JP2005262582A - Liquid recovery method, liquid jet apparatus, and liquid storage body - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid recovery method which suppresses an increase in the size and cost of a liquid storage body and increases the recovery efficiency of the liquid, in the recovery operation of recovering a liquid, a liquid jet apparatus, and the liquid storage body. <P>SOLUTION: A film 16 is put into a storage chamber 15, which is formed in an ink cartridge, in a sandwiched state, so that the storage chamber 15 can be formed in the state of being partitioned into a supply chamber 17 and a recovery chamber 18. The supply chamber 17 is connected to a recording head, so that supply ink L1 stored in the supply chamber 17 can be led out to the nozzle. The capacity of the recovery 18 is increased relatively to the consumption of the supply ink L1 stored in the supply chamber 17, and the recovery chamber 18 is connected to a buffer, so that recovery ink L2 can be led into the recovery chamber 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid recovery method, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and a liquid container.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) is known as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target. In the printer, in order to reduce ink ejection failure, a cleaning operation is appropriately performed in which bubbles, thickened ink, and the like are ejected from ejection nozzles that eject ink.

  In this cleaning operation, the nozzle forming surface on which the injection nozzle is formed is sealed with a cap, and then the space (in the cap) that is airtight between the nozzle forming surface and the cap is decompressed by a suction pump. This creates a negative pressure space on the ejection direction side of the ejection nozzle, ejects thickened ink and bubbles into the same space, eliminates clogging of the ejection nozzle, and avoids ink ejection failure. doing.

  At this time, the ink ejected by the cleaning operation is introduced into an ink recovery unit provided on the downstream side of the suction pump. Some of the ink collection units can be replaced as appropriate while containing the ink, and the contained ink, that is, the ink ejected by the cleaning operation can be disposed of.

  Such an ink recovery part is formed integrally with an ink cartridge (hereinafter simply referred to as a cartridge) as a liquid container for supplying ink to the ejection nozzles, thereby facilitating replacement. In other words, since the ink collection unit is exchanged at the same time as the cartridge is exchanged, the labor for replacing the ink collection unit can be reduced.

  The cartridge is preferably replaced when all of the ink supplied to the ejection nozzle is consumed. However, such a cartridge must be replaced when the ink recovery part becomes full with the ejected ink, despite the remaining ink to be supplied to the ejection nozzles. Therefore, there is a problem of wasting unused ink stored in the cartridge.

Therefore, conventionally, such an ink recovery unit has been proposed to be able to consume all of the ink supplied to the ejection nozzles. For example, in Patent Document 1, an ink recovery unit is provided for each of a plurality of cartridges, and the ink recovery unit is provided with a detection sensor that detects whether or not the ink recovery unit is full. Further, based on these detection sensors, when the ink recovery unit becomes full, the ink recovery unit is sealed, and the ejected ink is distributed and introduced to other ink recovery units. As a result, even when the ink recovery unit becomes full, all of the ink stored in the cartridge can be consumed.
JP-A-2-29345

  By the way, in the above cartridge, when all the ink supplied to the ejection nozzle is consumed, the cartridge is replaced. Therefore, the cartridge is replaced regardless of the amount of ink stored in the ink recovery unit. As a result, even the ink collection unit that hardly collects ink is replaced, and as a result, the collection efficiency of the ink collection unit is unnecessarily lowered.

  In addition, since the ink cartridge is not only provided with an ink collection unit, but also includes the detection sensor and a distribution control valve required for the introduction of distribution, there is a possibility that the size and cost of the ink cartridge may increase. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to improve the liquid recovery efficiency while suppressing the increase in size and cost of the liquid container in the recovery operation of recovering the liquid. The object is to provide a recovery method, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and a liquid container.

  The liquid recovery method of the present invention provides a plurality of liquid storage chambers with respect to a plurality of liquid storage bodies including a liquid storage chamber in which the space of the liquid recovery chamber increases by the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber. The liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting nozzle that introduces and ejects the liquid from each of the liquids is recovered in the liquid recovery chamber relative to the amount of the consumed liquid.

  According to the liquid recovery method of the present invention, in each liquid container, the liquid is recovered in the liquid recovery chamber according to the amount of liquid consumed. That is, in the liquid container that consumes the most liquid, the most liquid is collected in the liquid recovery chamber, and in the liquid container that consumes the least liquid, the least liquid is collected in the liquid collection chamber. Accordingly, a liquid container that needs to be replaced with a large amount of liquid consumption collects a large amount of liquid, and a liquid container that consumes a small amount of liquid and does not need to be replaced is a liquid in which a small amount of liquid is collected. It becomes a container. As a result, it is possible to replace the liquid container with good liquid recovery efficiency.

  In this liquid recovery method, the liquid ejected from the liquid jet nozzle is temporarily stored in the liquid buffer chamber, and the liquid stored in the liquid buffer chamber is based on the consumption of the liquid. The liquid was recovered using the negative pressure generated in the liquid recovery chamber.

  According to this liquid recovery method, the liquid recovery chamber of each liquid container has a large negative pressure and a large space relative to the consumption of the liquid. Therefore, the liquid stored in the liquid buffer chamber is introduced into the liquid recovery chamber of each liquid container according to the generated negative pressure. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a detection sensor or the like for detecting whether or not the liquid recovery chamber is full of the recovered liquid, and the increase in size and cost of the liquid container can be suppressed.

In this liquid recovery method, in the liquid container, the liquid storage chamber is partitioned by a flexible film, and the partitioned one is defined as a liquid recovery chamber.
According to this liquid recovery method, when the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber partitioned by the flexible film is consumed, the flexible film is bent toward the liquid storage chamber by the consumed amount. The volume of the liquid recovery chamber increases as much as the flexible film is bent toward the liquid storage chamber. Therefore, by making the liquid storage chamber a liquid recovery chamber, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the liquid storage body.

  In this liquid recovery method, the liquid container is provided with a first check valve that allows the liquid to be discharged to the liquid jet nozzle at the outlet port of the liquid storage chamber that connects the liquid jet nozzle. In addition, a second check valve that allows the introduction of the liquid into the liquid recovery chamber is provided at the inlet of the liquid recovery chamber that communicates with the liquid buffer chamber.

According to this liquid recovery method, the liquid led out from the liquid storage chamber to the liquid ejection nozzle does not flow back to the liquid storage chamber by the first check valve. Therefore, it is possible to reliably increase the space of the liquid recovery chamber and generate negative pressure. Further, the liquid introduced into the liquid recovery chamber does not flow back into the liquid buffer chamber by the second check valve. Therefore, the liquid once introduced can be reliably recovered and held.
In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid container that stores the liquid, the liquid ejecting head that discharges the liquid supplied from the liquid container from the liquid ejecting nozzle, and the nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejecting head are sealed. In a liquid ejecting apparatus including a sealing unit, and a suction unit configured to suck a space formed by the nozzle forming surface and the sealing unit, the liquid container includes a liquid storage chamber that stores a liquid, The space is increased by an amount corresponding to the consumed amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid recovery chamber capable of recovering the liquid corresponding to the consumed amount of liquid is provided.

According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, each liquid container collects the liquid in the liquid recovery chamber in accordance with the amount of liquid consumed. That is, in the liquid container that consumes the most liquid, the most liquid is collected in the liquid recovery chamber, and in the liquid container that consumes the least liquid, the least liquid is collected in the liquid collection chamber. Therefore, a liquid container that needs to be exchanged with a large amount of liquid collects a large amount of liquid, and a liquid container that consumes a small amount of liquid and does not need to be exchanged is a liquid in which a small amount of liquid is collected. It becomes a container. Therefore, it is possible to replace the liquid container with high liquid recovery efficiency without wasting the liquid.
The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid buffer chamber that stores the liquid collected from the liquid ejecting head, and a connection path that connects the liquid buffer chamber and the liquid collecting chamber of the liquid container.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid collected from the liquid ejecting head is stored in the liquid buffer chamber and then collected in the liquid collecting chamber through the connection path. Therefore, the liquid collected from the liquid ejecting head can be once collected in the liquid buffer chamber. As a result, even if the liquid to be recovered flows backward from the liquid recovery chamber side to the liquid ejecting head side, the liquid can be stored in the buffer chamber, and the inflow of liquid to the liquid ejecting head can be reliably avoided. can do.

In this liquid ejecting apparatus, a plurality of the liquid containers are provided, and the liquid buffer chamber and the plurality of liquid storage chambers are respectively connected in parallel.
According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, the plurality of liquid storage chambers are connected in parallel to the buffer chamber. Therefore, the path of the connection path to the liquid storage chamber can be simplified.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a plurality of the liquid containers are provided, one of the liquid buffer chamber and the plurality of liquid containers is connected, and the liquid recovery chambers of the other liquid containers are connected in series.

According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, the plurality of liquid storage chambers are connected in series to the buffer chamber. Therefore, the path of the connection path to the buffer chamber can be simplified.
The liquid container of the present invention includes a container, a liquid storage chamber and a liquid recovery chamber formed by partitioning the container with a film, and the liquid recovery corresponding to the liquid consumption in the liquid storage chamber A negative pressure for collecting the waste liquid was formed in the room.

  According to the liquid container of the present invention, in the liquid recovery chamber partitioned by the film, a negative pressure for recovering the liquid is generated according to the consumption of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber. Accordingly, the liquid that is suitable for the consumption of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber can be recovered in the liquid recovery chamber. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which almost no liquid is collected in the liquid collection chamber, and it is possible to improve the liquid collection efficiency.

The liquid container includes a valve body that opens when a negative pressure is generated in the liquid recovery chamber.
According to this liquid container, the valve element is opened when a negative pressure is generated in the liquid recovery chamber. Therefore, the liquid corresponding to the negative pressure generated in the liquid recovery chamber can be recovered in the liquid recovery chamber, and when no negative pressure is generated, the recovered liquid can be held in the liquid recovery chamber.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink cartridge 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a cartridge 10) as a liquid container includes a storage case 11 and a recovery case 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the storage case 11 is a substantially rectangular box, and a substantially dish-shaped storage recess 13 is formed on the upper surface thereof. Similar to the housing case 11, the collection case 12 is a substantially rectangular box, and a substantially dish-shaped collection recess 14 is formed on the lower surface thereof. In the cartridge 10, the storage recess 13 and the recovery recess 14 face each other to form a storage chamber 15 as a liquid storage chamber.

  A film 16 as a flexible film is sandwiched between the housing recess 13 and the recovery recess 14. The film 16 is formed of a synthetic resin or the like that does not permeate ink as a liquid, and its four sides are welded to both the storage case 11 and the recovery case 12. The film 16 is curved so that it can be disposed along the collection recess 14 (accommodation recess 13). As shown in FIG. 3, the film 16 partitions the storage chamber 15 into a supply chamber 17 and a recovery chamber 18 as a liquid recovery chamber. The supply chamber 17 is a space formed on the storage recess 13 side, and is for storing ink supplied from the cartridge 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as supply ink L1). The collection chamber 18 is a space formed on the collection recess 14 side, and is for accommodating ink collected in the cartridge 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as collection ink L2). When the film 16 is disposed along the collection recess 14, the storage chamber 15 is occupied by the supply chamber 17, that is, the storage chamber 15 is filled with the supply ink L <b> 1. On the contrary, when the film 16 is disposed along the storage recess 13, the storage chamber 15 is occupied by the recovery chamber 18, that is, the storage chamber 15 is filled with the recovery ink L2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a lead-out port portion 21 having a substantially cylindrical shape is projected on one side surface of the housing case 11. A lead-out hole 22 for leading the supply ink L <b> 1 is formed through the lead-out port portion 21 from the supply chamber 17 to the outside of the housing case 11. As shown in FIG. 3, a storage recess 23 and a fitting recess 24 are formed in an enlarged manner on the side surface of the outlet hole 22 in order from the supply chamber 17 side along the longitudinal direction.

  In the storage recess 23, a coil spring 25 and a valve body 26 are stored in order from the supply chamber 17 side. The valve body 26 is a disc having a semi-spindle cross section, and is always urged outward from the supply chamber 17 side by the elastic force of the coil spring 25. A seal member 27 is fitted into the fitting recess 24 outside the valve body 26. The seal member 27 is an O-ring made of synthetic resin or the like, and is formed so as to be in close contact with the inner side surface of the fitting recess 24. Further, the seal member 27 is formed so as to be in close contact with the outer surface of the distal end portion when the distal end portion of the tube T1 (see FIG. 5) is inserted into the outlet port portion 21. A lid 28 is fixed to the outer side of the seal member 27 and the outermost side of the outlet hole 22. The lid 28 is fitted with the fitting recess 24 to position the seal member 27. As shown in FIG. 3, the valve body 26 biased by the coil spring 25 is in close contact with the positioned seal member 27 to close the outlet hole 22.

As a result, when the stress against the coil spring 25 is not applied to the valve element 26, the valve element 26 closes the outlet hole 22 so that the supply ink L1 cannot be extracted. On the contrary, when a stress against the coil spring 25 is applied, that is, when the distal end of the tube T1 (see FIG. 5) is inserted into the outlet port 21, the valve body 26 moves toward the supply chamber 17 and is supplied. The supply ink L1 in the chamber 17 can be derived. That is, the coil spring 25, the valve body 26, and the seal member 27 constitute a check valve 29 that allows the supply ink L1 to be led out.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a substantially cylindrical introduction port portion 31 is provided on one side surface of the collection case 12 so as to protrude. An introduction hole 32 for introducing the recovery ink L2 into the recovery chamber 18 is formed through the introduction port portion 31 from the recovery chamber 18 to the outside of the recovery case 12. As shown in FIG. 3, a storage recess 33 and a fitting recess 34 are formed in an enlarged manner on the side surface of the introduction hole 32 in that order from the collection chamber 18 side along the longitudinal direction.

  In the storage recess 33 and the fitting recess 34, a coil spring 35, a valve body 36, a seal member 37, and a lid 38 are arranged in this order from the collection chamber 18 side, similarly to the outlet port 21 described above. The valve body 36 is a disc having a semi-spindle cross section, and is always urged outward from the collection chamber 18 side by the elastic force of the coil spring 35.

  The seal member 37 is positioned by a lid 38 that fits into the fitting recess 34, and is in close contact with the inner surface of the fitting recess 34. Further, the seal member 37 is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the distal end portion of the tube T2 (see FIG. 5) inserted into the introduction port portion 31, and the distal end portion of the tube T2 is not brought into contact with the valve body 36. It is formed as follows. Therefore, the introduction port portion 31 is configured not to press the distal end portion against the valve body 36 when the tube T2 is inserted.

  As a result, when the stress against the coil spring 35 is not applied to the valve body 36, the valve body 36 closes the introduction hole 32 and makes it impossible to introduce the recovered ink L2. On the contrary, when a stress against the coil spring 25 is applied, that is, when the recovery chamber 18 has a negative pressure from the outside of the inlet 31, the valve body 36 moves toward the recovery chamber 18 and moves into the recovery chamber 18. The recovered ink L2 can be introduced into That is, the coil spring 35, the valve body 36, and the seal member 37 constitute a check valve 39 that allows the collection ink L2 to be introduced.

Next, an ink jet printer 40 (hereinafter simply referred to as the printer 40) as a liquid ejecting apparatus in which the cartridge 10 is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, an ink jet printer 40 (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer 40) as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a frame 41, a paper feed tray 42, and a paper discharge tray 43.

  The frame 41 covers the entire apparatus of the printer 40. A paper feed tray 42 is provided on the upper side of the frame 41, and a paper discharge tray 43 is provided on the front side of the frame 41. The paper feed tray 42 guides recording paper as a target into the printer 40, and the paper discharge tray 43 guides printed recording paper out of the printer 40.

  A guide member 44 is installed in the printer 40 along the longitudinal direction of the frame 41. A carriage 45 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 44 so as to be movable. The carriage 45 is connected and driven by a carriage motor (not shown). When the carriage motor is rotationally driven, the carriage 45 reciprocates in the direction along the guide member 44, that is, in the main scanning direction X by receiving the driving force.

A platen 46 is disposed in the printer 40 at a position parallel to the guide member 44. The platen 46 is a support base for supporting the recording paper, and a paper feed mechanism (not shown) is provided on the upper surface thereof. The paper feed mechanism feeds the recording paper inserted from the paper feed tray 42 along the direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction X, that is, the sub-scanning direction Y.

  A recording head 47 as a liquid ejecting head is mounted on the lower surface of the carriage 45 and facing the platen 46 (recording paper). As shown in FIG. 5, a nozzle forming surface 48 is formed on the lower surface of the recording head 47. A large number of liquid ejecting nozzles 49 (hereinafter simply referred to as nozzles 49) are formed on the nozzle forming surface 48. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, four nozzle rows each including a plurality of nozzles 49 are formed for convenience of explanation. However, the number of nozzle rows is not limited thereto, and the number of nozzle rows may be changed as appropriate. Also good. As shown in FIG. 5, the supply ink L1 is supplied to the nozzle 49 via the tube T1. A vibration plate 51 and a piezo element 52 are provided above the nozzle 49.

  The diaphragm 51 is a plate material that can vibrate according to the expansion and contraction of the piezo element 52. When an image signal generated based on print image data is input, the piezo element 52 expands and contracts its length along the ejection direction of the supply ink L1. When an image signal is input to the piezo element 52, the diaphragm 51 vibrates in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the piezo element 52, and the volume in the nozzle 49 is enlarged or reduced. When the volume in the nozzle 49 is reduced, the ink in the nozzle 49 is ejected as ink droplets. On the contrary, when the volume in the nozzle 49 increases, a negative pressure is formed in the nozzle 49, and the supply ink L <b> 1 is supplied into the nozzle 49 by this negative pressure.

  That is, the printer 40 feeds the recording paper along the sub-scanning direction Y and reciprocates the carriage 45 along the main scanning direction X. At the same time, the printer 40 drives the piezo element 52 with an image signal generated based on the print image data to eject ink droplets from the recording head 47. As a result, the printer 40 performs printing on the recording paper based on the print data.

  A region not used for printing, a so-called non-printing region, is provided in one end of the printer 40. As shown in FIG. 4, a cap holder 53 is provided in the non-printing area. The cap holder 53 is supported by an elevating part (not shown) attached to the frame 41 so as to be movable up and down. In the cap holder 53, a cap 54 as a sealing means is disposed. When the recording head 47 is in the non-printing area and the cap holder 53 moves up, the upper edge of the cap 54 seals the nozzle forming surface 48.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a suction port 55 for sucking ink or the like discharged into the cap 54 is formed through the bottom surface of the cap 54. One end of a tube T3 is connected to the suction port 55, and the other end is connected to a suction pump 56 as a suction means. The suction pump 56 is a pump for sucking the inside of the cap 54. When the cap 54 seals the nozzle forming surface 48, when the suction pump 56 is driven, a negative pressure is formed in the cap 54. Due to this negative pressure, thickened ink, bubbles, and the like in the nozzle 49 are discharged into the cap 54, and a cleaning operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the downstream side of the suction pump 56 is connected to a liquid buffer chamber 57 (hereinafter simply referred to as the buffer 57) via a tube T4. The buffer 57 is a container for storing the recovered ink L2 discharged from the suction pump 56, and is formed in a substantially box shape. One end of each of the four tubes T <b> 2 is introduced into the buffer 57, and the other end is connected to the introduction port portion 31 of the cartridge 10. Thus, the recovered ink L2 discharged from the suction pump 56 is temporarily stored in the buffer 57 and can be introduced into the recovery chamber 18 thereafter. As shown in FIG. 5, in the buffer 57, the other end of the tube T3 is always disposed at a position away from the liquid level of the collected ink L2, and the collected ink L2 in which one end of the tube T4 is stored. It is placed in a position where it is always immersed.

Next, the ink collection operation of the printer 40 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the cap 54 is moved upward with respect to the nozzle forming surface 48 in the non-printing region to seal the nozzle forming surface 48, and the suction pump 56 is driven. Then, a negative pressure is formed in the cap 54, and thickened ink, bubbles, etc. in the nozzle 49 are discharged into the cap 54. Thereby, a cleaning operation is performed. The ink discharged at this time is discharged from the cap 54 by the suction pump 56 and stored in the buffer 57 as the recovered ink L2.

  By discharging the ink or the like in the nozzle 49, a negative pressure is formed in the nozzle 49. Due to this negative pressure, the supply ink L 1 in the supply chamber 17 is introduced into the nozzle 49. Further, when a printing operation is being performed in the printing area, the ink is discharged onto the recording paper, whereby the inside of the nozzle 49 becomes negative pressure and the supply ink L1 in the supply chamber 17 is introduced into the nozzle 49.

  Then, the volume of the supply chamber 17 is reduced by the amount of the derived supply ink L1, that is, the consumption amount of the supply ink L1, and accordingly, the collection chamber 18 has a negative pressure outside the introduction port portion 31 and is introduced. The check valve 39 of the mouth 31 is opened to increase the volume of the collection chamber 18 by the same consumption amount. Then, a negative pressure corresponding to the consumed amount is formed in the collection chamber 18, whereby the collected ink L2 in the buffer 57 is introduced into the collection chamber 18 and an ink collection operation to the cartridge 10 is performed.

  This ink recovery operation is performed every time a negative pressure is formed in the recovery chamber 18, that is, every time the supply ink L 1 in the supply chamber 17 is introduced into the nozzle 49. That is, the ink collecting operation is not limited to the cleaning operation, but is also performed when the volume in the nozzle 49 is increased in conjunction with the contraction of the piezo element 52, that is, when the printer 40 is in the printing operation.

  Therefore, the collection ink L2 corresponding to the consumption amount of the adjacent supply chamber 17 is introduced into each collection chamber 18. That is, a large amount of collected ink L2 is introduced into the collection chamber 18 of the cartridge 10 that consumes a large amount because the negative pressure is large. On the contrary, since the negative pressure is small, a small amount of recovered ink L2 is introduced into the recovery chamber 18 of the cartridge 10 that consumes less amount.

  This ink recovery operation is continued until the negative pressure in the recovery chamber 18 is released, that is, until all the supply ink L1 in the adjacent supply chamber 17 is consumed. The cartridge 10 that has consumed all of the supply ink L1 always stores the recovered ink L2 corresponding to the consumption amount of the supply chamber 17.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the present embodiment, the storage recess 13 and the recovery recess 14 form the storage chamber 15 for storing ink, and the flexible film 16 is sandwiched between the storage recess 13 and the recovery recess 14. I entered. Thus, the supply chamber 17 that stores the supply ink L1 and the recovery chamber 18 that stores the recovery ink L2 are partitioned in the storage chamber 15. When the supply ink L1 is not used, the storage chamber 15 is occupied as the supply chamber 17, and each time the supply ink L1 is consumed, the collection chamber 18 having a volume corresponding to the consumption amount is set in the storage chamber 15. It was made to form inside. As a result, when all of the supply ink L1 is consumed, the entire volume of the storage chamber 15 can be used as the recovery chamber 18, and the enlargement of the cartridge 10 can be suppressed.

  (2) According to the present embodiment, the buffer 57 for storing the recovered ink L2 is provided, and one end of the tube T2 connected to the recovery chamber 18 is always immersed in the recovered ink L2. Thereby, it can form in the collection | recovery chamber 18 according to the consumption of the supply ink L1, ie, according to a negative pressure. Therefore, the recovered ink L2 corresponding to the consumption can be introduced into the recovery chamber 18, and as a result, the recovery efficiency in the ink recovery operation can be improved. Furthermore, since the amount of the recovered ink L2 corresponding to the consumption amount, that is, the amount corresponding to the volume of the recovery chamber 18 is introduced, there is no possibility of leakage of the ink introduced into the recovery chamber 18. Therefore, there is no need to provide a detection sensor or the like for detecting whether or not the collection chamber 18 is full.

  (3) According to the present embodiment, the check valve 39 that allows the collection ink L2 to be introduced is provided in the introduction port 31. Accordingly, the recovered ink L2 introduced into the recovery chamber 18 can be reliably stored and held.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the present embodiment, the recovery ink L2 is introduced by the negative pressure formed in the recovery chamber 18. By changing this, as shown in FIG. 6, the height of the buffer 57 is arranged higher than the height of the recovery chamber 18, and the recovered ink is recovered by the pressure due to the water head difference between the buffer 57 and the recovery chamber 18. L2 may be pumped into the collection chamber 18. At this time, the check valve 39 provided in the introduction port portion 31 permits the introduction of the recovered ink L2 when, for example, the distal end portion of the tube T2 is inserted in the same manner as the check valve 29 of the outlet port portion 21. Shall.
In the present embodiment, tubes T <b> 2 are provided from the buffer 57 to the collection chambers 18 so that the flow path into which the collection ink L <b> 2 is introduced is in parallel with the buffer 57. By changing this, as shown in FIG. 7, a tube T <b> 2 may be provided so as to connect the collection chambers 18, and may be in series with the buffer 57. At this time, the check valve 39 provided in each recovery chamber 18 permits the introduction of the recovery ink L2 when the distal end portion of the tube T2 is inserted, like the check valve 29 of the outlet port portion 21. To do.
In the present embodiment, the inside of the cap 54 is configured as one space. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, two spaces may be formed according to the nozzle row, or A plurality of sections may be formed.
In the present embodiment, the storage chamber 15 is partitioned by the film 16, but not limited to this, the supply chamber 17 and the recovery chamber 18 are partitioned and moved in the storage chamber 15 according to the consumption amount of the supply ink L <b> 1. Anything can be used.
In the present embodiment, the buffer 57 is provided. However, this may be changed and the tube T3 on the downstream side of the suction pump 56 may be branched to the introduction port portion 31 of each cartridge 10, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment. Similarly, an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge. Similarly, the sectional side view of an ink cartridge. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer embodying the present invention. Similarly, an explanatory view showing an ink flow path of an ink jet printer. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an ink flow path of an ink jet printer in which the embodiment is changed. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an ink flow path of an ink jet printer in which the embodiment is changed. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an ink flow path of an ink jet printer in which the embodiment is changed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ink cartridge as a liquid container, 11 ... Storage case, 12 ... Recovery case, 15 ... Storage chamber as a liquid storage chamber, 16 ... Film as a flexible film, 17 ... Supply chamber, 18 ... Liquid recovery chamber Recovery chamber, 21 ... outlet port, 29,39 check valve, 31 ... inlet port, 40 ... ink jet printer as liquid ejecting device, 47 ... recording head, 49 ... liquid ejecting nozzle, 54 ... sealed Cap as stop means, 56 ... Suction pump as suction means, 57 ... Liquid buffer chamber, L1 ... Supply ink, L2 ... Collected ink, T1, T2, T3,
T4 ... Tube.

Claims (10)

The liquid is introduced from each of the plurality of liquid storage chambers to a plurality of liquid storage bodies including a liquid storage chamber in which the space of the liquid recovery chamber increases by the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber. A liquid recovery method, wherein the liquid discharged from the ejected liquid jet nozzle is recovered in the liquid recovery chamber relative to the amount of the consumed liquid. The liquid recovery method according to claim 1,
The liquid ejected from the liquid ejection nozzle is temporarily stored in the liquid buffer chamber, and the liquid stored in the liquid buffer chamber is stored in the liquid recovery chamber based on consumption of the liquid. A liquid recovery method, wherein a liquid is recovered using a negative pressure generated. The liquid recovery method according to claim 1 or 2,
The liquid container is characterized in that a liquid container chamber is partitioned by a flexible film, and one of the partitioned liquid containers is a liquid recovery chamber. The liquid recovery method according to claim 3,
The liquid container is provided with a first check valve that allows the liquid to be discharged to the liquid ejecting nozzle at the outlet of the liquid storing chamber that connects the liquid ejecting nozzle, and the liquid buffer chamber. A liquid recovery method, wherein a second check valve that allows introduction of the liquid into the liquid recovery chamber is provided at an inlet port of the liquid recovery chamber that communicates with the liquid recovery chamber. A liquid container that contains liquid; a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid supplied from the liquid container from a liquid ejecting nozzle; a sealing unit that seals a nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head; and the nozzle formation In a liquid ejecting apparatus including a suction unit that sucks a space formed by a surface and the sealing unit,
The liquid container includes a liquid storage chamber for storing a liquid, and a space corresponding to the consumed amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid corresponding to the amount of the consumed liquid. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a recoverable liquid recovery chamber. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a liquid buffer chamber that stores liquid collected from the liquid ejecting head; and a connection path that connects the liquid buffer chamber and the liquid collecting chamber of the liquid container. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of the liquid containers, wherein the liquid buffer chamber and the plurality of liquid chambers are respectively connected in parallel. The liquid ejection according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of the liquid containers, wherein one of the liquid buffer chamber and the plurality of liquid containers is connected, and the liquid recovery chambers of the other liquid containers are connected in series. apparatus. A container, and a liquid storage chamber and a liquid recovery chamber formed by partitioning the inside of the container with a film, for recovering waste liquid in the liquid recovery chamber corresponding to the liquid consumption of the liquid storage chamber A liquid container formed so that negative pressure can be generated. The liquid container according to claim 7, wherein the liquid recovery chamber includes a valve body that opens when a negative pressure is generated in the liquid recovery chamber.

Images