Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid droplet ejecting device including a liquid droplet ejecting head; a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid; a first flow path and a second flow path that connect the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, the second flow path connecting with the first flow path in the liquid droplet ejecting head; a bypass flow path connected with the first flow path and the second flow path; a liquid feed unit provided between the liquid storage unit and a connecting portion of the bypass flow path and the first flow path, and circulating the liquid in the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, and a pressure control unit provided at the bypass flow path, and controlling pressure of the liquid flowing through the bypass flow path from the first flow path side to the second flow path side.

Abstract: A droplet discharge apparatus includes a droplet discharge head which discharges droplets; a liquid retention unit which is configured such that a liquid surface of a liquid retained in the liquid retention unit is located below the droplet discharge head, the liquid retention unit including an atmosphere open port; a liquid channel which couples the droplet discharge head and the liquid retention unit; a liquid tank in which the liquid is retained, the liquid tank being sealed; a liquid inflow channel which couples the liquid retention unit and the liquid tank, an inflow port of the liquid inflow channel in the liquid retention unit being located below the atmosphere open port; a liquid sending channel which couples the liquid tank and the droplet discharge head; and a pump which sending the liquid in the liquid tank to the droplet discharge head.

Abstract: A droplet discharge apparatus includes a droplet discharge head which discharges droplets; a liquid retention unit which is configured such that a liquid surface of a liquid retained in the liquid retention unit is located below the droplet discharge head, the liquid retention unit including an atmosphere open port; a liquid channel which couples the droplet discharge head and the liquid retention unit; a liquid tank in which the liquid is retained, the liquid tank being sealed; a liquid inflow channel which couples the liquid retention unit and the liquid tank, an inflow port of the liquid inflow channel in the liquid retention unit being located below the atmosphere open port; a liquid sending channel which couples the liquid tank and the droplet discharge head; and a pump which sending the liquid in the liquid tank to the droplet discharge head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid droplet ejecting device including a liquid droplet ejecting head; a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid; a first flow path and a second flow path that connect the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, the second flow path connecting with the first flow path in the liquid droplet ejecting head; a bypass flow path connected with the first flow path and the second flow path; a liquid feed unit provided between the liquid storage unit and a connecting portion of the bypass flow path and the first flow path, and circulating the liquid in the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, and a pressure control unit provided at the bypass flow path, and controlling pressure of the liquid flowing through the bypass flow path from the first flow path side to the second flow path side.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid droplet ejecting device including a liquid droplet ejecting head; a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid; a first flow path and a second flow path that connect the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, the second flow path connecting with the first flow path in the liquid droplet ejecting head; a bypass flow path connected with the first flow path and the second flow path; a liquid feed unit provided between the liquid storage unit and a connecting portion of the bypass flow path and the first flow path, and circulating the liquid in the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, and a pressure control unit provided at the bypass flow path, and controlling pressure of the liquid flowing through the bypass flow path from the first flow path side to the second flow path side.

Abstract: A droplet discharge apparatus includes a droplet discharge head which discharges droplets; a liquid retention unit which is configured such that a liquid surface of a liquid retained in the liquid retention unit is located below the droplet discharge head, the liquid retention unit including an atmosphere open port; a liquid channel which couples the droplet discharge head and the liquid retention unit; a liquid tank in which the liquid is retained, the liquid tank being sealed; a liquid inflow channel which couples the liquid retention unit and the liquid tank, an inflow port of the liquid inflow channel in the liquid retention unit being located below the atmosphere open port; a liquid sending channel which couples the liquid tank and the droplet discharge head; and a pump which sending the liquid in the liquid tank to the droplet discharge head.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus, reference patterns are provided on a surface of a transport belt that transports a recording medium such as paper attracted thereto to image recording sections defined by recording heads. It is arranged such that the reference patterns are detected while being transported as the transport belt is driven, and a speed change of the transport belt and a position shift in a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the transport belt are calculated based on information resulting from the detection, thereby controlling ejection timing and ejection position of ink droplets ejected from the recording heads.

Abstract: A liquid droplet discharge unit for discharging liquid droplets from nozzles is disclosed, and this liquid droplet discharge unit is constructed in such a way that plural nozzles are communicated with plural pressure chambers in which liquid is filled, the volumes of the respective pressure chambers are changed by plural drive elements to cause liquid droplets to be discharged from the respective nozzles. Further, one heat pipe, which is in thermal communication with the drive elements and moves heat to one end in the axial direction, is provided. A liquid droplet discharge apparatus equipped with such a liquid droplet discharge unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting unit is disclosed wherein plural liquid droplet ejecting sub-units are provided which are arrayed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of a recording medium. Further, plural valves are provided which connect the respective liquid droplet ejecting sub-units and a liquid feed path. The valves comprise a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a floating member. The floating member is larger in radius than the inlet port and smaller in radius than the outlet port and has a lower specific gravity that the liquid. Thus, the floating member is floated in the liquid in the valve body and capable of closing the inlet port. An image forming apparatus using such a liquid droplet ejecting unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid droplet ejecting device including a liquid droplet ejecting head; a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid; a first flow path and a second flow path that connect the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, the second flow path connecting with the first flow path in the liquid droplet ejecting head; a bypass flow path connected with the first flow path and the second flow path; a liquid feed unit provided between the liquid storage unit and a connecting portion of the bypass flow path and the first flow path, and circulating the liquid in the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, and a pressure control unit provided at the bypass flow path, and controlling pressure of the liquid flowing through the bypass flow path from the first flow path side to the second flow path side.

Abstract: A droplet discharge apparatus includes a droplet discharge head which discharges droplets; a liquid retention unit which is configured such that a liquid surface of a liquid retained in the liquid retention unit is located below the droplet discharge head, the liquid retention unit including an atmosphere open port; a liquid channel which couples the droplet discharge head and the liquid retention unit; a liquid tank in which the liquid is retained, the liquid tank being sealed; a liquid inflow channel which couples the liquid retention unit and the liquid tank, an inflow port of the liquid inflow channel in the liquid retention unit being located below the atmosphere open port; a liquid sending channel which couples the liquid tank and the droplet discharge head; and a pump which sending the liquid in the liquid tank to the droplet discharge head.

Abstract: A liquid droplet discharge unit for discharging liquid droplets from nozzles is disclosed, and this liquid droplet discharge unit is constructed in such a way that plural nozzles are communicated with plural pressure chambers in which liquid is filled, the volumes of the respective pressure chambers are changed by plural drive elements to cause liquid droplets to be discharged from the respective nozzles. Further, one heat pipe, which is in thermal communication with the drive elements and moves heat to one end in the axial direction, is provided. A liquid droplet discharge apparatus equipped with such a liquid droplet discharge unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting unit is disclosed wherein plural liquid droplet ejecting sub-units are provided which are arrayed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of a recording medium. Further, plural valves are provided which connect the respective liquid droplet ejecting sub-units and a liquid feed path. The valves comprise a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a floating member. The floating member is larger in radius than the inlet port and smaller in radius than the outlet port and has a lower specific gravity that the liquid. Thus, the floating member is floated in the liquid in the valve body and capable of closing the inlet port. An image forming apparatus using such a liquid droplet ejecting unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device of the present invention includes an inkjet recording head, a first wiper, a first movement component and a control component. The inkjet recording head ejects ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles formed in a nozzle face. The first wiper abuts against the nozzle face and wipes the nozzle face. The first movement component relatively moves the first wiper, with respect to the nozzle face, along the nozzle face. The control component controls ejection of ink droplets from the nozzles and controls the first movement component. The control component moves the first wiper relative to the nozzle face while the control component causes ink droplets to be ejected from the nozzles at least toward the first wiper, causing the nozzle face to be wiped.

Abstract: The droplet discharging apparatus of the present invention comprises: droplet discharging heads that discharge a discharge fluid in droplet form; multiple head drive elements that drive the droplet discharging heads; and a heat-dissipating block that is thermally connected to the respective head drive elements and which has a discharge fluid flowing conduit therein that cools the head drive elements by making the discharge fluid flow through.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink drops and a differential pressure valve provided in an ink feeding line connected to the ink jet recording head, the differential pressure valve generating a head back pressure in the ink jet recording head when ejecting no ink drop. Thus, the degree of freedom for the position of arrangement of an ink reservoir such as an ink tank connected to the ink feeding line is remarkably increased. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an ink jet recording apparatus of reduced size.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus, reference patterns are provided on a surface of a transport belt that transports a recording medium such as paper attracted thereto to image recording sections defined by recording heads. It is arranged such that the reference patterns are detected while being transported as the transport belt is driven, and a speed change of the transport belt and a position shift in a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the transport belt are calculated based on information resulting from the detection, thereby controlling ejection timing and ejection position of ink droplets ejected from the recording heads.

Abstract: In a printer head comprising a print element (12) and a protecting member (32) which is for protecting a printing end (24) of the print element, the protecting member is movable in a predetermined direction to place a free end (34) thereof at a first and a second position. The printing end is movable between a rest position and an activated or printing position in a first sense of the predetermined direction. When placed in the first position, the free end is substantially flush with the printing end put in the rest position so that the protecting member effectively protects the printing end. When the protecting member is moved in a second sense opposite to the first sense, the free end is retracted from the first position in the second sense to be placed at the second position so that the printing end can be readily machined without being obstructed by the protecting member.