JP2016124208A - Liquid supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid supply system capable of preventing or suppressing the movement of a liquid supply tube for making a liquid supply unit mounted on a carriage unit of a printer communicate with a liquid storage container in an unexpected direction with the movement of the carriage unit.SOLUTION: An ink supply system 1 comprises an ink tank 32, an ink supply unit 31 mounted on a carriage unit 9, and a tube 33 connecting the ink tank and the ink supply unit. The ink supply unit 31 includes a first protrusion part 41 and a second protrusion part 42 which are separated from each other in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the carriage unit 9. The tube 33 includes a folding part 34. A first tube portion 35 on the side closer to the ink tank 32 than the folding part 34 and a second tube portion 36 on the side closer to the ink supply unit 31 than the folding part are routed between the first protrusion part 41 and the second protrusion part 42. The first protrusion part 41 and the second protrusion part 42 restrict the displacement of the tube 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply system that supplies a liquid such as ink to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as a printer.

  An ink supply system (liquid supply system) that supplies ink to a printer is described in Patent Document 1. The ink supply system of the same document includes a large-capacity ink tank (liquid container) installed independently of a printer, an ink supply unit (liquid supply unit) mounted on a carriage unit of a printer equipped with a print head, , And a liquid supply tube having one end connected to the ink tank and the other end connected to the ink supply unit. The ink supply unit includes an ink supply port for supplying ink supplied from the ink tank to the printer via the liquid supply tube. The carriage unit is provided with a mounting portion for mounting the ink supply unit, and the mounting portion includes an ink introduction port for introducing ink to the printer side.

  When the ink supply unit is attached to the attachment portion, the ink supply port of the ink supply unit and the ink introduction port of the attachment portion come into contact with each other. As a result, an ink supply path that communicates from the ink tank to the print head via the liquid supply tube and the ink supply unit is formed. Accordingly, the ink in the ink tank can be supplied to the print head. The printer of this document is a serial printer, and the carriage unit reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction to scan the print head.

JP 2010-1113725 A

  In such an ink supply system, the liquid supply tube is drawn so as to have a bent portion or a folded portion so that the carriage unit (ink supply unit) can move when the carriage unit (ink supply unit) moves. Therefore, for example, when the reciprocal movement path of the carriage unit is configured inside an exterior unit such as a printer case, the liquid supply tube moves in an unexpected direction along with the movement of the carriage unit. There is a possibility of being caught between the exterior units.

  In view of the above, the problem of the present invention is that the liquid supply tube that connects the liquid supply unit mounted on the carriage unit and the liquid container moves in an unexpected direction as the carriage unit moves. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply system that can prevent or suppress the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: an exterior unit; a carriage unit accommodated in the exterior unit; and a transport mechanism accommodated in the exterior unit and capable of transporting a print medium. A liquid supply system that can be mounted on the carriage unit, wherein the axis on which the carriage unit is movable is defined as a first axis, and the axis on which the conveyance mechanism can convey the print medium is a second axis. And when the axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis is defined as the third axis, the liquid storage container capable of storing a liquid, one end and the other end, and the one end is the liquid A liquid supply tube connected to a container, and a liquid supply unit connected to the other end of the liquid supply tube and attachable to the carriage unit, the liquid supply unit comprising: The liquid supply unit is located between the first and second projecting portions projecting in the direction along the third axis when mounted on the carrier unit, and between the first and second projecting portions. A liquid injection part connected to the other end of the tube, the liquid supply tube has a folded part, and the liquid supply tube has a first part between the folded part and the one end, and Along the first axis, the second portion between the folded portion and the other end overlaps in the direction along the third axis in the region between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. It is arranged in a direction.

  In the present invention, the liquid supply tube includes a folded portion, and the first portion on the liquid supply container side and the second portion on the liquid supply unit side sandwiching the folded portion are arranged to move the carriage unit in the moving direction (first (Direction along one axis). Accordingly, the liquid supply tube can allow movement when the carriage unit (liquid supply unit) moves. The liquid supply tube includes a first portion on the liquid supply container side and a second portion on the liquid supply unit side between the first protrusion and the second protrusion provided in the liquid supply unit. Overlapping in the direction along the axis. Therefore, even when the carriage unit moves, the liquid supply tube can be positioned between the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the liquid supply unit. Therefore, it can prevent that a body supply tube moves from a predetermined position with the movement of a carriage unit. That is, the liquid supply tube that is displaced as the carriage unit moves can be guided by the first and second protrusions provided in the liquid supply unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, another aspect of the present invention includes an exterior unit, a carriage unit accommodated in the exterior unit, and a transport mechanism that is capable of transporting a print medium accommodated in the exterior unit. The carriage unit has a liquid introduction part, and the liquid introduction part includes a liquid introduction port through which a liquid can pass and a seal part surrounding the liquid introduction port. A liquid supply system that can be mounted, a liquid storage container capable of storing a liquid, a liquid supply tube having one end and the other end, the one end connected to the liquid storage container, and the liquid supply tube A liquid supply unit connected to the other end and attachable to the carriage unit, wherein the liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply unit, and the liquid supply unit includes the liquid supply unit. A surface through which the wall and the seal portion abut in a state where the liquid supply system is mounted on the carriage unit. When the direction along the reference plane is defined as the first axis, the axis perpendicular to the first axis along the reference plane is defined as the second axis, and the axis intersecting the reference plane is defined as the third axis, the liquid The supply unit is positioned between the first protrusion and the second protrusion that protrude in a direction along the third axis in a state where the supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, and between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. A liquid injection portion connected to the other end of the liquid supply tube, the liquid supply tube having a folded portion, and the liquid supply tube has a first portion between the folded portion and the one end. And the wrapping In a direction along the first axis so that a second portion between the first protrusion and the other end overlaps in a direction along the third axis in a region between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. It is characterized by being arranged.

  In the present invention, the liquid supply tube includes a first portion on the liquid supply container side and a second portion on the liquid supply unit side between the first protrusion and the second protrusion provided in the liquid supply unit. It arrange | positions in the direction along a 1st axis | shaft so that it may overlap in the direction along a 3rd axis | shaft. Therefore, for example, even when the carriage unit moves in the direction along the first axis, the liquid supply tube can be positioned between the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the liquid supply unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid supply tube from moving from a predetermined position as the carriage unit moves.

  In the present invention, when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the height of the upper end of the first projecting portion from the liquid injection portion in the direction along the third axis is the liquid supply tube. It is desirable that the height of the second portion is higher than the liquid injection portion. If it does in this way, it can prevent that the 2nd part by the side of a liquid supply unit rather than the return part of a liquid supply tube moves beyond a 1st protrusion part from a predetermined position.

  In the present invention, when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the height of the upper end of the second projecting portion from the liquid injection portion in the direction along the third axis is the liquid supply tube. It is desirable that the height of the second portion is higher than the liquid injection portion. If it does in this way, it can prevent that the 2nd part by the side of the liquid supply unit rather than the return part of a liquid supply tube moves from a predetermined position beyond a 2nd protrusion part.

  In the present invention, when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the height of the upper end of the first projecting portion from the liquid injection portion in the direction along the third axis is the liquid supply tube. It is desirable that the height of the first portion is higher than the height from the liquid injection portion. If it does in this way, it can prevent that the 1st part by the side of a liquid storage container rather than the return part of a liquid supply tube moves beyond a 1st protrusion part from a predetermined position.

  In the present invention, when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the height of the upper end of the second projecting portion from the liquid injection portion in the direction along the third axis is the liquid supply tube. It is desirable that the height of the first portion is higher than the height from the liquid injection portion. If it does in this way, it can prevent that the 1st part by the side of the liquid container rather than the return part of a liquid supply tube moves beyond a 2nd protrusion part from a predetermined position.

  In the present invention, in a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the liquid supply unit engages with the carriage unit in a direction along the second axis. It is desirable to have In this way, it is possible to prevent the liquid supply unit from falling off the moving carriage unit. In addition, since the liquid supply unit is securely fixed to the carriage unit, the function of guiding the liquid supply tube by the first protrusion and the second protrusion provided in the liquid supply unit is stabilized.

  In the present invention, an opening is formed in the exterior of the exterior unit, and the carriage unit overlaps with the exterior in the direction along the third axis and can be exposed outward from the first region that is not exposed outward. In the state where the carriage unit is located in the first region, the first portion and the second portion of the liquid supply tube are connected to the exterior and the liquid supply unit. It can be arranged in between. In this way, the liquid supply unit can be attached to the carriage unit through the opening. Further, in the first region, the liquid supply tube is disposed inside the exterior, so that the liquid supply tube can be protected. Here, even if the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion are in the state where the carriage unit is located in the first region and covered with the exterior, the liquid projecting tube can be Can guide.

  In the present invention, the liquid supply unit has a terminal portion that can be electrically connected to the carriage unit, and the first projecting portion is the second shaft when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit. It is assumed to be located between the terminal part and the liquid injection part in a direction along the line. In this way, for example, even when the liquid leaks from the connection portion between the liquid injection part and the liquid supply tube, the first protrusion functions as a partition wall to prevent or suppress the liquid from adhering to the terminal part. it can.

  In the present invention, the first projecting portion has a terminal unit electrically connectable to the carriage unit, and the first projecting portion extends in the direction along the second axis when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit. It may be located between the terminal unit and the liquid injection part. In this way, for example, even when the liquid leaks from the connection portion between the liquid injection part and the liquid supply tube, the first protrusion functions as a partition wall to prevent or suppress the liquid from adhering to the terminal part. it can.

It is explanatory drawing of a printing system and an inkjet printer. It is explanatory drawing of a carriage unit. It is explanatory drawing of an ink supply unit and a tube. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state where an ink supply unit is mounted on a carriage unit. It is explanatory drawing of an ink supply unit provided with the ink injection part of a modification. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink supply unit according to a first modification. It is explanatory drawing of the ink supply unit of the modifications 2 and 3. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the printing system of another form.

  Hereinafter, an ink supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Printing system)
FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of a main part of an ink jet printer constituting the printing system. The printing system 100 of this example includes an ink supply system (liquid supply system) 1 and an ink jet printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 2. The ink jet printer 2 is a color printer. An ink supply system (liquid supply system) 1 supplies ink to an ink jet printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the ink jet printer 2 includes a rectangular parallelepiped exterior unit 5. The exterior unit 5 includes a box-shaped exterior body portion 7 having an opening 6 on the upper end surface, and an exterior lid portion 8 that covers the opening 6 from above. The exterior lid portion 8 is rotatably attached to the exterior body portion 7, and in a state where the exterior lid portion 8 is opened, the carriage unit 9 disposed inside the exterior body portion 7 through the opening 6. The upper part can be visually observed. As shown in FIG. 1B, the carriage unit 9 has the print head 10 mounted on the lower end portion thereof. The print head 10 is an inkjet head. Further, the carriage unit 9 includes a unit mounting portion 21 that can mount the ink supply unit 31 of the ink supply system 1 on the upper portion thereof. An ink supply unit 31 is detachably attached to the attachment portion 21.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the ink supply system 1 includes an ink supply unit 31, a relatively large ink tank (liquid container) 32 that stores ink, an ink supply unit 31, and an ink tank 32. A tube (liquid supply tube) 33 to be connected is provided. The ink supply system 1 includes ink supply sets including ink supply units 31, ink tanks 32, and tubes 33 corresponding to the number of color inks used by the inkjet printer 2. The ink stored in the ink tank 32 may be water-based ink or oil-based ink, and is not limited to either one. The ink may be one in which a solute is dissolved in an aqueous solvent, one in which a dispersoid is dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium, one in which a solute is dissolved in an oil solvent, or one in which a dispersoid is dispersed in an oil dispersion medium.

(inkjet printer)
As shown in FIG. 1B, the inkjet printer 2 includes a transport mechanism 12 that transports a recording paper (print medium) P along a transport path that passes through a printing position by the print head 10. The transport mechanism 12 includes a plurality of transport rollers 13 and a transport motor 14 serving as a drive source for the transport rollers 13. In the present specification, the term “plurality” means a number including two and three or more.

  Further, the ink jet printer 2 includes a head moving mechanism 15 that reciprocates the print head 10 in the width direction of the printer perpendicular to the conveyance direction D of the recording paper P at the printing position. The head moving mechanism 15 drives a carriage unit 9 on which the print head 10 is mounted, a pair of pulleys 16 for moving the carriage unit 9, a timing belt 17 spanned between these pulleys 16, and one pulley 16. And a carriage motor 18 for rotating the timing belt 17.

  Further, the ink jet printer 2 includes a control unit 19 that controls the printing operation. The control unit 19 drives and controls the print head 10, the conveyance motor 14 and the carriage motor 18. The control unit 19 and the carriage unit 9 are connected by a flexible cable 20. The print head 10, the transport mechanism 12, the head moving mechanism 15, the control unit 19, and the flexible cable 20 are housed in the exterior body 7.

  Here, the axis on which the carriage unit 9 can move is defined as the first axis X, the axis on which the transport mechanism 12 can transport the recording paper P is defined as the second axis Y, and the first axis X and the second axis Y An axis orthogonal to is defined as a third axis Z. One direction on the first axis X is defined as + X direction, and the other direction is defined as −X direction. The + X direction is one of the printer width directions, and the -X direction is the other of the printer width directions. One direction on the second axis Y is defined as + Y direction, and the other direction is defined as −Y direction. The + Y direction is the front of the printer, and the −Y direction is the rear of the printer. Further, one direction on the third axis Z is defined as + Z direction, and the other direction is defined as −Z direction. The + Z direction is upward and the −Z direction is downward. In the following description, the positional relationship of members will be described based on these axes.

(Carriage unit)
FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of the carriage unit, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of the movement operation of the carriage unit. As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage unit 9 includes a unit mounting portion 21 to which the ink supply unit 31 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 2A, the unit mounting portion 21 includes a mounting chamber 22 in which the ink supply unit 31 is mounted from above. The mounting chamber 22 is partitioned into a plurality of slots 24 by a partition plate 23 extending in the longitudinal direction of the printer along the second axis Y. In this example, the mounting chamber 22 is partitioned into four slots 24. An ink supply unit 31 that supplies black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink to the print head 10 is mounted in each slot 24. Each slot 24 is provided with an ink introduction portion 25 and a contact mechanism 26. Note that the mounting chamber 22 may be partitioned into three slots. In this case, an ink supply unit 31 that supplies cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink is mounted in each slot. The mounting chamber 22 may be partitioned into five or more slots.

  The ink introduction part 25 includes a cylindrical part 27 protruding upward from the bottom surface of each slot 24, and an ink introduction side filter 28 arranged on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical part 27. The ink introduction side filter 28 is formed of a porous member such as a metal mesh, a metal nonwoven fabric, or a resin filter. A printer-side ink flow path (not shown) communicating with the print head 10 is formed inside the cylindrical portion 27. Ink from each ink supply unit 31 mounted in each slot 24 is supplied to the print head 10 via the ink introduction filter 28. The contact mechanism 26 is electrically connected to the control unit 19 via the flexible cable 20.

  In addition, the ink introduction portion 25 includes an annular seal portion 29 that surrounds the cylindrical portion 27 at the bottom portion of each slot 24. The seal portion 29 is a member having elasticity such as synthetic rubber. When the ink supply unit 31 is mounted on the carriage unit 9, the seal portion 29 contacts the ink supply unit 31 and liquid between the ink supply unit 31 and the carriage unit 9. Seal tightly.

  When print data is supplied to the inkjet printer 2 from an external device, the control unit 19 performs a paper feeding operation in which the recording paper P is fed in the direction along the second axis Y by the transport mechanism 12, and the head moving mechanism 15. Thus, the print head 10 is driven while moving the print head 10 along the first axis X, and print data is printed by alternately repeating the print operation of ejecting ink onto the recording paper P.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the head moving mechanism 15 moves the print head 10 along the first axis X, the carriage unit 9 is positioned at the first position in the + X direction of the transport path. It moves between the HP (see the diagram on the left side of FIG. 2B) and the second position AP (see the diagram on the right side of FIG. 2B) located in the −X direction of the transport path. Accordingly, the tube 33 of the ink supply system 1 is routed in a state including the folding portion 34 so that the carriage unit 9 can be moved. That is, the tube 33 includes a first tube portion (first portion) 35 on the ink tank 32 side with the folded portion 34 interposed therebetween and a second tube portion (second portion) 36 on the ink supply unit 31 side. .

(Ink supply system)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the ink supply unit 31 and the tube 33. 3A shows a case where the ink supply unit 31 is viewed obliquely from above in the direction along the first axis X, and FIG. 3B shows the direction along the first axis X of the ink supply unit 31. The case seen from. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the ink supply unit 31 is mounted in each slot 24 of the carriage unit 9. FIG. 4A shows the case where the four ink supply units 31 are viewed from obliquely above in the direction along the first axis X, and FIG. 4B shows the case where the four ink supply units 31 are viewed from the + Z direction. Indicates. In the description of the ink supply system 1, the ink supply unit 31 is mounted on the carriage unit 9, and the members are based on the first axis X, the second axis Y, and the third axis Z defined above with reference to the posture. The positional relationship will be described.

  The ink supply unit 31 includes a main body 40 that extends in the front-rear direction of the printer along the second axis Y with a constant width. A first protrusion 41 and a second protrusion 42 that protrude in the + Z direction are provided on the upper surface of the main body 40. The first projecting portion 41 and the second projecting portion 42 are provided apart from each other in the front-rear direction of the printer along the second axis Y. The amount of protrusion of the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 from the upper surface of the main body 40 is the same. The first protrusion 41 is located in the + Y direction (the printer rear side) of the second protrusion 42.

  The main body 40 includes a protrusion 43 having a smaller protrusion amount than the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 between the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42. The protrusion 43 is provided with an ink injection part (liquid injection part) 44 to which an end portion of the tube 33 can be connected. The ink injection unit 44 includes an ink injection port 45 that communicates with the tube 33 when the tube 33 is connected. Here, the ink injection port 45 faces the −X direction. Accordingly, the second tube portion 36 closer to the ink supply unit 31 than the folded portion 34 of the tube 33 is connected to the ink injection portion 44 from the −X direction (from the second position AP side).

  Furthermore, the main body 40 includes an ink supply unit (liquid supply unit) 46 at the lower end portion thereof. The ink supply unit 46 includes an ink supply side filter 47 and a cylindrical wall portion 48 surrounding the ink supply side filter 47. The ink supply side filter 47 is made of a porous member. The wall portion 48 has a shape in which the ink introduction portion 25 provided in the carriage unit 9 can be inserted. Here, the main body section 40 is provided with an internal flow path for communicating the ink injection section 44 and the ink supply section 46, and the ink supply side filter 47 is located at the downstream end of the internal flow path.

  The ink supply unit 31 includes a mounting lever 49 that bends toward the main body 40 when the ink supply unit 31 is mounted on the unit mounting portion 21 in the + Y direction of the first protrusion 41.

  In a state where the ink supply unit 31 is mounted on the unit mounting portion 21 of the carriage unit 9, the ink introduction portion 25 is inserted inside the wall portion 48, and the ink supply side filter 47 and the ink introduction side filter 28 are in surface contact. . In addition, a flat annular surface (reference surface) 48 a that is a front end surface of the wall portion 48 abuts on the seal portion 29, and the space between the ink supply unit 31 and the carriage unit 9 is liquid-tightly sealed. In a state where the ink supply unit 31 is mounted on the unit mounting portion 21 of the carriage unit 9, an ink supply path that communicates from the ink tank 32 to the print head 10 via the tube 33 and the ink supply unit 31 is formed. More specifically, the ink supply path that communicates with the print head 10 via the ink tank 32, the tube 33, the ink injection unit 44, the internal flow path of the ink supply unit 31, the ink introduction part 25, and the printer-side ink flow path. Is formed.

  The ink supply port (liquid supply port) through which the ink supply unit (liquid supply unit) 46 supplies ink to the ink jet printer 2 side is a portion through which ink (liquid) can pass. In this example, the ink supply side filter 47 is an effective region that is in surface contact with the ink introduction side filter 28 and contributes to the ink supply amount. An ink introduction port (liquid introduction port) for introducing ink from the ink supply system 1 in the ink introduction unit (liquid introduction unit) 25 is a portion through which ink (liquid) can pass through the ink introduction unit 25. In this example, the ink introduction side filter 28 is an effective region that is in surface contact with the ink supply side filter 47 and contributes to the ink supply amount.

  The tube 33 includes a first tube portion 35 on the ink tank 32 side and a second tube portion 36 on the ink supply unit 31 side of the first protruding portion 41 and the second protruding portion 42 with the folded portion 34 interposed therebetween. Between them, they are routed so as to overlap in the vertical direction along the third axis Z.

  Here, as well shown in FIG. 3B, the ink injection unit 44 at the upper end of the first protrusion 41 in the direction along the third axis Z in a state where the ink supply unit 31 is mounted on the carriage unit 9. Is higher than the height of the second tube portion 36 from the ink injection portion 44. The height of the upper end of the second protrusion 42 from the ink injection portion 44 is higher than the height of the second tube portion 36 from the ink injection portion 44. Further, the height of the upper end of the first projecting portion 41 from the ink injection portion 44 is higher than the height of the first tube portion 35 from the ink injection portion 44. The height of the upper end of the second protrusion 42 from the ink injection portion 44 is higher than the height of the first tube portion 35 from the ink injection portion 44.

  Therefore, according to the present example, as shown in FIG. 2B, even when the carriage unit 9 moves in the printer width direction along the first axis X, the tube 33 is connected to the first protrusion 41 of the liquid supply unit. And the second protrusion 42. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tube 33 from moving from a predetermined position as the carriage unit 9 moves. That is, the tube 33 that is displaced along with the movement of the carriage unit 9 can be guided by the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 provided in the liquid supply unit.

  Here, each ink supply unit 31 inserted into each slot 24 has the same configuration, but as shown in FIG. 4, the position of the protrusion 43 protruding from the main body 40 is the second axis Y. Different in the longitudinal direction of the printer along. That is, in each ink supply unit 31, the position of the ink injection part 44 provided between the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 is shifted in the front-rear direction of the printer along the second axis Y, and the X axis There is no overlap when viewed from the direction. Thereby, each tube 33 connected to the ink injection portion 44 of each ink supply unit 31 is routed at a different position in the front-rear direction of the printer along the second axis Y, and each tube 33 is extended in the front-rear direction of the printer. Overlap is prevented.

  In the above example, the ink injection portion 44 is provided on the protrusion 43 on the upper surface of the main body portion 40 of the ink supply unit 31, but the configuration of the ink injection portion 44 is not limited to this. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an ink injecting unit 44 according to a modification. As shown in FIG. 5A, the ink injection portion 44 may be formed as a cylindrical portion 51 that protrudes along the third axis Z from the upper surface of the main body portion 40. The central hole of the cylinder portion 51 is an ink injection port 45 and communicates with the internal flow path of the ink supply unit 31. In this case, the tube 33 and the ink injection port 45 are connected by inserting the cylindrical portion 51 into the tube 33.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the ink injection part 44 may be an opening 52 provided on the upper surface of the main body part 40. The opening 52 is the ink injection port 45 and is the upstream end of the internal flow path of the ink supply unit 31. In this case, a bent portion 33a that is bent in an L shape is formed at the tip of the tube 33, and the bent portion 33a is inserted into the opening 52 so that the tube 33 and the ink injection port 45 are connected. Is done.

(Modification 1)
In the above example, one ink supply unit 31 is mounted in each slot 24. However, the composite ink supply in which the main body portions 40 of the four ink supply units 31 are arranged along the first axis X is integrated. A unit may be formed, and this composite ink supply unit may be mounted on the unit mounting portion 21 of the carriage unit 9. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of a composite ink supply unit in which four ink supply units are arranged and integrated along the first axis X, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating three ink supply units on the first axis. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a composite ink supply unit that is aligned along X and integrated. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the left figure shows the case where the composite ink supply unit is viewed from obliquely above in the direction along the first axis X, and the right figure shows the composite ink supply unit from the + Z direction. Shown when viewed. In addition, the tube 33 is described in the figure on the right side.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the composite ink supply unit 54 in which the plurality of ink supply units 31 are integrated, the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 that protrude from the main body 40. Are connected in the first axis X direction. Further, a protrusion 43 including an ink injection portion 44 that connects each tube 33 for supplying each color ink is provided at a position that does not overlap when viewed from the X-axis direction. Only one mounting lever 49 is provided. When forming the composite ink supply unit 54, the two ink supply units 31 may be integrated. Also, a plurality of five or more ink supply units 31 corresponding to the number of slots 24 provided in the carriage unit 9 may be integrated.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of an ink supply unit according to the second modification. The ink supply unit 31 </ b> A of this example is equipped with a terminal portion 55 that is electrically connected to the contact mechanism 26 provided in the unit mounting portion 21 of the carriage unit 9. Here, the terminal portion 55 has a plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals has a contact portion that can be in electrical contact with the contact mechanism 26 (connector unit) of the inkjet printer 2. The terminal portion 55 may be provided on the substrate. Further, the terminal portion 55 may be electrically connected to a device such as a resistor or a memory.

  In addition, the ink supply unit 31 </ b> A of this example includes a first engagement portion 56 and a second engagement portion 57 that can be engaged with the unit mounting portion 21. In addition, since the ink supply unit 31A of the present example has a configuration corresponding to the ink supply unit 31, the corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The terminal portion 55 is provided on the opposite side of the ink injection portion 44 with the first protrusion 41 interposed therebetween in the front-rear direction of the printer along the second axis Y. In other words, in the ink supply unit 31 </ b> A, the first protruding portion 41 is provided between the terminal portion 55 and the ink injection portion 44. Therefore, for example, even when ink leaks from the ink injection portion 44, it can be avoided that the ink scatters and adheres to the terminal portion 55.

  The first engagement portion 56 is provided so as to protrude in the + Y direction from the ink supply unit 31A, and the second engagement portion 57 is provided so as to protrude in the −Y direction from the ink supply unit 31A. The first engaging portion 56 protrudes from the upper portion of the first protruding portion 41 in the + Y direction. The second engaging portion 57 protrudes in the −Y direction from the lower portion of the second protruding portion 42.

  In this example, since the first engaging portion 56 and the second engaging portion 57 engage with the unit mounting portion 21 of the carriage unit 9, the ink supply unit 31 can be securely attached to the carriage unit 9. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink supply unit 31 from falling off the moving carriage unit 9. If the ink supply unit 31 is securely fixed to the carriage unit 9, the guide function of the tube 33 by the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 is stabilized.

(Modification 3)
FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of the ink supply unit of the third modification. In the ink supply unit 31B of the present example, the terminal portion 55 in the ink supply unit 31A of the second modification is detachable. That is, the terminal unit 55 is a terminal unit 55 </ b> A that can be attached to and detached from the ink supply unit 31. In this example, the terminal unit 55 </ b> A is provided on the opposite side of the ink injection portion 44 with the first protrusion 41 interposed therebetween in the front-rear direction of the printer along the second axis Y. In other words, the first protrusion 41 is located between the terminal unit 55 </ b> A and the ink injection part 44. Therefore, for example, even when ink leaks from the ink injection portion 44, it is possible to avoid the ink from scattering and adhering to the terminal unit 55A.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the ink supply unit 46 of the ink supply unit 31 includes the ink supply side filter 47 and the wall 48, but the ink supply unit 46 includes the liquid supply needle protruding from the main body 40, and The ink supply needle may be inserted into the ink introduction part 25 of the carriage unit 9. Further, the ink supply unit 46 may be configured such that an opening is provided in the lower surface of the main body 40 and the ink supply side filter 47 is partially exposed from the opening.

(Example of installing an ink supply system in another form of printer)
FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of another form of the printing system, and FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the exterior unit of the inkjet printer and the tube. The printing system 100A of this example includes an ink supply system (liquid supply system) 1 and an ink jet printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 2A. The ink jet printer 2 </ b> A has a smaller opening 6 provided on the upper surface of the exterior body portion 7 than the ink jet printer 2 described above. In addition, since the inkjet printer 2A of this example is provided with the structure corresponding to said inkjet printer 2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding structure and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the ink jet printer 2 </ b> A, the opening 6 of the exterior body 7 is partially provided at the center in the printer width direction along the first axis X. Accordingly, the carriage unit 9 that is scanned in the direction along the first axis X by the head moving mechanism 15 overlaps with the top plate of the exterior body 7 in the printer direction along the third axis Z and is not exposed to the outside. From the region 101, the second region 102 that overlaps the opening 6 and can be exposed to the outside moves to the third region 103 that overlaps the top plate of the exterior body 7 and is not exposed to the outside.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 8B, while the carriage unit 9 is positioned in the third region 103, the tube 33 is such that the portion including the folded portion 34 is the top plate (exterior) 7 a of the exterior main body 7. And the ink supply unit 31. Accordingly, the distance L1 between the top surface 40a of the main body portion 40 of the ink supply unit 31, the bottom surface (the upper surface 40a of the main body portion 40) of the concave portion constituted by the first protrusion portion 41 and the second protrusion portion 42 and the top plate 7a. Is not less than the thickness dimension when the tube 33 is folded back (twice the thickness of the tube 33), and the tube 33 is routed in a state where the first tube portion 35 and the top plate 7a are not in contact with each other. Further, in this example, the first tube portion 35 is pulled out from the inside of the exterior body portion 7 through the opening 6, and the first tube portion 35 is provided on the upper surface of the exterior body portion 7. The support portion 105 is fixed by a fixing member 106 such as a tape.

  According to this example, the first tube portion 35 of the tube 33 can be fixed to the top plate 7a of the exterior main body 7. Therefore, even when the carriage unit 9 (ink supply unit 31) moves, the behavior of the tube 33 is stabilized. . Moreover, in the 1st area | region 101 and the 3rd area | region 103, since a part part of the tube 33 is arrange | positioned inside the top plate 7a of the exterior main body part 7, the part of the tube 33 hidden in the top plate 7a can be protected. Here, even when the carriage unit 9 is located in the third region 103 where the carriage unit 9 is not visible from the outside, the first projecting portion 41 and the second projecting portion 42 are the same as in the case where they are located in the second region 102. 33 displacements are guided.

1 .. Ink supply system, 2. 2A .. Inkjet printer (liquid ejecting device), 5 .... Exterior unit, 6 .... Opening, 7 .... Exterior body, 7a ... Top plate (exterior), 8.・ Exterior cover, 9 ・ ・ Carriage unit, 10 ・ ・ Print head, 12 ・ ・ Conveying mechanism, 13 ・ ・ Conveying roller, 14 ・ ・ Conveying motor, 15 ・ ・ Head moving mechanism, 16 ・ ・ Pulley, 17 ・ ・Timing belt, 18 ... Carriage motor, 19 ... Control unit, 20 ... Flexible cable, 21 ... Unit mounting part, 22 ... Installation chamber, 23 ... Partition plate, 24 ... Slot, 25 ... Ink introduction Part (liquid introduction part), 26 .. contact mechanism, 27 .. cylindrical part, 28 .. ink introduction side filter, 29 .. seal part, 31 .31 A .31 B .. ink supply unit (liquid Supply unit), 32... Ink tank 32 (liquid container), 33... Tube (liquid supply tube), 34 .. folded portion, 35... First tube portion (first portion), 36. Tube portion (second portion) 40 ··· Main body portion 41 ··· First protrusion portion 42 ··· Second protrusion portion 43 ··· Projection portion 44 · · Ink injection portion (liquid injection portion) 45 · · ·・ Ink inlet (liquid supply port), 46 ..Ink supply part (liquid supply part), 47 ..Ink supply side filter, 48 ..Wall part, 49 ..Mounting lever, 51. .Opening part 54..Composite ink supply unit 55..Terminal part 55A..Terminal unit 56.57..engaging part 100.100A..printing system 101.first region 102.first 2 area, 103 and 3rd area, 105 and support part, 06-Fixing member, AP-Carriage unit second position, HP-Carriage unit first position, P-Recording paper (medium to be printed), X-1 axis, Y-2 axis, Z ・ ・ 3rd axis

Claims (10)

A liquid supply system that is mountable on the carriage unit of a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes an exterior unit, a carriage unit that is accommodated in the exterior unit, and a transport mechanism that is accommodated in the exterior unit and can transport a print medium. Because
The axis on which the carriage unit is movable is defined as the first axis,
An axis on which the transport mechanism can transport the print medium is defined as a second axis,
When an axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis is defined as a third axis,
A liquid storage container capable of storing a liquid;
A liquid supply tube having one end and the other end, the one end being connected to the liquid container;
A liquid supply unit connected to the other end of the liquid supply tube and attachable to the carriage unit;
The liquid supply unit includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that protrude in a direction along the third axis when mounted on the carriage unit, and a space between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. And a liquid injection part connected to the other end of the liquid supply tube.
The liquid supply tube includes a folded portion, and the liquid supply tube includes a first portion between the folded portion and the one end, and a second portion between the folded portion and the other end. The liquid supply system, wherein the liquid supply system is arranged in a direction along the first axis so as to overlap in a direction along the third axis in a region between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. An exterior unit; a carriage unit housed in the exterior unit; and a transport mechanism housed in the exterior unit and capable of transporting a print medium. The carriage unit includes a liquid introduction unit, and the liquid introduction unit Is a liquid supply system that can be attached to the carriage unit of a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a liquid introduction port through which a liquid can pass and a seal portion that surrounds the liquid introduction port,
A liquid storage container capable of storing a liquid;
A liquid supply tube having one end and the other end, the one end being connected to the liquid container;
A liquid supply unit connected to the other end of the liquid supply tube and attachable to the carriage unit;
The liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply unit, and the liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply port through which the liquid can pass and a wall portion surrounding the liquid supply port.
In a state in which the liquid supply system is mounted on the carriage unit, a surface where the wall portion and the seal portion are in contact with each other is a reference surface, a direction along the reference surface is a first axis, and the first axis is along the reference surface. When an axis perpendicular to one axis is defined as a second axis and an axis intersecting the reference plane is defined as a third axis,
The liquid supply unit includes a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion that project in a direction along the third axis when mounted on the carriage unit, and between the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion. A liquid injection part located and connected to the other end of the liquid supply tube,
The liquid supply tube includes a folded portion, and the liquid supply tube includes a first portion between the folded portion and the one end, and a second portion between the folded portion and the other end. The liquid supply system, wherein the liquid supply system is arranged in a direction along the first axis so as to overlap in a direction along the third axis in a region between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The liquid supply system according to claim 1 or 2,
With the liquid supply unit mounted on the carriage unit, the height of the upper end of the first protrusion from the liquid injection part in the direction along the third axis is the second height of the liquid supply tube. A liquid supply system, wherein the height of the portion is higher than the height from the liquid injection portion. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the height of the upper end of the second projecting portion from the liquid injection portion in the direction along the third axis is the second height of the liquid supply tube. A liquid supply system, wherein the height of the portion is higher than the height from the liquid injection portion. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
With the liquid supply unit mounted on the carriage unit, the height of the upper end of the first protrusion from the liquid injection part in the direction along the third axis is the first of the liquid supply tube. A liquid supply system, wherein the height of the portion is higher than the height from the liquid injection portion. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the height of the upper end of the second protrusion from the liquid injection part in the direction along the third axis is the first of the liquid supply tube. A liquid supply system, wherein the height of the portion is higher than the height from the liquid injection portion. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
In a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the liquid supply unit includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that engage with the carriage unit in a direction along the second axis. A liquid supply system characterized by that. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An opening is formed in the exterior of the exterior unit,
The carriage unit is movably installed in a direction along the third axis from a first region that overlaps the exterior and is not exposed to the outside to a second region that overlaps the opening and can be exposed to the outside.
In a state where the carriage unit is positioned in the first region, the first portion and the second portion of the liquid supply tube are disposed so as to be positioned between the exterior and the liquid supply unit. Liquid supply system characterized. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The liquid supply unit has a terminal portion that can be electrically connected to the carriage unit,
In a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the first projecting portion is located between the terminal portion and the liquid injecting portion in a direction along the second axis. Supply system. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A terminal unit electrically connectable to the carriage unit;
In a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage unit, the first projecting portion is located between the terminal unit and the liquid injection portion in a direction along the second axis. Supply system.

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