Canon iPF6100 Service Manual page 97

Chapter 2
a) Ink supply from ink tank to ink supply valve
The ink tank contains ink to be supplied to the printhead.
Ink flow from the ink tank to the ink tank supply valve due to the fluid level difference.
b) Ink flow from ink tank to sub-buffer
Ink flows from the ink tank to the sub-buffer due to the fluid level difference, and air enters the ink tank through
the air passage of the sub-buffer, maintaining the pressure inside the ink tank constant.
If the ink in the sub-buffer exceeds the predetermined level, the excessive ink flows to the absorbent material
under the ink tank.
c) Ink supply from ink supply valve to printhead
Ink is supplied from the ink tank to the printhead by opening the ink supply valve, capping the head, and
operating the suction pump.
The ink sucked from the caps flows to the maintenance cartridge.
d) Ink supply during printing
During printing, the ink supply vale is held open to allow ink to flow from the ink tank to the printhead
constantly due to the negative pressure generated by discharging of ink.
The waste ink used for printhead cleaning and borderless printing flows to the waste ink absorbent materials
under the maintenance cartridge and purge unit in addition to the waste ink box.
If all of ink passages are opened (no ink tank is installed, the ink supply valve is opened, and the printhead fixer
lever is opened) when the ink tube is filled with ink, the ink in the ink tube may reverse-flow due to the fluid
level difference and ink may leak from the hollow needle of the ink tank.
Do not open all of the ink passages at the same time when the ink tube is filled with ink.
e) Agitation of ink in the ink tank
Ink in the ink tank is agitated to prevent precipitation of pigment-based ink in the ink tank.
This function is implemented by reverse-flowing ink to the ink tank by opening and closing the supply valve in
succession. Inside the ink tank is provided with an agitation plate to assist agitation of ink. (The agitation plate
is also provided in the
- Operation timing: When a new ink tank is installed or when 168 hours have lapsed since the previous agitation
(the agitation is performed irrespective of the whether the printer is printing or cleaning its head)
- Ink supply valve opening/closing count: 30 times (every 30 seconds)
If 336 or more hours have lapsed, the ink valve opening/closing count and the time until the next agitation are
changed according to the length of the tame lapsed.
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