bubbles by drawing liquid containing bubbles from each discharge pipe 53 using negative pressure, and multiple opening and closing parts 81, 82 (see reference) respectively provided at the middle of the multiple discharge channels F. Figure 10 ).

[0110] The exhaust valve mechanism 70 includes a connected portion 71 that is connected to a connection portion 91 on the negative pressure supply side for introducing negative pressure into the discharge passage F. The connection mechanism 90 includes a connection portion 91 configured to connect to the connected portion 71. The exhaust valve mechanism 70 incorporates a multi-valve mechanism including multiple opening and closing portions 81, 82 (see reference). Figure 10 ).

[0111] The first opening / closing part 81 is configured to open and close the first discharge channel F1. The first opening / closing part 81 opens and closes the first discharge channel F1 in a manner linked to the movement of the carriage 33. Furthermore, the second opening / closing part 82 is configured to open and close the second discharge channel F2. The second opening / closing part 82 opens and closes the second discharge channel F2 in a manner linked to the movement of the carriage 33. Both the first opening / closing part 81 and the second opening / closing part 82 open and close the first discharge channel F1 and the second discharge channel F2 in a manner linked to the movement of the carriage 33.

[0112] The exhaust valve mechanism 70 includes: a mechanism body 72, which houses a multi-valve mechanism; a connected portion 71, fixed to one side in a width direction parallel to the scanning direction X of the mechanism body 72; and a rod 73 for driving the rod 73 of the multi-valve mechanism. The exhaust valve mechanism 70 has a pressed portion 75, which is a front surface of the mechanism body 72 with a portion of the diaphragm 74 exposed. The pressed portion 75 is provided to drive the multi-valve mechanism housed within the manifold discharge channel FC formed inside the diaphragm 74 from the outside via the diaphragm 74. Figure 10 As shown, the lever 73 is configured such that by pressing the center of the circular pressed part 75 with the drive part 73A at its top, it presses the pressed part 84 housed inside and displaces it, thereby causing the multi-valve mechanism to open the valves simultaneously.

[0113] Figure 9 , Figure 10 The connecting mechanism 90 shown is fixed to a side frame (not shown), which is disposed on or along the inner surface of the housing 20. In contrast, the venting valve mechanism 70 is mounted on a carriage 33 along with a plurality of liquid storage sections 50. Therefore, the venting valve mechanism 70 is movable relative to the connecting mechanism 90 in the scanning direction X of the carriage 33.

[0114] like Figure 9As shown, the lever 73 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis 76, which has a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction Z. At the end of the lever 73 opposite to the drive portion 73A and separated by the rotation axis 76, a engaging portion 73B is formed that can engage with a guide member 93 of the connecting mechanism 90. The guide member 93 has a guide surface 93A that engages with the engaging portion 73B of the lever 73, guiding the lever 73 to rotate through engagement with the engaging portion 73B. Furthermore, the engaging portion 73B of the lever 73 and the guide member 93 are arranged opposite each other in the scanning direction X.

[0115] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, a connection hole 71A with an axis parallel to the scanning direction X is provided on the connection portion 71. On the other hand, a needle-shaped connection nozzle 92, which can be inserted into the connection hole 71A, protrudes toward the +X side in the scanning direction X on the connection portion 91 of the connection mechanism 90. The connection hole 71A and the connection nozzle 92 are arranged opposite each other in the scanning direction X. In addition, a guide portion 77 is provided to guide the connection portion 91 to connect with the connection portion 71. The connection nozzle 92 may also be provided in such a way that it can slide along the scanning direction X while being held by a holding portion 90, which extends from the substrate 90A constituting the connection mechanism 90 toward the +X direction side.

[0116] Therefore, when the carriage 33 moves to a predetermined position in the scanning direction X, the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 are connected. That is, the connecting nozzle 92 of the connecting portion 91 is inserted into the connected hole 71A of the connected portion 71. In the connecting mechanism 90, a discharge pipe 96 is connected to the base of the connecting nozzle 92 in a direction intersecting its axis. Figure 2 As shown, the discharge pipe 96 is connected to the suction pump 45 via the switching valve 44. In this embodiment, the negative pressure generating unit 97, which applies negative pressure to the connection part 91, serves as the negative pressure drive source for the suction pump 45. That is, the negative pressure generating unit 97 uses the negative pressure drive source of the maintenance device 40 as a common negative pressure drive source.

[0117] Next, refer to Figure 10 The internal structure of the bubble discharge mechanism BS will be explained.

[0118] like Figure 10 As shown, the exhaust valve mechanism 70 has a plurality of (e.g., eight) inlet pipe sections 78. When assembled on the carriage 33, the plurality of inlet pipe sections 78 protrude in the -Y direction opposite to each liquid reservoir 50. The plurality of inlet pipe sections 78 become part of the discharge flow channel F.

[0119] The exhaust valve mechanism 70 includes multiple opening and closing parts 81 and 82 disposed midway through multiple exhaust channels 78A. The opening and closing parts 81 and 82 include a valve body 79 movable in the Y direction, a rubber sheet 80, and a first spring 83 that applies force to the valve body 79 in the direction of pressing the rubber sheet 80. The valve body 79 has a shaft portion 79A protruding in the +Y direction. The main body 72 of the exhaust valve mechanism 70 consists of a piping component 72A having multiple inlet pipe portions 78, a base component 72B mounted with the rubber sheet 80 sandwiched between the piping component 72A, and a thin film 74 covering an opening that partially opens the +Y direction side of the base component 72B. The opening of the base component 72B is covered by the thin film 74, thereby forming a confluence exhaust channel FC inside it.

[0120] The liquid dispensing device 12 includes a pressing part 84 movable in the direction of opening and closing the first opening / closing part 81, and a rod 73 that moves the pressing part 84 in a manner linked to the movement of the carriage 33. The liquid dispensing device 12 of this example includes a first opening / closing part 81 capable of opening and closing the first discharge channel F1 and a second opening / closing part 82 capable of opening and closing the second discharge channel F2. The first opening / closing part 81 and the second opening / closing part 82 open and close the first discharge channel F1 and the second discharge channel F2 in a manner linked to the movement of the carriage 33.

[0121] The discharge channel F has a confluence discharge channel FC, which is formed by the convergence of a plurality of first discharge channels F1 and a plurality of second discharge channels F2 corresponding to a plurality of liquid storage sections 50 at an intermediate point.

[0122] The connecting part 91 is connected to the connected part 71 of the confluence discharge channel FC, which is the connected part 71 of the discharge channel F.

[0123] A portion of the shaft portion 79A of the valve body 79 protrudes into the manifold discharge channel FC. A pressing portion 84 is housed within the manifold discharge channel FC in a state capable of displacement in the Y direction. Furthermore, a second spring 85 is disposed within the manifold discharge channel FC, which applies force in the same direction as the force applied by the valve body 79 to the pressing portion 84 via the first spring 83. The pressing portion 84 has a surface opposite to all the shaft portions 79A of the plurality of valve bodies 79 as a pressing surface 84A.

[0124] A pressing part 84 has a protrusion 84B at the center of the surface opposite to the film 74. Furthermore, the rod 73 has a driving part 73A at its top end, which is composed of a protrusion that clamps the film 74 in the middle and can press the protrusion 84B of the pressing part 84.

[0125] When lever 73 is in the retracted position, pressing part 84 retracts towards the -Y direction, and valve body 79 is pressed against rubber sheet 80 by the force applied by first spring 83, thus entering the closed valve state. On the other hand, rotating lever 73 presses pressing part 84, causing pressing part 84 to use pressing surface 84A to displace all valve bodies 79 against the force applied by first spring 83 towards the open side. As a result, all valve bodies 79 are in the open valve state. When all valve bodies are in the open valve state, multiple discharge channels F converge in the confluence discharge channel FC.

[0126] In this example, multiple discharge channels F corresponding to multiple liquid storage sections 50 converge at an intermediate point to form a converging discharge channel FC. That is, when the first opening / closing section 81 and the second opening / closing section 82 open the valve, the multiple discharge channels F converge in the converging discharge channel FC. In particular, in this embodiment, the connecting section 91 is connected to the connected section 71 of the converging discharge channel FC, which is the connected section 71 of the multiple discharge channels F.

[0127] The discharge channel F has a confluence discharge channel FC, which is formed by the convergence of multiple first discharge channels F1 and multiple second discharge channels F2 corresponding to multiple liquid storage sections 50 at an intermediate point. The connecting part 91 is connected to the connected part 71 of the confluence discharge channel FC, which is the connected part 71 of the discharge channel F. In addition, the rubber sheet 80 also serves as a sealing member for sealing the connection between the piping component 72A and the base component 72B.

[0128] Next, refer to Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 The connection structure between the connected part 71 and the connecting part 91 will be described.

[0129] The system includes an on / off valve V1 and a third spring 88, which serves as an example of a force-applying component. The on / off valve V1 is disposed on the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F and is capable of opening and closing the discharge channel F. The third spring 88 applies force to the on / off valve V1 in the direction of closing the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F. When the slide 33 moves to a predetermined position, the connecting portion 91 is inserted into the discharge channel F while simultaneously pressing the on / off valve against the force applied by the third spring 88, thereby opening the discharge channel F and connecting the discharge channel F and the connecting portion 91.

[0130] like Figure 11 As shown, the connected portion 71 includes: a rubber sheet 86 located inside the connected hole 71A; a valve body 87; and a third spring 88 that applies force to the valve body 87 in the -X direction, pressing it against the rubber sheet 86. When the connecting nozzle 92 is inserted into... Figure 11During the open valve phase, the valve body 87 is pressed against the rubber sheet 86, thus placing it in a closed valve state. The connecting portion 91 has a pipe portion 91B communicating with a flow channel 91A formed therein, and an end of a discharge pipe 96 is connected to this pipe portion 91B. Furthermore, a suction flow channel 89 is formed on the connecting portion 91, which, when the valve body 87 is in the open valve position, connects the manifold discharge flow channel FC to the connecting nozzle 92. This suction flow channel 89 also forms part of the manifold discharge flow channel FC.

[0131] like Figure 12 As shown, when the connected part 71 and the slide 33 move further in the -X direction, the connecting nozzle 92 is inserted deeper into the connected hole 71A, and the valve body 87 is displaced in the +X direction by overcoming the force applied by the third spring 88, thus entering the open valve state. In this connected state, the negative pressure from the discharge pipe 96 is introduced into the confluence discharge channel FC through the connecting nozzle 92, the open valve part of the valve body 87, and the flow channel 89. In addition, the discharge channel F is configured to include discharge channels 59, 61, a pipe connecting the discharge channels 59, 61 and the discharge channel 78A, the discharge channel 78A, the confluence discharge channel, and the suction channel 89. Moreover, in the case of having multiple discharge channels F, the multiple discharge channels F can either merge as a confluence discharge channel FC at the middle as in this embodiment, or they can not merge. In addition, the multiple discharge channels F may include a first discharge channel F1 that discharges air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51 and a second discharge channel F2 that discharges air from the upper part of the filter chamber 54, or multiple discharge channels consisting only of the first discharge channel F1 or only of the second discharge channel F2.

[0132] Next, the function of the liquid ejection device 12 will be explained.

[0133] When a predetermined time for bubble generation has elapsed since the bubble removal process was implemented, bubble retention areas BA exist in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 within the liquid storage section 50 or in the upstream flow channel located upstream of the filter chamber 54 and the filter FT, and bubbles grow and remain in these areas.

[0134] These bubble retention areas BA are connected to the discharge channel F. Specifically, the bubble retention area BA in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 is connected to the first discharge channel F1. Furthermore, the bubble retention area BA in the upper or upstream channel of the filter chamber 54 is connected to the second discharge channel F2. Normally, the first opening / closing part 81 and the second opening / closing part 82 are in a cut-off state. Furthermore, since the connected part 71 and the connecting part 91 are separated, the opening / closing valve V1 is in a cut-off state.

[0135] The liquids in the multiple liquid storage sections 50 are under negative pressure. Therefore, since the first and second opening and closing parts are cut off, the pressure in the multiple liquid storage sections 50 is maintained at a predetermined negative pressure.

[0136] When the predetermined time for performing the bubble removal process arrives, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve 44 from a first switching position to a second switching position. The first switching position is where negative pressure from the suction pump 45 is introduced into the cover 41, and the second switching position is where negative pressure from the suction pump 45 is introduced into the storage chamber 51 and filter chamber 54 within the liquid storage unit 50 via the connection 91 and the connected part 71 of the bubble removal mechanism BS. Next, the control unit 100 drives the negative pressure generating unit 97. That is, the control unit 100 drives the suction pump. As a result, negative pressure is introduced into the connection 91. The carriage motor 35 is driven, causing the carriage 33 to move to the bubble removal position P1. At this time, the discharge channel F is opened in stages according to the movement of the carriage 33 in a predetermined sequence.

[0137] Before the carriage 33 reaches the bubble discharge position P1, which is an example of a predetermined position, such as... Figure 13 , Figure 16 , Figure 19 As shown, the connecting part 91 is still in a separated state relative to the connected part 71.

[0138] When the carriage 33 approaches the bubble discharge position P1 further, as Figure 14 , Figure 17 , Figure 20 As shown, this is the first connection state where the connecting part 91 is connected to the connected part 71. Therefore, the opening and closing valve V1 is opened. As a result, negative pressure is introduced into the manifold discharge channel FC. Thus, the manifold discharge channel FC, which is the downstream region in the bubble discharge direction, is first in a negative pressure state relative to the first opening and closing part 81 and the second opening and closing part 82.

[0139] Then, when the carriage 33 reaches the bubble discharge position P1 and the bubble discharge mechanism BS enters the second connection state, as follows: Figure 15 , Figure 18 , Figure 21As shown, since the lever 73 presses the pressing part 84 in the direction of opening the first opening / closing part 81 and the second opening / closing part 82, both opening / closing parts 81 and 82 are opened simultaneously. As a result, negative pressure is introduced into the upper part of the storage chamber 51 through the first discharge channel F1, and negative pressure is introduced into the upper part of the filter chamber 54 and the upstream channel through the second discharge channel F2. By using negative pressure to draw out the air bubbles in the air bubble retention area BA, the air bubbles are collected from the discharge channels F1 and F2 through the confluence discharge channel FC and then through the connection of the connected part 71 and the connecting part 91, and the discharge pipe 96 into the waste liquid collection part 47.

[0140] Here, if the opening sequence of the opening and closing parts 81, 82 and the opening and closing valve V1 is reversed or they are opened at the same time, then since the flow discharge channel FC has not yet become negative pressure when the opening and closing parts 81, 82 are opened, there is usually a possibility that air will flow back into the liquid storage part 50 which is under negative pressure.

[0141] In contrast, in this embodiment, since the opening and closing parts 81 and 82 are opened after the confluence discharge channel FC is in a negative pressure state, the backflow of air can be avoided.

[0142] Furthermore, when the bubble removal process for the predetermined time is completed, the carriage 33 is moved away from the bubble removal position P1, which is an example of a predetermined position. At this time, firstly, the opening and closing parts 81 and 82 are shut off, and then the opening and closing valve V1 is shut off. Therefore, the negative pressure state in the liquid storage section 50 is maintained.

[0143] First control method for liquid ejection device

[0144] The liquid ejection device 12 of this embodiment implements the next first control method.

[0145] By moving the carriage 33 to a position near the predetermined location, the opening and closing valve V1 is opened using the connecting part 91, and the connecting part 91 is connected to the connected part 71 of the discharge passage F.

[0146] By moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position, the lever 73 is moved in the direction of pressing the pressing part 84, thereby opening the first opening / closing part 81.

[0147] By utilizing the negative pressure generating unit 97 to apply negative pressure to the connecting unit 91, air in the storage chamber 51 is drawn in through the discharge channel F.

[0148] Second control method for liquid ejection device

[0149] The liquid ejection device 12 of this embodiment implements the next second control method.

[0150] By moving the carriage 33 to a position near the predetermined location, the opening and closing valve V1 is opened using the connecting part 91, and the connecting part 91 is connected to the connected part 71 of the discharge passage F.

[0151] By moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position, the lever 73 moves in the direction of pressing the pressing part 84, thereby opening the first opening / closing part 81 and the second opening / closing part 82.

[0152] By utilizing the negative pressure generating unit 97 to apply negative pressure to the connecting unit 91, air in the storage chamber 51 is drawn in through the first discharge channel F1, and air in at least one of the upper part of the filter chamber 54 and the upstream channel is drawn in through the second discharge channel F2.

[0153] As described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained according to this embodiment.

[0154] (1) The liquid ejection device 12 includes: a liquid ejection head 30, which ejects liquid from a nozzle 31; a liquid storage section 50, which has a storage chamber 51 for storing liquid supplied from a liquid supply source 18 to the liquid ejection head 30; and a carriage 33, which carries the liquid ejection head 30 and the liquid storage section 50 and moves back and forth in the scanning direction X. The liquid ejection device 12 includes: a discharge channel F, which discharges air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51; a connecting section 91, which can be connected to and separated from the connected section 71 of the discharge channel F; and a negative pressure generating section 97, which applies negative pressure to the connecting section 91. The connecting section 91 is connected to the connected section 71 of the discharge channel F by moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position. Therefore, the connected section 71 of the discharge channel F can be positioned at a different position than next to the nozzle surface 30A, so that the bottom area of ​​the carriage 33 does not increase. Therefore, it is possible to remove air from the liquid storage section 50 while suppressing the expansion of the size of the liquid ejection device 12.

[0155] (2) A plurality of liquid storage sections 50 are mounted on the carriage 33. A plurality of discharge channels F corresponding to the plurality of liquid storage sections 50 converge at the midway to form a converging discharge channel FC. The connecting section 91 is connected to the connected section 71 of the converging discharge channel FC, which is the connected section 71 of the discharge channel F. According to this structure, since the discharge channels F converge at the midway, the space for setting the discharge channels F can be reduced, thereby suppressing the increase of printer size.

[0156] (3) It also includes a first opening and closing part 81, which is capable of opening and closing the discharge channel F. The first opening and closing part 81 opens and closes the discharge channel F in a manner that is linked to the movement of the slide 33. Therefore, the opening and closing of the discharge channel F can be carried out by moving the slide 33 alone, so there is no need to provide a separate drive mechanism for opening and closing, thereby preventing the expansion of the size of the liquid ejection device 12.

[0157] (4) It includes: a pressing part 84 that can move in the direction of opening and closing the first opening and closing part 81; and a rod 73 that moves the pressing part 84 in a manner that is linked to the movement of the slide 33. Therefore, the opening and closing of the discharge channel F can be implemented with a simple mechanism, thereby suppressing the expansion of the size of the liquid ejection device 12.

[0158] (5) The liquid ejection device 12 includes: a liquid ejection head 30 that ejects liquid from a nozzle 31; a liquid storage section 50 having a storage chamber 51 for storing liquid supplied from a liquid supply source 18 to the liquid ejection head 30; and a carriage 33 capable of carrying the liquid ejection head 30 and the liquid storage section 50 and reciprocating in the scanning direction X. The liquid ejection device 12 includes: a filter FT disposed in the liquid storage section 50 upstream of the storage chamber 51 and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18; and an exhaust channel F including a first exhaust channel F1 and a second exhaust channel F2, wherein the first exhaust channel F1 is capable of discharging air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51, and the second exhaust channel F2 is capable of discharging air from the upper part of the filter chamber 54 in the liquid storage section 50 containing the filter FT and air from at least one of the upstream channels in the liquid storage section 50 located upstream of the filter FT in the liquid supply direction. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 12 includes: a connecting portion 91, which can be connected to and separated from the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F; and a negative pressure generating portion 97, which applies negative pressure to the connecting portion 91. The connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F by moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position. Therefore, by setting the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F at a position different from the nozzle surface 30A, the bottom area of ​​the carriage 33 does not increase. Thus, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the size of the liquid ejection device 12 while removing air from the liquid storage section 50.

[0159] (6) Multiple storage units are mounted on the carriage 33, and the discharge channel F has a converging discharge channel FC, which is formed by multiple first discharge channels F1 and multiple second discharge channels F2 corresponding to the multiple storage units converging at the midway. The connecting part 91 is connected to the connected part 71 of the converging discharge channel FC, which is the connected part 71 of the discharge channel F. Therefore, by converging the discharge channels F at the midway, the space for setting the discharge channels F can be reduced, thereby further suppressing the expansion of the size of the liquid ejection device 12.

[0160] (7) It also includes: a first opening / closing part 81, which can open and close the first discharge channel F1; and a second opening / closing part 82, which can open and close the second discharge channel F2. The first opening / closing part 81 and the second opening / closing part 82 open and close the first discharge channel F1 and the second discharge channel F2 in a manner that is linked to the movement of the carriage 33. Therefore, the opening and closing of the discharge channels can be carried out by moving the carriage 33 alone, so there is no need to provide a separate drive mechanism for opening and closing, thereby preventing the expansion of the size of the liquid ejection device 12.

[0161] (8) It includes: a pressing part 84, which is movable in the direction of opening and closing the first opening and closing part 81 and the second opening and closing part 82; and a rod 73, which moves the pressing part 84 in a manner that is linked to the movement of the slide 33. Therefore, the opening and closing of the discharge channel F can be implemented with a simple mechanism, thereby suppressing the expansion of the size of the liquid ejection device 12.

[0162] (9) The connecting portion 91 is provided at a predetermined position along the scanning direction X. The connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F opens in the scanning direction X at a position opposite to the connecting portion 91. Therefore, the discharge channel F and the connecting portion 91 can be easily connected.

[0163] (10) The liquid ejection device 12 includes: an on / off valve V1, which is provided on the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F and is capable of opening and closing the discharge channel F; and a force-applying portion, which applies force to the on / off valve in the direction of closing the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F. When the carriage 33 moves to a predetermined position, the on / off valve is pressed by the connecting portion 91 while overcoming the applied force generated by the force-applying portion, thereby opening the discharge channel F and communicating with the connecting portion 91. Therefore, the discharge channel F can be closed when not connected, thereby suppressing ink dripping or evaporation of moisture from the liquid storage portion 50.

[0164] (11) The liquid ejection device 12 also includes a cover 41, which forms a closed space for the opening of the nozzle 31. The negative pressure generating part 97 communicates with the cover 41. Therefore, the negative pressure generating part 97 can also be used for suction cleaning, so there is no need to set up a separate suction mechanism, thereby preventing the expansion of the size of the liquid ejection device 12.

[0165] (12) The liquid ejection device 12 includes: a liquid ejection head 30 that ejects liquid from a nozzle 31; a liquid storage section 50 having a storage chamber 51 for storing liquid supplied from a liquid supply source 18 to the liquid ejection head 30; and a carriage 33 that carries the liquid ejection head 30 and the liquid storage section 50 and moves back and forth in the scanning direction X. In addition, the liquid ejection device 12 includes: a discharge channel F that can discharge air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51; a first opening and closing section 81 that can open and close the discharge channel F; a pressing section 84 that can move in the direction that opens and closes the first opening and closing section 81; and a lever 73 that moves the pressing section 84 in a manner that is linked to the movement of the carriage 33. Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 12 includes: an on / off valve V1, which is provided on the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F and is capable of opening and closing the discharge channel F; a connecting portion 91, which can be connected to and disconnected relative to the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F; and a negative pressure generating portion 97, which applies negative pressure to the connecting portion 91. The control method of the liquid dispensing device 12 includes: moving the slide 33 to a pre-position position to open the on / off valve using the connecting portion 91, and connecting the connecting portion 91 to the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F; moving the slide 33 to the pre-position position to move the rod 73 in the direction of pressing the pressing portion 84 to open the first on / off portion; and applying negative pressure to the connecting portion 91 using the negative pressure generating portion 97 to draw air from the storage chamber 51 via the discharge channel F. According to this method, air in the liquid storage section 50 can be removed, and backflow of air into the storage chamber 51 can be suppressed during the air removal process.

[0166] (13) The liquid ejection device 12 includes: a liquid ejection head 30 that ejects liquid from a nozzle 31; a liquid storage section 50 having a storage chamber 51 for storing liquid supplied from a liquid supply source 18 to the liquid ejection head 30; and a carriage 33 capable of carrying the liquid ejection head 30 and the liquid storage section 50 and reciprocating in the scanning direction X. In addition, the liquid ejection device 12 includes: a filter FT disposed in the liquid storage section 50 upstream of the storage chamber 51 and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18; and an exhaust channel F including a first exhaust channel F1 and a second exhaust channel F2, wherein the first exhaust channel F1 can exhaust air in the upper part of the storage chamber 51, and the second exhaust channel F2 can exhaust air in the upper part of the filter chamber 54 in the liquid storage section 50 containing the filter FT and at least one of the air in the upstream channel in the liquid storage section 50 located upstream of the filter FT in the liquid supply direction. Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 12 includes: a connecting portion 91, which can be connected to and separated from the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F; and a negative pressure generating portion 97, which applies negative pressure to the connecting portion 91. The control method of the liquid dispensing device 12 includes: connecting the connecting portion 91 to the connected portion 71 of the discharge channel F by moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position; applying negative pressure to the connecting portion 91 using the negative pressure generating portion 97 to draw air from the storage chamber 51 via the first discharge channel F1, and drawing air from at least one of the upper part of the filter chamber 54 and the upstream channel via the second discharge channel F2. According to this method, air in the liquid storage section 50 can be removed.

[0167] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can also be modified as shown in the following variations. Additionally, a further variation can be defined by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments and the variations shown below, or by appropriately combining the variations shown below together.

[0168] Although only one pressing part 84 is provided, multiple pressing parts 84 can also be provided. For example, the liquid storage unit 50 is configured to have a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber, and to have a first discharge channel for discharging air from the upper part of multiple first storage chambers and a second discharge channel for discharging air from the upper part of multiple second storage chambers. Furthermore, the first opening and closing part has a first opening and closing part capable of opening and closing one of the multiple first discharge channels, and another first opening and closing part capable of opening and closing the multiple second discharge channels. The pressing part can also be configured to have a first pressing part capable of moving in the direction of opening and closing one of the first opening and closing parts, and a second pressing part capable of moving in the direction of opening and closing the other first opening and closing part. For example, it can be configured to have a first opening and closing part capable of opening and closing one of the first discharge channels discharging air from the upper part of the filter chamber, which is a first storage chamber, and another first opening and closing part capable of opening and closing one of the second discharge channels discharging air from the upper part of the pressure chamber, which is a second storage chamber. Furthermore, each component includes a first pressing part that can move in the direction of opening and closing one of the multiple first opening and closing parts, and a second pressing part that can move in the direction of opening and closing another of the multiple first opening and closing parts. Alternatively, it can be configured such that it includes a rod that moves the first pressing part in conjunction with the movement of the carriage, and a rod that moves the second pressing part in conjunction with the movement of the carriage. In this case, the rod can be a first rod and a second rod separately provided to move the first pressing part and the second pressing part respectively, or it can be a shared rod that uses a single rod to move the first pressing part and the second pressing part.

[0169] • The liquid storage section can also be a shock absorber. The shock absorber mounted on the carriage 33 has a storage chamber for storing liquid and a diaphragm forming part of the wall of the storage chamber. The shock absorber absorbs the pressure fluctuations of the liquid generated during the movement of the carriage 33 by the deformation of the diaphragm. That is, the shock absorber temporarily stores the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 via the supply pipe 28, and supplies the liquid to the nozzle 30 through the second supply channel 27b while mitigating pressure fluctuations generated during the reciprocating movement of the carriage 33. Furthermore, the bubble discharge mechanism BS includes: a connected portion of the discharge channel that communicates with the upper part of the storage chamber of the shock absorber; a connecting portion 9 that can be connected and disconnected relative to the connected portion of the discharge channel; and a negative pressure generating portion 97 that applies negative pressure to the connecting portion 91. The bubble discharge mechanism BS is configured such that the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 can be connected when the carriage 33 is in a predetermined position in the scanning direction X. According to this structure, even if the liquid ejection device 12 is provided with a structure that discharges air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51 of the liquid storage section 50, the expansion of the size of the liquid ejection device 12 can be suppressed.

[0170] While the liquid storage unit 50 in the above embodiment includes a storage chamber 51 and a filter chamber 54, it is also possible for the liquid storage unit 50 to have a storage chamber 51 but not a filter chamber 54. In this case, the filter FT can also be provided as a separate component independent of the liquid storage unit 50. Even in such a structure, it is possible to include a structure for removing air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51 in the liquid dispensing device while suppressing the enlargement of the size of the liquid dispensing device 12.

[0171] It can also be structured as follows: each of the downstream ends of the multiple discharge channels has a connected portion, and has multiple connecting portions that are connected to the multiple connected portions respectively.

[0172] Although the above embodiments have multiple discharge channels, there may also be only one discharge channel.

[0173] The negative pressure drive source of the negative pressure generating unit 97 is not limited to the structure of the suction pump 45, which serves as the negative pressure drive source of the maintenance device 40; a dedicated suction pump may also be provided. In this case, the cleaning performed by the maintenance device is not limited to suction cleaning. That is, the maintenance device may also perform pressurized cleaning by pressurizing the liquid upstream of the nozzle 31, thereby forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzle 31.

[0174] • There may be only one discharge channel F. In this case, the connected part may be provided on one discharge channel.

[0175] • It can also be structured as follows, that is, only the air bubbles in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 are discharged, while the air bubbles in the upper part of the filter chamber and the air bubbles in the upstream flow channel are not discharged.

[0176] Alternatively, only one of the opening / closing part 81 and the opening / closing valve V1 can be provided.

[0177] Alternatively, the structure can be configured such that the multiple discharge channels F1 of the bubbles discharged from the upper part of the discharge storage chamber 51 and the multiple discharge channels F2 of the bubbles discharged from the upper part of the discharge filter chamber 54 are respectively connected to form two converging discharge channels. In this case, the connected part and the connecting part can also be provided for each converging discharge channel.

[0178] Alternatively, the multiple liquid storage sections 50 can each be divided into two or more N liquid storage sections 50 and M liquid storage sections 50, and a confluence discharge channel can be provided for each group of N and M liquid storage sections. A confluence discharge channel FC1 is formed by merging N discharge channels F1 that discharge bubbles from the upper part of the storage chamber 51 of the N liquid storage sections 50 and N discharge channels F2 that discharge bubbles from the upper part of the filter chamber 54 of the N liquid storage sections 50. Furthermore, a confluence discharge channel FC2 is formed by merging M discharge channels F1 that discharge bubbles from the upper part of the storage chamber 51 of the M liquid storage sections 50 and M discharge channels F2 that discharge bubbles from the upper part of the filter chamber 54 of the M liquid storage sections 50. Connecting parts can also be provided on these two confluence discharge channels FC1 and FC2, and the two connecting parts corresponding to these two connecting parts can be connected according to the movement of the carriage 33.

[0179] The number of confluence and discharge channels is not limited to one or two; it can also be three or more.

[0180] • It is also possible to avoid merging multiple discharge channels. For example, an opening and closing part can be provided separately on each of the multiple discharge channels. Furthermore, a connected part that can be connected to a connecting part can be provided on each of the multiple discharge channels.

[0181] The liquid supply source 18 can be any structure capable of containing liquid, and for example, it can be a replaceable cartridge type. In this case, it can be a cartridge-mounted type where the cartridge is mounted on the carriage 33, or a non-carriage-mounted type where the cartridge is mounted on a bracket on the side of the housing 20. Alternatively, the liquid supply source 18 can be a canister type that is mounted on the carriage 33 and capable of replenishing liquid.

[0182] • The liquid storage section 50 can also be configured without a filter FT.

[0183] • The liquid ejection device 12 can also be a liquid ejection device that ejects liquids other than ink. Furthermore, the state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device as tiny droplets includes granular, tear-like, filamentous, and tail-like states. In addition, the liquid referred to here can be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, any material in a liquid phase state is acceptable, including liquids with high or low viscosity, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (molten metal), and other fluids. Furthermore, liquids are not limited to liquids as a state of matter; they also include particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments or metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks or liquid crystals as described in the above embodiments. Here, inks include general water-based inks and various liquid compositions such as oil-based inks, gel inks, and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of liquid ejection devices include liquid ejection devices that eject liquids containing materials such as electrode materials or color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescent) displays, field emission displays, and color filters in a dispersed or dissolved form. Other examples include liquid ejection devices that eject organic matter from biological sources used in biochip manufacturing, liquid ejection devices used as precision pipettes to eject liquids as samples, dyeing and printing devices, and microdispensers. Additionally, there are liquid ejection devices that eject lubricating oil into precision machinery such as watches and cameras using a needle, and liquid ejection devices that eject transparent resin liquids such as UV-curable resins onto a substrate to form tiny hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication components. Furthermore, there are liquid ejection devices that eject etching solutions such as acidic or alkaline solutions to etch substrates.

[0184] The present invention will now be described based on the second embodiment. In the figures, the same symbols are used for the same parts, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0185] Furthermore, in each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes will be designated as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. When the orientation is defined, a positive direction is designated as "+", and a negative direction as "-". In the direction notation, the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure is designated as the "+" direction, and the opposite direction is designated as the "-" direction. Additionally, the Z-axis direction represents the vertical direction; the +Z direction represents vertically downwards, and the -Z direction represents vertically upwards. Furthermore, the three spatial axes X, Y, and Z, whose positive and negative directions are not defined, will be described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0186] Implementation Method 2

[0187] In this embodiment, the liquid ejection device 1100 is configured as an inkjet printer, and ejects ink onto the printing paper P to form an image. Ink is an example of a fluid, and an example of a liquid. Alternatively, resin film, cloth, or any other type of medium can be used as the ink ejection target instead of the printing paper P.

[0188] like Figure 22 As shown, the liquid ejection device 1100 includes a liquid ejection head 110, an ink supply unit 120, a conveying mechanism 130, a moving mechanism 140, a maintenance unit 150, and a control unit 190.

[0189] The liquid ejector head 110 has a nozzle surface 111 on which a plurality of nozzle rows 112 for ejecting ink are disposed. The nozzle rows 112 are formed by arranging a plurality of nozzles N in the Y-axis direction. The liquid ejector head 110 ejects ink from the plurality of nozzles N constituting the nozzle rows 112 in the +Z direction to form an image on printing paper P. In this embodiment, the plurality of nozzle rows 112 includes nozzle rows 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d.

[0190] The ink to be sprayed can be any of four colors, such as black, blue-green, magenta, and yellow, and can be sprayed from nozzle arrays 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d. Furthermore, it is not limited to these four colors; inks of any color, such as light blue-green, light magenta, or white, can also be sprayed. The liquid ejector head 110 is mounted on a carriage 142 (described later) of the moving mechanism 140, and moves back and forth in the main scanning direction together with the movement of the carriage 142. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction is the +X direction and the -X direction.

[0191] The ink supply unit 120 supplies ink to the liquid nozzle 110. The ink supply unit 120 includes a liquid supply source 121 and a supply channel 124. While the liquid supply source 121 in this embodiment is an addable type can with an injection section 122 capable of injecting ink and a storage chamber 123 for storing the ink injected from the injection section 122, it could also be a replaceable box-type can. The ink supply unit 120 includes multiple liquid supply sources 121. In this embodiment, the multiple liquid supply sources 121 include a liquid supply source 121a for storing black ink, a liquid supply source 121b for storing blue-green ink, a liquid supply source 121c for storing magenta ink, and a liquid supply source 121d for storing yellow ink.

[0192] The supply channel 124 connects the liquid supply source 121 and the liquid nozzle 110 so that the ink collected in the liquid supply source 121 flows toward the liquid nozzle 110. In this embodiment, the supply channel 124 is provided on the carriage 142 and is composed of a valve unit 160 connected to the liquid nozzle 110 and a pipe 125 connecting the liquid supply source 121 and the valve unit 160.

[0193] Valve unit 160 adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid nozzle 110 to a predetermined negative pressure. Therefore, in this embodiment, the limitations related to the position of the liquid supply source 121 in the Z-axis direction are reduced. For example, the liquid supply source 121 can also be positioned at a position in the -Z direction relative to the nozzle surface 111 of the liquid nozzle 110. A plurality of valve units 160 are provided in the supply channel 124. In this embodiment, the plurality of valve units 160 includes valve unit 160a which directs ink from liquid supply source 121a toward nozzle array 112a, valve unit 160b which directs ink from liquid supply source 121b toward nozzle array 112b, valve unit 160c which directs ink from liquid supply source 121c toward nozzle array 112c, and valve unit 160d which directs ink from liquid supply source 121d toward nozzle array 112d.

[0194] The conveying mechanism 130 conveys the printing paper P in the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction is a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction; in this embodiment, it is the +Y and -Y directions. The conveying mechanism 130 includes a conveying rod 134 equipped with three conveying rollers 132 and a conveying motor 136 that drives the conveying rod 134 to rotate. By driving the conveying rod 134 to rotate by the conveying motor 136, the multiple conveying rollers 132 rotate, thereby conveying the printing paper P in the +Y direction of the sub-scanning direction. Furthermore, the number of conveying rollers 132 is not limited to three and can be any number. Alternatively, a structure with multiple conveying mechanisms 130 may be provided.

[0195] In addition to the carriage 142 described above, the moving mechanism 140 also includes a conveyor belt 144, a moving motor 146, and pulleys 147. The carriage 142, when capable of dispensing ink, mounts a liquid nozzle 110 and a valve unit 160. The carriage 142 is mounted on the conveyor belt 144. The conveyor belt 144 is positioned between the moving motor 146 and the pulleys 147. Driven by the rotation of the moving motor 146, the conveyor belt 144 reciprocates in the main scanning direction. Consequently, the carriage 142 mounted on the conveyor belt 144 also reciprocates in the main scanning direction.

[0196] The maintenance unit 150 performs maintenance on the liquid spray head 110. The maintenance unit 150 includes a wiping component 151, a wiping component drive unit 152, a cover 153, a cover retaining unit 154, a cover drive unit 155, a waste liquid pipe 156, a suction pump 157, and a waste liquid collection unit 158.

[0197] The wiping member 151 performs maintenance on the liquid nozzle 110 by wiping the nozzle surface 111 of the liquid nozzle 110. The wiping member 151 moves along the Z-axis direction between a standby position where it does not contact the nozzle surface 111 and a wiping position where it can contact the nozzle surface 111, by driving the wiping member drive unit 152. When the wiping member 151 is in the wiping position, the liquid nozzle 110 moves along the main scanning direction in the -Z direction side of the wiping member 151, accompanied by the movement of the carriage 142, thereby wiping the nozzle surface 111.

[0198] The cap 153 performs maintenance on the liquid ejector head 110 by discharging ink from the nozzles N of the liquid ejector head 110. The cap 153 forms a suction space with multiple nozzle N openings by contacting the nozzle surface 111 of the liquid ejector head 110. The cap 153 is held by a cap retainer 154. The cap retainer 154 moves in the Z-axis direction by driving a capping drive 155. The cap 153 moves in the Z-axis direction via the cap retainer 154, moving between a non-capping position not in contact with the nozzle surface 111 and a suction position in contact with the nozzle surface 111. The cap 153 communicates with a waste liquid collection section 158 for collecting waste liquid via a waste liquid pipe 156. A suction pump 157 for suctioning the suction space formed by the cap 153 is provided in the waste liquid pipe 156.

[0199] During maintenance of the liquid nozzle 110 via the cap 153, with the cap 153 in the non-capped position, the movement of the carriage 142 moves the liquid nozzle 110 to a position opposite the cap 153 in the nozzle arrays 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d. Furthermore, by moving the cap 153 to a suction-ready position, a suction space is formed between the openings of the multiple nozzles N constituting the nozzle arrays 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d. The suction pump 157 draws ink from these suction spaces, discharging ink from the multiple nozzles N constituting the nozzle arrays 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d into the suction space. The ink discharged into the suction space is collected in the waste liquid collection section 158 via the waste liquid pipe 156.

[0200] The control unit 190 controls the entire liquid ejection device 1100. For example, the control unit 190 controls the reciprocating motion of the carriage 142 along the main scanning direction, the conveying motion of the printing paper P along the sub-scanning direction, the ink ejection motion of the liquid ejection head 110, and the maintenance motion of the liquid ejection head 110 performed by the maintenance unit 150. The control unit 190 may, for example, be composed of processing circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and storage circuits such as semiconductor memory.

[0201] Next, the detailed structure of the valve unit 160 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in Figure 23 , Figure 25 In order to illustrate the internal structure of the valve unit 160, only the outline of the first diaphragm 175 is shown using double-dotted lines. Furthermore, in Figure 24 , Figure 27 In the diagram, to illustrate the internal structure of the valve unit 160, only the outline of the second diaphragm 176 is shown using double-dotted lines. Furthermore, in... Figure 23 In this diagram, to illustrate the internal structure of the filter chamber 164, a portion of the filter 174 is shown with the filter partially removed. Furthermore, in... Figure 25 , Figure 26 In order to illustrate the internal structure of the supply chamber 166, the spring seat 171 is omitted from the diagram.

[0202] like Figures 23 to 31 As shown, the valve unit 160 includes a base 161, a valve 172, a compression coil spring 173, and a displacement body 180. The base 161 is provided with an inlet portion 162, an inlet channel 163, a filter chamber 164, a relay channel 165, a supply chamber 166, a connecting channel 167, a pressure chamber PC, an outlet channel 168D, and an outlet portion 169. The inlet channel 163, the filter chamber 164, and the supply chamber 166 are formed by fixing a first membrane 175 to the base 161 so as to cover the side of the base 161 in the -X direction. The pressure chamber PC is formed by fixing a second membrane 176 to the base 161 so as to cover the side of the base 161 in the +X direction. The relay channel 165 is formed by fixing the first membrane 175 to the side of the base 161 in the -X direction and the second membrane 176 to the side of the base 161 in the +X direction.

[0203] While the material forming the substrate 161 can be any material, in this embodiment, the substrate 161 is formed of an olefin resin. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first film 175 and the second film 176 are composed of a multilayer film. For example, a multilayer film can be used where a 25 μm thick polypropylene layer is used as the PC-side layer of the pressure chamber, and a 12 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate layer, subjected to alumina vapor deposition or silicon vapor deposition, is used as the outer space-side layer. This provides a flexible portion FP that ensures gas barrier properties. In this embodiment, the substrate 161 is formed of polypropylene, the same material as the PC-side layers of the first film 175 and the second film 176, and is fixed by thermally bonding the first film 175 and the second film 176 to the substrate 161.

[0204] like Figure 23 , Figure 25 As shown, the inflow section 162 is provided on the side of the base 161 of the valve unit 160 in the +Y direction, at a position relative to the center in the -Z direction. The inflow section 162 is provided as a cylindrical shape protruding in the +Y direction from the side of the base 161 in the +Y direction. Ink from the liquid supply source 121 flows into the inflow section 162 via the pipe 125.

[0205] like Figure 23 , Figure 25 , Figure 28 As shown, a filter chamber 164 is disposed on the side of the substrate 161 in the -X direction. The filter chamber 164 has a filter 174 capable of filtering ink and is divided into an upstream chamber 164U and a downstream chamber 164D by the filter 174. The filter 174 is provided with multiple holes through which ink can pass and traps foreign matter. The upstream chamber 164U of the filter chamber 164 communicates with the inflow section 162 via an inflow channel 163. The downstream chamber 164D of the filter chamber 164 communicates with the supply chamber 166 via an intermediate channel 165. Figure 23 , Figure 24 As indicated by the dashed arrows, the ink from the inlet 162 flows sequentially through the inlet channel 163, the upstream chamber 164U, the filter 174, the downstream chamber 164D, the relay channel 165, and into the supply chamber 166. In other words, the supply chamber 166 is connected to the inlet 162.

[0206] The supply chamber 166 is positioned on the side of the substrate 161 in the -X direction, at a position relative to the filter chamber 164 in the +Z direction. The supply chamber 166 stores the ink flowing in from the inlet section 162. Figures 28 to 31As shown, the supply chamber 166 is connected to the pressure chamber PC via a connecting passage 167. The supply chamber 166 has a valve seat 166S and an outer peripheral limiting portion 166G. The opening on the supply chamber side of the connecting passage 167 is an opening on the valve seat 166S. A valve 172, a compression coil spring 173, and a spring seat 171 are disposed in the supply chamber 166. In the supply chamber 166, the valve 172 is located between the valve seat 166S and the spring seat 171 in the X-axis direction. The compression coil spring 173 is located between the valve 172 and the spring seat 171 in the X-axis direction.

[0207] Valve 172 consists of valve body 172B and sealing part 172S. For example... Figure 26 As shown, an outer periphery 172P and a cutout 172R are provided on the valve body 172B. The cutout 172R is for... Figure 26 Multiple recesses are formed by cutting multiple notches into the outer circumferential surface of a circular plate, as indicated by the double-dotted lines. The outer circumference 172P is... Figure 26 The portion of the outer peripheral surface of the circular plate shape shown by the double-dotted line is the part of the outer peripheral surface that has not been cut. In this embodiment, six cut portions 172R are provided.

[0208] like Figure 29 As shown, the sealing part 172S closes the supply chamber side opening of the connecting flow channel 167 by contacting the valve seat 166S. The sealing part 172S protrudes in an annular shape in the +X direction relative to the +X direction side end of the valve body 172B. The sealing part 172S is made of an elastic component such as rubber or resin elastomer.

[0209] Valve 172 is provided in the supply chamber 166 such that it can move along the X-axis between an open position, connecting the supply chamber 166 to the pressure chamber PC, and a closed position, cutting off the connection between the supply chamber 166 and the pressure chamber PC. In the closed position, valve 172 closes the supply chamber-side opening of the communication channel 167 by contacting the sealing portion 172S with the valve seat 166S, thereby cutting off the connection between the supply chamber 166 and the pressure chamber PC. In the open position, where the sealing portion 172S moves away from the valve seat 166S in the -X direction, valve 172 allows communication between the supply chamber 166 and the pressure chamber PC. In other words, valve 172 is provided in the supply chamber 166 such that it can open and close the communication channel 167 by moving in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the outer peripheral restrictor 166G of the supply chamber 166 contacts the outer peripheral portion 172P of the valve 172, thereby restricting the movement of the valve 172 in the direction intersecting the X-axis, and allowing the valve 172 to move smoothly in the X-axis direction. The X-axis direction is an example of an opening and closing direction.

[0210] The compression coil spring 173 applies force to the valve 172 from the open position toward the closed position, which is in the +X direction. Furthermore, in the closed position, the compression coil spring 173 presses the valve 172 toward the valve seat 166S. In other words, the compression coil spring 173 applies force to the valve 172 in the direction of closing the communication channel 167. The compression coil spring 173 is an example of a force-applying component.

[0211] like Figure 29 As shown, the connecting channel 167 connecting the supply chamber 166 and the pressure chamber PC has a supply chamber-side connecting portion 167S opening on the supply chamber 166 side and a pressure chamber-side connecting portion 167T opening on the pressure chamber PC side. The inner diameter of the supply chamber-side connecting portion 167S is the same as the supply chamber-side opening diameter. The pressure chamber-side connecting portion 167T extends from the supply chamber 166 side toward the pressure chamber PC side. Therefore, although the inner diameter of the side of the pressure chamber-side connecting portion 167T connected to the supply chamber-side connecting portion 167S is the same as the inner diameter of the supply chamber-side connecting portion 167S, the pressure chamber-side opening diameter on the pressure chamber PC side is larger than the supply chamber-side opening diameter. In other words, the connecting channel 167 extends from the supply chamber 166 toward the pressure chamber PC.

[0212] like Figure 24 , Figure 27 As shown, the pressure chamber PC is composed of a recess 168 formed on the side of the substrate 161 in the +X direction and a flexible portion FP. Although the recess 168 has a portion that extends outward locally when viewed from the +X direction, it is substantially circular. The flexible portion FP is the portion of the second film 176 that covers the recess 168 in the +X direction side of the substrate 161. Therefore, the flexible portion FP is flexible and is substantially circular when viewed from the +X direction. Therefore, the center of the flexible portion FP is prone to displacement. The pressure chamber PC is substantially circular when viewed from the +X direction. Furthermore, when the flexible portion FP is displaced, the volume of the pressure chamber PC changes.

[0213] like Figure 24 , Figure 27 As shown, the outlet 169 is provided on the side of the base 161 in the +Z direction at a position relative to the center in the +Y direction. The outlet 169 is cylindrical, protruding in the +Z direction from the side of the base 161 in the +Z direction. The pressure chamber PC communicates with the outlet 169 via an outlet channel 168D that opens in the +Z direction relative to the center of the pressure chamber PC. Figure 24 As indicated by the dashed arrow, the ink in the pressure chamber PC flows out from the outlet 169 and into the liquid nozzle 110 connected to the outlet 169.

[0214] A displacement body 180 is provided inside the pressure chamber PC. The displacement body 180 has a pressure-receiving part 181, a locking part 182, a rotating shaft 183, a connecting part 184, a shaft part 185, and a protrusion 186. Figure 24 , Figure 27 As shown, the pressure-bearing portion 181 is in the shape of a circular plate and is circular when viewed from the +X direction. A locking portion 182 is provided at the center of the pressure-bearing portion 181. The locking portion 182 is a hole penetrating the pressure-bearing portion 181. The connecting portion 184 is in the shape of a wide, thin plate and extends from the pressure-bearing portion 181. A rotating shaft 183 is provided at the end of the connecting portion 184 extending from the pressure-bearing portion 181. Although the material forming the displacement body 180 can be any material, it can also be formed from a material different from the PC side layer of the pressure chamber of the substrate 161 and the second film 176. In this embodiment, the displacement body 180 is formed of polyoxymethylene. Accordingly, when the second film 176 is heat-fused onto the substrate 161, it is possible to prevent the displacement body 180 from being fixed to either the substrate 161 or the second film 176.

[0215] The rotating shaft 183 is cylindrical in shape, protruding from the connecting portion 184 to both sides in the width direction. Furthermore, a protrusion 186 is provided at the end of the connecting portion 184 extending from the pressure-bearing portion 181. For example... Figure 28 , Figure 29 As shown, the shaft portion 185 is positioned within the pressure-bearing portion 181 in a direction opposite to that of the connecting portion 184 extending from the pressure-bearing portion 181. In other words, the shaft portion 185 is positioned differently within the pressure-bearing portion 181 than the engaging portion 182. The shaft portion 185 is a rod-shaped protrusion extending from the pressure-bearing portion 181. The distance from the rotating shaft 183 to the shaft portion 185 is longer than the distance from the rotating shaft 183 to the engaging portion 182.

[0216] like Figure 24 , Figure 27 As shown, the pressure chamber PC has an engaging portion 168R that engages with the engaging portion 182 and a support portion 168H that supports the rotating shaft 183. The engaging portion 168R is located at the center of the inner bottom surface of the recess 168. That is, when the pressure chamber C is viewed from the +X direction, the engaging portion 168R is located at the center of the circular pressure chamber PC. Figure 28 , Figure 29 As shown, the engaging portion 168R is a rod-shaped protrusion extending from the inner bottom surface of the recess 168 towards the +X direction. Figure 24 , Figure 27 , Figure 28As shown, the support portion 168H is positioned in the -Z direction relative to the engaging portion 168R. The support portion 168H is a recess provided on the portion extending in the -Z direction from the circular portion of the recess 168. The support portion 168H supports the rotating shaft 183 in such a manner that the displacement body 180 can rotate around the rotating shaft 183 as a center. Furthermore, as... Figure 28 , Figure 29 As shown, the pressure chamber side opening of the connecting flow channel 167 is located in the pressure chamber PC at a position relative to the engaging part 168R in the +Z direction.

[0217] like Figure 24 , Figure 27 As shown, with the displacement body 180 installed in the pressure chamber PC, the engaging portion 182 is inserted through the engaging portion 168R, and is thus located at the center of the pressure chamber PC when viewed from the +X direction. With the displacement body 180 installed in the pressure chamber PC, the rotating shaft 183 is located in the -Z direction relative to the engaging portion 182. Furthermore, with the displacement body 180 installed in the pressure chamber PC, the rotating shaft 183, which causes the displacement body 180 to rotate, is supported by the support portion 168H along the Y-axis.

[0218] like Figure 28 , Figure 29 As shown, with the displacement body 180 disposed in the pressure chamber PC, the shaft portion 185, when viewed from the +X direction, is positioned in the +Z direction relative to the engaging portion 182. In other words, the engaging portion 182 is disposed between the shaft portion 185 and the rotating shaft 183 in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 27 , Figure 28 As shown, with the displacement body 180 positioned in the pressure chamber PC, the engaging portion 182 and the shaft portion 185 are located between the two ends of the rotating shaft 183 in the Y-axis direction. With the displacement body 180 positioned in the pressure chamber PC, the protrusion 186 protrudes from the connecting portion 184 in the +X direction while ensuring a clearance with the flexible portion FP. The protrusion 186 is provided at two separate locations in the Y-axis direction corresponding to the rotating shaft 183. Therefore, the protrusion 186 suppresses the deviation of the rotating shaft 183 from the support portion 168H in the +X direction.

[0219] like Figure 24 , Figure 27As shown, when the displacement body 180 is placed in the pressure chamber PC, it engages with the engaged portion 168R via the engaging portion 182, thereby positioning it relative to the pressure chamber PC in a manner that allows it to rotate around the engaged portion 168R as a rotation center. In other words, by engaging the engaged portion 182 with the engaged portion 168R, the movement of the displacement body 180 in the direction intersecting the X-axis is restricted. Furthermore, by the support portion 168H contacting both ends of the rotating shaft 183, the rotation of the displacement body 180 around the engaged portion 168R as a rotation center is restricted, and it is positioned relative to the pressure chamber PC. Furthermore, as... Figure 28 As shown, the distance from the engaging portion 182 to the shaft portion 185 is set to be shorter than the distance from the engaging portion 182 to the rotating shaft 183. As a result, the shaft portion 185 is positioned with high precision relative to the communicating flow channel 167 of the pressure chamber PC. Furthermore, as... Figure 29 As shown, with the displacement body 180 installed in the pressure chamber PC, the top end of the shaft portion 185 is located in the connecting flow channel 167, and the top end of the shaft portion 185 is in contact with the +X direction end of the valve body 172B in the valve 172.

[0220] When the negative pressure in pressure chamber PC becomes greater than the predetermined negative pressure, valve unit 160 is in a state of... Figure 28 , Figure 29 Valve 172, at the closed position shown, moves to Figure 30 , Figure 31 The opening position is shown, and the connecting channel 167 is opened. When the connecting channel 167 is open and as shown... Figure 30 , Figure 31 As indicated by the dashed arrow, when the negative pressure in the pressure chamber PC reaches a predetermined negative pressure due to ink flowing from the supply chamber 166 into the pressure chamber PC, the valve 172, which is in the open position, moves to the closed position and closes the communication channel 167. Thus, the valve unit 160 regulates the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid nozzle 110 to the predetermined negative pressure.

[0221] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, the predetermined negative pressure at the nozzle face 111 in the Z-axis direction is set to -0.5 kPa (indicative pressure), and the center of the pressure chamber PC is set 30 mm away from the nozzle face 111 in the -Z direction. In this case, when the magnitude of the negative pressure in the pressure chamber PC is greater than -0.8 kPa (indicative pressure), valve 172 opens the connecting passage 167. When the connecting passage 167 is open and ink flows from the supply chamber 166 into the pressure chamber PC, causing the magnitude of the negative pressure in the pressure chamber PC to become -0.8 kPa (indicative pressure), valve 172 closes the connecting passage 167.

[0222] like Figures 28 to 31As shown, with the displacement body 180 positioned in the pressure chamber PC, the pressure-bearing portion 181 contacts the center of the pressure chamber PC side of the flexible portion FP. The force applied by the compression coil spring 173 towards the valve seat 166S to press the valve 172 is set to move the valve 172 from the closed position to the open position and open the connecting passage 167 when the negative pressure in the liquid nozzle 110 communicating with the pressure chamber PC becomes greater than a predetermined negative pressure. Therefore, the tip of the shaft portion 185, which contacts the valve 172, is pressed in the +X direction with a force greater than that required to deform the flexible portion FP. As a result, as... Figure 28 , Figure 29 As shown, when valve 172 is in the closed position, the pressure-receiving part 181 presses against the flexible part FP, so that the center position of the flexible part FP is relative to... Figure 30 , Figure 31 The flexible part FP shown is located at its center in the +X direction.

[0223] The center of the pressure-bearing portion 181, which is provided with the engaging portion 182, is located closer to the rotating shaft 183 than the shaft portion 185. Furthermore, the distance from the shaft portion 185 to the rotating shaft 183 is longer than the distance from the shaft portion 185 to the center of the pressure-bearing portion 181. Therefore, when the pressure-bearing portion 181 and the flexible portion FP come into contact, the rotating shaft 183 is subjected to force towards the support surface of the support portion 168H in the -X direction. This stabilizes the position of the rotation center of the displacement body 180, allowing the displacement body 180 to move smoothly.

[0224] When the negative pressure inside the pressure chamber PC increases due to ink being ejected from the nozzle N of the liquid ejection head 110 during printing or being discharged from the nozzle N during maintenance, the flexible part FP deforms in the direction where the volume of the pressure chamber PC decreases. When the negative pressure inside the pressure chamber PC exceeds a predetermined negative pressure, the center position of the flexible part FP changes from... Figure 28 , Figure 29 The position shown is moved in the -X direction. As a result, the pressure-bearing part 181 moves in the -X direction, and the displacement body 180 rotates about the rotation axis 183 in the direction that the shaft 185 moves in the -X direction. The shaft 185 causes the valve 172, which is in the closed position, to move in the -X direction, thereby moving the valve 172 to... Figure 30 , Figure 31 The opening position is shown, and the connecting channel 167 is opened.

[0225] The connecting channel 167 is opened, and as... Figure 30 , Figure 31As indicated by the dashed arrow, ink flows from the supply chamber 166 into the pressure chamber PC. In this embodiment, the connecting channel 167 is not used for positioning the valve 172. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting channel 167 is not used for positioning the shaft portion 185. Therefore, according to this embodiment, for example, compared to the case where the connecting channel 167 is used for positioning the valve 172, it is easier to ensure a passage for ink to pass between the shaft portion 185 and the connecting channel 167. In addition, in this embodiment, a cutout portion 172R is provided on the valve body 172B of the valve 172. Therefore, in the supply chamber 166, a passage for ink to pass is formed between the outer peripheral restriction portion 166G of the supply chamber 166 and the cutout portion 172R of the valve body 172B.

[0226] In addition, such as Figure 29 As shown, the engaging portion 182 has an insertion side hole 182S with an opening on the side where the engaging portion 168R is inserted, and a flexible portion side hole 182L with an opening on the flexible portion FP side. The insertion side hole 182S is a through hole whose size is set so as to contact the engaging portion 168R. By having the insertion side hole 182S contact the engaging portion 168R, the movement of the displacement body 180 in the direction intersecting the X-axis is restricted. The flexible portion side hole 182L is a through hole whose size is set so as not to contact the engaging portion 168R. Therefore, the size of the hole in the flexible portion side hole 182L is larger than the size of the hole in the insertion side hole 182S.

[0227] Furthermore, the length of the flexible side hole 182L in the X-axis direction is set such that it corresponds to the position of the top end of the engaging portion 168R, wherein the engaging portion 168R moves relative to the engaging portion 182 by the movement of the displacement body 180. Therefore, the dimension of the flexible side hole 182L in the X-axis direction is larger than the dimension of the insertion side hole 182S in the X-axis direction. In other words, the engaging portion 182 has an insertion side hole 182S including an opening into which the engaging portion 168R is inserted, and the size of the hole in the flexible side hole 182L, located at a position corresponding to the top end of the engaged portion 168R, is larger than the size of the hole in the insertion side hole 182S located at the position into which the opening of the engaging portion 168R is inserted. When the displacement body 180 rotates about the rotation axis 183, as Figure 29 As shown, there is a situation where the engaging portion 182 is tilted relative to the engaged portion 168R. In contrast, since the engaging portion 182 of this embodiment has an insertion side hole 182S and a flexible side hole 182L, the displacement body 180 can move smoothly while maintaining the engaging state of the insertion side hole 182S contacting the engaged portion 168R.

[0228] For example, when the connecting channel 167 of the valve unit 160 is used for positioning the valve 172, it may be difficult to ensure that the channel for ink to pass through the connecting channel 167 is large enough, and the pressure loss when the ink flows through the connecting channel 167 increases. In contrast, the valve unit 160 of this embodiment includes a displacement body 180, which is provided in the pressure chamber PC and can be displaced according to the displacement of the flexible part FP. The displacement body 180 has a shaft portion 185 that is inserted into the connecting channel 167 to open and close the valve 172, and an engaging portion 182 that is provided at a different position from the shaft portion 185. The engaging portion 182 engages with the engaging portion 168R provided in the pressure chamber PC, thereby restricting the movement of the displacement body 180 in a direction intersecting the X-axis direction.

[0229] Accordingly, since the connecting channel 167 is not used for positioning, it is easy to form a larger channel for ink to pass through in the connecting channel 167, and it is easy to reduce the pressure loss when the ink flows through the connecting channel 167. In addition, since the liquid ejection device 1100 of this embodiment has the valve unit 160 described above, it is easy to reduce the pressure loss when the ink flows through the supply channel 124.

[0230] As described above, the following effects can be obtained from the valve unit 160 and the liquid ejection device 1100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0231] Valve unit 160 includes: an inlet section 162 for ink to flow in; an outlet section 169 for ink to flow out; a supply chamber 166 communicating with the inlet section 162; a pressure chamber PC communicating with the outlet section 169 and having a flexible portion FP; a valve 172 disposed on the supply chamber 166 and movable in the X-axis direction to open and close a connecting passage 167 connecting the supply chamber 166 and the pressure chamber PC; and a compression coil spring 173 for closing the connecting passage of the valve 172. A force is applied in the direction of channel 167; a displacement body 180, which is disposed on pressure chamber PC and can be displaced according to the displacement of flexible part FP, has a shaft portion 185 that is inserted into the connecting channel 167 to open and close valve 172, and a locking portion 182 disposed at a different position from the shaft portion 185. The locking portion 182 engages with the locking portion 168R disposed in pressure chamber PC, thereby restricting the movement of displacement body 180 in a direction intersecting the X-axis direction. Accordingly, the connecting channel 167 is not used for positioning, so it is easy to form a larger channel for ink to pass through in the connecting channel 167, and it is easy to reduce the pressure loss when ink flows through the connecting channel 167.

[0232] The displacement body 180 has a circular pressure-receiving portion 181 that receives the displacement of the flexible portion FP, and an engaging portion 182 is provided at the center of the pressure-receiving portion 181. Accordingly, the displacement body 180 can move smoothly.

[0233] The supply chamber 166 has an outer peripheral limiting part 166G, which restricts the movement of the valve 172 in a direction intersecting the X-axis by contacting the outer periphery 172P of the valve 172. This reduces the positional deviation of the valve 172.

[0234] Valve 172 has multiple cutouts 172R. Accordingly, multiple channels for ink to pass through can be formed between the outer peripheral restrictor 166G and valve 172, thereby further reducing pressure loss when ink flows through the outer peripheral restrictor 166G and valve 172.

[0235] The displacement body 180 has a rotation shaft 183 supported on a base 161 that constitutes the pressure chamber PC, and is capable of rotating about the rotation shaft 183. Accordingly, the posture of the displacement body 180 can be stabilized, thus enabling the opening and closing of the valve 172 to be performed smoothly.

[0236] The engaging portion 182 is provided between the shaft portion 185 and the rotating shaft 183. This makes the posture of the displacement body 180 more stable, thus enabling the valve 172 to be opened and closed smoothly.

[0237] The engaging portion 168R is configured as a rod, and the engaging portion 182 has an insertion side hole 182S including an opening into which the engaging portion 168R is inserted. The size of the flexible side hole 182L, located at a position corresponding to the top end of the inserted engaging portion 168R, is larger than the size of the insertion side hole 182S at the position where the opening of the engaging portion 168R is inserted. Therefore, when the engaging portion 182 is engaged with the engaging portion 168R, the displacement body 180 can move smoothly.

[0238] The connecting channel 167 extends from the supply chamber 166 toward the pressure chamber PC. Accordingly, pressure loss when ink flows through the connecting channel 167 can be further reduced.

[0239] The liquid ejection device 1100 includes: a liquid ejection head 110 that ejects ink; a supply channel 124 that allows ink to flow from a liquid supply source 121 toward the liquid ejection head 110; and a valve unit 160 that forms part of the supply channel 124 and has an inlet portion 162 for ink from the liquid supply source 121 to flow into and an outlet portion 169 for ink to flow out toward the liquid ejection head 110. The valve unit 160 includes: a supply chamber 166 communicating with the inlet portion 162; a pressure chamber PC communicating with the outlet portion 169 and having a flexible portion FP; and a valve 172 disposed on the supply chamber 166 and capable of moving in the X-axis direction. The valve 172 is moved to open and close the connecting channel 167 that connects the supply chamber 166 and the pressure chamber PC; a compression coil spring 173 applies force to the valve 172 in the direction of closing the connecting channel 167; a displacement body 180 is provided on the pressure chamber PC and can be displaced according to the displacement of the flexible part FP. The displacement body 180 has a shaft portion 185 for opening and closing the valve 172 inserted into the connecting channel 167, and a locking portion 182 provided at a different position from the shaft portion 185. The locking portion 182 engages with the locking portion 168R provided in the pressure chamber PC, thereby restricting the movement of the displacement body 180 in the direction intersecting the X-axis. Accordingly, the connecting channel 167 is not used for positioning, so it is easy to form a larger channel for ink to pass through the connecting channel 167, thereby easily reducing the pressure loss when the ink flows through the connecting channel 167.

[0240] The liquid ejection device 1100 also includes a liquid supply source 121, which has an injection section 122 capable of injecting ink and a collection chamber 123 for collecting the ink injected from the injection section 122. Accordingly, it can also be applied to printers that inject ink into the collection chamber 123.

[0241] Although the valve unit 160 and liquid ejection device 1100 according to the above embodiments of the present invention are based on devices having the structure described above, it is of course possible to implement changes and omissions in the local structure without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments and other embodiments described below can be combined with each other within a technically non-contradictory scope. Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.

[0242] In the above embodiments, the shape of the pressure-receiving part 181 may not be circular. In this case, for example, the shape of the pressure-receiving part 181 may be either elliptical or polygonal.

[0243] In the above embodiments, the engaging portion 182 may not be a circular through hole. In this case, the shape of the engaging portion 182 can be either elliptical or polygonal.

[0244] In the above embodiment, the engaging portion 182 may not be a through hole. In this case, the engaging portion 182 may be a rod-shaped protrusion, and the engaged portion 168R may be a hole shape.

[0245] In the above embodiments, the engaging portion 182 may not be located at the center of the pressure-bearing portion 181. In this case, for example, the engaging portion 182 may be located between the center of the pressure-bearing portion 181 and the shaft portion 185 in the Z-axis direction, or it may be located on the connecting portion 184 of the displacement body 180. Furthermore, the engaging portion 168R may be located in the pressure chamber PC at a position where it can engage with the engaging portion 182.

[0246] In the above embodiments, valve 172 may also have a notch 172R on valve body 172B.

[0247] In the above embodiment, the valve 172 may not have a notch 172R on the valve body 172B. In this case, the supply chamber 166 may be configured to have multiple protrusions that contact the outer peripheral surface of the valve 172, serving as a limiting part to restrict the movement of the valve 172 in a direction intersecting the X-axis.

[0248] In the above embodiment, the support portion 168H of the pressure chamber PC may not be positioned in the -Z direction relative to the engaging portion 168R. In this case, for example, the support portion 168H may be positioned in the +Y direction relative to the engaging portion 168R. In this case, the pressure chamber side opening of the connecting flow channel 167 may be positioned in the -Y direction relative to the engaging portion 168R.

[0249] In the above embodiment, the support portion 168H of the pressure chamber PC may not be positioned in the -Z direction relative to the engaging portion 168R. In this case, for example, the support portion 168H may be positioned in the +Z direction relative to the engaging portion 168R. Furthermore, the rotating shaft 183 of the displacement body 180 may be positioned such that the shaft portion 185 is located between the engaging portion 182 and the rotating shaft 183. In this case, the displacement body 180 may not rotate around the rotating shaft 183.

[0250] In the above embodiment, the displacement body 180 may also be without the rotation shaft 183. In this case, the displacement body 180 may also be provided with a pair of hemispherical protrusions spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, supported by the support portion 168H.

[0251] In the above embodiment, the pressure-receiving portion 181 of the displacement body 180 may also be fixed to the flexible portion FP of the pressure chamber PC. In this case, the displacement body 180 may be formed of the same material as the layer on the pressure chamber PC side of the second film 176. For example, the displacement body 180 may be formed of polypropylene, the same material as the layer on the pressure chamber PC side of the second film 176, and fixed by heat-sealing the pressure-receiving portion 181 of the displacement body 180 and the second film 176.

[0252] In the above embodiments, the first film 175 may not be a multilayer film. In this case, the first film 175 can be a single-layer resin film or a metal film such as stainless steel.

[0253] In the above embodiments, the second film 176 may not be a multilayer film. In this case, the second film 176 may be a single-layer resin film or a metal film such as stainless steel. In addition, a corrugated flexible shape may be provided on the flexible portion PC constituting the second film 176.

[0254] In the above embodiments, the connecting channel 167 may not have a supply chamber side connecting portion 167S. In this case, the connecting channel 167 may also have a structure in which the pressure chamber side connecting portion 167T opens to the supply chamber 166 side, and the connecting channel 167 may not extend from the supply chamber 166 side toward the pressure chamber PC side.

[0255] In the above embodiment, the connecting channel 167 may not have a pressure chamber side connecting portion 167T. In this case, the connecting channel 167 may also have a structure in which the supply chamber side connecting portion 167S opens to the pressure chamber PC side, and the connecting channel 167 may not extend from the supply chamber 166 side to the pressure chamber PC side.

Claims

1. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage portion that has a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head from a liquid supply source; a carriage capable of mounting the liquid ejection head and the liquid storage portion and moving back and forth in a scanning direction; an exhaust flow path capable of exhausting air in an upper portion of the storage chamber; a first opening and closing portion capable of opening and closing the exhaust flow path; a pressing portion capable of moving in a direction in which the first opening and closing portion is opened and closed; a lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with movement of the carriage; a connecting portion capable of connecting and disconnecting with respect to a connected portion of the exhaust flow path; a negative pressure generating portion that causes negative pressure to act on the connecting portion, the first opening and closing portion opens and closes the exhaust flow path in conjunction with movement of the carriage, the connecting portion is connected with the connected portion of the exhaust flow path by the carriage moving to a predetermined position.

2. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the liquid storage portions are mounted on the carriage, a plurality of the exhaust flow paths corresponding to the plurality of the liquid storage portions converge at an intermediate portion to constitute a converged exhaust flow path, the connecting portion is connected with a connected portion of the converged exhaust flow path that is the connected portion of the exhaust flow path.

3. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is provided so as to extend in the scanning direction at the predetermined position, the connected portion of the exhaust flow path is opened at a position opposite to the connecting portion in the scanning direction.

4. The liquid ejection device of claim 1, wherein Possessing: an opening and closing valve provided on the connected portion of the exhaust flow path and capable of opening and closing the exhaust flow path; a force applying portion that applies force to the opening and closing valve in a direction in which the connected portion of the exhaust flow path is closed, the exhaust flow path is opened and the exhaust flow path and the connecting portion are communicated by the connecting portion being inserted into the exhaust flow path while pressing the opening and closing valve against the application force generated by the force applying portion when the carriage moves to the predetermined position.

5. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover capable of forming a closed space in communication with an opening of the nozzle, the negative pressure generating portion communicates with the cover.

6. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage portion that has a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head from a liquid supply source; a carriage capable of mounting the liquid ejection head and the liquid storage portion and moving back and forth in a scanning direction; a filter provided at an upstream position with respect to the storage chamber in the liquid storage portion and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source; an exhaust flow path including a first exhaust flow path capable of exhausting air in an upper portion of the storage chamber and a second exhaust flow path capable of exhausting air in at least one of an upper portion of a filter chamber in which the filter is housed in the liquid storage portion and an upstream flow path in the liquid storage portion located upstream of the filter in a liquid supply direction; a first opening and closing portion capable of opening and closing the first exhaust flow path; a second opening and closing portion capable of opening and closing the second exhaust flow path; a pressing portion capable of moving in a direction in which the first opening and closing portion and the second opening and closing portion are opened and closed; a lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with movement of the carriage; a connecting portion capable of being connected to and separated from a connected portion of the exhaust flow path; a negative pressure generating portion that causes negative pressure to act on the connecting portion, the first opening and closing portion and the second opening and closing portion open and close the first exhaust flow path and the second exhaust flow path in conjunction with movement of the carriage, the connecting portion is connected to the connected portion of the exhaust flow path by the carriage moving to a predetermined position.

7. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the liquid storage portions are mounted on the carriage, the exhaust flow path has a merging exhaust flow path constituted by merging a plurality of the first exhaust flow paths and a plurality of the second exhaust flow paths at an intermediate portion corresponding to the plurality of the liquid storage portions, the connecting portion is connected to a connected portion of the merging exhaust flow path that is the connected portion of the exhaust flow path.

8. A control method of a liquid discharge apparatus, the control method characterized by comprising: the liquid discharge apparatus including: a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage portion that has a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied to the liquid discharge head from a liquid supply source; a carriage capable of mounting the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage portion and moving back and forth in a scanning direction; an exhaust flow path capable of exhausting air in an upper portion of the storage chamber; a first opening and closing portion capable of opening and closing the exhaust flow path; a pressing portion capable of moving in a direction in which the first opening and closing portion is opened and closed; a lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with movement of the carriage; an opening and closing valve provided on a connected portion of the exhaust flow path and capable of opening and closing the exhaust flow path; a connecting portion capable of being connected to and separated from the connected portion of the exhaust flow path; a negative pressure generating portion that causes negative pressure to act on the connecting portion, the control method of the liquid discharge apparatus including: opening the opening and closing valve with the connecting portion by moving the carriage to a position close to a predetermined position and connecting the connecting portion to the connected portion of the exhaust flow path; moving the lever in a direction in which the pressing portion is pressed to open the first opening and closing portion by moving the carriage to the predetermined position; The negative pressure is applied to the connection portion by the negative pressure generating portion, and air in the storage chamber is sucked through the discharge flow passage.

9. A control method of a liquid discharge apparatus, characterized by comprising: the liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage portion that has a storage chamber that stores the liquid supplied to the liquid discharge head from a liquid supply source; a carriage that can carry the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage portion and move back and forth in a scanning direction; a filter that is provided at an upstream position from the storage chamber in the liquid storage portion and filters the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source; a discharge flow passage that includes a first discharge flow passage that can discharge air in an upper portion of the storage chamber and a second discharge flow passage that can discharge air in at least one of an upper portion of a filter chamber in which the filter is housed in the liquid storage portion and an upstream flow passage in the liquid storage portion that is located upstream of the filter in a liquid supply direction; a first opening and closing portion that can open and close the first discharge flow passage; a second opening and closing portion that can open and close the second discharge flow passage; a pressing portion that can move in a direction in which the first opening and closing portion and the second opening and closing portion are opened and closed; a lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with movement of the carriage; a connection portion that can be connected and disconnected with respect to a connected portion of the discharge flow passage; a negative pressure generating portion that applies negative pressure to the connection portion, the control method of the liquid discharge apparatus includes: the first opening and closing portion and the second opening and closing portion open and close the first discharge flow passage and the second discharge flow passage in conjunction with movement of the carriage; the connection portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow passage by moving the carriage to a predetermined position; air in the storage chamber is sucked through the first discharge flow passage and air in at least one of the upper portion of the filter chamber and the upstream flow passage is sucked through the second discharge flow passage by applying negative pressure to the connection portion by the negative pressure generating portion.

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