Ink jet recording device with ink circulating unit

An ink jet recording device, comprising:

• a print head having a plurality of actuators for ejecting ink to perform printing operations;
• a circulation channel including:
• a manifold in communication with the plurality of actuators;
• an ink tank containing ink;
• a supply channel that supplies ink from the ink tank to the manifold;
• and
• a collection channel that returns ink from the manifold to the ink tank;
• and
• wherein one of the supply and collection channels includes a flexible ink tube;
• an ink circulation unit that performs circulation purge to remove bubbles from the circulation channel by circulating ink through the circulation channel;
• a vibration application unit for applying vibration to the ink during circulation purge by vibrating the flexible ink tube;
• and
• an ink circulation pump provided along the flexible ink tube, wherein the vibration application unit includes a member provided downstream from the ink circulation pump in a circulation flow direction, the operation member intermittently contacting the flexible ink tube.

An ink jet recording device, comprising:

• a print head including:
• a nozzle surface formed with a plurality of nozzles;
• and
• a plurality of actuators for ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzles to perform printing operations;
• a circulation channel including:
• a manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of actuators;
• an ink tank containing ink;
• a supply channel that supplies ink from the ink tank to the manifold;
• and
• a collection channel that supplies ink from the manifold to the ink tank;
• an ink circulation unit that performs circulation purge to remove bubbles from the circulation channel by circulating ink through the circulation channel;
• a capping unit that has a cap for covering the nozzle surface of the print head;
• a purge control unit that operates the circulation unit to perform circulation purge and that, during circulation purge, operates the capping unit to cover the nozzle surface with the cap to form a closed space between the nozzle surface and the cap, and
• a suction purge unit connected to the cap, and controlled by the purge control unit to perform suction purge during circulation purge, for suction of ink from the print head through the cap, the purge control unit controlling the suction.

An ink jet recording device, comprising:

• a print head including:
• a nozzle surface formed with a plurality of nozzles;
• and
• a plurality of actuators for ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzles to perform printing operations;
• a circulation channel including:
• a manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of actuators;
• an ink tank containing ink;
• a supply channel that supplies ink from the ink tank to the manifold;
• and
• a collection channel that supplies ink from the manifold to the ink tank;
• an ink circulation unit that performs circulation purge to remove bubbles from the circulation channel by circulating ink through the circulation channel;
• a valve unit provided along the collection channel, for opening the collection channel during circulation purge and closing the collection channel during printing;
• a purge control unit for controlling the valve unit to restrict flow in the collection channel either before or after circulation purge and, while controlling the valve unit, driving the ink circulation unit for a set duration of time to perform supplemental purge;
• and
• a capping unit having a cap, the purge control unit, during supplemental purge, driving the capping unit to position the cap and nozzle surface in confrontation with each other, wherein the capping unit further has a pump for sucking ink from the cap, the purge control unit driving both the pump and the ink circulation unit during the supplemental purge.

An ink jet recording device, comprising:

• a print head having a plurality of actuators for ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzles to perform printing operations;
• a circulation channel including:
• a manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of actuators;
• an ink tank containing ink;
• a supply channel that supplies ink from the ink tank to the manifold;
• and
• a collection channel that returns ink from the manifold to the ink tank;
• an ink circulation unit that performs circulation purge to remove bubbles from the circulation channel by circulating ink through the circulation channel;
• and
• a valve unit provided along the collection channel, for partially restricting flow in the collection channel during circulation purge and for closing the collection channel during printing.