Liquid discharge apparatus

Abstract

A liquid discharging apparatus is provided, which has: a head having a nozzle surface; a reservoir portion having a liquid reservoir chamber and a first atmosphere communication path; a liquid flow path connecting the head and the liquid reservoir chamber; a first switching assembly switching a state of the first atmosphere communication path between a connected state and a disconnected state; a cap having a body and a second atmosphere communication path; a movable assembly moving the cap between a covering position and a separated position; and a controller. The controller performs: a discharging process in which the head discharges liquid; and a capping process in which the movable assembly moves the cap from the separated position to the covering position after the discharging process. The first atmosphere communication path is placed in the connected state with the cap located at the covering position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a liquid discharging apparatus that is capable of a discharging operation to discharge liquid from a nozzle of a head at a sheet. BACKGROUND

[0002] A liquid discharging apparatus that can perform a discharging operation to discharge liquid from a head at a sheet is known. During the discharging operation, liquid can be supplied from a reservoir portion to the head. While the discharging operation is not performed, the nozzle of the head can be covered by a cap. The cap can have an atmosphere communication path connected to an outside atmosphere, and a release valve that can open or close the atmosphere communication path. While the nozzle is covered by the cap, the atmosphere communication path can be optionally opened or closed. For example, in the liquid discharging apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-217556, the release valve can close the atmosphere communication path while the nozzle is covered by the cap; and in another liquid discharging apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-036223, the release valve can open the atmosphere communication path as another example. SUMMARY

[0003] Meanwhile, when the nozzle is covered by the cap, in other words, when the liquid discharging apparatus does not discharge liquid, an external force or pressure generated in the vicinity of the reservoir portion and the head can be applied to the fluid in the reservoir portion and the head. For example, when the liquid discharging apparatus is moved from one place to another, an external force caused by shaking, tilting, or rolling of the liquid discharging apparatus can be applied to the liquid in the reservoir portion and the head. As another example, expansion or contraction of the surrounding air caused by a change in temperature can cause an external force to be applied to the liquid in the reservoir portion and the head. Due to these external forces, a meniscus formed by the liquid in the nozzle can be rather easily deformed or broken.

[0004] An advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid discharging apparatus in which a meniscus in a nozzle can be inhibited from being deformed or broken while the nozzle is covered by a cap.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid discharging apparatus having a head, a reservoir portion, a liquid flow path, a first switching assembly, a cap, a movable assembly, and a controller. The head has a nozzle surface on which a nozzle is formed. The reservoir portion has a liquid reservoir chamber configured to store a liquid, and a first atmosphere communication path connecting the liquid reservoir chamber with the outside. The liquid flow path connects the head with the liquid reservoir chamber for the liquid to flow in the liquid flow path. The first switching assembly is configured to switch a state of the first atmosphere communication path between a connected state in which the first atmosphere communication path is connected with the outside and a disconnected state in which the first atmosphere communication path is disconnected with the outside. The cap has a body and a second atmosphere communication path. The body defines a covering space, and the body is configured to cover the nozzle surface by the covering space. The second atmosphere communication path connects the covering space with the outside. The movable assembly is configured to move the cap between a covering position at which the body covers the nozzle surface and a separated position at which the body is separated from the nozzle surface. The controller is configured to execute: a discharging process in which the controller controls the head to discharge the liquid; and a capping process after the discharging process in which the controller controls the movable assembly to move the cap from the separated position to the covering position. The first atmosphere communication path is placed in the connected state with the cap being located at the covering position.

[0006] Optionally, the controller can be configured to execute a first path connection process in which the controller controls the first switching assembly to operate for placing the first atmosphere communication path in the connected state while the cap is located at the covering position.

[0007] Optionally, the liquid discharging apparatus can further have a second switching assembly configured to switch a state of the second atmosphere communication path between a connected state in which the second atmosphere communication path is connected with the outside and a disconnected state in which the second atmosphere communication path is disconnected with the outside. The second atmosphere communication path can be placed in the connected state with the cap being located at the covering position.

[0008] Optionally, the controller can be configured to execute a second path connection process in which the controller controls the second switching assembly to operate for placing the second atmosphere communication path in the connected state while the cap is located at the covering position.

[0009] Optionally, the controller can be configured to execute the second path connection process after the discharge process ends and before the capping process is executed, to control the second switching assembly to switch the second atmospheric communication path from the disconnected state to the connected state.

[0010] Optionally, the liquid discharge apparatus can further have a second switching assembly configured to switch a state of the second atmospheric communication path between a connected state in which the second atmospheric communication path is connected with the outside and a disconnected state in which the second atmospheric communication path is disconnected from the outside. The second atmospheric communication path can be placed in the disconnected state in a case where the cap is located at the covering position.

[0011] Optionally, the controller can be configured to execute a second path disconnection process in which the controller controls the second switching assembly to operate to place the second atmospheric communication path in the disconnected state while the cap is located at the covering position.

[0012] Optionally, the controller can be configured to execute a second path connection process after the discharge process ends and before the capping process is executed, in which the controller controls the second switching assembly to operate to switch the second atmospheric communication path from the disconnected state to the connected state.

[0013] Optionally, the second atmospheric communication path can be in the disconnected state while the controller executes the discharge process.

[0014] Optionally, the controller can be configured to execute: a second path connection process before the discharge process is executed, in which the controller controls the second switching assembly to operate to switch the second atmospheric communication path from the disconnected state to the connected state; a separation process after the second path connection process is executed, in which the controller controls the movable assembly to move the cap from the covering position to the separated position; and the discharge process after the separation process is executed.

[0015] Optionally, the liquid discharge apparatus can further have a pump connected with the covering space through a flow path. In a case where the cap is located at the covering position, the controller can be configured to execute a purge process after the state of the second atmospheric communication path is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state by the second switching assembly, in which the pump is activated to cause the liquid to be discharged from the head through the nozzle.

[0016] Optionally, the controller can be configured to further perform a first path disconnect procedure in which the controller controls the first switching assembly to operate to arrange the discharge process to be performed with the first atmospheric communication path in the disconnected state.

[0017] Optionally, the controller can be configured to perform the second path disconnect procedure to switch the second atmospheric communication path from the connected state to the disconnected state after the capping process is completed.

[0018] Optionally, the liquid reservoir chamber can include a plurality of liquid reservoir chambers. The reservoir portion can have a plurality of air chambers, each of the plurality of air chambers connected with one of the plurality of liquid reservoir chambers. The first atmospheric communication path can include a plurality of first atmospheric communication paths, each of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths connecting one of the plurality of air chambers with the exterior. The first switching assembly can be configured to switch the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths collectively between the connected state in which the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths are connected with the exterior and the disconnected state in which the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths are disconnected from the exterior.

[0019] Optionally, the liquid reservoir chamber can include a plurality of liquid reservoir chambers. The reservoir portion can have a plurality of air chambers, each of the plurality of air chambers connected with one of the plurality of liquid reservoir chambers. The first atmospheric communication path can include a plurality of first atmospheric communication paths, each of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths connecting one of the plurality of air chambers with the exterior. The first switching assembly can be configured to switch the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths individually between the connected state in which each of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths is connected with the exterior and the disconnected state in which each of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths is disconnected from the exterior.

[0020] Optionally, in the discharge process, the controller can be configured to control the head to discharge the liquid at a sheet. One of before the discharge process is performed and while the discharge process is being performed, the controller can be configured to operate the first switching assembly to operate and control the head, with the first atmospheric communication path placed in the connected state, for arranging the liquid to be discharged from the head located in a position in which the head does not face the sheet.

[0021] Optionally, during the discharging process, the controller can be configured to control the head to discharge the liquid at a sheet. Prior to performing the discharging process and while the discharging process is being performed, the controller can be configured to control the first switching assembly to operate and control the head for arranging the liquid to be discharged from the head in a position where the head does not face the sheet, with the first atmospheric communication path being placed in the disconnected state.

[0022] Optionally, the liquid discharging apparatus can further have an expandable / contractible member that bounds an internal space connected with the second atmospheric communication path. The expandable / contractible member can be configured to expand or contract in response to a pressure variation in the second communication path.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 is a top plan view according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing regions in the internal structure, including a reservoir portion 220 and adjacent structures.

[0027] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 is an explanatory view of the reservoir portion 220 and the adjacent structures, viewed from a front side, when a head 200 is located at a capping position P21, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] [ Figure 5A ] Figure 5A is a right side view of the reservoir portion 220 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] [ Figure 5B ] Figure 5B is an explanatory view of a vertical sectional plane C1 of the reservoir portion 220, cut at a dotted line VB-VB indicated in Figure 5A and viewed from a front side, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] [ Figure 6A ] Figure 6A is an explanatory view of a vertical sectional plane C1 of the reservoir portion 220, cut at a dotted line VB-VB indicated in Figure 5Adiagram of a vertical section C2 of the reservoir portion 220 taken at the indicated dotted line VI-VI and viewed from the front side.

[0031] [ Figure 6B ] Figure 6B is a diagram according to this embodiment of the disclosure showing how the volume Vb of the air portion in the reservoir portion 220 is determined.

[0032] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 is a diagram of the reservoir portion 220 and adjacent structures in the printer 100 according to this embodiment of the disclosure when the head 200 is separated from the capping position P21.

[0033] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 is a diagram of the second switching assembly 280 according to this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating functional blocks in the printer 100 according to this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] [ Figure 10A ] Figure 10A is a part of a flowchart illustrating steps in an image recording process to be performed in the printer 100 according to this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0036] [ Figure 10B ] Figure 10B is another part of the flowchart illustrating steps in the image recording process to be performed in the printer 100 according to this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0037] [ Figure 11A ] Figure 11A is a diagram of the cap 260 in a first variant of this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0038] [ Figure 11B ] Figure 11B is a diagram of the reservoir portion 220 in a second variant of this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0039] [ Figure 12A ] Figure 12A is a diagram of the reservoir portion 220 and the first switching assembly in a fourth variant of this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0040] [ Figure 12B ] Figure 12B is another diagram of the reservoir portion 220 and the first switching assembly in the fourth variant of this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0041] [ Figure 12C ]Figure 12C is another explanatory view of the reservoir portion 220 and the first switching assembly in the fourth variant of this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] [ Figure 13 ] Figure 13 is an explanatory view of the inflatable / deflatable member 286 in the fifth variant of this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] [ Figure 14A ] Figure 14A is an explanatory view of the cap 260 and the lifting assembly 259 at the capped position P31 in the sixth variant of this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] [ Figure 14B ] Figure 14B is an explanatory view of the cap 260 and the lifting assembly 259 at the uncapped position P32 in the sixth variant of this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] [ Figure 15A ] Figure 15A illustrates a variant of the opener member 250 connecting the first atmospheric communication path 221K according to this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] [ Figure 15B ] Figure 15B illustrates the variant of the opener member 250 disconnecting the first atmospheric communication path 221K according to this embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In the following paragraphs, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the following description various connections can be set forth between elements. These connections typically and unless otherwise specified can be direct or indirect, and this description does not intend to limit the specification in this respect.

[0048] In the following description, from the root of the handle toward the pointing direction indicated by the pointing arrow will be expressed by the term "orientation", while the back-and-forth mobility along the line extending through the handle and the pointing head of the arrow will be expressed by the term "direction".

[0049] Moreover, the position relationships within the printer 100 and each part or article included in the printer 100 will be mentioned on the basis of the posture of the printer 100 in the usual usable condition as indicated by the bidirectional pointing arrows in Figure 1 Figure 1 ​An axis of vertical between the upper side and the lower side in the printer 100 is defined as an up-down direction 7. A side where the opening 330 is formed is defined as a front side 320, and an axis between the front side and a rear side opposite to the front side is defined as a front-rear direction 8. Right and left sides of a user facing the front side 320 of the printer 100 are defined as a right side and a left side, respectively. An axis between the right side and the left side is defined as a left-right direction 9. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 cross each other orthogonally. In the following description, the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9 can be referred to as a vertical direction 7 and a width direction 9, respectively.

[0050] Overall configuration of the printer 100

[0051] As shown in Figure 1 , the printer 100 as an example of a liquid discharge apparatus can record a multicolor image in four (4) colors, for example, on a sheet M (see Figure 2 ) using an inkjet recording method. The sheet M can be a sheet such as paper or an OHP film. However, it can be noted that the method of recording an image on the sheet M can not necessarily be limited to inkjet recording, but can be a different recording method such as, for example, thermal inkjet recording, which is also referred to as bubble jet (registered trademark) recording.

[0052] Internal configuration of the printer 100

[0053] As shown in Figure 2 , the printer 100 has a feeder tray 110, a discharge tray 120, a feeder 130, an outer guide 140, an inner guide 150, a conveyor roller pair 160, a discharge roller pair 170, a platen 180, a carriage 190, a head 200, a conveyor 210 (see Figure 3 ), a reservoir portion 220, a cover 230, a valve unit 240 (see Figure 5B ), an opener member 250 (see Figure 4 , Figure 7 ), a cap 260 (see Figure 4 ), and a controller 270 (see Figure 9 ) housed in a housing 300. At least the conveyor 210, the valve unit 240, and the opener member 250 can form a first switching assembly.

[0054] The housing 300

[0055] As shown in Figure 1 , the housing 300 can have a substantially rectangular cuboid shape. The housing 300 can be supported by an unshown frame arranged inside. On the front side 320, an opening 330 that opens forward is formed.

[0056] The feeder tray 110

[0057] The feeder tray 110 that stores the sheet M can be installed in the housing 300 through the opening 330. As shown in Figure 2 On the bottom 111 of the feeder tray 110, one or more sheets M can be stacked in the vertical direction 7. The guide member 112 extends rearward upward from the rear end of the bottom 111 to a position close below the lower end of the outer guide 140.

[0058] The discharge tray 120

[0059] In the housing 300, at a position above the feeder tray 110, the sheet outlet 370 is formed. Through the sheet outlet 370, the sheet M on which an image is recorded in the printer 100 can be discharged. The sheet M on which an image is recorded can be referred to as printed material M. The discharge tray 120 is disposed at a front lower position with respect to the sheet outlet 370. The discharge tray 120 can support the printed material M.

[0060] The feeder 130

[0061] The feeder 130 as shown in Figure 2 includes a shaft 131, a feeder arm 132, a feeder roller 133, and a drive force transmission assembly 134.

[0062] The shaft 131 is supported by a frame not shown and extends in the width direction 9 at a position above the bottom 111. The feeder arm 132 is supported at its base end portion by the shaft 131. The feeder arm 132 is pivotable in the circumferential direction 3B of the shaft 131. The feeder arm 132 extends rearward downward from the base end portion. The feeder roller 133 is attached to the tip end portion of the feeder arm 132. The feeder roller 133 is rotatable in the circumferential direction 3C of the shaft 135 parallel to the shaft 131. The drive force transmission assembly 134 can include a gear train and a drive belt, and can be disposed inside the feeder arm 132.

[0063] The overall behavior of the feeder 130 is described here. The feeder roller 133 can be in contact with the uppermost one of the sheets M stacked on the bottom 111 of the feeder tray 110. The drive force transmission assembly 134 can transmit a force generated by a feeder motor 271 (see Figure 9 ) for feeding the sheet M to the feeder roller 133. The feeder roller 133 can be rotated by the transmitted force and apply a rearward conveying force to the uppermost sheet M. Thereby, the uppermost sheet M can be conveyed rearward on the bottom 111 and guided by the inclined surface of the guide member 112 through the sheet inlet PO to the conveyor path P.

[0064] The conveyor path P

[0065] The conveyor path P as shown in Figure 2As shown, inside the housing 300, a conveyor path P for conveying the sheet M is formed. The sheet inlet P0 forms the upstream end of the conveyor path P and is positioned directly above the extension of the guide member 112. The conveyor path P is a so-called U-shaped turning path and includes a curved path P1 and a straight path P2. The curved path P1 curves substantially forward and upward from the sheet inlet P0. The straight path P2 extends substantially straight forward from the downstream end of the curved path P1 to the sheet outlet 370.

[0066] External guide 140, internal guide 150

[0067] The outer guide 140 and the inner guide 150 define the outermost and innermost parts of the bending path P1, respectively.

[0068] The conveying of sheet M is described here. Sheet M, fed to sheet inlet P0, can be guided by outer guide 140 and inner guide 150 for conveying in a curved path P1. Thereafter, sheet M can be transferred to conveyor roller pair 160.

[0069] 160 conveyor roller pairs

[0070] The conveyor roller pair 160 includes a drive roller 161 and a pinch roller 162. The drive roller 161 and the pinch roller 162 are arranged such that they contact each other in the vertical direction 7 across the downstream ends of the curved path P1, and extend in the width direction 9 along the downstream ends of the curved path P1. In this embodiment, the drive roller 161 contacts the pinch roller 162 from above. However, alternatively, the drive roller 161 may contact the pinch roller 162 from below.

[0071] Drive roller 161 can be driven by conveyor motor 272 (see conveyor motor 272 for conveying sheet M) Figure 9 The force generated by the rotation is used to rotate the sheet M. The pinch roller 162 can be rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 161. The drive roller 161 and the pinch roller 162 can clamp and rotate the sheet M to convey it, for example, forward in the conveying orientation 4. Thus, the sheet M can be conveyed downstream in the straight path P2.

[0072] Discharge roller pair 170

[0073] As in Figure 2 As shown, the discharge roller pair 170 includes a drive roller 171 and a toothed roller 172. The drive roller 171 and the toothed roller 172 are located in the straight path P2 between the pressure plate 180 and the sheet outlet 370, and are positioned to contact each other in the vertical direction 7 across the straight path P2 and extend along the straight path P2 in the width direction 9. In this embodiment, the toothed roller 172 contacts the drive roller 171 from above. However, alternatively, the toothed roller 172 may contact the drive roller 171 from below.

[0074] The drive roller 171 can be rotated by a force generated by the conveyer motor 272. The tooth roller 172 can be rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 171. The drive roller 171 and the tooth roller 172 can pinch and rotate the sheet M to convey the sheet M further downstream on the conveyance orientation 4. Thereby, the sheet M can be discharged to the outside through the sheet outlet 370.

[0075] The platen 180

[0076] The platen 180 is located between the conveyer roller pair 160 and the discharge roller pair 170 in the front-rear direction 8. The platen 180 has a support surface 181 that extends in the front-rear direction 8 and the width direction 9. The support surface 181 bounds the lowermost portion of the straight path P2, and can support the sheet M conveyed by the conveyer roller pair 160 from below. The support surface 181 can be formed by upper end faces of a plurality of ribs that project upward from the platen 180 and extend longitudinally in the front-rear direction 8. Alternatively, however, the support surface 181 can be a flat upper surface of the platen 180.

[0077] The carriage 190

[0078] As shown in Figures 2-3 The printer 100 further has guide rails 191A, 191B arranged inside the housing 300. As shown in Figure 2 The guide rails 191A, 191B are located at a position higher than the support surface 181, and are supported by a frame not shown. In a top plan view, as shown in Figure 3 The guide rails 191A, 191B are arranged to be spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8 to be located on both sides of the support surface 181 and to extend longitudinally in the width direction 9. In other words, the support surface 181 of the platen 180 is located between the guide rails 191A, 191B in the front-rear direction 8.

[0079] The carriage 190, as shown in Figure 3 The carriage 190 has a width smaller than the width of the platen 180, and is arranged to overpass the guide rails 191A, 191B in the front-rear direction 8. The carriage 190 can be moved on the guide rails 191A, 191B by a force transmitted through the conveyer 210 to move reciprocally in the width direction 9. In the following paragraphs, the direction in which the carriage 190 is able to move can be referred to as the scanning direction 9.

[0080] The head 200

[0081] The head 200, as shown in Figure 2 The head 200 has a lower face 201, an upper face 202, a plurality of nozzles 203, and an ink flow path 204 as an example of a liquid flow path. The plurality of nozzles 203 are formed to be arranged on the lower face 201 along the front-rear direction 8 and the width direction 9. In Figure 2In the plurality of nozzles 203, only the nozzles 203 arranged along the front-rear direction 8 are shown. Each nozzle 203 has a downward discharge opening. The head 200 is mounted on the carriage 190 so that the lower face 201 of the head 200 can move in the scanning direction 9 in a position separated from above the support surface 181 together with the carriage 190. In this regard, the lower face 201 defines the uppermost portion of the straight path P2.

[0082] The head 200 accommodates piezoelectric devices (not shown) corresponding to the nozzles 203 on a one-to-one basis. A drive waveform modulated by the controller 270 can be applied to these piezoelectric devices in the head 200, and by virtue of this, the head 200 can discharge ink downward through the nozzles 203 in the discharge orientation 7D and consume the ink stored in the head 200.

[0083] Conveyor 210 (part of first switching assembly)

[0084] The conveyor 210 shown in Figure 3 includes two (2) pulleys 211 and one endless belt 212. The conveyor 210 forms part of the first switching assembly and can switch the state of a valve body 242, which will be described further below, between an open state and a closed state. The pulleys 211 are separated from each other in the width direction 9 on the guide rail 191A. Each pulley 211 can rotate in the circumferential direction of its axis extending along the vertical direction 7. The endless belt 212 is taut around the pulleys 211 and is coupled to the carriage 190. One pulley 211, for example, the right pulley 211, is coupled to a carriage motor 273 (see Figure 9 ) for driving the carriage 190. The carriage motor 273 can be operated and generate a drive force under the control of the controller 270. The right pulley 211 can be driven by the drive force from the carriage motor 273 to rotate in the forward direction or the reverse direction. Thus, the head 200 coupled to the endless belt 212 can be reciprocated in the width direction 9 between a capping position P21 and a flushing position P22 preset between the pulleys 211. The capping position P21 can be at substantially the same position in the width direction 9 as the cap 260 separated from the platen 180 to the right and from the frame 301 (see Figure 4 ) to the left. The flushing position P22 is separated from the platen 180 to the left. The ink receiver 194 is disposed at the flushing position P22.

[0085] While the carriage 190 is moved to the left or to the right in one swath or one pass under the control of the controller 270, the head 200 can be moved in an ink-dischargeable range R11 (see, for example, Figure 7The head 200 and the ink reservoir chamber 220B are connected by ink flow paths 204 that allow liquid to flow therein. The head 200 can discharge ink supplied from the reservoir portion 220 through the ink flow paths 204 while moving in the width direction 9. In other words, one line of images can be recorded on the sheet M in one pass.

[0086] Reservoir portion 220, cover 230

[0087] As shown in Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 6B , the reservoir portion 220 as an ink tank is attached to the upper face 202 of the head 200 so that the reservoir portion 220 can not be easily detached from the head 200. In other words, the printer 100 in the present embodiment can be a so-called carriage-integrated printer in which the reservoir portion 220 and the head 200 are mounted on the carriage 190 (see Figure 3 ). The reservoir portion 220 can be located at an upper position completely with respect to the head 200. However, alternatively, the reservoir portion 220 can be located at least partially above the upper face 202 of the head 200, and another portion of the reservoir portion 220 can be located below the upper face 202 of the head 200.

[0088] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5A , the reservoir portion 220 has an outer wall 221, four (4) upper indexes 223U, four (4) lower indexes 223L, and four (4) covers 230. Also, as shown in Figure 6A , the reservoir portion 220 has a plurality of partition walls 222 and a cylindrical wall 224.

[0089] As shown in Figure 5B and Figures 6A-6B , the outer wall 221 delimits the inner space 220A of the reservoir portion 220 from the outside environment. The reservoir portion 220 can be mainly made of a light-transmissive material, such as a transparent resin. Thus, a user can visually recognize the amount of ink stored in the reservoir portion 220.

[0090] As shown in Figure 4 , Figures 5A-5B and Figure 6A , the outer wall 221 includes a bottom wall 221A, a first front wall 221B, a rear wall 221C, a first upper wall 221D, a second upper wall 221E, a second front wall 221F, a left side wall 221G, and a right side wall 221H. The bottom wall 221A, the first upper wall 221D, and the second upper wall 221E are in a substantially rectangular form in a plan view along the vertical direction 7. The first front wall 221B, the second front wall 221F, and the rear wall 221C are substantially in a rectangular form in a view along the front-rear direction 8.

[0091] The bottom wall 221A extends on the upper face 202 of the head 200. The front edge and the rear edge of the bottom wall 221A are substantially parallel to the front-rear direction 8.

[0092] The first front wall 221B and the rear wall 221C respectively extend upward from the front edge and the rear edge of the bottom wall 221A. The extended end, i.e., the upper end, of the first front wall 221B is positioned lower than the extended end of the rear wall 221C.

[0093] The first upper wall 221D extends between the upper end of the first front wall 221B and an intermediate position P41 (see Figure 5A ) between the first front wall 221B and the rear wall 221C.

[0094] In the first upper wall 221D, as shown in Figure 6A , four (4) through-holes 221J are formed in the vertical direction 7 through the first upper wall 221D, through which ink can be injected into the reservoir portion 220.

[0095] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5A , the second front wall 221F extends between the rear edge of the first upper wall 221D and the front edge of the second upper wall 221E.

[0096] As shown in Figure 4 , the left side wall 221G and the right side wall 221H respectively close the left end and the right end of the reservoir portion 220.

[0097] Next, the plurality of partition walls 222 will be described with reference to Figure 5B and Figure 6A . Figure 5B A vertical cross section C1 of the reservoir portion 220 taken at the dotted line VB-VB indicated in Figure 5A is shown. Figure 6A A vertical cross section C2 of the reservoir portion 220 taken at the dotted line VI-VI indicated in Figure 5A is shown. The vertical cross section C1, the vertical cross section C2 are both parallel to the vertical direction 7 and the width direction 9. The vertical cross section C1 extends from the second upper wall 221E to the bottom wall 221A, and the vertical cross section C2 extends from the upper end of the lid 230 to the bottom wall 221A.

[0098] The plurality of division walls 222 includes three (3) vertical division walls 222A and one vertical division wall 222B, which together with the outer wall 221 define the inner space 220A into four (4) ink reservoir chambers 220B (examples of liquid reservoir chambers), one air chamber 220C, and one valve accommodation space 220D.

[0099] The vertical division walls 222A are arranged spaced apart from each other in the width direction 9 in the inner space 220A. In particular, the vertical division walls 222A extend upward from the bottom wall 221A at different positions and extend in the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. Each vertical division wall 222A is connected to the first upper wall 221D (see Figure 6A ) at a position between two adjacent through holes 221J in the width direction 9. Meanwhile, none of the vertical division walls 222A is connected to the second upper wall 221E (see Figure 5B ). In other words, the extending ends of the vertical division walls 222A are separated from below the second upper wall 221E. Each vertical division wall 222A is connected to the first front wall 221B at its front end and to the rear wall 221C at its rear end. None of the vertical division walls 222A is connected to the second front wall 221F.

[0100] The vertical division wall 222B extends downward from the second upper wall 221E at a position separated from the right side wall 221H to the left, and extends in the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The vertical division wall 222B extends in the vertical direction 7 to a position separated upward from the extending ends of the vertical division walls 222A.

[0101] The four ink reservoir chambers 220B are spaces surrounded by the bottom wall 221A, the first front wall 221B, the rear wall 221C, the first upper wall 221D, the left side wall 221G, the right side wall 221H, and the three vertical division walls 222A. The four ink reservoir chambers 220B can store inks of four (4) different colors (e.g., yellow, magenta, cyan, and black). Each ink reservoir chamber 220B is connectable to the outside of the reservoir portion 2210 through a corresponding through hole 221J.

[0102] The air chamber 220C is a space surrounded by the second front wall 221F, the rear wall 221C, the second upper wall 221E, the left side wall 221G, and the right side wall 221H. The air chamber 220C is located at an upper position with respect to the upper index 223U. The air chamber 220C can store at least a portion of air, i.e., an air portion, in the reservoir portion 220. Alternatively, the air chamber 220C can be surrounded by other division walls, or can be a so-called labyrinth flow path.

[0103] As inFigure 5B The valve housing space 220D is a space defined by the second upper wall 221E, the right side wall 221H, and the vertical partition wall 222B, and accommodates the valve unit 240, as shown in FIG. 21. The lower side of the valve housing space 220D is open downward. Thus, the valve housing space 220D is continuous with the ink reservoir chamber 220B through the air chamber 220C.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 21, Figure 4 The upper indicators 223U are arranged on the outer surface of the first front wall 221B, and are arranged at positions close to the upper edge of the first front wall 221B. Each of the upper indicators 223U is arranged on the front side of a corresponding one of the ink reservoir chambers 220B. The upper indicators 223U are located at the same positions in the vertical direction 7, and are arranged apart from each other in the width direction 9.

[0105] The lower indicators 223L are arranged on the outer surface of the first front wall 221B, and are arranged at positions lower than the upper indicators 223U. Each of the lower indicators 223L is arranged at a lower position with respect to a corresponding one of the upper indicators 223U. The lower indicators 223L are located at the same positions in the vertical direction 7, and are arranged apart from each other in the width direction 9.

[0106] Each of the upper indicators 223U and the lower indicators 223L has a linear form extending in the width direction 9. The upper indicators 223U and the lower indicators 223L can be marked on the outer surface of the first front wall 221B by engraving, embossing, or painting with a coloring agent. Each of the upper indicators 223U is a symbol indicating the maximum amount of the surface level of ink that can be stored in the ink reservoir chamber 220B behind the upper indicator 223U. Each of the lower indicators 223L is a symbol indicating the surface level of ink at which the ink reservoir chamber 220B should be refilled with ink.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 21, Figure 6A The cylindrical wall 224 extends upward and downward cylindrically from the circumferential edge of the through-hole 221J in the first upper wall 221D. Each of the cylindrical walls 224 has an injection port 224A at the upper end thereof. In other words, the upper end of each of the cylindrical walls 224 forms the injection port 224A. The injection port 224A is an opening that opens upward or outward from the reservoir portion 220. The inner circumferential surface of each of the cylindrical walls 224 defines an ink supply path 224B that continues from the injection port 224A to the ink reservoir chamber 220B through the through-hole 221J. In other words, the injection port 224A is continuous with the ink reservoir chamber 220B, and the ink supply path 224B connects the inside and the outside of the ink reservoir chamber 220B. The lower end of the ink supply path 224B is positioned lower than the air chamber 220C.

[0108] Figure 4 and Figure 6AThe cap 230 shown can be formed of, for example, flexible resin. The cap 230 is user-attachable to the upper end of the cylindrical wall 224 and detachable from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 224 to close and open the injection port 224A.

[0109] As in Figure 5B As shown, a first atmospheric communication path 221K is formed in the right side wall 221H at a position consistent with the vertical dividing wall 222B in the width direction 9. This first atmospheric communication path 221K is a through-hole formed through the right side wall 221H in the width direction 9. The first atmospheric communication path 221K connects the ink storage chamber 220B and the exterior of the storage section 220 through the valve receiving space 220D and the air chamber 220C.

[0110] In the bottom wall 221A, four (4) outlet ports 221L are formed at a position corresponding to the lower end of the four ink reservoir chambers 220B. Each outlet port 221L is a through-hole formed vertically through the bottom wall 221A and is continuous with a corresponding ink flow path 204. Through the outlet ports 221L, ink in the ink reservoir chambers 220B can be supplied to the head 200. In this embodiment, the air chamber 220C is positioned completely above the outlet ports 221L. However, alternatively, the air chamber 220C may be at least partially located above the outlet ports 221L.

[0111] Valve unit 240, actuator component 250 (part of the first switching assembly)

[0112] As in Figure 5B As shown, valve unit 240 has spring 241 and valve body 242.

[0113] Spring 241 may be a compression helical spring, the natural length of which is substantially equal to or greater than the distance in the width direction 9 between the right side wall 221H and the vertical dividing wall 222B. Spring 241 is housed in valve housing space 220D, its axis aligned parallel to the width direction 9. The left end of spring 241 is fixed to the vertical dividing wall 222B. Valve body 242 is fixed to the right end of spring 241.

[0114] When the opening component 250 is not in contact with the valve body 242, and the inner surface of the right side wall 221H serves as a valve seat, the valve body 242 can close the first atmospheric communication path 221K by the pushing force of the spring 241. Thus, the first atmospheric communication path 221K is placed in an open state, and in this open state, the ink storage chamber 220B and the exterior of the storage section 220 are disconnected.

[0115] As in Figure 4As shown, frame 301 is arranged inside housing 300. Frame 301 extends vertically in direction 7 at a position separating it to the right from cap 260, and frame 301 faces the right side wall 221H of storage portion 220 in width direction 9. Opener component 250 communicates with the first atmosphere via path 221K from frame 301 in width direction 9 (see...). Figures 5A-5B The valve body 242 protrudes to the left at a consistent position. The cross-sectional area of ​​the opener component 250 along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 is smaller than the opening of the first atmospheric communication path 221K over the entire width direction 9. The length of the opener component 250 in the width direction 9 is greater than the distance between the valve body 242 and the frame 301 when the head 200 is in the capped position P21. As the carriage 190 moves in the width direction 9, and shortly before the head 200 on the carriage 190 reaches the capped position P21, the protruding end of the opener component 250 can enter the first atmospheric communication path 221K and contact the valve body 242. While the head 200 is in the capped position P21, the contact force from the opener component 250 causes the valve body 242 to overcome the pushing force of the spring 241 and separate from the right side wall 221H. Therefore, the valve body 242 can open the first atmospheric communication path 221K. In other words, the initiator component 250 can switch the valve body 242 from a closed state to an open state. Therefore, the valve body 242 can switchably open and close the first atmospheric communication path 221K. Accordingly, the first atmospheric communication path 221K can be placed in a connected state, in which the ink storage chamber 220B and the outside of the storage section 220 are connected and communicated.

[0116] Hat 260

[0117] As in Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the cap 260 is located to the right of the pressure plate 180 in the width direction 9 and at a position substantially the same as the head 200 in the front-rear direction 8. The cap 260 may be formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and the cap 260 has a base 261, a lip 262, and multiple fluid communication paths 263. The base 261 and the lip 262 are examples of the body of the cap 260. These fluid communication paths 263 form part of a second atmospheric communication path.

[0118] The base 261 has a substantially rectangular upper surface in a plan view along the vertical direction 7. A lip 262 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the base 261 at a position near a circumferential edge, and the lip 262 has the form of a rectangular frame. The base 261 and the lip 262 delimit a coverage space 260A through which all the nozzles 203 formed in the head 200 can be covered by the cap 260. The plurality of fluid communication paths 263 are through-holes formed through the base 261 from the upper surface to the lower surface at positions in the area surrounded by the lip 262. Optionally, only one fluid communication path 263 can be formed instead of the plurality of fluid communication paths 263. Figure 4 and Figure 7 Only one of these fluid communication paths 263 is shown.

[0119] The cap 260 is supported by a lifting assembly 264, which is an example of a movable assembly, by a frame 302 that extends in the front-rear direction 8 and the width direction 9. This lifting assembly 264 can vertically move the cap 260 between a capped position P31, which is an example of a coverage position, and an uncapped position P32, which is an example of a separation position, by a driving force generated by a lifting motor 274 (see Figure 9 ) under the control of a controller 270. As shown in Figure 4 , the capped position P31 is a position where the upper end of the lip 262 is in contact with the lower face 201 of the head 200 located at the capped position P21. The base 261 and the lip 262 of the cap 260 located at the capped position P31 can cover the nozzles 203 formed in the lower face 201 of the head 200. As shown in Figure 7 , the uncapped position P32 is lower than the capped position P31, and is a position where the upper end of the cap 260 is separated from the lower face 201 of the head 200.

[0120] Second switching assembly 280

[0121] As shown in Figure 8 , the printer 100 has a second switching assembly 280. This second switching assembly 280 includes a number of common tubes 281, of which only one common tube 281 is shown, an electrically operable three-way valve 282, and individual tubes 283, 284. Each common tube 281 is connected at one end thereof to a lower end of one of the fluid communication paths 263, and at the other end thereof to an inflow port 282A of the electrically operable three-way valve 282. The electrically operable three-way valve 282 and the individual tubes 283 form another part of the second atmospheric communication path.

[0122] The motor-operable three-way valve 282 has two (2) outflow ports 282B, 282C and a valve body (not shown) in the valve tank in addition to the inflow port 282A. A separate tube 283 is connected at one end thereof to the outflow port 282B, and the other end of the separate tube 283 is open to the atmosphere. A separate tube 284 is connected at one end thereof to the outflow port 282C, and at the other end thereof to an inlet port 290A of a tube pump 290.

[0123] The valve body of the motor-operable three-way valve 282 is movable between a first valve position and a second valve position, which are not shown, under the control of the controller 270 (see Figure 9 ). The first valve position is a position in which the valve body allows fluid, particularly air, to flow from the inflow port 282A to the outflow port 282B. The second valve position is a position in which the valve body allows fluid, particularly waste ink, to flow from the inflow port 282A to the outflow port 282C.

[0124] The tube pump 290

[0125] The tube pump 290 can be, for example, a rotary tube pump, and has an inlet port 290A and an outlet port 290B. A waste tank (not shown) is connected to the outlet port 290B by a waste ink tube 291 that allows fluid to flow therein.

[0126] The volume Vb of the air portion

[0127] Next, the volume Vb of the air portion will be described with reference to Figure 6B . The air portion is a portion of the internal space 220A that is not occupied by ink, i.e., a cavity. The volume Vb is the volume of the air portion when the surface of the ink is at substantially the same vertical position as the upper index 223U. The volume Vb can be determined at the time of design by the manufacturer in the following manner.

[0128] The discharge process can be performed under the control of the controller 270 while the valve body 242 (see Figure 5B ) closes the first atmosphere communication path 221K, in other words, while the first atmosphere communication path 221K is in the disconnected state. The discharge process is a process in which the head 200 discharges ink at the sheet M on the support surface 81 under a specified condition to record a specified image based on specified image data. This discharge process will be further described below. During the discharge process, over time, the ink in the ink reservoir chamber 220B can be consumed and the volume of the air portion can increase with the first atmosphere communication path 221K in the disconnected state; therefore, the air pressure in the air portion can decrease.

[0129] Meanwhile, the printer 100 can perform a flushing action before or during the recording of the image on the sheet M in the discharging process. In particular, the head 200 can discharge ink at the ink receiver 194 through the nozzle 203 under the control of the controller 270. Thus, by the flushing action, the volume of the air portion can increase even more, and the air pressure in the air portion can decrease over time. In the present embodiment, the discharging process includes the action of the controller 270 for the flushing action.

[0130] In this regard, the duration of the discharging process can be a factor that changes the air pressure in the reservoir portion 220.

[0131] In the present embodiment, the air pressure of the air portion in the reservoir portion 220, i.e., one atmosphere (1 atm), when the first atmosphere communication path 221K is in the disconnected state, can be denoted by the symbol Po. While the change in the volume of the air portion due to the change in the volume of the ink caused by the discharging process can be denoted by the symbol AV and the change in the pressure of the air portion can be denoted by the symbol AP, the volume Vb is controlled to satisfy the formula: Vb = (Po + AP) * AV / AP … (Vb is equal to (Po plus AP) times AV divided by AP) (1).

[0132] Also, while the pressure resistance of the meniscus formed by the ink in the nozzle 203 can be denoted by the symbol Pm, AP satisfies the formula: AP <= Pm … (AP is less than or equal to Pm) (2).

[0133] The pressure resistance Pm can be determined in advance based on the specifications of the ink and the head 200. To calculate the pressure resistance Pm of the ink meniscus, the surface tension and the contact angle with the genuine ink provided by the manufacturer or distributor of the printer 100 can be used. In particular, if the diameter of each nozzle 203 is d, the surface tension of the ink can be denoted by the symbol s, and the contact angle of the ink at the lower face 201 of the nozzle 203 can be denoted by the symbol Q, then Pm can be obtained from the formula: Pm = 4 * s * cos Q / d … (Pm is equal to 4 times s times cos Q divided by d) (3). Meanwhile, the diameter d of the nozzle 203 can be based on the exit diameter of the nozzle 203.

[0134] The surface tension s can be obtained, for example, by the Wilhelmy method. The contact angle Q can be the contact angle when the ink drops on the lower face 201 as a flat ink discharging surface, and can be obtained by, for example, the Q / 2 method.

[0135] The specified image is a multi-color pattern image defined in ISO / IEC 24734 established by the International Organization for Standardization. The color pattern image is an image defined in ISO / IEC 24734, and is described in image data in a predetermined data format (doc format, xls format, pdf format, etc.).

[0136] The specified condition is to record the specified image continuously for 30 seconds on a sheet of A4 size which is an example of a sheet in a standard mode defined in ISO / IEC 24734. The specified condition includes, in particular, a resolution (CR x LF) and a margin size. The resolution can be, for example, 600 x 300 dpi. In the case of the doc format, the margin size is 34.3 mm on each of the top and bottom, and 29.2 mm on each of the left and right edges of the sheet. In the case of the xls format, the margin size is 3 mm on each of the top and bottom, and 3 mm on each of the left and right edges of the sheet.

[0137] Controller 270

[0138] As shown in Figure 9 Controller 270 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, and an ASIC which are connected to each other by an internal bus. The ROM, the RAM, and the EEPROM are examples of memories. The ROM can store a program to control operations in printer 100. The CPU can execute the program by using the RAM and the EEPROM.

[0139] The ASIC is electrically connected to motors 271-274. The ASIC can generate and output control signals V21, V22, V23, V24 to rotate feeder motor 271, conveyer motor 272, carriage motor 273, and lift motor 274, respectively. Also, the ASIC is electrically connected to electrically-operable three-way valve 282 and tube pump 290. The ASIC can generate and output control signals V25 for positioning a valve body of electrically-operable three-way valve 282 at one of a first valve position and a second valve position. Further, the ASIC can generate and output control signals V26 for activating tube pump 290.

[0140] The controller 270 has a timer 275, which is an internal circuit of the CPU. The timer 275 accumulates a duration from the point when a start command is input to the point when a stop command is input, based on instructions from the CPU. When this duration reaches a predetermined time threshold, the timer 275 returns a response to the CPU indicating that the threshold has been reached. This time threshold is set to a duration shorter than the time that could cause meniscus damage in the nozzle 203 due to increased negative pressure in the internal space 220A. The duration that could cause meniscus damage in the nozzle 203 can be predetermined, for example, through experimentation, while the printer 100 is being designed by the manufacturer. In this embodiment, the time threshold is 30 seconds, or it could be a duration including 30 seconds and a margin.

[0141] Image recording process performed by controller 270

[0142] While printer 100 is waiting for image recording, head 200, cap 260, and valve unit 240 are... Figure 4 The position shown is shown in the diagram. In this arrangement, the head 200 waits in its original position, which in this embodiment can be the capped position P21. The capped position P21 can also be the origin from which the head 200 moves in the width direction 9. However, alternatively, the original position can be any position in the width direction 9 between the pressure plate 180 and the cap 260, or it can be a position to the right of the cap 260. The cap 260 remains at the capped position P31 and covers the nozzle 203 of the head 200. The valve body 242 is subjected to the contact force of the opener component 250 and opens the first atmospheric communication path 221K to place the first atmospheric communication path 221K in the connected state. The cap 230 closes the injection port 224A (see...). Figure 6A ).

[0143] When printer 100 is in standby mode, the electrically operated three-way valve 282 (see...) Figure 8 The valve body is located in the first valve position. Therefore, the covered space 260A is connected to the outside of the cap 260 via a fluid communication path 263 (i.e., a second atmospheric communication path), an electrically operable three-way valve 262, and a separate pipe 283, in other words, connected to the atmosphere.

[0144] When the printer 100 is waiting or running an image recording process, the controller 270 can receive a print job and store the received print job in, for example, a RAM. The sender of the print job can be a personal computer or a smartphone that can communicate with the printer 100. The print job is an execution command for the image recording process, and includes at least image data and setting information. The image data describes an image to be recorded in the image recording process. The image data can describe an image to be recorded on a single sheet M or a plurality of images to be recorded on a plurality of sheets M. The setting information describes settings for the image recording process, which include, for example, a print mode, a size of the sheet M, a margin on the sheet M, and a resolution of the image.

[0145] The controller 270 can select one of the print jobs stored in the RAM and start the image recording process based on the selected print job (see Figures 10A-10B ).

[0146] As shown in Figure 10A , in S101, the controller 270 generates drive signals in the RAM based on the image data and the setting information. The drive signals can be used to drive the piezoelectric devices in the head 200, and the drive signals are generated for all passes required to record the image described with the image data for each of the different colors of ink.

[0147] In S102, the controller 270 determines whether an execution condition for executing the cleaning process is satisfied. To determine whether the execution condition is satisfied, a known technique can be applied. If the controller 270 determines that the execution condition is satisfied, the flow proceeds to S116, or if the controller 270 determines that the execution condition is not satisfied, the flow proceeds to S103.

[0148] In S103, the controller 270 executes the separation process, the second-path breaking process, and the flushing process in this recited order. In the present embodiment, two (2) examples of the flushing process are given below. However, alternatively, the second-path breaking process before the flushing process in S103 can be omitted.

[0149] The controller 270 executes the separation process with the cap 260. In particular, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V24 to control the lifting assembly 264 by the lifting motor 274 to lower the cap 260 from the capped position P31 to the uncapped position P32 (see Figure 7 ). Next, in the second-path breaking process, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V25 to the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 for transitioning the position of the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 to the second valve position. Accordingly, the position of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 can be switched from the first valve position to the second valve position.

[0150] As a first example of the flushing process, the controller 270 can move the head 200 in the width direction 9 to a flushing position P22. In particular, the controller 270 can output a control signal V23 to the carriage motor 273 to control the conveyer 210 to move the carriage 190 in the width direction 9. While the carriage 190 is being moved, the controller 270 can determine an updated position of the head 200 based on a signal output from the linear encoder 193 (see Figure 3 ). Until the updated position matches the flushing position P22, the controller 270 can continue to move the head 200 in the width direction 9 toward the flushing position P22. When the updated position of the head 200 matches the flushing position P22, the controller 270 can stop the head 200 at the flushing position P22 and control the head 200 to dwell on the ink receiver 194 to flush the ink at the ink receiver 194. The flushing process can thus be performed. During the flushing process, the controller 270 can start the timer 275 to time the duration between the start and the end of discharging the ink from the head 200.

[0151] After the flushing process, the controller 270 can perform a moving process in which the controller 270 outputs the control signal V23 to the carriage motor 273 and moves the head 200 from the flushing position P22 to the original position, i.e., the capped position P21. At the same time, the controller 270 can periodically monitor the updated position of the head 200, and when the updated position matches the capped position P21, the controller 270 can stop outputting the control signal V23. The controller 270 can thereafter exit S103.

[0152] As a second example of the flushing process, the controller 270 can control the head 200 to discharge the ink at the cap 260 at a position where the head 200 dwells above the cap 260 without moving the head 200 to the flushing position P22. The controller 270 can start the timer 275 to time the duration from the start to the end of discharging the ink from the head 200. The controller 270 can thereafter exit S103.

[0153] In S104, the controller 270 selects one unit of the drive signals stored in the RAM among those drive signals for use in one pass in the discharging process in S108.

[0154] In S105, the controller 270 performs a cueing process and controls to convey one sheet M in the feeder tray 110 to a cueing position, which is a position in the straight path P2 directly below the sheet sensor 205 (see Figure 2 ). The sheet sensor 205 can be disposed at a position close to the front end of the lower face 201. The sheet sensor 205, which is an optical sensor, is disposed to face the support surface 181 of the platen 180.

[0155] In the queuing process, in particular, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V21 to the feeder motor 271 to control the feeder roller 133 to convey the sheet M in the curved path Pl. Thereafter, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V22 to the conveyor motor 272 to control the conveyor roller pair 160 to convey the sheet M to a queuing position in the straight path P2. At the same time as the control signal V22 is output, the controller 270 periodically obtains a signal from the sheet sensor 205, and stops outputting the control signal V22 in response to a change in the level of the obtained signal. Thus, in a case where the leading edge of the sheet M is located at the queuing position, the sheet M can be paused on the support surface 181.

[0156] In S106, the controller 270 determines an ink dischargeable range R11 (see Figure 4 ) based on the size of the sheet M and the margin size included in the set information in the print job. This ink dischargeable range R11 is a range in which ink can be discharged at the sheet M on the support surface 181, and is a difference obtained by subtracting the margin size from each side of the sheet M.

[0157] In S107, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V23 to the carriage motor 273 to move the head 200 from the capping position P21 to a position directly above a discharge start position in the ink dischargeable range R11. This discharge start position is an initial position for the head 200 when recording a single-pass image on the sheet M on the support surface 181.

[0158] Prior to S107, in other words, when the head 200 is located at the capping position P21, as shown in Figure 4 , the first atmosphere communication path 221K is in the connected state. From this position, at the same time as the head 200 is moved from the capping position P21 to the position above the ink dischargeable range R11 in S107, the valve body 242 is separated from the opener member 250, and the first atmosphere communication path 221K is closed by the urging force of the spring 241 (see Figure 5B and Figure 7 ). Thus, the first atmosphere communication path 221K is changed to the disconnected state. S107 is an example of a first path disconnecting process in which the first switching assembly is controlled to operate to arrange a discharging process (S108) to be executed when the first atmosphere communication path 221K is in the disconnected state.

[0159] Also, in S107, the controller 270 executes a measurement start process. In particular, as the controller 270 starts outputting the control signal V23, in other words, as the head 200 starts moving from the capping position P21, the controller 270 executes the measurement start process in which the controller 270 starts a timer 275 to measure time.

[0160] In S108, the controller 270 executes: a transport process of transporting the head 200 in the scanning direction 9, i.e., the width direction 9; and a discharge process. The transport process of transporting the head 200 in the scanning direction 9 can be hereinafter referred to as a scanning process. In particular, in the scanning process, the controller 270 outputs the control signal V23 to the carriage motor 273 to control the transport 210 to transport the head 200 in the scanning direction 9 once in a unidirectional manner, i.e., to the right or to the left.

[0161] The discharge process can be executed while the first atmospheric communication path 221K is being closed, and while the control signal V23 is being output in the scanning process. In particular, while the head 200 is moving above the ink dischargeable range R11, the controller 270 applies the drive signal of the unit selected in S104 (see Figure 10A ) or S114 (see Figure 10B ) to the piezoelectric device in the head 200. Accordingly, the piezoelectric device can be driven, and ink can be discharged from the head 200 through the nozzle 203. Accordingly, an image of the pass along the scanning direction can be recorded on the sheet M.

[0162] Having ended the output of the drive signal in the pass, the controller 270 stops outputting the control signal V23. Also, the controller 270 instructs the timer 275 to stop measuring. Thereafter, the controller 270 exits S108.

[0163] In S109 (see Figure 10B ), the controller 270 executes a condition determination process to determine whether a predetermined connection condition is satisfied. In particular, the controller 270 can determine whether the duration measured by the timer 275 reaches a time threshold. More specifically, based on whether the controller 270 receives a response from the timer 275 on or before S109, the controller 270 can determine whether the duration reaches the time threshold. If the controller 270 does not receive a response from the timer 275, the controller 270 can determine that the duration does not reach the time threshold, and the controller 270 can proceed to S111. If the controller 270 receives a response from the timer 275, the controller 270 can determine that the duration reaches the time threshold, and the controller 270 can proceed to S110.

[0164] In S110, the controller 270 executes a retreat process and an atmospheric opening process to move the head 200 to reciprocate in the scanning direction 9 between the update position and the capping position P21. In particular, the controller 270 instructs the carriage motor 273 to move the head 200 to the capping position P21 based on the response from the linear encoder 193 (see Figure 3The updated position of the signal obtaining head 200 is obtained, and the controller 270 saves the updated position as a recovery position for the ink discharge process in, for example, the RAM. Also, the controller 270 can move the head 200 to the right to retreat to the capping position P21 (i.e., a retreat process). When the head 200 reaches the capping position P21, the valve body 242 that receives the contact force of the opener member 250 turns the first atmosphere communication path 221K to the connected state (i.e., an atmosphere opening process). Thereafter, the controller 270 moves the head 200 from the capping position P21 to the left to return to the recovery position. Further, in S110, the controller 270 issues a reset command from the CPU to initialize the timer 275.

[0165] In S111, the controller 270 determines whether the entire image for the sheet M is completely recorded. When the controller 270 determines that the image recording is not completed, the controller 270 proceeds to S114, or when the controller 270 determines that the image recording is completed, the controller 270 proceeds to S112.

[0166] In S114, the controller 270 selects another unit of drive signals for the next pass from those drive signals. Also, the controller 270 performs an intermittent transport process. In particular, in this intermittent transport process, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V22 to the transport motor 272 to control the transport roller pair 160 to transport the sheet M in the transport orientation 4, for example, forward by a distance equal to the single pass in the transport orientation 4, and the controller 270 controls the transport roller pair 160 to stop rotating. The controller 270 proceeds to S107 (see Figure 10A ).

[0167] In S112, the controller 270 performs a discharge process to discharge the printed material M. In particular, the controller 270 can output a control signal V22 to the transport motor 272 to control the transport roller pair 160 and the discharge roller pair 170 to discharge the printed material M through the sheet outlet 370 at the discharge tray 120.

[0168] In S113, the controller 270 determines whether the image recording for recording the entire image on the sheet M is completed. When the controller 270 determines that the image recording is not completed, the controller 270 proceeds to S103 (see Figure 10A ) ; or when the controller 270 determines that the image recording is completed, the controller 270 proceeds to S115.

[0169] In S115, the controller 270 performs, in this recited order, a movement process that is an example of a first path connection process for moving the head 200 to the capping position P21; a second path connection process; and a capping process.

[0170] The controller 270 executes a moving process in which the controller 270 moves the head 200 in the width direction 9 to the capped position P21. While the head 200 is moving toward the capped position P21, the valve body 242 contacts the opener member 250, and accordingly, the valve body 242 can open the first atmosphere communication path 221K against the urging force of the spring 241 to place the first atmosphere communication path 221K in the connected state (see Figure 4 ). Next, the controller 270 executes a second path connection process in which the controller 270 outputs a control signal V25 to the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 for changing the position of the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 to the first valve position. Accordingly, the position of the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 is switched from the second valve position to the first valve position. Thereafter, the controller 270 executes a capping process in which the controller 270 outputs a control signal V24 to the lifting motor 274 to lift the cap 260 upward from the uncapped position P32 to the capped position P31 by the lifting assembly 264 (see Figure 4 ). Thereafter, the controller 270 ends the image recording process shown in Figures 10A to 10B .

[0171] In S116 (see Figure 10A ), the controller 270 executes a second path disconnection process and a purging process in this recited order. The second path disconnection process can be executed similarly to the second path disconnection process in S103. In the purging process, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V26 to the tube pump 290 to activate the tube pump 290. Accordingly, the ink in the head 200 can be discharged as waste ink at the cap 260 through the nozzle 203. The waste ink can flow to the tube pump 290 through the fluid communication path 263, the common tube 281, the electrically-operable three-way valve 282, the individual tube 284, and the inlet port 290A. The tube pump 290 can deliver the collected waste ink outward through the outlet port 290B. The collected waste ink can be delivered to a waste ink tank through the waste ink tube 291.

[0172] Benefits

[0173] In the above-described embodiment, both the first atmosphere communication path 221K and the fluid communication path 263 as the second atmosphere communication path are in the connected state while the cap 260 covers the nozzle 203. Therefore, in the case where the nozzle 203 is covered, even if the pressure of the air in the reservoir portion 220 changes due to, for example, a change in temperature, the air can be released to the outside, and the pressure can be alleviated through the first atmosphere communication path 221K. Also, even if the pressure in the covering space 260A changes while the nozzle 203 is covered, the air can be released to the atmosphere through the fluid communication path 263, and the pressure can be alleviated. Therefore, the meniscus in the nozzle 203 can be reliably maintained.

[0174] The cap 206 can be made of a flexible material. Therefore, when the cap 260 contacts the lower face 201 of the head 200 for the capping process, the cap 206 can be elastically deformed, and the volume of the covering space 260A can decrease. Meanwhile, after the discharging process in S108 ends and before the capping process in S115 is started, the controller 270 executes the second path connection process in S115. In this arrangement, during the capping process, the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 is at the first valve position; therefore, the pressure in the reservoir portion 220 that can increase due to the deformation of the cap 260 and the decrease in the volume in the covering space 260A can be released through the fluid communication path 263 and the common pipe 281. In other words, during the capping process, the pressure change can be suppressed, and the meniscus in the nozzle 203 can not easily be deformed or broken.

[0175] In S103, the controller 270 executes the separation process and the second path disconnection process in this recited order. With this arrangement, during the separation process, the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 is at the first valve position; therefore, even if the air pressure in the covering space 260A decreases during the separation process, the pressure can be released through the fluid communication path 263 and the common pipe 281. In other words, during the separation process, the pressure change can be suppressed, and the meniscus in the nozzle 203 can not easily be deformed or broken. Also, after the separation process, the second path disconnection process positions the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 at the second valve position; therefore, the entry of air into the fluid communication path 263 or the common pipe 281 is suppressed. Accordingly, in the fluid communication path 263 and the common pipe 281, the dehydrated ink can be suppressed.

[0176] In S116, the controller 270 switches the state of the fluid communication path 263 as the second communication path from the connected state to the disconnected state through the second switching assembly 280, and thereafter activates the tube pump 290. With this arrangement, the ink in the head 200 can be reliably discharged to the outside at the cap 260.

[0177] In S107, the controller 270 executes the first path breaking process and controls the first switching assembly to operate to prepare for execution of the discharging process in S108, while the first atmosphere communication path 221K is in the broken state during execution of the discharging process. Thus, during the discharging process, the first atmosphere communication path 221K is in the broken state. With this arrangement, the air pressure in the reservoir section 220 can be maintained negative while ink is being consumed. Thus, even when the sheet M accidentally contacts the nozzle 203 during the discharging process, ink leakage on the sheet M can be suppressed.

[0178] In S115, the controller 270 moves the head 200 to the capped position P21. The capped position P21 is an example of a position in which the head 200 does not face the sheet M. In the next round of the image recording process shown in Figures 10A to 10B In S115, the controller 270 moves the head 200 to the capped position P21. The capped position P21 is an example of a position in which the head 200 does not face the sheet M. In the next round of the image recording process shown in

[0179] Alternatively, the controller 270 can execute the flushing process in the first example in S103 in Figure 10A In S115, the controller 270 moves the head 200 to the capped position P21. The capped position P21 is an example of a position in which the head 200 does not face the sheet M. In the next round of the image recording process shown in

[0180] According to the above-described embodiment, the reservoir portion 220 has the plurality of ink reservoir chambers 220B, and the first atmosphere communication path 221K connecting the inside and the outside of the ink reservoir chambers 220B. The first switching assembly can switch the state of the first atmosphere communication path 221K between a connected state in which the plurality of ink reservoir chambers 220B are collectively connected to the outside, and a disconnected state in which the plurality of ink reservoir chambers 220B are collectively disconnected from the outside. Accordingly, the controller 270 can be released from the burden of individually switching the state of the ink reservoir chambers 220B.

[0181] Variants

[0182] While examples of implementing the present application have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that there are many variations and permutations of liquid discharge apparatuses that fall within the scope of the present application as set forth in the appended claims. It should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. While the terminology used in the description above may

[0183] First variant (variant of the second atmosphere communication path)

[0184] In the above-described embodiment, the second atmosphere communication path is constituted by the fluid communication path 263, the common pipe 281, the electrically-operable three-way valve 282, and the individual pipe 283. However, alternatively, the cap 260 can have a second atmosphere communication path 265 as shown in Figure 11A In this arrangement, the lower end of the fluid communication path 263 and the inlet port 290A of the tube pump 29 can be connected by an individual pipe 284. The second atmosphere communication path 265 can be a hole formed through the base portion 261 at a different position from the fluid communication path 263 from the upper surface to the lower surface of the base portion 261. The second atmosphere communication path 265 can be arranged in a form that does not allow ink discharged or flushed out from the head 200 to leak to the outside of the cap 260. Also, alternatively, a solenoid valve can be arranged at the lower end of the second atmosphere communication path 265. By the solenoid valve, similarly to the connected state and the disconnected state of the second switching assembly, the state of the second atmosphere communication path 265 can be switched by the solenoid valve between the connected state and the disconnected state.

[0185] Second variant (first variant of the reservoir portion 220)

[0186] As another example, as shown in Figure 11BAs shown in FIG. 10, the internal space 220A in the reservoir portion 220 can be defined by the outer wall 221 and divided into four (4) segments by the partition wall 222A, each of which has an ink reservoir chamber 220B and an air chamber 220C. In other words, the reservoir portion 220 can include four (4) ink reservoir chambers 220B and four (4) air chambers 220C. With this arrangement, each ink reservoir chamber 220B can be individually connected with the outside of the reservoir portion 220 through one of the four (4) individual first atmospheric communication paths 221K as an example of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths. Also, for each air chamber 220C, an individual valve accommodation space 220D can be arranged at a right position with respect to the air chamber 220C. In each valve accommodation space 220D, a valve unit 240 can be arranged. The frame 301 can have four (4) opener components 250, each of which corresponds to one of the four valve units 240. As the head 200 moves to the capping position P21, the opener components 250 can collectively and substantially simultaneously switch the respective valve units 240 to the connected state, and as the head 200 moves away from the capping position P21, the opener components 250 can switch the corresponding valve units 240 to the disconnected state.

[0187] According to a second modification example, the first switching assembly can collectively open or close the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths 221K. Thus, the process for switching the state of the first atmospheric communication paths 221K by the controller 270 can be simplified.

[0188] Third Modification Example (First Modification Example of First Switching Assembly)

[0189] The first switching assembly can not necessarily have the conveyer 210, the valve units 240, and the opener components 250, but can be constituted by, for example, solenoid valves each of which can individually open or close one of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths 221K. Each solenoid valve can have a solenoid and a valve body made of, for example, iron. The controller 270 can apply a current to the solenoid in one solenoid valve, and the valve body can be attracted to the solenoid thereby. Accordingly, the first atmospheric communication path 221K corresponding to the operated solenoid valve can be turned to the connected state. On the other hand, when the controller 270 does not apply a current to the solenoid, the valve body can be separated from the solenoid, and the first atmospheric communication path 221K corresponding to the solenoid valve can be placed in the disconnected state.

[0190] According to the third modification example, the first atmosphere communication paths 221K (each of which corresponds to one of the electromagnetic valves as the first switching assembly) can be individually opened or closed. Thus, the process for switching the state of the first atmosphere communication paths 221K by the controller 270 can be simplified, and the state of the first atmosphere communication paths 221K can be finely switched.

[0191] Fourth Modification Example (Second Modification Example of the Reservoir Section 220 and the First Switching Assembly)

[0192] As another example, as shown in Figure 12A , the air chamber 220C in the reservoir section 220 can be formed in a region above the ink reservoir chamber 220B and a region to the right with respect to the ink reservoir chamber 220B. With this arrangement, the valve housing space 220D can be formed in a lower region in the air chamber 220C. Meanwhile, the first atmosphere communication paths 221K can be formed through the bottom wall 221A in the vertical direction 7.

[0193] Instead of the valve unit 240 and the opener member 250, the first switching assembly can be composed of a valve unit 240A and an opener assembly 250A as shown in Figures 12A to 12C

[0194] As shown in Figures 12A to 12C , the valve unit 240A can have a spring 241A and a valve body 242A.

[0195] The spring 241A can be a compression coil spring, and can be housed in the valve housing space 220D (with its axis aligned parallel to the vertical direction 7). The upper end of the spring 241A can be fixed to the transverse dividing wall 222C that bounds the valve housing space 220D. The valve body 242A can be fixed to the lower end of the spring 241A.

[0196] When the valve body 242A does not receive any resistance force from the opener assembly 250A that overcomes the urging force of the spring 241A, the valve body 242A can close the first atmosphere communication paths 221K by the urging force of the spring 241A with the inner surface of the bottom wall 221A serving as a valve seat. Thereby, the first atmosphere communication paths 221K can be placed in a disconnected state in which the ink reservoir chamber 220B and the outside of the reservoir section 220 are disconnected.

[0197] ​On the other hand, when the valve body 242A receives the resistance force from the opener assembly 250A against the pushing force of the spring 241A, the valve body 242A can be separated from the bottom wall 221A against the pushing force of the spring 241A. Accordingly, the valve body 242A can open the first atmosphere communication path 221K, and the first atmosphere communication path 221K can be put in the connected state in which the ink reservoir chamber 220B and the outside of the reservoir part 220 are connected.

[0198] The opener assembly 250A can include a switching lever 251A, a driving force transmission device 252A including a gear train, a shaft 253A, a cam 254A, and an opener member 255A.

[0199] The switching lever 251A can contact the head 200 when the head 200 is moved in the width direction 9. When the head 200 is at the capping position P21, the switching lever 251A can connect a transmission path for driving force from the conveyor motor 272 to the driving force transmission device 252A. On the other hand, when the head 200 is separated from the capping position P21, the switching lever 251A can disconnect the transmission path for driving force from the conveyor motor 272 to the driving force transmission device 252A.

[0200] The shaft 253A can extend in the width direction 9 at a position lower than the cap 260. The width direction ends of the shaft 253A can be rotatably supported by a pair of bearings (not shown) that can be arranged on a frame (not shown) to rotate about their axes. The shaft 253A can be rotated by a driving force transmitted by the driving force transmission device 252A.

[0201] The cam 254A can convert the rotational force of the shaft 253A into a force in the vertical direction 7 and move the opener member 255A in the vertical direction 7 between a contact position (see Figure 12C ) and a separation position (see Figure 12B ). The contact position can be a position in which the opener member 255A contacts the valve body 242A, and the separation position is a position in which the opener member 255A is separated from the valve body 242A. While the opener member 255A contacts the valve body 242A, the first atmosphere communication path 221K can be in the connected state. On the other hand, while the opener member 255A is separated from the valve body 242A, the first atmosphere communication path 221K can be in the disconnected state.

[0202] In the above-described embodiment, the controller 270 performs the purging process in S103 (see Figure 10A ) and S116 (see Figure 10Athe second path disconnect process. In the second path disconnect process, the controller 270 can stop outputting the control signal V22 to the conveyer motor 272 and place the opener member 255A in the separated position (see Figure 12B ).

[0203] Also, the controller 270 can execute the second path connection process before executing the capping process in S115 (see Figure 10B ). Figure 12C

[0204] the image recording process in the fifth variant example Figures 10A to 10B

[0205] As another example, the processes in the image recording process shown in Figures 10A to 10B may be modified as follows.

[0206] In the above-described embodiment, when the printer 100 is waiting, the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 (see Figure 8 ) is located at the first valve position. In contrast, when the printer 100 in the fifth variant example is waiting, the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 can be located at the second valve position. With this arrangement, the cap space 260A can not be connected with the outside of the cap 260, i.e., the atmosphere, through the fluid communication path 263 that forms the second atmospheric communication path, the electrically-operable three-way valve 282, or the separate tube 283.

[0207] Also, in the above-described embodiment, in S103 (see Figure 10A ), the controller 270 executes the separation process, the second path disconnect process, and the flushing process in this recited order. In contrast, in the fifth variant example, the controller 270 can execute the second path connection process before the separation process. Specifically, in the second path connection process, the controller 270 can output the control signal V25 to switch the position of the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 from the second valve position to the first valve position. Thereby, the position of the valve body of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 can be changed from the second valve position to the first valve position. Accordingly, in the fifth variant example, like the above-described embodiment, the separation process can be executed while the cap space 260A is connected with the atmosphere.

[0208] Also, in the above-described embodiment, in S115 (see Figure 10B ​​) In the fifth modification example, the controller 270 executes the moving process for moving the head 200 to the capping position P21, the second-path connecting process, and the capping process in this recited order. In addition, in the fifth modification example, the controller 270 can execute the second-path disconnecting process after the capping process. The second-path disconnecting process in S115 can be executed similarly to the second-path disconnecting process in S103. By executing the second-path disconnecting process in S115, the second atmosphere communication path can be placed in the disconnected state when the cap 260 is at the capping position P31.

[0209] While the head 200 is capped, the printer 100 can not be operated, and a user can move the printer 100 from one place to another. While the printer 100 is being moved, the printer 100 can be shaken or rolled, and an external force caused by the shaking or rolling in the printer 100 can be transmitted to the meniscus in the nozzle 203. However, while the head 200 in the fifth modification example is capped, the second atmosphere communication path can be in the disconnected state, and the cover space 260A can be closed. Therefore, the ink in the nozzle 203 and the air in the cover space 260A can not be exchanged. Accordingly, even when an external force is applied to the meniscus in the nozzle 203, the ink in the nozzle 203 can be inhibited from leaking to the cover space 260A.

[0210] Moreover, according to the fifth modification example, between the second-path disconnecting process in S103 and the second-path connecting process in S115, the second atmosphere communication path can be maintained in the disconnected state, and the air can not flow in the second atmosphere communication path. Therefore, the second atmosphere communication path can be inhibited from being dehydrated.

[0211] While the cap 206 covers the head 200, the lip 262 can be elastically deformed. In the fifth modification example, by executing the second-path connecting process in S103 before the separating process, a pressure that can change during the separating process due to a volume change of the cover space 260A can be released to the atmosphere through the fluid communication path 263. Therefore, the form of the meniscus in the nozzle 203 can be maintained.

[0212] Sixth Modification Example (Expandable / Contractible Member 286)

[0213] In the above-described embodiment, the common pipe 281 connects the lower end of the fluid communication path 263 and the inflow port 282A of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 (see FIG. 6). In the sixth modification example, as in the first modification example, the common pipe 281 can connect the lower end of the fluid communication path 263 and the inflow port 282A of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 (see FIG. 6). Figure 8 ) In the sixth modification example, as in the first modification example, the common pipe 281 can connect the lower end of the fluid communication path 263 and the inflow port 282A of the electrically-operable three-way valve 282 (see FIG. 6). Figure 13As shown, the individual tube 284 can connect the lower end of the fluid communication path 263 to the inlet port 290A of the tube pump 290. A through-hole 285 can be formed between the outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the individual tube 284 at a midpoint between its longitudinal ends. The individual tube 284 can have an expandable / contractable component 286 in the form of a bladder. This expandable / contractable component 286 can be externally attached to the individual tube 284 to cover the through-hole 285. The internal space in the expandable / contractable component 286 and the internal space in the individual tube 284 can communicate through the through-hole 285. The expandable / contractable component 286 can be made of a deformable material that is more easily deformable than the individual tube 284 and can expand or contract in response to pressure variations in the individual tube 284.

[0214] When the second atmospheric connection path is disconnected while the cap is applied to the head 200, the volume and air pressure in the covered space 260A and the second connection path can change, and the meniscus can deform. However, according to the sixth variant, the expansion or contraction of the volume and air pressure in the covered space 260A and the second connection path can be absorbed by utilizing the expandable / contractable component 286.

[0215] Seventh variant (variation of cap 260 and lifting component 264)

[0216] In the above embodiment, the lifting component 264 can be moved between the capping position P31 and the cap-removing position P32 by the driving force transmitted from the lifting motor 274. Alternatively, the lifting component 264 can be used as in... Figures 14A to 14B The lifting assembly 259 shown is an alternative. The cap 260 and lifting assembly 259 can be moved using a slide 190 that moves in the scanning direction 9. While the cap 260 and lifting assembly 259 have known constructions, a simplified description of the cap 260 and lifting assembly 259 will be provided in the following paragraphs.

[0217] Hat 260 can be used as follows Figures 14A to 14B The diagram shows a contact member 266 that can contact a carriage 190 that moves in the scanning direction 9. As the contact member 266 is pushed by the carriage 190, the cap 260 can move in the scanning direction 9.

[0218] The lifting assembly 259 can have a first guide surface 267, a second guide surface 268, and an inclined surface 269. The first guide surface 267 can extend in the front-rear direction 8 and the width direction 9 at a position to the right with respect to the platen 180, and the first guide surface 267 can support the cap 260 at the uncapping position P32. The second guide surface 268 can extend in the front-rear direction 8 and the width direction 9 at a position to the right with respect to the first guide surface 267, and the second guide surface 268 can support the cap 260 at the capping position P31. The inclined surface 269 is a flat surface connecting a right end of the first guide surface 267 and a left end of the second guide surface 268.

[0219] The cap 260 moving in the scanning direction 9 can move between the first guide surface 267 and the second guide surface 268 via the inclined surface 269. Thus, when the cap 260 is supported by the second guide surface 268 (see Figure 14A ), the cap 260 can cover the nozzle 203 (not shown in Figures 14A to 14B ) at the capping position P31. On the other hand, when the cap 260 is supported by the first guide surface 267 (see Figure 14B ), the cap 260 can be located at the uncapping position P32.

[0220] Eighth Modification (Modification of Opener Member 250)

[0221] In the above-described embodiment, the opener member 250 protrudes from the frame 301 toward the valve body 242 (see Figure 4 to FIG. 5). However, instead, as shown in Figures 15A to 15B , the opener member 250 can protrude outward from the outer wall 221 from the valve body 242 through the first atmospheric communication path 221K. With this arrangement, as the head 200 moves toward the capping position P21, the opener member 250 can contact the frame 301, and thereby the valve body 242 can turn the first atmospheric communication path 221K to the connected state (see Figure 15A ). On the other hand, as the head 200 moves away from the capping position P21, the opener member 250 can separate from the frame 301, and thereby the valve body 242 can turn the first atmospheric communication path 221K to the disconnected state (see Figure 15B ).

[0222] Further Examples

[0223] As another example, the liquid discharge apparatus can not necessarily be limited to the printer 100 as described above, but can be a multifunction peripheral machine, a copier, and a facsimile machine. The multifunction peripheral machine can be an apparatus equipped with a plurality of functions among a printing function, a copying function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function.

[0224] As another example, when the switching component is composed of a solenoid valve, the printer 100 can have a line-type printhead instead of a serial-type printhead 200. In the printer 100 with the line-type printhead 200, the printhead 200 cannot be moved in the scanning direction 9, but can remain stationary at a position above the pressure plate 180.

[0225] As another example, printer 100 is not necessarily limited to a carriage-integrated printer, but can be a so-called off-carriage printer, wherein the storage unit 220 may not be mounted on the carriage 190, but can be positioned separately from the carriage 190. When printer 100 is an off-carriage printer, the storage unit 220 may not move in the width direction 9 inside the housing 300; therefore, the switching component may preferably be composed of a solenoid valve.

[0226] As another example, the sheet M may not need to be conveyed in the straight path P2 by the conveyor roller pair 160 or the discharge roller pair 170, or it may not need to be supported by the pressure plate 180 for conveying in the straight path P2. Instead, it may be conveyed and supported by a conveyor belt, which is another example of a rotating body. This conveyor belt may be rotated by, for example, the driving force of the conveyor motor 272 to convey the sheet M in the straight path P2.

[0227] As another example, the storage unit 220 does not have to be an ink canister fixed to the head 200, but can be a cartridge that is detachably attached to the head 200.

Claims

1. A liquid discharging apparatus comprising: a head having a nozzle surface on which a nozzle is formed; a reservoir section having: a liquid reservoir chamber configured to store a liquid; and a first atmosphere communication path connecting the liquid reservoir chamber with an outside; a liquid flow path connecting the head with the liquid reservoir chamber for the liquid to flow in the liquid flow path; a first switching assembly configured to switch a state of the first atmosphere communication path between a connected state in which the first atmosphere communication path is connected with the outside and a disconnected state in which the first atmosphere communication path is disconnected from the outside; a cap having: a body defining a covering space configured to cover the nozzle surface with the covering space; and a second atmosphere communication path connecting the covering space with the outside; and a movable assembly configured to move the cap between a covering position at which the body covers the nozzle surface and a separated position at which the body is separated from the nozzle surface; and a controller configured to execute: a discharging process in which the controller controls the head to discharge the liquid; and a capping process after the discharging process in which the controller controls the movable assembly to move the cap from the separated position to the covering position, wherein, in response to an image recording with at least one sheet being completed, the first atmosphere communication path is placed in the connected state and the cap is located at the covering position.

2. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute a first path connection process in which the controller controls the first switching assembly to operate for placing the first atmosphere communication path in the connected state while the cap is located at the covering position.

3. The liquid discharging apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a second switching assembly configured to switch a state of the second atmosphere communication path between a connected state in which the second atmosphere communication path is connected with the outside and a disconnected state in which the second atmosphere communication path is disconnected from the outside, the second atmosphere communication path being placed in the connected state with the cap located at the covering position. wherein, 4. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to execute a second path connection process in which the controller controls the second switching assembly to operate for placing the second atmosphere communication path in the connected state while the cap is located at the covering position.

5. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 4, ​ wherein the controller is configured to perform the second path connection process after the end of the discharge process and before the execution of the capping process to control the second switching assembly to switch the state of the second atmospheric communication path from the disconnected state to the connected state.

6. The liquid discharge apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a second switching assembly configured to switch a state of the second atmospheric communication path between a connected state in which the second atmospheric communication path is connected with the outside and a disconnected state in which the second atmospheric communication path is disconnected from the outside, wherein the second atmospheric communication path is placed in the disconnected state with the cap being in the covering position.

7. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to perform a second path disconnection process in which the controller controls the second switching assembly to operate to place the second atmospheric communication path in the disconnected state while the cap is in the covering position.

8. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to perform a second path connection process in which the controller controls the second switching assembly to operate to switch the state of the second atmospheric communication path from the disconnected state to the connected state after the end of the discharge process and before the execution of the capping process.

9. The liquid discharge apparatus according to one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the second atmospheric communication path is in the disconnected state while the controller performs the discharge process.

10. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to perform: a second path connection process before the execution of the discharge process in which the controller controls the second switching assembly to operate to switch the state of the second atmospheric communication path from the disconnected state to the connected state; a separation process after the execution of the second path connection process in which the controller controls the movable assembly to move the cap from the covering position to the separated position; and the discharge process after the execution of the separation process.

11. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a pump connected with the covering space through a flow path, the controller is configured to perform a purging process in which the pump is activated to cause the liquid to be discharged from the head through the nozzle after the state of the second atmospheric communication path is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state by the second switching assembly with the cap being in the covering position. wherein 12. The liquid discharge apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, ​ wherein the controller is configured to further execute a first path disconnect process in which the controller controls the first switching assembly to operate to arrange the discharge process to be executed with the first atmospheric communication path in the disconnected state.

13. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to execute the second path disconnect process to switch the state of the second atmospheric communication path from the connected state to the disconnected state after the capping process ends.

14. The liquid discharging apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the liquid reservoir chamber includes a plurality of liquid reservoir chambers, wherein the reservoir portion has a plurality of air chambers, each of the plurality of air chambers being connected with one of the plurality of liquid reservoir chambers, wherein the first atmospheric communication path includes a plurality of first atmospheric communication paths, each of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths connecting one of the plurality of air chambers with the outside, and wherein the first switching assembly is configured to collectively switch the states of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths between the connected state in which the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths are connected with the outside and the disconnected state in which the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths are disconnected from the outside.

15. The liquid discharging apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the liquid reservoir chamber includes a plurality of liquid reservoir chambers, wherein the reservoir portion has a plurality of air chambers, each of the plurality of air chambers being connected with one of the plurality of liquid reservoir chambers, wherein the first atmospheric communication path includes a plurality of first atmospheric communication paths, each of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths connecting one of the plurality of air chambers with the outside, and wherein the first switching assembly is configured to individually switch the states of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths between the connected state in which each of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths is connected with the outside and the disconnected state in which each of the plurality of first atmospheric communication paths is disconnected from the outside.

16. The liquid discharging apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein in the discharge process, the controller is configured to control the head to discharge the liquid at the at least one sheet, and wherein, one of before the discharge process is executed and while the discharge process is being executed, the controller is configured to control the first switching assembly to operate and control the head, with the first atmospheric communication path being placed in the connected state, for arranging the liquid to be discharged from the head located in a position in which the head does not face the sheet.

17. The liquid discharging apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein In the discharging process, the controller is configured to control the head to discharge the liquid at the at least one sheet, and wherein, one of before the discharging process is performed and while the discharging process is being performed, the controller is configured to control the first switching assembly to operate and control the head, with the first atmospheric communication path being placed in the disconnected state, for arranging the liquid to be discharged from the head in a position where the head does not face the sheet.

18. The liquid discharging apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising an inflatable / deflatable member that bounds an internal space connected with the second atmospheric communication path, the inflatable / deflatable member being configured to inflate or deflate in response to a pressure variation in the second atmospheric communication path.

Images