JP2022101000A - Liquid discharge device and control method of liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device and a control method of the liquid discharge device, which can remove air in a liquid storage section while suppressing an increase in size of the liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a liquid discharge head which discharges liquid from a nozzle; a liquid storage section which has a storage chamber capable of storing liquid supplied from a liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head; and a carriage on which the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage section are mounted and which can reciprocate in a scanning direction X. The liquid discharge device further includes: discharge flow passages F1, F2 which can discharge air in an upper section within the storage chamber; a connection section 91 which can be connected to/separated from connected sections 71 of the discharge flow passages F1, F2; and a negative pressure generation section which applies negative pressure to the connection section 91. The carriage moves to a prescribed position, so that the connection section 91 is connected to the connected sections 71 of the discharge flow passages F1, F2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid discharge device including a carriage on which a liquid discharge head and a liquid storage unit are mounted, and a control method for the liquid discharge device.

As an example of the liquid ejection device, an inkjet printer is known in which ink (liquid) supplied from a liquid supply source such as an ink tank is ejected from a liquid ejection head onto a medium such as paper for printing. Among such printers, there is one in which a liquid storage unit for storing a liquid such as ink supplied from a liquid supply source to a liquid ejection head is mounted on a carriage in the middle of a supply path (for example, Patent Document 1).

For example, in the liquid discharge device described in Patent Document 1, a liquid discharge head and a buffer tank (an example of a liquid storage unit) are mounted on a reciprocating carriage. The air bubbles from the air bubble storage chamber of the buffer tank to the exhaust port of the exhaust passage are configured to be sucked by a pump through the exhaust cap.

JP-A-2010-179661

However, in the liquid discharge device described in Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to arrange the bubble discharge port next to the nozzle surface of the recording head, the carriage bottom area becomes large and the size of the liquid discharge device is increased. There is a problem that it leads to.

The liquid discharge device for solving the above problems includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and the liquid. A carriage equipped with a discharge head and the liquid storage unit and reciprocating in the scanning direction, a discharge flow path capable of discharging air at the upper part of the storage chamber, and a connected portion of the discharge flow path are connected and connected. A connecting portion capable of being separated and a negative pressure generating portion that exerts a negative pressure on the connecting portion are provided, and when the carriage moves to a predetermined position, the connecting portion becomes the connected portion of the discharge flow path. Connected to.

The liquid discharge device for solving the above problems includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and the liquid. A carriage equipped with a discharge head and the liquid storage unit and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction, a filter provided upstream of the storage chamber in the liquid storage unit and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source, and a filter. A first discharge flow path capable of discharging air in the upper part of the storage chamber, an upper part of the filter chamber in which the filter is housed in the liquid storage portion, and a position upstream of the filter in the liquid storage portion in the liquid supply direction. A discharge flow path including a second discharge flow path capable of discharging at least one of the upstream flow paths, a connection portion capable of being connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path, and the above-mentioned A negative pressure generating portion that causes a negative pressure to act on the connecting portion is provided, and the carriage is moved to a predetermined position so that the connecting portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path.

A control method for a liquid discharge device that solves the above problems includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, and a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber that can store the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head. A carriage equipped with the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage unit and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction, a discharge flow path capable of discharging air from the upper part of the storage chamber, and a first position capable of opening and closing the discharge flow path. The opening / closing portion, the pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening / closing the first opening / closing portion, the lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage, and the connected portion of the discharge flow path are provided. It includes an on-off valve that can open and close the discharge flow path, a connection portion that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path, and a negative pressure generating portion that exerts a negative pressure on the connection portion. It is a control method of the liquid discharge device, and by moving the carriage to the front of a predetermined position, the on-off valve is opened at the connection portion, and the connection portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path. By moving the carriage to the predetermined position, the lever is moved in the direction of pressing the pressing portion to open the first opening / closing portion, and the connection portion is generated by the negative pressure generating portion. By applying a negative pressure to the liquid, the air in the storage chamber is sucked through the discharge flow path.

A control method for a liquid discharge device that solves the above problems includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, and a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber that can store the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head. , A carriage on which the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage unit are mounted and reciprocating in the scanning direction, and a carriage provided upstream of the storage chamber in the liquid storage unit to filter the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source. The filter, the first discharge channel capable of discharging the air in the upper part of the storage chamber, the upper part of the filter chamber in which the filter is housed in the liquid storage portion, and the liquid supply direction in the liquid storage portion with respect to the filter. A discharge flow path including a second discharge flow path capable of discharging at least one of the upstream flow paths located upstream, and a connection portion capable of being connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path. It is a control method of a liquid discharge device including a negative pressure generating portion that causes a negative pressure to act on the connecting portion, and by moving the carriage to a predetermined position, the connected portion of the discharge flow path is described. By connecting the connection portion and applying a negative pressure to the connection portion by the negative pressure generating portion, the air in the storage chamber is sucked through the first discharge flow path, and the second discharge flow is performed. It comprises sucking air in at least one of the upper part of the filter chamber and the upstream flow path through the path.

The perspective view which shows the multifunction device which comprises the liquid discharge device of one Embodiment. Schematic side sectional view showing a liquid discharge device. Schematic normal sectional view showing a liquid discharge device. The perspective view which shows the carriage which carries the liquid storage part and the liquid discharge head. The perspective view which shows the 1st surface of the liquid storage part. The perspective view which shows the 2nd surface of the liquid storage part. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F7-F7 in FIG. 6 of the liquid storage portion in the closed valve state. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F7-F7 in FIG. 6 of the liquid reservoir in the opened valve state. The perspective view which shows the bubble discharge mechanism. A plan sectional view showing a bubble discharge mechanism. The cross-sectional view which shows the non-connection state of the connected part and the connection part in the bubble discharge mechanism. The cross-sectional view which shows the connection state of the connected part and the connection part in the bubble discharge mechanism. Top view when the bubble discharge mechanism is in the disconnected state. The plan view when the bubble discharge mechanism is in the 1st connection state. The plan view when the bubble discharge mechanism is in the 2nd connection state. Front view when the bubble discharge mechanism is in the disconnected state. Front view when the bubble discharge mechanism is in the first connection state. Front view when the bubble discharge mechanism is in the second connection state. Bottom sectional view when the bubble discharge mechanism is not connected. Bottom sectional view when the bubble discharge mechanism is in the first connection state. Bottom sectional view when the bubble discharge mechanism is in the second connection state.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the liquid discharge device will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device of the present embodiment is an inkjet printer that prints (records) characters, images, and the like on a medium by ejecting a liquid such as ink onto a medium such as paper.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 11 includes a liquid discharge device 12 and an image reading device 13 arranged on the liquid discharge device 12. In the multifunction device 11, the image reading device 13 is in a state of covering the upper side of the liquid discharging device 12, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

In FIG. 1, the direction of gravity is shown by the Z axis assuming that the compound machine 11 is placed on the horizontal plane, and the direction along the horizontal plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity is shown by the X axis and the Y axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis intersect each other (orthogonal in this embodiment). In the following description, the direction along the X axis is defined as the scanning direction X, the direction along the Y axis is defined as the transport direction Y, and the direction along the Z axis is defined as the vertical direction Z. Further, in the scanning direction X, the direction in which the X-axis arrow points is referred to as + X direction, the opposite direction is referred to as −X direction, the direction in which the Y-axis arrow points in the transport direction Y is referred to as + Y direction, and the opposite direction is −Y. Also called direction. Further, the + X direction side is also referred to as a left side, and the −X direction side is also referred to as a right side. Further, the + Y direction side is also referred to as a front side, and the −Y direction side is also referred to as a rear side.

An operation having an operation unit 15 such as a button for performing various operations of the multifunction device 11 and a display unit 16 for displaying information of the liquid discharge device 12 and the multifunction device 11 on the front surface of the liquid discharge device 12. A panel 17 is provided. Further, on the right side of the operation panel 17, a holding portion 19 for holding at least one (five in this embodiment) liquid supply source 18 is provided. The holding portion 19 constitutes a part of the housing 20, and houses at least one liquid supply source 18 inside the holding portion 19. At least one (five in this embodiment) window portion 21 is formed in the holding portion 19 so as to correspond to each liquid supply source 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid source 18 has a storage chamber 22 capable of containing the liquid. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are a plurality of liquid supply sources 18, and different types of liquids are stored in the storage chamber 22. The plurality of storage chambers 22 contain liquids having different colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one liquid supply source 18 for black having a large capacity is provided on the operation panel 17, and the liquid supply source 18 for color having a smaller capacity than that for black is provided. There are three.

The liquid supply source 18 is made of a transparent or translucent resin, and the level of the liquid level of the liquid contained in the storage chamber 22 can be visually recognized from the outside. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the liquid supply source 18, the area corresponding to the window portion 21 functions as a visible surface 23 in which the liquid such as ink in the storage chamber 22 can be visually recognized from the outside. As shown in FIG. 2, the visual recognition surface 23 is provided with a lower limit scale 24 indicating a guideline for replenishing the liquid in the storage chamber 22 and an upper limit scale 25 indicating a guideline for the upper limit of the liquid that can be stored in the storage chamber 22. ing. The liquid supply source 18 has a front wall 18a constituting the visual recognition surface 23, and an upper wall 18b and a lower wall 18c intersecting the front wall 18a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid discharge device 12 includes a liquid discharge head 30 that discharges liquid from the nozzle 31, and a storage chamber 51 that can store the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid discharge head 30. The liquid storage unit 50 is provided with a liquid storage unit 50, and a carriage 33 on which the liquid discharge head 30 and the liquid storage unit 50 are mounted and reciprocating in the scanning direction X. The liquid discharge head 30 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “discharge head 30”) discharges liquid toward the medium M (see FIG. 3) while moving, and attaches the discharged liquid to the medium M for printing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid discharge device 12 includes a liquid supply device 26 that supplies liquid from the liquid supply source 18 to the discharge head 30, and a maintenance device 40 that maintains the discharge head 30.

The maintenance device 40 includes a cap 41 provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the discharge head 30, and a discharge tube 42 connected to the cap 41. The cap 41 is located below the discharge head 30. Therefore, the cap 41 can receive the liquid discharged from the nozzle 31 for maintenance and the liquid discharged from the nozzle 31.

The cap 41 is configured to be movable between a retracted position separated from the discharge head 30 and a capping position in contact with the nozzle surface 30A, which is the surface on which the nozzle 31 of the discharge head 30 opens. The cap 41 forms a closed space in which the nozzle 31 opens between the cap 41 and the nozzle surface 30A when it is in the capping position. The cap 41 can form a closed space in which the nozzle 31 opens.

The maintenance device 40 includes a suction pump 45 provided in the middle of the discharge tube 42. The liquid discharge device 12 includes a waste liquid storage unit 47 to which the downstream end of the discharge tube 46 extending from the suction pump 45 of the maintenance device 40 is connected. The maintenance device 40 drives the suction pump 45 in a state where the cap 41 is separated from the discharge head 30, and sends the liquid received by the cap 41 to the waste liquid storage unit 47.

Further, the maintenance device 40 drives the suction pump 45 with the discharge head 30 capped to reduce the pressure in the closed space formed between the cap 41 and the nozzle surface 30A. As a result, the maintenance device 40 discharges foreign matter such as air bubbles in the liquid in the discharge head 30 from the nozzle 31 together with the liquid and sends it to the waste liquid storage unit 47.

Next, the liquid supply device 26 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of liquid supply devices 26 (four in the present embodiment) are individually provided corresponding to the liquid supply source 18, but in FIG. 2, 1 is provided for the sake of simplification of the figure. One liquid supply source 18 and one liquid supply device 26 corresponding to the liquid supply source 18 are shown. Since each configuration of the plurality of liquid supply devices 26 is substantially the same, the description of one liquid supply device 26 will be described and the description of the other liquid supply devices 26 will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid supply device 26 is provided in the middle of the liquid supply path 27 for supplying the liquid contained in the liquid supply source 18 to the discharge head 30 and the liquid supply path 27, and can store the liquid. It is provided with the above-mentioned liquid storage unit 50. The liquid storage unit 50 is mounted on the carriage 33 and reciprocates in the scanning direction X as the carriage 33 moves. The liquid storage unit 50 stores the liquid and changes the volume of the stored liquid according to the pressure change of the liquid.

The liquid supply path 27 may be formed of an elastically deformable tube, or may be formed of a flow path forming member made of a hard resin material. The liquid supply path 27 may be formed by attaching a film member to the flow path forming member in which the groove is formed.

The liquid supply path 27 includes a first supply path 27a which is a portion upstream of the liquid storage section 50 and a second supply path 27b which is a portion downstream of the liquid storage section 50. The liquid supply device 26 includes a supply tube 28 that connects the liquid storage unit 50 and the liquid supply source 18. The first supply path 27a is formed in the supply tube 28. The second supply path 27b is provided on the carriage 33, and sends the liquid from the liquid storage unit 50 to the discharge head 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid storage unit 50 is located above the discharge head 30 and the liquid supply source 18, and at least a part of the liquid supply source 18 is located below the discharge head 30. That is, the discharge head 30 is located between the liquid storage unit 50 and the liquid supply source 18 in the vertical direction Z. Regarding the positional relationship between the liquid storage unit 50, the discharge head 30, and the liquid supply source 18 in the vertical direction Z, the liquid can be discharged from the nozzle 31 of the discharge head 30 at the discharge time, and the discharge head 30 can be discharged at a non-discharge time such as during standby. It can be arbitrarily set as long as there is no liquid leakage from the nozzle 31 of the above.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 33 is equipped with a bubble discharge mechanism BS capable of discharging air above the storage chamber 51 of the liquid storage unit 50. The bubble discharge mechanism BS connects and separates from the connected portion 71 (see FIG. 9) of the discharge flow path F (see FIG. 5) communicating with the upper part of the storage chamber 51 and the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. The connection portion 91 is provided. Further, the liquid discharge device 12 includes a negative pressure generating unit 97 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that causes a negative pressure to act on the connecting unit 91. The negative pressure generating portion 97 communicates with the cap 41.

The bubble discharge mechanism BS is configured so that the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 can be connected when the carriage 33 is at a predetermined position in the scanning direction X.
As shown in FIG. 2, the negative pressure generating unit 97 may use the suction pump 45 of the maintenance device 40 as its negative pressure source. In this case, a switching valve 44 is provided in the middle of the discharge tube 42, and the switching valve 44 and the bubble discharge mechanism BS are connected to each other through the discharge tube 96. The switching valve 44 is, for example, an electromagnetic switching valve, and is switched and controlled by the control unit 100. The switching valve 44 communicates the negative pressure from the suction pump 45 with the first switching position for introducing the negative pressure from the suction pump 45 into the cap 41, and the negative pressure from the suction pump 45 via the connection between the connecting portion 91 of the bubble discharge mechanism BS and the connected portion 71. It is configured to be switchable between the storage chamber 51 in the liquid storage unit 50 and the second switching position to be introduced into the filter chamber 54.

<Structure of scanning system>
Next, the configuration of the scanning system in the liquid discharge device 12 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 33 is provided so as to be reciprocally movable along the scanning direction X parallel to the width direction X intersecting the transport direction Y to which the medium M is transported. The carriage 33 is provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the scanning direction X along the guide rail 34. The guide rail 34 may be configured by forming a part of a metal main frame in a rail shape, or may be configured by a guide shaft erected so as to extend in the scanning direction X in the housing 20.

In the housing 20, a carriage motor 35 that is a drive source of the carriage 33 is arranged at a position that is one end of a movement path of the carriage 33. An endless timing belt 38 is mounted between the drive pulley 36 fixed to the drive shaft of the carriage motor 35 and the driven pulley 37 located at the opposite end of the drive pulley and the scanning direction X. .. The carriage 33 is fixed to a part of the timing belt 38. Therefore, when the carriage motor 35 is driven in the forward rotation, the carriage 33 moves forward in the + X direction, and when the carriage motor 35 is driven in the reverse direction, the carriage 33 returns in the −X direction.

Further, a linear encoder 39 extending along the movement path of the carriage 33 is provided in the housing 20. The linear encoder 39 is composed of a linear scale 39A extending along the movement path of the carriage 33 and a sensor 39B attached to the carriage 33 so as to be able to detect light transmitted through a translucent portion formed at a constant pitch on the linear scale 39A. It is composed. The sensor 39B detects the linear scale 39A and outputs an encoder signal including a number of pulse signals proportional to the moving distance of the carriage 33 to the control unit 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 33 is equipped with a discharge head 30 and a liquid storage unit 50. In the present embodiment, the carriage 33 is equipped with a plurality of liquid storage portions 50. The plurality of liquid storage portions 50 are mounted on the carriage 33 in a state of being arranged side by side in the scanning direction X. Each of the plurality of liquid storage units 50 has a supply pipe unit 52 for supplying liquid. The supply pipe portion 52 of each liquid storage portion 50 is connected to the other end of the supply tube 28 to which one end is connected to a plurality of liquid supply sources 18 corresponding to each. Therefore, the liquids of each color are supplied to the plurality of liquid storage portions 50 from the plurality of liquid supply sources 18 corresponding to each. In this example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black liquids (inks) are supplied to the plurality of liquid storage portions 50, respectively. The liquid in each liquid storage unit 50 is supplied to the discharge head 30. Each liquid storage unit 50 supplies the liquid stored in the storage chamber 51 to the discharge head 30 at a pressure within a predetermined range. That is, the liquid storage unit 50 has a function of a pressure adjusting valve that adjusts the supplied liquid to a pressure within a predetermined range and supplies the supplied liquid to the discharge head 30. The detailed configuration of the liquid storage unit 50 that functions as the pressure regulating valve will be described later.

The carriage 33 shown in FIG. 3 is located at the home position HP, which is a standby position at the time of non-printing. At the time of printing, the medium M supplied from the cassette is conveyed in the conveying direction Y in a state of being supported by the support base 40 (for example, a platen). The control unit 100 drives the carriage motor 35 and reciprocates the carriage 33 in the scanning direction X. Then, the ejection head 30 ejects the liquid while moving in the scanning direction X toward the medium M conveyed on the support base 48, so that characters or images are printed on the surface of the medium M.

Further, in the housing 20, the maintenance device 40 is arranged below the carriage 33 located at the home position HP shown in FIG. The maintenance device 40 includes a main body 40A and the above-mentioned cap 41 provided so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the main body 40A. The cap 41 moves up and down between the retracted position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 and the capping position shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. When the cap 41 raised to the capping position comes into contact with the nozzle surface 30A through which the nozzle 31 of the discharge head 30 opens, a closed space is formed between the nozzle surface 30A and the cap 41. When the suction pump 45 is driven into this closed space, a negative pressure is introduced, so that the liquid is forcibly sucked and discharged from the nozzle 31. At this time, foreign matter such as thickening ink, air bubbles, and paper dust is discharged from the nozzle 31 together with the liquid, so that clogging of the nozzle 31 is prevented or eliminated. When the carriage 33 stands by at the home position HP during non-printing, the cap 41 raised to the capping position comes into contact with the nozzle surface 30A, and the space communicating with the opening of the nozzle 31 is surrounded by the cap 41. By doing so, the evaporation of water from the liquid in the nozzle 31 is suppressed. Further, the inside of the cap 41 may be moisturized with a moisturizer.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bubble discharge mechanism BS includes a connected portion 71 located on the side portion of the carriage 33 and a connecting portion 91 that can be connected to the connected portion 71 when the carriage 33 is in the bubble discharge processing position. Has. The connecting portion 91 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing 20 or a side frame (not shown) arranged in the housing 20. The connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 are located so as to face the scanning direction X, which is the moving direction of the carriage 33.

The connecting portion 91 extends in the scanning direction X at a predetermined position. The connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F opens at a position facing the connecting portion 91 in the scanning direction X. The predetermined position is the bubble discharge position P1.

In the process of moving the carriage 33 to the bubble discharge position P1 as an example of a predetermined position which is a position on the −X direction side from the home position HP shown in FIG. 3, the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 are connected stepwise. To. The detailed configuration of the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91, and the details of the connecting process in which the connected portion 71 is connected stepwise will be described later.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the carriage 33 is located at the bubble discharge position P1. As shown in FIG. 4, the carriage 33 has an accommodating recess 33A at the upper portion, and a plurality of liquid accumulating portions 50 are mounted in the accommodating recess 33A in a state of being lined up in the scanning direction X. In a state where a plurality of liquid storage portions 50 are mounted in the accommodating recess 33A, each supply pipe portion 52 is exposed to the outside of the carriage 33. Therefore, it is possible to connect the end portion of the supply tube 28 to each supply pipe portion 52. A guide member 33B is formed on the front portion of the carriage 33 to guide a plurality of supply tubes 28 connected to each supply pipe portion 52 along a predetermined guide path.

Further, when the carriage 33 is at the bubble discharge position P1 shown in FIG. 4, the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 are connected. In this connected state, a negative pressure is introduced into the upper part of the storage chamber 51 in the liquid storage unit 50 via the discharge tube 96 and the air discharge valve mechanism 70. If there are air bubbles in the upper part of the storage chamber 51, the air bubbles are sucked and removed through the air exhaust valve mechanism 70 and the exhaust tube 96 by the introduced negative pressure.

<Electrical configuration of liquid discharge device>
The control unit 100 causes the counter to count the number of pulse edges of the encoder signal input from the linear encoder 39, and acquires the carriage position, which is the position of the carriage 33 in the scanning direction X, based on the count value of the counter. The control unit 100 performs speed control and position control when the carriage 33 is moving based on the acquired carriage position.

When the maintenance is executed, the control unit 100 drives the suction pump 45 with the switching valve 44 switched to the first switching position. On the other hand, at the time of bubble discharge processing, the control unit 100 drives the suction pump 45 in a state where the switching valve 44 is switched to the second switching position, and drives the carriage motor 35 to perform bubble discharge processing on the carriage 33. Move to position.

Here, the predetermined position may be the home position HP, which is the standby position where the carriage 33 stands by during non-printing, or may be a position different from the home position HP. For example, the predetermined position may be a position on the −X direction side with respect to the home position HP. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid that the bubble discharge process is performed every time the carriage 33 waits at the home position HP. Further, it is possible to prevent the air bubble discharge process from being performed every time the carriage 33 is maintained at the home position HP.

Since the growth of bubbles is very slow, the frequency of bubble discharge treatment may be less than the maintenance frequency. If the frequency of the bubble discharge process becomes excessively high, the liquid (ink) in the liquid storage unit 50 is unnecessarily discharged due to the suction force exerted on the discharge flow path F even though there are almost no bubbles. In order to avoid this, the bubble discharge process is performed less frequently than the maintenance frequency, so the position is different from the maintenance position where maintenance is performed (for example, home position HP), and it does not pass on the way from the print area to the maintenance position. The bubble discharge processing position may be set at the position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid discharge device 12 includes a control unit 100 that controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 11. The control unit 100 reciprocates the carriage 33, conveys the medium M, ejects the liquid from the nozzle 31 to the ejection head 30, and sucks and ejects the liquid from the nozzle 31 in order to maintain normal printing. Controls the discharge operation (cleaning).

<Liquid storage>
Next, the detailed configuration of the liquid storage unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. Since the plurality of liquid storage units 50 all have the same configuration, one liquid storage unit 50 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid storage unit 50 has a storage chamber 51 capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid discharge head 30. The liquid storage unit 50 has a supply pipe unit 52 in which the liquid from the liquid supply source 18 is supplied to the storage chamber 51. Further, the liquid storage unit 50 has a discharge pipe unit 53 for discharging air bubbles in the storage chamber 51. The liquid storage unit 50 of this example has a pressure chamber 55 shown in FIG. 6 as a storage chamber 51.

The liquid storage unit 50 has a main body 50A having a recess forming an inner wall surface of the storage chamber and having a substantially rectangular plate shape, a first surface which is one surface of the main body 50A, and a second surface which is the other surface. It has a pair of films 56, 57 fixed to and, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the liquid storage unit 50 of this example has a plurality of discharge pipe units 53. Hereinafter, one discharge pipe portion 53 is also referred to as a first discharge pipe portion 53A, and the other discharge pipe portion 53 is also referred to as a second discharge pipe portion 53B.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a recess forming a part of the inner wall surface of the storage chamber 51 is recessed on the first surface of the main body 50A, and the opening of the recess is covered with the first film 56. , A supply flow path 58A and a discharge flow path 59 (also referred to as a "second discharge flow path 59") communicating with the filter chamber 54 and the filter chamber 54 are formed. The supply flow path 58A communicates between the supply pipe portion 52 and the filter chamber 54. Further, the second discharge flow path 59 communicates between the filter chamber 54 and the first discharge pipe portion 53A (53). A filter FT is housed in the filter chamber 54. That is, the liquid discharge device 12 is provided upstream from the storage chamber 51 in the liquid storage unit 50, and includes a filter FT that filters the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18. Further, the liquid that has passed through the filter FT is supplied to the supply chamber 64 through the filter chamber 54 and the supply flow path 58B that communicates downstream thereof. The supply chamber 64 is provided with a pressure adjusting mechanism 60. Further, the second discharge flow path 59 stays in the air bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the filter chamber 54 and the portion near the filter chamber 54 in the supply flow path 58A which is an example of the upstream flow path communicating with the filter chamber 54 on the upstream side. Discharge air bubbles.

Therefore, the opening at the end of the discharge flow path 59 on the filter chamber 54 side is located at a portion where air bubbles are likely to accumulate. In this example, by introducing the negative pressure from the negative pressure generating portion 97, which will be described later, into the first discharge pipe portion 53A, the bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the filter chamber 54 pass through the discharge flow path 59 to the outside. It is sucked out.

The discharge flow path F of the present embodiment includes a first discharge flow path 61 capable of discharging air in the upper part of the storage chamber 51, an upper part of the filter chamber 54 in which the filter FT in the liquid storage portion 50 is housed, and a liquid storage portion. 50 includes a second discharge flow path 59 capable of discharging at least one of the upstream flow paths located upstream of the filter FT in the liquid supply direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a recess forming a part of the inner wall surface of the pressure chamber 55 is recessed on the second surface of the main body 50A, and the opening of the recess is covered with the second film 57. A supply flow path 51A and a discharge flow path 61 (also referred to as a “first discharge flow path 61”) communicating with the pressure chamber 55 and the pressure chamber 55 are formed. In the pressure chamber 55, a pressure receiving plate 69 constituting the pressure adjusting mechanism 60 is arranged. The supply flow path 51A extends downward (in the direction of gravity) from the pressure chamber 55 and communicates with the supply port of the supply unit 50B protruding downward from the bottom of the main body 50A. Further, the discharge flow path 61 extends from the upper part of the pressure chamber 55 and communicates with the second discharge pipe portion 53B. The first discharge flow path 61 discharges air bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the pressure chamber 55.

Therefore, the opening at the end of the first discharge flow path 61 on the pressure chamber 55 side is located at a portion where air bubbles are likely to accumulate. In this example, the negative pressure from the negative pressure generating portion 97, which will be described later, is introduced into the second discharge pipe portion 53B, so that the bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the pressure chamber 55 pass through the first discharge flow path 61. It is sucked and discharged to the outside.

The filter FT shown in FIG. 5 has a large number of holes through which the liquid can pass. As the filter FT, for example, a mesh-like body such as a wire mesh or a resin mesh, a porous body, or a metal plate having fine through holes can be used. Specific examples of the mesh-like body include a metal mesh filter and metal fibers. The mesh filter is a filter formed by weaving a wire, and there are filters such as plain weave, twill weave, plain weave, and twill weave.

<Pressure adjustment mechanism>
Next, the pressure adjusting mechanism of the liquid storage unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the liquid storage unit 50 is provided in the middle of the liquid supply path 27, and adjusts the pressure of the ink in the nozzle 31 for each nozzle row (for each color).

As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid storage unit 50 includes a pressure chamber 55, a supply chamber 64, a valve body 65, and a supply chamber in which a movable wall 63 displaceable in a direction of changing the volume forms a part of the wall surface. A first urging member 66 for urging the valve body 65 in the 64 and a second urging member 67 for urging the movable wall 63 toward the outside of the pressure chamber 55 in the pressure chamber 55 are provided.

The pressure chamber 55 has an inflow hole 68 for inflowing the supplied ink and a supply flow path 51A communicating with the nozzle 31 via the common liquid chamber 32 at a position different from the movable wall 63. The supply chamber 64 can communicate with the pressure chamber 55 via the inflow hole 68. The valve body 65 has a base end portion arranged in the supply chamber 64 and a tip end portion protruding into the pressure chamber 55 through the inflow hole 68. The valve body 65 has a closed position (position shown in FIG. 7) in which the seal portion 651 provided at the base end portion closes the inflow hole 68 and an open position (position shown in FIG. 8) in which the inflow hole 68 is opened. In a state of being displaceable, the first urging member 66 housed in the supply chamber 64 urges the closed position. Further, one end of the second urging member 67 comes into contact with the pressure receiving plate 69 attached to the movable wall 63, and the other end thereof is arranged so as to surround the tip end portion of the valve body 65 protruding into the pressure chamber 55.

The valve body 65 of the liquid storage unit 50 is urged by the first urging member 66 housed in the supply chamber 64, so that the valve body 65 does not move to the open position even if the pressure of the supply chamber 64 increases. On the other hand, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 becomes lower than a predetermined pressure due to the outflow of ink from the supply flow path 51A, the movable wall 63 is displaced toward the inside of the pressure chamber 55, and the pressure receiving plate 69 is the valve body 65. By pushing the tip, the valve body 65 moves to the open position. As a result, the ink in the supply chamber 64 flows into the pressure chamber 55 through the inflow hole 68, so that the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 rises.

Then, when the movable wall 63 is displaced toward the outside of the pressure chamber 55 due to the pressure increase in the pressure chamber 55 and the pressure receiving plate 69 is separated from the tip of the valve body 65, the valve body 65 moves from the open position to the closed position. .. Here, when the pressure receiving plate 69 approaches the tip of the valve body 65, the second urging member 67 pushes the pressure receiving plate 69 back in a direction away from the tip of the valve body 65.

Therefore, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 drops and the pressure receiving plate 69 presses the tip of the valve body 65 against the urging force of the first urging member 66 and the second urging member 67, the valve body 65 becomes Move to the open position. Further, before the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 rises to a positive pressure due to the inflow of ink, the pressure receiving plate 69 is separated from the valve body 65 by the urging force of the second urging member 67, so that the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 is increased. , It is maintained in the range of negative pressure according to the urging force of the second urging member 67.

As described above, the movement of the valve body 65 to the open position is caused by the displacement of the movable wall 63. The outer surface side of the movable wall 63 is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, since the movement of the valve body 65 to the open position is performed by the differential pressure between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure chamber 55, the pressure adjusting mechanism 60 of the liquid storage unit 50 is also referred to as a differential pressure valve mechanism (or a self-sealing valve). The autonomous pressure adjustment function by the differential pressure valve mechanism is also called the self-sealing function.

As described above, the liquid storage unit 50 can regulate the flow of the ink pressurized and supplied from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid ejection head 30, and also determines the pressure of the ink on the downstream side where the flow is regulated. It can be kept within the range of negative pressure.

That is, in the liquid storage unit 50, when the ink is ejected, the ink flows out from the supply flow path 51A, and the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 drops below a predetermined pressure below the atmospheric pressure. Then, the movable wall 63 that is displaced in the direction of reducing the volume of the pressure chamber 55 moves the valve body 65 to the open position. As a result, ink flows into the pressure chamber 55 from the inflow hole 68, and the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 rises. Further, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 55 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure below the atmospheric pressure due to the supply of ink, the valve body 65 again regulates the flow of ink from the upstream side.

When an external force is applied to the liquid ejection head 30, the impact may break the meniscus formed in the nozzle 31 and ink may leak from the nozzle 31. In order to suppress such ink leakage, the liquid storage unit 50 holds the inside of the pressure chamber 55 located upstream of the nozzle 31 at a predetermined negative pressure by the urging force of the second urging member 67.

By the way, the air that passes through the films 56 and 57 may dissolve in the liquid (ink), or the air may pass through the supply tube 28 and dissolve in the liquid (ink) in the liquid supply path 27. Then, the melted air grows into minute bubbles with the passage of time, and the bubbles become larger while further growing larger by combining the fine bubbles. Since bubbles of a certain size are lighter than the liquid, the upper part of the storage chamber 51 in which the liquid is stored and the portion on the storage chamber 51 side in the flow path communicating with the storage chamber 51 upstream of the storage chamber 51. Easy to collect. The accumulated bubbles may flow out to the liquid discharge head 30 side due to an impact caused by an external force generated by the movement of the carriage 33 or a suction operation during maintenance. For example, if bubbles are contained in the liquid (ink) in the nozzle 31 or the common liquid chamber 32, the liquid cannot be correctly ejected from the nozzle 31 due to the bubbles, and the frequency of ejection defects increases. Therefore, it is desired that this type of bubble is discharged from the storage chamber 51 by a discharge route different from that of the nozzle 31.

Therefore, the liquid discharge device 12 of the present embodiment is provided with a bubble discharge mechanism BS in order to discharge bubbles accumulated in a position above the storage chamber 51 of the liquid storage unit 50. The bubble discharge mechanism BS is a mechanism that sucks and discharges bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 by introducing negative pressure into the two discharge pipe portions 53 of the liquid storage portion 50.

<Structure of bubble discharge mechanism>
Next, the detailed configuration of the bubble discharge mechanism BS will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.
The bubble discharge mechanism BS shown in FIG. 9 has a connected portion 71 provided in the middle or at the end of the discharge flow path F capable of discharging the upper air in the storage chamber 51. The connecting portion 91 can be connected to and separated from the connected portion 71. Negative pressure acts on the connecting portion 91 by the negative pressure generating portion 97.

The bubble discharge mechanism BS shown in FIG. 9 is mounted on the carriage 33 shown in FIG. 4 and is connected to each discharge pipe portion 53 of the plurality of liquid storage portions 50 through a pipe line such as a tube (not shown). The bubble discharge mechanism BS is provided in the middle of a plurality of discharge flow paths F for discharging bubbles by sucking a liquid containing bubbles from each discharge pipe portion 53 by negative pressure, and in the middle of the plurality of discharge flow paths F, respectively. It also includes an air vent valve mechanism 70 having a plurality of opening / closing portions 81, 82 (see FIG. 10), and a connection mechanism 90.

The air exhaust valve mechanism 70 includes a connected portion 71 connected to a connecting portion 91 on the negative pressure supply side in order to introduce a negative pressure into the discharge flow path F. The connection mechanism 90 includes a connection unit 91 configured to be connectable to the connected unit 71. The air exhaust valve mechanism 70 has a built-in multiple valve mechanism (see FIG. 10) including a plurality of opening / closing portions 81 and 82.

The first opening / closing unit 81 is configured to be able to open / close the first discharge flow path F1. The first opening / closing unit 81 opens / closes the first discharge flow path F1 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33. Further, the second opening / closing unit 82 is configured to be able to open / close the second discharge flow path F2. The second opening / closing unit 82 opens / closes the second discharge flow path F2 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33. The first opening / closing section 81 and the second opening / closing section 82 open and close the first discharge flow path F1 and the second discharge flow path F2 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33.

The air exhaust valve mechanism 70 includes a mechanism main body 72 having a built-in multiple valve mechanism, a connected portion 71 fixed to one side portion in the width direction parallel to the scanning direction X of the mechanism main body 72, and a multiple valve mechanism. A lever 73 for driving is provided. The air exhaust valve mechanism 70 is a pressed portion 75 in which the film 74 is partially exposed on one surface of the front surface of the mechanism main body 72. A pressed portion 75 is provided for driving the multiple valve mechanism housed in the merging / discharging flow path FC formed inside the film 74 from the outside via the film 74. As shown in FIG. 10, the drive portion 73A at the tip of the lever 73 presses the central portion of the circular pressed portion 75 to press and displace the pressing portion 84 housed therein. It is configured to open the multiple valve mechanism all at once.

The connection mechanism 90 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 20 or a side frame (not shown) arranged along the inner surface thereof. On the other hand, the air exhaust valve mechanism 70 is mounted on the carriage 33 together with the plurality of liquid storage portions 50. Therefore, the air exhaust valve mechanism 70 can move relative to the connection mechanism 90 in the scanning direction X of the carriage 33.

As shown in FIG. 9, the lever 73 is rotatably provided around a rotation shaft 76 having a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction Z. An engaged portion 73B that can be engaged with the guide member 93 of the connecting mechanism 90 is formed at an end portion of the lever 73 that is opposite to the drive portion 73A of the rotating shaft 76 with the rotating shaft 76 interposed therebetween. The guide member 93 has a guide surface 93A capable of engaging with the engaged portion 73B of the lever 73 and guiding the lever 73 so as to rotate by engaging with the engaged portion 73B. The engaged portion 73B of the lever 73 and the guide member 93 are located so as to face each other in the scanning direction X.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the connected portion 71 is provided with a connected hole 71A having an axis parallel to the scanning direction X. On the other hand, in the connection portion 91 of the connection mechanism 90, a needle-shaped connection nozzle 92 that can be inserted into the connected hole 71A projects toward the + X side in the scanning direction X. The connected hole 71A and the connecting nozzle 92 are located so as to face each other in the scanning direction X. It should be noted that it has a guide unit 77 that guides the connection unit 91 so that the connection unit 91 is connected to the connected unit 71. The connection nozzle 92 may be provided so as to be slidable in the scanning direction X while being held by the holding portion 90B extending in the + X direction side from the substrate 90A constituting the connection mechanism 90.

Therefore, when the carriage 33 moves to a predetermined position in the scanning direction X, the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 are connected to each other. That is, the connection nozzle 92 of the connection portion 91 is inserted into the connected hole 71A of the connected portion 71. In the connection mechanism 90, the discharge tube 96 is connected to the base of the connection nozzle 92 in a direction intersecting the axis thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge tube 96 is connected to the suction pump 45 via a switching valve 44. In the present embodiment, the negative pressure generating portion 97 that exerts a negative pressure on the connecting portion 91 uses the suction pump 45 as a negative pressure drive source. That is, the negative pressure generation unit 97 uses the negative pressure drive source of the maintenance device 40 as a common negative pressure drive source.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the internal configuration of the bubble discharge mechanism BS will be described.
As shown in FIG. 10, the air exhaust valve mechanism 70 has a plurality of (for example, eight) introduction pipe portions 78. When assembled to the carriage 33, the plurality of introduction pipe portions 78 project in the −Y direction facing each liquid storage portion 50. The plurality of introduction pipe portions 78 are a part of the discharge flow path F.

The air exhaust valve mechanism 70 has a plurality of opening / closing portions 81, 82 arranged in the middle of the plurality of discharge flow paths 78A. The opening / closing portions 81 and 82 include a valve body 79 that can move in the Y direction, a rubber sheet 80, and a first spring 83 that urges the valve body 79 in a direction of pressing the valve body 79 against the rubber sheet 80. The valve body 79 has a shaft portion 79A protruding in the + Y direction. The mechanism main body 72 of the air exhaust valve mechanism 70 includes a piping member 72A having a plurality of introduction pipe portions 78, a base member 72B assembled by sandwiching the piping member 72A and the rubber sheet 80, and the + Y direction of the base member 72B. It is composed of a film 74 that covers an opening in which a part of the side surface is opened. Since the opening of the base member 72B is covered with the film 74, a merging / discharging flow path FC is formed inside the base member 72B.

The liquid discharge device 12 includes a pressing unit 84 that can move in the direction of opening and closing the first opening / closing unit 81, and a lever 73 that moves the pressing unit 84 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33. The liquid discharge device 12 of this example includes a first opening / closing section 81 capable of opening / closing the first discharge flow path F1 and a second opening / closing section 82 capable of opening / closing the second discharge flow path F2. The first opening / closing section 81 and the second opening / closing section 82 open and close the first discharge flow path F1 and the second discharge flow path F2 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33.

The discharge flow path F has a merging discharge flow path FC formed by merging a plurality of first discharge flow paths F1 and a plurality of second discharge flow paths F2 corresponding to the plurality of liquid storage portions 50 in the middle.
The connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the merging discharge flow path FC as the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F.

The shaft portion 79A of the valve body 79 partially protrudes into the merging / discharging flow path FC. One pressing portion 84 is housed in the merging / discharging flow path FC in a state of being displaceable in the Y direction. Further, in the merging / discharging flow path FC, a second spring 85 for urging the pressing portion 84 in the same direction as the urging direction in which the valve body 79 is urged by the first spring 83 is arranged. One pressing portion 84 has one surface facing all the shaft portions 79A of the plurality of valve bodies 79 as the pressing surface 84A.

One pressing portion 84 has a convex portion 84B at the center of a surface facing the film 74. The lever 73 has a drive portion 73A at the tip thereof, which is formed of a convex portion capable of pressing the convex portion 84B of the pressing portion 84 with the film 74 sandwiched between them.

When the lever 73 is in the retracted position, the pressing portion 84 is retracted toward the −Y direction, and the valve body 79 is pressed against the rubber sheet 80 by the urging force of the first spring 83, so that the valve is closed. On the other hand, when the lever 73 rotates and pushes the pressing portion 84, the pressing portion 84 displaces all the valve bodies 79 to the open side against the urging force of the first spring 83 by the pressing surface 84A. As a result, all the valve bodies 79 are opened. When all of these valve bodies are in the valve open state, a plurality of discharge flow paths F will join at the merging discharge flow path FC.

In this example, a plurality of discharge channels F corresponding to the plurality of liquid storage portions 50 merge in the middle to form a merged discharge channel FC. That is, when the first opening / closing portion 81 and the second opening / closing portion 82 open, the plurality of discharge flow paths F merge at the merged discharge flow path FC. In particular, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the merging discharge flow path FC as the connected portion 71 of the plurality of discharge flow paths F.

The discharge flow path F has a merging discharge flow path FC formed by merging a plurality of first discharge flow paths F1 and a plurality of second discharge flow paths F2 corresponding to the plurality of liquid storage portions 50 in the middle. The connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the merging discharge flow path FC as the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. The rubber sheet 80 also serves as a sealing member for sealing the connection portion between the piping member 72A and the base member 72B.

Next, the connection structure between the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
An on-off valve V1 provided in the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F and capable of opening and closing the discharge flow path F, and an urging portion for urging the on-off valve V1 in the direction of closing the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. A third spring 88 is provided as an example. When the carriage 33 moves to a predetermined position, the connecting portion 91 is inserted into the discharge flow path F while pressing the on-off valve against the urging force of the third spring 88 to open the discharge flow path F. At the same time, the discharge flow path F and the connection portion 91 communicate with each other.

As shown in FIG. 11, the connected portion 71 urges the rubber sheet 86, the valve body 87, and the valve body 87 inside the connected hole 71A in the −X direction, which is the direction in which the valve body 87 is pressed against the rubber sheet 86. It has 3 springs 88. At the stage where the connection nozzle 92 is inserted up to the state shown in FIG. 11, the valve body 87 is pressed against the rubber sheet 86, so that the valve is closed. The connecting portion 91 has a pipe portion 91B that communicates with the flow path 91A formed inside the connecting portion 91, and the end portion of the discharge tube 96 is connected to the pipe portion 91B. Further, the connecting portion 91 is formed with a suction flow path 89 for communicating the merging / discharging flow path FC and the connecting nozzle 92 when the valve body 87 is in the valve opening position. This suction flow path 89 also constitutes a part of the merging / discharging flow path FC.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the connected portion 71 further moves in the −X direction together with the carriage 33, the connecting nozzle 92 is inserted deeper into the connected hole 71A, and the valve body resists the urging force of the third spring 88. By displacing 87 in the + X direction, the valve is opened. In this connected state, the negative pressure from the discharge tube 96 is introduced into the merging discharge flow path FC through the connection nozzle 92, the valve opening portion of the valve body 87, and the flow path 89. The discharge flow path F includes a discharge flow path 59, 61, a flow path such as a tube connecting between the discharge flow paths 59, 61 and the discharge flow path 78A, a discharge flow path 78A, a merging discharge flow path, and a suction flow. It is configured to include road 89. When there are a plurality of discharge channels F, the plurality of discharge channels F may or may not merge as a merged discharge channel FC in the middle as in the present embodiment. Further, the plurality of discharge flow paths F may include a first discharge flow path F1 for discharging the air above the storage chamber 51 and a second discharge flow path F2 for discharging the air above the filter chamber 54. , Only the first discharge flow path F1 or a plurality of discharge flow paths including only the second discharge flow path F2 may be used.

Next, the operation of the liquid discharge device 12 will be described.
When a predetermined time for generating bubbles has elapsed after performing the bubble discharge treatment, the bubble retention region BA in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 in the liquid storage unit 50, or the upper part of the filter chamber 54 and the upstream located upstream of the filter FT. There is a bubble retention region BA in the flow path, and bubbles may grow and accumulate in these regions.

These bubble retention regions BA communicate with the discharge flow path F. Specifically, the bubble retention region BA in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 communicates with the first discharge flow path F1. Further, the bubble retention region BA in the upper part of the filter chamber 54 or the upstream flow path communicates with the second discharge flow path F2. Normally, the first opening / closing section 81 and the second opening / closing section 82 are in a shut-off state. Further, since the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 are separated from each other, the on-off valve V1 is in a shut-off state.

The liquid in the plurality of liquid storage portions 50 is in a negative pressure state. Therefore, since the first opening / closing part and the second opening / closing part are shut off, the pressure in the plurality of liquid storage parts 50 is maintained at a predetermined negative pressure.
At a predetermined time for discharging bubbles, the control unit 100 introduces the switching valve 44 from the first switching position where the negative pressure from the suction pump 45 is introduced into the cap 41, and the control unit 100 applies the negative pressure from the suction pump 45 to the bubbles. It switches to the second switching position to be introduced into the storage chamber 51 and the filter chamber 54 in the liquid storage portion 50 via the connection between the connection portion 91 of the discharge mechanism BS and the connected portion 71. Next, the control unit 100 drives the negative pressure generation unit 97. That is, the control unit 100 drives the suction pump. As a result, a negative pressure is introduced into the connecting portion 91. The carriage motor 35 is driven to move the carriage 33 to the bubble discharge position P1. At this time, the discharge flow path F is opened stepwise in a predetermined order according to the movement of the carriage 33.

Before the carriage 33 reaches the bubble discharge position P1, which is an example of a predetermined position, the connecting portion 91 is still separated from the connected portion 71 as shown in FIGS. 13, 16, and 19.
When the carriage 33 approaches the bubble discharge position P1 further, as shown in FIGS. 14, 17, and 20, the first connection state in which the connection portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 is reached. Therefore, the on-off valve V1 is opened. As a result, a negative pressure is introduced into the merging / discharging flow path FC. As a result, the confluent discharge flow path FC, which is a region on the downstream side in the bubble discharge direction with respect to the first opening / closing portion 81 and the second opening / closing portion 82, first becomes in a negative pressure state.

Then, when the carriage 33 reaches the bubble discharge position P1 and the bubble discharge mechanism BS is in the second connection state, as shown in FIGS. 15, 18, and 21, the lever 73 presses the pressing portion 84 into the first opening / closing portion 81. And since the second opening / closing portion 82 is pushed in the opening direction, both the opening / closing portions 81 and 82 are opened. As a result, a negative pressure is introduced into the upper part of the storage chamber 51 through the first discharge flow path F1, and a negative pressure is introduced into the upper part and the upstream flow path of the filter chamber 54 through the second discharge flow path F2. Bubbles in the bubble retention region BA are sucked by negative pressure, so that the bubbles pass from the discharge flow paths F1 and F2 through the merging discharge flow path FC, and further through the connection point between the connected portion 71 and the connection portion 91 and the discharge tube 96. It is collected in the waste liquid storage unit 47.

Here, if the opening / closing portions 81 and 82 and the on-off valve V1 are opened in the reverse order or at the same timing, the merging / discharging flow path FC is still negative when the opening / closing portions 81 and 82 are opened. Since it is not under pressure, there is a possibility that air will flow back to the liquid storage unit 50, which is normally in a negative pressure state.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the opening / closing portions 81 and 82 are opened after the merging / discharging flow path FC is first put into a negative pressure state, backflow of air can be avoided.
Then, when the bubble discharge process for a predetermined time is completed, the carriage 33 is moved in a direction away from the bubble discharge position P1 which is an example of the predetermined position. At this time, the opening / closing portions 81 and 82 are first shut off, and then the on-off valve V1 is shut off. Therefore, the negative pressure state in the liquid storage unit 50 is maintained.

<First control method of liquid discharge device>
The liquid discharge device 12 of the present embodiment performs the following first control method.
By moving the carriage 33 to the front of a predetermined position, the on-off valve V1 is opened at the connecting portion 91, and the connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F.

By moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position, the lever 73 is moved in the direction of pressing the pressing portion 84 to open the first opening / closing portion 81.
By applying a negative pressure to the connecting portion 91 by the negative pressure generating portion 97, the air in the storage chamber 51 is sucked through the discharge flow path F.

<Second control method of liquid discharge device>
The liquid discharge device 12 of the present embodiment performs the following second control method.
By moving the carriage 33 to the front of a predetermined position, the on-off valve V1 is opened at the connecting portion 91, and the connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F.

By moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position, the lever 73 is moved in the direction of pressing the pressing portion 84 to open the first opening / closing portion 81 and the second opening / closing portion 82.
By applying a negative pressure to the connection portion 91 by the negative pressure generating portion 97, the air in the storage chamber 51 is sucked through the first discharge flow path F1 and the filter chamber 54 is sucked through the second discharge flow path F2. At least one of the upper and upstream channels of the air is sucked.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The liquid discharge device 12 includes a liquid discharge head 30 that discharges liquid from a nozzle 31, and a liquid storage unit 50 having a storage chamber 51 capable of storing liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid discharge head 30. A carriage 33 equipped with a liquid discharge head 30 and a liquid storage unit 50 and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction X is provided. The liquid discharge device 12 includes a discharge flow path F capable of discharging the upper air in the storage chamber 51, a connection portion 91 capable of connecting to and separating from the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F, and a connection portion 91. A negative pressure generating unit 97 that causes a negative pressure to act on the surface is provided. By moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position, the connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. Therefore, since the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F can be arranged at a position different from that next to the nozzle surface 30A, the bottom area of the carriage 33 does not increase. Therefore, it is possible to remove the air in the liquid storage unit 50 while suppressing the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

(2) A plurality of liquid storage portions 50 are mounted on the carriage 33. A plurality of discharge channels F corresponding to the plurality of liquid storage portions 50 merge in the middle to form a merged discharge channel FC. The connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the merging discharge flow path FC as the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. According to this configuration, since the discharge flow path F joins in the middle, the space for providing the discharge flow path F can be reduced, and the increase in printer size can be suppressed.

(3) A first opening / closing portion 81 capable of opening / closing the discharge flow path F is further provided. The first opening / closing unit 81 opens / closes the discharge flow path F in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33. Therefore, since the discharge flow path F can be opened and closed only by moving the carriage 33, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive mechanism for opening and closing, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

(4) A pressing portion 84 that can move in the direction of opening and closing the first opening / closing portion 81, and a lever 73 that moves the pressing portion 84 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33 are provided. Therefore, since the discharge flow path F can be opened and closed by a simple mechanism, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

(5) The liquid discharge device 12 includes a liquid discharge head 30 that discharges liquid from a nozzle 31, and a liquid storage unit 50 having a storage chamber 51 capable of storing liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid discharge head 30. A carriage 33 equipped with a liquid discharge head 30 and a liquid storage unit 50 and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction X is provided. The liquid discharge device 12 is provided upstream of the storage chamber 51 in the liquid storage unit 50, has a filter FT for filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18, and a first capable of discharging the upper air in the storage chamber 51. Air at least one of the discharge flow path F1 and the upper part of the filter chamber 54 in which the filter FT in the liquid storage unit 50 is housed and the upstream flow path located upstream of the filter FT in the liquid storage unit 50 in the liquid supply direction. A second discharge flow path F2 capable of discharge and a discharge flow path F including the second discharge flow path F2 are provided. Further, the liquid discharge device 12 includes a connection portion 91 that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F, and a negative pressure generating portion 97 that causes a negative pressure to act on the connection portion 91. By moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position, the connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. Therefore, since the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F is provided at a position different from the nozzle surface 30A, the bottom area of the carriage 33 does not increase. Therefore, it is possible to remove the air in the liquid storage unit 50 while suppressing the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

(6) A plurality of storage portions are mounted on the carriage 33, and in the discharge flow path F, a plurality of first discharge flow paths F1 and a plurality of second discharge flow paths F2 corresponding to the plurality of storage portions merge in the middle. It has a merging / discharging flow path FC configured in the above. The connecting portion 91 is connected to the connected portion 71 of the merging discharge flow path FC as the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. Therefore, since the discharge flow path F joins in the middle, the space for providing the discharge flow path F can be reduced, and the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device 12 can be further suppressed.

(7) A first opening / closing section 81 capable of opening / closing the first discharge flow path F1 and a second opening / closing section 82 capable of opening / closing the second discharge flow path F2 are further provided. The first opening / closing section 81 and the second opening / closing section 82 open and close the first discharge flow path F1 and the second discharge flow path F2 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33. Therefore, since the discharge flow path can be opened and closed only by moving the carriage 33, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive mechanism for opening and closing, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

(8) A pressing portion 84 that can move in the direction of opening and closing the first opening / closing portion 81 and the second opening / closing portion 82, and a lever 73 that moves the pressing portion 84 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33 are provided. Therefore, since the discharge flow path F can be opened and closed by a simple mechanism, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

(9) The connecting portion 91 extends in the scanning direction X at a predetermined position. The connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F opens at a position facing the connecting portion 91 in the scanning direction X. Therefore, the discharge flow path F and the connection portion 91 can be easily connected.

(10) The liquid discharge device 12 is provided in the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F, and opens and closes in the direction of closing the on-off valve V1 capable of opening and closing the discharge flow path F and the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. It is provided with an urging unit that urges the valve. When the carriage 33 moves to a predetermined position, the connecting portion 91 is inserted into the discharge flow path F while pressing the on-off valve against the urging force of the urging portion, thereby opening the discharge flow path F and opening the discharge flow path F. The discharge flow path F and the connection portion 91 communicate with each other. Therefore, since the discharge flow path F can be closed when the connection is not made, ink dripping and water evaporation from the liquid storage portion 50 can be suppressed.

(11) The liquid discharge device 12 further includes a cap 41 capable of forming a closed space in which the nozzle 31 opens. The negative pressure generating portion 97 communicates with the cap 41. Therefore, since the negative pressure generating portion 97 can also be used for suction cleaning, it is not necessary to separately provide a suction mechanism, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

(12) The liquid discharge device 12 includes a liquid discharge head 30 that discharges liquid from a nozzle 31, and a liquid storage unit 50 having a storage chamber 51 capable of storing liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid discharge head 30. A carriage 33 equipped with a liquid discharge head 30 and a liquid storage unit 50 and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction X is provided. Further, the liquid discharge device 12 opens and closes the discharge flow path F capable of discharging the upper air in the storage chamber 51, the first opening / closing section 81 capable of opening / closing the discharge flow path F, and the first opening / closing section 81. It is provided with a pressing portion 84 that can be moved to and a lever 73 that moves the pressing portion 84 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 33. Further, the liquid discharge device 12 is provided in the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F, and is connected to and separated from the on-off valve V1 capable of opening and closing the discharge flow path F and the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. A possible connecting portion 91 and a negative pressure generating portion 97 that causes a negative pressure to act on the connecting portion 91 are provided. The control method of the liquid discharge device 12 is to move the carriage 33 to the front of a predetermined position to open the on-off valve at the connection portion 91 and to connect the connection portion 91 to the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F. By moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position, the lever 73 is moved in the direction of pressing the pressing portion 84 to open the first opening / closing portion, and the negative pressure generating portion 97 presses the connecting portion 91 with negative pressure. By acting, the air in the storage chamber 51 is sucked through the discharge flow path F, and the like is included. According to this method, the air in the liquid storage unit 50 can be removed, and the backflow of air to the storage chamber 51 can be suppressed in the process of removing the air.

(13) The liquid discharge device 12 includes a liquid discharge head 30 that discharges liquid from a nozzle 31, and a liquid storage unit 50 having a storage chamber 51 capable of storing liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 to the liquid discharge head 30. A carriage 33 equipped with a liquid discharge head 30 and a liquid storage unit 50 and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction X is provided. Further, the liquid discharge device 12 is provided upstream of the storage chamber 51 in the liquid storage unit 50, and can discharge the filter FT for filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 and the upper air in the storage chamber 51. At least one of the first discharge flow path F1 and the upper part of the filter chamber 54 in which the filter FT in the liquid storage unit 50 is housed and the upstream flow path located upstream of the filter FT in the liquid storage unit 50 in the liquid supply direction. A second discharge flow path F2 capable of discharging air and a discharge flow path F including the second discharge flow path F are provided. Further, the liquid discharge device 12 includes a connection portion 91 that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F, and a negative pressure generating portion 97 that causes a negative pressure to act on the connection portion 91. The control method of the liquid discharge device 12 is to connect the connection portion 91 to the connected portion 71 of the discharge flow path F by moving the carriage 33 to a predetermined position, and to apply a negative pressure to the connection portion 91 by the negative pressure generating portion 97. By acting, the air in the storage chamber 51 is sucked through the first discharge flow path F1, and at least one of the air in the upper part and the upstream flow path of the filter chamber 54 is sucked through the second discharge flow path F2. Including with suction. According to this method, the air in the liquid storage unit 50 can be removed.

In addition, the above-mentioned embodiment can be changed to the form like the modification shown below. Further, a further modification example may be a combination of the above embodiment and the modification examples shown below, or a combination of the modification examples shown below may be a further modification example.

Although the number of pressing portions 84 is one, a plurality of pressing portions 84 may be provided. For example, the liquid storage unit 50 has a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber, and has a first discharge flow path for discharging air from the upper part of the plurality of first storage chambers and an upper portion of the plurality of second storage chambers. It is configured to include a second discharge flow path for discharging the air of the above. The first opening / closing unit has one opening / closing unit capable of opening / closing a plurality of first discharge flow paths and the other first opening / closing unit capable of opening / closing a plurality of second discharge flow paths. Further, the pressing portion may be configured to include a first pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening and closing one first opening / closing portion and a second pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening and closing the other first opening / closing portion. good. For example, one opening / closing portion capable of opening / closing the first discharge flow path for discharging the air in the upper part of the filter chamber as the first storage chamber, and the first opening / closing portion for discharging the air in the upper part of the pressure chamber as the second storage chamber. (2) The discharge flow path is configured to include the other first opening / closing portion that can be opened / closed. Then, one first pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening and closing one of the plurality of first opening / closing portions and one second pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening and closing the other plurality of first opening / closing portions. Prepare separately. The lever may be provided with a lever for moving the first pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage and a lever for moving the second pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage. In this case, the lever may be a separately provided first lever and a second lever that move the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion separately, or the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion may be one. It may be a common lever that is moved by a lever.

-The liquid storage unit may be a damper. The damper mounted on the carriage 33 has a storage chamber for storing the liquid and a diaphragm forming a part of the wall surface of the storage chamber. The damper absorbs the pressure fluctuation of the liquid generated when the carriage 33 moves by the deformation of the diaphragm. That is, the damper temporarily stores the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source 18 via the supply tube 28, and the liquid passes through the second supply path 27b while alleviating the pressure fluctuation generated when the carriage 33 reciprocates. Is supplied to the discharge head 30. The bubble discharge mechanism BS includes a connected portion of the discharge flow path that communicates with the upper part of the storage chamber of the damper, a connecting portion 91 that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path, and a connecting portion 91. It is provided with a negative pressure generating unit 97 that causes a negative pressure to act on the surface. The bubble discharge mechanism BS is configured so that the connected portion 71 and the connecting portion 91 can be connected when the carriage 33 is at a predetermined position in the scanning direction X. Even with this configuration, even if the liquid discharge device 12 is provided with a configuration for discharging the air above the storage chamber 51 of the liquid storage unit 50, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

-In the above embodiment, the liquid storage unit 50 includes a storage chamber 51 and a filter chamber 54, but may be a liquid storage unit 50 having a storage chamber 51 but not a filter chamber 54. In this case, the filter FT may be provided as a separate member from the liquid storage unit 50. Even with this configuration, a configuration for removing air from the upper part of the storage chamber 51 can be provided in the liquid discharge device 12 while suppressing an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device 12.

A configuration may be configured in which each of the downstream end portions of the plurality of discharge channels has a connected portion, and the plurality of connected portions are individually connected to each other.
-In the above embodiment, a plurality of discharge channels are provided, but the number of discharge channels may be one.

The negative pressure drive source of the negative pressure generating unit 97 is not limited to the configuration in which the suction pump 45, which is the negative pressure drive source of the maintenance device 40, is diverted, and a dedicated suction pump may be provided. In this case, the cleaning performed by the maintenance device is not limited to suction cleaning. That is, the maintenance device may perform pressure cleaning for forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzle 31 by pressurizing the liquid on the upstream side of the nozzle 31.

-There may be only one discharge channel F. In this case, a connected portion may be provided in one discharge flow path.
-The configuration may be such that only the air bubbles in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 are discharged and the air bubbles in the upper part of the forter chamber and the air bubbles in the upstream flow path are not discharged.

-Only one of the on-off portion 81 and the on-off valve V1 may be provided.
A plurality of discharge channels F1 for discharging air bubbles in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 and a plurality of discharge flow paths F2 for discharging air bubbles in the upper part of the filter chamber 54 are separately merged to form two combined discharge flow paths. It may be provided. In this case, the connected portion and the connecting portion may be provided for each merging / discharging flow path.

A plurality of liquid storage units 50 are divided into two or more N liquid storage units 50 and M liquid storage units 50, respectively, and merged and discharged for each group of N and M liquid storage units. A flow path may be provided. N discharge channels F1 for discharging bubbles in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 of the N liquid storage portions 50 and N discharge channels for discharging bubbles in the upper part of the filter chamber 54 of the N liquid storage portions 50. It is referred to as one merging discharge flow path FC1 merging with F2. Further, M discharge channels F1 for discharging bubbles in the upper part of the storage chamber 51 of the M liquid storage portions 50 and M discharges for discharging bubbles in the upper part of the filter chamber 54 of the M liquid storage portions 50. It is referred to as one merging discharge flow path FC2 that merges with the flow path F2. A connected portion may be provided in each of the two merging / discharging flow paths FC1 and FC2, and the two connecting portions corresponding to the two connected portions may be connected according to the movement of the carriage 33.

-The number of merging / discharging channels is not limited to one or two, and may be three or more.
-It is not necessary to merge multiple discharge channels. For example, an opening / closing portion may be provided individually for each of the plurality of discharge channels. Then, a connected portion that can be connected to the connecting portion may be provided individually for each of the plurality of discharge channels.

The liquid supply source 18 may be of a structure capable of accommodating a liquid, and may be, for example, a replaceable cartridge type. In this case, the ink cartridge may be an on-carriage type in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage 33, or an off-carriage type in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the holder on the housing 20 side. Further, the liquid supply source 18 may be a tank type mounted on the carriage 33 and capable of replenishing the liquid.

The liquid storage unit 50 may be configured not to have a filter FT.
The liquid ejection device 12 may be a liquid ejection device that ejects a liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid discharged as a minute amount of droplets from the liquid discharge device includes those having a granular, tear-like, or thread-like tail. Further, the liquid referred to here may be any material as long as it can be discharged from the liquid discharge device. For example, the substance may be in a liquid phase, and may be a highly viscous or low-viscosity liquid, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts). ) Shall include a flowing body. Further, it includes not only a liquid as a state of a substance but also a particle of a functional material made of a solid substance such as a pigment or a metal particle dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Typical examples of the liquid include ink, liquid crystal, and the like as described in the above-described embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks, oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid discharge device include liquids containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, surface emitting displays, color filters, etc. in the form of dispersion or dissolution. There is a liquid discharge device that discharges. Further, it may be a liquid discharge device that discharges a bioorganic substance used for producing a biochip, a liquid discharge device that is used as a precision pipette and discharges a liquid as a sample, a printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. Furthermore, a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin is used to form a liquid discharge device that discharges lubricating oil pinpointly to precision machinery such as watches and cameras, and a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for optical communication elements. May be a liquid discharge device that discharges the light onto the substrate. Further, it may be a liquid ejection device that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali in order to etch a substrate or the like.

Hereinafter, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment and the modified example will be described together with the effect.
(A) The liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and the liquid discharge head. A carriage that mounts the liquid storage unit and can move back and forth in the scanning direction, a discharge flow path that can discharge air from the upper part of the storage chamber, and a connected portion of the discharge flow path are connected and separated from each other. A possible connection portion and a negative pressure generating portion that exerts a negative pressure on the connection portion are provided, and the carriage moves to a predetermined position so that the connection portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path. Will be done.

According to this configuration, the connected portion of the discharge flow path can be arranged at a position different from that next to the nozzle surface, so that the carriage bottom area does not increase. Therefore, it is possible to remove the air in the liquid storage unit while suppressing the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device.

(B) In the liquid discharge device, a plurality of the liquid storage portions are mounted on the carriage, and a plurality of the discharge flow paths corresponding to the plurality of the liquid storage portions are merged in the middle to form a merging discharge flow path. However, the connecting portion may be connected to the connected portion of the confluent discharge flow path as the connected portion of the discharge flow path.

According to this configuration, since the discharge flow paths are merged in the middle, the space for providing the discharge flow paths can be reduced, and the increase in printer size can be suppressed.
(C) The liquid discharge device may further include a first opening / closing unit capable of opening / closing the discharge flow path, and the first opening / closing unit may open / close the discharge flow path in conjunction with the movement of the carriage. ..

According to this configuration, since the discharge flow path can be opened and closed only by moving the carriage, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive mechanism for opening and closing, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device.

(D) The liquid discharge device may include a pressing portion that can move in a direction that opens and closes the first opening / closing portion, and a lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage.
According to this configuration, since the discharge flow path can be opened and closed by a simple mechanism, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device.

(E) The liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and the liquid discharge head. A carriage on which the liquid storage unit is mounted and reciprocating in the scanning direction, a filter provided upstream of the storage chamber in the liquid storage unit and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source, and the storage unit. A first discharge flow path capable of discharging air in the upper part of the room, an upper part of the filter chamber in which the filter is housed in the liquid storage portion, and an upstream position located upstream of the filter in the liquid storage portion in the liquid supply direction. A discharge flow path including at least one of the flow paths that can discharge air, a connection portion that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path, and the connection portion. The carriage is provided with a negative pressure generating portion that causes a negative pressure to act on the surface, and the connecting portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path by moving the carriage to a predetermined position.

According to this configuration, since the connected portion of the discharge flow path is provided at a position different from the nozzle surface, the carriage bottom area does not increase. Therefore, it is possible to remove the air in the liquid storage unit while suppressing the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device.

(F) In the liquid discharge device, a plurality of the liquid storage portions are mounted on the carriage, and the discharge flow paths are a plurality of the first discharge flow paths corresponding to the plurality of the liquid storage portions and a plurality of the above. It has a merging discharge flow path formed by merging with a second discharge flow path in the middle, and the connection portion is connected to a connected portion of the merging discharge flow path as a connected portion of the discharge flow path. You may.

According to this configuration, since the discharge flow paths are merged in the middle, the space for providing the discharge flow paths can be reduced, and the expansion of the size of the liquid discharge device can be further suppressed.
(G) The liquid discharge device further includes a first opening / closing unit capable of opening / closing the first discharge flow path and a second opening / closing unit capable of opening / closing the second discharge flow path. And the second opening / closing unit may open / close the first discharge flow path and the second discharge flow path in conjunction with the movement of the carriage.

According to this configuration, since the discharge flow path can be opened and closed only by moving the carriage, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive mechanism for opening and closing, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device.

(H) The liquid discharge device includes a pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening and closing the first opening / closing portion and the second opening / closing portion, and a lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage. You may prepare.

According to this configuration, since the discharge flow path can be opened and closed by a simple mechanism, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device.
(I) In the liquid discharge device, the connection portion is extended in the scanning direction at the predetermined position, and the connected portion of the discharge flow path is opened at a position facing the connection portion in the scanning direction. You may.

According to this configuration, the discharge flow path and the connection portion can be easily connected.
(J) In the liquid discharge device, the on-off valve provided at the connected portion of the discharge flow path and capable of opening and closing the discharge flow path and the on-off valve in the direction of closing the connected portion of the discharge flow path are provided. The carriage is provided with an urging portion, and when the carriage moves to the predetermined position, the connecting portion presses the on-off valve against the urging force of the urging portion and pushes the on-off valve into the discharge flow path. By being inserted, the discharge flow path may be opened and the discharge flow path and the connection portion may communicate with each other.

According to this configuration, since the discharge flow path can be closed when not connected, ink dripping and water evaporation from the liquid storage portion can be suppressed.
(K) The liquid discharge device may further include a cap capable of forming a closed space in which the nozzle opens, and the negative pressure generating portion may communicate with the cap.

According to this configuration, since the negative pressure generating portion can also be used for suction cleaning, it is not necessary to separately provide a suction mechanism, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the liquid discharge device.
(L) The control method of the liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and the liquid storage unit. A carriage that mounts a liquid discharge head and the liquid storage unit and can move back and forth in the scanning direction, a discharge flow path that can discharge air from the upper part of the storage chamber, and a first opening / closing unit that can open and close the discharge flow path. A pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening and closing the first opening / closing portion, a lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage, and a connected portion of the discharge flow path are provided with the discharge. A liquid discharge including an on-off valve that can open and close the flow path, a connection portion that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path, and a negative pressure generating portion that exerts a negative pressure on the connection portion. In the control method of the device, by moving the carriage to the front of a predetermined position, the on-off valve is opened at the connection portion, and the connection portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path. By moving the carriage to the predetermined position, the lever is moved in the direction of pressing the pressing portion to open the first opening / closing portion, and the negative pressure generating portion negatively affects the connecting portion. It includes sucking air in the storage chamber through the discharge flow path by applying pressure.

According to this method, the air in the liquid storage unit can be removed, and the backflow of air to the storage chamber can be suppressed in the process of removing the air.
(M) The control method of the liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and the above. A carriage equipped with a liquid discharge head and the liquid storage unit and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction, and a filter provided upstream of the storage chamber in the liquid storage unit and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source. , The first discharge flow path capable of discharging the air in the upper part of the storage chamber, the upper part of the filter chamber in which the filter is housed in the liquid storage portion, and upstream of the filter in the liquid storage portion in the liquid supply direction. A discharge flow path including a second discharge flow path capable of discharging at least one of the located upstream flow paths, and a connection portion capable of being connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path. It is a control method of a liquid discharge device including a negative pressure generating portion for applying a negative pressure to the connecting portion, and by moving the carriage to a predetermined position, the connecting portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path. By connecting the above and applying a negative pressure to the connection portion by the negative pressure generating portion, the air in the storage chamber is sucked through the first discharge flow path, and the second discharge flow path is connected. It comprises sucking at least one of the air in the upper part of the filter chamber and the upstream flow path through the filter chamber.

According to this configuration, the air in the liquid reservoir can be removed.

11 ... Complex machine, 12 ... Liquid discharge device, 13 ... Image reader, 15 ... Operation unit, 16 ... Display unit, 17 ... Operation panel, 18 ... Liquid supply source, 20 ... Housing, 21 ... Window unit, 23 ... Visual recognition surface, 26 ... Liquid supply device, 27 ... Liquid supply path, 27a ... First supply path, 30 ... Liquid discharge head, 30A ... Nozzle surface, 31 ... Nozzle, 33 ... Carriage, 39 ... Linear encoder, 40 ... Maintenance device , 41 ... Cap, 44 ... Switching valve, 45 ... Suction pump, 47 ... Waste liquid storage section, 50 ... Liquid storage section, 51 ... Storage chamber, 52 ... Supply pipe section, 53 ... Discharge pipe section, 54 ... Filter chamber, 55 ... pressure chamber, 59 ... second discharge flow path, 60 ... pressure adjustment mechanism, 61 ... first discharge flow path, 70 ... air discharge valve mechanism, 71 ... connected part, 73 ... lever, 81 ... first opening / closing part, 82 ... 2nd opening / closing part, 84 ... pressing part, 88 ... third spring as an example of urging part, 90 ... connection mechanism, 91 ... connection part, 92 ... connection nozzle, 96 ... discharge tube, 97 ... negative pressure generation Unit, 100 ... Control unit, X ... Scanning direction, Y ... Transport direction, Z ... Vertical direction, FT ... Filter, BS ... Bubble discharge mechanism, F ... Discharge flow path, F1 ... First discharge as an example of the discharge flow path. Flow path, F2 ... Second discharge flow path as an example of a discharge flow path, FC ... Confluence discharge flow path, V1 ... On-off valve, HP home position, P1 ... Bubble discharge position as an example of a predetermined position.

Claims (13)

A liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle,
A liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and a liquid storage unit.
A carriage equipped with the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage unit and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction,
A discharge channel capable of discharging air from the upper part of the storage chamber,
A connection portion that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path,
A negative pressure generating portion that exerts a negative pressure on the connecting portion is provided.
A liquid discharge device, characterized in that the connection portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path by moving the carriage to a predetermined position. A plurality of the liquid storage portions are mounted on the carriage.
A plurality of the discharge channels corresponding to the plurality of liquid storage portions are merged in the middle to form a merged discharge channel.
The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is connected to a connected portion of the confluent discharge flow path as a connected portion of the discharge flow path. Further provided with a first opening / closing portion capable of opening / closing the discharge flow path,
The liquid discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first opening / closing unit opens / closes the discharge flow path in conjunction with the movement of the carriage. A pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening and closing the first opening / closing portion,
The liquid discharge device according to claim 3, further comprising a lever for moving the pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage. A liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle,
A liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and a liquid storage unit.
A carriage equipped with the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage unit and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction,
A filter provided upstream of the storage chamber in the liquid storage unit and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source,
A first discharge flow path capable of discharging air in the upper part of the storage chamber, an upper part of the filter chamber in which the filter is housed in the liquid storage portion, and a position upstream of the filter in the liquid storage portion in the liquid supply direction. A discharge channel including a second discharge channel capable of discharging at least one of the upstream channels
A connection portion that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path,
A negative pressure generating portion that exerts a negative pressure on the connecting portion is provided.
A liquid discharge device, characterized in that the connection portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path by moving the carriage to a predetermined position. A plurality of the liquid storage portions are mounted on the carriage.
The discharge flow path has a combined discharge flow path formed by merging a plurality of the first discharge flow paths and a plurality of the second discharge flow paths corresponding to the plurality of liquid storage portions in the middle.
The liquid discharge device according to claim 5, wherein the connecting portion is connected to a connected portion of the confluent discharge flow path as a connected portion of the discharge flow path. A first opening / closing unit that can open / close the first discharge flow path,
Further provided with a second opening / closing portion capable of opening / closing the second discharge flow path.
5. The first opening / closing unit and the second opening / closing unit open and close the first discharge flow path and the second discharge flow path in conjunction with the movement of the carriage according to claim 5 or 6. The liquid discharge device described. A pressing portion that can move in the direction of opening and closing the first opening / closing portion and the second opening / closing portion, and
The liquid discharge device according to claim 7, further comprising a lever for moving the pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage. The connection portion is extended in the scanning direction at the predetermined position.
The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connected portion of the discharge flow path opens at a position facing the connection portion in the scanning direction. .. An on-off valve provided at the connected portion of the discharge flow path and capable of opening and closing the discharge flow path,
It is provided with an urging portion that urges the on-off valve in a direction of closing the connected portion of the discharge flow path.
When the carriage moves to the predetermined position, the connecting portion is inserted into the discharge flow path while pressing the on-off valve against the urging force of the urging portion, thereby causing the discharge flow path to flow. The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the discharge flow path and the connection portion communicate with each other while being opened. Further provided with a cap capable of forming a closed space through which the nozzle opens,
The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the negative pressure generating portion communicates with the cap. It is equipped with a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle, a liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage unit. A carriage that can be reciprocated in the scanning direction, a discharge flow path that can discharge air from the upper part of the storage chamber, a first opening / closing section that can open / close the discharge flow path, and a direction that opens / closes the first opening / closing section. A pressing portion that can be moved to, a lever that moves the pressing portion in conjunction with the movement of the carriage, an on-off valve that is provided in the connected portion of the discharge flow path and can open and close the discharge flow path, and the above. A control method for a liquid discharge device including a connection portion capable of being connected to and separated from a connected portion of a discharge flow path, and a negative pressure generating portion for applying a negative pressure to the connection portion.
By moving the carriage to the front of a predetermined position, the on-off valve is opened at the connection portion, and the connection portion is connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path.
By moving the carriage to the predetermined position, the lever is moved in the direction of pressing the pressing portion to open the first opening / closing portion.
By applying a negative pressure to the connection portion by the negative pressure generating portion, air in the storage chamber is sucked through the discharge flow path, and
Control method of liquid discharge device including. A liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle,
A liquid storage unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the liquid discharge head, and a liquid storage unit.
A carriage equipped with the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage unit and capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction,
A filter provided upstream of the storage chamber in the liquid storage unit and filtering the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source,
A first discharge flow path capable of discharging air in the upper part of the storage chamber, an upper part of the filter chamber in which the filter is housed in the liquid storage portion, and a position upstream of the filter in the liquid storage portion in the liquid supply direction. A discharge channel including a second discharge channel capable of discharging at least one of the upstream channels
A connection portion that can be connected to and separated from the connected portion of the discharge flow path,
A method for controlling a liquid discharge device including a negative pressure generating portion that causes a negative pressure to act on the connecting portion.
By moving the carriage to a predetermined position, the connection portion can be connected to the connected portion of the discharge flow path.
By applying a negative pressure to the connection portion by the negative pressure generating portion, air in the storage chamber is sucked through the first discharge flow path, and the filter chamber is sucked through the second discharge flow path. Attracting air from the upper part and the upstream flow path, and
Control method of liquid discharge device including.

Images