Ink supply unit and inkjet recording apparatus with the same

Abstract

To provide: an ink supply unit which enables an element component thereof to be easily detached even in a state of being charged with ink; and an inkjet recording apparatus with same.SOLUTION: An ink supply unit includes an ink supply path and one or more element component. The ink supply path includes a first ink flow hole, a first valve member, and a first energizing member. The element component includes a second ink flow hole, a second valve member, and a second energizing member. When the element component is mounted to the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member separate from the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole respectively against energizing forces of the first energizing member and the second energizing member, thereby, the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole are communicated with each other. When the element component is detached from the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member close the first ink flow hole and the second ink flow hole respectively caused by the respective energizing forces of the first energizing member and the second energizing member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink supply unit mounted on an inkjet recording apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus including the same, and more particularly to a mounting structure for mounting element parts to a liquid supply flow path. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some inkjet recording devices have an ink supply unit that supplies ink from an ink tank to a recording head. The ink supply unit is composed of a flow path through which the ink flows, and elemental parts such as a pump and a valve that control the flow of the ink. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink supply unit in which a seal member that seals the ink flow path, a backing plate, and elemental parts are fastened to a flat plate-shaped part that forms an ink flow path and an ink inlet and outlet to the elemental parts.

[0003] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, if the number of fastening points increases in accordance with the number of component parts, there is a risk that the ink supply unit will become larger due to the increased number of fastening parts.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an ink supply unit that supplies ink from an ink tank to a recording head, the ink supply unit comprising: an element part including a pump for supplying ink and having an abutment part made of a laser light absorbing material; a plate having a first surface that can abut the abutment part, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a flow path forming part that surrounds an opening that penetrates the first surface and the second surface and protrudes from the second surface; a sealing member for sealing the opening; and an ink flow path that is formed by irradiating a laser from the second surface side to a first abutment point where the abutment part abuts the first surface around the opening, and then irradiating a laser from the second surface side to a second abutment point where the sealing member abuts the flow path forming part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-36586 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-49908 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the method of Patent Document 2, the components are welded to the resin plate by laser light, and once the components are fixed, they cannot be removed. Therefore, there is a problem that the entire ink supply unit needs to be replaced during maintenance. Furthermore, even if the components are replaceable, there is a problem that ink leakage occurs when replacing the components while the ink is filled.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply unit whose components can be easily removed even when filled with ink, and an inkjet recording apparatus having the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a first configuration of the present invention is an ink supply unit that is connected between an ink container that stores ink and one or more recording heads that have a plurality of nozzles that eject ink, and that supplies ink from the ink container to the recording head. The ink supply unit has an ink supply path through which ink flows, and one or more element parts that are detachable from the ink supply path and communicate with the ink supply path. The ink supply path has a first ink circulation hole formed on the mounting surface of the element part, a first valve member that opens and closes the first ink circulation hole, and a first biasing member that biases the first valve member in a direction approaching the first ink circulation hole. The element part has a second ink circulation hole formed at a position overlapping the first ink circulation hole, a second valve member that opens and closes the second ink circulation hole, and a second biasing member that biases the second valve member in a direction approaching the second ink circulation hole. When the element part is attached to the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member come into contact with each other, and the first valve member and the second valve member move away from the first ink circulation hole and the second ink circulation hole against the biasing forces of the first and second biasing members, respectively, thereby communicating the first ink circulation hole and the second ink circulation hole to form an ink flow path. When the element part is removed from the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member move away from each other, and 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 and second biasing members, respectively. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the first configuration of the present invention, the components constituting the ink supply unit can be replaced individually, which leads to reduced maintenance costs compared to replacing the entire ink supply unit. Also, by providing a first valve member in the ink supply path and a second valve member in the component, ink leakage from both the ink supply path and the component when replacing the component can be suppressed. Therefore, work such as closing the ink supply path and recovering ink is not required when replacing the component, improving maintainability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 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. [Diagram 2] A plan view of a recording unit 9 included in the printer 100. [Diagram 3] A schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the ink supply path 40 and the recording heads 17a to 17c that constitute the line head 11Y of the printer 100. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view including a first supply path 41 and a check valve 53 of the ink supply unit 80. [Diagram 5] A partial cross-sectional view including a first supply path 41 and a check valve 53 of an ink supply unit 80. [Figure 6] A partial plan view of the check valve 53 and its vicinity in the first supply passage 41. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view including a first supply path 41 and a check valve 53 of an ink supply unit 80, showing a state in which the check valve 53 has been removed from the first supply path 41. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 1. Configuration of the Inkjet Recording Apparatus Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the general configuration of a printer 100 as an inkjet recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The printer 100 is equipped with a paper feed cassette 2 which is a paper storage section. The paper feed cassette 2 is located at the bottom inside the printer main body 1. Inside the paper feed cassette 2, paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, is stored.

[0012] A paper feeder 3 is disposed downstream of the paper feed cassette 2 in the paper transport direction, i.e., above the right side of the paper feed cassette 2 in Fig. 1. The paper feeder 3 separates and sends out the paper P one by one toward the upper right of the paper feed cassette 2 in Fig. 1.

[0013] The printer 100 has a first paper transport path 4a inside. The first paper transport path 4a is located in the upper right corner, which is the paper feed direction, of the paper feed cassette 2. The paper P sent out from the paper feed cassette 2 is transported vertically upward along the side of the printer body 1 by the first paper transport path 4a.

[0014] A pair of registration rollers 13 is provided at the downstream end of the first paper transport path 4a in the paper transport direction. Furthermore, a first transport unit 5 and a recording unit 9 are arranged immediately downstream in the paper transport direction of the pair of registration rollers 13. The paper P sent out from the paper feed cassette 2 reaches the pair of registration rollers 13 through the first paper transport path 4a. The pair of registration rollers 13 corrects skewed feed of the paper P and sends the paper P toward the first transport unit 5 (particularly the first transport belt 8 described later) in time with the ink ejection operation performed by the recording unit 9.

[0015] The paper P sent to the first transport unit 5 by the registration roller pair 13 is transported by the first transport belt 8 to a position facing the recording unit 9 (particularly recording heads 17a to 17c described below). An image is recorded on the paper P by ejecting ink from the recording unit 9 onto the paper P. At this time, the ejection of ink in the recording unit 9 is controlled by a control device 110 inside the printer 100.

[0016] In the paper transport direction, a second transport unit 12 is disposed downstream of the first transport unit 5 (on the left side in FIG. 1). The paper P on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit 9 is sent to the second transport unit 12. The ink ejected onto the surface of the paper P is dried while passing through the second transport unit 12.

[0017] In the paper transport direction, a decurler unit 14 is provided downstream of the second transport unit 12 and near the left side surface of the printer body 1. The paper P from which the ink has been dried by the second transport unit 12 is sent to the decurler unit 14, where any curls in the paper P are straightened out.

[0018] In the paper transport direction, a second paper transport path 4b is provided downstream of the decurler unit 14 (upper in FIG. 1). If double-sided recording is not performed, the paper P that has passed through the decurler unit 14 passes through the second paper transport path 4b and is discharged to a paper discharge tray 15a provided outside the left side of the printer 100. A sub-discharge tray 15b is provided below the paper discharge tray 15a to discharge unnecessary paper P (broken paper) that has experienced printing defects or the like.

[0019] A reversing transport path 16 for double-sided recording is provided at the top of the printer body 1, above the recording unit 9 and the second transport unit 12. When double-sided recording is performed, after recording on one side (first side) of the paper P is completed and the paper P passes through the second transport unit 12 and the decurler unit 14, it is sent to the reversing transport path 16 via the second paper transport path 4b.

[0020] After being sent to the reversing transport path 16, the transport direction of the paper P is then switched so that recording can be performed on the other side (second side) of the paper P. The paper P then passes over the top of the printer body 1 and is transported to the right side, passes through the pair of registration rollers 13, and is sent again to the first transport unit 5 with the second side facing up. In the first transport unit 5, the paper P is transported to a position facing the recording section 9, and an image is recorded on the second side by ink ejection from the recording section 9. After double-sided recording, the paper P passes through the second transport unit 12, the decurler section 14, and the second paper transport path 4b in that order, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 15a.

[0021] In addition, a maintenance unit 19 and a cap unit 20 are disposed below the second transport unit 12. The maintenance unit 19 moves horizontally below the recording unit 9 when performing purging, wipes off ink extruded from the ink ejection ports of the recording head, and collects the wiped ink. Purging refers to the operation of forcibly pushing out ink from the ink ejection ports of the recording head in order to expel thickened ink, foreign matter, and air bubbles from the ink ejection ports. The cap unit 20 moves horizontally below the recording unit 9 when capping the ink ejection surface of the recording head, and then moves further upward to be attached to the underside of the recording head.

[0022] 2 is a plan view of the recording unit 9. The recording unit 9 includes a head housing 10 and line heads 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. The line heads 11Y to 11K are held in the head housing 10 at a height that forms a predetermined gap (for example, 1 mm) with respect to the conveying surface of an endless first conveyor belt 8 that is stretched around a plurality of rollers including a drive roller 6a, a driven roller 6b, and a tension roller (not shown). The drive roller 6a drives the first conveyor belt 8 in the conveying direction of the paper P (the direction of the arrow A).

[0023] Each of the line heads 11Y to 11K has a plurality of (three in this example) recording heads 17a to 17c. The recording heads 17a to 17c are arranged in a staggered pattern along the paper width direction (arrow BB' direction) perpendicular to the paper transport direction (arrow A direction). The recording heads 17a to 17c have a plurality of ink ejection openings 18 (nozzles). The ink ejection openings 18 are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction of the recording head, that is, the paper width direction (arrow BB' direction). From the line heads 11Y to 11K, inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are ejected toward the paper P transported by the first transport belt 8 through the ink ejection openings 18 of the recording heads 17a to 17c.

[0024] The recording heads 17a to 17c constituting each of the line heads 11C to 11K are supplied with four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) of ink from ink containers 50 (see FIG. 3) for each of the line heads 11C to 11K.

[0025] Each of the recording heads 17a to 17c ejects ink from an ink ejection port 18 toward the paper P, which is adsorbed and held on the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 8 and conveyed, in response to a control signal from the control device 110 (see FIG. 1) and image data received from an external computer. As a result, a color image is formed on the paper P on the first conveyor belt 8 by overlapping four colors of ink: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In addition, a cleaning liquid supply unit (not shown) that supplies cleaning liquid is provided at one end of the recording heads 17a to 17c in the longitudinal direction (arrow BB' direction) perpendicular to the paper conveying direction (arrow A direction). The cleaning liquid supply unit has a large number of cleaning liquid supply ports formed therein.

[0026] In the printer 100, when printing starts after a long period of inactivity and between printing operations, in order to clean the ink ejection surfaces of the recording heads 17a to 17c, ink is extruded (purged) from the ink ejection ports 18 of all of the recording heads 17a to 17c, cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply port, and a recovery operation of the recording heads 17a to 17c is performed in which the ink ejected onto the ink ejection surfaces is wiped off together with the cleaning liquid by a wiper (not shown) in preparation for the next printing operation. The ink and cleaning liquid wiped off from the ink ejection surfaces are collected by an ink receiver (not shown).

[0027] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the ink supply passages 40 and recording heads 17a to 17c that constitute the line head 11Y of the printer 100. Note that the line heads 11M to 11K have the same structure, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0028] 3, an ink supply path 40 through which ink and cleaning liquid pass is connected to the recording heads 17a to 17c. Two supply paths, a first supply path 41 and a second supply path 42 through which ink passes, are formed in the ink supply path 40. The first supply path 41 and the second supply path 42 are connected to an ink container 50. A pump (not shown) that pumps out ink is connected to the ink container 50.

[0029] 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. When recording an image requiring a large amount of ink ejection, 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.

[0030] A sub-tank 51, an on-off valve 52, and a check valve 53 are attached to the ink supply path 40. The sub-tank 51, the on-off valve 52, and the check valve 53 are each detachable from the ink supply path 40. The ink supply path 40, together with the sub-tank 51, the on-off valve 52, and the check valve 53, constitutes an ink supply unit 80 (see FIG. 4) that supplies ink from the ink container 50 to the recording heads 17a to 17c. 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.

[0031] The sub-tank 51 is disposed between the ink container 50 of the first supply path 41 and the recording heads 17a to 17c. The sub-tank 51 temporarily stores the ink supplied from the ink container 50.

[0032] The on-off valve 52 is disposed between the ink container 50 and the sub-tank 51 in 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.

[0033] Normally, a certain amount of ink is stored in the subtank 51, and the ink is circulated between the subtank 51 and the recording heads 17a to 17c. At this time, the on-off valve 52 is in a closed state. Then, when the ink in the subtank 51 is consumed by image recording, the on-off valve 53 is opened and a predetermined amount of ink is supplied from the ink container 50 into the subtank 51.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Each of the recording heads 17a to 17c has 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 in which a large number of ink ejection orifices 18 (see FIG. 2) are arranged.

[0036] The head back portion 44 includes an ink heating passage 46, a filter 47, a reservoir tank 48, and a damper 49. The first supply passage 41 and the second supply passage 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 reservoir tank 48, and the damper 49 in that order.

[0037] A heater 45 is disposed between the head front part 43 and the head back part 44. The heater 45 heats the ink in an ink heating flow passage 46 (described later) to a predetermined temperature as necessary, and also heats the head front part 43 so that the ink is smoothly ejected from the ink ejection port 18.

[0038] 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 a position adjacent to the heater 45 in the head back portion 44. The filter 47 removes foreign matter from the ink passing through the first supply path 41. The reservoir tank 48 temporarily stores the ink passing through the first supply path 41 and the second supply path 42. The damper 49 is formed of a flexible resin film, and by pulsating the damper 49, ink is pushed out toward the head front portion 43. 2. Configuration of the ink supply unit

[0039] Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view including the first supply path 41 and the check valve 53 of the ink supply unit 80. Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in Fig. 4) including the first supply path 41 and the check valve 53 of the ink supply unit 80. Fig. 6 is a partial plan view of the first supply path 41 near the check valve 53.

[0040] The first supply path 41 has a resin plate 401 and a transparent plate 402. The resin plate 401 has three flow path forming ribs 401a extending along the ink flow direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5, vertical direction in FIG. 6). The tips of the flow path forming ribs 401a are fixed to the transparent plate 402. The inside 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 disposed at the connection portion between the upstream supply path 41a and the downstream supply path 41b.

[0041] The resin plate 401 is formed of a laser light absorbing resin, and the transparent plate 402 is formed of a laser light transmitting resin. A laser beam is irradiated onto the flow path forming rib 401a from the transparent plate 402 side to weld the transparent plate 402 and the flow path forming rib 401a together to form the first supply path 41. Although not shown here, the second supply path 42 (see FIG. 3) is also formed of the resin plate 401 and the transparent plate 402 in the same manner as the first supply path 41.

[0042] First valve members 60a, 60b are disposed in the upstream supply passage 41a and the downstream supply passage 41b, respectively. Each of the first valve members 60a, 60b has a large diameter portion 601 and a small diameter portion 602 (see FIG. 7). The small diameter portion 602 penetrates a first ink circulation hole 401b formed in the resin plate 401 and protrudes into the inside of the check valve 53.

[0043] First coil springs 61a, 61b are disposed between the first valve members 60a, 60b and the transparent plate 402. One end of the first coil springs 61a, 61b is held by a spring holding portion 402a of the transparent plate 402. The other end of the first coil springs 61a, 61b is fixed to the large diameter portion 601 of the first valve members 60a, 60b. The first coil springs 61a, 61b bias the first valve members 60a, 60b in a direction approaching the first ink circulation hole 401b (upward in FIG. 5).

[0044] The first valve members 60a, 60b each have a first sealing member 62a, 62b attached to a connecting portion between a large diameter portion 601 and a small diameter portion 602. The first sealing members 62a, 62b are, for example, O-rings made of an elastic material.

[0045] The check valve 53 includes a housing 530, second valve members 70a and 70b, and second coil springs 71a and 71b. The inside 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 communicate with each other above the partition wall 530a. The housing 530 is fixed to the resin plate 401 by fixing members (not shown) such as screws.

[0046] A second ink circulation hole 530b is formed in the lower surface of the housing 530. The second ink circulation hole 530b is formed at a position overlapping with the first ink circulation hole 401b. The first supply path 40a, the second supply path 40b and the inside of the check valve 53 are communicated with each other via the first ink circulation hole 401b and the second ink circulation hole 530b.

[0047] Second valve members 70a, 70b and second coil springs 71a, 71b are disposed in the first storage chamber 53a and the second storage chamber 53b, respectively. One end of the second coil springs 71a, 71b is held by a spring holding portion 530c of the housing 530. The second valve members 70a, 70b are fixed to the other end of the second coil springs 71a, 71b. The second coil springs 71a, 71b bias the second valve members 70a, 70b in a direction approaching the second ink circulation hole 530b (downward in FIG. 5), respectively.

[0048] Second sealing members 72a and 72b are attached to the periphery of the second ink circulation hole 530b. The second sealing members 72a and 72b are, for example, O-rings made of an elastic material.

[0049] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the check valve 53 attached to the first supply path 41. When ink is not being sent out from the subtank 51 (see FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. 5, the small diameter portion 602 of the first valve member 60a, which is biased upward by the first coil spring 61a, pushes up the second valve member 70a of the check valve 53. This causes the second valve member 70a to move away from the second sealing member 72a of the first storage chamber 53a against the biasing force of the second coil spring 71a.

[0050] On the other hand, the first valve member 60a is also pushed down by the pressing force (resistance) received from the second valve member 70a, causing the first sealing member 62a attached to the first valve member 60a to move away from the first ink circulation hole 401b of the upstream flow path 41a.

[0051] In other words, the upward pressing force acting on the first valve member 60a from the first coil spring 61a and the downward pressing force acting on the second valve member 70a from the second coil spring 71a balance each other, and both of the first ink circulation hole 401b of the upstream flow path 41a and the second ink circulation hole 530b of the first storage chamber 53a are opened, connecting the upstream flow path 41a and the first storage chamber 53a.

[0052] On the other hand, the upward pressing force acting on the first valve member 60b from the first coil spring 61b is greater than the downward pressing force acting on the second valve member 70b from the second coil spring 71b. 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 is separated from the second sealing member 72b of the second storage chamber 53b against the biasing force of the second coil spring 71b, but the first sealing member 62b attached to the first valve member 60b is pressed against the first ink circulation hole 401b of the downstream flow path 41b by the biasing force of the first coil spring 61b.

[0053] That is, the second ink circulation hole 530b of the second storage chamber 53b is open, but the first ink circulation hole 401b of the downstream flow path 41b is closed, so that the second storage chamber 53b and the downstream flow path 41b are not connected to each other.

[0054] When ink is supplied from the subtank 51, the ink that has flowed into the first storage chamber 53a from the upstream flow path 41a passes above the partition wall 530a and flows into the second storage chamber 53b. At this time, the resultant force of the urging force of the second coil spring 71b acting on the second valve member 70b and the ink pressure becomes 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 down by the second valve member 70b, and the first sealing member 62b attached to the first valve member 60b moves away from the first ink circulation hole 401b of the downstream flow path 41b.

[0055] As a result, the first ink circulation hole 401b of the downstream flow path 41b and the second ink circulation hole 530b of the second storage chamber 53b are both opened, and the downstream flow path 41b and the first storage chamber 53b are communicated with each other. Therefore, the ink flow path from the upstream flow path 41a through the first storage chamber 53a and the second storage chamber 53b to the downstream flow path 41b is opened.

[0056] When the supply of ink from the subtank 51 stops, the first valve member 60b is again pushed up by the biasing force of the first coil spring 61b, as shown in Fig. 5, and the first sealing member 62b attached to the first valve member 60b is pressed against the first ink circulation hole 401b of the downstream flow path 41b. This closes the ink flow path from the upstream flow path 41a to the downstream flow path 41b. The above-mentioned operation of the check valve 53 makes it possible to prevent the backflow of ink from the downstream flow path 41b to the upstream flow path 41a.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view including the first supply passage 41 and the check valve 53 of the ink supply unit 80, showing a state in which the check valve 53 is removed from the first supply passage 41. When the check valve 53 is removed from the first supply passage 41, the pressing force (resistance) from the second valve members 70a and 70b no longer acts on 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 periphery of the first ink circulation hole 401b by the urging force of the first coil springs 61a and 61b, and both the first ink circulation holes 401b of the upstream flow passage 41a and the downstream flow passage 41b are closed. In addition, the small diameter parts 602 of the first valve members 60a and 60b protrude from the first ink circulation hole 401b.

[0058] On the other hand, the pressing force (resistance) from the first valve members 60a, 60b no longer acts on 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 on the periphery of the second ink circulation hole 530b by the biasing force of the second coil springs 71a, 71b, and both the first storage chamber 53a and the second storage chamber 53b are in a closed state.

[0059] When mounting the check valve 53 in the first supply path 41, the check valve 53 is pressed against the first supply path 41 from the state shown in Fig. 7. At this time, the second ink circulation hole 530b of the check valve 53 is aligned with the small diameter portion 602 of the first valve members 60a, 60b protruding from the first ink circulation hole 401b. Then, while the small diameter portion 602 of the first valve members 60a, 60b is inserted into the second ink circulation hole 530b, the check valve 53 is fixed with a screw or the like in a state where it is pressed against the first supply path 41.

[0060] 5 in which the upstream flow path 41a and the first storage chamber 53a are connected to each other and the second storage chamber 53b and the downstream flow path 41b are not connected to each other. Then, the second storage chamber 53b and the downstream flow path 41b are connected to each other only when ink is supplied from the subtank 51.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the mounting structure of the check valve 53 is used as an example of an element part to be attached to the ink supply path 40, but the mounting structure between the ink supply path 40, the sub tank 51, and the opening / closing valve 52 is also configured in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0062] According to the above configuration, it is possible to individually replace component parts such as the sub-tank 51, the on-off valve 52, and the check valve 53 that configure the ink supply unit 80. This leads to a reduction in maintenance costs compared to replacing the entire ink supply unit 80.

[0063] Furthermore, by providing the first valve members 60a, 60b in the first supply passage 41 and the second valve members 70a, 70b in the check valve 53 (component), it is possible to suppress ink leakage from both the first supply passage 41 and the component when replacing the component. Therefore, work such as closing the ink supply passage 40 and recovering ink is not required when replacing the component, improving maintainability.

[0064] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the check valve 53 is detachably attached to the first supply passage 41, but the same configuration can be used when the check valve 53 is detachably attached to the second supply passage 42.

[0065] In addition, in the above embodiment, the subtank 51, the on-off valve 52, and the check valve 53 are exemplified as components that make up the ink supply unit 80, but the present invention is also applicable to an ink supply unit 80 having other components.

[0066] In addition, in the above embodiment, the ink supply path 40 is constructed using a resin plate 401 and a transparent plate 402, and the resin plate 401 and the transparent plate 402 are welded together by irradiating laser light from the transparent plate 402 side, but this is not limited to the transparent plate 402, and any resin plate that is laser light transparent can be used.

[0067] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which a color printer that records color images using four colors of ink was used as the inkjet recording device, but the ink supply unit of this embodiment can also be used in the case of a monochrome printer that records monochrome images using black ink. [Industrial Applicability]

[0068] The present invention can be used in inkjet recording devices such as inkjet printers that include an ink supply unit between an ink container and a recording head. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 17a~17c Recording head 18 Ink outlet (nozzle) 30 Cleaning liquid supply unit 40 Ink supply path 401 Resin plate (first plate) 401a Flow path forming rib 401b First ink flow hole 402 Transparent plate (second plate) 41 1st supply route 41a Upstream flow path 41b Downstream channel 42 2nd supply route 50 Ink Container 51 Subtank (component part) 52 Opening and closing valve (component part) 53 Check valve (component part) 53a First Storage Chamber 53b Second storage chamber 530 Housing 530a Partition wall 530b Second ink flow hole 60a, 60b First valve member 601 Large diameter part 602 Small diameter section 61a, 61b First coil spring (first biasing member) 62a, 62b first sealing member 70a, 70b 2nd valve member 71a, 71b Second coil spring (second biasing member) 72a, 72b Second sealing member 80 Ink supply unit 100 Printers (inkjet recording devices)

Claims

1. an ink container for storing ink; one or more recording heads each having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the ink; an ink supply unit connected between the ink container and the recording head, the ink supply unit supplying the ink from the ink container to the recording head, an ink supply path through which the ink flows; one or more elements detachably attached to the ink supply passage and in communication with the ink supply passage; having The ink supply path includes: a first ink flow hole formed on the mounting surface of the element; a first valve member that opens and closes the first ink flow hole; a first biasing member that biases the first valve member in a direction toward the first ink circulation hole; having The element part is 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; a second biasing member that biases the second valve member in a direction toward the second ink circulation hole; having when the element part is attached to the ink supply path, the first valve member and the second valve member come into contact with each other, and the first valve member and the second valve member move away 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, thereby connecting the first ink circulation hole and the second ink circulation hole to each other, thereby forming the ink flow path; an ink supply unit characterized in that, when the element part 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 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.

2. The first valve member is a small diameter portion having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first ink circulation hole and protruding outward from the first ink circulation hole; a large diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the first ink circulation hole and disposed within the ink supply path; having 2. The ink supply unit according to claim 1, wherein, when the element part is attached to the ink supply path, the small diameter portion and the second valve member come into contact with each other, and the first valve member and the second valve member move away 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.

3. a first sealing member disposed between the first valve member and the first ink circulation hole; a second sealing member disposed between the second valve member and the second ink circulation hole; having 2. The ink supply unit according to claim 1, wherein, when the element part is removed from the ink supply path, the first sealing member contacts the first valve member and a peripheral portion of the first ink circulation hole to seal the gap between the first valve member and the first ink circulation hole, and the second sealing member contacts the second valve member and a peripheral portion of the second ink circulation hole to seal the gap between the second valve member and the second ink circulation hole.

4. The element part is a sub-tank for storing the ink supplied from the ink container; an opening / closing valve disposed between the ink container and the subtank for opening and closing the ink supply path; a check valve disposed between the sub-tank and the recording head to regulate the flow of the ink from the recording head to the sub-tank; 2. The ink supply unit according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

5. The ink supply path includes: a first plate formed of a laser light absorbing resin facing the element; a second plate made of a laser light transmitting resin facing the first plate; a plurality of flow path forming ribs protruding from the first plate toward the second plate; having The ink supply unit according to claim 1 , wherein the ink supply path is formed by irradiating the flow path forming rib from the second plate side with laser light to bond the second plate and the flow path forming rib together.

6. an ink container for storing ink; one or more recording heads each having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the ink; 6. An ink supply unit according to claim 1, which is connected between the ink container and the recording head and supplies the ink from the ink tank to the recording head; An inkjet recording apparatus comprising:

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