Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Service Manual Ed. 1
48
Chapter 2 Operation and Timing
2.3 Ink Supply System, cont'd.
2.3:A Outline, cont'd.
Outline of Operation
The ink supply system operates in any one of four types of modes
depending on the conditions of the printer.
• Ink supply mode Supplies the ink from the ink cartridge to the
sub-tank.
• Circulation mode Circulates the ink between the sub-tank and
the BJ head.
• Pressure mode Pressurizes the ink and supplies it from the sub-
tank to the BJ head.
• Printing mode Supplies the ink from the sub-tank to the BJ head.
Operation of Ink Supply Mode
The printer stores the ink in the sub-tank in order to establish a
proper surface tension at the ejection outlet of the head and supplies
the ink to the BJ head from the sub-tank. The rest of the ink in the
sub tank is detected during printing operation or at the start of
cleaning operation. When the ink supply sensor detects no ink in the
sub-tank, the ink supply operation takes place.
In the ink supply mode, the open/close latch of the sub-tank is
closed. Under this condition, the pressure pump executes the ink
supply operation to supply the ink to the sub-tank from the cartridge.
The inside pressure of the sub-tank limits the amount of the ink to
be supplied to the sub-tank. When the ink exceeds a certain amount,
it is forced to flow back to the ink cartridge. The ink circulation
operation between the sub-tank and ink cartridge enables to mix the
ink with new one in the sub tank, so that it enables to prevent ink
from getting gummy.
Recovery pump
home position
sensor
Recovery pump
Sub tank
One way
clutch
Pressure
pump
Air buffer
M
Pump motor
Pressure cam
home position
sensor
Cam
pressure
release
clutch
C.W.
Pump
retainer
Suction
clutch
Pressure
clutch
SL
Filter unit
Outlet
Release value
Breather
unit
Pump retainer
Inlet
Latch
solenoid
(Release)
Latch lever
(Up)
BJ Head
Restoration tub unit
Tube
station
Needle block
Ink cartridge
Suction
pump
Ink tank
Figure 2-32