LIQUID CIRCULATION DEVICE, LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR DISCHARGING AIR BUBBLES FROM LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE

Abstract

To provide: a liquid circulating device capable of inhibiting liquid flowing portions from increasing; a liquid discharging apparatus; and a bubble exhausting method in the liquid discharging apparatus.SOLUTION: A liquid circulating device has: a supply flow path 28 through which a liquid is supplied from a liquid supply source that stores the liquid to a liquid ejecting head 23 that ejects the liquid; a collection flow path 29 through which the liquid collected from the liquid ejecting head 23 is returned to the supply flow path 28; and a liquid flowing portion 27 that causes the liquid to flow in a circulation flow path 26 including the supply flow path 28, the liquid ejecting head 23 and the collection flow path 29. An air capturing portion 45 capable of capturing bubbles is provided in at least one of the supply flow path 28 and the collection flow path 29. The air capturing portion 45 is disposed at a position higher than the position of the liquid ejecting head 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid circulating device, a liquid ejecting device, and a method for ejecting air bubbles from a liquid ejecting device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a recording device that is an example of a liquid ejection device that prints by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, from a head unit, which is an example of a liquid ejection head. The recording device includes an ink supply unit, which is an example of a liquid circulation device. The ink supply unit includes a supply flow path for supplying ink from a sub-tank to the head unit, and a recovery flow path for recovering ink from the head unit to the sub-tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-014154 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Air bubbles may get mixed into the liquid. The air bubbles move with the flowing liquid. In the ink supply unit of Patent Document 1, if the circulation is stopped midway, there is a risk that the air bubbles will gather in the head, so it is necessary to expel the air bubbles all at once in one circulation. This requires multiple pumps to expel the air bubbles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A liquid circulation device that solves the above problems comprises a supply flow path that supplies liquid from a liquid supply source that contains liquid to a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid, a recovery flow path that returns the liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head to the supply flow path, and a liquid flow section that causes the liquid to flow within a circulation flow path that includes the supply flow path, the liquid ejection head, and the recovery flow path, and at least one of the supply flow path and the recovery flow path is provided with an air capture section that is capable of capturing air bubbles, and the air capture section is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head.

[0006] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem has a plurality of the above-mentioned liquid circulation devices and is equipped with the liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid, and the plurality of liquid circulation devices have a single common liquid flow section, and the single liquid flow section has an air pressurization section that supplies air to the plurality of downstream storage sections to pressurize the downstream storage sections, and the air pressurization section is capable of simultaneously pressurizing the plurality of downstream storage sections.

[0007] A method for discharging air bubbles from a liquid ejection device that solves the above-mentioned problems includes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, a supply flow path that supplies the liquid to the liquid ejection head from a liquid supply source that contains the liquid, a recovery flow path that returns the liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head to the supply flow path, and a liquid flow section that causes the liquid to flow within a circulation flow path that includes the supply flow path, the liquid ejection head, and the recovery flow path, wherein an air capture section capable of capturing air bubbles is provided in at least one of the supply flow path and the recovery flow path, and the air capture section is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head in the flow path. A method for expelling air bubbles from a liquid ejection device, the method comprising: a turning section; the turning section being composed of an ascending flow path through which the liquid rises; and a descending flow path provided downstream of the ascending flow path and through which the liquid descends; the method includes a first flowing step in which the liquid is caused to flow by the liquid flowing section until air bubbles present in the liquid ejection head reach the ascending flow path or the descending flow path; a waiting step in which the flow of the liquid is stopped and the liquid is waited for an air capture time; and a second flowing step in which the liquid is caused to flow by the liquid flowing section until the air bubbles captured in the air capture section are sent to the supply flow path. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a liquid ejection device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a liquid circulation device included in the liquid ejection device. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an air bubble discharging routine. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the air trapping portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid circulation device, a liquid ejection device, and an air bubble ejection method will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper to perform printing.

[0010] In the drawings, the liquid discharge device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to each other.

[0011] [Configuration of liquid ejection device 11] 1, liquid ejection device 11 may include a medium storage unit 13 capable of storing medium 12, a stacker 14 that receives printed medium 12, and an operation unit 15 such as a touch panel for operating liquid ejection device 11. Liquid ejection device 11 may also include an image reading unit 16 that reads an image of a document, and an automatic feed unit 17 that sends the document to image reading unit 16.

[0012] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a control unit 19 that controls various operations executed by the liquid ejection device 11. The control unit 19 may be configured as a circuit including: α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program; β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits, that execute at least a part of the various processes; or γ: a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0013] 2, liquid ejection device 11 includes a liquid ejection head 23 that ejects liquid from nozzles 22 provided on a nozzle surface 21, and a liquid circulation device 24. Liquid ejection device 11 may include multiple liquid circulation devices 24. Liquid ejection device 11 of the present embodiment includes two liquid circulation devices 24. The two liquid circulation devices 24 have the same configuration. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to designate common configurations, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0014] The liquid circulation device 24 includes a circulation flow path 26 and a liquid flow section 27 that causes the liquid to flow within the circulation flow path 26. The circulation flow path 26 includes a supply flow path 28, a liquid ejection head 23, and a recovery flow path 29. The liquid ejection head 23 may have a first connection section 31 to which the supply flow path 28 is connected, and a second connection section 32 to which the recovery flow path 29 is connected.

[0015] The supply flow path 28 is a flow path that supplies liquid from a liquid supply source 34 that stores liquid to the liquid ejection head 23. The recovery flow path 29 is a flow path that returns the liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head 23 to the supply flow path 28. The multiple liquid circulation devices 24 may be equipped with one common liquid flow unit 27. The liquid flow unit 27 causes the liquid in the circulation flow path 26 to flow in the circulation direction D.

[0016] The multiple liquid circulation devices 24 may each supply a different type of liquid to the liquid ejection head 23. For example, the liquid ejection device 11 may eject multiple colors of ink supplied by the multiple liquid circulation devices 24 to perform color printing.

[0017] The liquid ejection head 23 may be provided so as to be detachable from the main body of the liquid ejection device 11. The liquid ejection head 23 of this embodiment is a line type provided across the width direction of the medium 12. The liquid ejection head 23 may also be configured as a serial type that performs printing while moving in the width direction of the medium 12.

[0018] The liquid ejection device 11 may include an attachment part 36 to which a liquid supply source 34 is detachably attached. The liquid supply source 34 may include a storage chamber 37 for storing liquid, an outlet part 38 for outletting the liquid stored in the storage chamber 37, and a storage part side valve 39 provided in the outlet part 38. The storage chamber 37 in this embodiment is a sealed space not communicating with the atmosphere. Before being attached to the attachment part 36, the liquid supply source 34 may store a larger amount of liquid than the volume of the circulation flow path 26.

[0019] The upstream end of the supply flow passage 28 is connected to the liquid supply source 34, and the downstream end is connected to the first connection portion 31. The supply flow passage 28 may have an upstream storage portion 41 and a downstream storage portion 42 capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 34. The downstream storage portion 42 is provided downstream of the upstream storage portion 41 in the supply flow passage 28. In other words, the downstream storage portion 42 is provided between the upstream storage portion 41 and the liquid ejection head 23. The liquid circulation device 24 may include a valve 43 provided in the supply flow passage 28 between the upstream storage portion 41 and the downstream storage portion 42.

[0020] The recovery flow path 29 communicates between the liquid ejection head 23 and the upstream storage section 41. The recovery flow path 29 has an upstream end connected to the second connection section 32 and a downstream end connected to the upstream storage section 41. The recovery flow path 29 is provided with an air trapping section 45 capable of trapping air bubbles. The air trapping section 45 is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head 23. Specifically, the air trapping section 45 is provided at a position higher than the liquid flow path provided in the liquid ejection head 23. The air trapping section 45 is provided at a position higher than the second connection section 32 at which the recovery flow path 29 in which the air trapping section 45 is provided is connected to the liquid ejection head 23.

[0021] The air capture section 45 may be composed of one or more turning sections CF. In this embodiment, the air capture section 45 is provided at the highest position in the supply flow path 28 and the recovery flow path 29, and is composed of one turning section CF. The turning section CF is composed of an ascending flow path 45a through which the liquid flowing in the circulation direction D ascends, and a descending flow path 45b through which the liquid flowing in the circulation direction D descends. The descending flow path 45b is provided downstream of the ascending flow path 45a in the circulation direction D.

[0022] One liquid flow section 27 may have pressurized flow paths 47 connected to the multiple downstream storage sections 42, respectively, and an air pressurizing section 48 that supplies air to the multiple downstream storage sections 42 via the pressurized flow paths 47. The air pressurizing section 48 pressurizes the inside of the downstream storage sections 42. The air pressurizing section 48 is capable of pressurizing the inside of the multiple downstream storage sections 42 simultaneously.

[0023] The air pressurizing unit 48 is, for example, a tube pump that sends out air by rotating a roller while squashing a tube. One end of a tube (not shown) of the air pressurizing unit 48 is open, and the other end is connected to the pressurized flow path 47. When the air pressurizing unit 48 is driven in the forward direction, it sends out the taken-in air to the pressurized flow path 47. When the air pressurizing unit 48 is driven in the reverse direction, the roller opens the tube, and the inside of the pressurized flow path 47 and the downstream storage unit 42 are connected to the atmosphere.

[0024] The liquid circulation device 24 may include an atmosphere release path 50 connected to the upstream storage portion 41, and an atmosphere release valve 51 provided in the atmosphere release path 50. The atmosphere release valve 51 opens the atmosphere release path 50 by opening, thereby connecting the upstream storage portion 41 to the atmosphere.

[0025] Next, the upstream storage section 41 will be described. The upstream storage section 41 has an introduction section 60 capable of introducing liquid contained in the liquid supply source 34 attached to the attachment section 36. The upstream storage section 41 may have an apparatus side valve 61 provided in the introduction section 60, a first storage chamber 62 that stores liquid, a liquid amount sensor 63 that detects the amount of liquid stored in the first storage chamber 62, and a first gas-liquid separation membrane 64 that separates the first storage chamber 62 from the atmosphere open path 50. The first gas-liquid separation membrane 64 is a membrane that has the property of passing gas but not passing liquid.

[0026] The accommodation unit-side valve 39 and the apparatus-side valve 61 open when the liquid supply source 34 is attached to the attachment portion 36, and remain open while the liquid supply source 34 is attached to the attachment portion 36. By configuring the apparatus-side valve 61 to open before the accommodation unit-side valve 39 when the liquid supply source 34 is attached to the attachment portion 36, the risk of liquid leaking from the liquid supply source 34 can be reduced.

[0027] The introduction part 60 is provided at the top of the upstream storage section 41. In this embodiment, the introduction part 60 is provided penetrating the ceiling 65 of the first storage chamber 62. The lower end of the introduction part 60 is located inside the first storage chamber 62 and below the ceiling 65. The upper end of the introduction part 60 is located outside the first storage chamber 62 and above the ceiling 65. The introduction part 60 is connected to the outlet part 38 provided in the liquid supply source 34 by mounting the liquid supply source 34 to the mounting part 36.

[0028] The lower end of the introduction portion 60 is located below the nozzle surface 21. As a result, a first liquid level 66 of the liquid stored in the upstream storage portion 41 fluctuates in a range lower than the nozzle surface 21. Specifically, the liquid in the liquid supply source 34 is supplied to the upstream storage portion 41 through the outlet portion 38 and the introduction portion 60 by the hydraulic head. Air is introduced from the upstream storage portion 41 through the introduction portion 60 and the outlet portion 38 to the liquid supply source 34 by the amount of liquid supplied to the upstream storage portion 41. The first liquid level 66 rises by the amount of the supplied liquid. When the first liquid level 66 reaches the lower end of the introduction portion 60, the inflow of air from the upstream storage portion 41 to the liquid supply source 34 is restricted. Since the storage chamber 37 is sealed, when the inflow of air is restricted, the pressure in the storage chamber 37 decreases by the amount of the supplied liquid. When the negative pressure in storage chamber 37 becomes greater than the head of liquid in storage chamber 37, the supply of liquid from liquid source 34 to upstream reservoir 41 is restricted.

[0029] The first liquid level 66 drops as liquid is supplied from the upstream storage section 41 to the downstream storage section 42. When the first liquid level 66 drops and air flows into the storage chamber 37 via the inlet section 60 and the outlet section 38, the negative pressure in the storage chamber 37 decreases. When the negative pressure in the storage chamber 37 becomes smaller than the head of the liquid in the storage chamber 37, liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source 34 to the upstream storage section 41. Therefore, while liquid is stored in the liquid supply source 34, the first liquid level 66 is maintained at the standard position, which is a position near the lower end of the inlet section 60. When the liquid stored in the liquid supply source 34 runs out, the first liquid level 66 is located below the standard position.

[0030] The liquid level sensor 63 may detect that the first liquid level 66 is at a standard position, that the first liquid level 66 is at a lower position than the standard position, or that the first liquid level 66 is at a full position above the standard position. When the first liquid level 66 is at the full position, the upstream storage unit 41 stores the maximum amount of liquid. When the liquid level sensor 63 detects that the first liquid level 66 is at a lower position than the standard position, the control unit 19 may determine that the liquid supply source 34 is empty and instruct the user to replace the liquid supply source 34.

[0031] The standard position in this embodiment is located in the first storage chamber 62 above the position where the downstream end of the recovery passageway 29 is connected. Therefore, when the first liquid level 66 is in the standard position, the liquid in the upstream storage section 41 can be supplied to the liquid ejection head 23 via the recovery passageway 29.

[0032] Next, the downstream storage section 42 will be described. The downstream storage section 42 may have a second storage chamber 68 that stores liquid, and a second gas-liquid separation membrane 69 that separates the second storage chamber 68 from the pressurized flow path 47. Similar to the first gas-liquid separation membrane 64, the second gas-liquid separation membrane 69 is a membrane that has the property of passing gas but not liquid.

[0033] The downstream storage section 42 is supplied with liquid from the upstream storage section 41 due to the head difference. The valve 43 may be configured to have a check valve that allows the liquid to flow from the upstream storage section 41 to the downstream storage section 42 and restricts the liquid to flow from the downstream storage section 42 to the upstream storage section 41. When the first storage chamber 62 and the second storage chamber 68 are at atmospheric pressure, the second liquid level 70 of the liquid in the downstream storage section 42 is at the same height as the first liquid level 66. In other words, the second liquid level 70 is maintained at a standard position that is approximately the same height as the lower end of the introduction section 60, and fluctuates within a range lower than the nozzle surface 21. The liquid in the liquid ejection head 23 is maintained at a negative pressure due to the head difference between the liquid in the upstream storage section 41 and the downstream storage section 42. When the liquid is consumed in the liquid ejection head 23, the liquid stored in the downstream storage section 42 is supplied to the liquid ejection head 23.

[0034] Valve 43 closes supply flow path 28 when the pressure in downstream storage portion 42 is greater than the pressure in upstream storage portion 41. Therefore, valve 43 closes supply flow path 28 when air pressurization portion 48 pressurizes downstream storage portion 42.

[0035] [Bubble removal routine] Next, the air bubble discharge method of the liquid discharger 11 will be described with reference to the air bubble discharge routine shown in Fig. 3. Here, the order of steps of each control method can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the purpose of each control method. The control unit 19 may execute the air bubble discharge routine at the timing when an instruction to discharge air bubbles is given. The control unit 19 may execute the air bubble discharge routine, for example, after the circulation flow path 26 is filled with liquid and after the liquid discharger 11 is powered on, or may execute the air bubble discharge routine periodically.

[0036] 3, in step S101, the control unit 19 opens the upstream storage unit 41 to the atmosphere. In step S102, the control unit 19 causes the air pressurizing unit 48 to pressurize the inside of the downstream storage unit 42.

[0037] In step S103, the control unit 19 determines whether the first liquid level 66 is located at the full position. If the first liquid level 66 is not located at the full position, step S103 becomes NO, and the control unit 19 shifts the process to step S106. If the first liquid level 66 is located at the full position, step S103 becomes YES, and the control unit 19 shifts the process to step S104. In step S104, the control unit 19 drives the air pressurizing unit 48 in the reverse direction to open the downstream storage unit 42 to the atmosphere.

[0038] In step S105, the control unit 19 determines whether the first liquid level 66 has dropped to the standard position. If the first liquid level 66 is not located at the standard position, step S105 becomes NO, and the control unit 19 waits until the first liquid level 66 is located at the standard position. If the first liquid level 66 is located at the standard position, step S105 becomes YES, and the control unit 19 transitions the process to step S102.

[0039] In step S106, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the flow capacity of liquid has been supplied from the downstream storage unit 42. If the amount of liquid supplied from the downstream storage unit 42 is less than the flow capacity, step S106 becomes NO, and the control unit 19 shifts the process to step S103. If the amount of liquid supplied from the downstream storage unit 42 is the flow capacity of liquid, step S106 becomes YES, and the control unit 19 shifts the process to step S107.

[0040] In step S107, the control unit 19 drives the air pressurization unit 48 in the reverse direction to open the downstream storage unit 42 to the atmosphere. In step S108, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the downstream storage unit 42 has been pressurized a predetermined number of times. The predetermined number of times is, for example, the number of air capture units 45 plus one. In this embodiment, since the liquid circulation device 24 has one air capture unit 45, the predetermined number of times is two. If the downstream storage unit 42 has been pressurized less than the predetermined number of times, step S108 becomes NO, and the control unit 19 transitions to step S109.

[0041] In step S109, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the air trapping time has elapsed since the downstream storage unit 42 was opened to the atmosphere. If the air trapping time has not elapsed, step S109 becomes NO, and the control unit 19 waits until the air trapping time has elapsed. If the air trapping time has elapsed, step S109 becomes YES, and the control unit 19 transitions to the process of step S102.

[0042] In step S108, when the number of times that the downstream reservoir 42 has been pressurized since the start of the air bubble discharge routine reaches a predetermined number of times, step S108 becomes YES, and the control unit 19 ends the air bubble discharge routine.

[0043] Next, the operation when discharging air bubbles will be described. 3, liquid circulation apparatus 24 executes a first flow step, a waiting step, and a second flow step in this order to discharge air bubbles from circulation flow path 26. Specifically, liquid circulation apparatus 24 executes steps S102, S106, and S107 as the first and second flow steps. Liquid circulation apparatus 24 executes step S109 as the waiting step.

[0044] 2, in the first flow step, the liquid is caused to flow by the liquid flow unit 27 until air bubbles present in the liquid ejection head 23 reach the ascending flow path 45a or the descending flow path 45b. Specifically, the liquid circulation device 24 pressurizes the downstream storage unit 42 by the air pressurizing unit 48, thereby pushing out the liquid in the downstream storage unit 42 and causing the liquid in the circulation flow path 26 to flow in the circulation direction D. At this time, the upstream storage unit 41 is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, the pressure in the downstream storage unit 42 becomes higher than the pressure in the upstream storage unit 41, and the valve 43 closes.

[0045] The volume of liquid flowed in the first flow process may be less than the air volume obtained by subtracting the volume of liquid stored in upstream storage section 41 from the maximum volume that can be stored in upstream storage section 41. The maximum volume that can be stored in upstream storage section 41 is the volume of liquid stored in upstream storage section 41 when first liquid level 66 is located at the full position. Therefore, the air volume is the volume of liquid that upstream storage section 41 can accept. If less liquid than the air volume is flowed in the first flow process, the position of first liquid level 66 at the end of the first flow process will be below the full position.

[0046] The volume of liquid to be flowed in the first flow step may be less than the volume of liquid stored in downstream storage section 42 before the start of the first flow step. Valve 43 in this embodiment closes when the pressure in downstream storage section 42 is higher than the pressure in upstream storage section 41. As a result, the supply of liquid from upstream storage section 41 to downstream storage section 42 is stopped during the first flow step. Therefore, by making the volume of liquid supplied from downstream storage section 42 in the first flow step less than the liquid stored in downstream storage section 42, it becomes unnecessary to supply liquid to downstream storage section 42 during the first flow step.

[0047] The volume of the liquid flowed in the first flow step may be larger than the volume from the liquid ejection head 23 to the air trapping portion 45. As a result, the air bubbles accumulated in the liquid ejection head 23 are sent to the air trapping portion 45.

[0048] In the waiting step, the liquid is stopped from flowing and waits for the air trapping time. The air trapping time is, for example, the time required for air bubbles located in the ascending flow path 45a and the descending flow path 45b to move by buoyancy and gather at a position between the ascending flow path 45a and the descending flow path 45b. More specifically, the air trapping time is a time of about several seconds to several tens of seconds. The air trapping time may be a preset time, or may be set based on the length and inclination of the ascending flow path 45a and the descending flow path 45b, the air temperature of the environment in which the liquid discharge device 11 is installed, the temperature of the liquid, and the like. For example, when the air temperature and the temperature of the liquid are high, the viscosity of the liquid decreases and the size of the air bubbles increases, making the air bubbles easier to move. Therefore, the air trapping time may be shortened as the length of the ascending flow path 45a and the descending flow path 45b are shorter, the inclination is greater, and the air temperature and the temperature of the liquid are higher.

[0049] In the standby process, downstream storage section 42 is opened to the atmosphere. Therefore, both upstream storage section 41 and downstream storage section 42 are at atmospheric pressure, and valve 43 opens. When the first flow process ends and the standby process starts, first liquid level 66 is located above second liquid level 70. The liquid in upstream storage section 41 is supplied to downstream storage section 42 by the hydraulic head. In the standby process, first liquid level 66 descends and second liquid level 70 rises.

[0050] In the second flow step, the liquid is caused to flow by the liquid flow unit 27 until the air bubbles captured in the air capturing unit 45 are sent to the supply flow path 28. The volume of the liquid caused to flow in the second flow step may be greater than the volume from the air capturing unit 45 to the upstream storage unit 41. As a result, the air bubbles collected in the air capturing unit 45 are sent to the supply flow path 28.

[0051] The same volume of liquid may be flowed in the first flow step and the second flow step. The volume of liquid flowed in each of the first flow step and the second flow step may be larger than the larger of the volume from the liquid ejection head 23 to the air capturing section 45 and the volume from the air capturing section 45 to the upstream storage section 41.

[0052] For example, in the waiting step, if the air trapping time is short compared to the time required for the first liquid level 66 to drop to the standard position, the first liquid level 66 may be located above the standard position at the start of the second flow step. If the second flow step is performed in this state, there is a risk that the first liquid level 66 will reach the full position before the air bubbles trapped in the air trapping section 45 are sent to the upstream storage section 41. In this case, the control section 19 may stop the second flow step and open the downstream storage section 42 to the atmosphere. The control section 19 may wait until the first liquid level 66 is located at the standard position before performing the second flow step.

[0053] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The liquid flow unit 27 causes the liquid to flow in the circulation flow path 26 including the supply flow path 28, the liquid ejection head 23, and the recovery flow path 29. The air capture unit 45 is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head 23, and therefore the buoyancy of the air bubbles can be used to capture the air bubbles. The air capture unit 45 is provided in at least one of the supply flow path 28 and the recovery flow path 29. The liquid flow unit 27 causes the air bubbles to flow to the air capture unit 45, thereby preventing the air bubbles from gathering in the liquid ejection head 23, and therefore it is possible to stop the circulation midway. Therefore, it is possible to discharge the air bubbles by circulation without providing multiple liquid flow units 27.

[0054] (2) The air capture section 45 is composed of a turning section CF provided in the flow path, and the turning section CF may be composed of an ascending flow path 45a through which the liquid rises and a descending flow path 45b provided downstream of the ascending flow path 45a through which the liquid descends.

[0055] According to this configuration, the air capture section 45 is composed of a turning section CF provided in the flow path. The turning section CF is composed of an ascending flow path 45a through which the liquid rises, and a descending flow path 45b provided downstream of the ascending flow path 45a through which the liquid descends. Air bubbles move upward due to buoyancy. Therefore, the air capture section 45 can collect air bubbles in the ascending flow path 45a and the descending flow path 45b midway between the ascending flow path 45a and the descending flow path 45b. Therefore, the liquid circulating device 24 can realize the air capture section 45 with a simple configuration.

[0056] (3) The air trap 45 may be provided at the highest position in the flow path. According to this configuration, the air capturing section 45 can easily move the air bubbles to the air capturing section 45 by the buoyancy generated in the air bubbles, and can further prevent the air bubbles from collecting in the liquid ejection head 23 when circulation is stopped.

[0057] (4) The air trap 45 may be provided in the recovery passage 29. According to this configuration, the air trapping portion 45 traps air bubbles downstream of the liquid ejection head 23. Therefore, air bubbles that have passed through the liquid ejection head 23 can be prevented from returning to the liquid ejection head 23.

[0058] (5) The supply flow path 28 may have an upstream storage section 41 and a downstream storage section 42 capable of storing liquid, the downstream storage section 42 being provided downstream of the upstream storage section 41 in the supply flow path 28, and the recovery flow path 29 may communicate between the liquid ejection head 23 and the upstream storage section 41. With this configuration, the liquid circulation device 24 can recover air bubbles in the upstream storage section 41.

[0059] (6) The volume of liquid that liquid flowing section 27 flows at one time may be less than the air volume obtained by subtracting the volume of liquid stored in upstream storage section 41 from the maximum volume that can be stored in upstream storage section 41. According to this configuration, the volume of liquid that liquid flowing section 27 flows at one time is less than the air volume of upstream storage section 41. In other words, the volume of liquid that flows into upstream storage section 41 as liquid flowing section 27 flows the liquid is less than the air volume. Therefore, it is possible to prevent liquid from overflowing from upstream storage section 41.

[0060] (7) The volume of liquid that liquid flowing section 27 flows at one time may be smaller than the volume of liquid stored in downstream storage section 42. For example, if liquid flow section 27 flows a volume of liquid that is greater than the volume of liquid stored in downstream storage section 42, there is a risk that air will be supplied from downstream storage section 42. In this regard, with this configuration, the volume of liquid that liquid flow section 27 flows at one time is less than the volume of liquid stored in downstream storage section 42. Therefore, air can be easily trapped in downstream storage section 42.

[0061] (8) The supply flow path 28 may further include a valve 43, which allows the flow of liquid supplied from the upstream storage portion 41 to the downstream storage portion 42 and restricts the flow of liquid from the downstream storage portion 42 to the upstream storage portion 41. According to this configuration, the valve 43 allows the flow of liquid from the upstream storage portion 41 to the downstream storage portion 42 and restricts the flow of liquid from the downstream storage portion 42 to the upstream storage portion 41. Therefore, for example, the supply of liquid from the upstream storage portion 41 to the downstream storage portion 42 and the supply of liquid from the downstream storage portion 42 to the liquid ejection head 23 can be performed by changing the pressure in the downstream storage portion 42.

[0062] (9) The volume of liquid that the liquid flow section 27 flows at one time may be greater than the greater of the volume from the liquid ejection head 23 to the air capturing section 45 and the volume from the air capturing section 45 to the supply flow path 28. According to this configuration, the liquid flow section 27 flows a volume of liquid that is greater than the volume from the liquid ejection head 23 to the air capturing section 45 and the volume from the air capturing section 45 to the supply flow path 28. This reduces the risk of air bubbles remaining between the liquid ejection head 23 and the air capturing section 45, or between the air capturing section 45 and the supply flow path 28.

[0063] (10) The liquid discharge device 11 has a plurality of the liquid circulation devices 24 described above, and includes a liquid discharge head 23 that discharges liquid. The plurality of liquid circulation devices 24 have a common liquid flow section 27, and the single liquid flow section 27 has an air pressurizing section 48 that supplies air to the plurality of downstream storage sections 42 to pressurize the downstream storage sections 42, and the air pressurizing section 48 can simultaneously pressurize the plurality of downstream storage sections 42. According to this configuration, the liquid flow section 27 has the air pressurizing section 48. The air pressurizing section 48 can simultaneously pressurize the plurality of downstream storage sections 42. Therefore, the plurality of liquid circulation devices 24 can cause the flow of liquid in each liquid circulation device 24 to be performed by the common single liquid flow section 27. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced compared to a case in which the plurality of liquid circulation devices 24 each has a liquid flow section 27.

[0064] (11) In the method for discharging air bubbles from the liquid ejection device 11, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a liquid ejection head 23, a liquid flow section 27, a supply flow path 28, and a recovery flow path 29. The liquid ejection head 23 ejects liquid. The supply flow path 28 supplies liquid to the liquid ejection head 23 from a liquid supply source 34 that contains the liquid. The recovery flow path 29 returns the liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head 23 to the supply flow path 28. The liquid flow section 27 causes the liquid to flow in a circulation flow path including the supply flow path 28, the liquid ejection head 23, and the recovery flow path 29. An air capture section 45 capable of capturing air bubbles is provided in at least one of the supply flow path 28 and the recovery flow path 29, and the air capture section 45 is constituted by a turning section CF provided in a position higher than the liquid ejection head 23 in the flow path. The turning section CF is constituted by an ascending flow path 45a through which the liquid rises, and a descending flow path 45b provided downstream of the ascending flow path 45a through which the liquid descends. The air bubble discharge method of the liquid discharger 11 includes a first flow step, a waiting step, and a second flow step. In the first flow step, the liquid is caused to flow by the liquid flow section 27 until the air bubbles present in the liquid discharge head 23 reach the ascending flow path 45a or the descending flow path 45b. In the waiting step, the liquid is stopped in a state of waiting for the air capture time. In the second flow step, the liquid is caused to flow by the liquid flow section 27 until the air bubbles captured by the air capture section 45 are sent to the supply flow path 28. This method can achieve the same effects as the liquid circulating device 24.

[0065] (12) In the bubble ejection method of the liquid ejection device 11, the supply flow path 28 has an upstream storage section 41 to which the recovery flow path 29 is connected and capable of storing liquid, and a downstream storage section 42 provided downstream of the upstream flow path and capable of storing liquid. The volume of liquid flowed in each of the first flow process and the second flow process may be less than the air volume obtained by subtracting the volume of liquid stored in the upstream storage section 41 from the maximum volume that can be stored in the upstream storage section 41.

[0066] According to this configuration, the volume of liquid that liquid-flowing section 27 flows at one time is smaller than the air volume of upstream storage section 41. That is, the volume of liquid that flows into upstream storage section 41 as liquid-flowing section 27 flows the liquid is smaller than the air volume. Therefore, it is possible to prevent liquid from overflowing from upstream storage section 41.

[0067] (13) The volume of liquid flowed in each of the first flow step and the second flow step may be less than the volume of liquid stored in the downstream storage section 42 before starting each step. For example, if liquid flow section 27 flows a volume of liquid that is greater than the volume of liquid stored in downstream storage section 42, there is a risk that air will be supplied from downstream storage section 42. In this regard, with this configuration, the volume of liquid that liquid flow section 27 flows at one time is less than the volume of liquid stored in downstream storage section 42. Therefore, air can be easily trapped in downstream storage section 42.

[0068] (14) The volume of liquid flowed in each of the first flow process and the second flow process may be greater than the larger of the volume from the liquid ejection head 23 to the air capturing section 45 and the volume from the air capturing section 45 to the upstream storage section 41.

[0069] According to this configuration, the liquid flow section 27 flows a larger volume of liquid than the volume from the liquid ejection head 23 to the air capturing section 45 and the volume from the air capturing section 45 to the supply flow path 28. This reduces the risk of air bubbles remaining between the liquid ejection head 23 and the air capturing section 45, or between the air capturing section 45 and the supply flow path 28.

[0070] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. As shown in Fig. 4, the air trapping portion 45 may be composed of, for example, a plurality of folded-back portions CF. The air trapping portion 45 shown in Fig. 4 is composed of two folded-back portions CF. This allows the air trapping portion 45 to trap air bubbles more efficiently than when there is only one folded-back portion CF.

[0071] 4, the liquid ejection device 11 may include one liquid circulation device 24. The liquid ejection device 11 may eject ink of one color, for example, to perform monochrome printing. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid ejection head 23 may be disposed so that the nozzle surface 21 is inclined relative to the horizontal. The liquid ejection head 23 may perform printing by ejecting liquid onto the medium 12 in an inclined position. The liquid ejection head 23 may be provided so that its position can be changed between a horizontal position in which the nozzle surface 21 is horizontal and an inclined position. The first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32 may be located at a higher position than the other. The air capture portion 45 may be provided in a flow path connected to the higher one of the first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32. For example, the second connection portion 32 may be located at a higher position than the first connection portion 31, and the air capture portion 45 may be provided in the recovery flow path 29 connected to the second connection portion 32.

[0072] The air trapping time may be longer than the time required for the first liquid level 66 to drop from the full position to the standard position, and the control unit 19 may execute the second flow process after the first liquid level 66 drops to the standard position. In other words, the control unit 19 may start the second flow process when the first liquid level 66 and the second liquid level 70 are located at the standard positions.

[0073] The liquid ejection head 23 may have a plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with a plurality of nozzles 22, a common liquid chamber with which the plurality of pressure chambers communicate, and a filter chamber in which a filter is housed. The first connection part 31 and the second connection part 32 are connected to at least one of the pressure chambers, the common liquid chamber, and the filter chamber. For example, when the first connection part 31 and the second connection part 32 are connected to the filter chamber, the liquid ejection device 11 can collect air bubbles captured by the filter together with the liquid by causing the liquid to flow in the upstream storage part 41. When air bubbles accumulate in the liquid ejection head 23, the liquid ejection device 11 may discharge the air bubbles.

[0074] The liquid level sensor 63 may detect that the first liquid level 66 is located at an end position that is lower than the standard position. When the liquid level sensor 63 detects that the first liquid level 66 is located at the end position, the control unit 19 may report that the upstream storage unit 41 is empty. The end position is such that printing on one medium 12 can be completed if the total amount of liquid stored in the upstream storage unit 41 and the downstream storage unit 42 when the first liquid level 66 and the second liquid level 70 are located at the end positions is greater than the amount of liquid required for printing on one medium 12.

[0075] The upstream storage section 41 and the downstream storage section 42 may be integrally configured. The air pressurizing unit 48 may be a diaphragm pump, a piston pump, a gear pump, or the like.

[0076] An inlet 60 and an outlet 38 may be provided. For example, one flow path may allow liquid to flow from the liquid source 34 to the upstream reservoir 41, and another flow path may allow air to flow from the upstream reservoir 41 to the liquid source 34.

[0077] The liquid discharger 11 may include an atmosphere release path 50 that opens the downstream reservoir 42 to the atmosphere, in addition to the pressurized flow path 47 . The liquid circulation devices 24 may each be provided with a liquid flow section 27 .

[0078] The liquid flow unit 27 may include a plurality of valves provided in the pressurized flow path 47. The plurality of valves may be provided so as to individually correspond to the plurality of downstream storage units 42. The control unit 19 may individually pressurize the insides of the downstream storage units 42 by controlling the driving of the plurality of valves and the air pressurizing unit 48.

[0079] Valve 43 may be opened and closed under the control of control unit 19. Control unit 19 may close valve 43 when liquid flow unit 27 pressurizes the inside of downstream storage unit 42, and open valve 43 when liquid is supplied from upstream storage unit 41 to downstream storage unit 42.

[0080] The volume of liquid that the liquid flowing unit 27 flows at one time may be equal to or less than the larger of the volume from the liquid ejection head 23 to the air capturing unit 45 and the volume from the air capturing unit 45 to the supply flow path 28. For example, if the volume of liquid that the liquid flowing unit 27 flows at one time is equal to or less than the volume from the liquid ejection head 23 to the air capturing unit 45, there is a risk that the air bubbles sent out from the liquid ejection head 23 will not reach the air capturing unit 45. In this case, the air capturing time may be extended to wait until the air bubbles move to the air capturing unit 45 by buoyancy. For example, if the volume of liquid that the liquid flowing unit 27 flows at one time is equal to or less than the volume from the air capturing unit 45 to the supply flow path 28, there is a risk that the air bubbles sent out from the air capturing unit 45 will not reach the supply flow path 28. In this case, the circulation flow path 26 downstream of the position where the air bubbles reach may be provided at a position higher than the position where the air bubbles reach, so that the air bubbles move to the supply flow path 28 by buoyancy.

[0081] The volume of liquid that liquid flowing unit 27 flows at one time may be equal to or greater than the volume of liquid stored in downstream storage unit 42. For example, liquid flowing unit 27 may flow the liquid in circulation flow path 26 by supplying liquid to downstream storage unit 42. The volume of liquid that liquid flowing unit 27 flows at one time may be equal to or greater than the air volume of upstream storage unit 41. Liquid flowing unit 27 may be a pump that is provided in supply flow path 28 between upstream storage unit 41 and downstream storage unit 42 and supplies liquid from upstream storage unit 41 to downstream storage unit 42.

[0082] The recovery flow passage 29 may be connected to a position other than the upstream reservoir 41 as long as it is located upstream of the valve 43 in the supply flow passage 28 . The air capturing section 45 may be provided in the supply flow path 28, so long as it is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head 23. Specifically, the air capturing section 45 may be provided at a position higher than the first connection section 31 in the supply flow path 28. When the air capturing section 45 is provided in the supply flow path 28, the liquid flow section 27 may flow a larger amount of liquid at one time than the larger of the capacity of the circulation flow path 26 from the downstream storage section 42 to the air capturing section 45 and the capacity of the circulation flow path 26 from the air capturing section 45 to the upstream storage section 41.

[0083] The liquid circulation device 24 may include a plurality of air trapping sections 45. The plurality of air trapping sections 45 may be provided in the recovery flow path 29. The plurality of air trapping sections 45 may be provided in the supply flow path 28. The air trapping section 45 may be provided in both the supply flow path 28 and the recovery flow path 29. When the liquid circulation device 24 includes a plurality of air trapping sections 45, the air bubble discharge method may include interrupting the second flow step and performing a standby step. For example, when the liquid circulation device 24 includes one air trapping section 45 provided in the supply flow path 28 and one air trapping section 45 provided in the recovery flow path 29, the first flow step may send air bubbles to the air trapping section 45 provided in the supply flow path 28, and the method may wait for an air trapping time so that the air bubbles are accumulated in the air trapping section 45. In the second flow process, the air bubbles accumulated in the air capture section 45 provided in the supply flow path 28 may be sent to the air capture section 45 provided in the recovery flow path 29, and then the air bubbles may be waited for the air capture time, and then sent to the upstream storage section 41.

[0084] The air trap 45 may be located at a position other than the highest position in the circulation flow path 26 . The air trap 45 may include a filter that traps air bubbles.

[0085] Air bubbles include not only air bubbles, but also air bubbles that have come together to form a single unit. The liquid ejection device 11 may be a liquid ejection device 11 that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device 11 as minute droplets includes granular, teardrop, and thread-like tails. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device 11. For example, the liquid may be any state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, and includes fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts. The liquid includes not only liquids as one state of matter, but also particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejection device 11 include a device that ejects a liquid containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials in a dispersed or dissolved form, which are used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device 11 may be a device that ejects biological organic matter used in the manufacture of biochips, a device that ejects liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device 11 may be a device that ejects lubricating oil at a pinpoint onto precision machinery such as watches and cameras, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquid such as ultraviolet curing resin onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens, optical lens, or the like used in optical communication elements. The liquid ejection device 11 may be a device that ejects an etching liquid such as an acid or alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

[0086] The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) A liquid ejection head includes a supply flow path that supplies liquid from a liquid supply source that contains liquid to a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid, a recovery flow path that returns liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head to the supply flow path, and a liquid flow section that causes liquid to flow within a circulation flow path that includes the supply flow path, the liquid ejection head, and the recovery flow path. At least one of the supply flow path and the recovery flow path is provided with an air capture section that can capture air bubbles, and the air capture section is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head.

[0087] According to this configuration, the liquid flow section causes the liquid to flow within a circulation flow path including a supply flow path, a liquid ejection head, and a recovery flow path. The air capture section is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head, and therefore the buoyancy of the air bubbles can be utilized to capture the air bubbles. The air capture section is provided in at least one of the supply flow path and the recovery flow path. By causing the air bubbles to flow to the air capture section, the liquid flow section can prevent the air bubbles from gathering in the liquid ejection head, making it possible to stop the circulation midway. Therefore, it is possible to expel the air bubbles by circulation without providing multiple liquid flow sections.

[0088] (B) The air capture section may be constituted by a turning section provided in the flow path, and the turning section may be constituted by an ascending flow path through which the liquid rises and a descending flow path provided downstream of the ascending flow path through which the liquid descends.

[0089] According to this configuration, the air capture section is composed of a turning section provided in the flow path. The turning section is composed of an ascending flow path in which the liquid rises, and a descending flow path provided downstream of the ascending flow path in which the liquid descends. Air bubbles move upward due to buoyancy. Therefore, the air capture section can collect air bubbles in the ascending flow path and air bubbles in the descending flow path halfway between the ascending flow path and the descending flow path. Therefore, the liquid circulation device can realize an air capture section with a simple configuration.

[0090] (C) The air capture portion may be constituted by a plurality of the folded portions. According to this configuration, the air trapping portion can trap air bubbles more efficiently than when there is only one folded portion.

[0091] (D) The air capture portion may be provided at the highest position in the flow path. According to this configuration, the air trapping portion can easily move the air bubbles to the air trapping portion by using the buoyancy generated in the air bubbles, and can further prevent the air bubbles from gathering in the liquid ejection head when circulation is stopped.

[0092] (E) The air trap may be provided in the recovery passage. According to this configuration, the air trapping portion traps air bubbles downstream of the liquid ejection head, thereby making it possible to prevent air bubbles that have passed through the liquid ejection head from returning to the liquid ejection head.

[0093] (F) The supply flow path may have an upstream storage section and a downstream storage section capable of storing the liquid, the downstream storage section being provided downstream of the upstream storage section in the supply flow path, and the recovery flow path may communicate between the liquid ejection head and the upstream storage section. With this configuration, the liquid circulation device can recover air bubbles in the upstream storage section.

[0094] (G) The volume of the liquid that the liquid flow section flows at one time may be less than the air volume obtained by subtracting the volume of the liquid stored in the upstream storage section from the maximum volume that can be stored in the upstream storage section.

[0095] According to this configuration, the volume of liquid that the liquid flow section flows at one time is smaller than the volume of air in the upstream storage section. In other words, the volume of liquid that flows into the upstream storage section as the liquid flow section flows is smaller than the volume of air. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from overflowing from the upstream storage section.

[0096] (H) The volume of the liquid that the liquid flow section flows at one time may be smaller than the volume of the liquid that the downstream storage section stores. For example, if the liquid flow section flows a volume of liquid that is greater than the volume of liquid stored in the downstream storage section, there is a risk that air will be supplied from the downstream storage section. In this respect, with this configuration, the volume of liquid that the liquid flow section flows at one time is less than the volume of liquid stored in the downstream storage section. Therefore, it is easier to retain air in the downstream storage section.

[0097] (I) The liquid supply device may further include a valve provided in the supply flow path, the valve allowing the flow of the liquid supplied from the upstream reservoir to the downstream reservoir and restricting the flow of liquid from the downstream reservoir to the upstream reservoir.

[0098] According to this configuration, the valve allows the flow of liquid from the upstream storage portion to the downstream storage portion and restricts the flow of liquid from the downstream storage portion to the upstream storage portion, so that, for example, the supply of liquid from the upstream storage portion to the downstream storage portion and the supply of liquid from the downstream storage portion to the liquid ejection head can be achieved by changing the pressure in the downstream storage portion.

[0099] (J) The volume of liquid flowed by the liquid flow section at one time may be greater than the larger of the volume from the liquid ejection head to the air capturing section and the volume from the air capturing section to the supply flow path.

[0100] According to this configuration, the liquid flow section flows a larger volume of liquid than the volume from the liquid ejection head to the air capturing section and the volume from the air capturing section to the supply flow path, thereby reducing the risk of air bubbles remaining between the liquid ejection head and the air capturing section, or between the air capturing section and the supply flow path.

[0101] (K) A liquid ejection device includes a plurality of the liquid circulation devices described above, and includes the liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid. The plurality of liquid circulation devices include a common liquid flow section, and the liquid flow section has an air pressurizing section that supplies air to the plurality of downstream storage sections to pressurize the downstream storage sections, and the air pressurizing section is capable of simultaneously pressurizing the plurality of downstream storage sections.

[0102] According to this configuration, the liquid flow section has an air pressurizing section. The air pressurizing section is capable of simultaneously pressurizing the multiple downstream storage sections. Therefore, the multiple liquid circulation devices can use a single common liquid flow section to control the flow of liquid in each liquid circulation device. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced compared to when the multiple liquid circulation devices each have their own liquid flow section.

[0103] (L) A method for discharging air bubbles from a liquid ejection device, comprising: a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid; a supply flow path for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejection head from a liquid supply source that contains the liquid; a recovery flow path for returning the liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head to the supply flow path; and a liquid flow unit for causing the liquid to flow within a circulation flow path including the supply flow path, the liquid ejection head, and the recovery flow path, wherein at least one of the supply flow path and the recovery flow path is provided with an air capture unit capable of capturing air bubbles, and the air capture unit is a folded portion provided in the flow path at a position higher than the liquid ejection head. A method for discharging air bubbles from a liquid discharge device, the method comprising: a turning portion, the turning portion being configured with an ascending flow path through which the liquid rises, and a descending flow path provided downstream of the ascending flow path and through which the liquid descends, the method including a first flowing step of causing the liquid to flow by the liquid flowing portion until air bubbles present in the liquid discharge head reach the ascending flow path or the descending flow path, a waiting step of waiting for an air capture time in a state in which the flow of the liquid is stopped, and a second flowing step of causing the liquid to flow by the liquid flowing portion until the air bubbles captured by the air capture portion are sent to the supply flow path. This method can achieve the same effects as the liquid circulation device described above.

[0104] (M) A method for discharging air bubbles from a liquid ejection device, wherein the supply flow path has an upstream storage section to which the recovery flow path is connected and capable of storing the liquid, and a downstream storage section provided downstream of the ascending flow path and capable of storing the liquid. The volume of the liquid caused to flow in each of the first flow step and the second flow step may be less than an air volume obtained by subtracting the volume of the liquid stored in the upstream storage section from the maximum volume that can be stored in the upstream storage section.

[0105] According to this configuration, the volume of liquid that the liquid flow section flows at one time is smaller than the volume of air in the upstream storage section. In other words, the volume of liquid that flows into the upstream storage section as the liquid flow section flows is smaller than the volume of air. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from overflowing from the upstream storage section.

[0106] (N) The volume of the liquid flowed in each of the first flow step and the second flow step may be less than the volume of the liquid stored in the downstream storage section before starting each step. For example, if the liquid flow section flows a volume of liquid that is greater than the volume of liquid stored in the downstream storage section, there is a risk that air will be supplied from the downstream storage section. In this respect, with this configuration, the volume of liquid that the liquid flow section flows at one time is less than the volume of liquid stored in the downstream storage section. Therefore, it is easier to retain air in the downstream storage section.

[0107] (O) The volume of the liquid flowed in each of the first flow process and the second flow process may be greater than the larger of the volume from the liquid ejection head to the air capturing section and the volume from the air capturing section to the upstream storage section.

[0108] According to this configuration, the liquid flow section flows a larger volume of liquid than the volume from the liquid ejection head to the air capturing section and the volume from the air capturing section to the supply flow path, thereby reducing the risk of air bubbles remaining between the liquid ejection head and the air capturing section, or between the air capturing section and the supply flow path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...medium, 13...medium storage section, 14...stacker, 15...operation section, 16...image reading section, 17...automatic feed section, 19...control section, 21...nozzle surface, 22...nozzle, 23...liquid ejection head, 24...liquid circulation device, 26...circulation flow path, 27...liquid flow section, 28...supply flow path, 29...recovery flow path, 31...first connection section, 32...second connection section, 34...liquid supply source, 36...mounting section, 37...storage chamber, 38...outlet section, 39...storage section side valve , 41...upstream storage section, 42...downstream storage section, 43...valve, 45...air capture section, 45a...ascending flow path, 45b...descending flow path, 47...pressurized flow path, 48...air pressurization section, 50...atmospheric release path, 51...atmospheric release valve, 60...introduction section, 61...apparatus side valve, 62...first storage chamber, 63...liquid level sensor, 64...first gas-liquid separation membrane, 65...ceiling, 66...first liquid level, 68...second storage chamber, 69...second gas-liquid separation membrane, 70...second liquid level, CF...turn section, D...circulation direction.

Claims

1. a supply flow path that supplies liquid from a liquid supply source that contains liquid to a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid; a recovery flow path that returns the liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head to the supply flow path; a liquid flow unit that causes the liquid to flow within a circulation flow path that includes the supply flow path, the liquid ejection head, and the recovery flow path, an air trapping portion capable of trapping air bubbles is provided in at least one of the supply flow path and the recovery flow path; the air capture portion is configured by a plurality of turning portions provided in the flow path, and is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head; Each of the plurality of turning portions is configured with an ascending flow path through which the liquid ascends and a descending flow path provided downstream of the ascending flow path and through which the liquid descends. A liquid circulation device comprising:

2. a supply flow path that supplies liquid from a liquid supply source that contains liquid to a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid; a recovery flow path that returns the liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head to the supply flow path; a liquid flow unit that causes the liquid to flow within a circulation flow path including the supply flow path, the liquid ejection head, and the recovery flow path, an air trapping portion capable of trapping air bubbles is provided in at least one of the supply flow path and the recovery flow path; the air capture portion is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejection head, the supply flow path has an upstream storage portion and a downstream storage portion capable of storing the liquid, The downstream storage portion is provided downstream of the upstream storage portion in the supply flow path, the recovery flow path communicates the liquid ejection head with the upstream reservoir; A liquid circulation device comprising:

3. The volume of the liquid that the liquid flowing portion flows at one time is smaller than the air volume obtained by subtracting the volume of the liquid stored in the upstream storage portion from the maximum volume that can be stored in the upstream storage portion.

3. The liquid circulation system according to claim 2.

4. The volume of the liquid that the liquid flowing portion flows at one time is smaller than the volume of the liquid that the downstream storage portion stores.

4. The liquid circulation device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The supply passage further includes a valve. the valve permits the flow of the liquid supplied from the upstream reservoir to the downstream reservoir and restricts the flow of the liquid from the downstream reservoir to the upstream reservoir; 5. A liquid circulation device according to claim 2, wherein the liquid circulation device is a liquid circulation system.

6. The air capture portion is provided in the recovery flow path.

6. A liquid circulation device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid circulation device comprises a first circulatory system.

7. a volume of the liquid that the liquid flowing section flows at one time is greater than a volume from the liquid ejection head to the air capturing section and a volume from the air capturing section to the supply flow path, whichever is larger; 7. A liquid circulation system according to claim 6.

8. The air capture portion is provided at the highest position in the flow path. A liquid circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A liquid circulating apparatus comprising: a liquid ejection head configured to eject the liquid, The liquid circulation devices each include a common liquid flow unit, One of the liquid flow sections has an air pressurizing section that supplies air to the downstream storage sections to pressurize the downstream storage sections, The air pressurizing unit is capable of simultaneously pressurizing the insides of the multiple downstream storage units. A liquid ejection device comprising:

10. a liquid ejection device including a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, a supply flow path that supplies the liquid to the liquid ejection head from a liquid supply source that contains the liquid, a recovery flow path that returns the liquid recovered from the liquid ejection head to the supply flow path, and a liquid flow section that causes the liquid to flow within a circulation flow path including the supply flow path, the liquid ejection head, and the recovery flow path, wherein at least one of the supply flow path and the recovery flow path is provided with an air capture section that is capable of capturing air bubbles, the air capture section being constituted by a turning section that is provided in the flow path at a position higher than the liquid ejection head, and the turning section being constituted by an ascending flow path through which the liquid rises, and a descending flow path that is provided downstream of the ascending flow path and through which the liquid descends, a first flowing step of causing the liquid to flow by the liquid flow section until air bubbles present in the liquid ejection head reach the ascending flow path or the descending flow path; a waiting step of waiting for an air capture time in a state where the flow of the liquid is stopped; a second flowing step of flowing the liquid by the liquid flowing section until the air bubbles trapped in the air trapping section are sent to the supply flow path; A method for discharging air bubbles from a liquid ejection device comprising:

11. the supply flow path has an upstream storage portion to which the recovery flow path is connected and capable of storing the liquid, and a downstream storage portion provided downstream of the upward flow path and capable of storing the liquid, The volume of the liquid flowed in each of the first flow step and the second flow step is less than an air volume obtained by subtracting the volume of the liquid stored in the upstream storage section from the maximum volume that can be stored in the upstream storage section. The method for discharging air bubbles from a liquid discharge device according to claim 10.

12. The volume of the liquid flowed in each of the first flow step and the second flow step is less than the volume of the liquid stored in the downstream storage section before starting each step. The method for discharging air bubbles from a liquid discharge device according to claim 11.

13. a volume of the liquid flowed in each of the first flow process and the second flow process is greater than a volume from the liquid ejection head to the air capture section and a volume from the air capture section to the upstream storage section, whichever is greater; The method for discharging air bubbles from a liquid discharge device according to claim 11 or 12.

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