JP2008149645A - Fluid jetting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid jetting apparatus which prevents a fluid cartridge from being taken out by utilizing pressurizing force of a pressurizing pump, and the fluid cartridge from being taken out while the pressurizing force of the pressurizing pump remains. <P>SOLUTION: A recording apparatus is equipped with a recording head which receives a feed of ink from an ink cartridge 9 and jets the ink from a nozzle, and an air-pressurizing pump for loading the pressurizing force to the ink cartridge 9, and it is constituted so that the ink is fed toward the recording head from the ink cartridge 9 by an action of the pressurizing force. A cartridge holder 8, in which the ink cartridge 9 is stored, is provided with an actuator 40 for preventing the ink cartridge 9 from being taken out by making the actuator 40 act on the ink cartridge 9 stored by the pressurizing force of the air-pressurizing pump. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, a sub tank for supplying a fluid to an ejection head is mainly mounted on a carriage on which the ejection head is mounted, and fluid is supplied from the fluid cartridge to the sub tank by the action of air pressure generated by a pressure pump. The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus configured to supply a gas.

  An ink jet recording apparatus used as a representative of a fluid ejecting apparatus is used for many printing including color printing in recent years because noise during printing is relatively low and small dots can be formed with high density. Yes. Such an ink jet recording apparatus is generally mounted on a carriage and moved in the width direction of the recording paper, and the recording paper is moved relatively in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head. Paper feeding means is provided, and recording is performed on the recording paper by ejecting ink droplets from the recording head based on the print data.

  A recording head capable of ejecting, for example, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks is mounted on the carriage, enabling not only text printing with black ink but also full-color printing by changing the ejection ratio of each ink. Yes.

  On the other hand, in this type of recording apparatus provided for office use or business use, for example, a large-capacity ink cartridge needs to be provided in order to cope with a relatively large amount of printing. There is provided a recording apparatus of a type that is loaded into a mounting apparatus (cartridge holder) arranged on the apparatus main body side.

  A sub tank is disposed on the carriage on which the recording head is mounted, ink is supplied from each ink cartridge to each sub tank via an ink supply tube, and ink is supplied from each sub tank to the recording head. Is configured to supply.

  In recent years, there is an increasing demand for a large-sized recording apparatus that can perform printing on a large sheet and has a long carriage scanning distance. In such a printing apparatus, in order to improve the throughput, the number of nozzles is increasingly increased in the printing head. Furthermore, in order to improve throughput, it is possible to replenish ink sequentially from the ink cartridge to each sub-tank mounted on the carriage while printing is performed, and the ink is stabilized from each sub-tank to the recording head. And a recording apparatus that can be supplied.

  In such a recording apparatus, it is necessary to connect an ink supply tube corresponding to each ink from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank. Since the scanning distance of the carriage is large, the supply distance of each supply tube is inevitably increased. Will increase. In addition, as described above, since the recording head has a large number of nozzles, the amount of ink consumed is large, and the dynamic pressure of the ink increases in each ink supply tube connected from the ink cartridge to the sub tank. Has a technical problem of insufficient supply.

  As one means for solving such a problem, for example, air pressure is applied to the ink cartridge side, and a forced ink flow is generated from the ink cartridge to the sub tank by the air pressure, so that necessary and sufficient ink is supplied to the sub tank. The structure which supplies can be employ | adopted.

  When trying to adopt such a configuration, since pressurized air is applied to the ink cartridge, if the ink cartridge that is detachably loaded in the cartridge holder is withdrawn, the pressurized air Due to the action, ink blows out from the ink cartridge, causing problems such as contamination of the surroundings.

Therefore, in an ink jet recording apparatus that employs a configuration in which pressurized air is applied to an ink cartridge and ink is sent out to a sub tank, the cartridge holder in which the ink cartridge is detachably loaded is mounted when the ink cartridge is attached or detached. A recording apparatus has been devised in which a cover member to be opened is provided, and an air release valve that opens an air flow path from the air pressure pump to the ink cartridge to the atmosphere as the cover member is opened ( For example, the following patent document 1).
JP 2001-212971 A

  However, in the above-described conventional recording apparatus, there is mainly an electrical time lag from the opening of the cover member to the opening of the air release valve. After the air release valve is actually opened, the pressurized air in the cartridge is completely discharged. Thus, there is also a time lag (time required for the pressurized air to escape) until the applied pressure becomes zero. For this reason, the ink cartridge may be forcibly pulled out while the pressure applied by the pressure pump remains. As described above, when the ink cartridge is pulled out with the pressure applied by the pressure pump remaining, the ink leaks out from the ink cartridge with the pressure applied and the surroundings are contaminated, or the ink cartridge and the cartridge holder are connected. There is a possibility that problems such as damage to the ink supply connection plug may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The pressure of the pressurizing pump is used to prevent the fluid cartridge from being taken out, and the fluid is maintained while the pressurizing pressure of the pressurizing pump remains. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid ejecting apparatus in which a cartridge is not removed.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fluid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes an ejecting head that ejects fluid from a nozzle upon receiving a supply of fluid from a fluid cartridge, and a pressurizing pump for applying a pressure to the fluid cartridge. A fluid ejecting apparatus configured to supply fluid from the fluid cartridge toward the ejecting head by the action of the pressurizing force, wherein the cartridge holder in which the fluid cartridge is accommodated has a pressurizing force of a pressurizing pump The gist of the invention is that a removal preventing means for preventing the fluid cartridge from being taken out by acting on the fluid cartridge accommodated in the apparatus is provided.

  That is, in the present invention, the cartridge holder is provided with removal preventing means that functions by acting on the fluid cartridge accommodated by the pressurizing force of the pressure pump to prevent the fluid cartridge from being removed. While the pressurizing force of the pressurizing pump remains, the takeout preventing means functions with the remaining pressurizing force and the fluid cartridge is not taken out. For this reason, as in the prior art, the fluid cartridge is forcibly pulled out while the pressure applied by the pressurizing pump remains, and the fluid leaks out from the fluid cartridge where the pressure remains, so that the surroundings can be contaminated. Problems such as damage to the fluid supply connection plug to which the cartridge holder is connected do not occur.

  In the present invention, in the case where the removal preventing means is configured to include an actuator that varies the action member acting on the fluid cartridge by the pressure applied by the pressure pump, the action of the pressure applied by the pressure pump. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the fluid cartridge from being taken out by operating the actuator.

  In the present invention, in the case where the action member is an engagement member that engages with an engaged portion provided in the accommodated fluid cartridge, a pressure state is established by the engagement of the engagement member and the engaged member. The fluid cartridge is reliably prevented from being removed.

  In the present invention, when the working member is a diaphragm member that is displaced toward the accommodated fluid cartridge, the fluid member can be reliably prevented from being taken out even with a small pressure by using the working member as the diaphragm member.

  In the present invention, when the action member is a high friction coefficient member that contacts the accommodated fluid cartridge with a large static friction coefficient, the high friction coefficient member contacts the fluid cartridge with a large static friction coefficient. This reliably prevents the fluid cartridge from being removed in the pressurized state.

  In the present invention, when the action member is a contact member that contacts the high friction coefficient member provided in the accommodated fluid cartridge with a large static friction coefficient, the contact member is in contact with the high friction coefficient member. The contact with a large coefficient of static friction prevents the fluid cartridge from being pulled out in the pressurized state.

  In the present invention, when the diaphragm member is formed with an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion formed in the fluid cartridge, the engagement portion and the engaged portion are engaged by the displacement of the diaphragm member. By combining, the fluid cartridge is reliably prevented from being pulled out in the pressurized state.

  In the present invention, when the pressure applied to the actuator is substantially equal to the pressure applied to the fluid cartridge, the pressure in the fluid cartridge and the actuator are operated. Since the applied pressure is substantially the same, when the actuator is released and the fluid cartridge can be removed, the applied pressure in the fluid cartridge does not remain, so liquid dripping due to the remaining applied pressure in the fluid cartridge is ensured. Can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the fluid ejecting apparatus of the invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage. The carriage 1 is guided by a scanning guide member 4 via a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2, and is a longitudinal direction of a paper feeding member 5, that is, a width direction of a recording paper. It is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction. Although not shown in the drawing, an ejection head that ejects ink from nozzles on the surface of the carriage 1 facing the paper feeding member 5 is supplied with liquid ink as a fluid from an ink cartridge 9 described later. Inkjet recording head 6 is mounted.

  In addition, subtanks 7 a to 7 d for supplying ink to the recording head 6 are mounted on the carriage 1. In this embodiment, four sub-tanks 7a to 7d are provided corresponding to each ink in order to temporarily store each ink therein.

  Then, with respect to the sub tanks 7a to 7d, flexible ink supply tubes 10 and 10 constituting an ink supply path from the ink cartridges 9a to 9d loaded in the cartridge holder 8 disposed at the end of the apparatus. .. Are configured to be supplied with black, yellow, magenta, and cyan inks, respectively.

  On the other hand, a capping unit 11 capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 is disposed in a non-printing area (home position) on the movement path of the carriage 1. A cap member 11a formed of a flexible material such as rubber that can seal the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 is disposed. When the carriage 1 moves to the home position, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 is sealed by the cap member 11a.

  The cap member 11a functions as a lid that seals the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 6 and prevents drying of the nozzle openings 6a (see FIG. 2) during the rest period of the recording apparatus. Although not shown in the figure, one end of a tube in a suction pump (tube pump) is connected to the cap member 11a, and negative pressure by the suction pump is applied to the recording head 6 so that the recording head 6 A cleaning operation for sucking and discharging ink is performed.

  A wiping member 12 made of an elastic material such as rubber is disposed on the printing area side of the capping unit 11 so that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 6 can be wiped and cleaned as necessary. It is configured.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the ink supply system mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and this ink supply system will be described with reference to FIG.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 21 denotes an air pressurizing pump 21 as a pressurizing pump for applying a pressurizing force to the ink cartridge 9, and the air pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 is Each of the ink cartridges 9a to 9d (shown as reference numeral 9 in FIG. 2 as a representative is supplied to a pressure regulating valve 22 that also serves as an air release valve, and is also represented below. In some cases, the reference numeral 9 may be used for explanation).

  In this case, an air flow path is branched from the pressure detector 23 to each ink cartridge 9, and pressurized air is applied to each ink cartridge 9 loaded in the cartridge holder 8. Has been.

  The specific configuration of the pressure regulating valve 22 that also serves as the air release valve will be described in detail later. In the pressure regulating valve 22, the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 is in an excessive state due to some trouble. When the pressure reaches the value, the pressure is released and the air pressure applied to the ink cartridges 9a to 9d is maintained in a predetermined range. The air release valve is pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21, for example, when a cover member 131 (see FIG. 5) attached to the cartridge holder 8 described later is opened, or the drive power of the recording apparatus is turned off. It has a function that can be released from time to time.

  Further, the pressure detector 23 functions to detect the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 and to control the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21. That is, when it is detected that the air pressure (pressure) pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 has reached a predetermined pressure, the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21 is stopped and the air pressure is detected by the pressure detector 23. Is detected to be equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure, the air pressurizing pump 21 is controlled so that the air pressure applied to the ink cartridges 9a to 9d is maintained within a predetermined range by repeating this operation. To function.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outline configuration of the ink cartridge 9 is formed in a hermetically sealed outer shape, and an ink pack 24 formed of a flexible material encapsulating ink is contained therein. It is stored. A space formed by the ink cartridge 9 and the ink pack 24 constitutes a pressure chamber 25, and pressurized air is supplied into the pressure chamber 25 via the pressure detector 23. ing.

  With this configuration, the ink packs 24 housed in the ink cartridges 9a to 9d receive pressure from the pressurized air, respectively, and ink from the ink cartridges 9a to 9d with a predetermined pressure is applied to the sub tanks 7a to 7d. A flow is generated, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridges 9 a to 9 d toward the recording head 6 by the action of the applied pressure.

  The ink pressurized in the ink cartridges 9a to 9d is supplied to the sub tanks 7a mounted on the carriage 1 through the ink supply valves 26, 26,... And the ink supply tubes 10, 10,. To 7d (represented by reference numeral 7 in FIG. 2 as a representative and may be simply described as reference numeral 7 in the following).

  On the other hand, in the cartridge holder 8 in which the ink cartridge 9 is accommodated, the removal preventing means for preventing the ink cartridge 9 from being removed by acting on the accommodated ink cartridge 9 by the pressure of the air pressurizing pump 21. The actuator 40 is provided.

  In this example, the actuator 40 is connected to an actuator pressurizing tube 42 branched from a cartridge pressurizing tube 41 for applying a pressurizing force to the ink cartridge 9, and pressurized air from the air pressurizing pump 21 is introduced. Is supposed to work. Thus, the cartridge pressurizing tube 40 and the actuator pressurizing tube 42 communicate with each other so that the pressure applied to the actuator 40 and the pressure applied to the ink cartridge 9 are substantially equal. It is configured.

  In the basic configuration of the sub tank 7 shown in FIG. 2, a float member 31 is disposed inside, and a permanent magnet 32 is attached to a part of the float member 31. Hall elements 33a and 33b, which are magnetoelectric conversion elements, are mounted on the substrate 34 and attached to the side wall of the sub tank 7.

  With this configuration, an electrical output is generated by the Hall elements 33a and 33b in accordance with the permanent magnet 32 arranged on the float member 31 and the magnetic dose by the permanent magnet 32 according to the floating position of the float member 31, Ink amount detecting means is configured.

  Therefore, for example, when the amount of ink in the sub tank 7 decreases, the position of the float member 31 accommodated in the sub tank 7 moves in the direction of gravity, and accordingly, the position of the permanent magnet 32 also moves in the direction of gravity. To do. Therefore, the electrical output of the Hall elements 33a and 33b due to the movement of the permanent magnet 32 can be sensed as the amount of ink in the sub-tank 7, and the above-described ink supply is performed by the electrical output obtained by the Hall elements 33a and 33b. The valve 26 is opened.

  Thereby, the ink pressurized in the ink cartridge 9 is individually sent into each sub tank 7 in which the ink amount is reduced. When the amount of ink in the sub tank 7 reaches a predetermined capacity, the ink supply valve 26 is closed based on the electrical output of the Hall elements 33a and 33b. By repeating such an operation, the ink cartridge 9 is intermittently replenished with respect to the sub tank 7 so that each sub tank 7 always stores a certain range of ink.

  In this way, each ink pressurized by the air pressure in the ink cartridge 9 is supplied to each sub tank 7 based on the electrical output based on the position of each float member 31 disposed in the sub tank 7. Therefore, the ink supply response can be improved, and the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 7 is appropriately managed.

  Each sub tank 7 is configured to supply ink to the recording head 6 through a valve 35 and a tube 36 connected thereto, and is supplied to an actuator (not shown) of the recording head 6. Based on the print data, the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 6 a formed on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 6. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes the capping unit 11 described above, and the tube connected to the capping unit 11 is connected to a suction pump (tube pump) (not shown).

  Next, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a partial cross-sectional view in which the main part of the embodiment of the pressure regulating valve 22 that also serves as an air release valve is broken. 3 shows a state functioning as the pressure regulating valve 22, and FIG. 4 shows an open state to the atmosphere.

  Reference numeral 81 in FIGS. 3 and 4 denotes an on-off valve unit. The on-off valve unit 81 includes an upper case 81a and a lower case 81b each having a space formed therein. The upper case 81a and the lower case By 81b, it can be divided up and down. And the diaphragm valve 82 is arrange | positioned in the junction part of the upper case 81a and the lower case 81b.

  The diaphragm valve 82 is formed by molding a rubber material into a disk shape, and its peripheral edge is sandwiched between the joints of the upper case 81a and the lower case 81b, and the air chamber 83 is airtight in the space of the lower case 81b. Is forming.

  The lower case 81b is formed with a pair of connecting pipes 84a and 84b communicating with the air chamber 83. These connecting pipes 84a and 84b are connected to the air pressurizing pump 21 and the pressure detector 23, respectively. ing. Therefore, the pressurized air from the air pressurizing pump 21 is applied along the arrow shown in FIG. 4, and the pressurized air is further applied to the pressure detector 23 and each ink cartridge 9 through the air chamber 83. To be made.

  In addition, a vent hole 84c is formed in the central portion of the lower case 81b, and is configured such that the substantially central portion of the diaphragm valve 82 abuts at the opening end of the vent hole 84c to the air chamber 83. .

  On the other hand, the upper case 81a is arranged such that the drive shaft 85 is slid in the vertical direction, and the upper surface portion of the diaphragm valve 82 is supported at the lower end portion of the drive shaft 85. An annular spring seat 86 is attached to the drive shaft 85, and a coiled spring member 87 is disposed between the spring seat 86 and the upper space of the upper case 81a. 87, the central portion of the diaphragm valve 82 is urged so as to contact the opening end of the vent hole 84c.

  An engaging head 88 is provided at the upper end portion of the drive shaft 85, and is supported by a support shaft 89. A through lever formed in a drive lever 90 that rotates in a seesaw shape about the support shaft 89. The engaging head 88 is attached to the upper part penetrating the hole.

  One end of the drive lever 90 is engaged with an operating rod 91a of an electromagnetic plunger 91 as drive means. A spring member 87, that is, one end of a tension spring 93 is attached to the other end of the drive lever 90 via the support shaft 89, and the drive lever 90 is connected via the support shaft 89 by the action of the tension spring 93. And is urged to rotate counterclockwise in the figure. An engaging head 88 of the drive shaft 85 in the on-off valve unit 81 is engaged with an intermediate portion between the one end portion of the drive lever 90 that receives the driving force of the electromagnetic plunger 91 and the support shaft 89.

  According to the configuration described above, when the electromagnetic plunger 91 is energized, the one end of the drive lever 90 is pulled down against the urging force of the tension spring 93 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the engagement head 88 attached to the drive shaft 85 of the on-off valve unit 81 is brought into a state of floating from the drive lever 90. As a result, the diaphragm valve 82 is in a closed state in which the vent hole 84c is closed by the biasing force of the spring member 87 and the elastic force held by the diaphragm valve 82.

  When the pressure in the air chamber 83 exceeds a predetermined value, the diaphragm valve 82 is pushed upward in the air chamber 83, whereby the contact of the diaphragm valve 82 with the vent hole 84c is released, and the pressure adjustment valve 22 functions. Thus, as described above, the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 releases the pressure that has reached an excessive state due to some failure, and the air pressure applied to each of the ink cartridges 9a to 9d is maintained within a predetermined range. To work.

  On the other hand, when the electromagnetic plunger 91 is de-energized, the drive lever 90 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing by the action of the tension spring 93 as shown in FIG. The drive shaft 85 is pulled up against the urging force of the spring member 87 in the on-off valve unit 81 and the elastic force held by the diaphragm valve 82. Accordingly, the air chamber 83 is opened to the atmosphere in which pressurized air is discharged from the air chamber 83 through the vent hole 84c.

  According to the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the energization to the electromagnetic plunger 91 is cut off, the air is released, so when the cover member 131 mounted on the cartridge holder 8 described later is opened, By configuring the electromagnetic plunger 91 to be de-energized, the air pressure applied to each ink cartridge 9 as the cover member 131 is opened is released.

  Further, when the operating power of the recording apparatus is turned off, the energization to the electromagnetic plunger 91 is also cut off, so that the pressure is automatically released in the resting state of the recording apparatus. As a result, when the recording apparatus is not used, the air pressure applied to the ink cartridge 9 is released, and problems such as inducing leakage of ink from the ink cartridge 9 due to the residual air pressure during the rest of the recording apparatus are avoided. Can do.

  FIG. 5 shows the end portion on the one surface side of the ink cartridge 9 formed as described above in a sectional state, and the ink cartridge is connected to the connection mechanism 55 disposed in the cartridge holder 8 on the recording apparatus side. 9 shows a state where 9 is attached (or removed). As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of positioning pins 56 formed in a columnar shape are disposed on the cartridge holder 8 side, and the pair of positioning opening holes 51 formed on the ink cartridge 9 side include Each positioning pin 56 is configured to surround and be mounted.

  As described above, since the positioning opening holes 51 are disposed at two positions along the longitudinal direction of the one surface of the case on the ink cartridge 9 side, the two holes disposed on the recording apparatus side are provided. By mounting the positioning pin 56 on the base end portion, the positioning of the ink cartridge 9 in the three-dimensional direction can be achieved. When the ink cartridge 9 is attached to the positioning pin 56, the hollow ink outlet tube 57 disposed substantially at the center between the pair of positioning pins 56 constitutes an ink outlet from the ink pack 24. Then, it is inserted into the plug body 50 so that ink can be led out from the ink cartridge 9.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 9 is mounted, the pressurized air inlet 52 is connected to the pressurized air outlet 58 disposed on the cartridge holder 8 side, and the pressurized air can be introduced to the ink cartridge 9 side. Be ready. Further, a terminal mechanism 59 having a plurality of contact pieces is connected to the circuit board 53 arranged on the ink cartridge 9 side, and data is exchanged with the semiconductor storage means provided on the circuit board 53. Ready to do it. When the ink cartridge 9 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, the circuit board 53 disposed on the ink cartridge 9 side is mounted in a vertically placed state that is positioned above in the gravity direction as shown in the drawing.

  Here, the inlet 52 of the pressurized air provided in the ink cartridge has a hollow cylindrical shape formed integrally with the cartridge case, and is in the axial direction on the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical body constituting the inlet 52. The length is preferably formed in the range of 2 to 20 mm. That is, it is desirable that the cylindrical surface of this cylindrical body has a uniform diameter along the axial direction in order to connect to the pressurized air outlet 58 disposed on the cartridge holder 8 side.

  In FIG. 6, when the ink cartridge 9 is attached, a hollow ink outlet tube 57 disposed on the holder side is inserted into the plug body 50 that forms an ink outlet port from the ink pack 24, and ink is discharged from the ink cartridge 9. The state which can be derived | led-out is shown with sectional drawing. FIG. 6A shows a state before both are connected, and FIG. 6B shows a state where both are connected. A rubber packing 50a formed in an annular shape is fitted into an outlet portion in the plug body 50 on the ink pack 24 side.

  On the other hand, a movable body 50b adapted to be movable in the axial direction is accommodated in the plug body 50. And the said movable body 50b is comprised so that the annular | circular shaped center part in the said rubber packing 50a may be obstruct | occluded with the urging | biasing force of the coil-shaped spring member 50c. The hollow ink lead-out tube 57 disposed on the cartridge holder 8 side has an opening 57a on the side surface near the tip.

  Therefore, in the state of FIG. 6A in which the ink cartridge 9 as the cartridge is not mounted on the recording apparatus side, the movable body 50b moves the annular central portion of the rubber packing 50a by the urging force of the coiled spring member 50c. Since the plug body 50 is closed, the plug body 50 is closed, and leakage of ink from the ink pack 24 can be prevented.

  When the ink cartridge 9 is mounted on the recording apparatus, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the tip of the ink outlet tube 57 has the movable member 50b placed inside against the urging force of the spring member 50c. Therefore, an ink flow path indicated by an arrow is formed, and ink is led out. In this case, the annular inner diameter portion of the rubber packing 50a is brought into close contact with the outer shape portion of the ink outlet tube 57, so that leakage of ink from the portion can be prevented.

  FIG. 7 shows a partial configuration of the cartridge holder 8 described above. The cartridge holder 8 is provided with a cover member 131 that is opened when the ink cartridge 9 is attached and detached. That is, the cover member 131 is disposed in front of the opening of the cartridge holder 8, and the rotation shaft 131a is supported by a support hole (not shown) formed on the recording apparatus main body side (not shown). The front surface of the cartridge holder 8 is opened (state shown by a solid line) or closed (state shown by a chain line) with 131a as a rotation center.

  Inside the cover member 131 in the closed state, a plurality of operation levers 132 are arranged corresponding to the ink cartridges 9 loaded in the cartridge holder 8. A locking hole 132a is formed in the base end portion of the operation lever 132, and is rotatably supported by a support rod (not shown) that is inserted into and supported by the locking hole 132a in each operation lever 132. ing.

  The operation lever 132 can be loaded or unloaded by rotating the operation lever 132 in the same direction as the opening direction of the cover member 131 in a state where the cover member 131 is opened. That is, when the ink cartridge 9 is loaded in the cartridge holder 8, the ink cartridge 9 is inserted into the cartridge holder 8 with the operation lever 132 rotated in the same direction as the opening direction of the cover member 131, and the operation lever 132 By raising 132, the pressing portion 132b formed on the operation lever 132 comes into contact with the front end portion of the ink cartridge 9, and the ink cartridge 9 is loaded on the cartridge holder 8 side according to the lever principle.

  Further, when pulling out the ink cartridge 9 loaded on the cartridge holder 8 side, the operation lever 132 is also rotated in the same direction as the opening direction of the cover member 131, which is not shown in the drawing. The ink cartridge 9 is pushed out from the back side through a link rod engaged with a part of the operation lever 132. Therefore, the ink cartridge 9 pushed out toward the front can be easily pulled out.

  The cartridge holder 8 is further provided with a switch 133 that detects opening of the cover member 131. The switch 133 is turned on in contact with the back surface of the cover member 131 when the cover member 131 is closed as shown in FIG. 7, and is turned off when the cover member 131 is opened. For example, a tact switch is used.

  This switch 133 controls the energization of the electromagnetic plunger 91 in the pressure regulating valve 22 that also serves as the above-described atmospheric release valve, and the electromagnetic plunger when the switch 133 is on, that is, when the cover member 131 is closed. 91 can be energized, and acts to cut off the energization to the electromagnetic plunger 91 when the switch 133 is in an OFF state, that is, when the cover member 131 is opened.

  Therefore, in the state where the operation power supply to the recording apparatus is turned on, for example, when the ink cartridge 9 is to be pulled out from the cartridge holder 8, the electromagnetic plunger 91 is moved to the electromagnetic plunger 91 based on the opening of the cover member 131 provided in the cartridge holder 8. Is turned off. As a result, the pressure adjusting valve 22 that also serves as the above-described atmosphere release valve is opened, and the pressurized air that is attached to the cartridge holder 8 and applied to the ink cartridge 9 is released.

  FIG. 8 is a first embodiment of a fluid ejection device of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA showing the state where the ink cartridge 9 is inserted into the cartridge holder 8 and the actuator 40 is operating. FIG. 8B is a view seen from the ink supply side, and FIG. 8C is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the operation of the actuator 40 is released. In the following description, the cover member 131, the operation lever 132, and the switch 133 are not shown for convenience of description.

  In this example, the actuator 40 provided in the cartridge holder 8 changes the action member acting on the ink cartridge 9 by the pressure of the air pressurizing pump 21, and the accommodated ink is used as the action member. An engaging claw 44 as an engaging member that engages with an engaging recess 43 that is an engaged portion provided in the cartridge 9 is used.

  More specifically, the cartridge holder 8 is provided with an actuator 40 on the lower side. The actuator 40 is provided in the actuator box 49 with an engaging claw 44, a biasing member 45 made of a compression spring, an air pressure member. A bellows 46 or the like that operates with pressure applied from the pressure pump 21 is accommodated.

  In the upper part of the actuator box 49, an opening 39 is formed through which the engaging claw 44 is inserted to advance and retract. On the other hand, the ink cartridge 9 is formed with an engaging recess 43 for engaging the engaging claw 44 at a position corresponding to the opening 39 in a state where it is loaded in the cartridge holder 8.

  The engaging claw 44 is formed with a downwardly inclined surface on the side where the ink cartridge 9 is inserted, and even if the upper end portion of the engaging claw 44 slightly protrudes from the opening 39, the loading operation of the ink cartridge 9 is hindered. It does not occur. Further, below the engagement claw 44, a guide member 47 having a cylindrical shape is provided that fits in the actuator box 49 and slides up and down.

  The guide member 47 slides up and down between the stepped portion 38 provided on the inner surface of the actuator box 49 and the bottom of the actuator box 49, and regulates the vertical movement width of the engaging claw 44. Yes.

  A biasing member 45 that biases the engaging claw 44 downward between the ceiling portion of the actuator box 49 and the guide member 47 is attached to the outer periphery of the engaging claw 44. When the urging force of the urging member 45 does not apply pressure from the air pressurizing pump 21, the engaging claw 44 is urged downward so that the tip of the engaging claw 44 is hidden in the opening 39. It is configured.

  A bellows 46 that expands and contracts when pressurized air from the air pressurizing pump 21 is introduced is provided below the engaging claw 44, that is, inside the guide member 47. The bellows 46 communicates with a pressurized air introduction port 48 so that pressurized air from the air pressure pump 21 is introduced from the pressurized air introduction port 48.

  With such a configuration, when the ink cartridge 9 is loaded in the cartridge holder 8 and the apparatus is turned on with the cover member 131 of the cartridge holder 8 being bound, the air pressure pump 21 is operated. Pressurized air is introduced into the bellows 46 from the pressurized air inlet 48, and the bellows 46 extends. As a result, the engaging claw 44 rises in the actuator box 49 against the urging force of the urging member 45, and the tip of the engaging claw 44 jumps out of the opening 39 and enters the engaging recess 43 to engage. The nail | claw 44 and the engagement recessed part 43 engage. Thereby, the ink cartridge 9 is prevented from coming off.

  When the cover member 131 of the cartridge holder 8 is opened or the operation power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off, and the pressure regulating valve 22 that also serves as the atmosphere release valve is opened to the atmosphere, the bellows 46 in the actuator 40 is opened. The pressurized air inside is released, and the engaging claw 44 is urged downward by the urging force of the urging member 45, and the bellows 46 is contracted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8C, the engagement claw 44 moves downward, the tip of the engagement claw 44 comes out of the engagement recess 43, the engagement is released, and it is hidden in the opening 39. In this state, the ink cartridge 9 can be easily removed from the cartridge holder 8.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a take-out preventing unit that prevents the ink cartridge 9 from being taken out by acting on the ink cartridge 9 accommodated in the cartridge holder 8 by the pressure of the air pressurizing pump 21. Therefore, while the applied pressure of the air pressurizing pump 21 remains, the removal preventing means functions with the remaining applied pressure and the ink cartridge 9 is not removed. For this reason, as in the prior art, the ink cartridge 9 is forcibly pulled out while the pressure of the air pressurizing pump 21 remains, and ink leaks from the ink cartridge 9 where the pressure remains and contaminates the surroundings. There is no problem of damaging the ink supply connection plug to which the ink cartridge 9 or the cartridge holder 8 is connected.

  The take-out prevention means includes an actuator 40 that varies the action member acting on the ink cartridge 9 by the pressure of the air pressurization pump 21. As a result of the operation of the actuator 40, the ink cartridge 9 can be reliably prevented from being taken out.

  Further, since the action member is an engagement claw 44 that engages with the engagement recess 43 provided in the accommodated ink cartridge 9, the engagement member 44 and the engagement recess 43 are engaged in the pressurized state. Removal of the ink cartridge 9 is reliably prevented.

  Further, since the pressure applied to the actuator 40 and the pressure applied to the ink cartridge 9 are substantially equal, the pressure in the ink cartridge 9 and the actuator 40 are operated. Since the applied pressure is substantially equal, the applied pressure in the ink cartridge 9 does not remain when the actuator 40 is released and the ink cartridge 9 can be taken out. The dripping can be surely prevented.

  FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

  In this example, the actuator 40 includes an opening 63 formed in the cartridge holder 8, an actuator box 66 provided so as to cover the opening 63, and a diaphragm member 62 as an action member in the actuator box 66. Is attached so as to cover the opening 63. In this example, the diaphragm member 62 is made of a sheet material made of rubber, elastomer, or the like, and also functions as a high friction coefficient member that contacts the accommodated ink cartridge 9 with a large static friction coefficient. A space below the diaphragm member 62 in the actuator box 66 is formed in the pressure chamber 61.

  On the other hand, the ink cartridge 9 is formed with a shallow concave portion 64 at a portion facing the opening 63 in a state of being accommodated in the cartridge holder 8, and the concave portion 64 is opposed to the diaphragm member 62 as a high friction coefficient member. A contact member 65 that is in contact with a large static friction coefficient is attached. As the contact member, a sheet material made of rubber or elastomer is used. The depth of the concave portion 64 is set to such a depth that the surface of the adhered contact member 65 does not protrude from the side surface of the ink cartridge 9, thereby hindering the operation of inserting / removing the ink cartridge 9 into / from the cartridge holder 8. It is supposed not to come.

  With such a configuration, when the ink cartridge 9 is loaded in the cartridge holder 8 and the apparatus is turned on with the cover member 131 of the cartridge holder 8 being bound, the air pressure pump 21 is operated. Pressurized air is introduced into the pressure chamber 61 from the pressurized air introduction port 48, and the diaphragm member 62 made of a flexible sheet is displaced toward the ink cartridge 9 and swells from the opening 63 toward the ink cartridge 9. Put out. Thereby, the diaphragm member 62 contacts the contact member 65 with a high coefficient of static friction, and the ink cartridge 9 is prevented from coming off.

  When the cover member 131 of the cartridge holder 8 is opened or the operation power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off, and the pressure adjustment valve 22 that also serves as the atmosphere release valve is opened to the atmosphere, the pressure chamber 61 is pressurized. The compressed air is released, the diaphragm member 62 returns to the original state, the diaphragm member 62 and the contact member 65 are separated, and the ink cartridge 9 can be easily removed from the cartridge holder 8.

  As a modified example, a contact member that contacts the high friction coefficient member provided in the accommodated ink cartridge 9 with a large static friction coefficient may be used as the action member.

  As the high friction coefficient member and the contact member, various materials can be applied as long as they are in contact with the mating material in a state where the coefficient of static friction is large. For example, rubber sheet, elastomer sheet, polyurethane sheet, emery paper Etc. can be used.

  According to this example, since the action member is the diaphragm member 62 that is displaced toward the accommodated ink cartridge 9, the action member is the diaphragm member 62 so that the ink cartridge 9 can be reliably taken out even with a small applied pressure. Can be prevented.

  Further, since the action member is a high friction coefficient member that contacts the accommodated ink cartridge 9 with a large static friction coefficient, the high friction coefficient member comes into contact with the ink cartridge 9 with a large static friction coefficient. In this way, the ink cartridge 9 can be reliably prevented from being removed in the pressurized state.

  Further, since the action member is a contact member that contacts the high friction coefficient member provided in the accommodated ink cartridge 9 with a large static friction coefficient, the contact member has a static friction coefficient with respect to the high friction coefficient member. By contacting in a large state, the ink cartridge 9 can be reliably prevented from being pulled out in the pressurized state.

  FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

  In this example, the actuator 40 includes an opening 63 formed in the cartridge holder 8, an actuator box 66 provided so as to cover the opening 63, and a diaphragm member 67 as an action member in the actuator box 66. Is provided at a distance from the ink cartridge 9. In this example, the diaphragm member 67 is made of a sheet material made of resin, hard rubber, or the like, and can be displaced with respect to the ink cartridge 9 in the actuator box 66. A space below the diaphragm member 67 in the actuator box 66 is formed in the pressure chamber 61, and a space on the ink cartridge 9 side is formed in the working space.

  An engagement protrusion 68 as an engagement portion is formed on the surface of the diaphragm member 67 on the ink cartridge 9 side. On the other hand, the ink cartridge 9 is formed with an engaging recess 69 as an engaged portion at a portion facing the engaging protrusion 68 in a state of being accommodated in the cartridge holder 8.

  With such a configuration, when the ink cartridge 9 is loaded in the cartridge holder 8 and the apparatus is turned on with the cover member 131 of the cartridge holder 8 being bound, the air pressure pump 21 is operated. Pressurized air is introduced into the pressure chamber 61 from the pressurized air inlet 48, the diaphragm member 67 made of a flexible sheet is displaced toward the ink cartridge 9, and the engagement protrusion 68 engages with the engagement recess 69. To do. By this engagement, the ink cartridge 9 is prevented from coming off.

  When the cover member 131 of the cartridge holder 8 is opened or the operation power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off, and the pressure adjustment valve 22 that also serves as the atmosphere release valve is opened to the atmosphere, the pressure chamber 61 is pressurized. The compressed air is released and the diaphragm member 67 returns to the original state, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 68 of the diaphragm member 67 and the engagement recess 69 of the ink cartridge 9 is released, and the ink cartridge 9 can be easily removed from the cartridge holder 8. Will be ready to

  As described above, since the working member is the diaphragm member 67 that is displaced toward the accommodated ink cartridge 9, the ink cartridge 9 can be reliably prevented from being taken out even with a small applied pressure. Further, since the diaphragm member 67 is formed with the engagement protrusion 68 that engages with the engagement recess 69 formed in the ink cartridge 9, the engagement protrusion 68 and the engagement recess 69 are formed by the displacement of the diaphragm member 67. By engaging, removal of the ink cartridge 9 in the pressurized state is reliably prevented.

  As a modified example, a flexible sheet such as a rubber sheet is attached to a portion of the ink cartridge 9 that faces the diaphragm member 67, a protrusion is provided on the diaphragm member 67, and the diaphragm member 67 is flexible by displacement. It is also possible to prevent the ink cartridge 9 from coming off by causing protrusions to bite into the sheet.

  FIG. 11 is a front view of the cartridge holder 8 in which the ink cartridge 9 is accommodated according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In this example, one common actuator 40 is provided for the four ink cartridges 9. That is, the pressure chamber 61 and the diaphragm member 67 are common to the four ink cartridges 9, and the diaphragm member 67 has four engagement protrusions 68 that engage with the engagement recesses 69 formed in each ink cartridge 9. Is formed. In this example, the actuator 40 described in FIG. 10 is formed so as to be shared by the four ink cartridges 9. However, the actuator 40 shown in FIG. 8 and the actuator 40 shown in FIG. It can also be provided in common.

  FIG. 12 is a front view of the cartridge holder 8 in which the ink cartridge 9 is accommodated according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In this example, each of the four ink cartridges 9 is provided with an individual actuator 40. That is, the pressure chamber 61 and the diaphragm member 67 are individually provided corresponding to each of the four ink cartridges 9. In addition, individual actuating valves 71 for individually actuating each actuator 40 are provided.

  In this example, the actuators 40 described in FIG. 10 are individually provided in the four ink cartridges 9, but the actuator 40 shown in FIG. 8 or the actuator 40 shown in FIG. Each can be provided individually. Alternatively, the actuators 40 may be provided individually, and the four actuators 40 may be driven simultaneously with the common operation valve 71.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, It is the meaning including the following modifications.

  In each said embodiment, as the air pressurization pump 21, various pumps, such as a tube pump, a piston pump, a diaphragm pump, are employable, for example.

  As a pressure generating mechanism for ejecting ink from the nozzles of the recording head 6, a mechanism using a piezoelectric vibrator or a mechanism for ejecting ink with a pressure generated by generating bubbles by a heating element may be applied. it can.

  In addition, the fluid targeted by the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the liquid such as the ink described above, but targets various fluids such as metal paste, powder, liquid crystal, and other high viscosity materials. It is the purpose. As a typical example of the fluid ejecting apparatus, there is an ink jet recording apparatus provided with the ink jet recording head for image recording as described above. However, the present invention is an example of another fluid ejecting apparatus such as a liquid crystal display. Device with color material ejection head used for color filter production, device with electrode material (conductive paste) ejection head used for electrode formation such as organic EL display, surface emitting display (FED), etc., used for biochip production The present invention can be applied to various fluid ejecting apparatuses such as an apparatus having a bio-organic matter ejecting head and an apparatus having a sample ejecting head as a precision pipette.

1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an ink supply system from an ink cartridge to a recording head. The partial cross section figure which shows the state where the on-off valve unit functions as a pressure regulating valve. The partial cross section figure which shows the state where the on-off valve unit was in the air release state. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the configuration of an ink cartridge and a cartridge holder. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where an ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder. The perspective view which showed a part of structure of the cartridge holder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS (A) sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention, (B) Front view, (C) Partial sectional drawing. Sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows 4th Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage, 2 Carriage motor, 3 Timing belt, 4 Scanning guide member, 5 Paper feed member, 6 Recording head, 6a Nozzle opening, 7 Sub tank, 7a-7d Sub tank, 8 Cartridge holder, 9 Ink cartridge, 9a-9d Ink cartridge , 10 Ink supply tube, 11 Capping means, 11a Cap member, 12 Wiping member, 21 Air pressure pump, 22 Pressure adjustment valve, 23 Pressure detector, 24 Ink pack, 25 Pressure chamber, 26 Ink supply valve, 27 Case, 31 Float member, 32 Permanent magnet, 33a, 33b Hall element, 34 Substrate, 35 Valve, 36 Tube, 38 Step, 39 Opening, 40 Actuator, 41 Cartridge pressure tube, 42 Actuator pressure Chu 43, 43 engagement recess, 44 engagement claw, 45 biasing member, 46 bellows, 47 guide member, 48 pressurized air inlet, 49 actuator box, 50 plug body, 50a rubber packing, 50b movable body, 50c spring member , 51 opening hole, 52 introduction port, 53 circuit board, 55 connection mechanism, 56 positioning pin, 57 ink outlet tube, 57a opening, 58 delivery port, 59 terminal mechanism, 61 pressure chamber, 62 diaphragm member, 63 opening, 64 Recess, 65 Contact member, 66 Actuator box, 67 Diaphragm member, 68 Engagement protrusion, 69 Engagement recess, 71 Actuating valve, 81 Open / close valve unit, 81a Upper case, 81b Lower case, 82 Diaphragm valve, 83 Air chamber, 84a 84b Connection pipe 84c Vent hole 85 Drive shaft 86 Spring seat 8 Spring member, 88 engagement head, 89 support shaft, 90 drive lever, 91 electromagnetic plunger, 91a actuating rod, 93 tension spring, 131 cover member, 131a rotating shaft, 132 operation lever, 132a locking hole, 132b pushing Part, 133 switch

Claims (8)

An ejection head for ejecting fluid from a nozzle upon receiving a supply of fluid from the fluid cartridge; and a pressurizing pump for applying a pressurizing force to the fluid cartridge. A fluid ejection device configured to supply fluid,
The cartridge holder in which the fluid cartridge is accommodated is provided with a removal preventing means for preventing the fluid cartridge from being removed by acting on the fluid cartridge accommodated by the pressurizing force of the pressure pump. Fluid ejecting apparatus.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the take-out prevention unit includes an actuator that causes an action member acting on the fluid cartridge to fluctuate according to the pressure applied by the pressurizing pump.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the action member is an engaging member that engages with an engaged portion provided in the accommodated fluid cartridge.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the action member is a diaphragm member that is displaced toward the accommodated fluid cartridge.   5. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the action member is a high friction coefficient member that comes into contact with the accommodated fluid cartridge in a state in which a static friction coefficient is large.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the action member is a contact member that comes into contact with a high friction coefficient member provided in the accommodated fluid cartridge in a state having a large static friction coefficient.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the diaphragm member is formed with an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion formed in the fluid cartridge.   8. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure applied to the actuator is substantially equal to the pressure applied to the fluid cartridge. 9.

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