Ink supply unit and ink jet recording apparatus including same

Abstract

The invention provides an ink supply unit and an ink jet recording apparatus including the same. The ink supply unit includes an ink supply path and one or more element members. The ink supply path includes a first ink flow hole, a first valve member, and a first biasing member. The element member includes a second ink circulation hole, a second valve member, and a second biasing member. When the element member is mounted in the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member are separated from the first ink circulation hole and the second ink circulation hole against the biasing forces of the first biasing member and the second biasing member, respectively, so that the first ink circulation hole and the second ink circulation hole communicate with each other. When the element member is removed from the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member close the first ink circulation hole and the second ink circulation hole by the biasing forces of the first biasing member and the second biasing member, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink supply unit installed in an inkjet recording device and an inkjet recording device including the ink supply unit, and more particularly to a mounting structure of an element component with respect to a liquid supply flow path. Background Art

[0002] The prior art includes the following: In an inkjet recording device, there is an ink supply unit for supplying ink from an ink tank to a recording head. The ink supply unit is composed of the following components: a flow path for supplying ink, a pump for controlling the flow of ink, a valve, etc. Summary of the invention 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply unit whose element components can be easily removed even in a state where the ink supply unit is filled with ink, and an inkjet recording apparatus including the ink supply unit. (II) Technical solution

[0004] The ink supply unit of the first structure of the present invention is connected between an ink container for storing ink and one or more recording heads having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the ink, and supplies the ink from the ink container to the recording head, characterized in that it comprises: an ink supply path through which the ink flows; and one or more element components that can be loaded and unloaded relative to the ink supply path and are connected to the ink supply path, the ink supply path comprising: a first ink flow hole formed on a mounting surface of the element component; a first valve component that opens and closes the first ink flow hole; and a first force applying component that applies a force to the first valve component in a direction approaching the first ink flow hole, the element component comprising: a second ink flow hole formed at a position overlapping with the first ink flow hole; a second valve component that applies a force to the second ink flow hole and a second force-applying member which applies force to the second valve member in a direction close to the second ink flow hole. When the element member is installed in the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member contact each other, and the first valve member and the second valve member respectively overcome the forces of the first force-applying member and the second force-applying member to separate from the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole, so that the first ink flow hole is connected to the second ink flow hole to form a flow path for the ink. When the element member is removed from the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member are separated from each other, and the first valve member and the second valve member respectively close the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole due to the forces of the first force-applying member and the second force-applying member. In addition, the present invention is an inkjet recording device, comprising: an ink container, which contains ink; one or more recording heads, which have multiple nozzles for ejecting the ink; and an ink supply unit of the above structure, which is connected between the ink container and the recording head and supplies the ink from the ink container to the recording head. (III) Beneficial effects

[0005] According to the first structure of the present invention, the element components constituting the ink supply unit can be replaced individually, so the maintenance cost can be reduced compared with replacing the ink supply unit as a whole. In addition, a first valve component is provided in the ink supply path, and a second valve component is provided in the element component, so that ink leakage from both the ink supply path and the element component can be suppressed when the element component is replaced. Therefore, when replacing, it is not necessary to perform operations such as closing the ink supply path and recovering the ink, thereby improving maintainability. Furthermore, according to the second structure of the present invention, an inkjet recording device is realized in which it is not necessary to carry out operations such as sealing the ink supply path and recovering the ink when replacing the element parts, thereby improving the maintainability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer 100 as an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a plan view of the recording unit 9 included in the printer 100 . Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the ink supply path 40 and the recording heads 17 a to 17 c constituting the line head 11Y of the printer 100 . Figure 4 It is a partial perspective view of the ink supply unit 80 including the first supply path 41 and the check valve 53 . Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit 80 including the first supply path 41 and the check valve 53 . Figure 6 It is a partial plan view of the vicinity of the check valve 53 of the first supply path 41 . Figure 7 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit 80 including the first supply path 41 and the check valve 53 , and shows a state where the check valve 53 is removed from the first supply path 41 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] (1. Structure of inkjet recording device) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of a printer 100 as an inkjet recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 100 includes a paper feed cassette 2 as a paper storage portion. The paper feed cassette 2 is disposed at the lower portion of the printer body 1. The paper feed cassette 2 stores paper P as an example of a recording medium.

[0008] On the downstream side of the paper feeding direction of the paper feeding cassette 2, that is, Figure 1 A paper feeding device 3 is disposed above the right side of the paper feeding box 2. Figure 1 As shown, the paper feed device 3 separates and feeds the paper P one by one toward the upper right of the paper feed cassette 2 .

[0009] The printer 100 has a first paper conveyance path 4a therein. The first paper conveyance path 4a is located in the paper feeding direction, that is, above and to the right of the paper feeding cassette 2. The paper P fed from the paper feeding cassette 2 is conveyed vertically upward along the side of the printer body 1 by the first paper conveyance path 4a.

[0010] A registration roller pair 13 is provided at the downstream end of the first paper conveying path 4a in the paper conveying direction. In addition, the first conveying unit 5 and the recording section 9 are arranged immediately downstream of the registration roller pair 13 in the paper conveying direction. The paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 2 passes through the first paper conveying path 4a and reaches the registration roller pair 13. The registration roller pair 13 corrects the oblique conveyance of the paper P, measures the timing of the ink ejection operation performed by the recording section 9, and feeds the paper P toward the first conveying unit 5 (especially the first conveying belt 8 described later).

[0011] The paper P fed to the first conveying unit 5 by the registration roller pair 13 is conveyed to a position facing the recording section 9 (particularly recording heads 17a to 17c described later) by the first conveying belt 8. By ejecting ink from the recording section 9 to the paper P, an image is recorded on the paper P. At this time, the ejection of ink in the recording section 9 is controlled by the control device 110 inside the printer 100.

[0012] In the paper conveying direction, on the downstream side of the first conveying unit 5 ( Figure 1 The second transport unit 12 is disposed on the left side of the recording unit 9. The paper P on which the image is recorded by the recording unit 9 is transported to the second transport unit 12. The ink ejected onto the surface of the paper P dries while passing through the second transport unit 12.

[0013] A decurling unit 14 is provided near the left side of the printer body 1 downstream of the second conveying unit 12 in the paper conveying direction. The paper P dried by the second conveying unit 12 is conveyed to the decurling unit 14, and curl generated in the paper P is corrected.

[0014] In the paper conveying direction, on the downstream side of the decurling section 14 ( Figure 1 The second paper conveying path 4b is provided above the printer 100. When the paper P that has passed through the decurling unit 14 is not subjected to double-sided recording, it passes through the second paper conveying path 4b and is discharged to a paper discharge tray 15a, which is provided outside the left side of the printer 100. A secondary discharge tray 15b is provided below the paper discharge tray 15a, and the secondary discharge tray 15b discharges discarded paper P (damaged paper) that has a poor print or the like.

[0015] A reverse conveying path 16 for double-sided recording is provided above the recording unit 9 and the second conveying unit 12 in the upper part of the printer body 1. When double-sided recording is performed, the paper P that has completed recording on one side (first side) of the paper P and passed through the second conveying unit 12 and the decurling unit 14 passes through the second paper conveying path 4b and is conveyed to the reverse conveying path 16.

[0016] Next, the paper P conveyed to the reversing conveying path 16 switches the conveying direction in order to record on the other side (second side) of the paper P. Then, the paper P passes through the upper part of the printer body 1 and is conveyed to the right side, passes through the registration roller pair 13, and is conveyed to the first conveying unit 5 again with the second side facing upward. In the first conveying unit 5, the paper P is conveyed to a position facing the recording unit 9, and an image is recorded on the second side by ejecting ink from the recording unit 9. The paper P after double-sided recording passes through the second conveying unit 12, the decurling unit 14, and the second paper conveying path 4b in sequence, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 15a.

[0017] In addition, a maintenance unit 19 and a cap unit 20 are arranged below the second conveying unit 12. The maintenance unit 19 moves horizontally to the bottom of the recording unit 9 when performing flushing, wipes the ink squeezed out from the ink ejection port of the recording head, and recovers the wiped ink. In addition, flushing refers to the action of forcibly squeezing out the ink from the ink ejection port of the recording head in order to discharge the viscous ink, foreign matter, and bubbles in the ink ejection port. The cap unit 20 moves horizontally to the bottom of the recording unit 9 when capping the ink ejection surface of the recording head, and then moves upward and is installed on the lower surface of the recording head.

[0018] Figure 2 1 is a top view of the recording unit 9. The recording unit 9 includes a head cover 10 and line heads 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. The line heads 11Y to 11K are held on the head cover 10 at a height that forms a predetermined interval (e.g., 1 mm) relative to the conveying surface of the endless first conveyor belt 8, and the first conveyor belt 8 is stretched over a plurality of rollers including a driving roller 6a, a driven roller 6b, and a tension roller (not shown). The driving roller 6a causes the first conveyor belt 8 to move in the conveying direction of the paper P (the direction of arrow A).

[0019] Each of the line heads 11Y to 11K has a plurality of (three in this case) recording heads 17a to 17c. The recording heads 17a to 17c are arranged in a staggered manner along the paper width direction (arrow BB' direction) that is orthogonal to the paper conveying direction (arrow A direction). The recording heads 17a to 17c have a plurality of ink ejection ports 18 (nozzles). The ink ejection ports 18 are arranged at equal intervals along the width direction of the recording heads, that is, arranged at equal intervals along the paper width direction (arrow BB' direction). Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) inks are ejected from the line heads 11Y to 11K via the ink ejection ports 18 of the recording heads 17a to 17c toward the paper P conveyed by the first conveyor belt 8.

[0020] Ink is dispensed from ink containers 50 (see FIG. 1 ) according to the colors of the line heads 11C to 11K. Figure 3 ) supplies ink of four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) to the recording heads 17a to 17c constituting the line heads 11C to 11K.

[0021] Each of the recording heads 17a to 17c is controlled by the control device 110 (see Figure 1 ) and ejects ink from the ink ejection port 18 to the paper P which is held and transported by the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 8 according to the image data received from the external computer. As a result, a color image of four superimposed inks of cyan, magenta, yellow and black is formed on the paper P on the first conveyor belt 8. In addition, a cleaning liquid supply unit (not shown) for supplying cleaning liquid is provided at one end of the recording heads 17a to 17c in the longitudinal direction (arrow BB' direction) orthogonal to the paper conveying direction (arrow A direction). A plurality of cleaning liquid supply ports are formed in the cleaning liquid supply unit.

[0022] In the printer 100, in order to clean the ink ejection surface of the recording heads 17a to 17c, at the start of printing after a long stop and during the idle time of the printing operation, in preparation for the next printing operation, a recovery operation of the recording heads 17a to 17c is performed: ink is squeezed (flushed) from the ink ejection ports 18 of all the recording heads 17a to 17c, and a cleaning liquid is supplied from a cleaning liquid supply port, and the ink and cleaning liquid ejected to the ink ejection surface are wiped by a wiper (not shown). The ink and cleaning liquid wiped from the ink ejection surface are recovered by an ink receiving unit (not shown).

[0023] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the ink supply path 40 and the recording heads 17a to 17c constituting the line head 11Y of the printer 100. Since all the line heads 11M to 11K have the same structure, their description is omitted.

[0024] like Figure 3As shown, an ink supply path 40 through which ink and cleaning liquid pass is connected to the recording heads 17a to 17c. Two supply paths through which ink passes are formed in the ink supply path 40, namely, a first supply path 41 and a second supply path 42. The first supply path 41 and the second supply path 42 are connected to an ink container 50. A pump (not shown) for delivering ink is connected to the ink container 50.

[0025] The first supply path 41 is used to supply ink from the ink container 50 to the recording heads 17a to 17c, and the second supply path 42 is used to recover ink from the recording heads 17a to 17c to the ink container 50. In addition, when recording an image with a large amount of ink ejected, both the first supply path 41 and the second supply path 42 can be used to supply ink to the recording heads 17a to 17c.

[0026] The ink supply path 40 is provided with a sub-tank 51, an on-off valve 52, and a check valve 53. The sub-tank 51, the on-off valve 52, and the check valve 53 are detachable from the ink supply path 40. The ink supply path 40, the sub-tank 51, the on-off valve 52, and the check valve 53 together constitute an ink supply unit 80 (see FIG. 8 ) for supplying ink from the ink container 50 to the recording heads 17a to 17c. Figure 4 The attachment structure of the sub-tank 51, the on-off valve 52, and the check valve 53 to the ink supply path 40 will be described later.

[0027] The sub-tank 51 is disposed between the ink container 50 and the recording heads 17a to 17c in the first supply path 41. The sub-tank 51 temporarily stores the ink supplied from the ink container 50.

[0028] The on-off valve 52 is disposed between the ink container 50 and the sub-tank 51 of the first supply path 41. The on-off valve 52 opens and closes the first supply path 41 between the ink container 50 and the sub-tank 51.

[0029] Normally, a certain amount of ink is stored in the sub-tank 51, and the ink circulates between the sub-tank 51 and the recording heads 17a to 17c. At this time, the opening and closing valve 52 is closed. When the ink in the sub-tank 51 is consumed by image recording, the opening and closing valve 52 is opened to supply a predetermined amount of ink from the ink container 50 to the sub-tank 51.

[0030] The check valve 53 is disposed between the sub-tank 51 and the recording heads 17a to 17c in the first supply path 41. The check valve 53 prevents the ink in the first supply path 41 from flowing back from the recording heads 17a to 17c to the sub-tank 51.

[0031] The recording heads 17a to 17c include a head front portion 43, a head back portion 44, and a heater 45. The head front portion 43 is provided with an ink ejection surface having a plurality of ink ejection ports 18 arranged thereon (see Figure 2 ).

[0032] The head back portion 44 includes an ink heating passage 46, a filter 47, a tank 48, and a buffer 49. The first supply path 41 and the second supply path 42 are connected to the ink ejection port 18 of the head front portion 43 after passing through the ink heating passage 46, the filter 47, the tank 48, and the buffer 49 in sequence.

[0033] A heater 45 is disposed between the head front portion 43 and the head back portion 44. The heater 45 heats the head front portion 43 as necessary to heat the ink in the ink heating flow path 46 described later to a predetermined temperature and to eject the ink smoothly from the ink ejection port 18.

[0034] The ink heating flow path 46 heats the ink in the first supply path 41 and the second supply path 42 to a predetermined temperature. The ink heating flow path 46 is provided in the head back portion 44 at a position adjacent to the heater 45. The filter 47 removes foreign matter from the ink passing through the first supply path 41. The storage tank 48 temporarily stores the ink passing through the first supply path 41 and the second supply path 42. The buffer 49 is formed of a flexible resin film, and the ink is squeezed toward the head front portion 43 by pulsating the buffer 49.

[0035] (2. Structure of ink supply unit) Figure 4 It is a partial perspective view of the supply unit 80 including the first supply path 41 and the check valve 53 . Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the supply unit 80 including the first supply path 41 and the check valve 53 ( Figure 4 XX section view). Figure 6 It is a partial plan view of the vicinity of the check valve 53 of the first supply path 41 .

[0036] The first supply path 41 includes a resin plate 401 and a transparent plate 402. The resin plate 401 has a Figure 5 The direction perpendicular to the paper, Figure 6 The first supply path 41 is provided with three flow path forming ribs 401a extending in the vertical direction (in the vertical direction). The front end of the flow path forming ribs 401a is fixed to the transparent plate 402. The interior of the first supply path 41 is divided into an upstream supply path 41a and a downstream supply path 41b by the flow path forming ribs 401a. The check valve 53 is arranged at the connection portion between the upstream supply path 41a and the downstream supply path 41b.

[0037] The resin plate 401 is formed of a laser absorbing resin, and the transparent plate 402 is formed of a laser transparent resin. By irradiating the flow path forming rib 401a with laser light from the transparent plate 402 side, the transparent plate 402 and the flow path forming rib 401a are joined (welded), thereby forming the first supply path 41. In addition, although not shown here, the second supply path 42 (see Figure 3 ) is also formed by a resin plate 401 and a transparent plate 402 in the same manner as the first supply path 41.

[0038] The first valve members 60a and 60b are disposed in the upstream supply path 41a and the downstream supply path 41b, respectively. The first valve members 60a and 60b each have a large diameter portion 601 and a small diameter portion 602 (see Figure 7 The small diameter portion 602 passes through the first ink flow hole 401 b formed in the resin plate 401 , and protrudes into the inside of the check valve 53 .

[0039] The first coil springs 61a and 61b are arranged between the first valve members 60a and 60b and the transparent plate 402. One end of the first coil springs 61a and 61b is held by the spring holding portion 402a of the transparent plate 402. The large diameter portion 601 of the first valve members 60a and 60b is fixed to the other end of the first coil springs 61a and 61b. The first coil springs 61a and 61b respectively push the first valve members 60a and 60b in the direction of approaching the first ink flow hole 401b ( Figure 5 Apply force above the .

[0040] The first valve members 60a and 60b are provided with first sealing members 62a and 62b at the connection portion between the large diameter portion 601 and the small diameter portion 602. The first sealing members 62a and 62b are, for example, O-rings formed of an elastic material.

[0041] The check valve 53 includes a housing 530, second valve members 70a, 70b, and second coil springs 71a, 71b. The interior of the housing 530 is divided into a first storage chamber 53a and a second storage chamber 53b by a partition wall 530a. The first storage chamber 53a and the second storage chamber 53b are connected above the partition wall 530a. The housing 530 is fixed to the resin plate 401 by a fixing member such as a screw (not shown).

[0042] A second ink flow hole 530b is formed on the lower surface of the housing 530. The second ink flow hole 530b is formed at a position overlapping with the first ink flow hole 401b. The upstream supply path 41a and the downstream supply path 41b are connected to the interior of the check valve 53 via the first ink flow hole 401b and the second ink flow hole 530b.

[0043] The second valve members 70a, 70b and the second coil springs 71a, 71b are respectively arranged in the first storage chamber 53a and the second storage chamber 53b. One end of the second coil springs 71a, 71b is held by the spring holding portion 530c of the housing 530. The second valve members 70a, 70b are fixed to the other ends of the second coil springs 71a, 71b. The second coil springs 71a, 71b respectively push the second valve members 70a, 70b in the direction of approaching the second ink flow hole 530b ( Figure 5 Apply force below the .

[0044] Second sealing members 72a and 72b are provided on the peripheral edge of the second ink flow hole 530b. The second sealing members 72a and 72b are, for example, O-rings formed of an elastic material.

[0045] Next, the operation of the check valve 53 provided in the first supply path 41 will be described. Figure 3 ) When the ink is being delivered, Figure 5 As shown, the small diameter portion 602 of the first valve member 60a urged upward by the first coil spring 61a pushes up the second valve member 70a of the check valve 53. Thus, the second valve member 70a overcomes the urging force of the second coil spring 71a and separates from the second sealing member 72a of the first storage chamber 53a.

[0046] On the other hand, the first valve member 60a is also pressed by the pressing force (resistance) received from the second valve member 70a. As a result, the first sealing member 62a attached to the first valve member 60a is separated from the first ink flow hole 401b of the upstream supply path 41a.

[0047] That is, the upward pressing force from the first coil spring 61a to the first valve member 60a and the downward pressing force from the second coil spring 71a to the second valve member 70a are balanced with each other, the first ink flow hole 401b of the upstream supply path 41a and the second ink flow hole 530b of the first storage chamber 53a are both open, and the upstream supply path 41a is connected to the first storage chamber 53a.

[0048] In contrast, the upward pressing force from the first coil spring 61b on the first valve member 60b is greater than the downward pressing force from the second coil spring 71b on the second valve member 70b. Therefore, the small diameter portion 602 of the first valve member 60b pushes up the second valve member 70b, and the second valve member 70b overcomes the force of the second coil spring 71b and separates from the second sealing member 72b of the second storage chamber 53b. However, the first sealing member 62b attached to the first valve member 60b is pressed against the first ink flow hole 401b of the downstream supply path 41b by the force of the first coil spring 61b.

[0049] That is, although the second ink flow hole 530b of the second storage chamber 53b is open, the first ink flow hole 401b of the downstream supply path 41b is closed, so the second storage chamber 53b and the downstream supply path 41b are not communicated.

[0050] When ink is supplied from the sub-tank 51, the ink flowing into the first storage chamber 53a from the upstream supply path 41a passes through the upper part of the partition wall 530a and flows into the second storage chamber 53b. At this time, the combined force of the force of the second coil spring 71b acting on the second valve member 70b and the pressure of the ink is greater than the upward pressing force acting on the first valve member 60b from the first coil spring 61b. As a result, the first valve member 60b is pressed by the second valve member 70b, and the first sealing member 62b attached to the first valve member 60b is separated from the first ink flow hole 401b of the downstream supply path 41b.

[0051] As a result, the first ink flow hole 401b of the downstream supply path 41b and the second ink flow hole 530b of the second reservoir 53b are both opened, and the downstream supply path 41b is connected to the second reservoir 53b. Therefore, the ink flow path from the upstream supply path 41a to the downstream supply path 41b via the first reservoir 53a and the second reservoir 53b is opened.

[0052] When the ink supply from the sub-tank 51 is stopped, Figure 5 As shown, the first valve member 60b is pushed up again by the force of the first coil spring 61b, and the first sealing member 62b attached to the first valve member 60b is pressed against the first ink flow hole 401b of the downstream supply path 41b. As a result, the ink flow path from the upstream supply path 41a to the downstream supply path 41b is closed. The operation of the check valve 53 can prevent the ink from flowing back from the downstream supply path 41b to the upstream supply path 41a.

[0053] Figure 7 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit 80 including the first supply path 41 and the check valve 53, showing a state where the check valve 53 is removed from the first supply path 41. When the check valve 53 is removed from the first supply path 41, no pressing force (resistance) is applied from the second valve members 70a and 70b to the first valve members 60a and 60b. As a result, the first sealing members 62a and 62b attached to the first valve members 60a and 60b are pressed against the peripheral portion of the first ink flow hole 401b by the force of the first coil springs 61a and 61b, and the first ink flow holes 401b of the upstream supply path 41a and the downstream supply path 41b are both in a closed state. In addition, the small diameter portion 602 of the first valve members 60a and 60b protrudes from the first ink flow hole 401b.

[0054] On the other hand, no pressing force (resistance) is applied from the first valve members 60a, 60b to the second valve members 70a, 70b. As a result, the second valve members 70a, 70b are pressed against the second sealing members 72a, 72b arranged at the peripheral portion of the second ink flow hole 530b by the urging force of the second coil springs 71a, 71b, and the second ink flow holes 530b of the first storage chamber 53a and the second storage chamber 53b are both closed.

[0055] When the check valve 53 is installed in the first supply path 41, Figure 7 The check valve 53 is pressed against the first supply path 41 in the state of being inserted into the second ink flow hole 530b. At this time, the second ink flow hole 530b of the check valve 53 is positioned at the small diameter portion 602 of the first valve member 60a, 60b protruding from the first ink flow hole 401b. And, the small diameter portion 602 of the first valve member 60a, 60b is inserted into the second ink flow hole 530b and the check valve 53 is pressed against the first supply path 41, and fixed by a screw or the like.

[0056] This restores Figure 5 In this state, the upstream supply path 41a is connected to the first storage chamber 53a, and the second storage chamber 53b is not connected to the downstream supply path 41b. In addition, only when ink is supplied from the sub-tank 51, the second storage chamber 53b is connected to the downstream supply path 41b.

[0057] In addition, in the above embodiment, the installation structure of the check valve 53 is described as an example of an element component installed in the ink supply path 40, but the installation structure of the ink supply path 40 and the sub-tank 51 and the opening and closing valve 52 is also the same structure as the above embodiment.

[0058] According to the above configuration, the sub-tank 51, the on-off valve 52, the check valve 53 and other components constituting the ink supply unit 80 can be replaced individually. Therefore, the maintenance cost can be reduced compared to replacing the entire ink supply unit 80.

[0059] In addition, by providing the first valve members 60a and 60b in the first supply path 41 and providing the second valve members 70a and 70b in the check valve 53 (element member), it is possible to suppress ink leakage from both the first supply path 41 and the element member when replacing the element member. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform operations such as sealing the ink supply path 40 and recovering the ink when replacing, thereby improving maintainability.

[0060] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure in which the check valve 53 is detachably installed relative to the first supply path 41 is described, but when the check valve 53 is detachably installed relative to the second supply path 42, the same structure can also be adopted.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the sub-tank 51 , the on-off valve 52 , and the check valve 53 are exemplified as the components constituting the ink supply unit 80 , but the present invention is also applicable to an ink supply unit 80 including other components.

[0062] In addition, in the above embodiment, a resin plate 401 and a transparent plate 402 are used to form the ink supply path 40, and the resin plate 401 and the transparent plate 402 are joined (fused) by irradiating a laser from the transparent plate 402 side, but it is not limited to the transparent plate 402, as long as it is a resin plate with laser transmittance.

[0063] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example of using a color printer that uses four-color ink to record color images as an inkjet recording device is described, but the ink supply unit of this embodiment can also be used when using a monochrome printer that uses black ink to record monochrome images.

[0064] The present invention can be applied to an inkjet recording apparatus such as an inkjet printer that includes an ink supply unit between an ink container and a recording head.

Claims

1. An ink supply unit, which is connected between an ink container containing ink and one or more recording heads having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the ink, and supplies the ink from the ink container to the recording head, characterized in that: have: an ink supply path through which the ink flows; and one or more element components that are attachable to and detachable from the ink supply path and communicate with the ink supply path, The ink supply path comprises: a first ink flow hole formed on a mounting surface of the element component; a first valve member that opens and closes the first ink flow hole; and a first force applying member for applying force to the first valve member in a direction approaching the first ink flow hole; The essential components include: a second ink circulation hole formed at a position overlapping with the first ink circulation hole; a second valve member that opens and closes the second ink flow hole; and a second force applying member for applying force to the second valve member in a direction approaching the second ink flow hole; When the element component is installed in the ink supply path, the first valve component and the second valve component contact each other, and the first valve component and the second valve component respectively overcome the forces of the first force applying component and the second force applying component to separate from the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole, so that the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole are connected to form the ink flow path. When the element component is removed from the ink supply path, the first valve component and the second valve component are separated from each other, and the first valve component and the second valve component close the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole respectively due to the force of the first force applying component and the second force applying component.

2. The ink supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first valve member has: a small diameter portion having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first ink circulation hole and protruding from the first ink circulation hole to the outside; and The large diameter portion has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the first ink flow hole and is disposed in the ink supply path. When the element component is installed in the ink supply path, the small diameter portion contacts the second valve component, and the first valve component and the second valve component respectively overcome the forces of the first force applying component and the second force applying component to separate from the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole.

3. The ink supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: have: a first sealing member disposed between the first valve member and the first ink flow hole; and a second sealing member disposed between the second valve member and the second ink flow hole; When the element component is removed from the ink supply path, the first sealing component contacts the first valve component and the peripheral portion of the first ink circulation hole to seal the gap between the first valve component and the first ink circulation hole, and the second sealing component contacts the second valve component and the peripheral portion of the second ink circulation hole to seal the gap between the second valve component and the second ink circulation hole.

4. The ink supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The element components include at least one of the following: a sub-tank that contains the ink supplied from the ink container; an opening and closing valve disposed between the ink container and the sub-tank to open and close the ink supply path; and The check valve is disposed between the sub-tank and the recording head and restricts the flow of the ink from the recording head to the sub-tank.

5. The ink supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ink supply path comprises: a first plate, which is opposed to the element component and is formed of a laser absorbing resin; a second plate, which is opposed to the first plate and is formed of a laser-transmitting resin; and a plurality of flow path forming ribs protruding from the first plate toward the second plate, The ink supply path is formed by irradiating the flow path forming rib with laser light from the second plate side to join the second plate to the flow path forming rib.

6. An inkjet recording device, characterized in that: have: an ink container containing ink; one or more recording heads having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the ink; and The ink supply unit according to claims 1 to 5 is connected between the ink container and the recording head, and supplies the ink from the ink container to the recording head.

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