US 12,227,003 B2
Liquid discharge apparatus and method for controlling liquid discharge apparatus
Akira Shinoto, Matsumoto (JP); Ken Inoue, Shiojiri (JP); and Ryota Takahashi, Shiojiri (JP)
Assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Mar. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/187,287.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-045500 (JP), filed on Mar. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0321974 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B41J 2/04 (2006.01); B41J 2/045 (2006.01); B41J 2/14 (2006.01); B41J 29/393 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/0455 (2013.01) [B41J 2/14 (2013.01); B41J 29/393 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A liquid discharge apparatus comprising:
a liquid discharge head that is configured to discharge a liquid from a nozzle;
a supply path that supplies the liquid from a liquid supply source accommodating the liquid to the liquid discharge head;
a pump that is configured to suck and exhaust air;
an air suction path that is in communication with an air suction side of the pump;
an air exhaust path that is in communication with an air exhaust side of the pump;
a first storage portion that is provided in the supply path and has a portion formed of a flexible wall that is flexible;
a first air chamber that is provided on a side opposite to the first storage portion across the flexible wall and in which at least a portion facing the flexible wall is configured to be displaced; and
a first switching portion that is configured to switch a path coupled to the first air chamber between the air suction path and the air exhaust path, wherein
the flexible wall is displaced by displacement of the first air chamber caused by air suction from the first air chamber to which the air suction path is coupled and air exhaust to the first air chamber to which the air exhaust path is coupled.