JP2003326733A - Ink tube support structure and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink tube support structure and an image forming apparatus that can stably perform a scanning operation of a carriage without creating warpage or deflection of an ink tube. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of through-holes 8a-8d into which ink tubes 71-74 are respectively inserted are provided to a tube support member 8 for supporting the plurality of ink tubes 71-74. The inner diameter of the through-hole 8a for supporting the tube 71 for a black ink is made roughly the same as the outer diameter of the ink tube 71. Each of inner diameters of the through-holes 8b-8d for supporting the other ink tubes 72-74 is made greater than the respective outer diameters thereof. The tube 71 for the black ink is bonded to the inner face of the through-hole 8a to be fixed and the other ink tubes 72-74 are supported with the tube support member 8 so as to be relatively movable in a longitudinal direction of the tube. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for supporting a plurality of ink tubes for supplying ink from an ink tank to an ink head in an image forming apparatus represented by an ink jet printer and the like. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a support structure. In particular,
The present invention relates to a measure for preventing the ink tube from warping or bending and stably performing a scanning operation of an ink head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming operation in an ink jet printer, first, one of a plurality of sheets stored in a sheet feeding tray is sent to a conveying path,
This sheet is supplied to the image forming unit via the conveyance path. Then, in the image forming section, a predetermined image is formed by ejecting ink droplets onto the surface of the paper, and then the paper is discharged to the discharge tray.

Further, a carriage having an ink head is arranged in the image forming section, and the image forming operation is performed by the ink supplied from the ink tank to the ink head while the carriage performs a scanning operation. It is like this.

Further, as an ink tank arrangement form of an ink jet printer, there are a type in which an ink tank is mounted on a carriage (a so-called on-board type) and a type in which an ink tank is arranged separately from a carriage (a so-called off-board type). is there. And for the latter type,
The ink tank of each color and the sub tank provided in the carriage are connected by a plurality of ink tubes so that ink can be supplied. The sub-tank is a small-capacity space for temporarily storing the ink supplied by each ink tube on the carriage.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-129751 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 200-19751 disclose the arrangement of the ink tubes.
An inkjet printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-171145 is known.

In the former publication, a through hole through which an ink supply tube and a sub tank tube are inserted is provided in each tube guide, and a connecting portion for connecting the above through holes is provided at a central portion of a cross section of the tube guide. A configuration in which a through hole is formed in this connecting portion is disclosed. That is, by adopting a configuration in which the tube holding portions of the tube guide that supports a plurality of tubes are connected by a three-dimensional bridge structure, the rigidity of the tube guide is improved, and slack and flexure of the tube guide are prevented. I am trying.

The latter publication discloses a structure in which an ink tube and a flat cable are integrally bound by an ink tube binding tool. That is, the ink tube binding device, a holding portion that has a length that circulates the flat cable, a tube holding portion that holds a plurality of ink tubes between the outer surface of the holding portion that is lapped in the width direction of the flat cable, A hook portion provided at the tip of the tube holding portion is provided. The carrying portion is formed with a through hole through which the hook portion and the tube holding portion pass, and an engaging hole of the hook portion.
Then, a sponge layer having a cutout portion wider than the width of the carrying portion of the ink tube tying member and a stainless steel plate as an auxiliary material were joined with a double-sided adhesive tape, and were interposed between the flat cable and the ink tube. It is composed. As a result, the plurality of ink tubes are regulated so as not to move randomly in the width direction of the flat cable due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage.

[0008]

However, in the configuration disclosed in the former publication, a plurality of ink tubes are guided by tube guides over the whole thereof. Therefore, during scanning of the carriage, not only each ink tube must be bent along with the scanning operation, but also the tube guide must be bent, and the bending resistance at that time becomes large. Since the bending resistance acts as a scanning resistance of the carriage, there is a possibility that the scanning operation may be adversely affected.

Further, in the structure disclosed in the latter publication, since all the ink tubes are fixedly supported at the same position so that they cannot move relative to each other, the ink tubes may be warped or bent. There was a nature. For example, in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the three ink tubes a, b, and c are bound at two positions in the longitudinal direction by the ink tube binding tools d and d so that they cannot move relative to each other. Of a, b, c, the top tube a
Is shortest and the central tube b is longest, as shown in this figure, the ink tube as a whole is curved upward or the longest tube b is bent. When the carriage is scanned with such warpage or bending, the ink tubes a, b, and c may come into contact with various parts inside the printer or the bending resistance during one scan may fluctuate. There is a possibility that the scanning resistance generated during one scan will change significantly and this scanning operation will be adversely affected, making it impossible to execute a good image forming operation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to stably perform the scanning operation of the carriage without causing the ink tube to warp or bend. An object is to provide a tube support structure and an image forming apparatus.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a structure for supporting a plurality of ink tubes by a tube supporting member.
For some ink tubes, the tube support member is fixedly supported by the tube support member so that relative movement in the tube longitudinal direction is impossible, and relative movement in the tube longitudinal direction is possible for other ink tubes. Is supported by. That is, while each ink tube is supported by the tube support member, the ink tubes are allowed to move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, thereby partially supporting each ink tube. The variation in the length of the above can be absorbed by the relative movement.

-Solution means-Specifically, a structure for supporting a plurality of ink tubes for supplying ink toward an ink head for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets while scanning is targeted. To do. As a configuration for supporting the plurality of ink tubes by the tube support member, at least one ink tube is fixed and supported so as not to move relative to the tube support member in the tube longitudinal direction. Further, at least one ink tube is supported so as to be movable relative to the tube support member in the tube longitudinal direction. That is, an ink tube that cannot move relative to the tube support member and an ink tube that can move relative to the tube support member are provided.

In other words, for at least one ink tube fixedly supported by the tube supporting member so that relative movement in the tube longitudinal direction with respect to the tube supporting member is impossible, another ink tube is moved in the tube longitudinal direction. It is supported by the tube support member so that relative movement is possible. That is, by supporting only some of the ink tubes so that they can move relative to the tube supporting member in the longitudinal direction of the tube, a supporting structure is provided that allows relative movement of the ink tubes in the longitudinal direction.

Due to this particular matter, even if some of the plurality of ink tubes have a long length, this ink tube moves relative to the other ink tubes in the tube longitudinal direction. . That is, each ink tube moves in the tube longitudinal direction with respect to the tube support member along the ink tube fixedly supported by the tube support member. As a result, the entire ink tube does not have a shape warped in the direction orthogonal to the tube longitudinal direction, and a part of the ink tube does not bend. As a result, the ink tube does not come into contact with various parts inside the apparatus and the bending resistance during one scanning does not change, and the scanning operation is performed well.

As a concrete structure of the tube support member, a plurality of insertion holes through which the respective ink tubes are respectively inserted are provided. The inner diameter of a part of the insertion hole substantially matches the outer diameter of the ink tube, and the inner surface of the insertion hole fixes and supports the ink tube. Further, the inner diameter of the other insertion holes is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the ink tube, and the ink tube is movable inside the insertion hole in the tube longitudinal direction. Accordingly, by appropriately setting the inner diameter of the insertion hole formed in the tube support member, it is possible to easily set the ink tube that cannot be moved relative to the tube support member and the ink tube that can be moved relative to the tube support member. it can.

Further, as a specific matter for making the ink tube fixedly supported by the tube support member different from the ink tube not fixedly supported, the ink tube fixedly supported by the tube support member is The ink tube is formed of a material or shape whose bending shape is more stable than that of the ink tube. For example, as an ink tube fixedly supported by a tube support member,
Use a material that is harder than other ink tubes, or use a thick shape or a thick shape. As a result, an ink tube having a relatively large bending resistance is used as the ink tube that is fixedly supported, and the bending mode associated with the scanning operation can be stably obtained. For this reason, when the ink tube that is not fixedly supported moves in the tube longitudinal direction and becomes a shape that follows the ink tube that is fixedly supported, an ink tube (tube support member that can stably obtain this bent shape) Each ink tube (ink tube that is not fixed and supported by the tube support member) will bend so as to follow the ink tube that is fixedly supported by the ink tube), and all ink tubes can be stably bent. You can

Further, when the flat cable connected to the ink head and each ink tube are integrally supported by the tube support member, the relative position of the flat cable and each ink tube does not change, and scanning is performed. It is possible to avoid a situation in which each ink tube interferes with the flat cable during operation (is caught) and the scanning resistance increases.

Further, the flat cable is fixedly supported by the tube support member so as not to move relative to the tube support member, and parts other than the part fixedly supported by the tube support member are partially bent in advance. ing. When the flat cable and each ink tube are integrally supported by the tube support member as described above, the length required for stable bending differs depending on the difference in distance from the bending center position. In other words, if each ink tube is placed on the side closer to the bending center position and the flat cable is placed on the side farther from the bending center position, the flat cable requires a longer length for stable bending. It will be. For this reason, by partially bending the flat cable in advance, it becomes possible to bend the flat cable in a shape that extends along the respective bent portions of the flat cable as needed. That is, the length of the flat cable can be adjusted by this bent portion.

Ink tubes are superposed on the surface of the flat cable which is opposite to the bending direction, and the flat cable and the ink tube are integrally supported by the tube support member. According to this, it is possible to reduce the distance between the flat cable and the ink tube, and it is possible to reduce the difference in length required for bending these two. As a result, the amount of bending of the bent portion that should be formed in the flat cable can be suppressed, and the space occupied by the flat cable can be reduced.

An image forming apparatus provided with each of the above ink tube supporting structures is also within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. That is, at least one ink tube of the plurality of ink tubes is fixedly supported so as to be relatively movable in the tube longitudinal direction, and at least one ink tube is supported so as to be relatively movable in the tube longitudinal direction. An image forming apparatus provided with a tube support member and at least one ink tube among a plurality of ink tubes are fixed and supported so that relative movement in the tube longitudinal direction is not possible, and another tube is attached to the ink tube. The image forming apparatus includes a tube support member that supports each tube so that the tube can be relatively moved in the longitudinal direction.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is applied to a color inkjet printer of a type in which an ink tank is not mounted on a carriage (so-called off-board type), that is, a type in which ink is supplied from an ink tank to an ink head on the carriage via an ink tube. Is applied.

-Description of Overall Structure of Color Inkjet Printer- Fig. 1 shows a color inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance and a part of the internal configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 1 according to this embodiment includes a paper feed unit 2, a transport unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and a discharge unit 5.
Is equipped with.

The paper feed section 2 is provided with a paper feed tray 21 and a pickup roller 22 which extend in a substantially vertical direction. When the image forming operation is started, the recording paper P as a recording medium in the paper feed tray 21 is picked up by the pickup roller 22. It is designed to be taken out and delivered to the carrying section 3. Further, the paper feed tray 21 functions as a storage unit for the recording paper P when the image forming operation is not performed.

Further, a separation unit (not shown) is provided between the paper feed unit 2 and the transport unit 3. The separating unit separates the recording sheets P sent from the paper feeding unit 2 one by one, and supplies the one recording sheet P toward the conveying unit 3.

The conveying section 3 conveys the recording sheets P, which are supplied one by one from the separating section, toward the image forming section 4, and comprises a paper feed roller 31 and a paper feed restraining roller 32. The recording paper P is sandwiched and conveyed between the rollers 31 and 32. Further, the paper feed roller 31 is
When the recording paper P is fed between the ink head 41 and the platen 44, the conveyance timing of the recording paper P is adjusted so that the ink droplets from the ink head 41 are sprayed to appropriate positions on the recording paper P. Has become.

The image forming section 4 is for forming an image on the recording paper P supplied from the conveying section 3, and mainly includes the ink head 41, a carriage 42 on which the ink head 41 is mounted, and the carriage 42. A guide shaft 43 for guiding in the scanning direction, a platen 44 that serves as a support for the recording paper P during an image forming operation, and a plurality of ink tanks 61 to 64 are provided.

The ink tanks 61 to 64 are accommodated in the ink tank accommodating portion 6 in a region outside the conveyance path of the recording paper P. Then, each ink tank 61 to
Reference numeral 64 is connected to a sub-tank (not shown) provided inside the carriage 42 via ink tubes 71 to 74 which form an ink supply path.

Further, each of the ink tanks 61 to 64 has a Bk
(Black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
Each ink of (cyan) is individually arranged, and each ink can be replaced independently. As a result, the ink of each color in each of the ink tanks 61 to 64 passes through the ink tubes 71 to 74 and the sub tank and then the ink head 4
1 can be supplied. Further, in this embodiment, the ink tanks 61 to 64 have the same size.
Note that only the black ink tank 61 may be large.

Further, the casing of the ink jet printer 1 is provided with a cover (not shown) which can be opened and closed corresponding to the positions where these ink tanks 61 to 64 are arranged. When the remaining amount becomes low, the ink tank can be replaced by opening this cover.

The discharge section 5 is a section for collecting the recording paper P on which an image has been formed, and a transport roller 51 for transporting the recording paper P toward the discharge side, and for drying the ink on the recording paper P. Ink drying unit (not shown) and discharge roller 52
And a discharge tray 53. The casing of the inkjet printer 1 is provided with a paper discharge port 54 for discharging the recording paper P conveyed by the discharge rollers 52 to the discharge tray 53.

-Explanation of Image Forming Operation- In the above configuration, the ink jet printer 1 forms an image on the recording paper P by the following operation. First, an image forming request based on image information is made to the inkjet printer 1 from an external terminal such as a computer (not shown). Upon receiving the image forming request, the inkjet printer 1 receives the recording paper P on the paper feed tray 21.
Are picked up from the sheet feeding section 2 by the pickup roller 22. Next, the discharged recording paper P passes through the separating section and is sent to the transport section 3. In the transport unit 3, the recording paper P is sent between the ink head 41 and the platen 44 by the paper feed roller 31 and the paper feed restraining roller 32.

In the image forming unit 4, the ink supplied from the ink tanks 61 to 64 through the ink tubes 71 to 74 and the sub tank is used, and the ink head 41 is used.
Ink droplets are ejected from the ink nozzles on the recording paper P on the platen 44 in accordance with the image information. At this time, the recording paper P is temporarily stopped on the platen 44. While ejecting ink droplets, the carriage 42 is guided by the guide shaft 43 and scanned by one line in the main scanning direction (D2 direction in FIG. 1). After that, the recording paper P moves on the platen 44 in the sub-scanning direction (D1 direction in FIG. 1) by a certain width. In the image forming unit 4, the above-described processing is continuously performed corresponding to the image information, so that the image is formed on the entire surface of the recording paper P.
The recording paper P on which the image has been formed in this way passes through the ink drying section and is discharged by the discharge roller 52 to the discharge tray 5.
It is discharged to 3. As a result, the recording paper P is provided to the user as a printed matter.

-Explanation of Ink Tube Supporting Structure- Next, the ink tube 7 which is a feature of the present embodiment.
The support structures 1 to 74 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 1 according to this embodiment includes four ink tubes 71 to 74.
Nos. 74 to 74 are connected to the ink tank housing portion 6 at one end on the back side of the ink tank housing portion 6 so as to face the housing positions of the ink tanks 61 to 64, and the ink can be individually taken out from the ink tanks 61 to 64. . The other ends of the ink tubes 71 to 74 are connected to a sub tank (not shown) provided inside the carriage 42 as described above. Therefore, during the image forming operation described above, the bending positions of the ink tubes 71 to 74 change as the carriage 42 scans. That is, in FIG. 1, the carriage 42
When the scanning position of the carriage 42 is on the right side in the drawing, the ink tubes 71 to 74 are bent at positions close to the carriage 42, while when the scanning position of the carriage 42 is on the left side in the drawing, The tubes 71 to 74 are bent at positions far from the carriage 42 (positions near the ink tank storage section 6).

Of the four ink tubes 71 to 74, the first ink tube 71 located on the uppermost side is an ink tube for black ink, and the second ink tube 72 located second from the upper side is for a yellow ink. It is the ink tube of. The third ink tube 73 located third from the top is an ink tube for magenta ink, and the fourth ink tube 74 located at the bottom is an ink tube for cyan ink. As a material of each of the ink tubes 71 to 74, a resin material forming the first ink tube 71 is slightly harder than a resin material forming the other ink tubes 72 to 74. As a result, the first ink tube 71 is more stable in the bent shape associated with the scanning operation of the carriage 42 than the other ink tubes 72 to 74.

Then, these four ink tubes 71
~ 74 in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of places (three places in the present embodiment),
It is supported by the tube support members 8, 8, 8.
The configuration of the tube support member 8 and the tube support structure by the tube support member 8 will be described below.
Since the tube support members 8, 8 and 8 arranged at various places have the same structure and the same tube support structure, here, the structure of the tube support member 8 arranged closest to the carriage 42 and its structure The tube support structure will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tube support member 8
The first and second support members 81 and 82 are integrally assembled, and the ink tubes 71 to
Supports 74.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the tube support member 8 in a disassembled state, and FIG. 3B is a state in which the tube support member 8 is assembled (ink tubes 71 to 74 are shown by phantom lines). It is a perspective view.

As shown in these figures, the first support member 8
1 is a recessed portion 8 on the surface on which the second support member 82 is assembled.
3 are formed, and semi-arcuate concave portions 81a, 81b, 81c, 81d for supporting the ink tubes 71 to 74 are formed at four positions in the vertical direction of the concave portion 83. Of these recesses, the recess 8 located on the uppermost side
The radius of curvature of 1a is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the first ink tube 71. On the other hand, each of the other recesses 8
The radii of curvature of 1b to 81d are set to be slightly larger than the radii of curvature of the outer surfaces of the second to fourth ink tubes 72 to 74.

On the other hand, the second support member 82 has a height dimension substantially corresponding to the vertical dimension of the recessed portion 83 formed in the first support member 81, and the second support member 82 extends toward the first support member 81. Ink tubes 71 to
Semi-circular recesses 82a, 82b for supporting 74,
82c and 82d are formed. Even in these recesses, the radius of curvature of the recess 82a located at the uppermost position is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the first ink tube 71. On the other hand, the radius of curvature of the other recesses 82b to 82d is set to be slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of the second to fourth ink tubes 72 to 74.

The first support member 81 formed as described above
When the second support member 82 and the second support member 82 are integrally assembled as shown in FIG. 3B, the recesses 81a to 81d, 8 are formed.
Insertion holes 8a to 8d for inserting the ink tubes 71 to 74 are formed by 2a to 82d. Since the radius of curvature of each of the recesses 81a to 81d and 82a to 82d is set as described above, the inner diameter dimension of the insertion hole 8a located on the uppermost side among these insertion holes is the outer diameter dimension of the first ink tube 71. While substantially corresponding to the other insertion holes 8a-
The inner diameter of 8d is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the ink tubes 72-74.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
The first support member 81 with the ink tubes 71 to 74 inside the a to 81d and 82a to 82d, respectively.
When the second support member 82 and the second support member 82 are integrally assembled, the outer surface of the first ink tube 71 contacts the inner surface of the insertion hole 8a located at the uppermost position, and the inner surfaces of the other insertion holes 8b to 8d and the ink. A gap is created between the outer surfaces of the tubes 72 to 74. Then, by pre-applying an adhesive to the insides of the recesses 81a, 82a located on the uppermost side, the outer surface of the first ink tube 71 is adhered to the inner surface of the insertion hole 8a located on the uppermost side. The first ink tube 71 is fixedly supported by the insertion hole 8a located on the uppermost side of the tube support member 8 so that the first ink tube 71 cannot be relatively moved in the tube longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the other ink tubes 72 to 74 are only inserted into the insertion holes 8b to 8d, and are supported so as to be relatively movable in the tube longitudinal direction. An adhesive is previously applied to the mating surface between the first support member 81 and the second support member 82, and when these are integrally assembled, both are firmly fixed.

The other tube support members 8 similarly support the ink tubes 71 to 74 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, only the first ink tube 71 is fixedly supported by the tube supporting members 8, 8, 8, and the bending posture is restricted by these tube supporting members 8, 8, 8. On the other hand, second to fourth
The ink tubes 72 to 74 include the tube support members 8,
Only the insertion holes 8b to 8d of 8 and 8 are inserted, and relative movement in the tube longitudinal direction is possible.

As described above, each tube support member 8,
Since each ink tube 71 to 74 is supported by 8, 8, even if the length of only the fourth ink tube 74 is longer than the other ink tubes 71 to 73, for example, the fourth ink tube 74 Can move relative to the other ink tubes 71 to 73 in the tube longitudinal direction.

Specifically, when all the ink tubes are fixedly supported by the tube supporting member as in the conventional case, only the fourth ink tube 74 having a long length is large as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. There was a possibility of bending. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, since the fourth ink tube 74 can move in the tube longitudinal direction relative to the other ink tubes 71 to 73, the length is absorbed by this movement. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the length between the tube support members 8 and 8 is substantially the same as the length of the other ink tubes 71 to 73. Such an effect is not limited to the case where the length of the fourth ink tube 74 is longer than that of the other ink tubes 71 to 73, but the length of the second and third ink tubes 72 and 73 is longer than that of the other ink tubes. Even if it is long, it can be obtained similarly.

In this way, the second to fourth ink tubes 7
2 to 74 can move in the tube longitudinal direction with respect to the tube support member 8 along the first ink tube 71. As a result, the entire ink tube has a shape warped in the direction orthogonal to the tube longitudinal direction, or a part of the ink tube is bent (FIG. 8).
(See) disappears. As a result, the ink tubes 71 to 74 do not come into contact with various parts inside the apparatus and the bending resistance during one scanning does not change,
The scanning operation is performed well, and as a result, a good image forming operation can be performed.

As described above, the material of the first ink tube 71 is slightly harder than the material of the other ink tubes 72 to 74. The first ink tube 71 is the other ink tube 72. In comparison with No. 74 to No. 74, the bent form associated with the scanning operation of the carriage 42 can be stably obtained. Therefore, the second to fourth ink tubes 72 to 74 move in the tube longitudinal direction, and
When the ink tubes 71 extend along the ink tubes 71, the other ink tubes 72 to 74 are bent in accordance with the first ink tubes 71 that can stably obtain this bent shape, and the bent shapes of all the ink tubes 71 to 74 are stable. Can be obtained.

(Modification) Next, a modification of the present invention will be described. The first to fourth modifications shown below employ a configuration in which the flat cable connected to the ink head 41 and the three ink tubes 71 to 73 are integrally supported by the tube support member 8. .

FIG. 4 shows an ink tube support structure according to the first modification. As shown in FIG. 4, in this example, the flat cables 9 are superposed on the inner sides of the ink tubes 71 to 73 in the bending direction, and the ink tubes 71 to 73 and the flat cable 9 are integrated into the tube support member 8.
Supported by 8.

As for the support structure of the ink tubes 71 to 73 in the tube support member 8, only the first ink tube 71 is fixedly supported by the tube support members 8 and 8 as in the above-described embodiment. The second and third ink tubes 72 and 73 are supported by the tube support members 8 and 8 so as to be relatively movable in the tube longitudinal direction.

A feature of the flat cable 9 of the present embodiment is that the tube supporting members 8 and 8 are partially bent at positions other than those fixedly supported. The reason why the bent portions A, A, A are provided is as follows. When the ink tubes 71 to 73 and the flat cable 9 are integrally supported by the tube support member 8, the length required for bending differs depending on the difference in distance from the bending center position. Therefore, the flat cable 9 is partially bent, and the length of the flat cable 9 is adjusted by changing the bending amount of the bent portion as necessary, and the flat cable 9 extends along the ink tubes 71 to 73. Can be bent in shape.

FIG. 5 shows an ink tube support structure according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 5, in this example, the flat cables 9 are superposed on the outer sides of the ink tubes 71 to 73 in the bending direction, and the ink tubes 71 to 73 and the flat cable 9 are integrally supported by the tube support member 8. is doing. Further, the bending direction of the flat cable 9 in this example is also set to the side toward the bending center position.

In the support structure of the ink tubes 71 to 73 by the tube support member 8 in this example, only the first ink tube 71 is fixedly supported by each tube support member 8 as in the case of the above-described embodiment. The second and third ink tubes 72 and 73 are supported by the tube supporting members 8 and 8 so as to be relatively movable in the tube longitudinal direction.

When the first modified example and the second modified example are compared, it is possible to reduce the distance between the flat cable 9 and the ink tubes 71 to 73 in the first modified example. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the difference in length required for bending these two. As a result, the bending amount of the bent portion A that should be formed in the flat cable 9 can be suppressed, and the space occupied by the flat cable 9 can be small, which is preferable. Further, the width dimension t of the tube support member 8 can be small.

FIG. 6 shows an ink tube support structure according to the third modification. As shown in FIG. 6, in this example, the flat cables 91 and 92 are superposed on the inner and outer sides of the ink tubes 71 to 73 in the bending direction, and the ink tubes 71 to 73 and the flat cables 91 and 92 are integrally formed. It is supported by the tube support members 8, 8. Further, in this example, the bent portion A is formed only in the flat cable 91 arranged on the bending center position side.

FIG. 7 shows an ink tube support structure according to the fourth modification. As shown in FIG. 7, also in this example, the flat cables 91 and 92 are superposed on the inner and outer sides of the ink tubes 71 to 74 in the bending direction, and the ink tubes 71 to 73 and the flat cables 91 and 92 are integrally formed. It is supported by the tube support member 8. Further, in this example, the bent portion A is formed only in the flat cable 92 arranged on the side opposite to the bending center position side. In particular, when the bent portion A is formed on the side opposite to the bending center position side, the flat cable 92 is bent so that the bent portion A extends and follows the ink tubes 71 to 73 as needed. It is possible to let

In this way, the ink tubes 71 to 73 are
As a configuration in which the flat cables 91 and 92 are superposed on both sides inside and outside the bending direction, the flat cables are superposed on the inside in the bending direction of the ink tubes 71 to 73 with respect to the configuration of the second modified example (FIG. 5). You may

-Other Embodiments- In the above-described embodiment, the material of the first ink tube 71 is slightly harder than the materials of the other ink tubes 72 to 74. The tube 71 is designed so that the bent shape can be stably obtained. The present invention is not limited to this, and the first ink tube 71 may be set thicker than the other ink tubes 72 to 74 or the wall thickness thereof may be set thicker to stably obtain the bent form.

Further, the ink tube fixedly supported so as to be immovable relative to the tube support member 8 in the longitudinal direction of the tube is not limited to the first ink tube 71,
It may be one of the other ink tubes 72 to 74. The number of ink tubes fixedly supported is not limited to one, and at least one of the plurality of ink tubes is fixedly supported by the tube support member 8 and at least one is moved in the tube longitudinal direction. Should be supported as much as possible.

The recording medium used in the ink jet printer 1 according to the present invention is not limited to plain paper,
Photo paper or OHP (Overhead Projector) paper may be used.

Further, the supporting points of the ink tubes 71 to 74 by the tube supporting members 8, 8, ... Are not limited to the above-mentioned points, but may be set to one point or four or more points. The number of ink tubes supported by one tube support member 8 is not limited to three or four, and may be two or five or more.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the first ink tube 71 is fixedly supported by the tube support member 8 by adhering the outer surface of the first ink tube 71 to the inner surface of the insertion hole 8a. The present invention is not limited to this, and the inner diameter of the insertion hole 8a is made slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first ink tube 71 so that the inner surface of the insertion hole 8a has the first diameter.
The outer surface of the ink tube 71 may be pressed and held. In this case, it is necessary to consider that the deformation of the first ink tube 71 due to the pressing force does not hinder the ink flow inside the tube.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, as a structure for supporting a plurality of ink tubes by a tube supporting member, some ink tubes cannot be moved relative to each other in the tube longitudinal direction. It is fixedly supported by a supporting member, and is supported by the tube supporting member so as to be relatively movable with respect to other ink tubes in the tube longitudinal direction. That is, while each ink tube is supported by the tube support member, the ink tubes are allowed to move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, thereby partially supporting each ink tube. The variation in the length of the above can be absorbed by the relative movement. Therefore, the entire ink tube does not have a shape warped in the direction orthogonal to the tube longitudinal direction, and a part of the ink tube does not bend. As a result, the ink tube does not come into contact with various parts inside the apparatus and the bending resistance during one scanning does not change, and the scanning operation is performed satisfactorily. As a result, a good image forming operation can be performed. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance and a part of an internal configuration of a color inkjet printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a supporting state of an ink tube by a tube supporting member.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a disassembled tube supporting member, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a disassembled tube supporting member.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an ink tube support structure according to a first modification.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an ink tube support structure according to a second modification.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an ink tube support structure according to a third modification.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an ink tube support structure according to a fourth modification.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a tube binding state by an ink tube binding tool in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Color Inkjet Printer (Image Forming Apparatus) 41 Ink Heads 61 to 64 Ink Tanks 71 to 74 Ink Tubes 8a to 8d Insertion Hole 9 Flat Cable P Recording Paper (Recording Medium) A Bent Part

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Haruo Sayama             22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Inside the company (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Murai             22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Inside the company F-term (reference) 2C056 KB13 KC02

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A structure for supporting a plurality of ink tubes for supplying ink toward an ink head for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets while scanning, wherein the plurality of ink tubes are provided. Is supported by the tube supporting member only at one or a few positions in the longitudinal direction, and the tube supporting member prevents at least one ink tube from moving relative to the tube supporting member in the tube longitudinal direction. An ink tube support structure, which is fixedly supported, and at least one ink tube is supported so as to be movable relative to a tube support member in a tube longitudinal direction. 2. A structure for supporting a plurality of ink tubes for supplying ink toward an ink head for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets while scanning, wherein the plurality of ink tubes are provided. Is supported by the tube support member, and at least one ink tube fixedly supported by the tube support member so that relative movement in the tube longitudinal direction with respect to the tube support member is impossible, while another ink tube is An ink tube support structure, which is supported by a tube support member so as to be relatively movable in the tube longitudinal direction. 3. The ink tube support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube support member is provided with a plurality of insertion holes into which the respective ink tubes are respectively inserted, and some of the insertion holes have an inner diameter of ink. The inner diameter of the insertion hole is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the ink tube, and the inner surface of this insertion hole fixedly supports the ink tube, while the inner diameters of the other insertion holes are set larger than the outer diameter of the ink tube. An ink tube support structure in which an ink tube is movable in the tube longitudinal direction inside the. 4. The ink tube support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ink tube fixedly supported by the tube support member is formed of a material or a shape in which a bent shape is more stable than other ink tubes. Ink tube support structure characterized by 5. The ink tube support structure according to claim 1, wherein each ink tube is integrally supported by a tube support member with a flat cable connected to an ink head. Support structure. 6. The ink tube support structure according to claim 5, wherein the flat cable is fixedly supported by the tube support member so as not to move relative to the tube support member, and is also fixedly supported by the tube support member. An ink tube support structure characterized in that parts other than the parts are partially bent in advance. 7. The ink tube support structure according to claim 6, wherein the ink tube is superposed on a surface of the flat cable opposite to the bending direction, and the flat cable and the ink tube are integrally formed with the tube support member. An ink tube support structure characterized by being supported. 8. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by supplying ink from an ink tank to an ink head by an ink tube, and ejecting ink droplets while the ink head is scanning to form an image on a recording medium. A tube support member that fixedly supports at least one of the ink tubes of the above ink tubes so that relative movement in the tube longitudinal direction is impossible, and at least one ink tube supports relative movement in the tube longitudinal direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by being provided. 9. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by supplying ink from an ink tank to an ink head by an ink tube, and ejecting ink droplets while the ink head is scanning to form an image on a recording medium. At least one of the ink tubes is fixedly supported so as not to be relatively movable in the tube longitudinal direction, and at the same time, another tube is relatively movable in the tube longitudinal direction with respect to the ink tube. An image forming apparatus comprising a tube supporting member for supporting.