# US 9,004,660 B2 · Ink supply device for inkjet recording apparatus

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- Number: US 9,004,660 B2
- Document ID: US9004660B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/134,898
- Filed: 2011-06-20
- Published: 2012-01-05
- Granted: 2015-04-14
- Earliest claimed: 2010-06-30
- Assignees: Miyakoshi Printing Machinery Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Hideo Izawa; Akira Ishikawa; Wataru Itabashi
- Inventors: Hideo Izawa; Akira Ishikawa; Wataru Itabashi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9004660B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor}
- B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure}
- B41J 2/17596: {Ink pumps, ink valves}
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

An ink supply device for an inkjet recording apparatus including a back pressure tank 21, a distribution tank 12, a plurality of ink opening/closing electromagnetic valves 13, and a plurality of recording heads 14, in which the distribution tank 12 is connected to the back pressure tank 21 via an ink supply path 24, the plurality of ink opening/closing electromagnetic valves 13 is directly attached to the distribution tank 12 while being connected to the plurality of recording heads 14 via a distribution supply pipe 15 and the distribution tank 12 contains a humidification heater 71 for humidifying ink and a temperature sensor 72.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ink supply device for an inkjet recording apparatus comprising a back pressure tank, a distribution tank, a plurality of ink opening/closing electromagnetic valves, and a plurality of recording heads, and in which the distribution tank is connected to the back pressure tank via an ink supply path, the plurality of ink opening/closing electromagnetic valves is directly attached to the distribution tank while being connected to the plurality of recording heads via a distribution supply pipe, characterized in that
the back pressure tank contains a float that floats in contact with substantially the entire upper liquid surface of ink stored therein;
the back pressure tank is provided with a liquid surface detector for detecting the height of the upper liquid surface of the ink via the float;
an upper part inside of the back pressure tank communicates with the atmosphere via an air path, an air switching three-port electromagnetic valve, and an air filter connected to the air switching three-port electromagnetic valve;
a cover and a plate are attached to the distribution tank with a frame sandwiched therebetween, and a space provided in the flame is filled with ink;
an air vent member for removing air in the frame is connected to a top of the frame in the distribution tank;
a plate-shaped humidification heater is attached in a sandwiched state between the frame and the plate; and
a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of ink in the space is attached to the frame or the plate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ink supply device of claim 1, characterized in that each of the distribution supply pipes is a heater-equipped distribution supply pipe, and includes a temperature sensor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ink supply device for an inkjet recording apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that ink in the back pressure tank is supplied to the recording heads via the ink supply path, the distribution tank, the ink opening/closing electromagnetic value, and the distribution supply pipe, and
the ink replenishment pump is operated by a signal from the liquid surface detector when the liquid surface of ink in the back pressure bank has been reduced to replenish ink in the back pressure tank from a main tank, thereby maintaining the liquid surface of ink in the back pressure tank at a predetermined height.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The ink supply device of claim 3, characterized in that each of the distribution supply pipes is a heater-equipped distribution supply pipe, and includes a temperature sensor.