Patent Application
20230241895
The present disclosure generally relates to a recording apparatus.
Some known recording apparatuses that perform recording by discharging ink from a recording head to a medium include a reservoir portion in which the ink to be supplied to the recording head is reserved and/or a maintenance unit that carries out maintenance of the recording head. In a case where the ink leaks out inside such an apparatus, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the ink from leaking out from the apparatus. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-160825 discusses a configuration in which an ink absorber is disposed at a portion where ink leakage may occur inside the apparatus and an ink detection unit that detects absorption of ink by the ink absorber is provided.
In the configuration discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-160825, the ink leakage inside the apparatus is detected by detecting the ink absorbed by the ink absorber. Thus, it is supposed that it takes time to detect the ink leakage after the ink leakage occurs.
The present disclosure is directed to, in a case where ink leakage occurs inside a recording apparatus, reduction in time from the occurrence of the ink leakage to detection of the ink leakage.
According to some embodiments, a recording apparatus includes a liquid container configured to contain, outside a recording area of the recording apparatus, liquid to be supplied to a recording head configured to perform recording by discharging the liquid to a recording medium in the recording area, a maintenance unit disposed outside the recording area, including a suction unit configured to suck the liquid from the recording head, and configured to carry out maintenance of the recording head, and a liquid reservoir portion below the liquid container and the maintenance unit.
Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. Initially, an outline of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.
<Outline of Recording Apparatus>
The recording apparatus 1 has a flat rectangular-parallelepiped shape as a whole, and includes an apparatus main body 2 and a main body cover portion 3 including a plurality of covers. The main body cover portion 3 is provided to cover the apparatus main body 2, and forms a top portion of the recording apparatus 1. The main body cover portion 3 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a sheet feeding cover 301 for setting the recording medium, an access cover 302 for performing a maintenance work inside the recording apparatus 1, and a tank access cover 303 covering a portion from which the ink is supplied to a tank of the apparatus.
A reading unit (scanner unit) 3a that reads an image of a document is provided, and the whole of the reading unit 3a is capable of performing opening movement in a manner similar to the access cover 302 to perform the maintenance work inside the apparatus. A discharge portion 10 to which the recorded recording medium is discharged is provided on a front part of the recording apparatus 1. An operation unit 36 that receives operation by an operator is provided on the front part of the recording apparatus 1. The operation unit 36 includes a display unit of a touch panel system, receives input operation by the operator, and displays information to the operator.
The recording head 4 is mounted on a carriage 6, and is supported by a driving unit (not illustrated) such that reciprocate motion in the X direction (main scanning direction) is performable. The driving unit includes a driving pulley (not illustrated) and a driven pulley 7b that are spaced apart in the X direction, an endless belt 7c wound around these pulleys, and a carriage motor (not illustrated) that is a driving source to rotate the driving pulley. The carriage 6 is coupled to the endless belt 7c, and is moved in the X direction when the endless belt 7c runs. During the movement of the carriage 6, the ink is discharged from the recording head 4 to the recording medium, thus recording an image. An area where liquid is dischargeable to the recording medium is referred to as a recording area, and operation of moving the carriage 6 while the ink is being discharged from the recording head 4 in the recording area is referred to as record scanning.
As described above, the recording apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a serial inkjet recording apparatus in which the recording head 4 is mounted on the carriage 6 that reciprocates. However, the exemplary embodiment is also applicable to an inkjet recording apparatus including a full-line recording head that includes a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge liquid to an area corresponding to a width of a recording medium.
The recording apparatus 1 includes a feeding unit 8 and a conveyance unit 9 that convey the recording medium. The feeding unit 8 includes a roll set portion 8c that supplies a banner-like continuous recording medium R from a roll, and a feeding mechanism (not illustrated) for the recording medium. The feeding mechanism includes a feeding roller (not illustrated), and a feeding motor 8b (see
The conveyance unit 9 is a mechanism for conveying the recording medium fed from the feeding unit 8, in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The conveyance unit 9 includes a conveyance roller 9a, and a conveyance motor 9b (see
<Configurations of Ink Supply System and Waste Ink Collection System>
As illustrated in
The containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, and 5Bk are provided corresponding to the number of ink colors to be stored, and are arranged in the Y direction along a right side surface of the recording apparatus 1. Upper parts of the containers 5C to 5Bk are covered with a common tank cover portion 13.
Passages 14a and 15a communicate in the container 5. The passage 14a is a liquid supply path (ink supply path) that communicates with the storage portion 54 and supplies ink from the container 5 to the recording head 4. The passage 14a is formed of the supply tube 14 which is a flexible tube. The passage 15a is an air communication path that communicates with the buffer chamber 53 and makes the inside of the container 5 communicate with air. The passage 15a is formed of an air communication tube 15 which is a flexible tube. The valve 16 opens and closes the passages 14a and 15a. In the present exemplary embodiment, the dedicated valve 16 is provided in each of the containers 5C to 5Bk.
The gas-liquid exchange portion 52 is provided at a position lower by a height H than the discharge surface 4a of the recording head 4. In other words, a negative pressure caused by water head difference of the height H is applied to the discharge surface 4a. This makes it possible to prevent the ink from leaking out from the discharge surface 4a. The buffer chamber 53 is positioned at a lower part of the container 5. This makes it possible to prevent the ink from leaking out of the air communication path 15a.
A recovery unit 11 is a mechanism for maintaining ink discharge performance of the recording head 4, and is disposed at an end in a moving range of the carriage 6. The recovery unit 11 includes a cap 11a covering the discharge surface 4a of the recording head 4, a pump 11b for sucking the ink from the recording head 4 via the cap 11a, and the like. The cap 11a is displaceable to a position at which the cap 11a covers the discharge surface 4a and a position separated from the discharge surface 4a, by a mechanism (not illustrated). The discharge surface 4a is covered with the cap 11a (capping), thus preventing drying of the discharge surface 4a.
Sucking operation of operating the pump 11b is performed with the cap 11a capping the discharge surface 4a, thus enabling removal of thickened ink adhering to the recording head 4 and filling the passage 14a and the recording head 4 with the ink. When the recording operation is performed in a state where the passage 14a and the recording head 4 are filled with the ink, the ink is supplied from the container 5 by a reduction amount (discharge amount) of the ink from the recording head 4. In the present exemplary embodiment, a tube pump is used as the pump 11b; however, a component other than the tube pump may be used.
A waste ink collection tank 12 that collects the ink ejected or discharged from the discharge surface 4a is provided, and is connected to the pump 11b by a drain tube 11c. When the pump 11b is operated, the sucked ink is collected to the waste ink collection tank 12 through the drain tube 11c.
<Control Unit>
The MPU 31 controls the recording head 4 via a driver 34a. The MPU 31 controls a carriage motor 7a via a driver 34b. The MPU 31 controls the conveyance motor 9b and the feeding motor 8b respectively via drivers 34c and 34d.
The MPU 31 performs control operation by acquiring a detection result of a sensor group 35 including various sensors provided in the recording apparatus 1. The sensor group 35 includes a detection sensor 35a described below. The MPU 31 performs display control of the display unit of the operation unit 36, and receives operation by the operator performed on the operation unit 36.
The host computer 100 is, for example, a personal computer or a mobile terminal (e.g., smartphone or tablet terminal) which is used by the operator. A printer driver 101 that performs communication between the host computer 100 and the recording apparatus 1 is installed in the host computer 100. The recording apparatus 1 includes an interface unit 33, and the communication between the host computer 100 and the MPU 31 is performed through the interface unit 33. For example, in a case where execution of the recording operation is input to the host computer 100 by the operator, the printer driver 101 collects data of an image to be recorded and setting relating to the recording (information such as quality of recorded image), and instructs the recording apparatus 1 to perform the recording operation. As used herein, the term “unit” generally refers to firmware, software, hardware, circuitry, or combinations thererof that is used to effectuate a purpose.
<Ink Leakage Detection Configuration>
In a case where, inside the recording apparatus 1, an accidental trouble, such as a failure at a connection portion (not illustrated) between the supply tube 14 and each of the containers 5, a failure at a connection portion between the drain tube 11c and the pump 11b, and a partial breakage of the containers 5 and the pump 11b occurs, ink leakage may occur. If the operator continuously uses the recording apparatus 1 with the ink leakage occurring, the ink may further leak from the inside to the outside of the apparatus. Thus, the leaking ink is to be retained in the apparatus. If the ink leakage is unaddressed, the ink continuously leaks out. Thus, a configuration for detecting the ink leakage is to be also provided. Here, an ink leakage detection configuration according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to
Each of the container holding cases 201 includes an ink guide portion 201a at a position corresponding to the position of a corresponding one of the containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, and 5Bk, and the recovery unit holding case 202 includes ink guide portions 202a, 202b, and 202c. The ink guide portions 201a, 202a, 202b, and 202c are provided at positions facing the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a. The number of ink guide portions provided in the recovery unit holding case 202 may not be three, and it is sufficient to provide one or more ink guide portions. The number of ink guide portions provided in each of the container holding cases 201 may be one or more.
In a case where the ink leaks out from any one or more of the containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, and 5Bk, the leaking ink initially flows to lower parts inside the container holding cases 201. The ink having reached the lower parts inside the container holding cases 201 further flows to the ink guide portions 201a, and the ink is guided so as to flow into the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a by the ink guide portions 201a. Similarly, the ink leaking out from the recovery unit 11 and the waste ink collection tank 12 flows to a lower part of the recovery unit holding case 202, and the ink is guided so as to flow into the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a by the ink guide portions 202a to 202c. In the present exemplary embodiment, the ink guide portions are thus provided near portions where ink leakage may occur, to guide the leaking ink to the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a (first leaking ink reservoir chamber).
Inclination inclined to the ink guide portions may be provided at the lower part of each of the container holding cases 201 and/or the recovery unit holding case 202, thus facilitating the leaking ink easily reaching the ink guide portions.
As described above, the detection sensor 35a is disposed in the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a, and the detection sensor 35a is disposed so that the end part of the detection sensor 35a is closer to a bottom surface of the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a than the end part thereof is to an upper end part of the reservoir chamber side surface 210a. This enables the detection sensor 35a to detect the ink inside the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a in a case where the ink flows into the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a. To detect an inflow of the ink even in a case where a small amount of ink flows into the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a, the detection sensor 35a is desirably disposed so that the end part thereof is close to the bottom surface of the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a.
In a case where the amount of leaking ink flowing into the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a exceeds an amount reservable in the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a, the leaking ink overflows the reservoir chamber side surface 210a into the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200b, and is reserved in the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a. Note that an ink outflow portion (liquid outflow portion) through which ink flows out from the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a may be formed by lowering a height of a part of the reservoir chamber side surface 210a, thus controlling an ink inflow position to the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200b. The ink outflow portion is not limited to the configuration in which the height of a part of the reservoir chamber side surface 210a is changed, and may be formed by providing a hole portion.
Even in a case where ink leakage occurs in a state where the recording apparatus 1 is inclined, the ink is to be prevented from leaking out of the leaking ink reservoir portion 200. To do so, the ink is to be prevented from flowing out of a reservoir chamber side surface 210b surrounding the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200b. Thus, the reservoir chamber side surface 210b desirably has an upper end part at a position as high as possible. The reservoir chamber side surface 210b has the upper end part at a position higher than a lowest part of the upper end part of the reservoir chamber side surface 210a, thus preventing the ink that has overflowed the reservoir chamber side surface 210a and/or the ink outflow portion from further overflowing the reservoir chamber side surface 210b and flowing out of the apparatus.
Thus, the upper end part of the reservoir chamber side surface 210b is desirably located at a position higher than the upper end part of the reservoir chamber side surface 210a. In a case where the above-described ink outflow portion is provided in the reservoir chamber side surface 210a, the upper end part of the reservoir chamber side surface 210b is desirably located at a position higher than the ink outflow portion.
Even in a case where the leaking ink flows into the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a from any of the ink guide portions, a time from ink inflow until detection of the ink leakage is desirably made equal among the ink guide portions in order to prevent extreme delay in detection of the ink leakage from one guide portion. To do so, distances from each of the ink guide portions 201a, 202a, 202b, and 202c to the detection sensor 35a are desirably made equal to one another. For example, in a case where a distance from the detection sensor 35a to one ink guide portion is denoted by D, a distance from the detection sensor 35a to another ink guide portion is preferably set to 98% to 102% of the distance D, depending on the configuration of each of the guide portions and the sensor.
On the other hand, in a case where it is difficult to make the distances from the detection sensor 35a to each of the ink guide portions substantially equal to one another, the detection sensor 35a is desirably disposed at a position at which difference in distance from the detection sensor 35a to each of the ink guide portions is minimum. This makes it possible to reduce a difference in time from inflow of the ink until detection of ink leakage even in a case where the ink flows into the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a from any of the ink guide portions. Further, making the ink amount reservable in the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a small enables the detection sensor 35a to early detect the occurrence of the ink leakage even through the leaking amount is small. Thus, it is desirable to reduce the ink amount reservable in the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a as much as possible. Note that a plurality of detection sensors 35a may be arranged to early detect the ink that has flowed in from each of the ink guide portions.
The ink leakage inside the recording apparatus occurs due to the above-described factors. In particular, if the suction operation by the pump 11b is continued in a state where the ink leakage occurs near the pump 11b during the suction operation, an amount of leaking ink increases. In the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the pump 11b is operating at the time when the detection sensor 35a detects ink leakage, the recording apparatus 1 stops the suction operation of the pump 11b. This prevents increase of the leaking ink, thus preventing damage caused by the ink leakage.
In a case where the ink leakage occurs from the connection portion between any of the containers 5 and the supply tube 14, stopping the recording operation enables prevention of further ink leakage. Thus, in the case where the ink leakage is detected during the recording operation by the recording head 4, the recording apparatus 1 may stop the recording operation.
In contrast, in a case where the ink leakage occurs from any of the containers 5 due to, for example, breakage of that container 5, even when the pump 11b is stopped or the recording operation is stopped as described above, the ink leakage is continued because of the water head difference of the ink inside the containers 5. Thus, to reserve the leaking ink in the recording apparatus 1 even in the case where the ink leakage occurs due to breakage of any of the containers 5, the leaking ink reservoir portion 200 desirably has a capacity enough to reserve an ink amount containable in one container 5 or more. In the present exemplary embodiment, although the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a has a small capacity, the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200b has a large capacity to secure a sufficient capacity as the leaking ink reservoir portion 200. The leaking ink reservoir chamber 200b may include a plurality of reservoir chambers.
With the above-described configuration, the ink leakage is detected by the detection sensor 35a when the ink leakage occurs inside the recording apparatus 1. A result of the detection may be notified to the operator through a notification unit of the host computer 100, the operation unit 36, or the like. The notification by the notification unit may be performed using sound, light, screen display by a display unit, such as a display, vibration, and the like. The ink leakage is notified to the operator by such a unit or units, and the recording apparatus 1 stops the recording operation and the pump 11b, which makes it possible to prevent increase of the leaking ink. After the notification to the operator, the operation of the recording apparatus 1 may be limited in order to prevent restart of the recording operation by the operator and the suction operation of the pump 11b.
As described above, since the leaking ink is guided from the ink guide portions to the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a, so that the leaking ink is collected to one portion, irrespective of an ink leakage occurrence position. This enables the detection sensor 35a to detect the ink leakage. Further, since the capacity of the leaking ink reservoir chamber 200a is small, the time after the ink leakage occurs inside the recording apparatus until the ink leakage is detected can be reduced. This makes it possible to detect the ink leakage early.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2022-015782, filed Feb. 3, 2022, and No. 2022-193640, filed Dec. 2, 2022, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-015782 | Feb 2022 | JP | national |
| 2022-193640 | Dec 2022 | JP | national |
