JP2021028119A - Liquid storage device, and liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a liquid storage device which can suppress that an ink flows out from an ink tank during transportation.SOLUTION: A liquid storage device comprises a liquid storage part for storing an ink, and adapter 130 covering the liquid storage part. A liquid injection port 113 for injecting the ink and an atmosphere introduction port 114 for introducing atmosphere into the liquid storage part are formed in the liquid storage part. A first open hole for exposing the liquid injection port 113 and a recess 132 concaved to the liquid storage part side are formed in the adapter 130. A second open hole 132a for exposing the atmosphere introduction port 114, and a projection 132b, which stores a cap for encapsulating the atmosphere introduction port 114 in the state that the atmosphere introduction port 114 is not encapsulated, are formed in the recess 132.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid storage device and a liquid injection device including a liquid storage device.

An inkjet printer equipped with an ink tank for storing a liquid such as ink is known. The ink tank is formed with an atmosphere inlet for introducing the atmosphere from the outside. Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer including a cap for sealing an air inlet of an ink tank and a cap accommodating portion for accommodating the cap. When transporting an inkjet printer, the user seals the air inlet with a cap to prevent the liquid in the ink tank from flowing out from the air inlet.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-46555

However, in the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, since the cap accommodating portion is formed at a position where it is difficult to see from the outside, the user may forget to attach the cap and ink may flow out from the air inlet during transportation. there were.

The liquid storage device includes a liquid storage body that stores a liquid and a mounting body that covers the liquid storage body. The liquid storage body has a liquid injection port for injecting the liquid, and the liquid storage body has an atmosphere. A first through hole for exposing the liquid injection port and a recessed recess on the liquid container side are formed in the mounting body, and the recessed portion is formed with a recess for introducing the liquid. A second through hole for exposing the air inlet and a cap storage unit for storing the cap for sealing the air inlet in a state where the air inlet is not sealed are formed.

The liquid injection device includes the liquid storage device described above.

The schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the liquid injection apparatus. The schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the liquid containing apparatus. The schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the ink tank as a liquid container. The schematic perspective view which shows the state of injecting ink into a liquid storage device. The schematic perspective view along the AA'line of the liquid containing apparatus shown in FIG. The schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the cap continuum. The schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the cap continuum. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB'of the cap continuum shown in FIG. Top view of the liquid storage device in the stored state. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line CC'of the liquid storage device shown in FIG. Top view of the liquid storage device in the sealed state. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line DD'of the liquid storage device shown in FIG. The plan view which shows the protrusion. The plan view which shows the deformation example of a protrusion. The plan view which shows the deformation example of a protrusion. The plan view which shows the deformation example of a protrusion. The plan view which shows the deformation example of a protrusion. The plan view which shows the deformation example of a protrusion. The plan view which shows the deformation example of a protrusion.

(Embodiment)
First, a schematic configuration of the liquid injection device 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid injection device 10 of the present embodiment. An example of the liquid injection device 10 is an inkjet printer that injects ink as a liquid onto a printing medium to perform printing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid injection device 10 is a large format printer (LFP) that handles a long continuous paper M, and is, for example, a device main body 11 supported by a pair of legs 12 mounted on a floor surface. To be equipped. The pair of legs 12 and the apparatus main body 11 are provided with a transport unit for transporting the continuous paper M from a roll body in which the continuous paper M is wound in a roll shape.

Note that FIG. 1 has an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. Of the X-axis, the positive direction is the + X-axis, the negative direction is the -X-axis, the Y-axis is the + Y-axis, the negative direction is the -Y-axis, and the Z-axis is the positive direction + Z. The axis and the negative direction are the -Z axis. The figures shown below are also provided with X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as needed. In this case, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis in each figure correspond to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis in FIG. 1, respectively. The liquid injection device 10 according to the present embodiment is arranged on a plane horizontal to the XY plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis.

The apparatus main body 11 includes a support unit 13 that supports the continuous paper M conveyed by the transfer unit, a printing unit 14 that prints on the continuous paper M by ejecting ink onto the continuous paper M in the printing area, and an operation related to printing. An operation unit 15 for performing the above is provided. Further, the apparatus main body 11 is provided with a paper ejection port 16 for discharging the continuous paper M conveyed in the apparatus main body 11 in the + Y axis direction of the apparatus main body 11.

The printing unit 14 includes a carriage 17 that can reciprocate in the X-axis direction. A print head 18 that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles is mounted on the carriage 17. The print head 18 ejects ink toward the continuous paper M supported by the support portion 13.

A liquid storage device 100 that supplies ink to the printing unit 14 is provided in the + X-axis direction of the device main body 11.

Next, the liquid storage device 100 constituting the liquid injection device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid storage device 100. Note that FIG. 2 shows a state in which one of the ink tanks 111 constituting the ink tank unit 110 described later is removed.

The liquid storage device 100 includes an ink tank unit 110 having ink tanks 111 as a plurality of liquid storage bodies, a housing 120, an adapter 130 as a mounting body, and a cover (not shown).

The ink tanks 111 are arranged in the housing 120 along the X-axis direction and have the same structure and shape as each other. In the present embodiment, the ink tank unit 110 is composed of four ink tanks 111, but the number of ink tanks 111 may be any number. The width in the X-axis direction may be different in each ink tank 111.

The ink tank 111 contains ink as a liquid. In the present embodiment, either a configuration in which different types of ink are accommodated in each of the ink tanks 111 or a configuration in which the same type of ink is accommodated in each other can be adopted. Examples of the type of ink include the color of the ink. Therefore, in the present embodiment, either a configuration in which inks of different colors are stored in each of the ink tanks 111 or a configuration in which inks of the same color are stored in each other can be adopted. Examples of the ink color include black, yellow, magenta, and cyan.

The ink is not limited to either a water-based ink or an oil-based ink. The water-based ink may be either one in which a solute such as a dye is dissolved in an aqueous solvent or one in which a dispersoid such as a pigment is dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium. Further, the oil-based ink may be either one having a structure in which a solute such as a dye is dissolved in an oil-based solvent or one having a structure in which a dispersoid such as a pigment is dispersed in an oil-based dispersion medium. Further, the ink may be a sublimation transfer ink containing a sublimation dye.

The adapter 130 is provided in the + Z axis direction of the liquid storage device 100. Specifically, the adapter 130 is attached to the housing 120 so as to cover the surfaces of the ink tank 111 where the liquid injection port 113 and the atmosphere introduction port 114 are provided. Further, the adapter 130 is provided with a lever 140 for sealing the liquid injection port 113.

The adapter 130 has a groove 131 in which a first through hole 131a (see FIG. 9) for exposing the liquid injection port 113 is formed, a second through hole 132a for exposing the atmosphere introduction port 114, and a protrusion as a cap storage part. A recess 132 in which the 132b is formed and a recess 132 are provided.

The groove 131 is provided corresponding to each ink tank 111 arranged along the X-axis direction. Specifically, the groove 131 is formed so as to be recessed toward the ink tank unit 110 on the upper surface of the adapter 130. A first through hole 131a (see FIG. 9) is formed on the bottom surface of the groove 131. The first through hole 131a penetrates the adapter 130 along the Z axis. The first through hole 131a has a size into which the liquid injection port 113 of the ink tank 111 can be inserted.

When the adapter 130 is attached to the ink tank unit 110, the liquid injection port 113 of the ink tank 111 is inserted into the groove 131 through the first through hole 131a (see FIG. 9) of the adapter 130 in the liquid storage device 100. Will be done. As a result, the liquid injection port 113 of the ink tank 111 is exposed in the groove 131 through the first through hole 131a in a state where the adapter 130 is attached to the ink tank unit 110.

Further, the adapter 130 is provided with a recess 132 recessed on the ink tank unit 110 side. The recess 132 has a bottom surface provided in the −Z axis direction with respect to the surface of the adapter 130, and an opening surface provided on the surface of the adapter 130. The recess 132 has a width wider than the width in which the plurality of grooves 131 are provided in the X-axis direction.

The housing 120 is arranged together with the adapter 130 so as to cover the ink tank unit 110. In the present embodiment, the housing 120 is located on the + X-axis direction of the ink tank unit 110 and is located on the side surface 121 along the YZ plane and the side surface 121 of the ink tank unit 110 is located on the −X-axis direction and is located along the YZ plane. 122, a bottom surface 123 located in the −Z axis direction of the ink tank unit 110 and along the XY plane, and a side surface 124 formed between the adapter 130 and the ink tank unit 110 in the plane along the XZ plane. Have.

The side surface 124 may be formed by extending in the −Z axis direction. In this case, it is preferable that the side surface 124 is transparent or translucent so that the marks provided on the end faces of the ink tank 111 described later in the Y-axis direction can be visually recognized. Further, a viewing window may be provided on the side surface 124 so that the mark can be visually recognized.

The lever 140 seals the liquid injection port 113 of the ink tank 111. In this embodiment, a plurality of levers 140 are provided corresponding to each ink tank 111. The user individually opens the lever 140 corresponding to the ink tank 111 to which the ink is to be injected, and injects the ink into the ink tank 111. Each lever 140 is rotatably supported by a lever rotation shaft 150 corresponding to each ink tank 111.

As described above, a lever rotation shaft 150 for rotatably attaching the lever 140 is provided on the surface of the adapter 130. One lever rotation shaft 150 is provided corresponding to each groove 131. In the present embodiment, four lever rotation shafts 150 are provided corresponding to the four groove portions 131. The lever rotation shaft 150 is provided in the −Y axis direction of the adapter 130 and extends in the X axis direction.

The lever 140 has an elastically deformable plug portion 141 that seals or opens the liquid injection port 113, and a lever body 142 provided with the plug portion 141. The lever body 142 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in one direction. A grip portion 143 that is gripped by the user is provided at one end of the lever body 142. The user operates the lever 140 by gripping the grip portion 143. At the other end of the lever body 142, an engaging portion 144 that engages with the lever rotating shaft 150 is provided.

The engaging portion 144 has, for example, a shape in which a part of the ring is cut in a cross-sectional view. The lever 140 is engaged with the lever rotation shaft 150 by pushing the opening of the engaging portion 144 against the lever rotation shaft 150. Then, by rotating the lever 140, the liquid injection port 113 may be in a closed state sealed by the plug portion 141, or may be in an unsealed open state.

The plug portion 141 is arranged at a position between the grip portion 143 and the engaging portion 144 on the lever main body 142. In the present embodiment, the plug portion 141 has a bottomed circular shape, for example, in order to cover the liquid injection port 113. The stopper 141 is made of a flexible member such as rubber or elastomer. The lever body 142 is made of, for example, a non-flexible member such as plastic or metal.

Next, the configuration of the ink tank 111 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the ink tank 111.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank 111 has a tank body 112, a liquid injection port 113, an atmosphere introduction port 114, and a liquid outlet 115. The tank body 112 is provided with a liquid accommodating portion 116, an atmospheric communication portion 117, and a gas-liquid exchange flow path 118. In FIG. 3, the liquid accommodating portion 116, the air communication portion 117, and the gas-liquid exchange flow path 118 are configured by the inside of the tank body 112, and their corresponding positions are indicated by broken lines. As a material constituting the ink tank 111, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene is used.

The liquid storage unit 116 is provided to store ink. The ink passes through the gas-liquid exchange flow path 118 from the liquid injection port 113 and is stored in the liquid storage unit 116.

The gas-liquid exchange flow path 118 communicates with the liquid injection port 113 and the liquid storage portion 116. The gas-liquid exchange flow path 118 includes a liquid flow path (not shown) in which ink flows from the liquid injection port 113 into the liquid storage portion 116 and an atmospheric flow path (not shown) in which the air flows out from the liquid storage portion 116 to the liquid inlet 113. And consists of.

When the ink is injected into the ink tank 111 from the ink bottle 300 described later, the ink in the ink bottle 300 flows into the liquid storage unit 116 through the liquid flow path. On the other hand, the air in the liquid storage unit 116 flows into the ink bottle 300 through the air flow path. With such a configuration, ink can be injected into the ink tank 111 without delay.

The liquid injection port 113 is formed so as to project in the + Z axis direction at the end of the tank body 112 in the + Z axis direction. The liquid injection port 113 communicates with the liquid storage unit 116 via the gas-liquid exchange flow path 118, and is provided to inject ink into the liquid storage unit 116.

Like the liquid injection port 113, the atmosphere introduction port 114 is formed so as to project in the + Z axis direction at the upper surface of the tank body 112, that is, at the end of the ink tank 111 in the + Z axis direction. The atmosphere introduction port 114 communicates with the liquid storage unit 116 via the air communication unit 117, and is provided to introduce the atmosphere into the liquid storage unit 116.

The liquid outlet 115 is arranged so as to communicate with the liquid storage unit 116. A tube (not shown) is attached to the liquid outlet 115, and ink is supplied from the liquid accommodating portion 116 to the liquid injection device 10 via the tube.

The air communication unit 117 is arranged so as to communicate between the air inlet 114 and the liquid storage unit 116. Specifically, the atmospheric communication unit 117 is composed of a flow path that is complicatedly bent in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and a plurality of through holes that penetrate in the X-axis direction, and ink is discharged from the liquid storage unit 116. It suppresses the outflow to the outside of the ink tank 111.

The end face of the tank body 112 in the + Y axis direction has light transmission. Further, a mark for specifying the amount of ink in the liquid containing portion 116, for example, a mark for indicating an upper limit amount and a lower limit amount is formed on the end face.

The liquid inlet 113 and the air inlet 114 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction on the upper surface of the tank body 112. In other words, the straight line connecting the liquid inlet 113 and the atmosphere inlet 114 is in a positional relationship parallel to the Y-axis direction.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which ink is injected into the liquid storage device 100. The ink is injected from the ink bottle 300 as shown in FIG. 4 into the ink tank 111. The ink bottle 300 has an ink bottle main body 310 in which ink is stored and an ink outlet 320 from which ink flows out from the ink bottle main body 310. The ink outlet 320 is formed so that the liquid injection port 113 of the ink tank 111 can be inserted.

When replenishing the ink tank 111 with ink, the user holds the ink bottle body 310 of the ink bottle 300 and inserts the ink outlet 320 into the groove 131 of the adapter 130. Further, the ink outlet 320 is inserted into the liquid injection port 113 exposed from the first through hole 131a. By such an operation, ink is injected into the ink tank 111.

The ink outlet 320 may be provided with an erroneous insertion prevention unit (not shown) for preventing erroneous insertion into the ink tank 111. At this time, the groove 131 of the adapter 130 is provided with a slot (not shown) that can be fitted into the erroneous insertion prevention portion. As shown in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of liquid injection ports 113, the shapes of the slot portions corresponding to the respective liquid injection ports 113 can be provided so as to be different. As a result, it is possible to specify the type of ink bottle 300 that can be fitted to each of the plurality of groove portions 131, and it is possible to prevent erroneous insertion.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA'of the liquid storage device 100 shown in FIG. The detailed cross-sectional configuration inside the ink tank 111 is omitted.

A plurality of second through holes 132a are formed in the bottom surface 132c of the recess 132. The second through hole 132a penetrates the adapter 130 along the Z axis. The second through hole 132a has a size into which the atmosphere introduction port 114 of the ink tank 111 can be inserted. In the liquid storage device 100, when the adapter 130 is attached to the housing 120, the air introduction port 114 of the ink tank 111 is inserted through the second through hole 132a of the adapter 130. As a result, the air introduction port 114 of the ink tank 111 is exposed in the recess 132 of the adapter 130 with the adapter 130 mounted on the ink tank 111.

The first through hole 131a, the second through hole 132a, and the lever rotation shaft 150 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 9). In other words, the liquid injection port 113, the atmosphere introduction port 114, and the lever rotation shaft 150 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. Further, in the Y-axis direction, the second through hole 132a is provided between the first through hole 131a and the lever rotation shaft 150. In other words, in the Y-axis direction, the atmosphere introduction port 114 is provided between the liquid injection port 113 and the lever rotation shaft 150.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions 132b are provided on the bottom surface 132c of the recess 132. The protrusion 132b is provided so as to project from the bottom surface 132c of the recess 132 in the + Z axis direction. The protrusion 132b is formed at a position adjacent to the second through hole 132a in the X-axis direction. The protrusion 132b is formed between a plurality of adjacent second through holes 132a in the X-axis direction. In other words, the protrusions 132b and the second through holes 132a are arranged alternately.

The protrusion 132b may also be provided at the end of the recess 132 in the + X axis direction. A cap continuum 200, which will be described later, is attached to the protrusion 132b without sealing the atmosphere introduction port 114.

The plurality of second through holes 132a are arranged in a direction intersecting the straight line connecting the first through hole 131a and the second through hole 132a. In the present embodiment, the plurality of second through holes 132a are arranged in the X-axis direction, and the first through holes 131a and the second through holes 132a are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction.

The shape of the protrusion 132b is formed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 13A, for example. FIG. 13A is a plan view of the protrusion 132b as viewed from the + Z axis direction. As shown in FIG. 13A, the protrusion 132b is composed of, for example, a central protrusion 136 and a plurality of peripheral protrusions 137. The peripheral protrusion 137 is connected to the central protrusion 136. The protrusion 132b is formed in the same shape as shown in FIG. 13A from the upper part to the lower part of the protrusion 132b. The protrusion 132b may be cylindrical without the peripheral protrusion 137, in other words, only the central protrusion 136.

Next, the configuration of the cap continuum 200 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the cap continuum 200. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration when the cap continuum 200 shown in FIG. 6 is turned upside down. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB'of the cap continuum 200 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cap continuum 200 has a configuration in which a plurality of caps 210 are connected by a connecting portion 240. In the present embodiment, the ink tank unit 110 is composed of four ink tanks 111, and the cap continuum 200 is composed of four caps 210 and three connecting portions 240.

The cap 210 is composed of a sealing portion 220 and a mounting portion 230. The cap 210 includes an elastically deformable flexible material such as rubber or an elastomer as the material of the sealing portion 220.

The sealing portion 220 is provided to seal the atmosphere introduction port 114 of each ink tank 111, and as shown in FIG. 8, a sealing portion side opening 221 which is a substantially cylindrical hole is formed. ing. The external shape of the sealing portion 220 is, for example, a cylindrical shape. The size of the sealing portion side opening 221 of the sealing portion 220 is such that the atmosphere introduction port 114 of the ink tank 111 can be inserted.

Since the cap 210 is formed of the above-mentioned material, the sealing portion side opening 221 can be deformed even if it is smaller than the outer diameter of the atmosphere introduction port 114. Therefore, it is preferable that the size of the sealing portion side opening 221 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the atmosphere introduction port 114. Further, the mouth of the sealing portion side opening 221 is provided with an inclination over the entire circumference so that the atmosphere introduction port 114 can be easily inserted. In other words, it is preferable that the mouth is wide.

On the other hand, the mounting portion 230 is provided for mounting the cap 210 to the protruding portion 132b formed in the recess 132, and as shown in FIG. 8, the mounting portion side opening 231 which is a substantially square hole is formed. Has been done. The external shape of the mounting portion 230 is, for example, a cube shape. The attachment portion side opening 231 has a size into which a protrusion 132b provided in the recess 132 of the adapter 130 can be inserted.

Since the above material is used as in the sealing portion 220, the mounting portion side opening 231 can be deformed even if it is smaller than the size of the protrusion 132b. Therefore, it is preferable that the size of the mounting portion side opening 231 is slightly smaller than the size of the protruding portion 132b. Further, it is preferable that the mouth of the attachment portion side opening 231 is provided with an inclination over the entire circumference so that the protrusion 132b can be easily inserted, in other words, the mouth is wide.

The shape of the sealing portion side opening 221 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a shape that is in close contact with the atmosphere introduction port 114. Further, the shape of the attachment portion side opening 231 is not limited to a quadrangular shape, and may be any shape as long as the protrusion 132b can be inserted.

Further, the external shape of the sealing portion 220 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a polygonal pillar such as a square pillar or a polygonal pyramid. On the other hand, the external shape of the mounting portion 230 is not limited to the square pillar shape, and may be, for example, a polygonal pillar other than the square pillar, a cylinder, or the like. The external shape of the sealing portion 220 and the external shape of the mounting portion 230 may be any shape, but it is preferable that they have different shapes in order to determine which one is used.

The "appearance shape" means a shape when the object is observed from an arbitrary direction. Further, "different from each other" includes a combination of shapes that are not the same as in the present embodiment, and a case where the shapes are the same but the sizes are different. For example, the appearance shape of the sealing portion 220 and the appearance shape of the mounting portion 230 are both cylindrical shapes, but the diameters and heights of the cylinders are different from each other.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the cap continuum 200, each cap 210 is connected by a connecting portion 240. The connecting portion 240 has, for example, a plate shape, and both ends thereof are connected to the mounting portion 230 of each cap 210.

The length of each connecting portion 240 in the X-axis direction is slightly shorter than the distance between the adjacent second through holes 132a in the adapter 130. Specifically, the connecting portion 240 is such that the distance between the sealing portions 220 of the two caps 210 connected to both ends of the connecting portion 240 is the same as the distance between the adjacent second through holes 132a in the adapter 130. The length in the X-axis direction of is formed. The length of the connecting portion 240 in the X-axis direction may be longer than the distance between the adjacent second through holes 132a.

The position where each cap 210 and the connecting portion 240 are connected is not limited to the mounting portion 230, and may be the sealing portion 220. Further, the shape of the connecting portion 240 is not limited to the plate shape, and other shapes may be used. The connecting portion 240 contains an elastically deformable flexible material such as rubber or elastomer.

The sealing portion 220, the mounting portion 230, and the connecting portion 240 may be integrally formed by the flexible member described above. Further, after being formed as separate bodies, they may be connected to each other by using some kind of connecting material.

Next, the structure of the liquid storage device 100 when the cap continuum 200 is attached to the protrusion 132b will be described. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the liquid storage device 100 in the storage state as viewed from the + Z axis direction. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line CC'of the liquid storage device 100 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the state in which the cap continuum 200 is attached to the protrusion 132b is referred to as a “storage state”. In addition, in FIGS. 9 and 10, the liquid injection port 113 of the ink tank 111 is closed by two corresponding levers 140 on the + X axis direction side.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the liquid storage device 100, the cap continuum 200 is attached to the protrusion 132b provided on the bottom surface 132c of the recess 132. Specifically, the mounting portion 230 provided on each cap 210 of the cap continuum 200 is mounted on the protruding portion 132b. More specifically, the attachment portion side opening 231 of the attachment portion 230 and the protrusion 132b are in a fitted state. With the lever 140 closed, the connecting portion 240 of the cap continuum 200 is located between the lever 140 and the atmosphere inlet 114 in the Z-axis direction.

Next, the structure of the liquid storage device 100 when the cap continuum 200 is attached to the atmosphere introduction port 114 will be described. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the liquid storage device 100 in the sealed state as viewed from the + Z axis direction. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the DD'line of the liquid storage device 100 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the state in which the cap continuum 200 is attached to the air inlet 114 is referred to as a “sealed state”. In addition, in FIGS. 11 and 12, the liquid injection port 113 of the ink tank 111 is closed by two corresponding levers 140 on the + X axis direction side.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the liquid storage device 100, the air inlet 114 of each ink tank 111 of the ink tank unit 110 is sealed by the cap continuum 200. Specifically, the air inlet 114 is sealed by a sealing portion 220 provided on each cap 210 of the cap continuum 200. More specifically, the atmosphere introduction port 114 and the sealing portion side opening 221 of the sealing portion 220 are in a fitted state.

The protrusion 132b is provided at a position where the lever 140 of the liquid storage device 100 does not overlap with the lever 140 in a plan view when the lever 140 is closed. According to this, since the protrusion 132b is provided at a position that does not overlap with the lever 140 in a plan view, the protrusion 132b can be visually recognized even when the liquid injection port 113 is sealed by the lever 140. As a result, it can be easily confirmed that the cap continuum 200 is attached to the protrusion 132b.

Next, a series of operations in which the user changes the state from the stored state to the sealed state will be described in detail with reference to each figure.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, first, in the storage state, the user rotates the lever 140 clockwise when viewed from the + X axis direction, and then the two levers 140 on the −X axis direction side shown in FIG. Move to an open state like. At this time, while the lever 140 is rotating, the plug portion 141 that seals the liquid injection port 113 opens. Next, the mounting portion 230 of the cap 210 is removed from the protrusion 132b. In other words, the fitting between the attachment portion side opening 231 and the protrusion 132b of the attachment portion 230 is released.

Next, the cap continuum 200 is rotated about the direction in which the connecting portion 240 is extended. Due to the rotation, the mounting portion 230 of the cap 210 is located in the + Z axis direction, and the sealing portion 220 of the cap 210 is located in the −Z axis direction. The method of rotation is not limited to this, and any method may be used as long as the mounting portion 230 is located in the + Z axis direction and the sealing portion 220 is located in the −Z axis direction.

Next, the sealing portion side opening 221 of the sealing portion 220 of the cap 210 is inserted into the atmosphere introduction port 114. The insertion operation is preferably performed until the bottom of the sealing portion side opening 221 comes into contact with the atmosphere introduction port 114.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lever 140 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the + X-axis direction, and the closing operation is performed like the two levers 140 on the + X-axis direction shown in FIG. Do. When the lever 140 is close to the adapter 130, the liquid injection port 113 is sealed by the plug portion 141 provided on the lever 140. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the lever body 142 abuts on the end of the mounting portion 230 of the cap 210 in the + Z axis direction and receives pressure in the −Z axis direction. Like the two levers 140 on the + X-axis direction side shown in FIG. 11, when the closing operation of the lever 140 is completed, the ink tank 111 is in the sealed state.

The lever body 142 does not always come into contact with the mounting portion 230 of the cap 210. For example, when the end of the mounting portion 230 of the cap 210 in the + Z axis direction is located in the −Z axis direction with respect to the opening surface of the recess 132, the lever body 142 and the mounting portion of the cap 210 are in a sealed state. Does not come into contact with.

The series of operations in which the user changes the state from the sealed state to the stored state is realized by performing the reverse process of the series of operations for changing the state from the stored state to the sealed state described above.

As described above, according to the liquid storage device 100 and the liquid injection device 10 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the present embodiment, since the recess 132 is provided with the second through hole 132a and the protrusion 132b, when the air introduction port 114 is not sealed with the cap 210, the protrusion 132b is easily visible from the outside. The cap 210 can be stored. As a result, since the cap 210 is attached to either the air inlet 114 or the protrusion 132b, it is possible to prevent the user from losing the cap 210 or causing the liquid to flow out from the air inlet 114 during transportation. be able to.

(Modification example)
In the above embodiment, the shape of the protrusion 132b is such that the peripheral protrusion 137, which is a rectangular columnar shape, is formed around the columnar central protrusion 136, but the shape is not limited to this shape, and FIGS. 13B to 13G. It may have a shape as shown in. 13B to 13G are plan views showing the shape of the protrusions of the modified example.

The protrusion 135b shown in FIG. 13B has a central protrusion 136b having a square shape in a plan view from the + Z axis direction, and peripheral protrusions 137b are provided on each of the four side portions forming the square. There is. In the protrusion 135c shown in FIG. 13C, the shape of the central protrusion 136c is a rhombus in a plan view from the + Z direction, and peripheral protrusions 137c are provided at each of the four vertices of the rhombus. The protrusion 135d shown in FIG. 13D is provided with a circular central protrusion 136d in a plan view in the + Z axis direction and a circular peripheral protrusion 137d smaller than the central protrusion 136d. The protrusion 135e shown in FIG. 13E is provided with a circular central protrusion 136e in a plan view in the + Z axis direction and a triangular peripheral protrusion 137e in a plan view in the + Z axis direction. The protrusion 135f shown in FIG. 13F is composed of four peripheral protrusions 137f. The protrusion 135g shown in FIG. 13G is composed of three peripheral protrusions 137g. The number of peripheral protrusions is not limited to three or four, and may be any number.

In the above embodiment, the recess 132 of the adapter 130 is provided with the protrusion 132b for attaching the cap 210 connector, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a third through hole may be provided. Further, instead of the protrusion 132b, a second recess that is recessed on the ink tank unit 110 side may be provided. The third through hole and the second recess are examples of the cap storage unit.

In the above embodiment, the lever rotation shaft 150 of the adapter 130 is provided in the −Y axis direction of the adapter 130. The lever rotation shaft 150 may be provided in the + Y axis direction of the adapter 130. In this case, in order to open the lever 140, the lever is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the + X axis direction. On the other hand, in order to close the lever 140, the lever 140 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the + X axis direction.

In the above embodiment, the protrusion 132b is formed at a position adjacent to the second through hole 132a in the X-axis direction of the recess 132. The position of the protrusion 132b is not limited to this. For example, the second through hole 132a corresponding to the protrusion 132b may be arranged so as to be aligned in the Y-axis direction.

In the above embodiment, the plurality of air inlets 114 are sealed by the cap continuum 200. Further, the cap continuum 200 is attached to a plurality of protrusions 132b. The sealing of the air inlet 114 and the attachment to the protrusion 132b are not limited to the cap continuum 200, and may be performed by the cap 210 alone. Further, it may be performed by a plurality of cap continuums. For example, two cap continuums including two caps 210 and one connecting portion 240 may be used. Further, the number of caps 210 constituting the cap continuum 200 may be larger than the number of air inlets to be sealed.

In the above embodiment, the atmosphere inlet 114 is exposed from the second through hole 132a. The atmosphere introduction port 114 is not limited to the configuration exposed from the second through hole 132a, and may not be exposed. Even if the air introduction port 114 is not exposed from the second through hole 132a, it is sufficient that the air introduction port 114 can be sealed with the sealing portion 220 of the cap 210 penetrating the second through hole 132a in the −Z axis direction. ..

The liquid injection device 10 may be changed to a so-called full-line type liquid injection device 10 which does not include the carriage 17 but includes a long fixed print head 18 corresponding to the entire width of the continuous paper M.

The liquid injection device 10 is not limited to the one that handles continuous paper M, and may be a plastic film, a plate material, a hard panel, corrugated cardboard, or the like, or may be clothes such as cloth or a T-shirt. Further, the liquid injection device 10 is not limited to the large format printer (LFP), and can be applied to, for example, any form of printer provided with the following ink tanks.
(1) An image recording device such as a facsimile machine.
(2) A color material injection device used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.
(3) An electrode material injection device used for forming electrodes such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display and a surface light emitting display (Field Emission Display, FED).
(4) A liquid injection device that discharges a liquid containing a bioorganic substance used for producing a biochip.
(5) A sample injection device as a precision pipette.
(6) Lubricating oil injection device.
(7) Resin liquid injection device.
(8) A liquid injection device that injects lubricating oil pinpointly into precision machines such as watches and cameras.
(9) A liquid injection device that injects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto a substrate to form a microhemispherical lens (optical lens) or the like used for an optical communication element or the like.
(10) A liquid injection device that injects an acidic or alkaline etching solution to etch a substrate or the like.
(11) A liquid injection device including a liquid injection head that ejects other arbitrary minute amounts of droplets.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the column of the outline of the invention may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or one of the above-mentioned effects. It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate to achieve a part or all. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

The contents derived from the embodiment are described below.

The liquid storage device includes a liquid storage body that stores a liquid and a mounting body that covers the liquid storage body. The liquid storage body has a liquid injection port for injecting the liquid, and the liquid storage body has an atmosphere. A first through hole for exposing the liquid injection port and a recessed recess on the liquid container side are formed in the mounting body, and the recessed portion is formed with a recess for introducing the liquid. A second through hole for exposing the air inlet and a cap storage unit for storing the cap for sealing the air inlet in a state where the air inlet is not sealed are formed.

According to this configuration, a second through hole and a cap storage unit are provided in the recess, so if the air inlet is not sealed with a cap, the cap should be stored in the cap storage unit in a state where it can be easily seen from the outside. Can be done. As a result, the cap is attached to either the air inlet or the cap storage, so that the user can prevent the cap from being lost or liquid from flowing out from the air inlet during transportation.

The liquid storage device includes a lever for sealing the liquid injection port, the mounting body includes a lever rotation shaft for rotatably attaching the lever, and the second through hole is a lever rotation. It is provided between the moving shaft and the first through hole.

According to this configuration, since the second through hole is provided between the lever rotation shaft and the first through hole, when the liquid injection port is sealed with the lever through the first through hole, the recess is formed. The open surface is closed by the lever. As a result, even if the cap for sealing the air inlet is insufficiently attached, it is possible to prevent the cap from coming off from the air inlet.

In the above liquid storage device, the cap storage unit is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the lever in a plan view when the lever is closed.

According to this configuration, since the cap storage unit is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the lever in a plan view, the cap storage unit can be visually recognized even when the liquid inlet is sealed by the lever. As a result, it can be easily confirmed that the cap is attached to the cap storage portion.

In the above liquid storage device, the cap storage portion has a protrusion.

According to this configuration, since the cap storage portion has a protrusion, the cap can be easily stored in the cap storage portion by forming a shape that fits the protrusion on the cap.

In the above liquid storage device, the cap includes a mounting portion that can be attached to the protrusion and a sealing portion that seals the air inlet.

According to this configuration, by providing the cap with the mounting portion and the sealing portion, respectively, the sealing portion is not used when the cap is mounted on the protrusion. In other words, the air inlet does not come into contact with the sealing portion. As a result, deformation of the sealing portion can be suppressed.

In the above liquid storage device, the cap has a different external shape from the mounting portion and the sealing portion.

According to this configuration, since the external shape of the cap mounting portion and the external shape of the sealing portion are different, the mounting portion or the sealing portion can be appropriately selected according to the usage situation of the cap.

In the above liquid storage device, when the air inlet is sealed by the sealing portion of the cap, the cap comes into contact with the lever.

According to this configuration, since the cap and the lever are in contact with each other, when the lever seals the liquid injection port, pressure is applied in the direction of sealing the cap. As a result, the air inlet can be reliably sealed.

In the above liquid storage device, a plurality of the liquid storage bodies are provided, and the plurality of the second through holes are arranged in a direction intersecting a straight line connecting the first through hole and the second through hole.

According to this configuration, since the plurality of second through holes are arranged side by side in the same direction, it is possible to form the plurality of caps so as to be connected in a straight line. Therefore, even when a plurality of caps are used, since the plurality of caps are connected to one, it is possible to prevent the caps from being lost.

In the above liquid storage device, the second through hole and the cap storage portion are alternately arranged in the recess.

According to this configuration, a plurality of second through holes and a plurality of cap storage portions are alternately arranged, so that the plurality of air inlets can be sealed by simply sliding the plurality of caps in the extending direction. Or it can be stored in multiple cap storage units.

In the above liquid storage device, a plurality of the caps are arranged, and the plurality of the caps are connected by a connecting portion.

According to this configuration, the loss of the cap can be suppressed by connecting the plurality of caps by the connecting portion.

The liquid injection device includes the above-mentioned liquid storage device.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a liquid injection device capable of suppressing the outflow of liquid from the air inlet.

10 ... Liquid injection device, 11 ... Device body, 12 ... Legs, 13 ... Support, 14 ... Printing section, 15 ... Operating section, 16 ... Paper ejection port, 17 ... Carriage, 18 ... Printing head, 100 ... Liquid storage device , 110 ... Ink tank unit, 111 ... Ink tank as a liquid container, 112 ... Tank body, 113 ... Liquid inlet, 114 ... Air inlet, 115 ... Liquid outlet, 116 ... Liquid container as a liquid container , 117 ... Atmospheric communication part, 118 ... Gas-liquid exchange flow path, 120 ... Housing, 121 ... Side surface, 122 ... Side surface, 123 ... Bottom surface, 124 ... Side surface, 130 ... Adapter as a mounting body, 131 ... Groove part, 131a ... First through hole, 132 ... recess, 132a ... second through hole, 132b ... protrusion as cap storage part, 132c ... bottom surface, 135b, 135c, 135d, 135e, 135f, 135g ... protrusion, 140 ... lever, 141 ... Plug part, 142 ... Lever body, 143 ... Grip part, 144 ... Engagement part, 150 ... Lever rotation shaft, 200 ... Cap continuum, 210 ... Cap, 220 ... Sealing part, 221 ... Sealing part side opening Part, 230 ... Mounting part, 231 ... Mounting part side opening, 240 ... Connecting part.

Claims (11)

A liquid container that holds the liquid and
With a mounting body covering the liquid container,
The liquid container
A liquid inlet for injecting the liquid and
An atmosphere inlet for introducing the atmosphere into the liquid container is formed.
The attached body
The first through hole that exposes the liquid injection port and
A recessed recess on the liquid container side is formed.
In the recess,
A second through hole that exposes the air inlet and
A cap storage unit for storing the cap for sealing the air inlet without sealing the air inlet is formed.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to claim 1.
A lever for sealing the liquid inlet is provided.
The mounting body is provided with a lever rotating shaft for rotatably attaching the lever.
The second through hole is provided between the lever rotation shaft and the first through hole.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to claim 2.
In the closed state of the lever, the cap storage portion is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the lever in a plan view.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The cap storage portion has a protrusion.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to claim 4.
The cap includes a mounting portion that can be mounted on the protrusion and a sealing portion that seals the air inlet.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to claim 5.
In the cap, the appearance shape of the mounting portion and the appearance shape of the sealing portion are different from each other.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to claim 5 or 6.
When the air inlet is sealed by the sealing portion of the cap, the cap comes into contact with the lever.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A plurality of the liquid containers are provided,
A plurality of the second through holes are arranged in a direction intersecting a straight line connecting the first through hole and the second through hole.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to claim 8.
In the recess, the second through hole and the cap storage portion are alternately arranged.
Liquid storage device. The liquid storage device according to claim 8 or 9.
Multiple caps are arranged,
The plurality of caps are connected by a connecting portion,
Liquid storage device. A liquid injection device comprising the liquid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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