JP2010208261A - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove foreign matter on an electric contact provided in an ink cartridge by using the movement of the ink cartridge and to avoid attaching of the removed foreign matter to the liquid leading-out port of the ink cartridge and the liquid supply port of a cartridge holder. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid ejection device includes a brush 41 and a brush moving means 42, The brush 41 is provided according to a moving path of the ink cartridge 21 through which the ink cartridge 21 is attached and detached to and from the cartridge holder 22, wherein the ink cartridge 21 has an electric contact provided in an outer wall surface adjacent to a wall surface in which an ink leading-out port is provided, and the brush 41 is movable to a cleaning position where the foreign matter on the electric contact can be removed therefrom when the ink cartridge 21 is moved, and a separation position where the brush 41 can not come in contact with the electric contact. The brush moving means 42 moves the brush 41 to the cleaning position, when the ink cartridge 21 is attached to the cartridge holder 22 and moves the brush 41 to the separation position, when the ink cartridge 21 is detached from the cartridge holder 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus, and more particularly, to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a container mounting portion to which a liquid container including an information storage unit is detachably mounted.

  Conventionally, an ink jet printer is widely known as a kind of liquid ejecting apparatus. Other liquid ejecting apparatuses include, for example, an apparatus having a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode of an organic EL display, a surface emitting display (FED), etc. ) A device equipped with an ejection head, a device equipped with a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, and the like.

  As a liquid supply method for a liquid ejecting apparatus typified by an ink jet printer, there is a method of supplying a liquid to a liquid ejecting head from a liquid container storing the liquid. Further, the liquid supply method using the liquid container is configured to be detachable from the liquid ejecting apparatus so that the user can easily replace the liquid container when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed. Generally, a liquid container is configured as a cartridge.

  In general, an ink jet printer includes a carriage mounted with a recording head for ejecting ink droplets and reciprocating along a recording surface of a recording medium. As a method for supplying ink from an ink cartridge to a recording head, ink is applied to the carriage. There is a system in which a cartridge is mounted and ink is supplied to the recording head from an ink cartridge that reciprocates with the recording head. As another method, there is a method in which an ink cartridge is mounted on the case of the apparatus main body and the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head via an ink flow path formed by a flexible tube or the like.

  The ink cartridge is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting portion (container mounting portion) provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus. The ink cartridge also includes a circuit board on which an IC (semiconductor storage element) that stores information such as the type of ink and the remaining amount is mounted. The circuit board has a liquid outlet (ink outlet) of the ink cartridge. It is provided in the outer wall surface adjacent to the provided wall surface (for example, refer patent document 1). The surface of the circuit board is electrically connected to the IC and is provided with an electrical contact (cartridge side electrode) that contacts the cartridge mounting portion side electrode so as to be electrically connected to the control unit of the ink jet printer. ing.

  If the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion in the presence of foreign matter such as paper dust or dust on the electrical contact, there is a problem that a contact failure between the cartridge mounting portion side electrode and the electrical contact occurs. Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge mounting portion 71 is provided with a brush 74 at a position that can face the circuit board 73 of the ink cartridge 72 when the ink cartridge 72 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 71. is there. In this configuration, when the ink cartridge 72 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 71, the foreign matter on the electrical contacts of the circuit board 73 is removed by the brush 74 during the movement in the mounting direction (arrow A direction).

JP 2005-74749 A

  However, in the prior art, since the brush 74 is fixed at a predetermined position, when the ink cartridge 72 is detached from the cartridge mounting portion 71, the foreign matter adhering to the brush 74 falls and the liquid outlet port of the ink cartridge 72 is removed. There is a possibility of adhering to the ink supply port of 72a or the cartridge mounting portion 71. The removal of the ink cartridge 72 from the cartridge mounting portion 71 may be performed not only when the ink in the ink cartridge 72 runs out, but also in a state before the ink runs out. If foreign matter adheres to the liquid outlet port 72a of the ink cartridge 72 or the ink supply port of the cartridge mounting portion 71, ink leaks or becomes clogged when the ink cartridge 72 is next mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 71. Occur. Such a problem occurs not only in an ink jet printer but also in a liquid ejecting apparatus that uses a cartridge type liquid container having a similar configuration.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to remove a foreign substance on an electrical contact of an information storage means provided on an outer wall surface of a liquid container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus which can be used by using movement at the time of mounting to a liquid and can prevent the removed foreign matter from adhering to the liquid outlet port of the liquid container and the liquid supply port of the container mounting portion. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a container mounting portion to which a liquid container is detachably mounted, the liquid container including information storage means, and an electrical contact of the liquid container. A liquid ejecting apparatus provided on an outer wall surface adjacent to a wall surface provided with a liquid outlet port, wherein the liquid container is provided corresponding to a movement path when the liquid container is attached to or detached from the container mounting portion. A cleaning member provided so as to be movable to a cleaning position where foreign matter on the electrical contact can be removed from the electrical contact, and a separation position where the electrical contact cannot be contacted. And a cleaning member moving means for moving the container to the cleaning position when the container is mounted on the container mounting section and to move to the separation position when the liquid container is detached from the container mounting section.

  According to this configuration, even when a foreign object exists on the electrical contact of the information storage means provided in the liquid container, the cleaning is moved to the cleaning position when the liquid container is moved in the direction in which the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. Since the member contacts the foreign matter and removes the foreign matter from the electrical contact, poor contact between the electrical contact and the container mounting portion side electrode in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion is avoided. Further, when the liquid container is removed from the container mounting portion, the cleaning member is moved to the separated position, so that the foreign matter adhering to the cleaning member is prevented from falling, and the foreign matter is removed from the liquid outlet of the liquid container or the container mounting portion. Adhering to the liquid supply port can be avoided.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the cleaning member is driven to fly the foreign matter toward the side opposite to the liquid outlet when the foreign matter is removed. According to this configuration, since the cleaning member removes the foreign matter so as to fly away, it is avoided that the driving of the cleaning member is stopped while the foreign matter is attached to the cleaning member, and cleaning is performed when the liquid container is removed from the container mounting portion. Even if an impact is applied to the member, the foreign matter does not fall from the cleaning member. Further, since the direction in which the foreign matter is blown is opposite to the liquid outlet port of the liquid container, the removed foreign matter is prevented from adhering to the liquid outlet port of the liquid container or the liquid supply port of the container mounting portion.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention, the cleaning member is a rotating brush. According to this configuration, the cleaning member can intermittently and repeatedly clean the same portion of the electrical contact with a simple configuration, and foreign matter can be more reliably removed.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the cleaning member moving unit may include a rack that can move in the same direction as the liquid container, a sun gear that meshes with the rack, and a base end that is relative to the axis of the sun gear. The planetary gear meshed with the sun gear at the tip is supported so as to be rotatable, and the arm that supports the cleaning member and the cleaning member is moved from the cleaning position to the separated position. A first stopper that contacts the arm when the arm is rotated in the moving direction and positions the arm in the separated position, and a direction in which the cleaning member is moved from the separated position to the cleaning position. A second stopper that contacts the arm when the arm rotates and positions the arm at the cleaning position.

  According to this configuration, the cleaning member is supported by the arm constituting the planetary gear mechanism and moved and arranged between the cleaning position and the separation position. When the liquid container is moved to the mounting side, the arm is rotated in the same direction as the sun gear, that is, in the direction in which the cleaning member is moved closer to the cleaning position from the separated position, and the second container is brought into contact with the second stopper during the movement of the liquid container. After contact, even if the rotation is restricted and the rotation of the sun gear in the same direction is continued, the sun gear is held at the cleaning position. Then, while the cleaning member is positioned at the cleaning position, while the liquid container is moved until it is mounted on the container mounting portion, the cleaning member moves the foreign matter together with the planetary gear at the cleaning position against the liquid outlet of the liquid container. It is rotated so as to fly to the side, and the foreign matter on the electrical contact is removed by the cleaning member. When the liquid container mounted on the container mounting portion is moved in the detaching direction, the arm is rotated in a direction to move the cleaning member away from the cleaning position, and abuts against the first stopper during the movement of the liquid container. After that, even if the sun gear continues to rotate in the same direction, it is held at the separated position. Therefore, the cleaning member is reliably moved to the cleaning position and the separation position with the movement of the liquid container, and the movement range of the arm can be set to an appropriate range with a simple configuration.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention, the rotating brush is formed integrally with the planetary gear. According to this configuration, the mechanism for driving the rotating brush can be shared with the cleaning member moving means, and the number of parts is small compared to the case where the mechanism for driving the rotating brush is provided separately from the cleaning member moving means, and the configuration is It becomes simple and it becomes easy to secure the installation space.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the container mounting portion may include a slider that is connected to a side of the liquid container on which the liquid outlet is provided and is slidable in the mounting / detaching direction of the liquid container. The rack is formed integrally with the slider. According to this configuration, the configuration of the liquid container becomes simpler than the configuration in which the rack is provided in the liquid container.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. (A) is a perspective view of a 1st ink supply part, (b) is a perspective view of a 2nd ink supply part. The perspective view of an ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a side view of a state in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the middle of inserting an ink cartridge into a cartridge holder. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a relationship between a brush moving unit and an ink cartridge. (A) is a schematic side view showing the state of the brush moving means before the ink cartridge comes into contact with the slider and the pressing force is applied, and (b) is a diagram in which the slider is pushed by the ink cartridge and the brush is arranged at the cleaning position. FIG. 5C is a schematic side view showing a state where the slider is further pushed by the ink cartridge and moved to the mounting position. The schematic side view which shows the relationship between the brush of a prior art, and the circuit board of an ink cartridge.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the terms “front-rear direction”, “up-down direction”, and “left-right direction” refer to “front-rear direction”, “up-down direction” indicated by arrows in each of FIGS. “Direction” and “left-right direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame 12. A platen 13 extends in the left-right direction in the frame 12, and recording paper (all not shown) is fed onto the platen 13 by a paper feed mechanism.

  A guide shaft 14 is installed in the frame 12 in parallel with the platen 13. A carriage 15 is supported on the guide shaft 14 so as to be capable of reciprocating along the axial direction (left-right direction) of the guide shaft 14. Further, a carriage motor is provided in the frame 12, and a carriage 15 is drivingly connected to the carriage motor via a timing belt (not shown) that is hung on a pair of pulleys. The carriage 15 is guided by the guide shaft 14 and reciprocates in parallel (main scanning direction) with the platen 13 by driving the carriage motor.

  A recording head 16 as a liquid ejecting head is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 15 (the surface facing the platen 13). The recording head 16 has an opening of a nozzle row (not shown).

  In the frame 12, flow path forming members 17 a and 17 b are disposed on the front side of the platen 13 and supported by the frame 12. One ink flow path (not shown) is formed on the surface of the flow path forming member 17a, and three flow paths (not shown) are formed on the surface of the flow path forming member 17b. In addition, the base end portion of the ink supply tube 18 is connected to one end of each flow path forming member 17a, 17b. Four channels (not shown) are formed in the ink supply tube 18, and the tip portion thereof is connected to the valve unit 15 a on the carriage 15. The flow paths of the ink supply tube 18 communicate with the flow paths of the flow path forming members 17a and 17b, respectively. Thereby, each flow path of each flow path forming member 17a, 17b is connected to each corresponding nozzle of the recording head 16 via each flow path of the ink supply tube 18.

  Connection portions (not shown) of the flow path forming members 17a and 17b are connected to the first ink supply portion 19 and the second ink supply portion 20, respectively. Each ink supply unit 19, 20 passes through each flow path of the flow path forming members 17 a, 17 b and the ink supply tube 18 according to the pressurized air supplied from the pressure pumps P 1, P 2 provided in the frame 12. Thus, ink corresponding to each nozzle of the recording head 16 is supplied. Black ink is supplied to the recording head 16 from the first ink supply unit 19, and cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink are supplied to the recording head 16 from the second ink supply unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the first ink supply unit 19 includes a cartridge holder 22 as a container mounting unit to which an ink cartridge 21 as a liquid container is detachably mounted. The cartridge holder 22 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an insertion port 22 a for inserting the ink cartridge 21 is provided on the front surface of the cartridge holder 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the second ink supply unit 20 includes a cartridge holder 24 as a container mounting unit to which an ink cartridge 23 as a liquid container is detachably mounted. The ink cartridge 23 is formed to have a thickness (width) approximately half that of the ink cartridge 21, and the cartridge holder 24 is configured to be capable of mounting three ink cartridges 23, and three insertions for inserting the ink cartridges 23. The mouth 24a is juxtaposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink cartridge 21 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cartridge case 25, and the cartridge case 25 is filled with two ink packs filled with black ink that is used more frequently than other inks. 26 is accommodated. An attachment hole 27 into which the ink pack 26 is fitted, and an air introduction hole 28 for introducing air into the cartridge case 25, are provided on the rear surface 25a of the cartridge case 25 (side surface of the cartridge holder 22 into the insertion port 22a). A positioning hole 29 is formed. The ink outlet part of the ink pack 26 fitted in the attachment hole 27 constitutes an ink outlet 30 as a liquid outlet of the ink cartridge 21. The pressurized air supplied from the pressure pumps P1 and P2 is introduced into the cartridge case 25 from the air introduction hole 28, whereby the ink in the ink pack 26 is led out from the ink outlet 30. ing.

  The outer wall surface (upper wall surface in this embodiment) adjacent to the rear surface 25a, which is the wall surface provided with the ink outlet 30 of the ink cartridge 21, serves as information storage means for storing information such as ink type and remaining amount. A circuit board 31 on which an IC (semiconductor memory element) is mounted is provided. The circuit board 31 is provided near the rear end of the ink cartridge 21. The surface of the circuit board 31 is electrically connected to the IC and is in contact with a holder side electrode 32 (shown in FIG. 6) provided on the cartridge holder 22 side when the ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the cartridge holder 22. An electrical contact 31a is provided. The semiconductor memory element is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) of the printer 11 with the ink cartridge 21 mounted in the cartridge holder 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pair of supply needles 33 are provided at the center of the rear wall of the cartridge holder 22 so as to penetrate the rear wall. The front end portion of each supply needle 33 is inserted into the ink outlet 30 when the ink cartridge 21 is inserted into the cartridge holder 22. The rear end portion of the supply needle 33 is connected to an ink flow path (not shown) of the flow path forming member 17a.

  A cylindrical air supply member 34 is provided below the supply needle 33 on the rear wall of the cartridge holder 22 so as to penetrate the rear wall. The rear end of the air supply member 34 is connected to a pressure pump P1 (see FIG. 1) via a tube (not shown). When the ink cartridge 21 is attached to the cartridge holder 22, the front end of the air supply member 34 is brought into pressure contact with the air introduction hole 28, and the pressurized air sent from the pressure pump P1 is contained in the cartridge case 25 (see FIG. 4). ) Has been introduced.

  The cartridge holder 22 is connected to the surface of the ink cartridge 21 where the ink outlet 30 is provided, and includes a slider 35 that can slide in the direction in which the ink cartridge 21 is attached or detached. The slider 35 can reciprocate between a first position (the state shown in FIG. 4) located closest to the rear end side and a second position (the state shown in FIG. 5) located closest to the front end side. ing. The slider 35 is located at the second position when the ink cartridge 21 is not inserted into the cartridge holder 22. When the slider 35 is located at the first position, the slider 35 is moved to the second position by the spring 36. It is energized to the side. That is, the slider 35 is urged by the spring 36 in a direction (detachment direction) opposite to the mounting (insertion) direction of the ink cartridge 21.

  The slider 35 has a hole through which the supply needle 33 is inserted, and the supply needle 33 passes through the hole and is inserted into the ink outlet 30. The slider 35 is provided with a pair of upper and lower convex portions 37 protruding forward. When the ink cartridge 21 is attached to the cartridge holder 22, the convex portion 37 is inserted into the positioning hole 29.

  The cartridge holder 22 is provided with a cleaning device 40 that removes (cleans) foreign matters such as paper dust and dust existing on the electrical contacts 31 a of the circuit board 31 when the ink cartridge 21 is attached to the cartridge holder 22. . The cleaning device 40 is provided corresponding to the movement path when the ink cartridge 21 is attached to and detached from the cartridge holder 22, and is in contact with the cleaning position where the foreign matter on the electrical contact 31a can be removed from the electrical contact 31a and the electrical contact 31a. A brush 41 as a cleaning member provided to be movable to an inseparable separation position and a brush moving means 42 as a cleaning member moving means are provided. The brush moving means 42 moves the brush 41 to the cleaning position when the ink cartridge 21 is attached to the cartridge holder 22, and moves it to the separation position when the ink cartridge 21 is detached from the cartridge holder 22. In this embodiment, a rotating brush is provided as the brush 41, and the brush 41 is configured to fly the foreign matter toward the side opposite to the ink outlet 30 when removing the foreign matter.

  As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the brush moving means 42 is comprised so that the arm 43 which supports the brush 41 may be driven using a planetary gear mechanism. More specifically, the brush moving means 42 includes a rack 44 that can move in the same direction simultaneously with the ink cartridge 21, and a sun gear 45 that meshes with the rack 44. The rack 44 is formed integrally with the slider 35 at the top of the slider 35. The rack 44 is formed so that the tooth portion is substantially at the same height as the upper surface of the ink cartridge 21. The arm 43 has a base end supported by the shaft 46 of the sun gear 45 so as to be capable of relative rotation, and supports a planetary gear 47 meshing with the sun gear 45 at its tip so as to be capable of relative rotation. The brush 41 is formed integrally with the planetary gear 47. In this embodiment, the brush 41 and the planetary gear 47 are integrally formed of resin. In FIG. 6, the teeth of the rack 44, the sun gear 45, and the planetary gear 47 are not shown.

  The arm 43 is rotated in the same direction as the sun gear 45 in a state where the rotation is not restricted. As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the frame of the cartridge holder 22 is moved to the frame when the arm 43 is rotated in the direction in which the brush 41 is moved from the cleaning position to the separation position, that is, FIG. A first stopper 49 is provided that contacts the arm 43 when rotating in the counterclockwise direction of (c) and positions the arm 43 at the separated position. Further, the frame of the cartridge holder 22 abuts on the arm 43 when the arm 43 is rotated in the direction in which the brush 41 is moved from the separation position to the cleaning position, that is, when the arm 43 is rotated clockwise in FIG. Thus, a second stopper 50 is provided for positioning the arm 43 at the cleaning position.

  For this reason, the planetary gear 47 of the sun gear 45 is in a state where the sun gear 45 is rotated in the clockwise direction of FIGS. 7A to 7C in a state where the arm 43 is not in contact with the second stopper 50. After the arm 43 revolves clockwise together with the arm 43 and the arm 43 comes into contact with the second stopper 50, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction at that position (the cleaning position of the brush 41). Further, the planetary gear 47 is configured such that the sun gear 45 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction of FIGS. 7A to 7C in a state where the arm 43 is not in contact with the first stopper 49. After the arm 43 revolves counterclockwise together with the arm 43 and the arm 43 comes into contact with the first stopper 49, it rotates at that position (the position where the brush 41 is separated).

In the cartridge holder 24 constituting the second ink supply unit 20, a cleaning device 40 configured in the same manner as described above is provided in each mounting portion of the three ink cartridges 23.
Next, the operation of the cleaning device 40 of the printer 11 configured as described above will be described in the case of the first ink supply unit 19.

  The slider 35 is located at the second position shown in FIG. 5 when the ink cartridge 21 is not inserted into the cartridge holder 22 or when the slider 35 is not receiving a pressing force from the ink cartridge 21. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A, the arm 43 is in contact with the first stopper 49, and the brush 41 is disposed at a separated position where the ink cartridge 21 cannot be contacted. When the ink cartridge 21 is inserted into the cartridge holder 22 from this state and the slider 35 is moved rearward against the urging force of the spring 36 as the ink cartridge 21 moves, the rack 44 together with the slider 35 is moved to the left in the figure. The sun gear 45 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure. The arm 43 is rotated in the same direction as the sun gear 45, that is, in a direction in which the brush 41 is moved closer to the cleaning position from the separated position, and comes into contact with the second stopper 50 during the movement of the ink cartridge 21. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the ink cartridge 21 has not reached the position where the circuit board 31 contacts the brush 41. After the arm comes into contact with the second stopper 50, the rotation is restricted and the arm is held at the cleaning position even if the sun gear 45 continues to rotate in the same direction. While the brush 41 is positioned at the cleaning position, the brush 41 is moved to the planet holder 22 at the cleaning position while the ink cartridge 21 is moved to the position where the ink cartridge 21 is attached to the cartridge holder 22, that is, until the state shown in FIG. It is rotated together with the gear 47 in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, that is, so as to fly the foreign matter to the side opposite to the ink outlet 30 of the ink cartridge 21. When the ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the cartridge holder 22, the circuit board 31 passes under the brush 41 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the foreign substances on the electrical contacts 31 a are removed by the brush 41 while the circuit board 31 passes below the brush 41 as the ink cartridge 21 moves in the mounting direction.

  On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 21 is removed, that is, when the ink cartridge 21 mounted on the cartridge holder 22 is moved in the removal direction (the right direction in FIGS. 4 and 7C), the slider 35 is moved by the spring 36. The ink cartridge 21 is moved in the same direction as the urging force. Then, the sun gear 45 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, and the arm 43 is also rotated in the same direction as the sun gear 45 around the shaft 46, that is, in the direction away from the cleaning position. Accordingly, the brush 41 immediately comes into contact with the ink cartridge 21 as the ink cartridge 21 moves, and the arm 43 contacts the first stopper 49 during the movement of the ink cartridge 21. Then, after the arm 43 comes into contact with the first stopper 49, the arm 43 is held at the separated position even if the sun gear 45 continues to rotate counterclockwise. Further, the brush 41 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure integrally with the planetary gear 47 at the separated position. However, since the brush 41 is not in contact with the ink cartridge 23 and the circuit board 31, the ink cartridge 21 and the circuit Even if there is a foreign substance on the substrate 31, it is avoided that the foreign substance is scraped off to the ink outlet 30 side.

  In the case of the second ink supply unit 20 as well, when the ink cartridges 23 are mounted on the cartridge holder 24, the electrical contacts 31a on the circuit board 31 are cleaned by the same action as described above. Further, when the ink cartridge 23 is removed from the cartridge holder 24, even if there is a foreign matter on the ink cartridge 23 or the circuit board 31, the foreign matter is prevented from being scraped off to the ink outlet 30 side by the same action.

According to the printer 11 of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The printer 11 includes cartridge holders 22 and 24 into which ink cartridges 21 and 23 are detachably mounted. The ink cartridges 21 and 23 include a circuit board 31 on which a semiconductor memory element is mounted and electrical contacts 31a thereof. The ink cartridges 21 and 23 are provided on the outer wall surface adjacent to the wall surface where the ink outlet port 30 is provided. The printer includes a brush 41 and a brush moving unit 42. The brush moving unit 42 removes foreign matter on the electrical contact 31a on the electrical contact 31a when the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are attached to the cartridge holders 22 and 24. The brush 41 is moved to a removable cleaning position. Further, the brush moving means 42 moves the brush 41 to a separation position where the ink cartridges 21 and 23 cannot be contacted with the electrical contacts 31a when the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are detached from the cartridge holders 22 and 24. Therefore, in the state where the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are mounted on the cartridge holders 22 and 24, poor contact between the electrical contact 31a and the cartridge holder side electrode is avoided. Further, when the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are removed from the cartridge holders 22 and 24, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the ink outlet ports 30 of the ink cartridges 21 and 23 and the ink supply ports of the cartridge holders 22 and 24. .

  (2) When removing the foreign matter, the brush 41 is driven to fly the foreign matter toward the side opposite to the ink outlet 30. Therefore, since the brush 41 is removed so as to fly the foreign matter, it is avoided that the driving of the brush 41 is stopped in a state where the foreign matter is attached to the brush 41, and when the ink cartridges 21, 23 are removed from the cartridge holders 22, 24. Even if an impact is applied to the brush 41, the foreign matter does not fall from the brush 41. Further, since the direction in which the foreign matter is ejected is opposite to the ink outlet port 30 of the ink cartridges 21 and 23, the removed foreign matter adheres to the ink outlet port 30 of the ink cartridges 21 and 23 and the ink supply ports of the cartridge holders 22 and 24. Is avoided.

  (3) Since the brush 41 is a rotating brush, the brush 41 can repeatedly and repeatedly clean the same portion of the electrical contact 31a with a simple configuration, and foreign matter can be removed more reliably. Further, in order to repeatedly clean the electrical contacts 31a with a normal brush as in the case of the rotating brush, the circuit board 31 is arranged in a state where the brush parts are provided in rows and the entire brush parts are pressed against the circuit board 31 or the ink cartridge 21. It is in a state of moving while sliding with the brush, and it is difficult to adjust the frictional force of the brush to an appropriate state. However, with a rotating brush, it is easy to adjust the frictional force of the brush to an appropriate state.

  (4) The brush moving means 42 includes a rack 44 that can move in the same direction simultaneously with the ink cartridges 21 and 23, a sun gear 45 that meshes with the rack 44, and a base end that can rotate relative to the axis of the sun gear 45. A planetary gear 47 that is supported, and that supports the planetary gear 47 that meshes with the sun gear 45 is rotatably supported, and an arm that supports the brush 41 is provided. The brush moving means 42 includes a first stopper 49 and a second stopper 50. The first stopper 49 abuts on the arm 43 when the arm 43 is rotated in the direction in which the brush 41 is moved from the cleaning position to the separation position, and positions the arm 43 at the separation position. The second stopper 50 abuts on the arm 43 when the arm 43 rotates in a direction to move the brush 41 from the separation position to the cleaning position, and positions the arm 43 at the cleaning position. Therefore, the brush 41 is reliably moved to the cleaning position and the separation position as the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are moved, and the movement range of the arm 43 can be set to an appropriate range with a simple configuration.

  (5) The brush 41 (rotating brush) is formed integrally with the planetary gear 47. Therefore, the mechanism for driving the rotating brush can be shared with the brush moving means 42, and the number of parts is reduced compared to the case where the mechanism for driving the rotating brush is provided separately from the brush moving means 42, and the configuration is simplified. In addition, it is easy to secure the installation space.

  (6) The brush 41 (rotating brush) is integrally formed with the planetary gear 47 and resin. Therefore, compared with the case where the brush 41 and the planetary gear 47 are separately formed and then the brush 41 and the planetary gear 47 are fixed together, the manufacturing labor is simplified.

  (7) The cartridge holders 22 and 24 are connected to the side where the ink outlets 30 of the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are provided, and include a slider 35 that can slide in the direction in which the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are attached and detached. The rack 44 is formed integrally with the slider 35. Therefore, the configuration of the ink cartridges 21 and 23 is simpler than the configuration in which the rack 44 is provided in the ink cartridges 21 and 23.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
The brush 41 is not limited to a rotating brush, and a general brush may be fixed to the arm 43. For example, the planetary gear 47 is rotatably supported on the shaft 48, and the brush is fixed to the tip side from the support position of the planetary gear 47 of the shaft 48. In this configuration, the planetary gear mechanism functions only as the brush moving means 42, and when the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are attached to the cartridge holders 22 and 24, the brush is moved to the cleaning position, and the cartridge holders 22 of the ink cartridges 21 and 23. , 24, the brush is moved to the separated position. Also in this case, unlike the prior art, when the ink cartridges 21 and 23 are removed from the cartridge holders 22 and 24, foreign matter adheres to the ink outlets 30 of the ink cartridges 21 and 23 and the ink supply ports of the cartridge holders 22 and 24. Can be avoided.

  The brush moving means 42 is not limited to the configuration in which the brush 41 is moved between the cleaning position and the separation position by a planetary gear mechanism. For example, the slider 35 may be provided with a cam in addition to the rack 44, the arm 43 may be provided with a cam follower, and the arm 43 may be rotated by a cam mechanism to move the brush 41 to the cleaning position and the separation position. The arm 43 is biased by a spring in a direction to bring the brush 41 closer to the cleaning position. In the case of this configuration, the arm 43 is rotated by the planetary gear 47 independently of the rotation of the brush 41, and therefore the sun is taken into consideration when the brush 41 is moved to the cleaning position or moved to the separated position. It is not necessary to set the tooth pitch and diameter of the gear 45 and the planetary gear 47, and the degree of freedom in designing the planetary gear mechanism is increased. Further, the timing for moving the brush 41 to the cleaning position and the timing for moving the brush 41 to the separation position can be freely set by the cam shape regardless of the rotational speed of the sun gear 45.

  The brush 41 is not limited to the rotating brush but may be a general brush even when the arm 43 is rotated by the cam mechanism as the brush moving unit 42. In this case, the rack 44 and the planetary gear mechanism are not required, and the configuration of the cleaning device 40 is simplified.

  -When the structure which rotates the arm 43 with a cam mechanism is employ | adopted as the brush moving means 42, the drive of the brush 41 which consists of rotating brushes is not restricted to the structure performed with a planetary gear mechanism. For example, a gear integrally formed with the brush 41 is rotatably supported by the arm 43, the gear is engaged with the rack 44 in a state where the brush 41 is moved to the cleaning position, and the brush 41 is moved to the separated position. Thus, the gear is configured so that the gear does not mesh with the rack 44. In this case, the configuration for driving the rotating brush becomes simpler than when the planetary gear mechanism is adopted.

  Instead of integrally forming the brush 41 (rotary brush) and the planetary gear 47 or the gear, the brush 41 and the planetary gear 47 or the gear are separately formed, and then the brush 41 and the planetary gear 47 or the gear are integrally formed. It may be fixed. In this case, it is possible to form the brush 41 and the planetary gear 47 or the gear in a more appropriate shape suitable for the purpose, or to manufacture the brush 41 and the planetary gear 47 or the gear with an appropriate material.

  When the configuration in which the arm 43 is rotated by the cam mechanism is adopted as the brush moving means 42, the brush 41 made of a rotating brush may be driven by a friction roller instead of being driven by a gear. For example, a friction roller integrally formed with the brush 41 is rotatably supported by the arm 43, and the slider 35 is provided with a high friction bar instead of the rack. The friction roller is configured so that the friction roller is pressed against the bar when the brush 41 is moved to the cleaning position, and is not pressed against the bar when the brush 41 is moved to the separated position. In this case, the configuration is simple compared to a combination of a gear and a rack.

  After the ink cartridge 21 starts moving to the mounting side integrally with the rack and the brush 41 is disposed at the cleaning position, the amount of rotation of the brush 41 until the ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the cartridge holder 22 is increased. Therefore, the length of the rack 44 may be increased, or the ratio of the number of teeth of the planetary gear 47 and the sun gear 45 may be changed.

The rack 44 may be formed integrally with the ink cartridges 21 and 23 instead of being formed integrally with the slider 35.
The slider 35 may be higher or lower than the upper surfaces of the ink cartridges 21 and 23 without providing the tooth portions so as to be substantially the same height as the upper surfaces of the ink cartridges 21 and 23.

  The brush 41 that is driven to remove the foreign matter toward the side opposite to the ink outlet 30 when removing the foreign matter is not limited to the rotating brush. For example, the arm that supports the brush can be rotated by a cam mechanism so that the brush is disposed at the cleaning position while the circuit board 31 passes below the brush, and is disposed at the separated position at other times. Provide. Further, the brush may be provided on the arm so as to be able to swing, and when the circuit board 31 passes below the brush, the brush may move in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the ink cartridge.

  The ink cartridges 21 and 23 may be applied to those in which the circuit board 31 is provided on the side surface instead of the upper surface of the ink cartridges 21 and 23. In this case, the arrangement of the brush 41, the planetary gear mechanism, the brush moving means 42, and the like is set so that the brush 41 can be moved toward and away from the side surfaces of the ink cartridges 21 and 23.

  The cleaning member is not limited to a brush, and may be any member that can contact the electrical contact 31a and remove foreign matter from the electrical contact 31a. For example, a resin or rubber scraper or a sponge may be used. Or you may.

  The printer 11 is not limited to one that can supply ink of four colors, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. For example, one that can supply ink of six colors, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta. It is good. In addition to the printer 11 that supplies six color inks, in the printer 11 that can supply four color inks including black ink, the ink cartridge for black ink is made the same size as the ink cartridges for other colors. Also good. Further, the printer 11 may be applied to a printer that can supply one color ink.

  -The cartridge holder is not limited to a configuration in which the ink cartridge is accommodated in a vertical orientation in which the thickness direction of the ink cartridge is horizontal, but the cartridge holder is arranged in parallel in the same horizontal plane with the thickness direction of the ink cartridge in the vertical direction. A configuration may be adopted in which the ink cartridge is accommodated in place.

  In the above embodiment, an ink jet printer and an ink cartridge are employed. However, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink and a liquid container containing the liquid are employed. May be. The present invention can be used for various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head that ejects a minute amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a liquid as one state of the substance, as well as particles in which functional material particles made of solid materials such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface light emitting display, a color filter, or the like in a dispersed or dissolved state. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate or the like may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of these types of liquid ejecting apparatuses and liquid containers.

  21, 23... Ink cartridge as a liquid container, 22, 24... Cartridge holder as a container mounting portion, 30... Ink outlet as a liquid outlet, 31 a. 42 ... Brush moving means as cleaning member moving means, 43 ... Arm, 44 ... Rack, 45 ... Sun gear, 46, 48 ... Shaft, 47 ... Planetary gear, 49 ... First stopper, 50 ... Second stopper .

Claims (6)

A container mounting portion on which the liquid container is detachably mounted; the liquid container includes information storage means; and electrical contacts thereof are provided on an outer wall surface adjacent to the wall surface provided with the liquid outlet port of the liquid container. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
A cleaning position provided corresponding to a movement path when the liquid container is attached to and detached from the container mounting portion, and capable of removing foreign matter on the electrical contact from the electrical contact when the liquid container moves; A cleaning member provided movably to a separation position where the contact cannot be made;
Cleaning member moving means for moving the cleaning member to the cleaning position when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion, and to move to the separation position when the liquid container is detached from the container mounting portion; A liquid ejecting apparatus.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is driven to fly the foreign matter toward the side opposite to the liquid outlet when removing the foreign matter.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning member is a rotating brush. The cleaning member moving means includes
A rack movable in the same direction as the liquid container;
A sun gear meshing with the rack;
An arm that supports a planetary gear that is rotatably supported by the shaft of the sun gear and that engages with the sun gear at the tip, and that supports the cleaning member;
A first stopper that contacts the arm during rotation of the arm in a direction to move the cleaning member from the cleaning position to the separation position, and positions the arm at the separation position;
2. A second stopper that contacts the arm when the arm rotates in a direction to move the cleaning member from the separated position to the cleaning position and positions the arm at the cleaning position. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rotating brush is formed integrally with the planetary gear.   The container mounting portion is connected to a side of the liquid container on which the liquid outlet is provided, and includes a slider that can slide in the mounting / detaching direction of the liquid container, and the rack is integrated with the slider. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is formed.

Images