US 11,724,512 B2
Liquid circulation mechanism, liquid circulation device, and liquid discharging apparatus
Toshio Nakata, Matsumoto (JP); Yuichi Urabe, Shiojiri (JP); Hisashi Sato, Shiojiri (JP); Sawako Tsujimura, Shiojiri (JP); Shinji Hirata, Shiojiri (JP); and Yoshiaki Kishii, Shiojiri (JP)
Assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jan. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/649,098.
Claims priority of application No. JP2021-012851 (JP), filed on Jan. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0242135 A1, Aug. 4, 2022
Int. Cl. B41J 2/175 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/17596 (2013.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
2. A liquid circulation device comprising:
a liquid circulation mechanism having
a first storage portion configured to store liquid to be supplied to a liquid discharging head that discharges the liquid,
a supply flow path that communicates the first storage portion and the liquid discharging head,
a second storage portion configured to store the liquid collected from the liquid discharging head,
a first collection flow path that communicates the liquid discharging head and the second storage portion,
a third storage portion configured to store the liquid and provided between the second storage portion and the first storage portion,
a second collection flow path communicates the second storage portion and the third storage portion,
a third collection flow path communicates the third storage portion and the first storage portion,
a first check valve provided in the second collection flow path, the first check valve being configured to allow flow of the liquid from the second storage portion to the third storage portion and regulate flow of the liquid from the third storage portion to the second storage portion, and
a second check valve provided in the third collection flow path, the second check valve being configured to allow flow of the liquid from the third storage portion to the first storage portion and regulate flow of the liquid from the first storage portion to the third storage portion; and
a circulation device having
a depressurization portion configured to depressurize the second storage portion and the third storage portion,
a depressurization switching portion configured to switch at least between a first depressurization state, in which the depressurization portion and the second storage portion communicate with each other, and a second depressurization state, in which the depressurization portion and the third storage portion communicate with each other,
a pressurization portion configured to pressurize the third storage portion and the first storage portion, and
a pressurization switching portion configured to switch at least between a first pressurization state, in which the pressurization portion and the first storage portion communicate with each other, and a second pressurization state, in which the pressurization portion and the third storage portion communicate with each other.