Inkjet recording device

Abstract

The present invention provides an inkjet recording device that can suppress the leakage of ink remaining inside and around the pump when the pump is removed from the ink distribution path. [Solution] The inkjet recording device 1 comprises a pump 22, an ink flow path 23, an on-off valve, a motor 25, a one-way clutch 26, and a closing mechanism 30. The motor 25 drives the pump 22 when it rotates in a first direction R1. The one-way clutch 26 is connected to the motor 25 and rotates when the motor 25 rotates in a second direction R2, which is opposite to the first direction R1. The closing mechanism 30 is connected to the one-way clutch 26 and closes the on-off valve, which is in an open state, as the one-way clutch 26 rotates, stopping the flow of ink between the pump 22 and the on-off valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] As a recording apparatus such as a printer or a copier, an inkjet recording apparatus that discharges ink onto a sheet-like recording medium such as paper to record an image is widely used because it can record a high-definition image. In such an inkjet recording apparatus, ink is conveyed by a pump from an ink container in which the ink is stored to a recording head that discharges the ink onto the recording medium.

[0003] For example, a conventional liquid ejection apparatus (printing apparatus) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a pump motor that sends pressurized air to an ink cartridge. When the pump motor rotates forward, the diaphragm expands and contracts to perform a pressurizing operation on the air. On the other hand, when the pressure value of the pressurized air becomes equal to or higher than a threshold value, the pump motor rotates reversely, and an atmosphere release valve is opened to release the pressurized air to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A pump that conveys a liquid such as ink needs to be removed from the liquid flow path during maintenance, repair, or replacement. At this time, there is a problem that the liquid such as ink remaining in the pump or in the liquid flow path around the pump may leak to the outside. As a result, when the pump is removed from the liquid flow path, there is a concern that the surrounding area may be contaminated by the leaked liquid.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide an inkjet recording device that can suppress the leakage of ink remaining inside and around the pump when the pump is removed from the ink distribution path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a pump, an ink channel, an on-off valve, a motor, a one-way clutch, and a closing mechanism. The pump transports ink. The ink channel is connected to the pump, and the ink flows through it. The on-off valve is provided in the ink channel and opens and closes the ink channel. The motor drives the pump when it rotates in a first direction. The one-way clutch is connected to the motor and rotates when the motor rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The closing mechanism is connected to the one-way clutch and closes the on-off valve, which is in an open state, as the one-way clutch rotates, thereby stopping the flow of ink between the pump and the on-off valve. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the configuration of the present invention, when the pump is removed from the ink flow path, the motor rotates in a second direction and the on-off valve is closed. This stops the flow of ink between the pump and the on-off valve, and makes it possible to suppress leakage of ink remaining in the pump and in the ink flow path between the pump and the on-off valve. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional front view of an inkjet recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view of the area around the recording section of an inkjet recording device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the control system and ink supply system around the recording section of the inkjet recording device. [Figure 4]Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pump unit. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the pump unit shown in Figure 4, viewed from the opposite side. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a top view of the pump unit. [Figure 7] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pump unit from below. [Figure 8] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the pump unit. [Figure 9] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the on / off valve (open position) of the pump unit. [Figure 10] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the on / off valve (closed state) of the pump unit. [Figure 11] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pump unit, showing the closed state of the on / off valve. [Figure 12] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the pump unit (with the on / off valve closed). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of the inkjet recording device 1 of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of the area around the recording unit 5 of the inkjet recording device 1 of Figure 1. The inkjet recording device 1 is, for example, an inkjet recording type printer. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inkjet recording device 1 comprises a device body 2, a sheet supply unit 3, a sheet transport unit 4, a recording unit 5, a drying unit 6, a sheet discharge unit 7, and a control unit 8.

[0012] The sheet supply unit 3 is located, for example, at the bottom of the main body 2 of the device. The sheet supply unit 3 holds multiple sheets (recording media) S and separates and feeds out the sheets S one by one during recording.

[0013] The sheet conveyance unit 4 is disposed downstream of the sheet supply unit 3 in the sheet conveyance direction, and conveys the sheet S sent out from the sheet supply unit 3. The sheet conveyance unit 4 conveys the sheet S to the recording unit 5 and the drying unit 6, and further discharges the sheet S after recording and drying to the sheet discharge unit 7. Also, the sheet conveyance unit 4 has, for example, a reverse conveyance unit 4r. When double-sided recording is performed, the sheet conveyance unit 4 distributes the sheet S after recording and drying on the first side to the reverse conveyance unit 4r, and further conveys the sheet S with the conveyance direction switched and the front and back reversed to the recording unit 5 and the drying unit 6 again.

[0014] The sheet conveyance unit 4 includes a first belt conveyance unit 41 and a second belt conveyance unit 42. The first belt conveyance unit 41 has an endless first conveyance belt 411. The second belt conveyance unit 42 has an endless second conveyance belt 421. The first belt conveyance unit 41 and the second belt conveyance unit 42 adsorb and hold the sheet S on the upper outer surfaces (upper surfaces) of the first conveyance belt 411 and the second conveyance belt 421 respectively and convey it. The first belt conveyance unit 41 is disposed below the recording unit 5 and conveys the sheet S. The second belt conveyance unit 42 is located downstream of the first belt conveyance unit 41 in the sheet conveyance direction, and is disposed in the drying unit 6 and conveys the sheet S.

[0015] The recording unit 5 is located downstream of the sheet supply unit 3 in the sheet conveyance direction, and is disposed opposite to the first belt conveyance unit 41. The recording unit 5 faces the sheet S adsorbed and held on the upper surface of the first conveyance belt 411 and is disposed above the first conveyance belt 411 with a predetermined interval. That is, the recording unit 5 faces the sheet S conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit 4.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 5 holds head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y corresponding to each of the four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y are juxtaposed along the sheet conveyance direction Dc so that their longitudinal directions are parallel to the sheet width direction Dw orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction Dc. Since the four head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y have the same basic configuration, in the following description, unless otherwise particularly limited, the identification symbols "B", "C", "M", and "Y" representing each color may be omitted.

[0017] Each of the head units 51 of each color has a line-type inkjet recording head 52. The recording heads 52 are arranged in a staggered pattern along the sheet width direction Dw in each of the head units 51 of each color (for example, three (52a, 52b, 52c)).

[0018] The recording head 52 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 at its bottom. The plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 are arranged side by side along the sheet width direction Dw and can eject ink over the entire recording area on the sheet S. That is, the recording head 52 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 for ejecting ink onto the sheet S. The recording unit 5 sequentially ejects ink from the recording heads 52 of the four head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y toward the sheet S conveyed by the first conveyance belt 411, and records a full-color image or a monochrome image on the sheet S.

[0019] The drying unit 6 is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction with respect to the recording unit 5, and the second belt conveyance unit 42 is provided. The sheet S on which the ink image is recorded in the recording unit 5 is adsorbed and held by the second conveyance belt 421 in the drying unit 6 and dried while being conveyed. The dried sheet S is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 7.

[0020] The control unit 8 includes a CPU, a memory unit, and other electronic circuits and electronic components (none of which are shown). The CPU controls the operation of each component provided in the inkjet recording device 1 based on control programs and data stored in the memory unit, and performs processing related to the functions of the inkjet recording device 1. The sheet supply unit 3, sheet transport unit 4, recording unit 5, and drying unit 6 each receive individual commands from the control unit 8 and perform recording on the sheet S in conjunction with each other. The memory unit is composed of a combination of non-volatile storage devices such as program ROM (Read Only Memory) and data ROM, and volatile storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0021] Next, the configuration around the recording unit 5 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the control system and ink supply system around the recording unit 5 of the inkjet recording device 1 shown in Figure 1. The inkjet recording device 1 comprises an ink container 10, a pump unit 20, a sub-tank 40, and a head drive board 53.

[0022] The ink container 10 is detachably mounted to the main body 2 of the device. The ink container 10 contains ink to be supplied to the sub-tank 40. The ink (liquid) in the ink container 10 is transported to the recording head 52 via the sub-tank 40.

[0023] The pump unit 20 is positioned downstream of the ink transport direction to the ink container 10. In other words, the pump unit 20 is positioned on the ink flow path between the ink container 10 and the recording head 52. The pump unit 20 includes a pump 22 that sucks ink from the ink container 10 and discharges the ink toward the sub-tank 40. The operation of the pump 22 is controlled by the control unit 8. The detailed configuration of the pump unit 20 will be described later.

[0024] The sub-tank 40 stores the ink supplied to the recording head 52. The sub-tank 40 is equipped with an ink level sensor (not shown). The control unit 8 controls the pump 22 and controls the amount of ink supplied from the ink container 10 to the sub-tank 40 based on the operating time of the pump 22. If the amount of ink in the sub-tank 40 detected by the ink level sensor does not exceed a predetermined value even after a certain period of time has elapsed since the pump 22 was operated, the control unit 8 determines that the ink in the ink container 10 is empty. The amount of ink in the sub-tank 40 is managed so that the head difference with the recording head 52 remains constant.

[0025] The head drive board 53 is positioned adjacent to the recording head 52 and transmits drive signals to the recording head 52. The recording head 52 includes a drive element (not shown) for an ink ejection nozzle 521. The head drive board 53 transmits a drive signal having a predetermined drive waveform and drive voltage to the drive element of the ink ejection nozzle 521. The drive waveform of the drive element of the ink ejection nozzle 521 is pre-prepared according to the grayscale value of the pixels (dots) of the image recorded by the ejected ink droplets. The control unit 8 can control the head drive board 53 to change the ejection speed of the ink ejected from the recording head 52. In this way, the control unit 8 controls the operation of the recording head 52 and records an image onto the sheet S.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the pump unit 20 will be described. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pump unit 20 in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pump unit 20 in Figure 4 from the opposite side. Figures 6, 7, and 8 are the top view, cross-sectional bottom view, and cross-sectional side view of the pump unit 20 in Figure 4. Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of the on-off valve 24 (open state) and on-off valve 24 (closed state) of the pump unit 20 in Figure 4. Note that Figure 7 is a cross-sectional bottom view along the line VII-VII in Figure 8, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 6.

[0027] The pump unit 20 is equipped with a pump 22, an ink flow path 23, an on / off valve 24, a motor 25, a one-way clutch 26, and a closing mechanism 30 on a base member 21.

[0028] The base member 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped in plan view and is composed of a box-like structure with space inside. The pump 22, the on / off valve 24, the motor 25, the one-way clutch 26, and the closing mechanism 30 are arranged on the upper surface of the base member 21.

[0029] A portion of the ink channel 23 passes through the interior of the base member 21. An inlet 23a of the ink channel 23 is provided on one side of the base member 21. An outlet 23b of the ink channel 23 is provided on the other side of the base member 21 that intersects with the side on which the inlet 23a is provided.

[0030] Pump 22 is composed of a diaphragm pump having, for example, a diaphragm (not shown). The diaphragm pump uses a motor 25 to reciprocate the diaphragm, and the ink is transported by the reciprocating movement of the diaphragm. Pump 22 has an ink suction section 22a and an ink discharge section 22b, both of which are connected to an ink flow path 23. Pump 22 transports ink through the ink flow path 23.

[0031] The ink channel 23 is configured as part of the ink distribution path between the ink container 10 and the recording head 52. The ink channel 23 is connected to the pump 22 through which ink flows. Part of the ink channel 23 is formed integrally with the base member 21, and the other part is composed of a piping member such as a flexible tube. The ink channel 23 includes a first channel 231, a second channel 232, and a third channel 233.

[0032] The first flow path 231 extends from the ink inlet 23a provided on the side of the base member 21 to the suction section 22a of the pump 22. The upstream section of the first flow path 231 in the ink transport direction is formed integrally with the base member 21, and the downstream section is made up of a tube. The second flow path 232 extends from the discharge section 22b of the pump 22 to the inlet 24a of the on-off valve 24. The upstream section of the second flow path 232 in the ink transport direction is made up of a tube, and the downstream section is formed integrally with the base member 21. The third flow path 233 extends from the outflow section 24b of the on-off valve 24 to the ink outlet 23b provided on the side of the base member 21. The third flow path 233 is formed integrally with the base member 21 throughout its entire length.

[0033] The on-off valve 24 is positioned in the ink flow path 23 between the pump 22 and the outlet 23b with respect to the ink transport direction. The on-off valve 24 includes an inlet 24a and an outlet 24b formed on the upper surface of the base member 21. Each of the inlet 24a and the outlet 24b penetrates the upper part of the base member 21 in the direction normal to it and connects individually to the second flow path 232 and the third flow path 233 of the ink flow path 23 within the base member 21. Furthermore, the on-off valve 24 has a shaft portion 241 and a sealing portion 242.

[0034] The shaft portion 241 is cylindrical in shape and extends upward in the direction normal to the upper surface of the base member 21. A sealing portion 242 is attached to the lower end of the shaft portion 241. The upper end of the shaft portion 241 engages with the closing mechanism 30. The shaft portion 241 is arranged to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0035] The sealing portion 242 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is attached to the lower end of the shaft portion 241. The sealing portion 242 is a substantially disc shape that extends along the upper surface of the base member 21. The sealing portion 242 is positioned adjacent to and opposite the upper surface of the base member 21 so as to cover the inlet portion 24a and outlet portion 24b formed on the upper surface of the base member 21. The central portion 242c of the substantially disc-shaped sealing portion 242 is positioned vertically opposite to the central portion 242c in the radial direction so as to cover the inlet portion 24a and outlet portion 24b. The radial outer periphery 242e of the sealing portion 242 is always in close contact with the upper surface of the base member 21.

[0036] When the sealing portion 242 is not subjected to a downward load via the shaft portion 241, its radial central portion 242c bulges upward as shown in Figure 9, creating an internal space in the central portion 242c as shown in Figure 8. The inlet portion 24a and outlet portion 24b face the internal space of the central portion 242c. That is, when the sealing portion 242 is not subjected to a downward load, ink flows from the inlet portion 24a to the outlet portion 24b through the internal space of the central portion 242c.

[0037] On the other hand, when the sealing portion 242 is subjected to a downward load via the shaft portion 241, its central portion 242c is recessed downward as shown in Figure 10, and the internal space of the central portion 242c disappears (see Figure 12). The sealing portion 242's central portion 242c is in close contact with the upper surface of the base member 21, closing the inlet portion 24a and the outlet portion 24b. In other words, when the sealing portion 242 is subjected to a downward load, the inlet portion 24a and the outlet portion 24b are closed, preventing the flow of ink. In this way, the on / off valve 24 is provided in the ink flow path 23 and opens and closes the ink flow path 23.

[0038] The motor 25 rotates around a rotating shaft that extends approximately parallel to the upper surface of the base member 21. The motor 25 is connected to the pump 22. The motor 25 is connected to the diaphragm of the pump 22 and causes the diaphragm to reciprocate, thereby enabling the pump 22 to draw in and discharge ink. A drive gear 25g is attached to one end of the shaft of the motor 25. The drive gear 25g meshes with a one-way clutch 26.

[0039] The motor 25 rotates the drive gear 25g in the first direction R1 shown in Figure 4, and in the second direction R2 which is opposite to the first direction R1. When the motor 25 rotates in the first direction R1, it drives the pump 22.

[0040] The one-way clutch 26 engages with the drive gear 25g of the motor 25. The one-way clutch 26 has a mechanism that allows power to be transmitted and the clutch to rotate when the motor 25 rotates in the second direction R2, and to slip when the motor 25 rotates in the first direction R1. In other words, the one-way clutch 26 is connected to the motor 25 and rotates when the motor 25 rotates in the second direction R2, which is opposite to the first direction R1.

[0041] The closing mechanism 30 is connected to the one-way clutch 26. The closing mechanism 30 includes a first lever member 31 and a second lever member 32. The first lever member 31 and the second lever member 32 engage with each other at one end in their respective longitudinal directions. The first lever member 31 is connected to the one-way clutch 26 at its other end. The second lever member 32 is engaged with the on-off valve 24 at its other end. The detailed configuration of the closing mechanism 30 will be described later.

[0042] The closing mechanism 30, via the first lever member 31 and the second lever member 32, closes the open on-off valve 24 as the one-way clutch 26 rotates, thereby stopping the flow of ink between the pump 22 and the on-off valve 24.

[0043] With the above configuration, when the pump 22 is removed from the ink flow path from the ink container 10 to the sub-tank 40, the motor 25 rotates in the second direction R2 to close the on-off valve 24. This stops the flow of ink between the pump 22 and the on-off valve 24, and prevents leakage of ink remaining in the pump 22 and in the ink flow path 23 between the pump 22 and the on-off valve 24. In other words, the maintainability of the inkjet recording device 1 can be improved.

[0044] In the normal operation mode for recording images on the sheet S, the control unit 8 rotates the motor 25 in the first direction R1 shown in Figure 4. On the other hand, in the maintenance operation mode for removing the motor 25, the control unit 8 rotates the motor 25 in the second direction R2 shown in Figure 4.

[0045] The pump unit 20 has an inlet 23a and an outlet 23b of the ink flow path 23 that are connected to the ink flow path between the ink container 10 and the recording head 52. The pump unit 20 is detachable from the ink flow path between the ink container 10 and the recording head 52.

[0046] With the above configuration, the pump 22, on-off valve 24, closing mechanism 30, etc. are all mounted together on the pump unit 20. Therefore, when removing the pump 22 from the ink flow path, it is possible to easily remove the pump 22 by closing the on-off valve 24. When the on-off valve 24 is in the closed position, the ink accumulated around the inlet 23a and outlet 23b of the pump unit 20 that has been removed from the ink flow path will not leak to the outside due to the action of atmospheric pressure and the surface tension of the ink.

[0047] Next, the configuration of the closing mechanism 30 will be described in detail. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the pump unit 20 in Figure 3, showing the closed state of the on-off valve 24. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the pump unit 20 (on-off valve 24 closed state) in Figure 11. As mentioned above, the closing mechanism 30 includes a first lever member 31 and a second lever member 32.

[0048] The first lever member 31 is connected to the shaft portion 26x of the one-way clutch 26 at its first longitudinal end 31a. The first lever member 31 rotates around the axial center of the shaft portion 26x in accordance with the rotation of the one-way clutch 26 (second direction R2 of the motor 25).

[0049] The longitudinal second end 31b of the first lever member 31 is close to the longitudinal first end 32a of the second lever member 32. When the first lever member 31 rotates around the axis of the shaft portion 26x of the one-way clutch 26, the second end 31b engages with the first end 32a of the second lever member 32, displacing the second lever member 32.

[0050] The second lever member 32 has a support shaft portion 32x that extends substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base member 21. The support shaft portion 32x is located approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction of the second lever member 32. The second lever member 32 is supported by a holder 27 provided on the upper surface of the base member 21 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the support shaft portion 32x. The first lever member 31 and the second lever member 32, which are longitudinally shaped relative to each other, are arranged so that their respective extension directions are substantially perpendicular when viewed from the normal direction of the upper surface of the base member 21.

[0051] The longitudinal first end 32a of the second lever member 32 is close to the longitudinal second end 31b of the first lever member 31. The second lever member 32 rotates around the axis of the support shaft 32x when the second end 31b of the first lever member 31 contacts the lower surface of the first end 32a of the second lever member 32 from below.

[0052] The longitudinal second end 32b of the second lever member 32 engages with the upper end of the shaft portion 241 of the on-off valve 24. When the second lever member 32 rotates around the axis of the support shaft portion 32x, it displaces the shaft portion 241 of the on-off valve 24.

[0053] In the normal operating mode for recording an image on the sheet S, as shown in Figures 4 and 8, the first lever member 31 is not in contact with the second lever member 32. In this case, the on-off valve 24 is not subjected to a load from the second lever member 32, and the central portion 242c of the sealing portion 242 bulges upward. Ink flows through the internal space of the central portion 242c in the on-off valve 24. The second lever member 32 is displaced upward around the axis of the support shaft portion 32x at the second end 32b side.

[0054] On the other hand, when the motor 25 rotates in the second direction R2 during maintenance operation, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the first lever member 31 rotates around the axial center of the shaft portion 26x of the one-way clutch 26 and contacts the second lever member 32 from below. The second lever member 32 rotates around the axial center of the support shaft portion 32x, and the second end portion 32b is displaced downward. As a result, the on-off valve 24 receives a downward load from the second lever member 32, and against the elastic force of the sealing portion 242, the central portion 242c is recessed downward, closing the inlet portion 24a and the outlet portion 24b. The flow of ink is blocked at the on-off valve 24.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the closing mechanism 30 has a first lever member 31 and a second lever member 32. However, by positioning the on-off valve 24 at the second end 31b in the longitudinal direction of the first lever member 31, it is also possible to close the on-off valve 24 with a single lever member. That is, the closing mechanism 30 has at least one lever member that is connected to the one-way clutch 26 and engages with the on-off valve 24, moving the on-off valve 24 in the closing direction.

[0056] With the above configuration, the on-off valve 24 can be easily closed using a single motor 25 to drive the pump 22, thanks to a simple configuration using a one-way clutch 26 and a lever member. Therefore, the maintainability of the inkjet recording device 1 can be improved with a simple and low-cost configuration.

[0057] Furthermore, the closing mechanism 30 further includes a locking member 33 and a biasing member 34.

[0058] The locking member 33 is positioned adjacent to the second lever member 32 on the outside of the second end 32b side in the longitudinal direction of the second lever member 32. The locking member 33 has a longitudinal shape extending in the vertical direction and has a support shaft portion 33x at its lower end that extends substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base member 21. The locking member 33 is supported by the holder 27 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the support shaft portion 33x.

[0059] A locking portion 33a is formed at the upper end of the locking member 33. The locking portion 33a is configured in a hook shape that protrudes toward the second lever member 32. As shown in Figure 12, the second end portion 32b of the second lever member 32 catches on the locking portion 33a from below. An inclined surface 33b is formed on the upper part of the locking portion 33a, which slopes downwards toward approaching the second lever member 32.

[0060] The biasing member 34 is located near the upper end of the locking member 33, between the locking portion 33a and the holder 27. The biasing member 34 is composed of, for example, a compression coil spring, and biases the locking portion 33a of the locking member 33 toward the second lever member 32.

[0061] In the normal operating mode for recording an image on the sheet S, as shown in Figure 8, the second end 32b of the second lever member 32 is located above the locking member 33 and is not engaged with the locking member 33. Ink flows through the internal space of the central part 242c in the on / off valve 24.

[0062] On the other hand, when the motor 25 rotates in the second direction R2 during maintenance operation, as shown in Figure 12, the second lever member 32 rotates around the axis of the support shaft 32x, and the second end 32b is displaced downward. The second end 32b of the second lever member 32 comes into contact with the inclined surface 33b of the locking member 33, and slides along the inclined surface 33b, displacing the locking member 33 clockwise in Figure 12 against the biasing force of the biasing member 34, until it is displaced below the locking portion 33a. The second end 32b of the second lever member 32 gets caught on the locking portion 33a, making upward displacement impossible.

[0063] In this way, the locking member 33 engages with the second lever member 32, locking the on-off valve 24 in the closed position. The biasing member 34 biases the locking member 33 in the locking direction. With this configuration, the locking member 33 and the biasing member 34 make it possible to maintain the closed state of the on-off valve 24. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the on-off valve 24 from being unintentionally displaced to the open state, thereby improving the maintainability of the inkjet recording device 1.

[0064] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made to implement the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0065] This invention is applicable to inkjet recording devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1. Inkjet recording device 5. Records Section 8 Control Unit 10 Ink Containers 20 Pump Units 21 Base member 22 pumps 23 Ink channel 24 Shut-off valves 25 motors 26 One-way clutch 30 Closing mechanism 31. First lever member (lever member) 32. Second lever member (lever member) 33 Locking member 34. Biasing member 52 recording heads R1 1st direction R2 2nd direction

Claims

1. A pump for transporting ink, An ink channel connected to the pump through which the ink flows, An on / off valve is provided in the ink channel for opening and closing the ink channel, A motor that drives the pump when it rotates in the first direction, A one-way clutch connected to the motor, which rotates when the motor rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, A closing mechanism connected to the one-way clutch, which closes the open valve as the one-way clutch rotates, thereby stopping the flow of ink between the pump and the valve. An inkjet recording device characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The pump unit comprises the pump, the ink flow path, the on / off valve, the motor, the one-way clutch, and the closing mechanism. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump unit is arranged on the ink flow path between the ink container containing the ink and the recording head that ejects the ink onto the recording medium, and is detachable from the ink flow path.

3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing mechanism is connected to the one-way clutch and engages with the on-off valve, and has at least one lever member that moves the on-off valve in the closing direction.

4. The closing mechanism is A locking member that engages with either of the lever members when the motor rotates in the second direction to lock the on / off valve in a closed state, A biasing member that biases the locking member in the locking direction, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by having the following features.

Images