CN103057272A

CN103057272A - Ink supply device and ink supply method for inkjet recording apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN103057272A
Application number: CN2012103553661A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 三觜拓
Original assignee: Konica Minolta IJ Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Konica Minolta IJ Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2011-09-21
Filing date: 2012-09-21
Publication date: 2013-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-21
Also published as: CN103057272B; JP2013067032A; EP2572886A1; EP2572886B1

Abstract

Disclosed is an ink supply device (8) of an inkjet recording apparatus (10) including a first tank (81) which pools ink which is to be supplied to heads (3), a second tank (82) which is provided in a middle of a path to the heads (3) from the first tank (81), a first ink feed unit (814) which feeds the ink to the second tank (82) from the first tank (81), a second ink feed unit (829) which feeds the ink to the heads side from the second tank (82) and a first ink flow path (811) which connects the first tank (81) and the second tank (82). In the ink supply device (8), an end section of the first ink flow path (811) in the second tank side is connected to the second tank (82) so that the ink flows along an inner wall of the second tank (82).

Description

The ink-feeding device of ink-jet recording apparatus and ink supply method

Technical field

The present invention relates to ink-feeding device and ink supply method to ink gun supply ink that ink-jet printer possesses.

Background technology

Ink-jet printer can form image at various recording mediums such as plain paper, plastic tabs as tape deck.Ink-jet printer has from the ink gun of nozzle bore ejection ink, sprays the fine droplets ink by the nozzle bore from ink gun to recording medium, can form image at recording medium.

Ink gun is connected with the print cartridge of storage ink, supplies with ink from this print cartridge to ink gun.

At this moment, if in ink, sneaked into dissolved gas or bubble, then volume-variation occurs in inside, this becomes the reason of the ink gun deleterious out of ink of ejection drop, so, existing ink-jet printer is provided with the degassed module of carrying out vacuum outgas between print cartridge and ink gun, be used for removing gas in the ink (for example, with reference to patent documentation 1 Figure 11).

Patent documentation 1:(Japan) JP 2011-079295 communique

Yet, although above-mentioned patent documentation degassed module 1 that put down in writing, that be arranged at existing ink-jet printer can be removed dissolved gas contained in the ink, can not carry out visible bubble degassedly, thereby exist this bubble flow to the problem of ink gun side.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide ink-jet recording apparatus and the ink supply method thereof that effectively to remove visible bubble in the ink.

In order to address the above problem, the invention provides a kind of ink-jet recording apparatus and ink supply method thereof, this ink-jet recording apparatus has: the first print cartridge, the ink that storage is supplied with to ink gun, this ink gun sprays ink to recording medium; The second print cartridge is arranged on the way, path from described the first print cartridge to described ink gun; The first liquor charging section is from described the first print cartridge to described the second print cartridge ink delivery; The second liquor charging section is from described the second print cartridge to described ink gun side ink delivery; The first ink flow path, connect described the first print cartridge and described the second print cartridge, it is characterized in that, the end of the described second print cartridge side of described the first ink flow path is connected with this second print cartridge, so that ink is moving via the internal side wall surface current of this second print cartridge, described the second liquor charging section is from the bottom ink delivery of described the second print cartridge.

And the present invention also can constitute: make the part inclination that is supplied at least ink from described the first ink flow path of the internal side wall of described the second print cartridge, so that ink flows on section's side wall surface within it.

And the present invention also can constitute: described the second print cartridge forms funnel-form, from described the first ink flow path so that ink is supplied with ink in the moving mode in the private side wall upper reaches of described the second print cartridge.

And the present invention also can constitute: have at least plural described the first print cartridge, and have the connection switching part, this connection switching part is selected a ground and is switched and being connected of described the second print cartridge from each first print cartridge.

In addition, the present invention also can constitute: have the degasser that ink is carried out vacuum outgas, this degasser is arranged on from described the second print cartridge to the path of described ink gun the way.

The present invention is provided with the second print cartridge the path from the first print cartridge to ink gun way, from the first print cartridge so that ink carries out providing ink via the moving mode of the internal side wall surface current of the second print cartridge to the second print cartridge, from the bottom of the second print cartridge to the ink gun ink delivery.

Therefore, because the ink of supplying with to the second print cartridge moves along its internal side wall surface current, so compare with the situation of liquid level conflict ground infusing ink, ink is injected reposefully, thereby reduce the generation of bubble.And, even in the situation of sneaking into bubble, be injected into reposefully the bubble in the ink in the second print cartridge owing to rest on the liquid level of the print cartridge of storing, and ink is carried from the bottom of the second print cartridge, therefore bubble is remained in the second print cartridge, thereby can from the ink of carrying to the ink gun side, remove bubble.

Thus, can from ink, effectively remove the bubble of visible size, can spray stable drop at ink gun.

And, by be supplied to the part inclination of ink in the private side wall that makes the second print cartridge from the first print cartridge stream, the ink that is supplied to can further inject lentamente, so can further improve the effect that prevents Bubble formation and prevent the effect that bubble is sneaked into.

And then, form funnel-form by making the second print cartridge, even supply with ink to any position of inner side wall surface, also can both flow into ink along the inclined plane, thereby can adjust easily position from the first print cartridge stream to the second print cartridge that supply with ink from.

Also have, by plural the first print cartridge being set and selecting a ground and supply with ink to the second print cartridge, do not have in the situation of ink at selected the first print cartridge, can switch to rapidly another first print cartridge, thereby can avoid occuring the situation that the ink spray action is interrupted, realize being used for the ejection of continuous imaging.

In addition, by the path from the second print cartridge to ink gun way, degasser being set, even can remove sightless micro air bubble and dissolved gas in the print cartridge, and then can spray stable drop at ink gun.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the stereogram of ink-jet recording apparatus;

Fig. 2 is the top view of the configuration of expression ink gun on carriage;

Fig. 3 is the profile of expression ink gun internal structure;

Fig. 4 is the schematic diagram of the overview of expression ink-feeding device;

Fig. 5 is the key diagram of the connection status of expression common flow path and each ink gun;

Fig. 6 is the block diagram of the control system of expression ink-jet recording apparatus;

Fig. 7 is the flow chart that the expression liquid level monitors control;

Fig. 8 is the flow chart of expression ink jet head maintenance control;

Fig. 9 is the flow chart of expression liquor charging control;

Figure 10 is the flow chart of expression negative pressure forming portion backpressure regulation control;

Figure 11 is the flow chart of expression wiping control;

Figure 12 A is the profile of vice print cartridge second case;

Figure 12 B is the profile of vice print cartridge the 3rd example.

Description of reference numerals

3 ink guns

8 ink-feeding devices

10 ink-jet recording apparatus

81 main print cartridges (the first print cartridge)

82,82A, 82B assistant print cartridges (the second print cartridge)

83 degassers

811 first ink flow paths

812 ink box valves (connection switching part)

814 first liquid-feeding pumps (the first liquor charging section)

829 second liquid-feeding pumps (the second liquor charging section)

The specific embodiment

[overview of ink-jet recording apparatus]

Below, illustrate that referring to figs. 1 through Figure 11 embodiment namely is equipped with the ink-jet recording apparatus 10 of ink-feeding device.Fig. 1 is the stereogram of the integral body of expression ink-jet recording apparatus 10.

Ink-jet recording apparatus 10 mainly has: the conveying device 20 of along continuous straight runs conveying recording medium, a plurality of ink gun 3(of the recording medium ejection ink that lift-launch is transferred from upper direction are with reference to Fig. 2) carriage 4, along with the main scanning device 5 of the horizontal direction transport carrier 4 of the throughput direction quadrature of recording medium, the maintenance department 7 that each ink gun 3 that carriage 4 is carried is safeguarded, the nozzle moisturizing section 6 that the nozzle 311 of each ink gun 3 that carriage 4 is carried carries out moisturizing, each ink gun 3 that carriage 4 carries is supplied with the ink-feeding device 8(of ink with reference to Fig. 4), the control device 9(of above-mentioned each structure member of control is with reference to Fig. 6) and the framework 100 of support integral.

Need to prove, in the following description, make horizontal direction and along the direction of the throughput direction of recording medium as Y direction, make horizontal direction and along the direction of the throughput direction of carriage 4 as X-direction or main scanning direction, direction is as Z-direction vertically.

[conveying device]

Conveying device 20 has: driven roller 21 and driven voller (not shown), CD-ROM drive motor 22, transport tape 23.

Driven roller 21 and driven voller are supported for rotation freely, and driven roller 21 is configured to extend to main scanning direction X.CD-ROM drive motor 22 is drive sources of rotary actuation driven roller 21, is installed in the distolateral of driven roller 21.

Transport tape 23 forms ring-type, is erected between driven roller 21 and the driven voller.When driven roller 21 rotation, transport tape 23 rotates between driven roller 21 and driven voller, the lip-deep thereon recording medium of mounting is carried to the throughput direction F along Y direction, when driven roller 21 stops the rotation, this transport tape 23 stops to stop conveying recording medium around the rotation between two rollers.

When CD-ROM drive motor 22 control by control device 9 finishes ink gun 3 along the one way single pass of X-direction, 21 rotary compasses of driven roller are quantitative, make recording medium only carry predetermined distance to throughput direction, then stop, if ink gun 3 beginnings scan to the rightabout of main scanning direction X, then finish, then a rotary compasses is quantitative again for driven roller 21, make recording medium only carry predetermined distance to throughput direction F, then stop, repeatedly such action of CD-ROM drive motor 22 is carried out intermittent delivery to recording medium.

Need to prove, as recording medium, except paper, cloth and silk, can also use resin molding, metal species etc.

[framework]

As shown in Figure 1, the structure of framework 100 mainly comprises: along second basal part 103 of X-direction the other end of the first basal part 102 of X-direction one end of rectangular body section 101 that X-direction is extended, supportive body section 101, supportive body section 101.

The first basal part 102 within it section holds and keeps maintenance department 7, and from an end of supported underneath main part 101.The second basal part 103 within it section holds and keeps nozzle moisturizing section 6, and from the other end of supported underneath main part 101.

Main part 101 holds and keeps a pair of carriage rail 51,51 of main scanning device 5 described later with the state towards X-direction in inside, in the inside of main part 101 along X-direction transport carrier 4.

And the first basal part 102 and the aforesaid conveying device 20 of the second basal part 103 sandwich are configured in the both sides of X-direction, and main part 101 is erected at the top of conveying device 20.Thus, can with by the direction of the direction quadrature of conveying device 20 conveying recording mediums on transport carrier 4, and each ink gun 3 ejection ink that can carry from this carriage 4 carry out image and form.

[main scanning device and carriage]

Main scanning device 5 has the bar-shaped a pair of carriage rail 51,51 that is supported for along the X-direction extension in the inside of the main part 101 of framework 100.These a pair of carriage rails 51,51 are crossed on the top of the transport tape 23 of conveying device 20.And on carriage rail 51,51, case shape carriage 4 is supported for along X-direction and can moves back and forth.

Carriage 4 is the framework of the open essentially rectangular in top, carries a plurality of ink guns 3 at its base plate.As shown in Figure 1, carriage 4 extends arm 42,42 on the top of the two sides of Y direction to the both sides of Y direction, this each arm 42,42 loads in the top of carriage rail 51,51 by linear slide rail respectively, arm 42,42 can slide on carriage rail 51,51 along X-direction thus.

And, between the arm 42,42 of carriage rail 51,51 and carriage 4, linear motor is installed.The stator of linear motor namely is installed on each carriage rail 51,51, on each arm 42,42 of carriage 4, rotor is installed, by the Current Control of stator side coil, can make carriage 4 carry action along X-direction.

Fig. 2 is the schematic illustration of observing the base plate 41 of carriage 4 from the top.In this ink-jet recording apparatus 10, yellow corresponding to Y(), the shallow magenta of Lm(), Or(is orange), the M(magenta), Bk(black), Bl(is blue), the Lk(light/dark balance), the C(cyan), the Lc(light cyan) nine kinds of colors are respectively equipped with nine

ink guns

3, and 81 ink guns 3 are installed on the base plate of carriage 4 altogether.

As shown in the figure, the ink gun group of each color is along arranged sequentially according to Y, Lm, Or, M, Bk, Bl, Lk, C, Lc of X-direction, and nine ink guns 3 of each ink gun group are along the Y direction configuration that is staggered.

And base plate 41 has the slit-shaped openings along Y direction in each position that each ink gun 3 is installed, and each ink gun 3 that is installed on the base plate 41 from the top can spray ink droplets by opening under carriage 4.

Therefore, as previously mentioned, by dispose alternately nine ink guns 3 corresponding to each color, can spray the ink of each color on the optional position in the roughly whole width range of the Y direction in the base plate 41 of carriage 4.

[ink gun]

Fig. 3 is the profile of the structure in general of expression ink gun 3.Ink gun 3 mainly has: be formed with the nozzle 311 of a plurality of ejection inks nozzle plate 31, have many passages 321 and a plurality of piezoelectric element 322 chip of ink-jet head 32, be used for applying the wiring substrate 33 of driving voltage, importing the manifold 34 of inks via filter 343 to each passage 321 of chip of ink-jet head 32 to each piezoelectric element 322 of chip of ink-jet head 32, wherein, passage 321 is to each nozzle 311 guiding ink, and piezoelectric element 322 makes passage 321 that volume-variation occur and sprays ink.

Nozzle plate 31 is rectangular flat, is equipped at ink gun 3 under the state of carriage 4, and its platen surface is parallel with X-Y plane, and its length direction is parallel with Y direction.

And on nozzle plate 31, forming a line along Y direction is formed with a plurality of through holes that become nozzle 311.

Chip of ink-jet head 32 forms rectangular shape, in its bottom surface nozzle plate 31 is installed.And, in chip of ink-jet head 32, cooperate with the allocation position of each nozzle 311 in the nozzle plate 31, be formed with a plurality of passages 321 that are arranged in row along Y direction.Each passage 321 is the ink flow paths that pass through up and down chip of ink-jet head 32, the ink that can guide in the manifolds 34 to nozzle 311 independently.And, with each passage 321 adjacent piezoelectric element 322 that is provided with respectively, piezoelectric element 322 is arbitrarily applied voltage selectively, this piezoelectric element 322 is expanded or shrink, from the nozzle 311 ejection inks of correspondence.

Upper surface at chip of ink-jet head 32 is equipped with wiring substrate 33, wiring substrate 33 is connected with not shown driver of ink-jet head via flexible base, board, carries out thus applying distribution from the driving voltage of driver of ink-jet head for each piezoelectric element 322 to chip of ink-jet head 32.

And wiring substrate 33 is installed on this manifold 34, and with the bottom of the opening of stopping up manifold 34, and wiring substrate 33 is formed with rectangular aperture, so that the ink in the manifold 34 is to each passage 321 side flow of chip of ink-jet head 32.

Manifold 34 be so that length direction along the cuboid of the inner hollow of the state configuration of Y direction, as previously mentioned, its bottom is open, but this opening portion is blocked by wiring substrate 33 is embedded.

And, on an end side of the Y direction of manifold 34 and the top of the other end side, be formed with respectively the first port 341 cylindraceous and the second port 342 with its internal communication.

In addition, the inside of manifold 34 is split into two-layer up and down by the filter 343 that is used for filtering the ink tramp material, and upper-side area links to each other with the first port 341 and the second port 342, and underside area links to each other with chip of ink-jet head 32.Namely filtered by filter 343 from the outside by the first port 341 or the second port 342 ink to manifold 34 interior supplies, then flow to chip of ink-jet head 32 sides, and from each nozzle 311 ejection.

[maintenance department]

Maintenance department 7 safeguards each ink gun 3 when not carrying out operation of recording.Maintenance department 7 departs from from conveying device 20 and is arranged on an end side of carriage rail 51,51.Putting maintenance into practice under the state of the position relative with maintenance department 7 that namely moves to carriage rail 51,51 one ends at carriage 4.

This maintenance department 7 has cleaning device and ink pallet 71(with reference to Fig. 4), wherein, the nozzle plate 31 lower surface dirts of each ink gun 3 of cleaning device wiping, ink pallet 71 become receiving vessel by the ink gun 3 ejection ink of service object the time.

Above-mentioned cleaning device mainly is made of clearer and roller conveying mechanism, wherein, the lower surface sliding-contact of clearer and nozzle plate 31 and can be around along the rotation of the rotating shaft of X-direction, the roller conveying mechanism is carried this clearer along Y direction.The width of clearer on X-direction is set to and can carries out wiping to the ink gun group with three looks corresponding in the nine look ink gun groups that are equipped on carriage 4, the action of this clearer by once partly moving back and forth implemented cleaning to all ink guns 3 of nine kinds of colors.And, prevent from thus causing nozzle 311 to stop up owing to the sclerosis of ink.

And, ink is not that the driving of the piezoelectric element 322 by ink gun 3 is carried out to the ejection of ink pallet 71 when safeguarding, but undertaken by the providing ink pressure of ink-feeding device 8, can eliminate thus the obstruction of the ink flow path in the ink gun 3 etc.

[nozzle moisturizing section]

Nozzle moisturizing section 6 departs from from conveying device 20 and is arranged at the other end side of carriage rail 51,51.Namely when not carrying out operation of recording, carriage 4 moves to the position relative with nozzle moisturizing section 6 of the other end of carriage rail 51,51, and the nozzle 311 to each ink gun 3 carries out moisturizing under this state.

That is, this nozzle moisturizing section 6 closely contacts with each nozzle 311 of nozzle plate 31 and makes each nozzle interior be in the parts of the state that is connected with the storage section that bails liquid out, mainly is made of the storage section of moisture retention liquid and the elevating mechanism of nozzle moisturizing section 6.

[ink-feeding device]

Fig. 4 is the key diagram of the structure in general of expression ink-feeding device 8.Ink-jet recording apparatus 10 has this ink-feeding device 8 corresponding to every kind of color.

Ink-feeding device 8 mainly has: two the first print cartridges that are used for the storage ink i.e.

main print cartridge

81,81, the ink supply that the second print cartridge that supplies to ink from each

main print cartridge

81,81 is assistant print cartridges 82, be arranged on assistant print cartridges 82 downstream side degasser 83, be arranged at degasser 83 ink supply downstream side and interim storage ink middle print cartridge 84, be arranged in the middle of print cartridge 84 ink supply downstream side negative pressure forming portion 86, in order to be connected in parallel to the common flow path 87 of the first port 341 of each ink gun 3 to each ink gun 3 supply ink.

Need to prove, in Fig. 4, also illustrate the ink pallet 71 of maintenance department 7.

Above-mentioned main print cartridge 81,81st, its top are to the container of atmosphere opening, and two

main print cartridges

81,81 all releasably are installed on the ink-jet recording apparatus 10, in order to can not change when having ink.Because have two

main print cartridges

81,81, so do not have in the situation of ink at a print cartridge and in the situation of changing this print cartridge, can supply with inks from another main print cartridge 81, therefore can avoid the action of ink-jet recording apparatus 10 interruption loggings.Need to prove, also can carry more this main print cartridge 81.

Symbol 815 among Fig. 4 is whether the ink of each

main print cartridge

81,81 of detection is empty surplus sensor.

Be provided with the first ink flow path 811 between each

main print cartridge

81,81 and assistant print cartridges 82, an end of this first ink flow path 811 is to each

main print cartridge

81,81 side branch, and the other end converges to assistant print cartridges 82.Be provided with magnetic valve namely as the ink box valve 812,812 that connects switching part near each

main print cartridge

81,81 of this first ink flow path 811, this ink box valve 812,812 can switch the on off state of stream.

And, in the way, path of assistant print cartridges 82 sides of the first ink flow path 811, be provided with from ink, to remove the filter 813 of the tramp materials such as rubbish, dust, be provided with to the first liquid-feeding pump 814 of the conduct first liquor charging section of assistant print cartridges side ink delivery in the position than filter 813 more close assistant print cartridges 82 sides.

Assistant print cartridges 82 is the funnel-form of the side wall portion 821 that has diameter downwards and more dwindle, and top is stopped up by top board 822.

The bottom centre of assistant print cartridges 82 is connected with the second ink flow path 823, and this assistant print cartridges 82 can be supplied with ink in the assistant print cartridges 82 to degasser 83 sides by this second ink flow path 823.

And, be provided with at the top board 822 of assistant print cartridges 82 and make assistant print cartridges 82 inner sustain at atmospheric atmosphere opening pipe 824.This atmosphere opening pipe 824 is equipped be used to the filter 825 that prevents from invading from the outside dust, rubbish etc.

In addition, the leading section of the first ink flow path 811 to run through top board 822 until enter inner stateful connection on the top board 822 of assistant print cartridges 82.

The leading section of this first ink flow path 811 extends to the position that contacts with the inner face of the side wall portion 821 of assistant print cartridges 82 or the position before the contact, and the ink that is supplied to from the first ink flow path 811 injects to the liquid levels in the assistant print cartridges 82 via side wall portion 821.

And assistant print cartridges 82 monitors by liquid level described later controls the upper limit position of determining ink level, and the leading section of the first ink flow path 811 is supplied with inks in the position of the upper limit position that is higher than ink level to side wall portion 821.

The position of the relative assistant print cartridges 82 of leading section by setting as mentioned above the first ink flow path 811, the ink that is supplied to from the first ink flow path 811 can be always be injected into liquid level via the inner face of the side wall portion 821 of assistant print cartridges 82.Thus, ink can be along the inclined plane flows reposefully and is stored in the assistant print cartridges 82, so sneak into the ink that is supplied to from the first ink flow path 811 in the situation of bubble of visible size, this bubble rests on the liquid level of ink.And, because ink flows reposefully along the inclined plane, so also prevent from sneaking at new bubble and this bubble of liquid level generation of ink.

And, because the ink in the assistant print cartridges 82 from the deep of bottom by the second ink flow path 823 downstream side carry, so can from the ink in the downstream that is fed into assistant print cartridges 82, remove bubble.

That is, this assistant print cartridges 82 plays a role as the defoaming mechanism of deaeration from ink.

In addition, in assistant print cartridges 82, be provided with the second liquid level sensor 827 that monitors the lower position of the first liquid level sensor 826 of the upper limit position of regulation ink level in the control and regulation ink level at liquid level described later.

These liquid level sensors 826,827 all are the floating type sensors with buoy, can go out according to the height detection of buoy that liquid level is positioned on upper limit position or the lower position or under.Monitor control about liquid level, will be elaborated in the back.

Between assistant print cartridges 82 and degasser 83, be provided with aforesaid the second ink flow path 823.Be provided with the second liquid-feeding pump 829 that the check-valves 828 that prevent ink 82 backflows from degasser 83 to assistant print cartridges reach the conduct second liquor charging section of 83 ink deliveries from assistant print cartridges 82 to degasser at this second ink flow path 823.

Degasser 83 has: the degassed module 831 that is connected with the end of the second ink flow path 823, the vavuum pump 832 that degassed module 831 is vacuumized, detect the pressure in the degassed module 831 vacuum pressure sensor 833, to make degassed module 831 inside be leak valve 834 to the magnetic valve of atmosphere opening.

Degassed module 831 has the vacuum tank that vacuumizes by vavuum pump 832 and the hollow-fibre membrane (middle gap film) that ink is passed through to the inside, by vacuumizing, the dissolved gas in the ink is sucked out laterally via hollow-fibre membrane.

Vacuum pressure sensor 833 is testing agencies that whether gaging pressure is reduced to goal pressure when vacuumizing.And when the power supply of ink-jet recording apparatus 10 quit work, in order to safeguard degassed module 831, leak valve 834 carried out Open control by control device 9, so that this degassed module 831 becomes atmospheric pressure state from vacuum state.

Between degassed module 831 and middle print cartridge 84, be provided with the 3rd ink flow path 835.By the supply pressure of the second liquid-feeding pump 829, ink supplies to middle print cartridge 84 via second and third ink flow path 823,835.

Middle print cartridge 84 forms by having flexible bag, along with the variation of the quantity of ink of storing, expands or shrinks.

And, set up liquid measure sensor 841 at this centre print cartridge 84, this liquid measure sensor 841 is used for detecting ink and whether is stored as ormal weight.When being supplied to ink from assistant print cartridges 82, supply with inks by the second liquid-feeding pump 829, until detecting, this liquid measure sensor 841 reaches till the regulation liquid measure.

To being provided with the 4th to the 7th ink flow path 842～845 between the negative pressure forming portion 86, carry out providing ink by these streams at middle print cartridge 84.And, between the 4th ink flow path 842 and the 5th ink flow path 843, be provided with the first three-way switch valve 846 as electromagnetic switching valve, between the 5th ink flow path 843 and the 6th ink flow path 844, be provided with the second three-way switch valve 847 as electromagnetic switching valve, between the 6th ink flow path 844 and the 7th ink flow path 845, be provided with the 3rd three-way switch valve 848 as electromagnetic switching valve.

And, be provided with check-valves 849, the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850 and safety valve 851 at the 5th ink flow path 843, wherein, 849 on check-valves allows that ink flows to the direction towards the second three-way switch valve 847 from the first three-way switch valve 846, the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850 is to the direction ink delivery identical with the feasible direction of this check-valves 849, and safety valve 851 surpasses in the situation of authorized pressure in the downstream of the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850 makes ink turn back to assistant print cartridges 82.

Be connected with an end of branch's stream 852 in the way of the 6th ink flow path 844, the other end of this branch's stream 852 is connected with the first three-way switch valve 846.This first three-way switch valve 846 is by the control of control device 9, can and make between the 5th ink flow path 843 and the state that branch stream 852 is connected at the state that the 5th ink flow path 843 is connected with the 4th ink flow path 842 to switch.

And, the second three-way switch valve 847 also is connected with the stream 853 that returns that is used for making ink turn back to assistant print cartridges 82, this second three-way switch valve 847 is by the control of control device 9, can and the 5th ink flow path 843 be switched with returning between the state that stream 853 is connected at the state that the 5th ink flow path 843 is connected with the 6th ink flow path 844.

In addition, above-mentioned the first and second three-way switch valves 846,847 can make up by control device 9 and be switched simultaneously control, can from middle print cartridge 84 via fourth, fifth, six ink flow paths 842,843, the 844 supply connection status to negative pressure forming portion 86 side ink deliveries (white arrow among Fig. 4) and from negative pressure forming portion 86 sides via branch's stream 852, the 5th ink flow path 843, return stream 853 and carry out switching controls to returning between the connection status (black arrow Fig. 4) of assistant print cartridges 82 side ink deliveries.

That is, utilize the output pressure of the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850, can be freely and carry out selectively to the providing ink of negative pressure forming portion 86 sides with from the ink recovery of negative pressure forming portion 86 sides.

The 3rd three-way switch valve 848 also is connected to the circuitous stream 854 of ink gun side supply ink with not becoming section 86 by negative pressure shape, by the control of control device 9, can and make between the 6th ink flow path 844 and the state that circuitous stream 854 is connected at the state that the 6th ink flow path 844 is connected with the 7th ink flow path 845 and switch.

That is, switch by this, can the state of the supply that can implement to negative pressure forming portion 86 inks and recovery and can carry out to ink gun 3 sides (being common flow path 87 strictly speaking) supply of ink and the state of recovery between switch.

Negative pressure forming portion 86 mainly comprises: form in front larger peristome rectangular body container 861, stop up the peristome of main body container 861 and press laterally the not shown spring at membrane element 862 centers by the film formed membrane element 862 of flexible resin(a), from the inside of main body container 861.

Main body container 861 is connected with the 8th ink flow path 863 with aforesaid the 7th ink flow path 845, and wherein, the 8th ink flow path 863 leads to the common flow path 87 of all the first ports 341 that are connected with side by side nine ink guns 3.

In addition, owing to membrane element 862 is pressed laterally by its central portion of spring, so, with outstanding for roughly cone shape shape is in tension laterally.

Then, under the pressure identical with atmospheric pressure ink filled up main body container 861 interior after, make aforesaid the first and second three-way switch valves 846,847 are in and return connection status and from main body container 861 interior recovery inks, and can make the inside of each ink gun 3 be in negative pressure state this moment via common flow path 87.The inner sustain that why makes like this ink gun 3 is negative pressure, because in order to prevent following phenomenon, if for example make pressure setting in the nozzle 311 at atmospheric pressure, then ink spills from nozzle 311 easily, and ink is attached to causing ink discharge failure on every side or putting easily generation difference of footpath of nozzle 311 easily.

Need to prove, can control by the yield of regulating the ink in the main body container 861 as the goal pressure of negative pressure.

In addition, on the top of the main body container 861 of above-mentioned negative pressure forming portion 86, be provided with and the internal communication of this main body container 861 and communicating pipe 864 of extending upward.End in main body container 861 sides of communicating pipe 864 is equipped with liquid level sensor 865, is provided with pressure sensor 866 in the upper end of communicating pipe 864.And, be connected with an end to atmosphere opening and the branched pipe 867 that flatly extends at the pars intermedia of communicating pipe 864, in the way of this branched pipe 867, be provided with the relief valve 868 of this branched pipe 867 of switch and the air cleaner 869 of filtered air.

These parts are at employed structure member to main body container 861 interior supply inks and when being controlled to be the regulation negative pressure.Namely under the state of opening relief valve 868, to main body container 861 interior supply inks, until detect liquid level by liquid level sensor 865, then close relief valve 868, from main body container 861 interior recovery inks, until the negative pressure pressure that pressure sensor 866 shows as target.Thus, can make each ink gun 3 inside be in the negative pressure state of regulation by negative pressure forming portion 86.

After on the way converging with aforesaid circuitous stream 854, the 8th ink flow path 863 that extends from negative pressure forming portion 86 links together with stream 87 together.And, be provided with protective valve 871 as normally open type magnetic valve at the point that converges than itself and circuitous stream 854 of the 8th ink flow path 863 near the position of negative pressure forming portion 86 sides.

Common flow path 87 is roughly containers of the flat inner hollow of isosceles triangle shape (saying exactly the pentagon shape that forms along the both ends on the excision of direction vertically isosceles triangle base) of positive apparent time, and common flow path 87 makes its bottom carry on carriage 4 towards horizontal direction.This common flow path 87 is connected with the 8th ink flow path 863 at the position that is equivalent to the isosceles triangle summit, be connected with side by side the first port 341 of nine ink guns 3 of same color at the position that is equivalent to the isosceles triangle base.

In the inner space of the three-dimensional of ink by common flow path 87, the shape of this inner space is identical with outer shape and be the general triangular shape.At this moment, because supply with ink from the position on summit, thus can supply with equably ink to each ink gun 3 that is connected with the base each several part, and can not produce larger deflection.

Need to prove that this common flow path 87 forms, as long as face the roughly isosceles triangle that is shaped as of the inner space of supplying with ink, its outer shape can not be isosceles triangle shape roughly.

In addition, near the vertex position of common flow path 87, be connected with the waste liquid stream 872 that is communicated with not shown waste liquid box, this waste liquid stream 872 is provided with the waist valve 873 as normally closed solenoid valve, and this waste liquid stream 872 is that open waist valve 873 is discharged ink to discharge the stream of bubble when ink fills up common flow path 87.Because waste liquid stream 872 is connected with summit as the upper end of common flow path 87, so common flow path 87 can make bubble common flow path 87 interior floating upward being full of under the state of ink by further supply ink, effectively discharge with ink.Thus, the bubble of the reason that becomes ink discharge failure can be removed, thereby ink can be stably sprayed.

Fig. 5 is the key diagram of the connection status of expression common flow path 87 and each ink gun 3.Such as Fig. 4 and shown in Figure 5, common flow path 87 is connected with the first port 341 of each ink gun 3 with valve 874 via the operation of recording as normally open type magnetic valve.

And the second port 342 of each ink gun 3 safeguards that via normally closed type valve 875 and common waste liquor stream road 876 are connected in parallel respectively.Common waste liquid stream 876 is connected with the waste liquid box after the position that is positioned at the downstream of waist valve 873 with respect to aforementioned waste liquid stream 872 is converged.

[control device]

Fig. 6 is the block diagram of the control system of expression ink-feeding device 8.Although the control device 9 that Fig. 6 puts down in writing is controlled ink-jet recording apparatus 10 integral body, in the structure of this diagram ink-feeding device 8, omit the diagram to other structures.And, also only illustrate one of them structure for a plurality of structures.

The view data that control device 9 not only carries out being recorded in the image on the recording medium that is transfused to from external device (ED) to ink-feeding device 8 is converted to the control of data etc. of each nozzle 311 of corresponding ink gun 3, also the each several part of ink-jet recording apparatus 10 is driven and controls.

As shown in Figure 6, control device 9 is made of the common computer that is connected with CPU91, ROM92, RAM93 and not shown input/output interface etc. in bus.

Be connected with the first to the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 814 at this control device 9; 829; 850, vavuum pump 832, ink box valve 812, leak valve 834, the first to the 3rd three-way switch valve 846; 847; 848, relief valve 868, protective valve 871, waist valve 873, operation of recording with valve 874, safeguard valve 875, in control device 9 with these as control object.

And, be connected with surplus sensor 815, first and second liquid level sensor 826 at control device 9,827, liquid measure sensor 841, liquid level sensor 865, vacuum pressure sensor 833, pressure sensor 866 are inputted various detection signals from these sensors.

And then, on control device 9, also be connected with input operation part 94 and show the display part 95 etc. of the various information such as error message, wherein, input operation part 94 supports to carry out the input from operator's exercises etc.

Control device 9 is implemented the liquid level supervision control of assistant print cartridges 82, the maintenance control of ink gun 3 etc. according to these detection information to above-mentioned each control object.

[liquid level monitors control]

Below, with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 7, the liquid level that describes the assistant print cartridges 82 that above-mentioned control device 9 carries out in detail monitors control.

This liquid level monitors that control is the control of supplying with inks from the main print cartridge 81 of ink to assistant print cartridges 82 and guarantee to keep certain quantity of ink assistant print cartridges 82, repeatedly implements according to the predetermined cycle.

Monitor in the control at this liquid level, with any ink box valve 812 of opening each

main print cartridge

81,81, close another ink box valve 812 for prerequisite.

Control device 9 at first judges to being used for whether the current main print cartridge that is connected with assistant print cartridges 82 81 is that empty timer initializes (step S1).

Then, judge by the first liquid level sensor 826 whether the ink in the assistant print cartridges 82 reaches the detection level (step S3) of the first liquid level sensor 826 of the full box of expression.

Its result when detecting ink and reached the detection level of the first liquid level sensor 826, because the inks in the assistant print cartridges 82 have reached aim parameter, monitors control so control device 9 finishes liquid levels.

On the other hand, when detecting ink and not reaching the detection level of the first liquid level sensor 826, make to judge that main print cartridge 81 begins timing for empty timer, and make 814 work of the first liquid-feeding pump, carry out the providing ink (step S5) from main print cartridge 81 to assistant print cartridges 82.

Then, control device 9 judges by the second liquid level sensor 827 whether the ink in the assistant print cartridges 82 reaches expression near the detection level (step S7) of the second liquid level sensor 827 of sylphon.

Its result, when detecting ink and reached the detection level of the second liquid level sensor 827, control device 9 judges whether the time that timer is added up passed through the predefined liquor charging time (step S9).

Then, do not pass through in the time that timer is added up in the situation of predefined liquor charging time, return step S3 and process, and judge whether assistant print cartridges 82 is full box.

The liquor charging time in the judgement of above-mentioned steps S9 is set at the sufficient time that liquor charging ability with the first liquid-feeding pump makes assistant print cartridges 82 full boxes, namely passed through this liquor charging time assistant print cartridges 82 also less than situation under, can infer that main print cartridge 81 is empty.

Thus, control device 9 stops the driving (step S11) of the first liquid-feeding pump 814, is judged as main print cartridge 81 empty (step S13), closes a before this ink box valve that is heading straight for 812, open another ink box valve 812, carry out switching (step S15) from the main print cartridge of ink to assistant print cartridges 82 that supply with.At this moment, also can report the demonstration control that a main print cartridge 81 is empty by display part 95.

And after switching main print cartridge 81, control device 9 again returns step S1 and processes, and supplies with ink to assistant print cartridges 82 again.

And, in step S7, detect in the situation (step S7: no) of assistant print cartridges 82 for empty state by the second liquid level sensor 827, no matter by the first liquid-feeding pump 814 ink delivery whether, any

main print cartridge

81,81 all are in empty state, represent the state that all inks in

main print cartridge

81,81 and the assistant print cartridges 82 have all been used up, so, as long as control device 9 is in order to prevent that operation of recording is bad and be in all operation of recording that just stop ink-jet recording apparatus 10 in the operation of recording.At this moment, also can carry out display part 95 and show that the report that stops that makeing mistakes shows and show the demonstration control that the empty warning of ink shows.

[safeguarding control]

Below, with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 8, describe the maintenance control of the ink gun 3 that above-mentioned control device 9 carries out in detail.At this, prerequisite is as follows: carry out spout test take all ink guns 3 as object in advance, need to determine the ink gun 3 of maintenance, become the ink gun 3 of service object by input operation part 94 inputs.

And, carriage 4 standby directly over maintenance department 7.

At first, control device 9 is with the first and second three-way switch valves 846,847 switch to and supply with connection status (connection of white arrow among Fig. 4), and the 3rd three-way switch valve 848 switched to from the 6th ink flow path 844 be connected to circuitous stream 854(step S21).

And then control device 9 is controlled to be the waist valve 873 of opening common flow path 87, close protective valve 871, the operation of recording of closing all ink guns 3 is with valve 874(step S23).

Then, carry out the liquor charging control (step S25) of ink.

At this, with reference to the flowchart text liquor charging control of Fig. 9.

When ink delivery, controlling organization makes 850 work (step S251) of the 3rd liquid-feeding pump, under this state, directly judge whether through predefined working time T1(step S253), until continue to make 850 work of the 3rd liquid-feeding pump till having passed through working time T1.

By the work of the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850, the ink in the middle print cartridge 84 makes a circulation negative pressure forming portion 86 and directly supplies with to common flow path 87.At this moment, because the operation of recording of all ink guns 3 all is closed with valve 874, and safeguard that valve 875 is normally close valve, so each ink gun 3 side does not supply to ink, and is full of ink in common flow path 87.When filling up ink in common flow path 87, remaining ink is discharged from waste liquid stream 872.Supply with ink by certain time, the bubble floating in the common flow path 87 is discharged from waste liquid stream 872 to the top of common flow path 87.

Then, when through working time T1, make the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850 stop (step S255), make its standby until through stand-by time T2.Thus, owing to the bubble that produces to common flow path 87 interior infusing inks in the common flow path 87 the tops come-up and concentrate.

Then, when through stand-by time T2, control device 9 judges whether the supply of ink and the number of repetition of standby reach predefined targeted number N(step S259).

Then, if the miss the mark number of times then returns step S251 and processes, again carry out supply and the standby of ink.

Need to prove that working time T1, stand-by time T2, targeted number N can set by 94 pairs of control device 9 of input operation part in advance.The targeted number N that repeats is preferably set to more than twice at least, floats to the bubble on common flow path 87 tops in order to can discharge in providing ink next time because of standby.

Again returning Fig. 8 describes.

When liquor charging control finished, control device 9 was controlled to be the waist valve 873(step S27 that cuts out common flow path 87), open operation of recording as the ink gun 3 of service object with valve 874 and safeguard valve 875(step S29).

Then, again carry out liquor charging control (step S31).Working time T1, stand-by time T2, the targeted number N of this moment can be set as the value identical with step S25, also can be set as different values.

When carrying out providing ink in this case, pass through the first port 341 to the ink gun 3 interior supply inks as service object from common flow path 87.Then, the ink that is supplied to is discharged to common waste liquid stream 876 by the second port 342, and a part of ink sprays to ink pallet 71 from the nozzle 311 of ink gun 3.

When the control of secondary liquor charging finished, control device 9 cut out and safeguards valve 875(step S33 as the ink gun 3 of service object).

Then, the liquor charging of carrying out is for the third time controlled (S35).At this moment, working time T1, stand-by time T2, targeted number N can be set as the value identical with step S25 or S31, also can be set as different values.

When carrying out providing ink in this case, pass through the first port 341 to the ink gun 3 interior supply inks as service object from common flow path 87, the 71 ejection inks from nozzle 311 to the ink pallet.At this moment, because whole ejections that act on nozzle 311 of the supply pressure of ink, so extrude foreign matter etc. and eliminate and stop up such as the nozzle 311 that can seek to make obstruction etc.

Then; when for the third time liquor charging control finishes; control device 9 makes except also all opening (step S37) as the operation of recording of other all ink guns 3 the ink gun 3 of service object with valve 874; and open protective valve 871, the 3rd three-way switch valve 848 is switched to make the 6th ink flow path 844 and the 7th ink flow path 845 be in connection status (step S39) simultaneously.

Then, 9 pairs of negative pressure forming portions of control device are carried out backpressure regulation control (step S41), and then each ink gun 3 is carried out wiping control, safeguard control (step S43) thereby finish.

At this, with reference to the flow chart of Figure 10, explain the backpressure regulation control of negative pressure forming portion.

At first, control device 9 switches, so that relief valve 868 is opened and make protective valve 871 close (step S411).

Then, the current pressure with pressure sensor 866 in the negative pressure forming portion 86 is set as atmospheric pressure (step S412).

Then, the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850 is started working (step S413), whether judgement reaches the liquid level sensor 865(step S414 that is positioned at position, main body container 861 upper end to the ink of the main body container 861 interior supplies of negative pressure forming portion 86).

Then, if ink does not arrive the upper end of main body container 861, then continue to supply with ink to main body container 861, when ink arrives the upper end of main body container 861, stop the work (step S415) of the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850.

Afterwards, control device 9 controls (step S417) for making relief valve 868 cut out (step S416), the first and second three-way switch valves 846,847 is switched to it is in return connection status (black arrow among Fig. 4).

Then, when again making 850 work (step S418) of the 3rd liquid-feeding pump, discharge inner ink from the main body container 861 of negative pressure forming portion 86.Its result, the internal pressure of main body container 861 reduces.

Pre-determine the negative pressure force value that is fit to each ink gun 3 ejection ink, when being detected the negative pressure force value (step S419) of the extremely suitable ejection ink of pressure decreased by pressure sensor 866, stop the work (step S420) of the 3rd liquid-feeding pump 850.

Then, control device 9 is opened protective valve 871(step S421), thus, negative pressure forming portion 86 is connected via the 8th ink flow path 863 and common flow path 87 with each ink gun 3.Therefore, the inside of each ink gun 3 becomes identical negative pressure pressure with the inside of negative pressure forming portion 86.

Afterwards, control device 9 is controlled to be and makes the first and second three-way switch valves 846,847 switch to supply connection status (white arrow among Fig. 4) (step S422), finishes the backpressure regulation control of negative pressure forming portion.

Below, with reference to the flowchart text wiping control of Figure 11.In wiping control, to the periphery of all ink guns 3 each nozzles 311 of difference wiping on the carriage 4.

And, be to be undertaken by making when the rotating shaft along X-direction is rotated the lower surface sliding-contact of the wiper rolls of driving and nozzle plate 31 to carry along Y direction to the wiping of each nozzle 311.

On the other hand, for this ink-jet recording apparatus 10, because each color of corresponding nine kinds of colors has been carried nine ink guns 3 on carriage 4, so the zone of enforcement wiping is also very large.Therefore, if once carry wiper rolls to finish wiping control by one way, wiper rolls is lengthened along its rotating shaft direction, this causes bending etc. easily, thereby may not effectively carry out wiping.

Therefore, the size of wiper rolls on X-direction is roughly the same with the width of the ink gun 3 of three kinds of colors side by side, and minute three nozzles to all ink guns 3 of nine kinds of colors carry out wiping.

Below, the action control of wiper rolls is described.

At first, control device 9 makes wiper rolls rotation, and carries out one way (going journey) from its position of readiness and carry (step S431), thus, the ink gun 3 of three looks is carried out wiping.

Then, make carriage 4 only move the distance (step S433) with the arrangement width of ink gun 3 on X-direction of three looks identical, make the wiper rolls rotation and carry out one way (return) conveying (step S435).Thus, the ink gun 3 of three looks of next group carried out wiping.

And then, make carriage 4 only move the distance (step S437) with the arrangement width of ink gun 3 on X-direction of three looks identical, make the wiper rolls rotation and carry out one way (going journey) conveying (step S439).Thus, the ink gun 3 of last three looks carried out wiping.

In addition, above-mentioned wiping only repeats to implement according to predefined number of times.Therefore, when the wiping of the ink gun of finishing nine looks, control device 9 compares (step S441) with wiping number of times and the predefined number of repetition of current enforcement.Its result if the number of times of current enforcement does not reach the number of repetition of setting, then returns S431 and processes, and again begins wiping action.

On the other hand, if the number of times of current enforcement is consistent with the number of repetition of setting, then finish wiping control.

[technique effect of embodiment of the present invention]

The ink-feeding device 8 of ink-jet recording apparatus 10 is provided with funnelform assistant print cartridges 82 way, the path from main print cartridge 81 to each ink gun 3, from main print cartridge 81 so that ink is supplied with inks via the moving mode of internal side wall surface current that assistant print cartridges 82 tilts to assistant print cartridges 82, and then pass through middle print cartridge 84, negative pressure forming portion 86, common flow path 87 etc. to each ink gun 3 ink delivery from the bottom of assistant print cartridges 82.

Therefore, because the ink of supplying with to assistant print cartridges 82 moves along the internal side wall surface current that tilts, so compare with the situation that the mode with the liquid level collision is injected into ink, ink can flow into reposefully, produces bubble thereby reduce.And, even in the situation that has bubble to sneak into, owing to the bubble in the ink that is injected into reposefully assistant print cartridges 82 rests on the liquid level of the ink of storing, and by the bottom ink delivery from assistant print cartridges 82, only have bubble to remain in assistant print cartridges 82 inside, therefore also can from the ink of carrying to its downstream, remove bubble.

Thus, can from ink, effectively remove the bubble of visible size, can spray stably drop at each ink gun 3.

And, by two main print cartridges 81 being set and selecting a ground and supply with ink to assistant print cartridges 82, do not have in the situation of ink at selected main print cartridge 81, can switch to fast another main print cartridge 81, the spray action of avoidance breakout ink can realize the ejection for continuous imaging.

In addition, by to way, the path of each ink gun 3, degasser 83 being set at assistant print cartridges 82, even sightless micro air bubble and dissolved gas in the ink can be removed, therefore stably drop can be further sprayed at each ink gun 3.

[other]

Need to prove, in the above-described embodiment illustration funnelform assistant print cartridges 82, still, make ink via the moving structure of the internal side wall surface current of assistant print cartridges, be not limited to above-mentioned illustrative structure as long as have from the first ink flow path 811.

For example, Figure 12 A illustrates the assistant print cartridges 82A of second case, as shown in the drawing, also the print cartridge shape can be formed cylindric or rectangular-shaped, with the private side wall of the leading section of the first ink flow path 811 and assistant print cartridges 82A near to or in contact with and dispose so that ink is moving via the internal side wall surface current along direction vertically.In this case, in assistant print cartridges 82A, because ink is moving along vertical surface current, so its flow velocity is faster than the flow velocity on inclined plane, but, and directly compare to the situation of liquid level infusing ink, can reduce fully the generation of bubble, and make bubble residue in liquid level, thereby can from the ink of supplying with to the downstream of assistant print cartridges 82A, remove bubble.

And, Figure 12 B illustrates the assistant print cartridges 82B of the 3rd example, as shown in the drawing, also can be different from assistant print cartridges 82, its side wall surface integral body is not to tilt, form the inclined plane but only make from the mobile position of ink that the first ink flow path 811 is supplied to, and make the immobilising part of ink form vertical plane.In this case, because flow lentamente along the inclined plane at assistant print cartridges 82 interior inks, so can access and assistant print cartridges 82 essentially identical effects.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the content of above-mentioned embodiment, can carry out suitable change in the scope that does not break away from purport of the present invention.

Claims

1. the ink-feeding device of an ink-jet recording apparatus is characterized in that,

This ink-jet recording apparatus has:

The first print cartridge, the ink that storage is supplied with to ink gun, this ink gun sprays ink to recording medium;

The second print cartridge is arranged on the way, path from described the first print cartridge to described ink gun;

The first liquor charging section is from described the first print cartridge to described the second print cartridge ink delivery;

The second liquor charging section is from described the second print cartridge to described ink gun side ink delivery;

The first ink flow path connects described the first print cartridge and described the second print cartridge;

The end of the described second print cartridge side of described the first ink flow path is connected with this second print cartridge, so that ink is moving via the internal side wall surface current of this second print cartridge;

Described the second liquor charging section is from the bottom ink delivery of described the second print cartridge.

2. the ink-feeding device of ink-jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Make the part inclination that is supplied at least ink from described the first ink flow path of the private side wall of described the second print cartridge, so that ink flows on section's side wall surface within it.

3. the ink-feeding device of ink-jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that,

Make described the second print cartridge form funnel-form, from described the first ink flow path so that ink is supplied with ink in the moving mode in the private side wall upper reaches of described the second print cartridge.

4. such as the ink-feeding device of each described ink-jet recording apparatus in the claims 1 to 3, it is characterized in that,

At least have plural described the first print cartridge,

Have the connection switching part, this connection switching part is selected a ground and is switched and being connected of described the second print cartridge from each first print cartridge.

5. the ink-feeding device of ink-jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Have the degasser that ink is carried out vacuum outgas, this degasser is arranged on from described the second print cartridge to the path of described ink gun the way.

6. the ink supply method of an ink-jet recording apparatus, this ink-jet recording apparatus has:

This ink supply method is characterised in that,

From the end of the described second print cartridge side of described the first ink flow path, so that ink is supplied with ink via the moving mode of the internal side wall surface current of this second print cartridge to this second print cartridge;

By described the second liquor charging section, from the bottom ink delivery of described the second print cartridge.

7. the ink supply method of ink-jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that,

At least the part that is supplied to ink from described the first ink flow path of the sidewall of described the second print cartridge is tilted, so that the mode that ink flows on section's side wall surface is carried out providing ink within it.

8. the ink supply method of ink-jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that,

9. such as the ink supply method of each described ink-jet recording apparatus in the claim 6 to 8, it is characterized in that,

At least have plural described the first print cartridge,

From each first print cartridge, select a ground and supply with ink to described the second print cartridge.

10. the ink supply method of ink-jet recording apparatus as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that,

The way from described the second print cartridge to the path of described ink gun, by vacuum degasser ink is carried out vacuum outgas after, supply with ink to described ink gun.