This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-066472 filed on Apr. 13, 2022. The entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to an improvement technology for a damper apparatus.
A printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, and a multi-function image formation device that has functions thereof are each provided with a damper apparatus. The damper apparatus is operable to stabilize a discharging operation of an ink head that discharges an ink by easing a pressure change of an ink supplied to the ink head from an ink supply line. For example, Japan Patent No. 5348575 discloses a conventional technology regarding such a damper apparatus (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 15).
A damper apparatus disclosed in Japan Patent No. 5348575 includes a reservoir chamber that reserves therein an ink to be supplied to an ink head, a damper film which closes an opening formed in a side surface of the reservoir chamber, and which is elastically deformable in accordance with the ink remaining amount in the reservoir chamber, and a float-type liquid level detecting sensor that detects the ink remaining amount in the reservoir chamber.
When, however, the damper film elastically deforms in accordance with the reserved amount of the ink within the reservoir chamber, since adverse effects, such as a deformation by the ink, and a dimension change in the reservoir chamber itself act on the damper film, it is difficult to execute a highly precise measurement. Moreover, there are also adverse effects originating from the dimension precision of the reservoir chamber itself, and the dimension precision of a component within the reservoir chamber.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide damper apparatuses each capable of highly precisely detecting an ink remaining amount in the reservoir chamber.
According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a damper apparatus includes a damper casing movable together with an ink head capable of discharging an ink from a nozzle, including at least one reservoir chamber capable of reserving therein the ink to be supplied to the ink head and an opening in communication with the reservoir chamber; a damper film to close the opening and to elastically deform in accordance with a reserved amount of the ink in the reservoir chamber; and at least one pressure detector detachably attached to an external surface of the damper to directly detect internal pressure of the reservoir chamber and generate a detection signal.
According to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, damper apparatuses are capable of highly precisely detecting pressure in a reservoir chamber and an ink remaining amount in the reservoir chamber.
The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying figures. Note that the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to such preferred embodiments. In the following description, terms right and left mean a right side and a left side with reference to the widthwise direction of a medium, and terms front and rear mean a front side and a rear side with reference to the feeding direction of the medium. Moreover, in the figures, Fr, Rr, Le, Ri, Up and Dn indicate front, rear, left, right, up and down, respectively.
A damper apparatus 40 according to a first preferred embodiment and an image formation device 10 that includes the damper apparatus 40 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
A widthwise direction S1 of the medium Me with reference to a feeding direction S2 of the medium Me fed by the unillustrated carrying device of the image formation device 10 will be referred to as a “main scanning direction S1” in some cases. Moreover, the feeding direction S2 of the medium Me will be also referred to as a “sub scanning direction S2” in some cases. The sub scanning direction S2 is an orthogonal direction to the main scanning direction S1 with the image formation device 10 being viewed from the top.
The medium Me subjected to printing is, for example, a roll medium that is wound around a roll. The material of the medium Me may be paper like regular paper, resin, such as polyvinyl chloride resin and polyester resin, and metal, such as an aluminum material and an iron material, and it can be formed of various materials.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
An ink is supplied to each nozzle 15 of the first nozzle group 16 from a first ink supply system 20. The first ink supply system 20 includes a first ink tank 21 that can reserve therein the ink, a first supply control valve 22 that has an inlet opening connected to the supply opening of the first ink tank 21, a first supply pump 23 that has a suction opening connected to the outlet opening of the first supply control valve 22, the first reservoir chamber 60 that has an inflow opening 61 connected to the discharge opening of the first supply pump 23, each nozzle 15 of the first nozzle group 16 connected to the discharge opening 62 of the first reservoir chamber 60, and a first circulation path 25 connected to the suction opening of the first supply pump 23 through a first return control valve 24 from a return opening 63 of the first reservoir chamber 60. When the ink contains pigments with a large specific gravity, the first circulation path 25 causes the ink in the first reservoir chamber 60 to be circulated, thereby preventing the ink in the first reservoir chamber 60 from settling out.
The internal pressure of the first reservoir chamber 60 is to be detected by a first pressure detecting component 110. The first pressure detecting component 110 directly detects the internal pressure of the first reservoir chamber 60, and transmits an electrical detection signal to a control unit 26. The control unit 26 receives the detection signal from the first pressure detecting component 110, and calculates an ink remaining amount in the first reservoir chamber 60 relative to the internal pressure of the first reservoir chamber 60 by arithmetic processing, a conversion map, etc., thereby controlling the first supply control valve 22, the first supply pump 23, and the first return control valve 24.
The ink is supplied to each nozzle 15 of the second nozzle group 17 from a second ink supply system 30. The second ink supply system 30 includes a second ink tank 31 that can reserves therein the ink, a second supply control valve 32 that has an inlet opening connected to the supply opening of the second ink tank 31, a second supply pump 33 that has a suction opening connected to the outlet opening of the second supply control valve 32, a second reservoir chamber 70 that has an inflow opening 71 connected to the discharge opening of the second supply pump 33, each nozzle 15 of the second nozzle group 17 connected to the discharge opening 72 of the second reservoir chamber 70, and a second circulation path 35 connected to the suction opening of the second supply pump 33 through a second return control valve 34 from a return opening 73 of the second reservoir chamber 70. When the ink contains pigments with a large specific gravity, the second circulation path 35 causes the ink in the second reservoir chamber 70 to be circulated, thereby preventing the ink in the second reservoir chamber 70 from settling out.
The internal pressure of the second reservoir chamber 70 is to be detected by a second pressure detecting component 120. The second pressure detecting component 120 directly detects the internal pressure of the second reservoir chamber 70, and transmits an electrical detection signal to the control unit 26. The control unit 26 receives the detection signal from the second pressure detecting component 120, and calculates an ink remaining amount in the second reservoir chamber 70 relative to the internal pressure of the second reservoir chamber 70 by arithmetic processing, a conversion map, etc., thereby controlling the second supply control valve 32, the second supply pump 33, and the second return control valve 34.
Next, the damper apparatus 40 will be described in detail with reference to
The damper casing 50 includes a structure with a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape in a planar view and in a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape in a side view, and is formed of a material like a resin which has a light blocking effect and which is non-transparent. As illustrated in
The above-described dividing wall 56 is integrated at the center between the openings 55 and 55 in the damper casing 50, thereby dividing the interior of the damper casing 50 into the first reservoir chamber 60 and the second reservoir chamber 70 in the main scanning direction S1.
As illustrated in
The above-description will be summarized as follows. As illustrated in
The damper films 81 and 81 are each formed of an elastically deformable sheet (including a film) in accordance with the ink reserved amount in each reservoir chamber 60 and 70, and with the pressure in each reservoir chamber 60 and 70. For example, it is preferable that the damper films 81 and 81 each should be formed of a transparent or semi-transparent resin material. The damper films 81 and 81 are attached to the damper casing 50 at tension that enables deflection of such films toward the internal side and external side of each reservoir chamber 60 and 70.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Base end portions 91 and 91 of the respective covers 90 and 90 at a side thereof are supported by respective hinge mechanisms 92 and 92 so as to be openable and closable in the main scanning direction S1. When the damper apparatus 40 is viewed from the top, these hinge mechanisms 92 and 92 are provided at corners of the damper casing 50 in the main scanning direction S1, e.g., the corners of the first side plate 52.
As illustrated in
More specifically, each cover extended portion 94 and 94 includes a first extended plate 95 and 95 in a vertical plate shape which extends from each opened end portion 93 and 93 of each cover 90 and 90 to the opposite side to the hinge mechanism 92 and 92, and a second extended plate 96 and 96 in a vertical plate shape which extends from each tip of each first extended plate 95 and 95 to a direction facing with each other.
The damper apparatus 40 includes a space Sp (see
By causing the respective tips of the second extended plates 96 and 96 to abut with each other (including a structure substantially abut with each other), the openings 55 and 55 of the damper casing 50 can be closed and sealed, and the damper films 81 and 81 can be covered by the respective covers 90 and 90 (see
As illustrated in
Next, each pressure detecting component 110 and 120, and an attachment structure for each pressure detecting component 110 and 120 will be described in detail.
As illustrated in
More specifically, the two pressure detecting components 110 and 120 are arranged on a straight line in the vertical direction of the damper casing 50, and are mounted on a first substrate surface 131 of a single substrate 130. A single connector 140 is mounted at the upper end portion or the lower end portion of a second substrate surface 132 (an opposite surface 132 to the first substrate surface 131) of the substrate 130. The two pressure detecting components 110 and 120 are electrically connected to the connector 140 through the substrate 130. Since the two pressure detecting components 110 and 120 and the connector 140 are mounted in a manner arranged on a straight line in the vertical direction, the substrate 130 is elongated in the vertical direction of the damper casing 50. As described above, a single pressure detecting unit 150 includes the two pressure detecting components 110 and 120, the single substrate 130, and the single connector 140.
This pressure detecting unit 150 is placed in the pressure detecting component placing space Sp, and has only the connector 140 exposed from the pressure detecting component placing space Sp. The first substrate surface 131 of the substrate 130 faces the external surface of the second side plate 53 of the damper casing 50.
Furthermore, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The pressure sensing surface of each of the pressure detecting components 110 and 120, i.e., the pressure sensing surface of each of the pressure sensor chips 113 and 123 is directed toward corresponding openings 112a and 122a (port holes 112a and 122a) of the corresponding nozzles 112 and 122. The pressure sensor chips 113,123 output electric signals like voltage signals in accordance with pressure transmitted from the external side to the respective pressure sensing surfaces through the respective port holes 112a and 122a. Such electric signals are the detection signals of the respective pressure detecting components 110 and 120. Since the port holes 112a and 122a are directed in the same direction as those of the pressure sensing surfaces of the respective pressure sensor chips 113 and 123, the port holes 112a and 122a will be also referred to as “pressure sensing surfaces 112a and 122a of the respective pressure sensor chips 113 and 123”.
The nozzles 112 and 122 of the respective pressure detecting components 110 and 120 are fitted in respective pressure detection holes 57 and 57 which are formed in the second side plate 53 of the damper casing 50. the space between each pressure detection hole 57 and 57, and, each nozzle 112 and 122 is sealed by each sealing member 115 and 125 like an O-ring.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The return opening 63 of the first reservoir chamber 60 is in communication with an upper surface 65a of the first recess 65. A lower surface 65b of the first recess 65 is inclined downwardly from a depthwise surface 65c of the first recess 65 toward the first reservoir chamber 60. Depending on the type of the ink, constituents with a large specific gravity like metal constituents may be contained. Even if the ink which passes through the first recess 65 from the first reservoir chamber 60 and which flows into the return opening 63 is settled out, since the lower surface 65b of the first recess 65 is a surface inclined downwardly, a deposition on the lower surface 65b can be prevented. Accordingly, the port hole 112a is not clogged by the deposited ink.
As illustrated in
The return opening 73 of the second reservoir chamber 70 is in communication with an upper surface 75a of the second recess 75. A lower surface 75b of the second recess 75 is inclined downwardly from a depthwise surface 75c of the second recess 75 toward the second reservoir chamber 70. Depending on the type of the ink, constituents with a large specific gravity like metal constituents may be contained. Even if the ink which passes through the second recess 75 from the second reservoir chamber 70 and which flows into the return opening 73 is settled out, since the lower surface 75b of the second recess 75 is a surface inclined downwardly, a deposition on the lower surface 75b can be prevented. Accordingly, the port hole 122a is not clogged by the deposited ink.
As described above, as illustrated in
The description regarding the first preferred embodiment can be summarized as follows.
As illustrated in
As described above, since a structure is included which directly detects the internal pressures of the reservoir chambers 60 and 70, the adverse effects of the dimensional precisions of the reservoir chamber 60 and 70, the dimensional precisions of the components in the respective reservoir chambers 60 and 70, and an adverse effect of time-dependent change in the ink can be suppressed as much as possible. Hence, the respective pressures in the reservoir chambers 60 and 70 can be highly precisely detected. By converting, by the control unit 26 (see
In addition, direct detection of the internal pressures of the respective reservoir chambers 60 and 70 of the damper apparatus 40 to decrease the pressure change in the respective ink supply systems 20 and 30 (see
Moreover, as illustrated in
When printing is performed on the medium Me (see
Furthermore, as illustrated in
Accordingly, an adverse effect due to settling of the pigments within the ink reserved in the respective reservoir chambers 60 and 70 (e.g., sticking of pigments to the pressure sensing surfaces 112a and 122a) can be reduced or prevented as much as possible. Moreover, although a tiny amount of air may be contained in the reservoir chambers 60 and 70, an adverse effect due to such air can be reduced or prevented as much as possible. This enables the pressure detecting components 110 and 120 to detect stable pressure.
Furthermore, as illustrated in
Hence, opening and closing of the covers 90 and 90 facilitate attachment and detachment of the pressure detecting components 110 and 120 to and from the damper casing 50. Since the covers 90 and 90 with a light blocking effect which cover the respective damper films 81 and 81 are effectively utilized to attach the pressure detecting components 110 and 120 to the damper casing 50, it is unnecessary to prepare an attachment component that is another component. In addition, when pressures in the respective reservoir chambers 60 and 70 increase, the covers 90 and 90 hold the respective pressure detecting components 110 and 120 so as not to be detached from the damper casing 50.
Still further, as illustrated in
As described above, by arranging the two pressure detecting components 110 and 120 on a straight line in the vertical direction relative to the two reservoir chambers 60 and 70 divided in the horizontal direction, the damper casing 50 can be downsized.
Moreover, as illustrated in
Hence, the pressure detecting components 110 and 120 can be assembled as a single unit (e.g., assembled as the single pressure detecting unit 150), and thus an assembling easiness to the damper casing 50 is enhanced.
Next, a damper apparatus 240 according to a second preferred embodiment and an image formation device 210 that includes the damper apparatus 240 will be described with reference to
The pressure detecting unit 250 according to the second preferred embodiment has a feature that can be divided into two components in the vertical direction which are a first pressure detecting unit 251 and a second pressure detecting unit 252. The other basic structures are common to those of the damper apparatus 40 according to the first preferred embodiment and those of the image formation device 10 that includes the damper apparatus 40. The common components to those of the damper apparatus 40 according to the first preferred embodiment and those of the image formation device 10 that includes the damper apparatus 40 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
The first pressure detecting unit 251 includes the first pressure detecting component 110, a first substrate 231, and a first connector 241. The terminal (leads 114) of the first pressure detecting component 110 is electrically connected to the first connector 241 through the first substrate 231. Similarly, the second pressure detecting unit 252 includes the second pressure detecting component 120, a second substrate 232, and a second connector 242. The terminal (leads 124) of the second pressure detecting component 120 is electrically connected to the second connector 242 through the second substrate 232.
As described above, the two pressure detecting components 110 and 120 are mounted on the respective individual substrates 231 and 232. The substrates 231 and 232 each include two fitting protrusions 234 and 234. The respective connectors 241 and 242 are mounted on the respective fitting protrusions 234 and 234. Respective fitting recess 298 and 298 for fitting therein the respective fitting protrusions 234 and 234 are formed in the respective first extended plates 95 and 95. The fitting recesses 298 and 298 according to the second preferred embodiment include respective notch holes passing completely through the respective first extended plates 95 and 95 in the plate surface direction. Accordingly, the respective fitting protrusions 234 and 234 on which the respective connectors 241 and 242 are mounted can be easily fitted in the respective fitting recesses 298 and 298.
As is clear from the above description, according to the second preferred embodiment, the two pressure detecting components 110 and 120 are mounted on the respective individual substrates 231 and 232. Hence, in comparison with a case in which those are mounted on a single substrate, it is unnecessary to increase the precision for the pitch between the nozzles 112 and 212 of each of the pressure detecting components 110 and 210, and the precision for the pitch between the pressure detection holes 57 and 57 (see
The other actions and advantageous effects are the same as those of the damper apparatus 40 according to the first preferred embodiment and those of the image formation device 10 that includes the damper apparatus 40 illustrated in
Next, a damper apparatus 340 according to a third preferred embodiment and an image formation device 310 that includes the damper apparatus 340 will be described with reference to
The first and second ink supply systems 320 and 330 of the third preferred embodiment have a feature that is not including the first circulation path 25 and the second circulation path 35 in comparison with the first and second ink supply systems 20 and 30 of the above-described first preferred embodiment illustrated in
The other basic structures are common to those of the damper apparatus 40 of the first preferred embodiment and those of the image formation device 10 that includes the damper apparatus 40. The common portions to those of the damper apparatus 40 of the first preferred embodiment and those of the image formation device 10 that includes the damper apparatus 40 will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Moreover, the damper apparatus 340 of the third preferred embodiment may include the structure of the damper apparatus 240 of the second preferred embodiment.
As described above, even if the first and second ink supply systems 320 and 330 does not include the first circulation path 25 and the second circulation path 35, such systems are still applicable to the damper apparatus 40 of the first preferred embodiment and the image formation device 10 thereof, and the damper apparatus 240 of the second preferred embodiment and the image formation device 210 thereof.
Note that the damper apparatuses 40, 240 and 340 according to the present disclosure and the image formation devices 10, 210 and 310 that include the respective damper apparatuses 40, 240 and 340 are not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments as far as those can be accomplish the actions and advantageous effects of the present disclosure.
The various preferred embodiments of the damper apparatuses 40, 240 and 340 according to the present disclosure and the image formation devices 10, 210 and 310 that include the respective damper apparatuses 40, 240 and 340 are suitable for ink jet-type printers.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2022-066472 | Apr 2022 | JP | national |