| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is difficult to maintain a stable negative pressure by a simple configuration in an ink supply system using a tube and to avoid insufficient refilling, so that the discharge capability of air bubbles, foreign substances, and the like is not enough in the maintenance recovery operation. SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes a first channel 41 which supplies ink to a recording head 10, a second channel 42 which communicates with an ink cartridge 76, a channel resistance variable unit 83 which makes the first channel 41 and the second channel 42 communicate, and further a third channel 43 with a pump 78 which makes the second channel 42 and the channel resistance variable unit 83 communicate with each other. When liquid droplets are ejected from nozzles, the liquid is sent by the pump 78 from the ink cartridge 76 to the recording head 10 in a state that the recording head 10 and the ink cartridge 76 communicate via the channel resistance variable unit 83. When the maintenance recovery operation of the recording head 10 is carried out, the interior of a cap 52a is made to a negative pressure by a suction pump 53, and thereafter the pump 78 is driven to send the liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT |
