Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejection device that is able to reduce leakage of liquid from a nozzle of a head regardless a change in external environment, such as an increase in temperature.SOLUTION: A multifunctional machine 10 includes: a head 38 having a nozzle 39 that ejects liquid; a tank 80 at least a part of which is located hither than an opening of the nozzle 39 and in which liquid is stored so as to form a liquid surface; an atmosphere communication passage 90 that allows communication between a gas layer 78 in the tank 80 and outside through an atmosphere opening port 88; and a valve unit 91 that brings the atmosphere opening port 88 or the atmosphere communication passage 90 into a communication state or a non-communication state. When a power source is switched from ON to OFF, the valve unit 91 is brought to the communication state from the non-communication state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device having a head that ejects liquid supplied from a reservoir. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording apparatuses are known as liquid ejection apparatuses. In inkjet recording apparatuses, in order to ensure stable ejection of ink, a meniscus that is concave when viewed from the outside of the head is formed in the nozzle of the head.

[0003] In the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1, when the head is in a state where it ejects ink, the valve body 201 opens the air inflow adjustment portion 62. This allows air to flow into the ink tank 54 through the air inflow adjustment portion 62. When the ink tank 54 moves below the operation portion 202, the valve body 201 changes position due to contact with the operation portion 202, and the air inflow adjustment portion 62 is closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-321386 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1, the power supply of the device may be turned off while the valve body 201 is closing the air inflow adjustment unit 62. If the air layer in the ink tank 54 expands due to an increase in temperature while the power supply is turned off, the meniscus may break in the nozzle of the head. As a result, there is a risk of ink leaking from the nozzle of the head.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device that can reduce leakage of liquid from the nozzles of the head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A liquid ejection device according to the present invention includes a head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a storage section at least a portion of which is located above an opening of the nozzle and in which the liquid is stored while forming a liquid level, an atmosphere communication passage that communicates a gas layer in the storage section with the outside through an atmosphere opening, and a valve unit that brings the atmosphere opening or the atmosphere communication passage into a connected or disconnected state, and the valve unit goes from the disconnected state to the connected state when a power source is switched from on to off.

[0008] Even if the external environment changes while the device is turned off, such as the temperature rising, leakage of liquid from the nozzles of the head is reduced.

[0009] (2) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a drive mechanism for driving the valve unit and a controller, and when a power source is transitioned from on to off, the controller drives the drive mechanism to change the valve unit from the non-communicating state to the communicating state.

[0010] (3) Preferably, the controller drives the drive mechanism to change the valve unit from the connected state to the non-connected state based on a predetermined first condition while the power is off.

[0011] For example, if there is no change in temperature while the power is off, the valve unit is put into a non-connected state, thereby reducing the evaporation of liquid from the storage section through the atmosphere open port and the leakage of liquid from the atmosphere open port due to movement of the device.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the controller drives the drive mechanism to change the valve unit from the non-communicating state to the communicating state based on a predetermined second condition while the power is off.

[0013] Even if the external environment changes, such as the temperature rising, after the valve unit goes into a non-communicating state, leakage of liquid from the nozzles of the head is reduced.

[0014] (5) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a carriage that carries the head and moves, a drive source that drives the carriage, and a controller, the valve unit changes state in conjunction with the movement of the carriage, and the controller drives the drive source when a power source is switched from on to off to switch the valve unit from the non-communicating state to the communicating state.

[0015] (6) Preferably, the valve unit changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating, and the drive mechanism has a first electric actuator that changes the position of the valve unit from the non-communicating state to the communicating state, and a second electric actuator that changes the position of the valve unit from the communicating state to the non-communicating state.

[0016] (7) Preferably, the valve unit changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating, and the drive mechanism is a rotary machine having an eccentric cam for changing the position of the valve unit.

[0017] (8) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a drive mechanism for driving the valve unit, the drive mechanism including a biasing member for holding the valve unit in a connected state, and an electric actuator for resisting the biasing member to change the valve unit from the connected state to the non-connected state when power is supplied.

[0018] (9) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a carriage on which the head is mounted, and the reservoir is mounted on the carriage with at least a portion of the reservoir positioned above the head.

[0019] (10) Preferably, the carriage moves in a scanning direction, and the head ejects liquid when the carriage is moving in the scanning direction.

[0020] (11) Preferably, the reservoir section has a first reservoir chamber, and a second reservoir chamber connected to the first reservoir chamber and the head so that liquid can flow therethrough.

[0021] (12) Preferably, the atmosphere communication passage has at least one of a labyrinth structure and a semipermeable membrane.

[0022] (13) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a cap movable between a covering position that covers the nozzle and a spaced position that is spaced from the nozzle, a cap communication passage that connects the internal space of the cap with the outside through a cap opening, and a cap valve unit that brings the cap opening or the cap communication passage into a connected or non-connected state, and the cap valve unit goes from the non-connected state to the connected state when power is transitioned from on to off.

[0023] The cap covers the nozzle, thereby reducing the evaporation of liquid from the nozzle. When the power is off, the cap opening or the cap opening path is in communication, so that even if the external environment changes, such as the temperature rising, the air in the internal space of the cap enters the nozzle and the meniscus is reduced from being destroyed.

[0024] (14) A liquid ejection device according to the present invention includes a head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a storage section at least a part of which is located above an opening of the nozzle and in which the liquid is stored while forming a liquid level, an atmosphere communication passage that communicates a gas layer in the storage section with the outside through an atmosphere opening, and a valve unit that brings the atmosphere opening or the atmosphere communication passage into a connected or disconnected state, and the valve unit goes from the disconnected state to the connected state after a power supply is switched from on to off. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, leakage of liquid from the nozzles of the head can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of the printer unit 11. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the platen 42 and the recording unit 24 taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction 8, and shows a state in which the carriage 40 is located at the maintenance position and the cap 70 is located at the covering position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the platen 42 and the recording unit 24 cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction 8, and shows a state in which the carriage 40 is located at the maintenance position and the cap 70 is located at the separated position. [Diagram 5] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the platen 42 and the recording unit 24 cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction 8, and shows the carriage 40 positioned above the media passing area 36 and the cap 70 positioned in the separated position. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the atmosphere communication device 48 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 6A shows the valve unit 91 in a communicating state, and FIG. 6B shows the valve unit 91 in a non-communicating state. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction device 10. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the valve unit 91 during normal printing. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the valve unit 91 when the power of the multifunction device 10 is turned off by a soft switch. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the valve unit 91 after the multifunction device 10 has entered the standby state. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a multifunction device 10 according to a first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12(a) is a diagram showing a labyrinth structure provided on an upper wall 82 of a tank 80 of a multifunction device 10 relating to a variation 2 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing a semipermeable membrane provided on an atmosphere opening 88 of a multifunction device 10 relating to a variation 3 of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the atmosphere communication device 48C of the multifunction device 10 according to the second embodiment, illustrating the state of the valve unit 91 when power is supplied to the first electric actuator 49C, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram illustrating the state of the valve unit 91 when power is supplied to the first electric actuator 49C and then the power supply is stopped. [Figure 14] 14(a) to (d) are cross-sectional views showing the atmosphere communication device 48D of the multifunction device 10 according to the first modified example of the second embodiment, illustrating the state in which the valve unit 91D changes its position to a communicating state or a non-communicating state. [Figure 15] 15(a) to (c) are diagrams showing, in partial cross section, an atmosphere communication device 48D according to Modification 2 of the second embodiment, illustrating a state in which a valve unit 91E changes its position to a communicating state or a non-communicating state. [Figure 16]Figure 16(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the atmosphere communication device 48B according to the third embodiment, illustrating a state in which the valve 96F is separated from the atmosphere opening port 88 and the valve unit 91F is in a non-communicating state, and Figure 16(b) illustrates a state in which the valve 96F is in contact with the atmosphere opening port 88 and the valve unit 91F is in a communicating state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and needless to say, they can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the direction is expressed as the progress from the starting point of the arrow to the end point, and the direction is expressed as the movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow. In the following description, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the multifunction device 10 is installed so as to be usable (the state in FIG. 1), the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface in which the opening 13 is provided as the front surface 23, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are mutually perpendicular.

[0028] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described below.

[0029] [Overall structure of multifunction device 10] As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 (an example of a liquid ejection device) has a housing 14 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. A printer unit 11 is provided at the bottom of the housing 14. The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The multifunction device 10 has a function of recording an image on one side of a sheet of paper 12 by an inkjet method as a print function. Note that the multifunction device 10 may record an image on both sides of the sheet of paper 12. An operation unit 17 is provided at the top of the housing 14. The operation unit 17 is composed of buttons and a power button that are operated to instruct image recording and for various settings, a liquid crystal display that displays various information, and the like. The operation unit 17 is composed of a touch panel having the functions of both buttons and a liquid crystal display.

[0030] 2, the printer unit 11 includes a feed tray 20, a feed section 16, an outer guide member 18, an inner guide member 19, a pair of transport rollers 59, a pair of discharge rollers 44, a platen 42, a recording section 24, a cap 70 (see FIG. 3), an atmosphere communication device 48 (see FIG. 3), a temperature sensor 115, a sheet sensor 120, a rotary encoder 75 (see FIG. 7), a controller 130 (see FIG. 7), and a memory 140 (see FIG. 7). These are arranged inside the housing 14.

[0031] [Feed Tray 20] 1, an opening 13 is formed in a front surface 23 of the printer unit 11. The feed tray 20 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 14 through the opening 13 by moving in the front-rear direction 8.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, when the feed tray 20 is in the feed position, the paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 can be fed to the transport path 65 .

[0033] [Feeding section 16] 2, the feeding unit 16 is disposed below the recording unit 24 and above the feeding tray 20. The feeding unit 16 includes a feeding roller 25, a feeding arm 26, a drive transmission mechanism 27, and a shaft 28, and is capable of feeding the paper 12 to the conveying path 65.

[0034] [Transport Path 65] 2, a transport path 65 extends from the rear end of the feed tray 20. The transport path 65 includes a curved portion 33 and a straight portion 34. The curved portion 33 extends upward while making a U-turn from the rear to the front, and the straight portion 34 extends generally along the front-rear direction 8.

[0035] The curved portion 33 is formed by an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 19 which face each other at a predetermined interval. The straight portion 34 is formed by the recording unit 24 and a platen 42 which face each other at a predetermined interval at the position where the recording unit 24 is disposed.

[0036] The paper 12 supported on the feed tray 20 is transported along the curved portion 33 by the feed roller 25 and reaches the pair of transport rollers 59. The paper 12 held between the pair of transport rollers 59 is transported forward along the straight portion 34 toward the recording unit 24. The paper 12 that has reached directly below the recording unit 24 has an image recorded on it by the recording unit 24. The paper 12 with the image recorded on it is transported forward along the straight portion 34 and discharged onto the discharge tray 21. As a result, the paper 12 is transported along the transport direction 15 indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2.

[0037] [Transport roller pair 59 and discharge roller pair 44] 2, a conveying roller pair 59 is disposed in the straight section 34. A discharge roller pair 44 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller pair 59 in the straight section 34 in the conveying direction 15.

[0038] The conveying roller pair 59 includes a conveying roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 disposed below the conveying roller 60 so as to face the conveying roller 60. The pinch roller 61 is pressed against the conveying roller 60 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring. The conveying roller pair 59 is capable of pinching the paper 12.

[0039] The discharge roller pair 44 includes a discharge roller 62 and a spur roller 63 disposed above the discharge roller 62 so as to face the discharge roller 62. The spur roller 63 is pressed toward the discharge roller 62 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring. The discharge roller pair 44 is capable of clamping the paper 12.

[0040] The conveying roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 are rotated by a driving force applied from a conveying motor 101 (see FIG. 7). When the conveying roller 60 rotates with the paper 12 sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 59, the paper 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 15 by the conveying roller pair 59 and conveyed onto the platen 42. When the discharge roller 62 rotates with the paper 12 sandwiched between the discharge roller pair 44, the paper 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 15 by the discharge roller pair 44 and discharged onto the discharge tray 21.

[0041] [Platen 42] 2, the platen 42 is disposed in the straight portion 34 of the transport path 65. The platen 42 faces the recording unit 24 in the up-down direction 7. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 transported on the transport path 65 from below.

[0042] The paper 12 transported on the transport path 65 passes through a medium passing area 36 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) between the right and left ends of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9.

[0043] [Record 24] 2, the recording unit 24 is disposed above the platen 42 so as to face the platen 42. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 40, a head 38, and a tank 80.

[0044] The carriage 40 is supported by two guide rails 56, 57 spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8 so as to be movable along a left-right direction 9 (one example of a scanning direction) perpendicular to the transport direction 15. The carriage 40 moves while carrying a head 38. The carriage 40 carries a tank 80 with at least a portion of it positioned above the head 38. The carriage 40 is movable in the left-right direction 9 from the right of the medium passing area 36 to the left of the medium passing area 36. The movement direction of the carriage 40 is not limited to the left-right direction 9, but may be any direction that intersects with the transport direction 15.

[0045] The guide rails 56, 57 are supported by a pair of side frames (not shown) arranged outside the straight portion 34 of the conveying path 65 in the left-right direction 9. The carriage 40 moves when a driving force is applied from a carriage drive motor 103, as shown in FIG.

[0046] An encoder 35 (see FIG. 7) is disposed on guide rail 56 or guide rail 57. Encoder 35 includes an encoder strip extending in left-right direction 9, and an optical sensor provided at a location on carriage 40 facing the encoder strip. A pulse signal is detected by the optical sensor detecting the light transmitting and blocking portions of the encoder strip. The pulse signal is a signal that corresponds to the position of carriage 40 in left-right direction 9, and is output to controller 130 (see FIG. 7).

[0047] The head 38 is supported by the carriage 40. A lower surface 68 of the head 38 is exposed downward and faces the platen 42. The head 38 ejects ink when the carriage 40 moves in the left-right direction 9. The head 38 has a plurality of nozzles 39, an ink flow path 37, and a piezoelectric element (not shown).

[0048] The multiple nozzles 39 are opened in the bottom surface 68 of the head 38 and eject ink (an example of liquid). The ink flow path 37 connects the tank 80 to the multiple nozzles 39. The piezoelectric element deforms a part of the ink flow path 37 to eject ink droplets downward from the nozzles 39.

[0049] The tank 80 (an example of a storage section) is mounted on the carriage 40. The tank 80 has an ink chamber 81. Ink is stored in the ink chamber 81, forming a liquid surface. The ink chamber 81 is divided into a gas layer 78 and an ink layer 79 by the ink liquid surface. A temperature sensor 115 is provided near the tank 80. Note that the temperature sensor 115 may be provided outside the tank 80, as long as it can detect the temperature of the gas layer 78.

[0050] In this embodiment, the recording unit 24 includes one tank 80. The tank 80 is located above the head 38. Note that, in this embodiment, the entire tank 80 is located above the head 38, but at least a part of the tank 80 may be located above the opening of the nozzle 39.

[0051] The ink layer 79 of the ink chamber 81 communicates with the multiple nozzles 39 via the ink flow path 37. Ink is supplied from the ink chamber 81 to the nozzles 39 through the ink flow path 37. An inlet 83 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 81 is provided on an upper wall 82 of the tank 80.

[0052] 3 to 5, an air opening port 88 is provided in the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The air opening port 88 connects the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 to the outside.

[0053] [Atmospheric Ventilator 48] 6 shows the atmosphere communication device 48 of the multifunction device 10 according to the first embodiment. The atmosphere communication device 48 is provided near the atmosphere opening port 88. The atmosphere communication device 48 includes a valve unit 91 and a drive mechanism 92 that drives the valve unit 91. The valve unit 91 sets the atmosphere opening port 88 in a connected state or a non-connected state. The connected state is a state in which the atmosphere opening port 88 is open, connecting the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 to the outside. The non-connected state is a state in which the atmosphere opening port 88 is closed, and the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 is airtightly isolated from the outside.

[0054] The valve unit 91 includes a rotating piece 96, a rotating shaft 97, and a rotating support base 98. The rotating piece 96 is in the shape of a flat plate bent near the center, and is V-shaped when viewed in the front-rear direction 8. A portion of the rotating piece 96 extending leftward from the bent point is referred to as a first rotating piece 99, and a portion extending rightward is referred to as a second rotating piece 100. A rotating shaft 97 protrudes from the rotating piece 96 along the front-rear direction 8 from the boundary between the first rotating piece 99 and the second rotating piece 100.

[0055] The rotating support base 98 protrudes upward from the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The rotating support base 98 is located to the left of the atmosphere open port 88. The rotating support base 98 supports a rotation shaft 97 so that the rotation shaft 97 can rotate along the front-rear direction 8. As the rotating piece 96 rotates around the rotation shaft 97, the second rotating piece 100 closes or opens the atmosphere open port 88.

[0056] The driving mechanism 92 includes an electric actuator 49 and a coil spring 51 (an example of a biasing member). The driving mechanism 92 is operated by receiving power from the controller 130, and drives the valve unit 91. The driving mechanism 92 is provided on the upper wall 82 of the tank 80.

[0057] The electric actuator 49 is supported, for example, by a spring seat 105 located to the right of the rotary support base 98 on the upper wall 82. The electric actuator 49 includes a coil portion 107 and a plunger 125. The tip portion of the plunger 125 is a contact portion 127. The lower end of the contact portion 127 is located near the upper end of the rotary shaft 97. The electric actuator 49 is a so-called solenoid valve.

[0058] Coil portion 107 has an electromagnetic coil therein. A shaft portion of plunger 125 inserted into coil portion 107 has magnetism, and is movable in left-right direction 9 relative to coil portion 107. When an induction magnetic field is generated in coil portion 107 by energization, plunger 125 moves to the right relative to coil portion 107.

[0059] 6, a spring seat 105 protrudes upward near the right end of the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The spring seat 105 is located to the right of the atmosphere opening port 88. A coil spring 51 is supported by the spring seat 105 and a contact portion 127 of the electric actuator 49 and extends in the left-right direction 9. The coil spring 51 biases the contact portion 127 leftward.

[0060] The electric actuator 49 is supported by a support base 94 provided between a spring seat 105 on the upper wall 82 and the atmosphere opening port 88 .

[0061] 6(a), when no power is supplied to the coil portion 107, the plunger 125 is biased leftward by the coil spring 51 and moves to the leftmost position relative to the coil portion 107. In this state, the contact portion 127 is located to the left of the rotation shaft 97 and contacts the first rotating piece 99. When the first rotating piece 99 contacts the contact portion 127, the rotating piece 96 is rotated to the farthest position counterclockwise, and the second rotating piece 100 is separated from the atmosphere opening port 88.

[0062] When power is supplied to the coil portion 107, as shown in Fig. 6(b), an induced magnetic field is generated in the coil portion 107, causing the plunger 125 to move rightward relative to the coil portion 107 against the biasing force of the coil spring 51. In this state, the abutment portion 127 is located to the right of the rotation shaft 97 and abuts against the second rotating piece 100. As a result, the rotating piece 96 is rotated to the maximum in the clockwise direction, and the second rotating piece 100 closes the atmosphere opening port 88.

[0063] [Cap 70] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in addition to the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9, in this embodiment, a cap 70 is located at a maintenance position (the position shown in Figures 3 and 4) to the right of the medium passing area 36. When the carriage 40 is in the maintenance position, the cap 70 is located below the carriage 40 and faces the carriage 40 (more specifically, the nozzles 39 of the head 38). The cap 70 is a box-shaped member that is open at the top. The cap 70 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0064] The cap 70 is supported on the frame 46 via a known movable mechanism 71, and can be moved up and down by the movable mechanism 71 that receives driving force from a cap drive motor 104 (see FIG. 7). The frame 46 is located to the right of the platen 42, and is a plate-like member that extends in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. The movable mechanism 71 is, for example, a mechanism using a ball screw or a mechanism using a cam.

[0065] The cap 70 can be moved between a covering position in which the nozzles 39 are covered as shown in FIG. 3 and a spaced position in which the cap 70 is spaced from the nozzles as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the cap 70 in the covering position has its upper end pressed against the lower surface 68 of the head 38 from below. As a result, the cap 70 covers the multiple nozzles 39 opening on the lower surface 68 from below. At this time, a cap internal space 76 (one example of the internal space of the cap) is formed, which is defined by the cap 70 and the lower surface 68 of the head 38. The spaced position is a position lower than the covering position. The cap 70 in the spaced position is spaced from the lower surface 68 of the head 38. The cap sensor 147 (see FIG. 7) detects that the cap 70 is in the covering position.

[0066] A through hole 72 (an example of a cap opening) is provided in a bottom surface 70A of the cap 70. One end of a tube 73 is connected to the through hole 72. The tube 73 is a flexible resin tube. By connecting one end of the tube 73 to the through hole 72, a cap communication passage 74 is formed that communicates between the cap internal space 76 and the outside through the through hole 72. The other end of the tube 73 is connected to a cap valve unit 67 that puts the through hole 72 or the cap communication passage 74 into a connected or non-connected state.

[0067] The cap valve unit 67 puts the through hole 72 or the cap communication passage 74 into a communicating or non-communicating state. The communicating state is a state in which the through hole 72 or the cap communication passage 74 communicates the cap internal space 76 with the outside. The non-communicating state is a state in which the through hole 72 or the cap communication passage 74 is closed.

[0068] The cap internal space 76 is connected to a pump 77. The pump 77 applies a suction pressure to the cap internal space 76. When the cap 70 is in the covering position to cover the nozzles 39 and the cap valve unit 67 is in a communicating state, the cap internal space 76 becomes negative pressure and foreign matter is sucked out of the nozzles 39 into the cap internal space 76 together with the ink.

[0069] [Sheet sensor 120] 2, the sheet sensor 120 is provided upstream of the pair of conveying rollers 59 in the conveying path 65 in the conveying direction 15. The sheet sensor 120 includes a shaft 121, a detector 122 that is rotatable about the shaft 121, and an optical sensor 123 that has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0070] [Temperature sensor 115] 2, the temperature sensor 115 is provided inside the tank 80. The temperature sensor 115 detects the temperature inside the tank 80.

[0071] [Rotary Encoder 75] 7 includes an encoder disk that is attached to the shaft of the conveyor motor 101 (see FIG. 7) and rotates together with the conveyor motor 101, and an optical sensor. The rotary encoder 75 calculates the amount of rotation of the conveyor motor 101 based on the generated pulse signal.

[0072] [Controller 130 and Memory 140] The configurations of the controller 130 and the memory 140 will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. The controller 130 controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 10. The controller 130 includes a CPU 131 and an ASIC 135. The memory 140 includes a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and an EEPROM 134. The CPU 131, the ASIC 135, the ROM 132, the RAM 133, and the EEPROM 134 are connected by an internal bus 137.

[0073] The ROM 132 stores programs for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data and signals used when the CPU 131 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, etc. that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

[0074] The ASIC 135 is connected to the conveying motor 101, the carriage driving motor 103, and the cap driving motor 104. The ASIC 135 incorporates a driving circuit for controlling each motor. The CPU 131 outputs a driving signal for rotating each motor to the driving circuit corresponding to each motor. The driving circuit outputs a driving current corresponding to the driving signal acquired from the CPU 131 to the corresponding motor. This causes the corresponding motor to rotate. That is, the controller 130 controls the conveying motor 101 to make the conveying roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44 convey the paper 12. The controller 130 also controls the carriage driving motor 103 to move the carriage 40. The controller 130 also controls the cap driving motor 104 to drive the movable mechanism 71 to move the cap 70.

[0075] The sheet sensor 120 is also connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 detects whether or not the paper 12 is present at the position where the sheet sensor 120 is disposed.

[0076] In addition, the temperature sensor 115 is connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 detects the environmental temperature of the tank 80 based on the output result of the temperature sensor 115. The controller 130 calculates a temperature change from the information received from the temperature sensor 115. The controller 130 drives the drive mechanism 92 based on the calculated value.

[0077] In addition, the optical sensor of the rotary encoder 75 is connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 calculates the amount of rotation of the conveyor motor 101 based on the electrical signal received from the optical sensor of the rotary encoder 75.

[0078] The controller 130 recognizes the position of the paper 12 based on the amount of rotation of the conveying motor 101 after the electrical signal received from the sheet sensor 120 changes from low level to high level (i.e., after it is detected that the leading edge of the paper 12 has reached the position where the sheet sensor 120 is positioned).

[0079] In addition, the encoder 35 is connected to the ASIC 135. Based on the pulse signal received from the encoder 35, the controller 130 recognizes the position of the carriage 40 and whether or not it is moving.

[0080] The ASIC 135 is also connected to the electric actuator 49. The controller 130 drives the plunger 125 by supplying electricity to the coil portion 107 in the electric actuator 49.

[0081] [Control of valve unit 91 by controller 130] In the multifunction device 10 configured as described above, the controller 130 controls the valve unit 91. The operation of the valve unit 91, which changes its position between a non-communicating state and a communicating state as the rotating piece 96 rotates, will be described below with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 8 to 10. In Figures 8 to 10, the valve unit 91 is represented as BU, and the carriage 40 is represented as CR.

[0082] FIG. 8 shows the control of the valve unit 91 during normal printing. As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 130 executes steps S10 to S110. First, in response to receiving an input to start printing through the operation unit 17, or in response to receiving print data from an external information device, the controller 130 drives the electric actuator 49 to put the valve unit 91 into a non-communicating state (S10). At this time, the pressure (atmospheric pressure) in the ink chamber 81 of the tank 80 is atmospheric pressure. Next, the controller 130 drives the feed motor 102 to feed the paper 12 from the feed tray 20 to the conveying path 65 (S20). The leading edge of the paper 12 fed from the feed tray 20 is detected by the sheet sensor 120. In response to the sheet sensor 120 detecting the leading edge of the paper 12, the controller 130 drives the conveying motor 101 to perform cueing to position the leading edge of the paper 12 below the recording unit 24 by the conveying roller pair 59 (S30).

[0083] The controller 130 conveys the paper 12 whose head has been set intermittently just below the recording unit 24 (S40), and while the paper 12 is stopped, drives the carriage drive motor 103 to move the carriage 40 while discharging ink from the nozzles 39 of the head 38 to perform pass printing (S50). The intermittent conveyance (S40) and pass printing (S50) are repeated until printing on the entire paper 12 is completed (S60: No). This pass printing reduces the ink in the tank 80, and the pressure (air pressure) in the ink chamber 81 drops from atmospheric pressure. When printing on the entire paper 12 is completed (S60: Yes), the controller 130 judges whether the pressure in the ink chamber 81 is less than a preset threshold value. Specifically, the controller 130 counts and accumulates the amount of ink discharged onto the paper 12, and judges whether the count value has reached a threshold value stored in the memory 140. The threshold value is preset as a value at which the meniscus formed in the nozzle 39 is not destroyed.

[0084] When it is determined that the pressure in the ink chamber 81 is not less than the threshold (S70: No), the controller 130 determines whether there is a next page on which image recording is to be performed (S110). When there is a next page on which image recording is to be performed (S110: Yes), the controller 130 feeds the paper 12 from the feed tray 20 to the conveying path 65 (S20). On the other hand, when it is determined that the pressure in the ink chamber 81 is less than the threshold (S70: Yes), the controller 130 stops the power supply to the electric actuator 49 and sets the valve unit 91 in a communicating state (S80). When the valve unit 91 is in a communicating state, the pressure in the ink chamber 81 becomes atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, the controller 130 drives the electric actuator 49 to set the valve unit 91 in a non-communicating state (S90). After setting the valve unit 91 in a non-communicating state, the controller 130 resets the accumulated count value (S100). On the other hand, when there is no next page on which to record an image (S110: No), the controller 130 positions the carriage 40 at the maintenance position (to the right of the medium passing area 36), covers the head 38 with the cap 70, and ends the printing operation.

[0085] Next, the operation of the valve unit 91 after the power button of the multifunction device 10 is pressed and the device is switched to a power saving standby state (hereinafter also referred to as a standby state) will be described.

[0086] The multifunction device 10 has, for example, a power switch that switches the multifunction device 10 between a power supply state in which power is supplied to the multifunction device 10 and a power non-supply state in which power is not supplied. Furthermore, the multifunction device 10 has a power button, which is a so-called soft switch, that switches the multifunction device 10 between a standby state and a standby state when power is supplied to the multifunction device 10. When the power switch is operated by a user when power is not supplied to the multifunction device 10, the controller 130 starts supplying power to the multifunction device 10 and puts the multifunction device 10 into a standby state. When the multifunction device 10 is in a standby state, the controller 130 drives each driving source in response to a user input. When the multifunction device 10 is in a standby state, the controller 130 switches the multifunction device 10 into a standby state in response to a user pressing the power button, as shown below. When in the standby state, the controller 130 stops supplying power to each driving source and waits for an input from the user. When the power switch is turned on and power is supplied to the multifunction device 10, the controller 130 puts the multifunction device 10 into a standby state and puts each driving source into an operable state.

[0087] FIG. 9 shows the operation of the valve unit 91 when the multifunction device 10 is powered off by a software switch and placed in a standby state, and the controller 130 executes steps S210 to S270.

[0088] First, the controller 130 determines whether or not the power button has been turned off on the operation unit 17 (S210). When the power button is turned off (S210: Yes), the controller 130 determines whether or not the carriage 40 is in the maintenance position based on the output of the encoder 35 (S220). When the power button has not been turned off (S210: No), the controller 130 waits until the power button is turned off.

[0089] In response to the determination that the carriage 40 is not at the maintenance position (S220: No), the controller 130 drives the carriage drive motor 103 to move the carriage 40 to the maintenance position (S230). Thereafter, the controller 130 moves the cap 70 to the covering position (S250) and stops the power supply to the electric actuator 49 to put the valve unit 91 in a communicating state (S260). On the other hand, in response to the determination that the carriage 40 is at the maintenance position (S220: Yes), the controller 130 determines whether the cap 70 is at the covering position based on the signal of the cap sensor 147 (S240). When the controller 130 determines that the cap 70 is not at the covering position (S240: No), it drives the cap drive motor 104 to move the cap 70 to the covering position (S250). Thereafter, on condition that the cap 70 is in the covering position (S240: Yes), the controller 130 stops the supply of power to the electric actuator 49 to bring the valve unit 91 into communication (S260).

[0090] After the controller 130 has brought the valve unit 91 into a communicating state, it places the multifunction device 10 in a standby state (S270) and ends the power-off operation. The standby state here refers to a state in which the display and LEDs of the operation unit 17 are not illuminated and power consumption is limited until an operation to the operation unit 17 is accepted or data is received from an external information device.

[0091] Next, the operation of the multifunction device 10 when it is in a standby state will be described.

[0092] 10 shows operations (steps S310 to S350) for changing the valve unit 91 from a connected state to a connected state based on a first condition in order to suppress evaporation of ink due to a temperature rise, for example, after the valve unit 91 is changed from a non-communicating state to a connected state during standby. Also shown is operations (steps S360 to S410) for changing the valve unit 91 from a connected state to a connected state based on a second condition in order to suppress leakage of ink due to a temperature rise, for example, after the valve unit 91 is changed from a non-communicating state to a connected state based on the first condition.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 10, the controller 130 executes steps S310 to S420. First, the control of steps S310 to S350 in which the controller 130 changes the valve unit 91 from a communicating state to a non-communicating state will be described.

[0094] The controller 130 determines whether the multifunction device 10, in which the valve unit 91 is in a communicating state, is in a standby state (S310). In response to determining that the multifunction device 10 is in a standby state (S310: Yes), the controller 130 sets a timer and starts counting the elapsed time since the multifunction device 10 entered the standby state (S320). The timer is driven, for example, based on an internal clock of the controller 130. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the multifunction device 10 is not in a standby state (S310: No), it continues to make a determination until the multifunction device 10 enters the standby state.

[0095] The controller 130 determines (S330) whether the current time after setting the timer is a predetermined time previously set in the memory 140. If the controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has now elapsed (S330: Yes), it drives the electric actuator 49 to change the valve unit 91 from a connected state to a disconnected state.

[0096] After putting the valve unit 91 into a non-communicating state, the controller 130 resets the timer (S360). The controller 130 also obtains temperature information from the temperature sensor 115 when the timer is reset, and stores the temperature information in the memory 140. In response to determining that the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S330 (S330: No), the controller 130 determines whether an ON operation has been received from the power button of the operation unit 17 of the multifunction device 10 (S340). If the controller 130 determines that an ON operation has not been received from the power button of the multifunction device 10 (S340: No), the controller 130 continues to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S330). On the other hand, in response to determining that an ON operation has been received from the power button of the multifunction device 10 (S340: Yes), the controller 130 ends the standby state of the multifunction device 10 (S420).

[0097] Next, the control of steps S360 to S410 in which the controller 130 changes the valve unit 91 from the non-communicating state to the communicating state again will be described.

[0098] The controller 130 puts the valve unit 91 into a non-communicating state (S350), resets the timer (S360), and then determines whether a preset time has elapsed (S370). In response to determining that the preset time has elapsed in step S370 (S370: Yes), the controller 130 determines whether the temperature in the ink chamber 81 has increased by ΔT or more with respect to a preset temperature (S390). Specifically, the controller 130 acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor 115 and calculates the temperature difference from the temperature information stored in the memory 140. Then, it determines whether the calculated temperature difference is ΔT or more. In response to determining that the temperature in the ink chamber 81 has increased by ΔT or more (S390: Yes), the controller 130 stops the power supply to the electric actuator 49 to put the valve unit 91 into a communicating state from a non-communicating state (S400).

[0099] After the valve unit 91 is in a communicating state, the controller 130 resets the timer (S410) and returns to step S330. On the other hand, in response to the determination that the temperature difference is less than ΔT (S390: No), the controller 130 resets the timer (S360) and again determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed (S370). In response to the determination that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S370: No) in step S370, the controller 130 determines whether or not the operation unit 17 of the multifunction device 10 has accepted an ON operation of the power button (S380). In response to the determination that the ON operation of the power button has not been accepted (S380: No), the controller 130 continues to determine whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed (S370). On the other hand, in response to the determination that the ON operation of the power button has been accepted (S380: Yes), the controller 130 ends the standby state of the multifunction device 10 (S420).

[0100] Next, the operation when the multifunction device 10 is unplugged from the outlet will be described.

[0101] 6(a), when power is not being supplied to the coil portion 107, the plunger 125 is biased leftward by the coil spring 51. At this time, the rotating piece 96 moves away from the atmosphere opening port 88, and the valve unit 91 enters a communicating state. When the power plug of the multifunction device 10 is removed from the outlet in the communicating state, the valve unit 91 remains in a state in which the plunger 125 is biased leftward by the coil spring 51. Therefore, the valve unit 91 remains in the communicating state.

[0102] 6(b), when power is supplied to the coil portion 107, the plunger 125 moves to the right against the bias of the coil spring 51. At this time, the rotating piece 96 closes the atmosphere opening port 88, and the valve unit 91 is in a non-communicating state. When the power plug of the multifunction device 10 is removed from the outlet in the non-communicating state, power supply to the coil portion 107 is cut off, and the plunger 125 is biased to the left by the coil spring 51, and the valve unit 91 changes from the non-communicating state to the communicating state.

[0103] [Effects of the first embodiment] According to the first embodiment, when the power of the multifunction device 10 is off, the valve unit 91 is in a communicating state, so that even if there is a change in the external environment, such as an increase in temperature causing an increase in the pressure inside the tank 80, the meniscus formed in the nozzle 39 is destroyed and ink is reduced from leaking from the head 38.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the multifunction device 10 is powered off and goes into standby mode, the valve unit 91 goes into a non-communicating state, thereby reducing the evaporation of ink from the tank 80 through the atmosphere opening 88 and the leakage of ink from the atmosphere opening 88 due to the movement of the multifunction device 10.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when the multifunction device 10 is in a standby state, even if there is a change in the external environment, such as an increase in the pressure in the tank 80 due to an increase in temperature after the valve unit 91 is in a non-communicating state, the valve unit 91 is brought into a communicating state, thereby reducing the destruction of the meniscus formed in the nozzle 39 and the leakage of ink from the head 38.

[0106] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when the carriage 40 moves to the maintenance position, the cap 70 moves to the covering position to cover the nozzles 39, thereby reducing the evaporation of ink from the nozzles 39. When the multifunction device 10 is powered off, the cap valve unit 67 is in a communicating state, so that even if there is a change in the external environment, such as an increase in the pressure in the cap internal space 76 due to an increase in temperature, the air in the cap internal space 76 is prevented from entering the nozzles 39 and damaging the meniscus.

[0107] [Modification 1 of the first embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example was given of the recording unit 24 having one tank 80, but the tank 80 may be composed of a first storage chamber 80A and a second storage chamber 81A, for example, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0108] The first storage chamber 80A has a first ink chamber 82A therein. The second storage chamber 81A has a second ink chamber 83A. The first ink chamber 82A is connected to the second ink chamber 83A by an ink flow passage 163 so that ink can flow therethrough. The second ink chamber 83A is connected to the head 38 so that ink can flow therethrough.

[0109] The ink flow passage 163 is a tubular member having a space therein. The space therein communicates with the first ink chamber 82A and the second ink chamber 83A via through holes provided in the first storage chamber 80A and the second storage chamber 81A.

[0110] An atmosphere communication device 48 is provided at an atmosphere open port 88 of the first storage chamber 80A, and a valve unit 91 is driven by a drive mechanism 92 to put the atmosphere open port 88 into a communicating state or a non-communicating state.

[0111] [Modification 2 of the First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the tank 80 is provided with an atmosphere open port 88 that connects the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 with the outside, but an atmosphere communication passage 90B may be provided to connect the gas layer of the tank with the outside. The atmosphere communication passage 90B is configured as a passage to the atmosphere open port 88. The atmosphere communication passage 90B may also be configured as a passage extending outward from the atmosphere open port 88.

[0112] In this modification, the atmosphere communication passage 90B is configured as a passage leading to the atmosphere opening port 88, and has a labyrinth structure 187 as shown in FIG. 12(a).

[0113] The atmosphere communication passage 90B is a communication passage for communicating an ink chamber (not shown) with the outside. In other words, the atmosphere communication passage 90B is a communication passage for opening the ink chamber to the atmosphere.

[0114] The atmosphere communication passage 90B is formed in a groove shape on the upper wall 82, and the upper part is closed by a film 189. One end of the atmosphere communication passage 90B communicates with the ink chamber via an opening 190 formed in the upper wall 82. The other end of the atmosphere communication passage 90B communicates with the outside via an atmosphere open port 88 formed in the upper wall 82. In this modified example, the atmosphere communication passage 90B has a labyrinth structure 187 that extends in the left-right direction 9 while making repeated U-turns in the front-rear direction 8.

[0115] [Third Modification of the First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the atmosphere opening port 88 is open to the outside in a communicating state, but the atmosphere opening port 88 may have a semipermeable membrane 188 .

[0116] For example, as shown in FIG. 12(b), a semipermeable membrane 188 is provided on the other end side of the atmosphere communication passage 90B communicating with the outside so as to close the atmosphere opening port 88.

[0117] The semipermeable membrane 188 is a porous membrane having minute holes that block the passage of ink and allow the passage of gas. For example, the semipermeable membrane 188 is made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer, or tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. As a result, the ink stored in the ink chamber is blocked by the semipermeable membrane 188 and cannot flow out of the tank through the atmosphere communication passage 90B and the atmosphere opening 88. On the other hand, air can freely move between the ink chamber and the outside of the tank.

[0118] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, a configuration will be described in which an atmosphere communication device 48C including two electric actuators arranged in series is provided in the tank 80 instead of the atmosphere communication device 48.

[0119] Fig. 13(a) shows the state of the valve unit 91 in the atmosphere communication device 48C when power is supplied to the first electric actuator 49C but not to the second electric actuator 50C. Fig. 13(b) shows the state of the valve unit 91 in the atmosphere communication device 48C when power is supplied to the first electric actuator 49C and then power supply to both the first electric actuator 49C and the second electric actuator 50C is stopped.

[0120] The atmosphere communication device 48C in this embodiment includes a valve unit 91 and a drive mechanism 92C.

[0121] The valve unit 91 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and therefore the description of each component of the valve unit 91 will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the rotating support base 98 is located to the right of the atmosphere open port 88. As the rotating piece 96 rotates around the rotating shaft 97, the first rotating piece 99 closes or opens the atmosphere open port 88.

[0122] The drive mechanism 92C includes a first electric actuator 49C, a second electric actuator 50C, a first coil spring 51C, and a second coil spring 52C. The drive mechanism 92C is operated by receiving power from the controller 130, and drives the valve unit 91. The drive mechanism 92C is provided on the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The first electric actuator 49C is supported, for example, by a first spring seat 105C provided on the right side of the upper wall 82, and the second electric actuator 50C is supported by a second spring seat 106C provided on the left side of the upper wall 82. The first electric actuator 49C includes a first coil portion 107C and a first plunger 125C. The second electric actuator 50C includes a second coil portion 108C and a second plunger 126C. The first electric actuator 49C and the second electric actuator 50C are arranged so that their tips face each other.

[0123] The tip of the first plunger 125C and the tip of the second plunger 126C are each connected to an abutment portion 127C. The lower end of the abutment portion 127C is located near the upper end of the rotation shaft 97. The abutment portion 127C abuts against the upper surface of the rotation piece 96. The abutment portion 127C is movable in the left-right direction 9 relative to the rotation piece 96.

[0124] The first plunger 125C and the second plunger 126C are movable in the left-right direction 9 relative to the first coil portion 107C and the second coil portion 108C. When an induction magnetic field is generated in the first coil portion 107C by energizing, the first plunger 125C moves to the right relative to the first coil portion 107C. When an induction magnetic field is generated in the second coil portion 108C by energizing, the second plunger 126C moves to the left relative to the second coil portion 108C.

[0125] 13, a first spring seat 105C protrudes upward near the left side of the atmosphere opening port 88 on the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. A second spring seat 106C protrudes upward near the right end of the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The second spring seat 106C is located to the right of the atmosphere opening port 88.

[0126] The first coil spring 51C and the second coil spring 52C are supported by the first spring seat 105C or the second spring seat 106C and the abutment portion 127C, respectively, and the first coil spring 51C and the second coil spring 52C each extend along the left-right direction 9. The first coil spring 51C biases the abutment portion 127C to the right. The second coil spring 52C biases the abutment portion 127C to the left. The biasing force of the first coil spring 51C and the biasing force of the second coil spring 52C are equal.

[0127] The first electric actuator 49C is supported by a first support base 94C provided between a first spring seat 105C on the upper wall 82 and the atmosphere opening port 88. The second electric actuator 50C is supported by a second support base 95C provided between a second spring seat 106C on the upper wall 82 and the atmosphere opening port 88.

[0128] When no power is supplied to the first coil portion 107C and the second coil portion 108C, the abutment portion 127C is biased by the first coil spring 51C and the second coil spring 52C, respectively, and is positioned near the rotation axis 97, as shown in FIG. 13(b).

[0129] When power is supplied to the first coil portion 107C and not to the second coil portion 108C, the contact portion 127C moves rightward against the biasing forces of the first coil spring 51C and the second coil spring 52C, as shown in Fig. 13(a). In this state, the contact portion 127C is located to the right of the rotation shaft 97 and contacts the second rotating piece 100. This causes the first rotating piece 99 to move away from the atmosphere opening port 88. In other words, the atmosphere opening port 88 is in a connected state.

[0130] In addition, when power is not supplied to the first coil portion 107C but is supplied to the second coil portion 108C, the abutment portion 127C moves leftward against the biasing forces of the first coil spring 51C and the second coil spring 52C, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 13(a). In this state, the abutment portion 127C is located to the left of the rotation shaft 97 and abuts against the first rotating piece 99. As a result, the first rotating piece 99 closes the atmosphere opening port 88. In other words, the atmosphere opening port 88 is in a non-communicating state.

[0131] When the power supply to the first coil portion 107C of the first electric actuator 49C is stopped after the power supply to the first coil portion 107C of the first electric actuator 49C is supplied, the contact portion 127C moves leftward on the second rotating piece 100 by the biasing force of the first coil spring 51C and the second coil spring 52C, and is positioned above the rotating shaft 97, as shown in FIG. 13(b). At this time, the valve unit 91 is held without changing its posture, and the air opening port 88 is held in a communicated state. When the power supply to the second coil portion 108C of the second electric actuator 50C is stopped after the power supply to the second coil portion 108C of the second electric actuator 50C is supplied, the contact portion 127C moves rightward on the first rotating piece 99C by the biasing force of the first coil spring 51C and the second coil spring 52C, and is positioned above the rotating shaft 97. At this time, the valve unit 91 is held without any change in position, and the atmosphere opening port 88 is held in a non-communicating state.

[0132] [Modification 1 of the second embodiment] The drive mechanism 92 in the second embodiment moves the abutment portion 127C in the left-right direction 9 to change the position of the valve unit 91 between the connected state and the non-connected state. However, the drive mechanism 92 may be a mechanism that rotates an eccentric cam to change the position of the valve unit 91D between the connected state and the non-connected state, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0133] 14, the atmosphere communication device 48D includes a valve unit 91D and a rotating mechanism 92D. The valve unit 91D includes a rotating piece 96D and a rotating shaft 97D.

[0134] The rotating piece 96D is bent near the center and has a V-shape when viewed from the front-rear direction 8. The rotating piece 96D is provided to the right of the atmosphere opening port 88. A portion of the rotating piece 96D extending leftward from the bent point is referred to as a first rotating piece 99D, and a portion extending rightward is referred to as a second rotating piece 100D. A rotation shaft 97D protrudes from the rotating piece 96D along the front-rear direction 8 from the boundary between the first rotating piece 99D and the second rotating piece 100D.

[0135] The first rotating piece 99D has a first upper surface 116 on the top surface on the tip side. The first upper surface 116 is horizontal when the first rotating piece 99D is in a horizontal state. The first rotating piece 99D also has a first inclined surface 117 on the top surface on the base end side. The first inclined surface 117 is in an inclined state when the first rotating piece 99D is in a horizontal state.

[0136] The second rotating piece 100D has a second upper side surface 118 on the upper surface on the tip end side. The second upper side surface 118 is horizontal when the second rotating piece 100D is in a horizontal state. The second rotating piece 100D has a second inclined surface 119 on the upper surface on the base end side. The second inclined surface 119 is in an inclined state when the second rotating piece 100D is in a horizontal state.

[0137] The rotating mechanism 92D includes a support wall 156, a cam shaft 157, a regulating shaft 158, and an eccentric cam 159. The rotating mechanism 92D rotates when power is supplied from the controller 130, and drives the valve unit 91D.

[0138] The support wall 156 is provided on the upper wall 82. The support wall 156 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape, and is provided in the vicinity of the atmosphere opening port 88. A cam shaft 157 extending in the forward direction is provided on the support wall 156. In addition, the support wall 156 is provided with restriction shafts 158 on both the left and right sides of the cam shaft 157, respectively, for restricting the rotation of an eccentric cam 159.

[0139] The eccentric cam 159 is rotatably supported by a cam shaft 157. The eccentric cam 159 is formed with a contact portion 127D that extends toward the rotating piece 96D of the valve unit 91D. The eccentric cam 159 is formed with a restricting portion 161 that abuts against the restricting shaft 158. The restricting portion 161 limits the range of rotation of the eccentric cam 159.

[0140] The operation of the eccentric cam 159 caused by turning on and off the power to the rotation mechanism 92D will now be described.

[0141] As shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), when power is supplied to the rotating mechanism 92D, the eccentric cam 159 rotates, and the abutment portion 127D rotates leftward from a position above the rotating shaft 97. The rotated abutment portion 127D transmits a driving force to the first rotating piece 99D to rotate the rotating piece 96D. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the movement of the eccentric cam 159 is restricted by the restriction portion 161 abutting against the restriction shaft 158 ​​disposed on the left. As a result, the abutment portion 127D stops near the boundary between the first upper surface 116D and the first inclined surface 117. Then, the position of the valve unit 91D changes from the communicating state to the non-communicating state.

[0142] When the power supply to the rotational mechanism 92D is stopped, the eccentric cam 159 rotates to the right as shown in Fig. 14(c), and the contact portion 127D stops at a position above the rotational shaft 97. At this time, the valve unit 91D is held without changing its posture, and the atmosphere open port 88 remains in a non-communicating state.

[0143] When a current in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned current direction is supplied to the rotating mechanism 92D, the eccentric cam 159 rotates rightward as shown in Figs. 14(c) and (d), and the contact portion 127D rotates rightward above the rotating shaft 97. The rotated contact portion 127D transmits a driving force to the second rotating piece 100D to rotate the rotating piece 96D. At this time, the movement of the eccentric cam 159 is restricted by the restriction portion 161 abutting against the restriction shaft 158 ​​disposed on the right as shown in Fig. 14(d). As a result, the contact portion 127D stops near the boundary between the second upper surface 118 and the second inclined surface 119. Then, the valve unit 91D changes its position from the non-communicating state to the communicating state.

[0144] [Modification 2 of the second embodiment] In the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13, an atmosphere communication device 48C configured with a valve unit 91 and a drive mechanism 92C including a first electric actuator 49C and a second electric actuator 50C has been described as an example, but other devices may be used as the atmosphere communication device 48. For example, a device having a mechanism as shown in Fig. 15 may be used.

[0145] In this modified example, an atmosphere communication device 48E is provided on an upper wall 82E of a tank 80E that stores ink. The atmosphere communication device 48E is provided on an atmosphere opening 88 in the upper wall 82E that connects an ink chamber 81E of the tank 80E to the outside.

[0146] The atmosphere communication device 48E includes a drive mechanism 92E and a valve unit 91E.

[0147] The drive mechanism 92E drives the valve unit 91E in the vertical direction 7. The drive mechanism 92E includes a plunger 125E and an electric actuator (not shown). When power is supplied to the drive mechanism 92E, the drive mechanism 92E operates in the vertical direction 7 and drives the valve unit 91E. The drive mechanism 92E is provided on an upper wall 82E of the tank 80E.

[0148] The valve unit 91E includes a packing 165, a base portion 166, a slide portion 167, a pair of elastic portions 168, 168, and a restriction pin 169.

[0149] The packing 165 is a member for preventing air from leaking from a gap when the valve unit 91E is in a non-communicating state. The lower part of the packing 165 abuts against a base part 166. The packing 165 is elastically deformed by being pressed by a lid part 173 described later.

[0150] The base portion 166 is formed in a substantially disk shape having a through hole 170 in the center. The bottom surface of the base portion 166 is formed to be flat. The through hole 170 is continuous with the air opening port 88 when the base portion 166 is installed. In other words, when the base portion 166 is installed in the tank 80E, the air opening port 88 connects the gas layer 78E of the ink chamber 81E to the outside. In addition, a protrusion 171 is formed on the top surface of the base portion 166 to hold the packing 165 on the base portion 166. The protrusion 171 is formed so as to protrude upward on the inner and outer circumferential sides of the packing 165.

[0151] The slide portion 167 is connected to the base portion 166 via a pair of elastic portions 168, 168, and moves in the vertical direction 7 when a driving force is applied by the drive mechanism 92E. The slide portion 167 is configured to be slidable relative to a fixed member 172 fixed to the tank 80E, for example. The slide portion 167 includes a lid portion 173, a main body portion 174, and a pillar portion 175.

[0152] The lid portion 173 closes or opens the atmosphere open port 88 to put the atmosphere open port 88 in a connected or disconnected state. The lid portion 173 is disposed close to the base portion 166 with a packing 165 sandwiched therebetween. The lid portion 173 is formed, for example, in a disk shape.

[0153] The upper end of the pillar portion 175 is fixed to the main body portion 174, and extends downward from the main body portion 174. The pillar portion 175 supports the lid portion 173 at its lower end.

[0154] The main body portion 174 is supported by a pair of elastic portions 168, 168. The main body portion 174 is movable in the up-down direction 7 relative to the fixed member 172. As shown in Fig. 15, the main body portion 174 is connected to the fixed member 172 via a restricting pin 169 that restricts the range of movement in the up-down direction. A groove portion 176 is formed on the front surface of the main body portion 174.

[0155] One end of the restriction pin 169 is slidably connected to the fixed member 172. The other end of the restriction pin 169 is supported by the fixed member 172 so as to be rotatable.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 15 , groove portion 176 has a first groove 177 extending diagonally upward to the right from the bottom of main body portion 174, a second groove 178 extending upward from the upper right end of first groove 177, a third groove 179 extending diagonally downward to the left from the upper end of second groove 178, a fourth groove 180 extending diagonally upward to the left from the lower left end of third groove 179, a fifth groove 181 extending downward from the upper left end of fourth groove 180, and a sixth groove 182 extending diagonally downward to the right from the lower end of fifth groove 181.

[0157] The start point of the first groove 177 coincides with the end point of the sixth groove 182. The first groove 177 and the third groove 179 are parallel and have the same groove length. The second groove 178 and the fifth groove 181 are parallel and have the same groove length. The fourth groove 180 and the sixth groove 182 are parallel and have the same groove length. The second groove 178 is formed deeper than the first groove 177, and is configured so that the regulating pin 169 does not return from the second groove 178 to the first groove 177 after moving from the first groove 177 to the second groove 178. Similarly, the third groove 179 is formed deeper than the second groove 178, the fourth groove 180 is formed deeper than the third groove 179, and the fifth groove 181 is formed deeper than the fourth groove 180. The first groove 177 is formed to be deeper than the sixth groove 182. That is, the restriction pin 169 moves in the order of the first groove 177, the second groove 178, the third groove 179, the fourth groove 180, the fifth groove 181, and the sixth groove 182.

[0158] The operation of the slide portion 167 relative to the restriction pin 169 will now be described.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 15(a), when the slide portion 167 is at the uppermost position, the regulating pin 169 is located at the start point of the first groove 177, which is the lowest of the groove portion 176. At this time, the lid portion 173 is separated from the base portion 166, and the atmosphere opening port 88 is in a communicating state. Next, when the electric actuator is supplied with power, the slide portion 167 is pushed downward by the plunger 125E, and the regulating pin 169 moves to the end point of the first groove 177. Furthermore, since the slide portion 167 is pushed downward, the regulating pin 169 moves from the start point of the second groove 178 to the end point of the second groove 178, as shown in FIG. 15(b). At this time, the lid portion 173 approaches the base portion 166 while elastically deforming the packing 165, and the atmosphere opening port 88 is in a non-communicating state.

[0160] Next, when the power supply to the electric actuator is stopped, as shown in Fig. 15(c), the plunger 125E returns upward, and the slide portion 167 is urged upward by the pair of elastic portions 168, 168. As a result, the restriction pin 169 moves from the start point of the third groove 179 to the end point of the third groove 179 and stops there. At this time, the cover portion 173 moves upward away from the base portion 166, but remains in contact with the restored packing 165. Therefore, the atmosphere opening port 88 is maintained in a non-communicating state.

[0161] After that, when power is supplied to the electric actuator again, the restriction pin 169 moves from the start point of the fourth groove 180 to the end point of the fourth groove 180. Next, when power supply to the electric actuator is stopped, the restriction pin 169 moves from the start point of the fifth groove 181, passes through the end point of the fifth groove 181, and stops at the end point of the sixth groove 182. At this time, the lid portion 173 is in the state shown in Fig. 15(a). In other words, the lid portion 173 is separated from the base portion 166, and the atmosphere opening port 88 is in a communicating state.

[0162] [Third embodiment] In the third embodiment, the valve unit 91F is configured to change its state in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 40 to a non-communicating state or a communicating state.

[0163] 16, for example, instead of the atmosphere communication device 48, a movement mechanism 48F may be provided as a mechanism for putting the atmosphere open port 88 into a non-communicating state or a communicating state. The movement mechanism 48F includes a carriage 40, a valve unit 91F, and an abutment portion 127F. In this embodiment, the atmosphere open port 88 is provided above the side wall 87 of the tank 80, and the atmosphere open port 88 communicates between the ink chamber 81 of the tank 80 and the outside.

[0164] The carriage 40 is driven by a carriage drive motor 103 (see FIG. 7) which serves as a drive source. The carriage 40 moves while carrying the head 38. The carriage 40 is operated by being supplied with power by a controller 130 (see FIG. 7).

[0165] The valve unit 91F includes a valve 96F and a coil spring member 51F.

[0166] The valve 96F is a member that brings the atmosphere open port 88 into a non-communicating state or a communicating state by coming into contact with or being separated from the atmosphere open port 88.

[0167] The coil spring member 51F is a member for biasing the valve 96F to the right so as to abut against the atmosphere opening port 88. One end side of the coil spring member 51F is connected to the valve 96F, and the other end side is connected to a side surface 86F formed inside the tank 80.

[0168] The contact portion 127F is a member that protrudes from the frame 47F that extends in the up-down direction 7. The contact portion 127F is at the same position as the atmosphere open port 88 in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The diameter of the contact portion 127F is smaller than the diameter of the atmosphere open port 88.

[0169] The operation of the moving mechanism 48F will now be described.

[0170] In the process of the carriage 40 moving to the maintenance position, the contact portion 127F penetrates the atmosphere open port 88 from the right and pushes the valve 96F to the left. As a result, the valve 96F moves to the left against the biasing force of the coil spring 51F, and the valve unit 91F changes from a non-communicating state to a communicating state.

[0171] On the other hand, when the carriage 40 moves leftward from the maintenance position, the valve 96F moves away from the abutment portion 127F, and the valve unit 91F is biased rightward by the coil spring member 51F to change from the connected state to the non-connected state.

[0172] In other words, when the power of the multifunction device 10 is transitioned from on to off, the controller 130 drives the carriage drive motor 103 to change the valve unit 91F from a non-communicating state to a communicating state, and when the power of the multifunction device 10 is transitioned from off to on, the controller 130 changes the valve unit 91F from a communicating state to a non-communicating state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0173] 9... Left-right direction (scanning direction) 10...Multifunction device (liquid discharge device) 38 Head 39 Nozzle 40...Carriage 49 Electric actuator 49C First electric actuator 50C Second electric actuator 51 Coil spring (urging member) 67 Cap valve unit 70··············Cap 72: Through hole (cap opening) 74 Cap connection passage 76 Cap internal space (cap internal space) 78. Gas layer 80 Tank (storage section) 80A: First storage chamber 81A Second storage chamber 88 Atmospheric release port 90B: Atmospheric communication passage 91, 91D, 91E, 91F... Valve unit 92, 92C, 92E... Drive mechanism 103: Carriage drive motor (drive source) 130 Controller 159 Eccentric cam 187 Labyrinth structure 188····························· Semipermeable membrane

Claims

1. A head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a reservoir portion at least a portion of which is located above the opening of the nozzle and in which the liquid is stored while forming a liquid level; an atmosphere communication passage that communicates the gas layer of the storage portion with the outside through an atmosphere opening port; a valve unit for placing the atmosphere release port or the atmosphere communication passage in a connected or non-connected state; It has a power button and The power button is operated from on to off to switch the liquid ejection device from a standby state to a standby state in which power supply to the drive source is stopped and an input from a user is awaited. The valve unit is configured to change from the non-communicating state to the communicating state when the power button is turned from on to off.

2. a drive mechanism for driving the valve unit; A controller, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller drives the drive mechanism when the power button is turned from on to off, thereby causing the valve unit to change from the non-communicating state to the communicating state.

3. 3. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller drives the drive mechanism in the standby state based on a predetermined first condition to change the valve unit from the communicating state to the non-communicating state.

4. 4. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controller drives the drive mechanism in the standby state based on a second predetermined condition to change the valve unit from the non-communicating state to the communicating state.

5. a carriage which carries the head and moves; a drive source that drives the carriage; and a controller, The valve unit changes state in response to the movement of the carriage, 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller drives the drive source when the power button is turned from on to off, thereby causing the valve unit to change from the non-communicating state to the communicating state.

6. The valve unit changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating, 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism includes a first electric actuator that changes the position of the valve unit from the non-communicating state to the communicating state, and a second electric actuator that changes the position of the valve unit from the communicating state to the non-communicating state.

7. The valve unit changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating, 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism is a rotary mechanism having an eccentric cam for changing the position of the valve unit.

8. The valve unit further includes a drive mechanism for driving the valve unit. The drive mechanism includes: a biasing member that holds the valve unit in the communicating state; 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising: an electric actuator that, when power is supplied, changes the valve unit from the communicating state to the non-communicating state against the biasing member.

9. The head further includes a carriage that carries the head and moves.

9. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the storage section is mounted on the carriage with at least a portion of the storage section positioned above the head.

10. The carriage moves in a scanning direction, The liquid ejection device according to claim 9 , wherein the head ejects liquid when the carriage is moving in the scanning direction.

11. The storage section includes: A first storage chamber; and 11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage chamber connected to the first storage chamber and the head so that the liquid can flow therethrough.

12. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the atmosphere communication passage has at least one of a labyrinth structure and a semipermeable membrane.

13. a cap that is movable between a covering position where the nozzle is covered and a spaced position where the nozzle is spaced from the cap; a cap communication passage that communicates an internal space of the cap with the outside through a cap opening; a cap valve unit that sets the cap opening or the cap communication passage in the connected state or the non-connected state, The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cap valve unit changes from the non-communicating state to the communicating state when the power button is turned from on to off.

14. A head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a reservoir portion at least a portion of which is located above the opening of the nozzle and in which the liquid is stored while forming a liquid level; an atmosphere communication passage that communicates the gas layer of the storage portion with the outside through an atmosphere opening port; a valve unit for placing the atmosphere release port or the atmosphere communication passage in a connected or non-connected state; It has a power button and The power button is operated from on to off to switch the liquid ejection device from a standby state to a standby state in which power supply to the drive source is stopped and an input from a user is awaited. The valve unit is configured to change from the non-communicating state to the communicating state after the power button is turned from on to off in the liquid ejection device.

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