CN117621637B - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a printing apparatus capable of inhibiting liquid from leaking from between a connecting part and a connected part when a liquid accommodating body is detached from a mounting part. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit, a mounting unit to which a liquid container is attachable and detachable, and a cover to switch a state of the mounting unit between an open state and a closed state, wherein the mounting unit or the liquid container includes a biasing member, the liquid container includes a first restricting unit to restrict removal of the liquid container from the mounting unit, and an operating unit to receive an operation to release restriction of the first restricting unit when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting unit at a position closer to the cover than the first restricting unit, wherein the cover includes a second restricting unit to restrict movement of the liquid container in a first direction during removal, wherein the liquid container includes a connecting unit to be connected to supply liquid, and wherein the connecting unit is kept connected to the connected unit when movement of the liquid container in the first direction is restricted by the second restricting unit.

Description

Printing device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to printing devices.

Background

Studies and switches are being made on printing apparatuses that perform printing with ink supplied from ink cartridges.

In this regard, there is known a liquid cartridge including a cartridge main body having a liquid storage chamber, and a liquid supply portion having a liquid flow path open to the front and supplying liquid in the liquid storage chamber to the outside via the liquid flow path, wherein the liquid cartridge is attachable to the cartridge attachment portion in an attachment direction of the liquid flow path to a liquid supply pipe provided to the cartridge attachment portion, a guide groove is formed in an outer surface of the liquid supply portion, the guide groove is guided by a projection provided to the cartridge attachment portion and extending in a front-rear direction during attachment of the liquid cartridge to the cartridge attachment portion, a front end of the guide groove is opened to the front, and the guide groove includes a first guide surface extending in the front-rear direction and a second guide surface intersecting the first guide surface (see patent document 1).

Patent document 1 Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2018-161877

However, when the liquid cartridge described in patent document 1 is forcibly removed from the printing apparatus, liquid may leak from between the liquid flow path and the liquid supply pipe. Such leakage of liquid may cause the liquid to adhere to the periphery of the printing apparatus to which the liquid cartridge is attached, which is undesirable.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the above-described problems, one aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus including a printing portion that prints on a printing medium, a liquid container having a liquid storage portion that stores liquid supplied to the printing portion, a mounting portion that allows the liquid container to be attached to and detached from the printing portion, and a cover that switches a state of the mounting portion between an open state in which the mounting portion is opened and a closed state in which the mounting portion is closed, at least one of the mounting portion and the liquid container having a biasing member that biases the liquid container in a direction intersecting a vertical direction from the mounting portion toward a first direction of the cover, the liquid container having a first restriction portion that restricts removal of the liquid container from the mounting portion when the liquid container has been mounted to the mounting portion, and an operating portion that releases the liquid container from being mounted to the mounting portion when the liquid container has been mounted to the mounting portion, the operating portion being mounted to the liquid container being connected to the liquid container being provided to the first restriction portion in a position closer to the liquid container than the first restriction portion when the liquid container has been mounted to the mounting portion is mounted to the liquid container being removed from the liquid container, the connecting portion is kept connected to the connected portion when the movement of the liquid containing body in the first direction is restricted by the second restricting portion.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the ink cartridge ICR in a state of being mounted on the mounting portion 12.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 2, taken along a plane parallel to the XZ plane in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1 when the ink cartridge insertion space is closed by the cover 13 and the state of the mounting portion 12 is brought into the closed state.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a case where four ink cartridges ICs are mounted on the mounting portion 12.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the operation portion CL of the ink cartridge ICR among the four ink cartridges IC shown in fig. 6 is pressed down from above.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the second regulating portion LM2 regulates the movement of the ink cartridge ICR in the pulling-out direction during the taking-out.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the ink cartridge ICR and the second regulating portion LM2 when the ink cartridge ICR is mounted on the mounting portion 12 and the mounting portion 12 is in the open state.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the ink cartridge ICR and the second regulating portion LM2 when the operating portion CL of the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 9 is pressed down from above.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relative positional relationship between the ink cartridge ICR and the second regulating portion LM2 when the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 10 is moved in the pulling-out direction.

Description of the reference numerals

Printing apparatus, 11..printing portion, 12..mounting portion, 13..lid, 121..concave portion, CL...operation portion, cl 1..operation portion, CN...connection portion, cn 1..connection portion, cn 2..connected portion, gd3..first guide portion, HL...insertion port, IC, ICB, ICG, ICK, icr..ink cartridge, lm1..first restriction portion, lm2..second restriction portion, lm3..third restriction portion, ND...needle, SP...biasing member, TC...three-dimensional coordinate system, TK...liquid storage portion, TP...tilting portion, VL...open valve.

Detailed Description

Description of the embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Outline of printing device

First, an outline of the printing device according to the embodiment will be described.

The printing device according to the embodiment includes a printing unit, a mounting unit, and a cover. The printing unit prints on a printing medium. The mounting portion is a member that can be attached to or detached from a liquid container having a liquid storage portion that stores liquid supplied to the printing portion. The cover switches the state of the mounting portion between an open state in which the mounting portion is opened and a closed state in which the mounting portion is closed. The mounting portion or the liquid container further includes a biasing member that biases the liquid container in a first direction from the mounting portion toward the cover in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The liquid container further includes a first restricting portion and an operating portion. The first restricting portion is provided at an upper portion of the liquid container in the vertical direction, and restricts removal of the liquid container from the mounting portion. The operation portion is provided at an upper portion of the liquid containing body in the vertical direction, and is located closer to the cover than the first regulating portion when the liquid containing body has been mounted to the mounting portion, and receives an operation to release the regulation of the first regulating portion. In addition, the cover is provided with a second restriction portion. The second regulating portion regulates movement of the liquid container in the first direction during removal of the liquid container mounted on the mounting portion from the mounting portion in the first direction. The liquid container further includes a connection portion. The connection portion is connected to a connected portion provided in the mounting portion, and is used for supplying liquid. Then, when the movement of the liquid containing body in the first direction is restricted by the second restricting portion, the connecting portion and the connected portion remain connected. Thus, the printing apparatus can suppress leakage of liquid from between the connection portion and the connected portion when the liquid container is detached from the mounting portion.

The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described in detail below.

Printing device structure

The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described below by taking the printing apparatus 1 as an example.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1.

Here, the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system indicating directions in each drawing on which the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is drawn. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the X axis. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the Y axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the Y axis. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the Z axis.

In the following, a case where the negative direction of the Z axis coincides with the vertical direction will be described as an example. It is noted that the vertical direction may also be referred to as the gravitational direction. For convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the Z axis will be referred to as the upward direction or simply as the upward direction, and the negative direction of the Z axis will be referred to as the downward direction or simply as the downward direction. For convenience of explanation, among the surfaces of the printing apparatus 1, the surface on the positive direction side of the Z axis is referred to as the upper surface, and the surface on the opposite side of the upper surface is referred to as the lower surface. For convenience of explanation, among the surfaces of the printing apparatus 1, the surface on the positive direction side of the X axis is referred to as the front surface, and the surface on the opposite side of the front surface is referred to as the rear surface. For convenience of explanation, among the surfaces of the printing apparatus 1, the surface on the positive side of the Y axis is referred to as the left surface, and the surface on the opposite side of the left surface is referred to as the right surface.

The printing apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer that prints an image on a print medium with ink supplied from an ink cartridge IC. The printing apparatus 1 may be any type of printer if it is an inkjet printer.

The printing apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 11, a mounting unit 12, and a cover 13.

The printing unit 11 includes an inkjet printhead, and is a member that prints an image on a print medium with ink supplied from the ink cartridge IC. In fig. 1, for simplification of the drawing, a printing portion 11 located inside the printing apparatus 1 is shown as a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped object.

The mounting portion 12 is a member to which one or more ink cartridge ICs can be attached and detached. The mounting portion 12 includes a recess 121, and the recess 121 forms a space into which one or more ink cartridge ICs can be inserted from the outside. The recess 121 is formed in the case of the printing apparatus 1 to form a space recessed from the front surface toward the rear surface of the printing apparatus 1. Therefore, one or more ink cartridges IC can be inserted from the outside into the space surrounded by the inner wall of the recess 121 from the front surface toward the rear surface of the printing apparatus 1. The space is a space that can be opened and closed by the cover 13. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, this space will be referred to as an ink cartridge insertion space.

Here, when one or more ink cartridge ICs are each mounted to the mounting portion 12, the one or more ink cartridge ICs are each inserted into the ink cartridge insertion space in the negative direction of the X axis. On the other hand, when one or more ink cartridge ICs are each removed from the mounting portion 12, one or more ink cartridge ICs are each pulled out from the ink cartridge insertion space in the positive direction of the X axis. For convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the X axis will be referred to as the pulling-out direction, and the negative direction of the X axis will be referred to as the mounting direction.

Hereinafter, as an example, as shown in fig. 1, a case will be described in which the mounting portion 12 can mount four ink cartridges ICs. Therefore, in the example shown in fig. 1, the four ink cartridge ICs are inserted in the ink cartridge insertion space. The four ink cartridges IC are ink cartridges for inks of respective colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the ink cartridge IC for the cyan ink will be referred to as the ink cartridge ICR. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the ink cartridge IC for magenta ink will be referred to as an ink cartridge ICG. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the ink cartridge IC for yellow ink will be referred to as an ink cartridge ICB. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the ink cartridge IC for black ink will be referred to as ink cartridge ICK.

Each of the four ink cartridges IC is an example of the liquid container. The ink contained in each of the four ink cartridges IC is an example of the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion of the liquid container. Each of the four ink cartridges IC has a liquid reservoir TK for storing ink therein.

Here, the structure of the ink cartridge ICR will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 4. The respective configurations of the cartridge ICG, the cartridge ICB, and the cartridge ICK are the same as those of the cartridge ICR. Therefore, the respective configurations of the ink cartridges ICG, ICB, and ICK will not be described.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the ink cartridge ICR in a state where the ink cartridge ICR is mounted on the mounting portion 12. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 2 taken along a plane parallel to the XZ plane in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC. Note that in fig. 2, the ink cartridge insertion space is closed by the cover 13.

The shape of the ink cartridge ICR is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The ink cartridge ICR includes a liquid reservoir TK, a connection portion CN1, a first regulating portion LM1, an inclined portion TP, an operating portion CL, and an opening valve VL.

The liquid reservoir TK is a member for storing ink supplied to the printing unit 11. The ink stored in the liquid storage portion TK is supplied to the printing portion 11 via a connection portion CN described later. In fig. 2, the liquid reservoir TK of the ink cartridge ICR is shown as a square-shaped object for simplicity of the drawing. In fig. 3, the liquid reservoir TK is omitted for simplicity of the drawing.

The connection portion CN1 is connected to a connected portion CN2 provided in the mounting portion 12, and ink is supplied to the printing apparatus 1 via the connected portion CN2. In this example, as described above, four ink cartridges ICs are mounted on the mounting portion 12. Accordingly, the mounting portion 12 is provided with a connected portion CN2 connected to the connection portion CN1 of each of the four ink cartridges IC. The connected portion CN2 provided in the mounting portion 12 has a needle ND inserted into the connecting portion CN 1. The ink of the ink cartridge IC mounted on the mounting portion 12 is supplied to the printing portion 11 through the needle ND. Therefore, the connection portion CN1 has an insertion port HL into which such a needle ND is inserted. The needle ND of the connected portion CN2 connected to the connecting portion CN1 of the ink cartridge ICR extends in a direction parallel to the X axis. Therefore, when the ink cartridge ICR is inserted into the cartridge insertion space in the mounting direction, the needle ND of the connected portion CN2 connected to the connecting portion CN1 of the ink cartridge ICR is inserted into the insertion port HL of the connecting portion CN 1.

Here, the connection portion CN1 is an elastic body made of an elastic material (elastomer). The needle ND inserted into the insertion port HL of the connection portion CN1 is made of a soft material having a degree that can be elastically deformed according to the movement of the ink cartridge ICR in the ink cartridge insertion space when the insertion port HL of the connection portion CN1 is inserted. Therefore, the connection portion CN1 and the needle ND inserted into the connection portion CN1 are each restrained from plastic deformation during the mounting of the ink cartridge ICR to the mounting portion 12 or the removal of the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12.

The connection portion CN1 further includes a biasing member SP. The biasing member SP biases the ink cartridge ICR mounted on the mounting portion 12 in the removal direction. The biasing member SP is, for example, a spring, but may be another biasing member that can bias the ink cartridge ICR mounted on the mounting portion 12 in the pulling-out direction instead. Such a biasing member SP can assist the user in removing the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12. In other words, the connection portion CN1 is provided with the biasing member SP, so that the user can easily detach the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12. In the example shown in fig. 4, the biasing member SP is provided in the connection portion CN1 so as to be located between the main body of the ink cartridge ICR and the connection portion CN1. The biasing member SP may be provided in the cover 13, the mounting portion 12, or the like so as to bias the ink cartridge ICR mounted on the mounting portion 12 in the pulling-out direction, instead of the connection portion CN1.

The first regulating portion LM1 is provided above the ink cartridge ICR, and regulates the removal of the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12. The first regulating portion LM1 is a projection-like member projecting upward from an upper portion of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped ink cartridge IC. The surface closest to the front surface of the printing apparatus 1 among the surfaces of the first regulating portion LM1 is a surface on which a thread provided in the ink cartridge insertion space is hooked. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, this surface will be referred to as a first restriction surface. When the ink cartridge ICR is attached to the attachment portion 12 by inserting the ink cartridge ICR into the ink cartridge insertion space, the wire is hooked on the first restriction surface. Thus, the cartridge ICR is restricted from moving in the pulling-out direction by the wire.

The inclined portion TP is provided below the ink cartridge ICR and below the operation portion CL, and is inclined upward in the vertical direction as approaching the cover 13 when the ink cartridge ICR is mounted to the mounting portion 12. Thus, when the operation portion CL described later is pressed down from above, the ink cartridge ICR can be rotated by an amount corresponding to the gap between the inclined portion TP and the lower surface of the ink cartridge insertion space with respect to the connection position where the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 are connected. When such rotation occurs, the inclined portion TP contacts the lower surface of the cartridge insertion space. Therefore, in the case of removing the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12, the inclined portion TP is guided by the lower surface of the recess 121 forming the ink cartridge insertion space. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the lower surface of the concave portion 121 will be referred to as a first guide portion GD 3. The first guide portion GD3 has a surface substantially parallel to the XY plane in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC, and guides the inclined portion TP substantially parallel to the XY plane. Note that a certain face is substantially parallel to the XY plane means that the face is considered to be parallel to the XY plane even if the face is inclined by about a few degrees with respect to the XY plane. In addition, that a certain face is substantially parallel to the XY plane means that the face is considered to be parallel to the XY plane even if the face has some irregularities with respect to the XY plane.

Note that the mounting portion 12 may be provided with another guide portion that guides the inclined portion TP as the first guide portion GD3.

Since the inclined portion TP is provided, the restriction of the first restriction portion LM1 is released in response to the operation of the operating portion CL that is inclined downward in the pulling-out direction than the pulling-out direction. For example, when the operation portion CL1 is pushed down from above, the ink cartridge ICR rotates about the aforementioned connection position. More specifically, in this case, the ink cartridge ICR rotates between the restricting position and the releasing position. The restricting position is a position in which the movement in the pulling-out direction, which is the direction from the mounting portion 12 toward the lid 13, in the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is restricted by the first restricting portion LM 1. The release position is a position where the restriction of the first restriction portion LM1 is released and the inclined portion TP contacts the first guide portion GD 3. Thereby, the restriction of the first restriction portion LM1 is released in response to the operation of the operating portion CL in the direction inclined downward in the pulling-out direction than the pulling-out direction. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress the user from forcefully moving the ink cartridge ICR in the pulling-out direction by the operation of the operation unit CL.

The operation portion CL is provided at an upper portion of the ink cartridge ICR, and is located closer to the cover 13 than the first restriction portion LM1 when the ink cartridge ICR is mounted to the mounting portion 12, and receives an operation to release the restriction of the first restriction portion LM1. For example, when the user presses down the operation unit CL from above, the ink cartridge ICR rotates from the restricting position to the releasing position around the aforementioned connecting position. Thereby, the wire hooked on the first restriction portion LM1 is separated from the first restriction portion LM1. As a result, the ink cartridge ICR can move in the pulling-out direction while being guided along the first guide portion GD 3. That is, the user can detach the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12.

The open valve VL switches between an open state in which communication between the inside and the outside of the liquid reservoir TK is opened in a state of the ink cartridge ICR and a shut-off state in which communication between the inside and the outside of the liquid reservoir TK is shut off in a state of the ink cartridge ICR. When the ink cartridge ICR is mounted on the mounting portion 12, the opening valve VL is pushed by a protrusion provided on the mounting portion 12 to move, and the state of the ink cartridge ICR is switched from the shut-off state to the open state. Here, when the state of the ink cartridge ICR is the open state, the pressure inside the liquid reservoir TK is atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the ink stored in the liquid storage portion TK is pressed by the atmospheric pressure, and is supplied to the printing apparatus 1 via the needle ND inserted into the insertion port HL of the connection portion CN 1. On the other hand, when the ink cartridge ICR is detached from the mounting portion 12, the open valve VL switches the state of the ink cartridge ICR from the open state to the shut-off state. This can suppress ink leakage from the connection portion CN1 in the ink cartridge ICR.

Here, in the example shown in fig. 2 to 4, the opening valve VL overlaps the first restriction portion LM1 in the width direction orthogonal to the pulling-out direction and the vertical direction, respectively. In other words, in this example, the open valve VL is surrounded by the first restriction portion LM1 in the width direction. This can suppress the state of the ink cartridge ICR from being switched from the shut-off state to the open state at unexpected timing by the user or for some reason by the open valve VL. Note that the opening valve VL may be configured so as not to overlap the first restriction portion LM1 in the width direction.

The cover 13 switches the state of the mounting portion 12 between an open state in which the mounting portion 12 is opened and a closed state in which the mounting portion 12 is closed. In the case where the state of the mounting portion 12 is the closed state, as shown in fig. 5, the ink cartridge insertion space is closed by the cover 13 so as not to be visible from the outside of the printing apparatus 1. Here, fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the printing apparatus 1 when the cover 13 closes the ink cartridge insertion space and the mounting portion 12 is in the closed state. As shown in fig. 5, in the case where the cartridge insertion space is closed by the cover 13, the user cannot touch each of the four cartridges ICs. Therefore, in this case, the user cannot mount and demount each of the four ink cartridges IC to and from the mounting portion 12. On the other hand, when the state of the mounting portion 12 is the open state, the ink cartridge insertion space is opened by the cover 13 so as to be visible from the outside of the printing apparatus 1. Therefore, in this case, the user can attach and detach each of the four ink cartridges IC to and from the mounting portion 12.

Here, fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a case where four ink cartridges ICs are mounted on the mounting portion 12. Next, fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the operation portion CL of the ink cartridge ICR among the four ink cartridges IC shown in fig. 6 is pressed down from above. For example, when the user presses down the operation unit CL from above, the ink cartridge ICR rotates from the restricting position to the releasing position around the connecting position as shown in fig. 7. As a result, the inclined portion TP contacts the first guide portion GD 3. Fig. 7 shows a state in which the inclined portion TP of the ink cartridge ICR contacts the first guide portion GD 3. When the user pulls out the ink cartridge ICR in the pulling-out direction while the inclined portion TP is in contact with the first guide portion GD3, the inclined portion TP is guided by the first guide portion GD 3. As a result, the needle ND of the connected portion CN2 connected to the connection portion CN1 of the ink cartridge ICR is pulled out from the insertion port HL of the connection portion CN1 of the ink cartridge ICR. Thereby, the ink cartridge ICR is detached from the mounting portion 12. However, when the ink cartridge ICR is forcibly detached from the mounting portion 12, ink may leak from between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN 2. Such leakage of ink may cause the ink to adhere to the periphery of the printing apparatus 1 to which the ink cartridge ICR is attached, which is undesirable.

Therefore, the cover 13 includes the second regulating portion LM2 that regulates movement of the ink cartridge IC in the pulling-out direction during the process of taking out the ink cartridge IC mounted on the mounting portion 12 from the mounting portion 12 in the pulling-out direction.

As shown in fig. 8, the second regulating portion LM2 regulates the movement of the ink cartridge IC in the pulling-out direction during the process of taking out the ink cartridge IC mounted on the mounting portion 12 from the mounting portion 12 in the pulling-out direction. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the case of the ink cartridge ICR in which the movement in the pulling-out direction is regulated by the second regulating portion LM2 during the taking-out. The second regulating portion LM2 may be any member as long as it can regulate the movement of the ink cartridge IC in the pulling-out direction during the removal process. In the example shown in fig. 8, the second regulating portion LM2 is a rectangular flat plate-shaped member that regulates movement of the ink cartridge IC in the pulling-out direction during the removal of each of the four ink cartridge ICs. By providing the cover 13 with such a second restriction portion LM2, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress the cartridge IC from being forcibly removed from the mounting portion 12. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress leakage of ink from between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 when the ink cartridge IC is removed from the mounting portion 12.

Here, fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the ink cartridge ICR and the second regulating portion LM2 when the ink cartridge ICR is mounted on the mounting portion 12 and the mounting portion 12 is in the open state. In this case, as shown in fig. 9, the connection portion CN1 of the ink cartridge ICR is connected to the connected portion CN2 of the mounting portion 12. In this case, the ink cartridge ICR is not in contact with the second regulating portion LM 2.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the ink cartridge ICR and the second regulating portion LM2 when the operating portion CL of the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 9 is pressed down from above. In this case, as described above, the ink cartridge ICR rotates from the restricting position to the releasing position around the connecting position. Therefore, in the example shown in fig. 10, the inclined portion TP of the ink cartridge ICR contacts the first guide portion GD 3. However, even in this case, the ink cartridge ICR is separated from the second restriction LM 2. This is because, in such rotation, the ink cartridge ICR is not moved in the pulling-out direction. As a result, during such rotation, as shown in fig. 10, the connection portion CN1 of the ink cartridge ICR is kept connected to the connected portion CN2 of the mounting portion 12.

Note that, as shown in fig. 10, when the ink cartridge ICR is rotated from the restricting position to the releasing position, the connecting portion CN1 contacts the lower portion of the connected portion CN 2. This is because, as described above, the connection portion CN1 is an elastomer composed of synthetic rubber. Then, when the connection portion CN1 contacts the lower portion of the connected portion CN2, for example, even if ink leaks from the connected portion CN2, the leaked ink is scraped off by the connection portion CN 1. That is, such contact between the connection portion CN1 and the lower portion of the connected portion CN2 can more reliably suppress leakage of ink from between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN 2.

The open valve VL switches the state of the ink cartridge ICR from the open state to the shut-off state before being regulated by the second regulating portion LM2 during the take-out. In this way, the printing apparatus 1 can reduce the possibility of ink leaking between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 when the ink cartridge ICR is pulled out from the mounting portion 12.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relative positional relationship between the ink cartridge ICR and the second regulating portion LM2 when the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 10 is moved in the pulling-out direction. As shown in fig. 11, when the ink cartridge ICR shown in fig. 10 is moved in the pulling-out direction, the ink cartridge ICR contacts the second regulating portion LM2, and the movement in the pulling-out direction is regulated by the second regulating portion LM 2. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress the cartridge IC from being forcibly removed from the mounting portion 12. As shown in fig. 11, in the printing apparatus 1, when the ink cartridge ICR is in contact with the second regulating portion LM2, that is, when the movement of the ink cartridge ICR in the pulling-out direction is regulated by the second regulating portion LM2, the connection between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 is maintained. Therefore, for example, even if the ink cartridge ICR is forcibly brought into contact with the second regulating portion LM2, ink does not leak from between the connecting portion CN1 and the connected portion CN 2. That is, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress leakage of ink from between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 when the ink cartridge ICR is detached from the mounting portion 12.

In order to prevent such ink from leaking between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2, as shown in fig. 10, the length L1 of the region where the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 overlap in the pulling-out direction needs to be longer than the length L2 that the ink cartridge ICR in the state mounted on the mounting portion 12 can move in the pulling-out direction before being restricted by the second restricting portion LM2 during the pulling-out. When the length L1 is longer than the length L2, the connection between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 is maintained even if the ink cartridge ICR is moved in the pulling-out direction until the ink cartridge ICR contacts the second regulating portion LM2 during the removal. This makes it possible to prevent ink from leaking between the connection portion CN1 and the connection portion CN2 in the printing apparatus 1.

After the movement in the pulling-out direction is regulated by the second regulating portion LM2, the user can release the regulation of the movement of the ink cartridge ICR in the pulling-out direction by the second regulating portion LM2 by moving the ink cartridge ICR in a direction different from the pulling-out direction. In other words, the restriction of the second restriction portion LM2 is released by the movement of the ink cartridge ICR in a direction different from the pulling-out direction. For example, after the movement in the pulling-out direction is regulated by the second regulating portion LM2, the user can rotate the ink cartridge ICR about the connection position by moving the ink cartridge ICR in the upward direction. Here, the connection position is located near the end on the installation direction side of the end of the ink cartridge ICR. Therefore, the user can release the restriction of the movement of the second restriction portion LM2 in the pulling-out direction of the ink cartridge ICR by only slightly rotating the ink cartridge ICR. In this way, after the restriction of the second restriction portion LM2 is released, the user can remove the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12 by pulling out the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12 in a direction above the pulling-out direction. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress a user from accidentally removing the ink cartridge ICR from the mounting portion 12, compared with a case where the ink cartridge ICR is removed from the mounting portion 12 only by pulling out the ink cartridge ICR in the pulling-out direction.

In the present embodiment, when the mounting portion 12 is in the closed state, the second regulating portion LM2 protrudes toward the lower portion of the ink cartridge IC in the vertical direction, and regulates the movement of each of the four ink cartridges IC in the vertical direction. More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the mounting portion 12 is in the closed state, the second restriction portion LM2 is located between the inclined portion TP of the ink cartridge ICR and the first guide portion GD3 of the mounting portion 12, as shown in fig. 2. Thus, the second regulating portion LM2 can suppress the rotation of the ink cartridge ICR from the regulating position to the releasing position at a timing unexpected by the user for some reason. In addition, the printing apparatus 1 can thereby suppress an increase in the size in the front-rear direction in accordance with the length of the second restriction portion LM 2. Note that the second regulating portion LM2 may be configured not to regulate movement of some or all of the four ink cartridges IC in the vertical direction. The second regulating portion LM2 may be configured to abut on the inclined portion TP of the ink cartridge ICR when the mounting portion 12 is in the closed state.

Note that the second restriction portion LM2 may be a member that can be switched between a raised state and a fallen state. In this case, for example, the second restriction portion LM2 is switched from the fallen state to the raised state when the state of the mounting portion 12 is switched from the closed state to the open state by the cover 13, and is switched from the raised state to the fallen state when the state of the mounting portion 12 is switched from the open state to the closed state by the cover 13. The second regulating portion LM2 can be configured by various mechanisms such as a rack, a pinion, and a link, for example, or by other means. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress the interference between the second regulating portion LM2 and the ink cartridge IC, and suppress the increase in the size in the front-rear direction in accordance with the length of the second regulating portion LM 2. The second regulating portion LM2 may be provided in the mounting portion 12 or the like instead of the cover 13.

In the present embodiment, the cover 13 includes the third restriction portion LM3.

As shown in fig. 2, the third restricting portion LM3 protrudes toward the operating portion CL when the mounting portion 12 is in the closed state, and restricts the movement of each of the four ink cartridges IC. The third regulating portion LM3 may be any member as long as it can protrude toward the operating portion CL in the closed state of the mounting portion 12 to regulate the movement of each of the four ink cartridges IC. In the example shown in fig. 1 and 2, the third regulating portion LM3 is a rectangular flat plate-shaped member that regulates the movement of each of the four ink cartridges IC. In addition, the third regulating portion LM3 is located farther from the ink cartridge IC in the first direction than the second regulating portion LM2 when the state of the mounting portion 12 is an open state.

Here, as shown in fig. 2, when the state of the mounting portion 12 is the closed state, the third restriction portion LM3 is located in a space between the case of the ink cartridge ICR and the operating portion CL. Thus, the third restriction portion LM3 restricts the movement of the ink cartridge ICR so as to prevent the rotation of the ink cartridge ICR caused when the operating portion CL is pressed down from above. As a result, the third regulating portion LM3 can more reliably suppress the rotation of the ink cartridge ICR from the regulating position to the releasing position for some reason at a timing unexpected by the user together with the second regulating portion LM 2.

Note that the cover 13 may be configured without the third restricting portion LM3. Even in this case, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress the ink cartridge ICR from rotating from the restricting position to the releasing position for some reason at a timing unexpected by the user by the second restricting portion LM 2.

In summary, the printing apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 11 for printing on a printing medium, a mounting unit 12 to which a cartridge IC having a liquid storage unit TK for storing ink supplied to the printing unit 11 can be attached and detached, and a cover 13 for switching a state of the mounting unit 12 between an open state in which the mounting unit 12 is opened and a closed state in which the mounting unit 12 is closed, wherein the mounting unit 12 or the cartridge IC includes a biasing member SP for biasing the cartridge IC in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction from the mounting unit 12 toward the cover 13, the cartridge IC includes a first restriction portion LM1 for restricting detachment of the cartridge IC from the mounting unit 12, an operation unit CL for restricting an upper portion of the cartridge IC in the vertical direction, and an operation unit CN for being located closer to the cover 13 than the first restriction portion LM1 when the cartridge IC is mounted on the mounting unit 12, wherein the cover 13 includes an operation for releasing restriction of the first restriction portion LM1, and wherein the cartridge IC is removed from the mounting unit 12 toward the vertical direction from the mounting unit 12, and the cartridge IC is connected to the second restriction portion CN2 in a direction in which the movement of the mounting unit 12 is connected to the first restriction portion CN, and the movement of the cartridge IC is held by the operation unit CL, and the movement restriction portion CL is provided in a connection direction of the second restriction portion CN 2. Thus, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress leakage of ink from between the connection portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 when the ink cartridge IC is removed from the mounting portion 12.

In the printing apparatus 1, the second regulating portion LM2 may be configured to protrude toward the lower portion of the ink cartridge IC in the vertical direction when the mounting portion 12 is in the closed state.

In the printing apparatus 1, the ink cartridge IC may be provided with an inclined portion TP provided below the ink cartridge IC in the vertical direction and below the operation portion CL, the inclined portion TP being inclined upward in the vertical direction as approaching the cover 13 when the ink cartridge IC is mounted to the mounting portion 12, the mounting portion 12 being provided with a first guide portion GD3 for guiding the inclined portion TP, the cover 13 being provided with a third restriction portion LM3, the third restriction portion LM3 being located at a position farther from the ink cartridge IC than the second restriction portion LM2 when the mounting portion 12 is in the open state, and the third restriction portion LM3 protruding toward the operation portion CL when the mounting portion 12 is in the closed state, thereby restricting movement of the ink cartridge IC.

In the printing apparatus 1, the ink cartridge IC may be rotatable between a restricting position in which movement of the ink cartridge IC in the pulling-out direction is restricted by the first restricting portion LM1, and a releasing position in which restriction of the first restricting portion LM1 is released and the inclined portion TP contacts the first guide portion GD 3.

In the printing apparatus 1, the connection portion CN1 may be in contact with the lower portion of the connected portion CN2 when the ink cartridge IC is rotated from the restricting position to the releasing position.

In the printing apparatus 1, the second regulating portion LM2 may be located between the inclined portion TP and the first guide portion GD3 when the mounting portion 12 is in the closed state.

In the printing apparatus 1, the second regulating portion LM2 can be released from the regulation by rotating the ink cartridge IC with respect to the connection position where the connection portion CN1 is connected to the connected portion CN 2.

In the printing apparatus 1, the restriction of the first restriction portion LM1 may be released in response to the operation of the operation portion CL in a direction inclined downward in the pulling-out direction than in the pulling-out direction.

In the printing apparatus 1, the length L1 of the region where the connecting portion CN1 and the connected portion CN2 overlap in the pulling-out direction may be longer than the length L2 that the ink cartridge IC in the mounted state of the mounting portion 12 can move in the pulling-out direction before being restricted by the second restricting portion LM2 during the removal.

In the printing apparatus 1, the second regulating portion LM2 can be released from the regulation by moving the ink cartridge IC in a direction different from the pulling-out direction.

In the printing apparatus 1, the second regulating portion LM2 may be configured to be switchable between a raised state and a fallen state, and the second regulating portion LM2 may be switchable between a raised state and a fallen state when the state of the mounting portion 12 is switched from the closed state to the open state by the cover 13, and the second regulating portion LM2 may be switchable between a raised state and a fallen state when the state of the mounting portion 12 is switched from the open state to the closed state by the cover 13.

In the printing apparatus 1, the ink cartridge IC may be provided with an opening valve VL that switches between an open state in which the interior of the liquid storage portion TK communicates with the outside in a state of the ink cartridge ICR and a shut-off state in which the interior of the liquid storage portion TK is shut off in a state of the ink cartridge ICR, and when the state of the ink cartridge IC is in the open state, the pressure in the interior of the liquid storage portion TK is atmospheric pressure, and the opening valve VL switches the state of the ink cartridge IC from the open state to the shut-off state before being regulated by the second regulating portion LM2 during the taking-out.

In the printing apparatus 1, the opening valve VL may be overlapped with the first regulating portion LM1 in the width direction orthogonal to the pulling-out direction and the vertical direction, respectively.

It should be noted that the matters described above may also be combined in any manner.

For example, although the first regulating portion LM1 is provided at the upper portion of the ink cartridge IC in the present embodiment, it may be provided at another portion of the ink cartridge IC instead. Similarly, the position where the operation unit CL is provided can be changed as appropriate.

The present embodiment is also applicable to a printing apparatus capable of mounting a cartridge having a different shape and configuration from the cartridge IC. That is, the printing apparatus 1 may be provided with a printing unit that prints on a printing medium, a mounting unit that allows a liquid container having a liquid storage unit to be attached to and detached from the printing unit, the liquid container being stored in a position closer to the printing unit than the first limiting unit, and a cover that switches a state of the mounting unit between an open state in which the mounting unit is opened and a closed state in which the mounting unit is closed, wherein the mounting unit or the liquid container is provided with a biasing member that biases the liquid container in a first direction perpendicular to a vertical direction from the mounting unit toward the cover, the liquid container is provided with a first limiting unit that limits removal of the liquid container from the mounting unit, and an operation unit that is located closer to the cover than the first limiting unit when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting unit, and wherein the cover is provided with a first limiting unit that is connected to the liquid container in a first direction in which is removed from the mounting unit and is connected to the first limiting unit, and wherein the liquid container is connected to the first limiting unit.

As described above, the printing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a printing unit configured to print a printing medium, a mounting unit configured to mount and demount a liquid container having a liquid storage unit, the liquid container storing a liquid supplied to the printing unit, and a cover configured to switch a state of the mounting unit between an open state in which the mounting unit is opened and a closed state in which the mounting unit is closed, the mounting unit or the liquid container including a biasing member configured to bias the liquid container in a first direction from the mounting unit toward the cover in a direction orthogonal to a vertical direction, the liquid container including a first restriction unit configured to restrict removal of the liquid container from the mounting unit in an upper portion of the liquid container in the vertical direction, and an operation unit configured to be positioned closer to the cover than the first restriction unit when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting unit, the cover including a second restriction unit configured to restrict movement of the liquid container toward the first direction during removal of the liquid container mounted to the mounting unit from the mounting unit, the cover including a second restriction unit configured to restrict movement of the liquid container toward the first direction during removal of the liquid container mounted to the mounting unit, and the operation unit being configured to be connected to the first restriction unit in a lower portion when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting unit, and the operation unit is configured to be connected to the first restriction unit. This makes it possible to prevent liquid from leaking between the connection portion and the connected portion when the liquid container is detached from the mounting portion. In the above-described example, the printing apparatus 1 is an example of the printing apparatus. In the above-described example, the printing unit 11 is an example of the printing unit. In the above-described example, the liquid storage portion TK is an example of the liquid storage portion. In the above-described example, the ink cartridge IC is an example of the liquid container. In the above-described example, the mounting portion 12 is an example of the mounting portion. In the above-described example, the cover 13 is an example of the cover. In the above-described example, the biasing member SP is an example of the biasing member. In the above-described example, the first limiting portion LM1 is an example of the first limiting portion. In the above-described example, the operation unit CL is an example of the operation unit. In the above-described example, the second limiting portion LM2 is an example of the second limiting portion. In the above-described example, the connected portion CN2 is an example of the connected portion. In the above-described example, the connection portion CN1 is an example of the connection portion. In the above-described example, the pulling-out direction is an example of the first direction.

Appendix

[1]

A printing apparatus includes:

A printing unit that prints on a printing medium;

a liquid container having a liquid storage unit for storing the liquid supplied to the printing unit;

a mounting part for mounting and dismounting the liquid container, and

A cover for switching the state of the mounting part between an open state for opening the mounting part and a closed state for closing the mounting part,

At least one of the mounting portion and the liquid container includes a biasing member that biases the liquid container in a first direction from the mounting portion toward the cover in a direction intersecting the vertical direction,

The liquid container is provided with:

A first restricting portion provided at an upper portion of the liquid container in a vertical direction to restrict removal of the liquid container from the mounting portion when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting portion, and

An operation portion provided on an upper portion of the liquid containing body in a vertical direction and located closer to the cover than the first regulating portion, for receiving an operation to release the regulation of the first regulating portion,

The cover includes a second restricting portion for restricting movement of the liquid container in the first direction during removal of the liquid container attached to the attachment portion from the attachment portion in the first direction,

The liquid container includes a connection portion connected to a connected portion provided in the mounting portion, the connection portion supplying the liquid,

The connecting portion is kept connected to the connected portion when the movement of the liquid containing body in the first direction is restricted by the second restricting portion.

[2]

The printing apparatus according to [1],

In the state of the mounting portion being the closed state, the second regulating portion protrudes toward a lower portion of the liquid containing body in the vertical direction.

[3]

The printing apparatus according to [1] or [2],

The liquid container includes an inclined portion which is provided below the operation portion in a vertical direction and which is inclined upward in the vertical direction as approaching the cover when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting portion,

The mounting portion is provided with a first guiding portion for guiding the inclined portion,

The cover includes a third restricting portion that is located farther from the liquid containing body in the first direction than the second restricting portion in the open state of the mounting portion, and protrudes toward the operating portion to restrict movement of the liquid containing body in the closed state of the mounting portion.

[4]

The printing apparatus according to [3],

The liquid container is rotatable between a restricting position in which movement of the liquid container in the first direction is restricted by the first restricting portion, and a releasing position in which restriction by the first restricting portion is released and the inclined portion is in contact with the first guide portion.

[5]

The printing apparatus according to [4],

When the liquid container is rotated from the restricting position to the releasing position, the connecting portion contacts a lower portion of the connected portion.

[6]

The printing apparatus according to any one of [3] to [5],

In the state of the mounting portion being the closed state, the second restricting portion is located between the inclined portion and the first guiding portion.

[7]

The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6],

The restriction of the second restriction portion is released by the rotation of the liquid container with respect to the connection position where the connection portion is connected to the connected portion.

[8]

The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7],

In response to operating the operating portion in a direction inclined downward more than the first direction toward the first direction, the restriction of the first restricting portion is released.

[9]

The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [8],

The length of the region where the connecting portion and the connected portion overlap in the first direction is longer than the length of the liquid containing body in a state of being attached to the attaching portion that can move in the first direction before being regulated by the second regulating portion during the taking out.

[10]

The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [9],

The restriction of the second restriction portion is released by the liquid containing body moving in a second direction different from the first direction.

[11]

The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [10],

The second restriction portion is a member capable of switching between a raised state and a lowered state, and is switched from the lowered state to the raised state when the state of the mounting portion is switched from the closed state to the open state by the cover, and is switched from the raised state to the lowered state when the state of the mounting portion is switched from the open state to the closed state by the cover.

[12]

The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [11],

The liquid container includes an opening valve that switches between an open state in which communication between the inside and the outside of the liquid storage portion is open in a state of the liquid container and a shut-off state in which communication between the inside and the outside of the liquid storage portion is shut off in a state of the liquid container,

When the liquid container is in an open state, the pressure inside the liquid storage unit is atmospheric pressure,

The open valve switches the state of the liquid container from the open state to the shut-off state before being regulated by the second regulating portion during the taking out.

[13]

The printing apparatus according to [12],

The open valve overlaps the first restriction portion in a width direction orthogonal to the first direction and the vertical direction, respectively.

The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and changes, substitutions, deletions, and the like may be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

Claims (13)

1. A printing apparatus is characterized by comprising:

A printing unit that prints on a printing medium;

a liquid container having a liquid storage unit for storing the liquid supplied to the printing unit;

a mounting part for mounting and dismounting the liquid container, and

A cover for switching the state of the mounting part between an open state for opening the mounting part and a closed state for closing the mounting part,

At least one of the mounting portion and the liquid container includes a biasing member that biases the liquid container in a first direction from the mounting portion toward the cover, the first direction being a direction in which the liquid container is pulled out,

The liquid container is provided with:

A first restricting portion provided at an upper portion of the liquid container in a vertical direction to restrict removal of the liquid container from the mounting portion when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting portion, and

An operation portion provided on an upper portion of the liquid containing body in a vertical direction and located closer to the cover than the first regulating portion, for receiving an operation to release the regulation of the first regulating portion,

The cover includes a second restricting portion for restricting movement of the liquid container in the first direction during removal of the liquid container attached to the attachment portion from the attachment portion in the first direction,

The liquid container includes a connection portion connected to a connected portion provided in the mounting portion, the connection portion supplying the liquid,

The connecting portion is kept connected to the connected portion when the movement of the liquid containing body in the first direction is restricted by the second restricting portion.

2. A printing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

In the state of the mounting portion being the closed state, the second regulating portion protrudes toward a lower portion of the liquid containing body in the vertical direction.

3. A printing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

The liquid container includes an inclined portion which is provided below the operation portion in a vertical direction and which is inclined upward in the vertical direction as approaching the cover when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting portion,

The mounting portion is provided with a first guiding portion for guiding the inclined portion,

The cover includes a third restricting portion that is located farther from the liquid containing body in the first direction than the second restricting portion in the open state of the mounting portion, and protrudes toward the operating portion to restrict movement of the liquid containing body in the closed state of the mounting portion.

4. A printing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein,

The liquid container is rotatable between a restricting position in which movement of the liquid container in the first direction is restricted by the first restricting portion, and a releasing position in which restriction by the first restricting portion is released and the inclined portion is in contact with the first guide portion.

5. The printing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the printing unit is configured to,

When the liquid container is rotated from the restricting position to the releasing position, the connecting portion contacts a lower portion of the connected portion.

6. A printing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein,

In the state of the mounting portion being the closed state, the second restricting portion is located between the inclined portion and the first guiding portion.

7. Printing device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

The restriction of the second restriction portion is released by the rotation of the liquid container with respect to the connection position where the connection portion is connected to the connected portion.

8. Printing device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

In response to operating the operating portion in a direction inclined downward more than the first direction toward the first direction, the restriction of the first restricting portion is released.

9. Printing device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

The length of the region where the connecting portion and the connected portion overlap in the first direction is longer than the length of the liquid containing body in a state of being attached to the attaching portion that can move in the first direction before being regulated by the second regulating portion during the taking out.

10. Printing device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

The restriction of the second restriction portion is released by the liquid containing body moving in a second direction different from the first direction.

11. Printing device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

The second restriction portion is a member capable of switching between a raised state and a lowered state, and is switched from the lowered state to the raised state when the state of the mounting portion is switched from the closed state to the open state by the cover, and is switched from the raised state to the lowered state when the state of the mounting portion is switched from the open state to the closed state by the cover.

12. Printing device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

The liquid container includes an opening valve that switches between an open state in which communication between the inside and the outside of the liquid storage portion is open in a state of the liquid container and a shut-off state in which communication between the inside and the outside of the liquid storage portion is shut off in a state of the liquid container,

When the liquid container is in an open state, the pressure inside the liquid storage unit is atmospheric pressure,

The open valve switches the state of the liquid container from the open state to the shut-off state before being regulated by the second regulating portion during the taking out.

13. The printing apparatus of claim 12 wherein the printing unit is configured to,

The open valve overlaps the first restriction portion in a width direction orthogonal to the first direction and the vertical direction, respectively.