JP2001301197A - Joint apparatus and ink jet recording apparatus having joint apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To supply ink to an ink tank with a simple configuration and reliably with a small power, and to reduce the size and weight of a recording apparatus and improve the reliability. SOLUTION: An ink tank which can take ink inside from an ink intake port, and a joint device which is connected to the ink intake port and enables connection / separation of an ink supply means for taking ink from a replenishment tank to the inside of the ink tank. , Comprising a supply pipe provided with an ink supply port, sealing means formed of an elastic member for opening and closing the ink supply port, deformation means for deforming the sealing means, and urging means for urging the deformation means .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a joint device,
And an ink jet recording apparatus having a joint device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus has a so-called serial scan in which a recording head as a recording means and an ink tank as an ink container are interchangeably mounted on a carriage movable in a main scanning direction. There is a method. In this recording method, an image is sequentially recorded on a recording medium by repeating main scanning of a carriage on which a recording head and an ink tank are mounted and sub-scanning of the recording medium.

In such a recording method, an image can be recorded on a large-sized recording medium such as an A1 or A0 size by increasing a moving width of a carriage. However, in order to print an image using a large amount of ink on a large screen, the ink storage capacity of the ink tank must be increased, and accordingly, the entire carriage becomes heavier. The inertia force of the vehicle also increases. In order to move the carriage at a high speed against the inertial force, it is necessary to provide a high-power drive motor with a large drive power as a drive motor for the carriage, which causes a problem of increasing the price of the entire printing apparatus. there were. Also, with the increase in the weight of the entire carriage, when the carriage is reversed at the turn-back position of the reciprocating main scanning, the force for setting the acceleration of the carriage to "0" against the inertial force also increases, and the force of the force is increased. There is a problem that the entire recording apparatus vibrates greatly due to the reaction force. Therefore, it has been difficult to increase the moving speed of the carriage.

On the other hand, if the amount of ink stored in the ink tank is reduced in order to reduce the weight of the carriage, the ink tank must be replaced more frequently, and the ink tank must be replaced during the printing operation. I will.

As one of the solutions to the problem relating to the replacement of the ink tank, the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-24698 has been proposed. In the related art, a closed-type ink bag type ink container is connected to a recording head, and if necessary, an auxiliary ink container is connected to the ink container. The ink is supplied to the ink container. The bias bag type ink container has a bag for storing ink, and stores the ink in the bag under a negative pressure enough to suppress the leakage of the ink from the ink discharge port of the recording head.
By using the negative pressure, ink is supplied from the auxiliary ink container to the bias bag type ink container.

[0006] The bag in the biased bag type ink container is crushed and its volume is reduced according to the amount of ink discharged from the recording head, that is, according to the amount of ink used. When the volume of the bag decreases to a predetermined amount or less, the plug of the supply port provided in the bias bag type ink container is opened, and the supply port and the auxiliary ink container are connected. As a result, ink is supplied from the auxiliary ink container into the bag by the negative pressure in the bag of the biased bag type ink container. Then, when the ink storage amount in the bag reaches the maximum, the negative pressure in the bag becomes “0”, and the supply of ink is automatically stopped. Therefore, according to this conventional technique, replenishment of ink can be automatically stopped using negative pressure without requiring control using a pressure sensor, a capacity detection sensor, or the like.

[0007] The upper limit of the negative pressure in the biased bag type ink container is determined by a balance with the ink ejection force when the recording head ejects ink. This is because, if the negative pressure is too large, the ink discharge force of the recording head decreases due to the negative pressure, and ink cannot be discharged. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the negative pressure within the range of the best ink ejection condition in the print head. Further, the head position of the ink in the auxiliary ink container needs to be set lower than the head position of the ink in the bias bag type ink container. If these head differences are too large, it will not be possible to supply ink even if the negative pressure in the mutated bag type ink container is determined according to the ink discharge conditions of the recording head.

Therefore, in this prior art, a special device is provided to set the vertical height position of the auxiliary ink container with respect to the bias bag type ink container. However, the provision of such an apparatus causes a problem that the size of the recording apparatus main body and the cost are increased. Further, when a situation occurs in which air enters the ink flow path from a part of the ink flow path connecting the auxiliary ink container and the bias bag type ink container at the time of refilling the ink, the air is discharged. Move into the bag of the bias bag type ink container,
The ink storage amount of the bias bag type ink container is greatly reduced. Further, when the amount of air infiltration is large, there is a problem that the inside of the bag in the biased bag type ink container is filled with air, and it becomes impossible to supply ink again. In addition, the biased bag type ink container is configured using movable parts such as an elastic bag member forming a bag and a spring member for expanding the bag member. However, there is also a problem that the structure is complicated, the weight is increased, and the manufacturing cost is increased.

On the other hand, at the joint connecting the ink intake port provided in the ink container and the auxiliary ink container, it is necessary to increase the sealing force of the joint in order to prevent the ink from leaking from the auxiliary ink tank. There is. Therefore, there is a problem that a large power is required for opening and closing the supply port of the joint.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple power supply joint device for supplying ink to an ink tank while maintaining a small power supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide a joint device which can be reliably implemented by using the joint device and can reduce the size and weight of the recording device and improve the reliability thereof, and an ink jet recording device using the joint device.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a joint device comprising: an ink tank capable of taking ink from an ink inlet; and an ink tank connected to the ink inlet, the ink being supplied from a replenishing tank into the ink tank. In a joint device that enables connection and separation of the ink supply means to be put in, a supply pipe provided with an ink supply port, sealing means which opens and closes the ink supply port and is made of an elastic member, deformation means for deforming the sealing means, Urging means for urging the deforming means.

Further, the joint device of the present invention is characterized in that the deforming means operates so as to slide the supply pipe after releasing the deformation of the sealing means at the time of connection.

Further, the joint device of the present invention is characterized in that a suction cup-shaped portion which is sufficiently deformed is additionally formed in the sealing means, and the deformation means operates through deformation of the suction cup-shaped portion.

Furthermore, the joint device of the present invention
An uneven portion is provided in the vicinity of the ink inlet, and when the suction cup-shaped portion is deformed, the suction cup-shaped portion is deformed so as to rub against the uneven portion.

The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is connected to an ink tank capable of taking ink from an ink inlet and an ink supply means connected to the ink inlet to take ink from a replenishing tank into the ink tank. And an ink jet recording apparatus having a joint device capable of separating the ink supply port, a supply pipe provided with an ink supply port, sealing means comprising an elastic member for opening and closing the ink supply port, deformation means for deforming the sealing means, Urging means for urging the deforming means.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the deforming means operates so as to slide the supply pipe after releasing the deformation of the sealing means at the time of connection.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a suction cup-shaped portion which is sufficiently deformed is additionally formed in the sealing means, and the deformation means operates through the deformation of the suction cup-shaped part.

Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, an uneven portion is provided in the vicinity of the ink inlet, and when the sucker-shaped portion is deformed, the sucker-shaped portion is deformed so as to rub against the uneven portion. Features.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, an ink tank capable of taking ink from an ink inlet and a negative pressure introduced into the ink tank from a suction port of the ink tank cause the ink tank to move from the replenishing tank to the ink tank. In an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink supply means capable of taking in ink, the suction port has a gas-liquid separation means for passing a gas without passing the ink.

[0020] The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the gas-liquid separating means is selected from ethylene tetrafluoride resin or a similar porous resin material which allows gas to pass without passing through a liquid.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 are explanatory views of an entire ink jet recording apparatus using a joint device according to the present invention. This is an application example as a serial scan method that moves in a direction.

In FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, as shown, feeds a recording medium S, a recording apparatus 2 that performs a recording operation, and replenishes ink. Ink replenishing unit 3 and cap unit 3
0 (see FIG. 6) and the like. Hereinafter, the configurations of the feeding unit 1, the recording unit 2, and the ink replenishing unit 3 will be described separately.

A [Configuration of Feeding Unit 1] As shown in the figure, the feeding unit 1 includes a cover 4 provided on the outside of the apparatus main body and an installation table 5 on which a plurality of recording media S are stacked. And The recording medium S is inserted from an insertion port 4a provided in the cover 4, and is discharged from a discharge port 4b. A mounting table 8, a feeding roller 9, and a guide member 11 are provided inside the side plate 6 provided in the cover 4. The mounting table 8 constitutes means for mounting the recording medium S, and is urged by a spring 7 toward the upper feed roller 9. The feeding roller 9 constitutes feeding means, and comes into contact with the uppermost one of the plurality of recording media S on the mounting table 8. Further, the guide member 11 guides one recording medium S separated by the separation unit 10 in the direction of the recording device unit 2.

B [Configuration of the Recording Device 2] The recording device 2 includes a photosensor 12 for detecting a recording medium S passing downstream of the guide member 11, and a recording medium S fed thereto. A set 13 of conveying rollers 13a and 13b for conveying at a constant speed, and a non-recording medium S after image recording.
Roller set 14 for unloading the paper, guide members 15, 1
6 has a carriage 19 which is movably guided in the main scanning direction (the width direction of the recording medium S) indicated by arrows 28 and 35 in FIG. The carriage 19 includes the pulley 1
It is moved in the main scanning direction by the driving force transmitted from the carriage motor 70 via the belt 18 stretched between 7 and 17. Reference numeral 20 denotes a stored ink tank that is exchangeably mounted on the carriage 19. Reference numeral 20a denotes a recording head as an image forming unit, which discharges ink in the storage ink tank 20 to the recording medium S based on image information. In the case of this example, the storage ink tank 20 and the recording head 20a constitute an ink jet cartridge integrally connected. These ink tanks 20
The recording head 20a and the recording head 20a may be separately configured and detachably coupled to each other, or may be separately mounted on the carriage 19.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stored ink tank 20 of this embodiment has an ink tank 20Y for yellow ink and an ink tank 2 for magenta ink for each color of ink to be stored.
0M, an ink tank 20C for cyan ink, and an ink tank 20B for black ink.
Each ink tank 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20
B has an ink inlet 20b for taking ink.
Is provided. The ink inlet 20b is formed by a flexible valve member such as rubber.

Reference numeral 48 denotes the ink tanks 20Y, 20M, 2
A gas permeable member provided at each of the suction ports 0C and 20B, and has a function as a gas-liquid separation unit that allows gas to pass without passing ink. This gas permeable member 48
Is a thin sheet formed of, for example, a tetrafluoroethylene resin or a resin porous material similar thereto. Ink tanks 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20B
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the air is discharged from the common air passages 50, 51, 52 to the general suction port 53 through the respective gas permeable members 48 and the air passages 49. As will be described later, the air in the ink tanks 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20B flows from the cap member 54 that is in close contact with the surface 53a where the general suction port 53 opens, through the vent pipe 57.
Is sucked out by the suction pump 31.

The recording head 20a is composed of a plurality of head portions independent for each ink color, and each of the head portions has a corresponding ink tank 20Y, 20M, 20C, 2C.
A liquid chamber section 43 communicating with the flow path 41 of the OB and a plurality of ink discharge nozzles 44 are provided. The nozzle 44 forms a communication path communicating with the ink discharge port, and is provided with discharge energy generating means for generating energy for discharging ink from the ink discharge port.

C [Configuration of Ink Replenishment Unit 3] The ink replenishment unit 3 has an ink supply unit 21 that is connected to a replenishment ink tank 22 via a tube 21a that forms an ink supply path. The ink supply means 21 is connected to the ink inlet 20 of the storage ink tank 20.
b, the ink in the refill ink tank 22 is refilled into the stored ink tank 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the replenishment ink tank 22 of this embodiment includes an ink tank 22Y for yellow ink and an ink tank 2 for magenta ink for each color of ink to be stored.
2M, an ink tank 22C for cyan ink, and an ink tank 22B for black ink.
Each of the ink tanks 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22
B denotes ink supply means 21Y, 21M, 21C, 2C corresponding to each ink color via a corresponding tube 21a.
1B.

The ink supply means 21 is provided on a movable table 27 as shown in FIG. The movable table 27 is movable in the left-right direction in FIG. 2 while being guided by the guide members 25 and 26. The carriage 19 moves in the direction of arrow 28,
The side surface 20B-1 of the stored ink tank 20B is
Of the movable table 27
Moves in the direction of the arrow 28 integrally with the carriage 19 against the force of the spring 29.

The carriage 19 moves in the direction of arrow 28 to rotate in the direction of arrow 37 about the guide member 16 as a rotation axis as shown in FIG. By the rotation of the carriage 19, the ink supply means 21 and the ink inlet 20b of the stored ink tank 20 are connected. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide roller pair 19b for supporting the carriage 19 with respect to the guide member 15 is attached to the carriage 19.
When the carriage 19 moves in the direction of the arrow 28, the side surface 20 </ b> B- 1 of the stored ink tank 20 </ b> B
7a, the movable table 27 starts to move in the direction of the arrow 28 together with the carriage 19, and then the guide roller pair 19b moves from the inclined portion 15a of the guide member 15 to the horizontal portion 1a.
Move to 5b. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the carriage 19 rotates in the direction of the arrow 37 about the guide member 13 as a rotation axis, and the ink supply means 21 and the ink inlet 20b of the storage ink tank 20 are connected.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the ink supply means 21.
As shown in FIG. 5, a hollow needle 21c having a closed end is provided, and an ink supply port 21b such as a fine hole penetrating in the left-right direction in FIG. 5 is formed at the end of the hollow needle 21c. . The hollow needle 21c is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the hollow needle 21c.
A piston-like plug member 21e that can move in the vertical direction in FIG. The plug member 21e is formed of a flexible material such as rubber, and is urged downward by a spring 21d.

As shown in FIG. 4, before the ink supply means 21 is connected to the ink inlet 20b of the storage ink tank 20, the fine holes 21b of the hollow needle 21c are covered and closed by the plug member 21e. Therefore, at this time,
Ink is not leaked from the hollow needle 21c. At this time, the ink inlet 20b of the ink tank 20, which is formed by a flexible valve member such as rubber, is closed by the restoring force of the valve member as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is connected to the ink inlet 20b of the storage ink tank 20, the upper surface of the ink inlet 20b and the plug member 2
1c is in close contact with the lower surface. Further, the plug member 21e retracts upward against the force of the spring 21b, and the fine hole 21b of the hollow needle 21c is opened in the inside 20c of the ink intake port 20b. As a result, the ink flowing out of the pores 21b is
The ink is absorbed by the sponge-like ink absorber 41 in the storage ink tank 20 via the flow paths 38, 39, and 40.

D [Configuration of Cap Device Unit 30] The cap device unit 30 is in close contact with the recording head 20a,
This sucks out air and thickened ink accumulated in the liquid chamber 43 and the nozzles 44, that is, foreign matters that cause ink ejection failure. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 30a denotes a recording head 2
A cap member that covers a surface on which the ink ejection port 0a is formed (ink ejection port formation surface). Reference numeral 54 denotes a cap member that is in close contact with the surface 53a where the general suction port 53 opens. These cap members 30 a and 54 are held by the frame body 45. The frame 45 has four link arm members 46.
It is supported so that it can move up and down. 47 is the frame 4
5 is a spring that urges 5 upward. Cap member 30a,
The conduits 30b, 55 are connected to each of the 54. The conduits 30b and 55 are connected to a pump suction path switching mechanism 56.

D-1 [Pump Suction Path Switching Mechanism 56] At one end of the frame 45, a protrusion 45a located on the movement locus of a bank 19a provided at a fixed position of the carriage 19 is provided.
Is provided. At the moving position of the carriage 19, when the bank portion 19a hits the protrusion 45a, FIG.
As described above, the frame body 45 is pressed down against the spring 47, and the ink discharge port formation surface of the recording head 20a and the formation surface 53a of the general suction port 53 are connected to the cap member 38.
a, 45 pass over them without touching them. On the other hand, when the bank portion 19a is separated from the protrusion 45a, the frame 45 is raised by the spring 47 as shown in FIG. 6, the cap member 38a comes into close contact with the ink discharge port forming surface, and the cap member 54 is integrated. The formation surface 53a of the suction port 53 is in close contact.

The switching mechanism 56 to which the conduits 30b and 55 are connected has a rotary valve 59 made of rubber or the like as shown in FIG. The rotary valve 59 selectively connects the conduits 30b and 55 to the pump suction port 31a of the suction pump 31 via the conduction path 59a in accordance with the 90-degree rotation position. The rotary valve 59 is fixed to the rotary shaft 56a in FIG. A saw tooth gear 56b is fixed to the rotating shaft 56a, and a base end of an arm member 56c is rotatably supported on the rotating shaft 56a. A ratchet tooth 56d that meshes with the saw gear 56b in only one direction is rotatably supported by the arm member 56c. 56e is a spring for urging the arm member 56c clockwise in FIG. 3, and 56f is a one-tooth gear 56b.
Two position indicating members provided with an angle difference of 80 degrees. Reference numerals 57 and 58 denote position detectors for detecting the position indicating member 56f, which are provided at fixed positions with an angle difference of 90 degrees. As the position detectors 57 and 58,
A micro switch, a photo sensor, or the like is used.

The tip of the arm member 56c is connected to a hole 34b of the switching lever 34 (FIG. 2) via a connecting shaft 36. The base end of the switching lever 34 is rotatably supported about a shaft 34a. When the carriage 19 further moves in the direction of the arrow 35 after the carriage 19 moves in the direction of the arrow 35 and comes into contact with the tip of the switching lever 34, the switching lever 34 is moved in the direction of the arrow 35 in FIG. Rotate in the direction. Arrow 3 of this switching lever 34
In conjunction with the rotation in the five directions, the arm member 46c rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 3 against the spring 56e. At this time, since the ratchet teeth 56d mesh with the saw-tooth gear 56d, the saw-tooth gear 56d is rotated by the rotary shaft 56a and the rotary valve 59.
Is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. Thereafter, when the carriage 19 separates from the tip of the switching lever 34 in the direction of arrow 28, the switching lever 3 is moved by the force of the spring 56e.
The 4 and the arm member 46c rotate clockwise and return to their original positions. At this time, since the ratchet teeth 56d do not mesh with the saw-tooth gear 56d, the saw-tooth gear 56d is not rotated.

As described above, every time the switching lever 34 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 35 by the carriage 19, the rotary valve 5
9 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the pump suction path is switched. The switching state of the pump suction path is detected by the position detectors 57 and 58. FIG. 6 shows a switching state when the position detector 57 detects the position indicating member 56f. At this time, the total suction port 53 is
4. Conduit 55, conduit 59a, and pump suction port 31
a to the pump 31. FIG. 8 shows a switching state when the position detector 58 detects the position indicating member 56f. At this time, the ink ejection ports of the recording head 20a are
It communicates with the pump 31 through the cap member 38a, the conduit 30b, the conduction path 59a, and the pump suction port 31a. The control means 25 (see FIG. 1), which will be described later, detects the switching state of the pump suction passage from the detection signals of the detection signals of the position detectors 57 and 58, and responds to the operation to be executed from now on. If the switching status does not match,
The carriage 19 is moved in the direction of the arrow 35, and the switching lever 34 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 34. As a result, the pump suction path is switched to meet the operation purpose.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 24 denotes an electric board disposed inside the cover 4, which is provided with a plurality of switch buttons 23 projecting upward from holes in the cover 4. 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a control unit, which is configured by mounting a microcomputer, a memory, and the like on a control electric board 24 disposed inside the cover 4. The control unit 25 controls the recording apparatus while communicating with the host computer.

D-2 [Suction Pump 31] As shown in FIG. 6, the suction pump 31 includes a piston member 31e reciprocating via a seal member 31d in a cylinder member 31c having a suction port 31a and a discharge port 31b. It is movably provided. The fine hole 31f provided in the piston member 31e is provided with a reed valve 31g for restricting the flow of the fluid to only one left direction in FIG. 31h is
The piston shaft 31i for driving the piston member 31e is
It is a spring member for urging the piston member 31e rightward in FIG. The ink and air sucked by such a suction pump 31 pass through a discharge pipe 31j from a discharge port 31b, and flow into a sponge-like ink absorber 33a in a waste liquid container 33.
It is discharged toward.

The piston shaft 31h is connected to a cam gear 3 described later.
Following the rotation of the second cam portion 32a, it reciprocates in the left-right direction in FIG. As the piston member 31e reciprocates right and left together with the piston shaft 31h, ink or air is sucked from the suction port 31a and is discharged to the discharge port 31b.
Discharged from

As shown in FIG. 4, a gear 56 is mounted on a shaft 13a of the transport roller 13 via a one-way clutch 13b. The gear 56 is rotated by a drive motor 60. The rotation of the drive motor 60 in the counterclockwise direction rotates the shaft 13a of the transport roller 13, and the clockwise rotation of the drive motor 60 causes the cam gear 32 to rotate.
Is rotated. The cam portion 32a of the cam gear 32 is in contact with a piston shaft 31h by the force of a spring 31i. The cam portion 32a changes the contact position with the piston shaft 31h in accordance with the rotation of the cam gear 32. The piston shaft 31h is moved right and left. The piston member 31e is
It reciprocates left and right with this piston shaft 31h. When the piston member 31e moves to the left, the left pressure chamber 3
Valve 31g is closed by the pressure generated within 1k,
The ink and air in the pressure chamber 31k are discharged from the discharge port 31b into the waste liquid container 33. At this time, the volume of the right pressure chamber 31m increases, and a negative pressure is generated in the pressure chamber 31m. The ink or air is sucked from the suction port 31a by the negative pressure. On the other hand, the piston member 31
When e moves to the right, ink and air in the right pressure chamber 31m move into the left pressure chamber 31k through the fine holes 31f. Next, the operation will be described.

[Recording Operation] In the recording operation, first,
The host computer expands the image data sent to the recording device unit 2. The control unit 25 moves the carriage 19 in the main scanning direction based on the image data,
14 controls the conveyance of the recording medium S in the sub-scanning direction and the recording head 20a. The recording head 20a records a color image on the recording medium S by ejecting ink droplets of each color from the nozzles 44 that are controlled based on the gradation processing of the image (how to overlap the color dots).

When the photo sensor 12 detects the trailing end of the recording medium S, the discharge roller pair 14 discharges the recorded recording medium S from the discharge port 4b after the recording on the rear end is completed.

[Recovery Operation] When the printing apparatus is powered on and the printing operation is interrupted for a predetermined time or longer after the power is turned on, the control means 25 removes the thickened ink and bubbles generated in the nozzles of the printing head 20a. Automatically start a recovery operation to perform the recovery operation. Further, when color unevenness or fading of the color appears in the recorded image, the control means 25 similarly starts the recovery operation by pressing the operation button (see FIG. 1).

At the time of the recovery operation, the control means 25 first confirms whether or not the position detector 58 in the suction path switching mechanism 56 is detecting the position indicating member 56a. When the position indicator 56a is detected by the position detector 57, the carriage 19 is moved to the left arrow 3
By moving the switching lever 34 in five directions, the switching lever 34 is rotated in the direction of arrow 35. Thus, the position detector 58 detects the position indicating member 56a, that is, the suction path switching state as shown in FIG. After confirming that the position detector 58 is detecting the position indicating member 56a, the control means 25 makes contact between the recording head 20a and the cap member 38a as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. The carriage 19 is moved so as to make contact with the overall suction port 54 and the cap member 54. After that, the control means 25
By rotating the motor 60 (see FIG. 4) clockwise, the cam gear 32 is rotated via the gear 59.
As a result, the suction pump 31 sucks the thickened ink and air in the nozzles 44 of the recording head 20a and discharges them into the waste liquid container 33.

The piston member 31e of the suction pump 31
One rotation of the cam gear 32 performs one cycle of suction and discharge operation. The number of revolutions of the cam gear 32 is determined according to the magnitude of the negative pressure necessary for recovering from the ejection failure of the recording head 20a.

[Ink Supply Operation] The control means 25 counts the number of ink droplets ejected from the recording head 20a for each ink color. When at least one of the count values for each ink color reaches a predetermined number, the recording on the recording medium S during the recording operation is completed and the recorded recording medium S is discharged. , The control means 25 moves the refill ink tank 22 (see FIG.
The operation of refilling ink to 0 is started.

At the time of ink supply operation, the control means 25
First, the position detector 5 in the suction path switching mechanism 56
It is confirmed whether or not 7 is in a state of detecting the position indicating member 56a. When the position indicating member 56a is detected by the position detector 58, the carriage 19 is moved in the direction of the left arrow 35, and the switching lever 34 is moved to the arrow 35.
Rotate in the direction. Thus, the position detector 57 detects the position indicating member 56a, that is, the suction path switching state as shown in FIG. The control means 25 includes the position detector 5
After confirming that the recording head 20 is detecting the position indicating member 56a, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the recording head 20a comes into contact with the cap member 38a, and The carriage 19 is moved so that the cap member 54 comes into contact with the cap member 54. After that, the control means 25
By rotating the motor 60 (see FIG. 4) clockwise, the cam gear 32 is rotated via the gear 59.
As a result, the suction pump 31
The air inside is sucked through the gas permeable member 48, and the air is discharged into the waste liquid container 33.

The stored ink tank 2 by the suction pump 31
0, the stored ink tank 20
Inside is negative pressure. At this time, the supply means 21 stores the replenishment ink tank 22 in the storage ink tank 20 as shown in FIG.
(See FIG. 1). Therefore, the ink in the refill ink tank 22 is sucked into the inside 41 of the storage ink tank 20 by the negative pressure in the storage ink tank 20. The ink that has flowed into the interior 41 of the storage ink tank 20 penetrates into the ink absorber 41a, which is made up of clusters of communicating small cells, and the ink level 41b rises as the permeation progresses. Since the rising speed of the ink surface 41b depends on the suction force of the suction pump 31, it is set to an appropriate speed according to the rotation amount of the cam gear 32. When the liquid surface 41b of the ink reaches the gas permeable member 48, the gas permeable member 48 does not allow liquid such as ink to pass therethrough.
Ink supply stops automatically.

The stored ink tanks 20 for each ink (20
Y, 20M, 20C, and 20B) are supplied with ink from the corresponding refill ink tanks 22 (22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B) at the same time. And the ink surface 41
The stored ink tank 20 where b has reached the gas permeable member 48
(20Y, 20M, 20C, 20B), the replenishment of the ink stops automatically and sequentially.

As described above, the plurality of stored ink tanks 20
The air in (20Y, 20M, 20C, 20B) can be sucked through one cap member 54, and ink can be simultaneously supplied to those stored ink tanks 20 (20Y, 20M, 20C, 20B). Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the suction port 53 and the cap member 54 for each of the stored ink tanks 20 (20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20B), and it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the components of the cap device unit 30 on the carriage 19 side. it can. In addition, it is possible to ensure high reliability of the device for negative pressure inside the storage ink tank 20 (20Y, 20M, 20C, 20B).

When the ink is supplied, the stored ink tank 20 is tilted as shown in FIG.
1b results. When the stored ink tank 20 returns to a horizontal state as shown in FIG.
The liquid surface 41b in FIG. 7, which has covered the surface of the gas permeable member 48, moves downward from the surface of the base member 48, as shown in FIG. As a characteristic of the gas permeable member 48, if the function of the gas permeable member 48 deteriorates when the ink is constantly in contact with the ink, there is a possibility that the gas permeable member 48 will pass through the ink except during the ink supply operation. It is effective to separate the ink from the surface.

Incidentally, the suction pump 31 in the present embodiment functions as a suction means for sucking ink for the recovery operation of the recording head 20a, and sucks the air in the stored ink tank 20 for the ink supply operation. It also has a function as a suction means. Therefore, compared with a case where a plurality of suction pumps are provided for these functions, it is possible to greatly simplify the configuration and reduce the cost of the entire apparatus. Further, the negative pressure applied to the storage ink tank 20 during the ink replenishment operation is such that the ink in the nozzle 44 is stored in the storage ink tank 20 when the ink discharge port is in the open state.
Set to a size that will not be pulled inside. At the time of ink supply operation, the ink ejection port may be sealed with a cap member.

If air enters from a part of the ink flow path between the storage ink tank 20 and the replenishment ink tank 22, the air is transmitted to the gas permeable member 4.
The ink can be discharged through the nozzle 8 and supplied again. Further, since the ink is suction-supplied by the negative pressure in the storage ink tank 20, the ink can be supplied even if the ink head difference between the storage ink tank 20 and the replenishment ink tank 22 exists.

Incidentally, when the ink is sucked and supplied without using the gas permeable member 48, when air enters the storage ink tank 20 from the nozzle 44 or the like, the ink is supplied from the nozzle 44 again after the ink supply operation. To discharge the air that has entered and form a meniscus of the ink at the ink discharge port. Therefore, it takes extra time and waste ink is generated. During the ink supply operation, the nozzle 44
Even if is sealed by a cap, if a space exists in the cap, the air in the space enters the stored ink tank 20 from the nozzle 44, and the same problem occurs.

FIGS. 9 to 12 are views for explaining the forms of the stored ink tank 20 and the ink supply means 21 in the present invention.

In the case of this example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a total suction port 53 and an ink intake port 20b are formed on the side surface of the stored ink tank 20. A groove on the upper surface of the main body of the storage ink tank 20 and the cover member 100 coupled to the upper surface of the main body form an air discharge path between each of the ink tanks 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20B and the general suction port 53. Have been.
Each ink tank 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20
B is provided with a gas permeable member 48 as in the above-described embodiment. The storage tank 20 is engaged with a recording head 20a similar to the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example in which the ink tank 20B for black ink has a larger capacity than the other ink tanks 20Y, 20M and 20C. In this configuration example, the gas permeable member 48 provided in the ink tank 20B is set to be larger than the others, and the ink tank 2 is passed through the relatively large gas permeable member 48.
The supply of black ink is promoted by smoothly sucking the air in 0B.

In FIG. 10, 101Y, 101M, 1
01C and 101B are the ink tanks 20Y and 20M, 2
These supply joints are connectable to the respective ink intake ports 20b of the ink supply ports 20C and 20B, and are connected to the tube 21a in the same manner as the supply means 21Y, 21M, 21C and 21B of the above-described embodiment. Reference numeral 102 denotes a suction joint that can be connected to the general suction port 53, and is connected to the conduit 55 similarly to the cap member 54 of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows the storage ink tank 20 on the carriage 109 side and the joint 101 (10
1Y, 101M, 101C, 101B), and 102. FIG. The ink inlet 20b and the general suction port 53 are connected to the corresponding joints 101 and 102 by moving the carriage 19 in the direction of the arrow 28. In FIG. 12, supply joint 1
The structure of the ink supply system between the ink tank 01 and the refill ink tank 22 and the structure of the suction system between the suction joint 102 and the suction pump 31 are shown in a simplified manner. 103 is a filter provided in the flow path 42.

FIGS. 13 to 17 are explanatory diagrams of the ink supply operation.

When replenishing the ink, first, the carriage 19 moves in the direction of the arrow 28 so that
As shown, the ink intake port 20b and the general suction port 53
Connected to the corresponding joints 101,102. Thereafter, by the suction operation of the suction pump 31, the air in the stored ink tank 20 is sucked through the gas permeable member 48,
The inside of the storage ink tank 20 becomes negative pressure. Due to the negative pressure in the storage ink tank 20, the ink in the refill ink tank 22 is sucked into the inside 41 of the storage ink tank 20, as shown in FIGS. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, when the liquid surface 41b of the ink in the storage ink tank 20 reaches the gas permeable member 48, the gas permeable member 48 does not allow the passage of liquid such as ink, so that the ink is replenished. Stop automatically. Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
9 in the direction of the arrow 35, the ink inlet 20
b and the total suction port 53 are
02 to complete a series of replenishment operations.

FIGS. 18 to 22 are views for explaining the configuration of the joint device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The joint device according to the present invention is a joint device for enabling an ink supply path from the replenishment ink tank 22 to the storage ink tank 20 to be connected and separated, and comprises an ink supply means 21. When the ink supply means 21 is closed and connected to an ink intake port 20b provided in the storage ink tank 20, the ink supply port 21b is opened to communicate with the ink supply path so that ink can be supplied. I have. When the ink supply unit 21 is separated, the ink supply means 21
1b is closed so that the ink from the supply ink tank 22 does not leak out and does not dry.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the joint device of the present invention, the ink supply means 21 includes a hollow needle 21.
c, the joint 101, the ring 160, and the spring 16
And 1.

The hollow needle 21c is formed of a hollow member extending integrally or separately from the replenishing ink tank 22, and has an ink supply port 21b formed on the outer peripheral side surface near the tip and a tip formed at the tip. A stopper 21f is provided for preventing the joint 101, which is a sealing means, from coming off. The joint 101 is made of a highly elastic material such as rubber, and is formed on the connection surface 20e side of the storage ink tank 20 and can be connected to a sucker-shaped portion 101a which is extremely deformable and formed on the opposite side. And a relatively thick cylindrical portion 101b. The joint 101 can be fitted to the extent that the joint 101 is slidably fastened to the hollow needle 21c.

The ring 160 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section so as to cover the cylindrical portion 101b of the joint 101, and forms a contact portion 160b that contacts the suction cup-shaped portion 101a of the joint 101. Further, the spring 161 has a coil shape, and the ring 16
0 side is energized. Of course, the spring 161 is not limited to a coil shape, and any other similar suitable shape or configuration spring can be used.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are views for explaining the operation of the joint device of the present invention.
The operation from the state in which 1 is separated to the state in which they are connected will be described.

FIG. 19 is a view when the ink supply means 21 is separated from the ink inlet 20 b of the storage ink tank 20. The joint 101 is in contact with the contact portion 160 b of the ring 160 urged by the spring 161. Hollow needle 21c
, And is compressed so as to tighten the hollow needle 21c. Thus, the hollow needle 21
c, the ink supply port 21b is closed by the joint 101 and the hollow needle 21c is closed.
There is no leakage or drying of the ink inside. At this time, the suction cup-shaped portion 101a of the joint 101 is not in contact with the contact portion 160a of the ring 160.

FIG. 20 is a diagram when the ink inlet 20 b of the storage ink tank 20 has started to be connected to the ink supply means 21. First, when the stored ink tank 20 moves in the connection direction (rightward in the drawing), the vicinity of the outer peripheral side of the suction cup-shaped portion 101a of the joint 101 becomes the stored ink tank 2
It starts to contact the uneven portion 20f on the 0 connection surface 20e. Next, the suction cup-shaped part 101a is deformed and comes into contact with the contact part 160a of the ring 160. Further, the ring 160
It starts to move against the bias of the spring 161. At this time,
The cylindrical portion 101b of the joint 101 and the ring 160
Is released, and the compression of the joint 101 is released, so that the tightening of the joint 101 and the hollow needle 21c is also released, and the joint 101 slides on the hollow needle 21c and is lightened toward the right in the figure. It can be moved by the action of a load, that is, a force. Therefore, the hollow needle 21c
Is inserted into the ink intake port 20b of the storage ink tank 20, and the ink supply port 21b is opened.

FIG. 21 shows the above state, that is, the ink inlet 20b of the storage ink tank 20 is
It is a figure at the time of connecting. At this time, when a negative pressure is applied from the suction port 53 into the storage ink tank 20, ink is supplied from the ink supply means 21 to the storage ink tank 20 (arrow in the figure).

When the joint 101 of the ink supply means 21 is separated from the state where the joint 101 is connected to the stored ink tank 20, the above operation is reversed. Also in this case, since the joint 101 is not compressed, it is easy to slide along the hollow needle 21c, and the biasing force of the spring 161 may be small. The storage ink tank 20 is a joint 101
When separated from the hollow needle 21, the joint 101
c is stopped by the stopper 21f, and compressed again by the ring 160, so that the ink supply port 21b
Can be reliably sealed, and leakage and drying of the ink can be prevented.

The connection surface 20 of the storage ink tank 20
When the rib-shaped uneven portion 20f is provided on the e, the suction cup-shaped portion 10 during the connection and separation operation as shown in FIG.
1a is A → B → as shown in FIG.
Since it is deformed as C and is rubbed by the concave and convex portions 24f, it is possible to clean off by removing dirt or ink attached to the contact surface 101c and to prevent the joint 101 from leaking due to the attached matter. In this case, the shape of the contact portion is preferably a concavo-convex shape. Alternatively, the shape may be a projection or a groove having a mountain shape or a valley shape.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 23 and 24 are explanatory views of a joint device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, almost the same as in the first embodiment, the joint device of the second embodiment of the present invention comprises an ink supply means 21 '.
In the present example, such an ink supply means 21 ′ includes a hollow needle 21 c, a joint 101 ′, a ring 160 ′, and a spring 1 ′.
61, the shapes of the joint 101 'and the ring 160' are slightly different from those of the first embodiment, but the hollow needle 21c and the spring 161 are almost the same.

First, the joint 101 'is made of a very elastic material such as rubber and has a simple cylindrical shape. The joint 101 'is fitted to the extent that the joint 101' is slidably fastened to the hollow needle 21c. Also, the ring 16
0 ′ has a cup shape having a substantially L-shaped cross section so as to cover the joint 101 ′, and includes a contact portion 160′a that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the joint 101 ′, and a joint 10 ′.
A contact portion 160'b that contacts the side surface 101'b of 1 'is formed. Further, the spring 161 has a coil shape and urges the side surface of the ring 160 'along the hollow needle 21c. Of course, the spring 161 is not limited to a coil shape, but may use a leaf spring, a disc spring, or a spring having another similar function.

Next, the operation from the state where the joint 101 'is separated to the state where it is connected will be described.

FIG. 23 is a diagram when the ink supply means 21 ′ is separated from the ink inlet 20 b of the stored ink tank 20. The joint 101 ′ has a spring 161.
160'b of ring 160 'biased by
And the stopper 21f of the hollow needle 21c.
The hollow needle 21c is compressed so as to be tightened. At this time, the radial length of the joint 101 'is elongated, but is restricted by the abutting portion 160'a of the ring 160', thereby tightening the hollow needle 21c. Therefore, the ink supply port 21b of the hollow needle 21c is sealed, and the ink in the hollow needle 21c does not leak or dry.

Here, since the stored ink tank 20 is connected to the ink supply means 21 ', the stored ink tank 20
Moves in the connection direction (rightward in the figure), first, the contact portion 160'a of the ring 160 '
First, it comes into contact with the 0 connection surface 20e. Then ring 1
When the 60 ′ starts moving along the hollow needle 21c against the bias of the spring 161, the joint 101 ′ and the contact portion 160′b of the ring 160 ′ separate from each other, and the joint 1
Since the compression of the joint 101 ′ is released, the tightening of the joint 101 ′ and the hollow needle 21c is also released.
Can slide on the hollow needle 21c to the right side of the drawing by the action of a light load, that is, a force. Thereafter, in a state where the connection surface 20e of the storage ink tank 20 is in close contact with the joint 101 ′, the joint 10
By moving 1 ', the ink supply port 21b is opened.

FIG. 24 shows the above state, that is, the state where the ink inlet 20b of the stored ink tank 20 is
It is a diagram at the time of connection with 1 '. At this time, the suction port 5
When a negative pressure is applied to the storage ink tank 20 from 3, ink is supplied from the ink supply means 21 ′ to the storage ink tank 20 (arrow in the figure).

The joint 101 ′ is the storage ink tank 2
When the state is separated from the state of being connected to the 0 ink inlet 20b, the operation is the reverse of the above operation. Also in this case, since the joint 101 'is not compressed, it is easy to slide, and the biasing force of the spring 161 may be small. Also,
When the stored ink tank 20 is separated from the joint 101 ', the joint 101'
And then the stopper 2 of the hollow needle 21c
Since the movement is stopped at 1f and compressed again by the ring 160 ', the ink supply port 21b can be securely sealed, and the leakage and drying of the ink can be reliably prevented.

(Others) It should be noted that, in the present invention, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, or the like) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection, particularly in an ink jet recording system, is provided. The present invention provides an excellent effect in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which a change in the state of ink is caused by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of US Pat. No. 740,796. This method can be applied to any of the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the electrothermal transducer to generate heat energy, and This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the liquid, and as a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding one-to-one to this drive signal can be formed. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. In addition, U.S. Pat.
If the conditions described in the specification are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angle liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes a configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region. It is. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body and the ink from the apparatus main body are attached by being mounted on the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, for example, and for a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or below and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

(Other Embodiments) In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader, etc. A facsimile apparatus having a function may be used.

As described above, the present invention utilizes the function of the gas permeable member to automatically stop the suction and replenishment of ink, opens and closes the ink supply port, and provides sealing means comprising an elastic member; Since the deforming means for deforming the means and the urging means for urging the deforming means are provided, the joint device for supplying ink to the ink tank can be reliably implemented with a small power while having a simple configuration. It is possible to reduce the size and weight of the recording device and improve the reliability.

Before the ink is replenished into the ink tank, the ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head connected to the ink tank, thereby forming a meniscus of the ink at the ink discharge port of the recording head. Subsequent ink replenishment can be reliably performed.

[0096]

According to the joint device according to the first aspect of the present invention, an ink tank capable of taking ink inside from an ink inlet, and a refill tank connected to the ink inlet from the refill tank to the inside of the ink tank. In a joint device that allows connection and separation of ink supply means for taking in ink, a supply pipe provided with an ink supply port, sealing means comprising an elastic member that opens and closes the ink supply port,
Since it has a deforming means for deforming the sealing means and an urging means for urging the deforming means, a joint device for supplying ink to the ink tank can be manufactured in a simple structure, and a small power Thus, the recording apparatus can be reliably implemented, and the size and weight of the recording apparatus can be reduced and the reliability can be improved.

[0097] In the joint device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the deforming means operates to release the deformation of the sealing means at the time of connection and then slides the supply pipe, so that the contact pipe has It is possible to scrape off and remove attached matter such as dust and ink adhered to the surface, thereby preventing the joint from leaking due to the attached matter.

[0098] In the joint device according to the third aspect of the present invention, a suction cup-shaped part which is sufficiently deformed is additionally formed in the sealing means, and the deformation means operates through the deformation of the suction cup-shaped part. The supply port is securely sealed, so that leakage and drying of the ink can be prevented.

In the joint device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an uneven portion is provided near the ink inlet, and when the suction cup-shaped portion is deformed, the suction cup-shaped portion is deformed so as to rub against the uneven portion. Garbage on the contact surface,
The ink and the like are scraped off and cleaned, and the leakage of the joint due to the adhered matter can be prevented, so that the ink can be surely prevented from leaking.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink tank capable of taking ink from an ink inlet; an ink tank connected to the ink inlet to supply ink from the replenishing tank into the ink tank; In an ink jet recording apparatus having a joint device that enables connection and separation of an ink supply means to be taken in, a supply pipe provided with an ink supply port, sealing means comprising an elastic member for opening and closing the ink supply port, and Since it has the deforming means for deforming and the urging means for urging the deforming means, the joint device for supplying the ink to the ink tank can be manufactured in a simple configuration, and can be reliably implemented with small power while having a simple configuration. This makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of the recording apparatus and improve the reliability.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the deforming means operates so as to slide the supply pipe after releasing the deformation of the sealing means at the time of connection. Adhered matter such as dust and ink adhering to the top can be scraped off and cleaned to prevent the joint from leaking due to the attached matter.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a sufficiently deformable sucker-shaped part is additionally formed in the sealing means, and the deforming means operates through the deformation of the sucker-shaped part. Close the ink supply port securely,
Ink leakage and drying can be prevented.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is provided with an uneven portion near the ink inlet.
When the suction cup-shaped part is deformed, the suction cup-shaped part is deformed so as to rub against the concave-convex part. To prevent the ink from leaking.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: an ink tank capable of taking ink from an ink inlet; and a negative pressure introduced into the ink tank from a suction port of the ink tank. In an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink supply means capable of taking ink from a tank into an ink tank, the suction port has gas-liquid separation means for passing a gas without passing the ink, so that the gas air is separated from the ink. Thus, only air can be discharged from the ink tank to supply ink.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the gas-liquid separation means is selected from ethylene tetrafluoride resin or a similar porous resin material which allows gas to pass without passing through a liquid. It can be suitably manufactured using an inexpensive material.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a storage ink tank part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the stored ink tank of FIG. 3;

5 is a cross-sectional view of the stored ink tank of FIG. 3 when tilted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an air suction system when ink is supplied to the stored ink tank of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the storage ink tank of FIG. 3 when ink is supplied.

8 is a partially cut-away sectional view of the air suction system at the time of suction recovery of the recording head of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the stored ink tank.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the stored ink tank of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining a modification of the stored ink tank of FIG. 9;

12 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink supply system connected to the stored ink tank of FIG.

13 is an explanatory diagram of a connection state between the stored ink tank and the ink supply system in FIG.

14 is an explanatory diagram of a state in the middle of ink supply by the ink supply system of FIG. 12;

15 is an explanatory diagram of a state in the middle of ink supply by the ink supply system of FIG. 12;

16 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which ink supply by the ink supply system in FIG. 12 is stopped.

17 is an explanatory diagram of the operation after the ink supply by the ink supply system in FIG. 12 is completed.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

19 is an explanatory diagram of the joint of FIG. 18 when the stored ink tank and the ink supply unit are separated.

20 is an explanatory diagram of the joint of FIG. 18 when the connection between the stored ink tank and the ink supply unit is started.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of the joint of FIG. 18 when the stored ink tank and the ink supply unit are connected.

FIG. 22 is an operation diagram of a stored ink tank and ink supply means in the joint of FIG.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the joint according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the stored ink tank and the ink supply unit are separated.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the joint of the second embodiment of the present invention when the storage ink tank and the ink supply unit are connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 feeder unit 2 recording device unit 3 ink replenishing device unit 19 carriage 20 stored ink tank 20a recording head 20b ink intake port 21 ink supply means 22 replenishment ink tank 30 cap device unit 44 nozzle 48 gas permeable member 53 general suction port 101 Joint 101 'Joint 160 Ring 160' Ring 161 Spring

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoji Ara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hideo Fukazawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masaya Uezuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Noriyasu Asagi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72 ) Inventor Hirotake Hayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Inoue 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Okamoto Hideaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuji Nezu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. F-term (reference) 2C056 EA23 EB08 EB49 EC64 FA10 HA36 JA06 JA13 JC07 JC13 JC20 KB19 KC09 KC11 KC13 KC21 3H014 BA00 3J106 AB01 BA0 3 BC03 BC12 BD06 BE12 BE13 BE29 BE31 CA01 DA24 GA01 GA04 GA23 GB01 GB03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An ink tank which can take ink inside from an ink intake port, and an ink supply means which is connected to the ink intake port and takes ink from a replenishment tank into the ink tank can be connected and separated. In the joint device, a supply pipe provided with an ink supply port, a sealing unit that opens and closes the ink supply port and is made of an elastic member, a deformation unit that deforms the sealing unit, and a biasing unit that biases the deformation unit A joint device comprising: 2. The joint device according to claim 1, wherein the deforming means operates so as to slide the supply pipe after releasing the deformation of the sealing means at the time of connection. 3. The joint device according to claim 1, wherein a suction cup-shaped portion which is sufficiently deformed is additionally formed in the sealing means, and the deformation means operates through deformation of the suction cup-shaped portion. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein an uneven portion is provided in the vicinity of the ink inlet, and when the suction cup-shaped portion is deformed, the suction cup-shaped portion is deformed so as to rub against the uneven portion. Joint device. 5. An ink tank which can take ink inside from an ink intake port, and an ink supply means which is connected to the ink intake port and takes ink from the replenishment tank into the ink tank can be connected and separated. An ink jet recording apparatus having a joint device, comprising: a supply pipe provided with an ink supply port; a sealing means which opens and closes the ink supply port and is made of an elastic member; a deforming means for deforming the sealing means; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the deforming means operates so as to slide the supply pipe after releasing the deformation of the sealing means at the time of connection. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a suction cup-shaped portion which is sufficiently deformed is additionally formed in the sealing means, and the deformation means operates through deformation of the suction cup-shaped part. . 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein an uneven portion is provided in the vicinity of the ink intake port, and when the suction cup-shaped portion is deformed, the suction cup-shaped portion is deformed so as to rub against the uneven portion. Ink jet recording device. 9. An ink tank capable of taking ink into an ink tank through an ink inlet, and an ink tank capable of taking ink from a replenishing tank into the ink tank by a negative pressure introduced into the ink tank through a suction port of the ink tank. An ink jet recording apparatus having a supply unit, wherein the suction port has a gas-liquid separation unit that allows gas to pass without passing ink. 10. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said gas-liquid separating means is selected from a tetrafluoroethylene resin or a similar porous resin material that allows gas to pass therethrough without passing through a liquid.