JP2013176999A - Fluid jetting device, fluid container, and method of accommodating fluid container portion - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid jetting device allowing a capacity increase of a fluid containing pack.SOLUTION: A printer 10 includes a printing mechanism section 50 which jets an ink onto a printing sheet, a body housing 20 which accommodates the printing mechanism section 50, an ink pack 310 which stores an ink to be jetted, and an upper housing 30 which turns around a turning shaft 350 and is pivotally attached to the body housing 20 so as to be openable and closable for storing the ink pack 310.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects fluid, and more particularly, to a structure in which a fluid accommodation pack that accommodates a fluid for ejection is disposed in the fluid ejecting apparatus.

  A typical example of the fluid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet printer that ejects ink droplets onto a thin recording medium such as paper or plastic to record characters and figures. In addition, as a fluid ejecting apparatus, a liquid forming a color material, an electrode, etc. in a display manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, a surface emission display (FED), etc. There are some which inject various kinds of materials to the pixel formation region and the electrode formation region.

  The fluid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage on which an ejection head that ejects fluid onto an ejection target is mounted, and adjusts a position at which the fluid is ejected with respect to the ejection target by moving at least one of the carriage and the recording medium. . Some fluid ejecting apparatuses employ a system (so-called off-carriage system) in which a fluid accommodation pack that contains a fluid for ejection is arranged separately from a carriage to reduce a load for driving the carriage. . Patent Document 1 below discloses an off-carriage printer in which an ink cartridge containing an ink pack is inserted into a printer body.

JP-A-2005-47258

  However, conventionally, a configuration that can cope with an increase in the capacity of the fluid containing pack has not been sufficiently considered. For example, it is difficult to secure a space for placing a fluid storage pack with a large capacity in the apparatus, and the increased weight of the fluid storage pack may extend to other adjacent packs and cause fluid leakage. There was a problem.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluid ejecting apparatus that can cope with an increase in capacity of a fluid storage pack.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A fluid ejection device according to Application Example 1 is a fluid ejection device that ejects a fluid, and includes a fluid ejection unit that ejects fluid to an ejection target, and a main body housing that houses the fluid ejection unit. And a fluid storage pack that stores the fluid for ejection, and a storage case that is pivotally mounted about the rotation shaft and is pivotally attached to the body housing so as to be openable and closable, and that stores the fluid storage pack. Features. According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 1, by opening and closing the storage case, it is possible to make contact with the inside of the main body housing covered by the storage case. Can be improved.

  Application Example 2 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to Application Example 1, the storage case may be pivotally attached to the main body housing so as to be openable and closable above the fluid discharge unit. According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 2, as the cover of the fluid discharge unit stored in the main body casing, the storage case is used and the fluid discharge section stored in the main body casing is opened and closed. In addition, it is possible to easily perform maintenance for coping with fluid discharge failure or clogging of the injection target in the paper transport unit.

  Application Example 3 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to Application Example 1 or 2, the fluid storage pack is a plurality of fluid storage packs having a bag portion, and the rotation shaft is substantially disposed on an inner bottom surface of the storage case. The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes an inclined plate installed in the housing case and inclined with respect to the inner bottom surface of the housing case, and one of the bag portions in the fluid housing pack. A plurality of holders on which each of the fluid containing packs is placed in a state where a side surface is in contact with the upper surface of the inclined plate, and the plurality of holders are adjacent to the other holder on the inclined side of the inclined plate. The inclined plate of one of the holders may be arranged in parallel with being shifted along the inner bottom surface of the storage case in a state where the inclined plate of one holder overlaps above the placed fluid storage pack. According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 3, each of the fluid accommodation packs is placed on the inclined plate of the holder. Therefore, while the plurality of fluid accommodation packs are stacked and efficiently accommodated, the weight of the fluid accommodation pack is increased. It can prevent extending to an adjacent pack.

  Application Example 4 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to Application Example 3, the inclined plate of the holder may be configured to contact the fluid containing pack from below in the direction of gravity through the closed state from the closed state to the open state. You may incline with respect to the said inner bottom face of a storage case. According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 3, since the fluid storage pack is held from below through the storage case from the closed state to the open state, the fluid storage pack is excessively pressed against the adjacent holder by its own weight. Can be prevented.

  Application Example 5 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to Application Example 3 or 4, the plurality of holders may be arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the housing case. According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 5, since the height of each of the fluid storage packs held in the storage case is substantially the same from the closed state to the open state of the storage case, it is stored in each of the fluid storage packs. The pressure heads of the fluids can be made substantially the same. Thereby, the ejection quality of the fluid can be improved.

  Application Example 6 A fluid ejection device according to Application Example 6 is a fluid ejection device that ejects fluid, a fluid ejection unit that ejects fluid to an ejection target, and a main body housing that houses the fluid ejection unit. A plurality of fluid containing packs containing the fluid for ejection, a containing case containing the plurality of fluid containing packs, and an inclined plate provided in the containing case and inclined with respect to the inner bottom surface of the containing case And a plurality of holders on which each of the fluid accommodation packs is placed in a state where one side surface of the fluid accommodation pack is in contact with the upper surface of the inclined plate. According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 6, since each of the fluid accommodation packs is mounted on the inclined plate of the holder, it is possible to prevent the weight of the fluid accommodation pack from extending to the adjacent pack. .

  Application Example 7 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to Application Example 6, the plurality of holders may be arranged above the fluid containing pack placed on the other holder adjacent to the inclined plate on the inclined side. In a state where the inclined plates of the holder overlap with each other, they may be arranged side by side along the inner bottom surface of the housing case. According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 7, since each of the fluid accommodation packs is mounted on the inclined plate of the holder, a plurality of fluid accommodation packs can be stacked and efficiently stored.

  Application Example 8 The fluid ejecting apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 3 to 7, further provided on the inner bottom surface of the housing case, wherein the inclined plate is inclined among the plurality of holders arranged side by side. You may provide the holder auxiliary | assistant rib erected toward the downward direction of the said inclination board in the holder located in the edge of the side. Thereby, the holder can be reinforced against the force in the direction in which the inclined plate is inclined.

  [Application Example 9] The fluid ejection device according to any one of Application Examples 3 to 8, further provided on an inner ceiling of the housing case, and a side on which the inclined plate is inclined among the plurality of holders arranged side by side. You may provide the edge part auxiliary | assistant rib hung down along the upper direction of the said fluid accommodation pack mounted in the holder located in the opposite end. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fluid containing pack placed on the holder located at the end opposite to the side where the inclined plate is inclined from being excessively deformed.

  Application Example 10 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 3 to 9, the fluid ejecting apparatus is further provided above the fluid accommodation pack provided on the inner ceiling of the accommodation case and placed on the other holder. The intermediate auxiliary rib may be provided so as to be suspended along a portion sandwiched between the one holder and the other holder. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the upper portion of the fluid containing pack not supported by the back surface of the inclined plate of the adjacent holder from being excessively deformed.

  Application Example 11 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 3 to 10, the holder is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the housing case, and further provided on the inner ceiling of the housing case. You may provide the engaging part engaged with the upper end of the said inclination board in a holder. Thereby, it can suppress that a holder deform | transforms excessively.

  [Application Example 12] A manufacturing method of Application Example 12 is a manufacturing method of a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid, and opens and closes a fluid accommodation pack that contains a fluid for ejection by turning around a rotation axis. It is characterized by comprising a pack housing step for housing in a housing case pivotally attached to the main body housing and a case sealing step for sealing the housing case housing the fluid housing pack. According to the manufacturing method of the application example 10, the storage case is opened and closed during maintenance for dealing with fluid discharge failure and clogging of the injection target in the fluid discharge unit and the paper transport unit stored in the main body housing. Thus, it is possible to manufacture a fluid ejection device that can be easily maintained.

  [Application Example 13] The manufacturing method according to Application Example 12, wherein the fluid storage pack is a plurality of fluid storage packs having flat bag portions, and the rotating shaft is substantially along the inner bottom surface of the storage case. A state in which one side surface of the fluid containing pack is in contact with an upper surface of the inclined plate in a plurality of holders having inclined plates inclined with respect to the inner bottom surface of the containing case. And each of the fluid accommodation packs, and a plurality of holders on which the fluid accommodation packs are placed are placed on the other holders adjacent to each other on the side where the inclined plate is inclined. And a step of arranging them side by side along the inner bottom surface of the housing case in a state where the inclined plate of one holder overlaps above the pack. According to the manufacturing method of the application example 11, it is possible to prevent the weight of the fluid accommodation pack from extending to adjacent packs while efficiently stacking and storing a plurality of fluid accommodation packs.

  [Application Example 14] The manufacturing method of Application Example 14 is a method of manufacturing a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid, and includes a fluid accommodation pack that contains a fluid for ejection inside an accommodation case that accommodates the fluid accommodation pack. A pack housing step of placing the fluid accommodation pack on a holder having an inclined plate inclined with respect to the bottom surface so that one side surface of the fluid accommodation pack is in contact with the upper surface of the inclined plate, and accommodating the fluid in the housing case; And a case sealing step for sealing the case storing the storage pack. According to the manufacturing method of Application Example 14, since the fluid storage pack can be stored in the storage case while being held from below by the holder, the fluid storage pack is damaged during the storage operation in the storage case. Can be prevented.

  Application Example 15 In the manufacturing method according to any one of Application Examples 12 to 14, the pack accommodation step may include a step of causing the fluid accommodation pack to communicate with a fluid discharge unit. According to the manufacturing method of the application example 15, since the operation of communicating the fluid storage pack with the fluid discharge unit can be performed simultaneously with the operation of storing the fluid storage pack in the storage case, the operation in the manufacturing process of the fluid ejection device Man-hours can be reduced.

  The form of the present invention is not limited to the fluid ejecting apparatus and the manufacturing method thereof, and can be applied to other forms having a structure for housing the fluid containing pack. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where an upper housing 30 is closed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where an upper housing 30 is opened. 3 is a top view showing the inside of the upper housing 30. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a holder 380 on which an ink pack 310 is placed is fixed inside the upper housing 30. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state before the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 in the AA cross section of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an ink pack 310 is connected to an ink supply unit 330 in the AA cross section of FIG. 4. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism unit 50 of the printer 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method for manufacturing the printer 10. It is a top view which shows the inside of the upper housing | casing 30 in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 of the state which closed the upper housing | casing 30 in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 of the state which closed the upper housing | casing 30 in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 of the state which opened the upper housing | casing 30 in other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure around the printing mechanism part 50 of the printer 10 in other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cross section of the supply tube 340. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the support part 420 in other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the joining structure of the holder 380 and lower housing 360 in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 of the state which closed the upper housing | casing 30 in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 of the state which closed the upper housing | casing 30 in other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 in other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 in other embodiment.

  In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, a fluid ejecting apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described below. In the present embodiment, an ink jet printer typified by an image recording apparatus that is one form of the fluid ejecting apparatus will be described as an example.

A. Example:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer 10. The printer 10 is an ink jet printer that records characters and figures by ejecting ink droplets onto a printing paper 900 that is a recording medium. The printer 10 includes a main body housing 20 that houses a printing mechanism unit 50 that is a fluid ejection unit that ejects ink droplets onto the printing paper 900, and the main body housing 20 is supplied to the printing mechanism unit 50. A paper feed tray 12 for introducing the printing paper 900 into the main body housing 20 and a paper discharge tray 14 for guiding the printing paper 900 discharged from the printing mechanism section 50 to the outside of the main body housing 20 are provided. Yes. A detailed configuration of the printing mechanism unit 50 will be described later.

  The main body housing 20 accommodates a control unit 40 that controls each unit of the printer 10. In this embodiment, the control unit 40 includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (Read Only Memory, ROM), and a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM). ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Software that implements various functions of the printer 10 is installed in the control unit 40.

  On the upper surface of the main body housing 20, an upper housing 30, which is a housing case for housing a plurality of ink packs 310 each containing liquid ink of each color, is disposed. The upper housing 30 is pivotally attached to the main body housing 20 so as to be openable and closable around the rotation shaft 350.

  In this embodiment, the ink pack 310 is formed as a substantially rectangular flat bag portion having a substantially elliptical cross section by a flexible sheet, and a pack port 60 through which ink can be led out is provided on one of the short sides. ing. The detailed configuration of the pack port 60 will be described later. In this embodiment, the plurality of ink packs 310 are held in a state in which one of the long sides is lifted and overlapped obliquely. In the present embodiment, four ink packs 310 are accommodated in the upper housing 30 for each of four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. As another embodiment, in a printer that performs printing with a total of six colors of ink including light cyan and light magenta in addition to these four colors, six ink packs 310 are provided for each of the six colors of ink including light cyan and light magenta. Can be accommodated in the upper housing 30.

  An ink supply unit 330 connected to an ink pack 310 is disposed in the upper housing 30 constituting an ink supply device for the printing mechanism unit 50 so that ink can be led out. Connected to the ink supply unit 330 is a supply tube 340 that forms a liquid flow path through which ink drawn from the ink pack 310 to the ink supply unit 330 flows down to the printing mechanism unit 50. The supply tube 340 can be made of a gas permeable material, for example, an olefin-based or styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where the upper housing 30 is closed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 with the upper housing 30 opened. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the inside of the upper housing 30. The upper housing 30 includes a lower housing 360 that forms the inner bottom surface of the upper housing 30 and an upper housing 370 that forms the inner ceiling of the upper housing 30. In the lower housing 360, a plurality of holder guides 362, which are part of the inner bottom surface formed by the lower housing 360, are arranged substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 350 and at substantially equal intervals. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, by opening the upper housing 30, the upper portion of the printing mechanism unit 50 accommodated in the main body housing 20 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper housing 30 includes a plurality of holders 380 on which the ink packs 310 are placed. The holder 380 includes an inclined plate 381 that is inclined with respect to the holder guide 362. The ink pack 310 is placed on the upper surface of the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380 so that one side surface of the flat bag portion of the ink pack 310 contacts. In the present embodiment, the ink pack 310 is bonded with a double-sided tape on at least a part of the surface of the holder 380 that contacts the inclined plate 381. A base portion 382 that can be inserted into the holder guide 362 is formed below the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380. After the base portion 382 is inserted into the holder guide 362, the holder 380 is fastened and fixed to the lower housing 360 with fixing screws 388 and 389 that are fastening members. The plurality of holders 380 are arranged on the inner side of the lower housing 360 in a state where the inclined plate 381 of one holder 380 overlaps the ink pack 310 placed on the other holder 380 adjacent on the inclined side of the inclined plate 381. They are arranged side by side along the bottom. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380 has an inclination angle θh that contacts the ink pack 310 from below in the direction of gravity through the closed state from the closed state of the upper housing 30 to the holder of the lower housing 360. Inclined with respect to the guide 362. In this embodiment, the movable angle θc at which the upper housing 30 can be opened and closed about the rotation shaft 350 is about 45 degrees, whereas the inclination angle θh of the inclined plate 381 with respect to the holder guide 362 is about 40 degrees. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back surface of the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380, a plate-like back surface auxiliary rib 384 along the ink pack 310 placed on the adjacent holder 380 is suspended. On the inner bottom surface of the lower housing 360, a plate-like holder erected toward the lower side of the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380 positioned at the end of the inclined plate 381 on the inclined side among the plurality of holders 380 arranged in parallel. An auxiliary rib 364 is provided. In this embodiment, the upper portion of the holder auxiliary rib 364 contacts the back surface of the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380. On the inner ceiling of the upper housing 370, along the upper side of the ink pack 310 placed on the holder 380 located at the end opposite to the side on which the inclined plate 381 is inclined among the plurality of holders 380 arranged side by side. A plate-like end auxiliary rib 374 is vertically provided. On the inner ceiling of the upper housing 370, a plate-like intermediate auxiliary rib is suspended along a portion sandwiched between the two holders 380, above the ink pack 310 placed on the holder 380. An engaging portion 373 that engages with the upper end portion 383 of the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380 is disposed on the inner ceiling of the upper housing 370.

  2 and 3, the lower housing 360 of the upper housing 30 has a shape in which a portion where the ink pack 310 is installed protrudes downward. Thereby, the space in the upper housing | casing 30 for installation of the ink pack 310 can be increased. The printer 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called off-carriage printer in which a container containing ink is arranged separately from the carriage, so that a so-called on-carriage printer in which the ink containing container is arranged on the carriage. Compared to the above, it is possible to reduce the height of the printing mechanism unit 50. Therefore, in the printer 10 of the present embodiment, it is relatively easy to make a part of the lower housing 360 protrude downward without interfering with the printing mechanism unit 50. Therefore, for example, an existing on-carriage printer housing having a scanner mechanism in a portion corresponding to the upper housing 30 can be changed by making only a slight change such as changing the shape of the lower housing 360. It can be used as ten cases.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ink supply unit 330 is provided with a guard plate 332 that covers the upper part of the connection part of the ink pack 310 with the pack port 60. The guard plate 332 has an opening 333 into which a tool for fastening a fixing screw 388 for fixing the holder 380 to the lower housing 360 can be inserted.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed is fixed inside the upper housing 30. A through hole 386 that penetrates and engages with the fixing screw 388 is formed in the holder 380 at a position adjacent to the pack opening 60 of the ink pack 310, and a position adjacent to the side opposite to the pack opening 60 of the ink pack 310. In addition, a through hole 387 that penetrates and engages with the fixing screw 389 is formed. The lower housing 360 of the upper housing 30 has a screw hole 368 screwed with a fixing screw 388 that penetrates the through hole 386 of the holder 380 and a holder 380 at a fixing position where the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed is fixed. A screw hole 369 to be screwed with a fixing screw 389 penetrating through the through hole 387 is formed.

  When fixing the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed inside the upper housing 30, first, the base portion 382 of the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed is moved from the upper portion of the holder guide 362 of the lower housing 360. Fit together. Thereafter, the holder 380 is slid to the supply needle 320 along the holder guide 362, and the supply needle 320 is inserted into the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310. Thereafter, the holder 380 is fastened to the lower housing 360 with fixing screws 388 and 389.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state before the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 in the AA cross section of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 in the AA cross section of FIG. 4. The ink supply unit 330 is provided with a supply needle 320 in which a hollow flow path 322 communicating with the supply tube 340 is formed. One end of the supply needle 320 is formed as a tapered point 324. A supply groove 326 communicating with the hollow flow path 322 is formed at the tip 324 of the supply needle 320. The supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320 is formed from the tip 324 of the supply needle 320 to the side wall 321 substantially along the axis of the supply needle 320. As shown in FIG. 7, the supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320 is partitioned by a vertical surface 326 a that is substantially along the axis of the supply needle 320 and a horizontal surface 326 b that intersects the axis of the supply needle 320. In this embodiment, the supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320 is formed in a cross shape (“+ (plus)” shape) with the axis of the supply needle 320 as an intersection. In this embodiment, the supply needle 320 is a resin part that is integrally molded with the ink supply unit 330 using a mold.

  The pack port 60 provided in the ink pack 310 is provided with a supply port portion 610 in which a supply port 612 communicating with the inside of the ink pack 310 is formed. At the inlet of the supply port 612, a cylindrical packing 640 having a through hole 642 that closely fits the supply needle 320 inserted into the supply port 612 is disposed. The packing 640 disposed in the supply port 612 is press-fitted into the supply port 612 by a cap 620 that fits into the supply port portion 610.

  A valve body 630 having a sealing surface 634 that is in close contact with the packing 640 is accommodated inside the supply port 612. The valve body 630 accommodated in the supply port 612 is urged from the inside of the supply port 612 toward the packing 640 by a coil spring 650 that is an elastic member, and seals the through hole 642 of the packing 640. The valve body 630 is provided with a plurality of guides 638 that are in contact with the inner surface of the supply port 612 substantially along the central axis of the supply port 612, and between each of the plurality of guides 638, the inner surface of the supply port 612 A separating surface 636 is formed. A fitting surface 632 that fits the tip 324 of the supply needle 320 is formed on the side of the valve body 630 that contacts the packing 640.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the supply needle 320 is inserted into the through-hole 642 of the packing 640, the valve body 630 is in a state where the tip 324 of the supply needle 320 is fitted to the fitting surface 632 of the valve body 630. The supply port 612 is pushed into the ink pack 310 side. At that time, the supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320 communicates with the supply port 612 because it is formed from the tip 324 to the side wall 321 beyond the fitting surface 632 of the valve body 630. As a result, the inside of the ink pack 310 communicates with the hollow flow path 322 of the supply needle 320 through the separation surface 636 of the valve body 630 and the supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing mechanism unit 50 of the printer 10. The printing mechanism unit 50 includes a rectangular platen 530 disposed in a printing area where ink droplets are ejected onto the printing paper 900. On the platen 530, the printing paper 900 is fed by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown). The printing mechanism unit 50 includes a carriage 80 that is connected to the supply tube 340 and on which the ejection head 810 is mounted. The carriage 80 is supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the platen 530 along the guide rod 520, and is driven via a timing belt 512 by a carriage motor 510 serving as a carriage driving unit. As a result, the carriage 80 reciprocates on the platen 530 in the longitudinal direction. Inside the main body housing 20, a home position for waiting the carriage 80 is provided in a non-printing area that is distant from the printing area where the platen 530 is disposed to one end side. At the home position, a maintenance mechanism unit 70 for maintaining the carriage 80 is disposed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method for manufacturing the printer 10. When the ink pack 310 is mounted on the printer 10, first, the ink pack 310 filled with ink is placed on the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380 (step S110). Thereafter, the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed is inserted into the holder guide 362 of the lower housing 360, and then the holder 380 is fixed to the lower housing 360 with fixing screws 388 and 389, and the plurality of holders 380 are fixed to the lower housing 360. 360 (step S120). In the present embodiment, in the step of arranging a plurality of holders 380 in parallel with the lower housing 360 (step S120), the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 is connected to the supply needle 320, and the inside of the ink pack 310 is connected to the fluid ejection unit. Is connected to the ejection head 810 of the printing mechanism 50. Thereafter, the upper housing 370 is sealed to the lower housing 360 in which the plurality of holders 380 are arranged side by side, thereby accommodating the plurality of ink packs 310 in the upper housing 30 (step S130).

  According to the printer 10 of the embodiment described above, the ink pack 310 can be brought into contact with the portion of the main body casing 20 covered by the upper casing 30 by opening and closing the upper casing 30. The degree of freedom of the position to arrange can be improved. Further, since the upper housing 30 is pivotally attached to the main body housing 20 so as to be openable and closable above the printing mechanism unit 50, the upper housing 30 that houses the ink pack 310 is used as a cover for the printing mechanism unit 50. At the same time, by opening and closing the upper housing 30, the printing mechanism unit 50 accommodated in the main body housing 20 can be easily maintained.

  In addition, since each of the ink packs 310 is placed on the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380, the weight of the ink packs 310 extends to the adjacent ink packs 310 while efficiently storing a plurality of ink packs 310. It is possible to prevent this from happening. Further, since the ink pack 310 is held from below through the closed state of the upper housing 30 from the closed state, the ink pack 310 can be prevented from being excessively pressed against the adjacent holder 380 by its own weight.

  Further, by providing the holder auxiliary rib 364 in the lower housing 360, the holder 380 can be reinforced against the force in the direction in which the inclined plate 381 is inclined. Further, by suspending the end auxiliary ribs 374 on the upper housing 370, the ink pack 310 placed on the holder 380 located at the end opposite to the side where the inclined plate 381 is inclined is excessively deformed. Can be suppressed. Further, by suspending the intermediate auxiliary rib 376 on the upper housing 370, it is possible to prevent the upper portion of the ink pack 310 that is not supported by the back surface of the inclined plate 381 of the adjacent holder from being deformed excessively. In addition, since the upper end portion 383 of the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380 is engaged with the engaging portion 373 provided in the upper housing 370, it is possible to suppress the holder 380 from being deformed excessively.

B. Other embodiments:
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, Of course, it can implement with various forms within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. is there. For example, instead of pivotally attaching the upper housing 30 to the main body housing 20, the upper housing 30 may be slidably attached to the main body housing 20. Accordingly, the ink pack 310 can be accommodated in the upper housing 30 in a more stable state.

  In addition, the holder 380 may be disposed in the direction in which the holder 380 is disposed in the lower housing 360 substantially along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 350 as shown in FIG. According to the form of FIG. 10, the height of each of the ink packs 310 held by the upper housing 30 is substantially the same from the closed state to the open state of the upper housing 30, so that each ink pack 310 is accommodated. The pressure heads of the formed ink can be made substantially the same. Thereby, the ejection quality of the ink ejected from the ejection head 810 can be improved. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the holder 380 may be disposed so that the direction in which the inclined plate 381 is inclined faces the rotation shaft 350. According to the form of FIG. 11, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, rather than disposing the holder 380 with the inclined plate 381 inclined in the direction opposite to the rotation shaft 350, In the open state, the ink pack 310 can be placed in a stable state by the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380.

  The fluid targeted by the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described liquid such as ink, but is intended to target various fluids such as metal paste, powder, and liquid crystal. As a typical example of the fluid ejecting apparatus, there is an ink jet recording apparatus including the ink jet recording head for image recording as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus, and an image recording apparatus such as a printer. In addition, color material injection devices used for manufacturing color filters such as liquid crystal displays, electrode material injection devices used for forming electrodes such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, surface emission displays (Field Emission Displays, FEDs), and biochips The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid containing a bio-organic matter used for manufacturing, a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette, and the like.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state in which the upper housing 30 is closed according to another embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where the upper housing 30 is opened in another embodiment. 12 and 13 show a cross section viewed from the side opposite to the cross section shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration around the printing mechanism unit 50 of the printer 10 according to another embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, the supply tube 340 connects the ink supply unit 330 and the carriage 80 of the printing mechanism unit 50, and supplies the ink in the ink pack 310 to the carriage 80. The supply tube 340 extends from the ink supply unit 330 in the direction of the rotation axis 350 substantially horizontally (when the upper housing 30 is closed) (hereinafter referred to as “first horizontal part H1”), and from the first horizontal part H1. A portion (hereinafter referred to as “second horizontal portion H2”) located in a substantially horizontal plane below and extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation shaft 350, and a portion substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 350 (hereinafter referred to as “third horizontal portion”). H3 ”) are connected in sequence.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of the supply tube 340. FIG. 15A shows a cross section (S1-S1 cross section in FIG. 14) perpendicular to the ink flow direction of the supply tube 340 in the second horizontal portion H2, and FIG. 15B shows the third horizontal portion H3. 14 shows a cross section (S2-S2 cross section in FIG. 14) perpendicular to the ink distribution direction of the supply tube 340. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the supply tube 340 is provided with four hollow ink flow paths 342 corresponding to the four ink packs 310. As shown in FIG. 15A, in the second horizontal portion H2, the direction of the supply tube 340 around the ink flow direction is such that the four ink flow paths 342 are arranged substantially horizontally (hereinafter referred to as “horizontal”). It is also called “arrangement”. The direction of the supply tube 340 in the first horizontal portion H1 is the same. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, in the third horizontal portion H3, the direction of the supply tube 340 around the ink distribution direction is such that the four ink flow paths 342 are arranged substantially vertically (hereinafter referred to as “vertical”). It is also called “arrangement”.

  Between the first horizontal portion H1 and the second horizontal portion H2 of the supply tube 340 (in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 350), a portion curved along a vertical semicircular arc (hereinafter referred to as “first curved portion R1”). Is provided. The first horizontal portion H1 and the second horizontal portion H2 are both laterally arranged, and the first curved portion R1 does not have a twist. In addition, a portion curved along a horizontal semicircular arc (hereinafter referred to as “second curved portion R2”) is provided between the second horizontal portion H2 and the third horizontal portion H3. Since the second horizontal portion H2 is laterally arranged, and the third horizontal portion H3 is vertically arranged, the second curved portion R2 has a twist of about 90 degrees. Further, a portion curved along a horizontal semicircular arc (hereinafter referred to as “third curved portion R3”) is provided between the third horizontal portion H3 and the carriage 80.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the supply tube 340 follows the operation of opening the upper housing 30 by the deformation of the first bending portion R <b> 1 provided near the rotation shaft 350. Therefore, even in the printer 10 in which the ink supply unit 330 and the printing mechanism unit 50 are connected by the relatively long supply tube 340, the presence of the supply tube 340 is prevented from obstructing the opening and closing of the upper housing 30. .

  The supply tube 340 may have a joint 410 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. And the part by the side of the printing mechanism part 50 rather than the coupling 410 of the supply tube 340 is good also as being formed with a comparatively highly flexible material (for example, polyethylene-type elastomer). In this way, it is possible to easily form a non-linear portion such as the first curved portion R1 of the supply tube 340, and it is possible to give the first curved portion R1 good flexibility. In addition, the portion of the supply tube 340 closer to the ink supply unit 330 than the joint 410 may be formed of a material with relatively low flexibility (for example, polypropylene).

  The supply tube 340 is supported by support portions 420 and 430 disposed at two positions across the second bending portion R2. The support parts 420 and 430 are fixed to the main body housing 20 of the printer 10 directly or indirectly. Therefore, the supply tube 340 is supported by the printer 10 main body via the support portions 420 and 430.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a support portion 420 according to another embodiment. 16A shows an upper plane of the support portion 420, and FIG. 16B shows a cross section perpendicular to the ink flow direction of the support portion 420 (S3-S3 cross section in FIG. 16A). ing. As shown in FIG. 16B, the support portion 420 includes a long side member 422 arranged in the horizontal direction, a short side member 424 protruding upward from both ends of the cross section of the long side member 422, and the short side member 424. And a floating prevention portion 426 protruding in the horizontal direction from the upper end of the cross section toward the inside. As shown in FIG. 16A, two floating prevention portions 426 are provided for each short side member 424, and the positions along the ink flow direction are the floating portions provided on the two short side members 424. The prevention portions 426 are set alternately so as not to be in the same position. The long side member 422, the short side member 424, and the anti-floating portion 426 form a space having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape that houses the supply tube 340, and the supply tube 340 is stored in the space. At this time, the floating prevention unit 426 prevents the supply tube 340 from floating and coming off.

  The support portion 420 further includes a positioning member 428 adjacent to the space side of the short side member 424. In the example of FIG. 16, three sets of positioning members 428 are provided, and the positioning members 428 of each set are arranged at positions facing each other across the supply tube 340. Therefore, the positioning member 428 reduces the internal dimension between the two short side members 424. By the positioning member 428, the supply tube 340 is pressed in the long side direction, and the movement of the supply tube 340 along the ink circulation direction is suppressed. Therefore, the supply tube 340 is prevented from interfering with other parts of the printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the cross section of the ink flow path 342 of the supply tube 340 is not circular, but has an oval shape that is long in the direction in which the ink flow paths 342 are arranged (the left-right direction in FIG. 15A). . For example, in order to make the supply tube 340 bend easily in the first bending portion R1 and the second bending portion R2 (see FIG. 14), the cross section of the supply tube 340 has a shape in which an ellipse is combined. This is to keep the height small. Here, as shown in FIG. 16B, at the position where the positioning member 428 of the support portion 420 is provided, the supply tube 340 is pushed from the positioning members 428 on both sides, so that the cross section of the ink flow path 342 is circular. And the cross-sectional area of the ink flow path 342 increases. Accordingly, the flow path resistance in the supply tube 340 can be reduced by the positioning member 428 of the support portion 420.

  The configuration of the support portion 430 (see FIG. 14) is the same as the configuration of the support portion 420 shown in FIG. 16, but the support portion 430 can be prevented from moving the supply tube 340 by the support portion 420. The positioning member 428 may not be provided. Further, the direction in which the support part 430 is disposed is the direction in which the support part 420 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees in accordance with the direction of the supply tube 340.

  In addition, since the support parts 420 and 430 are arrange | positioned on both sides of 2nd curved part R2 which has a twist and is easy to generate | occur | produce position shift, it can support the supply tube 340 stably. .

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a joining configuration of the holder 380 and the lower housing 360 in another embodiment. 17A shows a perspective view of the holder 380, FIG. 17B shows a perspective view of the lower housing 360, and FIG. 17C shows a fitting portion between the holder 380 and the lower housing 360. A cross section is shown. As shown in FIG. 17A, the holder 380 has two joint portions 395. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17B, the lower housing 360 has two joint portions 365 at positions where the respective holders 380 are to be installed. The holder 380 is installed in the lower housing 360 while sliding in the lateral direction so that the joint 395 of the holder 380 and the joint 365 of the lower housing 360 are fitted. 17C, when the holder 380 is installed in the lower housing 360, the L-shaped portion 396 of the joining portion 395 of the holder 380 and the L-shaped portion 366 of the joining portion 365 of the lower housing 360 are fitted. Match. By this fitting, relative movement between the holder 380 and the lower housing 360 is suppressed. For this reason, for example, even when an impact is applied to the printer 10, the holder 380 can be prevented from being detached from the lower housing 360. Further, the deformation of the holder 380 and the lower housing 360 due to the influence of changes in the external temperature and humidity environment can be suppressed.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state in which the upper housing 30 is closed according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the installation mode of the ink pack 310 is different from the example shown in FIG. 2. That is, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 adopts a mode in which the ink pack 310 is fixed and installed on the holder 380 provided in the upper housing 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 380 is not provided, and a mode in which the ink pack 310 is installed in the upper housing 30 as a single unit is employed. Thus, the holder 380 is not necessarily used for installing the ink pack 310 in the upper housing 30, and the ink pack 310 can be directly placed in the upper housing 30.

  FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state in which the upper housing 30 is closed according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the shape and installation mode of the ink pack are different from those in the example shown in FIG. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, a box-shaped ink pack 310a is employed, and the ink pack 310a is directly placed in the upper housing 30 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. ing. Thus, the shape of the ink pack is not limited to the bag shape formed of the flexible sheet, and other shapes such as a box shape can be adopted.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the installation mode of the ink pack 310 is different from the example shown in FIG. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the ink pack 310 is not housed in the upper housing 30 and is disposed outside the printer 10. Also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 through the hole 32 provided in the upper housing 30. As described above, the ink pack 310 does not necessarily have to be stored in the upper housing 30 and may be disposed outside the printer 10.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a modified example. In the modification shown in FIG. 21, the ink supply mode is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in the modification shown in FIG. 21, the pack port 60 (see FIG. 6) of the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330, and the tube 980 is provided between the pack port 60 and the ink tank 990 containing ink. is set up. The ink in the ink tank 990 is supplied to the printing mechanism unit 50 via the tube 980, the pack port 60, and the ink supply unit 330. In the modification shown in FIG. 21, for example, after the ink in the ink pack 310 is used up, the ink pack 310 is removed leaving only the pack opening 60 of the ink pack 310, and the tube 980 and the ink tank 990 are installed. Realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 12 ... Paper feed tray, 14 ... Paper discharge tray, 20 ... Main body housing, 30 ... Upper housing, 32 ... Hole, 40 ... Control part, 50 ... Printing mechanism part, 60 ... Pack mouth, 70 ... Maintenance mechanism 80, Carriage, 310 ... Ink pack, 320 ... Supply needle, 321 ... Side wall, 322 ... Hollow flow path, 324 ... Point, 326 ... Supply groove, 326a ... Vertical surface, 326b ... Horizontal surface, 330 ... Ink Supply part, 332 ... Guard plate, 333 ... Opening part, 340 ... Supply tube, 342 ... Ink channel, 350 ... Rotating shaft, 360 ... Lower housing, 362 ... Holder guide, 364 ... Holder auxiliary rib, 365 ... Joint part 368, 369 ... Screw hole, 370 ... Upper housing, 373 ... Engagement part, 374 ... End auxiliary rib, 376 ... Intermediate auxiliary rib, 380 ... Holder, 381 ... Inclined plate, 3 2 ... Base part, 383 ... Upper end part, 384 ... Back surface auxiliary rib, 386, 387 ... Through hole, 388, 389 ... Fixing screw, 395 ... Joint part, 410 ... Joint, 420 ... Support part, 422 ... Long side member, 424 ... Short side member, 426 ... Floating prevention portion, 428 ... Positioning member, 430 ... Support portion, 510 ... Carriage motor, 512 ... Timing belt, 520 ... Guide rod, 530 ... Platen, 610 ... Supply port portion, 612 ... Supply 620 ... cap, 630 ... valve body, 632 ... fitting surface, 634 ... sealing surface, 636 ... separation surface, 638 ... guide, 640 ... packing, 642 ... through hole, 650 ... coil spring, 810 ... jet head, 900 ... printing paper, 980 ... tube, 990 ... ink tank.

Application Example 1 The fluid ejecting apparatus according to Application Example 1 includes a connection portion that can be connected to the mouth portion of a fluid housing portion having a mouth portion from which a fluid can be led out, and a housing portion that can house the fluid housing portion. The housing part is rotatable, and the connection direction between the connection part and the mouth part is the axial direction of the rotation . According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 1, by opening and closing the storage case, it is possible to make contact with the inside of the main body housing covered by the storage case. Can be improved.

Claims (12)

A fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects fluid,
A fluid discharge unit that discharges fluid to an injection target;
A main body housing containing the fluid discharge section;
A fluid containing pack containing a jetting fluid;
A fluid ejecting apparatus comprising: a housing case that pivots about a pivot shaft and is pivotally attached to the main body housing so as to be openable and closable, and housing the fluid housing pack.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing case is pivotally attached to the main body housing so as to be openable and closable above the fluid discharge portion. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The fluid storage pack is a plurality of fluid storage packs having a bag portion,
The rotation axis is an axis substantially along the inner bottom surface of the housing case,
The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes an inclined plate provided in the housing case and inclined with respect to the inner bottom surface of the housing case, and one side surface of the bag portion in the fluid containing pack is the inclined plate. A plurality of holders each mounting each of the fluid containing packs in a state of contacting the upper surface of
The plurality of holders are arranged in a state where the inclined plate of one holder overlaps the fluid containing pack placed on the other holder adjacent on the inclined side of the inclined plate. A fluid ejection device arranged side by side along the bottom surface.   4. The inclined plate according to claim 3, wherein the inclined plate of the holder is inclined with respect to the inner bottom surface of the storage case at an angle that contacts the fluid storage pack from below in the direction of gravity through the closed state from the closed state to the open state. Fluid ejection device.   5. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of holders are arranged in parallel along an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the housing case.   Furthermore, a holder that is provided on the inner bottom surface of the housing case and is erected toward the lower side of the inclined plate in a holder that is positioned at an end of the inclined plate on the side where the inclined plate is inclined. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an auxiliary rib.   Furthermore, above the fluid containing pack placed on the holder that is provided on the inner ceiling of the containing case and is positioned at the end opposite to the side on which the inclined plate is inclined among the plurality of holders arranged side by side. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an end auxiliary rib that is vertically provided.   Furthermore, along the part sandwiched between the one holder and the other holder among the upper part of the fluid accommodation pack provided on the inner ceiling of the accommodation case and placed on the other holder The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an intermediate auxiliary rib provided vertically. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8,
The holder is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the housing case;
The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes an engaging portion that is provided on an inner ceiling of the housing case and engages with an upper end of the inclined plate in the holder. A method of manufacturing a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects fluid,
A pack housing step of housing a fluid containing pack containing a fluid for ejection in a housing case pivoted about a pivot shaft so as to be openable and closable;
A case sealing step of sealing the storage case storing the fluid storage pack. It is a manufacturing method of Claim 10, Comprising:
The fluid storage pack is a plurality of fluid storage packs having a bag portion,
The rotation axis is an axis substantially along the inner bottom surface of the housing case,
The pack accommodation step
Each of the fluid storage packs is mounted on a plurality of holders having inclined plates inclined with respect to the inner bottom surface of the storage case, with one side surface of the fluid storage pack contacting the upper surface of the inclined plate. A step of placing;
A plurality of holders on which the fluid storage pack is placed are in a state where the inclined plate of one holder overlaps above the fluid storage pack placed on the other holder adjacent on the side where the inclined plate is inclined. And a step of arranging them side by side along the inner bottom surface of the housing case.   The manufacturing method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the pack accommodation step includes a step of communicating the fluid accommodation pack with a fluid discharge unit.

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