JP2006088697A - Ink cartridge replacing device and inkjet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time that image forming operation has to be stopped for replenishing ink to a carriage in an inkjet recording apparatus having an ink tank and a recording head loaded on the carriage. <P>SOLUTION: In the inkjet printer 1a, a used ink cartridge 81a loaded on the carriage 11 is removed and moved to a filling position 88, and loads an ink cartridge 81a for replacement at a position where the used ink cartridge 81a has been loaded in the carriage 11. Then, the used ink cartridge positioned at the filling position 88 is filled with the ink by a filling device 83 to become an ink-replenished cartridge 81a for replacement. Furthermore, the ink cartridge 81a replenished with ink by the filling device 83 is moved to a retraction position 89 from the filling position 88. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge replacement device for replacing an ink cartridge mounted on an ink jet recording device, and an ink jet recording device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an inkjet recording apparatus having a carriage on which an ink tank and a recording head are mounted is known which supplies ink from a main tank provided on the main body side of the inkjet recording apparatus to an ink tank mounted on the carriage. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In this ink jet recording apparatus, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank of the carriage decreases, the carriage is moved to the ink replenishment position, and ink is supplied from the main tank to the ink tank of the carriage.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-355989

  However, in the ink jet recording apparatus, when ink is supplied to the ink tank of the carriage, it is necessary to move the carriage to the ink supply position and stop it. There was a problem that the operation could not be performed.

  Accordingly, in view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to shorten the stop time of an image forming operation in an ink jet recording apparatus capable of supplying ink in an ink tank mounted on a carriage.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an image is printed on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head while scanning a carriage on which the recording head and an ink cartridge are mounted. An ink cartridge exchange device that is provided in an inkjet recording apparatus to be formed and replaces a used ink cartridge mounted on the carriage with a replacement ink cartridge, and removes the used ink cartridge mounted on the carriage Removing means; mounting means for mounting a replacement ink cartridge at a position where the used ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage;
And a filling means for filling the ink cartridge after use, which has been removed by the removing means, into a new ink cartridge for replacement.

  That is, in this ink cartridge replacement device, when the ink cartridge removed from the carriage is filled with ink, the replacement cartridge is mounted on the carriage.

  Therefore, if such an ink cartridge exchange device is used, the ink jet recording apparatus can form an image on a recording medium even when the ink cartridge is filled with ink.

  In addition, as a specific configuration of the ink cartridge replacement device according to the first aspect, for example, as described in the second aspect, a moving unit that moves the ink cartridge from the first retracted position to the second retracted position is provided. The removing means removes the used ink cartridge mounted on the carriage and moves it to the first retracted position, and the mounting means mounts the replacement ink cartridge positioned at the second retracted position on the carriage, and the filling means The ink cartridge may be filled with ink at the first retracted position or the second retracted position. As described in claim 3, the removing means includes the first retracted position and the second retracted position. Of these, the used ink cartridge mounted on the carriage is moved to a retracted position where no replacement ink cartridge exists, and the mounting means In place of the used ink cartridge, a replacement ink cartridge located at the first retracted position or the second retracted position is mounted on the carriage, and the filling means is configured to use the ink cartridge at the first retracted position and the second retracted position. The ink may be filled with ink.

  According to the ink cartridge replacement device of the third aspect, the filling means can fill the ink cartridge with ink regardless of whether the ink cartridge is in the first retracted position or the second retracted position. As a result, the number of movements of the ink cartridge can be minimized.

  Furthermore, in the ink cartridge replacement device according to claim 2 or 3, when the first retraction position and the second retraction position are disposed at positions facing each other across an area where the carriage can move. As described in claim 4, it is desirable that the mounting means mounts the replacement ink cartridge on the carriage at the same time as the removing means moves the used ink cartridge.

  According to such an ink cartridge exchange device, the ink cartridge exchange time can be shortened.

  By the way, in the ink cartridge replacement apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, as described in claim 4, the first retracted position and the second retracted position are opposed to each other across an area where the carriage can move. However, as described in claim 5, it may be arranged side by side in the same direction as the moving direction of the carriage.

  According to such an ink cartridge exchange device, the length in the direction orthogonal to the carriage movement direction can be shortened.

  Further, in the ink cartridge exchange device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the ink cartridge has a substantially box shape as described in claim 6, and is moved by a removing means or a mounting means. It is desirable that an inclined surface be formed at the edge portion of the front end surface with respect to the moving direction.

  According to such an ink cartridge exchange device, when the ink cartridge is moved, the edge portion of the front end surface of the ink cartridge can be hardly caught by each part constituting the ink cartridge exchange device. For this reason, the ink cartridge can be moved smoothly.

  Next, an invention according to claim 7 is an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head while scanning a carriage on which the recording head and the ink cartridge are mounted. The ink cartridge replacement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided as an ink cartridge replacement device for replacing an ink cartridge mounted on a carriage with a replacement ink cartridge.

  Therefore, according to such an ink jet recording apparatus, since the ink cartridge replacement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided, even when the ink cartridge is filled with ink, An image can be formed on a recording medium. Next, an invention according to claim 8 is an ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, and a carriage capable of scanning on the recording medium and ink of the same color are accommodated in the carriage alternately. At least a pair of ink cartridges to be held, a recording head that is held by the carriage and ejects ink supplied from one of the ink cartridges held by the carriage, and ink that contains the ink of the desired color A tank and an ink replenishing device for replenishing ink from the ink tank to the other ink cartridge not held by the carriage are provided. According to this ink jet recording apparatus, when one of the ink cartridges held by the carriage decreases, the one ink cartridge can be removed from the carriage, and the other ink cartridge can be mounted on the carriage. One ink cartridge removed from the carriage is replenished with ink by an ink replenishing device. Since the other ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage, the carriage can move and execute the printing operation while the ink is replenished in one ink cartridge. When the other ink cartridge held by the carriage is reduced, the other ink cartridge can be removed from the carriage, and the one ink cartridge supplemented with ink can be mounted on the carriage. The other ink cartridge removed from the carriage is replenished with ink by an ink replenishing device. Since one ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage, the carriage can be moved and a printing operation (image formation) can be executed while the other ink cartridge is being replenished with ink. That is, in this ink jet recording apparatus, printing can be performed using a pair of ink cartridges alternately. For this reason, a printing operation can be performed while the ink cartridge is filled with ink, and the printing operation can be prevented from being interrupted for a long time due to ink filling. 9. The ink recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a first transport operation for transporting an ink cartridge held by the carriage from the carriage to a first retracted position, and an ink cartridge positioned at the second retracted position are second. The ink replenishing device replenishes ink to the ink cartridge located at the first retreating position; and the transporting device comprises: It is preferable that the third transport operation for transporting the ink cartridge supplemented with ink from the first retracted position to the second retracted position is further executed. Further, the carriage can be positioned between a first retracted position and a second retracted position, and in the transport device, the carriage is positioned between the first retracted position and the second retracted position. In the meantime, the first transfer operation and the second transfer operation are preferably performed simultaneously.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer 1a according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The ink jet printer 1a shown in FIG. 1 is in a state where the upper cover is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an inkjet printer 1a includes a recording head 10, a carriage 11 on which the recording head 10 and an ink cartridge 81a are mounted, and the carriage 11 in the left-right direction of the sheet (a direction perpendicular to the sheet traveling direction). A guide mechanism (not shown) that guides and supports the carriage 11 so as to be movable in the scanning direction, and a carriage movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the carriage 11 in the left-right direction. The ink jet printer 1a also includes a paper feed cartridge 2 that can hold paper therein, a paper transport mechanism 13 that transports paper in the paper feed cartridge 2, and a paper discharge that accumulates paper discharged by the paper transport mechanism 13. A tray 5, a cartridge replacement mechanism 80 a that replaces the ink cartridge 81 a mounted on the carriage 11, and an ink supply mechanism 90 that supplies ink to the cartridge replacement mechanism 80 a are provided. The paper discharge tray 5 is configured using the upper part of the paper supply cartridge 2.

  The recording head 10 includes four sets of ink nozzle groups (not shown) provided downward, and ejects four colors (black, cyan, yellow, magenta) of ink downward from these ink nozzle groups. As a result, an image is formed on the paper that is conveyed from the paper supply cartridge 2 and is located directly below the recording head 10.

  The ink supply mechanism 90 includes four color ink tanks 21a to 21d mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 20, and ink tubes 22a to 22d connecting the ink tanks 21a to 21d and the cartridge replacement mechanism 80a.

  The cartridge replacement mechanism 80a includes a push member 84 that detaches the ink cartridge 81a from the carriage 11, and drives the push member 84 to place the ink cartridge 81a in a filling position 88 (first retraction position in the present invention), the carriage 11, and An exchange motor 85 that moves between a retreat position 89 (second retreat position in the present invention), a filling device 83 that fills the ink cartridge 81a that has been removed from the carriage 11 and moved to the filling position 88, and It has. Further, the filling device 83 is provided with an ink pump 91 (see FIG. 7) for each color, which sucks out ink from the ink tanks 21a to 21d and supplies the ink to the ink cartridge 81a moved to the filling position 88. ing.

  The pushing member 84 and the replacement motor 85 are provided for each color (four each) so that the ink cartridges 81a of the respective colors can be replaced independently.

  Further, the push-out member 84 is moved when the replacement motor 85 rotationally drives the pinion 86.

  The guide mechanism includes a guide shaft 25 (see FIG. 2) and a guide rail 26. A front end portion of the carriage 11 is slidably fitted on the guide shaft 25, and a rear end portion of the carriage 11 is guided by the guide rail 26. Are slidably engaged with each other.

  The carriage moving mechanism includes a carriage motor 30 (see FIG. 3) and a belt mechanism (not shown) for transmitting the driving force from the carriage motor 30 to the carriage 11, and a processing execution device 70 (see FIG. 3) described later. Drive control is performed. That is, the carriage 11 is driven through the belt mechanism by driving the carriage motor 30.

  Next, the paper transport mechanism 13 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a central sectional view of the ink jet printer 1a.

  In FIG. 2, the ink tanks 21a to 21d are removed. When the ink tanks 21a to 21d are attached, the ink tanks 21a to 21d are arranged in front of the carriage 11 and above the path through which the paper passes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper transport mechanism 13 is in contact with the paper located at the uppermost position of the paper feed cartridge 2, and feeds the paper into the ink jet printer 1a. Rotation is performed almost directly below the guide shaft 25 and the registration roller 41 that is supported rotatably on the side and that conveys the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding roller 75 to the image forming position (position just below the carriage 11). A pinch roller 45 that is freely supported, and a paper discharge roller 47 that is disposed on the front side of the pinch roller 45 and discharges the paper on which an image has been formed to the paper discharge tray 5 are provided.

  The paper feed roller 75 is driven by a paper feed motor 65 (see FIG. 3), and the other rollers (registration roller 41 and paper discharge roller 47) are driven by a paper transport motor 40 (see FIG. 3). .

  In such an ink jet printer 1a, the paper fed by the paper feed roller 75 is introduced into the ink jet printer 1a and conveyed along the guide 34 so that the traveling direction is reversed, and the position of the registration roller 41 Sent to. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to a position directly below the carriage 11 by the registration roller 41, and an image is formed by the recording head 10 at this position. The sheet is conveyed to the position of the sheet discharge roller 47 by the registration roller 41, and is then discharged to the sheet discharge tray 5 by the sheet discharge roller 47.

  Note that the sheet carrying control using various rollers and the recording control for ejecting ink from the recording head 10 while scanning the carriage 11 are performed by the processing execution device 70 (see FIG. 3). Here, the processing execution device 70 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the process execution device 70.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the processing execution device 70 is configured as a microcomputer having a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, and an EEPROM 74. Further, the processing execution device 70 includes drive circuits 76 a to 76 f for driving the paper feed motor 65, the paper transport motor 40, the carriage motor 30, the recording head 10, the replacement motor 85, and the ink pump 91, and the push member 84. An electromagnet 84a provided, a solenoid 87 for moving the ink cartridge 81a located at the retreat position 89 in the vertical direction, and a solenoid 114 for driving a locking member 111 (see FIG. 5) connecting the carriage 11 and the ink cartridge 81a. The remaining amount detection sensor 82 for detecting the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 is electrically connected. Further, the processing execution device 70 is configured to be connectable to a host device such as a personal computer 77 (PC 77).

  In this processing execution apparatus 70, the CPU 71 temporarily stores the image forming data sent from the PC 77 in the RAM 73, and then converts the image forming data stored in the RAM 73 into image data in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 72 in advance. Do. In addition, the CPU 71 is configured to connect each component connected to the processing execution device 70 based on detection results of the remaining amount detection sensor 82 and a drive control sensor (not shown: for example, a sensor that detects the position of the paper and the carriage 11). Controls the driving of elements. The remaining amount detection sensor 82 is an optical sensor composed of a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects a change in reflected light accompanying an ink liquid level change on an end surface (inclined surface 812) of an ink cartridge 81a described later. Thus, the remaining ink amount is detected.

  Next, the ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 81a as viewed obliquely from above, FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 81a as viewed from obliquely below, and FIG. 4C is the center of the ink cartridge 81a in the longitudinal direction. It is sectional drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the ink cartridge 81a has a substantially box shape, and a replenishment hole 811 for replenishing ink is formed on one end surface. The end surface on which the replenishing hole 811 is formed becomes a front surface when the ink cartridge 81a is moved from the retracted position 89 to the carriage 11 and when the ink cartridge 81a is moved from the carriage 11 to the filling position 88.

  Further, an inclined surface is formed between a lower edge portion of the end surface (front end surface) where the replenishment hole 811 of the ink cartridge 81a is formed and a lower end portion (and upper edge portion) of a surface (rear end surface) opposed to the end surface. 812 and 813 are formed, and an adsorption plate 818 that can be adsorbed by a magnet is mounted on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 81a. The inclined surface 812 is formed of a light transmissive member, and the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 81 a can be detected by the ink remaining amount sensor 82.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, a shutter 814a is provided on the lower surface of the ink cartridge 81a. The shutter 814a is set to be in an open state at the same time as being mounted on the carriage 11. When the shutter 814a is in the open state, the internal ink can be extracted through the extraction hole 819. When the shutter 814a is in the closed state, the internal ink is extracted. It is set so as to be impossible and to prevent internal ink from leaking outside. Furthermore, the shutter 814a includes a spring member (not shown) that biases the shutter 814a to be in a closed state. In addition, a small bottomed groove 819a is formed on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 81a in which the extraction hole 819 is formed. Therefore, the shutter 814a is not inadvertently opened except when the ink cartridge 81a is moved from the retracted position 89 to the carriage 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the ink cartridge 81a is formed with a storage portion 815a for storing the shutter 814a when the shutter 814a is in an open state.

  Further, a cap 816 for closing the refill hole 811 and a biasing member 817 for biasing the cap 816 toward the refill hole 811 are provided in the vicinity of the refill hole 811 of the ink cartridge 81a. For this reason, when the cap 816 is pressed from the outside against the urging force of the urging member 817, the ink cartridge 81a can be refilled with ink from the refill hole 811 and the cap 816 is not pressed. In this case, since the inside of the cap 816 is sealed, the ink cartridge 81a cannot be refilled with ink. In this state, the ink inside the ink cartridge 81a does not flow out of the replenishing hole 811. Inside the cap 816, a hole 816a extending in the left-right direction is formed. The hole 816 a is bent downward in the middle, and opens on the side surface of the cap 816. The hole 816a passes through the left surface and the side surface of the cap 816.

  Here, a state when the ink cartridge 81a is mounted on the carriage 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state where the ink cartridge 81a is moved from the retracted position 89 onto the carriage 11, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state where the ink cartridge 81a is mounted on the carriage 11.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the carriage 11 has a hole 11a formed at the center thereof. A member 12 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the hole 11a. The member 12 protrudes above the upper surface of the carriage 11. The carriage 11 includes a locking member 111 that can be inserted into the extraction hole 819 of the ink cartridge 81 a, a biasing member 112 that biases the locking member 111 upward, and a locking member via the link mechanism 113. And a solenoid 114 for moving 111 up and down. The locking member 111 is fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the member 12 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and an end 111a on the front surface thereof protrudes upward.

  Here, immediately before the ink cartridge 81 a is moved from the retracted position 89 to the carriage 11, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 turns on the solenoid 114. Then, the locking member 111 moves downward against the urging force of the urging member 112 and is not in contact with the ink cartridge 81a.

  In this state, the ink cartridge 81 a is moved onto the carriage 11. At this time, the shutter 814a of the ink cartridge 81a is opened by engaging the protrusion 116 positioned in the vicinity of the locking member 111 and moving the ink cartridge 81a as it is.

  When the ink cartridge 81a reaches a predetermined position on the carriage 11, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 turns off the solenoid 114. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the locking member 111 is pushed up by the urging member 112, and the locking member 111 and the ink cartridge 81a are in close contact with each other. In this state, the ink in the ink cartridge 81 a is supplied to the recording head 10.

  The upper surface of the ink cartridge 81a is fixed by a guide (not shown) so that the ink cartridge 81a does not move up and down. For this reason, when the locking member 111 is pushed up, the cartridge 81 a can be fixed by the locking member 111.

  When the remaining amount detection sensor 82 detects that the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined amount via the inclined surface 812 of the ink cartridge 81a, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 The carriage 11 is moved to the position of the cartridge exchange mechanism 80a, and the solenoid 114 is turned on. Then, the locking member 111 is again in the state shown in FIG. 5, and the ink cartridge 81a is movable.

  Next, the state when ink is replenished to the ink cartridge 81a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where ink is being replenished by the filling device 83.

  When the ink cartridge 81a is moved from the carriage 11 to the filling position 88 by the engaging member 841 provided on the push-out member 84, the supply needle 83a that protrudes from the filling device 83 in advance is refilled in the ink cartridge 81a. 811 is configured to be inserted through 811.

  Even when the supply needle 83a and the cap 816 are in contact with each other, the ink cartridge 81a is further pressed toward the filling device 83 by the engaging member 841. Therefore, the sealed state of the ink cartridge 81a is released, and the ink cartridge 81a is in a state where ink can be replenished. In this state, ink is injected into the ink cartridge 81a from the supply needle 83a.

  Next, the replacement operation of the ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the movement of the ink cartridge 81a. The following drive control of each unit is performed by the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70.

  First, when the remaining amount detection sensor 82 detects that the amount of ink inside the ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 has decreased, the carriage 11 moves to the filling position 88 as shown in FIG. And the retreat position 89. At this time, a replacement ink cartridge 81 a filled with ink is prepared at the retreat position 89.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 8B, the ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 is moved to the filling position 88 (corresponding to the removing means in the present invention). At the same time, the ink cartridge 81a positioned at the retracted position 89 is mounted on the carriage 11 (corresponding to mounting means in the present invention).

  The ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 is set so as to be set on the carriage 11 when the pushing member 84 is moved most toward the filling device 83 side. The member 84 is moved to the retreat position 89 side so that the cap 816 of the ink cartridge 81a located at the filling position 88 is not sealed. In other words, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 allows the carriage 11 to move smoothly by separating the ink cartridge 81 a mounted on the carriage 11 from the engaging member 841 provided on the pushing member 84. It is.

  In this state, the filling device 83 replenishes ink into the ink cartridge 81a located at the filling position 88 (corresponding to the filling means in the present invention). At this time, since the carriage 11 can be freely moved, an image forming operation can be performed when ink is replenished.

  Next, when the ink replenishment to the ink cartridge 81a located at the filling position 88 is completed, the pushing member 84 is moved to the retreat position 89 side as shown in FIG. At this time, when the image forming data is stored in the RAM 73, the carriage 11 is performing an image forming operation and has moved to a place other than between the filling position 88 and the retreat position 89.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the pushing member 84 is moved to the retracted position 89 side as it is, the ink cartridge 81a is also moved from the filling position 88 to the retracted position 89 (in the present invention). Equivalent to transportation means).

  An electromagnet 84a is disposed above the ink cartridge 81a in the pushing member 84. When the ink cartridge 81a is moved from the filling position 88 to the retracted position 89, the electromagnet 84a is driven and the electromagnet 84a is moved. And the suction plate 818 of the ink cartridge 81a are sucked so that the ink cartridge 81a is moved to the retracted position without dropping.

  When the ink cartridge 81a is thus moved to the retracted position 89, the driving of the electromagnet 84a is stopped, and the solenoid 87 is driven to lower the position of the ink cartridge 81a located at the retracted position 89, as shown in FIG. Then, after preventing the engaging member 841 from coming into contact with the ink cartridge 81a, the pushing member 84 is returned to the original position. Then, the drive of the solenoid 87 is stopped, and the ink cartridge 81a is returned to the original height.

  As described above, the ink cartridge 81a is exchanged.

  In the ink jet printer 1a described in detail above, the used ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 is removed and moved to the filling position 88, and at the position where the used ink cartridge 81a is mounted on the carriage 11, A replacement ink cartridge 81a located at the retreat position 89 is mounted. Then, the used ink cartridge 81a located at the filling position 88 is filled with ink to obtain a new replacement ink cartridge 81a. Further, the ink cartridge 81 a supplemented with ink by the filling device 83 is moved from the filling position 88 to the retreat position 89.

  Therefore, according to the ink cartridge 81a replacement device, when the ink cartridge 81a removed from the carriage 11 is filled with ink, the replacement ink cartridge 81a can be mounted on the carriage 11. Even when the ink cartridge 81a is filled with ink, an image can be formed on the paper.

  Further, if the ink jet printer 1a of the present embodiment is used, it is not necessary to discard the ink cartridge 81a, so that the environmental load can be reduced.

  Further, in the ink jet printer 1a, the filling position 88 and the retreating position 89 are arranged at positions facing each other across an area where the carriage 11 is movable, and at the same time as the used ink cartridge 81a is moved, A replacement ink cartridge 81 a is mounted on the carriage 11.

  Therefore, according to the ink jet printer 1a, the replacement time of the ink cartridge 81a can be shortened.

  Further, the ink cartridge 81a has a substantially box shape, and an inclined surface 812 is formed at the lower edge portion of the front end surface with respect to the moving direction when moved.

  Therefore, according to the ink jet printer 1a, when the ink cartridge 81a moves, it is possible to prevent the lower edge portion of the front end surface of the ink cartridge 81a from being caught by each part constituting the ink jet printer 1a. For this reason, the ink cartridge 81a can be moved smoothly.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can take various forms as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the ink jet printer 1a of the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 81a replenished with ink at the filling position 88 is moved to the retreat position 89. However, the refill position 89 is also provided with a filling device 83, and the carriage 11 may be configured to move the ink cartridge 81a mounted on the charging position 88 or the retreat position 89.

  In addition, in the ink cartridge 81a of the present embodiment, the inclined surface 812 is formed on the lower edge portion of the front end surface in the moving direction of the ink cartridge 81a, but the upper edge portion and the left and right edge portions are not limited to the lower edge portion. An inclined surface may be formed. In particular, if the inclined surface is formed on the upper edge and the left and right edges in addition to the lower edge of the front end surface of the ink cartridge 81a, the ink cartridge 81a can be moved more smoothly.

  Furthermore, although the flat inclined surface 812 is formed in the ink cartridge 81a of the present embodiment, at least a part of the edge of the front end surface of the ink cartridge 81a may be chamfered into a curved surface. . Even if it does in this way, the same effect is acquired.

  In the ink jet printer 1a of the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 81a is moved from the carriage 11 to the filling position 88, and after the ink is filled, the ink cartridge 81a is moved to the retreat position 89. The ink cartridge 81a may be moved from 11 to the retreat position 89, and then the ink cartridge 81a may be moved to the filling position 88 to replenish the ink. In this case, the ink cartridge 81a is directly mounted on the carriage 11 from the filling position 88.

  Further, in the ink jet printer 1a of the present embodiment, the operation of removing the ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 and the operation of mounting the replacement ink cartridge 81a located at the retracted position 89 on the carriage 11 are performed simultaneously. Although configured, each operation may be performed at different timings. However, in this case, since it is necessary to arrange the pushing member 84 and the replacement motor 85 for performing each operation, the configuration of the ink jet printer 1a of the present embodiment can be simplified.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the filling position 88 and the retreat position 89 are arranged at positions facing each other across an area in which the carriage 11 is movable. However, for example, the filling position 88 and the retreat position 89 are arranged side by side in the movement direction of the carriage 11. You may arrange | position in the position of. When the filling position 88 and the retreat position 89 are arranged side by side in the movement direction of the carriage 11, a mechanism for moving the ink cartridge 81 a from the refill position 88 to the retreat position 89 (for example, from the refill position 88 to the retreat position 89. A new carriage or the like for moving the ink cartridge 81a is required.

  Next, another type of inkjet printer 1b will be described. The ink jet printer 1b described in the present embodiment (embodiment 2) is different from the ink jet printer 1a of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the cartridge replacement mechanism 80a and the structure of the ink cartridge 81a. It is the same composition. Therefore, in the present embodiment (embodiment 2), only the portions different from the ink jet printer 1a of the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the same portions as those of the ink jet printer 1a of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted.

  First, an ink jet printer 1b in the present embodiment (embodiment 2) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the ink jet printer 1b according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the ink jet printer 1 b includes two cartridge replacement mechanisms 80 b of another form arranged side by side in place of the cartridge replacement mechanism 80 a of the first embodiment.

  That is, the retreat position 89 is not provided in each cartridge replacement mechanism 80 b, and the ink cartridge 81 b is moved between the carriage 11 and the filling position 88 by the pushing member 84.

  When the ink cartridge 81 b is mounted on the carriage 11, the replacement ink cartridge 81 b is held at only one of the two filling positions 88.

  As for the filling position 88 where the replacement ink cartridge 81b is held, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 stores the position where the ink cartridge 81b was removed last time in the RAM 73. Therefore, it can be recognized.

  The operation of replacing the ink cartridge 81a mounted on the carriage 11 in the ink jet printer 1b will be described below.

  When the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 detects that the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 81 a mounted on the carriage 11 is decreasing, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 is based on the information stored in the RAM 73. The carriage 11 is moved to a position of the cartridge replacement mechanism 80b different from the position where the ink cartridge 81b was previously removed, and stopped.

  For example, if information indicating that the ink cartridge 81b has been removed is stored in the RAM 73 last time in the cartridge replacement mechanism 80b located on the outer side (right side in FIG. 10), the cartridge located on the inner side (left side in FIG. 10). The carriage 11 is moved to the position of the exchange mechanism 80b and stopped.

  Then, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 drives the replacement motor 85 to move the ink cartridge 81 b mounted on the carriage 11 to the filling position 88. At this time, the CPU 71 stores (overwrites) the position information obtained by removing the ink cartridge 81 b in the RAM 73.

  Next, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 moves the carriage 11 to the position of the other cartridge replacement mechanism 80b and stops it.

  For example, when the ink cartridge 81b mounted on the carriage 11 is moved to the filling position 88 of the cartridge exchange mechanism 80b located on the inner side, the carriage 11 is moved to the position of the cartridge exchange mechanism 80b located on the outer side, Stop.

  Then, the replacement ink cartridge 81 a held at the filling position 88 of the cartridge replacement mechanism 80 b is mounted on the carriage 11.

  In this way, the ink jet printer 1b becomes ready for image formation again.

  The ink cartridge 81b removed from the carriage 11 is replenished with ink by the filling device 83.

  Next, an ink cartridge 81b used in the ink jet printer 1b of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 81b as viewed obliquely from above, FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 81b as viewed from obliquely below, and FIG. 11C is the center of the ink cartridge 81b in the longitudinal direction. It is sectional drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the ink cartridge 81b is different from the ink cartridge 81a of Example 1 in that the suction plate 818 is not attached. The ink cartridge 81b has a bottomed groove 820a formed on the bottom surface 820, as shown in FIGS. A hole 819 is formed in the bottom surface of the groove 820a, and a cap 814b is inserted into the hole 819. That is, a cap 814b and a biasing member 815b are provided instead of the shutter 814a and the storage portion 815a provided in the ink cartridge 81a of the first embodiment. The cap 814b and the urging member 815b are the same as the cap 816 and the urging member 817 disposed in the vicinity of the replenishing hole 811, and the cap 814b is pressed against the urging force of the urging member 815b from the outside. In this case, the ink can be extracted from the extraction hole 819, and when the cap 814b is not pressed, the inside of the cap 814b is sealed, so that the ink cartridge 81b is in a state where the ink cannot be extracted. Become. In this state, the ink inside the ink cartridge 81b does not flow out of the extraction hole 819.

  Here, a state when the ink cartridge 81b is mounted on the carriage 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 is an explanatory view showing a state where the ink cartridge 81b is mounted on the carriage 11. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a state when the ink cartridge 81b is removed from the carriage 11. As shown in FIG.

  When the ink cartridge 81b is mounted on the carriage 11, as shown in FIG. 12, the solenoid 114 is in an OFF state, the locking member 111 is inserted into the extraction hole 819 of the carriage 11, and the cap 814b is pushed up. It has become. For this reason, ink can be extracted from the extraction hole 819. The ink cartridge 81 b is positioned and fixed by the locking member 111. Therefore, in this ink jet printer 1b, the engagement of the locking member 111 and the extraction hole 819 prevents the ink cartridge 81b from moving from the carriage 11.

  Here, when the remaining amount detection sensor 82 detects that the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined amount, the CPU 71 of the processing execution device 70 holds the carriage 11 in the replacement ink cartridge 81b. As shown in FIG. 13, the solenoid 114 is turned on as shown in FIG.

  Then, the locking member 111 moves downward against the urging force of the urging member 112 and is separated from the ink cartridge 81b. At this time, the cap 814b of the ink cartridge 81b seals the inside of the ink cartridge 81b by the biasing force of the biasing member 815b.

  In this state, the ink cartridge 81 b is removed from the carriage 11 by the pushing member 84.

  The solenoid 114 that moves the locking member 111 up and down is driven and controlled by the processing execution device 70 in the same manner as the solenoid 87 that moves the ink cartridge 81a located at the retracted position 89 in the up and down direction.

  In the ink jet printer 1b described in detail above, the extruded member 84 is used to place the used ink cartridge 81b after use in the carriage 11 at the filling position 88 where the replacement ink cartridge 81b does not exist. The ink cartridge 81b is moved. Then, instead of the used ink cartridge 81b, a replacement ink cartridge 81b positioned at one of the two filling positions 88 is mounted on the carriage 11. Further, the filling device 83 fills the ink cartridge 81b with ink at two filling positions 88.

  Therefore, according to the ink jet printer 1a, the filling device 83 can fill the ink cartridge 81b with ink regardless of the position of the two filling positions 88. The number of movements of the cartridge 81b can be minimized.

  Further, in the ink jet printer 1 b, the two filling positions 88 are arranged side by side in the same direction as the movement direction of the carriage 11.

  Therefore, according to this ink jet printer 1a, compared with the case where the two filling positions 88 are arranged at positions facing each other across the area where the carriage 11 is movable, the direction is perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage 11. The length can be shortened.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 71 of the process execution device 70 stores the previous operation state (such as which of the retracted positions the ink cartridge 81b has been operated) stored in the RAM 73, and based on this storage result, The position for moving the ink cartridge 81b mounted on the carriage 11 is determined. For example, position detecting means (mechanical sensor or optical sensor) for detecting the presence or absence of the replacement ink cartridge 81b at each filling position 88 is used. A sensor or the like) may be arranged, and a position for moving the ink cartridge 81b mounted on the carriage 11 may be determined based on a detection result by the position detection unit.

  In the present embodiment, the two filling devices 83 are arranged side by side in the movement direction of the carriage 11. However, the two filling devices 83 are arranged at arbitrary positions, for example, at positions facing each other across the movement area of the carriage 11. Also good. As described above, when the two filling devices 83 are arranged at positions facing each other across the moving region of the carriage 11, the replenishment hole 811 for replenishing ink is formed on the front end surface and the rear end surface of the ink cartridge 81b. In this case, the ink can be easily replenished by the filling device 83 regardless of the position of the filling device 83.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an inkjet printer 1a according to a first embodiment. 1 is a central cross-sectional view of an ink jet printer 1a of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a process execution device 70. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge 81a according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge 81a according to the first exemplary embodiment is moved from the retracted position 89 onto the carriage 11. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the ink cartridge 81a according to the first exemplary embodiment is mounted on the carriage 11. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where ink is replenished to the ink cartridge 81a according to the first embodiment by the filling device 83. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of movement of the ink cartridge 81a according to the first exemplary embodiment (first half). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the ink cartridge 81a according to the first embodiment (second half). FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an inkjet printer 1b according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge 81b according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where an ink cartridge 81b of Example 2 is mounted on a carriage 11. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when an ink cartridge 81b of Example 2 is removed from a carriage 11.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b ... Inkjet printer, 2 ... Paper feed cartridge, 5 ... Paper discharge tray, 10 ... Recording head, 11 ... Carriage, 13 ... Paper conveyance mechanism, 21a-21d ... Ink tank, 22a-22d ... Ink tube, 70 ... Processing execution device 71 ... CPU, 72 ... ROM, 73 ... RAM, 80a, 80b ... cartridge exchange mechanism, 81a, 81b ... ink cartridge, 82 ... remaining amount detection sensor, 83 ... filling device, 83a ... supply needle, 84 ... Extruding member, 84a ... electromagnet, 85 ... exchange motor, 87 ... solenoid, 88 ... filling position, 89 ... retracting position, 90 ... ink supply mechanism, 91 ... ink pump, 111 ... locking member, 112 ... biasing member, 113 ... Link mechanism, 114 ... Solenoid, 811 ... Replenishment hole, 812, 813 ... Inclined surface, 814a ... Shutter, 14b ... Cap, 815a ... accommodating portion, 815b ... urging member, 816 ... Cap, 817 ... urging member, 818 ... suction plate, 819 ... extraction hole, 841 ... engaging member.

Claims (10)

Ink used after being used in an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head while scanning a carriage on which the recording head and an ink cartridge are mounted. An ink cartridge exchange device for exchanging a cartridge with a replacement ink cartridge,
Removing means for removing the used ink cartridge mounted on the carriage;
A mounting means for mounting a replacement ink cartridge at a position where the used ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage;
Filling means for filling the ink cartridge after use removed by the removing means with a new replacement ink cartridge;
An ink cartridge exchange device comprising: Moving means for moving the ink cartridge from the first retracted position to the second retracted position;
The removing means removes the used ink cartridge mounted on the carriage and moves it to the first retracted position;
The mounting means mounts a replacement ink cartridge located at a second retracted position on the carriage,
The ink cartridge replacement device according to claim 1, wherein the filling unit fills the ink cartridge with ink at a first retracted position or a second retracted position. The ink cartridge replacement device is configured to hold the replacement ink cartridge at one of the first retracted position and the second retracted position,
The removing means moves the used ink cartridge mounted on the carriage to a retracted position where the replacement ink cartridge does not exist among the first retracted position and the second retracted position,
The mounting means mounts, on the carriage, a replacement ink cartridge positioned at the first retracted position or the second retracted position instead of the used ink cartridge.
The ink cartridge replacement device according to claim 1, wherein the filling unit is configured to be able to fill the ink cartridge with ink at a first retracted position and a second retracted position. The first retracted position and the second retracted position are arranged at positions facing each other across an area where the carriage can move,
4. The ink cartridge replacement device according to claim 2, wherein the mounting unit mounts a replacement ink cartridge on the carriage at the same time as the removal unit moves the used ink cartridge. 5. .   4. The ink cartridge replacement apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first retracted position and the second retracted position are arranged side by side in the same direction as the moving direction of the carriage. 5.   2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge has a substantially box shape, and an inclined surface is formed at an edge of a front end surface with respect to a moving direction when the ink cartridge is moved by the removing means or the mounting means. The ink cartridge exchange device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head while scanning a carriage on which a recording head and an ink cartridge are mounted,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the ink cartridge replacing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 as an ink cartridge replacing apparatus that replaces an ink cartridge mounted on the carriage with a replacement ink cartridge. . An inkjet recording apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
A carriage capable of scanning on the recording medium;
At least a pair of ink cartridges containing ink of the same color and alternately held by the carriage;
A recording head for ejecting ink supplied from one ink cartridge held by the carriage and held by the carriage;
An ink tank containing the desired color ink;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink replenishing device that replenishes ink from an ink tank to the other ink cartridge not held by the carriage. A first transport operation for transporting the ink cartridge held by the carriage from the carriage to the first retracted position, and a second transport operation for transporting the ink cartridge positioned at the second retracted position from the second retracted position to the carriage And further having a conveying device for executing
The ink replenishing device replenishes ink to an ink cartridge located at a first retracted position,
9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transport device further executes a third transport operation for transporting the ink cartridge supplemented with ink from the first retracted position to the second retracted position. The carriage may be positioned between a first retracted position and a second retracted position;
10. The transport device according to claim 9, wherein the transport device simultaneously performs the first transport operation and the second transport operation while the carriage is positioned between the first retracted position and the second retracted position. The ink jet recording apparatus described.

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