Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejection device that is able to suppress spread of liquid leakage and ejection failure of liquid, which may occur during an ejecting operation.SOLUTION: A printer 100 closes the atmosphere communication passage of a storage unit by means of a valve body (S109) and, after the closing process, performs an ejection process of ejecting ink from a head (S110). After the ejection process, the printer 100 drives the valve body to open the atmosphere communication passage (S112) and, before injection of ink from an injection port, opens the atmosphere communication passage by means of the valve body (S119).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from a head onto a sheet during an ejection operation. [Background technology]

[0002] In a liquid ejection device according to the background art (hereinafter also referred to as the "background art"), liquid is supplied from a storage unit to a head through a liquid supply channel. The storage unit has an inlet for injecting liquid and an atmosphere communication channel. During ejection, the inlet is closed with a lid, but the liquid supply channel and the atmosphere communication channel are each opened by a valve unit that is operated in response to a user's operation. On the other hand, when injecting liquid, after the liquid supply channel and the atmosphere communication channel are each closed by the valve unit, the lid is removed from the inlet. Then, liquid is injected into the storage unit through the inlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-081120 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the related art, a so-called jam may occur during the ejection operation, causing the sheet to unexpectedly come into contact with the head. As a result, liquid inside the head may leak from the nozzles of the head and soak into the sheet. However, as in the related art, if the liquid supply path and the atmosphere communication path are both open during the ejection operation, air continues to be introduced into the reservoir through the atmosphere communication path, which makes the liquid leakage more likely to expand.

[0005] One way to prevent liquid leakage from spreading is to close both the liquid supply path and the air communication path during the ejection operation. However, if the air communication path is closed even when liquid is being poured into the reservoir, the air pressure inside the reservoir will rise when the lid is closed, making the nozzle meniscus more susceptible to breakage.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a liquid ejection device that suppresses the expansion of liquid leakage that may occur during ejection operations and that is less likely to cause deformation of the meniscus when the lid is closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A liquid ejection device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a head that ejects liquid, a storage unit having a liquid storage chamber that stores liquid, an injection port that connects the liquid storage chamber to the outside, and an atmosphere-communicating passage that connects the liquid storage chamber to the outside, a liquid flow path that connects the head and the liquid storage chamber so that liquid can flow, a lid that opens and closes the injection port, a valve that opens and closes the atmosphere-communicating passage, a switching mechanism that switches the open and closed states of the valve, and a controller. The controller performs a closing process to close the valve using the switching mechanism, and after the closing process, performs an ejection process to eject liquid from the head, and a second opening process to open the valve using the switching mechanism before liquid is injected through the injection port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] It is possible to provide a liquid ejection device that can suppress the expansion of liquid leakage that may occur during the ejection operation and that is less likely to cause deformation of the meniscus when the lid is closed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of a printer 100. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 100. [Figure 3] 4 is a top view showing the internal configuration of the printer 100 when the cover 400 is open. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram of a storage section 220 and its surrounding configuration in FIG. 3 as viewed from the front. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic diagram of a longitudinal section of a storage section 220 and its surrounding configuration taken along a dashed dotted line VV in FIG. 3, as viewed from the front. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing the liquid level sensor 216, where (A) is a schematic diagram of the liquid level sensor 216 as viewed from the left, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the storage section 220 along the dashed dotted line VI-VI in FIG. 10A as viewed from above. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer 100. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a valve element 242 of a valve unit 240 opens an atmosphere communication passage 221K. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printer 100. [Figure 10] (A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a guidance image 510, (B) is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the internal communication passage 220E, and (C) is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the internal communication passage 220E. [Figure 11] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the storage section 220. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the opening member 250. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment] A printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following description, the direction from the start point of an arrow to the end point is referred to as "direction," and the movement along the line connecting the start point and end point of an arrow is referred to as "direction."

[0011] Furthermore, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the printer 100 is installed and ready for use (the state shown in FIG. 1), the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface in which the opening 330 is formed as the front surface 320, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the printer 100 is viewed from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are perpendicular to one another.

[0012] [Schematic configuration of printer 100] In FIG. 1, printer 100 is an example of a liquid ejection device, and uses an inkjet method to record an image expressed in a single color (for example, black) on a sheet M (see FIG. 2). Sheet M is paper, an OHP sheet, or the like. In this embodiment, the inkjet method is a piezo inkjet method, but it may also be a thermal inkjet method (also called a bubble jet (registered trademark) method).

[0013] The printer 100 includes a housing 300, a cover 400, and a user interface (hereinafter also referred to as "UI") 500.

[0014] [Enclosure 300] The housing 300 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in Figure 2, the upper end of the housing 300 forms an opening 310 that opens upward. The housing 300 is supported by various frames that the printer 100 has.

[0015] 2, housing 300 has a front surface 320, a rear surface 340, and a pair of bearings 350 (only one of which is shown in the figure). Front surface 320 has an opening 330 that opens forward. The two bearings 350 are located at the upper end of rear surface 340 and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction 9. Each bearing 350 has a shaft hole that extends in the left-right direction 9.

[0016] [Cover 400] In Fig. 1, the cover 400 has a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. In Fig. 2, the cover 400 has a pair of shafts 410 (only one is shown). The shafts 410 are located at the rear end of the cover 400 and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction 9. The left and right shafts 410 are inserted into shaft holes in the left and right bearings 350, respectively.

[0017] The front end of the cover 400 is rotated in the circumferential direction 3A of both shafts 410 by a user operation. A lower limit position P11 (an example of a second position) of the rotation range of this front end is restricted by the upper end of the housing 300. On the other hand, an upper limit position P12 (an example of a first position) of the rotation range of the front end is restricted by the length of an arm 420 connecting the housing 300 and the cover 400. When the front end of the cover 400 is at the lower limit position P11, the cover 400 closes the opening 310 and does not expose the storage section 220 and the like inside the housing 300 to the outside. On the other hand, when the front end of the cover 400 is at the upper limit position P12, the cover 400 opens the opening 310 and exposes the storage section 220 and the like to the outside.

[0018] [Cover Sensor 430] 2, the printer 100 has a cover sensor 430 located near the front surface 320 at the top end of the housing 300. The cover sensor 430 is a photointerrupter, a pressure sensor, or the like. The cover sensor 430 outputs a signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "cover signal") V11, the level of which varies depending on whether the cover 400 is open or closed, to the controller 270 (see FIG. 7).

[0019] [UI500] 1, the UI 500 is located at the top of the front surface 320. The UI 500 includes a display and various operation buttons operated by the user. The display displays various images. The various images include software buttons, which are a type of operation button.

[0020] [Internal structure of the printer 100] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 100 includes within a housing 300 a supply tray 110, an output tray 120, a feeding mechanism 130, an outer guide 140, an inner guide 150, a pair of conveying rollers 160, a pair of discharge rollers 170, a platen 180, a carriage 190, a head 200, a conveying mechanism 210, a storage section 220, a lid 230, a valve unit 240, an opening member 250, a cap 260, and a controller 270 (see FIG. 7).

[0021] [Supply Tray 110] 2, the supply tray 110 is installed in the housing 300 through the opening 330. A plurality of sheets M are stacked in the vertical direction 7 on the bottom 111 of the supply tray 110. A guide member 112 extends rearward and upward from the rear end of the bottom 111, and reaches directly below the lower end of the outer guide 140.

[0022] [Outlet tray 120] A discharge port 370 is formed in the housing 300 above the supply tray 110. A sheet M (hereinafter also referred to as a "printed material M") on which an image is recorded by the ejection operation of the printer 100 is discharged from the discharge port 370. The discharge tray 120 supports the printed material M.

[0023] [Feeding mechanism 130] The feed mechanism 130 includes a shaft 131, a feed arm 132, a feed roller 133, and a drive transmission mechanism 134.

[0024] The shaft 131 is supported by a frame (not shown) and extends in the left-right direction 9 above the bottom 111. The base end of the feed arm 132 is supported by the shaft 131. The feed arm 132 rotates in a circumferential direction 3B of the shaft 131. The feed arm 132 extends rearward and downward from the base end. The feed roller 133 is attached to the tip of the feed arm 132. The feed roller 133 rotates in a circumferential direction 3C of a shaft 135 that is parallel to the shaft 131. The drive transmission mechanism 134 is a gear train or a drive belt, and is provided inside the feed arm 132.

[0025] Here, the operation of the feeding mechanism 130 will be outlined. The feeding roller 133 abuts against the topmost sheet M supported on the bottom 111. The drive transmission mechanism 134 transmits power generated by a motor 271 for feeding the sheets M (hereinafter also referred to as the "feed motor 271", see FIG. 7) to the feeding roller 133. This power causes the feeding roller 133 to rotate, applying a backward conveying force to the topmost sheet M. As a result, the topmost sheet M is sent backward on the bottom 111 and is guided to the entrance P0 of the conveying path P by the inclined surface of the guide member 112.

[0026] [Transport path P] 2, a conveying path P for a sheet M is formed inside the housing 300. An entrance P0 of the conveying path P is the upstream end of the conveying path P, located immediately above the extending end of the guide member 112. The conveying path P is a so-called U-turn path, and has a curved portion P1 and a straight portion P2. The curved portion P1 extends generally upward from the entrance P0 while curving forward. The straight portion P2 extends generally linearly forward from the downstream end of the curved portion P1 to the discharge port 370.

[0027] [Outer guide 140, inner guide 150] The outer guide 140 and the inner guide 150 define the outermost and innermost portions of the curved portion P1, respectively.

[0028] Here, an outline of the conveyance of the sheet M will be given. After being sent into the entrance P0, the sheet M is conveyed at the curved portion P1 while being guided by the outer guide 140 and the inner guide 150. Thereafter, the sheet M is sent to the conveyance roller pair 160.

[0029] [Register Sensor 151] A registration sensor 151 is provided in the inner guide 150 at a registration position near the downstream end of the curved portion P1. The registration sensor 151 is supported by the inner guide 150 and extends into the curved portion P1. The registration sensor 151 can swing in the conveying direction 4 of the sheet M in the curved portion P1 and in the opposite direction. The sheet M conveyed within the curved portion P1 abuts against the registration sensor 151. The registration sensor 151 outputs a signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "registration signal") V13, the level of which differs when the sheet M is abutting against the registration sensor 151 and when the sheet M is not abutting against the registration sensor 151, to the controller 270 (see FIG. 7).

[0030] [Transport roller pair 160] 2, the conveying roller pair 160 includes a drive roller 161 and a pinch roller 162. The drive roller 161 and the pinch roller 162 abut against each other in the up-down direction 7 with the downstream end of the curved portion P1 in between, and extend in the left-right direction 9 along the downstream end of the curved portion P1. In this embodiment, the drive roller 161 abuts against the pinch roller 162 from above. Note that the drive roller 161 may also abut against the pinch roller 162 from below.

[0031] The drive roller 161 rotates by power generated by a motor 272 for conveying the sheet M (hereinafter also referred to as the "conveying motor 272", see FIG. 7). The pinch roller 162 is rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 161. The drive roller 161 and the pinch roller 162 rotate while nipping the sheet M, thereby sending the sheet M in the conveying direction 4 (i.e., forward). As a result, the sheet M is conveyed downstream of the straight portion P2.

[0032] [Discharge roller pair 170] 2, the discharge roller pair 170 includes a drive roller 171 and a spur roller 172. The drive roller 171 and the spur roller 172 abut against each other in the up-down direction 7 with the straight portion P2 sandwiched between the platen 180 and the discharge opening 370, and extend in the left-right direction 9 along the straight portion P2. In this embodiment, the spur roller 172 abuts against the drive roller 171 from above. Note that the spur roller 172 may also abut against the drive roller 171 from below.

[0033] The drive roller 171 rotates by the power of a conveyance motor 272 (see FIG. 7), and the spur roller 172 rotates following the drive roller 171. The drive roller 171 and the spur roller 172 rotate while nipping the sheet M, thereby conveying the sheet M further downstream in the conveyance direction 4. As a result, the sheet M is discharged from the discharge port 370.

[0034] [Platen 180] The platen 180 is located between the pair of conveying rollers 160 and the pair of discharge rollers 170 in the front-to-rear direction 8. The platen 180 has a support surface 181 that extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. The support surface 181 defines the lowermost portion of the straight portion P2 and supports the sheet M from below. The support surface 181 is a collection of upper end surfaces of multiple ribs that protrude upward from the platen 180 and are elongated in the front-to-rear direction 8. Note that the support surface 181 may also be a flat upper surface of the platen 180. The platen 180 is colored in a color (e.g., black) that can absorb light emitted from the sheet sensor 205.

[0035] 2 and 3, when the user opens the cover 400 (see FIG. 2), the support surface 181 is exposed to the outside of the housing 300. This allows the user to remove a sheet M that has become jammed in the straight portion P2 due to a so-called jam.

[0036] [Carriage 190] Printer 100 includes guide rails 191A and 191B within housing 300. As shown in Fig. 2, guide rails 191A and 191B are located above support surface 181 and are supported by a frame (not shown). As shown in Fig. 3, guide rails 191A and 191B are located at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction 8 across support surface 181 in a plan view from above, and extend in the left-right direction 9.

[0037] 3, carriage 190 has a left-right dimension smaller than platen 180 and is spanned between guide rails 191A and 191B. Carriage 190 reciprocates together with head 200 and storage unit 220 in the left-right direction 9 while being supported by guide rails 191A and 191B by power transmitted from transport mechanism 210.

[0038] [Head 200] In FIG. 2, the head 200 has a lower surface 201, an upper surface 202, a plurality of nozzles 203, and an ink flow path (an example of a liquid flow path) 204. The plurality of nozzles 203 are formed on the lower surface 201 so as to be aligned in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. Note that FIG. 2 only shows the nozzles 203 aligned in the front-to-back direction. Each nozzle 203 is open downward. The head 200 is attached to the carriage 190 so that the lower surface 201 moves in the left-to-right direction 9 at a position spaced above the support surface 181 as the carriage 190 moves. As a result, the lower surface 201 defines a portion of the top of the straight portion P2.

[0039] The head 200 has a piezoelectric element (not shown) inside that corresponds to each nozzle 203. A drive waveform generated by the controller 270 is applied to each piezoelectric element. This causes the head 200 to eject ink stored inside from the multiple nozzles 203 in an ejection direction 7D (i.e., downward).

[0040] [Transport mechanism 210] In FIG. 3, the transport mechanism 210 includes two pulleys 211 and an endless belt 212. The transport mechanism 210 is part of a switching mechanism and switches the open / closed state of a valve element 242 (described later). The two pulleys 211 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction 9 on the guide rail 191A. Each pulley 211 is rotatable in the circumferential direction of an axis along the up-down direction 7. The endless belt 212 is stretched over the two pulleys 211 and connected to the carriage 190. A motor 273 for transporting the carriage 190 (hereinafter also referred to as the "carriage motor 273"; see FIG. 7) is connected to the right pulley 211. The carriage motor 273 rotates under the control of the controller 270 and generates power. This power rotates the right pulley 211 in the forward or reverse direction. As a result, the head 200 connected to the endless belt 212 reciprocates in the left-right direction 9 between a capped position P21 and a flushing position P22, which are predetermined between the two pulleys 211. The capped position P21 is approximately the same as the left-right position of the cap 260, which is spaced to the right of the platen 180 and to the left of the frame 301 (see FIG. 5). The flushing position P22 is a position spaced to the left of the platen 180. An ink receiver 194 is provided at the flushing position P22.

[0041] While the carriage 190 moves left or right (i.e., one pass), the head 200 moves above an ink ejection region R11 (see FIG. 8, details will be described later) under the control of the controller 270. During this time, the head 200 ejects ink supplied from the storage section 220 through the ink flow path 204. That is, an image is recorded on the sheet M in one pass unit.

[0042] [Linear Encoder 193] In FIG. 3, a linear encoder 193 is provided on the guide rail 191A and the carriage 190. The linear encoder 193 has an encoder strip 193A and an optical sensor 193B. The encoder strip 193A is provided on the guide rail 191A at a front-rear position between the endless belt 212 and the platen 180. The encoder strip 193A extends in the left-right direction 9 between the capped position P21 and the flushing position P22. On the main surface of the encoder strip 193A, areas that transmit or block light emitted from the optical sensor 193B are alternately marked along the left-right direction 9. The optical sensor 193B is composed of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element and is arranged opposite to each other across the encoder strip 193A. The light-emitting element emits light toward the encoder strip 193A as the carriage 190 is transported. The light receiving element receives light emitted from the light emitting element and outputs a signal V15 (hereinafter also referred to as "position signal V15", see FIG. 7) whose level varies depending on the amount of received light to the controller 270. The position signal V15 indicates the position of the head 200 in the left-right direction 9.

[0043] [Sheet Sensor 205] As shown in FIG. 2, a sheet sensor 205 is attached to the underside 201 of the head 200. Specifically, the sheet sensor 205 is attached near the front end of the underside 201, at a position on the linear portion P2. The sheet sensor 205 is an optical sensor and is disposed to face the support surface 181 of the platen 180. The sheet sensor 205 emits a predetermined amount of light from a light-emitting element downward toward the support surface 181 while the head 200 is being transported. In the sheet sensor 205, the light-receiving element outputs a signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "sheet signal") V16, the level of which changes depending on the amount of received light, to the controller 270 (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, when the emitted light from the sheet sensor 205 enters the sheet M on the platen 180, a portion of the reflected light from the sheet M enters the light-receiving element. However, when the emitted light from the sheet sensor 205 enters the platen 180, the incident light is absorbed by the platen 180. Therefore, the sheet signal V16 indicates whether or not the sheet M is present directly below the sheet sensor 205 on the support surface 181.

[0044] [Storage section 220, lid 230] 4 and 5, the storage unit 220 is an ink tank, and is attached to the top surface 202 of the head 200 so that it cannot be easily removed from the head 200. That is, in this embodiment, the printer 100 is a so-called on-carriage type in which the storage unit 220 and the head 200 are mounted on the carriage 190. The entire storage unit 220 is located above the head 200. However, this is not limiting, and a portion of the storage unit 220 may be located above the top surface 202, and the remaining portion may be located below the top surface 202.

[0045] The storage section 220 stores ink (an example of a liquid) therein. In this embodiment, the color of the ink is black. The ink in the storage section 220 is supplied to the head 200 through the outlet 221L and the ink flow path 204. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage section 220 includes an outer wall 221, an upper indicator 223U, and a lower indicator 223L. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage section 220 further includes a plurality of partition walls 222 and a cylindrical wall 224.

[0046] 5, outer wall 221 separates internal space 220A of storage section 220 from the external space. Storage section 220 is mainly made of a light-transmitting material (for example, a transparent resin). This allows the user to visually check the amount of ink in storage section 220.

[0047] The outer wall 221 is made up of a bottom wall 221A, a first left wall 221B, a right wall 221C, a first top wall 221D, a second top wall 221E, a second left wall 221F, a front wall 221G (see FIG. 4), and a rear wall 221H (see FIG. 5). The first top wall 221D and the second top wall 221E are generally rectangular in plan view from the up-down direction 7. The first left wall 221B, the second left wall 221F, and the right wall 221C are generally rectangular in plan view from the left-right direction 9.

[0048] The bottom wall 221A extends over the top surface 202 of the head 200. The front and rear ends of the bottom wall 221A are substantially parallel to the front-rear direction 8, and the left and right ends thereof are substantially parallel to the left-right direction 9.

[0049] The first left wall 221B and the right wall 221C extend upward from the left and right ends of the bottom wall 221A, respectively. The extending end (i.e., the upper end) of the first left wall 221B is located lower than the extending end of the right wall 221C.

[0050] The first upper wall 221D extends between the upper end of the first left wall 221B and an intermediate position between the first left wall 221B and the right wall 221C. The second upper wall 221E extends between the upper end of the right wall 221C and a position above the extending end (i.e., the right end) of the first upper wall 221D.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, a through-hole 221J is formed in the first upper wall 221D, which penetrates the first upper wall 221D in the up-down direction 7 for injecting ink into the storage section 220.

[0052] 4 and 5, the second left wall 221F extends between the right end of the first upper wall 221D and the left end of the second upper wall 221E.

[0053] A front wall 221G (see FIG. 4) and a rear wall 221H (see FIG. 5) close the front end and rear end of the storage section 220, respectively.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the multiple partition walls 222 include at least horizontal partition walls 222A and vertical partition walls 222B, which, together with the outer wall 221, divide the internal space 220A into an ink storage chamber (an example of a liquid storage chamber) 220B, an air chamber 220C, and a valve installation space 220D.

[0055] The horizontal partition wall 222A is spaced downward from the vertical partition wall 222B and upward from the upper indicator 223U. The horizontal partition wall 222A is located between a position slightly to the right of the right end of the first upper wall 221D and the right wall 221C. The horizontal partition wall 222A is approximately parallel to the second upper wall 221E and extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. The front and rear ends of the horizontal partition wall 222A are connected to the front wall 221G and the rear wall 221H, respectively.

[0056] The horizontal partition wall 222A does not have to be substantially parallel to the second upper wall 221E, and the front end and rear end of the horizontal partition wall 222A do not have to be connected to the front wall 221G and rear wall 221H, respectively.

[0057] The vertical partition wall 222B extends vertically and front-to-rear between a position on the second upper wall 221E to the left of the right wall 221C and a position above the horizontal partition wall 222A.

[0058] The ink storage chamber 220B is a space surrounded by a bottom wall 221A, a first left wall 221B, a right wall 221C, a first top wall 221D, a front wall 221G, a rear wall 221H, and a horizontal partition wall 222A. The ink storage chamber 220B stores ink.

[0059] Air chamber 220C is a space surrounded by right wall 221C, second upper wall 221E, second left wall 221F, front wall 221G, rear wall 221H, and horizontal partition wall 222A. Air chamber 220C is located above upper indicator 223U. Air is introduced into air chamber 220C. Note that air chamber 220C may be a so-called labyrinth flow path partitioned by other partition walls.

[0060] The valve installation space 220D is a space partitioned by the second upper wall 221E, the right wall 221C, and the vertical partition wall 222B, and houses the valve unit 240. The lower end of the valve installation space 220D has a downward opening, which allows the atmosphere communication passage 221K to communicate with the air chamber 220C via the valve installation space 220D.

[0061] 4, upper indicator 223U has a linear shape extending left and right at a position near the upper end on the outer surface of front wall 221G. As shown in Fig. 5, upper indicator 233U having a linear shape extending front and rear may be provided on the outer surface of first left wall 221B at the same position in the up-down direction 7 as upper indicator 223U. Upper indicators 223U and 233U are examples of indicators that indicate the liquid level of the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in ink storage chamber 220B.

[0062] The lower indicator 223L has a linear shape extending left and right near the lower end on the outer surface of the front wall 221G. As shown in Fig. 5, a lower indicator 233L having a linear shape extending front and rear may be provided on the outer surface of the first left wall 221B at the same position in the up-down direction 7 as the lower indicator 223L. The lower indicators 223L and 233L are indicators that indicate the liquid level at which ink needs to be injected into the ink storage chamber 220B.

[0063] The upper index 223U and the lower index 223L can also be realized by unevenness formed on the outer surface of the front wall 221G, or by coloring with paint or the like.

[0064] 5, the cylindrical wall 224 is a cylindrical wall that extends upward and downward from the periphery of the through-hole 221J in the first upper wall 221D. The cylindrical wall 224 has an ink inlet 224A at its upper end. The inlet 224A is an opening that opens upward (i.e., toward the outside of the storage section 220). The inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall 224 defines an ink supply path 224B that runs from the inlet 224A through the through-hole 221J to the ink storage chamber 220B. This allows the inlet 224A to communicate with the ink storage chamber 220B.

[0065] 4 and 5, lid 230 is made of, for example, a flexible resin. Lid 230 can be attached to and detached from the upper end of cylindrical wall 224 by a user operation, and closes or opens injection port 224A. Lid 230 undergoes slight elastic deformation when opened or closed by a user operation.

[0066] 5, the interior communication passage 220E is the space between the right end of the first upper wall 221D and the left end of the horizontal partition wall 222A. The interior communication passage 220E connects the air chamber 220C to the ink storage chamber 220B.

[0067] The atmosphere communication passage 221K is formed in a region of the right wall 221C facing the vertical partition wall 222B in the left-right direction 9. The atmosphere communication passage 221K is a through-hole that penetrates the right wall 221C in this region in the left-right direction 9. The atmosphere communication passage 221K connects the air chamber 220C with the outside of the storage portion 220. The atmosphere communication passage 221K is formed above the injection port 224A.

[0068] The cross-sectional area of ​​the interior communication passage 220E along the front-rear and left-right directions is preferably smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the air chamber 220C along the front-rear and left-right directions. The opening area of ​​the lower end of the interior communication passage 220E is preferably smaller than the opening area of ​​the atmosphere communication passage 221K. This allows air to flow smoothly from the atmosphere communication passage 221K through the air chamber 220C to the interior communication passage 220E.

[0069] Outlet 221L is a through-hole that passes through bottom wall 221A in the vertical direction, and communicates with ink flow path 204. Here, the entire air chamber 220C is located above outlet 221L. However, this is not limiting, and it is sufficient that at least a part of air chamber 220C is located above outlet 221L.

[0070] [Liquid level sensor 216] As shown in FIG. 6, the storage section 220 has a protrusion 221M that protrudes rearward from the rear wall 221H. The protrusion 221M is made of a light-transmitting material and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 6(A), the protrusion 221M extends in the up-down direction 7 from a position below the lower indicator 223L to a position above it. As shown in FIG. 6(B), the left-right dimension of the protrusion 221M is smaller than the left-right dimension of the storage section 220. The protrusion 221M defines an internal space that communicates with the ink storage chamber 220B.

[0071] Printer 100 is equipped with liquid level sensor 216, which is an optical sensor. In liquid level sensor 216, a light-emitting element emits light that is approximately parallel to the left-right direction 9 toward a portion of the right side of protrusion 221M that is approximately in the same vertical position as lower index 223L. In liquid level sensor 216, a light-receiving element is positioned opposite the light-emitting element on the left side, with protrusion 221M in between, and outputs a signal V12 (hereinafter also referred to as "liquid level signal V12"; see FIG. 7) having a level corresponding to the amount of received light to controller 270. In particular, the level of liquid level signal V12 differs depending on whether light that has passed through protrusion 221M is received or not.

[0072] [Valve unit 240, opening member 250] In FIG. 5, the valve unit 240 includes a spring 241 and a valve element 242 .

[0073] The spring 241 is a compression coil spring or the like, and has a free length equal to or slightly longer than the left-right distance between the right wall 221C and the vertical partition wall 222B. The spring 241 is housed in the valve installation space 220D so that its axis is parallel to the left-right direction 9. The left end of the spring 241 is fixed to the vertical partition wall 222B. The valve element 242 is fixed to the right end of the spring 241.

[0074] Valve element 242 is an example of a valve, and is located above inlet 224A. When opening member 250 is not in contact with valve element 242, valve element 242 closes atmosphere communication passage 221K by the biasing force of spring 241, with the inner surface of right wall 221C serving as a valve seat.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a frame 301 is positioned within the housing 300. The frame 301 extends in the up-down direction 7 at a position to the right of the cap 260 and faces the right wall 221C in the left-right direction 9. An opening member 250 protrudes leftward from the frame 301 at a position facing the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K (see FIG. 5). A vertical cross section of the opening member 250 along the up-down, front-rear, and rear directions is smaller than the opening of the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K over substantially the entire area in the left-right direction 9. The left-right length of the opening member 250 is longer than the distance between the valve body 242 at the capped position P21 and the frame 301. The protruding end of the opening member 250 passes through the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K and abuts against the valve body 242 just before the head 200 reaches the capped position P21 due to left-right movement of the carriage 190. While the head 200 is in the capped position P21, the valve body 242 moves away from the right wall 221C against the biasing force of the spring 241 due to the contact force from the opening member 250. This causes the valve body 242 to open the atmosphere communication passage 221K. In other words, the opening member 250 switches the valve body 242 from a closed state to an open state. The opening member 250 is the remaining part of the switching mechanism.

[0076] [Cap 260] 4 and 5, the cap 260 is disposed at approximately the same front-to-rear position as the head 200, and has a generally rectangular box shape when viewed from above. The upper end of the cap 260 is open upward and is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0077] The cap 260 is supported by a frame 302 extending in all directions via a lifting mechanism 261. The lifting mechanism 261 moves the cap 260 up and down between a capping position P31 and an uncapped position P32 by power generated by a cap lifting motor 274 (hereinafter also referred to as the "lifting motor 274", see FIG. 7) under the control of a controller 270. The capping position P31 is a position where the upper end of the cap 260 abuts against the lower surface 201 of the head 200, which is at the capped position P21. At the capping position P31, the cap 260 covers each nozzle 203 formed on the lower surface 201. The uncapped position P32 is a position below the capping position P31, where the upper end of the cap 260 is separated from the lower surface 201 of the head 200.

[0078] A plurality of through holes 263 are formed in the bottom 262 of the cap 260 (see FIG. 5). Note that only one through hole 263 is shown in FIG. 5. One end of a tube 264 is connected to each through hole 263 so that fluid can flow therethrough. The other end of the tube 264 is connected to a pump (not shown). The pump is driven by the controller 270 when the cap 260 is at the cap position P31. As a result, foreign matter and ink inside the head 200 are sucked in and discharged into the cap 260. The foreign matter and ink inside the cap 260 are sent to a waste ink tank (not shown) through the tube 264.

[0079] [Controller 270] 7, the controller 270 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and ASIC, which are connected by an internal bus. The ROM stores programs for controlling various operations of the printer 100. The CPU executes the programs using the RAM and EEPROM.

[0080] The ASIC is electrically connected to each of the motors 271 to 274. The ASIC generates and outputs control signals V21, V22, V23, and V24 for rotating the feed motor 271, the transport motor 272, the carriage motor 273, and the lift motor 274, respectively. The ASIC is electrically connected to the cover sensor 430, the liquid level sensor 216, the registration sensor 151, the linear encoder 193, and the sheet sensor 205, and receives signals V11, V12, V13, V15, and V16, respectively. The ASIC further transmits display image data indicating various information (hereinafter, "display data") to the UI 500, and receives an execution instruction C11 from the UI 500.

[0081] The controller 270 has a total consumption counter stored in an EEPROM or the like. The total consumption counter is used to calculate the amount of ink consumed in the reservoir 220. The calculation by the total consumption counter starts immediately after the ink filling process. In the following, the count value indicated by the total consumption counter will be referred to as count value J.

[0082] [Image recording process by controller 270] When the printer 100 is in standby mode, the head 200, cap 260, and valve unit 240 are in the state shown in FIG. 8 . That is, the head 200 is waiting at its home position. In this embodiment, the home position is the capped position P21. The capped position P21 is also the origin of the movement of the head 200 in the left-right direction 9. However, this is not limiting. The home position may be, for example, a position between the platen 180 and the cap 260 in the left-right direction 9, or a position to the right of the cap 260. The cap 260 stops at the capping position P31 and covers each nozzle 203 of the head 200. The valve element 242 receives a contact force from the opening member 250 and opens the atmosphere communication passage 221K. The lid 230 closes the injection port 224A.

[0083] When the printer 100 is in standby mode or during image recording processing, the controller 270 receives a print job and stores it in RAM or the like. The sender of the print job is a personal computer or smartphone that can communicate with the printer 100. The print job is an instruction to execute image recording processing, and includes at least image data and condition information. The image data is data that indicates the image that is the target of the image recording processing. The image data may indicate only an image to be recorded on one sheet M, or may indicate multiple images to be recorded on multiple sheets M. The condition information indicates the conditions of the image recording processing (size of the sheet M, margin size, and resolution).

[0084] The controller 270 selects one print job stored in the RAM, and starts the execution of the image recording process (the process in FIG. 9) based on the selected print job.

[0085] 9, the controller 270 generates drive signals from the image data and stores them in RAM. The drive signals are signals for driving each piezoelectric element of the head 200, and are generated for all passes required to record each image indicated by the image data.

[0086] In S102, the controller 270 executes an ink amount accumulation process. In the accumulation process, the controller 270 estimates the amount of ink consumed when each piezoelectric element of the head 200 is driven by the drive signal generated in S101 (hereinafter also referred to as the "estimated consumption amount"). The controller 270 further adds the estimated consumption amount to the count value J of the total consumption amount counter.

[0087] In S103, the controller 270 determines whether the current count value J exceeds the volume threshold. The volume threshold is a predetermined amount of ink that can be stored in the ink storage chamber 220B between the lower index 223L and the upper index 223U. If the controller 270 determines that the current count value J exceeds the volume threshold, it executes S117. If the controller 270 determines that the current count value J does not exceed the volume threshold, it executes S104.

[0088] In S104, the controller 270 determines whether the empty flag stored in the RAM or EEPROM is off. The empty flag is set to off after the ink filling process (see S117 and subsequent steps) is executed. The empty flag may also be set to on during the remaining amount confirmation process (see S115). If the empty flag is off, the controller 270 executes S105, and if the empty flag is on, the controller 270 executes S117.

[0089] In S105, the controller 270 executes a separation process for the cap 260. Specifically, the controller 270 determines whether or not the cap 260 is at the cap position P31 (see FIG. 4). If it is determined that the cap 260 is at the cap position P31, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V24 to the lift motor 274, causing the lift mechanism 261 to lower the cap 260 to the uncap position P32 (see FIG. 5). If it is determined that the cap 260 is at the uncap position P32, the controller 270 ends the separation process without moving the cap 260.

[0090] In S105, the controller 270 further moves the head 200 in the left-right direction 9 toward the flushing position P22 for the flushing process. Specifically, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V23 to the carriage motor 273 to cause the transport mechanism 210 to transport the carriage 190 in the left-right direction 9. While the head 200 is moving, the controller 270 determines the current position of the head 200 based on the position signal V15 from the linear encoder 193. The controller 270 continues to move the head 200 in the left-right direction 9 toward the flushing position P22 until the current position coincides with the flushing position P22. After stopping the head 200 at the flushing position P22, the controller 270 performs the flushing process on the ink receiver 194. Thereafter, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V23 to the carriage motor 273 to perform a movement process to move the head 200 from the flushing position P22 to the home position (i.e., the capped position P21). During this time, the controller 270 periodically determines the current position of the head 200, and when the current position coincides with the capped position P21, it stops outputting the control signal V23 and ends the processing of S105.

[0091] In S106, the controller 270 selects, from the drive signals in the RAM, a drive signal for one pass to be used in the ink ejection process in S110.

[0092] In S107, the controller 270 executes a cueing process and transports the sheet M in the supply tray 110 to the cueing position. The cueing position is a position directly below the sheet sensor 205 in the straight portion P2. In detail, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V21 to the feed motor 271 to transport the sheet M in the curved portion P1 by the feed roller 133. While the control signal V21 is being output, the controller 270 periodically acquires the registration signal V13 and stops outputting the control signal V21 in response to a change in the level of the registration signal V13. The sheet M is temporarily stopped at the conveyance roller pair 160.

[0093] In the cueing process, the controller 270 further stops outputting the control signal V21, and then outputs a control signal V22 to the conveyance motor 272 to cause the conveyance roller pair 160 to convey the sheet M from the conveyance roller pair 160 to the cueing position on the straight section P2. While the control signal V22 is being output, the controller 270 periodically acquires the sheet signal V16, and stops outputting the control signal V22 in response to a change in the level of the sheet signal V16. As a result, the sheet M is supported on the support surface 181, and the leading edge of the sheet M stops at the cueing position.

[0094] In S108, the controller 270 determines the ink discharge area R11 (see FIG. 8) based on the size and margin size of the sheet M included in the condition information of the print job. The ink discharge area R11 is the area onto which ink is discharged on the sheet M on the support surface 181, and is the area obtained by excluding the margin size from each side of the sheet M.

[0095] In S109, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V23 to the carriage motor 273 to transport the head 200 from the capped position P21 to directly above the ejection start position within the ink ejection region R11. The ejection start position is the initial position of the head 200 when recording an image for one pass on the sheet M on the support surface 181.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 8, before S109 is executed, that is, when the head 200 is at the capped position P21, the valve element 242 opens the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K due to the contact force from the opening member 250. In S109 of Fig. 9, while the head 200 moves from the capped position P21 to above the ink ejection region R11, the valve element 242 moves away from the opening member 250 and closes the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K due to the biasing force of the spring 241 (see Fig. 5). S109 is an example of a closing process in which the valve element 242 is closed by the switching mechanism (the transport mechanism 210 and the opening member 250).

[0097] In S109, the controller 270 also starts counting time using an internal timer in response to the start of output of the control signal V23 (ie, the start of movement of the head 200 from the capped position P21).

[0098] In S110, the controller 270 executes a transport process (hereinafter also referred to as a "scanning process") in the scanning direction (i.e., left-right direction 9) of the head 200, and an ink ejection process. In detail, in the scanning process, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V23 to the carriage motor 273, and causes the transport mechanism 210 to transport the head 200 by one pass in one of the scanning directions (i.e., right or left) in the ink ejection region R11.

[0099] The ink ejection process is executed while the control signal V23 is being output in the scanning process. More specifically, while the head 200 is moving directly above the ink ejection region R11, the controller 270 applies the drive signal selected in S106 or S114 to the piezoelectric element in the head 200. This drives the piezoelectric element, causing ink to be ejected from the multiple nozzles 203 of the head 200. As a result, an image for one pass in the scanning direction is recorded on the sheet M.

[0100] When the controller 270 has finished outputting the drive signal for one pass, it stops outputting the control signal V23 and ends S110.

[0101] In S111, the controller 270 determines whether the elapsed time measured by the timer has reached a time threshold. The time threshold is a value determined through experiments or the like during the design stage of the printer 100. The time threshold is set to a time shorter than the time determined by the designer through experiments or the like that the negative pressure in the internal space 220A will cause the nozzle meniscus to break. If the elapsed time has not reached the time threshold, the controller 270 executes S113, and if the elapsed time has reached the time threshold, the controller 270 executes S112.

[0102] In S112, the controller 270 executes a first release process, moving the head 200 back and forth in the scanning direction between the current position and the capped position P21. Specifically, the controller 270 acquires a position signal V15 from the linear encoder 193, derives the current position of the head 200 (an example of a first position) based on the position signal V15, and stores the current position in RAM or the like as a restart position for the ink ejection process. The current position is located on the ink ejection region R11 and is farther from the cap 260 than the capped position P21. Subsequently, in the same manner as in S105, the controller 270 moves the head 200 to the right toward the capped position P21, and then moves it to the left to return to the restart position. During this process, when the head 200 reaches the capped position P21 (an example of a second position), the valve element 242 receives a contact force from the release member 250 and opens the atmosphere communication passage 221K. In S112, the controller 270 also initializes a timer and starts timing.

[0103] In S113, the controller 270 determines whether or not one image has been recorded on one sheet M. If the controller 270 determines that recording has not ended, it executes S114, and if it determines that recording has ended, it executes S115.

[0104] In S114, the controller 270 selects a drive signal for the next pass. The controller 270 further outputs a control signal V22 to the conveying motor 272 to cause the conveying roller pair 160 to convey the sheet M in the conveying direction 4 (i.e., forward) by a distance in the conveying direction 4 for one pass, and then stops the rotation of the conveying roller pair 160. Thereafter, the controller 270 executes S110.

[0105] In S115, the controller 270 executes the discharge process for the printed matter M, and outputs a control signal V22 to the conveyance motor 272 to cause the conveyance roller pair 160 and the discharge roller pair 170 to discharge the printed matter M from the discharge port 370 onto the discharge tray 120.

[0106] In S115, the controller 270 further executes a remaining amount confirmation process, and if it determines from the level of the liquid volume signal V12 that the ink level is above the lower indicator 223L, it sets the empty flag to OFF. If it determines from the level of the liquid volume signal V12 that the ink level is equal to or lower than the lower indicator 223L, the controller 270 determines that the amount of ink in the reservoir 220 has reached the injection threshold, and sets the empty flag to ON.

[0107] In S116, the controller 270 determines whether or not all images indicated by the image data have been recorded on the sheet M. If the controller 270 determines that recording has not ended, it executes S104, and if it determines that recording has ended, it ends the image recording process of FIG.

[0108] [Ink injection process (S117 to S120)] In FIG. 9, the controller 270 executes the ink injection process in steps S117 to S120.

[0109] In S117, the controller 270 executes a display process for a guidance image 510 (see FIG. 10(A)). In detail, the controller 270 transmits first display data to the UI 500. The UI 500 displays the guidance image 510 in accordance with the first display data. In FIG. 10(A), the guidance image 510 includes a first operation button 501, a second operation button 502, and a message object 503. The first operation button 501 is operated by the user when ink injection is about to begin. The second operation button 502 is operated by the user when ink injection is complete. The message object 503 indicates, by means of text or graphics, that ink injection into the ink storage chamber 220B is required and the ink injection procedure. Note that FIG. 10(A) does not show the specific ink injection procedure.

[0110] Prior to ink filling, the user operates the first operation button 501 in accordance with the ink filling procedure. In S118, the controller 270 receives an execution instruction C11 transmitted from the UI 500 in response to the operation of the first operation button 501.

[0111] In S119, the controller 270 executes a second opening process in response to receiving a user operation of the first operation button 501. The second opening process is a process for opening the valve body 242 using the switching mechanism. The image recording process does not necessarily start when the head 200 is at the capped position P21. Therefore, in S119, the controller 270 positions the head 200 at the capped position P21, as shown in FIG. 8, by a process similar to S105. When the head 200 is at the capped position P21, the valve body 242 abuts against the opening member 250. As a result, the valve body 242 moves away from the right wall 221C against the biasing force of the spring 241. This causes the valve body 242 to open the atmosphere communication passage 221K.

[0112] In S119, the controller 270 further executes a capping process. In detail, the controller 270 outputs a control signal V24 to the lift motor 274, and causes the lift mechanism 261 to move the cap 260 upward from the uncapped position P32 to the capped position P31. As a result, the cap 260 covers each of the nozzles 203 formed on the lower surface 201 of the head 200. As a result, the cap 260 supports the head 200 from below.

[0113] The user operates the first operation button 501 according to the ink filling procedure (see FIG. 10(A)), and then opens the cover 400 and the lid 230 in that order. At this time, the user can easily open the lid 230 because the reservoir 220 is supported by the cap 260 via the head 200. By opening the lid 230, the filler port 224A is exposed to the outside of the printer 100. The user inserts a bottle (not shown) for storing ink into the filler port 224A. The user then fills the ink in the bottle into the ink reservoir chamber 220B until the ink level reaches the upper indicator 223U. The user then closes the lid 230 and the cover 400 in that order, and then operates the second operation button 502.

[0114] In S120, the controller 270 periodically acquires the cover signal V11 after stopping the output of the control signal V23 in S119. When the cover 400 transitions from the open state to the closed state due to a level change in the cover signal V11 and when operation of the second operation button 502 is accepted, the controller 270 initializes the count value J to zero. In S120, the controller 270 also turns off the empty flag. After S120 is completed, S105 in FIG. 9 is executed.

[0115] [Effects of the embodiment] In the printer 100, a so-called jam may occur during the ink ejection process of the controller 270 (i.e., S110 in FIG. 9), and the sheet M may become stuck at the straight portion P2 during transport. When this occurs, if the sheet M comes into contact with the nozzles 203 of the head 200, ink inside the head 200 may leak and soak into the sheet M. However, according to the printer 100, even if ink leakage occurs, the valve body 242 closes the atmosphere communication passage 221K during the ink ejection process, and during that time the air chamber 220C does not communicate with the outside. As a result, the air pressure in the internal space 220A becomes lower than atmospheric pressure, so that excessive ink does not leak from inside the head 200. In other words, the expansion of the ink leakage can be suppressed.

[0116] In S110, when ink is ejected from the head 200, the air pressure in the internal space 220A drops. However, in the printer 100, a first opening process (S112 in FIG. 9) is executed after S110, and the valve body 242 opens the atmosphere communication passage 221K. This introduces air into the air chamber 220C, and the air pressure in the internal space 220A is alleviated. As a result, destruction of the nozzle meniscus (meniscus break) is prevented. Note that the atmosphere communication passage 221K opened in S112 is closed by the valve body 242 in S110 after S112.

[0117] Before ink is injected (i.e., between S117 and S120 in FIG. 9), the valve body 242 opens the atmosphere communication passage 221K, and until the second operation button 502 is operated, the ink storage chamber 220B is in communication with the outside of the storage part 220. Therefore, even if the lid 230 is deformed when it is closed after ink is injected, the air pressure in the internal space 220A does not increase, and the nozzle meniscus is unlikely to deform.

[0118] When ink is being injected, the storage unit 220 is supported by the cap 260 via the head 200, so it is less likely to shift position. This makes it easier for the user to inject ink into the ink storage chamber 220B. Also, when ink is being injected, the storage unit 220 is at the capped position P21, so ink leaking from the gap between the inlet 224A and the bottle is less likely to adhere to the platen 180.

[0119] 9, the controller 270 uses a total consumption counter to count the amount of ink ejected by the head 200. In S120, the controller 270 sets the count value J of the total consumption counter to an initial value of zero. This allows the count value J to accurately indicate the amount of ink ejected during the image recording process.

[0120] Since the atmosphere communication passage 221K and the valve body 242 are located above the injection port 224A, ink is less likely to leak from the atmosphere communication passage 221K.

[0121] The second release process (S119 in FIG. 9) is executed in response to receiving a user operation of the first operation button 501 via the UI 500. Therefore, after operating the first operation button 501, the user is more likely to inject ink into the ink reservoir 220. As a result, the initialization of the count value J and the turning off of the empty flag accurately indicate the state of the ink reservoir chamber 220B after ink is injected.

[0122] Here, it is conceivable that the user may do something other than injecting ink into the ink storage chamber 220 (for example, simply clearing a jam) after opening the cover 400. Therefore, if the second opening process is executed in response only to the opening and closing of the cover 400, it is conceivable that the initialization of the count value J or the turning off of the empty flag may not accurately indicate the state of the ink storage chamber 220B after ink is injected.

[0123] Furthermore, when the internal communication passage 220E is positioned above the upper index 223U, the space below the upper index 223U in the ink storage chamber 220B has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, so the rate at which the ink level rises during ink injection is unlikely to change significantly.

[0124] The atmosphere-communicating passage 221K is located in the right wall 221C, and the interior-communicating passage 220E is located in the air chamber 220C near the second left wall 221F. This allows air to flow smoothly from the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K through the air chamber 220C to the interior-communicating passage 220E when the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K is open. As a result, dust and other particles are less likely to accumulate in the corners of the air chamber 220C over time.

[0125] [Variations] Modifications of the above embodiment will now be described.

[0126] [Modification of storage section 220] In the embodiment, the printer 100 recorded a single-color image. However, this is not limiting, and the printer 100 may record an image expressed in multiple colors, such as a full-color image, on the sheet M. In this case, the internal space 220A of the storage unit 220 is partitioned by partitions or the like into ink storage chambers 220B for each color. The controller 270 executes the second opening process in S119, but may or may not execute the capping process. If the capping process is not executed, the cap 260 does not come into contact with the lower surface 201 of the head 200, and therefore, ink color mixing does not occur in the ink ejection process (S110) executed after S119.

[0127] In the embodiment, the interior communication passage 220E is located above the upper indicators 223U and 233U. However, this is not limiting, and as shown in FIG. 10(B), the lower end of the interior communication passage 220E may be located at the same position as the upper indicators 223U and 233U in the vertical direction 7.

[0128] This allows the user to visually check the ink level in ink storage chamber 220B through front wall 221G, upper indicator 223U, and inner communicating passage 220E, making it easier to align the ink level to be poured into ink storage chamber 220B with upper indicator 223U and the lower end of inner communicating passage 220E, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination in S103 of FIG.

[0129] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10(C), the lower end of the inner communication passage 220E may be positioned below the upper indicators 223U and 233U in the up-down direction 7.

[0130] [Modification of Timing of Execution of Second Opening Process] In the embodiment, as a preferred example, the second release process (S119 in FIG. 9) is executed in response to receiving a user operation of the first operation button 501 in S118. However, this is not limiting, and the controller 270 may execute the second release process in response to a predetermined ink injection condition being satisfied.

[0131] For example, the controller 270 may execute S119 with the injection condition being that the cover sensor 430 has detected that the tip of the cover 400 is not at the lower limit position P11. In particular, the controller 270 may execute S119 in response to recognizing in S118 that the tip of the cover 400 has moved away from the lower limit position P11 due to a level change (e.g., a change from high level to low level) of the cover signal V11.

[0132] Alternatively, the controller 270 may execute S119 on the condition that the ink level in the ink storage chamber 220B is detected by the liquid level sensor 216 to be equal to or lower than the lower indicator 223L.

[0133] [Modification of the switching mechanism] In the embodiment, the switching mechanism includes the conveying mechanism 210, the valve unit 240, and the opening member 250. However, the switching mechanism may be a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid and a valve element made of, for example, iron. When the controller 270 applies current to the solenoid, the valve element is attracted to the solenoid, thereby opening the atmosphere communication passage 221K. When the controller 270 does not apply current to the solenoid, the valve element moves away from the solenoid, thereby closing the atmosphere communication passage 221K.

[0134] [Modification of the execution timing of the first release process] In the embodiment, the first release process (i.e., S112 in FIG. 9) was executed between recording images for two consecutive passes (hereinafter also referred to as "between passes") after the elapsed time exceeded the time threshold. However, the first release process may be executed any time after or during each step from S104 to S116.

[0135] For example, the first release process may be performed every time one pass of image recording is completed before the next pass of image recording. Alternatively, the first release process may be performed every time a specific number of passes (two or more passes) of image recording is completed before the next pass of image recording. Here, the specific number of passes may be a fixed value or a variable value.

[0136] Alternatively, the first release process may be performed between recording images on each of two consecutive sheets M (hereinafter also referred to as "between sheets"). Here, every time image recording on one sheet M is completed, the first release process may be performed before image recording on the next sheet M. Alternatively, every time image recording on a specific number of sheets M (two or more sheets) is completed, the first release process may be performed before image recording on the next sheet M. Here, the specific number may be a fixed value or a variable value.

[0137] Alternatively, the first release process may be executed after all images indicated by the image data included in the print job have been recorded. In particular, when the printer 100 continuously executes image recording processes for each of a plurality of print jobs stored in RAM, the first release process may be executed between image recording processes (hereinafter also referred to as "between jobs"). Alternatively, the first release process may be executed every time image recording corresponding to a specific number of print jobs (two or more) is completed, before image recording corresponding to the next print job. Here, the specific number of jobs may be a fixed value or a variable value.

[0138] Furthermore, a rotary encoder may be attached to the drive roller 161 (see FIG. 2). The rotary encoder has an encoder disk and an encoder sensor, and outputs a pulse signal indicating the number of rotations of the drive roller 161 to the controller 270. The timing of executing the first release process may be determined by the controller 270 based on the pulse signal. In detail, the controller 270 derives the transport amount of each sheet M from the transport roller pair 160 in the transport direction 4 based on the pulse signal. The controller 270 may execute the first release process in response to the transport amount reaching a transport threshold value.

[0139] Furthermore, the controller 270 derives the current position of the head 200 in the scanning direction based on the position signal V15 of the linear encoder 193. The controller 270 may execute a first release process in response to the current position of the head 200 reaching a specific position.

[0140] Note that even when the switching mechanism is a solenoid valve, the first opening process may be performed between passes, between sheets, or between jobs. Furthermore, if the controller 270 can execute S111 and S112 in parallel with S110, the first opening process can also be executed during the ink ejection process (S110 in FIG. 9) as soon as the elapsed time reaches the time threshold in S111. In other words, the controller 270 moves the head 200 from the capped position P21 (another example of the first position) to a position above the ink ejection region R11 (another example of the second position) in S110, and opens the valve element 242 with the solenoid valve.

[0141] [Modification of the execution location of the first opening process and the second opening process] 5 and other figures, in this embodiment, the valve unit 240 is located at the upper right of the storage section 220 in a front view, and the opening member 250 protrudes leftward from the frame 301 located immediately to the right of the capped position P21. In the first opening process (S112 in FIG. 9) and the second opening process (S119), the controller 270 moves the head 200 to the capped position P21, and opens the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K with the valve element 242 at a position to the right of the platen 180, as shown in FIG.

[0142] However, the valve unit 240 may be located at the upper left of the storage section 220 in a front view, and the opening member 250 may protrude to the right from a frame (not shown) that is located further to the left of the ink receiver 194 and the platen 180 (see FIG. 3) with the cap 260 as a reference. In this case, in the first opening process and the second opening process, unlike the processes described in the embodiment, the controller 270 moves the head 200 from the current position (another example of the first position) toward the opening member 250 that is provided at a position (another example of the second position) that is farther from the cap 260 than the current position and to the left of the ink receiver 194 and the platen 180, and causes the valve body 242 to open the atmosphere communication passage 221K at the position to the left of the platen 180.

[0143] [Second Modification of Storage Section 220] In the storage unit 220 of the embodiment, the horizontal partition wall 222A separates the air chamber 220C and the ink storage chamber 220B from each other (see FIGS. 5 and 10). However, this is not limiting, and the storage unit 220 may not have the horizontal partition wall 222A, as shown in FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C). In this case, the air chamber 220C is a space surrounded by the right wall 221C, the second upper wall 221E, the second left wall 221F, the front wall 221G, and the rear wall 221H. Furthermore, the air communication passage 221K connects the ink storage chamber 220B to the outside of the storage unit 220 via the air space within the air chamber 220B and the air space within the air chamber 220C.

[0144] [Modification of the opening member 250] In the embodiment, the opening member 250 protrudes from the frame 301 (see FIG. 4, etc.). However, instead of this, the opening member 250 may extend from the valve body 242 through the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K to the outside of the outer wall 221, as shown in FIG. 12. In this case, the opening member 250 abuts against the frame 301 as the head 200 moves toward the capped position P21, thereby causing the valve body 242 to open the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K (see FIG. 12(A)). Furthermore, the opening member 250 moves away from the frame 301 as the head 200 moves away from the capped position P21, thereby causing the valve body 242 to open the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K (see FIG. 12(B)).

[0145] [Other variations] In the embodiment, the printer 100 is an example of a liquid ejection device. However, the liquid ejection device is not limited to the printer 100 and may be a multifunction device, a copier, or a fax machine. A multifunction device is a device that has multiple functions, including a printing function, a copying function, and a fax sending and receiving function.

[0146] In the embodiment, when the printer 100 is in a standby state, the head 200 waits at the capped position P21, and the valve body 242 receives a contact force from the opening member 250, opening the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K. However, this is not limited to this, and when the printer 100 is in a standby state, the head 200 may wait at a home position other than the capped position P21. This home position is, for example, a position between the platen 180 and the cap 260 in the left-right direction 9, or a position to the right of the cap 260. When the head 200 is in the home position, the valve body 242 closes the atmosphere-communicating passage 221K due to the biasing force of the spring 241.

[0147] In order to have the head 200 wait at the home position in the standby state, in response to a determination of Yes in S116 of Fig. 9, the controller 270 moves the head 200 to the home position and closes the atmosphere communication passage 221K with the valve body 242. This processing is another example of the closing processing.

[0148] In the embodiment, the printer 100 is equipped with a so-called serial type head 200. However, if the switching mechanism is an electromagnetic valve, the printer 100 may be equipped with a so-called line type head. In the line type, the head 200 is not transported in the scanning direction, but is positioned above the platen 180.

[0149] In the embodiment, printer 100 is an on-carriage type. However, this is not limiting, and printer 100 may be a so-called off-carriage type in which storage unit 220 is not mounted on carriage 190 but is arranged away from carriage 190. In the case of an off-carriage type, storage unit 220 generally does not move in left-right direction 9 within housing 300, and therefore the switching mechanism is preferably an electromagnetic valve.

[0150] In the embodiment, the storage unit 220 is an ink tank that is attached to the head 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the storage unit 220 may be an ink cartridge that is detachable from the head 200. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 100 Printer (liquid ejection device) 200 heads 220 Storage section 220A...Internal space 220B: Ink storage chamber (liquid storage chamber) 220C air chamber 220D Valve installation space 220E...Internal communication path 221K···Atmospheric communication passage 221L... Outlet 223U...Upper indicator (indicator) 224A...Inlet 230...lid 216···Liquid level sensor 240···Valve unit 241 Spring 242 Valve 250....Opening member 270···Controller 300... Enclosure 400···Cover 430···Cover sensor 500···User Interface 501···First operation button

Claims

1. a head that ejects liquid; a reservoir having a liquid reservoir chamber for storing a liquid, an inlet communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the outside, and an atmosphere communication passage communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the outside; a liquid flow path that connects the head and the liquid storage chamber so that liquid can flow therethrough; a lid for opening and closing the injection port; a valve that opens and closes the atmosphere communication passage; a switching mechanism for switching the open / closed state of the valve; a carriage that supports the storage unit and the head and is movable in a scanning direction; a cap for covering the head at a cap position; A platen, a controller; and The above controller is performing a closing process of closing the valve by the switching mechanism; After the closing process, a discharge process is performed to discharge liquid from the head. before the liquid is injected through the injection port, a second opening process is performed in which the carriage is moved from a first position to a second position that is farther from the cap than the first position, thereby opening the valve using the switching mechanism; The platen is a liquid ejection device that faces the head during the ejection process.

2. A head that ejects liquid; a reservoir having a liquid reservoir chamber for storing a liquid, an inlet communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the outside, and an atmosphere communication passage communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the outside; a liquid flow path that connects the head and the liquid storage chamber so that liquid can flow therethrough; a lid for opening and closing the injection port; a valve that opens and closes the atmosphere communication passage; a switching mechanism for switching the open / closed state of the valve; a housing that houses the storage unit therein; a cover supported by the housing and movable between a first position exposing the storage portion to the outside and a second position not exposing the storage portion to the outside; a cover sensor that detects the position of the cover; a controller; and The above controller is performing a closing process of closing the valve by the switching mechanism; After the closing process, a discharge process is performed to discharge liquid from the head. A liquid ejection device that performs a second opening process to open the valve using the switching mechanism on the condition that the cover sensor detects that the cover is not in the second position before liquid is injected from the injection port.

3. A head that ejects liquid; a reservoir having a liquid reservoir chamber for storing a liquid, an inlet communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the outside, and an atmosphere communication passage communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the outside; a liquid flow path that connects the head and the liquid storage chamber so that liquid can flow therethrough; a lid for opening and closing the injection port; a valve that opens and closes the atmosphere communication passage; a switching mechanism for switching the open / closed state of the valve; A user interface; a controller; and The above controller is performing a closing process of closing the valve by the switching mechanism; After the closing process, a discharge process is performed to discharge liquid from the head. A liquid ejection device that performs a second opening process to open the valve using the switching mechanism, on the condition that a user operation indicating that liquid is to be injected into the storage section is received through the user interface before liquid is injected from the injection port.

4. A carriage that supports the storage section and the head and is movable in the scanning direction; a platen that faces the head during the ejection process; a cap that covers the head in a cap position, The liquid ejection device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the controller opens the valve using the switching mechanism by moving the carriage from a first position to a second position that is closer to the cap than the first position before liquid is injected from the injection port.

5. A carriage that supports the storage section and the head and is movable in the scanning direction; a platen that faces the head during the ejection process; a cap that covers the head in a cap position, The liquid ejection device described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the controller opens the valve using the switching mechanism by moving the carriage from a first position to a second position that is farther from the cap than the first position before liquid is injected from the injection port.

6. The controller Counting the count value, which is the amount of liquid ejected by the head, 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the count value is set to an initial value after the liquid is injected.

7. A liquid ejection device described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the atmosphere communication passage and the valve are located above the injection port.

8. Further comprising a liquid volume sensor that detects when the liquid volume in the liquid storage chamber reaches a liquid injection threshold, 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs the second opening process on the condition that the liquid volume sensor detects that the liquid volume has reached the injection threshold value.

9. A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller performs the blocking process of closing the valve using the switching mechanism after the liquid has been injected.

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