Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a head including a nozzle from which a liquid is discharged; a cap configured to cover a nozzle surface having the nozzle; a first container configured to store a moisturizing liquid; a pump connected to the cap, the pump configured to generate a negative pressure in a space formed between the cap and the nozzle surface; a second container; and a waste liquid path connecting the cap and the second container, and the first container connected to the waste liquid path.

Abstract: A liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head to discharge a liquid, a liquid storage portion to store the liquid, a first channel to discharge the liquid from the liquid storage portion via the liquid discharge head, and a second channel to connect a top portion of the liquid storage portion and the first channel, a fluid resistance of the first channel is less than a fluid resistance of the second channel. The first channel extends from a junction between the liquid storage portion and the first channel to a junction between the first channel and the second channel. The second channel extends from a junction between the liquid storage portion and the second channel to the junction between the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: A liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head to discharge a liquid, a liquid storage portion to store the liquid, a first channel to discharge the liquid from the liquid storage portion via the liquid discharge head, and a second channel to connect a top portion of the liquid storage portion and the first channel, a fluid resistance of the first channel is less than a fluid resistance of the second channel. The first channel extends from a junction between the liquid storage portion and the first channel to a junction between the first channel and the second channel. The second channel extends from a junction between the liquid storage portion and the second channel to the junction between the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, a head tank, a liquid storage container, a liquid feed device, a supply valve, an exhaust passage, a float valve, an air release valve, and a suction device. The exhaust passage is disposed in the head tank and communicated with an ambient air. The float valve is disposed in the head tank to close the exhaust passage in response to an amount of liquid in the head tank. The air release valve opens and closes the exhaust passage of the head tank. When the suction device exhausts air from the exhaust passage with the air release valve open, the liquid feed device is driven to pressurize and feed the liquid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a recording head having a nozzle to discharge droplets; a reciprocally moving carriage on which the recording head is mounted; a rotary conveyance body disposed opposite the recording head and configured to convey a recording medium; a maintenance unit to maintain an optimal state of the recording head; and a drive transmission unit to transmit rotation of the rotary conveyance body to the maintenance unit. The drive transmission unit includes a drive transmission gear to drive the maintenance unit; and a gear moving unit. The gear moving unit includes moving means to move the drive transmission gear at the connection position; and a retainer to retain a state in which the drive transmission gear is moved to the connection position, even though the carriage is moved toward a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a recording head having a nozzle to discharge droplets; a reciprocally moving carriage on which the recording head is mounted; a rotary conveyance body disposed opposite the recording head and configured to convey a recording medium; a maintenance unit to maintain an optimal state of the recording head; and a drive transmission unit to transmit rotation of the rotary conveyance body to the maintenance unit. The drive transmission unit includes a drive transmission gear to drive the maintenance unit; and a gear moving unit. The gear moving unit includes moving means to move the drive transmission gear at the connection position; and a retainer to retain a state in which the drive transmission gear is moved to the connection position, even though the carriage is moved toward a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, a head tank, a liquid storage container, a liquid feed device, a supply valve, an exhaust passage, a float valve, an air release valve, and a suction device. The exhaust passage is disposed in the head tank and communicated with an ambient air. The float valve is disposed in the head tank to close the exhaust passage in response to an amount of liquid in the head tank. The air release valve opens and closes the exhaust passage of the head tank. When the suction device exhausts air from the exhaust passage with the air release valve open, the liquid feed device is driven to pressurize and feed the liquid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first path through which liquid is supplied to a recording head; a second path connected to a liquid tank; a pressure-adjustment valve connecting the first path with the second path, wherein resistance inside the pressure-adjustment valve changes according to a flow rate of the liquid flowing through the first path; a third path connecting the second path with the pressure-adjustment valve, wherein the third path includes a pump; a fourth path that connects the recording head with the liquid tank and bypasses the pressure-adjustment valve; and an opening/closing valve that opens/closes the fourth path. When an environmental temperature exceeds a threshold, liquid is supplied to the recording head by operating the pump and opening the fourth path. When the environmental temperature is less than the threshold, liquid is supplied to the recording head by operating the pump and closing the fourth path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes the pressure adjusting valve including a movable member movably disposed in the pressure adjusting valve, a first throttling part; and a second throttling part, wherein the second throttling part is formed as a gap between an internal wall of the frame of the pressure adjusting valve and the movable member, an internal fluid resistance of the pressure adjusting valve varies in response to the flow rate of the liquid, and when the liquid is discharged from the nozzle, the liquid is fed from the liquid tank to the recording head by the liquid feeding unit in a state where the recording head is in fluid communication with the liquid tank via the pressure adjusting valve.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a first fluid flow path supplying liquid to the recording head, a second fluid flow path being in communication with the liquid tank, a pressure adjusting valve allowing fluid communication between the first and the second fluid flow paths, a cap member covering a nozzle surface of the recording head, and a suction unit being in communication with the cap member. The pressure adjusting valve includes a movable member movably disposed in the internal fluid flow path, wherein the movable member includes a sealing unit that seals the communication between the first and the second fluid flow paths when the cap member covers the nozzle surface of the recording head and a negative pressure is generated in a cap-member space formed between the cap member and the nozzle surface by driving the suction unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first path through which liquid is supplied to a recording head; a second path connected to a liquid tank; a pressure-adjustment valve connecting the first path with the second path, wherein resistance inside the pressure-adjustment valve changes according to a flow rate of the liquid flowing through the first path; a third path connecting the second path with the pressure-adjustment valve, wherein the third path includes a pump; a fourth path that connects the recording head with the liquid tank and bypasses the pressure-adjustment valve; and an opening/closing valve that opens/closes the fourth path. When an environmental temperature exceeds a threshold, liquid is supplied to the recording head by operating the pump and opening the fourth path. When the environmental temperature is less than the threshold, liquid is supplied to the recording head by operating the pump and closing the fourth path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a first fluid flow path supplying liquid to the recording head, a second fluid flow path being in communication with the liquid tank, a pressure adjusting valve allowing fluid communication between the first and the second fluid flow paths, a cap member covering a nozzle surface of the recording head, and a suction unit being in communication with the cap member. The pressure adjusting valve includes a movable member movably disposed in the internal fluid flow path, wherein the movable member includes a sealing unit that seals the communication between the first and the second fluid flow paths when the cap member covers the nozzle surface of the recording head and a negative pressure is generated in a cap-member space formed between the cap member and the nozzle surface by driving the suction unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes the pressure adjusting valve including a movable member movably disposed in the pressure adjusting valve, a first throttling part; and a second throttling part, wherein the second throttling part is formed as a gap between an internal wall of the frame of the pressure adjusting valve and the movable member, an internal fluid resistance of the pressure adjusting valve varies in response to the flow rate of the liquid, and when the liquid is discharged from the nozzle, the liquid is fed from the liquid tank to the recording head by the liquid feeding unit in a state where the recording head is in fluid communication with the liquid tank via the pressure adjusting valve.