JPH1110902A - Recording apparatus and ink storage method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A recording device and an ink storage method thereof are provided.
Prevent ink flocculation and sedimentation. SOLUTION: A main tank 121 and a main tank 1 are provided.
A sub-tank 131 for temporarily storing the ink in the main tank 121 while supplying the ink in the main unit 121 to the recording means, and a pump 161 for supplying the ink in the main tank 121 to the sub-tank 131;
Recording is performed using ink from the sub tank 131. The circulation path through which the ink is circulated by the pump 161 at a predetermined timing includes a sub tank 131, a drain pipe 141,
Main tank 121, suction tube 171, pump 16
1. Ink tube 151 is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and an ink storing method thereof, and more particularly to a recording apparatus having two ink tanks and an ink storing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording system is a system in which an image is formed by discharging a single color ink or a plurality of color inks corresponding to color recording onto a recording material (paper, cloth, OHP paper, etc.). . An ink jet recording apparatus employing this method includes a carriage on which a recording head and an ink tank are mounted, a transport section for transporting a recording material, and a control section for controlling these.

In such an ink jet recording apparatus, ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejection ports while serially scanning a recording head in a direction (main scanning direction) substantially orthogonal to a recording material conveyance direction (sub scanning direction). On the other hand, at the time of recording, the recording material is intermittently conveyed by an amount equal to the recording radiation, thereby sequentially recording on the non-recording material. This recording method is widely used as an easy and inexpensive recording method because recording is performed by directly discharging ink onto a recording material in accordance with a recording signal.

[0004] By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional ink jet recording apparatus, as described above, the ink tank is provided as a cartridge beside the recording head on the carriage, and when the ink runs out, the ink tank is replaced with a new cartridge. The type of ink replenishment (cartridge replacement system) is the most common and widely known.

[0005] However, the ink jet recording apparatus is used for printing and printing.
When used for industrial purposes such as printing, the consumption of ink is very large because the printing duty is extremely high, and the work is complicated if ink replenishment is performed using the above-described cartridge replacement method. Further, since the operation of the apparatus must be stopped while the cartridge is replaced, the operation efficiency is low. On the other hand, it is conceivable to increase the cartridge capacity, but in order to increase the size of the cartridge, it is necessary to increase the size of the carriage itself. As a result, it is necessary to secure a space corresponding to the increased size and weight of the carriage. In addition, the size of the carriage driving unit and the complexity of the control unit are increased, resulting in an increase in the size of the apparatus and an increase in manufacturing cost.

Therefore, an ink jet recording apparatus adopting a system in which a liquid chamber having a large capacity is provided outside the apparatus, and a tube or a pipe is piped from the liquid chamber to the recording head, whereby the liquid is supplied from the liquid chamber to the recording head. Was published and became publicly known. In this scheme,
Since it is possible to supply ink to the liquid chamber without stopping the operation of the apparatus, it is possible to overcome the problems of the cartridge system and the like.

In performing ink-jet printing by such an ink-jet recording apparatus, cloth to be dyed includes natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, nylon, rayon, and the like.
Synthetic fibers such as polyester, blended products of these children,
Wide variety. Accordingly, there are a wide variety of dyes for dyeing these fines. For example, water-insoluble or hardly soluble dyes suitable for each recording material, such as disperse dyes for polyester textiles, metal complex dyes for wool, vat dyes or pigments for cotton, etc. Required.

In order to prepare a water-based ink suitable for a recording material from these water-insoluble or hardly water-soluble dyes,
The dye source may be finely divided, dispersed in water with a dispersant, and emulsified.

However, when these aqueous inks are used, there is a problem that the dye in the ink agglomerates and sediments over time, causing a change in the recording density due to a change in the dye density and causing clogging in the ink path. Had become.

To solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-57 / 1986
No. 342 proposes to provide an ink stirring function.

[0011]

However, in the above-described conventional ink jet recording apparatus, the above-described water-insoluble
There was a problem that it was insufficient to make full use of various water-based inks having poor solubility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which does not cause various aqueous inks to coagulate and settle, and a method of storing the ink.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a first ink tank and ink in the first ink tank are supplied to recording means. A second ink tank for temporarily storing the ink in the middle of the printing, and a printing apparatus for performing printing by the printing unit using the ink from the second ink tank,
A configuration is provided in which a stirring means for stirring the ink in the first ink tank at a predetermined timing is provided.

In the apparatus according to the present invention, the predetermined timing may be a timing at which a desired recording can be performed by the recording means without the ink being aggregated or settled. .

Further, the apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention has a configuration further comprising setting means for variably setting the timing.

Further, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the first ink tank and the second ink tank for temporarily storing the ink in the first ink tank during the supply to the recording means.
And ink supply means for supplying the ink in the first ink tank to the second ink tank, and recording by the recording means using the ink from the second ink tank. And a circulating path including the first ink tank, the feeding means, and the second ink tank, wherein the ink is circulated at a predetermined timing by the feeding means. And

Further, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the predetermined timing is a timing at which a desired recording can be performed by the recording means without the ink being aggregated or settled. .

In the apparatus according to the present invention, the timing may be arbitrarily variably set.

In order to achieve the above object, in the method according to the present invention, the first ink tank and the ink in the first ink tank are temporarily stored while being supplied to the recording means. A second ink tank.
An ink storage method of a recording apparatus that performs recording by the recording unit using the ink from the ink tank,
The ink in the first ink tank is stirred at a predetermined timing.

In the method according to the present invention, preferably, the predetermined timing is a timing at which a desired recording can be performed by the recording means without the ink being aggregated or settled. .

In the method according to the present invention, the timing is arbitrarily variably set.

In the method according to the present invention, the first ink tank and the second ink for temporarily storing the ink in the first ink tank during the supply to the recording means are provided.
And ink supply means for supplying the ink in the first ink tank to the second ink tank, and recording by the recording means using the ink from the second ink tank. Wherein the ink is circulated at a predetermined timing by the feeding means through a circulation path including the first ink tank, the feeding means, and the second ink tank. Configuration.

Further, in the method according to the present invention, the predetermined timing is a timing at which a desired recording can be performed by the recording means without the ink being aggregated or settled. .

In the method according to the present invention, the timing is arbitrarily variably set.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an ink jet recording apparatus main body. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes an ink supply unit 100, a printer unit 200, and a cloth transport unit 300.

The actual printing operation in the above configuration will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

The cloth 301 as a recording material is set on a cloth supply roller 302 in a roll state, and
1 passes under the printer unit 200 while being guided by various guide rollers 303 and 304, and after being given an appropriate tension by the guide rollers 305 and 306,
The cloth reaches the take-up roller 307. Printer frame 2
Reference numeral 01 denotes a position above the cloth transport unit 300, and two guide rails 202 and 203 are supported and fixed to the printer frame 201 in parallel with each other. The carriage 204 is supported by two guide rails 202 and 203 so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the two guide rails 202 and 203.

On the carriage 204, 16 print heads (here, only two of the print heads 205a and 205b are shown) are mounted at positions facing the cloth 301. When the carriage 204 is moved by power (not shown) in the direction A in FIG. 1, an ink ejection command is issued to the print heads 205 a and 205 b as necessary, and printing is performed. A print for one line corresponding to the ejected ink is obtained at a predetermined position. After one line of prints are obtained on the cloth 301, the cloth 301 is transported by a predetermined amount in the direction B in FIG. 1 by a cloth feed belt (not shown).

Again, the print heads 205a and 205b
When the carriage 204 moves in the direction A while discharging as required, a second line of print is made on the cloth 301. By repeating this series of operations, a desired continuous print is obtained on the cloth 301.
An ink tube group 206 is connected to the print heads 205a and 205b, and ink used for each repetition of ejection is supplied from the ink supply unit 100 to the print heads 205a and 205 via the ink tube group 206.
Replenish to 5b.

The ink supply section 100 has a plurality of sub-frames 111 disposed in a main frame 101, and a main tank 121 is provided in each of the sub-frames 111. This main tank 121
They can be exchanged freely.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an ink tank showing the configuration of the present apparatus. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Reference numeral 121 denotes a main tank for storing printing ink. Reference numeral 131 denotes a sub-tank, which has a function of temporarily storing ink supplied from the main tank 121 and supplying the ink to the print head. Also this sub tank 1
Reference numeral 31 has a function of keeping the height of the liquid level of the recording head and the ink constant, and always enabling good ejection. A pump 161 supplies ink from the main tank 121 to the sub tank 131 via the ink suction tube 171 and the ink discharge tube 151.

The main tank 121 includes a remaining amount detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the remaining amount of ink and a stirring rod 401 for stirring the ink.
Is attached. The stirring rod 401 is connected to the stirring drive unit 40.
When the motor in the stirring drive unit 402 is driven, the stirring rod 401 rotates to stir the ink in the main tank 121. Alternatively, the agitation drive unit 402 includes a gear that reduces the speed of a DC motor that rotates at about 6000 to 7000 rpm to a desired number of revolutions.

The pump 161, the remaining amount detection sensor, and the stirring drive motor M are connected to an electronic circuit board (not shown) for controlling their electric signals. The electronic circuit board is provided with a clock generation circuit for controlling the stirring timing and stirring time during self-running, a counter circuit for generating the stirring timing, and a timer circuit for generating the stirring time.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the electronic circuit board.

In the configuration shown in FIG.
The clock generation circuit 701 generates a clock CLK. This clock frequency is determined by the clock frequency setting circuit 7
03 can be arbitrarily set. For example, the clock frequency can be changed by operating a dip switch by an operator.

The clock C from the clock generation circuit 701
The LK is counted by the timer circuit 702 by a predetermined number of clocks to generate the stirring timing. This stirring timing can be arbitrarily set by the timer time setting circuit 704. For example, the operator can change the stirring timing by operating a dip switch. The agitation motor driver 705 is operated at the timing generated by the timer circuit 702. The stirring drive motor M is driven and stopped according to a signal from the stirring motor driver 705, and rotates the stirring rod 401 at the stirring timing generated by the timer circuit 702 to stir the ink in the main tank 121.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the timing for driving the stirring drive motor M.

The period T1 of the clock CLK is determined by the setting circuit 7
03 allows the operator to arbitrarily set. In the present embodiment, this is temporarily set to one second for simple explanation. This clock CLK is always generated in a one-second cycle, and T1
= 1 [sec]. The timer circuit 702 counts this clock CLK by a predetermined number of clocks to generate a stirring timing signal Ts, and generates a drive time T2 and a stop time T3 of the stirring drive motor M. In the present embodiment, the timer time setting circuit 704 sets the drive time T2 to 2 seconds and the stop time T3 to 4 seconds. Stirring drive motor M
Drives and stops are alternately repeated in a cycle of T2 + T3 = T4 (= 6 [seconds]), and the ink in the main tank 121 is stirred at a predetermined timing.

As described above, T1, T2, T3, T4
Can be arbitrarily set by the operator.

As described above, in the present embodiment having a structure in which the ink supply unit 100 and the printer unit 200 can be easily separated, the main tank 121 can be easily replaced for each recording material, and the main tank 121 can be easily replaced. Since the stirring rod 401 which rotates at a predetermined timing is provided in the inside, there is an effect that the dye in the ink does not aggregate or settle. That is, the ink tank 121 is
Even when it was separated from 0, aggregation and sedimentation were eliminated in the ink jet recording ink using a water-insoluble or hardly-soluble coloring material such as a disperse dye, a metal complex dye, a vat dye, and a pigment. For this reason, even when the ink tank 121 is replaced and integrated with the printer unit 200, there is no density fluctuation or non-discharge during printing, and good image recording can always be performed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink tank unit of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment. 5, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 5, a pressurizing pump is provided in the sub tank 131, and ink is forcibly sent to the recording head by operating the pressurizing pump. For this reason, if ink agglomeration or sedimentation occurs in the sub-tank 131, printing deterioration occurs, and in the worst case, clogging of the ink tube 191 or the like may occur, leading to non-ejection.
Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent aggregation and settling of the ink in the sub tank 131, a circulation path between the sub tank 131 and the main tank 121 (the sub tank 131, the drain pipe 141, the main tank 121, the suction tube 171).
, A pump 161, an ink discharge tube 151, and a sub-tank 131). In addition, 121a is a cap.

That is, in FIG.
Reference numeral 1 stores the ink supplied from the main tank 121. When the pump 161 is driven here, the main tank 1
Ink is supplied from 21 to the sub-tank 131 via the ink suction tube 171 and the ink discharge tube 151. A hole 131a is provided on the upper surface of the sub-tank 131. When a desired amount or more of ink is supplied to the sub-tank 131, the ink is circulated in the sub-tank 131 via the drain pipe 141 to return the ink to the main tank 121. ing.

In the present embodiment, predetermined timing and driving time for driving the pump are set by a circuit configuration similar to that of FIG. 3 (the driving target is a pump instead of the stirring drive motor M), and the pump 161 is operated. Driven. The ink is supplied to the main tank 12 at a predetermined timing and driving time.
1 supplies ink to the sub tank 131 and circulates from the drain pipe 141 to the main tank 121. By circulating the ink, the ink in the sub-tank 131 can be prevented from being agglomerated and settled by replacing the ink in the sub-tank 131 with the ink in the main tank 121 without coagulation and sedimentation.

(Third Embodiment) The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a function that allows the operator to determine the type of ink and set the clock frequency and the agitation timing signal Ts arbitrarily according to the type of ink, FIG.
In the electronic circuit board 700. Specifically, the operator sets a setting switch of the ink type provided on the electronic circuit board 700. The setting switch may be any switch such as a push switch, a toggle switch, and a dial switch. The clock generation circuit 701 and the timer circuit 702 change the clock frequency and the time of the agitation timing signal Ts according to the set data, so that the main tank 12
1 can be stirred.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the first to third embodiments described above, the agitation or circulation is performed by the configuration of the electronic circuit, but the control / calculation function, the storage, and the real-time processing function are provided. Similar operations may be performed using a one-chip microcomputer or the like. In this case, a storage medium such as a ROM that stores a program for performing the operations of the first, second, and third embodiments is required. This storage medium may be a readable and writable disk storage medium. By using a one-chip microcomputer in this way, a random stirring mode can be easily generated.

For example, it is easy to set a mode for each type of ink, or to provide a temperature sensor to detect the ambient temperature and the ink temperature to change the predetermined stirring timing and time. It is also possible to vary the speed of the stirring drive motor and the feed amount of the ink pump.

The method of the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the method of the present invention can also be applied to a case where the method is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading out a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the method of the present invention into a system or an apparatus, the system or apparatus can receive the effects of the method of the present invention. Become.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A first ink tank, and a second ink tank for temporarily storing the ink in the first ink tank while supplying the ink to the recording means, and recording by the recording means using the ink from the second ink tank. Is provided with an agitating means for agitating the ink in the first ink tank at a predetermined timing in the recording apparatus for performing the above-described operation, whereby there is an effect that the aggregation and the sedimentation of the ink can be prevented and good recording can be performed. Further, the first ink tank, the second ink tank for temporarily storing the ink in the first ink tank while supplying the ink to the recording means, and the ink in the first ink tank for the second ink tank. A recording device for performing recording by the recording device using the ink from the second ink tank. The recording device includes a first ink tank, a supplying device, and a second ink tank. Providing a circulation path that is circulated at a predetermined timing by the feeding means has an effect of preventing aggregation and sedimentation of the ink and performing good printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink tank unit of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit for driving a stirring drive motor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for driving a stirring drive motor of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink tank unit of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet recording apparatus 100 Ink tank unit 101 Main frame 102 Supply frame 111 Sub frame 121 Main tank 131 Sub tank 141 Drain tube 151 Ink discharge tube 161 Pump 171 Ink suction tube 200 Printer unit 201 Printer frame 202, 203 Guide rail 204 Carriage 205a, 205b Print head 206 Ink tube group 300 Cloth transport section 301 Cloth 302 Cloth supply roller 303, 304 Guide roller 305, 306 Guide roller 400 Stirrer 401 Stirrer bar 402 Stirring drive unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] A first ink tank; and a second ink tank for temporarily storing ink in the first ink tank while the ink is being supplied to recording means. What is claimed is: 1. A printing apparatus for performing printing by said printing means using ink, comprising: a stirring means for stirring the ink in said first ink tank at a predetermined timing. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which a desired recording can be performed by the recording unit without the ink being aggregated or settled. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising setting means for variably setting the timing. 4. A first ink tank, a second ink tank for temporarily storing ink in the first ink tank during supply to recording means, and an ink tank for storing the ink in the first ink tank. A recording device for performing recording by the recording device using the ink from the second ink tank, the recording device comprising: a supply unit configured to supply the ink to the second ink tank; A recording apparatus, comprising: a feeding unit and the second ink tank; and a circulation path in which the ink is circulated at a predetermined timing by the feeding unit. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which a desired recording can be performed by the recording unit without the ink being aggregated or settled. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising setting means for variably setting the timing. 7. A printing apparatus, comprising: a first ink tank; and a second ink tank for temporarily storing ink in the first ink tank while supplying the ink to recording means. What is claimed is: 1. An ink storage method for a printing apparatus, wherein printing is performed by said printing means using ink, wherein the ink in the first ink tank is agitated at a predetermined timing. 8. The ink storing method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which a desired recording can be performed by the recording unit without the ink being aggregated or settled. 9. The ink storage method according to claim 7, wherein the timing is variably set. 10. A first ink tank, a second ink tank for temporarily storing ink in the first ink tank during supply to recording means, and an ink tank for storing the ink in the first ink tank. A feeding means for feeding the ink to a second ink tank, wherein the ink is stored in the printing apparatus using the ink from the second ink tank. An ink storage method, characterized in that the ink is circulated at a predetermined timing by the feeding means in a circulation path including an ink tank, the feeding means, and the second ink tank. 11. The ink storage method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which a desired recording can be performed by the recording unit without the ink being aggregated or settled. 12. The ink storage method according to claim 10, wherein the timing is variably set.