Ink supplying apparatus, printing apparatus using the same, and ink supplying method

A printing apparatus comprising:

• a printhead including a plurality of print elements configured to discharge ink, a plurality of individual supply fluid channels configured to supply the ink to the plurality of print elements, respectively, a common supply fluid channel configured to communicate with the plurality of individual supply fluid channels commonly, a plurality of individual collection fluid channels configured to collect the ink supplied to the plurality of print elements from the plurality of print elements, respectively, and a common collection fluid channel configured to communicate with the plurality of individual collection fluid channels commonly;
• a transfer member on which an image is formed by ink discharged by the printhead;
• a transfer unit configured to transfer, to a print medium, the image formed on the transfer member;
• a tank configured to reserve the ink;
• a circulation unit configured to circulate the ink in:
• a first circulation direction in which the ink is circulated for supplying the ink from the tank to the plurality of print elements via the common supply fluid channel and the plurality of individual supply fluid channels, and collecting the ink from the plurality of print elements to the tank via the plurality of individual collection fluid channels and the common collection fluid channel, or
• a second circulation direction in which the ink is circulated for supplying the ink from the tank to the plurality of print elements via the common collection fluid channel and the plurality of individual collection fluid channels, and collecting the ink from the plurality of print elements to the tank via the plurality of individual supply fluid channels and the common supply fluid channel;
• and
• a determination unit configured to determine whether to circulate the ink in the first circulation direction or the second circulation direction based on an attachment angle of the printhead to the transfer member.

An ink supplying method in an ink supplying apparatus including a printhead which includes a plurality of print elements configured to discharge ink, a plurality of individual supply fluid channels configured to supply the ink to the plurality of print elements, respectively, a common supply fluid channel configured to communicate with the plurality of individual supply fluid channels commonly, a plurality of individual collection fluid channels configured to collect the ink supplied to the plurality of print elements from the plurality of print elements, respectively, and a common collection fluid channel configured to communicate with the plurality of individual collection fluid channels commonly, the method comprising:

• circulating the ink in a first circulation direction in which the ink is circulated for supplying the ink from a tank configured to reserve the ink to the plurality of print elements via the common supply fluid channel and the plurality of individual supply fluid channels, and collecting the ink from the plurality of print elements to the tank via the plurality of individual collection fluid channels and the common collection fluid channel in a case where the printhead discharges the ink to form an image;
• and
• circulating the ink in a second circulation direction in which the ink is circulated for supplying the ink from the tank to the plurality of print elements via the common collection fluid channel and the plurality of individual collection fluid channels, and collecting the ink from the plurality of print elements to the tank via the plurality of individual supply fluid channels and the common supply fluid channel in a case where a printhead is attached to the ink supplying apparatus.